The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-01-03

THE OLD CONGRESS-lTs ACTION IN REGARD
" To EIIl:IrIYE SLAVES
As in measure nianiiesng the opinions Of disiin-
guishci statesmen of oden 10 the right the
duty and the policy Of the government In regard to
fugitive slaves" the publication Of the following paper IS
supposed TO be of peculiar interest at this times
A,pum to Frgitirs Sapss
AUGUST ~ l7Ss.-On the report of committee consisting
Of Mr. Hamilton Mr. Sedgwick, and MIR Madison, TO whom
referred report OF The Secretary for the Department OF
Foreign Affairs, Of the Iih instant
90 Rssoir,d That the Secretary for the Department of
Affairs be directed TO transmit copies OF the papers
70 a n G and q1a hm 20 81
his Catholic Mslesy the nconvenenees which The State,
opsed 10 fugitive negoe. beongin- 70 The citigens OF The
United States and that Congress have full confidence that
tate heir besg appehended delivered persons au.
hotzed DEMONSTRATING his Majesty that the said
groes belonging his subjects may be
"Rts2rsd That the said Secretary be also directed to
communicate re said papers the Encargado de Nego.
clos OF SPAIN and signify him his interposdon 10
obtain proper regulations to be made ON the subject would
be very agreeable Congress"
This important paper found among In. manuscripts OF
Alexander Hamilton, in his handwriting he being chair
man of the committee.
II proves that the pc slaves Mexico then IN
der the dominion of Spain, subject of national
Germ that the Secretary for Foreign fairs OF the United
States who the Distinguished John Jay considered it
his call the attention Of Congress the evil by
report dated the Ih August l7s8 and that Congress
tme when every state was ny except North
Carolina and Rhode Island referred that report
miuee that upon their report II WAS
sResoirtd That the King Of Spain should be called upon
give orders the OF hts south American pro-
vnces to permit and facilitate the apprehension and de-
livery OF fugitive slaves their owners, and
time assuring the King that the negroes OF his subjects
Gaping the Omitted states would be delivered in like
manner.
ton and TO promise this exadnion of slaves, wa, not
ba sed the present fugye-save law upon express
any constitutional obligation the result OF compact be.
tween the States but that II the exercise OF the
eregn power Of Congress- prompted by desire to rave
portion OF the people OF the States from loss and nconve.
nience and in obedience 10 duty which each part
to eve OF
and and also that this resolution was passed by the
old Congress, after the existing constitution had been
adopted by thirteen States but before il
fully into operation and almost NJ the Time o. The discus
soe not only OF This. OF NIL othct provisions OF
constitution in the general and particular conventions OF
ench State, ia every newspaper ana IN sh pats o. the
government, "wi,b precision OF Information and pro-
iundty OF research and acpeness Of understanding
which would have done honor TO the most nstous states
ancient modem times. and by many OF the
who bad been members OF these Conventions, and
participated IN nnequalsd degrees IN these discussions It
a hs and solemn legislative drcafson that slave prop
ought he guarded and secured 10 It's owners by the
gov, rnmeut like any other ptopery OF the cluzen
This paper not now referred 10 20 prove tina, the exist
ing constneiogsl-nat seem. 10 be too clear Tor
any oomn,elj bat 20 sbow st the best aud wise' sa'es
days OF ali parts OF the corouy, decurd II
right proper pfotec the southern IN theiS slave
properly, and TO assert al - powofs o. the rxistug gov
efm, at Aud, Indeed, this action OF the ou G
xress crssary I'M lies that he proPefy IN slaves wac
unvrtsy received and recognised, well abroad as IN
tne Unira state. assured the King OF spain hs
subjects would be protected 10 ihs equally with
%" ow os 70 ' 81 s wa. oompa.sG y NJ Hamilton New
YORK Mf S-dgwick, OF asssac husetts and MI Msdi
son, OF Nirsins--two northern aud one southern man
The published ugs OF MIR Madison sbundsnuy prove
he favor OF emancipation whenever II couii be
effected with safety boh races, snj without gross viola
OF CONSTITUTIONAL social aud religious obligations, OF
by producing greater than the existing evil
Mr. Hautjtops opinion. In relation the black In
country found in letter he addressed on the IAN
March l77s the Predest OF Congress- q order TO assist
Colonel Laurcns in an effort he was making 10 induce
Congress to recommend OF South Carolina to
rai.e battalion, Of black troops He SAYS
" fofeeee that this project vii have 10 combat much
opposition from prejudice and sslfinerest The contempt
been taught to entertain Tor the blacks makes us
fancy many things thar founded neither in reason nor
cx pefence and pnyllngness to part with property OF
80 yelua bic kind will furnish thousand Arguments to
show the impreotcsbiy or Pernoioos tendency OF
scheme which requires such sacrifice, Bot should be
red that we do make OF them In this way
the enemy probably viii and that the best way TO oopn
eract the psrons they will lolc ont will be offer the m
ourseyr An essential part OF the plaza 10, give them
their freedom with their swords This viii sesYre their
fidelity, animate their courage and believe, viii have
GOOD influence upon those who remain by opening door
10 their emancipation This circumstance, confess, has
small weight in inducing me TO wish the success OF the