Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-01-27

ken the meaning of the resolution, if he (Nlr. b. I'M
derslood it correctly. He would ask did any human be-
ing suppose that the States Of Virginia and Maryland
would have thought Of ceding this District TO the
So if they had imagined that Congress would convert
these ten miles square in the very heart of their terrific
ry, into asylum for their fugitive slaves, and spot
from whence the peace and safety oil both were 10 DE
constantly eudanSercd' They never would have made
the cessnn had any such idea existed 1t IS true mat
express faith pledged in the cesslon because no
such apprehension then entertained II llcc ilau
bccn does any doubt but that they would nave IN
sisted upon an express stipulation against such an alarm
ing danger? IT, said Mr. B freely grant 10 you va
lua5le possession, could you. an honorable and an no.
mes. man. think you had right To ~rcst tins grant from
its original PURPOSE and convert it into an instrument oil
my dcs,ruc,on IF you know that The gift never would
have been made by me, had supposed you were capa'
Bile Of using it in such manner, you are under tle
stronrrs, moral obligation not TO erVer 10 such pur'
bose as would destroy your beneaclor. 1t Is true you
inay possiby have the constitutional power to abolish
slavery in this District; hut would it not be violation
of implied faith under all the circumstances, 10 exert
this power? think il would; feel that it would; and,
therefore shall vote that it wnnld
Apan said Mr. g., inference can be drawn from
the language of the resolution that lis friends intcnu
that slavery shall exist in this District after it has been
abolished in The surrounding States. In thus suPposng
the Senator from Massachusetts had Inexperienced The
terms of the resolution Abolish slavery in Virginia
and Maryland and it will longer 1t can noicnge cx'
st in this District The People OF these States h1d brcn
making rapid strides towards the accomplishment oil ms
object until they were arrested in their career by the
abolition excitement This resolution presented the We
ry point of the question on which he was willing to
stand or fall IL contemplated The existence OF slavery
here long il should continue 10 exist in the sur
rounding States; but not day longer 1t contained the
very principle for which he had always concnded tina,
slavery here and slavery there must share the same fate
lie thus understood the resolution, and on that ground
> he had given it his support.
Mr. Webster. The words Of the resolution will speak
for themselves. They require comment. They ex.
press unlimited pighted faith. The honorable mem
IN 80 lexI thn
ten,an nsks whether those who made the cesson could
have expected that Congress wond ever have exercised
such power To ,ls answer that see no reason 10
doubt that The parties TO the ccsSon were as willing 10
leave this leave other powers 10 the discretion o
Congress- see The slightest evidence Of any espe.
eal ear any especial care, or concern on c pl!to
The cedng States in regard to this particular part ni ,r
jurisdiction cedcd 10 Congress. And, think, can
ask the other side very important question for the
consideration OF the gentleman himself, and Tor that q"
the Senate and the country; and that Is would Congress
have accepted the cesion with any such restraint upon
its constitutions power either express UNDERSTOOD IN
be implied? | think not. Looking back to the State oil
things then existing and especially TO what Congress
had done recently before when 1t accepted The ccs
sion of the Northwestern Territory, entertain no doubt
whatever that Congress would have refused The ccsSlnn
if offered with any condition understanding that lis
constitutional authority 10 exercise exclusive legislation
over the District in all cases whatsoever should be
abridged.
The Senate will observe that am speaking solely to
the point oil p!isted faith Upon other parts of the re.
>,al,on ana upnn mluy other things connected with IT,
have said nothing only the imposition at This
iluc, al obligations prohibition, not To be
found as think either in the Constitution, or any act
of Government haze saiG nothing on the expectancy
Of abolition immediate gradual. the reasons winch
ought to weigh with Congress should that question he
proposed can we'll conceive, think, what would be-
natural aud fair mode of reasoning such ali occa-
When it is saih for instance by way of argument
that Congress- although it have the power ought not to
tnke lead in the business of uboltion considering that
the ncrPs: whic, tie u. have in the whole SUBJECT
is vastly less than that which The States have in it, can
understand the proPrley and tnTcc OF the observation
1t is far i, goes, pertinent and appropriate arTu
mcnt and shall always be- ready 10 give II the lu
weight belonging to il, When it is argned that, in
vital 10 the States the States themselves should
be allowed 10 maintain their policy, and that the Go
of the United States not to do any thing
which shall directly indirectly, shake or disturb that
policy this is line of argument which can understand
for have always not only admitted but insisted, that
slavery. within the States is subject belonging abso
lu,elv and exclusively to Tie States themselves.
But the present is not an ATTEMPT 10 exhibit any such
course OF reasoning this The attempt is 10 set up
pledge Of the public faith, to do the same Office as con.
slitutiona prohibition, lcrnIs would do; that is, to
set up direct bar. pccudng all exercise oil The d'scrc
ton OF Congress The subject. 1t has been often
said in this debate, and believe II is true that dccId
ed majority OF the Senate do believe that Congress has
clear constitutional power over slavery in this District
But while this constitutional right is admitted, 1t Is NJ
acted, overlrown and done away with by The aiirma
ton Of pghtcd faith as asserted in the resolution be-
fore US.
Now. haze already said | know nothing 10 support
this affirmation Neither in the acts of crsson, nor in
the act of Congress accepting the District nor In any
other document, history, publication, or TRANSACTION do
know single fact suggestion supporting this propo
sition, lcadng 10 supporit Nor has any gentleman
so far know, pointed out. or attempted TO point out
any such fact document transaction, other evidence
All is left the general and repeated statement That
such condition must have been intended By the States
OF all this proof whatever. sec no evidence
of any desire the part of The States thus 10 limit The
power Of Congress, or thus TO require pledge against
its exercise And indeed If this were made out, the IN
tenton OF Congress- as well as that OF 'he states nrs
he inquired into. Nothing short of clear and manifest
intention of both parties proved hv proper evidence eau
amount to pIghtcd faith. The expectation, "r intent,
of one party # excited founded something not pro-
vded for nor limited at in the transaction itself, cannot
plight the faith of The other party.
in short. altogether unable 10 spe any ground For
surprising that either party TO the ccssnn had any men
tn rescv";nn any uncxprcsscd expectation nr Teed on
any implied, but unnenlioncd and unsuggested pledge
whatever BY the Constitution, ii district should be
ceded for the seat of Government, Congress was 10
have right in express terms, to exercise exclusive e
g,la,ion, in all whatsoever. The cession was
made and accepted in pursuance OF this power. Both
parties knew well what they doing. Both parties
knew that br The cession the States surrendered all u
risdlcun and Congress acquired all Jurisdiction; aud
this is the wlnlc transaction.
AS TO provision III The rcts OF ccsson STIMULATING
for The security Of property tcrc none, except only
what / have already ct'-erv sa-lhs condition, that no
right Of individuals in the soil should be construed 10 I've
trancrrd bat only tle Jurisdiction But 10 dnuh, all
rights of property ought be duly respected by Congress-
aud all other legislatures
Aud siucc c subject Of compensation to the owners
of emancpated slaves has been referred Ia, take coca
sion say that Congress, if il should think thll wise,
JUST and polite legislation Tor this District required them
10 make compensation for slaves emuncpatcd here, they
have The constitutional authority TO make such
compensation to make grants for roads and bridges,
aims houses pcnitenarics and other similar objects in
The District. general and absolute power OF leglsla.
tencares with all the necessary and just incidents
belonging to such Legislation
MIR Gay said he entirely cnncurrch with Nlr Rucl,n.