Mr. Scott of Pennsylvania:  “I cannot, for my part, conceive how any person can be said to acquire a property in another.  I do not know how far I might go, if I was one of the judges of the United States, and those people were to come before me and claim their emancipation, but I am sure I would go as far as I could.”

Mr. Burke, of South Carolina, said, “He saw the disposition of the House, and he feared it would be referred to a committee, maugre all their opposition.”

Mr. Baldwin of Georgia said that the clause in the U.S.  Constitution relating to direct taxes “was intended to prevent Congress from laying any special tax upon negro slaves, as they might, in this way, so burthen the possessors of them, as to induce a GENERAL EMANCIPATION.”

Mr. Smith of South Carolina, said, “That on entering into this government, they (South Carolina and Georgia) apprehended that the other states, * * * would, from motives of humanity and benevolence, be led to vote for a general emancipation.”

In the debate, at the same session, May 13th, 1789, on the petition of the society of Friends respecting the slave trade, Mr. Parker, of Virginia, said, “He hoped Congress would do all that lay in their power to restore to human nature its inherent privileges.  The inconsistency in our principles, with which we are justly charged should be done away.”

Mr. Jackson, of Georgia, said, “IT WAS THE FASHION OF THE DAY TO FAVOR THE LIBERTY OF THE SLAVES. * * * * * Will Virginia set her negroes free? When this practice comes to be tried, then the sound of liberty will lose those charms which make it grateful to the ravished ear.”

Mr. Madison of Virginia,—­“The dictates of humanity, the principles of the people, the national safety and happiness, and prudent policy, require it of us. * * * * * * * I conceive the constitution in this particular was formed in order that the Government, whilst it was restrained from laying a total prohibition, might be able to give some testimony of the sense of America, with respect to the African trade. * * * * * * It is to be hoped, that by expressing a national disapprobation of this trade, we may destroy it, and save ourselves from reproaches, AND OUR PROSPERITY THE IMBECILITY EVER ATTENDANT ON A COUNTRY FILLED WITH SLAVES.”

Mr. Gerry, of Massachusetts, said, “he highly commended the part the Society of Friends had taken; it was the cause of humanity they had interested themselves in.”—­Cong.  Reg. v. 1, p. 308-12.

A writer in the “Gazette of the Unites States,” Feb. 20th, 1790, (then the government paper,) who opposes the abolition of slavery, and avows himself a slaveholder, says, “I have seen in the papers accounts of large associations, and applications to Government for the abolition of slavery.  Religion, humanity, and the generosity natural to a free people, are the noble principles which dictate those measures.  SUCH MOTIVES COMMAND RESPECT, AND ARE ABOVE ANY EULOGIUM WORDS CAN BESTOW.”