Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-03-01
COlCMII.NrJCgTED

AT meeting oil the citizens of the county of North
ampon, held Mt the Courthouse, Monday the 18Th
February to take into consideration the late
OF the House OF Delegates the subject of the abolition
oil siavery-John Addison, Esq called to the Chair
ana Doct. Jesse Simkins was appointed Secretary
The object OF the meeting being explained the follow
ing resolutions and address adopted
l. hesoieed, That we consider every plan Of compul-
sorry emancipation of slaves by law which does not
at the time, provide for full compensation to their
owners as an outrage against the rights private pro-
perry; papabe breach of the Constitution of the United
States; and daring usurpaton of legislative power
2 Resoired, That there is difference in principle
between law emancipating the slaves Immediately and
one which emancipates them at some future period
B. Resolred, That a law cmancipaing the slaves and
making compensation for them, would exhaust the re-
sources oil the State for century TO Gomez would bring
ruin and bankruptcy upon Eastern Virginia; and would
entail debt upon posterity which would drive them
from our soil, and leave it an untenanted waste.
T. Resolred, That the experience of past times pre
sents lesson upon this subject, which ought TO have
warned the Legislature of the ndiscreon Of bringing it
into open debate.
s. Resoued, That the principles avoved in that debate
by those who advocated emancipation and the manner in
which these principles pressed upon public attention.
merit the decided reprobaon of the people, as calculated
to disturb the public tranquility, by misleading the slaves
inspiring them with false hopes, and urging them upon
dangerous and impraccable attempts
o. ReSored, That the argument of James H. GhoIson
Esq, delegate from the county of Brunswick delivered
on that OCCASION is founded upon just of the feelings
and opinions of Eastern Virginia and entities him 10
public expression OF respect and appreciation.
T. Resolved, That entirely approve the course of
our delegate, Mers w. Fisher Esq in relation 10 this sub
ject.
s. Resolved, That we adhere to the PRINCIPLES of our
former resolutions the subject of free and
again earnestly the same TO the attention of
the Legislature
o. ResOred That there is reason TO believe that am
appropriation of money TO the Colonization Society TO be
employed in the transportation of our own free negrocs IN
Liberia, as contemplated by bill now depending, NAV be
attended with beneficial results; and we WILL therefore
sustain our delegate in voting for il.
TO- Res0iUed That address be prepared on the part
OF this meeting TO be submitted to the People of Virginia.
decaraory OF views and opinions and inviting
similar proceedings in other counties of the State
ADDRESS,
Prepared conJormoble TO last Resolution
We, the People of northampton county, in public
meeting assembled impressed with the Importance of the
present crisis beg leave TO address fellow citizens
throughout the Commonwealth upon subject interesting
alike TO the present and future generations.
We have witnessed with surprise and deep regret the
progress OF the late debate in the House Delegates on
the subject Of the abolition of slavery in Virginia We
not less sensible than others of the evils of that svs.
tem nor less alive to the necessity of applying them
every practicable remedy. IL is, however, a system
which was forced upon by past generations one for
which we are in wise responsible i'm the view either
morals or sound policy. However may deplore the
position in which stand with regard to this subject we
have not had power to avoid it. We unconscious
OF the evils OF condition, and have not failed TO
besow them reflections deep and anxious i'm pronor
ton TO their interest and importance. But in seeking
remedy for them, have been able 10 devise anv
plan of legislative action, which would not be condemned
by every consideration of justice, prudence and public
safety.
In the of this Objectionable debate the doctrine
has been avowed for the first time in Virginia slaves
are not property that they property Of so peculiar
and qualified characters to be exempted from the ordi-
nary rules which apply to that subject 1t cannot but fill
us with SURPRISE that doctrine extraordinary as this
should be publicly avowed, in the progress of de-
bate sufficiently distinguished in other respects by bold
and dangerous novelties We have heretofore considered
enough for the security of this part of possessions
that slaves are recognised property by the Constitution
OF the United States; that under own laws they are
transmitted as property by Inheritance by will and by
dccd that we sue for and them as property in our
courts OF justice; that they annually taxed as property
by public law and finally, that they are expressly declar-
ed by an act of Assembly, TO be personal estate Even
with all the lights of the late debate before u.s. we are
wholly at loss to perceive in what respect so far as te
present question Is concerned they differ from other pcr-
sonal estate Indeed, proposition reprobacd by the whole
course OF our legislation, from the foundation of the Re
public, cannot require any farther refutadon It would
not have been considered entitled 10 any notice from
us,ii we had not regarded ii as the beginning of new
system Of reasoning, and Of consequent action which re-
cognisDg the otherwise Bsuperable difficulties of the sub
ject determined to attain its object by direct attack
upon the rights Of property.
Assuming it as indpulable that oursaves arc property
unconditional and without qualcaon-properyt TO which
we have right absolute and ndccasibie as that by
which our land itself held do not allow ourselves
suppose that the Legislature will attempt TO take
from us, by any act ofmere arbitrary power We conced,
to the Legislature the right 10 take private property fo