Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-04-14
NEW YORK AND VIRGINIA.

se@I wcesiy observation-disclosures per annurn.
NEW YORK AND VIRGINIA.
Mr.. scOTT,S rejOindsr to Mr.. Bayiy, on the sub
;set Of the biR concerning the controversy rii'
.Ntp York.
Mr.. SCOTT said-When he addressed thu
House on a former day, on the motion to postpon'
the bill, he divided his argument into three primer
pal heads;
I. Concerning the eIpediency OF the measure a
.. Concerning the cxpcdiency of such msa'ur'
at any time; ,
And under these several heads he urged such con
alterations as seemed to pertain 10 the subject
In his reply the gentleman from Accomac, adopt
ed the same order Of debate, and joined issue VIII
him upon the several objections. The subject seem
ed still TO divide itself in the same manner bn
before he addressed himself TO the argument, h'
begged lsave to notice some OF the remarks OF lh'
gentleman, which had more of n personal bearing
upon himself, than application to the SUBJECT ~
the course Of his remarks, the gentleman more 'han
once attributed to him prejudieed feelings and Jam
diced rtsior 10 which, causes, he seemed 10 rec'
many Of his objections.
Pteiudicedi howl Jaundlced! from what cause'
Was there any thing IN the parties TO TINS cohoo-
-, ., ,,o;,e his preiudlce against n wholesome
measure Of relief Was not Virginia party
Had she not suffered wrong at the hanos OF ne'
ndyers,ry1 Was he not Nirgnanf surely he
gentleman could not have lntenueu W lhPu'o "'S
oppo, ton TO the bill to any uninendy ieeihss
.sh,ch he might be supposed TO entertain towards
himself Such a suspicion would not be more I'M
lust 10 him than unworthy OF the gentleman IL ne
entertained those feelings (Which he do no''l on tn'
crave and solemn occasion he could not foster 'hen.
MIR. Scott said, when this subject hrst came up
as the order Of the day, last week. upon ms motion
il was laid over until the next day. lie mac STA
ted that, in the multiplicity of engagements ABOUT
other things, this had never reeeHea ns ~.
q. - aF,eih
fixed as the order for that day. AT that rno",e",
he had not read the report nor the OH. ne n"u
received fiom others general impression Oh lhen
character-and understanding that me proposed
measure was Of n purely sectional nature, Apply
ing only 10 the seaboard, in which his immaculate
constituents could have no interest, his disposition
WINS TO give it his support, If gentlemen IRON thal
portion OF the State desired II; and to TINS eject ne
openly expressed himself alter the aoJou'"he"' VI
the House on that day.
He had no prejudice TO bias his Judgment
no disease to distort his vision: But win 90
som free from all such influences, Tree even rom
that pervadng excitement which me SUBJECT use"
every where produces--under favor OF that cooness
of temperament which Providence had bestowed
upon him. he entered upon the investigation win
the calmness and soberness of dispassonate Juds-
ment
and intensely upon this subject, had suffered his
feelings TO become 80 deeply implicated, had so
identified himself with this measure, that he was I'M
patient of all objections TO IL FOR h'mseIi, ne oId
not regard the matter in that light lie should treat
It as he thought its importance demanded, and aP-
ply the probe with on unshrinking hand.
Deeply sensible Of the gravity and importance OF
the subject he appealed to his associates upon the
floor 10 discard all considerations OF party, and go
with him into the discussion, with the ieehHgs OF
Vrgiaians, duly impressed with the high trust re-
posed IN them resolved TO rescue the Common
wealth from false position.
But tlere was one other subject, Mr. Scott said.
he desired to notice before he entered upon the ar
gumen The gentleman from Accomac, had sew
era times imputed to him disposition to do moth
ing-to yield this controversy, or, as he termed It,
ingIoriously back out. Seeing that he dwell with
much earnestness on this fact, though very reuc-
tan; TO interrupt his argument, he took occasion to
correct him. He now repeated what he said then,
that he had never even much as lntimated any
such desire. His objection was TO this action at
this time; TO such action at any ume Butthe gen
tleman had enquired why he (Mr Scott had not
brought forward some proposition OF his own, and
complained that he contented himself with wsgng
upon hs7 Was such complaint justlhable
In view of all the circumstances that surrounded
him, was it proper that lac should have brought tor
ward proposition of his own
The gentleman tells US that he has reflected up
on this subject now for two years, and that the bill
is the result OF his most deliberate and anxious
nminatons during that time II a scheme, thus
matured is faulty he MIR S. deemed this to be,
what could be expected OF a hasty, il-dgeSted one
Of his own1 The gentleman had considered this
subject for two years; he (Mr 81 had for the first
time turned his attention to It during this debate.
ii he had the confidence 10 suppose himself capable
of producing suitable scheme, even upon mature
reflection prudence certainly would warn him from
a hasty attempt.
But why should the gentleman urge this COM
painli Ii this scheme that is before for adop
ton; ii is proper 20 discuss II; il Is fair TO object TO
it. IL belongs 10 its patrons 10 model TO avoid
objections when they are founded IN Its principles
and to defend il against them when they are not So
Besides, such course would embarrass the discus
sion; between competing propositions, a successful
assault upon rival, might tend very strongly 10
conce objections 10 the other. The plain and as
1t seemed, obviously proper course, TO let this
scheme be tested upon IT'S own merits let II stand or
fall by them; let the discussion be disemblrrassed
of all eKtraneous matter.
Regretng that much time had been consumed
in the preliminary remarks, Mr.. s. SAID he would
address himself to the argument and FIRST inquire
whether the proposed measure was expedieut al
that timer
lie could not perceive any thing in the present
attitude OF the controversy which required of Vlr-
gina TO proceed, at this iiDs, TO the vlndlcation Of
her rights. No priUOis rights were involved; the |
slave which had been stolen was recovered; delay
could not affect Thus fir we were right; every
sober and unbiased mind must approve our course |
should be cautious not TO lose the benefit of our
position; one false step would deprive OF our ad
vantage. Dehberaton and forDearance could not |
cOmpfomit our honor, whilst preclptancy might. We
had addressed ourselves respectfully the Execu-
tive Of New York and requested him 10 review the
grounds Of his former opinion; IN spirit OF conci
aton, we had appealed TO her Legislature. That
body had not yet responded TO our appeal. The
subject il true. had been before it, and to some
extent discussed, but was postponed without inul
decision upon IL. II was question Of novelty and
difficulty, and mad now been brought TO the ntten-
ton Of the people of the State. The course pur.
sued was calculated to excite public attention. In
fact, the newspapers Of the State, every where
were teeming with discussions OF IL, when the e.
gslature met again our ar peal would be answered:
until then, we should iorboar. Whilst New York
lad the subject under consideration and that too
upon our motion, common sense Of proprioty
would counsel US to patience. That State might be
disposed Of herself TO redress the wTons our action
AZ this Time II calculated TO irritaie and Of
fend would incline her to other counsels, and thus
defeat our object. Was such the infention7
That II would DO so, must be manifest from the
slightest consideration Of the measure itself IL was
~ high degree burthensome To her commerce; yeH.
niious ahd harrassIng TO her citizens; offensive in
suhlecting them TO Odt0Hs Sfareh; injurious in
discriminating between them and the citizens Of the
other States Il bestows its punishment upon the /
guilty and innocent alike. It's certain tendency was
10 engender angry controversies, embuer feelings
produce acts Of retaliation and sndanger the Union.
Can such measure be poitc1 But there ar,
objections Of no less cogency against the propriety
of the measure, founded in is various p DIVISIONS
The hrst section declares "hat Il shall not be law
q luI FOR any vessel Of any size description own
- ed IN whole or IN part, or minded or naviga- /
" led by any citizen or resident Of the State Of New