Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1819-12-28
THE EXTENSION OF SLAVERY.
Nov. 10, 1919.

THE EXTENSION OF SLAVERY
This subject, so much more momenou,
10 its consequences 10 liberty and poster
ty in future times, aud so repusnanl 10 is /
nature to human and divine laws, and b
the spirit OF this. age, and to republican
government, attracts the notice, and eE
cites the apprehensious Of all generous
and just, and yirtuous minds. The sldvt
ry Of man is abhorrent 10 every noble
aud honorable feeling. No policy can
honestly sanction it. Justice aud The /
Christian law alike reprobaie it; and how
ever prudence may have tolerated iVha
this nation acquired independence, as an
evil difficult to cure; The voice oil hsaV.
en-, and the principles Of human liberty
and happiness, demand, that its prssrsss
shonld be arrested, and means should be
adopted for its speedy aud gradual ahlt
tion-for its utter extinction. The ~
lowing letter from sage Of the revohtin
will reward the perusal. Aurora.
Be dford, West Chester co. New-YGk(
18th November, 1919,
DEAR SIR,-I have received the coy|
of a circular letter, which, as ciairuaudI
the committee, appointed by the late pub
lie meeting at Trenton, respecting slave
ry, yon was pleased to directto me onA
5th inst.
Little can be added to what has been
said aud written on the subject ofslswE,
/ concur in the opinion, that il ought nd
TO be introduced, nor permitted, 10 any d
the mem states, and that it ought TO be
gradually diminished and finally abolished
in all ofthem. To me the constitutional
authority of the congress, TO prohibit lhs
migration and importation Of slaves, nIs
any of the states, does not appear ques
tionabIe.
The first article Of the constitution
specifies the legislative powers COMMITTED
TO the congress. The 9th section Of that
article has these words:
"The migration or importation ofsucA
persons as any of the now existing states
shall think proper to admit, shall not D
prohibited by the congress, prior to tx
year 1908: but tax or duty may D
imposed on such importation not exceed
ing ten dollars for each person"
understand the sense and meaning o.
this clause to be--that the power Of ~ ~
congress, although competent to proDpa
such migration aud importation, was ~
to be exercised with respect to the la'
existing states, land then only uoll' us
year 1903; bat that the congress were 7
liberty to make such prohibition as 70 Y,
mem states, which might in the mean guy
be established; and further, that from y. y
after that period. they were autllorlseu ,' !"
make such prohibition, as to all inc @'''''
whether new or old. H.,
1t will, j presume, be admitted o ,,a
slaves were the persons intended ~ !.
word slaves was avoided. pfoDaoly ", :
count of the existing federation Of s. .''s.
ry, and to discordancy with the principe! ~
Of the revolution, and from col'0' 4.
tiousness Of its being repugnan' " = 4
following positions in the decIara''OD :"
independence: :, ...o.
We hold these trnths TO be seil'e'I y =
that all men are created equai-tnaI ''''
are endowed by their Creator WIN , Ss,,
tain unalienable righis-tbat among 'a ao.
are life. liberty, and the pursuit o. i''pp'
uess." ~,
As to my taking an Gctiue part )" .,s ~
ganizing plan of cooperation, ''is =. s,', f.
of my health has long been sucn' as wv !"
admit Of it. !,
Be pleased to assure the commune -. !,
my best wishes for their success, an" Pa "a
init me TO assure you of the esteem '''
regard with which ! am,
Dear Sir, :. .,oot
Your faithful and obedieni serss ~
JOHN Jay.
ryt A. rytsos nosdsnnt