Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-12-10
ALEXANDRIA,:
FRIDAY MORNING, December 10.
PREVENTION OF SLAVERY.

A very numerous meeting was held in Bos.
ton on Friday last, to take into consideration
the measures necessary TO be adopted to pre-
vent the further extension of slavery in the
United States. The assemblage embraced
most of the men Of eminence in that and the
neighboring counties, and large number oil
the clergy. The discussion is said TO have
been eloquent and able. Among the speak
ers were Jas. Prince, esq. marshal OF the dis
iriet, hon. Messrs. Austin, Webster, Blake,
and Quincy. The following report Of
committee was read, and the resolutions ac-
companying il, unanimously adopted.
REPORT.
The e1tirpation of slavery has never cea-
sed to be regarded as measure deeply con-
cerring the honor aud safety Of the United
States, The existence Of this practice is to
be sscribed to the policy Of the government
10 which their ancestors were subject, and
not 10 their own choice. But t. omit any
precau,ion that might afford reasonable
hope of relieving them, however gradually,
both from the burden and the reproach,
would have Justly exposed them to the charge
OF nourishing the evil, which they did not Gre
ate. The constitution therefore contained
provision showing evidently the design, that
at a future period the increase OF slaves by
importation should be prohibited. Suisse
ouent laws have carried this provision into ei-
feet. In whatever tends to diminish the evil
of slavery, or TO check It's growth, all parts
of the coniederacy arc alike interested In
the states, where it chiefly exists to devise
some secure and certain plan OF de!iverance
from its effects has been the earnest wish OF
enlightened and rejecting men. The same
feelings and views induced congress, when
territories were received as part OF our en-
pire, TO impose on them restriction intend
ed to preserve them from that calamity,
which afflicted the older states. Ot this re-
strictioa they have enjoyed the benefit, and
they now exut in the moral and political
advantages derived from tree population.
And when we consider the unanimiiy with
which congress adopted the ordinance OF
1887, that fist constitutional prohibition OF
slavery ia modern times. every state south OF
the Potomac being present and voting unani-
mously in its favor, we are encouraged TO be-
lieve, that policy so wise and humane will
no, now be d,partrd from. But it seems to
us, that nothing could be mole opposite TO
this policy, than the opening of an almost
bcundiess country TO t5t unlimited importa-
ton oil slaves from other states. ne new y &C
CURED territory would thus he burthened with
al, the mischiets, which are too well known to
be the sure results OF slavery; an evil, which
ha. long been Geplored, would be incaicula
bly, augmented; the whole coniederacy would
be weakened and OUT tree Institutions dis
graced by the voluntary extension OF a prac-
tice repugnant to all the principles OF Tree
government, and the continuance o, winch IN
any par, OF our country necessity alone has
jus;ihed.
To those. who are making efforts 10 pre-
vent the extension oi slavery ii is a source OF
equal pride and pleasure 10 know, tina; they
ere countenanced aud supported By charac-
tiers most venerable in those states. in which
tits no, vet abolished AM il to these are
added the terveGt wishes of their fellow Citl-
zens in other states, the appeal, we trust, will
not be dsrgsrlrd. II is therefore
Resollsd, As the opinion Of this meeting,
tina, the congress of the United States pos
sesses the constitutional power upon he ad-
mission of any new state Grated beyond the
limits Of the original territory OF the United
States, 10 make the prohibition OF the further
extension OF slavery o, involuntary servitude.
in such new state, condition OF It's admis-
sion.
Rssolrea, That in the opinion of this meet
ing, j, is just aud e1pe dent, that this power
should be exercised by congress upon the
admission OF all new states created beyoDt!
the original limits of the United States.
The steam ship Savsrnah, capt Rogers.
arrived at Savannah IN the Seth OF Soven-
Der. in so days from 81. Petersburg, Russia
She touched at Copenhagen, Arundel and