Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1829-03-07

sachusc,ts federaliss The Massa chusetts election.
therefore, is touchstone OF national principle, and
upon its issue may depend the question of peace
and war between the United States and England
However hostile British ministry may feel against
u.s. they will never venture upon it until they can
depend upon active cooperation with them
within the United States. 1t is from the New
England iederas,s alone that they can expect it,
From the same view Of the subject, though prompt
ed by very opposite feelings too take deep in
terest in the Massachusetts elections. | have
known now more than seven years the projec of
the Boston faction against the Union. They have
ever since that time at least, been seeking pre-
text and an occasion for avowing the principle
The people, however, have never been ready TO
60 with them, and when in the embargo time
they did, for a moment, get majority with them
they only verified the old proverb about setting
beggar OH horseback. Mr. Quincy has been at the
pains now Of furnishing them with 4 pretext,
which will wear no better than its predecessors
Mr. Quincy should not have quoted me as an au-
thority for dissolution of The Union. He may be
assured it is doctrine that never will have my
sanction 1t is my attachment to the Union
which makes me specially anxious for the result of
the Massachusetts elections. They contest
Of life and death for the Union. If that party are
not ultimately put down in Massachusetts a COM
pletey as they already are in New York and PEN
sylvania and all the southern and western States,
the Union is gone Instead of 4 nation coextcn-
by God and Nature to he the most populous and
most powerful people, ever combined under one
social compact, we shall have an endless multitude
OF little insignificant clans and tribes, at eternal
with one another, for a rock or fish pond,
the sport and fable OF European masters and op-
pressors.'
Extract of a letter from William Pumer, heretofore
Senator ofthe United States, afterwards Governor
New Hampshire.
ErpING, N. ii. December 20, 1898.
During the long and eventiul session of Con-
gress Of 1903 and 1904 | was member of the
Senate, and was at the city of Washington every
day Of that session. In the course of the session,
at different times and places al of the FEEDER
alists, Senators and Representatives, from the
New Eng land States in Ormed that they
thought it necessary to establish separate gov
eminent in New England, and If it should be
found practicable, to extend it so far South as to
include Pennsylvania; but in all events to estab-
lish one in New England. They complained,
that the slave holding States had acquired by
means ftheir slaves, greater increase of Rep
resentaves i'll the House than was Just and equal
that too great portion OF the public revenue
was raised in the Northern States, and too much
oft expended in the Southern and Western States;
and that the acquisition of Louisiana, and The new
States that wee formed, and those 10 be formed in
the West and in the coded Territory would soon all
nihilate the weight aud influence OF the NortheI n
States in the government.
Their intention, they said, was to establish IT, cir
new government under the authority and protection
of state governments. That having secured the
election of a governor, and majority OF Legis-
1aure In state in favor of sep ration the leg
iature should repeal the law auhorising the peo-
pie to elect representatives to Congress- and grad
ualy withdraw the state from The Union, establish
custom house officers to grant Registers and
cearances to vessels, and eventually establish
federal government in the Northern and Easter n
States. And that fNew England united in the
measure, it would in due time he effected without
Iesortng to arms.
Just before the session of Congress closed one
OF the gentlemen to whom have alluded, inform
ed me, that arrangements had been made TO have
the next autumn, in Boston, select meeting Of
the leading federalisls in New England, to consd-
er and Recommend the measures necessary TO
form system Of Government for the Northern
States, and that Alexander Hamton of New
York, had consented to attend that meeting.
Soon after my return from Washington. adopt
ed the most effectual means in my power to col
lect the opinions of well informed leading federal
lists in New-Iiampshire, upon the subject. found
some in favor Of the measure, but great majority
OF them decidedly opposed to the project and
from the partial and limited enquiries | made in
Massachusetts, the result appeared to me nearly
similar to that in New Hampshire.
The Gentleman, who in the winter Of 1903 and
1904 informed me there was to be meeting Of
Federaliss in the autumn of 1904, at Boston, at
the session Of Congress in the winter Of 1904 and
1905, observed 10 me, that the death Of General
Hamilton had prevented that meeting but the
project was not, and would not be abandoned
| owe it to you well myself to state expli
CITY, that in The session Of Congress, in the win
ter of 1903 and 1904; | was, myself in favor Of
forming a separate Government in New England :;
and wrote several confidential letters te a few ofmy
friends and correspondents, recommending the
measure. But afterwards, upon thoroughly nvesti-
eating and maureIy considering the subject, was
fully convinced that my opinion in favor of sepa-
ration, was the most erroneous that ever form
ed upon political subjects. The only consolation
had, was that my error in opinion had not pro-
duced any act injurious to the integrity of the Uni.
on. When the same project was revived in 1903
and 1900 during the embargo and non-nter-
course, and afterwards, during the war Of 1912,
used every effort in my power, both privately, and
publicly, TO defeat the attempt then made 10 estab-
l,,l, II l..