Washington telegraph., 1850-08-14
Letter from Hon. John Gayle.

-aa.esg- MOBILE August 80, 1913.
Dear SW-I will thank you to publish
the enclosed letter in the ADVERTISED.
Before I left washington | saw that the
Southern Democratic press were assert
ing recklessiy, and, as believed, without
the slightest foundation, that MIR. Fillmore
was an abolitionist. | addressed him
letter on that subject, and received the
reply now sent to you. o
Though this charge is made with bold
ness in the South / will venture to
affirm that no respectable man of either
party in the North would endorse it.
Upon this subject no man is sounder
than Mr. Fillmore, and between him and
Gen. Cass an advantageous comparison
could be made. Respectfully, your
ob:t serv't, JOHN GAYLE is
Mr.. Fillmores Letter to M. Gayle.
ALBANY, n. Y, July 81, lS40.
Dear SW-I have your letter of the
18th inst, but by official duties have been
so pressing that have been compelled
to neglect my private correspondents.
[ had also determined to write no letters
for publication bearing upon the contest
III the approaching canvass. But, as you
desire some information for your own
satisfaction in regard to the charges
brought against me from the South on
the slavery question, have concluded
| TO state briefly my position. a
While | was in Congress there was
much agitation on the right of petition.
My votes will doubtless be found record
ed uniformly in favor of it. The rule
upon winch [ acted was that every citi-
zen presenting respectful petition to the
body that by the constitution had the
power to grant Or refuse the prayer OF 1t,
was entitled to be heard; and therefore
the petition ought to be received and
considered. If right and reasonable, the
prayer of it should be granted; but if
wrong or unreasonable, it should be deni-
ed [ think all my votes, whether on the
reception of petitions or on the considera-
ton of resolutions, will be fonnd consist
ent with this rule. tftaa afh
l have none of my Congressional doc
uments here, they being at my former
residence in Buffalo, nor have access to
my papers or memoranda to refresh my
recollection; but | think at some time,
while in Congress, took occasion to
state in substance my views on the SUBJ
ject of slavery in the States. Whether
the remarks were reported or not, a m
unable to say, but the substance was:
That | regarded slavery as an evil. but
one with which the National Govern
ment had nothing to 10. That by thu
constitution of the United States, the
whole power over that question was vest
! ed in the several States where the institu-
| ton was tolerated. If they regarded it
| as a blessing, they had constitutional
right to enjoy it; and if they regarded it
as an evil, they had the power and knew
best how to apply the remedy | did not
conceive that Congress had any power
| over it, or was any way responsible for
| its continuance in the several States
where it existed. | have entertained no
| other sentiments on this subject since
| nave examined it sufficiently TO form an
opinion, and l doubt not that all my acts,
public and private, will be found III ac-
cordance with this view. r
! have the honor to be ava
| h94s your obedient servant, m
| MILLARD FILLMORE.