'*  The  first  opportunity  was  taken,  after  the  Declaration  of  J  ndependence,
to  extinguish  the  detestable  commerce  so  long  forced  upon  the  province
(Virginia).  In  October,  1778,  during  the  tumult  and  anxiety  of  the  Revolu-
tion, the  General  Assembly  passed  a  law,  prohibiting,  under  heavy  penalties,
the  further  importation  of  slaves,  and  declaring  that  every  slave  imported
thereafler,  should  be  immediately  set  free."  "  The  example  of  Virginia
was  followed,  at  different  times,  before  the  date  of  the  Federal  Constitution,
by  most  of  the  other  States."--lVa/jA'j  ''  AppecW'^Vide  ''  Friejid  of
Man,''  June  21,  1837.     Copied  from  "  Human  Rights,''

'*  We  are  not  aware  that  any  State  allowed  the  importation  of  slaves  at
the  time,"  when  the  Constitution  was  adopted.  '^  The  first  State  that  re-
newed the  traffic,  so  far  as  we  know,  was  S.  Carolina."  in  1803. — **^  Human
Rights''—''  F,  of  Man,"  as  above.
Under  what  influences,  and  with  what  activity,  the  slave
trade  was  resumed,  from  1808  to  1808,  will  be  shown  in  the
proper  place.
SLAVSBY  AND  FREEDOSC  81


CHAPTER  IX.
ERA  OP  FORMING  THE  FEDERAL  CONSTITUTION.
