Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1822-01-15
From the Kentucky Ecra,i.
LEGISLATURE.


In the sitting of Dec. 10, in the House
Of Representatives, Mr.. SheeG, from the
committee appointed for that purpose,
made the following report.
Slaves and Free Peohie Of Color.
The committee to whom was referred
the memorial ofsundry citizens Of Mason
county on the subject Of the rights and
liberties of free people OF colcr, aDl o!
the trc"tlnent OF slaves, beg leave to re-
port:
That there is an eSis.ing law OF this
state making it felony to steal and sell as
slave anJ free person Of color, punis.,a-
bic BY confinement in the peniten,iaiy.
Blu, as there is no statute for punishios
those who shall be guilty Of transporting
and selling as slaves such persons ofco-
lor as would at future day be entitled to
freedom by last will and testament or deed
Of manumission, your committee report
Bill for that purpose.
Your committee regret TO state that no
adequate laws have been passed as i,
contemplated by tie seventh section OF the
constitution, for obligins the owners OF
slaves 10 treat them with humanity. TO
provide for them necessary clothing,
provisions, &c. but this is subject OF too
much importance and de!icacy 10 be en-
countered al this late period of the pres
sen, session.
Your committee would further state
that there is anothcr subject; which,
though no, directly referred to in the me-
mortal, is connected with the subjcc and
is, in tie opinion Of your committee, Of
the highest in,cres, 10 the good pcoplc
Of this state, on which they submit the
following preamble aud resolutions.
Whereas many cases have occurred.
IN relation to slaves WHO have escaped
from their owners in this state, and have
b=en found in the adjoining states which
do not hold slaves, calculated to disturb
that harmony, which, il is the interest o.!
the citizens of those states, and Of this
commonwealth, TO cultivate and pre-
serve towards each other; and it is the
wish Of the legislature OF this state to use
every means in its power to prevent The
recurrence Of such cases in future; and
it is deemed practicable by revision Of
the laws in this state, in relation TO slaves,
and of,he laws of the adjoining non slave
holding states, in relation to people of CO.
dor and to slaves who may come among
them escaping from their owners, 50 to
frame the laws in the respective states,
as will, in great degree, if not entirely
.obviate the inconvenience which now ex-
list: Wherefore, t,4
Resolvea by the General assembly of
the Commonwealth Of. kentucky, That
the Governor of this state be requested
to correspond with the Governors of the
adjoining states OF Ohio, Indiana, and H.
linois, inviting their attention TO this sub
ject, and through them the legislatures
Of those states, with request that they
will authorize the appointment OF one or
two commissioners from each state, to
meet such commissioner or commission
ers, as shall be appointed on the part Of
this state, at such place as may be agreed
upon, to bring with them copies Of all the
laws in force in their respective states,
! relating to, or affecting the rights, int
rests or duties of free people Of color, of
slaves and slave holders, TO the end that
the said commissioners, after examining
those laws, and duly considering the sub
ject, and consulting together, may mu-
| tually agree upon, and recommend such
laws OH these subjects, applicable to the
condition Of the different states, as in
their judgment will best conduce to the
private rights Of citizens, and to that
peace and harmony which it is 50 emf