Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1840-03-18
For tbe Vermont Telegraph.

Brother Murray Since presenting an
extract from Mr.. Tappan's speech and max
ing few remarks upon the subject of slave
ry, have thought proper TO offer something
more upon the same subject. AS some per-
sons may see this article who did not that |
of last week, ii may be proper to state that
the speech alluded TO was from senator Tan |
pan of Ohio, and was delivered in the Sen |
ate or the U. S. on Feb. A, 1910, on present
ing petitions for the abolition Of slavery ia
the District Of Columbia He having ad
mltted the constitutional right Of Congress
TO abolish slavery in that District, turns
short about and denies the right of the petit
tioners to.be heard, because slavery is do
nestle institution, and the people Of that
District do not ask to have slavery abolish
ed, neither does the welfare of the United
States demand it,
Since many people to whom | have pre-
sented the claims Of the slave seem to be-
iieve that the people of the Northern States
have no concern in this matter, and more
especially in regard to slavery in the States,
have thought that few facts might give
them some light on this subject, and per-
haps enable them better to judge as to duty
in the case. will state then, that in the
District Of Columbia there are probably sew
en- thousand persons, who have no legal
right to ask for any redress of injury or in
suit from any white inhabitant of that Dis
trIct. No right TO vote-no right to ask
Congress TO be released from slavery. A
free colored man on going there is liable to
be seized and imprisoned, and if he cannot
prove his freedom, may be sold 10 pay his
Jail fees, &c. Aud should he prove his
| freedom, he is liable to be sold, unless he
pays the fees Of the jailor for imprisonment,
| food, &c. This is from report of COM
mittee appointed by the House of Represent
atlves, Jan. IL, 1927. See JAYS View .. 81.
| Page SO and 40 of same work shows that
in three years 179 human beings were seized
and imprisoned by the authority Of the Fed
erGt Government, in one county Of the Dis.
trict, on no allegation of crime. but merely
to aid the shareholders in trampling upon
the great principles of human rights, for the
protection of which the National Govern
ment was professedly founded. Twenty
six o. the 179 were acknowledged by tn,
Marshal to be free. Still he had leea
right to demand and collect Jail and othe
ices. Five of the persons who were com
mitted, but were not claimed as slaves, nei
Their proved their freedom, were sold a
slaves. Cost or fees charged BY the Mar
5 shall, $279,32. Amount obtained from thei
: sale, $45l. Leaving balance in the hand
: OF the Marshall Of $171,68 to be paid owe
TO the owners when suitable proof shout
be furnished that there were any Lcence
. are obtained from Congress TO kidnap. in
prison, buy and sell human beings like ca,
: lie and horses, and a prison house furnishe
$ at $500 year, for the purpose Of safel
I Keeping this kind of merchandise. Thes
facts will not be new TO all the readers :
: the Telegraph, but undoubtedly will be I
: many Of them. And those who are alread
2 acquainted with them may not feel uninter
/ ested IN having them occasionally present
: ed.
: have given but specimen of what al
!. the States are in some degree guilty of ne,
Petrating Each member of Congress VIII
/ votes TO shut out petitions for the dom
f away of this sin, is guilty as an abettor G
i ityand all who vote to appoint such mem
q Der, knowing his views, are at least acces
sorry 70 the crime Of slaveholding. | Wi
!, : not enlarge on this point but will shoy
: your readers a few things which the M
: tional government has done to protect slave
Try in the States, hoping some may be led /
Y see that they are already taxed for the SUI
: port of slavery, where they think they hav
= nothing to do with it. In 1916, MIR. Craw
: ford, then Secretary Of War, informed Ger
Jackson that fort existed in Florida whic
! wasoccupied by between $50 and 300 black:
It and that they and the hostile Greek Indian
Y were guilty of secret practices 10 aid negroe
!, in escaping from Georgia, and directing biz
: to call the attention Of the Commandant a
\ Pensacola 10 the subject. Adding, tina
i hould the Commandant decline interfe,
q Ing &C., means will be promptly taken fc
e - reduction. Gen. Jackson, however, ha
Is goi ne start Of the Secretary, and had give
2 orders % Gen. Gaines, on his oaraa respou
sibifiiy, % advance into Pensacola, then d
der foreign power belonging 10 natio