Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-03-29
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND
THE BOSTON MOB.

Courier) we lay before our readers the sentiments
OF President FILLMORE respecting the outrage which
happened in this city on the 5h of February last.
1t will be remembered that Immediately after that
unfortunate occurrence the City Council caused to
be transmitted to Washington certain orders and
resolutions enacted by them, for the purpose OF
publicly expressing their condemnation of the out
rage, and OF explaining the circumstances connect
ed with it, Under the direction of the President,
Mr.. WEBSTER has written to Mayor BIGELow a
reply TO this communication. The sentiments ex-
pressed in this letter will meet with the hearty APP
proval Of every man who desires the peace and
safety of this community. It is highly gratifying
to perceive that the view taken by the President OF
the affair of February is such as by no means di-
mnshes his confidence in the good sense, integrity,
national spirit and loyalty of the people of Boston,
The wide circulation of this letter will do much
good in removing the false impressions which have
been created respecting the existence among US OF
dsaAec,ion to the Federal Government and our
constitutional obligations. It is impossible to state
the matter in clearer and more satisfactory man
ner than it has been done by Mr. WEBSTER. This
letter will be read with unqualified approval and
satisfaction by every true American citizen:
WAsHIssros, MARCH 10, 1851.
Hon. JoHS P. BIsELow, Mayor Of Boston:
SIR The President has had the pleasure 10 receive your
letter Of the 18th February, enclosing official copies Of the
order and resolves lately adopted the two branches Of the
Government Of the city Of Boston. @ sa
It affords him great satisfaction to perceive that such mea
have been taken by the authorities Of Boston give
that other outrage similar to that which was,
he pesumes the immediate Of their adoption. will be
permitted TO take place in your city. aa.
From his earliest youth he has been accustomed to regard
If
and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
He has been taught to believe that their inhabitants we
almost above all others, the friends Of order and good govern
intelligent enough to appreciate the advantages Of free
Institutions Of their choice and capable Of understanding
and resolving that great political problem Of the compa
by Of freedom with order, Of liberty distinguished from
RIGHTEOUSNESS and of segovernment the urthest removed
from the dangers of anarchy that they especially de-
voted the union of the States, and to the Constitution
which established and still maRtains that Union and that
their patriotism would fail to counsel them to fulfil all
their obligations under the Constitution justly and fully, and
in the very spirit in which such obg entered into
by their renowned ancestors
Entertaining these sentiments it difficult for the Pre-
sdent credit the which received of the out
rage on all law perpetraed in Boston the 18th of Feb
ruary last.
That prisoner, in lawful custody, within the walls Of the
Court house, in the centre Of the city, and in full sight Of
the offices of the municipal authorities, had been at MONDAY
orcby rescued, by mob Of two hundred persons,
from the officers of the law, carried out Of the building, and
through the public Streets in sort of triumph, and enabled
escape altogether, without attempt the part Of any
of the authorities any of the citizens preserve order and
maintain the law pursue and reake the fugitive,
statement that seemed him improbable to be
was with feeling Of great relief that be received such
explanations Of this strange showed it to have
been entire surprise upon the citizens, and upon the au
hores an act Of successful temeriy the part Of very
uncomfortable number of PERSONS which only needed to have
been pprehended the shortest time beforehand have been
prevented. a& greece
The President is confident that the great majority Of the
citizens of Boston entirely loyal the constitution that
they view with Just indignation all such outrages and all
empts, whether by writing speaking to nce the ignorant
and unthinkng such of violence and that thew
ready discharge the duties incumbent them by the
sttution and laws Of the United States faithfully and fear
essy under all circumstances, whenever called upon by the
proper authorities. rs suia4 #.~a~. ,
The of the 18th Of February is certainly greatly
to be regretted, gives occasion to those not unwilling
seize upon il to question the disposition of your feowc
to comply with their constitutional obligations in good
th and the history Of such outrage is spread far and
reaches WneIe Oh never IOlop,
and creates i'll feelings towards those whose only connexon
with is that they residents Of the place in which
perpetraed Bot if the President doubts not it WILL this
event shall arouse the attention Of all good citizens
Of the dangers be apprehended from the Incubation such
doctrines have been spread abroad ii the country tending
to shake the authority Of all law, to unsee society, and
absove from all civil and moral obligations and shall
put them their guard against the further diffusion Of such
perncious sentiments it may, in the end, be productive Of
happy results and certainly the almost unanimous express
sion Of Indignation which it called forth among your citizens
balances to some extent the i'll effect flowing from it.
The President does not doubt that the people of Massachu
sets perfectly well understand the difference between the
feest discussion Of political measures and opposition legal
enactments already made and established He quite
that they regard the law of the land not sentiment
opinion but rule of conduct prescribed by the general
authority and which all bound to obey, at the risk Of the
penalties attached to its violation. @3.t e" 49,
The President directs tender you his thanks for the
transmission Of the resolutions. FE ,a-F t4- il"
remain, Mr. Mayor, with great respect, your obedient
servant, @sE a'1 DAN'L WEBSTER.
NEW BANK OF WASHINGTON NOTES.
In attempting, day last week, convey to readers
the impression made upon by certain Bank Notes
from plates engraved by Messrs. Draper, Weh Co., Of
Philadelphia, for Bank n this city, these notes were repre-