E449 .S632 o •• r% '■ / •\, -: .-^^ . ^•w ^ .K^ .rt^ 'PL .. ./X ■iillllHlll! ABOLITIONISJ>I EXPOSED CORRECTED. BY A PHYSICIAN, Fonnprly RuBidentoflhe Soulh. mz A PLAN ABOLISHING THE AMERICAN ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY AND ITS AUXILIARIES. BY A TENNESSEEAN. PHILADELPHIA : J. SHARP, 325 NORTH SIXTH STREET. 1838. nr ABOLITIONISM EXPOSED CORRECTED. BY A PHYSICIAN, Foriiiprly Ursidenl nf the South. A PLAN ABOLISHING THE AMERICAN ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY AND ITS AUXILIARIE.S. BY A TENNESSEEAN. PHILADELPHIA : J. SHARP, 226 NORTH SIXTH STREET. 1838. E AY CupyrigJit secured according to Jaixc, f. P- Obe.>r- k, " This is a generous and noble proof of your hum\nity. Would to God a like spirit might diffuse itself into the minds of the people of this country ; but I despair of seeing it." In a letter to John F. Mercer, he says, " It being among my first wishes to see some plan adopted by which slavery in this country can be abolished by law." " A toast by General Washington in the hospital at White Plains : ' Health to the sick and woiimlcd, honour to the brave, Success to the American flag, and freedom to the slate.'" By a reference to W^ashington's will, it will be seen that he gave directions for the emancipation of his slaves. Therefore, it is proved that Wnshington was both in principle :mi\ practice an aboli- tionist. What then shall be thought of the following assertion of 15 Dr. Sleigh ? " If abolitionism is to be supported, then the principles of Washington must be abandoned." CHAPTER III. Det'gn 'if Europe to dissolve the Union. Circulation of incendiary Pamphlett, &c. by .ibolitionisls, which has produced -worse Treatment of the Slaves. " Know you not that Europe is looking on these states with a jealous eye ? Weie plans never devised by European powers to divide the friends of liberty, — to break up unions, and crush that goddess (Liberty) who ever haunts the bed of tyrants ?" Crush liberty, by crushing slavery, what a paradox! It is admitted that England has shown some interest on the sub- ject of American abolitionism ; but let us look into her motives, and see if she can have such a design as our author has hinted at. Until a few years ago, England herself had been guilty of slaveholding in her West India Colonies. She abolished her slavery there, and what has been the result ? Peace, happiness, and prosperity to slaves and masters. Abolition was as vehemently opposed by the slaveholders in her colonies, as it could be in any other country ; they declared it would bring death and destruction upon them and the slaves ! but so far from such consequences, it was productive of the most universal happiness to all parties, which will be hereafter proved by documentary evidence. Now is it not fair to infer, that England, having seen the good effects of abolition in her own colo- nies, wishes, from phdanthropic motives, that slavery be abolished in the United States, for the good of slaves and masters ? Moreover, EnglaiKl is the principal purchaser of the cotton produced by the slaves in the United States ; her interest would, therefore, operate against anything that would directly tend to raije the price of that staple commodity, which abolition would be sure to do, if the ne- groes should not work as well as before, or if it should cost more to raise cotton by free labour. But the fact of her having tried the experiment of emancipation herself, and found it to have produced incalculable good, is at least presumptive evidence that she doea 1(1 not wish the United States to adopt it for the sake of biiiiging evil upon them. But if it were the design of foreign powers to destroy and " break up unions, * what characters wotild most hkely be em- ployed ?" such as the gentleman has admitted abolitionists are, " the best, most moral, and most philanthropic men in America, and such as are actuated by the purest motives ?" • Dissolving the Union is the bugbear which the South has long held up to the North, to frighten her from her duty and her rights : " But you may reply, ' Do you think the South is not in earnest in her threat of dissolving t!ic Union? I rejoin, by no means; — yet she pursues a perfectly reasonable course — (leaving out of view the justice or morality of it) — just such a course as I should expect she would pursue, emboldened as she must be by her multiplied triumphs over the ]\orth, by the use of the same weapon. ' We'll dissolve tlie Union !' was the cry, ' unless Missouri be admitted !' The North were frightened, and Missouri was admitted with !s!averi/ engraved on her fore- head. ' M^e'll dissolve the Union !' unless the Indians be driven out of the >'outh ! The north forgot her treaties, parted with humanity, and it is done — the defence- less Indians are forced to " consent" to be driven out, or they arc left, undefended fo the mercies of southern land-jobbers and gold-hunters. ' We'll dissolve the Union ! if the Tariff, (established at her own suggestion,) be not repealed or modified, so that our slave-labour may compete with your free-labour.' The Tariff is accordingly modified to suit the south. ' We'll dissolve the Utiion !" unK-s? the fiecdom of speech and the press be put down in the north ! !' With tlie promptness of commission-merchants, the alternative is adopted. Public assem- blies, met for deUbcration, are assailed and broken up at the north ; her citizens are stoned, and beaten, and dragged through the streets of her cities ; her presses are attacked by mobs, instigated and led on by men of influence and character ; whilst those concerned in conducting them arc compelled to flv fiom their homes, pursued as if they were noxious wild beasts; or if they remain to defend, they are sacrificed to appease the .-outhern divinity. ' We'll dissolve the Unioi !' if slavery be abolished in the District of Columbia ! The north, frightened from her propriety, dedares that slavery ought not t:) be abolished there now. ' We'll dissolve the Union !' if you read petitions from your constituents for its abolition, or for stopping the slave-trade at the Capital, or between the states. Fifty NoriTHEUN RKi>iir.sr.NTATTVEs respond to the cry, 'down then witli the hight o? pr.TiTio.v ! !' All these assaults have succeeded, because the north has betn frightened by the war-cry, ' IfVll dinsolvj the Union /' After achieving so much by a process so simple, why should not the south per- sist in it when shi- strives for further conquests] Ko other course ought to be expected from her till this has failed. And it is not at all improbable that she will persist, till she almost persuades herself that she is serious in her menace to dis- solve the Union. She mny, in her eagerness, even approach so near the verge of dissolution, thr.t the earth may give way under her feet, and she be dashed in ruins in the gulf below. " Nothing will more surely arrest her fury, than the firm aiTay of the north, setting up anew the almost forgotten principles of onr fathers, and saying fo the 'dark spirit of slavery,' 'thus far shalt thou go, and no liirthcr.' This is the bc.-t — the only means — of saving the south fiom the fruits of her own folly — folly that has been so long, and so strangely encouraged by the noith, th'.it it has grown into intoleiable arrogance — downright presumption." — Jiimes G. Tlirveii, Etq. 17 The Doctor tells us, that "The means ndoptecl by the Abolilionists to accomplish their object are, the publication and circulation of vast numliers of papers and pamphlets, by way of enlightening the slave and slaveholder; but which consist, for the most part, of exhortations and encourage- ment to the slaves to disobedience, insubordination and rebellion. This advice is coupled wiih the most gallinsr denunciations and threats towards the slaveholder. And since that society commenced its distribution of incendiary papers and pamphlets, many of the slaveholders have prevented their slaves learninor to real ; so that if slaves were before bound with fitters of hemp, the abolitionists have converted the hemp into iron." It will be recollected that the Doctor has previously staled, " that as far as mental incapabilitv, tlu vast mass of the slaves are as in- capal)le of taking care of themselves as the great proportion of lu- natics." I ask the why ? Does he not mean, because they are so ignoiant and uneducated ? He says as much in another part of his work. I have before cited some proofs that the negroes are not wanting in natural sense, and that they are fully able to take care of them- selves when set free; but I do admit that the vast mass of the slaves are very ignorant, and do not know how to read. I speak from my own observation ; for in travelling in most of the slave states, and while residing some months in several of the most southern, among the thousands I saw, I did not ascertain that more tha,i two or three could read. In some neighbourhoods, in certain states, there may be some who arc taught, but as a general thing, they have no learning. Then how are the slaves to get a know- ledge of these incendiaiy pamphlets and " encouragements to in- surrection" which they contain ? Are the masters such fools as to r^ad them to their slaves? Every one who has been or resided in the south knows the guards upon speech, and even upon post offices, so that it is next to an impossibility for the slaves to get a knowledge of such pamphlets, if even such were published. In some parts of the south, Louisiana for instance, it is against the law for a white man to give a slave a piece of paper without his master's permission. He might be Lynclied for it, perhaps hung! But what evidence have we that the condition of the slaves has been made worse by abolilionists ? Our author would have it be- 18 lieved, that it is only since modern abolition societies sprung up, that slaves have been debarred from instruction. "What reason is there for such a belief? If masters were ever in the habit of schooling their slaves, when or at Avhat age would they most likely do it ? Would it be at an age when tlieir services were valuable ; or would it not rather be in childhood, when they could do but little work? In childhood, of course. Well, it is only a few years since (1832) that these societies commenced their career ! Consequently, all advdts, and the greater part of youth, would have had the opportu- nity of being taught before the American Anti-Slavery Society ex- isted, and would now be able to read ; it w ould be only children that would now have no learning, m consequenie of laws passed since the formation of the Anti-Slavery Society. But the fact of the va-t mass of the .slaves having no learning, is a proof that whether there were laws against it or not, they were not in the practice of instruct- in"" them. And it matters very little to an innocent man, whether he is murdered without law, or according to a law which a set of men have formed for his destruction ! The fact is, laws existed in the past century prohibiting slaves from being taught, and so they do now ; but public opinion was al- ways nearly or quite as much against giving them learning, as at present ; for the following reasons : If slaves were learned to read, they could learn geography, and leain to write, so that they could write themselves certificates or passes, and readily get oft". Besides, cultivating his mind would make him more sensibly feel the -injustice of slavery; and as knowledge is power, he would of course be a more dcmgcroiis animal in tlieir hands. For though the negroes, as a people, arc the most mild and foi bearing of any on the face of the globe, it is reasonable to suppose, that were they r.s well educated as whites of our country generally, they could not be kept in bondage. And if they are to continue in slavery, I sin- cerely think it is humanity as well as policy not to instruct them. True, they iiave the light of reason and the love of liberty which are inherent, and though many of them weep and mourn over tlieir sad fate, yet they do not generally realize so much mental sufl'ering as if they were enlightened. It was, therefore, motives of policy, which have always existed, which have prevented them from teach- ing the slaves, and not the dread of abolitionists. 19 That the slaves are treated worse, in any respect, since abolition societies commenced, is not supported by reason or facts. Slave- holders know that their conduct is more inspected now than former- ly ; and for fear of giving grounds for abolitionists to hold up their conduct in an unenviable light and expose it to the world, they are, if any thing, more careful how they treat their slaves. This may be corroborated by reference to an analogous case of the ef- fects of abolition proceedings in the West Indies. • The trratment of the slaves, during the anti-slaver}' discussion m England, was manifestly milder than before.' — Dr. Diriieli. ' The effect of the proceedings in parli.iment against slavery, was to make the slaveholders treat the slaves bcUer — milder laws were passe I by the assembly, and the general condition of the slave was greatly ameliorated. — H. Armstrong, Esq ' The planters did not, as a general thing, increase the rigor of their discipline because of the anti-slavery discussions, but were generally more lenient than for- merly. — S. Bourne, Esq. ' We pursued a much milder policy toward our slaves after ths agitation began in England.' — Mr. James Howell. ' The planters did not treat their slaves worse on account of the anti-slavery discussions ; but were more lenient and circumspect — Hon. N. Nugent. ' There was far less cruelty exercised by the i)lanters during the anti-slavery excitement in England. They were always on their guard to escape the notice of the abolitionists ; they did not wish to have their names published abroad, and to be exposed as monsters of cruelty.' — David Cianstown, Esq. * CHAPTER IV. Practical Bi'sults of Aholitionism fully carried out. We now come to that part of the Doctor's pamphlet which is the most important of all, to wit : The practical results of aboli- tion FULLY CARRIED OUT. This affords the finest specimen of the Doctor's fruitful fancy. I should be pleased to transcribe his picture, so that the reader might view it in all its brightness and beauty, but unfortunately * The above is the testimony of former slaveholders of Antigua. 20 have not room. Suffice it, therefore, to say, that all the evils, horrors, cruelties, enormities, bloodshed and carnage, it is possible for the mind of man to conceive, he conjures up as the result of this dreadful catastrophe, tlie freedom of the slaves ! The finishing touch of his picture is as follows: " Her ever-constant companion, Pestilence, now attends, and thousands and thousands die of want and disease, cnllin.^ down from heaven eternal curses on the heads of those who excited them to rebellion, the AboWionhts ! Take a view of the subject in any possible way; let the blacks conquer, or let him be conquered, ruination to him is the inevitable residt, totally independent of the awful calamities to which the white population would be subjected. Here is a two-horned dilemma," &c. The reader will observe, however, tliat the Doctor does not make this horrible picture as the result of emancipation, but of " rebellion.'''' Should slavery continue in the states much longer, there is really danger to be apprehended from their rising in mass to free them- selves ; for it is a moral certainty, that the rapid increase of the slaves over the white population, will make them greatly superior in numerical streni^th, in no great lentrth of time ; and then some of the evils above alluded to, if emancipation be not soon effected, may be realized. I am aware, however, that many persons believe, or profess to believe, that immediate emancipation is unsafe, and fraught with the most dangerous consequences to masters and slaves. This may be considered the grand popular objection to abolitionism. But it may be well to bear in mind, not only the ostensible ground of op- position to abolitionism, but the real motives to it, to wit, pecuniary interest.* There is no doubt, at least in my mind, tliat the prmci- pal reasons why slaveholders oppose abolition, is imaginary self- interest, and love of power. I think the reader will perceive, from the facts I am about to offer, that they are mistaken, in abolition being against their interest. The old saying, that " Honesty is the best policy," would be em- phatically true in this case. • The Lord liavc mercy on the souls uf sucli men u lio, for the sake of paltry lucre, will lie against God and their own coM(*cienccs I 21 Though by emanripation they would relinquish their despotic power, they would be amply compensated by peace of mind, calm repose, exemption from dread of insurrection, an approving con- science, and the smiles of Heaven. And if the lights of reason and experience be not shut out, they show us that it is not against our interest to allow men to be men, and to enjoy those inalienable rights which " all nature cries aloud" are theirs ! The extracts which I shall now give, are from the report of the Rev. James A. Thome and Joseph H. Kimball, Esq. who were de- puted to the West Indies to make the proper investigations of the great experiment of abolition. Mr. Thome is a native, and still a resident, of Kenturky, and the son of a slaveholder : and Mr. Kim- ball was well known as an able editor in New Hampshire. Of course they were men in whom was reposed the fullest confidence to fill this important office. And no doubt has ever been publicly expressed with regard to the correctness of their statements. — Messrs. Thome and Kimball say, " these are not the sentiments of individuals alone, but are really the sentiments of the whole com- munity :" Suddenness of change in the condition of Slaves, and views of Planteis. Said Mr. Barnard, of Green Castle estate, " The transition from slavery to freedom, was like the passing suddenly out of a dark dungeon into the lioht of the sun." R. B. Eldriilge, Esq., a meml)er of the assembly, remarked that, " Tiiere never had lieen, in the history of the w«)ild, so great and in- stantaneous a change in the condition of so large a body of peo- ple." The Hon. Nicholas Nugent, speaker of the house of assembly, and proprietor, said, " There never was so sudden a transition from oi:e state to another, by so large a body of [.eople. Wlien the clock began to strike the hour of twelve on the last night of July, 1834, th" negroes of Antigua were slaves — when it ceased they were all freemen! It was a stupendous change," he said, " ami it was one of the sublimest spectacles ever witnessed, to see the sub- jects of the change engaged, at the very moment it occurred, in worshipping God." These, and very many similar ones, were the spontaneous ex- pressions of men who had long contended against the change of which they spoke. Some time previous to the abolition of slavery, a meeting of the 4 22 influential men of the island 'vas called in St. John's, to memorial- ize parliament against the measure of abolition. When the meeting convenetl, the Hon. Samuel O. Baijcr, who had been the oham' ion of the opposition, was called upon to propose a plan of procedure. To the con.-iternation of the pro-slaverj' meetiuir, their leader arose and spoke to the following' eflVcl : " Gentlemen, my previ')-.s senti- ments on this suliject are well known to you all ; be not surprised to learn that they have undeio-one an entire chang-e. I have not altered my views without mature deliberation. I have l)een makinfr calculations with regard to the pro'iahle results of emancipation, and / have ascertained* bei/cnd a dni'.bt, that I can cid'ica'e my eJcfe at leant one-third cheappr by free labour, than ty slave labntir." After Mr. B. had finished his remarks, Mr. S. Shaiids, member of assembly, and a wealthy i 23 great crisis passed, we give the substance of several accounts which were related to us in different parts of the island, by those who witnessed them. The Wes^leyans kopt " watch night," in all their chapels on the night of the 3 1st Jniy, One of the Wesleyan missionaries gave us an account of the watch-mt'eting at tlie cliapel in St. John's. The spacious house was filled with the candidates for liberty. All was animation and eagerness. A mighty chorus of voices swelled the song of expectation and joy, and as they united m prayer, the voice of the leader was drowned m the universal acclnmalions of thanksgiving and praise, and blessinsr, and honour, and glory to God, v\ ho had come ilown for tlieir deliverance. In such exercises the evening was spent, until the hour of twelve appioached. 'I'he mis- sionary then proposed, tliat when the clock on the cathedral should begiii to s'rike, the whole congregation should fall upon their knees and receive the boon of freedom in silence. Accordingly, as the lo id bell tolled its fiist note, the immense assembly fell prostrate on their knees. All was silence, save the quivering, half-stilled breath of t!ie struggling spirit. The slow notes of the clock fjll upon the multitude ; peal on peal, peal on peal, rolled over the prostrate throng, in tones of angel's voices, thrilling among the desolate chords and weary heart strings. Scarce had the clock sounded its last note, when tiie liirhtning Hashed vividly arouiul, and a loud peal of thunder roared along the sky — God's pillar of fire, and trump of jubilee ! A moment of profoundest silence passed — then came the burs/ — they broke forth in prayer; they shouted, thev sung, " Glory," " alleluia ;" they clapped then- hands, leaped up, fell down, clasped each other in their free arms, cried, laughed and went to and fro, tossing upward their u n fettered h:Huls ; but high above the whole there was a inighty sound, which ever and anon swelled up; it was the ulterings, in broken negro dialect, of grati- tude to Goii. After this gush of excitement hnd spent itself, and the conjrrpcra- tiou became calm, the religious exercises were resumed, rmd the re- mun ler of the nighi was occupied in singing and prayer, in reading ihe Bilile, and in addresses fiom th.e missionaries explaining th;' na- ture cf the freedom just received, and exhorting the freed people to be industrious, stei y, obedient to the laws, and to show themselves in all things worthy of the high boon which God had conferred upon them. Tiie first of August came on Friday, and a release was proclaim- ed from all work until the next Monday. The day was chiclly spent by die great mass of the negroes, in the churches and chapels. Thither they flocked " as clouds, and as doves to their windows." The clergy and missionaries throughout the island were actively en- gaged, seizing the opportunity, in order to enlighten tlie people oa 24 all the duties and responsibilities of their new relation, and above a'.l, urging them to the attainment of that higher liberty with which Christ maketh his children free. In every quarter we were assured that the day was like a Sabbath. Work had ceased ; the hum of business was still, and noise and tumult were unheard in the streets. Tranquillity pervaded the towns and country. A Sab- bath indeed ! when the wicked ceased from troubling, and the weary were at rest, and the slave was free from his master! 'I'he planters informed us that they went to the chapels where their own people were assembled, greeted them, shook hands with them, and exchanged the most hearty good wishes. The churches and chapels were thronged all over the island. At Cedar Hill, a Moravian station, the crowd was so great that the min- ister was obliged to remove the meeting from the chapel to a neigh- bouring grove. At Grace Hill, another Moravian station, the negroes went to the missionary on the day before the fiist of August, and begged that they might be allowed to have a meeting in the chapel at sunrise. It is the usual practice among the Moravians to hold but one sunrise meeting during t!ie year, and that is on the morning of Eastei ; but as th:i people besought very earnestly for this special favour on the Easter morning of their freedom, it was granted to them. Early in ihe morning they assembled at the chapel. For some time they sat in perfect silence. The missionary then proposed that lliey should kneel down and sing. The whole audience fell pros- trate upon their knees, and sung a hymn commencing with the fol- lowing words : " Now let us praise the Lord, With body, soul and spirit. Who doth such wondrous things, Beyond our sense and merit." The singing was frequently interrupted with the tears and sob- binii's of the melted people, until finally it was wholly arrested, and a tumult of emotion ovcrwhehned the congregation. Durii^g the day, repeated meetings were held. At eleven o'clock, the people assembled in vast numbers. There were at least a tliou- sand person* around the chapel who could not get in. For once the house of God sull'ered violence, and the violent look it by force. After all the services of the day, the people went again to the mis- Bionanes in a body, and petitioned to have a meeting in the even- ing. At Grace Bay, the people, all dressed in white, assembled in a epacious court in front of the Moravian chapel. They formed a procession, and walked arm in arm into the chapel. Similar scenes occurred at all the chapels, and at the churches also. We were told by the missionaries, that the dress of the negroes on that occasion, 25 was uncommonly simple and modest. There was not the least dis- position to gaiety. We were also informed by planters and missionaries in every part of the island, that there was not a single dance known of, either day or night, nor so much as a liddle played. There was no riotous assemblies, no drunken carousals. It was not in such chan- nels that tiie excitement of the emancipated (lowed. They were as far from dissipation and debauchery, as they were from violence and carnage. Gratitude was the absorbing emotion. From the hill-lops, and tlie valleys, the cry of a disinthralled people Wi.'nt upward, like the sound of many waters, " Glorv to God, glory to God." The militia were not called out during Christmas holidays. Fh- f^rc emancipation, martial law invariably prevailed on the holi- days, but the very first Christmas after emancipation, the Gover- nor made a proclamation, staling that in consequence of the aholition of slavery, it was no longer necessary to resort to such a precau- tion. 'I'liere has not been a parade of soldiery on any subsequent Christinas. " Previous to emancipation," many persons apprehended violence and bloodshed as the consequence of turning the slaves loose. But when emancipation look place, all these apprehensions vanished. Tne sense of personal security is universal. We know not of a single instance in which the negroes h ive exhibited a revcng ful spirit. R. Higinbothom, United States Consul, remarked : " The gene- ral conduct of the negroes has be3n worthy of much praise, es- pecially considering the sudden transition from slavery to unre- stricted freedom. Their demeanor is peaceable and orderly." " The Governor informed us that ' it was vniversally aihnitled, that emancipation had been a great blessing to the island.' " They are as a body, more indiislrifAis than when slaves, for the obvious reason that they are jvorhin^ fjr themselves,'^ The conduct of tlie negroes on the lirsl of August, 1834, is am- ple proof that gratitude is a prominent trait (f the negro charac- ter ; and iheir uniform conduct since that event manifests an ha- bitual feeling of gratitude. Said one, " The liberty we received from the king, we can never suniciently thank Gotl for ; whenever we think of it, our hearts go out in gralituJe to God." Similar ex- pressions we heard repeatedly from the negroes. We observed that the slightest allusion to the first of August, in a company of freed persons, would awaken powerful emotions, accompanied with ex- clamations of " tank de good Lord," " bless de Saviour," " praise de blessed Saviour," and such like. For a full account of the West India emancipation, see the work of Thome and Kimball. 26 CHAPTER V. " Whe-e there is no Law there is no Trarsgrsssion." The Bible sanctions Slavcrii and does not condemn purchasing or sellino .>/cJi — Communds every Slave to remain a Slave. " Yet, y<'t, degraded man, the expected day, TliHt brciiks your b tter cup, is far away ; Trade, wealth, and foshion ask you still to Meed, And holt mex give scuiptcue fjr the deed!" " Where there is no hnv there is no transo;ression." (Rom. iv. 4.) And ;is there is no law prohibitory of slaveliolding, it cannot l)e con- sidered sin, (foi sin is a tians(TiPssi-in of the hiw,) by any except those who aim at possessinij a hiirhcr (lesrree of moral worth and righteousness than Jesus Christ hitnseif," &c. Tiet us examine tliis text a httlc, and see whether it is proper to apply it so as to sanction slavery. He lells us, likewise, there is no hiw in the scriptures asrainst selling men. Then I infer there is no law in the Biiile prohibitory of a man's selling his own chil- dren ; consequently it would be no sin for any man, white or black, to sell hi- own children for money into perjietual slavery. It is not proliable this will be done in Pennsylvania, because the laws of the state prohibit it; but in Viiginia, if a while man happen to have children that are part black, as many slaveholders do, would it be no sin to Fell these children, because scripture does not gi e a spe- cial prohibitory law respecting it ? "O no !" replies the drctor ; " where thrre is no law there is ro transiiression." Un er these circumstances, piobably, the gentleman, as' otlier slaveholders, woulil not like tn sec slaves around him, who resembled their father 60 much, a.id considering it no sin to sell them, and as keeping them would show ihe/e had been a violation of the sevei'.th com- mandmrnt, is it not probable he would sell them in order to put away this sin ? It is true that slaveholders do not a'l sell their dark childien ; 1 know of some exceptions ; for I have seen many pretty little mulattos, who resembled their master very much, running about his plantation ; and I m:ghl give an example of aslaveho'der at the south, well known throughout the United States, who, I am 27 credibly informed, has brought up his mulatto dau word servant occurs in the text, he has made it slave. He pretends, the original word doulos in the Greek, which is invariably rendered servant in English, means slave as well as servant. So far a" my information goes, the Doc- tor is incorrect in this particular ; but without citing any learned au- thorities, I think the absurdity of his version will be seen from the scriptures themselves. The following, among the Doctor's quota- tions, are the most suitable for his purpose, at least according to his way of rendering them : "Art thou called, being a slave, care not for it " 1 Cor. vii, 21. " i:laves be obedient to those that are your masters according to the Jlesh.'^ Eph. vi. 5. '* Slaves obey in all things your masters." Col. iii. 22. The Doctor knew veiy well, that to qunle these texts with the word servant, would not answer his purpose ; he therefore converted it into slave. If he pre- fers this translation, he is welcome to it; but in the mean time I will quote a iew passages, which have the word servant, and the same original, (doulos,) in the Greek. 1 Cor. vii. 23 : " Ye are bought with a price, be not ye the slaves (servants) of men." This is contained in the same chapter with one of the Doctor's quota- tions, and it is addressed to the very same persons, consequently, if servant means slave, here there is a positive prohibition of sla- very. In Philippians i. 1, we have as follows : " Paul and Timo- theus, slaves (servants) of Jesus Christ," &c. Again, Romans i. 1, " Paul a slave, (servant) of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God." Then, according to the Doc- tor, St. Paul and Timotheus were slaves, and the Saviour a slave- 5 30 holder. The Bible sanction slavery ! What folly \ what wilful blindness ! Avhat perversion will not men be guilty of, to cloak highhanded sin against God and man ! CHAPTER VL Happiness of the Slaves. Fatal objection to Abolitionism. We are told by Doctor Sleigh, " the very persons (the slaves) whom we feed, clothe, instruct, &c., thus enjoy more comfort and happiness, than nine-tenths of the labouring class of white free persons in Europe !" I presume he has drawn his conclusions from the representations of slaveholders, or from a few fortunate cases in the vicinity of the free states ; for certainly, his observations must have been very im- perfect and partial indeed, if they were made in the southern or south-western states. I recollect, from the first superficial glance of slavery I had, in some parts of Maryland and Kentucky, I was hiclined to think the horrors of slavery had been magnified, for many of the slaves were apparently contented. But this is easily accounted for ; the conduct of masters here is so much exposed to observation of people of the free states, that it operates as a great check upon the bad treatment of slaves. The circumstances of these and the more southern states are also so different, that there is not 60 much temptation to bad usage ; besides, they know it is much easier for the slaves to get olT, when they are held near the free stales, than when in the far south. Virginia, Maryland and Ken- tucky is the principal stock-raising country of slaves; from these states chiefly are driven to market the annual supplies for the south and south-west, to stock new plantations. The cultivation of to- bacco, corn and wheat in these slates is comparatively easy, and does not give such chance for hard driving, as the sugar and cotton cultivation in the south and south-west ; and those which are in- tended for market, arc fed and clothed tolerably well. But even in these mild slates, on investigating the subject, so far as I could as- certain, the slaves wfere anxious to be free, and would have given worlds for liberty ! The moment freedom was hinted to them, tears started in their eyes, and they could scarcely give utterance to 31 their emotions. They pine for liberty, and think it a hard case to be doomed to perpetual slavery. If these are the sentiments and feelings of those under the mildest treatment, what must be the feel- ings of those who receive such treatment as the generality do in the far soiith and west, where they have stinted allowances of the poor- est food and clothing, and are treated worse than brutes ? This I speak from a personal knowledge of facts. In Mississippi and Louisiana, on the cotton and sugar plantations, they are a part of the year worked from daylight, with very little intermission, till nine o'clock at night undor tlie lash ; and after working all the week they are frequently made to butciier or do other work on Sundays. These things, however, are almost too trifling to mention, when compared with the many outrageous abuses to which ihey are con- stantly subjected. It would be impossible to describe them in a few pages. I know there are some kind masters, but most of them are not. There seems to be something in the very nature of sla- very, that induces a tyrannical, overbearing and unfeeling dispo- sition towards the slave ; he is considered property over which they have unlimited control ; they may abuse him to any extent, and even kill him with impunity. I Avill give one example. A hungry slave, without leave, killed a pig belonging to the same plantation with himself; the master had him stripped naked, staked down ac- cording to custom, that is, slakes driven in the ground so as to lock over his neck, legs and arms, then whipped him till he was tired, then took his knife and cut a ring round from the shoulders to the hips, and told his overseer to whip the skin all out of the space Avithin tlie ring before he should quit. In vain did the slave plead in extenuation of his crime of killing the pig, that hunger impelled him to it, and that he would never again do any thing to oflend his master ! Before the overseer's task was finished, the gush of blood and cries ceased, and the slave expired ! A hole was dug for the purpose, the body thrown in and covered, and that was the last of it ! Nothing was done about the murder, — the master was not even turned out of church, of which he was a member, and did not ap- pear to be disrespected by his neighbours on account of it. From my knowledge of the character of this gentleman, and also of the clergyman residing in the neighbourhood, who related to ma the 32 case, being also a slaveholder, I had no reason to doubt the circum- Btances were literally true. I do not know that such instances are common, yet they some- times occur, and go to show how little the life of a slave is regard- ed when their masters get in a passion. Numerous other facts might be mentioned, to prove not only that the slaves are unhappy, have generally hard usage and cruel treatment, but also to illustrate the debasing effect which slavery has on slaveholders, by giving them power to exercise the worst passions to an unlimited extent. In Louisiana (perhap.s in other states) it is death to a slave to strike or draw blood in anger from a white man, no matter what the provoca- tion or abuse ! I saw one hung in New Orleans, not for killing, but inflicting a wound, in self-defence, on a white man ; I have seen others beaten with clubs, and dragged to prison by ruffians, where they were again cruelly whipt, for no other offence than that they did not cringe as doggedly before them, as it was supposed comported with the fancied dignity of these worthless dregs of white society. It would be endless to go into all the abuses practised upon the slaves, the perplexities, irritations and cruelties, to which they are obliged to submit ; every one knows that husbands and wives, chil- dren and parents are liable everyday to be separated and sold; nothing is their own ; and even if it were true that they have enough to eat and to wear, and were not shamefully whipped, what is life in slavery ? Is it no abuse to rob a man of liberty, smother his immortal mind in darkness, and degrade him to tlie level of a brute? Enough has been said on this point. The precepts of the bleftsed Saviour, the good and great of all nations unanimously de- clare, that slavery is an outrageous, inhuman monstrosity ! Then who, with a spark of reason, can unblushingly defend it, and affirm that it makes men happy ! ! ! " There is one more fatal objection to the abolition system, viz. That its whole aim is the removal of the efftcl and not the cause ! That slavery is the caute of much evil, 1 do not pretend to deny ; but then slavery itself is only an effect. Abolitionism is, therefore, unphilosophical, absurd, fallacious and inefficacious. For example, a person gets a splinter of wood into liis finger, the finger inllames, the arm inflames, the whole body inflames — delirium or lock-jaw supervenes, and death closes the scene." Now, previouB to the close of the pcene, when the whole body 33 is iuflamed, delirium or lock-jaw has supervened ; the Doctor, in or- der to save the life of the patient, would rest his hopes on pulling out the splinter. It would be uncourteous to question the profes- sional skill of a " Professor of Surgery," and a " F. R. C. S. L. &c. r deitrnynig their m utsrs ; and som3 of them have b>cn partially cxecutad. The musacie of helpL'?? w) ii.ni an I children at Southampton, stands out as an awful warning lo slaveIiolJt!is ; and presents, in lines of innocent bload, the dan^^r of the slave syst3m. The an- nual increase of slaves over all that ilie, is sixty thousand. And the incrcasa of that must be added every year in future ; theref >re, tha tim? is not fir distant, when their annual increase will hi a million. They arc now within half a mil- lion of boin^ c ju il t'> the entire white p >pulilion of the si ive states. Lvery on3 capa!)le of coiintinic twenty, can see that su^-h an increase will insvitibly s3curj the ruin of the slave states; tlie additional power of the free stU3-i cannot lan^ prevent it. The num!)3r wills)jn 1)3 so great, thit thoy can a;c;o:npli3'i t'a3 work of slau^ht2r an 1 ruin, bsfore it will lo p)i-iilil3 to brinj aid fro.m t!i3 fi'e3 stit33. In several of the stati-s, th3 tIanTor is now i.ictrem^; in mmy places, th3 paapb live in ronstar;t apprehension of b.-inj suddenly mardercd. InJeod, an insurrec- tion m.iy suddenly take place, even wh3re slaves are comparativsly lew, and many shorkin; murders m ly be committed, which has frequently been the case. The dan:j('r of livjn.; anun^ slaves, tends to drive out th3 fre3 inhabitants, and thus incre ises t!i3 evil. Tiis desire of extending th3ir fa m;, induces slavehol- ders to engross the lands, and this also pioduces a decrease of the fr e population ; from these several causes, tlie danjijr will increase every year, until su I Jen ruin will di'sol.ite the land. It is not easy to conceive the deplorable condition of tiie slave states; they seem to feel as if they were living- U[)on a dreadful volcano, heavini^ beneath th^^ir feet every moment, and leady to overwhehu them in inter- minable ruin. Every attempt to discuss the su!>J3it of slavery cjivcsthem alarm ; lest the slave shoiilil learn h's rights, and be insti.?ated t j insurrection ; and every public cirjrt to abolish tiie .system inikcs them frantic. They arc like the pa- tient who has abandoned the hope of life, and views medicine as only calcuialci to shorten his hours, and therefore desires to be let alon3 to breathe as lon^ as h3 can. They seem as if they viewed the hour of remedy past, and desire to b3 let alone, lest the remedy, instead of giving; relief, should shorten theii- hours. Li!ve infuriate. 1 devils, they cry, let us alone, — "Art t'.iou come to torment us bsfjre the time." The present agitation of the slave slates strikingly rcsemljles th3 madness of despair; it is unieasona!'! ■ in liie extreme. Tlierc is yet a remedy for their ruined condition, and one tliat is both safe and practicable. If they will but abolish immediately the entire system of slavery, the danger will at once b3 over. The increase of the coloued jiojiulation, resuhin^ f.om slavery, will f)r- cver cease ; no nioie will be brought from Alrica; no more will be bred for n:ar- ket; their increase will be by the regular laws of marriage, and, of course, will not exceed that of the while people, vvlio will soon assum3 temperate, moral and industrious habits; the result of which will b3 health, long lif;, and a nume- rous ortspring Besides all tiiis, the causes that now prevent the settlemsnt of the industiious and virtuous classes of the white people will cease, and the influ- ence of such will be great. The south, as before stated, is capable of sustaining a denser population than the north ; nothing but slavery now prevents it. Uut for tins, there would be stronger inducements to settle in those milder and more productive regions. There is yet room in the slave states and territory, for a white population of more than thirty millions. Among such a population as would soon How to the south, the coloured people would scarcely be felt. If our southern, brethren ivould calm down a little, and looh at this plan of abolishing the American Anti-Slavery Society, and all its auxiliaries, they xuill tee that it is not only safe and practicable, but luill vastly enrich the slavs stales; they Toill perceive that their land^ -vill increase in value, equal to the present 6 * 33 ■worth of their slaves ; and -whole states -will be saved from a dreadftd ruin. Jill this is not mere theory ; it is matter of actual experiment. It has been tested un- der far more disadvantageous circumstances. In Antigua, -where the slaves -were fifteen to every -white person, and -where -we may reasonably conclude they ■were more degraded than the generality of slaves in the United States, they were all liberated in a single day. The residt -was peace and freedom from dan- ger ; the armed force necessary to keep them from insurrection -when in slavery, is no-w disbanded ; and as the danger of living on the island has passed a-way, the lands have greatly increased in value. The planters no-w say, that -what the Sritish government gave them for their slaves, -was a gratuity ; and that their circumstances have been so much better, that they -would not change hack again to slavery, for any consideration, ho-wever great. A similar experiment has been tnade i?i Bermuda, -with equal success. The American slave states afford much greater facilities for S7ich a change, as the number of slaves is not so great in proportion to the free people ; and besides this, there is room for a vast increase of-wliitepolndation, and the contiguity of the f'ee states, so densely populated, ■woidd afford the means of soon filling it. This plan -will suit -well those -who are in favour of colonizing the coloured people, If'hen all the anti-slavery societies are abolished, there -will be no formidable opposition to colonization, unless the planters should combine to oppose carrying so many labourers from the country, lest the price of labour should rise. From this source, there may be still danger of strenuous opposition; but then, colonizutionists -will have the consolation of kno-wing, that their labours are no longer needed. This plan of abolishing all the antl-slaverj- societies, will be greatly to the in- terest of the free states. 1st. Slavery exists in the Di.slricl of Culuiiiliia and in the territory of Florida, under laws made by congress. The !;eneral covernmenl is bound liy the constitution, to protect every Blaie from foreign invasion and domestic insurrection. Hence the lives and property of tho people of the fr-ee states are pledged for the suppression of slave insurrections. The foreign slave trade was long carried on under the general government, and the domestic slave trade still exists in all its horrors; and under it have e.\isted slave territories that have now become slave Slates. In all these respects, the free states lie under the sin and disgrace of slavery. The immediate and entire abolition of slaverj' would relieve them from this sin and disgrace of a system of the most barbarous cruelty. This would be greatly to their interest. 2nd. Cruel and oppressive laws are enacted by the slave states, to drive out f.om among iheir slaves all that benevolent persons have liberated from slavery. As many as three hun- dred and fifty of the most degraded slaves of old Virginia were liberated, ami at once driven to the stale of Ohio. \\ hile the principles of Christianity, and even common humanity re- quire us to allow such objects of oppnssinn an asylum amongst us, it must be admitted, that an ignorant and degraded jxipulation of any sort, while or black, is a great disadvantage. And while ever slavery exists, such a population will be thrown tipon the free slates. Njw, if sla- very were abolished, this tend ncy to drive out the coloured people would ceasj; driving them out would then increase the price of labour, and would be contrary tt) the i.nteresta of planters and men of business. It is now their in erest to drive out the free people of colour, it would then be their interest to rrtain them, in order t.> keep down the price of labour ; and as the products of the .south are more valuable than those of the north, they will be able to give better wages ; and this, together with the love of kindred, will not only reutin tho coloured people i\ow there, but will induce many to leave i he present free states and go to the south. Such will be the certain result of the immediate and entire abolition of slavery ; and they would soon 1)6 eilucated, and become an enli';htened people, and a benefit to society, whether Ihey might reside, in the north or south. This would be greatly to the interest of the free auies; the coloured people would cease to come to the free stales, and if they should coin* it would b«« In an educated state, o; course no disadvantage to society. 39 3d. The aboHlion of slavery would soon give to ihe south as dense a population as the nonh. This would vastly increase the trade of the free states, of course extend all kinds of business, and thus promote the interests of all classes of society. The day-labourer will find his wages increased, the farmer will get a better price f.ir his prcxluce, the mechanic will get more profi- table and prompt returns for his labour, and the merchant will be enabled to do a surer and a more extensive business ; men of tne learned professions will, of course, find a belter support. These will be the certain results of the immediate abolition of the slave system, and they will be greatly to the interest of the free states. 'J he notion that many labouring men entertain, that the abolition of slavery will lower the price of labour, and thus render them unable to support their families, is entirely without foundation. By extending agriculture, manufacto- ries, and public improvements, it will greatly increase the demand for labour, and wiil make room for employing thousands of mechanics and day-labourers; the compelling nf two mil- lions and a half of people to work without >■ ages, must ever be against the labouring classes; and besides this, slavery attaches disgrace to lalxiur, and thus tends to distress and degrade the lalxiuring yan of the community. Who does not see that by many, labouring people are despised ; the fact that a man is a farmer, a mechanic, or a day- abourer, is sufli lent lo ex- clu.le him from some circles of society. '1 his is the spirit of slavery transplanted into the free states; the alwlition of slavery will lend to abolish this detestable spirit of pride, and will elevate the labouring classes cf society. There should be no degraded classes. The honest and industrious, however [xwr, should always be highly esteemed. The labouring classes, above all others, will find il their interest to promote the abolition of slavery. It is said by some, that if the slaves were set free, they would work fir lower wages than white men do, and that they would bring down the price of laliour ; but such should remem- ber that they now work for nol ling, and surely that is much more, than even low wages, cal- culated to lower the price of l.-ibour. When the abolition of .slavery takes pl.iC»>, the Cul ured people themselves will consume nuirh more provision and clothing th.in they now do, and this itself will increase the business of the nonh, and enable farmers and manufacturers to givo better wages. This forms a good argument on the ground of interest, agaiiust the coloured people f aim the country. The si m'h could not, at present, be cultivated with «ut them ; and tliey themselves, by their own cnnsimiption, will greatly increase the business and wealth of the present free slates. I»y would be pr l^cied hy equitable laws, and iheref >re would feel ii their inieresi to defend the country And hence ihe s mih would become equal to the n irth, in ihe means of self-defence. This would be greatly to the interest of the states. Add to tiiese, the domineering spirit of slavery, that threatens the nation with a cruel despo- tism, woul I be driven from the land; and civil ami religious liberty would be ejctended to bless all naions, and would descend to the latest generations. Hjre then is a plan, safe and constitutional, by -which all the anti-sJavery so- cieties in the Union can be forever abolished, and greatly to the ijiterest oj both the slave and free states. To this Jilan, there can be no just objection ; even abol tionists themselves, could nut ivjll oppose such a plan for abolishing their societies. J^Pt all, tlien, -who desire the abolition of anti-slavery societies. Join in this 1 1. in, and success tv^ll be certain. Peace and lib.r y w'll return to bless our distracted nation ; and her morality, happiness, and her fame shall increase a thonsa?id fold. But if slavery he not abolished, it -will increase the coloured people and destroy the -white Jieofde, iintil it -will ruin the nation. The c, loured pofmlation is no-w but one-si.tth part of the nation, and no-w Iberated, ivill never become a greater firofmrtion ; and consequently, -will never be able to do mate- rial inju"y. Tliere -will alivayi be am/ile fioioer in the nation to ffovei n them. Sut if slax'ery be continued, it -ivill give them such a proportion, as must sooner or later terminate in i~uin. ..According- to thfir present ratio of increase, they ■will be thirteen millions b'fore the f/resent century ivill terminate. To hold such a body ofpeofde in slavery ivill be imftossihle ; they ivill crtainly, i/not Uberc- ted, one day exterminate the Jree pofmlation of the slave states, and perhaft ruin the free states. J\'oie Ihere is less danger iti liberating them, than er-er -i-ll be again. J\i'oiv, there is fioivcr in the south to liberate them safely, and to the belt interests of the nati'-n. Let all, then, consult the general good, and unite cheerfully in tliis work of Justice and tnercy. §4 W i> _ T • a '^^ - » . • • - "r— '^'o -> *^42C«f,* < 5°^ ^ ^,