Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1829-11-19
VIRGINIA CONVENTIONS.
TUESDAY, Nov. 10

The Convention was opened with prayers Ivy
the Rev Mr. Sykes Of the Methodist Church
and the President took the Chair.
On Mr.. McCoy's motion, the Convention
then resolved u self INTO he COMMITTEE Of the
Whole on the Constituion-Mr Powell in the
Chair.
Mr.. Giles rose IN cont auaitoH Of hs address.
III b. e ~ with staing that he had never been
III the nabit of comp planning, but il was common
justice to himself to say that when he rose
Yesterday he felt himself labouring uaier such
physical nfrmity, that he was scarcely able 10
adore IS the Committeeman hence, he WAS APP
prehenSive that his remarks were confused, and
that many Of the arguments which he intended
10 have presented, had been omitted. lie had
particularly iorborue 10 read extracts from
books, which he found SO much calculated TO
exhaust him. Among other things, he had IN
tended to touch more at large the opinions Of
the venerable gentleman from Loudoun MIR
bIonroe on the emancipation of our slaves.
Mr. G. intended TO show, that Congress had
uniformly dsclalmed all jurisdiction over them
and for lhis purpose referred 10 resolution
adopted by Congress many years ago, disclam-
ing all such jurisdiction. THIS was, indeed. a
merely declaratory act, bat there were two
bills grounded upon IT, which were passed-One
was 10 prohibit our citizens from Carrying on
the Slave Trade.--One Of these bills was found
ed on a strong application from The Qlakers-
aud at that time, the pledge was given by the
Qaakers, thaiit Congress would prohibit the Slave
Trade abroad, they would not interfere with
the slaves at homeland he understood that a
paper was filed to that effect and the line of
demarcaton was supposed to be run. This was
followed by an ACT OF Congress Unanimously
passed. declaring that the moment slave was
brought into The United States the power OF
the General Government ceased, and that OF
the Stale Governments attached. He would
read extracts from the provisions of the law OF
Congress to show now necessary it was in this
delicate subject becoming more so every day,
10 understand the state OF The question. He
sand that the proyis on he read had been penned
by himself and that he had never taken more
care IN drawing up any composition. Having
read an extract from the provision OF the act OF
congress, he called the attention of the Com
mlltee TO the fact, that the provisions Of this
act prohibited the exercise OF authority over
slaves even IN the terrtories-and the second
Eaw purporIed TO follow the Constitution Of the
4. ). in their hehalf-He remarked on the re-
SUITS that follow from this act-ihat the Con
Bress had relinqnished all power over slaves,
leaving them 10 The municipal laws OF the State.
Ale added, that he State of Ohio, acting at that
tine under fanalical spirit had invited mum
refuge in her territory. 1t had been suggested,
stthe time these laws of Congress were passed,
tna' u ONO chose 10 change her policy, she
should have the power TO reduce these free peo-
pie of color hereafter to state of slavery. In
consequence OF this idea, the provision was a
oopten. h5d now, what has Ohio done Be-
coming perfectly sensible of her fanatcism (he
would not call it folly,) she has passed law
mat all persons of color should give security in
sum beyond which they have not the ability
70 give It, tor their good behavior, under pen
atty OF leaving the State--and if they refused
and did not leave the State, he presumed they
would be subject to incarceration and then
virginia may look out for the consequences
ohie mas provided no asylum TO protect these
people. And may she not hereafter, if sht
hnds nothing else will answer, reduce them it
state Of slavery1 Aud do not all these fact
ana considerations show how very cautious we
should he in 1eddng with this delicate sub
ject, and calling on the interposition Of the gen
eral government
tie begged leave to call the attention OF tn,
committee ID ano'her point which he had omit
ted yesterday viz : who are to be the constit
"ehis TO whom the power Of government is 10 b
cohhned whether the majority or minority
Tue majority are to have it, what is to be til