Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-04-09
NEW YORK AND VIRGINIA.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.

HOUSE OF DELEG1TES.
The bill concerning the controversy between N.
York and Virginia coming up for consideration,
Mr.. SCOTT OF Fauquier said
lie had never risen to address the House under
greater embarrassment. in July last the Executive
OF Virginia made demand upon the Executive OF
New York for the surrender OF three persons at
tachcd to the schooner Robert Centre then IN New
York, who were charged with having feioniously
stolen from the Borough of Norfolk, certain slave,
the property OF John G. Cooley. The Executive oil
New York refused to comply with the demand AT
our last session the subject was brought 10 the at
tention of the Legislature; whereuPon, It was una.
nimously resolved, "That the reasons assigned by
the Executive OF New York for his refusal TO sur
render the fugitives from justice, were wholly
satisfactory and that the refusal palpabe and
dangerous violation OF the Constitution and laws OF
the u. s.; that such course could not be acquesced
in, and n sanctioned by that State, and persisted
IN, IL would become the solemn duty OF Virginia TO
adopt the most decisive and efficient m easures for
the protection Of the property OF her citizens and
the maintenance Of rights which she could not and
would not surrender abandon" Our Executive
was authorized to renew his correspondence with
the Executive OF New York, and request that tunc-
tionary to review the grounds taken by him, and 10
urge the consideration of the subject upon the Lee
gislature OF that State. The renewed Correspon-
dence, and the review of the grounds OF his former
decision, affected change in the opinions of the
Executive Of New York, and the subject after be-
ing for some time under discussion IN the Legisa-
ture of that State indefinitely postponed with.
out discussion upon it, In this posture Of affairs
the subject is again before us and is insisted that
by the resolutions of the last session. stand Pied
ged at this time, decisive and ecent action, and
that the contingency has happened upon which it be-
comes the duty Of Virginia TO protect the property
of her citizens, and maintain her rights: And the
bill under consideration is proposed the "deeisire
and Efficient action" to which we stand SO soemny
pledged, and the measure by which the property of
citizens TO be protected for the future and the
rights of the State, in respect TO the surrender OF
the fugitives from justice, secured.
Mr. Scott said: No one lamented more than he
did, the course OF the Executive OF New York; no
one condemned more entirely the reasons upon
which that course was founded. No one repudiated
more strongly the obnoxious law of the Legislature
no one was more sensible of its injurious tendency;
could be more ready than himself to vind
cate the honor Of the State, protect her rights and
redress her wrongs.
Whilst such were his sentiments, he could not
nevertheless, support this measure. He was aware
of the situation in which his opposition placed him.
he was fully aware OF the excitement that prevailed.
Bot no consideration wha'ever could swerve him, for
moment, from that line OF conduct which duty pre-
scrbed
Every one must be sensible OF the importance of
the question; IL had bearings beyond the present
moment; ard was iraught with difficulty and dan
ger.
Mr.. Scott said He was a friend, an ardent and
devoted friend the union of the States; he was a
friend TO the rights of the States; and II because
he friend to the rights of the States, that he
was, the more, a friend 10 the union of the States
II was, because he saw, thought he saw, in the
under consideration the edge of the
weapon which WAS iated, one day. TO cleave in twain
the great fabric of our fathers that his anxiety was
aroused on the preseat OCCASION
Sir, there fearful elements at work around us;
troubled multerings, turn where we will, break au-
dibly upon the They not the less fearful |
that their force seems more pent up and confined,
their sounds faint in the dstance collecting in vast
receptaces their own expansive force may roll the
dark volume onward, and, IN moment, oyerwhelm |
this fair land with warning discord and destruction.
The most careless observer canRot fail 10 remark
the pregnant "signs of the times" amongst a Ger
tain class Of politicians IN country, growing |
dsafection TO the union of the States. Ii has be-
fashionable all occasions TO ''caieElaie the |
UdiHe Of the Union" And by presenting the ques-
ton as a matter OF dollars and cents opening a
debtor and creditor account in the league and slri
king a balance against the South, the people are |
taught 10 believe that the Union presses as a bur-
then upon them. IL was possible his suspicious did |
injustice to certain leading politicians Of the South,
but candor compelled him to declare, that the con-
vciion had forced itself upon his mind that i; was
their leading purpose unite the Southern States |
IN great separate Confsderaey. This conviction
had forced itself unuillingy upon him, but he could
not be blind to the circumstances that surrounded |
him. This slave question IS the lever wherevith /
they seek to effect their purpose. IL their work
Ings that first gave It importance. They sedulousy
cherish II now by all the appliances IN their power;
they found II weak Innocuous spark, and they
have famed IL until II has risen into a flame, that
threatens TO drive its devastating fury the land
Nor Is the attack from this quarter the only danger
we have TO apprehend; unfortunately, for US, this
Save question IS one OF such absorbing interest TO
ms all, that it is seized upon by another class Of po-
liticians, less evimipded, but not less dangerous
for the purpose of making capital for their party,
and thus, when working for their own selfish ends
they, in fact, advance the Cf the worst enc
mics OF the human race. Sir, IL Northern and
SoatherH feelings are 10 be engendered; If sectional
lealousles and anuPahies to be omented; If the
state OF things which has already commenced is 10
20 on; # the spirit OF hostility which already exists
ga some OF our States IS TO spread among the rest
what are we TO expect Civil wars have arisen
from far inferior causes. To avoid such evil conse.
quences must preserve the Union; to protect the .
States we must preserve the Union; the Rights Of |
the States are securely wrapped up in the ample |
folds OF the Union, and should resist every mea-
sure that initiates against or threatens either.
Was there nothing in the measure under conside- !
ration TO excite apprehension The assurance |
which It's leading advocate has given, that il will be
greedy siezed upon by certain political leaders |
OF some OF the Southern States, which was doubt /
less intended TO recommend II to our favor, pro. !
duced no such effect upon him. What was the /
measured II was a retaliation upon the State Of |
New Gork-a hostile measure. IL wears the Sc
dueuve garb, It Is true, Of self-defence but it is
defence TO be obtained by attack upon the rights
oil the CITIZENS OF "A sister State. State will be ar. |
Tayed against State; attack will be met by attack; |
retaliation will follow retaliation; thewar Of egisla.
ton, according 10 its usual course, will become a |
Of blows; the Federal Government will inter- |
pose. In such an event, who can foresee that the
interposton will be effectuaY The country will \
be shaken by civil strife. The Constitution may |
fall Can such a be eKpedienp Will It |
not defeat its own objec1 Are the People pre-
pared for ~ Should we rush precipit1tely into a [
measure Of such questionable propriety--One |
irnught, perhaps, with such enduring mlschiefsl--
Let us rather pause and reflect let our constituents
consult upon IL. II has been urged that we are /
pledged TO action. As one OF the representatives, Of
the State, he acknowledged no pledge that commit.
ted him 10 wrongful acton But in truth, there was
no pledge to such action In the report Of the
last session which introduced the resolutions alien
by referred to, the committee said
But your committee will not take il for granted
THAT New York will persevere in her unconstilu.
'uonal course. Let US give her sUsTy opportunity
TO retrace her steps, and not render an smcabe
adjustment of our difficulties impossible by acting
Gas # considered the Constitution no longer
"binding upon US, because II had been broken by
"heFD
And again, in subsequent part Of the same re
port, this language is held:
"FOr these reasons, your committee are disposed
ITO await the action Of the Legislature OF New York;
land they are the more disposed TO this course as
"there is no occasion for haste. The slve which
twas stolen, has been recovered. No private JUS
'uce IS delayed. Nothing IS involved in the con-
"troversy bot principle-an important one, II is
"uue, bot one which will not be jeOpirded by the
delay proposed"