Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1832-01-06
RicHMoND, June II, 1902

SIR,
find from your letter OF the Sd, that
you consider Sierra Leone, on the coast
OF Africa, suitable place for the estab-
iisment OF our insurgent slaves, that it
may also become so for those who are. or
may hereafter be emancipated, and that
you are disposed to obtain the assent of
the company to such measure through
our minister in London, while your at
tentlon will be directed in the interim TO
such other quarters as may enable us to
submit a more enlarged field to the op-
ton OF our assembly. BY the informa-
ton of Mr.. Thornton, the British charge
des aifaires, which you have been so
Kind as to communicate, it appears that
slavery is prohibited in that settlement.
hence it follows that we cannot expect
permission to send any who are not free
to it. In directing our attention to AZ
RIGA, for an asylum for insurgents, it is
strongly implied that the legislature in
tended they should be free when landed
there, as it is not known that there ex-
lists any market on that coast for the
purchase of slaves from other countries.
Still | am persuaded that such was not
the intention of the Legislature, as it
would put culprits in better condition
than the deserving part of those people.
This opinion is further supported by
law still in force, which authorizes the
executive to sell, subject to transporta-
ton, all slaves who are guilty of that
crime. | submit this idea to your con.
sideration, not with view to prevent
your application TO the company for its
assent to the settlement within its limits
but, as motive, in case you concur with
me in the above construction of the re-
solution, why you should more particu-
larly seek an establishment for them in
the Portuguese, Dutch, or Spanish set
Elements in America. In obtaining per.
mission to send our negroes to that set
tIement, we may avail ourselves of If on
the principles of the company as far as it
suits our interest and policy. 1.-THE Ie-
gislature intends that insurgents shall
enjoy their liberty on landing there the
accommodation would be general. But
if they are excluded, and the door is o.
pened on favorable conditions to such
only as are, or may hereafter become
free, it will nevertheless be important. as
Il viii give the legislature an opportuni-
ty to deliberate on, and perhaps provide
a remedy for, an evil which already has
become serious one. ] cannot other
wise than highly approve the idea of
endcavoring to tighten the charge of
to the public, wheresoeyer
they may be sent. 4 permission TO send
certain articles Of merchandise which
would be sure 10 command profit. i'll
That could be relied ON, would contribute
much to that end. Perhaps other means |.
not incompatible with the charter off,
the company, might be devised. DO
their regulations permit temporary ser
vitude ? If they do might not those who
1re sent Cor hereafter be emancipatcd
be bound TO service for few years rs
the means Of raising a fund todefray the L
charge Of transportation The anccs-
ors Of the present negroes were BROUGHT
rom Africa and sold here as slaves. they
md their descendants forever. IF we
end back any ofthe race, subject to tenn.
'orary servitude with liberty 10 their
descendants, will not the policy be mild
nd beneyolent' May not the same j. :
ea be held in view in reference TO any .
Their place in which an establishment n