Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1803-02-19

TO no:sc ard hsgovcrned by the nrosisi- .
ons of the laws OF the several states now
existing, prohibiting the admission or I'M
portation of any negro, mulattc, CT other
persons Of color, and they are hereby re-
quired and enjoined vigilantly TO carry IN
20 effect the said laws of SAID state, COLI
formally to the provisions of this act, any
law Of the United States TO the contrary
Notwithstanding"
When Mr.. Bacon called the yeas
and nays, and spoke against the passage
Of the bill, which he considered as 1ncon-
stitutional and impolitic.
Mr.. Mott considered il as unconstituti-
onal and should therefore vote agains. it.
Mr.. NhfeI;N moved the recommltment
of the bill in order to obtain its amend
| ment.
This motion was supported by Messrs.
Mitchill, Nicholson, Elmer, Smile, Gregg,
/ and S. Smith and opposed by Aessrs.
Davis, Hill, Early, and Randolph.
Those who supported the motion to re-
commit, urged it upon different grounds;
| some on the ground that the bill was I'M
constitutional, in destroying and abridging
/ the rights of free negroes and persons OF
colour, who were citizens OF one state, by
prohibiting under the severe penalty of
1000 dollars, and the forfeiture of the yes
sci carrying them, their importation into
certain states others on the ground, that
though this and other provisions OF the
bill were not unconstitutional, yet they
would operate upon particular descriptions
OF persons with great and unjust severity.
All allowed the proPriety OF the general
government cxcrting every legitimate au-
thority it possessed TO enforce the stale
laws, and to avert the evil supplemented
from the introduction ofbrigands from the
West India Islands.
The opponents Of Inc commitment in
sisted on the passage ufthe bill as il stood.
They Acknowledged that It's penalties were
! rigorous; but they we've ony such as the
imminent danger of the southern states
called for. They indicated the constitiI-
tionalty of the law by observing that il
4 only prevented the importation OF negroes
and persons Of color into those states
which had already prohibited their adnais-
sion.
4
committing the bill TO committee OF the
whole and lost-Avss 42-Noes &c.
MIR. Nicholson moved to recommit il
/ to a select committee.
Carried-Ayes 47-Noes 40.
Mr.. S. Smith moved that the House
should resolve itself into committee of
the whole on The bin for the granting OF
clearances TO the ships or vessels of the
United States, lying in the river Mississip-
pi, south of tile southern boundary ofthe
4 United States, ard therein to amend an
ACT, mituled an act to regulate the ccllcc-
ton efduties on imports ard tonnage, and
for other purposes.
Mr.. Bayard said he would make mo-
ton that would supercedc that of MIR. S.
Smith, viz. that the House should resolve
ITSELF into committee Of the whole on the
state Of the union, in order 10 take up the
proposition Of amendment 10 the cons;itu.
ton respecting the election of President
and Vice President, laid some time since
on the table.
Messrs. Leib and Huger supported, and
Messrs. Jones and Davis opposed this mo-
ton, which was lost.-Ayes 34--Noes 81.
| . e'@'' - g'i'' ~ ''pNirS ttltlt Tic WOUl(
renew his motion Tomorrow.
The House then resolved itself into a
committee ofthe whole on the bill above
statcd-Mr. Y0,nun, in the Chair.
Sundry amendments being made the
committee rose and reported the bill. The
House concurred in the amendments, AID
ordered the bill to be engrossed for a third
reading Tomorrow.
MIR. Varnum from the committe
pointed on so much OF the Pre-
Message as relates to the M
report, with an accompanying
The report states the systci
the aci of 1899, to be, in the 0
committee, founded on a Corr,
ton Of the constitution, and
to the circumstances ofthe Dniteu.
and concludes with a resolution request.
the President Of the United States 10 al,
dress letter to the Executives Of the Sc
veral states urging more vigorous exc
cntion of the law.
The accompanying bill p Jvides for
some deficient details in the law Of 1893.
Referred to the committee of the whole
tomorrow.
| Tnes10y F,6r1lot.D q