Charles Sumner: his complete works, volume 09 (of 20)

July 10th, a report was received from the Secretary of War, entitled “Instructions to commanding generals in regard to the freeing of slaves,” which, besides the instructions, c...

Subsequently Mr. Sumner modified his amendment, by accepting a substitute drawn by Mr. Simmons, of Rhode Island, in behalf of the Finance Committee, who suggested, that “the sec...

MR. PRESIDENT,--It may be well, as the Senate is called to enact a new national statute, to glance back at an early landmark, and contemplate the principles declared by our fath...

“And now, Gentlemen, on this serious day, when I come, as it were, to make up my account with you, let me take to myself some degree of honest pride on the nature of the charges...

MR. PRESIDENT,--If I speak tardily in this debate, I hope for the indulgence of the Senate. Had I been able to speak earlier, I should have spoken; but, though present in the Ch...

Its effect is amply attested. Edmund Pendleton writes to Richard Henry Lee: “Letters mention that slaves flock to him in abundance; but I hope it is magnified.”[120] Lord Dunmor...

“Your ministers require that we should receive again into our bosom those who have been our bitterest enemies, and restore their properties who have destroyed ours,--and this wh...

If these conclusions needed the support of authority, they would find it in John Quincy Adams. His words have been often quoted, without perhaps fully considering the great weig...

Thus far I have considered that part of the bill which provides for privateers against the Rebels; but I cannot quit this branch of the question without calling attention again...

But if possible, I repeat, it is not advisable, and, believe me, Sir, I say this from no disposition to shirk business or duty here. I have not been out of my seat three minutes...

Whether the “House” shall be the Senate _de jure_ or the Senate _de facto_ is now within our discretion. The question has been raised, and the way is open to adopt either interp...

“Although there have been so many conventions granting exemption from the liabilities resulting from a state of war, the right to seize the property of enemies found in our terr...

It is sometimes said that this edict is unconstitutional. Some there are with whom the Constitution is a constant stumbling-block, wherever anything is to be done for Freedom. I...

Therefore, Sir, in determining our course, we may banish all question of power. The power is ample and indubitable, being regulated in the one case by the Constitution, and in t...

“During your Congressional career, I have so uniformly found my views and feelings on public affairs in accordance with those of your speeches, that I now feel myself obliged, f...

“Mr. Sumner’s resolutions, which have so triumphantly passed the National Legislature, and which receive at the same time the cordial approval of the President and the Cabinet,...

This speech is a supplement to that of May 19th, on the “Rights of Sovereignty and Rights of War.” Its occasion is explained in the Introduction to the latter speech.[82]

I call attention to one matter in the statute, namely, “How offences on board private armed vessels shall be punished.” It is enacted, “that all offences committed by any office...

This is an important and leading authority, interesting in all respects; but I adduce it now only to show that municipal courts cannot properly take cognizance of questions of p...

“I say this much, before turning again to my immediate subject, for our great Senator, who has done justice to the manufacturing interests and the shipping of Massachusetts, as...

May Congress not say that every black man must fight? Did we not see a little of this last war?… Have they not power to provide for the general defence and welfare? May they not...

If the instincts of patriotism did not prompt this support, I should find a sufficient motive in that duty which we all owe to the Supreme Ruler, God Almighty, whose visitations...

RIGHTS OF SOVEREIGNTY AND RIGHTS OF WAR: TWO SOURCES OF POWER AGAINST THE REBELLION. Speech in the Senate, on his Bill for the Confiscation of Property and the Liberation of Sla...

[70] These lines, with a slight alteration, are from a parody, “On the Discoveries of Captain Lewis,” which appeared anonymously in the _Monthly Anthology_ for March, 1807, but...