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diff --git a/11272-0.txt b/11272-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..770c530 --- /dev/null +++ b/11272-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,31911 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11272 *** + +THE ANTI-SLAVERY EXAMINER PART 2 OF 4 + +BY The American Anti-Slavery Society + +1838 + + + No. 5. THE CHATTEL PRINCIPLE THE ABHORRENCE OF JESUS CHRIST AND + THE APOSTLES; OR NO REFUGE FOR AMERICAN SLAVERY IN THE NEW + TESTAMENT. + + No. 6. NARRATIVE OF JAMES WILLIAMS, AN AMERICAN SLAVE. + + No. 7. EMANCIPATION IN THE WEST INDIES. + + No. 8. CORRESPONDENCE, BETWEEN THE HON. F.H. ELMORE, ONE OF THE + SOUTH CAROLINA DELEGATION IN CONGRESS, AND JAMES G. + BIRNEY, ONE OF THE SECRETARIES OF THE AMERICAN + ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY. + + No. 9. LETTER OF GERRIT SMITH, TO HON. HENRY CLAY. + + No. 10. EMANCIPATION In The WEST INDIES, IN 1838. + + * * * * * + + + + +NO. 5 + +THE ANTI-SLAVERY EXAMINER + + + + * * * * * + + + + + +THE + +POWER OF CONGRESS + +OVER THE + +DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. + + + + * * * * * + +ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE NEW-YORK EVENING POST, UNDER THE SIGNATURE +OF "WYTHE." + + + * * * * * + +WITH ADDITIONS BY THE AUTHOR. + +FOURTH EDITION. + + + * * * * * + + + +NEW YORK: PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY, No. 143 NASSAU +STREET. 1838. + + * * * * * + +This No. contains 3-1/2 sheets.--Postage, under 100 miles, 6 cts. over +100, 10 cts. + + + +POWER OF CONGRESS OVER THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. + +A civilized community presupposes a government of law. If that +government be a republic, its citizens are the sole _sources_, as well +as the _subjects_ of its power. Its constitution is their bill of +directions to their own agents--a grant authorizing the exercise of +certain powers, and prohibiting that of others. In the Constitution of +the United States, whatever else may be obscure, the clause granting +power to Congress over the Federal District may well defy +misconstruction. Art. 1, Sec. 8, Clause 18: "The Congress shall have +power to exercise exclusive legislation, _in all cases whatsoever_, over +such District." Congress may make laws for the District "in all +_cases_," not of all _kinds_. The grant respects the _subjects_ of +legislation, _not_ the moral nature of the laws. The law-making power +every where, is subject to _moral_ restrictions, whether limited by +constitutions or not. No legislature can authorize murder, nor make +honesty penal, nor virtue a crime, nor exact impossibilities. In these +and similar respects, the power of Congress is held in check by +principles existing in the nature of things, not imposed by the +Constitution, but presupposed and assumed by it. The power of Congress +over the District is restricted only by those principles that limit +ordinary legislation, and, in some respects, it has even wider scope. + +In common with the legislatures of the States, Congress cannot +constitutionally pass ex post facto laws in criminal cases, nor suspend +the writ of habeas corpus, nor pass a bill of attainder, nor abridge the +freedom of speech and of the press, nor invade the right of the people +to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, nor enact +laws respecting an establishment of religion. These are general +limitations. Congress cannot do these things _any where_. The exact +import, therefore, of the clause "in all cases whatsoever," is, _on all +subjects within the appropriate sphere of legislation_. Some +legislatures are restrained by constitutions from the exercise of powers +strictly within the proper sphere of legislation. Congressional power +over the District has no such restraint. It traverses the whole field of +legitimate legislation. All the power which any legislature has within +its own jurisdiction, Congress holds over the District of Columbia. + +It has been asserted that the clause in question respects merely police +regulations, and that its sole design was to enable Congress to protect +itself against popular tumults. But if the framers of the Constitution +aimed to provide for a _single_ case only, why did they provide for +"_all_ cases whatsoever?" Besides, this clause was opposed in many of +the state conventions, because the grant of power was not restricted to +police regulations _alone_. In the Virginia Convention, George Mason, +the father of the Virginia Constitution, said, "This clause gives an +unlimited authority in every possible case within the District. He would +willingly give them exclusive power as far as respected the police and +good government of the place, but he would give them no more." Mr. +Grayson said, that control over the _police_ was all-sufficient, and +that the "Continental Congress never had an idea of exclusive +legislation in all cases." Patrick Henry said. "Is it consistent with +any principle of prudence or good policy, to grant _unlimited, unbounded +authority?_" Mr. Madison said in reply: "I did conceive that the clause +under consideration was one of those parts which would speak its own +praise. When any power is given, its delegation necessarily involves +authority to make laws to execute it. * * * * The powers which are found +necessary to be given, are therefore delegated _generally_, and +particular and minute specification is left to the legislature. * * * It +is not within the limits of human capacity to delineate on paper all +those particular cases and circumstances, in which legislation by the +general legislature would be necessary." Governor Randolph said: +"Holland has no ten miles square, but she has the Hague where the +deputies of the States assemble. But the influence which it has given +the province of Holland, to have the seat of government within its +territory, subject in some respects to its control, has been injurious +to the other provinces. The wisdom of the Convention is therefore +manifest in granting to Congress exclusive jurisdiction over the place +of their session." [_Deb. Va. Con._, p. 320.] In the forty-third number +of the "Federalist," Mr. Madison says: "The indispensable necessity of +_complete_ authority at the seat of government, carries its own +evidence with it." + +Finally, that the grant in question is to be interpreted according to +the obvious import of its _terms_, is proved by the fact, that Virginia +proposed an amendment to the United States' Constitution at the time of +its adoption, providing that this clause "should be so construed as to +give power only over the _police and good government_ of said District," +_which amendment was rejected_. + +The former part of the clause under consideration, "Congress shall have +power to exercise _exclusive_ legislation," gives _sole_ jurisdiction, +and the latter part, "in all cases whatsoever," defines the _extent_ of +it. Since, then, Congress is the _sole_ legislature within the District, +and since its power is limited only by the checks common to all +legislatures, it follows that what the law-making power is intrinsically +competent to do _any_ where, Congress is competent to do in the District +of Columbia. Having disposed of preliminaries, we proceed to state and +argue the _real_ question at issue. + +IS THE LAW-MAKING POWER COMPETENT TO ABOLISH SLAVERY WHEN NOT RESTRICTED +IN THAT PARTICULAR BY CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS--or, IS THE ABOLITION OF +SLAVERY WITHIN THE APPROPRIATE SPHERE OF LEGISLATION? + +1. In every government, absolute sovereignty exists _somewhere_. In the +United States it exists primarily with the _people_, and _ultimate_ +sovereignty _always_ exists with them. In each of the States, the +legislature possesses a _representative_ sovereignty, delegated by the +people through the Constitution--the people thus committing to the +legislature a portion of their sovereignty, and specifying in their +constitutions the amount of the grant and its conditions. That the +_people_ in any state where slavery exists, have the power to abolish +it, none will deny. If the legislature have not the power, it is because +_the people_ have reserved it to themselves. Had they lodged with the +legislature "power to exercise exclusive legislation in all cases +whatsoever," they would have parted with their sovereignty over the +legislation of the State, and so far forth, the legislature would have +become _the people_, clothed with all their functions, and as such +competent, _during the continuance of the grant_, to do whatever the +people might have done before the surrender of their power: +consequently, they would have the power to abolish slavery. The +sovereignty of the District of Columbia exists _somewhere_--where is it +lodged? The citizens of the District have no legislature of their own, +no representation in Congress, and no political power whatever. Maryland +and Virginia have surrendered to the United States their "full and +absolute right and entire sovereignty," and the people of the United +States have committed to Congress by the Constitution, the power to +"exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever over such +District." + +Thus, the sovereignty of the District of Columbia, is shown to reside +solely in the Congress of the United States; and since the power of the +people of a state to abolish slavery within their own limits, results +from their entire sovereignty within that state, so the power of +Congress to abolish slavery in the District, results from its entire +sovereignty within the District. If it be objected that Congress can +have no more power over the District, than was held by the legislatures +of Maryland and Virginia, we ask what clause of the constitution +graduates the power of Congress by the standard of those legislatures? +Was the United States' constitution worked into its present shape under +the measuring line and square of Virginia and Maryland? and is its power +to be bevelled down till it can run in the grooves of state legislation? +There is a deal of prating about constitutional power over the District, +as though Congress were indebted for it to Maryland and Virginia. The +powers of those states, whether prodigies or nullities, have nothing to +do with the question. As well thrust in the powers of the Grand Lama to +join issue upon, or twist papal bulls into constitutional tether, with +which to curb congressional action. THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED +STATES gives power to Congress, and takes it away, and _it alone_. +Maryland and Virginia adopted the Constitution _before_ they ceded to +the United States the territory of the District. By their acts of +cession, they abdicated their own sovereignty over the District, and +thus made room for that provided by the United States' constitution, +which sovereignty was to commence as soon as a cession of territory by +states, and its acceptance by Congress, furnished a sphere for its +exercise. That the abolition of slavery is within the sphere of +legislation, I argue. + +2. FROM THE FACT, THAT SLAVERY, AS A LEGAL SYSTEM, IS THE CREATURE OF +LEGISLATION. The law, by _creating_ slavery, not only affirmed its +_existence_ to be within the sphere and under the control of +legislation, but also, the conditions and terms of its existence, and +the _question_ whether or not it should exist. Of course legislation +would not travel _out_ of its sphere, in abolishing what is _within_ it, +and what had been recognized to be within it, by its own act. Cannot +legislatures repeal their own laws? If law can take from a man his +rights, it can give them back again. If it can say, "your body belongs +to your neighbor," it can say, "it belongs to _yourself_." If it can +annul a man's right to himself, held by express grant from his Maker, +and can create for another an _artificial_ title to him, can it not +annul the artificial title, and leave the original owner to hold himself +by his original title? + +3. THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY HAS ALWAYS BEEN CONSIDERED WITHIN THE +APPROPRIATE SPHERE OF LEGISLATION. Almost every civilized nation has +abolished slavery by law. The history of legislation since the revival +of letters, is a record crowded with testimony to the universally +admitted competency of the law-making power to abolish slavery. It is so +manifestly an attribute not merely of absolute sovereignty, but even of +ordinary legislation, that the competency of a legislature to exercise +it, may well nigh be reckoned among the legal axioms of the civilized +world. Even the night of the dark ages was not dark enough to make this +invisible. + +The Abolition decree of the great council of England was passed in 1102. +The memorable Irish decree, "that all the English slaves in the whole of +Ireland, be immediately emancipated and restored to their former +liberty," was issued in 1171. Slavery in England was abolished by a +general charter of emancipation in 1381. Passing over many instances of +the abolition of slavery by law, both during the middle ages and since +the reformation, we find them multiplying as we approach our own times. +In 1776 slavery was abolished in Prussia by special edict. In St. +Domingo, Cayenne, Guadaloupe, and Martinique, in 1794, where more than +600,000 slaves were emancipated by the French government. In Java, 1811; +in Ceylon, 1815; in Buenos Ayres, 1816; in St. Helena, 1819; in +Colombia, 1821; by the Congress of Chili in 1821; in Cape Colony, 1823; +in Malacca, 1825; in the southern provinces of Birmah, 1826; in Bolivia, +1826; in Peru, Guatemala, and Monte Video, 1828; in Jamaica, Barbados, +the Bermudas, the Bahamas, Anguilla, Mauritius, St. Christopers, Nevis, +the Virgin Islands, (British), Antigua, Montserrat, Dominica, St. +Vincents, Grenada, Berbice, Tobago, St. Lucia, Trinidad, Honduras, +Demerara, Essequibo and the Cape of Good Hope, on the 1st of August, +1834. But waving details, suffice it to say, that England, France, +Spain, Portugal, Denmark, Russia, Austria, Prussia, and Germany, have +all and often given their testimony to the competency of the legislative +power to abolish slavery. In our own country, the Legislature of +Pennsylvania passed an act of abolition in 1780, Connecticut in 1784; +Rhode Island, 1784; New-York, 1799; New-Jersey, in 1804; Vermont, by +Constitution, in 1777; Massachusetts, in 1780; and New-Hampshire, +in 1784. + +When the competency of the law-making power to abolish slavery has thus +been recognized every where and for ages, when it has been embodied in +the highest precedents, and celebrated in the thousand jubilees of +regenerated liberty, is it an achievement of modern discovery, that such +a power is a nullity?--that all these acts of abolition are void, and +that the millions disenthralled by them, are, either themselves or their +posterity, still legally in bondage? + +4. LEGISLATIVE POWER HAS ABOLISHED SLAVERS IN ITS PARTS. The law of +South Carolina prohibits the working of slaves more than fifteen hours +in the twenty-four. In other words, it takes from the slaveholder his +power over nine hours of the slave's time daily; and if it can take nine +hours it may take twenty-four. The laws of Georgia prohibit the working +of slaves on the first day of the week; and if they can do it for the +first, they can for the six following. The law of North Carolina +prohibits the "immoderate" correction of slaves. If it has power to +prohibit _immoderate_ correction, it can prohibit _moderate_ +correction--_all_ correction, which would be virtual emancipation; for, +take from the master the power to inflict pain, and he is master no +longer. Cease to ply the slave with the stimulus of fear, and he +is free. + +The Constitution of Mississippi gives the General Assembly power to make +laws "to oblige the owners of slaves to _treat them with humanity_." The +Constitution of Missouri has the same clause, and an additional one +making it the DUTY of the legislature to pass such laws as may be +necessary to secure the _humane_ treatment of the slaves. This grant to +those legislatures, empowers them to decide what _is_ and what is _not_ +"humane treatment." Otherwise it gives no "power"--the clause is mere +waste paper, and flouts in the face of a befooled legislature. A clause +giving power to require "humane treatment" covers all the _particulars_ +of such treatment--gives power to exact it in _all respects--requiring_ +certain acts, and _prohibiting_ others--maiming, branding, chaining +together, separating families, floggings for learning the alphabet, for +reading the Bible, for worshiping God according to conscience--the +legislature has power to specify each of these acts--declare that it is +not "_humane_ treatment," and PROHIBIT it.--The legislature may also +believe that driving men and women into the field, and forcing them to +work without pay, is not "humane treatment," and being constitutionally +bound "to _oblige_" masters to practise "humane treatment"--they have +the _power_ to _prohibit such_ treatment, and are bound to do it. + +The law of Louisiana makes slaves real estate, prohibiting the holder, +if he be also a _land_ holder, to separate them from the soil.[A] If it +has power to prohibit the sale _without_ the soil, it can prohibit the +sale _with_ it; and if it can prohibit the _sale_ as property, it can +prohibit the _holding_ as property. Similar laws exist in the French, +Spanish, and Portuguese colonies. The law of Louisiana requires the +master to give his slaves a certain amount of food and clothing. If it +can oblige the master to give the slave _one_ thing, it can oblige him +to give him another: if food and clothing, then wages, liberty, his own +body. By the laws of Connecticut, slaves may receive and hold property, +and prosecute suits in their own name as plaintiffs: [This last was also +the law of Virginia in 1795. See Tucker's "Dissertation on Slavery," p. +73.] There were also laws making marriage contracts legal, in certain +contingencies, and punishing infringements of them, ["_Reeve's Law of +Baron and Femme_," p. 340-1.] + +[Footnote A: Virginia made slaves real estate by a law passed in 1705. +(_Beverly's Hist. of Va._, p. 98.) I do not find the precise time when +this law was repealed, probably when Virginia became the chief slave +breeder for the cotton-growing and sugar-planting country, and made +young men and women "from fifteen to twenty-five" the main staple +production of the State.] + +Each of the laws enumerated above, does, _in principle_, abolish +slavery; and all of them together abolish it _in fact_. True, not as a +_whole_, and at a _stroke_, nor all in one place; but in its _parts_, by +piecemeal, at divers times and places; thus showing that the abolition +of slavery is within the boundary of legislation. + +In the "Washington (D.C.) City Laws," page 138, is "AN ACT to prevent +horses from being cruelly beaten or abused." Similar laws have been +passed by corporations in many of the slave states, and throughout the +civilized world, such acts are punishable either as violations of common +law or of legislative enactments. If a legislature can pass laws "to +prevent _horses_ from being cruelly abused," it can pass laws to prevent +_men_ from being cruelly abused, and if it can _prevent_ cruel abuse, it +can define _what it is_. It can declare that to make men _work without +pay_ is cruel abuse, and can PROHIBIT it. + +5. THE COMPETENCY OF THE LAW-MAKING POWER TO ABOLISH SLAVERY, HAS BEEN +RECOGNIZED BY ALL THE SLAVEHOLDING STATES, EITHER DIRECTLY OR BY +IMPLICATION. Some States recognize it in their _Constitutions_, by +giving the legislature power to emancipate such slaves as may "have +rendered the state some distinguished service," and others by express +prohibitory restrictions. The Constitution of Mississippi, Arkansas, and +other States, restrict the power of the legislature in this respect. Why +this express prohibition, if the law-making power _cannot_ abolish +slavery? A stately farce indeed, with appropriate rites to induct into +the Constitution a special clause, for the express purpose of +restricting a nonentity!--to take from the law-making power what it +_never had_, and what _cannot_ pertain to it! The legislatures of those +States have no power to abolish slavery, simply because their +Constitutions have expressly _taken away_ that power. The people of +Arkansas, Mississippi, &c. well knew the competency of the law-making +power to abolish slavery, and hence their zeal to _restrict_ it. + +The slaveholding States have recognised this power in their _laws_. +Virginia passed a law in 1786 to prevent the importation of Slaves, of +which the following is an extract: "And be it further enacted that every +slave imported into this commonwealth contrary to the true intent and +meaning of this act, shall upon such importation become _free_." By a +law of Virginia, passed Dec. 17, 1792, a slave brought into the state +and kept _there a year_, was _free_. The Maryland Court of Appeals, +Dec., 1813 [case of Stewart vs. Oakes,] decided that a slave owned in +Maryland, and sent by his master into Virginia to work at different +periods, making one year in the whole, became _free_, being +_emancipated_ by the above law. North Carolina and Georgia in their acts +of cession, transferring to the United States the territory now +constituting the States of Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi, made it a +condition of the grant, that the provisions of the ordinance of '87 +should be secured to the inhabitants, _with the exception of the sixth +article which prohibits slavery_; thus conceding, both the competency of +law to abolish slavery, and the power of Congress to do it, within its +jurisdiction. (These acts show the prevalent belief at that time, in the +slaveholding States, that the general government had adopted a line of +policy aiming at the exclusion of slavery from the entire territory of +the United States, not included within the original States, and that +this policy would be pursued unless prevented by specific and formal +stipulation.) + +Slaveholding States have asserted this power _in their judicial +decisions_. In numerous cases their highest courts have decided that if +the legal owner of slaves takes them into those States where slavery has +been abolished either by law or by the constitution, such removal +emancipates them, such law or constitution abolishing their slavery. +This principle is asserted in the decision of the Supreme Court of +Louisiana, Lunsford vs. Coquillon, 14 Martin's La. Reps. 401. Also by +the Supreme Court of Virginia, Hunter vs. Fulcher, 1 Leigh's Reps. 172. +The same doctrine was laid down by Judge Washington, of the U. S. Sup. +Court, Butler vs. Hopper, Washington's C. C. Reps. 508; also, by the +Court of Appeals in Kentucky, Rankin vs. Lydia, 2 Marshall's Reps. 407; +see also, Wilson vs. Isbell, 5 Call's Reps. 425, Spotts vs. Gillespie, 6 +Randolph's Reps. 566. The State vs. Lasselle, 1 Blackford's Reps. 60, +Marie Louise vs. Mariot, 8 La. Reps. 475. In this case, which was tried +in 1836, the slave had been taken by her master to France and brought +back; Judge Matthews, of the Supreme Court of Louisiana, decided that +"residence for one moment" under the laws of France emancipated her. + +6. EMINENT STATESMEN, THEMSELVES SLAVEHOLDERS, HAVE CONCEDED THIS POWER. +Washington, in a letter to Robert Morris, April 12, 1786, says: "There +is not a man living, who wishes more sincerely than I do, to see a plan +adopted for the abolition of slavery; but there is only one proper and +effectual mode by which it can be accomplished, and that is by +_legislative_ authority." In a letter to Lafayette, May 10, 1786, he +says: "It (the abolition of slavery) certainly might, and assuredly +ought to be effected, and that too by _legislative_ authority." In a +letter to John Fenton Mercer, Sept. 9, 1786, he says: "It is among my +first wishes to see some plan adopted by which slavery in this country +may be abolished by _law_." In a letter to Sir John Sinclair, he says: +"There are in Pennsylvania, _laws_ for the gradual abolition of slavery, +which neither Maryland nor Virginia have at present, but which nothing +is more certain than that they _must have_, and at a period not remote." +Jefferson, speaking of movements in the Virginia Legislature in 1777, +for the passage of a law emancipating the slaves, says: "The principles +of the amendment were agreed on, that is to say, the freedom of all born +after a certain day; but it was found that the public mind would not +bear the proposition, yet the day is not far distant when _it must bear +and adopt it_."--Jefferson's Memoirs, v. i. p. 35. It is well known that +Jefferson, Pendleton, Mason, Wythe and Lee, while acting as a committee +of the Virginia House of Delegates to revise the State Laws, prepared a +plan for the gradual emancipation of the slaves by law. These men were +the great lights of Virginia. Mason, the author of the Virginia +Constitution; Pendleton, the President of the memorable Virginia +Convention in 1787, and President of the Virginia Court of Appeals; +Wythe was the Blackstone of the Virginia bench, for a quarter of a +century Chancellor of the State, the professor of law in the University +of William and Mary, and the preceptor of Jefferson, Madison, and Chief +Justice Marshall. He was the author of the celebrated remonstrance to +the English House of Commons on the subject of the stamp act. As to +Jefferson, his _name_ is his biography. + +Every slaveholding member of Congress from the States of Maryland, +Virginia, North and South Carolina, and Georgia, voted for the +celebrated ordinance of 1787, which abolished the slavery then existing +in the Northwest Territory. Patrick Henry, in his well known letter to +Robert Pleasants, of Virginia, January 18, 1773, says: "I believe a time +will come when an opportunity will be offered to abolish this lamentable +evil." William Pinkney, of Maryland, advocated the abolition of slavery +by law, in the legislature of that State, in 1789. Luther Martin urged +the same measure both in the Federal Convention, and in his report to +the Legislature of Maryland. In 1796, St. George Tucker, of Virginia, +professor of law in the University of William and Mary, and Judge of the +General Court, published a dissertation on slavery, urging the abolition +of slavery by _law_. + +John Jay, while New-York was yet a slave State, and himself in law a +slaveholder, said in a letter from Spain, in 1786, "An excellent law +might be made out of the Pennsylvania one, for the gradual abolition of +slavery. Were I in your legislature, I would present a bill for the +purpose, and I would never cease moving it till it became a law, or I +ceased to be a member." + +Governor Tompkins, in a message to the Legislature of New-York, January +8, 1812, said: "To devise the means for the gradual and ultimate +_extermination_ from amongst us of slavery, is a work worthy the +_representatives_ of a polished and enlightened nation." + +The Virginia Legislature asserted this power in 1832. At the close of a +month's debate, the following proceedings were had. I extract from an +editorial article in the Richmond Whig, Jan. 26, 1832. + +"The report of the Select Committee, adverse to legislation on the +subject of Abolition, was in these words: _Resolved_, as the opinion of +this Committee, that it is INEXPEDIENT FOR THE PRESENT, to make any +_legislative enactments for the abolition of slavery_." This Report Mr. +Preston moved to reverse, and thus to declare that it _was_ expedient, +_now_ to make legislative enactments for the abolition of slavery. This +was meeting the question in its strongest form. It demanded action, and +immediate action. On this proposition the vote was 58 to 73. Many of the +most decided friends of abolition voted against the amendment, because +they thought public opinion not sufficiently prepared for it, and that +it might prejudice the cause to move too rapidly. The vote on Mr. +Witcher's motion to postpone the whole subject indefinitely, indicates +the true state of opinion in the House. That was the test question, and +was so intended and proclaimed by its mover. That motion was +_negatived_, 71 to 60; showing a majority of 11, who by that vote, +declared their belief that at the proper time, and in the proper mode, +Virginia ought to commence a system of gradual abolition. + +7. THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES HAVE ASSERTED THIS POWER. The +ordinance of '87, declaring that there should be "neither slavery nor +involuntary servitude," in the North Western Territory, abolished the +slavery then existing there. The Sup. Court of Mississippi, [Harvey vs. +Decker, Walker's Mi. Reps. 36,] declared that the ordinance of '87 +emancipated the slaves then held there. In this decision the question is +argued ably and at great length. The Supreme Court of La. made the same +decision in the case of Forsyth vs. Nash, 4 Martin's La. Reps. 385. The +same doctrine was laid down by Judge Porter, (late United States Senator +from La.,) in his decision at the March term of the La. Supreme Court, +1830, Merry vs. Chexnaider, 20 Martin's Reps. 699. + +That the ordinance abolished the slavery then existing there is also +shown by the fact, that persons holding slaves in the territory +petitioned for the repeal of the article abolishing slavery, assigning +_that_ as a reason. "The petition of the citizens of Randolph and St. +Clair counties in the Illinois country, stating that they were in +possession of slaves, and praying the repeal of that act (the 6th +article of the ordinance of '87) and the passage of a law legalizing +slavery there." [Am. State papers, Public Lands, v. 1. p. 69.] Congress +passed this ordinance before the United States' Constitution was +adopted, when it derived all its authority from the articles of +Confederation, which conferred powers of legislation far more restricted +than those committed to Congress over the District and Territories by +the United States' Constitution. Now, we ask, how does the Constitution +_abridge_ the powers which Congress possessed under the articles of +confederation? + +The abolition of the slave trade by Congress, in 1808, is another +illustration of the competency of legislative power to abolish slavery. +The African slave trade has become such a mere _technic_, in common +parlance, that the fact of its being _proper slavery_ is overlooked. The +buying and selling, the transportation, and the horrors of the middle +passage, were mere _incidents_ of the slavery in which the victims were +held. Let things be called by their own names. When Congress abolished +the African slave trade, it abolished SLAVERY--supreme slavery--power +frantic with license, trampling a whole hemisphere scathed with its +fires, and running down with blood. True, Congress did not, in the +abolition of the slave trade, abolish all the slavery within its +jurisdiction, but it did abolish _all_ the slavery _in one_ part of its +jurisdiction. What has rifled it of power to abolish slavery in +_another_ part of its jurisdiction, especially in that part where it has +"exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever?" + +8. THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES RECOGNIZES THIS POWER BY THE +MOST CONCLUSIVE IMPLICATION. In Art. 1, sec. 3, clause 1, it prohibits +the abolition of the slave trade previous to 1808: thus implying the +power of Congress to do it at once, but for the restriction; and its +power to do it _unconditionally_, when that restriction ceased. Again; +In Art. 4, sec. 2, "No person held to service or labor in one state +under the laws thereof, escaping into another, shall in consequence of +any law or regulation therein, be discharged from said service or +labor." This clause was inserted, as all admit, to prevent the runaway +slave from being emancipated by the _laws_ of the free states. If these +laws had _no power_ to emancipate, why this constitutional guard to +prevent it? + +The insertion of the clause, was the testimony of the eminent jurists +that framed the Constitution, to the existence of the _power_, and their +public proclamation, that the abolition of slavery was within the +appropriate sphere of legislation. The right of the owner to that which +is rightfully property, is founded on a principle of _universal law_, +and is recognized and protected by all civilized nations; property in +slaves is, by general consent, an _exception_; hence slaveholders +insisted upon the insertion of this clause in the United States' +Constitution, that they might secure by an _express provision_, that +from which protection is withheld, by the acknowledged principles of +universal law.[A] By demanding this provision, slaveholders consented +that their slaves should not be recognized as property by the United +States' Constitution, and hence they found their claim, on the fact of +their being "_persons_, and _held_ to service." + +[Footnote A: The fact, that under the articles of Confederation, +slaveholders, whose slaves had escaped into free states, had no legal +power to force them back,--that _now_ they have no power to recover, by +process of law, their slaves who escape to Canada, the South American +States, or to Europe--the case already cited, in which the Supreme Court +of Louisiana decided, that residence "_for one moment_," under the laws +of France emancipated an American slave--the case of Fulton, _vs._ +Lewis, 3 Har. and John's Reps., 56, where the slave of a St. Domingo +slaveholder, who brought him to Maryland in '93, was pronounced free by +the Maryland Court of Appeals--are illustrations of the acknowledged +truth here asserted, that by the consent of the civilized world, and on +the principles of universal law, slaves are not "_property_," and that +whenever held as property under _law_, it is only by _positive +legislative acts_, forcibly setting aside the law of nature, the common +law, and the principles of universal justice and right between man and +man,--principles paramount to all law, and from which alone, law derives +its intrinsic authoritative sanction.] + +9. CONGRESS HAS UNQUESTIONABLE POWER TO ADOPT THE COMMON LAW, AS THE +LEGAL SYSTEM, WITHIN ITS EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION.--This has been done, +with certain restrictions, in most of the States, either by legislative +acts or by constitutional implication. THE COMMON LAW KNOWS NO SLAVES. +Its principles annihilate slavery wherever they touch it. It is a +universal, unconditional, abolition act. Wherever slavery is a legal +system, it is so only by _statute_ law, and in violation of the common +law. The declaration of Lord Chief Justice Holt, that, "by the common +law, no man can have property in another," is an acknowledged axiom, and +based upon the well known common law definition of property. "The +subjects of dominion or property are _things_, as contra-distinguished +from _persons_." Let Congress adopt the common law in the District of +Columbia, and slavery there is abolished. Congress may well be at home +in common law legislation, for the common law is the grand element of +the United States' Constitution. All its _fundamental_ provisions are +instinct with its spirit; and its existence, principles, and paramount +authority, are presupposed and assumed throughout the whole. The +preamble of the Constitution plants the standard of the Common Law +immovably in its foreground. "We, the people of the United States, in +order to ESTABLISH JUSTICE, &c., do ordain and establish this +Constitution;" thus proclaiming _devotion_ to JUSTICE, as the +controlling motive in the organization of the Government, and its secure +establishment the chief object of its aims. By this most solemn +recognition, the common law, that grand legal embodyment of "justice" +and fundamental right--was made the groundwork of the Constitution, and +intrenched behind its strongest munitions. The second clause of Sec. 9, +Art. 1; Sec. 4, Art. 2, and the last clause of Sec. 2, Art. 3, with +Articles 7, 8, 9, and 13 of the Amendments, are also express +recognitions of the common law as the presiding Genius of the +Constitution. + +By adopting the common law within its exclusive jurisdiction Congress +would carry out the principles of our glorious Declaration, and follow +the highest precedents in our national history and jurisprudence. It is +a political maxim as old as civil legislation, that laws should be +strictly homogeneous with the principles of the government whose will +they express, embodying and carrying them out--being indeed the +_principles themselves_, in preceptive form--representatives alike of +the nature and power of the Government--standing illustrations of its +genius and spirit, while they proclaim and enforce its authority. Who +needs be told that slavery makes war upon the principles of the +Declaration, and the spirit of the Constitution, and that these and the +principles of the common law gravitate towards each other with +irrepressible affinities, and mingle into one? The common law came +hither with our pilgrim fathers; it was their birthright, their panoply, +their glory, and their song of rejoicing in the house of their +pilgrimage. It covered them in the day of their calamity, and their +trust was under the shadow of its wings. From the first settlement of +the country, the genius of our institutions and our national spirit have +claimed it as a common possession, and exulted in it with a common +pride. A century ago, Governor Pownall, one of the most eminent +constitutional jurists of colonial times, said of the common law, "In +all the colonies the common law is received as the foundation and main +body of their law." In the Declaration of Rights, made by the +Continental Congress at its first session in '74, there was the +following resolution: "Resolved, That the respective colonies are +entitled to the common law of England, and especially to the great and +inestimable privilege of being tried by their peers of the vicinage +according to the course of that law." Soon after the organization of the +general government, Chief Justice Ellsworth, in one of his decisions on +the bench of the U. S. Sup. Court, said: "The common law of this country +remains the same as it was before the revolution." Chief Justice +Marshall, in his decision in the case of Livingston _vs._ Jefferson, +said: "When our ancestors migrated to America, they brought with them +the common law of their native country, so far as it was applicable to +their new situation, and I do not conceive that the revolution in any +degree changed the relations of man to man, or the law which regulates +them. In breaking our political connection with the parent state, we did +not break our connection with each other." [_Hall's Law Journal, new +series_.] Mr. Duponceau, in his "Dissertation on the Jurisdiction of +Courts in the United States," says, "I consider the common law of +England the _jus commune_ of the United States. I think I can lay it +down as a correct principle, that the common law of England, as it was +at the time of the Declaration of Independence, still continues to be +the national law of this country, so far as it is applicable to our +present state, and subject to the modifications it has received here in +the course of nearly half a century." Chief Justice Taylor of North +Carolina, in his decision in the case of the State _vs._ Reed, in 1823, +Hawkes' N.C. Reps. 454, says, "a law of _paramount, obligation to the +statute_, was violated by the offence--COMMON LAW, founded upon the law +of nature, and confirmed by revelation." The legislation of the United +States abounds in recognitions of the principles of the common law, +asserting their paramount binding power. Sparing details, of which our +national state papers are full, we illustrate by a single instance. It +was made a condition of the admission of Louisiana into the Union, that +the right of trial by jury should be secured to all her citizens,--the +United States government thus employing its power to enlarge the +jurisdiction of the common law in this its great representative. + +Having shown that the abolition of slavery is within the competency of +the law-making power, when unrestricted by constitutional provisions, +and that the legislation of Congress over the District is thus +unrestricted, its power to abolish slavery there is established. We +argue it further, from the fact that, + +10. SLAVERY NOW EXISTS IN THE DISTRICT BY AN ACT OF CONGRESS. In the act +of 16th July, 1790, Congress accepted portions of territory offered by +the states of Maryland and Virginia, and enacted that the laws, as they +then were, should continue in force, "until Congress shall otherwise by +law provide." Under these laws, adopted by Congress, and in effect +re-enacted and made laws of the District, the slaves there are now held. + +Is Congress so impotent in its own "exclusive jurisdiction" that it +cannot "otherwise by law provide?" If it can say, what _shall_ be +considered property, it can say what shall _not_ be considered property. +Suppose a legislature should enact that marriage contracts should be +mere bills of sale, making a husband the proprietor of his wife, as his +_bona fide_ property; and suppose husbands should herd their wives in +droves for the market as beasts of burden, or for the brothel as victims +of lust, and then prate about their inviolable legal property, and deny +the power of the legislature, which stamped them "property," to undo its +own wrong, and secure to wives by law the rights of human beings. Would +such cant about "legal rights" be heeded where reason and justice held +sway, and where law, based upon fundamental morality, received homage? +If a frantic legislature pronounces woman a chattel, has it no power, +with returning reason, to take back the blasphemy? Is the impious edict +irrepealable? Be it, that with legal forms it has stamped wives "wares." +Can no legislation blot out the brand? Must the handwriting of Deity on +human nature be expunged for ever? Has LAW no power to stay the erasing +pen, and tear off the scrawled label that covers up the IMAGE OF GOD? + +II. THE POWER OF CONGRESS TO ABOLISH SLAVERY IN THE DISTRICT HAS BEEN, +TILL RECENTLY, UNIVERSALLY CONCEDED. + +1. It has been assumed by Congress itself. The following record stands +on the journals of the House of Representatives for 1804, p. 225: "On +motion made and seconded that the House do come to the following +resolution: 'Resolved, That from and after the 4th day of July, 1805, +all blacks and people of color that shall be born within the District of +Columbia, or whose mothers shall be the property of any person residing +within the said District, shall be free, the males at the age of ----, +and the females at the age of ----. The main question being taken that +the House do agree to said motions as originally proposed, it was +negatived by a majority of 46.'" Though the motion was lost, it was on +the ground of its alleged _inexpediency_ alone. In the debate which +preceded the vote, the power of Congress was conceded. In March, 1816, +the House of Representatives passed the following resolution: "Resolved, +That a committee be appointed to inquire into the existence of an +inhuman and illegal traffic in slaves, carried on in and through the +District of Columbia, and to report whether any and what measures are +necessary for _putting a stop to the same_." + +On the 9th of January, 1829, the House of Representatives passed the +following resolution by a vote of 114 to 66: "Resolved, That the +Committee on the District of Columbia, be instructed to inquire into the +_expediency_ of providing by _law_ for the gradual abolition of slavery +within the District, in such a manner that the interests of no +individual shall be injured thereby." Among those who voted in the +affirmative were Messrs. Barney of Md., Armstrong of Va., A.H. Shepperd +of N.C., Blair of Tenn., Chilton and Lyon of Ky., Johns of Del., and +others from slave states. + +2. IT HAS BEEN CONCEDED BY COMMITTEES OF CONGRESS, ON THE DISTRICT OF +COLUMBIA.--In a report of the committee on the District, Jan. 11, 1837, +by their chairman, Mr. Powell of Va., there is the following +declaration: "The Congress of the United States, has by the constitution +exclusive jurisdiction over the District, and has power upon this +subject (_slavery_,) as upon all other subjects of legislation, to +exercise _unlimited discretion_." Reports of Comms. 2d Sess. 19th Cong. +v. iv. No. 43. In December, 1831, the committee on the District, Mr. +Doddridge of Va., Chairman, reported, "That until the adjoining states +act on the subject, (_slavery_) it would be (not _unconstitutional_ but) +unwise and impolitic, if not unjust, for Congress to interfere." In +April, 1836, a special committee on abolition memorials reported the +following resolutions by their Chairman, Mr. Pinckney of South Carolina: +"Resolved, That Congress possesses no constitutional authority to +interfere in any way with the institution of slavery in any of the +states of this confederacy." + +"Resolved, That Congress _ought not to interfere_ in any way with +slavery in the District of Columbia." "Ought not to interfere," +carefully avoiding the phraseology of the first resolution, and thus in +effect conceding the constitutional power. In a widely circulated +"Address to the electors of the Charleston District," Mr. Pinkney is +thus denounced by his own constituents: "He has proposed a resolution +which is received by the plain common sense of the whole country as a +concession that Congress has authority to abolish slavery in the +District of Columbia." + +3. IT HAS BEEN CONCEDED BY THE CITIZENS OF THE DISTRICT. A petition for +the gradual abolition of slavery in the District, signed by nearly +eleven hundred of its citizens, was presented to Congress, March 24, +1827. Among the signers to this petition, were Chief Justice Cranch, +Judge Van Ness, Judge Morsel, Prof. J.M. Staughton, and a large number +of the most influential inhabitants of the District. Mr. Dickson, of New +York, asserted on the floor of Congress in 1835, that the signers to +this petition owned more than half the property in the District. The +accuracy of this statement has never been questioned. + +THIS POWER HAS BEEN CONCEDED BY GRAND JURIES OF THE DISTRICT. The grand +jury of the county of Alexandria, at the March term, 1802, presented the +domestic slaves trade as a grievance, and said, "We consider these +grievances demanding _legislative_ redress." Jan. 19, 1829, Mr. +Alexander, of Virginia, presented a representation of the grand jury in +the city of Washington, remonstrating against "any measure for the +abolition of slavery within said District, unless accompanied by +measures for the removal of the emancipated from the same;" thus, not +only conceding the power to emancipate slaves, but affirming an +additional power, that of _excluding them when free_. Journal H. R. +1828-9, p. 174. + +4. THIS POWER HAS BEEN CONCEDED BY STATE LEGISLATURES. In 1828 the +Legislature of Pennsylvania instructed their Senators in Congress "to +procure, if practicable, the passage of a law to abolish slavery in the +District of Columbia." Jan. 28, 1829, the House of Assembly of New York +passed a resolution, that their "Senators in Congress be instructed to +make every possible exertion to effect the passage of a law for the +abolition of Slavery in the District of Columbia." In February, 1837, +the Senate of Massachusetts "Resolved, That Congress having exclusive +legislation in the District of Columbia, possess the right to abolish +slavery and the slave trade therein." The House of Representatives +passed the following resolution at the same session: "Resolved, That +Congress having exclusive legislation in the District of Columbia, +possess the right to abolish slavery in said District." November 1, +1837, the Legislature of Vermont, "Resolved that Congress have the full +power by the constitution to abolish slavery and the slave trade in the +District of Columbia, and in the territories." + +In May, 1838, the Legislature of Connecticut passed a resolution +asserting the power of Congress to abolish slavery in the District +of Columbia. + +In January, 1836, the Legislature of South Carolina "Resolved, That we +should consider the abolition of Slavery in the District of Columbia as +a violation of the rights of the citizens of that District derived from +the _implied_ conditions on which that territory was ceded to the +General Government." Instead of denying the constitutional power, they +virtually admit its existence, by striving to smother it under an +_implication_. In February, 1836, the Legislature of North Carolina +"Resolved, That, although by the Constitution _all legislative power_ +over the District of Columbia is vested in the Congress of the United +States, yet we would deprecate any legislative action on the part of +that body towards liberating the slaves of that District, as a breach of +faith towards those States by whom the territory was originally ceded. +Here is a full concession of the _power_. February 2, 1836, the Virginia +Legislature passed unanimously the following resolution: "Resolved, by +the General Assembly of Virginia, that the following article be proposed +to the several states of this Union, and to Congress, as an amendment of +the Constitution of the United States:" "The powers of Congress shall not +be so construed as to authorize the passage of any law for the +emancipation of slaves in the District of Columbia, without the consent +of the individual proprietors thereof, unless by the sanction of the +Legislatures of Virginia and Maryland, and under such conditions as they +shall by law prescribe." + +Fifty years after the formation of the United States' constitution the +states are solemnly called upon by the Virginia Legislature, to amend +that instrument by a clause asserting that, in the grant to Congress of +"exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever" over the District, the +"case" of slavery is not included!! What could have dictated such a +resolution but the conviction that the power to abolish slavery is an +irresistible inference from the constitution _as it is?_ The fact that +the same legislature, passed afterward a resolution, though by no means +unanimously, that Congress does not possess the power, abates not a +title of the testimony in the first resolution. March 23d, 1824, "Mr. +Brown presented the resolutions of the General Assembly of Ohio, +recommending to Congress the consideration of a system for the gradual +emancipation of persons of color held in servitude in the United +States." On the same day, "Mr. Noble, of Indiana, communicated a +resolution from the legislature of that state, respecting the gradual +emancipation of slaves within the United States." Journal of the United +States' Senate, for 1824-5, p.231. + +The Ohio and Indiana resolutions, by taking for granted the _general_ +power of Congress over the subject of slavery, do virtually assert its +_special_ power within its _exclusive_ jurisdiction. + +5. THIS POWER HAS BEEN CONCEDED BY BODIES OF CITIZENS IN THE SLAVE +STATES. The petition of eleven hundred citizens of the District, has +been already mentioned. "March 5,1830, Mr. Washington presented a +memorial of inhabitants of the county of Frederick, in the state of +Maryland, praying that provision be made for the gradual abolition of +slavery in the District of Columbia." Journal H.R. 1829-30, p. 358. + +March 30, 1828. Mr. A.H. Shepperd, of North Carolina, presented a +memorial of citizens of that state, "praying Congress to take measures +for the entire abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia." +Journal H.R. 1829-30, p. 379. + +January 14, 1822. Mr. Rhea, of Tennessee, presented a memorial of +citizens of that state, praying that "provision may be made, whereby all +slaves that may hereafter be born in the District of Columbia, shall be +free at a certain period of their lives." Journal H.R. 1821-22, p.142. + +December 13, 1824. Mr. Saunders of North Carolina, presented a memorial +of the citizens of that state, praying "that measures may be taken for +the gradual abolition of slavery in the United States." Journal H.R. +1824-25, p.27. + +December 16, 1828. "Mr. Barnard presented the memorial of the American +Convention for promoting the abolition of slavery, held in Baltimore, +praying that slavery may be abolished in the District of Columbia." +Journal U.S. Senate, 1828-29, p.24. + +6. DISTINGUISHED STATESMEN AND JURISTS IN THE SLAVEHOLDING STATES, HAVE +CONCEDED THIS POWER. The testimony Of Messrs. Doddridge, and Powell, of +Virginia, Chief Justice Cranch, and Judges Morsel and Van Ness, of the +District, has already been given. In the debate in Congress on the +memorial of the Society of Friends, in 1790, Mr. Madison, in speaking of +the territories of the United States, explicitly declared, from his own +knowledge of the views of the members of the convention that framed the +constitution, as well as from the obvious import of its terms, that in +the territories, "Congress have certainly the power to regulate the +subject of slavery." Congress can have no more power over the +territories than that of "exclusive legislation in all cases +whatsoever," consequently, according to Mr. Madison, "it has certainly +the power to regulate the subject of slavery in the" _District_. In +March, 1816, Mr. Randolph of Virginia, introduced a resolution for +putting a stop to the domestic slave trade within the District. December +12, 1827, Mr. Barney, of Maryland, presented a memorial for abolition in +the District, and moved that it be printed. Mr. McDuffie, of S.C., +objected to the printing, but "expressly admitted the right of Congress +to grant to the people of the District any measure which they might deem +necessary to free themselves from the deplorable evil."--[See letter of +Mr. Claiborne of Miss. to his constituents published in the Washington +Globe, May 9, 1836.] The sentiments of Mr. Clay of Kentucky, on the +subject are well known. In a speech before the U.S. Senate, in 1836, he +declared the power of Congress to abolish slavery in the District +"unquestionable." Messrs. Blair, of Tennessee, and Chilton, Lyon, and +R.M. Johnson, of Kentucky, A.H. Shepperd, of N.C., Messrs. Armstrong and +Smyth of Va., Messrs. Dorsey, Archer, and Barney, of Md., and Johns, of +Del., with numerous others from slave states have asserted the power of +Congress to abolish slavery in the District. In the speech of Mr. Smyth, +of Virginia, on the Missouri question, January 28, 1820, he says on this +point: "If the future freedom of the blacks is your real object, and not +a mere pretence, why do you begin _here_? Within the ten miles square, +you have _undoubted power_ to exercise exclusive legislation. _Produce a +bill to emancipate the slaves in the District of Columbia_, or, if you +prefer it, to emancipate those born hereafter." + +To this may be added the testimony of the present Vice President of the +United States, Hon. Richard M. Johnson, of Kentucky. In a speech before +the U.S. Senate, February 1, 1820, (National Intelligencer, April 29, +1829,) he says: "In the District of Columbia, containing a population of +30,000 souls, and probably as many slaves as the whole territory of +Missouri, THE POWER OF PROVIDING FOR THEIR EMANCIPATION RESTS WITH +CONGRESS ALONE. Why then, this heart-rending sympathy for the slaves of +Missouri, and this cold insensibility, this eternal apathy, towards the +slaves in the District of Columbia?" + +It is quite unnecessary to add, that the most distinguished northern +statesmen of both political parties, have always affirmed the power of +Congress to abolish slavery in the District. President Van Buren in his +letter of March 6, 1836, to a committee of Gentlemen in North Carolina, +says, "I would not, from the light now before me, feel myself safe in +pronouncing that Congress does not possess the power of abolishing +slavery in the District of Columbia." This declaration of the President +is consistent with his avowed sentiments touching the Missouri question, +on which he coincided with such men as Daniel D. Thompkins, De Witt +Clinton, and others, whose names are a host.[A] It is consistent, also +with his recommendation in his last message, in which speaking of the +District, he strongly urges upon Congress "a thorough and careful +revision of its local government," speaks of the "entire independence" +of the people of the District "upon Congress," recommends that a +"uniform system of local government" be adopted, and adds, that +"although it was selected as the seat of the General Government, the +site of its public edifices, the depository of its archives, and the +residences of officers intrusted with large amounts of public property, +and the management of public business, yet it never has been subjected +to, or received, that _special_ and _comprehensive_ legislation which +these circumstances peculiarly demanded." + +[Footnote A: Mr. Van Buren, when a member of the Senate of New-York, +voted for the following preamble and resolutions, which passed +unanimously:--Jan. 28th, 1820. "Whereas the inhibiting the further +extension of slavery in the United States, is a subject of deep concern +to the people of this state: and whereas, we consider slavery as an evil +much to be deplored, and that _every constitutional barrier should be +interposed to prevent its further extension_: and that the constitution +of the United States _clearly gives Congress the right_ to require new +states, not comprised within the original boundary of the United States, +to _make the prohibition of slavery_ a condition of their admission into +the Union: Therefore, + + Resolved, That our Senators be instructed, and our members of + Congress be requested, to oppose the admission as a state into the + Union, of any territory not comprised as aforesaid, without making + _the prohibition of slavery_ therein an indispensible condition of + admission." +] + +The tenor of Mr. Tallmadge's speech on the right of petition, and of Mr. +Webster's on the reception of abolition memorials, may be taken as +universal exponents of the sentiments of northern statesmen as to the +power of Congress to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia. + +An explicit declaration, that an "_overwhelming majority_" of the +_present_ Congress concede the power to abolish slavery in the District +has just been made by Robert Barnwell Rhett, a member of Congress from +South Carolina, in a letter published in the Charleston Mercury of Dec. +27, 1837. The following is an extract: + +"The time has arrived when we must have new guaranties under the +constitution, or the Union must be dissolved. _Our views of the +constitution are not those of the majority_. AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY +_think that by the constitution, Congress may abolish slavery in the +District of Columbia--may abolish the slave trade between the States; +that is, it may prohibit their being carried out of the State in which +they are--and prohibit it in all the territories, Florida among them. +They think_, NOT WITHOUT STRONG REASONS, _that the power of Congress +extends to all of these subjects_." + +_Direct testimony_ to show that the power of Congress to abolish slavery +in the District, has always till recently been _universally conceded_, +is perhaps quite superfluous. We subjoin, however, the following: + +The Vice-President of the United States in his speech on the Missouri +question, quoted above, after contending that the restriction of slavery +in Missouri would be unconstitutional, declares, that the power of +Congress over slavery in the District "COULD NOT BE QUESTIONED." In the +speech of Mr. Smyth, of Va., also quoted above, he declares the power of +Congress to abolish slavery in the District to be "UNDOUBTED." + +Mr. Sutherland, of Penn., in a speech in the House of Representatives, +on the motion to print Mr. Pinckney's Report, is thus reported in the +Washington Globe, of May 9th, '36. "He replied to the remark that the +report conceded that Congress had a right to legislate upon the subject +in the District of Columbia, and said that SUCH A RIGHT HAD NEVER BEEN, +TILL RECENTLY, DENIED." + +The American Quarterly Review, published at Philadelphia, with a large +circulation and list of contributors in the slave states, holds the +following language in the September No. 1833, p. 55: "Under this +'exclusive jurisdiction,' granted by the constitution, Congress has +power to abolish slavery and the slave trade in the District of +Columbia. It would hardly be necessary to state this as a distinct +proposition, had it not been occasionally questioned. The truth of the +assertion, however, is too obvious to admit of argument--and we believe +has NEVER BEEN DISPUTED BY PERSONS WHO ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE +CONSTITUTION." + +OBJECTIONS TO THE FOREGOING CONCLUSIONS CONSIDERED. + +We now proceed to notice briefly the main arguments that have been +employed in Congress and elsewhere against the power of Congress to +abolish slavery in the District. One of the most plausible is, that "the +conditions on which Maryland and Virginia ceded the District to the +United States, would be violated, if Congress should abolish slavery +there." The reply to this is, that Congress had no power to _accept_ a +cession coupled with conditions restricting that "power of exclusive +legislation in all cases whatsoever, over such District," which was +given it by the constitution. + +To show the futility of the objection, we insert here the acts of +cession. The cession of Maryland was made in November, 1788, and is as +follows: "An act to cede to Congress a district of ten miles square in +this state for the seat of the government of the United States." + +"Be it enacted, by the General Assembly of Maryland, that the +representatives of this state in the House of Representatives of the +Congress of the United States, appointed to assemble at New-York, on the +first Wednesday of March next, be, and they are; hereby authorized and +required on the behalf of this state, to cede to the Congress of the +United States, any district in this state, not exceeding ten miles +square, which the Congress may fix upon, and accept for the seat of +government of the United States." Laws of Md., v. 2., c. 46. + +The cession of Virginia was made on the 3d of December, 1788, in the +following words: + +"Be it enacted by the General Assembly, That a tract of country, not +exceeding ten miles square, or any lesser quantity, to be located within +the limits of the State, and in any part thereof; as Congress may, by +law, direct, shall be, and the same is hereby forever ceded and +relinquished to the Congress and Government of the United States, in +full and absolute right, and exclusive jurisdiction, as well of soil, as +of persons residing or to reside thereon, pursuant to the tenor and +effect of the eighth section of the first article of the government of +the constitution of the United States." + +But were there no provisos to these acts? The Maryland act had _none_. +The Virginia act had this proviso: "Sect. 2. Provided, that nothing +herein contained, shall be construed to vest in the United States any +right of property in the soil, or to affect the rights of individuals +_therein_, otherwise than the same shall or may be transferred by such +individuals to the United States." + +This specification touching the soil was merely definitive and +explanatory of that clause in the act of cession, "_full and absolute +right_." Instead of restraining the power of Congress on _slavery_ and +other subjects, it even gives it freer course; for exceptions to _parts_ +of a rule, give double confirmation to those parts not embraced in the +exceptions. If it was the _design_ of the proviso to restrict +congressional action on the subject of _slavery_, why is the _soil +alone_ specified? As legal instruments are not paragons of economy in +words, might not "John Doe," out of his abundance, and without spoiling +his style, have afforded an additional word--at least a hint--that +slavery was _meant_, though nothing was said about it? + +But again, Maryland and Virginia, in their acts of cession, declare them +to be made "in pursuance of" that clause of the constitution which gives +to Congress "exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever" over the ten +miles square--thus, instead of _restricting_ that clause, both States +_confirm_ it. Now, their acts of cession either accorded with that +clause of the constitution, or they conflicted with it. If they +conflicted with it, _accepting_ the cessions was a violation of the +constitution. The fact that Congress accepted the cessions, proves that +in its views their _terms_ did not conflict with its constitutional +grant of power. The inquiry whether these acts of cession were +consistent or inconsistent with the United Status' constitution, is +totally irrelevant to the question at issue. What with the CONSTITUTION? +That is the question. Not, what with Virginia, or Maryland, or--equally +to the point--John Bull! If Maryland and Virginia had been the +authorized interpreters of the constitution for the Union, these acts of +cession could hardly have been more magnified than they have been +recently by the southern delegation in Congress. A true understanding of +the constitution can be had, forsooth, only by holding it up in the +light of Maryland and Virginia legislation! + +We are told, again, that those States would not have ceded the District +if they had supposed the constitution gave Congress power to abolish +slavery in it. + +This comes with an ill grace from Maryland and Virginia. They _knew_ the +constitution. They were parties to it. They had sifted it, clause by +clause, in their State conventions. They had weighed its words in the +balance--they had tested them as by fire; and, finally, after long +pondering, they adopted the constitution. And _afterward_, self-moved, +they ceded the ten miles square, and declared the cession made "in +pursuance of" that oft-cited clause, "Congress shall have power to +exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever over such +District." And now verily "they would not have ceded if they had +_supposed_!" &c. Cede it they _did_, and in "full and absolute right +both of soil and persons." Congress accepted the cession--state power +over the District ceased, and congressional power over it +commenced,--and now, the sole question to be settled is, the _amount of +power over the District lodged in Congress by the constitution_. The +constitution--THE CONSTITUTION--that is the point. Maryland and Virginia +"suppositions" must be potent suppositions to abrogate a clause of the +United States' Constitution! That clause either gives Congress power to +abolish slavery in the District, or it does _not_--and that point is to +be settled, not by state "suppositions," nor state usages, nor state +legislation, but _by the terms of the clause themselves_. + +Southern members of Congress, in the recent discussions, have conceded +the power of a contingent abolition in the District, by suspending it +upon the _consent_ of the people. Such a doctrine from _declaimers_ like +Messrs. Alford, of Georgia, and Walker, of Mississippi, would excite no +surprise; but that it should be honored with the endorsement of such men +as Mr. Rives and Mr. Calhoun, is quite unaccountable. Are attributes of +sovereignty mere creatures of contingency? Is delegated authority mere +conditional permission? Is a constitutional power to be exercised by +those who hold it, only by popular sufferance? Must it lie helpless at +the pool of public sentiment, waiting the gracious troubling of its +waters? Is it a lifeless corpse, save only when popular "consent" deigns +to puff breath into its nostrils? Besides, if the consent of the people +of the District be necessary, the consent of the _whole_ people must be +had--not that of a majority, however large. Majorities, to be +authoritative, must be _legal_--and a legal majority without legislative +power, or right of representation, or even the electoral franchise, +would be truly an anomaly! In the District of Columbia, such a thing as +a majority in a legal sense is unknown to law. To talk of the power of a +majority, or the will of a majority there, is mere mouthing. A majority? +Then it has an authoritative will, and an organ to make it known, and an +executive to carry it into effect--Where are they? We repeat it--if the +consent of the people of the District be necessary, the consent of +_every one_ is necessary--and _universal_ consent will come only with +the Greek Kalends and a "perpetual motion." A single individual might +thus perpetuate slavery in defiance of the expressed will of a whole +people. The most common form of this fallacy is given by Mr. Wise, of +Virginia, in his speech, February 16, 1835, in which he denied the power +of Congress to abolish slavery in the District, unless the inhabitants +owning slaves petitioned for it!! Southern members of Congress at the +present session (1837-8) ring changes almost daily upon the same +fallacy. What! pray Congress _to use_ a power which it _has not_? "It is +required of a man according to what he _hath_," saith the Scripture. I +commend Mr. Wise to Paul for his ethics. Would that he had got his +_logic_ of him! If Congress does not possess the power, why taunt it +with its weakness, by asking its exercise? Petitioning, according to Mr. +Wise, is, in matters of legislation, omnipotence itself; the very +_source_ of all constitutional power; for, _asking_ Congress to do what +it _cannot_ do, gives it the power!--to pray the exercise of a power +that is _not, creates_ it! A beautiful theory! Let us work it both ways. +If to petition for the exercise of a power that is _not_, creates it--to +petition against the exercise of a power that _is_, annihilates it. As +southern gentlemen are partial to summary processes, pray, sirs, try the +virtue of your own recipe on "exclusive legislation in all cases +whatsoever;" a better subject for experiment and test of the +prescription could not be had. But if the petitions of the citizens of +the District give Congress the _right_ to abolish slavery, they impose +the _duty_; if they confer constitutional _authority_, they create +constitutional _obligation_. If Congress _may_ abolish because of an +expression of their will, it _must_ abolish at the bidding of that will. +If the people of the District are a _source of power_ to Congress, their +_expressed will_ has the force of a constitutional provision, and has +the same binding power upon the National Legislature. To make Congress +dependent on the District for authority, is to make it a _subject_ of +its authority, restraining the exercise of its own discretion, and +sinking it into a mere organ of the District's will. We proceed to +another objection. + +"_The southern states would not have ratified the constitution, if they +had supposed that it gave this power_." It is a sufficient answer to +this objection, that the northern states would not have ratified it, if +they had supposed that it _withheld_ the power. If "suppositions" are to +take the place of the constitution--coming from both sides, they +neutralize each other. To argue a constitutional question by _guessing_ +at the "suppositions" that might have been made by the parties to it +would find small favor in a court of law. But even a desperate shift is +some easement when sorely pushed. If this question is to be settled by +"suppositions," suppositions shall be forthcoming, and that +without stint. + +First, then, I affirm that the North ratified the constitution, +"supposing" that slavery had begun to wax old, and would speedily vanish +away, and especially that the abolition of the slave trade, which by the +constitution was to be surrendered to Congress after twenty years, would +plunge it headlong. + +Would the North have adopted the constitution, giving three-fifths of +the "slave property" a representation, if it had "supposed" that the +slaves would have increased from half a million to two millions and a +half by 1838--and that the census of 1840 would give to the slave states +thirty representatives of "slave property?" + +If they had "supposed" that this representation would have controlled +the legislation of the government, and carried against the North every +question vital to its interests, would Hamilton, Franklin, Sherman, +Gerry, Livingston, Langdon, and Rufus King have been such madmen, as to +sign the constitution, and the Northern States such suicides as to +ratify it? Every self-preserving instinct would have shrieked at such an +infatuate immolation. At the adoption of the United States constitution, +slavery was regarded as a fast waning system. This conviction was +universal. Washington, Jefferson, Henry, Grayson, Tucker, Madison, +Wythe, Pendleton, Lee, Blair, Mason, Page, Parker, Randolph, Iredell, +Spaight, Ramsey, Pinkney, Martin, McHenry, Chase, and nearly all the +illustrious names south of the Potomac, proclaimed it before the sun. A +reason urged in the convention that formed the United States' +constitution, why the word slave should not be used in it, was, _that +when slavery should cease_ there might remain upon the National Charter +no record that it had ever been. (See speech of Mr. Burrill, of R.I., on +the Missouri question.) + +I now proceed to show by testimony, that at the date of the United +States' constitution, and for several years before and after that +period, slavery was rapidly on the wane; that the American Revolution +with the great events preceding, accompanying, and following it, had +wrought an immense and almost universal change in the public sentiment +of the nation on the subject, powerfully impelling it toward the entire +abolition of the system--and that it was the _general belief_ that +measures for its abolition throughout the Union, would be commenced by +the States generally before the lapse of many years. A great mass of +testimony establishing this position might be presented, but narrow +space, and the importance of speedy publication, counsel brevity. Let +the following proofs suffice. First, a few dates as points of +observation. + +In 1757, Commissioners from seven colonies met at Albany, resolved upon +a Union and proposed a plan of general government. In 1765, delegates +from nine colonies met at New York and sent forth a bill of rights. The +first _general_ Congress met in 1774. The first Congress of the +_thirteen_ colonies met in 1775. The revolutionary war commenced in '75. +Independence was declared in '76. The articles of confederation were +adopted by the thirteen states in '77 and '78. Independence acknowledged +in '83. The convention for forming the U.S. constitution was held in +'87, the state conventions for considering it in '87 and '88. The first +Congress under the constitution in '89. + +Dr. Rush, of Pennsylvania, one of the signers of the Declaration of +Independence, in a letter to Granville Sharpe, May 1, 1773, says: "A +spirit of humanity and religion begins to awaken in several of the +colonies in favor of the poor negroes. Great events have been brought +about by small beginnings. _Anthony Bènèzet stood alone a few years_ +_ago in opposing negro slavery in Philadelphia_, and NOW THREE-FOURTHS +OF THE PROVINCE AS WELL AS OF THE CITY CRY OUT AGAINST IT."--[Stuart's +Life of Granville Sharpe, p. 21.] + +In the preamble to the act prohibiting the importation of slaves into +Rhode Island, June, 1774, is the following: "Whereas the inhabitants of +America are generally engaged in the preservation of their own rights +and liberties, among which that of personal freedom must be considered +the greatest, and as those who are desirous of enjoying all the +advantages of liberty themselves, _should be willing to extend personal +liberty to others_, therefore," &c. + +October 20, 1774, the Continental Congress passed the following: "We, +for ourselves and the inhabitants of the several colonies whom we +represent, _firmly agree and associate under the sacred ties of virtue, +honor, and love of our country_, as follows:" + +"2d Article. _We will neither import nor purchase any slaves imported_ +after the first day of December next, after which time we will _wholly +discontinue_ the slave trade, and we will neither be concerned in it +ourselves, nor will we hire our vessels nor _sell our commodities or +manufactures_ to those who are concerned in it." + +The Continental Congress, in 1775, setting forth the causes and the +necessity for taking up arms, say: "_If it were possible_ for men who +exercise their reason to believe that the divine Author of our existence +intended a part of the human race _to hold an absolute property in_, and +_unbounded power over others_," &c. + +In 1776, Dr. Hopkins, then at the head of New England divines, +in "An Address to the owners of negro slaves in the American colonies," +says: "The conviction of the unjustifiableness of this practice (slavery) +has been _increasing_, and _greatly spreading of late_, and _many_ +who have had slaves, have found themselves so unable to justify their +own conduct in holding them in bondage, as to be induced to _set them +at liberty_. * * * * * Slavery is _in +every instance_, wrong, unrighteous, and oppressive--a very great and +crying sin--_there being nothing of the kind equal to it on the face of +the earth_." + +The same year the American Congress issued a solemn MANIFESTO to the +world. These were its first words: "We hold these truths to be +self-evident, that _all_ men are created equal, that they are endowed by +their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are +life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." _Once_, these were words +of power; _now_, "a rhetorical flourish." + +The Virginia Gazette of March 19, 1767, in an essay on slavery says: +"_There cannot be in nature, there is not in all history, an instance in +which every right of man is more flagrantly violated_. Enough I hope has +been effected to prove that slavery is a violation of justice and +religion." + +The celebrated Patrick Henry of Virginia, in a letter, Jan. 18, 1773, to +Robert Pleasants, afterwards president of the Virginia Abolition +Society, says: "Believe me, I shall honor the Quakers for their noble +efforts to abolish slavery. It is a debt we owe to the purity of our +religion to show that it is at variance with that law that warrants +slavery. I exhort you to persevere in so worthy a resolution." + +The Pennsylvania Chronicle of Nov. 21, 1768, says: "Let every black that +shall henceforth be born amongst us be deemed free. One step farther +would be to emancipate the whole race, restoring that liberty we have so +long unjustly detained from them. Till some step of this kind be taken +we shall justly be the derision of the whole world." + +In 1779, the Continental Congress ordered a pamphlet to be published, +entitled, "Observations on the American Revolution," from which the +following is an extract: "The great principle (of government) is and +ever will remain in force, _that men are by Nature free_; and so long as +we have any idea of divine _justice_, we must associate that of _human +freedom_. It is _conceded on all hands, that the right to be free_ CAN +NEVER BE ALIENATED." + +Extract from the Pennsylvania act for the abolition of slavery, passed +March 1, 1780: * * * "We conceive that it is our duty, and we rejoice +that it is in our power, to extend a portion of that freedom to others +which has been extended to us. Weaned by a long course of experience +from those narrow prejudices and partialities we had imbibed, we find +our hearts enlarged with kindness and benevolence towards men of all +conditions and nations: * * * Therefore be it enacted, that no child +born hereafter be a slave," &c. + +Jefferson, in his Notes on Virginia, written just before the close of +the Revolutionary War, says: "I think a change already perceptible since +the origin of the present revolution. The spirit of the master is +abating, that of the slave is rising from the dust, his condition +mollifying, _and the way I hope preparing, under the auspices of +heaven_, FOR A TOTAL EMANCIPATION." + +In a letter to Dr. Price, of London, who had just published a pamphlet +in favor of the abolition of slavery, Mr. Jefferson, then minister at +Paris, (August 7, 1785,) says: "From the mouth to the head of the +Chesapeake, _the bulk of the people will approve of your pamphlet in +theory_, and it will find a respectable minority ready to _adopt it in +practice_--a minority which, for weight and worth of character, +_preponderates against the greater number_." Speaking of Virginia, he +says: "This is the next state to which we may turn our eyes for the +interesting spectacle of justice in conflict with avarice and +oppression,--a conflict in which the SACRED SIDE IS GAINING DAILY +RECRUITS. Be not, therefore, discouraged--what you have written will do +a _great deal of good_; and could you still trouble yourself with our +welfare, no man is more able to give aid to the laboring side. The +College of William and Mary, since the remodelling of its plan, is the +place where are collected together all the young men of Virginia, under +preparation for public life. They are there under the direction (most of +them) of a Mr. Wythe, one of the most virtuous of characters, and _whose +sentiments on the subject of slavery are unequivocal_. I am satisfied, +if you could resolve to address an exhortation to those young men with +all that eloquence of which you are master, that _its influence on the +future decision of this important question would be great, perhaps +decisive_. Thus. you see, that so far from thinking you have cause to +repent of what you have done, _I wish you to do more, and I wish it on +an assurance of its effect_."--Jefferson's Posthumous Works, vol. 1, +p. 268. + +In 1786, John Jay drafted and signed a petition to the Legislature of +New York, on the subject of slavery, beginning with these words: "Your +memorialists being deeply affected by the situation of those, who, +although, FREE BY THE LAWS OF GOD, are held in slavery by the laws of +the State," &c. This memorial bore also the signatures of the celebrated +Alexander Hamilton; Robert R. Livingston, afterwards Secretary of +Foreign Affairs of the United States, and Chancellor of the State of New +York; James Duane, Mayor of the City of New York, and many others of the +most eminent individuals in the State. + +In the preamble of an instrument, by which Mr. Jay emancipated a slave +in 1784, is the following passage: + +"Whereas, the children of men are by nature equally free, and cannot, +without injustice, be either reduced to or HELD in slavery." + +In his letter while Minister at Spain, in 1786, he says, speaking of the +abolition of slavery: "Till America comes into this measure, her prayers +to heaven will be IMPIOUS. I believe God governs the world; and I +believe it to be a maxim in his, as in our court, that those who ask for +equity _ought to do it_." + +In 1785, the New York Manumission Society was formed. John Jay was +chosen its first President, and held the office five years. Alexander +Hamilton was its second President, and after holding the office one +year, resigned upon his removal to Philadelphia as Secretary of the +United States' Treasury. In 1787, the Pennsylvania Abolition Society was +formed. Benjamin Franklin, warm from the discussions of the convention +that formed the U.S. constitution, was chosen President, and Benjamin +Rush Secretary--both signers of the Declaration of Independence. In +1789, the Maryland Abolition Society was formed. Among its officers were +Samuel Chase, Judge of the U.S. Supreme Court, and Luther Martin, a +member of the convention that formed the U.S. constitution. In 1790, the +Connecticut Abolition Society was formed. The first President was Rev. +Dr. Stiles, President of Yale College, and the Secretary, Simeon +Baldwin, (late Judge Baldwin of New Haven.) In 1791, this Society sent a +memorial to Congress, from which the following is an extract: + +"From a sober conviction of the unrighteousness of slavery, your +petitioners have long beheld, with grief, our fellow men doomed to +perpetual bondage, in a country which boasts of her freedom. Your +petitioners were led, by motives, we conceive, of general philanthropy, +to associate ourselves for the protection and assistance of this +unfortunate part of our fellow men; and, though this Society has been +_lately_ established, it has now become _generally extensive_ through +this state, and, we fully believe, _embraces, on this subject, the +sentiments of a large majority of its citizens_." + +The same year the Virginia Abolition Society was formed. This Society, +and the Maryland Society, had auxiliaries in different parts of those +States. Both societies sent up memorials to Congress. The memorial of +the Virginia Society is headed--"The memorial of the _Virginia Society_, +for promoting the Abolition of Slavery," &c. The following is +an extract: + +"Your memorialists, fully believing that slavery is not only an odious +degradation, but an _outrageous violation of one of the most essential +rights of human nature, and utterly repugnant to the precepts of the +gospel_," &c. + +About the same time a Society was formed in New-Jersey. It had an acting +committee of five members in each county in the State. The following is +an extract from the preamble to its constitution: + +"It is our boast, that we live under a government, wherein _life, +liberty_, and the _pursuit of happiness_, are recognized as the +universal rights of men. We _abhor that inconsistent, illiberal, and +interested policy, which withholds those rights from an unfortunate and +degraded class of our fellow creatures_." + +Among other distinguished individuals who were efficient officers of +these Abolition Societies, and delegates from their respective state +societies, at the annual meetings of the American convention for +promoting the abolition of slavery, were Hon. Uriah Tracy, United +States' Senator, from Connecticut; Hon. Zephaniah Swift, Chief Justice +of the same State; Hon. Cesar A. Rodney, Attorney General of the United +States; Hon. James A. Bayard, United States' Senator, from Delaware; +Governor Bloomfield, of New-Jersey; Hon. Wm. Rawle, the late venerable +head of the Philadelphia bar; Dr. Caspar Wistar, of Philadelphia; +Messrs. Foster and Tillinghast, of Rhode Island; Messrs. Ridgely, +Buchanan, and Wilkinson, of Maryland; and Messrs. Pleasants, McLean, and +Anthony, of Virginia. + +In July, 1787, the old Congress passed the celebrated ordinance +abolishing slavery in the northwestern territory, and declaring that it +should never thereafter exist there. This ordinance was passed while the +convention that formed the United States' constitution was in session. +At the first session of Congress under the constitution, this ordinance +was ratified by a special act. Washington, fresh from the discussions of +the convention, in which _more than forty days had been spent in +adjusting the question of slavery, gave it his approval_. The act passed +with only one dissenting voice, (that of Mr. Yates, of New York,) _the +South equally with the North avowing the fitness and expediency of the +measure on general considerations, and indicating thus early the line of +national policy, to be pursued by the United States' Government on the +subject of slavery_. + +In the debates in the North Carolina Convention, Mr. Iredell, afterward +a Judge of the United States' Supreme Court, said, "_When the entire +abolition of slavery takes place_, it will be an event which must be +pleasing to every generous mind and every friend of human nature." Mr. +Galloway said, "I wish to see this abominable trade put an end to. I +apprehend the clause (touching the slave trade) means _to bring forward +manumission_." Luther Martin, of Maryland, a member of the convention +that formed the United States' Constitution, said, "We ought to +authorize the General Government to make such regulations as shall be +thought most advantageous for _the gradual abolition of slavery_, and +the _emancipation of the slaves_ which are already in the States." Judge +Wilson, of Pennsylvania, one of the framers of the constitution, said, +in the Pennsylvania convention of '87, [Deb. Pa. Con. p. 303, 156:] "I +consider this (the clause relative to the slave trade) as laying the +foundation for _banishing slavery out of this country_. It will produce +the same kind of gradual change which was produced in Pennsylvania; the +new States which are to be formed will be under the control of Congress +in this particular, and _slaves will never be introduced_ among them. It +presents us with the pleasing prospect that the rights of mankind will +be acknowledged and established _throughout the Union_. Yet the lapse of +a few years, and Congress will have power to _exterminate slavery_ +within our borders." In the Virginia convention of '87, Mr. Mason, +author of the Virginia constitution, said, "The augmentation of slaves +weakens the States, and such a trade is _diabolical_ in itself, and +disgraceful to mankind. As much as I value a union of all the States, I +would not admit the Southern States, (i.e., South Carolina and Georgia,) +into the union, _unless they agree to a discontinuance of this +disgraceful trade_." Mr. Tyler opposed with great power the clause +prohibiting the abolition of the slave trade till 1808, and said, "My +earnest desire is, that it shall be handed down to posterity that I +oppose this wicked clause." Mr. Johnson said, "The principle of +emancipation _has begun since the revolution. Let us do what we will, it +will come round_."--[Deb. Va. Con. p. 463.] Patrick Henry, arguing the +power of Congress under the United States' constitution to abolish +slavery in the States, said, in the same convention, "Another thing will +contribute to bring this event (the abolition of slavery) about. Slavery +is _detested_. We feel its fatal effects; we deplore it with all the +pity of humanity." Governor Randolph said: "They insist that the +_abolition of slavery will result from this Constitution_. I hope that +there is no one here, who will advance _an objection so dishonorable_ to +Virginia--I hope that at the moment they are securing the rights of +their citizens, an objection will not be started, that those unfortunate +men now held in bondage, _by the operation of the general government_ +may be made free!" [_Deb. Va. Con._ p. 421.] In the Mass. Con. of '88, +Judge Dawes said, "Although slavery is not smitten by an apoplexy, yet +_it has received a mortal wound_, and will die of consumption."--[_Deb. +Mass. Con._ p. 60.] General Heath said that, "Slavery was confined to +the States _now existing_, it _could not be extended_. By their +ordinance, Congress had declared that the new States should be +republican States, _and have no slavery_."--p. 147. + +In the debate, in the first Congress, February 11th and 12th, 1789, on +the petitions of the Society of Friends, and the Pennsylvania Abolition +Society, Mr. Parker, of Virginia, said, "I cannot help expressing the +pleasure I feel in finding _so considerable a part_ of the community +attending to matters of such a momentous concern to the _future +prosperity_ and happiness of the people of America. I think it my duty, +as a citizen of the Union, to _espouse their cause_." + +Mr. Page, of Virginia, (afterwards Governor)--"Was _in favor_ of the +commitment: he hoped that the designs of the respectable memorialists +would not be stopped at the threshold, in order to preclude a fair +discussion of the prayer of the memorial. He placed himself in the case +of a slave, and said, that on hearing that Congress had refused to +listen to the decent suggestions of the respectable part of the +community, he should infer, that the general government, _from which was +expected great good would result to_ EVERY CLASS _of citizens_, had shut +their ears against the voice of humanity, and he should despair of any +alleviation of the miseries he and his posterity had in prospect; if any +thing could induce him to rebel, it must be a stroke like this, +impressing on his mind all the horrors of despair. But if he was told, +that application was made in his behalf, and that Congress were willing +to hear what could be urged in favor of discouraging the practice of +importing his fellow-wretches, he would trust in their justice and +humanity, and _wait the decision patiently_." + +Mr. Scott of Pennsylvania: "I cannot, for my part, conceive how any +person _can be said to acquire a property in another. I do not know how +far I might go, if I was one of the judges of the United States, and +those people were to come before me and claim their emancipation, but I +am sure I would go as far as I could_." + +Mr. Burke, of South Carolina, said, "He _saw the disposition of the +House_, and he feared it would be referred to a committee, maugre all +their opposition." + +Mr. Baldwin of Georgia said that the clause in the U.S. Constitution +relating to direct taxes "was intended to prevent Congress from laying +any special tax upon negro slaves, _as they might, in this way, so +burthen the possessors of them, as to induce a_ GENERAL EMANCIPATION." + +Mr. Smith of South Carolina, said, "That on entering into this +government, they (South Carolina and Georgia) apprehended that the other +states, * * * _would, from motives of humanity and benevolence, be led +to vote for a general emancipation_." + +In the debate, at the same session, May 13th, 1789, on the petition of +the society of Friends respecting the slave trade, Mr. Parker, of +Virginia, said, "He hoped Congress would do all that lay in their power +_to restore to human nature its inherent privileges_. The inconsistency +in our principles, with which we are justly charged _should be +done away_." + +Mr. Jackson, of Georgia, said, "IT WAS THE FASHION OF THE DAY +TO FAVOR THE LIBERTY OF THE SLAVES. * * * * * Will Virginia +set her negroes free? _When this practice comes to be tried, then +the sound of liberty will lose those charms which make it grateful to the +ravished ear_." + +Mr. Madison of Virginia,--"The dictates of humanity, the principles +of the people, the national safety and happiness, and prudent policy, +require it of us. * * * * * * * I conceive the constitution +in this particular was formed in order that the Government, whilst it +was restrained from laying a total prohibition, might be able to _give +some testimony of the sense of America_, with respect to the African +trade. * * * * * * It is to be hoped, that by expressing a +national disapprobation of this trade, we may destroy it, and save +ourselves from reproaches, AND OUR PROSPERITY THE IMBECILITY EVER +ATTENDANT ON A COUNTRY FILLED WITH SLAVES." + +Mr. Gerry, of Massachusetts, said, "he highly commended the part the +Society of Friends had taken; it was the cause of humanity they had +interested themselves in."--Cong. Reg. v. 1, p. 308-12. + +A writer in the "Gazette of the Unites States," Feb. 20th, 1790, (then +the government paper,) who opposes the abolition of slavery, and avows +himself a _slaveholder_, says, "I have seen in the papers accounts of +_large associations_, and applications to Government for _the abolition +of slavery_. Religion, humanity, and the generosity natural to a free +people, are the _noble principles which dictate those measures_. SUCH +MOTIVES COMMAND RESPECT, AND ARE ABOVE ANY EULOGIUM WORDS CAN BESTOW." + +In the convention that formed the constitution of Kentucky in 1790, the +effort to prohibit slavery was nearly successful. A decided majority of +that body would undoubtedly have voted for its exclusion, but for the +great efforts and influence of two large slaveholders--men of commanding +talents and sway--Messrs. Breckenridge and Nicholas. The following +extract from a speech made in that convention by a member of it, Mr. +Rice a native Virginian, is a specimen of the _free discussion_ that +prevailed on that "delicate subject." Said Mr. Rice: "I do a man greater +injury, when I deprive him of his liberty, than when I deprive him of +his property. It is vain for me to plead that I have the sanction of +law; for this makes the injury the greater--it arms the community +against him, and makes his case desperate. The owners of such slaves +then are _licensed robbers_, and not the just proprietors of what they +claim. Freeing them is not depriving them of property, but _restoring it +to the right owner_. The master is the enemy of the slave; he _has made +open war upon him_, AND IS DAILY CARRYING IT ON in unremitted efforts. +Can any one imagine, then, that the slave is indebted to his master, and +_bound to serve him?_ Whence can the obligation arise? What is it +founded upon? What is my duty to an enemy that is carrying on war +against me? I do not deny, but in some circumstances, it is the duty of +the slave to serve; but it is a duty he owes himself, and not +his master." + +President Edwards, the younger, said, in a sermon preached before the +Connecticut Abolition Society, Sept. 15, 1791: "Thirty years ago, +scarcely a man in this country thought either the slave trade or the +slavery of negroes to be wrong; but now how many and able advocates in +private life, in our legislatures, in Congress, have appeared, and have +openly and irrefragably pleaded the rights of humanity in this as well +as other instances? And if we judge of the future by the past, _within +fifty years from this time, it will be as shameful for a man to hold a +negro slave, as to be guilty of common robbery or theft_." + +In 1794, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian church adopted its +"Scripture proofs," notes, and comments. Among these was the following: + +"1 Tim. i. 10. The law is made for manstealers. This crime among the +Jews exposed the perpetrators of it to capital punishment. Exodus xxi. +16. And the apostle here classes them with _sinners of the first rank_. +The word he uses, in its original import comprehends all who are +concerned in bringing any of the human race into slavery, or in +_retaining_ them in it. _Stealers of men_ are all those who bring off +slaves or freemen, and _keep_, sell, or buy them." + +In 1794, Dr. Rush declared: "Domestic slavery is repugnant to the +principles of Christianity. It prostrates every benevolent and just +principle of action in the human heart. It is rebellion against the +authority of a common Father. It is a practical denial of the extent and +efficacy of the death of a common Saviour. It is an usurpation of the +prerogative of the great Sovereign of the universe, who has solemnly +claimed an exclusive property in the souls of men." + +In 1795, Mr. Fiske, then an officer of Dartmouth College, afterward a +Judge in Tennessee, said, in an oration published that year, speaking of +slaves: "I steadfastly maintain, that we must bring them to _an equal +standing, in point of privileges, with the whites!_ They must enjoy all +the rights belonging to human nature." + +When the petition on the abolition of the slave trade was under +discussion in the Congress of '89, Mr. Brown, of North Carolina, said, +"The emancipation of the slaves _will be effected_ in time; it ought to +be a gradual business, but he hoped that Congress would not +_precipitate_ it to the great injury of the southern States." Mr. +Hartley, of Pennsylvania, said, in the same debate, "_He was not a +little surprised to hear the cause of slavery advocated in that house_." +WASHINGTON, in a letter to Sir John Sinclair, says, "There are, in +Pennsylvania, laws for the gradual abolition of slavery which neither +Maryland nor Virginia have at present, but which _nothing is more +certain_ than that they _must have_, and at a period NOT REMOTE." In +1782, Virginia passed her celebrated manumission act. Within nine years +from that time nearly eleven thousand slaves were voluntarily +emancipated by their masters. [Judge Tucker's "Dissertation on Slavery," +p. 72.] In 1787, Maryland passed an act legalizing manumission. Mr. +Dorsey, of Maryland, in a speech in Congress, December 27th, 1826, +speaking of manumissions under that act, said, that "_The progress of +emancipation was astonishing_, the State became crowded with a free +black population." + +The celebrated William Pinkney, in a speech before the Maryland House of +Delegates, in 1789, on the emancipation of slaves, said, "Sir, by the +eternal principles of natural justice, _no master in the state has a +right to hold his slave in bandage for a single hour_... Are we +apprehensive that these men will become more dangerous by becoming +freemen? Are we alarmed, lest by being admitted into the enjoyment of +civil rights, they will be inspired with a deadly enmity against the +rights of others? Strange, unaccountable paradox! How much more rational +would it be, to argue that the natural enemy of the privileges of a +freeman, is he who is robbed of them himself!" + +Hon. James Campbell, in an address before the Pennsylvania Society of +Cincinnati, July 4, 1787, said, "Our separation from Great Britain has +extended the empire of _humanity_. The time _is not far distant_ when +our sister states, in imitation of our example, _shall turn their +vassals into freemen_." The Convention that formed the United States' +constitution being then in session, attended on the delivery of this +oration with General Washington at their head. + +A Baltimore paper of September 8th, 1780, contains the following notice +of Major General Gates: "A few days ago passed through this town the +Hon. General Gates and lady. The General, previous to leaving Virginia, +summoned his numerous family of slaves about him, and amidst their tears +of affection and gratitude, gave them their FREEDOM." + +In 1791, the university of William and Mary, in Virginia, conferred upon +Granville Sharpe the degree of Doctor of Laws. Sharpe was at that time +the acknowledged head of British abolitionists. His indefatigable +exertions, prosecuted for years in the case of Somerset, procured that +memorable decision in the Court of King's Bench, which settled the +principle that no slave could be held in England. He was most +uncompromising in his opposition to slavery, and for twenty years +previous he had spoken, written, and accomplished more against it than +any man living. + +In the "Memoirs of the Revolutionary War in the Southern Department," by +Gen. Lee, of Va., Commandant of the Partizan Legion, is the following: +"The Constitution of the United States, adopted lately with so much +difficulty, has effectually provided against this evil (by importation) +after a few years. It is much to be lamented that having done so much in +this way, _a provision had not been made for the gradual abolition of +slavery_."--pp. 233, 4. + +Mr. Tucker, of Virginia, Judge of the Supreme Court of that state, and +professor of law in the University of William and Mary, addressed a +letter to the General Assembly of that state, in 1796, urging the +abolition of slavery, from which the following is an extract. Speaking +of the slaves in Virginia, he says: "Should we not, at the time of the +revolution, have broken their fetters? Is it not our duty _to embrace +the first moment_ of constitutional health and vigor to effectuate so +desirable an object, and to remove from us a stigma with which our +enemies will never fail to upbraid us, nor our consciences to +reproach us?" + +Mr. Faulkner, in a speech before the Virginia House of Delegates, Jan. +20, 1832, said: "The idea of a gradual emancipation and removal of the +slaves from this commonwealth, is coeval with the declaration of our +independence from the British yoke. When Virginia stood sustained in her +legislation by the pure and philosophic intellect of Pendleton, by the +patriotism of Mason and Lee, by the searching vigor and sagacity of +Wythe, and by the all-embracing, all-comprehensive genius of Thomas +Jefferson! Sir, it was a committee composed of those five illustrious +men, who, in 1777, submitted to the general assembly of this state, then +in session, _a plan for the gradual emancipation of the slaves of this +commonwealth_." + +Hon. Benjamin Watkins Leigh, late United States' senator from Virginia, +in his letters to the people of Virginia, in 1832, signed Appomattox, p. +43, says: "I thought, till very lately, that it was known to every body +that during the revolution, _and for many years after, the abolition of +slavery was a favorite topic with many of our ablest statesmen_, who +entertained, with respect, all the schemes which wisdom or ingenuity +could suggest for accomplishing the object. Mr. Wythe, to the day of his +death, _was for a simple abolition, considering the objection to color +as founded in prejudice_. By degrees, all projects of the kind were +abandoned. Mr. Jefferson _retained_ his opinion, and now we have these +projects revived." + +Governor Barbour, of Virginia, in his speech in the U.S. Senate, on the +Missouri question, Jan. 1820, said: "We are asked why has Virginia +changed her policy in reference to slavery? That the sentiments of our +most distinguished men, for thirty years _entirely corresponded_ with +the course which the friends of the restriction (of slavery in Missouri) +now advocated; and that the Virginia delegation, one of whom was the +late President of the United States, voted for the restriction (of +slavery) in the northwestern territory, and that Mr. Jefferson has +delineated a gloomy picture of the baneful effects of slavery. When it +is recollected that the Notes of Mr. Jefferson were written during the +progress of the revolution, it is no matter of surprise that the writer +should have imbibed a large portion of that enthusiasm which such an +occasion was so well calculated to produce. As to the consent of the +Virginia delegation to the restriction in question, whether the result +of a disposition to restrain the slave-trade indirectly, or the +influence of that enthusiasm to which I have just alluded, * * * * it is +not now important to decide. We have witnessed its effects. The +liberality of Virginia, or, as the result may prove, her folly, which +submitted to, or, if you will, PROPOSED _this measure_ (abolition of +slavery in the N.W. territory) has eventuated in effects which speak a +monitory lesson. _How is the representation from this quarter on the +present question_?" + +Mr. Imlay, in his early history of Kentucky, p. 185, says: "We have +disgraced the fair face of humanity, and trampled upon the sacred +privileges of man, at the very moment that we were exclaiming against +the tyranny of your (the English) ministry. But in contending for the +birthright of freedom, we have learned to feel _for the bondage of +others_, and in the libations we offer to the goddess of liberty, we +contemplate an _emancipation of the slaves of this country_, as +honorable to themselves as it will be glorious to us." + +In the debate in Congress, Jan. 20, 1806, on Mr. Sloan's motion to lay a +tax on the importation of slaves, Mr. Clark of Va. said: "He was no +advocate for a system of slavery." Mr. Marion, of S. Carolina, said: "He +never had purchased, nor should he ever purchase a slave." Mr. Southard +said: "Not revenue, but an expression of the _national sentiment_ is the +principal object." Mr. Smilie--"I rejoice that the word (slave) is not +in the constitution; its not being there does honor to the worthies who +would not suffer it to become a _part_ of it." Mr. Alston, of N. +Carolina--"In two years we shall have the power to prohibit the trade +altogether. Then this House will be unanimous. No one will object to our +exercising our full constitutional powers." National Intelligencer, +Jan. 24, 1806. + +These witnesses need no vouchers to entitle them to credit; nor their +testimony comments to make it intelligible--their _names_ are their +_endorsers_, and their strong words their own interpreters. We waive all +comments. Our readers are of age. Whosoever hath ears to _hear_, let him +HEAR. And whosoever will not hear the fathers of the revolution, the +founders of the government, its chief magistrates, judges, legislators +and sages, who dared and perilled all under the burdens, and in the heat +of the day that tried men's souls--then "neither will he be persuaded +though THEY rose from the dead." + +Some of the points established by this testimony are--The universal +expectation that Congress, state legislatures, seminaries of learning, +churches, ministers of religion, and public sentiment widely embodied in +abolition societies, would act against slavery, calling forth the moral +sense of the nation, and creating a power of opinion that would abolish +the system throughout the Union. In a word, that free speech and a free +press would be wielded against it without ceasing and without +restriction. Full well did the South know, not only that the national +government would probably legislate against slavery wherever the +constitution placed it within its reach, but she knew also that Congress +had already marked out the line of national policy to be pursued on the +subject--had committed itself before the world to a course of action +against slavery, wherever she could move upon it without encountering a +conflicting jurisdiction--that the nation had established by solemn +ordinance a memorable precedent for subsequent action, by abolishing +slavery in the northwest territory, and by declaring that it should +never thenceforward exist there; and this too, as soon as by cession of +Virginia and other states, the territory came under congressional +control. The South knew also that the sixth article in the ordinance +prohibiting slavery, was first proposed by the largest slaveholding +state in the confederacy--that in the Congress of '84, Mr. Jefferson, as +chairman of the committee on the N.W. territory, reported a resolution +abolishing slavery there--that the chairman of the committee that +reported the ordinance of '87 was also a slaveholder--that the ordinance +was enacted by Congress during the session of the convention that formed +the United States' Constitution--that the provisions of the ordinance +were, both while in prospect and when under discussion, matters of +universal notoriety and _approval_ with all parties, and when finally +passed, received the vote of _every member of Congress from each of the +slaveholding states_. The South also had every reason for believing that +the first Congress under the constitution would _ratify_ that +ordinance--as it did unanimously. + +A crowd of reflections, suggested by the preceding testimony, presses +for utterance. The right of petition ravished and trampled by its +constitutional guardians, and insult and defiance hurled in the faces of +the SOVEREIGN PEOPLE while calmly remonstrating _with their_ SERVANTS +for violence committed on the nation's charter and their own dearest +rights! Added to this "the right of peaceably assembling" violently +wrested--the rights of minorities, _rights_ no longer--free speech +struck dumb--free _men_ outlawed and murdered--free presses cast into +the streets and their fragments strewed with shoutings, or flourished in +triumph before the gaze of approving crowds as proud mementos of +prostrate law! The spirit and power of our fathers, where are they? +Their deep homage always and every where rendered to FREE THOUGHT, with +its _inseparable signs--free speech and a free press_--their reverence +for justice, liberty, _rights_ and all-pervading law, where are they? + +But we turn from these considerations--though the times on which we have +fallen, and those toward which we are borne with headlong haste, call +for their discussion as with the voices of departing life--and proceed +to topics relevant to the argument before us. + +The seventh article of the amendments to the constitution is alleged to +withhold from Congress the power to abolish slavery in the District. "No +person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due +process of law." All the slaves in the District have been "deprived of +liberty" by legislative acts. Now, these legislative acts "depriving" +them "of liberty," were either "due process of law," or they were _not_. +If they _were_, then a legislative act, taking from the master that +"property" which is the identical "liberty" previously taken from the +slave, would be "due process of law" _also_, and of course a +_constitutional_ act; but if the legislative acts "depriving" them of +"liberty" were _not_ "due process of law," then the slaves were deprived +of liberty _unconstitutionally_, and these acts are _void_. In that case +the _constitution emancipates them_. + +If the objector reply, by saying that the import of the phrase "due +process of law," is _judicial_ process solely, it is granted, and that +fact is our rejoinder; for no slave in the District _has_ been deprived +of his liberty by "a judicial process," or, in other words, by "due +process of law;" consequently, upon the objector's own admission, every +slave in the District has been deprived of liberty _unconstitutionally_, +and is therefore _free by the constitution_. This is asserted only of +the slaves under the "exclusive legislation" of Congress. + +The last clause of the article under consideration is quoted for the +same purpose: "Nor shall private property he taken for public use +without just compensation." Each of the state constitutions has a clause +of similar purport. The abolition of slavery in the District by +Congress, would not, as we shall presently show; violate this clause +either directly or by implication. Granting for argument's sake, that +slaves are "private property," and that to emancipate them, would be to +"take private property" for "public use," the objector admits the power +of Congress to do _this_, provided it will do something _else_, that is, +_pay_ for them. Thus, instead of denying the _power_, the objector not +only admits, but _affirms_ it, as the ground of the inference that +compensation must accompany it. So far from disproving the existence of +_one_ power, he asserts the existence of _two_--one, the power to take +the slaves from their masters, the other, the power to take the property +of the United States to pay for them. + +If Congress cannot constitutionally impair the right of private +property, or take it without compensation, it cannot constitutionally, +_legalize_ the perpetration of such acts, by _others_, nor _protect_ +those who commit them. Does the power to rob a man of his earnings, rob +the earner of his _right_ to them? Who has a better right to the +_product_ than the producer?--to the _interest_, than the owner of the +_principal_?--to the hands and arms, than he from whose shoulders they +swing?--to the body and soul, than he whose they are? Congress not only +impairs but annihilates the right of private property, while it +withholds from the slaves of the District their title to _themselves_. +What! Congress powerless to protect a man's right to _himself_, when it +can make inviolable the right to a _dog_! But, waiving this, I deny that +the abolition of slavery in the District would violate this clause. What +does the clause prohibit? The "taking" of "private property" for "public +use." Suppose Congress should emancipate the slaves in the District, +what would it "_take_?" Nothing. What would it _hold_? Nothing. What +would it put to "public use?" Nothing. Instead of _taking_ "private +property," Congress, by abolishing slavery, would say "_private +property_ shall not be taken; and those who have been robbed of it +already, shall be kept out of it no longer; and every man's right to his +own body shall be protected." True, Congress may not arbitrarily take +property, _as_ property, from one man and give it to another--and in the +abolition of slavery no such thing is done. A legislative act changes +the _condition_ of the slave--makes him his own _proprietor_, instead of +the property of another. It determines a question of _original right_ +between two classes of persons--doing an act of justice to one, and +restraining the other from acts of injustice; or, in other words, +preventing one from robbing the other, by granting to the injured party +the protection of just and equitable laws. + +Congress, by an act of abolition, would change the condition of seven +thousand "persons" in the District, but would "take" nothing. To +construe this provision so as to enable the citizens of the District to +hold as property, and in perpetuity, whatever they please, or to hold it +as property in all circumstances--all necessity, public welfare, and the +will and power of the government to the contrary notwithstanding--is a +total perversion of its whole _intent_. The _design_ of the provision, +was to throw up a barrier against Governmental aggrandizement. The right +to "take property" for _State uses_ is one thing;--the right so to +adjust the _tenures_ by which property is held, that _each may have his +own secured to him_, is another thing, and clearly within the scope of +legislation. Besides, if Congress were to "take" the slaves in the +District, it would be _adopting_, not abolishing slavery--becoming a +slaveholder itself, instead of requiring others to be such no longer. +The clause in question, prohibits the "taking" of individual property +for public use, to be employed or disposed of _as_ property for +governmental purposes. Congress, by abolishing slavery in the District, +would do no such thing. It would merely change the _condition_ of that +which has been recognized as a qualified property by congressional acts, +though previously declared "persons" by the constitution. More than this +is done continually by Congress and every other Legislature. Property +the most absolute and unqualified, is annihilated by legislative acts. +The embargo and non-intercourse act, levelled at a stroke a forest of +shipping, and sunk millions of capital. To say nothing of the power of +Congress to take hundreds of millions from the people by direct +taxation, who doubts its power to abolish at once the whole tariff +system, change the seat of Government, arrest the progress of national +works, prohibit any branch of commerce with the Indian tribes or with +foreign nations, change the locality of forts, arsenals, magazines and +dock yards; abolish the Post Office system, and the privilege of patents +and copyrights? By such acts Congress might, in the exercise of its +acknowledged powers, annihilate property to an incalculable amount, and +that without becoming liable to claims for compensation. + +Finally, this clause prohibits the taking for public use of +"_property_." The constitution of the United States does not recognize +slaves as "PROPERTY" any where, and it does not recognize them in _any +sense_ in the District of Columbia. All allusions to them in the +constitution recognize them as "persons." Every reference to them points +_solely_ to the element of _personality_; and thus, by the strongest +implication, declares that the constitution _knows_ them only as +"persons," and _will_ not recognize them in any other light. If they +escape into free States, the constitution authorizes their being taken +back. But how? Not as the property of an "owner," but as "persons;" and +the peculiarity of the expression is a marked recognition of their +_personality_--a refusal to recognize them as chattels--"persons _held_ +to service." Are _oxen "held_ to service?" That can be affirmed only of +_persons_. Again, slaves give political power as "persons." The +constitution, in settling the principle of representation, requires +their enumeration in the census. How? As property? Then why not include +race horses and game cocks? Slaves, like other inhabitants, are +enumerated as "persons." So by the constitution, the government was +pledged to non-interference with "the migration or importation of such +_persons_" as the States might think proper to admit until 1808, and +authorized the laying of a tax on each "person" so admitted. Further, +slaves are recognized as _persons_ by the exaction of their _allegiance_ +to the government. For offences against the government slaves are tried +as _persons_; as persons they are entitled to counsel for their defence, +to the rules of evidence, and to "due process of law," and as _persons_ +they are punished. True, they are loaded with cruel disabilities in +courts of law, such as greatly obstruct and often inevitably defeat the +ends of justice, yet they are still recognized as _persons_. Even in the +legislation of Congress, and in the diplomacy of the general government, +notwithstanding the frequent and wide departures from the integrity of +the constitution on this subject, slaves are not recognized as +_property_ without qualification. Congress has always refused to grant +compensation for slaves killed or taken by the enemy, even when these +slaves had been impressed into the United States' service. In half a +score of cases since the last war, Congress has rejected such +applications for compensation. Besides, both in Congressional acts, and +in our national diplomacy, slaves and property are not used as +convertible terms. When mentioned in treaties and state papers it is in +such a way as to distinguish them from mere property, and generally by a +recognition of their _personality_. In the invariable recognition of +slaves as _persons_, the United States' constitution caught the mantle +of the glorious Declaration, and most worthily wears it. It recognizes +all human beings as "men," "persons," and thus as "equals." In the +original draft of the Declaration, as it came from the hand of +Jefferson, it is alleged that Great Britain had "waged a cruel war +against _human_ nature itself, violating its most sacred rights of life +and liberty in the persons of a distant people, carrying them into +slavery, * * determined to keep up a market where MEN should be bought +and sold,"--thus disdaining to make the charter of freedom a warrant for +the arrest of _men_, that they might be shorn both of liberty +and humanity. + +The celebrated Roger Sherman, one of the committee of five appointed to +draft the Declaration of Independence, and a member of the convention +that formed the United States' constitution, said, in the first Congress +after its adoption: "The constitution _does not consider these persons, +(slaves,) as a species of property_."--[Lloyd's Cong. Reg. v. 1, p. +313.] That the United States' Constitution does not make slaves +"property," is shown in the fact, that no person, either as a citizen of +the United States, or by having his domicile within the United States' +government, can hold slaves. He can hold them only by deriving his power +from _state_ laws, or from the laws of Congress, if he hold slaves +within the District. But no person resident within the United States' +jurisdiction, and _not_ within the District, nor within a state whose +laws support slavery, nor "held to service" under the laws of such a +state or district, having escaped therefrom, _can be held as a slave_. + +Men can hold _property_ under the United States' government though +residing beyond the bounds of any state, district, or territory. An +inhabitant of the Iowa Territory can hold property there under the laws +of the United States, but he cannot hold _slaves_ there under the United +States' laws, nor by virtue of the United States' Constitution, nor upon +the ground of his United States' citizenship, nor by having his domicile +within the United States' jurisdiction. The constitution no where +recognizes the right to "slave property," _but merely the fact that the +states have jurisdiction each in its own limits, and that there are +certain "persons" within their jurisdictions "held to service" by their +own laws_. + +Finally, in the clause under consideration "private property" is not to +be taken "without just compensation." "JUST!" If justice is to be +appealed to in determining the _amount_ of compensation, let her +determine the _grounds_ also. If it be her province to say _how much_ +compensation is "just," it is hers to say whether _any_ is +"just,"--whether the slave is "just" property _at all_, rather than a +"_person_". Then, if justice adjudges the slave to be "private +property," it adjudges him to be _his own_ property, since the right to +one's self is the first right--the source of all others--the original +stock by which they are accumulated--the principal, of which they are +the interest. And since the slave's "private property" has been "taken," +and since "compensation" is impossible--there being no _equivalent_ for +one's self--the least that can be done is to restore to him his original +private property. + +Having shown that in abolishing slavery, "property" would not be "taken +for public use," it may be added that, in those states where slavery has +been abolished by law, no claim for compensation has been allowed. +Indeed the manifest absurdity of demanding it seems to have quite +forestalled the _setting up_ of such a claim. + +The abolition of slavery in the District instead of being a legislative +anomaly, would proceed upon the principles of every day legislation. It +has been shown already, that the United States' Constitution does not +recognize slaves as "property." Yet ordinary legislation is full of +precedents, showing that even _absolute_ property is in many respects +wholly subject to legislation. The repeal of the law of entailments--all +those acts that control the alienation of property, its disposal by +will, its passing to heirs by descent, with the question, who shall be +heirs, and what shall be the rule of distribution among them, or whether +property shall be transmitted at all by descent, rather than escheat to +the estate--these, with statutes of limitation, and various other +classes of legislative acts, serve to illustrate the acknowledged scope +of the law-making power, even where property _is in every sense +absolute_. Persons whose property is thus affected by public laws, +receive from the government no compensation for their losses; unless the +state has been put in possession of the property taken from them. + +The preamble of the United States' Constitution declares it to be a +fundamental object of the organization of the government "to ESTABLISH +JUSTICE." Has Congress _no power_ to do that for which it was made the +depository of power? CANNOT the United States' Government fulfil the +purpose for which it was brought into being? + +To abolish slavery, is to take from no rightful owner his property; but +to "establish justice" between two parties. To emancipate the slave, is +to "establish justice" between him and his master--to throw around the +person, character, conscience; liberty, and domestic relations of the +one, _the same law_ that secures and blesses the other. In other words, +to prevent by legal restraints one class of men from seizing upon +another class, and robbing them at pleasure of their earnings, their +time, their liberty, their kindred, and the very use and ownership of +their own persons. Finally, to abolish slavery is to proclaim and +_enact_ that innocence and helplessness--now _free plunder_--are +entitled to _legal protection_; and that power, avarice, and lust, shall +no longer revel upon their spoils under the license, and by the +ministration of _law_! Congress, by possessing "exclusive legislation in +all cases whatsoever," has a _general protective power for_ ALL the +inhabitants of the District. If it has no power to protect _one_ man in +the District it has none to protect another--none to protect _any_--and +if it _can_ protect one man and is _bound_ to do it, it _can_ protect +_every_ man--and is _bound_ to do it. All admit the power of Congress to +protect the masters in the District against their slaves. What part of +the constitution gives the power? The clause so often quoted,--"power of +legislation in all cases whatsoever," equally in the "_case_" of +defending blacks against whites, as in that of defending whites against +blacks. The power is also conferred by Art. 1, Sec. 8, clause +15--"Congress shall have power to suppress insurrections"--a power to +protect, as well blacks against whites, as whites against blacks. If the +constitution gives power to protect _one_ class against the other, it +gives power to protect _either_ against the other. Suppose the blacks in +the District should seize the whites, drive them into the fields and +kitchens, force them to work without pay, flog them, imprison them, and +sell them at their pleasure, where would Congress find power to restrain +such acts? Answer; a _general_ power in the clause so often cited, and +an _express_ one in that cited above--"Congress shall have power to +suppress insurrections." So much for a supposed case. Here follows a +real one. The whites in the District are _perpetrating these identical +acts_ upon seven thousand blacks daily. That Congress has power to +restrain these acts in _one_ case, all assert, and in so doing they +assert the power "in _all_ cases whatsoever." For the grant of power to +suppress insurrections, is an _unconditional_ grant, not hampered by +provisos as to the color, shape, size, sex, language, creed, or +condition of the insurgents. Congress derives its power to suppress this +_actual_ insurrection, from the same source whence it derived its power +to suppress the _same_ acts in the case supposed. If one case is an +insurrection, the other is. The _acts_ in both are the same; the +_actors_ only are different. In the one case, ignorant and +degraded--goaded by the memory of the past, stung by the present, and +driven to desperation by the fearful looking for of wrongs for ever to +come. In the other, enlightened into the nature of _rights_, the +principles of justice, and the dictates of the law of love, unprovoked +by wrongs, with cool deliberation, and by system, they perpetrate these +acts upon those to whom they owe unnumbered obligations for _whole +lives_ of unrequited service. On which side may palliation be pleaded, +and which party may most reasonably claim an abatement of the rigors of +law? If Congress has power to suppress such acts _at all_, it has power +to suppress them _in_ all. + +It has been shown already that _allegiance_ is exacted of the slave. Is +the government of the United States unable to grant _protection_ where +it exacts _allegiance_? It is an axiom of the civilized world, and a +maxim even with savages, that allegiance and protection are reciprocal +and correlative. Are principles powerless with us which exact homage of +barbarians? _Protection is the_ CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT _of every human. +being under the exclusive legislation of Congress who has not forfeited +it by crime_. + +In conclusion, I argue the power of Congress to abolish slavery in the +District, from Art. 1, sec. 8, clause 1, of the constitution; "Congress +shall have power to provide for the common defence and the general +welfare of the United States." Has the government of the United States +no power under this grant to legislate within its own exclusive +jurisdiction on subjects that vitally affect its interest? Suppose the +slaves in the district should rise upon their masters, and the United +States' government, in quelling the insurrection, should kill any number +of them. Could their masters claim compensation of the government? +Manifestly not; even though no proof existed that the particular slaves +killed were insurgents. This was precisely the point at issue between +those masters, whose slaves were killed by the State troops at the time +of the Southampton insurrection, and the Virginia Legislature: no +evidence was brought to show that the slaves killed by the troops were +insurgents; yet the Virginia Legislature decided that their masters were +_not entitled to compensation._ They proceeded on the sound principle, +that the government may in self-protection destroy the claim of its +subjects even to that which has been recognized as property by its own +acts. If in providing for the common defence, the United States' +government, in the case supposed, would have power to destroy slaves +both as _property_ and _persons_, it surely might stop _half-way_, +destroy them _as property_ while it legalized their existence as +_persons_, and thus provided for the common defence by giving them a +personal and powerful interest in the government, and securing their +strength for its defence. + +Like other Legislatures, Congress has power to abate nuisances--to +remove or tear down unsafe buildings--to destroy infected cargoes--to +lay injunctions upon manufactories injurious to the public health--and +thus to "provide for the common defence and general welfare" by +destroying individual property, when such property puts in jeopardy the +public weal. + +Granting, for argument's sake, that slaves are "property" in the +District of Columbia--if Congress has a right to annihilate property +there when the public safety requires it, it may annihilate its +existence _as_ property when the public safety requires it, especially +if it transform into a _protection_ and _defence_ that which as +_property_ perilled the public interests. In the District of Columbia +there are, besides the United States' Capitol, the President's house, +the national offices, and archives of the Departments of State, +Treasury, War, and Navy, the General Post-office, and Patent office. It +is also the residence of the President, of all the highest officers of +the government, of both houses of Congress, and of all the foreign +ambassadors. In this same District there are also seven thousand slaves. +Jefferson, in his Notes on Va. p. 241, says of slavery, that "the State +permitting one half of its citizens to trample on the rights of the +other, transforms them into _enemies_;" and Richard Henry Lee, in the +Va. House of Burgesses in 1758, declared that to those who held them, +"_slaves must be natural enemies_." Is Congress so impotent that it +_cannot_ exercise that right pronounced both by municipal and national +law, the most sacred and universal--the right of self-preservation and +defence? Is it shut up to the _necessity_ of keeping seven thousand +"enemies" in the heart of the nation's citadel? Does the iron fiat of +the constitution doom it to such imbecility that it _cannot_ arrest the +process that _made_ them "enemies," and still goads to deadlier hate by +fiery trials, and day by day adds others to their number? Is _this_ +providing for the common defence and general welfare? If to rob men of +rights excites their hate, freely to restore them and make amends, will +win their love. + +By emancipating the slaves in the District, the government of the United +States would disband an army of "enemies," and enlist "for the common +defence and general welfare," a body guard of _friends_ seven thousand +strong. In the last war, a handful of British soldiers sacked Washington +city, burned the capitol, the President's house, and the national +offices and archives; and no marvel, for thousands of the inhabitants of +the District had been "TRANSFORMED INTO ENEMIES." Would _they_ beat back +invasion? If the national government had exercised its constitutional +"power to provide for the common defence and to promote the general +welfare," by turning those "enemies" into friends, then, instead of a +hostile ambush lurking in every thicket inviting assault, and secret +foes in every house paralyzing defence, an army of allies would have +rallied in the hour of her calamity, and shouted defiance from their +munitions of rocks; whilst the banner of the republic, then trampled in +dust, would have floated securely over FREEMEN exulting amidst bulwarks +of strength. + +To show that Congress can abolish slavery in the District, under the +grant of power "to provide for the common defence and to promote the +general welfare," I quote an extract from a speech of Mr. Madison, of +Va., in the first Congress under the constitution, May 13, 1789. +Speaking of the abolition of the slave trade, Mr. Madison says: "I +should venture to say it is as much for the interests of Georgia and +South Carolina, as of any state in the union. Every addition they +receive to their number of slaves tends to _weaken_ them, and renders +them less capable of self-defence. In case of hostilities with foreign +nations, they will be the means of _inviting_ attack instead of +repelling invasion. It is a necessary duty of the general government to +protect every part of the empire against danger, as well _internal_ as +external. _Every thing, therefore, which tends to increase this danger, +though it may be a local affair, yet if it involves national expense or +safety, it becomes of concern to every part of the union, and is a +proper subject for the consideration of those charged with the general +administration of the government._" Cong. Reg. vol. 1, p. 310, 11. + +WYTHE. + +POSTSCRIPT + +My apology for adding a _postscript_, to a discussion already perhaps +too protracted, is the fact that the preceding sheets were in the hands +of the printer, and all but the concluding pages had gone through the +press, before the passage of Mr. Calhoun's late resolutions in the +Senate of the United States. A proceeding so extraordinary,--if indeed +henceforward _any_ act of Congress in derogation of freedom and in +deference to slavery, can be deemed extraordinary,--should not be passed +in silence at such a crisis as the present; especially as the passage of +one of the resolutions by a vote of 36 to 9, exhibits a shift of +position on the part of the South, as sudden as it is unaccountable, +being nothing less than the surrender of a fortress which until then, +they had defended with the pertinacity of a blind and almost infuriated +fatuity. Upon the discussions during the pendency of the resolutions, +and upon the vote, by which they were carried, I make no comment, save +only to record my exultation in the fact there exhibited, that great +emergencies are _true touchstones_, and that henceforward, until this +question is settled, whoever holds a seat in Congress will find upon, +and around him, a pressure strong enough to test him--a focal blaze that +will find its way through the carefully adjusted cloak of fair +pretension, and the sevenfold brass of two faced political intrigue, and +_no_-faced _non-committalism_, piercing to the dividing asunder of +joints and marrow. Be it known to every northern man who aspires to a +seat in our national councils, that hereafter congressional action on +this subject will be a MIGHTY REVELATOR--making secret thoughts public +property, and proclaiming on the house-tops what is whispered in the +ear--smiting off masks, and bursting open sepulchres beautiful +outwardly, and up-heaving to the sun their dead men's bones. To such we +say,--_Remember the Missouri Question, and the fate of those who then +sold the free states and their own birthright!_ + +Passing by the resolutions generally without remark--the attention of +the reader is specially solicited to Mr. Clay's substitute for Mr. +Calhoun's fifth resolution. + +"Resolved, That when the District of Columbia was ceded by the states of +Virginia and Maryland to the United States, domestic slavery existed in +both of these states, including the ceded territory, and that, as it +still continues in both of them, it could not be abolished within the +District without a violation of that good faith, which was implied in +the cession and in the acceptance of the territory; nor, unless +compensation were made to the proprietors of slaves, without a manifest +infringement of an amendment to the constitution of the United States; +nor without exciting a degree of just alarm and apprehension in the +states recognizing slavery, far transcending in mischievous tendency, +any possible benefit which could be accomplished by the abolition." + +By advocating this resolution, the south shifted its mode of defence, +not by taking a position entirely new, but by attempting to refortify an +old one--abandoned mainly long ago, as being unable to hold out against +assault however unskillfully directed. In the debate on this resolution, +the southern members of Congress silently drew off from the ground +hitherto maintained by them, viz.--that Congress has no power by the +constitution to abolish slavery in the District. + +The passage of this resolution--with the vote of every southern senator, +forms a new era in the discussion of this question. We cannot join in +the lamentations of those who bewail it. We hail it, and rejoice in it. +It was as we would have had it--offered by a southern senator, advocated +by southern senators, and on the ground that it "was no +compromise"--that it embodied the true southern principle--that "this +resolution stood on as high ground as Mr. Calhoun's."--(Mr. +Preston)--"that Mr. Clay's resolution was as strong as Mr. +Calhoun's"--(Mr. Rives)--that "the resolution he (Mr. Calhoun) now +refused to support, was as strong as his own, and that in supporting it, +there was no abandonment of principle by the south."--(Mr. Walker, of +Mi.)--further, that it was advocated by the southern senators generally +as an expression of their views, and as setting the question of slavery +in the District on its _true_ ground--that finally, when the question +was taken, every slaveholding senator, including Mr. Calhoun himself, +voted for the resolution. + +By passing this resolution, and with such avowals, the south has +unwittingly but explicitly, conceded the main point argued in the +preceding pages, and surrendered the whole question at issue between +them and the petitioners for abolition in the District. + +The _only_ ground taken against the right of Congress to abolish slavery +in the District is, that it existed in Maryland and Virginia when the +cession was made, and "_as it still continues in both of them_, it could +not be abolished without a violation of that good faith which was +implied in the cession," &c. The argument is not that exclusive +_sovereignty_ has no power to abolish slavery within its jurisdiction, +nor that the powers of even ordinary legislation cannot do it, nor that +the clause granting Congress "exclusive legislation in all cases what +soever over such District," gives no power to do it; but that the +_unexpressed expectation_ of one of the parties that the other would not +"in all cases" use the power which said party had consented might be +used "_in all cases," prohibits_ the use of it. The only cardinal point +in the discussion, is here not only yielded, but formally laid down by +the South as the leading article in their creed on the question of +Congressional jurisdiction over slavery in the District. The reason +given why Congress should not abolish, and the sole evidence that if it +did, such abolition would be a violation of "good faith," is that +"_slavery still continues in those states_,"--thus admitting, that if +slavery did _not_ "still continue" in those States, Congress could +abolish it in the District. The same admission is made also in the +_premises_, which state that slavery existed in those states _at the +time of the cession_, &c. Admitting that if it had not existed there +then, but had grown up in the District under United States' laws, +Congress might constitutionally abolish it. Or that if the ceded parts +of those states had been the _only_ parts in which slaves were held +under their laws, Congress might have abolished in such a contingency +also. The cession in that case leaving no slaves in those states,--no +"good faith" would be "implied" in it, nor any "violated" by an act of +abolition. The resolution makes virtually this further admission, that +if Maryland and Virginia should at once abolish their slavery, Congress +might at once abolish it in the District. The principle goes even +further than this, and _requires_ Congress in such case to abolish +slavery in the District "by the _good faith implied_ in the cession and +acceptance of the territory." Since, according to the spirit and scope +of the resolution, this "implied good faith" of Maryland and Virginia +in making the cession, was, that Congress would do nothing within the +District which should counteract the policy, or discredit the +"institutions," or call in question the usages, or even in any way +ruffle the prejudices of those states, or do what _they_ might think +would unfavorably bear upon their interests; _themselves_ of course +being the judges. + +But let us dissect another limb of the resolution. What is to be +understood by "that good faith which was IMPLIED?" It is of course an +admission that such a condition was not _expressed_ in the acts of +cession--that in their terms there is nothing restricting the power of +Congress on the subject of slavery in the District. This "implied +faith," then, rests on no clause or word in the United States' +Constitution, or in the acts of cession, or in the acts of Congress +accepting the cession, nor on any declarations of the legislatures of +Maryland and Virginia, nor on any _act_ of theirs, nor on any +declaration of the _people_ of those states, nor on the testimony of the +Washingtons, Jeffersons, Madisons, Chases, Martins, and Jennifers, of +those states and times. The assertion rests _on itself alone!_ Mr. Clay +_guesses_ that Maryland and Virginia _supposed_ that Congress would by +no means _use_ the power given them by the Constitution, except in such +ways as would be well pleasing in the eyes of those states; especially +as one of them was the "Ancient Dominion!" And now after half a century, +this _assumed expectation_ of Maryland and Virginia, the existence of +which is mere matter of conjecture with the 36 senators, is conjured up +and duly installed upon the judgment-seat of final appeal, before whose +nod constitutions are to flee away, and with whom, solemn grants of +power and explicit guaranties are, when weighed in the balance, +altogether lighter than vanity! + +But survey it in another light. Why did Maryland and Virginia leave so +much to be "_implied?_?" Why did they not in some way _express_ what lay +so near their hearts? Had their vocabulary run so low that a single word +could not be eked out for the occasion? Or were those states so bashful +of a sudden that they dare not speak out and tell what they wanted? Or +did they take it for granted that Congress would always know their +wishes by intuition, and always take them for law? If, as honorable +senators tell us, Maryland and Virginia did verily travail with such +abounding _faith_, why brought they forth no _works_? + +It is as true in legislation as in religion, that the only evidence of +"faith" is works, and that "faith" _without_ works is _dead_, i.e. has +no _power_. But here, forsooth, a blind implication with nothing +_expressed_, an "implied" faith without works, is omnipotent! Mr. Clay +is lawyer enough to know that Maryland and Virginia notions of +constitutional power, _abrogate no grant_, and that to plead them in a +court of law, would be of small service, except to jostle "their +Honors'" gravity! He need not be told that the Constitution gives +Congress "power to exercise exclusive legislation in all cases +whatsoever over such District;" nor that Maryland and Virginia +constructed their acts of cession with this clause _before their eyes_, +and declared those acts made "in _pursuance_" of it. Those states knew +that the U.S. Constitution had left nothing to be "_implied_" as to the +power of Congress over the District; an admonition quite sufficient, one +would think, to put them on their guard, and lead them to eschew vague +implications, and to resort to _stipulations_. They knew, moreover, that +those were times when, in matters of high import, _nothing_ was left to +be "implied." The colonies were then panting from a twenty years' +conflict with the mother country, about bills of rights, charters, +treaties, constitutions, grants, limitations, and _acts of cession_. The +severities of a long and terrible discipline had taught them to guard at +all points _legislative grants_, that their exact import and limit might +be self-evident--leaving no scope for a blind "faith" that _somehow_ in +the lottery of chances, every ticket would turn up a prize. Toil, +suffering, blood, and treasure outpoured like water over a whole +generation, counselled them to make all sure by the use of explicit +terms, and well chosen words, and just enough of them. The Constitution +of the United States, with its amendments, those of the individual +states, the national treaties, and the public documents of the general +and state governments at that period, show the universal conviction of +legislative bodies, that nothing should be left to be "implied," when +great public interests were at stake. + +Further: suppose Maryland and Virginia had expressed their "implied +faith" in _words_, and embodied it in their acts of cession as a +proviso, declaring that Congress should not "exercise exclusive +legislation in _all_ cases whatsoever over the District," but that the +"case" of _slavery_ should be an exception: who does not know that +Congress, if it had accepted the cession on those terms, would have +violated the Constitution; and who that has studied the free mood of +those times in its bearings on slavery--proofs of which are given in +scores on the preceding pages--[See pp. 25-37.] can be made to believe +that the people of the United States would have re-modelled their +Constitution for the purpose of providing for slavery an inviolable +sanctuary; that when driven in from its outposts, and everywhere +retreating discomfited before the march of freedom, it might be received +into everlasting habitations on the common homestead and hearth-stone of +the republic? Who can believe that Virginia made such a condition, or +cherished such a purpose, when Washington, Jefferson, Wythe, Patrick +Henry, St. George Tucker, and all her most illustrious men, were at that +moment advocating the abolition of slavery by law; when Washington had +said, two years before, that Maryland and Virginia "must have laws for +the gradual abolition of slavery, and at a period _not remote_;" and when +Jefferson in his letter to Dr. Price, three years before the cession, +had said, speaking of Virginia, "This is the next state to which we may +turn our eyes for the interesting spectacle of justice in conflict with +avarice and oppression--a conflict in which THE SACRED SIDE IS GAINING +DAILY RECRUITS;" when voluntary emancipations on the soil were then +progressing at the rate of between one and two thousand annually, (See +Judge Tucker's "Dissertation on Slavery," p. 73;) when the public +sentiment of Virginia had undergone, so mighty a revolution that the +idea of the continuance of slavery as a permanent system could not be +tolerated, though she then contained about half the slaves in the Union. +Was this the time to stipulate for the _perpetuity_ of slavery under the +exclusive legislation of Congress? and that too when at the _same_ +session _every one_ of her delegation voted for the abolition of slavery +in the North West Territory; a territory which she herself had ceded to +the Union, and surrendered along with it her jurisdiction over her +citizens, inhabitants of that territory, who held slaves there--and +whose slaves were emancipated by that act of Congress, in which all her +delegation with one accord participated? + +Now in view of the universal belief then prevalent, that slavery in this +country was doomed to short life, and especially that in Maryland and +Virginia it would be _speedily_ abolished--must we adopt the monstrous +conclusion that those states _designed_ to bind Congress _never_ to +terminate it?--that it was the _intent_ of the Ancient Dominion thus to +_bind_ the United States by an "implied faith," and that when the +national government _accepted_ the cession, she did solemnly thus plight +her troth, and that Virginia did then so _understand_ it? Verily, +honorable senators must suppose themselves deputed to do our _thinking_ +for us as well as our legislation, or rather, that they are themselves +absolved from such drudgery by virtue of their office! + +Another absurdity of this "implied faith" dogma is, that where there was +no power to exact an _express_ pledge, there was none to demand an +_implied_ one, and where there was no power to give the one, there was +none to give the other. We have shown already that Congress could not +have accepted the cession with such a condition. To have signed away a +part of its constitutional grant of power would have been a _breach_ of +the Constitution. The Congress which accepted the cession was competent +to pass a resolution pledging itself not to _use all_ the power over the +District committed to it by the Constitution. But here its power ended. +Its resolution could only bind _itself_. It had no authority to bind a +subsequent Congress. Could the members of one Congress say to those of +another, because we do not choose to exercise all the authority vested +in us by the Constitution, therefore you _shall_ not? This would, have +been a prohibition to do what the Constitution gives power to do. Each +successive Congress would still have gone to THE CONSTITUTION for its +power, brushing away in its course the cobwebs stretched across its path +by the officiousness of an impertinent predecessor. Again, the +legislatures of Virginia and Maryland, had no power to bind Congress, +either by an express or an implied pledge, never to abolish slavery in +the District. Those legislatures had no power to bind _themselves_ never +to abolish slavery within their own territories--the ceded parts +included. Where then would they get power to bind _another_ not to do +what they had no power to bind _themselves_ not to do? If a legislature +could not in this respect control the successive legislatures of its own +State, could it control the successive Congresses of the United States? + +But perhaps we shall be told, that the "implied faith" of Maryland and +Virginia was _not_ that Congress should _never_ abolish slavery in the +District, but that it should not do it until _they_ had done it within +their bounds! Verily this "faith" comes little short of the faith of +miracles! Maryland and Virginia have "good faith" that Congress will not +abolish until _they_ do; and then just as "good faith" that Congress +_will_ abolish _when_ they do! Excellently accommodated! Did those +states suppose that Congress would legislate over the national domain, +for Maryland and Virginia alone? And who, did they suppose, would be +judges in the matter?--themselves merely? or the whole Union? + +This "good faith implied in the cession" is no longer of doubtful +interpretation. The principle at the bottom of it, when fairly stated, +is this:--That the Government of the United States are bound in "good +faith" to do in the District of Columbia, without demurring, just what +and when, Maryland and Virginia do within their own bounds. In short, +that the general government is eased of all the burdens of legislation +within its exclusive jurisdiction, save that of hiring a scrivener to +copy off the acts of the Maryland and Virginia legislatures as fast as +they are passed, and engross them, under the title of "Laws of the +United States for the District of Columbia!" A slight additional expense +would also be incurred in keeping up an express between the capitols of +those States and Washington city, bringing Congress from time to time +its "_instructions_" from head quarters! + +What a "glorious Union" this doctrine of Mr. Clay bequeaths to the +people of the United States! We have been permitted to set up at our own +expense, and on our own territory, two great _sounding-boards_ called +"Senate Chamber" and "Representatives' Hall," for the purpose of sending +abroad "by authority" _national_ echoes of _state_ legislation! +--permitted also to keep in our pay a corps of pliant _national_ +musicians, with peremptory instructions to sound on any line of the +staff according as Virginia and Maryland may give the sovereign +key note! + +A careful analysis of Mr. Clay's resolution and of the discussions upon +it, will convince every fair mind that this is but the legitimate +carrying out of the _principle_ pervading both. They proceed virtually +upon the hypothesis that the will and pleasure of Virginia and Maryland +are paramount to those of the Union. If the original design of setting +apart a federal district had been for the sole accommodation of the +south, there could hardly have been higher assumption or louder +vaunting. The only object of _having_ such a District was in effect +totally perverted in the resolution of Mr. Clay, and in the discussions +of the entire southern delegation, upon its passage. Instead of taking +the ground, that the benefit of the whole Union was the sole _object_ of +a federal district, and that it was to be legislated over _for this +end_--the resolution proceeds upon an hypothesis totally the reverse. It +takes a single point of _state_ policy, and exalts it above NATIONAL +interests, utterly overshadowing them; abrogating national rights; +making void a clause of the Constitution; humbling the general +government into a subject crouching for favors to a superior, and that +too within its own exclusive jurisdiction. All the attributes of +sovereignty vested in Congress by the Constitution, it impales upon the +point of an alleged _implication_. And this is Mr. Clay's +peace-offering, to the lust of power and the ravenings of state +encroachment! A "compromise," forsooth! that sinks the general +government on _its own territory_, into a mere colony, with Virginia and +Maryland for its "mother country!" It is refreshing to turn from these +shallow, distorted constructions and servile cringings, to the high +bearing of other southern men in other times; men, who as legislators +and lawyers, scorned to accommodate their interpretations of +constitutions and charters to geographical lines, or to bend them to the +purposes of a political canvass. In the celebrated case of Cohens _vs._ +the State of Virginia, Hon. William Pinkney, late of Baltimore, and Hon. +Walter Jones, of Washington city, with other eminent constitutional +lawyers, prepared an elaborate opinion, from which the following is an +extract: "Nor is there any danger to be apprehended from allowing to +Congressional legislation with regard to the District of Columbia, its +FULLEST EFFECT. Congress is responsible to the States, and to the people +for that legislation. It is in truth the legislation of the states over +a district placed under their control FOR THEIR OWN BENEFIT, not for +that of the District, except as the prosperity of the District is +involved, and _necessary to the general advantage_."--[Life of +Pinkney, p. 612.] + +This profound legal opinion asserts, 1st, that Congressional legislation +over the District, is "the legislation of the _states_ and the +_people_." (not of _two_ states, and a mere _fraction_ of the people;) +2d. "Over a District placed under _their_ control," i.e. under the +control of _all_ the States, not of _two twenty-sixths_ of them. 3d. +That it was thus put under their control "_for_ THEIR OWN _benefit_." +4th. It asserts that the design of this exclusive control of Congress +over the District was "not for the benefit of the _District_," except as +that is _connected_ with, and _a means of promoting_ the _general_ +advantage. If this is the case with the _District_, which is _directly_ +concerned, it is pre-eminently so with Maryland and Virginia, which are +but _indirectly_ interested. The argument of Mr. Madison in the Congress +of '89, an extract from which has been given on a preceding page, lays +down the same principle; that though any matter "_may be a local affair, +yet if it involves national_ EXPENSE or SAFETY, _it becomes of concern +to every part of the union, and is a proper subject for the +consideration of those charged with the general administration of the +government_."--Cong. Reg. vol. 1. p. 310. + +But these are only the initiatory absurdities of this "good faith +_implied_." Mr. Clay's resolution aptly illustrates the principle, that +error not only conflicts with truth, but is generally at issue with +itself: For if it would be a violation of "good faith" to Maryland and +Virginia, for Congress to abolish slavery in the District, it would be +_equally_ a violation for Congress to do it _with the consent_, or even +at the unanimous petition of the people of the District: yet for years +it has been the southern doctrine, that if the people of the District +demand of Congress relief in this respect, it has power, as their local +legislature, to grant it, and by abolishing slavery there, carry out the +will of the citizens. But now new light has broken in! The optics of Mr. +Clay have pierced the millstone with a deeper insight, and discoveries +thicken faster than they can be telegraphed! Congress has no power, O +no, not a modicum! to help the slaveholders of the District, however +loudly they may clamor for it. The southern doctrine, that Congress is +to the District a mere local Legislature to do its pleasure, is tumbled +from the genitive into the vocative! Hard fate--and that too at the +hands of those who begat it! The reasonings of Messrs. Pinckney and +Wise, are now found to be wholly at fault, and the chanticleer rhetoric +of Messrs. Glascock and Garland stalks featherless and crest-fallen. For +the resolution sweeps by the board all those stereotyped common-places, +such as "Congress a local Legislature," "consent of the District," +"bound to consult the wishes of the District," with other catch phrases, +which for the last two sessions of Congress have served to eke out +scanty supplies. It declares, that as slavery existed in _Maryland and +Virginia at the time of the cession, and as_ it still continues _in both +those states_, it could not be abolished in the District without a +violation of "that good faith," &c. + +But let us see where this principle will lead us. If "implied faith" to +Maryland and Virginia _restrains_ Congress from the abolition of slavery +in the District, because those states have not abolished _their_ +slavery, it _requires_ Congress to do in the District what those states +have done within their own limits, i.e., restrain _others_ from +abolishing it. Upon the same principle Congress is _bound_ to _prohibit +emancipation_ within the District. There is no _stopping place_ for this +plighted "faith." Congress must not only refrain from laying violent +hands on slavery, and see to it that the slaveholders themselves do not, +but it is bound to keep the system up to the Maryland and Virginia +standard of vigor! + +Again, if the good faith of Congress to Virginia and Maryland requires +that slavery should exist in the District, while it exists in those +states, it requires that it should exist there as it exists in those +states. If to abolish _every_ form of slavery in the District would +violate good faith, to abolish _the_ form existing in those states, and +to substitute a different one, would also violate it. The Congressional +"good faith" is to be kept not only with _slavery_, but with the +_Maryland and Virginia systems_ of slavery. The faith of those states +being not that Congress would maintain a system, but _their_ system; +otherwise instead of _sustaining_, Congress would counteract their +policy--principles would be brought into action there conflicting with +their system, and thus the true sprit of the "implied" pledge would be +violated. On this principle, so long as slaves are "chattels personal" +in Virginia and Maryland, Congress could not make them _real estate_ in +the District, as they are in Louisiana; nor could it permit slaves to +read, nor to worship God according to conscience; nor could it grant +them trial by jury, nor legalize marriage; nor require the master to +give sufficient food and clothing; nor prohibit the violent sundering of +families--because such provisions would conflict with the existing +slave laws of Virginia and Maryland, and thus violate the "good faith +implied," &c. So the principle of the resolution binds Congress in all +these particulars: 1st. Not to abolish slavery in the District _until_ +Virginia and Maryland abolish. 2d. Not to abolish any _part_ of it that +exists in those states. 3d. Not to abolish any _form_ or _appendage_ of +it still existing in those states. 4th. To _abolish_ when they do. 5th. +To increase or abate its rigors _when, how,_ and _as_ the same are +modified by those states. In a word, Congressional action in the +District is to float passively in the wake of legislative action on the +subject in those states. + +But here comes a dilemma. Suppose the legislation of those states should +steer different courses--then there would be _two_ wakes! Can Congress +float in both? Yea, verily! Nothing is too hard for it! Its +obsequiousness equals its "power of legislation in _all_ cases +whatsoever." It can float _up_ on the Virginia tide, and ebb down on the +Maryland. What Maryland does, Congress will do in the Maryland part. +What Virginia does, Congress will do in the Virginia part. Though it +might not always be able to run at the bidding of both _at once_, +especially in different directions, yet if it obeyed orders cheerfully, +and "kept in its place," according to its "good faith implied," +impossibilities might not be rigidly exacted. True, we have the highest +sanction for the maxim that no _man_ can serve two masters--but if +"corporations have no souls," analogy would absolve Congress on that +score, or at most give it only a _very small soul_--not large enough to +be at all in the way, as an exception to the universal rule laid down in +the maxim! + +In following out the absurdities of this "implied good faith," it will +be seen at once that the doctrine of Mr. Clay's Resolution extends to +_all the subjects of legislation_ existing in Maryland and Virginia, +which exist also within the District. Every system, "institution," law, +and established usage there, is placed beyond Congressional control +equally with slavery, and by the same "implied faith." The abolition of +the lottery system in the District as an immorality, was a flagrant +breach of this "good faith" to Maryland and Virginia, as the system +"still continued in those states." So to abolish imprisonment for debt, +or capital punishment, to remodel the bank system, the power of +corporations, the militia law, laws of limitation, &c., in the District, +_unless Virginia and Maryland took the lead,_ would violate the "good +faith implied in the cession." + +That in the acts of cession no such "good faith" was "implied" by +Virginia and Maryland as is claimed in the Resolution, we argue from the +fact, that in 1784 Virginia ceded to the United States all her +north-west territory, with the special proviso that her citizens +inhabiting that territory should "have their _possessions_ and _titles_ +confirmed to them, and be _protected_ in the enjoyment of their _rights_ +and liberties." (See Journals of Congress, vol. 9, p. 63.) The cession +was made in the form of a deed, and signed by Thomas Jefferson, Samuel +Hardy, Arthur Lee, and James Munroe. Many of these inhabitants _held +slaves._ Three years after the cession, the Virginia delegation in +Congress _proposed_ the passage of an ordinance which should abolish +slavery, in that territory, and declare that it should never thereafter +exist there. All the members of Congress from Virginia and Maryland +voted for this ordinance. Suppose some member of Congress had during the +passage of the ordinance introduced the following resolution: "Resolved, +that when the northwest territory was ceded by Virginia to the United +States, domestic slavery existed in that State, including the ceded +territory, and as it still continues in that State, it could not be +abolished within the territory without a violation of that good faith, +which was implied in the cession and in the acceptance of the +territory." What would have been the indignant response of Grayson, +Griffin, Madison, and the Lees, in the Congress of '87, to such a +resolution, and of Carrington, Chairman of the Committee, who reported +the ratification of the ordinance in the Congress of '89, and of Page +and Parker, who with every other member of the Virginia delegation +supported it? + +But to enumerate all the absurdities into which those interested for +this resolution have plunged themselves, would be to make a quarto +inventory. We decline the task; and in conclusion merely add, that Mr. +Clay, in presenting it, and each of the thirty-six Senators who voted +for it, entered on the records of the Senate, and proclaimed to the +world, a most unworthy accusation against the millions of American +citizens who have during nearly half a century petitioned the national +legislature to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia,--charging +them either with the ignorance or the impiety of praying the nation to +violate its "Plighted Faith." The resolution virtually indicts at the +bar of public opinion, and brands with odium, all the early Manumission +Societies, the _first_ petitioners for the abolition of slavery in the +District, and for a long time the only ones, petitioning from year to +year through evil report and good report, still petitioning, by +individual societies and in their national conventions. + +But as if it were not enough to table the charge against such men as +Benjamin Rush, William Rawle, John Sergeant, Roberts Vaux, Cadwallader +Colden, and Peter A. Jay,--to whom we may add Rufus King, James +Hillhouse, William Pinkney, Thomas Addis Emmett, Daniel D. Tompkins, De +Witt Clinton, James Kent, and Daniel Webster, besides eleven hundred +citizens of the District itself, headed by their Chief Justice and +Judges--even the sovereign States of Pennsylvania, New-York, +Massachusetts, Vermont, and Connecticut, whose legislatures have either +memorialized Congress to abolish slavery in the District, or instructed +their Senators to move such a measure, must be gravely informed by +Messrs. Clay, Norvell, Niles, Smith, Pierce, Benton, Black, Tipton, and +other honorable Senators, either that their perception is so dull, they +know not whereof they affirm, or that their moral sense is so blunted +they can demand without compunction a violation of the nation's faith! + +We have spoken already of the concessions unwittingly made in this +resolution to the true doctrine of Congressional power over the +District. For that concession, important as it is; we have small thanks +to render. That such a resolution, passed with such an _intent_, and +pressing at a thousand points on relations and interests vital to the +free states, should be hailed, as it has been, by a portion of the +northern press as a "compromise" originating in deference to northern +interests, and to be received by us as a free-will offering of +disinterested benevolence, demanding our gratitude to the mover,--may +well cover us with shame. We deserve the humiliation and have well +earned the mockery. Let it come! + +If, after having been set up at auction in the public sales-room of the +nation, and for thirty years, and by each of a score of "compromises," +treacherously knocked off to the lowest bidder, and that without money +and without price, the North, plundered and betrayed, _will not_, in +this her accepted time, consider the things that belong to her peace +before they are hidden from her eyes, then let her eat of the fruit of +her own way, and be filled with her own devices! Let the shorn and +blinded giant grind in the prison-house of the Philistines, till taught +by weariness and pain the folly of entrusting to Delilahs the secret and +the custody of his strength. + +Have the free States bound themselves by an oath never to profit by the +lessons of experience? If lost to reason, are they dead to _instinct_ +also? Can nothing rouse them to cast about for self preservation? And +shall a life of tame surrenders be terminated by suicidal sacrifice? + +A "COMPROMISE!" Bitter irony! Is the plucked and hoodwinked North to be +wheedled by the sorcery of another Missouri compromise? A compromise in +which the South gained all, and the North lost all, and lost it forever. +A compromise which embargoed the free laborer of the North and West, +and, clutched at the staff he leaned upon, to turn it into a bludgeon +and fell him with its stroke. A compromise which wrested from liberty +her boundless birthright domain, stretching westward to the sunset, +while it gave to slavery loose reins and a free coarse, from the +Mississippi to the Pacific. + +The resolution, as it finally passed, is here inserted. + +"Resolved, That the interference by the citizens of any of the states, +with the view to the abolition of slavery in the District, is +endangering the rights and security of the people of the District; and +that any act or measure of Congress designed to abolish slavery in the +District, would be a violation of the faith implied in the cessions by +the states of Virginia and Maryland, a just cause of alarm to the people +of the slaveholding states, and have a direct and inevitable tendency to +disturb and endanger the Union." + +The vote upon the resolution stood as follows: + +_Yeas_.--Messrs. Allen, Bayard, Benton, Black, Buchanan, Brown, Calhoun, +Clay of Alabama, Clay of Kentucky, Clayton, Crittenden, Cuthbert, +Fulton, Grundy, Hubbard, King, Lumpkin, Lyon, Nicholas. Niles, Norvell, +Pierce, Preston, Rives, Roane, Robinson, Sevier, Smith, of Connecticut, +Strange, Tallmadge, Tipton, Walker, White, Williams, Wright, Young--36. + +_Nays_.--Messrs. DAVIS, KNIGHT, McKEAN, MORRIS, PRENTISS, RUGGLES, +SMITH, of Indiana, SWIFT, WEBSTER--9. + + * * * * * + + + + +ANTI-SLAVERY EXAMINER. NO. 6. + +NARRATIVE OF JAMES WILLIAMS, AN AMERICAN SLAVE. + +ONE DOLLAR PER 100] [143 NASSAU ST. N.Y. + + * * * * * + + + +PREFACE. + +"American Slavery," said the celebrated John Wesley, "is the _vilest_ +beneath the sun!" Of the truth of this emphatic remark, no other proof +is required, than an examination of the statute books of the American +slave states. Tested by its own laws, in all that facilitates and +protects the hateful process of converting a man into a "_chattel +personal_;" in all that stamps the law-maker, and law-upholder with +meanness and hypocrisy, it certainly has no present rival of its "bad +eminence," and we may search in vain the history of a world's despotism +for a parallel. The civil code of Justinian never acknowledged, with +that of our democratic despotisms, the essential equality of man. The +dreamer in the gardens of Epicurus recognized neither in himself, nor in +the slave who ministered to his luxury, the immortality of the spiritual +nature. Neither Solon nor Lycurgus taught the inalienability of human +rights. The Barons of the Feudal System, whose maxim was emphatically +that of Wordsworth's robber, + + "That he should take who had the power, + And he should keep who can." + +while trampling on the necks of their vassals, and counting the life of +a man as of less value than that of a wild beast, never appealed to God +for the sincerity of their belief, that all men were created equal. It +was reserved for American slave-holders to present to the world the +hideous anomaly of a code of laws, beginning with the emphatic +declaration of the inalienable rights of all men to life, liberty, and +the pursuit of happiness, and closing with a deliberate and systematic +denial of those rights, in respect to a large portion of their +countrymen; engrossing on the same parchment the antagonist laws of +liberty and tyranny. The very nature of this unnatural combination has +rendered it necessary that American slavery, in law and in practice, +should exceed every other in severity and cool atrocity. The masters of +Greece and Rome permitted their slaves to read and write and worship the +gods of paganism in peace and security, for there was nothing in the +laws, literature, or religion of the age to awaken in the soul of the +bondman a just sense of his rights as a man. But the American +slaveholder cannot be thus lenient. In the excess of his benevolence, as +a political propagandist, he has kindled a fire for the oppressed of the +old world to gaze at with hope, and for crowned heads and dynasties to +tremble at; but a due regard to the safety of his "peculiar +institution," compels him to put out the eyes of his own people, lest +they too should see it. Calling on all the world to shake off the +fetters of oppression, and wade through the blood of tyrants to freedom, +he has been compelled to smother, in darkness and silence, the minds of +his own bondmen, lest they too should hear and obey the summons, by +putting the knife to his own throat.--Proclaiming the truths of Divine +Revelation, and sending the Scriptures to the four quarters of the +earth, he has found it necessary to maintain heathenism at home by +special enactments; and to make the second offence of teaching his +slaves the message of salvation punishable with _death_! + +What marvel then that American slavery even on the _statute book_ +assumes the right to transform moral beings into brutes:[A] that it +legalizes man's usurpation of Divine authority; the substitution of the +will of the master, for the moral government of God: that it annihilates +the rights of conscience; debars from the enjoyment of religious rights +and privileges by specific enactments; and enjoins disobedience to the +Divine lawgiver: that it discourages purity and chastity, encourages +crime, legalizes concubinage; and, while it places the slave entirely in +the hands of his master, provides no real protection for his life or +his person. + +[Footnote A: The _cardinal principle_ of slavery, that a slave is not to +be ranked among sentient beings, but among things, as an article of +property, a chattel personal, obtains as undoubted law, in all the slave +states. (Judge Stroud's Sketch of Slave Laws, p. 22.)] + +But it may be said, that these laws afford no certain evidence of the +actual condition of the slaves: that, in judging the system by its code, +no allowance is made for the humanity of individual masters. It was a +just remark of the celebrated Priestley, that "_no people ever were +found to be better than their laws, though many have been known to be +worse._" All history and common experience confirm this. Besides, +admitting that the legal severity of a system may be softened in the +practice of the humane, may it not also be aggravated by that of the +avaricious and cruel? + +But what are the testimony and admissions of slaveholders themselves on +this point? In an Essay published in Charleston, S.C., in 1822, and +entitled "A Refutation of the Calumnies circulated against the Southern +and Western States," by the late Edwin C. Holland, Esq., it is stated, +that "all slaveholders have laid down non-resistance, and perfect and +uniform _obedience_ to their orders as fundamental principles in the +government of their slaves:" that this is "a _necessary_ result of the +relation," and "_unavoidable_." Robert J. Turnbull, Esq., of South +Carolina, in remarking upon the management of slaves, says, "The only +principle upon which may authority over them, (the slaves,) can be +maintained is _fear_, and he who denies this has little knowledge of +them." To this may be added the testimony of Judge Ruffin, of North +Carolina, as quoted in Wheeler's Law of Slavery, p. 217. "The slave, to +remain a slave, must feel that there is _no appeal from his master_. No +man can anticipate the provocations which the slave would give, nor the +consequent wrath of the master, prompting him to BLOODY VENGEANCE on the +turbulent traitor, a vengeance _generally_ practised with impunity by +reason of its _privacy_." + +In an Essay on the "improvement of negroes on plantations," by Rev. +Thomas S. Clay, a slaveholder of Bryan county, Georgia, and Printed at +the request of the Georgia Presbytery, in 1833, we are told "that the +present economy of the slave system is _to get all you can_ from the +slave, and give him in return _as little as will barely support him in a +working condition_!" Here, in a few words, the whole enormity of slavery +is exposed to view: "to _get all you can_ from the slave"--by means of +whips and forks and irons--by every device for torturing the body, +without destroying its capability of labor; and in return give him as +little of his coarse fare as will keep him, like a mere beast of burden, +in a "_working condition_;" this is slavery, as explained by the +slaveholder himself. Mr. Clay further says: "_Offences against the +master_ are more severely punished than violations of the law of God, a +fault which affects the slave's personal character a good deal. As +examples we may notice, that _running away_ is more severely punished +than adultery." "He (the slave) only knows his master as lawgiver and +executioner, and the _sole object of punishment_ held up to his view, is +to make him _a more obedient and profitable slave_." + +Hon. W.B. Seabrook, in an address before the Agricultural Society of St. +John's, Colleton, published by order of the Society, at Charleston, in +1834, after stating that "as Slavery exists in South Carolina, the +action of the citizens should rigidly conform to that state of things:" +and, that "no _abstract opinions of the rights of man_ should be allowed +in any instance to modify the _police system of a plantation_," proceeds +as follows. "_He_ (the slave) _should be practically treated as a +slave_; and thoroughly taught the true cardinal principle on which our +peculiar institutions are founded, viz.; that to his owner he is bound +by the law of God and man; and that no human authority can sever the +link which unites them. The great aim of the slaveholder, then, should +be to keep his people in strict _subordination_. In this, it may in +truth be said, lies his _entire duty_." Again, in speaking of the +punishments of slaves, he remarks: "If to our army the disuse of THE +LASH has been prejudicial, to the slaveholder it would operate to +deprive him of the MAIN SUPPORT of his authority. For the first class of +offences, I consider imprisonment in THE STOCKS[A] at night, with or +without hard labor by day, as a powerful auxiliary in the cause of +_good_ government." "_Experience_ has convinced me that there is no +punishment to which the slave looks with more horror, than that upon +which I am commenting, (the stocks,) and none which has been attended +with happier results." + +[Footnote A: Of the nature of this punishment in the stocks, something +may be learned by the following extract of a letter from a gentleman in +Tallahassee, Florida, to the editor of the Ohio Atlas, dated June 9, +1835: "A planter, a professer of religion, in conversing upon the +universality of whipping, remarked, that a planter in G____, who had +whipped a great deal, at length got tired of it, and invented the +following _excellent_ method of punishment, which I saw practised while +I was paying him a visit. The negro was placed in a sitting position, +with his hands made fast above his head, and his feet in the stocks, so +that he could not move any part of the body. The master retired, +intending to leave him till morning, but we were awakened in the night +by the groans of the negro, which were so doleful that we feared he was +dying. We went to him, and found him covered with a cold sweat, and +almost gone. He could not have lived an hour longer. Mr. ---- found the +'stocks' such an effective punishment, that it almost superseded +the whip."] + +There is yet another class of testimony quite as pertinent as the +foregoing, which may at any time be gleaned from the newspapers of the +slave states--the advertisements of masters for their runaway slaves, +and casual paragraphs coldly relating cruelties, which would disgrace a +land of Heathenism. Let the following suffice for a specimen: + + * * * * * + +To the Editors of the Constitutionalist. + +_Aiken, S.C., Dec._ 20, 1836. + +I have just returned from an inquest I held over the dead body of a +negro man, a runaway, that was shot near the South Edisto, in this +district, (Barnwell,) on Saturday morning last. He came to his death by +his own recklessness. He refused to be taken alive; and said that other +attempts to take him had been made, and he was determined that he would +not be taken. When taken he was nearly naked--had a large dirk or knife +and a heavy club. He was at first, (when those who were in pursuit of +him found it absolutely necessary,) shot at with small shot, with the +intention of merely crippling him. He was shot at several times, and at +last he was so disabled as to be compelled to surrender. He kept in the +run of a creek in a very dense swamp all the time that the neighbors +were in pursuit of him. As soon as the negro was taken, the best medical +aid was procured, but he died on the same evening. One of the witnesses +at the inquisition stated that the negro boy said that he was from +Mississippi, and belonged to so many persons he did not know who his +master was; but again he said his master's name was _Brown_. He said his +own name was Sam; and when asked by another witness who his master was, +he muttered something like Augusta or Augustine. The boy was apparently +above 35 or 40 years of age--about six feet high--slightly yellow in the +face--very long beard or whiskers--and very stout built, and a stern +countenance; and appeared to have been run away a long time. + +WILLIAM H. PRITCHARD, + +_Coroner, (ex officio,) Barnwell Dist., S.C._ + +The Mississippi and other papers will please copy the above.--_Georgia +Constitutionalist_. + + * * * * * + +$100 REWARD.--Ran away from the subscriber, living on Herring Bay, Ann +Arundel county, Md., on Saturday, 28th January, negro man Elijah, who +calls himself Elijah Cook, is about 21 years of age, well made, of a +very dark complexion has an impediment in his speech, and _a scar on his +left cheek bone, apparently occasioned by a shot_. + +J. SCRIVENER. Annapolis (Md.) Rep., Feb., 1837. + + * * * * * + +$40 REWARD.--Ran away from my residence near Mobile, two negro men, +Isaac and Tim. Isaac is from 25 to 30 years old, dark complexion, scar +on the right side of the head, and also one on the right side of the +body, occasioned by BUCK SHOT. Tim is 22 years old, dark complexion, +scar on the right cheek, as also another on the back of the neck. +Captains and owners of steamboats, vessels, and water crafts of every +description, are cautioned against taking them on board under the +penalty of the law; and all other persons against harboring or in any +manner favoring the escape of said negroes under like penalty. + +_Mobile, Sept_. 1. SARAH WALSH. Montgomery (Ala.) Advertiser, Sept. 29, +1837. + + * * * * * + +$200 REWARD.--Ran away from the subscriber, about three years ago, a +certain negro man named Ben, (commonly known by the name of Ben Fox.) He +is about five feet five or six inches high, chunky made, yellow +complexion, and has but one eye. Also, one other negro, by the name of +Rigdon, who ran away on the 8th of this month. He is stout made, tall, +and very black, with large lips. + +I will give the reward of one hundred dollars for each of the above +negroes, to be delivered to me or confined in the jail of Lenoir or +Jones county, or _for the killing of them so that I can see them_. +Masters of vessels and all others are cautioned against harboring, +employing, or carrying them away, under the penalty of the law. + +W.D. COBB. _Lenoir county, N.C., Nov_. 12, 1836. + + * * * * * + +"A negro who had absconded from his master, and for who a reward was +offered of $100, has been apprehended and committed to prison in +Savannah, Georgia. The Editor who states the fact, adds, with as much +coolness as though there was no barbarity in the matter, that he did not +surrender until he was considerably _maimed by the dogs_[A] that had +been set on him,--desperately fighting them, one of which he cut badly +with a sword." + +_New-York Commercial Advertiser, June_, 8, 1827. + +[Footnote A: In regard to the use of bloodhounds, for the recapture of +runaway slaves, we insert the following from the New-York Evangelist, +being an extract of a letter from Natchez (Miss.) under date of January +31, 1835: "An instance was related to me in Claiborne County, in +Mississippi. A runaway was heard about the house in the night. The hound +was put upon his track, and in the morning was found watching the dead +body of the negro. The dogs are trained to this service when young. A +negro is directed to go into the woods and secure himself upon a tree. +When sufficient time has elapsed for doing this, the hound is put upon +his track. The blacks are compelled to worry them until they make them +their implacable enemies: and it is common to meet with dogs which will +take no notice of whites, though entire strangers, but will suffer no +blacks beside the house servants to enter the yard."] + + * * * * * + +From the foregoing evidence on the part of slaveholders themselves, we +gather the following facts: + +1. That perfect obedience is required of the slave--that he is made to +feel that there is no appeal from his master. + +2. That the authority of the master is only maintained by fear--a +"_reign of terror_." + +3. That "the economy of slavery is to _get all you can_ from the slave, +and give him in return as little as will barely support him in a working +condition." + +4. That runaway slaves may be shot down with impunity by any white +person. + +5. That masters offer rewards for "_killing_" their slaves, "_so that +they may see them_!" + +6. That slaves are branded with hot irons, and very much scarred with +the whip. + +7. That _iron collars_, with projecting prongs, rendering it almost +impossible for the wearer to lie down, are fastened upon the _necks +of women_. + +8. That the LASH is the MAIN SUPPORT of the slaveholder's authority: +but, that the _stocks_ are "a powerful auxiliary" to his government. + +9. That runaway slaves are chased with dogs--men hunted like beasts of +prey. + +Such is American Slavery in practice. + +The testimony thus far adduced is only that of the slaveholder and +wrong-doer himself: the admission of men who have a direct interest in +keeping out of sight the horrors of their system. It is besides no +voluntary admission. Having "framed iniquity by law," it is out of their +power to hide it. For the recovery of their runaway property, they are +compelled to advertise in the public journals, and that it may be +identified, they are under the necessity of describing the marks of the +whip on the backs of women, the iron collars about the neck--the +gun-shot wounds, and the traces of the branding-iron. Such testimony +must, in the nature of things, be partial and incomplete. But for a full +revelation of the secrets of the prison-house, we must look to the slave +himself. The Inquisitors of Goa and Madrid never disclosed the peculiar +atrocities of their "hall of horrors." It was the escaping heretic, with +his swollen and disjointed limbs, and bearing about him the scars of +rack and fire, who exposed them to the gaze and abhorrence of +Christendom. + +The following pages contain the simple and unvarnished story of an +AMERICAN SLAVE,--of one, whose situation, in the first place, as a +favorite servant in an aristocratic family in Virginia; and afterwards +as the sole and confidential driver on a large plantation in Alabama, +afforded him rare and peculiar advantages for accurate observation of +the practical workings of the system. His intelligence, evident candor, +and grateful remembrance of those kindnesses, which in a land of +Slavery, made his cup of suffering less bitter; the perfect accordance +of his statements, (made at different times, and to different +individuals),[B] one with another, as well as those statements +themselves, all afford strong confirmation of the truth and accuracy of +his story. There seems to have been no effort, on his part to make his +picture of Slavery one of entire darkness--he details every thing of a +mitigating character which fell under his observation; and even the +cruel deception of his master has not rendered him unmindful of his +early kindness. + +[Footnote B: The reader is referred to JOHN G. WHITTIER, of +Philadelphia, or to the following gentlemen, who have heard the whole, +or a part of his story, from his own lips: Emmor Kimber, of Kimberton, +Pa., Lindley Coates, of Lancaster Co., do.; James Mott, of Philadelphia, +Lewis Tappan, Elizur Wright Jun., Rev. Dr. Follen, and James G. Birney, +of New York. The latter gentleman, who was a few years ago, a citizen of +Alabama, assures us that the statements made to him by James Williams, +were such as he had every reason to believe, from his own knowledge of +slavery in that State.] + +The editor is fully aware that he has not been able to present this +affecting narrative in the simplicity and vivid freshness with which it +fell from the lips of the narrator. He has, however, as closely as +possible, copied his manner, and in many instances his precise language. +THE SLAVE HAS SPOKEN FOR HIMSELF. Acting merely as his amanuensis, he +has carefully abstained from comments of his own.[A] + +[Footnote A: As the narrator was unable to read or write, it is quite +possible that the orthography of some of the names of individuals +mentioned in his story may not be entirely correct. For instance, the +name of his master may have been either Larrimer, or Larrrimore.] + +The picture here presented to the people of the free states, is, in many +respects, a novel one. We all know something of Virginia and Kentucky +Slavery. We have heard of the internal slave trade--the pangs of +separation--the slave ship with its "cargo of despair" bound for the +New-Orleans market--the weary journey of the chained Coffle to the +cotton country. But here, in a great measure, we have lost sight of the +victims of avarice and lust. We have not studied the dreadful economy of +the cotton plantation, and know but little of the secrets of its +unlimited despotism. + +But in this narrative the scenes of the plantation rise before us, with +a distinctness which approaches reality. We hear the sound of the horn +at daybreak, calling the sick and the weary to toil unrequited. Woman, +in her appealing delicacy and suffering, about to become a mother, is +fainting under the lash, or sinking exhausted beside her cotton row. We +hear the prayer for mercy answered with sneers and curses. We look on +the instruments of torture, and the corpses of murdered men. We see the +dogs, reeking hot from the chase, with their jaws foul with human blood. +We see the meek and aged Christian scarred with the lash, and bowed down +with toil, offering the supplication of a broken heart to his Father in +Heaven, for the forgiveness of his brutal enemy. We hear, and from our +inmost hearts repeat the affecting interrogatory of the aged slave, +_"How long, Oh Lord! how long!"_ + +The editor has written out the details of this painful narrative with +feelings of sorrow. If there be any who feel a morbid satisfaction in +dwelling upon the history of outrage and cruelty, he at least is not one +of them. His taste and habits incline him rather to look to the pure and +beautiful in our nature--the sunniest side of humanity--its kindly +sympathies--its holy affections--its charities and its love. But, it is +because he has seen that all which is thus beautiful and excellent in +mind and heart, perishes in the atmosphere of slavery: it is because +humanity in the slave sinks down to a level with the brute and in the +master gives place to the attributes of a fiend--that he has not felt at +liberty to decline the task. He cannot sympathize with that abstract and +delicate philanthropy, which hesitates to bring itself in contact with +the sufferer, and which shrinks from the effort of searching out the +extent of his afflictions. The emblem of Practical Philanthropy is the +Samaritan stooping over the wounded Jew. It must be no fastidious hand +which administers the oil and the wine, and binds up the +unsightly gashes. + +Believing, as he does, that this narrative is one of truth; that it +presents an unexaggerated picture of Slavery as it exists on the cotton +plantations of the South and West, he would particularly invite to its +perusal, those individuals, and especially those professing Christians +at the North, who have ventured to claim for such a system, the sanction +and approval of the Religion of Jesus Christ. In view of the facts here +presented, let these men seriously inquire of themselves, whether in +advancing such a claim, they are not uttering a higher and more +audacious blasphemy than any which ever fell from the pens of Voltaire +and Paine. As if to cover them with confusion, and leave them utterly +without excuse for thus libelling the character of a just God, these +developments are making, and the veil rising, which for long years of +sinful apathy has rested upon the abominations of American Slavery. +Light is breaking into it's dungeons, disclosing the wreck of buried +intellect--of hearts broken--of human affections outraged--of souls +ruined. The world will see it as God has always seen it; and when He +shall at length make inquisition for blood, and His vengeance kindle +over the habitations of cruelty, with a destruction more terrible than +that of Sodom and Gomorrah, His righteous dealing will be justified of +man, and His name glorified among the nations, and there will be a voice +of rejoicing in Earth and in Heaven. ALLELUIA!--THE PROMISE IS +FULFILLED!--FOR THE SIGHING OF THE POOR AND THE OPPRESSION OF THE NEEDY, +GOD HATH RISEN! + +It is the earnest desire of the Editor, that this narrative may be the +means, under God, of awakening in the hearts of all who read it, a +sympathy for the oppressed which shall manifest itself in immediate, +active, self-sacrificing exertion for their deliverance; and, while it +excites abhorrence of his crimes, call forth pity for the oppressor. May +it have the effect to prevent the avowed and associated friends of the +slave, from giving such an undue importance to their own trials and +grievances, as to forget in a great measure the sorrows of the slave. +Let its cry of wo, coming up from the plantations of the South, suppress +every feeling of selfishness in our hearts. Let our regret and +indignation at the denial of the right of petition, be felt only because +we are thereby prevented from pleading in the Halls of Congress for the +"suffering and the dumb." And let the fact, that we are shut out from +half the territory of our country, be lamented only because it prevents +us from bearing personally to the land of Slavery, the messages of hope +for the slave, and of rebuke and warning for the oppressor. + +_New-York, 24th 1st mo._, 1838. + + * * * * * + + + +NARRATIVE + +I was born in Powhatan County, Virginia, on the plantation of George +Larrimore. Sen., at a place called Mount Pleasant, on the 16th of May +1805. May father was the slave of an orphan family whose name I have +forgotten, and was under the care of a Mr. Brooks, guardian of the +family. He was a native of Africa, and was brought over when a mere +child, with his mother. My mother was the slave of George Larrimore, +Sen. She was nearly white, and is well known to have been the daughter +of Mr. Larrimore himself. She died when myself and my twin brother +Meshech were five years of age--I can scarcely remember her. She had in +all eight children, of whom only five are now living. One, a brother, +belongs to the heirs of the late Mr. Brockenbrough of Charlottesville; +of whom he hires his time, and pays annually $120 for it. He is a member +of the Baptist church, and used to preach occasionally. His wife is a +free woman from Philadelphia, and being able to read and write, taught +her husband. The whites do not know that he can write, and have often +wondered that he could preach so well without learning. It is the +practice when a church is crowded, to turn the blacks out of their +seats. My brother did not like this, and on one occasion preached a +sermon from a text, showing that all are of one blood. Some of the +whites who heard it, said that such preaching would raise an +insurrection among the negroes. Two of them told him that if he would +prove his doctrine by Scripture, they would let him go, but if he did +not, he should have nine and thirty lashes. He accordingly preached +another sermon and spoke with a great deal of boldness. The two men who +were in favor of having him whipped, left before the sermon was over; +those who remained, acknowledged that he had proved his doctrine, and +preached a good sermon, and many of them came up and shook hands with +him. The two opposers, Scott and Brockley, forbid my brother, after +this, to come upon their estates. They were both Baptists, and my +brother had before preached to their people. During the cholera at +Richmond, my brother preached a sermon, in which he compared the +pestilence to the plagues, which afflicted the Egyptian slaveholders, +because they would not let the people go. After the sermon some of the +whites threatened to whip him. Mr. Valentine, a merchant on Shocko Hill +prevented them; and a young lawyer named Brooks said it was wrong to +threaten a man for preaching the truth. Since the insurrection of Nat. +Turner he has not been allowed to preach much. + +My twin brother was for some time the property of Mr. John Griggs, of +Richmond, who sold him about three years since, to an Alabama Cotton +Planter, with whom he staid one year, and then ran away and in all +probability escaped into the free states or Canada, as he was seen near +the Maryland line. My other brother lives in Fredericksburg, and belongs +to a Mr. Scott, a merchant formerly of Richmond. He was sold from Mr. +Larrimore's plantation because his wife was a slave of Mr. Scott. My +only sister is the slave of John Smith, of King William. Her husband was +the slave of Mr. Smith, when the latter lived in Powhatan county, and +when he removed to King William, she was taken with her husband. + +My old master, George Larrimore, married Jane Roane, the sister of a +gentleman named John Roane, one of the most distinguished men in +Virginia, who in turn married a sister of my master. One of his sisters +married a Judge Scott, and another married Mr. Brockenbrough of +Charlottesville. Mr. Larrimore had three children; George, Jane, and +Elizabeth. The former was just ten days older than myself; and I was his +playmate and constant associate in childhood. I used to go with him to +his school, and carry his books for him as far as the door, and meet him +there when the school was dismissed. We were very fond of each other, +and frequently slept together. He taught me the letters of the alphabet, +and I should soon have acquired a knowledge of reading, had not George's +mother discovered her son in the act of teaching me. She took him aside +and severely reprimanded him. When I asked him, not long after, to tell +me more of what he had learned at school, he said that his mother had +forbidden him to do so any more, as her father had a slave, who was +instructed in reading and writing, and on that account proved very +troublesome. He could, they said, imitate the hand-writing of the +neighboring planters, and used to write passes and certificates of +freedom for the slaves, and finally wrote one for himself, and went off +to Philadelphia, from whence her father received from him a saucy +letter, thanking him for his education. + +The early years of my life went by pleasantly. The bitterness of my lot +I had not yet realized. Comfortably clothed and fed, kindly treated by +my old master and mistress and the young ladies, and the playmate and +confidant of my young master, I did not dream of the dark reality of +evil before me. + +When he was fourteen years of age, master George went to his uncle +Brockenbrough's at Charlottesville, as a student of the University. +After his return from College, he went to Paris and other parts of +Europe, and spent three or four years in study and travelling. In the +mean time I was a waiter in the house, dining-room servant, &c. My old +master visited and received visits from a great number of the principal +families in Virginia. Each summer, with his family, he visited the +Sulphur Springs and the mountains. While George was absent, I went with +him to New-Orleans, in the winter season, on account of his failing +health. We spent three days in Charleston, at Mr. McDuffie's, with whom +my master was on intimate terms. Mr. McDuffie spent several days on one +occasion at Mt. Pleasant. He took a fancy to me, and offered my master +the servant whom he brought with him and $500 beside, for me. My master +considered it almost an insult, and said after he was gone, that Mr. +McDuffie needed money to say the least, as much as he did. + +He had a fine house in Richmond, and used to spend his winters there +with his family, taking me with him. He was not there much at other +times, except when the Convention of 1829 for amending the State +Constitution, was held in that city. He had a quarrel with Mr. Neal of +Richmond Co., in consequence of some remarks upon the subject of +Slavery. It came near terminating in a duel. I recollect that during the +sitting of the Convention, my master asked me before several other +gentlemen, if I wished to be free and go back to my own country. I +looked at him with surprise, and inquired what country? + +"Africa, to be sure," said he, laughing. + +I told him that was not my country--that I was born in Virginia. + +"Oh yes," said he, "but your father was born in Africa." He then said +that there was a place on the African coast called Liberia where a great +many free blacks were going; and asked me to tell him honestly, whether +I would prefer to be set free on condition of going to Africa, or live +with him and remain a slave. I replied that I had rather be as I was. + +I have frequently heard him speak against slavery to his visitors. I +heard him say on one occasion, when some gentlemen were arguing in favor +of sending the free colored people to Africa, that this was as really +the black man's country as the white's, and that it would be as humane +to knock the free negroes, at once, on the head, as to send them to +Liberia. He was a kind man to his slaves. He was proud of them, and of +the reputation he enjoyed of feeding and clothing them well. They were +as near as I can judge about 300 in number. He never to my knowledge +sold a slave, unless to go with a wife or husband, and at the slave's +own request. But all except the very wealthiest planters in his +neighborhood sold them frequently. John Smoot of Powhatan Co. has sold a +great number. Bacon Tait[A] used to be one of the principal purchasers. +He had a jail at Richmond where he kept them. There were many others who +made a business of buying and selling slaves. I saw on one occasion +while travelling with my master, a gang of nearly two hundred men +fastened with chains. The women followed unchained and the children in +wagons. It was a sorrowful sight. Some were praying, some crying, and +they all had a look of extreme wretchedness. It is an awful thing to a +Virginia slave to be sold for the Alabama and Mississippi country. I +have known some of them to die of grief, and others to commit suicide, +on account of it. + +[Footnote A: Bacon Tait's advertisement of "new and commodious +buildings" for the keeping of negroes, situated at the corner of 15th +and Carey streets, appears in the Richmond Whig of Sept. 1896.--EDITOR.] + +In my seventeenth year, I was married to a girl named Harriet, belonging +to John Gatewood, a planter living about four miles from Mr. Pleasant. +She was about a year younger than myself--was a tailoress, and used to +cut out clothes for the hands. + +We were married by a white clergyman named Jones; and were allowed to or +three weeks to ourselves, which we spent in visiting and other +amusements. + +The field hands are seldom married by a clergyman. They simply invite +their friends together, and have a wedding party. + +Our two eldest children died in their infancy: two are now living. The +youngest was only two months old when I saw him for the last time. I +used to visit my wife on Saturday and Sunday evenings. + +My young master came back from Europe in delicate health. He was advised +by his physicians to spend the winter in New-Orleans, whither he +accordingly went, taking me with him. Here he became acquainted with a +French lady of one of the first families in the city. The next winter he +also spent in New-Orleans, and on his third visit, three years after his +return from Europe, he was married to the lady above mentioned. In May +he returned to Mt. Pleasant, and found the elder Larrimore on his sick +bed, from which he never rose again. He died on the 14th of July. There +was a great and splendid funeral, as his relatives and friends +were numerous. + +His large property was left principally in the hands of his widow until +her decease, after which it was to be divided among the three children. +In February Mrs. Larrimore also died. The administrators upon the estate +were John Green, Esq., and Benjamin Temple. My young master came back +from Europe in delicate health. He way advised by his physicians to +spend the winter in New-Orleans, whither he accordingly went, taking me +with him. Here he became acquainted with a French lady of one of the +first families in the city. The next winter he also spent in +New-Orleans, and on his third visit, three years after his return from +Europe, he was married to the lady above mentioned. In May he returned +to Mt. Pleasant, and found the elder Larrimore on his sick bed, from +which he never rose again. He died on the 14th of July. There was a +great and splendid funeral, as his relatives and friends were numerous. + +His large property was left principally in the hands of his widow until +her decease, after which it was to be divided among the three children. +In February Mrs. Larrimore also died. The administrators upon the estate +were John Green, Esq., and Benjamin Temple. + +My young mistresses, Jane and Elizabeth, were very kind to the servants. +They seemed to feel under obligations to afford them every comfort and +gratification, consistent with the dreadful relation of ownership which +they sustained towards them. Whipping was scarcely known on the estate; +and, whenever it did take place, it was invariably against the wishes of +the young ladies. + +But the wife of master George was of a disposition entirely the reverse. +Feeble, languid, and inert, sitting motionless for hours at her window, +or moving her small fingers over the strings of her guitar, to some soft +and languishing air, she would have seemed to a stranger incapable of +rousing herself from that indolent repose, in which mind as well as body +participated. But, the slightest disregard of her commands--and +sometimes even the neglect to anticipate her wishes, on the part of the +servants; was sufficient to awake her. The inanimate and delicate beauty +then changed into a stormy virago. Her black eyes flawed and sparkled +with a snaky fierceness, her full lips compressed, and her brows bent +and darkened. Her very voice, soft and sweet when speaking to her +husband, and exquisitely fine and melodious, when accompanying her +guitar, was at such times, shrill, keen, and loud. She would order the +servants of my young mistresses upon her errands, and if they pleaded +their prior duty to obey the calls of another, would demand that they +should be forthwith whipped for their insolence. If the young ladies +remonstrated with her, she met them with a perfect torrent of invective +and abuse. In these paroxysms of fury she always spoke in French, with a +vehemence and volubility, which strongly contrasted with the calmness +and firmness of the young ladies. She would boast of what she had done +in New-Orleans, and of the excellent discipline of her father's slaves. +She said she had gone down in the night to the cell under her father's +house, and whipped the slaves confined there with her own hands. I had +heard the same thing from her father's servants at New-Orleans, when I +was there with my master. She brought with her from New-Orleans a girl +named Frances. I have seen her take her by the ear, lead her up to the +side of the room, and beat her head against it. At other times she would +snatch off her slipper and strike the girl on her face and head with it. + +She seldom manifested her evil temper before master George. When she +did, he was greatly troubled, and he used to speak to his sisters about +it. Her manner towards him was almost invariably that of extreme +fondness. She was dark complexioned, but very beautiful; and the smile +of welcome with which she used to meet him was peculiarly fascinating. I +did not marvel that _he_ loved her; while at the same time, in common +with all the house servants, I regarded her as a being possessed with an +evil spirit,--half woman, and half fiend. + +Soon after the settlement of the estate, I heard my master speak of +going out to Alabama. His wife had 1500 acres of wild land in Greene +County in that State: and he had been negociating for 500 more. Early in +the summer of 1833, he commenced making preparations for removing to +that place a sufficient number of hands to cultivate it. He took great +pains to buy up the wives and husbands of those of his own slaves who +had married out of the estate, in order, as he said, that his hands +might be contented in Alabama, and not need chaining together while on +their journey. It is always found necessary by the regular +slave-traders, in travelling with their slaves to the far South, to +handcuff and chain their wretched victims, who have been bought up as +the interest of the trader, and the luxury or necessities of the planter +may chance to require, without regard to the ties sundered or the +affections made desolate, by these infernal bargains. About the 1st of +September, after the slaves destined for Alabama had taken a final +farewell of their old home, and of the friends they were leaving behind, +our party started on their long journey. There were in all 214 slaves, +men, women and children. The men and women travelled on foot--the small +children in the wagons, containing the baggage, &c. Previous to my +departure, I visited my wife and children at Mr. Gatewood's. I took +leave of them with the belief that I should return with my master, as +soon as he had seen his hands established on his new plantation. I took +my children in my arms and embraced them; my wife, who was a member of +the Methodist church, implored the blessing of God upon me, during my +absence, and I turned away to follow my master. + +Our journey was a long and tedious one, especially to those who were +compelled to walk the whole distance. My master rode in a sulky, and I, +as his body servant, on horseback: When we crossed over the Roanoke, and +were entering upon North Carolina, I remember with what sorrowful +countenances and language the poor slaves looked back for the last time +upon the land of their nativity. It was their last farewell to Old +Virginia. We passed through Georgia, and crossing the Chattahoochee, +entered Alabama. Our way for many days was through a sandy tract of +country, covered with pine woods, with here and there the plantation of +an Indian or a half-breed. After crossing what is called Line Creek, we +found large plantations along the road, at intervals of four or five +miles. The aspect of the whole country was wild and forbidding, save to +the eye of a cotton-planter. The clearings were all new, and the houses +rudely constructed of logs. The cotton fields, were skirted with an +enormous growth of oak, pine, and other wood. Charred stumps stood +thickly in the clearings, with here and there a large tree girdled by +the axe and left to decay. We reached at last the place of our +destination. It was a fine tract of land with a deep rich soil. We +halted on a small knoll, where the tents were pitched, and the wagons +unladen. I spent the night with my master at a neighboring plantation, +which was under the care of an overseer named Flincher. + +The next morning my master received a visit from a man named Huckstep, +who had undertaken the management of his plantation as an overseer. He +had been an overseer on cotton plantations many years in Georgia and +North Carolina. He was apparently about forty years of age, with a +sunburnt and sallow countenance. His thick shock of black hair was +marked in several places with streaks of white, occasioned as he +afterwards told me by blows received from slaves whom he was chastising. + +After remaining in the vicinity for about a week, my master took me +aside one morning--told me he was going to Selma in Dallas County, and +wished me to be in readiness on his return the next day, to start for +Virginia. This was to me cheering news. I spent that day and the next +among my old fellow servants who had lived with me in Virginia. Some of +them had messages to send by me to their friends and acquaintances. In +the afternoon of the second day after my master's departure, I +distributed, among them all the money which I had about me, viz., +fifteen dollars. I noticed that the overseer Huckstep laughed at this +and called me a fool: and that whenever I spoke of going home with my +master, his countenance indicated something between a smile and a sneer. + +Night came; but contrary to his promise, my master did not come. I still +however expected him the next day. But another night came, and he had +not returned. I grew uneasy, and inquired of Huckstep where be thought +my master was. + +"On his way to Old Virginia," said he, with a malicious laugh. + +"But," said I. "Master George told me that he should come back and take +me with him to Virginia." + +"Well, boy," said the overseer, "I'll now tell ye what master George, as +you call him, told me. You are to stay here and act as driver of the +field hands. That was the order. So you may as well submit to it +at once." + +I stood silent and horror-struck. Could it be that the man whom I had +served faithfully from our mutual boyhood, whose slightest wish had been +my law, to serve whom I would have laid down my life, while I had +confidence in his integrity--could it be that he had so cruelly and +wickedly deceived me? I looked at the overseer. He stood laughing at me +in my agony. + +"Master George gave you no such orders," I exclaimed, maddened by the +overseer's look and manner. + +The overseer looked at me with a fiendish grin. "None of your +insolence," said he, with a dreadful oath. "I never saw a Virginia +nigger that I couldn't manage, proud as they are. Your master has left +you in my hands, and you must obey my orders. If you don't, why I shall +have to make you '_hug the widow there_,'" pointing to a tree, to which I +afterwards found the slaves were tied when they were whipped. + +That night was one of sleepless agony. Virginia--the hills and the +streams of my birth-place; the kind and hospitable home; the +gentle-hearted sisters, sweetening with their sympathy the sorrows of +the slave--my wife--my children--all that had thus far made up my +happiness, rose in contrast with my present condition. Deeply as he has +wronged me, may my master himself never endure such a night of misery! + +At daybreak, Huckstep told me to dress myself, and attend to his +directions. I rose, subdued and wretched, and at his orders handed the +horn to the headmen of the gang, who summoned the hands to the field. +They were employed in clearing land for cultivation, cutting trees and +burning. I was with them through the day, and at night returned once +more to my lodgings to be laughed at by the overseer. He told me that I +should do well, he did not doubt, by and by, but that a Virginia driver +generally had to be whipped a few times himself before he could be +taught to do justice to the slaves under his charge. They were not equal +to those raised in North Carolina, for keeping the lazy hell-hounds, as +he called the slaves, at work. + +And this was my condition!--a driver set over more than one hundred and +sixty of my kindred and friends, wish orders to apply the whip +unsparingly to every one, whether man or woman, who faltered in the +task, or was careless in the execution of it, myself subject at any +moment to feel the accursed lash upon my own back, if feelings of +humanity should perchance overcome the selfishness of misery, and induce +me to spare and pity. + +I lived in the same house with Huckstep,--a large log house, roughly +finished; where we were waited upon by an old woman, whom we used to +call aunt Polly. Huckstep was, I soon found, inordinately fond of peach +brandy; and once or twice in the course of a month he had a drunken +debauch, which usually lasted from two to four days. He was then full of +talk, laughed immoderately at his own nonsense and would keep me up +until late at night listening to him. He was at these periods terribly +severe to his hands, and would order me to use up the cracker of my whip +every day upon the poor creatures, who were toiling in the field, and in +order to satisfy him, I used to tear it off when returning home at +night. He would then praise me for a good fellow, and invite me to +drink with him. + +He used to tell me at such times, that if I would only drink as he did, +I should be worth a thousand dollars more for it. He would sit hours +with his peach brandy, cursing and swearing, laughing and telling +stories full of obscenity and blasphemy. He would sometimes start up, +take my whip, and rush out to the slave quarters, flourish it about and +frighten the inmates and often cruelly beat them. He would order the +women to pull up their clothes, in Alabama style, as he called it, and +then whip them for not complying. He would then come back roaring and +shouting to the house, and tell me what he had done; if I did not laugh +with him, he would get angry and demand what the matter was. Oh! how +often I have laughed, at such times, when my heart ached within me; and +how often, when permitted to retire to my bed, have I found relief +in tears! + +He had no wife, but kept a colored mistress in a house situated on a +gore of land between the plantation and that of Mr. Goldsby. He brought +her with him from North Carolina, and had three children by her. + +Sometimes in his fits of intoxication, he would come riding into the +field, swinging his whip, and crying out to the hands to strip off their +shirts, and be ready to take a whipping: and this too when they were all +busily at work. At another time, he would gather the hands around him +and fall to cursing and swearing about the neighboring overseers. They +were, he said, cruel to their hands, whipped them unmercifully, and in +addition starved them. As for himself, he was the kindest and best +fellow within forty miles; and the hands ought to be thankful that they +had such a good man for their overseer. + +He would frequently be very familiar with me, and call me his child; he +would tell me that our people were going to get Texas, a fine cotton +country, and that he meant to go out there and have a plantation of his +own, and I should go with him and be his overseer. + +The houses in the "_negro quarters_" were constructed of logs, and from +twelve to fifteen feet square; they had no glass, but there were holes +to let in the light and air. The furniture consisted of a table, a few +stools, and dishes made of wood, and an iron pot, and some other cooking +utensils. The houses were placed about three or four rods apart, with a +piece of ground attached to each of them for a garden, where the +occupant could raise a few vegetables. The "quarters" were about three +hundred yards from the dwelling of the overseer. + +The hands were occupied in clearing land and burning brush, and in +constructing their houses, through the winter. In March we commenced +ploughing: and on the first of April began planting seed for cotton. The +hoeing season commenced about the last of May. At the earliest dawn of +day, and frequently before that time, the laborers were roused from +their sleep by the blowing of the horn. It was blown by the headman of +the gang who led the rest in the work and acted under my direction, as +my assistant. + +Previous to the blowing of the horn the hands generally rose and eat +what was called the "morning's bit," consisting of ham and bread. If +exhaustion and fatigue prevented their rising before the dreaded sound +of the horn broke upon their slumbers, they had no time to snatch a +mouthful, but were harried out at once. + +It was my business to give over to each of the hands his or her +appropriate implement of labor, from the toolhouse where they were +deposited at night. After all had been supplied, they were taken to the +field, and set at work as soon as it was sufficiently light to +distinguish the plants from the grass and weeds. I was employed in +passing from row to row, in order to see that the work was well done, +and to urge forward the laborers. At 12 o'clock, the horn was blown from +the overseer's house, calling the hands to dinner, each to his own +cabin. The intermission of labor was one hour and a half to hoers and +pickers, and two hours to the ploughmen. At the expiration of this +interval, the horn again summoned them to thus labor. They were kept in +the field until dark, when they were called home to supper. + +There was little leisure for any of the hands on the plantation. In the +evenings, after it was too dark for work in the field, the men were +frequently employed in burning brush and in other labors until late at +night. The women after toiling in the field by day, were compelled to +card, spin, and weave cotton for their clothing, in the evening. Even on +Sundays there was little or no respite from toil. Those who had not been +able to work out all their tasks during the week were allowed by the +overseer to finish it on the Sabbath, and thus save themselves from a +whipping on Monday morning. Those whose tasks were finished frequently +employed most of that day in cultivating their gardens. + +Many of the female hands were delicate young women, who in Virginia had +never been accustomed to field labor. They suffered greatly from the +extreme heat and the severity of the toil. Oh! how often have I seen +them dragging their weary limbs from the cotton field at nightfall, +faint and exhausted. The overseer used to laugh at their sufferings. +They were, he said, Virginia ladies, and altogether too delicate for +Alabama use: but they must be made to do their tasks notwithstanding. +The recollection of these things even now is dreadful. I used to tell +the poor creatures, when compelled by the overseer to urge them forward +with the whip, that I would much rather take their places, and endure +the stripes than inflict them. + +When but three months old, the children born on the estate were given up +to the care of the old women who were not able to work out of doors. +Their mothers were kept at work in the field. + +It was the object of the overseer to separate me in feeling and interest +as widely as possible from my suffering brethren and sisters. I had +relations among the field hands, and used to call them my cousins. He +forbid my doing so; and told me if I acknowledged relationship with any +of the hands I should be flogged for it. He used to speak of them as +devils and hell-hounds, and ridicule them in every possible way; and +endeavoured to make me speak of them and regard them in the same manner. +He would tell long stories about hunting and shooting "runaway niggers," +and detail with great apparent satisfaction the cruel and horrid +punishments which he had inflicted. One thing he said troubled him. He +had once whipped a slave so severely that he died in consequence of it, +and it was soon after ascertained that he was wholly innocent of the +offence charged against him. That slave, he said, had haunted him +ever since. + +Soon after we commenced weeding our cotton, some of the hands who were +threatened with a whipping for not finishing their tasks, ran away. The +overseer and myself went out after them, taking with us five +bloodhounds, which were kept on the Estate for the sole purpose of +catching runaways. There were no other hounds in the vicinity, and the +overseers of the neighboring plantations used to borrow them to hunt +their runaways. A Mr. Crop, who lived about ten miles distant, had two +packs, and made it his sole business to catch slaves with them. We used +to set the dogs upon the track of the fugitives, and they would follow +them until, to save themselves from being torn in pieces, they would +climb into a tree, where the dogs kept them until we came up and +secured them. + +These hounds, when young, are taught to run after the negro boys; and +being always kept confined except when let out in pursuit of runaways, +they seldom fail of overtaking the fugitive, and seem to enjoy the sport +of hunting men as much as other dogs do that of chasing a fox or a deer. +My master gave a large sum for his five dogs,--a slut and her +four puppies. + +While going over our cotton picking for the last time, one of our hands +named Little John, ran away. The next evening the dogs were started on +his track. We followed them awhile, until we knew by their ceasing to +bark that they had found him. We soon met the dogs returning. Their +jaws, heads, and feet, were bloody. The overseer looked at them and +said, "he was afraid the dogs had killed the nigger." It being dark, we +could not find him that night. Early the next morning, we started off +with our neighbors, Sturtivant and Flincher; and after searching about +for some time, we found the body of Little John lying in the midst of a +thicket of cane. It was nearly naked, and dreadfully mangled and gashed +by the teeth of the dogs. They had evidently dragged it some yards +through the thicket: blood, tatters of clothes, and even the entrails of +the unfortunate man, were clinging to the stubs of the old and broken +cane. Huckstep stooped over his saddle, looked at the body, and muttered +an oath. Sturtivant swore it was no more than the fellow deserved. We +dug a hole in the cane-brake, where he lay, buried him, and +returned home. + +The murdered young man had a mother and two sisters on the plantation, +by whom he was dearly loved. When I told the old woman of what had +befallen her son, she only said that it was better for poor John than to +live in slavery. + +Late in the fall of this year, a young man, who had already run away +several times, was missing from his task. It was four days before we +found him. The dogs drove him at last up a tree, where he was caught, +and brought home. He was then fastened down to the ground by means of +forked sticks of wood selected for the purpose, the longest fork being +driven into the ground until the other closed down upon the neck, +ancles, and wrists. The overseer then sent for two large cats belonging +to the house. These he placed upon the naked shoulders of his victim, +and dragged them suddenly by their tails downward. At first they did not +scratch deeply. He then ordered me to strike them with a small stick +after he had placed them once more upon the back of the sufferer. I did +so; and the enraged animals extended their claws, and tore his back +deeply and cruelly as they were dragged along it. He was then whipped +and placed in the stocks, where he was kept for three days. On the third +morning as I passed the stocks, I stopped to look at him. His head hung +down over the chain which supported his neck. I spoke, but he did not +answer. _He was dead in the stocks_! The overseer on seeing him seemed +surprised, and, I thought, manifested some remorse. Four of the field +hands took him out of the stocks and buried him: and every thing went +on as usual. + +It is not in my power to give a narrative of the daily occurrences on +the plantation. The history of one day was that of all. The gloomy +monotony of our slavery, was only broken by the overseer's periodical +fits of drunkenness, at which times neither life nor limb on the estate +were secure from his caprice or violence. + +In the spring of 1835, the overseer brought me a letter from my wife, +written for her by her young mistress, Mr. Gateweed's daughter. He read +it to me: it stated that herself and children were well--spoke of her +sad and heavy disappointment in consequence of my not returning with my +master; and of her having been told by him that I should come back the +next fall. + +Hope for a moment lightened my heart; and I indulged the idea of once +more returning to the bosom of my family. But I recollected that my +master had already cruelly deceived me; and despair again took hold +on me. + +Among our hands was one whom we used to call Big Harry. He was a stout, +athletic man--very intelligent, and an excellent workman; but he was of +a high and proud spirit, which the weary and crushing weight of a life +of slavery had not been able to subdue. On almost every plantation at +the South you may find one or more individuals, whose look and air show +that they have preserved their self-respect as _men_;--that with them +the power of the tyrant ends with the coercion of the body--that the +soul is free, and the inner man retaining the original uprightness of +the image of God. You may know them by the stern sobriety of their +countenances, and the contempt with which they regard the jests and +pastimes of their miserable and degraded companions, who, like Samson, +make sport for the keepers of their prison-house. These men are always +feared as well as hated by their task-masters. Harry had never been +whipped, and had always said that he would die rather than submit to it. +He made no secret of his detestation of the overseer. While most of the +slaves took off their hats, with cowering submission, in his presence, +Harry always refused to do so. He never spoke to him except in a brief +answer to his questions. Master George, who knew, and dreaded the +indomitable spirit of the man, told the overseer, before he left the +plantation, to beware how he attempted to punish him. But, the habits of +tyranny in which Huckstep had so long indulged, had accustomed him to +abject submission, on the part of his subjects; and he could not endure +this upright and unbroken manliness. He used frequently to curse and +swear about him, and devise plans for punishing him on account of his +impudence as he called it. + +A pretext was at last afforded him. Sometime in August of this year, +there was a large quantity of yellow unpicked cotton lying in the gin +house. Harry was employed at night in removing the cotton see, which has +been thrown out by the gin. The rest of the male hands were engaged +during the day in weeding the cotton for the last time, and in the nigh, +in burning brush on the new lands clearing for the next year's crop. +Harry was told one evening to go with the others and assist in burning +the brush. He accordingly went and the next night a double quantity of +seed had accumulated in the gin house: and although he worked until +nearly 2 o'clock in the morning, he could not remove it all. + +The next morning the overseer came into the field, and demanded of me +why I had not whipped Harry for not removing all the cotton seed. He +then called aloud to Harry to come forward and be whipped. Harry +answered somewhat sternly that he would neither be struck by overseer +nor driver; that he had worked nearly all night, and had scarcely fallen +asleep when the horn blew to summon him to his toil in the field. The +overseer raved and threatened, but Harry paid no farther attention to +him. He then turned to me and asked me for my pistols, with a pair of +which he had furnished me. I told him they were not with me. He growled +an oath, threw himself on his horse and left us. In the evening I found +him half drunk and raving like a madman. He said he would no longer bear +with that nigger's insolence; but would whip him if it cost him his +life. He at length fixed upon a plan for seizing him; and told me that +he would go out in the morning, ride along by the side of Harry and talk +pleasantly to him, and then, while Harry was attending to him, I was to +steal upon him and knock him down, by a blow on the head, from the +loaded and heavy handle of my whip. I was compelled to promise to obey +his directions. + +The next morning when we got to the field I told Harry of the overseer's +plan, and advised him by all means to be on his guard and watch my +motions. His eye glistened with gratitude. "Thank you James", said he, +"I'll take care that you don't touch me." + +Huckstep came into the field about 10 o'clock. He rode along by the side +of Harry talking and laughing. I was walking on the other side. When I +saw that Harry's eye was upon me I aimed a blow at him intending however +to miss him. He evaded the blow and turned fiercely round with his hoe +uplifted, threatening to cut down any one who again attempted to strike +him. Huckstep cursed my awkwardness, and told Harry to put down his hoe +and came to him. He refused to do so and swore he would kill the first +man who tried to lay hands on him. The cowardly tyrant shrank away from +his enraged bondman, and for two weeks Harry was not again molested. + +About the first of September, the overseer had one of his drunken fits. +He made the house literally an earthly hell. He urged me to drink, +quarrelled and swore at me for declining, and chased the old woman round +the house, with his bottle of peach brandy. He then told me that Harry +had forgotten the attempt to seize him, and that is the morning we must +try our old game over again. + +On the following morning, as I was handing to each of the hands their +hoes from the tool house, I caught Harry's eye. "Look out," said I to +him. "Huckstep will be after you again to day." He uttered a deep curse +against the overseer and passed on to his work. After breakfast Huckstep +came riding out to the cotton field. He tied his horse to a tree, and +came towards us. His sallow and haggard countenance was flushed, and his +step unsteady. He came up by the side of Harry and began talking about +the crops and the weather; I came at the same time on the other side, +and in striking at him, beat off his hat. He sprang aside and stepped +backwards. Huckstep with a dreadful oath commanded him to stop, saying +that he had determined to whip him, and neither earth nor hell should +prevent him. Harry defied him: and said he had always done the work +allotted to him and that was enough: he would sooner die than have the +accursed lash touch him. The overseer staggered to his horse, mounted +him and rode furiously to the house, and soon made his appearance, +returning, with his gun in his hand. + +"Yonder comes the devil!" said one of the women whose row was near +Harry's. + +"Yes," said another, "He's trying to scare Harry with his gun." + +"Let him try as he pleases," said Harry, in his low, deep, determined +tones, "He may shoot me, but he can't whip me." + +Huckstep came swearing on: when within a few yards of Harry he stopped, +looked at him with a stare of mingled rage and drunken imbecility; and +bid him throw down his hoe and come forward. The undaunted slave refused +to comply, and continuing his work told the drunken demon to shoot if he +pleased. Huckstep advanced within a few steps of him when Harry raised +his hoe and told him to stand back. He stepped back a few paces, leveled +his gun and fired. Harry received the charge in his breast, and fell +instantly across a cotton row. He threw up his hands wildly, and +groaned, "Oh, Lord!" + +The hands instantly dropped their hoes. The women shrieked aloud. For my +own part I stood silent with horror. The cries of the women enraged the +overseer, he dropped his gun, and snatching the whip from my hand, with +horrid oaths, and imprecations fell to whipping them, laying about him +like a maniac. Upon Harry's sister he bestowed his blows without mercy, +commanding her to quit her screaming and go to work. The poor girl, +whose brother had thus been murdered before her eyes, could not wrestle +down the awful agony of her feelings, and the brutal tormentor left her +without effecting his object. He then, without going to look of his +victim, told four of the hands to carry him to the house, and taking up +his gun left the field. When we got to the poor fellow, he was alive, +and groaning faintly. The hands took him up, but before they reached the +house he was dead. Huckstep came out, and looked at him, and finding him +dead, ordered the hands to bury him. The burial of a slave in Alabama is +that of a brute. No coffin--no decent shroud--no prayer. A hole is dug, +and the body (sometimes enclosed in a rude box,) is thrown in without +further ceremony. + +From this time the overseer was regarded by the whole gang with +detestation and fear--as a being to whose rage and cruelty there were no +limits. Yet he was constantly telling us that he was the kindest of +overseers--that he was formerly somewhat severe in managing his hands, +but that now he was, if any thing, too indulgent. Indeed he had the +reputation of being a good overseer, and an excellent manager, when +sober. The slaves on some of the neighboring plantations were certainly +worse clothed and fed, and more frequently and cruelly whipped than +ours. Whenever the saw them they complained of over working and short +feeding. One of Flincher's, and one of Sturtivant's hands ran away, +while I was in Alabama: and after remaining in the woods awhile, and +despairing of being able to effect their escape, resolved to put an end +to their existence and their slavery together. Each twisted himself a +vine of the muscadine grape, and fastened one end around the limb of an +oak, and made a noose in the other. Jacob, Flincher's man, swung himself +off first, and expired after a long struggle. The other, horrified by +the contortions and agony of his comrade, dropped his noose, and was +retaken. When discovered, two or three days afterwards, the body of +Jacob was dreadfully torn and mangled, by the buzzards, those winged +hyenas and goules of the Southwest. + +Among the slaves who were brought from Virginia, were two young and +bright mulatto women, who were always understood throughout the +plantation to have been the daughters of the elder Larrimore, by one of +his slaves. One was named Sarah and the other Hannah. Sarah, being in a +state of pregnancy, failed of executing her daily allotted task of +hoeing cotton. I was ordered to whip her, and on my remonstrating with +the overseer, and representing the condition of the woman, I was told +that my business was to obey orders, and that if I was told "to whip a +dead nigger I must do it." I accordingly gave her fifty lashes. This was +on Thursday evening. On Friday she also failed through weakness, and was +compelled to lie down in the field. That night the overseer himself +whipped her. On Saturday the wretched woman dragged herself once more to +the cotton field. In the burning sun, and in a situation which would +have called forth pity in the bosom of any one save a cotton-growing +overseer, she struggled to finish her task. She failed--nature could do +no more--and sick and despairing, she sought her cabin. There the +overseer met her and inflicted fifty more lashes upon her already +lacerated back. + +The next morning was the Sabbath. It brought no joy to that suffering +woman. Instead of the tones of the church bell summoning to the house of +prayer, she heard the dreadful sound of the lash falling upon the backs +of her brethren and sisters in bondage. For the voice of prayer she +heard curses. For the songs of Zion obscene and hateful blasphemies. No +bible was there with its consolations for the sick of heart. Faint and +fevered, scarred and smarting from the effects of her cruel punishment, +she lay upon her pallet of moss--dreading the coming of her relentless +persecutor,--who, in the madness of one of his periodical fits of +drunkenness, was now swearing and cursing through the quarters. + +Some of the poor woman's friends on the evening before, had attempted to +relieve her of the task which had been assigned her, but exhausted +nature, and the selfishness induced by their own miserable situation, +did not permit them to finish it and the overseer, on examination, found +that the week's work of the woman, was still deficient. After breakfast, +he ordered her to be tied up to the limb of a tree, by means of a rope +fastened round her wrists, so as to leave her feet about six inches from +the ground. She begged him to let her down for she was very sick. + +"Very well!" he exclaimed with a sneer and a laugh,--"I shall bleed you +then, and take out some of your Virginia blood. You are too proud a miss +for Alabama." + +He struck her a few blows. Swinging thus by her arms, she succeeded in +placing one of her feet against the body of the tree, and thus partly +supported herself, and relieved in some degree the painful weight upon +her wrists. He threw down his whip--took a rail from the garden fence, +ordered her feet to be tied together, and thrust the rail between them. +He then ordered one of the hands to sit upon it. Her back at this time +was bare, but the strings of the only garment which she wore passed over +her shoulders and prevented the full force of the whip from acting on +her flesh. These he cut off with his pen-knife, and thus left her +entirely naked. He struck her only two blows, for the second one cut +open her side and abdomen with a frightful gash. Unable to look on any +longer in silence, I entreated him to stop, as I feared he had killed +her. The overseer looked at the wound--dropped his whip, and ordered her +to be untied. She was carried into the house in a state of +insensibility, and died in three days after. + +During the whole season of picking cotton, the whip was frequently and +severely plied. In his seasons of intoxication, the overseer made no +distinction between the stout man and the feeble and delicate woman--the +sick and the well. Women in a far advanced state of pregnancy were +driven out to the cotton field. At other times he seemed to have some +consideration; and to manifest something like humanity. Our hands did +not suffer for food--they had a good supply of ham and corn-meal, while +on Flincher's plantation the slaves had meat but once a year, at +Christmas. + +Near the commencement of the weeding season of 1835, I was ordered to +whip a young woman, a light mustee, for not performing her task. I told +the overseer that she was sick. He said he did not care for that, she +should be made to work. A day or two afterwards, I found him in the +house half intoxicated. He demanded of me why I had not whipped the +girl; and I gave the same reason as before. He flew into a dreadful +rage, but his miserable situation made him an object of contempt rather +than fear. He sat shaking his fist at me, and swearing for nearly half +an hour. He said he would teach the Virginia lady to sham sickness; and +that the only reason I did not whip her was, that she was a white woman, +and I did not like to cut up her delicate skin. Some time after I was +ordered to give two of our women, named Hannah and big Sarah, 150 lashes +each, for not performing their tasks. The overseer stood by until he saw +Hannah whipped, and until Sarah had been tied up to the tree. As soon as +his back was turned I struck the tree instead of the woman, who +understanding my object, shrieked as if the whip at every blow was +cutting into her flesh. The overseer heard the blows and the woman's +cries, and supposing that all was going on according to his mind, left +the field. Unfortunately the husband of Hannah stood looking on; and +indignant that his wife should be whipped and Sarah spared, determined +to revenge himself by informing against me. + +Next morning Huckstep demanded of me whether I had whipped Sarah the day +before; I replied in the affirmative. Upon this he called Sarah forward +and made her show her back, which bore no traces of recent whipping. He +then turned upon me and told me that the blows intended for Sarah should +be laid on my back. That night the overseer, with the help of three of +the hands, tied me up to a large tree--my arms and legs being clasped +round it, and my body drawn up hard against it by two men pulling at my +arms and one pushing against my back. The agony occasioned by this alone +was almost intolerable. I felt a sense of painful suffocation, and could +scarcely catch my breath. + +A moment after I felt the first blow of the overseer's whip across my +shoulders. It seemed to cut into my very heart. I felt the blood gush, +and run down my back. I fainted at length under the torture, and on +being taken down, my shoes contained blood which ran from the gashes in +my back. The skin was worn off from by breast, arms, and thighs, against +the rough bark of the tree. I was sick and feverish, and in great pain +for three weeks afterwards; most of which time I was obliged to lie with +my face downwards, in consequence of the extreme soreness of my sides +and back, Huckstep himself seemed concerned about me, and would come +frequently to see me, and tell me that he should not have touched me had +it not been for "the cursed peach brandy." + +Almost the first person that I was compelled to whip after I recovered, +was the man who pushed at my back when I was tied up to the tree. The +hands who were looking on at that time, all thought he pushed me much +harder than was necessary: and they expected that I would retaliate upon +him the injury I had received. After he was tied up, the overseer told +me to give him a severe flogging, and left me. I struck the tree instead +of the man. His wife, who was looking on, almost overwhelmed me with her +gratitude. + +At length one morning, late in the fall of 1835, I saw Huckstep, and a +gentleman ride out to the field. As they approached, I saw the latter +was my master. The hands all ceased their labor, and crowded around him, +inquiring about old Virginia. For my own part, I could not hasten to +greet him. He had too cruelly deceived me. He at length came towards me, +and seemed somewhat embarrassed. "Well James," said he, "how do you +stand it here?" "Badly enough," I replied. "I had no thought that you +could be so cruel as to go away and leave me as you did." "Well, well, +it was too bad, but it could not be helped--you must blame Huckstep for +it." "But," said I, "I was not his servant; I belonged to you, and you +could do as you pleased." "Well," said he, "we will talk about that by +and by." He then inquired of Huckstep where big Sarah was. "She was sick +and died," was the answer. He looked round amoung the slaves again, and +inquired for Harry. The overseer told him that Harry undertook to kill +him, and that, to save his life, he was obliged to fire upon him, and +that he died of the wound. After some further inquiries, he requested me +to go into the house with him. He then asked me to tell him how things +had been managed during his absence. I gave him a full account of the +overseer's cruelty. When he heard of the manner of Harry's death, he +seemed much affected and shed tears. He was a favorite servant of his +father's. I showed him the deep scars on my back occasioned by the +whipping I had received. He was, or professed to be, highly indignant +with Huckstep; and said he would see to it that he did not lay hands on +me again. He told me he should be glad to take me with him to Virginia, +but he did not know where he should find a driver who would be so kind +to the hands as I was. If I would stay ten years, he would give me a +thousand dollars, and a piece of land to plant on my own account. "But," +said I, "my wife and children." "Well," said he, "I will do my best to +purchase them, and send them on to you." I now saw that my destiny was +fixed: and that I was to spend my days in Alabama, and I retired to my +bed that evening with a heavy heart. + +My master staid only three or four days on the plantation. Before he +left, he cautioned Huckstep to be careful and not strike me again, as he +would on no account permit it. He told him to give the hands food +enough, and not over-work them, and, having thus satisfied his +conscience, left us to our fate. + +Out of the two hundred and fourteen slaves who were brought out from +Virginia, at least one-third of them were members of the Methodist and +Baptist churches in that State. Of this number five or six could read. +Then had been torn away from the care and discipline of their respective +churches, and from the means of instruction, but they retained their +love for the exercises of religion; and felt a mournful pleasure in +speaking of the privileges and spiritual blessings which they enjoyed in +Old Virginia. Three of them had been preachers, or exhorters, viz. +Solomon, usually called Uncle Solomon, Richard and David. Uncle Solomon +was a grave, elderly man, mild and forgiving in his temper, and greatly +esteemed among the more serious portion of our hands. He used to snatch +every occasion to talk to the lewd and vicious about the concerns of +their souls, and to advise them to fix their minds upon the Savior, as +their only helper. Some I have heard curse and swear in answer, and +others would say that they could not keep their minds upon God and the +devil (meaning Huckstep) at the same time: that it was of no use to try +to be religious--they had no time--that the overseer wouldn't let them +meet to pray--and that even Uncle Solomon, when he prayed, had to keep +one eye open all the time, to see if Huckstep was coming. Uncle Solomon +could both read and write, and had brought out with him from Virginia a +Bible, a hymn-book, and some other religious books, which he carefully +concealed from the overseer, Huckstep was himself an open infidel as +well as blasphemer. He used to tell the hands that there was no hell +hereafter for white people, but that they had their punishment on earth +in being obliged to take care of the negroes. As for the blacks, he was +sure there was a hell for them. He used frequently to sit with his +bottle by his side, and a Bible in his hand; and read passages and +comment on them, and pronounce them lies. Any thing like religious +feeling among the slaves irritated him. He said that so much praying and +singing prevented the people from doing their tasks, as it kept them up +nights, when they should be asleep. He used to mock, and in every +possible way interrupt the poor slaves, who after the toil of the day, +knelt in their lowly cabins to offer their prayers and supplications to +Him whose ear is open to the sorrowful sighing of the prisoner, and who +hath promised in His own time to come down and deliver. In his drunken +seasons he would make excursions at night through the slave-quarters, +enter the cabins, and frighten the inmates, especially if engaged in +prayer or singing. On one of these occasions he came back rubbing his +hands and laughing. He said he had found Uncle Solomon in his garden, +down on his knees, praying like an old owl, and had tipped him over, and +frightened him half out of his wits. At another time he found Uncle +David sitting on his stool with his face thrust up the chimney, in order +that his voice might not be heard by his brutal persecutor. He was +praying, giving utterance to these words, probably in reference to his +bondage:--"_How long, oh, Lord, how long_?" "As long as my whip!" cried +the overseer, who had stolen behind him, giving him a blow. It was the +sport of a demon. + +Not long after my master had left us, the overseer ascertained for the +first time that some of the hands could read, and that they had brought +books with them from Virginia. He compelled them to give up the keys of +their chests, and on searching found several Bibles and hymn-books. +Uncle Solomon's chest contained quite a library, which he could read at +night by the light of knots of the pitchpine. These books he collected +together, and in the evening called Uncle Solomon into the house. After +jeering him for some time, he gave him one of the Bibles and told him to +name his text and preach him a sermon. The old man was silent. He then +made him get up on the table, and ordered him to pray. Uncle Solomon +meekly replied, that "forced prayer was not good for soul or body." The +overseer then knelt down himself, and in a blasphemous manner, prayed +that the Lord would send his spirit into Uncle Solomon; or else let the +old man fall from the table and break his neck, and so have an end of +"nigger preaching." On getting up from his knees he went to the +cupboard, poured out a glass of brandy for himself, and brought another +to the table. "James," said he, addressing me, "Uncle Solomon stands +there, for all the world, like a Hickory Quaker. His spirit don't move. +I'll see if another spirit wont move it." He compelled the old preacher +to swallow the brandy; and then told him to preach and exhort, for the +spirit was in him. He set one of the Bibles on fire, and after it was +consumed, mixed up the ashes of it in a glass of water, and compelled +the old man to drink it, telling him that as the spirit and the word +were now both in him, there was no longer any excuse for not preaching. +After tormenting the wearied old man in this way until nearly midnight +he permitted him to go to his quarters. + +The next day I saw Uncle Solomon, and talked with him about his +treatment. He said it would not always be so--that slavery was to come +to an end, for the Bible said so--that there would then be no more +whippings and fightings, but the lion the lamb would lie down together, +and all would be love. He said he prayed for Huckstep--that it was not +he but the devil in him who behaved so. At his request, I found means to +get him a Bible and a hymn-book from the overseer's room; and the old +man ever afterwards kept them concealed in the hen-house. + +The weeding season of 1836, was marked by repeated acts of cruelty on +the part of Huckstep. One of the hands, Priscilla, was, owing to her +delicate situation, unable to perform her daily task. He ordered her to +be tied up against a tree, in the same manner that I had been. In this +situation she was whipped until _she was delivered of a dead infant, at +the foot of the tree_! Our men took her upon a sheet, and carried her to +the house, where she lay sick for several months, but finally recovered. +I have heard him repeatedly laugh at the circumstance. + +Not long after this, we were surprised, one morning about ten o'clock, +by hearing the horn blown at the house. Presently Aunt Polly came +screaming into the field. "What is the matter, Aunty?" I inquired. "Oh +Lor!" said she, "Old Huckstep's pitched off his horse and broke his +head, and is e'en about dead." + +"Thank God!" said little Simon, "The devil will have him at last." + +"God-a-mighty be praised!" exclaimed half a dozen others. + +The hands, with one accord dropped their hoes; and crowded round the old +woman, asking questions. "Is he dead?"--"Will he die?" "Did you feel of +him--was he cold?" + +Aunt Polly explained as well as she could, that Huckstep, in a state of +partial intoxication, had attempted to leap his horse over a fence, had +fallen and cut a deep gash in his head, and that he was now lying +insensible. + +It is impossible to describe the effect produced by this news among the +hands. Men, women and children shouted, clapped their hands, and laughed +aloud. Some cursed the overseer, and others thanked the Lord for taking +him away. Little Simon got down on his knees, and called loudly upon God +to finish his work, and never let the overseer again enter a cotton +field. "Let him die, Lord," said he, "let him. He's killed enough of us: +Oh, good Lord, let him die and not live." + +"Peace, peace! it is a bad spirit," said Uncle Solomon, "God himself +willeth not the death of a sinner." + +I followed the old woman to the house; and found Huckstep at the foot of +one of those trees, so common at the South, called the Pride of China. +His face was black, and there was a frightful contusion on the side of +his head. He was carried into the house, where, on my bleeding him, he +revived. He lay in great pain for several days, and it was nearly three +weeks before he was able to come out to the cotton fields. + +On returning to the field after Huckstep had revived, I found the hands +sadly disappointed to hear that he was still living. Some of them fell +to cursing and swearing, and were enraged with me for trying to save his +life. Little Simon said I was a fool; if he had bled him he would have +done it to some purpose. He would at least, have so disable his arm that +he would never again try to swing a whip. Uncle Solomon remonstrated +with Simon, and told that I had done right. + +The neighbouring overseers used frequently to visit Huckstep, and he, in +turn, visited them. I was sometimes present during their interviews, and +heard them tell each other stories of horse-racing, negro-huntings, &c. +Some time during this season, Ludlow, who was overseer of a plantation +about eight miles from ours, told of a slave of his named Thornton, who +had twice attempted to escape with his wife and one child. The first +time he was caught without much difficulty, chained to the overseer's +horse, and in that way brought back. The poor man, to save his wife from +a beating, laid all the blame upon himself; and said that his wife had +no wish to escape, and tried to prevent him from attempting it. He was +severely whipped; but soon ran away again, and was again arrested. The +overseer, Ludlow, said he was determined to put a stop to the runaway, +and accordingly had resort to a somewhat unusual method of punishment. + +There is a great scarcity of good water in that section of Alabama; and +you will generally see a large cistern attached to the corners of the +houses to catch water for washing &c. Underneath this cistern is +frequently a tank from eight to ten feet deep, into which, when the +former is full the water is permitted to run. From this tank the water +is pumped out for use. Into one of these tanks the unfortunate slave was +placed, and confined by one of his ancles to the bottom of it; and the +water was suffered to flow in from above. He was compelled to pump out +the water as fast as it came in, by means of a long rod or handle +connected with the pump above ground. He was not allowed to begin until +the water had risen to his middle. Any pause or delay after this, from +weakness and exhaustion, would have been fatal, as the water would have +risen above his head. In this horrible dungeon, toiling for his life, he +was kept for twenty-four hours without any sustenance. Even Huckstep +said that this was too bad--that he had himself formerly punished +runaways in that way--but should not do it again. + +I rejoice to be able to say that this sufferer has at last escaped with +his wife and child, into a free state. He was assisted by some white +men, but I do not know all the particulars of his escape. + +Our overseer had not been long able to ride about the plantation after +his accident, before his life was again endangered. He found two of the +hands, Little Jarret and Simon, fighting with each other, and attempted +to chastise both of them. Jarret bore it patiently, but Simon turned +upon him, seized a stake or pin from a cart near by, and felled him to +the ground. The overseer got up--went to the house, and told aunt Polly +that he had nearly been killed by the 'niggers,' and requested her to +tie up his head, from which the blood was streaming. As soon as this was +done, he took down his gun, and went out in pursuit of Simon, who had +fled to his cabin, to get some things which he supposed necessary +previous to attempting his escape from the plantation. He was just +stepping out of the door when he met the enraged overseer with his gun +in his hand. Not a word was spoken by either. Huckstep raised his gun +and fired. The man fell without a groan across the door-sill. He rose up +twice on his hands and knees, but died in a few minutes. He was dragged +off and buried. The overseer told me that there was no other way to deal +with such a fellow. It was Alabama law, if a slave resisted to shoot him +at once. He told me of a case which occurred in 1834, on a plantation +about ten miles distant, and adjoining that where Crop, the negro +hunter, boarded with his hounds. The overseer had bought some slaves at +Selma, from a drove or coffle passing through the place. They proved +very refractory. He whipped three of them, and undertook to whip a +fourth who was from Maryland. The man raised his hoe in a threatening +manner, and the overseer fired upon him. The slave fell, but instantly +rose up on his hands and knees, and was beaten down again by the stock +of the overseer's gun. The wounded wretch raised himself once more, drew +a knife from the waistband of his pantaloons, and catching hold of the +overseer's coat, raised himself high enough to inflict a fatal wound +upon the latter. Both fell together, and died immediately after. + +Nothing more of special importance occurred until July, of last year, +when one of our men named John, was whipped three times for not +performing his task. On the last day of the month, after his third +whipping, he ran away. On the following morning, I found that he was +missing at his row. The overseer said we must hunt him up; and he blew +the "nigger horn," as it is called, for the dogs. This horn was only +used when we went out in pursuit of fugitives. It is a cow's horn, and +makes a short, loud sound. We crossed Flincher's and Goldsby's +plantations, as the dogs had got upon John's track, and went of barking +in that direction, and the two overseers joined us in the chase. The +dogs soon caught sight of the runaway, and compelled him to climb a +tree. We came up; Huckstep ordered him down, and secured him upon my +horse by tying him to my back. On reaching home he was stripped entirely +naked and lashed up to a tree. Flincher then volunteered to whip him on +one side of his legs, and Goldsby on the other. I had, in the meantime, +been ordered to prepare a wash of salt and pepper, and wash his wounds +with it. The poor fellow groaned, and his flesh shrunk and quivered as +the burning solution was applied to it. This wash, while it adds to the +immediate torment of the sufferer, facilitates the cure of the wounded +parts. Huckstep then whipped him from his neck down to his thighs, +making the cuts lengthwise of his back. He was very expert with the +whip, and could strike, at any time, within an inch of his mark. He then +gave the whip to me and told me to strike directly across his back. When +I had finished, the miserable sufferer, from his neck to his heel, was +covered with blood and bruises. Goldsby and Flincher now turned to +Huckstep, and told him, that I deserved a whipping as much as John did: +that they had known me frequently disobey his orders, and that I was +partial to the "Virginia ladies," and didn't whip them as I did the men. +They said if I was a driver of theirs they would know what to do with +me. Huckstep agreed with them; and after directing me to go to the house +and prepare more of the wash for John's back, he called after me with an +oath, to see to it that I had some for myself, for he meant to give me, +at least, two hundred and fifty lashes. I returned to the house, and +scarcely conscious of what I was doing, filled an iron vessel with +water, put in the salt and pepper; and placed it over the embers. + +As I stood by the fire watching the boiling of the mixture, and +reflecting upon the dreadful torture to which I was about to he +subjected, the thought of _escape_ flashed upon my mind. The chance was +a desperate one; but I resolved to attempt it. I ran up stairs, tied my +shirt in a handkerchief, and stepped out of the back door of the house, +telling Aunt Polly to take care of the wash at the fire until I +returned. The sun was about one hour high, but luckily for me the hands +as well as the three overseers, were on the other side of the house. I +kept the house between them and myself, and ran as fast as I could for +the woods. On reaching them I found myself obliged to proceed slowly as +there was a thick undergrowth of cane and reeds. Night came on. I +straggled forward by a dim star-light, amidst vines and reed beds. About +midnight the horizon began to be overcast; and the darkness increased +until in the thick forest, I could scarcely see a yard before me. +Fearing that I might lose my way and wander towards the plantation, +instead of from it, I resolved to wait until day. I laid down upon a +little hillock, and fell asleep. + +When I awoke it was broad day. The clouds had vanished, and the hot +sunshine fell through the trees upon my face. I started up, realizing my +situation, and darted onward. My object was to reach the great road by +which we had travelled when we came out from Virginia. I had, however, +very little hope of escape. I knew that a hot pursuit would be made +after me, and what I most dreaded was, that the overseer would procure +Crop's bloodhounds to follow my track. If only the hounds of our +plantation were sent after me, I had hopes of being able to make friends +of them, as they were always good-natured and obedient to me. I +travelled until, as near as I could judge, about ten o'clock, when a +distant sound startled me. I stopped and listened. It was the deep bay +of the bloodhound, apparently at a great distance. I hurried on until I +came to a creek about fifteen yards wide, skirted by an almost +impenetrable growth of reeds and cane. Plunging into it, I swam across +and ran down by the side of it a short distance, and, in order to baffle +the dogs, swam back to the other side again. I stopped in the reed-bed +and listened. The dogs seemed close at hand, and by the loud barking I +felt persuaded that Crop's hounds were with them. I thought of the fate +of Little John, who had been torn in pieces by the hounds, and of the +scarcely less dreadful condition of those who had escaped the dogs only +to fall into the hands of the overseer. The yell of the dogs grew +louder. Escape seemed impossible. I ran down to the creek with a +determination to drown myself. I plunged into the water and went down to +the bottom; but the dreadful strangling sensation compelled me to +struggle up to the surface. Again I heard the yell of the bloodhounds; +and again desperately plunged down into the water. As I went down I +opened my mouth, and, choked and gasping, I found myself once more +struggling upward. As I rose to the top of the water and caught a +glimpse of the sunshine and the trees, the love of life revived in me. I +swam to the other side of the creek, and forced my way through the reeds +to a large tree, and stood under one of its lowest limbs, ready in case +of necessity, to spring up into it. Here panting and exhausted, I stood +waiting for the dogs. The woods seemed full of them. I heard a bell +tinkle, and, a moment after, our old hound Venus came bounding through +the cane, dripping wet from the creek. As the old hound came towards me, +I called to her as I used to do when out hunting with her. She stopped +suddenly, looked up at me, and then came wagging her tail and fawning +around me. A moment after the other dog came up hot in the chase, and +with their noses to the ground. I called to them, but they did not look +up, but came yelling on. I was just about to spring into the tree to +avoid them when Venus the old hound met them, and stopped them. They +then all came fawning and playing and jumping about me. The very +creatures whom a moment before I had feared would tear me limb from +limb, were now leaping and licking my hands, and rolling on the leaves +around me. I listened awhile in the fear of hearing the voices of men +following the dogs, but there was no sound in the forest save the +gurgling of the sluggish waters of the creek, and the chirp of black +squirrels in the trees. I took courage and started onward once more, +taking the dogs with me. The bell on the neck of the old dog, I feared +might betray me, and, unable to get it off her neck, I twisted some of +the long moss of the trees around it, so as to prevent its ringing. At +night I halted once more with the dogs by my side. Harassed with fear, +and tormented with hunger, I laid down and tried to sleep. But the dogs +were uneasy, and would start up and bark at the cries or the footsteps +of wild animals, and I was obliged, to use my utmost exertions to keep +them quiet, fearing that their barking would draw my pursuers upon me. I +slept but little; and as soon as daylight, started forward again. The +next day towards evening, I reached a great road which, I rejoiced to +find, was the same which my master and myself had travelled on our way +to Greene county. I now thought it best to get rid of the dogs, and +accordingly started them in pursuit of a deer. They went off, yelling on +the track, and I never saw them again. I remembered that my master told +me, near this place, that we were in the Creek country, and that there +were some Indian settlements not far distant. In the course of the +evening I crossed the road, and striking into a path through the woods, +soon came to a number of Indian cabins. I went into one of them and +begged for some food. The Indian women received me with a great deal of +kindness, and gave me a good supper of venison, corn bread, and stewed +pumpkin. I remained with them till the evening of the next day, when I +started afresh on my journey. I kept on the road leading to Georgia. In +the latter part of the night I entered into a long low bottom, heavily +timbered--sometimes called Wolf Valley. It was a dreary and frightful +place. As I walked on, I heard on all sides the howling of the wolves, +and the quick patter of their feet on the leaves and sticks, as they ran +through the woods. At daylight I laid down, but had scarcely closed my +eyes when I was roused up by the wolves snarling and howling around me. +I started on my feet, and saw several of them running by me. I did not +again close my eyes during the whole day. In the afternoon, a bear with +her two cubs came to a large chestnut tree near where I lay. She crept +up the tree, went out on one of the limbs, and broke off several twigs +in trying to shake down the nuts. They were not ripe enough to fall, +and, after several vain attempts to procure some of them, she crawled +down the tree again and went off with her young. + +The day was long and tedious. As soon as it was dark, I once more +resumed my journey. But fatigue and the want of food and sleep rendered +me almost incapable of further effort. It was not long before I fell +asleep, while walking, and wandered out of the road. I was awakened by a +bunch of moss which hung down from the limb of a tree and met my face. I +looked up and saw, as I thought, a large man standing just before me. My +first idea was that some one had struck me over the face, and that I had +been at last overtaken by Huckstep. Rubbing my eyes once more, I saw the +figure before me sink down upon its hands and knees. Another glance +assured me that it was a bear and not a man. He passed across the road +and disappeared. This adventure kept me awake for the remainder of the +night. Towards morning I passed by a plantation, on which was a fine +growth of peach trees, full of ripe fruit. I took as many of them as I +could conveniently carry in my hands and pockets, and retiring a little +distance into the woods, laid down and slept till evening, when I again +went forward. + +Sleeping thus by day and travelling by night, in a direction towards the +North Star, I entered Georgia. As I only travelled in the night time, I +was unable to recognize rivers and places which I had seen before until +I reached Columbus, where I recollected I had been with my master. From +this place I took the road leading to Washington, and passed directly +through that village. On leaving the village, I found myself contrary to +my expectation, in an open country with no woods in view. I walked on +until day broke in the east. At a considerable distance ahead, I saw a +group of trees, and hurried on towards it. Large and beautiful +plantations were on each side of me, from which I could hear dogs bark, +and the driver's horn sounding. On reaching the trees, I found that they +afforded but a poor place of concealment. On either hand, through its +openings, I could see the men turning out to the cotton fields. I found +a place to lie down between two oak stumps, around which the new shoots +had sprung up thickly, forming a comparatively close shelter. After +eating some peaches, which since leaving the Indian settlement had +constituted my sole food, I fell asleep. I was waked by the barking of a +dog. Raising my head and looking through the bushes, I found that the +dog was barking at a black squirrel who was chattering on a limb almost +directly above me. A moment after, I heard a voice speaking to the dog, +and soon saw a man with a gun in his hand, stealing through the wood. He +passed close to the stumps, where I lay trembling with terror lest he +should discover me. He kept his eye however upon the tree, and raising +his gun, fired. The squirrel dropped dead close by my side. I saw that +any further attempt at concealment would be in vain, and sprang upon my +feet. The man started forward on seeing me, struck at me with his gun +and beat my hat off. I leaped into the road; and he followed after, +swearing he would shoot me if I didn't stop. Knowing that his gun was +not loaded, I paid no attention to him, but ran across the road into a +cotton field where there was a great gang of slaves working. The man +with the gun followed, and called to the two colored drivers who were on +horseback, to ride after me and stop me. I saw a large piece of woodland +at some distance ahead, and directed my course towards it. Just as I +reached it, I looked back, and saw my pursuer far behind me; and found, +to my great joy, that the two drivers had not followed me. I got behind +a tree, and soon heard the man enter the woods and pass me. After all +had been still for more than an hour, I crept into a low place in the +depth of the woods and laid down amidst a bed of reeds, where I again +fell asleep. Towards evening, on awaking, I found the sky beginning to +be cloudy, and before night set in it was completely overcast. Having +lost my hat, I tied an old handkerchief over my head, and prepared to +resume my journey. It was foggy and very dark, and involved as I was in +the mazes of the forest, I did not know in what direction I was going. I +wandered on until I reached a road, which I supposed to be the same one +which I had left. The next day the weather was still dark and rainy, and +continued so for several days. During this time I slept only by leaning +against the body of a tree, as the ground was soaked with rain. On the +fifth night after my adventure near Washington, the clouds broke away, +and the clear moonlight and the stars shone down upon me. + +I looked up to see the North Star, which I supposed still before me. But +I sought it in vain in all that quarter of the heavens. A dreadful +thought came over me that I had been travelling out of my way. I turned +round and saw the North Star, which had been shining directly upon my +back. I then knew that I had been travelling away from freedom, and +towards the place of my captivity ever since I left the woods into which +I had been pursued on the 21st, five days before. Oh, the keen and +bitter agony of that moment! I sat down on the decaying trunk of a +fallen tree, and wept like a child. Exhausted in mind and body, nature +came at last to my relief, and I fell asleep upon the log. When I awoke +it was still dark. I rose and nerved myself for another effort for +freedom. Taking the North Star for my guide, I turned upon my track, and +left once more the dreaded frontiers of Alabama behind me. The next +night, after crossing the one on which I travelled, and which seemed to +lead more directly towards the North. I took this road, and the next +night after, I came to a large village. Passing through the main street, +I saw a large hotel which I at once recollected. I was in Augusta, and +this was the hotel at which my master had spent several days when I was +with him, on one of his southern visits. I heard the guards patrolling +the town cry the hour of twelve; and fearful of being taken up, I turned +out of the main street, and got upon the road leading to Petersburg. On +reaching the latter place, I swam over the Savannah river into South +Carolina, and from thence passed into North Carolina. + +Hitherto I had lived mainly upon peaches, which were plenty on almost +all the plantations in Alabama and Georgia; but the season was now too +far advanced for them, and I was obliged to resort to apples. These I +obtained without much difficulty until within two or three days journey +of the Virginia line. At this time I had had nothing to eat but two or +three small and sour apples for twenty-four hours, and I waited +impatiently for night, in the hope of obtaining fruit from the orchards +along the road. I passed by several plantations, but found no apples. +After midnight, I passed near a large house, with fruit trees around it. +I searched under, and climbed up and shook several of them to no +purpose. At last I found a tree on which there were a few apples. On +shaking it, half a dozen fell. I got down, and went groping and feeling +about for them in the grass, but could find only two, the rest were +devoured by several hogs who were there on the same errand with myself. +I pursued my way until day was about breaking, when I passed another +house. The feeling of extreme hunger was here so intense, that it +required all the resolution I was master of to keep myself from going, +up to the house and breaking into it in search of food. But the thought +of being again made a slave, and of suffering the horrible punishment of +a runaway restrained me. I lay in the worlds all that day without food. +The next evening, I soon found a large pile of excellent apples, from +which I supplied myself. + +The next evening I reached Halifax Court House, and I then knew that I +was near Virginia. On the 7th of October, I came to the Roanoke, and +crossed it in the midst of a violent storm of rain and thunder. The +current ran so furiously that I was carried down with it, and with great +difficulty, and in a state of complete exhaustion, reached the +opposite shore. + +At about 2 o'clock, on the night of the 15th, I approached Richmond, but +not daring to go into the city at that hour, on account of the patrols, +I lay in the woods near Manchester, until the next evening, when I +started in the twilight, in order to enter before the setting of the +watch. I passed over the bridge unmolested, although in great fear, as +my tattered clothes and naked head were well calculated to excite +suspicion; and being well acquainted with the localities of the city, +made my way to the house of a friend. I was received with the utmost +kindness, and welcomed as one risen from the dead. Oh, how inexpressibly +sweet were the tones of human sympathy, after the dreadful trials to +which I had been subjected--the wrongs and outrages which I witnessed +and suffered! For between two and three months I had not spoken with a +human being, and the sound even of my own voice now seemed strange to my +ears. During this time, save in two or three instances I had tasted of +no food except peaches and apples. I was supplied with some dried meat +and coffee, but the first mouthful occasioned nausea and faintness. I +was compelled to take my bed, and lay sick for several days. By the +assiduous attention and kindness of my friends, I was supplied with +every thing which was necessary during my sickness. I was detained in +Richmond nearly a month. As soon as I had sufficiently recovered to be +able to proceed on my journey, I bade my kind host and his wife an +affectionate farewell, and set forward once more towards a land of +freedom. I longed to visit my wife and children in Powhatan county, but +the dread of being discovered prevented me from attempting it. I had +learned from my friends in Richmond that they were living and in good +health, but greatly distressed on my account. + +My friends had provided me with a fur cap, and with as much lean ham, +cake and biscuit, as I could conveniently carry. I proceeded in the same +way as before, travelling by night and lying close and sleeping by day. +About the last of November I reached the Shenandoah river. It was very +cold; ice had already formed along the margin, and in swimming the river +I was chilled through; and my clothes froze about me soon after I had +reached the opposite side. I passed into Maryland, and on the 5th of +December, stepped across the line which divided the free state of +Pennsylvania from the land of slavery. + +I had a few shillings in money which were given me at Richmond, and +after travelling nearly twenty-four hours from the time I crossed the +line, I ventured to call at a tavern, and buy a dinner. On reaching +Carlisle, I enquired of the ostler in a stable if he knew of any one who +wished to hire a house servant or coachman. He said he did not. Some +more colored people came in, and taking me aside told me that they knew +that I was from Virginia, by my pronunciation of certain words--that I +was probably a runaway slave--but that I need not be alarmed, as they +were friends, and would do all in their power to protect me. I was taken +home by one of them, and treated with the utmost kindness; and at night +he took me in a wagon, and carried me some distance on my way to +Harrisburg, where he said I should meet with friends. + +He told me that I had better go directly to Philadelphia, as there would +be less danger of my being discovered and retaken there than in the +country, and there were a great many persons there who would exert +themselves to secure me from the slaveholders. In parting he cautioned +me against conversing or stopping with any man on the road, unless he +wore a plain, straight collar on a round coat, and said, "thee," and +"thou." By following his directions I arrived safely in Philadelphia, +having been kindly entertained and assisted on my journey, by several +benevolent gentlemen and ladies, whose compassion for the wayworn and +hunted stranger I shall never forget, and whose names will always be +dear to me. On reaching Philadelphia, I was visited by a large number of +the Abolitionists, and friends of the colored people, who, after hearing +my story, thought it would not be safe for me to remain in any part of +the United States. I remained in Philadelphia a few days; and then a +gentleman came on to New-York with me, I being considered on board the +steam-boat, and in the cars, as his servant. I arrived at New-York, on +the 1st of January. The sympathy and kindness which I have every where +met with since leaving the slave states, has been the more grateful to +me because it was in a great measure unexpected. The slaves are always +told that if they escape into a free state, they will be seized and put +in prison, until their masters send for them. I had heard Huckstep and +the other overseers occasionally speak of the Abolitionists, but I did +not know or dream that they were the friends of the slave. Oh, if the +miserable men and women, now toiling on the plantations of Alabama, +could know that thousands in the free states are praying and striving +for their deliverance, how would the glad tidings be whispered from +cabin to cabin, and how would the slave-mother as she watches over her +infant, bless God, on her knees, for the hope that this child of her day +of sorrow, might never realize in stripes, and toil, and grief +unspeakable, what it is to be a slave? + + * * * * * + +This Narrative can he had at the Depository of the American Anti-Slavery +Society, No 143 Nassau Street, New York, in a neat volume, 108 pp. +12mo., embellished with an elegant and accurate steel engraved likeness +of James Williams, price 25 cts. single copy, $17 per hundred. + + * * * * * + + + + +NO. 7 + +THE ANTI-SLAVERY EXAMINER. + + + +EMANCIPATION IN THE WEST INDIES. + +A SIX MONTHS' TOUR IN ANTIGUA, BARBADOES, AND JAMAICA IN THE YEAR 1837. + +BY JAS. A. THOME, AND J. HORACE KIMBALL. + +NEW YORK: + +PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY, No. 143 NASSAU-STREET. +1838. + +This periodical contains 4 sheets.--Postage under 100 miles, 6 cents; +over 100 miles, 10 cents. + + + ENTERED, + according to the act of Congress, in the year 1838, by + JOHN RANKIN, + Treasurer, of the American, Anti-Slavery Society, + in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, + for the Southern District of New York. + +Price $12 50 per hundred copies, 18-3/4 cents single copy, _in sheets_: +$13 25 per hundred, and 20 cents single, _if stitched_. + +NOTE.--This work is published in this cheap form, to give it a wide +circulation. Please, _after perusal_, to send it to some friend. + +This work, as originally published, can be had at the Depository of the +American Anti-Slavery Society, No. 143, Nassau Street, New York, on fine +paper, handsomely bound, in a volume of 489 pages, price one dollar per +copy, $75 per hundred. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + + * * * * * + +ANTIGUA.--CHAPTER I. + + Geography and Statistics of the Island,--Reflections on + arrival,--Interview with Clergymen,--with the Governor,--with a + member of Assembly,--Sabbath,--Service at the Moravian + Chapel,--Sabbath School,--Service at the Episcopal Church,--Service + at the Wesleyan Chapel,--Millar's Estate,--Cane-holing,--Colored + planter,--Fitch's Creek Estate,--Free Villages,--Dinner at the + Governor's,--Donovan's Estate,--Breakfast at Mr. Watkins,--Dr. + Ferguson,--Market,--Lockup house,--Christmas Holidays,--Colored + Population,--Thibou Jarvis's Estate,--Testimony of the + Manager,--Anniversary of the Friendly Society,--A negro + patriarch,--Green Castle Estate,--Testimony of the + Manager,--Anniversary of the Juvenile Association,--Wetherill + Estate,--Testimony of the Manager,--Conversation with a + boatman,--Moravian station at Newfield,--Testimony of the + Missionaries,--School for Adults,--Interview with the Speaker of the + Assembly,--Moravian "Speaking,"--Conversation with Emancipated + Slaves,--The Rector of St. Philip's,--Frey's Estate,--Interview with + the American Consul,--Sabbath at Millar's,--Breakfast at the Villa + Estate,--A Fair,--Breakfast at Mr. Cranstoun's,--His + Testimony,--Moravian Station at Cedar Hall,--Conversation with + Emancipated Slaves,--Moravian Station at Grace Bay,--Testimony of + the Missionaries,--Grandfather Jacob,--Mr. Scotland's Estate.--A day + at Fitch's Creek,--Views of the Manager,--A call from the + Archdeacon,--from Rev. Edward Fraser,--Wesleyan District + Meeting,--Social interviews with the Missionaries,--Their Views and + Testimony,--Religious Anniversaries,--Temperance Society,--Bible + Society,--Wesleyan Missionary Society.--Resolution of the + Meeting,--Laying the Corner Stone of a Wesleyan Chapel,--Resolutions + of the Missionaries. + + +ANTIGUA.--CHAPTER II. + +GENERAL RESULTS. + + Religion,--Statistics of Denominations,--Morality,--Reverence for + the Lord's Day,--Marriage,--Conjugal faithfulness,--Concubinage + decreasing,--Temperance,--Profane Language rare,--Statistics of the + Bible Society,--Missionary Associations,--Temperance + Societies,--Friendly Societies,--Daily Meal Society,--Distressed + Females' Friend Society,--Education,--Annual Examination of the + Parochial School,--Infant Schools in the Country,--Examination at + Parham,--at Willoughby Bay,--Mr. Thwaite's Replies to Queries on + Education,--Great Ignorance before Emancipation,--Aptness of the + Negroes to learn,--Civil and Political Condition of the Emancipated. + + +ANTIGUA.--CHAPTER III. + +FACTS AND TESTIMONY. + + IMMEDIATE ABOLITION--an immense change to the condition of the + Slave,--Adopted from Political and Pecuniary Considerations,--Went + into operation peaceably,--gave additional security to Persons and + Property,--Is regarded by all as a great blessing to the + Island,--Free, cheaper than Slave labor,--More work done, and better + done, since Emancipation,--Freemen more easily managed than + Slaves,--The Emancipated more Trustworthy than when Slaves,--They + appreciate and reverence Law,--They stay at home and mind their own + business,--Are less "insolent" than when Slaves,--Gratitude a strong + trait of their character,--Emancipation has elevated them,--It has + raised the price of Real Estate, given new life to Trade, and to all + kinds of business,--Wrought a total change in the views of the + Planters,--Weakened Prejudice against Color,--The Discussions + preceding Emancipation restrained Masters from + Cruelties,--Concluding Remarks. + + +BARBADOES. + + Passage to Barbadoes,--Bridgetown,--Visit to the Governor,--To the + Archdeacon,--Lear's Estate,--Testimony of the Manager,--Dinner Party + at Lear's,--Ride to Scotland,--The Red Shanks,--Sabbath at Lear's; + Religious Service,--Tour to the Windward,--Breakfast Party at the + Colliton Estate,--Testimony to the Working of the + Apprenticeship,--The Working of it in Demerara,--The Codrington + Estate,--Codrington College,--The "Horse,"--An Estate on Fire,--The + Ridge Estate; Dinner with a Company of Planters,--A Day at Colonel + Ashby's; his Testimony to the Working of the + Apprenticeship,--Interviews with Planters; their Testimony,--The + Belle Estate,--Edgecombe Estate; Colonel Barrow,--Horton + Estate,--Drax Hall Estate,--Dinner Party at the + Governor's,--Testimony concerning the Apprenticeship,--Market + People,--Interview with Special Justice Hamilton; his + Testimony,--Station House, District A; Trials of Apprentices before + Special Magistrate Colthurst,--Testimony of the Superintendent of + the Rural Police,--Communication from Special Justice + Colthurst,--Communication from Special Justice Hamilton,--Testimony + of Clergymen and Missionaries,--Curate of St. Paul's,--A FREE + Church,--A Sabbath School Annual Examination,--Interview with + Episcopal Clergymen; their Testimony,--Visit to Schools,--Interview + with the Superintendent of the Wesleyan Mission,--Persecution of the + Methodists by Slaveholders,--The Moravian Mission,--Colored + Population,--Dinner Party at Mr. Harris's,--Testimony concerning the + objects of our Mission,--A New Englander,--History of an Emancipated + Slave,--Breakfast Party at Mr. Thorne's,--Facts and Testimony + concerning Slavery and the Apprenticeship,--History of an + Emancipated Slave,--Breakfast Party at Mr. Prescod's,--Character and + History of the late Editor of the New Times,--Breakfast Party at Mr. + Bourne's,--Prejudice,--History and Character of an Emancipated + Slave,--Prejudice, vincible,--Concubinage,--Barbadoes as it was; + "Reign of Terror;"--Testimony; Cruelties,--Insurrection of + 1816,--Licentiousness,--Prejudice--Indolence and Inefficiency of the + Whites,--Hostility to Emancipation,--Barbadoes as it is,--The + Apprenticeship System; Provisions respecting the Special + Magistrates,--Provisions respecting the Master,--Provisions + respecting the Apprentice,--The Design of the + Apprenticeship,--Practical Operation of the + Apprenticeship,--Sympathy of the Special Magistrates with the + Masters,--Apprenticeship, modified Slavery,--Vexatious to the + Master,--No Preparation for Freedom,--Begets hostility between + Master and Apprentice,--Has illustrated the Forbearance of the + Negroes,--Its tendency to exasperate them,--Testimony to the Working + of the Apprenticeship in the Windward Islands generally. + + +JAMAICA. + + Sketch of its Scenery,--Interview with the Attorney General,--The + Solicitor General; his Testimony,--The American Consul; his + Testimony,--The Superintendent of the Wesleyan Missions,--The + Baptist Missionaries; Sabbath; Service in a Baptist + Chapel,--Moravians; Episcopalians; Scotch Presbyterians,--Schools in + Kingston,--Communication from the Teacher of the Wolmer Free School; + Education; Statistics,--The Union School,--"Prejudice + Vincible,"--Disabilities and Persecutions of Colored People,--Edward + Jordan, Esq.,--Colored Members of Assembly,--Richard Hill, + Esq.,--Colored Artisans and Merchants in Kingston,--Police Court of + Kingston,--American Prejudice in the "limbos,"--"Amalgamation!"--St. + Andrew's House of Correction; Tread-mill,--Tour through "St. Thomas + in the East,"--Morant Bay; Local Magistrate; his lachrymal + forebodings,--Proprietor of Green Wall Estate; his + Testimony,--Testimony of a Wesleyan Missionary,--Belvidere Estate; + Testimony of the Manager,--Chapel built by Apprentices,--House of + Correction,--Chain-Gang,--A call from Special Justice Baines; his + Testimony,--Bath,--Special Justice's Office; his + Testimony,--"Alarming Rebellion,"--Testimony of a Wesleyan + Missionary,--Principal of the Mico Charity School; his + Testimony,--Noble instance of Filial Affection in a Negro + Girl,--Plantain Garden River Valley; Alexander Barclay, + Esq.,--Golden Grove Estate; Testimony of the Manager,--The Custos of + the Parish; his Testimony,--Amity Hall Estate; Testimony of the + Manager,--Lord Belmore's Prophecy,--Manchioneal; Special Magistrate + Chamberlain; his Testimony,--his Weekly Court,--Pro slavery + gnashings,--Visit with the Special Magistrate to the Williamsfield + Estate; Testimony of the Manager,--Oppression of + Book-keepers,--Sabbath; Service at a Baptist Chapel,--Interview with + Apprentices; their Testimony,--Tour through St. Andrew's and Port + Royal,--Visit to Estates in company with Special Justice + Bourne,--White Emigrants to Jamaica,--Dublin Castle Estate; Special + Justice Court,--A Despot in convulsions; arbitrary power dies + hard,--Encounter with Mules in a mountain pass,--Silver Hill Estate; + cases tried; Appraisement of an Apprentice,--Peter's Rock + Estate,--Hall's Prospect Estate,--Female Traveling Merchant,--Negro + Provision Grounds,--Apprentices eager to work for Money,--Jury of + Inquest,--Character of Overseers,--Conversation with Special Justice + Hamilton,--With a Proprietor of Estates and Local Magistrate; + Testimony,--Spanishtown,--Richard Hill, Esq., Secretary of the + Special Magistracy,--Testimony of Lord Sligo concerning him,--Lord + Sligo's Administration; its independence and + impartiality,--Statements of Mr. Hill,--Statements of Special + Justice Ramsey,--Special Justice's Court,--Baptist Missionary at + Spanishtown; his Testimony,--Actual Working of the Apprenticeship; + no Insurrection; no fear of it; no Increase of Crime; Negroes + improving; Marriage increased; Sabbath better kept; Religious + Worship better attended; Law obeyed,--Apprenticeship vexatious to + both parties,--Atrocities perpetrated by Masters and + Magistrates,--Causes of the ill-working of the + Apprenticeship--Provisions of the Emancipation Act defeated by + Planters and Magistrates,--The present Governor a favorite with the + Planters,--Special Justice Palmer suspended by him,--Persecution of + Special Justice Bourne,--Character of the Special + Magistrates,--Official Cruelty; Correspondence between a Missionary + and Special Magistrate,--Sir Lionel Smith's Message to the House of + Assembly,--Causes of the Diminished Crops since + Emancipation,--Anticipated Consequences of full Emancipation in + 1840,--Examination of the grounds of such anticipations,--Views of + Missionaries and Colored People, Magistrates and + Planters;--Concluding Remarks. + + +APPENDIX. + + Official Communication from Special Justice Lyon,--Communication + from the Solicitor General of Jamaica,--Communication from Special + Justice Colthurst,--Official Returns of the Imports and Exports of + Barbadoes,--Valuations of Apprentices in Jamaica,--Tabular View of + the Crops in Jamaica for fifty-three years preceding 1836; Comments + of the Jamaica Watchman on the foregoing Table,--Comments of the + Spanishtown Telegraph,--Brougham's Speech in Parliament. + + + +INTRODUCTION. + +It is hardly possible that the success of British West India +Emancipation should be more conclusively proved, than it has been by the +absence among us of the exultation which awaited its failure. So many +thousands of the citizens of the United States, without counting +slaveholders, would not have suffered their prophesyings to be +falsified, if they could have found whereof to manufacture fulfilment. +But it is remarkable that, even since the first of August, 1834, the +evils of West India emancipation on the lips of the advocates of +slavery, or, as the most of them nicely prefer to be termed, the +opponents of abolition, have remained in the future tense. The bad +reports of the newspapers, spiritless as they have been compared with +the predictions, have been traceable, on the slightest inspection, not +to emancipation, but to the illegal continuance of slavery, under the +cover of its legal substitute. Not the slightest reference to the rash +act, whereby the thirty thousand slaves of Antigua were immediately +"turned loose," now mingles with the croaking which strives to defend +our republican slavery against argument and common sense. + +The Executive Committee of the American Anti-Slavery Society, deemed it +important that the silence which the pro-slavery press of the United +States has seemed so desirous to maintain in regard to what is strangely +enough termed the "great experiment of freedom," should be thoroughly +broken up by a publication of facts and testimony collected on the spot. +To this end, REV. JAMES A. THOME, and JOSEPH H. KIMBALL, ESQ., were +deputed to the West Indies to make the proper investigations. Of their +qualifications for the task, the subsequent pages will furnish the best +evidence: it is proper, however, to remark, that Mr. Thome is thoroughly +acquainted with our own system of slavery, being a native and still a +resident of Kentucky, and the son of a slaveholder, (happily no longer +so,) and that Mr. Kimball is well known as the able editor of the Herald +of Freedom, published at Concord, New Hampshire. + +They sailed from New York, the last of November, 1836, and returned +early in June, 1837. They improved a short stay at the Danish island of +St. Thomas, to give a description of slavery as it exists there, which, +as it appeared for the most part in the anti-slavery papers, and as it +is not directly connected with the great question at issue, has not been +inserted in the present volume. Hastily touching at some of the other +British islands, they made Antigua, Barbadoes, and Jamaica, successively +the objects of their deliberate and laborious study--as fairly +presenting the three grand phases of the "experiment"--Antigua, +exemplifying immediate unrestricted abolition; Barbadoes, the best +working of the apprenticeship, and Jamaica the worst. Nine weeks were +spent in Antigua, and the remainder of their time was divided between +the other two islands. + +The reception of the delegates was in the highest degree favorable to +the promotion of their object, and their work will show how well they +have used the extraordinary facilities afforded them. The committee +have, in some instances, restored testimonials which their modesty led +them to suppress, showing in what estimation they themselves, as well as +the object of their mission, were held by some of the most distinguished +persons in the islands which they visited. + +So wide was the field before them, and so rich and various the fruit to +be gathered, that they were tempted to go far beyond the strength +supplied by the failing health they carried with them. Most nobly did +they postpone every personal consideration to the interests of the +cause, and the reader will, we think, agree with us, that they have +achieved a result which undiminished energies could not have been +expected to exceed--a result sufficient, if any thing could be, to +justify the sacrifice it cost them. We regret to add that the labors and +exposures of Mr. Kimball, so far prevented his recovery from the +disease[A] which obliged him to resort to a milder climate, or perhaps +we should say aggravated it, that he has been compelled to leave to his +colleague, aided by a friend, nearly the whole burden of preparing for +the press--which, together with the great labor of condensing from the +immense amount of collected materials, accounts for the delay of the +publication. As neither Mr. Thome nor Mr. Kimball were here while the +work was in the press, it is not improbable that trivial errors have +occurred, especially in the names of individuals. + +[Footnote A: We learn that Mr. Kimball closed his mortal career at +Pembroke, N.H. April 12th, in the 25th year of his age. Very few men in +the Anti-Slavery cause have been more distinguished, than this lamented +brother, for the zeal, discretion and ability with which he has +advocated the cause of the oppressed. "Peace to the memory of a man +of worth!"] + +It will be perceived that the delegates rest nothing of importance on +their own unattested observation. At every point they are fortified by +the statements of a multitude of responsible persons in the islands, +whose names, when not forbidden, they leave taken the liberty to use in +behalf of humanity. Many of these statements were given in the +handwriting of the parties, and are in the possession of the Executive +Committee. Most of these island authorities are as unchallengeable on +the score of previous leaning towards abolitionism, as Mr. McDuffie of +Mr. Calhoun would be two years hence, if slavery were to be abolished +throughout the United States tomorrow. + +Among the points established in this work, beyond the power of dispute +or cavil, are the following: + +1. That the act of IMMEDIATE EMANCIPATION in Antigua, was not attended +with any disorder whatever. + +2. That the emancipated slaves have readily, faithfully, and efficiently +worked for wages from the first. + +3. That wherever there has been any disturbance in the working of the +apprenticeship, it has been invariably by the fault of the masters, or +of the officers charged with the execution of the "Abolition Act." + +4. That the prejudice of caste is fast disappearing in the emancipated +islands. + +5. That the apprenticeship was not sought for by the planters as a +_preparation for freedom_. + +6. That no such preparation was needed. + +7. That the planters who have fairly made the "experiment," now greatly +prefer the new system to the old. + +8. That the emancipated people are perceptibly rising in the scale of +civilization, morals, and religion. + +From these established facts, reason cannot fail to make its inferences +in favor of the two and a half millions of slaves in our republic. We +present the work to our countrymen who yet hold slaves, with the utmost +confidence that its perusal will not leave in their minds a doubt, +either of the duty or perfect safety of _immediate emancipation_, +however it may fail to persuade their hearts--which God grant it +may not! + +By order of the Executive Committee of the American Anti-Slavery +Society. + +New York, April 28th, 1838. + + * * * * * + +EXPLANATION OF TERMS USED IN THE NARRATIVE. + +1. The words 'Clergy' and 'Missionary' are used to distinguish between +the ministers of the English or Scotch church, and those of all other +denominations. + +2. The terms 'church' and 'chapel' denote a corresponding distinction in +the places of worship, though the English Church have what are +technically called 'chapels of ease!' + +3. 'Manager' and 'overseer' are terms designating in different islands +the same station. In Antigua and Barbadoes, _manager_ is the word in +general use, in Jamaica it is _overseer_--both meaning the practical +conductor or immediate superintendent of an estate. In our own country, +a peculiar odium is attached to the latter term. In the West Indies, the +station of manager or overseer is an honorable one; proprietors of +estates, and even men of rank, do not hesitate to occupy it. + +4. The terms 'colored' and 'black' or 'negro' indicate a distinction +long kept up in the West Indies between the mixed blood and the pure +negro. The former as a body were few previous to the abolition act; and +for this reason chiefly we presume the term of distinction was +originally applied to them. To have used these terms interchangeably in +accordance with the usage in the United States, would have occasioned +endless confusion in the narrative. + +5. 'Praedial' and 'non-praedial' are terms used in the apprenticeship +colonies to mark the difference between the agricultural class and the +domestic; the former are called _praedials_, the latter _non-praedials_. + + * * * * * + +POPULATION OF THE BRITISH (FORMERLY SLAVE) COLONIES. + +(_Compiled from recent authentic documents._) + +British Colonies. White. Slave. F. Col'd. Total. +Anguilla 365 2,388 357 3,110 +Antigua[A] 1,980 29,839 3,895 35,714 +Bahamas 4,240 9,268 2,991 16,499 +Barbadoes 15,000 82,000 5,100 102,100 +Berbicel 550 21,300 1,150 23,000 +Bermuda[A] 3,900 4,600 740 9,240 +Cape of Good Hope[B] 43,000 35,500 29,000 107,500 +Demerara[B] 3,000 70,000 6,400 79,400 +Dominica 850 15,400 3,600 19,850 +Grenada 800 24,000 2,800 27,600 +Honduras[B] 250 2,100 2,300 4,650 +Jamaica 37,000 323,000 55,000 415,000 +Mauritius[B] 8,000 76,000 15,000 99,000 +Montserrat 330 6,200 800 7,330 +Nevis 700 6,600 2,000 9,300 +St. Christophers,St. Kitts 1,612 19,310 3,000 23,922 +St. Lucia[B] 980 13,600 3,700 18,280 +St. Vincent 1,300 23,500 2,800 27,600 +Tobago 320 12,500 1,200 14,020 +Tortola 480 5,400 1,300 7,180 +Trinidad[B] 4,200 24,000 16,000 44,200 +Virgin Isles 800 5,400 600 6,800 + +Total 131,257 831,105 162,733 1,125,095 + +[Footnote A: These islands adopted immediate emancipation, Aug 1, 1834.] + +[Footnote B: These are crown colonies, and have no local legislature.] + + + +ANTIGUA. + +CHAPTER I. + +Antigua is about eighteen miles long and fifteen broad; the interior is +low and undulating, the coast mountainous. From the heights on the coast +the whole island may be taken in at one view, and in a clear day the +ocean can be seen entirely around the land, with the exception of a few +miles of cliff in one quarter. The population of Antigua is about +37,000, of whom 30,000 are negroes--lately slaves--4500 are free people +of color, and 2500 are whites. + +The cultivation of the island is principally in sugar, of which the +average annual crop is 15,000 hogsheads. Antigua is one of the oldest of +the British West India colonies, and ranks high in importance and +influence. Owing to the proportion of proprietors resident in the +Island, there is an accumulation of talent, intelligence and refinement, +greater, perhaps, than in any English colony, excepting Jamaica. + +Our solicitude on entering the Island of Antigua was intense. Charged +with a mission so nearly concerning the political and domestic +institutions of the colony, we might well be doubtful as to the manner +of our reception. We knew indeed that slavery was abolished, that +Antigua had rejected the apprenticeship, and adopted entire +emancipation. We knew also, that the free system had surpassed the hopes +of its advocates. But we were in the midst of those whose habits and +sentiments had been formed under the influences of slavery, whose +prejudices still clinging to it might lead them to regard our visit with +indifference at least, if not with jealousy. We dared not hope for aid +from men who, not three years before, were slaveholders, and who, as a +body, strenuously resisted the abolition measure, finally yielding to it +only because they found resistance vain. + +Mingled with the depressing anxieties already referred to, were emotions +of pleasure and exultation, when we stepped upon the shores of an +unfettered isle. We trod a soil from which the last vestige of slavery +had been swept away! To us, accustomed as we were to infer the existence +of slavery from the presence of a particular hue, the numbers of negroes +passing to and fro, engaged in their several employments, denoted a land +of oppression; but the erect forms, the active movements, and the +sprightly countenances, bespoke that spirit of disinthrallment which had +gone abroad through Antigua. + +On the day of our arrival we had an interview with the Rev. James Cox, +the superintendent of the Wesleyan mission in the island. He assured us +that we need apprehend no difficulty in procuring information, adding, +"We are all free here now; every man can speak his sentiments unawed. We +have nothing to conceal in our present system; had you come here as the +_advocates of slavery_ you might have met with a very different +reception." + +At the same time we met the Rev. N. Gilbert, a clergyman of the English +Church, and proprietor of an estate. Mr. G. expressed the hope that we +might gather such facts during our stay in the island, as would tend +effectually to remove the curse of slavery from the United States. He +said that the failure of the crops, from the extraordinary drought which +was still prevailing, would, he feared, be charged by persons abroad to +the new system. "The enemies of freedom," said he, "will not ascribe the +failure to the proper cause. It will be in vain that we solemnly +declare, that for more than thirty years the island has not experienced +such a drought. Our enemies will persist in laying all to the charge of +our free system; men will look only at the amount of sugar exported, +which will be less than half the average. They will run away with this +fact, and triumph over it as the disastrous consequence of abolition." + +On the same day we were introduced to the Rev. Bennet Harvey, the +principal of the Moravian mission, to a merchant, an agent for several +estates, and to an intelligent manager. Each of these gentlemen gave us +the most cordial welcome, and expressed a warm sympathy in the objects +of our visit. On the following day we dined, by invitation, with the +superintendent of the Wesleyan mission, in company with several +missionaries. _Freedom in Antigua_ was the engrossing and delightful +topic. They rejoiced in the change, not merely from sympathy with the +disinthralled negroes, but because it had emancipated them from a +disheartening surveillance, and opened new fields of usefulness. They +hailed the star of freedom "with exceeding great joy," because it +heralded the speedy dawning of the Sun of Righteousness. + +We took an early opportunity to call on the Governor, whom we found +affable and courteous. On learning that we were from the United States, +he remarked, that he entertained a high respect for our country, but its +slavery was a stain upon the whole nation. He expressed his conviction +that the instigators of northern mobs must be implicated in some way, +pecuniary or otherwise, with slavery. The Governor stated various +particulars in which Antigua had been greatly improved by the abolition +of slavery. He said, the planters all conceded that emancipation had +been a great blessing to the island, and he did not know of a single +individual who wished to return to the old system. + +His excellency proffered us every assistance in his power, and requested +his secretary--_a colored gentleman_--to furnish us with certain +documents which he thought would be of service to us. When we rose to +leave, the Governor followed us to the door, repeating the advice that +we should "see with our own eyes, and hear with our own ears." The +interest which his Excellency manifested in our enterprise, satisfied us +that the prevalent feeling in the island was opposed to slavery, since +it was a matter well understood that the Governor's partialities, if he +had any, were on the side of the planters rather than the people. + +On the same day we were introduced to a barrister, a member of the +assembly and proprietor of an estate. He was in the assembly at the time +the abolition act was under discussion. He said that it was violently +opposed, until it was seen to be inevitable. Many were the predictions +made respecting the ruin which would be brought upon the colony; but +these predictions had failed, and abolition was now regarded as the +salvation of the island. + +SABBATH. + +The morning of our first Sabbath in Antigua came with that hushed +stillness which marks the Sabbath dawn in the retired villages of New +England. The arrangements of the family were conducted with a studied +silence that indicated habitual respect for the Lord's day. At 10 +o'clock the streets were filled with the church-going throng. The rich +rolled along in their splendid vehicles with liveried outriders and +postillions. The poor moved in lowlier procession, yet in neat attire, +and with the serious air of Christian worshippers. We attended the +Moravian service. In going to the chapel, which is situated on the +border of the town, we passed through and across the most frequented +streets. No persons were to be seen, excepting those whose course was +toward some place of worship. The shops were all shut, and the voices of +business and amusement were hushed. The market place, which yesterday +was full of swarming life, and sent forth a confused uproar, was +deserted and dumb--not a straggler was to be seen of all the multitude. + +On approaching the Moravian chapel we observed the negroes, wending +their way churchward, from the surrounding estates, along the roads +leading into town. + +When we entered the chapel the service had begun, and the people were +standing, and repeating their liturgy. The house, which was capable of +holding about a thousand persons, was filled. The audience were all +black and colored, mostly of the deepest Ethiopian hue, and had come up +thither from the estates, where once they toiled as slaves, but now as +freemen, to present their thank-offerings unto Him whose truth and +Spirit had made them free. In the simplicity and tidiness of their +attire, in its uniformity and freedom from ornament, it resembled the +dress of the Friends. The females were clad in plain white gowns, with +neat turbans of cambric or muslin on their heads. The males were dressed +in spencers, vests, and pantaloons, all of white. All were serious in +their demeanor, and although the services continued more than two hours, +they gave a wakeful attention to the end. Their responses in the litany +were solemn and regular. + +Great respect was paid to the aged and infirm. A poor blind man came +groping his way, and was kindly conducted to a seat in an airy place. A +lame man came wearily up to the door, when one within the house rose and +led him to the seat he himself had just occupied. As we sat facing the +congregation, we looked around upon the multitude to find the marks of +those demoniac passions which are to strew carnage through our own +country when its bondmen shall be made free. The countenances gathered +there, bore the traces of benevolence, of humility, of meekness, of +docility, and reverence; and we felt, while looking on them, that the +doers of justice to a wronged people "shall surely dwell in safety and +be quiet from fear of evil." + +After the service, we visited the Sabbath school. The superintendent was +an interesting young colored man. We attended the recitation of a +Testament class of children of both sexes from eight to twelve. They +read, and answered numerous questions with great sprightliness. + +In the afternoon we attended the Episcopal church, of which the Rev. +Robert Holberton is rector. We here saw a specimen of the aristocracy of +the island. A considerable number present were whites,--rich proprietors +with their families, managers of estates, officers of government, and +merchants. The greater proportion of the auditory, however, were colored +people and blacks. It might be expected that distinctions of color would +be found here, if any where;--however, the actual distinction, even in +this the most fashionable church in Antigua, amounted only to this, that +the body pews on each side of the broad aisle were occupied by the +whites, the side pews by the colored people, and the broad aisle in the +middle by the negroes. The gallery, on one side, was also appropriated +to the colored people, and on the other to the blacks. The finery of the +negroes was in sad contrast with the simplicity we had just seen at the +Moravian chapel. Their dresses were of every color and style; their hats +were of all shapes and sizes, and fillagreed with the most tawdry +superfluity of ribbons. Beneath these gaudy bonnets were glossy +ringlets, false and real, clustering in tropical luxuriance. This +fantastic display was evidently a rude attempt to follow the example set +them by the white aristocracy. + +The choir was composed chiefly of colored boys, who were placed on the +right side of the organ, and about an equal number of colored girls on +the left. In front of the organ were eight or ten white children. The +music of this colored, or rather "amalgamated" choir, directed by a +colored chorister, and accompanied by a colored organist, was in +good taste. + +In the evening, we accompanied a friend to the Wesleyan chapel, of which +the Rev. James Cox is pastor. The minister invited us to a seat within +the altar, where we could have a full view of the congregation. The +chapel was crowded. Nearly twelve hundred persons were present. All sat +promiscuously in respect of color. In one pew was a family of whites, +next a family of colored persons, and behind that perhaps might be seen, +side by side, the ebon hue of the negro, the mixed tint of the mulatto, +and the unblended whiteness of the European. Thus they sat in crowded +contact, seemingly unconscious that they were outraging good taste, +violating natural laws, and "confounding distinctions of divine +appointment!" In whatever direction we turned, there was the same +commixture of colors. What to one of our own countrymen whose contempt +for the oppressed has defended itself with the plea of _prejudice +against color_, would have been a combination absolutely shocking, was +to us a scene as gratifying as it was new. + +On both sides, the gallery presented the same unconscious blending of +colors. The choir was composed of a large number, mostly colored, of all +ages. The front seats were filled by children of various ages--the rear, +of adults, rising above these tiny choristers, and softening the +shrillness of their notes by the deeper tones of mature age. + +The style of the preaching which we heard on the different occasions +above described, so far as it is any index to the intelligence of the +several congregations, is certainly a high commendation. The language +used, would not offend the taste of any congregation, however refined. + +On the other hand, the fixed attention of the people showed that the +truths delivered were understood and appreciated. + +We observed, that in the last two services the subject of the present +drought was particularly noticed in prayer. + +The account here given is but a fair specimen of the solemnity and +decorum of an Antigua sabbath. + +VISIT TO MILLAR'S ESTATE. + +Early in the week after our arrival, by the special invitation of the +manager, we visited this estate. It is situated about four miles from +the town of St. John's. + +The smooth MacAdamized road extending across the rolling plains and +gently sloping hill sides, covered with waving cane, and interspersed +with provision grounds, contributed with the fresh bracing air of the +morning to make the drive pleasant and animating. + +At short intervals were seen the buildings of the different estates +thrown together in small groups, consisting of the manager's mansion and +out-houses, negro huts, boiling house, cooling houses, distillery, and +windmill. The mansion is generally on an elevated spot, commanding a +view of the estate and surrounding country. The cane fields presented a +novel appearance--being without fences of any description. Even those +fields which lie bordering on the highways, are wholly unprotected by +hedge, ditch, or rails. This is from necessity. Wooden fences they +cannot have, for lack of timber. Hedges are not used, because they are +found to withdraw the moisture from the canes. To prevent depredations, +there are watchmen on every estate employed both day and night. There +are also stock keepers employed by day in keeping the cattle within +proper grazing limits. As each estate guards its own stock by day and +folds them by night, the fields are in little danger. + +We passed great numbers of negroes on the road, loaded with every kind +of commodity for the town market. _The head is the beast of burthen_ +among the negroes throughout the West Indies. Whatever the load, whether +it be trifling or valuable, strong or frail, it is consigned to the +head, both for safe keeping and for transportation. While the head is +thus taxed, the hands hang useless by the side, or are busied in +gesticulating, as the people chat together along the way. The negroes we +passed were all decently clad. They uniformly stopped as they came +opposite to us, to pay the usual civilities. This the men did by +touching their hats and bowing, and the women, by making a low courtesy, +and adding, sometimes, "howdy, massa," or "mornin', massa." We passed +several loaded wagons, drawn by three, four, or five yoke of oxen, and +in every instance the driver, so far from manifesting any disposition +"insolently" to crowd us off the road, or to contend for his part of it, +turned his team aside, leaving us double room to go by, and sometimes +stopping until we had passed. + +We were kindly received at Millar's by Mr. Bourne, the manager. Millar's +is one of the first estates in Antigua. The last year it made the +largest sugar crop on the island. Mr. B. took us before breakfast to +view the estate. On the way, he remarked that we had visited the island +at a very unfavorable time for seeing the cultivation of it, as every +thing was suffering greatly from the drought. There had not been a +single copious rain, such as would "make the water run," since the first +of March previous. As we approached the laborers, the manager pointed +out one company of ten, who were at work with their hoes by the side of +the road, while a larger one of thirty were in the middle of the field. +They greeted us in the most friendly manner. The manager spoke kindly to +them, encouraging them to be industrious He stopped a moment to explain +to us the process of cane-holing. The field is first ploughed[A] in one +direction, and the ground thrown up in ridges of about a foot high. Then +similar ridges are formed crosswise, with the hoe, making regular +squares of two-feet-sides over the field. By raising the soil, a clear +space of six inches square is left at the bottom. In this space the +_plant_ is placed horizontally, and slightly covered with earth. The +ridges are left about it, for the purpose of conducting the rain to the +roots, and also to retain the moisture. When we came up to the large +company, they paused a moment, and with a hearty salutation, which ran +all along the line, bade us "good mornin'," and immediately resumed +their labor. The men and women were intermingled; the latter kept pace +with the former, wielding their hoes with energy and effect. The manager +addressed them for a few moments, telling them who we were, and the +object of our visit. He told them of the great number of slaves in +America, and appealed to them to know whether they would not be sober, +industrious, and diligent, so as to prove to American slaveholders the +benefit of freeing all their slaves. At the close of each sentence, they +all responded, "Yes, massa," or "God bless de massas," and at the +conclusion, they answered the appeal, with much feeling, "Yes, massa; +please God massa, we will all do so." When we turned to leave, they +wished to know what we thought of their industry. We assured them that +we were much pleased, for which they returned their "thankee, massa." +They were working at a _job_. The manager had given them a piece of +ground "to hole," engaging to pay them sixteen dollars when they had +finished it. He remarked that he had found it a good plan to give +_jobs_. He obtained more work in this way than he did by giving the +ordinary wages, which is about eleven cents per day. It looked very much +like slavery to see the females working in the field; but the manager +said they chose it generally "_for the sake of the wages_." Mr. B. +returned with us to the house, leaving the gangs in the field, with only +an aged negro in charge of the work, as _superintendent._ Such now is +the name of the overseer. The very _terms_, _driver_ and _overseer_, are +banished from Antigua; and the _whip_ is buried beneath the soil +of freedom. + +[Footnote A: In those cases where the plough is used at all. It is not +yet generally introduced throughout the West Indies. Where the plough is +not used, the whole process of holing is done with the hoe, and is +extremely laborious] + +When we reached the house we were introduced to Mr. Watkins, a _colored_ +planter, whom Mr. B. had invited to breakfast with us. Mr. Watkins was +very communicative, and from him and Mr. B., who was equally free, we +obtained information on a great variety of points, which we reserve for +the different heads to which they appropriately belong. + +FITCH'S CREEK ESTATE. + +From Millar's we proceeded to Fitch's Creek Estate, where we had been +invited to dine by the intelligent manager, Mr. H. Armstrong. We three +met several Wesleyan missionaries. Mr. A. is himself a local preacher in +the Wesleyan connection. When a stranger visits an estate in the West +Indies, almost the first thing is an offer from the manager to accompany +him through the sugar works. Mr. A. conducted us first to a new boiling +house, which he was building after a plan of his own devising. The house +is of brick, on a very extensive scale. It has been built entirely by +negroes--chiefly those belonging to the estate who were emancipated in +1834. Fitch's Creek Estate is one of the largest on the Island, +consisting of 500 acres, of which 300 are under cultivation. The number +of people employed and living on the property is 260. This estate +indicates any thing else than an apprehension of approaching ruin. It +presents the appearance, far more, of a _resurrection_, from the grave. +In addition to his improved sugar and boiling establishment, he has +projected a plan for a new village, (as the collection of negro houses +is called,) and has already selected the ground and begun to build. The +houses are to be larger than those at present in use, they are to be +built of stone instead of mud and sticks, and to be neatly roofed. +Instead of being huddled together in a bye place, as has mostly been the +case, they are to be built on an elevated site, and ranged at regular +intervals around three sides of a large square, in the centre of which a +building for a chapel and school house is to be erected. Each house is +to have a garden. This and similar improvements are now in progress, +with the view of adding to the comforts of the laborers, and attaching +them to the estate. It has become the interest of the planter to make it +for the _interest of the people_ to remain on his estate. This _mutual +interest_ is the only sure basis of prosperity on the one hand and of +industry on the other. + +The whole company heartily joined in assuring us that a knowledge of the +actual working of abolition in Antigua, would be altogether favorable to +the cause of freedom, _and that the more thorough our knowledge of the +facts in the case, the more perfect would be our confidence in the +safety of_ IMMEDIATE _emancipation_. + +Mr. A. said that the spirit of enterprise, before dormant, had been +roused since emancipation, and planters were now beginning to inquire as +to the best modes of cultivation, and to propose measures of general +improvement. One of these measures was the establishing of _free +villages_, in which the laborers might dwell by paying a small rent. +When the adjacent planters needed help they could here find a supply for +the occasion. This plan would relieve the laborers from some of that +dependence which they must feel so long as they live on the estate and +in the houses of the planters. Many advantages of such a system were +specified. We allude to it here only as an illustration of that spirit +of inquiry, which freedom has kindled in the minds of the planters. + +No little desire was manifested by the company to know the state of the +slavery question in this country. They all, planters and missionaries, +spoke in terms of abhorrence of our slavery, our snobs, our prejudice, +and our Christianity. One of the missionaries said it would never do for +him to go to America, for he should certainly be excommunicated by his +Methodist brethren, and Lynched by the advocates of slaver. He insisted +that slaveholding professors and ministers should be cut off from the +communion of the Church. + +As we were about to take leave, the _proprietor_ of the estate rode up, +accompanied by the governor, who he had brought to see the new +boiling-house, and the other improvements which were in progress. The +proprietor reside in St. John's, is a gentleman of large fortune, and a +member of the assembly. He said he would be happy to aid us in any +way--but added, that in all details of a practical kind, and in all +matters of fact, the planters were the best witnesses, for they were the +conductors of the present system. We were glad to obtain the endorsement +of an influential proprietor to the testimony of practical planters. + +DINNER AT THE GOVERNOR'S. + +On the following day having received a very courteous invitation[A] from +the governor, to dine at the government house, we made our arrangements +to do so. The Hon. Paul Horsford, a member of the council, called during +the day, to say, that he expected to dine with us at the government +house and that he would be happy to call for us at the appointed hour, +and conduct us thither. At six o'clock Mr. H.'s carriage drove up to our +door, and we accompanied him to the governor's, where we were introduced +to Col. Jarvis, a member of the privy council, and proprietor of several +estates in the island, Col. Edwards, a member of the assembly and a +barrister, Dr. Musgrave, a member of the assembly, and Mr. Shiel, +attorney general. A dinner of state, at a Governor's house, attended by +a company of high-toned politicians, professional gentlemen, and +proprietors, could hardly be expected to furnish large accessions to our +stock of information, relating to the object of our visit. Dinner being +announced, we were hardly seated at the table when his excellency +politely offered to drink a glass of Madeira with us. We begged leave to +decline the honor. In a short time he proposed a glass of +Champaign--again we declined. "Why, surely, gentlemen," exclaimed the +Governor, "you must belong to the temperance society." "Yes, sir, we +do." "Is it possible? but you will surely take a glass of liqueur?" +"Your excellency must pardon us if we again decline the honor; we drink +no wines." This announcement of ultra temperance principles excited no +little surprise. Finding that our allegiance to cold water was not to be +shaken, the governor condescended at last to meet us on middle ground, +and drink his wine to our water. + +[Footnote A: We venture to publish the note in which the governor +conveyed his invitation, simply because, though a trifle in itself, it +will serve to show the estimation in which our mission was held. + + "If Messrs. Kimball and Thome are not engaged Tuesday next, the + Lieut. Governor will be happy to see them at dinner, at six o'clock, + when he will endeavor to facilitate their philanthropic inquiries, + by inviting two or three proprietors to met them." + + "_Government House, St. John's, Dec. 18th_, 1836." +] + +The conversation on the subject of emancipation served to show that the +prevailing sentiment was decidedly favorable to the free system. Col. +Jarvis, who is the proprietor of three estates, said that he was in +England at the time the bill for immediate emancipation passed the +legislature. Had he been in the island he should have opposed it; but +_now_ he was glad it had prevailed. The evil consequences which he +apprehended had not been realized, and he was now confident that they +never would be. + +As to prejudice against the black and colored people, all thought it was +rapidly decreasing--indeed, they could scarcely say there was now any +such thing. To be sure, there was an aversion among the higher classes +of the whites, and especially among _females_, to associating in parties +with colored people; but it was not on account of their _color_, but +chiefly because of their _illegitimacy_. This was to us a new _source_ +of prejudice: but subsequent information fully explained its bearings. +The whites of the West Indies are themselves the authors of that +_illegitimacy_, out of which their aversion springs. It is not to be +wondered at that they should be unwilling to invite the colored people +to their social parties, seeing they might not unfrequently be subjected +to the embarrassment of introducing to their white wives a colored +mistress or an _illegitimate_ daughter. This also explains the special +prejudice which the _ladies_ of the higher classes feel toward those +among whom are their guilty rivals in a husband's affections, and those +whose every feature tells the story of a husband's unfaithfulness! + +A few days after our dinner with the governor and his friends, we took +breakfast, by invitation, with Mr. Watkins, the _colored_ planter whom +we had the pleasure of meeting at Millar's, on a previous occasion. Mr. +W. politely sent in his chaise for us, a distance of five miles, At an +early hour we reached Donovan's, the estate of which he is manager. We +found the sugar works in active operation: the broad wings of the +windmill were wheeling their stately revolutions, and the smoke was +issuing in dense volumes from the chimney of the boiling house. Some of +the negroes were employed in carrying cane to the mill, others in +carrying away the _trash_ or _megass_, as the cane is called after the +juice is expressed from it. Others, chiefly the old men and women, were +tearing the megass apart, and strewing it on the ground to dry. It is +the only fuel used for boiling the sugar. + +On entering the house we found three planters whom Mr. W. had invited to +breakfast with us. The meeting of a number of intelligent practical +planters afforded a good opportunity for comparing their views. On all +the main points, touching the working of freedom, there was a strong +coincidence. + +When breakfast was ready, Mrs. W. entered the room, and after our +introduction to her, took her place at the head of the table. Her +conversation was intelligent, her manners highly polished, and she +presided at the table with admirable grace and dignity. + +On the following day, Dr. Ferguson, of St. John's, called on us. Dr. +Ferguson is a member of the assembly, and one of the first physicians in +the island. The Doctor said that freedom had wrought like a magician, +and had it not been for the unprecedented drought, the island would now +be in a state of prosperity unequalled in any period of its history. Dr. +F. remarked that a general spirit of improvement was pervading the +island. The moral condition of the whites was rapidly brightening; +formerly concubinage was _respectable_; it had been customary for +married men--those of the highest standing--to keep one or two colored +mistresses. This practice was now becoming disreputable. There had been +a great alteration as to the observance of the Sabbath; formerly more +business was done in St. John's on Sunday, by the merchants, than on all +the other days of the week together. The mercantile business of the town +had increased astonishingly; he thought that the stores and shops had +multiplied in a _ratio of ten to one_. Mechanical pursuits were likewise +in a flourishing condition. Dr. F. said that a greater number of +buildings had been erected since emancipation, than had been put up for +twenty years before. Great improvements had also been made in the +streets and roads in town and country. + +MARKET. + +SATURDAY.--This is the regular market-day here. The negroes come from all +parts of the island; walking sometimes ten or fifteen miles to attend +the St. John's market. We pressed our way through the dense mass of all +hues, which crowded the market. The ground was covered with wooden trays +filled with all kinds of fruits, grain, vegetables, fowls, fish, and +flesh. Each one, as we passed, called attention to his or her little +stock. We passed up to the head of the avenue, where men and women were +employed in cutting up the light fire-wood which they had brought from +the country on their heads, and in binding it into small bundles for +sale. Here we paused a moment and looked down upon the busy multitude +below. The whole street was a moving mass. There were broad Panama hats, +and gaudy turbans, and uncovered heads, and heads laden with water pots, +and boxes, and baskets, and trays--all moving and mingling in seemingly +inextricable confusion. There could not have been less than fifteen +hundred people congregated in that street--all, or nearly all, +emancipated slaves. Yet, amidst all the excitements and competitions of +trade, their conduct toward each other was polite and kind. Not a word, +or look, or gesture of insolence or indecency did we observe. Smiling +countenances and friendly voices greeted us on every side, and we felt +no fears either of having our pockets picked or our throats cut! + +At the other end of the market-place stood the _Lock-up House_, the +_Cage_, and the _Whipping Post_, with stocks for feet and wrists. These +are almost the sole relics of slavery which still linger in the town. +The Lock-up House is a sort of jail, built of stone--about fifteen feet +square, and originally designed as a place of confinement for slaves +taken up by the patrol. The Cage is a smaller building, adjoining the +former, the sides of which are composed of strong iron bars--fitly +called a _cage!_ The prisoner was exposed to the gaze and insult of +every passer by, without the possibility of concealment. The Whipping +Post is hard by, but its occupation is gone. Indeed, all these +appendages of slavery have gone into entire disuse, and Time is doing +his work of dilapidation upon them. We fancied we could see in the +marketers, as they walked in and out at the doorless entrance of the +Lock-up House, or leaned against the Whipping Post, in careless chat, +that harmless defiance which would prompt one to beard the dead lion. + +Returning from the market we observed a negro woman passing through the +street, with several large hat boxes strung on her arm. She accidentally +let one of them fall. The box had hardly reached the ground, when a +little boy sprang from the back of a carriage rolling by, handed the +woman the box, and hastened to remount the carriage. + +CHRISTMAS. + +During the reign of slavery, the Christmas holidays brought with them +general alarm. To prevent insurrections, the militia was uniformly +called out, and an array made of all that was formidable in military +enginery. This custom was dispensed with at once, after emancipation. As +Christmas came on the Sabbath, it tested the respect for that day. The +morning was similar, in all respects, to the morning of the Sabbath +described above; the same serenity reigning everywhere--the same quiet +in the household movements, and the same tranquillity prevailing through +the streets. We attended morning service at the Moravian chapel. +Notwithstanding the descriptions we had heard of the great change which +emancipation had wrought in the observance of Christmas, we were quite +unprepared for the delightful reality around us. Though thirty thousand +slaves had but lately been "turned loose" upon a white population of +less than three thousand! instead of meeting with scenes of disorder, +what were the sights which greeted our eyes? The neat attire, the +serious demeanor, and the thronged procession to the place of worship. +In every direction the roads leading into town were lined with happy +beings--attired for the house of God. When groups coming from different +quarters met at the corners, they stopped a moment to exchange +salutations and shake hands, and then proceeded on together. + +The Moravian chapel was slightly decorated with green branches. They +were the only adorning which marked the plain sanctuary of a plain +people. It was crowded with black and colored people, and very many +stood without, who could not get in. After the close of the service in +the chapel, the minister proceeded to the adjacent school room, and +preached to another crowded audience. In the evening the Wesleyan chapel +was crowded to overflowing. The aisles and communion place were full. On +all festivals and holidays, which occur on the Sabbath, the churches and +chapels are more thronged than on any other Lord's day. + +It is hardly necessary to state that there was no instance of a dance or +drunken riot, nor wild shouts of mirth during the day. The Christmas, +instead of breaking in upon the repose of the Sabbath, seemed only to +enhance the usual solemnity of the day. + +The holidays continued until the next Wednesday morning, and the same +order prevailed to the close of them. On Monday there were religious +services in most of the churches and chapels, where sabbath-school +addresses, discourses on the relative duties of husband and wife, and on +kindred subjects, were delivered. + +An intelligent gentleman informed us that the negroes, while slaves, +used to spend during the Christmas holidays, the extra money which they +got during the year. Now they save it--_to buy small tracts of land for +their own cultivation_. + +The Governor informed us that the police returns did not report a single +case of arrest during the holidays. He said he had been well acquainted +with the country districts of England, he had also travelled extensively +in Europe, yet he had never found such a _peaceable, orderly, and +law-abiding people as those of Antigua_. + +An acquaintance of nine weeks with the colored population of St. John's, +meeting them by the wayside, in their shops, in their parlors, and +elsewhere, enables us to pronounce them a people of general +intelligence, refinement of manners, personal accomplishments, and true +politeness. As to their style of dress and mode of living, were we +disposed to make any criticism, we should say that they were +extravagant. In refined and elevated conversation, they would certainly +bear a comparison with the white families of the island. + +VISIT TO THIBOU JARVIS'S ESTATE. + +After the Christmas holidays were over, we resumed our visits to the +country. Being provided with a letter to the manager of Thibou Jarvis's +estate, Mr. James Howell, we embraced the earliest opportunity to call +on him. Mr. H. has been in Antigua for thirty-six years, and has been a +practical planter during the whole of that time. He has the management +of two estates, on which there are more than five hundred people. The +principal items of Mr. Howell's testimony will be found in another +place. In this connection we shall record only miscellaneous statements +of a local nature. + +1. The severity of the drought. He had been in Antigua since the year +1800, and he had never known so long a continuance of dry weather, +although the island is subject to severe droughts. He stated that a +field of yams, which in ordinary seasons yielded ten cart-loads to the +acre, would not produce this year more than _three_. The failure in the +crops was not in the least degree chargeable upon the laborers, for in +the first place, the cane plants for the present crop were put in +earlier and in greater quantities than usual, and _until_ the drought +commenced, the fields promised a large return. + +2. _The religious condition_ of the negroes, during slavery, was +extremely low. It seemed almost impossible to teach them any higher +_religion_ than _obedience to their masters_. Their highest notion of +God was that he was a _little above_ their owner. He mentioned, by way +of illustration, that the slaves of a certain large proprietor used to +have this saying, "Massa only want he little finger to touch God!" that +is, _their master was lower than God only by the length of his little +finger_. But now the religious and moral condition of the people was +fast improving. + +3. A great change in the use of _rum_ had been effected on the estates +under his management since emancipation. He formerly, in accordance with +the prevalent custom, gave his people a weekly allowance of rum, and +this was regarded as essential to their health and effectiveness. But he +has lately discontinued this altogether, and his people had not suffered +any inconvenience from it. He gave them in lieu of the rum, an allowance +of molasses, with which they appeared to be entirely satisfied. When Mr. +H. informed the people of his intention to discontinue the spirits, he +told them that he should _set them the example_ of total abstinence, by +abandoning wine and malt liquor also, which he accordingly did. + +4. There had been much less _pretended sickness_ among the negroes since +freedom. They had now a strong aversion to going to the sick house[A], +so much so that on many estates it had been put to some other use. + +[Footnote A: The _estate hospital_, in which, during slavery, all sick +persons were placed for medical attendance and nursing. There was one on +every estate.] + +We were taken through the negro village, and shown the interior of +several houses. One of the finest looking huts was decorated with +pictures, printed cards, and booksellers' advertisements in large +letters. Amongst many ornaments of this kind, was an advertisement not +unfamiliar to our eyes--"THE GIRL'S OWN BOOK. BY MRS. CHILD." + +We generally found the women at home. Some of them had been informed of +our intention to visit them, and took pains to have every thing in the +best order for our reception. The negro village on this estate contains +one hundred houses, each of which is occupied by a separate family. Mr. +H. next conducted us to a neighboring field, where the _great gang_[B] +were at work. There were about fifty persons in the gang--the majority +females--under two inspectors or superintendents, men who take the place +of the _quondam drivers_, though their province is totally different. +They merely direct the laborers in their work, employing with the +loiterers the stimulus of persuasion, or at farthest, no more than the +violence of the tongue. + +[Footnote B: The people on most estates are divided into three gangs; +first, the great gang, composed of the principal effective men and +women; second, the weeding gang, consisting of younger and weekly +persons; and third, the grass gang, which embraces all the children +able to work.] + +Mr. H. requested them to stop their work, and told them who we were, and +as we bowed, the men took off their hats and the women made a low +courtesy. Mr. Howell then informed them that we had come from America, +where there were a great many slaves: that we had visited Antigua to see +how freedom was working, and whether the people who were made free on +the first of August were doing well--and added, that he "hoped these +gentlemen might be able to carry back such a report as would induce the +masters in America to set their slaves free." They unanimously replied, +"Yes, massa, we hope dem will gib um free." We spoke a few words: told +them of the condition of the slaves in America, urged them to pray for +them that they might be patient under their sufferings, and that they +might soon be made free. They repeatedly promised to pray for the poor +slaves in America. We then received their hearty "Good bye, massa," and +returned to the house, while they resumed their work. + +We took leave of Mr. Howell, grateful for his kind offices in +furtherance of the objects of our mission. + +We had not been long in Antigua before we perceived the distress of the +poor from the scarcity of water. As there are but few springs in the +island, the sole reliance is upon rain water. Wealthy families have +cisterns or tanks in their yards, to receive the rain from the roofs. +There are also a few public cisterns in St. John's. These ordinarily +supply the whole population. During the present season many of these +cisterns have been dry, and the supply of water has been entirely +inadequate to the wants of the people. There are several large open +ponds in the vicinity of St. John's, which are commonly used to water +"stock." There are one or more on every estate, for the same purpose. +The poor people were obliged to use the water from these ponds both for +drinking and cooking while we were in Antigua. In taking our morning +walks, we uniformly met the negroes either going to, or returning from +the ponds, with their large pails balanced on their heads, happy +apparently in being able to get even such foul water. + +Attended the anniversary of the "Friendly Society," connected with the +church in St. John's. Many of the most respectable citizens, including +the Governor, were present. After the services in the church, the +society moved in procession to the Rectory school-room. We counted one +hundred males and two hundred and sixty females in the procession. +Having been kindly invited by the Rector to attend at the school-room, +we followed the procession. We found the house crowded with women, many +others, besides those in the procession, having convened. The men were +seated without under a canvass, extended along one side of the house. +The whole number present was supposed to be nine hundred. Short +addresses were made by the Rector, the Archdeacon, and the Governor. + +The Seventh Annual Report of the Society, drawn up by the secretary, a +colored man, was read. It was creditable to the author. The Rector in +his address affectionally warned the society, especially the female +members, against extravagance in dress. + +The Archdeacon exhorted them to domestic and conjugal faithfulness. He +alluded to the prevalence of inconstancy during past years, and to the +great improvement in this particular lately; and concluded by wishing +them all "a happy new-year and _many_ of them, and a blessed immortality +in the end." For this kind wish they returned a loud and general +"thankee, massa." + +The Governor then said, that he rose merely to remark, that this society +might aid in the emancipation of millions of slaves, now in bondage in +other countries. A people who are capable of forming such societies as +this among themselves, deserve to be free, and ought no longer to be +held in bondage. You, said he, are showing to the world what the negro +race are capable of doing. The Governor's remarks were received with +applause. After the addresses the audience were served with +refreshments, previous to which the Rector read the following lines, +which were sung to the tune of Old Hundred, the whole congregation +standing. + + "Lord at our table now appear + And bless us here, as every where; + Let manna to our souls be given, + The bread of life sent down from heaven." + +The simple refreshment was then handed round. It consisted merely of +buns and lemonade. The Governor and the Rector, each drank to the health +and happiness of the members. The loud response came up from all within +and all around the house--"thankee--thankee--thankee--massa--thankee +_good_ massa." A scene of animation ensued. The whole concourse of +black, colored and white, from the humblest to the highest, from the +unlettered apprentice to the Archdeacon and the Governor of the island, +joined in a common festivity. + +After the repast was concluded, thanks were returned in the following +verse, also sung to Old Hundred. + + "We thank thee, Lord, for this our food, + But bless thee more for Jesus' blood; + Let manna to our souls be given, + The bread of life sent down from heaven." + +The benediction was pronounced, and the assembly retired. + +There was an aged negro man present, who was noticed with marked +attention by the Archdeacon, the Rector and other clergymen. He is +sometimes called the African Bishop. He was evidently used to +familiarity with the clergy, and laid his hand on their shoulders as he +spoke to them. The old patriarch was highly delighted with the scene. He +said, when he was young he "never saw nothing, but sin and Satan. _Now I +just begin to live_." + +On the same occasion the Governor remarked to us that the first thing to +be done in our country, toward the removal of slavery, was to discard +the absurd notion that _color_ made any difference, intellectually or +morally, among men. "All distinctions," said he, "founded in color, must +be abolished everywhere. We should learn to talk of men not as _colored_ +men, but as MEN _as fellow citizens and fellow subjects_." His +Excellency certainly showed on this occasion a disposition to put in +practice his doctrine. He spoke affectionately to the children, and +conversed freely with the adults. + +VISIT TO GREEN CASTLE. + +According to a previous engagement, a member of the assembly called and +took us in his carriage to Green Castle estate. + +Green Castle lies about three miles south-east from St. John's, and +contains 940 acres. The mansion stands on a rocky cliff; overlooking the +estate, and commanding a wide view of the island. In one direction +spreads a valley, interspersed with fields of sugar-cane and provisions. +In another stretches a range of hills, with their sides clad in culture, +and their tops covered with clouds. At the base of the rock are the +sugar Houses. On a neighboring upland lies the negro village, in the +rear of which are the provision grounds. Samuel Bernard, Esq., the +manager, received us kindly. He said, he had been on the island +forty-four years, most of the time engaged in the management of estates. +He is now the manager of two estates, and the attorney for six, and has +lately purchased an estate himself. Mr. B. is now an aged man, grown old +in the practice of slave holding. He has survived the wreck of slavery, +and now stripped of a tyrant's power, he still lives among the people, +who were lately his slaves, and manages an estate which was once his +empire. The testimony of such a man is invaluable. Hear him. + +1. Mr. B. said, that the negroes throughout the island were very +peaceable when they received their freedom. + +2. He said he had found no difficulty in getting his people to work +after they had received their freedom. Some estates had suffered for a +short time; there was a pretty general fluctuation for a month or two, +the people leaving one estate and going to another. But this, said Mr. +B., was chargeable to the _folly_ of the planters, who _overbid_ each +other in order to secure the best hands and enough of them. The negroes +had a _strong attachment to their homes_, and they would rarely abandon +them unless harshly treated. + +3. He thought that the assembly acted very wisely in rejecting the +apprenticeship. He considered it absurd. It took the chains partly from +off the slave, and fastened them on the master, _and enslaved them +both_. It withdrew from the latter the power of compelling labor, and it +supplied to the former no incentive to industry. + +He was opposed to the measures which many had adopted for further +securing the benefits of emancipation.--He referred particularly to the +system of education which now prevailed. He thought that the education +of the emancipated negroes should combine industry with study even in +childhood, so as not to disqualify the taught for cultivating the +ground. It will be readily seen that this prejudice against education, +evidently the remains of his attachment to slavery, gives additional +weight to his testimony. + +The Mansion on the Rock (which from its elevated and almost inaccessible +position, and from the rich shrubbery in perpetual foliage surrounding +it, very fitly takes the name of Green Castle) is memorable as the scene +of the murder of the present proprietor's grandfather. He refused to +give his slaves holiday on a particular occasion. They came several +times in a body and asked for the holiday, but he obstinately refused to +grant it. They rushed into his bedroom, fell upon him with their hoes, +and killed him. + +On our return to St. John's, we received a polite note from a colored +lady, inviting us to attend the anniversary of the "Juvenile +Association," at eleven o'clock. We found about forty children +assembled, the greater part of them colored girls, but some were white. +The ages of these juvenile philanthropists varied from four to fourteen. +After singing and prayer, the object of the association was stated, +which was to raise money by sewing, soliciting contributions, and +otherwise, for charitable purposes. + +From the annual report it appeared that this was the _twenty-first +anniversary_ of the society. The treasurer reported nearly £60 currency +(or about $150) received and disbursed during the year. More than one +hundred dollars had been given towards the erection of the new Wesleyan +chapel in St. John's. Several resolutions were presented by little +misses, expressive of gratitude to God for continued blessings, which +were adopted unanimously--every child holding up its right hand in token +of assent. + +After the resolutions and other business were despatched, the children +listened to several addresses from the gentlemen present. The last +speaker was a member of the assembly. He said that his presence there +was quite accidental; but that he had been amply repaid for coming by +witnessing the goodly work to which this juvenile society was engaged. +As there was a male branch association about to be organized, he begged +the privilege of enrolling his name as an honorary member, and promised +to be a constant contributor to its funds. He concluded by saying, that +though he had not before enjoyed the happiness of attending their +anniversaries, he should never again fail to be present (with the +permission of their worthy patroness) at the future meetings of this +most interesting society. We give the substance of this address, as one +of the signs of the times. The speaker was a wealthy merchant of +St. John's. + +This society was organized in 1815. The _first proposal_ came from a few +_little colored girls_, who, after hearing a sermon on the blessedness +of doing good, wanted to know whether they might not have a society for +raising money to give to the poor. + +This Juvenile Association has, since its organization, raised the sum of +_fourteen hundred dollars_! Even this little association has experienced +a great impulse from the free system. From a table of the annual +receipts since 1815, we found that the amount raised the two last years, +is nearly equal to that received during any three years before. + +DR. DANIELL--WEATHERILL ESTATE. + +On our return from Thibou Jarvis's estate, we called at Weatherill's; +but the manager, Dr. Daniell, not being at home, we left our names, with +an intimation of the object of our visit. Dr. D. called soon after at +our lodgings. As authority, he is unquestionable. Before retiring from +the practice of medicine, he stood at the head of his profession in the +island. He is now a member of the council, is proprietor of an estate, +manager of another, and attorney for six. + +The fact that such men as Dr. D., but yesterday large slaveholders, and +still holding high civil and political stations, should most cheerfully +facilitate our anti-slavery investigations, manifesting a solicitude to +furnish us with all the information in their power, is of itself the +highest eulogy of the new system. The testimony of Dr. D. will be found +mainly in a subsequent part of the work. We state, in passing, a few +incidentals. He was satisfied that immediate emancipation was better +policy than a temporary apprenticeship. The apprenticeship was a middle +state--kept the negroes in suspense--vexed and harrassed them--_fed them +on a starved hope_; and therefore they would not be so likely, when they +ultimately obtained freedom, to feel grateful, and conduct themselves +properly. The reflection that they had been cheated out of their liberty +for six years would _sour their minds_. The planters in Antigua, by +giving immediate freedom, had secured the attachment of their people. + +The Doctor said he did not expect to make more than two thirds of his +average crop; but he assured us that this was owing solely to the want +of rain. There had been no deficiency of labor. The crops were _in_, in +season, throughout the island, and the estates were never under better +cultivation than at the present time. Nothing was wanting but +RAIN--RAIN. + +He said that the West India planters were very anxious to _retain_ the +services of the negro population. + +Dr. D. made some inquiries as to the extent of slavery in the United +States, and what was doing for its abolition. He thought that +emancipation in our country would not be the result of a slow process. +The anti-slavery feeling of the civilized world had become too strong to +wait for a long course of "preparations" and "ameliorations." And +besides, continued he, "the arbitrary control of a master can never be a +preparation for freedom;--_sound and wholesome legal restraints are the +only preparative_." + +The Doctor also spoke of the absurdity and wickedness of the caste of +color which prevailed in the United States. It was the offspring of +slavery, and it must disappear when slavery is abolished. + +CONVERSATION WITH A NEGRO. + +We had a conversation one morning with a boatman, while he was rowing us +across the harbor of St. John's. He was a young negro man. Said he was a +slave until emancipation. We inquired whether he heard any thing about +emancipation before it took place. He said, yes--the slaves heard of it, +but it was talked about so long that many of them lost all _believement_ +in it, got tired waiting, and bought their freedom; but he had more +patience, and got his for nothing. We inquired of him, what the negroes +did on the first of August, 1834. He said they all went to church and +chapel. "Dare was more _religious_ on dat day dan you could tire of." +Speaking of the _law_, he said it was his _friend_. If there was no law +to take his part, a man, who was stronger than he, might step up and +knock him down. But now no one dare do so; all were afraid of the +_law_,--the law would never hurt any body who behaved well; but a master +would _slash a fellow, let him do his best_. + +VISIT TO NEWFIELD. + +Drove out to Newfield, a Moravian station, about eight miles from St. +John's. The Rev. Mr. Morrish, the missionary at that station, has under +his charge two thousand people. Connected with the station is a day +school for children, and a night school for adults twice in each week. + +We looked in upon the day school, and found one hundred and fifteen +children. The teacher and assistant were colored persons. Mr. M. +superintends. He was just dismissing the school, by singing and prayer, +and the children marched out to the music of one of their little songs. +During the afternoon, Mr. Favey, manager of a neighboring estate, +(Lavicount's,) called on us. + +He spoke of the tranquillity of the late Christmas holidays. They ended +Tuesday evening, and his people were all in the field at work on +Wednesday morning--there were no stragglers. Being asked to specify the +chief advantages of the new system over slavery, he stated at once the +following things: 1st. It (free labor) is less _expensive_. 2d. It costs +a planter far less _trouble_ to manage free laborers, than it did to +manage slaves. 3d. It had _removed all danger of insurrection, +conflagration, and conspiracies_. + +ADULT SCHOOL. + +In the evening, Mr. Morrish's adult school for women was held. About +thirty women assembled from different estates--some walking several +miles. Most of them were just beginning to read. They had just begun to +learn something about figures, and it was no small effort to add 4 and 2 +together. They were incredibly ignorant about the simplest matters. When +they first came to the school, they could not tell which was their right +arm or their right side, and they had scarcely mastered that secret, +after repeated showing. We were astonished to observe that when Mr. M. +asked them to point to their cheeks, they laid their finger upon their +chins. They were much pleased with the evolutions of a dumb clock, which +Mr. M. exhibited, but none of them could tell the time of day by it. +Such is a specimen of the intelligence of the Antigua negroes. Mr. M. +told us that they were a pretty fair sample of the country negroes +generally. It surely cannot be said that they were uncommonly well +prepared for freedom; yet with all their ignorance, and with the merest +infantile state of intellect, they prove the peaceable subjects of law. +That they have a great desire to learn, is manifest from their coming +such distances, after working in the field all day. The school which +they attend has been established since the abolition of slavery. + +The next morning, we visited the day school. It was opened with singing +and prayer. The children knelt and repeated the Lord's Prayer after Mr. +M. They then formed into a line and marched around the room, singing and +keeping the step. A tiny little one, just beginning to walk, +occasionally straggled out of the line. The next child, not a little +displeased with such disorderly movements, repeatedly seized the +straggler by the frock, and pulled her into the ranks; but finally +despaired of reducing her to subordination. When the children had taken +their seats, Mr. M., at our request, asked all those who were free +before August, 1834, to rise. Only one girl arose, and she was in no way +distinguishable from a white child. The first exercise, was an +examination of a passage of scripture. The children were then questioned +on the simple rules of addition and subtraction, and their answers were +prompt and accurate. + +DR. NUGENT. + +The hour having arrived when we were to visit a neighboring estate, Mr. +M. kindly accompanied us to Lyon's, the estate upon which Dr. Nugent +resides. In respect to general intelligence, scientific acquirements, +and agricultural knowledge, no man in Antigua stands higher than Dr. +Nugent. He has long been speaker of the house of assembly, and is +favorably known in Europe as a geologist and man of science. He is +manager of the estate on which he resides, and proprietor of another. + +The Doctor informed us that the crop on his estate had almost totally +failed, on account of the drought--being reduced from one hundred and +fifty hogsheads, the average crop, to _fifteen_! His provision grounds +had yielded almost nothing. The same soil which ordinarily produced ten +cart-loads of yams to the acre--the present season barely averaged _one +load to ten acres_! Yams were reduced from the dimensions of a man's +head, to the size of a radish. The _cattle were dying_ from want of +water and grass. He had himself lost _five oxen_ within the past week. + +Previous to emancipation, said the Doctor, no man in the island dared to +avow anti-slavery sentiments, if he wished to maintain a respectable +standing. Planters might have their hopes and aspirations; but they +could not make them public without incurring general odium, and being +denounced as the enemies of their country. + +In allusion to the motives which prompted the legislature to reject the +apprenticeship and adopt immediate emancipation, Dr. N. said, "When we +saw that abolition was _inevitable_, we began, to inquire what would be +the safest course for getting rid of slavery. _We wished to let +ourselves down in the easiest manner possible_--THEREFORE WE CHOSE +IMMEDIATE EMANCIPATION!" These were his words. + +On returning to the hospitable mansion of Mr. Morrish, we had an +opportunity of witnessing a custom peculiar to the Moravians. It is +called 'speaking.' All the members of the church are required to call on +the missionary once a month, and particular days are appropriated to it. +They come singly or in small companies, and the minister converses with +each individual. + +Mr. M. manifested great faithfulness in this duty. He was affectionate +in manner--entered into all the minutiae of individual and family +affairs, and advised with them as a father with his children. We had an +opportunity of conversing with some of those who came. We asked one old +man what he did on the "First of August?"[A] His reply was, "Massa, we +went to church, and tank de Lord for make a we all free." + +[Footnote A: By this phrase the freed people always understand the 1st +of August, 1834, when slavery was abolished.] + +An aged infirm woman said to us, among other things, "Since de _free_ +come de massa give me no--no, nothing to eat--gets all from my +cousins." We next conversed with two men, who were masons on an estate. +Being asked how they liked liberty, they replied, "O, it very +comfortable, Sir--very comfortable indeed." They said, "that on the day +when freedom came, they were as happy, as though they had just been +going to heaven." They said, now they had got free, they never would be +slaves again. They were asked if they would not be willing to sell +themselves to a man who would treat them well. They replied immediately +that they would be very willing to _serve_ such a man, but they would +not _sell themselves_ to the best person in the world! What fine +logicians a slave's experience had made these men! Without any effort +they struck out a distinction, which has puzzled learned men in church +and state, the difference between _serving_ a man and _being his +property_. + +Being asked how they conducted themselves on the 1st of August they said +they had no frolicking, but they all went to church to "_tank God for +make a we free_." They said, they were very desirous to have their +children learn all they could while they were young. We asked them if +they did not fear that their children would become lazy if they went to +school all the time. One said, shrewdly, "Eh! nebber mind--dey _come to_ +by'm by--_belly 'blige 'em_ to work." + +In the evening Mr. M. held a religious meeting in the chapel; the weekly +meeting for exhortation. He stated to the people the object of our +visit, and requested one of us to say a few words. Accordingly, a short +time was occupied in stating the number of slaves in America, and in +explaining their condition, physical, moral, and spiritual; and the +congregation were urged to pray for the deliverance of the millions of +our bondmen. They manifested much sympathy, and promised repeatedly to +pray that they might be "free like we." At the close of the meeting they +pressed around us to say "howdy, massa;" and when we left the chapel, +they showered a thousand blessings upon us. Several of them, men and +women, gathered about Mr. M.'s door after we went in, and wished to talk +with us. The men were mechanics, foremen, and watchmen; the women were +nurses. During our interview, which lasted nearly an hour, these persons +remained standing. + +When we asked them how they liked freedom, and whether it was better +than slavery, they answered with a significant _umph_ and a shrug of the +shoulders, as though they would say, "Why you ask dat question, massa?" + +They said, "all the people went to chapel on the first of August, to +tank God for make such poor undeserving sinners as we free; we no nebber +expect to hab it. But it please de Lord to gib we free, and we tank him +good Lord for it." + +We asked them if they thought the wages they got (a shilling per day, or +about eleven cents,) was enough for them. They said it seemed to be very +small, and it was as much as they could do to get along with it; but +they could not get any more, and they had to be "satify and conten." + +As it grew late and the good people had far to walk, we shook hands with +them, and bade them good bye, telling them we hoped to meet them again +in a world where all would be free. The next morning Mr. M. accompanied +us to the residence of the Rev. Mr. Jones, the rector of St. Phillip's. + +Mr. J. informed us that the planters in that part of the island were +gratified with the working of the new system. He alluded to the +prejudices of some against having the children educated, lest it should +foster indolence. But, said Mr. J., the planters have always been +opposed to improvements, until they were effected, and their good +results began to be manifest. They first insisted that the abolition of +the slave-trade would ruin the colonies--next the _abolition of slavery_ +was to be the certain destruction of the islands--and now the education +of children is deprecated as fraught with disastrous consequences. + +FREY'S ESTATE--MR. HATLEY. + +Mr. Morrish accompanied us to a neighboring estate called Frey's, which +lies on the road from Newfield to English Harbor. Mr. Hatley, the +manager, showed an enthusiastic admiration of the new system. Most of +his testimony will be found in Chapter III. He said, that owing to the +dry weather he should not make one third of his average crop. Yet his +people had acted their part well. He had been encouraged by their +improved industry and efficiency, to bring into cultivation lands that +had never before been tilled. + +It was delightful to witness the change which had been wrought in this +planter by the abolition of slavery. Although accustomed for years to +command a hundred human beings with absolute authority, he could rejoice +in the fact that his power was wrested from him, and when asked to +specify the advantages of freedom over slavery, he named emphatically +and above all others _the abolition of flogging_. Formerly, he said, it +was "_whip--whip--whip--incessantly_, but now we are relieved from this +disagreeable task." + +THE AMERICAN CONSUL + +We called on the American Consul, Mr. Higginbotham, at his country +residence, about four miles from St. John's. Shortly after we reached +his elevated and picturesque seat, we were joined by Mr. Cranstoun, a +planter, who had been invited to dine with us. Mr. C. is a _colored +gentleman_. The Consul received him in such a manner as plainly showed +that they were on terms of intimacy. Mr. C. is a gentleman of +intelligence and respectability, and occupies a station of trust and +honor in the island. On taking leave of us, he politely requested our +company at breakfast on a following morning, saying, he would send his +gig for us. + +At the urgent request of Mr. Bourne, of Miller's, we consented to +address the people of his estate, on Sabbath evening. He sent in his gig +for us in the afternoon, and we drove out. + +At the appointed hour we went to the place of meeting. The chapel was +crowded with attentive listeners. Whenever allusions were made to the +grout blessings which God had conferred upon them in delivering them +from bondage, the audience heartily responded in their rough but earnest +way to the sentiments expressed. At the conclusion of the meeting, they +gradually withdrew, bowing or courtesying as they passed us, and +dropping upon our ear their gentle "good bye, massa." During slavery +every estate had its _dungeon_ for refractory slaves. Just as we were +leaving Miller's, me asked Mr. B. what had become of these dungeons. He +instantly replied, "I'll show you one," In a few moments we stood at the +door of the old prison, a small stone building, strongly built, with two +cells. It was a dismal looking den, surrounded by stables, pig-styes, +and cattlepens. The door was off its hinges, and the entrance partly +filled up with mason work. The sheep and goats went in and out +at pleasure. + +We breakfasted one morning at the Villa estate, which lies within half a +mile of St. John's. The manager was less sanguine in his views of +emancipation than the planters generally. We were disposed to think +that, were it not for the force of public sentiment, he might declare +himself against it. His feelings are easily accounted for. The estate is +situated so near the town; that his people are assailed by a variety of +temptations to leave their work; from which those on other estates are +exempt. The manager admitted that the danger of insurrection was +removed--crime was lessened--and the moral condition of society was +rapidly improving. + +A few days after, we went by invitation to a bazaar, or fair, which was +held in the court-house in St. John's. The avails were to be +appropriated to the building of a new Wesleyan chapel in the town. The +council chamber and the assembly's call were given for the purpose. The +former spacious room was crowded with people of every class and +complexion. The fair was got up by the _colored_ members of the Wesleyan +church; nevertheless, some of the first ladies and gentlemen in town +attended it, and mingled promiscuously in the throng. Wealthy +proprietors, lawyers legislators, military officers in their uniform, +merchants, etc. swelled the crowd. We recognised a number of ladies whom +we had previously met at a fashionable dinner in St. John's. Colored +ladies presided at the tables, and before them was spread a profusion of +rich fancy articles. Among a small number of books exhibited for sale +were several copies of a work entitled "COMMEMORATIVE WREATH," being a +collection of poetical pieces relating to the abolition of slavery in +the West Indies. + +VISIT TO MR. CRANSTOUN'S. + +On the following morning Mr. C.'s gig came for us, and we drove out to +his residence. We were met at the door by the American Consul, who +breakfasted with us. When he had taken leave, Mr. C. proposed that we +should go over his grounds. To reach the estate, which lies in a +beautiful valley far below Mr. C.'s mountainous residence, we were +obliged to go on foot by a narrow path that wound along the sides of the +precipitous hills. This estate is the property of Mr. Athill, a colored +gentleman now residing in England. Mr. A. is post-master general of +Antigua, one of the first merchants in St. John's, and was a member of +the assembly until the close of 1836, when, on account of his continued +absence, he resigned his seat. A high-born white man, the Attorney +General, now occupies the same chair which this colored member vacated. +Mr. C. was formerly attorney for several estates, is now agent for a +number of them, and also a magistrate. + +He remarked, that since emancipation the nocturnal disorders and +quarrels in the negro villages, which were incessant during slavery, had +nearly ceased. The people were ready and willing to work. He had +frequently given his gang jobs, instead of paying them by the day. This +had proved a gear stimulant to industry, and the work of the estate was +performed so much quicker by this plan that it was less expensive than +daily wages. When they had jobs given them, they would sometimes go to +work by three o'clock in the morning, and work by moonlight. When the +moon was not shining, he had known them to kindle fires among the trash +or dry cane leaves to work by. They would then continue working all day +until four o clock, stopping only for breakfast, and dispensing with the +usual intermission from twelve to two. + +We requested him to state briefly what were in his estimation the +advantages of the free system over slavery. He replied thus: 1st. The +diminished expense of free labor. 2d. _The absence of coercion_. 3d. The +greater facility in managing an estate. Managers had not half the +perplexity and trouble in watching, driving, &c. They could leave the +affairs of the estate in the hands of the people with safety. 4th. _The +freedom from danger_. They had now put away all fears of insurrections, +robbery, and incendiarism. + +There are two reflections which the perusal of these items will probably +suggest to most minds: 1st. The coincidence in the replies of different +planters to the question--What are the advantages of freedom over +slavery? These replies are almost identically the same in every case, +though given by men who reside in different parts of the island, and +have little communication with each other. 2d. They all speak +exclusively of the advantages to the _master_, and say nothing of the +benefit accruing to the emancipated. We are at some loss to decide +whether this arose from indifference to the interests of the +emancipated, or from a conviction that the blessings of freedom to them +were self-evident and needed no specification. + +While we were in the boiling-house we witnessed a scene which +illustrated one of the benefits of freedom to the slave; it came quite +opportunely, and supplied the deficiency in the manager's enumeration of +advantages. The head boiler was performing the work of 'striking off;' +i.e. of removing the liquor, after it had been sufficiently boiled, from +the copper to the coolers. The liquor had been taken out of the boiler +by the skipper, and thence was being conducted to the coolers by a long +open spout. By some means the spout became choaked, and the liquor began +to run over. Mr. C. ordered the man to let down the valve, but he became +confused, and instead of letting go the string which lifted the valve, +he pulled on it the more. The consequence was that the liquor poured +over the sides of the spout in a torrent. The manager screamed at the +top of his voice--"_let down the valve, let it down_!" But the poor man, +more and more frightened, hoisted it still higher,--and the precious +liquid--pure sugar--spread in a thick sheet over the earthen floor. The +manager at last sprang forward, thrust aside the man, and stopped the +mischief, but not until many gallons of sugar were lost. Such an +accident as this, occurring during slavery, would have cost the negro a +severe flogging. As it was, however, in the present case, although Mr. +C. 'looked daggers,' and exclaimed by the workings of his countenance, +'a kingdom for a _cat_,'[A] yet the severest thing which he could say +was, "You bungling fellow--if you can't manage better than this, I shall +put some other person in your place--that's all." '_That_'s ALL' indeed, +but it would not have been all, three years ago. The negro replied to +his chidings in a humble way, saying 'I couldn't help it, sir, I +couldn't help it' Mr. C. finally turned to us, and said in a calmer +tone, "The poor fellow got confused, and was frightened half to death." + +[Footnote A: A species of whip, well know in the West Indies.] + +VISIT TO GRACE BAY. + +We made a visit to the Moravian settlement at Grace Bay, which is on the +opposite side of the island. We called, in passing, at Cedar Hall, a +Moravian establishment four miles from town. Mr. Newby, one of the +missionaries stationed at this place, is the oldest preacher of the +Gospel in the island. He has been in Antigua for twenty-seven years. He +is quite of the _old way of thinking_ on all subjects, especially the +divine right of kings, and the scriptural sanction of slavery. +Nevertheless, he was persuaded that emancipation had been a great +blessing to the island and to all parties concerned. When he first came +to Antigua in 1809, he was not suffered to teach the slaves. After some +time he ventured to keep an evening school _in a secret way_. Now there +is a day school of one hundred and twenty children connected with the +station. It has been formed since emancipation. + +From Cedar Hail we proceeded to Grace Bay. On the way we met some negro +men at work on the road, and stopped our chaise to chat with them. They +told us that they lived on Harvey's estate, which they pointed out to +us. Before emancipation that estate had four hundred slaves on it, but a +great number had since left because of ill usage during slavery. They +would not live on the estate, because the same manager remained, and +they could not trust him. + +They told us they were Moravians, and that on the first of August they +all went to the Moravian chapel at Grace Bay, 'to tank and praise de +good Savior for make a we free.' We asked them if they still liked +liberty; they said, "Yes, massa, we all quite _proud_ to be free." The +negroes use the word _proud_ to express a strong feeling of delight. One +man said, "One morning as I was walking along the road all alone, I +prayed that the Savior would make me free, for then I could be so happy. +I don't know what made me pray so, for I wasn't looking for de free; but +please massa, _in one month de free come_." + +They declared that they worked a great deal better since emancipation, +because they were _paid for it_. To be sure, said they, we get very +little wages, but it is better than none. They repeated it again and +again, that men could not be made to work well by _flogging_ them, "_it +was no use to try it_." + +We asked one of the men, whether he would not be willing to be a slave +again provided he was _sure_ of having a kind master. "Heigh! me massa," +said he, "me neber slave no more. A good massa a very good ting, _but +freedom till better_." They said that it was a great blessing to them to +have their children go to school. After getting them to show us the way +to Grace Bay, we bade them good bye. + +We were welcomed at Grace Bay by the missionary, and his wife, Mr. and +Mrs. Möhne.[B] The place where these missionaries reside is a beautiful +spot. Their dwelling-house and the chapel are situated on a high +promontory, almost surrounded by the sea. A range of tall hills in the +rear cuts off the view of the island, giving to the missionary station +an air of loneliness and seclusion truly impressive. In this sequestered +spot, the found Mr. and Mrs. M. living alone. They informed us that they +rarely have white visiters, but their house is the constant resort of +the negroes, who gather there after the toil of the day to 'speak' about +their souls. Mr. and Mrs. M. are wholly engrossed in their labors of +love. They find their happiness in leading their numerous flock "by the +still waters and the green pastures" of salvation. Occupied in this +delightful work, they covet not other employments, nor other company, +and desire no other earthly abode than their own little hill-embosomed, +sea-girt missionary home. + +[Footnote B: Pronounced Maynuh.] + +There are a thousand people belonging to the church at this station, +each of whom, the missionaries see once every month. A day school has +been lately established, and one hundred children are already in +attendance. After dinner we walked out accompanied by the missionaries +to enjoy the beautiful sunset. It is one of the few _harmless_ luxuries +of a West India climate, to go forth after the heat of the day is spent +and the sun is sinking in the sea, and enjoy the refreshing coolness of +the air. The ocean stretched before us, motionless after the turmoil of +the day, like a child which has rocked itself asleep, yet indicating by +its mighty breathings as it heaved along the beach, that it only +slumbered. As the sun went down, the full moon arose, only less +luminous, and gradually the stars began to light up their beaming fires. +The work of the day now being over, the weary laborers were seen coming +from different directions to have a 'speak' with the missionaries. Mr. +M. stated a fact illustrative of the influence of the missionaries over +the negroes. Some time ago, the laborers on a certain estate became +dissatisfied with the wages they were receiving, and refused to work +unless they were increased. The manager tried in vain to reconcile his +people to the grievance of which they complained, and then sent to Mr. +M., requesting him to visit the estate, and use his influence to +persuade the negroes, most of whom belonged to his church, to work at +the usual terms. Mr. M. sent word to the manager that it was not his +province, as minister, to interfere with the affairs of any estate; but +he would talk with the people about it individually, when they came to +'speak.' Accordingly he spoke to each one, as he came, in a kind manner, +advising him to return to his work, and live as formerly. In a short +time peace and confidence were restored, and the whole gang to a man +were in the field. + +Mr. and Mrs. M. stated that notwithstanding the very low rate of wages, +which was scarcely sufficient to support life, they had never seen a +single individual who desired to return to the condition of a slave. +Even the old and infirm, who were sometimes really in a suffering state +from neglect of the planters and from inability of their relatives +adequately to provide for them, expressed the liveliest gratitude for +the great blessing which the Savior had given them. They would often say +to Mrs. M. "Why, Missus, old sinner just sinkin in de grave, but God let +me old eyes see dis blessed sun." + +The missionaries affirmed that the negroes were an affectionate +people--remarkably so. Any kindness shown them by a white person, was +treasured up and never forgotten. On the other hand, the slightest +neglect or contempt from a white person, was keenly felt. They are very +fond of saying '_howdy_' to white people; but if the salutation is not +returned, or noticed kindly, they are not likely to repeat it to the +same individual. To shake hands with a white person is a gratification +which they highly prize. Mrs. M. pleasantly remarked, that after service +on Sabbath, she was usually wearied out with saying _howdy_, and +_shaking hands_. + +During the evening we had some conversation with two men who came to +'speak.' They spoke about the blessings of liberty, and their gratitude +to God for making them free. They spoke also, with deep feeling, of the +still greater importance of being free from _sin_. That, they said, was +better. _Heaven was the first best, and freedom was the next best_. + +They gave us some account, in the course of the evening, of an aged +saint called Grandfather Jacob, who lived on a neighboring estate. He +had been a _helper_[A] in the Moravian church, until he became too +infirm to discharge the duties connected with that station. Being for +the same reason discharged from labor on the estate, he now occupied +himself in giving religious instruction to the other superannuated +people on the estate. + +[Footnote A: An office somewhat similar to that of deacon] + +Mrs. M. said it would constitute an era in the life of the old man, if +he could have an interview with two strangers from a distant land; +accordingly, she sent a servant to ask him to come to the mission-house +early the next morning. The old man was prompt to obey the call. He left +home, as he said, 'before the gun fire'--about five o'clock--and came +nearly three miles on foot. He was of a slender form, and had been tall, +but age and slavery had bowed him down. He shook us by the hand very +warmly, exclaiming, "God bless you, God bless you--me bery glad to see +you." He immediately commenced giving us an account of his conversion. +Said he, putting his hand on his breast, "You see old Jacob? de old +_sinner_ use to go on _drinkin', swearin', dancin', fightin'!_ No God-- +no Savior--no soul! _When old England and de Merica fall out de first +time_, old Jacob was a man--a wicked sinner!--drink rum, fight--love to +fight! Carry coffin to de grabe on me head; put dead body under +ground--dance over it--den fight and knock man down--go 'way, drink rum, +den take de fiddle. And so me went on, just so, till me get sick and +going to die--thought when me die, dat be de end of me;--_den de Savior +come to me!_ Jacob love de Savior, and been followin' de good Savior +ever since." He continued his story, describing the opposition he had to +contend with, and the sacrifices he made to go to church. After working +on the estate till six o'clock at night, he and several others would +each take a large stone on his head and start for St. John's; nine miles +over the hills. They carried the stones to aid is building the Moravian +chapel at Spring Garden, St. John's. After he had finished this account, +he read to us, in a highly animated style, some of the hymns which he +taught to the old people, and then sung one of them. These exercises +caused the old man's heart to burn within him, and again he ran over his +past life, his early wickedness, and the grace that snatched him from +ruin, while the mingled tides of gratitude burst forth from heart, and +eyes, and tongue. + +When we turned his attention to the temporal freedom he had received, he +instantly caught the word FREE, and exclaimed vehemently, "O yes, me +Massa--dat is anoder kind blessin from de Savior! Him make we all +_free_. Can never praise him too much for dat." We inquired whether he +was now provided for by the manager. He said he was not--never received +any thing from him--his _children_ supported him. We then asked him +whether it was not better to be a slave if he could get food and +clothing, than to be free and not have enough. He darted his quick eye +at us and said 'rader be free _still_.' He had been severely flogged +twice since his conversion, for leaving his post as watchman to bury the +dead. The minister was sick, and he was applied to, in his capacity of +_helper_, to perform funeral rites, and he left his watch to do it. He +said, his heavenly Master called him, and he _would_ go though he +expected a flogging. He must serve his Savior whatever come. "Can't put +we in dungeon _now_," said Grandfather Jacob with a triumphant look. + +When told that there were slaves in America, and that they were not yet +emancipated, he exclaimed, "Ah, de Savior make we free, and he will make +dem free too. He come to Antigo first--he'll be in Merica soon." + +When the time had come for him to leave, he came and pressed our hands, +and fervently gave us his patriarchal blessing. Our interview with +Grandfather Jacob can never be forgotten. Our hearts, we trust, will +long cherish his heavenly savor--well assured that if allowed a part in +the resurrection of the just, we shall behold his tall form, erect in +the vigor of immortal youth, amidst the patriarchs of past generations. + +After breakfast we took leave of the kind-hearted missionaries, whose +singular devotedness and delightful spirit won greatly upon our +affections, and bent our way homeward by another route. + +MR. SCOTLAND'S ESTATE. + +We called at the estate of Mr. J. Scotland, Jr., barrister, and member +of the assembly. We expected to meet with the proprietor, but the +manager informed us that pressing business at court had called him to +St. John's on the preceding day. The testimony of the manager concerning +the dry weather, the consequent failure in the crop, the industry of the +laborers, and so forth, was similar to that which we had heard before. +He remarked that he had not been able to introduce job-work among his +people. It was a new thing with them, and they did not understand it. He +had lately made a proposal to give the gang four dollars per acre for +holding a certain field. They asked a little time to consider upon so +novel a proposition. He gave them half a day, and at the end of that +time asked them what their conclusion was. One, acting as spokesman for +the rest, said, "We rada hab de shilling wages." That was _certain_; the +job might yield them more, and it might fall short--quite a common sense +transaction! + +At the pressing request of Mr. Armstrong we spent a day with him at +Fitch's Creek. Mr. A. received us with the most cordial hospitality, +remarking that he was glad to have another opportunity to state some +things which he regarded as obstacles to the complete success of the +experiment in Antigua. One was the entire want of concert among the +planters. There was no disposition to meet and compare views respecting +different modes of agriculture, treatment of laborers, and employment of +machinery. Another evil was, allowing people to live on the estates who +took no part in the regular labor of cultivation. Some planters had +adapted the foolish policy of encouraging such persons to remain on the +estates, in order that they might have help at hand in cases of +emergency. Mr. A. strongly condemned this policy. It withheld laborers +from the estates which needed them; it was calculated to make the +regular field hands discontented, and it offered a direct encouragement +to the negroes to follow irregular modes of living. A third obstacle to +the successful operation of free labor, was the absence of the most +influential proprietors. The consequences of absenteeism were very +serious. The proprietors were of all men the most deeply interested in +the soil; and no attorneys, agents, or managers, whom they could employ, +would feel an equal interest in it, nor make the same efforts to secure +the prosperous workings of the new system. + +In the year 1833, when the abolition excitement was at its height in +England, and the people were thundering at the doors of parliament for +emancipation, Mr. A. visited that country for his health. To use his own +expressive words, he "got a terrible scraping wherever he went." He said +he could not travel in a stage-coach, or go into a party, or attend a +religious meeting, without being attacked. No one the most remotely +connected with the system could have peace there. He said it was +astonishing to see what a feeling was abroad, how mightily the mind of +the whole country, peer and priest and peasant, was wrought up. The +national heart seemed on fire. + +Mr. A. said, he became a religious man whilst the manager of a slave +estate, and when he became a Christian, he became an abolitionist. Yet +this man, while his conscience was accusing him--while he was longing +and praying for abolition--did not dare open his mouth in public to +urge it on! How many such men are there in our southern states--men who +are inwardly cheering on the abolitionist in his devoted work, and yet +send up no voice to encourage him, but perhaps are traducing and +denouncing him! + +We received a call at our lodgings in St. John's from the Archdeacon. He +made interesting statements respecting the improvement of the negroes in +dress, morals, education and religion, since emancipation. He had +resided in the island some years previous to the abolition of slavery, +and spoke from personal observation. + +Among many other gentlemen who honored us with a call about the same +time, was the Rev. Edward Fraser, Wesleyan missionary, and a colored +gentleman. He is a native of Bermuda, and ten years ago was a _slave_. +He received a mercantile education, and was for several years the +confidential clerk of his master. He was treated with much regard and +general kindness. He said he was another Joseph--every thing which his +master had was in his hands. The account books and money were all +committed to him. He had servants under him, and did almost as he +pleased--except becoming free. Yet he must say, as respected himself, +kindly as he was treated, that slavery was a _grievous wrong, most +unjust and sinful_. The very thought--and it often came over him--that +he was a slave, brought with it a terrible sense of degradation. It came +over the soul like a frost. His sense of degradation grew more intense +in proportion as his mind became more cultivated. He said, _education +was a disagreeable companion for a slave_. But while he said this, Mr. +F. spoke very respectfully and tenderly of his master. He would not +willingly utter a word which would savor of unkindness towards him. Such +was the spirit of one whose best days had been spent under the exactions +of slavery. He was a local preacher in the Wesleyan connection while he +was a slave, and was liberated by his master, without remuneration, at +the request of the British Conference, who wished to employ him as an +itinerant. He is highly esteemed both for his natural talents and +general literary acquisitions and moral worth. The Conference have +recently called him to England to act as an agent in that country, to +procure funds for educational and religious purposes in these islands. + +MEETING OF WESLEYAN MISSIONARIES. + +As we were present at the annual meeting of the Wesleyan missionaries +for this district, we gained much information concerning the object of +our mission, as there were about twenty missionaries, mostly from +Dominica, Montserrat, Nevis, St. Christophers, Anguilla, and Tortola. + +Not a few of them were men of superior acquirements, who had sacrificed +ease and popular applause at home, to minister to the outcast and +oppressed. They are the devoted friends of the black man. It was +soul-cheering to hear them rejoice over the abolition of slavery. It was +as though their own limbs had been of a sudden unshackled, and a high +wall had fallen from around them. Liberty had broken upon them like the +bursting forth of the sun to the watchman on his midnight tower. + +During the session, the mission-house was thrown open to us, and we +frequently dined with the numerous company of missionaries, who there +ate at a common table. Mrs. F., wife of the colored clergyman mentioned +above, presided at the social board. The missionaries and their wives +associated with Mr. and Mrs. F. as unreservedly as though they wore the +most delicate European tint. The first time we took supper with them, at +one side of a large table, around which were about twenty missionaries +with their wives, sat Mrs. F., with the furniture of a tea table before +her. On the other side, with the coffee urn and its accompaniments, sat +the wife of a missionary, with a skin as lily-hued as the fairest +Caucasian. Nearly opposite to her, between two white preachers, sat a +colored missionary. Farther down, with the chairman of the district on +his right, sat another colored gentleman, a merchant and local preacher +in Antigua. Such was the uniform appearance of the table, excepting that +the numbers were occasionally swelled by the addition of several other +colored gentlemen and ladies. On another occasion, at dinner, we had an +interesting conversation, in which the whole company of missionaries +participated. The Rev. M. Banks, of St. Bartholomews, remarked, that one +of the grossest of all absurdities was that of _preparing men for +freedom_. Some, said he, pretend that immediate emancipation is unsafe, +but it was evident to him that if men _are peaceable while they are +slaves_, they might be trusted in any other condition, for they could +not possibly be placed in one more aggravating. If _slavery_ is a safe +system, _freedom_ surely will be. There can be no better evidence that a +people are prepared for liberty, _than their patient endurance of +slavery_. He expressed the greatest regret at the conduct of the +American churches, particularly that of the Methodist church. "Tell +them," said he, "on your return, that the missionaries in these islands +are cast down and grieved when they think of their brethren in America. +We feel persuaded that they are holding back the car of freedom; they +are holding up the gospel." Rev. Mr. Cheesbrough, of St. Christopher's, +said, "Tell them that much as we desire to visit the United States, we +cannot go so long as we are prohibited from speaking against slavery, or +while that _abominable prejudice_ is encouraged in the churches. _We +could not administer the sacrament to a church in which the distinction +of colors was maintained._" "Tell our brethren of the Wesleyan +connection," said Mr. B. again, "that slavery must be abolished by +_Christians_, and the church ought to take her stand at once against +it." We told him that a large number of Methodists and other Christians +had engaged already in the work, and that the number was daily +increasing. "That's right," he exclaimed, "agitate, _agitate_, AGITATE! +_You must succeed_: the Lord is with you." He dwelt particularly on the +obligations resting upon Christians in the free states. He said, "Men +must be at a distance from slavery to judge of its real character. +Persons living in the midst of it, gradually become familiarized with +its horrors and woes, so that they can view calmly, exhibitions from +which they would once have shrunk in dismay." + +We had some conversation with Rev. Mr. Walton, of Montserrat. After +making a number of statements in reference to the apprenticeship there, +Mr. W. stated that there had been repeated instances of planters +_emancipating all their apprentices_. He thought there had been a case +of this kind every month for a year past. The planters were becoming +tired of the apprenticeship, and from mere considerations of interest +and comfort, were adopting free labor. + +A new impulse had been given to education in Montserrat, and schools +were springing up in all parts of the island. Mr. W. thought there was +no island in which education was so extensive. Religious influences were +spreading among the people of all classes. Marriages were occurring +every week. + +We had an interview with the Rev. Mr. H., an aged colored minister. He +has a high standing among his brethren, for talents, piety, and +usefulness. There are few ministers in the West Indies who have +accomplished more _for the cause of Christ_ than has Mr. H.[A] + +[Footnote A: It is a fact well known in Antigua and Barbadoes, that this +colored missionary has been instrumental in the conversion of several +clergymen of the Episcopal Church in those islands, who are now +currently devoted men.] + +He said he had at different periods been stationed in Antigua, Anguilla, +Tortola, and some other islands. He said that the negroes in the other +islands in which he had preached, were as intelligent as those in +Antigua, and in every respect as well prepared for freedom. He was in +Anguilla when emancipation took place. The negroes there were kept at +work on the very _day that freedom came!_ They worked as orderly as on +any other day. The Sabbath following, he preached to them on their new +state, explaining the apprenticeship to them. He said the whole +congregation were in a state of high excitement, weeping and shouting. +One man sprang to his feet, and exclaimed, 'Me never forget God and King +William.' This same man was so full that he went out of the chapel, and +burst into loud weeping. + +The preaching of the missionaries, during their stay in Antigua, was +full of allusions to the abolition of slavery in the West Indies, and +especially to the entire emancipation in Antigua. Indeed, we rarely +attended a meeting in Antigua, of any kind, in which the late +emancipation was not in some way alluded to with feelings of gratitude +and exultation. In the ordinary services of the Sabbath, this subject +was almost uniformly introduced, either in the prayer or sermon. +Whenever thanksgiving was rendered to God for favors, _freedom_ was +among the number. + +The meeting of the district afforded an opportunity for holding a number +of anniversary meetings. We notice them here, believing that they will +present the most accurate view that can be given of the religious and +moral condition of Antigua. + +On the evening of the 1st of February, the first anniversary of the +Antigua Temperance Society was held in the Wesleyan chapel. We had been +invited to attend and take a part in the exercises. The chapel was +crowded with a congregation of all grades and complexions. Colored and +white gentlemen appeared together on the platform. We intimated to a +member of the committee, that we could not conscientiously speak without +advocating _total abstinence_, which doctrine, we concluded from the +nature of the pledge, (which only included ardent spirits,) would not be +well received. We were assured that we might use the most perfect +freedom in avowing our sentiments. + +The speakers on this occasion were two planters, a Wesleyan missionary, +and ourselves. All advocated the doctrine of total abstinence. The first +speaker, a planter, concluded by saying, that it was commonly believed +that wine and malt were rendered absolutely indispensable in the West +Indies, by the exhausting nature of the climate. But facts disprove the +truth of this notion. "I am happy to say that I can now present this +large assembly with ocular demonstration of the fallacy of the popular +opinion. I need only point you to the worthy occupants of this platform. +Who are the healthiest among them? _The cold water drinkers--the +teetotallers_! We can assure you that we have not lost a pound of flesh, +by abandoning our cups. We have tried the cold water experiment +faithfully, and we can testify that since we became cold water men, _we +work better, we eat better, we sleep better, and we do every thing +better than before_." The next speaker, a planter also, dwelt on the +inconsistency of using wine and malt, and at the same time calling upon +the poor to give up ardent spirits. He said this inconsistency had been +cast in his teeth by his negroes. He never could prevail upon them to +stop drinking rum, until he threw away his wine and porter. Now he and +all his people were teetotallists. There were two other planters who had +taken the same course. He stated, as the result of a careful calculation +which he had made, that he and the two planters referred to, had been in +the habit of giving to their people not less than _one thousand gallons +of rum annually_. The whole of this was now withheld, and molasses and +sugar were given instead. The missionary who followed them was not a +whit behind in boldness and zeal, and between them, they left us little +to say in our turn on the subject of total abstinence. + +On the following evening the anniversary of the Bible Society was held +in the Moravian school-room. During the day we received a note from the +Secretary of the Society, politely requesting us to be present. The +spacious school-room was filled, and the broad platform crowded with +church clergymen, Moravian ministers, and Wesleyan missionaries, colored +and white. The Secretary, a Moravian minister, read the twenty-first +annual report. It spoke emphatically of 'the joyful event of +emancipation', and in allusion to an individual in England, of whom it +spoke in terms of high commendation, it designated him, as one "who was +distinguished for his efforts in the abolition of slavery." The adoption +of the report was moved by one of the Wesleyan missionaries, who spoke +at some length. He commenced by speaking of "the peculiar emotions with +which he always arose to address an assembly of the free people of +Antigua." It had been his lot for a year past to labor in a colony[A] +where slavery still reigned, and he could not but thank God for the +happiness of setting his foot once more on the free soil of an +emancipated island. + +[Footnote A: St. Martin's] + +Perhaps the most interesting meeting in the series, was the anniversary +of the Wesleyan Missionary Society of Antigua. Both parts of the day +were devoted to this anniversary. The meetings were held in the Wesleyan +chapel, which was filled above and below, with the usual commixture of +white, colored, and black. We saw, as on former occasions, several +colored gentlemen seated among the ministers. After the usual +introductory exercises of singing and prayer, the annual report was read +by the Secretary, Rev. E. Fraser, the colored minister already +mentioned. It was terse, direct, and business like. The meeting was then +addressed by a Moravian missionary. He dwelt upon the decrease of the +sectarian spirit, and hailed the coming of Christian charity and +brotherly communion. He opened his Bible, and read about the middle wall +of partition being broken down. "Yes, brother," said Mr. Horne, "and +every other wall." "The rest are but paper walls," responded the +speaker, "and when once the middle wall is removed, these will soon be +burned up by the fire of Christian love." + +The next speaker was a Wesleyan missionary of Nevis. He spoke of the +various instrumentalities which were now employed for the conversion of +the world. "We welcome," said he, "the co-operation of America, and with +all our hearts do we rejoice that she is now beginning to put away from +her that vile system of oppression which has hitherto crippled her moral +energy and her religious enterprise." Then turning and addressing +himself to us, he said, "We hail you, dear brethren, as co-workers with +us. Go forward in your blessed undertaking. Be not dismayed with the +huge dimensions of that vice which you are laboring to overthrow! Be not +disheartened by the violence and menaces of your enemies! Go forward. +Proclaim to the church and to your countrymen the sinfulness of slavery, +and be assured that soon the fire of truth will melt down the massy +chains of oppression." He then urged upon the people of Antigua _their_ +peculiar obligations to extend the gospel to other lands. It was the +_Bible_ that made them free, and he begged them to bear in mind that +there were millions of their countrymen _still in the chains of +slavery_. This appeal was received with great enthusiasm. + +We then spoke on a resolution which had been handed us by the Secretary, +and which affirmed "that the increasing and acknowledged usefulness of +Christian missions was a subject of congratulation." We spoke of the +increase of missionary operations in our own country, and of the spirit +of self-denial which was widely spreading, particularly among young +Christians. We spoke of that accursed thing in our midst, which not only +tended greatly to kill the spirit of missions in the church, but which +directly withheld _many_ young men from foreign missionary fields. It +had made more than two millions of heathen in our country; and so long +as the cries of these _heathen at home_ entered the ears of our young +men and young women, they could not, dare not, go abroad. How could they +go to Ceylon, to Burmah, or to Hindostan, with the cry of their +_country's heathen_ ringing their ears! How could they tear themselves +away from famished millions kneeling at their feet in chains and begging +for the bread of life, and roam afar to China or the South Sea Islands! +Increasing numbers filed with a missionary spirit felt that their +obligations were at home, and they were resolved that if they could not +carry the gospel _forthwith_ to the slaves, they would labor for the +overthrow of that system which made it a crime punishable with death to +preach salvation to the poor. In conclusion, the hope was expressed that +the people of Antigua--so highly favored with freedom, education, and +religion, would never forget that in the nation whence we came, there +were _two millions and a half of heathen_, who, instead of bread, +received stones and scorpions; instead of the Bible, bolts and bars; +instead of the gospel, chains and scourgings; instead of the hope of +salvation thick darkness and despair. They were entreated to remember +that in the gloomy dungeon, from which they had lately escaped there +were deeper and more dismal cells, _yet filled_ with millions of their +countrymen. The state of feeling produced by this reference to slavery, +was such as might be anticipated in an audience, a portion of which were +once slaves, and still remembered freshly the horrors of their late +condition. + +The meeting was concluded after a sitting of more than four hours. The +attendance in the evening was larger than on any former occasion. Many +were unable to get within the chapel. We were again favored with an +opportunity of urging a variety of considerations touching the general +cause, as well as those drawn from the condition of our own country, and +the special objects of our mission. + +The Rev. Mr. Horne spoke very pointedly on the subject of slavery. He +began by saying that he had been _so long accustomed_ to speak +cautiously about slavery that he was even now almost afraid of his own +voice when he alluded to it. [General laughter.] But he would remember +that he was in a _free island_, and that he spoke to _freemen_, and +therefore he had nothing to fear. + +He said the peace and prosperity of these colonies is a matter of great +moment in itself considered, but it was only when viewed as an example +to the rest of the slaveholding world that its real magnitude and +importance was perceived. The influence of abolition, and especially of +entire emancipation in Antigua, must be very great. The eyes of the +world were fixed upon her. The great nation of America must now soon +_toll the knell_ of slavery, and this event will be hastened by the +happy operation of freedom here. + +Mr. H. proceeded to say, that during the agitation of the slavery +question at home, he had been suspected of not being a friend to +emancipation; and it would probably be remembered by some present that +his name appeared in the report of the committee of the House of +Commons, where it stood in _no enviable society_. But whatever might be +thought of his course at that time, he felt assumed that the day was not +far distant when he should be able to clear up every thing connected +with it. It was not a little gratifying to us to see that the time had +come in the West Indies, when the suspicion of having been opposed to +emancipation is a stain upon the memory from which a public man is glad +to vindicate himself. + +RESOLUTION OF THE MEETING. + +After a few other addresses were delivered, and just previous to the +dismission of the assembly, Rev. Mr. Cox, Chairman of the District, +arose and said, that as this was the last of the anniversary meetings, +he begged to move a resolution which he had no doubt would meet with the +hearty and unanimous approval of that large assembly. He then read the +following resolution, which we insert here as an illustration of the +universal sympathy in the objects of our mission. As the resolution is +not easily divisible, we insert the whole of it, making no ado on the +score of modesty. + +"Resolved, that this meeting is deeply impressed with the importance of +the services rendered this day to the cause of missions by the +acceptable addresses of Mr. ----, from America, and begs especially to +express to him and his friend Mr. ----, the assurance of their sincere +sympathy in the object of their visit to Antigua." + +Mr. C. said he would make no remarks in support of the resolution he had +just read for he did not deem them necessary. He would therefore propose +at once that the vote be taken by rising. The Chairman read the +resolution accordingly, and requested those who were in favor of +adopting it, to rise. Not an individual in the crowded congregation kept +his seat. The masters and the slaves of yesterday--all rose together--a +phalanx of freemen, to testify "their sincere sympathy" in the efforts +and objects of American abolitionists. + +After the congregation had resumed their seats, the worthy Chairman +addressed us briefly in behalf of the congregation, saying, that it was +incumbent on him to convey to us the unanimous expression of sympathy on +the part of this numerous assembly in the object of our visit to the +island. We might regard it as an unfeigned assurance that we were +welcomed among them, and that the cause which we were laboring to +promote was dear to the hearts of the people of Antigua. + +This was the testimonial of an assembly, many of whom, only three years +before, were themselves slaveholders. It was not given at a meeting +specially concerted and called for the purpose, but grew up unexpectedly +and spontaneously out of the feelings of the occasion, a free-will +offering, the cheerful impulsive gush of _free_ sympathies. We returned +our acknowledgments in the best manner that our excited emotions +permitted. + +LAYING THE CORNER STONE OF A WESLEYAN CHAPEL. + +The corner stone of a new Wesleyan Chapel was laid in St. John's, during +the district meeting. The concourse of spectators was immense. At eleven +o'clock religious exercises were held in the old chapel. At the close of +the service a procession was formed, composed of Wesleyan missionaries, +Moravian ministers, clergymen of the church, members of the council and +of the assembly, planters, merchants, and other gentlemen, and the +children of the Sunday and infant schools, connected with the +Wesleyan Chapel. + +As the procession moved to the new site, a hymn was sung, in which the +whole procession united. Our position in the procession, to which we +were assigned by the marshal, and much to our satisfaction, was at +either side of two colored gentlemen, with whom we walked, four abreast. + +On one side of the foundation a gallery had been raised, which was +covered with an awning, and was occupied by a dense mass of white and +colored ladies. On another side the gentlemen of the procession stood. +The other sides were thronged with a promiscuous multitude of all +colors. After singing and prayer, the Hon. Nicholas Nugent, speaker of +the house of assembly, descended from the platform by a flight of stairs +into the cellar, escorted by two missionaries. The sealed phial was then +placed in his hand, and Mr. P., a Wesleyan missionary, read from a paper +the inscription written on the parchment within the phial. The closing +words of the inscription alluded to the present condition of the island, +thus: "The demand for a new and larger place of worship was pressing, +and the progress of public liberality advancing on a scale highly +creditable to this FREE, enlightened, and evangelized colony." The +Speaker then placed the phial in the cavity of the rock. When it was +properly secured, and the corner stone lowered down by pullies to its +place, he struck three blows upon it with a mallet, and then returned to +the platform. The most eager curiosity was exhibited on every side to +witness the ceremony. + +At the conclusion of it, several addresses were delivered. The speakers +were, Rev. Messrs. Horne and Harvey, and D.B. Garling, Esq. Mr. Horne, +after enumerating several things which were deserving of praise, and +worthy of imitation, exclaimed, "The grand crowning glory of all--that +which places Antigua above all her sister colonies--was the magnanimous +measure of the legislature in entirely abolishing slavery." It was +estimated that there were more than two thousand persons assembled on +this occasion. The _order_ which prevailed among such a concourse was +highly creditable to the island. It was pleasing to see the perfect +intermixture of colors and conditions; not less so to observe the kindly +bearing of the high toward the low.[A] After the exercises were +finished, the numerous assembly dispersed quietly. Not an instance of +drunkenness, quarrelling, or anger, fell under our notice during +the day. + +[Footnote A: During Mr. Home's address, we observed Mr. A., a planter, +send his umbrella to a negro man who stood at the corner-stone, exposed +to the sun.] + +RESOLUTIONS OF THE MISSIONARIES. + +Toward the close of the district meeting, we received a kind note from +the chairman, inviting us to attend the meeting, and receive in person, +a set of resolutions which had been drawn up at our request, and signed +by all the missionaries. At the hour appointed, we repaired to the +chapel. The missionaries all arose as we entered, and gave us a +brotherly salutation. We were invited to take our seats at the right +hand of the chairman. He then, in the presence of the meeting, read to +us the subjoined resolutions; we briefly expressed, in behalf of +ourselves and our cause, the high sense we had of the value of the +testimony, which the meeting had been pleased to give us. The venerable +father Horne then prayed with us, commending our cause to the blessing +of the Head of the church, and ourselves to the protection and guidance +of our heavenly Father. After which we shook hands with the brethren, +severally, receiving their warmest assurances of affectionate regard, +and withdrew. + +_"Resolutions passed at the meeting of the Wesleyan Missionaries of the +Antigua District, assembled at St. John's, Antigua, February 7th, 1837._ + + 1. That the emancipation of the slaves of the West Indies, while it + was an act of undoubted justice to that oppressed people, has + operated most favorably in furthering the triumphs of the gospel, by + removing one prolific source of unmerited suspicion of religious + teachers, and thus opening a door to their more extensive labors and + usefulness--by furnishing a greater portion of time for the service + of the negro, and thus preventing the continuance of unavoidable + Sabbath desecrations, in labor and neglect of the means of + grace--and in its operation as a stimulus to proprietors and other + influential gentlemen, to encourage religious education, and the + wide dissemination of the Scriptures, as an incentive to industry + and good order. + + 2. That while the above statements are true with reference to all + the islands, even where the system of apprenticeship prevails, they + are especially applicable to Antigua, where the results of the great + measure, of entire freedom, so humanely and judiciously granted by + the legislature, cannot be contemplated without the most devout + thanks givings to Almighty God. + + 3. That we regard with much gratification, the great diminution + among all classes in these islands, of the most unchristian + prejudice of color the total absence of it in the government and + ordinances of the churches of God, with which we are connected, and + the prospect of its complete removal, by the abolition of slavery, + by the increased diffusion of general knowledge, and of that + religion which teaches to "honor _all_ men," and to love our + neighbor as ourselves. + + 4. That we cannot but contemplate with much humiliation and + distress, the existence, among professing Christians in America, of + this partial, unseemly, and unchristian system of _caste_, so + distinctly prohibited in the word of God, and so utterly + irreconcileable with Christian charity. + + 5. That regarding slavery as a most unjustifiable infringement of + the rational and inalienable rights of men, and in its moral + consequences, (from our own personal observation as well as other + sources,) as one of the greatest curses with which the great + Governor of the nations ever suffered this world to be blighted: we + cannot but deeply regret the connection which so intimately exists + between the various churches of Christ in the United States of + America, and this unchristian system. With much sorrow do we learn + that the _principle_ of the lawfulness of slavery has been defended + by some who are ministers of Christ, that so large a proportion of + that body in America, are exerting their influence in favor of the + continuance of so indefensible and monstrous a system--and that + these emotions of sorrow are especially occasioned with reference to + our own denomination. + + 6. That while we should deprecate and condemn any recourse on the + part of the slaves, to measures of rebellion, as an unjustifiable + mode of obtaining their freedom, we would most solemnly, and + affectionately, and imploringly, adjure our respected fathers and + brethren in America, to endeavor, in every legitimate way, to wipe + away this reproach from their body, and thus act in perfect + accordance with the deliberate and recorded sentiments of our + venerated founder on this subject, and in harmony with the feelings + and proceedings of their brethren in the United Kingdom, who have + had the honor to take a distinguished part in awakening such a + determined and resistless public feeling in that country, as issued + in the abolition of slavery among 800,000 of our fellow subjects. + + 7. That we hail with the most lively satisfaction the progress in + America of anti-slavery principles, the multiplication of + anti-slavery societies, and the diffusion of correct views on this + subject. We offer to the noble band of truly patriotic, and + enlightened, and philanthropic men, who are combating in that + country with such a fearful evil, the assurance of our most cordial + and fraternal sympathy, and our earnest prayers for their complete + success. We view with pity and sorrow the vile calumnies with which + they have been assailed. We welcome with Christian joyfulness, in + the success which has already attended their efforts, the dawn of a + cloudless day of light and glory, which shall presently shine upon + that vast continent, when the song of universal freedom shall sound + in its length and breadth. + + 8. That these sentiments have been increased and confirmed by the + intercourse, which some of our body Have enjoyed with our beloved + brethren, the Rev. James A. Thome, and Joseph Horace Kimball, Esq., + the deputation to these islands, front the Anti-Slavery Society in + America. We regard this appointment, and the nomination of such men + to fulfil it, as most judicious. We trust we can appreciate the + spirit of entire devotedness to this cause, which animates our + respected brethren, and breathes throughout their whole deportment, + and rejoice in such a manifestation of the fruits of that divine + charity, which flow from the constraining love of Christ, and which + many waters cannot quench. + + 9. That the assurance of the affectionate sympathy of the + twenty-five brethren who compose this district meeting, and our + devout wishes for their success in the objects of their mission, are + hereby presented, in our collective and individual capacity, to our + endeared and Christian friends from America. + + (Signed) JAMES COX, chairman of the district, and resident in + Antigua. + + Jonathan Cadman, St. Martin's. James Horne, St. Kitts. Matthew + Banks, St. Bartholomew's. E. Frazer, Antigua. Charles Bates, do. + John Keightley, do. Jesse Pilcher, do. Benjamin Tregaskiss, do. + Thomas Edwards, St. Kitts. Robert Hawkins, Tortola. Thomas Pearson, + Nevis. George Craft, do. W.S. Wamouth, St. Kitts. John Hodge, + Tortola. William Satchel, Dominica. John Cullingford, Dominica. J. + Cameron, Nevis. B. Gartside, St. Kitts. John Parker, do. Hilton + Cheeseborough, do. Thomas Jeffery, do. William Rigglesworth, + Tortola. Daniel Stepney, Nevis. James Walton, Montserrat." + + * * * * * + + + +CHAPTER II. + +GENERAL RESULTS. + +Having given a general outline of our sojourn in Antigua, we proceed to +a mere minute account of the results of our investigations. We arrange +the testimony in two general divisions, placing that which relates to +the past and present condition of the colony in one, and that which +bears directly upon the question of slavery in America in another. + +RELIGION. + +There are three denominations of Christians in Antigua: the Established +Church; the Moravians, and Wesleyans. The Moravians number fifteen +thousand--almost exclusively negroes. The Wesleyans embrace three +thousand members, and about as many more attendants. Of the three +thousand members, says a Wesleyan missionary, "not fifty are whites--a +larger number are colored; but the greater part black." "The attendance +of the negro population at the churches and chapels," (of the +established order,) says the Rector of St. John's, "amounts to four +thousand six hundred and thirty-six." The whole number of blacks +receiving religious instruction from these Christian bodies, making +allowance for the proportion of white and colored included in the three +thousand Wesleyans, is about twenty-two thousand--leaving a population +of eight thousand negroes in Antigua who are unsupplied with religious +instruction. + +The Established Church has six parish churches, as many "chapels of +ease," and nine clergymen. The Moravians have five settlements and +thirteen missionaries. The Wesleyans have seven chapels, with as many +more small preaching places on estates, and twelve ministers; half of +whom are itinerant missionaries, and the other half, local preachers, +employed as planters, or in mercantile, and other pursuits, and +preaching only occasionally. From the limited number of chapels and +missionaries, it may be inferred that only a portion of the twenty-two +thousand can enjoy stated weekly instruction. The superintendent of the +Moravian mission stated that their chapels could not accommodate more +than _one third_ of their members. + +Each of the denominations complains of the lack of men and houses. The +Wesleyans are now building a large chapel in St. John's. It will +accommodate two thousand persons. "Besides free sittings, there will be +nearly two hundred pews, every one of which is now in demand." + +However much disposed the churches of different denominations might have +been during slavery to maintain a strict discipline, they found it +exceedingly difficult to do so. It seems impossible to elevate a body of +slaves, _remaining such,_ to honesty and purity. The reekings of slavery +will almost inevitably taint the institutions of religion, and degrade +the standard of piety. Accordingly the ministers of every denomination +in Antigua, feel that in the abolition of slavery their greatest enemy +has been vanquished, and they now evince a determination to assume +higher ground than they ever aspired to during the reign of slavery. The +motto of all creeds is, "_We expect great things of freemen_." A report +which we obtained from the Wesleyan brethren, states, "Our own brethren +preach almost daily." "We think the negroes are uncommonly punctual and +regular in their attendance upon divine worship, particularly on the +Sabbath." "They always show a readiness to contribute to the support of +the gospel. With the present low wages, and the entire charge of +self-maintenance, they have little to spare." Parham and Sion Hill (taken +as specimens) have societies almost entirely composed of rural +blacks--about thirteen hundred and fifty in number. These have +contributed this year above £330 sterling, or sixteen hundred and fifty +dollars, in little weekly subscriptions; besides giving to special +objects occasionally, and contributing for the support of schools.[A] + +[Footnote A: The superintendent of the Wesleyan mission informed us that +the collection in the several Wesleyan chapels last year, independent of +occasional contributions to Sunday schools, Missionary objects, &c., +amounted to £850 sterling, or more than $4000!] + +In a letter dated December 2d, 1834, but four months after emancipation, +and addressed to the missionary board in England, the Rev. B. Harvey +thus speaks of the Moravian missions: "With respect to our people, I +believe; I may say that in all our places here, they attend the meetings +of the church more numerously than ever, and that many are now in +frequent attendance who _could very seldom appear amongst us during +slavery_." The same statements substantially were made to us by Mr. H., +showing that instead of any falling off the attendance was still on +the increase. + +In a statement drawn up at our request by the Rector of St. John's, is +the following: "Cases of discipline are more frequent than is usual in +English congregations, but at the same time it should be observed, that +a _closer oversight_ is maintained by the ministers, and a _greater +readiness to submit themselves_ (to discipline) is manifested by the +late slaves here than by those who have always been a free people." "I +am able to speak very favorably of the attendance at church--it is +regular and crowded." "The negroes on some estates have been known to +contribute willingly to the Bible Society, since 1832. They are now +beginning to pay a penny and a half currency per week for their +children's instruction." + +MORALITY. + +The condition of Antigua, but a very few years previous to emancipation, +is represented to have been truly revolting. It has already been stated +that the Sabbath was the market day up to 1832, and this is evidence +enough that the Lord's day was utterly desecrated by the mass of the +population. Now there are few parts of our own country, equal in +population, which can vie with Antigua in the solemn and respectful +observance of the Sabbath. Christians in St. John's spoke with joy and +gratitude of the tranquillity of the Sabbath. They had long been shocked +with its open and abounding profanation--until they had well-nigh forgot +the aspect of a Christian Sabbath. At length the full-orbed blessing +beamed upon them, and they rejoiced in its brightness, and thanked God +for its holy repose. + +All persons of all professions testify to the fact that _marriages_ are +rapidly increasing. In truth, there was scarcely such a thing as +marriage before the abolition of slavery. Promiscuous intercourse of the +sexes was almost universal. In a report of the Antigua Branch +Association of the Society for advancing the Christian Faith in the +British West Indies, (for 1836,) the following statements are made: + +"The number of marriages in the six parishes of the island, in the year +1835, the first entire year of freedom, was 476; all of which, excepting +about 50, were between persons formerly slaves. The total number of +marriages between slaves solemnized in the Church during the nine years +ending December 31, 1832, was 157; in 1833, the last entire year of +slavery, it was 61." + +Thus it appears that the whole number of marriages during _ten years_ +previous to emancipation (by far the most favorable ten years that could +have been selected) was but _half_ as great as the number for a single +year following emancipation! + +The Governor, in one of our earliest interviews with him, said, "the +great crime of this island, as indeed of all the West India Colonies, +has been licentiousness, but we are certainly fast improving in this +particular." An aged Christian, who has spent many years in the island, +and is now actively engaged in superintending several day schools for +the negro children, informed us that there was not _one third_ as much +concubinage as formerly. This he said was owing mainly to the greater +frequency of marriages, and the cessation of late night work on the +estates, and in the boiling houses, by which the females were constantly +exposed during slavery. Now they may all be in their houses by dark. +Formerly the mothers were the betrayers of their daughters, encouraging +them to form unhallowed connections, and even _selling_ them to +licentious white and colored men, for their own gain. Now they were +using great strictness to preserve the chastity of their daughters. + +A worthy planter, who has been in the island since 1800, stated, that it +used to be a common practice for mothers to _sell their daughters_ to +the highest bidder!--generally a manager or overseer. "But now;" said he, +"the mothers _hold their daughters up for marriage_, and take pains to +let every body know that their virtue is not to be bought and sold any +longer." He also stated that those who live unmarried now are uniformly +neglected and suffer great deprivations. Faithfulness after marriage, +exists also to a greater extent than could have been expected from the +utter looseness to which they had been previously accustomed, and with +their ignorance of the nature and obligations of the marriage relation. +We were informed both by the missionaries and the planters, that every +year and month they are becoming more constant, as husband and wife, +more faithful as parents, and more dutiful as children. One planter said +that out of a number who left his employ after 1834, nearly all had +companions on other estates, and left for the purpose of being with +them. He was also of the opinion that the greater proportion of changes +of residence among the emancipated which took place at that time, were +owing to the same cause.[A] In an address before the Friendly Society in +St. John's, the Archdeacon stated that during the previous year (1835) +several individuals had been expelled from that society for domestic +unfaithfulness; but he was happy to say that he had not heard of a +single instance of expulsion for this cause during the year then ended. +Much inconvenience is felt on account of the Moravian and Wesleyan +missionaries being prohibited from performing the marriage service, even +for their own people. Efforts are now making to obtain the repeal of the +law which makes marriages performed by sectarians (as all save the +established church are called) void. + +[Footnote A: What a resurrection to domestic life was that, when long +severed families flocked from the four corners of the island to meet +their kindred members! And what a glorious resurrection will that be in +our own country, when the millions of emancipated beings scattered over +the west and south, shall seek the embraces of parental and fraternal +and conjugal love.] + +That form of licentiousness which appears among the higher classes in +every slaveholding country, abounded in Antigua during the reign of +slavery. It has yielded its redundant fruits in a population of four +thousand colored people; double the number of whites. The planters, with +but few exceptions, were unmarried and licentious. Nor was this vice +confined to the unmarried. Men with large families, kept one or more +mistresses without any effort at concealment. We were told of an +"Honorable" gentleman, who had his English wife and two concubines, a +colored and a black one. The governor himself stated as an apology for +the prevalence of licentiousness among the slaves, that the example was +set them constantly by their masters, and it was not to be wondered at +if they copied after their superiors. But it is now plain that +concubinage among the whites is nearly at an end. An unguarded statement +of a public man revealed the conviction which exists among his class +that concubinage must soon cease. He said that the present race of +colored people could not be received into the society of the whites, +_because of illegitimacy_; but the next generation would be fit +associates for the whites, _because they would be chiefly born +in wedlock_. + +The uniform testimony respecting _intemperance_ was, that it _never had +been one of the vices of the negroes_. Several planters declared that +they had rarely seen a black person intoxicated. The report of the +Wesleyan missionaries already referred to, says, "Intemperance is most +uncommon among the rural negroes. Many have joined the Temperance +Society, and many act on tee-total principles." The only _colored_ +person (either black or brown) whom we saw drunk during a residence of +nine weeks in Antigua, was a carpenter in St. John's, who as he reeled +by, stared in our faces and mumbled out his sentence of condemnation +against wine bibbers, "--Gemmen--you sees I'se a little bit drunk, but +'pon honor I only took th--th-ree bottles of wine--that's all." It was +"Christmas times," and doubtless the poor man thought he would venture +for once in the year to copy the example of the whites. + +In conclusion, on the subject of morals in Antigua, we are warranted in +stating, 1st., That during the continuance of slavery, immoralities +were rife. + +2d. That the repeated efforts of the home Government and the local +Legislature, for several successive years previous to 1834, to +_ameliorate_ the system of slavery, seconded by the labors of clergymen +and missionaries, teachers and catechists, to improve the character of +the slaves, failed to arrest the current of vice and profligacy. What +few reformations were effected were very partial, leaving the more +enormous immoralities as shameless and defiant as ever, up to the very +day of abolition; demonstrating the utter impotence of all attempts to +purify the _streams_ while the _fountain_ is poison. + +3d. That the abolition of slavery gave the death blow to open vice, +overgrown and emboldened as it had become. Immediate emancipation, +instead of lifting the flood-gates, was the only power strong enough to +shut them down! It restored the proper restraints upon vice, and +supplied the incentives to virtue. Those great controllers of moral +action, _self-respect, attachment to law, and veneration for God_, which +slavery annihilated, _freedom has resuscitated_, and now they stand +round about the emancipated with flaming swords deterring from evil, and +with cheering voices exhorting to good. It is explicitly affirmed that +the grosser forms of immorality, which in every country attend upon +slavery, have in Antigua either shrunk into concealment or +become extinct. + +BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS. + +We insert here a brief account of the benevolent institutions of +Antigua. Our design in giving it, is to show the effect of freedom in +bringing into play those charities of social life, which slavery +uniformly stifles. Antigua abounds in benevolent societies, all of which +have been _materially revived_ since emancipation, and some of them have +been formed since that event. + +THE BIBLE SOCIETY. + +This is the oldest society in the island. It was organized in 1815. All +denominations in the island cordially unite in this cause. The principal +design of this society is to promote the Circulation of the Scriptures +among the laboring population of the island. To secure this object +numerous branch associations--amounting to nearly fifty--have been +organized throughout the island _among the negroes themselves._ The +society has been enabled not only to circulate the Scriptures among the +people of Antigua, but to send them extensively to the neighboring +islands. + +The following table, drawn up at our request by the Secretary of the +Society, will show the extent of foreign operations: + +Years. Colonies Supplied. Bibles. Test's. +1822 Anguilla 94 156 + 23 Demerara 18 18 + 24 Dominica 89 204 + 25 Montserrat 57 149 + 27 Nevis 79 117 + 32 Saba 6 12 + 33 St. Bart's 111 65 + 34 St. Eustatius 97 148 + 35 St. Kitts 227 487 + St. Martins 48 37 + 36 Tortola 69 136 +To +1837 Trinidad 25 67 + ____ ____ + Total 920 1596 + +From the last annual report we quote the following cheering account, +touching the events of 1834: + +"The next event of importance in or annals is the magnificent grant of +the parent society, on occasion of the emancipation of the slaves, and +the perpetual banishment of slavery from the shores of Antigua, on the +first of August, 1834; by which a choice portion of the Holy Scriptures +was gratuitously circulated to about one third of the inhabitants of +this colony. Nine thousand seven hundred copies of the New Testament, +bound together with the book of Psalms, were thus placed at the disposal +of your committee." + +* * * "Following hard upon this joyful event another gratifying +circumstance occurred among us. The attention of the people was roused, +and their gratitude excited towards the Bible Society, and they who had +freely received, now freely gave, and thus a considerable sum of money +was presented to the parent society in acknowledgment of its +beneficent grant." + +We here add an extract from the annual report for 1826. Its sentiments +contrast strongly with the congratulations of the last report upon 'the +joyful event' of emancipation. + +"Another question of considerable delicacy and importance still remains +to be discussed. Is it advisable, under all the circumstances of the +case, to circulate the Holy Scriptures, without note of comment, among +the slave population of these islands? Your Committee can feel no +hesitation in affirming that such a measure is not merely expedient, but +one of almost indispensable necessity. The Sacred Volume is in many +respects peculiarly adapted to the slave. It enjoins upon him precepts +so plain, that the most ignorant cannot fail to understand them: +'Slaves, obey in all things your masters, not with eye service, as men +pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God.' It furnishes him +with motives the most impressive and consoling: 'Ye serve,' says the +Apostle, 'the Lord Christ.' It promises him rewards sufficient to +stimulate the most indolent to exertion: 'Whatsoever good thing any man +doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or +free.' And it holds forth to him an example so glorious, that it would +ennoble even angels to imitate it: 'Let this mind be in you which was +also in Christ Jesus, who made himself of no reputation, and took upon +him the form of a _slave_!'" + +"It may here be proper to observe, that the precise import of the word, +which in general throughout the English Bible is translated _servant_, +is strictly that which has been assigned it in the foregoing quotations; +(!) and so understood, the Sacred Volume will be found to hold out to +our slaves, both by precept and example the most persuasive and the most +compelling motives to industry, obedience, and submission." + +Nothing could more plainly show the corrupting influences of slavery, +upon all within its reach, than this spectacle of a noble, religious +institution, prostituted to the vile work of defending oppression, and, +in the zeal of its advocacy, blasphemously degrading the Savior into a +self-made slave! + +The receipts of the Antigua Branch Society have greatly increased since +emancipation. From receipts for the year 1836, in each of the British +islands, it appears that the contributions from Antigua and Bermuda, the +only two islands which adopted entire emancipation, are about _double_ +those from any other two islands. + +MISSIONARY ASSOCIATIONS. + +These associations are connected with the Wesleyan mission, and have +been in existence since 1820. Their object is to raise funds for the +parent society in England. Although it has been in existence for several +years, yet it was mostly confined to the whites and free people of +color, during slavery. The calling together assemblies of rural negroes, +and addressing them on the subject of missions, and soliciting +contributions in aid of the cause, is a new feature in the missionary +operations to which nothing but freedom could give birth. + +TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES. + +The first temperance society in Antigua was formed at the beginning of +1836. We give an extract from the first annual report: "Temperance +societies have been formed in each town, and on many of the estates. A +large number of persons who once used spirituous liquors moderately, +have entirely relinquished the use. Some who were once intemperate have +been reclaimed, and in some instances an adoption of the principles of +the temperance society, has been followed by the pursuit and enjoyment +of vital religion. Domestic peace and quietness have superseded discord +and strife, and a very general sense of astonishment at the gross +delusion which these drinks have long produced on the human species +is manifest." + +"The numbers on the various books of the society amount to about 1700. +One pleasing feature in their history, is the very small number of those +who have violated their pledge." + +"On several estates, the usual allowance of spirits has been +discontinued, and sugar or molasses substituted." + +The temperance society in Antigua may be specially regarded as a result +of emancipation. It is one of the guardian angels which hastened to the +island as soon as the demon of slavery was cast out. + +FRIENDLY SOCIETIES. + +The friendly societies are designed exclusively for the benefit of the +negro population. The general object is thus stated in the constitution +of one of these societies: "The object of this society is to assist in +the purchase of articles of mourning for the dead; to give relief in +cases of unlooked for distress; to help those who through age or +infirmities are incapable of helping themselves by marketing, or working +their grounds; _to encourage sobriety and industry, and to check +disorderly and immoral conduct."_ + +These societies obtain their funds by laying a tax of one shilling per +month on every member above eighteen years of age, and of six pence per +month on all members under that age and above twelve, which is the +minimum of membership. The aged members are required to pay no more than +the sum last mentioned. + +The first society of this kind was established in St. John's by the +present rector, in 1829. Subsequently the Moravians and Wesleyans formed +similar societies among their own people. Independent of the pecuniary +assistance which these societies bestow, they encourage in a variety of +ways the good order of the community. For example, no one is allowed to +receive assistance who is "disabled by drunkenness, debauchery, or +disorderly living;" also, "if any member of the society, male or female, +is guilty of adultery or fornication, the offending member shall be +suspended for so long a time as the members shall see fit, and shall +lose all claim on the society for any benefit during the suspension, and +shall not be readmitted until clear and satisfactory evidence is given +of penitence." Furthermore, "If any member of the society shall be +expelled from the church to which he or she belongs, or shall commit any +offence punishable by a magistrate, that member forfeits his membership +in the society." Again, the society directly encourages marriage, by +"making a present of a young pig to every child born in wedlock, and +according as their funds will admit of it, giving rewards to those +married persons living faithfully, or single persons living virtuously, +who take a pride in keeping their houses neat and tidy, and their +gardens flourishing." + +These societies have been more than doubled, both in the number of +members and in the annual receipts, since emancipation. + +Of the societies connected with the established church, the rector of +St. John's thus speaks: "At the beginning of 1834 there were eleven +societies, embracing 1602 members. At the beginning of 1835 they +numbered 4197; and in 1836 there were 4560 members," _almost quadrupled +in two years!_ + +The societies connected with the Moravian church, have more than +doubled, both in members and funds, since emancipation. The funds now +amount to $10,000 per year. + +The Wesleyans have four Friendly societies. The largest society, which +contained six hundred and fifty members, was organized in the _month of +August_, 1834. The last year it had expended £700 currency, and had then +in its treasury £600 currency. + +Now, be it remembered that the Friendly societies exist solely among the +freed negroes, _and that the moneys are raised exclusively among them._ +Among whom? A people who are said to be so proverbially improvident, +that to emancipate them, would be to abandon them to beggary, nakedness, +and starvation;--a people who "cannot take care of themselves;" who +"will not work when freed from the fear of the lash;" who "would +squander the earnings of the day in debaucheries at night;" who "would +never provide for to-morrow for the wants of a family, or for the +infirmities of old age." Yea, among _negroes_ these things are done; and +that, too, where the wages are but one shilling per day--less than +sufficient, one would reasonably suppose, to provide daily food. + +DAILY MEAL SOCIETY. + +The main object of this society is denoted by its name. It supplies a +daily meal to those who are otherwise unprovided for. A commodious house +had just been completed in the suburbs of the town, capable of lodging a +considerable number of beneficiaries. It is designed to shelter those +who are diseased, and cannot walk to and fro for their meals. The number +now fed at this house is from eighty to a hundred. The diseased, who +live at the dispensary, are mostly those who are afflicted with the +elephantiasis, by which they are rendered entirely helpless. Medical aid +is supplied free of expense. It is worthy of remark, that there is no +_public poor-house_ in Antigua,--a proof of the industry and prosperity +of the emancipated people. + +DISTRESSED FEMALES' FRIEND SOCIETY. + +This is a society in St. John's: there is also a similar one, called the +Female Refuge Society, at English Harbor. Both these societies were +established and are conducted by colored ladies. They are designed to +promote two objects: the support of destitute aged females of color, and +the rescue of poor young colored females from vice. The necessity for +special efforts for the first object, arose out of the fact, that the +colored people were allowed no parochial aid whatever, though they were +required to pay their parochial taxes; hence, the support of their own +poor devolved upon themselves. The demand for vigorous action in behalf +of the young, grew out of the prevailing licentiousness of slave-holding +times. The society in St. John's has been in existence since 1815. It +has a large and commodious asylum, and an annual income, by +subscriptions, of £350, currency. This society, and the Female Refuge +Society established at English Harbor, have been instrumental in +effecting a great reform in the morals of females, and particularly in +exciting reprobation against that horrid traffic--the sale of girls by +their mothers for purposes of lust. We were told of a number of cases in +which the society in St. John's had rescued young females from impending +ruin. Many members of the society itself, look to it as the guardian of +their orphanage. Among other cases related to us, was that of a lovely +girl of fifteen, who was bartered away to a planter by her mother, a +dissolute woman. The planter was to give her a quantity of cloth to the +value of £80 currency, and two young slaves; he was also to give the +grandmother, for her interest in the girl, _one gallon of rum_! The +night was appointed, and a gig in waiting to take away the victim, when +a female friend was made acquainted with the plot, just in time to save +the girl by removing her to her own house. The mother was infuriated, +and endeavored to get her back, but the girl had occasionally attended a +Sabbath school, where she imbibed principles which forbade her to yield +even to her mother for such an unhallowed purpose. She was taken before +a magistrate, and indentured herself to a milliner for two years. The +mother made an attempt to regain her, and was assisted by some whites +with money to commence a suit for that purpose. The lady who defended +her was accordingly prosecuted, and the whole case became notorious. The +prosecutors were foiled. At the close of her apprenticeship, the young +woman was married to a highly respectable colored gentleman, now +resident in St. John's. The notoriety which was given to the above case +had a happy effect. It brought the society and its object more fully +before the public, and the contributions for its support greatly +increased. Those for whose benefit the asylum was opened, heard of it, +and came begging to be received. + +This society is a signal evidence that the colored people neither lack +the ability to devise, nor the hearts to cherish, nor the zeal to +execute plans of enlarged benevolence and mercy. + +The Juvenile Association, too, of which we gave some account in +describing its anniversary, originated with the colored people, and +furnishes additional evidence of the talents and charities of that class +of the community. Besides the societies already enumerated, there are +two associations connected with the Established Church, called the +"Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge," and the "Branch +Association of the Society for Advancing the Christian Faith in the +British West Indies, &c." These societies are also designed chiefly for +the benefit of the negro population. + +EDUCATION. + +Our inquiries under this head were directed to three principal +points--first, The extent to which education prevailed previous to +emancipation; second, The improvements introduced since; and third, The +comparative capacity of negroes for receiving instruction. + +Being providentially in the island at the season of the year when all +the schools have their annual examinations, we enjoyed the most +favorable opportunities for procuring intelligence on the subject of +education. From various quarters we received invitations to attend +school examinations. We visited the schools at Parham, Willoughby Bay, +Newfield; Cedar Hall, Grace Bay, Fitch's Creek, and others: besides +visiting the parochial school, the rectory school, the Moravian and +Wesleyan schools, in St. John's. All the schools, save those in St. +John's, were almost exclusively composed of emancipated children from +the estates. + +VISIT TO THE PAROCHIAL SCHOOL. + +At the invitation of the Governor, we accompanied him to the annual +examination of the parochial school, in St. John's, under the +superintendance of the Episcopal church. It has increased greatly, both +in scholars and efficiency, since emancipation, and contributions are +made to its support by the parents whose children receive its benefits. +We found one hundred and fifty children, of both sexes, assembled in the +society's rooms. There was every color present, from the deepest hue of +the Ethiopian, to the faintest shadowing of brown. + +The boys constituting the first class, to the number of fifty, were +called up. They read with much fluency and distinctness, equalling white +boys of the same age anywhere. After reading, various questions were put +to them by the Archdeacon, which they answered with promptness and +accuracy. Words were promiscuously selected from the chapter they had +read, and every one was promptly spelled. The catechism was the next +exercise, and they manifested a thorough acquaintance with its contents. + +Our attention was particularly called to the examination in arithmetic. +Many of the children solved questions readily in the compound rules, and +several of them in Practice, giving the different parts of the pound, +shilling, and penny, used in that rule, and all the whys and wherefores +of the thing, with great promptness. One lad, only ten years of age, +whose attendance had been very irregular on account of being employed in +learning a trade, performed intricate examples in Practice, with a +facility worthy the counting-house desk. We put several inquiries on +different parts of the process, in order to test their real knowledge, +to which we always received clear answers. + +The girls were then examined in the same studies and exercises, except +arithmetic, and displayed the same gratifying proficiency. They also +presented specimens of needlework and strawbraiding, which the ladies, +on whose better judgment we depend, pronounced very creditable. We +noticed several girls much older than the others, who had made much less +advance in their studies, and on inquiry learned, that they had been +members of the school but a short time, having formerly been employed to +wield the heavy hoe in the cane field. The parents are very desirous to +give their children education, and make many sacrifices for that +purpose. Many who are field-laborers in the country, receiving their +shilling a day, have sent their children to reside with some relations +or friends in town, for the purpose of giving them the benefits of this +school. Several such children were pointed out to us. The increase of +female scholars during the first year of emancipation, was in this +school alone, about eighty. + +For our gratification, the Governor requested that all the children +emancipated on the _first of August_, might be called up and placed on +our side of the room. Nearly one hundred children, of both sexes, who +two years ago were _slaves_, now stood up before us FREE. We noticed one +little girl among the rest, about ten years old, who bore not the least +tinge of color. Her hair was straight and light, and her face had that +mingling of vermilion and white, which Americans seem to consider, not +only the nonpareil standard of beauty, but the immaculate test of human +rights. At her side was another with the deepest hue of the native +African. There were high emotions on the countenances of those redeemed +ones, when we spoke to them of emancipation. The undying principle of +freedom living and burning in the soul of the most degraded slave, like +lamps amid the darkness of eastern sepulchres, was kindling up +brilliantly within them, young as they were, and flashing in smiles upon +their ebon faces. + +The Governor made a few remarks, in which he gave some good advice, and +expressed himself highly pleased with the appearance and proficiency of +the school. + +His excellency remarked to us in a tone of pleasantry, "You see, +gentlemen, these children have _souls_." + +During the progress of the examination; he said to us, "You perceive +that it is our policy to give these children every chance to make _men_ +of themselves. We look upon them as our _future citizens_." He had no +doubt that the rising generation would assume a position in society +above the contempt or opposition of the whites. + +INFANT SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTRY. + +We had the pleasure of attending one of the infant schools in the +vicinity of Parham, on the east side of the island. Having been invited +by a planter, who kindly sent his horse and carriage for our conveyance, +to call and take breakfast with him on our way, we drove out early in +the morning. + +While we were walking about the estate, our attention was arrested by +distant singing. As we cast our eyes up a road crossing the estate, we +discovered a party of children! They were about twenty in number, and +were marching hand in hand to the music of their infant voices. They +were children from a neighboring estate, on their way to the examination +at Parham, and were singing the hymns which they had learned at school. +All had their Testaments in their hands, and seemed right merry-hearted. + +We were received at the gate of the chapel by the Wesleyan missionary +located in this distinct, a highly respectable and intelligent colored +man, who was ten years since a _slave_. He gave us a cordial welcome, +and conducted us to the chapel, where we found the children, to the +number of _four hundred_, assembled, and the examination already +commenced. There were six schools present, representing about twenty +estates, and arranged under their respective teachers. The ages of the +pupils were from three to ten or twelve. They were all, with the +exception of two or three, the children of emancipated slaves. + +They came up by classes to the superintendent's desk, where they read +and were examined. They read correctly; some of them too, who had been +in school only a few mouths, in any portion of the New Testament +selected for them. By request of the superintendent, we put several +inquiries to them, which they answered in a way which showed that they +_thought_. They manifested an acquaintance with the Bible and the use of +language which was truly surprising. It was delightful to see so many +tiny beings stand around you, dressed in their tidy gowns and frocks, +with their bright morning faces, and read with the self-composure of +manhood, any passage chosen for them. They all, large and small, bore in +their hands the charter of their freedom, the book by the influence of +which they received all the privileges they were enjoying. On the cover +of each was stamped in large capitals--"PRESENTED BY THE BRITISH AND +FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY, IN COMMEMORATION OF THE FIRST OF AUGUST, 1834." + +At the close of the examination, the rewards, consisting of books, +work-bags, &c. &c., chiefly sent by a society of females in England, +were distributed. It was impossible to repress the effervescence of the +little expectants. As a little one four years old came up for her +reward, the superintendent said to her--"Well, little Becky, what do you +want?" "Me wants a bag," said Becky, "and me wants a pin-cushion, and me +wants a little book." Becky's desires were large, but being a good girl, +she was gratified. Occasionally the girls were left to choose between a +book and a work-bag, and although the bag might be gaudy and tempting, +they invariably took the book. + +The teachers were all but one blacks, and were formerly slaves. They are +very devoted and faithful, but are ill-qualified for their duties, +having obtained all the learning they possess in the Sabbath school. +They are all pious, and exert a harpy influence on the morals of +their pupils. + +The number of scholars has very greatly increased since emancipation, +and their morals have essentially improved. Instances of falsehood and +theft, which at first were fearfully frequent and bold, have much +lessened. They begin to have a regard for _character_. Their sense of +right and wrong is enlightened, and their power of resisting temptation, +and adhering to right, manifestly increased. + +On the whole, we know not where we have looked on a more delightful +scene. To stand in front of the pulpit and look around on a multitude of +negro children, gathered from the sordid huts into which slavery had +carried ignorance and misery--to see them coming up, with their teachers +of the same proscribed hue, to hear them read the Bible, answer with +readiness the questions of their superintendent, and lift up together +their songs of infant praise, and then to remember that two years ago +these four hundred children were _slaves_, and still more to remember +that in our own country, boasting its republicanism and Christian +institutions, there are thousands of just such children under the yoke +and scourge, in utter heathenism, the victims of tyrannic _law_ or of +more tyrannic public opinion--caused the heart to swell with emotions +unutterable. There were as many intelligent countenances, and as much +activity and sprightliness, as we ever saw among an equal number of +children anywhere. The correctness of their reading, the pertinence of +their replies, the general proofs of talent which they showed through +all the exercises, evinced that they are none inferior to the children +of their white oppressors. + +After singing a hymn they all kneeled down, and the school closed with a +prayer and benediction. They continued singing as they retired from the +house, and long after they had parted on their different ways home, +their voices swelled on the breeze at a distance as the little parties +from the estates chanted on their way the songs of the school room. + +WILLOUGHBY BAY EXAMINATION. + +When we entered the school house at Willoughby Bay, which is capable of +containing a thousand persons, a low murmur, like the notes of +preparation, ran over the multitude. One school came in after we +arrived, marching in regular file, with their teacher, a negro man, at +their head, and their _standard bearer_ following; next, a sable girl +with a box of Testaments on her head. The whole number of children was +three hundred and fifty. The male division was first called out, and +marched several times around the room, singing and keeping a regular +step. After several rounds, they came to a halt, filing off and forming +into ranks four rows deep--in quarter-circle shape. The music still +continuing, the girls sallied forth, went through the same evolutions, +and finally formed in rows corresponding with those of the boys, so as +to compose with the latter a semicircle. + +The schools were successively examined in spelling, reading, writing, +cyphering, &c., after the manner already detailed. In most respects they +showed equal proficiency with the children of Parham; and in reading the +Testament, their accuracy was even greater. In looking over the writing, +several "incendiary" copies caught our eyes. One was, "_Masters, give +unto your servants that which is just and equal_." Another, "_If I +neglect the cause of my servant, what shall I do when I appear before my +Master_!" A few years ago, _had children been permitted to write at +all_, one such copy as the above would have exploded the school, and +perchance sent the teacher to jail for sedition. But now, thanks to God! +the Negro children of Antigua are taught liberty from their Bibles, from +their song books, and from their _copy books_ too; they read of liberty, +they sing of it, and they write of it; they chant to liberty in their +school rooms, and they resume the strains on their homeward way, till +every rustling lime-grove, and waving cane-field, is alive with their +notes, and every hillock and dell rings with "free" echoes. + +The girls, in their turn, pressed around us with the liveliest eagerness +to display their little pieces of needle-work. Some had samplers marked +with letters and devices in vari-colored silk. Others showed specimens +of stitching; while the little ones held up their rude attempts at +hemming handkerchiefs, aprons, and so on. + +During the exercises we spoke to several elderly women, who were present +to witness the scene. They were laborers on the estates, but having +children in the school, they had put on their Sunday dresses, and "come +to see." We spoke to one, of the privileges which the children were +enjoying, since freedom. Her eyes filled, and she exclaimed, "Yes, +massa, we do tank de good Lord for bring de free--never can be too +tankful." She said she had seven children present, and it made her feel +happy to know that they were learning to read. Another woman said, when +she heard the children reading so finely, she wanted to "take de word's +out of da mouts and put em in her own." In the morning, when she first +entered the school house, she felt quite sick, but all the pleasant +things she saw and heard, had made her well, and she added, "I tell you, +me massa, it do my old heart good to come here." Another aged woman, who +had grand-children in the school, said, when she saw what advantages the +children enjoyed, she almost cried to think she was not a child too. +Besides these there were a number of adult men and women, whom curiosity +or parental solicitude had brought together, and they were thronging +about the windows and doors witnessing the various exercises with the +deepest interest. Among the rest was one old patriarch, who, anxious to +bear some part however humble in the exercises of the occasion, walked +to and fro among the children, with a six feet pole in his hand, to +keep order. + +These schools, and those examined at Parham, are under the general +supervision of Mr. Charles Thwaites, an indefatigable and long tried +friend of the negroes. + +We here insert a valuable communication which we received from Mr. T. in +reply to several queries addressed to him. It will give further +information relative to the schools. + +_Mr. Charles Thwaites' Replies to Queries on Education in Antigua._ + +1. What has been your business for some years past in Antigua? + +A superintendent of schools, and catechist to the negroes. + +2. How long have you been engaged in this business? + +Twenty-four years. The first four years engaged gratuitously, ten years +employed by the Church Missionary Society, and since, by the Wesleyan +Missionary Society. + +3. How many schools have you under your charge? + +Sunday schools, (including all belonging to the Wesleyan Missionary +Society,) eight, with 1850 scholars; day schools, seventeen with 1250 +scholars; night schools on twenty-six estates, 336 scholars. The total +number of scholars under instruction is about 3500. + +4. Are the scholars principally the children who were emancipated in +August, 1834? + +Yes, except the children in St. John's, most of whom were free before. + +5. Are the teachers negroes, colored, or white? + +One white, four colored, and sixteen black.[A] + +[Footnote A: This number includes only salaried teachers, and not the +gratuitous.] + +6. How many of the teachers were slaves prior to the first of August, +1834? + +Thirteen. + +7. What were their opportunities for learning? + +The Sunday and night schools; and they have much improved themselves +since they have been in their present employment. + +8. What are their qualifications for teaching, as to education, +religion, zeal, perseverance, &c.? + +The white and two of the colored teachers, I presume, are well +calculated, in all respects, to carry on a school in the ablest manner. +The others are deficient in education, but are zealous, and very +persevering. + +9. What are the wages of these teachers? + +The teachers' pay is, some four, and some three dollars per month. This +sum is far too small, and would be greater if the funds were sufficient. + +10. How and by whom are the expenses of superintendent, teachers, and +schools defrayed? + +The superintendent's salary, &c., is paid by the Wesleyan Missionary +Society. The expenses of teachers and schools are defrayed by charitable +societies and friends in England, particularly the Negro Education +Society, which grants 50l. sterling per annum towards this object, and +pays the rent of the Church Missionary Society's premises in Willoughby +Bay for use of the schools. About 46l. sterling per annum is also raised +from the children; each child taught writing and needle-work, pays +1-1/2d. sterling per week. + +11. Is it your opinion that the negro children are as ready to receive +instruction as white children? + +Yes, perfectly so. + +12. Do parents manifest interest in the education of their children? + +They do. Some of the parents are, however, still very ignorant, and are +not aware how much their children lose by irregular attendance at +the schools. + +13. Have there been many instances of _theft_ among the scholars? + +Not more than among any other class of children. + +RESULTS. + +Besides an attendance upon the various schools, we procured specific +information from teachers, missionaries, planters, and others, with +regard to the past and present state of education, and the weight of +testimony was to the following effect: + +First, That education was by no means extensive previous to +emancipation. The testimony of one planter was, that not a _tenth part_ +of the present adult population knew the letters of the alphabet. Other +planters, and some missionaries, thought the proportion might be +somewhat larger; but all agreed that it was very small. The testimony of +the venerable Mr. Newby, the oldest Moravian missionary in the island, +was, that such was the opposition among the planters, it was impossible +to teach the slaves, excepting by night, secretly. Mr. Thwaites informed +us that the children were not allowed to attend day school after they +were six years old. All the instruction they obtained after that age, +was got at night--a very unsuitable time to study, for those who worked +all day under an exhausting sun. It is manifest that the instruction +received under six years of age, would soon be effaced by the incessant +toil of subsequent life. The account given in a former connection of the +adult school under the charge of Mr. Morrish, at Newfield, shows most +clearly the past inattention to education. And yet Mr. M. stated that +his school was a _fair specimen of the intelligence of the negroes +generally_. One more evidence in point is the acknowledged ignorance of +Mr. Thwaites' teachers. After searching through the whole freed +population for a dozen suitable teachers of children. Mr. T. could not +find even that number who could _read well_. Many children in the +schools of six years old read better than their teachers. + +We must not be understood to intimate that up to the period of the +Emancipation, the planters utterly prohibited the education of their +slaves. Public sentiment had undergone some change previous to that +event. When the public opinion of England began to be awakened against +slavery, the planters were indured, for peace sake, to _tolerate_ +education to some extent; though they cannot be said to have +_encouraged_ it until after Emancipation. This is the substance of the +statements made to us. Hence it appears that when the active opposition +of the planters to education ceased, it was succeeded by a general +indifference, but little less discouraging. We of course speak of the +planters as a body; there were some honorable exceptions. + +Second, Education has become very extensive _since_ emancipation. There +are probably not less than _six thousand_ children who now enjoy daily +instruction. These are of all ages under twelve. All classes feel an +interest in _knowledge_. While the schools previously established are +flourishing in newness of life, additional ones are springing up in +every quarter. Sabbath schools, adult and infant schools, day and +evening schools, are all crowded. A teacher in a Sabbath school in St. +John's informed us, that the increase in that school immediately after +emancipation was so sudden and great, that he could compare it to +nothing but the rising of the mercury when the thermometer is removed +_out of the shade into the sun_. + +We learned that the Bible was the principal book taught in all the +schools throughout the island. As soon as the children have learned to +read, the Bible is put into their hands. They not only read it, but +commit to memory portions of it every day:--the first lesson in the +morning is an examination on some passage of scripture. We have never +seen, even among Sabbath school children, a better acquaintance with the +characters and events recorded in the Old and New Testaments, than among +the negro children in Antigua. Those passages which inculcate _obedience +to law_ are strongly enforced; and the prohibitions against stealing, +lying, cheating, idleness, &c., are reiterated day and night. + +Great attention is paid to _singing_ in all the schools. + +The songs which they usually sung, embraced such topics as Love to +God--the presence of God--obedience to parents--friendship for brothers +and sisters and schoolmates--love of school--the sinfulness of sloth, of +lying, and of stealing. We quote the following hymn as a specimen of the +subjects which are introduced into their songs: often were we greeted +with this sweet hymn, while visiting the different schools throughout +the island. + +BROTHERLY LOVE. + + CHORUS. + + We're all brothers, sisters, brothers, + We're sisters and brothers, + + And heaven is our home. + We're all brothers, sisters, brothers, + We're sisters and brothers, + And heaven is our home. + + The God of heaven is pleased to see + That little children all agree; + And will not slight the praise they bring, + When loving children join to sing: + We're all brothers, sisters, brothers, &c. + + For love and kindness please him more + Than if we gave him all our store; + And children here, who dwell in love, + Are like his happy ones above. + We're all brothers, sisters, brothers, &c. + + The gentle child that tries to please, + That hates to quarrel, fret, and teaze, + And would not say an angry word-- + That child is pleasing to the Lord. + We're all brothers, sisters, brothers, &c. + + O God! forgive, whenever we + Forget thy will, and disagree; + And grant that each of us, may find + The sweet delight of being kind. + We're all brothers, sisters, brothers, &c. + +We were convinced that the negroes were as capable of receiving +instruction as any people in the world. The testimony of teachers, +missionaries, clergymen, and planters, was uniform on this point. + +Said one planter of age and long experience on the island, "The negroes +are as capable of culture as any people on earth. _Color makes no +difference in minds_. It is slavery alone that has degraded the negro." + +Another planter, by way of replying to our inquiry on this subject, sent +for a negro child of five years, who read with great fluency in any part +of the Testament to which we turned her. "Now," said the gentleman, "I +should be ashamed to let you hear my own son, of the same age with that +little girl, read after her." We put the following questions to the +Wesleyan missionaries: "Are the negroes as _apt to learn_, as other +people in similar circumstances?" Their written reply was this: "We +think they are; the same diversified qualities of intellect appear among +them, as among other people." We put the same question to the Moravian +missionaries, to the clergymen, and to the teachers of each +denomination, some of whom, having taught schools in England, were well +qualified to judge between the European children and the negro children; +and we uniformly received substantially the same answer. Such, however, +was the air of surprise with which our question was often received, that +it required some courage to repeat it. Sometimes it excited a smile, as +though we could not be serious in the inquiry. And indeed we seldom got +a direct and explicit answer, without previously stating by way of +explanation that we had no doubts of our own, but wished to remove those +extensively entertained among our countrymen. After all, we were +scarcely credited in Antigua. Such cases as the following were common in +every school: children of four and five years old reading the Bible; +children beginning in their A, B, C's, and learning to read in four +months; children of five and six, answering a variety of questions on +the historical parts of the Old Testament; children but a little older, +displaying fine specimens of penmanship, performing sums in the compound +rules, and running over the multiplication table, and the pound, +shilling, and pence table, without mistake. + +We were grieved to find that most of the teachers employed in the +instruction of the children, were exceedingly unfit for the work. They +are very ignorant themselves, and have but little skill in the +management of children. This however is a necessary evil. The +emancipated negroes feel a great anxiety for the education of their +children. They encourage them to go to school, and they labor to support +them, while they have strong temptation to detain them at home to work. +They also pay a small sum every week for the maintenance of the schools. + +In conclusion, we would observe, that one of the prominent features of +_regenerated_ Antigua, is its _education_. An intelligent religion, and +a religious education, are the twin glories of this emancipated colony. +It is comment enough upon the difference between slavery and freedom, +that the same agents which are deprecated as the destroyers of the one, +are cherished as the defenders of the other. + +Before entering upon a detail of the testimony which bears more directly +upon slavery in America, we deem it proper to consider the inquiry. + +"What is the amount of freedom in Antigua, as regulated by law?" + +1st. The people are entirely free from the whip, and from all compulsory +control of the master. + +2d. They can change employers whenever they become dissatisfied with +their situation, by previously giving a month's notice. + +3d. They have the right of trial by jury in all cases of a serious +nature, while for small offences, the magistrate's court is open. They +may have legal redress for any wrong or violence inflicted by their +employers. + +4th. Parents have the entire control of their children. The planter +cannot in any way interfere with them. The parents have the whole charge +of their support. + +5th. By an express provision of the legislature, it was made obligatory +upon every planter to support all the superannuated, infirm, or diseased +on the estate, _who were such at this time of emancipation_. Those who +have become so since 1834, fall upon the hands of their relatives for +maintenance. + +6th. The amount of wages is not determined by law. By a general +understanding among the planters, the rate is at present fixed at a +shilling per day, or a little more than fifty cents per week, counting +five working days. This matter is wisely left to be regulated by the +character of the seasons, and the mutual agreement of the parties +concerned. As the island is suffering rather from a paucity of laborers, +than otherwise, labor must in good seasons command good wages. The +present rate of wages is extremely low, though it is made barely +tolerable by the additional perquisites which the people enjoy. They +have them houses rent free, and in connection with them small premises +forty feet square, suitable for gardens, and for raising poultry, and +pigs, &c.; for which they always find a ready market. Moreover, they are +burthened with no taxes whatever; and added to this, they are supplied +with medical attendance at the expense of the estates. + +7th. The master is authorized in case of neglect of work, or turning out +late in the morning, or entire absence from labor, to reduce the wages, +or withhold them for a time, not exceeding a week. + +8th. The agricultural laborers may leave the field whenever they choose, +(provided they give a month's previous notice,) and engage in any other +business; or they may purchase land and become cultivators themselves, +though in either case they are of course liable to forfeit their houses +on the estates. + +9th. They may leave the island, if they choose, and seek their fortunes +in any other part of the world, by making provision for their near +relatives left behind. This privilege has been lately tested by the +emigration of some of the negroes to Demerara. The authorities of the +island became alarmed lest they should lose too many of the laboring +population, and the question was under discussion, at the time we were +in Antigua, whether it would not be lawful to prohibit the emigration. +It was settled, however, that such a measure would be illegal, and the +planters were left to the alternative of either being abandoned by their +negroes, or of securing their continuance by adding to their comforts +and treating them kindly. + +10. The right of suffrage, and eligibility to office are subject to no +restrictions, save the single one of property, which is the same with +all colors. The property qualification, however, is so great, as +effectually to exclude the whole agricultural negro population for +many years. + +11th. _The main constabulary force is composed of emancipated negroes, +living on the estates_. One or two trust-worthy men on each estate are +empowered with the authority of constables in relation to the people on +the same estate, and much reliance is placed upon these men, to preserve +order and to bring offenders to trial. + +12th. A body of police has been established, whose duty it is to arrest +all disorderly or riotous persons, to repair to the estates in case of +trouble, and co-operate with the constables, in arraigning all persons +charged with the violation of law. + +13th. The punishment for slight offences, such as stealing sugar-canes +from the field, is confinement in the house of correction, or being +sentenced to the tread-mill, for any period from three days to three +months. The punishment for burglary, and other high offences, is +solitary confinement in chains, or transportation for life to +Botany Bay. + +Such are the main features in the statutes, regulating the freedom of +the emancipated population of Antigua. It will be seen that there is no +enactment which materially modifies, or unduly restrains, the liberty of +the subject. There are no secret reservations or postscript provisoes, +which nullify the boon of freedom. Not only is slavery utterly +abolished, but all its appendages are scattered to the winds; and a +system of impartial laws secures justice to all, of every color and +condition. + +The measure of success which has crowned the experiment of emancipation +in Antigua--an experiment tried under so many adverse circumstances, and +with comparatively few local advantages--is highly encouraging to +slaveholders in our country. It must be evident that the balance of +advantages between the situation of Antigua and that of the South, _is +decidedly in favor of the latter_. The South has her resident +proprietors, her resources of wealth, talent, and enterprise, and her +preponderance of white population; she also enjoys a regularity of +seasons, but rarely disturbed by desolating droughts, a bracing climate, +which imparts energy and activity to her laboring population, and +comparatively numerous wants to stimulate and press the laborer up to +the _working mark_; she has close by her side the example of a free +country, whose superior progress in internal improvements, wealth, the +arts and sciences, morals and religion, all ocular demonstration to her +of her own wretched policy, and a moving appeal in favor of abolition; +and above all, site has the opportunity of choosing her own mode, and of +ensuring all the blessings of a _voluntary and peaceable manumission_, +while the energies, the resources, the sympathies, and the prayers of +the North, stand pledged to her assistance. + + * * * * * + + + +CHAPTER III. + +FACTS AND TESTIMONY. + +We have reserved the mass of facts and testimony, bearing immediately +upon slavery in America, in order that we might present them together in +a condensed furor, under distinct heads. These heads, it will be +perceived, consist chiefly of propositions which are warmly contested in +our country. Will the reader examine these principles in the light of +facts? Will the candid of our countrymen--whatever opinions they may +hitherto hate entertained on this subject--hear the concurrent testimony +of numerous planters, legislators, lawyers, physicians, and merchants, +who have until three years past been wedded to slavery by birth, +education, prejudice, associations, and supposed interest, but who have +since been divorced from all connection with the system? + +In most cases we shall give the names, the stations, and business of our +witnesses; in a few instances, in which we were requested to withhold +the name, we shall state such circumstances as will serve to show the +standing and competency of the individuals. If the reader should find in +what follows, very little testimony unfavorable to emancipation, he may +know the reason to be, that little was to be gleaned from any part of +Antigua. Indeed, we may say that, with very few exceptions, the +sentiments here recorded as coming from individuals, are really the +sentiments of the whole community. There is no such thing known in +Antigua as an _opposing, disaffected party_. So complete and thorough +has been the change in public opinion, that it would be now +_disreputable_ to speak against emancipation. + +FIRST PROPOSITION.--The transition from slavery to freedom is +represented as a greet revolution, by which a prodigious change was +effected in _the condition of the negroes_. + +In conversation with us, the planters often spoke of the greatness and +suddenness of the change. Said Mr. Barnard, of Green Castle estate, "The +transition from slavery to freedom, was like passing suddenly out of a +dark dungeon into the light of the sun." + +R.B. Eldridge, Esq., a member of the assembly, remarked, that, "There +never had been in the history of the world so great and instantaneous a +change in the condition of so large a body of people." + +The Honorable Nicholas Nugent, speaker of the house of assembly, and +proprietor, said, "There never was so sudden a transition from one state +to another, by so large a body of people. When the clock began to strike +the hour of twelve on the last night of July, 1834, the negroes of +Antigua were _slaves_--when it ceased they were all _freemen!_ It was a +stupendous change," he said, "and it was one of the sublimest spectacles +ever witnessed, to see the subjects of the change engaged at the very +moment it occurred, in worshipping God." + +These, and very many similar ones, were the spontaneous expressions of +men _who had long contended against the change_ of which they spoke. + +It is exceedingly difficult to make slaveholders see that there is any +material difference between slavery and freedom; but when they have once +renounced slavery, they _will magnify this distinction_ more than any +other class of men. + +SECOND PROPOSITION.--Emancipation in Antigua was the result of political +and pecuniary considerations merely. + +Abolition was seen to be inevitable, and there were but two courses left +to the colonists--to adopt the apprenticeship system, or immediate +emancipation. Motives of convenience led them to choose the latter. +Considerations of general philanthropy, of human rights, and of the +sinfulness of slavery, were scarcely so much as thought of. + +Some time previous to the abolition of slavery, a meeting of the +influential men of the island was called in St. John's, to memorialize +parliament against the measure of abolition. When the meeting convened, +the Hon. Samuel O. Baijer, who had been the champion of the opposition, +was called upon to propose a plan of procedure. To the consternation of +the pro-slavery meeting, their leader arose and spoke to the following +effect:--"Gentlemen, my previous sentiments on this subject are well +known to you all; be not surprised to learn that they have undergone an +entire change, I have not altered my views without mature deliberation. +I have been making calculations with regard to the probable results of +emancipation, and _I have ascertained beyond a doubt, that I can +cultivate my estate at least one third cheaper by free labor than by +slave labor_." After Mr. B. had finished his remarks, Mr. S. Shands, +member of assembly, and a wealthy proprietor, observed that he +entertained precisely the same views with those just expressed; but he +thought that the honorable gentleman had been unwise in uttering them in +so public a manner; "for," said he, "should these sentiments reach the +ear of parliament, as coming from us, _it might induce them to withhold +the compensation_." + +Col. Edwards, member of the assembly, then arose and said, that he had +long been opposed to slavery, but he had not _dared to avow his +sentiments_. + +As might be supposed, the meeting adjourned without effecting the object +for which it was convened. + +When the question came before the colonial assembly, similar discussions +ensued, and finally the bill for immediate emancipation passed both +bodies _unanimously_. It was an evidence of the spirit of selfish +expediency, which prompted the whole procedure, that they clogged the +emancipation bill with the proviso that a certain governmental tax on +exports, called the four and a half per cent tax[A], should be repealed. +Thus clogged, the bill was sent home for sanction, but it was rejected +by parliament, and sent back with instructions, that before it could +receive his majesty's seal, it must appear wholly unencumbered with +extraneous provisoes. This was a great disappointment to the +legislature, and it so chagrined them that very many actually withdrew +their support from the bill for emancipation, which passed finally in +the assembly only by the casting vote of the speaker. + +[Footnote A: We subjoin the following brief history of the four and a +half per cent. tax, which we procured from the speaker of the assembly. +In the rein of Charles II., Antigua was conquered by the French, and the +inhabitants were forced to swear allegiance to the French government. In +a very short time the French were driven off the island and the English +again took possession of it. It was then declared, by order of the king, +that as the people had, by swearing allegiance to another government, +forfeited the protection of the British government, and all title to +their lands, they should not again receive either, except on condition +of paying to the king a duty of four and a half per cent on every +article exported from the island--and that they were to do in +_perpetuity_. To this hard condition they were obliged to submit, and +they have groaned under the onerous duty ever since. On every occasion, +which offered any hope, they have sought the repeal of the tax, but have +uniformly been defeated. When they saw that the abolition question was +coming to a crisis, they resolved to make a last effort for the repeal +of the four and a half percent duty. They therefore adopted immediate +emancipation, and then, covered as they were, with the laurels of so +magnanimous an act, they presented to parliament their cherished object. +The defeat was a humiliating one, and it produced such a reaction in the +island, as well nigh led to the rescinding of the abolition bill.] + +The verbal and written statements of numerous planters also confirm the +declaration that emancipation was a measure solely of selfish policy. + +Said Mr. Bernard, of Green Castle estate "Emancipation was preferred to +apprenticeship, because it was attended with less trouble, and left the +planters independent, instead of being saddled with a legion of +stipendiary magistrates." + +Said Dr. Daniell, member of the council, and proprietor--"The +apprenticeship was rejected by us solely from motives of policy. We did +not wish to be annoyed with stipendiary magistrates." + +Said Hon. N. Nugent--"We wished to let ourselves down in the easiest +manner possible; _therefore_ we chose immediate freedom in preference to +the apprenticeship." + +"Emancipation was preferred to apprenticeship, because of the inevitable +and endless perplexities connected with the latter system."--_David +Cranstoun, Esq., colonial magistrate and planter_. + +"It is not pretended that emancipation was produced by the influence of +religious considerations. It was a measure of mere convenience and +interest."--_A Moravian Missionary_. + +The following testimony is extracted from a letter addressed to us by a +highly respectable merchant of St. John's--a gentleman of long +experience on the island, and now agent for several estates. +"Emancipation was an act of mere policy, adopted as _the safest and most +economic_ measure." + +Our last item of testimony under this head is from a written statement +by the Hon. N. Nugent, speaker of the assembly, at the time of +emancipation. His remarks on this subject, although long, we are sure +will be read with interest. Alluding to the adoption of immediate +emancipation in preference to the apprenticeship, he observes:-- + +"The reasons and considerations which led to this step were various, of +course impressing the minds of different individuals in different +degrees. As slave emancipation could not be averted, and must inevitably +take place very shortly, it was better to meet the crisis at once, than +to have it hanging over our heads for six years, with all its harassing +doubts and anxieties; better to give an air of grace to that which would +be ultimately unavoidable; the slaves should rather have a motive of +gratitude and kind reciprocation, than to feel, on being declared free, +that their emancipation could neither be withheld nor retarded by their +owners. The projected apprenticeship, while it destroyed the means of an +instant coercion in a state of involuntary labor, equally withdrew or +neutralized all those urgent motives which constrain to industrious +exertion in the case of freemen. It abstracted from the master, in a +state of things then barely remunerative, one fourth of the time and +labor required in cultivation, and gave it to the servant, while it +compelled the master to supply the same allowances as before. With many +irksome restraints, conditions, and responsibilities imposed on the +master, it had no equivalent advantages. There appeared no reason, in +short, why general emancipation would not do as well in 1834 as in 1840. +Finally, a strong conviction existed that from peculiarity of climate +and soil, the physical wants and necessities of the peasantry would +compel them to labor for their subsistence, to seek employment and wages +from the proprietors of the soil; and if the _transformation_ could be +safely and quietly brought about, that the _free_ system might be +cheaper and more profitable than the other." + +The general testimony of planters, missionaries, clergymen, merchants, +and others, was in confirmation of the same truth. + +There is little reason to believe that the views of the colonists on +this subject have subsequently undergone much change. We did not hear, +excepting occasionally among the missionaries and clergy, the slightest +insinuation thrown out that _slavery was sinful_; that the slaves had a +right to freedom, or that it would have been wrong to have continued +them in bondage. The _politics_ of anti-slavery the Antiguans are +exceedingly well versed in, but of its _religion_, they seem to feel but +little. They seem never to have examined slavery in its moral relations; +never to have perceived its monstrous violations of right and its +impious tramplings upon God and man. The Antigua planters, it would +appear, have _yet_ to repent of the sin of slaveholding. + +If the results of an emancipation so destitute of _principle_, so purely +selfish, could produce such general satisfaction, and be followed by +such happy results, it warrants us in anticipating still more decided +and unmingled blessings in the train of a voluntary, conscientious, and +religious abolition. + +THIRD PROPOSITION.--The _event_ of emancipation passed PEACEFULLY. The +first of August, 1834, is universally regarded in Antigua, as having +presented a most imposing and sublime moral spectacle. It is almost +impossible to be in the company of a missionary, a planter, or an +emancipated negro, for ten minutes, without hearing some allusion to +that occasion. Even at the time of our visit to Antigua, after the lapse +of nearly three years, they spoke of the event with an admiration +apparently unabated. + +For some time previous to the first of August, forebodings of disaster +lowered over the island. The day was fixed! Thirty thousand degraded +human beings were to be brought forth from the dungeon of slavery and +"turned loose on the community!" and this was to be done "in a moment, +in the twinkling of an eye." + +Gloomy apprehensions were entertained by many of the planters. Some +timorous families did not go to bed on the night of the 31st of July; +fear drove sleep from their eyes, and they awaited with fluttering pulse +the hour of midnight, fearing lest the same bell which sounded the +jubilee of the slaves might toll the death knell of the masters.[A] + +[Footnote A: We were informed by a merchant of St. John's, that several +American vessels which had lain for weeks in the harbor, weighed anchor +on the 31st of July, and made their escape, through actual fear, that +the island would be destroyed on the following day. Ere they set sail +they earnestly besought our informant to escape from the island, as he +valued his life.] + +The more intelligent, who understood the disposition of the negroes, and +contemplated the natural tendencies of emancipation, through +philosophical principles, and to the light of human nature and history, +were free from alarm. + +To convey to the reader some idea of the manner in which the 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 Wesleyans kept "watch-night" in all their chapels on the night of +the 31st July. One of the Wesleyan missionaries gave us an account of +the watch meeting at the chapel 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 in prayer, the voice of the leader was drowned in the +universal acclamations of thanksgiving and praise, and blessing, and +honor, and glory, to God, who had come down for their deliverance. In +such exercises the evening was spent until the hour of twelve +approached. The missionary then proposed that when the clock on the +cathedral should begin to strike, the whole congregation should fall +upon their knees and receive the boon of freedom in silence. +Accordingly, as the loud bell tolled its first note, the immense +assembly fell prostrate on their knees. All was silence, save the +quivering half-stifled breath of the struggling spirit. The slow notes +of the clock fell upon the multitude; peal on peal, peal on peal, rolled +over the prostrate throng, in tones of angels' voices, thrilling among +the desolate chords and weary heart strings. Scarce had the clock +sounded its last note, when the lightning flashed vividly around, 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 +_burst_--they broke forth in prayer; they shouted, they sung, "Glory," +"alleluia;" they clapped their hands, leaped up, fell down, clasped each +other in their free arms, cried, laughed, and went to and fro, tossing +upward their unfettered hands; but high above the whole there was a +mighty sound which ever and anon swelled up; it was the utterings in +broken negro dialect of gratitude to God. + +After this gush of excitement had spent itself; and the congregation +became calm, the religious exercises were resumed, and the remainder of +the night was occupied in singing and prayer, in reading the Bible, and +in addresses from the missionaries explaining the nature of the freedom +just received, and exhorting the freed people to be industrious, steady, +obedient to the laws, and to show themselves in all things worthy of the +high boon which God had conferred upon them. + +The first of August came on Friday, and a release was proclaimed from +all work until the next Monday. The day was chiefly spent by the 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 engaged, seizing the opportunity in +order to enlighten the people on all the duties and responsibilities of +their new relation, and above all, 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 +on the streets. Tranquillity pervaded the towns and country. A Sabbath +indeed! when the wicked ceased from troubling, and the weary were at +rest, and the slave was free from his master! The 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 +Hall, a Moravian station, the crowd was so great that the minister was +obliged to remove the meeting from the chapel to a neighboring grove. + +At Grace Hill, another Moravian station, the negroes went to the +Missionary on the day before the first 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 the year, and that is on the morning of Easter: but as the people +besought very earnestly for this special favor on the Easter morning of +their freedom, it was granted to them. + +Early in the morning they assembled at the chapel. For some time they +sat in perfect silence. The missionary then proposed that they should +kneel down and sing. The whole audience fell upon their knees, and sung +a hymn commencing with the following verse: + + "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 sobbings of +the melted people, until finally it was wholly arrested, and a tumult of +emotion overwhelmed the congregation. + +During the day, repeated meetings were held. At eleven o'clock, the +people assembled in vast numbers. There were at least a _thousand_ +persons around the chapel, who could not get in. For once the house of +God suffered violence, and the violent took it by force. After all the +services of the day, the people went again to the missionaries in a +body, and petitioned to have a meeting in the evening. + +At Grace Bay, the people, all dressed in white, assembled in a spacious +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 was uncommonly simple and +modest. There was not the least disposition of 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 fiddle played. There were no riotous assemblies, no +drunken carousals. It was not in such channels that the excitement of +the emancipated flowed. They were as far from dissipation and +debauchery, as they were from violence and carnage. GRATITUDE was the +absorbing emotion. From the hill-tops, and the valleys, the cry of a +disenthralled people went upward like the sound of many waters, "Glory +to God, glory to God." + +The testimony of the planters corresponds fully with that of the +missionaries. + +Said R.B. Eldridge, Esq., after speaking of the number emancipated, "Yet +this vast body, (30,000,) _glided_ out of slavery into freedom with the +utmost tranquillity." + +Dr. Daniell observed, that after so prodigious a revolution in the +condition of the negroes, he expected that some irregularities would +ensue; but he had been entirely disappointed. He also said that he +anticipated some relaxation from labour during the week following +emancipation. But he found his hands in the field early on Monday +morning, and not one missing. The same day he received word from another +estate, of which he was proprietor,[A] that the negroes had to a man +refused to go to the field. He immediately rode to the estate and found +the people standing with their hoes in their hands doing nothing. He +accosted them in a friendly manner: "What does this mean, my fellows, +that you are not at work this morning?" They immediately replied, "It's +not because we don't want to work, massa, but we wanted to see you first +and foremost to _know what the bargain would be_." As soon as that +matter was settled, the whole body of negroes turned out cheerfully, +without a moment's cavil. + +[Footnote A: It is not unusual in the West Indies for proprietors to +commit their own estates into the hands of managers; and be themselves, +the managers of other men's estates.] + +Mr. Bourne, of Millar's, informed us that the largest gang he had ever +seen in the field on his property, turned out the _week after +emancipation_. + +Said Hon. N. Nugent, "Nothing could surpass the universal propriety of +the negroes' conduct on the first of August, 1834! Never was there a +more beautiful and interesting spectacle exhibited, than on that +occasion." + +FOURTH PROPOSITION.--There has been _since_ emancipation, not only _no +rebellion in fact_, but NO FEAR OF IT in Antigua. + +Proof 1st. The militia were not called out during Christmas holidays. +_Before_ emancipation, martial law invariably prevailed on the holidays, +but the very first Christmas after emancipation, the Governor made a +proclamation stating that _in consequence of the abolition of slavery_ +it was no longer necessary to resort to such a precaution. There has not +been a parade of soldiery on any subsequent Christmas.[B] + +[Footnote B: This has been followed by a measure on the part of the +Legislature, which is further proof of the same thing. It is "an Act for +amending and further continuing the several Acts at present in force for +better organizing and ordering the militia." + +The preamble reads thus: + + "WHEREAS the abolition of slavery in this island renders it + expedient to provide against an unnecessary augmentation of the + militia, and the existing laws for better organizing and ordering + that local force require amendment." + +The following military advertisement also shows the increasing +confidence which is felt in the freed men: + + "RECRUITS WANTED.--The free men of Antigua are now called on to show + their gratitude and loyalty to King WILLIAM, for the benefits he has + conferred on them and their families, by volunteering their services + as soldiers in his First West India Regiment; in doing which they + will acquire a still higher rank in society, by being placed on a + footing of perfect equality with the other troops in his Majesty's + service, and receive the same bounty, pay, clothing, rations and + allowances. + + None but young men of good character can be received, and all such + will meet with every encouragement by applying at St. John's + Barracks, to + + H. DOWNIE, _Capt. 1st W.I. Regt_. _September 15th_, 1836." +] + +2d. The uniform declaration of planters and others: + +"Previous to emancipation, many persons apprehended violence and +bloodshed as the consequence of turning the slaves all loose. But when +emancipation took place, all these apprehensions vanished. The sense of +personal security is universal. We know not of a single instance in +which the negroes have exhibited a _revengeful spirit_." + +_S. Bourne, Esq., of Millar's.--Watkins, Esq., of Donovan's._ + +"It has always appeared to me self-evident, that if a man is peaceable +while a _slave_, he will be so when a _free man_." + +_Dr. Ferguson._ + +"There is no possible danger of personal violence from the slaves; +should a foreign power invade our island, I have no doubt that the +negroes would, to a man, fight for the planters. I have the utmost +confidence in all the people who are under my management; they are my +friends, and they consider me their friend." + +_H. Armstrong, Esq., of Fitch's Creek._ + +The same gentleman informed us that during slavery, he used frequently +to lie sleepless on his bed, thinking about his dangerous situation--a +lone white person far away from help, and surrounded by hundreds of +savage slaves; and he had spent hours thus, in devising plans of +self-defence in case the house should be attacked by the negroes. "If +they come," he would say to himself, "and break down the door, and fill +my bedroom, what shall I do? It will be useless to fire at them; my only +hope is to frighten the superstitious fellows by covering myself with a +white sheet, and rushing into the midst of them, crying, +'ghost, ghost.'" + +Now Mr. A. sleeps in peace and safety, without conjuring up a ghost to +keep guard at his bedside. His bodyguard is a battalion of substantial +flesh and blood, made up of those who were once the objects of his +nightly terror! + +"There has been no instance of personal violence since freedom. Some +persons pretended, prior to emancipation, to apprehend disastrous +results; but for my part I cannot say that I ever entertained such +fears. I could not see any thing which was to instigate negroes to +rebellion, _after_ they had obtained their liberty. I have not heard of +a single case of even _meditated_ revenge." + +_Dr. Daniell, Proprietor, Member of Council, Attorney of six estates, +and Manager of Weatherill's._ + +"One of the blessings of emancipation has been, that it has banished the +_fear_ of insurrections, incendiarism, &c." + +_Mr. Favey, Manager of Lavicount's._ + +"In my extensive intercourse with the people, as missionary, I have +never heard of an instance of violence or revenge on the part of the +negroes, even where they had been ill-treated during slavery." + +_Rev. Mr. Morrish, Moravian Missionary._ + +"Insurrection or revenge is in no case dreaded, not even by those +planters who were most cruel in the time of slavery. My family go to +sleep every night with the doors unlocked, and we fear neither violence +nor robbery." + +_Hon. N. Nugent._ + +Again, in a written communication, the same gentleman remarks:--"There +is not the slightest feeling of insecurity--quite the contrary. Property +is more secure, _for all idea of insurrection is abolished forever_." + +"We have no cause now to fear insurrections; emancipation has freed us +from all danger on this score." + +_David Cranstoun, Esq._ + +Extract of a letter from a merchant of St. John's who has resided in +Antigua more than thirty years: + +"There is no sense of personal danger arising from insurrections or +conspiracies among the blacks. Serious apprehensions of this nature were +formerly entertained; but they gradually died away _during the first +year of freedom_." + +We quote the following from a communication addressed to us by a +gentleman of long experience in Antigua--now a merchant in St. +John's--_James Scotland, Sen., Esq._ + +"Disturbances, insubordinations, and revelry, have greatly decreased +since emancipation; and it is a remarkable fact, that on the day of +abolition, which was observed with the solemnity and services of the +Sabbath, not an instance of common insolence was experienced from any +freed man." + +"There is no feeling of insecurity. A stronger proof of this cannot be +given than the dispensing, within five months after emancipation, with +the Christmas guards, which had been regularly and uninterruptedly kept, +for nearly one hundred years--during the whole time of slavery." + +"The military has never been called out, but on one occasion, since the +abolition, and that was when a certain planter, the most violent enemy +of freedom, reported to the Governor that there were strong symptoms of +insurrection among his negroes. The story was generally laughed at, and +the reporter of it was quite ashamed of his weakness and fears." + +"My former occupation, as editor of a newspaper, rendered it necessary +for me to make incessant inquiries into the conduct as well as the +treatment of the emancipated, and I have _never heard any instance of +revenge_ for former injuries. The negroes have _quitted_ managers who +were _harsh or cruel_ to them in their bondage, but they removed in a +peaceable and orderly manner." + +"Our negroes, and I presume other negroes too, are very little less +sensible to the force of those motives which lead to the peace, order, +and welfare of society, than any other set of people." + +"The general conduct of the negroes has been worthy of much praise, +especially considering the sudden transition from slavery to +unrestricted freedom. Their demeanor is peaceable and orderly." + +_Ralph Higinbothom, U. S. Consul._ + +As we mingled with the missionaries, both in town and country, they all +bore witness to the security of their persons and families. They, +equally with the planters, were surprised that we should make any +inquiries about insurrections. A question on this subject generally +excited a smile, a look of astonishment, or some exclamation, such as +"_Insurrection_! my dear sirs, we do not think of such a thing;" or, +"Rebellion indeed! why, what should they rebel for _now_, since they +have got their liberty!" + +Physicians informed us that they were in the habit of riding into the +country at all hours of the night, and though they were constantly +passing negroes, both singly and in companies, they never had +experienced any rudeness, nor even so much as an insolent word. They +could go by night or day, into any part of the island where their +professional duties called them, without the slightest sense of danger. + +A residence of nine weeks in the island gave us no small opportunity of +testing the reality of its boasted security. The hospitality of planters +and missionaries, of which we have recorded so many instances in a +previous part of this work, gave us free access to their houses in every +part of the island. In many cases we were constrained to spend the night +with them, and thus enjoyed, in the intimacies of the domestic circle, +and in the unguarded moments of social intercourse, every opportunity of +detecting any lurking fears of violence, if such there had been; but we +saw no evidence of it, either in the arrangements of the houses or in +the conduct of the inmates[A]. + +[Footnote A: In addition to the evidence derived from Antigua, we +would mention the following fact: + +A planter, who is also an attorney, informed us that on the neighboring +little island of Barbuda, (which is leased from the English government +by Sir Christopher Coddrington,) there are five hundred negroes and only +_three white men_. The negroes are entirely free, yet the whites +continue to live among them without any fear of having their throats +cut. The island is cultivated in sugar.--Barbuda is under the +government of Antigua, and accordingly the act of entire emancipation +extended to that island.] + +FIFTH PROPOSITION.--There has been no fear of house breaking, highway +robberies, and like misdemeanors, since emancipation. Statements, +similar to those adduced under the last head, from planters, and other +gentlemen, might be introduced here; but as this proposition is so +intimately involved in the foregoing, separate proof is not necessary. +The same causes which excite apprehensions of insurrection, produce +fears of robberies and other acts of violence; so also the same state of +society which establishes security of person, insures the safety of +property. Both in town and country we heard gentlemen repeatedly speak +of the slight fastenings to their houses. A mere lock, or bolt, was all +that secured the outside doors, and they might be burst open with ease, +by a single man. In some cases, as has already been intimated, the +planters habitually neglect to fasten their doors--so strong is their +confidence of safety. We were not a little struck with the remark of a +gentleman in St. John's. He said he had long been desirous to remove to +England, his native country, and had slavery continued much longer in +Antigua, he certainly should have gone; but _now_ the _security of +property was so much greater in Antigua than it was in England_, that he +thought it doubtful whether he should ever _venture_ to take his +family thither. + +SIXTH PROPOSITION.--Emancipation is regarded by all classes as a great +blessing to the island. + +There is not a class, or party, or sect, who do not esteem the abolition +of slavery as a _special blessing to them_. The rich, because it +relieved them of "property" which was fast becoming a disgrace, as it +had always been a vexation and a tax, and because it has emancipated +them from the terrors of insurrection, which kept them all their life +time subject to bondage. The poor whites--because it lifted from off +them the yoke of civil oppression. The free colored population--because +it gave the death blow to the prejudice that crushed them, and opened +the prospect of social, civil, and political equality with the whites. +The _slaves_--because it broke open their dungeon, led them out to +liberty, and gave them, in one munificent donation, their wives, their +children, their bodies, their souls--every thing! + +The following extracts from the journals of the legislature, show the +state of feeling existing shortly after emancipation. The first is dated +October 30, 1834: + +"The Speaker said, that he looked with exultation at the prospect before +us. The hand of the Most High was evidently working for us. Could we +regard the universal tranquillity, the respectful demeanor of the lower +classes, as less than an interposition of Providence? The agricultural +and commercial prosperity of the island were absolutely on the advance; +and for his part he would not hesitate to purchase estates to-morrow." + +The following remark was made in the course of a speech by a member of +the council, November 12, 1834: + +"Colonel Brown stated, that since emancipation he had never been without +a sufficient number of laborers, and he was certain he could obtain as +many more to-morrow as he should wish." + +The general confidence in the beneficial results of emancipation, has +grown stronger with every succeeding year and month. It has been seen +that freedom will bear trial; that it will endure, and continue to bring +forth fruits of increasing value. + +The Governor informed us that "it was _universally admitted_, that +emancipation had been a great blessing to the island." + +In a company of proprietors and planters, who met us on a certain +occasion, among whom were lawyers, magistrates, and members of the +council, and of the assembly, the sentiment was distinctly avowed, that +emancipation was highly beneficial to the island, and there was not a +dissenting opinion. + +"Emancipation is working most admirably, especially for the planters. It +is infinitely better policy than slavery or the apprenticeship either." +--_Dr. Ferguson_. + +"Our planters find that freedom answers a far better purpose than +slavery ever did. A gentleman, who is attorney for eight estates, +assured me that there was no comparison between the benefits and +advantages of the two systems."--_Archdeacon Parry_. + +"All the planters in my neighborhood (St. Philip's parish) are highly +pleased with the operation of the new system."--_Rev. Mr. Jones, Rector +of St. Philip's_. + +"I do not know of more than one or two planters in the whole island, who +do not consider emancipation as a decided advantage to all parties." +--_Dr. Daniell_. + +That emancipation should be universally regarded as a blessing, is +remarkable, when we consider that combination of untoward circumstances +which it has been called to encounter--a combination wholly +unprecedented in the history of the island. In 1835, the first year of +the new system, the colony was visited by one of the most desolating +hurricanes which has occurred for many years. In the same year, +cultivation was arrested, and the crops greatly reduced, by drought. +About the same time, the yellow fever prevailed with fearful mortality. +The next year the drought returned, and brooded in terror from March +until January, and from January until June: not only blasting the +harvest of '36, but extending its blight over the crops of '37. + +Nothing could be better calculated to try the confidence in the new +system. Yet we find all classes zealously exonerating emancipation, and +in despite of tornado, plague, and wasting, still affirming the +blessings and advantages of freedom! + +SEVENTH PROPOSITION.--_Free labor_ is decidedly LESS EXPENSIVE than +_slave labor_. It costs the planter actually less to pay his free +laborers daily wages, than it did to maintain his slaves. It will be +observed in the testimony which follows, that there is some difference +of opinion as to the _precise amount_ of reduction in the expenses, +which is owing to the various modes of management on different estates, +and more particularly, to the fact that some estates raise all their +provisions, while others raise none. But as to the fact itself, there +can scarcely be said to be any dispute among the planters. There was one +class of planters whose expenses seemed to be somewhat increased, viz. +those who raised all their provisions before emancipation, and ceased to +raise any _after_ that event. But in the opinion of the most intelligent +planters, even these did not really sustain any loss, for originally it +was bad policy to raise provisions, since it engrossed that labor which +would have been more profitably directed to the cultivation of sugar; +and hence they would ultimately be gainers by the change. + +S. Bourne, Esq. stated that the expenses on Millar's estate, of which he +is manager, had diminished about _one third_. + +Mr. Barnard, of Green Castle, thought his expenses were about the same +that they were formerly. + +Mr. Favey, of Lavicount's estate, enumerated, among the advantages of +freedom over slavery, "the diminished expense." + +Dr. Nugent also stated, that "the expenses of cultivation were greatly +diminished." + +Mr. Hatley, manager of Fry's estate, said that the expenses on his +estate had been greatly reduced since emancipation. He showed us the +account of his expenditures for the last year of slavery, and the first +full year of freedom, 1835. The expenses during the last year of slavery +were 1371_l._ 2_s._ 4-1/2_d._; the expenses for 1835 were 821_l._ 16_s._ +7-1/2_d._: showing a reduction of more than one third. + +D. Cranstoun, Esq., informed us that his weekly expenses during slavery, +on the estate which he managed, were, on an average, 45_l._; the average +expenses now do not exceed 20_l._ + +Extract of a letter from Hon. N. Nugent: + +"The expenses of cultivating sugar estates have in no instance, I +believe, been found _greater_ than before. As far as my experience goes, +they are certainly less, particularly as regards those properties which +were overhanded before, when proprietors were compelled to support more +dependents than they required. In some cases, the present cost is less +by _one third_. I have not time to furnish you with any detailed +statements, but the elements of the calculation are simple enough." + +It is not difficult to account for the diminution in the cost of +cultivation. In the first place, for those estates that bought their +provision previous to emancipation, it cost more money to purchase their +stores than they now pay out in wages. This was especially true in dry +seasons, when home provisions failed, and the island was mainly +dependent upon foreign supplies. + +But the chief source of the diminution lies in the reduced number of +people to be supported by the planter. During slavery, the planter was +required by law to maintain _all_ the slaves belonging to the estate; +the superannuated, the infirm, the pregnant, the nurses, the young +children, and the infants, as well as the working slaves. Now it is only +the latter class, the effective laborers, (with the addition of such as +were superannuated or infirm at the period of emancipation,) who are +dependent upon the planter. These are generally not more than one half, +frequently less than a third, of the whole number of negroes resident on +the estate; consequently a very considerable burthen has been removed +from the planter. + +The reader may form some estimate of the reduced expense to the planter, +resulting from these causes combined, by considering the statement made +to us by Hon. N. Nugent, and repeatedly by proprietors and managers, +that had slavery been in existence during the present drought, many of +the smaller estates _must have been inevitably ruined_; on account of +the high price of imported provisions, (home provisions having fallen +short) and the number of slaves to be fed. + +EIGHTH PROPOSITION.--The negroes work _more cheerfully_, and _do their +work better_ than they did during slavery. Wages are found to be an +ample substitute for the lash--they never fail to secure the amount of +labor desired. This is particularly true where task work is tried, which +is done occasionally in cases of a pressing nature, when considerable +effort is required. We heard of no complaints on the score of idleness, +but on the contrary, the negroes were highly commended for the +punctuality and cheerfulness with which they performed the work +assigned them. + +The Governor stated, that "he was assured by planters, from every part +of the island, that the negroes were very industriously disposed." + +"My people have become much more industrious since they were +emancipated. I have been induced to extend the sugar cultivation over a +number of acres more than have ever been cultivated before."--_Mr. +Watkins, of Donovan's_. + +"Fearing the consequences of emancipation, I reduced my cultivation in +the year '34; but soon finding that my people would work as well as +ever, I brought up the cultivation the next year to the customary +extent, and this year ('36) I have added fifteen acres of new +land."--_S. Bourne, of Millar's_. + +"Throughout the island the estates were never in a more advanced state +than they now are. The failure in the crops is not in the slightest +degree chargeable to a deficiency of labor. I have frequently adopted +the job system for short periods; the results have always been +gratifying--the negroes accomplished twice as much as when they worked +for daily wages, because they made more money. On some days they would +make three shillings--three times the ordinary wages."--_Dr. Daniell_. + +"They are as a body _more_ industrious than when slaves, for the obvious +reason that they are _working for themselves_."--_Ralph Higinbothom, +U.S. Consul_. + +"I have no hesitation in saying that on my estate cultivation is more +forward than ever it has been at the same season. The failure of the +crops is not in the least degree the fault of the laborers. They have +done well."--_Mr. Favey, of Lavicount's estate_. + +"The most general apprehension prior to emancipation was, that the +negroes would not work after they were made free--that they would be +indolent, buy small parcels of land, and '_squat_' on them to the +neglect of sugar cultivation. Time, however, has proved that there was +no foundation for this apprehension. The estates were never in better +order than they are at present. If you are interrogated on your return +home concerning the cultivation of Antigua, you can say that every thing +depends upon the _weather_. If we have _sufficient rain_, you may be +certain that we shall realize abundant crops. If we have no rain, the +crops _must inevitably_ fail. _But we always depend upon the laborers_. +On account of the stimulus to industry which wages afford, there is far +less feigned sickness than there was during slavery. When slaves, the +negroes were glad to find any excuse for deserting their labor, and they +were incessantly feigning sickness. The sick-house was thronged with +real and pretended invalids. After '34, it was wholly deserted. The +negroes would not go near it; and, in truth, I have lately used it for a +stable."--_Hon. N. Nugent_. + +"Though the laborers on both the estates under my management have been +considerably reduced since freedom, yet the grounds have never been in a +finer state of cultivation, than they are at present. When my work is +backward, I give it out in jobs, and it is always done in half the +usual time." + +"Emancipation has almost wholly put an end to the practice of +_skulking_, or pretending to be sick. That was a thing which caused the +planter a vast deal of trouble during slavery. Every Monday morning +regularly, when I awoke, I found ten or a dozen, or perhaps twenty men +and women, standing around my door, waiting for me to make my first +appearance, and begging that I would let them off from work that day on +account of sickness. It was seldom the case that one fourth of the +applicants were really unwell; but every one would maintain that he was +very sick, and as it was hard to contend with them about it, they were +all sent off to the sick-house. Now this is entirely done away, and my +sick-house is converted into a chapel for religious worship."--_James +Howell, Esq._ + +"I find my people much more disposed to work than they formerly were. +The habit of feigning sickness to get rid of going to the field, is +completely broken up. This practice was very common during slavery. It +was often amusing to hear their complaints. One would come carrying an +arm in one hand, and declaring that it had a mighty pain in it, and he +could not use the hoe no way; another would make his appearance with +both hands on his breast, and with a rueful look complain of a great +pain in the stomach; a third came limping along, with a _dreadful +rheumatiz_ in his knees; and so on for a dozen or more. It was vain to +dispute with them, although it was often manifest that nothing earthly +was ailing them. They would say, 'Ah! me massa, you no tink how bad me +feel--it's _deep in_, massa.' But all this trouble is passed. We have no +sick-house now; no feigned sickness, and really much less actual illness +than formerly. My people say, '_they have not time to be sick now_.' My +cultivation has never been so far advanced at the same season, or in +finer order than it is at the present time. I have been encouraged by +the increasing industry of my people to bring several additional acres +under cultivation."--_Mr. Hatley, Fry's estate_. + +"I get my work done better than formerly, and with incomparably more +cheerfulness. My estate was never in a finer state of cultivation than +it is now, though I employ _fewer_ laborers than during slavery. I have +occasionally used job, or task work, and with great success. When I give +out a job, it is accomplished in about half the time that it would have +required by giving the customary wages. The people will do as much in +one week at job work, as they will in two, working for a shilling a day. +I have known them, when they had a job to do, turn out before three +o'clock in the morning, and work by moonlight."--_D. Cranstoun, Esq._ + +"My people work very well for the ordinary wages; I have no fault to +find with them in this respect."--_Manager of Scotland's estate_. + +_Extract from the Superintendent's Report to the Commander in Chief_. + +SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE, _June 6th_. 1836. + + "During the last month I have visited the country in almost every + direction, with the express object of paying a strict attention to + all branches of agricultural operations at that period progressing. + + The result of my observations is decidedly favorable, as regards + proprietors and laborers. The manufacture of sugar has advanced as + far as the long and continued want of rain will admit; the lands, + generally, appear to be in a forward state of preparation for the + ensuing crop, and the laborers seem to work with more steadiness and + satisfaction to themselves and their employers, than they have + manifested for some length of time past, and their work is much more + correctly performed. + + Complaints are, for the most part, adduced by the employers against + the laborers, and principally consist, (as hitherto,) of breaches of + contract; but I am happy to observe, that a diminution of + dissatisfaction on this head even, has taken place, as will be seen + by the accompanying general return of offences reported. + + Your honor's most obedient, humble servant, + + _Richard S. Wickham, Superintendent of police_." + +NINTH PROPOSITION.--The negroes are _more easily managed_ as freemen +than they were when slaves. + +On this point as well as on every other connected with the system of +slavery, public opinion in Antigua has undergone an entire revolution, +since 1834. It was then a common maxim that the peculiar characteristics +of the negro absolutely required a government of terror and brute force. + +The Governor said, "The negroes are as a race remarkable for _docility_; +they are very easily controlled by kind influence. It is only necessary +to gain their confidence, and you can sway them as you please." + +"Before emancipation took place, I dreaded the consequence of abolishing +the power of compelling labor, but I have since found by experience that +forbearance and kindness are sufficient for all purposes of authority. I +have seldom had any trouble in managing my people. They consider me +their friend, and the expression of my wish is enough for them. Those +planters who have retained their _harsh manner_ do not succeed under the +new system. The people will not bear it."--_Mr. J. Howell_. + +"I find it remarkably easy to manage my people. I govern them entirely +by mildness. In every instance in which managers have persisted in their +habits of arbitrary command, they have failed. I have lately been +obliged to discharge a manager from one of the estates under my +direction, on account of his overbearing disposition. If I had not +dismissed him, the people would have abandoned the estate _en +masse_."--_Dr. Daniell_. + +"The management of an estate under the free system is a much lighter +business than it used to be. We do not have the trouble to get the +people to work, or to keep them in order."--_Mr. Favey_. + +"Before the abolition of slavery, I thought it would be utterly +impossible to manage my people without tyrannizing over them as usual, +and that it would be giving up the reins of government entirely, to +abandon the whip; but I am now satisfied that I was mistaken. I have +lost all desire to exercise arbitrary power. I have known of several +instances in which unpleasant disturbances have been occasioned by +managers giving way to their anger, and domineering over the laborers. +The people became disobedient and disorderly, and remained so until the +estates went into other hands, and a good management immediately +restored confidence and peace."--_Mr. Watkins_. + +"Among the advantages belonging to the free system, may he enumerated +the greater facility in managing estates. We are freed from a world of +trouble and perplexity."--_David Cranstoun, Esq._ + +"I have no hesitation in saying, that if I have a supply of cash, I can +take off any crop it may please God to send. Having already, since +emancipation, taken off one fully sixty hogsheads above the average of +the last twenty years. I can speak with confidence."--_Letter from S. +Bourne, Esq._ + +Mr. Bourne stated a fact which illustrates the ease with which the +negroes are governed by gentle means. He said that it was a prevailing +practice during slavery for the slaves to have a dance soon after they +had finished gathering in the crop. At the completion of his crop in +'35, the people made arrangements for having the customary dance. They +were particularly elated because the crop which they had first taken off +was the largest one that had ever been produced by the estate, and it +was also the largest crop on the island for that year. With these +extraordinary stimulants and excitements, operating in connection with +the influence of habit, the people were strongly inclined to have a +dance. Mr. B. told them that dancing was a bad practice--and a very +childish, barbarous amusement, and he thought it was wholly unbecoming +_freemen_. He hoped therefore that they would dispense with it. The +negroes could not exactly agree with their manager--and said they did +not like to be disappointed in their expected sport. Mr. B. finally +proposed to them that he would get the Moravian minister, Rev. Mr. +Harvey, to ride out and preach to them on the appointed evening. The +people all agreed to this. Accordingly, Mr. Harvey preached, and they +said no more about the dance--nor have they ever attempted to get up a +dance since. + +We had repeated opportunities of witnessing the management of the +laborers on the estates, and were always struck with the absence of +every thing like coercion. + +By the kind invitation of Mr. Bourne, we accompanied him once on a +morning circuit around his estate. After riding some distance, we came +to the 'great gang' cutting canes. Mr. B. saluted the people in a +friendly manner, and they all responded with a hearty 'good mornin, +massa.' There were more than fifty persons, male and female, on the +spot. The most of them were employed in cutting canes[A], which they did +with a heavy knife called a _bill_. Mr. B. beckoned to the +superintendent, a black man, to come to him, and gave him some +directions for the forenoon's work, and then, after saying a few +encouraging words to the people, took us to another part of the estate, +remarking as we rode off, "I have entire confidence that those laborers +will do their work just as I want to have it done." We next came upon +some men, who were hoeing in a field of corn. We found that there had +been a slight altercation between two of the men. Peter, who was a +foreman, came to Mr. B., and complained that George would not leave the +cornfield and go to another kind of work as he had bid him. Mr. B. +called George, and asked for an explanation. George had a long story to +tell, and he made an earnest defence, accompanied with impassioned +gesticulation; but his dialect was of such outlandish description, that +we could not understand him. Mr. B. told us that the main ground of his +defence was that Peter's direction was _altogether unreasonable_. Peter +was then called upon to sustain his complaint; he spoke with equal +earnestness and equal unintelligibility. Mr. B. then gave his decision, +with great kindness of manner, which quite pacified both parties. + +[Footnote A: The process of cutting canes is this:--The leafy part, at +top is first cut off down as low as the saccharine matter A few of the +lowest joints of the part thus cut off, are then stripped of the leaves, +and cut off for _plants_, for the next crop. The stalk is then cut off +close to the ground--and it is that which furnishes the juice for +sugar. It is from three to twelve feet long, and from one to two inches +in diameter, according to the quality of the soil, the seasonableness of +the weather, &c. The cutters are followed by _gatherers_, who bind up +the plants and stalks, as the cutters cast them behind them, in +different bundles. The carts follow in the train, and take up the +bundles--carrying the stalks to the mill to be ground, and the plants in +another direction.] + +As we rode on, Mr. B. informed us that George was himself the foreman of +a small weeding gang, and felt it derogatory to his dignity to be +ordered by Peter. + +We observed on all the estates which we visited, that the planters, when +they wish to influence their people, are in the habit of appealing to +them as _freemen_, and that now better things are expected of them. This +appeal to their self-respect seldom fails of carrying the point. + +It is evident from the foregoing testimony, that if the negroes do not +work well on any estate, it is generally speaking the _fault of the +manager_. We were informed of many instances in which arbitrary men were +discharged from the management of estates, and the result has been the +restoration of order and industry among the people. + +On this point we quote the testimony of James Scotland, Sen., Esq., an +intelligent and aged merchant of St. John's: + +"In this colony, the evils and troubles attending emancipation have +resulted almost entirely from the perseverance of the planters in their +old habits of domination. The planters very frequently, indeed, _in the +early stage of freedom_, used their power as employers to the annoyance +and injury of their laborers. For the slightest misconduct, and +sometimes without any reason whatever, the poor negroes were dragged +before the magistrates, (planters or their friends,) and mulcted in +their wages, fined otherwise, and committed to jail or the house of +correction. And yet those harassed people remained patient, orderly and +submissive. _Their treatment now is much improved. The planters have +happily discovered, that as long as they kept the cultivators of their +lands in agitations and sufferings, their own interests were +sacrificed._" + +TENTH PROPOSITION.--The negroes are _more trust-worthy, and take a +deeper interest in their employers' affairs_, since emancipation. + +"My laborers manifest an increasing attachment to the estate. In all +their habits they are becoming more settled, and they begin to feel that +they have a personal interest in the success of the property on which +they live."--_Mr. Favey_. + +"As long as the negroes felt uncertain whether they would remain in one +place, or be dismissed and compelled to seek a home elsewhere, they +manifested very little concern for the advancement of their employers' +interest; but in proportion as they become permanently established on an +estate, they seem to identify themselves with its prosperity. The +confidence between master and servant is mutually increasing."--_Mr. +James Howell_. + +The Hon. Mr. Nugent, Dr. Daniell, D. Cranstoun, Esq., and other +planters, enumerated among the advantages of freedom, the planters being +released from the perplexities growing out of want of confidence in the +sympathy and honesty of the slaves. + +S. Bourne, Esq., of Millar's, remarked as we were going towards his mill +and boiling-house, which had been in operation about a week, "I have not +been near my works for several days; yet I have no fears but that I +shall find every thing going on properly." + +The planters have been too deeply experienced in the nature of slavery, +not to know that mutual jealousy, distrust, and alienation of feeling +and interest, are its legitimate offspring; and they have already seen +enough of the operation of freedom, to entertain the confident +expectation, that fair wages, kind treatment, and comfortable homes, +will attach the laborers to the estates, and identify the interests of +the employer and the employed. + +ELEVENTH PROPOSITION.--The experiment in Antigua proves that emancipated +slaves can _appreciate law_. It is a prevailing opinion that those who +have long been slaves, cannot at once be safely subjected to the +control of law. + +It will now be seen how far this theory is supported by facts. Let it be +remembered that the negroes of Antigua passed, "by a single _jump_, from +absolute slavery to unqualified freedom."[A] In proof of _their +subordination to law_, we give the testimony of planters, and quote also +from the police reports sent in monthly to the Governor, with copies of +which we were kindly furnished by order of His Excellency. + +[Footnote A: Dr. Daniell.] + +"I have found that the negroes are readily controlled by law; more so +perhaps than the laboring classes in other countries."--_David +Cranstoun, Esq._ + +"The conduct of the negro population generally, has surpassed all +expectation. They are as pliant to the hand of legislation, as any +people; perhaps more so than some." _Wesleyan Missionary_. + +Similar sentiments were expressed by the Governor, the Hon. N. Nugent, +R.B. Eldridge, Esq., Dr. Ferguson, Dr. Daniell, and James Scotland, Jr., +Esq., and numerous other planters, managers, &c. This testimony is +corroborated by the police reports, exhibiting, as they do, +comparatively few crimes, and those for the most part minor ones. We +have in our possession the police reports for every month from +September, 1835, to January, 1837. We give such specimens as will serve +to show the general tenor of the reports. + + _Police-Office, St. John's, Sept_. 3, 1835. + + "From the information which I have been able to collect by my own + personal exertions, and from the reports of the assistant + inspectors, at the out stations, I am induced to believe that, in + general, a far better feeling and good understanding at present + prevails between the laborers and their employers, than hitherto. + + Capital offences have much decreased in number, as well as all minor + ones, and the principal crimes lately submitted for the + investigation of the magistrates, seem to consist chiefly in + trifling offences and breaches of contract. + + _Signed, Richard S. Wickham, + + Superintendent of Police_." + + * * * * * + + "To his excellency, + + _Sir C.I. Murray McGregor, Governor, &c_. + + _St. John's, Antigua, Oct_. 2, 1835. + + Sir--The general state of regularity and tranquillity which prevails + throughout the island, admits of my making but a concise report to + your Excellency, for the last month. + + The autumnal agricultural labors continue to progress favorably, and + I have every reason to believe, that the agriculturalists, + generally, are far more satisfied with the internal state of the + island affairs, than could possibly have been anticipated a short + period since. + + From conversations which I have had with several gentlemen of + extensive interest and practical experience, united with my own + observations, I do not hesitate in making a favorable report of the + general easy and quietly progressing state of contentedness, + evidently showing itself among the laboring class; and I may add, + that with few exceptions, a reciprocity of kind and friendly feeling + at present is maintained between the planters and their laborers. + + Although instances do occur of breach of contract, they are not very + frequent, and in many cases I have been induced to believe, that the + crime has originated more from the want of a proper understanding of + the time, intent, and meaning of the contract into which the + laborers have entered, than from the actual existence of any + dissatisfaction on their part." + + _Signed, &c._ + + * * * * * + + _St. John's, Antigua, Dec. 2d_, 1835. + + "Sir--I have the honor to report that a continued uninterrupted + state of peace and good order has happily prevailed throughout the + island, during the last month. + + The calendar of offences for trial at the ensuing sessions, bears + little comparison with those of former periods, and I am happy to + state, that the crimes generally, are of a trifling nature, and + principally petty thefts. + + By a comparison of the two last lists of offences submitted for + investigation, it will be found that a decrease has taken place in + that for November." + + _Signed, &c_. + + * * * * * + + St. John's, January 2d, 1836. + + "Sir--I have great satisfaction in reporting to your Honor the + peaceable termination of the last year, and of the + Christmas vacation. + + At this period of the year, which has for ages been celebrated for + scenes of gaiety and amusement among the laboring, as well as all + other classes of society, and when several successive days of + idleness occur, I cannot but congratulate your Honor, on the quiet + demeanor and general good order, which has happily been maintained + throughout the island. + + It may not be improper here to remark, that during the holidays, I + had only one prisoner committed to my charge, and that even his + offence was of a minor nature." + + _Signed, &c_. + + * * * * * + +_Extract of Report for February, 1836._ + + "The operation of the late Contract Acts, caused some trifling + inconvenience at the commencement, but now that they are clearly + understood, even by the young and ignorant, I am of opinion, that + the most beneficial effects have resulted from these salutary Acts, + equally to master and servant, and that a permanent understanding is + fully established. + + A return of crimes reported during the month of January, I beg leave + to enclose, and at the same time, to congratulate your Honor on the + vast diminution of all minor misdemeanors, and of the continued + total absence of capital offences." + + * * * * * + + _Superintendent's office_, _Antigua, April 4th_, 1836. + + "SIR--I am happy to remark, for the information of your Honor, that + the Easter holidays have passed off, without the occurrence of any + violation of the existing laws sufficiently serious to merit + particular observation."[A] + + _Signed, &c_. + + * * * * * + +[Footnote A: This and the other reports concern, not St. John's merely, +but the entire population of the island.] + +_Extract from the Report for May, 1836._ + + "It affords me great satisfaction in being able to report that the + continued tranquillity prevailing throughout the island, prevents + the necessity of my calling the particular attention of your Honor + to the existence of any serious or flagrant offence. + + The crop season having far advanced, I have much pleasure in + remarking the continued steady and settled disposition, which on + most properties appear to be reciprocally established between the + proprietors and their agricultural laborers; and I do also venture + to offer as my opinion, that a considerable improvement has taken + place, in the behavior of domestic, as well as other laborers, not + immediately employed in husbandry." + +We quote the following table of offences as a specimen of the monthly +reports: + +_Police Office, St. John's, 1836._ + +RETURN OF OFFENCES REPORTED AT THE POLICE STATIONS FROM 1ST TO 31ST MAY. + +NATURE OF St. E. Par- John- Total. More Less +OFFENSES. John's. Har- ham. ston's than than + bour. Point. last last + month. month. + +Assaults. 2 2 4 5 + Do. and + Batteries. 2 3 5 10 8 + +Breach of +Contract. 4 11 59 74 16 + +Burglaries. 2 3 5 2 + +Commitments + under + Vagrant + Act. 4 1 5 10 + Do. for + Fines. 5 5 2 + Do under + amended + Porter's + and + Jobber's + Act. 7 + +Felonies. 2 2 2 + +Injury to +property. 4 9 7 20 5 + +Larcenies. 4 4 4 + +Misdemeanors.3 12 15 15 + +Murders. + +Petty +Thefts. 1 1 10 + +Trespasses. 1 2 2 5 + +Riding +improperly +thro' the +streets. + +Total 33 41 76 150 25 61 + +_Signed_, Richard S. Wickham, +_Superintendent of Police_. + + * * * * * + + _Superintendent's office_, + _Antigua, July 6th_, 1836. + + "SIR,--I have the honor to submit for your information, a general + return of all offences reported during the last month, by which your + Honor will perceive, that no increase of 'breach of contract' has + been recorded. + + While I congratulate your Honor on the successful maintenance of + general peace, and a reciprocal good feeling among all classes of + society, I beg to assure you, that the opinion which I have been + able to form in relation to the behavior of the laboring population, + differs but little from my late observations. + + At a crisis like this, when all hopes of the ultimate success of so + grand and bold an experiment, depends, almost entirely, on a cordial + co-operation of the community, I sincerely hope, that no obstacles + or interruptions will now present themselves, to disturb that + general good understanding so happily established, since the + adoption of unrestricted freedom." + + * * * * * + + _Superintendent's office_, + _St. John's, Sept. 4th_, 1836. + + "SIR--I have the honor to enclose, for the information of your + Excellency, the usual monthly return of offences reported for + punishment. + + It affords me very great satisfaction to report, that the internal + peace and tranquillity of the island has remained uninterrupted + during the last month; the conduct of all classes of the community + has been orderly and peaceable, and strictly obedient to the laws of + their country. + + The agricultural laborers continue a steady and uniform line of + conduct, and with some few exceptions, afford a general satisfaction + to their several employers. + + Every friend to this country, and to the liberties of the world, + must view with satisfaction the gradual improvement in the character + and behavior of this class of the community, under the constant + operation of the local enactments. + + The change must naturally be slow, but I feel sure that, in due + time, a general amelioration in the habits and industry of the + laborers will be sensibly experienced by all grades of society in + this island, and will prove the benign effects and propitious + results of the co-operated exertions of all, for their general + benefit and future advancement. + + Complaints have been made in the public prints of the robberies + committed in this town, as well as the neglect of duty of the police + force, and as these statements must eventually come under the + observation of your Excellency, I deem it my duty to make a few + observations on this point. + + The town of St. John's occupies a space of one hundred and sixty + acres of land, divided into fourteen main, and nine cross streets, + exclusive of lanes and alleys--with a population of about three + thousand four hundred persons. + + The numerical strength of the police force in this district, is + eleven sergeants and two officers; five of these sergeants are on + duty every twenty-four hours. One remains in charge of the premises, + arms, and stores; the other four patrole by day and night, and have + also to attend to the daily duties of the magistrates, and the + eleventh is employed by me (being an old one) in general patrole + duties, pointing out nuisances and irregularities. + + One burglary and one felony alone were reported throughout the + island population of 37,000 souls in the month of July; and no + burglary, and three felonies, were last month reported. + + The cases of robbery complained of, have been effected without any + violence or noise, and have principally been by concealment in + stores, which, added to the great want of a single lamp, or other + light, in any one street at night, must reasonably facilitate the + design of the robber, and defy the detection of the most active and + vigilant body of police." + + _Signed, &c._ + + * * * * * + + _Superintendent's office,_ + _Antigua, January 4th, 1837._ + + "SIR--It is with feelings of the most lively gratification that I + report, for your notice the quiet and peaceable termination of + Christmas vacation, and the last year, which were concluded without + a single serious violation of the governing laws. + + I cannot refrain from cordially congratulating your Excellency on + the regular and steady behavior, maintained by all ranks of society, + at this particular period of the year. + + Not one species of crime which can be considered of an heinous + nature, has yet been discovered; and I proudly venture to declare my + opinion, that in no part of his Majesty's dominions, has a + population of thirty thousand conducted themselves with more strict + propriety, at this annual festivity, or been more peaceably obedient + to the laws of their country." + + _Signed, &c._ + + * * * * * + +In connection with the above quotation from the monthly reports, we +present an extract of a letter from the superintendent of the police, +addressed to us. + + _St. John's, 9th February, 1837._ + + "MY DEAR SIRS--In compliance with your request, I have not any + hesitation in affording you any information on the subject of the + free system adopted in this island, which my public situation has + naturally provided me with. + + The opinion which I have formed has been, and yet remains, in favor + of the emancipation; and I feel very confident that the system has + and continues to work well, in almost all instances. The laborers + have conducted themselves generally in a highly satisfactory manner + to all the authorities, and strikingly so when we reflect that the + greater portion of the population of the island were at once removed + from a state of long existing slavery, to one of unrestricted + freedom. Unacquainted as they are with the laws newly enacted for + their future government and guidance, and having been led in their + ignorance to expect incalculable wonders and benefits arising from + freedom, I cannot but reflect with amazement on the peace and good + order which have been so fortunately maintained throughout the + island population of thirty thousand subjects. + + Some trifling difficulties sprang up on the commencement of the new + system among the laborers, but even these, on strict investigation, + proved to originate more from _an ignorance of their actual + position_, than from any bad feeling, or improper motives, and + consequently _were of short duration_. In general the laborers are + peaceable orderly, and civil, not only to those who move in higher + spheres of life than themselves, but also to each other. + + The crimes they are generally guilty of, are petty thefts, and other + minor offences against the local acts; but crimes of an heinous + nature are very rare among them; and I may venture to say, that + petty thefts, _breaking sugar-canes to eat_, and offences of the + like description, _principally_ swell the calendars of our quarterly + courts of sessions. _Murder_ has been a stranger to this island for + many years; no execution has occurred among the island population + for a very long period; the only two instances were two + _Irish_ soldiers. + + The lower class having become more acquainted with their governing + laws, have also become infinitely more obedient to them, and I have + observed _that particular care is taken among most of them to + explain to each other the nature of the laws_, and to point out in + their usual style the ill consequences attending any violation of + them. ==> _A due fear of, and a prompt obedience to, the + authority of the magistrates, is a prominent feature of the lower + orders_, and to this I mainly attribute the successful maintenance + of rural tranquillity. + + Since emancipation, the agricultural laborer has had to contend with + two of the most obstinate droughts experienced for many years in the + island, which has decreased the supply of his accustomed vegetables + and ground provisions, and consequently subjected him and family to + very great privations; but this even, I think, has been submitted to + with becoming resignation. + + To judge of the past and present state of society throughout the + island, I presume that _the lives and properties of all classes are + as secure in this, as in any other portion of his Majesty's + dominions_; and I sincerely hope that the future behavior of all, + will more clearly manifest the correctness of my views of this + highly important subject. + + I remain, dear sirs, yours faithfully, RICHARD S. WICKHAM, + _Superintendent of police_." + + * * * * * + +This testimony is pointed and emphatic; and it comes from one whose +_official business it is to know_ the things whereof he here affirms. We +have presented not merely the opinions of Mr. W., relative to the +subordination of the emancipated negroes in Antigua, but likewise the +_facts_ upon which be founded his opinion. + +On a point of such paramount importance we cannot be too explicit. We +therefore add the testimony of planters as to the actual state of crime +compared with that previous to emancipation. + +Said J. Howell, Esq., of T. Jarvis's estate, "I do not think that +aggressions on property, and crime in general, have increased since +emancipation, but rather decreased. They _appear_ to be more frequent, +because they are made _more public_. During slavery, all petty thefts, +insubordination, insolence, neglect of work, and so forth, were punished +summarily on the estate, by order of the manager, and not even so much +as the rumor of them ever reached beyond the confines of the property. +Now all offences, whether great or trifling, are to be taken cognizance +of by the magistrate or jury, and hence they become notorious. Formerly +each planter knew only of those crimes which occurred on his own +property; now every one knows something about the crimes committed on +every other estate, as well as his own." + +It will be remembered that Mr. H. is a man of thorough and long +experience in the condition of the island, having lived in it since the +year 1800, and being most of that time engaged directly is the +management of estates. + +"Aggression on private property, such as breaking into houses, cutting +canes, &c., are decidedly fewer than formerly. It is true that crime is +made more _public_ now, than during slavery, when the master was his own +magistrate."--_Dr. Daniell_. + +"I am of the opinion that crime in the island has diminished rather than +increased since the abolition of slavery. There is an _apparent_ +increase of crime, because every misdemeanor, however petty, floats to +the surface."--_Hon. N. Nugent_. + +We might multiply testimony on this point; but suffice it to say that +with very few exceptions, the planters, many of whom are also civil +magistrates, concur in these two statements; that the amount of crime is +actually less than it was during slavery; and that it _appears_ to _be +greater_ because of the publicity which is necessarily given by legal +processes to offences which were formerly punished and forgotten on the +spot where they occurred. + +Some of the prominent points established by the foregoing evidence are, + +1st. That most of the crimes committed are petty misdemeanors such as +turning out to work late in the morning, cutting canes to eat, &c. _High +penal offences_ are exceedingly rare. + +2d. That where offences of a serious nature do occur, or any open +insubordination takes place, they are founded in ignorance or +misapprehension of the law, and are seldom repeated a second time, if +the law be properly explained and fully understood. + +3d. That the above statements apply to no particular part of the island, +where the negroes are peculiarly favored with intelligence and religion, +but are made with reference to tire island generally. Now it happens +that in one quarter of the island the negro population are remarkably +ignorant and degraded. We were credibly informed by various +missionaries, who had labored in Antigua and in a number of the other +English islands, that they had not found in any colony so much +debasement among the people, as prevailed in the part of Antigua just +alluded to. Yet they testified that the negroes in that quarter were as +peaceable, orderly, and obedient to law, as in any other part of the +colony. We make this statement here particularly for the purpose of +remarking that in the testimony of the planters, and in the police +reports; there is not a single allusion to this portion of the island as +forming an exception to the prevailing state of order and subordination. + +After the foregoing facts and evidences, we ask, what becomes of the +dogma, that slaves cannot be immediately placed under the government of +_equitable laws_ with safety to themselves and the community? + +Twelfth proposition.--The emancipated negroes have shown _no disposition +to roam from place to place._ A tendency to rove about, is thought by +many to be a characteristic of the negro; he is not allowed even an +ordinary share of local attachment, but must leave the chain and staple +of slavery to hold him amidst the graves of his fathers and the society +of his children. The experiment in Antigua shows that such sentiments +are groundless prejudices. There a large body of slaves were "_turned +loose_;" they had full liberty to leave their old homes and settle on +other properties--or if they preferred a continuous course of roving, +they might change employers every six weeks, and pass from one estate to +another until they had accomplished the circuit of the island. But, what +are the facts? "The negroes are not disposed to leave the estates on +which they have formerly lived, unless they are forced away by bad +treatment. I have witnessed many facts which illustrate this remark. Not +unfrequently one of the laborers will get dissatisfied about something, +and in the excitement of the moment will notify me that he intends to +leave my employ at the end of a month. But in nine cases out of ten such +persons, before the month has expired, beg to be allowed to remain on +the estate. The strength of their _local attachment_ soon overcomes +their resentment and even drives them to make the most humiliating +confessions in order to be restored to the favor of their employer, and +thus be permitted to remain in their old homes."--_H. Armstrong, Esq._ + +"Nothing but bad treatment on the part of the planters has ever caused +the negroes to leave the estates on which they were accustomed to live, +and in such cases a _change of management_ has almost uniformly been +sufficient to induce them to return. We have known several instances of +this kind."--_S. Bourne, Esq., of Millar's, and Mr. Watkins, of +Donavan's_. + +"The negroes are remarkably attached to their homes. In the year 1828, +forty-three slaves were sold from the estate under my management, and +removed to another estate ten miles distant. After emancipation, the +whole of these came back, and plead with me to employ them, that they +might live in their former houses."--_James Howell, Esq._ + +"Very few of my people have left me. The negroes are peculiar for their +attachment to their homes."--_Samuel Barnard, Esq., of Green Castle_. + +"Love of home is very remarkable in the negroes. It is a passion with +them. On one of the estates of which I am attorney, a part of the +laborers were hired from other proprietors. They had been for a great +many years living on the estate, and they became so strongly attached to +it, that they all continued to work on it after emancipation, and they +still remain on the same property. The negroes are loth to leave their +homes, and they very seldom do so unless forced away by ill +treatment."--_Dr. Daniell_. + +On a certain occasion we were in the company of four planters, and among +other topics this subject was much spoken of. They all accorded +perfectly in the sentiment that the negroes were peculiarly sensible to +the influence of local attachments. One of the gentlemen observed that +it was a very common saying with them--"_Me nebber leave my bornin' +ground_,"--i.e., birth-place. + +An aged gentleman in St. John's, who was formerly a planter, remarked, +"The negroes have very strong local attachments. They love their little +hut, where the calabash tree, planted at the birth of a son, waves over +the bones of their parents. They will endure almost any hardship and +suffer repeated wrongs before they will desert that spot." + +Such are the sentiments of West India planters; expressed, in the +majority of cases, spontaneously, and mostly in illustration of other +statements. We did not hear a word that implied an opposite sentiment. +It is true, much was said about the emigration to Demerara, but the +facts in this case only serve to confirm the testimony already quoted. +In the first place, nothing but the inducement of very high wages[A] +could influence any to go, and in the next place, after they got there +they sighed to return, (but were not permitted,) and sent back word to +their relatives and friends not to leave Antigua. + +[Footnote A: From fifty cents to a dollar per day.] + +Facts clearly prove, that the negroes, instead of being indifferent to +local attachments, are peculiarly alive to them. That nothing short of +cruelty can drive them from their homes--that they will endure even +that, as long as it can be borne, rather than leave; and that as soon as +the instrument of cruelty is removed, they will hasten back to their +"_bornin' ground._" + +THIRTEENTH PROPOSITION.--"The gift of unrestricted freedom, though so +suddenly bestowed, has not made the negroes more insolent than they were +while slaves, but has rendered them _less so_."--_Dr. Daniell_. + +Said James Howell, Esq.--"A short time after emancipation, the negroes +showed some disposition to assume airs and affect a degree of +independence; but this soon disappeared, and they are now respectful and +civil. There has been a mutual improvement in this particular. The +planters treat the laborers more like fellow men, and this leads the +latter to be respectful in their turn." + +R.B. Eldridge, Esq., asked us if we had not observed the civility of the +lower classes as we passed them on the streets, both in town and in the +country. He said it was their uniform custom to bow or touch their hat +when they passed a white person. They did so during slavery, and he had +not discovered any change in this respect since emancipation. + +Said Mr. Bourne--"The negroes are decidedly less insolent now than they +were during slavery." + +Said Mr. Watkins, of Donovan's--"The negroes are now all _cap in hand_; +as they know that it is for their interest to be respectful to their +employers." + +Said Dr. Nugent--"Emancipation has not produced insolence among the +negroes." + +During our stay in Antigua, we saw no indications whatsoever of +insolence. We spoke in a former part of this work of the uncommon +civility manifested in a variety of ways on the road-sides. + +A trifling incident occurred one day in St. John's, which at first +seemed to be no small rudeness. As one of us was standing in the +verandah of our lodging house, in the dusk of the evening, a brawny +negro man who was walking down the middle of the street, stopped +opposite us, and squaring himself, called out. "Heigh! What for you +stand dare wid your arms so?" placing his arms akimbo, in imitation of +ours. Seeing we made no answer, he repeated the question, still standing +in the same posture. We took no notice of him, seeing that his supposed +insolence was at most good-humored and innocent. Our hostess, a colored +lady, happened to step out at the moment, and told us that the man had +mistaken us for her son, with whom he was well acquainted, at the same +time calling to the man, and telling him of his mistake. The negro +instantly dropped his arms, took off his hat, begged pardon, and walked +away apparently quite ashamed. + +FOURTEENTH PROPOSITION.--Emancipation in Antigua has demonstrated that +GRATITUDE _is a prominent trait of the negro character_. The conduct of +the negroes on the first of August, 1834, is ample proof of this; and +their uniform conduct since that event manifests an _habitual_ feeling +of gratitude. Said one, "The liberty we received from the king, we can +never sufficiently thank God for; whenever we think of it, our hearts go +out in gratitude to God." Similar expressions 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 exclamations of "tank de good Lord," "bless de Savior," +"praise de blessed Savior," and such like. + +It was the remark of Mr. James Howell, manager of Thibou Jarvis's--"That +the negroes evinced very little gratitude to their _masters_ for +freedom. Their gratitude all flowed toward God and the king, whom they +regarded as the sole authors of their liberty." + +Mr. Watkins observed that "the negroes' motto was God and the king. This +feeling existed particularly at the time of emancipation, and shortly +after it. They have since become more attached to their former masters." + +It is by no means strange that the negroes should feel little gratitude +toward their late masters, since they knew their opposition to the +benevolent intentions of the English government. We were informed by Dr. +Daniell and many others, that for several months before emancipation +took place, the negroes had an idea that the king had sent them 'their +free papers,' and that _their masters were keeping them back._ Besides, +it was but two years before that period, that they had come into fierce +and open hostility with the planters for abolishing the Sunday market, +and giving them no market-day instead thereof. In this thing their +masters had shown themselves to be their enemies. + +That any good thing could come from such persons the slaves were +doubtless slow to believe. However, it is an undeniable fact, that since +emancipation, kind treatment on the part of the masters, has never +failed to excite gratitude in the negroes. The planters understand fully +how they may secure the attachment and confidence of their people. A +_grateful_ and _contented_ spirit certainly characterizes the negroes of +Antigua. They do not lightly esteem what they have got, and murmur +because they have no more. They do not complain of small wages, and +strike for higher. They do not grumble about their simple food and their +coarse clothes, and flaunt about, saying '_freemen ought to live +better_.' They do not become dissatisfied with their lowly, +cane-thatched huts, and say we ought to have as good houses as massa. +They do not look with an evil eye upon the political privileges of the +whites, and say we have the majority, and we'll rule. It is the common +saying with them, when speaking of the inconveniences which they +sometimes suffer, "Well, we must be satify and conten." + +FIFTEENTH PROPOSITION.--The freed negroes of Antigua have proved that +_they are able to take care of themselves_. It is affirmed by the +opponents of emancipation in the United States, that if the slaves were +liberated, they could not take care of themselves. Some of the reasons +assigned for entertaining this view are--1st, "The negro is naturally +improvident." 2d, "He is constitutionally indolent." 3d, "Being of an +inferior race, he is deficient in that shrewdness and management +necessary to prevent his being imposed upon, and which are indispensable +to enable him to conduct any business with success." 4th, "All these +natural defects have been aggravated by slavery. The slave never +provides for himself, but looks to his master for everything he needs. +So likewise he becomes increasingly averse to labor, by being driven to +it daily, and flogged for neglecting it. Furthermore, whatever of mind +he had originally has been extinguished by slavery." Thus by nature and +by habit the negro is utterly unqualified to take care of himself. So +much for theory; now for testimony. First, what is the evidence with +regard to the _improvidence_ of the negroes? + +"During slavery, the negroes squandered every cent of money they got, +because they were sure of food and clothing. Since their freedom, they +have begun to cultivate habits of carefulness and economy".--_Mr. +James Howell_. + +Facts--1st. The low wages of the laborers is proof of their providence. +Did they not observe the strictest economy, they could not live on fifty +cents per week. + +2d. That they buy small parcels of land to cultivate, is proof of +economy and foresight. The planters have to resort to every means in +their power to induce their laborers not to purchase land. + +3d. The Friendly Societies are an evidence of the same thing. How can we +account for the number of these societies, and for the large sums of +money annually contributed in them? And how is it that these societies +have trebled, both in members and means since emancipation, if it be +true that the negroes are thus improvident, and that freedom brings +starvation? + +4th. The weekly and monthly contributions to the churches, to benevolent +societies, and to the schools, demonstrate the economy of the negroes; +and the _great increase_ of these contributions since August, 1834, +proves that emancipation has not made them less economical. + +5th. The increasing attention paid to the cultivation of their private +provision grounds is further proof of their foresight. For some time +subsequent to emancipation, as long as the people were in an unsettled +state, they partially neglected their grounds. The reason was, they did +not know whether they should remain on the same estate long enough to +reap their provisions, should they plant any. This state of uncertainty +very naturally paralyzed all industry and enterprise; and their +neglecting the cultivation of their provision grounds, _under such +circumstances_, evinced foresight rather than improvidence. Since they +have become more permanently established on the estates, they are +resuming the cultivation of their grounds with renewed vigor. + +Said Dr. Daniell--"There is an increasing attention paid by the negroes +to cultivating their private lands, since they have become more +permanently settled." + +6th. The fact that the parents take care of the wages which their +children earn, shows their provident disposition. We were informed that +the mothers usually take charge of the money paid to their children, +especially their daughters, and this, in order to teach them proper +subordination, and to provide against casualties, sickness, and the +infirmities of age. + +7th. The fact that the negroes are able to support their aged parents, +is further proof. + +As it regards the second specification, viz., _constitutional +indolence_, we may refer generally to the evidence on this subject under +a former proposition. We will merely state here two facts. + +1st. Although the negroes are not obliged to work on Saturday, yet they +are in the habit of going to estates that are weak-handed, and hiring +themselves out on that day. + +2d. It is customary throughout the island to give two hours (from 12 to +2) recess from labor. We were told that in many cases this time is spent +in working on their private provision grounds, or in some active +employment by which a pittance may be added to their scanty earnings. + +What are the facts respecting the natural _inferiority_ of the negro +race, and their incompetency to manage their own affairs? + +Said Mr. Armstrong--"The negroes are exceedingly quick _to turn a +thought_. They show a great deal of shrewdness in every thing which +concerns their own interests. To a stranger it must be utterly +incredible how they can manage to live on such small wages. They are +very exact in keeping their accounts with the manager." + +"The negroes are very acute in making bargains. A difficulty once arose +on an estate under my charge, between the manager and the people, in +settling for a job which the laborers had done. The latter complained +that the manager did not give them as much as was stipulated in the +original agreement. The manager contended that he had paid the whole +amount. The people brought their complaint before me, as attorney, and +maintained that there was one shilling and six-pence (about nineteen +cents) due each of them. I examined the accounts and found that they +were right, and that the manager had really made a mistake to the very +amount specified."--_Dr. Daniell_. + +"The emancipated people manifest as much cunning and address in +business, as any class of persons."--_Mr. J. Howell_. + +"The capabilities of the blacks for education are conspicuous; so also +as to mental acquirements and trades."--_Hon. N. Nugent_. + +It is a little remarkable that while Americans fear that the negroes, if +emancipated, could not take care of themselves, the West Indians fear +lest they _should_ take care of themselves; hence they discourage them +from buying lands, from learning trades, and from all employments which +might render them independent of sugar cultivation. + +SIXTEENTH PROPOSITION.--Emancipation has operated at once to elevate and +improve the negroes. It introduced them into the midst of all relations, +human and divine. It was the first formal acknowledgment that they were +MEN--personally interested in the operations of law, and the +requirements of God. It laid the corner-stone in the fabric of their +moral and intellectual improvement. + +"The negroes have a growing self-respect and regard for character. This +was a feeling which was scarcely known by them during slavery."--_Mr. +J. Howell_. + +"The negroes pay a great deal more attention to their personal +appearance, than they were accustomed to while slaves. The _women_ in +particular have improved astonishingly in their dress and +manners."--_Dr. Daniell_. + +Abundant proof of this proposition may be found in the statements +already made respecting the decrease of licentiousness, the increased +attention paid to marriage, the abandonment by the mothers of the +horrible practice of selling their daughters to vile white men, the +reverence for the Sabbath, the attendance upon divine worship, the +exemplary subordination to law, the avoidance of riotous conduct, +insolence, and intemperance. + +SEVENTEENTH PROPOSITION--Emancipation promises a vast improvement in the +condition of woman. What could more effectually force woman from her +sphere, than slavery has done by dragging her to the field, subjecting +her to the obscene remarks, and to the vile abominations of licentious +drivers and overseers; by compelling her to wield the heavy hoe, until +advancing pregnancy rendered her useless then at the earliest possible +period driving her back to the field with her infant swung at her back, +or torn from her and committed to a stranger. Some of these evils still +exist in Antigua, but there has already been a great abatement of them, +and the humane planters look forward to their complete removal, and to +the ultimate restoration of woman to the quiet and purity of +domestic life. + +Samuel Bourne, Esq., stated, that there had been a great improvement in +the treatment of mothers on his estate. "Under the old system, mothers +were required to work half the time after their children were six weeks +old; but now we do not call them out for _nine months_ after their +confinement, until their children are entirely weaned." + +"In those cases where women have husbands in the field, they do not turn +out while they are nursing their children. In many instances the +husbands prefer to have their wives engaged in other work, and I do not +require them to go to the field."--_Mr. J Howell_. + +Much is already beginning to be said of the probability that the women +will withdraw from agricultural labor. A conviction of the impropriety +of females engaging in such employments is gradually forming in the +minds of enlightened and influential planters. + +A short time previous to emancipation, the Hon. N. Nugent, speaker of +the assembly, made the following remarks before the house:--"At the +close of the debate, he uttered his fervent hope, that the day would +come when the principal part of the agriculture of the island would be +performed by males, and that the women would be occupied in keeping +their cottages in order, and in increasing their domestic comforts. The +desire of improvement is strong among them; they are looking anxiously +forward to the instruction and advancement of their children, and even +of themselves."--_Antigua Herald, of March_, 1834. + +In a written communication to us, dated January 17, 1837, the Speaker +says: "Emancipation will, I doubt not, improve the condition of the +females. There can be no doubt that they will ultimately leave the +field, (except in times of emergency,) and confine themselves to their +appropriate domestic employments." + +EIGHTEENTH PROPOSITION.--Real estate has risen in value since +emancipation; mercantile and mechanical occupations have received a +fresh impulse; and the general condition of the colony is decidedly more +flourishing than at any former period. + +"The credit of the island has decidedly improved. The internal +prosperity of the island is advancing in an increased ratio. More +buildings have been erected since emancipation, than for twenty years +before. Stores and shops have multiplied astonishingly; I can safely say +that their number has more than quintupled since the abolition of +slavery."--_Dr. Ferguson_. + +"Emancipation has very greatly increased the value of, and consequently +the demand for, real estate. That which three years ago was a drug +altogether unsaleable by private bargain; has now many inquirers after +it, and ready purchasers at good prices. The importation of British +manufactured goods has been considerably augmented, probably one fourth." + +"The credit of the planters who have been chiefly affected by the +change, has been much improved. And _the great reduction of expense in +managing the estates_, has made them men of more real wealth, and +consequently raised their credit both with the English merchants and our +own."--_James Scotland, Sen., Esq._ + +"The effect of emancipation upon the commerce of the island _must needs_ +have been beneficial, as the laborers indulge in more wheaten flour, +rice, mackerel, dry fish, and salt-pork, than formerly. More lumber is +used in the superior cottages now built for their habitations. More dry +goods--manufactures of wool, cotton, linen, silk, leather, &c., are also +used, now that the laborers can better afford to indulge their +propensity for gay clothing."--_Statement of a merchant and agent +for estates_. + +"Real estate has risen in value, and mercantile business has greatly +improved."--_H. Armstrong, Esq._ + +A merchant of St. John's informed us, that real estate had increased in +value at least fifty per cent. He mentioned the fact, that an estate +which previous to emancipation could not be sold for £600 current, +lately brought £2000 current. + +NINETEENTH PROPOSITION--Emancipation has been followed by the +introduction of labor-saving machinery. + +"Various expedients for saving manual labor have already been +introduced, and we anticipate still greater improvements. Very little +was thought of this subject previous to emancipation."--_S. +Bourne, Esq._ + +"Planters are beginning to cast about for improvements in labor. My own +mind has been greatly turned to this subject since emancipation."--_H. +Armstrong, Esq._ + +"The plough is beginning to be very extensively used."--_Mr. Hatley_. + +"There has been considerable simplification in agricultural labor +already, which would have been more conspicuous, had it not been for +the excessive drought which has prevailed since 1834. The plough is +more used, and the expedients for manuring land are less +laborious."--_Extract of a letter from Hon. N. Nugent_. + + + +TWENTIETH PROPOSITION.--Emancipation has produced the most decided +change in the views of the _planters_. + +"Before emancipation took place, there was the bitterest opposition to +it among the planters. But after freedom came, they were delighted with +the change. I felt strong opposition myself, being exceedingly unwilling +to give up my power of command. But I shall never forget how differently +I felt when freedom took place I arose from my bed on the first of +August, exclaiming with joy, 'I am free, I am free; I _was the greatest +slave on the estate_, but now I am free.'"--_Mr. J. Howell_. + +"We all resisted violently the measure of abolition, when it first began +to be agitated in England. We regarded it as an outrageous interference +with our rights, with our property. But we are now rejoiced that slavery +is abolished."--_Dr. Daniell_. + +"I have already seen such decided benefits growing out of the free labor +system, that for my part I wish never to see the face of slavery again." +--_Mr. Hatley_. + +"I do not know of a single planter who would be willing to return to +slavery. We all feel that it was a great curse."--_D. Cranstoun, Esq._ + +The speaker of the assembly was requested to state especially the +advantages of freedom both to the master and the slave; and he kindly +communicated the following reply: + + "The benefits to the master are conspicuous--he has got rid of the + cark and care, the anxiety and incessant worry of managing slaves; + all the trouble and responsibility of rearing them from infancy, of + their proper maintenance in health, and sickness, and decrepitude, + of coercing them to labor, restraining, correcting, and punishing + their faults and crimes--settling all their grievances and disputes. + He is now entirely free from all apprehension of injury, revenge, or + insurrection, however transient and momentary such impression may + have formerly been. He has no longer the reproach of being a + _slaveholder_; his property has lost all the _taint_ of slavery, and + is placed on as secure a footing, in a moral and political point of + view, as that in any other part of the British dominions. + + As regards the _other_ party, it seems almost unnecessary to point + out the advantages of being a free man rather than a slave. He is no + longer liable to personal trespass of any sort; he has a right of + self-control, and all the immunities enjoyed by other classes of his + fellow subjects--he is enabled to better his condition as he thinks + proper--he can make what arrangements he likes best, as regards his + kindred, and all his domestic relations--he takes to his _own_ use + and behoof, all the wages and profits of his own labor; he receives + money wages instead of weekly allowances, and can purchase such + particular food and necessaries as he prefers--_and so on_! IT WOULD + BE ENDLESS TO ATTEMPT TO ENUMERATE ALL THE SUPERIOR ADVANTAGES OF A + STATE OF FREEDOM TO ONE OF SLAVERY!" + +The writer says, at the close of his invaluable letter, "I was born in +Antigua, and have resided here with little interruption since 1809. +Since 1814, I have taken an active concern in plantation affairs." He +was born heir to a large slave property, and retained it up to the hour +of emancipation. He is now the proprietor of an estate. + +We have, another witness to introduce to the reader, Ralph Higinbothom, +Esq., the UNITED STATES CONSUL!--_Hear him_!-- + +"Whatever may have been the dissatisfaction as regards emancipation +among the planters at its commencement, there are few, indeed, if any, +who are not _now_ well satisfied that under the present system, their +properties are better worked, and their laborers more contented and +cheerful, than in the time of slavery." + +In order that the reader may see the _revolution_ that has taken place +since emancipation in the views of the highest class of society in +Antigua, we make a few extracts. + +"There was the most violent opposition in the legislature, and +throughout the island, to the anti-slavery proceedings in Parliament. +The anti-slavery party in England were detested here for their +_fanatical and reckless course_. Such was the state of feeling previous +to emancipation, that it would have been certain disgrace for any +planter to have avowed the least sympathy with anti-slavery sentiments. +The humane might have their hopes and aspirations, and they might +secretly long to see slavery ultimately terminated; but they did not +dare to make such feelings public. _They would at once have been branded +as the enemies of their country!"--Hon. N. Nugent_. + +"There cannot be said to have been any _anti-slavery party_ in the +island before emancipation. There were some individuals in St. John's, +and a very few planters, who favored the anti-slavery views, but they +dared not open their mouths, because of the bitter hostility which +prevailed."--_S. Bourne, Esq._ + +"The opinions of the clergymen and missionaries, with the exception of, +I believe, a few clergymen, were favorable to emancipation; but neither +in their conduct, preaching, or prayers, did they declare themselves +openly, until the measure of abolition was determined on. The +missionaries felt restrained by their instructions from home, and the +clergymen thought that it did not comport with their order 'to take part +in politics!' I never heard of a single _planter_ who was favorable, +until about three months before the emancipation took place; when some +few of them began to perceive that it would be advantageous to their +_interests_. Whoever was known or suspected of being an advocate for +freedom, became the object of vengeance, and was sure to suffer, if in +no other way, by a loss of part of his business. My son-in-law[A], my +son[B], and myself, were perhaps the chief marks for calumny and +resentment. The first was twice elected a member of the Assembly, and as +often put out by scrutinies conducted by the House, in the most +flagrantly dishonest manner. Every attempt was made to deprive the +second of his business, as a lawyer. With regard to myself, I was thrown +into prison, without any semblance of justice, without any form of +trial, but in the most summary manner, simply upon the complaint of one +of the justices, and without any opportunity being allowed me of saying +one word in my defence. I remained in jail until discharged by a +peremptory order from the Colonial Secretary, to whom I +appealed."--_James Scotland, Sen., Esq._ + +[Footnote A: Dr. Ferguson, physician in St. John's.] + +[Footnote B: James Scotland, Jun., Esq., barrister, proprietor, and +member of Assembly.] + +Another gentleman, a white man, was arrested on the charge of being in +the interest of the English Anti-Slavery party, and in a manner equally +summary and illegal, was cast into prison, and confined there for +one year. + +From the foregoing statements we obtain the following comparative view +of the past and present state of sentiment in Antigua. + +Views and conduct of the planters previous to emancipation: + +1st. They regarded the negroes as an inferior race, fit only for slaves. + +2d. They regarded them as their rightful property. + +3d. They took it for granted that negroes could never be made to work +without the use of the whip; hence, + +4th. They supposed that emancipation would annihilate sugar cultivation; +and, + +5th. That it would lead to bloodshed and general rebellion. + +6th. Those therefore who favored it, were considered the "_enemies of +their country_"--"TRAITORS"--and were accordingly persecuted in various +ways, not excepting imprisonment in the common jail. + +7th. So popular was slavery among the higher classes, that its morality +or justice could not be questioned by a missionary--an editor--or a +_planter_ even, without endangering the safety of the individual. + +8th. The anti-slavery people in England were considered detestable men, +intermeddling with matters which they did not understand, and which at +any rate did not concern them. They were accused of being influenced by +selfish motives, and of designing to further their own interests by the +ruin of the planters. They were denounced as _fanatics, incendiaries, +knaves, religious enthusiasts_. + +9th The abolition measures of the English Government were considered a +gross outrage on the rights of private property, a violation their +multiplied pledges of countenance and support, and a flagrant usurpation +of power over the weak. + +Views and conduct of the planters subsequent to emancipation: + +1st. The negroes are retarded as _men_--equals standing on the same +footing as fellow-citizens. + +2d. Slavery is considered a foolish, impolitic, and wicked system. + +3d. Slaves are regarded as an _unsafe_ species of property, and to hold +them disgraceful. + +4th. The planters have become the _decided enemies_ of slavery. The +worst thing they could say against the apprenticeship, was, that "it was +only another name for _slavery_." + +5th. The abolition of slavery is applauded by the planters as one of the +most noble and magnanimous triumphs ever achieved by the British +government. + +6th. Distinguished abolitionists are spoken of in terms of respect and +admiration. The English Anti-slavery Delegation[A] spent a fortnight in +the island, and left it the same day we arrived. Wherever we went we +heard of them as "the respectable gentlemen from England," "the worthy +and intelligent members of the Society of Friends," &c. A distinguished +agent of the English anti-slavery society now resides in St. John's, and +keeps a bookstore, well stocked with anti-slavery books and pamphlets. +The bust of GEORGE THOMPSON stands conspicuously upon the counter of the +bookstore, looking forth upon the public street. + +[Footnote A: Messrs. Sturge and Harvey.] + +7th. The planters affirm that the abolition of slavery put an end to all +danger from insurrection, rebellion, privy conspiracy, and sedition, on +the part of the slaves. + +8th. Emancipation is deemed an incalculable blessing, because it +released the planters from an endless complication of responsibilities, +perplexities, temptations and anxieties, and because it _emancipated +them from the bondage of the whip_. + +9th. _Slavery--emancipation--freedom_--are the universal topics of +conversation in Antigua. Anti-slavery is the popular doctrine among all +classes. He is considered an enemy to his country who opposes the +principles of liberty. The planters look with astonishment on the +continuance of slavery in the United States, and express their strong +belief that it must soon terminate here and throughout the world. They +hailed the arrival of French and American visitors on tours of inquiry +as a bright omen. In publishing our arrival, one of the St. John's +papers remarks, "We regard this as a pleasing indication that the +American public have their eyes turned upon our experiment, with a view, +we may hope, of ultimately following our excellent example." (!) All +classes showed the same readiness to aid us in what the Governor was +pleased to call "the objects of our philanthropic mission." + +Such are the views now entertained among the planters of Antigua. What a +complete change[B]--and all in less than three years, and effected by +the abolition of slavery and a trial of freedom! Most certainly, if the +former views of the Antigua planters resemble those held by pro-slavery +men in this country, their present sentiments are a _fac simile_ of +those entertained by the immediate abolitionists. + +[Footnote B: The following little story will further illustrate the +wonderful revolution which has taken place in the public sentiment of +this colony. The facts here stated all occurred while we were in +Antigua, and we procured them from a variety of authentic sources. They +were indeed publicly known and talked of, and produced no little +excitement throughout the island. Mr. Corbett was a respectable and +intelligent planter residing on an estate near Johnson's Point. Several +months previous to the time of which we now speak, a few colored +families (emancipated negroes) bought of a white man some small parcels +of land lying adjacent to Mr. C.'s estate. They planted their lands in +provisions, and also built them houses thereon, and moved into them. +After they had become actively engaged in cultivating their provisions, +Mr. Corbett laid claim to the lands, and ordered the negroes to leave +them forthwith. + +They of course refused to do so. Mr. C. then flew into a violent rage, +and stormed and swore, and threatened to burn their houses down over +their heads. The terrified negroes forsook their property and fled. Mr. +C. then ordered his negroes to tear down their huts and burn up the +materials--which was accordingly done. He also turned in his cattle upon +the provision grounds, and destroyed them. The negroes made a complaint +against Mr. C., and he was arrested and committed to jail in St. John's +for trial on the charge of _arson_. + +We heard of this circumstance on the day of Mr. C.'s commitment, and we +were told that it would probably go very hard with him on his trial, and +that he would be very fortunate if he escaped the _gallows_ or +_transportation_. A few days after this we were surprised to hear that +Mr. C. had died in prison. Upon inquiry, we learned that he died +literally from _rage and mortification_. His case defied the, skill and +power of the physicians. They could detect the presence of no disease +whatever, even on a minute post-mortem examination. They pronounced it +as their opinion that he had died from the violence of his +passions--excited by being imprisoned, together with his apprehensions +of the fatal issue of the trial. + +Not long before emancipation, Mr. Scotland was imprisoned for +_befriending_ the negroes. After emancipation, Mr. Corbett was +imprisoned for wronging them. + +Mr. Corbett was a respectable planter, of good family and moved in the +first circles in the island] + +TWENTY-FIRST PROPOSITION.--Emancipation has been followed by a manifest +diminution of "_prejudice against color_," and has opened the prospect +off its speedy extirpation. + +Some thirty years ago, the president of the island, Sir Edward Byam, +issued an order forbidding the great bell in the cathedral of St. John's +being tolled at the funeral of a colored person; and directing a +_smaller_ bell to be hung up in the same belfry, and used on such +occasions. For twenty years this distinction was strictly maintained. +When a white person, however _vile_, was buried, the great bell was +tolled; when a colored person, whatever his moral worth, intelligence, +or station, was carried to his grave, the little bell was tinkled. It +was not until the arrival of the present excellent Rector, that this +"prejudice bell" was silenced. The Rev. Mr. Cox informed us that +prejudice had greatly decreased since emancipation. It was very common +for white and colored gentlemen to be seen walking arm in arm an the +streets of St. John's. + +"Prejudice against color is fast disappearing. The colored people have +themselves contributed to prolong this feeling, _by keeping aloof from +the society of the whites_."--_James Howell, of T. Jarvis's_. + +How utterly at variance is this with the commonly received opinion, that +the colored people are disposed to _thrust_ themselves into the society +of the whites! + +"_Prejudice against color_ exists in this community only to a limited +extent, and that chiefly among those who could never bring themselves to +believe that emancipation would really take place. Policy dictates to +them the propriety of confining any expression of their feelings to +those of the same opinions. Nothing is shown of this prejudice in their +intercourse with the colored class--it is '_kept behind the +scenes_.'"--_Ralph Higginbotham, U. S. Consul._ + +Mr. H. was not the only individual standing in "high places" who +insinuated that the whites that still entertained prejudice were ashamed +of it. His excellency the Governor intimated as much, by his repeated +assurances for himself and his compeers of the first circles, that there +was no such feeling in the island as prejudice against _color_. The +reasons for excluding the colored people from their society, he said, +were wholly different from that. It was chiefly because of their +_illegitimacy_, and also because they were not sufficiently refined, and +because their _occupations_ were of an inferior kind, such as mechanical +trades, small shop keeping, &c. Said he, "You would not wish to ask your +tailor, or your shoemaker, to dine with you?" However, we were too +unsophisticated to coincide in his Excellency's notions of social +propriety. + +TWENTY-SECOND PROPOSITION.--The progress of the anti-slavery discussions +in England did not cause the masters to treat their slaves worse, but on +the contrary restrained them from outrage. + +"The treatment of the slaves during the discussions in England, was +manifestly milder than before."--_Dr. Daniell._ + +"The effect of the proceedings in parliament was to make the planters +treat their slaves better. Milder laws were passed by the assembly, and +the general condition of the slave was greatly ameliorated."--_H. +Armstrong, Esq._ + +"The planters did not increase the rigor of their discipline because of +the anti-slavery discussions; but as a general thing, were more lenient +than formerly."--_S. Bourne. Esq._ + +"We pursued a much milder policy toward our slaves after the agitation +began in England."--_Mr. Jas. Hawoil_. + +"The planters did not treat their slaves worse on account of the +discussions; but were more lenient and circumspect."--_Letter of Hon. +N. Nugent._ + +"There was far less cruelty exercised by the planters during the +anti-slavery excitement in gland. 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 Cranstoun, Esq._ + +We have now completed our observations upon Antigua. It has been our +single object in the foregoing account to give an accurate statement of +the results of IMMEDIATE EMANCIPATION. We have not taken a single step +beyond the limits of testimony, and we are persuaded that testimony +materially conflicting with this, cannot be procured from respectable +sources in Antigua. We now leave it to our readers to decide, whether +emancipation in Antigua has been to all classes in that island a +_blessing_ or a _curse_. + +We cannot pass from this part of our report without recording the +kindness and hospitality which we everywhere experienced during our +sojourn in Antigua. Whatever may have been our apprehensions of a cool +reception from a community of ex-slaveholders, none of our forebodings +were realized. It rarely Falls to the lot of strangers visiting a +distant land, with none of the contingencies of birth, fortune, or fame, +to herald their arrival, and without the imposing circumstance of a +popular mission to recommend them, to meet with a warmer reception, or +to enjoy a more hearty confidence, than that with which we were honored +in the interesting island of Antigua. The very _object_ of our visit, +humble, and even odious as it may appear in the eyes of many of our own +countrymen, was our passport to the consideration and attention of the +higher classes in that free colony. We hold in grateful remembrance the +interest which all--not excepting those most deeply implicated in the +late system of slavery--manifested in our investigations. To his +excellency the Governor, to officers both civil and military, to +legislators and judges, to proprietors and planters, to physicians, +barristers, and merchants, to clergymen, missionaries, and teachers, we +are indebted for their uniform readiness in furthering our objects, and +for the mass of information with which they were pleased to furnish us. +To the free colored population, also, we are lasting debtors for their +hearty co-operation and assistance. To the emancipated, we recognise our +obligations as the friends of the slave, for their simple-hearted and +reiterated assurances that they should remember the oppressed of our +land in their prayers to God. In the name of the multiplying hosts of +freedom's friends, and in behalf of the millions of speechless but +grateful-hearted slaves, we render to our acquaintances of every class +in Antigua our warmest thanks for their cordial sympathy with the cause +of emancipation in America. We left Antigua with regret. The natural +advantages of that lovely island; its climate, situation, and scenery; +the intelligence and hospitality of the higher orders, and the +simplicity and sobriety of the poor; the prevalence of education, +morality, and religion; its solemn Sabbaths and thronged sanctuaries; +and above _all_, its rising institutions of liberty--flourishing so +vigorously,--conspire to make Antigua one of the fairest portions of the +earth. Formerly it was in our eyes but a speck on the world's map, and +little had we checked if an earthquake had sunk, or the ocean had +overwhelmed it; but now, the minute circumstances in its condition, or +little incidents in its history, are to our minds invested with +grave interest. + +None, who are alive to the cause of religious freedom in the world, can +be indifferent to the movements and destiny of this little colony. +Henceforth, Antigua is the morning star of our nation, and though it +glimmers faintly through a lurid sky, yet we hail it, and catch at every +ray as the token of a bright sun which may yet burst gloriously upon us. + + + +BARBADOES + +CHAPTER I. + +PASSAGE + +Barbadoes was the next island which we visited. Having failed of a +passage in the steamer,[A] (on account of her leaving Antigua on the +Sabbath,) we were reduced to the necessity of sailing in a small +schooner, a vessel of only seventeen tons burthen, with no cabin but a +mere _hole_, scarcely large enough to receive our baggage. The berths, +for there were two, had but one mattress between them; however, a +foresail folded made up the complement. + +[Footnote A: There are several English steamers which ply between +Barbadoes and Jamaica, touching at several of the intermediate and +surrounding islands, and carrying the mails.] + +The being for the most part directly against us, we were seven days in +reaching Barbadoes. Our aversion to the sepulchre-like cabin obliged us +to spend, not the days only, but the nights mostly on the open deck. +Wrapping our cloaks about us, and drawing our fur caps over our faces, +we slept securely in the soft air of a tropical clime, undisturbed save +by the hoarse voice of the black captain crying "ready, bout" and the +flapping of the sails, and the creaking of the cordage, in the frequent +tackings of our staunch little sea-boat. On our way we passed under the +lee of Guadaloupe and to the windward of Dominica, Martinique and St. +Lucia. In passing Guadaloupe, we were obliged to keep at a league's +distance from the land, in obedience to an express regulation of that +colony prohibiting small English vessels from approaching any nearer. +This is a precautionary measure against the escape of slaves to the +English islands. Numerous small vessels, called _guarda costas_, are +stationed around the coast to warn off vessels and seize upon all slaves +attempting to make their escape. We were informed that the eagerness of +the French negroes to taste the sweets of liberty, which they hear to +exist in the surrounding English islands, is so great, that +notwithstanding all the vigilance by land and sea, they are escaping in +vast numbers. They steal to the shores by night, and seizing upon any +sort of vessel within their reach, launch forth and make for Dominica, +Montserrat, or Antigua. They have been known to venture out in skiffs, +canoes, and such like hazardous conveyances, and make a voyage of fifty +or sixty miles; and it is not without reason supposed, that very many +have been lost in these eager darings for freedom. + +Such is their defiance of dangers when liberty is to be won, that old +ocean, with its wild storms, and fierce monsters, and its yawning deep, +and even the superadded terrors of armed vessels ever hovering around +the island, are barriers altogether ineffectual to prevent escape. The +western side of Guadaloupe, along which we passed, is hilly and little +cultivated. It is mostly occupied in pasturage. The sugar estates are on +the opposite side of the island, which stretches out eastward in a low +sloping country, beautifully situated for sugar cultivation. The hills +were covered with trees, with here and there small patches of cultivated +grounds where the negroes raise provisions. A deep rich verdure covered +all that portion of the island which we saw. We were a day and night in +passing the long island of Guadaloupe. Another day and night were spent +in beating through the channel between Gaudaloupe and Dominica: another +day in passing the latter island, and then we stood or Martinique. This +is the queen island of the French West Indies. It is fertile and +healthful, and though not so large as Guadaloupe, produces a larger +revenue. It has large streams of water, and many of the sugar mills are +worked by them. Martinique and Dominica are both very mountainous. Their +highest peaks are constantly covered with clouds, which in their varied +siftings, now wheeling around, then rising or falling, give the hills +the appearance of smoking volcanoes. It was not until the eighth day of +the voyage, that we landed at Barbadoes. The passage from Barbadoes to +Antigua seldom occupies more than three days, the wind being mostly in +that direction. + +In approaching Barbadoes, it presented an entirely difference appearance +from that of the islands we had passed on the way. It is low and level, +almost wholly destitute of trees. As we drew nearer we discovered in +every direction the marks of its extraordinary cultivation. The cane +fields and provision grounds in alternate patches cover the island with +one continuous mantle of green. The mansions of the planters, and the +clusters of negro houses, appear at shore intervals dotting the face of +the island, and giving to it the appearance of a vast village +interspersed with verdant gardens. + +We "rounded up" in the bay, off Bridgetown, the principal place in +Barbadoes, where we underwent a searching examination by the health +officer; who, after some demurring, concluded that we might pass muster. +We took lodgings in Bridgetown with Mrs. M., a colored lady. + +The houses are mostly built of brick or stone, or wood plastered. They +are seldom more than two stories high, with flat roofs, and huge window +shutters and doors--the structures of a hurricane country. The streets +are narrow and crooked, and formed of white marle, which reflects the +sun with a brilliancy half blinding to the eyes. Most of the buildings +are occupied as stores below and dwelling houses above, with piazzas to +the upper story, which jut over the narrow streets, and afford a shade +for the side walks. The population of Bridgetown is about 30,000. The +population of the island is about 140,000, of whom nearly 90,000 are +apprentices, the remainder are free colored and white in the proportion +of 30,000 free colored and 20,000 whites. The large population exists on +an island not more than twenty miles long, by fifteen broad. The whole +island is under the most vigorous and systematic culture. There is +scarcely a foot of productive land that is not brought into requisition. +There is no such thing as a forest of any extent in the island. It is +thus that, notwithstanding the insignificance of its size, Barbadoes +ranks among the British islands next to Jamaica in value and importance. +It was on account of its conspicuous standing among the English +colonies, that we were induced to visit it, and there investigate the +operations of the apprenticeship system. + +Our principal object in the following tales is to give an account of the +working of the apprenticeship system, and to present it in contrast with +that of entire freedom, which has been described minutely in our account +of Antigua. The apprenticeship was designed as a sort of preparation for +freedom. A statement of its results will, therefore, afford no small +data for deciding upon the general principle of _gradualism_! + +We shall pursue a plan less labored and prolix than that which it seemed +necessary to adopt in treating of Antigua. As that part of the testimony +which respects the abolition of slavery, and the sentiments of the +planters is substantially the same with what is recorded in the +foregoing pages, we shall be content with presenting it in the sketch of +our travels throughout the island, and our interviews with various +classes of men. The testimony respecting the nature and operations of +the apprenticeship system, will be embodied in a more regular form. + +VISIT TO THE GOVERNOR. + +At an early day after our arrival we called on the Governor, in +pursuance of the etiquette of the island, and in order to obtain the +assistance of his Excellency in our inquiries. The present Governor is +Sir Evan John Murray McGregor, a Scotchman of Irish reputation. He is +the present chieftain of the McGregor clan, which figures so +illustriously in the history of Scotland. Sir Evan has been +distinguished for his victory in war, and he now bears the title of +Knight, for his achievements in the British service. He is +Governor-General of the windward islands, which include Barbadoes, +Grenada, St. Vincent's, and Tobago. The government house, at which he +resides, is about two miles from town. The road leading to it is a +delightful one, lined with cane fields, and pasture grounds, all verdant +with the luxuriance of midsummer. It passes by the cathedral, the king's +house, the noble residence of the Archdeacon, and many other fine +mansions. The government house is situated in a pleasant eminence, and +surrounded with a large garden, park, and entrance yard. At the large +outer gate, which gives admittance to the avenue leading to the house, +stood a _black_ sentinel in his military dress, and with a gun on his +shoulder, pacing to and fro. At the door of the house we found another +black soldier on guard. We were ushered into the dining hall, which +seems to serve as ante-chamber when not otherwise used. It is a spacious +airy room, overhung with chandeliers and lamps in profusion, and bears +the marks of many scenes of mirth and wassail. The eastern windows, +which extend from the ceiling to the floor, look out upon a garden +filled with shrubs and flowers, among which we recognised a rare variety +of the floral family in full bloom. Every thing around--the extent of +the buildings, the garden, the park, with deer browsing amid the tangled +shrubbery--all bespoke the old English style and dignity. + +After waiting a few minutes, we were introduced to his Excellency, who +received us very kindly. He conversed freely on the subject of +emancipation, and gave his opinion decidedly in favor of unconditional +freedom. He has been in the West Indies five years, and resided at +Antigua and Dominica before he received his present appointment; he has +visited several other islands besides. In no island that he has visited +have affairs gone on so quietly and satisfactorily to all parties as in +Antigua. He remarked that he was ignorant of the character of the black +population of the United States, but from what he knew of their +character in the West Indies, he could not avoid the conclusion that +immediate emancipation was entirely safe. He expressed his views of the +apprenticeship system with great freedom. He said it was vexatious to +all parties. + +He remarked that he was so well satisfied that emancipation was safe and +proper, and that unconditional freedom was better than apprenticeship, +that had he the power, he would emancipate every apprentice to-morrow. +It would be better both for the planter and the laborer. + +_He thought the negroes in Barbadoes, and in the windward islands +generally, now as well prepared for freedom as the slaves of Antigua._ + +The Governor is a dignified but plain man, of sound sense and judgement, +and of remarkable liberality. He promised to give us every assistance, +and said, as we arose to leave him, that he would mention the object of +our visit to a number of influential gentlemen, and that we should +shortly hear from him again. + +A few days after our visit to the Governor's, we called on the Rev. +Edward Elliott, the Archdeacon at Barbadoes, to whom we had been +previously introduced at the house of a friend in Bridgetown. He is a +liberal-minded man. In 1812, he delivered a series of lectures in the +cathedral on the subject of slavery. The planters became +alarmed--declared that such discourses would lead to insurrection, and +demanded that they should lie abandoned. He received anonymous letters +threatening him with violence unless he discontinued them. Nothing +daunted, however, he went through the course, and afterwards published +the lectures in a volume. + +The Archdeacon informed us that the number of churches and clergymen had +increased since emancipation; religious meetings were more fully +attended, and the instructions given had manifestly a greater influence. +Increased attention was paid to _education_ also. Before emancipation +the planters opposed education, and as far as possible, prevented the +teachers from coming to the estates. Now they encouraged it in many +instances, and where they do not directly encourage, they make no +opposition. He said that the number of marriages had very much increased +since the abolition of slavery. He had resided in Barbados for twelve +years, during which time he had repeatedly visited many of the +neighboring islands. He thought the negroes of Barbadoes _were as well +prepared for freedom in 1834, as those of Antigua_, and that there would +have been no bad results had entire emancipation been granted at that +time. He did not think there was the least danger of insurrection. On +this subject he spoke the sentiments of the inhabitants generally. He +did not suppose there were five planters on the island, who entertained +any fears on this score _now_. + +On one other point the Archdeacon expressed himself substantially thus: +The planters undoubtedly treated their slaves better during the +anti-slavery discussions in England. + +The condition of the slaves was very much mitigated by the efforts which +were made for their entire freedom. The planters softened down, the +system of slavery as much as possible. _They were exceedingly anxious to +put a stop to discussion and investigation._ + +Having obtained a letter of introduction from an American merchant here +to a planter residing about four miles from town, we drove out to his +estate. His mansion is pleasantly situated on a small eminence, in one +of the coolest and most inviting retreats which is to be seen in this +clime, and we were received by its master with all the cordiality and +frankness for which Barbados is famed. He introduced us to his family, +consisting of three daughters and two sons, and invited us to stop to +dinner. One of his daughters, now here on a visit, is married to an +American, a native of New York, but now a merchant in one of the +southern states, and our connection as fellow countrymen with one dear +to them, was an additional claim to their kindness and hospitality. + +He conducted us through all the works and out-buildings, the mill, +boiling-house, caring-house, hospital, store-houses, &c. The people were +at work in the mill and boiling-house, and as we passed, bowed and bade +us "good mornin', massa," with the utmost respect and cheerfulness. A +white overseer was regulating the work, but wanted the insignia of +slaveholding authority, which he had borne for many years, the _whip_. +As we came out, we saw in a neighboring field a gang of seventy +apprentices, of both sexes, engaged in cutting up the cane, while others +were throwing it into carts to be carried to the mill. They were all as +quietly and industriously at work as any body of our own farmers or +mechanics. As we were looking at them, Mr. C., the planter, remarked, +"those people give me more work than when slaves. This estate was never +under so good cultivation as at the present time." + +He took us to the building used as the mechanics' shop. Several of the +apprentices were at work in it, some setting up the casks for sugar, +others repairing utensils. Mr. C. says all the work of the estate is +done by the apprentices. His carts are made, his mill kept in order, his +coopering and blacksmithing are all done by them. "All these buildings," +said he, "even to the dwelling-house, were built after the great storm +of 1831, by the slaves." + +As we were passing through the hospital, or sick-house, as it is called +by the blacks, Mr. C. told us he had very little use for it now. There +is no skulking to it as there was under the old system. + +Just as we were entering the door of the house, on our return, there was +an outcry among a small party of the apprentices who were working near +by. Mr. C. went to them and inquired the cause. It appeared that the +overseer had struck one of the lads with a stick. Mr. C. reproved him +severely for the act, and assured him if he did such a thing again he +would take him before a magistrate. + +During the day we gathered the following information:-- + +Mr. C. had been a planter for thirty-six years. He has had charge of the +estate on which he now resides ten years. He is the attorney for two +other large estates a few miles from this, and has under his +superintendence, in all, more than a thousand apprenticed laborers. This +estate consists of six hundred and sixty-six acres of land, most of +which is under cultivation either in cane or provisions, and has on it +three hundred apprentices and ninety-two free children. The average +amount of sugar raised on it is two hundred hogsheads of a ton each, but +this year it will amount to at least two hundred and fifty +hogsheads--the largest crop ever taken off since he has been connected +with it. He has planted thirty acres additional this year. The island +has never been under so good cultivation, and is becoming better +every year. + +During our walk round the works, and during the day, he spoke several +times in general terms of the great blessings of emancipation. + +Emancipation is as great a blessing to the master as to the slave. +"Why," exclaimed Mr. C., "it was emancipation to me. I assure you the +first of August brought a great, _great_ relief to me. I felt myself, +for the first time, a freeman on that day. You cannot imagine the +responsibilities and anxieties which were swept away with the extinction +of slavery." + +There were many unpleasant and annoying circumstances attending slavery, +which had a most pernicious effect on the master. There was continual +jealousy and suspicion between him and those under him. They looked on +each other as sworn enemies, and there was kept up a continual system of +plotting and counterplotting. Then there was the flogging, which was a +matter of course through the island. To strike a slave was as common as +to strike a horse--then the punishments were inflicted so unjustly, in +innumerable instances, that the poor victims knew no more why they were +punished than the dead in their graves. The master would be a little +ill--he had taken a cold, perhaps, and felt irritable--something were +wrong--his passion was up, and away went some poor fellow to the +whipping post. The slightest offence at such a moment, though it might +have passed unnoticed at another time, would meet with the severest +punishment. He said he himself had more than once ordered his slaves to +be flogged in a passion, and after he became cool he would have given +guineas not to have done it. Many a night had he been kept awake in +thinking of some poor fellow whom he had shut up in the dungeon, and had +rejoiced when daylight came. He feared lest the slave might die before +morning; either cut his throat or dash his head against the wall in his +desperation. He has known such cases to occur. + +The apprenticeship will not have so beneficial an effect as he hoped it +would, on account of an indisposition on the part of many of the +planters to abide by its regulations. The planters generally are doing +very little to prepare the apprentices for freedom; but some are doing +very much to unprepare them. They are driving the people from them by +their conduct. + +Mr. C. said he often wished for emancipation. There were several other +planters among his acquaintance who had the same feelings, but did not +dare express them. Most of the planters, however, were violently +opposed. Many of them declared that emancipation could not and should +not take place. So obstinate were they, that they would have sworn on +the 31st of July, 1831, that emancipation could not happen. _These very +men now see and acknowledge the benefits which have resulted from the +new system_. + +The first of August passed off very quietly. The people labored on that +day as usual, and had a stranger gone over the island, he would not have +suspected any change had taken place. Mr. C. did not expect his people +would go to work that day. He told them what the conditions of the new +system were, and that after the first of August, they would be required +to turn out to work at six o'clock instead of five o'clock as before. At +the appointed hour every man was at his post in the field. Not one +individual was missing. + +The apprentices do more work in the nine hours required by law, than in +twelve hours during slavery. + +His apprentices are perfectly willing to work for him during their own +time. He pays them at the rate of twenty-five cents a day. The people +are less quarrelsome than when they were slaves. + +About eight o'clock in the evening, Mr. C. invited us to step out into +the piazza. Pointing to the houses of the laborers, which were crowded +thickly together, and almost concealed by the cocoa-nut and calabash +trees around them, he said, "there are probably more than four hundred +people in that village. All my own laborers, with their free children, +are retired for the night, and with them are many from the neighboring +estates." We listened, but all was still, save here and there a low +whistle from some of the watchmen. He said that night was a specimen of +every night now. But it had not always been so. During slavery these +villages were oftentimes a scene of bickering, revelry, and contention. +One might hear the inmates reveling and shouting till midnight. +Sometimes it would be kept up till morning. Such scenes have much +decreased, and instead of the obscene and heathen songs which they used +to sing, they are learning hymns from the lips of their children. + +The apprentices are more trusty. They are more faithful in work which is +given them to do. They take more interest in the prosperity of the +estate generally, in seeing that things are kept in order, and that the +property is not destroyed. + +They are more open-hearted. Formerly they used to shrink before the eyes +of the master, and appear afraid to meet him. They would go out of their +way to avoid him, and never were willing to talk with him. They never +liked to have him visit their houses; they looked on him as a spy, and +always expected a reprimand, or perhaps a flogging. Now they look up +cheerfully when they meet him, and a visit to their homes is esteemed a +favor. Mr. C. has more confidence in his people than he ever had before. + +There is less theft than during slavery. This is caused by greater +respect for character, and the protection afforded to property by law. +For a slave to steal from his master was never considered wrong, but +rather a meritorious act. He who could rob the most without being +detected was the best fellow. The blacks in several of the islands have +a proverb, that for a thief to steal from a thief makes God laugh. + +The blacks have a great respect for, and even fear of law. Mr. C. +believes no people on earth are more influenced by it. They regard the +same punishment, inflicted by a magistrate, much more than when +inflicted by their master. Law is a kind of deity to them, and they +regard it with great reverence and awe. + +There is no insecurity now. Before emancipation there was a continual +fear of insurrection. Mr. C. said he had lain down in bed many a night +fearing that his throat would be cut before morning. He has started up +often from a dream in which he thought his room was filled with armed +slaves. But when the abolition bill passed, his fears all passed away. +He felt assured there would be no trouble then. The motive to +insurrection was taken away. As for the cutting of throats, or insult +and violence in any way, he never suspects it. He never thinks of +fastening his door at night now. As we were retiring to bed he looked +round the room in which we had been sitting, where every thing spoke of +serenity and confidence--doors and windows open, and books and plate +scattered about on the tables and sideboards. "You see things now," he +said, "just as we leave them every night, but you would have seen quite +a different scene had you come here a few years ago." + +_Mr. C. thinks the slaves of Barbadoes might have been entirely and +immediately emancipated as well as those of Antigua._ The results, he +doubts not, would have been the same. + +He has no fear of disturbance or insubordination in 1840. He has no +doubt that the people will work. That there may be a little unsettled, +excited, _experimenting_ feeling for a short time, he thinks +probable--but feels confident that things generally will move on +peaceably and prosperously. He looks with much more anxiety to the +emancipation of the non-praedials in 1838. + +There is no disposition among the apprentices to revenge their wrongs. +Mr. C. feels the utmost security both of person and property. + +The slaves were very much excited by the discussions in England. They +were well acquainted, with them, and looked and longed for the result. +They watched every arrival of the packet with great anxiety. The people +on his estate often knew its arrival before he did. One of his daughters +remarked, that she could see their hopes flashing from their eyes. They +manifested, however, no disposition to rebel, waiting in anxious but +quiet hope for their release. Yet Mr. C. had no doubt, that if +parliament had thrown out the emancipation bill, and all measures had +ceased for their relief, there would have been a general +insurrection.--While there was hope they remained peaceable, but had +hope been destroyed it would have been buried in blood. + +There was some dissatisfaction among the blacks with the apprenticeship. +They thought they ought to be entirely free, and that their masters were +deceiving them. They could not at first understand the conditions of the +new system--there was some murmuring among them, but they thought it +better, however, to wait six years for the boon, than to run the risk of +losing it altogether by revolt. + +The expenses of the apprenticeship are about the same as during slavery. +But under the free system, Mr. C. has no doubt they will be much less. +He has made a calculation of the expenses of cultivating the estate on +which he resides for one year during slavery, and what they will +probably be for one year under the free system. He finds the latter are +less by about $3,000. + +Real estate has increased in value more than thirty per rent. There is +greater confidence in the security of property. Instances were related +to us of estates that could not be sold at any price before +emancipation, that within the last two years have been disposed of at +great prices. + +The complaints to the magistrates, on the part of the planters, were +very numerous at first, but have greatly diminished. They are of the +most trivial and even ludicrous character. One of the magistrates says +the greater part of the cases that come before him are from old women +who cannot get their coffee early enough in the morning! and for +offences of equal importance. + +Prejudice has much diminished since emancipation. The discussions in +England prior to that period had done much to soften it down, but the +abolition of slavery has given it its death blow. + +Such is a rapid sketch of the various topics touched upon during our +interview with Mr. C. and his family. + +Before we left the hospitable mansion of Lear's, we had the pleasure of +meeting a company of gentlemen at dinner. With the exception of one, who +was provost-marshal, they were merchants of Bridgetown. These gentlemen +expressed their full concurrence in the statements of Mr. C., and gave +additional testimony equally valuable. + +Mr. W., the provost-marshal, stated that he had the supervision of the +public jail, and enjoyed the best opportunity of knowing the state of +crime, and he was confident that there was a less amount of crime since +emancipation than before. He also spoke of the increasing attention +which the negroes paid to neatness of dress and personal appearance. + +The company broke up about nine o'clock, but not until we had seen ample +evidence of the friendly feelings of all the gentlemen toward our +object. There was not a single dissenting voice to any of the statements +made, or any of the sentiments expressed. This fact shows that the +prevailing feeling is in favor of freedom, and that too on the score of +policy and self-interest. + +Dinner parties are in one sense a very safe pulse in all matters of +general interest. They rarely beat faster than the heart of the +community. No subject is likely to be introduced amid the festivities of +a fashionable circle, until it is fully endorsed by public sentiment. + +Through the urgency of Mr. C., we were induced to remain all night. +Early the next morning, he proposed a ride before breakfast to Scotland. +Scotland is the name given to an abrupt, hilly section, in the north of +the island. It is about five miles from Mr. C.'s, and nine from +Bridgetown. In approaching, the prospect bursts suddenly upon the eye, +extorting an involuntary exclamation of surprise. After riding for +miles, through a country which gradually swells into slight elevations, +or sweeps away in rolling plains, covered with cane, yams, potatoes, +eddoes, corn, and grass, alternately, and laid out with the regularity +of a garden; after admiring the cultivation, beauty, and skill exhibited +on every hand, until almost wearied with viewing the creations of art; +the eye at once falls upon a scene in which is crowded all the wildness +and abruptness of nature in one of her most freakish moods--a scene +which seems to defy the hand of cultivation and the graces of art. We +ascended a hill on the border of this section, which afforded us a +complete view. To describe it in one sentence, it is an immense basin, +from two to three miles in diameter at the top, the edges of which are +composed of ragged hills, and the sides and bottom of which are +diversified with myriads of little hillocks and corresponding +indentations. Here and there is a small sugar estate in the bottom, and +cultivation extends some distance up the sides, though this is at +considerable risk, for not infrequently, large tracts of soil, covered +with cane or provisions, slide down, over-spreading the crops below, and +destroying those which they carry with them. + +Mr. C. pointed to the opposite side of the basin to a small group of +stunted trees, which he said were the last remains of the Barbadoes +forests. In the midst of them there is a boiling spring of considerable +notoriety. + +In another direction, amid the rugged precipices, Mr. C. pointed out the +residences of a number of poor white families, whom he described as the +most degraded, vicious, and abandoned people in the island--"very far +below the negroes." They live promiscuously, are drunken, licentious, +and poverty-stricken,--a body of most squalid and miserable +human beings. + +From the height on which we stood, we could see the ocean nearly around +the island, and on our right and left, overlooking the basin below us, +rose the two highest points of land of which Barbadoes can boast. The +white marl about their naked tops gives them a bleak and desolate +appearance, which contrasts gloomily with the verdure of the surrounding +cultivation. + +After we had fully gratified ourselves with viewing the miniature +representation of old Scotia, we descended again into the road, and +returned to Lear's. We passed numbers of men and women going towards +town with loads of various kinds of provisions on their heads. Some were +black, and others were white--of the same class whose huts had just been +shown us amid the hills and ravines of Scotland. We observed that the +latter were barefoot, and carried their loads on their heads precisely +like the former. As we passed these busy pedestrians, the blacks almost +uniformly courtesied or spoke; but the whites did not appear to notice +us. Mr. C inquired whether we were not struck with this difference in +the conduct of the two people, remarking that he had always observed it. +It is very seldom, said he, that I meet a negro who does not speak to me +politely; but this class of whites either pass along without looking up, +or cast a half-vacant, rude stare into one's face, without opening their +mouths. Yet this people, he added, veriest raggamuffins that they are, +despise the negroes, and consider it quite degrading to put themselves +on term of equity with them. They will beg of blacks more provident and +industrious than themselves, or they will steal their poultry and rob +their provision grounds at night; but they would disdain to associate +with them. Doubtless these _sans culottes_ swell in their dangling rags +with the haughty consciousness that they possess _white skins_. What +proud reflections they must have, as they pursue their barefoot way, +thinking on their high lineage, and running back through the long list +of their illustrious ancestry whose notable badge was a _white skin_! No +wonder they cannot stop to bow to the passing stranger. These sprouts of +the Caucasian race are known among the Barbadians by the rather +ungracious name of _Red Shanks_. They are considered the pest of the +island, and are far more troublesome to the police, in proportion to +their members, than the apprentices. They are estimated at about +eight thousand. + +The origin of this population we learned was the following: It has long +been a law in Barbadoes, that each proprietor should provide a white man +for every sixty slaves in his possession, and give him an acre of land, +a house, and arms requisite for defence of the island in case of +insurrection. This caused an importation of poor whites from Ireland and +England, and their number has been gradually increasing until the +present time. + +During our stay of nearly two days with Mr. C., there was nothing to +which he so often alluded as to the security from danger which was now +enjoyed by the planters. As he sat in his parlor, surrounded by his +affectionate family, the sense of personal and domestic security +appeared to be a luxury to him. He repeatedly expressed himself +substantially thus: "During the existence of slavery, how often have I +retired to bed _fearing_ _that I should have my throat cut before +morning_, but _now_ the danger is all over." + +We took leave of Lear's, after a protracted visit, not without a +pressing invitation from Mr. C. to call again. + +SECOND VISIT TO LEAR'S. + +The following week, on Saturday afternoon, we received a note from Mr. +C., inviting us to spend the Sabbath at Lear's, where we might attend +service at a neighboring chapel, and see a congregation composed chiefly +of apprentices. On our arrival, we received a welcome from the +residents, which reassured us of their sympathy in our object. We joined +the family circle around the centre table, and spent the evening in free +conversation on the subject of slavery. + +During the evening Mr. C. stated, that he had lately met with a planter +who, for some years previous to emancipation, and indeed up to the very +event, maintained that it was utterly impossible for such a thing ever +to take place. The mother country, he said, could not be so mad as to +take a step which must inevitably ruin the colonies. _Now_, said Mr. C., +this planter would be one of the last in the island to vote for a +restoration of slavery; nay, he even wishes to have the apprenticeship +terminated at once, and entire freedom given to the people. Such changes +as this were very common. + +Mr. C. remarked that during slavery, if the negro ventured to express an +opinion about any point of management, he was met at once with a +reprimand. If one should say, "I think such a course would he best," or, +"Such a field of cane is fit for cutting," the reply would be, "_Think_! +you have no right to think any thing about it. _Do as I bid you_." Mr. +C. confessed frankly, that he had often used such language himself. Yet +at the same time that he affected such contempt for the opinions of the +slaves, he used to go around secretly among the negro houses at night to +overhear their conversation, and ascertain their views. Sometimes he +received very valuable suggestions from them, which he was glad to avail +himself of, though he was careful not to acknowledge their origin. + +Soon after supper, Miss E., one of Mr. C.'s daughters, retired for the +purpose of teaching a class of colored children which came to her on +Wednesday and Saturday nights. A sister of Miss E. has a class on the +same days at noon. + +During the evening we requested the favor of seeing Miss E.'s school. We +were conducted by a flight of stairs into the basement story, where we +found her sitting in a small recess, and surrounded by a dozen negro +girls; from the ages of eight to fifteen. She was instructing them from +the Testament, which most of them could read fluently. She afterwards +heard them recite some passages which they had committed to memory, and +interspersed the recitations with appropriate remarks of advice and +exhortation. + +It is to be remarked that Miss E. commenced instructing after the +abolition; before that event the idea of such an employment would have +been rejected as degrading. + +At ten o'clock on Sabbath morning, we drove to the chapel of the parish, +which is a mile and a half from Lear's. It contains seats for five +hundred persons. The body of the house is appropriated to the +apprentices. There were upwards of four hundred persons, mostly +apprentices, present, and a more quiet and attentive congregation we +have seldom seen. The people were neatly dressed. A great number of the +men wore black or blue cloth. The females were generally dressed in +white. The choir was composed entirely of blacks, and sung with +characteristic excellence. + +There was so much intelligence in the countenances of the people, that +we could scarcely believe we were looking on a congregation of lately +emancipated slaves. + +We returned to Lear's. Mr. C. noticed the change which has taken place +in the observance of the Sabbath since emancipation. Formerly the smoke +would be often seen at this time of day pouring from the chimneys of the +boiling-houses; but such a sight has not been seen since slavery +disappeared. + +Sunday used to be the day for the negroes to work on their grounds; now +it is a rare thing for them to do so. Sunday markets also prevailed +throughout the island, until the abolition of slavery. + +Mr. C. continued to speak of slavery. "I sometimes wonder," said he, "at +myself, when I think how long I was connected with slavery; but +self-interest and custom blinded me to its enormities." Taking a short +walk towards sunset, we found ourselves on the margin of a beautiful +pond, in which myriads of small gold fishes were disporting--now +circling about in rapid evolutions, and anon leaping above the surface, +and displaying their brilliant sides in the rays of the setting sun. +When we had watched for some moments their happy gambols, Mr. C. turned +around and broke a twig from a bush that stood behind us; "_there is a +bush_," said he, "_which has committed many a murder_." On requesting +him to explain, he said, that the root of it was a most deadly poison, +and that the slave women used to make a decoction of it and give to +their infants to destroy them; many a child had been murdered in this +way. Mothers would kill their children, rather than see them _grow up to +be slaves_. "Ah," he continued, in a solemn tone, pausing a moment and +looking at us in a most earnest manner, "I could write a book about the +evils of slavery. I could write a book about these things." + +What a volume of blackness and blood![A] + +[Footnote A: We are here reminded of a fact stated by Mr. C. on another +occasion. He said, that he once attended at the death of a planter who +had been noted for his severity to his slaves. It was the most horrid +scene he ever witnessed. For hours before his death he was in the +extremest agony, and the only words which he uttered were, "Africa. O +Africa!" These words he repeated every few minutes, till he died. And +such a ghastly countenance, such distortions of the muscles, such a +hellish glare of the eye, and such convulsions of the body--it made him +shudder to think of them.] + +When we arose on Monday morning, the daylight has scarcely broken. On +looking out of the window, we saw the mill slowly moving in the wind, +and the field gang were going out to their daily work. Surely, we +thought, this does not look much like the laziness and insubordination +of freed negroes. After dressing, we walked down to the mill, to have +some conversation with the people. They all bade us a cordial "good +mornin'." The _tender_ of the mill was an old man, whose despised locks +were gray and thin, and on whose brow the hands of time and sorrow had +written many effaceless lines. He appeared hale and cheerful, and +answered our questions in distinct intelligible language. We asked him +how they were all getting along under the new system. "Very well, +massa," said he, "very well, thank God. All peaceable and good." "Do you +like the apprenticeship better then slavery?" "Great deal better, massa; +we is doing well now." "You like the apprenticeship as well as freedom, +don't you?" "O _no_ me massa, freedom _till better_." + +"What will you do when you are entirely free?" + +"We must work; all have to work when de free come, white and black." +"You are old, and will not enjoy freedom long; why do you wish for +freedom, then?" "Me want to _die_ free, massa--good ting to die free, +and me want to see _children_ free too." + +We continued at Lear's during Monday, to be in readiness for a tour to +the windward of the island, which Mr. C. had projected for us, and on +which we were to set out early the next morning. In the course of the +day we had opportunities of seeing the apprentices in almost every +situation--in the field, at the mill, in the boiling-house, moving to +and from work, and at rest. In every aspect in which we viewed them, +they appeared cheerful, amiable, and easy of control. It was admirable +to see with what ease and regularity every thing moved. An estate of +nearly seven hundred acres, with extensive agriculture, and a large +manufactory and distillery, employing three hundred apprentices, and +supporting twenty-five horses, one hundred and thirty head of horned +cattle, and hogs, sheep; and poultry in proportion, is manifestly a most +complicated machinery. No wonder it should have been difficult to manage +during slavery, when the main spring was absent, and every wheel out +of gear. + +We saw the apprentices assemble after twelve o'clock, to receive their +allowances of yams. These provisions are distributed to them twice every +week--on Monday and Thursday. They were strewed along the yard in heaps +of fifteen pounds each. The apprentices came with baskets to get their +allowances. It resembled a market scene, much chattering and talking, +but no anger. Each man, woman, and child, as they got their baskets +filled, placed them of their heads, and marched off to their +several huts. + +On Tuesday morning, at an early hour, Mr. C. took us in his phaeton on +our projected excursion. It was a beautiful morning. There was a full +breeze from the east, which had already started the ponderous wings of +the wind-mills, in every direction. The sun was shaded by light clouds, +which rendered the air quite cool. Crossing the rich valley in which the +Bell estate and other noble properties are situated, we ascended the +cliffs of St. John's--a ridge extending through the parish of that name +and as we rode along its top, eastward, we had a delightful view of sea +and land. Below us on either hand lay vast estates glowing in the, +verdure of summer, and on three sides in the distance stretched the +ocean. Rich swells of land, cultivated and blooming like a vast garden, +extended to the north as far as the eye could reach, and on every other +side down to the water's edge. One who has been accustomed to the +wildness of American scenery, and to the imperfect cultivation, +intercepted with woodland, which yet characterizes the even the oldest +portions of the United States, might revel for a time amid the sunny +meadows. The waving cane fields, the verdant provision grounds, the +acres of rich black soil without a blade of grass, and divided into beds +two feet square for the cane plants with the precision almost of the +cells of a honey comb; and withal he might be charmed with the luxurious +mansions--more luxurious than superb--surrounded with the white cedar, +the cocoa-nut tree, and the tall, rich mountain cabbage--the most +beautiful of all tropical trees; but perchance it would not require a +very long excursion to weary him with the artificiality of the scenery, +and cause him to sigh for the "woods and wilds," the "banks and braes," +of his own majestic country. + +After an hour and a half's drive, we reached Colliton estate, where we +were engaged to breakfast. We met a hearty welcome from the manager, +Samuel Hinkston, Esq. we were soon joined by several gentlemen whom Mr. +H. had invited to take breakfast with us; these were the Rev. Mr. +Gittens, rector of St. Philip's parish, (in which Colliton estate is +situated,) and member of the colonial council; Mr. Thomas, an extensive +attorney of Barbadoes; and Dr. Bell, a planter of Demerara--then on a +visit to the island. We conversed with each of the gentlemen separately, +and obtained their individual views respecting emancipation. + +Mr. Hinkston has been a planter for thirty-six years, and is highly +esteemed throughout the island. The estate which he manages, ranks among +the first in the island. It comprises six hundred acres of superior +land, has a population of two hundred apprentices, and yields an average +crop of one hundred and eighty hogsheads. Together with his long +experience and standing as a planter, Mr. H. has been for many years +local magistrate for the parish in which he resides. From these +circumstances combined, we are induced to give his opinions on a variety +of points. + +1. He remarked that the planters were getting along _infinitely_ better +under the new system than they ever did under the old. Instead of +regretting that the change had taken place, he is looking forward with +pleasure to a better change in 1840, and he only regrets that it is not +to come sooner. + +2. Mr. H. said it was generally conceded that the island was never under +better cultivation than at the present time. The crops for this year +will exceed the average by several thousand hogsheads. The canes were +planted in good season, and well attended to afterwards. + +3. Real estate has risen very much since emancipation. Mr. H. stated +that he had lately purchased a small sugar estate, for which he was +obliged to give several hundred pounds more than it would have cost him +before 1834. + +4. There is not the least sense of insecurity now. Before emancipation +there was much fear of insurrection, but that fear passed away +with slavery. + +5. The prospect for 1840 is good. That people have no fear of ruin after +emancipation, is proved by the building of sugar works on estates which +never had any before, and which were obliged to cart their canes to +neighbouring estates to have them ground and manufactured. There are +also numerous improvements making on the larger estates. Mr. H. is +preparing to make a new mill and boiling-house on Colliton, and other +planters are doing the same. Arrangements are making too in various +directions to build new negro villages on a more commodious plan. + +6. Mr. H. says he finds his apprentices perfectly ready to work for +wages during their own time. Whenever he needs their labor on Saturday, +he has only to ask them, and they are ready to go to the mill, or field +at once. There has not been an instance on Colliton estate in which the +apprentices have refused to work, either during the hours required by +law, or during their own time. When he does not need their services on +Saturday, they either hire themselves to other estates or work on their +own grounds. + +7. Mr. H. was ready to say, both as a planter and a magistrate, that +vice and crime generally had decreased, and were still on the decrease. +Petty thefts are the principal offences. He has not had occasion to send +a single apprentice to the court of sessions for the last six months. + +8. He has no difficulty in managing his people--far less than he did +when they were slaves. It is very seldom that he finds it necessary to +call in the aid of the special magistrate. Conciliatory treatment is +generally sufficient to maintain order and industry among the +apprentices. + +9. He affirms that the negroes have no disposition to be revengeful. He +has never seen any thing like revenge. + +10. His people are as far removed from insolence as from vindictiveness. +They have been uniformly civil. + +11. His apprentices have more interest in the affairs of the estate, and +he puts more confidence in them than he ever did before. + +12. He declares that the working of the apprenticeship, as also that of +entire freedom, depends entirely on the _planters_. If they act with +common humanity and reason, there is no fear but that the apprentices +will be peaceable. + +Mr. Thomas is attorney for fifteen estates, on which there are upwards +of two thousand five hundred apprentices. We were informed that he had +been distinguished as a _severe disciplinarian_ under the old reign, or +in plain terms, had been a _cruel man and a hard driver_; but he was one +of those who, since emancipation, have turned about and conformed their +mode of treatment to the new system. In reply to our inquiry how the +present system was working, he said, "infinitely better (such was his +language) than slavery. I succeed better on all the estates under my +charge than I did formerly. I have far less difficulty with the people. +I have no reason to complain of their conduct. However, I think they +will do still better after 1840." + +We made some inquiries of Dr. Bell concerning the results of abolition +in Demerara. He gave a decidedly flattering account of the working of +the apprenticeship system. No fears are entertained that Demerara will +be ruined after 1840. On the contrary it will be greatly benefited by +emancipation. It is now suffering from a want of laborers, and after +1840 there will be an increased emigration to that colony from the older +and less productive colonies. The planters of Demerara are making +arrangements for cultivating sugar on a larger scale than ever before. +Estates are selling at very high prices. Every thing indicates the +fullest confidence on the part of the planters that the prosperity of +the colony will not only be permanent, but progressive. + +After breakfast we proceeded to the Society's estate. We were glad to +see this estate, as its history is peculiar. In 1726 it was bequeathed +by General Coddington to a society in England, called "The Society for +the promotion of Christian Knowledge." The proceeds of the estate were +to be applied to the support of an institution in Barbadoes, for +educating missionaries of the established order. Some of the provisions +of the will were that the estate should always have three hundred slaves +upon it; that it should support a school for the education of the negro +children who were to be taught a portion of every day until they were +twelve years old, when they were to go into the field; and that there +should be a chapel built upon it. The negroes belonging to the estate +have for upwards of a hundred years been under this kind of instruction. +They have all been taught to read, though in many instances they have +forgotten all they learned, having no opportunity to improve after they +left school. They enjoy some other comforts peculiar to the Society's +estate. They have neat cottages built apart--each on a half-acre lot, +which belongs to the apprentice and for the cultivation of which he is a +allowed one day out of the five working days. Another peculiarity is, +that the men and women work in separate gangs. + +At this estate we procured horses to ride to the College. We rode by the +chapel and school-house belonging to the Society's estate which are +situated on the row of a high hill. From the same hill we caught a view +of Coddrington college, which is situated on a low bottom extending from +the foot of the rocky cliff on which we stood to the sea shore, a space +of quarter of a mile. It is a long, narrow, ill-constructed edifice. + +We called on the principal, Rev. Mr. Jones, who received us very +cordially, and conducted us over the buildings and the grounds connected +with them. The college is large enough to accommodate a hundred +students. It is fitted out with lodging rooms, various professors' +departments, dining hall, chapel, library, and all the appurtenances of +a university. The number of student at the close of the last term was +_fifteen_. + +The professors, two in number, are supported by a fund, consisting of +£40,000 sterling, which has in part accumulated from the revenue of +the estate. + +The principal spoke favorably of the operation of the apprenticeship in +Barbadoes, and gave the negroes a decided superiority over the lower +class of whites. He had seen only one colored beggar since he came to +the island, but he was infested with multitudes of white ones. + +It is intended to improve the college buildings as soon as the toil of +apprentices on the Society's estate furnishes the requisite means. This +robbing of God's image to promote education is horrible enough, taking +the wages of slavery to spread the kingdom of Christ! + +On re-ascending the hill, we called at the Society's school. There are +usually in attendance about one hundred children, since the abolition of +slavery. Near the school-house is the chapel of the estate, a neat +building, capable of holding three or four hundred people. Adjacent to +the chapel is the burial ground for the negroes belonging to the +Society's estate. We noticed several neat tombs, which appeared to have +been erected only a short time previous. They were built of brick, and +covered over with lime, so as to resemble white marble slabs. On being +told that these were erected by the negroes themselves over the bodies +of their friends, we could not fail to note so beautiful an evidence of +their civilization and humanity. We returned to the Society's estate, +where we exchanged our saddles for the phaeton, and proceeded on our +eastward tour. + +Mr. C. took us out of the way a few miles to show us one of the few +curiosities of which Barbadoes can boast. It is called the "Horse." The +shore for some distance is a high and precipitous ledge of rocks, which +overhangs the sea in broken cliffs. In one place a huge mass has been +riven from the main body of rock and fallen into the sea. Other huge +fragments have been broken off in the same manner. In the midst of +these, a number of steps have been cut in the rock for the purpose of +descending to the sea. At the bottom of these steps, there is a broad +platform of solid rock, where one may stand securely, and hear the waves +breaking around him like heavy thunders. Through the fissures we could +see the foam and spray mingling with the blue of the ocean, and flashing +in the sunshine. To the right, between the largest rock and the main +land, there is a chamber of about ten feet wide, and twenty feet long. +The fragment, which forms one of its sides, leans towards the main rock, +and touches it at top, forming a roof, with here and there a fissure, +through which the light enters. At the bottom of the room there is a +clear bed of water, which communicates with the sea by a small aperture +under the rock. It is as placid as a summer pond, and is fitted with +steps for a bathing place. Bathe, truly! with the sea ever dashing +against the side, and roaring and reverberating with deafening echo. + +On a granite slab, fixed in the side of the rock at the bottom of the +first descent is an inscription. Time has very much effaced the letters, +but by the aid of Mr. C.'s memory, we succeeded in deciphering them. +They will serve as the hundred and first exemplification of the +Bonapartean maxim--"There is but one step from the sublime to the +ridiculous." + + "In this remote, and hoarse resounding place, + Which billows clash, and craggy cliffs embrace, + These babbling springs amid such horrors rise, + But armed with virtue, horrors we despise. + Bathe undismayed, nor dread the impending rock, + 'Tis virtue shields us from each adverse shock. + + GENIO LOCI SACRUM POSUIT + J.R. + MARTIS MENSE + 1769" + +From the "Crane," which is the name given to that section of the country +in which the "Horse" is situated, we bent our way in a southerly +direction to the Ridge estate, which was about eight miles distant, +where we had engaged to dine. On the way we passed an estate which had +just been on fire. The apprentices, fearing lest their houses should be +burnt, had carried away all the moveables from them, and deposited them +in separate heaps, on a newly ploughed field. The very doors and window +shutters had been torn off and carried into the field, several acres of +which were strewed over with piles of such furniture. Mr. C. was +scarcely less struck with this scene than we were, and he assured us +that he had never known such providence manifested on a similar occasion +during slavery. + +At the Ridge estate we met Mr. Clarke, manager at Staple Grove estate, +Mr. Applewhitte of Carton, and a brother of Mr. C. The manager, Mr. +Cecil, received us with the customary cordiality. + +Mr. Clarke is the manager of an estate on which there are two hundred +apprentices. His testimony was, that the estate was better cultivated +since abolition than before, and that it is far easier to control the +laborers, and secure uniformity of labor under the present system. He +qualified this remark, by saying, that if harsh or violent measures were +used, there would be more difficulty now than during slavery; but kind +treatment and a conciliatory spirit never failed to secure peace and +industry. At the time of abolition, Mr. C. owned ten slaves, whom he +entirely emancipated. Some of these still remain with him as domestics; +others are hired on an adjoining estate. One of those who left him to +work on another estate, said to him, "Massa, whenever you want anybody +to help you, send to me, and I'll come. It makes no odds when it +is--I'll be ready at any time--day or night." Mr. C. declared himself +thoroughly convinced of the propriety of immediate emancipation; though +he was once a violent opposer of abolition. He said, that if he had the +power, be would emancipate every apprentice on his estate to-morrow. As +we were in the sugar-house examining the quality of the sugar, Mr. C. +turned to one of us, and putting his hand on a hogshead, said, "You do +not raise this article in your state, (Kentucky,) I believe." On being +answered in the negative, he continued, "Well, we will excuse you, then, +somewhat in your state--you can't treat your slaves so cruelly there. +_This, this_ is the dreadful thing! Wherever sugar is cultivated by +slaves, there is extreme suffering." + +Mr. Applewhitte said emphatically, that there was no danger in entire +emancipation. He was the proprietor of more than a hundred apprentices +and he would like to see them all free at once. + +During a long sitting at the dinner table, emancipation was the topic, +and we were gratified with the perfect unanimity of sentiment among +these planters. After the cloth was removed, and we were about leaving +the table, Mr. Clarke begged leave to propose a toast. Accordingly, the +glasses of the planters were once more filled, and Mr. C., bowing to us, +gave our health, and "success to our laudable undertaking,"--"_most_ +laudable undertaking," added Mr. Applewhitte, and the glasses were +emptied. Had the glasses contained water instead of wine, our +gratification would have been complete. It was a thing altogether beyond +our most sanguine expectations, that a company of planters, all of whom +were but three years previous the actual oppressors of the slave, should +be found wishing success to the cause of emancipation. + +At half past eight o'clock, we resumed our seats in Mr. C.'s phaeton, +and by the nearest route across the country, returned to Lear's. Mr. C. +entertained us by the way with eulogies upon the industry and +faithfulness of his apprentices. It was, he said, one of the greatest +pleasures he experienced, to visit the different estates under his +charge, and witness the respect and affection which the apprentices +entertained towards him. Their joyful welcome, their kind attentions +during his stay with them, and their hearty 'good-bye, massa,' when he +left, delighted him. + +VISIT TO COLONEL ASHBY'S. + +We were kindly invited to spend a day at the mansion of Colonel Ashby, +an aged and experienced planter, who is the proprietor of the estate on +which he resides. Colonel A.'s estate is situated in the parish of +Christ Church, and is almost on the extreme point of a promontory, which +forms the southernmost part of the island. An early and pleasant drive +of nine miles from Bridgetown, along the southeastern coast of the +island, brought us to his residence. Colonel A. is a native of +Barbadoes, has been a practical planter since 1795, and for a long time +a colonial magistrate, and commander of the parish troops. His present +estate contains three hundred and fifty acres, and has upon it two +hundred and thirty apprentices, with a large number of free children. +His average crop is eighty large hogsheads. Colonel A. remarked to us, +that he had witnessed many cruelties and enormities under "the reign of +terror." He said, that the abolition of slavery had been an incalculable +blessing, but added, that he had not always entertained the same views +respecting emancipation. Before it took place, he was a violent opposer +of any measure tending to abolition. He regarded the English +abolitionists, and the anti-slavery members in parliament, with +unmingled hatred. He had often cursed Wilberforce most bitterly, and +thought that no doom either in this life, or in the life to come, was +too bad for him. "But," he exclaimed, "how mistaken I was about that +man--I am convinced of it now--O he was a good man--_a noble +philanthropist_!--_if there is a chair in heaven, Wilberforce is in +it_!" Colonel A. is somewhat sceptical, which will account for his +hypothetical manner of speaking about heaven. + +He said that he found no trouble in managing his apprentices. As local +or colonial magistrate, in which capacity he still continued to act he +had no cases of serious crime to adjudicate, and very few cases of petty +misdemeanor. Colonel A. stated emphatically, that the negroes were not +disposed to leave their employment, unless the master was intolerably +passionate and hard with them; as for himself, he did not fear losing a +single laborer after 1840. + +He dwelt much on the trustiness and strong attachment of the negroes, +where they are well treated. There were no people in the world that he +would trust his property or life with sooner than negroes, provided he +had the previous management of them long enough to secure their +confidence. He stated the following fact in confirmation of this +sentiment. During the memorable insurrection of 1816, by which the +neighboring parishes were dreadfully ravaged, he was suddenly called +from home on military duty. After he had proceeded some distance, he +recollected that he had left five thousand dollars in an open desk at +home. He immediately told the fact to his slave who was with him, and +sent him back to take care of it. He knew nothing more of his money +until the rebellion was quelled, and peace restored. On returning home, +the slave led him to a cocoa-nut tree near by the house, and dug up the +money, which he had buried under its roots. He found the whole sum +secure. The negro, he said, might have taken the money, and he would +never have suspected him, but would have concluded that it had been, in +common with other larger sums, seized upon by the insurgents. Colonel A. +said that it was impossible for him to mistrust the negroes as a body. +He spoke in terms of praise also of the _conjugal attachment_ of the +negroes. His son, a merchant, stated a fact on this subject. The wife of +a negro man whom he knew, became afflicted with that loathsome disease, +the leprosy. The man continued to live with her, notwithstanding the +disease was universally considered contagious and was peculiarly dreaded +by the negroes. The man on being asked why he lived with his wife under +such circumstances, said, that he had lived with her when she was well, +and he could not bear to forsake her when she was in distress. + +Colonel A. made numerous inquiries respecting slavery in America. He +said there certainly be insurrections in the slaveholding states, unless +slavery was abolished. Nothing but abolition could put an end to +insurrections. + +Mr. Thomas, a neighboring planter, dined with us. He had not carried a +complaint to the special magistrate against his apprentices for six +months. He remarked particularly that emancipation had been a great +blessing to the master; it brought freedom to him as well as to +the slave. + +A few days subsequent to our visit to Colonel A.'s, the Reverend Mr. +Packer, of the Established Church, called at our lodgings, and +introduced a planter from the parish of St. Thomas. The planter is +proprietor of an estate, and has eighty apprentices. His apprentices +conduct themselves very satisfactorily, and he had not carried a half +dozen complaints to the special magistrate since 1831. He said that +cases of crime were very rare, as he had opportunity of knowing, being +local magistrate. There were almost no penal offences brought before +him. Many of the apprentices of St. Thomas parish were buying their +freedom, and there were several cases of appraisement[A] every week. The +Monday previous, six cases came before him, in four of which the +apprentices paid the money on the spot. + +[Footnote A: When an apprentice signifies his wish to purchase his +freedom, he applies to the magistrate for an appraisement. The +appraisement is made by one special and two local magistrates.] + +Before this gentleman left, the Rev. Mr. C. called in with Mr. Pigeot, +another planter, with whom we had a long conversation. Mr. P. has been a +manager for many years. We had heard of him previously as the only +planter in the island who had made an experiment in task work prior to +abolition. He tried it for twenty months before that period on an estate +of four hundred acres and two hundred people. His plan was simply to +give each slave an ordinary day's work for a task; and after that was +performed, the remainder of the time, if any, belonged to the slave. _No +wages were allowed_. The gang were expected to accomplish just as much +as they did before, and to do it as well, however long a time it might +require; and if they could finish in half a day, the other half was +their own, and they might employ it as they saw fit. Mr. P. said, he was +very soon convinced of the good policy of the system; though he had one +of the most unruly gangs of negroes to manage in the whole island. The +results of the experiment he stated to be these: + +1. The usual day's work was done generally before the middle of the +afternoon. Sometimes it was completed in five hours. + +2. The work was done as well as it was ever done under the old system. +Indeed, the estate continued to improve in cultivation, and presented a +far better appearance at the close of the twenty months than when he +took the charge of it. + +3. The trouble of management was greatly diminished. Mr. P. was almost +entirely released from the care of overseeing the work: he could trust +it to the slaves. + +4. The whip was entirely laid aside. The idea of having a part of the +day which they could call their own and employ for their own interests, +was stimulus enough for the slaves without resorting to the whip. + +5. The time gained was not spent (as many feared and prophecied it would +be) either in mischief or indolence. It was diligently improved in +cultivating their provision grounds, or working for wages on neighboring +estates. Frequently a man and his wife would commence early and work +together until they got the work of both so far advanced that the man +could finish it alone before night; and then the woman would gather on a +load of yams and start for the market. + +6. The condition of the people improved astonishingly. They became one +of the most industrious and orderly gangs in the parish. Under the +former system they were considered inadequate to do the work of the +estate, and the manager was obliged to hire additional hands every year, +to take off the crop; but Mr. P. never hired any, though he made as +large crops as were made formerly. + +7. After the abolition of slavery, his people chose to continue on the +same system of task work. + +Mr. P. stated that the planters were universally opposed to his +experiment. They laughed at the idea of making negroes work without +using the whip; and they all prophesied that it would prove an utter +failure. After some months' successful trial, he asked some of his +neighbor planters what they thought of it then, and he appealed to than +to say whether he did not get his work done as thoroughly and seasonably +as they did theirs. They were compelled to admit it; but still they were +opposed to his system, even more than ever. They called it an +_innovation_--it was setting a bad example; and they honestly declared +that they did not wish the slaves to _have any time of their own_. Mr. +P. said, he was first induced to try the system of task work from a +consideration that the negroes were men as well as himself, and deserved +to he dealt with as liberally as their relation would allow. He soon +found that what was intended as a favor to the slaves was really a +benefit to the master. Mr. P. was persuaded that entire freedom would be +better for all parties than apprenticeship. He had heard some fears +expressed concerning the fate of the island after 1840; but he +considered them very absurd. + +Although this planter looked forward with sanguine hopes to 1840, yet he +would freely say that he did not think the apprenticeship would be any +preparation for entire freedom. The single object with the great +majority of the planters seemed to be to _get as much out_ of the +apprentices as they possibly could during the term. No attention had +been paid to preparing the apprentices for freedom. + +We were introduced to a planter who was notorious during the reign of +slavery for the _strictness of his discipline_, to use the Barbadian +phrase, or, in plain English, for his rigorous treatment and +his cruelty. + +He is the proprietor of three sugar estates and one cotton plantation in +Barbadoes, on all of which there are seven hundred apprentices. He was a +luxurious looking personage, bottle-cheeked and huge i' the midst, and +had grown fat on slaveholding indulgences. He mingled with every +sentence he uttered some profane expression, or solemn appeal to his +"honor," and seemed to be greatly delighted with hearing himself talk. +He displayed all those prejudices which might naturally be looked for in +a mind educated and trained as his had been. As to the conduct of the +apprentices, he said they were peaceable and industrious, and mostly +well disposed. But after all, the negroes were a perverse race of +people. It was a singular fact, he said, that the severer the master, +the better the apprentices. When the master was mild and indulgent, they +were sure to be lazy, insolent, and unfaithful. _He knew this by +experience; this was the case with_ his _apprentices_. His house-servants +especially were very bad. But there was one complaint he had against +them all, domestics and praedials--they always hold him to the letter of +the law, and are ready to arraign him before the special magistrate for +every infraction of it on his part, however trifling. How ungrateful, +truly! After being provided for with parental care from earliest +infancy, and supplied yearly with two suits of clothes, and as many yams +is they could eat and only having to work thirteen or fifteen hours per +day in return; and now when they are no longer slaves, and new +privileges are conferred to exact them to the full extent of the law +which secures them--what ingratitude! How soon are the kindnesses of the +past, and the hand that bestowed them, forgotten! Had these people +possessed the sentiments of human beings, they would have been willing +to take the boon of freedom and lay it at their master's feet, +dedicating the remainder of their days to his discretionary service! + +But with all his violent prejudices, this planter stated some facts +which are highly favorable to the apprentices. + +1. He frankly acknowledged that his estates were never under better +cultivation than at the present time: and he could say the same of the +estates throughout the island. The largest crops that have ever been +made, will he realized this year. + +2. The apprentices are generally willing to work on the estates on +Saturday whenever their labor is needed. + +3. The females are very much disposed to abandon field labor. He has +great difficulty sometimes in inducing them to take their hoes and go +out to the field along with the men; it was the case particularly _with +the mothers!_ This he regarded as a sore evil! + +4. The free children he represented as being in a wretched condition. +Their parents have the entire management of them, an they are utterly +opposed to having them employed on the estates. He condemned severely +the course taken in a particular instance by the late Governor, Sir +Lionel Smith. He took it upon himself to go around the island and advise +the parents never to bind their children in any kind of apprenticeship +to the planters. He told them that sooner than involve their free +children in any way, they ought to "work their own fingers to the +stubs." The consequence of this imprudent measure, said our informant, +is that the planters have no control over the children born on their +estates; and in many instances their parents have sent them away lest +their _residence_ on the property should, by some chance, give the +planter a claim upon their services. Under the good old system the young +children were placed together under the charge of some superannuated +women, who were fit for nothing else, and the mothers went into the +field to work; now the nursery is broken up, and the mothers spend half +of their time "_in taking care of their brats_." + +5. As to the management of the working people, there need not he any +more difficulty now then during slavery. If the magistrates, instead of +encouraging the apprentices to complain and be insolent, would join +their influence to support the authority of the planters, things might +go on nearly as smoothly as before. + +In company with Rev. Mr. Packer, late Rector of St. Thomas, we rode out +to the Belle estate, which is considered one of the finest in the +island. Mr. Marshall, the manager, received us cordially. He was +selected, with two others, by Sir Lionel Smith, to draw up a scale of +labor for general use in the island. There are five hundred acres in the +estate, and two hundred and thirty-five apprenticed laborers. The +manager stated that every thing was working well on his property. He +corroborated the statements made by other planters with retard to the +conduct of the apprentices. On one point he said the planters had found +themselves greatly disappointed. It was feared that after emancipation +the negroes would be very much verse to cultivating cane, as it was +supposed that nothing but the whip could induce them to perform that +species of labor. But the truth is, they now not only cultivate the +estate lands better than they did when under the lash, but also +cultivate a third of their half-acre allotments in cane on their own +accounts. They would plant the whole in cane if they were not +discouraged by the planter, whose principal objection to their doing so +is that it would lead to the entire neglect of _provision cultivation_. +The apprentices on Belle estate will make little short of one thousand +dollars the present season by their sugar. + +Mr. M. stated that he was extensively acquainted with the cultivation of +the island, and he knew that it was in a better condition than it had +been for many years. There were twenty-four estates under the same +attorneyship with the Belle, and they were all in the same prosperous +condition. + +A short time before we left Barbadoes we received an invitation from +Col. Barrow, to breakfast with him at his residence on Edgecome +estate--about eight miles from town. Mr. Cummins, a colored gentleman, a +merchant of Bridgetown, and agent of Col. B., accompanied us. + +The proprietor of Edgecome is a native of Barbadoes, of polished manners +and very liberal views. He has travelled extensively, has held many +important offices, and is generally considered the _cleverest_ man in +the island. He is now a member of the council, and acting attorney for +about twenty estates. He remarked that he had always desired +emancipation, and had prepared himself for it; but that it had proved a +greater blessing than he had expected. His apprentices did as much work +as before, and it was done without the application of the whip. He had +not had any cases of insubordination, and it was very seldom that he +had any complaints to make to the special magistrate. "The apprentices." +said he, "understand the meaning of law, and they regard its authority." +He thought there was no such thing in the island as a _sense of +insecurity_, either as respected person or property. Real estate had +risen in value. + +Col. B. alluded to the expensiveness of slavery, remarking that after +all that was expended in purchasing the slaves, it cost the proprietor +as much to maintain them, as it would to hire free men. He spoke of the +habit of exercising arbitrary power, which being in continual play up to +the time of abolition, had become so strong that managers even yet gave +way to it, and frequently punished their apprentices, in spite of all +penalties. The fines inflicted throughout the island in 1836, upon +planters, overseers, and others, for punishing apprentices, amounted to +one thousand two hundred dollars. Col. B. said that he found the legal +penalty so inadequate, that in his own practice he was obliged to resort +to other means to deter his book-keepers and overseers from violence; +hence he discharged every man under his control who was known to strike +an apprentice. He does not think that the apprenticeship will be a means +of preparing the negroes for freedom, nor does he believe that they +_need_ any preparation. He should have apprehended no danger, had +emancipation taken place in 1834. + +At nine o'clock we sat down to breakfast. Our places were assigned at +opposite sides of the table, between Col. B. and Mr. C. To an American +eye, we presented a singular spectacle. A wealthy planter, a member of +the legislative council, sitting at the breakfast table with a colored +man, whose mother was a negress of the most unmitigated hue, and who +himself showed a head of hair as curly as his mother's! But this colored +guest was treated with all that courtesy and attention to which his +intelligence, worth and accomplished manners so justly entitle him. + +About noon, we left Edgecome, and drove two miles farther, to Horton--an +estate owned by Foster Clarke, Esq., an attorney for twenty-two estates, +who is now temporarily residing in England. The intelligent manager of +Horton received us and our colored companion, with characteristic +hospitality. Like every one else, he told us that the apprenticeship was +far better than slavery, though he was looking forward to the still +better system, entire freedom. + +After we had taken a lunch, Mr. Cummins invited our host to take a seat, +with us in his carriage, and we drove across the country to Drax Hall. +Drax Hall is the largest estate in the island--consisting of eight +hundred acres. The manager of this estate confirmed the testimony of the +Barbadian planters in every important particular. + +From Drax Hall we returned to Bridgetown, accompanied by our friend +Cummins. + + + +CHAPTER II. + +TESTIMONY OF SPECIAL MAGISTRATES, POLICE OFFICERS, CLERGYMEN, AND +MISSIONARIES. + +Next in weight to the testimony of the planters is that of the special +magistrates. Being officially connected with the administration of the +apprenticeship system, and tire adjudicators in all difficulties between +master and servant, their views of the system and of the conduct of the +different parties are entitled to special consideration. Our interviews +with this class of men were frequent during our stay in the island. We +found them uniformly ready to communicate information, and free to +express their sentiments. + +In Barbadoes there are seven special magistrates, presiding over as many +districts, marked A, B, C, &c., which include the whole of the +apprentice population, praedial and non-praedial. These districts +embrace an average of twelve thousand apprentices--some more and some +less. All the complaints and difficulties which arise among that number +of apprentices and their masters, overseers and book-keepers, are +brought before the single magistrate presiding in the district in which +they occur. From the statement of this fact it will appear in the outset +either that the special magistrates have an incalculable amount of +business to transact, or that the conduct of the apprentices is +wonderfully peaceable. But more of this again. + +About a week following our first interview with his excellency, Sir Evan +McCregor, we received an invitation to dine at Government House with a +company of gentlemen. On our arrival at six o'clock, we were conducted +into a large antechamber above the dining hall, where we were soon +joined by the Solicitor-General, Hon. R.B. Clarke. Dr. Clarke, a +physician, Maj. Colthurst, Capt. Hamilton, and Mr. Galloway, special +magistrates. The appearance of the Governor about an hour afterwards, +was the signal for an adjournment to dinner. + +Slavery and emancipation were the engrossing topics during the evening. +As our conversation was for the most part general, we were enabled to +gather at the same time the opinions of all the persons present. There +was, for aught we heard or could see to the contrary, an entire +unanimity of sentiment. In the course of the evening we gathered the +following facts and testimony: + +1. All the company testified to the benefits of abolition. It was +affirmed that the island was never in so prosperous a condition as +at present. + +2. The estates generally are better cultivated than they were during +slavery. Said one of the magistrates: + +"If, gentlemen, you would see for yourselves the evidences of our +successful cultivation, you need but to travel in any part of the +country, and view the superabundant crops which are now being taken off; +and if you would satisfy yourselves that emancipation has not been +ruinous to Barbadoes, only cast your eyes over the land in any +direction, and see the flourishing condition both of houses and fields: +every thing is starting into new life." + +It as also stated that more work was done during the nine hours required +by law, than was done during slavery in twelve or fifteen hours, with +all the driving and goading which were then practised. + +3. Offences have not increased, but rather lessened. The +Solicitor-General remarked, that the comparative state of crime could +not be ascertained by a mere reference to statistical records, since +previous to emancipation all offences were summarily punished by the +planter. Each estate was a little despotism, and the manager took +cognizance of all the misdemeanors committed among his slaves +--inflicting such punishment as he thought proper. The public knew +nothing about the offences of the slaves, unless something very +atrocious was committed. But since emancipation has taken place, all +offences, however trivial, come to the light and are recorded. He could +only give a judgment founded on observation. It was his opinion, that +there were fewer petty offences, such as thefts, larcenies, &c., than +during slavery. As for serious crime, it was hardly known in the island. +The whites enjoy far greater safety of person and property than they +did formerly. + +Maj. Colthurst, who is an Irishman, remarked, that he had long been a +magistrate or justice of the peace in Ireland, and he was certain that +at the present ratio of crime in Barbadoes, there would not be as much +perpetrated in six years to come, as there is in Ireland among an equal +population in six months. For his part, he had never found in any part +of the world so peaceable and inoffensive a community. + +4. It was the unanimous testimony that there was no disposition among +the apprentices to revenge injuries committed against them. _They are +not a revengeful people_, but on the contrary are remarkable for +forgetting wrongs, particularly when the are succeeded by kindness. + +5. The apprentices were described as being generally civil and +respectful toward their employers. They were said to manifest more +independence of feeling and action than they did when slaves; but were +seldom known to be insolent unless grossly insulted or very +harshly used. + +6. Ample testimony was given to the law-abiding character of the +negroes. When the apprenticeship system was first introduced, they did +not fully comprehend its provisions, and as they had anticipated entire +freedom, they were disappointed and dissatisfied. But in a little while +they became reconciled to the operations of the new system, and have +since manifested a due subordination to the laws and authorities. + +7. There is great desire manifested among them to purchase their +freedom. Not a week passes without a number of appraisements. Those who +have purchased their freedom have generally conducted well, and in many +instances are laboring on the same estates on which they were slaves. + +8. There is no difficulty in inducing the apprentices to work on +Saturday. They are usually willing to work if proper wages are given +them. If they are not needed on the estates, they either work on their +own grounds, or on some neighboring estate. + +9. The special magistrates were all of the opinion that it would have +been entirely safe to have emancipated the slaves of Barbadoes in 1834. +They did not believe that any preparation was needed; but that entire +emancipation would have been decidedly better than the apprenticeship. + +10. The magistrates also stated that the number of complaints brought +before them was comparatively small, and it was gradually diminishing. +The offences were of a very trivial nature, mostly cases of slight +insubordination, such as impertinent replies and disobedience of orders. + +11. They stated that they had more trouble with petty overseers and +managers and small proprietors than with the entire black population. + +12. The special magistrates further testified that wherever the planters +have exercised common kindness and humanity, the apprentices have +generally conducted peaceably. Whenever there are many complaints from +one estate, it is presumable that the manager is a bad man. + +13. Real estate is much higher throughout the island than it has been +for many years. A magistrate said that he had heard of an estate which +had been in market for ten years before abolition and could not find a +purchaser. In 1835, the year following abolition, it was sold for one +third more than was asked for it two years before. + +14. It was stated that there was not a proprietor in the island, whose +opinion was of any worth, who would wish to have slavery restored. Those +who were mostly bitterly opposed to abolition, have become reconciled, +and are satisfied that the change has been beneficial. The +Solicitor-General was candid enough to own that he himself was openly +opposed to emancipation. He had declared publicly and repeatedly while +the measure was pending in Parliament, that abolition would ruin the +colonies. But the results had proved so different that he was ashamed of +his former forebodings. He had no desire ever to see slavery +re-established. + +15. The first of August, 1834, was described as a day of remarkable +quiet and tranquillity. The Solicitor-General remarked, that there were +many fears for the results of that first day of abolition. He said he +arose early that morning, and before eight o'clock rode through the most +populous part of the island, over an extent of twelve miles. The negroes +were all engaged in their work as on other days. A stranger riding +through the island, and ignorant of the event which had taken place that +morning, would have observed no indications of so extraordinary a +change. He returned home satisfied that all would work well. + +16. The change in 1840 was spoken of as being associated with the most +sanguine expectations. It was thought that there was more danger to be +apprehended from the change in 1834. It was stated that there were about +fifteen thousand non-praedials, who would then be emancipated in +Barbadoes. This will most likely prove the occasion of much excitement +and uneasiness, though it is not supposed that any thing serious will +arise. The hope was expressed that the legislature would effect the +emancipation of the whole population at that time. One of the +magistrates informed us that he knew quite a number of planters in his +district who were willing to liberate their apprentices immediately, but +they were waiting for a general movement. It was thought that this state +of feeling was somewhat extensive. + +17. The magistrates represented the negroes as naturally confiding and +docile, yielding readily to the authority of those who are placed over +them. Maj. Colthurst presides over a district of 9,000 apprentices; +Capt. Hamilton over a district of 13,000, and Mr. Galloway over the same +number. There are but three days in the week devoted to hearing and +settling complaints. It is very evident that in so short a time it would +be utterly impossible for one man to control and keep in order such a +number, unless the subjects were of themselves disposed to be peaceable +and submissive. The magistrates informed us that, notwithstanding the +extent of their districts, they often did not have more than from a +dozen to fifteen complaints in a week. + +We were highly gratified with the liberal spirit and the intelligence of +the special magistrates. Major Colthurst is a gentleman of far more than +ordinary pretensions to refinement and general information. He was in +early life a justice of the peace in Ireland, he was afterwards a juror +in his Majesty's service, and withal, has been an extensive traveller. +Fifteen years ago he travelled in the United States, and passed through +several of the slaveholding states, where he was shocked with the +abominations of slavery. He was persuaded that slavery was worse in our +country, than it has been for many years in the West Indies. Captain +Hamilton was formerly an officer in the British navy. He seems quite +devoted to his business, and attached to the interests of the +apprentices. Mr. Galloway is a _colored_ gentleman, highly respected for +his talents. Mr. G. informed us that _prejudice_ against color was +rapidly diminishing--and that the present Governor was doing all in his +power to discountenance it. + +The company spoke repeatedly of the _noble act of abolition, by which +Great Britain had immortalized her name more than by all the +achievements of her armies and navies._ + +The warmest wishes were expressed for the abolition of slavery in the +United States. All said they should rejoice when the descendants of +Great Britain should adopt the noble example of their mother country. +They hailed the present anti-slavery movements. Said the +Solicitor-General, "We were once strangely opposed to the English +anti-slavery party, but now we sympathize with you. Since slavery is +abolished to our own colonies, and we see the good which results from +the measure, we go for abolition throughout the world. Go on, gentlemen, +we are with you; _we are all sailing in the same vessel._" + +Being kindly invited by Captain Hamilton, during our interview with him +at the government house, to call on him and attend his court, we availed +ourselves of his invitation a few days afterwards. We left Bridgetown +after breakfast, and as it chanced to be Saturday, we had a fine +opportunity of seeing the people coming into market. They were strung +all along the road for six miles, so closely, that there was scarcely a +minute at any time in which we did not pass them. As far as the eye +could reach there were files of men and women, moving peaceably forward. +From the cross paths leading through the estates, the busy marketers +were pouring into the highway. To their heads as usual was committed the +safe conveyance of the various commodities. It was amusing to observe +the almost infinite diversity of products which loaded them. There were +sweet potatoes, yams, eddoes, Guinea and Indian corn, various fruits and +berries, vegetables, nuts, cakes, bottled beer and empty bottles, +bundles of sugar cane, bundles of fire wood, &c. &c. Here was one woman +(the majority were females, as usual with the marketers in these +islands) with a small black pig doubled up under her arm. Another girl +had a brood of young chickens, with nest, coop, and all, on her head. +Further along the road we were specially attracted by a woman who was +trudging with an immense turkey elevated on her head. He quite filled +the tray; head and tail projecting beyond its bounds. He advanced, as +was very proper, head foremost, and it was irresistibly laughable to see +him ever and anon stretch out his neck and peep under the tray, as +though he would discover by what manner of locomotive it was that he got +along so fast while his own legs were tied together. + +Of the hundreds whom we past, there were very few who were not well +dressed, healthy, and apparently in good spirits. We saw nothing +indecorous, heard no vile language, and witnessed no violence. + +About four miles from town, we observed on the side of the road a small +grove of shade trees. Numbers of the marketers were seated there, or +lying in the cool shade with their trays beside them. It seemed to be a +sort of rendezvous place, where those going to, and those returning from +town, occasionally halt for a time for the purpose of resting, and to +tell and hear news concerning the state of the market. And why should +not these travelling merchants have an exchange as well as the +stationary ones of Bridgetown? + +On reaching the station-house, which is about six miles from town, we +learned that Saturday was not one of the court days. We accordingly +drove to Captain Hamilton's residence. _He stated that during the week +he had only six cases of complaint among the thirteen thousand +apprentices embraced in his district._ Saturday is the day set apart for +the apprentices to visit him at his house for advice on any points +connected with their duties. He had several calls while we were with +him. One was from the mother of an apprentice girl who had been +committed for injuring the master's son. She came to inform Captain H. +that the girl had been whipped twice contrary to law, before her +commitment. Captain H. stated that the girl had said nothing about this +at the time of her trial; if she had, she would in all probability have +been _set free_, instead of being _committed to prison_. He remarked +that he had no question but there were numerous cases of flogging on the +estates which never came to light. The sufferers were afraid to inform +against their masters, lest they should be treated still worse. The +opportunity which he gave them of coming, to him one day in the week for +private advice, was the means of exposing many outrages which would +otherwise he unheard of: He observed that there were not a few whom he +had liberated on account of the cruelty of their masters. + +Captain H. stated that the apprentices were much disposed to purchase +their freedom. To obtain money to pay for themselves they practice the +most severe economy and self-denial in the very few indulgences which +the law grants them. They sometimes resort to deception to depreciate +their value with the appraisers. He mentioned an instance of a man who +lead for many years been an overseer on a large estate. Wishing to +purchase himself, and knowing that his master valued him very highly, he +permitted his beard to grow; gave his face a wrinkled and haggard +appearance, and bound a handkerchief about his head. His clothes were +suffered to become ragged and dirty, and he began to feign great +weakness in his limbs, and to complain of a "misery all down his back." +He soon appeared marked with all the signs of old age and decrepitude. +In this plight, and leaning on a stick, he hobbled up to the +station-house one day, and requested to be appraised. He was appraised +at £10, which he immediately paid. A short time afterwards, he engaged +himself to a proprietor to manage a small estate for £30 per year in +cash and his own maintenance, all at once grew vigorous again; and is +prospering finely. Many of the masters in turn practice deception to +prevent the apprentices from buying themselves, or to make them pay the +very highest sum for their freedom. They extol their virtues--they are +every thing that is excellent and valuable--their services on the estate +are indispensable no one can fill their places. By such +misrepresentations they often get an exorbitant price for the remainder +of the term--more, sometimes, than they could have obtained for them for +life while they were slaves. + +From Captain H.'s we returned to the station-house, the keeper of which +conducted us over the buildings, and showed us the cells of the prison. +The house contains the office and private room of the magistrate, and +the guard-room, below, and chambers for the police men above. There are +sixteen solitary cells, and two large rooms for those condemned to hard +labour--one for females and the other for males. There were at that time +seven in the solitary cells, and twenty-four employed in labor on the +roads. This is more than usual. The average number is twenty in all. +When it is considered that most of the commitments are for trivial +offences, and that the district contains thirteen thousand apprentices, +certainly we have grounds to conclude that the state of morals in +Barbadoes is decidedly superior to that in our own country. + +The whole police force for this district is composed of seventeen +horsemen, four footmen, a sergeant, and the keeper. It was formerly +greater but has been reduced within the past year. + +The keeper informed us that he found the apprentices, placed under his +care, very easily controlled. They sometimes attempt to escape; but +there has been no instance of revolt or insubordination. The island, he +said, was peaceable, and were it not for the petty complaints of the +overseers, nearly the whole police force might be disbanded. As for +insurrection, he laughed at the idea of it. It was feared before +abolition, but now no one thought of it. All but two or three of the +policemen at this station are black and colored men. + + + +STATION-HOUSE AT DISTRICT A. + +Being disappointed in our expectations of witnessing some trials at the +station-house in Captain Hamilton's district (B,) we visited the court +in district A, where Major Colthurst presides. Major C. was in the midst +of a trial when we entered, and we did not learn fully the nature of the +case then pending. We were immediately invited within the bar, whence we +had a fair view of all that passed. + +There were several complaints made and tried, during our stay. We give a +brief account of them, as they will serve as specimens of the cases +usually brought before the special magistrates. + +I. The first was a complaint made by a colored lady, apparently not more +than twenty, against a colored girl--her domestic apprentice. The charge +was insolence, and disobedience of orders. The complainant said that the +girl was exceedingly insolent--no one could imagine how insolent she had +been--it was beyond endurance. She seemed wholly unable to find words +enough to express the superlative insolence of her servant. The justice +requested her to particularize. Upon this, she brought out several +specific charges such as, first, That the girl brought a candle to her +one evening, and wiped her greasy fingers on her (the girl's) gown: +second, That one morning she refused to bring some warm water, as +commanded, to pour on a piece of flannel, until she had finished some +other work that she was doing at the time; third, That the same morning +she delayed coming into her chamber as usual to dress her, and when she +did come, she sung, and on being told to shut her mouth, she replied +that her mouth was her own, and that she would sing when she pleased; +and fourth, That she had said in her mistress's hearing that she would +be glad when she was freed. These several charges being sworn to, the +girl was sentenced to four days' solitary confinement, but at the +request of her mistress, she was discharged on promise of amendment. + +II. The second complaint was against an apprentice-man by his master, +for absence from work. He had leave to go to the funeral of his mother, +and he did not return until after the time allowed him by his master. +The man was sentence to imprisonment. + +III. The third complaint was against a woman for singing and making a +disturbance in the field. Sentenced to six days' solitary confinement. + +IV. An apprentice was brought up for not doing his work well. He was a +mason, and was employed in erecting an arch on one of the public roads. +This case excited considerable interest. The apprentice was represented +by his master to be a praedial--the master testified on oath that he was +registered as a praedial; but in the course of the examination it was +proved that he had always been a mason; that he had labored at that +trade from his boyhood, and that he knew 'nothing about the hoe,' having +never worked an hour in the field. This was sufficient to prove that he +was a non-praedial, and of course entitled to liberty two years sooner +than he would have been as a praedial. As this matter came up +incidentally, it enraged the master exceedingly. He fiercely reiterated +his charge against the apprentice, who, on his part, averred that he did +his work as well as he could. The master manifested the greatest +excitement and fury during the trial. At one time, because the +apprentice disputed one of his assertions, he raised his clenched fist +over him, and threatened, with an oath, to knock him down. The +magistrate was obliged to threaten him severely before he would +keep quiet. + +The defendant was ordered to prison to be tried the next day, time being +given to make further inquiries about his being a praedial. + +V. The next case was a complaint against an apprentice, for leaving his +place in the boiling house without asking permission. It appeared that +he had been unwell during the evening, _and at half past ten o'clock at +night_, being attacked more severely, he left for a few moments, +expecting to return. He, however, was soon taken so ill that the could +not go back, but was obliged to lie down on the ground, where he +remained until twelve o'clock, when he recovered sufficiently to creep +home. His sickness was proved by a fellow apprentice, and indeed his +appearance at the bar clearly evinced it. He was punished by several +days imprisonment. With no little astonishment in view of such a +decision, we inquired of Maj. C. whether the planters had the power to +require their people to work as late as half past ten at night. He +replied, "Certainly, _the crops must be secured at any rate, and if they +are suffering, the people must be pressed the harder_."[A] + +[Footnote A: We learned subsequently from various authentic sources, +that the master has _not_ the power to compel his apprentices to labor +more than nine hours per day on any condition, except in case of a fire, +or some similar emergency. If the call for labor in crop-time was to be +set down as an emergency similar to a "fire," and if in official +decisions he took equal latitude, alas for the poor apprentices!] + +VI. The last case was a complaint against a man for not keeping up good +fires under the boilers. He stoutly denied the charge; said he built as +good fires as he could. He kept stuffing in the trash, and if it would +not burn he could not help it. He was sentenced to imprisonment. + +Maj. C. said that these complaints were a fair specimen of the cases +that came up daily, save that there were many more frivolous and +ridiculous. By the trials which we witnessed we were painfully impressed +with two things: + +1st. That the magistrate, with all his regard for the rights and welfare +of the apprentices, showed a great and inexcusable partiality for the +masters. The patience and consideration with which he heard the +complaints of the latter, the levity with which he regarded the defence +of the former, the summary manner in which he despatched the cases, and +the character of some of his decisions, manifested no small degree of +favoritism. + +2d That the whole proceedings of the special magistrates' courts are +eminently calculated to perpetuate bad feeling between the masters and +apprentices. The court-room is a constant scene of angry dispute between +these parties. The master exhausts his store of abuse and violence upon +the apprentice, and the apprentice, emboldened by the place, and +provoked by the abuse, retorts in language which he would never think of +using on the estate, and thus, whatever may be the decision of the +magistrate, the parties return home with feelings more embittered +than ever. + +There were twenty-six persons imprisoned at the station-house, +twenty-four were at hard labor, and two were in solitary confinement. +The keeper of the prison said, he had no difficulty in managing the +prisoners. The keeper is a colored man, and so also is the sergeant and +most of the policemen. + +We visited one other station-house, in a distant part of the island, +situated in the district over which Captain Cuppage presides. We +witnessed several trials there which were similar in frivolity and +meanness to those detailed above. We were shocked with the mockery of +justice, and the indifference to the interests of the negro apparent in +the course of the magistrate. It seemed that little more was necessary +than for the manager or overseer to make his complaint and swear to it, +and the apprentice was forthwith condemned to punishment. + +We never saw a set of men in whose countenances fierce passions of every +name were so strongly marked as in the overseers and managers who were +assembled at the station-houses. Trained up to use the whip and to +tyrannize over the slaves, their grim and evil expression accorded with +their hateful occupation. + +Through the kindness of a friend in Bridgetown we were favored with an +interview with Mr. Jones, the superintendent of the rural police--the +whole body of police excepting those stationed in the town. Mr. J. has +been connected with the police since its first establishment in 1834. He +assured us that there was nothing in the local peculiarities of the +island, nor in the character of its population, which forbade immediate +emancipation in August, 1834. He had no doubt it would be perfectly safe +and decidedly profitable to the colony. + +2. The good or bad working of the apprenticeship depends mainly on the +conduct of the masters. He was well acquainted with the character and +disposition of the negroes throughout the island, and he was ready to +say, that if disturbances should arise either before or after 1840, it +would be because the people were goaded on to desperation by the +planters, and not because they sought disturbance themselves. + +3. Mr. J. declared unhesitatingly that crime had not increased since +abolition, but rather the contrary. + +4. He represented the special magistrates as the friends of the +planters. They loved the _dinners_ which they got at the planters' +houses. The apprentices had no sumptuous dinners to give them. The +magistrates felt under very little obligation of any kind to assert the +cause of the apprentice and secure him justice, while they were under +very strong temptations to favor the master. + +5. Real estate had increased in value nearly fifty per cent since +abolition. There is such entire security of property, and the crops +since 1834 have been so flattering, that capitalists from abroad are +desirous of investing their funds in estates or merchandise. All are +making high calculations for the future. + +6. Mr. J. testified that marriages had greatly increased since +abolition. He had seen a dozen couples standing at one time on the +church floor. There had, he believed, been more marriages within the +last three years among the negro population, than have occurred before +since the settlement of the island. + +We conclude this chapter by subjoining two highly interesting documents +from special magistrates. They were kindly furnished us by the authors +in pursuance of an order from his excellency the Governor, authorizing +the special magistrates to give us any official statements which we +might desire. Being made acquainted with these instructions from the +Governor, we addressed written queries to Major Colthurst and Captain +Hamilton. We insert their replies at length. + +COMMUNICATION FROM MAJOR COLTHURST, SPECIAL MAGISTRATE. + +The following fourteen questions on the working of the apprenticeship +system in this colony were submitted to me on the 30th of March, 1837, +requesting answers thereto. + +1. What is the number of apprenticed laborers in your district, and what +is their character compared with other districts? + +The number of apprenticed laborers, of all ages, in my district, in nine +thousand four hundred and eighty, spread over two hundred and +ninety-seven estates of various descriptions--some very large, and +others again very small--much the greater number consisting of small +lots in the near neighborhood of Bridgetown. Perhaps my district, in +consequence of this minute subdivision of property, and its contact with +the town, is the most troublesome district in the island; and the +character of the apprentices differs consequently from that in the more +rural districts, where not above half the complaints are made. I +attribute this to their almost daily intercourse with Bridgetown. + +2. What is the state of agriculture in the island? + +When the _planters themselves_ admit that general cultivation was +_never_ in a better state, and the plantations extremely clean, _it is +more than presumptive_ proof that agriculture generally is in a most +prosperous condition. The vast crop of canes grown this year proves this +fact. Other crops are also luxuriant. + +3. Is there any difficulty occasioned by the apprentices refusing to +work? + +No difficulty whatever has been experienced by the refusal of the +apprentices to work. This is done manfully and cheerfully, when they are +treated with humanity and consideration by the masters or managers. I +have never known an instance to the contrary. + +4. Are the apprentices willing to work in their own time? + +The apprentices are most willing to work in their own time. + +5. What is the number and character of the complaints brought before +you--are they increasing or otherwise? + +The number of complaints brought before me, during the last quarter, are +much fewer than during the corresponding quarter of the last year. Their +character is also greatly improved. Nine complaints out of ten made +lately to me are for small impertinences or saucy answers, which, +considering the former and present position of the parties, is naturally +to be expected. The number of such complaints is much diminished. + +6. What is the state of crime among the apprentices? + +What is usually denominated crime in the old countries, is by no means +frequent among the blacks or colored persons. It is amazing how few +material breaches of the law occur in so extraordinary a community. Some +few cases of crime do occasionally arise;--but when it is considered +that the population of this island is nearly as dense as that of any +part of China, and wholly uneducated, either by precept or example, this +absence of frequent crime excites our wonder, and is highly creditable +to the negroes. I sincerely believe there is no such person, of that +class called at home an accomplished villain, to be found in the whole +island.--Having discharged the duties of a general justice of the peace +in Ireland, for above twenty-four years, where crimes of a very +aggravated nature were perpetrated almost daily. I cannot help +contrasting the situation of that country with this colony, where I do +not hesitate to say perfect tranquillity exists. + +7. Have the apprentices much respect for law? + +It is perhaps, difficult to answer this question satisfactorily, as it +has been so short a time since they enjoyed the blessing of equal laws. +To appreciate just laws, time, and the experience of the benefit arising +from them must be felt. That the apprentices do not, to any material +extent, _outrage_ the law, is certain; and hence it may be inferred that +they respect it. + +8. Do you find a spirit of revenge among the negroes? + +From my general knowledge of the negro character in other countries, as +well as the study of it here, I do not consider them by any means a +revengeful people. Petty dislikes are frequent, but any thing like a +deep spirit of revenge for former injuries does not exist, nor is it for +one moment to be dreaded. + +9. Is there any sense of insecurity arising from emancipation? + +Not the most remote feeling of insecurity exists arising from +emancipation; far the contrary. All sensible and reasonable men think +the prospects before them most cheering, and would not go back to the +old system on any account whatever. There are some, however, who croak +and forebode evil; but they are few in number, and of no +intelligence,--such as are to be found in every community. + +10. What is the prospect for 1840?--for 1838? + +This question is answered I hope satisfactorily above. On the +termination of the two periods no evil is to be reasonably anticipated, +with the exception of a few days' idleness. + +11. Are the planters generally satisfied with the apprenticeship, or +would they return back to the old system? + +The whole body of respectable planters are fully satisfied with the +apprenticeship, and would not go back to the old system on any account +whatever. A few young managers, whose opinions are utterly worthless, +would perhaps have no objection to be put again into their puny +authority. + +12. Do you think it would have been dangerous for the slaves in this +island to have been entirely emancipated in 1834? + +I do not think it would have been productive of danger, had the slaves +of this island been fully emancipated in 1834; which is proved by what +has taken place in another colony. + +13. Has emancipation been a decided blessing to this island, or has it +been otherwise? + +Emancipation has been, under God, the greatest blessing ever conferred +upon this island. All good and respectable men fully admit it. This is +manifest throughout the whole progress of this mighty change. Whatever +may be said of the vast benefit conferred upon the slaves, in right +judgment the slave owner was the greatest gainer after all. + +14. Are the apprentices disposed to purchase their freedom? How have +those conducted themselves who have purchased it? + +The apprentices are inclined to purchase their discharge, particularly +when misunderstandings occur with their masters. When they obtain their +discharge they generally labor in the trades and occupations they were +previously accustomed to, and conduct themselves well. The discharged +apprentices seldom take to drinking. Indeed the negro and colored +population are the most temperate persons I ever knew of their class. +The experience of nearly forty years in various public situations, +confirms me in this very important fact. + +The answers I have had the honor to give to the questions submitted to +me, have been given most conscientiously, and to the best of my judgment +are a faithful picture of the working of the apprenticeship in this +island, as far as relates to the inquiries made.--_John B. Colthurst, +Special Justice of the Peace, District A. Rural Division_. + +COMMUNICATION FROM CAPT. HAMILTON. + +Barbadoes, April 4th, 1837. + +Gentlemen, + +Presuming that you have kept a copy of the questions[A] you sent me, I +shall therefore only send the answers. + +[Footnote A: The same interrogatories were propounded to Capt. Hamilton +which have been already inserted in Major Colthurst's communication.] + +1. There are at present five thousand nine hundred and thirty male, and +six thousand six hundred and eighty-nine female apprentices in my +district, (B,) which comprises a part of the parishes of Christ Church +and St. George. Their conduct, compared with the neighboring +districts, is good. + +2. The state of agriculture is very flourishing. Experienced planters +acknowledge that it is generally far superior to what it was +during slavery. + +3. Where the managers are kind and temperate, they have not any trouble +with the laborers. + +4. The apprentices are generally willing to work for wages in their own +time. + +5. The average number of complaints tried by me, last year, ending +December, was one thousand nine hundred and thirty-two. The average +number of apprentices in the district during that time was twelve +thousand seven hundred. Offences, generally speaking, are not of any +magnitude. They do not increase, but fluctuate according to the season +of the year. + +6. The state of crime is not so bad by any means as we might have +expected among the negroes--just released from such a degrading bondage. +Considering the state of ignorance in which they have been kept, and the +immoral examples set them by the lower class of whites, it is matter of +astonishment that they should behave so well. + +7. The apprentices would have a great respect for law, were it not for +the erroneous proceedings of the managers, overseers, &c., in taking +them before the magistrates for every petty offence, and often abusing +the magistrate in the presence of the apprentices, when his decision +does not please them. The consequence is, that the apprentices too often +get indifferent to law, and have been known to say that they cared not +about going to prison, and that they would do just as they did before as +soon as they were released. + +8. The apprentices in this colony are generally considered a peaceable +race. All acts of revenge committed by them originate in jealousy, as, +for instance, between husband and wife. + +9. Not the slightest sense of insecurity. As a proof of this, property +has, since the commencement of the apprenticeship, increased in value +considerably--at least one third. + +10. The change which will take place in 1838, in my opinion, will +occasion a great deal of discontent among those called praedials--which +will not subside for some months. They ought to have been all +emancipated at the same period. I cannot foresee any bad effects that +will ensue from the change in 1840, except those mentioned hereafter. + +11. The most prejudiced planters would not return to the old system if +they possibly could. They admit that they get more work from the +laborers than they formerly did, and they are relieved from a great +responsibility. + +12. It is my opinion that if entire emancipation had taken place in +1834, no more difficulty would have followed beyond what we may +naturally expect in 1810. It will then take two or three months before +the emancipated people finally settle themselves. I do not consider the +apprentice more fit or better prepared for entire freedom now than he +was in 1834. + +13. I consider, most undoubtedly, that emancipation has been a decided +blessing to the colony. + +14. They are much disposed to purchase the remainder of the +apprenticeship term. Their conduct after they become free is good. + +I hope the foregoing answers and information may be of service to you in +your laudable pursuits, for which I wish you every success. + +I am, gentlemen, your ob't serv't, + +_Jos. Hamilton, Special Justice_. + +TESTIMONY OF CLERGYMEN AND MISSIONARIES. + +There are three religious denominations at the present time in +Barbadoes--Episcopalians, Wesleyans, and Moravians. The former have +about twenty clergymen, including the bishop and archdeacon. The bishop +was absent during our visit, and we did not see him; but as far as we +could learn, while in some of his political measures, as a member of the +council, he has benefited the colored population, his general influence +has been unfavorable to their moral and spiritual welfare. He has +discountenanced and defeated several attempts made by his rectors and +curates to abolish the odious distinctions of color in their churches. + +We were led to form an unfavorable opinion of the Bishop's course, from +observing among the intelligent and well-disposed classes of colored +people, the current use of the phrase, "bishop's man," and "no bishop's +man," applied to different rectors and curates. Those that they were +averse to, either as pro-slavery or pro-prejudice characters, they +usually branded as "bishop's men," while those whom they esteemed their +friends, they designated as "no bishop's men." + +The archdeacon has already been introduced to the reader. We enjoyed +several interviews with him, and were constrained to admire him for his +integrity, independence and piety. He spoke in terms of strong +condemnation of slavery, and of the apprenticeship system. He was a +determined advocate of entire and immediate emancipation, both from +principle and policy. He also discountenanced prejudice, both in the +church and in the social circle. The first time we had the pleasure of +meeting him was at the house of a colored gentleman in Bridgetown where +we were breakfasting. He called in incidentally, while we were sitting +at table, and exhibited all the familiarity of a frequent visitant. + +One of the most worthy and devoted men whom we met in Barbadoes was the +Rev. Mr. Cummins, curate of St. Paul's church, in Bridgetown. The first +Sabbath after our arrival at the island we attended his church. It is +emphatically a free church. Distinctions of color are nowhere +recognized. There is the most complete intermingling of colors +throughout the house. In one pew were seen a family of whites, in the +next a family of colored people, and in the next perhaps a family of +blacks. In the same pews white and colored persons sat side by side. The +floor and gallery presented the same promiscuous blending of hues and +shades. We sat in a pew with white and colored people. In the pew before +and in that behind us the sitting was equally indiscriminate. The +audience was kneeling in their morning devotions when we entered, and we +were struck with the different colors bowing side by side as we passed +down the aisles. There is probably no clergyman in the island who has +secured so perfectly the affections of his people as Mr. C. He is of +course "no bishop's man." He is constantly employed in promoting the +spiritual and moral good of his people, of whatever complexion. The +annual examination of the Sabbath school connected with St. Paul's +occurred while we were in the island, and we were favored with the +privilege of attending it. There were about three hundred pupils +present, of all ages, from fifty down to three years. There were all +colors--white, tawny, and ebon black. The white children were classed +with the colored and black, in utter violation of those principles of +classification in vogue throughout the Sabbath schools of our own +country. The examination was chiefly conducted by Mr. Cummins. At the +close of the examination about fifty of the girls, and among them the +daughter of Mr. Cummins, were arranged in front of the altar, with the +female teachers in the rear of them, and all united in singing a hymn +written for the occasion. Part of the teachers were colored and part +white, as were also the scholars, and they stood side by side, mingled +promiscuously together. This is altogether the best Sabbath school in +the island. + +After the exercises were closed, we were introduced, by a colored +gentleman who accompanied us to the examination, to Mr. Cummins, the +Rev. Mr. Packer, and the Rev. Mr. Rowe, master of the public school in +Bridgetown. By request of Mr. C., we accompanied him to his house, where +we enjoyed an interview with him and the other gentlemen, just +mentioned. Mr. C. informed us that his Sabbath school was commenced in +1833; but was quite small and inefficient until after 1834. It now +numbers more than four hundred scholars. Mr. C. spoke of prejudice. It +had wonderfully decreased within the last three years. He said he could +scarcely credit the testimony of his own senses, when he looked around +on the change which had taken place. Many now associate with colored +persons, and sit with them in the church, who once would have scorned to +be found near them. Mr. C. and the other clergymen stated, that there +had been an increase of places of worship and of clergymen since +abolition. All the churches are now crowded, and there is a growing +demand for more. The negroes manifest an increasing desire for religious +instruction. In respect to morals, they represent the people as being +greatly improved. They spoke of the general respect which was now paid +to the institution of marriage among the negroes, Mr. C. said, he was +convinced that the blacks had as much natural talent and capacity for +learning as the whites. He does not know any difference. Mr. Pocker, who +was formerly rector of St. Thomas' parish, and has been a public teacher +of children of all colors, expressed the same opinion. Mr. Rowe said, +that before he took charge of the white school, he was the teacher of +one of the free schools for blacks, and he testified that the latter has +just as much capacity for acquiring any kind of knowledge, as much +inquisitiveness, and ingenuity, as the former. + +Accompanied by an intelligent gentleman of Bridgetown, we visited two +flourishing schools for colored children, connected with the Episcopal +church, and under the care of the Bishop. In the male school, there were +one hundred and ninety-five scholars, under the superintendence of one +master, who is himself a black man, and was educated and trained up in +the same school. He is assisted by several of his scholars, as monitors +and teachers. It was, altogether, the best specimen of a well-regulated +school which we saw in the West Indies. + +The present instructor has had charge of the school two years. It has +increased considerably since abolition. Before the first of August, +1834, the whole number of names on the catalogue was a little above one +hundred, and the average attendance was seventy-five. The number +immediately increased, and new the average attendance is above two +hundred. Of this number at least sixty are the children of apprentices. + +We visited also the infant school, established but two weeks previous. +Mr. S. the teacher, who has been for many years an instructor, says he +finds them as apt to learn as any children he ever taught. He said he +was surprised to see how soon the instructions of the school-room were +carried to the homes of the children, and caught up by their parents. + +The very first night after the school closed, in passing through the +streets, he heard the children repeating what they had been taught, and +the parents learning the songs from their children's lips Mr. S. has a +hundred children already in his school, and additions were making daily. +He found among the negro parents much interest in the school. + +WESLEYAN MISSIONARIES. + +We called on the Rev. Mr. Fidler, the superintendent of the Wesleyan +missions in Barbadoes. Mr. F. resides in Bridgetown, and preaches mostly +in the chapel in town. He has been in the West Indies twelve years, and +in Barbadoes about two years. Mr. F. informed us that there were three +Wesleyan missionaries in the island, besides four or five local +preachers, one of whom is a black man. There are about one thousand +members belonging to their body, the greater part of whom live in town. +Two hundred and thirty-five were added during the year 1836, being by +far the largest number added in any one year since they began their +operations in the island. + +A brief review of the history of the Wesleyan Methodists in Barbadoes, +will serve to show the great change which has been taking place in +public sentiment respecting the labors of missionaries. In the year +1823, not long after the establishment of the Wesleyan church in the +island, the chapel in Bridgetown was destroyed by a mob. Not one stone +was left upon another. They carried the fragments for miles away from +the site, and scattered them about in every direction, so that the +chapel might never be rebuilt. Some of the instigators and chief actors +in this outrage, were "gentlemen of property and standing," residents of +Bridgetown. The first morning after the outrage began, the mob sought +for the Rev. Mr. Shrewsbury, the missionary, threatening his life, and +he was obliged to flee precipitately from the island, with his wife. He +was hunted like a wild beast, and it is thought that he would have been +torn in pieces if he had been found. Not an effort or a movement was +made to quell the mob, during their assault upon the chapel. The first +men of the island connived at the violence--secretly rejoicing in what +they supposed would be the extermination of Methodism from the country. +The governor, Sir Henry Ward, utterly refused to interfere, and would +not suffer the militia to repair to the spot, though a mere handful of +soldiers could have instantaneously routed the whole assemblage. + +The occasion of this riot was partly the efforts made by the Wesleyans +to instruct the negroes, and still more the circumstance of a letter +being written by Mr. Shrewsbury, and published in an English paper, +which contained some severe strictures on the morals of the Barbadians. +A planter informed us that the riot grew out of a suspicion that Mr. S. +was "leagued with the Wilberforce party in England." + +Since the re-establishment of Wesleyanism in this island, it has +continued to struggle against the opposition of the Bishop, and most of +the clergy, and against the inveterate prejudices of nearly the whole of +the white community. The missionaries have been discouraged, and in many +instances absolutely prohibited from preaching on the estates. These +circumstances have greatly retarded the progress of religious +instruction through their means. But this state of things had been very +much altered since the abolition of slavery. There are several estates +now open to the missionaries. Mr. F. mentioned several places in the +country, where he was then purchasing land, and erecting chapels. He +also stated, that one man, who aided in pulling down the chapel in 1823, +had offered ground for a new chapel, and proffered the free use of a +building near by, for religious meetings and a school, till it could +be erected. + +The Wesleyan chapel in Bridgetown is a spacious building, well filled +with worshippers every Sabbath. We attended service there frequently, +and observed the same indiscriminate sitting of the various colors, +which is described in the account of St. Paul's church. + +The Wesleyan missionaries have stimulated the clergy to greater +diligence and faithfulness, and have especially induced them to turn +their attention to the negro population more than they did formerly. + +There are several local preachers connected with the Wesleyan mission in +Barbadoes, who have been actively laboring to promote religion among the +apprentices. Two of these are converted soldiers in his Majesty's +service--acting sergeants of the troops stationed in the island. While +we were in Barbadoes, these pious men applied for a discharge from the +army, intending to devote themselves exclusively to the work of teaching +and preaching. Another of the local preachers is a negro man, of +considerable talent and exalted piety, highly esteemed among his +missionary brethren for his labors of love. + +THE MORAVIAN MISSION. + +Of the Moravians, we learned but little. Circumstances unavoidably +prevented us from visiting any of the stations, and also from calling on +any of the missionaries. We were informed that there were three stations +in the island, one in Bridgetown, and two in the country, and we learned +in general terms, that the few missionaries there were laboring with +their characteristic devotedness, assiduity, and self-denial, for the +spiritual welfare of the negro population. + + + +CHAPTER III. + +COLORED POPULATION. + +The colored, or as they were termed previous to abolition, by way of +distinction, the free colored population, amount in Barbadoes to nearly +thirty thousand. They are composed chiefly of the mixed race, whose +paternal connection, though illegitimate, secured to them freedom at +their birth, and subsequently the advantages of an education more or +less extensive. There are some blacks among them, however, who were free +born, or obtained their freedom at an early period, and have since, by +great assiduity, attained an honorable standing. + +During our stay in Barbadoes, we had many invitations to the houses of +colored gentlemen, of which we were glad to avail ourselves whenever it +was possible. At an early period after our arrival, we were invited to +dine with Thomas Harris, Esq. He politely sent his chaise for us, as he +resided about a mile from our residence. At his table, we met two other +colored gentlemen, Mr. Thorne of Bridgetown, and Mr. Prescod, a young +gentleman of much intelligence and ability. There was also at the table +a niece of Mr. Harris, a modest and highly interesting young lady. All +the luxuries and delicacies of a tropical clime loaded the board--an +epicurean variety of meats, flesh, fowl, and fish--of vegetables, +pastries, fruits, and nuts, and that invariable accompaniment of a West +India dinner, wine. + +The dinner was enlivened by an interesting and well sustained +conversation respecting the abolition of slavery, the present state of +the colony, and its prospects for the future. Lively discussions were +maintained on points where there chanced to be a difference of opinion, +and we admired the liberality of the views which were thus elicited. We +are certainly prepared to say, and that too without feeling that we draw +any invidious distinctions, that in style of conversation, in ingenuity +and ability of argument, this company would compare with any company of +white gentlemen that we met in the island. In that circle of colored +gentlemen, were the keen sallies of wit, the admirable repartee, the +satire now severe, now playful, upon the measures of the colonial +government, the able exposure of aristocratic intolerance, of +plantership chicanery, of plottings and counterplottings in high +places--the strictures on the intrigues of the special magistrates and +managers, and withal, the just and indignant reprobation of the uniform +oppressions which have disabled and crushed the colored people. + +The views of these gentlemen with regard to the present state of the +island, we found to differ in some respects from those of the planters +and special magistrates. They seemed to regard both those classes of men +with suspicion. The planters they represented as being still, at least +the mass of them, under the influence of the strong habits of +tyrannizing and cruelty which they formed during slavery. The +prohibitions and penalties of the law are not sufficient to prevent +occasional and even frequent outbreakings of violence, so that the +negroes even yet suffer much of the rigor of slavery. In regard to the +special magistrates, they allege that they are greatly controlled by the +planters. They associate with the planters, dine with the planters, +lounge on the planters' sofas, and marry the planters daughters. Such +intimacies as these, the gentlemen very plausibly argued, could not +exist without strongly biasing the magistrate towards the planters, and +rendering it almost impossible for them to administer equal justice to +the poor apprentice, who, unfortunately, had no sumptuous dinners to +give them, no luxurious sofas to offer them, nor dowered daughters to +present in marriage. + +The gentlemen testified to the industry and subordination of the +apprentices. They had improved the general cultivation of the island, +and they were reaping for their masters greater crops than they did +while slaves. The whole company united in saying that many blessings had +already resulted from the abolition of slavery--imperfect as that +abolition was. Real estate had advanced in value at least one third. The +fear of insurrection had been removed; invasions of property, such as +occurred during slavery, the firing of cane-fields, the demolition of +houses, &c., were no longer apprehended. Marriage was spreading among +the apprentices, and the general morals of the whole community, high and +low, white, colored, and black, were rapidly improving. + +At ten o'clock we took leave of Mr. Harris and his interesting friends. +We retired with feelings of pride and gratification that we had been +privileged to join a company which, though wearing the badge of a +proscribed race, displayed in happy combination, the treasures of +genuine intelligence, and the graces of accomplished manners. We were +happy to meet in that social circle a son of New England, and a graduate +of one of her universities. Mr. H. went to the West Indies a few months +after the abolition of slavery. He took with him all the prejudices +common to our country, as well as a determined hostility to abolition +principles and measures. A brief observation of the astonishing results +of abolition in those islands, effectually disarmed him of the latter, +and made him the decided and zealous advocate of immediate emancipation. +He established himself in business in Barbados, where he has been living +the greater part of the time since he left his native country. His +_prejudices_ did not long survive his abandonment of anti-abolition +sentiments. We rejoiced to find him on the occasion above referred to, +moving in the circle of colored society, with all the freedom of a +familiar guest, and prepared most cordially to unite with us in the wish +that all our prejudiced countrymen could witness similar exhibitions. +The gentleman at whose table we had the pleasure to dine, was _born a +slave_, and remained such until he was seventeen years of age. After +obtaining his freedom, he engaged as a clerk in a mercantile +establishment, and soon attracted attention by his business talents. +About the same period he warmly espoused the cause of the free colored +people, who were doubly crushed under a load of civil and political +impositions, and a still heavier one of prejudice. He soon made himself +conspicuous by his manly defence of the rights of his brethren against +the encroachments of the public authorities, and incurred the marked +displeasure of several influential characters. After a protracted +struggle for the civil immunities of the colored people, during which he +repeatedly came into collision with public men, and was often arraigned +before the public tribunals; finding his labors ineffectual, he left the +island and went to England. He spent some time there and in France, +moving on a footing of honorable equality among the distinguished +abolitionists of those countries. There, amid the free influences and +the generous sympathies which welcomed and surrounded him,--his whole +character ripened in those manly graces and accomplishments which now so +eminently distinguish him. + +Since his return to Barbadoes, Mr. H. has not taken so public a part in +political controversies as he did formerly, but is by no means +indifferent to passing events. There is not, we venture to say, within +the colony, a keener or more sagacious observer of its institutions, its +public men and their measures. + +When witnessing the exhibitions of his manly spirit, and listening to +his eloquent and glowing narratives of his struggles against the +political oppressions which ground to the dust himself and his brethren, +we could scarcely credit the fact that he was himself born and reared to +manhood--A SLAVE. + +BREAKFAST AT MR. THORNE'S. + +By invitation we took breakfast with Mr. Joseph Thorne, whom we met at +Mr. Harris's. Mr. T. resides in Bridgetown. In the parlor, we met two +colored gentlemen--the Rev. Mr. Hamilton, a local Wesleyan preacher, and +Mr. Cummins, a merchant of Bridgetown, mentioned in a previous chapter. +We were struck with the scientific appearance of Mr. Thorne's parlor. On +one side was a large library of religious, historical and literary +works, the selection of which displayed no small taste and judgment. On +the opposite side of the room was a fine cabinet of minerals and shells. +In one corner stood a number of curious relics of the aboriginal Caribs, +such as bows and arrows, etc., together with interesting fossil remains. +On the tops of the book-cases and mineral stand, were birds of rare +species, procured from the South American Continent. The centre table +was ornamented with shells, specimens of petrifactions, and elegantly +bound books. The remainder of the furniture of the room was costly and +elegant. Before breakfast two of Mr. Thorne's children, little boys of +six and four, stepped in to salute the company. They were of a bright +yellow, with slightly curled hair. When they had shaken hands with each +of the company, they withdrew from the parlor and were seen no more. +Their manners and demeanor indicated the teachings of an admirable +mother, and we were not a little curious to see the lady of whose taste +and delicate sense of propriety we had witnessed so attractive a +specimen in her children. At the breakfast table we were introduced to +Mrs. Thorne, and we soon discovered from her dignified air, from the +chaste and elevated style of her conversation, from her intelligence, +modesty and refinement, that we were in the presence of a highly +accomplished lady. The conversation was chiefly on subjects connected +with our mission. All spoke with great gratitude of the downfall of +slavery. It was not the slaves alone that were interested in that event. +Political oppression, prejudice, and licentiousness had combined greatly +to degrade the colored community, but these evils were now gradually +lessening, and would soon wholly disappear after the final extinction of +slavery--the parent of them all. + +Several facts were stated to show the great rise in the value of real +estate since 1834. In one instance a gentleman bought a sugar estate for +nineteen thousand pounds sterling, and the very next year, after taking +off a crop from which he realized a profit of three thousand pounds +sterling, he sold the estate for thirty thousand pounds sterling. It has +frequently happened within two years that persons wishing to purchase +estates would inquire the price of particular properties, and would +hesitate to give what was demanded. Probably soon after they would +return to close the bargain, and find that the price was increased by +several hundreds of pounds; they would go away again, reluctant to +purchase, and return a third time, when they would find the price again +raised, and would finally be glad to buy at almost any price. It was +very difficult to purchase sugar estates now, whereas previous to the +abolition of slavery, they were, like the slaves, a drug in the market. + +Mr. Joseph Thorne is a gentleman of forty-five, of a dark mulatto +complexion, with the negro features and hair. _He was born a slave_, and +remained so until about twenty years of age. This fact we learned from +the manager of the Belle estate, on which Mr. T. was born and raised a +slave. It was an interesting coincidence, that on the occasion of our +visit to the Belle estate we were indebted to Mr. Thorne, the former +_property_ of that estate, for his horse and chaise, which he politely +proffered to us. Mr. T. employs much of his time in laboring among the +colored people in town, and among the apprentices on the estates, in the +capacity of _lay-preacher_. In this way he renders himself very useful. +Being very competent, both by piety and talents, for the work, and +possessing more perhaps than any missionary, the confidence of the +planters, he is admitted to many estates, to lecture the apprentices on +religious and moral duties. Mr. T. is a member of the Episcopal church. + +BREAKFAST AT MR. PRESCOD'S + +We next had the pleasure of breakfasting with Mr. Prescod. Our esteemed +friend, Mr. Harris, was of the company. Mr. P. is a young man, but +lately married. His wife and himself were both liberally educated in +England. He was the late editor of the New Times, a weekly paper +established since the abolition of slavery and devoted chiefly to the +interests of the colored community. It was the first periodical and the +only one which advocated the rights of the colored people, and this it +did with the utmost fearlessness and independence. It boldly exposed +oppression, whether emanating from the government house or originating +in the colonial assembly. The measures of all parties, and the conduct +of every public man, were subject to its scrutiny, and when occasion +required, to its stern rebuke. Mr. P. exhibits a thorough acquaintance +with the politics of the country, and with the position of the various +parties. He is familiar with the spirit and operations of the white +gentry--far more so, it would seem; than many of his brethren who have +been repeatedly deceived by their professions of increasing liberality, +and their show of extending civil immunities, which after all proved to +be practical nullities, and as such were denounced by Mr. P. at the +outset. A few years ago the colored people mildly petitioned the +legislature for a removal of their disabilities. Their remonstrance was +too reasonable to be wholly disregarded. Something must he done which +would at least bear the semblance of favoring the object of the +petitioners. Accordingly the obnoxious clauses were repealed, and the +colored people were admitted to the polls. But the qualification was +made three times greater than that required of white citizens. This +virtually nullified the extension of privilege, and actually confirmed +the disabilities of which it was a pretended abrogation. The colored +people, in their credulity, hailed the apparent enfranchisement, and had +a public rejoicing in the occasion. But the delusion could not escape +the discrimination of Mr. P. He detected it at once, and exposed it, and +incurred the displeasure of the credulous people of color by refusing to +participate in their premature rejoicings. He soon succeeded however in +convincing his brethren that the new provision was a mockery of their +wrongs, and that the assembly had only added insult to past injuries. +Mr. P. now urged the colored people to be patient, as the great changes +which were working in the colony must bring to them all the rights of +which they had been so cruelly deprived. On the subject of prejudice he +spoke just as a man of keen sensibilities and manly spirit might be +expected to speak, who had himself been its victim. He was accustomed to +being flouted, scorned and condemned by those whom he could not but +regard as his interiors both in native talents and education. He had +submitted to be forever debarred from offices which were filled by men +far less worthy except in the single qualification of a _white skin_, +which however was paramount to all other virtues and acquirements! He +had seen himself and his accomplished wife excluded from the society of +whites, though keenly conscious of their capacity to move and shine in +the most elevated social circles. After all this, it may readily be +conceived how Mr. P. would speak of prejudice. But while he spoke +bitterly of the past, he was inspired with buoyancy of hope as he cast +his eye to the future. He was confident that prejudice would disappear. +It had already diminished very much, and it would ere long be wholly +exterminated. + +Mr. P. gave a sprightly picture of the industry of the negroes. It was +common, he said, to hear them called lazy, but this was not true. That +they often appeared to be indolent, especially those about the town, was +true; but it was either because they had no work to do, or were asked to +work without reasonable wages. He had often been amused at their +conduct, when solicited to do small jobs--such as carrying baggage, +loading of unloading a vessel, or the like. If offered a very small +compensation, as was generally the case at first, they would stretch +themselves on the ground, and with a sleepy look, and lazy tone, would +say, "O, I can't do it, sir." Sometimes the applicants would turn away +at once, thinking that they were unwilling to work, and cursing "the +lazy devils;" but occasionally they would try the efficacy of offering a +larger compensation, when instantly the negroes would spring to their +feet, and the lounging inert mass would appear all activity. + +We are very willing to hold up Mr. P as a specimen of what colored +people generally may become with proper cultivation, or to use the +language of one of their own number,[A] "with free minds and space +to rise." + +[Footnote A: Thomas C. Brown, who renounced colonization, returned from +a disastrous and almost fatal expedition to Liberia, and afterwards went +to the West Indies, in quest of a free country.] + +We have purposely refrained from speaking of Mrs. P., lest any thing we +should be willing to say respecting her, might seem to be adulation. +However, having alluded to her, we will say that it has seldom fallen to +our lot to meet with her superior. + +BREAKFAST AT MR. LONDON BOURNE'S. + +After what has been said in this chapter to try the patience and +irritate the nerves of the prejudiced, if there should be such among our +readers, they will doubtless deem it quite intolerable to be introduced, +not as hitherto to a family in whose faces the lineaments and the +complexion of the white man are discernible, relieving the ebon hue, but +to a household of genuine unadulterated negroes. We cordially accepted +an invitation to breakfast with Mr. London Bourne. If the reader's +horror of amalgamation does not allow him to join us at the table, +perhaps he will consent to retire to the parlor, whence, without fear of +contamination, he may safely view us through the folding doors, and note +down our several positions around the board. At the head of the table +presides, with much dignity, Mrs. Bourne; at the end opposite, sits Mr. +Bourne--both of the glossiest jet; the thick matted hair of Mr. B. +slightly frosted with age. He has an affable, open countenance, in which +the radiance of an amiable spirit, and the lustre of a sprightly +intellect, happily commingle, and illuminate the sable covering. On +either hand of Mr. B. _we_ sit, occupying the posts of honor. On the +right and left of Mrs. B., and at the opposite corners from us, sit two +other guests, one a colored merchant, and the other a young son-in-law +of Mr. B., whose face is the very double extract of blackness; for which +his intelligence, the splendor of his dress, and the elegance of his +manners, can make to be sure but slight atonement! The middle seats are +filled on the one side by an unmarried daughter of Mr. B., and on the +other side by a promising son of eleven, who is to start on the morrow +for Edinburgh, where he is to remain until he has received the honors of +Scotland's far famed university. + +We shall doubtless be thought by some of our readers to glory in our +shame. Be it so. We _did_ glory in joining the company which we have +just described. On the present occasion we had a fair opportunity of +testing the merits of an unmixed negro party, and of determining how far +the various excellences of the gentlemen and ladies previously noticed +were attributable to the admixture of English blood. We are compelled in +candor to say; that the company of blacks did not fall a whit below +those of the colored race in any respect. We conversed on the same +general topics, which, of course, were introduced where-ever we went. The +gentlemen showed an intimate acquaintance with the state of the colony, +with the merits of the apprenticeship system, and with the movements of +the colonial government. As for Mrs. B., she presided at the table with +great ease, dignity, self-possession, and grace. Her occasional remarks, +made with genuine modesty, indicated good sense and discrimination. +Among other topics of conversation, prejudice was not forgotten. The +company were inquisitive as to the extent of it in the United States. We +informed them that it appeared to be strongest in those states which +held no slaves, that it prevailed among professing Christians, and that +it was most manifestly seen in the house of God. We also intimated, in +as delicate a manner as possible, that in almost any part of the United +States such a table-scene as we then presented would be reprobated and +denounced, if indeed it escaped the summary vengeance of the mob. We +were highly gratified with their views of the proper way for the colored +people to act in respect to prejudice. They said they were persuaded +that their policy was to wait patiently for the operation of those +influences which were now at work for the removal of prejudice. "_Social +intercourse_," they said, "was not a thing to be gained by _pushing_." +"They could not go to it, but it would come to them." It was for them +however, to maintain an upright, dignified course, to be uniformly +courteous, to seek the cultivation of their minds, and strive zealously +for substantial worth, and by such means, and such alone, they could aid +in overcoming prejudice. + +Mr. Bourne was a slave until he was twenty-three years old. He was +purchased by his father, a free negro, who gave five hundred dollars for +him. His mother and four brothers were bought at the same time for the +sum of two thousand five hundred dollars. He spoke very kindly of his +former master. By industry, honesty, and close attention to business, +Mr. B. has now become a wealthy merchant. He owns three stores in +Bridgetown, lives in very genteel style in his own house, and is worth +from twenty to thirty thousand dollars. He is highly respected by the +merchants of Bridgetown for his integrity and business talents. By what +means Mr. B. has acquired so much general information, we are at a loss +to conjecture. Although we did not ourselves need the evidence of his +possessing extraordinary talents, industry, and perseverance, yet we are +happy to present our readers with such tangible proofs--proofs which are +read in every language, and which pass current in every nation. + +The foregoing sketches are sufficient to give a general idea of the +colored people of Barbadoes. Perchance we may have taken too great +liberties with those whose hospitalities we enjoyed; should this ever +fall under their notice, we doubt not they will fully appreciate the +motives which have actuated us in making them public. We are only sorry, +for their sakes, and especially for that of our cause, that the +delineations are so imperfect. That the above specimens are an exact +likeness of the mass of colored people we do not pretend; but we do +affirm, that they are as true an index to the whole community, as the +merchants, physicians, and mechanics of any of our villages are to the +entire population. We must say, also, that families of equal merit are +by no means rare among the same people. We might mention many names +which deservedly rank as high as those we have specified. One of the +wealthiest merchants in Bridgetown is a colored gentleman. He has his +mercantile agents in England, English clerks in his employ, a branch +establishment in the city, and superintends the concerns of an extensive +and complicated business with distinguished ability and success. A large +portion, of not a majority of the merchants of Bridgetown are colored. +Some of the most popular instructors are colored men and ladies, and one +of these ranks high as a teacher of the ancient and modern languages. +The most efficient and enterprising mechanics of the city, are colored +and black men. There is scarcely any line of business which is not +either shared or engrossed by colored persons, if we except that of +_barber_. _The only barber in Bridgetown is a white man._ + +That so many of the colored people should have obtained wealth and +education is matter of astonishment, when we consider the numerous +discouragements with which they have ever been doomed to struggle. The +paths of political distinction have been barred against them by an +arbitrary denial of the right of suffrage, and consequent ineligibility +to office. Thus a large and powerful class of incitements to mental +effort, which have been operating continually upon the whites, have +never once stirred the sensibilities nor waked the ambition of the +colored community. Parents, however wealthy, had no inducement to +educate their sons for the learned professions, since no force of talent +nor extent of acquirement could hope to break down the granite walls and +iron bars which prejudice had erected round the pulpit, the bar, and the +bench. From the same cause there was very little encouragement to +acquire property, to seek education, to labor for the graces of +cultivated manners, or even to aspire to ordinary respectability, since +not even the poor favor of social intercourse with the whites, of +participating in the civilities and courtesies of every day life, was +granted them. + +The crushing power of a prevailing licentiousness, has also been added +to the other discouragements of the colored people. Why should parents +labor to amass wealth enough, and much of course it required, to send +their daughters to Europe to receive their educations, if they were to +return only to become the victims of an all-whelming concubinism! It is +a fact, that in many cases young ladies, who have been sent to England +to receive education, have, after accomplishing themselves in all the +graces of womanhood, returned to the island to become the concubines of +white men. Hitherto this vice has swept over the colored community, +gathering its repeated conscriptions of beauty and innocence from the +highest as well as the lowest families. Colored ladies have been taught +to believe that it was more honorable, and quite as virtuous, to be the +kept mistresses of _white gentlemen_, than the lawfully wedded wives of +_colored men_. We repeat the remark, that the actual progress which the +colored people of Barbadoes have made, while laboring under so many +depressing influences, should excite our astonishment, and, we add, our +admiration too. Our acquaintance with this people was at a very +interesting period--just when they were beginning to be relieved from +these discouragements, and to feel the regenerating spirit of a new era. +It was to us like walking through a garden in the early spring. We could +see the young buds of hope, the first bursts of ambition, the early +up-shoots of confident aspiration, and occasionally the opening bloom of +assurance. The star of hope had risen upon the colored people, and they +were beginning to realize that _their_ day had come. The long winter of +their woes was melting into "glorious summer." Civil immunities and +political privileges were just before them, the learned professions were +opening to them, social equality and honorable domestic connections +would soon be theirs. Parents were making fresh efforts to establish +schools for the children, and to send the choicest of their sons and +daughters to England. They rejoiced in the privileges they were +securing, and they anticipated with virtuous pride the free access of +their children to all the fields of enterprise, all the paths of honest +emulation, and all the eminences of distinction. + +We remark in conclusion, that the forbearance of the colored people of +Barbadoes under their complicated wrongs is worthy of all admiration. +Allied, as many of them are, to the first families of the island, and +gifted as they are with every susceptibility to feel disgrace, it is a +marvel that they have not indignantly cast off the yoke and demanded +their political rights. Their wrongs have been unprovoked on their part, +and unnatural on the part of those who have inflicted them--in many +cases the guilty authors of their being. The patience and endurance of +the sufferers under such circumstances are unexampled, except by the +conduct of the slaves, who, though still more wronged, were, if +possible, still more patient. + +We regret to add, that until lately, the colored people of Barbadoes +hate been far in the background in the cause of abolition, and even now, +the majority of them are either indifferent, or actually hostile to +emancipation. They have no fellow feeling with the slave. In fact; they +have had prejudices against the negroes no less bitter than those which +the whites have exercised toward them. There are many honorable +exceptions to this, as has already been shown; but such, we are assured, +is the general fact.[A] + +[Footnote A: We are here reminded, by the force of contrast, of the +noble spirit manifested by the free colored people of our own country. +As early as 1817, a numerous body of them in Philadelphia, with the +venerable James Forten at their head, pledged themselves to the cause of +the slave in the following sublime sentiment, which deserves to be +engraver to their glory on the granite of our "everlasting +hills"--"Resolved, That we never will separate ourselves voluntarily +from the slave population in this country; they are our brethren by the +ties of consanguinity, of suffering, and of wrong; and we feel that +there is more virtue in suffering privations with them, than enjoying +_fancied_ advantages for a season." + +We believe that this resolution embodies the feelings and determinations +of the free colored people generally in the free states.] + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +BARBADOES AS IT WAS, AND IS. + +According to the declaration of one of the special magistrates, +"Barbadoes has long been distinguished for its devotion to slavery." +There is probably no portion of the globe where slave-holding, slave +driving, and slave labor, have been reduced to a more perfect system. + +The records of slavery in Barbadoes are stained with bloody atrocities. +The planters uniformly spoke of slavery as a system of cruelties; but +they expressed themselves in general terms. From colored gentlemen we +learned some particulars, a few of which we give. To most of the +following facts the narrators were themselves eye witnesses, and all of +them happened in their day and were fresh in their memories. + +The slaves were not unfrequently worked in the streets of Bridgetown +with chains on their wrists and ankles. Flogging on the estates and in +the town, were no less public than frequent, and there was an utter +shamelessness often in the manner of its infliction. Even women were +stripped naked on the sides of the streets, and their backs lacerated +with the whip. It was a common practice, when a slave offended a white +man, for the master to send for a public whipper, and order him to take +the slave before the door of the person offended, and flog him till the +latter was satisfied. White females would order their male slaves to be +stripped naked in their presence and flogged, while they would look on +to see that their orders were faithfully executed. Mr. Prescod mentioned +an instance which he himself witnessed near Bridgetown. He had seen an +aged female slave, stripped and whipped by her own son, a child of +twelve, at the command of the mistress. As the boy was small, the mother +was obliged to get down upon her hands and knees, so that the child +could inflict the blows on her naked person with a rod. This was done on +the public highway, before the mistress's door. Mr. T. well remembered +when it was lawful for any man to shoot down his slave, under no greater +penalty than twenty-five pounds currency; and he knew of cases in which +this had been done. Just after the insurrection in 1816, white men made +a regular sport of shooting negroes. Mr. T. mentioned one case. A young +man had sworn that he would kill ten negroes before a certain time. When +he had shot nine he went to take breakfast with a neighbor, and carried +his gun along. The first slave he met on the estate, he accused of being +concerned in the rebellion. The negro protested that he was innocent, +and begged for mercy. The man told him to be gone, and as he turned to +go away, he shot him dead. Having fulfilled his bloody pledge, the young +knight ate his breakfast with a relish. Mr. H. said that a planter once, +in a time of perfect peace, went to his door and called one of his +slaves. The negro made some reply which the master construed into +insolence, and in a great rage he swore if he did not come to him +immediately he would shoot him. The man replied he hoped massa wan't in +earnest. 'I'll show you whether I am in earnest,' said the master, and +with that he levelled his rifle, took deliberate aim, and shot the negro +on the spot. He died immediately. Though great efforts were made by a +few colored men to bring the murderer to punishment, they were all +ineffectual. The evidence against him was clear enough, but the +influence in his favor was so strong that he finally escaped. + +Dungeons were built on all the estates, and they were often abominably +filthy, and infested with loathsome and venomous vermin. For slight +offences the slaves were thrust into these prisons for several +successive nights--being dragged out every morning to work during the +day. Various modes of torture were employed upon those who were +consigned to the dungeon. There were stocks for their feet, and there +were staples in the floor for the ankles and wrists, placed in such a +position as to keep the victim stretched out and lying on his face. Mr. +H. described one mode which was called the _cabin_. A narrow board, only +wide enough for a man to lie upon, was fixed in an inclined position, +and elevated considerably above the ground. The offending slave was made +to lay upon this board, and a strong rope or chain, was tied about his +neck and fastened to the ceiling. It was so arranged, that if he should +fall from the plank, he would inevitably hang by his neck. Lying in this +position all night, he was more likely than not to fall asleep, and then +there were ninety-nine chances to one that he would roll off his narrow +bed and be killed before he could awake, or have time to extricate +himself. Peradventure this is the explanation of the anxiety Mr. ---- of +----, used to feel, when he had confined one of his slaves in the +dungeon. He stated that he would frequently wake up in the night, was +restless, and couldn't sleep, from fear that the prisoner would _kill +himself_ before morning. + +It was common for the planters of Barbadoes, like those of Antigua, to +declare that the greatest blessing of abolition to them, was that it +relieved them from the disagreeable work of flogging the negroes. We had +the unsolicited testimony of a planter, that slave mothers frequently +poisoned, and otherwise murdered, their young infants, to rid them of a +life of slavery. What a horrible comment this upon the cruelties of +slavery! Scarce has the mother given birth to her child, when she +becomes its murderer. The slave-mother's joy begins, not like that of +other mothers, when "a man is born into the world," but when her infant +is hurried out of existence, and its first faint cry is hushed in the +silence of death! Why this perversion of nature? Ah, that mother knows +the agonies, the torments, the wasting woes, of a life of slavery, and +by the bowels of a mother's love, and the yearnings of a mother's pity, +she resolves that her babe shall never know the same. O, estimate who +can, how many groans have gone up from the cane field, from the +boiling-house, from around the wind mill, from the bye paths, from the +shade of every tree, from the recesses of every dungeon! + +Colonel Barrow, of Edgecome estate, declared, that the habit of flogging +was so strong among the overseers and book-keepers, that even now they +frequently indulge it in the face of penalties and at the risk of +forfeiting their place. + +The descriptions which the special magistrates give of the lower class +of overseers and the managers of the petty estates, furnish data enough +for judging of the manner in which they would be likely to act when +clothed with arbitrary power. They are "a low order of men," "without +education," "trained up to use the whip," "knowing nothing else save the +art of flogging," "ready at any time to perjure themselves in any matter +where a negro is concerned," &c. Now, may we not ask what but cruelty, +the most monstrous, could be expected under a system where _such men_ +were constituted law makers, judges, and executioners? + +From the foregoing facts, and the still stronger circumstantial +evidence, we leave the reader to judge for himself as to the amount of +cruelty attendant upon "the reign of terror," in Barbadoes. We must, +however, mention one qualification, without which a wrong impression may +be made. It has already been remarked that Barbadoes has, more than any +other island, reduced slave labor and sugar cultivation to a regular +system. This the planters have been compelled to do from the denseness +of their population, the smallness of their territory, the fact that the +land was all occupied, and still more, because the island, from long +continued cultivation, was partly worn out. A prominent feature in their +system was, theoretically at least, good bodily treatment of the slaves, +good feeding, attention to mothers, to pregnant women, and to children, +in order that the estates might always be kept _well stocked with +good-conditioned negroes_. They were considered the best managers, who +increased the population of the estates most rapidly, and often premiums +were given by the attorneys to such managers. Another feature in the +Barbadoes system was to raise sufficient provisions in the island to +maintain the slaves, or, in planter's phrase, to _feed the stock_, +without being dependent upon foreign countries. This made the supplies +of the slaves more certain and more abundant. From several circumstances +in the condition of Barbadoes, it is manifest, that there were fewer +motives to cruelty there than existed in other islands. First, the slave +population was abundant, then the whole of the island was under +cultivation, and again the lands were old and becoming exhausted. Now, +if either one of these things had not been true, if the number of slaves +had been inadequate to the cultivation, or if vast tracts of land, as in +Jamaica, Trinidad, and Demerara, had been uncultivated, or were being +brought into cultivation; or, again, if the lands under cultivation had +been fresh and fertile, so as to bear _pushing_, then it is plain that +there would have been inducements to hard driving, which, as the case +was, did not exist. + +Such is a partial view of Barbadoes as it _was_, touching the matter of +cruelty. We say partial, for we have omitted to mention the selling of +slaves from one estate to another, whereby families were separated, +almost as effectually as though an ocean intervened. We have omitted to +notice the transportation of slaves to Trinidad, Berbice, and Demerara, +which was made an open traffic until prohibited in 1827, and was +afterwards continued with but little abatement by evasions of the law. + +From the painful contemplation of all this outrage and wrong, the mind +is relieved by turning to the present state of the colony. It cannot be +denied that much oppression grows out of the apprenticeship system, both +from its essential nature, and from the want of virtuous principle and +independence in the men who administer it. Yet it is certainly true that +there has been a very great diminution in the amount of actual cruelty. +The total abolition of flogging on the estates, the prohibition to use +the dungeons, and depriving the masters, managers, overseers and +drivers, of the right to punish in any case, or in any way whatever, +leave no room for doubt on this subject. It is true, that the laws are +often violated, but this can only take place in cases of excessive +passion, and it is not likely to be a very frequent occurrence. The +penalty of the law is so heavy,[A] and the chances of detection[B] are +so great, that in all ordinary circumstances they will be a sufficient +security against the violence of the master. On the other hand, the +special magistrates themselves seldom use the whip, but resort to other +modes of punishment less cruel and degrading. Besides, it is manifest +that if they did use the whip and were ever so cruelly disposed, it +would be physically impossible for them to inflict as much suffering as +the drivers could during slavery; on account of the vast numbers over +whom they preside. We learned from the apprentices themselves, by +conversing with them, that their condition, in respect to treatment, is +incomparably better than it was during slavery. We were satisfied from +our observations and inquiries, that the planters, at least the more +extensive and enlightened ones, conduct their estates on different +principles from those formerly followed. Before the abolition of +slavery, they regarded the _whip_ as absolutely necessary to the +cultivation of sugar, and hence they uniformly used it, and loudly +deprecated its abolition as being _their_ certain ruin. But since the +whip has been abolished, and the planters have found that the negroes +continue, nevertheless, industrious and subordinate, they have changed +their measures, partly from necessity, and partly from policy, have +adopted a conciliatory course. + +[Footnote A: A fine of sixteen dollars for the first assault, and the +liberation of the apprentice after a second.] + +[Footnote B: Through the complaint of the apprentice to the special +magistrate] + +Barbadoes was not without its insurrections during slavery. Although not +very frequent, they left upon the minds of the white colonists this +conviction, (repeatedly expressed to us by planters and others,) that +_slavery and rebellions are inseparable_. The last widely extended +insurrection occurred in 1816, in the eastern part of the island. Some +of the particulars were given us by a planter who resided to that +region, and suffered by it great loss of property. The plot was so +cautiously laid, and kept so secret, that no one suspected it. The +planter observed that if any one had told him that such a thing was +brewing _ten minutes_ before it burst forth, he would not have credited +the statement. It began with firing the cane-fields. A signal was given +by a man setting fire to a pile of trash on an elevated spot, when +instantly the fires broke out in every direction, and in less than a +half hour, more than one hundred estates were in flames. The planters +and their families, in the utmost alarm, either fled into other parts of +the island, or seized their arms and hurriedly mustered in self-defence. +Meanwhile the negroes, who had banded themselves in numerous companies, +took advantage of the general consternation, proceeded to the deserted +mansions of the planters, broke down the doors, battered in the windows, +destroyed all the furniture, and carried away the provision stores to +their own houses. + +These ravages continued for three days, during which, the slaves flocked +together in increasing numbers; in one place there were several +thousands assembled. Above five hundred of the insurgents were shot down +by the militia, before they could be arrested. The destruction of +property during the rebellion was loosely estimated at many hundred +thousand pounds. The canes on many estates were almost wholly burned; so +that extensive properties, which ordinarily yielded from two to three +hundred hogsheads, did not make more than fifteen or twenty. + +Our informant mentioned two circumstances which he considered +remarkable. One was, that the insurgents never touched the property of +the estates to which they severally belonged; but went to the +neighboring or more distant estates. The other was, that during the +whole insurrection the negroes did not make a single attempt to destroy +life. On the other hand, the sacrifice of negroes during the rebellion, +and subsequent to it, was appalling. It was a long time before the white +man's thirst for blood could be satiated. + +No general insurrection occurred after this one. However, as late as +1823, the proprietor of Mount Wilton--the noblest estate in the +island--was murdered by his slaves in a most horrid manner. A number of +men entered his bed-chamber at night. He awoke ere they reached him, and +grasped his sword, which always hung by his bed, but it was wrested from +his hand, and he was mangled and killed. His death was caused by his +_cruelties_, and especially by his _extreme licentiousness_. All the +females on this estate were made successively the victims of his lust. +This, together with his cruelties, so incensed the men, that they +determined to murder the wretch. Several of them were publicly executed. + +Next to the actual occurrence of rebellions, _the fear of them_ deserves +to be enumerated among the evils which slavery entailed upon Barbadoes. +The dread of hurricanes to the people of Barbadoes is tolerable in +comparison with the irrepressible apprehensions of bloody rebellions. A +planter told us that he seldom went to bed without thinking he might be +murdered before morning. + +But now the whites are satisfied that slavery was the sole instigator of +rebellions, and since its removal they have no fear on this score. + +_Licentiousness_ was another of the fruits of slavery. It will be +difficult to give to the reader a proper conception of the prevalence of +this vice in Barbadoes, and of the consequent demoralization. A numerous +colored population were both the offspring and the victims of it. On a +very moderate calculation, nineteen-twentieths of the present adult +colored race are illegitimate. Concubinage was practised among the +highest classes. Young merchants and others who were unmarried, on first +going to the island, regularly engaged colored females to live with them +as housekeepers and mistresses, and it was not unusual for a man to have +more than one. The children of these connections usually sat with the +mothers at the father's table, though when the gentlemen had company, +neither mothers nor children made their appearance. To such conduct no +disgrace was attached, nor was any shame felt by either party. We were +assured that there are in Bridgetown, colored ladies of +"respectability," who, though never married, have large families of +children whose different surnames indicate their difference of +parentage, but who probably do not know their fathers by any other +token. These remarks apply to the towns. The morals of the estates were +still more deplorable. The managers and overseers, commonly unmarried, +left no female virtue unattempted. Rewards sometimes, but oftener the +whip, or the dungeon, gave them the mastery in point of fact, which the +laws allowed in theory. To the slaves marriage was scarcely known. They +followed the example of the master, and were ready to minister to his +lust. The mass of mulatto population grew paler as it multiplied, and +catching the refinement along with the tint of civilization, waged a war +upon marriage which had well nigh expelled it from the island. Such was +Barbadoes under the auspices of slavery. + +Although these evils still exist, yet, since the abolition of slavery, +there is one symptom of returning purity, the _sense of shame_. +Concubinage is becoming disreputable. The colored females are growing in +self-respect, and are beginning to seek regular connections with colored +men. They begin to feel (to use the language of one of them) that the +_light is come_, and that they can no longer have the apology of +ignorance to plead for their sin. It is the prevailing impression among +whites, colored, and blacks, that open licentiousness cannot long +survive slavery. + +_Prejudice_ was another of the concomitants of slavery. Barbadoes was +proverbial for it. As far as was practicable, the colored people were +excluded from all business connections; though merchants were compelled +to make clerks of them for want of better, that is, _whiter_, ones. +Colored merchants of wealth were shut out of the merchants' exchange, +though possessed of untarnished integrity, while white men were admitted +as subscribers without regard to character. It was not a little +remarkable that the rooms occupied as the merchants' exchange were +rented from a colored gentleman, or more properly, a _negro_;[A] who, +though himself a merchant of extensive business at home and abroad, and +occupying the floor below with a store, was not suffered to set his foot +within them. This merchant, it will be remembered, is educating a son +for a learned profession at the university of Edinburgh. Colored +gentlemen were not allowed to become members of literary associations, +nor subscribers to the town libraries. Social intercourse was utterly +interdicted. To visit the houses of such men as we have already +mentioned in a previous chapter, and especially to sit down at their +tables, would have been a loss of caste; although the gentry were at the +same time living with colored concubines. But most of all did this +wicked prejudice delight to display itself in the churches. Originally, +we believe, the despised color was confined to the galleries, afterwards +it was admitted to the seats under the galleries, and ultimately it was +allowed to extend to the body pews below the cross aisle. If perchance +one of the proscribed class should ignorantly stray beyond these +precincts, and take a seat above the cross aisle, he was instantly, if +not forcibly, removed. Every opportunity was maliciously seized to taunt +the colored people with their complexion. A gentleman of the highest +worth stated that several years ago he applied to the proper officer for +a license to be married. The license was accordingly made out and handed +to him. It was expressed in the following insulting style: "T---- H----, +F.M., is licensed to marry H---- L----, F.C.W." The initials F.M. stood +for _free mulatto_, and F.C.W. for _free colored woman_! The gentleman +took his knife and cut out the initials; and was then threatened with a +prosecution for forging his license. + +[Footnote A: Mr. London Bourne, the merchant mentioned in the previous +chapter.] + +It must be admitted that this cruel feeling still exists in Barbadoes. +Prejudice is the last viper of the slavery-gendered brood that dies. But +it is evidently growing weaker. This the reader will infer from several +facts already stated. The colored people themselves are indulging +sanguine hopes that prejudice will shortly die away. They could discover +a bending on the part of the whites, and an apparent readiness to +concede much of the ground hitherto withheld. They informed us that they +had received intimations that they might be admitted as subscribers to +the merchants' exchange if they would apply; but they were in no hurry +to make the advances themselves. They felt assured that not only +business equality, but social equality, would soon be theirs, and were +waiting patiently for the course of events to bring them. They have too +much self-respect to sue for the consideration of their white neighbors, +or to accept it as a condescension and favor, when by a little patience +they might obtain it on more honorable terms. It will doubtless be found +in Barbadoes, as it has been in other countries--and perchance to the +mortification of some lordlings--that freedom is a mighty leveller of +human distinctions. The pyramid of pride and prejudice which slavery had +upreared there, must soon crumble in the dust. + +_Indolence and inefficiency among the whites_, was another prominent +feature in slaveholding Barbadoes. Enterprise, public and personal, has +long been a stranger to the island. Internal improvements, such as the +laying and repairing of roads, the erection of bridges, building +wharves, piers, &c., were either wholly neglected, or conducted in such +a listless manner as to be a burlesque on the name of business. It was a +standing task, requiring the combined energy of the island, to repair +the damages of one hurricane before another came. The following +circumstance was told us, by one of the shrewdest observers of men and +things with whom we met in Barbadoes. On the southeastern coast of the +island there is a low point running far out into the sea, endangering +all vessels navigated by persons not well acquainted with the island. +Many vessels have been wrecked upon it in the attempt to make Bridgetown +from the windward. From time immemorial, it has been in contemplation to +erect a light-house on that point. Every time a vessel has been wrecked, +the whole island has been agog for a light-house. Public meetings were +called, and eloquent speeches made, and resolutions passed, to proceed +to the work forthwith. Bills were introduced into the assembly, long +speeches made, and appropriations voted commensurate with the stupendous +undertaking. There the matter ended, and the excitement died away, only +to be revived by another wreck, when a similar scene would ensue. The +light-house is not built to this day. In personal activity, the +Barbadians are as sadly deficient as in public spirit. London is said to +have scores of wealthy merchants who have never been beyond its limits, +nor once snuffed the country air. Bridgetown, we should think, is in +this respect as deserving of the name _Little London_ as Barbadoes is of +the title "Little England," which it proudly assumes. We were credibly +informed that there were merchants in Bridgetown who had never been off +the island in their lives, nor more than five or six miles into the +country. The sum total of their locomotion might be said to be, turning +softly to one side of their chairs, and then softly to the other. Having +no personal cares to harass them, and no political questions to agitate +them--having no extended speculations to push, and no public enterprises +to prosecute, (save occasionally when a wreck on the southern point +throws them into a ferment,) the lives of the higher classes seem a +perfect blank, as it regards every thing manly. Their thoughts are +chiefly occupied with sensual pleasure, anticipated or enjoyed. The +centre of existence to them is the _dinner-table_. + + "They eat and drink and sleep, and then-- + Eat and drink and sleep again." + +That the abolition of slavery has laid the foundation for a reform in +this respect, there can be no doubt. The indolence and inefficiency of +the white community has grown out of slavery. It is the legitimate +offspring of oppression everywhere--one of the burning curses which it +never fails to visit upon its supporters. It may be seriously doubted, +however, whether in Barbadoes this evil will terminate with its cause. +There is there such a superabundance of the laboring population, that +for a long time to come, labor must be very cheap, and the habitually +indolent will doubtless prefer employing others to work for them, than +to work themselves. If, therefore, we should not see an active spirit of +enterprise at once kindling among the Barbadians, _if the light-house +should not be build for a quarter of a century to come_, it need not +excite our astonishment. + +We heard not a little concerning the expected distress of those white +families whose property consisted chiefly of slaves. There were many +such families, who have hitherto lived respectably and independently by +hiring out their slaves. After 1840, these will be deprived of all their +property, and will have no means of support whatever. As they will +consider it degrading to work, and still more so to beg, they will be +thrown into extremely embarrassing circumstances. It is thought that +many of this class will leave the country, and seek a home where they +will not be ashamed to work for their subsistence. We were forcibly +reminded of the oft alleged objection to emancipation in the United +States, that it would impoverish many excellent families in the South, +and drive delicate females to the distaff and the wash-tub, whose hands +have never been used to any thing--_rougher than the cowhide_. Much +sympathy has been awakened in the North by such appeals, and vast +numbers have been led by them to conclude that it is better for millions +of slaves to famish in eternal bondage, than that a few white families, +here and there scattered over the South, should be reduced to the +humiliation of _working_. + +_Hostility to emancipation_ prevailed in Barbadoes. That island has +always been peculiarly attached to slavery. From the beginning of the +anti-slavery agitations in England, the Barbadians distinguished +themselves by their inveterate opposition. As the grand result +approximated they increased their resistance. They appealed, +remonstrated, begged, threatened, deprecated, and imprecated. They +continually protested that abolition would ruin the colony--that the +negroes could never be brought to work--especially to raise +sugar--without the whip. They both besought and demanded of the English +that they should cease their interference with their private affairs and +personal property. + +Again and again they informed them that they were wholly disqualified, +by their distance from the colonies, and their ignorance of the subject, +to do any thing respecting it, and they were entreated to leave the +whole matter with the colonies, who alone could judge as to the best +time and manner of moving, or whether it was proper to move at all. + +We were assured that there was not a single planter in Barbadoes who was +known to be in favor of abolition, before it took place; if, however, +there had been one such, he would not have dared to avow his sentiments. +The anti-slavery party in England were detested; no epithets were too +vile for them--no curses too bitter. It was a Barbadian lady who once +exclaimed in a public company in England, "O, I wish we had Wilberforce +in the West Indies, I would be one of the very first to tear his heart +out!" If such a felon wish could escape the lips of a female, and that +too amid the awing influence of English society, what may we conclude +were the feelings of planters and drivers on the island! + +The opposition was maintained even after the abolition of slavery; and +there was no colony, save Jamaica, with which the English government had +so much trouble in arranging the provisions and conditions under which +abolition was to take place. + +From statements already made, the reader will see how great a change has +come over the feelings of the planters. + +He has followed us through this and the preceding chapters, he has seen +tranquillity taking the place of insurrections, a sense of security +succeeding to gloomy forbodings, and public order supplanting mob law; +he has seen subordination to authority, peacefulness, industry, and +increasing morality, characterizing the negro population; he has seen +property rising in value, crime lessening, expenses of labor +diminishing, the whole island blooming with unexampled cultivation, and +waving with crops unprecedented in the memory of its inhabitants; above +all, he has seen licentiousness decreasing, prejudice fading away, +marriage extending, education spreading, and religion preparing to +multiply her churches and missionaries over the land. + +_These_ are the blessing of abolition--_begun_ only, and but partially +realized as yet, but promising a rich maturity in time to come, after +the work of freedom shall have been completed. + + + +CHAPTER V. + +THE APPRENTICESHIP SYSTEM. + +The nature of the apprenticeship system may be learned form the +following abstract of its provisions, relative to the three parties +chiefly concerned in its operation--the special magistrate, the master, +and the apprentice. + +PROVISIONS RESPECTING THE SPECIAL MAGISTRATES. + +1. They must be disconnected with planters and plantership, that they +may be independent of all colonial parties and interests whatever. + +2. The special magistrates adjudicate only in cases where the master and +apprentice are parties. Offences committed by apprentices against any +person not connected with the estates on which they live, come under the +cognizance of the local magistrates or of higher courts. + +3. The special justices sit three days in the week at their offices, +where all complaints are carried, both by the master and apprentice. The +magistrates do not go the estate, either to try or to punish offenders. +Besides, the three days the magistrates are required to be at home every +Saturday, (that being the day on which the apprentices are disengaged,) +to give friendly advice and instruction on points of law and personal +rights to all apprentices who may call. + +PROVISIONS RESPECTING THE MASTER. + +1. The master is allowed the gratuitous labor of the apprentice for +forty-five hours each week. The several islands were permitted by the +English government to make such a division of this time as local +circumstances might seem to require. In some islands, as for instance in +St. Christopher's and Tortola, it is spread over six days of the week in +proportions of seven and a half hours per day, thus leaving the +apprentice mere shreds of time in which he can accomplish nothing for +himself. In Barbadoes, the forty-five hours is confined within five +days, in portions of nine hours per day. + +2. The allowances of food continue the same as during slavery, excepting +that now the master may give, instead of the allowance, a third of an +acre to each apprentice, but then he must also grant an additional day +every week for the cultivation of this land. + +3. The master has no power whatever to punish. A planter observed, "if I +command my butler to stand for half an hour on the parlor floor, and it +can be proved that I designed it as a punishment, I may be fined for +it." The penalty for the first offence (punishing an apprentice) is a +fine of five pounds currency, or sixteen dollars, and imprisonment if +the punishment was cruel. For a second offence the apprentice is +set free. + +Masters frequently do punish their apprentices _in despite of all +penalties_. A case in point occurred not long since, in Bridgetown. A +lady owned a handsome young mulatto woman, who had a beautiful head of +hair of which she was very proud. The servant did something displeasing +to her mistress, and the latter in a rage shaved off her hair close to +her head. The girl complained to the special magistrate, and procured an +immediate release from her mistress's service. + +4. It is the duty of the master to make complaint to the special +magistrate. When the master chooses to take the punishment into his own +hand, the apprentice has a right to complain. + +5. The master is obliged to sell the remainder of the apprentice's term, +whenever the apprentice signifies a wish to buy it. If the parties +cannot agree about the price, the special magistrate, in connection with +two local magistrates, appraises the latter, and the master is bound to +take the amount of the appraisement, whatever that is. Instances of +apprentices purchasing themselves are quite frequent, not withstanding +the term of service is now so short, extending only to August, 1840. The +value of an apprentice varies from thirty to one hundred dollars. + +PROVISIONS RESPECTING THE APPRENTICE. + +1. He has the whole of Saturday, and the remnants of the other five +days, after giving nine hours to the master. + +2. The labor does not begin so early, nor continue so late as during +slavery. Instead of half past four or five o'clock the apprentices are +called out at six o'clock in the morning. They then work till seven, +have an hour for breakfast, again work from eight to twelve, have a +respite of two hours, and then work till six o'clock. + +3. If an apprentice hires his time from his master as is not +unfrequently the case, especially among the non-praedials, he pays a +dollar a week, which is two thirds, or at least one half of +his earnings. + +4. If the apprentice has a complaint to make against his master, he must +either make it during his own time, or if he prefers to go to the +magistrate during work hours, he must ask his master for a pass. If his +master refuse to give him one, he can then go without it. + +5. There is an _unjustifiable inequality_ in the apprentice laws, which +was pointed out by one of the special magistrates. The master is +punishable only for cruelty or corporeal inflictions, whereas the +apprentice is punishable for a variety of offences, such as idleness, +stealing, insubordination, insolence, &c. The master may be as insolent +and abusive as he chooses to be, and the slave can have no redress. + +6. Hard labor, solitary confinement, and the treadmill, are the +principal modes of punishment. Shaving the head is sometimes resorted +to. A very sever punishment frequently adopted, is requiring the +apprentice to make up for the time during which he is confined. If he is +committed for ten working days, he must give the master ten successive +Saturdays. + +This last regulation is particularly oppressive and palpably unjust. It +matters not how slight the offence may have been, it is discretionary +with the special magistrate to mulct the apprentice of his Saturdays. +This provision really would appear to have been made expressly for the +purpose of depriving the apprentices of their own time. It is a direct +inducement to the master to complain. If the apprentice has been absent +from his work but an hour, the magistrate may sentence him to give a +whole day in return; consequently the master is encouraged to mark the +slightest omission, and to complain of it whether it was unavoidable +or not. + +THE DESIGN OF THE APPRENTICESHIP.--It is a serious question with a +portion of the colonists, whether or not the apprenticeship was +originally designed as a preparation for freedom. This however was the +professed object with its advocates, and it was on the strength of this +plausible pretension, doubtless, that the measure was carried through. +We believe it is pretty well understood, both in England and the +colonies; that it was mainly intended _as an additional compensation to +the planters_. The latter complained that the twenty millions of pounds +was but a pittance of the value of their slaves, and to drown their +cries about robbery and oppression this system of modified slavery was +granted to them, that they might, for a term of years, enjoy the toil of +the negro without compensation. As a mockery to the hopes of the slaves +this system was called an apprenticeship, and it was held out to them as +a needful preparatory stage for them to pass through, ere they could +rightly appreciate the blessings of entire freedom. It was not wonderful +that they should be slow to apprehend the necessity of serving a six +years' apprenticeship, at a business which they had been all their lives +employed in. It is not too much to say that it was a grand cheat--a +national imposture at the expense of the poor victims of oppression, +whom, with benevolent pretences, it offered up a sacrifice to cupidity +and power. + +PRACTICAL OPERATION OF THE APPRENTICESHIP.--It cannot be denied that +this system is in some respects far better than slavery. Many restraints +are imposed upon the master, and many important privileges are secured +to the apprentice. Being released from the arbitrary power of the +master, is regarded by the latter as a vast stride towards entire +liberty. We once asked an apprentice; if he thought apprenticeship was +better than slavery. "O yes," said he, "great deal better, sir; when we +was slaves, our masters git mad wid us, and give us _plenty of licks_; +but now, thank God, they can't touch us." But the actual enjoyment of +these advantages by the apprentices depends upon so many contingencies, +such as the disposition of the master, and the faithfulness of the +special magistrate, that it is left after all exceedingly precarious. A +very few observations respecting the special magistrates, will serve to +show how liable the apprentice is to suffer wrong without the +possibility of obtaining redress. It is evident that this will be the +case unless the special magistrates are _entirely independent_. This was +foreseen by the English government, and they pretended to provide for it +by paying the magistrates' salaries at home. But how inadequate was +their provision! The salaries scarcely answer for pocket money in the +West Indies. Thus situated, the magistrates are continually exposed to +those temptations, which the planters can so artfully present in the +shape of sumptuous dinners. They doubtless find it very convenient, when +their stinted purses run low, and mutton and wines run high, to do as +the New England school master does, "_board round_;" and consequently +the dependence of the magistrate upon the planter is of all things the +most deprecated by the apprentice.[A] + +[Footnote A: The feelings of apprentices on this point are well +illustrated by the following anecdote, which was related to us while in +the West Indies. The governor of one of the islands, shortly after his +arrival, dined with one of the wealthiest proprietors. The next day one +of the negroes of the estate said to another, "De new gubner been +_poison'd_." "What dat you say?" inquired the other in astonishment, "De +gubner been _poison'd_." "Dah, now!--How him poisoned!" "_Him eat massa +turtle soup last night_," said the shrewd negro. The other took his +meaning at once; and his sympathy for the governor was turned into +concern for himself, when he perceived that the poison was one from +which _he_ was likely to suffer more than his excellency.] + +Congeniality of feeling, habits, views, style and rank--identity of +country and color--these powerful influences bias the magistrate toward +the master, at the same time that the absence of them all, estrange and +even repel him from the apprentice. There is still an additional +consideration which operates against the unfortunate apprentice. The men +selected for magistrates, are mostly officers of the army and navy. To +those who are acquainted with the arbitrary habits of military and naval +officers, and with the iron despotism which they exercise among the +soldiers and sailors,[B] the bare mention of this fact is sufficient to +convince them of the unenviable situation of the apprentice. It is at +best but a gloomy transfer from the mercies of a slave driver, to the +justice of a military magistrate. + +[Footnote B: We had a specimen of the stuff special magistrates are made +of in sailing from Barbadoes to Jamaica. The vessel was originally an +English man-of-war brig, which had been converted into a steamer, and +was employed by the English government, in conveying the island mails +from Barbadoes to Jamaica--to and fro. She was still under the strict +discipline of a man-of-war. The senior officer on board was a +lieutenant. This man was one of the veriest savages on earth. His +passions were in a perpetual storm, at some times higher than at others, +occasionally they blew a hurricane. He quarrelled with his officers, and +his orders to his men were always uttered in oaths. Scarcely a day +passed that he did not have some one of his sailors flogged. One night, +the cabin boy left the water-can sitting on the cabin floor, instead of +putting it on the sideboard, where it usually stood. For this offence +the commander ordered him up on deck after midnight, and made the +quarter-master flog him. The instrument used in this case, (the regular +flogging stick having been _used up_ by previous service,) was the +commander's cane--_a heavy knotted club_. The boy held out one hand and +received the blows. He howled most piteously, and it was some seconds +before he recovered sufficiently from the pain to extend the other. +"_Lay on_," stormed the commander. Down went the cane a second time. We +thought it must have broken every bone in the boy's hand. This was +repeated several times, the boy extending each hand alternately, and +recoiling at every blow. "Now lay on to his back," sternly vociferated +the commander--"give it to him--_hard_--_lay on harder_." The old +seaman, who had some mercy in his heart, seemed very loth to lay out his +strength on the boy with such a club. The commander became +furious--cursed and swore--and again yelled, "_Give it to him harder, +more_--MORE--MORE--there, stop." "you infernal villain"--speaking to the +quarter-master and using the most horrid oaths--"You infernal villain, +if you do not _lay on harder_ the next time I command you, I'll have you +put in irons." The boy limped away, writhing in every joint, and crying +piteously, when the commander called at him, "Silence there, you imp--or +I'll give you a second edition." One of the first things the commander +did after we left Barbadoes, was to have a man flogged, and the last +order we heard him give as we left the steamer at Kingston, was to put +two of the men _in irons_.] + +It is not a little remarkable that the apprenticeship should be regarded +by the planters themselves, as well as by other persons generally +throughout the colony, as merely a modified form of slavery. It is +common to hear it called 'slavery under a different form,' 'another name +for slavery,'--'modified slavery,' 'but little better than slavery.' + +Nor is the practical operation of the system upon the _master_ much less +exceptionable. It takes out of his hand the power of coercing labor, and +provides no other stimulus. Thus it subjects him to the necessity either +of resorting to empty threats, which must result only in incessant +disputes, or of condescending to persuade and entreat, against which his +habits at once rebel, or of complaining to a third party--an alternative +more revolting if possible, than the former, since it involves the +acknowledgment of a higher power than his own. It sets up over his +actions a foreign judge, at whose bar he is alike amenable (in theory) +with his apprentice, before whose tribunal he may be dragged at any +moment by his apprentice, and from whose lips he may receive the +humiliating sentence of punishment in the presence of his apprentice. It +introduces between him and his laborers, mutual repellancies and +estrangement; it encourages the former to exercise an authority which he +would not venture to assume under a system of perfect freedom; it +emboldens the latter to display an insolence which he would not have +dreamed of in a state of slavery, and thus begetting in the one, the +imperiousness of the slaveholder _without his power_, and in the other, +the independence of the freeman _without his immunities_, it perpetuates +a scene of angry collision, jealousy and hatred. + +It does not even serve for the master the unworthy purpose for which it +was mainly devised, viz., that of an additional compensation. The +apprenticeship is estimated to be more expensive than a system of free +labor would be. It is but little less expensive than slavery, and +freedom it is confidently expected will be considerably less. So it +would seem that this system burthens the master with much of the +perplexity, the ignominy and the expensiveness of slavery, while it +denies him its power. Such is the apprenticeship system. A splendid +imposition!--which cheats the planter of his gains, cheats the British +nation of its money, and robs the world of what else might have been a +glorious example of immediate and entire emancipation. + +THE APPRENTICESHIP IS NO PREPARATION FOR FREEDOM.--Indeed, as far as it +can be, it is an actual _disqualification_. The testimony on this +subject is ample. We rarely met a planter, who was disposed to maintain +that the apprenticeship was preparing the negroes for freedom. They +generally admitted that the people were no better prepared for freedom +now, than they were in 1834; and some of them did not hesitate to say +that the sole use to which they and their brother planters turned the +system, was to get _as much work out of the apprentices while it lasted, +as possible_. Clergymen and missionaries, declared that the +apprenticeship was no preparation for freedom. If it were a preparation +at all, it would most probably be so in a religious and educational +point of view. We should expect to find the masters, if laboring at all +to prepare their apprentices for freedom, doing so chiefly by +encouraging missionaries and teachers to come to their estates, and by +aiding in the erection of chapels and school-houses. But the +missionaries declare that they meet with little more direct +encouragement now, than they did during slavery. + +The special magistrates also testify that the apprenticeship is no +preparation for freedom. On this subject they are very explicit. + +The colored people bear the same testimony. Not a few, too, affirm, that +the tendency of the apprenticeship is to unfit the negroes for freedom, +and avow it as their firm persuasion, that the people will be less +prepared for liberty at the end of the apprenticeship, than they were at +its commencement. And it is not without reason that they thus speak. +They say, first, that the bickerings and disputes to which the system +gives rise between the master and the apprentice, and the arraigning of +each other before the special magistrate, are directly calculated to +alienate the parties. The effect of these contentions, kept up for six +years, will be to implant _deep mutual hostility_; and the parties will +be a hundred fold more irreconcilable than they were on the abolition of +slavery. Again, they argue that the apprenticeship system is calculated +to make the negroes regard _law as their foe_, and thus it unfits them +for freedom. They reason thus--the apprentice looks to the magistrate as +his judge, his avenger, his protector; he knows nothing of either law or +justice except as he sees them exemplified in the decisions of the +magistrate. When, therefore, the magistrate sentences him to punishment, +when he knows he was the injured party, he will become disgusted with +the very name of justice, and esteem law his greatest enemy. + +The neglect of the planters to use the apprenticeship as a preparation +for freedom, warrants us in the conclusion, that they do not think any +preparation necessary. But we are not confined to doubtful inferences on +this point. They testify positively--and not only planters, but all +other classes of men likewise--that the slaves of Barbadoes were fit for +entire freedom in 1834, and that they might have been emancipated then +with perfect safety. Whatever may have been the sentiment of the +Barbadians relative to the necessity of preparation before the +experiment was made, it is clear that now they have no confidence either +in the necessity or the practicability of preparatory schemes. + +But we cannot close our remarks upon the apprenticeship system without +noticing one good end which it has undesignedly accomplished, i.e., _the +illustration of the good disposition of the colored people_. We firmly +believe that if the friends of emancipation had wished to disprove all +that has ever been said about the ferocity and revengefulness of the +negroes, and at the same time to demonstrate that they possess, in a +pre-eminent degree, those other qualities which render them the fit +subjects of liberty and law, they could not have done it more +triumphantly than it has been done by the apprenticeship. _How_ this has +been done may be shown by pointing out several respects in which the +apprenticeship has been calculated to try the negro character most +severely, and to develop all that was fiery and rebellious in it. + +1. The apprenticeship removed that strong arm of slavery and substituted +no adequate force. The arbitrary power of the master, which awed the +slave into submission, was annihilated. The whip which was held over the +slave, and compelled a kind of subordination--brutal, indeed, but +effectual--was abolished. Here in the outset the reins were given to the +long-oppressed, but now aspiring mass. No adequate force was +substituted, because it was the intent of the new system to govern by +milder means. This was well, but what were the milder means which were +to take the place of brute force? + +2. Was the stimulus of wages substituted? No! That was expressly denied. +Was the liberty of locomotion granted? No. Was the privilege of gaining +a personal interest in the soil extended to them? No. Were the +immunities and rights of citizenship secured to them? No. Was the poor +favor allowed them of selecting their own business, or of choosing their +employer? Not even this? Thus far, then, we see nothing of the milder +measures of the apprenticeship. It has indeed opened the prison doors +and knocked off the prisoners' chains--but it still keeps them grinding +there, as before, and refuses to let them come forth, except +occasionally, and then only to be thrust back again. Is it not thus +directly calculated to encourage indolence and insubordination? + +3. In the next place, this system introduces a third party, to whom the +apprentice is encouraged to look for justice, redress, and counsel. Thus +he is led to regard his master as his enemy, and all confidence in him +is for ever destroyed. But this is not the end of the difficulty. The +apprentice carries up complaints against his master. If they gain a +favorable hearing he triumphs over him--if they are disregarded, he +concludes that the magistrate also is his enemy, and he goes away with a +rankling grudge against his master. Thus he is gradually led to assert +his own cause, and he learns to contend with his master, to reply +insolently, to dispute, quarrel, and--it is well that we cannot add, to +_fight_. At least one thing is the result--a permanent state of +alienation, contempt of authority, and hatred. _All these are the fruits +of the apprenticeship system_. They are caused by transferring the power +of the master, while the _relation_ continues the same. Nor is this +contempt for the master, this alienation and hatred, all the mischief. +The unjust decisions of the magistrate, of which the apprentices have +such abundant reasons to complain, excite their abhorrence of him, and +thus their confidence in the protection of law is weakened or destroyed. +Here, then, is contempt for the master, abhorrence of the magistrate, +and mistrust of the law--the apprentice regarding all three as leagued +together to rob him of his rights. What a combination of circumstances +to drive the apprentices to desperation and madness! What a marvel that +the outraged negroes have been restrained from bloody rebellions! + +Another insurrectionary feature peculiar to the apprenticeship is its +making the apprentices _free a portion of the time_. One fourth of the +time is given them every week--just enough to afford them a taste of the +sweets of liberty, and render them dissatisfied with their condition. +Then the manner in which this time is divided is calculated to irritate. +After being a slave nine hours, the apprentice is made a freeman for the +remainder of the day; early the next morning the halter is again put on, +and he treads the wheel another day. Thus the week wears away until +Saturday; which is an entire day of freedom. The negro goes out and +works for his master, or any one else, as he pleases, and at night he +receives his quarter of a dollar. This is something like freedom, and he +begins to have the feelings of a freeman--a lighter heart and more +active limbs. He puts his money carefully away at night, and lays +himself down to rest his toil-worn body. He awakes on Sabbath morning, +and _is still free_. He puts on his best clothes, goes to church, +worships a free God, contemplates a free heaven, sees his free children +about him, and his wedded wife; and ere the night again returns, the +consciousness that he is a slave is quite lost in the thoughts of +liberty which fill his breast, and the associations of freedom which +cluster around him. He sleeps again. _Monday morning he is startled from +his dreams by the old "shell-blow" of slavery_, and he arises to endure +another week of toil, alternated by the same tantalizing mockeries of +freedom. Is not this applying the _hot iron to the nerve_? + +5. But, lastly, the apprenticeship system, as if it would apply the +match to this magazine of combustibles, holds out the reward of liberty +to every apprentice who shall by any means provoke his master to punish +him a second time. + +[NOTE.--In a former part of this work--the report of Antigua--we +mentioned having received information respecting a number of the +apprenticeship islands, viz., Dominica, St. Christopher's, Nevis, +Montserrat, Anguilla, and Tortola, from the Wesleyan Missionaries whom +we providentially met with at the annual district meeting in Antigua. We +designed to give the statements of these men at some length in this +connection, but we find that it would swell our report to too great a +size. It only remains to say, therefore, in a word, that the same things +are generally true of those colonies which have been detailed in the +account of Barbadoes. There is the same peaceableness, subordination, +industry, and patient suffering on the part of the apprentices, the same +inefficiency of the apprenticeship as a preparation for freedom, and the +same conviction in the community that the people will, if at all +affected by it, be _less_ fit for emancipation in 1840 than they were in +1834. A short call at St. Christopher's confirmed these views in our +minds, so far as that island is concerned. + +While in Barbadoes, we had repeated interviews with gentlemen who were +well acquainted with the adjacent islands, St. Lucia, St. Vincent's, +Grenada, &c.; one of whom was a proprietor of a sugar estate in St. +Vincent's; and they assured us that there was the same tranquillity +reigning in those islands which we saw in Barbadoes. Sir Evan McGregor, +who is the governor-general of the windward colonies, and of course +thoroughly informed respecting their internal state, gave us the same +assurances. From Mr. H., an American gentleman, a merchant of Barbadoes, +and formerly of Trinidad, we gathered similar information touching that +large and (compared with Barbadoes or Antigua) semi-barbarous island. + +We learned enough from these authentic sources to satisfy ourselves that +the various degrees of intelligence in the several islands makes very +little difference in the actual results of abolition; but that in all +the colonies, conciliatory and equitable management has never failed to +secure industry and tranquillity.] + + + +JAMAICA. + +CHAPTER I. + +KINGSTON. + +Having drawn out in detail the results of abolition, and the working of +the apprenticeship system in Barbadoes, we shall spare the reader a +protracted account of Jamaica; but the importance of that colony, and +the fact that greater dissatisfaction on account of the abolition of +slavery has prevailed there than in all the other colonies together, +demand a careful statement of facts. + +On landing in Jamaica, we pushed onward in our appropriate inquiries, +scarcely stopping to cast a glance at the towering mountains, with their +cloud-wreathed tops, and the valleys where sunshine and shade sleep side +by side--at the frowning precipices, made more awful by the impenetrable +forest-foliage which shrouds the abysses below, leaving the impression +of an ocean depth--at the broad lawns and magnificent savannahs glowing +in verdure and sunlight--at the princely estates and palace mansions--at +the luxuriant cultivation, and the sublime solitude of primeval forests, +where trees of every name, the mahogany, the boxwood, the rosewood, the +cedar, the palm, the fern, the bamboo, the cocoa, the breadfruit, the +mango, the almond, all grow in wild confusion, interwoven with a dense +tangled undergrowth.[A] + +[Footnote A: It is less necessary for us to dwell long on Jamaica, than +it would otherwise be, since the English gentlemen, Messrs. Sturge and +Harvey, spent most of their time in that island, and will, doubtless, +publish their investigations, which will, ere long, be accessible to our +readers. We had the pleasure of meeting these intelligent philanthropic +and pious men in the West Indies, and from the great length of time, and +the superior facilities which they enjoyed over us, of gathering a mass +of facts in Jamaica, we feel assured that their report will be highly +interesting and useful, as well among us as on the other side of +the water.] + +We were one month in Jamaica. For about a week we remained in +Kingston,[B] and called on some of the principal gentlemen, both white +and colored. We visited the Attorney-General, the Solicitor-General, +some of the editors, the Baptist and Wesleyan missionaries, and several +merchants. We likewise visited the public schools, the house of +correction, penitentiary, hospital, and other public institutions. We +shall speak briefly of several individuals whom we saw in Kingston, and +give some of their statements. + +[Footnote B: The chief town of the island, with about forty thousand +inhabitants.] + +The Hon. Dowel O'Reily; the Attorney-General; is an Irishman, and of one +of the influential families. In his own country he was a prominent +politician, and a bold advocate of Catholic Emancipation. He is +decidedly one of the ablest men in the island, distinguished for that +simplicity of manners, and flow of natural benevolence, which are the +characteristics of the Irishman. He received his present appointment +from the English government about six years ago, and is, by virtue of +his office, a member of the council. He declared that the apprenticeship +was in no manner preparing the negroes for freedom, but was operating in +a contrary way, especially in Jamaica, where it had been made the +instrument of greater cruelties in some cases, than slavery itself. Mr. +O'Reily is entirely free from prejudice; with all his family rank and +official standing, he identifies himself with the colored people as far +as his extensive professional engagements will allow. Having early +learned this, we were surprised to find him so highly respected by the +whites. In our subsequent excursions to the country, the letters of +introduction with which he kindly furnished us, to planters and others, +were uniformly received with avowals of the profoundest respect for him. +It should be observed, that Mr. O'Reily's attachment to the cause of +freedom in the colonies, is not a mere partizan feeling assumed in order +to be in keeping with the government under which he holds his office. +The fact of his being a Roman Catholic must, of itself, acquit him of +the suspicion of any strong partiality for the English government. On +the other hand, his decided hostility to the apprenticeship--the +favorite offspring of British legislation--demonstrates equally his +sincerity and independence. + +We were introduced to the Solicitor-General, William Henry Anderson, +Esq., of Kingston. Mr. A. is a Scotchman, and has resided to Jamaica for +more than six years. We found him the fearless advocate of negro +emancipation. He exposed the corruptions and abominations of the +apprenticeship without reserve. Mr. A. furnished us with a written +statement of his views, respecting the state of the island, the +condition of the apprentices, &c., from which we here make a +few extracts. + +"1. A very material change for the better has taken place in the +sentiments of the community since slavery was abolished. Religion and +education were formerly opposed as subversive of the security of +property; now they are in the most direct manner encouraged as its best +support. The value of all kinds of property has risen considerably, and +a general sense of security appears to be rapidly pervading the public +mind. I have not heard one man assert that it would be an advantage to +return to slavery, even were it practicable; and I believe that the +public is beginning to see that slave labor is not the cheapest." + +"2. The prejudices against color are _rapidly vanishing_. I do not think +there is a respectable man, I mean one who would be regarded as +respectable on account of his good sense and weight of character, who +would impugn another's conduct for associating with persons of color. So +far as my observation goes, those who would formerly have acted on these +prejudices, will be ashamed to own that they had entertained them. The +distinction of superior acquirements still belongs to the whites, as a +body; but that, and character, will shortly be the only distinguishing +mark recognized among us." + +"3. The apprentices are improving, _not, however, in consequence of the +apprenticeship, but in spite of it, and in consequence of the great act +of abolition_!" + +"4. I think the negroes might have been emancipated as safely in 1834, +as in 1840; and had the emancipation then taken place, they would be +found much further in advance in 1840, than they can be after the +expiration of the present period of apprenticeship, _through which all, +both apprentices and masters, are_ LABORING HEAVILY." + +"5. That the negroes will work if moderately compensated, no candid man +can doubt. Their _endurance_ for the sake of a very little gain is quite +amazing, and they are most desirous to procure for themselves and +families as large a share as possible of the comforts and decencies of +life. They appear peculiarly to reverence and desire intellectual +attainments. They employ, occasionally, children who have been taught in +the schools to teach them in their leisure time to read." + +"6. I think the partial modifications of slavery have been attended by +so much improvement in all that constitutes the welfare and +respectability of society, that I cannot doubt the increase of the +benefit were a total abolition accomplished of every restriction that +has arisen out of the former state of things." + +During our stay in Kingston, we called on the American consul, to whom +we had a letter from the consul at Antigua. We found him an elderly +gentleman, and a true hearted Virginian, both in his generosity and his +prejudices in favor of slavery. The consul, Colonel Harrison, is a near +relation of General W.H. Harrison, of Ohio. Things, he said, were going +ruinously in Jamaica. The English government were mad for abolishing +slavery. The negroes of Jamaica were the most degraded and ignorant of +all negroes he had ever seen. He had travelled in all our Southern +States, and the American negroes, even those of South Carolina and +Georgia, were as much superior to the negroes of Jamaica, as Henry Clay +was superior to him. He said they were the most ungrateful, faithless +set he ever saw; no confidence could be placed in them, and kindness was +always requited by insult. He proceeded to relate a fact from which it +appeared that the ground on which his grave charges against the negro +character rested, was the ill-conduct of one negro woman whom he had +hired some time ago to assist his family. The town negroes, he said, +were too lazy to work; they loitered and lounged about on the sidewalks +all day, jabbering with one another, and keeping up an incessant noise; +and they would not suffer a white man to order them in the least. They +were rearing their children in perfect idleness and for his part he +could not tell what would become of the rising population of blacks. +Their parents were too proud to let them work, and they sent them to +school all the time. Every afternoon, he said, the streets are thronged +with the half-naked little black devils, just broke from the schools, +and all singing some noisy tune learned in the infant schools; the +_burthen of_ their songs seems to be, "_O that will be joyful_." These +words, said he, are ringing in your ears wherever you go. How +aggravating truly such words must be, bursting cheerily from the lips of +the little free songsters! "O that will be joyful, _joyful_, +JOYFUL"--and so they ring the changes day after day, ceaseless and +untiring. A new song this, well befitting the times and the prospects, +but provoking enough to oppressors. The consul denounced he special +magistrates; they were an insolent set of fellows, they would fine a +white man as quick as they would flog a _nigger_.[A] If a master called +his apprentice "you scoundrel," or, "you huzzy," the magistrate would +either fine him for it or reprove him sharply in the presence of the +apprentice. This, in the eyes of the veteran Virginian, was intolerable. +Outrageous, not to allow a _gentleman_ to call his servant what names he +chooses! We were very much edified by the Colonel's _exposé_ of Jamaica +manners. We must say, however, that his opinions had much less weight +with us after we learned (as we did from the best authority) that he had +never been a half dozen miles into the country during a ten year's +residence in Kingston. + +[Footnote A: We fear there is too little truth in this representation.] + +We called on the Rev. Jonathan Edmonson, the superintendent of the +Wesleyan missions in Jamaica. Mr. E. has been for many years laboring as +a missionary in the West Indies, first in Barbadoes, then in St. +Vincent's, Grenada, Trinidad, and Demerara, and lastly in Jamaica. He +stated that the planters were doing comparatively nothing to prepare the +negroes for freedom. "_Their whole object was to get as much sugar out +of them as they possibly could_." + +We received a call from the Rev. Mr. Wooldridge, one of the Independent +missionaries. He thinks the conduct of the planters is tending to make +the apprentices their bitter enemies. He mentioned one effect of the +apprenticeship which had not been pointed out to us before. The system +of appraisement, he said, was a _premium upon all the bad qualities of +the negroes and a tax upon all the good ones_. When a person is to be +appraised, his virtues and his vices are always inquired into, and they +materially influence the estimate of his value. For example, the usual +rate of appraisement is a dollar per week for the remainder of the term; +but if the apprentice is particularly sober, honest, and industrious, +more particularly if he be a _pious man_, he is valued at the rate of +two or three dollars per week. It was consequently for the interest of +the master, when an apprentice applied for an appraisement, to portray +his virtues, while on the other hand there was an inducement for the +apprentice to conceal or actually to renounce his good qualities, and +foster the worst vices. Some instances of this kind had fallen under his +personal observation. + +We called on the Rev. Mr. Gardiner, and on the Rev. Mr. Tinson, two +Baptist missionaries in Kingston. On Sabbath we attended service at the +church of which Mr. G. is the pastor. It is a very large building, +capable of seating two thousand persons. The great mass of the +congregation were apprentices. At the time we were present, the chapel +was well filled, and the broad surface of black faces was scarcely at +all diversified with lighter colors. It was gratifying to witness the +neatness of dress, the sobriety of demeanor, the devotional aspect of +countenance, the quiet and wakeful attention to the preacher which +prevailed. They were mostly rural negroes from the estates adjacent +to Kingston. + +The Baptists are the most numerous body of Christians in the island. The +number of their missionaries now in Jamaica is sixteen, the number of +Chapels is thirty-one, and the number of members thirty-two thousand +nine hundred and sixty. The increase of members during the year 1836 was +three thousand three hundred and forty-four. + +At present the missionary field is mostly engrossed by the Baptists and +Wesleyans. The Moravians are the next most numerous body. Besides these, +there are the clergy of the English Church, with a Bishop, and a few +Scotch clergymen. The Baptist missionaries, as a body, have been most +distinguished for their opposition to slavery. Their boldness in the +midst of suffering and persecutions, their denunciations of oppression, +though they did for a time arouse the wrath of oppressors, and cause +their chapels to be torn down and themselves to be hunted, imprisoned, +and banished, did more probably than any other cause, to hasten the +abolition of slavery. + +_Schools in Kingston_.--We visited the Wolmer free school--the largest +and oldest school in the island. The whole number of scholars is five +hundred. It is under the charge of Mr. Reid, a venerable Scotchman, of +scholarship and piety. All colors are mingled in it promiscuously. We +saw the infant school department examined by Mr. R. There were nearly +one hundred and fifty children, of every hue, from the jettiest black to +the fairest white; they were thoroughly intermingled, and the ready +answers ran along the ranks from black to white, from white to brown, +from brown to pale, with undistinguished vivacity and accuracy. We were +afterwards conducted into the higher department, where lads and misses +from nine to fifteen, were instructed in the various branches of +academic education. A class of lads, mostly colored, were examined in +arithmetic. They wrought several sums in pounds, shillings and pence +currency, with wonderful celerity. + +Among other things which we witnessed in that school, we shall not soon +forget having seen a curly headed negro lad of twelve, examining a class +of white young ladies in scientific history. + +Some written statements and statistical tables were furnished us by Mr. +Reid, which we subjoin.. + +_Kingston, May 13th, 1837_ + +DEAR SIR,--I delayed answering your queries in hopes of being able to +give you an accurate list of the number of schools in Kingston, and +pupils under tuition, but have not been able completely to accomplish my +intention. I shall now answer your queries in the order you propose +them. 1st Quest. How long have you been teaching in Jamaica? Ans. +Thirty-eight years in Kingston. 2d Q. How long have you been master of +Wolmer's free school? A. Twenty-three years. 3d Q. What is the number of +colored children now in the school? A. Four hundred and thirty. 4th Q. +Was there any opposition to their admission at first? A. Considerable +opposition the first year, but none afterwards. 5th Q. Do they learn as +readily us the white children? A. As they are more regular in their +attendance, they learn better. 6th Q. Are they as easily governed? A. +Much easier. 7th Q. What proportion of the school are the children of +apprentices? A. Fifty. 8th Q. Do their parents manifest a desire to have +them educated? A. In general they do. 9th Q. At what age do the children +leave your school? A. Generally between twelve and fourteen. 10th Q What +employments do they chiefly engage in upon leaving you? A. The boys go +to various mechanic trades, to counting-houses, attorney's offices, +clerks to planting attorneys, and others become planters. The, girls +seamstresses, mantuamakers, and a considerable proportion tailoresses, +in Kingston and throughout Jamaica, as situations offer. + +I am, dear sirs, yours respectfully, + +E. REID. + +The following table will show the average numbers of the respective +classes, white and colored, who have attended Wolmer's free school in +each year, from 1814 to the present time. + + White | Colored | Total. + Children.|Children.| +Average number in 1814 87 87 + " " 1815 111 3 114 + " " 1816 129 25 154 + " " 1817 146 36 182 + " " 1818 155 38 193 + " " 1819 136 57 193 + " " 1820 116 78 194 + " " 1821 118 122 240 + " " 1822 93 167 260 + " " 1823 97 187 280 + " " 1824 94 196 290 + " " 1825 89 185 274 + " " 1826 93 176 269 + " " 1827 92 156 248 + " " 1828 88 152 240 + " " 1829 79 192 271 + " " 1830 88 194 282 + " " 1831 88 315 403 + " " 1832 90 360 450 + " " 1833 93 411 504 + " " 1834 81 420 501 + " " 1835 85 425 510 + " " 1836 78 428 506 + " " 1837 72 430 502 + +With regard to the _comparative intellect_ of white and colored +children, Mr. Reid gives the following valuable statement: + +"For the last thirty-eight years I have been employed in this city in +the tuition of children of all classes and colors, and have no +hesitation in saying that the children of color are equal both in +conduct and ability to the white. They have always carried off more than +their proportion of prizes, and at one examination, out of seventy +prizes awarded, sixty-four were obtained by children of color." + +Mr. R. afterwards sent to us the table of the number of schools in +Kingston, alluded to in the foregoing communication. We insert it here, +as it affords a view of the increase of schools and scholars since the +abolition of slavery. + + + 1831. + Schools. Scholars. +2 Wolmer's, 403 +1 National, 270 +34 Gentlemen's private, 1368 +40 Ladies' do. 1005 +8 Sunday, 1042 +---- ---- +85 Total, 4088 + + 1832. + + Schools. Scholars. +2 Wolmer's, 472 +1 National, 260 +31 Gentlemen's private, 1169 +41 Ladies' do. 856 +8 Sunday, 981 +---- ---- +83 Total, 3738 + + 1836. + + Schools. Scholars. +2 Wolmer's, 527 +3 National, 1136 +3 Mico, 590 +1 Baptist, 250 +1 Jamaica Union, 120 +31 Gentlemen's private, 1137 +59 Ladies' do. 1339 +9 Sunday, 1108 + By itinerant teachers and children. 1500 +---- ---- +109 Total, 7707 + + 1837. + Schools. Scholars. + 2 Wolmer's, 502 + 3 National, 1238 + 4 Mico, 611 + 1 Baptist 260 + 1 Jamaica Union, 200 +34 Gentlemen's private, 1476 +63 Ladies' do. 1525 +10 Sunday, 1316 + By itinerant teachers and children, 1625 +---- ---- +118 Total, 8753 + +We also visited the Union school, which has been established for some +years in Kingston. All the children connected with it, about one hundred +and fifty, are, with two exceptions, black or colored. The school is +conducted generally on the Lancasterian plan. We examined several of the +boys in arithmetic. We put a variety of questions to them, to be worked +out on the slate, and the reasons of the process to be explained as they +went along; all which they executed with great expertness. There was a +jet black boy, whom we selected for a special trial. We commenced with +the simple rules, and went through them one by one, together with the +compound rules and Reduction, to Practice, propounding questions and +examples in each of them, which were entirely new to him, and to all of +them he gave prompt and correct replies. He was only thirteen years old, +and we can aver we never saw a boy of that age in any of our common +schools, that exhibited a fuller and clearer knowledge of the science +of numbers. + +In general, our opinion of this school was similar to that already +expressed concerning the others. It is supported by the pupils, aided by +six hundred dollars granted by the assembly. + +In connection with this subject, there is one fact of much interest. +However strong and exclusive was the prejudice of color a few years +since in the schools of Jamaica, we could not, during our stay in that +island, learn of more than two or three places of education, and those +private ones, from which colored children were excluded, and among the +numerous schools in Kingston, there is not one of this kind. + +We called on several colored gentlemen of Kingston, from whom we +received much valuable information. The colored population are opposed +to the apprenticeship, and all the influence which they have, both in +the colony and with the home government, (which is not small,) is +exerted against it. They are a festering thorn in the sides of the +planters, among whom they maintain a fearless espionage, exposing by pen +and tongue their iniquitous proceedings. It is to be regretted that +their influence in this respect is so sadly weakened by their _holding +apprentices themselves_. + +We had repeated invitations to breakfast and dine with colored +gentlemen, which we accepted as often as our engagements would permit. +On such occasions we generally met a company of gentlemen and ladies of +superior social and intellectual accomplishments. We must say, that it +is a great self-denial to refrain from a description of some of the +animated, and we must add splendid, parties of colored people which we +attended. The conversation on these occasions mostly turned on the +political and civil disabilities under which the colored population +formerly labored, and the various straggles by which they ultimately +obtained their rights. The following are a few items of their history. +The colored people of Jamaica, though very numerous, and to some extent +wealthy and intelligent, were long kept by the white colonists in a +state of abject political bondage. Not only were offices withheld from +them, and the right of suffrage denied, but they were not even allowed +the privilege of an oath in court, in defense of their property or their +persons. They might be violently assaulted, their limbs broken, their +wives and daughters might be outraged before their eyes by villains +having white skins; yet they had no legal redress unless another white +man chanced to see the deed. It was not until 1824 that this oppressive +enactment was repealed, and the protection of an oath extended to the +colored people; nor was it then effected without a long struggle on +their part. + +Another law, equally worthy of a slaveholding legislature, prohibited +any white man, however wealthy, bequeathing, or in any manner giving his +colored son or daughter more than £2000 currency, or six thousand +dollars. The design of this law was to keep the colored people poor and +dependent upon the whites. Further to secure the same object, every +effort, both legislative and private, was made to debar them from +schools, and sink them in the lowest ignorance. Their young men of +talent were glad to get situations as clerks in the stores of white +merchants. Their young ladies of beauty and accomplishments were +fortune-made if they got a place in the white man's harem. These were +the highest stations to which the flower of their youth aspired. The +rest sank beneath the discouragements, and grovelled in vice and +debasement. If a colored person had any business with a white gentleman, +and should call at his house, "he must take off his hat, and wait at the +door, and be _as polite as a dog_." + +These insults and oppressions the colored people in Jamaica bore, until +they could bear them no longer. By secret correspondence they formed a +union throughout the island, for the purpose of resistance. This, +however, was not effected for a long time, and while in process, the +correspondence was detected, and the most vigorous means were used by +the whites to crush the growing conspiracy--for such it was virtually. +Persuasions and intimations were used privately, and when these failed, +public persecutions were resorted to, under the form of judicial +procedures. Among the milder means was the dismission of clerks, agents, +&c., from the employ of a white men. As soon as a merchant discovered +that his clerk was implicated in the correspondence, he first threatened +to discharge him unless he would promise to desert his brethren: if he +could not extort this promise, he immediately put his threat in +execution. Edward Jordon, Esq., the talented editor of the Watchman, +then first clerk in the store of a Mr. Briden, was prominently concerned +in the correspondence, and was summarily dismissed. + +White men drove their colored sons from their houses, and subjected them +to every indignity and suffering, in order to deter them from +prosecuting an enterprise which was seen by the terrified oppressors to +be fraught with danger to themselves. Then followed more violent +measures. Persons suspected of being the projectors of the disaffection, +were dragged before incensed judges, and after mock trials, were +sentenced to imprisonment in the city jail. Messrs. Jordon and Osborne, +(after they had established the Watchman paper,) were both imprisoned; +the former twice, for five months each time. At the close of the second +term of imprisonment, Mr. Jordon was _tried for his life_, on the charge +of having published _seditious matter_ in the Watchman. + +The paragraph which was denominated '_seditious matter_' was this-- + +"Now that the member for Westmoreland (Mr. Beaumont) has come over to +our side, we will, by a long pull, a strong pull, and a pull altogether, +bring down the system by the run, knock off the fetters, and let the +oppressed go free." + +On the day of Mr. J.'s trial, the court-room was thronged with colored +men, who had armed themselves, and were determined, if the sentence of +death were pronounced upon Mr. Jordon, to rescue him at whatever hazard. +It is supposed that their purpose was conjectured by the judges--at any +rate, they saw fit to acquit Mr. J. and give him his enlargement. The +Watchman continued as fearless and _seditious_ as ever, until the +Assembly were ultimately provoked to threaten some extreme measure which +should effectually silence the agitators. _Then_ Mr. Jordon issued a +spirited circular, in which he stated the extent of the coalition among +the colored people, and in a tone of defiance demanded the instant +repeal of every restrictive law, the removal of every disability, and +the extension of complete political equality; declaring, that if the +demand were not complied with, the whole colored population would rise +in arms, would proclaim freedom to their own slaves, instigate the +slaves generally to rebellion, and then shout war and wage it, until +_the streets of Kingston should run blood_. This bold piece of +generalship succeeded. The terrified legislators huddled together in +their Assembly-room, and swept away, at one blow, all restrictions, and +gave the colored people entire enfranchisement. These occurrences took +place in 1831; since which time the colored class have been politically +free, and have been marching forward with rapid step in every species of +improvement, and are now on a higher footing than in any other colony. +All offices are open to them; they are aldermen of the city, justices of +the peace, inspectors of public institutions, trustees of schools, etc. +There are, at least, then colored special magistrates, natives of the +island. There are four colored members of the Assembly, including +Messrs. Jordon and Osborne. Mr. Jordon now sits in the same Assembly, +side by side, with the man who, a few years ago, ejected him +disdainfully from his clerkship. He is a member of the Assembly for the +city of Kingston, where not long since he was imprisoned, and tried for +his life. He is also alderman of the city, and one of its local +magistrates. He is now inspector of the same prison in which he was +formerly immured as a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition. + +The secretary of the special magistrate department, Richard Hill, Esq., +is a colored gentleman, and is one of the first men in the island,[A] +for integrity, independence, superior abilities, and extensive +acquirements. It has seldom been our happiness to meet with a man more +illustrious for true nobility of soul, or in whose countenance there +were deeper traces of intellectual and moral greatness. We are confident +that no man can _see_ him without being impressed with his rare +combination of excellences. + +[Footnote A: We learn from the Jamaica papers, since our return to this +country, that Mr. Hill has been elected a member of the Assembly.] + +Having said thus much respecting the political advancement of the +colored people, it is proper to remark, that they have by no means +evinced a determination to claim more than their share of office and +influence. On the contrary, they stop very far short of what they are +entitled to. Having an extent of suffrage but little less than the +whites, they might fill one third of the seats in the Assembly, whereas +they now return but four members out of forty-five. The same may be said +of other offices, particularly those in the city of Kingston, and the +larger towns, where they are equal to, or more numerous, than the +whites. It is a fact, that a portion of the colored people continue at +this time to return white members to the Assembly, and to vote for white +aldermen and other city officers. The influential men among them, have +always urged them to take up white men, unless they could find +_competent_ men of their own color. As they remarked to us, if they were +obliged to send an _ass_ to the Assembly, it was far better for _them_ +to send a _white_ ass than a _black_ one. + +In company with a friend, we visited the principal streets and places of +business in Kingston, for the purpose of seeing for ourselves the +general employments of the people of color; and those who engage in the +lowest offices, such as porters, watermen, draymen, and servants of all +grades, from him who flaunts in livery, to him who polishes shoes, are +of course from this class. So with the fruiterers, fishmongers, and the +almost innumerable tribe of petty hucksters which swarm throughout the +city, and is collected in a dense mass in its suburbs. The market, which +is the largest and best in the West Indies, is almost entirely supplied +and attended by colored persons, mostly females. The great body of +artisans is composed mostly of colored persons. + +There are two large furniture and cabinet manufactories in Kingston, one +owned by two colored men, and the other by a white man. The operatives, +of which one contains eighty, and the other nearly as many, are all +black and colored. A large number of them are what the British law terms +_apprentices_, and are still bound in unremunerated servitude, though +some of them for thrice seven years have been adepts in their trades, +and not a few are earning their masters twenty or thirty dollars each +month, clear of all expenses. Some of these _apprentices_ are +hoary-headed and wrinkle-browned men, with their children, and +grand-children, apprentices also, around them, and who, after having +used the plane and the chisel for half a century, with faithfulness for +_others_, are now spending the few hours and the failing strength of old +again in _preparing_ to use the plane and the chisel for _themselves_. +The work on which they were engaged evinced no lack of mechanical skill +and ingenuity, but on the contrary we were shown some of the most +elegant specimens of mechanical skill, which we ever saw. The rich woods +of the West Indies were put into almost every form and combination which +taste could designate or luxury desire. + +The owners of these establishments informed us that their business had +much _increased within the last two years_, and was still extending. +Neither of them had any fears for the results of complete emancipation, +but both were laying their plans for the future as broadly and +confidently as ever. + +In our walk we accidentally met a colored man, whom we had heard +mentioned on several occasions as a superior architect. From the +conversation we had with him, then and subsequently, he appeared to +possess a fine mechanical genius, and to have made acquirements which +would be honorable in any man, but which were truly admirable in one who +had been shut up all his life by the disabilities which in Jamaica have, +until recently, attached to color. He superintended the erection of the +Wesleyan chapel in Kingston, the largest building of the kind in the +island, and esteemed by many as the most elegant. The plan was his own, +and the work was executed under his own eye. This man is using his means +and influence to encourage the study of his favorite art, and of the +arts and sciences generally, among those of his own hue. + +One of the largest bookstores in the island is owned by two colored men. +(Messrs. Jordon and Osborne, already referred to.) Connected with it is +an extensive printing-office, from which a newspaper is issued twice a +week. Another paper, under the control of colored men, is published at +Spanishtown. These are the two principal liberal presses in Jamaica, and +are conducted with spirit and ability. Their influence in the political +and civil affairs of the island is very great. They are the organs of +the colored people, bond and free, and through them any violation of law +or humanity is exposed to the public, and redress demanded, and +generally obtained. In literary merit and correctness of moral +sentiment, they are not excelled by any press there, while some of their +white contemporaries fall far below them in both. Besides the workmen +employed in these two offices, there is a large number of colored +printers in the other printing offices, of which there are several. + +We called at two large establishment for making jellies, comfits, +pickles, and all the varieties of tropic _preserves_. In each of them +thirty or more persons are constantly employed, and a capital of some +thousands of dollars invested. Several large rooms were occupied by +boxes, jars, and canisters, with the apparatus necessary to the process, +through which the fruit passes. We saw every species of fruits and +vegetables which the island produces, some fresh from the trees and +vines, and others ready to be transported to the four quarters of the +globe, in almost every state which the invalid or epicure could desire. +These articles, with the different preparations of arrow-root and +cassada, form a lucrative branch of trade, which is mostly in the hands +of the colored people. + +We were introduced to a large number of colored merchants, dealers in +dry goods, crockery and glass ware, ironmongers, booksellers, druggists, +grocers, and general importers and were conducted by them through their +stores; many of which were on an extensive scale, and managed, +apparently, with much order and regularity. One of the largest +commercial houses in Kingston has a colored man as a partner, the other +two being white. Of a large auction and commission firm, the most active +and leading partner is a colored man. Besides these, there is hardly a +respectable house among the white merchants, in which some important +office, oftentimes the head clerkship, is not filled by a person of +color. They are as much respected in business transactions, and their +mercantile talents, their acquaintance with the generalities and details +of commerce, and sagacity and judgment in making bargains, are as highly +esteemed by the white merchants, as though they wore an European hue. +The commercial room is open to them, where they resort unrestrainedly to +ascertain the news; and a visitor may not unfrequently see sitting +together at a table of newspapers, or conversing together in the +parlance of trade, persons as dissimilar in complexion as white and +black can make them. In the streets the same intercourse is seen. + +The general trade of the island is gradually and quietly passing into +the hands of the colored people. Before emancipation, they seldom +reached a higher grade in mercantile life than a clerkship, or, if they +commenced business for themselves, they were shackled and confined in +their operations by the overgrown and monopolizing establishments which +slavery had built up. Though the civil and political rights of one class +of them were acknowledged three years previous, yet they found they +could not, even if they desired it, disconnect themselves from the +slaves. They could not transact business--form credits and agencies, and +receive the confidence of the commercial public--like free men. Strange +or not, their fate was inseparably linked with that of the bondman, +their interests were considered as involved with his. However honest +they might be, it was not safe to trust them; and any attempt to rise +above a clerkship, to become the employer instead of the employed, was +regarded as a kind of insurrection, and strongly disapproved and +opposed. Since emancipation, they have been unshackling them selves from +white domination in matters of trade; extending their connections, and +becoming every day more and more independent. They have formed credits +with commercial houses abroad, and now import directly for themselves, +at wholesale prices, what they were formerly obliged to receive from +white importers, or rather speculators, at such prices as they, in their +tender mercies, saw fit to impose. + +Trade is now equalizing itself among all classes. A spirit of +competition is awakened, banks have been established, steam navigation +introduced, railroads projected, old highways repaired, and new ones +opened. The descendants of the slaves are rapidly supplying the places +which were formerly filled by whites from abroad. + +We had the pleasure of being present one day at the sitting of the +police court of Kingston. Mr. Jordon, the editor of the Watchman, in his +turn as a member of the common council, was presiding justice, with an +alderman of the city, a black man, as his associate. At a table below +them sat the superintendent of police, a white man, and two white +attorneys, with their huge law books and green bags before them. The bar +was surrounded by a motley assemblage of black, colored, and white +faces, intermingled without any regard to hue in the order of +superiority and precedence. There were about a dozen cases adjudged +while we were present. The court was conducted with order and dignity, +and the justices were treated with great respect and deference both by +white and black. + +After the adjournment of the court, we had some conversation with the +presiding justice. He informed us that whites were not unfrequently +brought before him for trial, and, in spite of his color, sometimes even +our own countrymen. He mentioned several instances of the latter, in +some of which American prejudice assumed very amusing and ludicrous +forms. In one case, he was obliged to threaten the party, a captain from +one of our southern ports, with imprisonment for contempt, before he +could induce him to behave himself with proper decorum. The captain, +unaccustomed to obey injunctions from men of such a complexion, curled +his lip in scorn, and showed a spirit of defiance, but on the approach +of two police officers, whom the court had ordered to arrest him, he +submitted himself. We were gratified with the spirit of good humor and +pleasantry with which Mr. J. described the astonishment and gaping +curiosity which Americans manifest on seeing colored men in offices of +authority, particularly on the judicial bench, and their evident +embarrassment and uneasiness whenever obliged to transact business with +them as magistrates. He seemed to regard it as a subject well worthy of +ridicule; and we remarked, in our intercourse with the colored people, +that they were generally more disposed to make themselves merry with +American sensitiveness on this point, than to bring serious complaints +against it, though they feel deeply the wrongs which they have suffered +from it, and speak of them occasionally with solemnity and earnestness. +Still the feeling is so absurd and ludicrous in itself, and is exhibited +in so many grotesque positions, even when oppressive, that the sufferer +cannot help laughing at it. Mr. Jordon has held his present office since +1832. He has had an extensive opportunity, both as a justice of the +police court, and as a member of the jail committee, and in other +official stations, to become well acquainted with the state of crime in +the island at different periods. He informed us that the number of +complaints brought before him had much diminished since 1834, and he had +no hesitation in saying, that crime had decreased throughout the island +generally more than one third. + +During one of our excursions into the country, we witnessed another +instance of the amicability with which the different colors associated +in the civil affairs of the island. It was a meeting of one of the +parish vestries, a kind of local legislature, which possesses +considerable power over its own territory. There were fifteen members +present, and nearly as many different shades of complexion. There was +the planter of aristocratic blood, and at his side was a deep mulatto, +born in the same parish a slave. There was the quadroon, and the +unmitigated hue and unmodified features of the negro. They sat together +around a circular table, and conversed as freely as though they had been +all of one color. There was no restraint, no uneasiness, as though the +parties felt themselves out of place, no assumption nor disrespect, but +all the proceedings manifested the most perfect harmony, confidence, and +good feeling. + +At the same time there was a meeting of the parish committee on roads, +at which there was the same intermixture of colors, the same freedom and +kindness of demeanor, and the same unanimity of action. Thus it is with +all the political and civil bodies in the island, from the House of +Assembly, to committees on jails and houses of correction. Into all of +them, the colored people are gradually making their way, and +participating in public debates and public measures, and dividing with +the whites legislative and judicial power, and in many cases they +exhibit a superiority, and in all cases a respectability, of talents and +attainments, and a courtesy and general propriety of conduct, which gain +for them the respect of the intelligent and candid among their white +associates. + +We visited the house of correction for the parish of St. Andrews. The +superintendent received us with the iron-hearted courtesy of a Newgate +turnkey. Our company was evidently unwelcome, but as the friend who +accompanied us was a man in authority, he was constrained to admit us. +The first sound that greeted us was a piercing outcry from the +treadmill. On going to it, we saw a youth of about eighteen hanging in +the air by a strap bound to his wrist, and dangling against the wheel in +such a manner that every revolution of it scraped the body from the +breast to the ankles. He had fallen off from weakness and fatigue, and +was struggling and crying in the greatest distress, while the strap, +which extended to a pole above and stretched his arm high above his +head, held him fast. The superintendent, in a harsh voice, ordered him +to be lifted up, and his feet again placed on the wheel. But before he +had taken five steps, he again fell off, and was suspended as before. At +the same instant, a woman also fell off, and without a sigh or the +motion of a muscle, for she was too much exhausted for either, but with +a shocking wildness of the eye, hung by her half-dislocated arms against +the wheel. As the allotted time (fifteen minutes) had expired, the +persons on the wheel were released, and permitted to rest. The boy could +hardly stand on the ground. He had a large ulcer on one of his feet, +which was much swollen and inflamed, and his legs and body were greatly +bruised and peeled by the revolving of the wheel. The gentleman who was +with us reproved the superintendent severely for his conduct, and told +him to remove the boy from the treadmill gang, and see that proper care +was taken of him. The poor woman who fell off, seemed completely +exhausted; she tottered to the wall near by, and took up a little babe +which we had not observed before. It appeared to be not more than two or +three months old, and the little thing stretched out its arms and +welcomed its mother. On inquiry, we ascertained that this woman's +offence was absence from the field an hour after the required time (six +o'clock) in the morning. Besides the infant with her, she had two or +three other children. Whether the care of them was any excuse for her, +we leave American mothers to judge. There were two other women on the +treadmill--one was sentenced there for stealing cane from her master's +field, and the other, we believe, for running away. + +The superintendent next took us to the solitary cells. They were dirty, +and badly ventilated, and unfit to keep beasts in. On opening the doors, +such a stench rushed forth, that we could not remain. There was a poor +woman in one of them, who appeared, as the light of day and the fresh +air burst in upon her, like a despairing maniac. + +We went through the other buildings, all of which were old and dirty, +nay, worse, _filthy_ in the extreme. The whole establishment was a +disgrace to the island. The prisoners were poorly clad, and had the +appearance of harsh usage. Our suspicions of ill treatment were +strengthened by noticing a large whip in the treadmill, and sundry iron +collars and handcuffs hanging about in the several rooms through which +we passed. + +The number of inmates in this house at our visit, was +forty-eight--eighteen of whom were females. Twenty of these were in the +treadmill and in solitary confinement--the remainder were working on +the public road at a little distance--many of them _in irons_--iron +collars about their necks, and chains passing between, connecting them +together two and two. + + + +CHAPTER II. + +TOUR TO THE COUNTRY. + +Wishing to accomplish the most that our limited time would allow; we +separated at Kingston;--the one taking a northwesterly route among the +mountainous coffee districts of Port Royal and St. Andrews, and the +other going into the parish of St. Thomas in the East. + +St. Thomas in the East is said to present the apprenticeship in its most +favorable aspects. There is probably no other parish in the island which +includes so many fine estates, or has so many liberal-minded +planters.[A] A day's easy drive from Kingston, brought us to Morant Bay, +where we spent two days, and called on several influential gentlemen, +besides visiting the neighboring estate of Belvidere. One gentleman whom +we met was Thomas Thomson, Esq., the senior local magistrate of the +Parish, next in civil influence to the Custos. His standing may be +inferred from the circumstance, (not trifling in Jamaica,) that the +Governor, during his tour of the island, spent a night at his house. We +breakfasted with Mr. Thomson, and at that time, and subsequently, he +showed the utmost readiness in furnishing us with information. He is a +Scotchman, has been in the island for thirty-eight years, and has served +as a local magistrate for thirty-four. Until very lately, he has been a +proprietor of estates; he informed us that he had sold out, but did not +mention the reasons. We strongly suspected, from the drift of his +conversation, that he sold about the time of abolition, through alarm +for the consequences. We early discovered that he was one of the old +school tyrants, hostile to the change which _had_ taken place, and +dreadfully alarmed in view of that which was yet to come. Although full +of the prejudices of an old slaveholder, yet we found him a man of +strong native sense and considerable intelligence. He declared it most +unreservedly as his opinion, that the negroes would not work after +1810--they were _naturally so indolent_, that they would prefer +gaining a livelihood in some easier way than by digging cane holes. He +had all the results of the emancipation of 1840 as clearly before his +mind, as though he saw them in prophetic vision; he knew the whole +process. One portion of the negroes, too lazy to provide food by their +own labor, will rob the provision grounds of the few who will remain at +work. The latter will endure the wrong as long as they well can, and +then they will procure arms and fire upon the marauders; this will give +rise to incessant petty conflicts between the lazy and the industrious, +and a great destruction of life will ensue. Others will die in vast +numbers from starvation; among these will be the superannuated and the +young, who cannot support themselves, and whom the planters will not be +able to support. Others numerous will perish from disease, chiefly for +want of medical attendance, which it will be wholly out of their power +to provide. Such is the dismal picture drawn by a late slaveholder, of +the consequences of removing the negroes from the tender mercies of +oppressors. Happily for all parties, Mr. Thomson is not very likely to +establish his claim to the character of a prophet. We were not at all +surprised to hear him wind up his prophecies against freedom with a +_denunciation of slavery_. He declared that slavery was a wretched +system. Man was _naturally a tyrant_. Mr. T. said he had one good +thing to say of the negroes, viz., that they were an _exceedingly +temperate people_. It was a very unusual thing to see one of them drunk. +Slavery, he said, was a system of _horrid cruelties_. He had lately +read, in the history of Jamaica, of a planter, in 1763, having a slave's +_leg_ cut off, to keep him from running away. He said that dreadful +cruelties were perpetrated until the close of slavery, and they were +inseparable from slavery. He also spoke of the fears which haunted the +slaveholders. He never would live on an estate; and whenever he chanced +to stay over night in the country, he always took care to secure his +door by bolting and barricading it. At Mr. Thomson's we met Andrew +Wright, Esq., the proprietor of a sugar estate called Green Wall, +situated some six miles from the bay. He is an intelligent gentleman, of +an amiable disposition--has on his estate one hundred and sixty +apprentices. He described his people as being in a very peaceable state, +and as industrious as he could wish. He said he had no trouble with +them, and it was his opinion, that where there is trouble, it must be +_owing to bad management_. He anticipated no difficulty after 1840, and +was confident that his people would not leave him. He believed that the +negroes would not to any great extent abandon the cultivation of sugar +after 1840. Mr. T. stated two facts respecting this enlightened planter, +which amply account for the good conduct of his apprentices. One was, +that he was an exceedingly kind and amiable man. _He had never been +known to have a falling out with any man in his life_. Another fact was, +that Mr. Wright was the only resident sugar proprietor in all that +region of country. He superintends his own estate, while the other large +estates are generally left in the hands of unprincipled, mercenary men. + +[Footnote A: We have the following testimony of Sir Lionel Smith to the +superiority of St. Thomas in the East. It is taken from the Royal +Gazette, (Kingston.) May 6, 1837. "His Excellency has said, that in all +his tour he was not more highly gratified with any parish than he was +with St. Thomas in the East."] + +We called on the Wesleyan missionary at Morant Bay, Rev. Mr. Crookes, +who has been in Jamaica fifteen years. Mr. C. said, that in many +respects there had been a great improvement since the abolition of +slavery, but, said he, "I abominate the apprenticeship system. At best, +it is only _improved slavery_." The obstacles to religious efforts +have been considerably diminished, but the masters were not to be +thanked for this; it was owing chiefly to the protection of British law. +The apprenticeship, Mr. C. thought, could not be any material +preparation for freedom. He was persuaded that it would have been far +better policy to have granted entire emancipation at once. + +In company with Mr. Howell, an Independent, and teacher of a school of +eighty negro children in Morant Bay, we drove out to Belvidere estate, +which is situated about four miles from the bay, in a rich district +called the Blue Mountain Valley. The Belvidere is one of the finest +estates in the valley. It contains two thousand acres, only four hundred +of which are cultivated in sugar; the most of it is woodland. This +estate belongs to Count Freeman, an absentee proprietor. We took +breakfast with the overseer, or manager, Mr. Briant. Mr. B. stated that +there was not so much work done now as there was during slavery. Thinks +there is _as much done for the length of time that the apprentices are +at work_; but a day and a half every week is lost; neither _are they +called out as early in the morning, nor do they work as late at night_. +The apprentices work at night very cheerfully for money: but they will +not work on Saturday for the common wages--quarter of a dollar. On +inquiry of Mr. B. we ascertained that the reason the apprentices did not +work on Saturdays was, that they could _make twice or three times as +much_ by cultivating their provision grounds, and carrying their produce +to market. At _night_ they cannot cultivate their grounds, then they +work for their masters "very cheerfully." + +The manager stated, that there had been no disturbance with the people +of Belvidere since the change. They work well, and conduct themselves +peaceably; and he had no fear but that the great body of the negroes +would remain on the estate after 1840, and labor as usual. This he +thought would be the case on every estate where there _is mild +management_. Some, indeed, might leave even such estates to _try their +fortunes_ elsewhere, but they would soon discover that they could get no +better treatment abroad, and they would then return to their old homes. + +While we were at Belvidere, Mr. Howell took us to see a new chapel which +the apprentices of that estate have erected since 1834, by their own +labor, and at their own expense. The house is thirty feet by forty; +composed of the same materials of which the negro huts are built. We +were told that the building of this chapel was first suggested by the +apprentices, and as soon as permission was obtained, they commenced the +preparations for its erection. We record this as a delightful _sign of +the times_. + +On our return to Morant Bay, we visited the house of correction, +situated near the village. This is the only "institution," as a Kingston +paper gravely terms it, of the kind in the parish. It is a small, +ill-constructed establishment, horribly filthy, more like a receptacle +for wild beasts than human beings. There is a treadmill connected with +it, made to _accommodate_ fifteen persons at a time. Alternate companies +ascend the wheel every fifteen minutes. It was unoccupied when we went +in; most of the prisoners being at work on the public roads. Two or +three, who happened to be near by, were called in by the keeper, and +ordered to mount the wheel, to show us how it worked. It made our blood +run cold as we thought of the dreadful suffering that inevitably ensues, +when the foot loses the step, and the body hangs against the +revolving cylinder. + +Leaving the house of correction, we proceeded to the village. In a small +open square in the centre of it, we saw a number of the unhappy inmates +of the house of correction at work under the direction, we are sorry to +say, of our friend Thomas Thomson, Esq. They were chained two and two by +heavy chains fastened to iron bands around their necks. On another +occasion, we saw the same gang at work in the yard attached to the +Independent chapel. + +We received a visit, at our lodgings, from the special justice of this +district, Major Baines. He was accompanied by Mr. Thomson, who came to +introduce him as his friend. We were not left to this recommendation +alone, suspicious as it was, to infer the character of this magistrate, +for we were advertised previously that he was a "planter's man"--unjust +and cruel to the apprentices. Major B. appeared to have been looking +through his friend Thomson's prophetic telescope. There was certainly a +wonderful coincidence of vision--the same abandonment of labor, the same +preying upon provision grounds; the same violence, bloodshed and great +loss of life among the negroes themselves! However, the special +magistrate appeared to see a little further than the local magistrate, +even to the _end_ of the carnage, and to the re-establishment of +industry, peace and prosperity. The evil, he was confident, would soon +cure itself. + +One remark of the special magistrate was worthy a prophet. When asked if +he thought there would be any serious disaffection produced among the +praedials by the emancipation of the non-praedials in 1838, he said, he +thought there would not be, and assigned as the reason, that the +praedials knew all about the arrangement, and did not _expect to be +free_. That is, the field apprentices knew that the domestics were to be +liberated two years sooner than they, and, without inquiring into the +grounds, or justice of the arrangement, _they would promptly +acquiesce in it_! + +What a fine compliment to the patience and forbearance of the mass of +the negroes. The majority see the minority emancipated two years before +them, and that, too, upon the ground of an odious distinction which +makes the domestic more worthy than they who "bear the heat and burthen +of the day," in the open field; and yet they submit patiently, because +they are told that it is the pleasure of government that it should +be so! + +The _non-praedials_, too, have their noble traits, as well as the less +favored agriculturalists. The special magistrate said that he was then +engaged in classifying the apprentices of the different estates in his +district. The object of this classification was, to ascertain all those +who were non-praedials, that they might be recorded as the subjects of +emancipation in 1838. To his astonishment he found numbers of this class +who expressed a wish to remain apprentices until 1840. On one estate, +six out of eight took this course, on another, twelve out of fourteen, +and in some instances, _all_ the non-praedials determined to suffer it +out with the rest of their brethren, refusing to accept freedom until +with the whole body they could rise up and shout the jubilee of +universal disinthrallment. Here is a nobility worthy to compare with the +patience of the praedials. In connection with the conduct of the +non-praedials, he mentioned the following instance of white brutality +and negro magnanimity. A planter, whose negroes he was classifying, +brought forward a woman whom he claimed as a praedial. The woman +declared that she was a non-praedial, and on investigation it was +clearly proved that she had always been a domestic; and consequently +entitled to freedom in 1838. After the planter's claim was set aside, +the woman said, "_Now_ I will stay with massa, and be his 'prentice for +de udder two year." + +Shortly before we left the Bay, our landlady, a colored woman, +introduced one of her neighbors, whose conversation afforded us a rare +treat. She was a colored lady of good appearance and lady like manners. +Supposing from her color that she had been prompted by strong sympathy +in our objects to seek an interview with us, we immediately introduced +the subject of slavery, stating that as we had a vast number of slaves +in our country, we had visited Jamaica to see how the freed people +behaved, with the hope that our countrymen might be encouraged to adopt +emancipation. "Alack a day!" The tawny madam shook her head, and, with +that peculiar creole whine, so expressive of contempt, said, "Can't say +any thing for you, sir--they not doing no good now, sir--the negroes +an't!"--and on she went abusing the apprentices, and denouncing +abolition. No American white lady could speak more disparagingly of the +niggers, than did this recreant descendant of the negro race. They did +no work, they stole, were insolent, insubordinate, and what not. + +She concluded in the following elegiac strain, which did not fail to +touch our sympathies. "I can't tell what will become of us after 1840. +Our negroes will be taken away from us--we shall find no work to do +ourselves--we shall all have to beg, and who shall we beg from? _All +will be beggars, and we must starve_!" + +Poor Miss L. is one of that unfortunate class who have hitherto gained a +meagre support from the stolen hire of a few slaves, and who, after +entire emancipation, will be stripped of every thing. This is the class +upon whom emancipation will fall most heavily; it will at once cast many +out of a situation of ease, into the humiliating dilemma of _laboring or +begging_--to the _latter_ of which alternatives, Miss L. seems inclined. +Let Miss L. be comforted! It is better to beg than to _steal_. + +We proceeded from Morant Bay to Bath, a distance of fourteen miles, +where we put up at a neat cottage lodging-house, kept by Miss P., a +colored lady. Bath is a picturesque little village, embowered in +perpetual green, and lying at the foot of a mountain on one side, and on +the other by the margin of a rambling little river. It seems to have +accumulated around it and within it, all the verdure and foliage of a +tropical clime. + +Having a letter of introduction, we called on the special magistrate for +that district--George Willis, Esq. As we entered his office, an +apprentice was led up in irons by a policeman, and at the same time +another man rode up with a letter from the master of the apprentice, +directing the magistrate to release him instantly. The facts of this +case, as Mr. W. himself explained them to us, will illustrate the +careless manner in which the magistrates administer the law. The master +had sent his apprentice to a neighboring estate, where there had been +some disturbance, to get his clothes, which had been left there. The +overseer of the estate finding an intruder on his property, had him +handcuffed forthwith, notwithstanding his repeated declarations that his +master had sent him. Having handcuffed him, he ordered him to be taken +before the special magistrate, Mr. W., who had him confined in the +station-house all night. Mr. W., in pursuance of the direction received +from the master, ordered the man to be released, but at the same time +repeatedly declared to him that the _overseer was not to blame for +arresting him_. + +After this case was disposed of, Mr. W, turned to us. He said he had a +district of thirty miles in extent, including five thousand apprentices; +these he visited thrice every month. He stated that there had been a +gradual decrease of crime since he came to the district, which was early +in 1835. For example, in March, 1837, there were but twenty-four persons +punished, and in March, 1835, there were as many punished in a single +week. He explained this by saying that the apprentices had become +_better acquainted with the requirements of the law_. The chief offence +at present was _absconding from labor_. + +This magistrate gave us an account of an alarming rebellion which had +lately occurred in his district, which we will venture to notice, since +it is the only serious disturbance on the part of the negroes, which has +taken place in the island, from the beginning of the apprenticeship. +About two weeks before, the apprentices on Thornton estate, amounting to +about ninety, had refused to work, and fled in a body to the woods, +where they still remained. Their complaint, according to our informant, +was, that their master had turned the cattle upon their provision +grounds, and all their provisions were destroyed, so that they could not +live. They, therefore, determined that they would not continue at work, +seeing they would be obliged to starve. Mr. W. stated that he had +visited the provision grounds, in company with two _disinterested +planters_, and he could affirm that the apprentices had _no just cause +of complaint_. It was true their fences had been broken down, and their +provisions had been somewhat injured, but the fence could be very easily +repaired, and there was an _abundance of yams left_ to furnish food for +the whole gang for some time to come--those that were destroyed being +chiefly young roots which would not have come to maturity for several +months. These statements were the substance of a formal report which he +had just prepared for the eye of Sir Lionel Smith, and which he was kind +enough to read to us. This was a fine report, truly, to come from a +special justice. To say nothing of the short time in which the fence +might be repaired, those were surely very dainty-mouthed cattle that +would consume those roots only which were so small that several months +would be requisite for their maturity. The report concluded with a +recommendation to his Excellency to take seminary vengeance upon a few +of the gang as soon as they could be arrested, since they had set such +an example to the surrounding apprentices. He could not see how order +and subordination could be preserved in his district unless such a +punishment was inflicted as would be a warning to all evil doers. He +further suggested the propriety of sending the maroons[A] after them, to +hunt them out of their hiding places and bring them to justice. + +[Footnote A: The maroons are free negroes, inhabiting the mountains of +the interior, who were formerly hired by the authorities, or by +planters, to hunt up runaway slaves, and return them to their masters. +Unfortunately our own country is not without _its_ maroons.] + +We chanced to obtain a different version of this affair, which, as it +was confirmed by different persons in Bath, both white and colored, who +had no connection with each other, we cannot help thinking it the +true one. + +The apprentices on Thornton, are what is termed a jobbing gang, that is, +they are hired out by their master to any planter who may want their +services. Jobbing is universally regarded by the negroes as the worst +kind of service, for many reasons--principally because it often takes +them many miles from their homes, and they are still required to supply +themselves with food from their own provision grounds. They are allowed +to return home every Friday evening or Saturday, and stay till Monday +morning. The owner of the gang in question lately died--to whom it is +said they were greatly attached--and they passed into the hands of a Mr. +Jocken, the present overseer. Jocken is a notoriously cruel man. It was +scarcely a twelvemonth ago, that he was fined one hundred pounds +currency, and sentenced to imprisonment for three months in the Kingston +jail, _for tying one of his apprentices to a dead ox_, because the +animal died while in the care of the apprentice. He also confined a +woman in the same pen with a dead sheep, because she suffered the sheep +to die. Repeated acts of cruelty have caused Jocken to be regarded as a +monster in the community. From a knowledge of his character, the +apprentices of Thornton had a strong prejudice against him. One of the +earliest acts after he went among them, was to break down their fences, +and turn his cattle into their provision grounds. He then ordered them +to go to a distant estate to work. This they refused to do, and when he +attempted to compel them to go, they left the estate in a body, and went +to the woods. This is what is called a _state of open rebellion_, and +for this they were to be hunted like beasts, and to suffer such a +terrible punishment as would deter all other apprentices from taking a +similar step. + +This Jocken is the same wretch who wantonly handcuffed the apprentice, +who went on to his estate by the direction of his master. + +Mr. Willis showed us a letter which he had received that morning from a +planter in his district, who had just been trying an experiment in job +work, (i.e., paying his people so much for a certain amount of work.) He +had made a proposition to one of the head men on the estate, that he +would give him a doubloon an acre if he would get ten acres of cane land +holed. The man employed a large number of apprentices, and accomplished +the job on three successive Saturdays. They worked at the rate of nearly +one hundred holes per day for each man, whereas the usual day's work is +only seventy-five holes. + +Mr. W. bore testimony that the great body of the negroes in his district +were very peaceable. There were but a few _incorrigible fellows_, that +did all the mischief. When any disturbance took place on an estate, he +could generally tell who the individual offenders were. He did not think +there would be any serious difficulty after 1840. However, the result he +thought would _greatly depend on the conduct of the managers!_ + +We met in Bath with the proprietor of a coffee estate situated a few +miles in the country. He gave a very favorable account of the people on +his estate; stating that they were as peaceable and industrious as he +could desire, that he had their confidence, and fully expected to retain +it after entire emancipation. He anticipated no trouble whatever, and he +felt assured, too, that if _the planters would conduct in a proper +manner_, emancipation would be a blessing to the whole colony. + +We called on the Wesleyan missionary, whom we found the decided friend +and advocate of freedom. He scrupled not to declare his sentiments +respecting the special magistrate, whom he declared to be a cruel and +dishonest man. He seemed to take delight in flogging the apprentices. He +had got a whipping machine made and erected in front of the Episcopal +church in the village of Bath. It was a frame of a triangular shape, the +base of which rested firmly on the ground, and having a perpendicular +beam from the base to the apex or angle. To this beam the apprentice's +body was lashed, with his face towards the machine, and his arms +extended at right angles, and tied by the wrists. The missionary had +witnessed the floggings at this machine repeatedly, as it stood but a +few steps from his house. Before we reached Bath, the machine had been +removed from its conspicuous place and _concealed in the bushes, that +the governor might not see it when he visited the village_. + +As this missionary had been for several years laboring in the island, +and had enjoyed the best opportunities to become extensively acquainted +with the negroes, we solicited from him a written answer to a number of +inquiries. We make some extracts from his communication. + +1. Have the facilities for missionary effort greatly increased since the +abolition of slavery? + +The opportunities of the apprentices to attend the means of grace are +greater than during absolute slavery. They have now one day and a half +every week to work for their support, leaving the Sabbath free to +worship God. + +2. Do you anticipate that these facilities will increase still more +after entire freedom? + +Yes. The people will then have _six days of their own to labor for their +bread_, and will be at liberty to go to the house of God every Sabbath. +Under the present system, the magistrate often takes away the Saturday, +as a punishment, and then they must either work on the Sabbath +or starve. + +3. Are the negroes likely to revenge by violence the wrongs which they +have suffered, after they obtain their freedom? + +_I never heard the idea suggested, nor should I have thought of it had +you not made the inquiry._ + +We called on Mr. Rogers, the teacher of a Mico charity infant school in +Bath. Mr. R., his wife and daughter, are all engaged in this work. They +have a day school, and evening school three evenings in the week, and +Sabbath school twice each Sabbath. The evening schools are for the +benefit of the adult apprentices, who manifest the greatest eagerness to +learn to read. After working all day, they will come several miles to +school, and stay cheerfully till nine o'clock. + +Mr. R. furnished us with a written communication, from which we extract +the following. + +_Quest._ Are the apprentices desirous of being instructed? + +_Ans._ Most assuredly they are; in proof of which I would observe that +since our establishment in Bath, the people not only attend the schools +regularly, but if they obtain a leaf of a book with letters upon it, +that is their _constant companion_. We have found mothers with their +sucking babes in their arms, standing night after night in their classes +learning the alphabet. + +_Q._ Are the negroes grateful for attentions and favors? + +_A._ They are; I have met some who have been so much affected by acts of +kindness, that they have burst into tears, exclaiming, 'Massa so +kind--my heart full.' Their affection to their teachers is very +remarkable. On my return lately from Kingston, after a temporary +absence, the negroes flocked to our residence and surrounded the chaise, +saying, 'We glad to see massa again; we glad to see school massa.' On my +way through an estate some time ago, some of the children observed me, +and in a transport of joy cried, 'Thank God, massa come again! Bless God +de Savior, massa come again!' + +Mr. R., said he, casually met with an apprentice whose master had lately +died. The man was in the habit of visiting his master's grave every +Saturday. He said to Mr. R., "Me go to massa grave, and de water come +into me yeye; but me can't help it, massa, _de water will come into +me yeye_." + +The Wesleyan missionary told us, that two apprentices, an aged man and +his daughter, a young woman, had been brought up by their master before +the special magistrate who sentenced them to several days confinement in +the house of correction at Morant Bay and to dance the treadmill. When +the sentence was passed the daughter entreated that she might be allowed +to _do her father's part_, as well as her own, on the treadmill, for he +was too old to dance the wheel--it would kill him. + +From Bath we went into the Plantain Garden River Valley, one of the +richest and most beautiful savannahs in the island. It is an extensive +plain, from one to three miles wide, and about six miles long. The +Plantain Garden River, a small stream, winds through the midst of the +valley lengthwise, emptying into the sea. Passing through the valley, we +went a few miles south of it to call on Alexander Barclay, Esq., to whom +we had a letter of introduction. Mr. Barclay is a prominent member of +the assembly, and an attorney for eight estates. He made himself +somewhat distinguished a few years ago by writing an octavo volume of +five hundred pages in defence of the colonies, i.e., in defence of +colonial slavery. It was a reply to Stephen's masterly work against West +India slavery, and was considered by the Jamaicans a triumphant +vindication of their "peculiar institutions." We went several miles out +of our route expressly to have an interview with so zealous and +celebrated a champion of slavery. We were received with marked courtesy +by Mr. B., who constrained us to spend a day and night with him at his +seat at Fairfield. One of the first objects that met our eye in Mr. B.'s +dining hall was a splendid piece of silver plate, which was presented to +him by the planters of St. Thomas in the East, in consideration of his +able defence of colonial slavery. We were favorably impressed with Mr. +B.'s intelligence, and somewhat so with his present sentiments +respecting slavery. We gathered from him that he had resisted with all +his might the anti-slavery measures of the English government, and +exerted every power to prevent the introduction of the apprenticeship +system. After he saw that slavery would inevitably be abolished, he drew +up at length a plan of emancipation according to which the condition of +the slave was to be commuted into that of the old English _villein_--he +was to be made an appendage to _the soil_ instead of the "chattel +personal" of the master, the whip was to be partially abolished, a +modicum of wages was to be allowed the slave, and so on. There was to be +no fixed period when this system would terminate, but it was to fade +gradually and imperceptibly into entire freedom. He presented a copy of +his scheme to the then governor, the Earl of Mulgrave, requesting that +it might be forwarded to the home government. Mr. B. said that the +anti-slavery party in England had acted from the blind impulses of +religious fanaticism, and had precipitated to its issue a work which +required many years of silent preparation in order to its safe +accomplishment. He intimated that the management of abolition ought to +have been left with the colonists; they had been the long experienced +managers of slavery, and they were the only men qualified to superintend +its burial, and give it a decent interment. + +He did not think that the apprenticeship afforded any clue to the dark +mystery of 1840. Apprenticeship was so inconsiderably different from +slavery, that it furnished no more satisfactory data for judging of the +results of entire freedom than slavery itself. Neither would he consent +to be comforted by the actual results of emancipation in Antigua. + +Taking leave of Mr. Barclay, we returned to the Plantain Garden River +Valley, and called at the Golden Grove, one of the most splendid estates +in that magnificent district. This is an estate of two thousand acres; +it has five hundred apprentices and one hundred free children. The +average annual crop is six hundred hogsheads of sugar. Thomas McCornock, +Esq., the attorney of this estate, is the custos, or chief magistrate of +the parish, and colonel of the parish militia. There is no man in all +the parish of greater consequence, either in fact or in seeming +self-estimation, than Thomas McCornock, Esq. He is a Scotchman, as is +also Mr. Barclay. The custos received us with as much freedom as the +dignity of his numerous offices would admit of. The overseer, (manager,) +Mr. Duncan, is an intelligent, active, business man, and on any other +estate than Golden Grove, would doubtless be a personage of considerable +distinction. He conducted us through the numerous buildings, from the +boiling-house to the pig-stye. The principal complaint of the overseer, +was that he could not make the people work to any good purpose. They +were not at all refractory or disobedient; there was no difficulty in +getting them on to the field; but when they were there, they moved +without any life or energy. They took no interest in their work, and he +was obliged to be watching and scolding them all the time, or else they +would do nothing. We had not gone many steps after this observation, +before we met with a practical illustration of it. A number of the +apprentices had been ordered that morning to cart away some dirt to a +particular place. When we approached them, Mr. D. found that one of the +"wains" was standing idle. He inquired of the driver why he was keeping +the team idle. The reply was, that there was nothing there for it to do; +there were enough other wains to carry away all the dirt. "Then," inquired +the overseer with an ill-concealed irritation, "why did not go to some +other work?" The overseer then turned to us and said, "You see, sir, +what lazy dogs the apprentices are--this is the way they do every day, +if they are not closely watched." It was not long after this little +incident, before the overseer remarked that the apprentices worked very +well during their own time, _when they were paid for it_. When we went +into the hospital, Mr. D. directed out attention to one fact, which to +him was very provoking. A great portion of the patients that come in +during the week, unable to work, are in the habit of getting well on +Friday evening, so that they can go out on Saturday and Sunday; but on +Monday morning they are sure to be sick again, then they return to the +hospital and remain very poorly till Friday evening, when they get well +all at once, and ask permission to go out. The overseer saw into the +trick; but he could find no medicine that could cure the negroes of that +intermittent sickness. The Antigua planters discovered the remedy for +it, and doubtless Mr. D. will make the grand discovery in 1840. + +On returning to the "great house," we found the custos sitting in state, +ready to communicate any official information which might be called for. +He expressed similar sentiments in the main, with those of Mr. Barclay. +He feared for the consequences of complete emancipation; the negroes +would to a great extent abandon the sugar cultivation and retire to the +woods, there to live in idleness, planting merely yams enough to keep +them alive, and in the process of time, retrograding into African +barbarism. The attorney did not see how it was possible to prevent this. +When asked whether he expected that such would be the case with the +negroes on Golden Grove, he replied that he did not think it would, +except with a very few persons. His people had been _so well treated_, +and had _so many comforts_, that they would not be at all likely to +abandon the estate! [Mark that!] Whose are the people that will desert +after 1840? Not Thomas McCornock's, Esq.! _They are too well situated. +Whose_ then will desert? _Mr. Jocken's_, or in other words, those who +are ill-treated, who are cruelly driven, whose fences are broken down, +and whose provision grounds are exposed to the cattle. They, and they +alone, will retire to the woods who can't get food any where else! + +The custos thought the apprentices were behaving very ill. On being +asked if he had any trouble with his, he said, O, no! his apprentices +did quite well, and so did the apprentices generally, in the Plantain +Garden River Valley. But in _far off parishes_, he _heard_ that they +were very refractory and troublesome. + +The custos testified that the negroes were very easily managed. He said +he had often thought that he would rather have the charge of six hundred +negroes, than of two hundred English sailors. He spoke also of the +temperate habits of the negroes. He had been in the island twenty-two +years, and he had never seen a negro woman drunk, on the estate. It was +very seldom that the men got drunk. There were not more than ten men on +Golden Grove, out of a population of five hundred, who were in the habit +of occasionally getting intoxicated. He also remarked that the negroes +were a remarkable people for their attention to the old and infirm among +them; they seldom suffered them to want, if it was in their power to +supply them. Among other remarks of the custos, was this sweeping +declaration--"_No man in his senses can pretend to defend slavery._" + +After spending a day at Golden Grove, we proceeded to the adjacent +estate of Amity Hall. On entering the residence of the manager, Mr. +Kirkland, we were most gratefully surprised to find him engaged in +family prayers. It was the first time and the last that we heard the +voice of prayer in a Jamaican planter's house. We were no less +gratefully surprised to see a white lady, to whom we were introduced as +Mrs. Kirkland, and several modest and lovely little children. It was the +first and the last _family circle_ that we were permitted to see among +the planters of that licentious colony. The motley group of colored +children--of every age from tender infancy--which we found on other +estates, revealed the state of domestic manners among the planters. + +Mr. K. regarded the abolition of slavery as a great blessing to the +colony; it was true that the apprenticeship was a wretchedly bad system, +but notwithstanding, things moved smoothly on his estate. He informed us +that the negroes on Amity Hall had formerly borne the character of being +the _worst gang in the parish_; and when he first came to the estate, he +found that half the truth had not been told of them; but they had become +remarkably peaceable and subordinate. It was his policy to give them +every comfort that he possibly could. Mr. K. made the same declaration, +which has been so often repeated in the course of this narrative, i.e., +that if any of the estates were abandoned, it would be owing to the +harsh treatment of the people. He knew many overseers and book-keepers +who were cruel driving men, and he should not be surprised if _they_ +lost a part, or all, of their laborers. He made one remark which we had +not heard before. There were some estates, he said, which would probably +be abandoned, for the same reason that they ought never to have been +cultivated, because they require _almost double labor_;--such are the +mountainous estates and barren, worn-out properties, which nothing but a +system of forced labor could possibly retain in cultivation. But the +idea that the negroes generally would leave their comfortable homes, and +various privileges on the estates, and retire to the wild woods, he +ridiculed as preposterous in the extreme. Mr. K. declared repeatedly +that he could not look forward to 1840, but with the most sanguine +hopes; he confidently believed that the introduction of complete freedom +would be the _regeneration of the island_. He alluded to the memorable +declaration of Lord Belmore, (made memorable by the excitement which it +caused among the colonists,) in his valedictory address to the assembly, +on the eve of his departure for England.[A] "Gentlemen," said he, "the +resources of this noble island will never be fully developed until +slavery is abolished!" For this manly avowal the assembly ignobly +refused him the usual marks of respect and honor at his departure. Mr. +K. expected to see Jamaica become a new world under the enterprise and +energies of freedom. There were a few disaffected planters, who would +probably remain so, and leave the islands after emancipation. It would +be a blessing to the country if such men left it, for as long as they +were disaffected, they were the enemies of its prosperity. + +[Footnote A: Lord Belmore left the government of Jamaica, a short time +before the abolition act passed in parliament.] + +Mr. K. conducted us through the negro quarters, which are situated on +the hill side, nearly a mile from his residence. We went into several of +the houses; which were of a better style somewhat than the huts in +Antigua and Barbadoes--larger, better finished and furnished. Some few +of them had verandahs or porches on one or more sides, after the West +India fashion, closed in with _jalousies_. In each of the houses to +which we were admitted, there was one apartment fitted up in a very neat +manner, with waxed floor, a good bedstead, and snow white coverings, a +few good chairs, a mahogany sideboard, ornamented with dishes, +decanters, etc. + +From Amity Hall, we drove to Manchioneal, a small village ten miles +north of the Plantain Garden River Valley. We had a letter to the +special magistrate for that district, R. Chamberlain, Esq., a colored +gentleman, and the first magistrate we found in the parish of St. Thomas +in the East, who was faithful to the interests of the apprentices. He +was a boarder at the public house, where we were directed for lodgings, +and as we spent a few days in the village, we had opportunities of +obtaining much information from him, as well as of attending some of his +courts. Mr. C. had been only five months in the district of Manchioneal, +having been removed thither from a distant district. Being a friend of +the apprentices, he is hated and persecuted by the planters. He gave us +a gloomy picture of the oppressions and cruelties of the planters. Their +complaints brought before him are often of the most trivial kind; yet +because he does not condemn the apprentices to receive a punishment +which the most serious offences alone could justify him in inflicting, +they revile and denounce him as unfit for his station. He represents the +planters as not having the most distant idea that it is the province of +the special magistrate to secure justice to the apprentice; but they +regard it as his sole duty to _help them_ in getting from the laborers +as much work as whips, and chains, and tread-wheels can extort. His +predecessor, in the Manchioneal district, answered perfectly to the +planters' _beau ideal_. He ordered a _cat_ to be kept on every estate in +his district, to be ready for use as he went around on his weekly +visits. Every week he inspected the cats, and when they became too much +worn to do good execution, he _condemned_ them, and ordered new ones +to be made. + +Mr. C. said the most frequent complaints made by the planters are for +_insolence_. He gave a few specimens of what were regarded by the +planters as serious offences. An overseer will say to his apprentice, +"Work along there faster, you lazy villain, or I'll strike you;" the +apprentice will reply, "You _can't_ strike me now," and for this he is +taken before the magistrate on the complaint of _insolence_. An +overseer, in passing the gang on the field, will hear them singing; he +will order them, in a peremptory tone to stop instantly, and if they +continue singing, they are complained of for _insubordination_. An +apprentice has been confined to the hospital with disease,--when he gets +able to walk, tired of the filthy sick house, he hobbles to his hut, +where he may have the attentions of his wife until he gets well. That is +called _absconding from labor_! Where the magistrate does not happen to +be an independent man, the complaint is sustained, and the poor invalid +is sentenced to the treadmill for absenting himself from work. It is +easy to conjecture the dreadful consequence. The apprentice, debilitated +by sickness, dragged off twenty-five miles on foot to Morant Bay, +mounted on the wheel, is unable to keep the step with the stronger ones, +slips off and hangs by the wrists, and his flesh is mangled and torn by +the wheel. + +The apprentices frequently called at our lodgings to complain to Mr. C. +of the hard treatment of their masters. Among the numerous distressing +cases which we witnessed, we shall never forget that of a poor little +negro boy, of about twelve, who presented himself one afternoon before +Mr. C., with a complaint against his master for violently beating him. A +gash was cut in his head, and the blood had flowed freely. He fled from +his master, and came to Mr. C. for refuge. He belonged to A. Ross, Esq., +of Mulatto Run estate. We remembered that we had a letter of +introduction to that planter, and we had designed visiting him, but +after witnessing this scene, we resolved not to go near a monster who +could inflict such a wound, with his own hand, upon a child. We were +highly gratified with the kind and sympathizing manner in which Mr. C. +spoke with the unfortunate beings who, in the extremity of their wrongs, +ventured to his door. + +At the request of the magistrate we accompanied him, on one occasion, to +the station-house, where he held a weekly court. We had there a good +opportunity to observe the hostile feelings of the planters towards this +faithful officer--"faithful among the faithless," (though we are glad +that we cannot quite add, "_only he_.") + +A number of managers, overseers, and book-keepers, assembled; some with +complaints, and some to have their apprentices classified. They all set +upon the magistrate like bloodhounds upon a lone stag. They strove +together with one accord, to subdue his independent spirit by taunts, +jeers, insults, intimidations and bullyings. He was obliged to threaten +one of the overseers with arrest, on account of his abusive conduct. We +were actually amazed at the intrepidity of the magistrate. We were +convinced from what we saw that day, that only the most fearless and +conscientious men could be _faithful magistrates_ in Jamaica. Mr. C. +assured us that he met with similar indignities every time he held his +courts, and on most of the estates that he visited. It was in his power +to punish them severely, but he chose to use all possible forbearance, +so as not to give the planters any grounds of complaint. + +On a subsequent day we accompanied Mr. C. in one of his estate visits. +As it was late in the afternoon, he called at but one estate, the name +of which was Williamsfield. Mr. Gordon, the overseer of Williamsfield, +is among the fairest specimens of planters. He has naturally a generous +disposition, which, like that of Mr. Kirkland, has out-lived the +witherings of slavery. + +He informed us that his people worked as well under the apprenticeship +system, as ever they did during slavery; and he had every encouragement +that they would do still better after they were completely free. He was +satisfied that he should be able to conduct his estate at much less +expense after 1840; he thought that fifty men would do as much then as a +hundred do now. We may add here a similar remark of Mr. Kirkland--that +forty freemen would accomplish as much as eighty slaves. Mr. Gordon +hires his people on Saturdays, and he expressed his astonishment at the +increased vigor with which they worked when they were to receive wages. +He pointedly condemned the driving system which was resorted to by many +of the planters. They foolishly endeavored to keep up the coercion of +slavery, _and they had the special magistrates incessantly flogging the +apprentices_. The planters also not unfrequently take away the provision +grounds from their apprentices, and in every way oppress and +harass them. + +In the course of the conversation Mr. G. accidentally struck upon a +fresh vein of facts, respecting the SLAVERY OF BOOK-KEEPERS,[A] _under +the old system_. The book-keepers, said Mr. G., were the complete slaves +of the overseers, who acted like despots on the estates. They were +mostly young men from England, and not unfrequently had considerable +refinement; but ignorant of the treatment which book-keepers had to +submit to, and allured by the prospect of becoming wealthy by +plantership, they came to Jamaica and entered as candidates. They soon +discovered the cruel bondage in which they were involved. The overseers +domineered over them, and stormed at them as violently as though they +were the most abject slaves. They were allowed no privileges such as +their former habits impelled them to seek. If they played a flute in the +hearing of the overseer, they were commanded to be silent instantly. If +they dared to put a gold ring on their finger, even that trifling +pretension to gentility was detected and disallowed by the jealous +overseer. (These things were specified by Mr. G. himself.) They were +seldom permitted to associate with the overseers as equals. The only +thing which reconciled the book-keepers to this abject state, was the +reflection that they might one day _possibly_ become overseers +themselves, and then they could exercise the same authority over others. +In addition to this degradation, the book-keepers suffered great +hardships. Every morning (during slavery) they were obliged to be in the +field before day; they had to be there as soon as the slaves, in order +to call the roll, and mark absentees, if any. Often Mr. G. and the other +gentleman had gone to the field, when it was so dark that they could not +see to call the roll, and the negroes have all lain down on their hoes, +and slept till the light broke. Sometimes there would be a thick dew on +the ground, and the air was so cold and damp, that they would be +completely chilled. When they were shivering on the ground, the negroes +would often lend them their blankets, saying, "Poor _busha pickaninny_ +sent out here from England to die." Mr. Gordon said that his +constitution had been permanently injured by such exposure. Many young +men, he said, had doubtless been killed by it. During crop time, the +book-keepers had to be up every night till twelve o'clock, and every +other night _all night_, superintending the work in the boiling-house, +and at the mill. They did not have rest even on the Sabbath; they must +have the mill put about (set to the wind so as to grind) by sunset every +Sabbath. Often the mills were in the wind before four o'clock, on +Sabbath afternoon. They knew of slaves being flogged for not being on +the spot by sunset, though it was known that they had been to meeting. +Mr. G. said that he had a young friend who came from England with him, +and acted as book-keeper. His labors and exposures were so intolerable, +that he had often said to Mr. G., confidentially, _that if the slaves +should rise in rebellion, he would most cheerfully join them_! Said Mr. +G., _there was great rejoicing_ among the book-keepers in August 1834! +_The abolition of slavery was_ EMANCIPATION TO THE BOOK-KEEPERS. + +[Footnote A: The book-keepers are subordinate overseers and drivers; +they are generally young white men, who after serving a course of years +in a sort of apprenticeship, are promoted to managers of estates.] + +No complaints were brought before Mr. Chamberlain. Mr. Gordon pleasantly +remarked when we arrived, that he had some cases which he should have +presented if the magistrate had come a little earlier, but he presumed +he should forget them before his next visit. When we left Williamsfield, +Mr. C. informed us that during five months there had been but two cases +of complaint on that estate--and but _a single instance of punishment._ +Such are the results where there is a good manager and a good special +magistrate. + +On Sabbath we attended service in the Baptist chapel, of which Rev. Mr. +Kingdon is pastor. The chapel, which is a part of Mr. K.'s +dwelling-house, is situated on the summit of a high mountain which +overlooks the sea. As seen from the valley below, it appears to topple +on the very brink of a frightful precipice. It is reached by a winding +tedious road, too rugged to admit of a chaise, and in some places so +steep as to try the activity of a horse. As we approached nearer, we +observed the people climbing up in throngs by various footpaths, and +halting in the thick woods which skirted the chapel, the men to put on +their shoes, which they had carried in their hands up the mountain, and +the women to draw on their white stockings and shoes. On entering the +place of worship, we found it well filled with the apprentices, who came +from many miles around in every direction. The services had commenced +when we arrived. We heard an excellent sermon from the devoted and pious +missionary, Mr. Kingdon, whose praise is among all the good throughout +the island, and who is eminently known as the negro's friend. After the +sermon, we were invited to make a few remarks; and the minister briefly +stated to the congregation whence we had come, and what was the object +of our visit. We cannot soon forget the scene which followed. We begun +by expressing, in simple terms, the interest which we felt in the +temporal and spiritual concerns of the people present, and scarcely had +we uttered a sentence when the whole congregation were filled with +emotion. Soon they burst into tears--some sobbed, others cried aloud; +insomuch that for a time we were unable to proceed. We were, indeed, not +a little astonished at so unusual a scene; it was a thing which we were +by no means expecting to see. Being at a loss to account for it, we +inquired of Mr. K. afterwards, who told us that it was occasioned by our +expressions of sympathy and regard. They were so unaccustomed to hear +such language from the lips of white people, that it fell upon them like +rain upon the parched earth. The idea that one who was a stranger and a +foreigner should feel an interest in their welfare, was to them, in such +circumstances, peculiarly affecting, and stirred the deep fountains of +their hearts. + +After the services, the missionary, anxious to further our objects, +proposed that we should hold an interview with a number of the +apprentices; and he accordingly invited fifteen of them into his study, +and introduced them to us by name, stating also the estates to which +they severally belonged. We had thus an opportunity of seeing the +_representatives of twelve different estates_, men of trust on their +respective estates, mostly constables and head boilers. For nearly two +hours we conversed with these men, making inquiries on all points +connected with slavery, the apprenticeship, and the expected +emancipation. + +From no interview, during our stay in the colonies, did we derive so +much information respecting the real workings of the apprenticeship; +from none did we gain such an insight into the character and disposition +of the negroes. The company was composed of intelligent and pious +men;--so manly and dignified were they in appearance, and so elevated in +their sentiments, that we could with difficulty realize that they were +_slaves_. They were wholly unreserved in their communications, though +they deeply implicated their masters, the special magistrates, and +others in authority. It is not improbable that they would have shrunk +from some of the disclosures which they made, had they known that they +would be published. Nevertheless we feel assured that in making them +public, we shall not betray the informants, concealing as we do their +names and the estates to which they belong. + +With regard to the wrongs and hardships of the apprenticeship much as +said; we can only give a small part. + +Their masters were often very harsh with them, more so than when they +were slaves. They could not flog them, but they would scold them, and +swear at them, and call them hard names, which hurt their feelings +almost as much as it would if they were to flog them. They would not +allow them as many privileges as they did formerly. Sometimes they would +take their provision grounds away, and sometimes they would go on their +grounds and carry away provisions for their own use without paying for +them, or as much as asking their leave. They had to bear this, for it +was useless to complain--they could get no justice; there was no law in +Manchioneal. The special magistrate would only hear the master, and +would not allow the apprentices to say any thing for themselves[A]. The +magistrate would do just as the busha (master) said. If he say flog him, +he flog him; if he say, send him to Morant Bay, (to the treadmill,) de +magistrate send him. If we happen to laugh before de busha, he complain +to de magistrate, and we get licked. If we go to a friend's house, when +we hungry, to get something to eat, and happen to get lost in de woods +between, we are called runaways, and are punished severely. Our half +Friday is taken away from us; we must give that time to busha for a +little salt-fish, which was always allowed us during slavery. If we lay +in bed after six o'clock, they take away our Saturday too. If we lose a +little time from work, they make us pay a great deal more time. They +stated, and so did several of the missionaries, that the loss of the +half Friday was very serious to them; as it often rendered it impossible +for them to get to meeting on Sunday. The whole work of cultivating +their grounds, preparing their produce for sale, carrying it to the +distant market, (Morant Bay, and sometimes further,) and returning, all +this was, by the loss of the Friday afternoon, crowded into Saturday, +and it was often impossible for them to get back from market before +Sabbath morning; then they had to dress and go six or ten miles further +to chapel, or stay away altogether, which, from weariness and worldly +cares, they would be strongly tempted to do. This they represented as +being a grievous thing to them. Said one of the men; in a peculiarly +solemn and earnest manner, while the tears stood in his eyes, "I declare +to you, massa, if de Lord spare we to be free, we be much more +'ligiours--_we be wise to many more tings_; we be better Christians; +because den we have all de Sunday for go to meeting. But now de holy +time taken up in work for we food." These words were deeply impressed +upon us by the intense earnestness with which they were spoken. They +revealed "the heart's own bitterness." There was also a lighting up of +joy and hope in the countenance of that child of God, as he looked +forward to the time when he might become _wise to many more tings_. + +[Footnote A: We would observe, that they did not refer to Mr. +Chamberlain, but to another magistrate, whose name they mentioned.] + +They gave a heart-sickening account of the cruelties of the treadmill. +They spoke of the apprentices having their wrists tied to the handboard, +and said it was very common for them to fall and hang against the wheel. +Some who had been sent to the treadmill, had actually died from the +injuries they there received. They were often obliged to see their wives +dragged off to Morant Bay, and tied to the treadmill, even when they +were in a state of pregnancy. They suffered a great deal of misery from +_that; but they could not help it_. + +Sometimes it was a wonder to themselves how they could endure all the +provocations and sufferings of the apprenticeship; _it was only "by de +mercy of God_!" + +They were asked why they did not complain to the special magistrates. +They replied, that it did no good, for the magistrates would not take +any notice of their complaints, besides, it made the masters treat them +still worse. Said one, "We go to de magistrate to complain, and den when +we come back de busha do all him can to vex us. He _wingle_ (tease) us, +and _wingle_ us; de book-keeper curse us and treaten us; de constable he +scold us, and call hard names, and dey all strive to make we mad, so we +say someting wrong, and den dey take we to de magistrate for insolence." +Such was the final consequence of complaining to the magistrate. We +asked them why they did not complain, when they had a good magistrate +who would do them justice. Their answer revealed a new fact. They were +afraid to complain to a magistrate, who they knew was their friend, +_because their masters told them that the magistrate would soon be +changed, and another would come who would flog them; and that for every +time they dared to complain to the GOOD magistrate, they would be +flogged when the BAD one came_. They said their masters had explained it +all to them long ago. + +We inquired of them particularly what course they intended to take when +they should become free. We requested them to speak, not only with +reference to themselves, but of the apprentices generally, as far as +they knew their views. They said the apprentices expected to work on the +estates, if they were allowed to do so. They had no intention of leaving +work. Nothing would cause them to leave their estates but bad treatment; +if their masters were harsh, they would go to another estate, where they +would get better treatment. They would be _obliged_ to work when they +were free; even more than now, for _then_ they would have no other +dependence. + +One tried to prove to us by reasoning, that the people would work +when they were free. Said he, "In slavery time we work _even_ wid de +whip, now we work 'till better--_what tink we will do when we free? +Won't_ we work den, _when we get paid_?" He appealed to us so earnestly, +that we could not help acknowledging we were fully convinced. However, +in order to establish the point still more clearly, he stated some +facts, such as the following: + +During slavery, it took six men to tend the coppers in boiling sugar, +and it was thought that fewer could not possibly do the work; but now, +since the boilers are paid for their extra time, the work is monopolized +by _three_ men. They _would not have any help_; they did all the work +"_dat dey might get all de pay_." + +We sounded them thoroughly on their views of law and freedom. We +inquired whether they expected to be allowed to do as they pleased when +they were free. On this subject they spoke very rationally. Said one, +"We could never live widout de law; (we use, his very expressions) we +must have some law when we free. In other countries, where dey are free, +_don't_ dey have law? Wouldn't dey shoot one another if they did not +have law?" Thus they reasoned about freedom. Their chief complaint +against the apprenticeship was, that it did not allow them _justice_. +"_There was no law now_." They had been told by the governor, that there +was the same law for all the island; but they knew better, for there was +more justice done them in some districts than in others. + +Some of their expressions indicated very strongly the characteristic +kindness of the negro. They would say, we work now as well as we can +_for the sake of peace; any thing for peace_. Don't want to be +complained of to the magistrate; don't like to be called hard names--do +any thing to keep peace. Such expressions were repeatedly made. We asked +them what they thought of the domestics being emancipated in 1838, while +they had to remain apprentices two years longer? They said, "it bad +enough--but we know de law make it so, and _for peace sake_, we will be +satisfy. _But we murmur in we minds_." + +We asked what they expected to do with the old and infirm, after +freedom? They said, "we will support dem--as how dey brought us up when +we was pickaninny, and now we come trong, must care for dem." In such a +spirit did these apprentices discourse for two hours. They won greatly +upon our sympathy and respect. The touching story of their wrongs, the +artless unbosoming of their hopes, their forgiving spirit toward their +masters, their distinct views of their own rights, their amiable bearing +under provocation, their just notions of law, and of a state of +freedom--these things were well calculated to excite our admiration for +them, and their companions in suffering. Having prayed with the company, +and commended them to the grace of God, and the salvation of Jesus +Christ, we shook hands with them individually, and separated from them, +never more to see them, until we meet at the bar of God. + +While one of us was prosecuting the foregoing inquiries in St. Thomas in +the East, the other was performing a horse-back tour among the mountains +of St. Andrews and Port Royal. We had been invited by Stephen Bourne, +Esq., special magistrate for one of the rural districts in those +parishes, to spend a week in his family, and accompany him in his +official visits to the plantations embraced in his commission--an +invitation we were very glad to accept, as it laid open to us at the +same time three important sources of information,--the magistrate, the +planter, and the apprentice. + +The sun was just rising as we left Kingston, and entered the high road. +The air, which the day before had been painfully hot and stived, was +cool and fresh, and from flowers and spice-trees, on which the dew still +lay, went forth a thousand fragrant exhalations. Our course for about +six miles, lay over the broad, low plain, which spreads around Kingston, +westward to the highlands of St. Andrews, and southward beyond +Spanishtown. All along the road, and in various directions in the +distance, were seen the residences--uncouthly termed 'pens'--of +merchants and gentlemen of wealth, whose business frequently calls them +to town. Unlike Barbadoes, the fields here were protected by walls and +hedges, with broad gateways and avenues leading to the house. We soon +began to meet here and there, at intervals, person going to the market +with fruits and provisions. The number continually increased, and at the +end of an hour, they could be seen trudging over the fields, and along +the by-paths and roads, on every hand. Some had a couple of stunted +donkeys yoked to a ricketty cart,--others had mules with +pack-saddles--but the many loaded their own heads, instead of the +donkeys and mules. Most of them were well dressed, and all civil and +respectful in their conduct. + +Invigorated by the mountain air, and animated by the novelty and +grandeur of the mountain scenery, through which we had passed, we +arrived at 'Grecian Regale' in season for an early West Indian +breakfast, (8 o'clock.) Mr. Bourne's district is entirely composed of +coffee plantations, and embraces three thousand apprentices. The people +on coffee plantations are not worked so hard as those employed on sugar +estates; but they are more liable to suffer from insufficient food +and clothing. + +After breakfast we accompanied Mr. Bourne on a visit to the plantations, +but there were no complaints either from the master or apprentice, +except on one. Here Mr. B. was hailed by a hoary-headed man, sitting at +the side of his house. He said that he was lame and sick, and could not +work, and complained that his master did not give him any food. All he +had to eat was given him by a relative. As the master was not at home, +Mr. B. could not attend to the complaint at that time, but promised to +write the master about it in the course of the day. He informed us that +the aged and disabled were very much neglected under the apprenticeship. +When the working days are over, the profit days are over, and how few in +any country are willing to support an animal which is past labor? If +these complaints are numerous under the new system, when magistrates are +all abroad to remedy them, what must it have been during slavery, when +master and magistrate were the same! + +On one of the plantations we called at the house of an emigrant, of +which some hundreds have been imported from different parts of Europe, +since emancipation. He had been in the island eighteen months, and was +much dissatisfied with his situation. The experiment of importing whites +to Jamaica as laborers, has proved disastrous--an unfortunate +speculation to all parties, and all parties wish them back again. + +We had some conversation with several apprentices, who called on Mr. +Bourne for advice and aid. They all thought the apprenticeship very +hard, but still, on the whole, liked it better than slavery. They "were +killed too bad,"--that was their expression--during slavery--were worked +hard and terribly flogged. They were up ever so early and late--went out +in the mountains to work, when so cold busha would have to cover himself +up on the ground. Had little time to eat, or go to meeting. 'Twas all +slash, slash! Now they couldn't be flogged, unless the magistrate said +so. Still the busha was very hard to them, and many of the apprentices +run away to the woods, they are so badly used. + +The next plantation which we visited was Dublin Castle. It lies in a +deep valley, quite enclosed by mountains. The present attorney has been +in the island nine years, and is attorney for several other properties. +In England he was a religious man, and intimately acquainted with the +eccentric Irving. For a while after he came out he preached to the +slaves, but having taken a black concubine, and treating those under his +charge oppressively, he soon obtained a bad character among the blacks, +and his meetings were deserted. He is now a most passionate and wicked +man, having cast off even the show of religion. + +Mr. B. visited Dublin Castle a few weeks since, and spent two days in +hearing complaints brought against the manager and book-keeper by the +apprentices. He fined the manager, for different acts of oppression, one +hundred and eight dollars. The attorney was present during the whole +time. Near the close of the second day he requested permission to say a +few words, which was granted. He raised his hands and eyes in the most +agonized manner, as though passion was writhing within, and burst +forth--"O, my God! my God! has it indeed come to this! Am I to be +arraigned in this way? Is my conduct to be questioned by these people? +Is my authority to be destroyed by the interference of stranger? O, my +God!" And he fell back into the arms of his book-keeper, and was carried +out of the room in convulsions. + +The next morning we started on another excursion, for the purpose of +attending the appraisement of an apprentice belonging to Silver Hill, a +plantation about ten miles distant from Grecian Regale. We rode but a +short distance in the town road, when we struck off into a narrow defile +by a mule-path, and pushed into the very heart of the mountains. + +We felt somewhat timid at the commencement of our excursion among these +minor Andes, but we gained confidence as we proceeded, and finding our +horse sure-footed and quite familiar with mountain paths, we soon +learned to gallop, without fear, along the highest cliffs, and through +the most dangerous passes. We were once put in some jeopardy by a drove +of mules, laden with coffee. We fortunately saw them, as they came round +the point of a hill, at some distance, in season to secure ourselves in +a little recess where the path widened. On they came, cheered by the +loud cries of their drivers, and passed rapidly forward, one after +another, with the headlong stupidity which animals, claiming more wisdom +than quadrupeds, not unfrequently manifest. When they came up to us, +however, they showed that they were not unaccustomed to such encounters, +and, although the space between us and the brow of the precipice, was +not three feet wide, they all contrived to sway their bodies and heavy +sacks in such a manner as to pass us safely, except one. He, more stupid +or more unlucky than the rest, struck us a full broad-side as he went by +jolting us hard against the hill, and well-nigh jolting himself down the +craggy descent into the abyss below. One leg hung a moment over the +precipice, but the poor beast suddenly threw his whole weight forward, +and by a desperate leap, obtained sure foothold in the path, and again +trudged along with his coffee-bags. + +On our way we called at two plantations, but found no complaints. At one +of them we had some conversation with the overseer. He has on it one +hundred and thirty apprentices, and produces annually thirty thousand +pounds of coffee. He informed us that he was getting along well. His +people are industrious and obedient, as much so, to say the least, as +under the old system. The crop this year is not so great as usual, on +account of the severe drought. His plantation was never better +cultivated. Besides the one hundred and thirty apprentices, there are +forty free children, who are supported by their parents. None of them +will work for hire, or in any way put themselves under his control, as +the parents fear there is some plot laid for making them apprentices, +and through that process reducing them to slavery. He thinks this +feeling will continue till the apprenticeship is entirely broken up, and +the people begin to feel assured of complete freedom, when it will +disappear. + +We reached Silver Hill about noon. This plantation contains one hundred +and ten apprentices, and is under the management of a colored man, who +has had charge of it seven years. He informed us that it was under as +good cultivation now as it was before emancipation. His people are +easily controlled. Very much depends on the conduct of the overseer. If +he is disposed to be just and kind, the apprentices are sure to behave +well; if he is harsh and severe, and attempts to _drive_ them, they will +take no pains to please him, but on the contrary, will be sulky and +obstinate. + +There were three overseers from other estates present. One of them had +been an overseer for forty years, and he possessed the looks and +feelings which we suppose a man who has been thus long in a school of +despotism, must possess. He had a giant form, which seemed to be +breaking down with luxury and sensualism. His ordinary voice was hoarse +and gusty, and his smile diabolical. Emancipation had swept away his +power while it left the love of it ravaging his heart. He could not +speak of the new system with composure. His contempt and hatred of the +negro was unadulterated. He spoke of the apprentices with great +bitterness. They were excessively lazy and impudent, and were becoming +more and more so every day. They did not do half the work now that they +did before emancipation. It was the character of the negro never to work +unless compelled. His people would not labor for him an hour in their +own time, although he had offered to pay them for it. They have not the +least gratitude. They will leave him in the midst of his crop, and help +others, because they can get a little more. They spend all their half +Fridays and their Saturdays on other plantations where they receive +forty cents a day. Twenty-five cents is enough for them, and is as much +as he will give. + +Mr. B. requested the overseer to bring forward his complaints. He had +only two. One was against a boy of ten for stealing a gill of goat's +milk. The charge was disproved. The other was against a boy of twelve +for neglecting the cattle, and permitting them to trespass on the lands +of a neighbor. He was sentenced to receive a good switching--that is, to +be beaten with a small stick by the constable of the plantation. + +Several apprentices then appeared and made a few trivial complaints +against 'busha.' They were quickly adjusted. These were all the +complaints that had accumulated in five weeks. + +The principal business which called Mr. Bourne to the plantation, as we +have already remarked, was the appraisement of an apprentice. The +appraisers were himself and a local magistrate. The apprentice was a +native born African, and was stolen from his country when a boy. He had +always resided on this plantation, and had always been a faithful +laborer. He was now the constable, or driver, as the office was called +in slavery times, of the second gang. The overseer testified to his +honesty and industry, and said he regretted much to have him leave. He +was, as appeared by the plantation books, fifty-four years old, but was +evidently above sixty. After examining several witnesses as to the old +man's ability and general health, and making calculations by the rule of +three, with the cold accuracy of a yankee horse-bargain, it was decided +that his services were worth to the plantation forty-eight dollars a +years, and for the remaining time of the apprenticeship, consequently, +at that rate, one hundred and fifty-six dollars. One third of this was +deducted as an allowance for the probabilities of death, and sickness, +leaving one hundred and four dollars as the price of his redemption. The +old man objected strongly and earnestly to the price; he said, it was +too much; he had not money enough to pay it; and begged them, with tears +in his eyes, not to make him pay so much "for his old bones;" but they +would not remit a cent. They could not. They were the stern ministers of +the British emancipation law, the praises of which have been shouted +through the earth! + +Of the three overseers who were present, not one could be called a +respectable man. Their countenances were the mirrors of all lustful and +desperate passions. They were continually drinking rum and water, and +one of them was half drunk. + +Our next visit was to an elevated plantation called Peter's Rock. The +path to it was, in one place, so steep, that we had to dismount and +permit our horses to work their way up as they could, while we followed +on foot. We then wound along among provision grounds and coffee fields, +through forests where hardly a track was to be seen, and over hedges, +which the horses were obliged to leap, till we issued on the great path +which leads from the plantation to Kingston. + +Peter's Rock has one hundred apprentices, and is under the management, +as Mr. Bourne informed us, of a very humane man. During the two years +and a half of the apprenticeship, there had been _only six complaints_. +As we approached the plantation we saw the apprentices at the side of +the road, eating their breakfast. They had been at work some distance +from their houses, and could not spend time to go home. They saluted us +with great civility, most of them rising and uncovering their heads. In +answer to our questions, they said they were getting along very well. +They said their master was kind to them, and they appeared in +fine spirits. + +The overseer met us as we rode up to the door, and received us very +courteously. He had no complaints. He informed us that the plantation +was as well cultivated as it had been for many years, and the people +were perfectly obedient and industrious. + +From Peter's Rock we rode to "Hall's Prospect," a plantation on which +there are sixty apprentices under the charge of a black overseer, who, +two years ago, was a slave. It was five weeks since Mr. B. had been +there, and yet he had only one complaint, and that against a woman for +being late at work on Monday morning. The reason she gave for this was, +that she went to an estate some miles distant to spend the Sabbath with +her husband. + +Mr. Bourne, by the aid of funds left in his hands by Mr. Sturge, is +about to establish a school on this plantation. Mr. B., at a previous +visit, had informed the people of what he intended to do, and asked +their co-operation. As soon as they saw him to-day, several of them +immediately inquired about the school, when it would begin, &c. They +showed the greatest eagerness and thankfulness. Mr. B. told them he +should send a teacher as soon as a house was prepared. He had been +talking with their master (the attorney of the plantation) about fixing +one, who had offered them the old "lock-up house," if they would put it +in order. There was a murmur among them at this annunciation. At length +one of the men said, they did not want the school to be held in the +"lock-up house." It was not a good place for their "pickaninnies" to go +to. They had much rather have some other building, and would be glad to +have it close to their houses. Mr. B. told them if they would put up a +small house near their own, he would furnish it with desks and benches. +To this they all assented with great joy. + +On our way home we saw, as we did on various other occasions, many of +the apprentices with hoes, baskets, &c., going to their provision +grounds. We had some conversation with them as we rode along. They said +they had been in the fields picking coffee since half past five o'clock. +They were now going, as they always did after "horn-blow" in the +afternoon, (four o'clock,) to their grounds, where they should stay till +dark. Some of their grounds were four, others six miles from home. They +all liked the apprenticeship better than slavery. They were not flogged +so much now, and had more time to themselves. But they should like +freedom much better, and should be glad when it came. + +We met a brown young woman driving an ass laden with a great variety of +articles. She said she had been to Kingston (fifteen miles off) with a +load of provisions, and had purchased some things to sell to the +apprentices. We asked her what she did with her money. "Give it to my +husband," said she. "Do you keep none for yourself?" She smiled and +replied: "What for him for me." + +After we had passed, Mr. B. informed us that she had been an apprentice, +but purchased her freedom a few months previous, and was now engaged as +a kind of country merchant. She purchases provisions of the negroes, and +carries them to Kingston, where she exchanges them for pins, needles, +thread, dry goods, and such articles as the apprentices need, which she +again exchanges for provisions and money. + +Mr. Bourne informed us that real estate is much higher than before +emancipation. He mentioned one "pen" which was purchased for eighteen +hundred dollars a few years since. The owner had received nine hundred +dollars as 'compensation' for freedom. It has lately been leased for +seven years by the owner, for nine hundred dollars per year. + +A gentleman who owns a plantation in Mr. B.'s district, sold parcels of +land to the negroes before emancipation at five shillings per acre. He +now obtains twenty-seven shillings per acre. + +The house in which Mr. B. resides was rented in 1833 for one hundred and +fifty dollars. Mr. B. engaged it on his arrival for three years, at two +hundred and forty dollars per year. His landlord informed him a few days +since, that on the expiration of his present lease, he should raise the +rent to three hundred and thirty dollars. + +Mr. B. is acquainted with a gentleman of wealth, who has been +endeavoring for the last twelve months to purchase an estate in this +island. He has offered high prices, but has as yet been unable to obtain +one. Landholders have so much confidence in the value and security of +real estate, that they do not wish to part with it. + +After our visit to Silver Hill, our attention was particularly turned to +the condition of the negro grounds. Most of them were very clean and +flourishing. Large plats of the onion, of cocoa, plantain, banana, yam, +potatoe, and other tropic vegetables, were scattered all around within +five or six miles of a plantation. We were much pleased with the +appearance of them during a ride on a Friday. In the forenoon, they had +all been vacant; not a person was to be seen in them; but after one +o'clock, they began gradually to be occupied, till, at the end of an +hour, where-ever we went, we saw men, women, and children laboring +industriously in their little gardens. In some places, the hills to +their very summits were spotted with cultivation. Till Monday morning +the apprentices were free, and they certainly manifested a strong +disposition to spend that time in taking care of themselves. The +testimony of the numerous apprentices with whom we conversed, was to the +same effect as our observation. They all testified that they were paying +as much attention to their grounds as they ever did, but that their +provisions had been cut short by the drought. They had their land all +prepared for a new crop, and were only waiting for rain to put in the +seed. Mr. Bourne corroborated their statement, and remarked, that he +never found the least difficulty in procuring laborers. Could he have +the possession of the largest plantation in the island to-day, he had no +doubt that, within a week, he could procure free laborers enough to +cultivate every acre. + +On one occasion, while among the mountains, we were impressed on a jury +to sit in inquest on the body of a negro woman found dead on the high +road. She was, as appeared in evidence, on her return from the house of +correction, at Half-Way-Tree, where she had been sentenced for fourteen +days, and been put on the treadmill. She had complained to some of her +acquaintances of harsh treatment there, and said they had killed her, +and that if she ever lived to reach home, she should tell all her +massa's negroes never to cross the threshold of Half-Way-Tree, as it +would kill them. The evidence, however, was not clear that she died in +consequence of such treatment, and the jury, accordingly, decided that +she came to her death by some cause unknown to them. + +Nine of the jury were overseers, and if they, collected together +indiscriminately on this occasion, were a specimen of those who have +charge of the apprentices in this island, they must be most degraded and +brutal men. They appeared more under the influence of low passions, more +degraded by sensuality, and but little more intelligent, than the +negroes themselves. Instead of possessing irresponsible power over their +fellows, they ought themselves to be under the power of the most strict +and energetic laws. Our visits to the plantations, and inquiries on this +point, confirmed this opinion. They are the 'feculum' of European +society--ignorant, passionate, licentious. We do them no injustice when +we say this, nor when we further add, that the apprentices suffer in a +hundred ways which the law cannot reach, gross insults and oppression +from their excessive rapaciousness and lust. What must it have been +during slavery? + +We had some conversation with Cheny Hamilton, Esq., one of the special +magistrates for Port Royal. He is a colored man, and has held his office +about eighteen months. There are three thousand apprentices in his +district, which embraces sugar and coffee estates. The complaints are +few and of a very trivial nature. They mostly originate with the +planters. Most of the cases brought before him are for petty theft and +absence from work. + +In his district, cultivation was never better. The negroes are willing +to work during their own time. His father-in-law is clearing up some +mountain land for a coffee plantation, by the labor of apprentices from +neighboring estates. The seasons since emancipation have been bad. The +blacks cultivate their own grounds on their half Fridays and Saturdays, +unless they can obtain employment from others. + +Nothing is doing by the planters for the education of the apprentices. +Their only object is to get as much work out of them as possible. + +The blacks, so far as he has had opportunity to observe, are in every +respect as quiet and industrious as they were before freedom. He said if +we would compare the character of the complaints brought by the +overseers and apprentices against each other, we should see for +ourselves which party was the most peaceable and law-abiding. + +To these views we may here add those of another gentleman, with whom we +had considerable conversation about the same time. He is a proprietor +and local magistrate, and was represented to us as a kind and humane +man. Mr. Bourne stated to us that he had not had six cases of complaint +on his plantation for the last twelve months. We give his most important +statements in the following brief items: + +1. He has had charge of estates in Jamaica since 1804. At one time he +had twelve hundred negroes under his control. He now owns a coffee +plantation, on which there are one hundred and ten apprentices, and is +also attorney for several others, the owners of which reside out of +the island. + +2. His plantation is well cultivated and clean, and his people are as +industrious and civil as they ever were. He employs them during their +own time, and always finds them willing to work for him, unless their +own grounds require their attendance. Cultivation generally, through the +island, is as good as it ever was. Many of the planters, at the +commencement of the apprenticeship, reduced the quantity of land +cultivated; he did not do so, but on the contrary is extending his +plantation. + +3. The crops this year are not so good as usual. This is no fault of the +apprentices, but is owing to the bad season. + +4. The conduct of the apprentices depends very much on the conduct of +those who have charge of them. If you find a plantation on which the +overseer is kind, and does common justice to the laborer, you will find +things going on well--if otherwise, the reverse. Those estates and +plantations on which the proprietor himself resides, are most peaceable +and prosperous. + +5. Real estate is more valuable than before emancipation. Property is +more secure, and capitalists are more ready to invest their funds. + +6. The result of 1840 is as yet doubtful. For his part, he has no fears. +He doubts not he can cultivate his plantation as easily after that +period as before. He is confident he can do it cheaper. He thinks it not +only likely, but certain, that many of the plantations on which the +people have been ill used, while slaves and apprentices, will be +abandoned by the present laborers, and that they will never be worked +until overseers are put over them who, instead of doing all they can to +harass them, will soothe and conciliate them. The apprenticeship has +done much harm instead of good in the way of preparing the blacks to +work after 1840. + +A few days after our return from the mountains, we rode to Spanishtown, +which is about twelve miles west of Kingston. Spanishtown is the seat of +government, containing the various buildings for the residence of the +governor, the meeting of the legislature, the session of the courts, and +rooms for the several officers of the crown. They are all strong and +massive structures, but display little architectural magnificence +or beauty. + +We spent nearly a day with Richard Hill, Esq., the secretary of the +special magistrates' department, of whom we have already spoken. He is a +colored gentleman, and in every respect the noblest man, white or black, +whom we met in the West Indies. He is highly intelligent, and of fine +moral feelings. His manners are free and unassuming, and his language in +conversation fluent and well chosen. He is intimately acquainted with +English and French authors, and has studied thoroughly the history and +character of the people with whom the tie of color has connected him. He +travelled two years in Hayti, and his letters, written in a flowing and +luxuriant style, as a son of the tropics should write, giving an account +of his observations and inquiries in that interesting island, were +published extensively in England; and have been copied into the +anti-slavery journals in this country. His journal will be given to the +public as soon as his official duties will permit him to prepare it. He +is at the head of the special magistrates, (of which there are sixty in +the island,) and all the correspondence between them and the governor is +carried on through him. The station he holds is a very important one, +and the business connected with it is of a character and an extent that, +were he not a man of superior abilities, he could not sustain. He is +highly respected by the government in the island, and at home, and +possesses the esteem of his fellow-citizens of all colors. He associates +with persons of the highest rank, dining and attending parties at the +government-house with all the aristocracy of Jamaica. We had the +pleasure of spending an evening with him at the solicitor-general's. +Though an African sun has burnt a deep tinge on him, he is truly one of +nature's noblemen. His demeanor is such, so dignified, yet bland and +amiable, that no one can help respecting him. + +He spoke in the warmest terms of Lord Sligo,[A] the predecessor of Sir +Lionel Smith, who was driven from the island by the machinations of the +planters and the enemies of the blacks. Lord Sligo was remarkable for +his statistical accuracy. Reports were made to him by the special +magistrates every week. No act of injustice or oppression could escape +his indefatigable inquiries. He was accessible, and lent an open ear to +the lowest person in the island. The planters left no means untried to +remove him, and unhappily succeeded. + +[Footnote A: When Lord Sligo visited the United States in the summer of +1836, he spoke with great respect of Mr. Hill to Elizur Wright, Esq., +Corresponding Secretary of the American Anti-Slavery Society. Mr. Wright +has furnished us with the following statement:--"Just before his +lordship left this city for England, he bore testimony to us +substantially as follows:--'When I went to Jamaica, Mr. Hill was a +special magistrate. In a certain case he refused to comply with my +directions, differing from me in his interpretation of the law. I +informed him that his continued non-compliance must result in his +removal from office. He replied that his mind was made up as to the law, +and he would not violate his reason to save his bread. Being satisfied +of the correctness of my own interpretation, I was obliged, of course, +to remove him; but I was so forcibly struck with his manly independence, +that I applied to the government for power to employ him as my +secretary, which was granted. And having had him as an _intimate of my +family_ for several months, I can most cordially bear my testimony to +his trustworthiness, ability, and gentlemanly deportment.' Lord Sligo +also added, that Mr. Hill was treated in his family in all respects as +if he had not been colored, and that with no gentleman in the West +Indies was he, in social life, on terms of more intimate friendship."] + +The following items contain the principal information received from Mr. +Hill: + +1. The apprenticeship is a most vicious system, full of blunders and +absurdities, and directly calculated to set master and slave at war. + +2. The complaints against the apprentices are decreasing every month, +_except, perhaps, complaints against mothers for absence from work, +which he thinks are increasing_. The apprenticeship _law_ makes no +provision for the free children, and on most of the plantations and +estates no allowance is given them, but they are thrown entirely for +support on their parents, who are obliged to work the most and best part +of their time for their masters unrewarded. The nurseries are broken up, +and frequently the mothers are obliged to work in the fields with their +infants at their backs, or else to leave them at some distance under the +shade of a hedge or tree. Every year is making their condition worse and +worse. The number of children is increasing, and yet the mothers are +required, after their youngest child has attained the age of a few +weeks, to be at work the same number of hours as the men. Very little +time is given them to take care of their household. When they are tardy +they are brought before the magistrate. + +A woman was brought before Mr. Hill a few days before we were there, +charged with not being in the field till one hour after the rest of the +gang. She had twins, and appeared before him with a child hanging on +each arm. What an eloquent defence! He dismissed the complaint. + +He mentioned another case, of a woman whose master resided in +Spanishtown, but who was hired out by him to some person in the country. +Her child became sick, but her employer refused any assistance. With it +in her arms, she entreated aid of her master. The monster drove her and +her dying little one into the street at night, and she sought shelter +with Mr. Hill, where her child expired before morning. For such horrid +cruelty as this, the apprenticeship law provides no remedy. The woman +had no claim for the support of her child, on the man who was receiving +the wages of her daily toil. That child was not worth a farthing to him, +because it was no longer his _chattel_; and while the law gives him +power to rob the mother, it has no compulsion to make him support +the child. + +3. The complaints are generally of the most trivial and frivolous +nature. They are mostly against mothers for neglect of duty, and vague +charges of insolence. There is no provision in the law to prevent the +master from using abusive language to the apprentice; any insult short +of a blow, he is free to commit; but the slightest word of incivility, a +look, smile, or grin, is punished in the apprentice, even though it +were provoked. + +4. There is still much flogging by the overseers. Last week a girl came +to Mr. H. terribly scarred and "slashed," and complained that her master +had beaten her. It appeared that this was the _seventh offence_, for +neither of which she could obtain a hearing from the special magistrate +in her district. While Mr. H. was relating to me this fact, a girl came +in with a little babe in her arms. He called my attention to a large +bruise near her eye. He said her master knocked her down a few days +since, and made that wound by kicking her. + +Frequently when complaints of insolence are made, on investigation, it +is found that the offence was the result of a quarrel commenced by the +master, during which he either cuffed or kicked the offender. + +The special magistrates also frequently resort to flogging. Many of +them, as has been mentioned already, have been connected with the army +or navy, where corporal punishment is practised and flogging is not only +in consonance with their feelings and habits, but is a punishment more +briefly inflicted and more grateful to the planters, as it does not +deprive them of the apprentice's time. + +5. Mr. H. says that the apprentices who have purchased their freedom +behave well. He has not known one of them to be brought before +the police. + +6. Many of the special magistrates require much looking after. Their +salaries are not sufficient to support them independently. Some of them +leave their homes on Monday morning, and make the whole circuit of their +district before returning, living and lodging meanwhile, _free of +expense_, with the planters. If they are not inclined to listen to the +complaints of the apprentices, they soon find that the apprentices are +not inclined to make complaints to them, and that they consequently have +much more leisure time, and get through their district much easier. Of +the sixty magistrates in Jamaica, but few can be said to discharge their +duties faithfully. The governor is often required to interfere. A few +weeks since he discharged two magistrates for putting iron collars on +two women, in direct violation of the law, and then sending him +false reports. + +7. The negro grounds are often at a great distance, five or six miles, +and some of them fifteen miles, from the plantation. Of course much +time, which would otherwise be spent in cultivating them, is necessarily +consumed in going to them and returning. Yet for all that, and though in +many cases the planters have withdrawn the watchmen who used to protect +them, and have left them entirely exposed to thieves and cattle, they +are generally well cultivated--on the whole, better than during slavery. +When there is inattention to them, it is caused either by some planters +hiring them during their own time, or because their master permits his +cattle to trespass on them, and the people feel an insecurity. When you +find a kind planter, in whom the apprentices have confidence, there you +will find beautiful gardens. In not a few instances, where the overseer +is particularly harsh and cruel, the negroes have thrown up their old +grounds, and taken new ones on other plantations, where the overseer is +better liked, or gone into the depths of the mountain forests, where no +human foot has been before them, and there cleared up small plats. This +was also done to some extent during slavery. Many of the people, against +whom the planters are declaiming as lazy and worthless, have rich +grounds of which those planters little dream. + +8. There is no feeling of insecurity, either of life or property. One +may travel through the whole island without the least fear of violence. +If there is any danger, it is from the _emigrants_, who have been guilty +of several outrages. So far from the planters fearing violence from the +apprentices, when an assault or theft is committed, they refer it, +almost as a matter of course, to some one else. A few weeks ago one of +the island mails was robbed. As soon as it became known, it was at once +said, "Some of those villanous emigrants did it," and so indeed +it proved. + +People in the country, in the midst of the mountains, where the whites +are few and isolated, sleep with their doors and windows open, without a +thought of being molested. In the towns there are no watchmen, and but a +small police, and yet the streets are quiet and property safe. + +9. The apprentices understand the great provisions of the new system, +such as the number of hours they must work for their master, and that +their masters have no right to flog them, &c., but its details are +inexplicable mysteries. The masters have done much injury by deceiving +them on points of which they were ignorant. + +10. The apprentices almost to a man are ready to work for wages during +their own time. When the overseer is severe towards them, they prefer +working on other plantations, even for less wages, as is very natural. + +11. Almost all the evils of the apprenticeship arise from the obstinacy +and oppressive conduct of the overseers. They are constantly taking +advantage of the defects of the system, which are many, and while they +demand to the last grain's weight "the pound of flesh," they are utterly +unwilling to yield the requirements which the law makes of them. Where +you find an overseer endeavoring in every way to overreach the +apprentices, taking away the privileges which they enjoyed during +slavery, and exacting from them the utmost minute and mite of labor, +there you will find abundant complaints both against the master and the +apprentice. And the reverse. The cruel overseers are complaining of +idleness, insubordination, and ruin, while the kind master is moving on +peaceably and prosperously. + +12. The domestic apprentices have either one day, or fifty cents cash, +each week, as an allowance for food and clothing. This is quite +insufficient. Many of the females seem obliged to resort to theft or to +prostitution to obtain a support. Two girls were brought before Mr. Hill +while we were with him, charged with neglect of duty and night-walking. +One of them said her allowance was too small, and she must get food in +some other way or starve. + +13. The apprentices on many plantations have been deprived of several +privileges which they enjoyed under the old system. Nurseries have been +abolished, water-carriers have been taken away, keeping stock is +restricted, if not entirely forbidden, watchmen are no longer provided +to guard the negro grounds, &c.--petty aggressions in our eyes, perhaps, +but severe to them. Another instance is still more hard. By the custom +of slavery, women who had reared up seven children were permitted to +"sit down," as it was termed; that is, were not obliged to go into the +field to work. Now no such distinction is made, but all are driven into +the field. + +14. One reason why the crops were smaller in 1835 and 1836 than in +former years, was, that the planters in the preceding seasons, either +fearful that the negroes would not take off the crops after +emancipation, and acting on their baseless predictions instead of facts, +or determined to make the results of emancipation appear as disastrous +as possible, neglected to put in the usual amount of cane, and to clean +the coffee fields. As they refused to sow, of course they could +not reap. + +15. The complaints against the apprentices generally are becoming fewer +every week, but the complaints against the masters are increasing both +in number and severity. One reason of this is, that the apprentices, on +the one hand, are becoming better acquainted with the new system, and +therefore better able to avoid a violation of its provisions, and are +also learning that they cannot violate these provisions with impunity; +and, on the other hand, they are gaining courage to complain against +their masters, to whom they have hitherto been subjected by a fear +created by the whips and dungeons, and nameless tortures of slavery. +Another reason is, that the masters, as the term of the apprenticeship +shortens, and the end of their authority approaches nearer, are pressing +their poor victims harder and harder, determined to extort from them all +they can, before complete emancipation rescues them for ever from +their grasp. + +While we were in conversation with Mr. Hill, Mr. Ramsay, one of the +special magistrates for this parish, called in. He is a native of +Jamaica, and has been educated under all the influences of West India +society, but has held fast his integrity, and is considered the firm +friend of the apprentices. He confirmed every fact and opinion which Mr. +Hill had given. He was even stronger than Mr. H. in his expressions of +disapprobation of the apprenticeship. + +The day which we spent with Mr. Hill was one of those on which he holds +a special justice's court. There were only three cases of complaint +brought before him. + +The first was brought by a woman, attended by her husband, against her +servant girl, for "impertinence and insubordination." She took the oath +and commenced her testimony with an abundance of vague charges. "She is +the most insolent girl I ever saw. She'll do nothing that she is told to +do--she never thinks of minding what is said to her--she is sulky and +saucy," etc. Mr. H. told her she must be specific--he could not convict +the girl on such general charges--some particular acts must be proved. + +She became specific. Her charges were as follows: + +1. On the previous Thursday the defendant was plaiting a shirt. The +complainant went up to her and asked her why she did not plait it as she +ought, and not hold it in her hand as she did. Defendant replied, that +it was easier, and she preferred that way to the other. The complainant +remonstrated, but, despite all she could say, the obstinate girl +persisted, and did it as she chose. The complainant granted that the +work was done well, only it was not done in the way she desired. + +2. The same day she ordered the defendant to wipe up some tracks in the +hall. She did so. While she was doing it, the mistress told her the room +was very dusty, and reproved her for it. The girl replied, "Is it +morning?" (It is customary to clean the rooms early in the morning, and +the girl made this reply late in the afternoon, when sufficient time had +elapsed for the room to become dusty again.) + +3. The girl did not wash a cloth clean which the complainant gave her, +and the complainant was obliged to wash it herself. + +4. Several times when the complainant and her daughter have been +conversing together, this girl had burst into laughter--whether at them +or their conversation, complainant did not know. + +5. When the complainant has reproved the defendant for not doing her +work well, she has replied, "Can't you let me alone to my work, and not +worry my life out." + +A black man, a constable on the same property, was brought up to confirm +the charges. He knew nothing about the case, only that he often heard +the parties quarrelling, and sometimes had told the girl not to say any +thing, as she knew what her mistress was. + +It appeared in the course of the evidence, that the complainant and her +husband had both been in the habit of speaking disrespectfully of the +special magistrate, stationed in their district, and that many of the +contentions arose out of that, as the girl sometimes defended him. + +While the accused was making her defence, which she did in a modest way, +her mistress was highly enraged, and interrupted her several times, by +calling her a liar and a jade. The magistrate was two or three times +obliged to reprove her, and command her to be silent, and, so passionate +did she become, that her husband, ashamed of her, put his hand on her +shoulder, and entreated her to be calm. + +Mr. Hill dismissed the complaint by giving some good advice to both +parties, much to the annoyance of the mistress. + +The second complaint was brought by a man against a servant girl, for +disobedience of orders, and insolence. It appears that she was ordered, +at ten o'clock at night, to do some work. She was just leaving the house +to call on some friends, as she said, and refused. On being told by her +mistress that she only wanted to go out for bad purposes, she replied, +that "It was no matter--the allowance they gave her was not sufficient +to support her, and if they would not give her more, she must get a +living any way she could, so she did not steal." She was sentenced to +the house of correction for one week. + +The third case was a complaint against a boy for taking every alternate +Friday and Saturday, instead of every Saturday, for allowance. He was +ordered to take every Saturday, or to receive in lieu of it half +a dollar. + +Mr. Hill said these were a fair specimen of the character of the +complaints that came before him. We were much pleased with the manner in +which he presided in his court, the ease, dignity, and impartiality +which he exhibited, and the respect which was shown him by all parties. + +In company with Mr. Hill, we called on Rev. Mr. Phillips, the Baptist +missionary, stationed at Spanishtown. Mr. P. has been in the island +thirteen years. He regards the apprenticeship as a great amelioration of +the old system of slavery, but as coming far short of the full +privileges and rights of freedom, and of what it was expected to be. It +is beneficial to the missionaries, as it gives them access to the +plantations, while before, in many instances, they were entirely +excluded from them, and in all cases were much shackled in their +operations. + +Mr. P. has enlarged his chapel within the last fifteen months, so that +it admits several hundreds more than formerly. But it is now too small. +The apprentices are much more anxious to receive religious instruction, +and much more open to conviction, than when slaves. He finds a great +difference now on different plantations. Where severity is used, as it +still is on many estates, and the new system is moulded as nearly as +possible on the old, the minds of the apprentices are apparently closed +against all impressions,--but where they are treated with kindness, they +are warm in their affections, and solicitous to be taught. + +In connection with his church, Mr. P. has charge of a large school. The +number present, when we visited it, was about two hundred. There was, to +say the least, as much manifestation of intellect and sprightliness as +we ever saw in white pupils of the same age. Most of the children were +slaves previous to 1834, and their parents are still apprentices. +Several were pointed out to us who were not yet free, and attend only by +permission, sometimes purchased, of their master. The greater part live +from three to five miles distant. Mr. P. says he finds no lack of +interest among the apprentices about education. He can find scholars for +as many schools as he can establish, if he keeps himself unconnected +with the planters. The apprentices are opposed to all schools +established by, or in any way allied to, their masters. + +Mr. P. says the planters are doing nothing to prepare the apprentices +for freedom in 1840. They do not regard the apprenticeship as +intermediate time for preparation, but as part of the _compensation_. +Every day is counted, not as worth so much for education and moral +instruction, but as worth so much for digging cane-holes, and clearing +coffee fields. + +Mr. P.'s church escaped destruction during the persecution of the +Baptists. The wives and connections of many of the colored soldiers had +taken refuge in it, and had given out word that they would defend it +even against their own husbands and brothers, who in turn informed their +officers that if ordered to destroy it, they should refuse at all peril. + + + +CHAPTER III. + +RESULTS OF ABOLITION. + +The actual working of the apprenticeship in Jamaica, was the specific +object of our investigations in that island. That it had not operated so +happily as in Barbadoes, and in most of the other colonies, was admitted +by all parties. As to the _degree_ of its failure, we were satisfied it +was not so great as had been represented. There has been nothing of an +_insurrectionary_ character since the abolition of slavery. The affair +on Thornton's estate, of which an account is given in the preceding +chapter, is the most serious disturbance which has occurred during the +apprenticeship. The _fear_ of insurrection is as effectually dead in +Jamaica, as in Barbadoes--so long as the apprenticeship lasts. There has +been no _increase of crime_. The character of the negro population has +been gradually improving in morals and intelligence. Marriage has +increased, the Sabbath is more generally observed, and religious worship +is better attended. Again, the apprentices of Jamaica have not +manifested any peculiar _defiance of law_. The most illiberal +magistrates testified that the people respected the law, when they +understood it. As it respects the _industry_ of the apprentices, there +are different opinions among the _planters_ themselves. Some admitted +that they were as industrious as before, and did as much work _in +proportion to the time they were employed_. Others complained that they +_lacked the power_ to compel industry, and that hence there was a +falling off of work. The prominent evils complained of in Jamaica are, +absconding from work, and insolence to masters. From the statements in +the preceding chapter, it may be inferred that many things are called by +these names, and severely punished, which are really innocent or +unavoidable; however, it would not be wonderful if there were numerous +instances of both. Insolence is the legitimate fruit of the +apprenticeship, which holds out to the apprentice, that he possesses the +rights of a man, and still authorizes the master to treat him as though +he were little better than a dog. The result must often be that the +apprentice will repay insult with insolence. This will continue to exist +until either the former system of _absolute force_ is restored, or a +system of free compensated labor, with its powerful checks and balances +on both parties, is substituted. The prevalence and causes of the other +offence--absconding from labor--will be noticed hereafter. + +The atrocities which are practised by the masters and magistrates, are +appalling enough. It is probable that the actual condition of the +negroes in Jamaica, is but little if any better than it was during +slavery. The amount of punishment inflicted by the special magistrates, +cannot fall much short of that usually perpetrated by the drivers. In +addition to this, the apprentices are robbed of the _time_ allowed them +by law, at the will of the magistrate, who often deprives them of it on +the slightest complaint of the overseer. The situation of the _free +children_[A] is often very deplorable. The master feels none of that +interest in them which he formerly felt in the children that were his +property, and consequently, makes no provision for them. They are thrown +entirely upon their parents, who are _unable_ to take proper care of +them, from the almost constant demands which the master makes upon their +time. The condition of pregnant women, and nursing mothers, is +_decidedly worse_ than it was during slavery. The privileges which the +planter felt it for his interest to grant these formerly, for _the sake +of their children_, are now withheld. The former are exposed to the +inclemencies of the weather, and the hardships of toil--the latter are +cruelly dragged away from their infants, that the master may not lose +the smallest portion of time,--and _both_ are liable at any moment to be +incarcerated in the dungeon, or strung up on the treadwheel. In +consequence of the cruelties which are practised, the apprentices are in +a _disaffected state_ throughout the island. + +[Footnote A: All children under _six years_ of age at the time of +abolition, were made entirely free.] + +In assigning the causes of the ill-working of the apprenticeship in +Jamaica, we would say in the commencement, that nearly all of them are +embodied in the intrinsic defects of the system itself. These defects +have been exposed in a former chapter, and we need not repeat them here. +The reason why the system has not produced as much mischief in all the +colonies as it has in Jamaica, is that the local circumstances in the +other islands were not so adapted to develop its legitimate results. + +It is not without the most careful investigation of facts, that we have +allowed ourselves to entertain the views which we are now about to +express, respecting the conduct of the planters and special +justices--for it is to _them_ that we must ascribe the evils which exist +in Jamaica. We cheerfully accede to them all of palliation which may be +found in the provocations incident to the wretched system of +apprenticeship. + +The causes of the difficulties rest chiefly with the _planters_. They +were _originally_ implicated, and by their wily schemes they soon +involved the special magistrates. The Jamaica planters, as a body, +always violently opposed the abolition of slavery. Unlike the planters +in most of the colonies, they cherished their hostility _after the act +of abolition_. It would seem that they had agreed with one accord, never +to become reconciled to the measures of the English government, and had +sworn eternal hostility to every scheme of emancipation. Whether this +resulted most from love for slavery or hatred of English interference, +it is difficult to determine. If we were to believe the planters +themselves, who are of the opposition, we should conclude that they were +far from being in favor of slavery--that they were "as much opposed to +slavery, as any one can be[A]." Notwithstanding this avowal, the +tenacity with which the planters cling to the remnant of their power, +shows an affection for it, of the strength of which they are not +probably themselves aware. + +[Footnote A: It seems to be the order of the day, with the opposition +party in Jamaica, to disclaim all friendship with slavery. We noticed +several instances of this in the island papers, which have been most +hostile to abolition. We quote the following sample from the Royal +Gazette, (Kingston) for May 6, 1837. The editor, in an article +respecting Cuba, says: + + "In writing this, one chief object is to arouse the attention of our + own fellow-subjects, in this colony, to the situation--the dangerous + situation--in which they stand, and to implore them to lend all + their energies to avert the ruin that is likely to visit them, + should America get the domination of Cuba. + + The negroes of this and of all the British W.I. colonies have been + '_emancipated_.' Cuba on the other hand is still a _slave country_. + (Let not our readers imagine for one moment that we advocate the + _continuance of slavery_,") &c. +] + +When public men have endeavored to be faithful and upright, they have +uniformly been abused, and even persecuted, by the planters. The +following facts will show that the latter have not scrupled to resort to +the most dishonest and unmanly intrigues to effect the removal or to +circumvent the influence of such men. Neglect, ridicule, vulgar abuse, +slander, threats, intimidation, misrepresentation, and legal +prosecutions, have been the mildest weapons employed against those who +in the discharge of their sworn duties dared to befriend the oppressed. + +The shameful treatment of the late governor, Lord Sligo, illustrates +this. His Lordship was appointed to the government about the period of +abolition. Being himself a proprietor of estates in the island, and +formerly chairman of the West India Body, he was received at first with +the greatest cordiality; but it was soon perceived that he was disposed +to secure justice to the apprentices. From the accounts we received, we +have been led to entertain an exalted opinion of his integrity and +friendship for the poor. It was his custom (unprecedented in the West +Indies,) to give a patient hearing to the poorest negro who might carry +his grievances to the government-house. After hearing the complaint, he +would despatch an order to the special magistrate of the district in +which the complainant lived, directing him to inquire into the case. By +this means he kept the magistrates employed, and secured redress to the +apprentices to many cases where they would otherwise have bean +neglected. + +The governor soon rendered himself exceedingly obnoxious to the +planters, and they began to manoeuvre for his removal, which, in a short +time, was effected by a most flagitious procedure. The home government, +disposed to humor their unruly colony, sent them a governor in whom they +are not likely to find any fault. The present governor, Sir Lionel +Smith, is the antipode of his predecessor in every worthy respect. When +the apprentices come to him with their complaints, he sends them back +unheard, with curses on their heads. A distinguished gentleman in the +colony remarked of him that he _was a heartless military chieftain, who +ruled without regard to mercy_. Of course the planters are full of his +praise. His late tour of the island was a _triumphal procession_, amid +the sycophantic greetings of oppressors. + +Several special magistrates have been suspended because of the faithful +discharge of their duties. Among these was Dr. Palmer, an independent +and courageous man. Repeated complaints were urged against him by the +planters, until finally Sir Lionel Smith appointed a commission to +inquire into the grounds of the difficulty. + +"This commission consisted of two local magistrates, both of them +planters or managers of estates, and two stipendiary magistrates, the +bias of one of whom, at least, was believed to be against Dr. Palmer. At +the conclusion of their inquiry they summed up their report by saying +that Dr. Palmer had administered the abolition law in the spirit of the +English abolition act, and in his administration of the law he had +adapted it more to the comprehension of freemen than to the +understandings of apprenticed laborers. Not only did Sir Lionel Smith +suspend Dr. Palmer on this report, but the colonial office at home have +dismissed him from his situation." + +The following facts respecting the persecution of Special Justice +Bourne, illustrate the same thing. + + "A book-keeper of the name of Maclean, on the estate of the Rev. M. + Hamilton, an Irish clergyman, committed a brutal assault upon an old + African. The attorney on the property refused to hear the complaint + of the negro, who went to Stephen Bourne, a special magistrate. When + Maclean was brought before him, he did not deny the fact; but said + as the old man was not a Christian, his oath could not be taken! The + magistrate not being able to ascertain the amount of injury + inflicted upon the negro (whose head was dreadfully cut,) but + feeling that it was a case which required a greater penalty than + three pounds sterling, the amount of punishment to which he was + limited by the local acts, detained Maclean, and afterwards + committed him to jail, and wrote the next day to the chief justice + upon the subject. He was discharged as soon as a doctor's + certificate was procured of the state of the wounded man, and bail + was given for his appearance at the assizes. Maclean's trial came on + at the assizes, and he was found guilty by a Jamaica Jury; he was + severely reprimanded for his inhuman conduct and fined thirty + pounds. The poor apprentice however got no remuneration for the + severe injury inflicted upon him, and the special justice was + prosecuted for false imprisonment, dragged from court to court, + represented as an oppressor and a tyrant, subjected to four hundred + pounds expenses in defending himself, and actually had judgment + given against him for one hundred and fifty pounds damages. + + Thus have the planters succeeded in pulling down every magistrate + who ventures to do more than fine them three pounds sterling for any + act of cruelty of which they may be guilty. On the other hand, there + were two magistrates who were lately dismissed, through, I believe, + the representation of Lord Sligo, for flagrant violations of the law + in inflicting punishment; and in order to evince their sympathy for + those men, the planters gave them a farewell dinner, and had + actually set on foot a subscription, as a tribute of gratitude for + their "Impartial" conduct in administering the laws, as special + justices. Thus were two men, notoriously guilty of violations of law + and humanity, publicly encouraged and protected, while Stephen + Bourne, who according to the testimony of the present and late + attorney-general had acted not only justly but _legally_, was + suffering every species of persecution and indignity for so doing." + +Probably nothing could demonstrate the meanness of the artifices to +which the planters resort to get rid of troublesome magistrates better +than the following fact. When the present governor, in making his tour +of the island, came into St. Thomas in the East, some of the planters of +Manchioneal district hired a negro constable on one of the estates to go +to the governor and complain to him that Mr. Chamberlain encouraged the +apprentices to be disorderly and idle. The negro went accordingly, but +like another Balaam, he prophesied _against his employers_. He stated to +the governor that the apprentices on the estate where he lived were lazy +and wouldn't do right, _but he declared that it was not Mr. C.'s fault, +for that he was not allowed to come on the estate!_ + +Having given such an unfavorable description of the mass of planters, it +is but just to add that there are a few honorable exceptions. There are +some attorneys and overseers, who if they dared to face the allied +powers of oppression, would act a noble part. But they are trammelled by +an overpowering public sentiment, and are induced to fall in very much +with the prevailing practices. One of this class, an attorney of +considerable influence, declined giving us his views in writing, stating +that his situation and the state of public sentiment must be his +apology. An overseer who was disposed to manifest the most liberal +bearing towards his apprentices, and who had directions from the +absentee proprietor to that effect, was yet effectually prevented by his +attorney, who having several other estates under his charge, was fearful +of losing them, if he did not maintain the same severe discipline +on all. + +The special magistrates are also deeply implicated in causing the +difficulties existing under the apprenticeship. They are incessantly +exposed to multiplied and powerful temptations. The persecution which +they are sure to incur by a faithful discharge of their duties, has +already been noticed. It would require men of unusual sternness of +principle to face so fierce an array. Instead of being _independent_ of +the planters, their situation is in every respect totally the reverse. +Instead of having a central office or station-house to hold their courts +at, as is the case in Barbadoes, they are required to visit each estate +in their districts. They have a circuit from forty to sixty miles to +compass every fortnight, or in some cases three times every month. On +these tours they are absolutely dependent upon the hospitality of the +planters. None but men of the "sterner stuff" could escape, (to use the +negro's phrase) _being poisoned by massa's turtle soup._ The _character_ +of the men who are acting as magistrates is thus described by a colonial +magistrate of high standing and experience. + +"The special magistracy department is filled with the most worthless +men, both domestic and imported. It was a necessary qualification of the +former to possess no property; hence the most worthless vagabonds on the +island were appointed. The latter were worn out officers and dissipated +rakes, whom the English government sent off here in order to get rid of +them." As a specimen of the latter kind, this gentleman mentioned one +(special Justice Light) who died lately from excessive dissipation. He +was constantly drunk, and the only way in which to get him to do any +business was to take him on to an estate in the evening so that he might +sleep off his intoxication, and then the business was brought before him +early the next morning, before he had time to get to his cups. + +It is well known that many of the special magistrates are totally +unprincipled men, monsters of cruelty, lust, and despotism. As a result +of natural character in many cases, and of dependence upon planters in +many more, the great mass of the special justices are a disgrace to +their office, and to the government which commissioned them. Out of +sixty, the number of special justices in Jamaica, there are not more +than fifteen, or twenty at farthest, who are not the merest tools of the +attorneys and overseers. Their servility was graphically hit off by the +apprentice. "If busha say flog em, he flog em; if busha say send them to +the treadmill, he send em." If an apprentice laughs or sings, and the +busha represents it to the magistrate as insolence, he _feels it his +duty_ to make an example of the offender! + +The following fact will illustrate the injustice of the magistrates. It +was stated in writing by a missionary. We conceal all names, in +compliance with the request of the writer. "An apprentice belonging to +---- in the ---- was sent to the treadmill by special justice G. He was +ordered to go out and count the sheep, as he was able to count higher +than some of the field people, although a house servant from his +youth--I may say childhood. Instead of bringing in the tally cut upon a +piece of board, as usual, he wrote the number eighty upon a piece of +paper. When the overseer saw it, he would scarcely believe that any of +his people could write, and ordered a piece of coal to be brought and +made him write it over again; the next day he turned him into the field, +but unable to perform the task (to hoe and weed one hundred coffee roots +daily) with those who had been accustomed to field work all their lives, +he was tried for neglect of duty, and sentenced to fourteen days on the +treadmill!" + +We quote the following heart-rending account from the Telegraph, +(Spanishtown,) April 28, 1837. It is from a Baptist missionary. + + "I see something is doing in England to shorten the apprenticeship + system. I pray God it may soon follow its predecessor--slavery, for + it is indeed slavery under a less disgusting name. Business lately + (December 23) called me to Rodney Hall; and while I was there, a + poor old negro was brought in for punishment. I heard the fearful + vociferation, 'twenty stripes.' 'Very well; here ----, put this man + down.' I felt as I cannot describe; yet I thought, as the supervisor + was disposed to be civil, my presence might tend to make the + punishment less severe than it usually is--but I was disappointed. I + inquired into the crime for which such an old man could be so + severely punished, and heard various accounts. I wrote to the + magistrate who sentenced him to receive it; and after many days I + got the following reply." + + "_Logan Castle, Jan. 9, 1836._ + + Sir--In answer to your note of the 4th instant, I beg leave to + state, that ---- ----, an apprentice belonging to ---- ----, was + brought before me by Mr. ----, his late overseer, charged upon oath + with continual neglect of duty and disobedience of orders as + cattle-man, and also for stealing milk--was convicted, and sentenced + to receive twenty stripes. So far from the punishment of the + offender being severe, he was not ordered one half the number of + stripes provided for such cases by the abolition act--if he received + more than that number, or if those were inflicted with undue + severity, I shall feel happy in making every inquiry amongst the + authorities at Rodney Hall institution. + + I remain, sir, yours, truly, + + T.W. JONES, S.M." + +'Rev. J. Clarke, &c., &c.' + +From Mr. Clarke's reply, we make the following extract: + + "_Jericho, January 19, 1836._ + + Sir--I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th + instant. + + Respecting the punishment of ---- ----, I still adhere to the + opinion I before expressed, that, for an old man of about sixty + years of age, the punishment was severe. To see a venerable old man + tied as if to be broken on the wheel, and cut to the bone by the + lash of an athletic driver--writhing and yelling under the most + exquisite torture, were certainly circumstances sufficiently strong + to touch the heart of any one possessed of the smallest degree of + common humanity. The usual preparations being made, the old man + quietly stripped off his upper garments, and lay down upon the + board--he was then tied by his legs, middle, above the elbows, and + at each wrist. Mr. ---- then called out to the driver, 'I hope you + will do your duty--he is not sent here for nothing.' At the first + lash the skin started up; and at the third, the blood began to flow; + ere the driver had given ten, the cat was covered with gore; and he + stopped to change it for a dry one, which appeared to me somewhat + longer than the first. When the poor tortured creature had received + sixteen, his violent struggles enabled him to get one of his hands + loose, which he put instantly to his back--the driver stopped to + retie him, and then proceeded to give the remaining four. The + struggles of the poor old man from the first lash bespoke the most + extreme torture; and his cries were to me most distressing. 'Oh! oh! + mercy! mercy! mercy! oh! massa! massa! dat enough--enough! oh, + enough! O, massa, have pity! O, massa! massa! dat enough--enough! + Oh, never do de like again--only pity me--forgive me dis once! oh! + pity! mercy! mercy! oh! oh!' were the cries he perpetually uttered. + I shall remember them while I live; and would not for ten thousand + worlds have been the cause of producing them. It was some minutes + after he was loosed ere he could rise to his feet, and as he + attempted to rise, he continued calling out, 'My back! oh! my back! + my back is broken.' A long time he remained half-doubled, the blood + flowing round his body; 'I serve my master,' said the aged sufferer, + 'at all times; get no Saturday, no Sunday; yet this is de way + dem use me.' + + With such planters, and such magistrates to play into their hands, + is it to be wondered at that the apprentices do badly? Enough has + been said, we think, to satisfy any candid person as to the _causes + of the evils in Jamaica_. If any thing further were needed, we might + speak of the peculiar facilities which these men have for + perpetrating acts of cruelty and injustice. The major part of the + island is exceedingly mountainous, and a large portion of the sugar + estates, and most of the coffee plantations, are among the + mountains. These estates are scattered over a wide extent of + country, and separated by dense forests and mountains, which conceal + each plantation from the public view almost as effectually as though + it were the only property on the island. The only mode of access to + many of the estates in the mountainous districts, is by mule paths + winding about, amid fastnesses, precipices, and frightful solitudes. + In those lone retirements, on the mountain top, or in the deep glen + by the side of the rocky rivers, the traveller occasionally meets + with an estate. Strangers but rarely intrude upon those little + domains. They are left to the solitary sway of the overseers + dwelling amid their "gangs," and undisturbed, save by the weekly + visitations of the special magistrates. While the traveller is + struck with the facilities for the perpetration of those enormities + which must have existed there during slavery; he is painfully + impressed also with the numerous opportunities which are still + afforded for oppressing the apprentices, particularly where the + special magistrates are not honest men.[A] + +[Footnote A: From the nature of the case, it must be impossible to know +how much actual flogging is perpetrated by the overseers. We might +safely conjecture that there must be a vast deal of it that never comes +to the light. Such is the decided belief of many of the first men in the +island. The planters, say they, flog their apprentices, and then, to +prevent their complaining to the magistrate, threaten them with severe +punishment, or bribe them to silence by giving them a few shillings. The +attorney-general mentioned an instance of the latter policy. A planter +got angry with one of his head men, who was a constable, and knocked him +down. The man started off to complain to the special magistrate. The +master called him back, and told him he need not go to the +magistrate--that he was constable, and had a right to fine him himself. +"Well, massa," said the negro, "I fine you five shillings on de spot." +The master was glad to get off with that--the magistrate would probably +have fined him £5 currency.] + + In view of the local situation of Jamaica--the violent character of + its planters--and the inevitable dependency of the magistrates, it + is very manifest _that immediate emancipation was imperatively + demanded there_. In no other colony did the negroes require to be + more _entirely released from the tyranny of the overseers, or more + thoroughly shielded by the power of equal law_. This is a principle + which must hold good always--that where slavery has been most + rigorous and absolute, there emancipation, needs to be most + unqualified; and where the sway of the master has been _most + despotic, cruel, and_ LONG CONTINUED, there the protection of law + should be most SPEEDILY _extended and most impartially applied_."[B] + +[Footnote B: Since the above was written we have seen a copy of a +message sent by Sir Lionel Smith, to the house of assembly of Jamaica, +on the 3d November, 1837, in which a statement of the deprivations of +the apprentices, is officially laid before the house. We make the +following extract from it, which contains, to use his Excellency's +language, "the principal causes, as has been found by the records of the +special magistrates, of complaints among the apprentices; and of +consequent collisions between the planters and magistrates." + + "Prudent and humane planters have already adopted what is + recommended, and their properties present the good working of this + system in peace and industry, without their resorting to the + authority of the special magistrates; but there are other properties + where neither the law of the apprenticeship nor the usages of + slavery have been found sufficient to guard the rights of the + apprentices. + + First, the magistrates' reports show that on some estates the + apprentices have been deprived of cooks and water-carriers while at + work in the field--thus, the time allowed for breakfast, instead of + being a period of rest, is one of continual labor, as they have to + seek for fuel and to cook. The depriving them of water-carriers is + still more injurious, as the workmen are not allowed to quit their + rows to obtain it. Both these privations are detrimental to the + planter's work. Second, a law seems wanting to supply the estates' + hospitals with sufficient attendants on the sick apprentices, as + well as for the supply of proper food, as they cannot depend on + their own grounds, whilst unable to leave the hospitals. The first + clause of the abolition law has not been found strong enough to + secure these necessary attentions to the sick. Third, in regard to + jobbers, more exposed to hardships than any other class. A law is + greatly required allowing them the distance they may have to walk to + their work, at the rate of three miles an hour, and for compelling + the parties hiring them to supply them with salt food and meal; + their grounds are oftentimes so many miles distant, it is impossible + for them to supply themselves. Hence constant complaints and + irregularities. Fourth, that mothers of six children and upwards, + pregnant women, and the aged of both sexes, would be greatly + benefited by a law enforcing the kind treatment which they received + in slavery, but which is now considered optional, or is altogether + avoided on many properties. Fifth, nothing would tend more to effect + general contentment and repress the evils of comparative treatment, + than the issue of fish as a right by law. It was an indulgence in + slavery seldom denied, but on many properties is now withheld, or + given for extra labor instead of wages. Sixth, his Excellency during + the last sessions had the honor to address a message to the house + for a stronger definition of working time. The clause of the act in + aid expressed that it was the intention of the legislature to + regulate 'uniformity' of labor, but in practice there is still a + great diversity of system. The legal adviser of the crown considers + the clause active and binding; the special magistrate cannot, + therefore, adjudicate on disputes of labor under the eight hour + system, and the consequences have been continual complaints and + bickerings between the magistrates and managers, and discontent + among the apprentices by comparison of the advantages which one + system presents over the other. Seventh, if your honorable house + would adopt some equitable fixed principle for the value of + apprentices desirous of purchasing their discharge, either by + ascertained rates of weekly labor, or by fixed sums according to + their trade or occupation, which should not be exceeded, and + allowing the deduction of one third from the extreme value for the + contingencies of maintenance, clothing, medical aid, risk of life, + and health, it would greatly tend to set at rest one cause of + constant disappointment. In proportion as the term of apprenticeship + draws to a close, THE DEMANDS FOR THE SALE OF SERVICES HAVE GREATLY + INCREASED. It is in the hope that the honorable house will be + disposed to enforce a more general system of equal treatment, that + his Excellency now circumstantially represents what have been the + most common causes of complaint among the apprentices, and why the + island is subject to the reproach that the negroes, in some + respects, are now in a worse condition than they were in slavery." +] + +We heard frequent complaints in Jamaica respecting the falling off of +the crops since abolition. In order that the reader may know the extent +of the failure in the aggregate island crops, we have inserted in the +appendix a table showing the "exports for fifty-three years, ending 31st +December, 1836, condensed from the journals of the House." + +By the disaffected planters, the diminished crops were hailed as "an +evident token of perdition." They had foretold that abolition would be +the ruin of cultivation, they had maintained that sugar, coffee, rum, +&c., could not be produced extensively without the _whip of slavery_, +and now they exultingly point to the short crops and say, "See the +results of abolition!" We say exultingly, for a portion of the planters +do really seem to rejoice in any indication of ruin. Having staked their +reputation as prophets against their credit as colonists and their +interests as men, they seem happy in the establishment of the former, +even though it be by the sacrifice of the latter. Said an intelligent +gentleman in St. Thomas in the East, "The planters have _set their +hearts upon_ ruin, and they will be sorely disappointed if it should +not come." + +Hearing so much said concerning the diminution of the crops, we spared +no pains to ascertain the _true causes_. We satisfied ourselves that the +causes were mainly two. + +First. The prevailing impression that the negroes would not _work well_ +after the abolition of slavery, led many planters to throw a part of +their land out of cultivation, in 1834. This is a fact which was +published by Lord Sligo, in an official account which he gave shortly +before leaving Jamaica, of the working of the apprenticeship. The +overseer of Belvidere estate declared that he knew of many cases in +which part of the land usually planted in canes was thrown up, owing to +the general expectation that _much less work_ would be done after +abolition. He also mentioned one attorney _who ordered all the estates +under his charge to be thrown out of cultivation_ in 1834, so confident +was he that the negroes would not work. The name of this attorney was +White. Mr. Gordon, of Williamsfield, stated, that the quantity of land +planted in cane, in 1834, was considerably less than the usual amount: +on some estates it was less by twenty, and on others by forty acres. Now +if such were the fact in the Parish of St. Thomas in the East, where +greater confidence was felt probably than in any other parish, we have a +clue by which we may conjecture (if indeed we were left to conjecture) +to what extent the cultivation was diminished in the island generally. +This of itself would satisfactorily account for the falling off in the +crops--which at most is not above one third. Nor would this explain the +decrease in '34 _only_, for it is well known among sugar planters that a +neglect of planting, either total or partial, for one year, will affect +the crops for two or three successive years. + +The other cause of short crops has been the _diminished amount of time +for labor_. One fourth of the time now belongs to the laborers, and they +often prefer to employ it in cultivating their provision grounds and +carrying their produce to market. Thus the estate cultivation is +necessarily impeded. This cause operates very extensively, particularly +on two classes of estates: those which lie convenient to market places, +where the apprentices have strong inducements to cultivate their +grounds, and those (more numerous still) which _have harsh overseers_, +to whom the apprentices are averse to hire their time--in which cases +they will choose to work for neighboring planters, who are better men. +We should not omit to add here, that owing to a singular fact, the +falling off of the crops _appears_ greater than it really has been. We +learned from the most credible sources that _the size of the hogsheads_ +had been considerably enlarged since abolition. Formerly they contained, +on an average, eighteen hundred weight, now they vary from a ton to +twenty-two hundred! As the crops are estimated by the number of +hogsheads, this will make a material difference. There were two reasons +for enlarging in the hogsheads,--one was, to lessen the amount of +certain port charges in exportation, which were made _by the hogshead_; +the other, and perhaps the principal, was to create some foundation in +appearance for the complaint that the crops had failed because of +abolition. + +While we feel fully warranted in stating these as the chief causes of +the diminished crops, we are at the same time disposed to admit that the +apprenticeship is in itself exceedingly ill calculated either to +encourage or to compel industry. We must confess that we have no special +zeal to vindicate this system from its full share of blame; but we are +rather inclined to award to it every jot and tittle of the dishonored +instrumentality which it has had in working mischief to the colony. +However, in all candor, we must say, that we can scarcely check the +risings of exultation when we perceive that this party-fangled +measure--this offspring of old Slavery in her dying throes, _which was +expressly designed as a compensation to the proprietor_, HAS ACTUALLY +DIMINISHED HIS ANNUAL RETURNS BY ONE THIRD! So may it ever be with +legislation which is based on _iniquity and robbery!_ + +But the subject which excites the deepest interest in Jamaica _is the +probable consequences of entire emancipation in 1840_. The most common +opinion among the prognosticators of evil is, that the emancipated +negroes will abandon the cultivation of all the staple products, retire +to the woods, and live in a state of semi-barbarism; and as a +consequence, the splendid sugar and coffee estates must be "thrown up," +and the beautiful and fertile island of Jamaica become a waste howling +wilderness. + +The _reasons_ for this opinion consist in part of naked assumptions, and +in part of inferences from _supposed_ facts. The assumed reasons are +such as these. The negroes will not cultivate the cane _without the +whip_. How is this known? Simply because _they never have_, to any great +extent, in Jamaica. Such, it has been shown, was the opinion formerly in +Barbadoes, but it has been forever exploded there by experiment. Again, +the negroes are _naturally improvident_, and will never have enough +foresight to work steadily. What is the evidence of _natural_ +improvidence in the negroes? Barely this--their carelessness in a state +of slavery. But that furnishes no ground at all for judging of _natural_ +character, or of the developments of character under a _totally +different system_. If it testifies any thing, it is only this, that the +natural disposition of the negroes is not always _proof_ against the +degenerating influences of slavery.[A] Again, the actual wants of the +negroes are very few and easily supplied, and they will undoubtedly +prefer going into the woods where they can live almost without labor, to +toiling in the hot cane fields or climbing the coffee mountains. But +they who urge this, lose sight of the fact that the negroes are +considerably civilized, and that, like other civilized people, they will +seek for more than supply for the necessities of the rudest state of +nature. Their wants are already many, even in the degraded condition of +slaves; is it probable that they will be satisfied with _fewer of the +comforts and luxuries of civilized life_, when they are elevated to the +sphere, and feel the self-respect and dignity of freemen? But let us +notice some of the reasons which profess to be _founded on fact_. They +may all be resolved into two, _the laziness of negroes, and their +tendency to barbarism_. + +[Footnote A: Probably in more instances than the one recorded in the +foregoing chapter, the improvidence of the negroes is inferred from +their otherwise unaccountable preference in walking six or ten miles to +chapel, rather than to work for a maccaroni a day.] + +i. They _now_ refuse to work on Saturdays, even with wages. On this +assertion we have several remarks to make. + +1.) It is true only to a partial extent. The apprentices on many +estates--whether a majority or not it is impossible to say--do work for +their masters on Saturdays, when their services are called for. + +2.) They often refuse to work on the estates, because they can earn +three or four times as much by cultivating their provision grounds and +carrying their produce to market. The ordinary day's wages on an estate +is a quarter of a dollar, and where the apprentices are conveniently +situated to market, they can make from seventy-five cents to a dollar a +day with their provisions. + +3.) The overseers are often such overbearing and detestable men, that +the apprentices doubtless feel it a great relief to be freed from their +command on Saturday, after submitting to it compulsorily for five days +of the week. + +2. Another fact from which the laziness of the negroes is inferred, is +their _neglecting their provision grounds_. It is said that they have +fallen off greatly to their attention to their grounds, since the +abolition of slavery. This fact does not comport very well with the +complaint, that the apprentices cultivate their provision grounds to the +neglect of the estates. But both assertions may be true under opposite +circumstances. On those estates which are situated near the market, +provisions will be cultivated; on those which are remote from the +market, provisions will of course be partially neglected, and it will be +more profitable to the apprentices to work on the estates at a quarter +of a dollar per day, raising only enough provisions for their own use. +But we ascertained another circumstance which throws light on this +point. The negroes expect, after emancipation, to _lose their provision +grounds_; many expect certainly to be turned off by their masters, and +many who have harsh masters, intend to leave, and seek homes on other +estates, and _all_ feel a great uncertainty about their situation after +1840; and consequently they can have but little encouragement to +vigorous and extended cultivation of their grounds. Besides this, there +are very many cases in which the apprentices of one estate cultivate +provision grounds on another estate, where the manager is a man in whom +they have more confidence than they have in their own "busha." They, of +course, in such cases, abandon their former grounds, and consequently +are charged with neglecting them through laziness. + +3. Another alleged fact is, that _actually less work_ is done now than +was done during slavery. The argument founded on this fact is this: +there is less work done under the apprenticeship than was done during +slavery: therefore _no work at all_ will be done after entire freedom! +But the apprenticeship allows _one fourth less time_ for labor than +slavery did, and presents no inducement, either compulsory or +persuasive, to continued industry. Will it be replied that emancipation +will take away _all_ the time from labor, and offer no encouragement +_but to idleness_? How is it now? Do the apprentices work better or +worse during their own time when they are paid? Better, unquestionably. +What does this prove? That freedom will supply both the time and the +inducement to the most vigorous industry. + +The _other reason_ for believing that the negroes will abandon +estate-labor after entire emancipation, is their _strong tendency to +barbarism!_ And what are the facts in proof of this? We know but one. + +We heard it said repeatedly that the apprentices were not willing to +have their free children educated--that they had pertinaciously declined +every offer of the _bushas_ to educate their children, and _this_, it +was alleged, evinced a determination on the part of the negroes to +perpetuate ignorance and barbarism among their posterity. We heard from +no less than four persons of distinction in St. Thomas in the East, the +following curious fact. It was stated each time for the double purpose +of proving that the apprentices did not wish to have their children +_learn to work_, and that they were opposed to their _receiving +education_. A company of the first-gentlemen of that parish, consisting +of the rector of the parish, the custos, the special magistrate, an +attorney, and member of the assembly, etc., had mustered in imposing +array, and proceeded to one of the large estates in the Plantain Garden +River Valley, and there having called the apprentices together, made the +following proposals to them respecting their free children, the rector +acting as spokesman. The attorney would provide a teacher for the +estate, and would give the children four hours' instruction daily, if +the parents would _bind them to work_ four hours every day; the attorney +further offered to pay for all medical attendance the children should +require. The apprentices, after due deliberation among themselves, +unanimously declined this proposition. It was repeatedly urged upon +them, and the advantages it promised were held up to them; but they +persisted in declining it wholly. This was a great marvel to the +planters; and they could not account for it in any other way than by +supposing that the apprentices were opposed both to labor and education, +and were determined that their free children should grow up in ignorance +and indolence! Now the true reason why the apprentices rejected this +proposal was, _because it came from the planters_, in whom they have no +confidence. They suspected that some evil scheme was hid under the fair +pretence of benevolence; the design of the planters, as they firmly +believed, was to get their _free children bound to them_, so that they +might continue to keep them in a species of apprenticeship. This was +stated to us, as the real ground of the rejection, by several +missionaries, who gave the best evidence that it was so; viz. that at +the same time that the apprentices declined the offer, they would send +their free children _six or eight miles to a school taught by a +missionary_. We inquired particularly of some of the apprentices, to +whom this offer was made, why they did not accept it. They said that +they could not trust their masters; the whole design of it was to get +them to give up their children, and if they should give them up _but for +a single month_, it would be the same as acknowledging that they (the +parents) were not able to take care of them themselves. The busha would +then send word to the Governor that the people had given up their +children, not being able to support them, and the Governor would have +the children bound to the busha, "and _then_," said they, "_we might +whistle for our children_!" In this manner the apprentices, the +_parents_, reasoned. They professed the greatest anxiety to have their +children educated, but they said they could have no confidence in the +honest intentions of their busha. + +The views given above, touching the results of entire emancipation in +1840, are not unanimously entertained even among the planters, and they +are far from prevailing to any great extent among other classes of the +community. The missionaries, as a body, a portion of the special +magistrates, and most of the intelligent free colored people, anticipate +glorious consequences; they hail the approach of 1840, as a deliverance +from the oppressions of the apprenticeship, and its train of +disaffections, complaints and incessant disputes. They say they have +nothing to fear--nor has the island any thing to fear, but every thing +to hope, from entire emancipation. We subjoin a specimen of the +reasoning of the minority of the planters. They represent the idea that +the negroes will abandon the estates, and retire to the woods, as wild +and absurd in the extreme. They say the negroes have a great regard for +the comforts which they enjoy on the estates; they are strongly attached +to their houses and little furniture, and their provision grounds. These +are as much to them as the 'great house' and the estate are to their +master. Besides, they have very _strong local attachments_, and these +would bind them to the properties. These planters also argue, from _the +great willingness_ of the apprentices now to work for money, during +their own time, that they will not be likely to relinquish labor when +they are to get wages for the whole time. There was no doubt much truth +in the remark of a planter in St. Thomas in the East, that if _any_ +estates were abandoned by the negroes after 1840, it would be those +which had harsh managers, and those which are so mountainous and +inaccessible, or barren, that they _ought_ to be abandoned. It was the +declaration of a _planter_, that entire emancipation would _regenerate_ +the island of Jamaica. + + * * * * * + +We now submit to the candid examination of the American, especially the +Christian public, the results of our inquiries in Antigua, Barbadoes, +and Jamaica. The deficiency of the narrative in ability and interest, we +are sure is neither the fault of the subject nor of the materials. Could +we have thrown into vivid forms a few only of the numberless incidents +of rare beauty which thronged our path--could we have imparted to pages +that freshness and glow, which invested the institutions of freedom, +just bursting into bloom over the late wastes of slavery--could we, in +fine, have carried our readers amid the scenes which we witnessed, and +the sounds which we heard, and the things which we handled, we should +not doubt the power and permanence of the impression produced. It is due +to the cause, and to the society under whose commission we acted, +frankly to state, that we were not selected on account of any peculiar +qualifications for the work. As both of us were invalids, and compelled +to fly from the rigors of an American winter, it was believed that we +might combine the improvement of health, with the prosecution of +important investigations, while abler men could thus be retained in the +field at home; but we found that the unexpected abundance of materials +requires the strongest health and powers of endurance. We regret to add, +that the continued ill health of both of us, since our return, so +serious in the case of one, as to deprive him almost wholly of +participation in the preparation of the work, has necessarily, delayed +its appearance, and rendered its execution more imperfect. + +We lay no claim to literary merit. To present as simple narrative of +facts, has been our sole aim. We have not given the results of our +personal observations merely, or chiefly, nor have we made a record of +private impressions or idle speculations. _Well authenticated facts_, +accompanied with the testimony, verbal and documentary, of public men, +planters, and other responsible individuals, make up the body of the +volume, as almost every page will show. That no statements, if +erroneous, might escape detection and exposure, we have, in nearly every +case, given the _names_ of our authorities. By so doing we may have +subjected ourselves to the censure of those respected gentlemen, with +whose names we have taken such liberty. We are assured, however, that +their interest in the cause of freedom will quite reconcile them to what +otherwise might be an unpleasant personal publicity. + +Commending our narrative to the blessing of the God of truth, and the +Redeemer of the oppressed, we send it forth to do its part, however +humble, toward the removal of slavery from our beloved but +guilty country. + + + +APPENDIX. + +We have in our possession a number of official documents from gentlemen, +officers of the government, and variously connected with its +administration, in the different islands which we visited: some of +these--such as could not be conveniently incorporated into the body of +the work--we insert in the form of an appendix. To insert them _all_, +would unduly increase the size of the present volume. Those not embodied +in this appendix, will be published in the periodicals of the American +Anti-Slavery Society. + + * * * * * + +OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION FROM E.B. LYON, ESQ., SPECIAL MAGISTRATE. + +_Jamaica, Hillingdon, near Falmouth, Trelawney, May 15, 1837_. + +TO J.H. KIMBALL., ESQ., and J.A. THOME, ESQ. + +DEAR SIRS,--Of the operation of the apprenticeship system in this +district, from the slight opportunity I have had of observing the +conduct of managers and apprentices, I could only speak conjecturally, +and my opinions, wanting the authority of experience, would be of little +service to you; I shall therefore confine the remarks I have to make, to +the operation of the system in the district from which I have +lately removed. + +I commenced my duties in August, 1834, and from the paucity of special +magistrates at that eventful era, I had the superintendence of a most +extensive district, comprising nearly one half of the populous parish of +St. Thomas in the East, and the whole of the parish of St. David, +embracing an apprentice population of nearly eighteen thousand,--in +charge of which I continued until December, when I was relieved of St. +David, and in March, 1835, my surveillance was confined to that portion +of St. Thomas in the East, consisting of the coffee plantations in the +Blue Mountains, and the sugar estates of Blue Mountain Valley, over +which I continued to preside until last March, a district containing a +population of four thousand two hundred and twenty-seven apprentices, of +which two thousand eighty-seven were males, and two thousand one hundred +and forty, females. The apprentices of the Blue Mountain Valley were, at +the period of my assumption of the duties of a special magistrate, the +most disorderly in the island. They were greatly excited, and almost +desperate from disappointment, in finding their trammels under the new +law, nearly as burdensome as under the old, and their condition, in many +respects, much more intolerable. They were also extremely irritated at +what they deemed an attempt upon the part of their masters to rob them +of one of the greatest advantages they had been led to believe the new +law secured to them--this was the half of Friday. Special Justice +Everard, who went through the district during the first two weeks of +August, 1834, and who was the first special justice to read and explain +the new law to them, had told them that the law gave to them the extra +four and a half hours on the Friday, and some of the proprietors and +managers, who were desirous of preparing their people for the coming +change, had likewise explained it so; but, most unfortunately, the +governor issued a proclamation, justifying the masters in withholding +the four and a half hours on that day, and substituting any other half +day, or by working them eight hours per day, they might deprive them +altogether of the advantage to be derived from the extra time, which, by +the abolition of Sunday marketing, was almost indispensable to people +whose grounds, in some instances, were many miles from their +habitations, and who were above thirty miles from Kingston market, where +prices were fifty per cent. more than the country markets in their favor +for the articles they had to dispose of, and correspondingly lower for +those they had to purchase. To be in time for which market, it was +necessary to walk all Friday night, so that without the use of the +previous half day, they could not procure their provisions, or prepare +themselves for it. The deprivation of the half of Friday was therefore a +serious hardship to them, and this, coupled to the previous assurance of +their masters, and Special Justice Everard, that they were entitled to +it, made them to suspect a fraud was about being practised on them, +which, if they did not resist, would lead to the destruction of the +remaining few privileges they possessed. The resistance was very +general, but without violence; whole gangs leaving the fields on the +afternoon of Friday; refusing to take any other afternoon, and sometimes +leaving the estates for two or three days together. They fortunately had +confidence in me--and I succeeded in restoring order, and all would have +been well,--but the managers, no longer alarmed by the fear of rebellion +or violence, began a system of retaliation and revenge, by withdrawing +cooks, water-carriers, and nurses, from the field, by refusing medicine +and admittance to the hospital to the apprentice children, and by +compelling old and infirm people, who had been allowed to withdraw from +labor, and mothers of six children, who were exempt by the slave law +from hard labor, to come out and work in the field. All this had a +natural tendency to create irritation, and did do so; though, to the +great credit of the people, in many instances, they submitted with the +most extraordinary patience, to evils which were the more onerous, +because inflicted under the affected sanction of a law, whose advent, as +the herald of liberty, they had expected would have been attended with a +train of blessings. I effected a change in this miserable state of +things; and mutual contract for labor, in crop and out of it, were made +on twenty-five estates in my district, before, I believe, any +arrangement had been made in other parts of the island, between the +managers and the apprentices; so that from being in a more unsettled +state than others, we were soon happily in a more prosperous one, and so +continued. + +No peasantry in the most favored country on the globe, can have been +more irreproachable in morals and conduct than the majority of +apprentices in that district, since the beginning of 1835. I have, month +after month, in my despatches to the governor, had to record instances +of excess of labor, compared with the quantity performed during slavery +in some kinds of work; and while I have with pleasure reported the +improving condition, habits, manners, and the industry which +characterized the labors of the peasantry, I have not been an +indifferent or uninterested witness of the improvement in the condition +of many estates, the result of the judicious application of labor, and +of the confidence in the future and sanguine expectations of the +proprietors, evinced in the enlargements of the works, and expensive and +permanent repair of the buildings on various estates, and in the high +prices given for properties and land since the apprenticeship system, +which would scarcely have commanded a purchaser, at any price, during +the existence of slavery. + +I have invariably found the apprentice willing to work for an equitable +hire, and on all the sugar estates, and several of the plantations, in +the district I speak of, they worked a considerable portion of their own +time during crop, about the works, for money, or an equivalent in +herrings, sugar, etc., to so great a degree, that less than the time +allotted to them during slavery, was left for appropriation to the +cultivation of their grounds, and for marketing, as the majority, very +much to their credit, scrupulously avoided working on the Sabbath day. + +In no community in the world is crime less prevalent. At the quarter +sessions, in January last, for the precinct of St. Thomas in the East, +and St. David, which contains an apprentice population of about thirty +thousand, there was only one apprentice tried. And the offences that +have, in general, for the last eighteen months, been brought before me +on estates, have been of the most trivial description, such as an +individual occasionally turning out late, or some one of an irritable +temper answering impatiently, or for some trifling act of disobedience; +in fact, the majority of apprentices on estates have been untainted with +offence, and have steadily and quietly performed their duty, and +respected the law. The apprentices of St. Thomas in the East, I do not +hesitate to say, are much superior in manners and morals to those who +inhabit the towns. + +During the first six or eight months, while the planters were in doubt +how far the endurance of their laborers might be taxed, the utmost +deference and respect was paid by them to the special magistrates; their +suggestions or recommendations were adopted without cavil, and opinions +taken without reference to the letter of the law; but when the obedience +of the apprentice, and his strict deference to the law and its +administrators, had inspired them with a consciousness of perfect +security, I observed with much regret, a great alteration in the +deportment of many of the managers towards myself and the people; +trivial and insignificant complaints were astonishingly increased, and +assaults on apprentices became more frequent, so that in the degree that +the conduct of one party was more in accordance with the obligations +imposed on him by the apprenticeship, was that of the other in +opposition to it; again with the hold and infirm harassed; again were +mothers of six living children attempted to be forced to perform field +labor; and again were mothers with sucking children complained of, and +some attempts made to deprive them of the usual nurses. + +Such treatment was not calculated to promote cordiality between master +and apprentice, and the effect will, I fear, have a very unfavorable +influence upon the working of many estates, at the termination of the +system; in fact, when that period arrives, if the feeling of +estrangement be no worse, I am convinced it will be no better than it is +at the present moment, as I have witnessed no pains taking on the part +of the attorneys generally to attach the apprentices to the properties, +or to prepare them in a beneficial manner for the coming change. It was +a very common practice in the district, when an apprentice was about to +purchase his discharge, to attempt to intimidate him by threats of +immediate ejectment from the property, and if in the face of this +threatened separation from family and connections, he persevered and +procured his release, then the sincerity of the previous intimations was +evinced by a peremptory order, to instantly quit the property, under the +penalty of having the trespass act enforced against him; and if my +interference prevented any outrageous violation of law, so many +obstructions and annoyances were placed in the way of his communication +with his family, or enjoyment of his domestic rights, that he would be +compelled for their peace, and his own personal convenience, to submit +to privations, which, as a slave, he would not have been subject to. The +consequence is, that those released from the obligations of the +apprenticeship by purchase, instead of being located, and laboring for +hire upon the estate to which they were attached, and forming a nucleus +around which others would have gathered and settled themselves, they +have been principally driven to find other homes, and in the majority of +instances have purchased land, and become settlers on their own account. +If complete emancipation had taken place in 1834, there would have been +no more excitement, and no more trouble to allay it, than that which was +the consequence of the introduction of the present system of coerced and +uncompensated labor. The relations of society would have been fixed upon +a permanent basis, and the two orders would not have been placed in that +situation of jealousy and suspicion which their present anomalous +condition has been the baneful means of creating. + +I am convinced there never was any serious alarm about the consequences +of immediate emancipation among those who were acquainted with the +peasantry of Jamaica. The fears of the morbidly humane were purposely +excited to increase the amount of compensation, or to lengthen the +duration of the apprenticeship; and the daily ridiculous and untruthful +statements that are made by the vitiated portion of the Jamaica press, +of the indolence of the apprentices, their disinclination to work in +their own time, and the great increase of crime, are purposely and +insidiously put forward to prevent the fact of the industry, and +decorum, and deference to the law, of the people, and the prosperous +condition of the estates, appearing in too prominent a light, lest the +friends of humanity, and the advocates for the equal rights of men, +should be encouraged to agitate for the destruction of a system which, +in its general operation, has retained many of the worst features of +slavery, perpetuated many gross infringements of the social and domestic +rights of the working classes; and which, instead of working out the +benevolent intention of the imperial legislature, by aiding and +encouraging the expansion of intellect, and supplying motives for the +permanent good conduct of the apprentices, in its termination, has, I +fear, retarded the rapidity with which civilization would have advanced, +and sown the seeds of a feeling more bitter than that which slavery, +with all its abominations, had engendered. + +I am, dear sirs, your very faithful servant, + +EDMUND B. LYON, _Special Justice._ + + +Extract from a communication which we received from Wm. Henry Anderson, +Esq., of Kingston, the Solicitor-General for Jamaica. + +The staples of the island must be cultivated after 1840 as now, because +if not, the negroes could not obtain the comforts or luxuries, of which +they are undoubtedly very desirous, from cultivation of their grounds. +The fruits and roots necessary for the public markets are already +supplied in profusion at tolerably moderate prices: if the supply were +greatly increased, the prices could not be remunerative. There is no way +in which they can so readily as by labor for wages, _obtain money_, and +therefore I hold that there must ever be an adequate supply of labor in +the market. + +The negroes are in my opinion very acute in their perceptions of right +and wrong, justice and injustice, and appreciate fully the benefits of +equitable legislation, and would unreservedly submit to it where they +felt confidence in the purity of its administration. + +There is not the slightest likelihood of rebellion on the part of the +negroes after 1840, unless some unrighteous attempts be made to keep up +the helotism of the class by enactments of partial laws. _They_ could +have no interest in rebellion, they could gain nothing by it; and might +lose every thing; nor do I think they dream of such a thing. They are +ardently attached to the British government, and would be so to the +colonial government, were it to indicate by its enactments any purposes +of kindness or protection towards them. Hitherto the scope of its +legislation has been, in reference to them, almost exclusively coercive; +certainly there have been no enactments of a tendency to conciliate +their good will or attachment. + +The negroes are much desirous of education and religious instruction: no +one who has attended to the matter can gainsay that. Formerly marriage +was unknown amongst them; they were in fact only regarded by their +masters, and I fear by themselves too, as so many brutes for labor, and +for increase. Now they seek the benefits of the social institution of +marriage and its train of hallowed relationships: concubinage is +becoming quite disreputable; many are seeking to repair their conduct by +marriage to their former partners, and no one in any rank of life would +be hardy enough to express disapprobation of those who have done or +may do so. + +WM. HENRY ANDERSON. + +_Kingston, Jamaica, 24th April, 1837_. + + * * * * * + +The following communication is the monthly report for March, 1837, of +Major J.B. Colthurst, special justice for District A., Rural Division, +Barbadoes. + +The general conduct of the apprentices since my last report has been +excellent, considering that greater demands have been made upon their +labor at this moment to save perhaps the finest crop of canes ever grown +in the island. + +Upon the large estates generally the best feeling exists, because they +are in three cases out of four conducted by either the proprietors +themselves, or attorneys and managers of sense and consideration. Here +all things go on well; the people are well provided and comfortable, and +therefore the best possible understanding prevails. + +The apprentices in my district _perform their work most willingly_, +whenever the immediate manager is a man of sense and humanity. If this +is not the case, the effect is soon seen, and complaints begin to be +made. Misunderstandings are usually confined to the smaller estates, +particularly in the neighborhood of Bridgetown, where the lots are very +small, and the apprentice population of a less rural description, and +more or less also corrupted by daily intercourse with the town. + +The working hours most generally in use in my district are as follows: +On most estates, the apprentices work from six to nine, breakfast; from +ten to one, dinner--rest; from three to six, work. + +It is almost the constant practice of the apprentices, particularly the +praedials or rural portion, to work in their own time for money wages, +at the rate of a quarter dollar a day. They sometimes work also during +those periods in their little gardens round their negro houses, and +which they most generally enjoy without charge, or in the land they +obtain in lieu of allowance, they seem ALWAYS well pleased to be fully +employed at _free_ labor, and work, when so employed, exceedingly well. +I know a small estate, worked exclusively on this system. It is in +excellent order, and the proprietor tells me his profits are greater +than they would be under the apprenticeship. He is a sensible and +correct man, and I therefore rely upon his information. During the hurry +always attendant on the saving of the crop, the apprentices are +generally hired in their own time upon their respective estates at the +above rate, and which they seldom refuse. No hesitation generally occurs +in this or any other matter, whenever the employer discharges his duty +by them in a steady and considerate manner. + +The attendance at church throughout my district is most respectable; but +the accommodation, either in this respect or as regards schools, is by +no means adequate to the wants of the people. The apprentices conduct +themselves during divine service in the most correct manner, and it is +most gratifying to perceive, that only very little exertion, indeed, +would be required to render them excellent members of society. This fact +is fully proved by the orderly situation of a few estates in my +district, that have had the opportunity of receiving some moral and +religious instruction. There are sixty-four estates in my district over +twenty-five acres. Upon four of those plantations where the apprentices +have been thus taught, there are a greater number of _married_ couples +(which may be considered a fair test) than upon the remaining sixty. I +scarcely ever have a complaint from these four estates, and they are +generally reported to be in a most orderly state. + +In the memory of the oldest inhabitant, the island has never produced a +finer crop of canes than that now in the course of manufacture. All +other crops are luxuriant, and the plantations in a high state of +agricultural cleanliness. The season has been very favorable. + +Under the head of general inquiry, I beg leave to offer a few remarks. I +have now great pleasure in having it in my power to state, that a +manifest change for the better has taken place _gradually_ in my +district within the last few months. Asperities seem to be giving way to +calm discussion, and the laws are better understood and obeyed. + +It is said in other colonies as well as here, that there has been, and +still continues to be, a great want of natural affection among the negro +parents for their children, and that great mortality among the free +children has occurred in consequence. This opinion, I understand, has +been lately expressed in confident terms by the legislature of St. +Vincent's, which has been fully and satisfactorily contradicted by the +reports of the special justices to the lieutenant-governor. The same +assertion has been made by individuals to myself. As regards Barbadoes, +I have spared no pains to discover whether such statements were facts, +and I now am happy to say, that not a _single instance_ of unnatural +conduct on the part of the negro parents to their children has come to +my knowledge--far, perhaps too far, the contrary is the case; _over +indulgence_ and _petting_ them seems in my judgment to be the only +matter the parents can be, with any justice, accused of. They exhibit +their fondness in a thousand ways. Contrasting the actual conduct of the +negro parents with the assertions of the planters, it is impossible not +to infer that _some bitterness is felt by the latter on the score of +their lost authority_. When this is the case, reaction is the natural +consequence, and thus misunderstandings and complaints ensue. The like +assertions are made with respect to the disinclination of the parents to +send their children to school. This certainly does exist to a certain +extent, particularly to schools where the under classes of whites are +taught, who often treat the negro children in a most imperious and +hostile manner. As some proof that no decided objection exists in the +negro to educate his children, a vast number of the apprentices of my +district send them to school, and take pride in paying a bit a week each +for them--a quarter dollar entrance and a quarter dollar for each +vacation. Those schools are almost always conducted by a black man and +his _married_ wife. However, they are well attended, but are very few +in number. + +To show that the apprentices fully estimate the blessings of education, +many females _hire their apprentice_ children at a quarter dollar a week +from their masters, for the express purpose of sending them to school. +This proves the possibility of a _voluntary_ system of education +succeeding, provided it was preceded by full and satisfactory +explanation to the parties concerned. I have also little doubt that +labor to the extent I speak of, may be successfully introduced when the +apprentices become assured that nothing but the ultimate welfare of +themselves and children is intended; but so suspicious are they from +habit, and, as I said before, so profoundly ignorant of what may in +truth and sincerity be meant only for their benefit, that it will +require great caution and delicacy on the occasion. Those suspicions +have not been matured in the negroes mind without cause--the whole +history of slavery proves it. Such suspicions are even _now_ only +relinquished under doubts and apprehensions; therefore, all new and +material points, to be carried successfully with them, should be +proposed to them upon the most liberal and open grounds. + +J.B. COLTHURST, _Special Justice Peace, District A, Rural Division_. + + * * * * * + +_General return of the imports and exports of the island of Barbadoes, +during a series of years--furnished by the Custom-house officer at +Bridgetown_. + + £. s, d. +1832 481,610 6 3 +1833 462,132 14 4 +1834 449,169 12 4 +1835 595,961 13 2 +1836 622,128 19 11 + + +IMPORTS OF LUMBER. + + Feet. Shingles. +1833 5,290,086 5,598,958 +1834 5,708,494 5,506,646 +1835 5,794,596 4,289,025 +1836 7,196,189 7,037,462 + + +IMPORTS OF PROVISIONS. + + | Flour. | Corn Meal. | +Y'rs.| bbls. |1/2 bbls.| bush.| bbls.| +-----+--------+---------+-------+------+ +1833 | 21,535 | 397 | 629 | 265 | +1834 | 34,191 | 865 | 1675 | 1580 | +1835 | 32,393 | 828 | 160 | 809 | +1836 | 41,975 | 433 | 823 | 1123 | +-----+--------+---------+-------+------+ + + | Bread and Biscuits. |Oats & Corn.| +Y'rs.| hds.| bbls.|1/2 bbls.|kegs.|bags.| bags.| qrs.| +-----+-----+------+---------+-----+-----+------+-----+ +1833 | 49| 2146| 30 | " | " | 430| 50| +1834 | 401| 8561| 99 | 57 | " | 100| 1025| +1835 | 2024| 10762| " | " | " | 2913| 3134| +1836 | 4| 4048| " | " | 1058| 8168| 3119| +-----+-----+------+---------+-----+-----+------+-----+ + +IMPORTS OF CATTLE, ETC. + Cattle. Horses. Mules. +1833 649 462 65 +1834 549 728 24 +1835 569 1047 43 +1836 1013 1345 104 + + +RETURN OF EXPORTS--SUGAR. + + hhds. trcs. bbls. +1832 18,804 1278 838 +1833 27,015 1505 651 +1834 27,593 1464 1083 +1835 24,309 1417 938 +1836 25,060 1796 804 + + * * * * * + +VALUATIONS OF APPRENTICES IN JAMAICA. + +"From the 1st of August, 1834, to 31st of May, 1836, 998 apprentices +purchased their freedom by valuation, and paid £33,998. From 31st May, +1836, to 1st November, in the same year, 582 apprentices purchased +themselves, and paid £18,217--making, in all, £52,216--a prodigious sum +to be furnished by the negroes in two years. From the above statement it +appears that the desire to be free is daily becoming more general and +more intense, and that the price of liberty remains the same, although +the term of apprenticeship is decreasing. The amount paid by the +apprentices is a proof of the extent of the exertions and sacrifices +they are willing to make for freedom, which can scarcely be appreciated +by those who are unacquainted with the disadvantages of their previous +condition. The negroes frequently raise the money by loans to purchase +their freedom, and they are scrupulous in repaying money lent them for +that purpose." + +The above is extracted from the "West Indies in 1837," an English work +by Messrs. Sturge and Harvey, page 86, Appendix. + + * * * * * + +We insert the following tabular view of the crops in Jamaica for a +series of years preceding 1837.--As the table and "Remarks" appended +were first published in the St. Jago Gazette, a decided "pro-slavery" +paper, we insert, in connection with them, the remarks of the Jamaica +Watchman, published at Kingston, and an article on the present condition +of slavery, from the Telegraph, published at Spanishtown, the seat of +the colonial government. + +A GENERAL RETURN OF EXPORTS _From the island of Jamaica, for 53 years, +ending 31st December, 1836--copied from the Journals of the House._ + + +___________________________________________________________________ + . | | | | | + d | | |MO-| | + e | SUGAR | RUM |LAS| GINGER | + t | | |SES| | + r |____________________|_______________________|___|____________| + o | s | | | s | s | | | | | | + p | d | | | n | d | | | | | | + x | a | s | s | o | a | | s | | | | + E | e | e | l | e | e | | l | | | | + | h | c | e | h | h | s | e | s | s | | + r | s | r | r | c | s | k | r | k | k | s | + a | g | e | r | n | g | s | r | s | s | g | + e | o | i | a | u | o | a | a | a | a | a | + Y | H | T | B | P | H | C | B | C | C | B | +___________________________________________________________________ +1772| 69,451| 9,936| 270| | | | | | | | +1773| 72,996|11,453| 849| | | | | | | | +1774| 69,579| 9,250| 278| | | | | | | | +1775| 75,291| 9,090| 425| | | | | | | | +1776| | | | | | | | | | | +1788| 83,036| 9,256|1,063| | | | | | | | +1789| 84,167|10,078|1,077| | | | | | | | +1790| 84,741| 9,284|1,599| | | | | | | | +1791| 85,447| 8,037|1,718| | | | | | | | +1792| | | | | | | | | | | +1793| 77,575| 6,722| 642|34,755| 879| | | | 62| 8,605| +1794| 89,532|11,158|1,224|39,843|1,570| | | | 121|10,305| +1795| 88,851| 9,537|1,225|37,684|1,475| | | | 426|14,861| +1796| 89,219|10,700| 858|40,810|1,364| | | | 690|20,275| +1797| 78,373| 9,963| 753|28,014|1,463| | | | 259|29,098| +1798| 87,896|11,725|1,163|40,823|2,234| | | | 119|18,454| +1799|101,457|13,538|1,321|37,022|1,981| | | | 221|10,358| +1800| 96,347|13,549|1,631|37,166|1,350| | | | 444| 3,586| +1801|123,251|18,704|2,692|48,879|1,514| | | | 12| 239| +1802|129,544|15,403|2,403|45,632|2,073| 473| 205|366| 23| 2,079| +1803|107,387|11,825|1,797|43,298|1,416| | |461| 51| 3,287| +1804|103,352|12,802|2,207|42,207| 913| | |429|1,094| 1,854| +1805|137,906|17,977|3,689|53,211|1,328| 133| 167|471| 315| 2,128| +1806|133,996|18,237|3,579|58,191|1,178| | |499| 485| 1,818| +1807|123,175|17,344|3,716|51,812|1,998| | |699| 512| 1,411| +1808|121,444|15,836|2,625|52,409|2,196| | |379| 436| 1,470| +1809|104,457|14,596|3,534|43,492|2,717| | |230|2,321| 572| +1810|108,703| 4,560|3,719|42,353|1,964| | |293| 520| 1,881| +1811|127,751|15,235|3,046|54,093|2,011| | |446|1,110| 2,072| +1812|105,283|11,357|2,558|43,346|1,531| | |151| 804| 1,235| +1813| 97,548|10,029|2,304|44,618|1,345| 382| 874|208| 816| 1,428| +1814|101,846|10,485|2,575|43,486|1,551| 202|1,146|145| 884| 1,668| +1815|118,767|12,224|2,817|52,996|1,465| 574|1,398|242|1,493| 1,667| +1816| 93,881| 9,332|2,236|35,736| 769| 281| 903|166|2,354| 1,118| +1817|116,012|11,094|2,868|47,949|1,094| 203| 916|254|3,361| 1,195| +1818|113,818|11,388|2,786|50,195|1,108| 121| 191|407|2,526| 1,067| +1819|108,305|11,450|3,244|43,946|1,695| 602|1,558|253|1,714| 718| +1820|115,065|11,322|2,474|45,361|1,783| 106| 460|252|1,159| 316| +1821|111,512|11,703|1,972|46,802|1,793| 153| 534|167| 984| 274| +1822| 88,551| 8,705|1,292|28,728|1,124| 9| 442|144| 891| 72| +1823| 94,905| 9,179|1,947|35,242|1,935| 20| 118|614|1,041| 60| +1824| 99,225| 9,651|2,791|37,121|3,261| 5| 64|910|2,230| 52| +1825| 73,813| 7,380|2,858|27,630|2,077| 101| 215|894|3,947| 348| +1826| 99,978| 9,514|3,126|35,610|3,098|1,852| |549|5,724| 517| +1827| 82,096| 7,435|2,770|31,840|2,672|1,573| |204|4,871| 240| +1828| 94,912| 9,428|3,024|36,585|2,793|1,013| |189|5,382| 279| +1829| 91,364| 9,193|3,204|36,285|2,009| 563| | 66|4,101| 168| +1830| 93,882| 8,739|3,645|33,355|2,657|1,367| |154|3,494| 15| +1831| 88,409| 9,053|3,492|34,743|2,846| 982| |230|3,224| 22| +1832| 91,453| 9,987|4,600|32,060|2,570|1,362| |799|4,702| 38| +1833| 78,375| 9,325|4,074|33,215|3,034| 977| |755|4,818| 23| +1834| 77,801| 9,860|3,055|30,495|2,588|1,288| |486|5,925| 116| +1835| 71,017| 8,840|8,455|26,433|1,820| 747| |300|3,985| 486| +1836| 61,644| 7,707|2,497|19,938| 874| 646| |182|5,224| 69| + + . | | | + d | | | + e | PIMENTO | COFFEE | + t | | | + r |_____________|__________| + o | | | | + p | | | | + x | | | | REMARKS + E | | | s | + | s | | d | + r | k | s | n | + a | s | g | u | + e | a | a | o | + Y | C | B | P | +________________________________________________________________ +1772| | | 841,558| +1773| | | 779,303| +1774| | | 739,039| +1775| | | 493,981| +1776| | | | +1788| | | 1,035,368| +1789| | | 1,493,282| +1790| | | 1,783,740| +1791| | | 2,299,874| August--Destruction of +1792| | | | Santo Domingo. +1793| 420| 9,108| 3,983,576| +1794| 554|22,153| 4,911,549| +1795| 957|20,451| 6,318,812| +1796| 136| 9,820| 7,203,539| +1797| 328| 2,935| 7,869,133| +1798| 1,181| 8,961| 7,894,306| +1799| 1,766|28,273|11,745,425| Bourbon cane introduced. +1800| 610|12,759|11,116,474| +1801| 648|14,084|13,401,468| +1802| 591| 7,793|17,961,923| +1803| 867|14,875|15,866,291| +1804| 1,417|19,572|22,063,980| +1805| 288| 7,157|21,137,393| Largest sugar crop. +1806| 1,094|19,534|29,298,036| +1807| 525|19,224|26,761,188| March 25th, abolition of +1808| 225| 6,529|29,528,273| African slave trade. +1809|21,022| 1,177|25,586,668| +1810| 4,276|21,163|25,885,285| +1811| 638|22,074|17,460,068| +1812| 598| 7,778|18,481,986| +1813| 1,124|14,361|24,623,572| Storm in October, 1812 +1814| 394|10,711|34,045,585| Largest coffee crop. +1815| 844|27,386|27,362,742| +1816| 851|28,047|17,289,393| Storm in October, 1815 +1817| 946|15,817|14,793,706| +1818| 941|21,071|25,329,456| +1819| 882|24,500|14,091,983| +1820| 673|12,880|22,127,444| +1821| 1,224|24,827|16,819,761| +1822| 699|18,672|19,773,912| Extreme drought. +1823| 1,894|21,481|20,326,445| Mr. Canning's resolutions +1824| 599|33,306|27,667,239| relative to slavery. +1825| 537|20,979|21,254,656| +1826| 522|16,433|20,352,886| Severe drought in 1824, the previous year. +1827| 3,236|26,691|25,741,520| +1828| 4,003|25,352|22,216,780| +1829| 3,733|48,933|22,234,640| +1830| 5,609|37,925|22,256,950| +1831| 2,844|22,170|14,055,350| +1832| 3,736|27,936|19,815,010| +1833| 7,741|58,581| 9,866,060| Emancipation act passed. +1834| 496|29,301|17,725,731| Seasons favorable. +1835| 1,115|59,033|10,593,018| do. +1836| 227|46,779|13,446,053| do. + +The following are the remarks of the editor of the Jamaica Watchman, on +the foregoing, in his paper of April 8, 1837:-- + +A general return of exports from the island for fifty-three years, +ending the 31st December last, and purporting to be extracted from the +journals of the assembly, has been published, and as usual, the decrease +in the crops of the respective years has been attributed to the +resolutions passed by the British House of Commons in 1823, and the +abolition of slavery in 1833. It is remarkable that in preparing this +table, a manifest disposition is evinced to account for the falling off +of the crops in certain years anterior, and subsequent to the passing of +Mr. Canning's memorable resolution, whilst opposite to the years 1834 +and 1835, is written "seasons favorable." In 1813, the sugar crop fell +off 8,000 hhds. compared with the previous year, and we are told in +reference to this circumstance, that there was a storm in October, 1812. +This remark is evidently made to account for the decrease, and perhaps +the storm at the close of the previous year was the cause of it. But it +is astonishing, and the circumstance is worthy of notice, that whilst +the sugar crop fell off nearly 8,000 hhds. the coffee crop increased +nearly six millions of pounds. We should have supposed that the coffee +trees would have suffered more from the effects of a storm, than the +canes. However, the effect was as we have stated it, whatever might have +been the cause. In 1814, the largest coffee crop was made. Again, in +1816, there was a decrease in the sugar crop compared with the year +immediately preceding it of nearly 25,000 hhds. And here we have the +storm of October, 1815, assigned as a reason. The coffee crop in this +instance also fell off nearly ten millions of pounds. In 1822, the sugar +crop was reduced 23,000 hhds., and the coffee crop increased three +millions of pounds. The reason now assigned is an "extreme drought." The +celebrated resolutions relative to slavery now appear to begin to +exercise their baneful influence on the _seasons_ and the _soil_ of our +island. In the year in which they were passed, 1823, 94,900 hogsheads of +sugar were made, and twenty millions of pounds of coffee gathered. 1824 +came, and the crop, instead of being reduced, was increased from nearly +95,000 hogsheads to upwards of 99,000 hogsheads. The coffee crop was +also greater by seven millions of pounds. In 1825, they fall off to +73,860 hogsheads and twenty-one millions. In 1826, the sugar crop rather +exceeded that of 1824, but the coffee crop was seven millions less. In +1827, from causes not known to us, for none were assigned, there was a +difference of 16,000 hhds. of sugar, and an increase of five millions of +pounds of coffee. 1828, 29, and 30, were pretty nearly alike in sugar +and coffee crops, and about equal to 1823. The crops of 1831 fell off +from 93 to 88,000 hogsheads of sugar, and from 22 to 14 millions of +pounds of coffee. No reason is assigned for this reduction. It was +during the continuance of the driving system, and therefore no blame can +attach to the managers. In 1832, the crop rose to 91,000 hogsheads of +sugar, and nearly twenty millions of pounds of coffee. But 1833 comes, +and, with it, fresh troubles for the planters. In that ill-fated year, +there was a decrease of 13,000 hogsheads sugar, and of ten millions of +pounds of coffee. Its sugar crop was the smallest made, with the +exception of that of 1825, since 1793, and its coffee crop since that of +1798. But if this determination be alarming, what must be that of the +succeeding years. Can we be blamed, if, in a strain truly lachrymal, we +allude to the deductions which have annually been made from the +miserable return which 1833 gave to the unfortunate proprietors of +estates? What boots it to tell us that we have fingered thousands of +pounds sterling, in the shape of compensation: and what consolation is +it to know, that a hogshead of sugar will now bring thirty pounds, +which, a short time ago, was only worth twelve. Let any _unprejudiced_ +individual look at the return now before us, and say whether our +prospects are not deplorably dull and obscure. If we take the four years +immediately preceding the passing of Mr. Canning's resolutions, say +1819, 20, 21, and 22; we will find the average to be 105,858 hogsheads, +and if from this we even deduct one fourth for the time now lost, there +will be an average crop of 79,394 hhds., being 7,185 hogsheads mere than +the average of 1833, 34, 35, and 36; and no one will deny that this +falling off of one tenth, (supposing that the hogsheads made during the +last four years are _not larger_ than those of 1819 to 1822) is +_nearly_, if not _quite equal_ to the increase of price, from twelve to +thirty pounds, or one hundred and fifty per cent. + +It is true some persons may be disposed to take the four years +subsequent to the passing of Mr. Canning's resolutions, say 1823, 4, 5, +and 6, and compare them with the four years ending 31st December last. +Should this be done, it will be found that the average crop of the +previous four years is 91,980 hhds., and if from it is deducted one +fourth, there will remain 68,985 hhds., whilst the average of the other +four years is 72,200 hhds. Such a mode of comparison must, however, be +obviously incorrect; because, in the first place, Mr. Canning's +resolutions had reduced the crops of those years considerably below the +average of the years immediately preceding them, and next, because it +would show the advantage to be on the side of freedom in the ratio of +seventy-two to sixty-nine, which cannot be correct. Besides, in 1824, +there was a severe drought, whereas in 1834 and 35 the seasons are +reported as being favorable. Again, it is necessary, in instituting such +an inquiry, to go back more than fourteen years; nor is it a valid +objection to this to say, that even during that period a number of +estates have been thrown out of cultivation, in consequence of being +worn out and unprofitable. "Deplorable," however, as is the "falling off +in the yearly amounts of our staple productions, which have decreased," +gentle reader, according to the despatch, "in an accelerated ratio +within the last few years, till in the year 1836, when they do not +average one half the returns of former years preceding that of 1823, the +year that Mr. Canning's resolutions for the ultimate abolition of +slavery in the British colonies passed the House of Commons," still it +is a matter of sincere gratification to know, that the sugar planters +are better off now than they have been for the last fourteen or fifteen +years. With the compensation money a great many of them have been +enabled to pay off their English debts, and the remainder very +considerably to reduce them, whilst the reduction in the quantity of +sugar produced, has occasioned such a rise in the price of that article +as will place the former in easy circumstances, and enable the latter +entirely to free themselves from the trammels of English mortgagees, and +the tender mercies of English mortgagees before the 1st August, 1840, +arrives. And ought these parties not to be thankful? Unquestionably they +ought. Ingratitude, we are told, is as the sin of witchcraft, and +although the table of exports exhibits our fair island as hastening to a +state of ruin, and the despatch tells us that "by the united influence +of mock philanthropy, religious cant, and humbug," a reformed parliament +was _forced_ "to precipitate the _slavery spoliation_ act under the +specious pretext of promoting the industry and improving the condition +of the manumitted slaves," still we maintain, and the reasonable will +agree with us, that we are much better off now than we have been for a +long time, and that Jamaica's brightest and happiest days have not yet +dawned. Let the croakers remember the remarkable words of the Tory Lord, +Belmore, the planter's friend, and be silent--"The resources of this +fine island will never be fully developed until slavery ceases." The +happiness and prosperity of the inhabitants of Jamaica are not +contingent, nor need they be, upon the number of hogsheads of sugar +annually exported from her shores. + + * * * * * + +To the foregoing we add the remarks of the editor of the "Spanishtown +Telegraph," on the present state of the colony, made in his paper of May +9, 1837:-- + + "When it was understood that the island of Jamaica and the other + British West Indian colonies were to undergo the blessed transition + from slavery to freedom, it was the hourly cry of the pro-slavery + party and press, that the ruin of Jamaica would, as a natural + consequence, follow liberty! Commerce, said they, will cease; hordes + of barbarians will come upon us and drive us from our own + properties; agriculture will be completely paralyzed; and Jamaica, + in the space of a few short months, will be seen buried in + ashes--irretrievably ruined. Such were the awful predictions of an + unjust, illiberal faction!! Such the first fruits that were to + follow the incomparable blessings of liberty! The staple productions + of the island, it was vainly surmised, could never be cultivated + without the name of slavery; rebellions, massacres, starvation, + rapine and bloodshed, danced through the columns of the + liberty-hating papers, in mazes of metaphorical confusion. In short, + the name of freedom was, according to their assertions, directly + calculated to overthrow our beautiful island, and involve it in one + mass of ruin, unequalled in the annals of history!! But what has + been the result? All their fearful forebodings and horrible + predictions have been entirely disproved, and instead of liberty + proving a curse, she has, on the contrary, unfolded her banners, + and, ere long, is likely to reign triumphant in our land. _Banks, + steam companies, railroads, charity schools, etc._, seem all to have + remained dormant until the time arrived when Jamaica was to be + _enveloped in smoke_! No man thought of hazarding his capital in an + extensive _banking establishment_ until _Jamaica's ruin_, by the + introduction of _freedom, had been accomplished_!! No person was + found possessed of sufficient energy to speak of navigation + companies in Jamaica's brightest days of slavery; but now that ruin + stares every one in the face--now that we have no longer the power + to treat out peasantry as we please, they have taken it into their + heads to establish so excellent an undertaking. Railroads were not + dreamt of until _darling_ slavery had (_in a great measure_) + departed, and now, when we thought of throwing up our estates, and + flying from the _dangers of emancipation_, the best projects are + being set on foot, and what is _worst_, are likely to _succeed_! + This is the way that our Jamaica folks, no doubt, reason with + themselves. But the reasons for the delay which have taken place in + the establishment of all these valuable undertakings, are too + evident to require elucidation. We behold the _Despatch_ and + _Chronicle_, asserting the ruin of our island; the overthrow of all + order and society; and with the knowledge of all this, they speak of + the profits likely to result from steam navigation, banking + establishments, and railroads! What in the name of conscience, can + be the use of steam-vessels when Jamaica's ruin is so fast + approaching? What are the planters and merchants to ship in steamers + when the apprentices will not work, and there is nothing doing? How + is the bank expected to advance money to the planters, when their + total destruction has been accomplished by the abolition of slavery? + What, in the name of reason, can be the use of railroads, when + commerce and agriculture have been nipped in the bud, by that + _baneful weed, Freedom_? Let the unjust panderers of discord, the + haters of liberty, answer. Let them consider what has all this time + retarded the development of Jamaica's resources, and they will find + that it was _slavery_; yes, it was its very name which prevented the + idea of undertakings such as are being brought about. Had it not + been for the introduction of freedom in our land; had the cruel + monster, Slavery, not partially disappeared, when would we have seen + banks, steamers, or railroads? No man thought of hazarding his + capital in the days of slavery, but now that a new era has burst + upon us, a complete change has taken possession of the hearts of all + just men, and they think of improving the blessing of freedom by the + introduction of other things which must ever prove beneficial to + the country. + + The vast improvements that are every day being effected in this + island, and throughout the other colonies, stamp the assertions of + the pro-slavery party as the vilest falsehoods. They glory in the + introduction of banks, steam-vessels, and railroads; with the + knowledge (as they would have us believe) that the island is fast + verging into destruction. They speak of the utility and success of + railroads, when, according to their showing, there is no produce to + be sent to market, when agriculture has been paralyzed, and Jamaica + swept to destruction." + +* * * * * + +The following copious extracts from a speech of Lord Brougham, on the +workings of the apprenticeship, and on the immediate emancipation +substituted therefor in Antigua and the Bermudas, are specially +commended to the notice of the reader. The speech was delivered in the +House of Lords, Feb. 20, 1838. We take it from the published report of +the speech in the London Times, of Feb. 25:-- + + I now must approach that subject which has some time excited almost + universal anxiety. Allow me, however, first to remind your + lordships--because that goes to the root of the evil--allow me first + to remind you of the anxiety that existed previous to the + Emancipation Act which was passed in January, 1833, coming into + operation in August, 1834. My lords, there was much to apprehend + from the character of the masters of the slaves. I know the nature + of man. * * * * I know that he who has abused power clings to it + with a yet more convulsive grasp. I know his revenge against those + who have been rescued from his tyrannous fangs; I know that he never + forgives those whom he has injured, whether white or black. I have + never yet met with an unforgiving enemy, except in the person of one + of whose injustice I had a right to complain. On the part of the + slaves, my lords, I was not without anxiety; for I know the corrupt + nature of the degrading system under which they groaned. * * * * It + was, therefore, I confess, my lords, with some anxiety that I looked + forward to the 1st of August, 1834; and I yielded, though + reluctantly, to the plan of an intermediate state before what was + called the full enjoyment of freedom--the transition condition of + indentured apprenticeship. + + The first of August arrived--that day so confidently and joyously + anticipated by the poor slaves, and so sorely dreaded by their hard + taskmasters--and if ever there was a picture interesting to look + upon--if ever there was a passage in the history of a people + redounding to their eternal honor--if ever there was a complete + refutation of all the scandalous calumnies which had been heaped + upon them for ages, as if in justification of the wrongs which we + had done them--(Hear, hear)--that picture and that passage are to be + found in the uniform and unvarying history of that people throughout + the whole of the West India islands. Instead of the fires of + rebellion, lit by a feeling of lawless revenge and resistance to + oppression, the whole of those islands were, like an Arabian scene, + illuminated by the light of contentment, joy, peace, and good-will + towards all men. No civilized people, after gaining an unexpected + victory, could have shown more delicacy and forbearance than was + exhibited by the slaves at the great moral consummation which they + had attained. There was not a look or a gesture which could gall the + eyes of their masters. Not a sound escaped from negro lips which + could wound the ears of the most feverish planter in the islands. + All was joy, mutual congratulation, and hope. + + This peaceful joy, this delicacy towards the feelings of others, was + all that was to be seen, heard, or felt, on that occasion, + throughout the West India islands. + + It was held that the day of emancipation would be one of riot and + debauchery, and that even the lives of the planters would be + endangered. So far from this proving the case, the whole of the + negro population kept it as a most sacred festival, and in this + light I am convinced it will ever be viewed. + + In one island, where the bounty of nature seems to provoke the + appetite to indulgence, and to scatter with a profuse hand all the + means of excitement, I state the fact when I say not one drunken + negro was found during the whole of the day. No less than 800,000 + slaves were liberated in that one day, and their peaceful festivity + was disturbed only on one estate, in one parish, by an irregularity + which three or four persons sufficed to put down. + + Well, my lords, baffled in their expectations that the first of + August would prove a day of disturbance--baffled also in the + expectation that no voluntary labor would be done--we were then told + by the "practical men," to look forward to a later period. We have + done so, and what have we seen? Why, that from the time voluntary + labor began, there was no want of men to work for hire, and that + there was no difficulty in getting those who as apprentices had to + give the planters certain hours of work, to extend, upon emergency, + their period of labor, by hiring out their services for wages to + strangers. I have the authority of my noble friend behind me, (the + Marquis of Sligo,) who very particularly, inquired into the matter, + when I state that on nine estates out of ten there was no difficulty + in obtaining as much work as the owners had occasion for, on the + payment of wages. How does all this contrast with the predictions of + the "practical men?" "Oh," said they, in 1833, "it is idle talking; + the cart-whip must be used--without that stimulant no negro will + work--the nature of the negro is idle and indolent, and without the + thought of the cartwhip is before his eyes he falls asleep--put the + cartwhip aside and no labor will be done." Has this proved the case? + No, my lords, it has not; and while every abundance of voluntary + labor has been found, in no one instance has the stimulus of the + cartwhip been found wanting. The apprentices work well without the + whip, and wages have been found quite as good a stimulus as the + scourge even to negro industry. "Oh, but" it is said, "this may do + in cotton planting and cotton picking, and indigo making; but the + cane will cease to grow, the operation of hoeing will be known no + more, boiling will cease to be practised, and sugar-making will + terminate entirely." Many, I know, were appalled by these + reasonings, and the hopes of many were dissipated by these confident + predictions of these so-deemed experienced men. But how stands the + case now? My lords, let these experienced men, come forth with their + experience. I will plant mine against it, and you will find he will + talk no more of his experience when I tell him--tell him, too, + without fear of contradiction--that during the year which followed + the first of August, 1834, twice as much sugar per hour, and of a + better quality as compared with the preceding years, was stored + throughout the sugar districts; and that one man, a large planter, + has expressly avowed, that with twenty freemen he could do more work + than with a hundred slaves or fifty indentured apprentices. (Hear, + hear.) But Antigua!--what has happened there? There has not been + even the system of indentured apprentices. In Antigua and the + Bermudas, as would have been the case at Montserrat if the upper + house had not thrown out the bill which was prepared by the planters + themselves, there had been no preparatory step. In Antigua and the + Bermudas, since the first of August, 1834, not a slave or indentured + apprentice was to be found. Well, had idleness reigned there--had + indolence supplanted work--had there been any deficiency of crop? + No. On the contrary, there had been an increase, and not a + diminution of crop. (Hear.) But, then, it was said that quiet could + not be expected after slavery in its most complete and abject form + had so long reigned paramount, and that any sudden emancipation must + endanger the peace of the islands. The experience of the first of + August at once scattered to the winds that most fallacious prophecy. + Then it was said, only wait till Christmas, for that is a period + when, by all who have any practical knowledge of the negro + character, a rebellion on their part is most to be apprehended. We + did wait for this dreaded Christmas; and what was the result? I will + go for it to Antigua, for it is the strongest case, there being + there no indentured apprentices--no preparatory state--no + transition--the chains being at once knocked off, and the negroes + made at once free. For the first time within the last thirty years, + at the Christmas of the year 1834, martial law was not proclaimed in + the island of Antigua. You talk of facts--here is one. You talk of + experience--here it is. And with these facts and this experience + before us, I call on those _soi-disant_ men of experience--those men + who scoffed at us--who laughed to scorn at what they called our + visionary, theoretical schemes--schemes that never could be carried + into effect without rebellion and the loss of the colonies--I say, + my lords, I call on these experienced men to come forward, and, if + they can, deny one single iota of the statement I am now making. Let + those who thought that with the use of those phrases, "a planter of + Jamaica" "the West India interest," "residence in Jamaica and its + experience," they could make our balance kick the beam--let them, I + say, hear what I tell, for it is but the fact--that when the chains + were knocked off there was not a single breach of the peace + committed either on the day itself, or on the Christmas festival + which followed. + + Well, my lords, beaten from these two positions, where did the + experienced men retreat to under what flimsy pretext did they next + undertake to disparage the poor negro race? Had I not seen it in + print, and been otherwise informed of the fact, I could not have + believed it possible that from any reasonable man any such absurdity + could issue. They actually held out this last fear, which, like the + others, was fated to be dissipated by the fact. "Wait only," said + they, "till the anniversary of the first of August, and then you + will see what the negro character is, and how little these + indentured apprentices are fit to be entrusted with freedom." Was + there ever such an absurdity uttered, as if my lords, the man who + could meet with firm tranquillity and peaceful thankfulness the + event itself, was likely to be raised to rebellion and rioting by + the recollection of it a year afterwards. My lords, in considering + this matter, I ask you, then, to be guided by your own experience, + and nothing else; profit by it, my lords, and turn it to your own + account; for it, according to that book which all of us must revere, + teaches even the most foolish of a foolish race. I do not ask you to + adopt as your own the experience of others; you have as much as you + can desire of your own, and by no other test do I wish or desire to + be judged. But I think my task may be said to be done. I think I + have proved my case, for I have shown that the negro can work + without the stimulant of the whip; I have shown that he can labor + for hire without any other motive than that of industry to inspire + him. I have demonstrated that all over the West Indies, even when + fatigued with working the allotted hours for the profit of his + master, he can work again for wages for him who chooses to hire him + and has wherewithal to pay him; I have also most distinctly shown + that the experience of Antigua and the Bermudas is demonstrative to + show that without any state of preparation, without any indenture of + apprenticeship at all, he is fit to be intrusted with his freedom, + and will work voluntarily as a free laborer for hire. But I have + also demonstrated from the same experience, and by reference to the + same state of facts, that a more quiet, inoffensive, peaceable, + innocent people, is not to be found on the face of this earth than + the negro--not in their own unhappy country, but after they have + been removed from it and enslaved in your Christian land, made the + victim of the barbarizing demon of civilized powers, and has all + this character, if it were possible to corrupt it, and his feelings, + if it were possible to pervert them, attempted to be corrupted and + perverted by Christian and civilized men, and that in this state, + with all incentives to misdemeanor poured around him, and all the + temptation to misconduct which the arts and artifices and examples + of civilized man can give hovering over him--that after this + transition is made from slavery to apprenticeship, and from slavery + to absolute freedom, a negro's spirit has been found to rival the + unbroken tranquillity of the Caribbean Seas. (Cheers.) This was not + the state of things we expected, my lords; and in proof that it was + not so, I have but to refer you to the statute book itself. On what + ground did you enact the intermediate state of indenture + apprenticeship, and on what arguments did you justify it? You felt + and acknowledged that the negro had a right to be free, and that you + had no right to detain him in bondage. Every one admitted this, but + in the prevailing ignorance of their character it was apprehended + that they could not be made free at once, and that time was + requisite to train the negro to receive the boon it was intended + bestowing upon him. + + This was the delusion which prevailed, and which was stated in the + preamble of the statute--the same delusion which had made the men on + one side state and the other to believe that it was necessary to pay + the slave-owners for the loss it was supposed they would sustain. + But it was found to be a baseless fear, and the only result of the + phantom so conjured up was a payment of twenty millions to the + conjurors. (Hear, and a laugh.) Now, I maintain that had we known + what we now know of the character of the negroes, neither would this + compensation have been given to the slave-owners, nor we have been + guilty of proposing to keep the negro in slavery five years, after we + were decided that he had a right to his freedom. The noble and + learned lord here proceeded to contend that up to the present time + the slave-owners, so far from being sufferers, had been gainers by + the abolition of slavery and the enactment of the system of + apprenticeship, and that consequently up to the present moment + nothing had occurred to entitle them to a claim upon the + compensation allotted by parliament. The slave-owners might be said + to have pocketed the seven millions without having the least claim + to them, and therefore, in considering the proposition he was about + to make, parliament should bear in mind that the slave proprietors + were, if anything, the debtors to the nation. The money had, in + fact, been paid to them by mistake, and, were the transaction one + between man and man, an action for its recovery might lie. But the + slave-owners alleged that if the apprenticeship were now done away + there would be a loss, and that to meet that loss they had a right + to the money. For argument's sake he would suppose this to be true, + and that there would be loss; but would it not be fair that the + money should be lodged in the hands of a third party, with authority + to pay back at the expiration of the two years whatever rateable sum + the master could prove himself to have lost? His firm belief was, + that no loss could arise; but, desirous to meet the planter at every + point, he should have no objection to make terms with him. Let him, + then, pay the money into court, as it were, and at the end of two + years he should be fully indemnified for any loss he might prove. He + called upon their lordships to look to Antigua and the Bermudas for + proof that the free negro worked well, and that no loss was + occasioned to the planters or their property by the granting of + emancipation. But it was said that there was a difference between + the cases of Antigua and other colonies, such as Jamaica, and it was + urged that while the negroes of the former, from the smallness and + barrenness of the place, would be forced into work, that in the + latter they would run away, and take refuge in the woods. Now, he + asked, why should the negro run away from his work, on being made + free, more than during the continuance of his apprenticeship? Why, + again, should it be supposed that on the 1st of August, 1840, the + emancipated negroes should have less inclination to betake + themselves to the woods than in 1838? If there was a risk of the + slaves running to the woods in 1838, that risk would be increased + and not diminished during the intermediate period up to 1840, by the + treatment they were receiving from their masters, and the deferring + of their hopes. + + My lords, (continued the noble lord,) I have now to say a few words + upon the treatment which the slaves have received during the past + three years of their apprenticeship, and which, it is alleged, + during the next two years is to make them fitted for absolute + emancipation. My lords, I am prepared to show that in most respects + the treatment the slaves have received since 1834 is no better, and + in many others more unjust and worse, than it ever was in the time + of absolute slavery. It is true that the use of the cartwhip as a + stimulus to labor has been abolished. This, I admit, is a great and + most satisfactory improvement; but, in every other particular, the + state of the slave, I am prepared to show, is not improved, and, in + many respects, it is materially worse. First, with regard to the + article of food, I will compare the Jamaica prison allowance with + that allotted to the apprenticed negroes in other colonies. In the + Jamaica prison the allowance of rice is 14 pints a week to each + person. I have no return of the allowance to the indentured + apprentice in Jamaica, but I believe it is little over this; but in + Barbadoes and the Leeward Islands, it is much under. In Barbadoes, + instead of receiving the Jamaica prison allowance of 14 pints a + week, the apprenticed negro received but 10 pints: while in the + Leeward Islands he had but 8 pints. In the crown colonies, before + 1834, the slave received 21 pints of rice, now the apprentice gets + but 10; so that in the material article, food, no improvement in the + condition of the negro was observable. Then, with regard to time, it + is obviously of the utmost importance that the apprentice should + have at least two holidays and a half a week--the Sabbath for + religious worship and instruction, the Saturday to attend the + markets, and half of Friday to work in his own garden. The act of + emancipation specified 45 hours a week as the period the apprentice + was to work for his master, but the master so contrived matters as + in most instances to make the 45 hours the law allotted him run into + the apprentice's half of Friday, and even in some cases into the + Saturday. The planter invariably counted the time from the moment + that the slave commenced his work; and as it often occurs that his + residence was on the border of the estate, he may have to walk five + or six miles to get to the place he has to work. This was a point + which he was sure their lordships would agree with him in thinking + required alteration. + + The next topic to which I shall advert relates to the administration + of justice; and this large and important subject I cannot pass over + without a word to remind your lordships how little safe it is, how + little deserving the name of just, or any thing like just, that + where you have two classes you should separate them into conflicting + parties, until they became so exasperated in their resentment as + scarcely to regard each other as brethren of the same species; and + that you should place all the administration of justice in the hands + of one dominant class, whose principles, whose passions whose + interests, are all likely to be preferred by the judges when they + presume to sit where you have placed them on the judgment seat. The + chief and puisne judges are raised to their situations from amongst + the class which includes the white men and planters. But, worse than + that, the jurors are taken from the same privileged body: jurors, + who are to assess civil damages in actions for injuries done to the + negroes--jurors, who are to try bills of indictment against the + whites for the maltreatment of the blacks--jurors who are to convict + or acquit on those bills--jurors who are to try the slaves + themselves--nay, magistrates, jailors, turnkeys, the whole apparatus + of justice, both administrative and executive, exclusively in the + hands of one race! What is the consequence? Why, it is proverbial + that no bills are found for the blacks. (Hear, hear.) Six bills of + indictment were preferred, some for murder and some for bad + manslaughter, and at one assizes every one of these six indictments + was thrown out. Assizes after assizes the same thing happened, until + at length wagers were held that no such bill would be found, and no + one was found to accept them. Well was it for them that they + declined, for every one of the bills preferred was ignored. Now, + observe that in proceedings, as your lordships know; before grand + jurors, not a tittle of evidence is heard for the prisoners; every + witness is in favor of the indictment, or finding of the bill; but + in all these instances the bills were flung out on the examination + of evidence solely against the prisoner. Even in the worst cases of + murder, as certainly and plainly committed as the sun shines at noon + day, monstrous to all, the bills were thrown out when half the + witnesses for the prosecution remained to be examined. (Hear, hear.) + Some individuals swore against the prisoners, and though others + tendered their evidence, the jury refused to hear them. (Hear, + hear.) Besides, the punishments inflicted are monstrous; thirty-nine + lashes are inflicted for the vague, indefinite--because incapable to + be defined--offence of insolence. Thirty-nine lashes for the grave + and the more definite, I admit, offence of an attempt to carry a + small knife. Three months imprisonment, or fifty lashes for the + equally grave offence of cutting off the shoot of a cane plant! + There seems to have prevailed at all times amongst the governors of + our colonies a feeling, of which, I grieve to say, the governors at + home have ever and anon largely partaken, that there is something in + the nature of a slave--something in the habits of the African + negro--something in the disposition of the unfortunate hapless + victims of our own crimes and cruelties, which makes what is mercy + and justice to other men cruelty to society and injustice to the law + in the case of the negro, and which condemns offences slightly + visited, if visited at all, with punishment, when committed by other + men, to the sentence that for his obdurate nature none can be too + severe. (Hear, hear.) As if we had any one to blame but + ourselves--as if we had any right to visit on him that character if + it were obdurate, those habits if they were insubordinate, that + dishonest disposition if it did corrupt his character, all of which + I deny, and which experience proves to be contrary to the fact and + truth; but even if these statements were all truth instead of being + foully slanderous and absolutely false, we, of all men, have + ourselves to blame, ourselves to tax, and ourselves to punish, at + least for the self abasement, for we have been the very causes of + corrupting the negro character. (Cheers.) + + If some capricious despot, in his career of ordinary tyranny, were + to tax his imagination to produce something more monstrous and + unnatural than himself, and were to place a dove amongst vultures, + or engraft a thorn on the olive tree, much as we should marvel at + the caprice, we should be still more astounded at the expectation, + which exceeds even a tyrant's proverbial unreasonableness, that he + should gather grapes from the thorn, or that the dove should be + habituated to a thirst for blood. Yet that is the caprice, that is + the unreasonable, the foul, the gross, the monstrous, the + outrageous, incredible injustice of which we are hourly guilty + towards the whole unhappy race of negroes. (Cheers.) My lords, we + fill up the incasare of injustice by severely executing laws badly + conceived in a still more atrocious and cruel spirit. The whole + punishments smell of blood. (Hear, Hear.) If the treadmill stop in + consequence of the languid limbs and exhausted frames of the + victims, within a minute the lash resounds through the building--if + the stones which they are set to break be not broken by limbs + scarred, and marred, and whaled, they are summoned by the crack of + the whip to their toilsome task! I myself have heard within the last + three hours, from a person, who was an eye-witness of the appalling + and disgusting fact, that a leper was introduced amongst the + negroes; and in passing let me remark, that in private houses or + hospitals no more care has been taken to separate those who are + stricken with infectious diseases from the sound portion, any more + than to furnish food to those in prison who are compelled, from the + unheard-of, the paltry, the miserable disposition to treat with + cruelty the victims of a prison, to go out and gather their own + food,--a thing which I believe even the tyrant of Siberia does not + commit. Yet in that prison, where blood flows profusely, and the + limbs of those human beings are subjected to perpetual torture, the + frightful, the nauseous, the disgusting--except that all other + feelings are lost in pity towards the victim and indignation against + the oppressor--sight was presented of a leper, scarred from the + eruptions of disease on his legs and previous mistreatment, whaled + again and again, and his blood again made to flow from the jailer's + lash. I have told your lordships how bills have been thrown out for + murdering the negroes. But a man had a bill presented for this + offence: a petition was preferred, and by a white man. Yes, a white + man who had dared, under feelings of excited indignation, to + complain to the regularly constituted authorities, instead of + receiving for his gallant conduct the thanks of the community, had a + bill found which was presented against him as a nuisance. I have, + within the last two hours, amid the new mass of papers laid before + your lordships within the last forty-eight hours, culled a sample + which, I believe, represents the whole odious mass. + + Eleven females have been flogged, starved, lashed, attached to the + treadmill, and compelled to work until nature could no longer endure + their sufferings. At the moment when the wretched victims were about + to fall off--when they could no longer bring down the mechanism and + continue the movement, they were suspended by their arms, and at + each revolution of the wheel received new wounds on their members, + until, in the language of that law so grossly outraged in their + persons, they "languished and died." Ask you if a cringe of this + murderous nature went unvisited, and if no inquiry was made + respecting its circumstances? The forms of justice were observed; + the handmaid was present, but the sacred mistress was far away. A + coroner's inquest was called; for the laws decreed that no such + injuries should take place without having an inquiry instituted. + Eleven inquisitions were held, eleven inquiries were made, eleven + verdicts were returned. For murder? Manslaughter? Misconduct? No; + but that "they died by the visitation of God." A lie--a perjury--a + blasphemy! The visitation of God! Yes, for of the visitations of the + Divine being by which the inscrutable purposes of his will are + mysteriously worked out, one of the most mysterious is the power + which, from time to time, is allowed by him to be exercised by the + wicked for the torment of the innocent. (Cheers.) But of those + visitations prescribed by Divine Providence there is one yet more + inscrutable, for which it is still more difficult to affix a reason, + and that is, when heaven rolls down on this earth the judgment, not + of scorpions, or the plague of pestilence, or famine, or war--but + incomparably the worse plague, the worser judgment, of the injustice + of judges who become betrayers of the law--perjured, wicked men who + abuse the law which they are sworn to administer, in order to + gratify their own foul passions, to take the part of the wrong-doer + against his victim, and to forswear themselves on God's gospel, in + order that justice may not be done. * * * * My lords, I entirely + concur in what was formerly said by Mr. Burke, and afterwards + repeated by Mr. Canning, that while the making of laws was confined + to the owners of slaves, nothing they did was ever found real or + effectual. And when, perchance, any thing was accomplished, it had + not, as Mr. Burke said, "an executive principle." But, when they + find you determined to do your duty, it is proved, by the example + which they have given in passing the Apprenticeship Amendment Act, + that they will even outstrip you to prevent your interference with + them. * * * * Place the negroes on the same footing with other men, + and give them the uncontrolled power over their time and labor, and + it will become the interest of the planter, as well as the rest of + the community, to treat the negro well, for their comfort and + happiness depend on his industry and good behavior. It is a + consequence perfectly clear, notwithstanding former distinctions, + notwithstanding the difference of color and the variety of race in + that population, the negro and the West Indian will in a very few + generations--when the clank of his chain is no longer heard, when + the oppression of the master can vex no more, when equal rights are + enjoyed by all, and all have a common interest in the general + prosperity--be impressed with a sense of their having an equal share + in the promotion of the public welfare; nay, that social + improvement, the progress of knowledge, civility, and even + refinement itself, will proceed as rapidly and diffuse itself as + universally in the islands of the Western Ocean as in any part of + her Majesty's dominions. * * * * + + I see no danger in the immediate emancipation of the negro; I see no + possible injury in terminating the apprenticeship, (which we now + have found should never have been adopted,) and in causing it to + cease for slaves previous to August, 1838, at that date, as those + subsequent to that date must in that case be exempt. * * * * I + regard the freedom of the negro as accomplished and sure. Why? + Because it is his right--because he has shown himself fit for + it--because a pretext or a shadow of a pretext can no longer be + devised for withholding that right from its possessor. I know that + all men now take a part in the question, and that they will no + longer bear to be imposed upon now they are well informed. My + reliance is firm and unflinching upon the great change which I have + witnessed--the education of the people unfettered by party or by + sect--from the beginning of its progress, I may say from the hour of + its birth. Yes; it was not for a humble man like me to assist at + royal births with the illustrious prince who condescended to grace + the pageant of this opening session, or the great captain and + statesman in whose presence I now am proud to speak. But with that + illustrious prince, and with the father of the Queen I assisted at + that other birth, more conspicuous still. With them and with the + lord of the house of Russel I watched over its cradle--I marked its + growth--I rejoiced in its strength--I witnessed its maturity--I have + been spared to see it ascend the very height of supreme + power--directing the councils of the state--accelerating every great + improvement--uniting itself with every good work--propping honorable + and useful institutions--extirpating abuses in all our + institutions--passing the bounds of our dominion, and in the new + world, as in the old, proclaiming that freedom is the birthright of + man--that distinction of color gives no title to oppression--that + the chains now loosened must be struck off, and even the marks they + have left effaced by the same eternal law of our nature which makes + nations the masters of their own destiny, and which in Europe has + caused every tyrant's throne to quake. But they need to feel no + alarm at the progress of right who defend a limited monarchy and + support their popular institutions--who place their chiefest pride + not in ruling over slaves, be they white or be they black--not in + protecting the oppressor, but in wearing a constitutional crown, in + holding the sword of justice with the hand of mercy, in being the + first citizen of a country whose air is too pure for slavery to + breathe, and on whose shores, if the captive's foot but touch, his + fetters of themselves fall off. (Cheers.) To the resistless progress + of this great principle I look with a confidence which nothing can + shake; it makes all improvement certain--it makes all change safe + which it produces; for none can be brought about, unless all has + been accomplished in a cautious and salutary spirit. So now the + fulness of time is come; for our duty being at length discharged to + the African captive, I have demonstrated to you that every thing is + ordered--every previous step taken--all safe, by experience shown to + be safe, for the long-desired consummation. The time has come--the + trial has been made--the hour is striking: you have no longer a + pretext for hesitation, or faltering, or delay. The slave has shown, + by four years' blameless behavior and devotion, unsurpassed by any + English peasant, to the pursuit of peaceful industry, that he is as + fit for his freedom as any lord whom I now address. I demand his + rights--I demand his liberty without stint, in the names of justice + and of law--in the name of reason--in the name of God, who has given + you no right to work injustice. I demand that your brother be no + longer trampled upon as your slave. (Hear, hear.) I make my appeal + to the Commons, who represent the free people of England; and I + require at their hands the performance of that condition for which + they paid so enormous a price--that condition which all their + constituents are in breathless anxiety to see fulfilled! I appeal to + his house--the hereditary judges of the first tribunal in the + world--to you I appeal for justice. Patrons of all the arts that + humanize mankind, under your protection I place humanity herself! To + the merciful Sovereign of a free people I call aloud for mercy to + the hundreds of thousands in whose behalf half a million of her + Christian sisters have cried aloud, that their cry may not have + risen in vain. But first I turn my eye to the throne of all justice, + and devoutly humbling myself before Him who is of purer eyes than to + behold any longer such vast iniquities--I implore that the curse + over our heads of unjust oppression be averted from us--that your + hearts may be turned to mercy--and that over all the earth His will + may at length be done! + + * * * * * + +INDEX. + +ABSCONDING from labor, +Accident in a boiling house, +Aged negro, +Allowance to Apprentices, +"Amalgamation," +American Consul, (_See Consul_.) +American Prejudice, +Amity Hall Estate, +Anderson, Wm. II. Esq., +Anguilla, +Annual Meeting of Missionaries, +Antigua, Dimensions of, + " Sugar Crop of, +Applewhitte, Mr. +Appraisement of Apprentices, +Apprentice, provisions respecting the, +Apprenticeship compared with slavery, +Apprenticeship System, + " Design of, + " Good effect of, + " No preparation for freedom, +Apprenticeship, Operation of, +Apprenticeship, Opinion of, in Antigua;--in Barbadoes;--in Jamaica, +Apprentices liberated, +Apprentices' work compared with slaves +Archdeacon of Antigua, + " of Barbadoes, +Aristocracy of Antigua, +Armstrong, Mr. H., +Ashby, Colonel, +Athill, Mr., +Attachment to home, +Attorney General of Jamaica, +Attendance on Church +August, First of + +Baijer, Hon. Samuel O., +Baines, Major, +Banks, Rev. Mr., +Baptist Chapel +Baptists in Jamaica, +Barbadoes, +Barbuda, +Barber in Bridgetown, +Barclay, Alexander, Esq., +Barnard, Samuel, Esq., +Barrow, Colonel, +Bath, +Bazaar, +Bell, Dr., +Belle Estate, +Bell not tolled for colored person, +"_Belly, 'blige_ 'em to work," +Belmore, Lord, +Belvidere Estate, +Benevolent institutions of Antigua, +Bible Society, +Bishop of Barbadoes, +Blessings of Abolition, (See _Morals_, &c.) +Blind man, +Boiling House, +Bookkeepers, Slaver of, +"Bornin' Ground," +Bourne, Mr. London, +Bourne, Mr. S., (of Antigua,) +Bourne, Stephen, Esq., (of Jamaica,) +Breakfast at Mr. Bourne's, + " at Mr. Prescod's, + " at Mr. Thorne's, +Briant, Mr., +Bridgetown, +Brown, Colonel, +Brown, Thomas C., + +C., Mr., of Barbadoes, +"Cage," +Cane cultivated by apprentices on their own ground, +Cane-cutting, +Cane-holing, +Cecil, Mr., +Cedar Hall, +Chamberlain, R., Esq., +Change of opinion in regard to slavery, +Chapel erected by apprentices, +Character of colored people, +Cheesborough, Rev. Mr., +Children, care of, (See _Free_.) +Christmas, +Church, Established, +Civility of negroes, +Clarke, Dr., +Clarke, Hon. R.B., +Clarke, Mr., +Classification of apprentices, +Codrington Estate, +Coddrington, Sir Christopher. +Coffee Estates. +College, Coddrington. +Colliton Estate. +Colored Architect. + " Editors. + " Lady. + " Legislators. + " Magistrates. + " Merchants. + " Policemen. + " Population. + " Proprietor. + " Teachers. +Colthurst, Major. +Complaints to Special Magistrates. +Concubinage. +Condition of the negroes, changed. +Conduct of the Emancipated on the first of August. +Confidence increased. +Conjugal attachment. +Consul, American at Antigua. + " " at Jamaica. +Constabulary force, colored. +Contributions for religious purposes. +Conversation with a negro boatman. +Conversation with negroes on Harvey's estate. +Conversation with apprentices. +Corbett, Mr. Trial of. +Corner stone laid. +Courts in Barbadoes. +Courts in Jamaica. +Cox, Rev. James. +Cranstoun, Mr. +Crimes, Diminution of. +Crimes in Jamaica. +Crookes, Rev. Mr. +Crops in Barbadoes. +Crops in Jamaica. +Cruelty of slavery. + " to apprentices. +Cultivation in Barbadoes, (See _Crops_.) +Cultivation in Jamaica. +Cummins, Mr. +Cummins, Rev. Mr. +Cuppage, Captain. +Custom House returns, Barbadoes. + +Daily meal Society. +Dangers of slavery. +Daniell, Dr. +Death-bed of a planter. +Deception. +Defect of law. +Demerara, Apprenticeship in. +Desire for instruction. +Dinner at Mr. Harris's. + " at the Governor's. +Disabilities of colored people. +Discussion, Effect of. +Distinction between _serving_ and being _property_. +Distressed Females' Friend Society. +Disturbances, Reason of. +Docility of the negroes. +Domestic Apprentices. +Donovan's Estate. +Drax Hall. +Dress in Antigua. +"Driver and overseer." +Drought in Antigua. +Dublin Castle Estate. +Duncan, Mr. +Dungeons in Antigua. + " in Barbadoes. + +Economy of the negroes. +Edgecomb Estate. +Edmonson, Rev. Jonathan. +Education of Apprentices. + " in Antigua. + " in Barbadoes. (See _Schools_.) +Education, Queries on, replied to. + " Results, in regard to. +Edwards, Colonel. +Eldridge, R. B. Esq.. +Elliot, Rev. Edward. +Emancipation, Immediate. (See _Preparation, &c._) +Emancipation, Motives of, in Antigua. +Emigrants from Europe. +Employments of the colored. +English Delegation. +Enrolment of colored militia. +Escape of slaves from French islands. +Expectations in regard to 1838 and 1840. +Expense of free compared with slave labor. +Expense of Apprenticeship compared with slavery. +Explanation of terms. +Exports of Jamaica for 53 years. + +Fair of St. John's. +Favey, Mr. +Feeding in Barbadoes. +Feeling, intense, of the negroes. +Females in the field. +Fences wanting in Antigua. +Ferguson, Dr. +Fines upon the planters. +Fire in the canes. +Fitch's Creek Estate. +Flogging. + " machine. +Forten, James. +Four and a half per cent tax. +Fraser, Rev. Edward. + " Mrs., ---- +Free children. +Freedom in Antigua. +Free labor less expensive. +Freeman, Count. +Frey's Estate. +Friendly Societies. +Fright of American vessels. + +Galloway, Mr. +Gangs, Division of. +Gardiner, Rev. Mr. +Gilbert, Rev. N. +Girl sold by her mother. +Gitters, Rev. Mr. +Golden Grove Estate. +Gordon, Mr. +Governor of Antigua. + " of Barbadoes. +Grace Bay. +Grenada. +"Grandfather Jacob." +Gratitude of the Negroes. +"Grecian Regale." +Green Castle Estate. +Green Wall Estate. +Guadaloupe. +Guarda Costas. +"Gubner poisoned." + +H., Mr., an American. +Hamilton, Capt. +Hamilton, Cheny, Esq. +Hamilton, Rev. Mr. +Harrison, Colonel. +Harris, Thomas, Esq. +Harvey, Rev. B. +Hatley, Mr. +Heroism of colored women. +Higginbothom, Ralph, Esq. +Hill, Richard, Esq. +Hinkston, Samuel, Esq. +Holberton, Rev. Robert. +Holidays in Antigua. +Horne, Rev. Mr. +"Horse." +Horton Estate. +Horsford, Hon. Paul. +Hostility to Emancipation. (See also, _Change, &c._) +House of Correction. +Howell, Mr., (of Jamaica). +Howell, James Esq. +Hurricane. + +Imports and Exports of Barbadoes. +Improvement since Emancipation. (See _Morals_.) +Indolence of Apprentices. + " of Whites. +Industry of Emancipated Slaves. +Industry of Apprentices. +Infanticide. +Insolence. +Insubordination. (See _Subordination_.) +Insurrection in Barbadoes in 1816. +Insurrection not feared in Antigua; + nor in Barbadoes; + nor in Jamaica. +Intelligence of blacks, as compared with whites. +Intemperance in Antigua. (See _Temperance_.) +Intermixture. (See also _Amalgamation_.) +Internal Improvement. + +Jamaica. +Jarvis, Colonel. +Jobs. +Jocken, Mr. +Jones, Mr. +Jones, Rev. Mr. +Jones, T. Watkins, S. M. +Jordon, Edward, Esq. +Jury on the body of a negro woman. +"Juvenile Association." + +Kingdon, Rev. Mr. +Kingston. +Kirkland, Mr. + +Law, respect for. +Lear's Estate. +Legislature of Antigua. +Letter to a Special Magistrate. +License to marry. +Licentiousness. +Lighthouse. +Lock-up house at St. John's. +Lyon, E.B., Esq. +Lyon's Estate. + +Machinery, Labor-saving. +Managers, Testimony of. +Manchioneal. +Market in St. John's. +Market people. +Maroons. +Marriage. +Marshall, Mr. +Martinique. +Master's power over the apprentice. +McCornock, Thomas, Esq. +McGregor, Sir Evan, J. M. +Megass. +Merchants, Testimony of. +Messages of Sir Lionel Smith. +Mico Charity Infant School. +Miller's Estate. +Missionaries, Wesleyan. +Missionary associations. + " Society, Wesleyan. +Mob, Pro-Slavery, in Barbadoes. +Möhne, Mr. and Mrs. +Montserrat. +Morals, improvement of. +Morant Bay. +Moravian Chapel. + " Missionary. +Moravians. +Morrish, Rev. Mr. +Mule-traveling. +Murder of a planter. +Musgrave, Dr. + +Negro Grounds. +Negro Quarters. +Nevis. +Newby, Mr. +Newfield, visit to. +Noble trait in the apprentices. +Nugent, Hon. Nicholas. + +Obstacles to free labor in Antigua. +Old school tyrant. +Opinions in Antigua in regard to Emancipation. +Opinions of the United States. +Opposition to slavery in Jamaica. +O'Reily, Hon. Dowel. +Osburne, Mr. +Overseers. + +Packer, Rev. Mr. +Parry, Archdeacon. +Partiality of the Special Magistrates. +Peaceableness of negro villages. +Peaceableness of the change from slavery to freedom. +Peaceableness of the negro character. +Persecution of a Special Justice. +Peter's Rock. +Phillips, Rev. Mr. +Physician, Testimony of. +Pigeot, Mr. +Plantain Garden River Valley. +Planter, a severe one. +Planters, cruelty of. + " in Barbadoes. +Plough. +Police Court. + " of Antigua. + " Officers, Testimony of. + " Reports. +Policy of colored people in regard to prejudice. +Port Royal. +Prejudice against color. +"Prejudice Bell." +Preparation for freedom. +Prescod, Mr. +Promiscuous seating in church (See _"Amalgamation," &c._) +Proprietor, testimony of. +Pro-slavery pretences. +Providence of the emancipated, the. +Provost Marshal, Testimony of. +Punishment, cruel. +Punishment in Antigua. + +Ramsay, Mr. +Real Estate. +Rebellion, so called. +Rector of St. John's. +"Red Shanks." +Reid, Mr. E. +Religion in Antigua; + in Barbadoes; + in Jamaica. +Religious condition of slaves in Antigua. +Religious instruction desired. +Report of a Special Magistrate. +Resolution in regard to Messrs. Thome and Kimball. +Resolutions of Wesleyan Missionaries. +Respect for the aged. +Results in Antigua. +Revengefulness. +Ridge Estate. +Right of suffrage. +Rogers, Mr. +Ross, A., Esq. +Rowe, Rev. Mr. +Rum, use of in Antigua. + +Sabbath in Antigua; + in Barbadoes; + in Jamaica. +Sabbath school in Bridgetown. +Safety of immediate emancipation. (See _Insurrections_.) +School, adult; + at Lear's; + Parochial; + Wolmer Free. +Schools in Antigua; + in Bridgetown; + infant; + in Kingston; + in Spanishtown. +Scotland in Barbadoes. +Scotland, James, Esq. +Scotland, J., Jr. Esq. +Security restored. +Self-emancipation. +Self-respect. +Shands, Mr. S. +Shiel, Mr. +Shrewsbury, Rev. Mr. +Sickness, pretended. +Silver Hill. +Sligo, Lord. +Smith, Sir Lionel. +Social intercourse. +Societies, benevolent. +Society among colored people. + " for promotion of Christian knowledge. +Soldiers, black. +Solicitor General of Barbadoes. + " of Jamaica. +Song sung in the schools. +Spanishtown. +"Speaking," a Moravian custom. +Special Magistrates. (See also _Partiality_.) +Special Magistrates, Testimony of. +St. Andrews. +Station House, A. +St. Christopher's. +St. Lucia. +Stock Keepers. +St. Thomas in the East. +Sturge & Harvey, Messrs. +St. Vincent's. +Subordination. +Sugar Crop. + " cultivation hard for the slave. +Sugar Mill. +Sunday Markets. +Superintendent of Police. +Suspension of faithful magistrates. + +Task-work. +Teacher, Black. +Teachers. +"Telegraph," Remarks of the. +Temperance in Antigua. + " of negroes. + " Society. +Testimony of Managers. +Testimony of clergymen and missionaries. +Testimony of Governors. + " of magistrates. + " of physicians. +Theft, decrease of. +Thibou Jarvis's estate. +Thomas, Mr. +Thompson, George, Bust of. +Thompson, Thomas, Esq. +Thorne, Mr. +Thwaites, Mr. Charles. +Tinson, Rev. Mr. +Toast to Immediate Emancipation. +Tortala. +Traffic in Slaves. +Transition from slavery to freedom. +Treatment of slaves ameliorated by discussion. +Treadmill. +Trinidad. +Trustworthiness. + +Unwilling witness. + +Vagrancy. +Value of an apprentice. (See _Appraisement_.) +Villa Estate. + +Wages. +Walton, Rev. Mr. +Watchman, Jamaica. + " Remarks of the. +Watkins, Mr. +Ward, Sir Henry. +Weatherill's Estate. +Wesleyan Chapel, Antigua. + " " New, ". + " Missionary Society. +Wesleyans in Antigua. + " in Barbadoes. + " in Jamaica. +Whip banished. +Whipping Post. +White lady. +Wilberforce, opinion of. +Wickham, Richard S. +Willis, George, Esq. +Willoughby Bay Examination. +Wolmer Free School. +Women abandon the field. + " condition of. +Woolridge, Rev. Mr. +Wright, Andrew, Esq. + + * * * * * + + + + +THE ANTI-SLAVERY EXAMINER--EXTRA. + + * * * * * + +EMANCIPATION + +In The + +WEST INDIES, IN 1838. + + * * * * * + +IMPORTANT TO THE UNITED STATES. + +False prophets were never stiller about their time-detected impostures +than are the pro-slavery presses of the United States about the results +of West India Emancipation. Now and then, for the sake of appearances, +they obscurely copy into their immense sheets an inch or two of +complaints, from some snarling West India paper, that the emancipated +are lazy and won't work. But they make no parade. They are more taciturn +than grave-stones. + +In the following closely printed columns, those who wish to know will +find out precisely how the "_great experiment_" has worked. They +will find, + +1. The _safety_ of abolition demonstrated--its safety in the worst +possible case. + +2. That the colonies are prospering in their _agriculture_. + +3. That the planters conferred freedom because they were _obliged to_ by +public opinion abroad. + +4. That freedom, even thus unwillingly conferred, was accepted as a +precious boon by the slaves--they were grateful to God, and ready to +work for their masters for fair pay. + +5. That the mass of the planters have endeavoured, from the first, to +get work out of the free laborers for as small wages as possible. + +6. That many of the attorneys and managers have refused fair wages and +practiced extortion, _to depreciate the price of property_, that they +might profit thereby. + +7. That all the indisposition to labor which has yet been exhibited is +fully accounted for by these causes. + +8. That in spite of all, the abolition is working well for the _honest_ +of all parties. + + * * * * * + +WEST INDIA EMANCIPATION, IN 1838. + +The immediate abolitionists hold that the change from slavery to freedom +cannot be too sudden. They say that the first step in raising the slave +from his degradation should be that of making him a proper subject of +law, by putting him in possession of himself. This position they rest on +the ground both of justice and expediency, which indeed they believe to +be inseparable. With exceptions too trifling to affect the question, +they believe the laborer who feels no stimulus but that of wages and no +restraint but that of law, is the most _profitable_, not only to himself +and society at large, but to any employer other than a brutal tyrant. +The benefit of this role they claim for every man and woman living +within this republic, till on fair trial the proper tribunal shall have +judged them unworthy of it. They deny both the justice and expediency of +permitting any degree of ignorance or debasement to work the forfeiture +of self-ownership, and pronounce slavery continued for such a cause the +worst of all, inasmuch as it is the _robbery of the poor because he +is poor_. + +What light was thrown upon this doctrine by the process of abolition in +the British West Indies from the 1st of August 1834 to the 1st of June +1837, may be seen in the work of Messrs. Thome and Kimball entitled, +"Emancipation in the West Indies." That light continues to shine. +Bermuda and Antigua, in which the slaves passed instantaneously out of +absolute slavery into full freedom, are living witnesses of the blessing +of heaven upon immediate emancipation. In Antigua, one of the old sugar +colonies, where slavery had had its full sway there has been especially +a fair test of immediatism, and the increasing prosperity of the island +does the utmost honor to the principle. After the fullest inquiry on the +point, Messrs. Thome and Kimball say of this island:-- + +"There is not a class, or party, or sect, who do not esteem the +abolition of slavery as a _special blessing to them_. The rich, because +it relieved them of "property" which was fast becoming a disgrace, as it +had always been a vexation and a tax, and because it has emancipated +them from the terrors of insurrection, which kept them all their +life-time subject to bondage. The poor whites--because it lifted from +off them the yoke of civil oppression. The free colored +population--because it gave the death blow to the prejudice that crushed +them, and opened the prospect of social, civil, and political equality +with the whites. The _slaves_--because it broke open their dungeons, led +them out to liberty, and gave them, in one munificent donation, their +wives, their children, their bodies, their souls--everything." + +In the emphatic language of the Governor, "It was _universally admitted_ +that emancipation had been a great blessing to the island." + +In November 1837, Lord Brougham thus summed up the results of the +Antigua experiment in a speech in the House of Lords:-- + +"It might be known to their lordships that in one most important colony +the experiment of instant and entire emancipation had been tried. +Infinitely to the honor of the island of Antigua was it, that it did not +wait for the period fixed by the Legislature, but had at once converted +the state of slavery into one of perfect liberty. On the 1st of August, +1834, the day fixed by act of Parliament for the commencement of a ten +years' apprenticeship, the Legislature of that colony, to the immortal +honor of their wisdom, their justice, and their humanity, had abolished +the system of apprenticeship, and had absolutely and entirely struck the +fetters off from 30,000 slaves. Their lordships would naturally ask +whether the experiment had succeeded; and whether this sudden +emancipation had been wisely and politically done. He should move for +some returns which he would venture to say would prove that the +experiment had entirely succeeded. He would give their lordships some +proofs: First, property in that island had risen in value; secondly, +with a very few exceptions, and those of not greater importance than +occurred in England during harvest, there was no deficiency in the +number of laborers to be obtained when laborers were wanted; thirdly, +offences of all sorts, from capital offences downwards, had decreased; +and this appeared from returns sent by the inspector of slaves to the +governor of that colony, and by him transmitted to the proper authority +here; and, fourthly, the exports of sugar had increased: during the +three years ending 1834, the average yearly export was 165,000 cwts., +and for the three subsequent years this average had increased to 189,000 +cwts., being an increase of 21,000 cwts, or one clear seventh, produced +by free labor. Nor were the last three years productive seasons; for in +1835 there was a very severe and destructive hurricane, and in the year +1836 there was such a drought that water was obliged to be imported from +Barbados." + +Of such sort, with regard to both the colonies that adopted the +principle of immediate emancipation, have been the facts--and all the +facts--up to the latest intelligence. + +The rest of the colonies adopted the plan proposed by the British +government, which contrary to the wishes of the great body of British +abolitionists, made the slaves but partially free under the name of +apprentices. In this mongrel condition they were to remain, the house +servants four, and the field laborers six years. This apprenticeship was +the darling child of that expediency, which, holding the transaction +from wrong to right to be dangerous and difficult, illustrates its +wisdom by lingering on the dividing line. Therefore any mischance that +might have occurred in any part of this tardy process would have been +justly attributable to _gradualism_ and not to _immediatism_. The force +of this remark will be better seen by referring to the nature and +working of the apprenticeship as described in the book of Messrs. Thome +and Kimball. We have only room to say that the masters universally +regarded the system as a part of the compensation or bonus to the +slaveholder and not as a preparatory school for the slave. By law they +were granted a property in the uncompensated _labor_ of the slaves for +six years; but the same law, by taking away the sole means of enforcing +this labor, in fact threw the masters and slaves into a six years' +quarrel in which they stood on something like equal terms. It was surely +not to be wondered if the parties should come out of this contest too +hostile ever to maintain to each other the relation of employer and +employed. This six years of vexatious swinging like a pendulum over the +line between bondage and liberty was well calculated to spoil all the +gratitude and glory of getting across. + +It was early discovered that the masters generally were disposed to +abuse their power and get from their apprentices all that could by any +means be extorted. The friends of humanity in Great Britain were +aroused, Mr. Sturge, a distinguished philanthropist of Birmingham, +accompanied by Messrs. Scohle, Harvey, and Lloyd, proceeded to the West +Indies on a mission of inquiry, and prosecuted their investigation +contemporaneously with Messrs. Thome and Kimball. Their Report produced +a general conviction in England, that the planters had forfeited all +claim to retain their authority over the apprentices, and the government +was accordingly petitioned immediately to abolish the system. This it +was loth to do. It caused inquiries to be instituted in the colonies, +especially in Jamaica, with the evident hope of overthrowing the charges +of Mr. Sturge. The result more than confirmed those charges. The +government still plead for delay, and brought in a bill for the +_improvement_ of the apprenticeship. In the progress of these +proceedings, urged on as they were by the heaven-high enthusiasm of the +British nation, many of the planters clearly perceived that their chance +of power during the remaining two years of the apprenticeship had become +worth less to them than the good will which they might get by +voluntarily giving it up. Whether it was this motive operating in good +faith, or a hope to escape philanthropic interference for the future by +yielding to its full claim, and thus gain a clear field to oppress under +the new system of wages, one thing is certain the chartered colonies, +suddenly, and to the surprise of many, put the finishing stroke to the +system and made their apprentices free from the 1st of August, 1838. The +crown colonies have mostly imitated their example. + +The following table exhibits the extent and population of these +colonies. + + +Possessions. Date of Extent. Population + acquisit. sq. m. White Slaves F. Col. +Anguilla[B], 1650 . . . 365 2,388 327 +Antigua[A], 1632 108 1,980 29,537 3,895 +Bahamas[B], 1629 4,400 4,240 9,268 2,991 +Barbados[B], 1625 166 14,959 82,807 5,146 +Bermudas[A], 1611 22 3,905 4,608 738 +Dominica[B], 1783 275 840 15,392 3,606 +Grenada[B], 1783 125 801 24,145 3,786 +Jamaica[B], 1655 6,400 37,000 311,692 55,000 +Montserrat[B], 1632 47 330 6,262 814 +Nevis[B], 1628 20 700 9,259 2,000 +St. Christophers[B],1632 68 1,612 19,310 3,000 +St. Lucia[B], 1803 58 972 13,661 3,718 +St. Vincent[B], 1783 130 1,301 23,589 2,824 +Tobago[B], 1763 187 322 12,556 1,164 +Trinidad[B], 1797 2,460 4,201 24,006 15,956 +Tortola, or +Virgin Isles[B], 1666 . . . 800 5,399 607 + +Total, B.W.I . . . 14,466 74,328 593,879 105,572 +Cape of Good Hope, . . . . . . 43,000 35,500 29,000 + Berbice[B] . . . . . . 523 20,645 1,161 +Guiana Demarara[B] 1803 . . . 3,006 65,556 6,360 + Essequibo[B], . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +Honduras, 1650 62,750 250 2,100 2,300 +Mauritius, . . . . . . 8,000 76,000 15,000 +Total. . . . . . . 129,107 793,680 159,393 + +[Footnote A: Emancipated entirely on the 1st. of August, 1834.] + +[Footnote B: Emancipated entirely on the 1st. of August, 1838, by vote +of the local legislatures in the chartered Colonies; and by Governor and +Council, in the Crown Colonies.] + +The _unanimity_ with which the apprenticeship was given up is a most +remarkable and instructive fact. In the Council and Assembly of +Montserrat, there was an unanimous decision in favor of Emancipation as +early as February 1838. In the legislature of Tortola, which passed the +bill in April 1838, the opposing party was small. In that of Barbados +the bill was passed on the 15th of May with but _one_ dissenting voice. +In that of Jamaica, the bill seems to have been passed on the 8th of +June, and the _Jamaica Times_ remarks:--"No dissentient voice was heard +within the walls of the Assembly, all joined in the wish so often +expressed, that the remaining term of the apprenticeship should be +cancelled, that the excitement produced by a law which has done +inconceivable harm in Jamaica, in alienating the affections of her +people, and creating discord and disaffection, should at once cease. +Thank God! it is now nearly at an end, and we trust that Jamaica will +enjoy that repose, so eagerly and anxiously sought after, by all who +wish the Island well." + +These facts come down upon the question of the safety of an _immediate_ +emancipation with an _a fortiori_, a _much more then_. For it is +admitted on all hands that the apprenticeship had "alienated the +affections of the people;" they were in a state less favorable to a +quiet sequel, than they were before the first of August, 1834, yet the +danger was not thought of. The _safety_ was an argument _in favor_ of +emancipation, not _against_ it. The raw head and bloody bones had +vanished. The following is a fair exhibition of the feeling of the most +influential planters, in regard to the _safety_ of the step. + +From the Barbadian, May 9, 1838. + +AT A MEETING OF THE BOARD OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, IN THE NEW COURT +HOUSE, APRIL 24TH, 1838. + +The Lord Bishop rose and spoke as follows: + +"_Mr. President, and Gentlemen of the Council_, + +'I was informed yesterday that, during my absence from this island, the +members recorded their opinion as to the expediency of absolutely +abolishing the apprenticeship in August, 1838. I am most anxious to +record my entire concurrence in this resolution, but I wish it to be +understood that I do not consider the measure as called for by any +hardships, under which the laborers in this island are suffering--nor +from the want of any essential comfort--nor from the deprivation of any +thing, which a laborer can fairly claim from his master; still I do +express my concurrence in the resolution of the board, and I do so on +these grounds: that I am satisfied the measure can be safely carried in +this island, and if safely, then I feel justly; for I consider the very +important interests which are involved in the measure. I must confess, +too, that I am unwilling the Barbados should be behind any other island, +especially in a measure which may be carried both safely and justly, and +where its example may be of such beneficial consequence. I am just +returned from visiting the Northern Islands of the Diocese. I have gone +over every part of Tortola, and though it is far more fertile than the +Off Islands, yet even these are sufficiently productive for the laborer +to raise the lesser and necessary provision of life,--and yet with these +islands in their very face, the Legislature of Tortola has passed the +act of abolition. Some of the proprietors were opposed to it, but they +have now given up their opposition; and I heard, whilst in Antigua, not +only that the act had passed, but that on the day of its passing, or the +following day, some of the leading proprietors rode through the island, +and were met by the people with expressions of the utmost gratitude, +regarding the act as a boon granted to them by their masters. At Nevis +the act has passed. At St. Christopher's the council are in favor of its +passing, and with Nevis emancipated in its vicinity, there is little +doubt but the Act must pass. At Montserrat also it has passed. At +Antigua, which I visited last year, I found that every thing was +proceeding quietly and regularly. I found too, the planters in high +spirits, and some estates, which had been given up, restored; and the +small patches and tenements of the free people, commencing last year, +now in a very satisfactory state of cultivation. It is possible, indeed, +that these last mentioned, unless the population is proportionably +increased, may affect the cultivation of the larger estates, but there +they are, and flourishing, as I have described, whilst I was in the +island. A contiguous, though abandoned estate was purchased by Sir Henry +Martin for about 9,500 _l._ currency, being 3,000 _l._ more than he had +offered a few years previously. To compare Barbados with any other +island, either as to population, wealth, or state of agriculture, is +unnecessary. I have seen nothing like the commercial activity which I +saw in the streets yesterday, except at St. Thomas; and I feel, +therefore, on all these grounds, that the act may be passed safely and +justly. At the same time I am not unmindful or insensible to the state +of public opinion in the mother country, nor to the many new and +harassing annoyances to which the proprietors may be exposed during a +protracted continuance of the apprenticeship. I request that my full +concurrence in the resolution of the council, may be accorded on the +minutes of this day's proceedings.'" + +Such is the testimony of a witness in no wise warped by prejudice in +favor of the anti-slavery party. + +The debates which took place in the legislatures of both Barbados and +Jamaica, are full of similar testimony, uttered by men every way +qualified to bear witness, and under influences which relieve their +testimony from every taint of suspicion. + +In the legislature of Jamaica, on the question of a Committee to bring +in a Bill, Mr. GOOD remarked, "He could say that the negroes from their +general good conduct were deserving of the boon. Then why not give in +with a good heart? why exhibit any bad feelings about the matter? There +were many honorable gentlemen who had benefitted by the pressure from +without, who owed their rank in society and their seats in that house to +the industry of the negroes. Why should they now show a bad heart in the +matter?--Nine tenths of the proprietors of this island had determined +upon giving up the apprenticeship. Hundreds of thousands were to be +benefited--were to take their stations as men of society, and he hoped +the boon would not be retarded by a handful of men who owed their all +to slavery." + +Mr. Dallas said,--"_The abolition of the remaining term of +apprenticeship must take place; let them then join hand and heart in +doing it well, and with such grace as we now could. Let it have the +appearance of a boon from ourselves, and not in downright submission to +the coercive measures adopted by the British Parliament_." + +After a committee had been appointed to prepare and bring in a Bill for +the abolition of the apprenticeship, a member rose and proposed that the +28th of June should be its termination. We give his speech as reported +in the Jamaica papers, to show how fanatical even a slaveholder +may become. + +"On the members resuming their seats, Mr. HART proposed that it be an +instruction to the committee appointed to bring in the bill or +abolishing the remainder of the apprenticeship, to insert a clause in +it, that the operation of that bill should commence on the 28th of June, +that being the day appointed for the coronation of the Queen. _He felt +proud in telling the house that he was the representative of the black +population. He was sent there by the blacks and his other friends_. The +white Christians had their representatives, the people of color had +their representatives, and _he hoped shortly to see the day when the +blacks would send in their own representatives_. He wanted the thing +done at once, Sir, said the honorable member waxing warm. It was +nonsense to delay it. It could be done in three lines as he said before, +dele 1840 and put in 1838. That was all that they had to do. If it were +possible, let the thing be done in two words. He went there to do his +duty to his constituents, and he was determined to do so. His black +friends looked up to him to protect them--and he would press his motion +that all the apprentices in the island should be _crowned_ on the 28th +of June. (Thundering roars of laughter.) He was as independent as any +honorable member, and would deliver his sentiment, without caring who +were and who were not pleased. He was possessed of property in +apprentices--_he had an estate with nearly two hundred negroes, that he +was determined to crown on the 28th of June_. (Increased roars of +laughter in the house, and at the bar.) He would not be laughed down. +His properties were not encumbered. He would not owe anything on them +after they were paid for, and that he could do. (Loud laughter.) He was +determined to have his opinion. As he had said before, the 28th day of +June being fixed for the coronation of all the negroes in the island, +that is the day they ought to be released from the apprenticeship. +(Thundering and deafening roars of laughter). (Here the honorable member +was told that the Queen was to be crowned on that day.) Ah, well, he had +made a mistake, but he would tell the house the truth, _he had made up +his mind to give his apprentices freedom on that day, but he did not +wish to do it without his neighbors doing the same, lest they should say +he was setting a bad example_. He would press his motion to a division. +It had been seconded by his honorable friend on his right.--(Aside, +"Good, didn't you promise to second it?") The honorable member then read +his motion, and handed it up to the clerk." + +The "mistake" of this liberal descendant of Israel, which excited so +much merriment was, after all, not a very unfortunate one, _if_ the +"crown" of manhood is more important than that of monarchy. The members +objected to so near an approach to _immediatism_, not, however, be it +remarked, on account of the unfitness of the apprentices, (slaves) but +their own convenience. Among those who replied to Mr. Hart, was Mr. +Osborn, of unmingled African blood, born a slave, and who, we are +informed, was a successful competitor for the seat he now occupies +against the very man who formerly claimed him as property. Mr. Osborn +and his partner Mr. Jordon were editors of the Jamaica Watchman, and had +contended manfully for liberty when it was a dangerous word. Mr. Osborn +said:--"He was astonished at the galloping liberality which seemed to +have seized some honorable members, now there was nothing to contend +for. Their liberality seemed to have outrun all prudence. Where were +they and their liberality when it was almost death to breach the +question of slavery? What had become of their philanthropy? But no, it +was not convenient then. The stream was too strong for them to resist. +Now, however, when the question was finally settled, when nothing +remained for them to do, it was the time that some honorable gentlemen +began to clamor their liberality, and began a race who should be the +first, or who should have the honor of first terminating the +apprenticeship. He hoped the motion would be withdrawn, and the +discussion put an end to." + +What had become of the visions of blood and slaughter? Could there be +more impressive testimony to the safety of Emancipation in all, even the +worst cases? + +We might add to this testimony that of the universal newspaper press of +the British West India colonies. We have room, however, to select only +from a few of the well known opponents of freedom. + +"We seriously call upon our representatives to consider well all the +bearings of the question, and if they cannot resist effectually these +encroachments of the Imperial Government, adopt the remaining +alternative of saving themselves from an infliction, by giving up at +once and entirely, the bone of contention between us. Thus only shall we +disarm, if anything in reason or in nature can, our enemies of their +slanderous weapons of offence, and secure in as far as possible, a +speedy and safe return of peace and prosperity to the "distracted" +colony.--Without this sacrifice on our parts, we see no shelter from our +sufferings--no amelioration of present wrongs--no hope for the future; +but on the contrary, a systematic and remorseless train laid for the +ultimate ruin of every proprietor in the country. With this sacrifice +which can only be to any extent to a few and which the wisdom of our +legislature may possibly find out some means or other of compensation, +we have the hope that the sunshine of Jamaica's prosperity shall not +receive any farther diminution; but shall rather dawn again with renewed +vigor; when all shall be alike free under the protection of the same +law, and the same law-givers; and all shall be alike amenable to the +powers that punish without favor and without affection."--_Jamaica +Standard_. + +"There is great reason to expect that many Jamaica proprietors will +anticipate the period established by the Slavery Abolition Act for the +termination of the apprenticeship. They will, as an act of grace, and +with a view to their future arrangements with their negroes, terminate +the apprenticeship either of all at once, or by giving immediate freedom +to the most deserving; try the effect of this gift, and of the example +afforded to the apprentices when they see those who have been discharged +from the apprenticeship working on the estates for wages. If such a +course is adopted, it will afford an additional motive for inducing the +Legislature to consider whether the good feeling of the laboring +population, and their future connection with their former employers, may +not be promoted by permitting them to owe to the grace of their own +Legislature the termination of the apprenticeship as soon as the +requisite legislation for the new state of things has been +adopted."--_Jamaica Despatch_. + +Of such sort as this is the testimony from all the Colonies, most +abundantly published in the Emancipator and other abolition papers, to +the point of the _safety_ of entire Emancipation. At the time when the +step was taken, it was universally concluded that so far from being +dangerous it promised the greatest safety. It would not only put an end +to the danger apprehended from the foreign interference of the +abolitionists, but it would _conciliate the negroes_! And we are not +able to find any one who professes to be disappointed with the result +thus far. The only evil now complained of, is the new freemen do not in +some instances choose _to work_ on the _terms_ offered by the planters. +They have shed no man's blood. They have committed no depredation. They +peaceably obey the laws. All this, up to the latest date, is universally +admitted. Neither does any one _now_ presume to prophesy anything +different for the future. + +INDUSTRY. + +On the one topic of the industry of the Emancipated people, the West +Indian papers give the most conflicting accounts. Some represent them as +laboring with alacrity, diligence and effect wherever anything like an +adequate compensation is offered. It is asserted by some, and not denied +by any authorities that we have seen, that the emancipated are +industriously at work on those estates where the masters voluntarily +relinquished the apprenticeship before the first of August and met their +freed people in good faith. But most of the papers, especially in +Jamaica, complain grievously that the freed people will work on no +reasonable terms. We give a fair specimen from one of the Jamaica +papers, on which our political editors choose most to rely for their +information:-- + +"In referring to the state of the country this week, we have still the +same tale to tell of little work, and that little indifferently done, +but exorbitantly charged for; and wherever resisted, a general "strike" +is the consequence. Now this, whatever more favourable complexion the +interested and sinister motives of others may attempt to throw around +it, is the real state of matters upon nine-tenths of the properties +situated in St. James's, Westmoreland, and Hanover. In Trelawny they +_appear_ to be doing a little better; but that only arises, we are +confident from the longer purses, and patience of endurance under +exorbitant wages, exhibited by the generality of the managers of that +parish. Let them wait till they find they can no longer continue making +sugar at its present expensive rate, and they will then find whether +Trelawny is substantially in a better condition than either of the other +parties."--_Standard, quoted in the Morning Journal of Nov. 2_. + +This is the "tale" indeed, of a great part of the West India papers, +sung to the same hum drum tune ever since the first of August; and so +faithfully echoed by our own pro slavery press that many of our +estimable fellow citizens have given it up that the great "experiment" +has turned out unfavorably, and that the colored population of the West +Indies are rapidly _sinking_ from the condition of _slaves_ to that of +idle freemen. Were we all in a position perfectly disinterested and +above the peculiar influence of slavery, we might perhaps consider these +complaints as asking for, rather than against, the character of the +Emancipated and the cause of freedom, inasmuch as they prove the former +slaves to have both the discretion and the spirit which should +characterise freemen. But to the peculiar optics which abound in these +United States it may be necessary to show the entire picture. + +To prove in the first place the general falsehood of the complaints +themselves it is only necessary to advert to recent official documents. +For our present purpose it will be sufficient to refer to Jamaica. The +legislature was convened on the 30th of October and addressed by the +Governor Sir Lionel Smith in a speech of which the following extract +pertains to our subject:-- + + _"Gentlemen of the Council, Mr. Speaker, and Gentlemen of the House + of Assembly,_ + + The most important event in the annals of colonial history has taken + place since last I had the pleasure of meeting the legislature of + this Island; and I am happy in being able to declare that the + conduct of the laboring population, who were then the objects of + your liberal and enlightened policy, _entitles them to the highest + praise, and amply proves how_ WELL THEY HAVE DESERVED _the boon + of freedom._ + + It was not to be expected that the total extinction of the + apprenticeship law would be followed by an instantaneous return to + active labor, but feeling as I do the deepest interest in the + successful result of the great measurement now in progress, I + sincerely congratulate you and the country at large, on the + improvement which is daily taking place on the resumption of + industrious habits, and I TRUST THERE IS EVERY PROSPECT OF + AGRICULTURAL PROSPERITY." + +Such is the testimony of a Governor who is no stranger in the West +Indies and who was put in the place of Lord Sligo as more acceptable to +the planters. But what said the House of Assembly in reply?--a House +made up chiefly of attornies who had more interest than any other men in +the continuance of the old system and who, as will presently be shown, +were not unwilling to have the "experiment" fail? They speak as +follows:-- + + _"May it Please your Excellency,_ + + We, her Majesty's dutiful and loyal subjects, the Assembly of + Jamaica, thank your Excellency for your speech at the opening of + the session. + + The House join your Excellency in bearing testimony TO THE + PEACEABLE MANNER in which the laboring population have conducted + themselves in a state of FREEDOM. + + It certainly was not to be expected that so great a change in the + condition of the people would be followed by an immediate return to + active labor. The House, however, are willing to believe that some + degree of improvement is taking place, and they sincerely join in + the HOPE expressed by your Excellency, that the agricultural + interests of the Island may ultimately prosper, by a resumption of + industrious habits on the part of the peasantry in their new + condition." + +This settles the question. Those who will not be convinced by such +documents as these that the mass of the Emancipated in Jamaica are ready +_to do their part_ in the system of free labor, would not be convinced +if one rose from the deed to prove it. + +We are now prepared to investigate the causes of the complaints, and +inquire why in numerous cases the negros have refused to work. Let us +first go back to the debates Jamaica Legislature on the passage of the +Emancipation bill in June, and see whether we can discover the _temper_ +in which it was passed, and the prospect of good faith in its execution. +We can hardly doubt that some members, and some especially from whose +speeches on that occasion we have already quoted, designed really to +confer the "boon of freedom." But others spoke very differently. To +understand their language we must commence with the Governor's speech at +the opening of the session:-- + + _"Gentlemen of the Council, + + Mr. Speaker, and Gentlemen of the Assembly,_ + + I have called you together, at an unusual season, to take it to your + consideration the state of the Island under the Laws of + Apprenticeship, for the labouring population. + + I need not refer you to the agitation on this subject throughout the + British Empire, or to the discussions upon it in Parliament, _where + the honourable efforts of the ministry_ were barely found sufficient + to preserve the original duration of the Laws, as an obligation of + the National faith. + + I shall lay before you some despatches on this subject." + + * * * * * + + _"Gentlemen,_ + + _General agitation and Parliamentary interference have not, I am + afraid, yet terminated._ + + _A corresponding excitement has been long going on among the + apprentices themselves,_ but still they have rested in sober and + quiet hopes, relying on your generosity, that you will extend to + them that boon which has been granted to their class in + other Colonies." + + * * * * * + + _"Gentlemen of the Council, + + Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly,_ + + In this posture of affairs, it is my duty to declare my sentiments, + and distinctly to _recommend to you the early and equal abolition of + the apprenticeship for all classes._ I do so in confidence that the + apprentices will be found worthy of freedom, and that it will + operate as a double blessing, by securing also the future interests + of the planters. + + I am commanded, however, to inform you that her Majesty's ministers + will not entertain any question of further compensation. But should + your views be opposed to the policy I recommend, I would entreat you + to consider well _how impracticable it will become to carry on + coercive labor_--always difficult, it would in future be in peril of + constant comparisons with other colonies made free, and with those + estates in this island made free by individual proprietors. + + As Governor, under these circumstances, and I never shrink from any + of my responsibilities, _I pronounce it physically impossible to + maintain the apprenticeship with any hope of successful agriculture._ + + * * * * * + + "_Gentlemen of the Council, + + Mr. Speaker, and gentlemen of the Assembly._ + + Jamaica, is in your hands--she requires repose, by the removal of a + law which has _equally tormented the laborer, and disappointed the + planter_--a law by which man still constrains man in unnatural + servitude. This is her first exigency. For her future welfare she + appeals to your wisdom to legislate in the spirit of the times, with + liberality and benevolence towards all classes." + + * * * * * + +When such a man as Sir Lionel Smith pronounced it no longer practicable +to carry on coercive labor, he must have been a bold as well as a rash +planter who would venture to hold on to the old system under Lord +Glenelg's improvement Act. Accordingly we find some of the staunchest +advocates of slavery, men who had been fattening on the oppression of +the apprentices up to that moment the first, and the most precipitate, +is their proposals of abolition. Mr. Hyslop, Mr. Gay and others were for +acting at once on the Governor's speech without referring it to a +committee. The former said: "He believed that a proposition would be +made to abandon the apprenticeship from the 1st of August, _but he would +say let it be abandoned from Sunday next_. He would therefore move that +the speech be made the order of the day for tomorrow." + +Mr. Guy said:-- + +"The Governor's speech contained nothing more than what every Gentlemen +expected, _and what every Gentlemen, he believed, was prepared to do. In +short he_ would state that _a bill had already been prepared by him, +which he intended to introduce tomorrow, for the abolition of the +apprenticeship on the 1st of August next_." + +Both these gentlemen are well known by the readers of Jamaica papers as +obstinate defenders slavery. The latter was so passionately devoted to +the abuses of the apprenticeship that Lord Sligo was obliged to dismiss +him from the post of Adjutant General of militia. In the ardor of his +attachment to the "peculiar institution" of getting work without pay, he +is reported to have declared on a public occasion, that the British +ministry were a "parcel of reptiles" and that the "English nation was +fast going to the dogs." In another part of the debate:-- + +"Mr. Guy hoped the house would not _go into a discussion of the nature of +the apprenticeship_, or the terms upon which it was forced us by the +government. All that he knew about the matter was, that it was a part +and parcel of the compensation. Government had so declared it. In short +it was made law. He could not help believing that the Hon. member for +Trelawny, was arguing against the dictates of his own honest heart--that +he came there cut and dry with a speech prepared to _defend the +government_." + +Mr. Barclay, to whom, some years ago, the planters gave a _splendid +service of plate_ for his ingenious defence of slavery against the +terrible pen of JAMES STEPHEN, said "it appeared to be the general +feeling of the house that the apprenticeship should be done away with. +Be that as it may, he was free to say that in that part of the island he +was from, and certainly it was a large and wealthy district, the +apprenticeship system _had worked well_, and all parties _appeared_ +satisfied with it. He denied that there existed any necessity to disturb +the working of the system, it would have _gradually_ slided into +_absolute freedom if they were permitted to regulate their own affairs_, +but the government, or rather, _the people of England, had forced on the +predicament in which they were placed_. The ministry could not help +themselves--They were driven to violate the national compact, not in +express words, it is true, but in fact. It was, however, the _force of +public opinion that operated_ in producing the change. They were placed +in a situation from which they could hardly extricate themselves.-- +_They had no alternative, he was afraid, but to go along with +the stream_." + +Mr. Hamilton Brown, who at the commencement of the apprenticeship came +into a Special Magistrate's court and publicly told him that unless he +and his colleagues "_did their duty by having recourse to a frequent and +vigorous application of the lash, there would he rebellion in the Parish +(of St. Ann's!) in less than a month, and all the responsibility of such +a calamity would rest on their shoulders_"! discoursed in the following +manner. "It was always understood, for the apprenticeship _had become +marketable_. Properties had been bought and sold with them, their time +had been bought by others, and by themselves." + +"He had no hesitation in saying, that the statements which had been made +in England against the planters _were as false as hell_--they had been +concocted here, and sent home by a parcel of spies in the island. They +were represented as a cruel set of men, as having outraged the feelings +of humanity towards the negroes, or in matters in which they were +concerned. This was false. He did not mean to deny that there were a +_few instances_ of cruelty to the apprentices, but then those were +_isolated cases_, and was it not hard that a hue and cry should be +raised against the whole body of planters, and all made to suffer on +account of those _few_. He would say that there was a greater +disposition to be cruel to the negroes evinced _by young men arriving in +this island from England, than by the planters. There was, indeed, a +great deal of difficulty in restraining them from doing so, but the +longer they lived in the country, the more kind and humane they became_. +The negroes _were better off here than many of the people of Great +Britain_, and they would have been contented, had it not been for the +injudicious _interference of some of the Special Justices_. Who had ever +heard of negroes being starved to death? Had they not read accounts in +the English papers of men destroying their wives, their children, _and +afterwards themselves_, because they could not obtain food. They had +been grossly defrauded of their property; and after doing that, it was +now sought to destroy their constitutional rights. He would repeat, they +had been grossly defrauded of their property." [Here is the true +slaveholder, logic, chivalry and all.] + +Mr. Frater said, among other things, "He knew that it might be said the +bill (Lord Glenelg's) did not go to the extent of freeing the +negroes--_that we are about to do ourselves_, but he would ask whether +we were not _driven into the difficulty_ by which we are now surrounded! +Had we not been brought into this _alarming position_, into this +_exigency_, by the conduct of the British Government. _Why do we not +tell the English nation frankly and candidly, that they agreed to give +the planter six years' services of their apprentices, as a part of the +compensation, and if they desired to do away with it, that we must be +paid for it_, otherwise we will NOT ANSWER FOR ANY CHANGE, FOR ANY EVILS +WHICH ARE LIKELY TO ENSUE. Why did the government force such an +obnoxious bill upon us? They had in substance done this, they refused to +annul the apprenticeship themselves, it is true, but said, we will place +them in a situation that will compel them to do it themselves. He must +say that the Government had acted _cowardly and unjustly_, they had in +substance deprived them of the further two years' services of their +apprentices, agreeably to the compact entered into, upon a pretext that +we had not kept faith with them, and now tell us they will give us no +compensation. He hoped the allusion to it in the address would be +retained." + +We beg the patient attention of the reader to still more of these +extracts. The present state of things in Jamaica renders them very +important. It is indispensable to a correct judgment of the results of +the experiment to understand in what temper it was entered upon by the +parties. Nothing can show this more clearly or authoritatively than the +quotations we are making. We find another little torrent of eloquence +from the same Mr. Hamilton Brown above quoted. He and several other +gentlemen rose to reply to the statements of Richard Hill, a friend of +freedom, and Secretary of the Special Magistracy. + +Mr. Brown--"Mr. Chairman, I am on my legs, Sir. I say that we have to +thank the Special Justices, and the _private instructions_ which they +have acted upon, _for all the evils that have occurred in the country_. +Had they taken _the law_ for their guide, had they acted upon that, Sir, +and not upon their private instructions, _every thing would have gone on +splendidly_, and we should have done well. But they had _destroyed the +negroes with their instructions_, they had _given them bad advice_, and +_encouraged them in disobedience to their masters_. I say it, Sir, in +the face of this committee--I would say it on my death-bed tomorrow, +that if the Stipendiary Magistrates had _done their duty_ all would have +gone on well, _and I told his Excellency that he might then have slept +on a bed of roses_." + +Here was one of the abolishers of the apprenticeship who held that more +flogging would have made it work more "splendidly." Mr. Hugh Fraser +Leslie, who the February before had, in his place in the Assembly, +denominated the anti-slavery delegates assembled in London, as "a set of +crawling wretches;" "the scum and refuse of society." "The washings and +scrapings of the manufacturing districts," &c. &c. now delivered himself +of the following:-- + +"_He would ask any man in the house, nay, in the country, whether the +house had any discretion left to them in the steps they were about to +take_? Could it be denied, that they were driven to the present +alternative? Could they any longer say they were an independent +legislature? It would be preposterous--absolutely absurd to entertain +any such idea. The apprenticeship had been _forced upon the country_ as +a part and parcel of the planters' compensation--it had been working +well, and would insensibly _have slided into a state of absolute +freedom, had the masters been left alone to themselves. It is now +utterly impracticable to continue it_. A most obnoxious measure had been +passed by the British parliament, and sent out to this country to be +promulgated by the Governor as the law of the land. The functions of the +legislature were put in abeyance, and a British act _crammed down their +throats_. It could not be denied that they were now under a military +Government. _He was only sorry that the thing had not been more honestly +done_; in his opinion, it would have been better for all classes, for +then the government would have taken all the responsibilities which +might attend the sudden change they had driven the house to make, and +find the means of conducting the affairs of the country into a peaceable +and successful state. _Let any person look to the excitement which at +present prevailed throughout the country, couple that with the speech +which had been delivered by the Governor, and say if it was any longer +practicable to carry one the system of apprenticeship_. With respect to +the doctrine which had been broached, that the apprenticeship was not a +part and parcel of the compact between the government and the planters; +that they (the planters) did not possess an absolute but an incidental +right to the services of their apprentices, _he confessed he was at a +loss to understand it_, he was incapable of drawing so nice a +distinction. He repeated, the government and nation had made the +apprenticeship a part of the consideration of the abolition of slavery, +and having placed us in a situation to render its continuance +impracticable they were bound in honor and common honesty _to compensate +us_ for the two years." + +Once more, and we have done. Mr. Berry said, + +"He did not think that because the Governor said they were not entitled +to compensation, that therefore they should give up the claim which they +unquestionably had upon the British nation for further compensation. He +would contend also, that the apprenticeship was one part of the +consideration for the abolition of slavery. He had heard it remarked +that the apprenticeship must cease, but it ought to be added that they +were compelled--they were driven to put an end to it by the Government, +though they were convinced that neither party was at this moment +prepared for immediate abandonment. The Governor, in his opening speech, +had told the house that from the agitation at home, and the +corresponding agitation which at the present moment prevailed here, it +was physically impossible to carry one the apprenticeship with advantage +to masters and labourers. He would take leave to remark, that the +apprenticeship _was working very well_--in some of the parishes had +worked extremely well. Where this was not the case, it was attributable +_to the improper conduct of the Special Justices_. He did not mean to +reflect upon them all; there were some honorable exceptions, but he +would say that a great deal of the ill-feeling which had arisen in the +country between the masters and their apprentices, was to be traced to +the _injudicious advice_ and conduct of the special Justices." + +Such were the sentiments of by far the majority of those who spoke in +the Assembly. Such, doubtless, were the sentiments of more than +nine-tenths of the persons invested with the management of estates in +Jamaica. What, then if we had heard that nine-tenths of the emancipated +had refused to be employed? Could that have been counted a failure of +the experiment? Was there any reason to believe that the planters would +not resort to every species of oppression compatible with a system +of wages? + +Before proceeding to the question of wages, however, we invite the +reader to scan the temper and disposition of the parties of the other +part, viz., the laboring population. Let us observe more carefully how +_they_ behaved at the important period of + +TRANSITION + +Two of the sturdiest advocates of slavery, the _Jamaica Standard_ and +the _Cornwall Courier_, speak as follows:-- + +The _Standard_ says--"On Tuesday evening, (July 31), the Wesleyan, and we +believe, Baptist Chapels, (St. James') were opened for service--the +former being tastefully decorated with branches of the palm, sage, and +other trees, with a variety of appropriate devices, having a portrait of +her Majesty in the center, and a crown above. When we visited the +Chapel, about 10 o'clock, it was completely full, but not crowded, the +generality of the audience well dressed; and all evidently of the better +class of the colored and negro population. Shortly after, we understand, +a very excellent and modern sermon, in all political points, was +delivered by the Rev. Mr. Kerr, the highly respected pastor. The +congregation was dismissed shortly after 12 o'clock; at which hour the +church bell commenced its solemn peal, and a few noisy spirits welcomed +in the morning of Freedom with loud cheers, and planted a huge branch, +which they termed the "Tree of Liberty," in the center of the two roads +crossing the market square." + +Again the _Standard_ observes, "The long, and somewhat anxiously +expected jubilee of Emancipation has arrived, and now nearly passed +over, with a remarkable degree of quiet and circumspection. Of St. +James's of course, we speak more particularly,--St. James's, hitherto the +most reviled, and most unwarrantably calumniated parish, of all the +parishes in this unfortunate and distracted colony!" + +The _Cornwall Courier_ says, "The first of August, the most important +day ever witnessed in Jamaica, has passed quietly as far as actual +disturbance is concerned." + +The _Jamaica Morning Journal_, of whose recent course the planters +should be the last to complain, gives more particular information of the +transition in all parts of the island. We give copious extracts, for to +dwell upon such a scene must soften the heart. It is good sometimes to +behold the joy of mere brute freedom--the boundings of the noble horse +freed from his stable and his halter--the glad homeward flight of the +bird from its cage--but here was besides the rational joy of a +heaven-born nature. Here were 300,000 souls set free; and on wings of +gratitude flying upwards to the throne of God. There were the gatherings +in the public squares, there were the fireworks, the transparencies, the +trees of liberty and the shouts of the jubilee, but the churches and the +schools were the chief scenes, and hymns and prayer the chief language +of this great ovation. There was no giving up to drunken revelry, but a +solemn recognition of God, even by those who had not been wont to +worship him. His temples were never so crowded. His ministers never so +much honored. We give the picture in all its parts, faithfully, and as +completely as our information will enable us to do. + +August 2. + +"In this city, the day has passed off in the way in which such a day +ought to pass off. With glad hearts and joyful lips, the people have +crowded the temples of the living God, and poured out their praises and +thanksgivings for the great benefits they had received at the hands of a +beneficent Providence. That they will continue to deport themselves as +dutiful subjects, and good men and women, we have no doubt. From the +country we wait with anxious hopes to hear that everything has gone off +with the same peace, and quiet, and order, and regularity which have +prevailed here, and especially that the people have returned to their +labor, and are giving general satisfaction." + +From the same. + +Among the various ways of interesting the minds of our newly +enfranchised peasantry on the 1st of August, was that of planting a Palm +tree emblematical of liberty, and commemorative of its commencement in +this island. Both in Kingston and in Liguanca, we understand, this +ceremony was performed by the schools and congregations of the "London +Missionary Society." The following hymn, composed by Mr. Wooldridge, for +the purpose, and committed to memory by many of the children, who were +treated with cakes and lemonade. + +Appropriate sermons were preached, both morning and evening, by the Rev. +Messrs. Woodbridge and Ingraham, and in the evening a Temperance Society +was formed for the district of Liguanca, when several signed the pledge. + + The thorny bush we'll clear away + The emblem of old slavery-- + Let every fibre of it die, + And all its vices cease to be. + + Let indolence, deceit, and theft, + Be of their nourishment bereft, + Let cruel wrong now disappear, + And decent order crown each year. + +PROCEEDINGS AT TRELAWNEY.--A correspondent in Trelawney writes. The +first of August was observed by the people so decently and devoutly, and +with such manifestations of subdued, yet grateful feeling, that they +appeared more like a select class of Christians celebrating some holy +day of their church, than a race but recently converted from idolatry, +and who were just emerging from the pollutions and degradation +of slavery. + +TREAT TO THE CHILDREN.--The most interesting and truly exciting scene of +all in Trelawny, was the spectacle of some hundreds of happy children +dining. This feast for them, and for all who had hearts that could +sympathise with the happiness of others, was provided by the Rev. Mr. +Knibb. Similar scenes were enacted in the rural districts. The Rev. Mr. +Blyth had, I believe, a meeting of his scholars, and a treat provided +for them. The Rev. Mr. Anderson had a large assemblage of his scholars +at the school-house, who were regaled with meat, bread, and beverage, +and also a large meeting of the adult members of his Church, to every +one of whom, who could, or was attempting to learn to read, he gave a +book.--[HE GAVE A BOOK.] + +AT ST. ELIZABETH.--At the hour of 10, A.M., there was about 3000 persons +assembled at Crosmond, when the clergyman, the Rev. Mr. Hylton, proposed +an adjournment from the Chapel to the shade of some wide-spreading trees +in the common pasture, whither the happy multitude immediately +adjourned. The morning service of the church having ended, the Rev. +Gentleman preached a most impressive sermon from the 4th chapter of +Zech. 6th verse--"Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith +the Lord of Hosts"--In his application, he took a brief review of the +history of the island--the conquest by the Spanish--the extermination by +the Indians--and the consequent introduction of the negroes from Africa. +He then adverted to the several insurrections that had taken place +during the period since the conquest by the British, to the last general +rebellion in 1832, in which both himself and many present were deeply +interested. Having shown that all these insurrections had been +suppressed, and had come to nought, he proceeded to point out how +through Divine providence Mr. Wilberforce was raised up to advocate the +cause of the oppressed African, and since that period, step by step, +various privileges had been quietly conceded to the colored race, until +the final consummation by the Legislature, in abolishing the last +vestiges of slavery on the 1st of August, 1838. + +The Rev. Gentleman's honorable mention of Mr. Wilberforce appeared to be +deeply felt and acknowledged by all around. After the service was +concluded, the assembled multitude gave three hearty cheers for Queen +Victoria, and three for Lord Mulgrave, the first _free Governor_ that +ever came to Jamaica. + +A more decent, orderly, and well-behaved assemblage could not be seen in +any part of the world. The people have indeed proved themselves worthy +of the "_great boon_" conferred upon them. + +AT PORT MARIA.--The first of August passed off happily and peaceably. +The people felt deeply the great blessing that had been conferred on +them, and behaved uncommonly well. All the places of worship were +crowded; indeed, thrice the number would not have contained those who +attended, and many of whom could not be accommodated. + +From the Cornwall Chronicle of Aug. 4. + +Nothing could give a fairer and fuller confidence in the character of +the negroes than their conduct on so joyous and trying an occasion, as +what they have exhibited during the brief period of their political +regeneration. It may be considered as an earnest of their future +peaceable demeanor; the disbelief of the sceptic will thus be put to the +blush, and the apprehensions of the timid allayed. The first of August +has passed, and with it the conduct of the people has been such as to +convince the most jealous, as well as the most sanguine of the evil +prognosticators, that they are a good and trust-worthy people. There is +no doubt but that this day will be held for ever as a sacred +anniversary--a new Pentecost--upon which they will render thanks for the +quiet "possession of their Canaan"--free from all political oppressions, +and that they can suffer only from the acts of their own indiscretion. +If ever they were placed in a favorable situation which they could +improve, it could not have been equal to the present.--The exercise of +moderation, however, is now most required, and will be greatly +appreciated to themselves at a future time. + +CUMBERLAND PEN., ST. CATHERINE.--The +conduct of the people in this district generally, +is such as to entitle them to the highest commendation. +Well knowing the inconvenience to +which their masters' customers would be otherwise +reduced from a want of food for their horses +and cattle, they voluntarily went out to work on +the second day, and in some instances on the following, +and supplied the usual demand of the +market, presenting their labor thus voluntarily +given as a free-will offering to their employers. +Comment on such conduct world be superfluous. +The late apprentices of Jamaica have hitherto +acquired honors, + + Above all Greek, + Above all Roman fame. + +So far as they are concerned, the highest expectations +of their friends have been more than +realized. Let the higher classes universally but +exhibit the same dispositions and conduct, and +the peace and prosperity of Jamaica are for ever +secured. + +Morning Journal of August 4. + +SAINT THOMAS IN THE EAST. + +Up to the moment when the post left Morant Bay, the utmost tranquillity +prevailed. In fact, from the quiet of the day and the circumstance of +droves of well-dressed persons going to and from the Church and Chapels, +I was occasionally deluded, says a correspondent, into the belief of the +day being Sunday. The parish Church was crowded, and the Rector +delivered a very able and appropriate address. The Methodist and +Independent Chapels were also filled. At both places suitable sermons +were preached. At the latter, the resident minister provided an ample +second breakfast, which was faithfully discussed under the shade of a +large tent purposely erected for the occasion. The Rev. Mr. Atkins, +Wesleyan Minister, has proceeded from this place to lay the foundation +stone of a chapel this afternoon, (1st August) at Port Morant, in which +important service he will be assisted by Thomas Thomson, Esq., Church +warden, and Alexander Barclay, Esq., Member for the parish. It is +expected that many thousand spectators will be present at the +interesting ceremony. From all I have been able to learn the changes +among the labourers on the estates in this quarter, will be very +limited, these people being apparently satisfied with the arrangement +for their continued domicile on the respective properties. + +Another correspondent writes--"we are very quiet here. The day has +arrived and nearly passed off, and thank God the predictions of the +alarmists are not fulfilled. The Chapels were quite full with a great +many persons in the yards. The Independents are just sitting down to a +feast. The Rector delivered a sermon or rather a string of advices and +opinions to the labouring population, the most intolerant I have heard +for a long time. This parish will, I am quite certain, enjoy in peace +and quietness this happy jubilee." + +MANCHESTER. + +We learn from this parish that the Churches and Chapels were crowded +many hours before the usual time for beginning service. Several thousand +persons remained outside the respective places, which were much too +small to afford the accommodation. Every thing was quiet and orderly +when the post left. + +Says the Jamaica Gazette of Aug. 4th, a paper of the Old School--"In +spite of all the endeavours of a _clique_ of self-interested agitators, +clerical humbug and radical rabble, to excite the bad passions of the +sable populace against those who have been the true friends of Colonial +freedom, and the conservators of the public peace and prosperity of the +country, the bonfire, bull-roast, and malignant effigy exhibited to +rouse the rancor of the savage, failed to produce the effect anticipated +by the projectors of the _Saturnalia_, and the negro multitude fully +satisfied with the boon so generously conceded by the Island +Legislature, were in no humor to wreak their wrath on individual +benefactors, whom the envy of party spirit had marked out as the victims +of truth and independence. + +We are happy to give our meed of praise to the decent and orderly +conduct of the sable multitude, and to record that it far excelled the +Loco Foco group of bullies and boasters in decency of propriety of +demeanor. A kind of spree or scuffle took place between donkey-driver +Quallo and another. We don't know if they came to close fisti-cuffs, but +it was, we are assured, the most serious affray on the Course." + +The following is the testimony borne in regard to Barbados. + +_From the Barbados Liberal, Aug. 4th._ + +FIRST OF AUGUST. + +"It gives us great pleasure to state that, so far as our information +from the country extends, this day was observed in a manner highly +creditable to our brethren. We never ourselves anticipated any riotings +or disorder on the part of the emancipated. A little exhilaration +begetting a shout or two, would not have surprised us; but even this, we +are happy to say, made no part of their manifestation of joy. The day +was spent in quiet piety! In heartfelt, soul overflowing gratitude to +their heavenly Father, whose divine agency had raised up friends in +their necessity, and brought their great tribulation to an end, they +crowded at an early hour to the several churches and chapels, in which +their numbers could scarcely find turning room, and then quietly and +devoutly poured forth their souls in prayer and praise and thanksgiving! +No revellings, no riotings, no drunkenness, desecrated this day. We have +heard from five parishes, and in none of the five have we heard of a +single convivial meeting. From church and chapel they went to their +homes, and eat their first free dinner with their families, putting to +shame the intolerant prejudices which had prepared powder and balls, and +held the Riot Act in readiness to correct their insubordinate notions +of liberty!" + +From the New Haven, Ct., Herald. + + _"Barbados, Aug. 2, 1838_ + + Yesterday's sun rose upon eight hundred thousand freemen, on whom + and their ancestors the badge of slavery had rested for two hundred + years. It was a solemn, delightful, most memorable day. I look upon + it as a matter of exceeding thankfulness, that I have been permitted + to be a witness to it, and to be able to speak from experience and + from observation, of the happiness to which that day has given + birth. The day had previously been set apart by proclamation of the + Governor, "as a day of devout thanksgiving and praise to Almighty + God for the happy termination of slavery." The thanksgiving and + praise were most truly sincere, heartfelt and general. It was an + emancipation not merely of the slave but of the proprietor. It was + felt as such; openly acknowledged and rejoiced in as such. Never + have I witnessed more apparently unfeigned expressions of + satisfaction than were made on that day by the former owners of + slaves, at the load of which they had been relieved. + + I do not wish to be understood as asserting that previous to the + working of emancipation, the slave proprietors wished the abolition + of slavery. Far from it. But having, though unwillingly, been made + witnesses of the operations of freedom; and having themselves tasted + of the previously unknown satisfaction of employing voluntary and + contented, because _free_ laborers; their minds became enlightened, + softened, changed: and from being the determined opposers, they + became themselves the _authors_ of complete emancipation. I know not + in what terms to describe to you the emotions excited by passing + through the streets of this populous town on that memorable morning. + There was a stillness and solemnity that might be felt. It was + caused by no display of force, for none was to be seen. Here and + there a policeman going his usual rounds, but not a soldier, nor the + slightest warlike preparation of any kind to strike the eye, or + overawe the spirit of disorder. + + The spirit that seemed to fill the entire population was eminently + the spirit of peace, good will, thankfulness and joy too deep, too + solemn, to allow of any loud or noisy demonstration of it. Of + course, all stores, shops and offices of every kind were closed. So + also were all places of amusement. No sound of revelry, no evidences + of nightly excess were to be heard or seen. I do not say too much + when I assert that the reign of order, peace, and sobriety, + was complete. + + To give eclat to an event of such importance, the Governor had + ordered one company of militia to attend with him at the cathedral. + It is an immense building, and was crowded in every part of its + spacious area, galleries and aisles, with a most attentive + assemblage of people, of all colors and conditions. Several + clergymen officiated, and one of them at the opening of the services + read most appropriately the 58th chapter of Isaiah. Imagine for a + moment the effect in such an audience, on such an occasion, where + were many hundreds of emancipated slaves, of words like these:--"Is + not this the fast that I have chosen, to loose the bonds of + wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go + free, and that ye break every yoke?" The sermon by the Bishop was, + as might have been expected on such an occasion, interesting and + impressive. He spoke with great effect of the unexpected progress of + freedom, from island to island, from colony to colony, until, with a + solitary exception, upon that day the stain of slavery was + obliterated forever from every British possession. The progress of + education, the gradual reformation of morals, and the increasing + thirst for religious instruction, were all dwelt upon with great + force, and the glory of all ascribed, as was most fit, to the Great + Giver of every good and perfect gift. It was an occasion rich with + happy emotions, and long to be remembered as a bright and beautiful + spot in the pathway of our earthly pilgrimage. + + The close of the day was not less auspicious than its commencement. + In company with Mrs. H., I drove through several of the principal + streets, and thence through the most public thoroughfare into the + country; and no where could aught be seen to mar the decent and + truly impressive solemnity of the day. There were no dances, no + merry-making of any sort; not a solitary drunkard, not a gun fired, + nor even was a shout heard to welcome in the newborn liberty. The + only groups we saw were going to or returning from the different + chapels and churches: except in a few instances, where families + might be seen reading or singing hymns at their own dwellings. + + And now, sir, having arrived at the long looked for consummation of + all the labors and prayers of the friends of the slave for so many + years, as I cast my eye around this _land of liberty_, how many + thoughts crowd my mind? I ask myself--is it indeed finished? And are + there none to lament the downfall of time-honored, hoary-headed + slavery? Where are the mourners? Where are the prognosticators of + ruin, desolation, and woe? Where are the riots and disorders, the + bloodshed and the burnings? The prophets and their prophecies are + alike empty, vain, and unfounded, and are alike buried in oblivion. + + And why, in the name of humanity, was not this glorious consummation + brought about ages ago?--Is it because the slaves of 1838 are better + fitted for freedom than those of fifty or a hundred years since? No + one believes it. The only preparation for freedom required in this + island, or any where else, in order to put a peaceful end to + slavery, is the preparation of heart in the slaveholder to grant + deliverance to the captive. + + Yours truly, + + WM. R. HAYES + + P.S. August 9th.--All is quiet, and the utmost good order every + where prevails." + +To complete the picture we will give two extracts of letters from +eminent Jamaica Attornies to their employers in England, with regard to +the turning out to work. It is remarked by the English papers that the +Attornies generally in writing to their employers adopt the same strain. +They are all doing well on _their_ estates, but hear that the rest of +the island is in a woful condition.--These are the men who are the +greatest, if not the only, losers by emancipation; hence their testimony +is doubly valuable. + +From the British Emancipator, Nov. 14. + +LETTERS FROM ATTORNIES. + +_Extract of a Letter from an eminent Estate Attorney, in St. Mary's, +Jamaica, dated August_ 24, 1838. + + "There was nothing whatever done in this parish, or throughout the + island, for the first two weeks of the month. In this quarter some + estates did a little last week, and have been making more progress + since, but the far greater number have not yet done any work; the + minds of the people are very unsettled, and full of all sorts of + foolish notions, which will continue more or less till we hear of + the home government having accepted and approved of our abolition + bill, and their views with regard to us. + + On several of the estates which have wrought, the people have struck + once or twice. We have in this parish ministers of every + denomination, and they are all acting very properly; but they do not + seem to have as much influence as expected; we must _be as + considerate and liberal as possible to secure their confidence_ + ourselves. We are in St. Mary's paying the highest rate of wages in + the island; 1s. 8d. currency per day nett, with allowances, are + generally offered; I am giving here, from sheer necessity, 2s. 6d. + currency per day, without charging any rent in the mean time. In the + present state of things when so few estates are doing anything at + all, I have much satisfaction in saying that the people here, on + ----, a good proportion of them were at work last week, and I have + now the mill about making sugar, with every probability, I think of + going on satisfactorily; and looking dispassionately at the great + change which has so suddenly taken place, our present difficulties + are not much to be wondered at. + + Sunday night, 8th Sept.--The foregoing was written, but too late, + for the last packet; but as another sails to-morrow, I write you a + few lines more. There is, up to this moment, but little material + alteration in the state of affairs generally, certainly none for the + worse. I have made here twenty hogsheads of sugar since the 1st ult. + We are altogether in an uncertain state, but there are more mills + about, and more work doing _in this district than in any other in + the island_, which might and ought to be a feather in the cap of + Maitter, our late stipe. I have no time to say more now, excepting + that, although I am in great hopes that things will soon generally + improve, and am of opinion that our present difficulties are not to + be wondered at, yet our situation is still so critical, that I dare + not venture to hazard an opinion as to the success of the great + experiment, I repeat, however, again, that we have not seen anything + to disappoint or surprise us, bad as many things are." + +_Extract of a Letter from an Attorney in St. Mary's, Jamaica, 24th +August_, 1838 + +"The services of the stipes are much wanting here; I am paying 10s. a +week for first class, 6s. 8d. for second, and 4s. 2d. for third, for +five days work; they say they will not work on Fridays. However, I have +got people at ---- to work today; they are behaving better than most +others. I hope things will now improve; and it is my opinion that good +estates will do, and others will fall to the ground. Old Mr. Tytte is +dead, and his son Alexander made stipe for the district. The Governor's +speech respecting women has done a great deal of harm. None of the women +want to work. If Lord Glenelg had made such a mistake, he would have +heard enough of it. I wish the Government would take it on themselves to +settle the rate of wages, otherwise two-thirds of the estates will be +thrown up before next year; of course I can stand this as well as any. +The ---- people have behaved well: they did every thing I told them; +they are working on piece-work, which is the best plan." + +Precisely similar is the testimony of private correspondents and of the +public press so far as we have been able to learn, in all the other +colonies where emancipation has taken place. There is certainly nothing +in all this that indicates a disposition on the part of the emancipated +to throw off the employment of their former masters, but much the +reverse. We may safely challenge contradiction to the assertion, that at +the expiration of the jubilee there were not a set of free laborers on +earth from whom the West India planters could have got more work for the +same money. It may be proper in these days, when the maxims of slavery +have so fearfully overshadowed the rights of man, to say that a man has +a _right_ to forbear laboring when he can live honestly without it--or, +at all events, he has a right to choose whether he will employ himself +or be employed by another. Hence it _may_ turn out that the refusal to +labor, so far as there has been any, only serves to prove the more +clearly the fitness of the laborers of freedom. + +WAGES + +It must have been obvious to every man of reflection that in a change so +vast, involving so many laborers, and in circumstances so various, there +would arise almost infinite disputes about the rate of wages. The +colonies differ widely as to the real value of labor. Some have a rich, +unexhausted, and, perhaps, inexhaustible soil, and a scanty supply of +laborers. Others are more populous and less fertile. The former would of +course offer higher wages than the latter, for so sudden was the step +there could be no common understanding on the point. Again, as we have +seen, the planters came into the measure with different views. Some +anticipated the general change, and either from motives of humanity or +policy, or more probably of both, adopted a course calculated to gain +the gratitude and good will of the laborer.--These would offer wages +which the less liberal would call ruinous. Many, and it would seem the +great body of them in Jamaica, yielded unwillingly to superior power. +They saw the sceptre of despotic authority was to be wrested from their +grasp. They threw it down, as one may easily believe, resolved to seize +the best substitute they could. They would infallibly fall upon the plan +of getting the greatest possible amount of work for the least possible +amount of pay. When we consider that even in the oldest, most civilized, +and most Christianized free-labor communities, employers are wont to +combine to keep down the rate of wages, while on the other hand the +laborers throw up work to raise it, we shall not be surprised that there +should be things of this sort in Jamaica, liberty being in the gristle. +The only help for such an evil is, that there is always a rate of wages +which is advantageous to both parties, and things being left to +themselves, it will at last be found. + +To the planters and freed-men in settling the question what wages they +should offer and receive, two standards or guides presented +themselves,--1. The rate of wages which had been given in Antigua since +1834. 2. The compensation that had been demanded by the Jamaica planters +themselves, and adjudged by the magistrates, in case of apprentices +buying their own time. Hundreds of planters had declared upon oath what +the time of the apprentice was worth to them. Possibly as sellers, in +the elasticity of their consciences, they may have set a higher price +than they would be willing to give as buyers. In strict honesty, +however, it is difficult to see why labor should not be worth to them as +much in the one case as the other. The rate of wages fixed upon in +Antigua may be seen by a reference to the Journal of Thome and Kimball +to be very inadequate to the wants of the laborer. Free labor is there +screwed down to the lowest possible point. The wonder is that the +laborers should have submitted to such a scale for a moment. But they +had no precedent to guide them, no advisers free from the yoke of the +proprietary, no valuations given by their own masters, and there was +every facility for successful combination on the part of the masters. +They must work for such wages as the masters pleased to offer, +or starve. + +Say Messrs. Thome and Kimball--"_By a general understanding among the +planters_, the rate is at present fixed at a _shilling_ per day, or a +little more than fifty cents per week, counting five working days." This +Antigua scale, and not the one they themselves had sold labor by during +the apprenticeship, became at once the favorite with a great part of the +Jamaica and Barbados planters. If they in any cases offered higher +wages, they made it up by charging higher rent for the houses and +grounds, which the negroes had built and brought under culture on their +properties. It was before the first of August that this procedure was +resolved upon by the planters, as we gather from numerous communications +in the papers recommending a variety of modes of getting labor for less +than its natural market value. We select a single one of these as a +specimen, by the application to which of a little arithmetic, it will be +perceived that the employer would _bring the laborer in debt_ to him at +the end of the year, though not a moment should be lost by sickness or +other casualty. The humanity of the document is perfectly of a piece +with that of the system which would civilize mankind by making +merchandize of them. + +To the Editor of the Morning journal. + +SIR,--Let meetings be held, not only in every parish, but in every +district of a parish, and let all land-owners, &c., agree not to rent +land under £8[A] per acre, and not to sell it for less than double that +sum. Should a few be found regardless of the _general weal_, let the +proprietary, &c. join and purchase such lands, and if otherwise, it is +presumed the dissentients to the measure would be so small as not to +affect in any material degree the _general_ interest, inasmuch as those +who dissented, from the consequent scarcity of land arising from the +measure, would demand a high rental for their land. The _maximum_ system +appears to be preferable to the _minimum_. I have therefore made choice +of it as a stimulus to the laborers to work _at least_ four days or +thirty-six hours in the week to pay for their rent, &c. &c., _or pay 2s. +1d. for every day's absence_; or, if sick, pay up the labor by working +on the Friday, &c., _and Saturday, if needful_. Weekly settlements with +both parties, or _immediate summary ejectment_, if deemed necessary. + +[Footnote A: The sums are in the currency of the islands when not +otherwise specified, that is 7s 6d to the dollar.] + + £ s. d. +Rent of 2 acres of land as a ground for + each able adult, at £5 per acre 10 0 0 +Do. of house and garden, from £4 to + £10 per annum, say 6 0 0 +_Medical attendance, medicine, &c. &c., + worth £4 per annum_ 4 0 0 +Clothing and Christmas allowance per + annum 1 13 4 + ---------- + 21 13 4 + ---------- + +Four days' or 36 hours' labor in each + week, at 2s. 1d. per day, or 208 + days, at 2s. 1d. 21 13 4 +If task-work were adopted, or the day's + labor prolonged to 10-1/2 or 12 hours' + labor, 3 days' or 3-1/2 days' labor + _would suffice_, consequently, the + laborer would have 2 or 3 days + in each week to work for extra + wages. +In addition to the above, say pasturage + for a horse, at 4s. 2d. per week per + annum 10 16 8 +Pasturage for an ass, at 2s. 1d. per week + per annum 5 6 4 +_Run of pasturage and fruit, for a sow, + barrow, or sholt_; IF RUNG IN THE + NOSE, 10_d. per week_; IF NOT RUNG, + 1_s._ 8_d. per week; per annum, at + 10d. per week_ 2 3 4 + +The above charges for pasturage might be paid for either _by additional +labor_ or in money, and to a good head-man they might be granted as a +gratuity, and perhaps an additional acre of land allowed him to +cultivate. It would be desirable that the negroes should, when quite +free, work 11 hours per day in the short days, and 12 hours in the +longer ones. I believe the shortest day's labor in England in the winter +months in 10 hours' actual labor, and 12 hours' in the summer, for which +2 hours they are paid extra wages. + +_St. Mary's, 8th June, 1838_. S.R. + +The date should not escape notice. By this plan, for a few petty +indulgences, _all of which were professedly granted in the time of +slavery itself_, the master could get the entire labor of the negro, and +_seven or eight pounds per annum besides_! Some may be disposed to +regard this as a mere joke, but we can assure them it was a serious +proposal, and not more monstrous than many things that the planters are +now attempting to put in practice. The idea of actually paying money +wages was horrifying and intolerable to many of the planters; they seem +to have exercised their utmost ingenuity to provide against so dreadful +a result. One who signed himself an "Old Planter" in the _Despatch_, +before the abolition of the apprenticeship, in view of the emancipation +of the non-praedials which was to take place on the first of August, +gravely wrote as follows:-- + +"It is my intention, therefore, when the period arrives for any +arrangement with them, to offer them in return for such services, _the +same time as the praedials now have_, with of course the same allowances +generally, putting out of the question, however, any relaxation from +labor during the day, usually allowed field laborers, and understood as +shell-blow--house people being considered at all times capable of +enjoying that indulgence at their pleasure, besides the impossibility of +their master submitting to such an inconvenience.--This appears to me to +be the only mode of arrangement that would be feasible, unless we resort +to money wages, and I should regret to find that such a precedent was +established in this instance, for it would only be a forerunner to +similar demands at the coming period, when the praedials became free." + +There were more reasons than one why "money wages" were feared by the +Jamaica planters. A great many estates are managed by attorneys for +absentee proprietors. These gentlemen pocket certain commissions, for +which reason they keep in cultivation estates which cannot possibly +yield a profit under a system of paid labor. They deem it for their +interest to retain their occupation even at the expense of their +employers. Not a few conceive it for their interest to depreciate the +value of property that they may purchase low, hence they deem it good +policy to refuse wages, let the crops perish, and get up a panic. The +documents we shall furnish will be clear on these points. The great +diversity of practice in the planters in regard to wages, as well as the +reasonable disposition of the laborers, is shown by the following +paragraphs culled from the _Morning Journal_ of August 10:-- + +"ST. DAVIDS.--A gentleman in the management of a property in this parish, +writes in the following strain to his employer--"I have an accession of +strength this morning. The people are civil and industrious. I have +received letters assuring me that the example of the Cocoa Walt estate +people, has been the means of inducing those on other estates to enter +into the terms proposed"--that is 5s. per week, with houses, grounds, +medicines, &c, &c." + +"St. Thomas in the East.--The apprentices on Golden Grove Estate, turned +out to work on Monday, but we have not learnt on what terms. At Mount +Vernon, the property of Kenneth McPherson Esq., they turned out on +Tuesday morning to work for five days in the week, at 10d. per day with +houses, grounds, &c." + +"Trelawny--A correspondent writes, every thing is quiet, and the people +would go to work if any bargains were made, but I believe throughout the +parish the people were directed to go to work on Monday morning, without +any previous arrangement, or being even told how much they would be +paid, or asked what they expected. On one estate 1s. 8d. with houses and +grounds was offered and refused. Some of the masters are determined, it +is said, to hold out, and will not consent to give more than 1s. 3d. or +1s. 8d. per day." + +"St. Johns.--The people in this parish are at work on most of the +estates without any agreement. They refuse the offer of 1s. 01-2d. per +day, but continue to labor, relying on the honor and liberality of the +planters for fair and reasonable pay. If they do not get these in two +weeks, our correspondent writes, there will be a dead stop. The laborers +fix the quantity of work to be done in a day, agreeable to the scale of +labor approved of by the Governor during the apprenticeship. For any +thing beyond that, they demand extra pay, as was usual under +that system." + +"St. Thomas in the Vale--No work, we understand, is being done in this +parish as yet. A correspondent states that some of the overseers and +attorneys wish the people to turn out to work without entering into any +arrangements, which they refuse to do. The attorney for Rose Hall, +Knollis, New Works, and Wallace Estates has offered 1s. 3d. per day, out +of which £5 per annum is to be deducted for houses and grounds. The +offer has been refused. The overseer of Byndloss estate required his +people to work without agreeing as to the rate of wages they were to +receive, but they refused to do any thing without a proper agreement." + +"St. Mary's--On some estates in this parish we are informed, and +particularly those under the charge of Richard Lewis, Esq. such as +Ballard's Valley, Timperon's estates, Ellis' estates, &c. and of Charles +Stewart, Esq. Trinity, Royal, Roslin Bremer Hall, &c., and also of James +Geddes, Esq., the laborers are getting from 2s. 6d. to 3s. 4d. per day. +The same rates are paid upon many outer properties. On many estates the +people have refused to labor, and urge objections against the managers, +as a reason for so acting. They remain and will engage to labor, +provided the obnoxious parties are removed." + +How could the people be blamed for refusing 10d. per day, while on "many +properties" they were getting from 2s. 6d. to 3s. 4d.? Such being also +the valuation which the masters had uniformly placed upon their time +during the apprenticeship? + +When the planters found that the free laborers could neither be +prevailed upon to labor for half-price nor be driven to excesses by such +paltry persecution, they turned their wrath, as had been long their +custom, upon the Baptist Missionaries. Upon Mr. Knibb especially they +laid the blame of giving mischievous advice to the peasantry. And for +the obvious purpose of exciting the thousands of people warmly devoted +to him, to acts of violence, they attempted to burn him in effigy and +actually circulated the report that he had been murdered. Thousands of +his people flocked into Spanish Town, threatening to destroy the town if +the report proved true. But on learning its falsity were easily +persuaded to retire, and did so without being guilty of any excess +whatever. Unmeasured and unceasing have been the attacks of the Jamaica +press upon the missionaries. Upon their shoulders has been laid "the +ruin of that fine island."--They have corrupted the peasantry and put it +in their heads to ask more wages than the estate can possibly give. To +determine the value of the testimony of the missionaries in this case it +is important to know the nature of their influence upon the laborers +touching the question of wages. We are happily furnished with the +required information from their own lips and pens in the Jamaica papers. + +_From the Falmouth Post._ + +REV. W. KNIBB'S ADVICE TO THE NEGROES. + +MEETING AT THE "SUFFIELD SCHOOL-ROOM." + +On Friday evening last we attended the suffield School-room, in this +town, which, at an early hour was crowded with apprentices and head +people, from upwards of twenty properties, who had met for the purpose +of receiving advice from the Rev. Wm. Knibb, and Special Justice Lyon, +respecting the course of conduct it will be necessary for them to adopt, +on taking their stand in society as freemen. Several gentlemen connected +with the commercial and agricultural interests of the parish were +present on the occasion. + +The Rev. W. Knibb commenced by saying, that he attended a meeting of a +similar nature at Wilberforce Chapel, on the preceding evening. He had +thought it better to request the attendance this evening of the head +people, who being the more intelligent would be able to explain to +others, the advice which they would now receive themselves. "I am glad," +said the Rev. Gentleman, "to see so many persons present, among whom I +notice a few gentlemen who are not connected with my church: I am glad +of the attendance of these gentlemen, for what I do, I do openly, and +any one is at liberty to express his opinion at this meeting if he +desires to do so. + +You will shortly, my friends, be released from your present state of +bondage; in the course of a very few weeks you will receive the boon of +freedom, and I would therefore impress deeply on your minds the +necessity of your continuing the cultivation of the soil on the receipt +of fair and equitable wages. I am not aware myself of any complete scale +of wages having been drawn up, but I have been on 10 or 12 different +properties, I have conversed with several proprietors, and I am glad to +say that with some of them there appears to be a disposition to meet the +charge fairly and honorably. Those who are more conversant with figures +than I am, will be enabled to show what the owner can afford to give for +the cultivation of his property. In the mean time I would say to you, do +not make any hasty bargain: take time and consider the subject, for it +is one of vital interest and importance to all! If you demand too high a +rate of wages, the proprietors will be ruined; if you consent to take +too low a sum, you will not be able to provide for the wants of +yourselves and families. In making your arrangement, if there be an +attempt to grind you down, resist the attempt by all legal means; for +you must consider that you are not acting for yourselves alone, but for +posterity. I desire to see every vestige of slavery completely rooted +out. You must work for money; you must pay money to your employers for +all you receive at their hands: a fair scale of wages must be +established, and you must be entirely independent of any one. If you +continue to receive those allowances which have been given during +slavery and apprenticeship, it will go abroad that you are not able to +take care of yourselves; that your employers are obliged to provide you +with these allowances to keep you from starvation; in such a case you +will be nothing more than slaves.--To be free, you must be independent; +you must receive money for your work; come to market with money; +purchase from whom you please, and be accountable to no one but that +Being above, who I hope will watch over and protect you!--I sincerely +trust that proper arrangements will be made before the 1st of August.--I +have spoken to nearly four thousand persons connected with my church, +and I have not yet learnt that there is any disposition among them to +leave their present employers, provided they receive equitable wages. +Your employer will expect from you good crops of sugar and rum; and +while you labour to give him these, he must pay you such wages as will +enable you to provide yourselves with wholesome food, good clothing, +comfortable houses, and every other necessity of life. Your wages must +be such as to enable you to do this; to contribute to the support of +your church; the relief of the distressed; the education of your +children, and to put by something for sickness and old age. I hail the +coming of the 1st August with feelings of joy and gratitude. Oh, it will +be a blessed day; a day which gives liberty to all; and my friends, I +hope that the liberty which it will bring to you will by duly +appreciated. I trust I may live to see the black man in the full +enjoyment of every privilege with his white brethren, and that you may +all so conduct yourselves as to give the lie direct to those who have +affirmed that the only idea you have of liberty is that it will enable +you to indulge in idle habits and licentious pursuits. When liberty +casts her benignant smiles on this beautiful island, I trust that the +employer and the laborer will endeavour to live on terms of friendship +and good will with one another.--When the labourer receives a proper +remuneration for his services--when the employer contemplates the +luxuriance of his well-cultivated fields, may they both return thanks to +a merciful God, for permitting the sun of liberty to shine with bright +effulgence! I need scarcely assure you, my friends, that I will be at +all times ready to protect your rights. I care not about the abuse with +which I may probably be assailed; I am ready to meet all the obloquy and +scorn of those who have been accustomed to place the most unfavourable +constructions on my actions. I am willing to meet the proprietors in a +spirit of candour and conciliation. I desire to see you fairly +compensated for your labor; I desire also to you performing your work +with cheerful industry: but I would warn you _not to be too hasty in +entering into contracts_. Think seriously before you act, and remember, +as I have already old you, that you have now to act not only for +yourselves, but for posterity." + +We give numerous documents from these gentlemen, as among the best if +not the greatest part of our fellow citizens; we trust their testimony +will be deemed the best that could be offered. + +LETTER OF EIGHT BAPTIST MISSIONARIES. + +_To the Right Hon. Lord_ GLENELG, &c. + +My Lord--We feel assured that no apology is necessary, in requesting +your attention to the subject of this letter. The official connection +which you hold with the colony, together with the peculiar circumstances +in which its newly-emancipated population are placed, render it an +imperative duty we owe to ourselves to lay before you our sentiments. + +Having labored in the island for many years, and having been in daily +intercourse with the objects of our solicitude, we do feel devoutly +thankful to ALMIGHTY GOD, that he has spared us to see the +disenthralment of our beloved flocks; while it gives us increased +pleasure to assure your lordship that they received the boon with holy +joy, and that the hour which made them men beheld them in thousands +humbly prostrate at the footstool of mercy, imploring the blessing of +HEAVEN upon themselves and their country, while, during the night and +joyful day, not a single case of intoxication was seen. + +To us, as their pastors, they naturally looked for advice, both as to +the labor they should perform and the wages they should receive. The +importance of this subject was deeply felt by us, and we were prepared +to meet it with a full sense of the responsibility it involved, and +happily succeeded in inducing them to accept of a sum lower than that +which the representatives of the landowners had formerly asserted was +fair and just. + +We regret to state, that a deep combination was formed by many of these +_middlemen_ to grind the peasantry to the dust, and to induce, if +possible, the acceptance of remuneration which, by affording no +inducement to the peasant cheerfully to labor, would have entailed +pauperism on him and his family, and ruin on the absentee proprietor. It +was to this circumstance, and not in the least to any unwillingness in +the free negro to work, or to demand more for his labor than it was +fairly worth, that for one or two weeks, in some places, the cultivation +of the soil was not resumed. Upon the planting attorneys, so long +accustomed to tyranny and oppression, and armed with a power over the +land which must prove inimical to the full development of the resources +of this valuable colony, the blame entirely rests. + +We suppose that your lordship is fully aware, that the laws under which +the laborer is now placed are tyrannical and unjust in the extreme; +laws, we hesitate not to affirm, which are a disgrace to those who +framed them, and which, if acted upon by a local magistracy, will entail +upon the oft-cheated, over-patient negro some of the worst features of +that degrading state of vassalage from which he has just escaped. We +particularly refer to "An Act to enlarge the Powers of Justices in +determining complaints between Masters and Servants, and between +Masters, and Apprentices, Artificers, and others," which passed the +Assembly the 3rd day of July, 1834, while by police acts, especially one +regulating the town of Falmouth, our people will be daily harassed +and annoyed. + +We think it right to inform your lordship, that the greater part of +those who hold the commission of magistrates are the very persons who, +by their connection with the soil, are the most unfit, because the most +interested, honestly to discharge their important duties; while their +ignorance of the law is, in too many cases, equalled only by their love +of tyranny and misrule. Time must work a mighty change in the views of +numbers who hold this office, ere they believe there is any dereliction +of duty in daily defrauding the humble African. We cannot but entreat +your lordship to use those means which are in your power to obtain for +the laborer, who imploringly looks to the Queen for protection, justice +at the hands of those by whom the law is administered. We must, indeed, +be blind to all passing events, did we not see that, without the +watchful care of the home government, the country district courts, held +sometimes in the very habitations of those who will have to make the +complaints, will be dens of injustice and cruelty, and that our hearts +will again be lacerated by the oppressions under which our beloved +people will groan. + +We beg to apprise your lordship, that we have every reason to believe +that an early attempt will be made to deprive the peasantry of their +provision grounds--that they will not be permitted, even to rent them; +so that, by producing starvation and rendering the population entirely +dependent upon foreign-supplies for the daily necessaries of life, a +lower rate of wages may be enforced. Cruel as this may appear to your +lordship, and unlikely as it may seem, long experience has taught us +that there is no possible baseness of which a slave-owner will not be +guilty, and no means of accomplishing his purposes, however fraught with +ruin to those around him, which he will not employ. + +Should the peasantry be thus treated, we shall feel it our duty humbly +to implore that the lands belonging to the crown may be made available +for their use. Your lordship will remember that these ill-treated people +became not the subjects of her Majesty by choice, though they are now +devotedly attached to her government. Their fathers were stolen and +brought hither. On their native shores they had lands and possessions +capable of supplying all their wants. If, then, after having toiled +without remuneration, they are prevented even renting a portion of land +which has hitherto been esteemed as their own, we shall ask, and shall +feel assured that the boon will not be withheld, that her Most Gracious +Majesty will throw open the lands belonging to the crown, where we may +retire from the tyranny of man, and with our people find a peaceful and +quiet home. + +Though still surrounded by obloquy and reproach, though the most abusive +epithets and language disgracefully vulgar has been employed to assail +us, especially by a newspaper known to be under the patronage of a +bishop, and in which all official accounts of his diocese are given to +the world, yet we assure your lordship that, in endeavouring to promote +the general interests and welfare of this colony, we shall still pursue +that line of conduct which is the result of our judgment, and in +accordance with the dictates of our conscience. + +In no part of the island are arrangements made so fully or so fairly, as +in those districts where our congregations reside, and in no part are +the laborers more faithfully performing their duty. We deeply feel our +responsibility at the present crisis, and pledging ourselves to your +lordship and the British Government by the sacred office we hold, we +assure you that ceaseless efforts shall still be exerted, as they have +ever been, to promote the peace and happiness of those around us. + +In the name and on the behalf of our churches, for the sacred cause of +freedom throughout the world, we unitedly implore your lordship to throw +the shield of Britain's protection over those who are just made her +loyal subjects. All they want, and all they ask, is, that, as they are +raised to the dignity, so they may receive all the rights of man, and +that the nation who purchased them from bondage may fully secure to them +that civil and religious liberty, to which both their unparalleled +sufferings and their unexampled patience so richly entitle them. + +We cannot conclude this letter, without expressing the high sense we +entertain of the noble and disinterested conduct pursued by his +excellency Sir Lionel Smith, the Governor of this colony. But for his +firmness, Jamaica would have presented all the horrors of a civil war. + +Feeling assured that your lordship will give that attention to this +letter which the subject demands, and with earnest prayer that this +colony, now blest with liberty, may exhibit increasing prosperity, we +are, my lord, your most obedient servants, Signed by + +THOMAS BURCHELL +WILLIAM KNIBB +THOMAS ABBOTT +WALTER DENDY +JOHN CLARK +B.B. DEXTER +SAMUEL OUGHTON +J. HUTCHINS + +Baptist Missionaries, North Side Union. + +[On the foregoing letter the _London Sun_ has the following +observations.] + +"Every arrival from the West Indies but strengthens our conviction, that +there never will be happiness, security, or peace for the emancipated +negroes, so long as the administration of the laws, and the management +of the plantations, are continued in the hands of those white officials +whose occupation, previous to the passing of the emancipation act, +consisted in torturing and tormenting them with impunity. They cannot +endure to witness the elevation to the rank of free, intelligent, and +well-behaved fellow-citizens, of a class of beings whom they were +accustomed to treat a myriad of times worse than they did the "beasts +that perish." Having pronounced them incapable of civilization, and +strangers to all the better feelings of our nature, they deem it a sort +of duty to themselves to employ every artifice to neutralize or retard +every measure calculated to ameliorate the moral and social condition of +the negro race. Several of the colonial agents have powerful inducements +to the provocation of some insurrectionary outbreak, on the part of the +colored population. In the first place, such an _emute_ would fulfil +their predictions with regard to the passing the Emancipation Act, and +so establish their reputation as seers; and in the next, it would lead +to the sale of many of the plantations at one-sixth their real value, +and so transform them from agents to principles, as they would not fail +to be the purchasers. That such is their policy cannot, we think, be +doubted for a moment by those who will take the trouble to peruse a +letter addressed by eight Baptist missionaries, long resident in +Jamaica, to Lord Glenelg, which will be found in another part of _The +Sun_. These missionaries, we are assured, are men of irreproachable +lives, of indefatigable Christian zeal, and of conversation becoming +persons whose sacred office it is to preach the gospel of peace. That +their representation will produce a powerful effect upon the minds of +the people of this country, we feel as confident as we do that our +gracious Queen will concede any boon in her royal gift, necessary to the +welfare of her colored subjects." + +The following are a series of letters to Mr. Sturge, published in the +British Emancipator for Nov. 28, 1838. The one from a Special Justice +clearly developes the principal causes of the backwardness of the +laborers. The testimony of this letter to some important facts will be +fully confirmed by that of the Governor of Jamaica. The evidence of +extortion submitted by the missionaries is so explicit, that we beg the +attention of the reader to all the details. Remember the experiment +involves the claims of millions to that without which life is little +better than a curse. Every thing hangs on the inquiry whether the +emancipated or their former masters are chargeable with whatever there +is of _ruin_ in the "fine island" of Jamaica. Says Mr. Sturge, in laying +these letters before the public, "it should be clearly understood that +the fee simple of all negro houses in Jamaica is not worth £10 each on +an average, and that their provision grounds have been brought into +cultivation by the negroes themselves in their _own_ time." + +Extract of a letter from a Missionary:-- + +Savannah-la-Mar, Sept. 8, 1838. + +MY DEAR SIR,--You are probably aware that the following question has +been submitted by the Governor to the Attorney-General for his opinion: + +(copy.) + +(No. 844.) King' House, Aug. 27, 1838. + +SIR,--I am desired by the Governor to request you will give your opinion +for general publication. 1st. Whether in instances of notices to quit +their houses and grounds, having been served upon the late apprentices, +they are liable to be made to pay rent for the occupation of such house, +during the three months allowed by law? + +(OPINION.) + +They are. + +(Signed,) + +D O'REILL. + +We shall soon see the evil effects of this opinion, it being generally +previously understood that the late apprenticed population would not be +liable for rent until the three months had expired, after receiving +notice to quit. + +As a specimen of this being made an instrument of great oppression in +the hands of managers of estates, I would state that two notices were +yesterday brought to brother Hutchins for his inspection; one was served +upon David Clarke, a labourer, on King's Valley estate, in this parish. +On the back of the notice to quit was written as under;-- + +"The rent of your house and grounds is twenty-one pounds six shillings +and eight pence, per annum, commencing 1st of August, 1838, if legal." + +(Signed) J. H. JONES. + +Mr. Sturge appends the following West India accounts, which be says are +in his possession by which it is evident that the planters are bringing +their laborers in debt to them, by a spirit of shameless extortion. + +Charles Duncan to John Dixon, Dr. +1838. Sept. 15. To rent of house +and ground, from 1st of August to +date, 6s. 8d. per week. 2 3 9-1/2 +Cr. By balance, five days, 1s.8d. per day 0 8 4 + ------------- + 1 15 5-1/2 +Charles Brown, to John Dixon, Dr. +1838. Sept. 13. To rent of house +and ground, 6s. 8d. per week, +from 1st Aug, to date. 2 1 10 +Charge for running a sow and pigs, +from 1st Aug. to date, 2s. 6d. per +week 0 15 8-1/2 + ------------- + 2 17 6-1/2 + +John Alfred Bullock to John Dixon, Dr. +1838. Sept. 15. To rent of house +and garden, from 1st of Aug. +to date, 6s. 8d. per week, 2 3 9-1/2 +Rent of provision ground, 5s. per +week, 1 12 6 +Pasturage, two weeks, for an ass, +6s. 3d, per month, 0 3 4 +Two hogs, 1s. 8d. per week, 1 1 10-3/4 + ------------- + 5 1 6-1/4 +Cr. By two days' labour, 1s. +8d. per day 0 3 4 + ------------- + 4 18 2-1/3 + +LETTER TO MR. STURGE, FROM A SPECIAL JUSTICE. + +_Jamaica, Oct. 12th, 1838._ + +Freedom has brought with it the blessings we anticipated; and as we +progress in civilization we shall all be happier. I have ever been +sanguine as to its beneficial results, and I am not in the least +disappointed. I cannot find language sufficiently strong to express the +commendation due to the negroes for their steady and good conduct since +the 1st of August. Amidst the most trying circumstance, they have +exhibited the greatest forbearance, and placed their whole reliance on +the laws for protection. I am satisfied that no other nation of free men +could conduct themselves so temperately and well, under similar +circumstances; and in my opinion, they have proved themselves infinitely +superior to many of those who so lately exercised almost unlimited +control over them. I declare to you, to see such a mass of persons, +whose morals have been little regarded by those who held them in +slavery, and without education, rise all at once, and express and +conduct themselves so admirably, is wonderful. When seeking redress +before the magistrates for wrongs committed by there former owners they +have maintained more coolness and temper than their more fortunate +brethren, when maters are decided against them. There is a hard struggle +on the part of the pro-slavery faction to compel the negro to work for +little or nothing, in order that the attorneys and overseers may keep +their places as before; and I am informed, by a gentleman whose veracity +is not to be doubted, and who is himself an attorney, that he can still +keep his overseer and merchant as in former days, draw his own +commissions, and send home to his employer a very handsome surplus. +Under such circumstances, well may the friends of freedom cry shame at +the opposition which has for so long a time been thrown in the way of +liberty, by these West Indians of practical knowledge. The facts are, +that the absent proprietors have been led by the advice they have +received from their attorneys; and these have had so many ways of making +more than an honest commission, and have so speedily made their +fortunes, that as long as they could continue slavery, they have exerted +every influence. The overseer was paid, housed, fed, and waited upon, +all at the expense of master and slave, beside; keeping a fine stud of +horses, and as many brood mares at pasture on the property as would +enable him to dispose of seven or eight prime mules annually; and so +long as he drove and tormented the poor negro, and made good crops for +the attorney's commissions, and supplied his horses with corn, these +_little perquisites_ were never discovered. Now the proprietor will +hardly pay for more labor than is absolutely necessary to grow and +manufacture the produce of his estate; and these gentlemen must +henceforth look to their own resources, for the payment of servants to +attend and take care of their own interests and comforts. An overseer's +situation on an estate making 300 hogsheads, was calculated in slavery +to be equal to 2000l. a year. Indeed no man in any town could have lived +in such luxury for that sum. If the proprietor would only come out, and +live prudently, he would save all this by residing on his property, +which he could easily manage by employing, for extra wages, his former +steady head people. _They_, from long residence, know the best manner of +working the land; and, as to the manufacture of sugar, they are the +persons who have _all their lives_ been working at it. The most +important part of an overseer and book-keeper's business was to make use +of their _eyes_. The negro had to make use of his legs, arms and +strength; and, in nine cases out of ten, his brains kept the white +people in their situations, by preventing matters from going wrong. + +I perfectly coincide with you, as to the propriety of the negro speedily +becoming possessed of the elective franchise. In Antigua there is very +little more land than is in cultivation for the estates, but here it is +widely different; and they are beginning to settle themselves by +purchasing small lots very fast. At Sligoville there are nearly fifty +new freeholders. The negroes are taught to do this by the perpetual +worry of their employers, threatening to oust them on every trifling +occasion, and withholding part of their wages on the plea of +non-performance of work.--The root of all evil is the Assembly and the +Juries. Nothing requires greater alteration; and I shall never rest, +until I see the black man stand the same chance at the bar of his +country as the white man.--The negroes will not work under their former +hard task-masters. They determinedly resist all solicitations to labor +with those who treated them ill. They say that the pain is gone, but the +mark remains, and I respect them for this proud feeling. + + * * * * * + +I have come under his displeasure for taking the opinion of Middleton +and McDougal, as to the legality of charging the negro hire for his +house and grounds, for the three months during which the notices to quit +are running.--Had we not taken these opinions, what a fearful state +things might we have been brought to in this country! I am quite +satisfied that no rent could be recovered until the expiration of the +three months, from which time it would commence to run, and the +plaintiff would in law be considered in possession of his lands again, +which, in slavery, he was compelled to give to his slave for his support +and maintenance. He must re-enter before he could demand rent, for it is +impossible for him to prove a contract, or imply one. The negro did not +willingly come from Africa, and occupy his land; he was torn from his +native land, and compelled by his owner, under laws that took his life, +not to quit the land; how therefore can he be considered to have made a +contract, or consented to one? + +FROM THE REV. J. KINGDON + +_Manchioneal, Oct. 9, 1838._ + +In passing through Hector's River great house yard, in my way to my +preaching spot, I have the most sensible demonstration of the reality of +the political change happily brought about; for that hot-house, in which +I have seen one of my own members in irons for having a bad sore leg, +and in which I have been grossly insulted for daring to go to see my +poor people--that house is _shut up_! Delightful, I assure you, are my +feelings, whenever I go by that place, attached to which, too, was the +old-time prison, a perfect charnel-house. + +FROM THE REV. S. OUGHTON. + +_Lucea, October 2, 1838._ + +Unused to acts of justice and humanity, the Planters, in a moment of mad +excitement passed an act to abolish the accursed system of Slavery. The +debates on that occasion proved with what an ill grace they performed +that scanty act of justice, and all experience since that period proves +how bitterly they repent it. It is true, we are not now, as before, +distressed by hearing recitals of barbarous corporeal punishments, and +we are no longer pained by seeing human beings chained to each other by +the neck; but, although cruelty has, to a certain extent, ceased, +oppression has become ten thousand times more rampant than ever. Every +act which ingenuity or malice can invent, is employed to harass the poor +negroes. Prior to August 1st, the planter studiously avoided every thing +like an arrangement with the laborer, and when, on the following Monday, +they turned out to work, the paltry pittance of 12-1/2d. (7-1/2d. +sterl.) was all that in the majority of cases was offered for the +services of an able-bodied negro, although 2s. 6d. per day (currency), +had before been invariably exacted from them, when they were desirous of +purchasing the remaining term of their apprenticeship. Of course, the +people refused to receive so paltry a remuneration for their labour, and +this has laid the foundation for a course of systematic oppression +scarcely conceivable. Notices to quit were served indiscriminately on +every one, old and young, sick and healthy. Medical attendance was +refused, and even a dose of physic from the Estates' hospitals. Cattle +were turned into the provision-grounds of the negroes, thus destroying +their only means of support; and assaults of the most wanton and brutal +description were committed on many of the peasantry. On one estate the +proprietor and his brother assaulted a young man in the most unprovoked +manner. One presented a pistol to his breast, and threatened to shoot +him; while the other levelled a gun at his head for the same purpose. +They were bound over to take their trial at the Quarter Sessions; but +what hope is there in such a tribunal as that, composed principally of +men engaged in the same reckless course, and banded together by mutual +interests? On another estate (_Content_), the attorney ordered the +cattle of a poor man (a member of my Chapel) to be taken up and +impounded. It was done, and the man was obliged to pay 6l. to redeem +them; when, as soon as he carried them back, they were again taken and +impounded. The man has been to my house with his case of oppression, on +my return from Kingston. He states that he exhausted his last farthing +to redeem the cattle the first time, and was also obliged to borrow of +his friends; they have now been impounded five weeks, and unless he can +raise the money to redeem them (upwards of 10l.), they will be sold to +pay the expenses. Thus is an honest and worthy man, in a few weeks, +stripped of every thing which, by years of industry and care, he had +accumulated for the comfort of his old age, or the benefit of his +family. Yesterday a negro came and informed me that the owner of a +property had told him last year, that he must cultivate more ground, so +as to be able to continue possession as a tenant; and now that he has +done so, another person, saying that he had purchased the property, came +a few days ago, and told him that in three weeks he would drive him from +the place. He then ordered a man whom he had with him to climb a +bread-fruit tree, and pull the fruit, which he forcibly carried away to +give to his hogs. But I must forbear: were I to state half the cases of +oppression which have occurred in Hanover since August 1st; I should +require a volume instead of a sheet. I think, however, I have said +enough to prove the bitter and rancorous spirit which at present +animates the planters. Enclosed I send a specimen of another artifice +adopted to harass and distress the negroes. They have adopted the notion +(sanctioned by the opinion of the old Planters' Jackall, Batty, and the +Attorney General), that the people are liable to pay rent for houses and +grounds during the three months' possession to which the Abolition Act +entitled them, and notices have been served on the people, demanding the +most extravagant amounts for the miserable sheds which the people +inhabited. You will perceive that in once case 21l. 6s. 9d. has been +demanded. This conscientious demand was made by John Houghton James, +Executor and Attorney for Sir Simon Clark. Another is from a Mr. Bowen, +of _Orchard_ Estate; and the third from Mr. Brockett, of _Hopewell_ and +_Content_ Estates, the property of Mr. Miles, M.P. for Bristol. Let it +be borne in mind that these shameful and exorbitant demands are not +made, as in England, on the head of the family only, but on _every +member who is able to do the least work_, and even little children have +papers demanding 2s. 4d. per week for ground, although unable to do the +least thing: one of these I also enclose. + +Jamaica, ss. Notice is hereby Given, That the sum of eight shillings and +four pence, weekly, will be exacted from you and each of you +respectively, for the houses and grounds at Orchard Estate, in the +parish of Hanover, from August of the present year, until the expiration +of the three months' notice, from its period of service to quit; or to +the period of surrendering to me the peaceable possession of the +aforesaid house and provision grounds. + +J. R. BOWEN. + +Dated this 17th day of Sep. 1838. + +TO JAMES DARLING and SARAH DARLING, of the parish of HANOVER. + +Here then, my dear Sir, you may perceive something of the atrocious +proceedings in the island of Jamaica. Pray insert these documents in the +_Emancipator_. Let the Anti-slavery friends know the state of things, +and urge them to redoubled diligence. The House of Assembly will meet on +the 30th instant, and then, I fear, dreadful measures will be taken. A +letter from Mr. Harker, of the Jamaica Royal Gazette, about a fortnight +since, addressed to Mr. Abbott, shows what absolute and cruel statutes +they would wish either to act upon, or to make the models of new laws. +Every act must be watched with the most jealous scrutiny. Experience +shows that the planters possess an ingenuity truly diabolical, in +twisting and distorting the laws to suit their own selfish purpose. Our +hope is in British Christians; and we confidently hope every one of them +will feel the importance of increased diligence, lest the great, and +long prayed-for boon of freedom, should become a curse, instead of a +blessing. The papers will inform you of the odium I have drawn on myself +in defending the people's rights. That contained in the great mass, only +provokes a smile. I know that every friend in England will interpret it +inversely. I did feel Mr. ----'s letter in the Falmouth Post, but he +knows his error, and is sorry for it. I could have answered it, but did +not choose to cause a division amongst the few friends of the negro, +when they had quite enough to do to withstand the attacks of +their enemies. + +FROM THE REV. J. M. PHILIPPO. + +_Spanish Town, Oct. 13, 1838._ + +The following is one of the seven of the same tenor now in my +possession, which will, in addition to those I forwarded by last mail, +inform you of the cause of the late disinclination of the people in some +districts to labour--which, with so much effrontery, has been proclaimed +through the public Journals here:-- + +Charles Michael Kelly and Wife, to J.S. Benbow, Dr. + + 1830: July 14th to Sept. 9th. +1. To the rent of house and + ground on Castle Kelly + plantation, for eight weeks, + at 6s. 8d. per week. 3l. 13 4 +2. Richard Kelly and Wife. Same. +3. Elenor Mercer. Same. +4. John Ried and Wife. Same. +5. Mary Ann Christie. Same. +6. Venus Owen (or such like name). Same. + + +FROM THE REV. J. HUTCHINS. + +_Savanna-la-Mar, Sept. 17, 1838._ + +I now, according to promise in my last, send you a few out of the many +cases I am almost hourly troubled with. Some of our would-be great men +are, I am sorry to say, harassing the poor free labourers shamefully; +and should it prove, as I think in some cases it must, of serious injury +to the absentee proprietors, I shall publish the cases of grievance +brought me, together with the names of the estates, owners, attorneys, +overseers, &c., and leave all parties to form their own opinion on +the subject. + + Amelia Martin, to Retrieve Estate, Dr. + 1838: August 29. +To house and ground, rent at + 5s. per week, from 1st August + to date 4_l._ 0 0 +[A]Alliac Davis, ground + rent at + 10d. per week 3 0 +[A]William Davis; ditto + ditto 0 3 4 + ------------- + 4_l._ 6 4 + ------------- + +Thos. Tats, Esq. is Attorney, and Mr. Comry + Overseer, + +[Footnote A: Boys from 9 to 11, her sons.] + + * * * * * + + Louisa Patter, to Retrieve Estate, Dr. + 1838: Aug. 28. +To house and ground from 1st + Aug. to date 1_l._ 0 0 + +She states she has been sickly so long, that she has no ground in +cultivation, and cannot help herself, and has only what yams her +friends give her. + + * * * * * + + Susan James, to Albany Estate, Dr. + 1838: Aug. 28. +To house and ground rent at + 5s. per week, from 1st August, + to date 1l. 0 0 +Thos. Hewett, ground rent 0 13 4 +Elizabeth James, ditto 0 13 4 +Mary Dunn, ditto 0 10 0 +Letitia, ditto[A] 0 6 8 + ------------- + 3l. 3 4 + ------------- + +[Footnote A: These are a mother and four children in +one house, and with but one ground, they tell +me.] + * * * * * + +Richard Warren, to Albany Estate, Dr. +1838: Aug. 28. +To house and ground rent to + date 1l. 0 0 + Wife 0 15 4 + Child[B] 0 10 0 + ------------- + 2l. 5 4 + ------------- + +[Footnote B: The child is quite young, and in daily attendance +at one of my schools.] + + * * * * * + +On this property, under the same managers as Retrieve, the people state +that they are going on shamefully. "The last Sabbath but one, when we +were at service, Stephen Campbell, the book-keeper, and Edward Pulsey, +old-time constable, come round and mark all for we house, and charge for +ebery one of we family. We don't know what kind of fee dis we hab at +all; for we attorney, Mr. Tate, neber come on we property, leave all to +Mr. Comeoy. We peak to him for make bargain, him say him can't make law, +and him no make bargain till him heare what law come out in packet. Him +say dem who make bargain are fools; beside him no call up a parcel of +niggers to hold service wid me; should only get laughed at. So we know +not what for do. You are for we minister, and for we only friend; and if +you did not advise we to go on work till things settle down, we no lift +another hoe. We would left the property." Unless an arrangement is soon +entered into, I shall advise them to do so. + +James Greenheld, to New Galloway Estate, Dr. +To one week's rent of house, garden, and + ground, and to 5 ditto for his wife, Margaret + Greenfield, at 5s. per week. £1 10 0 + +J.G. states, "I come for massa. When we make bargain with Mr. McNeal, it +was a maccaroni (1s. 8d.) a day, and for we house and ground. Me is able +and willing for work, so let my wife stop home; so him charge me de same +sum for my wife, as for me own house and ground. And den last week me +sick and get no money, and they charge me over again, (as above) one +week me sick. Me no able for say what to call dat massa, me sure." + +I leave with you to make your own comments, and to do what you please +with the above. Although my chapel is £700 in debt, and my schools, one +of 180 and one of 160 scholars, are heavy, very heavy on me, I cannot do +other than advise my people to save every mite, buy an acre of land, and +by that means be independent, and job about wherever they may be wanted. + +FROM THE REV. T. BURCHELL. + +_Montego Bay, October_ 2, 1838. + +The reason why I have not written to you so long, is the intensely +anxious time we have had. I feel, however, that it is high time now to +address you; for, if our friends in England relax their efforts, my +conviction is, that freedom will be more in name than in reality, in +this slave-holding Island. There is nothing to be feared, if the noble +band of friends who have so long and so successfully struggled, will but +continue their assistance a short time longer. The planters have made a +desperate struggle, and so, I have no doubt, will the House of Assembly, +against the emancipated negroes. My firm conviction has been, and still +is, that the planters have endeavored, by the offer of the most paltry +wages, to reduce the condition of the laborer, and make him as badly off +as he was when an apprentice or a slave, that he may curse the day that +made him free. + +Though unable to conduct the usual services on Sunday the 5th August, at +the close I addressed the congregation, urging upon them the necessity +of commencing their work on the following day, whether arrangements were +made between themselves and their masters or not; as by so doing they +would put it out of the power of their opponents to say anything evil of +them. They assembled, and on Monday the 6th thousands turned out to +work, and continued to labor, unless prevented by the Manager, until +arrangements were made. + +You will remember, that prior to the 1st of August, a white man who +hired out a gang of apprentices to an estate was paid at the rate of 1s. +6d. sterling per diem for each able laborer. The apprentice received the +same when he worked for the estate on his own days, Friday and Saturday; +and whenever they were valued for the purpose of purchasing the +remaining time of their apprenticeship, the planter upon oath stated +that their services were worth at least 1s. 6. per diem to the estate, +and the apprentice had to redeem himself at that rate. + +After the 1st of August, the planters discovered, that, whilst the +properties would well afford to continue the lavish and extravagant +expenditure in managing the estates, "it would be certain ruin to the +properties, if the labourer was paid more than 71/2d. per diem. for the +1st class of labourers, 6d. the 2nd class, and 41/2d. for the 3rd +class:" and why? I know not why, unless it was because the long +oppressed negro was to put the money into his own pocket, and not his +white oppressors. This seems to have made all the difference. The above +wages were accordingly offered, and rejected with scorn; the people +feeling the greatest indignation at the atrocious attempt of their old +oppressors to grind them down now they are free, and keep them in a +state of degradation. The greatest confusion and disorder ensued; the +labourers indignant at the conduct of their masters, and the planters +enraged against the people, for presuming to think and act for +themselves. As a matter of course, the fury of the planters was directed +against half a dozen Baptist missionaries, and as many more friends and +stipendiary Magistrates; and I can assure you that the Jamaica press +equalled its most vituperative days, and came forth worthy of itself. +The Despatch, or the Old Jamaica Courant, so well known in 1832 for +advocating the burning of chapels, and the hanging of missionaries; was +quite in the shade. The pious Polypheme, the Bishop's paper, with the +Jamaica Standard of infamy and falsehood, published in this town, took +the lead, and a pretty standard it is. Let foreigners judge of Jamaica +by the Jamaica Standard of August last, and they must suppose it is an +island of savages, or a little hell. The press teemed with abuse of the +most savage nature against us, and published the most barefaced lies. +That, however, you who know the generality of the Jamaica Press, will +say is nothing new or strange; well, it is not, nor do we regard any +statements they make; for no one believes what they publish, and it is a +source of gratification to us that we have never forfeited our character +or principles in the estimation of the reflecting, the philanthropist, +or the Christian public, by meriting their approbation. + +In the mulct of this seemingly general conspiracy to defraud the laborer +of his wages by exorbitant rents, &c. Sir Lionel Smith, the Governor, +proceeds from district to district, giving advice to both of the +contending parties, and striving to promote a mutual understanding. His +testimony to the designs of the planters given to their faces, and not +denied, is very important; we give therefore one of his meetings, as the +find it reported in the Jamaica papers. Here is a rather familiar +conversation among some of the chief men of that island--where can we +expect to find more authoritative testimony? + +SIR LIONEL SMITH'S VISIT TO DUNSINANE. + +His Excellency, Sir Lionel Smith, visited Dunsinane on Thursday last, +agreeably to arrangements previously entered into, for the purpose of +addressing the late apprenticed population in that neighborhood, on the +propriety of resuming the cultivation of the soil. About two miles from +Dunsinane, his Excellency was met by a cavalcade composed of the late +apprentices, who were preceded by Messrs. Bourne, Hamilton, and Kent, +late Special Justices. On the arrival of his Excellency at Dunsinane, he +was met by the Hon. Joseph Gordon, Custos, the Lord Bishop attended by +his Secretary, and the Rev. Alexander Campbell; the Hon. Hector Mitchel, +Mayor of Kingston, and a large number of highly respectable planters, +proprietors, and attorneys. His Excellency, on being seated in the +dwelling, said, that from information which he had received from other +parishes, and facts gathered from personal observation, he believed that +the same bone of contention existed there as elsewhere--a source of +discontent brought about by the planters serving the people with notices +to quit their houses and grounds. He did not question their right to do +so, or the legality of such a proceeding, but he questioned the prudence +of the step. The great change from slavery to unrestricted freedom +surely deserved some consideration. Things cannot so soon be quiet and +calm. Depend upon it, nothing will be done by force. Much may be by +conciliation and prudence. Do away with every emblem of slavery; throw +off the Kilmarnock cap, and adopt in its stead, like rational men, +Britannia's cap of liberty. He (Sir Lionel) doubted not the right of the +planters to rent their houses and grounds; in order to be more certain +on that head, he had procured the opinion of the Attorney General; but +the exercise of the right by the planter, and getting the people to +work, were very different matters. Much difficulty must be felt in +getting rid of slavery. Even in the little island of Antigua, it had +taken six months to get matters into a quiet state; but here, in a large +country like Jamaica, could it be expected to be done in a day, and was +it because it was not done, that the planters were to be opposed to him? +You are all in arms against me (said his Excellency,) but all I ask of +you is to exercise patience, and all will be right. I have done, and am +doing all in my power for the good of my country. If you have served the +people with notices to quit, with a view to compel them to work, or +thinking to force them to work for a certain rate of wages, you have +done wrong. Coercive measures will never succeed. In Vere, which I +lately visited, the planters have agreed to give the people 1s. 8d. per +day, and to let them have their houses and grounds for three months free +of charge. His Excellency, on seeing some symptoms of disapprobation +manifested, said, Well, if you cannot afford to pay so much, pay what +you can afford; but above all, use conciliatory measures, and I have not +a doubt on my mind but that the people will go to their work. Seeing so +many planters present, he should be happy if they would come to an +arrangement among themselves, before he addressed the people outside. + +Mr. WELLWOOD HYSLOP remarked, that Vere and other rich sugar parishes +might be able to pay high rates of wages, because the land yielded +profitable crops, but in this district it was impossible to follow the +example of those parishes. He thought that two bits a day might do very +well, but that was as much as could be afforded. + +His EXCELLENCY said that in Manchester, where he believed he had more +enemies than in any other parish, he had advised them to work by the +piece, and it had been found to answer well. + +Mr. HINTON EAST said that he would submit a measure which he thought +would be approved of. He proposed that the people should be paid 5s. for +four days' labor; that if they cleaned more than 130 trees per day, +either themselves or by bringing out their wives and children, they +should be paid extra wages in the same proportion. + +Mr. ANDREW SIMPSON said that he could not afford to pay the rates named +by his Excellency. It was entirely out of the question; that a good deal +depended upon the state the fields are in--that his people, for +instance, could, with much ease, if they chose, clean 170 trees by +half-past three o'clock. + +Mr. MASON, of St. George's, said he was willing to pay his people 1s. +8d. per day, if they would but work; but the fact was that they refused +to do so, on account of the stories that had been told them by Special +Justice Fishbourne; willingly too would I have given them their houses +and grounds for three months, free of charge, had they shown a desire to +labor; but what was the lamentable fact? the people would not work, +because Mr. Fishbourne had influenced them not to do so, and he (Mr. +Mason) had been a loser of one thousand pounds in consequence. He had +been compelled in self-defence to issue summonses against two of his +people. He had purchased his property--it was his all--he had sacrificed +twenty of the best years of his life as a planter, he had a wife and +family to support, and what was the prospect before him and them? He +admitted having served notices on his people to quit their houses--in +truth he did not now care whether they were or were not located on the +property--he was willing to pay fair, nay, high wages, but the demand +was exorbitant. He had a servant, a trustworthy white man, who laboured +from day-dawn to sunset for 2s. 1d. per day, and he was quite satisfied. +All the mischief in his district had been owing to the poisonous stories +poured into the ears of the people by Special Justice Fishbourne. If he +were removed, the parish might probably assume a healthy state; if +allowed to remain, no improvement could possibly take place. + +His EXCELLENCY said that the Assembly had passed a law preventing the +special magistrates from going on the estates; they could not, however, +prevent the people from going to them, and taking their advice if they +wished it. He had understood that the people had gone to the special +magistrates, informing them that the planters demanded 3s. 4d. per week +rent for the houses and grounds, and that they had been advised, if such +were the case, that they ought to be paid higher wages. He understood +that to be a fact. + +Mr. ANDREW SIMPSON said that the people would, he had no doubt, have +worked, but for the pernicious advice of Mr. Fishbourne. He had heard +that the people had been told that the Governor did not wish them to +work, and that he would be vexed with them if they did. + +Sir LIONEL replied that he was aware that white men were going about the +country disguised as policemen, pretending to have his (Sir Lionel's) +authority, telling the people not to work. He knew well their intention +and design, he understood the trick. You are anxious (said his +Excellency) to produce a panic, to reduce the value of property, to +create dismay, in order that you may speculate, by reducing the present +value of property; but you will be disappointed, notwithstanding a press +sends forth daily abuse against me, and black-guard and contemptible +remarks against my acts. I assure you I am up to your tricks. + +Mr. ANDREW SIMPSON would be glad if his Excellency would speak +individually. There was a paper called the West Indian, and another the +Colonial Freeman. He wished to know whether his Excellency meant either +of those papers. [Some slight interruption here took place, several +gentlemen speaking at the same time.] + +His EXCELLENCY said he had not come to discuss politics, but to +endeavour to get the people to work, and it would be well for them to +turn their attention to that subject. + +Mr. SIMPSON said he had a gang who had jobbed by the acre, and had done +well, but it was unfortunate in other respects to observe the +disinclination shown by the laborers to work. He wished them to know +that they must work, and trusted that his Excellency would endeavour to +force them to labor. + +Sir LIONEL--I can't compel them to do as you would wish, nor have I the +power of forcing them to labor. The people will not suffer themselves to +be driven by means of the cart-whip. It is the policy of every man to +make the best bargain he can. I can say nothing to the people about +houses and grounds, and price of wages. I can only ask them to work. + +Mr. WILES said that the planters were anxious to come to amicable +arrangements with the people, but they were unreasonable in their +demands. The planters could not consent to be injured--they must profit +by their properties. + +Mr. MASON said, that the only bone of contention was the subject of +rent. His people were outside waiting to be satisfied on that head. He +hesitated not to say, that the proprietors were entitled to rent in +every instance where the laborer was unwilling to labor, and unless that +subject was at once settled, it would involve both parties in endless +disagreement. He was not one of those persons alluded to by his +Excellency, who circulated misrepresentations for private benefit, nor +was he aware that any one in the parish in which he lived had done so. +All that he desired was the good of the country, with which his +interests were identified. + +Sir LIONEL--I could not possibly be personal towards any gentleman +present, for I have not the honour of knowing most of you. My +observations were not confined to any particular parish, but to the +Island of Jamaica, in which the occurrences named have taken place. + +Dr. RAPKY, of St. George's--If your Excellency will only do away with a +curtain magistrate, things will go on smoothly in the parish of St. +George. This gentleman has told the people that they are entitled to the +lands occupied by them, in consequence of which the parish is now in an +unsettled state. + +Sir LIONEL--Who is the magistrate! + +Dr. RAPKY--Mr. Fishbourne. + +Sir LIONEL--I am afraid I cannot please you. The question of possession +of lands and houses has for the present been settled by the opinion of +the Attorney-General, but it is still an undetermined question at law. +There are many persons in the island who are of opinion that the +legislature had not so intended; he (Sir Lionel) was at a loss to know +what they meant; seeing, however, some members of the assembly present, +perhaps they would be disposed to give some information. + +Mr. S.J. DALLAS said, that it was the intention of the legislature that +rent should be paid. He thought it fair that 1s. 8d. per day should be +offered the people to work five days in the week, they returning one +day's labor for the houses and grounds. + +Mr. SPECIAL JUSTICE HAMILTON said that complaints had been made to him, +that in many instances where the husband and wife lived in the same +house, rent had been demanded of both. The laborers had, in consequence, +been thrown into a state of consternation and alarm, which accounted for +the unsettled state of several properties--a serious bone of contention +had in consequence been produced. He held a notice in his hand demanding +of a laborer the enormous sum of 10s. per week for house and ground. He +had seen other notices in which 6s, 8d. and 5s. had been demanded for +the same. He did not consider that the parties issuing those notices had +acted with prudence. + +Mr. HYSLOP explained--He admitted the charge, but said that the sum was +never intended to be exacted. + +Sir LIONEL said he was aware of what was going on; he had heard of it. +"It was a policy which ought no longer to be pursued." + +We have given the foregoing documents, full and ungarbled, that our +readers might fairly judge for themselves. We have not picked here a +sentence and there a sentence, but let the Governor, the Assembly, the +Missionaries, and the press tell their whole story. Let them be read, +compared, and weighed. + +We might indefinitely prolong our extracts from the West India papers to +show, not only in regard to the important island of Jamaica, but +Barbados and several other colonies, that the former masters are alone +guilty of the non-working of the emancipated, so far as they refuse to +work. But we think we have already produced proof enough to establish +the following points:-- + +1. That there was a strong predisposition on the part of the Jamaica +planters to defraud their labourers of their wages. They hoped that by +yielding, before they were driven quite to the last extremity, by the +tide of public sentiment in England, they should escape from all +philanthropic interference and surveillance, and be able to bring the +faces of their unyoked peasantry to the grindstone of inadequate wages. + +2. That the emancipated were not only peaceful in their new freedom, but +ready to grant an amnesty of all post abuses, and enter cheerfully into +the employ of their former masters for reasonable wages. That in cases +where disagreement has arisen as to the rate of daily or weekly wages, +the labourers have been ready to engage in task work, to be paid by the +piece, and have laboured so efficiently and profitably--proving a strong +disposition for industry and the acquisition of property. + +3. That in the face of this good disposition of the laborers, the +planters have, in many cases, refused to give adequate wages. + +4. That in still more numerous cases, including many in which the wages +have been apparently liberal, enormous extortion has been practiced upon +the laborer, in the form of rent demanded for his hovel and provision +patch--£20 per annum being demanded for a shanty not worth half that +money, and rent being frequently demanded from _every member_ of a +family more than should have been taken from the whole. + +5. That the negroes are able to look out for their own interest, and +have very distinct ideas of their own about the value of money and the +worth of their labour, as well as the best methods of bringing their +employers to reasonable terms. On this point we might have made a still +stronger case by quoting from the Despatch and Standard, which assert +numerous instances in which the labourers have refused to work for wages +recommended to them by the Governor, Special Magistrates, or +Missionaries, though they offered to work for 3s. 4d., 5s., or a dollar +a day. They are shown to be rare bargain-makers and not easily trapped. + +6. That the attorneys and managers have deliberately endeavoured to +raise a panic, whereby property might be depreciated to their own +advantage; showing clearly thereby, that they consider Jamaica property, +even with the laborers, irreclaimably free, a desirable investment. + +7. That in spite of all their efforts, the great body of the laborers +continue industrious, doing more work in the same time than in slavery. +_The testimony to his very important point, of the Governor and House of +Assembly, is perfectly conclusive_, as we have already said. A house +that represents the very men who, in 1832, burnt the missionary chapels, +and defied the British Parliament with the threat, that in case it +proceeded to legislate Abolition, Jamaica would attach herself to the +United States, now HOPES for the agricultural prosperity of the island! +Indeed no one in Jamaica expresses a doubt on this subject, who does not +obviously do so _for the sake of buying land to better advantage_! Were +the colony a shade _worse_ off than before Emancipation, either in fact +or in the opinion of its landholders, or of any considerable portion of +persons acquainted with it, the inevitable consequence would be a +depreciation of _real estate_. But what is the fact? said Rev. John +Clark, a Jamaica Baptist Missionary, who has visited this country since +the first of August, in a letter published in the Journal of Commerce:-- + +"The Island of Jamaica is not in the deplorable state set forth by your +correspondent.--Land is rising in value so rapidly, that what was +bought five years ago at 3 dollars per acre, is now selling for 15 +dollars; and this in the interior of the Island, in a parish not +reckoned the most healthy, and sixteen miles distant from the nearest +town. Crops are better than in the days of slavery--extra labour is +easily obtained where kindness and justice are exercised towards the +people. The hopes of proprietors are great, and larger sums are being +offered for estates than were offered previous to August, 1834, when +estates, and negroes upon them, were disposed of together." + +Again, as in Jamaica commerce rests wholly upon agriculture, _its_ +institutions can only flourish in a flourishing condition of the +latter.--What then are we to infer from an imposing prospectus which +appears in the island papers, commencing thus:-- + + "Kingston, October 26, 1838 + + Jamaica Marine, Fire, and Life Assurance Company. + + Capital £100,000, + + In 5000 shares of £20 each. + + It has been long a matter of astonishment that, in a community so + essentially mercantile as Jamaica, no Company should have been + formed for the purpose of effecting Insurance on Life and Property; + although it cannot be doubted for an instant, that not only would + such an establishment be highly useful to all classes of the + community, but that it must yield a handsome return to such persons + as may be inclined to invest their money in it," &c. + +Farther down in the prospectus we are told--"It may here be stated, +that the scheme for the formation of this Company has been mentioned to +some of the principal Merchants and _Gentlemen of the Country_, and has +met with decidedly favourable notice: and it is expected that the +shares, a large number of which have been already taken, will be rapidly +disposed of." + +The same paper, the Morning Journal, from which we make this extract, +informs us: Nov. 2d-- + +"The shares subscribed for yesterday, in the Marine Fire and Life +Insurance Company, we understand, amount to the almost unprecedented +number of One Thousand Six Hundred, with a number of applicants whose +names have not been added to the list." + +The Morning Journal of October 20th in remarking upon this project +says:-- + +"Jamaica is now happily a free country; she contains within herself the +means of becoming prosperous. Let her sons develope those resources +which Lord Belmore with so much truth declared never would be developed +_until slavery had ceased_. She has her Banks.--Give her, in addition, +her Loan Society, her Marine, Fire, and life Assurance Company, and some +others that will shortly be proposed, and capital will flow in from +other countries--property will acquire a value in the market, that will +increase with the increase of wealth, and she will yet be a flourishing +island, and her inhabitants a happy and contented people." + +Now men desperately in debt _might_ invite in foreign capital for +temporary relief, but, since the _compensation_, this is understood not +to be the case with the Jamaica planters; and if they are rushing into +speculation, it must be because they have strong _hope_ of the safety +and prosperity of their country--in other words, because they confide in +the system of free labor. This one prospectus, coupled with its prompt +success, is sufficient to prove the falsehood of all the stories so +industriously retailed among us from the Standard and the Despatch. But +speculators and large capitalists are not the only men who confide in +the success of the "great experiment." + +The following editorial notice in the Morning Journal of a recent date +speaks volumes:-- + +SAVINGS BANK. + +"We were asked not many days ago how the Savings Bank in this City was +getting on. We answered well, very well indeed. By a notification +published in our paper of Saturday, it will be seen that £1600 has been +placed in the hands of the Receiver-General. By the establishment of +these Banks, a great deal of the money now locked up, and which yields +no return whatever to the possessors, and is liable to be stolen, will +be brought into circulation. This circumstance of itself ought to +operate as a powerful inducement to those parishes in which no Banks are +yet established to be up and doing. We have got some _five_ or _six_ of +them fairly underweigh, as Jack would say, and hope the remainder will +speedily trip their anchors and follow." + +We believe banks were not known in the West Indies before the 1st of +August 1834. Says the Spanishtown Telegraph of May 1st, 1837, "_Banks, +Steam-Companies, Rail-Roads, Charity Schools_, etc., seem all to have +remained dormant until the time arrived when Jamaica was to be +_enveloped in smoke_! No man thought of hazarding his capital in an +extensive banking establishment until Jamaica's ruin, by the +introduction of freedom, had been accomplished!" And it was not till +after the 1st of August, 1838, that Jamaica had either savings banks or +savings. These institutions for the industrious classes came only with +their manhood. But why came they at all, if Emancipated industry is, or +is likely to be, unsuccessful?--In Barbados we notice the same +forwardness in founding monied institutions. A Bank is there proposed, +with a capital of £200,000. More than this, the all absorbing subject in +all the West India papers at the present moment is that of the +_currency_. Why such anxiety to provide the means of paying for labor +which is to become valueless? Why such keenness for a good circulating +medium if they are to have nothing to sell? The complaints about the old +fashioned coinage we venture to assort have since the first of August +occupied five times as much space in the colonial papers, we might +probably say in each and every one of them, as those of the non-working +of the freemen. The inference is irresistible. _The white colonists take +it for granted that industry is to thrive_. + +It may be proper to remark that the late refusal of the Jamaica +legislature to fulfil its appropriate functions has no connection with +the working of freedom, any further than it may have been a struggle to +get rid in some measure of the surveillance of the mother country in +order to coerce the labourer so far as possible by vagrant laws, &c. The +immediate pretext was the passing of a law by the imperial Parliament +for the regulation of prisons, which the House of Assembly declared a +violation of that principle of their charter which forbids the +mother-country to lay a tax on them without their consent, in as much as +it authorized a crown officer to impose a fine, in a certain case, of +£20. A large majority considered this an infringement of their +prerogatives, and among them were some members who have nobly stood up +for the slave in times of danger. The remarks of Mr. Osborn especially, +on this subject, (he is the full blooded, slave-born, African man to +whom we have already referred) are worthy of consideration in several +points of view. Although he had always been a staunch advocate of the +home government on the floor of the Assembly are now contended for the +rights of the Jamaica legislature with arguments which to us republicans +are certainly quite forcible. In a speech of some length, which appears +very creditable to him throughout, he said-- + +"Government could not be acting fair towards them to assume that the +mass of the people of this island would remain in the state of political +indifference to which poverty and slavery had reduced them. They were +now free, every man to rise as rapidly as he could; and the day was not +very distant when it would be demonstrated by the change of +representatives that would be seen in that house. It did appear to him, +that under the pretext of extending the privileges of freemen to the +mass of the people of this country, the government was about to deprive +them of those privileges, by curtailing the power of the representative +Assembly of those very people. He could not bring himself to admit, with +any regard for truth, that the late apprentices could now be oppressed; +they were quite alive to their own interests, and were now capable of +taking care of themselves. So long as labor was marketable, so long they +could resist oppression, while on the other hand, the proprietor, for +his own interest's sake, would be compelled to deal fairly with them." + +Though it is evidently all important that the same public opinion which +has wrested the whip from the master should continue to watch his +proceedings as an employer of freemen, there is much truth in the speech +of this black representative and alderman of Kingston. The brutalized +and reckless attorneys and managers, _may_ possibly succeed in driving +the negroes from the estates by exorbitant rent and low wages. They +_may_ succeed in their effort to buy in property at half its value. But +when they have effected that, they will be totally dependent for the +profits of their ill-gotten gains upon the _free laboring people_. They +may produce what they call idleness now, and a great deal of vexation +and suffering. But land is plenty, and the laborers, if thrust from the +estates, will take it up, and become still more independent. Reasonable +wages they will be able to command, and for such they are willing to +labor. The few thousand whites of Jamaica will never be able to +establish slavery, or any thing like it, over its 300,000 blacks. + +Already they are fain to swallow their prejudice against color. Mr. +Jordon, member for Kingston and "free nigger," was listened to with +respect. Nay more, his argument was copied into the "Protest" which the +legislature proudly flung back in the face of Parliament, along with the +abolition of the apprenticeship, in return for Lord Glenelg's Bill. Let +all in the United States read and ponder it who assert that "the two +races cannot live together on term of equality." + +Legislative independence of Jamaica has ever been the pride of her +English conquerors. They have received with joy the colored fellow +colonists into an equal participation of their valued liberty, and they +were prepared to rejoice at the extension of the constitution to the +emancipated blacks. But the British Government, by a great fault, if not +a crime, has, at the moment when all should have been free, torn from +the lately ascendant class, the privileges which were their birthright, +another class, now the equals of the former, the rights they had long +and fortunately struggled for, and from the emancipated blacks the +rights which they fondly expected to enjoy with their personal freedom. +The boon of earlier freedom will not compensate this most numerous part +of our population for the injustice and wrong done to the whole +Jamaica people. + +The documents already adduced are confined almost exclusively to +Jamaica. We will refer briefly to one of the other colonies. The next in +importance is + +BARBADOS + +Here has been played nearly the same game in regard to wages, and with +the same results. We are now furnished with advices from the island down +to the 19th of December 1838. At the latter date the panic making papers +had tapered down their complainings to a very faint whisper, and withal +expressing more hope than fears. As the fruit of what they had already +done we are told by one of them, _the Barbadian_, that the unfavourable +news carried home by the packets after the emancipation had served to +raise the price of sugar in England, which object being accomplished, it +is hoped that they will intermit the manufacture of such news. The first +and most important document, and indeed of itself sufficient to save the +trouble of giving more, is the comparison of crime during two and a half +months of freedom, and the corresponding two and a half months of +slavery or apprenticeship last year, submitted to the legislature at the +opening of its session in the latter part of October. Here it is. We +hope it will be held up before every slave holder. + +From the Barbadian of Dec. 1. + +Barbados.--Comparative Table, exhibiting the number of Complaints +preferred against the Apprentice population of this Colony, in the +months of August, September and to the 15th of October, 1838; together +with the Complaints charged against Free Labourers of the same Colony, +during the months of August, September and to the 15th of October, 1838. +The former compiled from the Monthly Journals of the Special Justice of +the Peace and the latter from the Returns of the Local Magistracy +transmitted to his excellency the Governor + + APPRENTICESHIP. + + Total of Complaints vs. Apprentices from the + 1st to 31st August 1837. 1708 + Ditto from the 1st to 30th September 1464 + Ditto from the 1st to 15th October 574 + + Grand Total 3746 + + Total number of Apprentices punished from the + 1st to 31st August 1608 + Ditto from 1st to 31st September 1321 + Ditto from the 1st to 15th October 561 + + Grand Total 3490 + + Total compromised, admonished and dismissed + from 1st to 31st August 105 + Ditto from the 1st to 30th September 113 + Ditto from 1st to 15th October 38 + + Total 256 + + Deficiency in compromised cases in 1837 comparatively + with those of 1838 158 + + Grand Total 414 + + FREEDOM. + + Total of Complaints vs. Labourers from the + 1st to the 31st August 1838 582 + Ditto from the 1st to the 30th September 386 + Ditto from the 1st to the 15th October 103 + + Total 1071 + + Comparative Surplus of Complaints in 1838 2675 + + Grand Total 3746 + + Total of Laborers punished from the 1st to + the 31st August, 1838, 334 + Ditto from the 1st to 30th September 270 + Ditto from the 1st to 15th October 53 + + Total 657 + + Comparative surplus of punishment in 1837 2833 + + Grand total 3490 + + Total compromised, admonished and dismissed + from the 1st to the 31st August 248 + Ditto from the 1st to 30th September 116 + Ditto from the 1st to 15th October 50 + + Grand Total 414 + + + NOTE. + + It may be proper to remark that the accompanying General Abstract + for August, September, and to the 15th October, 1837, does not + include complaints preferred and heard before the Local Magistrates + during those months for such offences--viz. for misdemeanors, petty + debts, assaults and petty thefts--as were not cognizable by the + Special Justices; so that estimating these offences--the number of + which does not appear in the Abstract for 1837--at a similar number + as that enumerated in the Abstract for 1838, the actual relative + difference of punishments between the two and a half months in 1837 + and these in 1838, would thus appear: + + + Surplus of Apprentices punished in 1837, as + above 2833 + + Offences in August, September, and to the + 15th, October, 1837 heard before the General + Justices of the Peace, and estimated as follows: + + Petty thefts 75 + Assaults 143 + Misdemeanors 98 + Petty Debts 19--835 + + Actual surplus of punishment in 1837, 3168 + + +From the Journal of Commerce. + +_Letter from W.R. Hays, Esq. Barbados, W.I. to Rev. H.G. Ludlow, of New +Haven_. + + BARBADOS, Dec. 26, 1838. + + I gave you in my last, some account of the manner in which the first + day of emancipation came and went in this island. We very soon + afterwards received similar accounts from all the neighboring + islands. In all of them the day was celebrated as an occasion "of + devout thanksgiving and praise to God, for the happy termination of + slavery." In all of them, the change took place in a manner highly + creditable to the emancipated, and intensely gratifying to the + friends of liberty. The quiet, good order, and solemnity of the day, + were every where remarkable. Indeed, is it not a fact worth + remembering, that whereas in former years, a single day's relaxation + from labor was met by the slaves with shouting and revelry, and + merry-making, yet now, when the last link of slavery was broken + forever, sobriety and decorum were especially the order of the day. + The perfect order and subordination to the laws, which marked the + first day of August, are yet unbroken. We have now nearly five + months' experience of entire emancipation; and I venture to say, + that a period of more profound peace never existed in the West + Indies. There have been disputes about wages, as in New England and + in other free countries; but no concert, no combination even, here; + and the only attempt at a combination was among the planters, to + keep down wages--and that but for a short time only. I will not + enter particularly into the questions, whether or not the people + will continue to work for wages, whether they will remain quiet,--or + on the other hand, whether the Island will be suffered to become + desolate, and the freed slaves relapse into barbarism, &c. These + things have been speculated about, and gloomy predictions have had + their day; the time has now come for the proof. People do not buy + land and houses, and rent property for long terms of years, in + countries where life is insecure, or where labor cannot be had, and + the tendency of things is to ruin and decay. In short, men, in their + senses, do not embark on board a sinking ship. Confidence is the + very soul of prosperity; of the existence of this confidence in this + Island, the immense operations in real estate, since the first of + August, are abundant proof. There are multitudes of instances in + which estates have sold for $20,000 _more_ than was asked for them + six months ago; and yet at the time they were considered very + high. A proprietor who was persuaded a few weeks since to part with + his estate for a very large sum of money, went and bought _it back + again_ at an _advance_ of $9600. A great many long leases of + property have been entered into. An estate called "Edgecombe," + mentioned by Thome and Kimball, has been rented for 21 years at + $7500 per annum. Another called the "hope" has been rented for 10 + years at £2000 sterling, equal to $9600 per annum. Another, after + being rented at a high price, was relet, by the lessee, who became + entirely absolved from the contract, and took $16,000 for his + bargain. If required, I could give you a host of similar cases, with + the names of the parties. But it seems unnecessary. The mere impulse + given to the value of property in this island by emancipation, is a + thing as notorious _here_, as the _fact_ of emancipation. + + But, are not crimes more frequent than before? I have now before me + a Barbados newspaper, printed two weeks since, in which the fact is + stated, that in _all_ the county prisons, among a population of + 80,000, only _two_ prisoners were confined for any cause whatever! + + "But," says a believer in the necessity of Colonization, "how will + you _get rid_ of the negroes?" I answer by adverting to the + spectacle which is now witnessed in _all_ the Islands of the former + proprietors of slaves, now _employers_ of _free_ laborers, using + every endeavor to _prevent_ emigration. Trinidad, Demerara, and + Berbice, _want_ laborers. The former has passed a law to pay the + passage money of any laborer who comes to the Island, leaving him + free to choose him employment. Demerara and Berbize have sent + Emigration agents to this and other islands, to induce the laborers + to join those colonies, offering high wages, good treatment, &c. On + the other hand, Barbados, Grenada, St. Vincent, and all the old and + populous islands, individually and collectively, by legislative + resolves, legal enactments, &c. &c.--loudly protest that they have + _not a man to spare_! What is still better, the old island + proprietors are on every hand building new houses for the peasantry, + and with great forethought adding to their comfort; knowing that + they will thereby secure their contentment on their native soil. As + a pleasing instance of the good understanding which now exists + between proprietors and laborers, I will mention, that great numbers + of the former were in town on the 24th, buying up pork, hams, rice, + &c. as presents for their people on the ensuing Christmas; a day + which has this year passed by amid scenes of quiet Sabbath + devotions, a striking contrast to the tumult and drunkenness of + former times. I cannot close this subject, without beating my + testimony to the correctness of the statements made by our + countrymen, Thome and Kimball. They were highly esteemed here by all + classes, and had free access to every source of valuable + information. If they have not done justice to the subject of their + book, it is because the manifold blessings of a deliverance from + slavery are beyond the powers of language to represent. When I + attempt, as I have done in this letter, to enumerate a few of the, I + know not where to begin, or where to end. One must _see_, in order + to know and feel how unspeakable a boon these islands have + received,--a boon, which is by no means confined to the emancipated + slaves; but, like the dew and rains of heaven, it fell upon all the + inhabitants of the land, bond and free, rich and poor, together. + + It is a common thing here, when you hear one speak of the benefits + of emancipation--the remark--that it ought to have taken place long + ago. Some say fifty years ago, some twenty, and some, that at any + rate it ought to have taken place all at once, without any + apprenticeship. The noon-day sun is not clearer than the fact, that + no preparation was required on the part of the slaves. It was the + dictate of an accusing conscience, that foretold of bloodshed, and + burning, and devastation. Can it be supposed to be an accidental + circumstance, that peace and good-will have _uniformly_, in _all_ + the colonies, followed the steps of emancipation. Is it not rather + the broad seal of attestation to that heaven born principle, "It is + safe to do right." Dear brother, if you or any other friend to down + trodden humanity, have any lingering fear that the blaze of light + which is now going forth from the islands will ever be quenched, + even for a moment, dismiss that fear. The light, instead of growing + dim, will continue to brighten. Your prayers for the safe and happy + introduction of freedom, upon a soil long trodden by the foot of + slavery, may be turned into praises--for the event has come to pass. + When shall we be able to rejoice in such a consummation in our + beloved America? How I long to see a deputation of slaveholders + making the tour of these islands. It would only be necessary for + them to use their eyes and ears. Argument would be quite out of + place. Even an appeal to principle--to compassion--to the fear of + God--would not be needed. Self-interest alone would decide them in + favor of immediate emancipation. + + Ever yours, + + W.R. HAYES. + +DEMERARA. + +SPEECH OF THE GOVERNOR, ON OPENING THE SESSION OF THE COURT OF POLICY, +SEPT. 17, 1838. + +From the Guiana Royal Gazette. + + "I should fail in my duty to the public, and perhaps no respond to + the expectations of yourselves, Gentlemen of the Colonial Section of + this Honorable Court, did I not say a few words on the state of the + Colony, at this our first meeting after the memorable first + of August. + + We are now approaching the close of the second month since that + date--a sufficient time to enable us to judge of the good + disposition of the new race of Freemen, but not perhaps of the + prosperity of the Colony. It is a proud thing for the + Colonist--Proprietors and Employers--that nothing has occurred to + indicate a want of good feeling in the great body of the laborers. + It is creditable to them, satisfactory to their employers, and + confounding to those who anticipated a contrary state of affairs. + + That partial changes of location should have taken place, cannot + surprise any reasonable mind--that men who have all their lives been + subject to compulsory labor should, on having this labor left to + their discretion, be disposed at first to relax, and, in some + instances, totally abstain from it, was equally to be expected. But + we have no reason to despond, nor to imagine that, because such has + occurred in some districts, it will continue. + + It is sufficient that the ignorant have been undeceived in their + exaggerated notions of their rights as Freemen: it was the first + step towards resumption of labor in every part of the Colony. The + patient forbearance of the Employers has produced great changes. If + some Estates have been disappointed in the amount of labor + performed, others again, and I have reason to believe a great + number, are doing well. It is well known that the Peasantry have not + taken to a wandering life: they are not lost to the cultivated parts + of the Colony: for the reports hitherto received from the + Superintendents of Rivers and Creeks make no mention of an augmented + population in the distant parts of their respective districts. + + I hear of few commitments, except in this town, where, of course, + many of the idle have flocked from the country. On the East Coast, + there has been only one case brought before the High Sheriff's Court + since the 1st of August. In the last Circuit, not one! + + With these facts before us, we may, I trust, anticipate the + continued prosperity of the Colony; and though it be possible there + may be a diminution in the exports of the staple commodities in this + and the succeeding quarter, yet we must take into consideration that + the season had been unfavorable, in some districts, previous to the + 1st August, therefore a larger proportion of the crops remained + uncut; and we may ask, whether a continuance of compulsory labor + would have produced a more favorable result? Our united efforts + will, I trust, not be wanting to base individual prosperity on the + welfare of all." + +The Governor of Demerara is HENRY LIGHT, Esq., a gentlemen who seems +strongly inclined to court the old slavery party and determined to shew +his want of affinity to the abolitionists. In another speech delivered +on a similar occasion, he says: + +"Many of the new freemen may still be said to be in their infancy of +freedom, and like children are wayward. On _many of the estates_ they +have repaid the kindness and forbearance of their masters; on others +they have continued to take advantage of (what? the kindness and +forbearance of their masters? No.) their new condition, are idle or +irregular in their work. The good sense of the mass gives me reason to +hope that idleness will be the exception, not the rule." + +The Barbadian of NOV. 28, remarks, that of six districts in Demerara +whose condition had been reported, _five_ were working favorably. In the +sixth the laborers were standing out for higher wages. + +TRINIDAD. + +In the _Jamaica Morning Journal_ of Oct. 2d and 15th, we find the +following paragraphs in relation to this colony: + +"Trinidad.--The reports from the various districts as to the conduct of +our laboring population, are as various and opposite, the Standard says, +to each other as it is possible for them to be. There are many of the +Estates on which the laborers had at first gone on steadily to work +which now have scarcely a hand upon them, whilst upon others they muster +a greater force than they could before command. We hear also that the +people have already in many instances exhibited that propensity common +to the habits of common life, which we call squatting, and to which we +have always looked forward as one of the evils likely to accompany their +emancipation, and calling for the earliest and most serious attention of +our Legislature. We must confess, however, that it is a subject not easy +to deal with safely and effectually." + +TRINIDAD,--The Standard says: "The state of the cultivation at present +is said to be as far advanced as could have been anticipated under the +new circumstances in which the Island stands. The weather throughout the +month has been more than usually favorable to weeding, whilst there has +also been sufficient rain to bring out the plants; and many planters +having, before the 1st of Augus, pushed on their weeding by free labor +and (paid) extra tasks, the derangement in their customary labor which +has been experienced since that period, does not leave them much below +an average progress." + +"Of the laborers, although they are far from being settled, we believe +we may say, that they are not working badly; indeed, compared with those +of the sister colonies, they are both more industrious and more disposed +to be on good terms with their late masters. Some few estates continue +short of their usual compliment of hands; but many of the laborers who +had left the proprietors, have returned to them, whilst many others have +changed their locality either to join their relations, or to return to +their haunts of former days. So far as we can learn, nothing like +insubordination or combination exists. We are also happy to say, that on +some estates, the laborers have turned their attention to their +provision grounds. There is one point, however, which few seem to +comprehend, which is, that although free, they cannot work one day and +be idle the next, _ad libitum_." + +Later accounts mention that some thousands more of laborers were wanted +to take off the crop, and that a committee of immigration had been +appointed to obtain them. [See Amos Townsend's letter on the last page.] +So it seems the free laborers are so good they want more of them. The +same is notoriously true of Demerara, and Berbice. Instead of a +colonization spirit to get rid of the free blacks, the quarrel among the +colonies is, which shall get the most. It is no wonder that the poor +negroes in Trinidad should betake themselves to squatting. The island is +thinly peopled and the administration or justice is horribly corrupt, +under the governorship and judgeship of Sir George Hill, the well known +defaulter as Vice Treasurer of Ireland, on whose appointment Mr. +O'Connell remarked that "delinquents might excuse themselves by +referring to the case of their judge." + +GRENADA. + +"GRENADA--The Gazette expresses its gratification at being able to +record, that the accounts which have been received from several parts of +the country, are of a satisfactory nature. On many of the properties the +peasantry have, during the week, evinced a disposition to resume their +several accustomed avocations, at the rates, and on the terms proposed +by the directors of the respective estates, to which they were formerly +belonging; and very little desire to change their residence has been +manifested. One of our correspondents writes, that 'already, by a +conciliatory method, and holding out the stimulus of extra pay, in +proportion to the quantity of work performed beyond that allowed to +them, he had, 'succeeded in obtaining, for three days, double the former +average of work, rendered by the labors during the days of slavery; and +this, too, by four o'clock, at which hour it seems, they are now wishful +of ceasing to work, and to enable them to do so, they work continuously +from the time they return from their breakfast.'" + +"It is one decided opinion, the paper named says, that in a very short +time the cultivation of the cane still be generally resumed, and all +things continue to progress to the mutual satisfaction of both employer +and laborer. We shall feel indebted to our friends for such information, +as it may be in their power to afford us on this important subject, as +it will tend to their advantage equally with that of their laborers, +from the same being made public. We would wish also that permission be +given as to mention the names of the properties on which matters have +assumed a favorable aspect." + +_Jamaica Morning Journal of Oct. 2_. + +GRENADA.--According to the _Free Press_, it would appear that 'the +proprietors and managers of several estates in Duquesne Valley, and +elsewhere, their patience being worn out, and seeing the cultivation of +their estates going to ruin, determined to put the law into operation, +by compelling, after allowing twenty-three or twenty-four days of +idleness, the people either to work or to leave the estates. They +resisted; the aid of the magistrates and of the constabulary force was +called in, but without effect, and actual violence was, we learn, used +towards those who came to enforce the law. Advices were immediately sent +down to the Executive, despatched by a gentleman of the Troop, who +reached town about half past five o'clock on Saturday morning last. We +believe a Privy Council was summoned, and during the day, Capt. Clarke +of the 1st West-India Regiment, and Government Secretary, Lieut. Mould +of the Royal Engineers, and Lieut. Costabodie of the 70th, together with +twenty men of the 70th, and 20 of the 1st West India, embarked, to be +conveyed by water to the scene of insubordination.' + +"'We have not learnt the reception this force met with, from the +laborers, but the results of the visit paid them were, that yesterday, +there were at work, on four estates, none: on eleven others, 287 in all, +and on another all except three, who are in the hands of the +magistrates. On one of the above properties, the great gang was, on +Friday last, represented in the cane-piece by one old woman!'" + +"'The presence of the soldiers has had, it will be seen, some effect, +yet still the prospects are far from encouraging; a system of stock +plundering, &c. is prevalent to a fearful degree, some gentlemen and the +industrious laborers having had their fowls, &c. entirely carried off by +the worthless criminals; it is consolatory, however, to be able to quote +the following written, to us by a gentleman: "Although there are a good +many people on the different estates, still obstinate and resisting +either to work or to leave the properties, yet I hope that if the +military are posted at Samaritan for some time longer, they will come +round, several of the very obstinate having done so already." Two +negroes were sent down to goal on Monday last, to have their trial for +assaulting the magistrates.'" + +"'Such are the facts, as far as we have been able to ascertain them, +which have attended a rebellious demonstration among a portion of the +laboring population, calculated to excite well-founded apprehension in +the whole community. Had earlier preventive measures been adopted, this +open manifestation of a spirit of resistance to, and defiance of the +law, might have been avoided. On this point, we have, in contempt of the +time-serving reflections it has drawn upon us, freely and fearlessly +expressed our opinion, and we shall now only remark, that matters having +come to the pass we have stated, the Executive has adopted the only +effective means to bring affairs again to a healthy state; fortunate is +it for the colony, that this has been done, and we trust that the +effects will be most beneficial.'" + +TOBAGO. + +The following testifies well for the ability of the emancipated to take +care of themselves. + +"'Tobago.--The Gazette of this Island informs us that up to the period +of its going to press, the accounts from the country, as to the +disinclination of the laborers to turn out to work are much the same as +we have given of last week. Early this morning parties of them were seen +passing through town in various directions, accompanied by their +children, and carrying along with them their ground provisions, stock, +&c. indicating a change of location. Whilst on many estates where +peremptory demands have been made that work be resumed, or the laborers +should leave the estate, downright refusal to do either the one or the +other has been the reply; and that reply has been accompanied by threat +and menace of personal violence against any attempts to turn them out of +their houses and grounds. In the transition of the laborers from a state +of bondage to freedom, much that in their manners and deportment would +have brought them summarily under the coercion of the stipendiary +magistrate, formerly, may now be practised with impunity; and the fear +is lest that nice discrimination betwixt restraints just terminated and +rights newly acquired, will not be clouded for some time, even in the +minds of the authorities, before whom laborers are likely to be brought +for their transgression. Thus, although it may appear like an alarming +confederacy, the system of sending delegates, or head men, around the +estates, which the laborers have adopted, as advisers, or agents, to +promote general unanimity; it must be borne in mind that this is +perfectly justifiable; and it is only where actual violence has been +threatened by those delegates against those who choose to work at under +wages, that the authorities can merely assure them of their protection +from violence.'--_Morning Jour., Oct. 2._" + +The _Barbadian_ of November 21, says, "An agricultural report has been +lately made of the windward district of the Island, which is favorable +as to the general working of the negroes." The same paper of November +28, says, "It is satisfactory to learn that _many_ laborers in Tobago +are engaging more readily in agricultural operations." + +ST. VINCENT. + +"Saint Vincent.--Our intelligence this week, observes the Gazette of +25th August, from the country districts, is considerably more favorable +than for the previous fortnight. In most of the leeward quarter, the +people have, more or less, returned to work, with the exception of very +few estates, which we decline naming, as we trust that on these also +they will resume their labor in a few days. The same may be said +generally of the properties in St. George's parish; and in the more +extensive district of Charlotte, there is every prospect that the same +example will be followed next week particularly in the Caraib country, +where a few laborers on some properties have been at work during the +present week, and the explanation and advice given them by Mr. Special +Justice Ross has been attended with the best effect, and we doubt not +will so continue. In the Biabou quarter the laborers have resumed work +in greater numbers than in other parts of the parish, and the exceptions +in this, as in ether districts, we hope will continue but a short time." + +The Barbadian of November 21, speaks of a "megass house" set on fire in +this island which the peasantry refused to extinguish, and adds that but +half work is performed by the laborer in that parish. "Those of the +adjoining parish," its says, "are said to be working satisfactorily." In +a subsequent paper we notice a report from the Chief of Police to the +Lieutenant Governor, which speaks favorably of the general working of +the negroes, as far as he had been able to ascertain by inquiry into a +district comprising one-third of the laborers. + +The New York Commercial Advertiser of February 25, has a communication +from Amos Townsend, Esq., Cashier of the New Haven Bank; dated New +Haven, February 21, 1839, from which we make the following extract. He +says he obtained his information from one of the most extensive shipping +houses in that city connected with the West India trade. + + "A Mr. Jackson, a planter from St. Vincents, has been in this city + within a few day, and says that the emancipation of the slaves on + that island works extremely well; and that his plantation produces + more and yields a larger profit than it has ever done before. The + emancipated slaves now do in eight hours what was before considered + a two-days' task, and he pays the laborers a dollar a day. + + Mr. Jackson further states that he, and Mr. Nelson, of Trinidad, + with another gentleman from the same islands, have been to + Washington, and conferred with Mr. Calhoun and Mr. Clay, _to + endeavour to concert some plan to get colored laborers from this + country to emigrate to these islands, as there is a great want of + hands._ They offer one dollar a day for able bodied hands. The + gentlemen at Washington were pleased with the idea of thus disposing + of the free blacks at the South, and would encourage their efforts + to induce that class of the colored people to emigrate. Mr. Calhoun + remarked that it was the most feasible plan of colonizing the free + blacks that had ever been suggested. + + This is the amount of my information, and comes in so direct a + channel as leaves no room to doubt its correctness. What our + southern champions will now say to this direct testimony from their + brother planters of the West Indies, of the practicability and + safety of immediate emancipation, remains to be seen. Truly yours." + AMOS TOWNSEND, JUN. + +ST. LUCIA. + +Saint Lucia.--The Palladium states that affairs are becoming worse every +day with the planters. Their properties are left without labourers to +work them; their buildings broken into, stores and produce stolen, +ground provisions destroyed, stock robbed, and they themselves insulted +and laughed at. + +On Saturday night, the Commissary of Police arrived in town from the +third and fourth districts, with some twenty or thirty prisoners, who +had been convicted before the Chief Justice of having assaulted the +police in the execution of their duty, and sent to gaol. + +"It has been deemed necessary to call for military aid with a view of +humbling the high and extravagant ideas entertained by the +ex-apprentices upon the independence of their present condition; +thirty-six men of the first West India regiment, and twelve of the +seventy-fourth have been accordingly despatched; the detachment embarked +yesterday on board Mr. Muter's schooner, the Louisa, to land at +Soufriere, and march into the interior." + +In both the above cases where the military was called out, the +provocation was given by the white. And in both cases it was afterwards +granted to be needless. Indeed, in the quelling of one of these +factitious rebellions, the prisoners taken were two white men, and one +of them a manager. + + * * * * * + + + + +THE +CHATTEL PRINCIPLE + +THE ABHORRENCE OF +JESUS CHRIST AND THE APOSTLES; +OR +NO REFUGE FOR AMERICAN SLAVERY + +IN + +THE NEW TESTAMENT. + +NEW YORK +PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY. +NO. 143 NASSAU STREET. +1839 + +_Please read and circulate._ + +The + +NEW TESTAMENT AGAINST SLAVERY. + + * * * * * + +"THE SON OF MAN IS COME TO SEEK AND TO SAVE THAT WHICH WAS LOST." + +Is Jesus Christ in favor of American slavery? In 1776 THOMAS JEFFERSON, +supported by a noble band of patriots and surrounded by the American +people, opened his lips in the authoritative declaration: "We hold these +truths to be SELF-EVIDENT, _that all men are created equal; that they +are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among +these are life, LIBERTY and the pursuit of happiness._" And from the +inmost heart of the multitudes around, and in a strong and clear voice, +broke forth the unanimous and decisive answer: Amen--such truths we do +indeed hold to be self-evident. And animated and sustained by a +declaration, so inspiring and sublime, they rushed to arms, and as the +result of agonizing efforts and dreadful sufferings, achieved under God +the independence of their country. The great truth, whence they derived +light and strength to assert and defend their rights, they made the +foundation of their republic. And in the midst of _this republic_, must +we prove, that He, who was the Truth, did not contradict "the truths" +which He Himself, as their Creator, had made self-evident to mankind? + +Is Jesus Christ in favor of American slavery? What, according to those +laws which make it what it is, is American slavery? In the Statute-Book +of South Carolina thus it is written:[A] "Slaves shall be deemed, sold, +taken, reputed and adjudged in law to be _chattels personal_ in the +hands of their owners and possessors, and their executors, +administrators and assigns, to all intents, constructions and purposes +whatever." The very root of American slavery consists in the assumption, +that _law has reduced men to chattels_. But this assumption is, and must +be, a gross falsehood. Men and cattle are separated from each other by +the Creator, immutably, eternally, and by an impassable gulf. To +confound or identify men and cattle must be to _lie_ most wantonly, +impudently, and maliciously. And must we prove, that Jesus Christ is not +in favor of palpable, monstrous falsehood? + +[Footnote A: Stroud's Slave Laws, p. 23.] + +Is Jesus Christ in favor of American slavery? How can a system, built +upon a stout and impudent denial of self-evident truth--a system of +treating men like cattle--operate? Thomas Jefferson shall answer. Hear +him.[B] "The whole commerce between master and slave is a perpetual +exercise of the most boisterous passions; the most unremitting despotism +on the one part, and degrading submission on the other. The parent +storms, the child looks on, catches the lineaments of wrath, puts on the +same airs in the circle of smaller slaves, gives loose to his worst +passions, and thus nursed, educated, and daily exercised in tyranny, can +not but be stamped by it with odious peculiarities. The man must be a +prodigy, who can retain his manners and morals undepraved by such +circumstances." Such is the practical operation of a system, which puts +men and cattle into the same family and treats them alike. And must we +prove, that Jesus Christ is not in favor of a school where the worst +vices in their most hateful forms are systematically and efficiently +taught and practiced? + +[Footnote B: Notes on Virginia.] + +Is Jesus Christ in favor of American slavery? What, in 1818, did the +General Assembly of the Presbyterian church affirm respecting its nature +and operation?[C] "Slavery creates a paradox in the moral system--it +exhibits rational, accountable, and immortal beings, in such +circumstances as scarcely to leave them the power of moral action. It +exhibits them as dependent on the will of others, whether they shall +receive religious instruction; whether they shall know and worship the +true God; whether they shall enjoy the ordinances of the gospel; whether +they shall perform the duties and cherish the endearments of husbands +and wives, parents and children, neighbors and friends; whether they +shall preserve their chastity and purity, or regard the dictates of +justice and humanity. Such are some of the consequences of slavery; +consequences not imaginary, but which connect themselves with its very +existence. The evils to which the slave is _always_ exposed, _often take +place_ in their very worst degree and form; and where all of them do not +take place, still the slave is deprived of his natural rights, degraded +as a human being, and exposed to the danger of passing into the hands of +a master who may inflict upon him all the hardships and injuries which +inhumanity and avarice may suggest." Must we prove, that Jesus Christ is +not in favor of such things? + +[Footnote C: Minutes of the General Assembly for 1818, p. 29.] + +Is Jesus Christ in favor of American slavery? It is already widely felt +and openly acknowledged at the South, that they can not support slavery +without sustaining the opposition of universal christendom. And Thomas +Jefferson declared, that "he trembled for his country when he reflected, +that God is just; that his justice can not sleep forever; that +considering numbers, nature, and natural means only, a revolution of the +wheel of fortune, an exchange of situation, is among possible events; +that it may become practicable by supernatural influences! The Almighty +has no attribute which can take sides with us in such a contest."[A] And +must we prove, that Jesus Christ is not in favor of what universal +christendom is impelled to abhor, denounce, and oppose;--is not in favor +of what every attribute of Almighty God is armed against? + +[Footnote A: Notes on Virginia] + +"YE HAVE DESPISED THE POOR." + +It is no man of straw, with whom in making out such proof we are called +to contend. Would to God we had no other antagonist! Would to God that +our labor of love could be regarded as a work of supererogation! But we +may well be ashamed and grieved; to find it necessary to "stop the +mouths" of grave and learned ecclesiastics, who from the heights of Zion +have undertaken to defend the institution of slavery. We speak not now +of those, who amidst the monuments of oppression are engaged in the +sacred vocation; who as ministers of the Gospel can "prophesy smooth +things" to such as pollute the altar of Jehovah with human sacrifices; +nay, who themselves bind the victim and kindle the sacrifice. That +_they_ should put their Savior to the torture, to wring from his lips +something in favor of slavery, is not to be wondered at. They consent to +the murder of the children; can they respect the rights of the Father? +But what shall we say of theological professors at the North--professors +of sacred literature at our oldest divinity schools--who stand up to +defend, both by argument and authority, southern slavery! And from the +Bible! Who, Balaam-like, try a thousand expedients to force from the +mouth of Jehovah a sentence which they know the heart of Jehovah abhors! +Surely we have here something more mischievous and formidable than a man +of straw. More than two years ago, and just before the meeting of the +General Assembly of the Presbyterian church, appeared an article in the +Biblical Repertory,[A] understood to be from the pen of the Professor of +Sacred Literature at Princeton, in which an effort is made to show, that +slavery, whatever may be said of _any abuses_ of it, is _not a violation +of the precepts of the Gospel_. This article, we are informed, was +industriously and extensively distributed among the members of the +General Assembly--a body of men, who by a frightful majority seemed +already too much disposed to wink at the horrors of slavery. The effect +of the Princeton Apology on the southern mind, we have high authority +for saying, has been most decisive and injurious. It has contributed +greatly to turn the public eye off from the sin--from the inherent and +necessary _evils of slavery_ to incidental evils, which the _abuse_ of +it might be expected to occasion. And how few can be brought to admit, +that whatever abuses may prevail nobody knows where or how, any such +thing is chargeable upon them! Thus our Princeton prophet has done what +he could to lay the southern conscience asleep upon ingenious +perversions of the sacred volume! + +[Footnote A: For April, 1836. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian +Church met in the following May, at Pittsburgh, where, in pamphlet form, +this article was distributed. The following appeared upon the +title page: + + PITTSBURGH: + 1836. +_For gratuitous distribution_. +] + +About a year after this, an effort in the same direction was jointly +made by Dr. Fisk and Prof. Stuart. In a letter to a Methodist clergyman, +Mr. Merritt, published in Zion's Herald, Dr. Fisk gives utterance to +such things as the following:--"But that you and the public may see and +_feel_, that you have the ablest and those who are among the honestest +men of this age, arrayed against you, be pleased to notice the following +letter from Prof. Stuart." I wrote to him, knowing as I did his integrity +of purpose, his unflinching regard for truth, as well as his deserved +reputation as a scholar and biblical critic, proposing the following +questions:-- + +1. Does the New Testament directly or indirectly teach, that slavery +existed in the primitive church? + +2. In 1 Tim. vi. 2, And they that have believing masters, &c., what is +the relation expressed or implied between "they" (servants) and +"_believing masters_?" And what are your reasons for the construction of +the passage? + +3. What was the character of ancient and eastern slavery?--Especially +what (legal) power did this relation give the master over the slave? + +PROFESSOR STUART'S REPLY. + + ANDOVER, 10th April, 1837. + + REV. AND DEAR SIR,--Yours is before me. A sickness of three months' + standing (typhus fever,) in which I have just escaped death, and + which still confines me to my house, renders it impossible for me to + answer your letter at large. + + 1. The precepts of the New Testament respecting the demeanor of + slaves and of their masters, beyond all question, recognize the + existence of slavery. The masters are in part "believing masters," + so that a precept to them, how they are to behave as _masters_, + recognizes that the relation may still exist, _salva fide et salva + ecclesia_, ("without violating the Christian faith or the church.") + Otherwise, Paul had nothing to do but to cut the band asunder at + once. He could not lawfully and properly temporize with a _malum in + se_, ("that which is in itself sin.") + + If any one doubts, let him take the case of Paul's sending Onesimus + back to Philemon, with an apology for his running away, and sending + him back to be his servant for life. The relation did exist, may + exist. The _abuse_ of it is the essential and fundamental wrong. Not + that the theory of slavery is in itself right. No; "Love thy + neighbor as thyself," "Do unto others that which ye would that + others should do unto you," decide against this. But the relation + once constituted and continued, is not such a _malum in se_ as calls + for immediate and violent disruption at all hazards. So Paul did + not counsel. + + 2. 1 Tim. vi. 2, expresses the sentiment, that slaves, who are + Christians and have Christian masters, are not, on that account, and + because _as Christians they are brethren_, to forego the reverence + due to them as masters. That is, the relation of master and slave is + not, as a matter of course, abrogated between all Christians. Nay, + servants should in such a case, a _fortiori_, do their duty + cheerfully. This sentiment lies on the very face of the case. What + the master's duty in such a case may be in respect to _liberation_, + is another question, and one which the apostle does not here + treat of. + + 3. Every one knows, who is acquainted with Greek or Latin + antiquities, that slavery among heathen nations has ever been more + unqualified and at looser ends than among Christian nations. Slaves + were _property_ in Greece and Rome. That decides all questions about + their _relation_. Their treatment depended, as it does now, on the + temper of their masters. The power of the master over the slave was, + for a long time, that of _life and death_. Horrible cruelties at + length mitigated it. In the apostle's day, it was at least as great + as among us. + + After all the spouting and vehemence on this subject, which have + been exhibited, the _good old Book_ remains the same. Paul's conduct + and advice are still safe guides. Paul knew well that Christianity + would ultimately destroy slavery, as it certainly will. He knew too, + that it would destroy monarchy and aristocracy from the earth; for + it is fundamentally a doctrine of _true liberty and equality_. Yet + Paul did not expect slavery or anarchy to be ousted in a day; and + gave precepts to Christians respecting their demeanor _ad interim_. + + With sincere and paternal regard, + + Your friend and brother, + + M. STUART. + + * * * * * + + --This, sir, is doctrine that will stand, because it is _Bible + doctrine_. The abolitionists, then, are on a wrong course. They have + traveled out of the record; and if they would succeed, they must + take a different position, and approach the subject in a different + manner. Respectfully yours, + + W. FISK + +"SO THEY WRAP [SNARL] IT UP." + +What are we taught here? That in the ecclesiastical organizations which +grew up under the hands of the apostles, slavery was admitted as a +relation, that did not violate the Christian faith; that the relation +may now in like manner exist; that "the abuse of it is the essential and +fundamental wrong;" and, of course, that American Christians may hold +their own brethren in slavery without incurring guilt or inflicting +injury. Thus according to Prof. Stuart, Jesus Christ has not a word to +say against "the peculiar institutions" of the South. If our brethren +there do not "abuse" the privilege of exacting unpaid labor, they may +multiply their slaves to their hearts' content, without exposing +themselves to the frown of the Savior or laying their Christian +character open to the least suspicion. Could any trafficker in human +flesh ask for greater latitude? And to such doctrines, Dr. Fisk eagerly +aid earnestly subscribes. He goes further. He urges it on the attention +of his brethren, as containing important truth, which they ought to +embrace. According to him, it is "_Bible doctrine_," showing, that "the +abolitionists are on a wrong course," and must, "if they would succeed, +take a different position." + +We now refer to such distinguished names, to show, that in attempting to +prove that Jeans Christ is not in favor of American slavery, we contend +with something else than a man of straw. The ungrateful task, which a +particular examination of Prof. Stuart's letter lays upon us, we hope +fairly to dispose of in due season.--Enough has now been said, to make +it clear and certain, that American slavery has its apologists and +advocates in the northern pulpit; advocates and apologists, who fall +behind few if any of their brethren in the reputation they have +acquired, the stations they occupy, and the general influence they are +supposed to exert. + +Is it so? Did slavery exist in Judea, and among the Jews, in its worst +form, during the Savior's incarnation? If the Jews held slaves, they +must have done so in open and flagrant violation of the letter and the +spirit of the Mosaic Dispensation. Whoever has any doubts of this may +well resolve his doubts in the light of the Argument entitled "The Bible +against Slavery." If, after a careful and thorough examination of that +article, he can believe that slaveholding prevailed during the ministry +of Jesus Christ among the Jews and in accordance with the authority of +Moses, he would do the reading public an important service to record the +grounds of his belief--especially in a fair and full refutation of that +Argument. Till that is done, we hold ourselves excused from attempting +to prove what we now repeat, that if the Jews during our Savior's +incarnation held slaves, they must have done so in open and flagrant +violation of the letter and the spirit of the Mosaic Dispensation. Could +Christ and the Apostles every where among their countrymen come in +contact with slaveholding, being as it was a gross violation of that law +which their office and their profession required them to honor and +enforce, without exposing and condemning it. + +In its worst forms, we are told, slavery prevailed over the whole world, +not excepting Judea. As, according to such ecclesiastics as Stuart, +Hodge, and Fisk, slavery in itself is not bad at all, the term "_worst_" +could be applied only to "_abuses_" of this innocent relation. Slavery +accordingly existed among the Jews, disfigured and disgraced by the +"worst abuses" to which it is liable. These abuses in the ancient world, +Prof. Stuart describes as "horrible cruelties." And in our own country, +such abuses have grown so rank, as to lead a distinguished +eye-witness--no less a philosopher and statesman than Thomas +Jefferson--to say, that they had armed against us every attribute of the +Almighty. With these things the Savior every where came in contact, +among the people to whose improvement and salvation he devoted his +living powers, and yet not a word, not a syllable, in exposure and +condemnation of such "horrible cruelties," escaped his lips! He +saw--among the "covenant people" of Jehovah he saw, the babe plucked +from the bosom of its mother; the wife torn from the embrace of her +husband; the daughter driven to the market by the scourge of her own +father;--he saw the word of God sealed up from those who, of all men, +were especially entitled to its enlightening, quickening +influence;--nay, he saw men beaten for kneeling before the throne of +heavenly mercy;--such things he saw without a word of admonition or +reproof! No sympathy with them who suffered wrong--no indignation at +them who inflicted wrong, moved his heart! + +From the alledged silence of the Savior, when in contact with slavery +among the Jews, our divines infer, that it is quite consistent with +Christianity. And they affirm, that he saw it in its worst forms; that +is, he witnessed what Prof. Stuart ventures to call "horrible +cruelties." But what right have these interpreters of the sacred volume +to regard any form of slavery which the Savior found, as "worst," or +even bad? According to their inference--which they would thrust gag-wise +into the mouths of abolitionists--his silence should seal up their lips. +They ought to hold their tongues. They have no right to call any form of +slavery bad--an abuse; much less, horribly cruel! Their inference is +broad enough to protect the most brutal driver amidst his deadliest +inflictions! + +"THINK NOT THAT I AM COME TO DESTROY THE LAW OR THE PROPHETS; I AM NOT +COME TO DESTROY, BUT TO FULFILL." + +And did the Head of the new dispensation, then, fall so far behind the +prophets of the old in a hearty and effective regard for suffering +humanity? The forms of oppression which they witnessed, excited their +compassion and aroused their indignation. In terms the most pointed and +powerful, they exposed, denounced, threatened. They could not endure the +creatures, who "used their neighbors' service without wages, and gave +him not for his work;"[A] who imposed "heavy burdens"[B] upon their +fellows, and loaded them with "the bands of wickedness;" who, "hiding +themselves from their own flesh," disowned their own mothers' children. +Professions of piety, joined with the oppression of the poor, they held +up to universal scorn and execration, as the dregs of hypocrisy. They +warned the creature of such professions, that he could escape the wrath +of Jehovah only by heartfelt repentance. And yet, according to the +ecclesiastics with whom we have to do, the Lord of these prophets passed +by in silence just such enormities as he commanded them to expose and +denounce! Every where, he came in contact with slavery in its worst +forms--"horrible cruelties" forced themselves upon his notice; but not a +word of rebuke or warning did he utter. He saw "a boy given for a +harlot, and a girl sold for wine, that they might drink,"[C] without the +slightest feeling of displeasure, or any mark of disapprobation! To such +disgusting and horrible conclusions, do the arguings which, from the +haunts of sacred literature, are inflictcd on our churches, lead us! +According to them, Jesus Christ, instead of shining as the light of the +world, extinguished the torches which his own prophets had kindled, and +plunged mankind into the palpable darkness of a starless midnight! O +Savior, in pity to thy suffering people, let thy temple be no longer +used as a "den of thieves!" + +[Footnote A: Jeremiah xxii. 13.] + +[Footnote B: Isaiah lviii. 6,7.] + +[Footnote C: Joel iii. 3.] + +"THOU THOUGHTEST THAT I WAS ALTOGETHER SUCH AN ONE AS THYSELF." + +In passing by the worst forms of slavery, with which he every where came +in contact among the Jews, the Savior must have been inconsistent with +himself. He was commissioned to preach glad tidings to the poor; to heal +the broken-hearted; to preach deliverance to the captives; to set at +liberty them that are bruised; to preach the year of Jubilee. In +accordance with this commission, he bound himself, from the earliest +date of his incarnation, to the poor, by the strongest ties; himself +"had not where to lay his head;" he exposed himself to misrepresentation +and abuse for his affectionate intercourse with the outcasts of society; +he stood up as the advocate of the widow, denouncing and dooming the +heartless ecclesiastics, who had made her bereavement a source of gain; +and in describing the scenes of the final judgment, he selected the very +personification of poverty, disease, and oppression, as the test by +which our regard for him should be determined. To the poor and wretched; +to the degraded and despised, his arms were ever open. They had his +tenderest sympathies. They had his warmest love. His heart's blood he +poured out upon the ground for the human family, reduced to the deepest +degradation, and exposed to the heaviest inflictions, as the slaves of +the grand usurper. And yet, according to our ecclesiastics, that class +of sufferers who had been reduced immeasurably below every other shape +and form of degradation and distress; who had been most rudely thrust +out of the family of Adam, and forced to herd with swine; who, without +the slightest offense, had been made the foot-stool of the worst +criminals; whose "tears were their meat night and day," while, under +nameless insults and killing injuries, they were continually crying, O +Lord, O Lord:--this class of sufferers, and this alone, our biblical +expositors, occupying the high places of sacred literature, would make +us believe the compassionate Savior coldly overlooked. Not an emotion of +pity; not a look of sympathy; not a word of consolation, did his +gracious heart prompt him to bestow upon them! He denounces damnation +upon the devourer of the widow's house. But the monster, whose trade it +is to make widows and devour them and their babes, he can calmly endure! +O Savior, when wilt thou stop the mouths of such blasphemers! + +IT IS THE SPIRIT THAT QUICKENETH. + +It seems, that though, according to our Princeton professor, "the +subject" of slavery "is hardly alluded to by Christ in any of his +personal instructions[A]," he had a way of "treating it." What was that? +Why, "he taught the true nature, DIGNITY, EQUALITY, and destiny of men," +and "inculcated the principles of justice and love."[B] And according to +Professor Stuart, the maxims which our Savior furnished, "decide +against" "the theory of slavery." All, then, that these ecclesiastical +apologists for slavery can make of the Savior's alledged silence is, +that he did not, in his personal instructions, "_apply his own principles +to this particular form of wickedness_." For wicked that must be, which +the maxims of the Savior decide against, and which our Princeton +professor assures us the principles of the gospel, duly acted on, would +speedily extinguish[C]. How remarkable it is, that a teacher should +"hardly allude to a subject in any of his personal instructions," and +yet inculcate principles which have a direct and vital bearing upon +it!--should so conduct, as to justify the inference, that "slaveholding +is not a crime[D]," and at the same time lend his authority for its +"speedy extinction!" + +[Footnote A: Pittsburgh pamphlet, (already alluded to,)p.9.] + +[Footnote B: Pittsburgh pamphlet, p.9.] + +[Footnote C: The same, p.34.] + +[Footnote D: The same, p.13.] + +Higher authority than sustains _self-evident truths_ there can not be. +As forms of reason, they are rays from the face of Jehovah. Not only are +their presence and power self-manifested, but they also shed a strong +and clear light around them. In this light, other truths are visible. +Luminaries themselves, it is their office to enlighten. To their +authority, in every department of thought, the sane mind bows promptly, +gratefully, fully. And by their authority, he explains, proves, and +disposes of whatever engages his attention and engrosses his powers as a +reasonable and reasoning creature. For what, when thus employed and when +most successful, is the utmost he can accomplish? Why, to make the +conclusions which he would establish and commend, _clear in the light of +reason_;--in other words, to evince that _they are reasonable_. He +expects, that those with whom he has to do, will acknowledge the +authority of principle--will see whatever is exhibited in the light of +reason. If they require him to go further, and, in order to convince +them, to do something more that show that the doctrines he maintains, +and the methods he proposes, are accordant with reason--are illustrated +and supported by "self-evident truths"--they are plainly "beside +themselves." They have lost the use of reason. They are not to be argued +with. They belong to the mad-house. + +"COME NOW, LET US REASON TOGETHER, SAITH THE LORD." + +Are we to honor the Bible, which Prof. Stuart quaintly calls "the good +old book," by turning away from "self-evident truths" to receive its +instructions? Can these truths be contradicted or denied there? Do we +search for something there to obscure their clearness, or break their +force, or reduce their authority? Do we long to find something there, in +the form of premises or conclusions, of arguing or of inference, in +broad statements or blind hints, creed-wise or fact-wise, which may set +us free from the light and power of first principles? And what if we +were to discover what we were thus in search of?--something directly or +indirectly, expressly or impliedly prejudicial to the principles, which +reason, placing us under the authority of, makes self-evident? In what +estimation, in that case, should we be constrained to hold the Bible? +Could we longer honor it, as the book of God? _The book of God opposed +to the authority of_ REASON! Why, before what tribunal do we dispose of +the claims of the sacred volume to divine authority? The tribunal of +reason. _This every one acknowledges the moment he begins to reason on +the subject_. And what must reason do with a book, which reduced the +authority of its own principles--broke the force of self-evident truths? +Is he not, by way of eminence, the apostle of infidelity, who, as a +minister of the gospel or a professor of sacred literature, exerts +himself, with whatever arts of ingenuity or show of piety, to exalt the +Bible at the expense of reason? Let such arts succeed and such piety +prevail, and Jesus Christ is "crucified afresh and put to an +open shame." + +What saith the Princeton professor? Why, in spite of "general +principles," and "clear as we may think the arguments against DESPOTISM, +there have been thousands of ENLIGHTENED _and good men_, who _honestly_ +believe it to be of all forms of government the best and most acceptable +to God."[A] Now, these "good men" must have been thus warmly in favor of +despotism, in consequence of, or in opposition to, their being +"enlightened." In other words, the light, which in such abundance they +enjoyed, conducted them to the position in favor of despotism, where the +Princeton professor so heartily shook hands with them, or they must have +forced their way there in despite of its hallowed influence. Either in +accordance with, or in resistance to the light, they became what he +found them--the advocates of despotism. If in resistance to the +light--and he says they were "enlightened men"--what, so far as the +subject with which alone he and we are now concerned, becomes of their +"honesty" and "goodness?" Good and honest resisters of the light, which +was freely poured around them! Of such, what says Professor Stuart's +"good old Book?" Their authority, where "general principles" command the +least respect, must be small indeed. But if in accordance with the +light, they have become the advocates of despotism, then is despotism +"the best form of government and most acceptable to God." It is +sustained by the authority of reason, by the word of Jehovah, by the +will of Heaven! If this be the doctrine which prevails at certain +theological seminaries, it must be easy to account for the spirit which +they breathe, and the general influence which they exert. Why did not +the Princeton professor place this "general principle" as a shield, +heaven-wrought and reason-approved, over that cherished form of +despotism which prevails among the churches of the South, and leave the +"peculiar institutions" he is so forward to defend, under its +protection? + +[Footnote A: Pittsburgh pamphlet, p.12.] + +What is the "general principle" to which, whatever may become of +despotism with its "honest" admirers and "enlightened" supporters, human +governments should be universally and carefully adjusted? Clearly +this--_that as capable of, man is entitled to, self-government_. And +this is a specific form of a still more general principle, which may +well be pronounced self-evident--_that every thing should be treated +according to its nature_. The mind that can doubt of this, must be +incapable of rational conviction. Man, then,--it is the dictate of +reason, it is the voice of Jehovah--must be treated _as a man_. What is +he? What are his distinctive attributes? The Creator impressed his own +image on him. In this were found the grand peculiarities of his +character. Here shone his glory. Here REASON manifests its laws. Here +the WILL puts forth its volitions. Here is the crown of IMMORTALITY. Why +such endowments? Thus furnished--the image of Jehovah--is he not capable +of self-government? And is he not to be so treated? _Within the sphere +where the laws of reason place him_, may he not act according to his +choice--carry out his own volitions?--may he not enjoy life, exult in +freedom and pursue as he will the path of blessedness? If not, why was +he so created and endowed? Why the mysterious, awful attribute of will? +To be a source, profound as the depths of hell, of exquisite misery, of +keen anguish, of insufferable torment! Was man formed "according to the +image of Jehovah," to be crossed, thwarted, counteracted; to be forced +in upon himself; to be the sport of endless contradictions; to be driven +back and forth forever between mutually repellant forces; and all, all +"_at the discretion of another!"_[A] How can men be treated according to +his nature, as endowed with reason or will, if excluded from the powers +and privileges of self government?--if "despotism" be let loose upon +him, to "deprive him of personal liberty, oblige him to serve at the +discretion of another," and with the power of "transferring" such +"authority" over him and such claim upon him, to "another master?" If +"thousands of enlightened and good men" can so easily be found, who are +forward to support "despotism" as "of all governments the best and most +acceptable to God," we need not wonder at the testimony of universal +history, that "the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain +together until now." Groans and travail-pangs must continue to be the +order of the day throughout "the whole creation," till the rod of +despotism be broken, and man be treated as man--as capable of, and +entitled to, self-government. + +[Footnote A: Pittsburgh pamphlet, p.12] + +But what is the despotism whose horrid features our smooth professor +tries to hide beneath an array of cunningly-selected words and +nicely-adjusted sentences? It is the despotism of American +slavery--which crushes the very life of humanity out of its victims, and +transforms them to cattle! At its touch, they sink from men to things! +"Slaves," with Prof. Stuart, "were _property_ in Greece and Rome. That +decides all questions about their _relation_." Yes, truly. And slaves in +republican America are _property_; and as that easily, clearly, and +definitely settles "all questions about their _relation_," why should +the Princeton professor have put himself to the trouble of weaving a +definition equally ingenious and inadequate--at once subtle and +deceitful? Ah, why? Was he willing thus to conceal the wrongs of his +mother's children even from himself? If among the figments of his brain, +he could fashion slaves, and make them something else than property, he +knew full well that a very different pattern was in use among the +southern patriarchs. Why did he not, in plain words, and sober earnest, +and good faith, describe the thing as it was, instead of employing +honied words and courtly phrases, to set forth with all becoming +vagueness and ambiguity what might possibly be supposed to exist in the +regions of fancy. + +"FOR RULERS ARE NOT A TERROR TO GOOD WORKS, BUT TO THE EVIL." + +But are we, in maintaining the principle of self-government, to overlook +the unripe, or neglected, or broken powers of any of our fellow-men with +whom we may be connected?--or the strong passions, vicious propensities, +or criminal pursuit of others? Certainly not. But in providing for their +welfare, we are to exert influences and impose restraints suited to +their character. In wielding those prerogatives which the social of our +nature authorizes us to employ for their benefit, we are to regard them +as they are in truth, not things, not cattle, not articles of +merchandize, but men, our fellow-men--reflecting, from however battered +and broken a surface, reflecting with us the image of a common Father. +And the great principle of self-government is to be the basis, to which +the whole structure of discipline under which they may be placed, should +be adapted. From the nursery and village school on to the work-house and +state-prison, this principle is over and in all things to be before the +eyes, present in the thoughts, warm on the heart. Otherwise, God is +insulted, while his image is despised and abused. Yes, indeed, we +remember that in carrying out the principle of self-government, +multiplied embarrassments and obstructions grow out of wickedness on the +one hand and passion on the other. Such difficulties and obstacles we +are far enough from overlooking. But where are they to be found? Are +imbecility and wickedness, bad hearts and bad heads, confined to the +bottom of society? Alas, the weakest of the weak, and the desperately +wicked, often occupy the high places of the earth, reducing every thing +within their reach to subserviency to the foulest purposes. Nay, the +very power they have usurped, has often been the chief instrument of +turning their heads, inflaming their passions, corrupting their hearts. +All the world knows, that the possession of arbitrary power has a strong +tendency to make men shamelessly wicked and insufferably mischievous. +And this, whether the vassals over whom they domineer, be few or many. +If you can not trust man with himself, will you put his fellows under +his control?--and flee from the inconveniences incident to +self-government, to the horrors of despotism? + +"THOU THAT PREACHEST A MAN SHOULD NOT STEAL, DOST THOU STEAL." + +Is the slaveholder, the most absolute and shameless of all despots, to +be intrusted with the discipline of the injured men whom he himself has +reduced to cattle?--with the discipline by which they are to be prepared +to wield the powers and enjoy the privileges of freemen? Alas, of such +discipline as he can furnish, in the relation of owner to property, they +have had enough. From this sprang the vary ignorance and vice, which in +the view of many lie in the way of their immediate enfranchisement. He +it is, who has darkened their eyes and crippled their powers. And are +they to look to him for illumination and renewed vigor!--and expect +"grapes from thorns and figs from thistles!" Heaven forbid! When, +according to arrangements which had usurped the sacred name of law, he +consented to receive and use them as property, he forfeited all claims +to the esteem and confidence, not only of the helpless sufferers +themselves, but also of every philanthropist. In becoming a slaveholder, +he became the enemy of mankind. The very act was a declaration of war +upon human man nature. What less can be made of the process of turning +men to cattle? It is rank absurdity--it is the height of madness, to +propose to employ _him_ to train, for the places of freemen, those whom +he has wantonly robbed of every right--whom he has stolen from +themselves. Sooner place Burke, who used to murder for the sake of +selling bodies to the dissector, at the head of a hospital. Why, what +have our slaveholders been about these two hundred years? Have they not +been constantly and earnestly engaged in the work of education? +--training up their human cattle? And how? Thomas Jefferson shall +answer. "The whole commerce between master and slave, is a perpetual +exercise of the most boisterous passions; the most unremitting despotism +on the one part, and degrading submission on the other." Is this the way +to fit the unprepared for the duties and privileges of American +citizens? Will the evils of the dreadful process be diminished by adding +to it length? What, in 1818, was the unanimous testimony of the General +Assembly of the Presbyterian church? Why, after describing a variety of +influences growing out of slavery, most fatal to mental and moral +improvement, the General Assembly assure us, that such "consequences are +not imaginary, but connect themselves WITH THE VERY EXISTENCE of +slavery. The evils to which the slave is _always_ exposed, often take +place in fact, and IN THEIR VERY WORST DEGREE AND FORM[A]; and where all +of them do not take place," "still the slave is deprived of his natural +right, degraded as a human being, and exposed to the danger of passing +into the hands of a master who may inflict upon him all the hardships +and injuries, which inhumanity and avarice may suggest." Is this the +condition in which our ecclesiastics would keep the slave, at least a +little longer, to fit him to be restored to himself? + +[Footnote A: The words here marked as emphasis were so distinguished by +ourselves.] + +"AND THEY STOPPED THEIR EARS." + +The methods of discipline under which, as slaveholders, the Southrons +now place their human cattle, they with one consent and in great wrath, +forbid us to examine. The statesman and the priest unite in the +assurance, that these methods are none of our business. Nay, they give +us distinctly to understand, that if we come among them to take +observations, and make inquiries, and discuss questions, they will +dispose of us as outlaws. Nothing will avail to protect us from speedy +and deadly violence! What inference does all this warrant? Surely, not +that the methods which they employ are happy and worthy of universal +application. If so, why do they not take the praise, and give us the +benefit, of their wisdom, enterprise, and success? Who, that has nothing +to hide, practices concealment?--"He that doeth truth cometh to the +light, that his deeds may be manifest, that they are wrought in God." Is +this the way of slaveholders? Darkness they court--they will have +darkness. Doubtless "because their deeds are evil." Can we confide in +methods for the benefit of our enslaved brethren, which it is death for +us to examine? Whet good ever came, what good can we expect, from deeds +of darkness? + +Did the influence of the masters contribute any thing in the West +Indies; to prepare the apprentices for enfranchisement? Nay, verily. All +the world knows better. They did what in them lay, to turn back the tide +of blessings, which through emancipation was pouring in upon the +famishing around them. Are not the best minds and hearts in England now +thoroughly convinced, that slavery, under no modification, can be a +school for freedom? + +We say such things to the many who alledge, that slaves can not at once +be entrusted with the powers and privileges of self-government. However +this may be, they can not be better qualified under _the influence of +slavery_. _That must be broken up_ from which their ignorance, and +viciousness, and wretchedness proceeded. That which can only do what it +has always done, pollute and degrade, must not be employed to purify and +elevate. _The lower their character and condition, the louder, clearer, +sterner, the just demand for immediate emancipation_. The plague-smitten +sufferer can derive no benefit from breathing a little longer an +infected atmosphere. + +In thus referring to elemental principles--in thus availing ourselves of +the light of self-evident truths--we bow to the authority and tread in +the foot-prints of the great Teacher. He chid those around him for +refusing to make the same use of their reason in promoting their +spiritual, as they made in promoting their temporal welfare. He gives +them distinctly to understand, that they need not go out of themselves +to form a just estimation of their position, duties, and prospects, as +standing in the presence of the Messiah. "Why, EVEN OF YOURSELVES," he +demands of them, "judge ye not what is _right_?"[A] How could they, +unless they had a clear light, and an infallible standard _within them_, +whereby, amidst the relations they sustained and the interests they had +to provide for, they might discriminate between truth and falsehood, +right and wrong, what they ought to attempt and what they ought to +eschew? From this pointed, significant appeal of the Savior, it is clear +and certain, that in human consciousness may be found self-evident +truths, self-manifested principles; that every man, studying his own +consciousness, is bound to recognize their presence and authority, and +in sober earnest and good faith to apply them to the highest practical +concerns of "life and godliness." It is in obedience to the Bible, that +we apply self-evident truths, and walk in the light of general +principles. When our fathers proclaimed these truths, and at the hazard +of their property, reputation, and life, stood up in their defense, they +did homage to the sacred Scriptures--they honored the Bible. In that +volume, not a syllable can be found to justify that form of infidelity, +which in the abused name of piety, reproaches us for practicing the +lessons which "nature teacheth."[B] These lessons, the Bible requires us +reverently to listen to, earnestly to appropriate, and most diligently +and faithfully to act upon in every direction and on all occasions. + +[Footnote A: Luke xii. 67.] + +[Footnote B: 1 Cor. xi. 14.] + +Why, our Savior goes so far in doing honor to reason, as to encourage +men universally to dispose of the characteristic peculiarities and +distinctive features of the Gospel in the light of its principles. "If +any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be +of God, or whether I speak of myself."[C] Natural religion--the +principles which nature reveals, and the lessons which nature +teaches--he thus makes a test of the truth and authority of revealed +religion. So far was he, as a teacher, from shrinking from the clearest +and most piercing rays of reason--from calling off the attention of +those around him from the import, bearings, and practical application of +general principle. And those who would have us escape from the pressure +of self-evident truths, by betaking ourselves to the doctrines and +precepts of Christianity, whatever airs of piety they may put on, do +foul dishonor to the Savior of mankind. + +[Footnote C: John vii. 17.] + +And what shall we say of the Golden Rule, which, according to the +Savior, comprehends all the precepts of the Bible? "Whatsoever ye would +that men should do to you, do ye even so to them; for this is the law +and the prophets." + +According to this maxim, in human consciousness, universally, may be +found, 1. The standard whereby, in all the relations and circumstances +of life, we may determine what Heaven demands and expects of us. 2. The +just application of this standard, is practicable for, and obligatory +upon, every child of Adam. 3. The qualification requisite to a just +application of this rule to all the cases in which we can be concerned, +is simply this--_to regard all the members of the human family as our +brethren, our equals_. + +In other words, the Savior here teaches us, that in the principles and +laws of reason, we have an infallible guide in all the relations and +circumstances of life; that nothing can hinder our following this guide, +but the bias of _selfishness_; and that the moment, in deciding any +moral question, we place _ourselves in the room of our brother_, before +the bar of reason, we shall see what decision ought to be pronounced. +Does this, in the Savior, look like fleeing self-evident truths!--like +decrying the authority of general principles!--like exalting himself at +the expense of reason!--like opening a refuge in the Gospel for those +whose practice is at variance with the dictates of humanity! + +What then is the just application of the Golden Rule--that fundamental +maxim of the Gospel, giving character to, and shedding light upon, all +its precepts and arrangements--to the subject of slavery?--_that we must +"do to" slaves as we would be done by_, AS SLAVES, _the_ RELATION +_itself being justified and continued_? Surely not. A little reflection +will enable us to see, that the Golden Rule reaches farther in its +demands, and strikes deeper in its influences and operations. The +_natural equality_ of mankind lies at the very basis of this great +precept. It obviously requires _every man to acknowledge another self in +every other man_. With my powers and resources, and in my appropriate +circumstances, I am to recognize in any child of Adam who may address +me, another self in his appropriate circumstances and with his powers +and resources. This is the natural equality of mankind; and this the +Golden Rule requires us to admit, defend, and maintain. + +"WHY DO YE NOT UNDERSTAND MY SPEECH; EVEN BECAUSE YE CAN NOT HEAR MY +WORD." + +They strangely misunderstand and grossly misrepresent this doctrine, who +charge upon it the absurdities and mischiefs which _any "levelling +system"_ can not but produce. In all its bearings, tendencies, and +effects, it is directly contrary and powerfully hostile to any such +system. EQUALITY OF RIGHTS, the doctrine asserts; and this necessarily +opens the way for _variety of condition_. In other words, every child of +Adam has, from the Creator, the inalienable right of wielding, within +reasonable limits, his own powers, and employing his own resources, +according to his own choice; while he respects his social relations, to +promote as he will his own welfare. But mark--HIS OWN powers and +resources, and NOT ANOTHER'S, are thus inalienably put under his +control. The Creator makes every man free, in whatever he may do, to +exert HIMSELF, and not _another_. Here no man may lawfully cripple or +embarrass another. The feeble may not hinder the strong, nor may the +strong crush the feeble. Every man may make the most of himself; in his +own proper sphere. Now, as in the constitutional endowments, and natural +opportunities, and lawful acquisitions of mankind, infinite variety +prevails, so in exerting each HIMSELF, in his own sphere, according to +his own choice, the variety of human condition can be little less than +infinite. Thus equality of rights opens the way for variety of +condition. + +But with all this variety of make, means, and condition, considered +individually, the children of Adam are bound together by strong ties +which can never be dissolved. They are mutually united by the social of +their nature. Hence mutual dependence and mutual claims. While each is +inalienably entitled to assert and enjoy his own personality as a man, +each sustains to all and all to each, various relations. While each owns +and honors the individual, all are to own and honor the social of their +nature. Now, the Golden Rule distinctly recognizes, lays its +requisitions upon, and extends its obligations to, the whole nature of +man, in his individual capacities and social relations. What higher +honor could it do to man, as _an individual_, than to constitute him the +judge, by whose decision, when fairly rendered, all the claims of his +fellows should be authoritatively and definitely disposed of? +"Whatsoever YE WOULD" have done to you, so do ye to others. Every member +of the family of Adam, placing himself in the position here pointed out, +is competent and authorized to pass judgment on all the cases in social +life in which he may be concerned. Could higher responsibilities or +greater confidence be reposed in men individually? And then, how are +their _claims upon each other_ herein magnified! What inherent worth and +solid dignity are ascribed to the social of their nature! In every man +with whom I may have to do, I am to recognize the presence of _another +self_, whose case I am to make _my own_. And thus I am to dispose of +whatever claims he may urge upon me. + +Thus, in accordance with the Golden Rule, mankind are naturally brought, +in the voluntary use of their powers and resources, to promote each +other's welfare. As his contribution to this great object, it is the +inalienable birth-right of every child of Adam, to consecrate whatever +he may possess. With exalted powers and large resources, he has a +natural claim to a correspondent field of effort. If his "abilities" are +small, his task must be easy and his burden light. Thus the Golden Rule +requires mankind mutually to serve each other. In this service, each is +to exert _himself_--employ _his own_ powers, lay out his own resources, +improve his own opportunities. A division of labor is the natural +result. One is remarkable for his intellectual endowments and +acquisitions; another, for his wealth; and a third, for power and skill +in using his muscles. Such attributes, endlessly varied and diversified, +proceed from the basis of a _common character_, by virtue of which all +men and each--one as truly as another--are entitled, as a birth-right, +to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Each and all, one as +well as another, may choose his own modes of contributing his share to +the general welfare, in which his own is involved and identified. Under +one great law of mutual dependence and mutual responsibility, all are +placed--the strong as well as the weak, the rich as much as the poor, +the learned no less than the unlearned. All bring their wares, the +products of their enterprise, skill and industry, to the same market, +where mutual exchanges are freely effected. The fruits of muscular +exertion procure the fruits of mental effort. John serves Thomas with +his hands, and Thomas serves John with his money. Peter wields the axe +for James, and James wields the pen for Peter. Moses, Joshua, and Caleb, +employ their wisdom, courage, and experience, in the service of the +community, and the community serve Moses, Joshua, and Caleb, in +furnishing them with food and raiment, and making them partakers of the +general prosperity. And all this by mutual understanding and voluntary +arrangement. And all this according to the Golden Rule. + +What then becomes of _slavery_--a system of arrangements, in which one +man treats his fellow, not as another self, but as a thing--a +chattel--an article of merchandize, which is not to be consulted in any +disposition which may be made of it;--a system which is built on the +annihilation of the attributes of our common nature--in which man doth +to others, what he would sooner die than have done to himself? The +Golden Rule and slavery are mutually subversive of each other. If one +stands, the other must fall. The one strikes at the very root of the +other. The Golden Rule aims at the abolition of THE RELATION ITSELF, in +which slavery consists. It lays its demands upon every thing within the +scope of _human action_. To "whatever MEN DO," it extends its authority. +And the relation itself, in which slavery consists, is the work of human +hands. It is what men have done to each other--contrary to nature and +most injurious to the general welfare. THIS RELATION, therefore, the +Golden Rule condemns. Wherever its authority prevails, this relation +must be annihilated. Mutual service and slavery--like light and +darkness, life and death--are directly opposed to, and subversive of, +each other. The one the Golden Rule can not endure; the other it +requires, honors, and blesses. + +"LOVE WORKETH NO ILL TO HIS NEIGHBOR." + +Like unto the Golden Rule is the second great commandment--"_Thou shalt +love thy neighbor as thyself_." "A certain lawyer," who seems to have +been fond of applying the doctrine of limitation of human obligations, +once demanded of the Savior, within what limits the meshing of the word +"neighbor" ought to be confined. "And who is my neighbor?" The parable +of the good Samaritan set that matter in the clearest light, and made it +manifest and certain, that _every man_ whom we could reach with our +sympathy and assistance, was our neighbor, entitled to the same regard +which we cherished for ourselves. Consistently with such obligations, +can _slavery_, as a RELATION, be maintained? Is it then a _labor of +love_--such love as we cherish for ourselves--to strip a child of Adam +of all the prerogatives and privileges which are his inalienable +birth-right?--To obscure his reason, crush his will, and trample on his +immortality?--To strike home to the inmost of his being, and break the +heart of his heart?--To thrust him out of the human family, and dispose +of him as a chattel--as a thing in the hands of an owner, a beast under +the lash of a driver? All this, apart from every thing incidental and +extraordinary, belongs to the RELATION, in which slavery, as such, +consists. All this--well fed or ill fed, underwrought or overwrought, +clothed or naked, caressed or kicked, whether idle songs break from his +thoughtless tongue or "tears be his meat night and day," fondly +cherished or cruelly murdered;--_all this_ ENTERS VITALLY INTO THE +RELATION ITSELF, _by which every slave_, AS A SLAVE, _is set apart from +the rest of the human family_. Is it an exercise of love, to place our +"neighbor" under the crushing weight, the killing power, of such a +relation?--to apply the murderous steel to the very vitals of +his humanity? + +"YE THEREFORE APPLAUD AND DELIGHT IN THE DEEDS OF YOUR FATHERS; FOR THEY +KILLED THEM, AND YE BUILD THEIR SEPULCHRES."[A] + +The slaveholder may eagerly and loudly deny, that any such thing is +chargeable upon him. He may confidently and earnestly alledge, that he +is not responsible for the state of society in which he is placed. +Slavery was established before he began to breathe. It was his +inheritance. His slaves are his property by birth or testament. But why +will he thus deceive himself? Why will he permit the cunning and +rapacious spiders, which in the very sanctuary of ethics and religion +are laboriously weaving webs from their own bowels, to catch him with +their wretched sophistries?--and devour him, body, soul, and substance? +Let him know, as he must one day with shame and terror own, that whoever +holds slaves is himself responsible for _the relation_, into which, +whether reluctantly or willingly, he thus enters. _The relation can not +be forced upon him_. What though Elizabeth countenanced John Hawkins in +stealing the natives of Africa?--what though James, and Charles, and +George, opened a market for them in the English colonies?--what though +modern Dracos have "framed mischief by law," in legalizing man-stealing +and slaveholding?--what though your ancestors, in preparing to go "to +their own place," constituted you the owner of the "neighbors" whom they +had used as cattle?--what of all this, and as much more like this, as +can be drawn from the history of that dreadful process by which men "are +deemed, sold, taken, reputed, and adjudged in law to be _chattels +personal_?" Can all this force you to put the cap upon the climax--to +clinch the nail by doing that, without which nothing in the work of +slave-making would be attempted? _The slaveholder is the soul of the +whole system_. Without him, the chattel principle is a lifeless +abstraction. Without him, charters, and markets, and laws, and +testaments, are empty names. And does _he_ think to escape +responsibility? Why, kidnappers, and soul-drivers, and law-makers, are +nothing but his _agents_. He is the guilty _principal_. Let him look +to it. + +[Footnote A: You join with them in their bloody work. They murder, and +you bury the victims.] + +But what can he do? Do? Keep his hands off his "neighbor's" throat. Let +him refuse to finish and ratify the process by which the chattel +principle is carried into effect. Let him refuse, in the face of +derision, and reproach, and opposition. Though poverty should fasten its +bony hand upon him, and persecution shoot forth its forked tongue; +whatever may betide him--scorn, flight, flames--let him promptly and +steadfastly refuse. Better the spite and hate of men than the wrath of +Heaven! "If thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out and cast it from +thee; for it is profitable for thee, that one of thy members should +perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell." + +Prof. Stuart admits, that the Golden Rule and the second great +commandment "decide against the theory of slavery as being in itself +right." What, then, is their relation to the particular precepts, +institutions, and usages, which are authorized and enjoined in the New +Testament? Of all these, they are the summary expression--the +comprehensive description. No precept in the Bible enforcing our mutual +obligations, can be more or less than _the application of these +injunctions to specific relations or particular occasions and +conditions_. Neither in the Old Testament nor the New, do prophets teach +or laws enjoin, any thing which the Golden Rule and the second great +command do not contain. Whatever they forbid, no other precept can +require; and whatever they require, no other precept can forbid. What, +then, does he attempt, who turns over the sacred pages to find something +in the way of permission or command, which may set him free from the +obligations of the Golden Rule? What must his objects, methods, spirit +be, to force him to enter upon such inquiries?--to compel him to search +the Bible for such a purpose? Can he have good intentions, or be well +employed? Is his frame of mind adapted to the study of the Bible?--to +make its meaning plain and welcome? What must he think of God, to search +his word in quest of gross inconsistencies and grave contradictions! +Inconsistent legislation in Jehovah! Contradictory commands! Permissions +at war with prohibitions! General requirements at variance with +particular arrangements! + +What must be the moral character of any institution which the Golden +Rule decides against?--which the second great command condemns? _It can +not but be wicked_, whether newly established or long maintained. +However it may be shaped, turned, colored--under every modification and +at all times--_wickedness must be its proper character_. _It must be_, +IN ITSELF, _apart from its circumstances_, IN ITS ESSENCE, _apart from +its incidents_, SINFUL. + +"THINK NOT TO SAY WITHIN YOURSELVES, WE HAVE ABRAHAM FOR OUR FATHER." + +In disposing of those precepts and exhortations which have a specific +bearing upon the subject of slavery, it is greatly important, nay, +absolutely essential, that we look forth upon the objects around us, +from the right post of observation. Our stand we must take at some +central point, amidst the general maxims and fundamental precepts, the +known circumstances and characteristic arrangements, of primitive +Christianity. Otherwise, wrong views and false conclusions will be the +result of our studies. We can not, therefore, be too earnest in trying +to catch the general features and prevalent spirit of the New Testament +institutions and arrangements. For to what conclusions must we come, if +we unwittingly pursue our inquires under the bias of the prejudice, that +the general maxims of social life which now prevail in this country, +were current, on the authority of the Savior, among the primitive +Christians! That, for instance, wealth, station, talents, are the +standard by which our claims upon, and our regard for, others, should be +modified?--That those who are pinched by poverty, worn by disease, +tasked in menial labors, or marked by features offensive to the taste of +the artificial and capricious, are to be excluded from those refreshing +and elevating influences which intelligence and refinement may be +expected to exert; that thus they are to constitute a class by +themselves, and to be made to know and keep their place at the very +bottom of society? Or, what if we should think and speak of the +primitive Christians, as if they had the same pecuniary resources as +Heaven has lavished upon the American churches?--as if they were as +remarkable for affluence, elegance, and splendor? Or, as if they had as +high a position and as extensive an influence in politics and +literature?--having directly or indirectly, the control over the high +places of learning and of power? + +If we should pursue our studies and arrange our arguments--if we should +explain words and interpret language--under such a bias, what must +inevitably be the results? What would be the worth of our conclusions? +What confidence could be reposed in any instruction we might undertake +to furnish? And is not this the way in which the advocates and +apologists of slavery dispose of the bearing which primitive +Christianity has upon it? They first ascribe, unwittingly perhaps, to +the primitive churches, the character, relations, and condition, of +American Christianity, and amidst the deep darkness and strange +confusion thus produced, set about interpreting the language and +explaining the usages of the New Testament! + +"SO THAT YE ARE WITHOUT EXCUSE." + +Among the lessons of instruction which our Savior imparted, having a +general bearing on the subject of slavery, that in which he sets up the +_true standard of greatness_, deserves particular attention. In +repressing the ambition of his disciples, he held up before them the +methods by which alone healthful aspirations for eminence could be +gratified, and thus set the elements of true greatness in the clearest +light. "Ye know, that they which are accounted to rule over the +Gentiles, exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise +authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you; but whosoever +will be great among you, shall be your minister; _and whosoever of you +will be chiefest, shall be servant of all_." In other words, through the +selfishness and pride of mankind, the maxim widely prevails in the +world, that it is the privilege, prerogative, and mark of greatness, TO +EXACT SERVICE; that our superiority to others, while it authorizes us to +relax the exertion of our own powers, gives us a fair title to the use +of theirs; that "might," while it exempts us from serving, "gives the +right" to be served. The instructions of the Savior open the way to +greatness for us in the opposite direction. Superiority to others, in +whatever it may consist, gives us a claim to a wider field of exertion, +and demands of us a larger amount of service. We can be great only as we +_are useful_. And "might gives right" to bless our fellow men, by +improving every opportunity and employing every faculty, affectionately, +earnestly, and unweariedly, in their service. Thus the greater the man, +the more active, faithful, and useful the servant. + +The Savior has himself taught us how this doctrine must be applied. He +bids us improve every opportunity and employ every power, even, through +the most menial services, in blessing the human family. And to make this +lesson shine upon our understandings and move our hearts, he embodied it +in a most instructive and attractive example. On a memorable occasion, +and just before his crucifixion, he discharged for his disciples the +most menial of all offices--taking, _in washing their feet_, the place +of the lowest servant. He took great pains to make them understand, that +only by imitating this example could they honor their relations to him +as their Master; that thus only would they find themselves blessed. By +what possibility could slavery exist under the influence of such a +lesson, set home by such an example? _Was it while washing the +disciples' feet, that our Savior authorized one man to make a chattel +of another_? + +To refuse to provide for ourselves by useful labor, the apostle Paul +teaches us to regard as a grave offence. After reminding the +Thessalonian Christians, that in addition to all his official exertions +he had with his own muscles earned his own bread, he calls their +attention to an arrangement which was supported by apostolical +authority, "that if any would not work, neither should he eat." In the +most earnest and solemn manner, and as a minister of the Lord Jesus +Christ, he commanded and exhorted those who neglected useful labor, +"_with quietness to work and eat their own bread_." What must be the +bearing of all this upon slavery? Could slavery be maintained where +every man eat the bread which himself had earned?--where idleness was +esteemed so great a crime, as to be reckoned worthy of starvation as a +punishment? How could unrequited labor be exacted, or used, or needed? +Must not every one in such a community contribute his share to the +general welfare?--and mutual service and mutual support be the +natural result? + +The same apostle, in writing to another church, describes the true +source whence the means of liberality ought to be derived. "Let him that +stole steal no more; but rather let him labor, working with his hands +the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth." +Let this lesson, as from the lips of Jehovah, be proclaimed throughout +the length and breadth of South Carolina. Let it be universally welcomed +and reduced to practice. Let thieves give up what they had stolen to the +lawful proprietors, cease stealing, and begin at once to "labor, working +with their hands," for necessary and charitable purposes. Could slavery, +in such a case, continue to exist? Surely not! Instead of exacting +unpaid services from others, every man would be busy, exerting himself +not only to provide for his own wants, but also to accumulate funds, +"that he might have to give to" the needy. Slavery must disappear, root +and branch, at once and forever. + +In describing the source whence his ministers should expect their +support, the Savior furnished a general principle, which has an obvious +and powerful bearing on the subject of slavery. He would have them +remember, while exerting themselves for the benefit of their fellow men, +that "the laborer is worthy of his hire." He has thus united wages with +work. Whoever renders the one is entitled to the other. And this +manifestly according to a mutual understanding and a voluntary +arrangement. For the doctrine that I may force you to work for me for +whatever consideration I may please to fix upon, fairly opens the way +for the doctrine, that you, in turn, may force me to render you whatever +wages you may choose to exact for any services you may see fit to +render. Thus slavery, even as involuntary servitude, is cut up by the +root. Even the Princeton professor seems to regard it as a violation of +the principle which unites work with wages. + +The apostle James applies this principle to the claims of manual +laborers--of those who hold the plough and thrust in the sickle. He +calls the rich lordlings who exacted sweat and withheld wages, to +"weeping and howling," assuring them that the complaints of the injured +laborer had entered into the ear of the Lord of Hosts, and that, as a +result of their oppression, their riches were corrupted, and their +garments moth-eaten; their gold and silver were cankered; that the rest +of them should be a witness against them, and should eat their flesh as +it were fire; that, in one word, they had heaped treasure together for +the last days, when "miseries were coming upon them," the prospect of +which might well drench them in tears and fill them with terror. If +these admonition and warnings were heeded there, would not "the South" +break forth into "weeping and wailing, and gnashing of teeth?" What else +are its rich men about, but withholding by a system of fraud, his wages +from the laborer, who is wearing himself out under the impulse of fear, +in cultivating their fields and producing their luxuries? Encouragement +and support do they derive from James, in maintaining the "peculiar +institution" whence they derived their wealth, which they call +patriarchal, and boast of as the "corner-stone" of the republic? + +In the New Testament, we have, moreover, the general injunction, "_Honor +all men_." Under this broad precept, every form of humanity may justly +claim protection and respect. The invasion of any human right must do +dishonor to humanity, and be a transgression of this command. How then, +in the light of such obligations, must slavery be regarded? Are those +men honored, who are rudely excluded from a place in the human family, +and shut up to the deep degradation and nameless horrors of chattelship? +_Can they be held as slaves, and at the same time be honored as men_? + +How far, in obeying this command, we are to go, we may infer from the +admonitions and instructions which James applies to the arrangements and +usages of religious assemblies. Into these he can not allow "respect of +persons" to enter. "My brethren," he exclaims, "have not the faith of +our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For +if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly +apparel; and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; and ye have +respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, sit thou +here in a good place; and say to the poor, stand thou there, or sit here +under my footstool; are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are +become judges of evil thoughts? _If ye have respect to persons, ye +commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors_." On this +general principle, then, religious assemblies ought to be +regulated--that every man is to be estimated, not according to his +_circumstances_--not according to any thing incidental to his +_condition_; but according to his _moral worth_--according to the +essential features and vital elements of his _character_. Gold rings and +gay clothing, as they qualify no man for, can entitle no man to, a "good +place" in the church. Nor can the "vile raiment of the poor man," fairly +exclude him from any sphere, however exalted, which his heart and head +may fit him to fill. To deny this, in theory or practice, is to degrade +a man below a thing; for what are gold rings, or gay clothing, or vile +raiment, but things, "which perish with the using?" And this must be "to +commit sin, and be convinced of the law as transgressors." + +In slavery, we have "respect of persons," strongly marked, and reduced +to system. Here men are despised not merely for "the vile raiment," +which may cover their scarred bodies. This is bad enough. But the +deepest contempt for humanity here grows out of birth or complexion. +Vile raiment may be, often is, the result of indolence, or improvidence, +or extravagance. It may be, often is, an index of character. But how can +I be responsible for the incidents of my birth?--how for my complexion? +To despise or honor me for these, is to be guilty of "respect of +persons" in its grossest form, and with its worst effects. It is to +reward or punish me for what I had nothing to do with; for which, +therefore, I can not, without the greatest injustice, be held +responsible. It is to poison the very fountains of justice, by +confounding all moral distinctions. It is with a worse temper, and in +the way of inflicting infinitely greater injuries, to copy the kingly +folly of Xerxes, in chaining and scourging the Hellespont. What, then, +so far as the authority of the New Testament is concerned, becomes of +slavery, which can not be maintained under any form nor for a single +moment, without "respect of persons" the most aggravated and +unendurable? And what would become of that most pitiful, silly, and +wicked arrangement in so many of our churches, in which worshipers of a +dark complexion are to be shut up to the negro pew?[A] + +[Footnote A: In Carlyle's Review of the Memoirs of Mirabeau, we have the +following anecdote, illustrative of the character of a "grandmother" of +the Count. "Fancy the dame Mirabeau sailing stately towards the church +font; another dame striking in to take precedence of her; the dame +Mirabeau despatching this latter with a box on the ear, and these words, +'_Here, as in the army_, THE BAGGAGE _goes last_!'" Let those who +justify the negro-pew-arrangement, throw a stone at this proud woman--if +they dare.] + +Nor are we permitted to confine this principle to _religious_ +assemblies. It is to pervade social life every where. Even where plenty, +intelligence, and refinement, diffuse their brightest rays, the poor are +to be welcomed with especial favor. "Then said he to him that bade him, +when thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy +brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbors, lest they also +bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee. But when thou makest a +feast, call the poor and the maimed, the lame and the blind, and thou +shalt be blessed; for they can not recompense thee, but thou shalt be +recompensed at the resurrection of the just." + +In the high places of social life then--in the parlor, the drawing-room, +the saloon--special reference should be had, in every arrangement, to +the comfort and improvement of those who are least able to provide for +the cheapest rites of hospitality. For these, ample accommodations must +be made, whatever may become of our kinsmen and rich neighbors. And for +this good reason, that while such occasions signify little to the +latter, to the former they are pregnant with good--raising their +drooping spirits, cheering their desponding hearts, inspiring them with +life, and hope, and joy. The rich and the poor thus meeting joyfully +together, can not but mutually contribute to each other's benefit; the +rich will be led to moderation, sobriety, and circumspection, and the +poor to industry, providence, and contentment. The recompense must be +rich and sure. + +A most beautiful and instructive commentary on the text in which these +things are taught, the Savior furnished in his own conduct. He freely +mingled with those who were reduced to the very bottom of society. At +the tables of the outcasts of society, he did not hesitate to be a +cheerful guest, surrounded by publicans and sinners. And when flouted +and reproached by smooth and lofty ecclesiastics, as an ultraist and +leveler, he explained and justified himself by observing, that he had +only done what his office demanded. It was his to seek the lost, to heal +the sick, to pity the wretched;--in a word, to bestow just such benefits +as the various necessities of mankind made appropriate and welcome. In +his great heart, there was room enough for those who had been excluded +from the sympathy of little souls. In its spirit and design, the gospel +overlooked none--least of all, the outcasts of a selfish world. + +Can slavery, however modified, be consistent with such a gospel?--a +gospel which requires us, even amidst the highest forms of social life, +to exert ourselves to raise the depressed by giving our warmest +sympathies to those who have the smallest share in the favor of +the world? + +Those who are in "bonds" are set before us as deserving an especial +remembrance. Their claims upon us are described as a modification of the +Golden Rule--as one of the many forms to which its obligations are +reducible. To them we are to extend the same affectionate regard as we +would covet for ourselves, if the chains upon their limbs were fastened +upon ours. To the benefits of this precept, the enslaved have a natural +claim of the greatest strength. The wrongs they suffer, spring from a +persecution which can hardly be surpassed in malignancy. Their birth and +complexion are the occasion of the insults and injuries which they can +neither endure nor escape. It is for the _work of God_, and not them own +deserts, that they are loaded with chains. _This is persecution._ + +Can I regard the slave as another self--can I put myself in his +place--and be indifferent to his wrongs? Especially, can I, thus +affected, take sides with the oppressor? Could I, in such a state of +mind as the gospel requires me to cherish, reduce him to slavery or keep +him in bonds? Is not the precept under hand naturally subversive of +every system and every form of slavery? + +The _general descriptions_ of the church which are found here and there +in the New Testament, are highly instructive in their bearing on the +subject of slavery. In one connection, the following words meet the eye: +"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there +is neither male nor female; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."[A] Here +we have--1. A clear and strong description of the doctrine of _human +equality_. "Ye are all ONE;"--so much alike, so truly placed on common +ground, all wielding each his own powers with such freedom, _that one is +the same as another_. + +[Footnote A: Gal. iii. 23.] + +2. This doctrine, self-evident in the light of reason, is affirmed on +divine authority. "IN CHRIST JESUS, _ye are all one_." The natural +equality of the human family is a part of the gospel. For-- + +3. All the human family are included in this description. Whether men or +women, whether bond or free, whether Jews or Gentiles, all are alike +entitled to the benefit of this doctrine. Wherever Christianity +prevails, the _artificial_ distinctions which grow out of birth, +condition, sex, are done away. _Natural_ distinctions are not destroyed. +_They_ are recognized, hallowed, confirmed. The gospel does not abolish +the sexes, forbid a division of labor, or extinguish patriotism. It +takes woman from beneath the feet, and places her by the side of man; +delivers the manual laborer from "the yoke," and gives him wages for his +work; and brings the Jew and Gentile to embrace each other with +fraternal love and confidence. Thus it raises all to a common level, +gives to each the free use of his own powers and resources, binds all +together in one dear and loving brotherhood. Such, according to the +description of the apostle, was the influence, and such the effect of +primitive Christianity. "Behold the picture!" Is it like American +slavery, which, in all its tendencies and effects, is destructive of all +oneness among brethren? + +"Where the spirit of the Lord is," exclaims the same apostle, with his +eye upon the condition and relations of the church, "_where the spirit +of the Lord is_, THERE IS LIBERTY." Where, then, may we reverently +recognize the presence, and bow before the manifested power, of this +spirit? _There_, where the laborer may not choose how he shall be +employed!--in what way his wants shall he supplied!--with whom he shall +associate!--who shall have the fruit of his exertions! _There_, where he +is not free to enjoy his wife and children! _There_, where his body and +his soul, his very "destiny,"[A] are placed altogether beyond his +control! _There_, where every power is crippled, every energy blasted, +every hope crushed! _There_, where in all the relations and concerns of +life, he is legally treated as if he had nothing to do with the laws of +reason, the light of immortality, or the exercise of will! Is the spirit +of the Lord _there_, where liberty is decried and denounced, mocked at +and spit upon, betrayed and crucified! In the midst of a church which +justified slavery, which derived its support from slavery, which carried +on its enterprises by means of slavery, would the apostle have found the +fruits of the Spirit of the Lord! Let that Spirit exert his influences, +and assert his authority, and wield his power, and slavery must vanish +at once and forever. + +[Footnote A: "The Legislature [of South Carolina] from time to time, has +passed many restricted and penal acts, with a view to bring under direct +control and subjection the DESTINY _of the black population_." See the +Remonstrance of James S. Pope and 352 others, against home missionary +efforts for the benefit of the enslaved--a most instructive paper.] + +In more than one connection, the apostle James describes Christianity as +"_the law of liberty_." It is in other words the law under which liberty +can not but live and flourish--the law in which liberty is clearly +defined, strongly asserted, and well protected. As the law of liberty, +how can it be consistent with the law of slavery? The presence and the +power of this law are felt wherever the light of reason shines. They are +felt in the uneasiness and conscious degradation of the slave, and in +the shame and remorse which the master betrays in his reluctant and +desperate efforts to defend himself. This law it is which has armed +human nature against the oppressor. Wherever it is obeyed, "every yoke +is broken." + +In these references to the New Testament we have a _general description_ +of the primitive church, and the _principles_ on which it was founded +and fashioned. These principles bear the same relation to Christian +_history_ as to Christian _character_, since the former is occupied with +the development of the latter. What then is Christian character but +Christian principle _realized_, acted out, bodied forth, and animated? +Christian principle is the soul, of which Christian character is the +expression--the manifestation. It comprehends in itself, as a living +seed, such Christian character, under every form, modification, and +complexion. The former is, therefore, the test and interpreter of the +latter. In the light of Christian principle, and in that light only, we +can judge of and explain Christian character. Christian history is +occupied with the forms, modifications, and various aspects of Christian +character. The facts which are there recorded serve to show, how +Christian principle has fared in this world--how it has appeared, what +it has done, how it has been treated. In these facts we have the various +institutions, usages, designs, doings, and sufferings of the church of +Christ. And all these have of necessity, the closest relation to +Christian principle. They are the production of its power. Through them, +it is revealed and manifested. In its light, they are to be studied, +explained, and understood. Without it they must be as unintelligible and +insignificant as the letters of a book, scattered on the wind. + +In the principles of Christianity, then, we have a comprehensive and +faithful account of its objects, institutions, and usages--of how it +must behave, and act, and suffer, in a world of sin and misery. For +between the principles which God reveals, on the one hand, and the +precepts he enjoins, the institutions he establishes, and the usages he +approves, on the other, there must be consistency and harmony. Otherwise +we impute to God what we must abhor in man--practice at war with +principle. Does the Savior, then, lay down the _principle_ that our +standing in the church must depend upon the habits, formed within us, of +readily and heartily subserving the welfare of others; and permit us _in +practice_ to invade the rights and trample on the happiness of our +fellows, by reducing them to slavery. Does he, _in principle_ and by +example, require us to go all lengths in rendering mutual service, +comprehending offices the most menial, as well as the most honorable; +and permit us _in practice_ to EXACT service of our brethren, as if they +were nothing better than "articles of merchandize?" Does he require us +_in principle_ "to work with quietness and eat our own bread;" and +permit us _in practice_ to wrest from our brethren the fruits of their +unrequited toil? Does he in principle require us, abstaining from every +form of theft, to employ our powers in useful labor, not only to provide +for ourselves but also to relieve the indigence of others; and permit us +_in practice_, abstaining from every form of labor, to enrich and +aggrandize ourselves with the fruits of man-stealing? Does he require us +_in principle_ to regard "the laborer as worthy of his hire;" and permit +us _in practice_ to defraud him of his wages? Does he require us _in +principle_ "to honor ALL men;" and permit us _in practice_ to treat +multitudes like cattle? Does he _in principle_ prohibit "respect of +persons;" and permit us _in practice_ to place the feet of the rich upon +the necks of the poor? Does he _in principle_ require us to sympathize +with the bondman as another self; and permit us _in practice_ to leave +him unpitied and unhelped in the hands of the oppressor? _In principle_, +"where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty;" _in practice_, is +_slavery_ the fruit of the Spirit? _In principle_, Christianity is the +law of liberty; _in practice_, is it the law of slavery? Bring practice +in these various respects into harmony with principle, and what becomes +of slavery? And if, where the divine government is concerned, practice +is the expression of principle, and principle the standard and +interpreter of practice, such harmony cannot but be maintained and must +be asserted. In studying, therefore, fragments of history and sketches +of biography--in disposing of references to institutions, usages, and +facts in the New Testament, this necessary harmony between principle and +practice in the government, should be continually present to the +thoughts of the interpreter. Principles assert what practice must be. +Whatever principle condemns, God condemns. It belongs to those weeds of +the dunghill which, planted by "an enemy," his hand will assuredly "root +up." It is most certain, then, that if slavery prevailed in the first +ages of Christianity, it could nowhere have prevailed under its +influence and with its sanction. + +The _condition_ in which, in its efforts to bless mankind, the primitive +church was placed, must have greatly assisted the early Christians in +understanding and applying the principles of the gospel.--Their _Master_ +was born in great obscurity, lived in the deepest poverty, and died the +most ignominious death. The place of his residence, his familiarity with +the outcasts of society, his welcoming assistance and support from +female hands, his casting his beloved mother, when he hung upon the +cross, upon the charity of a disciple--such things evince the depth of +his poverty, and show to what derision and contempt he must have been +exposed. Could such an one, "despised and rejected of men--a man of +sorrows and acquainted with grief," play the oppressor, or smile on +those who made merchandize of the poor! + +And what was the history of the _apostles_, but an illustration of the +doctrine, that "it is enough for the disciple, that he be as his +Master?" Were they lordly ecclesiastics, abounding with wealth, shining +with splendor, bloated with luxury! Were they ambitious of distinction, +fleecing, and trampling, and devouring "the flocks," that they +themselves might "have the pre-eminence!" Were they slaveholding +bishops! Or did they derive their support from the wages of iniquity and +the price of blood! Can such inferences be drawn from the account of +their condition, which the most gifted and enterprising of their number +has put upon record? "Even unto this present hour, we both hunger, and +thirst, and are naked, and _are buffetted_, and have _no certain +dwelling place, and labor working with our own hands_. Being reviled, we +bless; being persecuted, we suffer it; being defamed, we entreat; we are +made as _the filth of the world_, and are THE OFFSCOURING OF ALL THINGS +unto this day[A]." Are these the men who practiced or countenanced +slavery? _With such a temper, they WOULD NOT; in such circumstances, +they COULD NOT_. Exposed to "tribulation, distress, and persecution;" +subject to famine and nakedness, to peril and the sword; "killed all the +day long; accounted as sheep for the slaughter[B]," they would have made +but a sorry figure at the great-house or slave-market! + +[Footnote A: 1 Cor. iv. 11-13.] + +[Footnote B: 1 Rom. viii. 35, 36.] + +Nor was the condition of the brethren, generally, better than that of +the apostles. The position of the apostles doubtless entitled them to +the strongest opposition, the heaviest reproaches, the fiercest +persecution. But derision and contempt must have been the lot of +Christians generally. Surely we cannot think so ill of primitive +Christianity as to suppose that believers, generally, refused to share +in the trials and sufferings of their leaders; as to suppose that while +the leaders submitted to manual labor, to buffeting, to be reckoned the +filth of the world, to be accounted as sheep for the slaughter, his +brethren lived in affluence, ease, and honor! despising manual labor! +and living upon the sweat of unrequited toil! But on this point we are +not left to mere inference and conjecture. The apostle Paul in the +plainest language explains the ordination of Heaven. "But _God hath_ +CHOSEN the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God +hath CHOSEN the weak things of the world to confound the things which +are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised +hath God CHOSEN, yea, and THINGS WHICH ARE NOT, to bring to nought +things that are."[A] Here we may well notice, + +[Footnote A: 1 Cor. i. 27, 28.] + +1. That it was not by _accident_, that the primitive churches were made +up of such elements, but the result of the DIVINE CHOICE--an arrangement +of His wise and gracious Providence. The inference is natural, that this +ordination was co-extensive with the triumphs of Christianity. It was +nothing new or strange, that Jehovah had concealed his glory "from the +wise and prudent, and had revealed it unto babes," or that "the common +people heard him gladly," while "not many wise men after the flesh, not +many mighty, not many noble, had been called." + +2. The description of character which the apostle records, could be +adapted only to what are reckoned the _very dregs of humanity_. The +foolish and the weak, the base and the contemptible, in the estimation +of worldly pride and wisdom--these were they whose broken hearts were +reached, and moulded, and refreshed by the gospel; these were they whom +the apostle took to his bosom as his own brethren. + +That _slaves_ abounded at Corinth, may easily be admitted. _They_ have a +place in the enumeration of elements of which, according to the apostle, +the church there was composed. The most remarkable class found there, +consisted of "THINGS WHICH ARE NOT"--mere nobodies, not admitted to the +privileges of men, but degraded to a level with "goods and chattels;" of +whom _no account_ was made in such arrangements of society as subserved +the improvement, and dignity, and happiness of MANKIND. How accurately +this description applies to those who are crushed under the chattel +principle! + +The reference which the apostle makes to the "deep poverty of the +churches of Macedonia,"[B] and this to stir up the sluggish liberality +of his Corinthian brethren, naturally leaves the impression, that the +latter were by no means inferior to the former in the gifts of +Providence. But, pressed with want and pinched by poverty as were the +believers in "Macedonia and Achaia, it pleased them to make a certain +contribution for the poor saints which were at Jerusalem."[C] Thus it +appears, that Christians every where were familiar with contempt and +indigence, so much so, that the apostle would dissuade such as had no +families from assuming the responsibilities of the conjugal relation[D]! + +[Footnote B: 2 Cor. viii. 2.] + +[Footnote C: Rom. xv. 26.] + +[Footnote D: 1 Cor. vi 26,27] + +Now, how did these good people treat each other? Did the few among them, +who were esteemed wise, mighty, or noble, exert their influence and +employ their power in oppressing the weak, in disposing of the "things +that are not," as marketable commodities!--kneeling with them in prayer +in the evening, and putting them up at auction the next morning! Did the +church sell any of the members to swell the "certain contribution far +the poor saints at Jerusalem!" Far otherwise--as far as possible! In +those Christian communities where the influence of the apostles was most +powerful, and where the arrangements drew forth their highest +commendations, believers treated each other as brethren, in the +strongest sense of that sweet word. So warm was their mutual love, so +strong the public spirit, so open-handed and abundant the general +liberality, that they are set forth as "_having all things common._" [E] +Slaves and their holders here? Neither the one nor the other could in +that relation to each other have breathed such an atmosphere. The appeal +of the kneeling bondman, "Am I not a man and a brother," must here have +met with a prompt and powerful response. + +[Footnote E: Acts iv. 32] + +The _tests_ by which our Savior tries the character of his professed +disciples, shed a strong light upon the genius of the gospel. In one +connection[F], an inquirer demands of the Savior, "What good thing shall +I do that I may have eternal life?" After being reminded of the +obligations which his social nature imposed upon him, he ventured, while +claiming to be free from guilt in his relations to mankind, to demand, +"what lack I yet?" The radical deficiency under which his character +labored, the Savior was not long or obscure in pointing out. If thou +wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast and give to the poor, and +thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come and follow me. On this +passage it is natural to suggest-- + +[Footnote F: Luke xvii 18-24] + +1. That we have here a _test of universal application._ The rectitude +and benevolence of our Savior's character forbid us to suppose that he +would subject this inquirer, especially as he was highly amiable, to a +trial, where eternal life was at stake, _peculiarly_ severe. Indeed, the +test seems to have been only a fair exposition of the second great +command, and of course it must be applicable to all who are placed under +the obligations of that precept. Those who can not stand this test, as +their character is radically imperfect and unsound, must, with the +inquirer to whom our Lord applied it, be pronounced unfit for the +kingdom of heaven. + +2. The least that our Savior can in that passage be understood to demand +is, that we disinterestedly and heartily devote ourselves to the welfare +of mankind, "the poor" especially. We are to put ourselves on a level +with _them_, as we must do "in selling that we have" for their +benefit--in other words, in employing our powers and resources to +elevate their character, condition, and prospects. This our Savior did; +and if we refuse to enter into sympathy and cooperation with him, how +can we be his _followers_? Apply this test to the slaveholder. Instead +of "selling that he hath" for the benefit of the poor, he BUYS THE POOR, +and exacts their sweat with stripes, to enable him to "clothe himself in +purple and fine linen, and fare sumptuously every day;" or, HE SELLS THE +POOR to support the gospel and convert the heathen! + +What, in describing the scenes of the final judgment, does our Savior +teach us? _By what standard_ must our character be estimated, and the +retributions of eternity be awarded? A standard, which both the +righteous and the wicked will be surprised to see erected. From the +"offscouring of all things," the meanest specimen of humanity will be +selected--a "stranger" in the hands of the oppressor, naked, hungry, +sickly; and this stranger, placed in the midst of the assembled +universe, by the side of the sovereign Judge, will be openly +acknowledged as his representative. "Glory, honor, and immortality," +will be the reward of those who had recognized and cheered their Lord +through his outraged poor. And tribulation, anguish, and despair, will +seize on "every soul of man," who had neglected or despised them. But +whom, within the limits of our country, are we to regard especially as +the representatives of our final Judge? Every feature of the Savior's +picture finds its appropriate original in our enslaved countrymen. + +1. They are the LEAST of his brethren. + +2. They are subject to thirst and hunger, unable to command a cup of +water or a crumb of bread. + +3. They are exposed to wasting sickness, without the ability to procure +a nurse or employ a physician. + +4. They are emphatically "in prison," restrained by chains, goaded with +whips, tasked, and under keepers. Not a wretch groans in any cell of the +prisons of our country, who is exposed to a confinement so rigorous and +heart-breaking as the law allows theirs to be continually and +permanently. + +5. And then they are emphatically, and peculiarly, and exclusively, +STRANGERS--_strangers_ in the land which gave them birth. Whom else do +we constrain to remain aliens in the midst of our free institutions? The +Welch, the Swiss, the Irish? The Jews even? Alas, it is the _negro_ +only, who may not strike his roots into our soil. Every where we have +conspired to treat him as a stranger--every where he is forced to feel +himself a stranger. In the stage and steamboat, in the parlor and at our +tables, in the scenes of business and in the scenes of amusement--even +in the church of God and at the communion table, he is regarded as a +stranger. The intelligent and religious are generally disgusted and +horror-struck at the thought of his becoming identified with the +citizens of our republic--so much so, that thousands of them have +entered into a conspiracy to send him off "out of sight," to find a home +on a foreign shore!--And justify themselves by openly alledging, that a +"single drop" of his blood, in the veins of any human creature, must +make him hateful to his fellow citizens!--That nothing but banishment +from "our coasts," can redeem him from the scorn and contempt to which +his "stranger" blood has reduced him among his own mother's children! + +Who, then, in this land "of milk and honey," is "hungry and athirst," +but the man from whom the law takes away the last crumb of bread and the +smallest drop of water? + +Who "naked," but the man whom the law strips of the last rag of +clothing? + +Who "sick," but the man whom the law deprives of the power of procuring +medicine or sending for a physician? + +Who "in prison," but the man who, all his life is under the control of +merciless masters and cruel keepers? + +Who a "stranger," but the man who is scornfully denied the cheapest +courtesies of life--who is treated as an alien in his native country? + +There is one point in this awful description which deserves particular +attention. Those who are doomed to the left hand of the Judge, are not +charged with inflicting _positive injuries_ on their helpless, needy, +and oppressed brother. Theirs was what is often called _negative_ +character. What they _had done_ is not described in the indictment. +Their _neglect_ of duty, what they _had_ NOT _done_, was the ground of +their "everlasting punishment." The representative of their Judge, they +had seen a hungered and they gave him no meat, thirsty and they have him +no drink, a stranger and they took him not in, naked and they clothed +him not, sick and in prison and they visited him not. In as much as they +did NOT yield to the claims of suffering humanity--did NOT exert +themselves to bless the meanest of the human family, they were driven +away in their wickedness. But what if the indictment had run thus: I was +a hungered and ye snatched away the crust which might have saved me from +starvation; I was thirsty and ye dashed to the ground the "cup of cold +water," which might have moistened my parched lips; I was a stranger and +ye drove me from the hovel which might have sheltered me from the +piercing wind; I was sick and ye scourged me to my task; in prison and +you sold me for my jail-fees--to what depths of hell must not those who +were convicted under such charges be consigned! And what is the history +of American slavery but one long indictment, describing under +ever-varying forms and hues just such injuries! + +Nor should it be forgotten, that those who incurred the displeasure of +their Judge, took far other views than he, of their own past history. +The charges which he brought against them, they heard with great +surprise. They were sure that they had never thus turned away from his +necessities. Indeed, when had they seen him thus subject to poverty, +insult, and oppression! Never. And as to that poor friendless creature +whom they left unpitied and unhelped in the hands of the oppressor, and +whom their Judge now presented as his own representative, they never +once supposed, that _he_ had any claims on their compassion and +assistance. Had they known, that he was destined to so prominent a place +at the final judgment, they would have treated him as a human being, in +despite of any social, pecuniary, or political considerations. But +neither their _negative virtue_ nor their _voluntary ignorance_ could +shield them from the penal fire which their selfishness had kindled. + +Now amidst the general maxims, the leading principles, the "great +commandments" of the gospel; amidst its comprehensive descriptions and +authorized tests of Christian character, we should take our position in +disposing of any particular allusions to such forms and usages of the +primitive churches as are supposed by divine authority. The latter must +be interpreted and understood in the light of the former. But how do the +apologists and defenders of slavery proceed? Placing themselves amidst +the arrangements and usages which grew out of the _corruptions_ of +Christianity, they make these the standard by which the gospel is to be +explained and understood! Some Recorder or Justice, without the light of +inquiry or the aid of a jury, consigns the negro whom the kidnapper has +dragged into his presence to the horrors of slavery. As the poor wretch +shrieks and faints, Humanity shudders and demands why such atrocities +are endured? Some "priest" or "Levite," "passing by on the other side," +quite self-possessed and all complacent reads in reply from his bread +phylactery, _Paul sent back Onesimus to Philemon_! Yes, echoes the +negro-hating mob, made up of "gentlemen of property and standing" +together with equally gentle-men reeking from the gutter; _Yes--Paul +sent back Onesimus to Philemon_! And Humanity, brow-beaten, stunned with +noise and tumult, is pushed aside by the crowd! A fair specimen this of +the manner in which modern usages are made to interpret the sacred +Scriptures? + +Of the particular passages in the New Testament on which the apologists +for slavery especially rely, the epistle to Philemon first demands our +attention. + +1. This letter was written by the apostle Paul while a "prisoner of +Jesus Christ" at Rome. + +2. Philemon was a benevolent and trustworthy member of the church at +Colosse, at whose house the disciples of Christ held their assemblies, +and who owed his conversion, under God, directly or indirectly to the +ministry of Paul. + +3. Onesimus was the servant of Philemon; under a relation which it is +difficult with accuracy and certainty to define. His condition, though +servile, could not have been like that of an American slave; as, in that +case, however he might have "wronged" Philemon, he could not also have +"_owed him ought_."[A] The American slave is, according to law, as much +the property of his master as any other chattel; and can no more "owe" +his master than can a sheep or a horse. The basis of all pecuniary +obligations lies in some "value received." How can "an article of +merchandise" stand on this basis and sustain commercial relations to its +owner? There is no _person_ to offer or promise. _Personality is +swallowed up in American slavery_! + +[Footnote A: Phil. 18.] + +4. How Onesimus found his way to Rome it is not easy to determine. He +and Philemon appear to have parted from each other on ill terms. The +general character of Onesimus, certainly, in his relation to Philemon, +had been far from attractive, and he seems to have left him without +repairing the wrongs he had done him or paying the debts which he owed +him. At Rome, by the blessing of God upon the exertions of the apostle, +he was brought to reflection and repentance. + +5. In reviewing his history in the light of Christian truth, he became +painfully aware of the injuries, he had inflicted on Philemon. He longed +for an opportunity for frank confession and full restitution. Having, +however, parted with Philemon on ill terms, he knew not how to appear in +his presence. Under such embarrassments, he naturally sought sympathy +and advice of Paul. _His_ influence upon Philemon, Onesimus knew must be +powerful, especially as an apostle. + +6. A letter in behalf of Onesimus was therefore written by the apostle +to Philemon. After such salutations, benedictions, and thanks giving as +the good character and useful life of Philemon naturally drew from the +heart of Paul, he proceeds to the object of the letter. He admits that +Onesimus had behaved ill in the service of Philemon; not in running +away, for how they had parted with each other is not explained, but in +being unprofitable and in refusing to pay the debts[B] which he had +contracted. But his character had undergone a radical change. +Thenceforward fidelity and usefulness would be his aim and mark his +course. And as to any pecuniary obligations which he had violated, the +apostle authorized Philemon to put them on _his_ account.[C] Thus a way +was fairly opened to the heart of Philemon. And now what does the +apostles ask? + +[Footnote B: Verse 11,18.] + +[Footnote C: Verse 18.] + +7. He asks that Philemon would receive Onesimus. How? "Not as a +_servant_, but _above_ a servant."[A] How much above? Philemon was to +receive him as "a son" of the apostle--"as a brother beloved"--nay, if +he counted Paul a partner, an equal, he was to receive Onesimus as he +would receive _the apostle himself[B]. So much_ above a servant was he +to receive him! + +[Footnote A: Verse 16.] + +[Footnote B: Verse 10, 16, 17.] + +8. But was not this request to be so interpreted and complied with as to +put Onesimus in the hands of Philemon as "an article of merchandise," +CARNALLY, while it raised him to the dignity of a "brother beloved," +SPIRITUALLY? In other words, might not Philemon consistently with the +request of Paul, have reduced Onesimus to a chattel, AS A MAN, while he +admitted him fraternally to his bosom, as a CHRISTIAN? Such gibberish in +an apostolic epistle! Never. As if, however, to guard against such +folly, the natural product of mist and moonshine, the apostle would have +Onesimus raised above a servant to the dignity of a brother beloved, +"BOTH IN THE FLESH AND IN THE LORD;"[C] as a man and Christian, in all +the relations, circumstances, and responsibilities of life. + +[Footnote C: Verse 16.] + +It is easy now with definiteness and certainty to determine in what +sense the apostle in such connections uses the word "_brother_." It +describes a relation inconsistent with and opposite to the _servile_. It +is "NOT" the relation of a "SERVANT." It elevates its subject "above" +the servile condition. It raises him to full equality with the master, +to the same equality, on which Paul and Philemon stood side by side as +brothers; and this, not in some vague, undefined, spiritual sense, +affecting the soul and leaving the body in bonds, but in every way, +"both in the FLESH and in the Lord." This matter deserves particular and +earnest attention. It sheds a strong light on other lessons of apostolic +instruction. + +9. It is greatly to our purpose, moreover, to observe that the apostle +clearly defines the _moral character_ of his request. It was fit, +proper, right, suited to the nature and relations of things--a thing +which _ought_ to be done.[D] On this account, he might have urged it +upon Philemon in the form of an _injunction_, on apostolic authority and +with great boldness.[E] _The very nature_ of the request made it +obligatory on Philemon. He was sacredly bound, out of regard to the +fitness of things, to admit Onesimus to full equality with himself--to +treat him as a brother both in the Lord and as having flesh--as a fellow +man. Thus were the inalienable rights and birth-right privileges of +Onesimus, as a member of the human family, defined and protected by +apostolic authority. + +[Footnote D: Verse 8. To [Greek: anaekon]. See Robinson's New Testament +Lexicon; "_it is fit, proper, becoming, it ought_." In what sense King +James' translators used the word "convenient" any one may see who will +read Rom. i. 28 and Eph. v. 3, 4.] + +[Footnote E: Verse 8.] + +10. The apostle preferred a request instead of imposing a command, on +the ground of CHARITY.[A] He would give Philemon an opportunity of +discharging his obligations under the impulse of love. To this impulse, +he was confident Philemon would promptly and fully yield. How could he +do otherwise? The thing itself was right. The request respecting it came +from a benefactor, to whom, under God, he was under the highest +obligations.[B] That benefactor, now an old man and in the hands of +persecutors, manifested a deep and tender interest in the matter, and +had the strongest persuasion that Philemon was more ready to grant than +himself to entreat. The result, as he was soon to visit Colosse, and had +commissioned Philemon to prepare a lodging for him, must come under the +eye of the apostle. The request was so manifestly reasonable and +obligatory, that the apostle, after all, described a compliance with it, +by the strong word "_obedience_."[C] + +[Footnote A: Verse 9 [Greek: dia taen agapaen].] + +[Footnote B: Verse 19.] + +[Footnote C: Verse 21.] + +Now how must all this have been understood by the church at Colosse?--a +church, doubtless, made up of such materials as the church at Corinth, +that is, of members chiefly from the humblest walks of life. Many of +them had probably felt the degradation and tasted the bitterness of the +servile condition. Would they have been likely to interpret the +apostle's letter under the bias of feelings friendly to slavery!--And +put the slaveholder's construction on its contents! Would their past +experience or present sufferings--for doubtless some of them were still +"under the yoke"--have suggested to their thoughts such glosses as some +of our theological professors venture to put upon the words of the +apostle! Far otherwise. The Spirit of the Lord was there, and the +epistle was read in the light of "_liberty_." It contained the +principles of holy freedom, faithfully and affectionately applied. This +must have made it precious in the eyes of such men "of low degree" as +were most of the believers, and welcome to a place in the sacred canon. +There let it remain as a luminous and powerful defense of the cause of +emancipation! + +But what with Prof. Stuart? "If any one doubts, let him take the case of +Paul's sending Onesimus back to Philemon, with an apology for his +running away, and sending him back to be his servant for life."[A] + +[Footnote A: See his letter to Dr. Fisk, supra p. 8.] + +"Paul sent back Onesimus to Philemon." By what process? Did the apostle, +a prisoner at Rome, seize upon the fugitive, and drag him before some +heartless and perfidious "Judge," for authority to send him back to +Colosse? Did he hurry his victim away from the presence of the fat and +supple magistrate, to be driven under chains and the lash to the field +of unrequited toil, whence he had escaped? Had the apostle been like +some teachers in the American churches, he might, as a professor of +sacred literature in one of our seminaries, or a preacher of the gospel +to the rich in some of our cities, have consented thus to subserve the +"peculiar" interests of a dear slaveholding brother. But the venerable +champion of truth and freedom was himself under bonds in the imperial +city, waiting for the crown of martyrdom. He wrote a letter to the +church at Colosse, which was accustomed to meet at the house of +Philemon, and another letter to that magnanimous disciple, and sent them +by the hand of Onesimus. So much for _the way_ in which Onesimus was +sent back to his master. + +A slave escapes from a patriarch in Georgia, and seeks a refuge in the +parish of the Connecticut doctor, who once gave public notice that he +saw no reason for caring for the servitude of his fellow men.[B] Under +his influence, Caesar becomes a Christian convert. Burning with love for +the son whom he hath begotten in the gospel, our doctor resolves to send +him back to his master. Accordingly, he writes a letter, gives it to +Caesar, and bids him return, staff in hand, to the "corner-stone of our +republican institutions." Now, what would any Caesar do, who had ever +felt a link of slavery's chain? As he left his _spiritual father_, +should we be surprized to hear him say to himself, What, return of my +own accord to the man who, with the hand of a robber, plucked me from my +mother's bosom!--for whom I have been so often drenched in the sweat of +unrequited toil!--whose violence so often cut my flesh and scarred my +limbs!--who shut out every ray of light from my mind!--who laid claim to +those honors to which my Creator and Redeemer only are entitled! And for +what am I to return? To be cursed, and smitten, and sold! To be tempted, +and torn, and destroyed! I can not thus throw myself away--thus rush +upon my own destruction. + +[Footnote B: "Why should I care?"] + +Who ever heard of the voluntary return of a fugitive from American +oppression? Do you think that the doctor and his friends could persuade +one to carry a letter to the patriarch from whom he had escaped? And +must we believe this of Onesimus! + +"Paul sent back Onesimus to Philemon." On what occasion?--"If," writes +the apostle, "he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on my +account." Alive to the claims of duty, Onesimus would "restore" whatever +he "had taken away." He would honestly pay his debts. This resolution, +the apostle warmly approved. He was ready, at whatever expense, to help +his young disciple in carrying it into full effect. Of this he assured +Philemon, in language the most explicit and emphatic. Here we find one +reason for the conduct of Paul in sending Onesimus to Philemon. + +If a fugitive slave of the Rev. Mr. Smylie, of Mississippi, should +return to him with a letter from a doctor of divinity in New York, +containing such an assurance, how would the reverend slaveholder dispose +of it? What, he exclaims, have we here? "If Cato has not been upright in +his pecuniary intercourse with you--if he owes you any thing--put that +on my account." What ignorance of southern institutions! What mockery, +to talk of pecuniary intercourse between a slave and his master! _The +slave himself, with all he is and has, is an article of merchandise_. +What can _he_ owe his master?--A rustic may lay a wager with his mule, +and give the creature the peck of oats which he had permitted it to win. +But who in sober earnest would call this a pecuniary transaction? + +"TO BE HIS SERVANT FOR LIFE!" From what part of the epistle could the +expositor have evolved a thought so soothing to tyrants--so revolting to +every man who loves his own nature? From this? "For perhaps he therefore +departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever." +Receive him how? _As a servant_, exclaims our commentator. But what +wrote the apostle? "NOT _now as a servant, but above a servant_, a +brother beloved, especially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in +the flesh and in the Lord." Who authorized the professor to bereave the +word '_not_' of its negative influence? According to Paul, Philemon was +to receive Onesimus '_not_ as a servant;'--according to Stuart, he was +to receive him "_as a servant!_" If the professor will apply the same +rules of exposition to the writings of the abolitionists, all difference +between him and them must in his view presently vanish away. The +harmonizing process would be equally simple and effectual. He has only +to understand them as affirming what they deny, and as denying what +they affirm. + +Suppose that Prof. Stuart had a son residing at the South. His slave, +having stolen money of his master, effected his escape. He fled to +Andover, to find a refuge among the "sons of the prophets." There he +finds his way to Prof. Stuart's house, and offers to render any service +which the professor, dangerously ill "of a typhus fever," might require. +He is soon found to be a most active, skillful, faithful nurse. He +spares no pains, night and day, to make himself useful to the venerable +sufferer. He anticipates every want. In the most delicate and tender +manner, he tries to sooth every pain. He fastens himself strongly on the +heart of the reverend object of his care. Touched with the heavenly +spirit, the meek demeanor, the submissive frame, which the sick bed +exhibits, Archy becomes a Christian. A new bond now ties him and his +convalescent teacher together. As soon as he is able to write, the +professor sends by Archy the following letter to the South, to Isaac +Stuart, Esq.:-- + +"MY DEAR SON,--With a hand enfeebled by a distressing and dangerous +illness, from which I am slowly recovering, I address you, on a subject +which lies very near my heart. I have a request to urge, which my +acquaintance with you, and your strong obligations to me, will, I can +not doubt, make you eager fully to grant. I say a request, though the +thing I ask is, in its very nature and on the principles of the gospel, +obligatory upon you. I might, therefore, boldly demand, what I earnestly +entreat. But I know how generous, magnanimous, and Christ-like you are, +and how readily you will "do even more than I say"--I, your own father, +an old man, almost exhausted with multiplied exertions for the benefit +of my family and my country, and now just rising, emaciated and broken, +from the brink of the grave. I write in behalf of Archy, whom I regard +with the affection of a father, and whom, indeed, 'I have begotten in my +sickness.' Gladly would I have retained him, to be an _Isaac_ to me; for +how often did not his soothing voice, and skillful hand, and unwearied +attention to my wants, remind me of you! But I chose to give you an +opportunity of manifesting, voluntarily, the goodness of your heart; as, +if I had retained him with me, you might seem to have been forced to +grant what you will gratefully bestow. His temporary absence from you +may have opened the way for his permanent continuance with you. Not now +as a slave. Heaven forbid! But superior to a slave. Superior, did I say? +Take him to your bosom, as a beloved brother; for I own him as a son, +and regard him as such, in all the relations of life, both as a man and +a Christian.--'Receive him as myself.' And that nothing may hinder you +from complying with my request at once, I hereby promise, without +adverting to your many and great obligations to me, to pay you every +cent which he took from your drawer. Any preparation which my comfort +with you may require, you will make without much delay, when you learn, +that I intend, as soon as I shall be able 'to perform the journey,' to +make you a visit." + +And what if Dr. Baxter, in giving an account of this letter should +publicly declare that Prof. Stuart of Andover regarded slaveholding as +lawful; for that "he had sent Archy back to his son Isaac, with an +apology for his running away" to be held in perpetual slavery? With what +propriety might not the professor exclaim: False, every syllable false. +I sent him back, NOT TO BE HELD AS A SLAVE, _but recognized as a dear +brother, in all respects, under every relation, civil and +ecclesiastical_. I bade my son receive _Archy as myself_. If this was +not equivalent to a requisition to set him fully and most honorably +free, and that, too, on the ground of natural obligation and Christian +principle, then I know not how to frame such a requisition. + +I am well aware that my supposition is by no means strong enough fully +to illustrate the case to which it is applied. Prof. Stuart lacks +apostolical authority. Isaac Stuart is not a leading member of a church +consisting, as the early churches chiefly consisted, of what the world +regard as the dregs of society--"the offscouring of all things." Nor was +slavery at Colosse, it seems, supported by such barbarous usages, such +horrid laws as disgrace the South. + +But it is time to turn to another passage which, in its bearing on the +subject in hand, is, in our view, as well as in the view of Dr. Fisk and +Prof. Stuart, in the highest degree authoritative and instructive. "Let +as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of +all honor, that the name of God and his doctrines be not blasphemed. And +they that have believing masters, let them not despise them because they +are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and +beloved, partakers of the benefit."[A] + +[Footnote A: 1 Tim. vi. 1, 2.] + +1. The apostle addresses himself here to two classes of servants, with +instructions to each respectively appropriate. Both the one class and +the other, in Prof. Stuart's eye, were _slaves_. This he assumes, and +thus begs the very question in dispute. The term servant is _generic_, +as used by the sacred writers. It comprehends all the various offices +which men discharge for the benefit of each other, however honorable, or +however menial; from that of an apostle[B] opening the path to heaven, +to that of washing "one another's feet."[C] A general term it is, +comprehending every office which belongs to human relations and +Christian character.[D] + +[Footnote B: Cor. iv. 5.] + +[Footnote C: John xiii. 14.] + +[Footnote D: Mat. xx. 26-28.] + +A leading signification gives us the _manual laborer_, to whom, in the +division of labor, muscular exertion was allotted. As in his exertions +the bodily powers are especially employed--such powers as belong to man +in common with mere animals--his sphere has generally been considered +low and humble. And as intellectual power is superior to bodily, the +manual laborer has always been exposed in very numerous ways and in +various degrees to oppression. Cunning, intrigue, the oily tongue, have, +through extended and powerful conspiracies, brought the resources of +society under the control of the few, who stood aloof from his homely +toil. Hence his dependence upon them. Hence the multiplied injuries +which have fallen so heavily upon him. Hence the reduction of his wages +from one degree to another, till at length, in the case of millions, +fraud and violence strip him of his all, blot his name from the record +of _mankind_, and, putting a yoke upon his neck, drive him away to toil +among the cattle. _Here you find the slave._ To reduce the servant to +his condition, requires abuses altogether monstrous--injuries reaching +the very vitals of man--stabs upon the very heart of humanity. Now, what +right has Prof. Stuart to make the word "_servants_," comprehending, +even as manual laborers, so many and such various meanings, signify +"_slaves_," especially where different classes are concerned? Such a +right he could never have derived from humanity, or philosophy, or +hermeneutics. Is it his by sympathy with the oppressor? + +Yes, different classes. This is implied in the term "_as many_,"[A] +which sets apart the class now to be addressed. From these he proceeds +to others, who are introduced by a particle,[B] whose natural meaning +indicates the presence of another and a different subject. + +[Footnote A: [Greek: Osoi.] See Passow's Schneider.] + +[Footnote B: [Greek: De.] See Passow.] + +2. The first class are described as "_under the yoke_"--a yoke from +which they were, according to the apostle, to make their escape if +possible.[C] If not, they must in every way regard the master with +respect--bowing to his authority, working his will, subserving his +interests so far as might be consistent with Christian character.[D] And +this, to prevent blasphemy--to prevent the pagan master from heaping +profane reproaches upon the name of God and the doctrines of the gospel. +They should beware of rousing his passions, which, as his helpless +victims, they might be unable to allay or withstand. + +[Footnote C: See 1 Cor. vii. 21--[Greek: All ei kai d u n a s a i +eleutheros genesthai.]] + +[Footnote D: 1 Cor. vii. 23--[Greek: Mae ginesthe douloi anthropon.]] + +But all the servants whom the apostle addressed were not "_under the +yoke_"[E]--an instrument appropriate to cattle and to slaves. These he +distinguishes from another class, who instead of a "yoke"--the badge of +a slave--had "_believing masters_." _To have a "believing master," then, +was equivalent to freedom from "the yoke."_ These servants were exhorted +not _to despise_ their masters. What need of such an exhortation, if +their masters had been slaveholders, holding them as property, wielding +them as mere instruments, disposing of them as "articles of +merchandise?" But this was not consistent with believing. Faith, +"breaking every yoke," united master and servants in the bonds of +brotherhood. Brethren they were, joined in a relation which, excluding +the yoke,[F] placed them side by side on the ground of equality, where, +each in his appropriate sphere, they might exert themselves freely and +usefully, to the mutual benefit of each other. Here, servants might need +to be cautioned against getting above their appropriate business, +putting on airs, despising their masters, and thus declining or +neglecting their service.[G] Instead of this, they should be, as +emancipated slaves often have been,[H] models of enterprise, fidelity, +activity, and usefulness--especially as their masters were "worthy of +their confidence and love," their helpers in this well-doing.[I] + +[Footnote E: See Lev. xxvi. 13; Isa. lviii. 6, 9.] + +[Footnote F: Supra p. 47.] + +[Footnote G: See Matt. vi. 24.] + +[Footnote H: Those, for instance, set free by that "believing master" +James G. Birney.] + +[Footnote I: The following exposition is from the pen of ELIZUR WRIGHT, +JR.:--"This word [Greek: antilambanesthai,] in our humble opinion, has +been so unfairly used by the commentators, that we feel constrained to +take its part. Our excellent translators, in rendering the clause +'partakers of the benefit,' evidently lost sight of the component +preposition, which expresses the _opposition of reciprocity_, rather +than the _connection of participation_. They have given it exactly the +sense of [Greek: metalambanein,] (2 Tim. ii. 6.) Had the apostle +intended such a sense, he would have used the latter verb, or one of the +more common words, [Greek: metochoi, koinonountes], &c. (See Heb. iii. +1, and 1 Tim. v. 22, where the latter word is used in the clause, +'neither be partaker of other men's sins.' Had the verb in our text been +used, it might have been rendered, 'neither be the _part-taker_ of other +men's sins.') The primary sense of [Greek: antilambano] is _to take in +return--to take instead of, &c_. Hence, in the middle with the genitive, +it signifies _assist_, or _do one's part towards_ the person or thing +expressed by that genitive. In this sense only is the word used in the +New Testament.--(See Luke i. 54, and Acts xx. 35.) If this be true, the +word [Greek: euergesai] can not signify the benefit conferred by the +gospel, as our common version would make it, but the _well-doing_ of the +servants, who should continue to serve their believing masters, while +they were no longer under the _yoke_ of compulsion. This word is used +elsewhere in the New Testament but once, (Acts iv. 3.) in relation to +the '_good deed_' done to the impotent man. The plain import of the +clause, unmystified by the commentators, is, that believing masters +would not fail to _do their part towards_, or encourage by suitable +returns, the _free_ service of those who had once been under +the _yoke_."] + +Such, then, is the relation between those who, in the view of Prof. +Stuart, were Christian masters and Christian slaves[A]--the relation of +"brethren," which, excluding "the yoke," and of course conferring +freedom, placed them side by side on the common ground of mutual +service, both retaining, for convenience's sake, the one while giving +and the other while receiving employment, the correlative name, _as is +usual in such cases_, under which they had been known. Such was the +instruction which Timothy was required, as a Christian minister, to +give. Was it friendly to slaveholding? + +[Footnote A: Letter to Dr. Fisk, supra, p. 7.] + +And on what ground, according to the Princeton professor, did these +masters and these servants stand in their relation to each other? On +that _of a "perfect religious equality_."[A] In all the relations, +duties, and privileges--in all the objects, interests, and prospects, +which belong to the province of Christianity, servants were as free as +their master. The powers of the one, were allowed as wide a range and as +free an exercise, with as warm encouragements, as active aids, and as +high results, as the other. Here, the relation of a servant to his +master imposed no restrictions, involved no embarrassments, occasioned +no injury. All this, clearly and certainly, is implied in "_perfect +religious equality_," which the Princeton professor accords to servants +in relation to their master. Might the _master_, then, in order more +fully to attain the great ends for which he was created and redeemed, +freely exert himself to increase his acquaintance with his own powers, +and relations, and resources--with his prospects, opportunities, and +advantages? So might his _servants_. Was _he_ at liberty to "study to +approve himself to God," to submit to his will and bow to his authority, +as the sole standard of affection and exertion? So were _they_. Was _he_ +at liberty to sanctify the Sabbath, and frequent the "solemn assembly?" +So were _they_. Was _he_ at liberty so to honor the filial, conjugal, +and paternal relations, as to find in them that spring of activity and +that source of enjoyment, which they are capable of yielding? So were +_they_. In every department of interest and exertion, they might use +their capacities, and wield their powers, and improve their +opportunities, and employ their resources, as freely as he, in +glorifying God, in blessing mankind, and in laying up imperishable +treasures for themselves! Give perfect religious equality to the +American slave, and the most eager abolitionist must be satisfied. Such +equality would, like the breath of the Almighty, dissolve the last link +of the chain of servitude. Dare those who, for the benefit of slavery, +have given so wide and active a circulation do the Pittsburgh pamphlet, +make the experiment? + +[Footnote A: Pittsburgh Pamphlet, p. 9.] + +In the epistle to the Colossians, the following passage deserves earnest +attention:--"Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the +flesh; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers; but in singleness of +heart, fearing God: and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the +Lord, and not unto men; knowing, that of the Lord ye shall receive the +reward of the inheritance; for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that +doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is +no respect of persons.--Masters, give unto your servants that which is +just and equal; knowing that ye have a Master in heaven."[A] + +[Footnote A: Col. iii. 22 to iv. 1.] + +Here it is natural to remark-- + +1. That in maintaining the relation, which mutually united them, both +masters and servants were to act in conformity with the principles of +the divine government. Whatever _they_ did, servants were to do in +hearty obedience to the Lord, by whose authority they were to be +controlled and by whose hand they were to be rewarded. To the same Lord, +and according to the same law, was the _master_ to hold himself +responsible. _Both the one and the other were of course equally at +liberty and alike required to study and apply the standard, by which +they were to be governed and judged._ + +2. The basis of the government under which they thus were placed, was +_righteousness_--strict, stern, impartial. Nothing here of bias or +antipathy. Birth, wealth, station,--the dust of the balance not so +light! Both master and servants were hastening to a tribunal, where +nothing of "respect of persons" could be feared or hoped for. There the +wrong-doer, whoever he might be, and whether from the top or bottom of +society, must be dealt with according to his deservings. + +3. Under this government, servants were to be universally and heartily +obedient; and both in the presence and absence of the master, faithfully +to discharge their obligations. The master on his part, in his relations +to the servants, was to make JUSTICE AND EQUALITY the _standard of his +conduct_. Under the authority of such instructions, slavery falls +discountenanced, condemned, abhorred. It is flagrantly at war with the +government of God, consists in "respect of persons" the most shameless +and outrageous, treads justice and equality under foot, and in its +natural tendency and practical effects is nothing else than a system of +wrong-doing. What have _they_ to do with the just and the equal who in +their "respect of persons" proceed to such a pitch as to treat one +brother as a thing because he is a servant, and place him, without the +least regard to his welfare here, or his prospects hereafter, absolutely +at the disposal of another brother, under the name of master, in the +relation of owner to property? Justice and equality on the one hand, and +the chattel principle on the other, are naturally subversive of each +other--proof clear and decisive that the correlates, masters and +servants, cannot here be rendered slaves and owners, without the +grossest absurdity and the greatest violence. + +"The relation of slavery," according to Prof. Stuart, is recognized in +"the precepts of the New Testament," as one which "may still exist +without violating the Christian faith or the church."[A] Slavery and the +chattel principle! So our professor thinks; otherwise his reference has +nothing to do with the subject--with the slavery which the abolitionist, +whom he derides, stands opposed to. How gross and hurtful is the mistake +into which he allows himself to fall. The relation recognized in the +precepts of the New Testament had its basis and support in "justice and +equality;" the very opposite of the chattel principle; a relation which +may exist as long as justice and equality remain, and thus escape the +destruction to which, in the view of Prof. Stuart, slavery is doomed. +The description of Paul obliterates every feature of American slavery, +raising the servant to equality with his master, and placing his rights +under the protection of justice; yet the eye of Prof. Stuart can see +nothing in his master and servant but a slave and his owner. With this +relation he is so thoroughly possessed, that, like an evil angel, it +haunts him even when he enters the temple of justice! + +[Footnote A: Letter to Dr. Fisk, supra p. 7.] + +"It is remarkable," with the Princeton professor, "that there is not +even an exhortation" in the writings of the apostles "to masters to +liberate their slaves, much less is it urged as an imperative and +immediate duty."[B] It would be remarkable, indeed, if they were +chargeable with a defect so great and glaring. And so they have nothing +to say upon the subject? _That_ not even the Princeton professor has the +assurance to affirm. He admits that KINDNESS, MERCY, AND JUSTICE, were +enjoined with a _distinct reference to the government of God_.[C] +"Without respect of persons," they were to be God-like in doing justice. +They were to act the part of kind and merciful "brethren." And whither +would this lead them? Could they stop short of restoring to every man +his natural, inalienable rights?--of doing what they could to redress +the wrongs, soothe the sorrows, improve the character, and raise the +condition of the degraded and oppressed? Especially, if oppressed and +degraded by any agency of theirs. Could it be kind, merciful, or just to +keep the chains of slavery on their helpless, unoffending brother? Would +this be to honor the Golden Rule, or obey the second great command of +"their Master in heaven?" Could the apostles have subserved the cause of +freedom more directly, intelligibly, and effectually, than _to enjoin +the principles, and sentiments, and habits, in which freedom +consists--constituting its living root and fruitful germ_? + +[Footnote B: Pittsburgh pamphlet, p. 9.] + +[Footnote C: Pittsburgh pamphlet, p. 10.] + +The Princeton professor himself, in the very paper which the South has +so warmly welcomed and so loudly applauded as a scriptural defense of +"the peculiar institution," maintains, that the "GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF +THE GOSPEL _have_ DESTROYED SLAVERY _throughout out the greater part of +Christendom"_[A]--"THAT CHRISTIANITY HAS ABOLISHED BOTH POLITICAL AND +DOMESTIC BONDAGE WHEREVER IT HAS HAD FREE SCOPE--_that it_ ENJOINS _a +fair compensation for labor; insists on the mental and intellectual +improvement of_ ALL _classes of men; condemns_ ALL _infractions of +marital or parental rights; requires in short not only that_ FREE SCOPE +_should be allowed to human improvement, but that _ALL SUITABLE MEANS_ +_should be employed for the attainment of that end._"[B] It is indeed +"remarkable," that while neither Christ nor his apostles ever gave "an +exhortation to masters to liberate their slaves," they enjoined such +"general principles as have destroyed domestic slavery throughout the +greater part of Christendom;" that while Christianity forbears "to urge" +emancipation "as an imperative and immediate duty," it throws a barrier, +heaven high, around every domestic circle; protects all the rights of +the husband and the fathers; gives every laborer a fair compensation; +and makes the moral and intellectual improvement of all classes, with +free scope and all suitable means, the object of its tender solicitude +and high authority. This is not only "remarkable," but inexplicable. Yes +and no--hot and cold, in one and the same breath! And yet these things +stand prominent in what is reckoned an acute, ingenious, effective +defense of slavery! + +[Footnote A: Pittsburgh pamphlet p. 18. 19.] + +[Footnote B: The same, p. 31.] + +In his letter to the Corinthian church, the apostle Paul furnishes +another lesson of instruction, expressive of his views and feelings on +the subject of slavery. "Let every man abide in the same calling wherein +he was called. Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if +thou mayest be made free, use it rather. For he that is called in the +Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is +called, being free, is Christ's servant. Ye are bought with a price; be +not ye the servants of men."[A] + +[Footnote A: 1 Cor. vii. 20-23.] + +In explaining and applying this passage, it is proper to suggest, + +1. That it _could_ not have been the object of the apostle to bind the +Corinthian converts to the stations and employments in which the Gospel +found them. For he exhorts some of them to escape, if possible, from +their present condition. In the servile state, "under the yoke," they +ought not to remain unless impelled by stern necessity. "If thou canst +be free, use it rather." If they ought to prefer freedom to bondage and +to exert themselves to escape from the latter for the sake of the +former, could their master consistently with the claims and spirit of +the Gospel have hindered or discouraged them in so doing? Their +"brother" could _he_ be, who kept "the yoke" upon their neck, which the +apostle would have them shake off if possible? And had such masters been +members of the Corinthian church, what inferences must they have drawn +from this exhortation to their servants? That the apostle regarded +slavery as a Christian institution?--or could look complacently on any +efforts to introduce or maintain it in the church? Could they have +expected less from him than a stern rebuke, if they refused to exert +themselves in the cause of freedom? + +2. But while they were to use their freedom, if they could obtain it, +they should not, even on such a subject, give themselves up to ceaseless +anxiety. "The Lord was no respecter of persons." They need not fear, +that the "low estate," to which they had been wickedly reduced, would +prevent them from enjoying the gifts of his hand or the light of his +countenance. _He_ would respect their rights, sooth their sorrows, and +pour upon their hearts, and cherish there, the spirit of liberty. "For +he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman." +In _him_, therefore, should they cheerfully confide. + +3. The apostle, however, forbids them so to acquiesce in the servile +relation, as to act inconsistently with their Christian obligations. To +their Savior they belonged. By his blood they had been purchased. It +should be their great object, therefore, to render _Him_ a hearty and +effective service. They should permit no man, whoever he might be, to +thrust in himself between them and their Redeemer. "_Ye are bought with +a price_; BE NOT YE THE SERVANTS OF MEN." + +With his eye upon the passage just quoted and explained, the Princeton +professor asserts that "Paul represents this relation"--the relation of +slavery--"as of comparatively little account."[A] And this he +applies--otherwise it is nothing to his purpose--to _American_ slavery. +Does he then regard it as a small matter, a mere trifle, to be thrown +under the slave-laws of this republic, grimly and fiercely excluding +their victim from almost every means of improvement, and field of +usefulness, and source of comfort; and making him, body and substance, +with his wife and babes, "the servant of men?" Could such a relation be +acquiesced in consistently with the instructions of the apostle? + +[Footnote A: Pittsburgh pamphlet p. 10.] + +To the Princeton professor the commend a practical trial of the bearing +of the passage in hand upon American slavery. His regard for the unity +and prosperity of the ecclesiastical organizations, which in various +forms and under different names unite the southern with the northern +churches, will make the experiment grateful to his feelings. Let him, +then, as soon as his convenience will permit, proceed to Georgia. No +religious teacher[B] from any free state, can be likely to receive so +general and so warm a welcome there. To allay the heat, which the +doctrines and movements of the abolitionists have occasioned in the +southern mind, let him with as much despatch as possible collect, as he +goes from place to place, masters and their slaves. Now let all men, +whom it may concern, see and own that slavery is a Christian +institution! With his Bible in his hand and his eye upon the passage in +question, he addresses himself to the task of instructing the slaves +around him. Let not your hearts, my brethren, be overcharged with +sorrow, or eaten up with anxiety. Your servile condition cannot deprive +you of the fatherly regards of Him "who is no respecter of persons." +Freedom you ought, indeed, to prefer. If you can escape from "the yoke," +throw it off. In the mean time rejoice that "where the Spirit of the +Lord is, there is liberty;" that the Gospel places slaves "on a perfect +religious equality" with their master; so that every Christian is "the +Lord's freeman." And, for your encouragement, remember that +"Christianity has abolished both political and domestic servitude +whenever it has had free scope. It enjoins a fair compensation for +labor; it insists on the moral and intellectual improvement of all +classes of men; it condemns all infractions of marital or parental +rights; in short it requires not only that free scope be allowed to +human improvement, but that all suitable means should be employed for +the attainment of that end."[C] Let your lives, then, be honorable to +your relations to your Savior. He bought you with his own blood; and is +entitled to your warmest love and most effective service. "Be not ye the +servants of men." Let no human arrangements prevent you, as citizens of +the kingdom of heaven, from making the most of your powers and +opportunities. Would such an effort, generally and heartily made, allay +excitement at the South, and quench the flames of discord, every day +rising higher and waxing hotter, in almost every part of the republic, +and cement "the Union?" + +[Footnote B: Rev. Mr. Savage, of Utica, New York, had, not very long +ago, a free conversation with a gentleman of high standing in the +literary and religious world from a slaveholding state, where the +"peculiar institution" is cherished with great warmth and maintained +with iron rigor. By him, Mr. Savage was assured, that the Princeton +professor had, through the Pittsburgh pamphlet, contributed most +powerfully and effectually to bring the "whole South" under the +persuasion, _that slaveholding is in itself right_--a system _to which +the Bible gives countenance and support_. + +In an extract from an article in the Southern Christian Sentinel, a new +Presbyterian paper established in Charleston, South Carolina, and +inserted in the Christian Journal for March 21, 1839, we find the +following paragraphs from the pen of Rev. C.W. Howard, and according to +Mr. Chester, ably and freely endorsed by the editor. "There is scarcely +any diversity of sentiment at the North upon this subject. The great +mass of the people believing slavery to be sinful, are clearly of the +opinion that as a system, it should be abolished throughout this land +and throughout the world. They differ as to the time and mode of +abolition. The abolitionists consistently argue, that whatever is +sinful, should be instantly abandoned. The others, _by a strange sort of +reasoning for Christian men_, contend that though slavery is sinful, +_yet it may be allowed to exist until it shall be expedient to abolish +it_; or if, in many cases, this reasoning might be translated into plain +English, the sense would be, both in church and State, _slavery, though +sinful, may be allowed to exist until our interest will suffer us to say +that it must be abolished_. This is not slander; it is simply a plain +way of stating a plain truth. It does seem the evident duty of every man +to become an abolitionist, who believes slavery to be sinful, for the +Bible allows no tampering with sin." + +"To these remarks, there are some noble exceptions to be found in both +parties in the church. _The South owes a debt of gratitude to the +Biblical Repertory, for the fearless argument in behalf of the position, +that slavery is not forbidden by the Bible_. The writer of that article +is said, without contradiction, to be _Prof. Hodge of Princeton--HIS +NAME OUGHT TO BE KNOWN AND REVERED AMONG YOU, my brethren, for in a land +of anti-slavery men, he is the ONLY ONE who has dared to vindicate your +character from the serious charge of living in the habitual +transgression of God's holy law_."] + +[Footnote C: Pittsburgh pamphlet p. 31.] + +"It is," affirms the Princeton professor, "on all hands acknowledged, +that, at the time of the advent of Jesus Christ, slavery in its worst +forms prevailed over the whole world. _The Savior found it around him_ +in JUDEA."[A] To say that he found it _in Judea_, is to speak +ambiguously. Many things were to be found "_in_ Judea," which neither +belonged to, nor were characteristic of _the Jews_. It is not denied +that _the Gentiles_, who resided among them, might have had slaves; _but +of the Jews this is denied_. How could the professor take that as +granted, the proof of which entered vitally into the argument and was +essential to the soundness of the conclusions to which he would conduct +us? How could he take advantage of an ambiguous expression to conduct +his confiding readers on to a position which, if his own eyes were open, +he must have known they could not hold in the light of open day? + +[Footnote A: Pittsburgh pamphlet p. 9.] + +We do not charge the Savior with any want of wisdom, goodness, or +courage,[B] for refusing to "break down the wall of partition between +Jews and Gentiles" "before the time appointed." While this barrier +stood, he could not, consistently with the plan of redemption, impart +instruction freely to the Gentiles. To some extent, and on extraordinary +occasions, he might have done so. But his business then was with "the +lost sheep of the house of Israel."[C] The propriety of this arrangement +is not the matter of dispute between the Princeton professor and +ourselves. + +[Footnote B: The same, p. 10.] + +[Footnote C: Matt. xv. 24.] + +In disposing of the question whether the Jews held slaves during our +Savior's incarnation among them, the following points deserve earnest +attention:-- + +1. Slaveholding is inconsistent with the Mosaic economy. For the proof +of this, we would refer our readers, among other arguments more or less +appropriate and powerful, to the tract already alluded to.[A] In all the +external relations and visible arrangements of life, the Jews, during +our Savior's ministry among them, seem to have been scrupulously +observant of the institutions and usages of the "Old Dispensation." They +stood far aloof from whatever was characteristic of Samaritans and +Gentiles. From idolatry and slaveholding--those twin-vices which had +always so greatly prevailed among the heathen--they seem at length, as +the result of a most painful discipline, to have been effectually +divorced. + +[Footnote A: "The Bible against Slavery."] + +2. While, therefore, John the Baptist, with marked fidelity and great +power, acted among the Jews the part of a _reprover_, he found no +occasion to repeat and apply the language of his predecessors,[B] in +exposing and rebuking idolatry and slaveholding. Could he, the greatest +of the prophets, have been less effectually aroused by the presence of +"the yoke," than was Isaiah?--or less intrepid and decisive in exposing +and denouncing the sin of oppression under its most hateful and +injurious forms? + +[Footnote B: Psalm lxxxii; Isa. lviii. 1-12; Jer. xxii. 13-16.] + +3. The Savior was not backward in applying his own principles plainly +and pointedly to such forms of oppression as appeared among the Jews. +These principles, whenever they have been freely acted on, the Princeton +professor admits, have abolished domestic bondage. Had this prevailed +within the sphere of our Savior's ministry, he could not, consistently +with his general character, have failed to expose and condemn it. The +oppression of the people by lordly ecclesiastics, of parents by their +selfish children, of widows by their ghostly counsellors, drew from his +lips scorching rebukes and terrible denunciations.[C] How, then, must he +have felt and spoke in the presence of such tyranny, if _such tyranny +had been within his official sphere_, as should _have made widows_, by +driving their husbands to some flesh-market, and their children not +orphans, _but cattle_? + +[Footnote C: Matt. xxiii; Mark vii. 1-13.] + +4. Domestic slavery was manifestly inconsistent with the _industry_, +which, _in the form of manual labor_, so generally prevailed among the +Jews. In one connection, in the Acts of the Apostles, we are informed, +that, coming from Athens to Corinth, Paul "found a certain Jew named +Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; +(because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome;) and +came unto them. And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them +and wrought: (for by their occupation they were tent-makers.")[A] This +passage has opened the way for different commentators to refer us to the +public sentiment and general practice of the Jews respecting useful +industry and manual labor. According to _Lightfoot_, "it was their +custom to bring up their children to some trade, yea, though they gave +them learning or estates." According to Rabbi Judah, "He that teaches +not his son a trade, is as if he taught him to be a thief."[B] It was, +_Kuinoel_ affirms, customary even for Jewish teachers to unite labor +(opificium) with the study of the law. This he confirms by the highest +Rabbinical authority.[C] _Heinrichs_ quotes a Rabbi as teaching, that no +man should by any means neglect to train his son to honest industry.[D] +Accordingly, the apostle Paul, though brought up at the "feet of +Gamaliel," the distinguished disciple of a most illustrious teacher, +practiced the art of tent-making. His own hands ministered to his +necessities; and his example in so doing, he commends to his Gentile +brethren for their imitation.[E] That Zebedee, the father of John the +Evangelist, had wealth, various hints in the New Testament render +probable.[F] Yet how do we find him and his sons, while prosecuting +their appropriate business? In the midst of the hired servants, "in the +ship mending their nets."[G] + +[Footnote A: Acts xviii. 1-3.] + +[Footnote B: Henry on Acts xviii, 1-3.] + +[Footnote C: Kuinoel on Acts.] + +[Footnote D: Heinrichs on Acts.] + +[Footnote E: Acts xx. 34, 35; 1 Thess. iv. 11] + +[Footnote F: See Kuinoel's Prolegom. to the Gospel of John.] + +[Footnote G: Mark i. 19, 20.] + +Slavery among a people who, from the highest to the lowest, were used to +manual labor! What occasion for slavery there? And how could it be +maintained? No place can be found for slavery among a people generally +inured to useful industry. With such, especially if men of learning, +wealth, and station "labor, working with their hands," such labor must +be honorable. On this subject, let Jewish maxims and Jewish habits be +adopted at the South, and the "peculiar institution" would vanish like a +ghost at daybreak. + +5. Another hint, here deserving particular attention, is furnished in +the allusions of the New Testament to the lowest casts and most servile +employments among the Jews. With profligates, _publicans_ were joined as +depraved and contemptible. The outcasts of society were described, not +as fit to herd with slaves, but as deserving a place among Samaritans +and publicans. They were "_hired servants_," whom Zebedee employed. In +the parable of the prodigal son we have a wealthy Jewish family. Here +servants seem to have abounded. The prodigal, bitterly bewailing his +wretchedness and folly, described their condition as greatly superior to +his own. How happy the change which should place him by their side! His +remorse, and shame, and penitence made him willing to embrace the lot of +the lowest of them all. But these--what was their condition? They were +HIRED SERVANTS. "Make me as one of thy hired servants." Such he refers +to as the lowest menials known in Jewish life. + +Lay such hints as have now been suggested together; let it be +remembered, that slavery was inconsistent with the Mosaic economy; that +John the Baptist in preparing the way for the Messiah makes no reference +"to the yoke" which, had it been before him, he would, like Isaiah, have +condemned; that the Savior, while he took the part of the poor and +sympathized with the oppressed; was evidently spared the pain of +witnessing within the sphere of his ministry, the presence of the +chattel principle; that it was the habit of the Jews, whoever they might +be, high or low, rich or poor, learned or rude, "to labor, working with +their hands;" and that where reference was had to the most menial +employments, in families, they were described as carried on by hired +servants; and the question of slavery "in Judea," so far as the seed of +Abraham were concerned, is very easily disposed of. With every phase and +form of society among them slavery was inconsistent. + +The position which, in the article so often referred to in this paper, +the Princeton professor takes, is sufficiently remarkable. Northern +abolitionists he saw in an earnest struggle with southern slaveholders. +The present welfare and future happiness of myriads of the human family +were at stake in this contest. In the heat of the battle, he throws +himself between the belligerent powers. He gives the abolitionists to +understand, that they are quite mistaken in the character of the object +they have set themselves so openly and sternly against. Slaveholding is +not, as they suppose, contrary to the law of God. It was witnessed by +the Savior "in its worst form,"[A] without extorting from his lips a +syllable of rebuke. "The sacred writers did not condemn it."[B] And why +should they? By a definition[C] sufficiently ambiguous and slippery, he +undertakes to set forth a form of slavery which he looks upon as +consistent with the law of Righteousness. From this definition he infers +that the abolitionists are greatly to blame for maintaining that +American slavery is inherently and essentially sinful, and for insisting +that it ought at once to be abolished. For this labor of love the +slaveholding South is warmly grateful and applauds its reverend ally, as +if a very Daniel had come as their advocate to judgment.[D] + +[Footnote A: Pittsburgh pamphlet p. 9.] + +[Footnote B: The same p. 13.] + +[Footnote C: The same p. 12.] + +[Footnote D: Supra p. 61.] + +A few questions, briefly put, may not here be inappropriate. + +1. Was the form of slavery which our professor pronounces innocent _the +form_ witnessed by our Savior "in Judea?" That, _he_ will by no means +admit. The slavery there was, he affirms, of the "worst" kind. _How then +does he account for the alledged silence of the Savior?--a silence +covering the essence and the form--the institution and its +"worst" abuses?_ + +2. Is the slaveholding, which, according to the Princeton professor, +Christianity justifies, the same as that which the abolitionists so +earnestly wish to see abolished? Let us see. + +_Christianity in supporting _The American system for +Slavery, according to Prof. supporting Slavery,_ +Hodge,_ + +"Enjoins a fair compensation Makes compensation impossible +for labor." by reducing the laborer to a + chattel. + +"It insists on the moral It sternly forbids its victim +and intellectual improvement to learn to read even the +of all classes of men." name of his Creator and + Redeemer. + +"It condemns all infractions It outlaws the conjugal and +of marital or parental rights." parental relations. + +"It requires that free scope It forbids any effort, on the +should be allowed to human part of myriads of the human +improvement." family, to improve their + character, condition, and + prospects. + +"It requires that all suitable It inflicts heavy penalties +means should be employed to improve for teaching letters to the +mankind." to the poorest of the poor. + +"Wherever it has had free scope, it Wherever it has free scope, +has abolished domestic bondage." it perpetuates domestic + bondage. + +_Now it is slavery according to the American system_ that the +abolitionists are set against. _Of the existence of any_ such form of +slavery as is consistent with Prof. Hodge's account of the requisitions +of Christianity, they know nothing. It has never met their notice, and +of course, has never roused their feelings, or called forth their +exertions. What, then, have _they_ to do with the censures and +reproaches which the Princeton professor deals around? Let those who +have leisure and good nature protect the _man of straw_ he is so hot +against. The abolitionists have other business. It is not the figment of +some sickly brain; but that system of oppression which in theory is +corrupting, and in practice destroying both Church and State;--it is +this that they feel pledged to do battle upon, till by the just judgment +of Almighty God it is thrown, dead and damned, into the +bottomless abyss. + +3. _How can the South feel itself protected by any shield which may be +thrown over SUCH SLAVERY, as may be consistent with what the Princeton +professor describes as the requisitions of Christianity?_ Is _this?_ +THE _slavery_ which their laws describe, and their hands maintain? "Fair +compensation for labor"--"marital and parental rights"--"free scope" +and "all suitable means" for the "improvement, moral and intellectual, +of all classes of men;"--are these, according to the statutes of the +South, among the objects of slaveholding legislation? Every body knows +that any such requisition and American slavery are flatly opposed to and +directly subversive of each other. What service, then, has the Princeton +professor, with all his ingenuity and all his zeal, rendered the +"peculiar institution?" Their gratitude must be of a stamp and +complexion quite peculiar, if they can thank him for throwing their +"domestic system" under the weight of such Christian requisitions as +must at once crush its snaky head "and grind it to powder." + +And what, moreover, is the bearing of the Christian requisitions which +Prof. Hodge quotes, upon _the definition of slavery_ which he has +elaborated? "All the ideas which necessarily enter into the definition +of slavery are, deprivation of personal liberty, obligation of service +at the discretion of another, and the transferable character of the +authority and claim of service of the master[A]." + +[Footnote A: Pittsburgh pamphlet p. 12] + + +_According to Prof. Hodge's According to Prof. Hodge's +account of the requisitions of account of Slavery, +Christianity,_ + +The spring of effort in the labor The laborer must serve at the +is a fair compensation. discretion of another. + +Free scope must be given for his moral He is deprived of personal +and intellectual improvement. liberty--the necessary + condition, and living soul + of improvement, without which + he has no control of either + intellect or morals. + +His rights as a husband and a father The authority and claims of +are to be protected. the master may throw an ocean + between him and his family, + and separate them from each + other's presence at any moment + and forever. + +Christianity, then, requires such slavery as Prof. Hodge so cunningly +defines, to be abolished. It was well provided, for the peace of the +respective parties, that he placed _his definition_ so far from _the +requisitions of Christianity_. Had he brought them into each other's +presence, their natural and invincible antipathy to each other would +have broken out into open and exterminating warfare. But why should we +delay longer upon an argument which is based on gross and monstrous +sophistry? It can mislead only such as _wish_ to be misled. The lovers +of sunlight are in little danger of rushing into the professor's +dungeon. Those who, having something to conceal, covet darkness, can +find it there, to their hearts' content. The hour can not be far away, +when upright and reflective minds at the South will be astonished at the +blindness which could welcome such protection as the Princeton argument +offers to the slaveholder. + +But _Prof. Stuart_ must not be forgotten. In his celebrated letter to +Dr. Fisk, he affirms that "_Paul did not expect slavery to be ousted in +a day_[A]." _Did not_ EXPECT! What then? Are the _requisitions_ of +Christianity adapted to any EXPECTATIONS which in any quarter and on any +ground might have risen to human consciousness? And are we to interpret +the _precepts_ of the Gospel by the expectations of Paul? The Savior +commanded all men every where to repent, and this, though "Paul did not +expect" that human wickedness, in its ten thousand forms would in any +community "be ousted in a day." Expectations are one thing; requisitions +quite another. + +[Footnote A: Supra, p.8.] + +In the mean time, while expectation waited, Paul, the professor adds, +"gave precepts to Christians respecting their demeanor." _That_ he did. +Of what character were these precepts? Must they not have been in +harmony with the Golden Rule? But this, according to Prof. Stuart, +"decides against the righteousness of slavery" even as a "theory." +Accordingly, Christians were required, _without_ _respect of persons_, +to do each other justice--to maintain equality as common ground for all +to stand upon--to cherish and express in all their intercourse that +tender love and disinterested charity which one _brother_ naturally +feels for another. These were the "ad interim precepts,"[A] which can +not fail, if obeyed, to cut up slavery, "root and branch," at once +and forever. + +[Footnote A: Letter to Dr. Fisk, p. 8.] + +Prof. Stuart comforts us with the assurance that "_Christianity will +ultimately certainly destroy slavery_." Of this _we_ have not the +feeblest doubt. But how could _he_ admit a persuasion and utter a +prediction so much at war with the doctrine he maintains, that "_slavery +may exist without_ VIOLATING THE CHRISTIAN FAITH OR THE CHURCH?"[B] +What, Christianity bent on the destruction of an ancient and cherished +institution which hurts neither her character nor condition![C] Why not +correct its abuses and purify its spirit; and shedding upon it her own +beauty, preserve it, as a living trophy of her reformatory power? Whence +the discovery that, in her onward progress, she would trample down and +destroy what was no way hurtful to her? This is to be _aggressive_ with +a witness. Far be it from the Judge of all the earth to whelm the +innocent and guilty in the same destruction! In aid of Professor Stuart, +in the rude and scarcely covert attack which he makes upon himself, we +maintain that Christianity will certainly destroy slavery on account of +its inherent wickedness--its malignant temper--its deadly effects--its +constitutional, insolent, and unmitigable opposition to the authority of +God and the welfare of man. + +[Footnote B: The same, p. 7.] + +[Footnote C: Prof. Stuart applies here the words, _salva fide et salva +ecclesia_.] + +"Christianity will _ultimately_ destroy slavery." "ULTIMATELY!" What +meaneth that portentous word? To what limit of remotest time, concealed +in the darkness of futurity, may it look? Tell us, O watchman, on the +hill of Andover. Almost nineteen centuries have rolled over this world +of wrong and outrage--and yet we tremble in the presence of a form of +slavery whose breath is poison, whose fang is death! If any one of the +incidents of slavery should fall, but for a single day, upon the head of +the prophet who dipped his pen, in such cold blood, to write that word +"ultimately," how, under the sufferings of the first tedious hour, would +he break out in the lamentable cry, "How _long_, O Lord, HOW LONG!" In +the agony of beholding a wife or daughter upon the table of the +auctioneer, while every bid fell upon his heart like the groan of +despair, small comfort would he find in the dull assurance of some +heartless prophet, quite at "ease in Zion," that "ULTIMATELY +_Christianity would destroy slavery_." As the hammer falls and the +beloved of his soul, all helpless and most wretched, is borne away to +the haunts of _legalized_ debauchery, his heart turns to stone, while +the cry dies upon his lips, "_How_ LONG, _O Lord_, HOW LONG?" + +"_Ultimately!_" In _what circumstances_ does Prof. Stuart assure himself +that Christianity will destroy slavery? Are we, as American citizens, +under the sceptre of a Nero? When, as integral parts of this +republic--as living members of this community, did we forfeit the +prerogatives of _freemen_? Have we not the right to speak and act as +wielding the powers which the principle of self-government has put in +our possession? And without asking leave of priest or statesman, of the +North or the South, may we not make the most of the freedom which we +enjoy under the guaranty of the ordinances of Heaven and the +Constitution of our country? Can we expect to see Christianity on higher +vantage-ground than in this country she stands upon? In the midst of a +republic based on the principle of the equality of mankind, where every +Christian, as vitally connected with the state, freely wields the +highest political rights and enjoys the richest political privileges; +where the unanimous demand of one-half of the members of the churches +would be promptly met in the abolition of slavery, what "_ultimately_" +must Christianity here wait for before she crushes the chattel principle +beneath her heel? Her triumph over slavery is retarded by nothing but +the corruption and defection so widely spread through the "sacramental +host" beneath her banners! Let her voice be heard and her energies +exerted, and the _ultimately_ of the "dark spirit of slavery" would at +once give place to the _immediately_ of the Avenger of the Poor. + + * * * * * + + + + +NO 8. + +THE ANTI-SLAVERY EXAMINER. + + * * * * * + +CORRESPONDENCE, + +BETWEEN THE + +HON. F.H. ELMORE, + +ONE OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA DELEGATION IN CONGRESS, + +AND + +JAMES G. BIRNEY, + +ONE OF THE SECRETARIES OF THE AMERICAN ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY. + + * * * * * + +NEW-YORK: + +PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY, + +No. 143 NASSAU STREET. + +1838. + + * * * * * + +This periodical contains 5 sheets.--Postage under 100 miles, 7-1/2 cts.; +over 100 miles, 12-1/2 cts. + +_Please read and circulate_. + + + +REMARKS IN EXPLANATION. + + * * * * * + +ANTI-SLAVERY OFFICE, _New York, May 24, 1838_. + +In January, a tract entitled "WHY WORK FOR THE SLAVE?" was issued from +this office by the agent for the _Cent-a-week Societies_. A copy of it +was transmitted to the Hon. John C. Calhoun;--to _him_, because he has +seemed, from the first, more solicitous than the generality of Southern +politicians, to possess himself of accurate information about the +Anti-Slavery movement. A note written by me accompanied the tract, +informing Mr. Calhoun, why it was sent to him. + +Not long afterward, the following letter was received from the Hon. F.H. +Elmore, of the House of Representatives in Congress. From this and +another of his letters just now received, it seems, that the +Slaveholding Representatives in Congress, after conferring together, +appointed a committee, of their own number, to obtain authentic +information of the intentions and progress of the Anti-Slavery +associations,--and that Mr. Elmore was selected, as the _South Carolina_ +member of the Committee. + +Several other communications have passed between Mr. Elmore and me. They +relate, chiefly, however, to the transmission and reception of +Anti-slavery publications, which he requested to be sent to him,--and to +other matters not having any connection with the merits of the main +subject. It is, therefore, thought unnecessary to publish them. It may +be sufficient to remark of all the communications received from Mr. +Elmore--that they are characterized by exemplary courtesy and good +temper, and that they bear the impress of an educated, refined, and +liberal mind. + +It is intended to circulate this correspondence throughout the _whole +country_. If the information it communicates be important for southern +Representatives in Congress, it is not less so for their Constituents. +The Anti-slavery movement has become so important in a National point of +view, that no statesman can innocently remain ignorant of its progress +and tendencies. The facts stated in my answer may be relied on, in +proportion to the degree of accuracy to which they lay claim;--the +arguments will, of course, be estimated according to their worth. + +JAMES G. BIRNEY. + + + +CORRESPONDENCE. + + * * * * * + +WASHINGTON CITY, FEB. 16, 1838 + +To Jas. G. Birney, Esq., _Cor. Sec. A.A.S. Soc._ + +Sir:--A letter from you to the Hon. John C. Calhoun, dated 29th January +last, has been given to me, by him, in which you say, (in reference to +the abolitionists or Anti-Slavery Societies,) "we have nothing to +conceal--and should you desire any information as to our procedure, it +will be cheerfully communicated on [my] being apprised of your wishes." +The frankness of this unsolicited offer indicates a fairness and honesty +of purpose, which has caused the present communication, and which +demands the same full and frank disclosure of the views with which the +subjoined inquiries are proposed. + +Your letter was handed to me, in consequence of a duty assigned me by my +delegation, and which requires me to procure all the authentic +information I can, as to the nature and intentions of yours and similar +associations, in order that we may, if we deem it advisable, lay the +information before our people, so that they may be prepared to decide +understandingly, as to the course it becomes them to pursue on this all +important question. If you "have nothing to conceal," and it is not +imposing too much on, what may have been, an unguarded proffer, I will +esteem your compliance as a courtesy to an opponent, and be pleased to +have an opportunity to make a suitable return. And if, on the other +hand, you have the least difficulty or objection, I trust you will not +hesitate to withhold the information sought for, as I would not have it, +unless as freely given, as it will, if deemed expedient, be freely used. + +I am, Sir, + +Your ob'd't serv't, + +F.H. ELMORE, of S.C. + +QUESTIONS for J.G. Birney, Esq., Cor. Sec. A.A.S. Society. + +1. How many societies, affiliated with that of which you are the +Corresponding Secretary, are there in the United States? And how many +members belong to them _in the aggregate_? + +2. Are there any other societies similar to yours, and not affiliated +with it, in the United States? and how many, and what is the aggregate +their members? + +3. Have you affiliation, intercourse or connection with any similar +societies out of the United States, and in what countries? + +4. Do your or similar societies exist in the Colleges and other Literary +institutions of the non-slaveholding States, and to what extent? + +5. What do you estimate the numbers of those who co-operate in this +matter at? What proportion do they bear in the population of the +Northern states, and what in the Middle non-slaveholding states? Are +they increasing, and at what rate? + +6. What is the object your associations aim at? does it extend to the +abolition of slavery only in the District of Columbia, or in the whole +slave country? + +7. By what means, and under what power, do you propose to carry your +views into effect? + +8. What has been for three years past, the annual income of your +societies? and how is it raised? + +9. In what way, and to what purposes, do you apply these funds? + +10. How many priming presses and periodical publications have you? + +11. To what classes of persons do you address your publications, and are +they addressed to the judgment, the imagination, or the feelings? + +12. Do you propagate your doctrines by any other means than oral and +written discussions,--for instance, by prints and pictures in +manufactures--say pocket handkerchiefs, &c. Pray, state the +various modes? + +13. Are your hopes and expectations increased or lessened by the events +of the last year, and, especially, by the action of this Congress? And +will your exertions be relaxed or increased? + +14. Have you any permanent fund, and how much? + +ANTI-SLAVERY OFFICE, _New York, March 8, 1838_ + +Hon. F.H. ELMORE, + +Member of Congress from S. Carolina: + +SIR,--I take pleasure in furnishing the information you have so politely +asked for, in your letter of the 16th ult., in relation to the American +Anti-Slavery Society;--and trust, that this correspondence, by +presenting in a sober light, the objects and measures of the society, +may contribute to dispel, not only from your own mind, but--if it be +diffused throughout the South--from the minds of our fellow-citizens +there generally, a great deal of undeserved prejudice and groundless +alarm. I cannot hesitate to believe, that such as enter on the +examination of its claims to public favour, without bias, will find that +it aims intelligently, not only at the promotion of the interests of the +slave, but of the master,--not only at the re-animation of the +Republican principles of our Constitution, but at the establishment of +the Union on an enduring basis. + +I shall proceed to state the several questions submitted in your letter, +and answer them, in the order in which they are proposed. You ask,-- + +"1. _How many societies, affiliated with that of which you are +corresponding secretary, are there in the United States? And how many +members belong to them_ IN THE AGGREGATE?" + +ANSWER.--Our anniversary is held on the Tuesday immediately preceding +the second Thursday in May. Returns of societies are made only a short +time before. In May, 1835, there were 225 auxiliaries reported. In May, +1836, 527. In May, 1837, 1006. Returns for the anniversary in May next +have not come in yet. It may, however, be safely said, that the +increase, since last May, is not less than 400.[A] Of late, the +multiplication of societies has not kept pace with the progress of our +principles. Where these are well received, our agents are not so careful +to organize societies as in former times, when our numbers were few; +_societies, now_, being not deemed so necessary for the advancement of +our cause. The auxiliaries average not less than 80 members each; making +an aggregate of 112,480. Others estimate the auxiliaries at 1500, and +the average of members at 100. I give you, what I believe to be the +lowest numbers. + +[Footnote A: The number reported for May was three hundred and forty, +making, in the aggregate, 1346.--_Report for May_, 1838.] + +"2. _Are there any other societies similar to yours, and not affiliated +with it in the United States? And how many, and what is the aggregate of +their members_?" + +ANSWER.--Several societies have been formed in the Methodist connection +within the last two years,--although most of the Methodists who are +abolitionists, are members of societies auxiliary to the American. These +societies have been originated by Ministers, and others of weight and +influence, who think that their brethren can be more easily persuaded, +as a religious body, to aid in the anti-slavery movement by this twofold +action. None of the large religious denominations bid fairer soon to be +on the side of emancipation than the Methodist. Of the number of the +Methodist societies that are not auxiliary, I am not informed.--The +ILLINOIS SOCIETY comes under the same class. The REV. ELIJAH P. LOVEJOY, +the corresponding secretary, was slain by a mob, a few days after its +organization. It has not held a meeting since; and I have no data for +stating the number of its members. It is supposed not to be +large.--Neither is the DELAWARE SOCIETY, organized, a few weeks ago, at +Wilmington, auxiliary to the American. I have no information as to its +numbers.--The MANUMISSION SOCIETY in this city, formed in 1785, with +JOHN JAY its first, and ALEXANDER HAMILTON its second president, might, +from its name, be supposed to be affiliated with the American. +Originally, its object, so far as regarded the slaves, and those +illegally held in bondage _in this state_, was, in a great measure, +similar. Slavery being extinguished in New-York in 1827, as a state +system, the efforts of the Manumission Society are limited now to the +rescue, from kidnappers and others, of such persons as are really free +by the laws, but who have been reduced to slavery. Of the old Abolition +societies, organized in the time, and under the influence of Franklin +and Rush and Jay, and the most active of their coadjutors, but few +remain. Their declension may be ascribed to this defect,--they did not +inflexibly ask for _immediate_ emancipation.--The PENNSYLVANIA ABOLITION +SOCIETY, formed in 1789, with DR. FRANKLIN, president, and DR. RUSH, +secretary, is still in existence--but unconnected with the American +Society. Some of the most active and benevolent members of both the +associations last named, are members of the American Society. Besides +the societies already mentioned, there may be in the country a few +others of anti-slavery name; but they are of small note and efficiency, +and are unconnected with this. + +"3. _Have you affiliation, intercourse, or connection with any similar +societies out of the United States, and in what countries_?" + +ANSWER.--A few societies have spontaneously sprung up in Canada. Two +have declared themselves auxiliary to the American. We have an agent--a +native of the United States--in Upper Canada; not with a view to the +organization of societies, but to the moral and intellectual elevation +of the Ten thousand colored people there; most of whom have escaped from +slavery in this Republic, to enjoy freedom under the protection of a +Monarchy. In Great Britain there are numerous Anti-slavery Societies, +whose particular object, of late, has been, to bring about the abolition +of the Apprentice-system, as established by the emancipation act in her +slaveholding colonies. In England, there is a society whose professed +object is, to abolish slavery _throughout the world_. Of the existence +of the British societies, you are, doubtless, fully aware; as also of +the fact, that, in Britain, the great mass of the people are opposed to +slavery as it existed, a little while ago, in their own colonies, and as +it exists now in the United States.--In France, the "FRENCH SOCIETY FOR +THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY" was founded in 1834. I shall have the pleasure +of transmitting to you two pamphlets, containing an account of some of +its proceedings; from which you will learn, that, the DUC DE BROGLIE is +its presiding officer, and many of the most distinguished and +influential of the public men of that country are members.--In Hayti, +also, "The HAYTIAN ABOLITION SOCIETY" was formed in May, 1836. + +These are all the foreign societies of which I have knowledge. They are +connected with the American by no formal affiliation. The only +intercourse between them and it, is, that which springs up spontaneously +among those of every land who sympathize with Humanity in her conflicts +with Slavery. + +"4. _Do your or similar societies exist in the Colleges and other +Literary institutions of the non-slaveholding states, and to +what extent_?" + +ANSWER.--Strenuous efforts have been made, and they are still being +made, by those who have the direction of most of the literary and +theological institutions in the free states, to bar out our principles +and doctrines, and prevent the formation of societies among the +students. To this course they have been prompted by various, and +possibly, in their view, good motives. One of them, I think it not +uncharitable to say, is, to conciliate the wealthy of the south, that +they may send their sons to the north, to swell the college catalogues. +Neither do I think it uncharitable to say, that in this we have a +manifestation of that Aristocratic pride, which, feeling itself honored +by having entrusted to its charge the sons of distant, opulent, and +distinguished planters, fails not to dull everything like sympathy for +those whose unpaid toil supplies the means so lavishly expended in +educating southern youth at northern colleges. These efforts at +suppression or restraint, on the part of Faculties and Boards of +Trustees, have heretofore succeeded to a considerable extent. +Anti-Slavery Societies, notwithstanding, have been formed in a few of +our most distinguished colleges and theological seminaries. Public +opinion is beginning to call for a relaxation of restraints and +impositions; they are yielding to its demands; and _now_, for the most +part, sympathy for the slave may be manifested by our generous college +youth, in the institution of Anti-Slavery Societies, without any +downright prohibition by their more politic teachers. College societies +will probably increase more rapidly hereafter; as, in addition to the +removal or relaxation of former restraints, just referred to, the murder +of Mr. Lovejoy, the assaults on the Freedom of speech and of the press, +the prostration of the Right of petition in Congress, &c, &c, all +believed to have been perpetrated to secure slavery from the scrutiny +that the intelligent world is demanding, have greatly augmented the +number of college abolitionists. They are, for the most part, the +diligent, the intellectual, the religious of the students. United in +societies, their influence is generally extensively felt in the +surrounding region; _dispersed_, it seems scarcely less effective. An +instance of the latter deserves particular notice. + +The Trustees and Faculty of one of our theological and literary +institutions united for the suppression of anti-slavery action among the +students. The latter refused to cease pleading for the slave, as he +could not plead for himself. They left the institution; were +providentially dispersed over various parts of the country, and made +useful, in a remarkable manner, in advancing the cause of humanity and +liberty. One of these dismissed students, the son of a slaveholder, +brought up in the midst of slavery, and well acquainted with its +peculiarities, succeeded in persuading a pious father to emancipate his +fourteen slaves. After lecturing a long time with signal success--having +contracted a disease of the throat, which prevented him from further +prosecuting his labors in this way--he visited the West Indies, eighteen +months ago, in company with another gentleman of the most ample +qualifications, to note the operation of the British emancipation act. +Together, they collected a mass of facts--now in a course of +publication--that will astonish, as it ought to delight, the whole +south; for it shows, conclusively, that IMMEDIATE emancipation is the +best, the safest, the most profitable, as it is the most just and +honorable, of all emancipations.[A] + +[Footnote A: See Appendix, A.] + +Another of these dismissed students is one of the secretaries of this +society. He has, for a long time, discharged its arduous and responsible +duties with singular ability. To his qualifications as secretary, he +adds those of an able and successful lecturer. He was heard, several +times, before the joint committee of the Legislature of Massachusetts, a +year ago, prior to the report of that committee, and to the adoption, by +the Senate and House of Representatives, of their memorable resolutions +in favor of the Power of Congress to abolish slavery in the District of +Columbia, and of the Right of petition. + +"5. _What do you estimate the number of those who co-operate in the +matter at? What proportion do they bear in the population of the +northern states, and what in the middle non-slaveholding states? Are +they increasing, and at what rate_?" + +ANSWER.--Those who stand _ready to join_ our societies on the first +suitable occasion, may be set down as equal in number to those who are +now _actually members_. Those who are ready _fully to co-operate with +us_ in supporting the freedom of speech and the press, the right of +petition, &c, may be estimated at _double_, if not _treble_, the joint +numbers of those who _already are members_, and those who are _ready to +become members_. The Recording secretary of the MASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY +stated, a few weeks ago, that the abolitionists in the various minor +societies in that state were one in thirty of the whole population. The +proportion of abolitionists to the whole population is greater in +Massachusetts than in any other of the free states, except +VERMONT,--where the spirit of liberty has almost entirely escaped the +corruptions which slavery has infused into it in most of her sister +states, by means of commercial and other intercourse with them. + +In MAINE, not much of systematic effort has, as yet, been put forth to +enlighten her population as to our principles and proceedings. I +attended the anniversary of the State Society on the 31st of January, at +Augusta, the seat of government. The Ministers of the large religious +denominations were beginning, as I was told, to unite with us--and +Politicians, to descry the ultimate prevalence of our principles. The +impression I received was, that much could, and that much would, +speedily be done. + +In NEW HAMPSHIRE, more labor has been expended, and a greater effect +produced. Public functionaries, who have been pleased to speak in +contemptuous terms of the progress of abolitionism, both in Maine and +New Hampshire, will, it is thought, soon be made to see, through a +medium not at all deceptive, the grossness of their error. + +In RHODE ISLAND, our principles are fast pervading the great body of the +people. This, it is thought, is the only one of the free states, in +which the subject of abolition has been fully introduced, which has not +been disgraced by a mob, triumphant, for the time being, over the right +of the people to discuss any, and every, matter in which they feel +interested. A short time previous to the last election of members of +Congress, questions, embodying our views as to certain political +measures were propounded to the several candidates. Respectful answers +and, in the main, conformable with our views, were returned. I shall +transmit you a newspaper containing both the questions and the +answers.[A] + +[Footnote A: Since the above was written, at the last election in this +state for governor and lieutenant governor, the abolitionists +_interrogated_ the gentlemen who stood candidates for these offices. Two +of them answered respectfully, and conformably to the views of the +abolitionists. Their opponents neglected to answer at all. The first +were elected.--See Appendix, B.] + +In CONNECTICUT, there has not been, as yet, a great expenditure of +abolition effort. Although the moral tone of this state, so far as +slavery is concerned, has been a good deal weakened by the influence of +her multiform connexions with the south, yet the energies that have been +put forth to reanimate her ancient and lofty feelings, so far from +proving fruitless, have been followed by the most encouraging results. +Evidence of this is found in the faithful administration of the laws by +judges and juries. In May last, a slave, who had been brought from +Georgia to Hartford, successfully asserted her freedom under the laws of +Connecticut. The cause was elaborately argued before the Supreme court. +The most eminent counsel were employed on both sides. And it is but a +few days, since two anti-abolition rioters (the only ones on trial) were +convicted before the Superior court in New Haven, and sentenced to pay a +fine of twenty dollars each, and to be imprisoned six months, the +longest term authorized by the law. A convention, for the organization +of a State Society, was held in the city of Hartford on the last day of +February. It was continued three days. The _call_ for it (which I send +you) was signed by nearly EIGHTEEN HUNDRED of the citizens of that +state. SEVENTEEN HUNDRED, as I was informed, are legal voters. The +proceedings of the convention were of the most harmonious and animating +character.[B] + +[Footnote B: See Appendix, C.] + +In NEW YORK, our cause is evidently advancing. The state is rapidly +coming up to the high ground of principle, so far as universal liberty +is concerned, on which the abolitionists would place her. Several large +Anti-Slavery conventions have lately been held in the western counties. +Their reports are of the most encouraging character. Nor is the change +more remarkable in the state than in this city. Less than five years +ago, a few of the citizens advertised a meeting, to be held in Clinton +Hall, to form a City Anti-Slavery Society. A mob prevented their +assembling at the place appointed. They repaired, privately, to one of +the churches. To this they were pursued by the mob, and routed from it, +though not before they had completed, in a hasty manner, the form of +organization. In the summer of 1834, some of the leading political and +commercial journals of the city were enabled to stir up the mob against +the persons and property of the abolitionists, and several of the most +prominent were compelled to leave the city for safety; their houses were +attacked, broken into, and, in one instance, the furniture publicly +burnt in the street. _Now_, things are much changed. Many of the +merchants and mechanics are favorable to our cause; gentlemen of the +bar, especially the younger and more growing ones, are directing their +attention to it; twenty-one of our city ministers are professed +abolitionists; the churches are beginning to be more accessible to us; +our meetings are held in them openly, attract large numbers, are +unmolested; and the abolitionists sometimes hear themselves commended in +other assemblies, not only for their honest _intentions_, but for their +_respectability_ and _intelligence_. + +NEW JERSEY has, as yet, no State Society, and the number of avowed +abolitionists is small. In some of the most populous and influential +parts of the state, great solicitude exists on the subject; and the call +for lecturers is beginning to be earnest, if not importunate. + +PENNSYLVANIA has advanced to our principles just in proportion to the +labor that has been bestowed, by means of lectures and publications in +enlightening her population as to our objects, and the evils and dangers +impending over the whole country, from southern slavery. The act of her +late Convention, in depriving a large number of their own constituents +(the colored people) of the elective franchise, heretofore possessed by +them without any allegation of its abuse on their part, would seem to +prove an unpropitious state of public sentiment. We would neither deny, +nor elude, the force of such evidence. But when this measure of the +convention is brought out and unfolded in its true light--shown to be a +party measure to bring succor from the south--a mere following in the +wake of North Carolina and Tennessee, who led the way, in their _new_ +constitutions, to this violation of the rights of their colored +citizens, that they might the more firmly compact the wrongs of the +enslaved--a pernicious, a profitless violation of great principles--a +vulgar defiance of the advancing spirit of humanity and justice--a +relapse into the by-gone darkness of a barbarous age--we apprehend from +it no serious detriment to our cause. + +OHIO has been well advanced. In a short time, she will be found among +the most prominent of the states on the right side in the contest now +going on between the spirit of liberty embodied in the free institutions +of the north, and the spirit of slavery pervading the south. Her +Constitution publishes the most honorable reprobation of slavery of any +other in the Union. In providing for its own revision or amendment, it +declares, that _no alteration of it shall ever take place, so as to +introduce slavery or involuntary servitude into the state_. Her Supreme +court is intelligent and firm. It has lately decided, virtually, against +the constitutionality of an act of the Legislature, made, in effect, to +favor southern slavery by the persecution of the colored people within +her bounds. She has, already, abolitionists enough to turn the scale in +her elections, and an abundance of excellent material for augmenting +the number. + +In INDIANA but little has been done, except by the diffusion of our +publications. But even with these appliances, several auxiliary +societies have been organized.[A] + +[Footnote A: The first Legislative movement against the annexation of +Texas to the Union, was made, it is believed, in Indiana. So early as +December, 1836, a joint resolution passed its second reading in one or +both branches of the Legislature. How it was ultimately disposed of, is +not known.] + +In MICHIGAN, the leaven of abolitionists pervades the whole population. +The cause is well sustained by a high order of talent; and we trust soon +to see the influence of it in all her public acts. + +In ILLINOIS, the murder of Mr. Lovejoy has multiplied and confirmed +abolitionists, and led to the formation of many societies, which, in all +probability, would not have been formed so soon, had not that event +taken place. + +I am not possessed of sufficient data for stating, with precision, what +proportion the abolitionists bear in the population of the Northern and +Middle non-slaveholding states respectively. Within the last ten months, +I have travelled extensively in both these geographical divisions. I +have had whatever advantage this, assisted by a strong interest in the +general cause, and abundant conversations with the best informed +abolitionists, could give, for making a fair estimate of their numbers. +In the Northern states I should say, _they are one in ten_--in New York, +New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, _one in twenty_--of the whole adult +population. That the abolitionists have multiplied, and that they are +still multiplying rapidly, no one acquainted with the smallness of their +numbers at their first organization a few years ago, and who has kept +his eyes about him since, need ask. That they have not, thus far, been +more successful, is owing to the vastness of the undertaking, and the +difficulties with which they have had to contend, from comparatively +limited means, for presenting their measures and objects, with the +proper developments and explanations, to the great mass of the popular +mind. The progress of their principles, under the same amount of +intelligence in presenting them, and where no peculiar causes of +prejudice exist in the minds of the hearers, is generally proportioned +to the degree of religious and intellectual worth prevailing in the +different sections of the country where the subject is introduced. I +know no instance, in which any one notoriously profane or intemperate, +or licentious, or of openly irreligious _practice_, has professed, +cordially to have received our principles. + +"6. _What is the object your associations aim at? Does it extend to +abolition of slavery only in the District of Columbia, or in the whole +slave country_?" + +ANSWER.--This question is fully answered in the second Article of the +Constitution of the American Anti-Slavery Society, which is in +these words:-- + +"The object of this society is the entire abolition of slavery in the +United States. While it admits that each state, in which slavery exists, +has, by the Constitution of the United States, the exclusive right to +_legislate_ in regard to its abolition in said state, it shall aim to +convince all our fellow-citizens, by arguments addressed to their +understandings and consciences, that slaveholding is a heinous crime in +the sight of God, and that the duty, safety, and best interests of all +concerned require its immediate abandonment, without expatriation. The +society will also endeavor, in a constitutional way, to influence +Congress to put an end to the domestic slave-trade, and to abolish +slavery in all those portions of our common country which come under its +control, especially in the District of Columbia; and likewise to prevent +the extension of it to any state that may hereafter be admitted to +the Union." + +Other objects, accompanied by a pledge of peace, are stated in the third +article of the Constitution,-- + +"This Society shall aim to elevate the character and condition of the +people of color, by encouraging their intellectual, moral, and religious +improvement, and by removing public prejudice,--that thus they may, +according to their intellectual and moral worth, share an equality with +the whites of civil and religious privileges; but this Society will +never in any way, countenance the oppressed in vindicating their rights +by resorting to physical force." + +"7. _By what means and by what power do you propose to carry your views +into effect_?" + +ANSWER.--Our "means" are the Truth,--the "Power" under whose guidance we +propose to carry our views into effect, is, the Almighty. Confiding in +these means, when directed by the spirit and wisdom of Him, who has so +made them as to act on the hearts of men, and so constituted the hearts +of then as to be affected by them, we expect, 1. To bring the CHURCH of +this country to repentance for the sin of OPPRESSION. Not only the +Southern portion of it that has been the oppressor--but the Northern, +that has stood by, consenting, for half a century, to the wrong. 2. To +bring our countrymen to see, that for a nation to persist in injustice +is, but to rush on its own ruin; that to do justice is the highest +expediency--to love mercy its noblest ornament. In other countries, +slavery has sometimes yielded to fortuitous circumstances, or been +extinguished by physical force. _We_ strive to win for truth the victory +over error, and on the broken fragments of slavery to rear for her a +temple, that shall reach to the heavens, and toward which all nations +shall worship. It has been said, that the slaveholders of the South will +not yield, nor hearken to the influence of the truth on this subject. We +believe it not--nor give we entertainment to the slander that such an +unworthy defence of them implies. We believe them _men_,--that they have +understandings that arguments will convince--consciences to which the +appeals of justice and mercy will not be made in vain. If our principles +be true--our arguments right--if slaveholders be men--and God have not +delivered over our guilty country to the retributions of the oppressor, +not only of the STRANGER but of the NATIVE--our success is certain. + +"8. _What has been for three years past, the annual income of your +societies? And how has it been raised?_" + +ANSWER.--The annual income of the societies at large, it would be +impossible to ascertain. The total receipts of this society, for the +year ending 9th of May, 1835--leaving out odd numbers--was $10,000; for +the year ending 9th of May, 1837, $25,000; and for the year ending 11th +of May, 1836, $38,000. From the last date, up to this--not quite ten +months--there has been paid into the treasury the sum of $36,000.[A] +These sums are independent of what is raised by state and auxiliary +societies, for expenditure within their own particular bounds, and for +their own particular exigencies. Also, of the sums paid in subscriptions +for the support of newspapers, and for the printing (by auxiliaries,) of +periodicals, pamphlets, and essays, either for sale at low prices, or +for gratuitous distribution. The moneys contributed in these various +modes would make an aggregate greater, perhaps, than is paid into the +treasury of any one of the Benevolent societies of the country. Most of +the wealthy contributors of former years suffered so severely in the +money-pressure of this, that they have been unable to contribute much to +our funds. This has made it necessary to call for aid on the great body +of abolitionists--persons, generally, in moderate circumstances. They +have well responded to the call, considering the hardness of the times. +To show you the extremes that meet at our treasury,--General Sewall, of +Maine, a revolutionary officer, eighty-five years old--William +Philbrick, a little boy near Boston, not four years old--and a colored +woman, who makes her subsistence by selling apples in the streets in +this city, lately sent in their respective sums to assist in promoting +the emancipation of the "poor slave." + +[Footnote A: The report for May states the sum received during the +previous year at $44,000.] + +All contributions of whatever kind are _voluntary_. + +"9. _In what way, and to what purposes do you apply these funds!_" + +ANSWER.--They are used in sustaining the society's office in this +city--in paying lecturers and agents of various kinds--in upholding the +press--in printing books, pamphlets, tracts, &c, containing expositions +of our principles--accounts of our progress--refutations of +objections--and disquisitions on points, scriptural, constitutional, +political, legal, economical, as they chance to arise and become +important. In this office three secretaries are employed in different +departments of duty; one editor; one publishing agent, with an +assistant, and two or three young men and boys, for folding, directing, +and despatching papers, executing errands, &c. The business of the +society has increased so much of late, as to make it necessary, in order +to ensure the proper despatch of it, to employ additional clerks for the +particular exigency. Last year, the society had in its service about +sixty "permanent agents." This year, the number is considerably +diminished. The deficiency has been more than made up by creating a +large number of "Local" agents--so called, from the fact, that being +generally Professional men, lawyers or physicians in good practice, or +Ministers with congregations, they are confined, for the most part, to +their respective neighborhoods. Some of the best minds in our country +are thus engaged. Their labors have not only been eminently successful, +but have been rendered at but small charge to the society; they +receiving only their travelling expenses, whilst employed in lecturing +and forming societies. In the case of a minister, there is the +additional expense of supplying his pulpit while absent on the business +of his agency, However, in many instances, these agents, being in easy +circumstances, make no charge, even for their expenses. + +In making appointments, the executive committee have no regard to party +discrimination. This will be fully understood, when it is stated, that +on a late occasion, two of our local agents were the candidates of their +respective political parties for the office of Secretary of State for +the state of Vermont. + +It ought to be stated here, that two of the most effective advocates of +the anti-slavery cause are females--the Misses Grimké--natives of South +Carolina--brought up in the midst of the usages of slavery--most +intelligently acquainted with the merits of the system, and qualified, +in an eminent degree, to communicate their views to others in public +addresses. They are not only the advocates of the slave at their own +charge, but they actually contribute to the funds of the societies. So +successfully have they recommended the cause of emancipation to the +crowds that attended their lectures during the last year, that they were +permitted on three several occasions publicly to address the joint +committee (on slavery) of the Massachusetts Legislature, now in session, +on the interesting matters that occupy their attention. + +"10. _How many printing presses and periodical publications have you?_" + +ANSWER.--We own no press. Our publications are all printed by contract. +The EMANCIPATOR and HUMAN RIGHTS are the organs of the Executive +Committee. The first (which you have seen,) is a large sheet, is +published weekly, and employs almost exclusively the time of the +gentleman who edits it. Human Rights is a monthly sheet of smaller size, +and is edited by one of the secretaries. The increasing interest that is +fast manifesting itself in the cause of emancipation and its kindred +subjects will, in all probability, before long, call for the more +frequent publication of one or both of these papers.--The ANTI-SLAVERY +MAGAZINE, a quarterly, was commenced in October, 1835, and continued +through two years. It has been intermitted, only to make the necessary +arrangements for issuing it on a more extended scale.--It is proposed to +give it size enough to admit the amplest discussions that we or our +opponents may desire, and to give _them_ a full share of its room--in +fine, to make it, in form and merit, what the importance of the subject +calls for. I send you a copy of the Prospectus for the new series.--The +ANTI-SLAVERY RECORD, published for three years as a monthly, has been +discontinued _as such_, and it will be issued hereafter, only as +occasion may require:--THE SLAVE'S FRIEND, a small monthly tract, of +neat appearance, intended principally for children and young persons, +has been issued for several years. It is replete with facts relating to +slavery, and with accounts of the hair-breadth escapes of slaves from +their masters and pursuers that rarely fail to impart the most thrilling +interest to its little readers.--Besides these, there is the +ANTI-SLAVERY EXAMINER, in which are published, as the times call for +them, our larger essays partaking of a controversial character, such as +Smith's reply to the Rev. Mr. Smylie--Grimké's letter and "Wythe." By +turning to page 32 of our Fourth Report (included in your order for +books, &c,) you will find, that in the year ending 11th May, the issues +from the press were--bound volumes, 7,877--Tracts and Pamphlets, +47,250--Circulars, &c, 4,100--Prints, 10,490--Anti-Slavery Magazine, +9000--Slave's Friend, 131,050--Human Rights, 189,400--Emancipator, +217,000. These are the issues of the American Anti-Slavery Society, from +their office in this city. Other publications of similar character are +issued by State Societies or individuals--the LIBERATOR, in Boston; +HERALD OF FREEDOM, in Concord, N.H.; ZION'S WATCHMAN and the COLORED +AMERICAN in this city. The latter is conducted in the editorial, and +other departments, by colored citizens. You can judge of its character, +by a few numbers that I send to you. Then, there is the FRIEND of MAN, +in Utica, in this state. The NATIONAL ENQUIRER, in Philadelphia;[A] the +CHRISTIAN WITNESS, in Pittsburgh; the PHILANTHROPIST, in +Cincinnati.--All these are sustained by the friends, and devoted almost +exclusively to the cause, of emancipation. Many of the Religious +journals that do not make emancipation their main object have adopted +the sentiments of abolitionists, and aid in promoting them. The Alton +Observer, edited by the late Mr. Lovejoy, was one of these. + +[Footnote A: The NATIONAL ENQUIRER, edited by Benjamin Lundy, has been +converted into the PENNSYLVANIA FREEMAN, edited by John G. Whittier. Mr. +Lundy proposes to issue the GENIUS OF UNIVERSAL EMANCIPATION, in +Illinois.] + +From the data I have, I set down the newspapers, as classed above, at +upwards of one hundred. Here it may also be stated, that the presses +which print the abolition journals above named, throw off besides, a +great variety of other anti-slavery matter, in the form of books, +pamphlets, single sheets, &c, &c, and that, at many of the principal +commercial points throughout the free states, DEPOSITORIES are +established, at which our publications of every sort are kept for sale. +A large and fast increasing number of the Political journals of the +country have become, within the last two years, if not the avowed +supporters of our cause, well inclined to it. Formerly, it was a common +thing for most of the leading _party_-papers, especially in the large +cities, to speak of the abolitionists in terms signally disrespectful +and offensive. Except in rare instances, and these, it is thought, only +where they are largely subsidized by southern patronage, it is not so +now. The desertions that are taking place from their ranks will, in a +short time, render their position undesirable for any, who aspire to +gain, or influence, or reputation in the North. + +"11. _To what class of persons do you address your publications--and are +they addressed to the judgment, the imagination, or the feelings_?" + +ANSWER.--They are intended for the great mass of intelligent mind, both +in the free and in the slave states. They partake, of course, of the +intellectual peculiarities of the different authors. Jay's "INQUIRY" and +Mrs. Child's "APPEAL" abound in facts--are dispassionate, ingenious, +argumentative. The "BIBLE AGAINST SLAVERY," by the most careful and +laborious research, has struck from slavery the prop, which careless +Annotators, (writing, unconscious of the influence, the prevailing +system of slavery throughout the Christian world exercised on their own +minds,) have admitted was furnished for it in the Scriptures. "Wythe" by +a pains-taking and lucid adjustment of facts in the history of the +Government, both before and after the adoption of the Constitution, and +with a rigor of logic, that cannot, it is thought, be successfully +encountered, has put to flight forever with unbiased minds, every doubt +as to the "Power of Congress over the District of Columbia." + +There are among the abolitionists, Poets, and by the acknowledgment of +their opponents, poets of no mean name too--who, as the use of poets is, +do address themselves often--as John G. Whittier does _always_ +--powerfully to the imagination and feelings of their readers. + +Our publications cannot be classed according to any particular style or +quality of composition. They may characterized generally, as well suited +to affect the public mind--to rouse into healthful activity the +conscience of this nation, stupified, torpid, almost dead, in relation +to HUMAN RIGHTS, the high theme of which they treat! + +It has often been alleged, that our writings appeal to the worst +passions of the slaves, and that they are placed in their hands with a +view to stir them to revolt. Neither charge has any foundation in truth +to rest upon. The first finds no support in the tenor of the writings +themselves; the last ought forever to be abandoned, in the absence of +any single well authenticated instance of their having been conveyed by +abolitionists to slaves, or of their having been even found in their +possession. To instigate the slaves to revolt, as the means of obtaining +their liberty, would prove a lack of wisdom and honesty that none would +impute to abolitionists, except such as are unacquainted with their +character. Revolt would be followed by the sure destruction, not only of +all the slaves who might be concerned in it, but of multitudes of the +innocent. Moreover, the abolitionists, as a class, are religious--they +favor peace, and stand pledged in their constitution, before the country +and heaven, to abide in peace, so far as a forcible vindication of the +right of the slaves to their freedom is concerned. Further still, no +small number of them deny the right of defence, either to individuals or +nations, even when forcibly and wrongfully attacked. This disagreement +among ourselves on this single point--of which our adversaries are by no +means ignorant, as they often throw it reproachfully in our teeth--would +forever prevent concert in any scheme that looked to instigating servile +revolt. If there be, in all our ranks, one, who--personal danger out of +the question--would excite the slaves to insurrection and massacre, or +who would not be swift to repeat the earliest attempt to concoct such an +iniquity--I say, on my obligations as a man, he is unknown to me. + +Yet it ought not to be matter of surprise to abolitionists, that the +South should consider them "fanatics," "incendiaries," "cut-throats," +and call them so too. The South has had their character reported to them +by the North, by those who are their neighbors, who, it was supposed, +knew, and would speak the truth, and the truth only, concerning them. It +would, I apprehend, be unavailing for abolitionists now to enter on any +formal vindication of their character from charges that can be so easily +repeated after every refutation. False and fraudulent as they knew them +to be, they must be content to live under them till the consummation of +the work of Freedom shall prove to the master that they have been _his_ +friends, as well as the friends of the slave. The mischief of these +charges has fallen on the South--the malice is to be placed to the +credit of the North. + +"12. _Do you propagate your doctrines by any other means than oral and +written discussions--for instance, by prints and pictures in +manufactures--say of pocket-handkerchiefs, calicoes, &c? Pray, state the +various modes?_" + +ANSWER.--Two or three years ago, an abolitionist of this city procured +to be manufactured, at his own charge, a small lot of children's +pocket-handkerchiefs, impressed with anti-slavery pictures and mottoes. +I have no recollection of having seen any of them but once. None such, I +believe, are now to be found, or I would send you a sample. If any +manufactures of the kinds mentioned, or others similar to theta, are in +existence, they have been produced independently of the agency of this +society. It is thought that none such exist, unless the following should +be supposed to fall within the terms of the inquiry. Female +abolitionists often unite in sewing societies. They meet together, +usually once a week or fortnight, and labor through the afternoon, with +their own hands, to furnish means for advancing the cause of the slave. +One of the company reads passages from the Bible, or some religious +book, whilst the others are engaged at their work. The articles they +prepare, especially if they be of the "fancy" kind, are often ornamented +with handsomely executed emblems, underwritten with appropriate mottoes. +The picture of a slave kneeling (such as you will see impressed on one +of the sheets of this letter) and supplicating in the words, "AM I NOT A +MAN AND A BROTHER," is an example. The mottoes or sentences are, +however, most generally selected from the Scriptures; either appealing +to human sympathy in behalf of human suffering, or breathing forth God's +tender compassion for the oppressed, or proclaiming, in thunder tones, +his avenging justice on the oppressor. A few quotations will show their +general character:-- + +"Blessed is he that considereth the poor." + +"Defend the poor and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and needy. +Deliver the poor and the needy; rid him out of the hand of the wicked." + +"Open thy mouth for the dumb, plead the cause of the poor and needy." + +"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." + +"First, be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift." + +"Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." + +"All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so +to them." + +Again:-- + +"For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him +that hath no helper." + +"The Lord looseth the prisoners; the Lord raiseth them that are bowed +down; the Lord preserveth the strangers." + +"He hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to +the captives, to set at liberty them that are bruised."' + +"For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will +I arise, saith the Lord; I will set him in safety from him that +puffeth at him." + +Again:-- + +"The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are +oppressed." + +"Rob not the poor because he is poor, neither oppress the afflicted in +the gate; for the Lord will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of +those that spoiled them." + +"And I will come near to you to judgment, and I will be a swift witness +against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow and the +fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear +not me, saith the Lord of hosts." + +"Wo unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his +chambers by wrong; that useth his neighbor's service without wages, and +giveth him not for his work." + +Fairs, for the sale of articles fabricated by the hands of female +abolitionists, and recommended by such pictures and sentences as those +quoted above, are held in many of our cities and large towns. Crowds +frequent them to purchase; hundreds of dollars are thus realized, to be +appropriated to the anti-slavery cause; and, from the cheap rate at +which the articles are sold, vast numbers of them are scattered far and +wide over the country. Besides these, if we except various drawings or +pictures on _paper_, (samples of which were put up in the packages you +ordered a few days ago,) such as the Slave-market in the District of +Columbia, with Members of congress attending it--views of slavery in the +South--a Lynch court in the slave-states--the scourging of Mr. Dresser +by a vigilance committee in the public square of Nashville--the +plundering of the post-office in Charleston, S.C., and the conflagration +of part of its contents, &c, &c, I am apprised of no other means of +propagating our doctrines than by oral and written discussions. + +"13. _Are your hopes and expectations of success increased or lessened +by the events of the last year, and especially by the action of this +Congress? And will your exertions be relaxed or increased?_" + +ANSWER.--The events of the last year, including the action of the +present Congress, are of the same character with the events of the +eighteen months which immediately preceded it. In the question before +us, they may be regarded as one series. I would say, answering your +interrogatory generally, that none of them, however unpropitious to the +cause of the abolitionists they may appear, to those who look at the +subject from an opposite point to the one _they_ occupy, seem, thus far, +in any degree to have lessened their hopes and expectations. The events +alluded to have not come altogether unexpected. They are regarded as the +legitimate manifestations of slavery--necessary, perhaps, in the present +dull and unapprehensive state of the public mind as to human rights, to +be brought out and spread before the people, before they will +sufficiently revolt against slavery itself. + +1. They are seen in the CHURCH, and in the practice of its individual +members. The southern portion of the American church may now be regarded +as having admitted the dogma, that _slavery is a Divine institution_. +She has been forced by the anti-slavery discussion into this +position--either to cease from slaveholding, or formally to adopt the +only alternative, that slaveholding is right. She has chosen the +alternative--reluctantly, to be sure, but substantially, and, within the +last year, almost unequivocally. In defending what was dear to her, she +has been forced to cast away her garments, and thus to reveal a +deformity, of which she herself, before, was scarcely aware, and the +existence of which others did not credit. So much for the action of the +southern church as a body.--On the part of her MEMBERS, the revelation +of a time-serving spirit, that not only yielded to the ferocity of the +multitude, but fell in with it, may be reckoned among the events of the +last three years. Instances of this may be found in the attendance of +the "clergy of all denominations," at a tumultuous meeting of the +citizens of Charleston, S.C., held in August, 1835, for the purpose of +reducing to _system_ their unlawful surveillance and control of the +post-office and mail; and in the alacrity with which they obeyed the +popular call to dissolve the Sunday-schools for the instruction of the +colored people. Also in the fact, that, throughout the whole South, +church members are not only found on the Vigilance Committees, +(tribunals organized in opposition to the laws of the states where they +exist,) but uniting with the merciless and the profligate in passing +sentence consigning to infamous and excruciating, if not extreme +punishment, persons, by their own acknowledgment, innocent of any +unlawful act. Out of sixty persons that composed the vigilance committee +which condemned Mr. Dresser to be scourged in the public square of +Nashville, TWENTY-SEVEN were members of churches, and one of them a +professed Teachers of Christianity. A member of the committee stated +afterward, in a newspaper of which he was the editor, that Mr. D. _had +not laid himself liable to any punishment known to the laws_. Another +instance is to be found in the conduct of the Rev. Wm. S. Plumer, of +Virginia. Having been absent from Richmond, when the ministers of the +gospel assembled together formally to testify their abhorrence of the +abolitionists, he addressed the chairman of the committee of +correspondence a note, in which he uses this language:--"If +abolitionists will set the country in a blaze, it is but fair that they +should have the first warming at the fire."--"Let them understand, that +they will be caught, if they come among us, and they will take good heed +to keep out of our way." Mr. P. has no doubtful standing in the +Presbyterian church with which he is connected. He has been regarded as +one of its brightest ornaments.[A] To drive the slaveholding church and +its members from the equivocal, the neutral position, from which they +had so long successfully defended slavery--to compel them to elevate +their practice to an even height with their avowed principles, or to +degrade their principles to the level of their known practice, was a +preliminary, necessary in the view of abolitionists, either for bringing +that part of the church into the common action against slavery, or as a +ground for treating it as confederate with oppressors. So far, then, as +the action of the church, or of its individual members, is to be +reckoned among the events of the last two or three years, the +abolitionists find in it nothing to lessen their hopes or expectations. + +[Footnote A: In the division of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian +church, that has just taken place, Mr. Plumer has been elected Moderator +of the "Old School" portion.] + +2. The abolitionists believed, from the beginning, that the slaves of +the South were (as slaves are everywhere) unhappy, _because of their +condition_. Their adversaries denied it, averring that, as a class, they +were "contented and happy." The abolitionists thought that the argument +against slavery could be made good, so far as this point was concerned, +by either _admitting_ or _denying_ the assertion. + +_Admitting_ it, they insisted, that, nothing could demonstrate the +turpitude of any system more surely than the fact, that MAN--made in the +image of God--but a little lower than the angels--crowned with glory and +honor, and set over the works of God's hands--his mind sweeping in an +instant from planet to planet, from the sun of one system to the sun of +another, even to the great centre sun of them all--contemplating the +machinery of the universe "wheeling unshaken" in the awful and +mysterious grandeur of its movements "through the void immense"--with a +spirit delighting in upward aspiration--bounding from earth to +heaven--that seats itself fast by the throne of God, to drink in the +instructions of Infinite Wisdom, or flies to execute the commands of +Infinite Goodness;--that such a being could be made "contented and +happy" with "enough to eat, and drink, and wear," and shelter from the +weather--with the base provision that satisfies the brutes, is (say the +abolitionists) enough to render superfluous all other arguments for the +_instant_ abandonment of a system whose appropriate work is such +infinite wrong. + +_Denying_ that "the slaves are contented and happy," the abolitionists +have argued, that, from the structure of his moral nature--the laws of +his mind--man cannot be happy in the fact, that he is _enslaved_. True, +he may be happy in slavery, but it is not slavery that makes him so--it +is virtue and faith, elevating him above the afflictions of his lot. The +slave has a will, leading him to seek those things which the Author of +his nature has made conducive to its happiness. In these things, the +will of the master comes in collision with his will. The slave desires +to receive the rewards of his own labor; the power of the master wrests +them from him. The slave desires to possess his wife, to whom God has +joined him, in affection, to have the superintendence, and enjoy the +services, of the children whom God has confided to him as a parent to +train them, by the habits of the filial relation, for the yet higher +relation that they may sustain to him as their heavenly Father. But here +he is met by the opposing will of the master, pressing _his_ claims with +irresistible power. The ties that heaven has sanctioned and blessed--of +husband and wife, of parent and child--are all sundered in a moment by +the master, at the prompting of avarice or luxury or lust; and there is +none that can stay his ruthless hand, or say unto him, "What doest +thou?" The slave thirsts for the pleasures of refined and elevated +intellect--the master denies to him the humblest literary acquisition. +The slave pants to know something of that still higher nature that he +feels burning within him--of his present state, his future destiny, of +the Being who made him, to whose judgment-seat he is going. The master's +interests cry, "No!" "Such knowledge is too wonderful for you; it is +high, you cannot attain unto it." To predicate _happiness_ of a class of +beings, placed in circumstances where their will is everlastingly +defeated by an irresistible power--the abolitionists say, is to prove +them destitute of the sympathies of _our_ nature--not _human_. It is to +declare with the Atheist, that man is independent of the goodness of his +Creator for his enjoyments--that human happiness calls not for any of +the appliances of his bounty--that God's throne is a nullity, himself a +superfluity. + +But, independently of any abstract reasoning drawn from the nature of +moral and intelligent beings, FACTS have been elicited in the discussion +of the point before us, proving slavery everywhere (especially Southern +slavery, maintained by enlightened Protestants of the nineteenth +century) replete with torments and horrors--the direst form of +oppression that upheaves itself before the sun. These facts have been so +successfully impressed on a large portion of the intelligent mind of the +country, that the slaves of the South are beginning to be considered as +those whom God emphatically regards as the "poor," the "needy," the +"afflicted," the "oppressed," the "bowed down;" and for whose +consolation he has said, "Now will I arise--I will set him in safety +from him that puffeth at him." + +This state of the public mind has been brought about within the last two +or three years; and it is an event which, so far from lessening, greatly +animates, the hopes and expectations of abolitionists. + +3. The abolitionists believed from the first, that the tendency of +slavery is to produce, on the part of the whites, looseness of morals, +disdain of the wholesome restraints of law, and a ferocity of temper, +found, only in solitary instances, in those countries where slavery is +unknown. They were not ignorant of the fact, that this was disputed; nor +that the "CHIVALRY OF THE SOUTH" had become a cant phrase, including, +all that is high-minded and honorable among men; nor, that it had been +formally asserted in our National legislature, that slavery, as it +exists in the South, "produces the highest toned, the purest, best +organization of society that has ever existed on the face of the earth." +Nor were the abolitionists unaware, that these pretensions, proving +anything else but their own solidity, had been echoed and re-echoed so +long by the unthinking and the interested of the North, that the +character of the South had been injuriously affected by them--till she +began boldly to attribute her _peculiar_ superiority to her _peculiar_ +institution, and thus to strengthen it. All this the abolitionists saw +and knew. But few others saw and understood it as they did. The +revelations of the last three years are fast dissipating the old notion, +and bringing multitudes in the North to see the subject as the +abolitionists see it. When "Southern Chivalry" and the _purity_ of +southern society are spoken of now, it is at once replied, that a large +number of the slaves show, by their _color_, their indisputable claim to +white paternity; and that, notwithstanding their near consanguineous +relation to the whites, they are still held and treated, in all +respects, _as slaves_. Nor is it forgotten now, when the claims of the +South to "hospitality" are pressed, to object, because they are grounded +on the unpaid wages of the laborer--on the robbery of the poor. When +"Southern generosity" is mentioned, the old adage, "be just before you +are generous," furnishes the reply. It is no proof of generosity (say +the objectors) to take the bread of the laborer, to lavish it in +banquetings on the rich. When "Southern Chivalry" is the theme of its +admirers, the hard-handed, but intelligent, working man of the North +asks, if the espionage of southern hotels, and of ships and steamboats +on their arrival at southern ports; if the prowl, by day and by night, +for the solitary stranger suspected of sympathizing with the enslaved, +that he may be delivered over to the mercies of a vigilance committee, +furnishes the proof of its existence; if the unlawful importation of +slaves from Africa[A] furnishes the proof; if the abuse, the scourging, +the hanging on suspicion, without law, of friendless strangers, furnish +the proof; if the summary execution of slaves and of colored freemen, +almost by the score, without legal trial, furnishes the proof; if the +cruelties and tortures to which _citizens_ have been exposed, and the +burning to death of slaves by slow fires,[B] furnish the proof. All +these things, says he, furnish any thing but proof of _true_ +hospitality, or generosity, or gallantry, or purity, or chivalry. + +[Footnote A: Mr. Mercer, of Virginia, some years ago, asserted in +Congress, that "CARGOES" of African slaves were smuggled into the +southern states to a deplorable extent. Mr. Middleton, of South +Carolina, declared it to be his belief, that THIRTEEN THOUSAND Africans +were annually smuggled into the southern states. Mr. Wright, of +Maryland, estimated the number at FIFTEEN THOUSAND. Miss Martineau was +told in 1835, by a wealthy slaveholder of Louisiana, (who probably spoke +of that state alone,) that the annual importation of native Africans was +from THIRTEEN THOUSAND to FIFTEEN THOUSAND. The President of the United +States, in his last Annual Message, speaking of the Navy, says, "The +large force under Commodore Dallas [on the West India station] has been +most actively and efficiently employed in protecting our commerce, IN +PREVENTING THE IMPORTATION OF SLAVES, &c."] + +[Footnote B: Within the last few years, four slaves, and one citizen of +color, have been put to death in this manner, in Alabama, Mississippi, +Missouri, and Arkansas.] + +Certain it is, that the time when southern slavery derived countenance +at the North, from its supposed connection with "chivalry," is rapidly +passing away. "Southern Chivalry" will soon be regarded as one of the +by-gone fooleries of a less intelligent and less virtuous age. It will +soon be cast out--giving place to the more reasonable idea, that the +denial of wages to the laborer, the selling of men and women, the +whipping of husbands and wives in each others presence, to compel them +to unrequited toil, the deliberate attempt to extinguish mind, and, +consequently, to destroy the soul--is among the highest offences against +God and man--unspeakably mean and ungentlemanly. + +The impression made on the minds of the people as to this matter, is one +of the events of the last two or three years that does not contribute to +lessen the hopes or expectations of abolitionists. + +4. The ascendency that Slavery has acquired, and exercises, in the +administration of the government, and the apprehension now prevailing +among the sober and intelligent, irrespective of party, that it will +soon overmaster the Constitution itself, may be ranked among the events +of the last two or three years that affect the course of abolitionists. +The abolitionists regard the Constitution with unabated affection. They +hold in no common veneration the memory of those who made it. They would +be the last to brand Franklin and King and Morris and Wilson and Sherman +and Hamilton with the ineffaceable infamy of attempting to ingraft on +the Constitution, and therefore to _perpetuate_, a system of oppression +in absolute antagonism to its high and professed objects, one which +their own practice condemned,--and this, too, when they had scarcely +wiped away the dust and sweat of the Revolution from their brows! Whilst +abolitionists feel and speak thus of our Constitutional fathers, they do +not justify the dereliction of principle into which they were betrayed, +when they imparted to the work of their hands _any_ power to contribute +to the continuance of such a system. They can only palliate it, by +supposing, that they thought, slavery was already a waning institution, +destined soon to pass away. In their time, (1787) slaves were +comparatively of little value--there being then no great slave-labor +staple (as cotton is now) to make them profitable to their holders.[A] +Had the circumstances of the country remained as they then were, +slave-labor, always and every where the most expensive--would have +disappeared before the competition of free labour. They had seen, too, +the principle of universal liberty, on which the Revolution was +justified, recognised and embodied in most of the State Constitutions; +they had seen slavery utterly forbidden in that of Vermont +--instantaneously abolished in that of Massachusetts--and laws +enacted in the New-England States and in Pennsylvania, for its gradual +abolition. Well might they have anticipated, that Justice and Humanity, +now starting forth with fresh vigor, would, in their march, sweep away +the whole system; more especially, as freedom of speech and of the +press--the legitimate abolisher not only of the acknowledged vice of +slavery, but of every other that time should reveal in our institutions +or practices--had been fully secured to the people. Again; power was +conferred on Congress to put a stop to the African slave-trade, without +which it was thought, at that time, to be impossible to maintain +slavery, as a system, on this continent,--so great was the havoc it +committed on human life. Authority was also granted to Congress to +prevent the transfer of slaves, as articles of commerce, from one State +to another; and the introduction of slavery into the territories. All +this was crowned by the power of refusing admission into the Union, to +any new state, whose form of government was repugnant to the principles +of liberty set forth in that of the United States. The faithful +execution, by Congress, of these powers, it was reasonably enough +supposed, would, at least, prevent the growth of slavery, if it did not +entirely remove it. Congress did, at the set time, execute _one_ of +them--deemed, then, the most effectual of the whole; but, as it has +turned out, the least so. + +[Footnote A: The cultivation of cotton was almost unknown in the United +States before 1787. It was not till two years afterward that it began to +be raised or exported. (See Report of the Secretary of the Treasury, +Feb. 29, 1836.)--See Appendix, D.] + +The effect of the interdiction of the African slave-trade was, not to +diminish the trade itself, or greatly to mitigate its horrors; it only +changed its name from African to American--transferred the seat of +commerce from Africa to America--its profits from African princes to +American farmers. Indeed, it is almost certain, if the African +slave-trade had been left unrestrained, that slavery would not have +covered so large a portion of our country as it does now. The cheap rate +at which slaves might have been imported by the planters of the south, +would have prevented the rearing of them for sale, by the farmers of +Maryland, Virginia, and the other slave-selling states. If these states +could be restrained from the _commerce_ in slaves, slavery could not be +supported by them for any length of time, or to any considerable extent. +They could not maintain it, as an economical system, under the +competition of free labor. It is owing to the _non-user_ by Congress, or +rather to their unfaithful application of their power to the other +points, on which it was expected to act for the limitation or +extermination of slavery, that the hopes of our fathers have not been +realized; and that slavery has, at length, become so audacious, as +openly to challenge the principles of 1776--to trample on the most +precious rights secured to the citizen--to menace the integrity of the +Union and the very existence of the government itself. + +Slavery has advanced to its present position by steps that were, at +first, gradual, and, for a long time, almost unnoticed; afterward, it +made its way by intimidating or corrupting those who ought to have been +forward to resist its pretensions. Up to the time of the "Missouri +Compromise," by which the nation was wheedled out of its honor, slavery +was looked on as an evil that was finally to yield to the expanding and +ripening influences of our Constitutional principles and regulations. +Why it has not yielded, we may easily see, by even a slight glance at +some of the incidents in our history. + +It has already been said, that we have been brought into our present +condition by the unfaithfulness of Congress, in not _exerting_ the power +vested in it, to stop the domestic slave-trade, and in the _abuse_ of +the power of admitting "_new_ states" into the Union. Kentucky made +application in 1792, with a slave-holding Constitution in her +hand.--With what a mere _technicality_ Congress suffered itself to be +drugged into torpor:--_She was part of one of the "Original States"--and +therefore entitled to all their privileges._ + +One precedent established, it was easy to make another. Tennessee was +admitted in 1796, without scruple, on the same ground. + +The next triumph of slavery was in 1803, in the purchase of Louisiana, +acknowledged afterward, even by Mr. Jefferson who made it, to be +unauthorized by the Constitution--and in the establishment of slavery +throughout its vast limits, actually and substantially under the +auspices of that instrument which declares its only objects to be--"to +form a more perfect union, establish JUSTICE, insure DOMESTIC +TRANQUILITY, provide for the common defence, promote the general +welfare, and secure the blessings of LIBERTY to ourselves and our +posterity."[A] + +[Footnote A: It may be replied, The colored people were held as +_property_ by the laws of Louisiana previously to the cession, and that +Congress had no right to divest the newly acquired citizens of their +property. This statement is evasive. It does not include, nor touch the +question, which is this:--Had Congress, or the treaty-making power, a +right to recognise, and, by recognising, to establish, in a territory +that had no claim of privilege, on the ground of being part of one of +the "Original States," a condition of things that it could not establish +_directly_, because there was no grant in the constitution of power, +direct or incidental, to do so--and because, _to do so_, was in +downright oppugnancy to the principles of the Constitution itself? The +question may be easily answered by stating the following case:--Suppose +a law had existed in Louisiana, previous to the cession, by which the +children--male and female--of all such parents as were not owners of +real estate of the yearly value of $500, had been--no matter how +long--held in slavery by their more wealthy land-holding +neighbors:--would Congress, under the Constitution, have a right (by +recognising) to establish, for ever, such a relation as one white +person, under such a law, might hold to another? Surely not. And yet no +substantial difference between the two cases can be pointed out.] + +In this case, the violation of the Constitution was suffered to pass +with but little opposition, except from Massachusetts, because we were +content to receive in exchange, multiplied commercial benefits and +enlarged territorial limits. + +The next stride that slavery made over the Constitution was in the +admission of the State of Louisiana into the Union. _She_ could claim no +favor as part of an "Original State." At this point, it might have been +supposed, the friends of Freedom and of the Constitution according to +its original intent, would have made a stand. But no: with the exception +of Massachusetts, they hesitated and were persuaded to acquiesce, +because the country was just about entering into a war with England, and +the crisis was unpropitious for discussing questions that would create +divisions between different sections of the Union. We must wait till the +country was at peace. Thus it was that Louisiana was admitted without a +controversy. + +Next followed, in 1817 and 1820, Mississippi and Alabama--admitted after +the example of Kentucky and Tennessee, without any contest. + +Meantime, Florida had given some uneasiness to the slaveholders of the +neighboring states; and for their accommodation chiefly, a negociation +was set on foot by the government to purchase it. + +Missouri was next in order in 1821. She could plead no privilege, on the +score of being part of one of the original states; the country too, was +relieved from the pressure of her late conflict with England; it was +prosperous and quiet; every thing seemed propitious to a calm and +dispassionate consideration of the claims of slaveholders to add props +to their system, by admitting indefinitely, new slave states to the +Union. Up to this time, the "EVIL" of slavery had been almost +universally acknowledged and deplored by the South, and its termination +(apparently) sincerely hoped for.[A] By this management its friends +succeeded in blinding the confiding people of the North. They thought +for the most part, that the slaveholders were acting in good faith. It +is not intended by this remark, to make the impression, that the South +had all along pressed the admission of new slave states, simply with a +view to the increase of its own relative power. By no means: slavery had +insinuated itself into favor because of its being mixed up with (other) +supposed benefits--and because its ultimate influence on the government +was neither suspected nor dreaded. But, on the Missouri question, there +was a fair trial of strength between the friends of Slavery and the +friends of the Constitution. The former triumphed, and by the prime +agency of one whose raiment, the remainder of his days, ought to be +sackcloth and ashes,--because of the disgrace he has continued on the +name of his country, and the consequent injury that he has inflicted on +the cause of Freedom throughout the world. Although all the different +Administrations, from the first organization of the government, had, in +the indirect manner already mentioned, favored slavery,--there had not +been on any previous occasion, a direct struggle between its pretensions +and the principles of liberty ingrafted on the Constitution. The friends +of the latter were induced to believe, whenever they should be arrayed +against each other, that _theirs_ would be the triumph. Tremendous +error! Mistake almost fatal! The battle was fought. Slavery emerged from +it unhurt--her hands made gory--her bloody plume still floating in the +air--exultingly brandishing her dripping sword over her prostrate and +vanquished enemy. She had won all for which she fought. Her victory was +complete--THE SANCTION OF THE NATION WAS GIVEN TO SLAVERY![B] + +[Footnote A: Mr. Clay, in conducting the Missouri compromise, found it +necessary to argue, that the admission of Missouri, as a slaveholding +state, would aid in bringing about the termination of slavery. His +argument is thus stated by Mr. Sergeant, who replied to him:--"In this +long view of remote and distant consequences, the gentleman from +Kentucky (Mr. Clay) thinks he sees how slavery, when thus spread, is at +last to find its end. It is to be brought about by the combined +operation of the laws which regulate the price of labor, and the laws +which govern population. When the country shall be filled with +inhabitants, and the price of labor shall have reached a minimum, (a +comparative minimum I suppose is meant,) free labor will be found +cheaper than slave labor. Slaves will then be without employment, and, +of course, without the means of comfortable subsistence, which will +reduce their numbers, and finally extirpate them. This is the argument +as I understand it," says Mr. Sergeant; and, certainly, one more +chimerical or more inhuman could not have been urged.] + +[Footnote B: See Appendix, E.] + +Immediately after this achievement, the slaveholding interest was still +more strongly fortified by the acquisition of Florida, and the +establishment of slavery there, as it had already been in the territory +of Louisiana. The Missouri triumph, however, seems to have extinguished +every thing like a systematic or spirited opposition, on the part of the +free states, to the pretensions of the slaveholding South. + +Arkansas was admitted but the other day, with nothing that deserves to +be called an effort to prevent it--although her Constitution attempts to +_perpetuate_ slavery, by forbidding the master to emancipate his bondmen +without the consent of the Legislature, and the Legislature without the +consent of the master. Emboldened, but not satisfied, with their success +in every political contest with the people of the free states, the +slaveholders are beginning now to throw off their disguise--to brand +their former notions about the "_evil_, political and moral" of slavery, +as "folly and delusion,"[A]--and as if to "make assurance double sure," +and defend themselves forever, by territorial power, against the +progress of Free principles and the renovation of the Constitution, they +now demand openly--scorning to conceal that their object is, to _advance +and establish their political power in the country_,--that Texas, a +foreign state, five or six times as large as all New England, with a +Constitution dyed as deep in slavery, as that of Arkansas, shall be +added to the Union. + +[Footnote A: Mr. Calhoun is reported, in the National Intelligencer, as +having used these words in a speech delivered in the Senate, the 10th +day of January:-- + +"Many in the South once believed that it [slavery] was a moral and +political evil; that folly and delusion are gone. We see it now in its +true light, and regard it as the most safe and stable basis for free +institutions in the world." + +Mr. Hammond, formerly a Representative in Congress from South Carolina, +delivered a speech (Feb. 1, 1836) on the question of receiving petitions +for the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia. In answering +those who objected to a slaveholding country, that it was "assimilated +to an aristocracy," he says--"In this they are right. I accept the +terms. _It is a government of the best._ Combining all the advantages, +and possessing but few of the disadvantages, of the aristocracy of the +old world--without fostering, to an unwarrantable extent, the pride, the +exclusiveness, the selfishness, the thirst for sway, the contempt for +the rights of others, which distinguish the nobility of Europe--it gives +us their education, their polish, their munificence, their high honor, +their undaunted spirit. Slavery does indeed create an aristocracy--an +aristocracy of talents, of virtue, of generosity, of courage. In a slave +country, every freeman is an aristocrat. Be he rich or poor, if he does +not possess a single slave, he has been born to all the natural +advantages of the society in which he is placed; and all its honors lie +open before him, inviting his genius and industry. Sir, I do firmly +believe, that domestic slavery, regulated as ours is, produces the +highest toned, the purest, best organization of society, that has ever +existed on the face of the earth." + +That this _retraxit_ of former _follies and delusions_ is not confined +to the mere politician, we have the following proofs:-- + +The CHARLESTON (S.C.) UNION PRESBYTERY--"Resolved. That in the opinion +of this Presbytery, the holding of slaves, so far from being a sin in +the sight of God, is nowhere condemned in his holy word; that it is in +accordance with the example, or consistent with the precepts, of +patriarchs, prophets, and apostles; and that it is compatible with the +most fraternal regard to the good of the servants whom God has committed +to our charge."--Within the last few months, as we learn from a late No. +of the Charleston Courier, the late Synod of the Presbyterian Church, in +Augusta, (Ga.) passed resolutions declaring "That slavery is a CIVIL +INSTITUTION, with which the General Assembly [the highest ecclesiastical +tribunal] has NOTHING TO DO." + +Again:--The CHARLESTON BAPTIST ASSOCIATION, in a memorial to the +Legislature of South Carolina, say--"The undersigned would further +represent, that the said Association does not consider that the Holy +Scriptures have made the FACT of slavery a question of morals at all." +And further,--"The right of masters to dispose of the time of their +slaves, has been distinctly recognised by the Creator of all things." + +Again:--The EDGEFIELD (S.C.) ASSOCIATION--"Resolved, That the practical +question of slavery, in a country where the system has obtained as a +part of its stated policy, is settled in the Scriptures by Jesus Christ +and his apostles." "Resolved, That these uniformly recognised the +relation of master and slave, and enjoined on both their respective +duties, under a system of servitude more degrading and absolute than +that which obtains in our country." + +Again we find, in a late No. of the Charleston Courier, the following:-- + +"THE SOUTHERN CHURCH.--The Georgia Conference of the Methodist Episcopal +Church, at a recent meeting in Athens, passed resolutions, declaring +that slavery, as it exists in the United States, is not a moral evil, +and is a civil and domestic institution, with which Christian ministers +have nothing to do, further than to meliorate the condition of the +slave, by endeavoring to impart to him and his master the benign +influence of the religion of Christ, and aiding both on their way +to heaven."] + +The abolitionists feel a deep regard for the integrity and union of the +government, _on the principles of the Constitution_. Therefore it is, +that they look with earnest concern on the attempt now making by the +South, to do, what, in the view of multitudes of our citizens, would +amount to good cause for the separation of the free from the slave +states. Their concern is not mingled with any feelings of despair. The +alarm they sounded on the "annexation" question has penetrated the free +states; it will, in all probability, be favorably responded to by every +one of them; thus giving encouragement to our faith, that the admission +of Texas will be successfully resisted,--that this additional stain will +not be impressed on our national escutcheon, nor this additional peril +brought upon the South.[A] + +[Footnote A: See Appendix, F.] + +This, the present condition of the country, induced by a long train of +usurpations on the part of the South, and by unworthy concessions to it +by the North, may justly be regarded as one of the events of the last +few years affecting in some way, the measures of the abolitionists. It +has certainly done so. And whilst it is not to be denied, that many +abolitionists feel painful apprehensions for the result, it has only +roused them up to make more strenuous efforts for the preservation of +the country. + +It may be replied--if the abolitionists are such firm friends of the +Union, why do they persist in what must end in its rupture and +dissolution? The abolitionists, let it be repeated _are_ friends of +_the_ Union that was intended by the Constitution; but not of a Union +from which is eviscerated, to be trodden under foot, the right to +SPEAK,--to PRINT--to PETITION,--the rights of CONSCIENCE; not of a Union +whose ligaments are whips, where the interest of the oppressor is the +_great_ interest, the right to oppress the _paramount_ right. It is +against the distortion of the glorious Union our fathers left us into +one bound with despotic bands that the abolitionists are contending. In +the political aspect of the question, they have nothing to ask, except +what the Constitution authorizes--no change to desire, but that the +Constitution may be restored to its pristine republican purity. + +But they have well considered the "dissolution of the Union." There is +no just ground for apprehending that such a measure will ever be +resorted to by the _South_. It is by no means intended by this, to +affirm, that the South, like a spoiled child, for the first time denied +some favourite object, may not fall into sudden frenzy and do herself +some great harm. But knowing as I do, the intelligence and forecast of +the leading men of the South--and believing that they will, if ever such +a crisis should come, be judiciously influenced by the _existing_ state +of the case, and by the _consequences_ that would inevitably flow from +an act of dissolution--they would not, I am sure, deem it desirable or +politic. They would be brought, in their calmer moments, to coincide +with one who has facetiously, but not the less truly remarked, that it +would be as indiscreet in the slave South to separate from the free +North, as for the poor, to separate from the parish that supported them. +In support of this opinion, I would say: + +First--A dissolution of the Union by the South would, in no manner, +secure to her the object she has in view.--The _leaders_ at the South, +both in the church and in the state, must, by this time, be too well +informed as to the nature of the anti-slavery movement, and the +character of those engaged in it, to entertain fears that, violence of +any kind will be resorted to, directly or indirectly.[A] The whole +complaint of the South is neither more nor less than this--THE NORTH +TALKS ABOUT SLAVERY. Now, of all the means or appliances that could be +devised, to give greater life and publicity to the discussion of +slavery, none could be half so effectual as the dissolution of the Union +_because of the discussion_. It would astonish the civilized world--they +would inquire into the cause of such a remarkable event in its +history;--the result would be not only enlarged _discussion_ of the +whole subject, but it would bring such a measure of contempt on the +guilty movers of the deed, that even with all the advantages of "their +education, their polish, their munificence, their high honor, their +undaunted spirit," so eloquently set forth by the Hon. Mr. Hammond, they +would find it hard to withstand its influence. It is difficult for men +in a _good_ cause, to maintain their steadfastness in opposition to an +extensively corrupt public sentiment; in a _bad_ one, against public +sentiment purified and enlightened, next to impossible, if not quite so. + +[Footnote A: "It is not," says Mr. Calhoun, "that we expect the +abolitionists will resort to arms--will commence a crusade to deliver +our slaves by force."--"Let me tell our friends of the South, who differ +from us, that the war which the abolitionists wage against us is of a +very different character, and _far more effective_. It is waged, not +against our lives, but our character." More correctly, Mr. C. might have +said against a _system_, with which the slaveholders have chosen to +involve their characters, and which they have determined to defend, at +the hazard of losing them.] + +Another result would follow the dissolution:--_Now_, the abolitionists +find it difficult, by reason of the odium which the principal +slaveholders and their friends have succeeded in attaching to their +_name_, to introduce a knowledge of their principles and measures into +the great mass of southern mind. There are multitudes at the South who +would co-operate with us, if they could be informed of our aim.[A] Now, +we cannot reach them--then, it would be otherwise. The united power of +the large slaveholders would not be able longer to keep them in +ignorance. If the Union were dissolved, they _would_ know the cause, and +discuss it, and condemn it. + +[Footnote A: There is abundant evidence of this. Our limits confine us +to the following, from the first No. of the Southern Literary Journal, +(Charleston, S.C.):--"There are _many good men even among us_, who have +begun to grow _timid_. They think, that what the virtuous and +high-minded men of the North look upon as a crime and a plague-spot, +cannot be perfectly innocent or quite harmless in a slaveholding +community." + +This, also, from the North Carolina Watchman:-- + +"It (the abolition party) is the growing party at the North. We are +inclined to believe that there is even more of it at the South than +prudence will permit to be openly avowed." + +"It is well known, Mr. Speaker, that there is a LARGE, RESPECTABLE and +INTELLIGENT PARTY in Kentucky, who will exert every nerve and spare no +efforts to dislodge the subsisting rights to our Slave population, or +alter in some manner, and to some extent, at least, the tenure by which +that species of property is held."--_Speech of the Hon. James T. +Morehead in the Kentucky Legislature, last winter_.] + +A second reason why the South will not dissolve the Union is, that she +would be exposed to the visitation of _real_ incendiaries, exciting her +slaves to revolt. Now, it would cover any one with infamy, who would +stir them up to vindicate their rights by the massacre of their masters. +Dissolve the Union, and the candidates for "GLORY" would find in the +plains of Carolina and Louisiana as inviting a theatre for their +enterprise, as their prototypes, the Houstons, the Van Rennsselaers, and +the Sutherlands did, in the prairies of Texas or the forests of Canada. + +A third reason why the South will not dissolve is, that the slaves would +leave their masters and take refuge in the free states. The South would +not be able to establish a _cordon_ along her wide frontier sufficiently +strong to prevent it. Then, the slaves could not be reclaimed, as they +now are, under the Constitution. Some may say, the free states would not +permit them to come in and dwell among them.--Believe it not. The fact +of separation on the ground supposed, would abolitionize the whole +North. Beside this, in an economical point of view, the _demand for +labor_ in the Western States would make their presence welcome. At all +events, a passage through the Northern States to Canada would not be +denied them. + +A fourth reason why the South will not dissolve is, that a large number +of her most steady and effective population would emigrate to the free +states. In the slave-_selling_ states especially, there has always been +a class who have consented to remain there with their families, only in +the hope that slavery would, in some way or other, be terminated. I do +not say they are abolitionists, for many of them are slaveholders. It +may be, too, that such would expect compensation for their slaves, +should they be emancipated, and also that they should be sent out of the +country. The particular mode of emancipation, however crude it may be, +that has occupied their minds, has nothing to do with the point before +us. _They look for emancipation--in this hope they have remained, and +now remain, where they are_. Take away this hope, by making slavery the +_distinctive bond of union_ of a new government, and you drive them to +the North. These persons are not among the rich, the voluptuous, the +effeminate; nor are they the despised, the indigent, the +thriftless--they are men of moderate property, of intelligence, of +conscience--in every way the "bone and sinew" of the South. + +A fifth reason why the South will not dissolve, is her _weakness_. It is +a remarkable fact, that in modern times, and in the Christian world, all +slaveholding countries have been united with countries that are free. +Thus, the West Indian and Mexican and South American slaveholding +colonies were united to England, France, Spain, Portugal, and other +states of Europe. If England (before her Emancipation Act) and the +others had at any time withdrawn the protection of their _power_ from +their colonies, slavery would have been extinguished almost +simultaneously with the knowledge of the fact. In the West Indies there +could have been no doubt of this, from the disparity in numbers between +the whites and the slaves, from the multiplied attempts made from time +to time by the latter to vindicate their rights by insurrection, and +from the fact, that all their insurrections had to be suppressed by the +_force_ of the mother country. As soon as Mexico and the South American +colonies dissolved their connexion with Spain, slavery was abolished in +every one of them. This may, I know, be attributed to the necessity +imposed on these states, by the wars in which they engaged to establish +their independence. However this may be--the _fact_ still remains. The +free states of this Union are to the slave, so far as the maintenance of +slavery is concerned, substantially, in the relation of the European +states to their slaveholding colonies. Slavery, in all probability, +could not be maintained by the South disjoined from the North, a single +year. So far from there existing any reason for making the South an +exception, in this particular, to other slave countries, there are +circumstances in her condition that seem to make her dependence more +complete. Two of them are, the superior intelligence of her slaves on +the subject of human rights, and the geographical connexion of the slave +region in the United States. In the West Indies, in Mexico and South +America the great body of the slaves were far below the slaves of this +country in their intellectual and moral condition--and, in the former, +their power to act in concert was weakened by the insular fragments into +which they were divided. + +Again, the depopulation of the South of large numbers of its white +inhabitants, from the cause mentioned under the fourth head, would, it +is apprehended, bring the two classes to something like a numerical +equality. Now, consider the present state of the moral sentiment of the +Christianized and commercial world in relation to slavery; add to it the +impulse that this sentiment, acknowledged by the South already to be +wholly opposed to her, would naturally acquire by an act of separation +on her part, with a single view to the perpetuation of slavery; bring +this sentiment in all its accumulation and intensity to act upon a +nation where one half are enslavers, the other the enslaved--and what +must be the effect? From the nature of mind; from the laws of moral +influence, (which are as sure in their operation, if not so well +understood, as the laws of physical influence,) the party "whose +conscience with injustice is oppressed," must become dispirited, +weakened in courage, and in the end unnerved and contemptible. On the +other hand, the sympathy that would be felt for the oppressed--the +comfort they would receive--the encouragement that would be given them +to assert their rights, would make it an impossibility, to keep them in +slavish peace and submission. + +This state of things would be greatly aggravated by the peculiarly +morbid sensitiveness of the South to every thing that is supposed to +touch her _character_. Her highest distinction would then become her +most troublesome one. How, for instance, could her chivalrous sons bear +to be taunted, wherever they went, on business or for pleasure, out of +their own limits, with the cry "the knights of the lash!" "Go home and +pay your laborers!" "Cease from the scourging of husbands and wives in +each others presence--from attending the shambles, to sell or buy as +slaves those whom God has made of the same blood with yourselves--your +brethren--your sisters! Cease, high minded sons of the 'ANCIENT +DOMINION,' from estimating your revenue by the number of children you +rear, to sell in the flesh market!" "Go home and pay your laborers!" "Go +home and pay your laborers!" This would be a trial to which "southern +chivalry" could not patiently submit. Their "high honor," their +"undaunted spirit" would impel them to the field--only to prove that the +"last resort" requires something more substantial than mere "honor" and +"spirit" to maintain it. Suppose there should be a disagreement--as in +all likelihood there soon would, leading to war between the North and +the South? The North would scarcely have occasion to march a squadron to +the field. She would have an army that could be raised up by the +million, at the fireside of her enemy. It has been said, that during the +late war with England, it was proposed to her cabinet, by some +enterprising officers, to land five thousand men on the coast of South +Carolina and proclaim liberty to the slates. The success of the scheme +was well thought of. But then the example! England herself held nearly a +million of slaves at no greater distance from the scene of action than +the West Indies. _Now_, a restraint of this kind on such a scheme does +not exist. + +It seems plain beyond the power of argument to make it plainer, that a +slaveholding nation--one under the circumstances in which the South +separated from the North would be placed--must be at the mercy of every +free people having neither power to vindicate a right nor avenge +a wrong.[A] + +[Footnote A: Governor Hayne, of South Carolina, spoke in high terms, a +few years ago, of the ability that the South would possess, in a +military point of view, because her great wealth would enable her, at +all times, to command the services of mercenary troops. Without stopping +to dispute with him, as to her comparative wealth, I would remark, that +he seemed entirely to have overlooked this truth--that whenever a +government is under the necessity of calling in foreign troops, to keep +in subjection one half of the people, the power of the government has +already passed into the hands of the _Protectors_. They can and will, of +course, act with whichever party will best subserve their purpose.] + +A sixth reason why the South will not dissolve the Union, is found in +the difficulty of bringing about an _actual_ separation. Preparatory to +such a movement, it would seem indispensable, that _Union_ among the +seceding states themselves should be secured. A General Convention would +be necessary to adjust its terms. This would, of course, be preceded by +_particular_ conventions in the several states. To this procedure the +same objection applies, that has been made, for the last two or three +years, to holding an anti-abolition convention in the South:--It would +give to the _question_ such notoriety, that the object of holding the +convention could not be concealed from the slaves. The more sagacious in +the South have been opposed to a convention; nor have they been +influenced solely by the consideration just mentioned--which, in my +view, is but of little moment--but by the apprehension, that the +diversity of sentiment which exists among the slave states, themselves, +in relation to the _system_, would be disclosed to the country; and that +the slaveholding interest would be found deficient in that harmony +which, from its perfectness heretofore, has made the slaveholders so +successful in their action on the North. + +The slaveholding region may be divided into the _farming_ and the +_planting_--or the slave-_selling_ and the slave-_buying_ districts. +Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, Missouri and East Tennessee constitute the +first. West Tennessee is somewhat equivocal. All the states south of +Tennessee belong to the slave-_buying_ district. The first, with but few +exceptions, have from the earliest times, felt slavery a reproach to +their good name--an encumbrance on their advancement--at some period, to +be cast off. This sentiment, had it been at all encouraged by the action +of the General Government, in accordance with the views of the +convention that formed the Constitution, would, in all probability, by +this time, have brought slavery in Maryland and Virginia to an end. +Notwithstanding the easy admission of slave states into the Union, and +the _yielding_ of the free states whenever they were brought in +collision with the South, have had a strong tendency to persuade the +_farming_ slave states to continue their system, yet the sentiment in +favor of emancipation in some form, still exists among them. Proof, +encouraging proof of this, is found in the present attitude of Kentucky. +Her legislature has just passed a law, proposing to the people, to hold +a convention to alter the constitution. In the discussion of the bill, +slavery as connected with some form of emancipation, seems to have +constituted the most important element. The public journals too, that +are _opposed_ to touching the subject at all, declare that the main +object for recommending a convention was, to act on slavery in +some way. + +Now, it would be in vain for the _planting_ South to expect, that +Kentucky or any other of the _farming_ slave states would unite with +her, in making slavery the _perpetual bond_ of a new political +organization. If they feel the inconveniences of slavery _in their +present condition_, they could not be expected to enter on another, +where these inconveniences would be inconceivably multiplied and +aggravated, and, by the very terms of their new contract, _perpetuated_. + +This letter is already so protracted, that I cannot stop here to develop +more at large this part of the subject. To one acquainted with the state +of public sentiment, in what I have called, the _farming_ district, it +needs no further development. There is not one of these states embraced +in it, that would not, when brought to the test, prefer the privileges +of the Union to the privilege of perpetual slaveholding. And if there +should turn out to be a single _desertion_ in this matter, the whole +project of secession must come to nought. + +But laying aside all the obstacles to union among the seceding states, +how is it possible to take the first step to _actual_ separation! The +separation, at the worst, can only be _political_. There will be no +chasm--no rent made in the earth between the two sections. The natural +and ideal boundaries will remain unaltered. Mason and Dixon's line will +not become a wall of adamant that can neither be undermined nor +surmounted. The Ohio river will not be converted into flame, or into +another Styx, denying a passage to every living thing. + +Besides this stability of natural things, the multiform interests of the +two sections would, in the main, continue as they are. The complicate +ties of commerce could not be suddenly unloosed. The breadstuffs, the +beef, the pork, the turkies, the chickens, the woollen and cotton +fabrics, the hats, the shoes, the socks, the "_horn flints and bark +nutmegs_,"[A] the machinery, the sugar-kettles, the cotton-gins, the +axes, the hoes, the drawing-chains of the North, would be as much needed +by the South, the day after the separation as the day before. The +newspapers of the North--its Magazines, its Quarterlies, its Monthlies, +would be more sought after by the readers of the South than they now +are; and the Southern journals would become doubly interesting to us. +There would be the same lust for our northern summers and your southern +winters, with all their health-giving influences; and last, though not +least, the same desire of marrying and of being given in marriage that +now exists between the North and South. Really it is difficult to say +_where_ this long threatened separation is to _begin_; and if the place +of beginning could be found, it would seem like a poor exchange for the +South, to give up all these pleasant and profitable relations and +connections for the privilege of enslaving an equal number of their +fellow-creatures. + +[Footnote A: Senator Preston's Railroad Speech, delivered at Colombia, +S.C., in 1836.] + +Thus much for the menace, that the "UNION WILL BE DISSOLVED" unless the +discussion of the slavery question be stopped. + +But you may reply, "Do you think the South is not in earnest in her +threat of dissolving the 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 North by +the use of the same weapon. "We'll dissolve the Union!" was the cry, +"unless Missouri be admitted!!" The North were frightened, and Missouri +was admitted with SLAVERY engraved on her forehead. "We'll dissolve the +Union!" unless the Indians be driven out of the South!! The North forgot +her treaties, parted with humanity, and it is done--the defenceless +Indians are forced to "consent" to be driven out, or they are left, +undefended, to 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-labor may +compete with your free-labor." The Tariff is accordingly modified to +suit the South. "We'll dissolve the Union!" unless the freedom of speech +and the press be put down in the North!!--With the promptness of +commission-merchants, the alternative is adopted. Public assemblies met +for deliberation 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 are compelled +to fly from their homes, pursued as if they were noxious wild beasts; +or, if they remain to defend, they are sacrificed to appease the +southern divinity. "We'll dissolve the Union" if slavery be abolished in +the District of Columbia! The North, frightened from her propriety, +declares that slavery ought not to 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 NORTHERN REPRESENTATIVES respond to the cry, +"down, then, with the RIGHT OF PETITION!!" All these assaults have +succeeded because the North has been frightened by the war-cry, "WE'LL +DISSOLVE THE UNION!" + +After achieving so much by a process so simple, why should not the South +persist in it when striving for further conquests? No 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 dissolve the Union. She may in her +eagerness, even approach so near the verge of dissolution, that 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 array of the +North, setting up anew the almost forgotten principles of our fathers, +and saying to the "dark spirit of slavery,"--"thus far shalt thou go, +and no farther." This is the best--the only--means of saving the South +from the fruits of her own folly--folly that has been so long, and so +strangely encouraged by the North, that it has grown into intolerable +arrogance--down right presumption. + +There are many other "events" of the last two or three years which have, +doubtless, had their influence on the course of the abolitionists--and +which might properly be dwelt upon at considerable length, were it not +that this communication is already greatly protracted beyond its +intended limits. I shall, therefore, in mentioning the remaining topics, +do little more than enumerate them. + +The Legislature of Vermont has taken a decided stand in favor of +anti-slavery principles and action. In the Autumn of 1836, the following +resolutions were passed by an almost unanimous vote in both houses:-- + +"Resolved, By the General Assembly of the State of Vermont, That neither +Congress nor the State Governments have any constitutional right to +abridge the free expressions of opinions, or the transmission of them +through the medium of the public mails." + +"Resolved, That Congress do possess the power to abolish slavery in the +District of Columbia." + +"Resolved, That His Excellency, the Governor, be requested to transmit a +copy of the foregoing resolutions to the Executive of each of the +States, and to each of our Senators and Representatives in Congress." + +At the session held in November last, the following joint resolutions, +preceded by a decisive memorial against the admission of Texas, were +passed by both branches--with the exception of the _fifth_ which was +passed only by the House of Representatives:-- + +1. Resolved, By the Senate and House of Representatives, That our +Senators in Congress be instructed, and our Representatives requested, +to use their influence in that body to prevent the annexation of Texas +to the Union. + +2. Resolved, That, representing, as we do, the people of Vermont, we do +hereby, in their name, SOLEMNLY PROTEST against such annexation in +any form. + +3. Resolved, That, as the Representatives of the people of Vermont, we +do solemnly protest against the admission, into this Union, of any state +whose constitution tolerates domestic slavery. + +4. Resolved, That Congress have full power, by the Constitution, to +abolish slavery and the slave-trade in the District of Columbia and in +the territories of the United States. + +[5. Resolved, That Congress has the constitutional power to prohibit the +slave-trade between the several states of this Union, and to make such +laws as shall effectually prohibit such trade.] + +6. Resolved, That our Senators in Congress be instructed, and our +Representatives requested, to present the foregoing Report and +Resolutions to their respective Houses in Congress, and use their +influence to carry the same speedily into effect. + +7. Resolved, That the Governor of this State be requested to transmit a +copy of the foregoing Report and Resolutions to the President of the +United States, and to each of our Senators and Representatives +in Congress. + +The influence of anti-slavery principles in Massachusetts has become +decisive, if we are to judge from the change of sentiment in the +legislative body. The governor of that commonwealth saw fit to introduce +into his inaugural speech, delivered in January, 1836, a severe censure +of the abolitionists, and to intimate that they were guilty of an +offence punishable at common law. This part of the speech was referred +to a joint committee of five, of which a member of the senate was +chairman. To the same committee were also referred communications which +had been received by the governor from several of the legislatures of +the slaveholding states, requesting the Legislature of Massachusetts to +enact laws, making it PENAL for citizens of that state to form societies +for the abolition of slavery, or to speak or publish sentiments such as +had been uttered in anti-slavery meetings and published in anti-slavery +tracts and papers. The managers of the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery +Society, in a note addressed to the chairman of the committee, requested +permission, as a party whose rights were drawn in question, to appear +before it. This was granted. The gentlemen selected by them to appear on +their behalf were of unimpeachable character, and distinguished for +professional merit and general literary and scientific intelligence. +Such was _then_ the unpopularity of abolitionism, that notwithstanding +the personal influence of these gentlemen, they were ill--not to say +rudely--treated, especially by the chairman of the committee; so much +so, that respect for themselves, and the cause they were deputed to +defend, persuaded them to desist before they had completed their +remarks. A Report, including Resolutions unfavorable to the +abolitionists was made, of which the following is a copy:-- + +The Joint Special Committee, to whom was referred so much of the +governor's message as related to the abolition of slavery, together with +certain documents upon the same subject, communicated to the Executive +by the several Legislatures of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, +Georgia, and Alabama, transmitted by his Excellency to the Legislature, +and hereunto annexed, have considered the same, and ask leave, +respectfully, to submit the following:-- + +Resolved, That this Legislature distinctly disavow any right whatever in +itself, or in the citizens of this commonwealth, to interfere in the +institution of domestic slavery in the southern states: it having +existed therein before the establishment of the Constitution; it having +been recognised by that instrument; and it being strictly within their +own keeping. + +Resolved, That this Legislature, regarding the agitation of the question +of domestic slavery as having already interrupted the friendly relations +which ought to exist between the several states of this Union, and as +tending permanently to injure, if not altogether to subvert, the +principles of the Union itself; and believing that the good effected by +those who excite its discussion in the non-slaveholding states is, under +the circumstances of the case, altogether visionary, while the immediate +and future evil is great and certain; does hereby express its entire +disapprobation of the doctrine upon this subject avowed, and the general +measures pursued by such as agitate the question; and does earnestly +recommend to them carefully to abstain from all such discussion, and all +such measures, as may tend to disturb and irritate the public mind. + +The report was laid on the table, whence it was not taken up during the +session--its friends being afraid of a lean majority on its passage; for +the _alarm_ had already been taken by many of the members who otherwise +would have favored it. From this time till the election in the +succeeding autumn, the subject was much agitated in Massachusetts. The +abolitionists again petitioned the Legislature at its session begun in +January, 1837; especially, that it should remonstrate against the +resolution of Mr. Hawes, adopted by the House of Representatives in +Congress, by which all memorials, &c, in relation to slavery were laid, +and to be laid, on the table, without further action on them. The +abolitionists were again heard, in behalf of their petitions, before the +proper committee.[A] The result was, the passage of the following +resolutions with only 16 dissenting voices to 378, in the House of +Representatives, and in the Senate with not more than one or two +dissentients on any one of them:-- + +[Footnote A: The gentleman who had been chairman of the committee the +preceding year, was supposed, in consequence of the change in public +opinion in relation to abolitionists, to have injured his political +standing too much, even to be nominated as a candidate for re-election.] + + "Whereas, The House of Representatives of the United States, in the + month of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred + and thirty-seven, did adopt a resolution, whereby it was ordered + that all petitions, memorials, resolutions, propositions, or papers, + relating in any way, or to any extent whatever, to the subject of + slavery, or the abolition of slavery, without being either printed + or referred, should be laid upon the table, and that no further + action whatever should be had thereon; and whereas such a + disposition of petitions, then or thereafter to be received, is a + virtual denial of the right itself; and whereas, by the resolution + aforesaid, which is adopted as a standing rule in the present House + of Representatives, the petitions of a large number of the people of + this commonwealth, praying for the removal of a great social, moral, + and political evil, have been slighted and contemned: therefore,-- + + Resolved, That the resolution above named is an assumption of power + and authority at variance with the spirit and intent of the + Constitution of the United States, and injurious to the cause of + freedom and free institutions; that it does violence to the + inherent, absolute, and inalienable rights of man; and that it + tends, essentially, to impair those fundamental principles of + natural justice and natural law which are antecedent to any written + constitutions of government, independent of them all, and essential + to the security of freedom in a state. + + Resolved, That our Senators and Representatives in Congress, in + maintaining and advocating the right of petition, have entitled + themselves to the cordial approbation of the people of this + commonwealth. + + Resolved, That Congress, having exclusive legislation in the + District of Columbia, possess the right to abolish slavery in said + district, and that its exercise should only be restrained by a + regard to the public good." + +That you may yourself, judge what influence the abolition question +exercised in the elections in Massachusetts _last_ autumn, I send you +three numbers of the Liberator containing copies of letters addressed to +many of the candidates, and their respective answers. + +The Legislature have passed, _unanimously_, at its present session, +resolutions (preceded by a report of great ability) protesting +"_earnestly and solemnly against the annexation of Texas to this +Union_;" and declaring that, "_no act done, or compact made, for such +purpose, by the government of the United States, will be binding on the +states or the people_." + +Two years ago, Governor Marcy, of this state, showed himself willing, at +the dictation of the South, to aid in passing laws for restraining and +punishing the abolitionists, whenever the extremity of the case might +call for it. Two weeks ago, at the request of the Young Men's +Anti-Slavery Society of Albany, the Assembly-chamber, by a vote of the +House (only two dissentient) was granted to Alvan Stewart, Esq., a +distinguished lawyer, to lecture on the subject of abolition. + +Kentucky is assuming an attitude of great interest to the friends of +Liberty and the Constitution. The blessings of "them that are ready to +perish" throughout the land, the applause of the good throughout the +world will be hers, if she should show moral energy enough to break +every yoke that she has hitherto imposed on the "poor," and by which her +own prosperity and true power have been hindered. + +In view of the late action in the Senate and House of Representatives in +Congress--adverse as they may seem, to those who think more highly of +the branches of the Legislature than of the SOURCE of their power--the +abolitionists see nothing that is cause for discouragement. They find +the PEOPLE sound; they know that they still cherish, as their fathers +did, the right of petition--the freedom of the press--the freedom of +speech--the rights of conscience; that they love the liberty of the +North more than they love the slavery of the South. What care they for +_Resolutions_ in the House, or Resolutions in the Senate, when the House +and the Senate are but their ministers, their servants, and they know +that they can discharge them at their pleasure? It may be, that Congress +has yet to learn, that the people have but slight regard for their +restraining resolutions. They ought to have known this from the history +of such resolutions for the last two years. THIRTY-SEVEN THOUSAND +petitioners for the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia had +their petitions laid on the table by the resolution of the House of +Representatives in May, 1836. At the succeeding session, they had +increased to ONE HUNDRED AND TEN THOUSAND.--The resolution of Jan. 18, +1837, laid all _their_ petitions in the same way on the table. At the +_called_, and at the present session, these 110,000 had multiplied to +FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND[A]. Soon, Senators and Representatives will be +sent from the free states who will need no petitions--they will know +the prayer of their constituents _before they leave their homes_. + +[Footnote A: See Appendix, G.] + +In concluding this, my answer to your 13th interrogatory, I will say +that I know of no event, that has transpired, either in or out of +Congress, for the last two or three years, that has had any other +influence on the efforts of abolitionists than to increase and stimulate +them. Indeed, every thing that has taken place within that period, ought +to excite to their utmost efforts all who are not despairing dastards. +The Demon of oppression in this land is tenfold more fierce and rampant +and relentless than he was supposed to be before roused from the quiet +of his lair. To every thing that is precious the abolitionists have seen +him lay claim. The religion of the Bible must be adulterated--the claims +of Humanity must be smothered--the demands of justice must be +nullified--a part of our Race must be shut out from the common sympathy +of a common nature. Nor is this all: they see their _own_ rights and +those of the people; the right to SPEAK--to WRITE--to PRINT--to +PUBLISH--to ASSEMBLE TOGETHER--to PETITION THEIR OWN SERVANTS--all +brought in peril. They feel that the final conflict between Popular +liberty and Aristocratic slavery has come; that one or the other must +fall; and they have made up their minds, with the blessing of God on +their efforts, that their adversary shall die. + +"14. _Have you any permanent fund, and how much?_" + +ANSWER.--We have none. The contributions are anticipated. We are always +in debt, and always getting out of debt. + +I have now, Sir, completed my answers to the questions proposed in your +letter of the 16th ult. It gives me pleasure to have had such an +auspicious opportunity of doing so. I cannot but hope for good to both +the parties concerned, where candor and civility have characterized +their representatives. + +Part of the answer to your 13th question may seem to wander from the +strict terms of the question proposed. Let it be set down to a desire, +on my part, to give you all the information I can, at all germain to the +inquiry. The "proffer," made in my note to Mr. Calhoun, was not +"unguarded;"--nor was it _singular_. The information I have furnished +has been always accessible to our adversaries--even though the +application for it might not have been clothed in the polite and +gentlemanly terms which have so strongly recommended yours to the most +respectful consideration of + +Your very obedient servant, + +JAMES G. BIRNEY. + + * * * * * + +[In the Explanatory Remarks placed at the beginning of this +Correspondence, reasons were given, that were deemed sufficient, for not +publishing more of the letters that passed between Mr. Elmore and myself +than the two above. Since they were in type, I have received from Mr. +Elmore a communication, in reply to one from me, informing him that I +proposed limiting the publication to the two letters just mentioned. It +is dated May 19. The following extract shows that he entertains a +different opinion from mine, and thinks that justice to him requires +that _another_ of his letters should be included in the +Correspondence:-- + +"The order you propose in the publication is proper enough; the omission +of business and immaterial letters being perfectly proper, as they can +interest nobody. I had supposed my last letter would have formed an +exception to the rule, which excluded immaterial papers. It explained, +more fully than my first, my reasons for this correspondence, defined +the limits to _which I had prescribed myself_, and was a proper +accompaniment to _a publication_ of what _I_ had not written for +publication. Allow me, Sir, to say, that it will be but bare justice to +me that it should be printed with the other papers. I only suggest this +for your own consideration, for--adhering to my former opinions and +decision--I ask nothing and complain of nothing." + +It is still thought that the publication of the letter alluded to is +unnecessary to the purpose of enlightening the public, as to the state, +prospects, &c, of the anti-slavery cause. It contains no denial of the +facts, nor impeachment of the statements, nor answer to the arguments, +presented in my communication. But as Mr. Elmore is personally +interested in this matter, and as it is intended to maintain the +consistent liberality which has characterized the Executive Committee in +all their intercourse with their opponents, the suggestion made by Mr. +Elmore is cheerfully complied with. The following is a copy of the +letter alluded to.--J.G.B.] + + "WASHINGTON, May 5, 1838. + + To JAMES G. BIRNEY, Esq., Cor. Sec. A.A.S.S. + + SIR,--I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 1st + instant, in which you again refer to the publication of the + Correspondence between us, in relation to the measures and designs + of the abolitionists. I would have certainly answered yours of the + 2d ult., on the same subject, more fully before this, had it not + escaped my recollection, in consequence [of] having been more + engaged than usual in the business before the House. I hope the + delay has been productive of no inconvenience. + + If I correctly understand your letters above referred to, the + control of these papers, and the decision as to their publication, + have passed into the 'Executive Committee of the American + Anti-Slavery Society;' and, from their tenor, I infer that their + determination is so far made, that nothing I could object would + prevent it, if I desired to do so. I was certainly not apprised, + when I entered into this Correspondence, that its disposition was to + depend on any other will than yours and mine,--but that matters + nothing now,--you had the power, and I am not disposed to question + the right or propriety of its exercise. I heard of you as a man of + intelligence, sincerity, and truth,--who, although laboring in a bad + cause, did it with ability, and from a mistaken conviction of its + justice. As one of the Representatives of a slave-holding + constituency, and one of a committee raised by the Representatives + of the slave-holding States, to ascertain the intentions and + progress of your associations, I availed myself of the opportunity + offered by your character and situation, to propose to you inquiries + _as to facts_, which would make those _developments so important to + be known by our people_. My inquiries were framed to draw out _full + and authentic details_ of the organization, numbers, resources, and + designs of the abolitionists, of the means they resorted to for the + accomplishment of their ends, and the progress made, and making, in + their dangerous work, that all such information might be laid before + the _four millions and a half of white inhabitants in the slave + States, whose lives and property are menaced and endangered_ by this + ill-considered, misnamed, and disorganizing philanthropy. They + should be informed of the full length and breadth and depth of this + storm which is gathering over their heads, before it breaks in its + desolating fury. Christians and civilized, they are _now_ + industrious, prosperous, and happy; but should your schemes of + abolition prevail, it will bring upon them overwhelming ruin, and + misery unutterable. The two races cannot exist together upon terms + of equality--the extirpation of one and the ruin of the other _would + be inevitable_. This humanity, conceived in wrong and born in civil + strife, would be baptized in a people's blood. It was, that our + people might know, in time to guard against the mad onset, the full + extent of this gigantic conspiracy and crusade against their + institutions; and of necessity upon their lives with which they must + sustain them; and their fortunes and prosperity, which _exist only + while these institutions exist_, that I was induced to enter into a + correspondence with you, who by your official station and + intelligence were known to be well informed on these points, and + from your well established character for candor and fairness, would + make no statements of facts which were not known or believed by you + to be true. To a great extent, my end has been accomplished by your + replies to my inquiries. How far, or whether at all, your answers + have run, beyond _the facts inquired for_, into theories, arguments, + and dissertations, as erroneous as mischievous, is not a matter of + present consideration. We differed no wider than I expected, but + that difference has been exhibited courteously, and has nothing to + do with the question of publication. Your object, or rather the + object of your Committee, is to publish; and I, having no reason to + desire it, as you have put me in possession of the facts I wished, + and no reason not to desire it, as there is nothing to conceal, will + leave yourself and the Committee to take your own course, neither + assenting nor dissenting, in what you may finally decide to do. + + Very respectfully, + + Your obedient servant, + + F.H. Elmore." + +[This letter of Mr. Elmore contains but little more than a reiteration +of alarming cries on the part of the slaveholder;--cries that are as old +as the earliest attempts of philanthropy to break the fetters of the +enslaved, and that have been repeated up to the present day, with a +boldness that seems to increase, as instances of emancipation multiply +to prove them groundless. Those who utter them seem, in their panic, not +only to overlook the most obvious laws of the human mind, and the lights +of experience, but to be almost unconscious of the great events +connected with slavery, that are now passing around them in the world, +and conspiring to bring about its early abrogation among all civilized +and commercial nations. + +However _Christian, and civilized, industrious, prosperous and happy_, +the SLAVEHOLDERS of the South may be, this cannot be said of the SLAVES. +A large religious denomination of the state in which Mr. Elmore resides, +has deliberately pronounced them to be "HEATHEN." _Their_ "industry" is +seen at the end of the lash--of "prosperity" they have none, for they +cannot possess any thing that is an element of prosperity--their +"happiness" they prove, by running away from their masters, whenever +they think they can effect their escape. This is the condition of a +large _majority_ of the people in South Carolina, Mississippi and +Louisiana. + +The "two races" exist in peace in Mexico,--in all the former South +American dependencies of Spain, in Antigua, in the Bermudas, in Canada, +in Massachusetts, in Vermont, in fine, in every country where they enjoy +_legal equality_. It is the _denial_ of this that produces discontent. +MEN will never be satisfied without it. Let the slaveholders consult the +irreversible laws of the human mind--make a full concession of right to +those from whom they have withheld it, and they will be blessed with a +peace, political, social, moral, beyond their present conceptions; +without such concessions they never can possess it. + +A system that cannot withstand the assaults of truth--that replies to +arguments with threats--that cannot be "talked about"--that flourishes +in secrecy and darkness, and dies when brought forth into the light and +examined, must in this time of inexorable scrutiny and relentless +agitation, be a dangerous one. If _justice_ be done, all necessity for +the extirpation of any part of the people will at once be removed. +Baptisms _of blood_ are seen only when humanity has failed in her +offices, and the suffering discern hope only in the brute efforts +of despair. + +Mr. Elmore is doubtless well versed in general history. To his vigorous +declamation, I reply by asking, if he can produce from the history of +our race a single instance, where emancipation, full and immediate, has +been followed, as a legitimate consequence, by insurrection or +bloodshed. I may go further, and ask him for a well authenticated +instance, where an emancipated slave, singly has imbrued his hands in +his master's blood. The first record of such an act in modern times, is +yet to be made. + +Mr. Elmore says "the white inhabitants in the slave states should be +informed of the full length and breadth and depth of this storm which is +gathering over their heads, before it breaks in its desolating fury." In +this sentiment there is not a reasonable man in the country, be he +abolitionist or not, who will not coincide with him. We rejoice at the +evidence we here have, in a gentleman of the influence and intelligence +of Mr. Elmore, of the returning sanity of the South. How wildly and +mischievously has she been heretofore misled! Whilst the Governors of +Virginia, Alabama, Tennessee and Arkansas, have been repelling offers, +made in respectful terms, of the fullest and most authentic accounts of +our movements; and whilst Governor Butler of South Carolina, has not +only followed the example of his gubernatorial brethren just named, but +is found corresponding with an obscure culprit in Massachusetts--bribing +him with a few dollars, the sum he demanded for his fraudulent promise +to aid in thwarting the abolitionists[A]; whilst too, Mr. Calhoun has +been willing to pass laws to shut out from his constituents and the +South generally information that concerned them more nearly than all +others--we now have it from the highest source, from one selected by a +state delegation as its _representative_ in a general committee of the +whole slaveholding delegations, that the South ought to be "_informed of +the full length and breadth and depth_" of the measures, intentions, &c, +of the abolitionists. At this there is not an abolitionist who will not +rejoice. We ask for nothing but access to the popular mind of the South. +We feel full confidence in the eternal rectitude of our principles, and +of their reception at the South, when once they are understood. Let the +conflict come, let the truth of liberty fairly enter the lists with the +error of slavery, and we have not a doubt of a glorious triumph. + +[Footnote A: Appendix H.] + +May we not, after this, expect the aid of Mr. Elmore and others of equal +distinction in the South, in giving to their fellow-citizens the +information that we have always believed, and that they now acknowledge, +to be so, important to them? + +_May 24, 1838_. + +JAMES G. BIRNEY.] + +APPENDIX. + + * * * * * + +APPENDIX A. + +Extract from an article addressed to the editor of the Christian +Register and Observer, signed W.E.C.--attributed to the Rev. +Dr. Channing. + + "Speaking of slavery, I wish to recommend to your readers a book + just from the press, entitled 'Emancipation in the West Indies,' and + written by J. A. Thome and J.H. Kimball, who had visited those + islands to inquire into the great experiment now going on there. I + regard it as the most important work which has appeared among us for + years. No man, without reading it, should undertake to pass judgment + on Emancipation. It is something more than a report of the + observation and opinions of the writers. It consists, chiefly, of + the opinions, conversations, letters, and other documents of the + very inhabitants of the islands whose judgments are most + trust-worthy; of the governors, special magistrates, police + officers, managers, attorneys, physicians, &c; and, in most cases, + the names of these individuals are given, so that we have the + strongest evidence of the correctness of the work. + + The results of this great experiment surpass what the most sanguine + could have hoped. It is hardly possible that the trial could have + been made under more unfavorable circumstances. The planters on all + the islands were opposed to the Act of Emancipation, and, in most, + exceedingly and fiercely hostile to it, and utterly indisposed to + give it the best chance of success. The disproportion of the colored + race to the whites was fearfully great, being that of seven or eight + to one; whilst, in our slaveholding states, the whites outnumber the + colored people. The slaves of the West Indies were less civilized + than ours, and less fit to be trusted with their own support. + Another great evil was, that the proprietors, to a considerable + extent, were absentees; residing in England, and leaving the care of + their estates and slaves to managers and owners; the last people for + such a trust, and utterly unfit to carry the wretched victims of + their tyranny through the solemn transition from slavery to freedom. + To complete the unhappy circumstances under which the experiment + began, the Act of Emancipation was passed by a distant government, + having no intimate knowledge of the subject; and the consequence + was, that a system of 'Apprenticeship,' as it was called, was + adopted, so absurd, and betraying such ignorance of the principles + of human nature, that, did we not know otherwise, we might suspect + its author of intending to produce a failure. It was to witness the + results of an experiment promising so little good, that our authors + visited three islands, particularly worthy of examination--Antigua, + Barbadoes, and Jamaica. + + Our authors went first to Antigua, an island which had been wise + enough to foresee the mischiefs of the proposed apprenticeship, and + had substituted for it immediate and unqualified emancipation. The + report given of this island is most cheering. It is, indeed, one of + the brightest records in history. The account, beginning page 143, + of the transition from slavery to freedom, can hardly be read by a + man of ordinary sensibility without a thrill of tender and holy joy. + Why is it not published in all our newspapers as among the most + interesting events of our age? From the accounts of Antigua, it + appears that immediate emancipation has produced only good. Its + fruits are, greater security, the removal of the fears which + accompany slavery, better and cheaper cultivation of the soil, + increased value of real estate, improved morals, more frequent + marriages, and fewer crimes. _The people proclaim, with one voice, + that emancipation is a blessing, and that nothing would tempt than + to revert to slavery._ + + Our authors proceeded next to Barbadoes, where the apprenticeship + system is in operation; and if any proof were needed of the docility + and good dispositions of the negroes, it would be found in their + acquiescence to so wonderful a degree in this unhappy arrangement. + The planters on this island have been more disposed, than could have + been anticipated, to make the best of this system, and here, + accordingly, the same fruits of the Act of Emancipation are found as + in Antigua, though less abundant; and a very general and strong + conviction prevails of the happiness of the change. + + In Jamaica, apprenticeship manifests its worst tendencies. The + planters of this island were, from first to last, furious in their + hostility to the act of emancipation; and the effort seems to have + been, to make the apprenticeship bear as heavily as possible on the + colored people; so that, instead of preparing them for complete + emancipation, it has rather unfitted them for this boon. Still, + under all these disadvantages, there is strong reason for expecting, + that emancipation, when it shall come, will prove a great good. At + any rate, it is hardly possible for the slaves to fall into a more + deplorable condition, than that in which this interposition of + parliament found them. + + The degree of success which has attended this experiment in the + West Indies, under such unfavorable auspices, makes us sure, that + emancipation in this country, accorded by the good will of the + masters, would be attended with the happiest effects. One thing is + plain, that it would be perfectly _safe_. Never were the West Indies + so peaceful and secure as since emancipation. So far from general + massacre and insurrection, not an instance is recorded or intimated + of violence of any kind being offered to a white man. Our authors + were continually met by assurances of security on the part of the + planters, so that, in this respect at least, emancipation has been + unspeakable gain. The only obstacle to emancipation is, therefore, + removed; for nothing but well grounded fears of violence and crime + can authorize a man to encroach one moment on another's freedom. + + The subject of this book is of great interest at the present + moment. Slavery, in the abstract, has been thoroughly discussed + among us. We all agree that it is a great wrong. Not a voice is here + lifted up in defence of the system, when viewed in a general light. + We only differ when we come to apply our principles to a particular + case. The only question is, whether the Southern states can abolish + slavery consistently with the public safety, order, and peace? Many, + very many well disposed people, both at the North and South, are + possessed with vague fears of massacre and universal misrule, as the + consequences of emancipation. Such ought to inquire into the ground + of their alarm. They are bound to listen to the voice of _facts_, + and such are given in this book. None of us have a right to make up + our minds without inquiry, or to rest in opinions adopted indolently + and without thought. It is a great crime to doom millions of our + race to brutal degradation, on the ground of unreasonable fears. The + power of public opinion is here irresistible, and to this power + every man contributes something; so that every man, by his spirit + and language, helps to loosen or rivet the chains of the slave." + + * * * * * + +The following sentiments are expressed by GOVERNOR EVERETT, of +Massachusetts, in a letter to EDMUND QUINCY, Esq., dated + + "Boston, April 29, 1838. + + DEAR SIR,--I have your favor of the 21st, accompanied with the + volume containing the account of the tour of Messrs. Thome and + Kimball in the West Indies, for which you will be pleased to accept + my thanks. I have perused this highly interesting narrative with the + greatest satisfaction. From the moment of the passage of the law, + making provision for the immediate or prospective abolition of + slavery in the British colonial possessions, I have looked with the + deepest solicitude for tidings of its operation. The success of the + measure, as it seemed to me, would afford a better hope than had + before existed, that a like blessing might be enjoyed by those + portions of the United States where slavery prevails. The only + ground on which I had been accustomed to hear the continuance of + slavery defended at the South, was that of necessity, and the + impossibility of abolishing it without producing consequences of the + most disastrous character to both parties. The passage of a law + providing for the emancipation of nearly a million of slaves in the + British colonies, seemed to afford full opportunity of bringing this + momentous question to the decisive test of experience. _If the + result proved satisfactory, I have never doubted that it would seal + the fate of slavery throughout the civilised world_. As far as the + observations of Messrs. Thome and Kimball extended, the result is of + the most gratifying character. It appears to place beyond a doubt, + that the experiment of immediate emancipation, adopted by the + colonial Legislature of Antigua, has fully succeeded in that island; + and the plan of apprenticeship in other portions of the West Indies, + as well as could have been expected from the obvious inherent vices + of that measure. _It has given me new views of the practicability of + emancipation_. It has been effected in Antigua, as appears from + unquestionable authorities contained in the work of Messrs. Thome + and Kimball, not merely _without danger_ to the master, but without + any sacrifice of his _interest_. I cannot but think that the + information collected in the volume will have a powerful effect on + public opinion, not only in the northern states, but in the + slaveholding states." + +GOVERNOR ELLSWORTH, of Connecticut, writes thus to A.F. WILLIAMS, Esq., +of this city:-- + + "NEW HAVEN, _May_ 19, 1838. + + MY DEAR SIR,--Just before I left home, I received from you the + Journal of Thome and Kimball, for which token of friendship I + intended to have made you my acknowledgments before this; but I + wished first to read the book. As far as time would permit, I have + gone over most of its pages; and let me assure you, it is justly + calculated to produce great effects, provided you can once get it + into the hands of the planters. Convince _them_ that their + interests, as well as their security, will be advanced by employing + free blacks, and emancipation will be accomplished without + difficulty or delay. + + I have looked with great interest at the startling measure of + emancipation in Antigua; but if this book is correct, the question + is settled as to that island beyond a doubt, since there is such + accumulated testimony from all classes, that the business and real + estate of the island have advanced, by reason of the emancipation, + one fourth, at least, in value; while personal security, without + military force, is felt by the former masters, and contentment, + industry, and gratitude, are seen in those who were slaves. + + The great moral example of England, in abolishing slavery in the + West Indies, will produce a revolution on this subject throughout + the world, and put down slavery in every Christian country. + + With sentiments of high esteem, &c, + + W. W. ELLSWORTH." + + + * * * * * + +APPENDIX B. + +A short time previous to the late election in Rhode Island for governor +and lieutenant-governor, a letter was addressed to each of the +candidates for those offices by Mr. Johnson, Corresponding Secretary of +the Rhode Island Anti-Slavery Society, embodying the views of the +abolitionists on the several subjects it embraced, in a series of +queries. Their purport will appear from the answer of Mr. Sprague, (who +was elected governor,) given below. The answer of Mr. Childs (elected +lieutenant-governor) is fully as direct as that of governor Sprague. + + "WARWICK, _March 28, 1838_. + + DEAR SIR,--Your favor of the 19th inst. requesting of me, in + conformity to a resolution of the Executive Committee of the Rhode + Island Anti-Slavery Society, an expression of my opinions on certain + topics, was duly received. I have no motive whatever for withholding + my opinions on any subject which is interesting to any portion of my + fellow-citizens. I will, therefore, cheerfully proceed to reply to + the interrogatories proposed, and in the order in which they are + submitted. + + 1. Among the powers vested by the Constitution in Congress, is the + power to exercise exclusive legislation, 'in all cases whatsoever,' + over the District of Columbia? 'All cases' must, of course, include + the _case_ of slavery and the slave-trade. I am, therefore, clearly + of opinion, that the Constitution does confer upon Congress the + power to abolish slavery and the slave-trade in that District; and, + as they are great moral and political evils, the principles of + justice and humanity demand the exercise of that power. + + 2. The traffic in slaves, whether foreign or domestic, is equally + obnoxious to every principle of justice and humanity; and, as + Congress has exercised its powers to suppress the slave-trade + between this country and foreign nations, it ought, as a matter of + consistency and justice, to exercise the same powers to suppress the + slave-trade between the states of this Union. The slave-trade within + the states is, undoubtedly, beyond the control of Congress; as the + 'sovereignty of each state, to legislate exclusively on the subject + of slavery, which is tolerated within its limits,' is, I believe, + universally conceded. The Constitution unquestionably recognises the + sovereign power of each state to legislate on the subject within its + limits; but it imposes on us no obligation to add to the evils of + the system by countenancing the traffic between the states. That + which our laws have solemnly pronounced to be piracy in our foreign + intercourse, no sophistry can make honorable or justifiable in a + domestic form. For a proof of the feelings which this traffic + naturally inspires, we need but refer to the universal execration in + which the slave-dealer is held in those portions of the country + where the institution of slavery is guarded with the most jealous + vigilance. + + 3. Congress has no power to abridge the right of petition. The + right of the people of the non-slaveholding states to petition + Congress for the abolition of slavery and the slave-trade in the + District of Columbia, and the traffic of human beings among the + states, is as undoubted as any right guarantied by the Constitution; + and I regard the Resolution which was adopted by the House of + Representatives on the 21st of December last as a virtual denial of + that right, inasmuch as it disposed of all such petitions, as might + be presented thereafter, in advance of presentation and reception. + If it was right thus to dispose of petitions on _one_ subject, it + would be equally right to dispose of them in the same manner on + _all_ subjects, and thus cut of all communication, by petition + between the people and their representatives. Nothing can be more + clearly a violation of the spirit of the Constitution, as it + rendered utterly nugatory a right which was considered of such vast + importance as to be specially guarantied in that sacred instrument. + A similar Resolution passed the House of Representatives at the + first session of the last Congress, and as I then entertained the + same views which I have now expressed, I recorded my vote + against it. + + 4. I fully concur in the sentiment, that 'every principle of + justice and humanity requires, that every human being, when personal + freedom is at stake, should have the benefit of a jury trial;' and I + have no hesitation in saying, that the laws of this state ought to + secure that benefit, so far as they can, to persons claimed as + fugitives from 'service or labor,' without interfering with the laws + of the United States. The course pursued in relation to this subject + by the Legislature of Massachusetts meets my approbation. + + 5. I am opposed to all attempts to abridge or restrain the freedom + of speech and the press, or to forbid any portion of the people + peaceably to assemble to discuss any subject--moral, political, or + religious. + + 6. I am opposed to the annexation of Texas to the United States. + + 7. It is undoubtedly inconsistent with the principles of a free + state, professing to be governed in its legislation by the + principles of freedom, to sanction slavery, in any form, within its + jurisdiction. If we have laws in this state which bear this + construction, they ought to be repealed. We should extend to our + southern brethren, whenever they may have occasion to come among us, + all the privileges and immunities enjoyed by our own citizens, and + all the rights and privileges guarantied to them by the Constitution + of the United States; but they cannot expect of us to depart from + the fundamental principles of civil liberty for the purpose of + obviating any temporal inconvenience which they may experience. + + These are my views upon the topics proposed for my consideration. + They are the views which I have always entertained, (at least ever + since I have been awakened to their vast importance,) and which I + have always supported, so far as I could, by my vote in Congress; + and if, in any respect, my answers have not been sufficiently + explicit, it will afford me pleasure to reply to any other questions + which you may think proper to propose. + + I am, Sir, very respectfully, + + Your friend and fellow citizen, + + WILLIAM SPRAGUE." + +Oliver Johnson, Esq., Cor. Sec. R.I.A.S. Society. + +APPENDIX C. + +The abolitionists in Connecticut petitioned the Legislature of that +state at its late session on several subjects deemed by them proper for +legislative action. In answer to these petitions-- + +1. The law known as the "Black Act" or the "Canterbury law"--under which +Miss Crandall was indicted and tried--was repealed, except a single +provision, which is not considered objectionable. + +2. The right to _trial by jury_ was secured to persons who are claimed +as slaves. + +3. Resolutions were passed asserting the power of Congress to abolish +slavery in the District of Columbia, and recommending that it be done as +soon as it can be, "consistently with the _best good_ of the _whole +country_."(!) + +4. Resolutions were passed protesting against the annexation of Texas to +the Union. + +5. Resolutions were passed asserting the right of petition as +inalienable--condemning Mr. Patton's resolution of Dec. 21, 1837 as an +invasion of the rights of the people, and calling on the Connecticut +delegation in Congress to use their efforts to have the same rescinded. + + * * * * * + +APPENDIX D. + +In the year 1793 there were but 5,000,000 pounds of cotton produced in +the United States, and but 500,000 exported. Cotton never could have +become an article of much commercial importance under the old method of +preparing it for market. By hand-picking, or by a process strictly +_manual_, a cultivator could not prepare for market, during the year, +more than from 200 to 300 pounds; being only about one-tenth of what he +could cultivate to maturity in the field. In '93 Mr. Whitney invented +the Cotton-gin now in use, by which the labor of at least _one thousand_ +hands under the old system, is performed by _one_, in preparing the crop +for market. Seven years after the invention (1800) 35,000,000 pounds +were raised, and 17,800,000 exported. In 1834, 460,000,000 were +raised--384,750,000 exported. Such was the effect of Mr. Whitney's +invention. It gave, at once, extraordinary value to the _land_ in that +part of the country where alone cotton could be raised; and to _slaves_, +because it was the general, the almost universal, impression that the +cultivation of the South could be carried on only by slaves. There being +no _free_ state in the South, competition between free and slave labor +never could exist on a scale sufficiently extensive to prove the +superiority of the former in the production of cotton, and in the +preparation of it for market. + +Thus, it has happened that Mr. Whitney has been the innocent occasion of +giving to slavery in this country its present importance--of magnifying +it into the great interest to which all others must yield. How he was +rewarded by the South--especially by the planters of Georgia--the reader +may see by consulting Silliman's Journal for January, 1832, and the +Encyclopedia Americana, article, WHITNEY. + + * * * * * + +APPENDIX E. + +It is impossible, of course, to pronounce with precision, how great +would have been the effect in favor of emancipation, if the effort to +resist the admission of Missouri as a slaveholding state had been +successful. We can only conjecture what it would have been, by the +effect its admission has had in fostering slavery up to its present huge +growth and pretensions. If the American people had shown, through their +National legislature, a _sincere_ opposition to slavery by the rejection +of Missouri, it is probable at least--late as it was--that the early +expiration of the 'system' would, by this time, have been discerned +by all men. + +When the Constitution was formed, the state of public sentiment even in +the South--with the exception of South Carolina and Georgia, was +favorable to emancipation. Under the influence of this public sentiment +was the Constitution formed. No person at all versed in constitutional +or legal interpretation--with his judgment unaffected by interest or any +of the prejudices to which the existing controversy has given +birth--could, it is thought, construe the Constitution, _in its letter_, +as intending to perpetuate slavery. To come to such a conclusion with a +full knowledge of what was the mind of this nation in regard to slavery, +when that instrument was made, demonstrates a moral or intellectual flaw +that makes all reasoning useless. + +Although it is a fact beyond controversy in our history, that the power +conferred by the Constitution on Congress to "regulate commerce with +foreign nations" was known to include the power of abolishing the +African slave-trade--and that it was expected that Congress, at the end +of the period for which the exercise of that power on this particular +subject was restrained, would use it (as it did) _with a view to the +influence that the cutting off of that traffic would have on the +"system" in this country_--yet, such has been the influence of the action +of Congress on all matters with which slavery has been mingled--more +especially on the Missouri question, in which slavery was the sole +interest--that an impression has been produced on the popular mind, that +the Constitution of the United States _guaranties_, and consequently +_perpetuates_, slavery to the South. Most artfully, incessantly, and +powerfully, has this lamentable error been harped on by the +slaveholders, and by their advocates in the free states. The impression +of _constitutional favor_ to the slaveholders would, of itself, +naturally create for them an undue and disproportionate influence in the +control of the government; but when to this is added the arrogance that +the possession of irresponsible power almost invariably engenders in its +possessors--their overreaching assumptions--the contempt that the +slaveholders entertain for the great body of the _people_ of the North, +it has almost delivered over the government, bound neck and heels, into +the hands of slaveholding politicians--to be bound still more +rigorously, or unloosed, as may seem well in their discretion. + +Who can doubt that, as a nation, we should have been more honorable and +influential abroad--more prosperous and united at home--if Kentucky, at +the very outset of this matter, had been refused admission to the Union +until she had expunged from her Constitution the covenant with +oppression? She would not have remained out of the Union a single year +on that account. If the worship of Liberty had not been exchanged for +that of Power--if her principles had been successfully maintained in +this first assault, their triumph in every other would have been easy. +We should not have had a state less in the confederacy, and slavery +would have been seen, at this time, shrunk up to the most contemptible +dimensions, if it had not vanished entirely away. But we have furnished +another instance to be added to the long and melancholy list already +existing, to prove that,-- + + "facilis descensus Averni, + Sed revocare gradum + Hoc opus hic labor est," + +if _poetry_ is not _fiction_. + +Success in the Missouri struggle--late as it was--would have placed the +cause of freedom in our country out of the reach of danger from its +inexorable foe. The principles of liberty would have struck deeper root +in the free states, and have derived fresh vigor from such a triumph. If +these principles had been honored by the government from that period to +the present, (as they would have been, had the free states, even then, +assumed their just preponderance in its administration,) we should now +have, in Missouri herself, a healthful and vigorous ally in the cause of +freedom; and, in Arkansas, a free people--_twice_ her present +numbers--pressing on the confines of slavery, and summoning the keepers +of the southern charnel-house to open its doors, that its inmates might +walk forth, in a glorious resurrection to liberty and life. Although +young, as a people, we should be, among the nations, venerable for our +virtue; and we should exercise an influence on the civilized and +commercial world that we most despair of possessing, as long as we +remain vulnerable to every shaft that malice, or satire, or philanthropy +may find it convenient to hurl against us.[A] + +[Footnote A: A comic piece--the production of one of the most popular of +the French writers in his way--had possession of the Paris stage last +winter. When one of the personages SEPARATES HUSBAND AND WIFE, he cries +out, "BRAVO! THIS IS THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE OF THE UNITED +STATES!" [Bravo! C'est la Declaration d'Independence des Etats Unis.] + +One of our distinguished College-professors, lately on a tour in Europe, +had his attention called, while passing along the street of a German +city, to the pictorial representation of a WHITE MAN SCOURGING A +SUPPLICATING COLORED FEMALE, with this allusion underwritten:--"A +SPECIMEN OF EQUALITY--FROM REPUBLICAN AMERICA." + +Truly might our countryman have exclaimed in the language, if not with +the generous emotions of the Trojan hero, when he beheld the noble deeds +of his countrymen pencilled in a strange land-- + +--"Quis jam locus-- +Quae regio in terris nostri non plena laboris?" +] + +Instead of being thus seated on a "heaven-kissing hill," and seen of all +in its pure radiance; instead of enjoying its delightful airs, and +imparting to them the healthful savor of justice, truth, mercy, +magnanimity, see what a picture we present;--our cannibal burnings of +human beings--our Lynch courts--our lawless scourgings and capital +executions, not only of slaves, but of freemen--our demoniac mobs raging +through the streets of our cities and large towns at midday as well as +at midnight, shedding innocent blood, devastating property, and applying +the incendiaries' torch to edifices erected and dedicated to FREE +DISCUSSION--the known friends of order, of law, of liberty, of the +Constitution--citizens, distinguished for their worth at home, and +reflecting honor on their country abroad, shut out from more than half +our territory, or visiting it at the hazard of their lives, or of the +most degrading and painful personal inflictions--freedom of speech and +of the press overthrown and hooted at--the right of petition struck down +in Congress, where, above all places, it ought to have been maintained +to the last--the people mocked at, and attempted to be gagged by their +own servants--the time the office-honored veteran, who fearlessly +contended for the _right_, publicly menaced for words spoken in his +place as a representative of the people, with an indictment by a +slaveholding grand jury--in fine, the great principles of government +asserted by our fathers in the Declaration of Independence, and embodied +in our Constitution, with which they won for us the sympathy, the +admiration of the world--all forgotten, dishonoured, despised, trodden +under foot! And this for slavery!! + +Horrible catalogue!--yet by no means a complete one--for so young a +nation, boasting itself, too, to be the freest on earth! It is the ripe +fruit of that _chef d'oeuvre_ of political skill and patriotic +achievement--the MISSOURI COMPROMISE. + +Another such compromise--or any compromise now with slavery--and the +nation is undone. + +APPENDIX F. + +The following is believed to be a correct exhibit of the legislative +resolutions against the annexation of Texas--of the times at which they +were passed, and of the _votes_ by which they were passed:-- + +1. VERMONT. + + "1. _Resolved, By the Senate and House of Representatives_, That our + Senators in Congress be instructed, and our Representatives + requested, to use their influence in that body to prevent the + annexation of Texas to the Union. + + 2. _Resolved_, That representing, as we do, the people of Vermont, + we do hereby, in their name, SOLEMNLY PROTEST against such + annexation in any form." + +[Passed unanimously, Nov. 1, 1837.] + +2. RHODE ISLAND. + +(_In General Assembly, October Session, A. D. 1837_.) + + "Whereas the compact of the Union between these states was entered + into by the people thereof in their respective states, 'in order to + form a more perfect Union, establish justice, ensure domestic + tranquillity, provide for the common defence, promote the general + welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to themselves and their + posterity;' and, therefore, a Representative Government was + instituted by them, with certain limited powers, clearly specified + and defined in the Constitution--all other powers, not therein + expressly relinquished, being 'reserved to the states respectively, + or to the people.' + + And whereas this limited government possesses no power to extend + its jurisdiction over any foreign nation, and no foreign nation, + country, or people, can be admitted into this Union but by the + sovereign will and act of the free people of all and each of these + United States, nor without the formation of a new compact of + Union--and another frame of government radically different, in + objects, principles, and powers, from that which was framed for our + own self-government, and deemed to be adequate to all the exigencies + of our own free republic:-- + + Therefore, Resolved, That we have witnessed, with deep concern, the + indications of a disposition to bring into this Union, as a + constituent member thereof, the foreign province or territory + of Texas. + + Resolved, That, although we are fully aware of the consequences + which must follow the accomplishment of such a project, could it be + accomplished--aware that it would lead speedily to the conquest and + annexation of Mexico itself, and its fourteen remaining provinces or + intendencies--which, together with the revolted province of Texas, + would furnish foreign territories and foreign people for at least + twenty members of the new Union; that the government of a nation so + extended and so constructed would soon become radically [changed] in + character, if not in form--would unavoidably become a military + government; and, under the plea of necessity, would free itself from + the restraints of the Constitution and from its accountability to + the people. That the ties of kindred, common origin and common + interests, which have so long bound this people together, and would + still continue to bind them: these ties, which ought to be held + sacred by all true Americans, would be angrily dissolved, and + sectional political combinations would be formed with the newly + admitted foreign states, unnatural and adverse to the peace and + prosperity of the country. The civil government, with all the + arbitrary powers it might assume, would be unable to control the + storm. The usurper would find himself in his proper element; and, + after acting the patriot and the hero for a due season, as the only + means of rescuing the country from the ruin which he had chiefly + contributed to bring upon it, would reluctantly and modestly allow + himself to be declared 'Protector of the Commonwealth.' + + We are now fully aware of the deep degradation into which the + republic would sink itself in the eyes of the whole world, should it + annex to its own vast territories other and foreign territories of + immense though unknown extent, for the purpose of encouraging the + propagation of slavery, and giving aid to the raising of slaves + within its own bosom, the very bosom of freedom, to be esported and + sold in those unhallowed regions. Although we are fully aware of + these fearful evils, and numberless others which would come in their + train, yet we do not here dwell upon them; because we are here + firmly convinced that the free people of most, and we trust of all + these states, will never suffer the admission of the foreign + territory of Texas into this Union as a constituent member + thereof--will never suffer the integrity of this Republic to be + violated, either by the introduction and addition to it of foreign + nations or territories, one or many, or by dismemberment of it by + the transfer of any one or more of its members to a foreign nation. + The people will be aware, that should one foreign state or country + be introduced, another and another may be, without end, whether + situated in South America, in the West India islands, or in any + other part of the world; and that a single foreign state, thus + admitted, might have in its power, by holding the balance between + contending parties, to wrest their own government from the hands and + control of the people, by whom it was established for their own + benefit and self-government. We are firmly convinced, that the free + people of these states will look upon any attempt to introduce the + foreign territory of Texas, or any other foreign territory or nation + into this Union, as a constituent member or members thereof, as + manifesting a willingness to prostrate the Constitution and dissolve + the Union. + + Resolved, That His Excellency, the Governor, be requested to + forward a copy of the foregoing resolutions to each of our Senators + and Representatives in Congress, and to each of the Executives of + the several states, with a request that the same may be laid before + the respective Legislatures of said states." + +[The Preamble and Resolutions were unanimously adopted, Nov. 3, 1837.] + +3. OHIO. + + "_Resolved, by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio_, That in + the name, and on behalf of the people of the State of Ohio, we do + hereby SOLEMNLY PROTEST against the annexation of Texas to the Union + of these United States. + + _And be it further resolved_, That the Governor be requested to + transmit to each of our Senators and Representatives in Congress, + and to the Governors of each of the States, a copy of the foregoing + resolution, with a statement of the votes by which it was passed in + each branch of the Legislature." + +[Passed by 64 out of 72, the whole number in the House of +Representatives--unanomously in the Senate. Feb. 24, 1838.] + +4. MASSACHUSETTS. + + "Resolves against the annexation of Texas to the United States. + + Whereas a proposition to admit into the United States as a + constituent member thereof, the foreign nation of Texas, has been + recommended by the legislative resolutions of several States, and + brought before Congress for its approval and sanction; and whereas + such a measure would involve great wrong to Mexico, and otherwise be + of evil precedent, injurious to the interests and dishonorable to + the character of this country; and whereas its avowed objects are + doubly fraught with peril to the prosperity and permanence of this + Union, as tending to disturb and destroy the conditions of those + compromises and concessions, entered into at the formation of the + Constitution, by which the relative weights of different sections + and interests were adjusted, and to strengthen and extend the evils + of a system which is unjust in itself, in striking contrast with the + theory of our institutions, and condemned by the moral sentiment of + mankind; and whereas the people of these United States have not + granted to any or all of the departments of their Government, but + have retained in themselves, the only power adequate to the + admission of a foreign nation into this confederacy; therefore, + + _Resolved_, That we, the Senate and House of Representatives, in + General Court assembled, do in the name of the people of + Massachusetts, earnestly and solemnly protest against the + incorporation of Texas into this Union, and declare, that no act + done or compact made, for such purpose by the government of the + United States, will be binding on the States or the People. + + _Resolved_, That his Excellency the Governor be requested to + forward a copy of these resolutions and the accompanying report to + the Executive of the United States, and the Executive of each State + and also to each of our Senators and Representatives in Congress, + with a request that they present the resolves to both Houses of + Congress." + +[Passed MARCH 16, 1838, UNANIMOUSLY, in both Houses.] + + * * * * * + +5. MICHIGAN. + +Whereas, propositions have been made for the annexation of Texas to the +United States, with a view to its ultimate incorporation into the Union: + + "And whereas, the extension of this General Government over so large + a country on the south-west, between which and that of the original + states, there is little affinity, and less identity of interest, + would tend, in the opinion of this Legislature, greatly to disturb + the safe and harmonious operations of the Government of the United + States, and put in imminent danger the continuance of this happy + Union: Therefore, + + _Be it resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the + State of Michigan_, That in behalf, and in the name of the State of + Michigan, this Legislature doth hereby dissent from, and solemnly + protest against the annexation, for any purpose, to this Union, of + Texas, or of any other territory or district of country, heretofore + constituting a part of the dominions of Spain in America, lying west + or south-west of Louisiana. + + And be it further Resolved, by the Authority aforesaid, That the + Governor of this State be requested to transmit a copy of the + foregoing preamble and resolve, under the great seal of this state, + to the President of the United States; also, that he transmit one + copy thereof, authenticated in manner aforesaid, to the President of + the Senate of the United States, with the respectful request of this + Legislature, that the same may be laid before the Senate; also, that + he transmit one copy thereof to the Speaker of the House of + Representatives of the United States, authenticated in like manner, + with the respectful request of this Legislature, that the same may + be laid before the House of Representatives; and also, that he + transmit to each of our Senators and Representatives in Congress, + one copy thereof, together with the Report adopted by this + Legislature, and which accompanies said preamble and resolves." + +[Passed nearly if not quite unanimously, April 2, 1838]. + + * * * * * + +6. CONNECTICUT. + + "_Resolved_, That we, the Senate and House of Representatives in + General Assembly convened, do, in the name of the people of this + State, solemnly _protest_ against the annexation of Texas to + this Union." + +[Passed, it is believed, unanimously in both houses.] + + * * * * * + +(Those which follow were passed by but one branch of the respective +Legislatures in which they were introduced.) + +7. PENNSYLVANIA. + + _Resolutions relative to the admission of Texas into the Union._ + + "_Whereas_ the annexation of Texas to the United States has been + advocated and strongly urged by many of our fellow-citizens, + particularly in the southern part of our country, and the president + of Texas has received authority to open a correspondence with, and + appoint, a commissioner to our government to accomplish the + object;--_And whereas_ such a measure would bring to us a dangerous + extension of territory, with a population generally not desirable, + and would probably involve us in war;--_And whereas_ the subject is + now pressed upon and agitated in Congress; therefore, + + _Resolved_, &c, That our Senators in Congress be instructed, and + our Representatives requested, to use their influence and vote + against the annexation of Texas to the territory of the + united States. + + _Resolved_, That the Governor transmit to each of our Senators and + Representatives a copy of the foregoing preamble and resolutions." + +[Passed the Senate March 9, 1835, by 22 to 6. Postponed indefinitely in +the House of Representatives, April 13, by 41 to 39.] + + * * * * * + +8. MAINE. + + "_Resolved_, That the Legislature of the State of Maine, on behalf + of the people of said state, do earnestly and solemnly protest + against the annexation of the Republic of Texas to these United + States; and that our Senators and Representatives in Congress be, + and they hereby are, requested to exert their utmost influence to + prevent the adoption of a measure at once so clearly + unconstitutional, and so directly calculated to disturb our foreign + relations, to destroy our domestic peace, and to dismember our + blessed Union." + +[Passed in the House of Representatives, March 22, 1838, by 85 to 30. +Senate (same day) refused to concur by 11 to 10.] + + * * * * * + +9. NEW-YORK. + + "_Resolved_, (if the Senate concur,) That the admission of the + Republic of Texas into this Union would be entirely repugnant to the + will of the people of this state, and would endanger the union of + these United States. + + _Resolved_, (if the Senate concur,) That this Legislature do, in + the name of the people of the State of New York, solemnly protest + against the admission of the Republic of Texas into this Union. + + _Resolved_, (if the Senate concur.) That his Excellency the Governor + be requested to transmit a copy of the foregoing resolutions to each + of our Senators and Representatives in Congress, and also to the + governors of each of the United States, with a request that the same + be laid before their respective Legislatures." + +[These resolutions passed the House of Representatives in April, by a +large majority--the newspapers say, 83 to 13. They were indefinitely +postponed in the Senate, by a vote of 21 to 9.] + + * * * * * + +APPENDIX G. + +The number of petitioners for abolition in the District of Columbia, and +on other subjects allied to it, have been ascertained (in the House of +Representatives) to be as follows:-- + + Men. Women. Total. +For abolition in the District, 51,366 78,882 130,248 +Against the annexation of Texas, 104,973 77,419 182,392 +Rescinding the gag resolution, 21,015 10,821 31,836 +Against admitting any new slave state, 11,770 10,391 22,161 +For abolition of the slave-trade + between the states, 11,864 11,541 23,405 +For abolition of slavery in the + territories, 9,129 12,083 21,212 +At the extra session for rescinding +the gag resolution of Jan. 21, 1837, 3,377 3,377 + ---------------------------- +Total, 213,494 201,137 414,631 + +The number in the Senate, where some difficulty was interposed that +prevented its being taken, is estimated to have been about two-thirds as +great as that in the House. + + * * * * * + +APPENDIX H. + +[On the 1st of December, one of the secretaries of the American +Anti-Slavery Society addressed a note to each of the Governors of the +slave states, in which he informed them, in courteous and respectful +terms, that he had directed the Publishing Agent of this society, +thereafter regularly to transmit to them, free of charge, the periodical +publications issued from the office of the society. To this offer the +following replies were received:--] + +GOVERNOR CAMPBELL'S LETTER. + + JAMES G. BIRNEY, Esq., _New York_ + + "RICHMOND, _Dec. 4, 1837_. + + SIR,--I received, by yesterday's mail, your letter of the 1st + instant, in which you state that you had directed the publishing + agent of the American Anti-Slavery Society, hereafter, regularly to + transmit, free of charge, by mail, to all the governors of the slave + states, the periodical publications issued from that office. + + Regarding your society as highly mischievous, I decline receiving + any communications from it, and must request that no publications + from your office be transmitted to me. + + I am, &c, + + DAVID CAMPBELL." + + * * * * * + +GOVERNOR BAGBY'S LETTER. + + "TUSCALOOSA, _Jan. 6, 1838_ + + SIR,--I received, by due course of mail, your favor of the 1st of + December, informing me that you had directed the publishing agent of + the American Anti-Slavery Society to forward to the governors of the + slaveholding states the periodicals issued from that office. Taking + it for granted, that the only object which the society or yourself + could have in view, in adopting this course, is, the dissemination + of the opinions and principles of the society--having made up my own + opinion, unalterably, in relation to the whole question of slavery, + as it exists in a portion of the United States, and feeling + confident that, in the correctness of this opinion, I am sustained + by the entire free white population of Alabama, as well as the great + body of the people of this Union, I must, with the greatest respect + for yourself, personally but not for the opinions or principles + advocated by the society--positively decline receiving said + publications, or any others of a similar character, either + personally or officially. Indeed, it is presuming a little too much, + to expect that the chief magistrate of a free people, elected by + themselves, would hold correspondence or give currency to the + publications of an organized society, openly engaged in a scheme + fraught with more mischievous consequences to their interest and + repose, than any that the wit or folly of mankind has + heretofore devised. + + I am, very respectfully, + + Your ob't servant, + + A.P. BAGBY" + +JAMES G. BIRNEY, _Esq., New York_. + + * * * * * + +GOVERNOR CANNON'S LETTER. + +[This letter required so many alterations to bring it up to the ordinary +standard of epistolary, grammatical, and orthographical accuracy, that +it is thought best to give it in _word_ and _letter_, precisely as it +was received at the office.] + + "EXECUTIVE DEPT.-- + + NASHVILLE. _Dec. 12th, 1837_. + + Sir + + I have rec'd yours of the 1st Inst notifying me, that you had + directed, your periodical publications, on the subject of Slavery to + be sent to me free of charge &c--and you are correct, if sincere, in + your views, in supposing that we widely differ, on this subject, we + do indeed widely differ, on it, if the publications said to have + emanated from you, are honest and sincere, which, I admit, + is possible. + + My opinions are fix'd and settled, and I seldom Look into or + examine, the, different vague notions of others who write and + theorise on that subject. Hence I trust you will not expect me to + examine, what you have printed on this subject, or cause to have + printed. If you or any other man are influenced by feelings of + humanity, and are laboring to relieve the sufferings, of the human + race, you may find objects enough immediately around you, where you + are, in any nonslaveholding State, to engage your, attention, and + all your exertions, in that good cause. + + But if your aim is to make a flourish on the subject, before the + world, and to gain yourself some notoriety, or distinction, without, + doing good to any, and evil to many, of the human race, you are, + pursuing the course calculated to effect. Such an object, in which + no honest man need envy. Your honours, thus gaind, I know there are + many such in our country, but would fain hope, you are not one of + them. If you have Lived, as you state forty years in a Slave holding + State, you know that, that class of its population, are not the + most, miserable, degraded, or unhappy, either in their feelings or + habits, You know they are generally governd, and provided for by men + of information and understanding sufficient to guard them against + the most, odious vices, and hibets of the country, from which, you + know the slaves are in a far greater degree, exempt than, are other + portions of the population. That the slaves are the most happy, + moral and contented generally, and free from suffering of any kind, + having, each full confidence, in his masters, skill means and + disposition to provide well for him, knowing also at the same time + that _it is his interest to do it_. Hence in this State of Society + more than any other, Superior intelligence has the ascendency, in + governing and provideing, for the wants of those inferior, also in + giveing direction to their Labour, and industry, as should be the + case, superior intelligence Should govern, when united with Virtue, + and interest, that great predominating principle in all human + affairs. It is my rule of Life, when I see any man labouring to + produce effects, at a distance from him, while neglecting the + objects immediately around him, (in doing good) to suspect his + sincerity, to suspect him for some selfish, or sinister motive, all + is not gold that glitters, and every man is not what he, endeavours + to appear to be, is too well known. It is the duty of masters to + take care of there slaves and provide for them, and this duty I + believe is as generally and as fully complyd with as any other duty + enjoind on the human family, for next to their children their own + offspring, their slaves stand next foremost in their care and + attention, there are indeed very few instances of a contrary + character. + + You can find around you, I doubt not a large number of persons + intemix'd, in your society, who are entirely destitute of that care, + and attention, towards them that is enjoyed by our slaves, and who + are destitute of that deep feeling of interest, in guarding their + morals and habits, and directing them through Life in all things, + which is here enjoyd by our slaves, to those let your efforts be + directed immediately around you and do not trouble with your vague + speculations those who are contented and happy, at a distance + from you. + + Very respectfully yours, + + N. CANNON." + +Mr. JAS. G. BIRNEY, _Cor. Sec._ &c. + + * * * * * + +[The letter of the Secretary to the governor of South Carolina was not +_answered_, but was so inverted and folded as to present the +_subscribed_ name of the secretary, as the _superscription_ of the same +letter to be returned. The addition of _New York_ to the address brought +it back to this office. + +Whilst governor Butler was thus refusing the information that was +proffered to him in the most respectful terms from this office, he was +engaged in another affair, having connection with the anti-slavery +movement, as indiscreet, as it was unbecoming the dignity of the office +he holds. The following account of it is from one of the Boston +papers:--] + + "_Hoaxing a Governor_.--The National Aegis says, that Hollis Parker, + who was sentenced to the state prison at the late term of the + criminal court for Worcester county, for endeavoring to extort money + from governor Everett, had opened an extensive correspondence, + previous to his arrest, with similar intent, with other + distinguished men of the country. Besides several individuals in New + York, governor Butler, of South Carolina, was honored with his + notice. A letter from that gentleman, directed to Parker, was lately + received at the post office in a town near Worcester, enclosing a + check for fifty dollars. So far as the character of Parker's letter + can be inferred from the reply of governor Butler, it would appear, + that Parker informed the governor, that the design was entertained + by some of our citizens, of transmitting to South Carolina a + quantity of 'incendiary publications,' and that with the aid of a + little money, he (Parker) would be able to unravel the plot, and + furnish full information concerning it to his excellency. The bait + took, and the money was forwarded, with earnest appeals to Parker to + be vigilant and active in thoroughly investigating the supposed + conspiracy against the peace and happiness of the South. + + The Aegis has the following very just remarks touching this + case:--'Governor Butler belongs to a state loud in its professions + of regard for state rights and state sovereignty. We, also, are + sincere advocates of that good old republican doctrine. It strikes + us, that it would have comported better with the spirit of that + doctrine, the dignity, of his own station and character, the respect + and courtesy due to a sovereign and independent state, if governor + Butler had made the proper representation, if the subject was + deserving of such notice, to the acknowledged head and constituted + authorities of that state, instead of holding official + correspondence with a citizen of a foreign jurisdiction, and + employing a secret agent and informer, whose very offer of such + service was proof of the base and irresponsible character of him who + made it.'" + + * * * * * + + GOVERNOR CONWAY'S LETTER. + + EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS, _March_ 1, 1838. + + Sir--A newspaper, headed '_The Emancipator_,' in which you are + announced the 'publishing agent,' has, for some weeks past, arrived + at the post office in this city, to my address. Not having + subscribed, or authorized any individual to give my name as a + subscriber, for that or any such paper, it is entirely _gratuitous_ + on the part of its publishers to send me a copy; and not having a + favorable opinion of the _intentions_ of the _authors and founders_ + of the '_American Anti-Slavery Society_;' I have to request a + discontinuance of '_The Emancipator_.' + + Your ob't servant, "J.S. CONWAY." + +R. G. WILLIAMS, Esq., New York. + + * * * * * + +[NOTE.--The following extract of a letter, from the late Chief Justice +Jay to the late venerable Elias Boudinot, dated Nov. 17, 1819, might +well have formed part of Appendix E. Its existence, however, was not +known till it was too late to insert it in its most appropriate place. +It shows the view taken of some of the _constitutional_ questions by a +distinguished jurist,--one of the purest patriots too, by whom our early +history was illustrated.] + + "Little can be added to what has been said and written on the + subject of slavery. I concur in the opinion, that it ought not to be + _introduced, nor permitted_ in any of the _new_ states; and that it + ought to be gradually diminished, and finally, abolished, in all + of them. + + To me, the _constitutional authority_ of the Congress to prohibit + the _migration_ and _importation_ of slaves into any of the states, + does not appear questionable. + + The first article of the Constitution specifics the legislative + powers committed to Congress. The ninth section of that article has + these words:--'The _migration_ or _importation_ of such persons as + any of the _now existing_ states shall think proper to admit, shall + not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the year 1808--but a tax + or duty may be imposed on such importation not exceeding _ten + dollars_ for each person.' + + I understand the sense and meaning of this clause to be, That the + power of the Congress, although _competent to prohibit such + migration and importation_, was not to be exercised with respect to + the THEN existing states, and _them only_, until the year 1808; but + that Congress were at liberty to make such prohibition as to any + _new state_ which might in the _meantime_ be established. And + further, that from and after _that_ period, they were authorized to + make such prohibition as to _all the states, whether new or old_. + + Slaves were the persons intended. The word slaves was avoided, on + account of the existing toleration of slavery, and its discordancy + with the principles of the Revolution; and from a consciousness of + its being repugnant to those propositions to the Declaration of + Independence:--'We hold these truths to be self-evident--that all + men are created equal--that they are endowed by their Creator with + certain inalienable rights--and that, among these, are life, + liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.'" + + * * * * * + + + + +NO. 9. + +THE ANTI-SLAVERY EXAMINER. + + * * * * * + +LETTER + +OF + +GERRIT SMITH, + +TO + +HON. HENRY CLAY. + + * * * * * + +NEW YORK: + +PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY, NO. 143 NASSAU STREET. +----- 1839. + + * * * * * +This No. contains 3-1/2 sheets.--Postage, under 100 miles, 6 cts. over +100, 10 cts. + +_Please Read and circulate_. + + + +LETTER. + + * * * * * + +PETERBORO, MARCH 21, 1839. + +HON. HENRY CLAY: + +DEAR SIR, + +In the Annual Meeting of the American Colonization Society, held in the +Capitol in the city of Washington, December, 1835, you commented on a +speech made by myself, the previous autumn. Your objections to that +speech formed the principal subject matter of your remarks. Does not +this fact somewhat mitigate the great presumption of which I feel myself +guilty, in undertaking, all unhonored and humble as I am, to review the +production of one of the most distinguished statesmen of the age? + +Until the appearance of your celebrated speech on the subject of +slavery, I had supposed that you cherished a sacred regard for the right +of petition. I now find, that you value it no more highly than they do, +who make open war upon it. Indeed, you admit, that, in relation to this +right, "there is no substantial difference between" them and yourself. +Instead of rebuking, you compliment them; and, in saying that "the +majority of the Senate" would not "violate the right of petition in any +case, in which, according to its judgment, the object of the petition +could be safely or properly granted," you show to what destructive +conditions you subject this absolute right. Your doctrine is, that in +those cases, where the object of the petition is such, as the +supplicated party can approve, previously to any discussion of its +merits--there, and there only, exists the right of petition. For aught I +see, you are no more to be regarded as the friend of this right, than is +the conspicuous gentleman[A] who framed the Report on that subject, +which was presented to the Senate of my state the last month. That +gentleman admits the sacredness of "the right to petition on any +subject;" and yet, in the same breath, he insists on the equal +sacredness of the right to refuse to attend to a petition. He manifestly +failed to bear in mind, that a right to petition implies the correlative +right to be heard. How different are the statesmen, who insist "on the +right to refuse to attend to a petition," from Him, who says, "Whoso +stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but +shall not be heard." And who are poor, if it be not those for whom the +abolitionists cry? They must even cry by proxy. For, in the language of +John Quincy Adams, the champion of the right of petition, "The slave is +not permitted to cry for mercy--to plead for pardon--to utter the shriek +of perishing nature for relief." It may be well to remark, that the +error, which I have pointed out in the Report in question, lies in the +premises of the principal argument of that paper; and that the +correction of this error is necessarily attended with the destruction of +the premises, and with the overthrow of the argument, which is built +upon them. + +[Footnote A: Colonel Young.] + +I surely need not stop to vindicate the right of petition. It is a +natural right--one that human laws can guarantee, but can neither create +nor destroy. It is an interesting fact, that the Amendment to the +Federal Constitution, which guarantees the right of petition, was +opposed in the Congress of 1789 as superfluous. It was argued, that this +is "a self-evident, inalienable right, which the people possess," and +that "it would never be called in question." What a change in +fifty years! + +You deny the power of Congress to abolish the inter-state traffic in +human beings; and, inasmuch as you say, that the right "to regulate +commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states," does not +include the right to prohibit and destroy commerce; and, inasmuch as it +is understood, that it was in virtue of the right to regulate commerce, +that Congress enacted laws to restrain our participation in the "African +slave trade," you perhaps also deny, that Congress had the power to +enact such laws. The history of the times in which the Federal +Constitution was framed and adopted, justifies the belief, that the +clause of that instrument under consideration conveys the power, which +Congress exercised. For instance, Governor Randolph, when speaking in +the Virginia Convention of 1788, of the clause which declares, that "the +migration or importation of such persons as any of the states now +existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by +Congress prior to the year 1808," said, "This is an exception from the +power of regulating commerce, and the restriction is to continue only +till 1808. Then Congress can, by the exercise of that power, prevent +future importations." + +Were I, however, to admit that the right "to regulate commerce," does +not include the right to prohibit and destroy commerce, it nevertheless +would not follow, that Congress might not prohibit or destroy certain +branches of commerce. It might need to do so, in order to preserve our +general commerce with a state or nation. So large a proportion of the +cloths of Turkey might be fraught with the contagion of the plague, as +to make it necessary for our Government to forbid the importation of all +cloths from that country, and thus totally destroy one branch of our +commerce with it, to the end that the other branches might be preserved. +No inconsiderable evidence that Congress has the right to prohibit or +destroy a branch of commerce, is to be found in the fact, that it has +done so. From March, 1794, to May, 1820, it enacted several laws, which +went to prohibit or destroy, and, in the end, did prohibit or destroy +the trade of this country with Africa in human beings. And, if Congress +has the power to pass embargo laws, has it not the power to prohibit or +destroy commerce altogether? + +It is, however, wholly immaterial, whether Congress could prohibit our +participation in the "African slave trade," in virtue of the clause +which empowers it "to regulate commerce." That the Constitution does, in +some one or more of its passages, convey the power, is manifest from the +testimony of the Constitution itself. The first clause of the ninth +section says: "The migration or importation of such persons, as any of +the states now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be +prohibited by the Congress prior to they year 1808." Now the implication +in this clause of the existence of the power in question, is as +conclusive, as would be the express and positive grant of it. You will +observe, too, that the power of Congress over "migration or +importation," which this clause implies, is a power not merely to +"regulate," as you define the word, but to "prohibit." + +It is clear, then, that Congress had the power to interdict our trade in +human beings with Africa. But, in view of what has been said on that +point--in view of the language of the Federal Constitution--of the +proceedings of the Convention, which framed it--and of the cotemporary +public sentiment--is it any less clear, that Congress has the power to +interdict the inter-state traffic in human beings? + +There are some, who assert that the words "migration" and "importation," +instead of referring, as I maintain they do--the former to the removal +of slaves from state to state, and the latter to their introduction from +Africa--are used in the Constitution as synonyms, and refer exclusively +to the "African slave trade." But there is surely no ground for the +imputation of such utter tautology, if we recollect that the +Constitution was written by scholars, and that remarkable pains were +taken to clear it of all superfluous words--a Committee having been +appointed for that special purpose. But, it may be asked, Why, in +reference to the taking of slaves from one state to another, use the +word "migration," which denotes voluntary removal? One answer is--that +it can be used with as much propriety in that case, as in the removal of +slaves from Africa--the removal in the one case being no less +involuntary than in the other. Another answer is--that the framers of +the Constitution selected the word "migration," because of its congruity +with that of "persons," under which their virtuous shame sought to +conceal from posterity the existence of seven hundred thousand slaves +amongst a people, who had but recently entered upon their national +career, with the solemn declaration, that "all men are created equal." + +John Jay, whose great celebrity is partly owing to his very able +expositions of the Constitution, says: "To me, the constitutional +authority of the Congress to prohibit the migration _and_ importation of +slaves into any of the states, does not appear questionable." If the +disjunctive between "migration" and "importation" in the Constitution, +argues their reference to the same thing, Mr. Jay's copulative argues +more strongly, that, in his judgment, they refer to different things. + +The law of Congress constituting the "Territory of Orleans," was enacted +in 1804. It fully recognizes the power of that body to prohibit the +trade in slaves between a territory and the states. But, if Congress had +this power, why had it not as clear a power to prohibit, at that time, +the trade in slaves between any two of the states? It might have +prohibited it, but for the constitutional suspension of the exercise of +the power. The term of that suspension closed, however, in 1808; and, +since that year, Congress has had as full power to abolish the whole +slave trade between the states, as it had in 1804 to abolish the like +trade between the Territory of Orleans and the states. + +But, notwithstanding the conclusive evidence, that the Constitution +empowers Congress to abolish the inter-state slave trade, it is +incomprehensible to many, that such states as Virginia and Maryland +should have consented to deprive themselves of the benefit of selling +their slaves into other states. It is incomprehensible, only because +they look upon such states in the light of their present character and +present interests. It will no longer be so, if they will bear in mind, +that slave labor was then, as it is now, unprofitable for ordinary +agriculture, and that Whitney's cotton-gin, which gave great value to +such labor, was not yet invented, and that the purchase of Louisiana, +which has had so great an effect to extend and perpetuate the dominion +of slavery, was not yet made. It will no longer be incomprehensible to +them, if they will recollect, that, at the period in question, American +slavery was regarded as a rapidly decaying, if not already expiring +institution. It will no longer be so, if they will recollect, how small +was the price of slaves then, compared with their present value; and +that, during the ten years, which followed the passage of the Act of +Virginia in 1782, legalizing manumissions, her citizens emancipated +slaves to the number of nearly one-twentieth of the whole amount of her +slaves in that year. To learn whether your native Virginia clung in the +year 1787 to the inter-state traffic in human flesh, we must take our +post of observation, not amongst her degenerate sons, who, in 1836, sold +men, women, and children, to the amount of twenty-four millions of +dollars--not amongst her President Dews, who write books in favor of +breeding human stock for exportation--but amongst her Washingtons, and +Jeffersons, and Henrys, and Masons, who, at the period when the +Constitution was framed, freely expressed their abhorrence of slavery. + +But, however confident you may be, that Congress has not the lawful +power to abolish the branch of commerce in question; nevertheless, would +the abolition of it be so clearly and grossly unconstitutional, as to +justify the contempt with which the numerous petitions for the measure +are treated, and the impeachment of their fidelity to the Constitution, +and of their patriotism and purity, which the petitioners are made +to endure? + +I was about to take it for granted, that, although you deny the power of +Congress to abolish the inter-state traffic in human beings, you do not +justify the traffic--when I recollected the intimation in your speech, +that there is no such traffic. For, when you speak of "the slave trade +between the states," and add--"or, as it is described in abolition +petitions, the traffic in human beings between the states"--do you not +intimate there is no such traffic? Whence this language? Do you not +believe slaves are human beings? And do you not believe that they suffer +under the disruption of the dearest earthly ties, as human beings +suffer? I will not detain you to hear what we of the North think of this +internal slave trade. But I will call your attention to what is thought +of it in your own Kentucky and in your native Virginia. Says the +"Address of the Presbyterian Synod of Kentucky to the Churches in +1835:"--"Brothers and sisters, parents and children, husbands and wives, +are torn asunder, and permitted to see each other no more. Those acts +are daily occurring in the midst of us. The shrieks and the agony often +witnessed on such occasions, proclaim with a trumpet tongue the iniquity +and cruelty of the system. There is not a neighborhood where these +heart-rending scenes are not displayed. There is not a village or road +that does not behold the sad procession of manacled outcasts, whose +chains and mournful countenances tell that they are exiled by force from +all that their hearts hold dear." Says Thomas Jefferson Randolph, in the +Virginia Legislature in 1832, when speaking of this trade: "It is a +practice, and an increasing practice, in parts of Virginia, to rear +slaves for market. How can an honourable mind, a patriot, and a lover of +his country, bear to see this ancient dominion, rendered illustrious by +the noble devotion and patriotism of her sons in the cause of liberty, +converted into one grand menagerie, where men are to be reared for the +market like oxen for the shambles. Is it better--is it not worse than +the (foreign) slave trade--that trade which enlisted the labor of the +good and wise of every creed and every clime to abolish? The (foreign) +trader receives the slave, a stranger in language, aspect, and manner, +from the merchant who has brought him from the interior. The ties of +father, mother, husband, and child, have already been rent in twain; +before he receives him, his soul has become callous. But here, sir, +individuals whom the master has known from infancy, whom he has seen +sporting in the innocent gambols of childhood--who have been accustomed +to look to him for protection, he tears from the mother's arms, and +sells into a strange country--among strange people, subject to cruel +taskmasters." + +You are in favor of increasing the number of slave states. The terms of +the celebrated "Missouri compromise" warrant, in your judgment, the +increase. But, notwithstanding you admit, that this unholy compromise, +in which tranquillity was purchased at the expense of humanity and +righteousness, does not "in terms embrace the case," and "is not +absolutely binding and obligatory;" you, nevertheless, make no attempt +whatever to do away any one of the conclusive objections, which are +urged against such increase. You do not attempt to show how the +multiplication of slave states can consist with the constitutional duty +of the "United States to guarantee to every state in the Union a +republican form of government," any more than if it were perfectly +clear, that a government is republican under which one half of the +people are lawfully engaged in buying and selling the other half; or +than if the doctrine that "all men are created equal" were not the +fundamental and distinctive doctrine of a republican government. You no +more vindicate the proposition to enlarge the realm of slavery, than if +the proposition were as obviously in harmony with, as it is opposed to +the anti-slavery tenor and policy of the Constitution--the rights of +man--and the laws of God. + +You are perhaps of the number of those, who, believing, that a state can +change its Constitution as it pleases, deem it futile in Congress to +require, that States, on entering the Union, shall have anti-slavery +Constitutions. The Framers of the Federal Constitution doubtless foresaw +the possibility of treachery, on the part of the new States, in the +matter of slavery: and the restriction in that instrument to the old +States--"the States now existing"--of the right to participate in the +internal and "African slave trade" may be ascribed to the motive of +diminishing, if not indeed of entirely preventing, temptation to such +treachery. The Ordinance concerning the North-west Territory, passed by +the Congress of 1787, and ratified by the Congress of 1790, shows, so +far as those bodies can be regarded as correct interpreters of the +Constitution which was framed in 1787, and adopted in 1789, that slavery +was not to have a constitutional existence in the new States. The +Ordinance continues the privilege of recapturing fugitive slaves in the +North-west Territory to the "existing States." Slaves in that territory, +to be the subjects of lawful recapture, must in the language of the +Ordinance, owe "labour or service in one of the _original_ States." + +I close what I have to say on this topic, with the remark, that were it +admitted, that the reasons for the increase of the number of slave +States are sound and satisfactory, it nevertheless would not follow, +that the moral and constitutional wrong of preventing that increase is +so palpable, as to justify the scorn and insult, which are heaped by +Congress upon this hundred thousand petitioners for this measure. + +It has hitherto been supposed, that you distinctly and fully admitted +the Constitutional power of Congress to abolish slavery in the District +of Columbia. But, on this point, as on that of the right of petition, +you have for reasons known to yourself, suddenly and greatly changed +your tone. Whilst your speech argues, at no small length, that Congress +has not the right to abolish slavery in the District, all that it says +in favor of the Constitutional power to abolish it, is that "the +language (of the Constitution) may _possibly_ be sufficiently +comprehensive to include a power of abolition." "Faint praise dams;" and +your very reluctant and qualified concession of the Constitutional power +under consideration, is to be construed, rather as a denial than a +concession. + +Until I acquire the skill of making white whiter, and black blacker, I +shall have nothing to say in proof of the Constitutional power of +Congress over slavery in the District of Columbia, beyond referring to +the terms, in which the Constitution so plainly conveys this power. That +instrument authorises Congress "to exercise exclusive legislation in all +cases whatsoever over such District." If these words do not confer the +power, it is manifest that no words could confer it. I will add that, +never, until the last few years, had doubts been expressed, that these +words do fully confer that power. + +You will, perhaps, say, that Virginia and Maryland made their cessions +of the territory, which constitutes the District of Columbia, with +reservations on the subject of slavery. We answer, that none were +expressed;[A] and that if there had been, Congress would not, and in +view of the language of the Constitution, could not, have accepted the +cessions. You may then say, that they would not have ceded the +territory, had it occurred to them, that Congress would have cleared it +of slavery; and that, this being the fact, Congress could not thus clear +it, without being guilty of bad faith, and of an ungenerous and +unjustifiable surprise on those States. There are several reasons for +believing, that those States, not only did not, at the period in +question, cherish a dread of the abolition of slavery; but that the +public sentiment within them was decidedly in favor of its speedy +abolition. At that period, their most distinguished statesmen were +trumpet-tongued against slavery. At that period, there was both a +Virginia and a Maryland society "for promoting the abolition of +slavery;" and, it was then, that, with the entire consent of Virginia +and Maryland, effectual measures were adopted to preclude slavery from +that large territory, which has since given Ohio and several other +States to the Union. On this subject, as on that of the inter-state +slave trade, we misinterpret Virginia and Maryland, by not considering, +how unlike was their temper in relation to slavery, amidst the decays +and dying throes of that institution half a century ago, to what it is +now, when slavery is not only revivified, but has become the predominant +interest and giant power of the nation. We forget, that our whole +country was, at that time, smitten with love for the holy cause of +impartial and universal liberty. To judge correctly of the view, which +our Revolutionary fathers took of oppression, we must go back and stand +by their side, in their struggles against it,--we must survey them +through the medium of the anti-slavery sentiment of their own times, and +not impute to them the pro-slavery spirit so rampant in ours. + +[Footnote A: There is a proviso in the Act of Virginia. It was on this, +that three years ago, in the Senate of the United States, Benjamin +Watkins Leigh built his argument against the constitutional power of +Congress to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia. I well remember +that you then denied the soundness of his argument. This superfluous +proviso virtually forbids Congress to pass laws, which shall "affect the +rights of individuals" in the ceded territory. Amongst the inviolable +"rights" was that of holding slaves, as Mr. Leigh contended. I regret, +that, in replying to him, you did not make use of the fact, that all the +members of Congress from Virginia voted in favor of the Ordinance, which +abolished slavery in the North-West Territory; and this too, +notwithstanding, that, in the Act of 1784, by which she ceded the +North-West Territory to the Confederacy, she provided, that the +"citizens of Virginia" in the said Territory, many of whom held slaves, +should "be protected in the enjoyment of their rights." This fact +furnishes striking evidence that at, or about, the time of the cession +by Virginia of her portion of the District of Columbia, her statesmen +believed, that the right to hold slaves in those portions of our country +under the exclusive jurisdiction of Congress, was not beyond the reach +of the controlling power of Congress.] + +I will, however, suppose it true, that Virginia and Maryland would not +have made the cessions in question, had they foreseen, that Congress +would abolish slavery in the District of Columbia:--and yet, I affirm, +that it would be the duty of Congress to abolish it. Had there been +State Prisons in the territory, at the time Congress acquired +jurisdiction over it, and had Congress immediately opened their doors, +and turned loose hundreds of depraved and bloody criminals, there would +indeed have been abundant occasion for complaint. But, had the exercise +of its power in the premises extended no farther than to the liberation +of such convicts, as, on a re-examination of their cases, were found to +be clearly guiltless of the crimes charged upon them; the sternest +justice could not have objected to such an occasion for the rejoicing of +mercy. And are not the thousands in the District, for whose liberation +Congress is besought, unjustly deprived of their liberty? Not only are +they guiltless, but they are even unaccused of such crimes, as in the +judgment of any, justly work a forfeiture of liberty. And what do +Virginia and Maryland ask? Is it, that Congress shall resubject to their +control those thousands of deeply wronged men? No--for this Congress +cannot do. They ask, that Congress shall fulfil the tyrant wishes of +these States. They ask, that the whole people of the United +States--those who hate, as well as those who love slavery, shall, by +their representatives, assume the guilty and awful responsibility of +perpetuating the enslavement of their innocent fellow men:--of chaining +the bodies and crushing the wills, and blotting out the minds of such, +as have neither transgressed, nor even been accused of having +transgressed, a single human law. And the crime, which Virginia and +Maryland, and they, who sympathise with them, would have the nation +perpetrate, is, not simply that of prolonging the captivity of those, +who were slaves before the cession--for but a handful of them are now +remaining in the District. Most of the present number became slaves +under the authority of this guilty nation. Their wrongs originated with +Congress: and Congress is asked, not only to perpetuate their +oppression, but to fasten the yoke of slavery on generations yet unborn. + +There are those, who advocate the recession of the District of Columbia. +If the nation were to consent to this, without having previously +exercised her power to "break every yoke" of slavery in the District, +the blood of those so cruelly left there in "the house of bondage," +would remain indelible and damning upon her skirts:--and this too, +whether Virginia and Maryland did or did not intend to vest Congress +with any power over slavery. It is enough, that the nation has the power +"to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to +be slain," to make her fearfully guilty before God, if she "forbear" to +exercise it. + +Suppose, I were to obtain a lease of my neighbor's barn for the single +and express purpose of securing my crops; and that I should find, +chained up in one of its dark corners, an innocent fellow man, whom that +neighbor was subjecting to the process of a lingering death; ought I to +pause and recall President Wayland's, "Limitations of Human +Responsibility," and finally let the poor sufferer remain in his chains; +or ought I not rather, promptly to respond to the laws of my nature and +my nature's God, and let him go free? But, to make this case analogous +to that we have been considering--to that, which imposes its claims on +Congress--we must strike out entirely the condition of the lease, and +with it all possible doubts of my right to release the victim of my +neighbor's murderous hate. + +I am entirely willing to yield, for the sake of argument, that Virginia +and Maryland, when ceding the territory which constitutes the District +of Columbia, did not anticipate, and did not choose the abolition of +slavery in it. To make the admission stronger, I will allow, that these +States were, at the time of the cession, as warmly opposed to the +abolition of slavery in the District as they are said to be now: and to +make it stronger still, I will allow, that the abolition of slavery in +the District would prove deeply injurious, not only to Virginia and +Maryland but to the nation at large. And, after all these admissions, I +must still insist, that Congress is under perfectly plain moral +obligation to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia. + +They, who are deterred from favoring the abolition of slavery in the +District by the apprehension, that Virginia and Maryland, if not, +indeed, the nation at large, might suffer injurious consequences from +the measure, overlook the fact, that there is a third party in the case. +It is common to regard the nation as constituting one of the +parties--Virginia and Maryland another, and the only other. But in point +of fact, there is a third party. Of what does it consist? Of horses, +oxen, and other brutes? Then we need not be greatly concerned about +it--since its rights in that case, would be obviously subordinate to +those of the other parties. Again, if such be the composition of this +third party, we are not to be greatly troubled, that President Wayland +and thousands of others entirely overlook its rights and interests; +though they ought to be somewhat mindful even of brutes. But, this third +party is composed, not of brutes--but of men--of the seven thousand men +in the District, who have fallen under the iron hoofs of slavery--and +who, because they are men, have rights equal to, and as sacred as the +rights of any other men--rights, moreover, which cannot be innocently +encroached on, even to the breadth of one hair, whether under the plea +of "state necessity"--of the perils of emancipation--or under any other +plea, which conscience-smitten and cowardly tyranny can suggest. + +If these lines shall ever be so favored, as to fall under the eye of the +venerable and beloved John Quincy Adams, I beg, that, when he shall have +read them, he will solemnly inquire of his heart, whether, if he should +ever be left to vote against the abolition of slavery in the District of +Columbia, and thus stab deeply the cause of civil liberty, of humanity, +and of God; the guilty act would not result from overlooking the rights +and interests, and even the existence itself, of a third party in the +case--and from considering the claims of the nation and those of +Virginia and Maryland, as the only claims on which he was called to +pass, because they were the claims of the only parties, of which he +was aware. + +You admit that "the first duty of Congress in relation to the District, +of Columbia, is to render it available, comfortable, and convenient as a +seat of the government of the whole Union." I thank you for an +admission, which can be used, with great effect, against the many, who +maintain, that Congress is as much bound to consult the interests and +wishes of the inhabitants of the District, and be governed by them, as a +State Legislature is to study and serve the interests and wishes of its +constituents. The inhabitants of the District have taken up their +residence in it, aware, that the paramount object of Congressional +legislation is not their, but the nation's advantage. They judge, that +their disfranchisement and the other disadvantages attending their +residence are more than balanced by their favorable position for +participating in Governmental patronage and other benefits. They know, +that they have no better right to complain, that the legislation of +Congress is not dictated by a primary regard to their interests, than +has the Colonization Society, of which you are President, to complain, +that the Capitol, in which it holds its annual meetings, is not +constructed and fitted up in the best possible manner for such +occasions. They know, that to sacrifice the design and main object of +that building to its occasional and incidental uses, would be an +absurdity no greater than would Congress be guilty of in shaping its +legislation to the views of the thirty thousand white inhabitants of the +District of Columbia, at the expense of neglecting the will and +interests of the nation. + +You feel, that there is no hazard in your admission, that the paramount +object in relation to the District of Columbia, is its suitableness for +a seat of Government, since you accompany that admission with the +denial, that the presence of slavery interferes with such suitableness. +But is it not a matter of deep regret, that the place, in which our +national laws are made--that the place from which the sentiment and +fashion of the whole country derive so much of their tone and +direction--should cherish a system, which you have often admitted, is at +war with the first principles of our religion and civil polity;[A] and +the influences of which are no less pervading and controlling than +corrupting? Is it not a matter of deep regret, that they, whom other +governments send to our own, and to whom, on account of their superior +intellect and influence, it is our desire, as it is our duty, to commend +our free institutions, should be obliged to learn their lessons of +practical republicanism amidst the monuments and abominations of +slavery? Is it no objection to the District of Columbia, as the seat of +our Government, that slavery, which concerns the political and moral +interests of the nation, more than any other subject coming within the +range of legislation, is not allowed to be discussed there--either +within or without the Halls of Congress? It is one of the doctrines of +slavery, that slavery shall not be discussed. Some of its advocates are +frank enough to avow, as the reason for this prohibition, that slavery +cannot bear to be discussed. In your speech before the American +Colonization Society in 1835, to which I have referred, you distinctly +take the ground, that slavery is a subject not open to general +discussion. Very far am I from believing, that you would employ, or +intentionally countenance violence, to prevent such discussion. +Nevertheless, it is to this doctrine of non-discussion, which you and +others put forth, that the North is indebted for her pro-slavery mobs, +and the South for her pro-slavery Lynchings. The declarations of such +men as Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun, that slavery is a question not to +be discussed, are a license to mobs to burn up halls and break up +abolition meetings, and destroy abolition presses, and murder abolition +editors. Had such men held the opposite doctrine, and admitted, yea, and +insisted, as it was their duty to do, that every question in morals and +politics is a legitimate subject of free discussion--the District of +Columbia would be far less objectionable, as the seat of our Government. +In that case the lamented Dr. Crandall would not have been seized in the +city of Washington on the suspicion of being an abolitionist, and thrown +into prison, and subjected to distresses of mind and body, which +resulted in his premature death. Had there been no slavery in the +District, this outrage would not have been committed; and the murders, +chargeable on the bloodiest of all bloody institutions, would have been +one less than they now are. Talk of the slaveholding District of +Columbia being a suitable locality for the seat of our Government! Why, +Sir, a distinguished member of Congress was threatened there with an +indictment for the _crime_ of presenting, or rather of proposing to +present, a petition to the body with which he was connected! Indeed the +occasion of the speech, on which I am now commenting, was the _impudent_ +protest of inhabitants of that District against the right of the +American people to petition their own Congress, in relation to matters +of vital importance to the seat of their own Government! I take occasion +here to admit, that I have seen but references to this protest--not the +protest itself. I presume, that it is not dissimilar, in its spirit, to +the petition presented about the same time by Mr. Moore in the other +House of Congress--his speech on which, he complains was ungenerously +anticipated by yours on the petition presented by yourself. As the +petition presented by Mr. Moore is short, I will copy it, that I may say +to you with the more effect--how unfit is the spirit of a slaveholding +people, as illustrated in this petition, to be the spirit of the people +at the seat of a free Government! + +[Footnote A: "It (slavery) is a sin and a curse both to the master and +the slave:"--_Henry Clay_.] + +"_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_: + +The petition of the undersigned, citizens of the District of Columbia +represents--That they have witnessed with deep regret the attempts which +are making _to disturb the integrity_ of the Union by a BAND OF +FANATICS, embracing men, women, and children, who cease not day and +night to crowd the tables of your halls with SEDITIOUS MEMORIALS--and +solicit your honorable bodies that you will, in your wisdom, henceforth +give neither support nor countenance to such UNHALLOWED ATTEMPTS, but +that you will, in the most emphatic manner, set the seal of your +disapprobation upon all such FOUL AND UNNATURAL EFFORTS, by refusing not +only to READ and REFER, but also to RECEIVE any papers which either +directly or indirectly, or by implication, aim at any interference with +the rights of your petitioners, or of those of any citizen of any of the +States or Territories of the United States, or of this District of which +we are inhabitants." + +A Legislature should be imbued with a free, independent, fearless +spirit. But it cannot be, where discussion is overawed and interdicted, +or its boundaries at all contracted. Wherever slavery reigns, the +freedom of discussion is not tolerated: and whenever slavery exists, +there slavery reigns;--reigns too with that exclusive spirit of Turkish +despotism, that, "bears no brother near the throne." + +You agree with President Wayland, that it is as improper for Congress to +abolish slavery in the District of Columbia, as to create it in some +place in the free States, over which it has jurisdiction. As improper, +in the judgment of an eminent statesman, and of a no less eminent +divine, to destroy what they both admit to be a system of +unrighteousness, as to establish it! As improper to restrain as to +practice, a violation of God's law! What will other countries and coming +ages think of the politics of our statesmen and the ethics of +our divines? + +But, besides its immorality, Congress has no Constitutional right to +create slavery. You have not yet presumed to deny positively, that +Congress has the right to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia; +and, notwithstanding the intimation in your speech, you will not presume +to affirm, that Congress has the Constitutional right to enact laws +reducing to, or holding in slavery, the inhabitants of West Point, or +any other locality in the free States, over which it has exclusive +jurisdiction. I would here remark, that the law of Congress, which +revived the operation of the laws of Virginia and Maryland in the +District of Columbia, being, so far as it respects the slave laws of +those States, a violation of the Federal Constitution, should be held of +no avail towards legalizing slavery in the District--and the subjects of +that slavery, should, consequently, be declared by our Courts +unconditionally free. + +You will admit that slavery is a system of surpassing injustice:--but +an avowed object of the Constitution is to "establish justice." You will +admit that it utterly annihilates the liberty of its victims:--but +another of the avowed objects of the Constitution is to "secure the +blessings of liberty." You will admit, that slavery does, and +necessarily must, regard its victims as _chattels_. The Constitution, on +the contrary, speaks of them as nothing short of _persons_. Roger +Sherman, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, a framer of the +Federal Constitution, and a member of the first Congress under it, +denied that this instrument considers slaves "as a species of property." +Mr. Madison, in the 54th No. of the Federalist admits, that the +Constitution "regards them as inhabitants." Many cases might be cited, +in which Congress has, in consonance with the Constitution, refused to +recognize slaves as property. It was the expectation, as well as the +desire of the framers of the Constitution, that slavery should soon +cease to exist is our country; and, but for the laws, which both +Congress and the slave States, have, in flagrant violation of the letter +and spirit and obvious policy of the Constitution, enacted in behalf of +slavery, that vice would, ere this, have disappeared from our land. +Look, for instance, at the laws enacted in the fact of the clause: "The +citizens of each State shall be entitled to all the privileges and +immunities of citizens in the several States"--laws too, which the +States that enacted them, will not consent to repeal, until they consent +to abandon slavery. It is by these laws, that they shut out the colored +people of the North, the presence of a single individual of whom so +alarms them with the prospect of a servile insurrection, that they +immediately imprison him. Such was the view of the Federal Constitution +taken by James Wilson one of its framers, that, without, as I presume, +claiming for Congress any direct power over slavery in the slave States, +he declared that it possessed "power to exterminate slavery from within +our borders." It was probably under a like view, that Benjamin Franklin, +another of its framers, and Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration +of Independence, and other men of glorious and blessed memory, +petitioned the first Congress under the Constitution to "countenance the +restoration to liberty of those unhappy men," (the slaves of our +country). And in what light that same Congress viewed the Constitution +may be inferred from the fact, that, by a special act, it ratified the +celebrated Ordinance, by the terms of which slavery was forbidden for +ever in the North West Territory. It is worthy of note, that the avowed +object of the Ordinance harmonizes with that of the Constitution: and +that the Ordinance was passed the same year that the Constitution was +drafted, is a fact, on which we can strongly rely to justify a reference +to the spirit of the one instrument for illustrating the spirit of the +other. What the spirit of the Ordinance is, and in what light they who +passed it, regarded "republics, their laws and constitutions," may be +inferred from the following declaration in the Ordinance of its grand +object: "For extending the fundamental principles of civil and religious +liberty, which form the basis wherever these Republics, their laws and +constitutions are erected; to fix and establish those principles as the +basis of all laws, constitutions, and governments, which forever +hereafter shall be formed in the said territory, &c.; it is hereby +ordained and declared that the following articles, &c." One of these +articles is that, which has been referred to, and which declares that +"there shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in the said +Territory." + +You will perhaps make light of my reference to James Wilson and Benjamin +Franklin, for I recollect you say, that, "When the Constitution was +about going into operation, its powers were not well understood by the +community at large, and remained to be accurately interpreted and +defined." Nevertheless, I think it wise to repose more confidence in the +views, which the framers of the Constitution took of the spirit and +principles of that instrument, than in the definitions and +interpretations of the pro-slavery generation, which has succeeded them. + +It should be regarded as no inconsiderable evidence of the anti-slavery +genius and policy of the Constitution, that Congress promptly +interdicted slavery in the first portion of territory, and that, too, a +territory of vast extent, over which it acquired jurisdiction. And is it +not a perfectly reasonable supposition, that the seat of our Government +would not have been polluted by the presence of slavery, had Congress +acted on that subject by itself, instead of losing sight of it in the +wholesale legislation, by which the laws of Virginia and Maryland were +revived in the District? + +If the Federal Constitution be not anti-slavery in its general scope and +character; if it be not impregnated with the principles of universal +liberty; why was it necessary, in order to restrain Congress, for a +limited period, from acting against the slave trade, which is but a +branch or incident of slavery, to have a clause to that end in the +Constitution? The fact that the framers of the Constitution refused to +blot its pages with the word "slave" or "slavery;" and that, by +periphrase and the substitution of "persons" for "slaves," they sought +to conceal from posterity and the world the mortifying fact, that +slavery existed under a government based on the principle, that +governments derive "their just powers from the consent of the governed," +contains volumes of proof, that they looked upon American slavery as a +decaying institution; and that they would naturally shape the +Constitution to the abridgment and the extinction, rather than the +extension and perpetuity of the giant vice of the country. + +It is not to be denied, that the Constitution tolerates a limited +measure of slavery: but it tolerates this measure only as the exception +to its rule of impartial and universal liberty. Were it otherwise, the +principles of that instrument could be pleaded to justify the holding of +men as property, in cases, other than those specifically provided for in +it. Were it otherwise, these principles might be appealed to, as well to +sanction the enslavement of men, as the capture of wild beasts. Were it +otherwise, the American people might be Constitutionally realizing the +prophet's declaration: "they all lie in wait for blood: they hunt every +man his brother with a net." But mere principles, whether in or out of +the Constitution, do not avail to justify and uphold slavery. Says Lord +Mansfield in the famous Somerset case: "The state of slavery is of such +a nature, that it is incapable of being now introduced by courts of +justice upon mere reasoning or inferences from any principles, natural +or political; it must take its rise from _positive law_; the origin of +it can in no country or age be traced back to any other source. A case +so odious as the condition of slaves, must be taken strictly." Grotius +says, that "slavery places man in an unnatural relation to man--a +relation which nothing but positive law can sustain." All are aware, +that, by the common law, man cannot have property in man; and that +wherever that law is not counteracted on this point by positive law, +"slaves cannot breathe," and their "shackles fall." I scarcely need add, +that the Federal Constitution does, in the main, accord with the common +law. In the words of a very able writer: "The common law is the grand +element of the United States Constitution. All its fundamental +provisions are instinct with its spirit; and its existence, principles, +and paramount authority, are presupposed and assumed throughout +the whole." + +To argue the anti-slavery character of the Federal Constitution, it is +not necessary to take the high ground of some, that whatever in the +Constitution favors slavery is void, because opposed to the principles +and general tenor of that instrument. Much less is it necessary to take +the still higher ground, that every law in favor of slavery, in whatever +code or connection it may be found, is utterly invalid because of its +plain contravention of the law of nature. To maintain my position, that +the Constitution is anti-slavery in its general character, and that +constitutional slavery is, at the most, but an exception to that general +character, it was not necessary to take either of these grounds; though, +had I been disposed to take even the higher of them, I should not have +lacked the countenance of the most weighty authorities. "The law of +nature," says Blackstone, "being coeval with mankind, and dictated by +God himself, is of course superior in obligation to any other. It is +binding over all the globe, in all countries, and at all times: no human +laws are of any validity if contrary to this." The same writer says, +that "The law of nature requires, that man should pursue his own true +and substantial happiness." But that slavery allows this pursuit to its +victims, no one will pretend. "There is a law," says Henry Brougham, +"above all the enactments of human codes. It is the law written by the +finger of God on the heart of man; and by that law, unchangeable and +eternal, while men despise fraud, and loathe rapine, and abhor blood, +they shall reject with indignation the wild and guilty phantasy, that +man can hold property in man." + +I add no more to what I have said on the subject of slavery in the +District of Columbia, than to ask, as I have done in relation to the +inter-state slave trade and the annexation of slave states, whether +petitions for its abolition argue so great a contempt of the +Constitution, and so entire a recklessness of propriety, as to merit the +treatment which they receive at the hands of Congress. Admitting that +Congress has not the constitutional power to abolish slavery in the +District--admitting that it has not the constitutional power to destroy +what itself has established--admitting, too, that if it has the power, +it ought not to exercise it;--nevertheless, is the case so perfectly +clear, that the petitioners for the measure deserve all the abuse and +odium which their representatives in Congress heap upon them? In a word, +do not the three classes of petitions to which you refer, merit, at the +hands of those representatives, the candid and patient consideration +which, until I read your acknowledgment, that, in relation to these +petitions, "there is no substantial difference between" yourself and +those, who are in favor of thrusting them aside undebated, unconsidered, +and even unread, I always supposed you were willing to have bestowed +on them? + +I pass to the examination of your charges against the abolitionists. + +_They contemn the "rights of property."_ + +This charge you prefer against the abolitionists, not because they +believe that a Legislature has the right to abolish slavery, nor because +they deny that slaves are legally property; for this obvious truth they +do not deny. But you prefer it, because they believe that man cannot +rightfully be a subject of property. + +Abolitionists believe, to use words, which I have already quoted, that +it is "a wild and guilty phantasy, that man can hold property in man." +They believe, that to claim property in the exalted being, whom God has +made in His own image, and but "a little lower than the angels," is +scarcely less absurd than to claim it in the Creator himself. You take +the position, that human laws can rightfully reduce a race of men to +property; and that the outrage, to use your own language, is "sanctioned +and sanctified" by "two hundred years" continuance of it. Abolitionists, +on the contrary, trace back man's inalienable self-ownership to +enactments of the Divine Legislator, and to the bright morning of time, +when he came forth from the hand of his Maker, "crowned with glory and +honor," invested with self-control, and with dominion over the brute and +inanimate creation. You soothe the conscience of the slaveholder, by +reminding him, that the relation, which he has assumed towards his +down-trodden fellow-man, is lawful. The abolitionist protests, that the +wickedness of the relation is none the less, because it is legalized. In +charging abolitionists with condemning "the rights of property," you +mistake the innocent for the guilty party. Were you to be so unhappy as +to fall into the hands of a kidnapper, and be reduced to a slave, and +were I to remonstrate, though in vain, with your oppressor, who would +you think was the despiser of "the rights of property"--myself, or the +oppressor? As you would judge in that case, so judges every slave in his +similar case. + +The man-stealer's complaint, that his "rights of property" in his stolen +fellow men are not adequately respected by the abolitionist, recalls to +my mind a very similar, and but little more ludicrous case of +conscientious regard for the "rights of property." A traveler was +plundered of the whole of his large sum of money. He pleaded +successfully with the robber for a little of it to enable him to reach +his home. But, putting his hand rather deeper into the bag of stolen +coins than comported with the views of the robber, he was arrested with +the cry, "Why, man, have you no conscience?" You will perhaps inquire, +whether abolitionists regard all the slaves of the South as stolen--as +well those born at the South, as those, who were confessedly stolen from +Africa? I answer, that we do--that every helpless new-born infant, on +which the chivalry of the South pounces, is, in our judgment, the owner +of itself--that we consider, that the crime of man-stealing which is so +terribly denounced in the Bible, does not consist, as is alleged, in +stealing a slave from a third person, but in stealing him from +himself--in depriving him of self control, and subjecting him, as +property, to the absolute control of another. Joseph's declaration, that +he "was stolen," favors this definition of man-stealing. Jewish +Commentators authorise it. Money, as it does not own itself, cannot be +stolen from itself But when we reflect, that man is the owner of +himself, it does not surprise us, that wresting away his inalienable +rights--his very manhood--should have been called man-stealing. + +Whilst on this subject of "the rights of property," I am reminded of +your "third impediment to abolition." This "impediment" consists in the +fact of the great value of the southern slaves--which, according to your +estimation, is not less than "twelve hundred millions of dollars." I +will adopt your estimate, and thus spare myself from going into the +abhorrent calculation of the worth in dollars and cents of immortal +man--of the worth of "the image of God." I thank you for your virtual +admission, that this wealth is grasped with a tenacity proportioned to +its vast amount. Many of the wisest and best men of the North have been +led into the belief that the slaveholders of the South are too humane +and generous to hold their slaves fur the sake of gain. Even Dr. +Channing was a subject of this delusion; and it is well remembered, that +his too favorable opinions of his fellow men, made it difficult to +disabuse him of it. Northern Christians have been ready to believe, that +the South would give up her slaves, because of her conscious lack of +title to them. But in what age of the world have impenitent men failed +to cling as closely to that, which they had obtained by fraud, as to +their honest acquisitions? Indeed, it is demonstrable on philosophical +principles, that the more stupendous the fraud, the more tenacious is +the hold upon that, which is gotten by it. I trust, that your admission +to which I have just referred, will have no small effect to prevent the +Northern apologist for slavery from repeating the remark that the South +would gladly liberate her slaves, if she saw any prospect of bettering +the condition of the objects of her tender and solicitous benevolence. I +trust, too, that this admission will go far to prove the emptiness of +your declaration, that the abolitionists "have thrown back for half a +century the prospect of any species of emancipation of the African race, +gradual or immediate, in any of the states," and the emptiness of your +declaration, that, "prior to the agitation of this subject of abolition, +there was a progressive melioration in the condition of slaves +throughout all the slave states," and that "in some of them, schools of +instruction were opened," &c.; and I further trust, that this admission +will render harmless your intimation, that this "melioration" and these +"schools" were intended to prepare the slaves for freedom. After what +you have said of the great value of the slaves, and of the obstacle it +presents to emancipation, you will meet with little success in your +endeavors to convince the world, that the South was preparing to give up +the "twelve hundred millions of dollars," and that the naughty +abolitionists have postponed her gratification "for half a century." If +your views of the immense value of the slaves, and of the consequent +opposition to their freedom, be correct, then the hatred of the South +towards the abolitionists must be, not because their movements tend to +lengthen, but because they tend to shorten the period of her possession +of the "twelve hundred millions of dollars." May I ask you, whether, +whilst the South clings to these "twelve hundred millions of dollars," +it is not somewhat hypocritical in her to be complaining, that the +abolitionists are fastening the "twelve hundred millions of dollars" to +her? And may I ask you, whether there is not a little inconsistency +between your own lamentations over this work of the abolitionists, and +your intimation that the South will never consent to give up her slaves, +until the impossibility, of paying her "twelve hundred millions of +dollars" for them, shall have been accomplished? Puerile and insulting +as is your proposition to the abolitionists to raise "twelve hundred +millions of dollars" for the purchase of the slaves, it is nevertheless +instructive; inasmuch as it shows, that, in your judgment, the South is +as little willing to give up her slaves, as the abolitionists are able +to pay "twelve hundred millions of dollars" for them; and how unable the +abolitionists are to pay a sum of money far greater than the whole +amount of money in the world, I need not explain. + +But if the South must have "twelve hundred millions of dollars" to +induce her to liberate her present number of slaves, how can you expect +success fur your scheme of ridding her of several times the present +number, "in the progress of some one hundred and fifty, or two hundred +years?" Do you reply, that, although she must have "four hundred +dollars" a-piece for them, if she sell them to the abolitionists, she +is, nevertheless, willing to let the Colonization Society have them +without charge? There is abundant proof, that she is not. During the +twenty-two years of the existence of that Society, not so many slaves +have been emancipated and given to it for expatriation, as are born in a +single week. As a proof that the sympathies of the South are all with +the slaveholding and _real_ character of this two-faced institution, and +not at all with the abolition purposes and tendencies, which it +professes at the North, none of its Presidents, (and slave-holders only +are deemed worthy to preside over it,) has ever contributed from his +stock of slaves to swell those bands of emigrants, who, leaving our +shores in the character of "nuisances," are instantly transformed, to +use your own language, into "missionaries, carrying with them +credentials in the holy cause of Christianity, civilization, and free +institutions." But you were not in earnest, when you held up the idea in +your recent speech, that the rapidly multiplying millions of our colored +countrymen would be expatriated. What you said on that point was but to +indulge in declamation, and to round off a paragraph. It is in that part +of your speech where you say that "no practical scheme for their removal +or separation from us has yet been devised or proposed," that you +exhibit your real sentiments on this subject, and impliedly admit the +deceitfulness of the pretensions of the American Colonization Society. + +Before closing my remarks on the topic of "the rights of property," I +will admit the truth of your charge, that _Abolitionists deny, that the +slaveholder is entitled to "compensation" for his slaves_. + +Abolitionists do not know, why he, who steals men is, any more than he, +who steals horses, entitled to "compensation" for releasing his plunder. +They do not know, why he, who has exacted thirty years' unrequited toil +from the sinews of his poor oppressed brother, should be paid for +letting that poor oppressed brother labor for himself the remaining ten +or twenty years of his life. But, it is said, that the South bought her +slaves of the North, and that we of the North ought therefore to +compensate the South for liberating them. If there are individuals at +the North, who have sold slaves, I am free to admit, that they should +promptly surrender their ill-gotten gains; and no less promptly should +the inheritors of such gains surrender them. But, however this may be, +and whatever debt may be due on this score, from the North to the South, +certain it is, that on no principle of sound ethics, can the South hold +to the persons of the innocent slaves, as security for the payment of +the debt. Your state and mine, and I would it were so with all others, +no longer allow the imprisonment of the debtor as a means of coercing +payment from him. How much less, then, should they allow the creditor to +promote the security of his debt by imprisoning a third person--and one +who is wholly innocent of contracting the debt? But who is imprisoned, +if it be not he, who is shut up in "the house of bondage?" And who is +more entirely innocent than he, of the guilty transactions between his +seller and buyer? + +Another of your charges against abolitionists is, _that, although +"utterly destitute of Constitutional or other rightful power--living in +totally distinct communities--as alien to the communities in which the +subject on which they would operate resides, so far as concerns +political power over that subject, as if they lived in Africa or Asia; +they nevertheless promulgate to the world their purpose to be, to +manumit forthwith, and without compensation, and without moral +preparation, three millions of negro slaves, under jurisdictions +altogether separated from those under which they live."_ + +I will group with this charge several others of the same class. + +_1._ _Abolitionists neglect the fact, that "the slavery which exists +amongst us (southern people) is our affair--not theirs--and that they +have no more just concern with it, than they have with slavery as it +exists throughout the world."_ + +_2._ _They are regardless of the "deficiency of the powers of the +General Government, and of the acknowledged and incontestable powers of +the States."_ + +_3._ "Superficial men (meaning no doubt abolitionists) confound the +totally different cases together of the powers of the British Parliament +and those of the Congress of the United States in the matter of +slavery."_ + +Are these charges any thing more than the imagery of your own fancy, or +selections from the numberless slanders of a time-serving and corrupt +press? If they are founded on facts, it is in your power to state the +facts. For my own part, I am utterly ignorant of any, even the least, +justification for them. I am utterly ignorant that the abolitionists +hold any peculiar views in relation to the powers of the General or +State Governments. I do not believe, that one in a hundred of them +supposes, that slavery in the states is a legitimate subject of federal +legislation. I believe, that a majority of the intelligent men amongst +them accord much more to the claims of "state sovereignty," and approach +far more nearly to the character of "strict constructionists," than does +the distinguished statesman, who charges them with such latitudinarian +notions. There may be persons in our country, who believe that Congress +has the absolute power over all American slavery, which the British +Parliament had over all British slavery; and that Congress can abolish +slavery in the slave states, because Great Britain abolished it in her +West India Islands; but, I do not know them; and were I to look for +them, I certainly should not confine my search to abolitionists--for +abolitionists, as it is very natural they should be, are far better +instructed in the subject of slavery and its connections with civil +government, than are the community in general. + +It is passing strange, that you, or any other man, who is not playing a +desperate game, should, in the face of the Constitution of the American +Anti-Slavery Society, which "admits, that each state, in which slavery +exists, has, by the Constitution of the United States, the exclusive +right to legislate in regard to the abolition of slavery in said state;" +make such charges, as you have done. + +In an Address "To the Public," dated September 3, 1835, and subscribed +by the President, Treasurer, the three Secretaries, and the other five +members of the Executive Committee of the American Anti-Slavery Society, +we find the following language. 1. "We hold that Congress has no more +right to abolish slavery in the Southern states than in the French West +India Islands. Of course we desire no national legislation on the +subject. 2. We hold that slavery can only be lawfully abolished by the +legislatures of the several states in which it prevails, and that the +exercise of any other than moral influence to induce such abolition is +unconstitutional." + +But what slavery is it that the abolitionists call on Congress to +abolish? Is it that in the slave states? No--it is that in the District +of Columbia and in the territories--none other. And is it not a fair +implication of their petitions, that this is the only slavery, which, in +the judgment of the petitioners, Congress has power to abolish? +Nevertheless, it is in the face of this implication, that you make your +array of charges. + +Is it true, however, that the North has nothing more to do with slavery +in the states, than with slavery in a foreign country? Does it not +concern the North, that, whilst it takes many thousands of her voters to +be entitled to a representative in Congress, there are districts at the +South, where, by means of slavery, a few hundred voters enjoy this +benefit. Again, since the North regards herself as responsible in common +with the South, for the continuance of slavery in the District of +Columbia and in the Territories, and for the continuance of the +interstate traffic in human beings; and since she believes slavery in +the slave states to be the occasion of these crimes, and that they will +all of necessity immediately cease when slavery ceases--is it not right, +that she should feel that she has a "just concern with slavery?" Again, +is it nothing to the people of the North, that they may be called on, in +obedience to a requirement of the federal constitution, to shoulder +their muskets to quell "domestic violence?" But, who does not know, that +this requirement owes its existence solely to the apprehension of +servile insurrections?--or, in other words, to the existence of slavery +in the slave states? Again, when our guiltless brothers escape from the +southern prison-house, and come among us, we are under constitutional +obligation to deliver them up to their stony-hearted pursuers. And is +not slavery in the slave states, which is the occasion of our obligation +to commit this outrage on humanity and on the law of God, a matter of +"just concern to us?" To what too, but slavery, in the slave states, is +to be ascribed the long standing insult of our government towards that +of Hayti? To what but that, our national disadvantages and losses from +the want of diplomatic relations between the two governments? To what so +much, as to slavery in the slave states, are owing the corruption in our +national councils, and the worst of our legislation? But scarcely any +thing should go farther to inspire the North with a sense of her "just +concern" in the subject of slavery in the slave states, than the fact, +that slavery is the parent of the cruel and murderous prejudice, which +crushes and kills her colored people; and, that it is but too probable, +that the child will live as long as its parent. And has the North no +"just concern" with the slavery of the slave states, when there is so +much reason to fear that our whole blood-guilty nation is threatened +with God's destroying wrath on account of it? + +There is another respect in which we of the North have a "just concern" +with the slavery of the slave states. We see nearly three millions of +our fellow men in those states robbed of body, mind, will, and +soul--denied marriage and the reading of the Bible, and marketed as +beasts. We see them in a word crushed in the iron folds of slavery. Our +nature--the laws written upon its very foundations--the Bible, with its +injunctions "to remember them that are in bonds as bound with them," and +to "open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are +appointed to destruction"--all require us to feel and to express what we +feel for these wretched millions. I said, that we see this misery. There +are many amongst us--they are anti-abolitionists--who do not see it; and +to them God says; "but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse." + +I add, that we of the North must feel concerned about slavery in the +slave states, because of our obligation to pity the deluded, +hard-hearted, and bloody oppressors in those states: and to manifest our +love for them by rebuking their unsurpassed sin. And, notwithstanding +pro-slavery statesmen at the North, who wink at the iniquity of slave +holding, and pro-slavery clergymen at the North, who cry, "peace, peace" +to the slaveholder, and sew "pillows to armholes," tell us, that by our +honest and open rebuke of the slaveholder, we shall incur his enduring +hatred; we, nevertheless, believe that "open rebuke is better than +secret love," and that, in the end, we shall enjoy more Southern favor +than they, whose secret love is too prudent and spurious to deal +faithfully with the objects of its regard. "He that rebuketh a man, +afterward shall find more favor than he that flattereth with the +tongue." The command, "thou shall in any wise rebuke thy neighbor and +not suffer sin upon him," is one, which the abolitionist feels, that he +is bound to obey, as well in the case of the slaveholder, as in that of +any other sinner. And the question: "who is my neighbor," is so answered +by the Savior, as to show, that not he of our vicinity, nor even he of +our country, is alone our "neighbor." + +The abolitionists of the North hold, that they have certainly as much +"just concern" with slavery in the slave states, as the temperance men +of the North have with "intemperance" at the South. And I would here +remark, that the weapons with which the abolitionists of the North +attack slavery in the slave states are the same, and no other than the +same, with those, which the North employs against the vice of +intemperance at the South. I add too, that were you to say, that +northern temperance men disregard "the deficiency of the powers of the +General Government," and also "the acknowledged and incontestable powers +of the states;" your charge would be as suitable as when it is applied +to northern abolitionists. + +You ascribe to us "the purpose to manumit the three millions of negro +slaves." Here again you greatly misrepresent us, by holding us up as +employing coercive, instead of persuasive, means for the accomplishment +of our object. Our "purpose" is to persuade others to "manumit." The +slaveholders themselves are to "manumit." It is evident, that others +cannot "manumit" for them. If the North were endeavoring to persuade the +South to give up the growing of cotton, you would not say, it is the +purpose of the North to give it up. But, as well might you, as to say, +that it is the "purpose" of the abolitionists to "manumit." It is very +much by such misrepresentations, that the prejudices against +abolitionists are fed and sustained. How soon they would die of atrophy, +if they, who influence the public mind and mould public opinion, would +tell but the simple truth about abolitionists. + +You say, that the abolitionists would have the slaves manumitted +"without compensation and without moral preparation." I have already +said enough on the point of "compensation." It is true, that they would +have them manumitted immediately:--for they believe slavery is sin, and +that therefore the slaveholder has no right to protract the bondage of +his slaves for a single year, or for a single day or hour;--not even, +were he to do so to afford them "a moral preparation" for freedom, or to +accomplish any other of the kindest and best purposes. They believe, +that the relation of slaveholder, as it essentially and indispensably +involves the reduction of men to chattelship, cannot, under any plea +whatever, be continued with innocence, for a single moment. If it can +be--if the plain laws of God, in respect to marriage and religious +instruction and many other blessings, of which chattelized man is +plundered, can be innocently violated--why credit any longer the +assertion of the Bible, that "sin is the transgression of the law?"--why +not get a new definition of sin? + +Another reason with abolitionists in favor of immediate manumission, is, +that the slaves do not, as a body, acquire, whilst in slavery, any +"moral preparation" for freedom. To learn to swim we must be allowed the +use of water. To learn the exercises of a freeman, we must enjoy he +element of liberty. I will not say, that slaves cannot be taught, to +some extent, the duties of freemen. Some knowledge of the art of +swimming may be acquired before entering the water. I have not forgotten +what you affirm about the "progressive melioration in the condition of +slaves," and the opening of "schools of instruction" for them "prior to +the agitation of the subject of abolition;" nor, have I forgotten, that +I could not read it without feeling, that the creations of your fancy, +rather than the facts of history, supplied this information. Instances, +rare instances, of such "melioration" and of such "schools of +instruction," I doubt not there have been: but, I am confident, that the +Southern slaves have been sunk in depths of ignorance proportioned to +the profits of their labor. I have not the least belief, that the +proportion of readers amongst them is one half so great, as it was +before the invention of Whitney's cotton gin. + +Permit me to call your attention to a few of the numberless evidences, +that slavery is a poor school for "moral preparation" for freedom. 1st. +Slavery turns its victims into thieves. "Who should be astonished," says +Thomas S. Clay, a very distinguished slaveholder of Georgia, "if the +negro takes from the field or corn-house the supplies necessary for his +craving appetite and then justifies his act, and denies that it is +stealing?" What debasement in the slave does the same gentleman's remedy +for theft indicate? "If," says he, "the negro is informed, that if he +does not steal, he shall receive rice as an allowance; and if he does +steal, he shall not, a motive is held out which will counteract the +temptation to pilfer." 2nd. Slavery reeks with licentiousness. Another +son of the South says, that the slaveholder's kitchen is a brothel, and +a southern village a Sodom. The elaborate defence of slavery by +Chancellor Harper of South Carolina justifies the heaviest accusations, +that have been brought against it on the score of licentiousness. How +could you blame us for deeply abhorring slavery, even were we to view it +in no other light than that in which the Dews and Harpers and its other +advocates present it? 3rd. Slavery puts the master in the place of God, +and the master's law in the place of God's law! "The negro," says Thomas +S. Clay, "is seldom taught to feel, that he is punished for breaking +God's law! He only knows his master as law-giver and executioner, and +the sole object held up to his view is to make him a more obedient and +profitable slave. He oftener hears that he shall be punished if he +steals, than if he breaks the Sabbath or swears; and thus he sees the +very threatenings of God brought to bear on his master's interests. It +is very manifest to him, that his own good is very far from forming the +primary reason for his chastisement: his master's interests are to be +secured at all events;--God's claims are secondary, or enforced merely +for the purpose of advancing those of his owner. His own benefit is the +residuum after this double distillation of moral motive--a mere +accident." 4th. The laws of nearly all the slave-states forbid the +teaching of the slaves to read. The abundant declarations, that those +laws are without exception, a consequence of the present agitation of +the question of slavery are glaringly false. Many of these laws were +enacted long before this agitation; and some of them long before you and +I were born. Say the three hundred and fifty-three gentlemen of the +District of Abbeville and Edgefield in South Carolina, who, the last +year, broke up a system of oral religious instruction, which the +Methodist Conference of that State had established amongst their slaves: +"Intelligence and slavery have no affinity for each other." And when +those same gentlemen declare, that "verbal and lecturing instruction +will increase a desire with the black population to learn"--that "the +progress and diffusion of knowledge will be a consequence"--and that "a +progressive system of improvement will be introduced, that will +ultimately revolutionize our civil institutions," they admit, that the +prohibition of "intelligence" to the slaves is the settled and necessary +policy of slavery, and not, as you would have us believe, a temporary +expedient occasioned by the present "agitation of this subject of +abolition." 5th. Slavery--the system, which forbids marriage and the +reading of the Bible--does of necessity turn its subjects into heathens. +A Report of the Synod of South Carolina and Georgia, made five years +ago, says: "Who could credit it, that in these years of revival and +benevolent effort--that, in this Christian Republic, there are over two +millions of human beings in the condition of heathen, and in some +respects in a worse condition? They may be justly considered the heathen +of this Christian country, and will bear comparison with heathen in any +country in the world." I will finish what I have to say on this point of +"moral preparation" for freedom, with the remark, that the history of +slavery in no country warrants your implication, that slaves acquire +such "moral preparation." The British Parliament substituted an +apprenticeship for slavery with the express design, that it should +afford a "moral preparation" for freedom. And yet, if you will read the +reports of late visitors to the British West Indies, you will find, that +the planters admit, that they made no use of the advantages of the +apprenticeship to prepare their servants for liberty. Their own +gain--not the slaves'--was their ruling motive, during the term of the +apprenticeship, as well as preceding it. + +Another of your charges is, _that the abolitionists "have increased the +rigors of legislation against slaves in most if not all the +slave States_." + +And suppose, that our principles and measures have occasioned this +evil--are they therefore wrong?--and are we, therefore, involved in sin? +The principles and measures of Moses and Aaron were the occasion of a +similar evil. Does it follow, that those principles and measures were +wrong, and that Moses and Aaron were responsible for the sin of +Pharaoh's increased oppressiveness? The truth, which Jesus Christ +preached on the earth, is emphatically peace: but its power on the +depravity of the human heart made it the occasion of division and +violence. That depravity was the guilty cause of the division and +violence. The truth was but the innocent occasion of them. To make it +responsible for the effects of that depravity would be as unreasonable, +as it is to make the holy principles of the anti-slavery cause +responsible for the wickedness which they occasion: and to make the +great Preacher Himself responsible for the division and violence, would +be but to carry out the absurdity, of which the public are guilty, in +holding abolitionists responsible for the mobs, which are got up against +them. These mobs, by the way, are called "abolition mobs." A similar +misnomer would pronounce the mob, that should tear down your house and +shoot your wife, "Henry Clay's mob." Harriet Martineau, in stating the +fact, that the mobs of 1834, in the city of New York, were set down to +the wrong account, says, that the abolitionists were told, that "they +had no business to scare the city with the sight of their burning +property and demolished churches!" + +No doubt the light of truth, which the abolitionists are pouring into +the dark den of slavery, greatly excites the monster's wrath: and it may +be, that he vents a measure of it on the helpless and innocent victims +within his grasp. Be it so;--it is nevertheless, not the Ithuriel spear +of truth, that is to be held guilty of the harm:--it is the monster's +own depravity, which cannot + + + "endure +Touch of celestial temper, but returns +Of force to its own likeness."[A] + + +[Footnote A: This is a reference to a passage in Milton's Paradise Lost, +in which Satan in disguise is touched by the spear of the archangel +Ithuriel and is thereby forced to return to his own form.] + +I am, however, far from believing, that the treatment of the slaves is +rendered any more rigorous and cruel by the agitation of the subject of +slavery. I am very far from believing, that it is any harsher now than +it was before the organization of the American Anti-Slavery Society. +Fugitive slaves tell us, it is not: and, inasmuch as the slaveholders +are, and, by both words and actions, abundantly show, that they feel +that they are, arraigned by the abolitionists before the bar of the +civilized world, to answer to the charges of perpetrating cruelties on +their slaves, it would, unless indeed, they are of the number of those +"whose glory is in their shame," be most unphilosophical to conclude, +that they are multiplying proofs of the truth of those charges, more +rapidly than at any former stage of their barbarities. That slaveholders +are not insensible to public opinion and to the value of a good +character was strikingly exhibited by Mr. Calhoun, in his place in the +Senate of the United States, when he followed his frank disclaimer of +all suspicion, that the abolitionists are meditating a war against the +slaveholder's person, with remarks evincive of his sensitiveness under +the war, which they are waging against the slaveholder's character. + +A fact occurs to me, which goes to show, that the slaveholders feel +themselves to be put upon their good behavior by the abolitionists. +Although slaves are murdered every day at the South, yet never, until +very recently, if at all, has the case occurred, in which a white man +has been executed at the South for the murder of a slave. A few months +ago, the Southern newspapers brought us copies of the document, +containing the refusal of Governor Butler of South Carolina to pardon a +man, who had been convicted of the murder of a slave. This document +dwells on the protection due to the slave; and, if I fully recollect its +character, an abolitionist himself could hardly have prepared a more +appropriate paper for the occasion. Whence such a document--whence, in +the editorial captions to this document, the exultation over its +triumphant refutations of the slanders of the abolitionists against the +South--but, that Governor Butler feels--but, that the writes of those +captions feel--that the abolitionists have put the South upon her +good behavior. + +Another of your charges is, _that the abolitionists oppose "the project +of colonisation."_ + +Having, under another head, made some remarks on this "project," I will +only add, that we must oppose the American Colonization Society, because +it denies the sinfulness of slavery, and the duty of immediate, +unqualified emancipation. Its avowed doctrine is, that, unless +emancipation he accompanied by expatriation, perpetual slavery is to be +preferred to it. Not to oppose that Society, would be the guiltiest +treachery to our holy religion, which requires immediate and +unconditional repentance of sin. Not to oppose it, would be to uphold +slavery. Not to oppose it, would be to abandon the Anti-Slavery Society. +Do you ask, why, if this be the character of the American Colonization +Society, many, who are now abolitionists, continued in it so long? I +answer for myself, that, until near the period of my withdrawal from it, +I had very inadequate conceptions of the wickedness, both of that +Society, and of slavery. For having felt the unequalled sin of slavery +no more deeply--for feeling it now no more deeply, I confess myself to +be altogether without excuse. The great criminality of my long +continuance in the Colonization Society is perhaps somewhat palliated by +the fact, that the strongest proofs of the wicked character and +tendencies of the Society were not exhibited, until it spread out its +wing over slavery to shelter the monster from the earnest and effective +blows of the American Anti-Slavery Society. + +Another of your charges is, that the abolitionists, in declaring "that +their object is not to stimulate the action of the General Government, +_but to operate upon the States themselves, in which the institution of +domestic slavery exists," are evidently insincere, since the "abolition +societies and movements are all confined to the free Slates_." + +I readily admit, that our object is the abolition of slavery, as well in +the slave States, as in other portions of the Nation, where it exists. +But, does it follow, because only an insignificant share of our +"abolition societies and movements" is in those States, that we +therefore depend for the abolition of slavery in them on the General +Government, rather than on moral influence? I need not repeat, that the +charge of our looking to the General Government for such abolition is +refuted by the language of the Constitution of the Anti-Slavery Society. +You may, however, ask--"why, if you do not look to the General +Government for it, is not the great proportion of your means of moral +influence in the slave States, where is the great body of the slaves?" I +answer that, in the first place, the South does not permit us to have +them there; and that, in the words of one of your fellow Senators, and +in the very similar words of another--both uttered on the floor of the +Senate--"if the abolitionists come to the South, the South will hang +them." Pardon the remark, that it seems very disingenuous in you to draw +conclusions unfavorable to the sincerity of the abolitionists from +premises so notoriously false, as are those which imply, that it is +entirely at their own option, whether the abolitionists shall have their +"societies and movements" in the free or slave States. I continue to +answer your question, by saying, in the second place, that, had the +abolitionists full liberty to multiply their "societies and movements" +in the slave States, they would probably think it best to have the great +proportion of them yet awhile in the free States. To rectify public +opinion on the subject of slavery is a leading object with +abolitionists. This object is already realized to the extent of a +thorough anti-slavery sentiment in Great Britain, as poor Andrew +Stevenson, for whom you apologise, can testify. Indeed, the great power +and pressure of that sentiment are the only apology left to this +disgraced and miserable man for uttering a bald falsehood in vindication +of Virginia morals. He above all other men, must feel the truth of the +distinguished Thomas Fowel Buxton's declaration, that "England is turned +into one great Anti-Slavery Society." Now, Sir, it is such a change, as +abolitionists have been the instruments of producing in Great Britain, +that we hope to see produced in the free States. We hope to see public +sentiment in these States so altered, that such of their laws, as uphold +and countenance slavery, will be repealed--so altered, that the present +brutal treatment of the colored population in them will give place to a +treatment dictated by justice, humanity, and brotherly and Christian +love;--so altered, that there will be thousands, where now there are not +hundreds, to class the products of slave labor with other stolen goods, +and to refuse to eat and to wear that, which is wet with the tears, and +red with the blood of "the poor innocents," whose bondage is continued, +because men are more concerned to buy what is cheap, than what is +honestly acquired;--so altered, that our Missionary and other religious +Societies will remember, that God says: "I hate robbery for +burnt-offering," and will forbear to send their agents after that +plunder, which, as it is obtained at the sacrifice of the body and soul +of the plundered, is infinitely more unfit, than the products of +ordinary theft, to come into the Lord's treasury. And, when the warm +desires of our hearts, on these points, shall be realized, the fifty +thousand Southerners, who annually visit the North, for purposes of +business and pleasure, will not all return to their homes, +self-complacent and exulting, as now, when they carry with them the +suffrages of the North in favor of slavery: but numbers of them will +return to pursue the thoughts inspired by their travels amongst the +enemies of oppression--and, in the sequel, they will let their +"oppressed go free." + +It were almost as easy for the sun to call up vegetation by the side of +an iceberg, as for the abolitionists to move the South extensively, +whilst their influence is counteracted by a pro-slavery spirit at the +North. How vain would be the attempt to reform the drunkards of your +town of Lexington, whilst the sober in it continue to drink intoxicating +liquors! The first step in the reformation is to induce the sober to +change their habits, and create that total abstinence-atmosphere, in the +breathing of which, the drunkard lives,--and, for the want of which, he +dies. The first step, in the merciful work of delivering the slaveholder +from his sin, is similar. It is to bring him under the influence of a +corrected public opinion--of an anti-slavery sentiment:--and they, who +are to be depended on to contribute to this public opinion--to make up +this anti-slavery sentiment--are those, who are not bound up in the iron +habits, and blinded by the mighty interests of the slaveholder. To +depend on slaveholders to give the lead to public opinion in the +anti-slavery enterprise, would be no less absurd, than to begin the +temperance reformation with drunkards, and to look to them to produce +the influences, which are indispensable to their own redemption. + +You say of the abolitionists, _that "they are in favor of +amalgamation."_ + +The Anti-Slavery Society is, as its name imports, a society to oppose +slavery--not to "make matches." Whether abolitionists are inclined to +amalgamation more than anti-abolitionists are, I will not here take upon +myself to decide. So far, as you and I may be regarded as +representatives of these two parties, and so far as our marriages argue +our tastes in this matter, the abolitionists and anti-abolitionists may +be set down, as equally disposed to couple white with white and black +with black--for our wives, as you are aware, are both white. I will here +mention, as it may further argue the similarity in the matrimonial +tastes of abolitionists and anti-abolitionists, the fact so grateful to +us in the days, when we were "workers together" in promoting the "scheme +of Colonization," that our wives are natives of the same town. + +I have a somewhat extensive acquaintance at the North; and I can truly +say, that I do not know a white abolitionist, who is the reputed father +of a colored child. At the South there are several hundred thousand +persons, whose yellow skins testify, that the white man's blood courses +through their veins. Whether the honorable portion of their parentage is +to be ascribed exclusively to the few abolitionists scattered over the +South--and who, under such supposition, must, indeed, be prodigies of +industry and prolificness--or whether anti-abolitionists there have, +notwithstanding all their pious horror of "amalgamation," been +contributing to it, you can better judge than myself. + +That slavery is a great amalgamator, no one acquainted with the blended +colors of the South will, for a moment, deny. But, that an increasing +amalgamation would attend the liberation of the slaves, is quite +improbable, when we reflect, that the extensive occasions of the present +mixture are the extreme debasement of the blacks and their entire +subjection to the will of the whites; and that even should the +debasement continue under a state of freedom, the subjection would not. +It is true, that the colored population of our country might in a state +of freedom, attain to an equality with the whites; and that a +multiplication of instances of matrimonial union between the two races +might be a consequence of this equality: but, beside, that this would be +a lawful and sinless union, instead of the adulterous and wicked one, +which is the fruit of slavery, would not the improved condition of our +down-trodden brethren be a blessing infinitely overbalancing all the +violations of our taste, which it might occasion? I say violations of +_our_ taste;--for we must bear in mind that, offensive as the +intermixture of different races may be to us, the country or age, which +practices it, has no sympathy whatever with our feeling on this point. + +How strongly and painfully it argues the immorality and irreligion of +the American people, that they should look so complacently on the +"amalgamation," which tramples the seventh commandment under foot, and +yet be so offended at that, which has the sanction of lawful wedlock! +When the Vice President of this Nation was in nomination for his present +office, it was objected to him, that he had a family of colored +children. The defence, set up by his partisans, was, that, although he +had such a family, he nevertheless was not married to their mother! The +defence was successful; and the charge lost all its odiousness; and the +Vice President's popularity was retrieved, when, it turned out, that he +was only the adulterous, and not the married father of his children! + +I am aware, that many take the ground, that we must keep the slaves in +slavery to prevent the matrimonial "amalgamation," which, they +apprehend, would be a fruit of freedom. But, however great a good, +abolitionists might deem the separation of the white and black races, +and however deeply they might be impressed with the power of slavery to +promote this separation, they nevertheless, dare not "do evil, that good +may come:"--they dare not seek to promote this separation, at the +fearful expense of upholding, or in anywise, countenancing a +humanity-crushing and God-defying system of oppression. + +Another charge against the abolitionists is implied in the inquiry you +make, _whether since they do not "furnish in their own families or +persons examples of intermarriage, they intend to contaminate the +industrious and laborious classes of society of the North by a revolting +admixture of the black element."_ + +This inquiry shows how difficult it is for southern minds, accustomed as +they have ever been to identify labor with slavery, to conceive the true +character and position of such "classes" at the North; and also how +ignorant they are of the composition of our Anti-Slavery societies. To +correct your misapprehensions on these points, I will briefly say, in +the first place, that the laborers of the North are freemen and not +slaves;--that they marry whom they please, and are neither paired nor +unpaired to suit the interests of the breeder, or seller, or buyer, of +human stock:--and, in the second place, that the abolitionists, instead +of being a body of persons distinct from "the industrious and laborious +classes," do, more than nineteen twentieths of them, belong to those +"classes." You have fallen into great error in supposing, that +_abolitionists_ generally belong to the wealthy and aristocratic +classes. This, to a great extent, is true of _anti-abolitionists_. Have +you never heard the boast, that there have been anti-abolition mobs, +which consisted of "gentlemen of property and standing?" + +You charge upon abolitionists "_the purpose to create a pinching +competition between black labor and white labor;" and add, that "on the +supposition of abolition the black class, migrating into the free +states, would enter into competition with the white class, diminishing +the wages of their labor_." + +In making this charge, as well as in making that which immediately +precedes it, you have fallen into the error, that abolitionists do not +belong to "the industrious and laborious classes." In point of fact, the +abolitionists belong so generally to these classes, that if your charge +be true, they must have the strange "purpose" of "pinching" themselves. + +Whether "the black class" would, or would not migrate, I am much more +pleased to have you say what you do on this point, though it be at the +expense of your consistency, than to have you say, as you do in another +part of your speech, that abolition "would end in the extermination or +subjugation of the one race or the other." + +It appears to me highly improbable, that emancipation would be followed +by the migration of the emancipated. Emancipation, which has already +added fifty per cent. to the value of estates in the British West +Indies, would immediately add as much to the value of the soil of the +South. Much more of it would be brought into use; and, notwithstanding +the undoubted truth, that the freedman performs twice as much labor as +when a slave, the South would require, instead of any diminution, a very +great increase of the number of her laborers. The laboring population of +the British West India Islands, is one-third as large as that of the +southern states; and yet, since these islands have got rid of slavery, +and have entered on their career of enterprize and industry, they find +this population, great as it is, insufficient to meet the increased +demand for labor. As you are aware, they are already inviting laborers +of this and other countries to supply the deficiency. But what is the +amount of cultivable land in those islands, compared with that in all +the southern states? It is not so extensive as the like land in your +single state. + +But you may suppose, that, in the event of the emancipation of her +slaves, the South would prefer white laborers. I know not why she +should. Such are, for the most part, unaccustomed to her kinds of labor, +and they would exact, because they would need, far greater wages than +those, who had never been indulged beyond the gratification of their +simplest wants. There is another point of view, in which it is still +more improbable, that the black laborers of the South would be displaced +by immigrations of white laborers. The proverbial attachment of the +slave to his "bornin-ground," (the place of his nativity,) would greatly +contribute to his contentment with low wages, at the hands of his old +master. As an evidence of the strong attachment of our southern colored +brethren to their birth-places, I remark, that, whilst the free colored +population of the free states increased from 1820 to 1830 but nineteen +per cent., the like population in the slave states increased, in the +same period, thirty five per cent;--and this, too, notwithstanding the +operation of those oppressive and cruel laws, whose enactment was +dictated by the settled policy of expelling the free blacks from +the South. + +That, in the event of the abolition of southern slavery, the emancipated +slaves would migrate to the North, rather than elsewhere, is very +improbable. Whilst our climate would be unfriendly to them, and whilst +they would be strangers to our modes of agriculture, the sugar and +cotton fields of Texas, the West Indies, and other portions of the +earth, would invite them to congenial employments beneath congenial +skies. That, in case southern slavery is abolished, the colored +population of the North would be drawn off to unite with their race at +the South, is, for reasons too obvious to mention, far more probable +than the reverse. + +It will be difficult for you to persuade the North, that she would +suffer in a pecuniary point of view by the extirpation of slavery. The +consumption of the laborers at the South would keep pace with the +improvement and elevation of their condition, and would very soon impart +a powerful impulse to many branches of Northern industry. + +Another of your charges is in the following words: "The subject of +slavery within the District of Florida," and that "of the right of +Congress to prohibit the removal of slaves from one state to another," +are, with abolitionists, "but so many masked batteries, concealing the +real and ultimate point of attack. That point of attack is the +institution of domestic slavery, as it exists in those states." + +If you mean by this charge, that abolitionists think that the abolition +of slavery in the District of Columbia and in Florida, and the +suppression of the interstate traffic in human beings are, in +themselves, of but little moment, you mistake. If you mean, that they +think them of less importance than the abolition of slavery in the slave +states, you are right; and if you further mean, that they prize those +objects more highly, and pursue them more zealously, because they think, +that success in them will set in motion very powerful, if not indeed +resistless influences against slavery in the slave states, you are right +in this also. I am aware, that the latter concession brings +abolitionists under the condemnation of that celebrated book, written by +a _modern_ limiter of "human responsibility"--not by the _ancient_ one, +who exclaimed, "Am I my brother's keeper?" In that book, to which, by +the way, the infamous Atherton Resolutions are indebted for their +keynote, and grand pervading idea, we find the doctrine, that even if it +were the duty of Congress to abolish slavery in the District of +Columbia, the North nevertheless should not seek for such abolition, +unless the object of it be "ultimate within itself." If it be "for the +sake of something ulterior" also--if for the sake of inducing the +slaveholders of the slave states to emancipate their slaves--then we +should not seek for it. Let us try this doctrine in another +application--in one, where its distinguished author will not feel so +much delicacy, and so much fear of giving offence. His reason why we +should not go for the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia, +unless our object in it be "ultimate within itself," and unaccompanied +by the object of producing an influence against slavery in the slave +states, is, that the Federal Constitution has left the matter of slavery +in the slave states to those states themselves. But will President +Wayland say, that it has done so to any greater extent, than it has left +the matter of gambling-houses and brothels in those states to those +states themselves? He will not, if he consider the subject:--though, I +doubt not, that when he wrote his bad book, he was under the prevailing +error, that the Federal Constitution tied up the hands and limited the +power of the American people in respect to slavery, more than to any +other vice. + +But to the other application. We will suppose, that Great Britain has +put down the gambling-houses and brothels in her wide dominions--that +Mexico has done likewise; and that the George Thompsons, and Charles +Stuarts, and other men of God, have come from England to beseech the +people of the northern states to do likewise within their respective +jurisdictions;--and we will further suppose, that those foreign +missionaries, knowing the obstinate and infatuated attachment of the +people of the southern states to their gambling-houses and brothels, +should attempt, and successfully, too, to blend with the motive of the +people of the northern states to get rid of their own gambling houses +and brothels, the motive of influencing the people of the southern +states to get rid of theirs--what, we ask, would this eminent divine +advise in such a case? Would he have the people of the northern states +go on in their good work, and rejoice in the prospect, not only that +these polluting and ruinous establishments would soon cease to exist +within all their limits, but that the influence of their overthrow would +be fatal to the like establishments in the southern states? To be +consistent with himself--with the doctrine in question--he must reply in +the negative. To be consistent with himself, he must advise the people +of the northern states to let their own gambling-houses and brothels +stand, until they can make the object of their abolishment "ultimate +within itself;"--until they can expel from their hearts the cherished +hope, that the purification of their own states of these haunts of +wickedness would exert an influence to induce the people of their sister +states to enter upon a similar work of purity and righteousness. But I +trust, that President Wayland would not desire to be consistent with +himself on this point. I trust that he would have the magnanimity to +throw away this perhaps most pernicious doctrine of a pernicious book, +which every reader of it must see was written to flatter and please the +slaveholder and arrest the progress of the anti-slavery cause. How great +the sin of seizing on this very time, when special efforts are being +made to enlist the world's sympathies in behalf of the millions of our +robbed, outraged, crushed countrymen--how great the sin, of seizing on +such a time to attempt to neutralize those efforts, by ascribing to the +oppressors of these millions a characteristic "nobleness"--"enthusiastic +attachment to personal right"--"disinterestedness which has always +marked the southern character"--and a superiority to all others "in +making any sacrifice for the public good!" It is this sin--this heinous +sin--of which President Wayland has to repent. If he pities the slave, +it is because he knows, that the qualities, which he ascribes to the +slaveholder, do not, in fact, belong to him. On the other hand, if he +believes the slaveholder to be, what he represents him to be, he does +not--in the very nature of things, he cannot--pity the slave. He must +rather rejoice, that the slave has fallen into the hands of one, who, +though he has the name, cannot have the heart, and cannot continue in +the relation of a slaveholder. If John Hook, for having mingled his +discordant and selfish cries with the acclamations of victory and then +general joy, deserved Patrick Henry's memorable rebuke, what does he not +deserve, who finds it in his heart to arrest the swelling tide of pity +for the oppressed by praises of the oppressor, and to drown the public +lament over the slave's subjection to absolute power, in the +congratulation, that the slaveholder who exercises that power, is a +being of characteristic "nobleness," "disinterestedness," and +"sacrifice" of self-interest? + +President Wayland may perhaps say, that the moral influence, which he is +unwilling to have exerted over the slaveholder, is not that, which is +simply persuasive, but that, which is constraining--not that, which is +simply inducing, but that, which is compelling. I cheerfully admit, that +it is infinitely better to induce men to do right from their own +approbation of the right, than it is to shame them, or in any other wise +constrain them, to do so; but I can never admit, that I am not at +liberty to effect the release of my colored brother from the fangs of +his murderous oppressor, when I can do so by bringing public opinion to +bear upon that oppressor, and to fill him with uneasiness and shame. + +I have not, overlooked the distinction taken by the reverend gentleman; +though, I confess that, to a mind no less obtuse than my own, it is very +little better than "a distinction without a difference." Whilst he +denies, that I can, as an American citizen, rightfully labor for the +abolition of slavery in the slave states, or even in the District of +Columbia; he would perhaps, admit that, as a man, I might do so. But am +I not interested, as an American citizen, to have every part of my +country cleared of vice, and of whatever perils its free institutions? +Am I not interested, as such, to promote the overthrow of gambling and +rum drinking establishments in South Carolina?--but why any more than to +promote the overthrow of slavery? In fine, am I not interested, as an +American citizen, to have my country, and my whole country, "right in +the sight of God?" If not, I had better not be an American citizen. + +I say no more on the subject of the sophistries of President Wayland's +book on, "The limitations of human responsibility;" nor would I have +said what I have, were it not that it is in reply to the like +sophistries couched in that objection of yours, which I have now been +considering. + +Another of your charges against the abolitionists is, _that they seek to +"stimulate the rage of the people of the free states against the people +of the slave states. Advertisements of fugitive slaves and of slaves to +be sold are carefully collected and blazoned forth to infuse a spirit of +detestation and hatred against one entire and the largest section of +the Union."_ + +The slaveholders of the South represent slavery as a heaven-born +institution--themselves as patriarchs and patterns of benevolence--and +their slaves, as their tenderly treated and happy dependents. The +abolitionists, on the contrary, think that slavery is from hell--that +slaveholders are the worst of robbers--and that their slaves are the +wretched victims of unsurpassed cruelties. Now, how do abolitionists +propose to settle the points at issue?--by fanciful pictures of the +abominations of slavery to countervail the like pictures of its +blessedness?--by mere assertions against slavery, to balance mere +assertions in its favor? No--but by the perfectly reasonable and fair +means of examining slavery in the light of its own code--of judging of +the character of the slaveholder in the light of his own conduct--and of +arguing the condition of the slave from unequivocal evidences of the +light in which the slave himself views it. To this end we publish +extracts from the southern slave code, which go to show that slavery +subjects its victims to the absolute control of their erring fellow +men--that it withholds from them marriage and the Bible--that it classes +them with brutes and things--and annihilates the distinctions between +mind and matter. To this end we republish in part, or entirely, +pamphlets and books, in which southern men exhibit, with their own pens, +some of the horrid features of slavery. To this end we also republish +such advertisements as you refer to--advertisements in which immortal +beings, made in the image of God, and redeemed by a Savior's blood, and +breathed upon by the Holy Spirit, are offered to be sold, at public +auction, or sheriff's sale, in connection with cows, and horses, and +ploughs: and, sometimes we call special attention to the common fact, +that the husband and wife, the parent and infant child, are advertised +to be sold together or separately, as shall best suit purchasers. It is +to this end also, that we often republish specimens of the other class +of advertisements to which you refer. Some of the advertisements of this +class identify the fugitive slave by the scars, which the whip, or the +manacles and fetters, or the rifle had made on his person. Some of them +offer a reward for his head!--and it is to this same end, that we often +refer to the ten thousands, who have fled from southern slavery, and the +fifty fold that number, who have unsuccessfully attempted to fly from +it. How unutterable must be the horrors of the southern prison house, +and how strong and undying the inherent love of liberty to induce these +wretched fellow beings to brave the perils which cluster so thickly and +frightfully around their attempted escape? That love is indeed +_undying_. The three hundred and fifty-three South Carolina gentlemen, +to whom I have referred, admit, that even "the old negro man, whose head +is white with age, raises his thoughts to look through the vista which +will terminate his bondage." + +I put it to your candor--can you object to the reasonableness and +fairness of these modes, which abolitionists have adopted for +establishing the truth on the points at issue between themselves and +slaveholders? But, you may say that our republication of your own +representations of slavery proceeds from unkind motives, and serves to +stir up the "hatred," and "rage of the people of the free states against +the people of the slave states." If such be an effect of the +republication, although not at all responsible for it, we deeply regret +it; and, as to our motives, we can only meet the affirmation of their +unkindness with a simple denial. Were we, however, to admit the +unkindness of our motives, and that we do not always adhere to the +apostolic motto, of "speaking the truth in love"--would the admission +change the features of slavery, or make it any the less a system of +pollution and blood? Is the accused any the less a murderer, because of +the improper motives with which his accuser brings forward the +conclusive proof of his blood-guiltiness? + +We often see, in the speeches and writings of the South, that +slaveholders claim as absolute and as rightful a property in their +slaves, as in their cattle. Whence then their sensitiveness under our +republication of the advertisements, is which they offer to sell their +human stock? If the south will republish the advertisements of our +property, we will only not be displeased, but will thank her; and any +rebukes she may see fit to pour upon us, for offering particular kinds +of property, will be very patiently borne, in view of the benefit we +shall reap from her copies of our advertisements. + +A further charge in your speech is, _that the abolitionists pursue their +object "reckless of all consequences, however calamitous they may be;" +that they have no horror of a "civil war," or "a dissolution of the +Union;" that theirs is "a bloody road," and "their purpose is abolition, +universal abolition, peaceably if it can, forcibly if it must."_ + +It is true that, the abolitionists pursue their object, undisturbed by +apprehensions of consequences; but it is not true, that they pursue it +"reckless of consequences." We believe that they, who unflinchingly +press the claims of God's truth, deserve to be considered as far less +"reckless of consequences," than they, who, suffering themselves to be +thrown into a panic by apprehensions of some mischievous results, local +or general, immediate or remote, are guilty of compromising the truth, +and substituting corrupt expediency for it. We believe that the +consequences of obeying the truth and following God are good--only +good--and that too, not only in eternity, but in time also. We believe, +that had the confidently anticipated deluge of blood followed the +abolition of slavery in the British West Indies, the calamity would have +been the consequence, not of abolition, but of resistance to it. The +insanity, which has been known to follow the exhibition of the claims of +Christianity, is to be charged on the refusal to fall in with those +claims, and not on our holy religion. + +But, notwithstanding, we deem it our duty and privilege to confine +ourselves to the word of the Lord, and to make that word suffice to +prevent all fears of consequences; we, nevertheless, employ additional +means to dispel the alarms of those, who insist on walking "by sight;" +and, in thus accommodating ourselves to their want of faith, we are +justified by the example of Him, who, though he said, "blessed are they +that have not seen and yet have believed," nevertheless permitted an +unbelieving disciple, both to see and to touch the prints of the nails +and the spear. When dealing with such unbelievers, we do not confine +ourselves to the "thus saith the Lord"--to the Divine command, to "let +the oppressed go free and break every yoke"--to the fact, that God is an +abolitionist: but we also show how contrary to all sound philosophy is +the fear, that the slave, on whom have been heaped all imaginable +outrages, will, when those outrages are exchanged for justice and mercy, +turn and rend his penitent master. When dealing with such unbelievers, +we advert to the fact, that the insurrections at the South have been the +work of slaves--not one of them of persons discharged from slavery: we +show how happy were the fruits of emancipation in St. Domingo: and that +the "horrors of St. Domingo," by the parading of which so many have been +deterred from espousing our righteous cause, were the result of the +attempt to re-establish slavery. When dealing with them, we ask +attention to the present peaceful, prosperous, and happy condition of +the British West India Islands, which so triumphantly falsifies the +predictions, that bankruptcy, violence, bloodshed, and utter ruin would +follow the liberation of their slaves. We point these fearful and +unbelieving ones to the fact of the very favorable influence of the +abolition of slavery on the price of real estate in those islands; to +that of the present rapid multiplication of schools and churches in +them; to the fact, that since the abolition of slavery, on the first day +of August 1834, not a white man in all those islands has been struck +down by the arm of a colored man; and then we ask them whether in view +of such facts, they are not prepared to believe, that God connects +safety with obedience, and that it is best to "trust in the Lord with +all thine heart, and lean not to thine own understanding." + +On the subject of "a dissolution of the Union," I have only to say, +that, on the one hand, there is nothing in my judgment, which, under +God, would tend so much to preserve our Republic, as the carrying out +into all our social, political and religious institutions of its great +foundation principle, that "all men are created equal;" and that, on the +other hand, the flagrant violation of that principle in the system of +slavery, is doing more than all thing, else to hasten the destruction of +the Republic. I am aware, that one of the doctrines of the South is, +that "slavery is the corner-stone of the republican edifice." But, if it +be true, that our political institutions harmonize with, and are +sustained by slavery, then the sooner we exchange them for others the +better. I am aware, that it is said, both at the North and at the South, +that it is essential to the preservation of the Union. But, greatly as I +love the Union, and much as I would sacrifice for its righteous +continuance, I cannot hesitate to say, that if slavery be an +indispensable cement, the sooner it is dissolved the better. + +I am not displeased, that you call ours "a bloody road"--for this +language does not necessarily implicate our motives; but I am greatly +surprised that you charge upon us the wicked and murderous "purpose" of +a forcible abolition. In reply to this imputation, I need only refer you +to the Constitution of the American Anti-Slavery Society--to the +Declaration of the Convention which framed it--and to our characters, +for pledges, that we design no force, and are not likely to stain our +souls with the crime of murder. That Constitution says: "This society +will never, in any way, countenance the oppressed in vindicating their +rights by resorting to physical force." The Declaration says "Our +principles forbid the doing of evil that good may come, and lead us to +reject, and to entreat the oppressed to reject, the use of all carnal +weapons for deliverance from bondage. Our measures shall be such only, +as the opposition of moral purity to moral corruption--the destruction +of error by the potency of truth--the overthrow of prejudice by the +power of love--and the abolition of slavery by the spirit of +repentance." As to our characters they are before the world. You would +probably look in vain through our ranks for a horse-racer, a gambler, a +profane person, a rum-drinker, or a duellist. More than nine-tenths of +us deny the rightfulness of offensive, and a large majority, even that +of defensive national wars. A still larger majority believe, that deadly +weapons should not be used in cases of individual strife. And, if you +should ask, "where in the free States are the increasing numbers of men +and women, who believe, that the religion of the unresisting 'Lamb of +God' forbids recourse to such weapons, in all circumstances, either by +nations or individuals?"--the answer is, "to a man, to a woman, in the +ranks of the abolitionists." You and others will judge for yourselves, +how probable it is, that the persons, whom I have described, will prove +worthy of being held up as murderers. + +The last of your charges against the abolitionists, which I shall +examine, is the following: _Having begun "their operations by professing +to employ only persuasive means," they "have ceased to employ the +instruments of reason and persuasion," and "they now propose to +substitute the powers of the ballot box;" and "the inevitable tendency +of their proceedings is if these should be found insufficient, to invoke +finally the more potent powers of the bayonet."_ + +If the slaveholders would but let us draw on them for the six or eight +thousand dollars, which we expend monthly to sustain our presses and +lecturers, they would then know, from an experience too painful to be +forgotten, how truthless is your declaration, that we "have ceased to +employ the instruments of reason and persuasion." + +You and your friends, at first, employed "persuasive means" against "the +sub-treasury system." Afterwards, you rallied voters against it. Now, if +this fail, will you resort to "the more potent powers of the bayonet?" +You promptly and indignantly answer, "No." But, why will you not? Is it +because the prominent opposers of that system have more moral +worth--more religious horror of blood--than Arthur Tappan, William Jay, +and their prominent abolition friends? Were such to be your answer, the +public would judge, whether the men of peace and purity, who compose the +mass of abolitionists, would be more likely than the Clays and Wises and +the great body of the followers of these Congressional leaders to betake +themselves from a disappointment at "the ballot-box" to "the more potent +powers of the bayonet?" + +You say, that we "_now_ propose to substitute the powers of the +ballot-box," as if it were only of late, that we had proposed to do so. +What then means the following language in our Constitution: "The society +will also endeavor in a Constitutional way to influence Congress to put +an end to the domestic slave-trade, and to abolish slavery in all those +portions of our common country, which come under its control--especially +in the District of Columbia--and likewise to prevent the extension of it +to any State, that may be hereafter admitted to the Union?" What then +means the following language in the "Declaration" of the Convention, +which framed our Constitution: "We also maintain, that there are at the +present time the highest obligations resting upon the people of the Free +States to remove slavery by moral and political action, as prescribed in +the Constitution of the United States?" If it be for the first time, +that we "_now_ propose" "political action," what means it, that +anti-slavery presses have, from year to year, called on abolitionists to +remember the slave at the polls? + +You are deceived on this point; and the rapid growth of our cause has +been the occasion of your deception. You suppose, because it is only +within the last few months, that you have heard of abolitionists in this +country carrying their cause to "the ballot box," that it is only within +the last few months that they have done so. But, in point of fact, some +of them have done so for several years. It was not, however, until the +last year or two, when the number of abolitionists had become +considerable, and their hope of producing an impression on the Elections +proportionately strong, that many of them were seen bringing their +abolition principles to the "ballot-box." Nor was it until the Elections +of the last Autumn, that abolition action at "the ballot-box" had become +so extensive, as to apprise the Nation, that it is a principle with +abolitionists to "remember" in one place as well as in another--at the +polls as well as in the closet--"them that are in bonds." The fact that, +at the last State Election, there were three or four hundred abolition +votes given in the County in which I reside, is no more real because of +its wide spread interest, than the comparatively unheard of fact, that +about one hundred such votes were given the year before. By the way, +when I hear complaints of abolition action at the "ballot-box," I can +hardly refrain from believing, that they are made ironically. When I +hear complaints, that the abolitionists of this State rallied, as such, +at the last State Election, I cannot easily avoid suspecting, that the +purpose of such complaints is the malicious one of reviving in our +breasts the truly stinging and shame-filling recollection, that some +five-sixths of the voters in our ranks, either openly apostatized from +our principles, or took it into their heads, that the better way to vote +for the slave and the anti-slavery cause was to vote for their +respective political parties. You would be less afraid of the +abolitionists, if I should tell you that more than ten thousand of them +in this State voted at the last State Election, for candidates for law +makers, who were openly in favor of the law of this State, which creates +slavery, and of other laws, which countenance and uphold it. And you +would owe me for one of your heartiest laughs, were I to tell you, that +there are abolitionists--professed abolitionists--yes, actual members of +the Anti-Slavery Society--who, carrying out this delusion of helping the +slave by helping their "party," say, that they would vote even for a +slaveholder, if their party should nominate him. Let me remark, however, +that I am happy to be able to inform you, that this delusion--at least +in my own State--is fast passing away; and that thousands of the +abolitionists who, in voting last Autumn for Gov. Marey or Gov. Seward, +took the first step in the way, that leads to voting for the slaveholder +himself, are now not only refusing to take another step in that +inconsistent and wicked way, but are repenting deeply of that, which +they have already taken in it. + +Much as you dislike, not to say _dread_, abolition action at "the +ballot-box," I presume, that I need not spend any time in explaining to +you the inconsistency of which an abolitionist is guilty, who votes for +an upholder of slavery. A wholesome citizen would not vote fur a +candidate for a law maker, who is in favor of laws, which authorize +gaming-houses or _groggeries_. But, in the eye of one, who his attempted +to take the "guage and dimensions" of the hell of slavery, the laws, +which authorize slaveholding, far transcend in wickedness, those, which +authorize gaming-houses or _groggeries_. You would not vote for a +candidate for a law-maker, who is in favor of "the sub-treasury system." +But compared with the evil of slavery, what is that of the most +pernicious currency scheme ever devised? It is to be "counted as the +small dust of the balance." If you would withhold your vote in the case +supposed--how gross in your eyes must be the inconsistency of the +abolitionist, who casts his vote on the side of the system of +fathomless iniquity! + +I have already remarked on "the third" of the "impediments" or +"obstacles" to emancipation, which you bring to view. _"The first +impediment," you say, "is the utter and absolute want of all power on +the part of the General Government to effect the purpose."_ + +But because there is this want on the part of the General Government, it +does not follow, that it also exists on the part of the States: nor does +it follow, that it also exists on the part of the slaveholders +themselves. It is a poor plea of your neighbor for continuing to hold +his fellow man in slavery, that neither the Federal Government nor the +State of Kentucky has power to emancipate them. Such a plea is about as +valid, as that of the girl for not having performed the task, which her +mistress had assigned to her. "I was tied to the table." "Who tied you +there?" "I tied myself there." + +_"The next obstacle," you say, "in the way of abolition arises out of +the fact of the presence in the slave states of three millions +of slaves."_ + +This is, indeed a formidable "obstacle:" and I admit, that it is as much +more difficult for the impenitent slaveholder to surmount it, than it +would be if there were but one million of slaves, as it is for the +impenitent thief to restore the money he has stolen, than it would be, +if the sum were one third as great. But, be not discouraged, dear sir, +with this view of the case. Notwithstanding the magnitude of the +obstacle, the warmest desires of your heart for the abolition of +slavery, may yet be realized. Be thankful, that repentance can avail in +every case of iniquity; that it can loosen the grasp of the man-thief, +as well as that of the money-thief: of the oppressors of thousands as +well as of hundreds:--of "three millions," as well as of one million. + +But, were I to allow, that the obstacle in question, is as great, as you +regard it--nevertheless will it not increase with the lapse of years, +and become less superable the longer the work of abolition is postponed? +I suppose, however, that it is not to be disguised, that, +notwithstanding the occasional attempts in the course of your speech to +create a different impression, you are in favor of perpetual slavery; +and that all you say about "ultra abolitionists" in distinction from +"abolitionists," and about "gradual emancipation," in distinction from +"immediate emancipation," is said, but to please those, who sincerely +make, and are gulled by, such distinctions. I do not forget, that you +say, that the abolition of slavery in Pennsylvania was proper. But, most +obviously, you say it, to win favor with the anti-slavery portion of the +North, and to sustain the world's opinion of your devotion to the cause +of universal liberty;--for, having made this small concession to that +holy cause--small indeed, since Pennsylvania never at any one time, had +five thousand slaves--you, straightway, renew your claims to the +confidence of slaveholders, by assuring them, that you are opposed to +"any scheme whatever of emancipation, gradual or immediate," in States +where the slave population is extensive;--and, for proof of the +sincerity of your declaration, you refer them to the fact of your recent +open and effective opposition to the overthrow of slavery in your +own State. + +The South is opposed to gradual, as well as to immediate emancipation: +and, were she, indeed, to enter upon a scheme of gradual emancipation, +she would speedily abandon it. The objections to swelling the number of +her free colored population, whilst she continued to hold their brethren +of the same race in bondage, would be found too real and alarming to +justify her perseverance in the scheme. How strange, that men at the +North, who think soundly on other subjects, should deduce the +feasibility of gradual emancipation in the slave states--in some of +which the slaves outnumber the free--from the fact of the like +emancipation of the comparative handful of slaves in New York and +Pennsylvania! + +You say, "_It is frequently asked, what will become of the African race +among us? Are they forever to remain in bondage? That question was asked +more than half a century ago. It has been answered by fifty years of +prosperity_." + +The wicked man, "spreading himself like the green bay tree," would +answer this question, as you have. They, who "walk after their own +lusts, saying, where is the promise of his coming--for since the fathers +fell asleep all things continue as they were from the beginning of the +creation?" would answer it, as you have. They, whose "heart is fully set +in them to do evil, because sentence against an evil work is not +executed speedily," would answer it, as you have. But, however you or +they may answer it, and although God may delay his "coming" and the +execution of his "sentence," it, nevertheless, remains true, that "it +shall be well with them that fear God, but it shall not be well with +the wicked." + +"Fifty years of prosperity!" On whose testimony do we learn, that the +last "fifty years" have been "years of prosperity" to the South?--on the +testimony of oppressors or on that of the oppressed?--on that of her two +hundred and fifty thousand slaveholders--for this is the sum total of +the tyrants, who rule the South and rule this nation--or on that of her +two millions and three quarters of bleeding and crushed slaves? It may +well be, that those of the South, who "have lived in pleasure on the +earth and been wanton and have nourished their hearts as in a day of +slaughter," should speak of "prosperity:" but, before we admit, that the +"prosperity," of which they speak, is that of the South, instead of +themselves merely, we must turn our weeping eyes to the "laborers, who +have reaped down" their oppressors' "fields without wages," and the +"cries" of whom "are entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth;" and +we must also take into the account the tears, and sweat, and groans, and +blood, of the millions of similar laborers, whom, during the last "fifty +years," death has mercifully released from Southern bondage. Talks the +slaveholder of the "prosperity" of the South? It is but his own +"prosperity"--and a "prosperity," such as the wolf may boast, when +gorging on the flock. + +You say, _that the people of the North would not think it "neighborly +and friendly" if "the people of the slave states were to form societies, +subsidize presses, make large pecuniary contributions, &c. to burn the +beautiful capitals, destroy the productive manufactories, and sink the +gallant ships of the northern states_." + +Indeed, they would not! But, if you were to go to such pains, and +expense for the purpose of relieving our poor, doubling our wealth, and +promoting the spiritual interests of both rich and poor--then we should +bless you for practising a benevolence towards us, so like that, which +abolitionists practise towards you; and then our children, and +children's children, would bless your memories, even as your children +and children's children will, if southern slavery be peacefully +abolished, bless our memories, and lament that their ancestors had been +guilty of construing our love into hatred, and our purpose of naught but +good into a purpose of unmingled evil. + +Near the close of your speech is the remark: "_I prefer the liberty of +my own country to that of any other people_." + +Another distinguished American statesman uttered the applauded +sentiment: "My country--my whole country--and nothing but my +country;"--and a scarcely less distinguished countryman of ours +commanded the public praise, by saying: "My country right--but my +country, right or wrong." Such are the expressions of _patriotism_ of +that idolized compound of selfish and base affections! + +Were I writing for the favor, instead of the welfare of my fellow-men, I +should praise rather than denounce patriotism. Were I writing in +accordance with the maxims of a corrupt world, instead of the truth of +Jesus Christ, I should defend and extol, rather than rebuke the +doctrine, that we may prefer the interests of one section of the human +family to those of another. If patriotism, in the ordinary acceptation +of the word, be right, then the Bible is wrong--for that blessed book +requires us to love all men, even as we love ourselves. How contrary to +its spirit and precepts, that, + + "Lands intersected by a narrow frith, + Abhor each other, Mountains interposed + Make enemies of nations, who had else, + Like kindred drops, been mingled into one." + +There are many, who consider that the doctrine of loving all our fellow +men as ourselves, belongs, to use your words, "to a sublime but +impracticable philosophy." Let them, however, but devoutly ask Him, who +enjoins it, to warm and expand their selfish and contracted hearts with +its influences; and they will know, by sweet experience, that under the +grace of God, the doctrine is no less "practicable" than "sublime." Not +a few seem to suppose, that he, who has come to regard the whole world +as his country, and all mankind as his countrymen, will have less love +of home and country than the patriot has, who makes his own nation, and +no other, the cherished object of his affections. But did the Saviour, +when on earth, love any individual the less, because the love of His +great heart was poured out, in equal tides, over the whole human family? +And would He not, even in the eyes of the patriot himself, be stamped +with imperfection, were it, to appear, that one nation shares less than +another in His "loving-kindness" and that "His tender mercies are (not) +over all his works?" Blessed be His holy name, that He was cast down the +"middle wall of partition" between the Jew and Gentile!--that there is +no respect of persons with Him!--that "Greek" and "Jew, circumcision and +uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bond" and "free," are equal +before Him! + +Having said, "_I prefer the liberty of my own country to that of any +other people_," you add--"_and the liberty of my own race to that of any +other race."_ + +How perfectly natural, that the one sentiment should follow the other! +How perfectly natural, that he who can limit his love by state or +national lines, should be also capable of confining it to certain +varieties of the human complexion! How perfectly natural, that, he who +is guilty of the insane and wicked prejudice against his fellow men, +because they happen to be born a dozen, or a hundred, or a thousand +miles from the place of his nativity, should foster the no less insane +and wicked prejudice against the "skin not colored like his own!" How +different is man from God! "He maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on +the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." But were man +invested with supreme control, he would not distribute blessings +impartially even amongst the "good" and the "just." + +You close your speech with advice and an appeal to abolitionists. Are +you sure that an appeal, to exert the most winning influence upon our +hearts, would not have come from some other source better than from one +who, not content with endeavoring to show the pernicious tendency of our +principles and measures, freely imputes to us bloody and murderous +motives? Are you sure, that you, who ascribe to us designs more +diabolical than those of burning "beautiful capitals," and destroying +"productive manufactories," and sinking "gallant ships," are our most +suitable adviser? We have, however, waved all exception on this score to +your appeal and advice, and exposed our minds and hearts to the whole +power and influence of your speech. And now we ask, that you, in turn, +will hear us. Presuming that you are too generous to refuse the +reciprocation, we proceed to call on you to stay your efforts at +quenching the world's sympathy for the slave--at arresting the progress +of liberal, humane, and Christian sentiments--at upholding slavery +against that Almighty arm, which now, "after so long a time," is +revealed for its destruction. We urge you to worthier and more hopeful +employments. Exert your great powers for the repeal of the matchlessly +wicked laws enacted to crush the Saviour's poor. Set a happy and an +influential example to your fellow slaveholders, by a righteous +treatment of those, whom you unrighteously hold in bondage. Set them +this example, by humbling yourself before God and your assembled slaves, +in unfeigned penitence for the deep and measureless wrongs you have done +the guiltless victims of your oppression--by paying those _men_, (speak +of them, think of them, no longer, as _brutes_ and _things_)--by paying +these, who are my brother men and your brother men, the "hire" you have +so long withheld from them, and "which crieth" to Heaven, because it "is +of you kept back"--by breaking the galling yoke from their necks, and +letting them "go free." + +Do you shrink from our advice--and say, that obedience to its just +requirements would impoverish you? Infinitely better, that you be +honestly poor than dishonestly rich. Infinitely better to "do justly," +and be a Lazarus; than to become a Croesus, by clinging to and +accumulating ill-gotten gains. Do you add to the fear of poverty, that +of losing your honors--those which are anticipated, as well as those, +which already deck your brow? Allow us to assure you, that it will be +impossible for you to redeem "Henry Clay, the statesman," and "Henry +Clay, the orator," or even "Henry Clay, the President of the United +States," from the contempt of a slavery-loathing posterity, otherwise +than by coupling with those designations the inexpressibly more +honorable distinction of "HENRY CLAY, THE EMANCIPATOR." + +I remain, + +Your friend, + +GERRIT SMITH. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Anti-Slavery Examiner, Part 2 of 4 +by American Anti-Slavery Society + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11272 *** |