Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-03-14
GbMgres afnMar.
IN SENATE.


MIR. RANDoLPn'S NOTION
The Senate took up for consideration, the following
resolution, submitted yesterday by Mr. Randolph:
HeSoced That the President r the United States be re-
quested to lay before the Senate such information as may
be III the possession of the Executive, touching the
piles and practice of the Spanish American States or nn
ct them' late coIouies of old Spain, in regard to Negro
Slavery.
The resolution having been read, and The question
being on its adoption
Mr. Hayne, of South Carolina, said he had listened
with great attention, and certainly with much interest
10 me eloquent remarks made by the gentleman from
Virginia MIR RandoPh) yesterday, on the principles
ana policy OF the new States of South America in re.
iation to the Slave question. 1t subject on which
no one coming from the part &C the country which lie
represented could possibly be Indifferent. The gen
tcman from Virginia had given us a car d-doubt-
less very accurate statement of the principles ofthesc
new states, Mr. H. belle ed that the facts connected
with this subject were notorious and were as well known
TO the Senate they could be from any conmuni-
cation the Executive could make in answer 10 the call
proposed IN the geutiemans resolution Whether the
Proclamation attributed 10 the LibcIator genuine
or not, this House and this ton are not now TO be in
formed that the Republics we're ma rchin under the
banner OF universal emancipation. Mr.. IIayne was
therefore. induced to doubt the necessity OF calling on
the President for information which already in their
possession. Certainly such call ought not TO be made
nniess there was some believe that il would
furnish us with some facts with which we arc not al
ready acquainted. Hlr Haync said he did not rise to
oppose the rcsonon but merely 10 suggest the propr
ely OF Postponing the consideration of few DAYS
IN order TO give time for further deberafon as tn tho
necessity of acting upon it, Having some doubts on
that point, he hoped the gentleman from Virginia would
not object to the stPoncmen othc luton TO Mon
day next, which Mr.. II. moved accordingly.
MIR haaaoiPt then rose, and said, had certainly not
intended L" nave SAID one word mere the subject Of
ms resolution III IL should not meet with oppos
ZION; and as matter OF courtesy, certainly should ac
qulescc in the request of the gentleman from South Ca
rona, ii there was any probability Of getting the mo-
ton tahcnuP on day fixed for the proposed amendment
o! the Constitution But, at the same time hone thai
gentleman will pardon for saying that the fate of nv
resolution reminds OF very avorte old Spanish pro-
verb OF mne-ior although very much snitten
or nnoculated with the Spanish American fever yet
The old Spanish proverbs great and dcsery
ties of mine being perhaps the most pthy and pungent
IN the world: ii is this-saye me from nv friends and
VIII take care of my enemies.
did not appiehend said Mr.. Il. that any gentleman
here would have raised any opposition 20 this reso ton
Ir, tins session IS drawing TO close hope; for it will
very soon be time to plant corn. Under existing cir
curnstances wish This resolution TO be acted on now:
therefore, though it is very great time from this to
Monday yet as that day is assigned 20 a special order
on the amendment OF the Constitutions cannot con-
seBtand hope the gentleman win pardon me in say
ing sol cannot consent by my vote the postpone
ment-deernIng ii equivalent to rejection Of the
TnoiionthouG If It be the pleasure of tbe Senate to
decide against me, shall submit TO il; as always do TO
the majority, | hope with decency--but without the
slightest change in ny oPuionas the cxpcdiency of
the course proposed
Sir, said Mr. II. ! can say with sincerity of heart
that no man can question the truth of that it is n mat
ter to inc Of modification and distress, that have had
SO often OF late imposed upon as conceive, (yghe-
tler truly or falsely the duty of thrOing myself on the
attention of This body. 1t has been my habit else
where ii has not been my habit of late years more es
Pccliy-indced have understood, since took my seat
IN this body, Chat mpuation of a contrary nature
that should be here an inactive member, a slothGnl
public scrYant'Tas feared by even ory friends
and was the strongest amongst the objections of those
candid adversaries who damn with faint praise-to nv
being here at all! and while discian thai motive is
possible that may be unConsciousy actuaed by IT, But
Sir, under the circumstances in which sland-in the
place IN which, stand-EM Mr.. r.. was staining in Mr..
azcWeits place, who absent account of sick
ness lin The situation in which the State of Virginia is
piaced-by the absence ofny associate, and in which
an happy to say she is placing and has placed herself in
array against this GOyeTnEentno sir this Govern
meDt, but tie NAL administration OF tit under these
circumstances tlat have bccn rs conceive bound in
duty 10 offer my, perhaps crude Couccponsbut which
have been we'll concocted long and patient Thought
could digest thoin-to the attention OF this body
know sir that the habit of frequently addressing dis
any other legislative body, but this body more csDe-
cia!iy-has tendency TO cheaper far greater talents
than any that I possess ever laid claim TO- and 10
impair the value OF >fhc greatest abilities.
know, sir, that in This body which is in itself Cgn-
SreSs consisting Of deputies from sovereign and indie
pendent States, ordinate and coeouaI where the
least equally footing With The rreates-yyhere
state which sends but one member TO the other House
is on footing with one that sends forty, ard on foot
ing tbcrc' too under certain Nonlngonccsfor csecn
aud provided Tor by tic Constitution, that, for ang in
dividuai member SO frequently obru5c himself ON
its attention is fata not only 10 any Ie reputation
that lac may have happened TO acquire in the course Of
s public life, bu-ghat is Of far more conseGnenrc-
20 his capacity TO be useful TO tle power dat sent him
here. II IS wise and salutary icaously on Tie part Of
The ScTaic. ] know sir, that ibis is a body above ali
others, in which they "sla not be herad Tor ter much
sPeakiug;" in which ':yain repet,oDs DO rs little GOOD
We know they viii do in another place; and vet sir
cTcumstauced as am, am compelled not only to break
through That rule Of pToprety, which Otherwise would
restrain me- but 70 be guilty sometimes Of those very
vain repotrons" also May hope 10 be pardoncd
for THIS not only in consideration oF tic pccuarily oil
my sliuatlon--of ny cOndton-bUi i'm consideration 81
9decct-whether Of nature or Of education. u is ~cr-