It holds out the attraction of seeming, though unsubstantial, self-interest.

But I put in the fore-front, as my chief objection, its clear, indubitable, and radical injustice, written on its very face.

The amendment confines its donations to the old States, and, so doing, makes an inequitable discrimination in their favor.

Having this measure at heart, believing it founded in essential justice, I am unwilling to place it in this jeopardy.

Lands held under this amendment, though in the hands of States, will be liable to taxation, as lands of other non-resident proprietors, and on this account will be comparatively valueless.

For this reason I said that the amendment held out the attraction of seeming, though unsubstantial, self-interest.

For such good and sufficient reasons, I am opposed to this amendment.

As an author of clear and manly prose, as a portrayer to the life of scenes on land and sea, as a master of the keys to human feelings, and as a beneficent contributor to the general fund of happiness, he is remembered with delight.

As a patriot who loved his country, who illustrated its history, who advanced its character abroad, and by his genius won for it the unwilling regard of foreign nations, he deserves a place in the hearts of the American people.

In honoring him we exalt literature and the thrice blessed arts of peace.

Our country will learn anew from your demonstration that there are glories other than those of state or war.

The argument in its favor is at once brief and unanswerable.

Besides, cheap ocean postage will tend to supersede the clandestine or illicit conveyance of letters, and to bring into the mails all mailable matter, which, under the present system, is carried in the pockets of passengers or in the bales…

All new facilities for correspondence naturally give new expansion to human intercourse; and there is reason to believe, that, through an increased number of letters, cheap ocean postage will be self-supporting.

Cheap postal communication with foreign countries will be of incalculable importance to the commerce of the United States.

By promoting the intercourse of families and friends separated by ocean, cheap postage will add to the sum of human happiness.

It particularly becomes our country, by the removal of all unnecessary burdens upon foreign correspondence, to advance the comfort of European emigrants seeking a home among us, and to destroy, as far as practicable, every barrier to free…

And, lastly, cheap ocean postage will be a bond of peace among the nations of the earth, and will extend good-will among men.

Much as I rejoice in the American steamers, which vindicate a peaceful supremacy of the seas, and help to weave a golden tissue between the two hemispheres, I cannot consider these, with all their unquestionable advantages, an equivalent…

We could never presume an intention to control the Governor's constitutional power to remit fines and forfeitures.

This part of his prerogative cannot be curtailed.

With the exception of the case of treason, his power to remit fines and forfeitures, grant reprieves and pardons, is unlimited, illimitable, and uncontrollable.

It is no doubt politic and proper for the Legislature to incite prosecuting attorneys and informers, by giving them a portion of fines, when collected; but in so doing the citizen cannot be debarred of his right of appeal to executive…

Public policy and the ends of justice require that the punishment for a criminal offence should, in every case, be exclusively subject to the supreme pardoning power, without dependence upon the will of any private person.

Let us at all hazards prevent the extension of Slavery and the increase of the Slave Power.