Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-12-09
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS OK SLAVERY.

Hon Jotn q .ida'ns
Sir-The undersigned, citizens Of Pittsburgh, and
members of the Liberty party, entertaining The most
profound respect for your character, not only as
public unctionary stnguished statesman, but as
most estimsble private ctzen-and believing you The
de voted and sel.sacr,ticng friend oil humanity ana
equal rights earnestly nvile you, IN The name ana on
the behalf Of the friends OF the slave, in Western
PENNSYLVANIA, TO address US should existing arrange
ments permit you 10 do SON the great and absorb
ing topics of American slavery, and the annexation
of Texas on tc-iorrcw the 18th instant, al CLOCK,
P. NJ
With sentiments Of high consideration, We are, Sir,
most respectfully, &c, JOHN MECAShEl,
And others, Committee.
Pittsburgh, Nov. Il, iS43.
In reply 10 the above note, Mr.. Adams said, in sub
stance, as follows:
Mr.. Adams Rsply.
Gentlemen | must beg you to excuse me when
decline making the address, which you have done me
the honor to request. Since my arrival here have
received two other requests deliver addresses, which
| have been obliged I, decline. feel now, some Of
the effects of this kind oil servce and if should
deftake 10 do more however agreeable TO my
Of gratitude for the kindness Of the people of Pitts
burgh, must expect it would add TO the lnfrmties
which already experience
But. gentlemen, you aware that have been
ceved here the guest of the citizens of The two cities
without regard TO party or the peculiar political SEN
timenls of any of them. And however nearly my OPT
sent could with propriety address the citizens Of
the Liberty party on the subjects which rcularly
concern them, without infringing upon the courtesies
which owe 10 all the people oF these cities.
With regard 10 the subjects mentioned in this note,
the annexation OF Texas, and the abolition of slave
~ in the District Of Coumha-I have opinions
which wish 10 conceal. The Texas question is n
very delicate one, and it is probable 1T will occupy
much Of the attention of Congress at the ensuing
sion my views Of have been already avowed more
IL. g 4 T.
ltion Societies, Antslavery Societies the Liberty
Party-I have never been member Of any Of them.
But in opposition TO slavery go as fur any Of these;
my sentiments, believe, very nearly accord with theirs.
That slavery will ba abolished in this country, and
throughout the world, firmly believe. Whether it
shall be done peuceably by bod, God only knows
but that il shall be accomplished, have no doubt, and
by whatever way, say, let it come.
AS to the abolition Of slavery in the District of Co.
lumba, have said that was opposed to it-not be-
cause have any doubts of the power of Congress to
abolish slavery in the District, for have But
regard it as q violation Of Republican principles to
enact laws at The petition OF oae people, which are to
operate upon another people against their consent. As
the laws stand, the people Of the District have
property in their slaves. | do not admit that these
laws are in accordance with justice, for it never
be true that rieltiu!ly have property in
another Still these laws have had existence
since before that part OF the country became the Dis
trict of Columbia, and brought under the power oil
Congress; and think they should not be altered with
the consent Of the people OF the District. This
consent b. lievc will yet be obtained, and slavery will
be abolished there.
Ba, as it effects the Government, the great evil Of
the slave sys,em the property representation in
Congress. Twelve hundred millions of this sort OIL
property is represented by about members
In the last Congress- the slave States had one hundred
meGhets in the present Congress, think the mum
Der IS eighty eight, who have their ats based IN paI
upon property qualification, basis which is itself a
| ola finpf ,If M ,.rb
unknown in tn. free States, and upon species Of pro
pery which has existence, and have none in the
free States.
And whatever may be the pol cs or members, De-
mocrat or Federal:s, Republican Monarchis, they
all unite in the defence OF the slave system. This
power prohibits all speech and action the subject oil
81 very. Your Representa- YES do nothing they
checked aud forbidden in various ways: your petit
tons not allowed TO be heard, and discussions Of The
question kept out of Congress: the press is silent
this Sabject-the press dare not publish any thing
affecting the interests OF slavery believe is ost
important to have the Constitution amended in that
part which provides for this property representation
he slave States For what is to avail all your efforts
for the abolition OF slavery in the slive States: You
directing efforts To this end, and unable TO
resist the encroachments of the slave power upon the
liberties of the free Stats. While il said that
slavery interfering with the institutions Of the South,
The Southern slave syst,m is encroachlDg upon the
privileges OF Northern irecmen.
The present stale of things, therefore is net an tt-
tempt on the part of the Aao,ions's 10 pu, s.a-
very in the South, but II is ait Tie part Of the
slave power crush the liberties of the people of The
fee STATS The rights OF petition, Of trial by Jury,
and Of hsheas corpus, have ali been invaded. These
rights lie at the fou3oaiIon oil TIE berries OF the c
yea Take away The WIZ. Of hqbias forpus-ihe sht
Of man imprisoned TO be brought before Judge aud
have his accuser confronted w,ih him, the accusation
made known 10 him and beard BY the jGdGe-ard take
away The trial by jury, aad your liberty taken away
And this we have seen attempted 10 be done By the
representatives, OF the neighboriag Sts of New York.
in their Legislature, at the dical ION Of saveho!dng
State The bill passed The House. and woulI seem
that it failed pass the Senate, only consequence of
the adournmen mt of the Lsgislitu
Thus, gentlemen, you zee, that while snti-slavery
men ardeny engaged in libors to bring about the
abolition OF slav ery in the slave States, deem it a
matter of great importance, and one which demands OF
Us equs earnesness and vigilance, &C, for the pro-
lection Of our own liberties, by resisting he encrosch
ments of slavery, and The spirit of The save-hoding
power upon the freedom OF the CIT zsns OF the North
And SO long as shall hold seat in Congress, shell
exert oil the powers possess ID resist these encroach
mens-;o promote On ame ndment of The Constitution
10 which have referred and for the entire abolition of
slavery in the country.