Christopher Fitzsimons and William Stephens, the "Owners of the Brigantine William," represent that, "in prospect of the prohibition against importing Negroes into this State ceasing on" 1 January 1793, they "fitted out" their vessel "at a very great and heavy expence" and loaded it with tobacco and rum "in order to proceed to the Windward Coast of Africa for a Cargo of Slaves." They further assert that they "will be materially Injured if the Bill now before your Honorable House for further prohibiting the Importation of Negroes should pass into a Law, without any Exceptions." Noting that they "had every reason to suppose they would be permitted to bring them [African slaves] into this State after the 1st day of January next," the petitioners pray "that, if any Law should pass for further prohibiting the Importation of Slaves into this State, an Exception may be made as to the said Cargo of the said Brigantine William on her present voyage." Fitzsimons submits that his half of the slave cargo is "for his own Use and Employment and not for Sale."
Result: Referred to committee.
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Repository: South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Columbia, South Carolina
