The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-04-15


otto Of all parties should speak out their senti-
ments May we not hope that we shall have the
benefit Of your council?
Very respectfully, your obedicnt servant,
G. A. TAvENNER-
Hon. DANIEL WEBSTER.
WAsHINGToN, April 10. 1852.
DEAR STA: have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt OF your letter Of the 9th instant and thank
you for what you are pleased to gay of my fdel-
ity to great National Wing principles. trust
there is not man in the country who doubts my
appreciation OF those measures which are usually
called "Compronise measures" or my fixed de-
termination to uphold them steadily and firmly.
Nothing but deep sense Of duty led me TO take
the part which did take in bringing about their
adoption by Congress, and that same sense of duty
remains with undated force. am Of opinion that
those measures, Que and all. were necessary and
cxpedicpt, and ought 10 be adhered to by all the
friends Of the Constitution, and all lovers of theiS
country. That one among them which appears
to have given the greatest dissatisfaction-I mean
the Fugitive Slave law-I hold to be u law
tircy constitutional highly proper, and ALSO
lu,ely essential to the peace Of the country.
Such law is demanded by the plain written
words Of the Constitution; and how any man
wish to abrogate or destroy 4, and ut the same
time say that he is supporter OF the Constitution,
and willing to adhere to those provisions in it
which are clear and positive injunctions and re-
straints, passes my power of comprehension. My
beliefs, that when the passions of men subsdc.
and reason and true patriotism allowed to have,
their proper sway, the public mind, North and'
South, will come to proper state upon these ques.
tions. do not believe that further agitation can
make any considerable progr ess ut the North. The
great mass of the people am sound, and
have no wish to interfere with such things as are,
by the Constitution, placed under the exclusive
control of the separate States have noticed, in
deed, not without regret, certain proceedings to
which you have alluded, and, in regard to these,
have to say that gentlemen may not think it
cessary proper that they should be called upon
affirm, by resolution, that which ia already the
listing law of the land. That any positive
ment to repeal or alter any, or all the Compro-
mise measures, would meet with any general en-
couragement or support, do not at all believe
But, however that may be, my own sentiments
main, and are likely to remain. quite unchanged
am in favor of unfolding the Constitution, in tho
general, and all its particulars. am in favor Of
respecting it's authority and obeying its injunc-
tions; and to the end of life shall do all in my power
to fulfil, honestly and faithfully, all it's provisions
look upon the Compromise measures as a proper,
fair, and final adjustment Of the questions to which
they relate and no reagitaton Of those questions,
no new opening of them, no effort to create dis
satisfaction with them, will ever receive from me
the least countenance or support, concurrence or
approval, at any time, under any ciroum-
stances.
am, with regard, your obedient servant,
DANIEL WEBSTER
G. A. TAvENNsR, ESQ.