Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-04-10

Slave Trade.
Mr.. Draytou said he had east his eye over the
memorial and satisfied that it was not a proper
document, emanating from foreigners it did, be
read in this House. He hoped the gentleman from
Virginia MIR. Mercer) would consent to withdraw it.
MIR. Polk was OF opinion it was not suitable
proper to read the memorial in the House.
Mr.. Drayton thought that no pcrson--wheher Il
trend or enemy To the slave trade-could wish for
the reading oil the memorial in the House. lie was
himself as strongly opposed to the slave trade, any
individual who had poured forth his daily prisons for
The destruction of all engaged in the traffic. He
thought no punishment too to bc inflicted on
those who cndeoyored To acquire wealth by the pur-
suit of that infamous business But in this country
where slavery has grown with growth, we can
no more eradicate it at this period that sepa
rate the rays of light from the solar beomsit is
physically impossible remedy the evil by legisa
uon rs 1t would be to transport the swamps of the
South to the western prairies. 1t had always been
subject of peculiar interest and delicacy, to the
feelings of the people He could perceive no adj
vantage which could result from this memorial, and
he hoped it would be Withdrawn.
MIR. Mercer would accede to the suggestion, and
withdraw the memorial.
lie Speaker said the question of re consideration
must first be decided-if that was carried the me-
MORTAL might then be withdrawn.
Mr.. Btrges moved the reading Of the memorial.
II had been thought improper to receive memorial
rem foreigners on the subject of slavery. He had
yet To learn such lofty sentiments of exclusive pa-
triotisrn. The slave trade is yet abolished
still conaminates the occan--t still contaminaes
the light OF Heaven. And shall it be said that we
are afraid to hear memorial on the subject read
come from whom it may? He should object to act
ing on the question of Reconsideration without the
previous reading of the memorial
Mr.. Arnold was never much astonished as he
now was to find the feeling which had been excited
on this subject.
The Speaker Said the question before the House
was the motion of the gentleman from Rhode Is
land, that the memorial be read.
hir. Arnold said he aware of the question
but nc hoped after the latitude that had been taken
he should be excused if he did not come to hairs
breadth IN plumbing the question of order The
memorial had been exclaimed againsl-its rcconsi-
Iteration moved-it was to be withdiuwn-and all
without reading. Why should il no, be read? II
IS not To be read by the slaves plantation No
SIR; 1t is addressed to freemen and the representa-
yves oil irccmen. Ii ii is unworthy of this BODY
let us scout it-but will hear what it is first
are we afraid to hear it read? How are we to
determine the proprlcy of acting on it? Shall the
business of the House be suspended till il is hawk
ed round the House, and silently read by the mem
bcrs! why arc gentlemen anxious to prevent its
rcaoihG-are they afraid the Reporters will yet il?
lie was not fearful OF any danger, if it did 30 forth
TO the public.
MIR. Letcher felt compelled to express his regret
that subject so entirely calculated produce feel
ing IN the House, and agitation in the country should
nave been presented. His opinion was that the,
memorial ought never to have been presented to the
houSe-and his hope was, that it would he taken
back as proposed by the gentleman from Vrginia.
without reading and without debate. This was not
an ordinary case. Here is memorial from foreign
eIs upon subject of domestic policy VIII the
House take any notice or jurisdiction of il? He
hoped not. He Il friend to the Colonization
Society, and felt obliged TO say that nothing could
De more calculated to produce prejudice against The
Soclefy-or more calculated 10 excite feelings unf;-
voriblc to lis objects than such course
Hlr. Drayton acknowledged the general rule i'm
inc transaction of business in the House TO be TO
read any paper called for, this had been by the
gentlemen from Rhode island (NIr BurocsS ond
from Tennessee (Mr. Arnold\ But to this rule there
may be exceptions, and the present case was one of
them Here are individuals Observation-Disclosures who
nave nothing to do with our concerns, undertaking
to recommend TO us particular course upon a most
sensitive subject. This case constitutes a strong
exception to the general rule. The gentleman who
presented this memorial, and who dcservetllv Sis
tans high character in this House, had presented
tins paper without having duly reflected unon ;ts
contents Even the gentleman himself must allow
that he acted on this subject under the mpulse of
something like enthusiasm. Upon deliberate refiec-
ton, the whole House would be convinced of the
lnproprely of entertaining the memorial He hon
ed the Willingness expressed by the gentleman MIR
hlercer,) would be accedcd to without further de-
bate.
Mr.. Polk said, the object he had in view. would
be entirely effected if the gentleman from VIRGINIA
(Nlr. Merccr was permitted to withdraw the memo
r"b--tic could see no objection TO that coursc-hc
could not submit 10 the instruction of foreigners
upon Question of policy entirely of domestic
nature lie denied the right of foreigners to peti-
ton the House at all. as matter of right-on sub
locts in which they had personal interest they had
been heard as matter OF iavor-but never of right
Mr. Semmes rose to appeal TO the kind and ibe
raj feeling of his friend from Rhode Island (Mr
Burgess TO withdraw his motion to read this memo
rial No benefit could result from it, and there was
a strong reason against it, 1t referred to n subject
not within the power of the House. The subject
of slavery belonged to the States. As warm friend
TO the Colonization Society, he could not consent
that its prosperity should be compromised by the IN
reference of foreigners
MIR. Burgess said, there was no man to whom he
would more fully respond to the appeal that had
been madc-but without the reading of the memo
rial ne could not act upon ieXcept at the sucrihce
OF his understanding. He had never so acted-and
must decline commencing at this time. lie could
not vote IN ignorance of what he was voting
on. This paper will go forth to the four winds of
Heaven Shall it be said that the Congress of the
United States passed a vote on subject which they
would not read for fear of looseuing the Ties which
bound the labor of half the country? Foreigners
were as much entitled TO be heard on this floor ON
The subject of slavery, that of the Tariff or the
Patent laws. Sir, may not foreigners breathe aspi-
ratoiis IN favor OF freedom in our hearing? Was
l1s practice TO act subjects without understand
ing them, he would withdraw the motion-and he
could not believe he was the only member who
wished to know something of the subject before yo-
ting OH it.
MIR. Mercer could not permit the question to he
taken until Inc should explain himself He was not
aware ofany thing III the memorial which ought ia
create excitement in the House. 1t was not his habit