“It’s my way, Mr. Dunscomb, to try all sorts of med’cines. Some folks that wunt touch rhubarb will swallow salts; and all palates must be satisfied. Free Sile and Emancipation Doctrines are coming greatly into favour; but they are ticklish things, that cut like a two-edged sword, and I do not fancy meddling with them. There are about as many opposed to meddling with slavery in the free States, as there are in favour of it. I wish I knew your sentiments, ’Squire Dunscomb, on this subject. I’ve always found your doctrines touching the Constitution to be sound, and such as would stand examination.” “The constitutional part of the question is very simple, and presents no difficulties whatever,” returned the counsellor, squinting through the ruby of his glass, with an old-bachelor sort of delight, “except for those who have special ends to obtain.” “Has, or has not, Congress a legal right to enact laws preventing the admission of slaves into California?” “Congress has the legal right to govern any of its territories despotically; of course, to admit or to receive what it may please within their limits. The resident of a territory is not a citizen, and has no _legal_ claim to be so considered. California, as a conquered territory, may be thus governed by the laws of nations, unless the treaty of cession places some restrictions on the authority of the conqueror. A great deal of absurdity is afloat among those who should know better, touching the powers of government in this country. You yourself, are one of those fellows, Timms, who get things upside-down, and fancy the Constitution is to be looked into for everything.” “And is it not, ’Squire?—that is, in the way of theory—in practice, I know it is a very different matter. Are we not to look into the Constitution for all the powers of the government?” “Of the _government_, perhaps, in one sense—but not for those of the _nation_. Whence come the powers to make war and peace, to form treaties and alliances, maintain armies and navies, coin money, &c.?” “You’ll find them all in the Constitution, as I read it, sir.”