Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-04-15

the 3st Bdsobst 1881, sb7 eo6sies--nt dne if asefy
ASS OF our Nee population So viii be seen that crime
in New York Is NEARLY three times great as In Virgil
ha 1t is also considerably greater IN Ohio than Id our
| have no statistics of crime in the other Southern
Statesbut far my information extends there are no
laws of character either existing proposed
as the bill under consideration.
AT the las session of the South Carolina Legislature
proposition was introduced having for its object the
sale offree negroes for debt-but the committee to
whom referred made strong report against it, end
far from recommending more Stringent laws, ad-
vsed relaxation Of their severity This report is n
my opinion, most honorable to the Legislature OF that
State and such might have been expected from South
Caronans-and ore apprehend the aboiion.sts will
never give them any credit Tor.
Tie bill under consideration proposes TO drive thel
free negroes forth hastily from the Commonweal h, or
sell them into slavery; which, sir, does comporl
with my views of justice or humanity.
Whilsta slave owner, representing large slave
holding constituency, and coming iron the very South
border your STATE would not surrender one jot
or little of my own, the rights Of those whom rep
resent, not even atthe swords point, but and
will not give any support to this bill Nor will Iremain
silent in my seat and see what might seem harsh ANUS
tee inflicted on the most worthless human being that
exists in my county.
SIR to sell the tree blacks will be getting rid of
them nor am l Inclined to think that they will be
more beneficial 10 the morals of slaves-for they
know that they were liberated in accordance with the
laws ofthe land by their masters-and consequently
will my opln'on not only make very bad slav-s but
will prove very perm cous among slave population
Sir suppose we proceed to sell the free negro who,
may ask is to become the purchaser? Surely the
small farmer who has been in the habit of employing
him by the day week to do this rudgery. No. SIR this
cannot be- for poor peorc slaves and conse
quenty the free negro would tail into the hands of his
wealthy neigbor; and thus, sir you would array
against a set of men who are now our friends
Mr.. Speaker: will notice another part of the
eloquent speech Of the gentleman from Goochiand He
has very emphatcay called the attention of this House
to the Southampton instruction Sir can tell the gen
tleman, that know all about that for / was sixteen
years old at the time, and the spot but have
heard that the free negroes had any agency in
bringing about that horrible tragedy which let down the
curtains of death around If believed them guilty
of this crime should be the last here say aught
in their behalf
Mr. Speaker, this subject has been before us for thr
teen long moahs 1t is time to dispose of it. have
told this House and again that would willing
y cooperate in just and humane plan to gradually
get rid of free black population; but of Viz
ginas representatives am not prepared sell them
and pocket the money.
The substitute reported by the committee for Courts of
Justice shall sustain by my VOTE and hope will be adop
ted by the House. 1t creates Colonization Board that
receive requests and donations, and makes he same
appropriation that exists under the present law
have sir, discharged nay duty a member of this
House the subject under consideration