In the speech which I addressed to the senate, on
the subject of abolition petitions, I ascribed to Dr.
Franklin the authorship of the law passed by the state
of Pennsylvania, in 1780, for the gradual emancipation of
slaves. Such was the impression on my mind; but, from a
communication which I have since received, I believe that
the measure originated with another distinguished citizen
of Pennsylvania, the late honorable George Bryan.
I will thank you to make this correction, unimportant in
respect to the use I made of the fact, but otherwise just
and proper.
Yours, respectfully,
H. CLAY
Washington, March 2, 1839.
25 – The result of the returns has since been announced, and
it shows a population of rising seventeen millions. Still
Ohio has the proportion supposed, of about one tenth of
the population, according to _federal numbers_, which
furnish the rate proposed for distribution.
26 – It is but justice to those officers to say, that the
most extravagant increase in the contingent expenses of
congress is in the article of printing, for which they are
not responsible.
Transcriber’s Notes.
The following corrections have been made in the text:
Page 12:
Sentence starting: Among them were George Nicholas,...
– ‘Brekenridge’ replaced with ‘Breckenridge’
(George Nicholas, John Breckenridge,)
Page 28:
Sentence starting: ‘How far is it the policy....
– Missing endquote in text; placement uncertain.
(‘How far is it the policy...)
Page 31:
Sentence starting: In the early part of the session....
– ‘comformable’ replaced with ‘conformable’
(conformable to the decisions of)
Page 40:
Sentence starting: He maintained that these laws....
– Missing endquote in text; placement uncertain.
(‘a legislative construction)
Page 52:
Sentence starting: It placed in bold relief....
– ‘babaric’ replaced with ‘barbaric’
(the barbaric depredations)
Page 55:
Sentence starting: A people having, besides....
– ‘prostated’ replaced with ‘prostrated’
(which must be prostrated before)
Page 82:
Sentence starting: A most animated discussion....
– ‘uinimpaired’ replaced with ‘unimpaired’
(in the unimpaired possession)
Page 93:
Sentence starting: A few days subsequent....
– ‘subseqent’ replaced with ‘subsequent’
(A few days subsequent)
Page 105:
Sentence starting: He went on to state,...
– ‘slighest’ replaced with ‘slightest’
(agitate in the slightest degree)
Page 111:
Sentence starting: If she would but extend....
– ‘exend’ replaced with ‘extend’
(but extend her hand)
Page 115:
Sentence starting: Says one familiar with....
– Missing endquote in text; placement uncertain.
(‘popular meetings,...)
Page 138:
Sentence starting: Soon after the appearance....
– ‘Beverly’ replaced with ‘Beverley’
(Mr. Carter Beverley,)
Page 151:
Sentence starting: He promptly obeyed the call,...
– ‘slighest’ replaced with ‘slightest’
(which cast the slightest shade)
Page 160:
Sentence starting: But the salvation of it....
– ‘retrogade’ replaced with ‘retrograde’
(making this retrograde movement,)
Page 165:
Sentence starting: The governor’s room....
– ‘visiters’ replaced with ‘visitors’
(constant succession of visitors.)
Page 171:
Sentence starting: There is an abundance....
– ‘veneficial’ replaced with ‘beneficial’
(it is perfectly beneficial.)
Page 174:
Sentence starting: I cannot but remember,...
– ‘weilding’ replaced with ‘wielding’
(though wielding such a vast)
Page 189:
Sentence starting: No permanent advantage, however,...
– ‘permanant’ replaced with ‘permanent’
(No permanent advantage, however,)
Page 190:
Sentence starting: His power of illustration....
– ‘mysterous’ replaced with ‘mysterious’
(knowledge of its mysterious movements.)
Page 208:
Sentence starting: Born in an humble station,....
– ‘withont’ replaced with ‘without’
(without any of the adventitious)
Page 215:
Sentence starting: That coöperation did not end....
– ‘unyelding’ replaced with ‘unyielding’
(the unyielding opposition to)
Page 217:
Sentence starting: MR. BRECKENRIDGE then rose....
– ‘Breckinridge’ replaced with ‘Breckenridge’
(Mr. BRECKENRIDGE then rose)
Page 245:
Sentence starting: The question was then put....
– ‘Breckenbridge’ replaced with ‘Breckenridge’
(proposed by Mr. Breckenridge,)
Page 250:
Sentence starting: I could not but realize....
– ‘memery’ replaced with ‘memory’
(to cheer his memory and his)
Page 431:
Sentence starting: Whatever may be the character....
– ‘maintaing’ replaced with ‘maintaining’
(capable of maintaining the relations)
Page 448:
Sentence starting: It will be seen, that Mr. Clay....
– ‘Munroe’ replaced with ‘Monroe’
(administration of Mr. Monroe,)
Page 582:
Sentence starting: It is a circle of....
– ‘philanthrophy’ replaced with ‘philanthropy’
(circle of philanthropy,)
Page 629:
Sentence starting: If I have not been....
– ‘misimformed’ replaced with ‘misinformed’
(If I have not been misinformed)
Page 631:
Sentence starting: According to the principle....
– ‘Excutive’ replaced with ‘Executive’
(compass of the Executive power,)
Page 799:
Sentence starting: If it were possible to pacify....
– ‘he’ replaced with ‘be’
(no difficulty need be apprehended.)
Page 950:
Sentence starting: The committee on foreign relations....
– ‘delaring’ replaced with ‘declaring’
(declaring that Texas)
Page 980:
Sentence starting: No prudent or practical government,...
– duplicated word removed ‘in’
(will in its measures)
Page 995:
Sentence starting: Neither of them,...
– ‘1823’ replaced with ‘1833’
(whatever in 1833.)
Page 998:
Sentence starting: [Here Mr. Clay read parts....
– ‘speculototors’ replaced with ‘speculators’
(attempts were made by speculators,)
Page 1211:
Sentence starting: Mr. Clay had hitherto viewed....
– ‘weigh’ replaced with ‘weight’
(in its numerical weight,)
Page 1244:
Sentence starting: And first, the government will,...
– ‘preseve’ replaced with ‘preserve’
(and thus preserve the public)
Page 1262:
Sentence starting: [Here some body cried out....
– ‘Beverly’ replaced with ‘Beverley’
(Mr. Carter Beverley,)
Page 1301:
Sentence starting: One of these objections was....
– duplicated word removed ‘at’
(if admitted at all,)
Page 1306:
Sentence starting: Now, sir, if you admit California,...
– ‘settlemennt’ replaced with ‘settlement’
(to the settlement of the boundary)
Footnote 19:
Sentence starting: At this point of time Mr. Forsyth....
– ‘Tazwell’ replaced with ‘Tazewell’
(supported by Mr. Tazewell,)
Footnote 22:
Sentence starting: _Be it further enacted_,...
– ‘duing’ replaced with ‘during’
(for the suspension during the)