Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1849-12-24

and if in reply to this note, you can give them
the same assurance, they will give you cheer
ful and cordial support.
Respectfully yours,
Hon. VIM, j. Brown. D. WILMOT.
knew the reason why was interropated.
had always been regarded as entertaining feel
ihgs more friendly to the South than majority
OF the representatives from the North. AS
member OF the 2Sth Congress had advocated the
application of the Missouri compromise to tho
Texas bill, and had voted against the application
OF the ordinance to the Oregon bill because it
was north of that line. For four years had
been Assistant Postmaster General, and had
neither voted at an election nor been member
of Congress, and had no opportunity of recording
my vote upon these exciting questions | did
not, therefore, object to place my verbal decls.
| ratiors upon record. Immediately addressed
to MIR. Wilmot the following note:
WASHINGTON CITY, Dec. II, ls4e.
"Hon DAVID WILMoT:
HDEAR SIR--In answer to your. Of this date,
will state that should be elected Speaker,
will constitute the Committees on the District OF
Columbia on the Territories and OIL the Judiciary
in such manner as shall be satisfactory 10 your
friends and to yourself. Lam the representative
of free State and have always been opposed to
the extension OF slavery, and further, think that
the Federal Government should be relieved from
all responsibility of slavery where they have the
constitutional power to abolish it.
WILLIAM J BROWNE
If had been elected, feel confident that
should have organized these committees III such
manner as no Southern man, Democrat or Viii.
would have complained Of intended to con-
stitue them Of fair and impartial men, who would
have thoroughly investigated and reported upon
all constitutional questions, without regard 10
sectional or party bias | was Intercepted by n
number of Southern men, to all of whom I said
that had always been opposed to the Wimot
provlso. was friend and supporter OF Gen
Cass and in my canvass for Congress was Oh.
posed BY a Wimot Proviso Wing of,the Taylor
school was called Calhoun Southern man
advocated the doctrines of the Cass Nicf olson
letter; with the exception of his views as 10 tho
constitutional power of Congress to egisate for
the territories. That power have never doubt.
ed Congress possessed But was in favor of
leaving the question Of the institution of slavery
to be settled by the people who might inhabit
the territories. In other words, | was for non
interference. Blu. whilst these were my views,
and whilst was willing 10 let the people deter.
mine this question for themselves, under no cir,
cumstances could vote for territorial bill hav-
ing il 4 provision to establish the institution of
slavery, have repeatedly said that. althcushI
deemed the Provlso as unconstitutional and USE
less, should have no objection 10 see a bill,
with its provisions, presented TO Gen. Taylor for
his signature, as at the North he has been re-
garded as favorlng the measure, and at the South
opposed to it, | stated to several southern gen.
tlemen that my mind was not clear as to the
constitutional power to abolish slavery in tho
District of Columbia. was anxious, if that
question 10 be agitated this winter, that re-
port might be made from an able committee OF
legal gentlemen. Mr.. Van Buren, believed that
Congress possessed that power, and yet the South
voted for him. have always taken the open
ground that Congress should not interfere with
the institution OF slavery i'll the D. of Columbia
without the consent of the Inhabitants. If Con-
gress possesses the power to abolish slavery in
the District & the people consent, no one should
object. The question Of the power of Congress
Is judicial and not legislative question. In
writing this letter committed an error, but |
have made no declaration to these men in rela-
ton to the committees, except that they should
be fairly constituted. made no declaration 10
southern or 10 northern men but what shall be
fully sustained by my votes if have an oppor-
tunity before Congress adjourns. have been
consistent, and my future condact shall prove it.
desire to see the House organized, and am rea-
dy to vote for any democrat without inquiring
whether he lives in the North or the South
whether he is for or against the Proviso One
thing our southern democratic friends should
rememher-that in the North the sentiment a.
gainst he extension Of slavery is almost univer-
sal and if we are required to become the adyo-
Gates of its extension, our places will be filed
with wings. In this correspondence consult
ed none Of my friends. alone AN responsible.
made no private pledges to any one MY let.
ter was founded on the verbal conversation with
Mr. Wilmot, which is fully sustained by hisspeech
w. J. BROWN
WASHINGTON, Dec. -, 1849.