Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-09-15
EGL31iLGA.L.
!Sllnlearillc, Ohio, 9CM u

!Steujearii}c, Ohio, aCM tug. 1926,
MEssns. GALES Il SEAroN:
You did me the honour to copy into the National IN
clgenccr OF the 18th current, tic Ks made by
me at late dinner in this town. la announcing the
publication In your readers sou deemed it necessary
express your dissent only to part of tue remarks
and YOU expressed that dissent III the following words
we cannot agree that the General Government has
ANY pocc' 10 egis!otc negotiate concerning slave
"propcrty-any more than concerning land titles the
law c dcsccnts. We do believe that successful at
''tempt TO iegisate the subject, would be virtual
''dssouon of the Uuion. To the States of the South
''in such case, unhappiy, would be left .lte1na-
''tive.n
think, gentlemen these remarks of YOURS were pen
ned without due reflection, upon hSt pcrusal OF the
observation made by me, and that they founded in
misrepresentation OF my meaning, anu of the potrerS OF
the General Government. They must have originated
in the suppoSifion that had expressed sentiments ia.
vorable To the exercise, by the General Goyernme
the 'tO,Cern Of Legislation, of negotiation concern
ing slave property" least, that had asserted that
such powc; perained to the Genera! Government. A
more careful pcrusal Of my will undeccive
you as TO my views. unable TO discover in what
part OF them sentiments found, favorable either 10
me existence, or 10 tie exercise OF such power. NV
object TO show, that the strongest evidence of sec
tonal feeling the slave question found In the slave
States-tat the extreme sensiby TO alarm ont!a sub
ect, amongst southern gentlemen warranted by
any existing state OF things in the free ates-at some
OF our Southern brethren resorcd TO outcry upon the
slave question as one means of securing themselves in
the enjoyment of unequal prireses-priyieres which
States. have 10 desire to excite sectional feenos-
wish to touch the adjusted concessions in the Con,
tuition OF the Union. J wish the People OF the free
States CrupUlousiv give their Southern brethren
every thing that belongs them and to pursue firmly
national questions affecting the interests of the non.
saveholing States, uniruenced by The threats of in
temperate men from tie slave States
But, my good friends, however this may be- an,
convinced that recurrence 10 the subject and little
reflection will satisfy you the General Government has
Pot0er either to Icste mes0tate concerning slave
1 q
ation, TO repeal the act prohibiting the importation of
slaves or the act declaring the slave trade piracy; TO
prohibit under the 9th section of the LIST article of the
CONSTITUTIONS the migration cot slaves: 10 nav Fran,is
Larche tor his slave destroyed at New Orleans or to
low Anna DGbod to bring her slaves there from Cuba;
to provide for the reception OF runaway slaves or e
abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia or the
Territories OF the United States, for Furnishing the
eDcing away slaves. NOi Ill not deny that the @ on
Gov. had PowcTn to negotiate under the mediation Of
Russia for obtaining pay for slaves enccd into the ser
vice OF the enemy during the last that il has
PoccT to negotiate to prevent like occurrences or
Tor The arrest and surrender by foreign Governments
of slaves escaping to their Territories You will moi
deny 'ocef" 10 negotiate with foreign Governments
to prevent their cntcing slaves revolt and assa
ere, or the putting arms into their hands You viii not
deny has P0ccr" al the Congress of Panama to ne.
g0tate with and advise the Southern Republics in case
Of their invading the West India Islands and frcin the
blacks there 10 exert their force restrain the eInan
cpated blacks from plumber, brutal violence and in
discriminate massacre, or from re cnacting the untold
cnormes which characterized the revolution i'm St
Domingo. If you admit the General Government has
these powers, you will agree has pocci to legisate
or negotiate concerning slave property" and that YOUR
dissent from my sentiments so little beyond thc re
cord. You Will agree, moreover that YOU do ou Sou
thern friends and yourselves Injustice in supposn chat
ga successful attempt 10 legIsate the subject would
"be virtual dissolution of the Unon.n
VIII you do me the favor TO give this place in the
Ineliigencer?
With great respect and regard
Your friend and servant,
j. {. WRIGHT