The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-07-19
SLAVERY IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

We present below the legislation of Congress
ington relative to slaves and free persons of COLOR
as we find it in the Laws of the Corporation.
The index presents bird s-eye view of the
whole subject, and will convey as clear an i'm
preston as the fullest details. 1t will be seen
| that the black code of the Federal Capital is
little behind that of South Carolina or Louisi.
ana in harshness and injustice. We defy the
ingenuity of all the lawyers and demagogues,
north or south of the Potomac, to find a shadow
of constitutional authority for this mass of I'M
quitous legislation. The Constitution makes no
distinction between white and colored persons,
but, on the contrary, is based on, and substan-
TALLY reiterates, the great leading idea ofthe Dec,
laration of independence, that all men are born
free and equal. The black code of this city has
therefore no other basis to stand on than an I'M
constitutional act of Congress, which the Su.
preme Court should declare nullity; but fail
ing to do so, it hehooves the next Congress to
repeal it outright.
We care not if the trainers of the Consttu-
ton, or their contemporaries, re-enacted the slave
laws of Maryland and Virginia in the portions
of those States coded to the Federal Govern.
ment. They had no power to do so. They were
tallihe men, and made many gross blunders in
interpreting the Constitution. They enacted
the Alien and Sedition Laws; and many of them,
DIR. Franklin among the number, thought that
Congress might abolish Slavery in the States
In other important particulars they showed
lamentahle ignorance of relative powers of the
Federal and State Governments, which any tyro
In politics would now be ashamed to avow.
The American Constitutions are far better un-
derstood by the men of this generation than by
those of the era in which they were framed, Just
as the steam engine and its various practical
applications are thousand times better under
stood now than by the great men who first con.
| ceived the ideas in their brains Slavery exists
In this District by usurpation. Congress is not
| SIMPLY blamable for an omission of duty but
guilty of transcending its authority in continuing
the system; and we spread this disgusting detail
ofbarbarism andinjustice before the public, in or
der that it may awaken the Indignation of the
| their Christian civilization. G..
Power Conferred by the Charter of the Corpora
ton OF Washington to Regulate the Condition
of Free Negroes, Mulattoes, and Slaves.
SECTION VIII
The said Corporation shall also have power
To restrain and prohibit the nightly and
other meetings of slaves, free negroes, and mu-
| lattoes, and to punish slaves by whipping, not
exceeding forty stripes, or by imprisonment,
| not exceeding six months for any one offence
and to punish said free negroes and mulattoes,
| by penalties, not exceeding twenty dollars, for
| any one offence; and in case of the inability OF
| any such free negro or mulatto to pay any such
penalty and cost thereon, to cause him or her
to be confined to labor for any time not exceed
| ing six calendar MONTHS
To prescribe the terms and conditions upon
which free negroes and mulattoes may reside
! in the city;
10 punish corporeally any colored servant or
slave for breach of any of their laws or ordi.
nances, unless the owner or holder of such ser
want or slave shall pay the fine in such cases
provided;
And to pass all laws which shall be deemed
necessary and proper for carrying into execu.
| ton the powers vested by this act in the said
Corporation or its officers.
| INDEX TO CORPORATION LAWS.
Free Negroes and Mulattoes-
| Liquor not to be sold to, between sunset and
| sunrise.
When housekeepers, may keep dogs.
| The act of May, 1927.
All free negroes to furnish evidence of free
dom to Register.
! Penalty for emitting to do so.
Register to keep record of such free negroes.
And furnish them permits of residence in the