Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-03-29

mons. which, in all probability, would aim at
different objects. and be conducted upon ditfer'
ent principles; and they apprehended tnat the re-
suit Of the inquiries would be to increase the We,
hemence Of the controversy upon the subject o.
slavery. to irritate rather than moderate the
excited feelings Of the public. and agsravate
the acknowledged difficulties of the whole qaes-
ton.
What has occurred since the close OF the last
session has not altered. but has, on the contrary,
confirmed these views; and they would earnestly
press upon the West India body the expedIency
Of not calling, upon the present occasion, for
renewal OF the committee OF the House Of
Lords.
They admit. At the same time, that there
prevailed, when the COp,ni.lees closed their
Iabors. an impression that their inquiries would
be resumed 10 the present Session, and that that
impression was countehanced by the language Ut
the respective reports. Nor are they disposed to
deny that they themselves looked forward to
that course. Considering, however, every thing
which has subsequently, passed. and the actual
state Of the question, they feel that they would
best consult the interest OF the West. Indies. by
not inviting the House Of Lords to reappolnt the
Committee. If, nevertheless, the West India
Body should continue to think its revival essen
tial TO their interests, his Majesty's Government
will not oppose such proposition, ii brought Tor.
| ward from any other quarter.
Feeling it, however, to be their duty, IN the
present crisis Of Vest India affairs. to act upon
their own responsibility, they deem it incum.
bent upon them to state. that the appointment OF
such Committee would not cause them to abb
stain from maturing and proposing such measures
as they may. upon full consideration. and after
ommuncation with the West India body. deem
to be best calculated to bring this important
subject to a safe and satisfactory terInina.
| ton.
Memorial of The Standing Committee Of Vest
India Planters and Merchants, consequent up.
on The foregoing Communication
To the Right Honorable the Earl Grey, K. g.,
First Lord Of his Msjesty's Treasury, &c. &c.
&C.. and to the other Ministers OF the Crown.
Your memoriaIists beg respectfully to acknow-
ledge the receipt of communication in the form
Of minute, bearing date the 18th inst having re-
ference to the Conference Of the 28th ult. and
beg 10 express their satisfaction at the Kings
Government having assured them, that they will
" communicate confdentaly with the West India
Body. before they submit to Parliament anv pro.
position upon the subject Of West India AfaiIs."
Your memorlaliss submit that, it the appoint.
ment Of the Committee Of the House Of Com
mons, consequent upon the granting that in the
House Of Lords, has. by the result Of its inqui.
rIes, tincreased the vehemence of the cOntro.
versv, and irritated. rather than moderated, the
excited feelings of the public" that effect is at.
tr,bulrd to the publication of the evidence IN an
incomplete and inconciusive state; and although
your me,noriaIists have no desire TO aggra'ale
the difficulties Of the question, yet they deem it
essential to the Just aud safe settlement OF II,
that the real extent OF those difficulties should be
made apparent.
The Committee reported that, "the important
auestnm of what is due to the fair and equitable
consideration Of private property, as connected
with the extinction of Slavery, bad not been IN.
vestigated by them "
Until, however. that part Of the question shall
have been Investigated, the further one OF The
extinction of slavery itself cannot De dealt with.
And as the slaves are, by the laws OF England,
| the property, and necessary to the value OF the
estates of their masters, in which, "by no fault
of their own, and through the encouragement of
various acts "fthe L. legislature" las allowed by
Mr.. CannIng) they, or their predecessors, have
invested their fortunes: " the fair and equitable
consideration due to the rights Of private proper
ty" must 10 this case involve previous provision
OF funds, TO an amount which will be Of an ap.
palling magnitude. -.
Your memoraIists submit that, as the commit.
tee in the House of Commons was conceded to
their opponents. and the evidence for the case OF
those opponents made public, its Iabors should
not stop at the precise point most prejudicla' to
the coIonsts. And they further submit. that the
committee is also bound, if i, shall report in ia
vor of the extinction Of slavery at any definite
period. to found that report upon an lnvesisa.
ton OF the details of plan upon which IT shall
be practicable, consistently with the safety OF
the Colonies. and the well being of the slaves
themselves, as we'll as the rights of property.
For these reasons your memorlaIIsts d. not
see that evil in the renewal Of the committee oil
the House Of Commons trusting It such renew.
al shall! be inevitable, to the justice OF the Kings
Government for ITS impartial constituton,) which
I should deter them from their demand for the re.
newal Of that in the Lords, in which house they
consider it indispensable TO their interests. not
only that inquiries should be extended up to the
other colonies as well as Jamaica, but that the
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