2
m position or tie south.
TUE CHARLESTON CONVENTION.
^ ^-w-v-v
Election of Delegates in South
Carolina.
MEETING OF THE CITIZENS OF CHARLESTON.
TUE PLATFORM PIT II A KV (SHELL,
to., Ado.
(From the Charleston Mercury. Feb. 34 ]
A irnbiie meeting of the citizens of C tier lesion in feror
oT the representation of South Carolina iu the approaching
Cotivenboo ol the national democratic party in thiaoity,
urea held at the Hibernian Hall last evening The weather
eras stormy, but tbu hall was nearly hall fall, aa?l the
mating entirely respectable.
SAMXlrOKD, Jr., Esq., anncounood the nomluauoas of
the Oommlttee on Oiganissbon, and moved that Hou. Jas.
Simona be called to the ohalr, which was carried. Gou.
Si moon teak hit sent amid the applause of the meeting.
Captain lord then moved that the meeting be further organised
by requeuing sixty live gentleman, whose names
lie reed, to act at vice presidents. The vice presidents
were invited to lake chairs npon the platform by the president.
Four secretaries were then selected In the same
manner. The organization was concluded and accopted
by the meeting as follows:?
Hon. JAMES SIMOV3,Chairman,
vtcn rnasinsim.
Hon. H. P. I/weene. W. B Dingle.
Hon. A. P. Hayne. Chat. T. Lowndes.
Hon. James Rose. Col. Cliss. Kanapauv
Hun. John Sohnlorle. Robert Mure.
Hon. T. L. Hutchinson. A. McDowell.
E Geddtngs, M. D. Arch. Cameron.
Hugh R Banks Jacob Cohen.
Col. D. I.. McKay. Col F. I.annean.
Wm. Boll Pringle. J. J. McCarter.
' W. H. GUlilaud W. J Magreth.
W. H. Houston. Jacob Small.
Col John Phillips. Geo. W. I Hack.
F. lietchers. F. M Robertson, M. D.
Alex. H. Brown. H. W. Conner.
U. F. Strohccker. Koa't. Caldwell.
William RavcneL Wm B Smith.
Richard Yeadoo, Robert M. 72ok.
Geo H. Collin, Henry T P.*B?,
Nelson Mitchell, Win KrWwood,
Henry C. KiDg, Cspt. Henry Ucr-tts,
O. N. Reynold!), Jan., M IV R'. Amvid,
Wm. M Martin, Col. R. W. Soyramr,
K. W. Kdgortos, John K O'Neill,
JohnS Kiggs, (l?o C. Whartou,
A. H. Ihinkhi, W. S. lUstW,
Charles Alston, I) P. Fleming,
Dr. J. B. rat rick, Oil. C. B Sigwatl,
C. L. Burckmyer, Then Cordon,
Arthur M. Finger, A. M:K"n?ift,
Ceo. W. Will tame, A S Johnston.
Henry Cobia, Richard M. Butler.
B. C. Pressiey,
wwmimw.
Win. 8. Elliott, Tbaddeus Street,
Robert Prlngle, Jan., C. B. Artope.
Con. Simons then expressed lux satrnfactiou an I aclcoow
lodgment at tbo compliment and h<>nor done him, aud
proceeded to add roe* the meeting. He regarded It ux the
Inauguration of a movement or groat importance, and explained
the object to be to decide the question whether
the parishes of St Philip and St. Michael should send
delegates to the Columbia Convention, which would
answer the query whether the citizens desired the State
to be represented In the Charleston Convention. He discussed
the subject es to whether it was principle or expediency.
The principle he considered settled by the
actio* of the Convention at Columbia in 1S43, fot
lowing which Messrs. Elmore and Pickens went to Baltimore,
both made speeches and sanctioned the choice of
that Convention. As to policy, in 186'J co operation was
established, that South Carolina would not go out of the
Union. Gen. Simons declared isolation to he antagonism
to the other Southern States, and advised his fellow citisens
to strengthen their bands among their enemies. It
would be grtitiy to the advantage of the country to bane the
I'trim pmereed. Th- battle thouid be fought in the L'nion.
If there was not faith in the democratic party, where was
it? Gen. Simons closed with an allusion to the unfruitfulne?
of Col. Memmlnger's mission to Virginia, and declaring
that he had not then, never hed, and never would
have, opinions which be was afraid to exhibit, gracefully
declared the meeting open.
Mr. W*. C Clsttos roee to address the chair, but was
Interrupted with cries of "Sit down," "Put him out,"
Ac. He only found an opportunity to say it was a public
meeting, and he would not sit down, when an officer of
the guard took his nrm and very politely, but firmly, carried
him from the ball. Mr. Clayton protected in vain.
8amum. Y. Tt iter, Esq., then submitted to the consideration
of the meeting the prepared preamble and
resolutions, on which duty be entered without doubt
as to the propriety of the course. He was
fully aware that attempts had been made to render the
Oonvention odious, hut he claimed to bear as true allegiance
to his native Slate and the South as any. He considered
that the honor of South Carolina demanded that
she should be represented. The democratic party was the
only barrier to fanaticism, and if the South was to maintain
her position in the Union, it was best to ester the democratic
Convention and defend her rights.
Mr. fttrtw ?hrn rc?sd Ik* foI/OTUJg
The period is near at hand when the National Democratic
Oonvention will be assembled, according to appointment,
in this city, for the purpose of selecting candidates
for the Presidency and the Vioe-Preeidency of the United
States. We have reason to believe that every State in the
Union will be here represented through its democratic
citizens: and certainly there has been no time since the
foundation of the government when questions of greater
constitutional value or of more momentoos practical consequences
were to be discussed and determined. It is
enough to ssy that peace and prosperity on the one hand,
and intestine strife and revolution on tbo other, hang
trembling in the scales.
The country is now divided into two great parties, that
have utterly absorbed all others. Ono of theee is the
republican party the other the democratic party. The '
former is confined exclusively to the North, and has no
rest for the sole of Its foot in any Southern State; the latter,
with a larger constitutional embrace Jfinds a home and
a recognition in every State of the Confederacy. North and
South. The one wages war against the social system of
one of the two grest sections of the Union; the other
proclaims equably of right to all sections alike.
The republican party is animated by the fell spirit of
fanaticism, compounded with the lust of exclusive polllioal
domination. The democratic party, rebuking the passions
sad prejudices that seek the elevation of one part of
the country in the proscription and degradation of the
other, proposes to take Its stand on the ground of principle,
to make its appeal to the justice and magnanimity
VI U4V WUUM J , WIU W BMMC 1MB ^UUUVAI lurvuuc* UJWU 111
success or defeat in the great battle about to be fought for
the equal rights of the ?talee.
It cannot be denied that the democratic party is now
the only national constitutional party in the country. To
place it upon the true ground of principle, and then to
strengthen its arm for the oonfltcl, would seem to be
the duty of every patriot, and this Is what we propose
to do.
We regard the Convention only as a policy, and as a
means and instrumentality whereby the opinion and the
principles of the party may be moulded into a
fixed and definite form and its choice concentrated
upon two individuals as the exponents
and representatives of that opinion and those
principles. The principles we regard as If infinitely
greater importance than thr men, and therefore it is
that ws desire to hare a voice in the discussion, and a
rote In the settlement of them. If tt he true that an effort
will be made in the Convention to evade the fall and fhir
recognition of our Territorial tights, it is the stronger
reason why the moral and political weight of South Carolina
should be there to foil any such attempt; and If there
will bo represented in the Convention Northern States that
cannot give a democratic vote, is not that of Itself a cogent
argument why every Southern State that can give a democratic
vote should be present to designate the conditions
on which alone that vote can be had? In the event
of a division or s contest, let the States' Eights men and
the Southern Rights men, whether of the North or of the
South, have all the encouragement and strength that can
be brought within support In fact, nothing Is plainer or
better understood than that the people of the .Southern
States constitute, for all practical purposes, the democratic
party; and that no constitutional right or principle
which they unite in demanding can be Ignored or refused,
let them be true to themselves, acting in concert as s people
should who have a common Interest and a common destiny
.demanding notnlng bat what la right, and submitting
to nothing that In wrong: asserting their constitutional
Tight to an equal enjoyment of the Territories as the common
property of the people of all the States, and the con
emotional duty of the government, tn nil Its departments,
to protect them In that as tn all their other rights?and
we do net yet despair that there Is good sense and virtue
moogb left, both In the party and In the country, to carry
through triumphantly a cause that deserves to succeed,
because tt has Its foundation in the plainest prlnclDles of
justice ml of the constitution. ^
We an not ignorant or unmindful of the great peril that
threaten the South, nor do we yield to any in real devotion
to her rights and honor. That peril consists in the
feelings, principles, and purposes oat of which the republlowi
party has sprang; and Its consummation wui be
reached in the snossainn of thai parte to the powers
and oontrol of the government. 1T< de wot beUere
ri? a dfcesMfe* of As Union as ? Mag (e be dotted
far itself, M m do tdim Oat Ikert art areata'
evils Am a Oiuohutm qf As BWeft, and Mat
ens ef Aese is nwoemKWewitl mtmisstsn to a pwrriy
p i flow,if doMfefpvi thai it jrrttfirrrfk and jodotty hirttHc to
ats. Soak n dominion is the worst Form of despotism; and
Tt is precisely because we do not believe that the people
of the South will or ought to submit to n bondage so
humiliating, that m seek to avert As terrible alternative
feted ravclnrtow ty Us dimiamJUmrt emd otterproetrmtion of
As npwMienw eer%. Our motto?"Is Squatty la the
Union er safety and Independence out of it"
Be the find, as members of the Union, ws shall address
our starts In all good laith and sincerity or purpose.
"Ws will not stand by and nee that battle fought without
taking onr part In the heat and burden of the oonflict If
there warn no other or higher call upon ue, we own this
stnly to the good and true man of the North who have
t>een Arieses down la ear cease, or who are
till ready manfully to malataln It : and to the
good and true man of the South who hare
ma equal stake with ourselves in the Issue,
ad have bias equal intelligence to know their
sights sari equal courage to maintain them. If
this laaanrns Ail, and the madness of the people
hall harry on to the destruction of n republic for which
mo mnok blood has bean shed, and In which no many
hopes have bean centred, we shall still have left to us
the last alternative at a people who prefer revolution to
siishaaor: and in making this final appeal to the principle
nad the duty of seif-praservuUon, we shall bo sustained
By the proud ooosdoaanem that we have left no effort
untried to maintain the Integrity of the oeuutitaUoo, withcut
which the Union would not he worth the preeerring.
J3e ft, therefore,
NEW YORE
Reaotved, Thai ia the opinion of thta meeting it la right
and proper that the State of Sooth Oarolina, la ooaao
wKh her water Stales of th? Booth, ahoaid ba reprseiatat
in the democrats Ooaventioa, to neat la thia cxtr oa tha
23<i of April next.
Keaolved, That the following geattomea be,aid they are
hereby appointed, delegates to represent theae panahea la
the State Convention, to be held at Columbia, tor tha par
poae of aetectlng enitaMe delegates to the National Demo
MWi?VAWTWHUBf w wu;
OoL 4. J. rtM, H. A. Cringle,
Ool. T. T. SUeoaa, T. G. Barker,
Ool Hoary Btoat, SamL Lard, Jr.,
OoL r. laaaeaa, w. 8. Haatto,
David Ramaay, C. I. Burokatyer,
M. P. O'Connor, A. McKsaafe,
G. N. Reynolds, jr., John S. Bkgs,
Bamaei D. Stone y, W. & BUieM,
A. A. AUemong, F. Melchers,
Ool. J. J. Pettigrow, vr. r. Leltoh.
Wf. Magratn.
Oa notion of OoL J. J. Pops, -Samuel T Tupper, Esq.,
was addad to the delegated, which completed the required
number.
Got. T. Y. Sitnoiig then proceeded to addreet the meeting
io favor of the passage of the rceoloUons. CM. Si moos'
speech waa the eel speech of the occasion, aud we will
brietiy recapitnUie the points he made:?
TV Prrndmi it the representative. of (he rchole country, '
rf this Stale, as well as of other*. He muit be elected either
by the democratic or the republican party, there too* no
middle party, the only cohemve element in the republican
party nxis 'he violation rf Southern right*, and the dmtrue
t*en </the aoutxtution. The democratic party alone prevented
this party from triumphing. In proof of this, he
cited the unanimous support given to Mr. Uncock, daring
the recent contest for Speaker, quoted Irons ValUndighata
of Ohio, Fernando Wood of New York, and Senator Fitch
of Indiana.
The only way to select a President waa by a convention
The Democratic Nations! Convention had never
nominated an unsound man. South Carolina must stand
or toll with the fourteen other slave States, who would
have delegates at the Convection. There were aa good
Ilea ui me utile* cvjuiocrn ouu? as IB SWm UtrOtlH.
Soutli Carolina should go In and help select a good maa,
and not act the Pharisee, than lung God she was
better than others. Mr. Calhoun did not oppose
conventions in themselves, but only the mode of electing
delegates in some States. The South had a guaranty \u
the two-third rule. Geutloineu could not desire a Chi
nose wall about the State, or to degrade hor to a mars
San Marino republic l/)l them attend the Convention,
and hail the Northern and great the Southern delegate#.
Vol. Winona' speech was delivered In an earnest aad
Impassioned style, and he sectued to carry his audieuce
with him
llMSRf C Ki.vu. Esq., seconded the resolutions in s 1
short speech, in which he acknowledged he had been an I
old whig anu would speak lor that party. It was Idle to
dispute on policy. Party ties were broken South Caro
Una should not know more than her sifter States He {
urged tho taking of counsel with the Southern States. ,
To hiin Seward's irrepressible conflict doctrine was !
naught. When it came he would be prepared to
meet it. The loudest prsachor did net practice the
most. He approved of the preamble and resolutions
and seconded them, and he trusted that the people
of South Carolina would moetthc honest men in the Convention
face to face, ready to grasp the hand of friendship,
or with the sword to repel the very breath of insult.
Col. R. W. Seymour being loudly called for responded.
R is but justice to say that he out Seymoured Seymour In
this speech. At one time he advocated the Issues of the
meeting, and at another etorinod at its opponents. He ridiculed
the tdeaof dying alone for patriotism; he preferred to
live and walk about after such were dead. But stenography,
phonography, and all the 'ographiea combined would
fall to report the Colonel's speech, and we forbear. It was
received with much applause, and voted by all a remarkable
el tort It was tho closing address of the meeting
Gen. Simo.w then put the resolutions to the vote, and
they were carried with but a single dissentient voice; and
on motion of Col. Pock tho meeting adjourned,
The Csnrsntlou of Southern States.
LKTTKll OF T11K MIH.SI83IPPI COMM18SIONKK.
Governor 1 etcher on the 21st instant communicated to
the legislature of Virginia the reeolutions of the State of
Mississippi, recommending a convention of the slaveholding
States, accompanied by the following letter of the Hon.
Peter B. Starke, the Commissioner appointed from Mississtppl
to urge upon Virginia the propriety of joining her
sister States in such a convention ?
Fsn 20, 1800.
1 herewith present to your Excellency a series of resolutions
adopted by the State of Mississippi on a subject of
vital interest to theslaveboldingStates particularly.and
of no lees Importance to the lovers of our constitutional
Union in the non shareholding States of the Union:?
The legislators of Miss ssippi have been so explicit In
tbe declaration of their views on the Important questions
which now agitate the whole people of these confederated
States, disturb their peace and threateu the very existence
of the government Itself, that but little more remains to
be done by her Commissioner than to ask your Excellency
to Invito the serious attention of the Legislature of the
great commonwealth of Virginia to their import
This is done In tbe sincere conviction that Virginia will
recognise Is these resolutions no principle not sanctioned
hV hf?r croftl utAtiximAn in tlmiw naat anii nn ainrifaatiftn
not warranted by sovereign States, whose safety, both
present and future, is menaced by the seditious teachings
and fanatical aggressions of the people of other States.
African slavery has ever been regarded by those
amongst whom it exists as a question of domestic policy;
a question to be dealt with by the States which have
adopted it according to their own views of expediency,
and without molestation or interference from other States, j
or even the general government, except for its protection,
aa provided for by the constitution of the United States.
And this view, so justly maintained by the slaveholding
States, was, for the past half century of the existence
of our constitutional Union, recognized and
acquiesced In by the non slaveholding States. But
these States, or at least very many of their
people, in disregard of the obligations of good neighborhood,
tn contempt of the const] iution of the United States,
the supreme law of the land, and in obedience to the dictates
of what they denominate the "higher law" (which
means the madness of unbridled power), have recently
denied the rights of individna) property, trampled upon
the rights or sovereign and independent States, and in
their insolence and wickedness barn actually shod slaveholding
blood upon slaveholding soil, for the avowed purpose
of destroying, without their consent, the relation of
master and slave.
Although, sir, it was not Mississippi soil tSKt was thus
polluted by the invader's foot, nor Mississippi's jurisdic
wu turn* ww ma uiuo uoucu buu Hd upuu uj uxouicuva;
and wickcdnoes, I bee to assure your Exoellency, and,
through you, the people of Virginia, that they whose voice
1 this day speak were not lees indignant, nor lees willing
to avenge the outrage than if it had been perpetrated upon
their own territory. But it is oonaoling to know that the
same historic page that records the foul deed will also
transmit to posterity the noble manner in which Virginia
repelled the Insult, avenged the wrong, and vindicated
her claim to the motto "tic temper tyrannu*," which she
so proudly and Justly wears.
Mississippi, though lets exposed to such aggressions
and outrages than Virginia and the other border States,
feels a common interest in he institution of African
slavery, as It exists In the Southern States of this Union,
and a common duty to join with them in the adoption of
ail measures necessary tor its protection and perpetuation.
Actuated by this sense of her obligation. and deepIt'
sensible of the valne of her elder sister (Virginia) in
Council, Mississippi unites with South Carolina in earnestly
invoking the co operation of Virginia in the Convention
proposed in the third resolution of the aeries already referred
to.
Seeing, as Mississippi does, that the Northern States persist
in the denial of our rights in the common Territories
of the Union, and continue to repeat their aggressions
with mora and more aggravation, and, above all, apprehending
" the election of a President of the United
States by one section of the Union only,
on the ground that there exists an irreconclleable
conflict between tbe two sections in reference to
their respective systems of labor, and with an
avowed purpose of hostility to the institution of slavery
as it prevails in the Southern States," she thinks the time
has surely come when they shall consult together and
recommend what shall be done in an event boding so
much mischief and calamity to their rights and interests.
She will deplore, as much as any State in the Union, the
necessity of dissolving the constitutional ties which bind
them into one common government, and she hopes and
believes that a timely council with her sister States of the
South will devise some remedy consistent with their interest
and honor in the Union.
If Mississippi had been influenced by a determination or
even a desire to withdraw from this sisterhood of States,
1 am very sore that ahe would have selected another
agent to plead her cause before the Stale of Virginia. But
tr in her sincere desire to be enabled to enjoy all the
rights of perfect equality in the Union (as she hopes to do
by means of this proposed conference) she shall be dla
appointed, then I have no hesitation in saying that she
will prefer and resort to independence out of it.
This whole question has been reosnlly so ably and so
elaborately discussed by the eminent and distinguished
KUnman who presented the reeeluttons of South Oaro
i, that I feel to say more would be an unnecessary and
wanton Intrusion.
I will only add that the Leglsle'ure of Mississippi, pursuant
to tbe provisions of the third resolution, have elected
seven delegates to the proponed Convention, all of
whom are amongst the ablest and meat faithful of hor
citizens, and without regard to exiting party organisaiirtflM.
A Mil mams ata h/wfotff fttift# 7iwlitl* Owt laru! ftf ntv
birth, will yield to the solicitation of MWrtaaippI, the borne
of my adoption, and send delegates to the proposed contention
to be held at AlenU os the first Monday or next
Jane, 1 hats the honor to be, he. P. B. STARKE.
Coroners' Inqmests.
Dun or a Cmu> nam Brxxs?Ooroner Sehirmer
held an inquest yesterday, at No. MS Bast Twelfth streets
on the body of a little flrl, four years old, named Ann
Mailer, who died on Sunday evening, (bom the eflbcts of
boras received on the 17th tnst It e*ame that the had
been playing with the fire while her mother was absent
from the room; and, aa the was lighting a ptne stick, the
flames oanght her drew, and before they oonld be sabdoed,
burned her so severely w to osaw her death.
Aroma Caton Favail? Bruin.?An Inquest was bold
by COroner Sehirmer on the body ot a little boy agsd
three yean aad at* months, who ww burned to death on
Saturday at No. 219 BaUivan street. Tbe boy sooidentaUy
set his <Mhaa on fire while playing at the stove with a
piece of paper. and raabed to his mother, who threw him
into a tub of water to extinguish the *? ? The ?*???
eras so severely burned, however, that It did not recover
Scaipbd to Dun.?Coroner Sehirmer also held an in.
quest on the body of Jamw Breer, aa infant, ten j
old, wbow parents reside at 168 bat Twenty-sixth street
who was Mally scalded on Soturday afternoon by the
by the upsetting of a kettle at boiling water, which was
standing (on the stove, aad which ww overturned by ths
falling of a pieoe of the stovepipe.
Fatal Fall Dow* ax Abu?Coroner Sehirmer held an
Inquest upon the body of Wm. Burke, a native of Dublin
Ireland, thirty-five yean of age. who was found lying
dead in ths area of the new building ooraer of Whitehall
aad Pearl streets, at aa early boor yesterday mtruing.
From the (hot that his watch aad money were round upon
his person, the imprewhm at first that he was ths victim
of a highway robbery ww clearly disproved. A verdict
of accidental death wm rendered
: HERALD, TUBSDAT, FBI
STEAMSHIP MOVKMKHTS. ,
Bale of the RUemen IUimeta ut Bioeee
Tayie*?Mew LImm, Sim, B
TheeteMoer* Illinoia end Moaae Taylor, belonging to the u
M United Statee Mail Stoaauhlp Company, recently aoM a m
the Merchaato' Exchange at public aaotioa, vers ra sold n
reverter, ul both Md off by Commodore Vaaderbdt tor Q
24,00b each. g
TbeM ikifi, with three others, wore publicly ootl from y
the same stood by the mm pwtiee om the both last, end ^
Md off by B. H. Cheever?the niiaoii for $100,000, end g
the Mom Taylor for $101000.
The term of sele, aa annoaaood from the (tend by the a
auctioneer, wea sesh down. The purohaaer failing to J?. a
posit tea per Met of hia Md before two o'clock, the sale p
wea declared null and rold, aqli the ahipe adrerused and ^
refold yesterday. '
We Chaae Deraey was preeent end bid $30,000 on each p
ship, being $$,000 over Commodore TanderbUt?these m
were the ooly bids offered. Barney waa dlaUactly told u
by Mr. Roberts, who acted as auctioneer, that no more M
bogus bids would be aeoepted?that they had once been M
sold te a bogus bidder?that if he expected to get the ships
the money must be paid down before he left the stand. p
A letter waa also read by Mr. Roberts from B. H. Chee- u
ver, before the sale, protesting against the sale, claiming
thathe was the lawful owner of the ships, aad offering te M
comply with the terms of his purchase. si
After the ships were fairly struck off to Commodore
Vanderbllt, Barney protested against the sale, and offered gl
o deposit the money ($$0,000) by three o'clock, bnt the U
Commodore being preeent with two certified checks of *
$100,000 each, waa rather teo much for his competitor. a|
W.Chase Barney, it will be recollected, was the espe. ai
ciai friend of Commodore Johnson, the #r?al mail con- *
tractor, wbo werejohQlyJdfkMri tbr nearly every mail c,
oontract between New York, New Orleans, California and
Oregon, last fall.
Marshal O. Roberts, 1'retldent of the company, aa ?
nouncrd from tho stand to the gentlemen present at the *
Urst sale (20th initaut) that the Philadelphia would be J?1
sold subject to the claim of government?owing to which Jf
tact it no doubt was that sho brought so low a price?only _
6,000. ?_
The charge against the Philadelphia is "libel for for- V,
feiture,'' under third section of act of Congress of 20 ih "
April, 1818, same law under which the Pampero, of Lope* '
uoiorioty, was seized, forfeited and sold by governmsot.
The Philadelphia, one of the steamers sold, is now, and
has been for some tour or five months, ia the hands of '.
the Uuitea States government at New Orleans, charged
with being engaged in a filibustering expedition to Nica- .,
ragus. *
The case is to be tried in tho United .States District {
Court lor the Eastern District of Louisiana. It has been C(
several times postponed by government, ostensibly for the ?
purtiose of obtaining additional proofs of the steamer's .
guilt, but tho real and legitimate raise being no doubt to see Q.
if the owners would not reconsider their determination of "
holding the government responsible for the ship (which
thev have dune) and accept o. the steamer and call It q
square.
This the company will not do?whole hog or nothing? ?
tiioy win timer lose, or litre lull compensation from Un- "
cle 8am for the damage sustained by the loss of their *
steamer, and the injury done their reputation by being ?
charged with filibustering.
The Nicaragua route will be opened by Commodore
Vunderbill under somewhat different arrangements than
it would hare been had not the grand consolidation of
interests, which has recently taken place, been effected. fc
The iron steamer for Ute San Juan river, which has h
been contracted lor with Harlan, HoUingsworlh & Co., of ^
Wilmington, Del., will be constructed more with a view of "
carrying freight, and the trafflc in the Interior, than for
carrying passengers, which she wss originally intended '
for. This route will now be uaed, when opened, more for .
trade and traffic along the lakes and rivers of the
interior, which it will furnish, more than It did
when opened before, which waa found to bo quite profits ._
bio. especially the cattle trade, which frequently yielded
to the owners of the boat a net profit of from $500 to $800
| each trip on cattlo alone. d)
The steamer contracted for with J. Simonson, will not ^
be built at present, but two smaller boats adapted to the
lakes will be built instead?so that the Commodore will j\.
not forfe't anything by the change. The water on the
bar at the entrance of the harbor at San Joan delj Norte
is now reported at 13 feet.
What disposition is to be made with the North Atlantic
Company's steamers (Collins'1, is not known?two of the -v
I directors being absent, tbe subjoot has not yet been talked
j over.
I It seems to be generally understood that these steam
crs, infcoonectlon with the C. Vanderbilt.|Wtll run to Havre
juiu ovuujaiuj|>H/u?luriuwB > wueiuy iuio ueiweeu uiuec CD
ports and New York. oj
Commodore Vanderbtlt has for some time been running
a semi mouthly line on this r?ute, composed of the Ocean Sl
Queen and C. Vandorbilt, which has proved very success- I\
tul and proDtable. n1
This line has carried the United States mails, for which
Vanderbtlt has reoeived as remuneration the tea postage, ai
which sometimes amounts to as high as $13,000 a trip. o1
Should this ltne be formed (Collins1 ships) the Ocean b
Queen will be withdrawn and placed on the Aspinwall A
route, in connection with the North Star and Northern is
Light, forming a tri monthly line, leaving this port on the u
6th, 20th and 30th of every month. U
This schedule of sailing days has already gone Into t*
operation. w
The Baltic makes her last trip on the 5th of March. ct
A steamer is already advertised to leave on the 30th of gi
March, which will probably be the Ariel. b<
The Ocean Queen, Ariel, Illinois, Empire City, Star of w
the West, Moses Taylor, St. louts and Daniel Webster will th
be used tor running the line between New York, Havana et
and Nicaragua, and between New Orleans, Havana, Grey - su
town and Aspinwall, and also for a spare steamer be- to
tween New York and the last named port. oc
ACCOUNT BY ANOTBKB KKPOBTBK. ?
Under the following advertisement the steamships Illi. w
nois and Moses Taylor were yesterday offered for sale at the p<
Merchants' Exchange ? J
Notice is hereby given, that in pursuance of the deed r<
of trust executed on the 17th day of August, A. D. 1847,
the undersigned trustees will sell at public auction, on
Tuesday, the 10th of January next, at 1 o'clock, P. M., in ti
I the Rotanda of the Merchants' Exchange, New York city, oi
the following named steamships, together with the tackle, ^
apparel, furniture,and all other appurtenances thereunto
belonging, to wit: Illinois, Star of the West, Empire City, oi
Moses Taylor, Philadelphia. Terms of sale, cash. Dated tt
In the city of New York, this 6th day of November, A. D. b;
I860. MARSHALL O. ROBERTS, ) si
HORACE F. CLARK, ^Trustees. p
EDWARD N. DICKERSON, J s<
All the above named steamships having been sold at b
auction on the 20th day of February, 1860, and the pur- it
chaser of two of them, to wit, the Illinois and Moses Tay- *
lor, not having complied with the terms of the sale as fi
advertised and announced from the auction stand, notice ft
is hereby given that the said steamers. Illinois and Moses v
Taylor, will be sold at public suction, at the Merchants' a
Exchange, on Monday, Feb. 27,1860, at one o'clock P. M. ti
Terms of sale?cash. T
MARSHALL O. ROBERTS,) b
HORACE F. CLARK Trustees. ?
EDWARD N. D1CKER30N, j II
Dated New York, Feb. 21, 1800. c
1'recisely at one o'clock. Mr. Nsrehsll 0. Roberta and a *
Mr. Matthews, a regular licensed auctioneer, mounted the a
stand, and the latter read the above advertisement; tbere- 81
upon a person presented the following letter to M. 0. *
Roberts, which was read by Mr. Matthews
Nkw York. Feb. 27,1880. r'
Notice la hereby given to all whom it may conoern, that w
the steamships Illinois and Moaea Taylor were sold to me in
on the 20th inst, at this place, by Mr. Roberts; that I ,
have offered and am ready to pay the whole amount of J
my bids upon receiving a proper conveyance of a good
title to said ships, and am still ready to pay the amount of ,
my bids and take such conveyance. I claim to be the J
owner of said ships by virtue of such purchase, If the y
seller had a right to make the sale, and I shall insist upon
my rights as a purchaser. BENJAMIN H. CHEEYER. ^
Mr. Roberts then announced that the purchaser must ai
pay the purchase money before three o'clock.
He then offered the "Illinois," and said be was antho- M
rized to bid $26,000 for her. He continued to cry gi
"26,000,"' "26,000, once"?"26,000," "25,000, Iwtoe"? jjj
whereupon Sir. W. C. Barney offered $30,000. This bid
appeared to be a bombshell thrown Into the crowd. After si
consultation with Mr. Dlckerson, Mr. Roberts announoed b
that he would not receive the bid. Mr. Barney then said ?1
vo? no (iwdoti) oouia ink rcruM Ihe bid; that it ?H a b
public sale at auction, under the lawv of the State of
New York. After some further parley with ltr. Dtckeraon p
and other*, Mr. Roberta announced that he should re- w
quire the purchaee money to be paid down. Mr. Barney n
then claimed that he (Roberta) could not change the
terms of aale?having already accepted a bid under hM di
first announcement or "cash before three o'clock." Mr.
Roberta, however, refused to accept Mr. Barney'a bid, who H
stated that he was prepared to pay the ceah before three H
o'clock, according to the terms flrat proposed by Mr. Roberta
when he aooepted the first bid of $36,000.
Mr. Roberta got no other bid, and the "Illinois" was M
knocked down for $36,000. Mr. Roberta announced the Pi
porchaaer to be Corneous Venderbilt. The same proceed I?
lngs took place in regard to the "Mooea Taylor," which J a
alao was knocked down to Cornelius Vender bilt for' la
$36,000, although Mr. Barney bid $80,000, and said he was al
prepared to nay tha ceah before S P. M., according to tha al
first terms or sale proposed. Si
i i i i w
Mas. Binrr'a Rjuncras.?ThM vary talented and estima- w
bleiadygivea another reading at the Bope Chapel, in
Broedway, this evening, and it is to be hoped that bar
numerous friends from the North sad South will support m
heron this oocaaloe. She is a widow, her husband hav tt
lag died hi tha service of bis ooaatry, a lieutenant in our ?
navy; and she gtvee tbena readings with the laudable de- *
Mr* of raising sufficient funds to educate her children,
without being dependent on friends for their support, y
She belongs to one of the best remittee at the South, and &
bar father (Mr. Key) was tha author of that beautiful f\
national rallying song, " The Star Spangled Banner," JJ
which be wrote while ia sight of his native State of Mary - n
Mad, n prisoner on board of an English man-of-war, la the 11
last straggle with Great Britain. This inspiring piece of
poetry, at the request of her friends, Mrs. Blunt will reoite
on this occasion. 01
' a
Cowrt CsMsdsr-Tkls day. in
Scnum* Oornr?Part 3.-484 , 610, 660, 400, 380, 300, "
163, 317, 413, 963, 300, 144, 303, 311, 406, 408, 64$, 606, w
376, 310,121, 414. w
w
IRUART 28, I860.?TRIPL
ALtaietu Out la Uli Cit jr.
. MOTMOT DMTBOTB TOT BOOT Or HOT ILLSOrrnUTg
CHILD BT BVKHINO IT W A FOTNAOI.
About atx o'oieok oo Sunday afternoon the fiwniiy of the
At. John Cotton Smith, rector of (be Bptsoopal Chsrchof
io Ascension, corner of Fifth nrenoe and Tooth
troet, observed o peculiar tad mystsrioos odor
errodinf tho whole promisee. A search m imlediateiy
instituted to oemia tta oause, wed
laooot oTory part of tho house had beoa examined before
le cellar was finally searched. The large tarnaoe which
i there located was examined, and the body of a child,
ural almost to a crisp, was dlsoorered oo the coals.
SnspMoa at oaoo fell upon a young Irish aerraat girl,
amed Orace Heeoaa,aad Oapt DUkn, of the FKIeewth pre'
hot, was seat for. He aame, bringing with him
oMoe Surgeon Dr. Jones, who made an examination
r the airl's Demon. and diaeonarnd unmiitakablM nliiiuM
r the recent child birth. She finally oonfesaed to having
at the body of the child Is the furnace, stating that It
as still born, and that she had bean seduced by a ma
ring on Long Island.' She also said that aha was delivred
of the child about two o'clock on Sunday morning,
id that she thrust it Into the furnace to destroy it.
The body of the child was removed to the Fifteenth
reelect station house, where Coroner Schirmer held an
iqueat yesterday afternoon.
Margaret MUler, batng duly sworn, said ?I lire at the
widenoe of Ber. John Cotton Smith, No. SI Tenth street,
i domestic; (irace Heenaa was about two months there;
ie was the cook; I bad suspicion of her condition from
ppearanoes; 1 slept in the anme bed with her; she got up
boot four o'clock on Sunday morning, complaining that
ie was unwell: she came hack inte bed without tearing
>o room I asked her how she felt, and ahe said she had
pain in her side; did not see ber again until four o'clock
i the atternoon; ahe got up out of bed after I left her;
ie got some clothes belonging to her. took a pall of water
ad went up stairs; she remained there about an hour
ad came down again, with some sheets in ber hand; did
at see any blood on them; I went up stairs, and I became
Kivioced that a confinement had taken place; I heard a
iiu-e as of shovelling coal in the cellar, and also noticed a
rcat sttLch; went down into the cellar to asoer
On the cause; I saw Grace by the furnace; I
iked her what she waa doing ; she sail she
as fixing the fire; l took a poker and stirring the body
i the furnace asked her what it was; she said she did not
cow; I drew the body out or the fire to the mouth of the
trance; I naked (irace If that was not a baby ; she would
ot answer me, but went up stairs; I followed her, lockig
the cellar door behind me; 1 told the lady of the house,
trs. Smith's sister, of the fact; when I went up stairs
race had some linen in a tub wsahlnglt; during the night
slept with Grace 1 heard no groan nor cry |
Dr. Alanson S. denes, l'ollce Surgeon of the Fifteenth
reelect, being duly sworn, said;?I Lre at No. 42 Univerly
place: about eight o'clock on Sunday evening I was
tiled to the house No. 61 Tenth street; on proceeding to
ie cellar, I found the body or a male infant?the one here
resent?it was in a charred and mutilated condition; I
mk the body and sent it to the station house; I then pro>eded
to the kitchen, and there fonad Graoe Heenan,
bom I examined, and ascertained that she had reoently
ccn delivered; upon charging her with being the mother
' the infant found in the cellar, ahe, after some hesitation,
Imitted that she was the mother; that tt bad been born the
igbt previous, saying that idbad never cried; she stated
ml the child lay dead in bed all day Sunday with her;
tat about two bours previous to our Interview she brought
ie child from the upper part of the house into the cellar
ad placed It In the furnace ; she seemed a rather Ignorant
Lrl, and did not seem to appreciate that she had been
oing anything wrong; I was pronent at the post mortem
semination; saw the hydrostatic test applied to the longs;
lere waa no evidoace to show that the child ever
reathed.
Geo. B. Bouton, M. D., being duly sworn, deposed as
illows:?I have made a post mortem examination of the
ody of the dead child now lying tn this station; I find it
> be that of a male child or small size; externally there
re indications of extensive burns; the right arm 18 bnrn1
and the right side of the body charred; the right lung
'as also charred; both lungs, when subjected to the hydro
atic test, did Dot indicate that respiration had been esiblished.
The evidence here closed, and the case was submitted
i the Jury, who, aftor a short deliberation, brought in a
>rdict of " Stillborn."
Grace Heenan is still lying in a rather precarious con.
tion at the boose of her employer. She is a young girl,
ing only twenty one years of age, and is devoid of any
eat personal beauty. When examined by Dr. Jones,
ie stated, on being closely questioned by him. that while
ring at service with a farmer on Long Island last Burner,
her bedroom was entered in the night by a laborer,
le of the farm hands, who violated her person, and that
i improper intimacy had succeeded, with the result
iowu above.
City Intelligence.
Tug CuuMxa or thk Cm.?According to oar announce
cnt in Saturday's paper, the work of cleaning the streets
' this city was set about yesterday morning by Mr.
nith, the machine men, and Broadway waa swept from
ourteenth street to the Battery. The contractor's first
jjoct will bo the regulation of the removal of the ashes
id garbage, and clearing up the winter accumulations
r dirt from the streets. Should the season prove flavorsle
it is hoped that this can be done by the beginning of
pril, after which he will then clean the streets as often
i each week as the Mayer, Comptroller and City Inspcon
may direct or deem necessary to keep them cloan. la
io prosecution of this work or sweeping Mr. Smith hinds
using his new street sweepers, the advantages of
hich over his old ones being, that they are completely
ivercd In, so as to prevent dust from flying; they also
ither up the dirt by their sweeping apparatus into a
>x, thereby obviating the old plan of sweeping into
inrows. The force of men employed will average about
ree hundred, which, with the machines, will make the
itire working force on the streets during tho spring and
turner equal to about one thousand men?a sufficiency
have the streets In good order all the time. Let the
'Director have fair play In carrying out this Important
alter. In taking hold of the Job ha finds everything In
taos, out of which ha has to introduce order and syam?no
small undertaking in our modern Babel. H spiers
no formal contract has aa yet been entered into
1th Mr. Smith, the arrangement with the City Inspector
(ing merely conditional, and even without the ooncursnce
of the Mayor and Comptroller.
'What is It?"?They have added to the list of curkwips
at Barnum's Museum a most extraordinary freak
' nature, constating of a creature supposed to belong to
is ouran outang species, but havingall Um appearance
i a human being. It was said to have been captured in
te interior of Africa, on the border of the river Gambia,
y a party who were in search of the fhmous gorilla. It
ands about four (bet high, and it weighs some fifty
ounds; its age cannot be correctly ascertained, but it is
apposed to be over twenty years. The formation of its
ands, arms and head are thoeefof an ouranoutang, but
a movements are those of a human being. Those
i ho are fond of looking at the freaks nature
requenty Indulges in, should Stop in, and
arm for themselves an opinion as to "What is it?" After
iewing the creature above described,about which hangs
cloud ot doubt and uncertainty, we turned into the "lecjre
room." where the "Octoroon" was being performed,
his play having had the run of two of onr theatres, has
een taken up and placed upon the stage at Barnum's,
rhere forfthe last four weeks it has attracted crowds.
i is very well pot upon the stage, and the acting is highly
reditable to the managers. The novelty of the Museum
ppears never to wear off, and with its endless variety of
Lrange things?its bears, seals and lecture room?will
Iways draw full houses, despite the hard times and the
Mson of Lent, which affects nearly all placet of
muaements.
Fins u? Carat. Srnxxr?Narrow Ehcaps op ths Ocrrim
or rax Bcilplvg fro* Suppocatiom?Between three
ad four o'clock yesterday morning, a fire broke out
> the millinery and children's furnishing goods store
r Madam L. Feattoux, No. 38d Canal street. Mrs. Fes
oux, her son sad servant, slept in the buliling, and
ere awoke by the smoke. Finding all exit by the
airs cut off, they were compelled to make their escape
trough the "windows. The girl got out at the rear, and
rs. P. and her son tn front. Mrs. Pestkrax became
chausted and fell to the floor; but, regaining her strength,
le at last managed to break the glass, whoa, with the
aistanoe of some persons outside, She was taken to the
dewalk. Her face and hands were cut, but not aerioutly.
lie flames extended te the roof of the building, and also
> the roofh of Noa. 884 sad 838, before the flro was extlnilshed.
The damage done to Mm. FeaUoux'a stock and
irnituro will amount to about 91,600. Insured for $2,000
i the North American Insurance Company.
No. 834 is occupied J>y Mrs, Lay cock, ss a mlUiaery
ore and dwelling. The stock and furniture la damaged
y flro and water about $600; insured for $800 in the Kx
slstor Insurance Company. The second floor is occupied
y Mrs. Whitney as a dwelling; bar furniture is damaged
y water about $100; no Insurance.
No. 888 is occupied by Madame Demorest Good ail. as a
attorn store and dwelling. Her stock is damaged by
star about $200; insured for $1,000 tn the Pacifc Insula
oe Company.
Tbe building Na. 884 is owned by Jndge Mitchell; it is
unaged about $300, and is insured.
Ttnilriinm No*. S3A and arm nwna) Kw
My are "damaged about $700, and are said to'be insured,
he origin of the fire is unknown at preaeaL
Mianojrajun Sailed?Rev. Selomoo Carpenter, D. 0.,
id wife, sailed for Shanghaa, China, in the ahip N. B.
aimer, on the 34th Inst, as miadonaries of the Sere nth
ay Baptist church. Cheehanf la, a native teacher, who
ime to this country with Mr. Carpenter on his return
st year, also returned in the N. B. Palmer. Thus the
ientloa of the heathen world ia to be held to the Moderation
of the Sabbath of the seventh day as well as the
ibbath of the first day of the week. The controversy
ill be represented by the no-Sabbath party, the old
id the new Sabbatarians.
Snaiivo Lamms Fnox ths New Post Omc* Bona ?a
ttle girl named Jane Ann McGuire, was arrested by
noer Jordan, of the 8Mh precinct, yeeterday, charged
tth stealing a letter and newspaper from a letter box at
le corner of Broadway and White street. She was seen
> throat her hand Into the opening and draw forth the
ttar and newspaper, and the officer wna called, who took
tr Into custody.
A Tmcn to no Mskokt otTUxtsl Faotbaw.?The Mew
ork Typographical Society held a meeting on last Satorly
evening, when Mr. Charles McDevttt anaoonoed Mr.
toahaWs death, pronouncing an eloquent enloglnm on
ie deceased,naa giving a brief sketch of his Hfta- Raaoittcna
of condolence with the family of Mr. P., and also
daring, as a mark of respect to their departed brother,
ist the room* of the Society be draped ia moaratag for
ie term of thirty days, wars unanimously adopted.
Law LacrtmtBT Jcnoa Cunun.?The tsnth of a oonrae
r exceedingly interesting lectures on low, by Jsdge
lerfce, of the Supreme Court, will be delivered this eveng
at the I aw University, ia Chambers street Subject?
The relation of Guardian and Ward, and infancy, la
hich Urn liability of infants to ths dvtl sad criminal law
ill be especially oonakVwsd.'*
E SHMT.
m PlEflDEimL GUPUOL |
Another Republican Orator on
the Stomp.
Speech of the Hon. Abraham Iinooln, of
Hlinoi*.
te
The announcements that the Boa. Abraham Liaooln,
of niinofc, would "apeak" at the Cooper Institute, draw
together a large aMemblage at that building laat night
The tax of twenty-Ore oeata per oapita did not??a It
very frequently doea?act aa a preventative on the vtatten,
bat they oontinned, on the contrary to pour in in oonMderable
numbers until the large hall was about threequarters
filled. Among the audieaoe there were, aa la
usual in these republican assemblages, a goodly nam boa
of ladies. , "?J
At about a quarter to eight o'clock, ex-Governor King
made his appearance on the platform, and was greeted
with loud applause, which he seemed to enjoy mightily,
as with a smile of benevolent gravity he settled himself
In a chair.
The arrival of D. Dudley Field, accompanied by William
Cuilen Bryant and the speaker of the evening, was the
signal for the most tumultuous applause.
Mr. Fold said?Fellow republicans, I beg leave to
nominate as chairman of this meeting a republican whom
you all know well?William Cuilen Bryant (Applause.)
Those of you who are in fkvor of Mr. Bryant will be
pleased to say '< Aye." (Loud cries of " Aye.") Tboee
who are oppoaed will say " No." (No response.) There
is no "No." (Laughter.)
Mr- Wii.lun Culms Bnm then came forward amid
loud applause. Be said?My friends, It is a grateful offloe'
that I perform in Introducing to you at this time an eminent
cilisen of the West, whom you know?whom you
have known hitherto only by fame, bat who has consented
to address a New York assembly this evening.
The great West, my friends, is a potent auxiliary In the
battle we are fighting for freedom against slavery, in bebalf
of civilization against barbarism, for the
occupation of some of the fairest region of
our continent, on which settlers are now build.
ing their cabins. I see a higher and wiser j
agency than that of man In the causes that hare tilled with
a hardy population the vast and fertile region which forms
the northern part of the valley of the Mississippi?a race
of m<-n who are not ashamed to till their acres with their
own hands, and who would be ashamed to subsist by the
labor of slaves. (loud applause ) These children of the
West, my friends, form a living bulwark against the advances
of slavery, and from them is recruited the vanguard
of the armies of liberty. (Applause.) One of
them will appear before you this evening. I present to
you a gallant soldier of the political campaign of 1850,
ho then rendered good service to the republican cause,
and who was since the great champion of that cause in the
struggle which took place two years later for the supremacy
of the republicans in the Legislature of Illinois?
who took the field there against Douglas, and would have
won the victory but tor the unjust apportionment law of
the State, which allowed a minority of the people to elect a
majority of the Legislature. (Applanae.) I have only,
my friends, to pronounce the name of Abraham Linooln,
of Illinois?(loud cheers)?to reoelve the profoundeet
attention. (Renewed cheers.)
Mr. Lincoln Is a tail, thin man, dark complexioned,
and apparently quick in his perceptions. He is rather
unsteady in his gait, and there is an Involuntary comical
awkwardness which marks his movements while speak- 1
ing. His voice, though sharp and powerful at times, has
a frequent tendency to dwindle into a shrill and unpleasant
sound. His enunciation is slow and emphatic,
and a peculiar characteristic of his delivery was a remarkable
mobility of his features, the frequent contortions
of which excited the merriment which bis words
alrkfiA rnnM nnt waII hawn iiwuIviaaiI
ADDKB8S BY BON. ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
When the applause which greeted Mr. Lincoln had sub-.
skied, he said:? ^ I
Mb. Pbbsdbst abb Fnxow Crnzora or thb Cm or Stw
York?The facts with which I shall deal this evening are
mainly old and familiar: nor is there anything new in the
general use I shall make of them. If there shall be any
novelty, it will be in the mode of presenting the facts,
and the inferences and observations following that presentation.
In his speech last autumn, at Columbus, Ohio,
as reported in the New York limes, Senator Douglas
said ?
Our fathers, when tber framed the government under which
we live, understood this question just as well, and even belter,
than we do now.
I fully endorse this, and I adopt it as a test for this discourse.
(Applause.) I so adopt It because it furnishes s
precise and an agreed starting point for s discussion between
republicans and that wing of the democracy head- '
ed by Senator Douglas. It simply leaves the inquiry,
What was the understanding those fhthera had of the question
mentioned ? What is the frame of government under
which we live? The answer must be, The constitution
of the United States. That constitution consists of the
original, framed in 1787 (and under which the present
government first went into operation), and twelve snbsequently
framed amendments, the first ten of which were
framed in 1780. Who were our fathers that framed the
constitution ? I suppose the "thirty-nine'' who signed the
original instrument may be fairly called our fathers who
framed that part of the present government. It is almost
exactly true to say they framed tt, and It is altogether
true to say they fairly represented (he opinion and sentiment
of the whole nation at Ihaftime. tteir names,
being familiar to nearly all, and aooeasibmw> quits all,
need not now be repeated. I take these "thirty-nine,'
for the present, as being "our fathers who framed the
government under which we live." What is the question
which, according to the text, those fathers understood
just as well, and even better than we do now ? It is
this:?Does the proper division of local from federal authority,
or anything In the constitution, forbid our federagovernment
to control as to slavery in oar federal Territories
? Upon this Douglas holds the affirmative, and republicans
the negative. This affirmative and denial
form an issue; and this issue, this question, is precisely
what the text declares our fathers understood better than
we. (Cheers.) Let us now inquire whether the "thirtynine."
or any of them, ever acted upon this question;
and if they did, how they acted upon It?how they expressed
that better understanding. In 1784, three years before
the constitution, the United States then owning the
Northwestern territory, and no other, the Congress of
the confederation had befbre them the question of prohibiting
slavery in that Territory', and (Our of the "thirtynine"
who afterwards framed the constitution were in that
Congress, and voted on that question. Of these Roger
Sherman, Thomas Mifflin and Hugh Williamson voted for
the prohibition, thus showing that, tn their understanding.
no line dividing local from federal authority, nor anything
else, properly forbade the federal govern me at to
oontrol as to slavery in federal territory. The other of the
four, James McHenry, voted against the prohibition, showing
that for some cause he thought it Improper to vote
ror it in 1787, still before the constitution, but while
the Convention was In session training it, and while the
Northwestern territory still was the only territory owned
by the United States - the same question of prohibiting
slavery In the territory again came before the Congress
of the confederation; and three more of the " thirty nine"
who afterwards signed the constitution were in that Congress
and voted on the question. They were William Blount,
William Few and Abraham Baldwin, and they all voted
for the prohibition, thus showing that, in their understanding,
no line dividing local from federal authority,
nor anything else, properly forbade the federal government
to control as to slavery in federal territory. This
time the prohibition became a law, being a part of what is
now well known as the Ordinance of 1787. The question
or federal control of slavery in the Territories seems not
to have been directly before the Convention which framed
the original constitution; and hence it Is not recorded that
the " thirty-nine," or any of them, while engaged on that
instrument, expressed any opinion on that precise question.
In 1780, by the first Congress which sat under the
constitution, an act was passed to enforce the ordinance
of 1787, including the prohibition of slavery In
the Northwestern territory. The bill for this act
was reported by one of the "thirty nine," Tnomas FluSimmons,
then a member of the House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania. It went through all Its stages
without a word of opposition, and finally passed both
branches without yeas and nays, which is equivalent to a
unanimous passage. (Cheers.) In this Congress there
were sixteen of the "thirty-nine" fathers who framed the
original constitution They were:?
Jehu Langdon, Thoe. Fitxsimmons, Richard Basse It,
Nicholas Oilman, William Few, George Real,
Wm. & Johnson, Abraham Baldwin, Pierce Butler,
Roger Sherman, Rnfua King, Daniel Oarroli,
Robert Morris, William Patterson, James Madison,
iieofgs Clymer,
Ibis shows that, in their understanding, no lias dividing
local from federal authority, nor anything in the constitution,
properly forbade Congress to prohibit slavery In the
Tcderel territory; else both their fidelity to correct principle
end their oath to support the constitution wooId
save constrained them to oppose the prohibition.
Again, George Washington, another of the "thirtynine,''
was then President of the Untied States, and,
is such, approved and signed the bill, thus completing
ts validity as s law, and thus shewing that, In his unJet-standing,
no line dividing local from federal authority,
nor anything In the oonstitotion, for beds the federal
government to control as to slavery In federal territory.
;Lo?d applause.) No great while after the adoption of
the original constitution, North Carolina ceded to the federal
government the oountry now oonotttnUng the State of
renneosee; and a tow yean later Georgia ceded that
ehleh now oonatttutee the Stotes of Mistomlppi and Alabama.
In both deeds of cession it wee made a condition
ny the ceding States that the federal govermeut should
not prohibit slavery in the ceded oountry. Beside this,
iltvery was than actually in the ceded oountry. Under
diem circumstances Congress, on taking charge of these
countries, did not absolutely prohibit slavery within them.
But they did interfere with It?take control of Iteven
there, to n certain extent. In 1796 Congress
organised the Territory of Mississippi. In the act
of organisation they prohibited the bringing of
ilares Into the Territory, from any place without the
DUted States, by fine, end giving freedom to slaves so
brought. This act passed both branches of Congress
without yew and nays. In that Congress were throe
of the "thirty-nine" who foamed the original oonstitutlon.
They were John Langdon, George Read and Abraham
Baldwin. They all, probably, voted for It Certainty
they would hare placed their opposition to it upon re.
x*d if. In their undeletesalag, any line dividing local
'rase federal authority, or anything la the constitution
properly forbade the federal government to control w to
liarery la federal territory. (Applause.) la 1*8 the
*1
(federal immat parshand tte ImHm oonatry. Ov
fcnur territorial aiwnWHona cum frees oerUia of nt
wi BUIes, but ttio LwWin ooeowy wm acquired Qraee
a foreign notion. la KOdOoagromgnrnn Terrttorinl arMtttfon
to that part of M wbleh new ooaattataa tts
Suae of LoaMaaa. New Qrtaaaa, lying wttlun thai part, 1
waaaaoidaad comparatively Urge city. There www
otter considerable towns and mftfemmin, aad Hanrf
waa extensively aad thoroughly Intermingled with tte
people. Oacgreaa did not. In the Territorial ami, prohlfest
Savory; hoi ttay did interfere with tV-take ooairol of
it?la a more marked aad extensive way thaa they da m
tteoaaeof MltteNppL The eubetanoe of tte prerttea
therein made ta relation to alavee wee:?
find, That no alave should be imported iate tte territory
tram foreign parte.
Seoood, Thai no elate should be oarried into M wha had
bean Imported into tte United States ainoe tte llmt day sf
tbrd, Thai no elare should be carried lalolt, aeoeuibr
the owner, and for hleowB uaeaa a eettler; the penalty ta
? ?? van uemg ? un upon me thhmot Of we law U1
freedom to the slave. (Prolonged cheers-)
Thin act also was passed without yeas aad nays. In the
Oongrem which peaeed it, there were two of the " thirtyulne."
They wave Abraham Baldwin aad Jonathan Da*,
ton. An staled In the cam of Mtasimippi, it la probable
they both voted tor It They would not have allowed it
to paa without recording their opposition to It, If, la tbMr
understanding, It violated either the Uae properly dividing
local from federal authority or any prorBtun of the oonstituUoo.
In 1810 and 1830 oaaae and peaeed the Mkmeurt
question. Many votea were taken, by yean and mob, to
both branches of Ooogrem, upon the various rtiaeia of the
general question. Two of the " thirty-una " Kafan
King and Charles Plnokney?were members of that
Congress. Mr. King steadily voted for slavery rnuhiht
Uon aad against all oompromism, white Mr. Plnrkney an
steadily voted against slavery prohibition, and against
all oompromiaee. (Cheers.) By thia Mr. King shewed ,
that, in hte underetaading.no line dividing loonl firom
federal authority, nor anything In the constitution, waa
violated by Congress prohibiting slavery in federal territory
white Mr. Pinckney, by nia votea, showed that, la
bis understanding, there waa some sufficient reason tor
opposing euch prohibition in that case. The oases I have
mentioned are the only acta of the " thirty nine," or ef
any of them, upon the direct teeue, which I have been
able to disoover. To enumerate the persons who than
acted, as being tour In 1184, three In 1787, seventeen in
1780, three In 1708, two in 1804, and two la 1810 JO?
there would be thirty-one of them. But this would he
counting John Inngdon, Roger Sherman, William flew,
Rufus King and George Read, each twice, aad Abraham
Baldwin four times. (Applause.) He was a Georgian,
too. (Renewed applause and laughter.) The tree number
of thoee of the "thirty-nine" whom 1 have shown to have
acted upon the question,"which, by the text, they undent cod
better than we, is twenty three, leaving sixteen not shewn
to have acted upon it in any way. Here, then, we have
twenty-three of our "thirty nine" fathers who framed
the government under which we live, who have, upon
their ofllclal responsibility and their corporal oaths, acted
upon the very question which the text affirms they "understood
just as well, aod even better than we do now:"
and twenty -one of them?a clear majority of the whole
"thirty-nine"?so acting upon it as to make them guilty
ol gron political impropriety and wilful perjury, if, in
their understanding, any proper division between local
and federal authority, or auything in the oonstitutioa they
had made themselves and sworn to support, forbade the
federal government to control as to slavery In the federal
Territories. (Cheers.) Thus the twenty one aoted; and
as actions speak louder than words, so actions under such
refjionBibllity speak still loader. Two of the twentythrre
voted against Oongresatonal prohibition of slavery
in the federal Territories, in the instanoea in which they
acted upon the question. Bat for what reasons they so
voted is not known. They may have done ao because they
thought a proper division of local from federal authority, or
some provision or principle of the constitution, stood in tho
way; or they may, without any such question, have
voted against the prohibition, on what appeared to these
to be sufficient grounds of expediency. No one who ban
sworn to support the constitution can conscientiously vote
for what he understands to be an unconstitutional measure,
however expedient be may think It: but one may
and ought to vote against a measure which he deems
constitutional, if, at the same time, be deems It Inexpedient
It, therefore, would be unsafe to sot down evest
the two who voted against the prohibition, as having done
so because, in their understanding, any proper division of
local from federal authority, or anything in the constitution,
forbade the federal government to control as te
slavery in federal territory. (Laughter end prolonged
applause). The remaining sixteen of the " thirty-nine,"
so far as I have discovered, have left no record of their
understanding upon the direct question of federal control
of slavery in the federal Territories. Bat there is muoh
reason to believe that their understanding upon that question
would not have appeared different from that of their
twenty three compeers, had It been manifested at all. Far
the purpose of adhering rigidly to the text, I
have purposely omitted whatever understanding may
have been manifested, by any person, however distiaSiished,
other than the thirty-nine fathers who framed
e original constitution; and. for the same reason, I
have alao omitted whatever understanding may have been
manifested by any of the " thirty-nine" even, on any
other phase of the general question of slavery. If wo
should look into their acts and declarations on those other
phases, as the foreign slave trade, and the morality and
poliey of slavery generally, it would appear to ns that on
the dtrect question of federal control or slavery in federal
Territories, tho sixteen, if they bad acted at all, wool*
probably have aoted just as the twenty-three did. Among
that sixteen were several of the moat noted anti afatvery
men of those times?as Dr. Frank'In (Cheers),
Hamilton, and Gouverneur Morris?whilo tnere was not
one now known to have been otherwise, unless it may be
iiuuu miunin ui ouuui twDUDL (AppiSOSe) TOO SUM
oT the whole is, that of our " thirty-nine" fathers
who framed the original constitution, twenty-ose
a clear majority of the whole?certainly under stood
that no proper c'I vision of local from federal
authority, nor any part of the constitution, forbade the
federal government to control slavery In the federal Territories,
while all the rest probably had the same underlanding.
8uch, unquestionably, was the understanding
r our fathers who framed the original constitution; ana
the text affirms that they understood the question better
han we. (Laughter and cheers.) But, so tar I have
been considering the understanding of the question manifested
by the framers of the original constitution. In and
by the original instrument a mode waa provided for
amending it; and, as I have already stated, the present
frame or government under which we live oonmsta of
that original, and twelve amendatory articles framed and
adopted since. Those who now insist that federal control
of alavery in federal Territories violates the constitution,
point us to the provisions which they suppose it thus violates;
and, as 1 understand, they all fix upon provisions
in these amendatory articles, and not in the original instrument.
The Supreme Court, In the Dred Scott ease
plant themaelvss upon the fifth amendment, which provides
that "no person shall he deprived of property
without due procees of law;" while Senator mug las
and his peculiar adherents plant themselves upon
the tenth amendment, providing that " ths
powers not granted by the constitution, are reserved to
the States respectively, and to the people." Now, it so
bappents that these amendments were framed by the first
Congress which est under the constitution?the identical
Congress which passed the act already mentioned, enforcing
the prohibition of slavery in the Northwestern Territory.
(Applause.) Not only was it the same Congress, but
tbey were the Identical, same individual men who, at the
tame session, at the earns time within the session, had under
consideration, and In progress toward maturity,
these constitutional amendments and this act prohibiting
slavery in mil the territory the nation then owned. The
constitutional amendments were introduced before and
passed after the act of enforcing the ordinance of '67; as
that during the whole pendency of the act to enforce the
ordinance the constitutional amendments were also pending.
That Congress, consisting* In all of seventy-six
members, including sixteen of the framers of the original
constitution, as before stated, were pre-eminently
our ibuio? wuv inmiea um pan. ui iae governxneni under
which we lire which ii new claimed he forbidding the
federal government to oontrol slavery in the federal Territories.
Is it not a Uttle presumptuous in any one at thin
day to affirm that the two things which that Congress deliberately
framed, and carried to maturity at the saaae
time, are absolutely inconsistent with each other? And
does not such affirmation become impudently absord
when ooupled with the other affirmation, from the same
mouth, that thoae who did the two things alleged to be inconsistent
understood whether they really were Inconsistent
better than we?better then be who affirms that they
are inconsistent? (Applause and grant merriment.) It m
surely safe to assume that the "thirty-nine" framers of
the original constitution, and the seventy-six members of
the Oongress which framed the amendments thereto,
taken altogether, do certainly include those whs
may he fairly called " our tethers who framed
the government under which we live." And ee
assuming, I defy any man to show thst any one af
them ever In his whole life declared that, In his understanding,
any proper divisto# of local from federal
authority, or any part of the constitution, forbade the
l federal government to oontrol as to slavery la the federal
I Territories. (Loud applause.) I go a step further. I
defy any one to show that nay living man in the whole
world ever did, prior to the beginning of the present
century, (and I might almost say prior to the beginning
of the test half or the present oeatnry,) declare that, is
i his understanding, nay proper division of loon! from federal
authority, or any part of the ooosUtotion, forbade the
federal coveramenl to control aa to slavery in the federal
Territories To Umm who mow to declare I give, Dot
only "oar father* who framed the government under
which we lire," hot with them all other living men within
I the century in which it wae framed, among whom to search,
and they shall act he able to Qnd the evidence of a stasia
man agreeing with them. Now and here, let me guard a
1 uttie against betas misunderstood I do not mean to say
1 we are bound to follow implicitly In whatever oar Cohere
did. Te do eo would be to discard all the lights of onrrsnt
experienoe?to reject all program?all improvement
What I do my is, that if we would sapplantthe oslaiaan
and policy of our fathers, la say cam, we should da an
a poo evidence so oobclasive, sad argument so clear, that
even their great authority, fairly conataared and weighed,
cannot stand; and most surely not in n cam whereof we
oureelvee declare they understood the question better than
we. (laughter.) If any man, at this day, elnoerely believes
that a proper division of local Oram federal authority,
or any part of the oonatitutiou, forbids the federal government
to control as to slavery in the federal Terrllories,
be is right to say so, sad to onfbcoshts position by
ml truthful evidenoe and fair argument which he oaa. But
he has no right to mislead others, wao have Iwwm to
history and tern leisure to study it, into the faise behef that
"our tethers, who framed the government under which
we live," were of the same opinion?thus substituting
falsehood and tltT""" for trulhfnl evidence and fair
argument. mST) B * Jhle day
smeerely beWrse 'our fathers, who framed the
government under which we live," used and applied
principles, in other caeca, which ought to have tod
(hem to understand thet a proper division of looal from
federal authority, or some part of the couthtutioo, forbids
the federal government to control as to slavery in the
federal Territories, he is right to my so. But he should,
at the same time, brave the responsibility ef declaring
that, in hie opinion, he understands their principles bettor
???m they did themselves?(great laaghter}?and especially
should he not shirk that responsibility by asserting
that they "understood the question just as well, and oven
better, tnan we do now." (Applause.) But enough. IM
all who believe, that our "fathers, wuo framed the government
under which we live, understood this question
just as well, and even better thaa we do now," speak an
they spoke, and act as they acted upon it. This is ail republicans
ask?all republicans desire?in relation to
slavery. As those fathers marked it, so let it be again
I/