SLAVERY DISCUSSION IN INDIANA.
The operation of the ordinance of 1787, prohibiting slavery in the North-Western Territory, was a subject of complaint by a very few interested persons, who, by memorials to Congress, made efforts to obtain a removal of the restriction for a limited period. The first petition was from four persons in Kaskaskia, in 179b', asking that slavery might be tolerated there.
In 1804, a convention was held on the subject at Vincennes, to deliberate on territorial interests," of which Governor Harrison was president. One object was to obtain a modification of the organic law. A memorial was sent to Congress, which was referred to a committee of the House of Representatives, who recommended that the sixth article of the ordinance of 1787 be suspended, in a qualified manner, for ten years, so as to permit the introduction of slaves, (born in the United States,) into the territory of Indiana, which then included Illinois. This resolution was lost.
At the session of the Territorial legislature of 1806-7, a series of resolutions were adopted, and reported to Congress. One strong resolution was reported by the committee to which they were referred, in favor of a suspension of the sixth article of the ordinance for ten years, and was lost in the House.
This movement produced a political reaction in the territory. The opponents of the measure brought out as a candidate for Congress, Jonathan Jennings, and elected him over the opposite candidate, and continued him by successive re-elections, until the State government was formed.
To avoid the restriction in the organic law, the Territory of Indiana passed an act, (September 17,1807,) entitled "An act concerning the introduction of negroes and mulattoes into this Territory." It legalized the introduction of that class of persons, (who were slaves in the States or territories,) into that territory, by requiring the owner or possessor to enter into indentures with his slave, to serve for a stipulated period as au indentured servant, and then become free.
A record of this must be made in the court of common pleas, within thirty days after the introduction of the slave or slaves. Children under fifteen years of age, were required to serve their former owner or possessor males, until thirty-five years of age, and females, until thirty-two years of age. This class was termed "indentured servants."
Many slaveholders from Virginia, Kentucky, and other States, who desired to relieve themselves from the ownership of slaves, migrated and availed themselves of this law. This form of servi-