The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1836-04-01

4 =
ford me, TO explain myself fully on that al
so. As anxious as you can possibly be TO
arrest all agitation upon this disturbing sub
Iect, have considered the question YOU
have propounded 10 me, with sincere de-
sire TO arrive at the conclusion that the sub
leci, IN respect TO the District OF Columbia,
can be safely placed on the same ground
on which it stands in regard to the States,
VIZ : the want of constitutional power in Con.
gress TO 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 whatsoever over the Federal DIS
trict, does not confer on that body the same
authority over the subject that would 9TH
erwlse have been possessed by the States OF
Maryland and Virginia; or tina. Congress
might not, in virtue thereof, take such steps
upon the subject in this District, as those
States might themselves take within their
own limits, and consistently with their rights
Of sovereignty.
Thus viewing the matter, would not,
from the lights nov before me, feel myself
safe 10 pronouncing that Congress does not
possess the power Of interfering with or a.
polishing slavery in the District Of Column
bla. But, whilst such are my present I'M
pressons upon the abstract question on the
legal power Of Congress-Impresslons which
shall at all times be not only ready, but
disposed, 10 surrender upon conviction Of
lerror-l do not hesitate to give It 10 you
as INV deliberate and well.cousldered opln.
ION, that there are objections 10 the exercise
OF this power, against the wishes OF the
slave, holding States, us imperative IN thar
nature and obligations, in regulating the
conduct OF public men, as The most pdipdble
uGn. Of constitutional porer could be.
You have alluded 10 your letter to the
conspicuous situation IN which have been
placed before the public; and take 1t for
granted, that II is 10 that circumstance, ra.
Their than TO any other, .hat | am TO ascrlbe
the soIlcltude felt by Yourselves and your
fellow citizens IN respect TO my views on
this subject. | recognise, to the fullest ex
} tent, the proprlety Of this desire on your
part; aud although there is nothing 10 your
letter making the ayowal necessary, ! pre-
ter that not only you, but all the people Of
the L. States shall now understand that If
the desire Of that portion Of them which IS
favourable to my elevation to the Chief
Magstracy, should be gratltied, must 90
into the Presidential Char the inhexible
and uncompromIsng opponent Of any at.
temp. on the part OF Congress to abolish
slavery IN the District Of Columbia, against
the wishes Of the slave holding States and
also with the determination equally decided,
. to resist the slightest interference with the
subject IN the States where it exists. In
SAYING this, tender neither to them nor TO
YOU any pledges, but declare only settled
opinions and convictions Of duty. Those
t who doubt that they will be carried into
full and fair effect, are under 70 obligations
/ 10 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 10 complain of lis exer-
else than myself.
] The peculiar importance Of the subject,
and desire (Which you viii allow me to
teel) that my views of It be correctly un-
derstood, make II proper that should ey.
! plain the grounds of the opinions above ex.
pressed. They are founded, amongs, 9th.
ers, on the following considerations, VIZ:
RI lst. | believe, that If ii had been fore.
seen, at the time Of the adoption Of the
f Constitution, that the seat OF the Federal
, Government would be fixed 10 a slavehod.
| Ing region, and that the subject Of slavery
would be there agItated to the prejudice OF
those holding this species Of property, the
f right to do 50 would, with the assent of the
non slave. holding States, have been made
, an exception to the unrestricted legislative
power gwen to Congress over the District
TO be ceded.
IDLY. cannot but regard the agitation
Of this subject IN the District of Columbia,
as surprise upon the people Of Maryland
| and Virginia, being very confident that #
, the state Of things which raw exists, had
t been at all apprehended by those States the
{ cesslon of the District would not have been
!, made, except upon the express condition
r that Congress should exercise no such pow.
/ er and that with such condition, the ces.
/ sion would, in the then state of public 0.
2 pinlon, have been readily accepted.
3dly. ! do therefore believe, that the a.
BOLTON Of slavery 10 the District Of Colum.
e ba, against the wishes Of the slave holding
States assuming that Congress has the
= power TO effect III would violate the spirit