The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-04-01

credit they have hitherto enjoyed. Nor could
o,,,. .-". calculate upon receiving any thing
from duties on imports, for they wv~.~ ~ 80,
by the General Government, and any attempt to
increase them, for the purpose Of supporting the
State, would drive the trade to the neighboring
ports Of North Carolina and Georgia.; indeed, il -
20 be apprehended that the annoyance Of being
brought under the guns Of vesscl Of war, and
kept there until the duties are paid, might alone
There ia one error which our speakers and writer's
appear to have generally fallen into, that think il
necessary TO advertto They arc, would seern pei
suaded that Great Britain will Ia Ike part with South
Carolina in any she may have with the United
States. They believe there Il such charm In cot
ton that the great manufacturer Of the Article must
o. necessity be united in war Or peacs with tse pro
would risk the loss of her best Market and engage
in with powerful nation. in order to secure
TO her manufactures the small supply Of cotton
South Carolina produces! do not believe she
would take 40 impolitc aud hazardous step il all
the cotton growing States were united in the con-
test. ~ ffifts- .asa iGf
In the first place, take il for granted that there
would be no cpPositon 70 the export OF our cotton.
Charleston Savannah; in Me next, Great Britain
would regard any separation OF slave State or
States from those which are free as the beginning
Of the end Of slavery in North America, TO which
they would contribute by every effort in their
power. They are persuaded, whether erronsously
not, that the cultivation OF cotton be carried
aDDTencQblOn0
on that score. Released from the obstacles great
nation opposcs to the zeal their aboltionists.
cargoes OF them would be sent over in the ships we
rely upon to transport our produce; not like the
fanatics who will find in our dissensions new hopes
and inducements Of fresh exertons. efatI
In France the same feeling exists. In debate
which lately arose in the French Assembly not
later than December, 1850, upon the exercise in
New Orleans and Charleston Of our municipal re-
guatons in relation TO black and colorcd searnen,
q representative from the French West Indies in
terrogated ministers respecting their application
to French citizens. He said they were fragrant
violation Of the laws of nations, an outrage upon
humanity, an insult to French dignity, &C., &c
The replies Of the ministers were apoiogetical.
They assured the Assembly that "they had al
ready done all in their power to obtain from those
States revision Of laws which are almost barba-
rous, almost savagc;"a and M Labitte, the minister
of foreign affairs, closed his speech with these
marka6le words: swell. hitherto neither Franco
nor England has had the happiness to persuade
these States of the Union that Il was necessary to
enter upon the course Of civilization and respect 70
humanity which we most earnestly desire. To
this end we will continue to labor az we have la
bored. Perh0ps shall haze better success uhsa
those countries shall comprehend ntot they are witout
the pale Of the Id,os Of all nations. These express
sions were greatly applauded by the Assembly, .n
Such being the opinions on the subject of our in
situations prevailing in England and France, ought
wo not to pause before we withdraw ourselves from
the protecting arm which now shelters US? If we
stand alone, how long would il be before we should
be visited by French feet 10 seek redress and de-
mand reparation from US for having sent ailone of
her citizens, colored gentleman from Martinique
or Guadalupe, and blockading our ports until sat-
isfaction is given? And here let me remark, that
neither South Carolina, nor any other purely slave
State, can ever possess mercantile marine or q
navy. There is no example Of nation having a
large portion Of its laboring population in state
Of vassaage possessing an efficient marine. There
exists no Class to draw sailors from; for slaves or
SORTS cannot be trusted on long voyages, safely
employed in chips Of war; and it is mistake to
suppose that entire dependence can be placed on
foreign seamen. The Russian empire has had this
difficulty to contend with and has hitherto found
the obstacle it presents insupcrable
lam reluctantly compelled by my failing strength
to close this letter. would fain have made
ments upon the very extraordinary fact of all the
candidates for the honor of scat in this conven-
ton, which the people will, without being consult
ed, be regarded as having delegated all their pow
or, TO have, without exception. declared their firm
determination to vote for disunion the secession
of South Carolina, in conjunction with other States
or alone; and some have gone the length of cx-
pressing not only their dissatisfaction with the
General Government, but their utter hatred of it.
May He who holds the dostinics Of nations in the
palm of his hands avert from our beloved State the
terrible evils these symptoms foreshadow, and re-
store to the people of South Carolina that noble in
dependence which formerly distinguished their
character and led them to rebuke the exercise Of
undclegated power, and in every emergency to
think and act for themselves. -..... s.-s. is1
]. R. PoINsETT. IS
WHITE HOUSE, PEE DEE, Fcb.7 1851. u