The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1849-10-10

SO on. s
This law is general, embracing inland
as well as foreign letters; for III seek
ing uniformity with other countries
with which we have Postal Treaties. il
was not intended to make complicated
and conflicting regulation for ourselves.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. r. HoBBrE,
Is, Asst. p. M. General.
}. E. Wharton, esq. P. NJ. Of Wheeling.
proceedings OF the Committee of
Safety of Sumter.
Alta meeting of the Committee Of Safety
for Sumter District, held at Sumtervle, on
Saturday, the 9th Oct. 1919, the following
members were present, viz: T.. WHITE, Gen.
3 H. CHANDLER, Col. F. M. MELLETr, Col
J. c. RAAMg, l.. II. DINHINs, Col. w. A. Col
cLouGH, Rev. G. C.. GREGG, DR.. ]. B. WIrn-
sERsPooN, Capt. J. d. AsHMoRE, Dr.. J. J. IN
GRAM, Capt. f. SUMTER, J. w. SrucKEY, J
s. q. RICHARDSON, w. II. BURGEss, HUeH
WILSON, Capt. C. S. MELLErr, DR.. J.. c..
HATSswoETH, a. G. SPAIN, T.. KEs1s. VIM
! NErTLks, Il. SKINNER, NJ. Moses, Dr.. C. s..
CRANE, j. n. McLEoD, Rev. Il. II. Eng L1su
Capt. J. Is. n. uAMMET, Il. J. CoGnLAS, e.
J. PuGn, J. 7. GREEN, R. r. SPANK and Cant.
L. p. LoRlNG.
The Chairman of the Committee being alb
sent, Col. +. J. Moses was, OIL motion called
to the Chair, and Maj. a. c. SrArS, was re-
questcd to act as Secretary. The Chairman
briefly stated tho reasons for the call of n
meeting OF the Committee, made by that por-
ton thereof residing in SunItervile, who had
prepared business for the consideration of the
General Committee, which was presented by
Capt. SUMTER in the words following:
The Committee 10 whom it was referred
TO enquire what alterations and additions
were necessary and proper in the Negro
Laws Of South Carolina
REPORT:
That from tho brcvity oi time and mul,ipl.
city oil engagements, they have not beeu able
10 give TO the subject that consideration, which
It's Importance demands, and which might
have been reasonably expected. Nor would
It be an easy task to offer many julicious
suggestions Tor change in system, which has
been gradually forming for more than a CEN
tnTy, until it has become we'll nigh as perfectly
adapted, as possible, to our state OF suc;ety,
The ever varying phaze of The political hori-
-on has hitherto been carefully noted and en-.
actments are recorded on our Statute book,
well considered. and calculated TO secure the
peaceabe and permanent enjoyment of our
Domestic Institutions Your committee are.
persuaded that no fear need be entertained
that, the laws, as now ol force, are too weak
etfectually to restrain and prevent any insur.
rectionary movements on the part of the slaves,
or 10 punish the instlgatOrs, aders and atetters
OF such movements white or black. The
tars themselves are sufficient to secure aud
maintain tranquility and due subordnution
amongst the siaves-prorided they are duly
enforced and eXecutcd-and whether this
shall be done Is matter of rDii,ion and d,,iy
ana not OF legStlon. These observations n re
general, and the consideration winch your
committee has been able to bestow ON Tho
matters referred, 10 suggests these ouatica.
tuns:
The Act of 1899, (ll Stat. 50 reducing
all Acts IN relation TO the Patrol, into one Aci'
| and The subsequent Acts on the same sub;cc,
your Committee think well calculated for the
purposes intended, but are impressed with
the belief that the duties required are oener-
ally performed very Iaincly and spar.prly:
and for the purpose Of reminding the Patrol
OF the county OF their duty and OF preventing
general torge.Iulness OF such laws. yo,ir
COMMITTEE would suggest an amendment IN
The 9th Sec. a 4. 1880, To this effect. 70
require the commander OF the patrol, a, least
! as often as once each week, TO call out the p,-
troll &c, instead OF "once fortnight" as is
now the law; and TO empower the command
or 10 require the mon under him 10 10 armed
II ne should think necessary.
Whilst your committee recognise the hu-
lnanIty aud applaud tho motive of rclipious
instruction to the slave population, common
alike to all denominations OF christians. w,
they are impressed with a firm convction.
that their instructions should be oruk and from
The mouth Of rhiic persons alone Your
committee recognise improperly in allowing
negroes publicly 10 instruct their fellows n,
iiiatters o: such ser!onS mport, and arc d.syos
Gu 10 reduce them az 20 Il common level, VIZ
hat OF h.nrers-Ihey, therefore, Recommend
me passage % an act 10 prevent slaves or FREQ
persons OF color from preaching or ns,ruct;n.,
ihelr fellows IN public-in close counc.tioT
with THIS matter, is another in when your
COMMITTEE concnr,in proposing an amendment
OF The law. The 2i Sec. OF an Act of 1900
q Stat. 44l,l prohibits meetings for the mon.
tai or religious instructions OF slaves. or far
persons OF color &C., before sunrsinr, or aftcr
sundown. The Act OF 1903 q Stat. I4Sl
prohibits the breaking up OF such mcetinos
before . O'Clock at night, provided majority
OF whites are present-and pro kauto abojishns