They had devoutly prayed not to be led into temptation, and negroes were a temptation too great to be resisted."[9] The issue was at length adjusted by combining the two projects of a stay-law and a prohibition of slave importations for three years in a single bill.

This was approved on March 28, 1787; and a further act of the same day added a penalty of fine to that of forfeiture for the illegal introduction of slaves.

The exclusion applied to slaves from every source, except those whose masters should bring them when entering the state as residents.[10] [Footnote 9: Charleston _Morning Post_, March 23, 1787.] [Footnote 10: _Ibid_., March 29, 1787; Cooper and McCord, _Statutes at Large of South Carolina_, VII, 430.] Early in the next year an attempt was made to repeal the prohibition.

Its leading advocate was Alexander Gillon, a populistic Charleston merchant who had been made a commodore by the State of South Carolina but had never sailed a ship.

The opposition was voiced so vigorously by Edward Rutledge, Charles Pinckney, Chancellor Matthews, Dr.Ramsay, Mr.Lowndes, and others that the project was crushed by 93 votes to 40.