Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-03-28
,fa3sH From the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin
Letter from Dani Webster the late Slave Rescue
In Bostof,,-The Pres,fentss Views. eek


.i8991R From the rhiladslphial Evening Bulletin.
Letter from, Dann Webster o., the late
stfgae In Bosto,i.-The Presidents Views.
T. > Ua155 @ BosToN, March 81. 1851
The following letter has been received from Honor.
able Daniel Webster, in reply to the resolutions Of
the City Governments relative to the late rescue in
this city: ~ ss
+. WASHINGTON, March 10, 1851.
Hon. JOHN p. BIGELow. Mayor of Boston
l. SlrThe President has had the pleasure to receive
Your letter OF the 10Th Februarys enclosing the Off
cal copies OF the order and resolves lately adopted
by the two branches of the Government of the city
of Boston, .sE
1t affords him great satisfaction to perceive that
snch measures have been taken by the authorities
Boston as to give assurance that no other outrage
similar to that which he presumes the immedi-
ate cause of their adoption will be permitted to take
place in your city. 7r.t
From his earliest youth he has been accustomed
to regard with the greatest respect and generation
the city of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massa-
chusetts. He has been led tonight to believe that
their inhabitants above all Others the friends
of order and good government--fntelIigent enough
to appreciate the advantages of free institutions of
their own choice, and capable of the great political
problem of the compatibility of freedom with order
and liberty, distinguished from RIGHTEOUSNESS and
OF self government, the farthest removed from the
danger of anarchy; that they were especially devo
ted to the union Of the States and the Constitution
which established and still maintains that Union
and that their patriotism failed to counsel
them to fulfil their obligations under the Constitu-
hon justly and fully, and in the very spirit in which
such obligations were entered into by their renown-
ed ancestors
Entertaining these sentiments, it was difficult for
the President to credit the accounts which were re-
ceived of the outrage all law perpetraed in Bos-
ton on the 18th of February last That prisoner
in lawful custody, within the walls of the Court
House. in the centre of the city, and in full sight of
the officers and all the municipal authorities had
been at monday, furcby arrested 10y mob of one or
two hundred persons from the officers of the law car
.ried out OF the building and through the public
streets in sort of triumph, and enabled to escape
altogether, without attempt on the part of any of
the authorities any of the citizens to preserve Or
der and maintain the law or to pursue and retake
the fugitive, statement that seemed to him too
improbable to be true.
It with feeling of great relief that he recei-
we'd such explanation of this strange occurrence as
showed it to have been entire surprise upon the
citizens and upon the authorities. An act of sue
eessaE temerity the part of very nconsiderable
nuaber of persons, which only needed to have been
unprecedented the shortest time beforehand to have
been prevented.
The President is confident that the great majority
of the citizens of Boston entirely loyal to the Con-
stituton, that they view with Just indignation all
such outrages and all attempts, whether by writing
or speaking, to incite the ignorant and unthinking
to such acts OF violence and that they ready to
discharge the duties incumbent them by the Con-
stitution and laws of the United States faithfully
and fearlessly, under all circumstances, whenever
called upon by the proper authorities.
The occurrence of the 18th of February is certain
ly greatly to be regretted, it gives occasion TO
those not unwilling to seize upon it, to question the
disposition of fellow to comply with their
constitutional obligations in good faith and the his
tory OF such outrageis spread far and wide reach
es where an explanation may never follow, and
creates an ill-eeling towards those whose only
nechon with it is that they residents of the
place in which it was perpctrated.
But it, the President doubts not it WILL the event
shall arouse the attention of all good citizens to
state of the dangers to be apprehended from the in
culcaton of such doctrines as have been spread a.
broad in the country tending to shake the authority
Of all law to unsettled society and to absolve man
from all civil and moral obligations, and shall put
them their guard against the further diffusion of
such pernicous sentiments it may in the end be pro-
1uctive of happy results and certainly the almost
unanimous expression of indignation which it calls
forth from your citizens balances to some extent the
i'll effect flowing from it.
The President does not doubt that the people of
Massachusetts perfectly well understand the differ
between the freest discussion of political meas
ures and opposition to legal enactments already
made and established He is quite sure that they
regard the law of the land, not as a sentiment or
opinion, but rule of conduct prescribed by the
general authority, which all are bound to obey at
the risk of the penalties attached to its violation
The President directs me to tender you his thanks
for the transmission of the resolutions.
remain, Mr. Mayor, with great respect your
obedent servant, DANIEL WEBSTER.