Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-04-20
Mn. WEBSTER AND THE BosToNrAAs

fitting Letter OF acknowledgment by Mr.. WEB.
sTER of the mark of confidence lately offered to
him, in the form Of an Address, by so large num-
Der of the most respectable inhabitants of Boston
and its vicinity, is published in the Boston Daily
Advertiser of Saturday last In giving it to the
public, the Advertiser remarks that it has on hand
and may publish at future day, list of some six
hundred additional signatures to the Letter of APP
proval and thanks to Mr.. WEBSTER.
The following Correspondence, appended to the
Reply of Mr.. WEBsTER, it seems proper for US to
copy, as giving strong evidence in support of one
position OF his speech which has met with much
objection:
Copyof Correspondence betseeen Hon. DAsIEL WEBSTER,
of the Senate of the United Sates and the Hon. HUGH
N. SMITH, Delegate from NeW MEXICO.
-# WAsHIsGToN, ArRIL 6. 1880.
TO the Hon. Hugh N. Smith, Delegate from Asso Merico
DEAN Sra beg leave to present you with copy OF my
speech delivered in the Senate the 7h Of March last and
draw your attention the remarks made by that
occasion upon the general character of the country of New
Mexico and its adaptation to slave labor You have been
resident in the country for several years, and as have
dersood you say have raversed from end to end You
native of of the slave States OF this Union and Of
course acquainted with the usual of slave labor and the
modes Of cultivation to which it may be pro6taby applied
You therefore, sure quite competent to express
opinion the points which have suggested such as SHALL
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 be, my dear sir your obedient
want, DANIEL WEBSTER
WASHINGTON, .APRIL 9, 1850.
To the Hon. Daniel Hebser of the United States Senate
DEAR SIR have the honor to acknowledge the receipt
of your letter Of the 9th instant and reply to il with great
pleasure. New Mexico is exceedingly mountainous
country, Ssnte Fe itself being twice high the highest
point Of the Aleghanes and nearly all the land capable Of
cultivation is of equal height though Of the valleys
have less altitude above the The country is cold Its
general agricultural products wheat and and such
vegetables grow in the Northern States of this Union
is entirely unsuited for slave labor Labor exceedingly
abundant and cheap 1t be hired for three four dol
lars per month"; in quantity quite sufficient for carrying all
the agriculture of the Territory There is cultivation
cep by irrigation, and there not sucency of water TO
irigate all the land.
As the existence present. of slavery New Mexico
it is the general understanding that has been altogether
abolished by the laws Of Mexico but have 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
persons the country who treated slaves except such
may be gentlemen visiting passing through
the country may add, that the strongest feeling against
slavery universally prevails through the whole Territory, and
supposed quite impossible convey there, and maintain
it by any means whatever.
have the honor be- with regard your obaen servant,
HUGH n. SMITH.