Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-01-14
TO TIE EDITOR OF TIE E.SQU Z

TO THE EDITOR OF TIE ENQUIRER
Having picked up Enquirer of a late date tins
morning, accidentally glanced my eyes over tue pro-
ceedings in the Virginia Legislature, and was struck
with surprise and astonshment To see that petition
had been presented by MIR. Johnston, "from James
and Joseph Whey free of color, praying The pas
sage of law, authorizing the County Court OF Giles
county grant them permission TO carry firearms OH
certain conditions | know not whether 1t has been
granted by that august body but should suppose that
such a petition would have been rejected without
dissenting voice in any slaveboldng Stale IN The Union,
and the right present them in future forever put ut
rest; for let the eertain conditions on which such n
request be granted be guarded the fulhiment
of them must be uncertain, and the precedent De ever
considered dangerous one to every rehec''hg mho'
had hoped with many OF my sex mat proposition
of very different character would have clanien the
ae ntion of that body during its present session. VIZ
that every free person of color in the State should be
sent bey ond its limits and law made strictly nhiol-
ing their return and exceptions made only IN favor OF
those who standing in the near relation Oh husoa,
or wife to some of our saves would prefer beng SOLO
as sucL rather than those ties. Justice would
point out the proprety fdepostng the sums LOT wnc
they sold in safe hands, to be drawn lot At stateo III
tervals for the benefit of themselves ana iatnes' ana
in eyery instance should the most satisfactory tesii-
monias of good character and department Dc required
! from masters and slave owners IN their respective
neghborhoods Now cannot but feel July persuaded
that if such law could be passed, and strictly en-
forced it would purchase for US sense OF security 10
abide among US; for if the Northern Aboitlon'ss (ana
ask your sex who have possessed Us with these ears
be the nstga,ors Of Instruction here can they carry
their dark designs into execution, but through the
agency and assistance of the free people oil color linen
it not strange passing strange that any one could De
willing TO grant them the Of FIRE arms, which IN time
of danger would be than probable would be used
against US; when it should be heart continued de-
and prayer to God to avert such calamity and AID
US the endeavor TO unthread the rude eye OF ebeii-
on among them? One who knows you not addresses
these remarks to you, for they are not intended for
the "public eye" hoping that through your infu-
ence the Legislature may take this subject into cons
deraton before it be too late to redress the evils cone
quent on delay and only hope, if i eced, that
the Legislative Halls may be more flooded with peti-
tons from ladies' the South for the emancipation OF
Punishment Of that class than the Legislative Halls OF
Congress have been, By the petitions Of the Female
Fanatics the North for the abolition OF slavery IN
the District But have trespassed too long on your
patience aud have nothing say in extenuai'on OF my
offence but that it is the privilege OF our sex to be IN
veteate takers and scrbbers and bidding you fare
WE'LL will only before concluding express The hope,
that you who have aided in teaching US these fears will
dispossess of them by seeking TO remove the Chief
cause of disquiet from among US, and then again
" our slurnbcrs when sluuber will be sleep, and not
n continuance ofendurinr thought.