Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1853-04-12

Now, sir, c, W take look into the crime committed by
the fee negroes which beg leave 10 say has been very
much oveesmatcd, though il be bad enough WilHout any
,xacgtraton Sir, from statrmsn when h"id I'D NY
hai4I made out ny the Superintendent o inc
from the LIST Of January, 1885, down 10 January ISL
that there but free oil cOor connheo
in tia, prison from Southampton space OF II years anu
fer years the time there not one from that county
confined heTe-om his last report 10 the House see lnu'
there were but l9 convicted from the whole State the pre-
red M year-onc for about every 255O
H. Virginia ihere is free negro 10 Il whites IN Worm
,,,,Iu, 10 20: in South Carolina 10 30; in Louisiana
~ H. in New York 10 63 and in Ohio 10 So Of whites
Ana nov sir let the amount OF crime here were
, iroi IN in STATE prisons OF New York the is OF
December 1851 l74 convics, one for loO OF her pophla
on In OHIO The number the 18Th of October 1857 was
Ioa expected be increased IN IL" 10 o%o
enDyvng convict for every 3505 OF her population
LII Virginia there confined In the Penltenafy VI 'e
30h October, 1851, POI convcts-or one 10Y every @ m
cur free population So il, will be seen that crime IN
Neg York is nearly three times great rs In firRna-h
zo considerable greater in Ohio than In our own oa.e
have TO statistics Of crime in the other Southern STATES
but 80 !a as my Inflammation extends there are no avs .,
character either existing proposed as the Dill
under consideration
A, the last session OF the South Carolina Legislature
rrnnsilion introduced having its object the sale OF
free negroes for dcotbut the committee whom ii
rr.d made n strong report against it, and 90 far from
commanding more stringent laws, advised relaxation Of
e severity This report H. In my opinion mos, honora.
bic The Legislature OF that Stale and such might have
been expected from South Carollnans-and appreend
the abolironisrs will give them my credit for.
bill under consideration proposes to drive the free
forth hastily from The or 10 Sell them
into slave which, sir doed not c0port win my views OF
justice Or humanity.
Whilst a slave owner representing large savehoding
constituency and Coming from The very Southern border oil
SIae would surrender Jot or little oil my own,
the .igiIs OF those whom represent, not even Mt Tie
swords point But cannot and will not give any support
this bill. Nor will remain silent III my seat ana see
harsh inflicted on the most worth.
less human being that exists IN my county
Sir sell the free blacks will not be getting rid OF Item,
nor inclined 10 think That they will be more beneficial
The morals Of slavcs-ior they know thai they were IT.
tcr1ed in accordance with The laws OF the land by thelr
masirrs and consequently will, in my opinion, not only
make had slaves but will prove very pernclous among
81 slave population.
Sir snposc proceed sell The free negro: who, may
ask become the purchaser! Surely not The small
nD has been In the habit OF employing hIn by me
day week do his drngry. NO. This cannot be- tor
poor people savcs and consequently the Tree
negro wuGl fall into the hands OF his wealthy neigh.
ho and thus sir you would array sgsnstiu5 sci OF men
VIII" our friends
Mr. Speaker will now notice another part Of The elo
1uent speech ui the gentleman from Goochland. lie mas
7ery ihaclly called the attention o this House 10 Tue
Suuhauipon insuurcon Sir, Tell the gentleman,
that know all about that, Tor was 10 old al The t
and tho spot have heard that inc iree ne
gro, agency Bringing about that horrible Tragedy
which lr LIwn The curtains Of death around us II oc
iievcG gully vi this crime should De the las' MA"
here say Gughi in their behalf
Mr. Speaker This SUBJECT has been before Us lot UNI
long months II il dispose OF H. nave t"u 'hia
House over AMI again thar would willingly co-"Pet
ra. in any Iust and humane plan Ia paduay gel hd VI
~, free black pUpuationi but one ol virginia repre-
acnrnvrs prepared "a sell them anu pechet 'ne
money. :,
The substitute reported BY the committee Tor Courts OF
Justice shall by vote, and hnpe WI" De aoopl-
ed by hr House IL creates Colonization board that can
rcrlv. Requests ard donations and nases le same upPo
uis,un that now exists under The present law" nave
no. discharged duty member OF h's Ho"Se w
subject under consideration.