Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-11-17
FoR THE WING.
TO TILE PEOPLE OE VIRGINIA

Having Scon several memorials in the ncwspa-
pers from Lynchburg and Northampton, and ind-
cations of others from Westmoreland, and several
other parts of Virginia, the objects Of which are
TO lid the State ofthe free colored populations have
felt disposed to offer few crude remarks, with tho
hope that they may tend in degree, to call
public attention to the subject.
1t Is evident that these measures have grown
out of the late melancholy occurrence in South
ampton, and intended by those who advocate
Thorn, to guard against future calamities Of like
nature; and so far asthey supported by facts
cordially unite with them; but have been induced
TO look for tho causes which render this particular
measure so important, without being able to find
them. In tho county of Southampton, the imme
date scene of all the horrid murders which were
perpetratcd, there considerable number Of
free blacks; yet, all the vigilance OF legal invest
CATION and individual exertion, in bringing the of
tenders to justice, have hitherto succeeded in de-
tecting but two individuals amongst this numerous
class OF persons who engaged in the dread full
work, or who have been proven as aosessary TO it,
and these men had slaves for their wives, which
will satisfactorily account for the course which
they took. This circumstance taken in connex-
ion with tho fact, that the extensive plans which
were laid in North Carolina were disclosed by a
tree negro, go far In my view, TO weaken the i'm
portance of the measure, as calculated to effect
the object.
While l regard the free blacks in most cases, as
nuisance on our society, and their removal an
object much 20 be desired, believe, that by far the
greatest number of them are too well satisfied with
their present condition, to risk the chance Of be-
tering 1t by joining in any insurrccionary plans
against the whites. Where are we TO look fof.the
eutdcnce that their removal from the State, is the
measure to effect the object professed Il be aimed
at; namely, security On the contrary am indi.
sed to believe, (and alone in this opinion)
that how much their removal, on other ac
counts, may be desired, yet in this particular their
presence amongst us, has contributed, and will
contribute to the security Of our inhabitants.
Memorials are in circulation in many OF the
counties of Eastern Virginia, having for their oh.
of hp nile colo
OF the State; some of them looking forward to
period whom slavery shall cease to exist amongst
us, thus striking at the root of tie evil.
The proposition from the county of Buckinp-
ham, adopts the plan recommended by Mr.. LETTER
son, Which is TO colonze all slaves born cr n GER
tain period, 10 be fixed by the Legislature, without
the limits Of the United States. No plan would
succeed more effcctuallv than this vet I do moi de
tract from the wisdom and experience of that
great and profound statesman, by SAYING that up-
der eristing circumstances, some plan is wanting
to take effect at an earlier period, than that
fnended by Mr.. Jefferson.
Another memorial originated in the county of
Hanover, proposes the laying moderate tax on
slaves and free negroes in order to raise fund for
the removal Of such would be voluntarily sur
rendered to the State, by their owners, (ahd there
will doubt he many such,) in order TO thor be
ing sent to Liberia. This memorial also PROPOSES
that d certain portion of the free coourcd popuIa-
ton of the State, should also be sent from the
State annually. 1T be objected to this last
msnti, ned memorial, that the object cannot be eF-
70 cied, without making the tax so great as To he
burthensome. This objection may be obvated by
hiring out such given up, until sum- sufficient
to Cctray the expense of their removal respective
ly, is raised. But my principal design in men
ticning the memorials from Hanover and Buck.
ingbam in connection. is 10 propose that the prop
oSitions be united-wo wish 10 the work pro-
crossing, and circumstances require that soinetiag
shO,sM be done, and all agree that something must
be done.
BY reference to the census Of 1890, 1900 and
1910, it viii be perceived, that the white popua-
ton of Eastern virginia increased 81 SOS i'm The
@ years proceed ny 1900 and that the increase for
] 0 succeeding years, only 2,lGi!!i II will
bc rscolec!ed, that in 1900, plot Of insuYrcc-
tion was discovered in the ncighbourhood OF Rich
rnond and TO this circumstance, VIC may attribute
much of the diminished increase Of the white pom
ulation from 1900, TO 1910. 1t is trne, that the
fertile soil of Ohio, held ont Inducements to those
disposed emigratc, but the fear of consequences
from the existing evil, and the cheering prospect
that they would not encounter it there, are known
to have had Il powerful effect, in causing the emf. /
grafton. If the discovery of plot, in which no |
lives were lost, produced such an effect, what arc
to expect from the recent occurrence in South. !
ampton, where more than sixty persons pcriShsd /
under their bandsl The black population OF he (
State has been increasing for the last 10 years in
the ratio of to l, our white population. The
facts are notorious, and the effects will be sure If
we wish to give confidence TO our inhabitants and
peace and security TO our frcsides, VIC must adopt
,orne plan more effectua than that Of ,gcrely re-
moving the free blacks. This part of the Stale las
Jcen thrown into great cOnmOtIOn, and how need [
css socver the general alarm may have been vet [
{ has been sufficient TO cause many families to
cave the State, and msBy more arc making prep1-
atoms TO follow. Under these circumstances the |
lcxt Legislature is looked TO with intense anxiety
nd should il fail to pass salutary law upon Il
he subject & such will hold out a well grounded
ope that we may rest secure from future scenes
+ carnage, and awful approximations Of them,