Page:The History of Slavery and the Slave Trade.djvu/464

 From the interior situation of the territory, it is not believed that slaves could ever become so numerous as to endanger the internal peace or future prosperity of the country. The current of emigration flowing to the western country, the territories should all be opened to their introduction. The abstract question of liberty and slavery is not involved in the proposed measure; as slavery now exists to a considerable extent in different parts of the Union, it would not augment the number of slaves, but merely authorize the removal to Indiana of such as are held in bondage in the United States. If slavery is an evil, means ought to be devised to render it least dangerous to the community, and by which the hapless situation of the slaves would be most ameliorated; and to accomplish these objects, no measure would be so effectual as the one proposed. The committee, therefore, respectfully submit to the house the following resolution:

"Resolved, That it is expedient to suspend, from and after the 1st day of January, 1808, the sixth article of compact between the United States and the territories and states northwest of the Ohio, passed the 13th day of July, 1787, for the term of ten years."

This report, with its predecessors, was committed, and made a special order, but never taken into consideration.

The same letter of General Harrison, and resolves of the Indiana legislature, were submitted to the senate January 21st, 1807. They were laid on the table "for consideration," and do not appear to have even been referred at that session; but at the next, or first session of the fourth congress, which convened October 26th, 1807, the President, November 7th, submitted a letter from General Harrison and his legislature — whether a new or old one does not appear — and it was now referred to a select committee, consisting of Messrs L. Franklin, of North Carolina, Kitchel, of New Jersey, and Tiffin, of Ohio.

November 13th, Mr. Franklin, from said committee, reported as follows:

"The legislative council and house of representatives, in their resolution, express their sense of the propriety of introducing slavery into their territory, and solicit the congress of the United States to suspend, for a given number of years, the sixth article of compact in the ordinance for the government of the territory northwest of the Ohio, passed the 13th day of July, 1787. That article declares: 'There shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude within the said territory.'

"The citizens of Clark county, in their remonstrance, express their sense of the impropriety of the measure, and solicit the congress of the United States not to act on the subject, so as to permit the introduction of slaves into the territory; at least, until their population shall entitle them to form a constitution and state government.

"Your committee, after duly considering the matter, respectfully submit the following resolution:

"Resolved, That it is not expedient at this time to suspend the sixth article of compact for the government of the territory of the United States northwest of the river Ohio."