Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-01-07
Twenty-fourth Comgress--asf scss

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
Monday, December 81, 1885
ASoL'fioN OF shH coInMa IN THE DISTRICT OF
The question before the House the motion of Mr..
Patton to reconsider the vote of the House Friday
last referring petition presented by Mr. Briggs pray
ing for the abolition Of slavery in the District Of CO.
lumbia, to the Committee the District of Columbia
MIR. Boudin said he had, for many sufficient reasons
for long time entertained the most profound respect for
the gentleman last up, (Mr. Adams of Mass.) and for
no one thing than for what he had ways been in
formed end believed in relation this same subject now
before the House, He had been informed by his prede
cessor (Slr Randoph) of whom the world knew far more
than he could tell them, that the gentleman had all
times paid the most delicate and tender regard our
rights our interest, well feelings upon this sub.
ject He had remarked the and violate
regard paid so HIM since he (Nlr b. had the honor of
seat on this floor He would be obliged depart from him
little on this occnsion much that he an ohiec
ton of himself to referring the subject 10 the
committee were there nothing in the petition but ma
ked request that should abolish slavery i'm The Dis
ict OF Columbia as on account of certain matter
that Is in it, He had another day expressed his will
lngness to meet the matter fatty, that his const,u
ents should know all he knew in relation to it, but in de-
ference to his brethren from the South-a Difference he
had always felt and would feel and would act under in
some degree, he had insisted both sessions he had
had the honor of seat in thot House. coming di-
recy to the question: and putting the South in possess
sion OF all that was contained in those petitions
Mr.. Is. said he did not know how the House could t
al tae contents OF petition without reading it, and if all
theSouh would accord with him. and could see as he
did, were OF the petitions presented with nothing
but the petition, nothing insulting to the South he
DIS-
trict of Columbia, of which he had the honor TO be n
member But, while the preamble confined sInrs ~,
the Souh he never could again. he trusted patiently
and hear abuse of his constituents direct or indirect
iered to committee of that House for considerations
He would ask the gentleman from Massachusetts if tIer
was any thing abusive in the petitions referred 10 The
committee, and reported on? If he heard the petton
read rightly there many dsrespectfu slurs thrown
over the people of the South.
Mr. Briggs said he thought it likely the rentleman
from Virginia abored under mistake; aud II he would
yeid inc moor Tor few moments, for the petition was
very short Mr. b. would ask The House to have it read
which had not been done at the time of its presentation
Mr. Bouldn had understood he said, that they were
all from one printed copy, and took for granted
word for word with the that had in some Sort been
under debate. He would then, rather hear it read
The petition then read by the Clerk
Nr. Bouldin continued lie was pleased to find it not
as bad by any means the other. Yet it contained
nearly the same in substance. All that was contained
IN this petition in relation to trading ia human flesh APP
pied to this District applied also with equal force to
Virginia All these petitions took staggering stand
over the Sonth and proposed kind of guardianship
over their morals, and dreadfuy afraid hold
ing negroes had made us vastly corrupt and would
us more Let him that without fault cast the first
stone. " We thank God that are not as other men,
whoremongers and adulterers This was the language
of these petitions, all OF them They might and did
have little thin gauze them such as this They
did not presume TO dictate TO the South--they did not
mean to dsparage their sister States dictate to them
But the acts they do such call down the ven
geance of Heaven upon them Comparisons were drawn
express or implied. He had idea of initiating these
Peuuonefss and staggering over the North but who
first made traffic of human esf and made profit by
bringing the negroes heres and who expects be paid
Tor carrying them back Now both have n naRlc over
the Atlantic, where are known only by character
Did these petitioners hear off sufe mere
ly by its being made known that he came from y STATE
In this Union South of Masons and Dxons line? Did
any man ever hear know ola nation of people on any
side of Masons and Dixons line that stood higher for
any OF the cardinal vrtueshonor truth Justice and
charIty-genteness of heart, and honesty? Was il
thought that we would suffer by a comparison with the
petitioners
The Ladies, too, had pettioued. God forbid that a
word OF disresPect should escape him relation to the
Ladies IN any quarter of the worldlet him at all times
be sensible of the Difference and devotion that was n ali
times under all circumstances due to them But et no
one from any quarter think it necessary to petition Con
gross to preserve the Ladies Of the South from corrup
ton. lie would draw no comparison between Ladies'
neither there any thing compare 10 them; but he
would beseech these fair petitioners to give themselves
no uTther trouble about the Ladies of The Soulh-hey
weIei IN no danger OF contamination, could they suffer
by comparison with the fair in any part Of the world i'm
any quality that could adorn nent the SCI or rem
DER ~ lovely Ii was in the hypothesis that negro slave
ny had corrupted the people, but the fact was not So fl
was true as the gentleman from Massachusetts had said
that gentleman last session had rpadc Iona and cI
quent speech, and when he concluded nothing said
and the petition was laid the table, where has slept
the sleep Of death
IL is true, the gentleman says that the pet,ions oe
last session upon the subject have all met the same
faie But, since that time there had been great chance
III Things Shall we stand here, said Mr.. b.. after ali
That has passed during the summer and hear and receive
abusive petitions on aboiIOn-patienuy, too5 He vos
surprised 10 hear the gentleman from Massachusetts
(nr Adams) say, that the speeches of himself and ,b
ed much further this subject as ncendary as anv f
those pamphlets, and DO had not thought IL and if suc
were their feelings, lie would prefer they should
come out bot he was the gentleman did not IN
terrain feelings and objects incendiary az many
expressed IN those pamphlets. He was sure die
gentleman had not taken the trouble TO read some that
ne INF - had Did he know that they contained
proportions, with actions according with tbeu thai
woud freeze The blood with horror to witness it If ont IN
70 execution, that could never be thought Of without
shudderng by any who felt for his wife his children
hs friends, his neighbors, his country He knew Inc
gentleman entertained such objects or feelings To-
wards us, and harbored such designs aqaips, ,s
In conclusion Mr. H. said that ne would vote for tho
reconsideration, aud f petition came Oh without afv
offensive anguage attached 10 IT, and his brethren and
coieagncs from the South should agree with him he
wood have no particular objection 70 have il referred
and direct answer given.
MI. Thompson, Of South Carolina said the censIo
man irom Georgia (Mr Gascock) bad conorafalatsd
nc ifouse and the country upon the tone and spgage
OF inc gentlemen from The holding Stases 10
hed taken part in this debate (said Mr. ~ very ba
Wy c9ncurred ~ that congratulston ara ao dsoosed
20 ioCk ior siDs'er and bad moyes where those which
arc direci and honorable avowed must for Tie
present. at least take for granted that gentlemen mean
~ha, iney cay will not drive off those who NAV he
OUT trends ~ premoturely suspectinQ or dsno0neng
mem nut must say that the course Of some oentles
men To-Day mas been well calculated TO impair fhsf
eenoe and toJusy sUspicons then expressed bv some
~ my inenos Or one thing assure gentlemen. thst