The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-06-16

and this question ought 10 De leit 10 Tue VA
tional Government not to the States partlcu-
arly interested. If England and France per.
NIT slavery, slaves are, at the same time, ex-
cluded from both those kingdoms. Greece and
Rome were made unhappy by their slaves. he
could not believe that the Southern States
would refuse to confederate on the account ap-
pretended especially as the power was not
likely to be Immediately exercised by the Cen
eral Government.
Mr. Williamson stated the law of North Car
DINA on the subject--to wit: that it did not
directly prohibit the importation of slaves. 1t
imposed duty Of rs on each slave imported
from Africa, fl0 on each from elsewhere, and
f5OOn each from State licensing manumission.
He thought the Southern States could not be
members of the Union if the clause should be
rejected; and that it was wrong to force any
thing down not absolutely necessary, and
which any State must disagree to.
Mr. King thought the subject should be con-
sidered in political light only If two States
will not agree to the Constitution, as stated on
one side, he could affirm with equal belief on
the other, that great and equal opposition
would be experienced from the other States.
He remarked on the exemption of slaves from
duty, whilst every other import was subjected
to it, as an inequality that could not fail to
strike the commercial sagacity of the North
ern and Middle States.
Mr. Langdon was strenuous for giving the
power to the General Government He could
not, with good conscience, leave it with the
States, who could then go on with the traffic,
without being restrained by the opinions here
given, that they will themselves cease to i'm
port slaves.
General Pnckney thought himself bound to
declare candidly that he did not think South
Carolina would stop her importation of slaves
in any short time but only stop them occasion
ally, as she now does. He moved to commit
the clause, that slaves might be made liable to
an equal tax with other imports; which he
thought right, and which would remove one
difficulty that had been started.
Mr. Rutledge If the Convention thinks that
North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia,
will ever agree to the plan, unless their right
to import slaves be untouched, the expectation
is vain. The people of those States will never
be such fools as to give up SO important an
interest. He was strenuous against striking
out the section, and seconded the motion of
Gen. Pinckney for a commitment.
Mr.. Gouverneur Morris wished the whole
subject to be committed including the clauses
relating to taxes on exports, and to a naviga-
ton act These things may form bargain
among the Northern and Southern States
Mr.. Butler declared that he never would
agree to the power taxing exports.
Mr.. Sherman said it was better to let the
Southern States import slaves than to part with
them if they made that sine qua aon He
was opposed to tax on slaves imported, as
making the matter worse, because it implied
they were property. He acknowledged that if
the power of prohibiting the Importation should
be given to the General Government, that it
would be exercised. He thought it would be
its duty to exercise the power
Mr. Read was for the commitment provided
the clause concerning taxes on exports should
also be committed.
Mr. Sherman observed that that clause had
been agreed to, and therefore could not be
committed.
Mr. Randolph was for committing in order
that some middle ground might, if possible, be
found he could never agree to the clause as
it stands. He Would sooner risk the Constitu.
ton. He dwelt on the dilemma to which the
Convention was exposed. By agreeing to the
clause, it would revOas the Quakers, the Meth
odists, and many others in the States, having
no slaves. On the other hand, two States
might be lost to the Union. Let us, then, he
said, try the chance Of communicable
1883 to 1896
the report of the Committee of eleven (see
Friday, the twenty fourth being taken up
General Pinckney moved to strike out the
words, the year eighteen hundred as the
year limiting the importation of slaves and
% insert the words, "the year eighteen hun
lred and eight"
Mr. Gorham seconded the motion
Mr. Madison. Twenty years will produce all
he mischief that can be apprehcnded from the
liberty to import slaves. SO long term will
DO more dishOnorablc to the American charac-
er, than to say nothing about it in the Const-
utiOn.
On the motion, which passed in the affirm
tive:
New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connect.
tut Maryland, North Carolina, South Caro-
ina, Georgia, aye; 7. New Jersey, Pennsylva-
,ia, Delaware, Virginia, no; d.
MIR. Gouverneur Morris was for making the
ause read at once, "the importation of slaves
ntO North Carolina, South Carolina, and
Georgia, shall not be prohibited" &c. This,
he said, would be most fair, and would avoid
he ambiguity by which, under the power with
egard to naturalization, the liberty reserved
o the States might be defeated He wished it
o be known also, that this part of the Con-
titution was compliance with those States
f the change of language, however, should be
objected to, by the members from those States
le should not urge it.
Col. Mason was not against using the term
slaves" but against naming North Carolina
south Carolina, and Georgia, lest it should
i've offence to the people OF those States.
Mr.. Sherman liked a description better than
he terms proposed, which had been declined
" the old Congress, and were not pleasing to
ome people.
Mr.. Clymer concurred with Mr.. Sherman.
Mr.. Williamson said, that both 10 opinion
md practice he was against slavery but
bought it more in favor of humanity, from a
,iew Of all circumstances, to let in South Caro-.
ina and Georgia on those terms, than to ex-
dude them from the Union
Mr.. Gouverneur Morris withdrew his mo-
ion.
Mr. Dickinson wished the clause to be con-
ined to the States which had not themselves
prohibited the importation Of slaves; and, for
hat purpose, moved to amend the clause 80 as
20 read: "The importation Of slaves into such
If the States as shall permit the same, shall
not be prohibited by the Legislature of the
United States until the year 1909" which
was disagreed to, mem. con.
The first part of the report was then agreed
10, amended as follows:
"The migration or importation of such per-
IONS as the several States now existing shall
hink proper TO admit, shall not be prohibited
~ the Legislature prior to the year 1908"
New Hampshire, Massachusetts,, Connecti-
tut Maryland North Carolina, South Carroll
IA, Georgia, aye 7. New Jersey Pennsylva-
lia, Delaware Virginia no; 4.
TO BE CONTINUED.
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