Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-04-28
a synepHs Of hs rswsrks Of Mr.. VERIFY,
On tAs NEW YORK Bill

semi Weekly :. IS per annum
a synsysts Of the rsmsrks Of Mr.. VERIFY
On the NEW YORK Bill.
In conformiy to the intimaiion given to the House
on Saturday last, now move to amend the i3th
section Of the bill by striking out the lst day o
July next and inserting in lieu thereof the LIST day
OF May, 1912: and propose briefly to discuss the
propriely Of adopting the amendment The session
Of the General Assembly is drawing TO close, and
the controversy between Virginia and New fork.
and the provisions Of this bill, have been very ella
borately and ably discussed by gentlemen upon this
1sor, and I am aware Of the fact, that this House
10 weary and dsnclned TO listen To further debate
but the vast importance OF this s"bJect-the cha
racter OF the controversy-thc remedy proposed
existed, between the Empire State and the State of
Virginia, will, feel assured, be deemed by the
House a sufficient apology Tor the short time that |
shall occupy its attention.
All admit that the course pursued by the autho-
rites of New York, has been mos, unwarrantsble
and unjust and in direct violation Of the spirit and
letter OF the Constitution; yet much diversity oil
opinion prevails as to what action 1t is most proper
for this Legislature to take, and what remedy can
and ought to be adopted consistent with the Con-
sutution and the dignity OF Virginia.
II is important, as | conceive, that some remedy
should be provided against the sggressions oil New
York. This, am sure, Virginian will doubt
for one moment; still this remedy should, as lar as
possible, be consistent, with the spirit Of concia-
ton and harmony, and not in spirit Of retaliation
or revenge. but though, as we are told, prudence
required TO reflect before We act and TO act dis
plssionatey yet does not prudence, and the safety
Of our property, endangered by the course of New
York, demand some action on the part oil Vrgioial
think 1t does; and must say, that the course OF
New York, in relation to this whole affair, both as
TO the refusal of her Governor to surrender the three
fugtves from justice, and the Law passed by her
Legislature, relating to runaway slaves, ought not
to be acquesced in and If persisted in ought not TO
he Submitted to by the authorities and the citizens
Of this State.
What are the objects Of this billiard the change
il is calculated to achieve in the policy OF New
York and what effects is II likely TO produce on
the commerce between the two Statesl under
stand, that the bjscts Of this bill are-lst. To
show to New York, disapprobation of the
course she toy her authorities) has pursued-2d.
To convince them, that we intend TO adhere 10 the
declarations and Opinions advanced by the last Lc-
gisature Of Virginia, by indicating, at this time,
what course VIC propose TO adopt in the event that
our hopes and reasonable expectations should not
be realized, and to show 10 the authorities of New
York and TO her citizens, and particularly to those
engaged in commercial pursuits, what will be the
result and what the remedy resorted TO, should they
finally persist in refusing to do that justice which
the admits of-and thus endeavor TO bring
about peaceful and satisfactory adjustment of this
vered subject. This change must he prod
IL will require some time To operate upon the citizens
OF mat State; ana should the amendment prevail,
do not doubt but these desirable results will be
tanned.
IL, upon the other hand, We should be disappoint-
ed, and New York persist in her present course,
ana this law goes into effect am free to confess thar
much difficulty and embarrassment may result TO
the commercial transactions between the two States
Should New York pass laws of retAliation, and I'M
pose greater burdens and restrictions upon YES
sells navigating her waters than this bill proposes
impose upon the vessels commanded or owned by
her cIzens coming into the waters OF Virginia, we
in would il is most probsbe, impose still great
er ones upon her vesses-and thus q most uniortu-
nate and Improbable ito say the least Of it) coils
ION might be brought about between two States OF
this Union. This collision hope and believe may
be avolded-to effect which, and 10 render this bill
at all proper and likely to lead to results which eve
ry patriot and every loper Of this fair UGion ought
10 desire above all things il is al-mportant to eI-
tend the time TO a more remote period than is pro.
posed IN the blll-when II is TO commence and be in
iofce.
know that it has been objected that to delay ac-
ton, would manifest a disposition on the part oil
Virginia To abandon the contest altogether or, in
other words, TO back out from the position she had
assumed-But maintain that such delay will indi-
cate no disposition on the part OF Virginia TO waiver
IA her purposes: on the contrary, it will be taking
step la advance Of the action taken by her last lie
gisIature upon this subject, by adopting measure
OF pro ectioE, and fixing upon day when II shall
lake effect, II II be necessary. Nay, sr-wi il moi
manifest fixed purpose to adhere to her rights, and
10 protect the property OF her citzens. whilst il will
DE productive of several ben,hts2
The adoption Of the amendment will rob the bill
of its retastory feature. IL will afford our orn con
stuents an opportunity to judge OF the propriety OF
The law. twill give TO the next Legislature OPP
portunlty Of examining and revising its provisions
and will IL also go far show that Virginia has
not been swift anxious 10 adopt this or any other
measure OF redress1 And will il not show the fur
Their fact, that the people Of Virginia have quesced
III the fact be sol IN the provisions of the proposed
lawi
Mr. Speaker, | do not DOUBT but that the attention
oil the people OF Virginia has been directed this
controversy-that they have read the correspond
ence between the Executive Of this State and the
Executive of New York, and likewise the reports
OF the select committees upon this subject, and the
action taken by the Legislature its last session in
reference TO the same; but is evident that they are
ignorant Of the provisions Of this BILL they have
not, as yet, had an opportunity Of reading it, and
cannot judge correctly OF ts proprety efficiency;
aad hence the expedeney Of defeing its action un-
al they can examine the law, and ascertain what eff
feet the is likely 10 produce and by their re-
personalities alter amend or abolish the law, as
they may deem proper. Ii this course be pursued
we will be enabled TO realize the wise maxim OF
David Crockett
"Be sure you right-then 90 ahead"
IL will afford another opportunity TO the Governor
at New York of considering the question, whilst it
VIII call tne aUeHtOn OF her citizens TO the unena-
bic position which she has assumed. And may not
New York be induced by little delay TO abandon
her present posltion2 Gentlemen ought not to in-
fer that the conduct Of Governor Seward and the
action OF the Legislature OF New York have been
sanctioned and approved Of by the people Of that
State. doubt whether one out Of FIVE Of her citi.
zens, at this day even are cosnzant Of the course
oi conduct pursued. and are aware Of the conse.
quences that may flow from an adherence TO The
hame. And Il is not improbable that when this bill
shall have the effect that It is thought it will have
OF awakening up the people Of New York and Of
directing their attention more particularly TO the
true character AMI merits Of this controrersy and
the influence and effects that this bill will have upon
their trade ard upon our trade should it 90 into
operation, they will induce their authorities TO re-
trace their steps. May not New York do so with
the utmost prOprety, and with due regard TO her
dignity and the interest Of her ctizens7 There can
be no doubt about II.
Will not the proposed delay afford an opportunity.
also TO the other slavehodng States TO Judge nf the
nature Of the remedy we have adopted, and # they
approve OF It, TO unite with us in common mea.
sure OF redfessi They are equally interested with
US 10 the adjustment OF this question: and IL Is lost
and proper that We should consult their opinions
and feelings as TO this or any other measure we
might choose 70 adopt, before the same WIS 10 take
eject, and thus, toy presenting a united front.
strengthen our cause. This, however, canro, lie
done II the bill should go into operation on the Isl
day Of July next, as provided IN the 18Th SEXTON
This view Of the subject, am happy to hnd. ls
Tally concuued in by distinguished citizen Of INV
own county. From Judge Upshur's f,rthcomine
Essay, "a part Of which was handed 10 me to.dayI
upon the "Yirginia and New York Controversy, /
make the following eKract
'it Is due to those Of her sister Suites which have
a common interest with her IN tbis oues,ion 10 -,