Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-11-19
BASIS OF REPRESENTATION.
MR.. GILES SPEECH-Continu
p ~. TUESDAY, Nov. 10.


BASIS OF REPRESENTATION
MR. Giles SPEECH-Co Continued.
#f TUESDAY,, Nov. 10.
The Convention resolved itself Into Committee Of the
hole, Mr.. POWELL in the Chair.
MT GILES then rose in continuation Of his remarks.
He said, that he had never, at any period Of his Lille,
been in the habit Of complaining. and as little
ever but was only common justice to himself
that he had rien yesterday, under sense Of debility
so paralyZng that he could controul the ope
OF his own mAd, neither could he that portion
OF physical strength which requisite to sustain him
through his labor. This naturally produced some de.
lay and confusion both in his manner and the cours.
which he had prescribed for hi, own government
Hs had determined as far as possible TO avoid reading
being aware that reading tends much debita,e.
Than even the effort OF speaking. He had n,ened &,
introduce two three books from which he proposed
to read some extracts in relation the first point which
he had yesterday touched: he meant the remarks
which had fallen from the venerable gentleman from
oudoun (hfr Monroe) on the emancipation OF slaves
This subject Of such peculiar delicacy that
proper to present to the committee the character of the
eH'ny relations, In respect TO jurisdiction slaves
between the General sni State Governments. lie
thought Improper now 10 complete what no had yese
day intended
The General G,vernm.nt at all times from the frs,
Congress, had discaimsd all sort OF urisdc ton over
the emancipation or the management of siaves;-snd
thus jurisdiction in nth cases. denied
to the Gen Govrt He nded TO introduce the Jou
oil the = Session LIST Congress, but il not be
lore him. he would state from his what the
resolution on that point The resolution went TO
dscIa'm all jurisiic ion the emancipation
ment OF slaves. This resolution entered the
Journal as decaratory at that time ofthe true interpe
taon OF the Constitution; and that day such an ex
element existed among the southern members anst
having the subject even mentioned, that they voted
against this deciaratory resolution. a gentleman who
"a meinber OF this Convention, and who then a
member of Congress, he IN .ant the gentleman iron,
Orange distinctly voted ag anst it, This wa, the mere
deciaraory of one House; but in consequence OF il
two bills were passed. either at that at the
SON. prohibiting the citizens OF the u S from interior
ing with the slave trade for the purpose OF supplying
foreign nations.
Mr.. g. then referred TO a memorial which was pre-.
-ented 10 Congress by the Quaker. He happ ned
be member OF the Committee, I, whom the subject
was referred He had relied OH the decIaratory
tion in the negotiation which he had carry with
the Qnakers All the Committee were, in principle in
favor oil the measure; but It his duty TO satisfy
these persons, that Congress had no RICH to
wh me subject OF slavery at all. lie fortunate
enough TO satisfy the Quakers, and they agreed, that IL
congress would pass law, to prohibit the citizens OF
the United States from supplying foreign nations with
slaves, they would pledge themselves never again to
trouble Congress on the subject. The law did pass.
and the gu 'kers adhered to their agreement He did
not know whether or moi the dncum nt the subject
oil this nego,i on still in existence; but he be-
ieved they had been filed gway with o:hsr papers.
Subsequently. an act was passed., prohibiting the in
reduction OF savea into the United Safes, in which
this principle gain touched, in more spec c bu
adifferent form IL was again his fortuae
COmmittee to whom that subject referred, and he
drew up Two provisos the object Of which, draw
distinct line Of d-marcatioD, between the powers of
Congress for prohibiting the Introduction OF slaves in
the United States AMI those Of the Individual Siaes-
II was then decided, by unanimous vo:e that when
slaves were brought within tbs limits OF any State the
power OF Congress them ceased and the power of
the State began the moment they became within those
i'ms-He would beg leave 10 refer to these provso..
made II important 10 revive ihese facts. He had drawn
up these provisos with all imaginable care.
The rs provso, alter the powers Of Congress GER
'an extent mad been declared, Il the words the
critically examined AMI, indeed he nigh, say not
~ every word, but every syllable, ami even every
STOP by the best talents which could be foundpro-
An1 ft.nrf t,a
person, or persons, claiming from. under him. shall
hold any right or title whatever TO any negro muIafto
or person OF color nor TO the service abour thereof
who may be imported, or brought into the United
States or territories, in violation of this law but the
same SHAH remain subject To any regua ions not con.
travening the provisions Of this act which the Legiss
lures OF the several States Territories. at any time
hereafter, may make for dposing Of any such negro
mnato, or person OF color"
Th- then considered egisIafre int alton
o. the Constitution as may he scen by is pbrssr.ogy
u dsc'amed all power slavery in all time TO come
But 1t did not top there. The power only re-
linq ised To hcSatps, but also 10 the Terri,orirsto
WI; The unlimited jufisdiction over all the slaves with
in their limits r1gE
The second propiso Is in the following term.-"Pro
vided. that the sioresad forfeiture shall not extend to
the seler or purchaser Of any negro, muIso or per-
son OF color, who may be sold, disposed virtue
oil any regulation which may hereafter be made by any
oil the Legislatures Of the several States in that
IN pursuance OF this act, and the Constitution of the u
nited States"
Here, them in these decaratory provisions Of the Act
~ OF Inc Boundary between
the power OF Congress aud OF the Legislatures OF The
veral states aud Territories. The Committee would
observe that the word "Territories was omitted in the
las, provso. An abstract right !, given to the Terrific
res in the fret provso, but the word Territories wa,
not used in the second proviso, because Congress had
revsory power the laws Of the Territories and
were unwilling TO yield that power. The word was
therefore omitted, but the right in the terriore. was
cognzed To exercise exclusive power over slaves with.
in their limits He had understood that tie Legislature
ot South Cdrolins, passed law the sniec and the
State Of Georgia assumed similar jurisdicon in conse
quence OF this law Of Congress This had led 10 two
results-hrst the admission the part OF Congress,
that The State governments vested with the auho.
ry 10 declare persons within their limits slaves and
the exercise of That authority, by the State govern.
ments.
The brought him to tho consideration Of the proceed
ings which have lately taken place in the State of Ohio
and which had been very properly referred TO by seye
raj gentlemen in this debate. II appears that Ohio oct
ing under a mistaken ZEAL amounting To a fanatic de-
sire, 10 mrlioate the evils of slavery invited number
Of those unfortunate psrsons 10 take refuge in at State
Some rsmarks appeared in h ne spapers so,ne vears
siace, in regard to the Sc Of Ohio IN which w. .ug
gesied the possibility thE in sorns future eapticons
mood, che might convert The colored persons sbo had
been induced 10 enter her limits, into slaves AMI that
This che might do because Congress had no right IN prs
vent IT, The remarks IN which he were as follow
" Again, supoo'e Congress could co isHin,ional
W exercise such power, would il he Wis., or desirabe
mat " should do so? when the effect would he To place
ths different States in the Union upon different foongs
10 nghs! Nay, AZ TO The mos, important right, with