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A PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS IN RELATION TO THE PERSONS DENOMINATED “ABOLITIONISTS.”
Whereas,
The citizens of the State of Mississippi, have witnessed with apprehension of the deepest solicitude, the propagation of principles and the projection of schemes, in the non-slave holding States of this Union, by persons and associations of persons usually denominated “Abolitionists,” dangerously involving the rights, peace and domestic prosperity of this and others of the slave-holding States. And, whereas, in the opinion of this Legislature, the legal countenance and protection of such persons and associations, by the State authorities, under which they may be found, in planning and promulgating such schemes and prosecuting such designs against us, is violative of the bonds of friendship, of the spirit of a faithful neutrality, and of the solemn and mutual guarantees of our national compact:
Wherefore, Be it resolved, by the Legislature of the State of Mississippi,
That in behalf of the people of this State, we urge upon our brethren of the non-slave holding States of this Union and the governments of those States, as they value the harmony and safety of the Union, that they suppress, and restrain by penal laws, all citizens and others commorant within their several jurisdictions, from associating, plotting or conspiring to undermine, disturb or abolish our institutions of domestic slavery, in any manner or by any means, and under any pretext whatever; and, that their citizens, and other persons among them, be interdicted, also, under suitable and sufficient penalties, from writing, speaking, printing or publishing sentiments and opinions, expressive of advice or suggestion to the public or others, calculated in temper and spirit, to induce disaffection among our slaves, or to enlist others in the commission of acts, tending on this subject, to endanger our right of property or domestic repose.
Resolved,
That a copy of the foregoing Preamble and Resolution, be commuicated by the Governor of this State, to each of the Governors of the non-slave holding States of this Union, respectfully requesting them to present the same to the next Legislature of their States, respectively.
Resolved,
That a copy of the foregoing Preamble and Resolution, be communicated by the Governor of this State, to each of the several Governors of the slave holding States of this Union, respectfully requesting them to present the same to the next Legislature of their States, respectively, for their concurrence.
JOHN L. IRWIN,
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
JOHN A. QUITMAN,
President of the Senate.
Approved,
February 27, 1836.
Barry W Burton
Secretary of State