Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-10-20
WV. w. TAYLOR, Secretary.
From the .NnStr'iie Union.

We hnye seen in the office OF the Secretary OF Stale
two communications from the boria C0nrennon q
lbo,;t;on;ss under the seal Of the British and Foreign
Abolition Society," one of them FRANkED by 3 NJ.
GATES, A WING MEMBER OF CONGRESS
from New York, and both addressed to chs EXceency
James K Polk, Governor of the State OF tennessee
Thcv arc lNCENDIARi, or we would lay them be-
fore the public We have permission, however, to pub
sh the letter ofthe Governor in reply to Gates, which
is as follows
NASHVILLE, (Tenn.,) Oct. I'd, $40,
To the Hon. S. NJ GATES,
Member of Congress from tie State of .Nc,o York.
SIR: have received through the post Office COM
munication under your official frank member OF
Congress- containing certain proceedings OF body OF
me" styng themselves "a Convention OF the friends
of the negro assembled from various parts of the world
entire, and universal anSnIiuP %
trade" This convention. it appears, was holden at
London in the month of June last. The envelope CO.
vering the communication which comes to me under
your frank postmarked at the city of New lork-Is
sealed with stamp, bearing pictorial representation
Of person in an mporng attitude, and encrcled WIN
the words, "Britih and Foreign -Stdrery Socity
The communication itself contains appeal TO the
Governor of Tennessee to employ all the influence and
power with which Divine Providence has entrusted
him, TO secure immediate and unconditional Liberty 10
the slave. -
eial frank to this selEsyled "Worlds Convention IF
Abolitionists," as means of enabling them TO send
their infamous publications IN manuscript through the
United States mails free of expense, and the presump
ton therefore, is that you countenance and approve
the proceedings which you aid them to circulate. In
postscript TO the communication bearing your frank,
am requested acknowledge its receipt IN letter ad-
dressed to the "Presdent ofthe Convention at London
This request shall disregard. cannot recognise, by
any act of mine, official otherwise, the right OF
foreigners to make attempt in itself so impairment
and impudent, to intermcGdle or interfere with the
domestic institutions of this State But you sir,
American citizen, and by the part you have borne
have made yourself equally criminal and responsible
with the foreign agtators and fanatics with whose pro-
ceednas YOU have identified Yourself Were il for
the official station which you occupy, am free to de-
clare that should treat the part which you have borne
in this dark transaction with the and contempt
which entertain for the proceedings themselves, and
which all patriotic citizens, ardently attach
ed to the Unon and desiring its preservation, will pro-
nounce upon your conduct.
II is to be regretted that the affected and hypocrt-
cal philanthropy of British and other foreign Adolf
tonss, with whom your official frank Identifies you
had not been reserved for the suffering subjects OF
their domnions, whose unremltting toll, even IN
of profound peace, IS IN many instances scarce
~ rewarded with the of procuring food and de-
cent raiment Unacquainted as the Convention, whose
proceedings you endorse and circulate by frank
to have been with the peaceabic relation OF mas
ter and slave in the T. 81 their advice is as worthless
it is gratuitoEs.
The foreigner in extenuaton Of his crmc may plead
ignorance Of form Of Government but from you,
BILE He may be actuated by desire 10 produce insnr
rccton the heart of rival nation But, what apo
logy have you, sir for lending your official privilege
amembcr of Congress, to aid him in attempt to pro-
duce anarchy and confusion in Of the constituent
so,creiunties Of your Government Have you ser
ously reflected upon the dangers fthe crusade which
YOU engaged, crusade in alliance with foreigners
which only threatens the peace and harmony of the
Unon but may endanger It's existence # the wicked ag
taton which you give your councnance is persisted
I'M Are you deliberately reckless Of consequences
20 coun.enance and abet foreigners proceedings cacu
lated fnot designed to excite sectional ealouses and
heart burnings-to divide the States by geographical
array section against another; and that too
al the imminent peril of producing domestic insurrcc
hon. uuI srrvle war? Have you yet to he informed
that slavery existed in the colonies long before ndepend
was achieved Have you yet to learn that at the
adoption of the Constitution the adjustment "thc slave
question presented ofthe chief difficulties to the for
NATION of the Union which had TO be cncouatered-and
that it ultimately settled upon principles OF mutual
concession and compromise? Would you disturb the
fundamental compact upon which the Union Of the
States rests: But viii not argue the question IS
not ,rhirh IS dejataJie.
1t is matter of sincere regret that any American
citizen should be guilty of such high treason to the first
principle upon which the States became united. Your
official frank covering these proceedings stands up in
Judgment against you as witness whose testimony
not to be impeached
The only further notice which shall take of the ne.
arous proceedings offoregners, with whom you stand
associated will be to expose them to the indignant
probation Of the people of Tennessee
JAMES X. POLK