The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1807-01-17
WEDNESDAY. Ian. Z

On motion of Mr.. Mumford the petition of
Samuel beehce, heretofore prefented, was re-
isrred 10 the Committee of WAYS and Mans.
The Hcute returned the confederation of the
feport OF The Committee of the Whole on the
I'll to prohibit the importation or bringing of
iilves into the u. States after the silt of Dec.
1907.
Mr.. Early after fome preliminary remarks
ohtred the following amendment In all ac-
lions, !u,ts, or informations, which fhall be
brought under the Sd, 4th and 5th feefions Of
tbs act. the hnrthcn of proof i,alI lie on the
Claimant, or party fued or profecuted, where
probable cauie is ihewn for the feizure or pro-
ecution, to be judged of by the court before
whom the texture or prolec ution fhall be tried.
After few remarks from different members,
tins amendment was agreed to.
Mr.. Bidwell moved to amend the sd lection
which preicribes the forfeiture of any vefIel,
importing perfons of color into fate where
haVery Is permitted, together with her cargo
by itrkng out the word "enrgo"
The Yeas and Nays were called on this a.
mendmen', and were--Yeas s9--Nays77.
Mr.. Bidwell moved to add provifo to the
end ot the 9TH ieSsion, of the following tenor :
H." PT0Oided that no pe,yon .5aN be ./old as a
Raq'e BY aiytHe et'tbis at7.''
On this amendment debate of comfortable
inieret arofe.
Meiirs. Barker, Findley, Quincy, Varnum.
Smile, Conrad. Sloan, Chandler, Bidwc, Bed
niger, Southland and FIX Imported and
Metfrs. ]. Clay, Alton and Early oppoied the
amendment.
The advocates of the amendment obferved that
they could never agree to fancton the exiting
Proviiions of the bill, which authorized the iale
CT Perfous of color imported into the u. s.
that while they refpected the fentiments and
feelings of the people of the fouthern ft"tes, 70
n. r &c 10 fl
which would be injurious 10 them, they claim
ed an equal refpeet for the fentiments and feel
Ings OF their ccnaituents, which were 70 repug-
nant TO ilavery that no confederation whatever
Conid induce them to give il their ianction
thdt nothing could he more abhofrent TO their
fretnGs than the legal authorization of the flIe
OF perfous as Tlaves, and the drawing money
into the psblic treafury from fuch fa!e that
indeed, fuch pr'H iios, 70 far from inhibiting
the bdde, would IN meafure tend to its en-
enlargement that as the bill food, without
the propofed proviiion, portions forfeited would
I've io'd GEder the authority Of the y s. title
be given 10 the purchafer by the u. s. and the
',le tc Tor Tie 5enef: of the u. S. The obicd
81 The ptoVii!on WAS TO prSveat this. Its adj
Voc9ies drc'7rcd that they did not mean by il
IN he eaf - interfere with the exiting laws oil
TIE ha'c or the ful jeet much lefs to turn per.
it'ns ~ otter imported looEr on the Rates where
HtverY was permitted. Should the prefent
pro'lau be adopted, it might become necena-
~ 10 tz'cDmuii The I'LL to fcleGt committee
ftr tie porpOic Of introducing into lis details
pr""ian FOR Tie dGJoftion of the perfon'
"h" may boone forfeited to the U. s. that thi.
n ght he done Ivy binding them out for terms
oi years, OF transporting them to a foreign
county; and that IL forfeited in Gates whcre
Hlvery was allowed. provifon might be made
fcrthcir removal 20 flaips u.here different law,
eStet. The power Of the general COVE rnnient
might not, It was admitted, I've competent Ia
their liberation IN the former RAtss bui be.
rom'ng by their forfeiture the property Of the
Y. S.they would poiTefs the right OF removing
them 10 ttofe Gates with Whole laws i,cre would
be no. interference.
The opponents Of the amendment contend
ed that tae plan contained ia the bin was ,he
only Hefiuh aud practicable one, that could
be deylied Sor preventing the importation ot
perIons Of cclo: +; that their forfeiture TO srd
Ele by the u. 5. was an efIentiai provi6ea, a,
without 1t, no perfon would be founG 10 Civ,
isformstisn Of TIE inffaaion Of The act, snt