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watchfulness to the attempts which have been recently made to disturb the rights secured to them by the constitution of the United States. The agitation of the abolitionists can by no possibility produce good to any portion of the union, and must, if persisted in, lead to incalculable mischief. The institution of domestic slavery, as it existed at the adoption of the constitution of the United States, and as it still exists in some of the states, formed the subject of one of the compromises of opinion and of interest upon the settlement of which all the old states became parties to the compact, and agreed to enter the union. The new states were admitted into the union upon an equal footing with the old states, and are equally bound by the terms of the compact. Any attempt on the part of the Federal Government to act upon the subject of slavery, as it exists within the states, would be a clear infraction of the constitution; and to disturb it within the district of Columbia would be a palpable violation of the public faith, as well as of the clear meaning and obvious intention of the framers of the constitution. They intended to leave, as they did in fact

leave, the subject to the exclusive regulation and action of the states and territories within which slavery existed or might exist. They intended to place, and they did in fact place it beyond the pale of action within the constitutional power of the Federal Government. No power has been conferred upon the general government, either by express grant or necessary implication, to take cognizance of, or in any manner or to any extent to interfere with, or to act upon the subject of domestic slavery, the existence of which in many of the states is expressly recognized by the constitution of the United States."

THE HONOURABLE JAMES BUCHANAN,

SECRETARY OF STATE AT WASHINGTON.

It was at the annual ball given at Washington, on the 8th of January, in commemoration of the battle of New Orleans, that I was first presented to Mr. Buchanan, and at once I knew that I had looked upon a friend. During my residence in that city I frequently appealed to him for advice, and never in vain; he heard me with patience, entered into the various considerations attendant upon my happiness and comfort, granted me every indulgence, and accorded my every wish. Occasionally mistrust came over me, and the dread of an unholy war, and the long animosity which it would entail upon the rival countries, became intolerable; at these times I have sought consolation from Mr. Buchanan. At the department of state, at his own residence, I was at all

times instantly admitted, and received with welcome, and I ever left his presence with a light and happy heart.

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The Secretary is tall and well proportioned; his manners are gentle and composed, and his articulation peculiarly slow and distinct. He looks like an English nobleman of thirty or forty years ago, when the grave and dignified bearing of men in power was regarded as an essential attribute of their office. This aristocratic address and manner, however, are natural, not acquired, in Mr. Buchanan, the result of an elevated character and urbanity of disposition, united with the long practice of office, and the habit of command. have had the honour of being admitted to his presence when business of an arduous and responsible kind awaited his attention, when circumstances of vexatious and important tendency required his care; but I have never, for one instant, seen the least departure from that perfect self possession which bestows so peculiar a grace on him who can practise it, and which has ever so singular an influence on him who witnesses it. The fair and delicate, though fresh, complexion

of Mr. Buchanan, his eye of light blue, and full blooded system, attest unequivocally his AngloSaxon descent, and by this description I hope I have clearly established my claim upon the outward man as one of my country. But here I must be content; the heart and soul of Buchanan, each hour of life, each energy of mind, are given to America. Cautious and deliberating, thoroughly appreciating the extent of his power, and the responsibility of his position, this noble minded man twice tendered his resignation when his opinions conscientiously differed from those of the administration. He is unquestionably the first man in the existing government, and there is no doubt that had he quitted office, the relations between England and the United States would have worn a much more hostile aspect, for though Buchanan regarded the 54° 40′ parallel as the indisputable right of America, his humane and sagacious policy yielded this right rather than rush upon a war fraught with doubtful good and certain evil. For this moderation he will be applauded by every true lover of his country, both in England and in America. It may be gratifying

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