Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-02-11

be assatcd individual and purchases of slaves
Ia the State where slavery exists he said he
utterly at loss To- conceive. Surely the gentlemen
too learned Ia know that the right IL hold slave
property involved necessarily the right TO alien
II necessary aud ins"ptraLle crnseqnencc
MIR Garland SAID the sa.s called tho STAGE rads by
these hoty petitioners ottrncr the result of
cessy than OF choice. They sometimes made
10 satisfy debts, sometimes to divide dead NOUS
taes, sometimes roui another
in no case however changing the condition Of the slave,
except so far in the character of their masters and ii
sometimes mother aud children separated, it is only
that which frequently happens with the master and his
family Every day events are transpring and scenes
taking place which deeply affecting to our feelings
but they the results of human ralty and human
perfection, and cannot be avoided.
Mr. G. said, another strong, and to his mind conclusive
argument, that the mere fact of presenting petition did
not impose the obligation of receiving was very pro-
pounding OF the question: Shall The petition DC reccircd?
implies in itselfthe power reeeire the
OF the rule clearly be, that the power
receive had reference well to the subcctaiter of
petition as TO the language in which il couched But
is asked how the House get possession the sub
lectmattcr of petition, unless il be received and read
MT W. said The answer TO this inquiry quite easy
BY rule of the House. every member who presents Pc
luton is required briefly state the subiectmatter of
In this way the House becomes possessed of its object
ana may, upon ample Information, determine upon the
question OF reception Ii the petition asks CONGRESS To
do whatit Palpatly forbidden by Constitution TO do
Is there any reason why it should be received2 Certain
ly none.
Mr. G. said, that the precedent relied upon by the
gentleman from Massachusetts,, (Alr Cushng) Of the
reception and rejection of the petition OF the Society of
Friends IN l79l, did not apply Mr. G. said that the
material object of that petition the regulation and
ultimate abolition of the African Slave trade. This was
subject, IN part at least, which belonged TO the con-
s,uouona authority OF Congress The right regulate
the African slave trade in effect the right 10 repu
late commerce, which properly belonged to the cxclu
slve jurisdiction OF Congress. Hence the propriety of
inc reception OF that memoiia although it was suLse-
quently and properly rejected But that case does not
apply TO this petition. This petition asks Congress to do
what IL has no power to do.
.~Nr G said he begged the indulgence of the House
tor few moments while he briefly TO the oues
uon OF constitutional power of Congress abolish slave
~ ia .ne district OF Columbia. He said there only
that is is follows: 49, W
10 exercise exclusive legislation in all cases what
soever over such District (not exceeding ten miles
square as may by cession of particular States the
OF Congress- become the of the Govern.
ment OF the United States" &c.
1t will be perceived, said Mr. c. that this clause is n
part OF the original draft of the Constitution and that il
was adopted before the cesson of the District of Coum
pa out expressly In anticipation of such event OF
course as before remarked this provision
could not have been intended to apply the question of
,,{ VI W ran, any power over IT, tor 1t was not
tny known that the anticipated cesson would made by
Nrgnia and Maryland any other slave holding State
nor could this clause the from such resrc
IONS as the state or States might think proper to impose
ior the protection relation their persons or
OF he citizens nhabitisg the territory which should be
ceded. BY the constitution said Mr. {, ali noer 60
slavery is taken from the Federal Government. and
they cannot abolish it without an express deeroiion of
power do So That has not been given eve5 ne
CARDS the District Of Columbia
Dut, SAID MT G, 1t has been commended and with
much piausibility too, that the article of the consttu
of ercl,ic ire
teg'sation, embraces this subject because by confer
ring eEeiustee legislation, gentlemen contend that unn
"ea ana unrestricted legislation meant.
Mr. O. denied the Legitimacy of this conclusion en-
nrely He said the article ilse eession
from STATE Sates and tho word erclnsice here used
meant inc power of legislation, exclusive of the legislative
any other State Exclusive jurisdiction said Mr. G
simply means, jurisdiction exclusive of every other In
rSoicuon that IL shall not be concurrent with nny
olher jurisdiction But the article in question was
never intended to convey the idea of a restricied
ana uni'inited power of legislation. This view MIR
Earaho said, he regarded conclusive, ndependent
VI the restrictive clauses Of the cession acts of Mnrv
land and Virginia; The power then said Mr. Car
land, OF Congress this subject haying been ,,;L
out ereePtion restricted to the whole subject of slave
ry the people of the District Columbia arc as cenrv
wnl the reason OF the rest rction they are entitled
20 s oeneht IN common with all the people of the sla
nouins states MIR G.. said take from the people of the
Dlsrct the protection of the Constitutions and laws of
the states which ceded itake from them the restric
os imposed oy The Constitution Of the United States
on FEDERAL legislation, and you at once determine tint
ane government OF the District is absolute desposn
Inc people have representa- and Will have mo se
cury against tyranny and oppresson save in the dis
erection OF Congress-a state of things opposed to the
genius OF our institutions and quality which ouht
not TO be tolerated. - $500 So
If then, said Mr.. c.. this power cannot be derived
ron me Constituo dervabe from the cession acts
oil Virginia and Maryland? Certainly not in terms Nor
Souid ne perceive single word in these acts
from winch such power is inlerabe; on the conrarv
te acts are restrictive and the in which
'Tgha ana Maryland were placed being large slave,
holding States, conclusvey prove that they did not i'm
iend by these acts TO confer this power thew could not
nave SO uc disregarded their security as to have
uone So from whence then, is this power TO be deriy
ca ca NO where, sir, where But this is not all
ihese cessons were made by the ordinary Legislatures
vi virginia ana Maryland, and they could not ara mi an
iurer powers over the people of the District than thew
possessed themselves they could not disfranchise M
Poruoh oil Their citizens, and transfer Them bound hond
ana 1901 with unmitlgated chains of despoiism 10 on
power Whatever 1t will be admitted that tIev c,,,J
not then ask, had the ordinary Legfslatnre al V;r
a when made lh's cession, the power to abolish slave
ny IN virginia! say no, il had not | NAV ha asId
where is the restriction? answer in The BI Of Ril1
he people OF virginia, which restricts and controls
'He powers OF the Legislature, and in her Constitution
- Sal IL De ior moment seriously commended said Mr.
W lha though the Government of Virgin. came, ,,
O us ciuzens any portion of their property xcept for
Puohc use and not then without eauate
that yet they have the right To c0nfscote mr. uLsb
P,PfTfy The idea, 10 me- said Mr. c. is .stco,s
saves were hed as property in Virginia when the bill of
Tie SUBJECTS in part, which the pfo,eelive nrinco
Oh tnese instruments had reference But now said Mr.
" ts graVey conte nded that instead Of proeoton d
security 70 property, these Instruments admit the mn
so 1t isitoo absurd for serious refutafion do 80 =
ny, SAID DIR IT,, that the people, by primary ocf If
sovereignty may confer their ordinary episIaure lie
power OF aboishing slavery in The State; only denv
wi.t I signature Is now clothed with that power
WIN these remarks, referring 10 what said on former
OCCASION and 70 the able and Gnanswerable orgume,
OF one OF the Senators OF my State in the other fou
ioroear any further remark upon this branch of the sob
ject "'' SUD-
The honorable gentleman from Massachusetts (sa;d
ar W has animated, not minated sir but directv
occurred, That he and these petitioners will The ~
iesai OF tins House TO this petition and Others
me character, as violation Of their rights and de-
suucve Of their hJtytieS-as anti.reuubloaS Sir Ist
MI u VI The rights and liberties OF the peonle ~ NJ
sachnsets depend upon their fi0lit fo have ,,ett -
eeVeu ana considered by this House ocionsy seeking