Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-04-10
TweEty-secosns, Co4lgvcss.--sess. 1.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
.Honddy, .7prH 2.
The following memorial presented by Mr. IIer-
Ger was referred, i'll the ordinary of business,
without reading To the Select Committee herctoio fore
raised, on the subject of Co!onzing the free pco-
pie of color:
CIRENcEsTER, (England,) jan 25, 1882
To the honorable House of Representatives of
the United States of America the undersigned
members ana friends OF the American Colonization
society, resident IN Great Britain, respectfully pre-
sent the following address:
Deeply impressed with sentiments Of adherence
OF the evils of the Slave Trade and Slavery we re-
sort to your Honorable House as to refuge for the
oppressed, under the sanction of consoIing trust
that circumstances this crisis highly favora-
bic for otecting beneficial change in the condi-
ton of the coored population of the United States
and in the full belief that you conservators OF
Liberty, will lend every possible aid to the sacred
cause.
We feel attached by language, lineage and Rcli-
gon to our American brethren, and we sincerely
roJoicc in tho growing prosperity Of their beloved
country; but we fear that that prosperity NAV at no
very distant period be exposed to danger should
not the system of slavery which prevails i'm several
of the States be materially corrected, if not wholly
eradcated.
1t appears to us rs an incontrovcrthlc fact that
mixed population Of whites and blacks cannot in
the nature of things cordially unite, nor experience
those reciprocal social blessings which either of tho
classes might if separate, enjoy
Under this conviction, we, your NIemoriaIistS bee
to lay before your honorable House n concise view
OF those circumstances to which we have alluded
and that appear TO us of a character suspicious
10 the eventual relief of America from the aincnta-
bile consequences of slavery and to the restoration
OF the cmancipaicd to Il proper station in society.
The Leading point TO which would refer is the
rising Colony of Liberia OH the Western Shores of
Africa, established NY the silent, pcrscvcring, and
judicious efforts OF the American Colonization So
cety, to whic, steadily look as an asylum point
ed out (may we say even by the finger of Divine
Providence, where the OF Africa will find "A eli
,,..I IL,
form society peculiarly adapted to deveopc their
capabilities, and, what is more, extend Civili2a-
ton and Christianity into the very heart of Africa,
and to establish lctiglmac commerce the ruins
of that most infamous traffic, the Slave Trade.
1t appears that numerous offers of slaves for
emancipation and colonization made TO the So
ciey, which to the extent of its means, it eagerly
embraces, but for the purposes of great an under
taking the means of individuals or of the Society
too limited-happiIy for America she is about to
he exonerated from Public Debt, and we venture
respectfully to ask to what better purpose can Ma
. tonal resources be applied?
In conclusion, we presume to solicit such aid on
behalf of the American Colonization Society as to
your hon. House may seem meet; and we shall ever
feel ourselves anxious do all in our power to pro-
mote the welfare of the United States, and to sus-
tainthe amcabe relations which so happily subsist
between that country aud our own.
lSigned dy forty perSons.l
Mr.. Polk afterwards called the attention of the
House to this memorial, and the debate, of which the
II
Mr.. Polk said, the memorial that had been present
eddy the gentleman from Virginia. Mr. MercerO the
substance of which he did not hear stated with any
distinctness appeared to be memorial signed by
British subjects, residing i'm Great Britain praying
for the abolition of slavery in the United STATES lie
would enquire whether it too late to take
tho question upon its consideration. lie was salts
fled the memorial had been received without attract
ing the notice Of the House or such an impertinent
interference of foreign subjects in question of do
mesc policy, would not have been in any way sane
toned.
Mr.. Burgess cnquired whether the gentleman was
in order?
The Speaker said the memorial had been re.
ferrcd and disposed of a matter of course-but
it was in order for any member to move its recons-
dcrltion.
Mr. Polk made that motou-aud would very
briefly assign his for it. This memorial re-
lates to question Of domestic policy, of the great
est delicacy and importance Whenever it has been
ngliated among orr citizens, it has thrown fire
brand among them Shall foreigners be permitted
TO obrudc their opinions upon our national councils
ON such subject? This was the first instance, and
hc hoped il would he the last. 1t was a subject in
which they had no sort OF concern; and, instead o
referring this memorial TO a Committee Inc hoped
some course might be taken with it, which would
prevent any future annoyance from the same quar-
ter.
Mr.. Mercer said, he had Just received the ner,o.
rial He presumed it came by the last packet from
England. II was cOuchcd IN respectful erms and
as he should ask for It's rcadug it would speak 70,
Itself. Instead Of touching the subject of domestic
slavery III this country, it prayed for further moasurc
on the subject Of tie African slave trade which hat
already been declared piracy 10y our laws Tho
ncmoralisis, though subjects of Great Britain were
members of the COLONIZATION Society. 1t was. "a
him, novel doctrine, that foreigners had no right
to petition ibis House. They had done so in nuner-
Gus instances We had even given them, by special
legislation, privileges, under our patent laws. As to
ihe memorial cot attracting The notice of the House
oil ho Souh SAY wrs sbas hs distinctly se<cd, whot