Viewing page 21 of 239

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

people who are now receiving relief from the United States authorities, were more imperative on the city than we think it is, the present condition of the finances of the city and of the people would render a performance of the obligation exceedingly burdensome.  It would more than double the present number of persons receiving relief from the city; and more than double the expense:  an expense already as great as the city can meet.  

But there are other considerations which the Committee are of opinion forbid the city authorities to undertake the care of these people.  The United States Authorities have taken the coloured population under their protection.  Until very lately the state courts and Justices were not allowed to try any offense in which they were the actors or the sufferers; and now it can only be done in the presence and under the supervision of a United States officer who is set to protect them against the wrong and injustice of our state tribunals.  In civil cases they still have their own courts to pass upon their rights, which cannot be entrusted to the ordinary tribunals.  They are moreover, if we are correctly informed, exempted from all the burthens of government which other people have to bear.  They pay no taxes; we presume they cannot be required to perform any other public duty; and by express orders they are exempted from the restraint of laws to which the white population are subjected.  Thus exempted from the common burthens and from our control, we do not think that they are entitled to require or we are bound to take upon ourselves the burthen of