The writings of James Madison, comprising his public papers and his private correspondence, including numerous letters and documents now for the first time printed. |
| II. |
TO AMBROSE MADISON.
|
 | The writings of James Madison, |  |
TO AMBROSE MADISON.[52]
DR. BroR.,—I wrote to my father a day or two ago
by Col: Burnley to which I refer. The principal step
since taken by the H. of Delegates has been the
rejection of a bill on which the assize scheme depended.
The majority consisted of 63 agst. 49. Yesterday
the vote of the Speaker decided in the affirmative
a resolution to repeal the act which permits masters
to free their slaves.[53]
I hope the bill which must
follow on the subject may be less successful. Many
who concurred in the Resolution will probably be
content finally with some amendment of the law in
retrograde step with regard to an emancipation will
not only dishonor us extremely but hasten the event
which is dreaded by stimulating the efforts of the
friends to it. The residue of the Revisal from No.
65 will be put off, except the Religious Bill and a few
others. Leave was given yesterday for a bill in favor
of British Creditors, but not without proofs that it
will be opposed in every stage of its progress thro'
the House. The price of Tobo is not much, if at all
changed. . . .
From the New York Public Library (Lenox) MSS. A copy of the letter
was printed in the Nation July 19, 1894.
The act was passed at the May session, 1782, of the General Assembly:
"Whereas application hath been made to this present general assembly, that
those persons who are disposed to emancipate their slaves may be empowered so
to do, and the same hath been judged expedient under certain restrictions: Be
it therefore enacted, That it shall hereafter be lawful for any person, by his or
her last will and testament, or by any other instrument in writing, under his or
her hand and seal, attested and proved in the county court by two witnesses,
. . . to emancipate and set free, his or her slaves, or any of them, who shall
thereupon be entirely and freely discharged from the performance of any contract
entered into during servitude, and enjoy as full freedom as if they had been
particularly named and freed by this act."—Hening's Statutes at Large, xi, 39.
Jacob Read, of South Carolina, wrote to Madison from Congress August 29,
1785: "An opinion prevails in South Carolina that the principal holders of
Slaves in your State wish to divest themselves of that kind of property and that
tolerable good purchases might be made on good Security being given for payments
by installments with a regular discharge of the Interest.
"Under the Impression of this opinion the Honle. Mr. J. Rutledge of So.
Carolina has addressed a Letter to me wishing to become engaged in any purchase
I may be able to make, & to make a joint concern. . . . My present
application to you is to request you to inform me if you know of any such persons
as may wish to sell a gang of Hands & the Terms on which they might be
had. . . . We want! Greatly want!! the assistance of your abilities &
Experience in Congress."—Mad. MSS.
| The writings of James Madison, | |