Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-08-23
LETTER FROM FAYEITE McMUI.LEN, ESQ.
" .sutScToy JrIy %

WAsnIS6roS JrLY rs.
C;ESrLgMEN: have the honor Ia acknow ledge the re-.
cept your letter the 10th nst inviting me 10 attend
aud address Union mass meeting which will be rid al
New Market Saturday, the eth inst 10 take into con-
sicraon the plan submitted By the Committee o Thirteen
Senate OF the United States for the adjustment o Inc
unhappy difficulties between the North and South on the
subject Of slavery and all subjects connected herewith
Whilst it would afford deep sense Of pie asnre 10 DC
present with yon that patriotic occasion, my duty Ia my
constituents and the country inrbids leaving my posi- III
10 important a crisis the present.
approve of the Compromise bill now before the senate,
with notifications in reference 10 the Texas feature
The Compromise proposes 10 divide of New Mexico all
the territory lying north of 81 dogs. would prefer that
Texas should retain her boundary up 50 deg. 50 mn,
erccaby The of annexation and have the privilege
o erecting four slave States south of that line The TACT
must not be overlooked however mat a large portion of
that territory lying between 81 and 80 deg 30 min consists
Of mountains aud desert country, which Is and VIII De ior
century come wholly unfit for any kind Of cultivation
And whilst concedc Texas that her lille is good east oi
the Rio Grandc yet inasnuch the terms of the Compro-
mise only be- carried into effect by the assentef ltrds
therefore il with view final settlement OF the ques
lion of slavery that would not make the Two and halt
degrees o arid and desert country sine qua non against
settlement.
Iho hatt much the duty Congress provide ter
rtoa governments for Utah and New Mexico rs II Is 10
admit California State. The whole of the territory
c,mprchendcd within California, Utah. and New Mexico was
acquired by the conquest and purchase, and see no
why California should be cremporiy admitted and
The Territories left without legislation ii will be remem-
cred that the Compromise bill proposes organize terrific
rial governments for New Mexico and Utah without the
Wmol Provso, which the honor of the South, and
carries cardinal doctrine of the Democratic party-he
principle of 'n0nintcrrcnficn."
The report the committee recommends the adoption o
the fugitive slave BILL which will afford additional security
the STAKEHOLDER, and guarantees far congressional
legislation can, the constitutional rights OF every ctlzen
holding slave property viz the recovery and surrender oil
fugitive slaves.
To the adjustment of the slave trade in the District Of
Columbia certainly can have no objection, Congress IL
only following the example of Maryland and other of the
Southern States in this particulars although very much
doubt the constitutional power OF Congress over the subject
slavery any respect whatever. The exercise Of the
power of Congress the adjustment of the slave trade
is To be regarded municipal rather than legislative Con-
has power 10 abolish rery unless by the consent
III the people in the District of Columbia and the State OF
Mayland and even then the power doubtful do 20
Of my Southern friends and contend that the
of all the Southern States must be obtained. Maryland
being The only party 10 the compact of cession she alone can
prescribe conditions 10 be fulfilled by the general govern
No legislative power is invested BY the constitution
with the rrerogavcs Of sovereignty. That high power
rests with t!r people IN their conventional capacity. When
the people III their sovereign aud independent capacity
law is above tho power legislative WILL
and therefore, tie psoie this District were 10 abolish sla
very By their voti"n, and The Stale vi Maryland
10 consent 10 H. Congress might the agent Of
the people OF the District give effect by legislative enact
men, 10 their will
desire 10 congratulate you gentlemen of the committee
and through yon my fellow citizens assembled in that
have taken this subject in your own hands and have
only TO regret that others of friends in various
lies OF the State have not long since in their primary
and sovereign capacity counsel themselves and their rep
rescnatyes upon this momenious crisis in countrys
history could nope ta The people oil every county IN our
good old Commonwealth and of every county in all the
States al the Union would meet together in solemn
on upon the interests which affect present hopes and
nture greatness The affections of the masses. |
dcny assured centred upon the constitution and the
Union That the Union of these States is in imminent dan
ger, well doubt and il is of sincere
gre, that the warning voice OF the "Fahe Of his Country
ands solemn citeralion by OF his ilusrous
cessors Andrew Jackson against the formation Of geo.
graphical parties have been wantonly disregarded
cannot close this communication without appealing 10
you 10 tender as now do, grateful acknowledge