History of the Negro Race in America from 1619 to 1880. Vol. 2 | Page 9

any are to be
apprehended), from too large a black population existing in any one
section of country, would certainly be very much diminished, if not
entirely removed. But whether dangers are to be feared from this source
or not, it is certainly an obvious dictate of sound policy to guard against
them, as far as possible. If this danger does exist, or there is any cause
to apprehend it, and our Western brethren are not only willing but
desirous to aid us in taking precautions against it, would it not be wise
to accept their assistance?
"We should benefit ourselves, without injuring them, as their
population must always so far exceed any black population which can
ever exist in that country, as to render the idea of danger from that
source chimerical."
After a lengthy discussion of matters embodied in the Indiana memorial,
the committee recommended the following resolve on the question of
slavery:
"Resolved, That the sixth article of the ordinance of 1787, which
prohibits slavery within the Indiana Territory, be suspended for ten
years, so as to permit the introduction of slaves born within the United
States, from any of the individual States."
The report and resolves were made the special order for the following

Monday, but were never called up.
At the opening of the next session, Gen. Harrison presented another
letter, accompanied by several resolves passed by the Legislative
Council and House of Representatives, urging the passage of a measure
restricting the ordinance of 1787. The letter and enclosures were
received on the 21st of January, 1807, and referred to the following
select committee: Parke, of Indiana, chairman; Alston, North Carolina;
Masters, New York; Morrow, Ohio; Rhea, Tennessee; Sandford,
Kentucky; Trigg, Virginia.
On the 12th of February, 1807, the chairman, Mr. Parke, made the
following report in favor of the request of the memorialists [the third].
It was unanimous.
"The resolutions of the Legislative Council and House of
Representatives of the Indiana Territory relate to a suspension, for the
term of ten years, of the sixth article of compact between the United
States and the Territories and States northwest of the river Ohio, passed
the 13th July, 1787. That article declares that there shall be neither
Slavery nor involuntary servitude in the said Territory.
"The suspension of the said article would operate an immediate and
essential benefit to the Territory, as emigration to it will be
inconsiderable for many years, except from those States where Slavery
is tolerated.
"And although it is not considered expedient to force the population of
the Territory, yet it is desirable to connect its scattered settlements, and,
in admitted political rights, to place it on an equal footing with the
different States. 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."
Like its predecessor this report was made a special order, but was never
taken up.
On the 7th of November, 1807, the President laid a letter from Gen.
Harrison [probably the one already referred to], and the resolves of his
Legislature, before Congress, and that body referred them to a select
committee consisting of Franklin, of North Carolina; Ketchel, of New
Jersey; and Tiffin, of Ohio.
On the 13th of November, Mr. Franklin made the following adverse
report:
"The Legislative Council and House of Representatives, in their
resolutions, 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: