war, with all her slaves, backward in her refiftane td Great- Britain ? View rhecomlu&ot her citi/.cns, their zeal and ardor in thecaufeof liberty; their valor at Fort Sullivan. Are crimes anore frequent in that country than in the other States ? Are there more executions ? I believe there have been as few as in any part of the continent, and tbofe which have taken place have been ge nerallyof emigrant convifls or fugitive wheelbarrow men ; he would be bold to airert that in no State on the continent was there more order, sobriety and obedience to good government; more indultry and frugality ; nor was there any trace of the influence of slavery on the charader of her citizens. The French so far from curbing and cramping the African trade with needless regulations, give large premiums upon every ne gro landed on their islands ; in some instances as much as 200 li vres per head. Is that nation more debaftd than others? Are J hey not a polished people, (enfible of the rights of mankind, and by proper sentiments of humanity f The Spaniards en tourage slavery ; they are people of the nicest honor, proverbially io. The Romans and Greeks had Haves, and are not their glorious achievements held up as incitements to gteat and magnanimous a&ior.s pSparta teemed with slaves at the tune of her greatest fame as a valiant republic. The absolute power of the Lacedemonians over the Helotes is frequently spoken of by the ancient writers ; they were not only the slaves of the commonwealth, but of every individual, they could not be set at liberty, neither could they be fold ; hence arose a faying, that a free man at Sparta was moll a free man, and a slave molt a flavc. The system of the Roman policy with regard to slavery was still Tnore severe : Slaves were not even under the protection of the >»ws ; they <vere considered as things, inter res. A mailer merely *rom capr.ce might torture, dismember, and even murder his •slave. If a slave did any damage exceeding his value, he was de livered to the person injured, who did with him what he pleased. Yet these slaves were of the fame color as their mailers, and equal to them in mental faculties ; many of them were men of great Jearning, philosophers, poets, &c. Much had been said of the cru el treatment of slaves in the Weft-Indies and the Southern States; with refpefl to the l?tter, he denied the fa£l from experience and accurate information, and believed in his conscience that tht slaves in South-Carolina were a happier people than the lower or der of whites in many countries he had vifiteo. With regard to the Weft-Indies, Lord Rodney and Admiral Barnngton had both declared that they had spent some time in the Weft-Indies, and that they had never heard of a negro being cruelly treated ; that they had often spoken of their happiness in high terms, declaring that they ihould rejoice exceedingly if the Englilh day-labourer was half as happy.—Some have Caid that slavery was unnecessary : so far from it that several essential manufa&ures depended on it. Indigo, cochineal and various other dying mateiials, which were the produce of the Weft-Indies could only be raised by slaves : the great staple commodities of the South would be annihilate without the labor of flaves.—lt was well known that when the African slaves were brought to the coast for sale, it was customary to put to deatth all those who were not fold ; the abolition of the flavc trade would therefore cause the maflatre of the people. The crucl mode of transportation was another motive to this abolition ; but it was to be presumed that the merchants would so far attend to their own interests as to prefervc the lives and the health of the (laves on the paflaze—all voyages mud be attended •with inconveniencies, and thofefrom Africa to America, not more than others. As to their confinement on board, it was no more than was necefTary; as to the fmallnefs of space alloted them, it was more than was allowed to foldicrs in a camp ; for the mea surement of cubical air breathed by the Africans compared with /hat of foldiersin a camp, was in favor of the former as thirty lo fevcntcen ; it was full as much as was allotted in ships of war to seamen who by the laws of England were frequently on their re turn to their families after a long and dangerous voyage, seized by violence, hurried away by a press-gang, and forccd on another •voyage more tedious and perilous than the firft to a hot and sickly climate, where fcveral hundreds of them were flowed away in the "hold of a vessel. In cases of disobedience the Captain had a right for flight to inflict on them corporal punishment without the intervention of a court martial, and in other cases they are pun ifhableby very feverclaws, executed by martial courts, eftabliftied for that purpose. The fame may be obfei ved of the foldicrs, who were frequently flogged severely for trifling offences ; inflances have been known of their being put under the care of a surgeon, after receiving a small part of the intended flagellation, to rtfy them for the residue. Having thus removed the force of the observations which have fccen advanced against the toleration of flavcry by a inifguided and misinformed humanity, I shall only add, that 1 disapprove of the -whole of the report; bccaufe it cither ftatcsfomc power fufficicnt ly expressed in the constitution which is unneccflary, or it sets forth some power which lam clear Congrcis don't polTefs. The concluding paragraph is an extraordinary one. In what mode are the memorialists to be informed of our humane dispositions ? Are we to fend a special committee to inform them ? Or istheSpeak er to write them a letter, or the Serjeant at Arms with the mace to wait on them ? In short, Mr. Chairman, the whole of this busi ness has been wrong from begining to end, and as one falfe step generally leads toothers, so has the hasty commitment of these memorials involved us in all this confufion and embarrassment. I hope therefore if any kind of report is agreed to, it will be Something like that proposed by my colleague. SATURDAY, APRIL 10 The bill providing for the punishment of certain crimes against the United States, was read the third time, and pafied to be ena&ed. The report of the Secretary of the Treasury on the memorial of the Baron de Steuben, was read the second time, and made the order of the day for next Mojiday week. A meflage was received from the President of the United States, by his Secretary, informing the houfc that the a£l tor the en couragement of ufeful arts has received his assent. The order of the clay on the bill to regulate trade and inter course with the Indian tribes, being called for, the house went in to a committee of the whole—the bill was read. Mr. Scot offered a few general observations on the fubje&, and •after pointing out the importance of competent regulations to se cure the peace of the frontiers, and to irnprefs the minds of the Indians with friendly sentiments towardsthe people of the Uttitcd States, said, that to effect these important objetts great care &jid information are necessary in order to forming an adequate fyf tem —the bill did not come up to his ideas fully—he therefore fiiggefted the propriety of fending the bill to the senate—who not being cfowded with business just now, would have time to form a more perfect plan, than the house has time to. A motion was made that the committee should rife, but this being objected to, the motion was withdrawn. The firft paragraph in the bill provides for the appointment of a fuperintendant who is to be a military officer. It was moved that tiie clause which contains this reftrittion Should be llruck out. The motion was supported by the following observations : It was said to infringe the power of\hc JPrcfident, and in that -iew is unconstitutional—that it may coumerafl the essential interefls of the people, by precluding the Prefideut from appointing perhaps the rnoft proper character in the United States. That persons in civil life may be found fully competent to the bufmels, many such pofTefs a perfett knowledge ot Indian affairs. The military duty of an officer is fufficient to engage his attention—but this'bill will convert him into a mere trader and speculator. Further it was said, that it blended the civil and military charatters which is unconstitutional. In objcft'on to the motion it was observed t'nat a mi1.,1..ry cii-i ---ra&er is the mod fuitablc, being amenable to a court martial, and therefore the mod eafilv called to accdunt, that they will proba bly have the greatest influence with the Indian?. As to the con stitutionality of the quellion, it is evident that the Frefident and Senate arc reftriflcd in their appointments ol officer! to leveral o ther departments. The Attorney" General invilt be a perlon learn ed in the law, or, in other words a lawyer, &c. and as it is not to be expefked that any person would be contented to go and rc fide in the Indian country, who is debarred Irom carrying on all commerce as is contemplated by the bill, it follows tbat militar) officers are the only proper charaflers to be appointed. Mr. Scott propoftd a full substitute for the clause under debate which induced a motion for the committee to rife and report pro gress, which motion was cairied in the affirmativ-. Mr. Fitzlimons then irfovcd that the committee of the whole ffiould be discharged from any further conlideration of the bill, and that it be recommitted to a Teleft committee—after considera ble debate this motion was negatived. Mr. Bcnfon proposed a resolution in lieu of th: offered yester day by Mr. Smith of South-Carolina for appointing .1 committee to ascertain the time when the President, Vicc-f rejident, Senate and Representatives commenced their refpe&ive offices, £lc. Mr. Livennore objefled to the appointmcn ot any committee, he said every gentleman may fatisfy himfdf by looking at his rom miffion. If we choose such a committee, it will be thought that our dcf.gn is to piotrafl our existence as the long parliament did. Other gentlemen alio obje&ed. . Mr. Benfon and Mr. Smith of South-Carolina explained their motives in bringing forward the motion, ditfeient fentim'nts were entertained, some iuppofed the two years commenced in Decem ber others in March. Some gentlemen's commifiions are dated alter March. Various opinions are entertained on the fubjeit. and to prevent confufion, it appears necessary that Congress lhould decide the matter—no other'body is competent to it. Mr. Burke and Mr. Williamfon fpakc against the motion, Mr. Sedgwick was in favor of the resolution fur appointing a committer. Mr. Gerry moved a refolutiou a little different from the last. The difcufiion was not finifhed when the house adjourned. MONDAY, APRIL 12. Thecommittee of conference 011 the disagree ment between the two houses refpedlingan amend ment proposed by the Senate, to the bill for the remifiion offines, penalties and forfeitures in cer tain cases, having come to no accommodation as stated in our last. It was moved, that the house ftiould adhere to their disagreement. This motion occasioned some debate. The vote beingtaken it was carried in the affirmative. On motion of Mr. Lawrance, the House went into a committee of the whole on the report of the Secretary of the Treasury, for making provi fion for the support of the public credit. The proposition for the assumption of the State debts was read. Mr. Sherman observed that the making pro vision for the support of the public credit, is an objecfl of the greatest importance. He was sorry that the committee appeared to be so much divi ded on the fubjeft. The friends of the government were very ge nerally concerned in effe<flu3l provisions' being made for the pay inentof the public debts—and the people in genefal he coiKeived were very much interested in the decilions that shall take place. He then entered into aconfideration of the as sumption of the State debts, and recapitulated the mast important observations in favor of the measure that had been made in the former dif cufiion of this business. He noticed particularly the objections that had been urged from the im probability of the accounts between the United States and individual States beinjr ever fettled.— » Hefaid if the accounts are never to be fettled, this is as strong a reaf'on as can be urged in favor of afluir>ingth6fe debts, which had been contracted for the general defehce. He could conceive of no difference between debts, all of which had been contracted for the fame purposes. Iftheacoeunts are not to be fettled, justice seems to require that the debts Ihould be made a general charge, and the whole mass paid out of the common stock. But he could not agree to the idea that the ac counts would never be fettled. He then advert ed to the arrangements which had been made by the Congress under the old Confederation—the progress that had been made—and the pradUca bility of finifhing the business. Heconcluded by faying that he thought it wife and just—and that it would meet the approbation of the public in ge ■ neralto afl'ume the liquidated debts of the States. Mr. White observed, that he conceived gen tlemen had taken up this business on wrong prin ciples. He then Hated what he thought the pro per grounds on which the fubjecfl ought to be dif cufled. He adverted to the principles which he had before advanced refp?d;ing a previous settle ment of accounts. He juftified the conduct of members in advocating the intereftof their seve ral States—the general interest can perhaps be promoted 110 other way. Virginia thinks it a gainst her interest to afl'ume the debts. Maflachu fetts thinks it her interest that they should be as fumed-—here can be no charge of local ideas without a recrimination. He then adverted to certain obfcrvations which had been made refpecfting the eastern States, re ceding from the Union—He could not suppose the eastern States would find their interest in se parating : But he thought it as proper to attend to what would be the effetf: in cafe the debts are afl'umed. He mentioned the proposed duties as exceptionable, and theexcife in particular would be very unpopular. Some petitions have already been presented. It has been said, that aflump tion would facilitate the settlement of accounts, he thought the contrary would be the confequencp Individuals would then be at ease. Another ob 418 jeftion is that it will eucreafe ilie ]>ul>li c debt— which will lead to sanguinary laws— One law al ready palled is tinged with blood, merely on at count of theprofpect ofencreafing the evi<l encei( of debt—We have made forgery death—which is contrary to the maxims ofour ancettbrs. I n land it was considered only as a mifderneanor till the enormous addition to their debts took place. Upon the whole he thought th-aH'mnn tion a liieafure that would not meet the approb's" tion of a majority of the people—and on«lit not to take place. Several other gentlemen spake on the occasion —and various motions were offered to modify the proposition—but they were all rejected— and the queltion for the afl'umption being put was nega tived—thirtyone votingagainll— andtwenty nine in favor of the proposition. After the question relative to the afTumption of the (late debts had pafled in the negative, Mr. Sedgwick rofeandfaid, I now consider the question of the aflumption as ultimately neiraiiv. ed. We are then in my opinion in a ITtuation molt solemn and serious. In the name of thepeo pce of Mallachuletts, who have honored me with a feat in this house—in whose behalf my col leagues and myfelf have unitedin representing their fervjee? and fufTerings, do I addrefsyou—We have demanded jultice—we have implored the compallion of the representatives ot the people of America, to relieve from the prefl'ure of intole rable burdens—burdens incurred in support of your freedom and independence. Our demands and our entreaties have both been ineffectual. Feeling as I do, on this important occasion, I (hall Hand juftified to myfelf, and I truss to the candor of every other gentleman, in what lam about to declare : During the war, the govern ment of Maflachufetts, the corporations and the people all united in (training every nerve in sup port of the common cause. To the remembrance of every friend ofhis country, I-appeal. Toyour public officers, and to the men conversant in the tranfacftions of that day of anxiety and distress, I appeal, for the evidence of that noble and difin terelted enthusiasm, of those exertions and ser vices, which were then as important as was your efcapefrom slavery. Exertions and services which were then acknowledged ; and however they may be now forgotten,, or disregarded without, be lieve me they will long be remembered within that llate. Is there a man who does not believe the exertions of Mafl'achufetts, compared with her ability, were at least equal to thole of any of the states? This has not, and 1 presume will not be denied; was she less frugal! It is not pretended. Does it not then follow, irreliltably, that the ex cess of her debt must have been contraded for national purposes ? Is there any one who fuppotes that what they denominate the national debt, can be securely funded, without invading thole ob jects ot revenue, which are now appropriated for the support of public credit, in that Itate ? Can it be believed that the government or the people there will voluntarily submit to facrifice the in terelts of 20,000 men who adventured their lives and eitates in the common cause ? Shall the iivlt operations of this government which I fondly hoped would move on national ground, andre gulate its conduift by enlarged and liberal poli cy, be the impoverifhnient offuch, and so man/ honest, confiding citizens. Independent of the aflumption, there is not, in my opinion the least reason to believe a fettle. ment of the accountsof the individual states with Lhe United States will over take place. The of fer of justice 011 that contingency, is therefore, little more than pretence on one fide, and lean afliire gentlemen is felt to be little less than mocK ery on the other—all these things make a deep impreflion, nor will they easily be erased from the j memory. It only remains, that 1 express direct- | ly the purpose for which I rofc, which was to warn, solemnly warn, gentlemen of the dan gerous consequences, in the progress oftliis b: finefs, of invading those funds which are P' eo '' | cupied by that Oate. Let them then proceed and fee whether without such violent and utijnft / vafioii, it will be pratfticable to procure the nece f fary-objetfls of revenue. The committee then rose. Mr. Gerry proposed a refolotion, that that part of the Secretary's Report relative to the State debts, be referred to a committee to consist of' v member from each State. , . t This motion was laid on the table for further consideration, agreeable to therules of the hou e. Adjourned. ' TUESDAY, APRIL 13 Sundry petitions were read, and refene the heads oi' departments ; Mr. Vining 0 Committee appointed to bring in a bill to ena the Secretary of Stare to appoint an Clerk in his office reported the draught or a ' which was read. • I A nieffage was received from the Sena.- forming the House that they adhere to t .£! r 'j r posed amendmentto the bill, for the rcmi mitigation of fifies penalties and forfeit™ esi tain cases i 5 I'm bot iii "Hi Cd tr Ueiv
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