Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1820-03-07

lature of Maryland, in the year 1899, by WIZ
LIAM PINKNEY, then member Of that body
Mr.. PIsKSEr now represents the state OF Ma
ryiapd in the Senate OF the United States, and
is distinguished as one of the principal advocates
for the extension Of slavery.
Mr.. SPEAKER,
Before proceed TO deliver a'y seasi-
meDls, on The subject matter Of The report,
under consideration, must entreat the
members OF this house TO hear me with pa
thence, and uot TO condemn what may hap.
pen 10 advance, ID support oil The opinion
| / have formed, until they shall have heard
| me cut. am conscious, sir, that upon
this occasion, have long established pTin-
cipIes 10 combat, aud deep-rooled preju-
dices to defeat; that have Tears and APP
prehensions 10 silence, which the acts OF
former legislatures have sanctioned, aud
that (what is equivalent to hust OF diffl.
cullies) the popular impressions are a.
gainst me; but if | am bonored with the
same indalsent attention, which The house
has been pleased 10 afford me OIL past sub
iects OF deliberation, do not despair OF
surrounding all these obstacles,in the COM
mon cause Of justice, humanity and poll
cy. The report appears TO me to have
two objects ~ view: TO annihilate the ex-
istIng restraints on the voluntary emanci-
patton OF slaves, aud to relieve a particu-
lar offspring from the punishment, hereto
fore Inflicted on them for the mere trans
gression Of their parents. To the whole
report, separately and collectively, my
hearty assent my cordial assistance, shall
be given. 1t was the policy OF this coun-
Try, sir, from an early period OF colonial
lion, down to the revolution, to encourage
an importation OF slaves, for purposes,
which, Git conjecture may be INDUCED, J
had been far better answered without their
assistance That this ish::s:s.a;i policy was
disgrace to the colony, dishonour 10
the legislature, and scandal TO human
nature, we need not at this enlightened
period labour to prove. The generous
mind, that has adequate ideas of the in
herent rights Of mankind, and knows the
value OF them, must feel its indignation
rise against the shameful traffic, that in
Produces slavery into q country which
seems to have been designed by providence
as an asylum for those whom the arm of
power had prosecuted, and not as nurse
I y for wretches, stripped of every privi-
llege which heaven intended for its rational
creatures, and reduced TO level with
nay, become themselves--the mere goods
aud chattels of their masters.
Sir, by the eternal principles of natural
justice, no master in the state has right
to hold his slave in bondage for single
hour; but The law of the land-wbich
(howeser oppressive and unjust, however
| inconsistent with the great ground work OF
the late revolution, and our present frame
Of government we cannot. in prudence,
or from a regard TO individual rights,
abolish-has authorized a slavery, as bad
or perhaps worse, than the most absolute,
unconditional servitude, that ever England
knew, 10 the early ages Of its empire, under
the tyrannical policy of the Danes, the
feudal tenures Of the Saxons, or the pure
villanage Of the Normans. But, Mr.
/ Speaker, because respect for the peace
and safety Of the community, and the al.
ready injured rights Of individuals, forbids
a compulsory liberation Of these uniortu-
nate creatures, shall we unnecessarily re-
6ne upon this gloomy system Of bondage
and prevent the owner of slave from
manumitting him at the only probable pc
riod, when the warm feelings of benevo
leuce, and the gentle workings Of commits
seration dispose him to the generous deed
Sir. the natural character Of Maryland j.
sufficiently sullied and dishonored, by
barely celebrating slavery; but when it il
found that your laws give every possible
encouragement TO its continuance 10 the la
test generations, and are ingenious to pre-
vent even its slow and gradual decline
how isthe dye Of the imputatiou deepened
1t may even be thought thai our late glo
rious struggle for liberty, did not originate
in principle, but took its rise from popu
lar caprice, the rage of faction, or the 10
temperance of party. Let it be remem
bered, Mr.. Speaker, that. even in the days
OF Ieudal harbarity--when the minds o.
men were unexpanded by that liberality
Of sentiment, which springs from civiliza-
ton aud efinement--such was the antipa.
thy, in England, against private bondage
that, so far from being stndious to stop the
progress Of emancipation. the courts Of
law (aided by legislative connivancel were
inventive to liherate by construction. II
Tor example, a man brought au action a.
gainst his villain, Il was presumed that he
designed to manumit him; and, although
perhaps this presumption was, 10 ninety
nine instances out Of hundred, contrary
to The fact, yet, upon this ground alone,
were bond-men adiudged to be free.
Cir csnraratxy xu:eh II ..,o~. 4.