History of the Negro Race in America from 1619 to 1880. Vol. 2: Negroes as Slaves, as Soldiers, and as CitizensWilliams, George Washington
History
History of the Negro Race in America from 1619 to 1880. Vol. 2: Negroes as Slaves, as Soldiers, and as Citizens
Williams, George Washington
African Americans -- History; Liberia; Sierra Leone
At the opening of the next session, Gen. Harrison presented another
letter, accompanied by several resolves passed by the Legislative
Council and House of Representatives, urging the passage of a measure
restricting the ordinance of 1787. The letter and enclosures were
received on the 21st of January, 1807, and referred to the following
select committee: Parke, of Indiana, chairman; Alston, North Carolina;
Masters, New York; Morrow, Ohio; Rhea, Tennessee; Sandford, Kentucky;
Trigg, Virginia.
On the 12th of February, 1807, the chairman, Mr. Parke, made the
following report in favor of the request of the memorialists [the
_third_]. It was unanimous.
"The resolutions of the Legislative Council and House of
Representatives of the Indiana Territory relate to a suspension,
for the term of ten years, of the sixth article of compact
between the United States and the Territories and States
northwest of the river Ohio, passed the 13th July, 1787. That
article declares that there shall be neither Slavery nor
involuntary servitude in the said Territory.
"The suspension of the said article would operate an immediate
and essential benefit to the Territory, as emigration to it will
be inconsiderable for many years, except from those States where
Slavery is tolerated.
"And although it is not considered expedient to force the
population of the Territory, yet it is desirable to connect its
scattered settlements, and, in admitted political rights, to
place it on an equal footing with the different States. From the
interior situation of the Territory, it is not believed that
slaves could ever become so numerous as to endanger the internal
peace or future prosperity of the country. The current of
emigration flowing to the Western country, the Territories should
all be opened to their introduction. The abstract question of
Liberty and Slavery is not involved in the proposed measure, as
Slavery now exists to a considerable extent in different parts of
the Union; it would not augment the number of slaves, but merely
authorize the removal to Indiana of such as are held in bondage
in the United States. If Slavery is an evil, means ought to be
devised to render it least dangerous to the community, and by
which the hapless situation of the slaves would be most
ameliorated; and to accomplish these objects, no measure would be
so effectual as the one proposed. The Committee, therefore,
respectfully submit to the House the following resolution:
"_Resolved_, That it is expedient to suspend, from and after the
1st day of January, 1808, the sixth article of compact between
the United States and the Territories and States northwest of the
Ohio, passed the 13th day of July, 1787, for the term of ten
years."
Like its predecessor this report was made a special order, but was
never taken up.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account