Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-10-15
From the Lyachburg Erginian.
FREE NEGROES.

The subioined Memorial to the Legislature,
which will shortly be circulated In this county,
for signatures, sufficiently explains itself, without
! any observation from us.-Iti is published. III hope
that the people Of other counties, may be induced
to unite with. US, in the object proposed to be adj
! vanced by it. We invite the aid aud cooperation
of our brethr en- of the press, by giving 1t a place
i'll their respective papers.
TO the General .4ssemdty of Iirgi"ia.
The undersigned, citizens OF the county OF
Invite the attention OF your honorable BODY
to a subject deemed by them OF primary import
ance to their present aelIareand iutur Z security.
The mistaken humanity of the people OF Vlsi-
MIA, and of your predecessors, has permitted to
remain IN this commonwealth a class Of persons
who are neither freemen nor sla'eS-lhe mark
set on them BY Nature precludes their enjoyment,
IN this country, Of the privileges OF the lormer;
and the laws of the land do not allow them 10 be
reduced to the condition of the latter. Hence
they are, OF necessity, degraded, proil'sale, VIC
ious, turbulent and discOntentded.
More frequently than whites probably in ten
fold proportIon) sustained by the charitable pro
visions OF our poor laws, they are altogether a
burden on the community. Pursuing no course
of regular business, and negligent oil every thing
like economy and husbandry, they are. as a part
of the community, supported by the protective
industry of others.
But their residence among US IS yet more OBJ
iectionable on other accounts. 1t is incompati-
Die with the tranquility of society; their apparent
exemption from want and care and servitudc to
business, exclles impractIcaDle hopes IN the
minds of those who are even more ignorant and
unreflecting-and their locomotive habits mt them
for a dangerous agency in schemes, wild and vi
%sionary, but disquieting and annoying.
We would not be cruel or unchristlan-but we
must take care Of the interests aud morals OF So
ciety, and of the peace Of mind Of the helpless in
our families. 1t is indispensable to the happiness
OF the latter, that this cause of apprehension be
removed. And efforts to this end are, we firm.
Iy believe sanctioned by enlightened humanity to-
wards the Inflated class to whom we aIlude.-
They can never have the respect and intercourse
here which are essential to rational happiness.
and social enjoyment and improvement. But in
other lands they may become an orderly, sober,
industrious, moral, enlightened and christian
community; and be the happy instruments of
planting and difTusing those blessings over a bar
barOus aud benighted continent.
Your petitioners will not designate a plan of
Legislative opcration-they leave to the wisdom
and provident forecast of the General Assembly,
the conception. adoption and prosecution of the
best practicable scheme-brt they would respect
fully and earnestly ask that the action Of the laws
passed to this effect be decisive, and the means
energetic-such as shall, with as much speed az
may be, free our country from this bane of its
prosperity, morality and peace.