The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-08-11
The Free Sell Convention at Buffalo.
lS0nIxWAAy LoW
M ART.AM VAN BURE
cEA RE S FR ANCIs AN AIMS
VICE PRE- SIDBNT.
EY TIE MAIL.
? r E s I'D EN- :,
&c. dc. DC.

We have delicious weather IN Buffalo. The ex-
uaordinary movement upon the question of slavery
in the territories of the United States, which has
signallzed the memorable year of lS4s, has ex-
tended further southwark than had expected 3
some OF the slave States have sent delegates to the
original convention which will assemble In this
city tomorrow. These delegates may, however,
feel no sympathy in this movement, and they may
have been sent here merely to ascertain the state
of public feeling at the North l am persuaded
that this anti-slavery agitation Will be of very
formidable and powerful character-much more so,
In fact, than have ever had reason TO expect The
disafiected portions of the old political parties,
consisting of wings, democrats, Tyler men, &c.,
and the ultra abolition party, are at this moment
actually undergoing process OF attrition, or CO.
heslon, or amagamatlon. The idea seems to be
incredible, but have entire confidence that such
an extraordinary fusion of parties is at this
moment taking place; what will be the result
of 1t, and whether this unnatural amalgamation of
parties will succeed in destroying the old political
organizations, or in eecting any important change
IN the principles upon which the government is
administered, cannot at present be predicted with
certainty. Some of these stems of parties are,
however, making certain demands upon the gov
eminent, and have certain projects in view, which
cannot be successful without sacrificing some of
the most sacred public interests, nor without en-
dangering the existence Of the Union.
The convention, which will assemble here to-
morrow, will be partly composed of some of the
widest fanatics, upon the subject Of slavery, who
have delayed the abolition of that institution for
half a century, These men are entirely wild and
insane upon this particular subject they are the
mere victims of those miserable prejudlces of lat-
tudes and longludes which control all weak minds.
They. cannot understand that Jew will cling
as the other. This convention will also be
partly composed of some of the friends of Mr..
Clay, who are dissatisfied because that statesman
did not receive the nomination of the wing Ma
nonal Convention: very strong delegation will
also be present from Ohio, and the members
OF this delegation may be regarded as the
who is, at present, Judge Of the Supreme RENE
Court of the United States There will also be
present, strong proportion Of the leading men in
the Van Buren, party, who will be prepared to urge
the claims of that person to the nomination I
believe that this last named party will succeed IN
getting the control of the convention.
The Massachusetts delegation have all arrived;
some OF the members of this delegation, whom
have seen, are men of talent and sagacity. The
entire delegation met at the American Hotel this
morning, at ten O'Clock, to have confidential con-
sultatlon upon certain subjects. Before the dele
gates had all assembled, Mr.. Sawyer, a wing
room Mr. Sawyer is a finn wing and per
sonal frlendof Judge Mclean. He IS also man
of intellect and influence, and he seemed to
have entered the room for the purpose of making
the Massachusetts delegates acquainted with the
views and feelings of the delegation from Ohio.
Mr. Sawyer proceeded to say, in a conversational
way, that the friends of Mr. Mclean. and the de-
Legation from OHIO, were in favor of the nominal
ton Of Mr.. Van Buren,. In regard to Mr. Mclean
Mr.. ;. sand he had recently Seen private COM
munlcation from that gentleman, upon the subject
OF the nomination to be made at Buffalo. In that
letter Mr. Mclean had said that he approved of
the movement lin favor of free soil. and that he
was opposed TO the introduction of slavery in
to Oregon, or California, or New Mexico or in
to any other free territory which the United
McLeanl was with the friends of free soil, and if
Martin Van Buren, had not been already nominal
ted at Utica, he (McLean) would, If nominated at
the Buffalo Convention, have accepted the nomi-
circumstances. He thought it was the duty of the
friends of free soil to make every effort In their
power to unite themselves together In this crisIs
and ne SMcLean) believed that the measure which |
much desired, would be the nomination of Van |
Buren, by the Buffalo Convention. Under such |
he (Mr. McLean) would feel bound |
TO decline the nomination.
letter which was lately written by Judge Mclean.
and which |, as the friend of that distinguished
gentlemen, feel authorized to divulge: Mr.
SAWYER tnen proceeded to make some other OBJ
Van Buren,, among which was the following
That, IN the opinion of the Ohio people, Mr. Van
Buren would get more wing votes than Judge
Mclean; BECAUSE, II Judge, Mclean was nom-
mated, the Clay wings would fear the election of
Gass, and, to prevent that, they would 60 in for
Taylor. MIR. Sawyer made this remark, with the
OF course, that the barnburners of New
ork VIII support Mr.. Van Buren,; whether he is
dominated at Buffalo or not, they certainly will
90 So Mr.. Sawyer, in conclusion, said, that ano-
Their reason why the wings of Ohio were strongly
In favor OF the nomination of Van Buren, was, be-
cause he believed that it constitutional for the
m1nf To mo Ia
the Improvement of rivers and harbors
These views OF this Ohio whig made greal |
impression upon the Massachusetts delegation,
which, should observe, is composed of an equal |
Sull, majority of this delegation is believed to
pc In favor of the nomination of Mclean: it is |
known, in fact, that they will insist upon his no.
minatlon tor the Presidency, or for the Vice Pre-
sldency AT the confidential meeting of the Mas |
sachusetts delegation, which was held after Mr.. |
Sawyer had concluded his remarks the following
resolution was adopted
Resolved, That it be reoommen ded that a commit
Zee eonsistng OF number equal to one-third the
Der OF residential electors to which each State is en-
Titled be requested to meet at the Mansion House at
ave O'clock this afternoon to consult upon the busi
ness likely to come before the convention
This meeting will be held for the purpose of de-
'lsing some plan for the organization of the orpi-
lal convention tomorrow. / am utterly at a loss
Q comprehend upon what parliamentary princi-
lies the organization Is TO be made
In fact, some of the abIest men here are fearful
hat the convention cannot be organized without
Teat difficulty, and perhaps not all One of the
usual parliamentary forms will have to be dis
,ented with; viz the receiving of the creden-
lals OF the delegates Any body and every BODY |
VII have TO be received as delegates. i think |
here will be a squabbe upon the question. from
he fact that there will be several colored gentle
men present from Ohio, who will claim seats as |
delegates; there is also one negro from Cortland
county, IN this State, who will claim a seat asa
delegate. The wild abolitionists will probably in
nst upon the right Of these colored gentlemen TO
eats, and the more moderate white delegates will |
probably refuse TO receive the credentials of the |
'oored gentlemen. fthis question is once raised.
will be discussed with great warmth and 1t will |
'roduce considerable fun; II may end in a blow up.
md the abolitionists NAV Withdraw from The con,
'ention IN little bit OF passion, as the barn
,uining delegates. withdraw from the Baltimore
If these coored gentlemen are adj |