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

had created such degree OF fear In the minds Of the re-
of the people, induce them to endeavor
TO effect their removal at once rcstlesSncss would be
produced among that population, which could but be
productive Of much evil Were the Legislature enter
tain such Fears they would certainly be unworthy of the
public confidence III there those individuals who
as had been minated unlocked their DOORS and received
their domescs with pistols in their hands, he mr. g.
at any rate knew of such But he did know those,
whose doors locked at night by their servants who
carried the keys 10 their dwellings,, while their mas
tiers were nduging in their undsurbcd sumbers with
full faith and confidence in the fidelity of those whose
hands they did hesitate place the OF their lives
and property. Hundreds of instances of this kind had
come underhis own observation in which those who stand
around usin the capacity of servants are looked upon
our tried and faithful friends and cndearcd by
thousand ties of attachment almost strong those
which bind us TO families His object had been in
the part he had taken in this discussion, prevent the
unnecessary consideration of subject which be ag
toed in yan HE firmly believed that the opinions of
mepnbers were formed in regard 10 it, and could be
changed Some gentlemen, however, had indicated that
they wished 10 examine and give vote upon it and he
had afforded them the opportunity by moving reject it,
Ihose who in favor Of the consideration Of sys
TEN FOR the abolition of slavery vote against the
ton TO reject while those. who, like himself looked upon
the agitation of that question than useless, could
vote Tor its rejection, with disrcspccful feelings
wards the petitioncrS the ground taken by the
House in rejecting the petition of Mr. Anderson which
was respectfully, and in may passages elegantly express
cd and related TO a subject OF much importance.
ny Boiling addressed the House with reluctance, but
in Justice TO his constituents he could not refrain from
pressing what he believed to be their opinions He was
in favor OF considering the petitions and truly to be
wished that those who opposed their reference :ld
planned Of members who thought differently, could be
made TO see the "beomin their eye" before they
dcavourcd the from that otheir ncghbos
We talk freedom, while slavery exists in the land and
speak with horror oil the tyranny of the Turk We
an evil which the best interests OF the community require
should be removed, which denounced the banc of
happiness, by the Father of the Commonw eal and
to which we trace the cause of the lamentable depression
of Eastern Virginia. Every Intelligent individual admits
that slavery is the most pernicous of all the evils with
which body polite be afflicted by Is this
position denied we except the erratc John Randolph of
Roanoke who goes about like troubled spirit malignant
y assaung every individual against whom his spleen is
excited Holding these opinions of the and opera
ton oil slavery among he wished that il should be look
ed at in all Its aspectsand should therefore, against
the rejection ofthc petitions.
Mr.. Chandler had been delighted at many of the re-
marks which had been called forth this morning. He, in
common with his constituents, looked forward 10 the pas
sage OF law during the present session. for the removal
OF free blacks and he also favor of the consdera-
ton OF any plan which might remove entirely at some
future time, The greatest which had been in
cted upon this State. He should look upon the day ON
which the delverance Of the Commonwealth from the
burhen Of slavery should be contaminated, the most
glorious the annals of Virginia. after the fourth of July,
l776 He should for any proposition likely realize
so great object and should therefore oppose the motion
to reject these petitions.
Mr. Rves said that in the present uncturc he was OBJ
posed the consideration any plan similar that pro-
posed IN the peitons-no that the subject i'm
porant one and worthy the most profound attention.; but
because its agitation at the present appeared
him inudicous, ii not perilous The people of Eastern
virginia were now considering the subec but he did not
believe that any public opinion had been formed a. TO
what course ought to be pursued. Why was it not bet
ter them leave it to the consideration of the people I'M
Ill public opinion should have become seled. He did not
wish into the merits of the question: but he did not
think the motion of the gentleman from Meckenburp TO
reject the petition, would go decide whether House
would act on the not If that gentleman would
withdraw his motion, and allow him (Mr. R) to move TO
lay the petitions on the table, TO be put test question:
the point would be decided.
| Mr. Goode acceded 10 this suggestion and withdrew
his motion
Mr. Rves moved TO lay the petitions on the table, and
asked the ayes and noes.
Mr. Sims said, that he had yet formed an opinion
as to the measures to be taken by the legislature on the
subject OF slavery he wished that il might be agi
tated He did not deny the right of individuals petition
In all cases, when by doing they did niurc the in
tercsts Of others But in this he wished that the
subject might not be acted upon. He did not know the
opinions of the people at arge but his immediate
constituents not DESTROYS that the subject of emanc-
patton should be considered
Mr. Brodnax made few remarks i'm reply 10 Mr. Goote
The gentleman objected the consideration of this sub
ect because might be attributed fear ON the part of
the Legislature. A Legislature of VIRGINIA said NJr n
never acts from fears and but that he knew that the gen
leman from Mecklcnburg could have been actuated
by such feeling, he should have thought that PROPOSE
ion othe gentleman TO decline acting upon this subject
sounded like it, The gentleman spoke of the confidence
eposed in the slave population: But did he doubt that
feeling like that which he (Mr. b. had described did ex-
s in large portion of the country that panic had
existed OF horror i'll instances occurred
like that which reigned when Prian's curtains were
drawn midnight hour? So far from having exaggerated
for dramatic effect any incident in those appalling scenes
those who knew them best would be sensible that he had
greatly abaed from the actual reality and although the
gentleman from Meckenburg might, like hundreds of
others in his ncighborhood have been unaf-
fccted by unpleasant apprehensions the fact was far
otherwise in an extensive region.
Mr. Goode. Does the gentleman from Dinwi,ldie sup
pose, that intended TO impugn any statement made by
him!
Mr. Brodnax said he did although he had feared that
others might draw the conclusion from the remarks of the
gentleman.
Mr. Wtchcr explained the course he should pursue
IL the motion made 10 lay the table he should vote
against H. the laying the petitions table might be
aiken by the petitioners indication that the House
was not prepared TO act the subject This year and give
them encouragement TO present them again next session
II the question were taken rejecting, he should vote
for The notion
Mr. Halyburton hoped the petition would be referred
lie was surprised at the objections made to its reference
should be adopted; but whether the subject should be
submitted to the committee 10 be adopted or rejected by
them.
short conversation took place on n point of order
when Mr.. Hves withdrew his motion to Law on the table
and Mr. Goode renewed his motion to reject
Mr. Bryce of T. said that he should vote against the re-
lection the petitions not intending thereby give any
pledge as to his votes on the subject hereafter
Alter some explanation, between Messrs Goolc Carter
OF T. W. and Roanc, Mr. Goode confined his motion TO
reject TO the petition of the society of Friends and the
question being put il decided in the negative by ayes
and noes, as stated in the Enquirer of Thursday.
Thursday, December Is.