Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1831-12-17

was so dangerous subject that in the language of scrip
tnrc they must "touch not taste not, handle not He
ana not agree with the gentlemen from MecklenburC and
Prince William, who had given some lucid views on this
point, that the minds of members or OF the community
Were made up on the matter He knew, that in his vi
city there existed feelings which placed him in most
delicate stuatonfcelings of doubt and want of
as what ought to be done. The confidence of the pco
pie was cones and when that lost something mus be
done. Whcnmcn were found 10 lock their doors at night
and open them in the morning receive their servants o
light their fires with pistols in their hands, surely some
measures TO restore confidence and security were ncces
sary Under such circumstances life became burthen
and il better TO seek home in some distant re
and leave the graves OF their fathers, than endure so
precarious condition. IL evident that thing
nusbc donc and although measures for the removal OF
this evil might not, perhaps be arrived at
yet some plan for its gradual eradication would
be hi, upona system might be concoctcd bv 10
embrace the whole subject and il was therefore
ary to consider in all its bearings The people tell
that some measure must be taken-what that measure is
they DO no; say-thcy have formed an opinion Shall
We then, refuse to consider the subject! No. Let us
discuss cooy and fully and compare opinions that SONG
beneficial result may arise from deliberations. Mr..
was, therefore, willing TO iorego pressing his own OPT
Mons at this stage OF the nvesgao-nor did he believe
that the Legislature would take direct steps towards
the emancipation of the slaves; buthc was willing TO con-
slider that topic, connected with those objects which
Immediately the subject of their present aen
non-and as the respectable Society of Friends wished TO
be heard on this matter he had objection Perhaps the
Legislature might do something which should form nu-
cieus, or, TO speak more mechanically, an entering
weuge' towards inc ultimate emancipation of the slaves
at distant period He had heard very distinctly their
Pcuuon Wncn IL was read but he did think obicc-
uonabe Let me ask said Mr. b., is there one man i'm
Virginia. who does not lament that there was ever slave
the Sate' And is there who considers the decay
our prosperity and the retrograe movement of this
once fourishing Commonwealth who does not attribute
them to the pregnant of slavcry And are we not
then willing to look into the subject, and see whether
at some future time 1t not be removed, Virginia
be enabled again to stand freed from the shackes bv
which she Is encountered? In throwing out these
suggestions, he spoke his independent sentiments
He would not take shelter under the cloak of any other
mans opinions, however great he might benot even I'M
der those of the immortal Jefferson But when was ar
gued tha this subject must not be touched he would
whether such feeling prevailed in other States where
the evil OF Slavery had been removed? The feelings
the interests, the doubts exist
ed In those States, previous TO the abolition of Slavery
that now exist here. And had nspoon to act upon
and discuss prevailed the States of New York Pennsy
Vana and Others would still have been burhcned with the
evils OF Slavery They had mainly removed in some
cases, entirely cradcated it, by the or nearly the
same plan that was recommended by Mr. Jefferson
They did not object TO touch the subjects but it bold
y, and arc rcaping the benefits of their measures Does
any many doubt that Slavery is cvili Does any man
deny, that the cost of production by Slave labor is far
greater than by white labcrl The facts are before him.
and around him. Even the vegetables which supply our
tables the tubs which and thousand other
ces are bought from the laborers of the holding
States These statements might, perhaps be considered
as ing with the subject at this stage of
and he had wish extend the debate at present He
was Stakeholder himself and probably should be one
as long as Slaves held at all in Virginia; but that
circumstance did not prevent him from wishing TO exam
Inc every plan that might be presented and every opinion
that might be expressed the subject before the House
was not proposed that branch OF the subject should
be taken up for the action of the House until the whole
should have been thoroughly concoced by the Committee
He therefore, being DESTROYS weigh the whole subject
hoped these Memorials would be referred.
Mr.. Brown, said he was not in the House when the
petitions were read, but he understood that they simply
proposed inquiry into the expediency of adopting
sres for the gradual removal of the slave population the
Commonwealth and that they expressed in respect
ul and decorous language He was satisfied therefore
without calling for the reading of the petitions again. that
they ought to be REFERRED aud not rejected as unworthy
he wa in nf
these petitions he wished TO be understood that he had
no expectation that the object of the petitioners would be
attained. He admitted that slavery was an evil-the
greatest perhaps, that angry Providence could nict
on SHINING people. But it too late correct it, 1t
was now so interviewer with habits and interests that
II was impossible TO free ourselves from it,
to attemptit 1t would be in order 10 discuss the merits
OF this question His own opinion formed tbs sub
lect and he had no expectation that il would be changed
ut he would not shut his 10 the views and opinions
Others nor close oor against the petitions and represen
aons of the people. He was willing TO hear all that could
BIS said the subject and should be happy to find ba he
was in error and that abolition expedent practica
Die The ground takcnby the gentleman from Mccklen-
burg that the subject ought not be brought into
discussion, was not tenabe The representatives of the
Southern States in Congress had assumed that position and
they were right in doing No foreign government or
allen authority, or sister State, should be permitted to
terPose in any form, with the subject There were no
such objections to the consideration of this by our
own Legislature On the contrary he thought il nds-
pensabe that il should be discussed and settled 1t was
expected and desired by the people, that the whole sub
ject, in all its relations, should be examined and that the
General Assembly should dccide-not to do something
but whether any thing ought to be done-ct eve
ny man, therefore, prefer his petionLet every man in
the State who entertains any peculiar of opinions on
this subject, lay hembefore this bodyLet them all re-
speculy considered and with all the light that be shed
on this by the members of this body the people,
ot us decide the question: finally and forever Hopes
fears have been excited and if il possible they should be
put at rest-and grounds be left for false expectations
with that view, let receive every peton-hear every
mans opinionsmake il manifest that act understand
ngly on the subject, and then whatever conclusion we
arrive at, will be regarded final and unaerable The
public mind will be satisfied, and the subject will sleep
forever. He preferred this course, because he X
pectcd that his views would be changed by discus
SON. but because all descriptions of persons would more
readily acquesce in decision arrived by such means
But ii inquiry stfed-f petitions rcjestcd
without consideration, the question would sunk
The petitioners will think that you acting i'll the dark
and without the benefit of the light which they believe
themselves able TO afford YOU They will regard YOU as
rash and unreasonable; and hoping, that some ausp-
cieus moment, you may be in approachable mood
they will assail you every session with fresh remon-
TO give he wished merely add that he was in favor of
adopting for the removal of free people of color
from the Commonwealth and of revising the laws respect
ing Slaves in order TO supply the defects disclosed by re-
cent occurrences More than this he thought ought not
TO be attempted.
Mr.. Goode surprised that his remarks should have
been so entirely misconccivcd He had stated that nc
made this motion with feeling of or disre-
spect to the petitioners and he repeated tina:
ance But feeling that the subect-maer of these petit
tons was irrelevant to the inquiries in which Commit
tee were engaged, he had moved and repeated the
motion, TO reject them and that the question be taken by
dsrespecu to the petitioners he would ask how long was
It the House had the