[7] Farrand. Records of the Federal Convention, Vol. 2, pp. 369, 374. [8] Ibid. p. 374. [9] Ibid. p. 400. Prof. Farrand renders “abst” absent, which the context contradicts. King of Massachusetts, was put on the committee. [10] Farrand. Records of the Federal Convention, Vol. 2, p. 415. [11] S. C. Gazette, Feb. 19, 1732, Stat. S. C. Vol. 7, pp. 367-370. McCrady, S. C. Under the Royal Government, p. 378. [12] Stat. S. C. Vol. 7, p. 430. [13] State Gazette, Jan. 28, 1788. [14] Jervey, Robert Y. Hayne and His Times, p. 130. [15] Calhoun’s Correspondence, p. 369. CHAPTER II Following Gillon’s unsuccessful attempt in 1788, to repeal the existing law, the State of South Carolina, by successive enactments, in spite of the implied sanction of the Constitution until 1808, prohibited the importation of slaves[16] up to the year 1803. In that year Governor James B. Richardson, in his annual message to the General Assembly, indirectly suggested the repeal of such legislation. The language of this message is so involved that, considered without reference to its effect, it seems to indicate some sympathy with the prohibition of the importation; but carefully considered, the secret sympathy of this official with those he condemns is obvious. The promptness with which it was seized upon by the opponents of prohibition, and the arguments culled from it, indicate that it was the opening wedge by which the defence against the black flood, was split, to admit it in such volume, as to make subsequent efforts to stop the flow almost useless. That portion of the message which dealt with the importation of Negro slaves reads as follows: