Thirty-two citizens of Northumberland County represent that "there exists among our population a Class of persons who from their destitute & impoverished condition, idle vagrant and dissolute habits of life & various other causes are extremely obnoxious to the community & whose residence among us has long been regarded as the most Serious evil under which we labour." They further declare that they regard "this species of population," namely free people of color, "at this juncture as peculiarly & highly dangerous to the Safety & permanent tranquility of the Community." Even though they shun "banishing & exiling en masse from the land of their nativity these poor people," the citizens "cannot resist the Conviction that every Consideration of Sound policy & every principle of Good government imperatively demand their expulsion from our Territory." Not "insensible to the dictates of humanity & philanthropy," they propose "their banishment to climes or countries for which nature seems to have [fitted] them.” The petitioners therefore "desire their permanent & comfortable Colonixation in Africa," where "they will be placed upon a footing of liberty & Equality."
Result: Referred to select committee.
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Repository: Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia
