New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-05-11
GEN. scorT ON SLAVERY.


The following letter from Gen. Scott,
though written many years ago, has been
revived by the Presidential discussions
now in progress. As Gen. Scott appears
TO have other business on hand than letter.
writing, his cid letters are looked up and
reprinted-this among them.
WASHINGTON Feb. Q 1873
DEAR SrR:-I have been waiting nor an evenings seis-
u,e IN answer your letter before lne, aud, after
reasonable delay 1t last obliged TO reply In the must
OF oticia occupations. =, -,
Tat have ever been named in connection with the
Presidency of the Unit States, has not can assure
uo the son OF an ancient neih6or and fIicnd oeen ~
sny desire or contrvsnce OF mine and certainly sna
never be in the field tor that high Office unless placed
there by r9blar nomination. Not then, being can
oidste and seeing prospect OF being H'aae one
ought perhaps decue troubling you or others WIN my
humble opinions great principles OF state rights ana
federal administration but cannot plead ignorsnce
of the artay OF few friends, in several parts oil tne
Union no nsy by possibility in certain event sue
ceed bringing within the field from winch w ag
candidate be selected, prefer 10 err ON the sids o
fsnkness ano csndor rather than, by silence, 10 allow
any stranger upwir insy to commit himself TO my sap
port II. ,.,,
slavery which has, IN different forms, for numoer oil
yeArs agiiated Congress and the country.
Promising tnst you the first person who has inter
roaated me on the subject, give you the basis OF what
,couid be my reply in greater detail, II time allowed ana
tie contingency alluded to were les remote.
In boyhood, at William and Mary College, and In
coamon with most If not all my companions, became
deeply impressed with the views given by Mr. Jefferson
in his Notes on Virginia., aud by Jaage Tucker, In
the Appendix TO bis sotisn on Blackstones Comasn
tars in favor Ola gradual emancipation OF slaves That
Appendix have not in thirty odd years, and IN the
same period have cad scarcely anything on the SUD
iect but my early impressions fresh and unchanged
/ | had
legislature i'll the winter OF lsil-}2, when bill was
bfoush forward 10 carry out those views, should GER
tanly have given Il my hearty support
| suppose | scarcely need say that In my opinion,
Congress has color OF authority, uuder tue Consult
ton for touching the relation OF master and slave WIN
in State hold the opposite opinion IN respect " Tue
D;s,rirt of Columbia Here with the consent of the
owners or on the payment of just compensation,
Congress may legislate at its discretion, but my con
yction equally strong that unless II De step oy ep
with the Legislatures of Virginia ana Mary land, IL
would be dangerous TO both races in those states 70
touch the relation between master and slave In this
District
= have from the first been OF opinion that Congress
was bound by the Constitution 10 receive, TO reer and
to report upon Petitions relating to domestic slavery as
in the OF all other petitions but nave NOT dIed
to see and regret the unavoidable irritation wnicn tue
former have produced in the Southern STATES with
the consequent peril to the colored race whereby the
adoption of any plan OF emancipation has every where
among us been greatly retarded.
| own myself, no slave but never have attached
blame 10 masters for not libersng their slaves know
ing that liberation without sending them in comfort 10
some position favorable TO the pursuit OF happiaess
would in cases, be highly injurious to all around,
as ell as to the msnumittng families thenlseves--un-
less the operation general and under the auspices
of prudent legislation But am persuaded that II IL
high moral obligation Of masters AMI Siaveholdns
States to employ all means, not incompatible with the
safety of both colors meorste slavery even to ex-
termination.
There is no evil without in the opder of Providence
come compensating benefit The bleeding African was
torn fomhi savage home by his erocous neghborssod
into slavery and cast upon this continent Here IN the
mild South the has wonderfully multiplied, COM
pared with any thing ever known In baroarous nle-
The descendants of a few thousands have become many
millions; and all from the first made acquainted with
the arts of civilization and, above all, brought under
the light OF the gospel
tits gratifying to know that general Moderation has
been great is still progressive notwithstanding the
disturbing alluded to above The more direct
process OF emancipation may, doubt, be earlier Cora
fnenced and quickened In some communities than In
others Each do question, has the right TO judge
for ITSELF both to time and means and consider In
reference aid from without except on invitation
from authority within to be as hurtlu to the sure pro-
gress OF melioraton 1t may be fatal to the lives OF
muitudes of all ages, sexes and colors Inc WORK
of liberation cannot be forced without these horrd
results Christian philanthropy Is ever mild and con,
siderate Hence all violence ought to be deprecated
by all friends of religion and humanity Their persua-
sions fall The right time, to free the master
from the slave and the slave from the master perhaps
before the latter shall have found out and acknowledged
that the relation between the parties had long been
nutusly preudicia to their worldly interests
From the promise made to Abraham, some two thou
sand years had elapsed before the advent OF Savior
and The lsraees, the chosen people of God were, for
wise purposes suffered to remain In bondage longer
than the Africans have been our shores This race
has already experienced the resulting compensation al
luded to and as the white missionary has been
able penetrate the dark regions Of Africa TO estab
sh himself In its Interior It may be within the scheme
of Providence that the great work of spreading the Cos
pei that continent with all and comforts
of civilization Is to be finally accomplished by the black
man restored from American bondage foothod there
has already been gained for him. and in such scheme
centuries are but seconds to Him who the world
man moves finger.
l do but suggest the remedies and cancellations OF
Slavery, to inspire patience, hope, and charity all
Sides The mighty subject calls tor the exercise of all
mans wisdom ana virtue and these may not suffice
without aid from higher source.
1t 10 in the foregoing manner my dear Sir, that have
long been in the habit in conversation, OF expressing
myself over all common country, the question
OF Negro Slavery and must say that have found but
very lew persons who differ with me, however opposite
their geographical positions.
Such are the views opinions you seek cannot
suppress or mutiste Them although now liable TO be
more generally known. Do with them you please.
neither court nor shun publicity
remain, very truly, yours, WINFIELD Scorr.
T. p. ATKINSON. Esq., Danyie, Va