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Crisfield, John Woodland : Speech of Mr. J. W. Crisfield, of Maryland, on the Power of Congress to Pass Laws Excluding Slavery from the Territories of the United States. Delivered in the House of Representatives, June 22, 1848

Printed by John T. Towers., Washington, D.C., 1848

Original publisher's beige paper wrappers. Text printed in black ink. 5 3/4" x 9." Sixteen pages, complete. Pages are very clean and intact except for light age toning, small occasional spots of foxing or discoloration, and slight chipping and splitting along spine. A Very Good, almost Near Fine copy. A speech that was originally delivered before the United States House of Representatives on June 22, 1848 by John Woodland Crisfield (1806-1897), an American lawyer and politician. He served as a U.S. Representative from Maryland from 1847-1849 and 1861-1863. He was a Unionist Whig and opposed Maryland's secession, but he supported the institution of slavery. In this speech, Crisfield argues that Congress does not have the power to decide whether United States territories are to be designated free or slave. He uses a number of arguments to justify his claim, but many of his points rest on the advocation of state sovereignty and states' rights. Crisfield also argues that slavery existed in the Thirteen Colonies and was later recognized and allowed by the Constitution. Contemporary to Crisfield's discussion are the newly formed territories of Oregon, California, and New Mexico. He believes that the ultimate fate of a U.S. territory is to become a state, so he explains further that these territories have the same rights as states. Crisfield also elaborates on this point and argues that territories are the common property of the states, so any U.S. citizen can enter said territory with their constitutionally protected property. The final part of his reasoning uses a hypothetical example involving citizens from free and slave states entering these new territories. Crisfield argues that just as the people of Ohio can bring their horses, their property, into U.S. territories, so, too, can slaveholders from Kentucky bring their slaves, who he claims are property, into these territories. Crisfield believes that any act by the Constitution prohibiting slavery in a U.S. territory is akin to the colonial form of government such as that of Britain and thus runs against the republican form of government of the U.S.. Book. Book Condition: Very Good. Binding: Soft cover

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