Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-03-10

have reason to doubt but that the whole OF tla,
surplus be obtained for that objects and If il
should prove insufficient, the deficiency could easily be
supplied by State means, and by individual exertions-
And this Is the only principle upon which, as conceive
we shall be under the necessity OF acting in removing
colored population; and need not push il to greater
extent than have already proposed. But al the same
time. will be perceived; that il may be legitimatcly
tended much further: Tor it must be remembered that the
Commonwealth in seizing upon the property of indivdu
ais and appropriang il to public uses. make
Pensaton or out OF money collected of all the other ci-
zens OF the State exclusive of those whose property
taken, but out Of levied upon the whole Of her
citizens Including those whose property Is seized, to
be paid lori SO that the individual whose properyi ken
In part subjected 10 fair proportion OF the loss sustain
ed she whole Of the communy such is the case when
slave is hanged And would be entirely just and con-
sisent with this principle 10 levy tax upon the whole
property in the State including slaves sufficient to pur
chase and send abroad whole coored
But even granting that the ordinary Legislature not
the power (Which by admit 10 be the facO 10
adopt the necessary send our coored popa
ton from the Commonwealth, still in the power OF the
%oy 10 overcome every difficulty by changing the
hardly be denied, even by Appomattox that majority
oil the Community hath ndubitable unaicnabe, and
indeieasibe right to REFORM alter, abolish the existing
form OF Government in such shall be Judged
most conducive to the public veal" And if il shall be
asceaned that there is majority of the people in favor
OIL abolition, and shall be found that the ordinary Lc-
gislature cannot effect that great work. all that it will be
necessary for the majority to do will be- model the
Constitution, and to declare that slaves shall no longer be
property in Virginia And then the minority will have no
alternative left, but Immediately to remove their slaves
from the State (Which il would be but of Justice
10 permit them to dog and remain in it, them
selves, together with their property There alter
native lett for minority, who happen TO be dissatisfied
with such Constitution majority may think proper
to adopt but either to submit TO, and abide by its proy-
sions or to quit the country In hastily COMMITTING nv
opinions upon this subject TO writing, l may not have &
pressed my ideas with sufficient precision render them
altogether inteigble and may be that some of them
are erroneous; but of thing there can be no doubt
and that Is, that the majority have the power if thew
choose to exercise it, Of abolshng slavery the State
ahd H. upon investigation il shall be ascctained that the
ordinary Legislature have not the power accomplish
tat object hope them but till then TO see them elect
Convention for the express purpose of so amending the
CONSTITUTION as TO abolish slavery forever in this ancient
Commonwealth.
AS this may probably, be the last time may have to
trouble you with address OF this kind II is proper for
mo 70 say, that although have freely commented upon
tho writings OF Appomaox, and have endeavored to ex-
pose some oil the errors aud imperccons which thought
could discover in them, have for moment been
by inc least unkind feeling towards the author of
those essays hope that neither you himself will at
tribute this remark TO any disposition in TO dcprecate
any angry feeling, which, perclancc he NAV entertain
towards me, Tor the liberties may have taken in the
course oil this discussion; but that you will attribute il en-
ureiy TO my own sense OF propriety Before conclude
permit me TO suggest that ii it would appear pre- SUNNI.
tuous IN me- would take the liberty giving Appomat
.ox small piece oil advice, in return for what Inc gave
Inc In his letter addressed yo (and hope he will not
take the remark unknd, for il not unkinJlv
wmch 49, at he WILL in his future essays eneavor not to
aach SO much Importance TO himself and more TO his
euoect than he has done i'm the which he has recent
ny published think you will discover that in bs Letter
you, ne refers to himself by the words ;" me-" or
my something like fifty times in the first half column
anu more than two hundred times i'm the whole letter
ms gives 10 his writings appearance Of ego,ism which
would De ntolerable, was not this blemish more than
counterbaanced by the fund of good sense which they
always display. ~'
thank you, Gentlemen, for your kindness in allowing
me the privilege OF expressing my views through your
c"Ped so much oil it, with matter unnteresting.
JEFFERSON.