xt7jq23qvv01 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7jq23qvv01/data/mets.xml Paxton, J. D., (John D.), 1784-1868. 1833  books b92e449p3418332009 English A. T. Skillman : Lexington, Ky. Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Slavery --United States --Controversial literature --1833. Letters on slavery : addressed to the Cumberland congregation, Virginia text Letters on slavery : addressed to the Cumberland congregation, Virginia 1833 2009 true xt7jq23qvv01 section xt7jq23qvv01 
  
  
T

  
  
RECOMMENDATIONS.

FROM TIIE R E V . JAMES B L Y T H E , D. D.

Cincinnati,
E E V . AND DEAR SIR,

Nov.

23d. 1 8 3 1 . of

A s y o u k n o w I h a d the p l e a s u r e , s o m e t i m e ago,

l o o k i n g i nto a m a n u s c r i p t w o r k o f y o u r s o n the subject o f s l a v e r y , i t has g i v e n m e great p l e a s u r e to l e a r n that y o u h a v e thoughts o f p u b l i s h i n g t hose letters. A m o r e acceptable p resent c o u l d n o t be m a d e to the p u b l i c , i n m y o p i n i o n , p a r t i c u l a r l y a t the present t i m e . A s f ar as I h a v e h a d i t i n m y p o w e r to j u d g e , I do n o t h esitate to s a y , that I a m better p l e a s e d w i t h y o u r w o r k o n t his s ubject, t h a n w i t h a n y t h i n g I h a v e s e e n . I have o n l y t o add, that I h o p e a n e n l i g h t e n e d p u b l i c w i l l n o t o n l y s u i t a b l y a ppreciate y o u r d i s i n t e r e s t e d effort i n the cause o f s uffering h u m a n i t y , i n the l i b e r a t i o n o f so m a n y o f o w n s l a v e s ; b u t also receive w i t h a g enerous your patronage,

t his e n l i g h t e n e d a n d w e l l c o n d u c t e d effort of y o u r p e n . W i l l i s entiments o f great e s t e e m , I a m , R e v e r e n d S i r , Yours, &e. JAMES
REV. J . D . PAXTON.

BLYTHE.

FROM JOHN GREEN, ESQ.

Lincoln,
REV. A N D DEAR SIR,

Nov.

18th, 1 8 3 1 .

I h o p e y o u w i l l n ot f ail t o m a k e a r r a n g e m e n t s for the p u b l i c a t i o n o f y o u r letters o n s l a v e r y . In m y judgment,

  
RECOMMENDATIONS.

t h e y are, t a k e n as a w h o l e , the b est e ssays I h ave read o n t he s ubject. I b elieve t h e y are w e l l s u i t e d to the present much good. On t i m e     w o u l d be read w i t h i n t e r e s t     p a r t i c u l a r l y b y C h r i s t i a n s , a n d m a y be the m e a n s o f d o i n g r e a d i n g the m a n u s c r i p t last y e a r , I t h o u g h t , a n d p e r h a p s s uggested, t hat s o m e s l i g h t alterations m i g h t be m ade w i t h a dvantage. T h e o c c a s i o n w h i c h g ave r ise to the w r i t i n g away, a n d a p a r t i c u l a r r eference O n reflection, h o w e v e r , it o f the letters h a d passed

t o i t d i d not s e e m n e c e s s a r y .

s t r i k e s m e that the narrative y o u have g i v e n , w i l l s erve a s a n i n t r o d u c t i o n b y n o m eans i n a p p r o p r i a t e     a n d m a y have t he g o o d e ffect o f w a r n i n g other c o n g r e g a t i o n s t o be m o r e c i r c u m s p e c t and charitable t o w a r d s t hose w h o t h e m the p e r f o r m a n c e o f disagreeable duties. W i t h h i g h regard, Y o u r F r i e n d and B r o t h e r ,
JOHN REV. JOHN D . PAXTON. GREEN.

press u p o n

  
  
SEtttCt'tTf, a ccording to A c t o f C ongress, i n the year 1833, b y A. T . SJVILLMAIT, i n the C l e r k ' s o ffice o f t he District Court o f

t he S tate o f K e n t u c k y .

PHILADELPHIA:
C . M I I . I I M . V N & C O . , r i i l S T E n S , N O . 19 S T . J A M E S S T R E E T .

  
PREFACE.

T H E w r i t e r o f t h e f o l l o w i n g l e t t e r s w a s , i n 1 8 2 6 , so unfortunate S l a v e r y , to as to g i v e s o m e o f f e n c e , o n t h e s u b j e c t o f a part of the C u m b e r l a n d Congregation, facts

( V a . ) of w h i c h he was t h e n Pastor.

T h e whole

o f t h e c ase a p p e a r e d to h i m to j u s t i f y , i f n o t

require,

t h a t h e s h o u l d g i v e a s t a t e m e n t o f t h e m to t h e p u b l i c . W i t h this v i e w the f o l l o w i n g letters w e r e w r i t t e n soon after that e v e n t o c c u r r e d . opinion H e y i e l d e d , h o w e v e r , to t h e existing pass

of some friends, that on account of

e x c i t e m e n t , s o m e l i t t l e t i m e s h o u l d be a l l o w e d t o b e f o r e t h e y w e r e g i v e n to t h e p u b l i c . H i s object i n these letters i s , after a b r i e f o f t h e facts a b o v e a l l u d e d t o , t h a n he has seen to e x a m i n e

statement more fully redanre-

d o n e the teaching its m a n i f o l d

of Scripture evils, the

specting S l a v e r y , notice

gers w i t h w h i c h it threatens the S o u t h , a n d w h a t l i g i o n a n d s e l f - p r e s e r v a t i o n r e q u i r e u s to Danville, Ky. March, 1833. do.

  
  
CONTENTS.

L E T T E R I .   Introductory   Narrative o f Facts, & c . 1. I I.     M i n i s t e r i a l P rudence in R e g a r d to Slavery, 15. III.    Reasons for discussing the Subject, 26. I V .     O r i g i n a nd Nature of Slavery in the U n i t e d States, 42. V .     Inconsistent with our free Institutions, and the N a -

tural R ights of M a n , 53. V I .     I t s I nconsistency S cripture, 5 9. V I I .     T h e Servitude tolerated b y the Jewish L a w not S lavery for L i f e , 7 2. V III.     E x a m i n a t i o n of Leviticus xxv. 4 4   46 tice of the Patriarchs, &.c. 85. I X.     E x a m p l e s of God's Judgments for Slavery, 98. X .    T h e bearing of t hese t hings in the O l d Testament o n the T e a c h i n g of the N e w very, 114. respecting SlaThe Pracwith the Moral T e a c h i n g of

X I .     V a r i o u s E v i l s of Slavery, 124. X I I .     T h e same S ubject continued, 134. X III.     S o m e A rguments or Excuses considered, 143. X I V .     " W h a t m ust w e do with our Slaves   Several Plans. 1 55.

  
viii

C ONTENTS. 170.

L E T T E R X V .     T h e same S ubject continued,

X V I .     M o t i v e s to immediate Effort from the Doctrine of D ivine Recompenses, 182.

A P P E N D I X A .     T h e A r t i c l e at w h i c h Offence was taken, 195. B.    Tables o f the F i v e Official Censuses of the

U n i t e d S tates, 2 05. C .     S o m e F acts from B e r a r d " O n the Effects C ivilization o n L o n g e v i t y , " 206. of

  
TO

THE

CUMBERLAND

CONGREGATION.

LETTER CHRISTIAN BRETHREN,

I.

T H E c i r c u m s t a n c e s u n d e r w h i c h w e separated have i n d u c e d me to address to y o u the f o l l o w i n g letters. The s ubject o n w h i c h t h e y treat, h a d a c o n n e c t i o n w i t h o u r separation. T h a t e vent l e d m e to e x a m i n e i t m o r e c aref u l l y t h a n I h a d p r e v i o u s l y d o n e , a n d there appears a p r o p r i e t y i n a d d r e s s i n g to y o u the r e s u l t o f s a i d e x a m i n a t i o n . A p art o f the matter i n letters X I . a n d X I I . a n d a s m a l l p o r t i o n o f i t , w i t h but l ittle a l t e r a t i o n , b e l o n g e d t o an e s s a y , t he t h i r d n u m b e r o f w h i c h , p e r h a p s r a t h e r i n c a u t i o u s l y w r i t t e n , * g ave s o m e o f f e n c e     a n d w a s the i m m e d i a t e c ause of m y leaving y o u . I t w i l l t o m e be a matter o f regret, s h o u l d y o u c o n s i d e r t hese l etters as d e s i g n e d to f i x a s e r i o u s c harge o n y o u , o r r aise an o d i u m against y o u i n the p u b l i c m i n d . T h i s is n ot m y o bject. I t i s due to c a n d o u r to s a y , that I h a v e t h o u g h t , a n d s t i l l t h i n k , that I w a s not k i n d l y treated. A d m i t t i n g t hat the p i e c e i n the V i s i t o r w a s i n c a u t i o u s l y w r i t t e n     t h a t as a f r i e n d s i n c e s uggested, i t h a d " too much truth i n i t     t h a t I g ave a t o n c e w h a t w a s e n o u g h f or h a l f a d o z e n d o s e s ; " s t i l l , as i t w a s , b y g e n e r a l a d m i s s i o n , a l l t r u t h , i t m i g h t , I t h i n k , i n a w o r l d so false as t h i s , and at a t i m e w h e n t r u t h i s so h a r d to c o m e a t i n the p u b l i c p r i n t s , h ave passed w i t h m u c h less c o m p l a i n t . I a m satisfied that m u c h the greater part o f the c o n g r e g a t i o n s o o n b e c a m e s e n s i b l e , that i m p r o p e r m e a n s w e r e u s e d b y a f e w , to get u p the e x c i t e m e n t , a n d that it g r e a t l y e x c e e d e d t he c ause o f o ffence. O f t h i s I h a d e v i d e n c e b e* See A p p e n d i x , A . 1

  
LETTERS ON SLAVERY.

f ore I l eft the n e i g h b o u r h o o d , and have since had it c o n firmed from quarters e n t i t l e d to credit. T h i s state of t h i n g s w o u l d o f i t s e l f be a sufficient reason w i t h m e for c h e r i s h i n g , e ven i f it had been i n t e r r u p t e d , a l l that k i n d n e s s of f e e l i n g and g o o d w i l l t owards y o u , w h i c h I ever w i s h to h ave towards a l l p e o p l e , and e s p e c i a l l y t o w a r d s those a m o n g w h o m I have laboured i n the G o s p e l . I experie n c e d , h o w e v e r , d u r i n g the w h o l e affair, m u c h less inter-* r u p l i o n o f those feelings t h a n m a n y of y o u m a y have s u p posed. I w a s c o n s c i o u s that m y purposes w e r e g o o d     t hat I h ad at heart the r e a l interest o f the m a s t e r as w e l l a s the s l a v e . Offence, h o w e v e r , w a s t a k e n . I regretted i t, a nd e s p e c i a l l y the course w h i c h those offended c h o s e to p u r s u e . I v i e w e d i t and endeavoured to bear it as one o f those t rials w e are a l l l i a b l e to w h i l e l a b o u r i n g to benefit our fellow m e n . N o g o o d w o u l d p r o b a b l y r e s u l t f r o m d w e l l i n g at m u c h l e n g t h o n those unpleasant affairs. It m a y h o w e v e r serve t o correct s o m e m i s s t a t e m e n t s that have g one a broad, as w e l l as e x p l a i n s o m e t h i n g s not g e n e r a l l y k n o w n , and at t he same l i m e to a n s w e r the charge m a d e against m e , o f u n d u e z e a l and i m p r u d e n c e , to g i v e a s h o r t statement o f m y v i e w s a n d course r e s p e c t i n g s l a v e r y . I k n o w not that I c o u l d , i n the same c o m p a s s , better e xpress m y v i e w s o f s l a v e r y , and the d u t y o f professors o f r e l i g i o n r e s p e c t i n g i t , t h a n is d one i n the f o l l o w i n g extract f r o m the m i n u t e s o f the G e n e r a l A s s e m b l y o f the P r e s b y terian C h u r c h o f 1 8 1 8 , c o n t a i n i n g its o p i n i o n r e s p e c t i n g s l a v e r y :     " T h e G e n e r a l A s s e m b l y of the P r e s b y t e r i a n C h u r c h , h a v i n g taken into c o n s i d e r a t i o n the subject o f s l a v e r y , t h i n k p r o p e r to m a k e k n o w n t h e i r s e n t i m e n t s u p o n i t , t o the p eople u n d e r t h e i r care. W e c o n s i d e r the v o l u n t a r y e n s l a v i n g of one part o f the h u m a n race b y a n o t h e r a s a gross v i o l a t i o n o f the m o s t p r e c i o u s a n d sacred r i g h t s o f h u m a n n a t u r e     a s u t t e r l y i n c o n s i s t e n t w i t h t he l a w o f G o d , w h i c h r e q u i r e s us to l o v e o u r n e i g h b o u r as o u r s e l v e s , a nd a s t o t a l l y i r r e c o n c i l a b l e w i t h t he s p i r i t a nd precepts o f t he G o s p e l of C h r i s t , w h i c h e n j o i n s ' that a l l t h i n g s that y e w o u l d that m e n s h o u l d do to y o u , do y e e v e n so to t h e m . ' S l a v e r y creates a p a r a d o x i n the m o r a l s y s t e m . It     e x h i b i t s r a t i o n a l , accountable and i m m o r t a l creatures i n    

  
LETTER

I.

3

s u c h c i r c u m s t a n c e s as s c a r c e l y to leave t h e m the p o w e r o f moral action. It e x h i b i t s t h e m as dependent on the w i l l o f others w h e t h e r t h e y s h a l l r eceive r e l i g i o u s i n s t r u c t i o n ; w h e t h e r t h e y s h a l l k n o w and w o r s h i p the true G o d ; w h e t h e r t h e y s h a l l e n j o y t he o r d i n a n c e s o f the G o s p e l ; w h e t h e r t h e y s h a l l p e r f o r m the duties and c h e r i s h the e n dearments o f h u s b a n d s and w i v e s , parents a n d c h i l d r e n , n e i g h b o u r s and friends ; w h e t h e r t h e y s h a l l p reserve t h e i r c h a s t i t y a n d p u r i t y , or regard the dictates o f j u s t i c e or humanity. " I t i s m a n i f e s t l y the d u t y of a l l C h r i s t i a n s , w h o e n j o y t he l i g h t o f the present d a y , w h e n the i n c o n s i s t e n c y o f s l a v e r y , both w i t l i t he dictates o f h u m a n i t y and r e l i g i o n , has b een d e m o n s t r a t e d , and is g e n e r a l l y seen and a c k n o w l e d g e d , to use t h e i r h o n e s t , earnest and u n w e a r i e d e n d e a v o u r s t o correct the errors o f f o r m e r t i m e s , a n d as s p e e d i l y as p o s s i b l e to e fface t his foul blot on o u r h o l y r e l i g i o n , a n d to o btain t he c o m p l e t e a b o l i t i o n of s l a v e r y t h r o u g h o u t C h r i s t e n d o m , and i f p o s s i b l e , t h r o u g h o u t the w o r l d . " I w a s a m e m b e r of the a s s e m b l y that passed the r e s o l u tions o f w h i c h the a bove i s an extract. T h e y passed u n a n i m o u s l y , a nd w e r e sent d o w n i n the p r i n t e d M i n u t e s f or the i n f o r m a t i o n of the C h u r c h e s . T h i s took place s everal y ears b efore y o u c a l l e d me to be y o u r pastor. I n ever concealed m y v i e w s , n o r that I w a s d i s p o s e d to act i n a ccordance w i t h t h e m . I p r o p o s e i n the present letters to prove w h a t is asserted i n t he a bove e x t r a c t     t h e m o r a l e v i l o f s l a v e r y , a n d the d uty o f C h r i s t i a n s to let no selfish interest p r o l o n g the s i n a nd i n j u s t i c e , but i n the fear of G o d to do a l l t h e y c a n i n c o n s i s t e n c y w i t h d u t y , to fit for and restore to f r e e d o m , t hose i n b o n d a g e . I n a ccordance w i t h t he a bove v i e w s , I w a s l e d to p u r sue a course i n several respects, w i t h w h i c h I found s o m e o f y o u w e r e not s a t i s f i e d . It led me to favour the C o l o n i z a t i o n S o c i e t y     t o l a k e u p c o l l e c t i o n s for that o bject, a n d t o attempt f o u n d i n g an A u x i l i a r y S o c i e t y a m o n g y o u . 1 t hought the p l a n o f c o l o n i z i n g in A f r i c a , w e l l c a l c u lated t o benefit that c o u n t r y , by i n t r o d u c i n g C h r i s t i a n i t y a nd c i v i l i z a t i o n t h e r e ; to benefit those c o l o u r e d p e o p l e w h o m i g h t go out, b y p l a c i n g t h e m i n a s i t u a t i o n w h e r e

  
4

LETTERS ON SLAVERY.

t h e y w o u l d be free i n d e e d ; a n d e s p e c i a l l y , that i t w o u l d b enefit o u r beloved c o u n t r y , b y the e ffect i ts s uccess w o u l d h a v e o n the p u b l i c m i n d and the w h o l e s y s t e m o f s l a v e r y among us. T h a t it w o u l d r e s u l t i n r e m o v i n g the w h o l e c o l o u r e d p o p u l a t i o n f r o m a m o n g us, I d i d not m u c h e x p e c t , n o r do I y e t ; but that i t w o u l d t e l l , m o r e or l e s s , o n the p u b l i c f e e l i n g I d i d not doubt. I c o n s i d e r e d i t as the r esult o f a progress o f p u b l i c f e e l i n g , and as calculated to c a l l f o r t h , s t i l l m o r e , that f e e l i n g , and g i v e it a safe a n d p rofitable d i r e c t i o n . H a d not the c o l o n i z i n g s c h e m e b e e n p r o j e c t e d , s o m e o ther, perhaps less safe, w o u l d . T h e s p i r i t o f the age made this c e r t a i n . T h e p u b l i c f e e l i n g l o n g g a t h e r i n g , b ut pent u p , m u s t have p o u r e d i t s e l f into s o m e c h a n n e l , t hat p r o m i s e d to o p e n a passage t h r o u g h w h i c h t he o p p r e s s e d m i g h t go out free. T h e s e v i e w s l e d m e to refer a l ittle t o the subject, a f e w t i m e s , i n p r e a c h i n g . T h e r e w e r e , h o w e v e r , u s u a l l y , slaves i n o u r w o r s h i p i n g a s s e m b l i e s , and that, together w i t h a w i s h t o a v o i d g i v i n g o ffence, i n d u c e d m e to t o u c h v e r y s e l d o m o n that subject. B y m a r r i a g e , one or t w o f a m i l i e s o f slaves c a m e i nto m y possession. M r s . P . ' s v i e w s o n the subject o f s l a v e r y , I f o u n d to agree s u b s t a n t i a l l y w i t h m y o w n . W e both f elt i t our d u t y to free s a i d s l a v e s , as s o o n a s it c o u l d be d one t o t h e i r apparent advantage. W e w a t c h e d the p r o gress of the "colony at L i b e r i a f or s e v e r a l y e a r s ; and i n the m e a n t i m e used means to prepare o u r slaves for f r e e d o m . A s s o o n as w e w e r e satisfied that t h e y had better prospects t here o f d o i n g w e l l for t h e m s e l v e s , than they c o u l d have w i t h u s , w e encouraged t h e m to go ; g ave t h e m s u c h an o utfit as o u r means afforded, a n d sent t h e m to the c o l o n y . O u r r easons for this course m a y be s u m m e d u p i n few words. W e b e l i e v e d s l a v e r y m o r a l l y w r o n g , and felt i n d u t y b o u n d not to c o n t i n u e it after a w a y was open to get c l e a r o f i t ; and t a k i n g a l l t h i n g s into v i e w , w e t h o u g h t t h e i r p rospects for d o i n g w e l l , p e r m a n e n t l y , w e r e better at L i b e r i a t han i n this c o u n t r y , either i n the free or the s l a v e h o l d i n g S tates. T h e i r p e r s o n a l interest, h o w e v e r , a l t h o u g h i m p o r t a n t , w a s n o t the o n l y t h i n g I felt b o u n d to r e g a r d . What e ffect w o u l d m y c o n t i n u i n g to be a s l a v e h o l d e r , and r a i s -

  
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I.

5

i n g m y f a m i l y i n those h a b i t s , h a v e o n the g e n e r a l q u e s t i o n of slavery ? A c t i o n s speak louder than w o r d s . M y words c o n d e m n i n g s l a v e r y w o u l d have p a s s e d u n h e e d e d ; m y c onduct w o u l d have been p o i n t e d to as s a n c t i o n i n g i t . E v e r y p e r s o n of a n y o b s e r v a t i o n k n o w s that w o r d s are c onsidered as c h e a p t h i n g s ; a n d w h e n w e i g h e d against a m a n ' s actions, are l i g h t as v a n i t y . W h e r e there is a n y s ense o f r e l i g i o n , a n d w i t h m o s t , there is a l ittle ; t he p r a c tice of professors o f r e l i g i o n , and e s p e c i a l l y o f m i n i s t e r s o f t he g o s p e l , forms w i t h m a n y , a v e r y c o m m o n standard o f r i g h t a nd w r o n g . P e r s o n s w h o s e l d o m l o o k i n t o the B i b l e t o see w h a t it says about the m o r a l i t y of a n y k i n d o f c o n d u c t , are sure to k n o w h o w professors o f r e l i g i o n act r e s p e c t i n g i t , and e s p e c i a l l y w h a t the p r e a c h e r d o e s . P r o fessors of r e l i g i o n u s u a l l y a l l o w t h e m s e l v e s a l ittle m o r e l i b e r t y t han t h e i r p r e a c h e r takes, a n d n o n p r o f e s s o r s , a l l o w t hemselves a g o o d d e a l m o r e than is t a k e n b y e i t h e r p reacher or professor. I o n c e , s o o n a fter I entered the m i n i s t r y , h a p p e n i n g to be i n a place w h e r e s o m e c u r i o u s f eats o f h o r s e m a n s h i p w e r e e x h i b i t e d , w a l k e d s o m e h u n dred y a r d s , and p a i d p e r h a p s a n i n e p e n c e for the p r i v i l e g e o f s e e i n g t h e m . I t h o u g h t f e w , i f a n y b o d y t here, k n e w me. I n a few h o u r s a f t e r w a r d s , I f ell i n c o m p a n y w i t h s o m e p rofessors of r e l i g i o n , w h o let me k n o w that t h e y h a d s een me at the s h o w : a d d i n g that t h e y feared t h e y w e r e d o i n g w r o n g i n g o i n g to s u c h a p l a c e , u n t i l t h e y s a w m e c o m e i n , but felt no s c r u p l e s afterwards, as t h e y t ook i t far g r a n t e d , t hat i f it w e r e w r o n g , I w o u l d not have attended. T h e v e r y fact that m y a t t e n d i n g r e m o v e d t h e i r doubts, i n creased m i n e , as to the p r o p r i e t y o f g o i n g to s u c h p l a c e s . I n ever d i d and never w i l l a ttend a g a i n ; w i t h o u t s a y i n g i t i s a s s u r e d l y w r o n g to attend, i t i s e n o u g h for me that s u c h a m u s e m e n t s are not things to w h i c h I o u g h t to r e c o n c i l e t he c onsciences o f o t h e r s , b y m y e x a m p l e . T h e c o n t i n u e d practice o f s l a v e r y I c o n s i d e r e d o f m o r e t han d oubtful character. I c o n s i d e r e d i t p o s i t i v e l y w r o n g ; a n d w h a t e v e r others m i g h t do, and persevere i n d o i n g , I f elt t hat I o w e d it to G o d , to the p u r i t y o f the g o s p e l , to t he cause of t ruth a nd e q u i t y , a n d to m y o w n c o n s i s t e n c y a nd p eace o f m i n d , n ot b y w o r d or e x a m p l e to j u s t i f y the u n n e c e s s a r y c o n t i n u a n c e of s u c h h a r d dealings o f m a n to I*

  
6

LETTERS

ON

SLAVERY.

man. I h a d not the v a n i t y to e x p e c t t hat a n y v e r y great e ffect w o u l d f o l l o w f r o m l i b e r a t i n g m y s l a v e s . I knew t hat a l m o s t a l l the i n f l u e n c e i n y o u r part o f the c o u n t r y , w a s , as far as I c o u l d j u d g e , o n the side o f s l a v e r y . I k n e w , " h o w e v e r , that a l l great t h i n g s have h a d s m a l l b e g i n n i n g s . E l i j a h ' s c l o u d was at first o n l y as " b i g as-a m a n ' s h a n d , " b ut i n due time it c o v e r e d a l l the h e a v e n s , a n d blest the e arth w i t h i ts r a i n . A n d s h o u l d no g o o d f o l l o w f r o m w h a t I d i d , s t i l l w h a t l ittle i n f l u e n c e I m i g h t h a v e , w o u l d be for r i g h t a n d d u t y , and not against i t . I d i d h o p e , i n d e e d , that h o w e v e r few m i g h t at present f o l l o w m y e x a m p l e , it w o u l d l ead s o m e t o think m o r e s e r i o u s l y o n the subject o f s l a v e r y ; a nd that u l t i m a t e l y the g o o d c ause w o u l d be p r o moted b y i t . A n d however differently some things have f allen o ut from w h a t I t h e n a n t i c i p a t e d , I s t i l l h o p e t hat i t A vill finally a ppear that at least as m u c h g o o d w i l l h ave r e sulted as w i l l b alance the e v i l ; a nd m o r e t h a n w i l l r esult f r o m the course o f those, w h o , w h i l e t h e y o w n the e v i l o f s l a v e r y , s t i l l g i v e i t the s a n c t i o n of t h e i r e x a m p l e . I f l i b e r a t i n g those slaves w a s not, as m a n y have t h o u g h t , t he m a i n o ffence I g ave, i t l e d v e r y d i r e c t l y to m y w r i t i n g t he p i e c e i n the V i s i t o r , w h i c h was the i m m e d i a t e cause of our separation. T h a t persons w o u l d be l e d to t h i n k o n t he subject o f s l a v e r y as a r e l i g i o u s matter, w a s m y h o p e ; b u t that as m u c h p a i n s w o u l d be t a k e n to j u s t i f y it f r o m S c r i p t u r e , I d i d not e x p e c t     m u c h less d i d I e x p e c t t hat s o m u c h w o u l d be said to place m y c o n d u c t i n the w r o n g     a n d r epresent w h a t I d i d as u n b e c o m i n g m y character a s a p r e a c h e r , and m y r e l a t i o n to the c o n g r e g a t i o n as a pastor. W h i l e h e a r i n g so m u c h said i n favour o f s l a v e r y , a n d t he S c r i p t u r e s so often appealed to as j u s t i f y i n g i t , it w a s n a t u r a l f or m e to w i s h to g i v e m y v i e w s o n the subject. W h e n s o m u c h w a s s a i d as w e n t to charge m e w i t h w e a k ness i n t h i n k i n g s l a v e r y w r o n g , and w i t h i n j u s t i c e to others i n s e t t i n g m y slaves free, I felt that I o w e d it to m y s e l f , t o g i v e m y reasons for m y b e l i e f     t h a t I o w e d it to the c ause o f freedom to state h e r c l a i m s     a n d e s p e c i a l l y that I o w e d i t to the S c r i p t u r e s to rescue t h e m f r o m those p e r v e r s i o n s o f m e a n i n g and a p p l i c a t i o n , w h i c h made t h e m j u s t i f y w h a t t h e i r w h o l e s p i r i t w e n t m o s t s t r o n g l y to c o n demn.

  
L E T T E R I.

7

I n t his state o f t h i n g s I w r o t e tire E s s a y , * at the t h i r d n u m b e r of w h i c h o ffence w a s t a k e n . A s to the s p i r i t o f t hat n u m b e r , I a m free to o w n , as I did f r o m the t i m e m y a ttention w a s p a r t i c u l a r l y c a l l e d to i t , that I t h i n k it not a l t o g e t h e r h a p p y ; a m i l d e r s p i r i t m i g h t have been better. T o t hose w h o have been educated to t h i n k s l a v e r y not w r o n g , i t m a y , and p r o b a b l y d i d , seem h a r s h ; y e t to p e r s o n s w h o v i e w s l a v e r y as I do, and as a large n u m b e r i n our c o u n t r y d o, as a t h i n g altogether w r o n g , the p i e c e a ppeared p r o b a b l y not f a u l t y o n that score. A t a l l events those w h o h a v e made so free i n c e n s u r i n g m e , a n d charge m e w i t h w e a k n e s s and i n j u s t i c e to others i n l i b e r a t i n g m y s l a v e s , m i g h t h ave a l l o w e d m e to s a y s o m e t h i n g i n self-defence. I t o ught to be recollected that i t is s l a v e r y i n the abstract t hat i s there a s s a i l e d , a l t h o u g h a p r a c t i c a l aspect is g i v e n t o the a r g u m e n t b y the i l l u s t r a t i o n u s e d to e x p o s e i ts evil. F e w a m o n g the m o r e i n t e l l i g e n t i n o u r c o m m u n i t y j u s t i f y s l a v e r y i n the a b s t r a c t ; there are, h o w e v e r , a g o o d m a n y of the less k n o w i n g w h o do. It was m y fortune to m eet w i t h s o m e o f t h i s sort. I n conversations o n the s u b j e c t a g reat deal w a s s a i d that w e n t to place the w h o l e w r o n g o f s l a v e r y , i n the treatment o f slaves, to m a i n t a i n t hat s l a v e r y i t s e l f w a s n o t w r o n g , p r o v i d e d the slave w a s n ot h a r d l y dealt b y w h i l e h e l d i n that c o n d i t i o n . Give t h e m p l e n t y to eat and d r i n k a n d w e a r , and m a k e t h e m do a r easonable p o r t i o n o f w o r k , a n d there is no h a r m i n i t , w a s i n substance often s a i d . T h i s was i n m y o p i n i o n not o n l y an error, but one o f v i t a l i m p o r t a n c e , one that w e n t t o the c ore o f the s u b j e c t : a n d against i t , that n u m b e r o f t he E s s a y that g ave o ffence, w a s c h i e f l y a i m e d ; a n d w h i l e a s s a i l i n g w h a t seemed to be the s t r o n g h o l d o f the s y s t e m , I t hought it j u s t i f i a b l e to g i v e p o i n t and f orce t o m y a t t a c k ; d e m o l i s h , i f I c o u l d , its d efences, a n d p r o v e that it w a s u ntenable. T h e t i m i n g o f the p i e c e w a s perhaps not the m o s t f o r t u n a t e ; a l t h o u g h near s i x m o n t h s i n t e r v e n e d bet w e e n freeing said slaves and its p u b l i c a t i o n , d u r i n g w h i c h m u c h h a d been said about s l a v e r y , and i n j u s t i f i c a t i o n o f i t ; i t w o u l d , there is reason to b e l i e v e , have been better t o have let a few m o r e m o n t h s pass, b efore I d i d a n y t h i n g

* Appendix

A.

  
8

LETTERS ON SLAVERY.

e lse, w h i c h m i g h t serve as " an o c c a s i o n to those w h o des i r e d a n o c c a s i o n " to f ind f ault. C o n s i d e r a b l e o ffence, h o w e v e r , w a s t a k e n at the p i e c e , a nd a g ood d eal d one b y a f e w to excite a n d s p r e a d t h e d issatisfaction. I presently heard of what was g o i n g o n , a n d i n a s h o r t t i m e r e c e i v e d i n f o r m a t i o n f r o m the S e s s i o n t hat o ffence w as taken at s a i d p i e c e , and at m y s e l f as the s u p p o s e d a u t h o r , w i t h a r equest to k n o w w h e t h e r I w a s t he a u t h o r , a n d to h a v e a conference w i t h m e r e s p e c t i n g it. I m e t t h e m as r e q u e s t e d , i n f o r m e d them that I w a s t he a u t h o r , that those w e r e m y s e n t i m e n t s b efore i n v i t e d t o be y o u r pastor, that I h a d n e v e r concealed m y o p i n i o n s ; but that i n p u b l i s h i n g t h e m i n s a i d piece I had no i n t e n t i o n o f g i v i n g o ffence, n o r d i d I t h i n k t hat a n y o ffence n eed have been t a k e n . T h a t so far as the s p i r i t a nd m a n n e r of the piece w a s f a u l t y , I regretted i t ; but that I c o u l d n o t change m y o p i n i o n s n o r g i v e u p m y r i g h t o f e x p l a i n i n g a n d a d v o c a t i n g t h e m , to please a n y b o d y o f m e n . B u t w h i l e I m a i n t a i n e d m y r i g h t to s u p p o r t m y o w n o p i n i o n s , I l o v e d p eace, a nd to p u t a n end to the w h o l e matter, I w o u l d r e s i g n the charge o f the c o n g r e g a t i o n , and seek a p e o p l e w h o t h o u g h t as I d i d ; a n d leave y o u to obtain a p astor w h o s e o p i n i o n s m i g h t agree w i t h y o u r o w n . I t r e m a i n s b efore c l o s i n g t h i s letter to m a k e a few r e m a r k s o n the charge made against m e , of u n d u e z e a l and i m p r u d e n c e , o n the subject o f s l a v e r y . T h o s e of y o u w h o best k n o w m e , and m a n y o f y o u h a v e k n o w n me for s i x t e e n or eighteen y e a r s , do I a m a tisfied g ive me credit for meaning ivell i n w h a t I d i d . Y o u p o s s i b l y , h o w e v e r , m a y t h i n k t hat I was o v e r - z e a l ous and i m p r u d e n t o n the subject. S o m e p a i n s have been t a k e n t o s e n d abroad this o p i n i o n . S e v e r a l p e r s o n s , and s o m e o f m y b r e t h r e n i n the m i n i s t r y , h ave i n letters to m e , a n d a bout m e , m o r e t h a n i n t i m a t e d i t . I t i s p o s s i b l e there m a y be s o m e t ruth i n i t . A t least I d o not feel clear i n s a y i n g that there i s not. A l t h o u g h it m a y be m o r e u n c o m m o n , y e t I k n o w not that there i s a n y t h i n g l ess reputable i n h a v i n g too much z e a l i n a g o o d c ause t h a n i n h a v i n g too l i t t l e ; a nd I have seen e n o u g h o f the w o r l d to k n o w that v e r y m a n y j u d g e o f the p r u dence o r i m p r u d e n c e o f p e r s o n s , c h i e f l y b y t h e i r s u c c e s s .

  
LETTER

I.

9

T h e successful pass for p r u d e n t , w h i l e the u n s u c c e s s f u l p ass for i m p r u d e n t . I never advanced a c l a i m to i n f a l l i b i l i t y , a nd have no h e s i t a t i o n i n a d m i t t i n g that I m a y have e rred. T h e m a n w h o has l i v e d forty y e a r s     s p e n t four o r five o f t h e m as a teacher i n a c o l l e g e , w i t h a s u p e r i n tendence o f the generous, talented, b u t m i s c h i e v o u s a n d u n r u l y V i r g i n i a n y o u t h     f i f t e e n years i n the m i n i s t r y , e leven of t h e m as pastor of c o n g r e g a t i o n s , and four as a m i s s i o n a r y , a l l i n the s l a v e - h o l d i n g states, and at last g ives o ffence t o apart o f one c o n g r e g a t i o n b y freeing h i s o w n slaves, a n d t r y i n g t o lead others to a i d i n m e a s u r e s f or i m p r o v i n g the c o n d i t i o n o f that o p p r e s s e d p e o p l e ; a n d o n that g r o u n d o n l y is charged w i t h u n d u e z e a l and i m p r u d e n c e ,     o u g h t , p e r h a p s , to let it p a s s , a n d thank G o d t hat h e has got a l o n g so w e l l . H e h a s , p e r h a p s , c o m e as n ear to those o f w h o m " a l l m e n s p e a k w e l l , " a s it is safe t o g e t ; for a w o hangs over t h e m , h o w e v e r m u c h o u r l o v e of h u m a n p r a i s e m a y m a k e us w i s h to be o f t h e i r number. I t s o m e t i m e s , h o