General Assembly Vote, January 25, 1832 (3)

 

                  With the new amendment attached it was time to vote on a final definitive resolution concerning the topic of abolition. They rejected any consideration of emancipation and instead chose to focus on solving the "problem" of free African Americans. In short, the Virginia Assembly resolved to do nothing about slavery and concentrate their resources on the removal of free African Americans. In fact, while the debate was raging in the halls of the Virginia Legislature, a number of free blacks were arriving in Liberia on board the James Perkins. Additionally, in June of 1832, another group of free blacks would journey to Liberia on board the Jupiter.

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               The question then recurred upon the adoption of the resolution of the committee, and was determined in the affirmative, as follows:

 

Resolved as the opinion of this committee, That it is inexpedient for the present, to make any legislative enactments for the abolition of slavery.

 

               The question was then put upon the adoption of the said report of the committee as amended, and was determined in the affirmative.—Ayes 65, noes 58.

 

The same as amended is as follows:

 

The select committee to whom was referred certain memorials, praying the passage of some law providing for the gradual abolition of slavery in this commonwealth, have, according to order, had the same under consideration, and thereupon submit the following report and resolution: Profoundly sensible of the great evils arising from the condition of the coloured population of this commonwealth: induced by humanity, as well as policy, to an immediate effort for the removal in the first place, as well of those who are now free, as of such as may hereafter become free: believing that this effort, while it is in just accordance with the sentiment of the community on the subject, will absorb all our present means; and that a further action for the removal of the slaves should await a more definite development of public opinion.

 

               On motion of Mr. Ritchie, (seven of the members present concurring,) Ordered, That the ayes and noes upon the said question be inserted in the journal.

 

[Ayes]

The names of the gentlemen who voted in the affirmative, are Messrs. Grinalds, Randolph, Persinger, Garland, M'Cue, Brooke, Cameron, Faulkner, Good, Wilson of Botetourt, Campbell of Brooke, Bolling, Spurlock, Rives, Jones, Marshall, Wood of Frederick, Bryce of Frederick, Snidow, Bryce of Goochland, Hail of Grayson, Erskine, Poston, Roane, Mullen, Williams, Johnson, Mayo, Gallaher, Berry, Summers, Hooe, Allen, Hays, M'llhaney, Cordell, Caldwell, Smith of Mason, Henry, Vawter, Preston, Chandler, Leigh, Fitzhugh, Parriott, Robertson, Hiner, Gilliland, Zinn, Hart, Moore, M'Dowell, M'Mahon, Cline, Jessee, Kilgore, Bare, Powell, Moncure, M'Coy, M'Culloch, Keller, Crockett, King and Rutherfoord—65.

 

[Noes]

And the names of the gentlemen who voted in the negative, are Messrs. Banks, (the speaker,) Wood of Albemarle, Booker, Campbell of Bedford, Pate, Gholson, Shell, Patteson of Buckingham, Daniel, Halyburton, Richardson, Patteson of Chesterfield, Pendleton, Broadus, Wilson of Cumberland, Brodnax, Ritchie, Ball, Chilton, Stillman, Helms, Hale of Franklin, Woods, Smith of Frederick, Smith of Gloucester, Spencer, Bruce, Sims, Gravely, Jordan, Sheild, Harwood, Dabney, Carter of Richmond, Poindexter, Street, Hudgins, Goode, Knox, Webb, Cabell, Fisher, Harvey, Anderson of Nottoway, Witcher, Swanson, Miller, Dupuy, Land, Shands, Carter of Prince William, Carson, Cobb, Crump, Hargrave, Gillespie, Newton and Brown—58.

 

From Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia 1831-1832 , pp. 110.