Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-06-30

ed to 10 lO7 or 27A per cent Whilst the annual in
crease i'll the first mentioned period OF ten years. oacy
exceeded two per cent-n the last ten II has hcoriS
reached three and there is every reason tn fear pro-
gressive augmentation without some prompt ana
al check. The whole free colored population al pre-
sent, AZ appears By the official returns eNcecuS
If the three per of this number or about lloo'
were annually removed (Which it is believed could DC
effected expense Of $50 0O0 the evil would at once
be Invested of It's most alarming consequence
How easy would it be for State patronage and private
lbcraty united, eli this objoct!wha an nconSi-
derabc fraction deducted from private income aiohe'
and devoted this noble work. would fulfil our san
gunc dcsircs.-Thcrc is another reason why Virginia
should step forward at with ardcr and resolution
Her honour interest and humanity require it. An act
of the last Legislature clearly demonstrates the degree
of sensbty and apprehension, which are felt IN rea-
ton to the free coorcd class BY that act emlnclpa-
ted slaves, remaining i'll the Commonwealth arc directed
in summary way be sold again into slavery. As.
semhng themselves together for the purposes oil mental
or moral Improvement is denounced as hlgh mlsde-
neanor, and made punishable by srpes-and II white
person. no matter bv what motive acuated, shall pre-
ume to aid in the task of Instruction. the offence Is VI
scd by the penalties of fine and Imprisonment 1t Is
not province TO arraign the policy or wisdom OF
this The subject is beset with difficulties, on
Whatsoever side it is regarded But we ask whether
this system of infection and severity ought not TO be
redeemed by liberal provision to effect the very OBJ
ect which the Legislature has in view. What is that OBJ
cct?not destroy the right of manumssion. If that
had been intended the Legislature would have marched
boldly and directly to the point. They would at once
have subjected the will and the conscience of the
cipatng to the censorial power of the State
lnelr design was therefore TO the commonwealth
of n dangerous and corruptng population. And may
we not suggest, that the plan of Colonzing at public
expense these unhappy people, with their consent
on the Coast of Africa would be with
the justice magnanimity of great State, than sys-
TEN, which first dooms them to mental and moral de.
gradation and then drives them by the fear of the lash,
perpetual slavery into other States,-where perhaps
their introduction is prohibited by code of similar ri
gor.
We will not believe. that Virginia who was the first
Pioneer,-wo distinctly recognized the principle, and
paronzed the plan Of Colonzaton,-who allured other
Safes to unite with her in etectng the object-will
be the first to shrink from in cold distrust. We will
not believe, that she will render feeble support;
on the contrary,we will cherish the hope that she will
go on, and vigorously cooperate in cause which
comments tselfto her especial favor, and munihcence
The Managers believe that the surcst means to at
tract public favor is dfuse through the State cor
rect intelligence of the present state of the Colony,
forced by suitable exposition of the views, and OBJ
jects and motives, Of the Society For this purpose,
they would invite the of the various auxil-
aries in this State. i'll united effort the
tenon of the people, we'll the representatives,
in the next General Assembly. They think it also de-
srbe, that the several branches in Virginia. should
point Delegates to represent them in the General
Meeting the State Society and they deem it of great
Importance, that the ministers of the various religious
denominations within the State, who friendly the
Society, should recommend TO their several
tiOns public contribution the 4th OF July next.
The Trcasurcrs Account, which accompanies this
Report, shews that from Contributions and Collections
the of Sl7l3:50 has been transmitted the Parent
Society, and that balance of $40 27 remains in his
hands