Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-05-09

honorable hcas'. and rs that sh" Will s;1w -, con-"
that she Is wise rs well ms brave, by cr contempt o J 'l
talon OF A5oionisis, Free SOi!cia and Scwar"!*fl
by continuing her lath and guardianship /" 10" Lois
ton with other Southern States whose Representatives ar
interest Of hc South we NAV G,rm sac. comb
nation Of Southern interest ,rW make tie Gsasra Gor
ernmsH pause and cause the Northern States 10 d I'm
aggression JAMES MARSH.
MR.. JEFFERSON'S OPINIONS.
We nsk attention 10 The powerful letter Of George '" Kan
doph Esq, Of this city, and excellent comrsEts o H.
Boston Post, in which paper find the letter. T'!ooeA IL
some slis: particulars 30 agree with 1r. r. an
eeet that he should have introduced tem--la nsr 'ht
beauty OF the res. of the etteT-we rcioce HAT nc
has placed in so strong and clear light the tue sc7tl
ments OF bis iIlusous gaadfa hc The reco!ds opinion
of Mr. Jefferson, and other distinguished Virginia state'
men, have frequently been vouced in support of the doctrines
advocated BY the anlis!avey party in the United States
This letter OF Mr. Randolph shews the utter iasiy OF any
such conclusion His construction Of the views OF Mr
Jefferson is In perfect harmony well remarks the Por!s
mouth (Va) Pilot, with the evident intentions OF the dis
tngushed Virginia statesman whom the Aool'onists nave
boased the parent of their niqutous philosophy Could
we believe that the author Of tho Declaration OF ndepend
enter tanned the absuIdes u modern anti slavery men
it would materially lessen admiration for the man and
his deeds but such is true, the principles urged by
the opponents of State institutions an.repubi.
for Jefferson and the Jefferson school Of politicians
Northern people, in urging total abstinence from The ques-
ton of slavery and faithful OF the fugitive slave
law, on which, ultra Union he s he socmny declares
his belief The Union His letter must exert
beneficial influence in the North in opening the eyes
Of the deuted the gross mposure which has been prac-
tsed upon them:
| From tho Boston Pos.l
| JEFFERSON
An IS7EnEsrISG LE-TER.-Wc the pleasure. through
| hot oIp, of E.1 Df lVin )u
readers this morning letter from GEO w RASnoLrH Esq,
grandson Of JEFrE2sISs highly respected in Virginia
a lawyer of fine talents and accomplished gent
man. Coming from source respectable and authentic,
il cannot fall command attention. Besides giving Mr..
Jefesons views and the opinion of Mr. Randolph as TO the
consitutionaity of the fugitive slave law il also contains
highly interesting narrative Of facts relating 10 addition IN
Virginia.
One of the means resortcd TO- for exciting hostility 10 the
south is claim Jciesons authority for the political dnc
nes OF the aboonss and 10 represent tho south a. hav
ng basely fallen away from The faith forth By ,
immortal author OF the declaration of independence
guage used by him 10 forth the rights ot anterior 10
the formation OF society perverted from lis meaning and
made apply 10 under legitimate form OF government
the adoption OF which creates duties which
exist in what is called natural state and ecrr0caig
rights This language was used by Jefferson 10 show c
necessity of government and the etimlcy oil is s as
We'll the Of lis duties. Ann;!,cr mode pcryefn4
his language is 10 sever few ie context and
present ns general u!n, proposition w:c Jefferson
puts Iorwarc In It's brondcs form for e purpose
moulding ard shaping into real truth by nnr4oIs
tained in the context In this way The c:udcst
Of Jefferson utterly different The step asscr,
that the conscience of the south has become darkeued
and corrupted by It's institutions as longer recognize
these So called Jeesonian principles and ciatc this
darkened conscience the conclusions of the . eaghrsn
ed conscience oi the abuIilioB;sis.
In undertaking thus dictate the north Intermediates
with question bevund its lurisGciiOn and in vlei
nf the equal rights OF conscience bUngng the south
While this interference then. sopposcd Of Jcirrsons
rrncipeS-equa rights oi conscencc-whic il advocate
spirit utterly q, win charity well equal rights
ii is also practically subve'sivc OF the great
Jefferson ben. all his energies and genius gin.
r,-:.--I l"".o'yis er:or, no
ger dctaa he !eacer
RicH,toxp ApnIL Is 1851
Dear Srln consequence OF my removal this place
Your letter della yed reaching. me- and
not been aswcred promptly as il otherwise would have
been Iuu cay democrats yitA YOU rain
tain the unconsutionuy OF the fugitive slave aw and
sisl that in doing 30 they are following the views and
principles advanced by Mr. Jefferson. And you wish to
know whelhc: there any acis whia my knowledge which
such assertions, and whether nave any doa Of The
consi! ut.onaily OF mat law.
Iknow Of nothing which affords the slightest ground 10
suppose that Mir. jefferson would consider the s live slave
law unconstitutional if he living, ana have aD-
piled for information This pont M u.oie Thorn
Jefferson anopl who upon terms OF the utmost
Intimacy with him tor many years previous his death
ain fully persuaded al Mr. Jcfersuns principles if rrhry
UNDERSTOOD 60 conflict fugitive slave m. and
that the appearance :" such conflict only hc brought
about by most uninstiabc interpretation. Tie decara
tim OF Independence believe is usually relied npon by
abGlltionlsi5 when they M quote Mr.. j.
authority and that instrument is used 10 pro
the unconstuonay Of slavery ITSELF and at other times il
is directed against the fugitive sla.riaw In ny judgment
il has not the slightest bearing upon either except 20 ecog
nze slavery by implication as legal institution.
The passage commonly relied OF CONFLICTING with slave
r. and nuiiyng all a%s tending uphold il the Cecla
ration "hat all E!cn are Created equa That they are
by their Crealu! with certain unaenADe rights that among
these life, Liberty, and The pursuit happnras Docs
il follow that because ghis una.hio ,Ictr Nar
never be restrained! !! then the 4cllar!yf id
oendence only gives f.eciu slave on also 10 tic
inmates of psnirendries and stale prisons And rs HE j.
l,lo
in ike manner abolished Take The foregoing pas in
connection with what follows, and hr aasurliiy Of such
construction is still more apparent. IL is declared tn; the
peopl may found government! on snch principles and
panze powers in such form them shall seem most
likely effect their safety and happiness" Now suppose
that the public safety requires the negro c k.i in
would it be in conformity with the principe here nm.
nounccd II his rights be touched because they
are unuenabc neither those of iconS Tor The sIc
| reason and we must turn loose all the thieves and
| murderers in the community by way Of preserving
"hfe liberty and the pursuit OF happiness' have
said that tho declaration "l Independence recognizes
savery il does this by making cause Of complaint
against King u Great Britain ha he has excited do
mesc instructions among us This language refers TO
surrectiuRs OF slaves "a VIII be apparent reference
instrument which the parent of the deca.
ton of Independence. aude TO resolution n,-s,d br
the General Assembly OF Virginia the 18th of May, l77G
instrucnc their delegates in Congress to propsr decaru
ton OF independence The was made in Congress on
the h of June following, and il fell Mr. Jetrrsons lot
draught the declaration This he did with the Virginia in
srucIons in his possesson in which the General Assembly
complain the king representative in Virginia had temp.
their slaves by every artce hin and had train
ed and employed them against masters" The couoant
is stated conCise in the declaration of Independence
which says he has excited domestic Instructions
us' Can be doubted that the validity OF the institution
of slavery here recognized Ii il had not been would
attack upon it have been set forth prominently arev
ance!
Consider moreover the practical construction given TO the
declaration OF independence large number of It's sgncrs
(inong them its autho then and continued 10 be
holders. Some Of them afterwards sat as udres in slave
states and adudcaed Gucsrinns involving the legality Of
slavery. or ,h=s, George Wythc Of Virginia,
for his purity and wisdom As Chancellor of Virginia hr
frequently decided questions Involving slavery neve: sc
far as am informed hesitated 10 sustain its legality Now
did these men understand their profession OF principle
and if So" did they bas"y AIsiiy BY ,er practice! sG?
pose The aoGltons's wl yes. Ii they !n they All! ger
taiay be consistent Others HAY be parIoned ainaine
that although slavery might have been great evil III tbs
estimation OF the sisnes OF the declaration Of independence
yet it nere: occurred TO them ha judicial tribunals cou.d
| fall 10 recugnize its validity.
You ask me whether have any daub, the constitution
aliiy .! the fugitive slave law answer warever II
is worth wh: 10 give reasons a question has