Speech of Charles W. Upham, of Salem in the House of Representatives of Massachusetts on the Compromises of the Constitution: with an Appendix, containing the Ordinance of 1787
- 40 pp. 1 vols. 8vo
- Salem: Printed at the Tri-Weekly Gazette Office, 1849
Salem: Printed at the Tri-Weekly Gazette Office, 1849. 40 pp. 1 vols. 8vo. Printed wrappers. Some chipping at bottom of front wrapper. Very good. 40 pp. 1 vols. 8vo. “Resolved, That with these views we, the people of Massachusetts … hereby pronounce the attemot, by the southern States or any portion therein, to establish the institution of slavery upon any territory now free, and the common property of the United States, a violation of the compromises of the Constitution...”
Upham’s speech, with historical context, against proposals to extend slavery into California and New Mexico (and, by implication, elsewhere), and significantly noting “that all we are bound to do, is to suffer fugitive slaves to be reclaimed. We are not required to act, or co-operate at all in the matter, but simply to permit it to be done. … As it is, the obligation is felt to be an odious one.” Massachusetts would later be a key point of resistance in the aftermath of the Dred Scott decision.
An interesting text documenting sentiments in Massachusetts in this turbulent period.
Upham’s speech, with historical context, against proposals to extend slavery into California and New Mexico (and, by implication, elsewhere), and significantly noting “that all we are bound to do, is to suffer fugitive slaves to be reclaimed. We are not required to act, or co-operate at all in the matter, but simply to permit it to be done. … As it is, the obligation is felt to be an odious one.” Massachusetts would later be a key point of resistance in the aftermath of the Dred Scott decision.
An interesting text documenting sentiments in Massachusetts in this turbulent period.