Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-03-15

!, its'i3 Mr.. nm BURE.r-.vO .a5oi;tionist, .se =
We lay this morning before our readers the following
frank, m.Ey, mastery letter of Mr. Van Buren, ON the
subject Of Abolitlonism.
N. Caroint was intended to embnrrass hmas Jackson
the scene ofthe famous Mangum and Leigh Letter
But be has not hesitasd TO meet trr question fairly
openly and above board And 10 the circumstance OF
similar enquiry biting addressed him by the Delegate
fr"m Brunswick aud friend Of the Admin sra,ion, we
indebted for the pleasure of laying this
; correspondence before the public.
Mr. Van xpciily admits, that he constructs the
general clause in the Constitution comforting Con-
gress The authority IN The Federal Distrct the
subject that would otherwise have been possessed by the
States Of Maryland and Virginia throwing upon the
should lie touchcd.Dut while e iianhIy admits such
power he protests in the solemn manner against
the slightest exercise Of it 'against The cscs Of the
lie contends, that such power ought have been
given--that the exemption to slavery is easss
omissas in the Constitution He believes that if such
the present could been at the f,rma
ton of that instrument IL would have been made an cx-
cepton TO The unrestricted Legislative power-tnoreover
that is surprise upon the Suites of Virginia and sia
ryland-that ii such case the present could have
been foreseen at the time of the cesson, positive re-
sction would have been laid upon Congress- against
any attempt 10 exercise any such power.
Mr. " ID. holds, necessary conse qucnce that the
abolition of slaves in the District against the wishes of
the avcodng States would destroy ut once that CON-
promise OF interests ,cheh lies the basis of our social
lie therefore dee larcs be his and settled
oPinion that il is the sacred duty of those who are
q.
verninent to use their constitutional power pre-
vent itand Of course it he the President or the
u 81 he must veto any bill which might affect Rights
OF the Shareholders in the District However language
indeed, can be stronger than that which he cmploys
lie would 90 into the Presidential Chair "tbe iaerLc
and opponent any attenpt ON lie n,r
OF Congress 10 abolish slavery in the District" &c lie
denies, positively that they have the shadow of any
such power over the Staes-and so solemn is bs Con-,
vction of duty the District deep his of the
injustice which would be done TO the sa ye.hodina
States-so perfectly satisfied is he that it would in
evitahly the dissolution of happy Union
that he declares the exercise of any such power the
District forbidden by objections cas- Imperative in their
nature and obligations the most palpablc of con-
stitutiona powers would beand that lie would 20 into
the Presidential Chair ach The determination cquay de-
eided TO resist the slightest interference with the subject
in the States where il exists"
Who then can doubt Martin Van Burcns solemn de-
berate, and well considered determination to exercise
all his influence, all the power with which he may ever
be invested to prevent the slightest action of Compress
either in the District in the Sates-and if il should
ever come TO Mat (Which Heaven i'm its providence for
oid he Is ready to put the Presidential Veto upon it,
and to arrest The Eyi?He is committed this course bv
every high and holy considerations which can bind his
conscience, affect his characer and the eternal
interests of his beloved country.-With these solemn
declarations before u.s. declare most soemnIy that
we should expect much safety this delicate and all
Important subject, whether il concerns the States or the
District OF Columbia, we should expect from John C.
Calhoun or the chivarous James Hamilton himself
when we say this, we again bear testimony in the
most public manner to the solemn duty of keeping off
The hands OF the Federal Government from the Slaves
10 the District of Columbia Dearly as we value this
Union-"dcar as the rudy drops that this heart
we would dissolve il the very first moment that Con
gross lays It's hand upon the head of a Slave! From
that moment our mind has always been made up-and
Is sill made up, to the sacrifice of Ma which we value
The most next to our Liberties and TO the Hres of our IA
miles, and dearest friends.
The storm may blow by for the present. For our own
parts, repeat that should have preferred these IA
natical petitions to Be rejected The Senate however
nave determined 10 them, but INSTANTLY To reject
their prayer We submit in the spirit Of compromise
and viii wait TO the result of this experiment until
the next of Congress. Ii by that time we find
the decision will suffice off these petitions we
hope the South will then insist upon rejecting Inc ne
ltons at once and sammng the door the face of the
Fanatics II, however, that remedy will suffice it
may be thought best TO call for authoritative const
tutional declaration from the States, shield US from
me slightest interference in any form by the Congress
the U. Sand upon that point have Mr. Van Blu
rem bound by is solemn belief of its justice and good
iaith 10 assist the Sooh To the utmost of his powers
AS to the general subject of 4Got0aism he goes as
firmly aud as vehcmenty against it, any friend of
the South can require He abhoss the Fanatics os
calculated overthrow by their success the nobest
political edihce in the universe, as striking
+" The severest blow that the cause of liberty and
selfgovenment could ever receive lie trusts that
reason and tie public opinion of the North will
arrest the agators in their mid career, but pre-
This is opinion of Mr.. v. ID nor is il suddenly
got up for effect On the 18th October last we published
the following extracts from private Letters of MIR. b.
on ms agitaung SUBJECT;
By spirited and aetrc proceeding upon the subject
the Evil Spirit may be put down; and if it be put
down, tell what may be its limits of mischief
and calamity The abolitoniss themselves admit that
the subject belongs exclusively the States How cnl
pabie and criminal then is it in them NEEDLE mat.
ter with which they confess they have nothing TO do
and from which interference such terrible results are
likely to follow
Public sentiment WILL doubt not be sufficient TO
accomplish II, (yiz: put dozen the aL0Lioniss land If
that should prove inadcquate the considerations
which have made it what il is, WILL in due time,
general desire that the Legislature should exercise all
ITS r'ghtiul powers TO the same end"
Nay, even the Richmond Wing had the Justice last
year 10 acqn Mt Van Buren, of all suspicion of being
an dbolitonisi Why is lac then constantly engaged
in throwing out his fiery against him. and scat
tering unjust suspicious throughout the land
CORRESPOND ENCE.
RIcHMoND, March 9Th, 1886
SIR four opinion the Slave Question in relation 10
the states, is distinctly understood i'm the South and
perfectly satisfactory. But, many Of your friends are
in doubt TO your real sentiments the District aucs
ton take the liberty, therefore, of requesting can
did avowai OF your opinion the constitutional rights
OF the inhabitants of the District of Columbia Do Won
mean TO say when you say that you against the
proprety Of agtatog 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 make will find me here for the
next ten days. ann an Administration man and De-
legaIe from the county Of Brunswick
have the honor TO be,
With great respect, your obedicnt servant,
m (SignedO j. b MALLORY
The Hon. MARrIS VAN BUREx r. Presided of o. s
WAsHISoros, March III ill., 1886.
SIR--l have the honor owledge the recent of
your letter Of the 9th inst, asking my opinion as TO the
constitutional power Of COBgr,s interfere with the
subject OF Slavery in the District Of Columbia and