Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-01-28
CONGR ESS.

In the Senate on Tuesday, little of public int
rest was transacted, except the presentation by
Gen. Hayne, of the Memorial of the State Righ,
and Union Party of South Carolina, against the
Tariff The resolutions of Mossrs. Benton and
Moore, which published yesterday were read
and adopted At o'clock, on m oton OF Mr.
Forsyth, the Senate went into the consideration of
Executive business.
In the House of Representatives, a resolution
offered some days since by Mr.. Jonifer of Mary.
land, relative to the free people of color, was con-
sidered, when the following proceedings took place:
The following resolution, submitted on the 10Th
inst by Mr.. Jcnfer, of Maryland, was consider
ed:
ReSolrcd, That Select Committee be appointcd
to inquire into the expediency of making an appro-
priatlon Tor the purpose of removing from the U.
States and her Territories, the free people of CO.
ior and colonzing them OH the coast of Africa, or
elsewhere.
Mr. Alexander moved to lay the resolution or
the table.
On this question, Mr.. Thompson of Georgia.
asked for tho yeas and nays; which were order
ed.
The motion then negatved; yeas II. nays
104.
Mr. Jcnifcr explained the object of the resolu-
ton, but the crowded state of our columns only
permits to give very brief SYNOPSIS of his re-
marks, and of those made in reply. He said, this
population was considered both in the slavehold.
ing, and the non-slavehoding States, as a great
evil-that it endangered the public tranquility,
and that the preamble TO the Constitution of the
United States, containing the reasons for adopting
it, seemed to contemplate suck casc-that the
action of Congress was impatently expected upon
the subject, both by the citizens in public meet
ings, and by the Legislature Of the state of Mary
land Tho present time was favorable-the inte-
rest and happiness of the slave population requir-
ed 1.-THE cords of discipline were obliged to be
drawn harder about the slaves, from the presence
OF this population among them. This population
had now no privileges but that cfnerc existence.
If nothing was done by Congress, the States
would be obliged to prohibit acknowledgements
pass laws expelling them from the States having
slaves. Would they be patiently received by the
| -slaveholding Statcsl tIe hoped measures
would be adopted to place this section of our po-
puIatiOn in situation to rise above their present
debascd and dcpraved condition.
Mr.. Coke said, the gentleman might feel ustif.
ed in his own mind for presenting this subject to
the House, by the measures adopted in his own
Statc-but he thought many considerations might
have induced him TO different course. He was
ready TO 90 into consideration ofthe constitutions
al right of the United State to remove this popula-
| ton; and made some remarks upon the extension
! OF powers derived from that instrument. He did
not profess to understand the gentlcman's humanity
when he proposed to exercise it by tearing these
persons from their ions and native soil, and
bringing what they regarded punishment and
ruin upon them for no offence but being born in
civilized communicable thought there were
already sufficient stock of exciting questions
before the House, without the addition of this
which could not fail raising strong feeling when
! IT was proposed to appropriate money for the OK.
elusive benefit and security of eight or nine States
in the Union. He pointed it out an extraordi.
nary fact that the members from those States had
mostly voted against taxing up the subject while
those who had no interest in the subject, had AZ
generally voted in favor. He thought there must
! be some mistake as TO the interests of the South
! There was no fear entertained there on account o
! the slave population. No man who did his duty tc
his slaves had any real ground for fear. Virgin,
had been settled two contures-therc had been but
| one surrection-that in Southampton, which
was excited by single individual religious "a
natlc-and there was apprehension of the
renewal oft these scenes. He said the Legislatures
OF Doth the states from which the gentleman ant
/ h'hSeIt came, had commenced their session,
since they had left home For himself he WA
at this tmo uniformed of tbo wishes of his con
sttuentS-and was opposed 60 the taking up th
subject except at the desire Of those most interese,
| in it,
When Mr.. COKE concluded his remarks.
| Mr. Pork moved 30 proceed to the consideration
of the business on the Speakers table and order
oftho day; which was agreed to.
The vote rejecting Mr. Aoxandor's motion t,
lay the resolution on the table, is regarded as aus
Picious to the success of Mr.. Jonifer's views.
The House then proceeded to consider tho Ap
Portionment Bill, MIR. Hubbard's motion to reduce
the ratio from 10000 to $4,000, pondiDg. Mr.
Wayne of Georgia, addressed the Committee il
favor Of the latter number; and after he had con
Guided, the House adjourned whhou, vote.