Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-02-17
RICHMOND:
WEDNESDAY, MORNING.. PHn. \,

II - III M ~ IN IL:
WEDNESDAY, MORNING. FEB. ~.
THE NEW YORK AND VIRGINIA CONTROVERSY.
In our former illusions to this subject, we hav
expressed the clearest convictions that Virginia va
RICH, and New York wrong. and that the cons,i,u
tioral argument in favor Of the former was inyinci
bic. We think so yet. Our doubt however was
whether the game was worth the candle. Tn
theft oil slave of Of our citizens by three New
York free negroes, justified by nobody there, seem
ed to us very inadequate and insufficient cause t
lead 10 serious difficulties between the two Com
monwealths. We were OF opinion that we eoulc
waive the controversy without dshonor-wilhou
danger-whereas by insisting upon our construction
OF the Constitution, We might but confirm N. Yorb
IN hers and place ourselves at last under the ne
cessiiy OF either backing out with disgrace from,
the controversy which we had opened, or eventu-
ally of having to sustain by AIMS or dissolution
OF the Union. We think yet that this had been the
wiser course, and that Virginia is indebted to the
inexperience and weakness or the vain glory OF
Councillor Hopkins, then acting as Lieutenan, Co
vernon, for finding herself involved in painful and
serious position We know too that these are the
reflections tell moderate men. No vireinian
thinks Nl<nia wrong in this matter, but very few
c-nsder it worthy Of disturbing the Union, and all
Lament; that different direction had not been given
TO 1t in its earlier stages.
We said that cal" !amen,ed that different di.
reeiion had not been given it. We must qualify the
phrase. There is Gloss Of politicians who eioice
IN the difficulty a means of creating party capi-
tai They bounced upon eagerly last year, in the
hope OF sowing diSsention between the Southern
Wings and the Wing party of New York, whom
hey alledge to be the abettors Of Gov Seward, and
whom they s,igmaiize as Abotonists. These 20.
iIieians affected exclusive regard tor and AFRO
gated the exclusive guardianship Of, Southern rights
They clustered and hectored, equally offending
against good taste, and the courtesy and respect due
to a sister State. They less solicous to her
the disturbance than TO effect certain party objects
Their then speculations were oveithrown; but thew
have how others. Wherever you ind one par
tcularly clamorous abou, the affair, YOU inyaria-
bly, fad him desperate iactionst, or Calhoun
p'rtizan, or both. In South Carolina, it has been
gravely proposed by the organs Of Calhounism to
commence at snce what is little short of war in dis
guise, to avenge Virginia of the wrong done her by
the theft of slave! The design is to organize a
Southern excitement for Mr. Calhoun's Presidential
benefit, or gradually to prepare the Southern mind
for disunon; a scheme which Calhounism will be
found driving on when it is ascertaned, rs il will
be, that he can never be President. He is of Ca.
sar's mind, that TO lie the first in village or
Southern CorJeGeraey, is better than to be the Sc
cond in the Empire.
Now our position on this matter is this, and we
shall not permit IT to be misrepresented. ]. We
wish this matter brought to friendly issue by mo-
derate measures and have no doubt that it can and
will be. 3 We mean to stand 10y Virginia, what
ever her course may be, deprecaring however, all
violence, all bullying, all swasgering ,. wewill
not suffer party capital be created out of it for
Mr. Calhouns service, or for disunion, if we can
Preventt by exposing the insidious designs Of those
who are using it for that purpose.
At this session of the General Assembly. Mr..
Bayly of Accomack, has brought in another report
on the subject of the New York Controversy, in
better taste than that of the last, but covering far
too much ground, and going into superfuous ex.
animation and reasoning. The rectatve and rea-
soning portions of the report are too long for our
space, and are besides unnecessary. We publish
the concluding part which suggests the "remedy,"
and we are glad the General is less war-like than
we feared he might be, from the natural propensi-
ties Of mil tory and warkc men.
We had hoped this morning TO have inserted a
substitute offered in the Senate for Mr. Bayly's re-
port, by Mr.. Lyons, which is a condensed and In
minious vieW Of the whole question, and proposing
remedial course which we think the country will
ra,ify. 1t is to dispatch one or more Commission
ers to the New York Legislature now in session,
who at the bar OF that body may enforce the right
of Virginia in the premises This course would be
more respectful TO New York perhaps, than the
adoption Of statutory remedies at this time and if
ii accomplishes the hopes which we entertain from
n-hopcs amounting nearly to cettainty-it will
forecose future difficulties by procuring the recog
milton Of the principle by New York. IL shall
appear tomorrow. We perceive at the same time
no Constitutional difficulties in the way of Gen.
Blyy's remedial suggestions.
That gentlcman's report concludes thus:
What should be our remedyl This is the NIL.
important enquiry. The right is clear and the re-
medy is no less so. The mischief TO be provided
against suggests IL.
The course Of New York jeoplradizes our slave
property, by Offering en- asylum to the thief who
steals Il, thereby encouraging the theft and by rem
derins the recovery OF the slave himself mposbH
when lie has succeeded IN getting there. Our RENE.
dy should have for lts object, as we design our
the theft and the fight Of the 81 We In the opinion
OF your Committee, these objects will be attained
by pass NJ the bill which accompanies this report,
lis provisions simple; but il is believed that
they will be Efficient. It provides for the appoint.
ment Of inspectors, whose duty shall be 10 inspect
all vessels owned in whole CT IN part or commanded
and nayigated 10y resid nj Of New York. before
II departs OF waters, to see that no slaves
cOncenled board; the Of which inspection
Is TO be paid 10y the captain or owner. Bond with
security is demanded from the captains or owners
Of all such vcse's that slave shi be carried out
oflhc Commonwealth ~ such vessels. IL also pro-
hbits any pilot 10 carry any such vessels 10 sea-
VIII oh has moi certificate Of inspection; and it Of
fers standing rewards to al pilots who shall detect
the yillition Of any law Of the State designed for
the protection Of our slave property. These are
the principal provisions Of the bill For the details
your Conimmittee refer TO the bill itself.
The power Of tie Legislature 70 pass such a
law. 10 the opinion Of your COMMITTEE, is very
clear; yet on point Of so much importance, IL may
not be improper TO place ris conslItutionalty in n
view which will DEFY fclutotiOn. The Consti'n.
ton was established, as It's preamble declares Gin
order 10 form perfect union, establish Justice
ensure domegtlc tranquility, provide for The COM
mon defence, promote the general welfare, and 70
secure the blessing Of liberty
IL wis foreseen, thit the intimate commercial nnd
trading intercourse which the Constitution establish
e1 between the States, would greatly facilitate the
escape Of crinnn1s from one State into another and
would multiply tho means ofAight 10 the slaves Of
the Southern States. And ng the Constitution i'm