3988. INSURRECTION, Punishing.—
Where to stay the hand of the executioner
is an important question. Those who have
escaped from the immediate danger, must
have feelings which would dispose them to
extend the executions. Even here, where
everything has been perfectly tranquil, but
where a familiarity with slavery, and a possibility
of danger from that quarter prepare
the general mind for some severities, there
is a strong sentiment that there has been
hanging enough. The other States, and the
world at large will forever condemn us if we
indulge a principle of revenge, or go one step
beyond absolute necessity. They cannot lose
sight of the rights of the two parties, and the
object of the unsuccessful one. Our situation
is, indeed, a difficult one; for I doubt whether
these people can ever be permitted to go at
large among us with safety. To reprieve
them and keep them in prison till the meeting
of the Legislature will encourage efforts for
their release. Is there no fort or garrison of
the State or of the Union, where they could
be confined, and where the presence of the
garrison would preclude all ideas of attempting
a rescue? Surely the Legislature would
pass a law for their exportation, the proper
measure on this and all similar occasions.—
To James Monroe.
Ford ed., vii, 457.
(M.
Sep. 1800)
