Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1839-12-03

to their laws. If the Governor Of New York is right
he IS bound not only 10 protect those who steal
slaves but those who ncc and assist them to abSCnnt
from their masters, those who by scditious spccchc.
a: writings STR them Up 10 make rebellion nsur
rcct"n, or persuade them that they LEGALLY held
n h'''agc and mag lawfully rcsrr: IL all means ncccs
Sary to RAJ iI!rmSriy-i o, is yoke.
4 ME. The sanction Of this new rraAinr Of The Con.
siitGi'on, the ncrnlary hboltoniss NAV send their
mss olinrscs ana cmssac;cs INTO the Southern States
secure OF protection ana Immunity, ii they escape
detection mill they reach State whose laws do
not recognize slavery.
Such Interpretation IF Tie Constitution is rccu,-
pabl" with the rights and destructive of the safety Of
all the States holding slaves. None Of the fanatic doc
trncs or disorganizng practices of the ibotouiSs
80 wei calculated to rndaEGcr the security oil pro-
Frrty or I" lro2ardzc tie tranquility and hazard the
dissolution OF the Union. Ii is impossible that the
Union can continue long, ii the opinion should be re-
ncray adopted by the States where there slaves
That our laws recognizing the existence Of slavery and
Of property IN slaves, b., regarded in cNccu-
mg The provision OF ia" Constitution !or Tie surrender
| o! !ugltiyrS irOin justice.
lamy confirmation wanting Of The proper .n;rr-
probation Of the Constitution THIS SUBJECT, would
BE- ahindanily found III reference" to the known
dtiom ." the States Of the unon in regard The
tuition OF slavery, the time Of the ,tion Of the Com
Sttutun.
In more than onc-half certainly, and, perhaps in
nearly all tn" States, al that time, and i. State oil!
New York itself, the institution of slavery existed -
| The ri%lt OF property III slaves known BY all 10
cA>tlhcrc is question, in all tl.c slavc-lo!d.ng
STATES there statutes, prnshing any Interference
with that recognized right OF property, with the
trrs authority and control his slaves, fall Sc
cucl laws do. In this Stale, early l1:S.
our laws made the stealing al slave pital felony.
The parties 10 the constitutional compact entered INTO
the rnn with full knowledge Of cac! others dones
Institutions IN this respect and formed Tins Close and
in'Ima;c and made provision ior their mutual
cnr and protection 10 reference - these Anon exist
my institutions. When, therefore, III the art.C"
and section OF the Constitution, provided,
that ugtvcS from Justice and fugitive slaves should b.
delivered up ii is little less than absurd suppose, that
W c the slave 10 be delivered up the criminal who
aided INN Ia abscond - be protected from punish
mcn,, and that although The i;Ion who stole yard Of
hrondrloih might hr demanded, and there legal
right 10 refuse to surrender han, the Ion who should
steal or t'loninsly carry away negro slave, was b.
protected by any State III tn" Union INTO whc! he might
! flee.
| feel that owe you apology for addressing any
thing the way q" argument 10 YOU for the purpose Of
cXpusin~ the lsnunncss and aliacv Of the conStruc-
ton assumed :l'! acr! b. The Governor Of New
| York.
1t is very much 10 be irplcrrd that wca the excite
mcmt Of the public mind III the South, Justly caused by
the unwarraab" assaults upon institutions and our
rights By organized societies in the States having no
slaves, beginning 10 Suhiidc, that the Executive of
powerful and influential State New York should
have adopted construction of the Constitution, which
mas induced MN 10 disregard one OF us Imperative
QUESTIONS, upon grounds well calculated to inspire
the infatuated Ahoitoni&is with hopes and fresh
zeal in their unholy crusade against property and
peace, and al the time 10 assure them Of I'M
muniiy and protection from responsibility for the viola
ton al our laws.
But This question has been raised in practical form
between hs State md New York, aud between G"or-
ga and Maine. And il brhoovcs meet ii al once
and u insist upon rights al every lazard II is the
duty Of Congress, l. remove any ambiguity if Their" be
any, the laws made 10 carry INTO effect the provisions
o the Constitution for the surrender Of fgtvcs: and
if there BE- defect ambiguity i'll those laws 10 pro-
vide for the prompt and faithful execution Of them, ny
coning the execution 10 those whose Interpretation
of their duly is consistent with rights and the be-
lcsS c the Constitution. Ii redress for these wrongs
and security against their fcpctton caot be procured
in either Of those modes, it viii bchoovc tn" General
Assembly TO consider whether their own Legislative
power will not iurmis! oi securing the State
against such fragrant invasion OF their rights, without
infringing the RESTRICTIVE" provisions Of the Constitution
Of the / ntcd States ii there 10 such means
patibc with their obligations To the Union may ulti
matcy become our impcrgirc 0nd EOicLaa dHiY o APP
peal from tie cancelled obligations Of the compact 10
original rights and the law Of s,'lt-prcScr"aion.
In closing this, III? last annual message, tender To
the General Assembly, and through them, to the pco-
pie Of the Commonwealth, my grateful acknowledge
mcnts for the indugcnt manner III which nj by pub
lie acts have been received; and to their Rnt on
them whatever il may be, submit with d3issfalness,
feeling the my breast, that III whatr
yer have done, my aim has been to uphold The rights
and promote the interest of our common country.
DAVID CAMPBELL.
| EIccHtrc Department, DeccmL'r =, l-@,
| On Mr. Wilson's motion, the Governors Commun-
cation was laid the table, and the usual number of
copies printed
The Annual Communications were received from the
Auditor Of Pubic Accounts, and the I'd Auditor, and
Treasurer which were ordered 10 b" printed. \ Com
mu.licaiion was also received from the Clerk OF the
House. in relation to the arrangements made IN the
Hail Ii states, that the surplus of the appropriations
which remains in the Treasury after paying all the
pcnscs, was Is cents
On Mr. Mays motion, the House adjourned till this
day IL o'cl, elk.