Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-02-10
OFFICIAL PAPER.


Mr.. Alex snder, from the Committee for the
District Of Columbia, to which the SUBJECT
had been referred, made the following
REPORT:
The Committee for the District of Columbia,
in pursuance Of certain resolutions OF the
House, Of the 9th Of January, memorials, &c.
to them referred, respecting Slavery within the
said District, have had the same under consi-
deration. and respectfully report:
The subject to which the attention OF The
Committee has been called, is, a, any time, one
Of grea, Importance and delicacy. and does not
become less so, when we consider the relation
in which Congress stands towards this Dis
irict, as its local egislature. While the Com
mi,tee are disposed 10 alleviate evils really e4-
listing, and to respec, the feelings OF those who
have interested themselves in the welfare OF the
citizens here, they hope rot 10 be unmindiui OF
right. properly belonging &c them, as well az to
the rest Of the Union.
The subject has, in one shape or another, been
repeatedly pressed upon Congress and the
Commi,iee, not only by persons Immediately
interested in the decision, but by those without
the District, and having no common concern
with it The Committee are bound 10 respect
the Judgment Of The House in all matters which
i, may be their pleasure to refer to them, and
the RICH, Of persons 10 petition Tor redress
Of yricvances-but il IS with sincere regret they
perceive spirit in some part Of the commun-
~, however well meant, constantly agitatln3
question, that must, in the end, unless suffered
to rest, be productive of serious mischief, II not
danger, to the peace and harmony OF the Y nlon.
By keeping his subjec, constantly alive before
the public, false hopes Of liberty are held out
TO the slave, exciting him ,u INSTRUMENTATION,
and creating restless for emancipation,
rendered incompatible with the existing sa'e
OF the country. II cannot but be perceived
tina, the principle Of humanity may sometimes
fail Of its object, aud ri,ei more strongly chains
that il would loosen, by inJudiciously in'erpos-
ing its good Offices in cases where II belongs
more properly for others 10 act. 1t Is not the
District Of Columbia which alone is concerned
in this mater, hut large portion OF the Unit
I'd States, and more imm dialely the country
around, tina, mus, be s-nsiby affected by every
move mrnt of the kind, calculated, as is, 10
disturb those within il, who would otherwise
remain comparatively happy and con'en'ed,
and produce rtgor in thrir treatment, i'ppos-
ed by thr constan, dread Of calamitics that will
inevitably ensue.
The CommiIer find that the laws recognize
ing slavery within the District Of Columbia, are
such as existed in the States Of Virgins aud
Maryland prior TO, and at the time OF oessio1
BY those States, respectively. The Legisla'"rr
Of Virginia had p, ohibi,ed The importation OF
slaves into the Commonwealth. with certain
provisions IN favor Of persons becoming citi>
Gems thereof, and those claiming by devise de.
scent, or marriage; and under the operation of
thai act, did the county and town Of Alexandria
become part Of ,hr District OF Columbia.
=. ;,,a h.r hp
of Marylsnd having no law in force al The tim"
apains, the introduction and sale Of slaves with
in her limits, they have been prrm,,ed 10 be
Trough, in and sold within III, county Of Wash
inp,on without no other restrictions than those
prescribed BY The Corpo' a'ions oi Washing on
and George own, Tor me regulation OF slaves
within their u s2t GIVE Jurisdictions.
Although there is nolHing 10 prevent IN the
mar, of the Di,u'ct tedrd by MARYLAND, The
Committee are ho aw r., nor do they believe I,
tina, the pra,t tie Of buving slaves foi the pur
pose of SELF hem, t. remain in the Dis'ric',
ex,sjs 10 any extent. ] he uade alluded to IN
tn, Er>t r, solution, is presumed 10 refer more
IA l,cuIarly 10 ihat which is Carried on with
,ne view of Transporting them 10 the South.
which is ,ne W of gradually diminishing the
Evil compi aIntd Of here, while the situation of
those pe,sors is considerably mliga'ed by be-
Jog r-n p,a"'ed 10 more genial and oonnti>
GI CLUE AID although violence may some.
times he dom to their feelings in the separa
lion Of flmi,r, and it is ny the laws of society,
wsich oprra'e upon them as properly, and cam
No: BE- avoided a, long as they exist; yet, 1t
should be somr consolation tn those whose teel-
inps are ,nleIesltd IN their behalf, To know,
that II cir contiio is more frequently better
ed. aud 'neir minds happier by the ex hange.
Tnerr is no wan, ct humanity on The part OF
the ci,iz,ns Of this District in the treatment OF
their slaves so far as the committee have under
! stood; on the contrary. a degree of indulg' nee
aud FIRE, dom Is allowed, "hich renders their
services comparatively of little value, and the
laws IA, .rd every facility tn manumission. An
x,raoIdinary diligence is observed in the pro-
lection Il their rights, a, well as those Of Tree
persons Of color, highly cred!tabe to the citi-
gems and the cause of humanity.
The committee have examined into the com.
plants altdgad against he use of the public
| tails for con6ning slaves who are b"ugh' for the
purpose Of being sold elsewhere, and find that
the considerations Of j's,icv, as well as human
ity, strongly re, ommerdeG IT SO long as he
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