Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-02-16


cerely do such sentiments towards you shall 20
vndcate the conduct of such OF the members the House
of Delegates have vcntured express opinions favor
able to the abolition OF slavery, with the fullest reliance
upon Willingness TO do justice all parties concerned
Before attempt 10 wipe off the aspersions which have
been thrown upon the advocates OF patton, allow
me TO ask, that in justice 10 your characters
of independence and honest intentions, you will Che pro-
hbion of Appomattox to the contrary ithstandug)
read all the speeches which made in the House OF
Delegates by both sides, upon the question of abolition
and the newspaper essays TO boot before you under
take to decide, that there necessity for attempting TO
remove the eelorcd population from the state, that the
attempt which has been made TO investigate the subject
either useless mischievous Let ask you TO
enter into this investigation with determination to seek
for truth and nothing but truth permit yourselves
ON the hand TO be persuaded into belief Of the
stence OF Dangers which have only been created by the
maginatons OF the too jealous advocates of
and the other, do suffer your eyes blinded 10
dangers which real by the affected Indifference
them OF the apoogss of slavery. DO This, and doubt
not you will be satisfied that all the oucry which has
been raised against western BRETHREN and the other
friends of emancipation, is without any just adequate
cause; that they have really intention TO violate your
rights of propertyand that in truth all the which
has been made on this subject, has originated from
an over-anxiety the part OF few individuals to
be regarded the defenders of the rights of the people,
certainly must be admitted by every candid man. that
the idea that the people wish take away your
property without your consent is prcposterous and alb
surd to be seriously entertained by any You cons
tue considerable majority of the whole white population
oithe State, and you have majority OF representatives i'm
both branches OF the General Assembly. How then can
The people think of invading your right of proper
ty The great and avowcd object OF those who have
Gated the removal Of our coored population from the State
has been, and is to ascertain the will of majority of the
people, upon question deeply affecting their interests
and happiness. IT, upon full investigation of the subject
majority OF the people in favor of the continuance
slavery among them, the minority will necessity SUBJ
mit it, the other hand the majority shall be in favor of
abolitoD tue question must then be tried, whether the
majority the minority 10 rule in this country or in
other words, whether this is republic ogarchy-
The advocates of abolition do not ask you place impli
cit confidence in their statements: all they desire is that
you examine for yourselves, that you will take the official
statement rendered by the First Auditor showing re-
ave numbers OF the different classes of population at
different periods from 1880 1880, and ascertain which
class has most rapidly increased and what likely TO be
their relative increase hereafter They desire YOU TO ex
anime the.statcments and calculations made upon both
sides oil the question, and which correct and de-
sire that you will take nothing for granted which is
proved III you viii do this, they have fears the
conclusion at which you will arrive No man expects TO
satisfy you all OF the necessity of abosne slavery or that
the means OF sending our colored population out of the
country can be commanded that even il they could de-
monsrate the pracicabiy of their plans, every indi-
vdual woudhave the candor admit Some the great
shareholders will OF be opposed every scheme
emancipation, and prepared TO pronounce it mprac,cable
without the slightest examination OF it, they wish enjoy
their own ease, at the imminent hazard of running
their country But doubt but great majority OF the
people, even the east side of the Blue Ridge, will be
satisfied upon full enquiry, only that ii is expedent
and perfectly practicable 10 abolish slavery in Virginia
but that 1t can be effected at triiling inconv
compared to the immense benefit it will produce And
moreover you will be convinced that great maority
least OF the friends of the measure not disposed to
produce any RASH i'll digested oppressive measures in
order to effect their object.
must ask permission direct your attention to two
publications which have recently appeared in the Rich
mond Enquirer, which consider, having done the
grosscs injustice TO large portion of the members of the
present House of Delegates One Of these purpors be
petition memorial 10 the General Asss mbly from sun
dry citizens of the county of Hanover 1t is however
not couched in the respectful language in which petitions
usually worded such is used by respectable ci
zens the Commonwealth in intercourse with each
oiher but in the language of menace, reprobation, and
commands such used by masters TO dsobedient slaves
They that thew shave heard of
Legislature with astonshment:' That ssdocrines have
been advocated and published TO the world and oues
" tons debated from day TO day, which ill the whole
" munity with alarm:' That ait is strange that it should
" be necessary to tell Virginia Legislature that the for
tunes ought thus be
" with" And that 'sthe debate ought to have Been or
" rested in is commencement" What modesty decencv
and moderation is here displayed by these doughty nabos
oil Hanover In consuming and debating the
lives OF more than hafa million of freemen {! What
less respectful or more supcrcous and nsoent
anls could these petitioners have used had thew been
addressing themselves TO the slaves which thew lord il
OYER in rneely domains in the sidShes of Hanover!
These words cit is strange that should be necessary TO
tell Virginia legislature, &c. exort our especal adm
ration Is 1T not strange, passing strange that language
like this should be addressed TO iTecmc. and Tho ]
sentaves oil ireemen Is it not strange fory-six
individuals could be found in the Commonwealth so re-
gardess of the rights of their fellow citizens as to under
take TO censure TO direct and control the General ssem
bly,? The Lords of England in protesting against te
Reform Bill, would use more respectful language than
that which is used by these potent grave, and reverend
Hanover, in their protest against the proceedings of the
present House of Delegates.
| These gentlemen, with great and becoming modesto
assert, that no scheme of emancipation has ever be
suggested, which not most evidently impraccabe
And, addressing themselves the Legislature thew saw
" Your discussions have invited Instruction We m6bt
have expected some law Furnishing with severity the au
hor oil incendiary publications. These publications have
proceeded from your own body. Your time might have
been usefuly employed, sc. &C." And they wind up
this modest and decent efuson with command to the
Legislature, to abstain from every attempt to provide for
he emancipation oil slaves and TO adjourn Immediately,
and return home. And all this the General Assembly
are required TO " hear with respect shall not stop 10
enquire who these memoriass are who, having usurped
the authority OF the whole Commonwealth undertake TO
dictate TO the General Assembly. Doubtless they are all
gentlemen no less distinguished for their talents and their
KIND and humane treatment of their slaves than thew are
likely to become from their unaffected difidcnce should
not have thought 1t necessary notice this memorial had
II not been Tor the unusual step which has been aken
Pubishing IL In the newspapers. And 1 shall make no
iurher comment upon -but merely beg permission to
suggest TO the memoriass that perhaps the proper course
Tor them to have pursued in order have attained the
object of their petition, would have been instead of com
handing the whole Legislature ADJOURN merely to have
instructed their own member what he was to do or to
nave required him TO resign his that of them
might come and take the management of the legislation
Tor the State into his hands, take for granted that
they who undertake TO control whole State can at least
manage the voters OF their own county they please
The other publication to which have alluded is long
winded essay, the signature of ppomattox pubR
cd in late number Of the Richmond ENQUIRER which
merits attention much from the high reputation of the
rcpued author, than from the force of the views taken i'm
the article ITSELF This essay commences with very
clrcnmsanta and detailed history of the SOUTHAMPTON
Il rnnNaAv ls.l.