In these lecture notes, Barbour records Holcombe reviewing the Articles of Confederation and its failure to support a strong federal government which triggered the Constitutional Convention. Holcombe notes deliberations at the Constitutional Convention over the regulation of the slave trade and its relationship to apportionment.
“2nd. Southern states were opposed to Congress having the power to regulate commerce and the northern states were opposed to the negro population of the South being represented, a mutual compromise was affected and allowed 3/5 of the Negroes to be represented.
3rd. A compromise was likewise affected with regard to the continuation of the slave trade. Some of the Southern states were in favor of it and VA, PA, and MD were opposed, but the northern states united with the South to procure the liberty of importing slaves for 20 years. This union of North and South to effect a temporary continuance of slave trade was for the purpose above mentioned. The provision respecting the rendition of fugitives from our state to another is not a compromise but was adopted by all without any hesitation.”