Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1821-06-26

Try III relation TO this portion of our populJtiou.
AZ lhe same time, these facts are suflicuuf to
uehloilstrlte that great hostility is aiready
manifested to this description of population.
ana tiiat many states ut this early hour hayr
'iought wise, To resort 10 strong aud
speedy measures in order to prevent its in
crease ANA your committee think il proper
mere To state, that this Increase has hithcrtn
Decn slnStlariy rapid and alarming, inaslniucb
as IL appears from statistical documents thas
whereas tree White persons have increased
from 1850 to 1910 only in the ratio ofa5 ee
ico per centlun, all other free persons. ex4
cept Indians, have increased i'm the same period
IN the ratio OF SIS 45-100. Ii is not TO be- s,,n.
posed that this description of population viii
continue 10 Increase in the ratio above men
toned, bat 1t would not be difficult TO show
tnat the two most abundant sources of eman-,
clpauon viii be little affected by the l,Ns
before recited
From the foregoing statement OF facts your
committee ieei Well grounded in the opinion.
mat IN the course often years, a great propor
ton of the free negroes IL the South. viii H..
driven nortnw;rd to the New England States.
where at the present time persons of colopr
mol only possess and exercise valuable rights
and privileges, but where also from the habits
Oh the people greater regard and tenderness
are manifested for them. On the contrary i,
the slave holding states and those which bor
der on them, the habits of the people and III.
policy OF the governments both unite To de-
press and discourage this class of individuals
Your committee do not think 1t necessary
10 make particular mention of the evils which
viii accompany this description of population.
Those which are most apparent, are
/. Increasing the number OF conyicts a.,,
paupers.
3. Collecting IN the large towns an ia6ciann
cisordelty ana corrupt population
- Substituting themselves in many labors
and occupations which, in the end, it would be
more advantageous to have performed by the
white and native population of the state
Your committee, III finishing this part or the,
Report, thinkit due 70 the subject to state that
the good order and tranquility OF this town has
Oh late years been often ard much disturbed
by violent riots at that part of the town wber.
persons OF colour are collected in great mum
bcrs.
fonF Committee are fully persuaded ofthc
Importance Of this subject, and OF the great
necessity OF adopting sach laws in this Com
monweaith, as without departing in the least
degree from that respect for humanity and
the Just rights ofall classes Of men, by which
this Commonwealth has been long and great
Iy distinguished, shall at the same Time protect
this state from the burthen of an expensive
ana injurious population. But your com
mttee, bearing in mind that TIE present
session of this General Court is drawing tu q
close, and believing that much time would be
occupied IN settling in this House the proyis
IONS OF a bill! IN relation TO the subject of the
present orGer. ask have respectfully to recon-
mend that committee be now appointed and
directed to report Il bill at an early period
Of the next session of the present Generai
Court.
For the Committee.
InEEDIGRE TNNTA II Il.