Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-11-02
CORRESPONDENTS

October !. ls35.
sir--At numerous meeting Of our telow.citzens at
Uucl on the i9'h Goth and 2ls days OF last September,
We were appointed . comutee 10 present The following
uerroea;ories to 'he several candidates for the Offices
VI Governor and LieutrHaIt- Governor OF this State,
l. Are vow in favor Of law granting persons in
:hs Stale clalrd fugitive slaves, trial by jury
% are you in favor OF aboIlshing all distinctions in
the constitutions. rights OF the citizens c! this State
founded sol-y on eompIea:"n
Sd Are you IN favor OF i repeal OF The law, which
nnw authorizes the Importation OF slaves into this State,
aud their detention here, a. such, for The term ot nine
months?
It cannot be necessary for U.s. Sir, to dwell in this
communication the imPorIarcs, holm IA principle and
Practice of the subjects embraced in these questions,
nor on the deep and rapidly increasing interest felt IN
hem rs very large portion OF our electors lhry are
.uhacis on which il ctc"t you may be called to act
caly; and it IT, therefore, natural and proper, that
hose whose sUirages may be solicited IN your behalf,
should with know your present sentiments respecting
hcin.
To avoid msapprehcnson we take the liberty state
.xpiciily that no, instructed and do not mean,
ask from you any pledge 10 your Official conduct It
lccted fully recognizing your right 10 govern tina, con-
!uri, at all times, by your Conviction oil duty.
is due ourselves and those present. 10 assure
cu that tie pGesc: inquiry prompted by desire &c
ocom0,e defeat the success oi any particular cand'
into but made solely for The purpose OF anrdng lie
lrc'urs information important 10 their f1hiu! and IN
elliyr ut Cxercs- 90 The elective franchise
Tine suswcrs with which we may be favored, will bs
promptly. and without exception, communicated to the
JUh!!c.
We have the honor Sir, to he very respectfully your
bedIeat servants, WILLIAM JAY,
GERKIT SMITH.
William l. Marcy Esq
$. We will he Obliged to you to direct your reply 10
IS at pe!egboTo', Madison county.
GOV. MARCY REPLY.
ALEaSY October 10, lo3S.
! GcntIrmcn--l have received your communication
a. i.at.a .,rI ,nfl
ice Of Governor Of this Slate, certain questions in ela
ur to maefs whr2h you Intimate may, u elected,
/ BE- called 0 act officially.
Ia relation the first, viz: "Arc you in favor Of law
granting 10 persons III this Stale claimed rs iug."n
slaves a trial by jury:"-l would observe, that ihs
question Imply that there Is now no such law;
whr"as the contrary is the fact by the existing stu
tu,c law of Tins State IN all clsss wherein claim TO Z
PRISON fugitive slave il disputed, Issue as To the
question wieh, the person claimed be or be not !ug-
ave Save may be Joined and submitted 10 jury tO=
determination rs have not myself, and am not aware
that other has, entertained objections 10 ihs
! Law merely the ground OF policy, confess was
surprised that the foregoing question should have be.E
cIu!ed among your InieIrogstorics IL may be to the
purpose remark that the Supreme Court OF this State
has adiudged this law 10 be Unconstitutional, on TIE
rouud that the General Government has the right 10
regulate the proceedings in relation 20 fugitive slaves,
and having So the act OF Congress IL paramount
/, tie laws o. any State ON the same SUBJECT AS you
do express wish 10 have my views on this point,
"u I vs. ., H., # Tho rroorI tribnoos Of
" u, t,I ai, thI inv Shall b. in t,yor Of
HI'r oou''''y a"', 'D,n,,',,r, cod,
The object of your second question, care you IN ia
vor of auoiiehinr all distinction IN tue constitutional
h,s oI the ci,1zpns Of this State founded solely o.
connie xlon:"-is as conceive only designed to Obtain
nv OPINION as to that provision Tie Constitution Of
| this State Which mlkrsa difference between the white
JIir and no rsops of cplr in relation TO The excr
i NJ tho elective franchise am well satisfied with
l Constitution as is in This respect end certainly do
~, w.h II au.rndrd ior the purpose OF placing persons
u. ' mann an ro,ali,y as TO voting with our - !.i,e
vi Ior'' 'P'" 49,
n,crros.,osy which asks me if al am in "a