were enjoying the blessings and exercising the prerogatives of an independent State, and at peace with all the world. And what motive prompted the United States thus to exert its influence to prevent the Congress of Panama from recognising Hayti" as a new State?". none other than the apprehension that the admission of a palpable truth, the independence of a black Republic, would prove dangerous to the perpetuity of American slavery. Is this slander? Let the members of Congress speak for themselves. The following sentiments were elicited in the debate on the Panama mission. Mr. BERRIEN of Georgia :-"Consistently with our own safety, can the people of the South permit the intercourse which would result from the establishing relations of any sort with Hayti? Is the emancipated slave, his hands yet reeking" (thirtytwo years after slavery had been abolished by the French Government) "in the blood of his murdered master, to be admitted into their ports, to spread the doctrines of insurrection, and to strengthen and invigorate them, by exhibiting in his own person an example of successful revolt? Gentlemen must be sensible this cannot be. The great principle of self-preservation will be arrayed against it. I have been educated in sentiments of habitual reverence for the Constitution of the - United States: I have been taught to consider the union of these States as essential to their safety. The feeling is nowhere more universal or more strong than among the people of the South. But they have a stronger feeling — need I name it? Is there any one who hears and does not under stand me? Let me implore gentlemen not to call that feeling into action by this disastrous policy." In plain English, the slaveholders love slavery more than they do the Union; and would sacrifice the last, rather than acknowledge as free, a people who had once been slaves. - Mr.BENTON of Missouri: "The peace of eleven States in this Union will not permit the fruits of a successful negro insurrection to be exhibited among them;-it will not permit the fact to be seen and told, that for the murder of their masters and mistresses they are to find friends among the white people of the United States." : "It is pro Mr. HAMILTON of South Carolina : per that on this occasion I should speak with candour and without reserve: that I should avow what I believe to be the sentiments of the southern people on this question, and this is that Haytien independence is not to be tolerated in any form. **** A people will not stop to discuss the nice metaphysics of a federative system, when havoc and destruction menace them in their doors." Mr. HAYNE of South Carolina :-"With nothing connected with slavery can we consent to treat with other nations; and least of all ought we to touch the question of the independence of Hayti in conjunction with the revolutionary governments whose own history affords an example scarcely less fatal to our repose. These governments have proclaimed principles of liberty and equality, and have marched to victory under the banner of universal emancipation. You find men of colour at the head of their armies, in the Legislative halls, and in the Executive departments. **** Our policy with regard to Hayti is plain; We NEVER can acknowledge her independence. **** Let our Government direct all our Ministers in South America and Mexico, to PROTEST against the independence of Hayti." Gentlemen when they talk in a passion, rarely talk wisely or consistently. Mr. Hayne insists that we cannot touch the question of the independence of Hayti in conjunction with the American Revolutionary Governments; and yet in the next breath, he is for opening negotiations with all these governments on this very subject. Almost every slaveholder assures us that the slaves, if emancipated, could not take care of themselves; and yet Mr. Hayne proclaims the important fact, that the armies of these same governments have "marched to victory" with coloured men at their head; and that coloured men are found in their Legislative halls, and Executive departments ! Mr. JOHNSON of Louisiana : "It may be proper to express to the South American States the unalterable opinion entertained here in regard to intercourse with them. The unadvised recognition of that Island, (Hayti) and the public reception of their Ministers, will nearly sever our diplomatic intercourse, and bring about a separation and alienation injurious to both. I deem it of the highest concern to the political connexion of these countries, to remonstrate against a measure so justly offensive to us, and to make that remonCongressional Debates, strance vol. II. EFFECTUAL. Thus the gentleman from Louisiana looked upon the recognition of Hayti by other and independent States, as a measure so offensive to us, as to afford us ground for quarrelling with them. We will now advance twelve years in our history, and see if the lapse of time has softened the hatred of our rulers to Hayti. On the 17th De of cember, 1838, a petition was presented to the House of Representatives, praying for the establishment of the usual international relations with that republic. No sooner was the purport of the petition announced, than vehement objections were made to it, and no less than thirty-two members had the hardihood to vote against even its reception. They were, however, in the minority; and on a motion being made to refer it to the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Chairman of that committee, himself a slaveholder, advocated the reference, as the best way stifling the discussion, observing that “several similar memorials had been sent there the last session, which had never been reported on. This would take a similar course; it would never be heard of again." With this intimation, the petition was referred. A motion was then made to instruct the committee to report on the petition; but, to stop the discussion, the previous question was moved, and the motion denied by a great majority. A few extracts from the speeches delivered on this occasion may be useful, as showing the temper and logic displayed by the southern members. Mr. LEGARE of South Carolina: "It (the petition) originates in a design to revolutionize the |