The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1860-02-09


MEssRs. EDITORS: #
see published in the newspapers memo.
rial of Mr.. William E. Mann, Jr., of North
Carolina, to the Virginia Legislature, asking
for certain changes in our law for the pro-
lection of slave property of the citizens of
this Commonwealth. As the author of that
law, deem it proper to state that the dis
elimination complained Of was not IL, the bill
as it originally passed the House of Dele
gates; but it is feature engrafted on it in
the Senate to please certain parties in Rich
mond, who, with Northern partners, owned
lines of packets sailing from James river to
Northern parts. The bill was modified in
the Senate in many respects, greatly to i'm
pair its efficiency and the harmony of its va
rious provisions, and sent back to the House
a few days only before adjournment, leaving
us choice between our mutilated law or
none at all. Before it was enforced, Tide
water Virginia lost annually more than
100000 of slaves year, but since, very
few have gotten off, and these by reason of
the omission to search Virginia vessels, or
those commanded by residents of Virginia.
| understand that last year, under the faith
full and efficient superintendent of Chief In
spector VIM. Il. Parker, not one escaped
The evil was becoming intolerable, and
without correction, our slave property
| would not have been worth groat in few
| years.
| AS member of the House of Delegates,
determined to make an effort, and offered
| resolution for select joint committee of
| both Houses to consider the subject. This
was readily granted, and an able committee
| appointed. For weeks they had the matter
| under consideration, for it proved exceeding.
ly difficult to adjust so as to avoid violation
of the Constitution of Virginia, and more
especially of the URited States. Some of
the best statute lawyers in Virginia review
ed its provisions, and every effort was made
to obtain law which while 1t would not be
harsh, would be effective. In looking over
the codes of the various Southern States, mot
a solitary act worth:the paper it was printed
on, could be found, and North Carolina par
ticularly, had been very remiss in guarding
her slave property. because she was much
less exposed, having no ports or but few land
having Virginia between her and the enemy.
1t is but right to place her vessels passing
through the canals on the same footing as
Virginia vessels. But as to the other hard
ships complained Of in this memorial, they
are all moonshine. They were all carefully
considered by such men as Governor Floyd,
Smith OF Greenbrier, Robert Saunders of
Williamsburg, Segar, M r II Garrett, and
other able men from all sections and parties
in the State. We were satisfied that the
changes asked for would soon open the door
to evasions of the law, which would render
it worthless. All taxes are onerous, but
what is this paltry inspection fee, paid by
few canal captains, compared to the tax in
flicted en- a Virginia STAKEHOLDER by the
stealing of some half dozen negroes?
The law was never popular in the cities,
because majority of the inhabitants en-
gagged in Northern trade own no slaves. 1t
sod xx,sk VIC IN
terests as well as town-the farmer more
than the commission merchant. Of all Pc
RODS in our history this is the worst posi-
BILE time to modify our code in reference to
negro stealing. All the commissions made
in Norfolk in one year would hardly repay
the loss of negroes in one month, if you de-
stroy this law. As to driving North Carroll
| ma trade from Baltimore to New York, it
matters but little to us to which place it
| goes, ii it is to avail itself of our canals and
| water courses to pass by our doors and carry
produce to either place. Indeed, Baltimore
is more dangerous competitor for our
North Carolina trade than New York, and
on the scere of abolition but little if any,
| sounder. She sends to Congress q member
| who elected Black Republican Speaker by
| has cote. The mere fact OF sailing by Nor
| folk to Baltimore rather than to New York
| by Ocracoke, is to US like smelling good
dinner but never tasting it.. The law should
be amended by requiring all vessels going
| North via Delaware and Chesapeake Canal
| to be inspected as well as those sailing out
| of the capes of Virginia.
My feeble health does not permit me to ar
| que those questions as could, but as Vir-
| ginian, a STAKEHOLDER and the patron of this
bill, l could not allow the statements in the
memorial to go unnoticed, and hope the
Richmend papers will copy this article, i'm
perfect as it is. Without the continuance of
this law the farms in Eastern Virginia would
soon afford slender gleanings to abolition
| thieves. The planters would be compelled
| to sell their slaves South, or they will all be
| stolen. The idea of making the State pay
the inspection fee, is about as reasonable as
| to ask it to pay custom house duty and har-
| Dor masters fees. Respectfully,
F. MALLORY
| FEBRUARY 9Th, 1860.
+. S.-The question of negro testimony,
lately brought up in the Legislature, the
committee carefully considered, and though
that feature was at one time adopted in COM
mittee, most carefully guarded and modified
to avoid abuse, yet on mature reflection we
concluded to drop it from the bill, and still
think it would be injudicious to engraft such
provision on the law. l must sincerely
| hope the Legislature will not connect the col
lection Of any to1 on oysters, aoiM the Inspec-
ton Laao. If any thing cold array the non
shareholders of Eastern Virginia against the
shareholders, it would be such provision.
The reasons for this are so obvious, that it is
enough to state the objection. Ten thousand
Helpers books could not do one hundredth
part of the mischief.
Were ia the Legislature would propose
to inspect all vessels trading to Northern
ports. We are TALKING OF non-intcrcourse
and direct trade, and surely it would not
injure Virginia shipping interests to tax it
when none of our vessels are to 60 there.
Inspect our vessels and give the fines and
forfeitares wrung. from the Yankees as a
bonus to encourage Virginia ship. building,
like the fishing bounties now paid to Cod
tishdom.