The Petersburg Auxiliary Colonization Society through its vice president and two of its secretaries seek assistance from the state in its efforts to strengthen the African settlement of emancipated slaves. The petitioners make their argument by first stating that the laws enacted to prevent the emancipation of slaves have been unsuccessful and by adding that they believe the "spirit" of free institutions so strong and so "deeply felt" that such laws will undoubtedly continue to be ineffective. Furthermore, they argue, the laws requiring emancipated slaves to leave the state are unrealistic. How can we expect, they contend, our sister states to harbor "a population which we know to be a nuisance" and which we refuse to receive from them. Shall we send emancipated slaves "beyond the Rocky mountains or to the shore of the Pacific," they ask. And then, what will happen when "the advancing tide of our population would reach them and sweep them before it?" Clearly only one solution remains, and that is to send them to the "land of their fathers." But the colony is still in its infancy and has not reach maturity. "Many persons, well fitted to become colonists, are anxious to go, but they are not able to incur the expence of the voyage, nor have we and our associates sufficient funds to lend them." To assist them, we need the aid of the state.
Or you may view all people.
Repository: Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia
