Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-01-04


progress of emancipation was astonishing; the
State became crowded with free black popula
iion, and the legislature varied its law, and adapted
il to the altered condition of its population; for,
in 1917, they provided that # no owner should |
claim the negro committed, that then the gaoler |
should carry him before Judge, who, il he |
was not satisfied ,ba, he free, then be should
remand him for certain time; aud If not claim
ed in that time, tina, then the Judge should order
him, to be discharged. and his fees to be taxed Oh
the county; thus displaying commendable visi-
lance for the slave holdei, and the cause Of hn-
msny, SO far the existing state Of society would
permit; and although I come from siave-holding
district. can see no inconvenience IN referring
this inquiry TO committee, who am sure, will
feel the like respect for the interest Of the MASTER and
the protection OF the freed negro l have, with
out previous investigation, presented this history
OF Maryland Legislation, which has adapted itself
10 the present condition Of its society; but feel
confident in its general accuracy.
MIR. Woods of Ohio, said that. If he had right
ly understood the resolution offered by the gentle.
man from New York, the object of that gentleman
was 10 bring the subject referred to before the Com
mtee on the District OF Columbia. This c1uree
had been opposed on two grounds. The frst OBJ
lection urged against it was, that the law in ques
;ion, If such law did exist, constitutional. s.
OF course invalid Ii was certainly true that such
law was in reality both unconstitutional and in
valid; but still. il a statute was on the book
tanning such provisions, IL ought to be expunged;
it had all the forms OF law, and, though agsins, the
Constitution might mislead IN any, and be considered
as Of some effect. The possibility Of this
good reason at least for inquiry. The second OBJ
lection is, that the Committee on the District
will have, 1t they have not already, the criminal
laws of the District before them for revision, and
that, therefore, the resolution is unnecessary But
he not that this law could be considered
as strictly within the criminal code, since it pro-
posed to punish no crime whatever. The course
proposed 10y the resolution was usual aud proper.
When a member wished TO turn the attention of
any Of the committees of the House 10 any subject
which he deemed important, the ordinary course
was for him 10 offer resolution proposing that
! such committee inquire into that subject. This
was the mode every Gay pursued, and why not
| take the same course in the present case? After
| The committee shall have made the examination
stated by the resolution they will report what are
| the facts-if such law does exist, they will say
SO; and if not, they will say We find that diff
ferent opinions exist about the matter among the
| members of this House; then let committee in
| vestisate, and tell US what the truth is.
The resolution might. and probably would, have
passed without word of remark opposition, but
the mover chose to accompany it with some re-
| marks which he deemed pertinent to the subject:
| this he had perfect RICH, to do, and it was no,
censurable; but the House had been told tina, the
! remarks were of an indammatory character. For
himself he could not think So Ii the gentleman
from New York approached magazine with
lighted candle, it certainly became him 10 look to
his steps, and TO tread with caution; but if other
gentlemen, those who were nearest TO the magszine,
and who stood round il. to guard it, should them
selves elicit sparks, whom had they to blame if an
explosion should happen? He could see nothing
improper in the resolution, in the remarks which
had accompanied it--and he hoped it would pass
Mr.. Wright said, that. il he correctly under
stood the resolution which had been offered by
| the gentleman from New York. he was in favor of
that resolution, ard opposed the amendment Of
| fered by the gentleman from Kentucky, (Nfr
| Wickliffe.)
MIR. Wickliffe here interposed, and said, that he
, might, possibly, save the gentleman from Ohio
some trouble, by informing him, that he was will
ing now 10 withdraw the amendment.
Mr.. Wright then resumed. and expressed his
hope that the resolution would be adopted by the
House. All it proposed was, to inquire whether
law did or did not exist, within the District OF
Columbia, by which officer empowered to
apprehend (not slave, bu,) free man; and, if
such law actually does exist, whether it ough, not
TO be amended. Would any gentleman say tina,
this not a subject of deep interest? OF interest
not only to the District, but 10 the whole Union?
He believed there was not gentleman on tba,
floor, who would deny this: and if SO, why should
been told that the inquiry of irritating cha
racter, and calculated to excite angry discussion
But why should this be SO? What was there in
this subjec, to produce so much excitement? If
some gentlemen chose 10 lash themselves into ex-
element with regard to it was that reason, why
the House should not proceed in reasonable and
proper inquiry? Has not the House perfec,
right 10 inquire into the subject, and to legislae
upon it? 1t became them TO inquire, and TO act
The ahouf which ren fall rod
was reason why inquiry was to be arrested. -
1t was the duty of The House proceed in its duty
with calmness-and no, TO be prevented from per-
forming it, by the excited feelings of any The OBJ
servaions of the gentleman from New York had
been characterized as inflsmmstory, for his own
part, be felt no such effect from them he could
not perceive what there was in them 10 indame
any body; they were such as naturally grow out
the subject OF the resolution. He hoped the
Committee would be directed to make the inquiry,
and, ifthe evil complained OF, did exist, he hoped
they would point it out, together with its proper
remedy.
Mr. Powell (froD the Committee on the Dis
trict OF Columbia said, he was at q loss to see
how any excitement could grow out of the reso-
luton, in its present sbspe-there surely no
necessity for any warmth of feeling, or any pro-
tracted discussion For his own part, he believ-
ed there was no direct opposition to the resoIu-
ton. He had not heard any gentleman attempt 10
maintain that the resolution ought not to pass,
nor did he think there single person who
was Of that opinion. For himself. a member
of the Committee on the District OF Columbia
he should vote for the resouion and il il passed,
he prepared TO give his earnest attention to
the duty il enJoned.
Mr.. Brent said, he was sorry he was not of
the same opinion with the gentleman who had Just
taken his seat. But he could not. & would not, vote
i =. n.