The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1848-05-23
GEN. SCOTT ON SLAVERY.
WAslIINGToS, Feb. 8,


DEAR SIR: have been waiting for an cv-'
enings leisure to answer your letter before
me, and, after an unreasonable delay, am at
last obliged to reply in the midst OF official &C.
equations.
That ever have been named in connec-
ton with the Presidency of the United States,
has not. | can assure you, the son Of an an
cient neighbor and friend, been by any con-
trivance or desircof mine; and certainly shall
never be in the field for that Office, unless
placed there by a regular nomination Not,
then, being a candidate, and seeing no near
prospect Of being made one, ought, perhaps,
to derline troubling you or others with my
humble opinions on great principles OF State
rights and federal adninistI alton; but as can
not plead ignorance of the partiality Of a-tew
friends, in several parts of the Union, who may
BY possibility, in certain event, succeed IN,
bringing me within the field from which 4,
Wing candidate is to be selected, | prefer TO
err on the side of frankncss and candor, rath-
or than by silence TO allow any stranger IN
Willingly 10 commit himself to my support.
Your inquiries open the whole question Of
domestic slavery, which has, in different oIns.
for number Of years, agtated Congress and
the country.
Promising that YOU are the first person who
has Intercepted me on the subject, pve you
the basis of what would be my reply, in great
er detail, if time allowed and the contingency
alluded to above were less remote;
In boyhood, at William and Mary College,
and in common with most if not all, my COM
panions, became deeply impressed with the
views given by Mr.. Jefferson in his Notes on
Virginia" and by Judge Tucker in the APP
pcnGlix to his edition Of BlackSone's Commen-
iaries, in favor Of gradual emancipation OF
slaves.
That appendix have not seen in thirty odd
wears, and, in the same period have read scarce
ly any thing OH the subject but my early I'M
pressions are fresh and unchanged. Hence,
If had had the honor Of a seat IN the Virgin
ia Legislature in the winter of 1882, when 4
bill was brought forward to carry out those
views, | should certainly have given it my
hearty support.
suppose scarcely need say that, in my o.
pinion, Congress has no color Of authority, un-
der the Constitution, for touching the relation
of master and slave within Il State
hold the opposite opinion in respect to the
District of Columbia. Here, with the consent
Of the owners, or on the payment Of ''Just COM
Congress may leeislate at its dis
.retion. But NV conviction is equally strong,
that. unless it be step by step with the Legisa-
ures Of Virginia and Maryland, it would be
dangerous to both races in those States to touch
he relation between master and slave IN this
| istrict.
/ have from the first been of opinion that
CONGRESS was bound by the Constitution TO re-
.eive, to refer and TO report upon petitions re-
atina to domestic slavery, as IN the case OF all
,ther petitions but i have not failed to see
md to regret the unavoidable irritation which
he former have produced in the Southern
States, with the consequent peril to the two
:olors, whereby the adoption of any plan OF
has everywhere among US been
greatly retarded
/ own, myself, no slave but never have at
ached blame to masters for not liberatiI,s their
laves-well knowing that liberation, without
he means of sending them in comfort to some
position favorable TO the "pursuit ofhappiness,"
would in most cases be highly injurious to all
lround, as well as to the manumitted families
the operation were gener-
Il and under the auspices of prudent legisla-
ion. But am persuaded that it is high NOR
Il obligation of masters and slavcholding States
% employ all means not incompatible with the
,afety of both colors, to meEorate slavery even
% determination.
1t is gratifying to know that general melior-
alton has been great, and is still progressing,
the disturbing causes alluded
10 above. The more direct process of eman-
;ipation may, no doubt, be earlier commenced
and quickenedin some communities than In 9TH
Frs. Each, do not question, has the right to
Judge for itself, both as to time and means,
and consider interference or aid without, ex-
cept on invitation from authority within, TO DO
IS hurtful to the sure progress Of moderation,
a. II NAV he fatal TO the lives of vast multtudes
IF all ages, sexes and colors. The work of lib
Grafton cannot be forced without such horrid
results Christian Philanthropy is ever mild
and considerable. Hence all violence ought to