Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-05-03

viewing me positions assumed by him. and he trusts
performed that duty IN spirit ofcsndor and courte-
~ ihe correspondence being thus again closed.
the Governor Of that State susaitted il to the Gene
raj Assembly In the manner he deemed proper
tie at the same time offered large pseunisry rewards
10 induce individuals who might thus be tempted to
| seize, within the jurisdiction OF New York. and in
violation OF its laws, and convey to Virginia the
three individuals whose security was doubly assur-
ed TO then hrst by the decision of competent le-
gal tribunal and then by the executive authority of
the State. The Governor Of Virginia also address
cd public circular letters to such, and such only of
| the American States as he assumed had peculiar
sympath'es with Virginia, inviting them to make
common cause against New York. The Executive
OF this State submitted these proceedings and the
correspondence to the Legislature OF New York
W"nout remark. The General Assembly Of Vir-
gina then thought proper TO pass act attempting
TO impose invidious restrictions and onerous impo.
sitions upon citizens OF this State engaged in COM
mercc with that Commonwealth-ctizensn no other.
wise responsible Tor the action Of the Government
than as being among its constituents; and this was
done with purpose folly avowed to obse the Exc
eutre OF this State to rescnd decision made under
ms constitutional responsibilities, and TO compel tho
Legislature OF New York to repeal Law found on
It's statute book, IN accordance with its Constitution
ana the Constitution OF the u. States, and having
no connection with the question in Controversy
simultaneously with this proceeding the Cover
nor OF Virginia refused compliance with a reouisi-
on, admitted TO be in due form, for the surrender
ShetsSu Win Tue crime OF forgery, Un-
less the Executive of This State would hrst rescind
,he decision previously made by him, allowing,
however, TO the Executive Of this State SIX months
as reasonable period to decide upon the extraorI.
nary proposition thus submitted. The Executive
o. this Stnte lost no time in assuring the authorities
Of Virginia that the original subject had been r.
considered upon its merits and also in come ZION
win those injurious and retaiiatory proceedings
and submitted the result. that the decision having
oeen made IN accordance with convictions Of con-
Ian xfat ~ l.
Gent ground for revei sal Of the same IL became
the du'y OF the Executive 10 communicate these
proceedings oil Virginia to the Legislature Of this
STATE In dong 20 he could not but foresee that no
one would think of repeating, and especially under
such circumstances, a law Of the State designed for
the protection ard security Of its own citizens and
DINERS exposed TO the risk Of privation Of liberty
without evena charge Of crime. Their is no good
reason 10 believe that the interests of the citizens Of
TINS State are less carefully regarded by its
gslaure, than the supposed interests Of citizen,
OF Virginia are by the General Assembly Of that
Commonwealth. There is no ground 10 sun. |
pose that the prncipes in regard personal liberty
and State sovereignty maintained by the Executive
o tnis state, are less sedulouSy cherished by the
Legislature than the institution of slavery is by the
General Assembly OF sister State. When the |
commercial pos ton, CONDITION and relations of this |
state are considered, IL is not unreas to sup
pose that tie Legislature, il il could transcend It's
CONSTITUTIONAL barriers, mis hit annoy, harass and
even oppr' IS unofending citizens OF Virginia. as
least as severely as the General Assembly Of that
commonwealth can Cypress such citizens Of New !
fo,k x. Nevertheless, the Executive declared that
ms deemed any retalistory action unworthy the dig
nifty and Inconsistent with the relations of this St,te
lie recommends no such me sure He declared that |
none should be adopted on his part; and assuming /
That the citizens OF this State have ample constitu
tonal remedies against any injuries they may suffer
from the wrongful legislation Of Virginia, he declar-
ed his confident conviction that il might safely be
lef TO the magnanlmity of that State and her own
experience OF the consequences Of her measures 10
lnouce an abandonment OF them, and the perform. /
ance OF her constitutional obligations. The Exc. !
cuGve oil 'hls state has sincere pleasure in acknow
Ieoglns that SO lar as one OF the measures is con-
cerned, his anticipation has been already realized
FROM ms cursory review, rather OF what has /
been done than of what has been written il will /
appear that the authorities OF New York have not /
oeen the actors IN any Transaction tending towards
arrangement OF :he relations between this State
and Virginia. New York has done nothing and has /
spoken only when and so often as she was appeal !
ed 10 by Virginia. and then always in the language /
oil respect and affection. New York has made no !
novel or questionable demands complained of no |
wrongs offered no rewards for violations of laws Of
Virginia, passed no vindic,iye Gets made no me- |
nsces, nor has she endeayored, in any manner, TO
excite her sister States against Virginia, although |
she doubts not there many and enlightened |
States among them which cherish her own princi- !
Piles and respect her decision.
trust, therefore, sir, that YOU will be satisfied
That the spirit OF Cancellation, kindness and devoted
ness 10 The Union which you have SO properly in
voked, will continue TO prevail here since no other
spirit has been INDUCED from tie beginning. You
have guaranty also of that spirit 10 the fact that
although not loud and frequent in professions New
4 ork Is constant IN WORKS showing her attachment
10 the mon. Her history presents no instance in
winch she has questioned lis value nor has she ever
INDUCED sPeculauons concerning that after state
winch sometimes engages the contemp alton Of thoss
whose est OF The yaiua m the l. FIJI
~ settled. You have guaranty also in the perse.
Terance with which New York puI sues her policy
oil increasing her communications with her sister
States, and the determination she manifess 10 len
der equal justice 10 them ALL while she protects her
o." CIT zens, as she ought upon principles essential
10 her own sovereignty and that Of her sister
States.
trust, also, that you will agree with me that it
rests with Virginia TO restore harmony between
herself and New York, il indeed that harmonv has
been impaired, which New York is not yet pfcpa.
red 10 admit New York maintains, with regard
10 'IglnIi, the same altitude and relations now as |
heretofore. She comedies TO Virginia all she has
ever yielded. She asks Of her nothing which Vir
ginla does not herself admit to be constitutional and
Jusi, and she maintains towards her the same atl-
tude and relations that she maintains towards the |
olher States OF the COnfederacy. II, however, il |
be not the pleasure Of Virginia 10 retain her ancient
altitude and cherish her ancient feelings toward ~
iork' can only express my unayalIing regret for
~ N'""RP1 uhu uNlOILuUaNs
You are pleased TO remark that this State is pur-
suing course calculated TO render her territory
asy um Tor lelOns and runaway slaves Waying |
all exceptions 10 the spirit Of this remark trust |
may be permitted to reply, frst, that it is not ncon
sistent with the most careful regard TO the public
morals to grant Bpun!ty TO those declared innocent
by the legal tribunals or 10 those whose conviction
would involve no offence against the laws necessary
Tor the preservation of we'll ordered society and
no Volston OF abstract rights, as ascertaned from
the system OF Jurisprudence established in civilized
naiions and, secondly, that the experience Of The
people OF this State has proved, least 10 their own
satisfaction, that neither public virtue nor public
prosperity has receiyed any injury hOE extending,
70 tar 80 has yet been done equal justice to every
class and every race Of men within our limits.
Accept the assurance Of high respect with which
remain, your obedient servant
WILLIAM II. SEWARD.
The Hen. JoBs NJ. PATTON, Lieutenant and Acting
Governor OF Virginia, or his successor in Office.
PHENOMENA AT THE NORTH POLE.
PROM a LATE ENGLISH PAPER.