Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-02-13
Rcply of Gorernor Means.

GSECUINE oEfAh1mESl3
COLUMBIA, 18th December, 1850.
5afad GtsEsHHE tsls RS hs he GS1 G9@
10 acknowledge the receipt Of the note of the
18th, from II. B. Ms Consul, and informs
him that it will be transmitted to the Lcgisla-
turc forthwith
The undersigned takes this occasion to
renew his assurance of his own friendly feel
ings and those of the State over which he has
the honor to preside, towards II. B. MS
Government. and also his individual respect
for II. B. Ms Consul.
Signed Join II. MEANS.
II. 3. Ms Consul
George 3. Mathew, Esq.
1t will be seen from these documents that
Great Britain, has taken the initiative towards
demanding Of us, the repeal of a law, touch
ing very nearly our dearest interests. 1t may
prove 10 be Il question of grave Importance,
and, as such. we direct attention TO it. The
communications Of Mr.. MATHEW certainly
breathe 4 very friendly spirit, which our Gov
ernor properly rcciprocatcs.
The Charleston Mercury, in a long cdito-
rial, rather leans towards modification of
the law-the Sun takes Il position against
any such course. The prominent Northern
papers have also commented copiously upon
this procedure. When looking upon it as a
recognition, on the part of Great Britain, of
S. Carolina's Independent sovereignty, they
cry aloud against its absurdty. When re-
gardng it as an authoritative demand of the
abrogalion of laws protecting our "pcculiar
Institutions they chucklc in great g1ec-
Every thing we have seen upon the subject,
whether Southern or Northern, considers it a
dilcmma-cxccpt the Charleston Sun, which
we clearly understand to be in favor of the
State law, as it now stands, it being, in that
papers opinion" the only safeguard we have
against the plots of Abolitionists through,
what they would soon make their cmissarics,
the negro cooks and stewards of Northern
and English vessels" If South Carolina is
to make her policy square with the right. no
matter who may be the parties affected by it,
we commend the course indicated by the last
mentioned paper rs worthy of the attention
of our citizens.
AT the same time, We hope that the first
suggestion, made by the Mercury, as a sub
stitutc for that portion of the law, which af-
lccts the rights Of British subject, may be
sufficient for the protection of Charleston,
her interests and the interests of our State.
This suggestion is, that all such colorcd sea-
men be restricted to their vessels, while in
port, at the cost of their employers, and that
the masters of vessels give ample security
for the observance of this restriction.
Our objections are strenuous to any such
modification of the law, as will weaken, in
the least, the force of those wise preventive
measures, by which our predecessors have
sought TO hedge US around with u wall, i'm
passibe TO abolition fanatics and their ennis
sarics from whatever quarter they come.
As 10 the right of the State to enact and
enforce police regulations, essentially ncccs-
sary to her safety, there can be no doubt
Nor can there be any rs to the unconstitu-
ali!y of any treaty, made by the Federal Con-
crcss, that conflicts with this right,