The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-07-17
GEN. SCOTrS OPINIONS ON SLAVERY.

As the Pennsylvania Wing State Convention
has nominated Gen. Scott for the Presidency, hi
opinions upon the subject of slavery are matte
Of no inconsiderable interest at this time. w
therefore give place TO the following letter writer
by him in lS43 We are not aware that he hs
given the public the least reason to suppose tina
his opinions have changed since, and we have seer
a statement that thay are not changed:
WASHINGTON, February o, Is43.
DEAR SIR have been waiting for an evenings
leisure to answer your letter before me- and after
an unreasonable delay am at last obliged TO reply
In the midst Of my official occupations.
That have ever been named in connection with
the Presidency Of the United States has not can
assure you, the son Of an ancient neighbor and
friend been by any contTiyance or desire Of mine
and certainly shall never be in the field for
that high office unless placed there Jya regular nom
nation Not then being candidate, and seeing
no near prospect Of being mqde one ought per-
haps to decline troubling you or others with my
humble opinions on great principles Of State
rights and Federal administration but as can
not plead ignorance Of the Partially Of few
friends in several parts Of the Union, who may,
by possibility in certain event succeed In bring
ing me within the field from which Wing can
didate is to be selected prefer to err on the side
Of frankness and candor, rather than by silence
to allow any stranger unwttingly to commit him
self 10 my support.
Your inquiries open the whole question OF
domestic slavery, which has, in different forms,
for number Of years, agtated Congress and the
country.
Promising that you are the first person who
has Intercepted me on the subject give you the
basis Of what c0nld be my reply 10 greater detail,
II time allowed and the contingency alluded 10
above we're less remote.
In boybood. at William and Mary College, and
in common with most II not all, my companions,
became deeply impressed with the views given
by Mr. Jefferson in his Notes on Virginia. and
by Judge Tucker, in the Appendix mis- edition
of Blackstone's Commentaries, In favor Of grad
ual emancipation OF slaves.
That appendix have not seen In thirty
odd years, and in the same period, have read
scarcely anything on the subject; but my early
impressions are fresh and unchanged. Hence, II
/ had had the honor OF seat In the Virginia
Legislature in the winter Of 1912, when bill
was brought forward TO carry out those views,
should certainly have given II my hearty support.
| suppose scarcely need say that, in my opin-
.on Congress has no color Of authority under the
Consultation for touching the relation Of master
and slave within State.
| hold the opposite opinion In respect to the
District Of Columbia Here, With the consent OF
the owners, or on the payment OF y" Just compensa-
tion.p Congress may legislate at its discretion.
but my conviction Is equally strong that. unless
il be step bp step with the Legislatures Of Virginia
and Maryland, Il would be dangerous TO both races
in those States to touch the relation between
master and slave In this District.
have from the first been Of opinion that Con-
0ress was bound by the Constitution to receive, 70
refer and to report upon petitions relating 10 do
nestle slavery as in the case OF all other petitions
but have not failed TO see and 10 regret the I'M
avoidable irritation which he former have pro-
duced Ia the Southern States with the cODseq uent
peril 10 the two colors, whereby the adoption Of
any plan Of emancipation has everywhere among
us been greatly retarded
own. myself, no slave but never have attached
blame to masters for not liberating their slaves
knowing that liberation, without the means Of
sending them in comfort 70 some position favor
able TO- thSipursuit Of happiness" would, In most
cases be highly Injurious 10 all around well as
10 the manumitted families themselves, unless the
operation we're general and under the auspices OF
prudent legislation. But am persuaded that II
Is a high moral obligation Of masters and slave
holding States 10 employ all means, not incom-
patbe with the safety Of both colorS 10 meliorate
slavery even TO DETERMINATION.
Il Il gratifying 10 know that general meliora-
tion has been great and Is still progressive, not
withstAnding the disturbing causes alluded 10
above. The more direct process Of emancipation
may, no doubt be earlier commenced and quick
ened in some communities than 10 others Each,
I do not question, has the right 10 judge for IT,
self, both a. 10 time and means and consider
interfereDce or aid from without, except on invi-
tation from authority within, 10 be as hurtfal TO
the sure progress Of melioraon, ~ II msy be fatal
TO the lives Of vast nultitudss Of sill ages sexes,