Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-02-11
VIRGINIA. LEGISLATURES.
DEFERRED DEBATE-ICosrisuEpl
HOUSE OF DEI,EGAT = TLursdau Ian Ia

D.l
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.--Tam Thursday Jan. Ia.
ABOLITION RESOLUTIONS
MIR. DANIEL moved nd the substitute offered by
Mr. WATKINS yesterday by inserting the folio wing
resolution between the first and second resolution of the
substitute
Rosoired That this State has right demand prompt
and efficient legislation by her oSates restrain far
may be, and punish those Of their citizens, who
de6nace of the obligations of social duty and of the
Constitution assail her safety and tranquility by print
ing and circulating through the mails otherwise,
dous and ncendiary publications. and that this right
founded il Isl the principles of international law,
is peculiarly fortified by just consideration of the in
innate and sacred relations that exist between the States
of this Union.
Mr. SrASARD said, he should offer opposition TO the
attempts of the gentleman to amend their substitute and
TO mould it into such form they desired give it,
decisive his opposition TO il When, however,
the substitute complete and offered for the accept
of the House, he should fail to point and
comment upon the improperly of the whole its
defects and its careful suppression of what he consider
ed of the most important principles connected with
this question.
Mr. DASIEL's amendment was agreed to-
Mr.. TAYLOR, of Loudoun moved TO amend the second
resolution of the substitute by inserting in the 9th line
after the word 'Ds;r;ct, these words that althou Oh
the exclusive jurisdiction is vested in Congress by the
Constitution yet should regard any attempt on the
part of that body lberate the slaves in that District
except on the application of majority of the citizens of
the District &c.
Mr. PARKER hoped his friend from Loudoun would
withdraw his amendment. Mr. p. denied the right of
Congress to emancpae the slaves in the District OF
lumbia on the demand OF majority of the citizens
The majority had right TO destroy the rights of the
minority, and Congress could be invested with right
to act the subject by the demand of the majority
This motion did not the question: and if the gen
tleman would withdraw it., Mr.. p would hereafter in
troduce resolution which would bring the question 10
direct decision He hoped this motion would not be
pressed at this time opportunity would be given
proper time to test the opinions of the House the
or of Congress.
Mr. TAYLOR said that at the request of several of his
friends he would withdraw his amendment.
Mr. FoNrAIsE objected to the withdrawal of the amend
ment, unless it could be presented hereafter This was
q which thought
MIR. VOOLFOLK moved to amend the Cd resolution by
adding at the end, ''and violation of the Constitution
In effect declaring the legislation Of Congress Slave
ry in the District of Columbia violation of the Com
sttution-Mr. w. asked the ayes and noes on this
question: observing that he wished be seen distinctly
who was in this House who maintained the right OF
Congress to emancpate the Slaves in the District
Mr. HARRIsoS, said before giving my vote, upon the
amendment which is before the House, desire to as
sign the reasons which operated upon my mind and in
duced the observations addressed the House upon this
subject yesterday. then denied the right of Congress
to touch the question of Slavery in the District of CO.
lumba; and am rejoiced to find the gentleman from
Orange bringing the subject properly before the House
Tor its consideration this morning felt great doubt
myself as To the proprety OF calling the attention of the
House to this question at this particular time lest the
proposition might veil the great, important primary
question under discussion. But the proposition has
been made, and in what predicament will the slave
holder be placed If the House should now vote il
down. What more do the Abolitionists want than an
acknowledgment from the slave States that CONGRESS-
has that power over the District of Columbia which they
(the abolitioniss) daily seeking exercise? Con
cede this right to Congress- and fear it will be exer
clsed Give Congress that foothold sir and the Dis
trict Of Columbia will be the lever with which the rights
OF property here will be overturned III gentlemen have
scruples upon this ponf they moi prepared TO vote
IN the Affirmative upon this amendment-et them take
time to make up their nindset them hear what can be
said upon the subject and then allow themselves time for
celebration Where does the power of Congress to enan
cipae tho slaves, reside? Is il in the Constitution: Was
it intended by the trainers the Constitution when thew
gave Congress power the land the States nigh cede
TO them, site for the of Government that the
rights previously vested by the Constitution the peope
located on that land should be taken from them? What
are the provisions of the Constitution upon this subject
MT IL here read the 9Th section Of the Constitution
BY this said hc it will be perceived that exclusive
gislaton is given. The resolution of the substitute
used the phrase Exclusive jurisdiction" and Mr.. r.
had feared that something was intended than the
constitutional grant II was said by the gentleman from
Richmond, in to a remark of Mr. II on yester-
day. that the words Of the Constitution implied iuris.
dcton, and If they did not, that the of cesson did
give IT, Let us sec, said Mr. H., what the Of cession
says? Mr. III here read the act of cession 1t gives
to Congress exclusive jurisdiction over the soil as well
persons IN The District according TO the provision the
6th section Of the Constitution proviso that the
act shall not vest Congress any right in the soil or the
persons within the District what should be trims
ferred by individuals to the United States From This
1t appeared that however large the powers of Compress
might be at FIRST supposed they limited by the act of
cession II possessed no more right the soil or the
property than possessed by Virginia and Wand
by whom the territory ceded and could deprive
the citizens Of the District ofghts previously
oy the Constitution They could not do had they will
ed The egclusve legislation granted to over
the District by the of cession was so granted sim
ply that the citizens Of the miles square might not be
without legislation This manifestly the Intention
because they in the Of cesson that the Leoisa
lures Of Md and Va provided that until Congress was
prepared to carry effect its egisave power the
zens Of the District should be under the legislation of
their States. The words "excusive legislation . then
were intended only to convey to Congress that right Of
legislation which had been previously exercised over
the citizens Of the District Of Maryland and VIRGINIA
leaving the citizens fully in possession Of oil the rights
previously guaranteed 10 them BY the Constitution: and
among these rights the undoubtcd one 10 hold their sa
property Congress could not interfere with the slave pro
perry in the District, Until il should FIRST have broken
down the constitutional barrier Conercgs could no
more emancpate slaves in the District, than IL could in
Virginia The breach Of the constitutional Obligation
would be hsgrant in one instance as in the otbey
These being clearly the facts Of the case the next ouea
ton that presented itself washad the ne arrived FOR
Us 10 utter them TO Congress and the Unions--If the
time shall arrive when this question shall b. dec
ded, put IL 20 The House if il has not now arrived III
the state 81 things required them 10 speak ont 10
Congress he put 10 to them II IL not now Look at
The efforts the abohtonists now making? Look AZ
their applications 70 Congress TO abolish slavery in ,be
District Of Columbia Look al the oonrse II eo,.,s
IN both houses Did we find difference Of opinion
amongour representatives. in Congress upon this snbif5
ask you, Mr. Speaker, if al members of CoeS,ess
from Virginia. deny the power Of Congress to sbolisb
slavery IN the District have heard said Mr. n that
Of them have strong doubts upon that question -.
and 10 such representatives, the Legislature ouObf n
speak in decided terms The House could not psssv ~
disregard this question Mr. RI had net introduced The
motion before the House; but It had been BROUGHT
before them and be trusted they should meet IL ne g.
came the character Of Frginians and that the motion Of
the gentleman from Orange would cheerfulIy adopted