Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-01-08
A,E,EcE. ASy.pl&IAs
THURSDAY MORNING, JANUARY 8. 1929


gress, within the District Of Columbia, the
power Of exclusive legislation in all cases
whatsoever"
And whereas the laws in respect to slavery
in the District Of Columbia have been wholly
neglected.
From which neglect, for nearly :hiriy years,
have grown numerous and gross corruptions.
Slave. dealers, gaining confidence from i'm
purity, have made the Seat Of the Federal Gov
eminent their head quarters for Carrying on
the domrsi; slave-trade.
The public prisons have been extensively
used (perrerted from the purposes for which
they were erected) Tor carrying on the domes-
tic slaye-irsde.
Oficers OF the Federal Government have
been employed and derived emolument from
carrying on the domestic slave trade.
Private and secret prisons exist in the dis
grict for carrying on this traffic in kuman be-
inss:
The trade is not confined TO those who are
slaves for life; but persons having limited
lime 10 serve, are boagh', by the slaves
dealers, and sent where redress is hopeless
Others are kidnapped and carried away be-
fore they can be rescued.
Instances of death. from anguish and despair,
exhibited in the District, mark the cruelty Of
Of This traffic.
Instances Of manning and suiciG-, executed
or attempted, have been exhibited, growing
Oh, Of this traffic within the District.
Free persons Of color coming into the Dis
Irict, are liable to arrest Imprisonment, and
sale into slavery for life foc jai fees, # unable
from Ignorance, misfortune, or ir aud, 10 prove
their freedom.
Advertisements beginning, awe will give
cash for one hundred likely young negroes. Of
both sexes, from eight to twenty Ave years old"
contained in the public prints Of the city, under
The notice al Congress, indicate the openness
and extent Of the traffic.
Scenes Of human beings exposed at public
vendue are exhibited herr, permitted by The
laws OF the G neral Government; a woman ha,
ing been advertised 40 be sud al Lloy d's Ia
vein, near ihe Central Market House." during
the month Of December.
a Grad Jury Of the District has presented
the sls'e-:rade as grievance.
a writer ia pubic print in the Dis,ric, mas
set forth shat, 20 those who never have seen q
spectacle oil the kind, exhibited bythe slave
srade) no description Can give IN adj, quare idea
OF lts horrors
10 SUI h extent hac this been carried in 1916,
that member Of Congress from Virginia in
troduerd . resolution in the House THAT a
SommHIee be appointed TO examine into The
existence Of an tnhuna0n and illegal traffic in
slaves; carried on In and through he Dt<,rici
OF Columbia, and report whether any, and what
measures are necessary for The putting a sio7
10 The saIss,"
The House Of Representatives, Of Pennsylva,
MA, at their last session, by an almost unani.
within the District Of Columbia ought to be a.
polished.
Numerous petitions, from various parts of
the Uhion, have been presented TO Congress,
praying for The revision Of the law, in respect
20 slavery, and the gradual abolition Of sla cry
within he District Of Columbia.
A petition was presented a, he last session |
oil Congress, signed by more than one thousand
inhabitants OF the District, praying tor the gra-
dual ABOLITION OF slavery therein.
AND WHEREAS the ten miles square, con6dfd !
30 the exclusive legislation of Congress ought,
for the honor Of Republican government, and |
the interest of ,he District, to exhibit a speci
men Of pure aud Just laws:
BE IL resolved, That the Committee for the
District oil Columbia be instructed to take into |
confederation tue laws within the District, in |
respect 10 SLAVERY, that they inquire into the
slave trade IS il exists in, and is Carried on
through, the Distric'; and that they repor, 10 |
The House such ame udmen's TO the existing
laws as shall seem TO the m to be- just.
ResoIced, ha the Commit,ee be further ia.
stract d Inquire Into The expediency Of pro-
Nldlng, 10y law, Tor the gradual b hlion of sla-
very within the District, in such manner that
the interests Of no individual shall be injured
thereby.
MI. Weems Of Maryland, moved the que S.
ton OF Consideration; on whuh gu, s,ion Mr. |
Miner demanded the yeas and nays, and they
were ordered oy the House.
So the question being, Will the House now
consider this resolution? it Was decided as fol,
lows
YEAs-Messrs. Alien, Of Massachusetts, An
derson OF Maine, Andersen of P,nnsy |, anis,
Armstrong, BIiley, Baldwin, Barker, Barlow,
Barney, Bartle,', Barley Bates Of Massachu-
setts, Bates of Missouri Beecher, Blair, 3tke,
Brown, Buchanan, Buck, Cambrelrng, Chiffon,
Clark of New York, Condict, Coulter, Crown
i6shield, CaIpeprr, Davenport, OF Ohio, Davis
Of Massachusetts, ID Graft, Dickinson, EARL,
Everett, Finday, Fry, Garnsey, Garrow, Cor
ham, Green, Haloek, Healy, Hobbir, Hodges,
Hoffman, Hun, lnsersoll, J nuings, Johns,