The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-16
Reply OF the Hon. Daniel Webster TO TN
Boston Address.

Reply or the Hon. Daniel Webster to In
Boston Address.
WAsHIsGToN, April 8, 1850
GENTLEMEN: II would be in vain that ! should at
tempt to express the qualification which have de
rived from your letter of the 25th utimo. Tha
qualification arises not only from its manifestation
Of personal regard and confidence, bat especial
from the evidence which II affords that my publ
conduct, in regard TO important pending questions
is not altogether disapproved by the people Of Mas
sachusetts. Such letter, with such names, assure
me that have not erred in judging of the causes
existing discontents, or their proper remedy, an
encourages me 10 persevere in that course whic
my deepest convictions Of duty have led me
| adopt. The country needs pacifcation; it need
the restoration of mutual respect and harmony be
tween the people in part Of the Union and thos
in another And in my judgment, there is no sui
fcient cause for the continuance of the existing
alienation between the North and the South. If WI
will look at things justly and calmly there nd
essential differences either Of interest or opinion
which are irreconcilable or incapable of adjust
ment. SO far as the question OF slavery slave
ry applies to the newly acquired territories, ther
is, in my judgment, no real and practical point OF
importance in dispute. There is not, and thert
California, New Mexico, or Deseret And, if thiij
be 80, why continue the controversy on mere alb
straction?
The other disturbing questions respect the resto
ration of fugitive slaves and slavery in the District
of Columbia; and know no reason why just and
fair measures, all within the undoubted limits and
acquisitions of the Constitution, might not be adopt
ed, which should give, these subjects, general
satisfaction. At any rate, we should make the at
tempt, because so long as these dissensons con-
tinuc, they embarrass the Government, interrupt
the quiet of the people, and alarm their fears, and
render it highly improbable that important acts
of legislation, affecting great objects, and in
which the whole country is deeply interested, can
be accomplished. Indeed, the ordinary operations,
essential TO the existence of the Government, and
its daily administration, meet with checks and
hindranccs hitherto altogether unprecedented. We
must return to our old feelings of Cancellation and
regard-wc must refresh ourselves at those pure
fountains Of mutual esteem, common patriotism, and
fraternal confidence, whose benefcent and healing
waters copiousy overfiowed the land through
the struggle of the revolution and in the early
of the Government. The day has come when We
should open and hearts to the advice Of
the great father of his country sit is of infinite
ment," said he, "that you should properly estimate
the immense value of your national Union, to your
collective and Observation-Disclosures you should
cherish a cordial, habitual, and immovable attach
ment to it; accustoming yourselves to think and
speak of it az of the palladium of your political
safety and prosperity; watching for its preservation
with jealous anxiety; discountenancing whatever
may suggest even suspicion that il can in any
event be abandoned; and Indignantly frowning
npon the first dawning of every attempt to ALLEVIATE
any portion Of our country from the rest, or to
feeble the sacred ties which now link together the
various parts''
Notwithstanding what may occasionally appear
on the surface the American mind is deeply i'm
bued with the spirit of this advice. The people,
when serious danger threatens, will, in my opin-
ion, stand fast by their Government. They will
suffer no impairing of its foundationno overthrow
of its columns-no Reorganization Of its structure
The Union and the Constitution to stand, and
what we have to do is 80 to administer the Govern
ment that all men shall be made more and more
sensible of its benefcent operations and its inest
mable value.
1t is not inappropriate that should accompany
this answer TO your letter by the copy of recent
IN der bet yee he 10Th NIT
delegate from New Mexico, now in this city, and
myself
have the honor to be, gentlemen, with profound
regard, your obliged fellow-cti and obedient
humble servant, DANIEL WEBSTER.
SLAVERY IN NEW MEXICO.
WAsHIsoroN, April 8, 1850.
To the Hon. HUGH N. SMITH,
Delegate from New Mexico.
DEAR STA: beg leave to present you with copy
of my speech delivered in the Senate the 7th Of
March last, and to draw your attention TO the
marks made by me on that occasion upon the gen
eral character Of the country Of New Mexico, and
its adaptation to slave labor. You have been res
ident in the country for several years. and have
understood you to say, have trayersed IL from end TO
end. You are native of of the slave States of
this Union, and of course acquainted with the usual
cost of slave labor, and the modes Of cultivation TO
which it may be properly applied. You are, there
fore, am sure, quite competent TO express opin
ion, on the points that have suggested, such
shall be satisfactory.
will be obliged TO you also to state what the fact
is at the present time, respecting the existence Of
slavery in New Mexico, and whether the existing
laws and constitution of the country allow it,
have the honor 70 be, my dear sir,
Your obedient servant,
DANIEL WEBSTER.
WAsHrseroS, April 9th, 1880.
To the Hon. Daniel Webster,
of The United States SENATE.
DEAR Sra: have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt Of your letter of the sth instant, and reply
TO il with great pleasure. New Mexico Is an ex-
cccdingly mountainous country, Santa Fe itself
being twice as high the highest point of the Al
leghsncs, and nearly all the land, capable of cult
walton, is Of equal height though some Of the val
leys have less altitude above the The country
Is cold. Its general agricultural products arc
wheat and corn, and such vegetables grow in
the Northern States Of this Union. II is entirely
unsuited for slave labor. Labor is exceedingly
abundant and cheap. II may be hired for three
four dollars n month, in quantity quite sufficient
for carrying all the agriculture Of the territory
There is no cultivation except by irrigation, and
there IL not sufcency of water TO irrgatc all the
land.
As to the existence, at present, Of slavery in New
Mexico IL is the general understanding that IL has
been altogether abolished by the laws Of Mexico;
but we have no established tribunals which have
pronounced, yet what the law Of the land in this
respect is II is universally considered, however,
that the territory is altogether free territory.
know Of no persons In the country who are treated
slaves except such ms may be servants 70 gentle
visiting or passing through the country.
may add that the strongest feeling against slavery
universally prevails through the whole territory,
and suppose IL quite impossible 10 convey Il there.
and maintain IL by my means whatever.
have the honor 10 be, with regard,
Your obedient servant,
HUGH N. SMITH.