Before Mr. Sumner began, Mr. Davis, of Kentucky, read the following interrogatories.
“It may be that the speech which the honorable Senator intends to pronounce may cover the points which I have embodied in some questions to him. If not, I should take it very kindly, if the honorable Senator will answer the questions. I will read them.
“1. Are slaves in the District of Columbia, and in the slaveholding States, legally the subject of property?
“2. Has Congress the power to deprive the owners of lands and houses and lots situated in the District of Columbia of that property?
“3. What law or laws give the owners of real estate in the District of Columbia their right to such property? Inform us where such law or laws may be found and read.
“4. What law or laws give a different right and title to slaves and to real estate? Where can such law or laws be found?
“5. Is or not the Constitution, and the laws of the United States made in pursuance thereof, and all the treaties made under the authority of the United States, the supreme law of the land, which all persons, without any exception whatever, are bound to obey?
“6. Is or not the Supreme Court of the United States the proper and final tribunal to judge and determine all questions, whether in law or equity, under the Constitution and laws of the United States?”
The answers to these interrogatories, so far as they bear on the main question, will be found in the course of the speech.