Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-01-07

Of the House in Offering my for tho which
shall give should not do il now, ii did not feel
minded OF my duty by arenark which incidentally fell
from the Hon. gentlemen from MASSACHUSETTS, MIR
A. this morning, that years ago il had dcvolvcd
upon nm TO present number Of petitions upon this
subject, from the Society OF Friends in the State of
Pcnnsy lvana, many members Of which Society have
the honor OF representing upon this door and may
be permitted to take the occasion say, although
this is not the time the place TO pass euIo
gum that they respectable, honorable, aud
Intelligent, any other portion of the community Sir,
Tor the same reasons which understood 10 the
hon gentleman from Massachusetts, and the hon gentle
man from Virginia, who sits near-al,hough their views
OF the means TO attain this object dlerent-to w.t.
give quiet and rcpose TO this agitang question: shall
vote against the reconsde ration. hold il be inn
Porant, that we should meet this question all its
bearings; that reference should he made of these
motials 10 committee who would give il calm, dis
passionate and temperate consideration present the
facts OF the TO this House and to the counry and let
1t be finally acted upon other petitions are that
ana The country may arrive at safe aud satisfactory
conclusion upon it. Sir, it is 10 appcase and as
suage the troubled waters that have been moving
upon this question, that am in favor ofa reference,
IN order that there may be report upon it by the
committee IL has been stated, that there matters
deep and vital Importance involved in the decision
OF tins absorbing questionmatters affecting the Consi
tuition and Laws of the land it has been stated that
mere are vested rights of property winch rights
guaranteed TO the people of the District, of which
could not consttutonay deprive them And upon this
part of the inquiry there was an attempt made by ger
uean TWO or three days to refer TO and read the
ordinance act of cesson of part of this District
but IN the then pending question, pronounced
hold 1t to be pertinent and important that the relative
position in which the master and the slave stand towards
each other IN this District upon legal and consu-
uonai principles, should be made known the
NIFTY But, sir there is another view of this interesting
snect, which merits the respect of reference and the
attention of n committee The consideration of the ex
pedency OF agitatng the subject at this time the propie
y OF changing the laws of this District with
10 the inhabitants and the surrounding States are
ers which are presented before us aud the and
justice of Congress appealed that ground 1t
is urged upon and yet without the opportunity of
accompanying the appeal by the alleged that
Congress should refrain from stirring this subject
Is 1t not important, sir, that the arguments both
sides, and on all sides of this question should be set
forth, that the people may be informed, and that they
may judge for themselves 1t is, take it, of the high
est Importance to the people, both of the North and the
South that this inquiry should be had freely and dis
passionately II is with this view and for these reasons
that am opposed TO reconsideration of the subject and
wish the subject TO abide the decision already made
SIR upon tins question, is not competent for To
ter into the merits dement's of the principles or the
abolition of slavery. am admonishcd by the hour that
ought not further TO proong this debate but being
placed in the position in which am, and entertaining
the opinions which do, could not duty To myself or
my constituents forbear to ask the indulgence of the
House to submit these few reflections before record my
vote upon the journals
Mr. M having concluded, the House adjourned
(Debatc TO be continued