The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-04-11

From this table II appears that in the very first
Congress, If the Convention based their original
appcrtionmeni upon anything like correct estimate
of the population there must have been at least ten
Representatives Of slaves, and that In the second
Congress there were thirteen. II was impossible
that the influence OF this representation should not
be felt !, natural, though II does seem 10 have
been anticipated that the unity Of the slave interest,"
strengthen by this accession of political power,
should gradually weaken the public sentiment and
modify the national policy against slavery.
Well, sir, occasion was not long wanting 10 test
the dispositions Of Congress In this respect Al an
early period Of the second session Of the LIST Congress-
petitions were presented from the Society Of Friends
In Philadelphia, New York, and from the Pennsyi
vania Abolition Society, Of which Benjamin Franklin
WINS the President praying Congress 10 take such
measures as the Constitution would permit TO dis
countenunce and discourage slavery and the slave
trade. A similar address had been made BY depu-
tnlion OF Friends TO the Congress oil the Contedera-
ton, IN 1893, who were received and heard with
great respect, though Congress, having no power
over The subject, was Obliged TO decline taklng such
ncion MS was desired The petitions now presented
| were not treated with similar consideration. they
were however, received and referred, and In due
time report made. In this report, the limits OF
the powers Of Congress over the subjects Of slavery
and The slave trnde were carefully defined In regard
10 slavery In the States II expressed the fullest
| "confdence In the wisdom end humanity Of the
Legislatures that they would revise their laws from
time 10 time when necessary, and promote The objects
mentioned in The memorials, and every other
that may tend to the happiness Of slaves" and In
regard 10 slavery within the sphere of the legitimate
action of Congress, II concluded with the following
expressioDi
"Tbat the emoralis,s be Informed that In NIL IA
which The authority Of Congress extends they will eIer
else II for the humane objects Of the memorisss 90 TAI
ey he promoted ON the principles Of justice, hu
mainly, and good policy "-2 Deb Cong, Old Ser, 1860
This report was assaulted with great vehemence
especially by the members from South Carolina and
Georgia, who denounced the petitioners and iheiI
objects, not sparing even The venerable Franklin
very much In the style Of later days. The African
slaverade itself came in for share OF approval and
yindicstion.
II was apparent that there was large majority IN
favor ot tho report but u desire TO satsfy even un-
reasonable DIRECTORS induced the concession Oh one
point after another until the report was reduced 70
three PROPOSE ions First that migration or impor's
ton could no, be prohibited prior TO 1910. Sscond.
Z that Congress had not power TO Interfere IN she
D emancIpaon or treatment Of slaves In the states
Third that Congress could prohibit the slavs-trad'
= bv the citizens oil the United States Tor the supply
r foreigners. and provide for humane usetment OF
4 the massage Of those imported into the States
The last resolution Of the original report, which
Journal Congress conisd, 2ss--se-i Deb. Congress
4 Old Series, i2lA
81 sKE FOURTH PAsK