Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1852-06-11
on TIE SUBJECT OF SLAVERY.


Dear Sir have been waiting for evenings leisure 10
answer your letter before and after an unreasonable d.
lay last Obliged 10 reply in tho midst OF Official occ-
paIion9 .
Thai ever have been named in connection with the pre-.
sicncy of The United has assure tho
ancient ncsibor md friend been by any curi.
varrc or desire mine; certainly shall never be in The
field Office nncss placed there by regular nominal
ton Not hcn being candidate and seeing no near Pros
meet OF Being made one ought perhaps TO % cline troubling
you others with my humble oplnons on great principles
of State rights and federal administration; but as cannot
plead ignorance Of the Partially Of few friends in several
parts the Union, who nay by possibility in certain
event succeed in bringing within the field from which u
whg candidate is be selected prefer to err on the side Of
;ranknrss and canor, rather than by silence 10 allow any
stranger unwii:ingy commit himself 10 my support.
| Your inquiries open tho whole question of domestic
slavery which hus in different FORMS for number Of years
| agitated Congress and The country.
Promising that you the first person who has incrro
gated the subject give you tho basis OF what would
to my eI$ in greater detail il mc allowed and the con-
tingcncy alluded 10 above were ess remote
In oyhood william and Mary College, and in common
with most II not all, M companions became deeply I'M
m ssc it'll the views given BY ar Jefferson in his "Notes
on Virginia. and by Judge Tucker in the Appendix 10 his
edition Of 'i'lacksoncs Commentaries in dr0r Of grd
dual emancipation Of s1res That Appendix have not
scaicc9 nYicg the subject; ba. my carly impressions
fresh and unchanged Hence had had the honor Of
the Virginia Legislature in the winter OF 1872
when bill brought forward to carry those views
should certainly have given it my hearty support
suppose scarcely need say that my opinion Congress
color of authority under the constitution for touching
The relation of master and slave within State.
hold the opposite opinion in respect 10 the District OF Co.
umbia Here with tie of the owners, the
pavucn of dust compensation Congress may lesslate
lis discretion But my conviction is equally strong that
n So i, be step by step with the Legislatures OF Virginia
and Maryland would be dangerous both in those
States touch The relation between and slave in this
District.
have from the first been of opinion that Congress
bound by The constitution receive REFER and report
upon petitions relating domestic slavery, in the
nh other petitions; but have failed TO and regret
IN, ma co:tas irritation which tho former have produced III
The Southern States, with The consequent peril 10 the two
c!u5s whereby The adoption OF any plan Of emancipation
las c,erpwhere aniGag been greatlyictarded.
own myself slaves; but never have attached blame
for beating their slares-wcll knowing that
liberation without the OF sending them in comfort TO
position favorable the pursuit Of happiness would
in eases be highly injurious to ell around well
:hc manumed families themselves unless the operation
general and under auspices OF prudent legislation. But
am persuaded That il is high mora obligation of masters
and slave-foi!ng States employ all means ncompa
tos with The safely Of bolh colUs mrioa;e slavery
determination.
gratifying know that general neloration has been
great and still progressive notwithstanding the disturb
ing causes alluded above. The more direct process of
emancipation may doubt, be earlier commenced and
quick, ned in communities than in Others Each do
question: has the right Judge for ITSELF both lime
and means and consider interference aid from without
except invitation from authority Within be hurlfu
The progress of moderation, may be fatal TO the
lives muiiIdes Of all ages and colo5 The
work of liberation cannot be forced without such hord
sulls. Christian philanthropy is mild and considerate
Hence all violence ought TO be deprecated by the friends Of