The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1862-11-21

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A curious Revelation Of the War
The Doctrine of Secession in 1904,
AusogYapA Letter of Robert b. Lee
Georgia and tho Cayol,xas tie Fra
1 Slavery Agitafors-A Plea for Dissslr
ing The Un.os.
The following letter, written by r. B
! Lee, grandfather of the present commander
1 in chief of the rebel army, was found in
the dwelling house of Gen. Stuart, in Vir-
! gnia. and has been placed in our possession
for publication. 1t is one Of the most Gu
rious epistolary productions brought to light
by the war, and furnishes q clear Insight
into the origin of the rebellion:
New YoRK, April 5. 1890.
Mr DEAR SIR: 1 am just favored with
your very acceptable letter of the Goth
ult
AS to Mr.. Madison's plan. you do not
seem fully to have understood it. 1t would
not have diminished the amount of the
debt, and therefore would not have rem
dered the burthen less. The public would
not have gained fsrthing by the operation,
but he Intended that justice should be done
to every class Of the citizens, to the full ex.
tent of the abilities OF the country. He
conceived the original holders, as well as
the present possessors Of the debt Of the
United States, entitled to some considera
ton; aud as it was evidently impossible to
discharge the obligations which the public
were under to both, the dictates of justice
required that there should be q composition
Of their claims, and every possible justice
done. l conceive the equity OF his doc
trine incon.rovertable; and | saw no objec
ton to bis plan but the difficulty Of the
execution, and the danger of the precedent.
Such precedent might be used as pretext
to Justify a measure dissimilar in all its
leading points at future day. l felt my.
self, as you have done, very much irritated
al the indelicste treatment which he recelv-
ed Some seemed to express. by their con-
duct a Joy. that they had i. in their power
to depre S his importance las they thought
which rendered il still more necessary for
the friends of virtue, and of the Southern
to maintain and support him
The debates on this question will better ex-
plain to you his conduct.
Asto the memorials from the Quakers
and others, relative 10 the slave trade, their
introduction, from the manner in which the
subject was treated. became importunate.
The gentlemen from South Carolina and
Georgia, by anticipating what was never
intended, have been instrumental in sound
ing disagreeablo alarms. Ii they had said
nothing the house o! Representatives. with
out doubt, would have declared with one
voice that Congress had no power to inter
fere with internal regulations of the States
relative to them.
The authors of the petitions were infu-
enced by an honest. though indiscreet zeal
on the occasion. They expressly declared
that their object was not to injure the prop
erty of the Southern States. but to discon |
tinue the slave trade, which they deemed
cruel and dishonorable.
BY the unfounded apprehension Of the
gentlemen from Carolina and Georgia, all
the alarms which have spread were caused.
consider the declaration which we made in
committee of the whole, however, as soon
as we were permitted to come TO decision,
will not only quiet our fears, but put our
slave property on surer foundation than
it before stood, aud An Interpretation of the
powers of Congress given at this time.
when the meaning of the parties TO the
Constitution must be fully understood may
preveu, at a future day any improper coer-
sive authority on this subject. can not,
sion of this subject will he generally salts
factory to the Stale of Virginia, and that the |
petitions you mention to be in contemplation |
to our next assembly will be found wholly |
unnecessary on the subject.
As to the assumption of the State debt |
this question is still in suspense. and the
final determination very uncertain. The
Eastern States would carry their point at
III Il IL, fail hax IL r..
contenled with a majority of one vote
Three members from the State of North |
Csroliua are now on the floor, which ren
ders the success of their plans still mere un-
certain. From TIE present appearance
canno. help thinking that the assumption
will not proceed; if it should, it must wear
a different countenance than it has at pres |
ent, and the most effectual provision be |
made for a speedy and fair settlement Of all
accounts.
have no doubt negotiations have been
ard are yet existing, between
the Eastern States and Pennsylvania rela- |
tive to the permanent seat of Government;
the Penusylvanians endeavoring to make
the establishment OF the seat of Government
the price of the assumption. But in this
business New York is as necessary to carry
tie point as Pennsylvania, and it is not
probable that she will be induced 10 yield
up the advantage which she now has over
her commercial rival. have therefore, no
fears of this negotiation viii be productive
Of an establishment in Pennsylvania As
to the Potomac consider our prospects as
very remote. If the government lasts so
long, il may erect its capital on the banks,
At the expiration OF twenty years.
confess thai l feel myself often cha.
grined by the taunts against the ancient do
minion, but disunion at this time would be I
the worst OF calamities. 1be southern
States are too weak at present to stand BY
themselves. and general government will
certainly be advantageous to US, IS it pre-
duces no other effec, than protection from
hostilities and uniform commercial rezuls-
lions. And when We shall attain cur nat.
ursi degree of population. l fla,ter myself
that We shall have the power 20 do ourselves
Justice, with dissolving the bond which
binds us together. 1t is better to pu, IN
with these li,,le inconvenience .h., ..