The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-07-31
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA, JULY ST. 1850


HA1iHioic > EOSltlOn.
We have alluded to this individuals politics
on the slavery question in another place: We
do not intend to dilatc upon the subject further
than to give him the benefit of publishing his
sentiments written by himself at two different
periods of his political career.
Perhaps those who are pre-disposed to be his
friends can s'locate' him after pcrllsing these
documents; for our part we are at loss to say
what point between Abolitionism and Nonntcr-
vcntlon these different views Of his would make
him assume.
Here are the letters, let each one Judge for
himself: The first is written in reply to the
chairman Of the ''Anti-Slavcry Society of the
county Of Erie We forget the fellows name
the second explains itself
| "BUFrALo, Oct. II, 1887
| "SIR Your communication Of the 18th inst,
as chairman of a committee Of '''Thc Anti Slav-
cry Society Of the county Of Eric, has lust come
to hand. You solicit my answer to the follow
| ing lntcrrogatorics:
1. Do you believe that petitions to Congress
on the subject of slavery and the slave trade,
ought to be received, read, and respectfully con-
sidrrcd by the representatives Of the people:
2. Arc YOU opposed to tho npxation of Tex
as to this Union, under any circumstances, so
| long as slaves are held thcrcin3
3. Are you in favor Of Congress exercising all
the constitutional power it possesses to abolish
the internal slave trade between the States:
4. Are you in favor of Immediate LEGISLATION
for the abolition of slavery in the District Of Co.
lumbia2
am much engaged, and have no time to en-
ter INTO an argument, Or TO explain at length my
reasons for my opinions | shall therefore con
tent myself for the present, JV ansrcring ALL
| yo"r 1nterTogator1cS IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, and
leave for some future occasion, a more extended
discussion of the subject.
MAA1aARD FILLMORE.
ALBANY, N. Y, July 81, IS4S.
Hon. JOHN GAyLE--DcGr Sir: | have your
letter of the 18th instant, but my official duties
have been so pressing that have been compcll-
ca to neglect my private correspondents. | had
also determined to write private letters for
publication. bearing upon the contest in the ap-
preaching canvass. But as you desire some in
formation for your own 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, there was much a.
citation on the right Of petition. NY votes will
doubtless be found recorded uniformly in favor
| OF Ill ne rule upon which | acted was, that
every citizen presenting respectful petition to
the body, that by the constitution had the power
to grant or refuse the prayer of it, was entitled
to be heard; and therefore the petition ought to
be received and considered. If right and rcas-
enable, the prayer Of it should be granted but
ii wrong or unreasonable it should be denied.
think all my votes, whether on the reception of
petitions or the consideration OF resolutions, will
be found consistent with this rule.
| have none Of my Congressional documents
here, they being at my former residence in Buff
talo, nor have | access to any papers 7ncm0-
r0nda to refresh my recollection; but think at
some time while in Congress, took occasion to
state IN substance my views the subject of
slavery in the States. Whether the remarks
were reported or not, | am unable to say, but
the substance was that | regarded slavery as an
evil but one 7cih arhich the .Nuiionni Gorcru,ncnt
has nothing TO do. 7Hnt by tie Constitntioa of
the tnitcd S0tcs, the orho'c p02rcr orer hnt qncs-
ton 7c0s rcstcd IN Tire Scrernl Satcs uhcrc the in
stlt"tio" was tolerated. UMcy rcgardcd as u
blessing, they had q constitutional right to cnjou
it.; and if Mcy regarded it as IN erH, Mcy hail
the poarcr, and hncn best ho'c to apply the rcmc-
dy. did not cOnccirc that Congrcss had ann
poaoer orcr 1t, or acas at all responsible for its
continuance IN the Scrcrui States arhcrc 1t cristcd
| hare entertained no othcr sentiments on this
subject since I examined 1t sufficiently to form an
opinion, and doubt not that all my acts, public
and private, will be found in accordance with
this view. l have the honor to be your obcdi
cnt servant,
MILLARD FITLMORE