The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-06-01

and unite IN the bonds OF harmony and peace the noblest
ment that the world ever saw.
obedient servant, A. STEVENSON.
TO the Editor
WASHINGTON, May 81, 1850.
Mr. DEAR SIR l have been inexpressiby panied of
late at the appearance Of several editorial articles in the
columns OF the Union, in which, upon the basis OF GER
tain epstolary evidence submitted to you, (of nature
quite too delicate for present analysis you have init
mated some apprehension to the rapid progress OF the
spirit OF disunion within the limits Of the Slate which
have the honor part to represent upon the floor Of the
Senate. That there now to be found few unduly
excited persons in several OF the southern States who
resolved oppose all settlement Of existing questions be-
tween the North and the South and who striving, by
direct and indirect NODES to bring about the destruc
ton OF our glorious confederacy OF equal sovereign
States, left at liberty doubt after the publ
cations recently made in various newspapers including
your own. But that any considerable number of dis
unonists per Sc, 10 be found in the State Of Mis-
sissippi. utterly deny.
Mississippi is precisely where she when our Octo-
Der convention held-ready to maintain her const
tuonal rights by all proper and authorized expedents.
but firmly relying upon the constitution and its sacred
guarantees for her security against all unjust aggression
Oar people still. with unanimity which wish
could say had been equally exhibited in other southern
States favor OF the assemblage of the Nashville Con-
yenton and rely upon that body for such calm,
and patriotic counses as may tend 10 suppress all undue
excitement in any quarter OF the republic, and conduce
to the amcable and speedy settlement Of those questions
which have SO long disturbed the quiet OF the country
and kept the Union in peril, upon terms mutually ad-
vantageous and recprocaly honorable to all the men,
bers of the conederacy, North and South. They have
not even thought Of demanding mpracticable amend
ments Of the constitutions with view to defeating con-
gressional settlement nor have they any considerable
portion Of them, thought Of dsunon or secession
save as a remedy for intolerabis oppression
The subjoned letter, which have just received from
one OF my most honored constituents will give you in
formation upon which you may, in my Judgment, conf
IDENTIFY rely as to the condition Of public sentiment in the
State OF Mississippi al the present moment Col Hum
phries is well known TO all the representatives and sena
tors from Mississippi and to various distinguished mem-
bers OF Congress from other States, ncudng the Hon.
Linn Boyd, Of Kentucky to be man of great intsi
gence and dscemment-a firm and unwavering demo-
crat, man OF irreproachsble moral character, and
well qualified to Judge OF the probable action OF the pop
uar mind in Mississippi upon any given question a. any
in the State. have numerous letters from highly
influential and respectable citizens Of both the great po-
cal parties in State, in all substantial respects
responding with that Of COL Humphries; but perhaps
the publication OF his will be sufficient for the present
have the honor to be, most cordially and truly, your
friend, &c., H. 5. FOOTE.
tEncosure.l
WASHINGTON CRY, May 81, 1850
DEAR In TO your inierrogatores respecting
the compromise bill before the Senate and its prob
able reception particularly by the people of State
(Missssippi) have the honor to reply follows will
be remembered that when The doctrine Of the Wilmot
Proviso first announced by name, claiming for Con-
gress the right to prohibit slavery in the territory OF the
United States, Mississippi took the ground boldly, not
only against its exercise, but also conended that Con.
gress had no such power under the constitution. The
position OF Mississippi was that the federal government
held the territory OF the United States in trust for the
OF the several States and the peoples and whilst part of
the States slaveholdng and part non-slavehoding,
Congress. in forming territorial governments and making
territory, had authority to egslae pro or con upon
the subject Of slavery within the territory. Il was fur
ther contended that any citizen OF the United States
with his property whether il consisted Of slaves not
and that II was the duty OF the government 10 protect
him in the enjoyment OF his property therein This was
content with the constitution IL Das and u.s. claim
ing alone the faithful fuhment OF its sipulaons and
guarantees; in word, non-,nteryenfion was all she
asked Does the compromise bill in substance sustain
this positoni think does. The bill now before the
Senate provides that the legislature Of the Territories
shall have no G%e % pass smb law 70 II
tains the views OF the South for the whole South
have all along commended, slavery protected 10 the ter
in its favor BY Congress- and may safely repose upoa lis
property OF every kind
lam aware that some object to the admission Of Cali
forna into the Union State on the ground oil regu-
lary, and 10 violation OF precedenis III you please,
admit the rreguariy connected with the formation OF
her government; still there were circumstances which
seemed to justify the people OF California in adopting
measures for their own protection. Congress had failed
TO form territorial government for her. Then and un-
der these circumstances il that her people, In the most
solemn form known amongst civilized men, met by dele
gates in convention, created their organic law, republican
10 features and character. but nhibtng slavery within
her borders inhibition that any people have right TO
make when acting in convention, forming constltu-
ton, and defining the powerso the government Of their
own choice. After the non-nervention doctrine 10 the
Territories has been recognised in the compromise BILL
shall we OF the South reject this plan Cor some kindred
measure) for the restoration Of peace and harmony. be-
cause Of rreguany In the conventional proceed
ngs OF California; Or shall we generously sacrifice all
our differences upon the altar Of compromise, and rally
under the banner of The Unon-fhe Union Of the eonsi
tuition
In conclusion allow me 10 say, sir that from long ac
quaintance with considerable portion OF our State,
have no hesitation in giving IL a. my opinion that large
majority OF the people anxously looking for Congress
10 devise some such plan of compromise, and that they
would hail the passage OF the bill OF the Committee Of
Thirteen AZ measure OF deliveance from agations and
dangers OF which they are heartily sick.
Them SIR 20 on reconcile conflicting opinions adopt
Mr. Ptfs amendment improve the details OF the. pres
ent BILL 20 that majority unite in It's support; allay
the feverish excitement that deeply pervades every