The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-10-05
1EEII9 W0TDlA Oh DD BE D0MIc
From tho Cincinnati Gazette.
MIR. CIay'S Letter.

I" In the Constitution of the Union there is not {
solitary proUSion fairly interpreted and fairly adj
minislered, which authorizes any interference o
Congress with domestic Slavery, as exists in the
United States"
This proposition is quoted from the letter o
Mr.. Clay published in another column of this
paper. 1t is now the received doctrine OF all who
have set themselves to reprobate the Antl-SIavery
Societies of the country. The use made of it is
TO justify the gag-resoluons OF Messrs. Patton &
Atherton, upon abolition petitions in Congress-
In reviewing Mr.. Clays abolition speech, the
Cincinnati Gazette combatted the correctness OF
this doctrine, and insisted that many cases must
arise iu which Congress and the Executive De-
partments could be legitimately called to act upon
the slavery of the States. AS Mr.. Clay has taken
occasion to reiterate his dogma, the Gazette feels
called again to controvert it.
1t is characteristic of most men to have their
Judgment warped and bassed by the circumstan-
ces that surround them, especially when exciting
subjects agate the circle of their action. Mr..
Clay would seem TO form no exception. notwth-
standing his liberality and experience. When it
is desirable to obtain a correct opinion Of any man
it is the part of prudence to look for it, as expressed
in dispassonate course of action, when the pub
lie mind is a; rest. We confde more in the
opinion of Mr.. Clay thus calmly declared than in
any kind We claim to contrast Mr.. Clay excl
ted against abolilioniss, with Mr.. Clay acting up
on undisurbed reflection, in the absence of all ag-
station whatever.
In the year 1926, uAen John Quiucu Adnms
Das President ofMe United States and HENRY
CLAY WAS SECRETARY Of State, and on the
10Th of June of that year, document from the
State Department, from which the following ex-
tracts taken:
Extract from instructions Of The Department Of
Stale 10 Mr.. Ga1latin, ENJOY extraordinary g.
Minister plenipotentiary to Great Britain, d.
ted, jane 18th, 1926.
You are accordingly, authorized and instructed
to propose a stipulation
list. For the mutual surrender of deserters
from the military and naval service, and from the
merchant service. OF the two countries. Persons
who have been naturalized by the laws of either
party must be excepted from the operation ofthe
article. The sixth article of our convention with
France, of 1922 will furnish suggestions for the
preparation of an article on the subject.
And, secondly, mutual surrender of all per-
sons held to service or labor, under the laws of
one party, who escape into the territories of the
other. Our object, in this stipulation, is to pro-
vide for a growing evil which has produced
some and lift be not shortly checked, is likely to
bove description escape principally from Virginia
and Kentucky, into Upper Canada, whittier they
are pursued by those who are lawfully entitled to
their labor; and, as there is no existing regula-
ton by which they can be surrendered, the at
tempt to recapture them leads to disagreeabe COL
lisons. In proportion as they are successful, in
their retreat to Canada will the number of fugl-
tives increase, and the causes of collision multi /
ply. They are generally the most worthless OF
their class, and far, therefore, from being an acqu
sition which the British Government can be anx-
ious to make: the sooner, we should think, they
are cotton rid Of the better for Canada. 1t may
be asked, why, if they are so worthless, we
DESTROYS Of getting them back? The motive is
to be found in the particular interest which those
have who are entitled to their service, and the de-
sire which is generally felt to prevent the exam
pie of the fugitives becoming contagious. If it
be urged that Great Britain would make, in agree
ing to the proposed stipulation, concession with
out an equivalent, there being no corresponding
class Of persons in her North American continent
tai dominions, you will reply,
1st. That there is a similar class in the Brit
ish West Indies, and although the instances are
not numerous, some have occurred, of their es-
cape, or being brought, contrary to law, into the
United States;
2dy. That Great Britain would probably OBJ
tain an advantage over U.S. in the ciproca resto-
ration of military and maratime deserters which
would compensate any that we might secure over
her in the practical operation of an article for the
mutual delivery offugitives from labor; and,
3dly At all events, the disposition to cultivate
good nieghborhood, which such an article would
imply, could not fail to find compensation in that
or in some other way in the already immense &
still increasing intercourse between the two coun-
tries The States of Virginia and Kentucky are
anxious on this subject The Gemer-
al Assem6lyofthe latter has repeatedly inoohed
the tmterposition ofthe Government Of the United
StateswiM Great Britain. You will therefore
press the matter, whilst there exists any prospect
of your obtaining a satisfactory arrangement oft.
Perhaps the British Government, whilst they re-
fuse to come under any obligations by treaty,
might be at the same time willing to give direc-
tons to the colonial authorities, to afford facilities
for the recovery of fugitives from labor; Or if
they should not be disposed to disturb such as
have, heretofore, taken refuge in Upper Canada,
few if any, are believed to find their way into the
Lower Province,) they might be willing to inter
dict the entry of any others in future Any such
regulations won! dhave a favorable tendency, and
are therefore, desirable, fnothing more efectua