Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1830-12-03

- 81.
to Impose restrictions on trade
French CAamtsr Of Deputiss. AT
a recent sitting ofthe Chamber, Gene
raj LArAxErT made tho following re-
marks relative TO the suppression Of the
Slave Trade. On this, a. on oil other
occasions, he was careful to render jss-
tice TO the United States, whose char
acter OF institutions he omits no prop
sr oppotsunity ofhoiding ITO respect
and admirasion- = 4 s
! GEN. LArXrxTrs--I feel Always
READY TO unite in whatever tends to et-
evate the unfortunate condition of the
ancient and unhappy Colony of St. Do
mingo: but, after the debate which has
lust occupied our attention, tho Cham
Der will not be disappointed il ! pass
over the present question, to the situa-
ton Of the Colonies which are still ia
our possession. regret very much
that, at the time ofthe Constituent AS
sembiy, the resolutions were not pcrsis-
ted in, which united the free people OF
color with the other colonists, in de-
claring them entitled to the same rights
/ also wish that the slave trade had
been vigorously lnterdicted, and that
law for the gradual abolition Of slave
Try had pretended the misfortunes occa-
stoned by sudden and inprudent e.
Emancipation. And, since We have NOT
had sufficient reason to lament this
Consular and Imperial system, which
fsent our best troops to perish in the sad
expedition TO ST. Domingo, and which
caused the double outrage Of re-es-
ltab:ishing slavery aud the slave trade,
| at time when mono but French capit-
al was engaged in this Infamous trafficf
Now gentlemen, after 90 many sacrii-
lces and nisfortunes, we find ourselves
|hehindhand with many other nations.
| at least in. the suppression Of the slave
trade The United States frat, the
English immediately afterwards, have
assimilated il with piracy, tho only
means Of. REFRESHING il, whilst the gull
~ can obtain pccuniary indemnifcation
from those who employ them, WIN, for
example, send their ships. TO st. Thom-
as to carry on the direct trade Tor
slaves. II is To avoid consuming tims
with special propositions and reference
to the offices, that I entrest the Minis
ter Of Marine, who 10 present, land of
whose favorable Intentions in this res
jpec, Tam well aware) to communicate
to us, decidedly, the determination Of
Government on this subject, and on the
|condition of the free men of color in
Jour colonies. y
THE MINISTER or MaRraE.--I have
the hanor of stating to the Chamber.
that agree entirely in the justics and
Humanity of the sentiments manifested
blythe illustrious General, who has Just
descended from the tribune. The,
Goyernment proposes to present to the
Chamber a law, which will condemn
Iall those TO the penalties of piracy who
for the future in this infamous
trade for human beings II must be
acknowledged that the trade has dis
ImiGished, though, in spite of the pre$
cautions taken by Government, it still
exists in a great degree. The penal
ties enacted against pirscy can a!ono
suppress it entirely. Something msy
lat this time, however, be mentioned
honorable 10 France, which is, that of
tall the European nations, who have
maritime commerce. she is least of all
Igiven to this cd ious traffic. As 10 the
fate of the free people Of the colonies,
1.-The Government acknowledges that free
men can no longer exist in differnt con-