I throw out these suggestions merely to illustrate my views.  We must first let the Southern States see that we are their friends in this affair; that we sympathize with them, and, from principles of patriotism and philanthropy, are willing to share the toil and expense of abolishing slavery, or I fear our interference will avail nothing.  I am the more sensitive on this subject from my increased solicitude for the preservation of the Union.  I know no public interest so important as this.  I ask from the general government hardly any other boon than that it will hold us together, and preserve pacific relations and intercourse among the States.  I deprecate every thing which sows discord and exasperates sectional animosities.  If it will simply keep us at peace, and will maintain in full power the national courts, for the purpose of settling quietly among citizens of different States questions which might otherwise be settled by arms, I shall be satisfied.

My fear in regard to our efforts against slavery is, that we shall make the case worse by rousing sectional pride and passion for its support, and that we shall only break the country into two great parties, which may shake the foundations of government.

I have written to you because your situation gives you advantages which perhaps no other man enjoys for ascertaining the method, if any can be devised, by which we may operate beneficially and safely in regard to slavery.  Appeals will probably be made soon to the people here, and I wish that wise men would save us from the rashness of enthusiasts, and from the perils to which our very virtues expose us.

With great respect, your friend,

WM. E. CHANNING

HON.  DANIEL WEBSTER.

[Footnote 1:  Mr. Calhoun.]

[Footnote 2:  Mr. Calhoun.]

[Footnote 3:  Mr. Mason of Virginia.]

[Footnote 4:  See Madison Papers, Vol.  III. pp. 1390, 1428, et seq.]

[Footnote 5:  Seybert’s Statistics, p. 92.  A small parcel of cotton found its way to Liverpool from the United States in 1784, and was refused admission, on the ground that it could not be the growth of the United States.]

[Footnote 6:  Mr. Calhoun.]

[Footnote 7:  Mr. Walker.]

[Footnote 8:  Mr. Bell.]

[Footnote 9:  Mr. Greene.]

[Footnote 10:  Mr. Hamlin.]

[Footnote 11:  Mr. Berrien.]

[Footnote 12:  Mr. Upshur.]

[Footnote 13:  Messrs. Niles of Connecticut and Dix of New York.]

[Footnote 14:  See the remarks on the Admission of Texas, in Webster’s Works, Vol.  V. p. 55.]

[Footnote 15:  Mr. Bell.]

[Footnote 16:  Art.  IV.  Sect. 2, sec. 2.]

[Footnote 17:  Mr. Mason.]

[Footnote 18:  See Note at the end of the Speech.]

[Footnote 19:  Mr. Rufus King.]

RECEPTION AT BUFFALO.