Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-02-22

II
'nston, and the applause Of the South ZOE the doc.
trines OF Mr.. clay's and Mr.. wsb.,,ris srsumsn,
In the important Mississippi case.
To rHE EDtron, OF rHE wHie.
| wAsaNeroS, Feb. ~, is4i.
The case brought up from the State OF Missis-
spp involving the validity Of all the contracts made
Tor the purchase Of slaves, carried into that State
since the adoption Of the Constitution in 1882, is
now under discussion in the Supreme Court. MIR
Jones OF this city, finished his argument this NOR.
ming, when the Hon. Henry Clay commenced his
remarks, and engaged the attention of the Cour,
and large and intelligent assembly OF persons,
who had been drawn into the court room under the
expectation Of hearing him. He spoke for three
hours, upon the points of law involved and in truth
demonstrated the correctness OF the principles he
advanced. He set out, after an exordum on the
immense Importance OF the case-the millions in.
vowed with the principle that the clause of the
constitution OF the State of Mississippi, declaring
THAT the introduction of slaves merchandise into
that State, shall be prohibited after May, 1885,,
was exclusively mandate upon the State Legis-
a'ure to enact laws making it illegal to introduce
them-having no obligatory operation upon the peo-
pie OF the State or others, until the sslature had
discharged its duty under this provision of the Con-
stitu'ion, by declaring by statute, the introduction
illegal, as it intended should be done. IL this prn.
eiplc was established in the mind Of the Court, as
nave very little doubt, without going any farther
INTO an investigation OF the other points he made,
the decision Of the court Of Mississippi will be re-
versed, the Legislature not having discharged its
duty, and the contracts made for the purchase CT
slaves since that period, will be valid and good.
how otherwise should they bel They have the
slaves of the people of Virginia, Maryland and
kentucky, and still hold them as property, deriving
all the benefits Of their laLour, and vet endeayour-
ing to avail themselves ola provision in their con-
siituiion, which they themselves had dsreearded
by their own acts and the Of their Legislature
and avoid the payment of their Just debts Upon
this subject, MIR Clay evnced the nobleness of his
sou-the high and manly tone OF honor, Justice and
hdelty, he portrayed, and said should characterize
STATES as we'll as individuals, TO every unbiased
mlnd, carried deep conviction, that he stands pre-
eminent as an American Patriot in thought. word
and deed.
The Loeos in the Senate, for the purpose of kill.
ing time and preventing the business Of the session
from being transacted, are arguing the Bankrupt
bill, knowing as they we'll do, that it cannot posi-
| "
the time IN frivolous and idle debate. Yesterday.
during the whole day, there was at no one time
more than six Wings in their seats, feeling them.
selves no doubt, powerless to do business, whilst
under the dominion Of this desperate party.
Yours, SC.
WASHINGTON CRY, Feb. 10, Is4i.
When entered the Supreme Court room this
morning, the Hon. Daniel Webster was speaking
lie had just began his remarks, and after showing
TO what extent respect is due by this Court to the
decisions of the State Courts made in controversies
between the citizens of another and their own State
and what was the object OF the provision of the
constitution allowing such suits to be brought in
the Federal Courts, he divided his argument into
the two following heads: LIST. What is the true
meaning OF the provision of the Constitution of
Mississippi prohibiting the introduction of slaves in
to that State as merchandise, after May, 1888; 2d.
How Ear this provision is consistent with the proy,
ion of the Federal Constitution giving TO Coner.s,
the power to regulate commerce among the seyera
Statesn
Upon the first branch Of his argum ent. If possi.
oIe he placed the correctness of the view taken by
MIR Clay IN still clearer and more distinct light
On the second he forever put rest so far as the
ard OF this Court extends the preenson of the Abo
htonIsts that the Government of the u S. has anv
power TO interfere with rights in this kind of
property. Upon this subject, he would, no doubt
have removed the fears of your neishbor Richie
had he been present-at any rate have satisfied
him, that IN MIR Webster there is nothing to he
dreaded from any friendly regard he may entertain
for those misguided enthusiasts He proved that
We have property in these slaves granted and Sc
cured TO us by the Constitution of the II. & ana
that this right OF property was even so far recoenz
ed as TO be compulsory upon the non-save States TO
deliver up our slaves escaping to within their iuris
olcu1n-that under the clause Of the Constitution to
regulate commerce among the several States, he ar
gued hatin all matters Of purchase and sale of pro-
perry between the several States, the States can
make no regulation whatever in their individual en-
Pacty-and the necessary inference is that the
Constitution OF Mississippi prohibiting the introduc
ION oil an article recognized property, is incon
sistent with the provisions OF the Federal Constitu
ton.
Suppose, as MIR Clay remarked in his speech. nil
the slave States were TO pass such law and ol the
slaves now existing AMI hereafter born, were there
by compelled to remain in their respective States-
II would be producing, in effect the very thing con-
s''eNN w 1T ny tuo hDOlltiOnlsts. The
power TO regulate commerce being conservative
principle, and not destructive, must extend to all
kinds Of property, or we shall never be able TO draw
the line where it must STOP This doctrine of pro-
hibtIon contended for by the counsel on the other
side, Mr. w. said carried US back TO the state Of
non-intercourse and State retaliation which il was
the express object Of the Constitution TO prevent. bv
giving the power over commerce to the Federal Go
vsrnment, thereby producing harmony and symme-
try in all our relations. When he concluded. MIR
Walker rose to reply.
The election Of Printer is now under discussion in
the Senate-Mr Dixon on the floor. It's clearly
case ofrght between principal and agent and with
as much Propriety could they appoint Printer for
the Senate ten years hence as for the ensuing one
IL is as bad as the interference OF one gentleman
with another in affair Of love- claiming the right
70 choose for him his wife. But believe the pnrtv
are determined to stop short Of nothing, and We
should be on the watch. Yours, sc.
To THE EDTToRs or THE VINO.
10 glancing over your columns a day or two since
nv eve was arrested bv n communicated - -