Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-04-03

where 1t exists in slight degree, as to their rcla-
two advance in population, and all those improve
ments that constitute the strength and happiness
ola people, bring us to the same result. Recent
events have added to the force of this conviction,
and awakened Us to see, that however tocr able in
the otherwise prosperous state of country, this
evil may hitherto have been, the timo is drawing
OH, when it cannot be bornc-that it becomes us
now, To examine il i'm all its dimensions and con-
sequences and ascertain whether u euro can DO
applied to that which may otherwise become dcs-
tractivc Of dearest interests and happiness
This then is the question we are to meet. Is there
Il remedy for this admitted and awful evill A
remedy within tho power ofthe state to apply, and
consistent with its honor and due regard TO the
welfare of that Unfortunate class of our population
upon which it is to acr To the solution of this
interesting question, the committee have given the
most earnest attention of their minds-and they
say, with feelings of heartfelt qualification, that it
is their decided opinion, that Maryland may DO
dclivered-that Providence has placed within her
power, adequate means for redressng evils and
dispensing blessings 10 all classes of hcr people,
TO demonstrate the truth of this position, the
committee beg leave to submit to the consideration
| of the Legislature, the following estimates and ac-
companying remarks, which thoy believe will be
conclusive.
The colorcd population Of Maryland, amounts
to l55, 1872 of whom So, 93S are free. The remo-
val of all these, or at least, many to leave
only an inconsdcrablc and decreasing population
of them within our limits, is tho object to be &C
ever spcculatons may DO INDUCED upon this sub
Jcct, by those who do not understand it, the poo
pie of Maryland do see and feel and know, that
humanity and justice to all the parties concerned
absolutely requires it.
Can then such n removal DO ACCOMPLISHED? AS
to the free, the committee have endeavorcd 10 de-
wise means, and have recommended the measures
they considered proper and adequate. These
means directly applied, they believe will soon be
seen to effect sensible dimunition of that class;
n n n N mi, t,tar pt,ll ho
cd between the land of their fathers the home in
tended for them, and their present abode the free
men of color vii! the advantages of the change
and bc excited to raise, by their industry, the
means OF availng themselves of such a blessing
The annual increase of this class between the years
lSlo and $780, appears from the census for these
years to have been $50. TIE increase between
lS2O and 1880, was annually, 1910. In both these
periods great proportion of this increase must
nave arisen from emancipation. Tho natural in
crease wherever they found in situations where
1t can be ascertaned, is very inconsiderabo. Sup
posing, however, half the increase to be natural,
and no future addition to be made to their number
oy emancipation, IN consequence Of the measures
now TO be adopted, to prevent their remaining in
the State after emancipation, and the annual in.
crease to be removed would be GO. Estimating
the expense of removal, and the sum to be required
Tor their establishment and support in Africa until
they become able to maintain themselves, at 800
each, (and this your committee have been inform
Cd is liberal allowance, if judicously expended
here and sent with thcm,) and $40, 100 would be
adequate to the removal and support of all the in
crease This too, without taking into the estimate
the number that might be enabled to provide for
themselves.
That number, however, would be annually d-
minished. by the system recommended and adopt
ed by the committee. The producing class of the
whole population is estimated at one sixth and in
order to keep down the increase it would be ne
cessary first to remove this class, the annual expen
dture for which purpose would be greatly below
The above estimate. If a removal from the produ.
eng class of of the number set down for the in
crease would be an adequate estimate for this pur.
posc and this, it is believed, would be sufficient
1t wonld only require an annual appropriation of
l3,4OO, supposing it ali to be done from the
funds OF the state; and whatever expended be.
yond That amount would proportionably accelerate
the removal of the whole class. If this estimate
DO correct, the whole Of this population would be
removed IN the course of one generation alone by
the annual appropriation of an inconsiderable sum
and III Prcportionably shorter period, according
to the amount appropriated and the facility of OBJ.
tanning cmgrants.
The next subject fer inquiry, is the other and
larger class, the slaves, amounting to lO2 S7S.
Whilst this desirable operation is going on in refer
ence to the free, nothing be done towards the
gradual reduction of them? They are not quite
double the number of the free. If therefore, thew
increase IN the Same ratio and if $l3, 400 a year
would remove and support sufficient portion of
INC producing class to keep down the increase of
and support a sufficient portion of the producing
class to keep down the annual increase of the
slaves, and therefore SS40,2 200 annually expended
would In the course of generation finally and On.
ureiy remove all the colourcd population of the
state Other causes are also to he considered which
now operate i'll the reduction of the slaves and
which 1T may be expected, will still in some degree
continue to operate. Many have heretofore been
sold away, and no doubt this will still continue
though probably not to so great an extent. The
m q HAT
decreasing for the last twenty years. at the rate OF
42U year. Ii therefore slavery in our state has
been wearing out of ITSELF should it not encourage
us to efforts by which its rate of decrease may be
acceieratedi The annual increase of the whole
coloured population, free and slaves, is now but
500, the remova. and support of the whole of which,
not conhned to Tho producing portion of it, would
amount S26,0l0. But it may BIO said these views
are predicated on the removal of saves--is it for
gotten that they are property-property secured to
their owners by the most solemn sancton2 and that
before thoy can be thus disposed of, they must be
bought-and will not this enhance the cost of the
operation, and make it unattainabiU7 This consid.
Grafton has not been overlooked by your commit
tee: They arc property and must be so regarded,
ana without their owners consent, mono OF them
can be touched.
Yet 1T may be answered to this suggestion, that
IL VIII be time enough for the state to consider
whether she will buy in order to remove, or adopt
any other measure which the exigency NAV REQUIRE
when she finds that she cannot otherwise get them
TO remove. For the present, and for wears to
como, she may find employment for all the funds
she can spare in the removal Of such as are now
iree and such as will be freely offered for reno.
val by her citizens. Look at the numbers to
whom freedom has been annually given, and given
under circumstances, making a gift to saw tho
least of it, of most doubtful benefit. If our Deople
VIII emanciPate when it inflicts most frequently,
not only an evil upon society, but even upon the
very objects of their boneyolenco-ifthoy must be
restrained by law from indulgence in mistaken
humanity at the risk of njurng the community