The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-02-01

lie knowing now 10 use IL, ana anllcl-
pate that the experienced lacticians of the
South will be able 10 prevent the West
from realizing its anticipated benefits from
its growth and present strength.
SLAVERY IN THE DISTRICT.
A good deal of business has passed It's
incpient Stage, and been referred to Com
,ni,lees-lo be noticed when it appears
again. Among these matters, | find
bill already prepared aud printed, for a
new charter to the city oil Washington
In looking over the BILL find amoog the
enumerated powers given 10 the city gov
ernment, there is given despotic power,
not only over slaves, but over free citizens
Of color. 1t empowers the City Council
"to prescribe the terms and conditions on
which free negroes and muattoes may
reside in the cty"-lhe city, of which, as
cilizens Of the United States, they are part
owners. Why do they not authorize this
municipal corporation, holding its exist
ence ty the will and for the asses OF the
na.ion, 10 ''prescrbe the terms aud condl.
tloasn on which free qohite citizens of
Massac husets or New York, may visit
the seat of the National government
They are also 10 be allowed 10 punish
corporsally any coored servant or slave,
for breach of any of their laws or ordi-
nances, unless the owner or holder of any |
such servant or slave will pay the fine in
such cases provided s. that we are 10
have u Congressional whippins-post,
whether located in the Capitol yard, |
cannot saybut sureI y it ought TO be there,
for Congress to see how faithfully their
orders 10 whip men and ac0men are obey.
I'd. A year or two ago, free coIored
servan, of Mr.. Webster, who was then
;Seaalor, presenting the state of Massa-
chusetts, was found "going at lalge" in
The street afer 10 o'clock at night, was
seized bv the watch, and although we'll
known TO be the servant OF Senator, and
bearing written evidence of that fact in his
pockets, lie was imprisoned, and kept for
The purpose OF exactins a fine for the ben
fit oflhese har2ies, until next day, when
Mr. Seaton the mayor, behought him
That this might be bad business, and
sent peremptory order for his release
So the vigiant police lost their segar
money By Mr.. Websler's direction a
suit was commenced for false imprison-
,nent, but under the instruction of the U.
s District Court, paid out Of the national
treasury, the jury gave verdict for the
plainlif. THIS case will be good argu-
Iuent that we ought to keep Slavery here,
70 as 10 allow Shareholders coming TO Con.
ufess to bring their servants. Why not
abolish Slavery. so as to allow Northern
members to bring their free and paid serv-
aus2
The same city government is also to
have power from Congress ITO restrain
and prohibit the nightly and other diSOrd-
erly meetings Of slaves, free negroes and
mulatloes, by Imprisonment, not exceed
log six months for any one oflense, and TO
punish such slaves by whipping, not ex
ceeding forty stripes" &c, The gram
matical construction, as now in use.
attended two or three colored congrega-
lions on Sabbath, the 3lst of December
and the ministers. in giving notice that
thew mend 10 keep watch-night, assured
their Christian brethren that they need be
under no apprehensions, for special per-
nit had been obtained from The mayor for
,ha, meeting. In other words, thew could
worship God, by the grace OF Mr. Seaton,
and not otherwise. So that mighty and
other" is construed to convey the idea that
all nightly" meetings are TO be deemed
disorderly. Congress is said 10 have no
mower to establish religion which in
clines its volaries to pray and preach
mighty"
do not believe this charter can pass.
Il is probable the people of color them
eIves,encourage by the manifest change
of feeling here, will unite in manly PEE
l,ion to Congress, representing the OPP
pressve disabilities and prosecutions they
labor under, and praying that the new
charter may restrain, Instead OF permit
,inr these enormities of municipal iyran'
ny.
Judge wilkins, of Pittsburgh, Chair
man Of the Judiciary Committee. TO whom
was referred the petition of William Jones,
rep ,rted TO day bill more fully 10 extend !
the provisions Of the Act of 1898, over
The District of Columbia. and to repeal
certain laws Including as understand,
in the report, all the ancicnt and barbar-
Gus laws regarding the seizure of persons
on SUSPICION of their being slaves. We,
of the North, think the Act of 1898, bad
epoogh, but it will be a very great ad-
vance from the present law, TO have it so
that no person can be taken up as slave,
except on The claim of the owner, or his !
authorized agent. Gen. Saunders, Of N.
c., presented minority report Where's
The gag! Mr. Winthrop rather wag-
rishiy raised the question of order, wheth'
o 80, ronorts and hills did not come