Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-01-18

of the slave trade but the occupation in Africa of the
aud stopping al the threshold when it be-
oins By the eighth article OF the treaty OF Washing
ton TO which have referred I'VE were only bound 10
CONTINUE that squadron Tor the period of five years
The five years have long since expred-lp 1871; and
vet continue this squadron down to this time NOW,
without reference to any of the subjects W hch l have
though proper present the Senate without regard
the suppression OF the slave trade without reference
10 the great interests Of colonization think mere
measure OF financial economy, It Is worth considering
whether we shall expose the lives of our gallant sea-
men in such an nhospitable climate, at such vast ex-
expense and reapug little benefit from the opera
tlon.
Mr. President own that the subject OF colonization,
important as think it for the suppression ofthe Al
slave trade, commends Itself to my mind ey some
additional considerations. Although may be thought
exudvagau in my view declare that all the projects
oil the aye there is none compare with that great pro-
iaet oil Transporting the free people OF color in the u
States with their consent to the coast OF Africa
What is TO be done with them What has been done
with them | ask again Even here, under noses,
within this District, IN the of the last ten years
they have double in number. States are passing the
most rigorous laws to exclude them from their territory,
Some States, indeed, are introducing INTO the tunda-
mental law, the constitution, a provision against the
reception OF any free people OF color within their bor-
ders. What is to become OF them, ask again, in the
name Of humanity and OF justice | see other
edy than that of sending them back to the land whence
their ancestors were taken and l can conceive OF no
portion OF the population of the United States which
will be benefited by such transfer OF the free pee
pie of color from the United States to Africa. the
whites the North would be benefited the whites al
the South would be benefited, the slaves would be
bench tted--the poor creatures themselves would be
benefited; for instead OF remaining in country where
they never can be elevated to high social aud political
condition with the whites, where they must forever
main degraded corrupt, and dissoute class, tcarred
the country OF their they rise into
importance which they can never attain here. Every
conceivable interest will be promoted; commerce will
be promoted; civilization will be promoted religion
will be promoted by the transfer of the free people of
color with their consent from the United States
Africa And what interest, what portion of the popu-
ation othis country will be injured by such transport
tation Of these persons! None, none whatever.
| will not detain the Senate longer upon this subject
should be extremely glad fSenators would their
attention TO the Executive document to which l have
referred and would give some considerations to the
suggestions which | have made.
All Mr.. President, it we would only renounce those
unhappy subjects OF agitation which have distracted
country too long, and greatlyit the people of the
North would only allow the people of the South TO
manage their own domestic affairs in their own way
ii they would only reflect that if slavery is fraugh
with evils, the evils felt by those at the Moth;
but confined TO where the slaves are-if we would
only agate each other and agtate our coun-
try and endanger Union ITSELF by ntinuing these
unhappy subjects of controversy aud strife, and all
come together upon this great common object in which
the tree States much interested the slave States
aud unite all our energies directing the free people
OF color from the shores Of America that place where
they can ENJOY realreedom and pursue their hap
pness, what glorious result would il be for coun.
try
Sir beg pardon for having kept the attention of the
Senate so long. move that the petitions, without
Ieadlng be eerred to the Commute on Commerce.
They referred.
The petition on the subject of the slave trade, was
signed by the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, mem.
bers of the State Senate tty- -four of sixty-epht tina
constitute the State Legislature the Chief Justice and
three Associate Judges OF the Supreme Court ofpRhode
Island; f. Wayland, President of Brown UNIVERSE
Iy the UnltedStates District Judge, exDstric Judges
ex-Members OF Congress, ex-United States Senators,
ex-Governors, &c.