The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-07-12


The following letters were written by President
Fillmore, during the campaign of 1913, in reply to
a letter from the Hon. John Gayle, of Mobile =
ALBANY, N. Y, July 81, 1913.
Hon. JOHN GAYLE
DEAR SIR I'll have your letter of the 18th inst,
but my official duties have been pressing that
have been compelled to neglect my private CORE
spondents. had also determined to write no let
tiers for publication bearing upon the contest in the
approaching canvass But as you desire some in
formation for your satisfaction, in regard to the
charges brought against me from the South, on the
slave question, | have concluded TO state briefly
my position. While was in Congress, thereswas
much agitation on the right Of petition. My votes
will doubtless be found recorded uniformly in favor
Oft The rule upon which acted was, that every
citizen presenting respectful petition to the body
that, by the constitution, had the power to grant or
to refuse the prayer Of 1t, entitled to be heard
and therefore the petition ought to be received and
considered If right and reasonable, the prayer of
il should be granted but if wrong and unreason-
able, il should be denied. think all my votes,
whether on the reception of petitions or on the
consideration of resolutions, will be found consis-
tent with this rule. have none of my Congress
siona documents here, they being at my former
residence in Buffalo, nor have access to any
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 sub
ject of slavery in the States. Whether the re-
marks were repeated or not am unable to say, but
the substance was that regarded slavery as an
evil, but one with which the national government
United States, the whole power over that question
vested in the several States where the institu-
tons were tolerated If they regarded il as bless
ing, they had constitutional right TO enjoy it
and If they regarded it as an evil, they had the
power, and knew best how 10 apply the remedy.
did not conceive that Congress had any power
over II, or was in any way responsible for its con-
tnuance in the several States where il existed.
have entertained other sentiments on this pub
ject since / examined il sufficiently to form
opinion, and l doubt not that all my acts, yublic
and private, will be found in accordance with this
view.
have the honor to be, your obed't serv't,
MnLAfD FILLMORE.
NH. FILLMORE ON SLAVE TRADE BETWEEN
THE STATES
ALBANY, Sept. IL, 1913.
DEAR SIR ii returned this morning from the
West, and have yours of the 10Th, in which you
say that has been charged in the Richmond En-
quirer that hold il TO be within the power Of Con-
gTess to interfere with break OH the transporta-
lion, removal or disposal Of persons held as slaves,
from one slaveholding State to another | am not
aware that this question has ever been discussed
in Congress, was ever presented for the consid-
Grafton Of the Supreme Court of the United States
before 1871. In that year the celebrated case from
Mississippi was decided, and Mr.. Justice Mclean
gave an elaborate opinion on this point, in which
the Chief Justice concmred. lie came to the con-
cusion that the constitutional power over this
matter vested i'm the several States, and not IN
Congress. So far as my knowledge extends, this
opinion carried conviction to every uDprejudiced
mind, and the question was considered settled
At any rate, this was my own opinion then, and |
have seen no cause to change IL since. Should |
do so, shall not hesitate to declare IL. You will
therefore perceive that you did me no injustice in
representing To your friend that these were my
timents. write in haste, amid the pressure oil
official duties, but remain truly yours,
MIIIARD FuIMoER.