Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-08-07
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
GEN. SCOTT ON THE SUBJECT OF SLAVERY.

in the Danville (Virginia) Reporter and thenc
transferred to the :" Maryland Colonization Journal,
from which journal it is now copied. Our co
respondent is of opinion that Gen. ScoTT's view
on the delicate question of Slavery have been mil
in which they fully and automatically set forth
inserted in the Intelligencer
The views expressed by the General appear to u
to eyince wise and comprehensive craftsmanship
as well as characteristic philanthropy, and w
therefore, with pleasure, give the letter place il
our columns
WAsHINGToS, FEBRUARY 6, 1913.
Ny DEAR SIR: | have been waiting for an evening
leisure to answer your letter before me- and after
reasonable delay am last obliged reply in the mds
Of Official occupations.
That ever have been named in connexion with the
Presidency Of the United States has not,
you the of ancient neghbor and friend been by
any Continuance desire Of mine and certainly shall
be in the field for that high Office unless placed
there BIZ regular nomination. Not then being candi-
date and seeing prospect Of being made one
ought perhaps decline troubling you others with
my humble opinions great principles Of State rights and
Federal administration; but as cannot plead ignorance
of the Partially of few friends several parts of the
coed in bringing me within the field from which Wing
candidate is to be selected prefer to the side Of
fankness and candor, rather than, by silence allow
any stranger unwittngy commit himself my support
Sour inquiries open the whole question of domestic
slavery which has in different forms for number of years
agitated Congress and the country
Promising that you are the first person who has inter-
rogated me the subject give you the basis of what
~oa'a be my reply in greater detail if time allowed and
the contingency alluded to above less remote.
In boyhood, at William and Mary College and in COM
with most if not all my companions, became deeply
impressed with the views given by Mr.. Jefferson his
Notes Virginia" and by Judge Tucker, in the Ap
pendix his edition of Backstone's Commentaries in
favor Of gradual emancipation of slaves That Appen
dix have not in thrty-odd years. and in the same
period have read scarcely any thing the subject but
my early impressions are fresh and unchanged Hence
if hal had the honor of seat in the Virginia Legisla-
ture in the winter of 1912 when bill was brought
forward carry those views should certainly have
given it my hearty support
suppose scarcely need say that, in my opinion Con-
gress has color of authority under the Constitution
for touching the relation of and slave in State
hold the opposite opinion in respect the District of
Columbia Here with the consent of the owners or on
the payment of just compensation Congress may legis-
late at its discretion But my conviction is equally strong
that unless be step by step with the Legislatures Of
Virginia and Maryland it would be dangerous to both
in those States touch the relation between master
and slave in this District.
have from the first been Of opinion that Congress was
bound by the Constitution to receive to refer and to re-
port upon petitions relating domestic slavery as in the
of all other petitions; but have failed to see
and regret the unavoidable irritation which the former
produced in the Southern States with the conse-
guent peril the two colors whereby the adoption Of
any plan Of emancipation has every where been
greatly retarded.
Town, myself no slave but never have attached blame
for liberating their slayes-we knowing
that liberation without the of sending them in
fort position favorable the pursuit of happi-
ness" would in be highly injurious to all
around as well as TO the manumitted families them
sevesunless the operation general and under the
auspices Of prudent legislation. But persuaded that
it is high moral obligation Of masters and sayeholding
States to employ all means incompatible with the
safety Of both coors to meorate slavery
1t is gratifying know that general Moderation has
been great and still progressive notwithstanding the
disturbing alluded to above The direct pro-
of may doubt be earlier commenced
and quckened in communities than in others Each
do question, has the right Judge for ITSELF both
Is to time and means and consider interference aid
from without except invitation from authority within
TO be hurtu to the progress Of mclioraon It
may be fatal the lives Of vast muttudes Of all ages
sexes and colors. The work Of liberation cannot be
forced without such horrid results Christian philanthropy
is ever mild and csnsderate Hence all violence ought tC
be deprecated BY the friends Of religion and humanity
Their persuasions fail the right time to free Tho
master from the slave, and the slave from the master
perhaps before the latter shall have found out and
knowedged that the relation between the parties haC
long mutually prejudica to their worldly interests
There T. in the order Of Prordeace eul uithou
compromising benefit Tile bleeding A IcdH torn from hi
sarGge home Jy his rocous neghJors cold into Sdry,
upon di continent Here, IN the mild South, ae rae
has wond,ray multiplied compared rh anything knoc
bdrbarous lJe The descendants Of few thousand,
have become many millions and ALL from the FIRST mad
acquainted with the Of civilization and above all
brought under the light Of the Gospel.
From the promise made to Abraham some two thousan,
years elapsed before the advent Of our Saviour and Iii
Iraetes the chosen people Of Cod we're for wise pur
poses suffered to remain in bondage longer than African
have been on our shores This race has already expe
rienced the resulting corporations alluded to and a
the white missionary has never been able penetrate Ii
dark regions Of Africa TO establish himself in its II
terror IL may be within the scheme Of Providence tn
the great work Of spreading the Gospel that
tnent with all the arts and comforts Of civilization is
be finally accomplished by the black man. restored fro
American bondage foothold there has already be
gained for him. and in such scheme centuries are but
seconds 90 Him who moves worlds moves hng'
do but qgssi the remedies and consultations Of SLAYER