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Story
December 9, 1843
The People's Advocate
Concord, Merrimack County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
Reported 1843 conversation between Mr. Clay and Mr. Wise on slavery in the District of Columbia, where Clay acknowledges Congress's authority but vows never to support abolition, citing his Virginia and Kentucky ties.
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Slavery In the District of Columbia.
We find the following in the newspapers. It is stated to be an extract from a conversation of Mr. Clay with Mr. Wise, as given in the Madisonian, of April 17, 1843, from the Richmond Enquirer.
In the conversation, Mr. Wise says to Mr. Clay:
"But on the subject of abolition of slavery in the district, Mr. Clay, you admit the power of Congress to act upon the subject, upon the principle of 'exclusive legislation.'"
"My dear sir," rejoined Mr. Clay, "while these are my opinions, conscientiously formed, I am the son of Virginia, a slave-holder of Kentucky, AND I WOULD SUFFER THE TORTURES OF THE INQUISITION, BEFORE I WOULD SIGN A BILL HAVING FOR ITS OBJECT THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY IN THE DISTRICT, OR IN ANY MANNER GIVE COUNTENANCE TO THE SUBJECT."
—Cincinnati Herald.
We find the following in the newspapers. It is stated to be an extract from a conversation of Mr. Clay with Mr. Wise, as given in the Madisonian, of April 17, 1843, from the Richmond Enquirer.
In the conversation, Mr. Wise says to Mr. Clay:
"But on the subject of abolition of slavery in the district, Mr. Clay, you admit the power of Congress to act upon the subject, upon the principle of 'exclusive legislation.'"
"My dear sir," rejoined Mr. Clay, "while these are my opinions, conscientiously formed, I am the son of Virginia, a slave-holder of Kentucky, AND I WOULD SUFFER THE TORTURES OF THE INQUISITION, BEFORE I WOULD SIGN A BILL HAVING FOR ITS OBJECT THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY IN THE DISTRICT, OR IN ANY MANNER GIVE COUNTENANCE TO THE SUBJECT."
—Cincinnati Herald.
What sub-type of article is it?
Biography
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Justice
What keywords are associated?
Slavery Abolition
District Of Columbia
Henry Clay
Congressional Power
Slaveholder Stance
What entities or persons were involved?
Mr. Clay
Mr. Wise
Where did it happen?
District Of Columbia
Story Details
Key Persons
Mr. Clay
Mr. Wise
Location
District Of Columbia
Event Date
April 17, 1843
Story Details
Mr. Wise questions Mr. Clay on Congress's power to abolish slavery in the District; Clay affirms the power but declares he would endure torture before supporting such a bill, due to his ties to Virginia and Kentucky as a slaveholder.