The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1805-01-15
ENQUIRER.
RICHMOND, yANUARr Is, 1905.

The following argument on the mott impor-
Sant queeion, which has been agitated during
the prefent felton, Of the Legislature, is inter -
ed 10 excite the difcuiiion of the people on d
Tueafure, pregnant with the mott intereting con-
fequences. Their representatives have virtual
ly rejected it during their prefent felton,, in
fpite Of the inperious policy which dictated its
adoption. I. is however, to be hoped that
new inquiries will be infituted, more enightcn-
ed difc1ffions will prevail, the people will be a.
Weakened to the danger which hovers over them,
and that fome future Legislature will have the
prudence to adninifer the fuitabIe remedy. In
the admirable fpeech, which Mr.. Smyth pro-
nounced on this great queftlon, many luminous
arguments were difplayed, analogous intances
were cited TO illuitrate the danger of our fitua-
ton, and painful though indifpenibe policy
was hrongly enforced. That thefe fatements
may be pre(erved from oblivion, that they may
excite inc attention or the I,eopfc and cnlight-
en- the deliberations OF another LegiliatEre; fuch
ihouid have been the important objects of
competent reporter. The Editor is too well
convinced that thefe were Objects, very far re-
moved beyond his exertions and that not only
the form ofthefe arguments would have been
changed, but thattheirfpirit woudtoo oftenhave
evaDorated. IN that precife form however in
which he was able TO catch and delcribs them,
they are ny h:n prefented to the examination
Of his readers.
On the Mbrobibiting the emancipation ofjGave5.
Mr.. Byrd (I1e of Wight) had hoped that fome
gentleman more competent than himfelf would
have come forward, in oppoiition TO the pre(ent
bill Being disappointed in this expectation,
he till conceived il to be 4 duty he owed to
himfelf and to his contituents, to oppofe it at
all events. He fhould fri confder it on the
ground ofpolicy, on which the gentleman from
Wythe had firlt placed it. As his own feelings
were much intereftedin the cafe, and the public
mind would be much agitated, he trufed the
houle would execute him for intrudng 70 long
upon their patience.
The gentleman from Wythe has Rated that
the public reze1ne would be Affected by this
bill that as there is no poll-tax among us, and
confequcntly no tax upon freemen, every fave
who was made freeman, was 70 much loft TO
the public revenue; and that therefore this bill
which prevents emancipation, is friendly to the
public revenue. This indeed, Mr.. b. faid, was
placing II 1pon very narrow ground: had he
taken more extenfive view, the gentleman
would have found mis- concuion incorrect. If
It's blu goes into law, future Legislatures will
b. continually troubled with petitions from
matters for leave to emancipate their flaves
This is evident not only from the reafon of the
cafe, but from the experience which they had
already had, previous TO 1882 when emancipa-
ton was prohibited. IF this would be the con-
fgucnce, then may not the increafe of the pub
lie expcrce be equal to the lofs of the public re-
venue There are, for inaance, about 1000
caves annually eInancpated in Virginia. The
tax on each is fopewhat lefs than so cents
Their emancipation would then conftitute an
annual ofs of 500 dollars But ifthe prefent
bill is paIed, we, Mr.. j. Caid, ihall be engaged
one OF two days every . IN in the exdminati-
OIL Of thele petitions, AIS. each day brings with
it an expence Of about 1000 dollars. SO that
the probable expence appears greater than the
probable faving.
Even If he was not wrong in thefe calculate
ons, and even if the fate was 70 needy as to
fave luch pittance as this, Mr.. B. enquired,
whether there are not other ways and means TO
make this iaviDg. There are. Already does
the law prevent mater from emancipalng his
nlye uu'efs We gives bond with approved fe' uri-
ty, 90 fuppart them in esrtan cafes. Why
fhould nor the Legislature - further Why
Gi5nli they not Giy that If he emdncipates a
l.Ve he ihoald ltill pay the tax, that would