Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1849-02-07

The slave Trade ~ Washington.
The discussions Mr.. Cots Resolution. in
reference to the Slave Tsads in tho District of
Columbia, has brought to iigh, some curious
facts l; seems that this very Slave Traffic, ia
the District, is absolutely illegal in Marylaad,
from which the presen, District (Alexandria be-
ing reiroceded 20 Virgnia) was taken. Com
mon sense asks-and waits for a replv-why
should 1t not be made illegal IN Washngton.-
Why should the Act; which is Piracy on the coast
i of Africa, and crime in the State OF Maryland,
"a Slave state be lawful anu lawfully Carried
on. under the flag of the United States There
IS strange contradiction about this, which is Ut
terry i-Eecenci!a5!e with either common o.
common justice. Ii the District 10 not abso-
lutsly within the Legislative control Of Congress
If Congress dare no, enforce within il ,hai JUS
iice which is not denied in any State, either slave
or tree-then in the name of mercy, let every
foot Of il os retroceded 10 Maryiani. Let Mary
aud do that justice which the 'iovernman; Of the
United States refuses! The scene exhibited BY
the Congress of the United States hesi,s,ng 10
do what they have done the coas, OF Africa.
anJ wouid be done IN any State of the Union. is
disgrac-ful to the country. It's weakne and
singular and unaccountabe.
The facts of this case were most clearly brought
before the Senate. b. Hon, John A. Dix, in
brief speech OH the New York Resolutions.
In 1902, (I6 years ago. the traffic in slaves
was pre- scented by the Grand Jury Of Alcxaudria, |
Public Nuisance. In 1916. john Randolph
OF Roanoke, introduced resolution to inquire
uha, he called the inl,un,an and gel traf
., ~
scented by the Grand Jury Of w ashugton, and
the Court decided they had no authority 10 suppress
II, rithout an act Of Congress.
In 1928 urge number Of the inhabitants ef
the District presented Petition 10 Congress, on
that subject, This graphic picture. in its strong
and striking colors. drawn by the pencil Of eye
witnesses, should be known ana read # all
This petition says:
"Whe the laws Of the United States de-
nounce the Foreign Slave Trade rs piracy, and
punish W lth death those who found engaged
IN its preparation, there IN this District
the seat OF the National Government, domes-
tie slave trade, scarcely less disgrsreful ia It's
character, and even more demoralzirg in its iu-
ucuce. For this is not, like the former. carried
against barbarous nation; its victims
reared up among the people of this country, ed
ucated III the precepts of the same religion, and
mbued with similar domestic attachme nts."
The Committee go on to specify particular ex-
amples of atrocious crime, which can scarcely
be paralleled thin the walls Of Constantinople.
Here is
"Nor is it only from the rapacity Of slave
traders that the colored in this District are
doomed to suffer Even the laws which govern
us sanction and direct, in certain Cases, "A pro-
cedure that we believe is unparalleled III glaring
injustice by any thing at present known among
the governments of Christendon. An instance
1f rafiD nnff hos Ham i,i.t,n,
during the last summer, will briefly relate.
"a colored man, who stated that he was
titled TO freedom, was taken up as runaway
slave, and lodged in the Jail Of " ashngton city.
He was advertised, but no one appearing to claim
him, he was according to law put up at public !
auction, for the payment Of his jail fees, aud sold
as slave for life! He was purchased by a slave
trader, who was not required to give security for
his remaining in the District, and he
after shipped at Alexandra 70. one of the South
ern States. An attempt made by some be-
new client individuals TO have the sale postponed
until his claim to freedom could he iIycsiigs tch.
bat their efforts were unavaing; and thus II
human being sold INTO pc rp-tnai boniag", at tbs
capital Of the freest government on earth, with
out even pretence OF trial, allegation Of
crime -
The Petition proceeded to depict, in l.ngulee
equally strong the barbarism aud iniiuuauity
practiced within the precincts where liberty
supposed to dwell 1t prayed for the abolition
of Slavery, well Slave traffic within the /
District. This Petition was signed by tlIousani
citizens IF Washington, among whom were
Judge Cranch and General Van Ness.
To proceed, last week the Hon. j. 7. Gaine,
representa- the 10Th Congressional District o!
Kentucky, presented to the House Of Rcpresen-
tatves Petition from citizens of w ash.ngton to
the effect.
Upon facts, such these, comment is ne
cessary. Public Opinion, whicl. for many years.
has been sensitive this SUBJECT - now gather
ing force, with measured velocity The Dis
rict OF Columbia may be retroceded 10 Mary
land, If Congress choose that bat # 1t
main under the Government mt of the Union, the
the People will demand most imperailvely, that
the Slave traffic be prohibted-C.a Gag.