REMARKS IN EXPLANATION.

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ANTI-SLAVERY OFFICE, New York, May 24, 1838.

In January, a tract entitled “WHY WORK FOR THE SLAVE?” was issued from this office by the agent for the Cent-a-week Societies.  A copy of it was transmitted to the Hon. John C. Calhoun;—­to him, because he has seemed, from the first, more solicitous than the generality of Southern politicians, to possess himself of accurate information about the Anti-Slavery movement.  A note written by me accompanied the tract, informing Mr. Calhoun, why it was sent to him.

Not long afterward, the following letter was received from the Hon. F.H.  Elmore, of the House of Representatives in Congress.  From this and another of his letters just now received, it seems, that the Slaveholding Representatives in Congress, after conferring together, appointed a committee, of their own number, to obtain authentic information of the intentions and progress of the Anti-Slavery associations,—­and that Mr. Elmore was selected, as the South Carolina member of the Committee.

Several other communications have passed between Mr. Elmore and me.  They relate, chiefly, however, to the transmission and reception of Anti-slavery publications, which he requested to be sent to him,—­and to other matters not having any connection with the merits of the main subject.  It is, therefore, thought unnecessary to publish them.  It may be sufficient to remark of all the communications received from Mr. Elmore—­that they are characterized by exemplary courtesy and good temper, and that they bear the impress of an educated, refined, and liberal mind.

It is intended to circulate this correspondence throughout the whole country.  If the information it communicates be important for southern Representatives in Congress, it is not less so for their Constituents.  The Anti-slavery movement has become so important in a National point of view, that no statesman can innocently remain ignorant of its progress and tendencies.  The facts stated in my answer may be relied on, in proportion to the degree of accuracy to which they lay claim;—­the arguments will, of course, be estimated according to their worth.

JAMES G. BIRNEY.

CORRESPONDENCE.

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WASHINGTON CITY, FEB. 16, 1838

To Jas. G. Birney, Esq., Cor.  Sec.  A.A.S.  Soc.

Sir:—­A letter from you to the Hon. John C. Calhoun, dated 29th January last, has been given to me, by him, in which you say, (in reference to the abolitionists or Anti-Slavery Societies,) “we have nothing to conceal—­and should you desire any information as to our procedure, it will be cheerfully communicated on [my] being apprised of your wishes.”  The frankness of this unsolicited offer indicates a fairness and honesty of purpose, which has caused the present communication, and which demands the same full and frank disclosure of the views with which the subjoined inquiries are proposed.