The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-06-03


and cando, rather than by silence 10 allow any stranger
unwiitingly 10 commit himself TO my support
Your inquiries open the whole question OF domestic
slavery, which has in different forms, for number oil
years agilated Congress and The country 800
Promising that you the first person who has ntero
gated me on the subject. give you Inc basis OF what
would be my reply in greater detail, time allowed and
the contingency alluded to above less remote.
In boyhood, at William and Mary College, and in com
mon with most, II not all, my companions, became
deeply impressed with the views given by Mr. Jefferson
in his "Noes Virginia" and BY Judge Tucker. In The
Appendix 10 his edition OF "Back stones Commentaries,
IN tavor Of gradual emancipation 81 siauss That Ap-
pendx have not seen in thirty odd years, and in the
same period have read scarcely anything on Inc subject
but my early impressions fr and unchanged Hence
had had the honor OF seat IN he virginia legislature
in the winter Of 1912 when bill was brought forward
to carry out those views should certainly have given II
| suppose | scarcely need say. that in my opinion
Congress has color OF authority under the conslitu
ton Tor touching the relation OF master and slave within
State
hold the opposite opinion in respect 70 the District
of Columbia Here, with the consent OF the owners, or
on the payment OF .just compensation" Congress may
egsate at lis discretion But my conviction Is equally
strong that unless il be step BY step with the legislatures
of Virginia and Maryland it would be dangerous to both
in those States 10 touch the relation between mas
ter and slave in this District.
have from the first been OF opinion that Congress was
bound by the constitution 10 receive TO REFER and to re-
port upon petitions relating TO domestic slavery as m the
case of all other petitions but have not failed TO see
and to regret the unavoidable irrigation which me former
quen, peril to the two colos. whereby the adoption OF
any plan Of emancipation has everywhere among us been
greatly retarded
own myself no slaves; but never have attached
blame to masters for not beating their slaves-well
knowing that liberation, without the means OF sending
them in comfort to some position favorable 70 the pursuit
Of happiness would in most cases, be highly injurious
10 all around as well 10 the manumtted families
themselves unless the operation were general and under
the auspices Of prudent legislation But am persuaded
holding States employ all means not incompatible with
the safety Of both coors, to meorate slavery, even to
determination
Ii is gratifying to know that general moderation has
been great and is still progressive, Notwithstanding the
disturbing alluded TO above The more direct pro-
cess Of emancipation may, no doubt, be earlier com.
menced and qHckened in some communities than IN
others. Each, do not question, has the right 70 Judge
for itself, both 10 time and means and consider M
reference or aid from without except on invitation from
moderation, may be fatal to the lives OF vast multi
udes, OF all ages, sexes and coors The work OF 0er-
alton cannot be forced without such horrid results
Christian philanthropy is ever mild and considerate.
Hence all violence ought TO be deprecated by the friends
of religion and humanity. Their persuasions cannot ail
at the right time to free the master from The slave ana
the slave from the masterpehaps before the latter shall
have found out and acknowledged that the relation be-
tween the parties had long been mutually preadcIa to
their worldly interests.
There is no evil without in the order OF Providence,
some compensaing benefit The bleeding African was
torn from his savage home by his ferocous neghbors,
sold into slavery and cast upon his continent here IN
the mild South, the has wonderfully multiplied com
pared with anything ever known IN barbarous lie The
descendants OF few thousands have become many mil
lions and all from the first made acquainted with the
arts OF civilization. and above all, brought under the
light OF the Gospel.
From the promise made to Abraham some two thou
sand years had elapsed before the advent OF our Saviour
and the Israeles the chosen people OF God were, for
wise purposes suffered TO remain in bondage longer than
Africans have been shore This race has already
experienced the resulting compensatons alluded to- and
the white missionary has been able TO penetrate
the dark regions OF Africa 10 establish himself In its
interior it may be within the scheme OF Providence that
the great work OF spreading the gospel over that vast
,hen with all the arts and comforts OF civilization, Is
be finally accomplished by the black man restored from
American bondage. A foolhold there has already been
gained for him; and in such scheme centuries bu
seconds 10 Him who moves worlds as man moves a
finger
I do but suggest the remedies and consultations Of
slavery inspire patience, hope, and charity on al
sides The mighty subject calls for the exercise OF all
mans wisdom and virtue and these may not suffice with
out aid from higher source.
is in the foregoing manner my dear that have
long been in the habit, in conversation. OF expressing
myself all common country on the question Of
negro slavery and must say that have found but very
few 10 differ with me, however opposite the
geographical positions.
Such are the views or opinions which you seek.
suppress mutiaie them although new liable Il
be generally known, Do with them what you
please. neither court nor shun publicity.
remain, very truly Yours {wi s,p,p, = soo,yr
7. P. ATKINSON, esq, Danve. Va.
On hs Annexation Of Canada.
WEST PoIsT, June 80, ls4e.
My DEAR SIR The news from the Parliament OF Great
Britain this morning must, think, increase the discon
ten, of our neighbors the other side OF the ST. Law
renee and the lakes little; and that those discon-
tents will in few years lead to separation Of the Cana
das New Brunswick, &c, SC, from the mother country
seems equally probable.
Will those provinces form themselves into independ-
ent nation or seek connexion with our Union think
the probability is greatly in favor of the latter In my
Judgment the interests OF both sides would be much pro.
NOTED BY the annexaon-ibe several provinces coming
into the Union on equal terms with present thirty
States The free navigation OF the ST. Lawrence is already
OF immense importance to perhaps third OF oar present
population and wonld be OF great value TO the remainder
After annexation, two revenue cutters below Quebec
would give better security against smuggling than thir
y thousand custom house tmoy<s strung along the line
that separates us from the British possessions the
nent I am well acquainted with that line, and know a
great deal OF the interests and character OF the provncas
though opposed 10 Incorporating nth MS any disfric
densey peoplsd ,oi The MeTiean race. should be most
happy 10 fraernize Nth northern and northeastern
ncighbors.
What may be the views OF the executive government
en- the subject know absolutely nothing; but think
cannot err in saying that ohirds oil our people would
rejoice the Incorporation, and the other third soon
perceive lie benefits.
OF course am opposed TO any underhand measures on
our part in favor OF the measure, any other act OF bad
faith towards Great Britain. Her good will in my view
OF the natter is only second that OF the provncals