The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-02-17

different parts both Of the United States and |
the British Provinces requiring TO be carefully |
considered taken in connection with the neces- |
sity OF reference TO London for instructions |
as to all questions Of moment that arise unex |
pectedy have thus far prevented, and will |
probably render impossible, the conclusion of
comprehensive arrangement of the kind con- |
templsted in season to be submitted to the
Senate, and to become the subject of legislative
action during the present short session. Ii il
believed, however, from the progress made and
the present state of negotiations, that time only
is wanted for a satisfactory agreement between
the two Governments ON oil the subjects above
alluded to- The only part of the proposed ar
rangement which may be considered as Of an
urgent nature is such an adjustment of the
fisheries question as would remove all danger
of trouble on the fishing grounds during the
approaching season. This is an object of great
Importance, and worthy the immediate atten-
tion of Congress. As belonging to general set
Element. the British Government is not willing
TO dispose OF it separstely; but the Secretary
of State is Of opinion that, under the circum-
stances Of the case, If Congress should pass an
act admitting provincial Ash, free Of duty, into
| the United States on condition that the fisher
men Of the United states are admitted to full
participation in the provincial fisheries, the
| Government Of Great Britain would give effect
to the measure by the requisite legislation on
her part, in the expectation on both sides that
the question Of reciprocity, and of the use of
the St Lawrence and the canals connected
with it will be taken up hereafter with favor
able disposition to come TO mutually advan-
tageous agreement on that part of the subject
also.
Il. ell
the desired result, which is not apprehended,
it would relieve the United States of the re-
sponsibilty Of the consequences.
All which is respectfully submitted.
EpwARp EVERETT
70 We are highly gratiied with the CON-
ments of the best portion of the Virginia press
on the proposition to expel the free colored pop
ulation. We transfer to our columns another
article on the subject from the Richmond Va
Wh,g-a paper decidedly hostile to Abolition
lists 1t does not regard the free people of color
as nuisances, but generally as worthy and
useful class How different the spirit it mani
tests, from the mean, pervading spirit of negro
hating presses at the North
REMOVAL OF FREE NEGROES
The more we have reflected upon the various
schemes for expclling the free black population
from the State the more are we convinced
not Of its inhumanity and injustice, for that
required no rehection-but of its inexpediency
and mpolicy. We are also satisfied that our
predcament has been that Of the great ma jori-
ty OF the people of Virginia. They have not
thought on the subject. Some, under the in
huence of the clamor against free negroes,
raised some years ago by Ex-Governor Smith,
went off halfcocked, and gave in to the absurd
notion that all the evils in the State resulted
| from free negroes That unfortunate class were
unable to say anything for themselves, and, as
they were without votes or political influence,
no one felt called upon 10 espouse their cause.
But for doubt whether the Legislature had
the power, before the new Constitution, to OK.
pei them, it is highly probable that, in the ex-
element of the moment the whole of them
would have been driven out without rhyme or
reason.
| II was said, and taken for true without in
quiry, that they were not only the least pro-
productive, but the most vicious portion OF the
population. This, if 80, would scarcely Justify
humane men in committing great injustice,
unless that injustice were demanded by the
safety of the commonwealth. But the last
census does not sustain any such position.
Take, for instance, a single county-that of
Southampton In that county there are 500
free negroes and during the last sixteen years
only two of th.ir number have been convicted
of penitentiary offences. We learn, from a
gentleman of that county, that, 50 far from
being esteemed q vicious population and nu-
sance. they bear q totally different character.
nf ind md iph Ia
spectacle; and az a class are far superior to
the class that would probably succeed them, if
they were removed In the rebellion which
occurred in that county, in '3i, they had no
participation whatever; and from the known
aversion which subsists between slaves and
them, they are regarded as guaranty against
any successful outbreak by the former.
As in Southampton, 40 it is elsewhere. There
may be worthless or vicious one, among them,
but there nre enough good ones on the Scrip
tural test applied to Sodom and Gomorrah, to
save the class ten times over. In this city,
there are many who are really useful members
Of society. Some of them are AZ good citizens,
and as reputable in all the relations Of life as
their great enemy, Ex-Governor Smith They
are men OF industry and probity; they attend
to their own business, and interfere with no one
else; they pay their debts and neither cheat,
swindle, steal, nor rob.
We do not suppose there is any possibility of
the passage of Mr.. Brownies proposition, which
proposes to hire them out for five years, and at
the expiration Of that time TO sell all remain
ing in the State. That is rather hard hearted, |
even for this heartless age. A milder scheme,
but looking 10 the same end-the speedy ex- |
pulsion Of the whole races suggested. This |
consists in heavy capitaton tax-fve dollars
on each male, and one dollar On each female
to aid in raising $4,000 year, for their re-
moval The effect OF this measure, scarcely less
inquitous than the other, would be to force all
the better portion of the population to quit the
State, and leave us only those who are worth
less or vicious In this view, the more sum
mary and apparently more barbarous mode,
would be the more polite Of the two.
We do not advert to the effect which the re-
moval may have upon the labor Of the State,
already too small for the demand upon the
interests Of SHAREHOLDERS; or to the class which |
would supply the place Of the free negroes we
would rest the question mainly upon its inhu-
mainly and injustice. The whole subject is
now before the Committee Of Courts Of Justice,
and we look TO the able chairman for such
report as will settle the whole matter, and en- |
able these poor people 10 feel at ease in tho en-
joyment of the limited privileges they now pos |
sess.
HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION