Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1846-02-26
REPORT

REPORT
of the select committee, consisting of The
delegates of Charles county, relatirc to
- the removal Of The Free People Of Color
of Charles county.
The committee to whom was referred
the subject of the removal Of the free peo-
pie of color Of Charles County, beg leave to
REPORT:
That they have examined this question
with all the care and investigation due to a
question of such vital importance to the
moral and legal integrity of our State. 1t
is question which is regarded as of deep
interest to the ultimate prosperity of our
State, by every citizen within her borders,
and, by almost unanimous consent, the in
stitution Of free negroes is considered an
intense and growing evil. All are agreed
that if they could be removed beyond the
limits of our State it would be greatly to
the advantage of our every interest; and
ard, for the purpose of affecting their re-
moval, various propositions haze been sug-
gested, all of which are perhaps destined to
prove iIlusory and Intellectual. 1t will be
found, also, that there are different views
entertained in different parts Of the State on
this subject, and for this reason the com
mittee will apply their plan, which, they
hope, will prove efectual to thei: own
county; and also hope that it may meet
with general appreciation.
The State has appropriated an annual
fund of ten thousand dollars for the pur-
pose of establishing a colony in Africa.
Notwithstanding this appropriation and the
establishment of a colony by means Of It,
we find that they are now and always have
grown with steady and ceaseless growth
up to this time. 1t will, indeed, be found
to be the fact, upon due examination, that
they have increased much more rapidly
throughout the State, and indeed through
out the Union, than they have been colo
nized. Ii IS manifest from this fact and an
invincible indisposition on their part to re-
move; there must be some means extrane-
Gus of the power of the Colonization So
ciety applied to effect their removal. 1t is
generally known, and indeed the testimony
of the Colonization Society, obtained thro'
its agents, prove that they are resolved not
to remove unless some compulsory means
be adopted for that purpose.
The colony in Africa will, in the course
of time, furnish solution of the problem
of their capacity or incapacity to govern
themselves and improve; and it will be
found, after full experiment, that their capa-
city for self-government and improvement
will depend upon their possession of the
g. nf M "
truths. Without these faculties they will
prove themselves incapable of self-goVern-
ment and improvement.
There are strong objections entertained
against their removal by force, on the ground:
of humanity, while some believe that to dc
so would be unconstitutional. This com
mittee assume the position, and believe /
correct, that it would be the fullress Of hui
manity to transport them without their con
sent, and that the State has perfect RICH
to dispose of them as she may think bes
for their and her own interests. This las
position is clear. 1t is by many believed
they are freemen by virtue of the Constl
tuition, and for this reason no forcible actor
could be had against them, except by
change of that instrument This is dan
gerous doctrine, and if it were permitted t.
prevail and impress itself upon public opin
ion, it would result in the most dangerou
consequences. 1t would firmly fasten then
upon US beyond the hope of ever obtainin!
relief from any source. Indeed for man
ifest reason, it would endanger the insttu
ton of slavery; for if we were to attemp
change of the Constitution, for the pur
pose of effectng their removal, opposin
elements in cur community might effect tn
destruction of the institution Of slavery
while such a removal, through the meduy
of change, was sought to be achieved.
This committee assume this position, an
they do so without qualification or reserve
tion-that they are exclusively the creature
of the zaaU, and from this source arose a