Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-02-04
For he Enquirer.

IN rur GENERAL. ASSEMBLY OF VIRGINIA.
Ihove been praied TO urn that ar. Dorman OF Rock.
bridge has introduced proposon ~ Th; nnoi,;on
ardent spirits The slaves Of Virginia. ms p'opnslipn
merits and rust will receive your mature and favorable
consideration The evils which seeks 10 correct nave IN
creased arc increasing, and ought TO bc arrested
The African race seems be fond of ardent spirits Us
any tribe of Indians Neither race IS rearhaoe ol sc
CONTROL and both are willing 70 MAKE gtsa' sacances 10
usually eyinced In the use H. and hence II Is that we
moi hear lying out during the coolest
nights Of winter and being found frozen 10 death. Many
have thus died after drinking quart of very
MEAN whiskey No sensible whether he is or IS not
member OF perance society," will affirm that whiskey IS
essential 10 the health of our slaves On the contrary 1t s
well known medical men, well others, that The
cheap spirits commonly purchased and SO freely used by
negroes quito I'M urous to health Whisky has caused
the death of many slaves and been preudica the health
OF much larger number Nor Is this all The privilege oil
buying ardent spirits hrs greatly impaired the moral charac
of the slave population 10 enable them to procure a.
dent Spirits frequently steal tobacco corn wheat
eggs fowls potatoes &C., and thus carry on an extensive
system of barter with white men, who keep liquor shops,
and who do hesitate 10 purchase these articles from
slaves without the permission the knowledge oil the pro-
preor These acts vi THEFT on the part OF the saves nave
carried for many years. Should any member OF inc
Legislature doubt the accuracy Of this statement refer
such TO the shareholders Of middle and eastern Virginia
Tor information. So injurious TO the morals ana neaih Vi
the slaves has experience demonstrated the right TO BUY ar
dent spirits be- that 10 affirm, that not more
than one Shareholder hundred engaged In agricultural
pursuits be found opposed 10 the proposition ooug1
forward by the public spirited and patriotic memoef from
Our slaves constitute about third of entiro popu-
ation Whle our laws and safety forbid their lntelec-
tual cultivation is il not duty TO use all proper means 10
and improve their moral principles to promote their
health and prolong their lvesl Can any member DOUBT
that the prohibition by law OF the sale OF ardent sps 10
the slaves would tend diminish theft INSTRUMENTATION
sickness and intempeancel And does not the conduct Of
the aboitionist admonish Of the poprety oil withhold
ing from our slaves privilege which unnecessary even II
il be conceded be- positively injuous2 patriotic
and legislator feel indifferent 10 the We'll
fare of no class OF society," whether bond free nor VIII ne
permit his mind be entirely engrossed with party poll
tics as deaf a argument upon other questions
Think not that am member of the temperance society
aboring under mania upon the subject OF Cu1ys
drinking and socous advance The cause OF tenn
BY Legislation Such the fact While friend
IL 10 temperance am member of that society AS
tobacco planter and stakeholder have long known the evils
10 which briefly and hastily adverted am thorough
~ convinced that the privilege Of buying ardent spirits tends
10 demorazs the slaves wei, as impair Their nean ano
thus thinking respectfully solicit your earnest attention TO
ina subject trust that you Will soon hear the views
NJ other sayehoders To their experience and observation
! can appeal with unwavering confidence.
Who will Injured by prohibiting the sale OF ardent sp
rim m slaves Cannot the Of grogshops Of groce
RES and stores gain hones, living in many other
besides :adne with slaves and furnishing them with liquor
f moi then they had better shut up their shops and under
dr,ake some business b. which they may succeed In
making without furnishing TO The slaves the temptation to
commit error or perpetrn,e crime.
1t Is for you gentlemen, 10 say whether II Is your duty to
consult The pecunary gains Of those who sell ardent spirits
10 the slaves or whether you shall consult and endeavo 10
protect the morals the health and vos OF than four
hundred thousand of our population. PLANTER.
| January rs, 1851.