Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1849-12-15

EXPLOSION OF THE BROWN INTRIGUE.
Instead OF publishing the explanation made by Mr.
VIM. j. Brown, in his place, in the House. we shall do
him the utmost justice by inserting his deliberate written
defence, which we find in the following card
From the UniOn
A CARD.
Having spoken to-day in the House under much ex-
element and in the confusion which prevailed nra-
Stunning report OF my remarks will be furnished
ask, in justice to myself that you publish this commu
nication.
After had received SO votes for Speaker on Monday
last and after the House had adjourned was sent for
to go to the room OF member When | arrived there
learned that for the purpose of having a confer
ence with Mr. Wlmot OF Pennsylv ania who soon after
came into the lie informed me that they were
satisfied with the position OF Mr. Potter of Ohio and
had been ready vote for him. if the time had arrived
when their votes would have made choice that they
were willing to vote for me if would agree to give
them fair committees on the District of Columbia the
Judiciary and Territories that neither himself nor
the gentleman from New York Mr. p King desired
to be upon these committees that all he and his friends
asked was, that the abest Of the different parties
and both sections OF the Union, might be selected but
they asked that they should be impartial and unpreju
dced upon the question Ct slavery that their fears were
that might constitute these committees as to se
what he regarded the public sentiment of a majority
OF the country stated to him. in reply that ragaroed
his request as reasonable, and that, if elected should
constitute these committees OF fair and impartial men
that whatever might be my views upon any and ali
questions, would not my power Speaker in such
manner as to prevent any important question from being
fully presented and discussed in the House. Mr. Viii.
mot appeared satisfied, and left me. In short time
received from him the following note
DECEMBER TO- l849
DEAR SIR-In the conversation which had with YOU
this evening you were free to say that elected Speak
er OF the House OF Representatives, you would cons
tute the Committees Territories the Judiciary and
the District of Columbia in that should be
satisfactory TO myself and thetriends with whom have
hoHf hah have al
friends and if in reply to this note, you give them
the assurance, they will give you a cheerful and
cordial support. Respectfully, yours,
Hon. VIM. ]. Brown. D. WILMOT
knew the reason why | was interrogated [ had
always been regarded entertaining feelings more
friendly to the South than majority Of the representa-
tives from the North. As member Of the 28th Con-
gress had advocated the application Of the Missouri
compromise to the Texas BILL and had voted against the
application of the ordinance to the Oregon BILL because
1t was north OF that line For four years had been As
slstant Postmaster General and had neither voted at an
election nor been member OF Congress- and had no
opportunity OF recordingm vote upon these exciting
questions. did not therefore, object to placing my
verbal declarations Ton, upon record | Immediately ad-
dressed to Mr.. Wllmot the following note:
WASHINGTON CITY, December 10, 1s49,
DEAR SIR:-ln answer to yours OF this date, will
state that should be elected Speaker of the House of
Representatives, will constitute the Committees on the
District OF Columbia, on Territories, and the Judi
cary, in such shall be satisfactory to yourself
and your friends. am representative from free State
and have always been opposed to the extension of
slavery and believe that the Federal Government should
be relieved from the responsibility of slavery where they
have the constitutional power to abolish it.
am, yours, truly, w. J. BROWN
Hon DAVID WILMoT.
If had been elected, feel confident that should
have organized these committees in such manner as no
southern man, Democrat or Wing, would have com
planned Of intended to constitute them of fair and
impartial men, who would have thoroughly inyestioa
ted and reported upon all constitutional questions, with
nQrfU /
ted by number of Southern men, to all of whom I
said that had always been opposed to the Wimot Pro-
ylso | was friend and supporter Of Gen. Cass, and
in my canvass for Congress was opposed by Wilmot
Provso Wing of the Taylor school, | was called a
Calhoun southern manadvocated the doctrines of the
Cass Nicholson Letter, with the exception of his views
as 10 the constitutional power OF Congress to legisate
Tor the territories That power | have never doubted
congress possessed But was in favor OF leaving the
question OF the institution Of slavery to be settled by the
people who might inhab the territories In other words
was Tor interference But whilst these were nv
views and whilst was willing to let the people de-
ermlne this question for themselves under no circum
stances could vote fora territorial bill having in it
provision to establish the institution of slavery have
repeatedly said that although deemed the Proyiso as
unnecessary and useless should have no objection to
see bill, with its provisions, presented to Gen TAYLOR
Tor ms Signature as at the North ne has been regarded
as favong the measure, and the South opposed to it.
stated to several southern gentlemen that my mind was
not clear to the constitutional power abolish slave
ny in the District OF Columbia. / anxious if that
question was to be agitaed this winter, that report
might be made from able committee 81 legal gentle.
men. Mr. Van Buren, believed that Congress possessed
that power and yet the South voedfor him. have al
ways taken the open ground that Congress should not
interfere with the institution of slavery the District of
Columbia without the consent Of the inhabitants If
Congress possesses the power to abolish slavery in the
District, and the people consent 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 relation to the committees, except that
they should be fairly constituted made no declara-
ton to southern 10 northern men but what shall be
fully SUSTAINED BY my votes if have an opportunity
my future conduct shall prove it. desire to see the
House organized and am ready to vote for any Demo-
crat without inquirng whether he lives in the North or
the South-whether he is for agans. the Proviso--
One thing our Southern Democratic friends should re-
member-that in the North the sentiment against the
extension OF slavery is almost UNIVERSAL and if we ale
required to become the advocates of its extension our
places will be filled with Wings. In this correspondence
| consulted none ofmy friends. alone am responsible.
made no private pledges to any one. My letter was
founded on the verbal conversation with Mr. Wilmot
which is fully sustained by his speech.
w. J. BROWN.
WASHINGTON Dec IL lS49