The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-06-03

answer is so manly and Independent that We
present the whole of it. Let it go upon record
for his benefit hereafter The Democrats
masses may at some future day remember tho
man who refused to bow his neck to the voko
preferring to stand erect in his unbendinp man
hood
Letter from Robert G. Scott, Esq
RICHMOND, May II. 1852
SIR; A short fortnight will barely elapse bo-
fore the Convention of Delegates of the Demo.
cratic party, from every State in our Union
will assemble at Baltimore to nominate two Of
our most worthy and distinguished statesmen
to be voted for as President and Vice President
OF the nation. Your name has been associated
with the proposed nomination, and will be most
probably presented to the Convention, as it al.
ready has been to the country for its favor and
support Marked as has been your past polit.
ical life by fearless frankness and devotion n
the great principles of the Democratic party.
take leave to inquire of you, should you be
nominated by the Convention, and elected to
the Presidency by the people, in your admins
tration of the Government will you sustain
and by any means within your power enforce
and have executed, in all their parts, the var
GUS acts of Congress, constituting what is known
as the Compromise, and especially the enact
ments of that law relating to the recapture by
their owners of fugitive slaves2 And again
whether, should you be elected President of the
United States, you would diseountenance, BY
every proper means, all attempts to disturb or
change the provisions of that law, whereby
those provisions might be made less effectual
for securing to the people of the South their
constitutional rights in the possession and en-.
joyment of their slave property? And should
unfortunately, bill be passed by Congress
modifying or changing the law referred to. 50
as to impair its present valuable enactments
would you, as President of the Republic Veto
any such bill 1t is due to eandor to inform
you that reply to this. communication is de-
sired before the meeting of the Baltimore Con.
vention; and when received, is intended for
publication, and that a copy of this will be
sent to every other gentleman whose name has
been mentioned in connection with the nomipa.
tion
am, very respectfully, yours SC,
ROBERT G. ScoTT.
Letter from William r. King, ESQ.
SENATE CHAMBER, Mag 20, 1852.
AS respects the series of measures of the last
Congress commonly known as the Compromise,
most OF them are beyond the reach Of legisla
ton; and although considered some of them
as most unjust to the South, | was probably
The hrst individual in the sayeholding States
who publicly took ground in favor of acquies-
ence, and ! am gratifed to find that such is
now the determination of all the Southern
States. The Fugitive Slave Law was enacted
TO carry out an express provision of the Const-
tuition, and therefore does not stand on the
footing OF ordinary legislation; and should it 50
happen that should be placed in the Presi.
Dental Office, should feel myself bound. BY
every obligation Of duty, to negative any act
for its repeal, or 30 to modify or change it as
would destroy its efficiency.
WILLIAM r. KING
To Robert g. Scott Esq.
Letter from r. F. Stockton, ESQ.
SENATE CHAMBER, May 20, 1852.
SfR have this morning received your let
ter post marked Richmond, 10th of May 1852
thank you for the compliment of considering
my opinions of any Importance. | have no
hesitation in replying to each and all of your
afiirmatively.
RF. STOCKTON
Robert G.. Scott, Esq
Letter from Sam Houston, Esq.
WILLARD's HOTEL, WASHINGTON CRY
May 90, 1852.
My course on the subject of the bills which
the Compromise, prior to and at the
lime they became laws, would seem to super
EIDE the necessity of any further answer than
% say pofed for each and euery separate meas
trei
When voted for these measures | regarded
hem, and still regard them, as a final adjust.
hent OF all the questions which they embraced
further regarded them as constitutional, and
deserving the strictest adherence to the princi-
lies which they contain Such were my views
md opinions when acting under the obligations
f official duty enforced by an oath have
cen no reason to change them, but desire TO
ee them executed as a whole, and maintained
n their full and entire extent whether occu-
y private or an official station
After having, as believe, answered your two
rst interrogatories, it only remains for me to
ay, if should be placed in a position by the
vill Of the American people, where it would
e rendered necessary for me to act in the con-
urgency presented, ] would not hesitate to
veto any bill impairing the law for the pro
ection OF the constitutional rights which
warranty to the people of the South the pos
ession and enjoyment of their slave property"
SAM HoUsroN
Robert @. Scott Esq
Letter from Lam Boyd, Esq.
WASHINGTON, May 90, 1852
These are certainly very important ques-
ons-to each and all Of which hope every
andidate for Presidential honors will give an
affirmative answer The public ne
essity which indned the adoption of those
neasures may be appealed to with even great
= force in behalf of their maintenance and
.ithful execution.
In assuming, however, that ] am a candidate
'r the Presidency, it is proper for me to say
on greatly mistake my position. ! certainly
m not a candidate, nor can readily conceive
state Of things in which any such use of my
anne is likely to be made in Convention.
LINN BOYD
R O. Scott, Esq
Letter from d. s. Dickinson, Esq
BNGHAMToS, N. Y, May 20, 1852.
long since declared it to be my fixed in
,ption and p,Iruosa in Whatsoever station the