Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1844-01-11
for the Constitution as he understands IL

There Mas been another eTort TO car
ry .out the law-.noi by a South Carolina
udge, but by negotiation with foreign
Power, 10 effect the same species OF oP-
preston in relation 10 colored mariners,
such as the cooks and stewards Of mer.
chant vessels And here lc, me say that
The enormous and terrifying danger, n
danger so terrible 10 the military and
chivalrous gentleman, a laugh that
rather than risk II the Union itself ia Ia
be- dissolved, is this, that South Carolina
will not be able TO sustain her powei
over her slaves because free colored
cook or steward should remain on board
"A vessel at Charleston for a few days -
Ii cannot he endured. II il too terrible f;
you must nab the poor mortal, citizen
most likely Of my own State, or of Rhode
Island or the subject OF some foreign
Power, 20 whom we are bound by treat,
Tint her subjects shall be treated by u
with Kindness and hospitality. In the
case oi.ihis To which ] nllude The Gov
ernmeh or the United States and the
Government Of South Carolina had both
d w UFcuu NOI1SiOU WIN u k|Na
\ Power on that question.
Not five years ago, ] believe, there
occurred another case nj Chariesio on,
when q complaint was made by the
British Consul, and something very like
n threat was uttered, that If the men
seized were not released j, might lead to
a quarrel between the United States and
Great Britain and in the end II came Ia
this; that another highly distinguished
\ Attorney General OF the United States
from South Carolina, a gentleman for
whose memory cherish, ms we all must
the most sincere respect, wrote To the
/ British Consul that he had done all he
So far MS TO state that the consequence oi
enforcing its provisions mig bt be nothing
short Of war with Great Britain but
he was sorry 10 say that his efforts had
been all in vain but that, even should
war ensue, the State was resolved to ad
here to the ground she had taken. Here
is an effectual confirmation OF what the
gentleman near me has given as his own
opinion in fact the State has declared
through these two distinguished gentle
men, my friend here MIR. Holmes) and
the late Attorney General, (Mr. Legare,
that even though n diss ,luiion Of ih'
Union and war with England must be-
the alternative, she would undergo both
rather than give up to her unconslIlu-
| tional act
Il have related these circumstances io
this House ] hope they wiIl 20 to thu
country trus, this debate may be So
reported, that every man aud every
woman, ny, and every child can read,
may read and rehrc, upon it. Any gen
ilemah can verify the truth OF the state
ment ] have made, by looking at the
public documents containing the opinion
of the South Carolina Judge aud he
will there find another part Of the story
which | have not mentioned, ass fully
vsxiHU1Np il.e gentleman Mr., Holmes!
ada K {be part ] stated IN relation 10 hiiI'
10 been true.
MA. in conclusion, said, 1 have al
ready trespassed long on the patience
If The House, and will at presen, 81,
no more unless II he tn say, that, al
though am not IN the habi, Of making
broad and unqualified professions OF Al
tachmeni to the Union, | arm neverhe.
less devoted 10 the Union aud devoted
to the Constitution. My whole lite
hitherto has been devoted to the support
OF both, and all my remaining days upon
earth, which in the course of nature can
be hut few, shall be in the same manner
dedicated to support and sustain both the
Union and the Constitution. But do
not, therefore, pledge myself not to pre-
sent petitions either Of my own or of my
States to amend the Constitution. That
is within The power of the House bot IT.
is not within the power Of this House ,"
refuse to receive petition to amend tac
Constitution in any Of its parts.