The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-12-13

To as Ed.iss. n a. Uaion .

L
element. and. An the confusion which prevailed pre-
Stunning no correct report Of my remarks will be fur
nshsd ask. in justice TO myself that you publish this
communication. 49,.
Aissr had received 50 votes for Speaker, on Monday
last and after hs House had adjourned. was sent for
10 90 10 the room Of member When arrived there
learned that Il was for the purpose Of having confer
saes with Mr. Wimot. Of Pennsylvania, who soon
after came into the room He informed me that
they were satisfied with the position Of Mr.. Pot
Ter OF Ohio, and had been ready TO vote for him,
II The lime bad arrived when their votes would
have made choices thai they were willing to vote
Tor me II would agree 10 give them fair Commit
tees on the District Of Columbia the Judiciary, and on
Territories that neither himself nor the gentleman from
New York mir p KRcl desred1o be upon these com
mitees that all he and his friends asked was that the
abest men OF the different parties and both sections of
the Union, might DO selecied but they asked that
they should be impartial and unprgudiesd upon
the question Of slavery; that their fears were that
might constitute these committees as 10 sHe what he
regarded as the public sentiment OF majority of the
country stated to him. in reply that regarded his re-
quest as reasonable. and that il elected should const-
tute these committees OF fair and impartial men that
whatever might be my views upon any and all questions,
would not use my power Speaker in such manner as
ITO prevent any important question from being fully pre-
senbd and discussed in the House. Mr. Wilmot ap-
peared satisfied and left me. In short time received
from him the following note
DEcsMnER 10. IS4s
DEAR SR In the conversation which had with you This
evening yon were free % say that II elected Speaker Of the
House Of Representatives You would constitute the Com
mees Territories, the Judiciary and the District Of
self and the friends with whom have had the honor 70 ac,
nave communicated this 70 my friends; and II, In reply
sa%s they
Respectfully yours,
Hon. VIM. J. BRowN.
knew the reason why Twas Intercepted had al
ways been regarded entertaining feelings more friend
y to the South than majority Of the representatives
from the North As member OF the 2sth Congress
had advocated the application Of the Missouri compro.
mise to the Texas BILL and had voted against the app
cation OF the ordinance to the Oregon BILL because il 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 placing my verbal declarations
upon record Immediately addressed to Mr.. WiImot
the following note
DEAR sR In answer to yours Of this date will that
should be elected Speaker Of the House of Representa-
Columbia on Territories. and the Judiciary, in such
manner shall be satisfactory yourself your friends
been opposed the extension of slavery and believe thai
the federal government should be relieved from the respon
sioy OF slavery where they have the constitutional power
to abolish II. i am yours, truly,
u Nh. W. J. BROWN
had been elected, feel confident that should have
organized these committees in such manner as no
southern man, democrat or whig would have complained
Of intended to constitute them of fair and IMPARTIAL
men, who would have thoroughly investigated and report
ed upon all constitutional questions without regard TO sec
honQ or party bias. was nterrogated by number of
southern men, to all of whom said that had always
been opposed to the Wilmo Proviso was friend and
supporter OF General Cass and in my canvass for Con-
gress was opposed by Wimot Proyiso whig of the
Taylor school. was called Calhoun southern man
advocated the doctrines of the Cass Nicholson letter
with the exception Of his views the constitutional
power Of Congress legisate for the territories That
power have never doubted Congress possessed
But was in favor of leaving the question of the nstt
hon OF slavery to be settled by the people who might in
habit the territories. In other words, was for non. in
reference. But whilst these my views and whilst
was willing to lei the people determine this question for
themselves. under circumstances could vote for
territorial bill having in il provision to establish the in
stiuhon OF slavery have repeatedly said that although
deemed the Provso as unnecessary and useless should
have no objection TO bill, with its provisions pre-
scented to Gen Taylor for his signature as at the North he
has been regarded favorng the measure and at the
South opposed 10 it. stated to several southern gentle
men that my mind was not clear as to the constitutional
power to abolish slavery in the District OF Columbia
was ANXIOUS ii that question be agated this win
ter that 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 open ground that Congress
should not interfere with the institution OF slavery in the
District Of Columbia without the consent Of the inhab
itants II Congress possesses the power to abolish
slavery in the District. and the people consent no
one should object The question OF the power OF Con-
gress is Judicial, and moi legislative question In
writing this letter ! committed an error but have
made declaration 10 these men in relation to the com
mHees, except that they should be fairly constituted
made declaration 10 southern or TO northern men but
what shall be fully sustained by my votes, IL have an
opportunity before Congress adjourns have been con
sisent and my future conduct shall prove t. desire
TO the House organized and am ready TO vote for
any democrat without inqurng whether he lives in |
the North or the Souh-whether be is for or against
the Provisc. One thing southern democratic friends
should rememberthat in the North the sentiment against
the extension Of slavery is almost universal and IL we
required 10 become the advocates Of It's extension
places will be filed with wings In this correspond
ence consulted none Of my friends. alone am re.
sponsible. made no private pledges 10 any one My
letter founded the verbal conversation with Mr.
Wilmot, which is fully sustained by his speech.
w. j. BROWN.
WASHINGTON, Dec. IL, 1s49s