State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-04-05

the people OF the south VIII do great mus
tice if they allow themselves to believe, that
the few who are interfering with the Ques-
ton of slavery are acting in accordance
with the sentiments Of the north upon the
suhlect;" and finally, "that they made
these declarations to their Southren breth-
rem in the same spirit of amity which bound
together their fathers and ours, during a
long and eventlul struggle for independence;
and that they did, in full remembrance of
ihat common association, plight to them
their faith to maintain in practice, as far as
lies in their power, what they had thus
solemnly declared"
These views thus expressed and sane
toned by myself, appear to me TO cover
the whole ground, save the abstract ques-
ton to which you have been pleased to
call my attention, and | cheerfllly embrace
the opportunity you have felt it your duty
to afford me, to explain myself fully on
that point also. As anxious as you can
possibly he, to arrest all agitation on the dis
turbing subject, have considered the ques-
ton you have propounded to me, with SIM
cere desire to arrive at the conclusion, that
the subject, i'll respectto the District OF CO.
lunibia, can he safely placed on the same
ground on which it stands in regard TO the
States, viz: the want of constitutional pow
or in Congress 10 interfere in the matter. |
owe it, however, to candor, TO say TO you,
that | have not been able to satisfy myself
| that the grant to Congress in the constitution,
of the power of" ercluSire Legislation IN all
cases iUhutsoeuer," over the Federal District,
does not confer on that body the same au-
| thority over the subject that would have
been possessed by the States of Maryland
and Virginia; or that Congress might not
| in virtue thereof, take such steps upon the
bject in this District, as those States might
themselves take within their own limits,
and consistently with their rights Of sove-
reignty.
Thus viewing the matter, | would not
| from the lights now before me, feel myself
safe in pronouncing that Congress does not
possess the power Of interfering with or a.
polishing slavery in the District of Column
bia. But, whilst such are my present i'm
pressions upon the abstract question OF tie
| legal power Of congress impressions which
| shall at all times, be not only ready, but
disposed to surrender upon conviction of
error; | do not hesitate to give it to you as
my deliberate and well considered opinion,
that there are objections to the exercise OF
this power against the wishes of the slave
holding states, as imperative IN their nature
and obligations, in regulating the conduct OF
public men, as The most palpable rant Of con-
stitutionul po,Uer tUo,dd be.
You have alluded in your letter to the
conspicuous situation in which have been
placed before the public, and take it for
granted that it is to that circumstance,
rather than 10 any other, that am TO ascribe
the solictude felt by yourselves and your
felow-ctlzens in respect to my views on
this subject. recognize 10 the fullest ex-
tent, the propriety of this desire on your
part; and although there is nothing in your
letter making the uvowal necessary, prefer
that not only you, but all the people ofthe
United States shall now understand, that If
the desire of that portion of them which is
favorable 20 my elevation TO the Chief
magstracy should be gratifed, | must go
into the Presidential Chair the infleXible
and uncompromsing opponent Of any at
tempt on the part of Congress TO abolish
slavery in the District Of Columbia, against
the wishes of the slaveholding STATES and
also with the determination equally deCidcd
TO resist the slightest interference with
the subject in the States where it exists. III
saying this, l tender neither 10 them nor to
you, any pledges, but declare only settled
opinions and convictions of duty. Those
t who doubt that they will be carried inc
, full and fair effect, are under no Obligations
J to trust me. An opportunity is afforded
: them to exercise their free choice in the
matter, and they may be assured, that there
: is no one less likely to complain Of its eX
erciso than myself
The peculiar importance of the subject
) and desire (Which you will allow me &c
feel that my views of it should be correctly
understood, make it proper that | SHOULD
explain the grounds Of the opinions above
; expressed. They are founded amongst 9th
ers, Oh the following considerations, viz:
! LIST. believe that if it had been forseen
at the time of the adoption of the constitu
= ton, that the seat of the Federal Govern
ment would be fixed in n slaveholding re
gion. ard that the subject of slavery would
, be agitated TO the prejudice of those hold
ing this species Of property, the right TO DE-
! so, would, with the assent of the non
$ slaveholding States, have been made al
exception TO the unrestrained Legislative
= power given to Congress over the Distric
= to he coded.
| 2dly. cannot but regard the agitation
= of this subject in the District of Columbia
e as surprise upon the people of Mary ant
l ana Virginia, being very confident that i
the state Of things which now exists, haC
been at all apprehended by those States
= tho ccsson of the District would not hav,
been made except uron the express condi
0 ton that Congress should exercise 10 sucl
c power; and that with such condition
t the cession would, in the then state ofpub
I lie opinion, have heen readily accepted.
3dly. do therefore believe, that the alb
clifton of slavery in the District of Colrm
: hla, against the wishes Of the slavehodin,
. States assuming that Congress has th
D power TO effect it) would violate the spri
a of that compromise Of interests which lie
n at the basis of our social compact; and