Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-10-17
GDe constitutional ggl1,la,
E,'sdny EUessssss, 0cg. IA.


E's"sy EUemssss, Dcg. IA.
AS matter of great Importance VIC readily
SiVo place to the following communication and
'''oriai. whether more would not likely be
uo''o ny confning our views at present to the re-
movai OF the free blacks, is question which must
BIO left to the discretion of the movers in this; ma
mortal, and judcious public
TO THE EDIToRs OF THE Wu,c
Having seen in your paper of Yesterday c,,
81 pcti'ion' relative to part of our coourcd non
ia'ioh' hand you another, similar in its okiect
Dul more comprehensive, which 1 understand was
Tsnheo u. the instance of several influential zen
tiemen OF ncighboring county and was since
printed under the belief that it would be adop,ed
in other counties. "Of'eN
would observe, however that in offarinr =
sor' IL is not intended La dictate to others nor is
AZ expected to exhibit uniformity of opinion that
can hardly be supposed to exist the instrument ;s
Naiuaoe tor It's facts, and its arguments and pro-
posals may be either adopted or improved TO suit
the views of all who disposed to mite in such
pretensons.
The Importance of the subject to all, will supcr-
'eue INC Necessity OF urging immediate attention
. ~ ' 10 " pe aohe, DO done without delay.
o. p. q.
10 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of
Virginia, the Memorial Of the undssigned citiscns
,ot the Countyof
most respectfully sho,ceth:
Free and unrcstraincd by regulations or sha-
ckies, as the right of the citizens of this Common
wealth to ask redress for supposed grievances nj
tho hands OF the General Assembly, has ever been
considered, there has az all times existed AMONG ms
acrcumspocion in the exercise of this ripht which
has tended greatly to preserve the peace and har
mony OF the community. 1t is from no reckless
disregard to this consideration, that we now APP
pro7ch you, a subject of the liyeest and deem
est interest to tho future happiness and quiet of
this State as well as of the most delicate ma
ture.
An evil has existed among us from almost the
hrst settlement of the Commonwealth, of the hea
vlcst and most serious character 1t has grown
with us, and IN every moment of our advance K
.tSs moro than kept pace with us, until at last the
alarming truth bursts from every lip; that if we
wish peace and happiness quiet and nrospcritv the
1atal' Paralizng, destroying mischief, must be re-
moved Who requires to be informed 10 what we
reforl Do not all know it is the existing curse of
slavery to which we alludel This is the proper
time or place for speaking abstractly this serious
SUBJECT. We arc done with the past and should only
look to and provide for the future. How or by
whose means this heavy and alarming evil, has
"neen brought on the country, may enga re the ph
anthropists, or fill the pages of the historian; it is
Tor us to consider the character and extent of the
evil and to apply the most salutary, PEACEFUL just
and efficacious means for its removal.
For this object we approach you as the lawgiyers
OF the land, with no moral constitutional restrc
tons on your powers in the accomplishment of
this great and holy purpose; purpose which when
attained will be blessing of forever continuing
effect on our own country and the unhappy and
degraded race % Africans, whose presence de
forms our land. Great. glorious and enduring will
sucha work be, and lie who shall devise and have
the fortitude and constancy to execute n system
for its accomplishment, will forever live as the
first and most signal benefactor of his corutry
Should the Legislature require any facts or ar
gunents to convince them of the imperious neces-
slty Tor taking some decided measures on this sub
!ect, we most respectfully submit them the follow
ing, as deserving particular consideration. We
affirm, that for the last forty years the black popu
latlon, including therein free negroes and mulat-
toes has been gradually but surely increasing in
that part of the State east of the base of the Blue
Ridge OF mountains greater ratio than the white
population III the district of the State. We
affirm that from being in 100 minority tl,is
trict, in 1880, the black population considerably
outnumbcred the Whites and to sustain this asser-
tion we submit the following facts:
BY the census ofl790, there were whites:
East of the Rlne Ridnn zoo