article be proposed to the several states of this Union, and to Congress, as an amendment of the Constitution of the United States:”  “The powers of Congress shall not be so construed as to authorize the passage of any law for the emancipation of slaves in the District of Columbia, without the consent of the individual proprietors thereof, unless by the sanction of the Legislatures of Virginia and Maryland, and under such conditions as they shall by law prescribe.”

Fifty years after the formation of the United States’ constitution the states are solemnly called upon by the Virginia Legislature, to amend that instrument by a clause asserting that, in the grant to Congress of “exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever” over the District, the “case” of slavery is not included!!  What could have dictated such a resolution but the conviction that the power to abolish slavery is an irresistible inference from the constitution as it is? The fact that the same legislature, passed afterward a resolution, though by no means unanimously, that Congress does not possess the power, abates not a title of the testimony in the first resolution.  March 23d, 1824, “Mr. Brown presented the resolutions of the General Assembly of Ohio, recommending to Congress the consideration of a system for the gradual emancipation of persons of color held in servitude in the United States.”  On the same day, “Mr. Noble, of Indiana, communicated a resolution from the legislature of that state, respecting the gradual emancipation of slaves within the United States.”  Journal of the United States’ Senate, for 1824-5, p.231.

The Ohio and Indiana resolutions, by taking for granted the general power of Congress over the subject of slavery, do virtually assert its special power within its exclusive jurisdiction.

5.  THIS POWER HAS BEEN CONCEDED BY BODIES OF CITIZENS IN THE SLAVE STATES.  The petition of eleven hundred citizens of the District, has been already mentioned.  “March 5,1830, Mr. Washington presented a memorial of inhabitants of the county of Frederick, in the state of Maryland, praying that provision be made for the gradual abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia.”  Journal H.R. 1829-30, p. 358.

March 30, 1828.  Mr. A.H.  Shepperd, of North Carolina, presented a memorial of citizens of that state, “praying Congress to take measures for the entire abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia.”  Journal H.R. 1829-30, p. 379.

January 14, 1822.  Mr. Rhea, of Tennessee, presented a memorial of citizens of that state, praying that “provision may be made, whereby all slaves that may hereafter be born in the District of Columbia, shall be free at a certain period of their lives.”  Journal H.R. 1821-22, p.142.

December 13, 1824.  Mr. Saunders of North Carolina, presented a memorial of the citizens of that state, praying “that measures may be taken for the gradual abolition of slavery in the United States.”  Journal H.R. 1824-25, p.27.