Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-05-13

scvcrally determining the condition OF their own
iphabitants For II the United States possess the
right TO intrude into any State, for the purpose OF
withdrawing from thence its free coloured popula-
ton, they undoubtedly mus, exert practically ;hc
power OF previously deciding what persons are EN-
braced within this description. They must have
the fight OF determining finally, not only who are
coioured, but who free persons. This Com
mittee believe, however, that any attempt by the
United States to exercise such power would not
only be direct yols,ion OF the cons,itut ion,
but must be productive OF the worst effects.
Ii has been said by an eminent statesman, that
EVENT. the constitution had not contained any
express inhibition OF the exercise bv this govern
inent, o. the powers not granted u it, yet the
sequences which must unavoidaby result from
the ekeruon Of any such powers, would be found,
IN practice, so inconvenient, ncxpetent, & impo-
lite, that no wise men would ever voluntarily at
tempt to use them. The case now before the Com
nittee furnishes good illustration, if not proof
oil the truth oil this opinion. This Committee will
not state all the facts and arguments which may
suggest themselves TO the minds OF those who shall
examine this subject, 10 prove, that even il the pow
er it is desired should be employed by the United
States upon this occasion, enjoyed by item
without question or doubt, yet it is apower that
ought not to be excrted by this government. They
will continc themselves TO the statement of a few
only OF these facts and arguments.
And first, they will endcavor to show, that the
object which these applicants purpose TO nc COM
plish, canLot be attained, by any of the means
United States ought ever to apply to any such pur
pose. This object Is, TO relieve the States Of this
contederacy, from what is supposed to be the evil
ot their free coloured inhabitants, by transporting
all these TO the coast of Africa. Now by the last
census, taken in 1920. the whole number of the
free coloured people OF the United States is shown
to have then been 233,5S0. by comparing this
number with that shown by the preceding enume-
ration, the mean ratio of their annual increase for
the ten years preceding 1920. appears to be some
what more than two aud one halt per cent. Add
then an annual Increase according this ratio ttu-
ring the term Of eight years which has elapsed
since the census OF 1920 was taken and we shall
find the probable number OF the free coloured pop
ulation OF the Uuited States, now, TO exceed 2S0,
QUO; and that the annual increase OF this popula-
ton, at present, is more than 1900.
The expense OF transporting such persons from
the United States to the coast of Africa has beer
variously estimated. BY those who compute it AT
the lowest rate, the mere expense OF this transport
tauon has been estimated at $50 per head. In
this estimate. however, Is not comprehended the
expense oil transporting the persons destined foi
Africa, to the port OF their departure IRON the u
nited States, or the necessary expense OF sustain
ing them, either there iii Africa, for reasonable
time after their first arrival. All thcse expenses
bined, the Committee think they estimate very low
when they compute the amount at SlOO per head.
IL has been estimated by some at double this "a
mount; and past experience may be relied upon
proving any thing, the official documents formerly
furnished to the Senate by the Departmentofthc Ma
Wy, show that the expenses attending the translor
tation of the few captured slaves who have been
returned TO Africa by the United States, the
expense of this government, far exceeds even the
| largest estimate. But taking the expense TO be
| only what the Committee have estimated it Then
| the sum requisite 10 transport the whole number
Of the free coloured population OF the United States,
would exceed twenty eight millions of dollars; and
| the expense OF transpoi ting number equal only
| to the mere annual increase OF this population,
would exceed seven hundred thousand dollars per
| annum: Sums which would Impose upon the pro-
pie OF this country an additional burthen Of taxa
| ton, greater than this Committee believe they
could easily bear; and much greater than ought 10
| be imposed upon them for any such purpose.
The views OF the present applicants, however,
not confined TO the transportation of the exist
ing tree cooured population OF the u States, OF
OF the future natural increase OF this population.
They also propose that this government shall fur
nlsh the necessary aids to such humane individuals
| as may think proper TO liberate their slaves; and
thai the slaves SO liberated, may, i'll like manner,
| be transported TO Africa. hat augmentation OF
| the number TO be transported, would be Produced
by the adoption o, such project, would depend
very much upon the qiiantu.n OF the aids which
this government might think proper TO tender TO
humane individuals, in order to induce them TO IL
berate their slaves. Doubtless the proprieors OF
the whole slave population in the u. States might
be tempted to part with their property, by the offer
OF what they might deem fair equivalent; and as
the plan OF some OF the applicants seems look e.
necessary TO examine into the effects of this inca
sure also.
BY the census of 1920, the whole number of
slaves in the United States is shewn to be
,o3S, l28. by comparing this number with that
shewn by the preceding enumeration, the mean
ratio OF their annual increase, for the ten years
preceding 1870, appears To be somewhat less than
three per cent, add then an annual increase
according to this ratio, during the term of eight
years, which has elapsed since the census of
1920 was taken, and shall find the probable
number OF slaves in the United States, now, to be
at least 800 600; and that the annual increase of
this population, at present, is at least $1,000.
Now, allow the same sum per head for the trans
poraton OF these persons, that has been estimated
for the transportation in the other similar case;
and the sum requisite to defray the expense of
the transportation of all the slaves in the United
States, would be one hundred ana ninety millions
oil dollars, and that REQUESTS To defray the expense
OF the transportation OF number only equal TO
their annual increase would be five mil
lions seven hundred thousand dollars per annun
but TO either OF these be added the
reasonable equivalent, necessary aid, to be paid
by the United States TO hun".ne Individuals in
order to induce them voluntarily to part with their
property. The Committee have " data by
which they can measure what this might be.
But any sum, however small, will make so great
an augmentation of Tie amount as almost TO
battle calculation, and to exhibit this project at
once, as one exceeding, very far, indeed, any
revenue which the United States could ever draw
from their citizens, even If the object was TO i'll
crease and multiply, instead OF reducing the mum
bers Of the class Of productive labour.
ltwould not, III any degree, allay the excitement
which an imposition gIievcuS that necessary
10 deiray the expense OF transporting the mere
all nual increase of our present free cooured popu-
ation only, would generate in this country, to