ws_, &c., it must appear
still more extraordinary, that we should prohibit the government
from interfering with the slave-trade than which, _nothing_ could
so _materially affect_ both our _national honor_ and _interest_.
These reasons influenced me, both on the committee and in
convention, most decidedly to oppose and vote against the clause
as it now makes a part of the system.

(64). You will perceive, Sir, not only that the general
government is prohibited from interfering in the slave-trade
_before_ the year eighteen hundred and eight, but that there is
no provision in the constitution that it shall _afterwards_ be
prohibited, nor any security that such prohibition will ever take
place; and I think there is great reason to believe, that, if the
importation of slaves is permitted until the year eighteen
hundred and eight, it will not be prohibited afterwards. At _this
time_, we do not generally hold this commerce in so great
_abhorrence_ as we have done. When our _own_ liberties were at
stake, we _warmly_ felt for the _common rights of men_. The
danger being thought to be past, which threatened ourselves, we
are daily growing _more insensible_ to those rights. In those
States which have restrained or prohibited the importation of
slaves, it is only done by legislative acts, which may be
repealed. When those States find, that they must, in their
_national character_ and _connexion_, suffer in the _disgrace_,
and share in the _inconveniences_ attendant upon that detestable
and iniquitous traffic, they may be desirous also to share in the
_benefits_ arising from it; and the odium attending it will be
greatly effaced by the sanction which is given to it in the
general government.[569]

In Elliot's Debates we find the following accredited to General
Pinckney.

... The general then said he would make a few observations on the
objections which the gentleman had thrown out on the restrictions
that might be laid on the African trade after the year 1808. On
this point your delegates had to contend with the religious and
political prejudices of the Eastern and Middle States, and with
the interested and inconsistent opinion of Virginia, who was
warmly opposed to our importing more slaves. I am of the same
opinion now as I was two years ago, when I