The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

PROVIDENCE, Jan. 19.

Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Columbia (S.C.) to his friend here, dated December 18.

"DURING the late sessions, of the Legislature of this State, a bill was brought before the house of Representatives for prohibiting the further importation of slaves from Africa, the West-Indies and elsewhere for the term of two years.—A question of such importance was entitled to the most argumentative discussion, and in no instance has the energy of language been more powerfully displayed. But, in taking the sense of the House, there appeared a decided majority of votes in support of the bill.—In this situation it went up to the Senate, where it was canvassed with an obstinacy till more pointed; and after exhausting every trope of argument, pro and con, the vote was at length called for when there appeared seventeen votes for the prohibitory bill, and seventeen against it. What an interesting crisis was this to the President of the Senate, on whom it had devolved, to preponderate the scale!—Happily for the oppressed of mankind, the chair was filled, upon this occasion, by the illustrious Doctor RAMSAY, who, soaring beyond the prejudices of his countrymen, pronounced the following elegant, momentous, and feeling decision.

"'I am now called upon to discharge an official duty, which renders the present moment the most important of my life. Impressed with a conviction of the magnitude of the subject before us, I have violated my own feelings, and the most tender attachments, that I might be here this day to support the Bill.—A recent, melancholy, domestic event, (alluding to the death of his father-in-law the Hon. Mr. LAURENS) called for my presence, with an afflicted family, far distant from this place: But the subject, on which I am now to decide, has absorbed all private considerations; and as my vote turns out to be of such deciding consequence, I shall ever rejoice that I sacrifice private feelings to public duty. Firmly believing, as I most seriously do, that the further importation of slaves is contrary to the true interest of Carolina, I not only give my vote for the Bill, but if necessary would seal it with my blood !'"