The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-10-05

lucky, through her Legislature had then repeated
ly invoked the amterpoSition very like antertcr
ence," Of the Government of the United States with
Great Britain.
Again on the Oath of February, 1927, Johr
Quincy Adams still being President of the Uni
ted States, and HENRY CLAY SECRETARY OF STATE
document emanated from that Department, o
which the following is an extract:
" Mr.. Clay TO Mr.. Gallatin dated, Feb. "a, 1927
"The General Assembly of Kentucky, one Of
the States which is most affected by the escape Of
slaves into Upper Canada, has again. at their ses-
sion which has just terminated, invoked the in
tcrposition of the General Government. In the
treaty which has been recently concluded with
the United Mexican States, and which is now
under consideration of the Senate, provision is
made for the restoration Of fugitive slaves. AS it
appears from your statement Of what passed on
that subject with the British Penipotentiaries, that
they admitted the correctness of the principle of
restoration, it is hoped that you will be able to
succeed in making satisfactory arrangement"
This document shows, that the Legislature of
Kentucky had then recently called for the " in
reference" ofthe National Government, in mat
ter of slavery, as it exists in the United States-
1t shows that the United States Government
promptly imterJered upon that request.
ment of State John Quincy Adams continuing
President of the United States, Henry Clay Sec
retary of State, and we make a third extract:
Mr.. Clay TO Mr.. Barbour, dated June 10, 1928.
81 transmit, herewith, copy of a resolution of
the House of Representatives requesting the Pres
ident TO open negotiation with the British Gov
ernment for the recovery of fugitive slaves,
who make their escape from the United States
into Canada. On that subject Mr.. Gallatin found,
in his conference with the British ministers, that
they were unwilling to treat. You will ascertain
if the same mdisposition continues to exist. The
evil is growing one; and is we'll calculated to
disturb the good neighborhood which we are de-
sirous of cultlvating with the adjacent British
Provinces. 1t is almost impossible for the two
Governments however we'll disposed, to restrain
individual excuses and collisions, which will a.
rise out of the pursuit of property on the one sde
and the defence on the other, of those who have
found an asylum. You will find in the instruc-
tons to Mr. Gallatin, of the 10Th June, 1926, and
of the 24th February, and 24th May, 1927, all
that was communicated to him on this subject,
from the Department. If you ascertain that the
British Government is in favorable disposition
you are authorized to renew the proposal which
he was instructed TO make, embracing fugitive
slaves and deserters from the military, naval and
merchant service of the two countries"
From this document it appears that Congress
had intertered" with the domestic slavery of the
States; that this interference had not been ques-
Toned, and that the Executive made no delay, in
recognizing the right of Congress to " interfere"
out FASTENED to carry that resolution into effect.
1t must be borne in mind, that these things were
transacted when men had their old, undisturbed
common sense about them. Then question of
slavery could be mooed without evaporation seiz-
ing upon any body. Then Congress and the
President held, that the interference" of both,
Or of either, might be requested by individuals or
BY States. Then an application for such inter-
fercnce' was treated with respect even in Con-
gress; no person suggested that the Constitution
conferred no power to " interfere"
Upon these facts it seems to me, that Mr.. Clay IS |
'ogma against " interference" is untenabe; 9th
erwise it was an act of usurpaton, when the ad-
ninistration of Mr. Adams, backed by vote of
he House of Representatives, did " interfere" and
lid repeat this interference" in the cases stated.