Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-02-14

naming violation OF laws or from those who may
become free hereafter.
Mr.. Campbell Of Brooke said, that the gentleman
from Coochand, and himself entertained different views
lie could not at present for the compulsion Of those
who had been freed since 1906. But he was will
ling that those who should hereafter be made free
should be compelled TO leave the State. He wished
hat all who were free might not be compelled go.
Ills motion, therefore, would effect his o5jecta after that
should have been decided the object OF the gentleman
from Coochland could be attained by the amcnmen mt OF
other sections OF the bill. The principle coul be tested
on this question, i'm committee, and the bill could he
drawn out hereafter in accordance with the sense of the
House, expressed by this vote. He had many objections
TO coercion, OF which had been stated by tho gen
ticman from Fauquicr 1t was contrary sound policy
to pass compulsory law. What the for egs
lang on this subject at nll' Was not from the fear
which existed TO their influence another class
beings Was that danger imminent TO require such
law! He did not believe il; but the contrary, that
was both and impoic IL YOU intend TO
SEND The Tree negroes away; and in this bill that those
who are willing shall 90 first, and then that those
who are not willing shall be forced goyou will arouse
tei feelings; and as has been said by the gentleman from
Fauquier, those who would have gone Voluntarily will
revolt against being forced into exile There are su
ccnt number now willing TO to absorb all the
ey at can Tor two or three DC appropriated TO this
object Why then engrai cocrcive principle this bill
when no necessity for il exists. But the gentleman from
Dnwdde tells that it is n,agDannous to de clare
ut once, the worst to 10. MIR. C. thought it
oetter 10 make use OF policy than magnanmy in great
question like this. He scSer for
able cnlty, when the safety Of the State ISSUE
but he did say that the Legislature ought in
such case, 10 use harsh until forced do
uhui uie necessity became inevitable. You have
by your laws that certain class OF free negroes
shall have the right to remain in the State. He admitted
tha' necessity would require at period, their
but that necessity l. not Ii law was passed
would excite feelings oil Indignation They will consider
themselves oppressed, and do all in their power a.
gainst you. The gentleman from Dnwidde, admits that
they cannot be removed in less than years. and all
time they would remain among u.s. and if they parake
oil human nature, they will be excited against this
harsh and cruel act. Besides, that excitement may
reach TO your slaves, whom YOU fear and they may
feel indignant at the treatment of their fellows who
are Of the same colorand thus going
the very danger which we wish remove But again
III you wish To send your free groes to Liberia the prn-
cipie OF the bill must be changed. You have been told
thatt is Of the cardinal principles of the Colonization
Society that no coercion shall be used in procuring colo
nsts Can they, then, sanction such u measure. That
society has been Tor years endcavorng to the i'm
preso that they were the enemies instead of the friends
OF the free negroes They have been repeatedly decar
cd to be their enemes and in their report last year. they
reerae the declaraon hatno person shall be transported
10 the Colony oil Liberia witheut his consent Will the
Society cooperate with you if you pass this bill. Will
not this action OF yours verify the predictions that the Co
onzaon Society is the enemy TO free negroes and not
their fiendsi Wilt said that Virginia has passed
vile, coercive measure-apd your emigrants be thrown
back on our shores! The free negroes, in other States
where they allowed TO assemble together, will have
meetings. and send back their resolutions upon you and
among your colored population, creating the very evil we
one-and is useless talk of magnaniny in regard to
measure like this. We bound to preserve ourselves
and there is no magnanimity in that.
Mr. Carter OF II. W., TO notice a remark of Mr..
Brodnax, which he conceived imply something deroga.
tory to the Colonization Society," which was explained by
Mr.. Brolnax.
Mr.. Chandler stated that in the counties around Nor
folk there III 900 free negroes; and they pest
to society He argued, that if the coercive principle were
not adopted, the people would be Interested i'm obtain
ing their consent to go; and probably the citizens would
be induced TO make them consent by compuson 1.-THE
blii was not compulsory, it would much cruelty
ILL., however, measure, forcing them TO CO. passed. the
white people would aid them in going, and contribute
their comfort.
Mr.. Bryce offered an amendment to the amendment so
tba
may become free hereafter those who are now free
but under the present laws not entitled remain in
now entitled by law to remain.
Some explanatory here took place between
Messrs. Marshall and Brice OF G..
Mr.. Campbell of Brooke, said he believed he UNDER
stood the intention Of the gentleman oochland 10 be-
io 'ie coercVe feature IN application TO those who
arc now free, but have right by the law remain
and those who may be made SO hereafter GNIr
Bryce assenedJ The coercive principle was to ope-
rate then on all those Free after those who are cnt-
tied to remain have been removed with their own con-
sent. His objection this was nearly rs great as 10
the bill ITSELF because it would be still Compulsory mea
sure He believed that threc-iths of those now i'm the
State were here without the authority of law And this
whole class would be soured and dsconened looking up
on the measure as cruel and oppressive and on
the feelings OF the slaves. Besides the manner of their
removal would counter the principles of the Colo
nzalion Society," by which, and through which, you hope
10 carry your law into effect The principle was an i'm
polite one, because il you proceed by mild measures
many would consent 10 go who would do it unwingy
forced He against proclaming i'm the bill tai coer
con waste be resored to- because the cxgency the time,
might not require it, Suiicicn for the day was the evil
hereoi; and 1t had better be left for time TO deveopc
whether compulsion would be necessary.
Mr. Bryces amendment TO the amendment was rejected
The question being then put Mr.. Campbelrs motion
to amend-ii was agreed 10, Ayes &C, Noes A.
Mr. Brodnax having moved that the committee rise and
report, Withdrew the motion at the request of
Mr. Wiichcr, who moved that the first section of the
bill be stricken He wished this TO be made FEST
question whether or not the House did intend TO pass an
act for the removal of the free people of coorand whetb
er we VIII appropriate money Tor know what-and
whether we VIII pass act TO send these people we know
not where, and before know whether they are willing
TO go. III proposed by this bill TO employ agents o
that they must leave the Commonwe alth. For his own
part he was not prepared compulsory means:
anu he believed they the only that could be
made eiectual He had knowledge of the opinions of
his constituents, and could not therefore upon their
wishes lie thought that discussion here upon another
subject had spread excitement, which would be in
creased by any attempt at this time remove the free
negroes He was also apprehensive that any action on
TINS subject now would be looked upon growing out of
an affair which took place last year, and he had no wish TO
give such a declaration to the world
Alter some further conversation, the motion reject
ed, when the committee and reported.
The question being before the House on adoptnp the
amendment to the bill adopted in Committee of the Whole
Mr. Bryce moved TO amend the amendment as formerly
reported.
Mr. Morris moved the indefinite postponement which
rejected by and reported in the Enquirer
of Tuesday last.
On motion OF Mr.. Brodnax, the bill and amendments
were laid on the table.
Friday, Februa,v 10.
The following reports OF committees were acted upon:
vi the Committee OF Fnance-rejeeting the petition of
Wilson G. Seden. Agreed tor the Committee Of Pro-
ton oil sundry citizens Of Norfolk for law authorship
the election OF the Mayor by the Notwithstanding