Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-06-16
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT TO THE
COMMON COUNCIL OF BOSTON.

BosToN, June Is.
A letter from President Fillmore was received and
read at the meeting of the Common Council last
ing in reply to the invitation to visit Boston. After re-
GREETING that it inconsistent with what he consider
ed bis public duty to visit the city at this tme he con-
My personal acquaintance in your city is but slight
but slight as it has been, il has lett many pleasant
collections. should have been extremely happy to
have extended it at this tme have long entertained
high respect for the intelligence and patriotism Of the
great of your citizens, and recent have not
impaired that respect
You have BEEN and trust ever will be- law loving
and law abiding people, / know that your devotion
to this great principle has had severe test in your re-
efforts the law tor the OF fugitive
slaves.
Slavery in any form is repugnant your feelings and
education, and the fugitive naturally and inevitably ex-
cites your deepest sympathies.
Nothing but stern OF duty, founded upon
tional firm conviction that a constitutional and legal
obligation must be obeyed at any ard every sacrifice
could have insured the execution of the law in
like this-but for myself never doubted that the law
would ultimately triumph-good faith the foundation
of all morality and security. The Free Statos had
pledged themselves by the Constitution to the perfor
nance of this duty.
The slave States had right to insist and did insist
on it's performances; there was thea no alternative but
to break faith, forfeit word ofhonor and there
fore trampe the Constitution OF country in the dust
and the hazards of civil war, else 10 admit the
obligation like honest true hearted men, and do all in
power to comply with ii, still hoping and trusting
that in time good mode would be devised by those
who have The Constitutional power to abolish Slavery
and who most deeply interested in its final extinc
ton, get rid oil the evil without destroying the fasst
fabric of freedom that mortal hands raised, and in
its ruins, exlnguish the last hopeo humanity for self
government.
Permit me to say that this Government has cost Bos-
ton much to be given up, hazarded, for slight
trivial causes. Some osthe Patriots OF the Revolution
still lnger among you, and the monumental pillar Of
your grateful recollection othe heroes who fell Bun
ker Hill would seem 10 be mockery, if their
could so soon forget that this Constitution cost the
hearts blood OF their sires.
That your citizens acted wisely ard periodically in
sustaining the law, cannot doubt; their conduct has
been governed by the highest sense of moral and poi-
cal obligations, and for this noble example feel con-
strained the Chief Magistrate whose especial duty it
is to that the laws faithfully executed, return
the citizens of Boston my warmest acknowledgements
and should have been most happy to have done this
in person. were it consistent with my official engage
ments to leave this city.
With many thanks to you, and through you to the
citizens of Boston, for this kind invitation.
have the honor to be your friend and fellow citizen,
WILLARD FILLMORE.