Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-03-30

have been ssduiously eontrived to FENDER 10 inn
possible TO recapture fugitive slave who shall escape
to New York, involves an assault upon institution
of the Southern States deeply interviewer with their
whole polity, and TO any foreign interference with
which they are keenly sensitive. II is not the less
aggravatng, that the assault made by directly vo
latng rendering nugatory two OF the plainest ana
most explicit provisions of the Constitution OF The
States.
In this state of things, is scarcely TO be wondered
at that of citizens eminent in virtue ana pa
trotism should inclined regard New York as hav
ing placed herself out of the pale OF the unon' ana
forfeited all right 10 have any claim made ny er uhuer
the authority of the Constitution OF the Union re-
spected and complied with, while she retains ner
present attitude of hostility 10 its obligations; Hme
however, u course of retaliation towards new 1orK
ne1ted and nerseyerinp disregard of her obligations,
is not deemed becomng the high character which ii
has been the desire Of this State TO deserve Tor COCO
fa resnect for the Constitution and devotion to the
Union to retort even upon her an act hvolVng fio
otion Of constitutional duty. She has refused 10 com
ply with the Constitutions Virginia will scrupulously
obey it. She has wantonly assalled our property ny
acts of legislation, endangering It's safety and impair
ing it's value: Virginia will again appeal to her justice
and entreutng her TO retrace her steps, in the mean
time resort only lawful and constitutional means
se protection and redress. She has refused and still
refuses to surrender criminals who have fled from oui
JUSTICE and pursuing course calculated to make the
Empire State asylum for elons and runaway slaves
and the Laws and will surrender fugliives from justice
and fuptves from labor when lawfully demanded
trust, Sir, that you will in this that rea
DIV to perform duties rather than quick to retaate
injuries, and that you will find in il example of for
bearance and proof Of anxious desire to preserve
harmony, and sedulous regard for justice and goot
faith which will not be without benefit in inducing you
and your great State TO retract those assaults upon
institutions of which the State Of Virginia justl,
complains.
The motives and principles on which your demand II
now Internationally complied with by the Executive
this State Tin conformity, am happy to believe, will
the almost unanimous concurrence of the Legislature
ought to be regarded, hope it will be- giving
earnest that as this State recognizes in all their extent
and will perform faithfully and scrupuousy all her du
ties and obligations under the Constitution OF the Union
she expects and will insist upon every other State
hbnu an equal fidelity It's constitutional obligations
1t is in no spirit Of menace, but from ANXIOUS de
sire to preserve harmony between the States and pre-
vent collisions which must necessarily impair the valu
and stability of the Union If they do not endanger an
finally destroy it, that assure your Excellency tina
the State of Virginia cannot acGuesce in and will no
submit TO those aggressions OF New York which hay
occasioned the existing controversy between those tw
great Commonwealth
therefore accompany this communication, inform
ing YOU of the fact that your demand for the surrende
of the fugitive from your State is granted, with ea
nest protest against those asgresslons, and an anxio
and respectful appeal to you and through you to tn
State whose organ you are, to review the positions 20
have taken, and BY magnanimous abandonment {
erroneous and unienabe opinions and measures restor
those harmonious relations between the States who
il is alike the interest ano duty OF Us all TO endsavor
/ perpetuate. have the honor to be,
Very respectfully,
\ Your obedient servant,
i JOHN NJ. PATTON.