Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-02-24
Virgiilia G1cgfsIafIrc.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES,

-.
virginia Legislature.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES. -
Tuesday, Febyuarv 7th
THE following remarks of Mr.. Ghoson were accidcn
,aiy onca IN their proper place. in the debate on the
removal oil Tree negroes, published in our last1
Mr. Gholson rose to say few words before giving
his VOTE lie said that many remarks had been made as to
the necessity OF employing force for the remove. of is
population, with which he did not agree The GENTLE
man IRON Dinwdde seemed to think that their removal
must be identified with coercon and almost questions the
sincerity oil those who protesting TO be friendly TO the OBJ
ect OF the bill will not adopt compulsory measures to
compshit That gentleman could not doubt the sincerity
oil ms ONT u desire to remove this population beyond
our limits His disposition in favor of had been mani
Tested in all stages and aspects of the question: and If the
object could not otherwise be effected he should like the
gentleman from Rockbridge, be the advocate of resort TO
coercion He was one OF those, who believed that no
constitutional inpedimeat could be raised even bv tho
most subtle ingenuity TO the adoption of the compulsory
principle; Tor he challenged gentlemen shew him in
what, either in Virginia any other State of the Union
free negroes were entitled to call the privileges and i'm
munies of citizens? But he differed seriously with the
gentleman from Dinwiddie the Indispensable necess
ty oil such provson and deeming il Indispensable
II should not be matter OF surprise, that he was unv
ing TO make TIA portion OF statute law. Certain he was
that IL would not be necessary resort to those coecive
measures for several years. and the bill itself was
framed upon such calculation: and his own opnion was
that would require the experience of but few years
more to destroy the necessity of to it altogether
They well knew what the operations of the human
mind, and the eagemess with which rushed into an
terprise when experience had ItwouId
be remembered that when the colonization society first
commenced It's work, subjects could
to the extent OF the slender of the society Now
they were crowded with applications had not the means
oil conveying those who ready eager to 60 And
why was II that this society did first succeed i'm Va
twas because in every county the State il had its warm
enemies because the feelings Of the community had moi
gone pdri pdssu, with the societv and because nreiu
dce existed against It, But that prejudice fast vanish
ing and the society every gaining ground in Vir
GINA Eniightend men are contemplating this soci-
ETY. with the most favorable regulated by tho
principles and prudence which the Va Col
society," II should, IN my best judgment, triumph over
prejudice and enlist the approbaiono OF ALL Sir we will
PROVIDE the means we need feel apprehension lest ev
should not be used Public opinion is in favor of the reno
val oil this popuatonpublc opinion is in favor Of an ap-
preparation Tor that obect and public opinion will be an
irresistible agent in carrying the provisions your law in
10 operation. No free negro remain in any COUNTY
when the opinion ofhe county in favor of his renewal
and the means therefor provided. He would be ex
PEELED by its influence, and that too without anv of be
cruelty or injustice Of which the gentleman from Dinwid
die has given us such graphic sketches Mr.. c. could
never pronounce that community unjust yrannical
which should refuse to employ supp0y any free negro
who refused the boon rendered him this BILL and was
not necessary Tor him TO say, that such refusal would as
certainly the desired the most sanpninarv
statutes we could pass. But, Mr. Speaker, the gentle.
from Dinwiddie has argued, that because we have Tho
right. according to the principles of punitive Justice
to inct the punshments of exile death that there
fore we should be justified in adopting the compulsory pro-
visions OF this BILL Mr. g. thought this argument ncon
sequenta-beiore profess to punish, we ought to
declare the existence OF crime All restrictions on per-
sonai liberty should result from considerations of high
and imperous necessity and should be resorted
to- while milder might prove successful =
The gentleman seemed to look with great on force ex
ercised by law, while he contemplated with horror the ex
ercise of force by private indivduas-Mr G. was NOT so
much delighted with Legislative coercion lit was de-
sirable every that the name of Virginia should o
down TO after times unbemshed by the stain of cruelty or
oppression was il not to be wished that she might enov The
honorable merit OF having effected this great enterprise
without resort TO force. Could there not be oroanzed
ia the several counties, to induce the removal of
the free negroes peaceably and without harhues or
ey' lie did not believe that public opinion in the sec
ton OF the State from which he would for moment
tolerate those unnatural cruees and nightly wbippings
which gentlemen have told would be resored o
Such an apprehension could be justified onv by supnos
ing society corrupt and vicious than he was WILLING
to believe Various other measures, Just and humane i'm
themselves, might and would be to- for the ac
complshment OF the object Laws may be passed probi-
biting the free blacks from exercising many of the most
profitable trades Our police regulations i'm relation TO this
population may Gas they ought to be be rendered more
strict and efcient and the citizens may discourage their
remaining among u.s. by refusing TO employ in their SER
vice. such as have it in their power CO. but will
But the gentleman from Dinwdde, (Mr Brodnax
has told that the public are along with US and thai =
compulsory law will meet their wishes. Mr.. G. thought
this Probable but surely the people would not com
plain oil the Legislature if they told that was not
considered good policy to adopt coercive system Even
by the provisions OF the bill, compulsory principle was
evidently not required at this time was provided tba
those who willing TO go shall be first removed and il
was evident that this class would be sufficiently numerous
for some years 1t was, then, clearly unnecessary to re-
tain the compulsory principle. In its present form he
had at first thought the motion of the gentleman from
Powhatan, in relation TO classification inexpedent.
but little reflection had induced him believe that
at the right end. For large colony was to be built
up, 1t would be unwise to commence it with the
dregs OF the population Of which it be formed
nd suo-stdfum Of such society ought TO be laid with
strength and sodityand the first colonsts ought TO be
those who possess some character and ambition
When the first steps should have been taken, and con-
siderable number have been planted in their new
abode-.when ddings should be brought from month
to month"; from the coonss the friends they had left
behind hem-a pervading wish to go, would gradually
spring up, the idea of removal would become popular
and the necessity for compulsion would be thought
oil no longer This had been the history of every colony
and had caused the increase of coonists geo
metrcai ratio. He hoped the amendment of the Com
ntee OF the Whole would be adopted: for, while he was
willing TO use compulsory if dictated by
such necessity existed, he thought
such measures ought to be avoided.
Tuesday, February 81.
The Senate have passed the blTo increase the stock
OF the Lexington and Covingon Turnpike Company
Making further provision for the proba Of authenticated
copies OF wls-Authorizng subscription by the Board
OF Public Works TO the stock of the Leesbug and Smokers