Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1832-03-09
From the Richmond Uhig.
THE POLICE Bill,
AGRlCOLA.


THE POLICE BILL,
1t will be observed that this bill has pass.
ed the House of Delegates. Many Of lis ob-
Jechonable features were modified to a more
humane standard, but several OF them are
sun oppressive. Ii is rather an Indication of
ti%or perhaps, than rigor, that the trial hy
jury Is lHKeh from the free negro, and ne in
int respect, put on iootiug with slaves.
Had CongresS adopted an equivalent step.
we should umquesionably have heard il rep
ruhaicd as AN invasion Of The Coosii,ution.
ana The note would have been first struck,
ana ioudeSt sounded, 10y the peculiar cham
pions Of Tins bill. We have long Observed
That those who most dislike the exercise Of
doubtful powers by Others, are not the slow
est 10 assume themselves. " c do not assert
( 'nal me irceheSro IS wronged by this change:
ihdt Inc Courts viii moi give him as GOOD
justice as Iurles but the change is against
lluer'y Is ii rec eSSiOn towards deSDCiisni: is
wholly unjustitied by any new ftts; and is
odLouS rom lis spirit, ii'nol i.om as operation
Another provision ofthe bill is sill more
oppressive, and far more odiouS. because in
direct and nsi.ious The General Assem-
oly have refused 10 compel free negrces TO
einISrale, and have thus, either recognized a
want oil Legitimate power in themselves TO
| employ coercion tor such an object, or con-
ieSseu 'hai IL would be barbarOuS and inhu-
man 10 resort 10 IT. No other construction
can DC put upon their eXpungng the COM
pu'Sory feature from the deporting bill, for
the policy OF Kidding hesitate ofihe presence
OF free negroes, is conceded by nearly ALL
But what says this most christian Police Riir
--(It must lie most Christian, since mos,
Christian citizen Of PETERSBURG, was vouch-
Ell as authority opon the floor ofthe House Of
| delegates, for lis eXcelence-he il seems
VINO so unltes Christian and Phianthrouist
tG.G1rn'ty approved of it.) What does IL snyi
nat nose Tree negroes who have refused 10
avail themselves of the means offered bv ~ q
o'alc 10 =" TO Africa, shall bedeniedibe min
!t,,ge Of erercisi"g their hanGicyon arfsi-
Most Christian! How are these neonJe to
| 1--we: Did ever Government before unon
The lace OF the earth, deny TO lis subjects or
CIIIenS, the means of acquiring an honest
iiVeIhooH Did ever Government hef,ra
instead OF encouraging industry, prohihi; i;7
But, Tie Bill meets the "warm appreciation"
OF a p!ouS gentleman Of pctersh,iro.. and vo
suppose less pous people have 10 RIGHT 70
/ Jay nay.
cannot I've presumed to he the ohioc; Of
, me Hou,e OF Delegates 10 starve these moo
pie-hor yet To drive them into sulsjetjno
/ ny rognefy as they arc denied the means OF
IiFI2g honestly. What then is The object.
onuGuDie"ly TO compel them Ey taking The
hFe"d out Of their mouths, and those oCfbeir
children, TO fly 10 Airica-to eytort fist e..
voluntary consent" Of which we whilon,e
( heard 50 much from gentleman who las
marvellous knack If reCouciling hi;ac,;oos
l" hiSpF"iesSions. Now W c appeal conf
Gently, Luoyanny, tothcgencrous shirt Of
! As not thisn species Of legislation in
o9iehsiriy LHe, both as it regards il; char
ac'cr ana object: Has not the Common.
wealth declared that size viii not Giyecjt,
cDmPci these people to leave her soil? And
WIl She ~ three weeks after the generous
declaration, seek TO do that slyly. clandos-
/ timely, 10y indrcction, which Size refused r.
I do openly and ayowciIy' and Great Uoavort
/ do 1t hoic! BY prohibiting the exercise Of
/ The mech9niC arts, so necessary TO tbec,r,-
/ MUMMY, and patronzcd bv all Governments
! as most worthy from utility, orerconrooe-
ment. Verify, we say AGAIN, most Chris
tan and Statesman like Bill,vhicb. our nos-
( terily, when they see IL on the Statute Poi
VIII he proud Of, as Illustrating tbe expanded
! views, and comprehensive beneyolcnce 81
their Progenjtors
! Another provision requires The certificate
| OF ireeholder 10 enable free negro 10 sell
what hex has raised, anneXes q penalty nm.
oh the purchaser without the exhibition NJ
sucn certificates: The effect Of which will he
NAT no body will regard if, except las -
shrewd head in the House saeaciousiy Oh
served the malicious who may have = sni,c
against bis neighbor. 'P'''
/ Ihislaw, If it become law ,o,1o
executed. Public opinion viii dis,lain ~
carry such law into execution. The man
who shall enforce against the mechanic Geo
negro, the provision which forces bin to re-
lnquish his honest industry, and ibus IN ~
The country which be is helping bv lie az
would he damned infinitely beyond ali nossi''
hility Of recovery. lie would he clad s0er
! such base exercise fpower, 10 ezcba,c,s
skins and conditions, with the humble beibr
whom he oppressed Nor if gentleman
wants pig, dozen chickens, or basket "a
/ eggs, and knows The free negro, will he con
descend 10 require the certificate of discreet
free holder.
another provision subjects 10 penalty the
Z person who grlfe IN a 81. 49,