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Mr. Jones, of Somerset, presumed that the gentleman
from Prince George's (Mr. Marbury) desired to have the
opinion of the judiciary committee on the only restriction
or instructions imposed upon the Convention—that re-
specting compensation by the State for emancipated
slaves. It has been avowed that, despite the clause in the
Convention act forbidding any measure for such com-
pensation, the hidden purpose of the call was to disregard
that injunction, and so to violate the very terms of the act
under which the Convention was called. He had never
doubted that it was the purpose of gentlemen occupying
seats in the Convention, under the provisions of the bill,
faithfully to carry out the restrictions of the act. It was
the very general sentiment of the State that we should
not tax ourselves to pay for property which was taken for
what was considered a great public end, affecting the in-
terests of the whole Union—in fact taken, as all knew,
by the Federal government, directly or indirectly. The
sense of the State on the subject was expressed by the
Legislature at its last session. We ought not now, our-
selves, to assume a debt which fairly belongs to the
United States, and which would be paid by the United
States whenever a returning sense of justice should pre-
vail.
Mr. Ritchie said that whatever might be his practical
action on the subject of compensation, should it arise, he
had, as a lawyer, no hesitation in expressing the opinion
that the Convention represented the people of the State in
their sovereign capacity, and could not be bound by the
action of the Legislature.
Mr. Jones said that the question of the call of a Con-
vention having been submitted to the people with that
restriction, the law as passed by the popular suffrage
was the charter of the powers of the Convention.
Mr. Nicolai, of Baltimore county, offered a substitute
looking to the incorporation into the constitution of a
provision forbidding the passage of any law providing
for compensation for emancipated slaves, but subsequent-
ly withdrew it.
Mr. Marbury said the idea suggested by the gentle-
man had never entered his head until suggested by other
gentlemen.
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