Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1837-12-06
A PETITION,
the Gen. Assembly of Virginia
To the Honorable

the Gen. Assembly of Virginia,
The petition of the undersigned cItl'
zens of Berkeley county represents -
That they have cherished a deep inter.
est i'm the success of the cause of Colo
nizing our free black population with
their own consent, on the western coast
ofAfrica, and have with great pleasure
witnessed the testimonial afforded by
the legislature, Of its appreciation OF
the cause, by the annual appropriation
from the public treasufy.in aid Of that
object. They regret, that the wise and
charitable views ofthe Legislature, have
not produced a greater effect on those
for whose peculiar benefit it was lnten-
ded. They think however that much
rood would be rendered to the cause of
humanity, and the public interest great
" promoted, if the restriction contain
ed IN the act, preventing its benefits
from applying to the case of slaves
manumitted for the purpose of being
transported to Africa, were removed.
To them it appears most evident, that
the free negro population every where
in the United States is a great nuisance,
and although we now feel it most sensi-
bIy within our own borders, and neigh.
b~ourhoods, yet the time is rapidly APP
preaching (and the geographical posi-.
ton ofyour petitioners enables them to
see ard feel it) when by abolition soci.
cites, and other means which are put
in operation in the free states, this pop.
ulation will be even more troublesome
there, than at home and under our
control. To place restraints on the
consciences of men, is impossible, espe-
cially wheL they approach the moments
of eternity; and consequently all legis-
lative discouragements will in time TO
come, prove even less availing than
they have in times past, to prevent fire.
quent emancipations, the subjects of
which though drawn from our confines,
still hover upon our borders, and in the
hands of designing men, become fit in
struments for working mischiefamongst
US. By removing this restriction "a
very large proportion ofthis population
would also be removed, to u position
in which humanity and true policy
would desire to see them. Without
entering into any discussion upon the
subject Of slavery, your petitioners ear
not but suppose it desirable to every
one, to see the number of slaves kept
within moderate limits, as far as this
can be done, without violating the
rights OF property !; or humanity to the
slave. Where the surrender Of them,
is not only voluntary but anxiously
sought by the owner. and is connected
with The highest moral as well as tenn
poral interests of the slave, your peti.
toners can only wonder, that there
should not be manifested by all, a cor
responding anxiety TO promote these
great objects ola christian government
and people ; and a only attribute, to
uncertainty on the part of the legisla.
ture ofthe opinions oftheir constituents,
the long continuance on the statute
book of this effectual bar 10 the con.
summation cfthese great objects. Your
petitioners therefore take this direct,
and constitutional method of making
their sentiments known to the Iegisla-
ture, and pray your honorable body so
to modify the existing appropriation,
as TO make it applicable, also to the re.
moval of all slaves manumitted for the
purpose of Colonization on the western
coast of Africa !; under such %restric-
tons as to the wisdom ofthe Legislature
may e proper: and your petition
ers as in duty bound, will eve pray
&c.