In answer to your express request, I beg leave to inclose a sentiment, which I trust may find a response at once from our own Government and from that of Great Britain. I have the honor to be, Gentlemen, Your faithful servant, CHARLES SUMNER. JOHN T. TOWERS, Esq., Chairman, &c. _Clemency_: A grace which it can never be otherwise than honorable to ask and honorable to grant. "'Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes The thronèd monarch better than his crown." * * * * * JUSTICE TO THE LAND STATES, AND POLICY OF ROADS. SPEECHES IN THE SENATE ON THE IOWA RAILROAD BILL, JANUARY 27, FEBRUARY 17, AND MARCH 16, 1852. The Senate having under consideration the "bill granting the right of way, and making a grant of land to the State of Iowa, in aid of the construction of certain railroads in said State," Mr. Sumner entered into the debate, speaking several times. His remarks were much noticed at the time in the Senate, and also in the country, especially in the West. At home in Massachusetts political opponents seized the occasion for criticism, and resolutions on the subject were introduced into the Legislature of Massachusetts. He spoke first January 27, 1852, as follows. MR. PRESIDENT,--This bill is important by itself, inasmuch as it promises to secure the building of a railroad, at large cost, for a long distance, through a country not thickly settled, in a remote corner of the land. It is more important still as a precedent for a series of similar appropriations in other States. In this discussion, then, we have before us, at the same time, the special interests of the State of Iowa, traversed by this projected road, and also the great question of the public lands.