Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-02-14
Virginia Legislature.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
.MondaU, FEB. 6.


HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
Monday, FEB. 6.
REMOVAL FREE NEGROES.
The House having resolved itself into Committee of
the Whole the Bill TO provide for the oiree per-
sons OF colour from this Commonwealth-Mr. Miller in
the Chair:
The first section of the bill was read as follows
BE enacted, Sc That all persons of colour within the
Commonwealth, who free, who may hereafter
become free therein SHALL in the manner in the oder
under the limitations, and with the exceptions hereinafter
provided be removed from this State Liberia, such
approved and designated by the Central Board of Commits
soners for the removal free persons of COLOR hereinafter
Sonstued or to such other place places beyond the
nms oil the United States, may by law hereafter be
designated; and after such removal shall be supported
cases oil individuals destitute of the beyond
tent hereinafter defined, the expense of the State for
such reasonable periods of time, TO such amount
hereinafter specified and provided.
nir brodnax remarked, that it we'll understood
oy the gentlemen who had examined the BILL that one of
Its fundamental principles, that compulsory feature
the system by which force eventually TO be required
TO- IN relation to such free persons of color might he
unwilling to remove from the Sate-hat many of the SUBJ
sequent details were consequential TO this, and would be-
come lnappicabe, should this substraum be removed
ne principle were retained the bill would probably
quire but little amendment csewhere if be rejected its
numerous provisions would have to be moulded
commentator with the adverse principle established; and
on that latter contingency all the time of going through
the entire bill in Committee ofthe Whole would be lost
was known that great diversity of opinion existed on
ne expectancy OF introducing that feature any legis-
iaon at present He presumed from what he had else
where heard that majority would be found opposed IN
i-in that state of things he risen to il to
some gentleman who stood thus opposed 10 this important
principle, to move the amendment of the first section
whcn could readily be done, the question
directly to our consideration and if the amendment be sus
taned the most judcious would be the Com
mittec oil the Whole Immediately rise, report the BILL
and for the House to recommt to the Select Committee
win instructions to amend it coniormaby with the prnc
pie established.
Mr. Campbell of Brooke said that No ono of ,bo ,onor
oil the committee which reported the bill and opposed
70 the principle contained in its first section he moved to
amend by the insertion after word shall in the third
line, OF the words "with their own CONSENT" He appre
hended that it was unnecessary for him 20 length
INTO the many for his opposition to the compulsory
feature OF the bill. If however any member desired an
explanation OF his views he was prepared make it.
discussion of the question presented could be neces
sary, or desired by the House. he should very
much regret his inability from severe cold 10 take an
active participation in it, But he concurred with the gen.
ueman from Brooke that this could not then be necessa
ry The subject had long been under consideration in
some aspect rother and not member, probably pre-
sent, who had not formed defnitive opinion He
could not however, withhold the expression of few views
on subject which he regarded essentially connected
WIN the best interests OF the State and which he frank
Iy confessed he had very much at heart The question
now involved, simply, whether any compulsory
measures are to be resored compel the removal of
the free negroes from among us after all who consent
shall have heen transported Looking entirely the
resmt, (wiihout regard to the mode by which it is
to be efeced it will be found that this is question
OF the importance which is aserbed to it, Pass the law
in either aspect, and this unhappy race ciH be reored
IT'S Idle To talk about not resorng 10 force. Every body
must look TO the introduction of force of some kind or
o'her-and in truth question of expedecy of
deneate our whole system the face of the bill, or
Leave the acquisition of extoed other processes
The real questionable only question of magnitude to
seied Is the great preliminary quesonDo you intend
10 send the Tree persons of color of Virginia no-
ms question should be met boldly and decided frankly
On mat question he had supposed greater unanmity
listed among constituents and among their delegates
here than on any measure of general interest which
could engage their deliberaons-and believing So he
certainly should not undertake TO discuss the general
question confess, said Mr.. b. that were it not for the
high opinion of the ingenious character of the
feat Jnubt fhai,
sincerity when they tell me, that they clear for
ing away the free negroes out of the u. States
opposed 10 using any compulsion about it, And
cannot look at these two propositions, placed in xta-
posion without perceving that they involve contradic-
ton and an absurdy, unless you associate with them
third proposition, which no gentleman, who forms
component part OF this Committees it seems TO me-
can beheve-ha is, that the free negroes OF Virginia
are, in truth, ,cHing TO be removed from the u
Sir does any gentleman believe ths If they sincere
IN their intention TO the free blacks they must
come 10 the results provided in that bor they must
look to some more exceponabe mode compulsion-or
ney must believe these people will consent to be
ported. Can they believe the attcr' The gentleman
from Brooke expresses the belief that considerable pro-
portion OF our free persons of color will voluntarily con-
sent 10 go SIR, am not surprised at that geneInans
terang such an opinion, for he part Of our
ae Where there are comparatively of this class
bpt VIII any member say who represents a county
where the number great and who has had opportunities
oil Judging correctly of their preudces and opilons' Sir
TINS has been TO subject of long painful reflection
~ one oil great decacy and embarrassmennothng but
the highest Notwithstanding short of the most con-
scientious conviction that their good as well as our
happiness would be promoted by -or The most mpera-
i've and clearly defined necessity would induce me TO
think OF removing whole class of our population from
tie iandas is, regard the measures in the language
OF this preamble not only one.of sound policy but one
indicated by considerations Of enlightened philanthropy
But the question is not before whether right
Just TO them! that will dere mt mode
bereafterAt present, the affirmative is assumed and the
question is II they are to be removed shall comPuisOn
be excluded? II the free negroes willing go, they
VIII go-if not willing, they must be compelled TO 60
some gentlemen think pOitic not to insert this ea
t"re 10 the bill though they proclaim their readiness
sort 70 ~ when becomes necessary they think that for
year or TWO sufficient number will consent go, and then
,hercst can be compelled For my part deem it better
10 approach the question and settle IL at once and it
openly nc intelligent portion OF the free negroes know
very wen what IS going Will they not your de-
Dates! WIN they not sec that coercion ultimately he
yesoed tof Ihey will perceive that the edict has zone
forth; and That must fall, If now in short time up
on them III capable OF any reflection thew will know
that go they must, and possibly consent NAV AT once be
affected by some. IL is useless discuss the question
whether should compel those TO remove vbo are al
ready willing to do so but ii is upon those who arc
Ing That the coercion is TO operate Who has moi er
cd the proceedings Of the great meeting of free coroes
last summer at Baltimore and that they are not onl nj
terly opposed 10 emigration themselves but are maxine
exeroD to dssuade ell others Of the same class tbrog
out our country! They have, doubt, emsssries =,
work every where, Prejudicng these ignorant people
against the Colonization Society," and all removal The