The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1805-10-08

plying pera acts agairn them, as that indul-
genre to our laves ou'd be prevented by legal re-
rietions which the hearts of our citizens ill not
allow them to enforce; for 70 long rs our humanity
preponderates over our fears. 70 long will thofe
laws be very partially and feeby executed. Atten-
'ion TO the favorable changes which our laws and
the private conduct of citizens have under
gone, and which the latter is perhaps daily Under
going, with refpeG thefe people. NUT make il
obvious that the public feeling is 70 averfe to rigid
execution OF thefe reRriaors, that they canno, be
relied on fcient for our fafety. IF this acconr,
OF the Publrk Feeling fhould appear to be inearff
tent with the pafing Of thofe restrictions BY the
Representatives of the people. it may eafy be ex-
planned by thofe who tell, WIN nep as leg;fla-
tors, frequently give their aen. and appreciation tn
'aws' which, as private citizens, they themrelves
are among the frt to violate. As Legislators. i'm
prefied with the jeopardy that threatens the public
iafey they readily give their alien, TO any n,eafure
that ieems calculated to protea it; but when they
return to the bofoms of their own families, and are
surrounded by thofe among when they were born
and nurfed, and from whole labor they obtain the
means of comfort and independence, and from whom
'hev have ever been aecu0omed to receive a ready
and itrct obedience, the ferrip,ens of the epiator
are frequently lof in the feelings of humanity and
affection IN the private So far from purifying
or approving the condua Of thofe who attempt "a
purfne, the rigid policy dictated by the laws. they
are proud of the we'll fed cheerful looks, and holiday
liberty and fprueenels that freaks the Indulgence
and even paternal kirjnefs of the mater. fgI Per
haps nothing but actual and frequent fuf1erings will
be able to turn the of the pnblic feeling ON
TINS tubJect. Thefe circumstances feem to make II
usce'iary that houd feareh for on,e other merps
OF fecurity than re1rieive acts of AffenbIv. Do
they not admonifh Of our error in attcrnptry tn
Top on and prune the branches, innead of ftrikinp
at the root OF the evil But if thofe laws were to
receive the mott rigid execution, perhaps they would
not be fufcient to fecnre their obict It is the cuff
tom sniongh us for faves to attend their matter,
travelling from one part of the country TO another
and on thefe oecaiions they not only mix without
reitraint with their color wherever they pro.
but they have opportunity of feeling and hearing al
mott every thing that pafes among the whites. They
are frequently fent broad the meengers and the
drivets of the teams of their matters; and the con-
nexion OF hufband and wife amongG them very COM
monty exits between parties living at fome diftance
from each other. 1hele, and many other crcum
tances which, in our preient fituation. we cannot
removs afford continual opportunities of comruri.
nunication and intelligence amongf them. (6) But
mutt be admitted that the propofed change in their
condition would add to thefe opportunities. and if
ihoud not leen their diicontent might increafe
Tie dangers to be apprehendcd from IT, ~
In an inquery into this dAre6ing fubject, it would
ne uu)ut and cruel to appeal what fome may think
Is que to our political principles, and to the common
rights OF humanity or to indulge in the .xpreGiop
r
ed and fuffered 70 much in efabHlhing their own
liberty, fhoud be unwilling rifk any thing in or
Ger TO communicate lone portion of others Ii
believed that if it could be ihewn with reafonabe
certainty that without endangerrg the fafety of one
party, the condition of the other could be improved
our fellow Citizens would willingly make the expert
ment.
But if the probable dangers of the Ian imagined
condition, and of every iyem of emancipation which
has hitherto been uggeled, are to be encountered
does the melancholy concluon inevitably follow that
zee "saf remain are? IF cannot better their
fituation is there no means Of adding the fecurity
OF our o7on Shall we and our poerty forever fub-
NIT to the tyranny Of our prefent condition? Shall
we never lie down and rife up, and go out and come
in, with the peace and chearulnefs of confident fecu
rity Shall our actions and conversation be controlled
and warped from juf and manly aion Leaf ,hey
may have dangerous influence on fome of thole by
whom we continually furrounded. Shall the
fubiime enthuatfic entment Of liberty be uttered on
y in whiipers, and the patriotic fonp that anmates
and diufes the fpirit Of Freedom be feen onlv in le
cret, leaf the celeal fire with which they are prep
nant ihou'd be communicated to the materials of our
dettruttion We appeal for anfwer to thefe quef
| ton, to the genius and power of Vireinians
But II uncomfortable necefty compes us to look on
TO our own fafey, let every poibe expedient con-
iiftent with humanity (s) be immediately adopted TO
tecure IT. Let the law propofed at the aft fefion of
our ahenrbly, for "prohibting emancipation" be
paed without delay; and danger OF fafety de-
ponds greatly the proportion which the number Of
the blacks may hear TO own, let the laws NOW in
force for preventing the EMIGRATION of free negroes
ard the bringing of aves into cur FATE be firisfly
enforced, and 70 amended as to prohibit their coming
or being brought, to fettle amengf u.s. in any cafe
whatever(e) would be better to forego RI advan-
tage Of having the worthie citizen cf any ate in the
union to refde amongR us, than to add three young
female ilaves to our number. And is il chrer;cal Ia
iuggef, that may be levied on all male aves Of
the ages at which they NOT profitable, (,nd the
high prices which they fell and hire fhe tha, they
might very well bear t,> to rafe furd to be expend
ed in bounties for the exportaton of female faves
bout the age of puberty Or, let the fund be laid
ont by the public agents appointed for the purpofe
in the purchafe of fuch female naves to be carried
nut OF the fate mo where) ard fold and the
money aring from thr faes, he laid out in the fam,
manner A calculation which is eaGIy made, will
Thew, that tax Of one dollar, or even Iefs, head
(Which would be light when compared with the an
nual profits of thofe on whom it would be levied.
would raiie FUN, which, when sfFaed by the faes
would be fuicient for the annual expectation of e.
verai hundred female 1aves from the fate IL GER
family would be preferable that they ould be carried
beyond the limits of the United States; hut if tina
ihouid not, IN all cafes be pra aicsble there are too
many Of filter nates a hieh in ope NAV or a,o