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their support.  It is very obvious too that if we undertook the charge of them in this respect, we must act under the constant supervision of the United States authorities.  Our alms house must be inspected by the agent of these authorities, our treatment of them must be subjected to his scrutiny and criticism, and our officers and employees must be constantly exposed to the annoyance of being arraigned and tried upon charges made by these agents.

Whenever the United States Authorities shall have sufficient confidence in the justice and integrity of the people and tribunals of the state to withdraw their guardianship of the coloured population and allow them to be placed under and governed by the same laws to which the white man is subjected, and to have their conduct and their rights adjudicated by the same tribunals, which pass upon the conduct and the rights of the white man; then your committee only speak the sentiments of the people of Virginia when they say that not only will the coloured population receive equal justice from these tribunals, but we shall be prepared to administer to them relief as ample and prompt as is furnished to any other portion of the population.  Until then the Committee are of opinion it is not expedient for the council of the city to undertake the relief of the coloured population; and they therefore submit the accompanying resolution, which they recommend to the favorable consideration of the council.

All which is respectfully submitted

T.P. August Chmn.