The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-08-22
JAMES X. POLK.

To the Hon. S. M. GATES, Member of
Congress from the Stale of N. York:
Sir--I have received through the Post
Office a communication, under your Off
cial frank as member Of Congress, con-
tanning certain proceedings of body Of
men styling themselves, "A Convention
of the Friends OF the negro. assembled
from various parts ofthe world, convened
for the purpose of promoting the immedl-
ate, entire, and universal abolition of slave
ry and the slave trade This Conven.
ton, it appears, was holden at London, in
the month of June last. The envelope,
covering the communication, which came
to me under your frank, is post marked
at the city of New York, and sealed with
a stamp. bearing a pictorial representa-
ton of person in an imploring attitude,
and encrced with the words, BRITISH
AND FOREIGN .ANTI.sLAvERY SOCIETY.
The communication itself contains an ap-
peal to the Governor of Tennessee, so
employ all the influence and power with
which Divine Providence has entrusted
him, 10 secure immediate and uncond>
tional liberty to the slave
The fact is indsputable, that you have
lent your official frank to the self-slyled
Worlds Convention of Abolitionsts,' as
a means OF enabling them TO send their in
famous publications in manuscript thro'
the United States mails, free of expense,
and the presumption therefore is, that YOU
counienance and approve the proceedings
which you aid them to circulate. In
postscript 10 The communication bearing
your frank, | am requested to acknowl.
edge its receipt in letter addressed 10 the
president Of the Convention at London
This request | shall disregard. cannot
recognize, by any act of mine, official or
otherwise, the right of foreigners to make
an attempt, in itselfso Impairment and i'm
pudent, to intermeddle or interfere with
The domestic institutions of this State. But
you sir, are an American citizen, and by
the part you have borne, have made your
self equally criminal and responsible with
the foreign agitators and fanatics with
whose proceedings you have identified
yourself. We're it not for the official sta
ton which you occupy, am free 10 de.
clare, that | should treat the part which
you have borne in this dark transaction,
with the scorn and contempt which | en>
terrain for the proceedings themselves, and
which | an sure all patriotic citizens, ar
IDENTIFY attached to the Union and desiring
its preservation, will pronounce upon your
conduct.
1t is 10 be regretted that the affected and
hypocriiical philanthropy of British and
other foreign aboit;onists, with whom
YOUR official rank identifies you, had not
been reserved for the suffering subjects oil
their own dominons, where unremitting
toll, even in seasons of profound peace, is
in many instances scarcely rewarded with
the means OF procuring wholesome food
and decent raiment. Unacquainted as the !
Convention, whose proceedings you en-
dorse and circulate by your frank, seems
to have been, with the peaceable relation
of master and slave in the United States,
their advice is as worthless as it is gratui-
tous.
The foreigner, in excavation of his
crime, may plead ignorance of oar form
OF government; but from you, sir, his
American alder, and abeltor, no such plea
is admissible. He may be actualed by a
desire 10 produce instruction in the heart
Of rival nation, But what apology have
YOU, sir, for lending your official privi-
ege as member of Congress- to aid him
in an attcmptto produce anarchy and con- !