Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-04-24
FOR THE ARGUS.
CONCERNING T4E 7REA4'MgN7' AND EN-.
PLoTHENT or SLAVES.



PLoFHENT or SLAVES.
NO. H..
/ TIE. readers -ofthis paperwiH recolIect
that some communications were published
during the last session of the Assembly
which related to the public guurd--to
the establishments Of military corps cf
respectable young men, selected from each
regiment-and like \, Use concerning slaves
1t was then, recomin ended to increase the
! number ofthe guard aa5 to ,is,sure their
responsibility by the manner Of introduce
ton, pay and privileges. 1t was also re-
commended to impose commensurate taxes
upon male slaves and free men of color be-
tween lie ages of Is and so. Since that
tune not orc sentence. has appeared in
print IN opposition 10 any of those things
( AMI altho' this may not be assumed as praof
| positive, that tire innovations which were
recommended, had aot the pubic approba-
| ton, yet II may be believed from general
| silence, that they have not excited much
Misrepresentation.
Under these considerations, the writer
presumes to infer that those recommends
! items were well received-and that if a.
| dopted by the legislature, they would be
not less popular than beneficial. He there
fore, has again assumed the pen. for the
purpose OF submittingto public notice some
tTther observations relating to those sub
| jeCts, but chiefly as relate to slaves.
l. IS the opinion Of the writer, that slaves
fought to be employed altogether in asri-
CULTURAL pursulrs-or in other occupations
| of pIainIabor. Such as wood cutting, new
ing, saving, coal and canal digging, and
| the like--that they should not be employed;
as artists, drivers of carriages or teams,
domestic servants, sai,o rs or boatmen.-
This change ought not be effected at once
the introduction should be made, and the
progress should depend upon circumstan-
CeS
Such an alteration, it is true, would pro-
| ducc personal injury and temporary incon-
venience to many individuals. Their ca
SEES ought to be considered; widows, in
fants and persons in contracted circum-
stances ought to receive compensation
| from the public purse-and the means Of
| payment should be provided by a tax upon
that species of property.
The dangers to be apprehended from
slaves, depend upon several causes one
is they are the common carriers Of the
lower country-they have under their inn
mediate care almost all tie horses and ac-
coutrements for horses-they almost with
out an exception are good riders and dri-
vers, and among them there may be found
almost every kind Of artist ;--Smiths and
carpenters without number From these
causes, they have the means without much
exertion of doing great deal of mischief
J Now, as the object Of writing these SEN
fences, is not TO render the condition of the
! good and virtuous slave worse than here
tofore, but to prevent the wicked from
forming plots and COnspiracies, the bene-
VIOLENT reader must not condemn what has
been or may be said before he looks thrO'
the vista Of futurity, and impartialIy con-
siders the different prospects which may
be afforded. Peace, quiet and industry on
one hand--robbery, scourging, hanging,
alarms and Instructions on the other. If
these or similar Innovations are adopted,
all the various duties now performed by
! slaves, as carriers, artists, domestics, &c.
will be performed by whites. The militia
ry strength Of the city Of Richmond alone,
will be Immediately doubled, and instead
Of danger from the black population, re-
curing constant guard and patrol, there
would Ee no other danger than that which