Page:The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787 Volume 2.djvu/379

 P. ECORDS OF THE FEDERAL CONVENTION Kgednesday MADISON not likely to be immediately exercised by the Genl. Govern- ment. Mr Williamson stated the law of N. Carolina on the sub- ject, to wit that it did not directly prohibit the importation of slaves. It imposed a duty of �$. on each slave imported {rom Africa. �IO. on each from elsewhere, & �$o on each from a State licensing manumission. He thought the S. States could not be members of the Union i{ the clause should be rejected, and that it was wrong to force any thing down, not absolutely necessary, and which any State must disagree tO. Mr. King thought the subject should be considered in a political light only. If two States will not agree to the Con- stitution as stated on one side, he could affirm with equal belief on the other, that great & equal opposition would be experienced from the other States. He remarked on the ex- emption of slaves from duty whilst every other import was subjected to it, as an inequality that could not fail to strike the commercial sagacity of the Northn. & middle States. Mr. Langdon was strenuous for giving the power to the Genl. Govt. He ed. not with a good conscience leave it with the States who could then go on with the traffic, without being restrained by the. opinions here given that they will themselves cease to import slaves. Genl. Pinkney thought himself bound to declare candidly that he did not think S. Carolina would stop her importations of slaves in any short time, but only stop them occasionally as she now does. He moved to commit the clause that slaves might be made liable to an equal tax with other imports which he he thought right & wch. wd. remove one difficulty that had been started. Mr. Rutlidge. If the Convention thinks that N. C; S.C. & Georgia will ever agree to the plan, unless their right to import slaves be untouched, the expectation is vain. The people of those States will never be such fools as to give up so important an interest. He was strenuous agst. striking out the Section, and seconded the motion of Genl. Pinkney for a commitment.

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