xt7dv40jt80b https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7dv40jt80b/data/mets.xml James, Henry Field. 1856  books b92-156-29785685 English E. Morgan, : Cincinnati : Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Slavery Justification. Slavery United States Controversial literature 1856. Abolitionism unveiled, or, Its origin, progress and pernicious tendency fully developed  / Henry Field James. text Abolitionism unveiled, or, Its origin, progress and pernicious tendency fully developed  / Henry Field James. 1856 2002 true xt7dv40jt80b section xt7dv40jt80b 








ABOLITIONISM UNVEILED;


          OR, ITS


      O R I G I N,



PROGRESS, AND PERNICIOUS TENDENCY




       FULLY DEVELOPED.





              BY

     HENRY FIELD JAMES,
         ( OFXX KT UKxY.)



     CINCINNATI:
E. MORGAN AND SONS,
   NO. 111 MAIN STREET.
        1 8 5 6.

 







































       Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1856, by

                 HENRY FIELD JAMES,

Ink the Clerk's Offtee of the District Court of the United States, for the District of
                          Kentucky.



     E. MORGOAN       SONS,
STKIRTNPERS, PEINLTERS, AND DIND.R
         !111. AIN STTRET.

 










PREFACE.



   THAT the United States are involved in very great
and momentous domestic difficulties, must be obvious
to all. The future portends most serious commotions.
The Author was insensibly led to inquire, by what
means, and by what agency, had this great nation been
brought into so perilous a condition  Why was it
that alienation had been produced between North and
South; until it had become so bitter that civil war is
ready to burst forth in one of the Territories
  lie could not fail to trace these immnense evils to
the fanatical spirit of ABOLITIONIsI. To write a history
of its origin, progress, and pernicious tendency, the
Author felt an irresistible impulse. But he must
confess, he entered upon the task with great distrust
in his own abilities to do so great a subject anything
like adequate justice. He dares not flatter himself
that he could make the development in a style so
captivating it would win its way to public notice and
favor. For years he has waited, in the hope some
more vigorous pen would embark in this undertaking.
But he has waited in vain. The Author, therefore,
throws himself upon the generosity of the public, in
the fall persuasion, that it will appreciate his effort, to
restore concord and harmony in our National Councils.
                                          ( iii )

 







   His object is, not to create fresh irritations; but
"to pour oil upon the troubled waters." ABOLITIONISMI,
unfortunately, has a fascination North truly astonishing;
to open the eyes of those under its influence is nearly
hopeless; and yet it is in that region, if the Union is
to be preserved, the change in public sentiment must
be effected.
   But the Author takes a pleasure in acknowledg-
ing, that, in the North, there are many true friends
whose every pulsation is in favor of the Union-who
cling to it, as the Ark of our political safety; and who
are battling with manly firmness against the insidious
wiles and disturbing machinations of this ever-growing
fanaticism.
  The most ardent desire of the Author has been to
create a stronger attachment and devotion to the Union,
by showing that the interests of all the States are so
inseparably interwoven, that a dissolution cannot take
place without entailing mutual injury and ruin.
  Hence, how powerful the incentives, for the patriots
of the North and South, to rally under one common
standard and preserve our National Government fiom
the hands of those who, aiming to build up a great
Sectional Party, will involve the nation in perpetual
discord-if not, eventually, in civil Kaar.



iv



PREFACE.


 














                      CONTENTS.



CHAPTER... I. 'Squire Henry Gray-His Birth-Travels and Settle-
                 ment in Kentucky ............... .............. 7
CHArTER....H1. David Gray visits his uncle Henry in Boone-Inter-
                view and conversation ......................... 10
CHAPTZL.. III. 'Squire Gray resumes the subject-The injury to
                Slave and Master from Abolition interference clearly
                pointed out ................................... 15
CHAPTEM... IV. A continuation of the same subject   .       . Q1
CuApTEz  . .. V. The same subject continued-The plan of the Work
                defined ...................................... 30
CHAPTM. . .VI. Africa-Its Inhabitants-Their manners and customs 37
CHAPT=..VII. The Slave-Trade-Its Origin-Those who partici-
                pated  in  its Profits  ........ ....................  41
CHAPTEZ.VIII. The Origin of Abolitionism-A Peep into England's
                Secret Archives ............................... 4S
CUAPTIM.. IX. The Document-Abolitionism .................... 59
CHArTTE... X. The Union-The Dangers that environ it .......... 66
CHAPTEa . . XI. The Grounds of controversy between North and South 74
CHAPTEE. 2XII. The Union-And its Dangers .................... 94
CHAPTER XIII. The Altercation..                              10
CHAPTUa . XIV. On board Steamer Pike-Conversation with Captain
                Kidd .119
CHAPTIm ..XV. Arrival in Cincinnati-Put up at the Dennison House
                -Visit a Female Acquaintance-The Conversa-
                tion-An Incident on the Street-And departure
                on the cars for Sandusky city.              12t
CnAnTzR . XVI. Conversation with an Eminient Personage on the way
                 -Arrival in Sandusky City.                  1:3
CHij T"XVII. At a Hotel-The 'Squire goes out to see a Man hung-
                 A Dialogue overheard between two Men  . . ..
                                                      I v )

 










CONTENTS.



CHAPTIM.. XVIII.


CHAPTm .... XIX.



CHAPTER ..... XX.




CHAPTER .... XXI.





CHAPTER ... XXII.




CHAPTER.. XXIII.

CHAPTER .. XXIV.

CHAPTER ... XXV.
CHAPTER.. XXVI.

CHArrER . XXVII.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
CHAPTE.. XXIX.

CHAPTER ... XXX.

CHAPTER.. XXXI.
CHAPTER . XXXII.



CHAPTER .XXXIII.



CATE . XXXIV.



Depart to Amherstburg on the Steamer Consti-
  tuti-n-Conversation at the Landing with a
  Water-Carrier-With a Negro in Jail ........ 142
'Squire Gray and David discovered to be from
  Kentucky-TThe Insult-The Negro Mob-
  Their flight, and Arrival in Detro t ......... 149
'Squire Gray at a Hotel in Detroit-Thoughts and
  Reflections on the incidents of the Day-Re-
  ceives an Answer-Buys Pony and Buggy-
  Makes another Excursion into Canada ....... 154
'Squire Gray and David in Sandwich-Conver-
  sation with Mr. Crane-They go out into the
  Country-Meet with his Negroes and others-
  Conversation-Surrounded by a Mob of Ne-
  groes, and narrowly escapes with his Life... .157
Return to Detroit-Reflections-Riot at Sand-
  wich-Descends Lake Erie to the mouth of
  Black river-Thence to Elyria-Conversations
  with various Persons on the Route .......... 166
The 'Squire and David at Elyria, O.-Conversa-
  tion with SHAN ............................ 171
Arrival at Oberlin-Conversation with Professor
  SEEN ...................................  180
Dialogue between Professor Wren and Shan ....... 185
Tom Shaw's soliloquy-His Chastisement and
Expulsion ............................... 190
Conversation between Professor Wren and Moon.195
The Conversation Continued .................. 202
Departure from Oberlin-Conversation with Lucy
Brown...................                213
David and the 'Squire depart from Cleveland to
  Cincinnati-Long conversation with Darby ...219
Conversation continued .................... 229
At the Dennison House-Conversation on the
value of the Union, in relation to Cincinnati
and the West ...................        236
The 'Squire and David at Home-The Pony-
Final Conversation ....................   245
Conclusion....................           250



Vi


 













  ABOLITIONISM UNVEILED.




                 CHAPTER I.

 'Squire Henry Gray-His Birth, Travels, and Settlement in Boone
                      County, Ky.

  ON the memorable day of the 20th January, in the year
of our Lord, 1799, was ushered into existence the hero of
our tale. So very particular was the family record kept,
that not only the day and year were strictly noticed, but
the very hour was to be preserved for the perusal and
gratification of all future ages; hence, it seems, the very
identical hour was at five o'clock in the morning, that the
lungs of our hero were first inflated by this terrene atmo-
sphere, and his eyes opened upon time.  le was a lovely
chlild, as all the old women present have testified, and came
forth smiling upon this land of sin and woe. The snow,
this eventful morning, in soft flakes descended quietly to
the ground, while the north wind sang mournfully around
the humble dwelling; these were the scenes outside of the
chamber in which our Henry Gray was born, the day,
year and hour named.
  The habitation of the family stood on an elevated spot of
ground,command ing an extensive view of the meanders of
a turbulent little creek, familiarly known as Crooked Run.
It was the dividing line between the counties of Culpepper
and MadisonVirginia. The people of the Old Dominion
have a dialect peculiar to themselves. Runs were the
common names for creeks in that State, and this happen-
ing to be vastly crooked, was named, very appropriately,
"Crooked Run."   In the western horizon the Blue Ridge
                                         (7)

 







ABOLITIONISM UNVEILED.



reared its lofty and craggy peaks, often covered with snow.
Braced by the mountain breeze, our little Harry grew up
with a vigorous and healthy constitution. His parents were
not only attentive to the true development of his physical
powers, but bestowed their pious care upon his moral
training, and the proper cultivation of his mind. At an
early age he was sent to school; but tuition was at a very
low ebb at that day-hence but little knowledge could be
acquired.
  Those, then, who undertook to " teach the young idea
how to shoot" were miserably deficient in all the qualities
essential in a teacher. Their qualifications never ascended
higher than common Arithmetic, and as to aptitude in
imparting knowledge, that was a gift which had never been
bestowed upon them. There need not be much surprise,
therefore. if our Henry verged toward manhood without
mental improvement. Though he had been to many dif-
ferent teachers, yet when about seventeen years of age he
could barely read and cipher. The fault was all theirs:
they knew not how to smooth the path of knowledge to
make learning attractive, by removing those obstructions
that impede and sometimes overwhelm the infantile mind,
in its efforts to comprehend the intricate principles of the
arts and sciences. He was suffered to grope his way, as
best he could; and it is not astonishing that his progress
was slow and discouraging.
  However, the scene now undergoes a change; better
teachers came into the vicinity, and his pathway became
illuminated. He imbibed a taste for learning-lie devoted
his whole mind to his studies. le resolved to be a thor-
ough scholar in all the branches of a good English educa-
tion, and in this he eminently succeeded. None could
speak or write his native tongue more correctly than he.
  Having arrived at man's estate, he selects for his help-
mate one of the fair daughters of the land. In the choice
of a wife he was greatly blessed. Now the thoughts of
our Henry Gray were turned to the West. The fertility
of the Ohio valley was diffused throughout all that region
of country. He decided, therefore, with his numerous
slaves to emigrate to the West.
  Not so with his brother John, two years older in age,



8

 






ADOLITIONISM UNVEILED.



Ile, with his family and slaves, went to the South, and
settled upon the fertile hills back of Rodney, Mississippi.
  In the fall of 1824, our Henry Gray, with his family,
descended the Ohio from Wheeling, and landedi on the
Kentucky side, just above the mouth of Big Bone Creek.
There a most spacious bottom, of unsurpassed fertility,
sprread out to the distant hills. Here he had purchased
a large body of land, and intended to spend the balance
of his days. The forest fell before the vigorous strokes
of his numerous slaves, whose axes kept up an unceasing
noise. Ere many years a beautiful and extensive tarmn
was opened, and a splendid and commodious brick dwell-
in-, situated a short distance from the banks ot the Ohio
river, rose gracefully to view. On the lower edge of his
farm a little winding stream pushed its silent waters to
the placid Ohio. This was Big Bone-so named from
the mammoth bones found at a salt spring near its head.
  Blessed in all the relations of life, here, for many years
our Henry Gray resided in rural elegance. Ile had seve-
ral beautiful daughters, who made his house very attrac-
tive. His unbounded hospitality was a theme of admira-
tion throulghout the surrounding country, but it was Just
such hospitality as is common to all the sons of the Old
Dominion. He became popular with the people, and
was appointed a justice of the peace, an office which he
held for many years, until he was universally known as
'Squire Gray. The surname was usually dropped in
familiar conversation, and the 'Squire only used.
  His library was extensive, and composed of very valu-
able and well selected books not often met with at a far-
mer's residence. The constitution and laws of his country
he had made his particular study, and thoroughly under-
stood. As a politician, few excelled him. lie was a
complete master of all political questions which had agi-
tated the country the last twenty-five years. Abolitionism
he had watched from its earliest germ up to its present
amazing and dangerous growth. Whenever that subject
was named, his eyes beamed with fire, and the vast fuind
of information he possessed in relation to it, was poured
forth with warmth and great energy.
  He was a true lover of the Union; its perpetuity he



9


 






ABOLITIONISM UNVEILED.



looked upon as an object essential to the peace, prosperity,
and glory of the States. The bare idea of its dissolution
filled his patriotic bosom with unutterable horror. He
was indeed, in the language of the great and lamentel
Webster, " for the Union, one and inseparable, now and
forever."
  In the year 1840, his brother, John Gray and family,
from the South, spent the summer with the 'Squire, at
his residence in Boone. They had with them a little son,
named David, then several years old, very sprightly and
interesting.
  Never were two brothers more endeared to each other.
Their hearts were truly knit together. As masters, they
were kind and humane. They governed their families
like the patriarchs of old. Between Henry and his slaves
there were great confidence and affection prevailing: no
discord in his family.



                 CHAPTER II.
   David Gray-Visits his Uncle Henry in Boone-Interview and
                      Conversation.
  DAVID GRAY was an amiable youth-true benevolence
beamed in his countenance. Upon the borders of the Mis-
sissippi river, the father of wa ters, near Rodney, he was born,
and there had grown up to manhood. He was thoroughly
educated-his mind was trained to a close and full investi-
gation of subjects.  He was master of the arts and
sciences, and many of the ancient and modern languages.
In the spring of 1855, at the age of twenty, he returns
home to enjoy the pleasures of rural scenery.
  Ile had long been immured in the walls of a college,
devoting ail the energies of his mind to comprehend the
various studies in which he had been engaged, and now
he comes forth, with all the ardor of youth, to intermingle
with relatives and society; to home, sweet home, he
returns, after long absence. There he meets his dear
parents, who receive him with great affection. The old



to

 






ABOLITIONISM UNVEILED.



family servants crowd around him, shake the hand of
Massa David, while tears of joy flow down their checks.
After enjoying, for a season, the pleasures of homne, Da-
vid felt an irresistible impulse to pay a visit to his aged
uncle in Boone.
  "All!" says he to himself, "I have now arrived at
manhood. I have closed my collegiate course. I have
not sought 'shallow draug-hts,' which merely ' intoxicate
the brain,' but I have aimed. 'to drink deep of the Pierian
Spring.' I have long been poring over musty lore. It
is true I have retired from college with all the honors of a
regular graduation. As a scholar I stand on the highest
list; and yet I cannot say I am acquainted with the excit-
ing scenes of real life. I understand the events that have
transpired previous to my day better than I do the mighty
throes of the world in this age. I have traced mankind,
so far as history enabled me, from old Adam down to the
present century. Tihe multiplication of mankind, the rise
and fall of empires, the bloody revolutions of nations, and
the dread carnage of war, are all imprinted upon the tab-
lets of my memory in lasting characters. The nature of
man, as there developed, I fully comprehend. But as old
time drives his car forward, new inventions are made-
the social and inoral relations of our race are approximat-
ing to perfection. What is the extent of that approxima-
tion, I am not fully advised.
  "Upon the theater of life, I am now entering at a most
auspicious period I am persuaded. I am a citizen, not
merely of Mississippi, but of the United States-of this
great Federal Union-of this galaxy of States, whose stars
and stripes float proudly over every sea. I have been
reared in the sunny South, amid slavery, but that makes
no difference; I am hailed as a brother, as a citizen of this
great community, wherever I may travel, whether in the
North, East or West. A delightful thought! Here are
thirtv-one States, some of them empires within themselves,
containing over twentv-three millions of people, all comn-
bined under a Federal Head. For all national purposes
they are one people, guided by one will. Ali! here lies
the secret of our greatness.
  " The vast resources, the physical power of this whole



11

 






ABOLITIONISM UNVEILED.



nation can be concentrated in sustaining the rights and
honor of the United States. Not like the petty States of
Greece, wasting our means and strength in intestine broils
and collisions, thus destroying and eating up each other's
vitals. No, no, we are reposing quietly like lambs here
at home; but let some great emergency call these sleeping
energies forth; let some foreign -ay, any nation upon
earth, trample upon our rights or insult our flag, then we
are terrible-I might say, invincible in battle array. But
I must travel.
  "I have not yet, but once, been out of the bounds of my
native State. I am a Southerner in reality. I have seen
nothing but cotton-fields, worked by slaves, all my life.
Well, these creatures, notwithstanding, appear happy. I
am disposed to think no other laborers are better fed,
have more comfortable houses, or work less. This is only
my naked impression. They surely are contented-they
have no cares or anxieties for to-morrow. Oh! how miuch
have I been amused with their dancing-their very souls
seemed absorbed in the amusement. Well, well, these
things I have seen-let them pass.
  "Now, the inquiry with me is, Where shall I spend the
summer I must think. I have an uncle-a hospitable
old gentleman-residing on the bank of the Ohio river, in
Kentucky. Yes, many years ago, while I was a mere
boy, I was there. I shall always remember him and his
family, for I spent my time there so pleasantly. He had
some pretty little daughters, with fine rosy cheeks, and
black eyes. Sweet cousins they were. Methinks I would
not know them now. They have grown up, married, and
moved away.
  "Oh! what a mighty change time makesl Then,
again, he had some good, old, faithful servants. How
kindly they treated me. If I should arrive there, I shall
see them all again. My uncle was a kind and humane
man. His slaves all loved him, and rendered a cheerful
obedience to his commands. A family so happy I wish
once more to visit. My parents will consent, and 1 am
decided to go. Yes, ye! I must once more sit on the
banks of the placid Ohio, and on the flowery banks of
that little meandering stream Big Bone. How delightful



12

 






ABOLITIONISM UNVEILED.



the scenery. The hills rise back with a regular ascent -
covered with the richest verdure. Upon their sides feed
the bleating sheep and lowing herds of cattle.
  "1 will prepare and be off in a few days. Come, John,
tell the washerwomian to have all my clothes in readiness,
as I am resolved to take a long journey."
  "Oh! Massa David, only bin home dese few weeks,
now goin' ag'in. What on 'arth can make you do dis
way."
  "Ali! John, I have just been thinking of a dear old uncle
I have living up in Kentucky. I purpose to go and see
him.  He is growing in years, and may, ere-long, be
gathered to his fathers. I want to enjoy his society once
more this side the grave."
  " Oh I deary me. I knows Massa Henry well. Him
and me be about de same age. We used to hunt de
coons and 'possums together in Old Virginny. He is
nin'ty kind hearted to de nigger. 'Member me to all de
black folks, Tom, Dick, Joe-all dem niggers dare-tell
'emn old John is still kicking dis side of de grave."
  " I will not forget, John, to do so."
  Soon David hailed a steamer at Rodney, destined for
the Ohio river, and, without any occurrence worth noting,
lands at his uncle's in Boone, where the following con-
versation ensued:
  "Do you remember me, uncle "
  "I am not sure I do. I can see a slight resemblance
in your features to a brother I have in the south; but if
you are his son you have grown out of my knowledge.
Several years ago, he and family spent the summer with
me. Hle bad an interesting little son, David, with him,
whom I tenderly loved. Can you be the same"
  " I am, uncle, that identical boy."
  " God bless you, David; I am happy, very happy, once
more to have you under our roof. 1 have often thought,
if I could again have your society for a season, I would
be willing to depart in peace."
  " Why so, uncle "
  "The answer to that question involves a long story -
too long to enter upon it this evening. I have no doubt
you are greatly fatigued after your tedious voyage, and



13

 






ABOIMONISM UNVEILED.



will need much repose. I will not trouble you now with
the important matters weighing heavily upon my mind.
As you doubtless will spend with me the whole summer,
we shall have ample time to go through the discussion
which this dangerous crisis in national affairs demands."
  "Very well, uncle, I shall be ready at this or any other
time to hear whatever you are disposed to communicate.
I do not know at present to what particular subject
you allude, but my object in coming up was to seek in-
formation. I am happy in having it in my power to
spend this summer with you. From your age and intelli-
gence I hope I may be instructed in many things of which
I am now partially ignorant. How are the good old servants
that you owned some years ago I want at once to go
to the cabins to see them all. I know they will be very
glad to see me.".
  "Alas! David, it pains me to say, you will find none
there-the cabins are all vacated, silent as the tombs.
You have come to a deserted plantation."
  " What, uncle, can be the cause of this great change
in your domestic affairs What evil demon has been at
work to destroy that peace and harmony in your family I
witnessed years ago Then there was confidence between
master and slave, reciprocal feelings of friendship. I can
not see how that faithful old servant Tom, reared by you
from a boy-descended to you by inheritance-could be
enticed away."
  " You have, David, made an allusion to those very
matters which have borne so heavily upon me. I have
been constrained to do, what I never supposed I would
do during my life-to part with my slaves. They are
gone, not to Canada, but to the soutlh, and I have their
value in money. The reasons for such an act I will here-
after detail."



14


 






ABOLITIONIBM UNVEILED.



                 CHAPTER III.
  'Squire Gray resumes the subject -The injury to Slave and Master,
          from Abolition interference, clearly pointed out.

   EARLY the ensuing morning, David arose, and met his
uncle in the parlor.
   "Well, David," says he, "I hope that sleep, 'tired
nature's sweet restorer,' has prepared you for the duties
of the day. The sun has just spread abroad his rays-
the little birds, with their sweetest songs have welcomed
the returning day; but when I look abroad upon my ex-
tended fields, covered with numerous cattle and sheep, I
feel sensibly the inconvenience to which I am subjected
by the removal of my slaves."
   " I have no doubt of that, uncle," replied David. "You
have, from your infancy, been accustomed to them, and
you have now to depend upon hired labor. I cannot say
how it may succeed here; but in the cotton region I know
it would be a perfect failure. It is possible you may con-
trive to graze most of your land, and cultivate annually
only a small portion in grain, without the hiring of many
hands; and in this way you may derive from your estate
a moderate income."
  " Be that as it may, David, I will never repent of what
I have done. I did not act in haste, or from a sudden
impulse of passion; but upon full and mature considera-
tion. The act afforded me no pleasure in the world; but,
on the contrary, it was one of the most painful nature I
ever performed."
  " Oh! cruel destiny, uncle; what could have induced
you to perform such an act of apparent cruelty  Surely
there must have been powerful causes to have constrained
you to the performance of such a deed."
  "Truly, truly, David; but now I will detail to you
why I have thus acted - not only myself, but many of
my neighbors. We reside here near the Ohio river, on
the borders of the state, and have suffered much from
Abolitionism. Of its origin, progress, and pernicious
tendency, perhaps you may, in some degree, be ignorant.



15

 






ABOLITIONISM UNVEILED.



This is that foul demon that has come in among us, to
produce those results which all humane persons so much
deplore. As you are from the far south, you are not sen-
sible of its encroachments. I rejoice, therefore, that I
have it in my power to furnish you with a history of ABO-
LITIONIS-M, which you will find contains more truth than
fiction. When you return home, you will remember the
solemn declarations of your aged uncle, whose head is
blossoming for the grave. I have passed the meridian of
time, and I am now descending to the vale of death.
What I shall take the liberty to utter in your hearing the
present summer, I hope will make a lasting impression
upon your mind. You are young-just entering upon the
theater of life; hence, when this poor franme of mine may
rest quietly beneath the sods of the valley, upon you and
the rising generation will this rich inheritance of freedom
be devolved. By the blood of martyred patriots it was
achieved, and it can only be preserved by eternal vigi-
lance. That all the privileges we enjoy depend upon the
preservation of the Union, I am firmly persuaded. Its
dissolution would involve a train of evils too horrible to
contemplate-civil war would soon rage between North
and South, which would only end by entailing upon the
country one long night of gloomy despotism.
  " The commencement of the contest would be to liberate
three millions of African slaves, but its end the enslave-
ment of all, without regard to color. Then, indeed, the
iron rule of some military chieftain would hush to ever-
lasting silence the wild fanaticism that goaded the South
to madness. Its fearful visage never more would ba reared
to proclaim the inalienable rights of man, or to cheer on
his way 'the panting fugitive.' When intolerable slavery
shall press to the earth the teeming millions that may in-
habit this vast western continent, there will be no room
for the exercise of philanthropy. Pens and tongues would
no longer be employed in the syren song of emancipating
the world. Blot out this luminous spot on earth-the
only spot upon which liberty has found an abiding place-
then the sable cloud Cf despotism wouild enshrine the face
of this glol)e. But I imist answer the question which
you have propounded. Old people must be indulged in



16

 






ABOLITIONISM UNVEILED.



a greater latitude of digression than would be allowable
in a methodical treatise, or one governed by the strict
rules of logic. You will pardon me, therefore, for those
occasional flights into which I mav sometimes be betrayed.
I shall not fail, in the end, to give you the desired in-
formation.
  "Now, as to the cauces of that act to which allusion
has been made. I had to perform it with the iron nerve
of Cato. I am aware that in one region of our country I
shall, by many, be deemed a monster of cruelty. But I
flatter myself, when the whole story is heard, I shall stand
acquitted of any impropriety in the minds of all good
eople, wherever they may reside, either north or south.
To the impartial arbitrament of the whole world I am
willing for that act to be submitted, only claiming the
privilege of being heard in my own defense before the
final verdict shall be rendered.
  "With slavery I have been conversant all my life-
nursed by slaves and reared in their midst. I have had
the management and control of them ever since I was
eighteen years of age. I knew them well before Abolition
was introduced; I know them now since its baneful in-
fluence has been felt. Look at the African slave in his
native simplicity, before this wily serpent had crept in to
mar his peace and happiness; and what do we behold 
  " A dependent and faithful creature, looking up to his
master as his best friend and protector. The relation
between them being one of mutual kindness and affection.
I have' known many of the native Africans who were
torn from their homes and sold into bondage in this
western world. They all concurred in opinion that they
were kidnapped and sold by their own people.  The
wrong of the whites-if wrong it must be called-con.
sisted only in buying.
  " When I think how it used to be with my slaves, and
what a g! eat change was finally produced in them, I can-
not forbear venting many heavy curses upon Abolition-
ism-the cause of this dire change in my afairs. A few
slaves I purchased, but the most of those I owned do-
scended to me by inheritance. They came down from
remote ancestors, till they fell into my hands. I con-
         2



17

 






ABOLITIONISM UNTELIED.



sidered them an entail upon the present generation.
Whatever might have been the iniquity of the slave-
trade, we were innocent of it. It was by no means an
original question when I came upon the stage of life: the
evil-if evil it was-had all been perpetrated. These
Africans were here, in our possession, and what to do
with them, was the only question left for us to solve.
   "So far as depended upon myself. I considered it my
duty to treat those slaves I owned with all the humanity
consistent with good government. No family establish-
ment can be happy or prosperous without submission to
the head. There must be some one to direct and control,
as well as to labor. Thus the farming operations are
carried on, whether by slave or free-labor. If I hire a
man to work at wages, he must use proper diligence to
do the work I assign him; otherwise I dismiss him from
my employ. Obedience in both cases is required, though
the mode of punishment for disobedience may be differ-
ent. The same work has to be done either by white or
black. Without ' the sweat of the brow' the seed will
not be sown, nor will the corn be made or saved.
  "The whole human family are mainly dependent on
the products of the soil for subsistence. With the most
diligent industry the annual products will be annually
consumed. Those who are trying to destroy the agricul-
ture of the slave states, by enticing away laborers, are
doing an injury that may be seriously felt. I have never
thought it wrong to labor or require it of others. My
destiny happened to be thrown among slaves, and to that
kind of labor I have been accustomed from my infancy.
To them I have always aimed to be kind and humane.
Whenever I had to punish, which I had sometimes to do,
it was always tempered with mercy. I never chastized
to gratify a revengeful feeling; but did it purely for the
benefit of the offender