Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-01-28

present day, If an elephant were taken by force
or fraud from its true owner, on the coast of
Africa, and brought to our country, and an in
dividual knowing OF the circumstance were TO
purchase it, Would you not say tina, he partici-
pated in the crime? Would not the old adape,
that the receiver ofstolen goods Is as bad az the
thief" apply? And, sir, is the reasoning differ
ent when the subject Is q human being? when a
Man has been taken by fraud or force from hi.
native shore, and sold in your market? 1t NAV
be said that our ancestors did not know the cir
cumstances under which the slave had lost his
liberty. l hope they did not. II will in some
measure extcruate the crime. but cannot en-
h ance the {. The truth is, that our ances
tors had no title TO this property. and we have
acquired it only by legislative enactnionts sane
toned b. the necessity Of the case.
l. may be urged, thut length of time has
created title. Some thirty years ago, n fri
gate viii III had BEEN captured from the French
by the valor and skill of our gallant tars, after
having been brought into port, was rc-fittcd and
sailed on cruise: she has never been heard of
since. Suppose, for a momeat, that it was now
announced TO this nation that that ship had
foundcred on the coast of africa, and her crew,
or part of them, wcfo alive, SLAVES to some
petty Monarch on that coast? Think you, sir,
that we would listen to the plea of length of
time, No-the voice of a mighty people, with
rcsistlcss force. would proclaiUi that free men
never can become slaves, and the hum Of prepa-
ration to demand ou- long lost brethren would
soon Iesound throughout the land. And, sir,
but for the degradation and absence of national
ry in Africa, one of the most interesting prn-
cpIes of international law might be prescnted to
the American people, which has ever engaged
the attention of the Statesman. principle
that would be advocated by the good and the
wise throughout the universe. Were a fricn
erected into a sovereign and independent State,
and recognized as nation BY the Potcntates of
the world, to make demand upon our govern
ment for her long lost and enslaved children,
accompanied with a recital Of all the circum-
stances of fraud by " h!ch they were taken from
their native country, it would present claim too
strong not to be dlscussed-a demand too just to
be denied by The free born sons of Virginia.
These reflections, l have thrown out, Mr.
Speaker, in the hope that if masters of slaves
should perceive some defect in their title, thew
may be inclined Ito let them CO."
The gentleman from Dnwlddie observed that
The proposition of the gentleman from Harrison
Mr.. y" iilians,) that the West would give the
East CARTE BLANcH IN this matter, fell upon
his ear like soft and sweet music in the slien,
hour ct midnight; and, sir, permit me to say tina
he pledge OF the gentleman from Campbell
lMr. Rlves,) that he would give this subject
his persevering and abiding support, came like
love upon my heart. / rcciproca,c with him
most cordially the pledge and promise to give IL
my peisevering and abiding support.
| nave, MIR. Speaker, entered into but few
statistical details; the course of my argument,
trust, made them unnecessary. One esti-
mate, however, j will mcntion-it is this: tina,
If the slave population increase a. it has fol
some years past, IN the year 1880, less than Sc
years hence, there will be in the seven States
OF Virginia, North and South Carolina, Geor-
ga, Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi, some.
of ell Of I'll; II
Virginia will possess largely upwards Of mil.
Ioh-an amount too great, too appalling for o
Statesman not to apprehend SOME danger frsm
| acknowledge | tremble for the fate of nv
country at some future day. unless we "do
something" AS other gentlemen, sir, have
stated what they are willing to do, | consider il
due to the House to declare what | am. | am
not prepared to enact any LAW this session.
mink we are not sufic emily acquainted with the
sentiments OF those we represent to Justify us in
actlng dehnitIVely upon great extent OF
property. i am disposed to Gdopt resolution.
or preamble to the report of the Select
Committee, recommending to the people In
take tins matter into their most deliberate
consideration, with view that they may elect and
instruct their representatives. this floor in the
next Legislature, upon the great question of com
menclng schcme for the gradual removal of tho
slaves from The country. L am decidedly in favor
of the principle of declaring that all slaves born
after 1910, their arrival the females to IS and
the males TO II, if they remain in the state shall
Oc forfeited to the Commonwealth with view TO
'heir transportation at the public expense to Ari-
ca. lms plan would not touch the right of pro
perty IN amy slave now in existence, or born before
lo4U. 1t would affect the right of the master in
inc issue OF females born after that period, but
inns to very limited extent, Tor he would still be
ire absolute owner of the slave till the forfeited
age arrived, and might previous to that sell him
Internationally to any foreign market that might
be open for the trade. Although am i'll favor of
tins scheme, l am not disposed to submit it to The
people IN the mode contemplated in the resolution
OF the gentleman from Albcmarlc, (Mr Randoph)
mat Is TO tho aggregate voters of the Common
wealth. This subject, in my opinion, must be set
tied as Legislative one, by u majority of the re-
representatives., and not by ma ority Of the voters
Oh the Commonwealth. We know, SIR that the
people are unequaliy represented on this floor
l ne particular constituents of each representa-
1--WE have right to instruct him. and by their man.
date must he be bound. What good could grow
out OF the circumstance of knowing on what side
the majority Of the aggregate voters are, cannot
imagine: much mischief might arise from it. If
a majority Of all the voters were opposcd 10 a ma
orlty OF all the representatives, it would be used
rs an argument against the representatives to re-
;eue from thcIr own opinions and those of their
particular constituents. In this view it would be
worse than uscess-it might be dangerous. But,
ill., whilst am opposed, radically opposed to this
node OF submitting the matter to the people, dc.
IRE That the question should be made test one
before the voters of the respective counties and
corporations at the ensuing election. / prefer
preamble stronger and more expressive of this OBJ.
ect IMAM the one which was offered by the gentle
nan from Goochland, (Mr. BryceO but if ! can
TOT get another more satisfactory, shall vote for
nat, should 1T again be before the House
DEBATE TO DE corTISUEp.l