Noah Webster’s “Examination” (1787) addressed itself to such Quaker scruples:  “But, say the enemies of slavery, negroes may be imported for twenty-one years.  This exception is addressed to the quakers, and a very pitiful exception it is.  The truth is, Congress cannot prohibit the importation of slaves during that period; but the laws against the importation into particular states, stand unrepealed.  An immediate abolition of slavery would bring ruin upon the whites, and misery upon the blacks, in the southern states.  The constitution has therefore wisely left each state to pursue its own measures, with respect to this article of legislation, during the period of twenty-one years."[27]

The following year the “Examination” of Tench Coxe said:  “The temporary reservation of any particular matter must ever be deemed an admission that it should be done away.  This appears to have been well understood.  In addition to the arguments drawn from liberty, justice and religion, opinions against this practice [i.e., of slave-trading], founded in sound policy, have no doubt been urged.  Regard was necessarily paid to the peculiar situation of our southern fellow-citizens; but they, on the other hand, have not been insensible of the delicate situation of our national character on this subject."[28]

From quite different motives Southern men defended this section.  For instance, Dr. David Ramsay, a South Carolina member of the Convention, wrote in his “Address”:  “It is farther objected, that they have stipulated for a right to prohibit the importation of negroes after 21 years.  On this subject observe, as they are bound to protect us from domestic violence, they think we ought not to increase our exposure to that evil, by an unlimited importation of slaves.  Though Congress may forbid the importation of negroes after 21 years, it does not follow that they will.  On the other hand, it is probable that they will not.  The more rice we make, the more business will be for their shipping; their interest will therefore coincide with ours.  Besides, we have other sources of supply—­the importation of the ensuing 20 years, added to the natural increase of those we already have, and the influx from our northern neighbours who are desirous of getting rid of their slaves, will afford a sufficient number for cultivating all the lands in this state."[29]

Finally, The Federalist, No. 41, written by James Madison, commented as follows:  “It were doubtless to be wished, that the power of prohibiting the importation of slaves had not been postponed until the year 1808, or rather, that it had been suffered to have immediate operation.  But it is not difficult to account, either for this restriction on the General Government, or for the manner in which the whole clause is expressed.  It ought to be considered as a great point gained in favor of humanity, that a period of twenty years may terminate forever, within these States, a traffic which has so long and so loudly upbraided