Slavery

6 Pages 1438 Words

In the light of the following documents and your knowledge of the period 1775 to 1825, show specifically how the issue of slavery brought out the differences in the arguments concerning states rights and federalism.

DOCUMENT 1
Nothing is more certainly written in the book of fate than these people are to be free; nor is it less certain that the two races, equally free, cannot live in the same government. Nature, habit, opinion have drawn indelible lines of distinction between them. It is still in our power to direct the process of emancipation and deportation, peaceably, and in such slow degree that the evil will wear off insensibly, and their place be, pari passu, filled up by free white laborers. If, on the contrary, it is left to force itself on, human nature must shudder at the prospect held up. Thomas Jefferson 1804

DOCUMENT 2
Sec. 1. Be it enacted, That from and after the first day of January, one thousand eight hundred and eight, it shall not be lawful to import or bring into the United States or the territories thereof from any foreign kingdom, place, or country, any negro, mulatto, or person of colour, as a slave, or to be held to service or labour.Sec.4. If any citizen or citizens of the United States, or any person resident within the jurisdiction of the same, shall, from and after the first day of January, one thousand eight hundred and eight, take on board, receive or transport from any of the coasts or kingdoms of Africa, or from any other foreign kingdom, place, or country, any negro, mulatto, or person of colour in any ship or vessel, for the purpose of selling them in any port or place within the jurisdiction of the United States as slaves, or to be held to service or labour,or shall be in any ways aiding or abetting therein, such citizen or citizens, or person, shall severally f!
orfeit and pay five thousand dollars, one moiety thereof to the use of any person or persons who shall sue for and pro...