The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-20

Colorcd seamen and South Carolina.
From the Charleston Mercury.1
As matter Of interest to our readers, we publish
the following report Of tho Committee on the Color
cd Population:-
HOUSE OF REPREsESTArrvEs,l
COLUMBIA, s. c., Dec. 7, 1854.
TIE Committee on Colored Population, to whom
was referred go much Of the message No. / Of His
Excelency the Governor - relates 20 the fnprson-
ment Of free persons Of color, employed mariners
OF otherwise on board Of vessels trading with our
That they have given the subject that careful con-
alteration which the high authority from which the
Recommendation proceeds, and it, own intrinsic inn
Of 1886, NOW in force, was enacted under circum-
stances which induced belief that those who were
opposed to our domestic peace might have In their
employment this class Of persons, ~ emissaries in
can be doubt a. to the right Of the State to enact
laws Of this character. II Is not the right No pro-
pose to consider, bat the mods and manner Of en-
foiciDg It.
selves by police laws and provisions excluding
irm their borders those who may be regarded g
dangerous to their internal peace and security. It
unnecessary e refer to the passport system Of
powers have imposed; II s on the principle Of self
defence that such right IL 30 claimed, maintained
and enforced; and in some Of the States Of this
federacy this principle Ia carried 80 for - 70 ex
our populstion. But it becomes q matter for consi-
Iteration whilst asserting an undoubted right, whe-
thar We may not Transcend the limits of humanity,
Or st least Of expediency, which just regard for
the opinion Of the world, a. well a. our own sense
Of propriety, would forbid.
We cannot deny that tho operation Of our Law Il
particularly halsh in some Of ts features Whether
entering our ports Voluntarily Or driven there by
BY the act Of God, no discrimination Is made; all
alike come under il operation and are immediately,
Oh touchiDg our soil, incarcerated In our common
jails and TIE aSed a. maefactorA Il i surely spec
requires It, that the arrival OF any vessel WHISTLER
trading intentionally with our ports or compslied
to seek shelter there, either BY tempest or dia-
ease, that this class Of persons be at hurried
into prison. Such course would seem to indicate
sense Of insecurity on our part which we persuade
ourselves does not exit. Feeling too confident In
our right, and In the security which we enjoy under
H. to regard aoy such rigorous course % at all neces
ary, we besides beieve that tho present regulations
are rather mischivous IN their tendency than con-
aucive to tie good order Of to Sne It has been
long observed thai under the present regulations
this class il ut once afforded the best opportunities
Tor miscellaneous interference, and prompted to ef-
forts Of this description by the supposed wrongs in
ficted ON them.
Your committee are Of 1.-THE opinion tina. the pre-
sent regulations Of our law are mot only unneccssa
rily harsh, but that they are to great extent iu-
efficient for the purposes designed. They are fully
convinced that they may be modified with entire
security an think that this is called for ~ well by
our exPeris nee Of their inefciency from desire
to exhibit that spirit Of comfy which we would
wish to cultivate with foreign powers. With these
views your committee would report the accompany
Ing bill, and recommend its adoption by the House.
Respectfully submitted,
Chairman Of the Committee of Colored Population.
In THE HoUsE or REPRESENTATIVES,,
December Z. 1854.
bill to amend IN act entitled "An act moro eifec
fyol lU IN Ar<A 49,
CT color fom entering into this State, and for
ether purposes" passed the 10Th day Of Dscem
Der, ADno Domini QUE thousand eight hundred
ara twenty-five.
/. he it enacted by the Senate snd House OF Rep
restrtasivfs, now met and sitting ia General As
semhly, by the authority of the same That free
negIots end persons OK color brought into tis state
10 any vessel not b1und to any pxt in this State,
but loo shall be- driven into any port Of this ate
by stress Of weather, or compelled 50 enter thereto
hy mutny, or other cause which makes said ent,y
in,oulsy on the part Of those controlling the said
vessel shall be, ana the sams hereby declared,
from and after the passing Of this acs exempt from
tie operation Of an act entitled can act more effsc-
tuall 70 prevent free negroes and other persons Of
color from entering into this State and for other
purposes, passed the nineteenth day Of December,
snd thirty five, and Al other acts sutjsctng such
persons 20 imprisoSment; provided tnst such frse
negroes and persons Of color 20 brought into sny
port OF this State shall remain on bosrd the vesel
plsce as may be seisc.sd for their acconmod alton
by the ksyer or chiaf magistrate of the masiopL
ooTpprasioa, or State magistrate.
2 That nom aud a'er the passing Of this act
Whenever sny free negrD, or person OF color IN ali
come fosc this State La any vessel rot driven into
port OF this State by stress of wcsthar or con-
PEELED 70 enter taerein by mutny or other causc
which Dskerssid entry involuntary on the part Of
'noee conSrohing SAID vsssis, rs = cook, seward,
mariner or any other emnloyuent on bo ard 40 ,h yes
te. ~ scall be TIE duty OF she msssr csner or per-
scnasvlFg control OF sucn vessel ateiy On hs
Ervs In port 10 report to the MAJOR or other chief
municipal ofaoer, and1 II there 10 no such
enceS ueo 70 tbe nearest magistrate. the
Isme, description, snt capacity OF any such
Tree beeIo, or tee person Of color, and adsn enter
mo poEd TO the Mayor other cnief municinal Of
hcer, or On gistfate afcresAid With t~o suIicisns
sufsf being freehcssess, IN tks sum Of ons HUNDRED
collars tor eacf, conditioned tia. each and every 80
ee fefro, OF person Of soor, shall remaia ,ard
Q, soth gesse end shall In AL respects obsy the la ~
Of tfc said state and ,ipsrces aud ne gu tons Of
the city or port OF entry; and further that no ssvs
or free perton OF color residing either permanently
fw "a SxSf~x L. - ~ An