Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-12-18
POLITICAL.
From the Washington Union, December 10.
A CARD.

To he Editors Of the Union:
Having spoken to-day in the House under much excite
ment and in the confusion which prevailed presumng no
correct report of my remarks will be furnished ASK in
lice TO myself that you publish this communication
After had received 50 for Speaker Monday last
and after the House had adjourned sent for 10 go
the room of member When arrived there learned that
il for the purpose OF having conference with Mr. Will
mot who soon after came into the ROOM He
informed that they satisfied with the position of Mr.
Potter of Ohio and had been ready 10 vote for him. if the
time had arrived when their would have made choices
that they willing for if would agree give
them fair Committees the District Of Columbia, the Ju
dietary and Territories that neither himself the gen.
tlernan from New York Mr.. p kISG desired be upon
these committees that all he and his friends asked was that
The abes of the different parties and both sections Of
the Union might be seeced but they asked that they should
be impartial and uprdced upon the question of slavery
that their fears WERE that might constitute these
mees se what he regarded as the public sentiment
of majority of the country stated 10 him. in reply that
Irsgarded his request reasonable and that if elected
should constitute these committees Of and impartial men,
that whatever be views upon any and all questions
would my power Speaker In such manner 10
important question from being fully presented
and discussed In the House Mr. Wilmo appeared satisfied
and left In short time received from him the follow
Ing note:
evening" you free say that if elected Speaker the
House OF Representatives you would constitute the Commit
b In that should be satisfactory myself and the
friends with whom have had the honor have
municated this my friends and it, In reply this note
you give them the they VIII give you
cheerful and cordial support: ,onr,
Respectfully yours,
Hon. WIZ. ]. BRowS D. W1INC
knew the reason why was iuterrosated had always
ban regarded as enterlanins fosng more friendly 70 The
As member of The 18th Congress had advocated the ap-
pheaon of thu Missouri compromise the Texas bill and
bad voted against the application of the ordinance the
Oregon bill, because il north Of that line. For four
years had been Assistant Postmaster General and had
nsther voted election been member of Congress-
citing questions did not therefore, object placing my
verbal declarations upon record Immediately addressed
TO Mr. Wimot the following
'WAsHlSo7oS Cry. Dec. IL, ls4s.
Hon. DAVID WILMor
DEAR SIR-In answer yours of this date will state
that should be elected Speaker will constitute the Com
mees the District of Columbia the Territories and
on the Judiciary in such manner as shall be satisfactory
your friends and yourself am 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
WILLIAM J. BROWN"
If had been elected feel confident that / should have
organized these committees in such manner South,
man. Democrat Wing, would have complained Of I
intended 10 constitute them OF fair and impartial men, who
would have Thoroughly investigated and reported upon all
constitutional questions without regard sectional or party
bias. was Intercepted BY number Of Southern men, to
all of whom said that had always been opposed the
Wilmot Proviso was friend and supporter OF Gen. Cass
and 10 my canvass for Congress opposed Dv Wmo
Proviso Wing OF the Taylor school, was called Calhoun
Southern the doctrines of the Cass Ncho
letter. with the exception of his views the constu-
uona power of Congress 10 egsa,c for the territories
POSSESSED.
was In favor OF leaving the question of the Institution
slavery be settled by the people who might nhabit
territories In other words, was for nterference But
whilst these were views and whilst willing let
the people determine this question for themselves under
circumstances could vote for territorial hill having i'm il
provision establish the institution of slavery have
repeatedly said that although deemed the Proviso rs un
necessary and useless should have objection see
BILL with its provisions presented Gen. TAYLOR for his
signature as at the North he has been regarded favon
the measure and at the South opposed it, stated
veral Southern gentlemen that mind to the
constitutional abolish slavery in the District of Co.
iumba was anxious ii that question be agitaed this
winter report might be made from 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 ground thar Congress should
Interfere with the institution of slavery in the District of
Columbia without the consent OF the inhabitants If Con-
gess possesses the power to abolish slavery the District
and the people consent should object The question
Of tho power OF Congress is judicial and legislative
question In writing this letter committed an error but
committees except that they should be fairly constituted
made no declaration TO southern northern but what
shall DC fully sustained by votes i'll have opportunity
before Congress adourns have been consistent and nv
conduct shall prove it, desire see the House orcan
zed and ready for any democrat without nuu
ring whether he lives in the North the Souh-wheher he
10 for or against the Povso. One thing southern DEM
ocatc ends should renembethat in the North the SEN
ment against the extension Of slavery almost universal
and We required become the advocates its extern
son places will be filled with wings In this cocspon
dence consulted OF my friends alone am respou-
sible made private pledges any one Myetter was
founded on the verbal conversation with Mr. Wlmot which
is fully sustained by his speech w J. BROWN
WAsHINaToN, Dec H. 1919