Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1831-12-24

General Assembly.
1--WE arc also requested to VIM. b. CHAM
bcrlayne, Candidate to represent Henrco, in the
present Legislature.
FOR THE ENQUIRER.
The caamitous scenes which took place in Soitlamp-
ton in August hs have impressed every mind the
cessy.o adopting measures. calculated remove tho
evil which impends the Commonwealth, and poisons
the enjoymcnt.of its citizens.
The public prints filled with pieces the subject
some recommending one scheme and some another, but
all showing that the people look TO this present Lcgisla
ture with the most extreme selcitude for the adoption OF
such measures they in their wisdom may think best
calculated 10 remove or lessen the evil.
Under the impression that it is the duty of every sei
zen on an occasion like this TO throw out his suggestions
Tor considerations will contribute mine, desiring
attention to them than they may appear to deserve
have observed that writer the proprc
ty Of an application TO the General akethe
prompest possie' for the removal of the slaves
from amongst u.s. by purchasing them from their
and coloniZng them-and remarks that the present is
vey fit time for the application the public debt will
speedily be paid off: but has that writer made any cacu
aon as to the amount that would be necessary such
purposc Does he know that the number.of slaves Within
the United States exceeds two millions! Or that would
require at least the of four hundred MILLIONS
oil dollars to purchase taking into account
the additional amount necessary for the purchase OF their
increases II done in gradual and for the necessary
expenses attending their transportation.
A calm reflection OH the many difficulties to- be
come and the many Earring interests 10 be reconced
the Government could be induced, be
horzed to go into work like this orbds that should
look that way with any such expectations; whence il fol-
lows that if we desire TO ameorate our situation i'm this re-
spect, we must depend mainly on ourselves.
may be asked, if think that the resources of the
State of Virginia adequate to the purchase and
poraton Of the slaves settled in her territory, if
think that the III slaves should be bound lbe-
rate them Immediately for the purpose of transportation?
To both these enquiries in the negative because
Of the inability OF the State to make the purchase, and of
the injustice there would be in deprivng the of
slaves of their property to many of whom their property
OF this kind may constitute their all. :
remains then TO consider, what be done TO lessen,
and in gradual way TO remove, The evil under which
now labor isynversay admitted that the-great num-
Der oil free negroes which nabt land, and who are
peritted TO mix and associate with slaves, affords
of the greatest discomfort to them rendering
them unhappy and restless in their situations and causes
them to look forward with extreme anxiety for change
Moreover 1T is very questionable, whether the situation
OF the free negroes themselves, excluded they are
from all hope OF eyer rising 10 any distinction in society
Is much better than that of the slaves Judging by an accu
rate examination or enquiry into the life and of
those living in neghborhood, with few exceptions
in those living amongst us, degraded race ncapa-
bic OF any honorable exertion to improve their situation,
and who a therefore TO ideness and all
dispation and TO obtain the of gratifying their low
and sensualappelites unite with the slave, in devising
schemes of plumber which has tended than all
causes, perhaps, 10 produce that spirit of discomfort and
INSTRUMENTATION which has been very prevalent for some
time past The number of free people of color in Virgil
MA taken by the last census is stated forty
thousand and eighty six.
To remove these people speedily resources
would admit Of, and in manner not inconsistent with
the principles ofuscc and humanity would 60 far in.
my opinion lessen the evil under which we labor; and
happily, think the means are completely within our
power
Late accounts from Liberia and recent circumstances
nave induced greater number of late TO offer engrae
under the auspices of the Colonization Society than Their
means would enable them to accommodate. Ii is also to
he supposed that this disposition will continue, even
increase especially il they find increasing difficulty I'm
procure comfortable subsistence amongst us which in all
probability will be the case il such rccommc ndaons a.
those suggested by the inhabitants of NOrthamton con,
are adopted and enforced.
To meet this favorable disposition, and TO remove as
many as we can with their CONSENT in the shortest
time'possibe, would propose the immediate imposition
oil an annual tax, Ivy per ccntagc the taxes in
existence, sufficient TO raise the Of at least hun
dre cT thousand dollars, TO be applied 10 this end
lhis sum- suppose, would be fully sufficient remove
wcntyh hundred annually and 10 afford
them for six months after their arrival Africa To
make this provision efficient possible would propose
that males fifty of age, females over tbr
tyvc, should be removed the expense of the State
OF persons over those ages DESTROYS 10 90 many No
doubt could find the themselves, and many others
by the aid of private donations would pd every difficulty
removed
But though now speak of private donations and refer
to the humane exerions OF the Colonization Society.
which WILL doubt, be continued towards eGecting
thus OBJECT let IT not be thought that will do TO rely alto
gethcr on them This is the OF every friend TO
Vrgiuia;every friend TO Virginia therefore con-
tribute his aid. tax Of one hundred thousand dollars
only about fourteen and half per capita on eve
- white person in the State.
In aid of some such ! have here proposed
would further suggest ta such restrictive measures OF
police should be adopted and enforced with respect TO our
free people Of color, might have tendency TO induce
such as felt uneasy under those restrictions cngrae to
other States in quest ogreater liberty, and chance
to improve their situation in life And In order that there
might not soon be any want Of fit subjects for colonzaion
WOuld propose TO grant permission 10 all persons, to
emanciPatc their slaves rs they might think proper.
am aware that account of the jealousy with which
our free coored population is regarded this last proposition
may be viewed with degree Of apprehension; but
cannot conceive there is any danger in itas persuad-
ed, and indeed fear, that small part of e commnitr
would be disposed 10 avail themselves of ts ncrmiss;on
that the time not far Distant when shall be compcl
ed TO 10 the resolution, that all who may be born az
ter given day shall be declared free as they NAV
have attained certain age, in order that al last there NAV
be certain prospect of freeing land from that worst
OF evils slavery and mixed colorcd population without
feeling Of amor Pdtri0, and who regard the whites az
cruel task masters whom they may rob and plumber with
out feeling OF remOrse.
1t may be believed by some that we, by the adop
ton Of like these annually to ret rid of few
thousand persons who, by their ages, capable Of labor
we could inconveniently spare them such feel
would not be the casc for the very PRONUNCIATION that
virginia was adopting to get rid Of her colorcd
population, would be received in tic neghbornp States,
ana IN orcgn countries, invitation to all who wish
70 better their situation to repair to this country specd
~ as possibc and such the evils Of dense popu-
a9n IA many parts Of Europe that the principal daicJd.