American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1826-01-31

every step thus iaken He confessed that in their
present condition, particular Legislation for the
6tdcks seemed not only necessary for the protection
OF society, but for their own moderation; but he
thought some of the provisions of this bill severe
upon them beyond the measure OF that necessity,
aud that they ought to be modified. Gentlemen
were welcome 10 the undivided dignity Of persistlng
IN discovered wrong-he would take upon him.
self the humiliation OF recantng. There was no
inconsistency in the course he now taking. He
had opposed parts Of the bill when il was before the
House he then offered some amendments which
had succeeded, and some which had failed and he
cand,dly confessed he had voted for some provisions
the operation OF which upon some classes, he had
not detected. He would call the attention of the
House to he particular intended to be met by
his friends proposed bill. He would ask, what is
the situation OF the captain OF steam boat, as the
law now stands? HIS passengers rush on board and
his steam boat leaves The wharf n the darkest hour of
night How then is he to guard against The possible
contingency Of carrying away slave? In spite OF
every possible caution he stands in jeopardy every
hour" Win gentlemen be stopped upon the gang
board until their color can be inquired of Or is
there any certainty that passenger pretending to
have servant with him. may moi be helping off
runaway slave Or will you say that every gentle
man travelling with his servant, shall carry with
him. and produce. the evidences of his ownership,
10 prevent SUCH TiSR Let IL oc re1nemOefe0, tnat
before the day dawns upon him, the captain Of
steom boat is beyond the jurisdiction os the State
Of Delaware What then can he do with such
blacks as daylight may bring TO his view, on board
us boat and whose condition he is unacquant.
ed with? II he consider them as free and let
them rasss he is 10 danger OF this penalty for, it
may be, that more of them may I. owe ser
vice" re he treat them as slaves and confne them,
he is in danger OF snlt in assault and battery and
false Imprisonment, the moment he touches Phila
delphla-ior 10 such suit, would every one that
is free, be enti,ird ae,e MIR. Gray called The
member to order nasuuch as he was entering Into
the merits Of The proposed hill eiore it was be fore
the House and the Sppaker said the member " as
out Of order. Mr. Bates stood corrected He
would con6ne himself within the proper limits.
But why, he asked do gentlemen finch from the
cnnsidera'l OF merits? They offer the object oil
MS bill argument against leave to bring in.
would be only lair play to permit those who de-
sired 10 introduce it, to show that its object was
air one. The truth was gentlemen were afraid to
,Isk tins business again befure the House There
vas another ground which the gentleman adyo-
tied the introduction of the bill. 1t vas priyi-
ste which he had never but once seen denied to
memb =, and that was under very peculiar circum
stances 1t was therefore due 10 the member, in
common courtesy tina he should have leave, ard
harm could possibly resul, from it. II the House
satisfied with what had been done II this bu,l.
ness, il Guild be confirmed; dissatisfied it was
not too late 10 make ams ends and he hoped
there was honesty enough in this body to do either.
At the public good require It
The question was then taker and lost, five mem
bers rising IN favor of the motion.