Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-12-07
A LETTER FROM GEN. JAMES HAMILTON.

A LETTER FROM GEN. JAMES HAMILTON.
4 Iothe People Of South Carolina.
FgLLowCITIzESs: desire to the privilege of an
old public servant Of addressing you crisis of deep
teest not of great peril made indeed perous by the in
tense excitement which pevades every portion, and almost
every in our State MI ~
II twenty years Of service in the Legislative Executive
and Congressional representation of South Carolina give me
no claim to be heard, because may differ in opinion with
large majority Of you, know not what claim man can
have to speak, without indeed, he is blessed with divine
sanction lam prophet, but like most soothsayers,
scarcely expect be honored in my country.
know, however, the generosity and elevation of your spirit
make my appeal to your magnanimity.
From the soudes of this distant and new country lust
bursting into life under the impulse Of her vast natural
sources will cherish the hope that my friendly voice will
reach State, to myself DEAR and be forgotten
wherever may roam and whatever may be her fate her
tunes, and her dangers.
desire to give you information you may not have
home have travelled through several Of the Southern
States to reach this point. have been unwearied in my
efforts to gauge and estimate public sentiment knew that
South Carolina ready for joint separate action
under honest belief the wrongs which have been heaped
the South by the recent Legislation Of Congress- have
asceraired beyond question: that not Of the Southern
States, beyond herself is prepared for joint action
will take two nearest neghbors North Carolina and
Georgia. The FIRST with few signs of animation has fallen
into her accustomed and refreshing sumber and
tent go and make her usual of tar and turpen
tine Georgia, in passing her entire width appeared
be sinking rapidly into patient and phosophc calm
whilst thirteen cents pound for cotton powerful
tbuors make civil and revolution exceedingly ds,ase
full her people. deemed by of her best ci
c.I -L.aL~ -
bly, pacific card technically called "de6nng her position"
Some of the strongest friends of South Caolina in Georgia.
told they thought that they nigh, bless their if her
Convention, far from resisting the late of Con-
ges did lend authoritative sanction those measures
In her retreat you may expect she will take the back track
and clear at aleap at least nine rails and rider.
The feeling Of Alabama is likewise neualzed by the high
price Of cotton. Beyond the strong language held by
Of her presses she exhibits all the essential signs of unds
turbsd tranquility Indeed, it was quite doubtful, when
passed through the State whether sufficient excitement had
been manifested induce the Governor 10 call the Legs
ure together, whilst pretended to doubt if it
convoked that would do more than ssmarch up the CAPT
! tol hill at Montgomery, and march down again."
The great popularity Of Gov Quitman, Of Mssisspp and
Mr. Davis of the Senate, and the delegation from that State
In the House Of Representatives, will induce the Legislature
probably to sustain the call without however Immediately
approaching within cannon-shot Of secession Indeed one
OF the largest and most intelligent planters in Mississippi
whom met in New Orleans, informed that, although the
LEGISLATURE might be opposed to Gen. Foote, yet majority
OF the people would certainly sustain him. Among the
kens Of the change Of public sentiment that State may be
cited the fact that the late President othe Nashville Con-
renf'on Is now the travelling companion Of Gen. Foote,
as missionary apostle g peace and acqescc with pro
baby the whole Of the party Of that State his heels
OF Louisiana what shall say Except that she has made
an average sugar CROP good humoredy acquiescen
those measures which you think call for action old Sir
Robert fmer would desire, if he alive, and is
likewise quite prepared, when the occasion offers of sacrifice
ing one Of the most brilliant and talented she
ever sent to the National Senate because he stood up
dauntess chvarous and incorporating champion Of the
South. Such mans genius, enthusiasm and courage
should redeem, if nothing else
With the state Of public sentiment in Virginia. you arc
quite as well acquainted deem it unnecessary Il
say one word in relation this ancient Commonwealth ex
} briefly discuss.
IT, therefore, the admission of California the passage Of
the boundary BILL and the restricting the sale Of slaves
within the District Of Columbia all Of them deemet
by south carolina the casus Pderis cas be Justify
ing dissolution Of the Union think il NAV he assumed
as fact beyond all dispute that msoriy Of the people
NOT SINGLE other Southern State concurs with her in ,hi
opinion.
Indeed might have spared myself Some good bnmo,e,
in relation these by simply affirming that
believe apart from oil fear Of the thew
the opinion that neither all the measures 10 ,cich
hare alluded cDcrd classification for disruption of hi
COnedncy II is not the fear Of making myself unpopua
at home That will induce me to declare ny o,cn concurrence
this opinion, however deeply reprehend the admission
OF California as an outrage every principle of Justice
the other States. will proceed to state nv reason
for this opinion briefly, but with cabor which know
supass your magnanmy and generous orbesr
in giving kind and consderate bearing TO an old pub
servant who hopes he may venture without treason, to diff
!, in opinion with you.
will begin first with the admission Of California Thi
undoubtedly was act Of injustice the slave States an
should have voted against her admission If had been
Congress. But it violation Of the Constitution Of ID
United States The power Of Congress to admit States int
this Union is limited only BY the condition that the peopl
L who shall apply for such admission shall adopt republics
form Of The predatory tran.it through terri
,rial form Of civil poy nowhere prescribed Is an nd