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

wished il to be distincty understood, that while he
should vindicate with frmness anthe rights which
he represented, whenever or however they might
be assailed. he was for according TO every other
member. in its fullest extent, the same constitu-
tonal privileges. For his own part, he viewed
this as q question not at ell calculated to excite
the sensibiliiy OF the Representatives, from the
slaveeholding States. They certainly do not
claim. by any special preroga,ve. to be the advo-
Gates Of slavery wherever it may exist. On the
contrary. If it shall appear that the laws OF the
District OF Columbia have been made the nstru-
ment of oppression, committed on person claim
ing to be citizen of New York-and he was free
to declare bis impression that each State had right
to determine for itself who should enjoy that prv
iege then has an outrage been committed, which
the Representatives from the South and the North
are equally bound to discoun'enance; and if we
would avoid the imputa,on of giving our sanction
TO the obnoxious proceeding, the law by which it
was authorized, should be promptly repealed. -
Without anticipating any ultimate questions to
which the inquiry might lead, he would conclude
with the remark, that, if any privilege of citizen
Of New York has been violated through the laws
tribunals off District, this body is bound, BY
every principle of policy. justice, and humanity, to
afford its protection, and apply the necessary re-
medy.
Mr.. Brent said, he was sorry to differ from
the gentleman from South Calolina he was e.
qualify anxious with that gentleman to the sub
ject fully investigated. But in order 10 avoid that
part of the subject which was calculated to pro
duce irritation, he had suggested the amendment.
The mover had said, in the speech with which he
accompanied his resolution, that certain coored
free man had been imprisoned. and afterwards Id
to pay his prison fees. Mr.. b. wished to limit
the inquiry to this point alone and not TO yet The
Committee to decide whether free man of
Tor was " q citizen of the United States.'' That
was the question he aimed TO avoid-becsuse he
knew II would inevitably produce much excitene nt
in part at least of the House.
Mr.. Miner said, he rose especially to reply to a
remark made by several gentlemen, seeming TO
imply that this matter ought not to be discussed,
because it created so much excitement and irrta-
ton. Such certainly, was the effect, and Mr.
NJ. regretted that it The whole n,ereEts
OF the District confded to our exclusive IL
risdiciion. No power but that of the General
Government could operate here Slavery existed
within the District, and the subject mus. be resu-
lated by Congress. II was not only our right bu,
our duty. II impossible to do this intelligent.
| ly without inquiry and free discussion This wa.
felt to be subject of delicacy: no one felt thi.
| more sensibly (Mr. NJ. said) than himself II i.
always painful to excite unpleasant feelings; such
was never his wish; and it matter of regre
with him when, in the performance of duty, such
was ever the consequence. In his opinion, e.
very subject that it was our duty to regulate ant
legislate upon, ought to be considered proper tc
be introduced here and freely discussed, .vithou
exciting pain or passion. Wehave the same ab
solute control this subject here that the States
have within the limits of their respective sovereign
ties, and it was equally our duty to exercise it
1t was, in fact, the case, that, owing the pain
full excitement growing out OF any motion on tn,
subject of slavery here, it had been utterly neglect
ed. Gentlemen from neither section of the Union
liked to take any step in relation 10 1t: the
quence was, that there had been no anchor atior
OF the laws growing on, of the system of slavery
here, for the thirty years the District had been un
der the jurisdiction of the General Government
In other States, improvements had been made
their codes had been me!iorsted; here, from the
cause alluded TO, they had been entirely neglected
| and all the corruptons growing out of that neglect
and the cupidty of those who looked only TO their
private interest, were severely felt. From a pa
per in his hand, which he stated to be official, Mr.
M. read an account of the persons imprisoned in
the Jail, as follows:
Runaway Negroes committed to the Jail of Wash
iRgon County, District Of Columbia, from the
LIST day of December, 1923, to November 30,
1924, included SO
For safe keeping by their masters, from December
LIST, 1923, 10 November 30th, 1924, 81
Runaway negroes committed from December LIST
1924, to November so, 1925, SIS
For safe keeping by their masters, from Dec Ist
1924, to Nov. 80, 1925, I24
Fifteen of the above that were committed as run
aways proved to be free, aud one of them sold
for his Jail fees and other expenses.
White and black crminais-the follow ing humble,
committed for offences from December st 1923
TO November Both, 1924, 10;
And about the same number for the year follow.
Ing.
Signed BIZ the Juilor
OF the eighty-one, and one hundred and ivy enty-
four, in Jail for safe keeping, he observed, that he
| understood they placed there for sale-iha;
the Federal prisons, and their keepers, were ex.
tensively used for The purpose OF carrying on the
Domestic Slave Trade. / presume that gen lemen
have proper idea Of the situation Of this II er
if they bad il would as if the sentiment must
be general, that legislative interference is proper
Last Winter, said Mr.. NJ, went through the
cells of the prison, and will mention an instance
of its occupation, that was presented to me
There was wowan in cell, with three children,
one an infant, all for SALE I was afterwards in.
formed that she was the wife of free man. who
had had by her, nine children. As they grew 10
age TO be profitable In market, the children were
sold; now the woman had arrived al time of life
10 be no longer valuable a breeder, she and her
children were separated from her husband, and
sent to your prison for sale--your officer, who
keeps it, being employed the agent. Another
instance was stated TO him yesterday, in way
that seemed entitled 10 credit-tliat free coIored
man was taken up under the law, and imprisone ed
Ignorant, poor friendless, he found it difficult to
prove his freedom, and lay in Jail, in so miserable
a situation, that his legs so frozen, that, when
liberated, he had to walk on his kness, being a
cripple for life. He mentioned these circumsian-
ces to show that evils existed, of nature, and to
extent, which gentlemen we're not probably ap-