us with the pleasing prospect that the rights of mankind will be acknowledged and established throughout the Union.  Yet the lapse of a few years, and Congress will have power to exterminate slavery within our borders.”  In the Virginia convention of ’87, Mr. Mason, author of the Virginia constitution, said, “The augmentation of slaves weakens the States, and such a trade is diabolical in itself, and disgraceful to mankind.  As much as I value a union of all the States, I would not admit the Southern States, (i.e., South Carolina and Georgia,) into the union, unless they agree to a discontinuance of this disgraceful trade.”  Mr. Tyler opposed with great power the clause prohibiting the abolition of the slave trade till 1808, and said, “My earnest desire is, that it shall be handed down to posterity that I oppose this wicked clause.”  Mr. Johnson said, “The principle of emancipation has begun since the revolution.  Let us do what we will, it will come round.”—­[Deb.  Va.  Con. p. 463.] Patrick Henry, arguing the power of Congress under the United States’ constitution to abolish slavery in the States, said, in the same convention, “Another thing will contribute to bring this event (the abolition of slavery) about.  Slavery is detested.  We feel its fatal effects; we deplore it with all the pity of humanity.”  Governor Randolph said:  “They insist that the abolition of slavery will result from this Constitution.  I hope that there is no one here, who will advance an objection so dishonorable to Virginia—­I hope that at the moment they are securing the rights of their citizens, an objection will not be started, that those unfortunate men now held in bondage, by the operation of the general government may be made free!” [Deb.  Va.  Con. p. 421.] In the Mass.  Con. of ’88, Judge Dawes said, “Although slavery is not smitten by an apoplexy, yet it has received a mortal wound, and will die of consumption.”—­[Deb.  Mass.  Con. p. 60.] General Heath said that, “Slavery was confined to the States now existing, it could not be extended.  By their ordinance, Congress had declared that the new States should be republican States, and have no slavery.”—­p. 147.

In the debate, in the first Congress, February 11th and 12th, 1789, on the petitions of the Society of Friends, and the Pennsylvania Abolition Society, Mr. Parker, of Virginia, said, “I cannot help expressing the pleasure I feel in finding so considerable a part of the community attending to matters of such a momentous concern to the future prosperity and happiness of the people of America.  I think it my duty, as a citizen of the Union, to espouse their cause.”