Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-02-07


the other hand, We are, in measure, an,i.com.
mercial-de6ciert in real capital, and almos,
exclusively agrie ul,urai--contenting ourselves
with being "hewers Of wood, and drawers Of
water" to the Eastern States, in a CONNER
cial point Of view. This. then, accounts for
our being behind those great rmporiums Of
commerce-and not slavery, as supposed BY
your correspondent; and il the averment here
made, required proof other than wha, is already
advanced, look to the city Of New Orleans,
where slavery is in all its forms-look to the
West Indies, and particularly the Mantanzas--
and then say ifihey anguish from slavery.
2. The abolition oil slavery in the District,
SO far from improving, would unques,ioDably
ncYease our diffic ulties, unless conlemporaneous
arrangements could be made TO send every free
man and woman Of color gu, Of the country.
Could this be done after emancipation, without
the consent Of the emanci pated?-certainly not;
for i, would be solecssm in terms, 10 say, Il Sc,
you free and you free, but ye, you mus, leave
your native place, and 60 TO Afric's sul,ry
cline! We have abundant proofs of their un.
willingness TO leave the United States for the
pleasures of Africa, in The fact that not more
than one out Of Fifty have been prevailed upon
to emigrate, although every inducemen, was
held out; and il will not be denied by The mosI
prejudiced ,advoe ate for their emancipation
thai generally speaking, the free people Of color
now in the District. are utterly lost 10 all sense
Of dscency and good morals that they live ia
the most dissolute, idle and miserable manner,
and frequently end their days prema,urely and
by violence. ) admit that there are exceptions;
but they are lew in comparison. Increase, then,
the number Of free persons Of color, and you
increase, in the like degree, the evil.
8. An attempt, on the part of Congress, to
prohibit the intr oduct;on Of slaves in the Dis
,rict, in transfer, would be vain thing, mas
much as it would be an easy matter for the ira
der to make his arrangements or establish
men,s within one foot Of the imaginary line or
lines which separate us from The States; and
while all the evils here complained of, would
Ne imms dia,ely under our eye, we should b.,
nevertheless, entirely remedies; whereas, no,o,
every transaction which is contra bonus mores,
can be promptly corrected by the police autho-
ri,y of The three cities 10 the District.
tend 70 he destruction Of private property,
wihou, first providing an adequate indemnify;
and hence, law, having for its object, pro-
s2ective emancipation uf slavery in the Dis.
tric,, wi,hnu, indemnify TO the STAKEHOLDER,
could no, be enfo ced; and it would be just as
futile as il clearly would be unconstitutional;
70, every man holding slave or slaves, would
instantly dvesf him,,lf thereof, and thereby
completely evade and defeat the provisions of
the statute.
10 The mere obler dictum Of Grand Jury
(howe,er respectable or inlellgent)o f this any
other County in the Distric,, is no, TO govern,
conlrofor prejudice, the long and well es,ab-
,shed rights Of others; neither was it their pros
vince, unless some act had been perpetrated
within their County, upon tohich and for Uhich
they legally could find presentmeni or indicl-
mrnt. voud ais hey had no power as
Grand Inquest; ana, consequently, their opinion
was emitted 10 the same respect, and no more,
than would be due TO the character, feelings
and opinions IL y other l6 or "a intelligent
ard respectable gentlemen. 1t only proves how
true IS the maxim, tina, "power is always steal
ing from III. many TO the few unless the ut>
mos, vigilance be observed.
Aud. lastly, while am by no means disposed
10 call in question the purity and integrity
# M. Miners motives, in this ma;ter,-yet
may be permiusd, Misunderstanding amy Of the
rub Of decorum, to doubt the soundness OF his
Judgment, or the utility Of your views.
CITIZEN OF THE DISTRICT.
DIED,