MY DEAR FRIEND,—Mr. Webster astonished almost all Northern men here. We
are recovering from the shock; but it was a severe one. It was as unexpected as
it was astounding. It may seem egotistic in me; but I wish I had not spoken
till after he did. I should have liked to ask him how he knows that God has
Wilmot provisoed New Mexico. Has he had any new revelation since the North-west
Territory needed provisoing, since Wisconsin needed it, since Oregon needed it?
Indiana came near being a slave State, proviso and all; and would have been so,
if Congress had not rejected her petition, John Randolph, of Virginia, making
the report. Has God Wilmot-provisoed the whole belt of country from the eastern
side of Delaware to the western side of Missouri, any more than he has New
Mexico? and, if so, why has not his proviso taken effect? Is there not a vast
region of those States that lies far north of the greater part of New Mexico?
Has Mr. Webster any geological eyes by which he has discovered that there are
no mines in New Mexico which could be profitably worked by slaves? If predial
slavery cannot exist there, cannot menial? Does not slavery depend more on
conscience than on climate? If individuals do not desire to carry slavery into
New Mexico for personal profit, may not communities and States desire it for
political aggrandizement?
As to fugitive slaves, I need say nothing. While Massachusetts citizens
are imprisoned in Southern ports, I think fugitive slaves will be gentlemen at
large in Massachusetts.
But the offer to give eighty millions received and a hundred and eighty
millions expected to be received from the public lands to transport free
negroes to Africa, and thereby to give increased value to slaves and increased
security to slave property, is atrocious.
Now, would to God that you Free-soilers were not a separate organization!
With what power such men as S. C. Phillips, G. Palfrey, William Jackson, and
Sumner, could act upon the Whigs, if they were not alienated from them! For
Heaven's sake, heal this breach, instead of widening it, and bring the whole
force of the North to bear in favor of freedom!
With best love for your wife and your babes and yourself, I am very truly
and sincerely yours,
H. MANN.
SOURCE: Mary Tyler Peabody Mann, Life of Horace Mann, p. 297-8
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