Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1859-05-31

being right, there can be no wrong IN the natu'
raj means to its formation.
.. Resolved, That it is expedient and proper
the foreign slave trade should be re.opened, and
that this Convention will lend its influence to
any legitimate measure to that end.
3. Resolved, That a committee consisting OF
one from each slave State be appointed to con-
| slider of the means, consistent with the duty
and obligations Of these States, for re-opcning
the foreign slave trade, and that they re-
port their plan to the next meeting of this Con
~ventiop.
4 resolution declaring it ineypcdicnt to agi-
tate the subject of the revival of the African
slave trade. was ruled out of order.
Col. l.. n. Davis, Of Miss, offered the follow
ing resolution:
Resolved, That the laws of Congress against
the African slave trade should be repealed.
Mr.. Spratt then addressed the Convention in
favor of the resolutions appended to his report.
He was followed by Col. ]. Y. Davis in sup
port of his resolution.
Mr.. Morton, of Ga, made u few remarks in
favor Of re.opcning the slave traffic, and was
followed By Richard 4. Archer, Of Miss, in
support of the resolutions adopted at a meeting
in Claiborne county. on the same SIDE.
The Convention took a recess till . o'clock.
AFTERNOON SEssIoN.-Mr. Humphreys, Of
Claiborne, made a few remarks in introducing
the resolutions adopted at . primary meeting
in his county, in favor of Introducing Africans
into the country.
Mr.. Moody, of Claiborne, spoke in favor Of
the African apprentice system.
Mr.. Hughes, of Claiborne, read a report
| from a committee appointed by tho last Con-
~yention, in relation to slave labor.
The Chair appointed the following gentlemen
| as the committee on resolutions:
Mississippi-Wm. NJ. Johnson, j. c. Hum
phreys. and Isaac y. Davis.
Louisiana. d. r. DcBow. I. Is. r. Hatch.
and Mr.. Brule. -,
South C~arolina-Messrs. Reid, Spratt and
Lipscomb.
Georgia-Mcssrs. Jones and Morton.
Alabama-MeSsrS. McLemorc and Living
ston.
Texas-Mr. d. NJ. Whaley.
Tennessee-MessrS. Delafield and Reneou.
Florida-:A. p. Anaker.
Arkansas. W. Cheatham.
Prof DeBow addressed the Convention IN
favor of re-opening the slave trade, but with
out concluding, deferred the remainder OF his
remarks till to-day.
4 resolution was offered to request Mr..
Spratt to furnish a copy Of his speech for pub
LEGATION, on which q very exciting debate &C.
CURED, and the subject was finally postponed
till next day at 3 o'clock.
The Convention then adjourned till o'clock
next morning.
THIRD DAY, WEpSEsDAY, May ll.-Mr.
Johnston, from the committee on resolutions,
presented the following report:
Resolved, That in the opinion OF this Con-
vention all laws, State or Judicial, prohibiting
the African slave trade, ought to be repealed.
have also been instructed to report back to
the Convention the preamble and resolution,
without amendment, offered by delegate from
Georgia, with ! recommendation that It be
adopted by the Convention.
Judge Jones, Of Georgia, presented the fol-
lowing preamble and resolution, which were
referred to the committee OH resolutions:
Whereas, the Constitution was ordained to
establish Justice and to secure the blessings Of
liberty to us and our poSterity; and
Whereas, the system Of collecting revenue
by duties on imports, is unequal and unjust
between the two sections of the Union, and
between the rich and the poor, and tends to
that manifest corruption Of the Government
which has always proved the grave Of freedom;
and
Whereas, The tariff system, combined with
the manner Of the expenditures Of the Federal
Government, has operated, and must operate,
to the destruction Of Southern commerce, and
to the injury of all commerce; therefore,
Resolved, That the tariff system ought to be
abolished, and the revenue collected to support
the Government by direct taxes.
Mr.. De.aheld, from the anne committee, pre-
,o-kol tLn EoI1nu;p, ~innrIfv rap0rt
The undersigned, from 4 committee on rcso-
lutions to whom was referred the subject of
the repeal of the laws preventing the re-opening
Of the African slave trade, bcgs to present the
following resolution as a report from the
minority Of that committee
Resolved. That without further discussion
of the merits Of this subject, it is incxpcdient
to take any action on it at this time, and
especially in this Convention, for two reasons:
lst 1t is Utopian, and impracticable to en-
pect to obtain from Congress any repeal of the
law, especially when a majority Of the Southern
Stats themselves have rc-enacted equally
stringent laws on this subject.
Cd. This topic may be construed as the
creation of new political issues for future party
politics-an object believed to be foreign to the
Legitimate purposes for which this Convention
is assembled.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
JonN DELAFIRLD.
Mr.. Delafcld, Of Tennessee, offered a series
Of resolutions in relation to the establishment OF
direct trade between Memphis and Belgium,
which was referred to the committee on resolu-
tons.
The following new delegates appeared TO-
day:
South Carolina-John F. Townsend.
Arkansas-Mr. Ross.
MisSissippi-Messrs. Tarpley and Hawkins.
Mr.. Coleman, Of Louisiana, offered a resolu-
ton in favor Of removing the obstructiOns at
the mouth of the Mississippi river. which was
referred to the committee on resolutions.
Mr.. Brooke, Of Mississippi, offered the fol-
lowing resolutions:
Whereas, 1t is desirable that the people Of
the South should, rs far as possible, in the
present crisis Of national affairs, present uni
ted and undivided front; and
Whereas, This Convention. composed of
Southern men without distinction of party, has
assembled fer the purpose of considering South
crn interests; and
South divided than the present system Of par
ty politics and party caucuses or conventions;
therefore, be it
Resolved, That this Convention recommend
to both of the political parties of the South an
abandonment Of their respective organizations.
and that no other convention, either state or
national. be held by either.
On motion, the resolutions were laid on the
table.
Mr.. Moody, of Claiborne, made a personal
explanation.
The order of the day was then called up,
ana Mr.. DeBow, Of Louisiana, concluded his
remarks begun yesterday.
he was followed by Ex-Governor Foote, in q
speech Of great power and cloouence.
After ha had concluded anA.....A al.