Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-03-15
MIR. HaN BUREM-No .sbolaion;s,

$3.50 NIX. P.7N BUREN-HO .ibol;tionist!
We la7 this morning before our readers The foliowinr
frank mlny mastery letter Of Mr.. Van Buren, on the
subject OF Aboilinnsm
There is some reason 10 suspect that the letter from
n Caroni intended to cmharrass hing Jackson
the scene OF The famous Mangum and Leigh Letter
But he has not hcsaicd 10 meet their question fairly
openly and above board-And to the circumstances Of
similar enquiry being addressed 10 bin, by the Delegate
ru::, Brunswick and friend Of the Administrations we
ure indebted for the pleasure Of aging this interesting
correspondence before The public.
Mr. Van buren, explicitly admits, Ina; he constructs TIC
general clause in the Constitution rs cnnrrri,r on Gun
gress The authority i'll the Federal District over ihr
subject that would otherwise have been by the
States Of Maryland and Notwithstanding upon them.
we contend the duty of paying Tor every slave tina,
should be touchcd-But while he frankly admits such
power, he protests in the most solemn aiHs,
the slightest exercise of it "agans The ,ciShcs IF The
siarc-hOiding States"
He contends, that such power ought 10 have been
g!ven-that the exemption to slavery is caSus
c'n;Ssas in the Constitution. He believes, that if such
the present could have been orescen at the orma
ton Of that instrument it would have been made
ccption to the unrestricted legislative powermoreovcr
that it is surprise upon the States Of Virginia and Ma
ryand-that if such as the present could have
been foresecn at the time of the cession positive
stricon would have been laid upon Congress, against
any attempt 10 exercise any such power.
Mr.. Y. b. holds, necessary consequence, That The
abolition of slaves in the District against the wishes of
the slave.holding States would destroy at once that COM
interests lphCh az WC OdSLS OF SOCLut
therefore declares it to be his clear and settled
opnon that it is the sacred duty of those who
trusted with The contru of the action of the Federal Co
verument, TO use thc constitutions power so as to pre-
vent t-and Of course If he the President Of the
u lie must veto any bill WHICH ght affect the Rights
of the Slave holders the District However, language
indeed be stronger than that which he employs
lie would 70 into The Presidential Chair sthe iafexibc
and opponent of any attempt tho part
of Congress to abolshsIayery in the District &c. lie
dcnes most positively shat they have tho shadow Of any
such power over the States-and so solemn is his
victon Of duty the District, deep his Of The
Injustice which would be done to the slave. holding
States-so perfectly satisfied is he that it would in.
evtably occasion the dissolution Of happy Union
that he declares the exercise Of any such power in the
District forbidden by objections "aS Imperative IN their
nature and igdons The most palpabc Of
s.itutiona powers would beand that he would go into
the Presidential Chair ,cih the determination cguiy de-
cided resist the slightest interference with the subject
in the States where it exists.
Who then doubt Martin Van Burcns solemn de-
lberae, and wcll.consdered determination exercise
all his influence, all the power with which he may
be invested TO prevent the slightest action of Congress-
either in The District or in the Satcs-and if it should
ever come at, (Which Heaven in its providence for
bid y ne is ready to pu, the Presidential Veto upon it,
and TO arrest the Ev-le is committed 10 this by
every high ana holy consideration, which bind his
conscience affect his character and concern the ccI nal
interests of his beloved country.-With these solemn
declarations before us, declare most snemny, that
we should EXPECT i;ich safety this delicate and all
nnnrtan; subject whether it concerns the States or the
District Of Columbia should expect from John c.
Calhoun or the chivalrous James Hamilton himself
When we say this, again bear testimony in the
most public 10 the solemn duty OF keeping oft
the hands Of the Federal Government from the Slaves
in The District of Columbia. Dearly as we value this
Uninu-''dear the rIddy drops that warm this heart
we would dissolve it the very first moment that Con
gress lays lis hand upon the head OF Slave! From
THAT moment, mind has always been made upand
is sill made up, to the sacrifice of that which we value
| 81,
miles, and dearest friends
The storm may blow by for the present For our
parts repeat, that should have preferred these IA
naca petitions to be jeclcd. The Senate, however,
have determined to rcceite them, but instantly to reject
thar prayer. We submit, in the spirit of compromise
and will wait to the result Of this experiment until
the session of Congress. If by that time we find
the decision will suffice 10 OH these petitions,
hope the South will then insist upon rejecting the Pc
ltions once and samng the door in the face of the
Fanatics Ii, however, that remedy will not SUFFICE it
may be thought best TO call for authoritative const
tullolal declaration from the States, to shield from
the slightest interference in any form by the Congress OF
the u. Sand upon that point we have Mr.. Van Bu-
bound by his solemn belief of its justice and good
faith 10 assis, the South the utmost OF his powers
AS to the general subject Of 9boti0niSn, he goes as
firmly and vehcmeny against it, any friend Of!
the South can require He abhors the Fanatics, as
calculated overthrow by their success, The nohes
political cdifcr in the universe, and as striking
" the scverest blow that The cause OF liberty and
sefgovernment could ever receive. He trusts that
reason and the public opinion of the North will
arrest the agators in their mid career, but is pre-
pared to put them down by eonstttutOaai remedies
This is no new opinion Of Mr. V. -nnr is il SUDDENLY
got up for effect On the 18th October last published
the following extracts from private Letters OF Mr. v g.
! this agating subject:
'Bya spirited and Gcrc proceeding upon the suhlecs
the Evil Spirit may be put down; and il it be not put
down no tell what may be lis limits OF mischief
and calamity. The abolitonisls themselves admit that
tho subject belongs exclusively to the States How cn!-
pale and criminal then is it in them TO meddr in mat
Ter with which they confess they have nothing to do,
and from which interference such terrible results are
likely TO follow
"iublic sentiment WILL / doubt not, be sufficient to
accomplish it, (viz put dorn the abottionists )-nnd 1t
that should prove inadequate the same considerations
which have made it what is, will, in due time, create
general desire tina. the Legislature should exercise all
its rightiul powers to the same end
Nay, even the Richmond Wing had the justice last
wear TO acqut Mr. Van Buren, of all suspicion Of being
an 9boiitionis Why he then constantly engaged
in throwing out his fiery arrows against hun, and scat
| tcring unjust suspicious throug hout the land
CORRESPONDENCE.
RICHMOND, March 5th, 1895.
Sin: Your opinion the Slave Question, IN relation 10
the states is distinctly understood IN the South and
perfectly satisfactory. But, many of your friends are
in doubt as to your real sentiments the District qnes-
ton take the liberty, therefore: of requesting can
did ayowa of your the constitutional rights
OF the inhabitants o.: the District of Columbia. Do you
mean say, when you say that you are " against the
proprety Of agtating the question in the District that
Congress has power under the Federal Constitution
to interfere with the slave question: Any reply which
you may think proper 10 make, will find here for the
mex, ten days. 1 ain Administration man and De-
| legate from the county of brunswick.
have the honor 10 be,
With great respect, your obedicnt servant,
| (Sigmrd) }. b. MALLORY.
| The Hon MxRTIN VAN buren,, y. President Of u 5
| =. WAsHISGToS, March llth, 1856.
Sri have the honor TO acknowledge the receipt Of
your letter Of the 9th ns asking my opinion as to the
constitutional power of Congr IS to interfere with the
subject of Slavery in the District Of Columbia and 10