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diff --git a/11272-h/11272-h.htm b/11272-h/11272-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..778ec81 --- /dev/null +++ b/11272-h/11272-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,45375 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/strict.dtd"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"> +<title>THE ANTI-SLAVERY EXAMINER, Part 2 of 4</title> +</head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11272 ***</div> + +<H1> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +THE ANTI-SLAVERY EXAMINER +<br> +<br> +NUMBERS <a href="#AE_5">5</a>, <a href="#AE_6">6</a>, <a href="#AE_7">7</a>, <a href="#AE_8">8</a>, <a href="#AE_9">9</a> & <a href="#AE_Ex1">EXTRA</a> +</h1> +<h2> +Plus <a href="#AE_Ex2">THE CHATTEL PRINCIPLE THE ABHORRENCE OF +JESUS CHRIST AND THE APOSTLES; OR NO REFUGE FOR AMERICAN SLAVERY IN THE NEW TESTAMENT</a> +<br> +</H2> +<p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +<br> +<br> +</p> +<H2>THE ANTI-SLAVERY EXAMINER +<a name="AE_5"></a> +<br> +<br> +NO. 5 +<br> +<br> +THE POWER OF CONGRESS +<br> +OVER THE +<br> +DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. +<br> +</H2> + +<p> +<br> +* * * * *</p> + +<p> +<br> +ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE NEW-YORK EVENING POST,<br> +UNDER THE SIGNATURE OF "WYTHE."</p> +<p> +<br> + + * * * * * + +<br> +</p> +<p>WITH ADDITIONS BY THE AUTHOR.</p> + +<p>FOURTH EDITION.</p> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<p>NEW YORK: PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY,<br> +No. 143 NASSAU STREET. 1838.</p> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<p>This No. contains 3-1/2 sheets.--Postage, +under 100 miles, 6 cts. over 100, 10 cts.</p> + +<p><b>POWER OF CONGRESS OVER THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.</b></p> + +<p>A civilized community presupposes a government of +law. If that government be a republic, its citizens +are the sole <i>sources</i>, as well as the <i>subjects</i> +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, +<i>in all cases whatsoever</i>, over such District." +Congress may make laws for the District "in all +<i>cases</i>," not of all <i>kinds</i>. +The grant respects the <i>subjects</i> of legislation, +<i>not</i> the moral nature of the laws. The law-making +power every where, is subject to <i>moral</i> +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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>any where</i>. +The exact import, therefore, of the clause "in +all cases whatsoever," is, <i>on all subjects +within the appropriate sphere of legislation</i>. +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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>single</i> case only, why +did they provide for "<i>all</i> cases +whatsoever?" Besides, this clause was opposed +in many of the state conventions, because the grant +of power was not restricted to police regulations +<i>alone</i>. 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 <i>police</i> 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 <i>unlimited, +unbounded authority?</i>" 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 <i>generally</i>, +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." [<i>Deb. +Va. Con.</i>, p. 320.] In the forty-third number +of the "Federalist," Mr. Madison says: +"The indispensable necessity of <i>complete</i> +authority at the seat of government, carries its own +evidence with it."</p> + +<p>Finally, that the grant in question is to be interpreted +according to the obvious import of its <i>terms</i>, +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 <i>police +and good government</i> of said District," +<i>which amendment was rejected</i>.</p> + +<p>The former part of the clause under consideration, +"Congress shall have power to exercise <i>exclusive</i> +legislation," gives <i>sole</i> jurisdiction, +and the latter part, "in all cases whatsoever," +defines the <i>extent</i> of it. Since, then, +Congress is the <i>sole</i> 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 <i>any</i> where, Congress is competent +to do in the District of Columbia. Having disposed +of preliminaries, we proceed to state and argue the +<i>real</i> question at issue.</p> + +<p>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?</p> + +<p>1. In every government, absolute sovereignty exists +<i>somewhere</i>. In the United States it exists primarily +with the <i>people</i>, and <i>ultimate</i> +sovereignty <i>always</i> exists with them. In +each of the States, the legislature possesses a <i>representative</i> +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 +<i>people</i> 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 <i>the +people</i> 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 <i>the people</i>, +clothed with all their functions, and as such competent, +<i>during the continuance of the grant</i>, 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 <i>somewhere</i>--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."</p> + +<p>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 <i>it alone</i>. +Maryland and Virginia adopted the Constitution <i>before</i> +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.</p> + +<p>2. FROM THE FACT, THAT SLAVERY, AS A LEGAL SYSTEM, +IS THE CREATURE OF LEGISLATION. The law, by <i>creating</i> +slavery, not only affirmed its <i>existence</i> +to be within the sphere and under the control of legislation, +but also, the conditions and terms of its existence, +and the <i>question</i> whether or not it should +exist. Of course legislation would not travel <i>out</i> +of its sphere, in abolishing what is <i>within</i> +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 <i>yourself</i>." If it can +annul a man's right to himself, held by express +grant from his Maker, and can create for another an +<i>artificial</i> title to him, can it not annul +the artificial title, and leave the original owner +to hold himself by his original title?</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>Bermudas</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>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?</p> + +<p>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 +<i>immoderate</i> correction, it can prohibit +<i>moderate</i> correction--<i>all</i> +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.</p> + +<p>The Constitution of Mississippi gives the General +Assembly power to make laws "to oblige the owners +of slaves to <i>treat them with humanity</i>." +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 +<i>humane</i> treatment of the slaves. This grant +to those legislatures, empowers them to decide what +<i>is</i> and what is <i>not</i> "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 +<i>particulars</i> of such treatment--gives +power to exact it in <i>all respects--requiring</i> +certain acts, and <i>prohibiting</i> 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 "<i>humane</i> 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 <i>oblige</i>" masters to practise +"humane treatment"--they have +the <i>power</i> to <i>prohibit such</i> +treatment, and are bound to do it.</p> + +<p>The law of Louisiana makes slaves real estate, prohibiting +the holder, if he be also a <i>land</i> holder, +to separate them from the soil.[<a name="AE2_FR1"></a><a href="#AE2_FN1">A</a>] If it has power +to prohibit the sale <i>without</i> the soil, +it can prohibit the sale <i>with</i> it; and +if it can prohibit the <i>sale</i> as property, +it can prohibit the <i>holding</i> 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 <i>one</i> +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, ["<i>Reeve's +Law of Baron and Femme</i>," p. 340-1.]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN1"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR1">A</a>: Virginia made slaves real estate by a +law passed in 1705. (<i>Beverly's Hist. of +Va.</i>, 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.]</p> + +<p>Each of the laws enumerated above, does, <i>in principle</i>, +abolish slavery; and all of them together abolish +it <i>in fact</i>. True, not as a <i>whole</i>, +and at a <i>stroke</i>, nor all in one place; +but in its <i>parts</i>, by piecemeal, at divers +times and places; thus showing that the abolition +of slavery is within the boundary of legislation.</p> + +<p>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 <i>horses</i> from +being cruelly abused," it can pass laws to prevent +<i>men</i> from being cruelly abused, and if it +can <i>prevent</i> cruel abuse, it can define +<i>what it is</i>. It can declare that to make +men <i>work without pay</i> is cruel abuse, and +can PROHIBIT it.</p> + +<p>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 <i>Constitutions</i>, 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 <i>cannot</i> 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 <i>never +had</i>, and what <i>cannot</i> pertain to +it! The legislatures of those States have no power +to abolish slavery, simply because their Constitutions +have expressly <i>taken away</i> 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 <i>restrict</i> it.</p> + +<p>The slaveholding States have recognised this power +in their <i>laws</i>. 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 <i>free</i>." +By a law of Virginia, passed Dec. 17, 1792, a slave +brought into the state and kept <i>there a year</i>, +was <i>free</i>. 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 <i>free</i>, being +<i>emancipated</i> 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, <i>with the exception of the sixth +article which prohibits slavery</i>; 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.)</p> + +<p>Slaveholding States have asserted this power <i>in +their judicial decisions</i>. 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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>legislative</i> +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 <i>legislative</i> 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 <i>law</i>." In a letter +to Sir John Sinclair, he says: "There are in +Pennsylvania, <i>laws</i> for the gradual abolition +of slavery, which neither Maryland nor Virginia have +at present, but which nothing is more certain than +that they <i>must have</i>, 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 +<i>it must bear and adopt it</i>."--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 <i>name</i> is his biography.</p> + +<p>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 <i>law</i>.</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>Governor Tompkins, in a message to the Legislature +of New-York, January 8, 1812, said: "To devise +the means for the gradual and ultimate <i>extermination</i> +from amongst us of slavery, is a work worthy the <i>representatives</i> +of a polished and enlightened nation."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"The report of the Select Committee, adverse +to legislation on the subject of Abolition, was in +these words: <i>Resolved</i>, as the opinion of +this Committee, that it is INEXPEDIENT FOR THE PRESENT, +to make any <i>legislative enactments for the abolition +of slavery</i>." This Report Mr. Preston +moved to reverse, and thus to declare that it <i>was</i> +expedient, <i>now</i> 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 <i>negatived</i>, +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>that</i> +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 +<i>abridge</i> the powers which Congress possessed +under the articles of confederation?</p> + +<p>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 <i>technic</i>, in common +parlance, that the fact of its being <i>proper slavery</i> +is overlooked. The buying and selling, the transportation, +and the horrors of the middle passage, were mere <i>incidents</i> +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 <i>all</i> +the slavery <i>in one</i> part of its jurisdiction. +What has rifled it of power to abolish slavery in +<i>another</i> part of its jurisdiction, especially +in that part where it has "exclusive legislation +in all cases whatsoever?"</p> + +<p>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 <i>unconditionally</i>, +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 <i>laws</i> +of the free states. If these laws had <i>no power</i> +to emancipate, why this constitutional guard to prevent +it?</p> + +<p>The insertion of the clause, was the testimony of +the eminent jurists that framed the Constitution, +to the existence of the <i>power</i>, 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 <i>universal +law</i>, and is recognized and protected by all +civilized nations; property in slaves is, by general +consent, an <i>exception</i>; hence slaveholders +insisted upon the insertion of this clause in the United +States' Constitution, that they might secure +by an <i>express provision</i>, that from which +protection is withheld, by the acknowledged principles +of universal law.[<a name="AE2_FR2"></a><a href="#AE2_FN2">A</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 "<i>persons</i>, +and <i>held</i> to service."</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN2"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR2">A</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 <i>now</i> 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 +"<i>for one moment</i>," under the +laws of France emancipated an American slave--the +case of Fulton, <i>vs.</i> 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 "<i>property</i>," +and that whenever held as property under <i>law</i>, +it is only by <i>positive legislative acts</i>, +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.]</p> + +<p>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 <i>statute</i> +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 <i>things</i>, as +<i>contra</i>-distinguished from <i>persons</i>." +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 <i>fundamental</i> +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 <i>devotion</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>principles +themselves</i>, 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 <i>vs.</i> +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." +[<i>Hall's Law Journal, new series</i>.] +Mr. Duponceau, in his "Dissertation on the Jurisdiction +of Courts in the United States," says, "I +consider the common law of England the <i>jus commune</i> +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 <i>vs.</i> Reed, in 1823, Hawkes' +N.C. Reps. 454, says, "a law of <i>paramount, +obligation to the statute</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>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,</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Is Congress so impotent in its own "exclusive +jurisdiction" that it cannot "otherwise +by law provide?" If it can say, what <i>shall</i> +be considered property, it can say what shall <i>not</i> +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 <i>bona fide</i> 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?</p> + +<p>II. THE POWER OF CONGRESS TO ABOLISH SLAVERY IN THE +DISTRICT HAS BEEN, TILL RECENTLY, UNIVERSALLY CONCEDED.</p> + +<p>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 <i>inexpediency</i> 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 <i>putting a stop to the same</i>."</p> + +<p>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 <i>expediency</i> +of providing by <i>law</i> 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 <i>Md</i>., 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.</p> + +<p>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 (<i>slavery</i>,) +as upon all other subjects of legislation, to exercise +<i>unlimited discretion</i>." 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, (<i>slavery</i>) it +would be (not <i>unconstitutional</i> 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."</p> + +<p>"Resolved, That Congress <i>ought not to interfere</i> +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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>legislative</i> +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 <i>excluding them when +free</i>. Journal H. R. 1828-9, p. 174.</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>In May, 1838, the Legislature of Connecticut passed +a resolution asserting the power of Congress to abolish +slavery in the District of Columbia.</p> + +<p>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 <i>implied</i> 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 <i>implication</i>. In February, +1836, the Legislature of North Carolina "Resolved, +That, although by the Constitution <i>all legislative +power</i> 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 <i>power</i>. 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."</p> + +<p>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 +<i>as it is?</i> 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.</p> + +<p>The Ohio and Indiana resolutions, by taking for granted +the <i>general</i> power of Congress over the +subject of slavery, do virtually assert its <i>special</i> +power within its <i>exclusive</i> jurisdiction.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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" +<i>District</i>. 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 <i>Md</i>., 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 +<i>here</i>? Within the ten miles square, you +have <i>undoubted power</i> to exercise exclusive +legislation. <i>Produce a bill to emancipate the +slaves in the District of Columbia</i>, or, if you +prefer it, to emancipate those born hereafter."</p> + +<p>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?"</p> + +<p>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 name="AE2_FR3"></a><a href="#AE2_FN3">A</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 +<i>special</i> and <i>comprehensive</i> legislation +which these circumstances peculiarly demanded."</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN3"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR3">A</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 <i>every constitutional barrier should be +interposed to prevent its further extension</i>: +and that the constitution of the United States <i>clearly +gives Congress the right</i> to require new states, +not comprised within the original boundary of the United +States, to <i>make the prohibition of slavery</i> +a condition of their admission into the Union: Therefore,</p> + +<blockquote> +<p>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 +<i>the prohibition of slavery</i> +therein an indispensible condition of +admission."</p> +</blockquote> +<p>]</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>An explicit declaration, that an "<i>overwhelming +majority</i>" of the <i>present</i> +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:</p> + +<p>"The time has arrived when we must have new +guaranties under the constitution, or the Union must +be dissolved. <i>Our views of the constitution are +not those of the majority</i>. AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY +<i>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</i>, +NOT WITHOUT STRONG REASONS, <i>that the power of +Congress extends to all of these subjects</i>."</p> + +<p><i>Direct testimony</i> to show that the power +of Congress to abolish slavery in the District, has +always till recently been <i>universally conceded</i>, +is perhaps quite superfluous. We subjoin, however, +the following:</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p><b>OBJECTIONS TO THE FOREGOING CONCLUSIONS CONSIDERED.</b></p> + +<p>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 <i>accept</i> +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.</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>"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 +<i>Md</i>., v. 2., c. 46.</p> + +<p>The cession of Virginia was made on the 3d of December, +1788, in the following words:</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>But were there no provisos to these acts? The Maryland +act had <i>none</i>. 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 <i>therein</i>, otherwise +than the same shall or may be transferred by such +individuals to the United States."</p> + +<p>This specification touching the soil was merely definitive +and explanatory of that clause in the act of cession, +"<i>full and absolute right</i>." +Instead of restraining the power of Congress on <i>slavery</i> +and other subjects, it even gives it freer course; +for exceptions to <i>parts</i> of a rule, give +double confirmation to those parts not embraced in +the exceptions. If it was the <i>design</i> of +the proviso to restrict congressional action on the +subject of <i>slavery</i>, why is the <i>soil +alone</i> 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 <i>meant</i>, +though nothing was said about it?</p> + +<p>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 <i>restricting</i> that clause, both +States <i>confirm</i> it. Now, their acts of +cession either accorded with that clause of the constitution, +or they conflicted with it. If they conflicted with +it, <i>accepting</i> the <i>cessions</i> was a violation +of the constitution. The fact that Congress accepted +the <i>cessions</i>, proves that in its views their +<i>terms</i> 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!</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>This comes with an ill grace from Maryland and Virginia. +They <i>knew</i> 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 <i>afterward</i>, +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 <i>supposed</i>!" +&c. Cede it they <i>did</i>, 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 <i>amount of power over the +District lodged in Congress by the constitution</i>. +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 <i>not</i>--and +that point is to be settled, not by state "suppositions," +nor state usages, nor state legislation, but <i>by +the terms of the clause themselves</i>.</p> + +<p>Southern members of Congress, in the recent discussions, +have conceded the power of a contingent abolition +in the District, by suspending it upon the <i>consent</i> +of the people. Such a doctrine from <i>declaimers</i> +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 <i>whole</i> people must be had--not +that of a majority, however large. Majorities, to be +authoritative, must be <i>legal</i>--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 <i>every one</i> is necessary--and +<i>universal</i> 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 <i>to +use</i> a power which it <i>has not</i>? "It +is required of a man according to what he <i>hath</i>," +saith the Scripture. I commend Mr. Wise to Paul for +his ethics. Would that he had got his <i>logic</i> +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 <i>source</i> +of all constitutional power; for, <i>asking</i> +Congress to do what it <i>cannot</i> do, gives +it the power!--to pray the exercise of a +power that is <i>not, creates</i> it! A beautiful +theory! Let us work it both ways. If to petition for +the exercise of a power that is <i>not</i>, creates +it--to petition against the exercise of +a power that <i>is</i>, 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 <i>right</i> +to abolish slavery, they impose the <i>duty</i>; +if they confer constitutional <i>authority</i>, +they create constitutional <i>obligation</i>. +If Congress <i>may</i> abolish because of an +expression of their will, it <i>must</i> abolish +at the bidding of that will. If the people of the +District are a <i>source of power</i> to Congress, +their <i>expressed will</i> 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 <i>subject</i> 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.</p> + +<p>"<i>The southern states would not have ratified +the constitution, if they had supposed that it gave +this power</i>." It is a sufficient answer +to this objection, that the northern states would +not have ratified it, if they had supposed that it +<i>withheld</i> 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 <i>guessing</i> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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?"</p> + +<p>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, <i>that when slavery should cease</i> +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.)</p> + +<p>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 <i>general belief</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>general</i> Congress met in 1774. +The first Congress of the <i>thirteen</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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. <i>Anthony Bènèzet +stood alone a few years</i> <i>ago in opposing +negro slavery in Philadelphia</i>, 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.]</p> + +<p>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, +<i>should be willing to extend personal liberty +to others</i>, therefore," &c.</p> + +<p>October 20, 1774, the Continental Congress passed +the following: "We, for ourselves and the inhabitants +of the several colonies whom we represent, <i>firmly +agree and associate under the sacred ties of virtue, +honor, and love of our country</i>, as follows:"</p> + +<p>"2d Article. <i>We will neither import nor +purchase any slaves imported</i> after the first +day of December next, after which time we will <i>wholly +discontinue</i> the slave trade, and we will neither +be concerned in it ourselves, nor will we hire our +vessels nor <i>sell our commodities or manufactures</i> +to those who are concerned in it."</p> + +<p>The Continental Congress, in 1775, setting forth the +causes and the necessity for taking up arms, say: +"<i>If it were possible</i> for men who +exercise their reason to believe that the divine Author +of our existence intended a part of the human race +<i>to hold an absolute property in</i>, and <i>unbounded +power over others</i>," &c.</p> + +<p>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 <i>increasing</i>, and <i>greatly +spreading of late</i>, and <i>many</i> who +have had slaves, have found themselves so unable to +justify their own conduct in holding them in bondage, +as to be induced to <i>set them at liberty</i>. +<p> * * * * *</p> +<p>Slavery is <i>in every instance</i>, wrong, unrighteous, +and oppressive--a very great and crying +sin--<i>there being nothing of the kind +equal to it on the face of the earth</i>."</p> + +<p>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 +<i>all</i> 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." <i>Once</i>, these +were words of power; <i>now</i>, "a rhetorical +flourish."</p> + +<p>The Virginia Gazette of March 19, 1767, in an essay +on slavery says: "<i>There cannot be in nature, +there is not in all history, an instance in which +every right of man is more flagrantly violated</i>. +Enough I hope has been effected to prove that slavery +is a violation of justice and religion."</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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, <i>that men are +by Nature free</i>; and so long as we have any +idea of divine <i>justice</i>, we must associate +that of <i>human freedom</i>. It is <i>conceded + on all hands, that the right to be free</i> CAN NEVER +BE ALIENATED."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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, <i>and the way I hope +preparing, under the auspices of heaven</i>, FOR +A TOTAL EMANCIPATION."</p> + +<p>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, <i>the bulk of the people will approve +of your pamphlet in theory</i>, and it will find +a respectable minority ready to <i>adopt it in practice</i>--a +minority which, for weight and worth of character, +<i>preponderates against the greater number</i>." +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 <i>great deal of good</i>; 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 <i>whose sentiments on the subject of slavery +are unequivocal</i>. 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 +<i>its influence on the future decision of this +important question would be great, perhaps decisive</i>. +Thus. you see, that so far from thinking you have cause +to repent of what you have done, <i>I wish you to +do more, and I wish it on an assurance of its effect</i>."--Jefferson's +Posthumous Works, <i>vol</i>. 1, p. 268.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>In the preamble of an instrument, by which Mr. Jay +emancipated a slave in 1784, is the following passage:</p> + +<p>"Whereas, the children of men are by nature +equally free, and cannot, without injustice, be either +reduced to or HELD in slavery."</p> + +<p>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 <i>ought to do it</i>."</p> + +<p>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:</p> + +<p>"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 <i>lately</i> established, +it has now become <i>generally extensive</i> through +this state, and, we fully believe, <i>embraces, on +this subject, the sentiments of a large majority of +its citizens</i>."</p> + +<p>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 <i>Virginia Society</i>, for promoting +the Abolition of Slavery," &c. The following +is an extract:</p> + +<p>"Your memorialists, fully believing that slavery +is not only an odious degradation, but an <i>outrageous +violation of one of the most essential rights of human +nature, and utterly repugnant to the precepts of the +gospel</i>," &c.</p> + +<p>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:</p> + +<p>"It is our boast, that we live under a government, +wherein <i>life, liberty</i>, and the <i>pursuit +of happiness</i>, are recognized as the universal +rights of men. We <i>abhor that inconsistent, illiberal, +and interested policy, which withholds those rights +from an unfortunate and degraded class of our fellow +creatures</i>."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>more than forty days +had been spent in adjusting the question of slavery, +gave it his approval</i>. The act passed with only +one dissenting voice, (that of Mr. Yates, of New York,) +<i>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</i>.</p> + +<p>In the debates in the North Carolina Convention, Mr. +Iredell, afterward a Judge of the United States' +Supreme Court, said, "<i>When the entire abolition +of slavery takes place</i>, 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 <i>to bring forward manumission</i>." +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 <i>the gradual abolition of slavery</i>, +and the <i>emancipation of the slaves</i> 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 <i>banishing slavery out of this +country</i>. 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 <i>slaves will +never be introduced</i> among them. It presents +us with the pleasing prospect that the rights of mankind +will be acknowledged and established <i>throughout +the Union</i>. Yet the lapse of a few years, and +Congress will have power to <i>exterminate slavery</i> +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 <i>diabolical</i> +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, <i>unless they agree to a discontinuance +of this disgraceful trade</i>." 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 +<i>has begun since the revolution. Let us do what +we will, it will come round</i>."--[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 <i>detested</i>. We feel its fatal +effects; we deplore it with all the pity of humanity." +Governor Randolph said: "They insist that the +<i>abolition of slavery will result from this Constitution</i>. +I hope that there is no one here, who will advance +<i>an objection so dishonorable</i> 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, <i>by +the operation of the general government</i> may +be made free!" [<i>Deb. Va. Con.</i> p. +421.] In the Mass. Con. of '88, Judge Dawes +said, "Although slavery is not smitten by an +apoplexy, yet <i>it has received a mortal wound</i>, +and will die of consumption."--[<i>Deb. +Mass. Con.</i> p. 60.] General Heath said that, +"Slavery was confined to the States <i>now +existing</i>, it <i>could not be extended</i>. +By their ordinance, Congress had declared that the +new States should be republican States, <i>and have +no slavery</i>."--p. 147.</p> + +<p>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 <i>so considerable +a part</i> of the community attending to matters +of such a momentous concern to the <i>future prosperity</i> +and happiness of the people of America. I think it +my duty, as a citizen of the Union, to <i>espouse +their cause</i>."</p> + +<p>Mr. Page, of Virginia, (afterwards Governor)--"Was +<i>in favor</i> 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, +<i>from which was expected great good would result +to</i> EVERY CLASS <i>of citizens</i>, 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 <i>wait the decision +patiently</i>."</p> + +<p>Mr. Scott of Pennsylvania: "I cannot, for my +part, conceive how any person <i>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</i>."</p> + +<p>Mr. Burke, of South Carolina, said, "He <i>saw +the disposition of the House</i>, and he feared +it would be referred to a committee, maugre all their +opposition."</p> + +<p>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, <i>as they might, in this +way, so burthen the possessors of them, as to induce +a</i> GENERAL EMANCIPATION."</p> + +<p>Mr. Smith of South Carolina, said, "That on +entering into this government, they (South Carolina +and Georgia) apprehended that the other states, * +* * <i>would, from motives of humanity and benevolence, +be led to vote for a general emancipation</i>."</p> + +<p>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 +<i>to restore to human nature its inherent privileges</i>. +The inconsistency in our principles, with which we +are justly charged <i>should be done away</i>."</p> + +<p>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? <i>When +this practice comes to be tried, then the sound of +liberty will lose those charms which make it grateful +to the ravished ear</i>."</p> + +<p>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 <i>give some testimony of the sense +of America</i>, 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."</p> + +<p>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. <i>Reg</i>. v. 1, p. 308-12.</p> + +<p>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 <i>slaveholder</i>, says, "I have seen +in the papers accounts of <i>large associations</i>, +and applications to Government for <i>the abolition +of slavery</i>. Religion, humanity, and the generosity +natural to a free people, are the <i>noble principles +which dictate those measures</i>. SUCH MOTIVES +COMMAND RESPECT, AND ARE ABOVE ANY EULOGIUM WORDS CAN +BESTOW."</p> + +<p>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 +<i>free discussion</i> 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 <i>licensed +robbers</i>, and not the just proprietors of what +they claim. Freeing them is not depriving them of +property, but <i>restoring it to the right owner</i>. +The master is the enemy of the slave; he <i>has made +open war upon him</i>, AND IS DAILY CARRYING IT +ON in unremitted efforts. Can any one imagine, then, +that the slave is indebted to his master, and <i>bound +to serve him?</i> 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."</p> + +<p>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, <i>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</i>."</p> + +<p>In 1794, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian +church adopted its "Scripture proofs," +notes, and comments. Among these was the following:</p> + +<p>"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 <i>sinners of the +first rank</i>. The word he uses, in its original +import comprehends all who are concerned in bringing +any of the human race into slavery, or in <i>retaining</i> +them in it. <i>Stealers of men</i> are all those +who bring off slaves or freemen, and <i>keep</i>, +sell, or buy them."</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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 <i>an +equal standing, in point of privileges, with the whites!</i> +They must enjoy all the rights belonging to human +nature."</p> + +<p>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 <i>will be effected</i> in time; +it ought to be a gradual business, but he hoped that +Congress would not <i>precipitate</i> it to the +great injury of the southern States." Mr. Hartley, +of Pennsylvania, said, in the same debate, "<i>He +was not a little surprised to hear the cause of slavery +advocated in that house</i>." 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 <i>nothing is more certain</i> +than that they <i>must have</i>, 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 <i>manumissions</i> under that act, said, that "<i>The +progress of emancipation was astonishing</i>, the +State became crowded with a free black population."</p> + +<p>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, <i>no master in the state has +a right to hold his slave in bandage for a single +hour</i>... 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!"</p> + +<p>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 <i>humanity</i>. The time <i>is not far distant</i> +when our sister states, in imitation of our example, +<i>shall turn their vassals into freemen</i>." +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.</p> + +<p>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 <b>Freedom</b>."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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, <i>a provision had not been made for +the gradual abolition of slavery</i>."--<i>pp</i>. +233, 4.</p> + +<p>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 <i>to embrace +the first moment</i> 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?"</p> + +<p>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, <i>a plan for the gradual emancipation +of the slaves of this commonwealth</i>."</p> + +<p>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, <i>and +for many years after, the abolition of slavery was +a favorite topic with many of our ablest statesmen</i>, +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, <i>was +for a simple abolition, considering the objection to +color as founded in prejudice</i>. By degrees, +all projects of the kind were abandoned. Mr. Jefferson +<i>retained</i> his opinion, and now we have these +projects revived."</p> + +<p>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 <i>entirely +corresponded</i> 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 <i>this measure</i> (abolition of slavery +in the N.W. territory) has eventuated in effects which +speak a monitory lesson. <i>How is the representation +from this quarter on the present question</i>?"</p> + +<p>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 <i>for the bondage of others</i>, and in +the libations we offer to the goddess of liberty, we +contemplate an <i>emancipation of the slaves of this +country</i>, as honorable to themselves as it will +be glorious to us."</p> + +<p>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 <i>national sentiment</i> +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 <i>part</i> 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.</p> + +<p>These witnesses need no vouchers to entitle them to +credit; nor their testimony comments to make it intelligible--their +<i>names</i> are their <i>endorsers</i>, +and their strong words their own interpreters. We waive +all comments. Our readers are of age. Whosoever hath +ears to <i>hear</i>, 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."</p> + +<p>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 <i>approval</i> +with all parties, and when finally passed, received +the vote of <i>every member of Congress from each +of the slaveholding states</i>. The South also +had every reason for believing that the first Congress +under the constitution would <i>ratify</i> that +ordinance--as it did unanimously.</p> + +<p>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 <i>with +their</i> 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, +<i>rights</i> no longer--free speech +struck dumb--free <i>men</i> 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 <i>inseparable signs--free speech +and a free press</i>--their reverence +for justice, liberty, <i>rights</i> and all-pervading +law, where are they?</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>not</i>. +If they <i>were</i>, 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" +<i>also</i>, and of course a <i>constitutional</i> +act; but if the legislative acts "depriving" +them of "liberty" were <i>not</i> +"due process of law," then the slaves were +deprived of liberty <i>unconstitutionally</i>, +and these acts are <i>void</i>. In that case +the <i>constitution emancipates them</i>.</p> + +<p>If the objector reply, by saying that the import of +the phrase "due process of law," is <i>judicial</i> +process solely, it is granted, and that fact is our +rejoinder; for no slave in the District <i>has</i> +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 <i>unconstitutionally</i>, +and is therefore <i>free by the constitution</i>. +This is asserted only of the slaves under the "exclusive +legislation" of Congress.</p> + +<p>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 <i>this</i>, provided it will do something +<i>else</i>, that is, <i>pay</i> for them. +Thus, instead of denying the <i>power</i>, the +objector not only admits, but <i>affirms</i> +it, as the ground of the inference that compensation +must accompany it. So far from disproving the existence +of <i>one</i> power, he asserts the existence +of <i>two</i>--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.</p> + +<p>If Congress cannot constitutionally impair the right +of private property, or take it without compensation, +it cannot constitutionally, <i>legalize</i> the +perpetration of such acts, by <i>others</i>, nor +<i>protect</i> those who commit them. Does the +power to rob a man of his earnings, rob the earner +of his <i>right</i> to them? Who has a better +right to the <i>product</i> than the producer?--to +the <i>interest</i>, than the owner of the <i>principal</i>?--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 <i>themselves</i>. +What! Congress powerless to protect a man's right +to <i>himself</i>, when it can make inviolable +the right to a <i>dog</i>! 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 "<i>take</i>?" Nothing. What would +it <i>hold</i>? Nothing. What would it put to +"public use?" Nothing. Instead of <i>taking</i> +"private property," Congress, by abolishing +slavery, would say "<i>private property</i> +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, <i>as</i> 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 <i>condition</i> of the slave--makes +him his own <i>proprietor</i>, instead of the +property of another. It determines a question of <i>original +right</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>intent</i>. The <i>design</i> +of the provision, was to throw up a barrier against +Governmental aggrandizement. The right to "take +property" for <i>State uses</i> is one thing;--the +right so to adjust the <i>tenures</i> by which +property is held, that <i>each may have his own +secured to him</i>, is another thing, and clearly +within the scope of legislation. Besides, if Congress +were to "take" the slaves in the District, +it would be <i>adopting</i>, 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 <i>as</i> +property for governmental purposes. Congress, by abolishing +slavery in the District, would do no such thing. It +would merely change the <i>condition</i> 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.</p> + +<p>Finally, this clause prohibits the taking for public +use of "<i>property</i>." The constitution +of the United States does not recognize slaves as +"PROPERTY" any where, and it does not recognize +them in <i>any sense</i> in the District of Columbia. +All allusions to them in the constitution recognize +them as "persons." Every reference to them +points <i>solely</i> to the element of <i>personality</i>; +and thus, by the strongest implication, declares that +the constitution <i>knows</i> them only as "persons," +and <i>will</i> 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 <i>personality</i>--a +refusal to recognize them as chattels--"persons +<i>held</i> to service." Are <i>oxen +"held</i> to service?" That can be affirmed +only of <i>persons</i>. 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 <i>persons</i>" 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 <i>persons</i> +by the exaction of their <i>allegiance</i> to +the government. For offences against the government +slaves are tried as <i>persons</i>; as persons +they are entitled to counsel for their defence, to +the rules of evidence, and to "due process of +law," and as <i>persons</i> 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 <i>persons</i>. 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 <i>property</i> +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 <i>personality</i>. +In the invariable recognition of slaves as <i>persons</i>, +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 <i>human</i> +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 <i>men</i>, that they might +be shorn both of liberty and humanity.</p> + +<p>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 <i>does +not consider these persons, (slaves,) as a species +of property</i>."--[Lloyd's +Cong. <i>Reg</i>. 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 <i>state</i> +laws, or from the laws of Congress, if he hold slaves +within the District. But no person resident within +the United States' jurisdiction, and <i>not</i> +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, <i>can be held as a slave</i>.</p> + +<p>Men can hold <i>property</i> 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 +<i>slaves</i> 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," <i>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</i>.</p> + +<p>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 <i>amount</i> +of compensation, let her determine the <i>grounds</i> +also. If it be her province to say <i>how much</i> +compensation is "just," it is hers to say +whether <i>any</i> is "just,"--whether +the slave is "just" property <i>at all</i>, +rather than a "<i>person</i>". Then, +if justice adjudges the slave to be "private +property," it adjudges him to be <i>his own</i> +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 <i>equivalent</i> +for one's self--the least that can +be done is to restore to him his original private +property.</p> + +<p>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 <i>setting +up</i> of such a claim.</p> + +<p>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 <i>absolute</i> 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 <i>is in +every sense absolute</i>. 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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>no power</i> 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?</p> + +<p>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, <i>the same law</i> 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 <i>enact</i> that +innocence and helplessness--now <i>free +plunder</i>--are entitled to <i>legal +protection</i>; and that power, avarice, and lust, +shall no longer revel upon their spoils under the +license, and by the ministration of <i>law</i>! +Congress, by possessing "exclusive legislation +in all cases whatsoever," has a <i>general +protective power for</i> ALL the inhabitants of +the District. If it has no power to protect <i>one</i> +man in the District it has none to protect another--none +to protect <i>any</i>--and if it <i>can</i> +protect one man and is <i>bound</i> to do it, +it <i>can</i> protect <i>every</i> man--and +is <i>bound</i> 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 "<i>case</i>" 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 <i>one</i> class against the other, +it gives power to protect <i>either</i> 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 <i>general</i> power in the clause so often +cited, and an <i>express</i> 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 <i>perpetrating these identical acts</i> +upon seven thousand blacks daily. That Congress has +power to restrain these acts in <i>one</i> case, +all assert, and in so doing they assert the power +"in <i>all</i> cases whatsoever." +For the grant of power to suppress insurrections, +is an <i>unconditional</i> 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 <i>actual</i> insurrection, +from the same source whence it derived its power to +suppress the <i>same</i> acts in the case supposed. +If one case is an insurrection, the other is. The +<i>acts</i> in both are the same; the <i>actors</i> +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 <i>rights</i>, +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 <i>whole +lives</i> 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 <i>at all</i>, +it has power to suppress them <i>in</i> all.</p> + +<p>It has been shown already that <i>allegiance</i> +is exacted of the slave. Is the government of the +United States unable to grant <i>protection</i> +where it exacts <i>allegiance</i>? 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? <i>Protection is the</i> +CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT <i>of every human. being under +the exclusive legislation of Congress who has not forfeited +it by crime</i>.</p> + +<p>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 <i>not entitled to compensation.</i> 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 <i>property</i> +and <i>persons</i>, it surely might stop <i>half-way</i>, +destroy them <i>as property</i> while it legalized +their existence as <i>persons</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>as</i> property when the public +safety requires it, especially if it transform into +a <i>protection</i> and <i>defence</i> that +which as <i>property</i> 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 <i>enemies</i>;" +and Richard Henry Lee, in the Va. House of Burgesses +in 1758, declared that to those who held them, "<i>slaves +must be natural enemies</i>." Is Congress +so impotent that it <i>cannot</i> 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 <i>necessity</i> 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 <i>cannot</i> arrest +the process that <i>made</i> them "enemies," +and still goads to deadlier hate by fiery trials, +and day by day adds others to their number? Is <i>this</i> +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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>friends</i> +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 <i>they</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>weaken</i> them, and renders them less +capable of self-defence. In case of hostilities with +foreign nations, they will be the means of <i>inviting</i> +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 <i>internal</i> +as external. <i>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.</i>" +Cong. <i>Reg</i>. <i>vol</i>. 1, p. 310, 11.</p> + +<p>WYTHE.</p> + +<h3>POSTSCRIPT</h3> + +<p>My apology for adding a <i>postscript</i>, 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 <i>any</i> 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 <i>true +touchstones</i>, 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 <i>no</i>-faced <i>non-committalism</i>, +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,--<i>Remember the +Missouri Question, and the fate of those who then +sold the free states and their own birthright!</i></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>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, <i>viz</i>.--that Congress has no +power by the constitution to abolish slavery in the +District.</p> + +<p>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 <i>true</i> ground--that +finally, when the question was taken, every slaveholding +senator, including Mr. Calhoun himself, voted for +the resolution.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>The <i>only</i> 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 "<i>as it still continues +in both of them</i>, 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 <i>sovereignty</i> 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 <i>unexpressed +expectation</i> of one of the parties that the other +would not "in all cases" use the power +which said party had consented might be used "<i>in +all cases," prohibits</i> 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 "<i>slavery still continues in those +states</i>,"--thus admitting, that +if slavery did <i>not</i> "still continue" +in those States, Congress could abolish it in the +District. The same admission is made also in the <i>premises</i>, +which state that slavery existed in those states <i>at +the time of the cession</i>, &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 <i>only</i> +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 <i>requires</i> Congress +in such case to abolish slavery in the District "by +the <i>good faith implied</i> 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 <i>they</i> +might think would unfavorably bear upon their interests; +<i>themselves</i> of course being the judges.</p> + +<p>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 <i>expressed</i> +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 <i>act</i> +of theirs, nor on any declaration of the <i>people</i> +of those states, nor on the testimony of the Washingtons, +Jeffersons, Madisons, Chases, Martins, and Jennifers, +of those states and times. The assertion rests <i>on +itself alone!</i> Mr. Clay <i>guesses</i> +that Maryland and Virginia <i>supposed</i> that +Congress would by no means <i>use</i> 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 <i>assumed expectation</i> +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!</p> + +<p>But survey it in another light. Why did Maryland and +Virginia leave so much to be "<i>implied?</i>?" +Why did they not in some way <i>express</i> 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 <i>faith</i>, why brought they forth +no <i>works</i>?</p> + +<p>It is as true in legislation as in religion, that +the only evidence of "faith" is works, +and that "faith" <i>without</i> works +is <i>dead</i>, <i>i.e</i>. has no <i>power</i>. +But here, forsooth, a blind implication with nothing +<i>expressed</i>, an "implied" faith +without works, is omnipotent! Mr. Clay is lawyer enough +to know that Maryland and Virginia notions of constitutional +power, <i>abrogate no grant</i>, 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 <i>before their eyes</i>, +and declared those acts made "in <i>pursuance</i>" +of it. Those states knew that the U.S. Constitution +had left nothing to be "<i>implied</i>" +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 <i>stipulations</i>. +They knew, moreover, that those were times when, in +matters of high import, <i>nothing</i> 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 <i>acts of +cession</i>. The severities of a long and terrible +discipline had taught them to guard at all points +<i>legislative grants</i>, that their exact import +and limit might be self-evident--leaving +no scope for a blind "faith" that <i>somehow</i> +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.</p> + +<p>Further: suppose Maryland and Virginia had expressed +their "implied faith" in <i>words</i>, +and embodied it in their acts of cession as a proviso, +declaring that Congress should not "exercise +exclusive legislation in <i>all</i> cases whatsoever +over the District," but that the "case" +of <i>slavery</i> 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 <i>not remote</i>;" 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 <i>emancipations</i> 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 <i>perpetuity</i> of slavery +under the exclusive legislation of Congress? and that +too when at the <i>same</i> session <i>every +one</i> 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?</p> + +<p>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 <i>speedily</i> abolished--must we +adopt the monstrous conclusion that those states <i>designed</i> +to bind Congress <i>never</i> to terminate it?--that +it was the <i>intent</i> of the Ancient Dominion +thus to <i>bind</i> the United States by an "implied +faith," and that when the national government +<i>accepted</i> the cession, she did solemnly +thus plight her troth, and that Virginia did then +so <i>understand</i> it? Verily, honorable senators +must suppose themselves deputed to do our <i>thinking</i> +for us as well as our legislation, or rather, that +they are themselves absolved from such drudgery by +virtue of their office!</p> + +<p>Another absurdity of this "implied faith" +dogma is, that where there was no power to exact an +<i>express</i> pledge, there was none to demand +an <i>implied</i> 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 <i>breach</i> of the +Constitution. The Congress which accepted the cession +was competent to pass a resolution pledging itself +not to <i>use all</i> the power over the District +committed to it by the Constitution. But here its power +ended. Its resolution could only bind <i>itself</i>. +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 <i>shall</i> 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 <i>themselves</i> +never to abolish slavery within their own territories--the +ceded parts included. Where then would they get power +to bind <i>another</i> not to do what they had +no power to bind <i>themselves</i> 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?</p> + +<p>But perhaps we shall be told, that the "implied +faith" of Maryland and Virginia was <i>not</i> +that Congress should <i>never</i> abolish slavery +in the District, but that it should not do it until +<i>they</i> 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 <i>they</i> do; and then just as "good +faith" that Congress <i>will</i> abolish +<i>when</i> 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?</p> + +<p>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 "<i>instructions</i>" +from head quarters!</p> + +<p>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 <i>sounding-boards</i> +called "Senate Chamber" and "Representatives' +Hall," for the purpose of sending abroad "by +authority" <i>national</i> echoes of <i>state</i> +legislation! --permitted also to keep in +our pay a corps of pliant <i>national</i> musicians, +with peremptory instructions to sound on any line of +the staff according as Virginia and Maryland may give +the sovereign key note!</p> + +<p>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 <i>principle</i> 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 +<i>having</i> 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 <i>object</i> +of a federal district, and that it was to be legislated +over <i>for this end</i>--the resolution +proceeds upon an hypothesis totally the reverse. It +takes a single point of <i>state</i> 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 <i>implication</i>. 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 <i>its +own territory</i>, 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 <i>vs.</i> 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 <i>necessary +to the general advantage</i>."--[Life +of Pinkney, p. 612.]</p> + +<p>This profound legal opinion asserts, 1st, that Congressional +legislation over the District, is "the legislation +of the <i>states</i> and the <i>people</i>." +(not of <i>two</i> states, and a mere <i>fraction</i> +of the people;) 2d. "Over a District placed +under <i>their</i> control," <i>i.e</i>. under +the control of <i>all</i> the States, not of +<i>two twenty-sixths</i> of them. 3d. That it +was thus put under their control "<i>for</i> +THEIR OWN <i>benefit</i>." 4th. It asserts +that the design of this exclusive control of Congress +over the District was "not for the benefit of +the <i>District</i>," except as that is +<i>connected</i> with, and <i>a means of promoting</i> +the <i>general</i> advantage. If this is the +case with the <i>District</i>, which is <i>directly</i> +concerned, it is pre-eminently so with Maryland and +Virginia, which are but <i>indirectly</i> 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 "<i>may be a local affair, yet if it +involves national</i> EXPENSE or SAFETY, <i>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</i>."--Cong. +<i>Reg</i>. <i>vol</i>. 1. p. 310.</p> + +<p>But these are only the initiatory absurdities of this +"good faith <i>implied</i>." 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 <i>equally</i> a violation for Congress +to do it <i>with the consent</i>, 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 <i>Maryland +and Virginia at the time of the cession, and as</i> +it still continues <i>in both those states</i>, +it could not be abolished in the District without a +violation of "that good faith," &c.</p> + +<p>But let us see where this principle will lead us. +If "implied faith" to Maryland and Virginia +<i>restrains</i> Congress from the abolition of +slavery in the District, because those states have +not abolished <i>their</i> slavery, it <i>requires</i> +Congress to do in the District what those states have +done within their own limits, <i>i.e</i>., restrain <i>others</i> +from abolishing it. Upon the same principle Congress +is <i>bound</i> to <i>prohibit emancipation</i> +within the District. There is no <i>stopping place</i> +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!</p> + +<p>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 <i>every</i> form of slavery in +the District would violate good faith, to abolish +<i>the</i> 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 <i>slavery</i>, but with the +<i>Maryland and Virginia systems</i> of slavery. +The faith of those states being not that Congress +would maintain a system, but <i>their</i> system; +otherwise instead of <i>sustaining</i>, 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 <i>real +estate</i> 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 <i>until</i> +Virginia and Maryland abolish. 2d. Not to abolish any +<i>part</i> of it that exists in those states. +3d. Not to abolish any <i>form</i> or <i>appendage</i> +of it still existing in those states. 4th. To <i>abolish</i> +when they do. 5th. To increase or abate its rigors +<i>when, how,</i> and <i>as</i> 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.</p> + +<p>But here comes a dilemma. Suppose the legislation +of those states should steer different courses--then +there would be <i>two</i> wakes! Can Congress +float in both? Yea, verily! Nothing is too hard for +it! Its obsequiousness equals its "power of +legislation in <i>all</i> cases whatsoever." +It can float <i>up</i> 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 <i>at +once</i>, 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 <i>man</i> can serve two masters--but +if "corporations have no souls," analogy +would absolve Congress on that score, or at most give +it only a <i>very small soul</i>--not +large enough to be at all in the way, as an exception +to the universal rule laid down in the maxim!</p> + +<p>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 +<i>all the subjects of legislation</i> 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, <i>unless +Virginia and Maryland took the lead,</i> would violate +the "good faith implied in the cession."</p> + +<p>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 <i>possessions</i> and <i>titles</i> +confirmed to them, and be <i>protected</i> in +the enjoyment of their <i>rights</i> and liberties." +(See Journals of Congress, <i>vol</i>. 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 <i>held +slaves.</i> Three years after the cession, the Virginia +delegation in Congress <i>proposed</i> 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?</p> + +<p>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 <i>first</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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!</p> + +<p>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 <i>intent</i>, +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!</p> + +<p>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, <i>will not</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>instinct</i> also? +Can nothing rouse them to cast about for self preservation? +And shall a life of tame surrenders be terminated +by suicidal sacrifice?</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>The resolution, as it finally passed, is here inserted.</p> + +<p>"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 <i>cessions</i> 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."</p> + +<p>The vote upon the resolution stood as follows:</p> + +<p><i>Yeas</i>.--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.</p> + +<p><i>Nays</i>.--Messrs. DAVIS, KNIGHT, +McKEAN, MORRIS, PRENTISS, RUGGLES, SMITH, of Indiana, +SWIFT, WEBSTER--9.</p> +<p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +<br> +<br> +</p> +<H2>ANTI-SLAVERY EXAMINER. No. 6. +<a name="AE_6"></a> +<br> +<br> +NARRATIVE OF JAMES WILLIAMS, AN AMERICAN SLAVE.</H2> +<p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +ONE DOLLAR PER 100] [143 NASSAU ST. N.Y. +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + + +<h3>PREFACE.</h3> + +<p>"American Slavery," said the celebrated +John Wesley, "is the <i>vilest</i> 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 "<i>chattel +personal</i>;" 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,</p> +<blockquote> +<p>"That he should take who had the power,<br> +And he should keep who can."</p> +</blockquote> +<p>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 +<i>death</i>!</p> + +<p>What marvel then that American slavery even on the +<i>statute book</i> assumes the right to transform +moral beings into brutes:[<a name="AE2_FR4"></a><a href="#AE2_FN4">A</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.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN4"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR4">A</a>: The <i>cardinal principle</i> 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.)]</p> + +<p>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 "<i>no +people ever were found to be better than their laws, +though many have been known to be worse.</i>" +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?</p> + +<p>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 +<i>obedience</i> to their orders as fundamental +principles in the government of their slaves:" +that this is "a <i>necessary</i> result +of the relation," and "<i>unavoidable</i>." +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 <i>fear</i>, 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 <i>no appeal from +his master</i>. 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 <i>generally</i> +practised with impunity by reason of its <i>privacy</i>."</p> + +<p>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 <i>to +get all you can</i> from the slave, and give him +in return <i>as little as will barely support him +in a working condition</i>!" Here, in a few +words, the whole enormity of slavery is exposed to +view: "to <i>get all you can</i> 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 "<i>working condition</i>;" this +is slavery, as explained by the slaveholder himself. +Mr. Clay further says: "<i>Offences against +the master</i> 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 <i>running away</i> +is more severely punished than adultery." "He +(the slave) only knows his master as lawgiver and +executioner, and the <i>sole object of punishment</i> +held up to his view, is to make him <i>a more obedient +and profitable slave</i>."</p> + +<p>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 +<i>abstract opinions of the rights of man</i> +should be allowed in any instance to modify the <i>police +system of a plantation</i>," proceeds as +follows. "<i>He</i> (the slave) <i>should +be practically treated as a slave</i>; and thoroughly +taught the true cardinal principle on which our peculiar +institutions are founded, <i>viz</i>.; 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 <i>subordination</i>. +In this, it may in truth be said, lies his <i>entire +duty</i>." 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 name="AE2_FR5"></a><a href="#AE2_FN5">A</a>] at night, +with or without hard labor by day, as a powerful auxiliary +in the cause of <i>good</i> government." +"<i>Experience</i> 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."</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN5"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR5">A</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 <i>professer</i> 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 +<i>excellent</i> 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."]</p> + +<p>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:</p> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<p>To the Editors of the Constitutionalist.</p> + +<p><i>Aiken, S.C., Dec.</i> 20, 1836.</p> + +<p>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 <i>Brown</i>. 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.</p> + +<p>WILLIAM H. PRITCHARD,</p> + +<p><i>Coroner, (ex officio,) Barnwell Dist., S.C</i>.</p> + +<p>The Mississippi and other papers will please copy +the above.--<i>Georgia<br> +Constitutionalist</i>.</p> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<p>$100 REWARD.--Ran away from the subscriber, +living on Herring Bay, Ann Arundel county, <i>Md</i>., +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 <i>a scar on his left cheek bone, +apparently occasioned by a shot</i>.</p> + +<p>J. SCRIVENER. Annapolis (<i>Md</i>.) Rep., Feb., 1837.</p> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<p>$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.</p> + +<p><i>Mobile, Sept</i>. 1. SARAH WALSH. Montgomery +(Ala.) Advertiser, Sept. 29, 1837.</p> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<p>$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.</p> + +<p>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 +<i>for the killing of them so that I can see them</i>. +Masters of vessels and all others are cautioned against +harboring, employing, or carrying them away, under +the penalty of the law.</p> + +<p>W.D. COBB. <i>Lenoir county, N.C., Nov</i>. 12, +1836.</p> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<p>"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 +<i>maimed by the dogs</i>[<a name="AE2_FR6"></a><a href="#AE2_FN6">A</a>] that had been set +on him,--desperately fighting them, one of +which he cut badly with a sword."</p> + +<p><i>New-York Commercial Advertiser, June</i>, +8, 1827.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN6"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR6">A</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."]</p> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<p>From the foregoing evidence on the part of slaveholders +themselves, we gather the following facts:</p> + +<p>1. That perfect obedience is required of the slave--that +he is made to feel that there is no appeal from his +master.</p> + +<p>2. That the authority of the master is only maintained +by fear--a "<i>reign of terror</i>."</p> + +<p>3. That "the economy of slavery is to <i>get +all you can</i> from the slave, and give him in +return as little as will barely support him in a working +condition."</p> + +<p>4. That runaway slaves may be shot down with impunity +by any white person.</p> + +<p>5. That masters offer rewards for "<i>killing</i>" +their slaves, "<i>so that they may see them</i>!"</p> + +<p>6. That slaves are branded with hot irons, and very +much scarred with the whip.</p> + +<p>7. That <i>iron collars</i>, with projecting +prongs, rendering it almost impossible for the wearer +to lie down, are fastened upon the <i>necks of women</i>.</p> + +<p>8. That the LASH is the MAIN SUPPORT of the slaveholder's +authority: but, that the <i>stocks</i> are "a +powerful auxiliary" to his government.</p> + +<p>9. That runaway slaves are chased with dogs--men +hunted like beasts of prey.</p> + +<p>Such is American Slavery in practice.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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),[<a name="AE2_FR7"></a><a href="#AE2_FN7">B</a>] +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.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN7"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR7">B</a>: 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.]</p> + +<p>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 name="AE2_FR8"></a><a href="#AE2_FN8">A</a>]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN8"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR8">A</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.]</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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, <i>"How long, Oh Lord! how long!"</i></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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!</p> + +<p>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 <i>wo</i>, +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.</p> + +<p><i>New-York, 24th 1st mo.</i>, 1838.</p> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<h3>NARRATIVE</h3> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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?</p> + +<p>"Africa, to be sure," said he, laughing.</p> + +<p>I told him that was not my country--that +I was born in Virginia.</p> + +<p>"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.</p> + +<p>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 name="AE2_FR9"></a><a href="#AE2_FN9">A</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.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN9"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR9">A</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.]</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>The field hands are seldom married by a clergyman. +They simply invite their friends together, and have +a wedding party.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<i>he</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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, <i>viz</i>., +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"On his way to Old Virginia," said he, +with a malicious laugh.</p> + +<p>"But," said I. "Master George told +me that he should come back and take me with him to +Virginia."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"Master George gave you no such orders," +I exclaimed, maddened by the overseer's look +and manner.</p> + +<p>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 '<i>hug +the widow there</i>,'" pointing to a +tree, to which I afterwards found the slaves were +tied when they were whipped.</p> + +<p>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!</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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!</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>The houses in the "<i>negro quarters</i>" +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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. <i>He was +dead in the stocks</i>! 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>men</i>;--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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"Yonder comes the devil!" said one of +the women whose row was near Harry's.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said another, "He's +trying to scare Harry with his gun."</p> + +<p>"Let him try as he pleases," said Harry, +in his low, deep, determined tones, "He may +shoot me, but he can't whip me."</p> + +<p>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!"</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>goules</i> +of the Southwest.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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, <i>viz</i>. 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 <i>supplications</i> 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:--"<i>How +long, oh, Lord, how long</i>?" "As long +as my whip!" cried the overseer, who had stolen +behind him, giving him a blow. It was the sport of +a demon.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<i>she was delivered of a dead infant, at the foot +of the tree</i>! 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.</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>"Thank God!" said little Simon, "The +devil will have him at last."</p> + +<p>"God-a-mighty be praised!" exclaimed half +a dozen others.</p> + +<p>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?"</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>"Peace, peace! it is a bad spirit," said +Uncle Solomon, "God himself willeth not the +death of a sinner."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>escape</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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?</p> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<p>This Narrative can he had at the Depository of the +American Anti-Slavery Society, No 143 Nassau Street, +New York, in a neat <i>volume</i>, 108 <i>pp</i>. 12mo., +embellished with an elegant and accurate steel engraved +likeness of James Williams, price 25 cts. single copy, +$17 per hundred.</p> +<p> +<a name="AE_7"></a> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> +<h2>NO. 7 +<br> +<br> + +THE ANTI-SLAVERY EXAMINER. +<br> +<br> + +EMANCIPATION IN THE WEST INDIES.</h2> +<p> +<br> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<p>A SIX MONTHS' TOUR IN ANTIGUA, BARBADOES, AND +JAMAICA IN THE YEAR 1837.</p> + +<p>BY JAS. A. THOME, AND J. HORACE KIMBALL.</p> + +<p>NEW YORK:</p> + +<p>PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY, No. +143 NASSAU-STREET. 1838.</p> + +<p>This periodical contains 4 sheets.--Postage +under 100 miles, 6 cents; over 100 miles, 10 cents.</p> + +<blockquote> +<p> +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. +</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>Price $12 50 per hundred copies, 18-3/4 cents single +copy, <i>in sheets</i>: $13 25 per hundred, and +20 cents single, <i>if stitched</i>.</p> + +<p>NOTE.--This work is published in this cheap +form, to give it a wide circulation. Please, <i>after +perusal</i>, to send it to some friend.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p> * * * * * +<br> +</p> +<h3>CONTENTS.</h3> +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +<br> +</p> + +<h4>ANTIGUA.--CHAPTER I.</h4> +<p> +<br> +</p> + +<blockquote><p><a href="#I_1">Geography and Statistics of the Island</a>,--<a href="#I_2">Reflections on arrival</a>,--<a href="#I_3">Interview with Clergymen</a>,--<a href="#I_4">with the Governor</a>,--<a href="#I_5">with a member of Assembly</a>, --<a href="#I_6">Sabbath</a>,--<a href="#I_7">Service at the Moravian Chapel</a>,--<a href="#I_8">Sabbath School</a>,--<a href="#I_9">Service at the Episcopal Church</a>,--<a href="#I_10">Service at the Wesleyan Chapel</a>,--<a href="#I_11">Millar's Estate</a>,--<a href="#I_12">Cane-holing</a>,--<a href="#I_13">Colored planter</a>,--<a href="#I_14">Fitch's Creek Estate</a>,--<a href="#I_15">Free Villages</a>,--<a href="#I_16">Dinner at the Governor's</a>,--<a href="#I_17">Donovan's Estate</a>,--<a href="#I_18">Breakfast at Mr. Watkins</a>,--<a href="#I_19">Dr. Ferguson</a>,--<a href="#I_20">Market</a>,--<a href="#I_21">Lockup house</a>,--<a href="#I_22">Christmas Holidays</a>,--<a href="#I_23">Colored Population</a>,--<a href="#I_24">Thibou Jarvis's Estate</a>,--<a href="#I_25">Testimony of the Manager</a>,--<a href="#I_26">Anniversary of the Friendly Society</a>,--<a href="#I_27">A negro patriarch</a>,--<a href="#I_28">Green Castle Estate</a>,--<a href="#I_29">Testimony of the Manager</a>,--<a href="#I_30">Anniversary of the Juvenile Association</a>,--<a href="#I_31">Wetherill Estate</a>,--<a href="#I_32">Testimony of the Manager</a>,--<a href="#I_33">Conversation with a boatman</a>,--<a href="#I_34">Moravian station at Newfield</a>,--<a href="#I_35">Testimony of the Missionaries</a>,--<a href="#I_36">School for Adults</a>,--<a href="#I_37">Interview with the Speaker of the Assembly</a>,--<a href="#I_38">Moravian "Speaking,"</a>--<a href="#I_39">Conversation with Emancipated Slaves</a>,--<a href="#I_40">The Rector of St. Philip's</a>,--<a href="#I_41">Frey's Estate</a>,--<a href="#I_42">Interview with the American Consul</a>,--<a href="#I_43">Sabbath at Millar's</a>,--<a href="#I_44">Breakfast at the Villa Estate</a>,--<a href="#I_45">A Fair</a>,--<a href="#I_46">Breakfast at Mr. Cranstoun's</a>,--<a href="#I_47">His Testimony</a>,--<a href="#I_48">Moravian Station at Cedar Hall</a>,--<a href="#I_49">Conversation with Emancipated Slaves</a>,--<a href="#I_50">Moravian Station at Grace Bay</a>,--<a href="#I_51">Testimony of the Missionaries</a>,--<a href="#I_52">Grandfather Jacob</a>,--<a href="#I_53">Mr. Scotland's Estate</a>.--<a href="#I_54">A day at Fitch's Creek</a>,--<a href="#I_55">Views of the Manager</a>,--<a href="#I_56">A call from the Archdeacon</a>,--<a href="#I_57">from Rev. Edward Fraser</a>,--<a href="#I_58">Wesleyan District Meeting</a>,--<a href="#I_59">Social interviews with the Missionaries</a>,--<a href="#I_60">Their Views and Testimony</a>,--<a href="#I_61">Religious Anniversaries</a>,--<a href="#I_62">Temperance Society</a>,--<a href="#I_63">Bible Society,--Wesleyan Missionary Society</a>.--<a href="#I_64">Resolution of the Meeting</a>,--<a href="#I_65">Laying the Corner Stone of a Wesleyan Chapel</a>,--<a href="#I_66">Resolutions of the Missionaries.</a></p></blockquote> + +<p> + +<br> +</p> +<h4>ANTIGUA.--CHAPTER II.</h4> +<p> + +<br> +</p> + +<p>GENERAL RESULTS.</p> +<p> + +<br> +</p> + +<blockquote><p><a href="#II_1">Religion,--Statistics of Denominations</a>,--<a href="#II_2">Morality</a>,--<a href="#II_3">Reverence for the Lord's Day</a>,--<a href="#II_4">Marriage</a>,--<a href="#II_5">Conjugal faithfulness</a>,--<a href="#II_6">Concubinage decreasing</a>,--<a href="#II_7">Temperance</a>,--<a href="#II_8">Profane Language rare</a>,--<a href="#II_9">Statistics of the Bible Society</a>,--<a href="#II_10">Missionary Associations</a>,--<a href="#II_11">Temperance +Societies</a>,--<a href="#II_12">Friendly Societies</a>,--<a href="#II_13">Daily +Meal Society</a>,--<a href="#II_14">Distressed Females' +Friend Society</a>,--<a href="#II_15">Education</a>,--<a href="#II_16">Annual +Examination of the Parochial School</a>,--<a href="#II_17">Infant +Schools in the Country</a>,--<a href="#II_18">Examination at +Parham</a>,--<a href="#II_19">at Willoughby Bay</a>,--<a href="#II_20">Mr. +Thwaite's Replies to Queries on Education</a>,--<a href="#II_21">Great +Ignorance before Emancipation</a>,--<a href="#II_22">Aptness of +the Negroes to learn</a>,--<a href="#II_23">Civil and Political +Condition of the Emancipated</a>.</p></blockquote> +<p> </p> + +<h4>ANTIGUA.--CHAPTER III.</h4> +<p> </p> + +<p><a href="#III_0">FACTS AND TESTIMONY</a>.</p> +<p> </p> + +<blockquote><p><a href="#III_1">IMMEDIATE ABOLITION</a>--<a href="#III_2">an immense +change to the condition of the Slave</a>,--<a href="#III_3">Adopted +from Political and Pecuniary Considerations</a>,--<a href="#III_4">Went +into operation peaceably</a>,--<a href="#III_5">gave additional +security to Persons and Property</a>,--<a href="#III_6">Is +regarded by all as a great blessing to the Island</a>,--<a href="#III_7">Free, +cheaper than Slave labor</a>,--<a href="#III_8">More work done, +and better done, since Emancipation</a>,--<a href="#III_9">Freemen +more easily managed than Slaves</a>,--<a href="#III_10">The +Emancipated more Trustworthy than when Slaves</a>,--<a href="#III_11">They +appreciate and reverence Law</a>,--<a href="#III_12">They stay +at home and mind their own business</a>,--<a href="#III_13">Are +less "insolent" than when Slaves</a>,--<a href="#III_14">Gratitude +a strong trait of their character</a>,--<a href="#III_15">Emancipation +has elevated them</a>,--<a href="#III_16">It has raised the +price of Real Estate, given new life to Trade, and +to all kinds of business</a>,--<a href="#III_17">Wrought a +total change in the views of the Planters</a>,--<a href="#III_18">Weakened +Prejudice against Color</a>,--<a href="#III_19">The Discussions +preceding Emancipation restrained Masters from +Cruelties</a>,--<a href="#III_20">Concluding Remarks</a>.</p></blockquote> +<p> </p> + +<h4>BARBADOES.</h4> +<p> </p> + +<blockquote><p><a href="#IV_1">Passage to Barbadoes</a>,--<a href="#IV_2">Bridgetown</a>,--<a href="#IV_3">Visit +to the Governor</a>,--<a href="#IV_4">To the Archdeacon</a>,--<a href="#IV_5">Lear's +Estate</a>,--<a href="#IV_6">Testimony of the Manager</a>,--<a href="#IV_7">Dinner +Party at Lear's</a>,--<a href="#IV_8">Ride to Scotland</a>,--<a href="#IV_9">The +Red Shanks</a>,--<a href="#IV_10">Sabbath at Lear's; Religious +Service</a>,--<a href="#IV_11">Tour to the Windward</a>,--<a href="#IV_12">Breakfast +Party at the Colliton Estate</a>,--<a href="#IV_13">Testimony +to the Working of the Apprenticeship</a>,--<a href="#IV_14">The +Working of it in Demerara</a>,--<a href="#IV_15">The Codrington +Estate</a>,--<a href="#IV_16">Codrington College</a>,--<a href="#IV_17">The +"Horse,"</a>--<a href="#IV_18">An Estate on Fire</a>,--<a href="#IV_19">The +Ridge Estate; Dinner with a Company of Planters</a>,--<a href="#IV_20">A +Day at Colonel Ashby's; his Testimony to +the Working of the Apprenticeship</a>,--<a href="#IV_21">Interviews +with Planters</a>; <a href="#IV_22">their Testimony</a>,--<a href="#IV_23">The Belle +Estate</a>,--<a href="#IV_24">Edgecombe Estate; Colonel Barrow</a>,--<a href="#IV_25">Horton +Estate</a>,--<a href="#IV_26">Drax Hall Estate</a>,--<a href="#IV_27">Dinner +Party at the Governor's</a>,--<a href="#IV_28">Testimony +concerning the Apprenticeship</a>,--<a href="#IV_29">Market People</a>,--<a href="#IV_30">Interview +with Special Justice Hamilton; his Testimony</a>,--<a href="#IV_31">Station +House, District A; Trials of Apprentices before Special +Magistrate Colthurst</a>,--<a href="#IV_32">Testimony of the Superintendent +of the Rural Police</a>,--<a href="#IV_33">Communication +from Special Justice Colthurst</a>,--<a href="#IV_34">Communication +from Special Justice Hamilton</a>,--<a href="#IV_35">Testimony +of Clergymen and Missionaries</a>,--<a href="#IV_36">Curate +of St. Paul's</a>,--<a href="#IV_37">A FREE Church</a>,--<a href="#IV_38">A +Sabbath School Annual Examination</a>,--<a href="#IV_39">Interview +with Episcopal Clergymen; their Testimony</a>,--<a href="#IV_40">Visit +to Schools</a>,--<a href="#IV_41">Interview with the Superintendent +of the Wesleyan Mission</a>,--<a href="#IV_42">Persecution of +the Methodists by Slaveholders</a>,--<a href="#IV_43">The +Moravian Mission</a>,--<a href="#IV_44">Colored Population</a>,--<a href="#IV_45">Dinner +Party at Mr. Harris's</a>,--<a href="#IV_46">Testimony concerning +the objects of our Mission</a>,--<a href="#IV_47">A New Englander</a>,--<a href="#IV_48">History +of an Emancipated Slave</a>,--<a href="#IV_49">Breakfast +Party at Mr. Thorne's</a>,--<a href="#IV_50">Facts and Testimony +concerning Slavery and the Apprenticeship</a>,--<a href="#IV_51">History +of an Emancipated Slave</a>,--<a href="#IV_52">Breakfast +Party at Mr. Prescod's</a>,--<a href="#IV_53">Character +and History of the late Editor of the New Times</a>,--<a href="#IV_54">Breakfast +Party at Mr. Bourne's</a>,--<a href="#IV_55">Prejudice</a>,--<a href="#IV_56">History +and Character of an Emancipated Slave</a>,--<a href="#IV_57">Prejudice, +vincible</a>,--<a href="#IV_58">Concubinage</a>,--<a href="#IV_59">Barbadoes +as it was; "Reign of Terror;"</a>--<a href="#IV_60">Testimony; +Cruelties</a>,--<a href="#IV_61">Insurrection of 1816</a>,--<a href="#IV_62">Licentiousness</a>,--<a href="#IV_63">Prejudice</a>--<a href="#IV_64">Indolence +and Inefficiency of the Whites</a>,--<a href="#IV_65">Hostility +to Emancipation</a>,--<a href="#IV_66">Barbadoes as it is</a>,--<a href="#IV_67">The +Apprenticeship System; Provisions respecting the +Special Magistrates</a>,--<a href="#IV_68">Provisions respecting +the Master</a>,--<a href="#IV_69">Provisions respecting the +Apprentice</a>,--<a href="#IV_70">The Design of the Apprenticeship</a>,--<a href="#IV_71">Practical +Operation of the Apprenticeship</a>,--<a href="#IV_72">Sympathy +of the Special Magistrates with the Masters</a>,--<a href="#IV_73">Apprenticeship, +modified Slavery</a>,--<a href="#IV_74">Vexatious to the Master</a>,--<a href="#IV_75">No +Preparation for Freedom</a>,--<a href="#IV_76">Begets hostility +between Master and Apprentice</a>,--<a href="#IV_77">Has +illustrated the Forbearance of the Negroes</a>,--<a href="#IV_78">Its +tendency to exasperate them</a>,--<a href="#IV_79">Testimony to +the Working of the Apprenticeship in the Windward +Islands generally</a>.</p></blockquote> +<p> </p> + +<h4>JAMAICA.</h4> +<p> </p> + +<blockquote><p><a href="#V_1">Sketch of its Scenery</a>,--<a href="#V_2">Interview +with the Attorney General</a>,--<a href="#V_3">The +Solicitor General; his Testimony</a>,--<a href="#V_4">The +American Consul; his +Testimony</a>,--<a href="#V_5">The +Superintendent of the Wesleyan Missions</a>,--<a href="#V_6">The +Baptist Missionaries; Sabbath; +Service in a Baptist +Chapel</a>,--<a href="#V_7">Moravians; +Episcopalians; Scotch Presbyterians</a>,--<a href="#V_8">Schools +in +Kingston</a>,--<a href="#V_9">Communication +from the Teacher of the Wolmer Free School; +Education; Statistics</a>,--<a href="#V_10">The +Union School</a>,--<a href="#V_11">"Prejudice +Vincible</a>,"--<a href="#V_12">Disabilities +and <i>Persecutions</i> of Colored People</a>,--<a href="#V_13">Edward +Jordan, Esq.</a>,--<a href="#V_14">Colored +Members of Assembly</a>,--<a href="#V_15">Richard Hill, +Esq.</a>,--<a href="#V_16">Colored Artisans +and Merchants in Kingston</a>,--<a href="#V_17">Police Court +of +Kingston</a>,--<a href="#V_18">American +Prejudice in the "limbos,"</a>--<a href="#V_19">"Amalgamation!"</a>--<a href="#V_20">St. +Andrew's House of Correction; +Tread-mill</a>,--<a href="#V_21">Tour through "St. Thomas +in the East,"</a>--<a href="#V_22">Morant +Bay; Local Magistrate; his lachrymal +forebodings</a>,--<a href="#V_23">Proprietor +of Green Wall Estate; his +Testimony</a>,--<a href="#V_24">Testimony +of a Wesleyan Missionary</a>,--<a href="#V_25">Belvidere Estate; +Testimony of the Manager</a>,--<a href="#V_26">Chapel +built by Apprentices</a>,--<a href="#V_27">House of +Correction</a>,--<a href="#V_28">Chain-Gang</a>,--<a href="#V_29">A +call from Special Justice Baines; his +Testimony</a>,--<a href="#V_30">Bath</a>,--<a href="#V_31">Special +Justice's Office; his +Testimony</a>,--<a href="#V_32">"Alarming +Rebellion,"</a>--<a href="#V_33">Testimony of a Wesleyan +Missionary</a>,--<a href="#V_34">Principal +of the Mico Charity School; his +Testimony</a>,--<a href="#V_35">Noble +instance of Filial Affection in a Negro +Girl</a>,--<a href="#V_36">Plantain +Garden River Valley; Alexander Barclay, +Esq.</a>,--<a href="#V_37">Golden Grove +Estate; Testimony of the Manager</a>,--<a href="#V_38">The Custos +of +the Parish; his Testimony</a>,--<a href="#V_39">Amity +Hall Estate; Testimony of the +Manager</a>,--<a href="#V_40">Lord Belmore's +Prophecy</a>,--<a href="#V_41">Manchioneal; Special Magistrate +Chamberlain; his Testimony</a>,--<a href="#V_42">his +Weekly Court</a>,--<a href="#V_43">Pro slavery +gnashings</a>,--<a href="#V_44">Visit +with the Special Magistrate to the Williamsfield +Estate; Testimony of the Manager</a>,--<a href="#V_45">Oppression +of +Book-keepers</a>,--<a href="#V_46">Sabbath; +Service at a Baptist Chapel</a>,--<a href="#V_47">Interview with +Apprentices; their Testimony</a>,--<a href="#V_48">Tour +through St. Andrew's and Port +Royal</a>,--<a href="#V_49">Visit to +Estates in company with Special Justice +Bourne</a>,--<a href="#V_50">White Emigrants +to Jamaica</a>,--<a href="#V_51">Dublin Castle Estate; Special +Justice Court</a>,--<a href="#V_52">A +Despot in convulsions; arbitrary power dies +hard</a>,--<a href="#V_53">Encounter +with Mules in a mountain pass</a>,--<a href="#V_54">Silver Hill +Estate; +cases tried; Appraisement +of an Apprentice</a>,--<a href="#V_55">Peter's Rock +Estate</a>,--<a href="#V_56">Hall's +Prospect Estate</a>,--<a href="#V_57">Female Traveling Merchant</a>,--<a href="#V_58">Negro +Provision Grounds</a>,--<a href="#V_59">Apprentices +eager to work for Money</a>,--<a href="#V_60">Jury of +Inquest</a>,--<a href="#V_61">Character +of Overseers</a>,--<a href="#V_62">Conversation with Special +Justice +Hamilton</a>,--<a href="#V_63">With +a Proprietor of Estates and Local Magistrate; +Testimony</a>,--<a href="#V_64">Spanishtown</a>,--<a href="#V_65">Richard +Hill, Esq., Secretary of the +Special Magistracy</a>,--<a href="#V_66">Testimony +of Lord Sligo concerning him</a>,--<a href="#V_67">Lord +Sligo's Administration; +its independence and +impartiality</a>,--<a href="#V_68">Statements +of Mr. Hill</a>,--<a href="#V_69">Statements of Special +Justice Ramsey</a>,--<a href="#V_70">Special +Justice's Court</a>,--<a href="#V_71">Baptist Missionary +at +Spanishtown; his Testimony</a>,--<a href="#V_72">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</a>,--<a href="#V_73">Apprenticeship vexatious to +both parties</a>,--<a href="#V_74">Atrocities +perpetrated by Masters and +Magistrates</a>,--<a href="#V_75">Causes +of the ill-working of the +Apprenticeship</a>--<a href="#V_76">Provisions +of the Emancipation Act defeated by +Planters and Magistrates</a>,--<a href="#V_77">The +present Governor a favorite with the +Planters</a>,--<a href="#V_78">Special +Justice Palmer suspended by him</a>,--<a href="#V_79">Persecution +of +Special Justice Bourne</a>,--<a href="#V_80">Character +of the Special +Magistrates</a>,--<a href="#V_81">Official +Cruelty; Correspondence between a Missionary +and Special Magistrate</a>,--<a href="#V_82">Sir +Lionel Smith's Message to the House of +Assembly</a>,--<a href="#V_83">Causes +of the Diminished Crops since +Emancipation</a>,--<a href="#V_84">Anticipated +Consequences of full Emancipation in +1840</a>,--<a href="#V_85">Examination +of the grounds of such anticipations</a>,--<a href="#V_86">Views +of +Missionaries and Colored People, +Magistrates and +Planters</a>;--<a href="#V_87">Concluding +Remarks</a>.</p></blockquote> + +<p> </p> +<h4>APPENDIX.</h4> +<p> </p> + +<blockquote><p><a href="#VI_1">Official Communication from Special +Justice Lyon</a>,--<a href="#VI_2">Communication from the +Solicitor General of Jamaica</a>,--<a href="#VI_3">Communication +from Special Justice Colthurst</a>,--<a href="#VI_4">Official +Returns of the Imports and Exports of Barbadoes</a>,--<a href="#VI_5">Valuations +of Apprentices in Jamaica</a>,--<a href="#VI_6">Tabular View +of the Crops in Jamaica for fifty-three years +preceding 1836; Comments of the Jamaica Watchman +on the foregoing Table</a>,--<a href="#VI_7">Comments of the +Spanishtown Telegraph</a>,--<a href="#VI_8">Brougham's +Speech in Parliament</a>.</p></blockquote> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h3>INTRODUCTION.</h3> +<p> </p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 name="AE2_FRA"></a><a href="#AE2_FNA">A</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.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FNA"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FRA">A</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!"]</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Among the points established in this work, beyond +the power of dispute or cavil, are the following:</p> + +<p>1. That the act of IMMEDIATE EMANCIPATION in Antigua, +was not attended with any disorder whatever.</p> + +<p>2. That the emancipated slaves have readily, faithfully, +and efficiently worked for wages from the first.</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>4. That the prejudice of caste is fast disappearing +in the emancipated islands.</p> + +<p>5. That the apprenticeship was not sought for by the +planters as a <i>preparation for freedom</i>.</p> + +<p>6. That no such preparation was needed.</p> + +<p>7. That the planters who have fairly made the "experiment," +now greatly prefer the new system to the old.</p> + +<p>8. That the emancipated people are perceptibly rising +in the scale of civilization, morals, and religion.</p> + +<p>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 <i>immediate emancipation</i>, however +it may fail to persuade their hearts--which +God grant it may not!</p> + +<p>By order of the Executive Committee of the American +Anti-Slavery Society.</p> + +<p>New York, April 28th, 1838.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> * * * * *</p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<p>EXPLANATION OF TERMS USED IN THE NARRATIVE.</p> +<p> </p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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!'</p> + +<p>3. 'Manager' and 'overseer' +are terms designating in different islands the same +station. In Antigua and Barbadoes, <i>manager</i> +is the word in general use, in Jamaica it is <i>overseer</i>--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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>praedials</i>, +the latter <i>non-praedials</i>.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> * * * * *</p> +<p> </p> + +<p>POPULATION OF THE BRITISH (FORMERLY SLAVE) COLONIES.</p> + +<p>(<i>Compiled from recent authentic documents.</i>)</p> +<p> </p> +<TABLE summary="population of British colonies" WIDTH="80%" BORDER="0" CELLSPACING="2" CELLPADDING="2"> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +British Colonies. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +White. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +Slave. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +F. Col'd. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +Total. + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Anguilla + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +365 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +2,388 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +357 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +3,110 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Antigua[<a href="#AE2_FNB">A</a>] + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +1,980 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +29,839 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +3,895 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +35,714 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Bahamas + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +4,240 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +9,268 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +2,991 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +16,499 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Barbadoes + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +15,000 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +82,000 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +5,100 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +102,100 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Berbicel + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +550 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +21,300 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +1,150 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +23,000 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Bermuda[<a href="#AE2_FNB">A</a>] + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +3,900 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +4,600 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +740 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +9,240 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Cape of Good Hope[<a href="#AE2_FNC">B</a>] + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +43,000 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +35,500 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +29,000 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +107,500 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Demerara[<a href="#AE2_FNC">B</a>] + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +3,000 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +70,000 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +6,400 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +79,400 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Dominica + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +850 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +15,400 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +3,600 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +19,850 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Grenada + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +800 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +24,000 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +2,800 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +27,600 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Honduras[<a href="#AE2_FNC">B</a>] + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +250 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +2,100 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +2,300 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +4,650 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Jamaica + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +37,000 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +323,000 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +55,000 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +415,000 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Mauritius[<a href="#AE2_FNC">B</a>] + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +8,000 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +76,000 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +15,000 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +99,000 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Montserrat + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +330 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +6,200 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +800 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +7,330 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Nevis + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +700 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +6,600 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +2,000 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +9,300 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +St. Christophers,St. Kitts + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +1,612 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +19,310 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +3,000 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +23,922 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +St. Lucia[<a href="#AE2_FNC">B</a>] + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +980 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +13,600 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +3,700 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +18,280 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +St. Vincent + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +1,300 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +23,500 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +2,800 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +27,600 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Tobago + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +320 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +12,500 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +1,200 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +14,020 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Tortola + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +480 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +5,400 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +1,300 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +7,180 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Trinidad[<a href="#AE2_FNC">B</a>] + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +4,200 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +24,000 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +16,000 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +44,200 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Virgin Isles + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +800 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +5,400 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +600 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +6,800 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD> + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Total + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +131,257 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +831,105 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +162,733 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="TOP"> +1,125,095 + </TD> + </TR> +</Table> +<p><a name="AE2_FNB"></a> +[Footnote A: These islands adopted immediate emancipation, +Aug 1, 1834.]</p> + +<p><a name="AE2_FNC"></a> +[Footnote B: These are crown colonies, and have no +local legislature.]</p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h3>ANTIGUA.</h3> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h4>CHAPTER I.</h4> +<p> </p> +<p> +<a name="I_1"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p> +<a name="I_2"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p> +<a name="I_3"></a> +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 <i>advocates +of slavery</i> you might have met with a very different +reception."</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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. +<i>Freedom in Antigua</i> 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.</p> + +<p> +<a name="I_4"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>His excellency proffered us every assistance in his +power, and requested his secretary--<i>a +colored gentleman</i>--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.</p> + +<p> +<a name="I_5"></a> +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.</p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<p> +<a name="I_6"></a> +SABBATH.</p> +<p> </p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p> +<a name="I_7"></a> +On approaching the Moravian chapel we observed the +negroes, wending their way churchward, from the surrounding +estates, along the roads leading into town.</p> + +<p>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 <i>spencers</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p> +<a name="I_8"></a> +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.</p> + +<p> +<a name="I_9"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p> +<a name="I_10"></a> +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 <i>prejudice +against color</i>, would have been a combination +absolutely shocking, was to us a scene as gratifying +as it was new.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>On the other hand, the fixed attention of the people +showed that the truths delivered were understood and +appreciated.</p> + +<p>We observed, that in the last two services the subject +of the present drought was particularly noticed in +prayer.</p> + +<p>The account here given is but a fair specimen of the +solemnity and decorum of an Antigua sabbath.</p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<p> +<a name="I_11"></a> +<b>VISIT TO MILLAR'S ESTATE.</b></p> +<p> </p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>We passed great numbers of negroes on the road, loaded +with every kind of commodity for the town market. +<i>The head is the beast of burthen</i> 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.</p> + +<p> +<a name="I_12"></a> +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 name="AE2_FRD"></a><a href="#AE2_FND">A</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 <i>plant</i> 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 <i>job</i>. 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 <i>jobs</i>. 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 +"<i>for the sake of the wages</i>." +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 <i>superintendent.</i> Such now +is the name of the overseer. The very <i>terms</i>, +<i>driver</i> and <i>overseer</i>, are banished +from Antigua; and the <i>whip</i> is buried beneath +the soil of freedom.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FND"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FRD">A</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]</p> + +<p> +<a name="I_13"></a> +When we reached the house we were introduced to Mr. +Watkins, a <i>colored</i> 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.</p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> +<a name="I_14"></a> +<b>FITCH'S CREEK ESTATE.</b></p> +<p> </p> + +<p>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 <i>resurrection</i>, +from the grave. In addition to his improved sugar +and boiling establishment, he has projected a plan +<a name="I_15"></a> +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 <i>interest of the people</i> +to remain on his estate. This <i>mutual interest</i> +is the only sure basis of prosperity on the one hand +and of industry on the other.</p> + +<p>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, <i>and that the more thorough our knowledge +of the facts in the case, the more perfect would be +our confidence in the safety of</i> IMMEDIATE <i>emancipation</i>.</p> + +<p>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 <i>free villages</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>As we were about to take leave, the <i>proprietor</i> +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.</p> +<p> +<br> +<br> + +<a name="I_16"></a> +</p> +<p><b>DINNER AT THE GOVERNOR'S.</b></p> +<p> </p> + +<p>On the following day having received a very courteous +invitation[<a name="AE2_FRE"></a><a href="#AE2_FNE">A</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.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FNE"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FRE">A</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.</p> + +<blockquote><p>"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."</p></blockquote> + +<p>"<i>Government House, St. John's, +Dec. 18th</i>, 1836." ]</p> + +<p>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 <i>now</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>females</i>, +to associating in parties with colored people; but +it was not on account of their <i>color</i>, but +chiefly because of their <i>illegitimacy</i>. +This was to us a new <i>source</i> of prejudice: +but subsequent information fully explained its bearings. +The whites of the West Indies are themselves the authors +of that <i>illegitimacy</i>, 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 <i>illegitimate</i> +daughter. This also explains the special prejudice +which the <i>ladies</i> 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!</p> + +<p> +<a name="I_17"></a> +A few days after our dinner with the governor and +his friends, we took breakfast, by invitation, with +Mr. Watkins, the <i>colored</i> 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 <i>trash</i> +or <i>megass</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p> +<a name="I_18"></a> +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.</p> + +<p> +<a name="I_19"></a> +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 <i>respectable</i>; +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 <i>ratio of ten to one</i>. 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.</p> +<p> +<br> +<br> +<a name="I_20"></a></p> +<p><b>MARKET.</b></p> +<p> </p> + +<p>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!</p> + +<p> +<a name="I_21"></a> +At the other end of the market-place stood the <i>Lock-up +House</i>, the <i>Cage</i>, and the <i>Whipping +Post</i>, 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 <i>cage!</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<br> +<br> + +<a name="I_22"></a> +</p> +<p><b>CHRISTMAS.</b></p> +<p> </p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p> +<a name="I_23"></a> +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--<i>to buy small tracts of +land for their own cultivation</i>.</p> + +<p>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 <i>peaceable, +orderly, and law-abiding people as those of Antigua</i>.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<br> +<br> + +<a name="I_24"></a></p> +<p><b>VISIT TO THIBOU JARVIS'S ESTATE.</b></p> +<p> +<br> + +<a name="I_25"></a> +</p> +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<i>three</i>. 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 <i>until</i> the drought commenced, +the fields promised a large return.</p> + +<p>2. <i>The religious condition</i> of the negroes, +during slavery, was extremely low. It seemed almost +impossible to teach them any higher <i>religion</i> +than <i>obedience to their masters</i>. Their +highest notion of God was that he was a <i>little +above</i> 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, <i>their +master was lower than God only by the length of his +little finger</i>. But now the religious and moral +condition of the people was fast improving.</p> + +<p>3. A great change in the use of <i>rum</i> 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 <i>set them the example</i> +of total abstinence, by abandoning wine and malt liquor +also, which he accordingly did.</p> + +<p>4. There had been much less <i>pretended sickness</i> +among the negroes since freedom. They had now a strong +aversion to going to the sick house[<a name="AE2_FRF"></a><a href="#AE2_FNF">A</a>], so much so +that on many estates it had been put to some other +use.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FNF"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FRF">A</a>: The <i>estate hospital</i>, in which, +during slavery, all sick persons were placed for medical +attendance and nursing. There was one on every estate.]</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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 <i>great gang</i>[<a name="AE2_FR10"></a><a href="#AE2_FN10">B</a>] +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 <i>quondam drivers</i>, 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.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN10"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR10">B</a>: 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.]</p> + +<p>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 <i>dem</i> will gib <i>um</i> +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.</p> + +<p>We took leave of Mr. Howell, grateful for his kind +offices in furtherance of the objects of our mission.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p> +<a name="I_26"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>many</i> of +them, and a blessed immortality in the end." +For this kind wish they returned a loud and general +"thankee, massa."</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> </p> + +<blockquote><p>"Lord at our table now appear<br> + And bless us here, as every where;<br> + Let manna to our souls be given,<br> + The bread of life sent down from heaven."</p></blockquote> +<p> </p> + +<p>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 +<i>good</i> 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.</p> + +<p>After the repast was concluded, thanks were returned +in the following verse, also sung to Old Hundred.</p> + +<p> </p> +<blockquote><p>"We thank thee, Lord, for +this our food,<br> + But bless thee more for Jesus' blood;<br> +Let manna to our souls be given,<br> + The bread of life sent down from heaven."</p></blockquote> +<p> </p> + +<p>The benediction was pronounced, and the assembly retired.</p> + +<p> +<a name="I_27"></a> +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. <i>Now I just begin +to live</i>."</p> + +<p>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 <i>color</i> 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 <i>colored</i> +men, but as MEN <i>as fellow citizens and fellow +subjects</i>." 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.</p> +<p> +<br> +<br> +<a name="I_28"></a> +</p> +<p><b>VISIT TO GREEN CASTLE.</b></p> +<p> </p> + +<p>According to a previous engagement, a member of the +assembly called and took us in his carriage to Green +Castle estate.</p> + +<p> +<a name="I_29"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>1. Mr. B. said, that the negroes throughout the island +were very peaceable when they received their freedom.</p> + +<p>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 <i>folly</i> +of the planters, who <i>overbid</i> each other +in order to secure the best hands and enough of them. +The negroes had a <i>strong attachment to their +homes</i>, and they would rarely abandon them unless +harshly treated.</p> + +<p>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, <i>and enslaved +them both</i>. It withdrew from the latter the +power of compelling labor, and it supplied to the +former no incentive to industry.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="I_30"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>From the annual report it appeared that this was the +<i>twenty-first anniversary</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>This society was organized in 1815. The <i>first +proposal</i> came from a few <i>little colored +girls</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>This Juvenile Association has, since its organization, +raised the sum of <i>fourteen hundred dollars</i>! +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.</p> +<p> +<a name="I_31"></a> +<b>DR. DANIELL--WEATHERILL ESTATE.</b></p> +<p> +<a name="I_32"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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--<i>fed +them on a starved hope</i>; 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 <i>sour +their minds</i>. The planters in Antigua, by giving +immediate freedom, had secured the attachment of their +people.</p> + +<p>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 <i>in</i>, +in season, throughout the island, and the estates +were never under better cultivation than at the present +time. Nothing was wanting but RAIN--RAIN.</p> + +<p>He said that the West India planters were very anxious +to <i>retain</i> the services of the negro population.</p> + +<p>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 "<i>ameliorations</i>." And besides, +continued he, "the arbitrary control of a master +can never be a preparation for freedom;--<i>sound +and wholesome legal restraints are the only preparative</i>."</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="I_33"></a> +<b>CONVERSATION WITH A NEGRO.</b></p> + +<p>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 <i>believement</i> +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 <i>religious</i> +on dat day <i>dan</i> you could tire of." Speaking +of the <i>law</i>, he said it was his <i>friend</i>. +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 +<i>law</i>,--the law would never hurt +any body who behaved well; but a master would <i>slash +a fellow, let him do his best</i>.</p> +<p> +<a name="I_34"></a> +<b>VISIT TO NEWFIELD.</b></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="I_35"></a> +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 <i>expensive</i>. 2d. It costs a planter +far less <i>trouble</i> to manage free laborers, +than it did to manage slaves. 3d. It had <i>removed +all danger of insurrection, conflagration, and conspiracies</i>.</p> + +<p> +<a name="I_36"></a> +<b>ADULT SCHOOL.</b></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="I_37"></a> +<b>DR. NUGENT.</b></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>fifteen</i>! 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 +<i>one load to ten acres</i>! Yams were reduced +from the dimensions of a man's head, to the +size of a radish. The <i>cattle were dying</i> +from want of water and grass. He had himself lost +<i>five oxen</i> within the past week.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<i>inevitable</i>, we began, to inquire what would +be the safest course for getting rid of slavery. <i>We +wished to let ourselves down in the easiest manner +possible</i>--THEREFORE WE CHOSE IMMEDIATE +EMANCIPATION!" These were his words.</p> +<p> +<a name="I_38"></a> +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.</p> +<p> +<a name="I_39"></a> +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 name="AE2_FR11"></a><a href="#AE2_FN11">A</a>] His reply was, "Massa, +we went to church, and tank de Lord for make a we +all free."</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN11"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR11">A</a>: By this phrase the freed people always +understand the 1st of August, 1834, when slavery was +abolished.]</p> + +<p>An aged infirm woman said to us, among other things, +"Since de <i>free</i> 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 <i>serve</i> +such a man, but they would not <i>sell themselves</i> +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 <i>serving</i> a man and <i>being his +property</i>.</p> + +<p>Being asked how they conducted themselves on the 1st +of August they said they had no frolicking, but they +all went to church to "<i>tank God for make +a we free</i>." 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 <i>come to</i> by'm +by--<i>belly 'blige 'em</i> +to work."</p> +<p> +<a name="I_40"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>When we asked them how they liked freedom, and whether +it was better than slavery, they answered with a significant +<i>umph</i> and a shrug of the shoulders, as +though they would say, "Why you ask dat question, +massa?"</p> + +<p>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 <i>hab</i> it. But it please de Lord to gib we free, +and we tank him good Lord for it."</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>abolition +of slavery</i> was to be the certain destruction +of the islands--and now the education of +children is deprecated as fraught with disastrous consequences.</p> + +<p> +<a name="I_41"></a> +<b>FREY'S ESTATE--MR. HATLEY.</b></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<i>the abolition of flogging</i>. Formerly, he said, +it was "<i>whip--whip--whip--incessantly</i>, +but now we are relieved from this disagreeable task."</p> + +<p> +<a name="I_42"></a> +<b>THE AMERICAN CONSUL.</b></p> + +<p>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 <i>colored gentleman</i>. 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.</p> + +<p> +<a name="I_43"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>dungeon</i> 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.</p> + +<p> +<a name="I_44"></a> +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.</p> +<p> +<a name="I_45"></a> +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 <i>colored</i> 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.</p> +<p> +<a name="I_46"></a> +<b>VISIT TO MR. CRANSTOUN'S.</b></p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="I_47"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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. <i>The absence of coercion</i>. +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. <i>The +freedom from danger</i>. They had now put away all fears +of insurrections, robbery, and incendiarism.</p> + +<p>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 <i>master</i>, +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.</p> + +<p>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>i.e</i>. 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--"<i>let +down the valve, let it down</i>!" 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 <i>cat</i>,'[<a name="AE2_FR12"></a><a href="#AE2_FN12">A</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." '<i>That</i>'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."</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN12"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR12">A</a>: A species of whip, well know in the West +Indies.]</p> + +<p><b>VISIT TO GRACE BAY.</b></p> +<p> +<a name="I_48"></a> +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 <i>old way +of thinking</i> 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 <i>in +a secret way</i>. Now there is a day school of +one hundred and twenty children connected with the +station. It has been formed since emancipation.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="I_49"></a> +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 <i>proud</i> to be free." The negroes +use the word <i>proud</i> 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, <i>in one month de free come</i>."</p> + +<p>They declared that they worked a great deal better +since emancipation, because they were <i>paid for +it</i>. 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 <i>flogging</i> them, "<i>it +was no use to try it</i>."</p> + +<p>We asked one of the men, whether he would not be willing +to be a slave again provided he was <i>sure</i> +of having a kind master. "Heigh! me massa," +said he, "me neber slave no more. A good massa +a very good ting, <i>but freedom till better</i>." +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.</p> +<p> +<a name="I_50"></a> +We were welcomed at Grace Bay by the missionary, and +his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Möhne.[<a name="AE2_FR13"></a><a href="#AE2_FN13">B</a>] 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.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN13"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR13">B</a>: Pronounced Maynuh.]</p> +<p> +<a name="I_51"></a> +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 +<i>harmless</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>dis</i> blessed sun."</p> + +<p>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 '<i>howdy</i>' +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 <i>howdy</i>, +and <i>shaking hands</i>.</p> + +<p>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 +<i>sin</i>. That, they said, was better. <i>Heaven +was the first best, and freedom was the next best</i>.</p> +<p> +<a name="I_52"></a> +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 <i>helper</i>[<a name="AE2_FR14"></a><a href="#AE2_FN14">A</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.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN14"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR14">A</a>: An office somewhat similar to that of +deacon]</p> + +<p>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 <i>sinner</i> use to go on <i>drinkin', +swearin', dancin', fightin'!</i> +No God-- no Savior--no soul! <i>When +old England and de Merica fall out de first time</i>, +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;--<i>den de Savior come to me!</i> +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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>free</i>. 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 <i>children</i> +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 `<i>rader</i> be free <i>still</i>.' +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 <i>helper</i>, to perform funeral +rites, and he left his watch to do it. He said, his +heavenly Master called him, and he <i>would</i> +go though he expected a flogging. He must serve his +Savior whatever come. "Can't put we in +dungeon <i>now</i>," said Grandfather Jacob +with a triumphant look.</p> + +<p>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 <i>dem</i> +free too. He come to Antigo first--he'll +be in Merica soon."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="I_53"></a> +<b>MR. SCOTLAND'S ESTATE.</b></p> + +<p>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 <i>hab</i> <i>de</i> +<i>shilling</i> wages." That was <i>certain</i>; +the job might yield them more, and it might fall short--quite +a common sense transaction!</p> +<p> +<a name="I_54"></a> +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.</p> +<p> +<a name="I_55"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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!</p> +<p> +<a name="I_56"></a> +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.</p> +<p> +<a name="I_57"></a> +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 <i>slave</i>. +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 <i>grievous +wrong, most unjust and sinful</i>. 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, <i>education was a disagreeable +companion for a slave</i>. 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.</p> +<p> +<a name="I_58"></a> +<b>MEETING OF WESLEYAN MISSIONARIES.</b></p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="I_59"></a> +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.</p> +<p> +<a name="I_60"></a> +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 <i>preparing men for +freedom</i>. Some, said he, pretend that immediate +emancipation is unsafe, but it was evident to him +that if men <i>are peaceable while they are slaves</i>, +they might be trusted in any other condition, for they +could not possibly be placed in one more aggravating. +If <i>slavery</i> is a safe system, <i>freedom</i> +surely will be. There can be no better evidence that +a people are prepared for liberty, <i>than their +patient endurance of slavery</i>. 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 <i>abominable prejudice</i> is encouraged +in the churches. <i>We could not administer the +sacrament to a church in which the distinction of +colors was maintained.</i>" "Tell our brethren +of the Wesleyan connection," said Mr. B. again, +"that slavery must be abolished by <i>Christians</i>, +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, <i>agitate</i>, +AGITATE! <i>You must succeed</i>: 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."</p> + +<p>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 +<i>emancipating all their apprentices</i>. 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>for the cause of Christ</i> than has Mr. +H.[<a name="AE2_FR15"></a><a href="#AE2_FN15">A</a>]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN15"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR15">A</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.]</p> + +<p>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 <i>day +that freedom came!</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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, <i>freedom</i> was among the number.</p> +<p> +<a name="I_61"></a> +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.</p> + +<p> +<a name="I_62"></a> +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 <i>complexions</i>. +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 +<i>total abstinence</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>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? <i>The cold water +drinkers--the teetotallers</i>! 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, <i>we work better, we eat better, +we sleep better, and we do every thing better than +before.</i>" 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 <i>one thousand +gallons of rum annually</i>. 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.</p> +<p> +<a name="I_63"></a> +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 name="AE2_FR16"></a><a href="#AE2_FN16">A</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.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN16"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR16">A</a>: St. Martin's]</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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 <i>their</i> +peculiar obligations to extend the gospel to other +lands. It was the <i>Bible</i> that made them +free, and he begged them to bear in mind that there +were millions of their countrymen <i>still in the +chains of slavery</i>. This appeal was received +with great enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>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 +<i>many</i> 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 +<i>heathen at home</i> 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 <i>country's +heathen</i> 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 <i>forthwith</i> +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 <i>two millions and a half of +heathen</i>, 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, <i>yet filled</i> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>The Rev. Mr. Horne spoke very pointedly on the subject +of slavery. He began by saying that he had been <i>so +long accustomed</i> 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 <i>free island</i>, +and that he spoke to <i>freemen</i>, and therefore +he had nothing to fear.</p> + +<p>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 +<i>toll the knell</i> of slavery, and this event +will be hastened by the happy operation of freedom +here.</p> + +<p>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 <i>no enviable society</i>. +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.</p> +<p> +<a name="I_64"></a> +<b>RESOLUTION OF THE MEETING.</b></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>free</i> sympathies. We returned our acknowledgments +in the best manner that our excited emotions permitted.</p> +<p> +<a name="I_65"></a> +<b>LAYING THE CORNER STONE OF A WESLEYAN CHAPEL.</b></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>order</i> +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 name="AE2_FR17"></a><a href="#AE2_FN17">A</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.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN17"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR17">A</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.]</p> +<p> +<a name="I_66"></a> +<b>RESOLUTIONS OF THE MISSIONARIES.</b></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><i>"Resolutions passed at the meeting of the Wesleyan +Missionaries of the Antigua District, assembled at +St. John's, Antigua, February 7th, 1837.</i></p> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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 <i>all</i> men," +and to love our neighbor as ourselves.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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 <i>caste</i>, +so distinctly prohibited in the word of God, and +so utterly irreconcileable with Christian charity.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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 <i>principle</i> +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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>(Signed) JAMES COX, chairman +of the district, and resident in +Antigua.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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."</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +<br> +<br> +</p> +<h4>CHAPTER II.</h4> + +<p><b>GENERAL RESULTS.</b></p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="II_1"></a> +<b>RELIGION.</b></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>one third</i> of their members.</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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, +<i>remaining such,</i> 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, "<i>We expect great things +of freemen</i>." 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 name="AE2_FR18"></a><a href="#AE2_FN18">A</a>]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN18"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR18">A</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!]</p> + +<p>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 <i>could very seldom appear amongst us during +slavery</i>." 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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>closer oversight</i> is maintained +by the ministers, and a <i>greater readiness to +submit themselves</i> (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."</p> +<p> +<a name="II_2"></a> +<b>MORALITY.</b></p> + +<p> +<a name="II_3"></a> +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.</p> +<p> +<a name="II_4"></a> +All persons of all professions testify to the fact +that <i>marriages</i> 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:</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p> +<a name="II_5"></a> +Thus it appears that the whole number of marriages +during <i>ten years</i> previous to emancipation +(by far the most favorable ten years that could have +been selected) was but <i>half</i> as great as the +number for a single year following emancipation!</p> + +<p> +<a name="II_6"></a> +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 +<i>one third</i> 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 <i>selling</i> them to licentious white and colored +men, for their own gain. Now they were using great +strictness to preserve the chastity of their daughters.</p> + +<p>A worthy planter, who has been in the island since +1800, stated, that it used to be a common practice +for mothers to <i>sell their daughters</i> to the +highest bidder!--generally a manager or overseer. +"But now;" said he, "the mothers +<i>hold their daughters up for marriage</i>, 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 name="AE2_FR19"></a><a href="#AE2_FN19">A</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.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN19"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR19">A</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.]</p> + +<p>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, <i>because of illegitimacy</i>; +but the next generation would be fit associates for +the whites, <i>because they would be chiefly born +in wedlock.</i></p> + +<p> +<a name="II_7"></a> +The uniform testimony respecting <i>intemperance</i> +was, that it <i>never had been one of the vices of +the negroes</i>. 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 +<i>colored</i> 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.</p> + +<p> +<a name="II_8"></a> +In conclusion, on the subject of morals in Antigua, +we are warranted in stating, 1st., That during the +continuance of slavery, immoralities were rife.</p> + +<p>2d. That the repeated efforts of the home Government +and the local Legislature, for several successive +years previous to 1834, to <i>ameliorate</i> +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 <i>streams</i> +while the <i>fountain</i> is poison.</p> + +<p>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, <i>self-respect, attachment to law, +and veneration for God</i>, which slavery annihilated, +<i>freedom has resuscitated</i>, 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.</p> + +<p><b>BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS.</b></p> + +<p>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 <i>materially revived</i> since emancipation, +and some of them have been formed since that event.</p> + +<p><b>THE BIBLE SOCIETY.</b></p> + +<p>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 <i>among the negroes themselves.</i> +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.</p> + +<p>The following table, drawn up at our request by the +Secretary of the Society, will show the extent of +foreign operations:</p> +<p> +<a name="II_9"></a> +</p> +<TABLE summary="foreign operation details" WIDTH="80%" BORDER="0" CELLSPACING="2" CELLPADDING="2"> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Years. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Colonies Supplied. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Bibles. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Test's. + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +1822 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Anguilla + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +94 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +156 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +1823 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Demerara + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +18 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +18 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +1824 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Dominica + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +89 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +204 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +1825 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Montserrat + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +57 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +149 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +1827 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Nevis + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +79 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +117 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +1832 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Saba + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +6 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +12 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +1833 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +St. Bart's + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +111 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +65 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +1834 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +St. Eustatius + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +97 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +148 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +1835 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +St. Kitts + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +227 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +487 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +1835 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +St. Martins + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +48 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +37 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +1836 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Tortola + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +69 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +136 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +To 1837 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Trinidad + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +25 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +67 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD> + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + Total + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +920 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +1596 + </TD> + </TR> +</Table> + +<p>From the last annual report we quote the following +cheering account, touching the events of 1834:</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>* * * "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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"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 +<i>slave</i>!'"</p> + +<p>"It may here be proper to observe, that the +precise import of the word, which in general throughout +the English Bible is translated <i>servant</i>, +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."</p> + +<p>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!</p> + +<p>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 <i>double</i> those from any other +two islands.</p> + +<p> +<a name="II_10"></a> +<b>MISSIONARY ASSOCIATIONS.</b></p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="II_11"></a> +<b>TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES.</b></p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"On several estates, the usual allowance of +spirits has been discontinued, and sugar or molasses +substituted."</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="II_12"></a> +<b>FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.</b></p> + +<p>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; <i>to encourage sobriety +and industry, and to check disorderly and immoral +conduct."</i></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>These societies have been more than doubled, both +in the number of members and in the annual receipts, +since emancipation.</p> + +<p>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," +<i>almost quadrupled in two years!</i></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>The Wesleyans have four Friendly societies. The largest +society, which contained six hundred and fifty members, +was organized in the <i>month of August</i>, +1834. The last year it had expended £700 currency, +and had then in its treasury £600 currency.</p> + +<p>Now, be it remembered that the Friendly societies +exist solely among the freed negroes, <i>and that +the moneys are raised exclusively among them.</i> +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 <i>negroes</i> 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.</p> +<p> +<a name="II_13"></a> +<b>DAILY MEAL SOCIETY.</b></p> + +<p>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 +<i>public poor-house</i> in Antigua,--a +proof of the industry and prosperity of the emancipated +people.</p> +<p> +<a name="II_14"></a> +<b>DISTRESSED FEMALES' FRIEND SOCIETY.</b></p> + +<p>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, <i>one gallon of rum</i>! 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="II_15"></a> +<b>EDUCATION.</b></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="II_16"></a> +<b>VISIT TO THE PAROCHIAL SCHOOL.</b></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>For our gratification, the Governor requested that +all the children emancipated on the <i>first of +August</i>, might be called up and placed on our +side of the room. Nearly one hundred children, of both +sexes, who two years ago were <i>slaves</i>, +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>His excellency remarked to us in a tone of pleasantry, +"You see, gentlemen, these children have <i>souls</i>."</p> + +<p>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 <i>men</i> +of themselves. We look upon them as our <i>future +citizens</i>." He had no doubt that the rising +generation would assume a position in society above +the contempt or opposition of the whites.</p> +<p> +<a name="II_17"></a> +<b>INFANT SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTRY.</b></p> +<p> +<a name="II_18"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>slave</i>. He gave us a cordial +welcome, and conducted us to the chapel, where we +found the children, to the number of <i>four hundred</i>, +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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>thought</i>. +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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>character</i>. +Their sense of right and wrong is enlightened, and +their power of resisting temptation, and adhering +to right, manifestly increased.</p> + +<p>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 <i>slaves</i>, 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 <i>law</i> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="II_19"></a> +<b>WILLOUGHBY BAY EXAMINATION.</b></p> + +<p>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 <i>standard bearer</i> +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.</p> + +<p>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, "<i>Masters, +give unto your servants that which is just and equal</i>." +Another, "<i>If I neglect the cause of my +servant, what shall I do when I appear before my Master</i>!" +A few years ago, <i>had children been permitted to +write at all</i>, 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 <i>copy +books</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>vari</i>-colored silk. Others showed +specimens of stitching; while the little ones held +up their rude attempts at hemming handkerchiefs, aprons, +and so on.</p> + +<p>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 <i>da</i> +<i>mouts</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="II_20"></a> +<i>Mr. Charles Thwaites' Replies to Queries +on Education in Antigua.</i></p> + +<p>1. What has been your business for some years past +in Antigua?</p> + +<p>A superintendent of schools, and catechist to the +negroes.</p> + +<p>2. How long have you been engaged in this business?</p> + +<p>Twenty-four years. The first four years engaged gratuitously, +ten years employed by the Church Missionary Society, +and since, by the Wesleyan Missionary Society.</p> + +<p>3. How many schools have you under your charge?</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>4. Are the scholars principally the children who were +emancipated in August, 1834?</p> + +<p>Yes, except the children in St. John's, most +of whom were free before.</p> + +<p>5. Are the teachers negroes, colored, or white?</p> + +<p>One white, four colored, and sixteen black.[<a name="AE2_FR1A"></a><a href="#AE2_FN1A">A</a>]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN1A"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR1A">A</a>: This number includes only salaried teachers, +and not the gratuitous.]</p> + +<p>6. How many of the teachers were slaves prior to the +first of August, 1834?</p> + +<p>Thirteen.</p> + +<p>7. What were their opportunities for learning?</p> + +<p>The Sunday and night schools; and they have much improved +themselves since they have been in their present employment.</p> + +<p>8. What are their qualifications for teaching, as +to education, religion, zeal, perseverance, &c.?</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>9. What are the wages of these teachers?</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>10. How and by whom are the expenses of superintendent, +teachers, and schools defrayed?</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>11. Is it your opinion that the negro children are +as ready to receive instruction as white children?</p> + +<p>Yes, perfectly so.</p> + +<p>12. Do parents manifest interest in the education +of their children?</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>13. Have there been many instances of <i>theft</i> +among the scholars?</p> + +<p>Not more than among any other class of children.</p> + +<p><b>RESULTS.</b></p> + +<p>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:</p> +<p> +<a name="II_21"></a> +First, That education was by no means extensive previous +to emancipation. The testimony of one planter was, +that not a <i>tenth part</i> 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 <i>fair specimen +of the intelligence of the negroes generally</i>. +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 <i>read well</i>. Many children in the +schools of six years old read better than their teachers.</p> + +<p>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 <i>tolerate</i> education to some extent; +though they cannot be said to have <i>encouraged</i> +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.</p> + +<p>Second, Education has become very extensive <i>since</i> +emancipation. There are probably not less than <i>six +thousand</i> children who now enjoy daily instruction. +These are of all ages under twelve. All classes feel +an interest in <i>knowledge</i>. 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 <i>out of the shade +into the sun</i>.</p> + +<p>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 <i>obedience to law</i> +are strongly enforced; and the prohibitions against +stealing, lying, cheating, idleness, &c., are reiterated +day and night.</p> + +<p>Great attention is paid to <i>singing</i> in +all the schools.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><b>BROTHERLY LOVE.</b></p> + +<blockquote><p>CHORUS.</p></blockquote> +<p> </p> +<blockquote><p>We're all brothers, sisters, brothers,<br> + We're sisters and brothers,<br> + And heaven is our home.<br> +We're all brothers, sisters, brothers,<br> + We're sisters and brothers,<br> + And heaven is our home.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>The God of heaven is pleased to see<br> +That little children all agree;<br> +And will not slight the praise they bring,<br> +When loving children join to sing:<br> + We're all brothers, sisters, brothers, &c.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>For love and kindness please him more<br> +Than if we gave him all our store;<br> +And children here, who dwell in love,<br> +Are like his happy ones above.<br> + We're all brothers, sisters, brothers, &c.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>The gentle child that tries to please,<br> +That hates to quarrel, fret, and teaze,<br> +And would not say an angry word--<br> +That child is pleasing to the Lord.<br> + We're all brothers, sisters, brothers, &c.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>O God! forgive, whenever we<br> +Forget thy will, and disagree;<br> +And grant that each of us, may find<br> +The sweet delight of being kind.<br> + We're all brothers, sisters, brothers, &c.</p></blockquote> +<p> +<a name="II_22"></a> +</p> +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Said one planter of age and long experience on the +island, "The negroes are as capable of culture +as any people on earth. <i>Color makes no difference +in minds</i>. It is slavery alone that has degraded +the negro."</p> + +<p>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 <i>apt to learn</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="II_23"></a> +In conclusion, we would observe, that one of the prominent +features of <i>regenerated</i> Antigua, is its +<i>education</i>. 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.</p> + +<p>Before entering upon a detail of the testimony which +bears more directly upon slavery in America, we deem +it proper to consider the inquiry.</p> + +<p>"What is the amount of freedom in Antigua, as +regulated by law?"</p> + +<p>1st. The people are entirely free from the whip, and +from all compulsory control of the master.</p> + +<p>2d. They can change employers whenever they become +dissatisfied with their situation, by previously giving +a month's notice.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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, <i>who were such at this time of emancipation</i>. +Those who have become so since 1834, fall upon the +hands of their relatives for maintenance.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>11th. <i>The main constabulary force is composed +of emancipated negroes, living on the estates</i>. +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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, <i>is +decidedly in favor of the latter</i>. 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 <i>working +mark</i>; 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 <i>voluntary and peaceable manumission</i>, +while the energies, the resources, the sympathies, +and the prayers of the North, stand pledged to her +assistance.</p> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h4>CHAPTER III.</h4> +<p> +<a name="III_0"></a> +<b>FACTS AND TESTIMONY.</b></p> + +<p>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?</p> +<p> +<a name="III_1"></a> +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 <i>opposing, disaffected party</i>. +So complete and thorough has been the change in public +opinion, that it would be now <i>disreputable</i> +to speak against emancipation.</p> +<p> +<a name="III_2"></a> +FIRST PROPOSITION.--The transition from +slavery to freedom is represented as a greet revolution, +by which a prodigious change was effected in <i>the +condition of the negroes</i>.</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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 <i>slaves</i>--when +it ceased they were all <i>freemen!</i> 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."</p> + +<p>These, and very many similar ones, were the spontaneous +expressions of men <i>who had long contended against +the change</i> of which they spoke.</p> + +<p>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 <i>will magnify this distinction</i> more +than any other class of men.</p> + +<p> +<a name="III_3"></a> +SECOND PROPOSITION.--Emancipation in Antigua +was the result of political and pecuniary considerations +merely.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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>I have ascertained beyond a doubt, that I can +cultivate my estate at least one third cheaper by free +labor than by slave labor</i>." 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, <i>it might induce them to withhold the +compensation</i>."</p> + +<p>Col. Edwards, member of the assembly, then arose and +said, that he had long been opposed to slavery, but +he had not <i>dared to avow his sentiments</i>.</p> + +<p>As might be supposed, the meeting adjourned without +effecting the object for which it was convened.</p> + +<p>When the question came before the colonial assembly, +similar discussions ensued, and finally the bill for +immediate emancipation passed both bodies <i>unanimously</i>. +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 name="AE2_FR1B"></a><a href="#AE2_FN1B">A</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.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN1B"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR1B">A</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 <i>perpetuity</i>. 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.]</p> + +<p>The verbal and written statements of numerous planters +also confirm the declaration that emancipation was +a measure solely of selfish policy.</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>Said Hon. N. Nugent--"We wished to +let ourselves down in the easiest manner possible; +<i>therefore</i> we chose immediate freedom in +preference to the apprenticeship."</p> + +<p>"Emancipation was preferred to apprenticeship, +because of the inevitable and endless perplexities +connected with the latter system."--<i>David +Cranstoun, Esq., colonial magistrate and planter</i>.</p> + +<p>"It is not pretended that emancipation was produced +by the influence of religious considerations. It was +a measure of mere convenience and interest."--<i>A +Moravian Missionary</i>.</p> + +<p>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 <i>the safest and most economic</i> measure."</p> + +<p>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:--</p> + +<p>"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 <i>transformation</i> +could be safely and quietly brought about, that the +<i>free</i> system might be cheaper and more +profitable than the other."</p> + +<p>The general testimony of planters, missionaries, clergymen, +merchants, and others, was in confirmation of the +same truth.</p> + +<p>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 <i>slavery was sinful</i>; that +the slaves had a right to freedom, or that it would +have been wrong to have continued them in bondage. +The <i>politics</i> of anti-slavery the Antiguans +are exceedingly well versed in, but of its <i>religion</i>, +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 <i>yet</i> to +repent of the sin of slaveholding.</p> + +<p>If the results of an emancipation so destitute of +<i>principle</i>, 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.</p> +<p> +<a name="III_4"></a> +THIRD PROPOSITION.--The <i>event</i> +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.</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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 name="AE2_FR1C"></a><a href="#AE2_FN1C">A</a>]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN1C"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR1C">A</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.]</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>acclamations</i> +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 +<i>burst</i>--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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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:</p> + +<blockquote><p>"Now let us praise the Lord,<br> +With body, soul and spirit,<br> +Who doth such wondrous things,<br> +Beyond our sense and merit."</p></blockquote> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>During the day, repeated meetings were held. At eleven +o'clock, the people assembled in vast numbers. +There were at least a <i>thousand</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>The testimony of the planters corresponds fully with +that of the missionaries.</p> + +<p>Said R.B. Eldridge, Esq., after speaking of the number +emancipated, "Yet this vast body, (30,000,) +<i>glided</i> out of slavery into freedom with +the utmost tranquillity."</p> + +<p>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 name="AE2_FR1D"></a><a href="#AE2_FN1D">A</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 <i>know what the bargain would be</i>." +As soon as that matter was settled, the whole body +of negroes turned out cheerfully, without a moment's +cavil.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN1D"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR1D">A</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.]</p> + +<p>Mr. Bourne, of Millar's, informed us that the +largest gang he had ever seen in the field on his +property, turned out the <i>week after emancipation</i>.</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>FOURTH PROPOSITION.--There has been <i>since</i> +emancipation, not only <i>no rebellion in fact</i>, +but NO FEAR OF IT in Antigua.</p> + +<p>Proof 1st. The militia were not called out during +Christmas holidays. <i>Before</i> emancipation, +martial law invariably prevailed on the holidays, +but the very first Christmas after emancipation, the +Governor made a proclamation stating that <i>in +consequence of the abolition of slavery</i> it +was no longer necessary to resort to such a precaution. +There has not been a parade of soldiery on any subsequent +Christmas.[<a name="AE2_FR1E"></a><a href="#AE2_FN1E">B</a>]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN1E"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR1E">B</a>: 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."</p> + +<p>The preamble reads thus:</p> + +<blockquote><p>"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."</p></blockquote> + +<p>The following military advertisement also shows the +increasing confidence which is felt in the freed men:</p> + +<blockquote><p>"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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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</p></blockquote> + +<p>H. DOWNIE, <i>Capt. 1st W.I. Regt</i>. <i>September +15th</i>, 1836." ]</p> + +<p>2d. The uniform declaration of planters and others:</p> + +<p>"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 <i>revengeful +spirit</i>."</p> + +<p><i>S. Bourne, Esq., of Millar's.--Watkins, +Esq., of Donovan's.</i></p> + +<p>"It has always appeared to me self-evident, +that if a man is peaceable while a <i>slave</i>, +he will be so when a <i>free man</i>."</p> + +<p><i>Dr. Ferguson.</i></p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p><i>H. Armstrong, Esq., of Fitch's Creek.</i></p> + +<p>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.'"</p> + +<p>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!</p> + +<p>"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, <i>after</i> they had obtained their +liberty. I have not heard of a single case of even +<i>meditated</i> revenge."</p> + +<p><i>Dr. Daniell, Proprietor, Member of Council, Attorney +of six estates, and Manager of Weatherill's.</i></p> + +<p>"One of the blessings of emancipation has been, +that it has banished the <i>fear</i> of insurrections, +incendiarism, &c."</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Favey, Manager of Lavicount's.</i></p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p><i>Rev. Mr. Morrish, Moravian Missionary.</i></p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p><i>Hon. N. Nugent.</i></p> + +<p>Again, in a written communication, the same gentleman +remarks:--"There is not the slightest +feeling of insecurity--quite the contrary. +Property is more secure, <i>for all idea of insurrection +is abolished forever</i>."</p> + +<p>"We have no cause now to fear insurrections; +emancipation has freed us from all danger on this +score."</p> + +<p><i>David Cranstoun, Esq.</i></p> + +<p>Extract of a letter from a merchant of St. John's +who has resided in Antigua more than thirty years:</p> + +<p>"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 <i>during +the first year of freedom</i>."</p> + +<p>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--<i>James +Scotland, Sen., Esq.</i></p> + +<p>"Disturbances, <i>insubordinations</i>, 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."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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 <i>never heard any instance of revenge</i> +for former injuries. The negroes have <i>quitted</i> +managers who were <i>harsh or cruel</i> to them +in their bondage, but they removed in a peaceable +and orderly manner."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p><i>Ralph Higinbothom, U. S. Consul.</i></p> + +<p>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 "<i>Insurrection</i>! +my dear sirs, we do not think of such a thing;" +or, "Rebellion indeed! why, what should they +rebel for <i>now</i>, since they have got their +liberty!"</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 name="AE2_FR1F"></a><a href="#AE2_FN1F">A</a>].</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN1F"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR1F">A</a>: In addition to the evidence derived from +Antigua, we would mention the following fact:</p> + +<p>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 +<i>three white men</i>. 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.]</p> +<p> +<a name="III_5"></a> +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 <i>now</i> the <i>security of property +was so much greater in Antigua than it was in England</i>, +that he thought it doubtful whether he should ever +<i>venture</i> to take his family thither.</p> +<p> +<a name="III_6"></a> +SIXTH PROPOSITION.--Emancipation is regarded +by all classes as a great blessing to the island.</p> + +<p>There is not a class, or party, or sect, who do not +esteem the abolition of slavery as a <i>special +blessing to them</i>. 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 <i>slaves</i>--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!</p> + +<p>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:</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>The following remark was made in the course of a speech +by a member of the council, November 12, 1834:</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>The Governor informed us that "it was <i>universally +admitted</i>, that emancipation had been a great +blessing to the island."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"Emancipation is working most admirably, especially +for the planters. It is infinitely better policy than +slavery or the apprenticeship either." --<i>Dr. +Ferguson</i>.</p> + +<p>"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."--<i>Archdeacon +Parry</i>.</p> + +<p>"All the planters in my neighborhood (St. Philip's +parish) are highly pleased with the operation of the +new system."--<i>Rev. Mr. Jones, +Rector of St. Philip's</i>.</p> + +<p>"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." --<i>Dr. +Daniell</i>.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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!</p> +<p> +<a name="III_7"></a> +SEVENTH PROPOSITION.--<i>Free labor</i> +is decidedly LESS EXPENSIVE than <i>slave labor</i>. +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 +<i>precise amount</i> 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, <i>viz</i>. those who raised +all their provisions before emancipation, and ceased +to raise any <i>after</i> 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.</p> + +<p>S. Bourne, Esq. stated that the expenses on Millar's +estate, of which he is manager, had diminished about +<i>one third</i>.</p> + +<p>Mr. Barnard, of Green Castle, thought his expenses +were about the same that they were formerly.</p> + +<p>Mr. Favey, of Lavicount's estate, enumerated, +among the advantages of freedom over slavery, "the +diminished expense."</p> + +<p>Dr. Nugent also stated, that "the expenses of +cultivation were greatly diminished."</p> + +<p>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<i>l.</i> 2<i>s.</i> +4-1/2<i>d.</i>; the expenses for 1835 were 821<i>l.</i> +16<i>s.</i> 7-1/2<i>d.</i>: showing a reduction +of more than one third.</p> + +<p>D. Cranstoun, Esq., informed us that his weekly expenses +during slavery, on the estate which he managed, were, +on an average, 45<i>l.</i>; the average expenses +now do not exceed 20<i>l.</i></p> + +<p>Extract of a letter from Hon. N. Nugent:</p> + +<p>"The expenses of cultivating sugar estates have +in no instance, I believe, been found <i>greater</i> +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 <i>one +third</i>. I have not time to furnish you with any +detailed statements, but the elements of the calculation +are simple enough."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>all</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>must have +been inevitably ruined</i>; on account of the high +price of imported provisions, (home provisions having +fallen short) and the number of slaves to be fed.</p> +<p> +<a name="III_8"></a> +EIGHTH PROPOSITION.--The negroes work <i>more +cheerfully</i>, and <i>do their work better</i> +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.</p> + +<p>The Governor stated, that "he was assured by +planters, from every part of the island, that the +negroes were very industriously disposed."</p> + +<p>"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."--<i>Mr. +Watkins, of Donovan's</i>.</p> + +<p>"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."--<i>S. +Bourne, of Millar's</i>.</p> + +<p>"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."--<i>Dr. Daniell</i>.</p> + +<p>"They are as a body <i>more</i> industrious +than when slaves, for the obvious reason that they +are <i>working for themselves</i>."--<i>Ralph +Higinbothom, U.S. Consul</i>.</p> + +<p>"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."--<i>Mr. Favey, +of Lavicount's estate</i>.</p> + +<p>"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 '<i>squat</i>' +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 <i>weather</i>. If we have <i>sufficient +rain</i>, you may be certain that we shall realize +abundant crops. If we have no rain, the crops <i>must +inevitably</i> fail. <i>But we always depend upon +the laborers</i>. 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."--<i>Hon. +N. Nugent</i>.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"Emancipation has almost wholly put an end to +the practice of <i>skulking</i>, 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."--<i>James +Howell, Esq.</i></p> + +<p>"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 <i>dreadful rheumatiz</i> 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 +<i>deep in</i>, 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, '<i>they have not time to be +sick now</i>.' 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."--<i>Mr. +Hatley, Fry's estate</i>.</p> + +<p>"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 <i>fewer</i> 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."--<i>D. +Cranstoun, Esq.</i></p> + +<p>"My people work very well for the ordinary wages; +I have no fault to find with them in this respect."--<i>Manager +of Scotland's estate</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Extract from the Superintendent's Report +to the Commander in Chief</i>.</p> + +<p>SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE, <i>June 6th</i>. +1836.</p> + +<blockquote><p>"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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>Your honor's most obedient, +humble servant,</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p><i>Richard S. Wickham, Superintendent +of police</i>."</p></blockquote> +<p> +<a name="III_9"></a> +NINTH PROPOSITION.--The negroes are <i>more +easily managed</i> as freemen than they were when +slaves.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>The Governor said, "The negroes are as a race +remarkable for <i>docility</i>; they are very +easily controlled by kind influence. It is only necessary +to gain their confidence, and you can sway them as +you please."</p> + +<p>"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 <i>harsh manner</i> do not +succeed under the new system. The people will not +bear it."--<i>Mr. J. Howell</i>.</p> + +<p>"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 <i>en masse</i>."--<i>Dr. +Daniell</i>.</p> + +<p>"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."--<i>Mr. +Favey</i>.</p> + +<p>"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."--<i>Mr. Watkins</i>.</p> + +<p>"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."--<i>David Cranstoun, +Esq.</i></p> + +<p>"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."--<i>Letter +from S. Bourne, Esq.</i></p> + +<p>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 +<i>freemen</i>. 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 name="AE2_FR20"></a><a href="#AE2_FN20">A</a>], +which they did with a heavy knife called a <i>bill</i>. +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 <i>altogether unreasonable</i>. +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.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN20"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR20">A</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 <i>plants</i>, 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 <i>gatherers</i>, 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. ]</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>freemen</i>, +and that now better things are expected of them. This +appeal to their self-respect seldom fails of carrying +the point.</p> + +<p>It is evident from the foregoing testimony, that if +the negroes do not work well on any estate, it is +generally speaking the <i>fault of the manager</i>. +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.</p> + +<p>On this point we quote the testimony of James Scotland, +Sen., Esq., an intelligent and aged merchant of St. +John's:</p> + +<p>"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, <i>in +the early stage of freedom</i>, 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. <i>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."</i></p> +<p> +<a name="III_10"></a> +TENTH PROPOSITION.--The negroes are <i>more +trust-worthy, and take a deeper interest in their +employers' affairs</i>, since emancipation.</p> + +<p>"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."--<i>Mr. Favey</i>.</p> + +<p>"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."--<i>Mr. +James Howell</i>.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="III_11"></a> +ELEVENTH PROPOSITION.--The experiment in +Antigua proves that emancipated slaves can <i>appreciate +law</i>. It is a prevailing opinion that those who +have long been slaves, cannot at once be safely subjected +to the control of law.</p> + +<p>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 <i>jump</i>, +from absolute slavery to unqualified freedom."[<a name="AE2_FR21"></a><a href="#AE2_FN21">A</a>] +In proof of <i>their subordination to law</i>, +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.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN21"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR21">A</a>: Dr. Daniell.]</p> + +<p>"I have found that the negroes are readily controlled +by law; more so perhaps than the laboring classes +in other countries."--<i>David Cranstoun, +Esq.</i></p> + +<p>"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." <i>Wesleyan Missionary</i>.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Police-Office, St. John's, +Sept</i>. 3, 1835.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>"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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p><i>Signed, Richard S. Wickham,<br> + +Superintendent of Police</i>."</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<blockquote><p>"To his excellency,<br> +<br> +<i>Sir C.I. Murray McGregor, +Governor, &c</i>.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p><i>St. John's, Antigua, +Oct</i>. 2, 1835.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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."</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p><i>Signed, &c.</i></p></blockquote> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>St. John's, Antigua, +Dec. 2d</i>, 1835.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>"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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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."</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p><i>Signed, &c</i>.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<blockquote><p>St. John's, January 2d, 1836.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>"Sir--I have +great satisfaction in reporting to your Honor the +peaceable termination of the +last year, and of the +Christmas vacation.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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."</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p><i>Signed, &c</i>.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<p><i>Extract of Report for February, 1836.</i></p> + +<blockquote><p>"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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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."</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Superintendent's office</i>, <i>Antigua, April 4th</i>, 1836.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>"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 name="AE2_FR22"></a><a href="#AE2_FN22">A</a>]</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p><i>Signed, &c</i>.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN22"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR22">A</a>: This and the other reports concern, not +St. John's merely, but the entire population +of the island.]</p> + +<p><i>Extract from the Report for May, 1836.</i></p> + +<blockquote><p>"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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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."</p></blockquote> + +<p>We quote the following table of offences as a specimen +of the monthly reports:</p> + +<p><i>Police Office, St. John's, 1836.</i></p> + +<p>RETURN OF OFFENCES REPORTED AT THE POLICE STATIONS +FROM 1ST TO 31ST MAY.</p> +<TABLE summary="criminal offences" WIDTH="80%" BORDER="1" CELLSPACING="2" CELLPADDING="2"> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +NATURE OF OFFENSES. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +St. Johns + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +E. Harbour + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Parham + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Johnston's Point + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Total + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +More than last month + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Less than last month + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Assaults. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +2 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +2 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +4 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +5 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + Do. and Batteries. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +2 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +3 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +5 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +10 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +8 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Breach of Contract. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +4 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +11 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +59 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +74 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +16 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Burglaries. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +2 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +3 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +5 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +2 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Commitments under Vagrant Act. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +4 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +5 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +10 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + Do. for Fines + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +5 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +5 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +2 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + Do. under amended Porter's and Jobber's Act. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +7 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Felonies. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +2 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +2 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +2 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Injury to property. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +4 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +9 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +7 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +20 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +5 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Larcenies. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +4 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +4 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +4 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Misdemeanors. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +3 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +12 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +15 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +15 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Murders. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Petty Thefts. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +10 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Trespasses. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +2 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +2 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +5 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Riding improperly thro' the streets. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD> + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Total. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +33 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +41 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +76 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +150 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +25 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +61 + </TD> + </TR> +</Table> + +<p><i>Signed</i>, Richard S. Wickham, <i>Superintendent +of Police</i>.</p> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Superintendent's +office</i>,<br> +<i>Antigua, July 6th</i>, +1836.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>"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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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."</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Superintendent's +office</i>,<br> +<i>St. John's, Sept. +4th</i>, 1836.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>"SIR--I have +the honor to enclose, for the information of your +Excellency, the usual monthly +return of offences reported for +punishment.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>The agricultural laborers +continue a steady and uniform line of +conduct, and with some few +exceptions, afford a general satisfaction +to their several employers.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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 <i>felonies</i>, +were last month reported.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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."</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p><i>Signed, &c.</i></p></blockquote> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Superintendent's office,</i><br> +<i>Antigua, January 4th, +1837.</i></p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>"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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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."</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p><i>Signed, &c.</i></p></blockquote> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>St. John's, 9th +February, 1837.</i></p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>"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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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 <i>an ignorance +of their actual position</i>, than from any +bad feeling, or improper motives, and consequently +<i>were of short duration</i>. 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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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, <i>breaking sugar-canes to +eat</i>, and offences of the like description, +<i>principally</i> swell the calendars of our +quarterly courts of sessions. <i>Murder</i> +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 <i>Irish</i> soldiers.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>The lower class having become more acquainted +with their governing laws, have also become infinitely +more obedient to them, and I have observed <i>that +particular care is taken among most of them to explain +to each other the nature of the laws</i>, and to +point out in their usual style the ill consequences +attending any violation of them. ==> <i>A due +fear of, and a prompt obedience to, the authority +of the magistrates, is a prominent feature of the lower +orders</i>, and to this I mainly attribute the +successful maintenance of rural tranquillity.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>To judge of the past and present state +of society throughout the island, I presume that +<i>the lives and properties of all classes are as +secure in this, as in any other portion of his Majesty's +dominions</i>; and I sincerely hope that the +future behavior of all, will more clearly manifest +the correctness of my views of this highly important +subject.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>I remain, dear sirs, yours +faithfully, RICHARD S. WICKHAM,<br> +<i>Superintendent of police</i>."</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<p>This testimony is pointed and emphatic; and it comes +from one whose <i>official business it is to know</i> +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 <i>facts</i> upon which be founded +his opinion.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>appear</i> to be +more frequent, because they are made <i>more public</i>. +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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"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 +<i>public</i> now, than during slavery, when the +master was his own magistrate."--<i>Dr. +Daniell</i>.</p> + +<p>"I am of the opinion that crime in the island +has diminished rather than increased since the abolition +of slavery. There is an <i>apparent</i> increase +of crime, because every misdemeanor, however petty, +floats to the surface."--<i>Hon. +N. Nugent</i>.</p> + +<p>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 <i>appears</i> to <i>be greater</i> 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.</p> + +<p>Some of the prominent points established by the foregoing +evidence are,</p> + +<p>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. <i>High penal offences</i> +are exceedingly rare.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>After the foregoing facts and evidences, we ask, what +becomes of the dogma, that slaves cannot be immediately +placed under the government of <i>equitable laws</i> +with safety to themselves and the community?</p> +<p> +<a name="III_12"></a> +TWELFTH PROPOSITION.--The emancipated negroes +have shown <i>no disposition to roam from place +to place.</i> 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 "<i>turned loose</i>;" +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 <i>local attachment</i> 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."--<i>H. +Armstrong, Esq.</i></p> + +<p>"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 <i>change of management</i> has +almost uniformly been sufficient to induce them to +return. We have known several instances of this kind."--<i>S. +Bourne, Esq., of Millar's, and Mr. Watkins, of +Donavan's</i>.</p> + +<p>"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."--<i>James Howell, Esq.</i></p> + +<p>"Very few of my people have left me. The negroes +are peculiar for their attachment to their homes."--<i>Samuel +Barnard, Esq., of Green Castle</i>.</p> + +<p>"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."--<i>Dr. +Daniell</i>.</p> + +<p>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--"<i>Me nebber leave my +bornin' ground</i>,"--i.e., +birth-place.</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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 name="AE2_FR23"></a><a href="#AE2_FN23">A</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.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN23"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR23">A</a>: From fifty cents to a dollar per day.]</p> + +<p>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 "<i>bornin' +ground.</i>"</p> +<p> +<a name="III_13"></a> +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 <i>less so</i>."--<i>Dr. +Daniell</i>.</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Said Mr. Bourne--"The negroes are +decidedly less insolent now than they were during +slavery."</p> + +<p>Said Mr. Watkins, of Donovan's--"The +negroes are now all <i>cap in hand</i>; as they +know that it is for their interest to be respectful +to their employers."</p> + +<p>Said Dr. Nugent--"Emancipation has +not produced insolence among the negroes."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="III_14"></a> +FOURTEENTH PROPOSITION.--Emancipation in +Antigua has demonstrated that GRATITUDE <i>is a +prominent trait of the negro character</i>. 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 <i>habitual</i> +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.</p> + +<p>It was the remark of Mr. James Howell, manager of +Thibou Jarvis's--"That the negroes +evinced very little gratitude to their <i>masters</i> +for freedom. Their gratitude all flowed toward God +and the king, whom they regarded as the sole authors +of their liberty."</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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 <i>their masters were keeping them back.</i> +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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>grateful</i> and <i>contented</i> +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 '<i>freemen ought +to live better</i>.' 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."</p> + +<p>FIFTEENTH PROPOSITION.--The freed negroes +of Antigua have proved that <i>they are able to +take care of themselves</i>. 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 <i>improvidence</i> +of the negroes?</p> + +<p>"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".--<i>Mr. +James Howell</i>.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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?</p> + +<p>4th. The weekly and monthly contributions to the churches, +to benevolent societies, and to the schools, demonstrate +the economy of the negroes; and the <i>great increase</i> +of these contributions since August, 1834, proves +that emancipation has not made them less economical.</p> + +<p>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, <i>under such circumstances</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>Said Dr. Daniell--"There is an increasing +attention paid by the negroes to cultivating their +private lands, since they have become more permanently +settled."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>7th. The fact that the negroes are able to support +their aged parents, is further proof.</p> + +<p>As it regards the second specification, <i>viz</i>., +<i>constitutional indolence</i>, we may refer +generally to the evidence on this subject under a +former proposition. We will merely state here two facts.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>What are the facts respecting the natural <i>inferiority</i> +of the negro race, and their incompetency to manage +their own affairs?</p> + +<p>Said Mr. Armstrong--"The negroes are +exceedingly quick <i>to turn a thought</i>. 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."</p> + +<p>"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."--<i>Dr. +Daniell</i>.</p> + +<p>"The emancipated people manifest as much cunning +and address in business, as any class of persons."--<i>Mr. +J. Howell</i>.</p> + +<p>"The capabilities of the blacks for education +are conspicuous; so also as to mental acquirements +and trades."--<i>Hon. N. Nugent</i>.</p> + +<p>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 <i>should</i> +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.</p> +<p> +<a name="III_15"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>"The negroes have a growing self-respect and +regard for character. This was a feeling which was +scarcely known by them during slavery."--<i>Mr. +J. Howell</i>.</p> + +<p>"The negroes pay a great deal more attention +to their personal appearance, than they were accustomed +to while slaves. The <i>women</i> in particular +have improved astonishingly in their dress and manners."--<i>Dr. +Daniell</i>.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>nine months</i> after their confinement, +until their children are entirely weaned."</p> + +<p>"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."--<i>Mr. +J Howell</i>.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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."--<i>Antigua +Herald, of March</i>, 1834.</p> + +<p>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."</p> +<p> +<a name="III_16"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>"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."--<i>Dr. +Ferguson</i>.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"The credit of the planters who have been chiefly +affected by the change, has been much improved. And +<i>the great reduction of expense in managing the +estates</i>, has made them men of more real wealth, +and consequently raised their credit both with the +English merchants and our own."--<i>James +Scotland, Sen., Esq.</i></p> + +<p>"The effect of emancipation upon the commerce +of the island <i>must needs</i> 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."--<i>Statement +of a merchant and agent for estates</i>.</p> + +<p>"Real estate has risen in value, and mercantile +business has greatly improved."--<i>H. +Armstrong, Esq.</i></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>NINETEENTH PROPOSITION--Emancipation has +been followed by the introduction of labor-saving +machinery.</p> + +<p>"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."--<i>S. +Bourne, Esq.</i></p> + +<p>"Planters are beginning to cast about for improvements +in labor. My own mind has been greatly turned to this +subject since emancipation."--<i>H. +Armstrong, Esq.</i></p> + +<p>"The plough is beginning to be very extensively +used."--<i>Mr. Hatley</i>.</p> + +<p>"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."--<i>Extract +of a letter from Hon. N. Nugent</i>.</p> +<p> +<a name="III_17"></a> +TWENTIETH PROPOSITION.--Emancipation has +produced the most decided change in the views of the +<i>planters</i>.</p> + +<p>"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 +<i>was the greatest slave on the estate</i>, +but now I am free.'"--<i>Mr. +J. Howell</i>.</p> + +<p>"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."--<i>Dr. +Daniell</i>.</p> + +<p>"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." --<i>Mr. +Hatley</i>.</p> + +<p>"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."--<i>D. Cranstoun, +Esq.</i></p> + +<p>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:</p> + +<blockquote><p>"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 <i>slaveholder</i>; +his property has lost all the <i>taint</i> 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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>As regards the <i>other</i> 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 <i>own</i> 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--<i>and so on</i>! IT +WOULD BE ENDLESS TO ATTEMPT TO ENUMERATE ALL THE +SUPERIOR ADVANTAGES OF A STATE OF FREEDOM TO ONE +OF SLAVERY!"</p></blockquote> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>We have, another witness to introduce to the reader, +Ralph Higinbothom, Esq., the UNITED STATES CONSUL!--<i>Hear +him</i>!--</p> + +<p>"Whatever may have been the dissatisfaction +as regards emancipation among the planters at its +commencement, there are few, indeed, if any, who are +not <i>now</i> 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."</p> + +<p>In order that the reader may see the <i>revolution</i> +that has taken place since emancipation in the views +of the highest class of society in Antigua, we make +a few extracts.</p> + +<p>"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 <i>fanatical +and reckless course</i>. 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. +<i>They would at once have been branded as the enemies +of their country!"--Hon. N. Nugent</i>.</p> + +<p>"There cannot be said to have been any <i>anti-slavery +party</i> 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."--<i>S. +Bourne, Esq.</i></p> + +<p>"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 <i>planter</i> 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 <i>interests</i>. +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 name="AE2_FR24"></a><a href="#AE2_FN24">A</a>], my son[<a name="AE2_FR25"></a><a href="#AE2_FN25">B</a>], 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."--<i>James Scotland, +Sen., Esq.</i></p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN24"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR24">A</a>: Dr. Ferguson, physician in St. John's. +]</p> + +<p><a name="AE2_FN25"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR25">B</a>: James Scotland, Jun., Esq., barrister, +proprietor, and member of Assembly. ]</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>From the foregoing statements we obtain the following +comparative view of the past and present state of +sentiment in Antigua.</p> + +<p>Views and conduct of the planters previous to emancipation:</p> + +<p>1st. They regarded the negroes as an inferior race, +fit only for slaves.</p> + +<p>2d. They regarded them as their rightful property.</p> + +<p>3d. They took it for granted that negroes could never +be made to work without the use of the whip; hence,</p> + +<p>4th. They supposed that emancipation would annihilate +sugar cultivation; and,</p> + +<p>5th. That it would lead to bloodshed and general rebellion.</p> + +<p>6th. Those therefore who favored it, were considered +the "<i>enemies of their country</i>"--"TRAITORS"--and +were accordingly persecuted in various ways, not excepting +imprisonment in the common jail.</p> + +<p>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 <i>planter</i> even, without endangering the +safety of the individual.</p> + +<p>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 <i>fanatics, incendiaries, knaves, +religious enthusiasts</i>.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Views and conduct of the planters subsequent to emancipation:</p> + +<p>1st. The negroes are retarded as <i>men</i>--equals +standing on the same footing as fellow-citizens.</p> + +<p>2d. Slavery is considered a foolish, impolitic, and +wicked system.</p> + +<p>3d. Slaves are regarded as an <i>unsafe</i> species +of property, and to hold them disgraceful.</p> + +<p>4th. The planters have become the <i>decided enemies</i> +of slavery. The worst thing they could say against +the apprenticeship, was, that "it was only another +name for <i>slavery</i>."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>6th. Distinguished abolitionists are spoken of in +terms of respect and admiration. The English Anti-slavery +Delegation[<a name="AE2_FR26"></a><a href="#AE2_FN26">A</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.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN26"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR26">A</a>: Messrs. Sturge and Harvey.]</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>emancipated them from +the bondage of the whip</i>.</p> + +<p>9th. <i>Slavery--emancipation--freedom</i>--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."</p> + +<p>Such are the views now entertained among the planters +of Antigua. What a complete change[<a name="AE2_FR27"></a><a href="#AE2_FN27">B</a>]--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 <i>fac simile</i> of +those entertained by the immediate abolitionists.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN27"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR27">B</a>: 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.</p> + +<p>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 +<i>arson</i>.</p> + +<p>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 <i>gallows</i> +or <i>transportation</i>. 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 <i>rage and mortification</i>. 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.</p> + +<p>Not long before emancipation, Mr. Scotland was imprisoned +for <i>befriending</i> the negroes. After emancipation, +Mr. Corbett was imprisoned for wronging them.</p> + +<p>Mr. Corbett was a respectable planter, of good family +and moved in the first circles in the island]</p> +<p> +<a name="III_18"></a> +TWENTY-FIRST PROPOSITION.--Emancipation +has been followed by a manifest diminution of "<i>prejudice +against color</i>," and has opened the prospect +off its speedy extirpation.</p> + +<p>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 +<i>smaller</i> 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 <i>vile</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>"Prejudice against color is fast disappearing. +The colored people have themselves contributed to +prolong this feeling, <i>by keeping aloof from the +society of the whites</i>."--<i>James +Howell, of T. Jarvis's</i>.</p> + +<p>How utterly at variance is this with the commonly +received opinion, that the colored people are disposed +to <i>thrust</i> themselves into the society +of the whites!</p> + +<p>"<i>Prejudice against color</i> 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 +'<i>kept behind the scenes</i>.'"--<i>Ralph +Higginbotham, U. S. Consul.</i></p> + +<p>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 <i>color</i>. The reasons +for excluding the colored people from their society, +he said, were wholly different from that. It was chiefly +because of their <i>illegitimacy</i>, and also +because they were not sufficiently refined, and because +their <i>occupations</i> 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.</p> +<p> +<a name="III_19"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>"The treatment of the slaves during the discussions +in England, was manifestly milder than before."--<i>Dr. +Daniell.</i></p> + +<p>"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."--<i>H. +Armstrong, Esq.</i></p> + +<p>"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."--<i>S. +Bourne. Esq.</i></p> + +<p>"We pursued a much milder policy toward our +slaves after the agitation began in England."--<i>Mr. +Jas. Hawoil</i>.</p> + +<p>"The planters did not treat their slaves worse +on account of the discussions; but were more lenient +and circumspect."--<i>Letter of Hon. +N. Nugent.</i></p> + +<p>"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. <i>They did not wish to have +their names published abroad, and to be exposed as +monsters of cruelty!</i>"--<i>David Cranstoun, +Esq.</i></p> +<p> +<a name="III_20"></a> +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 +<i>blessing</i> or a <i>curse</i>.</p> + +<p>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 <i>object</i> 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 <i>all</i>, +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<h3>BARBADOES</h3> + +<h4>CHAPTER I.</h4> +<p> +<a name="IV_1"></a> +<b>PASSAGE</b></p> + +<p>Barbadoes was the next island which we visited. Having +failed of a passage in the steamer,[<a name="AE2_FR28"></a><a href="#AE2_FN28">A</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 <i>hole</i>, 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.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN28"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR28">A</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.]</p> + +<p>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 <i>guarda costas</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_2"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>gradualism</i>!</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_3"></a> +<b>VISIT TO THE GOVERNOR.</b></p> + +<p>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 <i>black</i> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><i>He thought the negroes in Barbadoes, and in the +windward islands generally, now as well prepared for +freedom as the slaves of Antigua.</i></p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_4"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>education</i> 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 <i>were +as well prepared for freedom in 1834, as those of +Antigua</i>, 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 <i>now</i>.</p> + +<p>On one other point the Archdeacon expressed himself +substantially thus: The planters undoubtedly treated +their slaves better during the anti-slavery discussions +in England.</p> + +<p>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. <i>They were exceedingly anxious +to put a stop to discussion and investigation.</i></p> +<p> +<a name="IV_5"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>whip</i>. 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."</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>During the day we gathered the following information:--</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_6"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>During our walk round the works, and during the day, +he spoke several times in general terms of the great +blessings of emancipation.</p> + +<p>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, <i>great</i> +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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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. <i>These very +men now see and acknowledge the benefits which have +resulted from the new system</i>.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>The apprentices do more work in the nine hours required +by law, than in twelve hours during slavery.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p><i>Mr. C. thinks the slaves of Barbadoes might have +been entirely and immediately emancipated as well +as those of Antigua.</i> The results, he doubts +not, would have been the same.</p> + +<p>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, <i>experimenting</i> +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.</p> + +<p>There is no disposition among the apprentices to revenge +their wrongs. Mr. C. feels the utmost security both +of person and property.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Such is a rapid sketch of the various topics touched +upon during our interview with Mr. C. and his family.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_7"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_8"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>sans culottes</i> swell in their dangling +rags with the haughty consciousness that they possess +<i>white skins</i>. 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 +<a name="IV_9"></a> +badge was a <i>white skin</i>! 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 <i>Red Shanks</i>. +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>fearing</i> <i>that I should have +my throat cut before morning</i>, but <i>now</i> +the danger is all over."</p> + +<p>We took leave of Lear's, after a protracted +visit, not without a pressing invitation from Mr. +C. to call again.</p> + +<p> +<a name="IV_10"></a> +<b>SECOND VISIT TO LEAR'S.</b></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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. <i>Now</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>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, "<i>Think</i>! +you have no right to think any thing about it. <i>Do +as I bid you</i>." 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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; +"<i>there is a bush</i>," said he, +"<i>which has committed many a murder</i>." +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 <i>grow up to be slaves</i>. "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."</p> + +<p>What a volume of blackness and blood![<a name="AE2_FR29"></a><a href="#AE2_FN29">A</a>]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN29"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR29">A</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.]</p> + +<p>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 <i>tender</i> 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 <i>no</i> +me massa, freedom <i>till better</i>."</p> + +<p>"What will you do when you are entirely free?"</p> + +<p>"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 <i>die</i> +free, massa--good ting to die free, and +me want to see <i>children</i> free too."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p> +<a name="IV_11"></a> +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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_12"></a> +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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_13"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>1. He remarked that the planters were getting along +<i>infinitely</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>9. He affirms that the negroes have no disposition +to be revengeful. He has never seen any thing like +revenge.</p> + +<p>10. His people are as far removed from insolence as +from vindictiveness. They have been uniformly civil.</p> + +<p>11. His apprentices have more interest in the affairs +of the estate, and he puts more confidence in them +than he ever did before.</p> + +<p>12. He declares that the working of the apprenticeship, +as also that of entire freedom, depends entirely on +the <i>planters</i>. If they act with common +humanity and reason, there is no fear but that the +apprentices will be peaceable.</p> + +<p>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 <i>severe disciplinarian</i> under the old reign, +or in plain terms, had been a <i>cruel man and a +hard driver</i>; 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."</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_14"></a> +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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_15"></a> +We made some inquiries of Dr. Bell concerning the +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_16"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>fifteen</i>.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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!</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_17"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<blockquote><p>"In this remote, and hoarse resounding place,<br> +Which billows clash, and craggy cliffs embrace,<br> +These babbling springs amid such horrors rise,<br> +But armed with virtue, horrors we despise.<br> +Bathe undismayed, nor dread the impending rock,<br> +'Tis virtue shields us from each adverse shock.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p><i>GENIO</i> LOCI SACRUM POSUIT J.R. +MARTIS MENSE 1769"</p></blockquote> +<p> +<a name="IV_18"></a> +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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_19"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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. <i>This, this</i> +is the dreadful thing! Wherever sugar is cultivated +by slaves, there is extreme suffering."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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,"--"<i>most</i> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_20"></a> +<b>VISIT TO COLONEL ASHBY'S.</b></p> + +<p>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--<i>a noble philanthropist</i>!--<i>if +there is a chair in heaven, Wilberforce is in it</i>!" +Colonel A. is somewhat sceptical, which will account +for his hypothetical manner of speaking about heaven.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>conjugal attachment</i> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_21"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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 name="AE2_FR2A"></a><a href="#AE2_FN2A">A</a>] every week. The +Monday previous, six cases came before him, in four +of which the apprentices paid the money on the spot.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN2A"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR2A">A</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.]</p> + +<p>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. <i>No +wages were allowed</i>. 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:</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_22"></a> +1. The usual day's work was done generally before +the middle of the afternoon. Sometimes it was completed +in five hours.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>7. After the abolition of slavery, his people chose +to continue on the same system of task work.</p> + +<p>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 <i>innovation</i>--it +was setting a bad example; and they honestly declared +that they did not wish the slaves to <i>have any +time of their own</i>. 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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>get as +much out</i> of the apprentices as they possibly +could during the term. No attention had been paid +to preparing the apprentices for freedom.</p> + +<p>We were introduced to a planter who was notorious +during the reign of slavery for the <i>strictness +of his discipline</i>, to use the Barbadian phrase, +or, in plain English, for his rigorous treatment and +his cruelty.</p> + +<p>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. <i>He +knew this by experience; this was the case with </i>his <i>apprentices</i>. +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!</p> + +<p>But with all his violent prejudices, this planter +stated some facts which are highly favorable to the +apprentices.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>2. The apprentices are generally willing to work on +the estates on Saturday whenever their labor is needed.</p> + +<p>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 <i>with +the mothers!</i> This he regarded as a sore evil!</p> + +<p>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 <i>residence</i> +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 "<i>in taking care +of their brats</i>."</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_23"></a> +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 <i>provision +cultivation</i>. The apprentices on Belle estate +will make little short of one thousand dollars the +present season by their sugar.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_24"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>cleverest</i> +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 <i>sense of +insecurity</i>, either as respected person or property. +Real estate had risen in value.</p> + +<p>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 <i>need</i> +any preparation. He should have apprehended no danger, +had emancipation taken place in 1834.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_25"></a> +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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_26"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>From Drax Hall we returned to Bridgetown, accompanied +by our friend Cummins.</p> + +<h4>CHAPTER II.</h4> + +<p><b>TESTIMONY OF SPECIAL MAGISTRATES, POLICE OFFICERS, +CLERGYMEN, AND MISSIONARIES.</b></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_27"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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:</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_28"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>2. The estates generally are better cultivated than +they were during slavery. Said one of the magistrates:</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>4. It was the unanimous testimony that there was no +disposition among the apprentices to revenge injuries +committed against them. <i>They are not a revengeful +people</i>, but on the contrary are remarkable for +forgetting wrongs, particularly when the are succeeded +by kindness.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>11. They stated that they had more trouble with petty +overseers and managers and small proprietors than +with the entire black population.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>colored</i> gentleman, highly +respected for his talents. Mr. G. informed us that +<i>prejudice</i> against color was rapidly diminishing--and +that the present Governor was doing all in his power +to discountenance it.</p> + +<p>The company spoke repeatedly of the <i>noble act +of abolition, by which Great Britain had immortalized +her name more than by all the achievements of her +armies and navies.</i></p> + +<p>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; <i>we are all sailing in the same +vessel.</i>"</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_29"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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?</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_30"></a> +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. <i>He stated that during +the week he had only six cases of complaint among +the thirteen thousand apprentices embraced in his +district.</i> 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 <i>set free</i>, instead of being <i>committed +to prison</i>. 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_31"></a> +<b>STATION-HOUSE AT DISTRICT A.</b></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>III. The third complaint was against a woman for singing +and making a disturbance in the field. Sentenced to +six days' solitary confinement.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>The defendant was ordered to prison to be tried the +next day, time being given to make further inquiries +about his being a praedial.</p> + +<p>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, <i>and at half past ten o'clock +at night</i>, 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, <i>the crops must be secured at +any rate, and if they are suffering, the people must +be pressed the harder</i>."[<a name="AE2_FR2B"></a><a href="#AE2_FN2B">A</a>]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN2B"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR2B">A</a>: We learned subsequently from various +authentic sources, that the master has <i>not</i> +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!]</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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:</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_32"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>3. Mr. J. declared unhesitatingly that crime had not +increased since abolition, but rather the contrary.</p> + +<p>4. He represented the special magistrates as the friends +of the planters. They loved the <i>dinners</i> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_33"></a> +<b>COMMUNICATION FROM MAJOR COLTHURST, SPECIAL MAGISTRATE.</b></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>1. What is the number of apprenticed laborers in your +district, and what is their character compared with +other districts?</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>2. What is the state of agriculture in the island?</p> + +<p>When the <i>planters themselves</i> admit that +general cultivation was <i>never</i> in a better +state, and the plantations extremely clean, <i>it +is more than presumptive</i> 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.</p> + +<p>3. Is there any difficulty occasioned by the apprentices +refusing to work?</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>4. Are the apprentices willing to work in their own +time?</p> + +<p>The apprentices are most willing to work in their own +time.</p> + +<p>5. What is the number and character of the complaints +brought before you--are they increasing +or otherwise?</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>6. What is the state of crime among the apprentices?</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>7. Have the apprentices much respect for law?</p> + +<p>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, <i>outrage</i> the law, +is certain; and hence it may be inferred that they +respect it.</p> + +<p>8. Do you find a spirit of revenge among the negroes?</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>9. Is there any sense of insecurity arising from emancipation?</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>10. What is the prospect for 1840?--for +1838?</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>11. Are the planters generally satisfied with the +apprenticeship, or would they return back to the old +system?</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>12. Do you think it would have been dangerous for +the slaves in this island to have been entirely emancipated +in 1834?</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>13. Has emancipation been a decided blessing to this +island, or has it been otherwise?</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>14. Are the apprentices disposed to purchase their +freedom? How have those conducted themselves who have +purchased it?</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.--<i>John +B. Colthurst, Special Justice of the Peace, District +A. Rural Division</i>.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_34"></a> +<b>COMMUNICATION FROM CAPT. HAMILTON.</b></p> + +<p>Barbadoes, April 4th, 1837.</p> + +<p>Gentlemen,</p> + +<p>Presuming that you have kept a copy of the questions[<a name="AE2_FR2C"></a><a href="#AE2_FN2C">A</a>] +you sent me, I shall therefore only send the answers.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN2C"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR2C">A</a>: The same interrogatories were propounded +to Capt. Hamilton which have been already inserted +in Major Colthurst's communication.]</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>2. The state of agriculture is very flourishing. Experienced +planters acknowledge that it is generally far superior +to what it was during slavery.</p> + +<p>3. Where the managers are kind and temperate, they +have not any trouble with the laborers.</p> + +<p>4. The apprentices are generally willing to work for +wages in their own time.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>13. I consider, most undoubtedly, that emancipation +has been a decided blessing to the colony.</p> + +<p>14. They are much disposed to purchase the remainder +of the apprenticeship term. Their conduct after they +become free is good.</p> + +<p>I hope the foregoing answers and information may be +of service to you in your laudable pursuits, for which +I wish you every success.</p> + +<p>I am, gentlemen, your ob't serv't,</p> + +<p><i>Jos. Hamilton, Special Justice</i>.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_35"></a> +<b>TESTIMONY OF CLERGYMEN AND MISSIONARIES.</b></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_36"></a> +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. +<a name="IV_37"></a> +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, +<a name="IV_38"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_39"></a> +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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_40"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_41"></a> +<b>WESLEYAN MISSIONARIES.</b></p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_42"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_43"></a> +<b>THE MORAVIAN MISSION.</b></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<h4>CHAPTER III.</h4> +<p><a name="IV_44"></a> +<b>COLORED POPULATION.</b></p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_45"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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 +<i>oppressions</i> which have disabled and crushed the +colored people.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_46"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_47"></a> +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 <i>prejudices</i> +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 +<a name="IV_48"></a> +similar exhibitions. The gentleman at whose table +we had the pleasure to dine, was <i>born a slave</i>, +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>When witnessing the exhibitions of his manly spirit, +and listening to his eloquent and glowing narratives +of his struggles against the political <i>oppressions</i> +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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_49"></a> +<b>BREAKFAST AT MR. THORNE'S.</b></p> + +<p>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, <i>etc</i>., 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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_50"></a> +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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_51"></a> +Mr. Joseph Thorne is a gentleman of forty-five, of +a dark mulatto complexion, with the negro features +and hair. <i>He was born a slave</i>, 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 <i>property</i> 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 <i>lay-preacher</i>. +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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_52"></a> +<b>BREAKFAST AT MR. PRESCOD'S</b></p> +<p> +<a name="IV_53"></a> +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 <i>white skin</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 name="AE2_FR2D"></a><a href="#AE2_FN2D">A</a>] "with free minds and space to +rise."</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN2D"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR2D">A</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.]</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_54"></a> +<b>BREAKFAST AT MR. LONDON BOURNE'S.</b></p> +<p> +<a name="IV_55"></a> +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 <i>lineaments</i> +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. <i>we</i> 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.</p> + +<p>We shall doubtless be thought by some of our readers +to glory in our shame. Be it so. We <i>did</i> +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. "<i>Social +intercourse</i>," they said, "was not +a thing to be gained by <i>pushing</i>." +"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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_56"></a> +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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_57"></a> +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 <i>barber</i>. <i>The only barber +in Bridgetown is a white man.</i></p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_58"></a> +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 <i>white gentlemen</i>, than the lawfully wedded +wives of <i>colored men</i>. 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 <i>their</i> 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 <i>eminences</i> of distinction.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 name="AE2_FR2E"></a><a href="#AE2_FN2E">A</a>]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN2E"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR2E">A</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 <i>fancied</i> +advantages for a season."</p> + +<p>We believe that this resolution embodies the feelings +and determinations of the free colored people generally +in the free states.]</p> + +<h4>CHAPTER IV.</h4> +<p> +<a name="IV_59"></a> +<b>BARBADOES AS IT WAS, AND IS.</b></p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_60"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>cabin</i>. 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 <i>kill himself</i> before +morning.</p> + +<p>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!</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>such men</i> were constituted +law makers, judges, and executioners?</p> + +<p>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 <i>well stocked +with good-conditioned negroes</i>. 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 <i>feed the stock</i>, 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 <i>pushing</i>, +then it is plain that there would have been inducements +to hard driving, which, as the case was, did not exist.</p> + +<p>Such is a partial view of Barbadoes as it <i>was</i>, +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.</p> + +<p>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 name="AE2_FR2F"></a><a href="#AE2_FN2F">A</a>] and the chances of detection[<a name="AE2_FR30"></a><a href="#AE2_FN30">B</a>] +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 <i>whip</i> as absolutely necessary to the +cultivation of sugar, and hence they uniformly used +it, and loudly deprecated its abolition as being <i>their</i> +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.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN2F"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR2F">A</a>: A fine of sixteen dollars for the first +assault, and the liberation of the apprentice after +a second.]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN30"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR30">B</a>: Through the complaint of the apprentice +to the special magistrate]</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_61"></a> +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 <i>slavery and rebellions are inseparable</i>. +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 +<i>ten minutes</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>cruelties</i>, and especially by his +<i>extreme licentiousness</i>. 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.</p> + +<p>Next to the actual occurrence of rebellions, <i>the +fear of them</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_62"></a> +<i>Licentiousness</i> 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.</p> + +<p>Although these evils still exist, yet, since the abolition +of slavery, there is one symptom of returning purity, +the <i>sense of shame</i>. 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 <i>light is come</i>, +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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_63"></a> +<i>Prejudice</i> 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, <i>whiter</i>, 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 <i>negro</i>;[<a name="AE2_FR31"></a><a href="#AE2_FN31">A</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 <i>free +mulatto</i>, and F.C.W. for <i>free colored woman</i>! +The gentleman took his knife and cut out the initials; +and was then threatened with a prosecution for forging +his license.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN31"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR31">A</a>: Mr. London Bourne, the merchant mentioned +in the previous chapter.]</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_64"></a> +<i>Indolence and inefficiency among the whites</i>, +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 <i>Little London</i> +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 <i>dinner-table</i>.</p> + +<blockquote><p>"They eat and drink and sleep, and +then--<br> +Eat and drink and sleep again."</p></blockquote> + +<p>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, <i>if +the light-house should not be build for a quarter +of a century to come</i>, it need not excite our +astonishment.</p> + +<p>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--<i>rougher than the cowhide</i>. +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 <i>working</i>.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_65"></a> +<i>Hostility to emancipation</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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!</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_66"></a> +From statements already made, the reader will see +how great a change has come over the feelings of the +planters.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><i>These</i> are the blessing of abolition--<i>begun</i> +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.</p> + +<h4>CHAPTER V.</h4> +<p> +<a name="IV_67"></a> +<b>THE APPRENTICESHIP SYSTEM.</b></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><b>PROVISIONS RESPECTING THE SPECIAL MAGISTRATES.</b></p> + +<p>1. They must be disconnected with planters and plantership, +that they may be independent of all colonial parties +and interests whatever.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_68"></a> +<b>PROVISIONS RESPECTING THE MASTER.</b></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Masters frequently do punish their apprentices <i>in +despite of all penalties</i>. 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_69"></a> +<b>PROVISIONS RESPECTING THE APPRENTICE.</b></p> + +<p>1. He has the whole of Saturday, and the remnants +of the other five days, after giving nine hours to +the master.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>5. There is an <i>unjustifiable inequality</i> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_70"></a> +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 <i>as an additional +compensation to the planters</i>. 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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_71"></a> +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 <i>plenty +of licks</i>; 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 <i>entirely independent</i>. +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 +<a name="IV_72"></a> +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, "<i>board +round</i>;" and consequently the dependence +of the magistrate upon the planter is of all things +the most deprecated by the apprentice.[<a name="AE2_FR32"></a><a href="#AE2_FN32">A</a>]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN32"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR32">A</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 <i>poison'd</i>." +"What dat you say?" inquired the other +in astonishment, "De gubner been <i>poison'd</i>." +"Dah, now!--How him poisoned!" +"<i>Him eat massa turtle soup last night</i>," +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 <i>he</i> was likely +to suffer more than his excellency.]</p> + +<p>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,[<a name="AE2_FR33"></a><a href="#AE2_FN33">B</a>] 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.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN33"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR33">B</a>: 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 <i>used up</i> by previous service,) +was the commander's cane--<i>a heavy +knotted club</i>. 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. "<i>Lay +on</i>," 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--<i>hard</i>--<i>lay +on harder</i>." 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, "<i>Give it to him harder, more</i>--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 <i>lay on harder</i> +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 <i>in irons</i>.]</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_73"></a> +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.'</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_74"></a> +Nor is the practical operation of the system upon +the <i>master</i> 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 <i>without +his power</i>, and in the other, the independence +of the freeman <i>without his immunities</i>, +it perpetuates a scene of angry collision, jealousy +and hatred.</p> + +<p>It does not even serve for the master the unworthy +purpose for which it was mainly devised, <i>viz</i>., +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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_75"></a> +THE APPRENTICESHIP IS NO PREPARATION FOR FREEDOM.--Indeed, +as far as it can be, it is an actual <i>disqualification</i>. +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 <i>as much work out of the +apprentices while it lasted, as possible</i>. 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.</p> + +<p>The special magistrates also testify that the apprenticeship +is no preparation for freedom. On this subject they +are very explicit.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_76"></a> +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 <i>deep mutual hostility</i>; +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 <i>law as their foe</i>, +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_77"></a> +But we cannot close our remarks upon the apprenticeship +system without noticing one good end which it has +undesignedly accomplished, <i>i.e</i>., <i>the illustration +of the good disposition of the colored people</i>. +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. <i>How</i> 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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_78"></a> +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?</p> + +<p>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?</p> + +<p>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 <i>fight</i>. +At least one thing is the result--a permanent +state of alienation, contempt of authority, and hatred. +<i>All these are the fruits of the apprenticeship +system</i>. They are caused by transferring the +power of the master, while the <i>relation</i> +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!</p> + +<p>Another insurrectionary feature peculiar to the apprenticeship +is its making the apprentices <i>free a portion +of the time</i>. 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 <i>is still free</i>. 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. <i>Monday morning he is startled +from his dreams by the old "shell-blow" +of slavery</i>, and he arises to endure another +week of toil, alternated by the same tantalizing mockeries +of freedom. Is not this applying the <i>hot iron +to the nerve</i>?</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>[NOTE.--In a former part of this work--the +report of Antigua--we mentioned having received +information respecting a number of the apprenticeship +islands, <i>viz</i>., 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 <i>less</i> +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.</p> +<p> +<a name="IV_79"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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.]</p> + +<h3>JAMAICA.</h3> + +<h4>CHAPTER I.</h4> + +<p><b>KINGSTON.</b></p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_1"></a> +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 name="AE2_FR34"></a><a href="#AE2_FN34">A</a>]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN34"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR34">A</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.]</p> + +<p>We were one month in Jamaica. For about a week we +remained in Kingston,[<a name="AE2_FR35"></a><a href="#AE2_FN35">B</a>] 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.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN35"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR35">B</a>: The chief town of the island, with about +forty thousand inhabitants.]</p> +<p> +<a name="V_2"></a> +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.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_3"></a> +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 <i>corruptions</i> 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.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"2. The prejudices against color are <i>rapidly +vanishing</i>. 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."</p> + +<p>"3. The apprentices are improving, <i>not, +however, in consequence of the apprenticeship, but +in spite of it, and in consequence of the great act +of abolition</i>!"</p> + +<p>"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, <i>through +which all, both apprentices and masters, are</i> +LABORING HEAVILY."</p> + +<p>"5. That the negroes will work if moderately +compensated, no candid man can doubt. Their <i>endurance</i> +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."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> +<p> +<a name="V_4"></a> +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 <i>burthen of</i> their songs seems +to be, "<i>O that will be joyful</i>." +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, <i>joyful</i>, +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 <i>nigger</i>.[<a name="AE2_FR36"></a><a href="#AE2_FN36">A</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 <i>gentleman</i> to call his servant +what names he chooses! We were very much edified by +the Colonel's <i>exposé</i> 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.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN36"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR36">A</a>: We fear there is too little truth in +this representation.]</p> +<p> +<a name="V_5"></a> +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. "<i>Their +whole object was to get as much sugar out of them +as they possibly could</i>."</p> + +<p>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 +<i>premium upon all the bad qualities of the negroes +and a tax upon all the good ones</i>. 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 <i>pious man</i>, 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.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_6"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_7"></a> +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 <i>persecutions</i>, 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.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_8"></a> +<i>Schools in Kingston</i>.--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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Some written statements and statistical tables were +furnished us by Mr. Reid, which we subjoin..</p> +<p> +<a name="V_9"></a> +<i>Kingston, May 13th, 1837</i></p> + +<p>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? <i>Ans</i>. 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.</p> + +<p>I am, dear sirs, yours respectfully,</p> + +<p>E. REID.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<TABLE summary="Wolmer school scholars" WIDTH="80%" BORDER="1" CELLSPACING="2" CELLPADDING="2"> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +White Children. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Colored Children. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Total. + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Average number in 1814 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +87 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +87 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + " " 1815 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +111 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +3 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +114 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + " " 1816 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +129 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +25 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +154 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + " " 1817 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +146 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +36 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +182 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + " " 1818 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +155 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +38 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +193 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + " " 1819 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +136 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +57 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +193 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + " " 1820 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +116 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +78 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +194 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + " " 1821 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +118 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +122 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +240 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + " " 1822 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +93 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +167 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +260 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + " " 1823 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +97 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +187 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +280 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + " " 1824 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +94 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +196 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +290 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + " " 1825 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +89 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +185 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +274 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + " " 1826 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +93 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +176 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +269 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + " " 1827 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +92 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +156 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +248 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + " " 1828 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +88 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +152 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +240 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + " " 1829 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +79 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +192 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +271 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + " " 1830 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +88 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +194 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +282 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + " " 1831 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +88 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +315 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +403 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + " " 1832 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +90 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +360 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +450 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + " " 1833 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +93 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +411 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +504 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + " " 1834 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +81 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +420 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +501 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + " " 1835 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +85 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +425 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +510 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + " " 1836 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +78 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +428 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +506 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + " " 1837 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +72 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +430 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +502 + </TD> + </TR> +</Table> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p>With regard to the <i>comparative intellect</i> +of white and colored children, Mr. Reid gives the +following valuable statement:</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><b>1831.</b></p> +<TABLE summary="schools in Kingston 1831" WIDTH="80%" BORDER="0" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0"> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Schools. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Scholars. + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +2 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Wolmer's, + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +403 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +National, + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +270 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +34 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Gentlemen's private, + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1368 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +40 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Ladies' do., + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1005 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +8 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Sunday, + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1042 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD> + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +85 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Total, + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +4088 + </TD> + </TR> +</table> + +<p><b>1832.</b></p> + +<TABLE summary="schools in Kingston 1832" WIDTH="80%" BORDER="0" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0"> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Schools. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Scholars. + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +2 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Wolmer's, + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +472 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +National, + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +260 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +31 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Gentlemen's private, + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1169 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +41 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Ladies' do., + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +856 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +8 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Sunday, + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +981 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD> + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +83 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Total, + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +3738 + </TD> + </TR> +</table> + +<p><b>1836.</b></p> + +<TABLE summary="schools in Kingston 1836" WIDTH="80%" BORDER="0" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0"> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Schools. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Scholars. + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +2 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Wolmer's, + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +527 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +3 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +National, + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1136 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +3 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Mico, + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +590 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Baptist, + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +250 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Jamaica Union, + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +120 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +31 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Gentlemen's private, + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1137 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +59 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Ladies' do., + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1339 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +9 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Sunday, + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1108 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +By itinerant teachers and children. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1500 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD> + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +109 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Total, + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +7707 + </TD> + </TR> +</table> + +<p><b>1837.</b></p> + +<TABLE summary="schools in Kingston 1837" WIDTH="80%" BORDER="0" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0"> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Schools. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Scholars. + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +2 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Wolmer's, + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +502 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +3 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +National, + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1238 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +4 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Mico, + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +611 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Baptist, + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +260 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Jamaica Union, + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +200 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +34 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Gentlemen's private, + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1476 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +63 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Ladies' do., + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1525 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +10 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Sunday, + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1316 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +By itinerant teachers and children. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1625 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD> + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +118 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Total, + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +8753 + </TD> + </TR> +</table> +<p> +<br> +<br> +<a name="V_10"></a></p> +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_11"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>holding apprentices themselves</i>.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_12"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>as polite as +a dog</i>."</p> +<p> +<a name="V_13"></a> +These insults and <i>oppressions</i> 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, <i>public</i> <i>persecutions</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>tried for his life</i>, on the +charge of having published <i>seditious matter</i> +in the Watchman.</p> + +<p>The paragraph which was denominated '<i>seditious +matter</i>' was this--</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>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 <i>seditious</i> +as ever, until the Assembly were ultimately provoked +to threaten some extreme measure which should effectually +silence the agitators. <i>Then</i> 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 <i>the streets of Kingston should +run blood</i>. 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 +<a name="V_14"></a> +of schools, <i>etc</i>. 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.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_15"></a> +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 name="AE2_FR37"></a><a href="#AE2_FN37">A</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 <i>see</i> him without being impressed with +his rare combination of excellences.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN37"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR37">A</a>: We learn from the Jamaica papers, since +our return to this country, that Mr. Hill has been +elected a member of the Assembly.]</p> + +<p>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 +<i>competent</i> men of their own color. As they +remarked to us, if they were obliged to send an <i>ass</i> +to the Assembly, it was far better for <i>them</i> +to send a <i>white</i> ass than a <i>black</i> +one.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_16"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>apprentices</i>, +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 <i>apprentices</i> 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 <i>others</i>, +are now spending the few hours and the failing strength +of old again in <i>preparing</i> to use the plane +and the chisel for <i>themselves</i>. 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.</p> + +<p>The owners of these establishments informed us that +their business had much <i>increased within the +last two years</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>We called at two large establishment for making jellies, +comfits, pickles, and all the varieties of tropic +<i>preserves</i>. 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_17"></a> +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.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_18"></a> +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.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_19"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_20"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>We went through the other buildings, all of which +were old and dirty, nay, worse, <i>filthy</i> +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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>in irons</i>--iron collars +about their necks, and chains passing between, connecting +them together two and two.</p> + +<h4>CHAPTER II.</h4> + +<p><b>TOUR TO THE COUNTRY.</b></p> +<p> +<a name="V_21"></a> +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.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_22"></a> +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 name="AE2_FR38"></a><a href="#AE2_FN38">A</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 <i>had</i> +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 <i>naturally +so indolent</i>, 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 <i>denunciation +of slavery</i>. He declared that slavery was a wretched +system. Man was <i>naturally a tyrant</i>. Mr. +T. said he had one good thing to say of the negroes, +<i>viz</i>., that they were an <i>exceedingly temperate +people</i>. It was a very unusual thing to see one +of them drunk. Slavery, he said, was a system of <i>horrid +cruelties</i>. He had lately read, in the history +of Jamaica, of a planter, in 1763, having a slave's +<i>leg</i> 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 +<a name="V_23"></a> +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 <i>owing to bad +management</i>. 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. <i>He had never +been known to have a falling out with any man in his +life</i>. 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.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN38"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR38">A</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."]</p> +<p> +<a name="V_24"></a> +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 <i>improved slavery</i>." +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.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_25"></a> +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 <i>as much done for the length of time that the +apprentices are at work</i>; but a day and a half +every week is lost; neither <i>are they called out +as early in the morning, nor do they work as late at +night</i>. 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 <i>make twice or three times as much</i> +by cultivating their provision grounds, and carrying +their produce to market. At <i>night</i> they +cannot cultivate their grounds, then they work for +their masters "very cheerfully."</p> + +<p>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 <i>is mild management</i>. +Some, indeed, might leave even such estates to <i>try +their fortunes</i> elsewhere, but they would soon +discover that they could get no better treatment abroad, +and they would then return to their old homes.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_26"></a> +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 <i>sign of the times</i>.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_27"></a> +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 <i>accommodate</i> 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.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_28"></a> +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.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_29"></a> +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 <i>end</i> +of the carnage, and to the re-establishment of industry, +peace and prosperity. The evil, he was confident, would +soon cure itself.</p> + +<p>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 <i>expect to be free</i>. +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, <i>they would promptly acquiesce +in it</i>!</p> + +<p>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!</p> + +<p>The <i>non-praedials</i>, 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, +<i>all</i> 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, "<i>Now</i> I will stay with massa, +and be his 'prentice for de udder two year."</p> + +<p>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 +<i>creole</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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? <i>All will be +beggars, and we must starve</i>!"</p> + +<p>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 <i>laboring or begging</i>--to +the <i>latter</i> of which alternatives, Miss +L. seems inclined. Let Miss L. be comforted! It is +better to beg than to <i>steal</i>.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_30"></a> +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.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_31"></a> +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 <i>overseer was +not to blame for arresting him</i>.</p> + +<p>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 <i>better acquainted with the requirements +of the law</i>. The chief offence at present was +<i>absconding from labor</i>.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_32"></a> +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 <i>disinterested planters</i>, +and he could affirm that the apprentices had <i>no +just cause of complaint</i>. 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 <i>abundance of +yams left</i> 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 name="AE2_FR39"></a><a href="#AE2_FN39">A</a>] after them, to hunt them out of their hiding +places and bring them to justice.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN39"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR39">A</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 <i>its</i> maroons.]</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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, <i>for tying one of his apprentices +to a dead ox</i>, 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 <i>state of open +rebellion</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>This Jocken is the same wretch who wantonly handcuffed +the apprentice, who went on to his estate by the direction +of his master.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Mr. W. bore testimony that the great body of the negroes +in his district were very peaceable. There were but +a few <i>incorrigible fellows</i>, 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 <i>greatly depend on the conduct +of the managers!</i></p> + +<p>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 <i>the planters would conduct in a proper +manner</i>, emancipation would be a blessing to +the whole colony.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_33"></a> +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 <i>concealed in the bushes, +that the governor might not see it when he visited +the village</i>.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>1. Have the facilities for missionary effort greatly +increased since the abolition of slavery?</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>2. Do you anticipate that these facilities will increase +still more after entire freedom?</p> + +<p>Yes. The people will then have <i>six days of their +own to labor for their bread</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>3. Are the negroes likely to revenge by violence the +wrongs which they have suffered, after they obtain +their freedom?</p> + +<p><i>I never heard the idea suggested, nor should +I have thought of it had you not made the inquiry.</i></p> +<p> +<a name="V_34"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>Mr. R. furnished us with a written communication, +from which we extract the following.</p> + +<p><i>Quest.</i> Are the apprentices desirous of +being instructed?</p> + +<p><i>Ans.</i> 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 <i>constant companion</i>. +We have found mothers with their sucking babes in +their arms, standing night after night in their classes +learning the alphabet.</p> + +<p><i>Q.</i> Are the negroes grateful for attentions +and favors?</p> + +<p><i>A.</i> 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!'</p> + +<p>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, <i>de water will come into me yeye</i>."</p> +<p> +<a name="V_35"></a> +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 <i>do her +father's part</i>, as well as her own, on +the treadmill, for he was too old to dance the wheel--it +would kill him.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_36"></a> +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>i.e</i>., +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 <i>villein</i>--he was to be +made an appendage to <i>the soil</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_37"></a> +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, <i>when they were paid +for it</i>. 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.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_38"></a> +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 <i>so well treated</i>, +and had <i>so many comforts</i>, 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.! <i>They +are too well situated. Whose</i> then will desert? +<i>Mr. Jocken's</i>, 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!</p> + +<p>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 <i>far off parishes</i>, +he <i>heard</i> that they were very refractory +and troublesome.</p> + +<p>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--"<i>No +man in his senses can pretend to defend slavery.</i>"</p> +<p> +<a name="V_39"></a> +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 <i>family circle</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>worst gang in the parish</i>; +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>i.e</i>., 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 <i>they</i> 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 <i>almost double labor</i>;--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 <i>regeneration of the island</i>. +<a name="V_40"></a> +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 name="AE2_FR3A"></a><a href="#AE2_FN3A">A</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.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN3A"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR3A">A</a>: Lord Belmore left the government of Jamaica, +a short time before the abolition act passed in parliament.]</p> + +<p>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 <i>jalousies</i>. 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, <i>etc</i>.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_41"></a> +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 +<i>oppressions</i> 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 <i>help them</i> +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' <i>beau ideal</i>. He ordered +a <i>cat</i> 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 <i>condemned</i> them, and ordered new ones +to be made.</p> + +<p>Mr. C. said the most frequent complaints made by the +planters are for <i>insolence</i>. 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 <i>can't</i> strike me +now," and for this he is taken before the magistrate +on the complaint of <i>insolence</i>. 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 <i>insubordination</i>. 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 <i>absconding +from labor</i>! 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_42"></a> +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, "<i>only he</i>.")</p> +<p> +<a name="V_43"></a> +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, <i>intimidations</i> +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 <i>faithful magistrates</i> 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.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_44"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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, <i>and they +had the special magistrates incessantly flogging the +apprentices</i>. The planters also not unfrequently +take away the provision grounds from their apprentices, +and in every way oppress and harass them.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_45"></a> +In the course of the conversation Mr. G. accidentally +struck upon a fresh vein of facts, respecting the +SLAVERY OF BOOK-KEEPERS,[<a name="AE2_FR3B"></a><a href="#AE2_FN3B">A</a>] <i>under the old system</i>. +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 <i>possibly</i> +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 <i>busha +pickaninny</i> 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 <i>all night</i>, +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, <i>that if the slaves should +rise in rebellion, he would most cheerfully join them</i>! +Said Mr. G., <i>there was great rejoicing</i> +among the book-keepers in August 1834! <i>The abolition +of slavery was</i> EMANCIPATION TO THE BOOK-KEEPERS.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN3B"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR3B">A</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.]</p> + +<p>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 <i>a single instance +of punishment.</i> Such are the results where there +is a good manager and a good special magistrate.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_46"></a> +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.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_47"></a> +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 <i>representatives of twelve different +estates</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>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 +<i>slaves</i>. 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.</p> + +<p>With regard to the wrongs and hardships of the apprenticeship +much as said; we can only give a small part.</p> + +<p>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 name="AE2_FR3C"></a><a href="#AE2_FN3C">A</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--<i>we +be wise to many more tings</i>; 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 <i>wise to many more tings</i>.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN3C"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR3C">A</a>: We would observe, that they did not refer +to Mr. Chamberlain, but to another magistrate, whose +name they mentioned.]</p> + +<p>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 <i>that; but they could not help +it</i>.</p> + +<p>Sometimes it was a wonder to themselves how they could +endure all the provocations and sufferings of the +apprenticeship; <i>it was only "by de mercy +of God</i>!"</p> + +<p>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 <i>wingle</i> (tease) +us, and <i>wingle</i> 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, <i>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</i>. They said their masters had explained +it all to them long ago.</p> + +<p>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 <i>obliged</i> to work when they were +free; even more than now, for <i>then</i> they +would have no other dependence.</p> + +<p>One tried to prove to us by reasoning, that the +people would work when they were free. Said he, "In +slavery time we work <i>even</i> wid de whip, +now we work 'till better--<i>what +tink we will do when we free? Won't</i> we +work den, <i>when we get paid</i>?" 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:</p> + +<p>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 <i>three</i> men. They <i>would not have +any help</i>; they did all the work "<i>dat +dey might get all de pay</i>."</p> + +<p>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, <i>don't</i> 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 <i>justice</i>. "<i>There +was no law now</i>." 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.</p> + +<p>Some of their expressions indicated very strongly +the characteristic kindness of the negro. They would +say, we work now as well as we can <i>for the sake +of peace; any thing for peace</i>. 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 <i>for peace sake</i>, +we will be satisfy. <i>But we murmur in we minds</i>."</p> + +<p>We asked what they expected to do with the old and +infirm, after freedom? They said, "we will support +<i>dem</i>--as how dey brought us up when +we was pickaninny, and now we come trong, must care +for <i>dem</i>." 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.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_48"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_49"></a> +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!</p> +<p> +<a name="V_50"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_51"></a> +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.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_52"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_53"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_54"></a> +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 <i>drive</i> +them, they will take no pains to please him, but on +the contrary, will be sulky and obstinate.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>yankee</i> 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!</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_55"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>only six +complaints</i>. 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_56"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_57"></a> +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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_58"></a> +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 +<a name="V_59"></a> +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.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_60"></a> +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.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_61"></a> +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?</p> +<p> +<a name="V_62"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_63"></a> +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:</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>5. Real estate is more valuable than before emancipation. +Property is more secure, and capitalists are more +ready to invest their funds.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_64"></a> +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.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_65"></a> +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.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_67"></a> +He spoke in the warmest terms of Lord Sligo,[<a name="AE2_FR3D"></a><a href="#AE2_FN3D">A</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.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_66"></a> +<a name="AE2_FN3D"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR3D">A</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 <i>intimate +of my family</i> 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."]</p> +<p> +<a name="V_68"></a> +The following items contain the principal information +received from Mr. Hill:</p> + +<p>1. The apprenticeship is a most vicious system, full +of blunders and absurdities, and directly calculated +to set master and slave at war.</p> + +<p>2. The complaints against the apprentices are decreasing +every month, <i>except, perhaps, complaints against +mothers for absence from work, which he thinks are +increasing</i>. The apprenticeship <i>law</i> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>chattel</i>; +and while the law gives him power to rob the mother, +it has no compulsion to make him support the child.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>seventh +offence</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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, +<i>free of expense</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>emigrants</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_69"></a> +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.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_70"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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," <i>etc</i>. Mr. H. told her +she must be specific--he could not convict +the girl on such general charges--some particular +acts must be proved.</p> + +<p>She became specific. Her charges were as follows:</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.)</p> + +<p>3. The girl did not wash a cloth clean which the complainant +gave her, and the complainant was obliged to wash +it herself.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Mr. Hill dismissed the complaint by giving some good +advice to both parties, much to the annoyance of the +mistress.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_71"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>compensation</i>. 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<h4>CHAPTER III.</h4> + +<p><b>RESULTS OF ABOLITION.</b></p> +<p> +<a name="V_72"></a> +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 <i>degree</i> of its +failure, we were satisfied it was not so great as +had been represented. There has been nothing of an +<i>insurrectionary</i> 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 <i>fear</i> of +insurrection is as effectually dead in Jamaica, as +in Barbadoes--so long as the apprenticeship +lasts. There has been no <i>increase of crime</i>. +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 +<i>defiance of law</i>. The most illiberal magistrates +testified that the people respected the law, when they +<a name="V_73"></a> +understood it. As it respects the <i>industry</i> +of the apprentices, there are different opinions among +the <i>planters</i> themselves. Some admitted +that they were as industrious as before, and did as +much work <i>in proportion to the time they were +employed</i>. Others complained that they <i>lacked +the power</i> 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 <i>absolute +force</i> 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.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_74"></a> +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 <i>time</i> 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 <i>free children</i>[<a name="AE2_FR3E"></a><a href="#AE2_FN3E">A</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 <i>unable</i> 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 <i>decidedly +worse</i> than it was during slavery. The privileges +which the planter felt it for his interest to grant +these formerly, for <i>the sake of their children</i>, +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 <i>both</i> 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 <i>disaffected state</i> throughout the +island.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN3E"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR3E">A</a>: All children under <i>six years</i> +of age at the time of abolition, were made entirely +free.]</p> +<p> +<a name="V_75"></a> +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.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_76"></a> +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 <i>them</i> 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.</p> + +<p>The causes of the difficulties rest chiefly with the +<i>planters</i>. They were <i>originally</i> +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 <i>after the act of abolition</i>. +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 name="AE2_FR3F"></a><a href="#AE2_FN3F">A</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.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN3F"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR3F">A</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:</p> + +<blockquote><p>"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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>The negroes of this and of +all the British W.I. colonies have been +'<i>emancipated</i>.' +Cuba on the other hand is still a <i>slave country</i>. +(Let not our readers imagine +for one moment that we advocate the +<i>continuance of slavery</i>," &c.)</p></blockquote> +<p>]</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_77"></a> +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 <i>was +a heartless military chieftain, who ruled without +regard to mercy</i>. Of course the planters are +full of his praise. His late tour of the island was +a <i>triumphal procession</i>, amid the sycophantic +greetings of oppressors.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_78"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> +<p> +<a name="V_79"></a> +The following facts respecting the persecution of +Special Justice Bourne, illustrate the same thing.</p> + +<blockquote><p>"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.</p></blockquote> +<p> +<a name="V_80"></a></p> +<blockquote><p>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 +<i>legally</i>, was suffering every species +of persecution and indignity for so doing."</p></blockquote> + +<p>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 +<i>against his employers</i>. He stated to the +governor that the apprentices on the estate where he +lived were lazy and wouldn't do right, <i>but +he declared that it was not Mr. C.'s fault, +for that he was not allowed to come on the estate!</i></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>independent</i> 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) <i>being poisoned +by massa's turtle soup.</i> The <i>character</i> +of the men who are acting as magistrates is thus described +by a colonial magistrate of high standing and experience.</p> + +<p>"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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>feels it +his duty</i> to make an example of the offender!</p> + +<p>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!"</p> +<p> +<a name="V_81"></a> +We quote the following heart-rending account from +the Telegraph, (Spanishtown,) April 28, 1837. It is +from a Baptist missionary.</p> + +<blockquote><p>"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."</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>"<i>Logan Castle, +Jan. 9, 1836.</i></p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>I remain, sir, yours, truly,</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>T.W. JONES, S.M."</p></blockquote> + +<p>'Rev. J. Clarke, &c., &c.'</p> + +<p>From Mr. Clarke's reply, we make the following +extract:</p> + +<blockquote><p>"<i>Jericho, January +19, 1836.</i></p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>Sir--I beg to acknowledge +the receipt of your letter of the 9th +instant.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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 <i>me</i> +<i>dis</i> <i>once</i>! 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 <i>dem</i> +use me.'</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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 <i>causes of the evils in Jamaica</i>. +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 name="AE2_FR40"></a><a href="#AE2_FN40">A</a>]</p></blockquote> +<p><a name="AE2_FN40"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR40">A</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.]</p> + +<blockquote><p>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 <i>that immediate emancipation was +imperatively demanded there</i>. In no other +colony did the negroes require to be more <i>entirely +released from the tyranny of the overseers, or more +thoroughly shielded by the power of equal law</i>. +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 <i>most +despotic, cruel, and</i> LONG CONTINUED, there +the protection of law should be most SPEEDILY +<i>extended and most impartially applied</i>."[<a name="AE2_FR41"></a><a href="#AE2_FN41">B</a>]</p></blockquote> +<p> +<a name="V_82"> +</a><a name="AE2_FN41"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR41">B</a>: 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."</p> + +<blockquote><p>"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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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."</p></blockquote> +<p>]</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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 <i>whip of slavery</i>, 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 <i>set their +hearts upon</i> ruin, and they will be sorely disappointed +if it should not come."</p> +<p> +<a name="V_83"></a> +Hearing so much said concerning the diminution of +the crops, we spared no pains to ascertain the <i>true +causes</i>. We satisfied ourselves that the causes +were mainly two.</p> + +<p>First. The prevailing impression that the negroes +would not <i>work well</i> 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 <i>much +less work</i> would be done after abolition. He +also mentioned one attorney <i>who ordered all the +estates under his charge to be thrown out of cultivation</i> +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 <i>only</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>The other cause of short crops has been the <i>diminished +amount of time for labor</i>. 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 +<i>have harsh overseers</i>, 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 <i>appears</i> greater than it really +has been. We learned from the most credible sources +that <i>the size of the hogsheads</i> 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 <i>by the hogshead</i>; +the other, and perhaps the principal, was to create +some foundation in appearance for the complaint that +the crops had failed because of abolition.</p> + +<p>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, <i>which +was expressly designed as a compensation to the proprietor</i>, +HAS ACTUALLY DIMINISHED HIS ANNUAL RETURNS BY ONE +THIRD! So may it ever be with legislation which is +based on <i>iniquity and robbery!</i></p> +<p> +<a name="V_84"></a> +But the subject which excites the deepest interest +in Jamaica <i>is the probable consequences of entire +emancipation in 1840</i>. 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.</p> + +<p>The <i>reasons</i> for this opinion consist in +part of naked assumptions, and in part of inferences +from <i>supposed</i> facts. The assumed reasons +are such as these. The negroes will not cultivate +the cane <i>without the whip</i>. How is this +known? Simply because <i>they never have</i>, +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 <i>naturally improvident</i>, +and will never have enough foresight to work steadily. +What is the evidence of <i>natural</i> improvidence +in the negroes? Barely this--their carelessness +in a state of slavery. But that furnishes no ground +at all for judging of <i>natural</i> character, +or of the developments of character under a <i>totally +different system</i>. If it testifies any thing, +it is only this, that the natural disposition of the +negroes is not always <i>proof</i> against the +degenerating influences of slavery.[<a name="AE2_FR42"></a><a href="#AE2_FN42">A</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 <i>fewer of the comforts +and luxuries of civilized life</i>, 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 <i>founded on fact</i>. +They may all be resolved into two, <i>the laziness +of negroes, and their tendency to barbarism</i>.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN42"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR42">A</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.]</p> +<p> +<a name="V_85"></a> +i. They <i>now</i> refuse to work on Saturdays, +even with wages. On this assertion we have several +remarks to make.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>2. Another fact from which the laziness of the negroes +is inferred, is their <i>neglecting their provision +grounds</i>. 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 <i>lose +their provision grounds</i>; 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 <i>all</i> 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.</p> + +<p>3. Another alleged fact is, that <i>actually less +work</i> 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 <i>no work at all</i> +will be done after entire freedom! But the apprenticeship +allows <i>one fourth less time</i> 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 <i>all</i> the +time from labor, and offer no encouragement <i>but +to idleness</i>? 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.</p> + +<p>The <i>other reason</i> for believing that the +negroes will abandon estate-labor after entire emancipation, +is their <i>strong tendency to barbarism!</i> +And what are the facts in proof of this? We know but +one.</p> + +<p>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 +<i>bushas</i> to educate their children, and <i>this</i>, +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 <i>learn to +work</i>, and that they were opposed to their <i>receiving +education</i>. 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, <i>etc</i>., 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 <i>bind them to work</i> 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, <i>because it came from the planters</i>, +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 <i>free children bound +to them</i>, 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; <i>viz</i>. that at the same time that the apprentices +declined the offer, they would send their free children +<i>six or eight miles to a school taught by a missionary</i>. +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 <i>but +for a single month</i>, 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 <i>then</i>," said +they, "<i>we might whistle for our children</i>!" +In this manner the apprentices, the <i>parents</i>, +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.</p> +<p> +<a name="V_86"></a> +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 <i>oppressions</i> +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 <i>strong local attachments</i>, +and these would bind them to the properties. These +planters also argue, from <i>the great willingness</i> +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 <i>any</i> +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 <i>ought</i> to be abandoned. It was +the declaration of a <i>planter</i>, that entire +emancipation would <i>regenerate</i> the island +of Jamaica.</p> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> +<p> +<a name="V_87"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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. <i>Well authenticated +facts</i>, 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 <i>names</i> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<h4>APPENDIX.</h4> + +<p>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 <i>all</i>, 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.</p> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> +<p> +<a name="VI_1"></a> +OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION FROM E.B. LYON, ESQ., SPECIAL +MAGISTRATE.</p> + +<p><i>Jamaica, Hillingdon, near Falmouth, Trelawney, +May 15, 1837</i>.</p> + +<p>TO J.H. KIMBALL., ESQ., and J.A. THOME, ESQ.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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, <i>etc</i>., 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>I am, dear sirs, your very faithful servant,</p> + +<p>EDMUND B. LYON, <i>Special Justice.</i></p> +<p> +<a name="VI_2"></a> +Extract from a communication which we received from +Wm. Henry Anderson,<br> +Esq., of Kingston, the Solicitor-General for Jamaica.</p> + +<p>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, +<i>obtain money</i>, and therefore I hold that +there must ever be an adequate supply of labor in +the market.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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. <i>They</i> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>WM. HENRY ANDERSON.</p> + +<p><i>Kingston, Jamaica, 24th April, 1837</i>.</p> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> +<p> +<a name="VI_3"></a> +The following communication is the monthly report +for March, 1837, of Major J.B. Colthurst, special +justice for District A., Rural Division, Barbadoes.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>The apprentices in my district <i>perform their +work most willingly</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>free</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>married</i> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>gradually</i> +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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>single instance</i> +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; <i>over +indulgence</i> and <i>petting</i> 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 <i>some +bitterness is felt by the latter on the score of their +lost authority</i>. 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 +<i>married</i> wife. However, they are well attended, +but are very few in number.</p> + +<p>To show that the apprentices fully estimate the blessings +of education, many females <i>hire their apprentice</i> +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 <i>voluntary</i> +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 +<i>now</i> 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.</p> + +<p>J.B. COLTHURST, <i>Special Justice Peace, District +A, Rural Division</i>.</p> +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> +<p> +<a name="VI_4"></a> +<i>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</i>.</p> + +<TABLE summary="imports and exports Barbadoes" WIDTH="80%" BORDER="0" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0"> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="Left" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +£. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +s. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +d. + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="Left" VALIGN="TOP"> +1832 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +481,610 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +6 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +3 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="Left" VALIGN="TOP"> +1833 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +462,132 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +14 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +4 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="Left" VALIGN="TOP"> +1834 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +449,169 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +12 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +4 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="Left" VALIGN="TOP"> +1835 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +595,961 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +13 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +2 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="Left" VALIGN="TOP"> +1836 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +622,128 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +19 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +11 + </TD> + </TR> +</Table> +<p> +<br> +<b>IMPORTS OF LUMBER.</b></p> + +<TABLE summary="lumber imports" WIDTH="80%" BORDER="0" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0"> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="Left" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Feet. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Shingles. + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="Left" VALIGN="TOP"> +1833 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +5,290,086 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +5,598,958 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="Left" VALIGN="TOP"> +1834 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +5,708,494 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +5,506,646 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="Left" VALIGN="TOP"> +1835 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +5,794,596 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +4,289,025 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="Left" VALIGN="TOP"> +1836 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +7,196,189 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +7,037,462 + </TD> + </TR> +</Table> + +<p><br> +<b>IMPORTS OF PROVISIONS.</b></p> + +<TABLE summary="imports of provisions" WIDTH="80%" BORDER="0" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0"> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Flour. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Corn Meal. + </TD> + </TR> +</TABLE> +<TABLE summary="imports of provisions" WIDTH="80%" BORDER="1" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0"> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Y'rs. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +bbls. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1/2 bbls. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +bush. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +bbls. + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1833 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +21,535 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +397 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +629 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +265 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1834 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +34,191 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +865 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1675 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1580 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1835 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +32,393 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +828 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +160 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +809 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1836 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +41,975 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +433 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +823 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1123 + </TD> + </TR> +</TABLE> +<p> + +<br> +</p> +<TABLE summary="tables of provisions" WIDTH="80%" BORDER="1" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0"> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Bread and Biscuits. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Oats & Corn. + </TD> + </TR> +</TABLE> +<TABLE summary="tables of provisions" WIDTH="80%" BORDER="1" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0"> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Y'rs. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +hds. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +bbls. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1/2 bbls. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +kegs. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +bags. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +bags. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +qrs. + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1833 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +49 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +2146 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +30 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +" + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +" + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +430 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +50 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1834 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +401 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +8561 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +99 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +57 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +" + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +100 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1025 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1835 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +2024 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +10762 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +" + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +" + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +" + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +2913 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +3134 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1836 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +4 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +4048 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +" + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +" + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1058 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +8168 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +3119 + </TD> + </TR> +</TABLE> + +<p> +<br> +<b>IMPORTS OF CATTLE, ETC.</b></p> +<TABLE summary="imports of livestock" WIDTH="80%" BORDER="0" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0"> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Cattle. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Horses. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +Mules. + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1833 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +649 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +462 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +65 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1834 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +549 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +728 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +24 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1835 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +569 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1047 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +43 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1836 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1013 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1345 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +104 + </TD> + </TR> +</TABLE> +<p> +<br> +<b>RETURN OF EXPORTS--SUGAR.</b></p> + +<TABLE summary="sugar exports" WIDTH="80%" BORDER="0" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0"> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +hhds. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +trcs. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +bbls. + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1832 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +18,804 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1278 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +838 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1833 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +27,015 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1505 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +651 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1834 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +27,593 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1464 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1083 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1835 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +24,309 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1417 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +938 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1836 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +25,060 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +1796 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> +804 + </TD> + </TR> +</Table> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +<br> +</p> +<p> +<a name="VI_5"></a> +<b>VALUATIONS OF APPRENTICES IN JAMAICA.</b></p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>The above is extracted from the "West Indies +in 1837," an English work by Messrs. Sturge +and Harvey, page 86, Appendix.</p> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> +<p> +<a name="VI_6"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>A GENERAL RETURN OF EXPORTS <i>From the island of +Jamaica, for 53 years, ending 31st December, 1836--copied +from the Journals of the House.</i></p> + +<pre>___________________________________________________________________ + . | | | | | + d | | |MO-| | + e | SUGAR | RUM |LAS| GINGER | + t | | |<i>SES</i>| | + 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|</pre> + +<pre> . | | | + 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.</pre> + +<p>The following are the remarks of the editor of the +Jamaica Watchman, on the foregoing, in his paper of +April 8, 1837:--</p> + +<p>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 <i>seasons</i> +and the <i>soil</i> 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 <i>unprejudiced</i> 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 +<i>not larger</i> than those of 1819 to 1822) +is <i>nearly</i>, if not <i>quite equal</i> +to the increase of price, from twelve to thirty pounds, +or one hundred and fifty per cent.</p> + +<p>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 <i>forced</i> "to precipitate the <i>slavery +spoliation</i> 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.</p> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> +<p> +<a name="VI_7"></a> +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:--</p> + +<blockquote><p>"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. <i>Banks, steam companies, railroads, +charity schools, etc.</i>, seem all to have remained +dormant until the time arrived when Jamaica was to +be <i>enveloped in smoke</i>! No man thought +of hazarding his capital in an extensive <i>banking +establishment</i> until <i>Jamaica's ruin</i>, +by the introduction of <i>freedom, had been +accomplished</i>!! 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 <i>darling</i> +slavery had (<i>in a great measure</i>) departed, +and now, when we thought of throwing up our estates, +and flying from the <i>dangers of emancipation</i>, +the best projects are being set on foot, and what +is <i>worst</i>, are likely to <i>succeed</i>! +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 <i>Despatch</i> +and <i>Chronicle</i>, 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 <i>baneful weed, +Freedom</i>? 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 <i>slavery</i>; 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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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."</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> +<p> +<a name="VI_8"></a> +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 <i>Bermudas</i>, 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:--</p> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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 <i>Bermudas</i>, 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 <i>Bermudas</i>, 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 <i>soi-disant</i> 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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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 <i>Bermudas</i> +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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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 <i>Bermudas</i> +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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.)</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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. * * * *</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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!</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<br> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +<br> +</p> + +<h3>INDEX.</h3> + +<p>ABSCONDING from labor,<br> +Accident in a boiling house,<br> +Aged negro,<br> +Allowance to Apprentices,<br> +"Amalgamation,"<br> +American Consul, (<i>See Consul</i>.)<br> +American Prejudice,<br> +Amity Hall Estate,<br> +Anderson, Wm. II. Esq.,<br> +Anguilla,<br> +Annual Meeting of Missionaries,<br> +Antigua, Dimensions of,<br> + " Sugar Crop of,<br> +Applewhitte, Mr.<br> +Appraisement of Apprentices,<br> +Apprentice, provisions respecting the,<br> +Apprenticeship compared with slavery,<br> +Apprenticeship System,<br> + " Design +of,<br> + " Good +effect of,<br> + " No preparation +for freedom,<br> +Apprenticeship, Operation of,<br> +Apprenticeship, Opinion of, in Antigua;--in +Barbadoes;--in Jamaica,<br> +Apprentices liberated,<br> +Apprentices' work compared with slaves<br> +Archdeacon of Antigua,<br> + " of Barbadoes,<br> +Aristocracy of Antigua,<br> +Armstrong, Mr. H.,<br> +Ashby, Colonel,<br> +Athill, Mr.,<br> +Attachment to home,<br> +Attorney General of Jamaica,<br> +Attendance on Church<br> +August, First of</p> + +<p>Baijer, Hon. Samuel O.,<br> +Baines, Major,<br> +Banks, Rev. Mr.,<br> +Baptist Chapel<br> +Baptists in Jamaica,<br> +Barbadoes,<br> +Barbuda,<br> +Barber in Bridgetown,<br> +Barclay, Alexander, Esq.,<br> +Barnard, Samuel, Esq.,<br> +Barrow, Colonel,<br> +Bath,<br> +Bazaar,<br> +Bell, Dr.,<br> +Belle Estate,<br> +Bell not tolled for colored person,<br> +"<i>Belly, 'blige</i> 'em to +work,"<br> +Belmore, Lord,<br> +Belvidere Estate,<br> +Benevolent institutions of Antigua,<br> +Bible Society,<br> +Bishop of Barbadoes,<br> +Blessings of Abolition, (See <i>Morals</i>, &c.)<br> +Blind man,<br> +Boiling House,<br> +Bookkeepers, Slaver of,<br> +"Bornin' Ground,"<br> +Bourne, Mr. London,<br> +Bourne, Mr. S., (of Antigua,)<br> +Bourne, Stephen, Esq., (of Jamaica,)<br> +Breakfast at Mr. Bourne's,<br> + " at Mr. Prescod's,<br> + " at Mr. Thorne's,<br> +Briant, Mr.,<br> +Bridgetown,<br> +Brown, Colonel,<br> +Brown, Thomas C.,</p> + +<p>C., Mr., of Barbadoes,<br> +"Cage,"<br> +Cane cultivated by apprentices on their own ground,<br> +Cane-cutting,<br> +Cane-holing,<br> +Cecil, Mr.,<br> +Cedar Hall,<br> +Chamberlain, R., Esq.,<br> +Change of opinion in regard to slavery,<br> +Chapel erected by apprentices,<br> +Character of colored people,<br> +Cheesborough, Rev. Mr.,<br> +Children, care of, (See <i>Free</i>.)<br> +Christmas,<br> +Church, Established,<br> +Civility of negroes,<br> +Clarke, Dr.,<br> +Clarke, Hon. R.B.,<br> +Clarke, Mr.,<br> +Classification of apprentices,<br> +Codrington Estate,<br> +Coddrington, Sir Christopher.<br> +Coffee Estates.<br> +College, Coddrington.<br> +Colliton Estate.<br> +Colored Architect.<br> + " Editors.<br> + " Lady.<br> + " Legislators.<br> + " Magistrates.<br> + " Merchants.<br> + " Policemen.<br> + " Population.<br> + " Proprietor.<br> + " Teachers.<br> +Colthurst, Major.<br> +Complaints to Special Magistrates.<br> +Concubinage.<br> +Condition of the negroes, changed.<br> +Conduct of the Emancipated on the first of August.<br> +Confidence increased.<br> +Conjugal attachment.<br> +Consul, American at Antigua.<br> + " " at Jamaica.<br> +Constabulary force, colored.<br> +Contributions for religious purposes.<br> +Conversation with a negro boatman.<br> +Conversation with negroes on Harvey's estate.<br> +Conversation with apprentices.<br> +Corbett, Mr. Trial of.<br> +Corner stone laid.<br> +Courts in Barbadoes.<br> +Courts in Jamaica.<br> +Cox, Rev. James.<br> +Cranstoun, Mr.<br> +Crimes, Diminution of.<br> +Crimes in Jamaica.<br> +Crookes, Rev. Mr.<br> +Crops in Barbadoes.<br> +Crops in Jamaica.<br> +Cruelty of slavery.<br> + " to apprentices.<br> +Cultivation in Barbadoes, (See <i>Crops</i>.)<br> +Cultivation in Jamaica.<br> +Cummins, Mr.<br> +Cummins, Rev. Mr.<br> +Cuppage, Captain.<br> +Custom House returns, Barbadoes.</p> + +<p>Daily meal Society.<br> +Dangers of slavery.<br> +Daniell, Dr.<br> +Death-bed of a planter.<br> +Deception.<br> +Defect of law.<br> +Demerara, Apprenticeship in.<br> +Desire for instruction.<br> +Dinner at Mr. Harris's.<br> + " at the Governor's.<br> +Disabilities of colored people.<br> +Discussion, Effect of.<br> +Distinction between <i>serving</i> and being +<i>property</i>.<br> +Distressed Females' Friend Society.<br> +Disturbances, Reason of.<br> +Docility of the negroes.<br> +Domestic Apprentices.<br> +Donovan's Estate.<br> +Drax Hall.<br> +Dress in Antigua.<br> +"Driver and overseer."<br> +Drought in Antigua.<br> +Dublin Castle Estate.<br> +Duncan, Mr.<br> +Dungeons in Antigua.<br> + " in Barbadoes.</p> + +<p>Economy of the negroes.<br> +Edgecomb Estate.<br> +Edmonson, Rev. Jonathan.<br> +Education of Apprentices.<br> + " in Antigua.<br> + " in Barbadoes. (See <i>Schools</i>.)<br> +Education, Queries on, replied to.<br> + " Results, in regard to.<br> +Edwards, Colonel.<br> +Eldridge, R. B. Esq..<br> +Elliot, Rev. Edward.<br> +Emancipation, Immediate. (See <i>Preparation, &c.</i>)<br> +Emancipation, Motives of, in Antigua.<br> +Emigrants from Europe.<br> +Employments of the colored.<br> +English Delegation.<br> +Enrolment of colored militia.<br> +Escape of slaves from French islands.<br> +Expectations in regard to 1838 and 1840.<br> +Expense of free compared with slave labor.<br> +Expense of Apprenticeship compared with slavery.<br> +Explanation of terms.<br> +Exports of Jamaica for 53 years.</p> + +<p>Fair of St. John's.<br> +Favey, Mr.<br> +Feeding in Barbadoes.<br> +Feeling, intense, of the negroes.<br> +Females in the field.<br> +Fences wanting in Antigua.<br> +Ferguson, Dr.<br> +Fines upon the planters.<br> +Fire in the canes.<br> +Fitch's Creek Estate.<br> +Flogging.<br> + " machine.<br> +Forten, James.<br> +Four and a half per cent tax.<br> +Fraser, Rev. Edward.<br> + " Mrs., ----<br> +Free children.<br> +Freedom in Antigua.<br> +Free labor less expensive.<br> +Freeman, Count.<br> +Frey's Estate.<br> +Friendly Societies.<br> +Fright of American vessels.</p> + +<p>Galloway, Mr.<br> +Gangs, Division of.<br> +Gardiner, Rev. Mr.<br> +Gilbert, Rev. N.<br> +Girl sold by her mother.<br> +Gitters, Rev. Mr.<br> +Golden Grove Estate.<br> +Gordon, Mr.<br> +Governor of Antigua.<br> + " of Barbadoes.<br> +Grace Bay.<br> +Grenada.<br> +"Grandfather Jacob."<br> +Gratitude of the Negroes.<br> +"Grecian Regale."<br> +Green Castle Estate.<br> +Green Wall Estate.<br> +Guadaloupe.<br> +<i>Guarda</i> Costas.<br> +"Gubner poisoned."</p> + +<p>H., Mr., an American.<br> +Hamilton, Capt.<br> +Hamilton, Cheny, Esq.<br> +Hamilton, Rev. Mr.<br> +Harrison, Colonel.<br> +Harris, Thomas, Esq.<br> +Harvey, Rev. B.<br> +Hatley, Mr.<br> +Heroism of colored women.<br> +Higginbothom, Ralph, Esq.<br> +Hill, Richard, Esq.<br> +Hinkston, Samuel, Esq.<br> +Holberton, Rev. Robert.<br> +Holidays in Antigua.<br> +Horne, Rev. Mr.<br> +"Horse."<br> +Horton Estate.<br> +Horsford, Hon. Paul.<br> +Hostility to Emancipation. (See also, <i>Change, +&c.</i>)<br> +House of Correction.<br> +Howell, Mr., (of Jamaica).<br> +Howell, James Esq.<br> +Hurricane.</p> + +<p>Imports and Exports of Barbadoes.<br> +Improvement since Emancipation. (See <i>Morals</i>.)<br> +Indolence of Apprentices.<br> + " of Whites.<br> +Industry of Emancipated Slaves.<br> +Industry of Apprentices.<br> +Infanticide.<br> +Insolence.<br> +Insubordination. (See <i>Subordination</i>.)<br> +Insurrection in Barbadoes in 1816.<br> +Insurrection not feared in Antigua;<br> + nor in Barbadoes;<br> + nor in Jamaica.<br> +Intelligence of blacks, as compared with whites.<br> +Intemperance in Antigua. (See <i>Temperance</i>.)<br> +Intermixture. (See also <i>Amalgamation</i>.)<br> +Internal Improvement.</p> + +<p>Jamaica.<br> +Jarvis, Colonel.<br> +Jobs.<br> +Jocken, Mr.<br> +Jones, Mr.<br> +Jones, Rev. Mr.<br> +Jones, T. Watkins, S. M.<br> +Jordon, Edward, Esq.<br> +Jury on the body of a negro woman.<br> +"Juvenile Association."</p> + +<p>Kingdon, Rev. Mr.<br> +Kingston.<br> +Kirkland, Mr.</p> + +<p>Law, respect for.<br> +Lear's Estate.<br> +Legislature of Antigua.<br> +Letter to a Special Magistrate.<br> +License to marry.<br> +Licentiousness.<br> +Lighthouse.<br> +Lock-up house at St. John's.<br> +Lyon, E.B., Esq.<br> +Lyon's Estate.</p> + +<p>Machinery, Labor-saving.<br> +Managers, Testimony of.<br> +Manchioneal.<br> +Market in St. John's.<br> +Market people.<br> +Maroons.<br> +Marriage.<br> +Marshall, Mr.<br> +Martinique.<br> +Master's power over the apprentice.<br> +McCornock, Thomas, Esq.<br> +McGregor, Sir Evan, J. M.<br> +Megass.<br> +Merchants, Testimony of.<br> +Messages of Sir Lionel Smith.<br> +Mico Charity Infant School.<br> +Miller's Estate.<br> +Missionaries, Wesleyan.<br> +Missionary associations.<br> + " Society, Wesleyan.<br> +Mob, Pro-Slavery, in Barbadoes.<br> +Möhne, Mr. and Mrs.<br> +Montserrat.<br> +Morals, improvement of.<br> +Morant Bay.<br> +Moravian Chapel.<br> + " Missionary.<br> +Moravians.<br> +Morrish, Rev. Mr.<br> +Mule-traveling.<br> +Murder of a planter.<br> +Musgrave, Dr.</p> + +<p>Negro Grounds.<br> +Negro Quarters.<br> +Nevis.<br> +Newby, Mr.<br> +Newfield, visit to.<br> +Noble trait in the apprentices.<br> +Nugent, Hon. Nicholas.</p> + +<p>Obstacles to free labor in Antigua.<br> +Old school tyrant.<br> +Opinions in Antigua in regard to Emancipation.<br> +Opinions of the United States.<br> +Opposition to slavery in Jamaica.<br> +O'Reily, Hon. Dowel.<br> +Osburne, Mr.<br> +Overseers.</p> + +<p>Packer, Rev. Mr.<br> +Parry, Archdeacon.<br> +Partiality of the Special Magistrates.<br> +Peaceableness of negro villages.<br> +Peaceableness of the change from slavery to freedom.<br> +Peaceableness of the negro character.<br> +Persecution of a Special Justice.<br> +Peter's Rock.<br> +Phillips, Rev. Mr.<br> +Physician, Testimony of.<br> +Pigeot, Mr.<br> +Plantain Garden River Valley.<br> +Planter, a severe one.<br> +Planters, cruelty of.<br> + " in Barbadoes.<br> +Plough.<br> +Police Court.<br> + " of Antigua.<br> + " Officers, Testimony of.<br> + " Reports.<br> +Policy of colored people in regard to prejudice.<br> +Port Royal.<br> +Prejudice against color.<br> +"Prejudice Bell."<br> +Preparation for freedom.<br> +Prescod, Mr.<br> +Promiscuous seating in church (See <i>"Amalgamation," +&c.</i>)<br> +Proprietor, testimony of.<br> +Pro-slavery pretences.<br> +Providence of the emancipated, the.<br> +Provost Marshal, Testimony of.<br> +Punishment, cruel.<br> +Punishment in Antigua.</p> + +<p>Ramsay, Mr.<br> +Real Estate.<br> +Rebellion, so called.<br> +Rector of St. John's.<br> +"Red Shanks."<br> +Reid, Mr. E.<br> +Religion in Antigua;<br> + in Barbadoes;<br> + in Jamaica.<br> +Religious condition of slaves in Antigua.<br> +Religious instruction desired.<br> +Report of a Special Magistrate.<br> +Resolution in regard to Messrs. Thome and Kimball.<br> +Resolutions of Wesleyan Missionaries.<br> +Respect for the aged.<br> +Results in Antigua.<br> +Revengefulness.<br> +Ridge Estate.<br> +Right of suffrage.<br> +Rogers, Mr.<br> +Ross, A., Esq.<br> +Rowe, Rev. Mr.<br> +Rum, use of in Antigua.</p> + +<p>Sabbath in Antigua;<br> + in Barbadoes;<br> + in Jamaica.<br> +Sabbath school in Bridgetown.<br> +Safety of immediate emancipation. (See <i>Insurrections</i>.)<br> +School, adult;<br> + at Lear's;<br> + Parochial;<br> + Wolmer Free.<br> +Schools in Antigua;<br> + in Bridgetown;<br> + infant;<br> + in Kingston;<br> + in Spanishtown.<br> +Scotland in Barbadoes.<br> +Scotland, James, Esq.<br> +Scotland, J., Jr. Esq.<br> +Security restored.<br> +Self-emancipation.<br> +Self-respect.<br> +Shands, Mr. S.<br> +Shiel, Mr.<br> +Shrewsbury, Rev. Mr.<br> +Sickness, pretended.<br> +Silver Hill.<br> +Sligo, Lord.<br> +Smith, Sir Lionel.<br> +Social intercourse.<br> +Societies, benevolent.<br> +Society among colored people.<br> + " for promotion of Christian knowledge.<br> +Soldiers, black.<br> +Solicitor General of Barbadoes.<br> + " of Jamaica.<br> +Song sung in the schools.<br> +Spanishtown.<br> +"Speaking," a Moravian custom.<br> +Special Magistrates. (See also <i>Partiality</i>.)<br> +Special Magistrates, Testimony of.<br> +St. Andrews.<br> +Station House, A.<br> +St. Christopher's.<br> +St. Lucia.<br> +Stock Keepers.<br> +St. Thomas in the East.<br> +Sturge & Harvey, Messrs.<br> +St. Vincent's.<br> +Subordination.<br> +Sugar Crop.<br> + " cultivation hard for the slave.<br> +Sugar Mill.<br> +Sunday Markets.<br> +Superintendent of Police.<br> +Suspension of faithful magistrates.</p> + +<p>Task-work.<br> +Teacher, Black.<br> +Teachers.<br> +"Telegraph," Remarks of the.<br> +Temperance in Antigua.<br> + " of negroes.<br> + " Society.<br> +Testimony of Managers.<br> +Testimony of clergymen and missionaries.<br> +Testimony of Governors.<br> + " of magistrates.<br> + " of physicians.<br> +Theft, decrease of.<br> +Thibou Jarvis's estate.<br> +Thomas, Mr.<br> +Thompson, George, Bust of.<br> +Thompson, Thomas, Esq.<br> +Thorne, Mr.<br> +Thwaites, Mr. Charles.<br> +Tinson, Rev. Mr.<br> +Toast to Immediate Emancipation.<br> +Tortala.<br> +Traffic in Slaves.<br> +Transition from slavery to freedom.<br> +Treatment of slaves ameliorated by discussion.<br> +Treadmill.<br> +Trinidad.<br> +Trustworthiness.</p> + +<p>Unwilling witness.</p> + +<p>Vagrancy.<br> +Value of an apprentice. (See <i>Appraisement</i>.)<br> +Villa Estate.</p> + +<p>Wages.<br> +Walton, Rev. Mr.<br> +Watchman, Jamaica.<br> + " Remarks of the.<br> +Watkins, Mr.<br> +Ward, Sir Henry.<br> +Weatherill's Estate.<br> +Wesleyan Chapel, Antigua.<br> + " " New, ".<br> + " Missionary Society.<br> +Wesleyans in Antigua.<br> + " in Barbadoes.<br> + " in Jamaica.<br> +Whip banished.<br> +Whipping Post.<br> +White lady.<br> +Wilberforce, opinion of.<br> +Wickham, Richard S.<br> +Willis, George, Esq.<br> +Willoughby Bay Examination.<br> +Wolmer Free School.<br> +Women abandon the field.<br> + " condition of.<br> +Woolridge, Rev. Mr.<br> +Wright, Andrew, Esq.</p> +<p> +<br> +<a name="AE_Ex1"></a> +<br> +<br> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +<br> +</p> + +<h2>THE ANTI-SLAVERY EXAMINER--EXTRA.</h2> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +<br> +</p> + +<p><b>EMANCIPATION</b></p> +<p> + +<br> +</p> + +<p><b>In The</b></p> +<p> + +<br> +</p> + +<p><b>WEST INDIES, IN 1838.</b></p> +<p> + +<br> +</p> + + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> +<p><b>IMPORTANT TO THE UNITED STATES.</b></p> + +<p>False prophets were never stiller about their time-detected +<i>impostures</i> 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.</p> + +<p>In the following closely printed columns, those who +wish to know will find out precisely how the "<i>great +experiment</i>" has worked. They will find,</p> + +<p>1. The <i>safety</i> of abolition demonstrated--its +safety in the worst possible case.</p> + +<p>2. That the colonies are prospering in their <i>agriculture</i>.</p> + +<p>3. That the planters conferred freedom because they +were <i>obliged to</i> by public opinion abroad.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>6. That many of the attorneys and managers have refused +fair wages and practiced extortion, <i>to depreciate +the price of property</i>, that they might profit +thereby.</p> + +<p>7. That all the indisposition to labor which has yet +been exhibited is fully accounted for by these causes.</p> + +<p>8. That in spite of all, the abolition is working +well for the <i>honest</i> of all parties.</p> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<p><b>WEST INDIA EMANCIPATION, IN 1838.</b></p> + +<p>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 <i>profitable</i>, 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 <i>robbery of +the poor because he is poor</i>.</p> + +<p>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:--</p> + +<p>"There is not a class, or party, or sect, who +do not esteem the abolition of slavery as a <i>special +blessing to them</i>. 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 <i>slaves</i>--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."</p> + +<p>In the emphatic language of the Governor, "It +was <i>universally admitted</i> that emancipation +had been a great blessing to the island."</p> + +<p>In November 1837, Lord Brougham thus summed up the +results of the Antigua experiment in a speech in the +House of Lords:--</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>gradualism</i> and not to <i>immediatism</i>. +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 <i>labor</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>improvement</i> +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.</p> + +<p>The following table exhibits the extent and population +of these colonies.</p> + +<TABLE summary="info on colonies" WIDTH="80%" BORDER="1" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0"> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +Population + </TD> + </TR> +</TABLE> +<TABLE summary="info on colonies" WIDTH="80%" BORDER="1" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0"> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +Possessions + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +Date of acquisit. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +Extent. sq. m. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +White. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +Slaves. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +F. Col. + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +Anguilla[<a href="#AE2_FN44">B</a>], + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +1650 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> + ... + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +365 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +2,388 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +327 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +Antigua[<a href="#AE2_FN43">A</a>], + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +1632 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +108 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +1,980 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +29,537 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +3,895 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +Bahamas[<a href="#AE2_FN44">B</a>], + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +1629 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +4,400 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +4,240 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +9,268 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +2,991 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +Barbados[<a href="#AE2_FN44">B</a>], + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +1625 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +166 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +14,959 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +82,807 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +5,146 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +<i>Bermudas</i>[<a href="#AE2_FN43">A</a>], + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +1611 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +22 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +3,905 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +4,608 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +738 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +Dominica[<a href="#AE2_FN44">B</a>], + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +1783 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +275 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +840 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +15,392 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +3,606 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +Grenada[<a href="#AE2_FN44">B</a>], + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +1783 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +125 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +801 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +24,145 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +3,786 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +Jamaica[<a href="#AE2_FN44">B</a>], + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +1655 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +6,400 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +37,000 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +311,692 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +55,000 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +Montserrat[<a href="#AE2_FN44">B</a>], + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +1632 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +47 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +330 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +6,262 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +814 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +Nevis[<a href="#AE2_FN44">B</a>], + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +1628 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +20 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +700 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +9,259 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +2,000 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +St. Christophers[<a href="#AE2_FN44">B</a>],], + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +1632 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +68 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +1,612 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +19,310 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +3,000 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +St. Lucia[<a href="#AE2_FN44">B</a>], + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +1803 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +58 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +972 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +13,661 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +3,718 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +St. Vincent[<a href="#AE2_FN44">B</a>], + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +1783 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +130 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +1,301 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +23,589 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +2,824 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +Tobago[<a href="#AE2_FN44">B</a>], + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +1763 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +187 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +322 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +12,556 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +1,164 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +Trinidad[<a href="#AE2_FN44">B</a>], + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +1797 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +2,460 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +4,201 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +24,006 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +15,956 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +Tortola, or +Virgin Isles[<a href="#AE2_FN44">B</a>], + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +1666 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> + ... + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +800 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +5,399 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +607 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD> + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +Total, B.W.I + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> + ... + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +14,466 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +74,328 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +593,879 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +105,572 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +Cape of Good Hope, + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> + ... + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> + ... + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +43,000 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +35,500 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +29,000 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +Guiana Berbice[<a href="#AE2_FN44">B</a>] + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> + ... + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> + ... + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +523 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +20,645 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +1,161 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +Guiana Demarara[<a href="#AE2_FN44">B</a>] + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +1803 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> + ... + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +3,006 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +65,556 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +6,360 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +Guiana Essequibo[<a href="#AE2_FN44">B</a>], + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> + ... + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> + ... + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> + ... + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> + ... + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> + ... + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +Honduras + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +1650 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +62,750 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +250 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +2,100 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +2,300 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +Mauritius + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> + ... + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> + ... + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +8,000 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +76,000 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +15,000 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +Total. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> + ... + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> + ... + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +129,107 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +793,680 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +159,393 + </TD> + </TR> +</TABLE> + +<p><a name="AE2_FN43"></a> +[Footnote A: Emancipated entirely on the 1st. of August, +1834.]</p> + +<p><a name="AE2_FN44"></a> +[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.]</p> + +<p>The <i>unanimity</i> 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 <i>one</i> +dissenting voice. In that of Jamaica, the bill seems +to have been passed on the 8th of June, and the <i>Jamaica +Times</i> 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."</p> + +<p>These facts come down upon the question of the safety +of an <i>immediate</i> emancipation with an <i>a +fortiori</i>, a <i>much more then</i>. 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 <i>safety</i> +was an argument <i>in favor</i> of emancipation, +not <i>against</i> 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 <i>safety</i> of the step.</p> + +<p><b>From the Barbadian, May 9, 1838.</b></p> + +<p>AT A MEETING OF THE BOARD OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, +IN THE NEW COURT<br> +HOUSE, APRIL 24TH, 1838.</p> + +<p>The Lord Bishop rose and spoke as follows:</p> + +<p>"<i>Mr. President, and Gentlemen of the Council</i>,</p> + +<p>'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 <i>l.</i> currency, being +3,000 <i>l.</i> 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.'"</p> + +<p>Such is the testimony of a witness in no wise warped +by prejudice in favor of the anti-slavery party.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>Mr. Dallas said,--"<i>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</i>."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"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. <i>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</i>. +The white Christians had their representatives, the +people of color had their representatives, and <i>he +hoped shortly to see the day when the blacks would +send in their own representatives</i>. 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 <i>crowned</i> 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--<i>he +had an estate with nearly two hundred negroes, that +he was determined to crown on the 28th of June</i>. +(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, <i>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</i>. 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."</p> + +<p>The "mistake" of this liberal descendant +of Israel, which excited so much merriment was, after +all, not a very unfortunate one, <i>if</i> the +"crown" of manhood is more important than +that of monarchy. The members objected to so near +an approach to <i>immediatism</i>, 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."</p> + +<p>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?</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"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."--<i>Jamaica +Standard</i>.</p> + +<p>"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."--<i>Jamaica +Despatch</i>.</p> + +<p>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 <i>safety</i> +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 <i>conciliate the negroes</i>! 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 <i>to work</i> on the <i>terms</i> +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 <i>now</i> +presume to prophesy anything different for the future.</p> + +<p><b>INDUSTRY.</b></p> + +<p>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:--</p> + +<p>"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 <i>appear</i> 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."--<i>Standard, +quoted in the Morning Journal of Nov. 2</i>.</p> + +<p>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 <i>sinking</i> from the condition +of <i>slaves</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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:--</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>"Gentlemen of the Council, +Mr. Speaker, and Gentlemen of the House +of Assembly,</i></p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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, <i>entitles them to the highest praise, +and amply proves how</i> WELL THEY HAVE DESERVED +<i>the boon of freedom.</i></p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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."</p></blockquote> + +<p>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:--</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>"May it Please your Excellency,</i></p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>We, her Majesty's dutiful +and loyal subjects, the Assembly of +Jamaica, thank your Excellency +for your speech at the opening of +the session.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>The House join your Excellency +in bearing testimony TO THE<br> +PEACEABLE MANNER in which +the laboring population have conducted<br> +themselves in a state of FREEDOM.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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."</p></blockquote> + +<p>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 <i>to do their part</i> +in the system of free labor, would not be convinced +if one rose from the deed to prove it.</p> + +<p>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 <i>temper</i> 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:--</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>"Gentlemen of the Council, +Mr. Speaker, and Gentlemen +of the Assembly</i></p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>I have called you together, +at an unusual season, to take it to your<br> +consideration the state of +the Island under the Laws of<br> +Apprenticeship, for the labouring +population.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>I need not refer you to the agitation +on this subject throughout the British Empire, +or to the discussions upon it in Parliament, <i>where +the honourable efforts of the ministry</i> were +barely found sufficient to preserve the original +duration of the Laws, as an obligation of the +National faith.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>I shall lay before you some +despatches on this subject."</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>"Gentlemen,</i></p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p><i>General agitation and Parliamentary +interference have not, I am +afraid, yet terminated.</i></p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p><i>A corresponding excitement has been +long going on among the apprentices themselves,</i> +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."</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>"Gentlemen of the Council,</i> +<i>Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen +of the Assembly,</i></p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>In this posture of affairs, it is my +duty to declare my sentiments, and distinctly +to <i>recommend to you the early and equal abolition +of the apprenticeship for all classes.</i> +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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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 <i>how impracticable +it will become to carry on coercive labor</i>--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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>As Governor, under these circumstances, +and I never shrink from any<br> +of my responsibilities, <i>I +pronounce it physically impossible to<br> +maintain the apprenticeship +with any hope of successful agriculture.</i></p></blockquote> +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>"Gentlemen of the Council,</i></p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p><i>Mr. Speaker, and gentlemen +of the Assembly.</i></p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>Jamaica, is in your hands--she +requires repose, by the removal of a law which +has <i>equally tormented the laborer, and disappointed +the planter</i>--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."</p></blockquote> +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<p>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, <i>but he would say let +it be abandoned from Sunday next</i>. He would therefore +move that the speech be made the order of the day +for tomorrow."</p> + +<p>Mr. Guy said:--</p> + +<p>"The Governor's speech contained nothing +more than what every Gentlemen expected, <i>and +what every Gentlemen, he believed, was prepared to +do. In short he</i> would state that <i>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</i>."</p> + +<p>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:--</p> + +<p>"Mr. Guy hoped the house would not <i>go into +a discussion of the nature of the apprenticeship</i>, +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 <i>defend the government</i>."</p> + +<p>Mr. Barclay, to whom, some years ago, the planters +gave a <i>splendid service of plate</i> 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 <i>had worked well</i>, +and all parties <i>appeared</i> satisfied with +it. He denied that there existed any necessity to disturb +the working of the system, it would have <i>gradually</i> +slided into <i>absolute freedom if they were permitted +to regulate their own affairs</i>, but the government, +or rather, <i>the people of England, had forced on +the predicament in which they were placed</i>. +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 <i>force of public opinion that operated</i> +in producing the change. They were placed in a situation +from which they could hardly extricate themselves.-- +<i>They had no alternative, he was afraid, but to +go along with the stream</i>."</p> + +<p>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 "<i>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</i>"! +discoursed in the following manner. "It was +always understood, for the apprenticeship <i>had +become marketable</i>. Properties had been bought +and sold with them, their time had been bought by +others, and by themselves."</p> + +<p>"He had no hesitation in saying, that the statements +which had been made in England against the planters +<i>were as false as hell</i>--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 <i>few instances</i> of cruelty +to the apprentices, but then those were <i>isolated +cases</i>, 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 <i>few</i>. +He would say that there was a greater disposition +to be cruel to the negroes evinced <i>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</i>. The negroes <i>were better off +here than many of the people of Great Britain</i>, +and they would have been contented, had it not been +for the injudicious <i>interference of some of the +Special Justices</i>. 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, <i>and afterwards themselves</i>, +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.]</p> + +<p>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--<i>that +we are about to do ourselves</i>, but he would ask +whether we were not <i>driven into the difficulty</i> +by which we are now surrounded! Had we not been brought +into this <i>alarming position</i>, into this +<i>exigency</i>, by the conduct of the British +Government. <i>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</i>, +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 <i>cowardly +and unjustly</i>, 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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Mr. Brown--"Mr. Chairman, I am on +my legs, Sir. I say that we have to thank the Special +Justices, and the <i>private instructions</i> +which they have acted upon, <i>for all the evils +that have occurred in the country</i>. Had they +taken <i>the law</i> for their guide, had they +acted upon that, Sir, and not upon their private instructions, +<i>every thing would have gone on splendidly</i>, +and we should have done well. But they had <i>destroyed +the negroes with their instructions</i>, they had +<i>given them bad advice</i>, and <i>encouraged +them in disobedience to their masters</i>. 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 <i>done their duty</i> +all would have gone on well, <i>and I told his Excellency +that he might then have slept on a bed of roses</i>."</p> + +<p>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:--</p> + +<p>"<i>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</i>? +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 <i>forced upon the country</i> as a +part and parcel of the planters' compensation--it +had been working well, and would insensibly <i>have +slided into a state of absolute freedom, had the masters +been left alone to themselves. It is now utterly impracticable +to continue it</i>. 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 <i>crammed +down their throats</i>. It could not be denied +that they were now under a military Government. <i>He +was only sorry that the thing had not been more honestly +done</i>; 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. <i>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</i>. 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, <i>he +confessed he was at a loss to understand it</i>, +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 <i>to compensate us</i> +for the two years."</p> + +<p>Once more, and we have done. Mr. Berry said,</p> + +<p>"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 <i>was working very well</i>--in +some of the parishes had worked extremely well. Where +this was not the case, it was attributable <i>to +the improper conduct of the Special Justices</i>. +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 <i>injudicious advice</i> +and conduct of the special Justices."</p> + +<p>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?</p> + +<p>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, <i>viz</i>., the laboring +population. Let us observe more carefully how <i>they</i> +behaved at the important period of</p> + +<p><b>TRANSITION</b></p> + +<p>Two of the sturdiest advocates of slavery, the <i>Jamaica +Standard</i> and the <i>Cornwall Courier</i>, +speak as follows:--</p> + +<p>The <i>Standard</i> 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."</p> + +<p>Again the <i>Standard</i> 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!"</p> + +<p>The <i>Cornwall Courier</i> says, "The +first of August, the most important day ever witnessed +in Jamaica, has passed quietly as far as actual disturbance +is concerned."</p> + +<p>The <i>Jamaica Morning Journal</i>, 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.</p> + +<p><b>August 2.</b></p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>From the same.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<blockquote><p>The thorny bush we'll +clear away<br> +The emblem of old slavery--<br> +Let every fibre of it die,<br> +And all its vices cease to be.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>Let indolence, deceit, and theft,<br> +Be of their nourishment bereft,<br> +Let cruel wrong now disappear,<br> +And decent order crown each year.</p></blockquote> + +<p>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 <i>pollutions</i> and degradation +of slavery.</p> + +<p>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.]</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>free +Governor</i> that ever came to Jamaica.</p> + +<p>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 "<i>great +boon</i>" conferred upon them.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>From the Cornwall Chronicle of Aug. 4.</p> + +<p>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 +<i>oppressions</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>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,</p> + +<blockquote><p>Above all Greek,<br> +Above all Roman fame.</p></blockquote> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Morning Journal of August 4.</p> + +<p><b>SAINT THOMAS IN THE EAST.</b></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p><b>MANCHESTER.</b></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Says the Jamaica Gazette of Aug. 4th, a paper of the +Old School--"In spite of all the endeavours +of a <i>clique</i> 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 <i>Saturnalia</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>Loco</i> <i>Foco</i> +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."</p> + +<p>The following is the testimony borne in regard to +Barbados.</p> + +<p><i>From the Barbados Liberal, Aug. 4th.</i></p> + +<p><b>FIRST OF AUGUST.</b></p> + +<p>"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!"</p> + +<p>From the New Haven, <i>Ct</i>., Herald.</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>"Barbados, Aug. 2, 1838</i></p></blockquote> +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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 <i>free</i> laborers; their minds became +enlightened, softened, changed: and from being +the determined opposers, they became themselves +the <i>authors</i> 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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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 <i>land of +liberty</i>, 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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>Yours truly,</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>WM. R. HAYES</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>P.S. August 9th.--All +is quiet, and the utmost good order every +where prevails."</p></blockquote> + +<p>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 +<i>their</i> 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.</p> + +<p>From the British Emancipator, Nov. 14.</p> + +<p>LETTERS FROM ATTORNIES.</p> + +<p><i>Extract of a Letter from an eminent Estate Attorney, +in St. Mary's, Jamaica, dated August</i> +24, 1838.</p> + +<blockquote><p>"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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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 <i>be as considerate and liberal as +possible to secure their confidence</i> 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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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 <i>in this district than in any other in the +island</i>, 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."</p></blockquote> + +<p><i>Extract of a Letter from an Attorney in St. Mary's, +Jamaica, 24th August</i>, 1838</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>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 <i>right</i> 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 <i>may</i> 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.</p> + +<p><b>WAGES</b></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Say Messrs. Thome and Kimball--"<i>By +a general understanding among the planters</i>, +the rate is at present fixed at a <i>shilling</i> +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 <i>bring the laborer in debt</i> +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.</p> + +<p>To the Editor of the Morning journal.</p> + +<p>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 name="AE2_FR45"></a><a href="#AE2_FN45">A</a>] per acre, and not to sell it for less than double +that sum. Should a few be found regardless of the +<i>general weal</i>, 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 <i>general</i> 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 <i>maximum</i> system appears +to be preferable to the <i>minimum</i>. I have +therefore made choice of it as a stimulus to the laborers +to work <i>at least</i> four days or thirty-six +hours in the week to pay for their rent, &c. &c., <i>or +pay 2s. 1d. for every day's absence</i>; +or, if sick, pay up the labor by working on the Friday, +&c., <i>and Saturday, if needful</i>. Weekly settlements +with both parties, or <i>immediate summary ejectment</i>, +if deemed necessary.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN45"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR45">A</a>: The sums are in the currency of the islands +when not otherwise specified, that is 7s 6d to the +dollar.]</p> +<p> + +<br> +</p> +<TABLE summary="costs" WIDTH="80%" BORDER="0" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0"> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +£ + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +<i>s.</i> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +<i>d.</i> + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Rent of 2 acres of land as a ground for each able adult, at £5 per acre + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +10 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +0 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +0 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Do. of house and garden, from £4 to £10 per annum, say + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +6 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +0 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +0 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +<i>Medical attendance, medicine, &c. &c., worth £4 per annum</i> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +4 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +0 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +0 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Clothing and Christmas allowance per annum + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +1 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +13 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +4 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +---- + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +---- + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +---- + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +21 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +13 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +4 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +---- + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +---- + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +---- + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD> + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Four days' or 36 hours' labor in each week, at 2s. 1d. per day, or 208 days, at 2s. 1d. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +21 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +13 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +4 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD> + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +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 +<i>would suffice</i>, consequently, the laborer would have 2 or 3 +days in each week to work for extra wages. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +21 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +13 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +4 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +In addition to the above, say pasturage +for a horse, at 4s. 2d. per week per annum + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +10 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +16 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +8 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Pasturage for an ass, at 2s. 1d. per week per annum + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +5 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +6 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +4 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +<i>Run of pasturage and fruit, for a sow, barrow, or sholt</i>; IF RUNG IN THE +NOSE, 10<i>d. per week</i>; +IF NOT RUNG, 1<i>s.</i> 8<i>d. per week; per +annum, at 10d. per week</i> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +2 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +3 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +4 + </TD> + </TR> +</TABLE> + +<p> +<br> +The above charges for pasturage might be paid for +either <i>by additional labor</i> 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.</p> + +<p><i>St. Mary's, 8th June, 1838</i>. S.R.</p> + +<p>The date should not escape notice. By this plan, for +a few petty indulgences, <i>all of which were professedly +granted in the time of slavery itself</i>, the +master could get the entire labor of the negro, and +<i>seven or eight pounds per annum besides</i>! +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 <i>Despatch</i>, 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:--</p> + +<p>"It is my intention, therefore, when the period +arrives for any arrangement with them, to offer them +in return for such services, <i>the same time as +the praedials now have</i>, 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."</p> + +<p>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 <i>Morning Journal</i> of August +10:--</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>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?</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><i>From the Falmouth Post.</i></p> + +<p>REV. W. KNIBB'S ADVICE TO THE NEGROES.</p> + +<p>MEETING AT THE "SUFFIELD SCHOOL-ROOM."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>not to be too hasty in entering +into contracts</i>. 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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><b>LETTER OF EIGHT BAPTIST MISSIONARIES.</b></p> + +<p><i>To the Right Hon. Lord</i> GLENELG, &c.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>We regret to state, that a deep combination was formed +by many of these <i>middlemen</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>oppressions</i> under +which our beloved people will groan.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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</p> + +<blockquote><p>THOMAS BURCHELL<br> +WILLIAM KNIBB<br> +THOMAS ABBOTT<br> +WALTER DENDY<br> +JOHN CLARK<br> +B.B. DEXTER<br> +SAMUEL OUGHTON<br> +J. HUTCHINS</p></blockquote> + +<p>Baptist Missionaries, North Side Union.</p> + +<p>[On the foregoing letter the <i>London Sun</i> +has the following observations.]</p> + +<p>"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 <i>emute</i> +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 <i>The Sun</i>. 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."</p> + +<p>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 <i>ruin</i> +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 <i>own</i> time."</p> + +<p>Extract of a letter from a Missionary:--</p> + +<p>Savannah-la-Mar, Sept. 8, 1838.</p> + +<p>MY DEAR SIR,--You are probably aware that +the following question has been submitted by the Governor +to the Attorney-General for his opinion:</p> + +<p>(copy.)</p> + +<p>(No. 844.) King' House, Aug. 27, 1838.</p> + +<p>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?</p> + +<p>(OPINION.)</p> + +<p>They are.</p> + +<p>(Signed,)</p> + +<p>D O'REILL.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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;--</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>(Signed) J. H. JONES.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<TABLE summary="West India Accounts" WIDTH="80%" BORDER="0" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0"> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +£ + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +<i>s.</i> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +<i>d.</i> + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +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. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +2 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +3 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +9-1/2 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Cr. By balance, five days, 1s.8d. per day + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +0 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +8 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +4 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +---- + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +---- + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +---- + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +1 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +15 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +5-1/2 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Charles Brown, to John Dixon, Dr. +1838. Sept. 13. To rent of house +and ground, 6s. 8d. per week, +from 1st Aug, to date. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +2 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +1 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +10 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Charge for running a sow and pigs, from 1st Aug. to date, 2s. 6d. per week + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +0 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +15 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +8-1/2 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +---- + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +---- + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +---- + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +2 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +17 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +6-1/2 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +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, + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +2 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +3 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +9-1/2 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Rent of provision ground, 5s. per week, + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +1 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +12 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +6 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Pasturage, two weeks, for an ass, 6s. 3d, per month, + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +0 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +3 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +4 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Two hogs, 1s. 8d. per week, + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +1 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +1 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +10-3/4 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +---- + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +---- + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +---- + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +5 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +1 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +6-1/4 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Cr. By two days' labour, 1s. 8d. per day + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +0 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +3 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +4 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +---- + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +---- + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +---- + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +4 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +18 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +2-1/3 + </TD> + </TR> +</TABLE> + + +<p><b>LETTER TO MR. STURGE, FROM A SPECIAL JUSTICE.</b></p> + +<p><i>Jamaica, Oct. 12th, 1838.</i></p> + +<p>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 +<i>little perquisites</i> 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. <i>They</i>, +from long residence, know the best manner of working +the land; and, as to the manufacture of sugar, they +are the persons who have <i>all their lives</i> +been working at it. The most important part of an +overseer and book-keeper's business was to make +use of their <i>eyes</i>. 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<p>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?</p> + +<p><b>FROM THE REV. J. KINGDON</b></p> + +<p><i>Manchioneal, Oct. 9, 1838.</i></p> + +<p>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 <i>shut up</i>! 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.</p> + +<p><b>FROM THE REV. S. OUGHTON.</b></p> + +<p><i>Lucea, October 2, 1838.</i></p> + +<p>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 (<i>Content</i>), 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 <i>Orchard</i> +Estate; and the third from Mr. Brockett, of <i>Hopewell</i> +and <i>Content</i> 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 <i>every member who is able to do the least work</i>, +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.</p> + +<p>Jamaica, <i>ss</i>. 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.</p> + +<p>J. R. BOWEN.</p> + +<p>Dated this 17th day of Sep. 1838.</p> + +<p>TO JAMES DARLING and SARAH DARLING, of the parish +of HANOVER.</p> + +<p>Here then, my dear Sir, you may perceive something +of the atrocious proceedings in the island of Jamaica. +Pray insert these documents in the <i>Emancipator</i>. +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.</p> + +<p>FROM THE REV. J. M. PHILIPPO.</p> + +<p><i>Spanish Town, Oct. 13, 1838.</i></p> + +<p>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:--</p> + +<p>Charles Michael Kelly and Wife, to J.S. Benbow, Dr.</p> + +<p> 1830: July 14th to Sept. 9th.<br> +1. To the rent of house and<br> + ground on Castle Kelly<br> + plantation, for eight weeks,<br> + at 6s. 8d. per week. 3l. 13 4<br> +2. Richard Kelly and Wife. Same.<br> +3. Elenor Mercer. Same.<br> +4. John Ried and Wife. Same.<br> +5. Mary Ann Christie. Same.<br> +6. Venus Owen (or such like name). Same.</p> + +<p><b>FROM THE REV. J. HUTCHINS.</b></p> + +<p><i>Savanna-la-Mar, Sept. 17, 1838.</i></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Amelia Martin, to Retrieve Estate, +Dr.<br> +1838: August 29.<br> +<TABLE summary="cases" WIDTH="80%" BORDER="0" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0"> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +To house and ground, rent at 5s. per week, from 1st August to date + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +4<i>l.</i> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +0 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +0 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +[<a name="AE2_FR46"></a><a href="#AE2_FN46">A</a>]Alliac Davis, ground rent at 10d. per week + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +3 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +0 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +[<a href="#AE2_FN46">A</a>]William Davis; ditto ditto + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +0 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +3 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +4 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +---- + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +---- + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +---- + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +4<i>l.</i> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +6 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +4 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +---- + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +---- + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +---- + </TD> + </TR> +</TABLE> + +<p>Thos. Tats, Esq. is Attorney, and Mr. Comry<br> + Overseer,</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN46"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR46">A</a>: Boys from 9 to 11, her sons.]</p> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<p>Louisa Patter, to Retrieve Estate, +Dr.<br> +1838: Aug. 28.<br> +<TABLE summary="cases" WIDTH="80%" BORDER="0" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0"> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +To house and ground from 1st Aug. to date + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +1<i>l.</i> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +0 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +0 + </TD> + </TR> +</TABLE> +<p> + +<br> +</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<p>Susan James, to Albany Estate, Dr.<br> +1838: Aug. 28.<br> +<TABLE summary="cases" WIDTH="80%" BORDER="0" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0"> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +To house and ground rent at 5s. per week, from 1st August, to date + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +1<i>l.</i> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +0 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +0 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Thos. Hewett, ground rent + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +0 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +13 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +4 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Elizabeth James, ditto + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +0 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +13 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +4 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Mary Dunn, ditto + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +0 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +10 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +0 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Letitia, ditto[<a name="AE2_FR47"></a><a href="#AE2_FN47">A</a>] + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +0 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +6 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +8 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +---- + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +---- + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +---- + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +3<i>l.</i> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +3 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +4 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +---- + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +---- + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +---- + </TD> + </TR> +</TABLE> +<p><a name="AE2_FN47"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR47">A</a>: These are a mother and four children +in one house, and with but one ground, they tell +me.]</p> +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<p>Richard Warren, to Albany Estate, Dr.<br> +1838: Aug. 28.<br> +<TABLE summary="cases" WIDTH="80%" BORDER="0" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0"> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +To house and ground rent to date + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +1<i>l.</i> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +0 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +0 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="center" VALIGN="TOP"> +Wife + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +0 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +15 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +4 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="center" VALIGN="TOP"> +Child[<a name="AE2_FR48"></a><a href="#AE2_FN48">B</a>] + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +0 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +10 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +0 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +---- + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +---- + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +---- + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +2<i>l.</i> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +5 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +4 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +---- + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +---- + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="TOP"> +---- + </TD> + </TR> +</TABLE> +<p><a name="AE2_FN48"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR48">B</a>: The child is quite young, and in daily +attendance at one of my schools.]</p> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<p>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 <i>fee</i> <i>dis</i> we <i>hab</i> 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 <i>dem</i> 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.</p> + +<p>James Greenheld, to New Galloway Estate, Dr.<br> +<TABLE summary="cases" WIDTH="80%" BORDER="0" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0"> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +To one week's rent of house, garden, and ground, and to 5 ditto for his wife, +Margaret Greenfield, at 5s. per week. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +£1 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +10 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="Center" VALIGN="bottom"> +0 + </TD> + </TR> +</TABLE> +<p> + +<br> +</p> +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>FROM THE REV. T. BURCHELL.</p> + +<p><i>Montego Bay, October</i> 2, 1838.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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?</p> + +<p><b>SIR LIONEL SMITH'S VISIT TO DUNSINANE.</b></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.]</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Sir LIONEL--Who is the magistrate!</p> + +<p>Dr. RAPKY--Mr. Fishbourne.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Mr. HYSLOP explained--He admitted the charge, +but said that the sum was never intended to be exacted.</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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:--</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>3. That in the face of this good disposition of the +laborers, the planters have, in many cases, refused +to give adequate wages.</p> + +<p>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 <i>every member</i> of a family +more than should have been taken from the whole.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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. <i>The testimony +to his very important point, of the Governor and House +of Assembly, is perfectly conclusive</i>, 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 <i>for the sake of +buying land to better advantage</i>! Were the colony +a shade <i>worse</i> 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 <i>real estate</i>. 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:--</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>Again, as in Jamaica commerce rests wholly upon agriculture, +<i>its</i> 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:--</p> + +<blockquote><p>"Kingston, October 26, 1838</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>Jamaica Marine, Fire, and +Life Assurance Company.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>Capital £100,000,</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>In 5000 shares of £20 each.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<p>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 <i>Gentlemen of the Country</i>, +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."</p> + +<p>The same paper, the Morning Journal, from which we +make this extract, informs us: Nov. 2d--</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>The Morning Journal of October 20th in remarking upon +this project says:--</p> + +<p>"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 +<i>until slavery had ceased</i>. 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."</p> + +<p>Now men desperately in debt <i>might</i> invite +in foreign capital for temporary relief, but, since +the <i>compensation</i>, 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 <i>hope</i> 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."</p> + +<p>The following editorial notice in the Morning Journal +of a recent date speaks volumes:--</p> + +<p><b>SAVINGS BANK.</b></p> + +<p>"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 <i>five</i> +or <i>six</i> of them fairly underweigh, as Jack +would say, and hope the remainder will speedily trip +their anchors and follow."</p> + +<p>We believe banks were not known in the West Indies +before the 1st of August 1834. Says the Spanishtown +Telegraph of May 1st, 1837, "<i>Banks, Steam-Companies, +Rail-Roads, Charity Schools</i>, <i>etc</i>., seem +all to have remained dormant until the time arrived +when Jamaica was to be <i>enveloped in smoke</i>! +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 <i>currency</i>. 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. <i>The white colonists take it +for granted that industry is to thrive</i>.</p> + +<p>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--</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>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, <i>may</i> possibly succeed in driving +the negroes from the estates by exorbitant rent and +low wages. They <i>may</i> 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 +<i>free laboring people</i>. 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.</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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</p> + +<p><b>BARBADOS</b></p> + +<p>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, <i>the Barbadian</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>From the Barbadian of Dec. 1.</p> + +<p>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</p> + +<p>APPRENTICESHIP.</p> +<p>Total of Complaints vs. Apprentices from the</p> +<TABLE summary="complaints vs. Apprentices" WIDTH="60%" BORDER="0" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0"> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +1st to 31st August 1837. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +1708 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Ditto from the 1st to 30th September + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +1464 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Ditto from the 1st to 15th October + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +574 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD> + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Grand Total + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +3746 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD> + </TD> + </TR> +</TABLE> +<p> + +<br> +</p> +<p>Total number of Apprentices punished from the</p> +<TABLE summary="punishments" WIDTH="60%" BORDER="0" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0"> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +1st to 31st August + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +1608 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Ditto from the 1st to 31th September + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +1321 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Ditto from the 1st to 15th October + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +561 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD> + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Grand Total + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="Bottom"> +3490 + </TD> + </TR> +</TABLE> + + +<p>Total compromised, admonished and dismissed</p> +<TABLE summary="punishment totals" WIDTH="60%" BORDER="0" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0"> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +1st to 31st August + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +105 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Ditto from the 1st to 30th September + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +113 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Ditto from the 1st to 15th October + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +38 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD> + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Total + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +256 + </TD> + </TR> +</TABLE> + + +<TABLE summary="comparison of years 1837 and 1838" WIDTH="60%" BORDER="0" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0"> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Deficiency in compromised cases in 1837 comparatively with those of 1838 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="Bottom"> +158 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Grand Total + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="Bottom"> +414 + </TD> + </TR> +</TABLE> + +<p>FREEDOM.</p> + +<TABLE summary="total of complaints" WIDTH="60%" BORDER="0" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0"> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Total of Complaints vs. Labourers from the 1st to the 31st August 1838 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +582 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Ditto from the 1st to the 30th September + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +386 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Ditto from the 1st to the 15th October + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +103 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD> + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Total + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +1071 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD> + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Comparative Surplus of Complaints in 1838 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +2675 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD> + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Grand Total + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +3746 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD> + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Total of Laborers punished from the 1st to the 31st August, 1838, + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +334 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Ditto from the 1st to 30th September + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +270 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Ditto from the 1st to 15th October + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +53 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD> + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Total + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +657 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD> + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Comparative surplus of punishment in 1837 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +2833 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD> + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Grand total + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +3490 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD> + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Total compromised, admonished and dismissed from the 1st to the 31st August + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +248 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Ditto from the 1st to 30th September + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +116 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Ditto from the 1st to 15th October + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +50 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD> + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Grand Total + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +414 + </TD> + </TR> +</TABLE> + +<blockquote><p>NOTE.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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:</p></blockquote> + +<TABLE summary="surplus punished" WIDTH="60%" BORDER="0" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0"> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Surplus of Apprentices punished in 1837, as above + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +2833 + </TD> + </TR> +</TABLE> + +<p>Offences in August, September, and to the 15th, October, 1837 heard +before the General Justices of the Peace, and estimated as follows:</p> + +<TABLE summary="table of offences" WIDTH="60%" BORDER="0" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0"> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Petty thefts + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +75 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Assaults + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +143 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Misdemeanors + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +98 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Petty Debts + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +19--835 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Actual surplus of punishment in 1837, + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +3168 + </TD> + </TR> +</TABLE> + +<p>From the Journal of Commerce.</p> + +<p><i>Letter from W.R. Hays, Esq. Barbados, W.I. to +Rev. H.G. Ludlow, of New Haven</i>.</p> + +<p> BARBADOS, Dec. 26, 1838.</p> + +<blockquote><p>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 <i>more</i> +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 <i>it back again</i> at an +<i>advance</i> 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 <i>here</i>, +as the <i>fact</i> of emancipation.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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 <i>all</i> the county prisons, among a +population of 80,000, only <i>two</i> prisoners +were confined for any cause whatever!</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>"But," says a believer in +the necessity of Colonization, "how will you +<i>get rid</i> of the negroes?" I answer +by adverting to the spectacle which is now witnessed +in <i>all</i> the Islands of the former proprietors +of slaves, now <i>employers</i> of <i>free</i> +laborers, using every endeavor to <i>prevent</i> +emigration. Trinidad, Demerara, and Berbice, <i>want</i> +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 <i>not a man to spare</i>! +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 <i>see</i>, 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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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 <i>uniformly</i>, +in <i>all</i> 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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>Ever yours,</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>W.R. HAYES.</p></blockquote> + +<p><b>DEMERARA.</b></p> + +<p>SPEECH OF THE GOVERNOR, ON OPENING THE SESSION OF +THE COURT OF POLICY,<br> +SEPT. 17, 1838.</p> + +<p>From the Guiana Royal Gazette.</p> + +<blockquote><p>"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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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!</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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."</p></blockquote> + +<p>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:</p> + +<p>"Many of the new freemen may still be said to +be in their infancy of freedom, and like children +are wayward. On <i>many of the estates</i> 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."</p> + +<p>The Barbadian of NOV. 28, remarks, that of six districts +in Demerara whose condition had been reported, <i>five</i> +were working favorably. In the sixth the laborers +were standing out for higher wages.</p> + +<p><b>TRINIDAD.</b></p> + +<p>In the <i>Jamaica Morning Journal</i> of Oct. +2d and 15th, we find the following paragraphs in relation +to this colony:</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>"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, <i>ad libitum</i>."</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p><b>GRENADA.</b></p> + +<p>"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.'"</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p><i>Jamaica Morning Journal of Oct. 2</i>.</p> + +<p>GRENADA.--According to the <i>Free Press</i>, +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.'</p> + +<p>"'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!'"</p> + +<p>"'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.'"</p> + +<p>"'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.'"</p> + +<p><b>TOBAGO.</b></p> + +<p>The following testifies well for the ability of the +emancipated to take care of themselves.</p> + +<p>"'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.'--<i>Morning +Jour., Oct. 2.</i>"</p> + +<p>The <i>Barbadian</i> 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 <i>many</i> laborers in Tobago are +engaging more readily in agricultural operations."</p> + +<p><b>ST. VINCENT.</b></p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<blockquote><p>"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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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, <i>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.</i> 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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<p><b>ST. LUCIA.</b></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"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 <i>Soufriere</i>, and march into +the interior."</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="AE_Ex2"></a> +<br> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> +<h2>THE +CHATTEL PRINCIPLE</h2> + +<p><b>THE ABHORRENCE OF<br> +JESUS CHRIST AND THE APOSTLES;<br> +OR<br> +NO REFUGE FOR AMERICAN SLAVERY</b></p> + +<p><b>IN</b></p> + +<p><B>THE NEW TESTAMENT.</b></p> + +<p>NEW YORK<br> +PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY.<br> +NO. 143 NASSAU STREET.<br> +1839</p> + +<p><i>Please read and circulate.</i></p> + +<p>The</p> + +<p>NEW TESTAMENT AGAINST SLAVERY.</p> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<p>"THE SON OF MAN IS COME TO SEEK AND TO SAVE +THAT WHICH WAS LOST."</p> + +<p>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, <i>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.</i>" +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 <i>this republic</i>, +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?</p> + +<p>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 name="AE2_FR49"></a><a href="#AE2_FN49">A</a>] "Slaves shall +be deemed, sold, taken, reputed and adjudged in law +to be <i>chattels personal</i> 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 <i>law +has reduced men to chattels</i>. 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 <i>lie</i> +most wantonly, impudently, and maliciously. And must +we prove, that Jesus Christ is not in favor of palpable, +monstrous falsehood?</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN49"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR49">A</a>: Stroud's Slave Laws, p. 23.]</p> + +<p>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.[<a name="AE2_FR4A"></a><a href="#AE2_FN4A">B</a>] "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 <i>lineaments</i> 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?</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN4A"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR4A">B</a>: Notes on Virginia.]</p> + +<p>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?[<a name="AE2_FR4B"></a><a href="#AE2_FN4B">C</a>] +"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 <i>always</i> +exposed, <i>often take place</i> 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?</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN4B"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR4B">C</a>: Minutes of the General Assembly for 1818, +p. 29.]</p> + +<p>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 name="AE2_FR4C"></a><a href="#AE2_FN4C">A</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?</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN4C"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR4C">A</a>: Notes on Virginia]</p> + +<p>"YE HAVE DESPISED THE POOR."</p> + +<p>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 <i>they</i> +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 name="AE2_FR4D"></a><a href="#AE2_FN4D">A</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 <i>any abuses</i> of it, +is <i>not a violation of the precepts of the Gospel</i>. +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 +<i>evils of slavery</i> to incidental evils, which +the <i>abuse</i> 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!</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN4D"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR4D">A</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:</p> + +<p>PITTSBURGH:<br> +1836.<br> +<i>For gratuitous distribution</i>.<br> +</p> +<p>]</p> + +<p>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 <i>feel</i>, +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:--</p> + +<p>1. Does the New Testament directly or indirectly teach, +that slavery existed in the primitive church?</p> + +<p>2. In 1 Tim. vi. 2, And they that have believing masters, +&c., what is the relation expressed or implied between +"they" (servants) and "<i>believing +masters</i>?" And what are your reasons for +the construction of the passage?</p> + +<p>3. What was the character of ancient and eastern slavery?--Especially +what (legal) power did this relation give the master +over the slave?</p> + +<p>PROFESSOR STUART'S REPLY.</p> + +<blockquote><p>ANDOVER, 10th April, 1837.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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 <i>masters</i>, recognizes +that the relation may still exist, <i>salva fide +et salva ecclesia</i>, ("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 <i>malum in se</i>, ("that which is +in itself sin.")</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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 <i>abuse</i> +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 <i>malum in se</i> as calls for +immediate and violent disruption at all hazards. So +Paul did not counsel.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>2. 1 Tim. vi. 2, expresses the sentiment, +that slaves, who are Christians and have Christian +masters, are not, on that account, and because +<i>as Christians they are brethren</i>, 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 <i>fortiori</i>, +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 <i>liberation</i>, +is another question, and one which the apostle +does not here treat of.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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 <i>property</i> in Greece and Rome. That +decides all questions about their <i>relation</i>. +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 <i>life +and death</i>. Horrible cruelties at length +mitigated it. In the apostle's day, it was at +least as great as among us.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>After all the spouting and vehemence +on this subject, which have been exhibited, the +<i>good old Book</i> 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 <i>true +liberty and equality</i>. Yet Paul did not +expect slavery or anarchy to be ousted in a day; and +gave precepts to Christians respecting their demeanor +<i>ad interim</i>.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>With sincere and paternal +regard,</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>Your friend and brother,</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>M. STUART.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<blockquote><p>--This, sir, is doctrine that +will stand, because it is <i>Bible doctrine</i>. +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,</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>W. FISK</p></blockquote> + +<p>"SO THEY WRAP [SNARL] IT UP."</p> + +<p>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 "<i>Bible +doctrine</i>," showing, that "the abolitionists +are on a wrong course," and must, "if they +would succeed, take a different position."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 "<i>worst</i>" +could be applied only to "<i>abuses</i>" +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!</p> + +<p>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!</p> + +<p>"THINK NOT THAT I AM COME TO DESTROY THE LAW +OR THE PROPHETS; I AM NOT COME TO DESTROY, BUT TO +FULFILL."</p> + +<p>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 name="AE2_FR4E"></a><a href="#AE2_FN4E">A</a>] who imposed +"heavy burdens"[<a name="AE2_FR4F"></a><a href="#AE2_FN4F">B</a>] 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,"[<a name="AE2_FR50"></a><a href="#AE2_FN50">C</a>] 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!"</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN4E"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR4E">A</a>: Jeremiah xxii. 13.]</p> + +<p><a name="AE2_FN4F"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR4F">B</a>: Isaiah lviii. 6,7.]</p> + +<p><a name="AE2_FN50"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR50">C</a>: Joel iii. 3.]</p> + +<p><b>"THOU THOUGHTEST THAT I WAS ALTOGETHER SUCH +AN ONE AS THYSELF."</b></p> + +<p>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!</p> + +<p><b>IT IS THE SPIRIT THAT QUICKENETH.</b></p> + +<p>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 name="AE2_FR51"></a><a href="#AE2_FN51">A</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."[<a name="AE2_FR52"></a><a href="#AE2_FN52">B</a>] 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, "<i>apply +his own principles to this particular form of wickedness</i>." +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[<a name="AE2_FR53"></a><a href="#AE2_FN53">C</a>]. 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[<a name="AE2_FR54"></a><a href="#AE2_FN54">D</a>]," and at the same time lend +his authority for its "speedy extinction!"</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN51"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR51">A</a>: Pittsburgh pamphlet, (already alluded +to,)p.9.]</p> + +<p><a name="AE2_FN52"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR52">B</a>: Pittsburgh pamphlet, p.9. ]</p> + +<p><a name="AE2_FN53"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR53">C</a>: The same, p.34. ]</p> + +<p><a name="AE2_FN54"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR54">D</a>: The same, p.13. ]</p> + +<p>Higher authority than sustains <i>self-evident truths</i> +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, <i>clear in the light of reason</i>;--in +other words, to evince that <i>they are reasonable</i>. +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.</p> + +<p><b>"COME NOW, LET US REASON TOGETHER, SAITH THE +LORD."</b></p> + +<p>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? <i>The book of God opposed to the authority +of</i> REASON! Why, before what tribunal do we dispose +of the claims of the sacred volume to divine authority? +The tribunal of reason. <i>This every one acknowledges +the moment he begins to reason on the subject</i>. +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."</p> + +<p>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 <i>and good men</i>, +who <i>honestly</i> believe it to be of all forms +of government the best and most acceptable to God."[<a name="AE2_FR55"></a><a href="#AE2_FN55">A</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?</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN55"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR55">A</a>: Pittsburgh pamphlet, p.12.]</p> + +<p>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--<i>that as capable +of, man is entitled to, self-government</i>. And +this is a specific form of a still more general principle, +which may well be pronounced self-evident--<i>that +every thing should be treated according to its nature</i>. +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 <i>as a man</i>. 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 <i>volitions</i>. 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? <i>Within the sphere +where the laws of reason place him</i>, may he not +act according to his choice--carry out his +own <i>volitions</i>?--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 "<i>at the +discretion of another!"</i>[<a name="AE2_FR56"></a><a href="#AE2_FN56">A</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.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN56"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR56">A</a>: Pittsburgh pamphlet, p.12]</p> + +<p>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 <i>property</i> in Greece +and Rome. That decides all questions about their <i>relation</i>." +Yes, truly. And slaves in republican America are <i>property</i>; +and as that easily, clearly, and definitely settles +"all questions about their <i>relation</i>," +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.</p> + +<p>"FOR RULERS ARE NOT A TERROR TO GOOD WORKS, +BUT TO THE EVIL."</p> + +<p>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?</p> + +<p>"THOU THAT PREACHEST A MAN SHOULD NOT STEAL, +DOST THOU STEAL."</p> + +<p>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 <i>him</i> +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 <i>always</i> exposed, often take place +in fact, and IN THEIR VERY WORST DEGREE AND FORM[<a name="AE2_FR57"></a><a href="#AE2_FN57">A</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?</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN57"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR57">A</a>: The words here marked as emphasis were +so distinguished by ourselves.]</p> + +<p><b>"AND THEY STOPPED THEIR EARS."</b></p> + +<p>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?</p> + +<p>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?</p> + +<p>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 <i>the influence of +slavery</i>. <i>That must be broken up</i> +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. <i>The lower their character +and condition, the louder, clearer, sterner, the just +demand for immediate emancipation</i>. The plague-smitten +sufferer can derive no benefit from breathing a little +longer an infected atmosphere.</p> + +<p>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 <i>right</i>?"[<a name="AE2_FR58"></a><a href="#AE2_FN58">A</a>] +How could they, unless they had a clear light, and +an infallible standard <i>within them</i>, 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."[<a name="AE2_FR59"></a><a href="#AE2_FN59">B</a>] 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.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN58"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR58">A</a>: Luke xii. 67.]</p> + +<p><a name="AE2_FN59"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR59">B</a>: 1 Cor. xi. 14.]</p> + +<p>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."[<a name="AE2_FR5A"></a><a href="#AE2_FN5A">C</a>] +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.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN5A"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR5A">C</a>: John vii. 17.]</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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--<i>to regard all the members of the +human family as our brethren, our equals</i>.</p> + +<p>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 <i>selfishness</i>; and that the +moment, in deciding any moral question, we place <i>ourselves +in the room of our brother</i>, 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!</p> + +<p>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?--<i>that +we must "do to" slaves as we would be +done by</i>, AS SLAVES, <i>the</i> RELATION +<i>itself being justified and continued</i>? 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 +<i>natural equality</i> of mankind lies at the +very basis of this great precept. It obviously requires +<i>every man to acknowledge another self in every +other man</i>. 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.</p> + +<p><b>"WHY DO YE NOT UNDERSTAND MY SPEECH; EVEN BECAUSE +YE CAN NOT HEAR MY WORD."</b></p> + +<p>They strangely misunderstand and grossly misrepresent +this doctrine, who charge upon it the absurdities +and mischiefs which <i>any "levelling system"</i> +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 <i>variety of condition</i>. 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 <i>another</i>. 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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>an individual</i>, 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 <i>claims upon each other</i> +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 <i>another self</i>, whose case +I am to make <i>my own</i>. And thus I am to dispose +of whatever claims he may urge upon me.</p> + +<p>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 +<i>himself</i>--employ <i>his own</i> +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 <i>common character</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>What then becomes of <i>slavery</i>--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 <i>human action</i>. 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.</p> + +<p><b>"LOVE WORKETH NO ILL TO HIS NEIGHBOR."</b></p> + +<p>Like unto the Golden Rule is the second great commandment--"<i>Thou +shalt love thy neighbor as thyself</i>." +"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 <i>every man</i> 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 <i>slavery</i>, +as a RELATION, be maintained? Is it then a <i>labor +of love</i>--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;--<i>all this</i> ENTERS VITALLY +INTO THE RELATION ITSELF, <i>by which every slave</i>, +AS A SLAVE, <i>is set apart from the rest of the +human family</i>. 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?</p> + +<p><b>"YE THEREFORE APPLAUD AND DELIGHT IN THE DEEDS +OF YOUR FATHERS; FOR THEY KILLED THEM, AND YE BUILD +THEIR SEPULCHRES."[<a name="AE2_FR5B"></a><a href="#AE2_FN5B">A</a>]</b></p> + +<p>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 <i>the +relation</i>, into which, whether reluctantly or +willingly, he thus enters. <i>The relation can not +be forced upon him</i>. 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 <i>chattels +personal</i>?" 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? <i>The slaveholder +is the soul of the whole system</i>. Without him, +the chattel principle is a lifeless abstraction. Without +him, charters, and markets, and laws, and testaments, +are empty names. And does <i>he</i> think to escape +responsibility? Why, kidnappers, and soul-drivers, +and law-makers, are nothing but his <i>agents</i>. +He is the guilty <i>principal</i>. Let him look +to it.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN5B"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR5B">A</a>: You join with them in their bloody work. +They murder, and you bury the victims.]</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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 <i>the +application of these injunctions to specific relations +or particular occasions and conditions</i>. 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!</p> + +<p>What must be the moral character of any institution +which the Golden Rule decides against?--which +the second great command condemns? <i>It can not +but be wicked</i>, whether newly established or +long maintained. However it may be shaped, turned, +colored--under every modification and at +all times--<i>wickedness must be its proper +character</i>. <i>It must be</i>, IN ITSELF, +<i>apart from its circumstances</i>, IN ITS ESSENCE, +<i>apart from its incidents</i>, SINFUL.</p> + +<p><b>"THINK NOT TO SAY WITHIN YOURSELVES, WE HAVE +ABRAHAM FOR OUR FATHER."</b></p> + +<p>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?</p> + +<p>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!</p> + +<p><b>"SO THAT YE ARE WITHOUT EXCUSE."</b></p> + +<p>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 <i>true +standard of greatness</i>, 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; <i>and +whosoever of you will be chiefest, shall be servant +of all</i>." 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 <i>are useful</i>. 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.</p> + +<p>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, +<i>in washing their feet</i>, 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? <i>Was it while +washing the disciples' feet, that our Savior +authorized one man to make a chattel of another</i>?</p> + +<p>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 +<i>apostolical</i> 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, "<i>with quietness +to work and eat their own bread</i>." 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?</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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?</p> + +<p>In the New Testament, we have, moreover, the general +injunction, "<i>Honor all men</i>." +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? <i>Can +they be held as slaves, and at the same time be honored +as men</i>?</p> + +<p>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? <i>If ye have respect to +persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law +as transgressors</i>." On this general principle, +then, religious assemblies ought to be regulated--that +every man is to be estimated, not according to his +<i>circumstances</i>--not according +to any thing incidental to his <i>condition</i>; +but according to his <i>moral worth</i>--according +to the essential features and vital elements of his +<i>character</i>. 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."</p> + +<p>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 name="AE2_FR5C"></a><a href="#AE2_FN5C">A</a>]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN5C"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR5C">A</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, +'<i>Here, as in the army</i>, THE BAGGAGE +<i>goes last</i>!'" Let those who +justify the negro-pew-arrangement, throw a stone at +this proud woman--if they dare.]</p> + +<p>Nor are we permitted to confine this principle to +<i>religious</i> 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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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?</p> + +<p>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 <i>work of God</i>, and not them +own deserts, that they are loaded with chains. <i>This +is persecution.</i></p> + +<p>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?</p> + +<p>The <i>general descriptions</i> 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 name="AE2_FR5D"></a><a href="#AE2_FN5D">A</a>] +Here we have--1. A clear and strong description +of the doctrine of <i>human equality</i>. "Ye +are all ONE;"--so much alike, so truly +placed on common ground, all wielding each his own +powers with such freedom, <i>that one is the same +as another</i>.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN5D"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR5D">A</a>: Gal. iii. 23.]</p> + +<p>2. This doctrine, self-evident in the light of reason, +is affirmed on divine authority. "IN CHRIST +JESUS, <i>ye are all one</i>." The natural +equality of the human family is a part of the gospel. +For--</p> + +<p>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 <i>artificial</i> distinctions which grow +out of birth, condition, sex, are done away. <i>Natural</i> +distinctions are not destroyed. <i>They</i> 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?</p> + +<p>"Where the spirit of the Lord is," exclaims +the same apostle, with his eye upon the condition +and relations of the church, "<i>where the +spirit of the Lord is</i>, THERE IS LIBERTY." +Where, then, may we reverently recognize the presence, +and bow before the manifested power, of this spirit? +<i>There</i>, 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! <i>There</i>, where he is not free +to enjoy his wife and children! <i>There</i>, +where his body and his soul, his very "destiny,"[<a name="AE2_FR5E"></a><a href="#AE2_FN5E">A</a>] +are placed altogether beyond his control! <i>There</i>, +where every power is crippled, every energy blasted, +every hope crushed! <i>There</i>, 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 <i>there</i>, +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.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN5E"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR5E">A</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 <i>of the black population</i>." +See the Remonstrance of James S. Pope and 352 others, +against home missionary efforts for the benefit of +the enslaved--a most instructive paper.]</p> + +<p>In more than one connection, the apostle James describes +Christianity as "<i>the law of liberty</i>." +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."</p> + +<p>In these references to the New Testament we have a +<i>general description</i> of the primitive church, +and the <i>principles</i> on which it was founded +and fashioned. These principles bear the same relation +to Christian <i>history</i> as to Christian <i>character</i>, +since the former is occupied with the development +of the latter. What then is Christian character but +Christian principle <i>realized</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>principle</i> 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 <i>in practice</i> to +invade the rights and trample on the happiness of our +fellows, by reducing them to slavery. Does he, <i>in +principle</i> 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 <i>in practice</i> to EXACT service +of our brethren, as if they were nothing better than +"articles of merchandize?" Does he require +us <i>in principle</i> "to work with quietness +and eat our own bread;" and permit us <i>in +practice</i> 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 <i>in practice</i>, abstaining +from every form of labor, to enrich and aggrandize +ourselves with the fruits of man-stealing? Does he +require us <i>in principle</i> to regard "the +laborer as worthy of his hire;" and permit us +<i>in practice</i> to defraud him of his wages? +Does he require us <i>in principle</i> "to +honor ALL men;" and permit us <i>in practice</i> +to treat multitudes like cattle? Does he <i>in principle</i> +prohibit "respect of persons;" and permit +us <i>in practice</i> to place the feet of the +rich upon the necks of the poor? Does he <i>in principle</i> +require us to sympathize with the bondman as another +self; and permit us <i>in practice</i> to leave +him unpitied and unhelped in the hands of the oppressor? +<i>In principle</i>, "where the Spirit +of the Lord is, there is liberty;" <i>in practice</i>, +is <i>slavery</i> the fruit of the Spirit? <i>In +principle</i>, Christianity is the law of liberty; +<i>in practice</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>The <i>condition</i> 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 +<i>Master</i> 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!</p> + +<p>And what was the history of the <i>apostles</i>, +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 <i>are buffetted</i>, and have +<i>no certain dwelling place, and labor working +with our own hands</i>. Being reviled, we bless; +being persecuted, we suffer it; being defamed, we entreat; +we are made as <i>the filth of the world</i>, +and are THE OFFSCOURING OF ALL THINGS unto this day[<a name="AE2_FR5F"></a><a href="#AE2_FN5F">A</a>]." +Are these the men who practiced or countenanced slavery? +<i>With such a temper, they WOULD NOT; in such circumstances, +they COULD NOT</i>. 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[<a name="AE2_FR60"></a><a href="#AE2_FN60">B</a>]," +they would have made but a sorry figure at the great-house +or slave-market!</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN5F"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR5F">A</a>: 1 Cor. iv. 11-13.]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN60"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR60">B</a>: 1 Rom. viii. 35, 36.]</p> + +<p>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 <i>God +hath</i> 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 name="AE2_FR61"></a><a href="#AE2_FN61">A</a>] Here +we may well notice,</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN61"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR61">A</a>: 1 Cor. i. 27, 28.]</p> + +<p>1. That it was not by <i>accident</i>, 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."</p> + +<p>2. The description of character which the apostle +records, could be adapted only to what are reckoned +the <i>very dregs of humanity</i>. 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.</p> + +<p>That <i>slaves</i> abounded at Corinth, may easily +be admitted. <i>They</i> 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 <i>no +account</i> 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!</p> + +<p>The reference which the apostle makes to the "deep +poverty of the churches of Macedonia,"[<a name="AE2_FR62"></a><a href="#AE2_FN62">B</a>] 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."[<a name="AE2_FR63"></a><a href="#AE2_FN63">C</a>] 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[<a name="AE2_FR64"></a><a href="#AE2_FN64">D</a>]!</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN62"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR62">B</a>: 2 Cor. viii. 2.]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN63"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR63">C</a>: Rom. xv. 26.]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN64"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR64">D</a>: 1 Cor. vi 26,27]</p> + +<p>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 "<i>having all things common.</i>" +[<a name="AE2_FR65"></a><a href="#AE2_FN65">E</a>] 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.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN65"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR65">E</a>: Acts iv. 32]</p> + +<p>The <i>tests</i> by which our Savior tries the +character of his professed disciples, shed a strong +light upon the genius of the gospel. In one connection[<a name="AE2_FR66"></a><a href="#AE2_FN66">F</a>], +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--</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN66"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR66">F</a>: Luke xvii 18-24]</p> + +<p>1. That we have here a <i>test of universal application.</i> +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, <i>peculiarly</i> +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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>them</i>, 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 +<i>followers</i>? 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!</p> + +<p>What, in describing the scenes of the final judgment, +does our Savior teach us? <i>By what standard</i> +must our character be estimated, and the <i>retributions</i> +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.</p> + +<p>1. They are the LEAST of his brethren.</p> + +<p>2. They are subject to thirst and hunger, unable to +command a cup of water or a crumb of bread.</p> + +<p>3. They are exposed to wasting sickness, without the +ability to procure a nurse or employ a physician.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>5. And then they are emphatically, and peculiarly, +and exclusively, STRANGERS--<i>strangers</i> +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 <i>negro</i> 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!</p> + +<p>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?</p> + +<p>Who "naked," but the man whom the law +strips of the last rag of clothing?</p> + +<p>Who "sick," but the man whom the law deprives +of the power of procuring medicine or sending for +a physician?</p> + +<p>Who "in prison," but the man who, all +his life is under the control of merciless masters +and cruel keepers?</p> + +<p>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?</p> + +<p>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 <i>positive injuries</i> on their helpless, +needy, and oppressed brother. Theirs was what is often +called <i>negative</i> character. What they <i>had +done</i> is not described in the indictment. Their +<i>neglect</i> of duty, what they <i>had</i> +NOT <i>done</i>, 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!</p> + +<p>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 <i>he</i> 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 <i>negative +virtue</i> nor their <i>voluntary ignorance</i> +could shield them from the penal fire which their +selfishness had kindled.</p> + +<p>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 <i>corruptions</i> 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, +<i>Paul sent back Onesimus to Philemon</i>! Yes, echoes +the negro-hating mob, made up of "gentlemen +of property and standing" together with equally +gentle-men reeking from the gutter; <i>Yes--Paul +sent back Onesimus to Philemon</i>! 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?</p> + +<p>Of the particular passages in the New Testament on +which the apologists for slavery especially rely, +the epistle to Philemon first demands our attention.</p> + +<p>1. This letter was written by the apostle Paul while +a "prisoner of Jesus Christ" at Rome.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 "<i>owed him ought</i>."[<a name="AE2_FR67"></a><a href="#AE2_FN67">A</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 <i>person</i> to offer or promise. +<i>Personality is swallowed up in American slavery</i>!</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN67"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR67">A</a>: Phil. 18.]</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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. <i>His</i> +influence upon Philemon, Onesimus knew must be powerful, +especially as an apostle.</p> + +<p>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[<a name="AE2_FR68"></a><a href="#AE2_FN68">B</a>] 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 <i>his</i> +account.[<a name="AE2_FR69"></a><a href="#AE2_FN69">C</a>] Thus a way was fairly opened to the heart +of Philemon. And now what does the apostles ask?</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN68"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR68">B</a>: Verse 11,18.]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN69"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR69">C</a>: Verse 18.]</p> + +<p>7. He asks that Philemon would receive Onesimus. How? +"Not as a <i>servant</i>, but <i>above</i> +a servant."[<a name="AE2_FR6A"></a><a href="#AE2_FN6A">A</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 <i>the apostle himself[<a name="AE2_FR6B"></a><a href="#AE2_FN6B">B</a>]. So +much</i> above a servant was he to receive him!</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN6A"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR6A">A</a>: Verse 16.]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN6B"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR6B">B</a>: Verse 10, 16, 17.]</p> + +<p>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;"[<a name="AE2_FR6C"></a><a href="#AE2_FN6C">C</a>] as a man and Christian, in all the relations, +circumstances, and responsibilities of life.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN6C"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR6C">C</a>: Verse 16.]</p> + +<p>It is easy now with definiteness and certainty to +determine in what sense the apostle in such connections +uses the word "<i>brother</i>." It +describes a relation inconsistent with and opposite +to the <i>servile</i>. 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.</p> + +<p>9. It is greatly to our purpose, moreover, to observe +that the apostle clearly defines the <i>moral character</i> +of his request. It was fit, proper, right, suited +to the nature and relations of things--a +thing which <i>ought</i> to be done.[<a name="AE2_FR6D"></a><a href="#AE2_FN6D">D</a>] On this +account, he might have urged it upon Philemon in the +form of an <i>injunction</i>, on apostolic authority +and with great boldness.[<a name="AE2_FR6E"></a><a href="#AE2_FN6E">E</a>] <i>The very nature</i> +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.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN6D"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR6D">D</a>: Verse 8. To [Greek: anaekon]. See Robinson's +New Testament Lexicon; "<i>it is fit, proper, +becoming, it ought</i>." 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.]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN6E"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR6E">E</a>: Verse 8.]</p> + +<p>10. The apostle preferred a request instead of imposing +a command, on the ground of CHARITY.[<a name="AE2_FR6F"></a><a href="#AE2_FN6F">A</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.[<a name="AE2_FR70"></a><a href="#AE2_FN70">B</a>] +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 "<i>obedience</i>."[<a name="AE2_FR71"></a><a href="#AE2_FN71">C</a>]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN6F"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR6F">A</a>: Verse 9 [Greek: <i>dia</i> taen agapaen].]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN70"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR70">B</a>: Verse 19.]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN71"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR71">C</a>: Verse 21.]</p> + +<p>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 "<i>liberty</i>." +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!</p> + +<p>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 name="AE2_FR72"></a><a href="#AE2_FN72">A</a>]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN72"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR72">A</a>: See his letter to Dr. Fisk, supra p. +8.]</p> + +<p>"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 <i>the +way</i> in which Onesimus was sent back to his +master.</p> + +<p>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.[<a name="AE2_FR73"></a><a href="#AE2_FN73">B</a>] +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 <i>spiritual +father</i>, 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.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN73"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR73">B</a>: "Why should I care?"]</p> + +<p>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!</p> + +<p>"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.</p> + +<p>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! <i>The slave himself, +with all he is and has, is an article of merchandise</i>. +What can <i>he</i> 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?</p> + +<p>"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? <i>As a servant</i>, exclaims our commentator. +But what wrote the apostle? "NOT <i>now as +a servant, but above a servant</i>, 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 '<i>not</i>' +of its negative influence? According to Paul, Philemon +was to receive Onesimus '<i>not</i> as +a servant;'--according to Stuart, he +was to receive him "<i>as a servant!</i>" +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.</p> + +<p>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.:--</p> + +<p>"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 <i>Isaac</i> 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."</p> + +<p>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, <i>but +recognized as a dear brother, in all respects, under +every relation, civil and ecclesiastical</i>. I +bade my son receive <i>Archy as myself</i>. 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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>apostolical</i> +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.</p> + +<p>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 name="AE2_FR74"></a><a href="#AE2_FN74">A</a>]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN74"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR74">A</a>: 1 Tim. vi. 1, 2.]</p> + +<p>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 <i>slaves</i>. +This he assumes, and thus begs the very question in +dispute. The term servant is <i>generic</i>, +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[<a name="AE2_FR75"></a><a href="#AE2_FN75">B</a>] opening the path to heaven, +to that of washing "one another's feet."[<a name="AE2_FR76"></a><a href="#AE2_FN76">C</a>] +A general term it is, comprehending every office which +belongs to human relations and Christian character.[<a name="AE2_FR77"></a><a href="#AE2_FN77">D</a>]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN75"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR75">B</a>: Cor. iv. 5.]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN76"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR76">C</a>: John xiii. 14.]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN77"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR77">D</a>: Mat. xx. 26-28.]</p> + +<p>A leading signification gives us the <i>manual laborer</i>, +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 <i>mankind</i>, +and, putting a yoke upon his neck, drive him away to +toil among the cattle. <i>Here you find the slave.</i> +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 "<i>servants</i>," +comprehending, even as manual laborers, so many and +such various meanings, signify "<i>slaves</i>," +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?</p> + +<p>Yes, different classes. This is implied in the term +"<i>as many</i>,"[<a name="AE2_FR78"></a><a href="#AE2_FN78">A</a>] which sets apart the +class now to be addressed. From these he proceeds +to others, who are introduced by a particle,[<a name="AE2_FR79"></a><a href="#AE2_FN79">B</a>] whose +natural meaning indicates the presence of another +and a different subject.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN78"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR78">A</a>: [Greek: Osoi.] See Passow's Schneider.]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN79"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR79">B</a>: [Greek: De.] See Passow.]</p> + +<p>2. The first class are described as "<i>under +the yoke</i>"--a yoke from which +they were, according to the apostle, to make their +escape if possible.[<a name="AE2_FR7A"></a><a href="#AE2_FN7A">C</a>] 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.[<a name="AE2_FR7B"></a><a href="#AE2_FN7B">D</a>] 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.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN7A"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR7A">C</a>: See 1 Cor. vii. 21--[Greek: +<i>All</i> <i>ei</i> kai d u n a s a i eleutheros genesthai.]]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN7B"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR7B">D</a>: 1 Cor. vii. 23--[Greek: Mae +ginesthe douloi anthropon.]]</p> + +<p>But all the servants whom the apostle addressed were +not "<i>under the yoke</i>"[<a name="AE2_FR7C"></a><a href="#AE2_FN7C">E</a>]--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 +"<i>believing masters</i>." <i>To +have a "believing master," then, was equivalent +to freedom from "the yoke."</i> These servants +were exhorted not <i>to despise</i> 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,[<a name="AE2_FR7D"></a><a href="#AE2_FN7D">F</a>] 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.[<a name="AE2_FR7E"></a><a href="#AE2_FN7E">G</a>] +Instead of this, they should be, as emancipated slaves +often have been,[<a name="AE2_FR7F"></a><a href="#AE2_FN7F">H</a>] models of enterprise, fidelity, +activity, and usefulness--especially as their +masters were "worthy of their confidence and +love," their helpers in this well-doing.[<a name="AE2_FR80"></a><a href="#AE2_FN80">I</a>]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN7C"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR7C">E</a>: See Lev. xxvi. 13; Isa. lviii. 6, 9.]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN7D"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR7D">F</a>: Supra p. 47.]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN7E"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR7E">G</a>: See Matt. vi. 24.]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN7F"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR7F">H</a>: Those, for instance, set free by that +"believing master" James G. Birney.]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN80"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR80">I</a>: 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 <i>opposition +of reciprocity</i>, rather than the <i>connection +of participation</i>. 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 <i>part-taker</i> of other men's sins.') +The primary sense of [Greek: antilambano] is <i>to +take in return--to take instead of, &c</i>. +Hence, in the middle with the genitive, it signifies +<i>assist</i>, or <i>do one's part towards</i> +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 <i>well-doing</i> of the servants, +who should continue to serve their believing masters, +while they were no longer under the <i>yoke</i> +of compulsion. This word is used elsewhere in the +New Testament but once, (Acts iv. 3.) in relation to +the '<i>good deed</i>' done to the +impotent man. The plain import of the clause, unmystified +by the commentators, is, that believing masters would +not fail to <i>do their part towards</i>, or encourage +by suitable returns, the <i>free</i> service +of those who had once been under the <i>yoke</i>."]</p> + +<p>Such, then, is the relation between those who, in +the view of Prof. Stuart, were Christian masters and +Christian slaves[<a name="AE2_FR81"></a><a href="#AE2_FN81">A</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, <i>as is usual in such cases</i>, 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?</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN81"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR81">A</a>: Letter to Dr. Fisk, supra, p. 7.]</p> + +<p>And on what ground, according to the Princeton professor, +did these masters and these servants stand in their +relation to each other? On that <i>of a "perfect +religious equality</i>."[<a name="AE2_FR82"></a><a href="#AE2_FN82">A</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 "<i>perfect religious equality</i>," +which the Princeton professor accords to servants +in relation to their master. Might the <i>master</i>, +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 <i>servants</i>. +Was <i>he</i> 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 <i>they</i>. Was <i>he</i> +at liberty to sanctify the Sabbath, and frequent the +"solemn assembly?" So were <i>they</i>. +Was <i>he</i> 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 <i>they</i>. +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?</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN82"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR82">A</a>: Pittsburgh Pamphlet, p. 9.]</p> + +<p>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 name="AE2_FR83"></a><a href="#AE2_FN83">A</a>]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN83"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR83">A</a>: Col. iii. 22 to iv. 1.]</p> + +<p>Here it is natural to remark--</p> + +<p>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 <i>they</i> 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 <i>master</i> to hold +himself responsible. <i>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.</i></p> + +<p>2. The basis of the government under which they thus +were placed, was <i>righteousness</i>--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.</p> + +<p>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 +<i>standard of his conduct</i>. 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 <i>they</i> 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.</p> + +<p>"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 name="AE2_FR84"></a><a href="#AE2_FN84">A</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!</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN84"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR84">A</a>: Letter to Dr. Fisk, supra p. 7.]</p> + +<p>"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."[<a name="AE2_FR85"></a><a href="#AE2_FN85">B</a>] 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? <i>That</i> not even the Princeton +professor has the assurance to affirm. He admits that +KINDNESS, MERCY, AND JUSTICE, were enjoined with a +<i>distinct reference to the government of God</i>.[<a name="AE2_FR86"></a><a href="#AE2_FN86">C</a>] +"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 <i>to enjoin the principles, +and sentiments, and habits, in which freedom consists--constituting +its living root and fruitful germ</i>?</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN85"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR85">B</a>: Pittsburgh pamphlet, p. 9.]</p> + +<p><a name="AE2_FN86"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR86">C</a>: Pittsburgh pamphlet, p. 10.]</p> + +<p>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 <i>have</i> DESTROYED +SLAVERY <i>throughout out the greater part of Christendom"</i>[<a name="AE2_FR87"></a><a href="#AE2_FN87">A</a>]--"THAT +CHRISTIANITY HAS ABOLISHED BOTH POLITICAL AND DOMESTIC +BONDAGE WHEREVER IT HAS HAD FREE SCOPE--<i>that +it</i> ENJOINS <i>a fair compensation for labor; +insists on the mental and intellectual improvement +of</i> ALL <i>classes of men; condemns</i> +ALL <i>infractions of marital or parental rights; +requires in short not only that</i> FREE SCOPE +<i>should be allowed to human improvement, but that</i> +ALL SUITABLE MEANS <i>should be employed +for the attainment of that end.</i>"[<a name="AE2_FR88"></a><a href="#AE2_FN88">B</a>] 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!</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN87"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR87">A</a>: Pittsburgh pamphlet p. 18. 19.]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN88"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR88">B</a>: The same, p. 31.]</p> + +<p>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 name="AE2_FR89"></a><a href="#AE2_FN89">A</a>]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN89"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR89">A</a>: 1 Cor. vii. 20-23.]</p> + +<p>In explaining and applying this passage, it is proper +to suggest,</p> + +<p>1. That it <i>could</i> 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 +<i>he</i> 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?</p> + +<p>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. <i>He</i> 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 <i>him</i>, +therefore, should they cheerfully confide.</p> + +<p>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 +<i>Him</i> a hearty and effective service. They +should permit no man, whoever he might be, to thrust +in himself between them and their Redeemer. "<i>Ye +are bought with a price</i>; BE NOT YE THE SERVANTS +OF MEN."</p> + +<p>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 name="AE2_FR8A"></a><a href="#AE2_FN8A">A</a>] And this he applies--otherwise +it is nothing to his purpose--to <i>American</i> +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?</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN8A"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR8A">A</a>: Pittsburgh pamphlet p. 10.]</p> + +<p>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[<a name="AE2_FR8B"></a><a href="#AE2_FN8B">B</a>] 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."[<a name="AE2_FR8C"></a><a href="#AE2_FN8C">C</a>] 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?"</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN8B"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR8B">B</a>: 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, <i>that slaveholding is in +itself right</i>--a system <i>to which +the Bible gives countenance and support</i>.</p> + +<p>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, <i>by a strange +sort of reasoning for Christian men</i>, contend +that though slavery is sinful, <i>yet it may be +allowed to exist until it shall be expedient to abolish +it</i>; or if, in many cases, this reasoning might +be translated into plain English, the sense would +be, both in church and State, <i>slavery, though +sinful, may be allowed to exist until our interest +will suffer us to say that it must be abolished</i>. +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."</p> + +<p>"To these remarks, there are some noble exceptions +to be found in both parties in the church. <i>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</i>. +The writer of that article is said, without contradiction, +to be <i>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</i>."]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN8C"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR8C">C</a>: Pittsburgh pamphlet p. 31.]</p> + +<p>"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. <i>The Savior +found it around him</i> in JUDEA."[<a name="AE2_FR8D"></a><a href="#AE2_FN8D">A</a>] To say that +he found it <i>in Judea</i>, is to speak ambiguously. +Many things were to be found "<i>in</i> +Judea," which neither belonged to, nor were +characteristic of <i>the Jews</i>. It is not denied +that <i>the Gentiles</i>, who resided among them, +might have had slaves; <i>but of the Jews this is +denied</i>. 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?</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN8D"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR8D">A</a>: Pittsburgh pamphlet p. 9.]</p> + +<p>We do not charge the Savior with any want of wisdom, +goodness, or courage,[<a name="AE2_FR8E"></a><a href="#AE2_FN8E">B</a>] 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."[<a name="AE2_FR8F"></a><a href="#AE2_FN8F">C</a>] +The propriety of this arrangement is not the matter +of dispute between the Princeton professor and ourselves.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN8E"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR8E">B</a>: The same, p. 10.]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN8F"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR8F">C</a>: Matt. xv. 24.]</p> + +<p>In disposing of the question whether the Jews held +slaves during our Savior's incarnation among +them, the following points deserve earnest attention:--</p> + +<p>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 name="AE2_FR90"></a><a href="#AE2_FN90">A</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.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN90"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR90">A</a>: "The Bible against Slavery."]</p> + +<p>2. While, therefore, John the Baptist, with marked +fidelity and great power, acted among the Jews the +part of a <i>reprover</i>, he found no occasion +to repeat and apply the language of his predecessors,[<a name="AE2_FR91"></a><a href="#AE2_FN91">B</a>] +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?</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN91"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR91">B</a>: Psalm lxxxii; Isa. lviii. 1-12; Jer. +xxii. 13-16.]</p> + +<p>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.[<a name="AE2_FR92"></a><a href="#AE2_FN92">C</a>] How, then, must +he have felt and spoke in the presence of such tyranny, +if <i>such tyranny had been within his official +sphere</i>, as should <i>have made widows</i>, +by driving their husbands to some flesh-market, and +their children not orphans, <i>but cattle</i>?</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN92"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR92">C</a>: Matt. xxiii; Mark vii. 1-13.]</p> + +<p>4. Domestic slavery was manifestly inconsistent with +the <i>industry</i>, which, <i>in the form +of manual labor</i>, 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 name="AE2_FR93"></a><a href="#AE2_FN93">A</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 <i>Lightfoot</i>, "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."[<a name="AE2_FR94"></a><a href="#AE2_FN94">B</a>] +It was, <i>Kuinoel</i> affirms, customary even +for Jewish teachers to unite labor (opificium) with +the study of the law. This he confirms by the highest +Rabbinical authority.[<a name="AE2_FR95"></a><a href="#AE2_FN95">C</a>] <i>Heinrichs</i> quotes +a Rabbi as teaching, that no man should by any means +neglect to train his son to honest industry.[<a name="AE2_FR96"></a><a href="#AE2_FN96">D</a>] 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.[<a name="AE2_FR97"></a><a href="#AE2_FN97">E</a>] That Zebedee, the father of +John the Evangelist, had wealth, various hints in +the New Testament render probable.[<a name="AE2_FR98"></a><a href="#AE2_FN98">F</a>] 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."[<a name="AE2_FR99"></a><a href="#AE2_FN99">G</a>]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN93"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR93">A</a>: Acts xviii. 1-3.]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN94"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR94">B</a>: Henry on Acts xviii, 1-3.]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN95"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR95">C</a>: Kuinoel on Acts.]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN96"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR96">D</a>: Heinrichs on Acts.]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN97"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR97">E</a>: Acts xx. 34, 35; 1 Thess. iv. 11]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN98"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR98">F</a>: See Kuinoel's Prolegom. to the +Gospel of John.]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN99"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR99">G</a>: Mark i. 19, 20.]</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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, <i>publicans</i> 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 "<i>hired servants</i>," +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 name="AE2_FR9A"></a><a href="#AE2_FN9A">A</a>] without +extorting from his lips a syllable of rebuke. "The +sacred writers did not condemn it."[<a name="AE2_FR9B"></a><a href="#AE2_FN9B">B</a>] And why should +they? By a definition[<a name="AE2_FR9C"></a><a href="#AE2_FN9C">C</a>] 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.[<a name="AE2_FR9D"></a><a href="#AE2_FN9D">D</a>]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN9A"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR9A">A</a>: Pittsburgh pamphlet p. 9.]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN9B"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR9B">B</a>: The same p. 13.]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN9C"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR9C">C</a>: The same p. 12.]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN9D"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR9D">D</a>: Supra p. 61.]</p> + +<p>A few questions, briefly put, may not here be inappropriate.</p> + +<p>1. Was the form of slavery which our professor pronounces +innocent <i>the form</i> witnessed by our Savior +"in Judea?" That, <i>he</i> will by +no means admit. The slavery there was, he affirms, +of the "worst" kind. <i>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?</i></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<TABLE summary="Christianity vs. Slavery" WIDTH="80%" BORDER="0" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0"> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +<i>Christianity in supporting Slavery,according to Prof. Hodge,</I> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +<i>The American system for supporting Slavery,</i> + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +"Enjoins a fair compensation for labor." + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Makes compensation impossible by reducing the laborer to a chattel. + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +"It insists on the moral and intellectual improvement of all classes +of men." + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +It sternly forbids its victim to learn to read even the name of his Creator and +Redeemer. + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +"It condemns all infractions of marital or parental rights." + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +It outlaws the conjugal and parental relations. + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +"It requires that free scope should be allowed to human improvement." + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +It forbids any effort, on the part of myriads of the human +family, to improve their character, condition, and prospects. + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +"It requires that all suitable means should be employed to improve mankind." + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +It inflicts heavy penalties for teaching letters to the +to the poorest of the poor. + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +"Wherever it has had free scope, it abolished domestic bondage." + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Wherever it has free scope, it perpetuates domestic bondage. + </TD> + </TR> +</TABLE> + +<p><i>Now it is slavery according to the American system</i> +that the abolitionists are set against. <i>Of the +existence of any</i> 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 <i>they</i> to do with the censures +and reproaches which the Princeton professor deals +around? Let those who have leisure and good nature +protect the <i>man of straw</i> 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.</p> + +<p>3. <i>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?</i> +Is <i>this?</i> THE <i>slavery</i> 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."</p> + +<p>And what, moreover, is the bearing of the Christian +requisitions which Prof. Hodge quotes, upon <i>the +definition of slavery</i> 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 name="AE2_FR9E"></a><a href="#AE2_FN9E">A</a>]."</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN9E"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR9E">A</a>: Pittsburgh pamphlet p. 12]</p> +<TABLE summary="Christianity vs. Slavery" WIDTH="80%" BORDER="0" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0"> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +<i>According to Prof. Hodge's account of the requisitions of Christianity,</I> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +<i>According to Prof. Hodge's account of Slavery,</I> + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +The spring of effort in the labor is a fair compensation. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +The laborer must serve at the discretion of another. + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +Free scope must be given for his moral +and intellectual improvement. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +He is deprived of personal liberty--the necessary +condition, and living soul of improvement, without which +he has no control of either intellect or morals. + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +His rights as a husband and a father are to be protected. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> +The authority and claims of the master may throw an ocean +between him and his family, and separate them from each +other's presence at any moment and forever. + </TD> + </TR> +</TABLE> + +<p>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 <i>his definition</i> so far from +<i>the requisitions of Christianity</i>. 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 <i>wish</i> 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.</p> + +<p>But <i>Prof. Stuart</i> must not be forgotten. +In his celebrated letter to Dr. Fisk, he affirms that +"<i>Paul did not expect slavery to be ousted +in a day</i>[<a name="AE2_FR9F"></a><a href="#AE2_FN9F">A</a>]." <i>Did not</i> EXPECT! +What then? Are the <i>requisitions</i> 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 <i>precepts</i> 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.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FN9F"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FR9F">A</a>: Supra, p.8.]</p> + +<p>In the mean time, while expectation waited, Paul, +the professor adds, "gave precepts to Christians +respecting their demeanor." <i>That</i> +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, <i>without</i> <i>respect of persons</i>, +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 <i>brother</i> +naturally feels for another. These were the "ad +interim precepts,"[<a name="AE2_FRA0"></a><a href="#AE2_FNA0">A</a>] which can not fail, if obeyed, +to cut up slavery, "root and branch," at +once and forever.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FNA0"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FRA0">A</a>: Letter to Dr. Fisk, p. 8.]</p> + +<p>Prof. Stuart comforts us with the assurance that "<i>Christianity +will ultimately certainly destroy slavery</i>." +Of this <i>we</i> have not the feeblest doubt. +But how could <i>he</i> admit a persuasion and +utter a prediction so much at war with the doctrine +he maintains, that "<i>slavery may exist without</i> +VIOLATING THE CHRISTIAN FAITH OR THE CHURCH?"[<a name="AE2_FRA1"></a><a href="#AE2_FNA1">B</a>] What, +Christianity bent on the destruction of an ancient +and cherished institution which hurts neither her +character nor condition![<a name="AE2_FRA2"></a><a href="#AE2_FNA2">C</a>] 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 <i>aggressive</i> +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.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FNA1"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FRA1">B</a>: The same, p. 7.]</p> + +<p><a name="AE2_FNA2"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FRA2">C</a>: Prof. Stuart applies here the words, +<i>salva fide et salva ecclesia</i>.]</p> + +<p>"Christianity will <i>ultimately</i> 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 +<i>long</i>, 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 +<i>Christianity would destroy slavery</i>." +As the hammer falls and the beloved of his soul, all +helpless and most wretched, is borne away to the haunts +of <i>legalized</i> debauchery, his heart turns +to stone, while the cry dies upon his lips, "<i>How</i> +LONG, <i>O Lord</i>, HOW LONG?"</p> + +<p>"<i>Ultimately!</i>" In <i>what +circumstances</i> 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 <i>freemen</i>? 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 "<i>ultimately</i>" +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 <i>ultimately</i> +of the "dark spirit of slavery" would at +once give place to the <i>immediately</i> of the +Avenger of the Poor.</p> +<p> +<br> +<a name="AE_8"></a> +<br> +<br> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> +<H2> +NO. 8. +<br> +<br> + +THE ANTI-SLAVERY EXAMINER.</H2> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<p>CORRESPONDENCE,</p> + +<p>BETWEEN THE</p> + +<p>HON. F.H. ELMORE,</p> + +<p>ONE OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA DELEGATION IN CONGRESS,</p> + +<p>AND</p> + +<p>JAMES G. BIRNEY,</p> + +<p>ONE OF THE SECRETARIES OF THE AMERICAN ANTI-SLAVERY +SOCIETY.</p> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<p>NEW-YORK:</p> + +<p>PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY,</p> + +<p>No. 143 NASSAU STREET.</p> + +<p>1838.</p> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<p>This periodical contains 5 sheets.--Postage +under 100 miles, 7-1/2 cts.; over 100 miles, 12-1/2 +cts.</p> + +<p><i>Please read and circulate</i>.</p> + +<p><b>REMARKS IN EXPLANATION.</b></p> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<p>ANTI-SLAVERY OFFICE, <i>New York, May 24, 1838</i>.</p> + +<p>In January, a tract entitled "WHY WORK FOR THE +SLAVE?" was issued from this office by the agent +for the <i>Cent-a-week Societies</i>. A copy of +it was transmitted to the Hon. John C. Calhoun;--to +<i>him</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>South Carolina</i> +member of the Committee.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>It is intended to circulate this correspondence throughout +the <i>whole country</i>. 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.</p> + +<p>JAMES G. BIRNEY.</p> + +<p><b>CORRESPONDENCE.</b></p> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<p>WASHINGTON CITY, FEB. 16, 1838</p> + +<p>To Jas. G. Birney, Esq., <i>Cor. Sec. A.A.S. Soc.</i></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>I am, Sir,</p> + +<p>Your ob'd't serv't,</p> + +<p>F.H. ELMORE, of S.C.</p> + +<p>QUESTIONS for J.G. Birney, Esq., Cor. Sec. A.A.S. +Society.</p> + +<p>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 <i>in the aggregate</i>?</p> + +<p>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?</p> + +<p>3. Have you affiliation, intercourse or connection +with any similar societies out of the United States, +and in what countries?</p> + +<p>4. Do your or similar societies exist in the Colleges +and other Literary institutions of the non-slaveholding +States, and to what extent?</p> + +<p>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?</p> + +<p>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?</p> + +<p>7. By what means, and under what power, do you propose +to carry your views into effect?</p> + +<p>8. What has been for three years past, the annual +income of your societies? and how is it raised?</p> + +<p>9. In what way, and to what purposes, do you apply +these funds?</p> + +<p>10. How many priming presses and periodical publications +have you?</p> + +<p>11. To what classes of persons do you address your +publications, and are they addressed to the judgment, +the imagination, or the feelings?</p> + +<p>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?</p> + +<p>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?</p> + +<p>14. Have you any permanent fund, and how much?</p> + +<p>ANTI-SLAVERY OFFICE, <i>New York, March 8, 1838</i></p> + +<p>Hon. F.H. ELMORE,</p> + +<p>Member of Congress from S. Carolina:</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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,--</p> + +<p>"1. <i>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</i> IN THE AGGREGATE?"</p> + +<p>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 name="AE2_FRA3"></a><a href="#AE2_FNA3">A</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; <i>societies, now</i>, 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.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FNA3"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FRA3">A</a>: The number reported for May was three +hundred and forty, making, in the aggregate, 1346.--<i>Report +for May</i>, 1838.]</p> + +<p>"2. <i>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</i>?"</p> + +<p>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 <i>in +this state</i>, 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 <i>immediate</i> 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.</p> + +<p>"3. <i>Have you affiliation, intercourse, +or connection with any similar societies out of the +United States, and in what countries</i>?"</p> + +<p>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 <i>throughout the world</i>. 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 <i>DUC</i> <i>DE</i> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"4. <i>Do your or similar societies exist +in the Colleges and other Literary institutions of +the non-slaveholding states, and to what extent</i>?"</p> + +<p>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 <i>now</i>, 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; <i>dispersed</i>, it seems +scarcely less effective. An instance of the latter +deserves particular notice.</p> + +<p>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 <i>emancipations</i>.[<a name="AE2_FRA4"></a><a href="#AE2_FNA4">A</a>]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FNA4"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FRA4">A</a>: See Appendix, A.]</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"5. <i>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</i>?"</p> + +<p>ANSWER.--Those who stand <i>ready to join</i> +our societies on the first suitable occasion, may +be set down as equal in number to those who are now +<i>actually members</i>. Those who are ready <i>fully +to co-operate with us</i> in supporting the freedom +of speech and the press, the right of petition, &c, +may be estimated at <i>double</i>, if not <i>treble</i>, +the joint numbers of those who <i>already are members</i>, +and those who are <i>ready to become members</i>. +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 <i>corruptions</i> which +slavery has infused into it in most of her sister +states, by means of commercial and other intercourse +with them.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 name="AE2_FRA5"></a><a href="#AE2_FNA5">A</a>]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FNA5"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FRA5">A</a>: Since the above was written, at the last +election in this state for governor and lieutenant +governor, the abolitionists <i>interrogated</i> +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.]</p> + +<p>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 <i>call</i> +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.[<a name="AE2_FRA6"></a><a href="#AE2_FNA6">B</a>]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FNA6"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FRA6">B</a>: See Appendix, C.]</p> + +<p>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. <i>Now</i>, 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 <i>intentions</i>, but +for their <i>respectability</i> and <i>intelligence</i>.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>new</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>no alteration of it shall ever +take place, so as to introduce slavery or involuntary +servitude into the state</i>. 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.</p> + +<p>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 name="AE2_FRA7"></a><a href="#AE2_FNA7">A</a>]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FNA7"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FRA7">A</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.]</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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, <i>they are one in ten</i>--in +New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, <i>one in +twenty</i>--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 <i>practice</i>, has +professed, cordially to have received our principles.</p> + +<p>"6. <i>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</i>?"</p> + +<p>ANSWER.--This question is fully answered +in the second Article of the Constitution of the American +Anti-Slavery Society, which is in these words:--</p> + +<p>"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 <i>legislate</i> +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."</p> + +<p>Other objects, accompanied by a pledge of peace, are +stated in the third article of the Constitution,--</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"7. <i>By what means and by what power do +you propose to carry your views into effect</i>?"</p> + +<p>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. <i>We</i> +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 <i>men</i>,--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 <i>retributions</i> of the oppressor, not only of +the STRANGER but of the NATIVE--our success +is certain.</p> + +<p>"8. <i>What has been for three years past, +the annual income of your societies? And how has it +been raised?</i>"</p> + +<p>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 name="AE2_FRA8"></a><a href="#AE2_FNA8">A</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."</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FNA8"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FRA8">A</a>: The report for May states the sum received +during the previous year at $44,000.]</p> + +<p>All contributions of whatever kind are <i>voluntary</i>.</p> + +<p>"9. <i>In what way, and to what purposes do +you apply these funds!</i>"</p> + +<p>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--<i>refutations</i> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"10. <i>How many printing presses and periodical +publications have you?</i>"</p> + +<p>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 <i>them</i> +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 +<i>as such</i>, 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 name="AE2_FRA9"></a><a href="#AE2_FNA9">A</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.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FNA9"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FRA9">A</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.]</p> + +<p>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 <i>party</i>-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.</p> + +<p>"11. <i>To what class of persons do you address +your publications--and are they addressed +to the judgment, the imagination, or the feelings</i>?"</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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 <i>always</i>--powerfully to the +imagination and feelings of their readers.</p> + +<p>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!</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>his</i> +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.</p> + +<p>"12. <i>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?</i>"</p> + +<p>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:--</p> + +<p>"Blessed is he that considereth the poor."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"Open thy mouth for the dumb, plead the cause +of the poor and needy."</p> + +<p>"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain +mercy."</p> + +<p>"First, be reconciled to thy brother, and then +come and offer thy gift."</p> + +<p>"Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."</p> + +<p>"All things whatsoever ye would that men should +do to you, do ye even so to them."</p> + +<p>Again:--</p> + +<p>"For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; +the poor also, and him that hath no helper."</p> + +<p>"The Lord looseth the prisoners; the Lord raiseth +them that are bowed down; the Lord preserveth the +strangers."</p> + +<p>"He hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, +to preach deliverance to the captives, to set at liberty +them that are bruised."'</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>Again:--</p> + +<p>"The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment +for all that are oppressed."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"<i>Wo</i> 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."</p> + +<p>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 <i>paper</i>, +(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.</p> + +<p>"13. <i>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?</i>"</p> + +<p>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 <i>they</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>slavery is a Divine institution</i>. +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 <i>system</i> +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. <i>had not laid himself liable to any +punishment known to the laws</i>. 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 name="AE2_FRAA"></a><a href="#AE2_FNAA">A</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.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FNAA"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FRAA">A</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.]</p> + +<p>2. The abolitionists believed, from the beginning, +that the slaves of the South were (as slaves are everywhere) +unhappy, <i>because of their condition</i>. 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 <i>admitting</i> or <i>denying</i> +the assertion.</p> + +<p><i>Admitting</i> 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 <i>instant</i> abandonment of a system whose +appropriate work is such infinite wrong.</p> + +<p><i>Denying</i> 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 <i>enslaved</i>. 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 <i>his</i> 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 <i>happiness</i> +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 <i>our</i> +nature--not <i>human</i>. 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.</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>peculiar</i> superiority to +her <i>peculiar</i> 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 +<i>purity</i> of southern society are spoken +of now, it is at once replied, that a large number +of the slaves show, by their <i>color</i>, 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, +<i>as slaves</i>. 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 name="AE2_FRAB"></a><a href="#AE2_FNAB">A</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 +<i>citizens</i> have been exposed, and the burning +to death of slaves by slow fires,[<a name="AE2_FRAC"></a><a href="#AE2_FNAC">B</a>] furnish the proof. +All these things, says he, furnish any thing but proof +of <i>true</i> hospitality, or generosity, or +gallantry, or purity, or chivalry.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FNAB"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FRAB">A</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."]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FNAC"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FRAC">B</a>: 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.]</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>perpetuate</i>, +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 <i>any</i> +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 name="AE2_FRAD"></a><a href="#AE2_FNAD">A</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 <i>one</i> +of them--deemed, then, the most effectual +of the whole; but, as it has turned out, the least +so.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FNAD"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FRAD">A</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.]</p> + +<p>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 +<i>commerce</i> 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 <i>non-user</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>It has already been said, that we have been brought +into our present condition by the unfaithfulness of +Congress, in not <i>exerting</i> the power vested +in it, to stop the domestic slave-trade, and in the +<i>abuse</i> of the power of admitting "<i>new</i> +states" into the Union. Kentucky made application +in 1792, with a slave-holding Constitution in her +hand.--With what a mere <i>technicality</i> +Congress suffered itself to be drugged into torpor:--<i>She +was part of one of the "Original States"--and +therefore entitled to all their privileges.</i></p> + +<p>One precedent established, it was easy to make another. +Tennessee was admitted in 1796, without scruple, on +the same ground.</p> + +<p>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 name="AE2_FRAE"></a><a href="#AE2_FNAE">A</a>]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FNAE"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FRAE">A</a>: It may be replied, The colored people +were held as <i>property</i> 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 +<i>directly</i>, because there was no grant in +the constitution of power, direct or incidental, to +do so--and because, <i>to do so</i>, +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.]</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>The next stride that slavery made over the Constitution +was in the admission of the State of Louisiana into +the Union. <i>She</i> 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.</p> + +<p>Next followed, in 1817 and 1820, Mississippi and Alabama--admitted +after the example of Kentucky and Tennessee, without +any contest.</p> + +<p>Meantime, Florida had given some uneasiness to the +slaveholders of the neighboring states; and for their +accommodation chiefly, a <i>negociation</i> was set +on foot by the government to purchase it.</p> + +<p>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 name="AE2_FRAF"></a><a href="#AE2_FNAF">A</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 <i>theirs</i> +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![<a name="AE2_FRB0"></a><a href="#AE2_FNB0">B</a>]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FNAF"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FRAF">A</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.]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FNB0"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FRB0">B</a>: See Appendix, E.]</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Arkansas was admitted but the other day, with nothing +that deserves to be called an effort to prevent it--although +her Constitution attempts to <i>perpetuate</i> +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 "<i>evil</i>, political +and moral" of slavery, as "folly and delusion,"[<a name="AE2_FRB1"></a><a href="#AE2_FNB1">A</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 <i>advance and +establish their political power in the country</i>,--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.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FNB1"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FRB1">A</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:--</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>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. <i>It is a government of the best.</i> +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."</p> + +<p>That this <i>retraxit</i> of former <i>follies +and delusions</i> is not confined to the mere politician, +we have the following proofs:--</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>Again we find, in a late No. of the Charleston Courier, +the following:--</p> + +<p>"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."]</p> + +<p>The abolitionists feel a deep regard for the integrity +and union of the government, <i>on the principles +of the Constitution</i>. 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 name="AE2_FRB2"></a><a href="#AE2_FNB2">A</a>]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FNB2"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FRB2">A</a>: See Appendix, F.]</p> + +<p>This, the present condition of the country, induced +by a long train of <i>usurpations</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>are</i> friends +of <i>the</i> 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 +<i>great</i> interest, the right to oppress the +<i>paramount</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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 +<i>South</i>. 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 <i>existing</i> +state of the case, and by the <i>consequences</i> +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:</p> + +<p>First--A dissolution of the Union by the +South would, in no manner, secure to her the object +she has in view.--The <i>leaders</i> +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 name="AE2_FRB3"></a><a href="#AE2_FNB3">A</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 <i>because of the +discussion</i>. 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 <i>discussion</i> +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 <i>good</i> cause, to maintain their steadfastness +in opposition to an extensively corrupt public sentiment; +in a <i>bad</i> one, against public sentiment +purified and enlightened, next to impossible, if not +quite so.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FNB3"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FRB3">A</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 <i>far more +effective</i>. It is waged, not against our lives, +but our character." More correctly, Mr. C. might +have said against a <i>system</i>, with which +the slaveholders have chosen to involve their characters, +and which they have determined to defend, at the hazard +of losing them.]</p> + +<p>Another result would follow the dissolution:--<i>Now</i>, +the abolitionists find it difficult, by reason of +the odium which the principal slaveholders and their +friends have succeeded in attaching to their <i>name</i>, +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 name="AE2_FRB4"></a><a href="#AE2_FNB4">A</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 <i>would</i> know the cause, and +discuss it, and condemn it.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FNB4"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FRB4">A</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 <i>many good men +even among us</i>, who have begun to grow <i>timid</i>. +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."</p> + +<p>This, also, from the North Carolina Watchman:--</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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."--<i>Speech +of the Hon. James T. Morehead in the Kentucky Legislature, +last winter</i>.]</p> + +<p>A second reason why the South will not dissolve the +Union is, that she would be exposed to the visitation +of <i>real</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>cordon</i> 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 <i>demand for labor</i> +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.</p> + +<p>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-<i>selling</i> 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. <i>They look for +emancipation--in this hope they have remained, +and now remain, where they are</i>. Take away this +hope, by making slavery the <i>distinctive bond +of union</i> 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.</p> + +<p>A fifth reason why the South will not dissolve, is +her <i>weakness</i>. 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 <i>power</i> 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 <i>force</i> 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 <i>fact</i> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>character</i>. +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. <i>Now</i>, a restraint of this +kind on such a scheme does not exist.</p> + +<p>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 name="AE2_FRB5"></a><a href="#AE2_FNB5">A</a>]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FNB5"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FRB5">A</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 <i>Protectors</i>. +They can and will, of course, act with whichever party +will best subserve their purpose.]</p> + +<p>A sixth reason why the South will not dissolve the +Union, is found in the difficulty of bringing about +an <i>actual</i> separation. Preparatory to such +a movement, it would seem indispensable, that <i>Union</i> +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 <i>particular</i> +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 <i>question</i> 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 <i>system</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>The slaveholding region may be divided into the <i>farming</i> +and the <i>planting</i>--or the slave-<i>selling</i> +and the slave-<i>buying</i> 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-<i>buying</i> +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 <i>yielding</i> of the free states whenever +they were brought in collision with the South, have +had a strong tendency to persuade the <i>farming</i> +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 <i>opposed</i> to touching the subject +at all, declare that the main object for recommending +a convention was, to act on slavery in some way.</p> + +<p>Now, it would be in vain for the <i>planting</i> +South to expect, that Kentucky or any other of the +<i>farming</i> slave states would unite with +her, in making slavery the <i>perpetual bond</i> +of a new political organization. If they feel the +inconveniences of slavery <i>in their present condition</i>, +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, <i>perpetuated</i>.</p> + +<p>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 <i>farming</i> +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 <i>desertion</i> +in this matter, the whole project of secession must +come to nought.</p> + +<p>But laying aside all the obstacles to union among +the seceding states, how is it possible to take the +first step to <i>actual</i> separation! The separation, +at the worst, can only be <i>political</i>. 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.</p> + +<p>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 "<i>horn flints and bark nutmegs</i>,"[<a name="AE2_FRB6"></a><a href="#AE2_FNB6">A</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 +<i>where</i> this long threatened separation is +to <i>begin</i>; 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.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FNB6"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FRB6">A</a>: Senator Preston's Railroad Speech, +delivered at Colombia, S.C., in 1836.]</p> + +<p>Thus much for the menace, that the "UNION WILL +BE DISSOLVED" unless the discussion of the slavery +question be stopped.</p> + +<p>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!"</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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:--</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"Resolved, That Congress do possess the power +to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>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 <i>fifth</i> +which was passed only by the House of Representatives:--</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>[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.]</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>then</i> +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:--</p> + +<p>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:--</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>alarm</i> 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 name="AE2_FRB7"></a><a href="#AE2_FNB7">A</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:--</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FNB7"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FRB7">A</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.]</p> + +<blockquote><p>"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,--</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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."</p></blockquote> + +<p>That you may yourself, judge what influence the abolition +question exercised in the elections in Massachusetts +<i>last</i> autumn, I send you three numbers +of the Liberator containing copies of letters addressed +to many of the candidates, and their respective answers.</p> + +<p>The Legislature have passed, <i>unanimously</i>, +at its present session, resolutions (preceded by a +report of great ability) protesting "<i>earnestly +and solemnly against the annexation of Texas to this +Union</i>;" and declaring that, "<i>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</i>."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>Resolutions</i> 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 <i>their</i> +petitions in the same way on the table. At the <i>called</i>, +and at the present session, these 110,000 had multiplied +to FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND[<a name="AE2_FRB8"></a><a href="#AE2_FNB8">A</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 <i>before they leave their homes</i>.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FNB8"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FRB8">A</a>: See Appendix, G.]</p> + +<p>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 +<i>own</i> 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.</p> + +<p>"14. <i>Have you any permanent fund, and how +much?</i>"</p> + +<p>ANSWER.--We have none. The contributions +are anticipated. We are always in debt, and always +getting out of debt.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>singular</i>. 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</p> + +<p>Your very obedient servant,</p> + +<p>JAMES G. BIRNEY.</p> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<p>[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 <i>another</i> +of his letters should be included in the Correspondence:--</p> + +<p>"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 <i>which I had prescribed myself</i>, and was +a proper accompaniment to <i>a publication</i> +of what <i>I</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."</p> + +<p>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.]</p> + +<blockquote><p>"WASHINGTON, May 5, 1838.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>To JAMES G. BIRNEY, Esq., Cor. Sec. A.A.S.S.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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 <i>as +to facts</i>, which would make those <i>developments +so important to be known by our people</i>. +My inquiries were framed to draw out <i>full and +authentic details</i> 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 <i>four millions and +a half of white inhabitants in the slave States, +whose lives and property are menaced and endangered</i> +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 <i>now</i> 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 <i>would +be inevitable</i>. 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 <i>exist +only while these institutions exist</i>, 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 <i>the +facts inquired for</i>, 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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>Very respectfully,</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>Your obedient servant,</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>F.H. Elmore."</p></blockquote> + +<p>[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.</p> + +<p>However <i>Christian, and civilized, industrious, +prosperous and happy</i>, 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." <i>Their</i> "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 <i>majority</i> +of the people in South Carolina, Mississippi and Louisiana.</p> + +<p>The "two races" exist in peace in Mexico,--in +all the former South American dependencies of Spain, +in Antigua, in the <i>Bermudas</i>, in Canada, in Massachusetts, +in Vermont, in fine, in every country where they enjoy +<i>legal equality</i>. It is the <i>denial</i> +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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>justice</i> be done, +all necessity for the extirpation of any part of the +people will at once be removed. Baptisms <i>of blood</i> +are seen only when humanity has failed in her offices, +and the suffering discern hope only in the brute efforts +of despair.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 name="AE2_FRB9"></a><a href="#AE2_FNB9">A</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 <i>representative</i> +in a general committee of the whole slaveholding delegations, +that the South ought to be "<i>informed of the +full length and breadth and depth</i>" 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.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FNB9"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FRB9">A</a>: Appendix H.]</p> + +<p>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?</p> + +<p><i>May 24, 1838</i>.</p> + +<p>JAMES G. BIRNEY.]</p> + +<h3>APPENDIX.</h3> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<h4>APPENDIX A.</h4> + +<p>Extract from an article addressed to the editor of +the Christian Register and Observer, signed W.E.C.--attributed +to the Rev. Dr. Channing.</p> + +<blockquote><p>"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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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. <i>The people proclaim, +with one voice, that emancipation is a blessing, +and that nothing would tempt than to revert to +slavery.</i></p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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 +<i>safe</i>. 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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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 <i>facts</i>, +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."</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<p>The following sentiments are expressed by GOVERNOR +EVERETT, of Massachusetts, in a letter to EDMUND QUINCY, +Esq., dated</p> + +<blockquote><p>"Boston, April 29, 1838.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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. +<i>If the result proved satisfactory, I have +never doubted that it would seal the fate of slavery +throughout the civilised world</i>. 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. <i>It has given me new views +of the practicability of emancipation</i>. It has +been effected in Antigua, as appears from unquestionable +authorities contained in the work of Messrs. Thome +and Kimball, not merely <i>without danger</i> +to the master, but without any sacrifice of his +<i>interest</i>. 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."</p></blockquote> + +<p>GOVERNOR ELLSWORTH, of Connecticut, writes thus to +A.F. WILLIAMS, Esq., of this city:--</p> + +<blockquote><p>"NEW HAVEN, <i>May</i> 19, 1838.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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 <i>them</i> that their interests, +as well as their security, will be advanced by employing +free blacks, and emancipation will be accomplished +without difficulty or delay.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>With sentiments of high esteem, &c,</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>W.W. ELLSWORTH."</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<h4>APPENDIX B.</h4> + +<p>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.</p> + +<blockquote><p>"WARWICK, <i>March 28, 1838</i>.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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 <i>case</i> +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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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 <i>one</i> +subject, it would be equally right to dispose +of them in the same manner on <i>all</i> +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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>6. I am opposed to the annexation +of Texas to the United States.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>I am, Sir, very respectfully,</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>Your friend and fellow citizen,</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>WILLIAM SPRAGUE."</p></blockquote> + +<p>Oliver Johnson, Esq., Cor. Sec. R.I.A.S. Society.</p> + +<h4>APPENDIX C.</h4> + +<p>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--</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>2. The right to <i>trial by jury</i> was secured +to persons who are claimed as slaves.</p> + +<p>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 <i>best good</i> +of the <i>whole country</i>."(!)</p> + +<p>4. Resolutions were passed protesting against the +annexation of Texas to the Union.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<h4>APPENDIX D.</h4> + +<p>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 <i>manual</i>, 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 <i>one thousand</i> +hands under the old system, is performed by <i>one</i>, +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 <i>land</i> +in that part of the country where alone cotton could +be raised; and to <i>slaves</i>, 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 <i>free</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<h4>APPENDIX E.</h4> + +<p>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 <i>sincere</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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, <i>in its +letter</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>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) <i>with a view to the influence +that the cutting off of that traffic would have on +the "system" in this country</i>--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 <i>guaranties</i>, and consequently +<i>perpetuates</i>, 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 <i>constitutional +favor</i> 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 <i>people</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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,--</p> + +<blockquote><p>------"facilis descensus Averni,<br> +Sed revocare gradum------<br> +Hoc opus hic labor est,"------</p></blockquote> + +<p>if <i>poetry</i> is not <i>fiction</i>.</p> + +<p>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--<i>twice</i> +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 name="AE2_FRBA"></a><a href="#AE2_FNBA">A</a>]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FNBA"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FRBA">A</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! <i>C'est</i> <i>la</i> Declaration d'Independence +<i>des</i> <i>Etats</i> <i>Unis</i>.]</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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--</p> + +<blockquote><p>------"Quis jam locus--<br> +Quae regio in terris nostri non plena laboris?"<br> +</p></blockquote> +<p>]</p> + +<p>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 <i>right</i>, 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!!</p> + +<p>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 <i>chef d'oeuvre</i> of political +skill and patriotic achievement--the MISSOURI +COMPROMISE.</p> + +<p>Another such compromise--or any compromise +now with slavery--and the nation is undone.</p> + +<h4>APPENDIX F.</h4> + +<p>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 <i>votes</i> by which they +were passed:--</p> + +<p>1. VERMONT.</p> + +<blockquote><p>"1. <i>Resolved, By the Senate +and House of Representatives</i>, 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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>2. <i>Resolved</i>, That +representing, as we do, the people of Vermont, +we do hereby, in their name, +SOLEMNLY PROTEST against such +annexation in any form."</p></blockquote> + +<p>[Passed unanimously, Nov. 1, 1837.]</p> + +<p>2. RHODE ISLAND.</p> + +<p>(<i>In General Assembly, October Session, A. D. +1837</i>.)</p> + +<blockquote><p>"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.'</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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:--</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.'</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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."</p></blockquote> + +<p>[The Preamble and Resolutions were unanimously adopted, +Nov. 3, 1837.]</p> + +<p>3. OHIO.</p> + +<blockquote><p>"<i>Resolved, by the General +Assembly of the State of Ohio</i>, 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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p><i>And be it further resolved</i>, +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."</p></blockquote> + +<p>[Passed by 64 out of 72, the whole number in the House +of Representatives--unanomously in the Senate. +Feb. 24, 1838.]</p> + +<p>4. MASSACHUSETTS.</p> + +<blockquote><p>"Resolves against the +annexation of Texas to the United States.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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,</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, 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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, 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."</p></blockquote> + +<p>[Passed MARCH 16, 1838, UNANIMOUSLY, in both Houses.]</p> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<p>5. MICHIGAN.</p> + +<p>Whereas, propositions have been made for the annexation +of Texas to the United States, with a view to its +ultimate incorporation into the Union:</p> + +<blockquote><p>"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,</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p><i>Be it resolved, by the Senate and +House of Representatives of the State of Michigan</i>, +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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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."</p></blockquote> + +<p>[Passed nearly if not quite unanimously, April 2, +1838].</p> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<p>6. CONNECTICUT.</p> + +<blockquote><p>"<i>Resolved</i>, That we, +the Senate and House of Representatives in General +Assembly convened, do, in the name of the people of +this State, solemnly <i>protest</i> against +the annexation of Texas to this Union."</p></blockquote> + +<p>[Passed, it is believed, unanimously in both houses.]</p> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<p>(Those which follow were passed by but one branch +of the respective Legislatures in which they were +introduced.)</p> + +<p>7. PENNSYLVANIA.</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolutions relative +to the admission of Texas into the Union.</i></p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>"<i>Whereas</i> 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;--<i>And +whereas</i> 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;--<i>And whereas</i> the subject +is now pressed upon and agitated in Congress; +therefore,</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, &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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That +the Governor transmit to each of our Senators and +Representatives a copy of +the foregoing preamble and resolutions."</p></blockquote> + +<p>[Passed the Senate March 9, 1835, by 22 to 6. Postponed +indefinitely in the House of Representatives, April +13, by 41 to 39.]</p> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<p>8. MAINE.</p> + +<blockquote><p>"<i>Resolved</i>, 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."</p></blockquote> + +<p>[Passed in the House of Representatives, March 22, +1838, by 85 to 30. Senate (same day) refused to concur +by 11 to 10.]</p> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<p>9. NEW-YORK.</p> + +<blockquote><p>"<i>Resolved</i>, (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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, (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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, (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."</p></blockquote> + +<p>[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.]</p> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<h4>APPENDIX G.</h4> + +<p>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:--</p> + +<TABLE summary="petitioners for abolition in D.C." WIDTH="80%" BORDER="0" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0"> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +Men. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +Women. + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +Total. + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +For abolition in the District, + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +51,366 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +78,882 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +130,248 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +Against the annexation of Texas, + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +104,973 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +77,419 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +182,392 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +Rescinding the gag resolution, + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +21,015 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +10,821 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +31,836 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +Against admitting any new slave state, + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +11,770 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +10,391 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +22,161 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +For abolition of the slave-trade between the states, + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +11,864 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +11,541 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +23,405 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +For abolition of slavery in the territories, + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +9,129 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +12,083 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +21,212<br> + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +At the extra session for rescinding the gag resolution of Jan. 21, 1837, + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +3,377 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +3,377 + </TD> + </TR> + <TR ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> + <TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +Total, + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +213,494 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +201,137 + </TD> + <TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="BOTTOM"> +414,631 + </TD> + </TR> +</TABLE> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<h4>APPENDIX H.</h4> + +<p>[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:--]</p> + +<p><b>GOVERNOR CAMPBELL'S LETTER.</b></p> + +<blockquote><p>JAMES G. BIRNEY, Esq., <i>New York</i></p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>"RICHMOND, <i>Dec. 4, 1837</i>.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>I am, &c,</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>DAVID CAMPBELL."</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> +<p>GOVERNOR BAGBY'S LETTER.</p> + +<blockquote><p>"TUSCALOOSA, <i>Jan. 6, 1838</i></p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>I am, very respectfully,</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>Your ob't servant,</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>A.P. BAGBY"</p></blockquote> + +<p>JAMES G. BIRNEY, <i>Esq., New York</i>.</p> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<p>GOVERNOR CANNON'S LETTER.</p> + +<p>[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 <i>word</i> and <i>letter</i>, +precisely as it was received at the office.]</p> + +<blockquote><p>"EXECUTIVE DEPT.--</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>NASHVILLE. <i>Dec. 12th, 1837</i>.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>Sir</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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 +<i>it is his interest to do it</i>. 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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>Very respectfully yours,</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>N. CANNON."</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mr. JAS. G. BIRNEY, <i>Cor. Sec.</i> &c.</p> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<p>[The letter of the Secretary to the governor of South +Carolina was not <i>answered</i>, but was so +inverted and folded as to present the <i>subscribed</i> +name of the secretary, as the <i>superscription</i> +of the same letter to be returned. The addition of +<i>New York</i> to the address brought it back +to this office.</p> + +<p>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:--]</p> + +<blockquote><p>"<i>Hoaxing a Governor</i>.--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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.'"</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<blockquote><p>GOVERNOR CONWAY'S LETTER.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS, <i>March</i> 1, 1838.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>Sir--A newspaper, headed '<i>The +Emancipator</i>,' 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 <i>gratuitous</i> +on the part of its publishers to send me a copy; +and not having a favorable opinion of the <i>intentions</i> +of the <i>authors and founders</i> of the +'<i>American Anti-Slavery Society</i>;' +I have to request a discontinuance of '<i>The +Emancipator</i>.'</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>Your ob't servant, "J.S. CONWAY."</p></blockquote> + +<p>R. G. WILLIAMS, Esq., New York.</p> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<p>[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 <i>constitutional</i> questions +by a distinguished jurist,--one of the purest +patriots too, by whom our early history was illustrated.]</p> + +<blockquote><p>"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 <i>introduced, +nor permitted</i> in any of the <i>new</i> +states; and that it ought to be gradually diminished, +and finally, abolished, in all of them.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>To me, the <i>constitutional +authority</i> of the Congress to prohibit +the <i>migration</i> +and <i>importation</i> of slaves into any of the +states, +does not appear questionable.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>The first article of the Constitution +specifics the legislative powers committed to +Congress. The ninth section of that article has these +words:--'The <i>migration</i> +or <i>importation</i> of such persons as any +of the <i>now existing</i> 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 <i>ten dollars</i> for each person.'</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>I understand the sense and meaning of +this clause to be, That the power of the Congress, +although <i>competent to prohibit such migration +and importation</i>, was not to be exercised with +respect to the THEN existing states, and <i>them +only</i>, until the year 1808; but that Congress +were at liberty to make such prohibition as to any +<i>new state</i> which might in the <i>meantime</i> +be established. And further, that from and after +<i>that</i> period, they were authorized to make +such prohibition as to <i>all the states, whether +new or old</i>.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>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.'"</p></blockquote> +<p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="AE_9"></a> + * * * * * +<br> +<br> +</p> +<H2>NO. 9. +<br> +<br> + +THE ANTI-SLAVERY EXAMINER.</H2> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<h3>LETTER +<br> +OF +<br> + +GERRIT SMITH, +<br> + +TO +<br> + +HON. HENRY CLAY.</h3> +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<p>NEW YORK:</p> + +<pre>PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY, NO. 143 NASSAU STREET. +----- 1839.</pre> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +<br> +</p> +<p>This No. contains 3-1/2 sheets.--Postage, under 100 +miles, 6 cts. over 100, 10 cts.</p> + +<p><i>Please Read and circulate</i>.</p> + +<p><b>LETTER.</b></p> + +<p> +<br> + * * * * * +<br> +</p> + +<p>PETERBORO, MARCH 21, 1839.</p> + +<p>HON. HENRY CLAY:</p> + +<p>DEAR SIR,</p> + +<p>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?</p> + +<p>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 name="AE2_FRBB"></a><a href="#AE2_FNBB">A</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.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FNBB"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FRBB">A</a>: Colonel Young.]</p> + +<p>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!</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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?</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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?</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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 <i>and</i> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<i>manumissions</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>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?</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>original</i> States."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>possibly</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>You will, perhaps, say, that Virginia and Maryland +made their <i>cessions</i> of the territory, which constitutes +the District of Columbia, with reservations on the +subject of slavery. We answer, that none were expressed;[<a name="AE2_FRBC"></a><a href="#AE2_FNBC">A</a>] +and that if there had been, Congress would not, and +in view of the language of the Constitution, could +not, have accepted the <i>cessions</i>. 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.</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FNBC"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FRBC">A</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.]</p> + +<p>I will, however, suppose it true, that Virginia and +Maryland would not have made the <i>cessions</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 name="AE2_FRBD"></a><a href="#AE2_FNBD">A</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 <i>crime</i> +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 <i>impudent</i> 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!</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FNBD"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FRBD">A</a>: "It (slavery) is a sin and a curse +both to the master and the slave:"--<i>Henry +Clay</i>.]</p> + +<p>"<i>To the Senate and House of Representatives +of the United States</i>:</p> + +<p>The petition of the undersigned, citizens of the District +of Columbia represents--That they have witnessed +with deep regret the attempts which are making <i>to +disturb the integrity</i> 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."</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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?</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<i>chattels</i>. The Constitution, on the contrary, +speaks of them as nothing short of <i>persons</i>. +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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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?</p> + +<p>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 <i>periphrase</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>positive +law</i>; 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."</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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?</p> + +<p>I pass to the examination of your charges against +the abolitionists.</p> + +<p><i>They contemn the "rights of property."</i></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>real</i> 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.</p> + +<p>Before closing my remarks on the topic of "the +rights of property," I will admit the truth +of your charge, that <i>Abolitionists deny, that +the slaveholder is entitled to "compensation" +for his slaves</i>.</p> + +<p>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?</p> + +<p>Another of your charges against abolitionists is, +<i>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></p> + +<p>I will group with this charge several others of the +same class.</p> + +<p><i>1.</i> <i>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."</i></p> + +<p><i>2.</i> <i>They are regardless of the "deficiency +of the powers of the General Government, and of the +acknowledged and incontestable powers of the States."</i></p> + +<p><i>3.</i> "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."_</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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?</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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?</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Another of your charges is, <i>that the abolitionists +"have increased the rigors of legislation against +slaves in most if not all the slave States</i>."</p> + +<p>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!"</p> + +<p>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</p> + +<p> "endure<br> +Touch of celestial temper, but returns<br> +Of force to its own likeness."[<a name="AE2_FRBE"></a><a href="#AE2_FNBE">A</a>]</p> +<p><a name="AE2_FNBE"></a> +[Footnote <a href="#AE2_FRBE">A</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.]</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>refutations</i> 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.</p> + +<p>Another of your charges is, <i>that the abolitionists +oppose "the project of colonisation."</i></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Another of your charges is, that the abolitionists, +in declaring "that their object is not to stimulate +the action of the General Government, <i>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>."</p> + +<p>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 <i>suffrages</i> 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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>You say of the abolitionists, <i>that "they +are in favor of amalgamation."</i></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>our</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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!</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Another charge against the abolitionists is implied +in the inquiry you make, <i>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."</i></p> + +<p>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 <i>abolitionists</i> generally +belong to the wealthy and aristocratic classes. This, +to a great extent, is true of <i>anti-abolitionists</i>. +Have you never heard the boast, that there have been +anti-abolition mobs, which consisted of "gentlemen +of property and standing?"</p> + +<p>You charge upon abolitionists "<i>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</i>."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>immigrations</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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 <i>modern</i> limiter of "human +responsibility"--not by the <i>ancient</i> +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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>acclamations</i> 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?</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Another of your charges against the abolitionists +is, <i>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."</i></p> + +<p>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 <i>undying</i>. 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."</p> + +<p>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?</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>A further charge in your speech is, <i>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."</i></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>The last of your charges against the abolitionists, +which I shall examine, is the following: <i>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."</i></p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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?"</p> + +<p>You say, that we "<i>now</i> 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 "<i>now</i> 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?</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Much as you dislike, not to say <i>dread</i>, +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 <i>groggeries</i>. 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 <i>groggeries</i>. +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!</p> + +<p>I have already remarked on "the third" +of the "impediments" or "obstacles" +to emancipation, which you bring to view. <i>"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."</i></p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p><i>"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."</i></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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!</p> + +<p>You say, "<i>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</i>."</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>"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.</p> + +<p>You say, <i>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</i>."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Near the close of your speech is the remark: "<i>I +prefer the liberty of my own country to that of any +other people</i>."</p> + +<p>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 <i>patriotism</i> of that idolized compound +of selfish and base affections!</p> + +<p>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,</p> + +<blockquote><p>"Lands intersected by a narrow frith,<br> +Abhor each other, Mountains interposed<br> +Make enemies of nations, who had else,<br> +Like kindred drops, been mingled into one."</p></blockquote> + +<p>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!</p> + +<p>Having said, "<i>I prefer the liberty of my +own country to that of any other people</i>," +you add--"<i>and the liberty of my +own race to that of any other race."</i></p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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 <i>men</i>, (speak of them, think +of them, no longer, as <i>brutes</i> and <i>things</i>)--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."</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>I remain,</p> + +<p>Your friend,</p> + +<p>GERRIT SMITH.</p> + +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11272 ***</div> +</body> +</html> |