The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-12-12

Free Negroes.
"A bill Of great importance To the State was
some time since introduced in the house by Mr.
Martin, OF Maury, which We earnestly hope may
become law before the close of the session Ii
has reeei we'd the warm commentator of many
of the most influential presses of the State
We make two extracts below, for the purpose OF
calling the attention of the members of the leg
lsature to the opinions of the people:
Prom The M,ertreesboro Telegraph.
FREE PERSONS OF CoIoR.--We notice in the
Legislative proceedings that Mr.. Martin, of Maury,
has introduced IN the house, "a bill TO regulate
the emancipation of slaves, and to provide for
the transportation OF free persons of color TO
the Western coast of Africa" We have not
seen the provisions of the bill but regarding
Mr. nj. Well qualified to form bill that would
b. acceptable to the people Of Tennessee we
have every confidence that they are good.
This subject is one of growing interest to
The people Of Tennessee, and every day that rolls
by, conyinces us Of the Importance Of taking
some steps TO free our State OF the great evil
The Northern States are forcing their free ne
groes from within their limits. Illinois, Indiana,
Iowa, and other States, have recently engratted
provis ms in their State constitutions forbidding
free negroes, removing into them, and in some
Instances forcing them to leave the State In
our own State something must be done to rem
edy the evil also, and we are pleased to know
that bill is before the legislature providing for
their removal, &c
While upon this subject, we will state for the
beneht OF our sister countless that petitions are
now circulating in this county, numerously
signed, praying the legislature may take such
steps AS in their wisdom may seem best, regard.
i'm this i'm rta ontia.t Lat al f,Il . ,
example of Rutherford. People of this con-
gressional district come up with your petitions,
and let there be general demonstration through
out the State.
From The Fayetteville Observer.
Free NEGRoEs---the free negro population
OF Tennessee, and the subject Of emancipation,
seem to be topics Of growing interest With
many, both are very exceptionable. Many CON-
plants are alleged against the former, while de-
cided and formidable opposition to the latter is
to be found among all classes of our white in
hahtants, unless upon certain condtions-vz
an unconditional removal beyond the limits of
the State In our own county, we have noticed
with qualifications the stands taken upon the
subject of renewing free negroes bonds, in
several instances, by our county court The
ditliculty-and in some cases, the absolute re-
timent upon the subject of cursing our country
with an increase, or even the present number,
of free negroes. However strong claims they
may have upon our charity and forbcarance il
is nevertheless true, that tie drawbacks and in
roads they may make upon the peculiar institu-
ton Of the South, slavery in producing disqu-
etude and refractory conduct among the slave
population, by example and otherwise, has d.
rect influence in causing the most humane to
wish the country lid of that class. Self preserva-
ton and pecuniary interest, prompt and cherish
desire to zee our land shorn of these degraded
creatures, by colonization in their mother coun.
try.
Touching the subject Of emancipation, it is
beyond all question the desire Of an overwhelm-
ing majority of the people of Lincoln county,
to place the emancipation of the slave upon the
condition of transportation. And, Judging from
recent movement made in our legislature by
Barclay Martin, of Maury, we have the evi
dence that Lincoln is not the only county,
whose interest begets desire to better the con-
dition of both white and black, by transporta-
ton TO Africa Immediately after the emancipa-
lion of the slave.
Mr.. Martins bill, az we understand it, not
only contempates the regulation of emancpa.
ton, bat provides means for the transportation
of free negroes from Tennessee TO Afica. To
emancipaie slave under the provisions Of this
bill, the owner is required TO first place at the
disposal Of the circui. court, fund sufficient to
transport the slave TO Africa, and support him
six months after he reaches that country; and
upon this being done by the owner, or by any
negro now free, the u ge is to notify the gov
einor, who will immediately send him to some
seaport TO be transported As to those free
negroes now under bonds, the bill provides that
if they fail to renew them or if the county court
refuse TO renew them, they are to be at once ar.
rested aud brought before the circuit court,
where they may elect to enter into bonds or be
transported and if election be made, the exist
ing law is TO be enforced