Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-02-11
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
fStxrH DAYl-Tnesdau. Janriaru hi.


tSfxTH DAY1-Tuesddy, January H.
DEBATE on 1nr GoopE's Resolution, Mr.. RANDoLPH's
Substitute. the Report Of the Committee on Shares,
ana mr. PREsToN's Motion 10 amend
Mr. KNOX and said:--
Mr. Speaker:-lt is with feelings of painful embarrass
ment, that rise express my in relation to the
subject under the consideration of the House. 1t is
ut all times with reluctance that throw myself upon its
indulgence, and more particularly upon this OCCASION
when so much OF research and investigation have been
exhibited, or when much that is commanding in talent
has been displayed TO leave it questionable whether
the most glied genius could add aught that would be
er interesting or Instructive 10 the very profound and
able manner with which this subject has already been
cussed But representing as do people, whose inter
est conceive to be deeply involved in the issue of this
question: should regard myself Welding the conf
dence that has been coniided TO me- not to throw
my feeble mite in opposition the wild and revolutionary
measures that sought be imposed upon the peop
oil this Commonwealth. 1t has been observed by the
abest Civilian OF modern tmes-onc who had scanned the
operation OF human events with the cyc that
ecs OF the greatest magnitude frequently to be
traced to- causes of the most insignificant characters and
never Sir, have been iociby impressed with
truth OF the remark than during progress of this de-
bate Cast your reflection, Mr.. Speaker boz n mo-
ment to the political condition OF Virgnia-and Yesterday
she presented IN her various relations aspect OF the
most imposing characters that the patriot might have
contemplated with pde-hc statesman regarded the
highest consunnaion OF political pertection-and the
subject as the gs that manaced his civil and domestic
rights But, Sir, to-day power, new, unexpected and
revolutionary in its character has itself threat
ening, in the exercise OF its might to break down the
barriers that have been erected by the Constitution ne
safeguards to the weak against the aggression of the
strohg-to invade the sacred right of private property
and erect its empire upon the ruins Of the Constitution.
And what mighty cause, allow to ask Mr. Speaker,
mas called into existence the power which is claimed
by this House, to egsate the People this Common
wealth out oil their property! 1t is true, Sir, that petitions
nave been presented by small portion OF the people,
(nany oil whom had no interest in this property asking
the nterposion OF this body in the emancipation and re-
movai oil the slave population Of the country. 1t is true
that the recent occurrence in Southampton has been
yed In all its terors and exhibited the excited feeling
OF the House in all the appalling aspects in which
imagination could cIothe the fatal tragedy But Sir.
in afttat
to avoid the happening OF similar occurrence should
terPose its aid, by violating the Constitutions and up
ing the very foundation which civil society based
1t is not my purpose Mr. Speaker, detan the House
by relation of the circumstances under which slavery
was originally introduced into Virgnabu by reference
to the earlier periods OF our history it will be found that
they were recognized under the Statutes of the Colonial
Government not only personal bat for many purposes,
as real estate. The Revolution found them state OF
servitude the acknowledge Of Independence left
uaicd h epf dd f From 70 this period Notwithstanding
the various revolutions of political sentiment which it has
been the destiny of Virginia experience have
been found bold, none reckless TO consequences
TO question the validity of the title by which this property
has been held But, Sir, it seems as if had
dawned upon US and with it an awakened spirit of philan
ropy that would not only question, but deny,
right of property in the slave. The amendment which
has been submitted by the gentleman from MONTGOMERY
contains the broad proposition that expeden TO legs
late upon the subject of the slave population of
y-n reference TO their emancipation and removal from
the Commonweath.-Sir, perhaps, proposition was
ever submitted to the action of deliberative assembly,
that involved more important consequences more i'm
bers Discard Sir il please, the constitutional pro-
hibions that i'll my humble opinion restrain the right of
Legislative nterposition, and consider the question eXcu
sivey in relation 10 its eXpedcncy and it is utterly i'm
practicable 10 effect the object proposed BY refer
encc, Sir to the last Census will be ascerancd that
there were nearly five hundred thousand slaves in the
State, at that meand the subsequent increase, has,
no doubt, swelled the list than half million Be
FORE then, the friends of this scheme can calculate pon
successful operation of the proposed pan it will have
necessary that this half million of slaves should pur-
chased from their owners, which, at the usual estimated
I.yao nf
to upwards of s 100000 00O-indcp pendent of the i'm
additional COST that necessarily be incurred
in their transportation, which may be fairly estimated
twenty millions more. If this calculation be any where
within the degree ofprobabe correctness should like
be informed from what will be in the power Vr-
gnia to raise the amount OF capital necessary TO effect the
object Her Treasury, when compared 10 the mighty
scheme, may be regarded empty fountain, from
which can calculate for no aid. She has TO public
Property-no waste and unappropriated land, from the
sale of which, her exhausted Golfers be supplied to
meet this heavy and unexpected requson and the only
resource TO which gentlemen in this extremity
must be to that usual experiment OF Gov oppres-
sion, tax upon the people, Let here examine, Sir,
tins scheme how VIII work. and what its effects upon
the communicable down, if you please, the white pop
uation OF the State in round numbers, hundred
thousand and tax every individual nhabitant otbe
monwealth In an equal ratio, II would require two hum
dred dollars out of the pocket of each individual before
you could raise the estimated necessary to commence
the work But Sir, of this hundred thousand
is fair 10 presume, that than four hundred
sand could be converted, under the operation your
into taxable subjects, which would require extensive
yeu, Sir that the people of Virginia would tamely submit
to the equlstion of oppressive and grinding measure
when the very object 10 be effected, is TO reduce large
proportion of them the mental condition those whom
the policy of this proposes to emancpae? But
suppose that they should be unmindful OF their rights
as TO yield in quiet submission TO this odious acquisitions
there any principle OF equity in the measure that give
il claim TO JUSTICE shield il from the reproach of OPP
presson Upon what species of property would this tax
fall the most heavly!i must be admitted that the slave
heretofore, would he deemed the sub
ect on which il could be imposed and the owner would be
taxed beyond the product OF the slaves labor in order 10
afford him compensation for his value, after he had bee
wrcscd from his possession; by which much would be
taken from the pocket you propose put in the
other. This Sir may be called compensation; but every
practical man must know that it would be cheaper TO yield
up the property at once than TO submit TO the heavy inn
Positions which would be the result provided the system
should be carried into operation But Sir, the effects
this would not rest here. After the property
had been surrendered, principle of sclfprcservaon
would drive you to the necessity Of imposing additional
tax for the purpose Of dcfrayng the expenses Of trans
portaon They must be removed for surely il has
blcd TO govern them slaves, that should have II i'm
our power 10 restrain them as frecmen Break the tic
that exists between the master and the slave and
there only two alternatives either The slave must
he removed, the master forced to abandon the country
And imagine situation more illuminating To thai
elevated feeling of pride, which springs from due appre
citation of national character, than 20 behold the People
this Coinmonw cath driven by Tie effects OF needless
gsaon leave their homes, TO seek residence ia th,
rac1tss wds Of the western orcstO desert the grave
4 of their vcncracd ancestors find refuge among stran
gers But gentlemen, in the coruscaon Of their fancy
tell US that to calculate upon these serious
q af Of