used the expressions
the gentleman has quoted--that, while there remained one acre of
swampland uncleared of South Carolina, I would raise my voice
against restricting the importation of negroes. I am so
thoroughly convinced as that gentleman is, that the nature of our
climate, and the flat, swampy situation of our country, obliges
us to cultivate our lands with negroes, and that without them
South Carolina would soon be a desert waste.

You have so frequently heard my sentiments on this subject that I
need not now repeat them. It was alleged, by some of the members
who opposed an unlimited importation, that slaves increased the
weakness of any state who admitted them; that they were a
dangerous species of property, which an invading enemy could
easily turn against ourselves and the neighboring states; and
that, as we were allowed a representation for them in the House
of Representatives, our influence in government would be
increased in proportion as we were less able to defend ourselves.
"Show some period," said the members from the Eastern States,
"when it may be in our power to put a stop, if we please, to the
importation of this weakness, and we will endeavor, for your
convenience, to restrain the religious and political prejudices
of our people on this subject." The Middle States and Virginia
made us no such proposition; they were for an immediate and total
prohibition. We endeavored to obviate the objections that were
made in the best manner we could, and assigned reasons for our
insisting on the importation, which there is no occasion to
repeat, as they must occur to every gentleman in the house; a
committee of the states was appointed in order to accommodate
this matter, and, after a great deal of difficulty, it was
settled on the footing recited in the Constitution.

By this settlement we have secured an unlimited importation of
negroes for twenty years. Nor is it declared that the importation
shall be then stopped; it may be continued. We have a security
that the general government can never emancipate them, for no
such authority is granted; and it is admitted, on all hands, that
the general government has no powers but what are expressly
granted by the Constitution, and that all rights not expressed
were reserved by the seve