4-9'^^ ^ihvani of 1 .=^/A. ^^y UNITED ST ♦X % ^ •• • • • % * S V V V ANTIflLAVEKY MA N U A L, oo«T4tinjio A ooLiscnea m FACTS AND ARGUMENTfl AnrRic A\ «i. \vi:hv »T aST. i^ KoW«VflJfaUJUIX>. NBW.TORK: PISRCY * RECU, 7 TUEaTRE ALLST 1837. Entered, acconUnj? to Acl of Congress, m the yetr 1837, BY REV. LA ROT SUMDERLAaO, In the Clerk'* Ofliice o( the District Court of New- York. J -2 S2. PR K F A «' i: Im whaUJTcr poinU of view wo look al lh« quettion of Aiiirrican Slavery, il aMuroca an a«}>«ct of the ^walcal importance. If il iwrrly atlecled ihe Icmporai iuloreaU of tlio ensUvoti. or iho projcut pcaco and aafoty of ihe •niiUvora. il would prewnl claun* upon iho tllenlion of thia onliro nation, which no well informed poUticun, no Iruo patriot, could find il pOMiblo to paaa by witJioul the moat •eriouN and candid exaininatiun. Hut Uiiii nioracntoua question machea beyond iho y rave, it involvi'a conM?«juenc«a a« rval aa the umnduig dwplea. aure of l\w offended Doily, or llio bli»a of ovirlaatinK life. How, then, can Iho faithful Watchman upon tho walla of Zioo, deny to Uiia nubjecl that coniidrralion which iU awful importaoco demand* 7 How can it be con«i«t««nt for profpiwing Chriatiani to aock for n. knowledge of the condition of tho hoathen, in foreign land», when they iu»y know, and should know, that i Oktion of heathen, witiiout the Bible, and generally with- out the moans of grace, are hero — in tiieir rtry.mid«t 1 Tho design of thiji book i» to give a auccincl view of the question of American Slarory. with which it eon- cerna every man, woman, and child, in ihia ('liri»lian Republic, to bo familiarly acquaint4Ml. In aclecting such facia aa wa« deemed proper to preaent on this •ulijcct. the author found it, nec»aaary to abridge a large nia»a of iuatter, which he had originally prepared for ihia work- IV PREFACE. Hence, the reader will find here, that number of facta only, which is barely sufficient to give a connected view of the question under notice, and by no nieani ull ihal might be presented upon it. The author hopes this li * book may not provi* an unacceptable vade mecum, lo all the friends of the Anti- Slavery cause, and especially to Anli Slavery Ag'*ntj, and others who may wish to plead the cause of God's suffering poor. " Facts are stubborn things.'' Those hero effort d for the notice of the reader, will speak for ihcinsclvci. If tho arguments in the following pages are deemed incon* elusive, it remains for our opponent? to confute ihem. Office of Z ion's Watchman, ) New.York, March 27th, 1837. i CONTENTS CHAr. I. American SUTvrj. ciur. II. Nu coior •zempt frooi SlaToiy, ui the UoiUd SUU«. ciur. 111. Numb«r ciuUrMl. CtlAr. IT. Ciril coodiUon of ihe enaUved. « lur. r. Mor.il i-oudtttoo of the oniltvcj. CUAf. VI. Bible Argitmeut ia favor of AniericAo 8UT«r]r, answered aur. Tit. Jewiab aoniUide unUko Amerieaa SltTery. ciur. Till. Scripiuri' Artruincnt spinal Slarorr. cuAr. u. 9«DUincnta U\urtt)l« to tho porpcUitty of AmerictM Slavery. ciur. z. Praclical Slavery. C&AF. zi. Immeditte Cmaocip«Uv. CMAP. XII. Explanation. CHAP. XIII. Facts Demonstrating the safety of Immediate and Unconditional Emancipation. CHAP. XIV. Facts Demonstrating the danger of continued hjlaverj. CHAP. XV. The United States a Slave holding: nation. CHAP. XVI. Reasons for discussing the subject of Slavery at iho North, CHAP. XVII American Slav© Trade. CHAP. XVIII. Abolitionists. «KAP. XIX. Constitution of the United States. CHAP. XI. United States' Laws against the Slave Trmd©. CHAP. x.xi. Freedom of Speech and of the Pre?*. CHAP. XXII. Objections Answered. -.* CHAPTER I. AMERICAN SLAVERY. lU' American Sl.ivery is meant the condition of tlioso Americans who are claimed, held and treated, in these United Slates, as properly. A Rinvc is one who is in the power of a master to whom he belonjrs. The master may sell hiniy dispose nf hig person, his induslnj, and his labor ; lie can do nol/tin;, ])ossess nothing, nor acquire (iny iluni;, tut xchnt must hcloni* to his master — Louisiana Codf, The same code, speaking of ihc legal nature of slave pmperty, says : — Slaves, fhoujjh moveable by their nature, are considered immoveable by the oj>eralion of law. And agam : — Slaves shall always be reputed and considered real estate ; shall be, as such, subject to be mort- i:age(l, accordirig to the niles prescribed by law ; and they shall be levied and sold as real estate. "(Joods they are," says the civil code, ** and L'oods they shall be esteemed." — Taylor's Elements^ p. 420. " Slaves shall b*_' deemed, sold, taken, and repu- ted to be chattels personll in the hands of their owni^rs and |)ossessor.s, their execBtors, ndminis- trators, and assigns, to all intents, constructions, and purposes whatsoever." — Laws of South Carolina, Stroud, p. 22—3. "^ " This dominion of the master is as unlimited as 10 AMERICAN SLAVERY. that which is tolerated by the laws of any civilize, community in relation to brute animals — to ' quad- rupeds,' to use the words of the civil law." — Stroud, p. 24. Hence it appears, that the distinguishing princi- ple of American Slavery is this : slaves are not to be ranked among rational beings, but they arc to be CLAIMED, RELB and TREATED as thim^'S, as articles of property, '* to all intents, constructions, and purposes whatsoever. ^^ Consequently it does not allow to the slave the rights of his own reason and conscience. It annihilates the family state ; prevents the parents from obeying the command of God with regard to their children ; it prohibits, or nullifies, the marriage rites, and prevents husbands and wives from obeying the commands of Clod with regard to each other. It enjoins, or sanctions, promiscuous inlercourse between the sexes, without the rites of marriage. It holds all the religious privileges of the slave at the mere mercy of his mister, whether that master be infidel, papist, or protesumt. It prevents the slave from obeying that command of God, which makes it the duty of all men to "search the Scriptures." Its direct tendency is to crush the minds of God's intelligent creatures, by forbidding and preventing all schools for " mental instruction." It withholds the hire of the laborer. It sanctions and covers the breach of the 8lh commandment. It jus ifies the very same ihmg which our laws and the laws of nations punish as NO COLOR EXEMPT FROM SLAVERY. 11 piracy, if committed on the coast of Africa, or on he high sras. It originates and justifies \vh?jt the 'Jihie calls '* manstealing." It denies to the slave that protection for his cliar- acter, his health and Hfe, which is enjoyed by the while man. Here it must be observed, tliat what we have stated above, forms no pan of what is generally called the ** evils of slavery," or, in oilier words, the " abuses of the system ;" but the above facts make up the very system itself, the very thing which we say is a sin against God. CHAPTER II. NO COLOR EXEMPT FROM SLAVERY LV THE IMTED STATES. A law of South Carolina reads as follows : — '* All negroes, Indians^ (free Indians in amity A'ith this govenvnent, and negioi's, mulultoes, and mstizos, who are nuw free, excepted.) mijlait<>es, • r mestizos, who are now or shall hereafter be in this • rovii'ce, and all their issue and offspring born, >r to be born^ shall be, and th'*v are herehy dc- •liired to \yt' and remain forever hereafter, abso. 'utr slaves^ and shall follow the condition of the wlhirr Similar laws are now in 'brcn in Georgia, Missis- j'l>!, Virginia, and LouisiuDa. ^ 11 •: I Will be perceived, slavery has ^*^ Um' " 12 NUMBER ENSLAVED. It lays its bloody hands not only on native Ameri- cans of African descent, and their cli)drL'n,/orcrer, but on Indians. " Nor is it confined to color," says Mr. Paxton, of Virginia. " The best blood in Vir- ginia flows in the veins of the slaves." Many who are now held in slavery, in this nation, are as white as the masters by whom they are oppressed. c H A r T E E III. NUMBER OF AMERICANS ENSLAVED. The increase of the slave population in these United States, for the fifty years ending in 1830. has been as follows : — Census of Slaves. Total population, 1790 097.097, 3,929,8'27. 1800 890,8-19, 5.30o,9-J5. 1810 1,191,304, 7,2n9.314. 1820 1,533,004, 9,038,1^1. 1830 2,010,430, 12,856,407. Hence, it appears, that, according to the ratio of increase between 1820, and 1830, there must liavo been in 1835, not less than 2,245,144 slaves in these United States.'*' * The whites, it is well known, increase the colored populauon, but the colored, cannot increase the whites. CIVIL CONDITION OF THE ENSLAVED. 13 C H A P T E n IV. CIVIL CONDITION OF THE ENSLAVED. 1. The masler may determine the kind, and de- gr«.c and lin»o of labor, to winch ihc slave sh dl be bubjicted. 2. The master may supply the slave \vi(h such food and clothinj! only, both an to quantity and (luul- iiy, as he may think proper, or find convenient. 3. The masler may, at Ids discretion, inflict any punisiuiient upon the persofi of his slave. 4. Slaves have no legal right to any property in things real or personal ; but \vhat<.'V«jr diey may ac<|uir«', belong?* in point of law to their masters. 5. The slave, being a personal chattel, is at all times liable to be sold absolutely, or mortgaged, or leased, at the will of his njaster. 0. lie may also be sold by process of law, for the satisfaction of lhelf is but partially supplied with ministers ; such being the fact, what becomes of ihe colored ? And the (pjea. tion may be asked with siill greater empiiasis, when we know that it has not been customary for our ministers when they accept calls for settlement, to consider servants as a regular part of their charge, * * * If we take the supply of ministers to the whites now in the field, the amount of ilieir labors in behalf of the negroes is small." Some- thing has been done towards the " religious instruc- tion of the negroes : but we venture the assertion, that if we take the whole number of ministers in the slaveholding states, but a very small pnrliiyji pay any attention to them. * * * No eflbrt is made to draw them out to church — but let them * come to hear the preaching of ministers to white congre- gations, and such is the elevation of their language, <^c., * * * they might as well preaciim lie- brew or Greek. The negroes do not understand MORAL CO!fSLAVJKD. 17 them. Hence ihcir stupid looks, Ace, » ♦ ♦ and their t/un attendance, ♦ ♦ • fhe whole (of the iiegrors), profi ssors and non-professors, are low in the scale of intelligence and morality ; and we are astonished thus to find Christianity in abso- lute corijunciion witli hkathkmsm, and yet confer- ring few or no benefits !' They proceed : * The negroes have no regular and ellicient ministry ; as a iij.itlcr of rours*', no churches, neither is there suf- ficirnt room in white churches for their accommoda. Hon: *• We know OihwXfive churches in the slavehold- ing States built expn-sxly for their use. These are all in the Slate of (ieorgiu— all under colored pas- tors, in connexion with liie Baptist Association, ex- cepting one, which has been erected witliin the ycut year, by a Presbyterian clergyman, a member of this Synod, at his own expense — m\ expense of three or four hundred dollars ; and l»e 8Uf)j)lies the pulpit liimself gnituitously. " The galleries or back seats on the lower floor, of white churches, are generally appropriated to the negroes, when it can be done with convenience to the whites ; otherwise, tlie negroes who attend must catch the gospel as it escapes by the doors and windows, ♦' We can furnish no accurate estimate of the pro- portion of ncgrots that attend divine worship on the iSabbalh, taking the slave-holding states together. From an extensive observTition, however, we ven- ture to say, that not a twentieth part attend ! Thou- sands and thousands hear not the sound of the gas. pel, or ever enter a church from one year to another. 2* 18 MORAL CONDITIO?? OF THE ENSLAVED. « We may now inquire if they enjoy the privi- leges of the gospel, in private, in their own houses, and on their own plnntations ? Again we return a negative answer. They have no bibles to read at their own fire-sides — no family altars — and when in affliction, sickness or death, they have no minis- ter to address to them the consolations of the gospel, nor to bury them with solemn and appropriate ser- vices. Sometimes a kind master will perform these offices. If the master is pious, the house servants alone attend family worship, ^v\(\frequenihj few or none of these . " Here and there a master feels interested for the salvation of his servants, and is attempting something towards it, &c. We rejoice that there are such, and that the number is increasing. In general, we may however remark, that it does not enter into the arrangement of plantations, to make provision for their religious instruction ; and so far as masters are engaged in this work, an almost unbroken si- lence reigns over the vast f eld. " We feel warranted, therefore, in the conclusion, that the negroes are destitute of the privileges of the gospel, and must continue to be so, if nothing more is done for them." Testimony of the Rev. C. C. Joues. The Pwev. C. C. Jones, in a sermon preached be- fore two associations of Planters in Georgia, in 1831, says : — "Generally speaking, tney (the slaves) appear to us to be without God and without hope in the world, a nation of heathens in our ver>- midst. We cannot cry out against the Papist for withhold- MORAL CONDITION OF THE ENSLAVED. 19 ing the Scriptures from tlu; comniuri people, and keepiiif^ them in ignorance of tlie way of life, for we WITHHOLD tlie Bible from our servants, and keep them in ignorance of it, while we will not use the means to Imve it read and explained to them. The cry of our perishing servants comes up to us from the sultry plains as they hend at ihcir toil — it comes up froin'their humble cottages when they return at evening to rest their weary limbs — it comes up to us from the midst of their ignorance, and supersli- .tion, and adultery and lewdness." Testimony of the Charleston Observer. A writer in a late number of this paper, says ; — "*» Let us establish missionaries among our negroes, •who, in view of religious knowledge, are as debas- ingly ignorant as any one on the coast of Afiica ; for'l hazard the assertion, that throughout the bounds of our synod, there arc at least one hundred MoujantiiAire*, speaking the same language as our- selves, who never ukard of the plan of salvation by a Redeemer." Testimony of the Western Luminary. A writer in the Western Luminary, a respecta- ble religious paper in Lexington, Kentucky, says, " I proclaim it abroad to the Christian world, that hea- ihenism is as real in the slave States as it is in the South Sea Islands, and that our negroes are as just- ly obj(?cts of attention to the American and otiier boards of foreign missions, as the Indians of the wes- tern wilds. What is it coustituies heathenism ? Is 20 MORAL CONDITION OF THE ENSLAVED. it to be destitute of a knowledge of God — of his holy word — never to have heard scarcely a sentence of it read through life — to know little or nothing of the history, character, instruction, and mission of Jesus Christ — to be almost totally devoid of moral knowl- edge and feeling, of sentiments, of probity, truth, and chastity? If this constitutes heathenism, tlien are there thousands, millions of heathens, in our beloved land. There is one topic to which I will allude, which will serve to establish the heathensim of this population. I allude to the universal Uceniiousness which prevails. It may be said emphatically that chastity is no virtue among them — that its violation neither injures female character in their own esti- mation, or that of their master or mistress. No in- struction is ever given — no censure pronounced. I speak not of the world ; I speak of christian fa- milies GENERALLY." Testimony of J. A. Thome, of Kentucky. *' Licentiousness. I shall not speak of the far South, whose sons are fast melting away under the unblushing projligacy which prevails. I allude to the slave-holding West. It is well known that the slave lodgings (I refer now to village slaves) are expos-ed to the entrance of strangers every hour of the night, and that the sleeping apartments of both sexes are common. It is also a fact that there is no allowed intercourse between the families and servants after the work of the day is over. The family, assembled for the evening, enjoy a conversation elevating and instruc- tive. But the poor slaves are thrust out ; no ties of MORAL CONDITION OF THE ENSLAVED. 21 sacred home thrown around them ; no moral instruc- tion to compensate foe the toils of the day ; no in- tercourse as of man with man ; and should one of the younger memhers of the family, led by curiosi- ty, steal out inio tiie fil.hy kitciien, the cliild is specdi- ly called hack, thinking iiself happy if it escape an angry rebuke. Why is this ? The dread of moral contamination. Most excellent reason ; but it re- veals a horrd picture. The slaves, cut off from all communily of feeling with their masters, roam over the village streets, shocking the ear with their vulgar jestings, and voluptuous sofigs, or opening their kitchens to the reception oj the neighboring hhcks, they pass the evening in gajiihling, dancing, drink, ing, and the most obscene conversation, kept vp un- til the night is far spent — then crown the scene with indiscriminate debauchery. Where do these things occur ? In the kitchens of church members and elders:' Testimony of the Rev. J. D. Paxton. ''Some slaves have, indeed, a marriage ceremo- ny performed. It is, however, usually done by one of their own color, and, of course, is not a legal transaction. And if done by a person legally au- thorized to pertorm marriages, still it would have no authority, because the law does not recognise marriage among slaves, so as to clothe it with the rights and immunities which it wears among citizens. Tiie owner of either party might, the next day or hour, break up the connexion in any way he pleas- ed. In fact, these connexions have no protection, 'and are so often broken up by sales and transfers 22 MORAL CONDITION OF THE ENSLAVED. and removals, that they are by the slaves often called * taking up together.' The sense of marriage fideli- ty must be greatly weakened, if not wholly destroy- ed, by such a state of things. The effect is most disastrous. "But there is another circumstance which de- serves our notice. What effect is likely to be pro- duced on the morals of the whites, from having about them, and under their absolute authority, female slaves who are deprived of the strongest motives to purity, and exposed to peculiar temptations to oppo- site conduct ! The condition of female slaves is such, that promises and threatenings and management can hardly fail to conquer them. They are entire- ly dependent on their master. They have no way to make a shilling, to procure any article they need. Like all poor people, they are fond of finery, and wish to imitate those who are above them. What, now, are presents and kind treatment, or the re- verse, if they are not complying, likely to effect on such persons ? And the fact that their children, should they have any through such intercourse, may expect better treatment from so near relations, may have its influence. That the vice prevails to a most shameful extent, is proved from the rapid increase of mulattoes. Oh, how many have fallen before this temptation ; so many, that it has almost ceased to be a shame to fall ! Oh, how many pa- rents may trace the impiety and licentiousness and shame of their prodigal sons, to the temptations found in the female slaves of ^heir own or neighbors' households ! Irregular habits are thus formed, which often last through life. And many a lovely and ex« MORAL CONDITION OF THB ENSLAVED. 23 cellent woman, confiding in vows of affection and fidelity, trusting to her power over her devoted lover, has, after uniting her fate with his, and giving him all that woman has to give, found, when too late, how incorrigible are those habits of roving desire, formed in youth, and kept alive by the temptations and facilities of the slave system. " Now, when we read the repeated declarations that • fornicators and adulterers shall not inherit the kingdom of God,' and call to mind the teaching of Dur Lord, that all intercourse between the sexes, ex('ept what takes place between one man and one woman in marriage faith, amounts to those crimes ; how can we, as believers in Christianity, uphold a system which presents this temptation both to the bond and free, and vet escape a participation in the guilt?" Testimony of the Rev. John Rankin. The Bev. John Rankin has the following, among other statements, on this " delicate subject ": "Atrain, slaves, in consequence of the manner in which they are raised, are generally prone to vi- sious indulgence, and many of them are exceeding. ly profligate : their master's children often mingle with them, and not only witness their vicious prac- tices, but also listen to their lascivious conversation, and thus from infancy they become familiar with almost every thing wicked and obscene. And this, in connexion with easy access, becomes a strong temptation to lewdness. Hence it often liappens, that the master's children practise the same vices ivhich prevail among his slaves ; and even the 24 MORAL CONDITIOiN OF THE ENSLAVED. master himself is liable to be overwhelmed by the floods of temptation. And in some instances the father and his sons are involved in one common ruin ; nor do the daughters always escape this impe- tuous fountain of pollution. Were it necessary, I could refer you to several instances of slaves actu- ally seducing the daughters of their masters! Such seductions sometimes happen even in the most re- spectable slave holding families !" Testimony of S. A. Forral, Es^. " Negresses, when young and likely, are often em- ployed as wet nurses by white people ; as also, by either the planter or his ftiends, to administer to their sensual desires. This frequently is a matter of speculation ; for if the offspring, a mulatto, be a handsome female, 800 or 1000 dollars may be obtained for her in the N. Orleans market. It is an occurrence of no uncommon nature, to see a Chris- tian father sell his own daughter, and the brother his own sister, by the same father. " During my stay (at New Orleans), Doctor came down the river with thirty slaves, among whom were an old negro and negress, each between sixty and seventy years of age. This unfortunate old woman had borne twenty-one children, all of whom had been at diflerent times sold in the Orleans mar- ket, and carried into other States, and into distant parts of Louisiana. The Doctor said, in order to induce her to leave home quietly, that he was bring- ing her into Louisiana for the purpose of placing her with some of her children. ' And now,' said the old negress, ' Aldo I suckle my massa at dis breast, BIBLE ARGUMENTS ANSWERED. 25 yet now he sell me to sii^ar planter, after he sell all my children from me.' The gentleman was a strict Meihodisi, or 'saint,' and is, as I was informed, much esteemed by the preachers of that persua- sion, because of his liberal contributions to their sup- port. " Kidnapping free negroes is very common. It requires collusion between the seller and the buyer, as, in the regular trade, the dealer carries a certifi- cate f'-om the public authorities where the slave was purchased, and shows it when a purchaser presents himself." CHAPTER VI. BIBLE ARGUMENTS, IN FAVOR OF AMERI- CAN SLAVERY, ANSWERED. Example of the Jcavs. 1. The examples of the Jews, it is said, may be quoted in favor of American slavery. But if so, why not quote the same authority, to justily exterminating wars, and poligamy ? Why V)ot quote the Jewish example to compel every man to marry his brother's widow, in case his brother dies without children? Why not quote the same authority to prove that every man has a right to kill the murderer of his nearest relative, without any ju- dicial process? Why not quote Jewish examples for putting a disobedient child to death? 3 26 BIBLE BARGUMENTS ANSWERED. Servants held as property. 2. Servants among the Jews, it is supposed, are spoken of as property, Ex. 21 : 21. For he is his money. The meaning is, the servant's labor was to the master for the time being, the same as money. Servants among the Hebrews were not claimed, held, and treated as property, as we shall elsewhere show. Christ did not condemn slavery. 3. Again we are told, that Jesus Christ did not condemn slavery, by name. We answer, neither did he condemn offensive wars, gambling, lotteries, rum-making, and theatres, by name. Servants mentioned in the New Testament not slaves. 4. It is supposed, by some, that the words ren- dered servant in the New Testament, signify, inva- riably, such as were claimed, held, and treated as ab- solute property. But this is by no means, the fact ! The word generally rendered servant, in the New Testament, is 5o'jXo?. According to Park hurst, it comes from the Hebrew dol, which signifies, weak, powerless, poor, exhausted. Hence, the first signification giv- en to SouXos by the best Greek Lexicographers, is, one in a servile state, a servant. This is the first definition affixed to this word, by Parkhurst, Ewing, Grove, and Greenfield, Editor ot Bagster's Compre- hensive Bible. Donnegan says it means a slave, a servant. This word occurs in the New Testament, one hundred and twenty-one times. It is applied to Christ, BIBLE ARGUMENTS ANSWERED. 27 to Moses, and the Prophets. Phil. 2 : 7. Rev. 10 : 7. — 15 : 3. In twelve instances it is applied to the Apostles ; fourteen times it is applied to Chris- tians ; and six times to sinners. And in about seven- ty places it is used to designate one in a state of secular servitude, a servant. That this word was not generally used by the Apostles to designate one who was claimed, held and treated as property, is farther evident from the following considerations. (1.) In the Greek Ian- guage this word corresponds with our word ser- vant; it does not necessarily signify one who was held and treated as property ; but it was used to designate one in a servile state, most generally a slave, (2.) In Athens, however, this word was not used to signify a slave properly so called. See Robin- son's Antiq. of Greece, p. 30, and Potter's Gr. An. vol. 1. page 68, and the number of the Bib. Reposi- tory for Jan. 1835. From these authorities we will learn, that among the Athenians, slaves, or those who were the en- tire property of another, were called, oikstui, but of- ier their freedom was granted them, they were named SovXoi, not being then, like the former, a part of the master's estate, though they were held in a kind of servitude, being required to render some rude ser- vice, such as was required of the [LSroiKai [resident strangers] to whom, in some respects, they were inferior. Now when we consider that the Attic Greek is substantially the language in which the New Testa- ment was written, it seems quite probable, that its 28 BIBLE ARGUMENTS ANSWERED. writers did not, in using this word, depart from the sense above given. (3.) This word was used sometimes by St. Paul, to designate a kind of servitude which he himself condemned, 1 Cor. 7: 21, 23, Philemon, 16. (4.) The other word, rendered servant, in the New I'estament is omz-r^g, from omog, a house ; a do. mestic, a servant^ a house servant or slave. This word occurs but four times in the New Testament. Acts, 10: 7. Rom. 14: 4. 1 Pet. 2: 18, and Luke, 16 : 13. In the last passage here given, the reader will see at once, that it could not have been used to signify one who was the eniire property of another. But, admitting that this word is used in one place (1 Pet. ii. 18.) to signify those servants who were held as slaves, it by no means follows from this fact, that the Apostle meant by using it, to justify the claim of the slaveholder in that case. He directs those servants or slaves, how to suffer the ivjuries which might be inflicted upon them, but he does not direct the slaveholder how to inflict them. When he addresses masters, he commands them to render unto their servants that which is just and equal, and which command is a direct condemnation of slavery. Were the masters mentioned in the New Testament fclareholders ? 5. But we are told again, that the words used by the Apostle, in speaking of masters, necessarily imply such as held slaves. 1. The word xvmi lord or master, is used in the BIBLE ARGUMENTS ANSWERED. 29 Bible as a title of authority or respect, but never to signify the owner of human beings. Gen. xviii. 12 : 1 Cor. viii. 5 : Acts xvi. 30. 2. The classical meaning o{8sifhave no legal right to any property ; all they have and are, belong to their masters. Jewish servants made free when cruelly treated. 5. The laws of JVIoses granted freedom to a servant who had been cruelly treated. Exodus xxi. 26 27. But our Christian laws allow the master to punish his slave as much as he desires, and afford the slave no redress ; nay, if the slave makes any resistance, the laws expressly justifies the master in putting UNLIKE AMERICAN SLAVKRT. 85 him to death. In Kentucky, " any negro, mulatto, or Indian, bond or free," who " shall at any time'* even " lift his hand in opposition to any white person, shall receive thirty lashes on his or her bare back, well laid on, by order of the Justice." Servitude among the Jewg did not jeopardize the lives of servants. 6. The master who killed a servant with a rod, or by blows, suffered tha penalty of death, as other murderers. Lev- xxiv. 17, 21 ; Num. xxxv. 30. So that their lives were as safe and as valuable in the eye of the law, as their master's. In these United States, many a slave has been killed by the treatment he has received from the hand of his master, overseer, or driver ; and no instance has been known of a white man's being put to death for such murder. Domestic relations. 7 Servants were carefully protected among the Jews, in their domestic relations ; so that parents and their children must not be separated. And in case the mother did not get her freedom as soon as her husband, the children remained with her ; and her master was bound to receive him to service again, in case he chose to live with his wife and children. Ex. xxi. 7, 11. They were entitled to an adequate subsistence Deut. xxv. 4 ; 1 Tim. v. 18 ; 1 Cor. ix. 9, and treated with humanity. Lev. xxv. 39, 53. But here, slaves are entirely unprotected in their social and domestic relations ; husbands and wives, 36 JEWISH SERVITUDE parents and their children may be, and they are separated and parted forever, at the irresponsible will of the master. It is true that a law in one of the States provides, that " Every owner shall be held to give his slaves one barrel of Indipn Corn, or the equivaleiit thereof in rice, beans or other grain, and a pint of suit ; and to deliver tlie same in kind every month, under the penalty of a fine of ten dollars for every oflence." But this law may be as it is, easily evaded, on the ground that the slave cannot be a party in a civil suit, or a colored person a witness against a white person. A law of North Carolina provides that each slave shall receive at least ''one quart of corn per day ;" and if any one wtio does not receive this amount be convicted ofsttahng corn, cattle, &c., from any person not the owner of such slave, such iijured person may maintain an action of trespass against the master, and shall recover his or her damages. Another law provides, that "the slave shall be en- titled to receive from his owner one linen shirt and pantaloons ior the summer, and a linen >hirt and woollen great coat and pantaloons for the v;inter." Instruction aud consolation. 8. The laws of Moses secured to servants the necessary means of instruction and consolation. — Deut. xxxi. 9, 13 ; xxix. 10, 13. But no such laws exist in this land ; here the operation of the laws tend directly to deprive the slaves of all " mental" and religious " instruction," tjNLIKE AMERICAN SLAVERY. St for their whole power is exerted to keep their slaves in the lowest kind of ignorance. Laws for the protection of strangers. 9. The laws of Moses required every one td pity and love the strangers who might chance to come among the Jews, and under severe penalties they were forbidden to vex or oppress them in any way. Ex. xxiii. 6, 9 ; xxi. 20 ; xii. 48, 50 ; Lev. xix. 33, 34 ; xxv. 35, 36 ; Num. xv. 15, 16, 29 ; Deut. i. 16, 17 ; x. 18, 19 ; Exodus xxii. 21 ; xxiii. 9. Here the laws view every colored stranger as an enemy, and they consider him a slave until he proves his freedom. Fagitive servants. 10. If a servant escaped from his master and fled to the land of Israel, the law of Moses com- manded every one to protect him ; and forbade any one to deliver such to his master again. Deut,- xxiii. 15. But here, if a slave esbape from his master, and flee to any part of the United States, the law forbids any one to protect him, and commands that he be' delivered up to his master. Husbands aind wives* 11. If a Jewish servant had taken a wife of his master, and wished still to live with him, he had the privilege. Ex. xxi. 5, 6 ; Deut. xv. 18.- But it is not thus with American slaves ; among them, husbands and wives are parted at the irre^ 4 38 JEWISH SERVITUDE ponsible will of the slaveholder. In point of law, an American slave cannot be niarried at all. Time lor rest allowed Jewish servants. 12 Those servants among the Jews who had'served fifty years had at least seventeen years rest in Sab- baths, feasts, &c. Ex. xx. 10; Deut. v. 14; xii. 17, 18 ; xvi. 11 ; Matt. xxv. 21,23. But nothing of this kind has ever been known among the Americans held in bondage by the Christians of this nation. When they were set free, compensation was allowed them and not to their masters. 13. When Jewish servants went out free, they were to be liberally furnished with means to begin hfe with. Ex. xxi. 2, 4; Lev. xxv. 17; Dut. xv. 13, 14, But in this land if any poor slave goes iree at all, by the consent of his master, he goes free with nothing but his poor worn-out body, and his master demands a price for his liberation ! Jewish servants held property. 14. They had the fruits of the rest years ^ and gleanings of harvests. Lev. xix. 9, 10 ; xxv. 6 ; Ex. xxiii. 11 ; 1 Sam. ix. 8 ; Matt, xviii. 25. But here a slave can possess nothing but what is made by law to belong to his master. They were endowed with authority. 15. Ehgible to offices. 1 Chron. xv. 18 ; xvi, 5, 38 ; xxvi. 12, 14 ; Matt. xxv. 21 ; 2 Sam, ix. 9, 10 ', Neh, V. 15. UNLIKE AMERICAN SLAVERY. 39 Not SO in this nation. Here a slave cannot be a witness in u case where a white man is concerned. And in tlie city of New-York a free colored Amer- ican, in the year 1836, could not obtain a license even to drive a cart. And in many parts of the country, colored Americans are not admitted to the elective franchise. Jewish servants could not be made articles of traffic. 16. They could not be sold. Ex. xxi. 7, 8. But here thousands of slaves are sold annually, from one State to another, and many of them by members and ministers of the same church to which the slaves themselves belong. They were marriageable in the 'families of their masters. 17. Jewish masters were obligated to provide for the marriage of maid servants, if he did not take them to himself, or his sons. Ex. xxi. 8. But American slaveholders allow no legal mar- riages for their slaves, but they rather provide for their living in concubinage and adultery. They were on a level Avith the children under age. 18. They could be incorporated into the family. Ex. xxi. 8, 9, by circumcision. Ex. xii. 43, 45 ; Lev. xxii. 10, 11 ; 1 Chron. ii. 34, 35, conso- quently could be heirs. Gen. xv. 3 ; Prov. xvii. 2 ; Mark xii. 7 ; Luke xx. 14. But American slaves have no such privileges ; — 40 SCRIPTURE ARGUMENT they are on a level with brutes, so far as rights are concerned — they can make no bargains of any kind. No impediments in the way to prevent the freedom of Jewish servants. 19. They could be redeemed, or redeem them- selves, at any time. Lev. xxv. 48. American slaves have no such power. Here, laws have been enacted to prevent emancipation even when the slaveholder is willing to confer it. Thus we see, that the evils which are always more or less, attendant upon American slavery were not consequent upon the servitude allowed among the Jews, such as slave prisons, slave mar kets, slave 'auctions, chains, iron yokes, shackles whips, thumbscrews, &;c. &c. Among the Jews there was no violent separation of parents and chil dren, no parting of husbands and wives, no barba rous punishments, or any one thing in fact, which . rendered Jewish servitude like American slavery. CHAPTER VIII. SCRIPTURE ARGUMENT AGAINST SLAVERY. Slaveholding is Theft. 1. To claim, hold, and treat a human being as property, is felony against God and man. Ex. xx. 'J,5 ; Deut. xxiv. 7. If it be theft to reduce a mar} AGAINST SLAVERY. 41 to slaveiy, it must be equally so to keep him in this state. About sixty thousand human beings are feloni- ously reduced to slavery in this country every year. As soon as they are born, they are claimed, seized, held, and treated as property. Coveteousness. 2. All slaveholding and slave dealing is cove- teousness, and as such, it is forbidden. Ex. xx. 17; Isa. Ivii. 17 ; Jer, li. 13; Ezek. xxxii-. 31 ; Luke xii. 15; Col. iii. 5; 2 Pet. ii. 3. The man who claims the body of his fellow man as his property, does, de facto, covet that which, in the very nature of things, must belong to his neigh- bor, and to which no circumstances can give him a just title. Oppression. 3. Slavery is the very worst form of opjjression. Oppression is the spoiling or taking of another's per- son or goods or the fruit of his labor, by constraint, violence or force ; and this crime is committed when ever one human being offers any violence to the person, estate, or conscience of another. Prov. xiv. 31 ; xxviii. 3 ; Isa. xlix. 26 ; Jer. vii. 6 ; xxi. 12, 13; Hos. xii. 7 ; Amos iv. 1 ; Mic. ii. 2 ; — Zach. vii. 10 ; Mai. iii. 5 ; Eccl. iv. 1 ; Ezek. xxii. 29 ; Amos iii. 9. Manstealing. 4. Slavery is mansteahng, and as such is for- bidden, under the severest penalties. Ex. xxi. 16 ; Deut. xxiv. 7. 4* 4-2 SCRIPTURE ARGUMENT, How has the present slaveholder come into the possessson of the children whom he now holds as his slaves ? They were never willed to him, nor did he purchase them of another. How could he take possession of them, and part them from their parents without steahng them ? Enslavers, 5. The law of God was made for enslavers, 1 Tim. i. 10. The vvord here rendered menstealers, signifies to enslave, to reduce to slavery, to treat jnen as cattle. Fraud and robbery. 6. Slavery is legalized wholesale fraud and rohhery, Ezek. xviii. 4 ; Mai. iii. 8, 9. Prov. xxi. 7; Isa. Ixi. 8 ; Ezek. xxii. 29; Amos iii. 10; Nah. iii. 1 ; Mark x, 19 ; 1 Thes. iv. 6 ; Jer. xxii. 3 ; James v. 4. Traffic in the persons of Men forbidden. 7. American slavery is condemned in all those places which forbid trading in the persons of men. Ezek. xxvii. 18 ; Joel iii. 3, 6 ; Amos ii. 6 ; Zach. xi. 4, 5; Rev. xviii. 13. It could not exist without the slave trade. Christian kindness. 8. The exercise of that kindness and piety which are commanded in the Bible toward the poor, is utterly irreconcilable with slavery. Lev. xxv. .36 ; Job vi. 14 ; xxxi. 16 ; Psal. xli. 1 ,• Ixxxii. 3 ; Prov. xxii. 22 ; xxiv. 11 ; xxxi. 8 ; Isa. i. 16 ; and AGAINST SLAVERY. 43 Iviii. throughout ; Jer. xxxiv. 10 ; Matt. xxv. 44 ; Heb. xiii. 3 ; 1 John iii. l7. Duties of masters. 9. American slavery is condemned in the speci- fic directions of the Apostle, to masters and servants. 1 Cor. vii. 21, 23; Eph. vi. 9; Col. iv, 1. These precepts, if obeyed, would annihilate slavery at once, and forever. Analogy of the gospel. 10. It is condemned in all those passages v^hich represent the evils of sin by slavery, and gospel benefits by freedom. Gal. iv. 3, 7, 2?, 31; v. 1, 13 ; Isa. Ixi. 1, 3 ; John viii. 32, 36. The golden nile. 11. By the reciprocal and universal law of love which is binding on n}\ men. Matt. v. 7 ; vii. 12 ; xxii. 37; John XV. 12, 17; Rom. xii. 9; 1 Cor. xiii. 28. Spirit of the gospel. 12. Slavery cannot be reconciled with the spirit and design of the gospel. It will not exist surely in the millennial state. Gen. iii. 15, 22, 18 ; Luke iv. 18 ; 1 Cor. iii. 17 ; Zeph. iii. 9 ; Matt. iii. 10. If it is condemned by the spirit of the gospel, the precepts of the gospel must be against it, of course, because the spirit of the gospel is learned from its precepts. 44 SENTIMENTS FAVORABLE TO THE Conditions of salvation. 13. To claim, hold and treat a human being as property, is utterly at variance with the conditions upon which man is authorized to expect forgiveness and salvation from God. Matt. v. 23. Therefore, if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there remem- berest that thy brother hath aught against thee, leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconcilled with thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. CHAPTER IX. SENTIMENTS FAVORABLE TO THE PERPE- TUITY OF AMERICAN SLAVERY. Goveruor 3IcUuffie. " Domestic slavery, therefore, instead of being a •political evil, is the corner stone of our republican edifice. No patriot who justly estimates our privi- leges, will tolerate the idea of emancipation, at any period, however remote, or on any conditions of pecuniary advantage, however favorable. I would as soon think of opening a negotiation for selling the liberty of the state at once, as for making any stipulation for the ultimate emancipation of our slaves. So deep is my conviction on this subject, that if I were doomed to die immediately after recording these sentiments, I could say in all sincerity, and under all the sanction of Christi- anity and patriotism, God forbid that my DESCENDANTS, IN THE REMOTEST GENERATIONS, PERPETUITY OF AMERICAN SLAVERY. 45 SHOULD LIVE IN ANY OTHER THAN A COMMUNITY HAVING THE INSTITUTION OF DOMESTIC SLAVERY." Testimony from Charleston, S. C. " One of the most imposing assemblages of citizens in respect of numbers, intelligence and respectability, that we have ever witnessed, met yesterday morning at the City Hall, to receive the report of twenty-one, appointed by the meeting on the 4th instan/, on the incendiary machinations now in progress against the peace and welfare of the southern states. The clergy of all denominations attended in a body, lending their sanction to the .proceedings, and adding hy their presence, to the impressive character of the scene /" [After the most violent threats against the discus- sion of the subject of slavery, the meeting closed with the following resolution :] " On motion of Captain Lynch, ^'Resolved, That the thanks of this meeting are due to the reverend gentlemen of the Clergy in this city, who have so promptly, and so effectually responded to public sentiment, by suspending their schools in which the free colored population were taught ; and that this meeting deem it a patriotic action, worthy of all praise, and proper to be imitated by other teachers of similar schools throughout the state ! ! !" — Charleston Cour. Testimony from Camden, S. C. The following resolu';ion was passed at a meeting pf the citizens of Camden, S. C, in 1834 : 46 SENTIMENTS FAVORABLE TO THE " Resolved, That slavery, as it exists with us, we deny to be an evil, and that we regard those who are now making war upon it, in any shape, or under any pretext, as furious fanatics or knaves and hypo- crites ; and we hereby promise them, upon all occasion which may put them in our power, tlie fate of the pirate, the incendiary, and the midnight assas- sin r Testimony from Lancasterville, S. C. The following documents are taken from the Southern Christian Herald : " At a public meeting, held in Lancasterville, for the purpose of taking into consideration the proceed- ings of the Abolitionists of the North, several reso- lutions were passed, and by request, the meeting was addressed by the Rev. J. H. Thornwell, and the Rev. William Carlise. The Rev. Mr. Postell's sentiments, contained in a letter, were read at the meeting. The purport of the resolutions was as follows : 1. That Slavery, as it exists in the South, is no evil, and is consistent with the principles of revealed religion ; that all opposition to it arises from a mis- guided and fiendish fanaticism, which we are bound to resist in the very threshhold. 2. That all interference with this subject by fanatics, is a violation of all our civil and social rights — is unchristian and inhuman, leading neces- sarily to anarchy and bloodshed ; and that the instigators are murderers and assassins. The resolutions are lengthy. We have attempt- ed to give only a synopsis of them. To this, we PERPETUITY OF AMERICAN SLAVERY. 4t subjoin the opinions of the Rev. Mr. Thorn well, and the Rev, Mr. Posteil ; the former belonging to the Presbyterian, and the latter to the Methodist Church." Rev. J. H. Thornwell's testimony. " I cannot regard slavery as a moral evil for the following reasons : 1. It was distinctly recognized by Moses. There were several ways in which men, among the Jews, were reduced to a state of involuntary servitude. — 1st. Captivity in war. Deut. 1. 14, 21, 10, 11. 2d. Debt. 2 Kings iv. 1 ; Isa. 1. 1 ; Matt, xviii. 25.— 3d. Theft. Ex. xxii. 2, 3 ; Neh. v. 4, 5. 4th. Birth. Gen. xiv. 14, 15, 3 ; Pis. Ixxxvi. 16. The phrases ' those born in one's house, the children of maid-servants, the children of the house,' apply to those who inherited slavery from their parents. 5th. Purchase. Num. xxxi. 4, 13, 18, 35. Now if slavery were a crime, in itself, how could a legis- lator, acting under divine tuition and authority, have recognized its existence ? The principles of moral rectitude are unchangeable ; and it is quite conceiv- able that a Being of infinite holiness, should tolerate or sanction, by his own positive enactments, a state of society directly at variance with his own nature. What was right three thousand years ago, must be right now. Expediency and convenience may change with the changing hue of the times, but the eternal principles of right must always remain fixed and immutable. 2. It is not inconsistent with the precepts of 48 SENTIMENTS FAVORABLE TO THE Christianity. 1 Cor. vii. 20, 21. The word trans, lated servant means a slave. 1 Tina. vi. 1." [This is a great mistake. See page 29 and 30.] " As I cannot believe that slavery is wrong in itself, I am decidedly opposed to the measures of the abolitionists. Revolutions are always dangerous. — Long established institutions cannot be destroyed without countless hazards, and where there are no immediate motives of duty that urge to innovation, innovation ought always to be avoided." Testimony of the Rev. J. C. Postell, and Rev. W. Carlisle. "Lancaster, Sept. 1st. 1835. To the Chairman and Members of the Conven- tion to embody and Send abroad resolutions expres- sive of our feelings against the Abolitionists : Gentlemen, I have been requested to express my opinions on this subject, to aid your efforts. I regret not being able to attend, and in person express my opinions on this subject. Being a slave- holder myself; I feel an interest in the question, believing the factionists are influenced more froml self-interested motives than humanity to the class they pretend to relieve. Nor can the friends of their country, of the Church of God, be more dis- tinguished than associated in the ranks of invincible opposers to Arthur Tappan and his degraded prose- lytes. I therefore sum up my views, arid briefly give them on the question, as follows : 1. I view slavery as a judicial visitation, as the Scriptures give an ample and most satisfactory PERPETUITT OF AMERICAN SLAVERY. 49 evidence ; therefore, it is as practicable to legislate for the restoration of the Jews, as emancipation of slaves. 2. It is a pointed violation of the federal com- pact, and the dissolution of this, breaks the chain of the Union. 3. It is a domestic question ; therefore, it is sL monopoly of right, and an usurpation and stretch of power to legislate for this class, any more than a man's wife or children. 4. No clergy or church should be tolerated in violating the peace of families, and infringing on th6 regularly constituted authorities of our state, in this matter. The law of the State should be the law of the Church. Hastily, but respectfully submitted, by request. J. C. POSTELL." "I beg leave to subscribe my name to the above, William Carlisle. Testimony of the Charleston Courier. " We protest against the assumption — the unwar- rantable assumption — that slavery is ultimately to be extir{)ated from the southern states. Ultimate abolitionists are enemies of the South, the same in kind, and only less in degree, than immediate abo- litionists." Testimony of the Columbia, S. C. Telescope. " Let us declare, through the public journals of our country, that the question of Slavery is not, and 50 -SENTIMENTS FAVORABLE TO THfi shall not be open to discussion — that the system is deep rooted among us, and must remain forever : that the very moment any private individual attempts to lecture us upon its evils and immorality, and the necessity of putting means in operation to secure us from them, in the same momenl his tongue shall he cut out and cast upon a dunghill." Testimony of the Washington Telegraph, " As a man, a Christian, and a citizen, we believe that slavery is right ; that ihe condition of the slave, as it now exists in slaveholding states, is the best existing organization of civil society." Testimony of the Charleston Courier, ** We beg him, however, [Mr. Fletcher, one of the speakers at Fancuil Hall] and all who like him, acknowledge their afFectionaie interest in their polit-* ical obligations to the South, to disabuse themselves of the notion that the South regards slavery as an evil, or even dreams of its removal. Our institu- tions are likely to endure for ages, if not to be perpetual ; and while they do endure, and are endured by us, we cannot recognize the moral or social, to say nothing of the political propriety, of denouncing them as evil. Our right in the subject- matter is perfect and exclusive, and not a tongue should wag, or breath be stirred, against its exercise." Testimony of the Augusta, Geo. Chronicle. " He [Amos Dresser] should have been hung up as high as Haman to rot upon the gibbet, until the PERPETUITY OF AMERICAN SLAVERY. 51 wind whistled through his bones. The cry of the whole South should be, death INSTANT DEATH to the abolitionist, wherever he is caught. North- ern Abolitionists are a class of desperate fanatics, who, to accomplish their unhallowed ends, are ready- to sacrifice our lives, and those of our wives and children. Keep their publications from among us, and HANG every emissary that dare step a lawless foot upon our soil — cut off all tmde with every northern house connected with them, &c." Further testimony from the Rev. J. C. Postell. The following is from an Address of the Rev. J. C. Postell, delivered at a public meeting, held at Orangeburgh Court-house, S. C, on the 21st of July, 1836. " I have not time, at present, nor do I wish to trespass upon your patience, in a lengthy address on this subject ; but to comply with your request, involves my duty as your minister, and the servant of the Church, and from what has been premised, the following conclusions result : 1st. That slavery is a judicial visitation. 2d. That it is not a moral evil. 3d. That it is supported by the Bible. 4th. It existed in all ages." The reverend orator then takes up the above points, and argues them at some length, but we have not room to follow him. On the second propoiition, lie says : 62 SENTIMENTS FAVORABLE TO THE " It is not a moral evil. The fact that slaveiy is of Divine appointment, would be proof enough with the Christian, that it could not be a moral evil. But when we view the hordes of savages, marauders and human cannibals enslaved to lust and passion, and abandoned to idolatry and ignorance, to revolution- ize them from such a state, and enslave them where they may have the Gospel, and the privileges of Christiana, so far from being a moral evil, it is a MERCIFUL VISITATION. Tlicrc Can be no moral evil in ameliorating the condition of our fellow men. But in some instances slavery has been oppressive, and truly distressing. The situation of the Israelites under Egyptian bondage, was an afflictive disjien- sation of God's Providence. But will the abolition- ists contend it was a moral evil, or will they say it was the chastisement of God for their disobedience, when God saw proper to remove it, he did so ? And so he will throughout — and all other efforts will prove abortive. If slavery was either the invention of man or a moral evil, it is logical to conclude, the power to create has the power to destroy. Why, then, has it existed ? And why does it now exist t amidst all the power of legislation in state and church, and the clamor of abolitionists. ' It is the Lord's doings, and marvellous in our eyes.' And had it not been done for the best, God alone who is able, long since would have overruled it. It IS BY DIVINE APPOINTMENT, and in the decalogue, the Almighty Jehovah says, 'I am tlie Almighty God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out pf the house of bondage,' therefore, ' Thou shall PERPETUITY OF AMERICAN SLAVERY. 53 have no other gods before me, thou shalt not bow down nor worship them.' You are not to subscribe to their opinions, nor reverence their doctrines, for I alone can dehver, and not man ; therefore, look to me and trust not in an arm of flesh." And, accordingly, the practice of southern Chris- tians and ministers of the Gospel, correspond with the foregoing sentiments. Testimony of the Rev. James Smylie. The Reverend James Smylie, A. M., a Presby- terian minister in Mississippi, says in a pamphlet, he has recently published in favor of American slavery : " If slavery be a sin, and advertising and appre- hending slaves with a view to restore them to their masters, is a direct violation of the divine law, and if the buying, selling, or holding a slave for the SAKE OF GAIN, is a hcinous sin and scandal, then verily, three-fourths of all the Episcopalians, Methodists, Baptists, and Presbyterians, in eleven states of the union, are of the Devil. — They ' hold,' if they do not buy and sell slaves, and, with few exceptions, they hesitated not to ' appre, hend and restore' runaway slaves, when in their power." Charleston Union Presbytery. Extract from the minutes of the Charleston Union Presbytery, at their meeting on the 7th April, 1836. " II is a principle which meets the views of this hody, that slavery, as it exists among us, is a polite a* 54 SENTIMENTS FAVORABLE TO THE ical institution, with wliich ecclesiastical judicato- ries have not the smallest right to interfere ; and in relation to which, any such interference, especially at the present momentous crisis, would be morally wrong, and fraught with the most dangerous and pernicious consequences. The sentiments which we maintain, in common with Christians at the South, of every denomination, are sentiments which so fully approve themselves to our consciences, are so identified with our solemn convictions of duty, that we should maintain them under any circumstances. E. T. Bust, Moderator. J3. GiLDERSLEEVE, Temporary Clerk." Synod of South Carolina and Georgia. Resolution of the Presbyterian Synod of South Carolina and Georgia, Dec. 1834. " Resolved, unanimously, That in the opinion of this Synod, Abolition Societies, and the principles on which they are founded, in the United States, are inconsistent with the interests of the slaves, the rights of the holders, and the great principles of our political institution." Testimony of the Missionary Society of the South Carolina Conference. The following declaration of sentiments has been published in Charleston, South Carolina, by the Board of Managers of the Missionary Society of the South Carolina Conference of the Methodist Epis- copal Church : PEEPETUITY GF AMERICAN SLAVERY. 55 *'We denounce the principles and opinions of the abolitionists in toto ; and solemnly do declare our conviction and belief that, whether they were orig- inated, as some business men have thought, as a money speculation, or, as some politicians think, for party electioneering purposes, or, as we are inclined to believe, in a false philosophy, over-reaching or setting aside the scriptures through a vain conceit of higher moral refinement, they are utterly erroneous, and altogether hurtful. We coBsider and beheve that the Holy Scriptures, so far from giving any countenance to this delusion, do unequivocally authorise the relation of master and slave." Hopewell Presbytery, South Carolina. On the subject of domestic slavery, this Presby^ tery believe the following facts have been most incontrovertibly established, viz : "1. Slavery has existed in the church of God from the time of Abraham to this day. Members of the church of God, have held slaves bought with their money, and born in their houses ; and this relation is not only recognized, but its duties are defined clearly, both in the Old and New Testa, ments. 2. Emancipation is not mentioned among the duties of the master to his slave. While obedience ' even to the forward' master is enjoined upon the slave. 3. No instance can be produced of an otherwise orderly Christian, being reproved, much less excommunicated from the church, for the single act 5@ SENTIMENTS FAVORABLE TO THE of holding domestic slaves, from the days of Abra- ham down to the date of the. modern abolitionist. 4. Slavery existed in the United States before our ecclesiastical body was organized. It is not condemned in our Confession of Faith, and has always existed in our church without reproof or condemnation. 5. Slavery is a political institution with which the church has nothing to do, except to inculcate the duties of master and slave, and to use lawful spiritual means to have all, bond and free, become one in Christ by faith. Regarding these positions as undoubtedly truoj our views of duty constrain us to adopt the follow- ing resolutions : Resolved, That the political institutions of domes- tic slavery, as it exists in the South, is not a lawful or constitutional subject of discussion, much less of action, by the General Assembly. Resolved That so soon as the General Assembly passes any ecclesiastical laws, or recommends any action which shall interfere with this institution, this Presbytery will regard such laws and acts as tyran^ ical and odious — and from that moment, will regard itself independent of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church. Resolved, that our delegates to the approaching Assembly are hereby enjoined to use all Christian means to prevent the discussion of domestic slavery in the Assembly — to protest, in our name, against all acts that involve or approve abolition — and to withdraw from the Assembly and to return home, if, PERPETUITY OF AMERICAN SLAVERY. 67 in spite of their efforts, acts of this character shall be passed." Synod of Virginia. ** The committee to whom were referred the resor lutions, &c., have, according to order, had the same ynder consideration — and respectfully report that in their judgment, the following resolutions are neces- sary and proper to be adopted by the Synod at the present time. Whereas, the publications and proceedings of certain organized associations, commonly called anti-slavery, or abolition societies, which have arisen in some parts of our land, have greatly disturbed, and are still greatly disturbing the peace of the church, and of the country ; and the Synod of Virr ginia deem it a solemn duty which they owe to them-; selves and to the communify, to declare their sen- timents upon the subject; therefore : Resolved, unanimously. That we consider the dogma fiercely promulgated by said associations-^ that slavery as it exists in our slaveholding States is necessarily sinful, and ought to be immediately abolished, and the conclusions which naturally fol- low from that dogma, as directly and palpably con- trary to the plainest principles of common sense and common humanity, and to the clearest authority of the word of God." Testimony of the Rev. R. N. Anderson. '^ To the Sessions of the Presbyterian Congrega- tions within the bounds of the West Hanove? Presbytery : 58 SENTIMENTS FAVORABLE TO THE " At the approaching stated meeting ofour Pres- bytery, I design to offer a preamble and string of resolutions on the subject of the use of wine in the Lord's Supper ; and also a preamble and a string of resolutions on the subject of the treasonable and abominably wicked interference of the northern and eastern fanatics with our political and civil rights, our property and our domestic concerns. You are aware that our clergy, whether with or without rea- son, are more suspected by the public than are the clergy of other denominations. Now, dear Chris- tian brethren, I humbly express it as my earnest wish, that you quit yourselves like men. If there be any stray goat of a minister among us, tainted with the blood-hound principles of aboHtionism, let him be ferreted out, silenced, excommunicated, and left to the public to dispose of him in other respects. " Your affectionate brother in the Lord. 1835. Robert N. Anj)erson ! ! !" General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church. The following statements were made in the Gen- eral Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, conven- ed in Pittsburgh in May, 1836, and they have never been contradicted : " He (Mr. Dickey) believed there were many, and great evils in the Presbyterian church ; but the doctrine of slaveholding, he was fully persuaded, was the worst heresy now found in the church." Mr. Stewart — ^' I hope this Assembly are pre- pared to come out fully, and declare their sentiments that slaveholding is a most flagrant and heinous PERPETUITY OF AMERICAN SLAVERY. 59 SIN. Let us not pass it by in this indirect way, while so many thousands and thousands ot our fellow creatures are writhing under the lash, often inflicted too by ministers and elders of the Preshylerian church,''' ******* In THIS CHURCH, a man may take a free- born child, force it away from its parents, to whom .God gave it in charge, saying, 'Bring it up for me,' and sell it as a beast, or hold it in perpetual bondage, and not only escape corporeal punishment, but really be esteemed an excellent christian. Nay, even jninisters of the Gospel, and doctors of divin- ity, may engage in this unholy traffic, and yet (sustain their high and holy calling. ****** Elders, ministers and doctors of divinity are with both hands engaged in the practice. 3K ***** A slaveholder who is making gains by the trade, may have as good a character ibr honesty as any other man. ****** No language can paint the injustice and abomi- nations of slavery. But in these United States, this vast amount of moral turpitude is, as I believe, justly chargeable to the church. I do not mean to say those church members who actually engage in this diabolical practice, but I mean to say the church. Yes, sir, all the infidelity that is the result of this unjust conduct of the professed followers of Christ ; all the unholy amalgamation ; all the tears and 60 SENTIMENTS FAVORABLE TO THE groans ; all the eyes that have been literally plucked from their sockets ; all the pains and violent deaths from the lash, and the various engines of torture ; and all the souls that are, or will be eternally damned, as a consequence of slavery in these United States, are all justly chargeable to the church ; and how much falls to the share of this particular church, you can estimate as well as I. ****** The judgments of God are staring this church full in the face, and threatening her dissolution. — She is all life and nerve in matters of doctrine, and on some points where men may honestly differ ;— ^ while the sins of a crimson dye are committed in open day. by members of the Church, with perfect impunity." This same Assembly, in 1816, struck out of the Confesoion of the Church the following note, adopted in 1794, and which contained the doctrine of the church at that period, on the subject of slavehold- ing. The note was appended to the one hundred and forty-second question of the large catechism : " 1 Tim. i. 10. The law is made for man steal- ers. This crime among the Jews exposed the perpetrators of it to capital punishment ; Exodus xxi. 16 ; and the apostle here classes them with sinners of the first rank. The word he uses, in its original import, coniprehends all who are concerned in bringing any of the human race into slavery, or in retaining them in it* Homnium furis, qui seives vel libros abducent, retinent vendunt, vel emunt. — Stealers of men are all those who bring off slaves PERPETUITY OF AMERICAN SLAVERY. 61 or freemen, and keep, sell, or buy them. To steal a freeman, says Grotius, is the highest kind of theft. In other instances, we only steal human property, but when we steal or retain men in slavery, we seize those who, in common with ourselves, are constituted by the original grant, lords of the earth. Gen. i. 28. Vide Poli synopsin in locJ'^ Methodist Church, in 1780. In the year 1780, the sentiments of the Metho- dist societies in this country were thus expressed upon this subject, in the minutes of the Conference for that year : " The conference acknowledges that slavery is contrary to the laws of god, man and nature, and hurtful to society ; CONTRARY TO THE DICTATES OF CONSCIENCE AND PURE R.ELIGION ; and doing what we would not that others should do unto us ; and they pass their dis- approbation upon all our friends who keep slaves, and they advise their freedom." And from Lee's History of the Methodists, page 101, we learn that the M. E. Church was organized, with a number of express rules upon this subject, whicli stipulated that slavery should not he contin- ued in this church. One of them was as follows : " Every member in our society shall legally execute and record an instrument [for the purpose of setting every slave in his possession free,] within the space of twenty-two years." Another was as follows : " Every person concerned, who will not comply 6 62 SENTIMENTS FAVORABLE TO THl with these rules, shall have liberty quietly to withdraw from our society within the twelve months following, the notice being given him as aforesaid : — otherwise the assistant shall excluded him from the society." And again, another rule declared that — " Those who bought or sold slaves, or gave them away, unless on purpose to free them, should be expelled immediately." And forty years ago, the discipline of this church contained the following directions upon the subject : " The preachers and other members of our socie- ty, are requested to consider the subject of negro slavery with deep attention ; and that they impart to the General Conference through the medium of the Yearly Conferences, or otherwise, any important thoughts upon the subject, that the Conference may have full light, in order to take further steps to- wards eradicating this enormous evil from that part of the church of God with which they are con- nected. The Annual Conferences are directed to draw up addresses for the gradual emancipation of the slaves, to the legislatures of those states in which no general laws have been passed for that purpose. These addresses shall urge, in the most respectful, but pointed manner, the necessity of a law for the gradual emancipation of slaves. Proper committees shall be appointed by the Annual Con- ferences, out of the most respectable of our friends, for the conducting of the business ; and the presiding elders, elders, deacons, and travelling preachers, shall procure as many proper signatures as possi- ble to the addresses, and give all the assistance in their power, in every respect to aid the commit-; PERPETUITY OF SLAVERY. 63 tees, and to further this blessed undertaking. Let this be continued from year to year, till the desired end be accomplished." General Conference of the M. E. Church in 1836. But the above was long ago left out of the Dis- cipline of this church, and at the last session of its highest ecclesiastical body in Cincinnati, in May, 1836, the following resolution was adopted, yeas 120, noes 14. " Resolved, by the delegates of the Annual Con- ferences, in the General Conference assembled, That they are decidedly opposed to modern aboli- tionism, and wholly disclaim any right, wish, or intention to interfere in the civil and political rela- tion between master and slave, as it exists in the slave-holding states of this Union." A motion was made, to amend the above resolu- tion by putting in the words, " Although we are as rnuch as ever convinced of the great evil of slave- ry," the language of the Discipline, but this motion was lost. Testimony of Rev. W. Winans. At this same General Conference of the M. E, Church, the Rev. Mr. Winans, a prominent, popu- lar preacher, and a southern delegate, confessed himself there a slave-holder ; solemnly asserted that " it was important to the interests of the slaves, and in view of the question of slavery, that there be Christians who were slaveholders. Christians min- isters should be slaveholders, and diffused through- out the South." Yes, he repeated, there should be 64 SENTIMENTS FAVORABLE TO THE " members, and deacons, and elders, and BISHOPS, too, who were slaveholders." Mr. Winans, in relating an anecdote in Confe- rence, to show the inexpediency of abolition efforts, as regards their influence on the prosperity of the southern church, intimated that the article in the Methodist Discipline on the subject of slavery, was in fact a dead letter. Testimony of Dr. Capers. Dr. Capers in his speech, in mentioning various reasons why Methodists, after a certain date, be- came less odious to the people of the southern states, said — "at length people began to consider that many of them were slaveholders— why should they be insurrectionists ?" Again — the southern section of the Methodist church is now murmuring because slaveholding ministers are excluded from the highest offices in the churches — nay more — disunion is seriously, openly hinted at by prominent preachers in the South, if hereafter, the fact of a minister being a slaveholder, is considered valid reason for withhold- ing from him the office of Bishop. Testimony of Prof, Hodge. " It is acknowledged, that, at the time of the Ad- vent of Jesus Christ, slavery in its worst forms, pre- vailed over the world. The Saviour found it around him in Judea ; the apostles met with it in Asia, Greece, and Italy. How did they treat it? Not by the denunciation o^ slaveholding as necessarily 5m- ful. The assumption that slaveholding is, in itself, PERPETUITY OF SLAVERY. 65 a crime, is not only an error, but it is an error fraught with evil consequences." Bib. Rep. April, 1836. Testimony of W. B. Seabrook, of S. C. " In the judgment of my fellow citizens, slavery is not inconsistent with the laws of nature, and of God. The Bible informs us, that it was estab- lished and SANCTIONED by divine authority even among the elect of Heaven." Essav, read before the Agricultural Society of St. Johns' Collection, 1836. Testimony of Edward Brown, of S. Carolina. " Slavery has ever been the step-ladder by which civilized countries have passed from barbarism to civilization. It appears, indeed, to be the only state, capable of bringing the love of independence and of ease, inherent in man, to the discipline necessary to the supply of food, raiment, and shelter, necessa^ ry to his physical wants." Notes on the origin and necessity of Slavery, 1826. Testimony of Dr. Dalcho, of S. Carolina. " Slavery is not forbidden by the Divine Law. so it is left to our own judgment whether we hold slaves or not." Praetical Considerations, &c. 1823. Charleston Courier. " We confidently pronounce, that he must wil- fully shut his eyes against the broad and palpable light of truth, who will not acknowledge that the Old Testament conclusively shows, that slavery was not 66 SENTIMENTS FAVORABLE TO THE only not condemned, but received the express sane Hon of the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob.'' 1835. Testimony of W. A. Duer, LL. D. " We deny that it is a crime to retain [in slavery] those ignorant and helpless beings, who have been cast upon [our] protection, as well as thrown into [our] power by no act of their own." 3d An. Rnp. N. Y. City Col. Society. Testimony of the Quarterly Christian Spectator. "The bible contains no explicit prolihition of slavery, it recognizes both in the Old Testament and in the New, such a constitution of Society, and it lends its authority to enforce the mutual obligations resulting from that constitution." 1833. Testimony of Dr. R. rurmau. " The right of holding slaves is clearly establish, ed in the Holy Scriptures, both by precept and ex- ample." Exposition of the views of the Baptists, addressed to the Governor of S. Carolina, 1833. Testimony of T. R. Dew, Prof, of History, Meta- physics and Politcal Law, in William and Mary College. " Slavery was established and sanctioned, by Divine authority, among even the elect of Heaven — the favored children of Fsrael." Review of the Debate in the Virginia Legislature of 183J and 1832. PERPETUITY OF SLAVERY. 67 The Counter Appeal. " The general rule of Christianity not only per- mits, but in supposable circumstances, enjoins a con- tinuance of the master^ s authority. We say then, that this text in Col. iii. 22 — 25, proves to a demunstration,X\\di\. in the primitive Chris- tian church at Colosse, under the Apostolic eye, and with the Apostolic sanction, the relation of mas- ter and slave was permitted to subsist. 1 Cor. vii. 20— 23« This text seems mainly to enjoin and sanction the fitting continuance of their present social relations ; the freeman was to remain free, and the slave, un- less emancipation should offer, ivas to remain a slave.' The New Testament, enjoins obedience upon the slave as an obligation due to a present rightful authority. It is manifest that the question of slave emancipa- tion did agitate the primitive church in the apos- tie's day. Christianity arose, with the golden rule for its motto, and equalizing love for its spirit ; and no question could be more natural, than wheth- er it did not break every fetter and equalize the slave to his master. Upon this the apostle pro- nounces his decisive negative dictum. Christianity spread in a land where slavery exist- ed as cruel and licentious as ever existed in this country ; yet it did not, on account of those heathen- ish abuses, pronounce the relation itself immutably wrong; it did not excommunicate the slaveholder as not truly awakened ; and though he held in subor- dination men who themselves, or whose ancestry had 68 SKNTIMENTS FAVORABLE TO SLAVERY, been stolen, it did not pronounce the holder a man- thief; nor did it imperatively require of him the performance of immediate emancipation." W. FiSK, John Lindsley, Bartholomew Otheman, Hezekiah S, Ramsdell, Edward T. Taylor, Abel Stevens, Jacob Sanborn, H. H. White, March 27, 1835. Testimony of Prof. Whedon. "There were Christian or he\\e\mg slave-holders in the [primitive] Christian church. Now whatev- er oouXog means, here (1 Tim. vi. 2) despotai are ynequivocally slavchoiers, vviio are ' brethren, faith- Jul and beloved, partakers of the [gospel] benejit.^^^ Zion's Herald of Maich 30, 1836. Testimony of the Rev. W. Fisk, D. D. " The relation of master and slave, may and does, in many cases, exist, under such circumstances, as free the master from the just charge and guilt of im- pfiorality." Letter to Rev. T. Mcrritt. Testimony of Rev. N. Bangs, D. D, *' It appears evident, that however much the aposde might have deprecated slavery as it then existed throughout the Roman empire, he did not feel it his duty, as an ambassador of Christ, to dis- PRACTICAL SLAVERY. 69 turb those relations which subsisted between mas- ters and servants by denouncing slavery us such a mortal sin that they could not be servants of Christ in such a relation.^^ Christ. Ad. and Journal, No. 431. The foregoing extracts are not quoted here to prove that each of the authors of them designed Xojus. tify or defend slavery as a system. But we think they do prove beyond a doubt, that the sentiment pre- vails very extensively throughout this nation, among professors of religion, ministers of the Gospel, pre- sidents of colleges, &c. &c., that, the act of slave- holding is, not in itself, sinful ; and consequently it follows, that a great change must take place in the views of this nation before slavery will ever be abolished. CHAPTERX. PRACTICAL SLAVERY. What is slavery in practice 1 Many suppose that it often exists under some peculiar " circumstances " which, some how or other, " free the slaveholder from the just charge and guilt of immorality." What those " peculiar circumstances " are, howev- er, we are not told. We have had many fine spun theories on " slave- ry in the abstract ;" but it matters but little to ♦he poor slave what slavery is in the abstract, its practice, however, is every thing to him. Hence, we think it proper to give a few facts like the following, as a fO PRACTICAL SLAVERY. work of this kind might be justly considered incom- plete without them. In reading the following items, let it be remembered, that they describe such cases, precisely, as are occurring in the midst of slavery, every day ; slavery never did, and never will exist in any country, without perpetrating crimes like the following. We do not mean by this, that there are no enslavers who do not inflict corporeal cruelties upon the persons of their slaves, but we mean to say, that slavery cannot and never did exist without its evils, such as are here described. The following items are selected from a most in- teresting work entitled, " Narrative of Charles Ball, who was forty years a slave in Maryland, South Carolina and Georgia." In reading these extracts, it should be remembered that the story this slave tells of himself, is true to the life, and similar narra- tives might be given by thousands of others in this land who are now in chains, and not suffered to speak for themselves. Separation of parents and children. " At the time I was sold I was quite naked, having never had any clothing in my life ; but my new piaster had brought with him a child's frock, or wrapper, belonging to one of his own children — and after he purchased me, he dressed me in this gar- ment, took me before him on his horse, and started home ; but my poor mother, when she saw me leav- ing her for the last time, ran after me, took me down from the horse, clasped me in her arms, and wept loudly and bitterly over me. My master §eemed to pity her, and endeavored to soothe her PRACTICAL SLAVERY. fj distress by telling her that he would be a good mas ter to me, and that I should not want any thing fehe then, still holding me in her arms, walked alons the road beside the horse, as he moved slowly, and earnestly and imploringly besought my master to buy her and the rest of her children, and not per mit them to be carried away by the negro buyers • but whilst thus entreating him to save her and her lamily, the slave-driver who had first bought her came running in pursuit of her with a raw hide in hjs hand. When he overtook us, he told her he was her master now, and ordered her to give that little negro to its owner, and come back with him My mother then turned to him and cried—' Oh master, do not take me from my child i' Without making any reply, he gave her two or three heavy blows on the shoulders with his raw hide, snatched me from her arms, handed me to my master, and seizing her by one arm, dragged her back towards the place of sale. My master then quickened the pace of his horse ; and as we advanced, the cries ot my poor parent became more and more indis- tmct At length, they died away in the distance, and 1 never again heard the voice of my poor mo- ther. Young as 1 was, the horrors of that day sank deeply into my heart— and even at this time, though halt a century has elapsed, the terrors of the scend ret«rn with pamful vividness upon my memory. Frightened at the sight of the cruelties inflict^ ed upon my poor mother, I forgot my own sorrows at parting from her, and clung to my new master as an angel and saviour, when compared with the bar. dened fiend into whose power she had fallen.--Sh^ 72 PRACTICAL SLAVERY. had been a kind and good mother to me — had warmed me in her bosom in the cold nights of win- ter, and had often divided the scanty pittance of food allowed her by her mistress between my brothers, and sisters, and me, and gone supperless to bed her- self. Whatever victuals she could obtain beyond the coarse food, salt fish, and corn bread allowed to slaves on the Patuxent and Potomac rivers, ehe carefully distributed among her children, and treat- ed us with all the tenderness which her own misera- ble condition would permit. I have no doubt that she was chained and driven to Carolina, and foiled out the residue of a forlorn and famished existence in the rice swamps or indigo fields of the South. My father never recovered from the effects of the shock which this sudden and overwhelming ruin of his family gave him. He had formerly been of a gay, social temper ; and when he came to see us on a Saturday night, he always brought us a little present, such as the means of a poor slave would allow — apples, melons, sweet potatoes, or, if he could procure nothing else, a little parched corn, which tasted better in our cabin, because he had brought it.'^ Separation of Families. " My master kept a store at a small village on the bank of the Patuxent river, called B , although he resided at some distance on a farm. One morn- ing he rose early, and ordered me to take a yoke of oxen and go to the village, to bring home a cart which was there, saying he would follow me. He arriv- ed at the village soon after I did, and took his break- fast with his store-keeper. He then told me to PRACTICAL SLAVERY, 78 wept like an infant when the blacksmith, with his heavy hammer, fastened the ends of the bolts that kept the staples from slipping from our arms. For my own part, I felt indifferent to my fate. It appear- ed to me, that the worst had come, that could come, and that no change of fortune could harm me." Feelings of a father. Long after the subject of this narrative had been parted from his wife and children in Maryland, and had passed from one master to another, he was taken to a plantation in Sou h Carolina, and direct- ed to lodge in a cabin, which is thus described : — " I followed my new friend to his cabin, which I found to be the liabita ion of himself, his wife, and five children. The only fuiniture in this cabin con- sisted of a few blocks of wood for seats ; a short bench, made of pine boards, which served as a table; and a small bed in one corner, composed of a mat, made of common rushes, sprjaa upon some corn PRACTICAL SLAVERY. 75 husks, pulled and split into fine pieces, and kept to- gether by a narrow slip of wood, confined to the floor by wooden pins. There was a common iron pot standing beside the chimney, and several wood- en spoons and dishes hung against the wall. Se- veral blankets also hung against the wall upon wood- en pins. An old box, made of pine boards, without either lock or hinges, occupied one corner. At the time I entered this humble abode, the mis- tress was not at home. She had not yet returned from the field — having been sent, as the husband informed me, with some oiher people, late in the evening, to do some work in a field about two miles distant. I found a child about a year old, lying on the mat bed, and a little girl about four years old sitting beside it. These children were entirely naked, and when we came to the door, the elder rose from its place and ran to its father, and clasping him around one of his kne«^s,said, ' Now we shall get good supper.' The father laid his hand upon the head of his naked child, and stood silently looking in its face — which was turned upwards towards his own for a mo- ment — and then turning to me, said, 'Did you leave any children at home?' The scene before me — the question propounded — and the manner of this poor man and his child caused my heart to swell until my breast seemed too small to contain it. My soul fled back upon the wings of fancy to my wife's low- ly dwelling in Maryland — where I had been so of- ten met on a Saturday evening, when i had paid them my weekly visit, by my own little ones, who clung to my knees for protection and support, even iO PRACTICAL SLAVERY. as the poor little wretch now before ine seizk^d upon the weary limb of its hapless and destitute father, hoping that, naked as he was, (for he, too was naked, save only the tattered remains of a pair of old trou- sers,) he would bring with his return at evening iis customary scanty supper. 1 was unabJe to reply, but stood motionless, leaning against the walls of tli« cabin. My children seemed to flit by the door in the dusky twilight ; and the twittering of a swallow, which that moment fluttered over niy head, sound- ed in my ear as the infantile tillering of my own lit* tie boy ; but on a moment's rejection, I knew th^t we were separated without the hope of ever again meeting— that they no more Ijeard (he welcome tread of my feet, and could never again receive the little gifts with which, poor as I was, I was accus- tomed to present them. I was far from the place of my nativity, :n a land of stangers, with no one to care for me beyond the care that a master bestows upon his ox— ^with all my iuture life one long, waste, barren desert, of cheerless, hopeless, lifeless slavery, to be varied only by the pangs of hunger, and the stings of the lash." A slave mother* " As we went out in the morning, I observed seve- ral women, who carried their young children .n their arms to tho field. These mothers laid their chil- dren at the side of the fence, or under the shade of the cotton plants, whiist they were at work ; and when the rest of us went to get water, they would go to give suck to their children, requesting some one to bring them water in gourds, \\ hich they were PRACTICAL SLAVERY. 77 careful to carry to the fi(;lcl witli them. One young woman did not, like the others, leave her child at the end of the row, but had contrived a sort of rude knapsack, made of a piece of coarse linen cloth, in which she fastened her child, which was very young, upon her back — and in this way carried it all day, and performed her task at the hoe with the other people. I pitied this woman ; and as we were going home at night, I came near her, and spoke to her. Per- ceiving as soon as she spoke, that she had not been brought up amongst the slaves of this plantation — for her language was different from theirs — I asked her why she did not do as the other women aid, and leave lier child at the end of the row m the shade. ' Indeed,' said she, ' 1 cannot leave my child in the weeds amongst the snakes. What would be my feelings if 1 should leave it there, and a scorpion were to bite it ? Besides, my child cries so piteously when I leave it alone in the field, that I cannot bear to hear it. Poor thing ! I wish we were both in the grave, where all sorrow is forgotten.' I asked this woman, who did not appear to be more than twenty years old, how long she had been here, and were she came from. 'I have been here,' said she, ' almost two years — and came from the Eastern Shore. I once lived as well as any la- dy in Vlaryland. 1 was born a slave in the family of a gentleman whose name was Le Compt. My mas- ter was a man of property — hved on his estate, and entertained much company. My mistress, who was very kind to me, made me her nurse, when I was about ten years old, and put me to live with her 7* I'S PRACTICAL SI.AVERV. own children. I grew up :imongst her daughters, not as their equal and companion, but as a favored and indulged servant. I was always well dressed, and received a portion of all the dciicacies of I heir table. I wanted nothing, and had not the trouble of pro- viding even for myself. I believe there was nor a happier being in the world than I was. At present, tione can be more wretciied.' After giving an account of previous hardships and perils, and how she was finally kidnapped and carried off, she thus concludes her story : ' When we commenced our journey for the South, we were about sixty in number. The men were chained together, but the women were all left quite at liberty. At the end of three weeks, we reached Savannah river, opposite the town of Au- gusta, where we were sold out by our ownor. Our present master v/as there, and purchased me and. another woman, who has been at vvoik in the field to-day. Soon after I was brought home, the oversser compelled me to be married to a man I did not like. He is a native of Africa, and still retains the man- ners and religion of his country. He has not been with us to-day, as he is sick, and under the care of the doctor. I must hasten home to get my supper, and go to rest-^and glad I should be, if I were never to rise again* I have several times been whipped unnaerciful- ly, because I was not strong enough to do as much work with the hoe as the other women who have lived all their Uves on this plantation, and have been accustomed from their infancy to work in the field* Practical slavery. /y For a long lime after I was brought here, I thought it would be impossible for me to live on the coarse and scanty food with which we are supplied. When I contrast my former happiness with my pre- sent misery, I pray for death to deliver me from my sufferings.' The narrative gives an account of tke death of this poor woman, which took place soon after the conversation above described. rlogging:. Two slaves had been convicted and hanged for murder : the following punishment was de.^lt out to one who happened to be in the house at the time the murder was committed : — " I had often seen black men whipped, and had al- ways, when the lash was applied with great s-^ve- rity, heard the sufferer cry out and beg for mercy^^— but in this case, the pain inflicted by the double blows of the hickory was so intense, that Billy never uttered so much as a groan ; and I do not believe, he breathed for the space of two minutes after he receiv- ed the first strokes. He shrank his body close to the trunk of the tree, around which his arms and legs were lashed, drew his shoulders up to his head, like a d\ing man, and trembled, or rather shivered, in ail his members. The blood flowed from the commencement, and in a few minutes lay in small puddles at the root of the tree. 1 saw flakes of flesh as long as my finger, fall out of the gashes in his back ; and I believe he v/as insensible during all the time that he was receiving the last two hun» dred lashes-. When the whole five hundred lashes 80 PRACTICAL SLAVEnY. had been counted by the person appointed to per- form this duty, the half dead body was unbound, and laid in the shade of the tr^e upon which I sat. The gentlemen w!;o had done the whipping, eight or ten in number, being joined by their friends, then came under the tree, and drank punch until their dinner was made ready, under a boodi of green boughs, at a short distance." Cat-haAvling. A whole gang of slaves had been flogged to make one of them confess that he had stolen a hog. Fi- nally, one was fixed upon astjje culprit, and the fol- lowing method taken for his punishment : — " A boy was then ordered to get up, run to the house, and bring a cat, wliich was soon produced. The cat, which was a large gray tom-cat, was then taken by the well-dressed gentleman, and placed up- on the bare back of the prostrate black man, near the shoulders, and forcibly dragged by the tail down the back, and along the bare thighs of the sufferer. The cat sunk his nails into the flesh, and tore off pieces of the skin with his teeth. The man roared with the pain of this punishment, and would have rolled along the ground, had he not have been held in his place by the force of four other slaves, each one of whom confined a hand or a foot. As soon as the cat was drawn from him, the man said he would tell who stole the liog, and confessed that he and several others, three of whom were then holding, had stolen the hog — killed, dressed, and eaten it. In return for this confession, the overseer said he should have anotJier touch of the cat, wliich was again PRACTICAL SLAVERY. 9t drawn along his back, not as before, from the head downwards, but from below the hips to the head. The man was then permitted to rise, and each of those who had been named by him as a participator in stealing the hog, was compelled to lie down, and have the cat twice drawn alonj; his back — ■ first downwards, and then upwards. After the ter- mination of this punishment, each of the sufferers was washed with salt xvater by a black woman, and they were then a!l dismissed. This was the most excruciating punishment that I ever saw inflicted on black people — and, in my opinion, it is ver}' dangerous, for the claws of the cat are poisonous, and wounds made by them are very subject to inflammation." 3Iethod of capturins runaways. "Occasionally, armed parties of whi'es go in pur- suit of them, who make no secret of their determin- ation to shoot down all that refuse to surrender — which they sometimes do. In one instance a negro who was closely pursued, instead of heeding the order to surrender, waded into a shallow pond be- yond the reach of his pursuers ; refusing still to yield, he was shot through the heart by one of the party. This occurred near Natchez, but no notice was taken of it by the civil authorities ; but in this they were consistent, for the city patrols or night watch are allowed to do the same thing with impu- nity, though it is authorized by no law." " Another mode of capturing runaways is by bloodhounds ; this I hope is rarely done. An in- stance was related to me La Clairborne co.. Miss. 82 PRACTICAL SLAVERY. A runaway was heard about the house in the night. The hound was put upon liis track, and in the morning was found watching the dead body of the negro. The dogs are trained to this service while young. A negro is directed to go into the woods, and secure himseli'upon a tree. When suf- ficient time has elapsed for doing this, the hound is put upon his track. The blacks also are com- pelled to worry them till they make them their im- placable enemi(^s ; and it is common to meet with dogs, which will take no notice of whites, though entire strangers, but will suffer no black beside the house servants to entpr the yard. Captured runa- ways are confined in jail till claimed by their own- ers. If they are not claimed within the time pre- scribed by law, th»'y are sold at public sale, and in the mean time are employed as scavengers with a heavy ball and chain fastened to one of their an- cles.''— iV. Y, Evangelist, Jan. 31, 1835. Murder. "In the County of Livingston, (Ky.), near the mouth of Cumberland, lived Lilburn Lewis, a sister's son ot the venerable Jt-fferson. He, ' who suckled at fair Freedom's breast,' was the wealthy owner of a considerable number of slaves, whom he drove constantly, fed sparingly, and lashed severely. The consequence was, they would run away. This must have given, to a man of spirit and a man of business, great anxieties until he found them, or un- til they had starved out, and returned. Among the rest, was an ill-grown boy, about seventeen, who, having just returned from a skulking spell, was PRACTICAL SLAVERY. 83 sent to the spring for water, and, in returning, let fall an elegant piicher. It was dashed to shivers upon the locks. This was the occasion. It was night, and the slaves all at home. The master had them collected into the most roomy negro-house, and arousing fire made. When the door was se- cured, that none might escape, either through fear of him or sympathy with George, he opened the de- sign of the interview, namely, that they might be effectually taught to stay at home, and obey his or- ders. Ail things being now in train, he culled up George, who approached his master with the most unreserved submission. He bound him with cords, and, by the assistance of his younger brother, laid him on a broad bench, or meat block. He now pro- ceeded to WHANG off George by the ancles ! ! ! It was with the broad axe ! — ^In vain did the unhappy victim SCKEAM AND ROAR ! Ho was completely in his master's power. Not a hand among so many, durst interfere. Casting the feet into the fire, he lectured ihem at some length. He whacked him OFF below the knees! George roaring out, and praying his master to begin at the other end! He aditionished them again, throwing the U'gs into the fire ! Then above the knees, tossing the joints into the fire ! He again lectuied them at leisure. The next stroke severed the thighs from the body. These were also committed to Uie flames. And so off the arms, and head, and trunk, until all was in the fire ! Still protracting the intervals with lectures, and threatenings of like punishment, in case of disobedi- ence, and running away, or disclosure of this trage- 84 PRACTICAL SLAVERY. dy. Nothing now remained, but to consume the flesh and bones; and for this purpose the fire was briskly stirred, until two hours after midnight. When, as though the earth would cover out of sight the nefarious scene, and as though the great Master in heaven would put a mark of his displeasure up- on such monstrous cruelty, a sudden and surprising shock of earthquake overturned the coarse and hea- vy back wall, composed of rock and clay, which completely covered the fire and remains of George. This put an end to the amusements of the evening.. The negroes were now permitted to disperse, with charges to keep this matter among themselves, and never to whisper it in the neighborhood, under the penalty of a like punishment. When he retired, the lady exclaimed, ' O ! Mr. Lewis, where have you been, and what have you done V She had heard a strange pounding, and dreadful screams, and had smelled something like fresh meat burning! He said that he had never enjoyed himself at a ball so well as he had enjoyed himself that evening. Next morning, he ordered the negroes to rebuild the back wall, and he himself superintended the work, throw, ing the pieces of fiesh that still remained with the bones, behind, as it went up, thus hoping to conceal the matter. But it could not be hid — much as the jiegroes seemed to hazard, they whispered the hor- hid deed to the neighbors, who came, and, before his .eyes tore down the wall, and finding the remains of the boy, they testified against him. But before the -court sat, to which he was bound over, he was by ;an act of suicide, with George, in the eternal world. PRACTICAL gLAVERY. 85 " Sure, there are bolts, red with no common wrath, to blast the man. William Dickey. *' Blonmingshurg, Oct. 8,1824. "N. B. This happened in 1811, if I be correct, •the 16lh ot December. It was the Sabbath !" Shocking Barbarities. " Yesterday at about 10 o'clock, the dwelling house ,of a Mr. Lalaurie, corner Royal and Hospital sts., was discovered to be on fire, and whilst the engines were occupied in extinguishing it, it was rumored, that several slaves were kept chained in some of the apartments. The crowd rushed in to their deliver- ance, and amongst others, Mr. Canonge, Judge of the criminal court, who demanded of Mr. and Mrs. Lalaurie, where these poor creatures were kept, which they obstinately refused to disclose, when Mr^ •Canonge with a manly and praise wori hy zeal rushed into the kitchen, which was on fire, followed by two or three young men, and brought forth a negro wo- man, found there chained. She was covered with bruises and wounds from severe flogging. All the apartments were then forced open. In a room on the ground floor, two more were found chained ^nd in a deplorable condition. Upstairs and in the garret, four more were found chained, some so weak ,as to be unable to walk, and all covered with wounds .and sores. One, a mulatto boy, declares himself to }iave been chained for five months, being fed daily ^with only a handful of meal, and receiving every iinorning the most cruel treatment. One of the poor slaves was rotten with sores, and in them were 8 86 PRACTICAL SLAVERY. found numbers of living crcutures." — N. Orleans Mercantile Advertiser. Burn in ir alive. "Tuscaloosa, Ala. *' Some time during the last week, one of those outrageous transactions, and we really ihink dis- graceful to the character of civilized man, took place near the north-east boundary line of Perry, adjoin- ing Bibb and Antauga counties. The circum- stances, we are informed by a gentleman from that county, are that a Mr. McNeilly having lost some clothing or other property of no great value, the slave of a neigiiboring planter was charged with the theft. McNeilly in company with his brother, found the negro driving his master's wagon, they seized him, and either did, or were about to chastise liim, when the negro stabbed McNeilly, so that he died in an hour afterwards. Ttie negro was taken before a justice of the peace, who after serious delibera- tion waived his authority, perhaps through fear, as the crowd of persons from the above counties had collected to the number of seventy or eighty men near Mr. People's, the Justice's house. He acted as president of the mob, and put the vote, when it was decided he should be immediately executed by be- ing BURNT TO DEATH. The sablc culprit was led to a tree and tied to it, and a large quantity of pine knots collected and placed around him ; and the fa- tal torch applied to the pile even against the remon- strances of several gentlemen who were present, and the miserable being was in a short time burnt to ashes. PRACTICAL SLAVERY. 87 " This is the second negro who has been thus burnt to death, without judge or jury in that county." On the 28th of A])ril,"l836, a negro was burnt alive at St. Louis by a numerous mob. The Ahon Telegrapii gives the following particulars : — "All was silent as death. "While the execution- ers were piling wood around the victim he snid not a word. Piobably fceling that the flames had seiz- ed upon him, he uttered an awful howl, attempting to sing and pray : he then hung his head and suffer- ed in silence, excepting in the (bllowing instance. After the flames had surrounded their prey, and when his clothes were in a blaze all over him, his eyes burnt out of his head, and his mouth seemingly parched to a cinder, some one in the crowd, more compassionate than the rest, proposed to put an end to his misery by shooting liim, wl)en it was replied, that would be of no use, since he was already out of pain. ' No ! no !' said the wretch, ' I am not — I am sufl>!ring as much as ever. Shoot me, shoot me !' No, no, said one of his friends, who was standing about the sacrifice they were roasting, he shall not be shot. I would sooner slacken the fire if that would increase his misery. And the man who said this v/as, we understand, an officer of justice." " We understand, " says the New Orleans Post of June the 7th, 1836, " that a negro man was late- ly condemned by the mob to be BUR^'ED over a SLOW FIRE, which was put into execution at Grand Gulf, Mi., for murdering a black woman and her master, Mr. Green, a respectable citizen of that place, who attempted to save her from the clutches of this monster." 88 IW3IEDIATE E.MANCIPATION. "We have been informed," says the Arkansas Gazette, of tlie 29th Oct., 1336, ''Mhat the slave William, who murdered his muster (Huskey) some weeks since, and several negroes, was taken by a party a few days since from tlie SherifTof Huispring and BURNED ALIVE ! Yes, tied up to tiie limb of a tree, a fire built under him and consumed in a slow and lingering torture." But it would far transcend \\\e proper limits of this little work to give a thousandth part of the facts which might be adduced urider this head. The fore- going, however, are sufiicient to show the reader what American slavery is in the concrete, — the wrongs which millions of our countrymen are lia- ble to be doomed to suffer every day, without any redress, or even the privilege of complaining. " Let sorrow bathe each blushing cheek, Bend piteous o'er the tortured slave, Whose wrongs compassion cannot speak, Whose only refuge is the grave." CHAPTER XI. IMMEDIATE EMANCIPATION. We mean by this, 1. That the slave owner, so far as he is person. ally concerned, sliould cease immediately to hold or to use human beings as his property. And is there one slave owner in this nation who cannot do this ? If there be one, then he must be set down as non IMMEDIATE EMANCIPATION. 89 compos mentis, or an idiot. Every intelligent be- ing in the universe of God, can do right; and no man in the world can be compelled by law, or cir- cumstances, to do wrong. 2. That the mas'er, so far as he is personally concerned, should imme'diately offer to etnploy those whom he has held as his property, as free hired la- borers ; he should not turn them loose upon society, uncared for and unprotected, but he should treat them as men, and give them the liberty of choice, whether to remain in his employ at fair wages, or not. 3. So far as the State is concerned, it should an- nihilate the light of man to hold man as property ; and all who are now slaves should be immediately bronght under the protec/ion and restraint of suita- ble and impartial laws. But the want of action on the part of any State govern mt'nt, should not and need not hinder any one from doing his duty as above described, any more than the want of laws in Massachusetts should hinder any one from ceasing to manufacture and use intoxicating liquors. Laws will b'i enacted for the suppression of intemperance in each of the States, just as soon as the habits of the people and public opinion call for them ; nor in- deed would they be of much use, were they to be enacted before this ; and just so with regard to slavery^ when the habits of the people, and public opinion are sufficiently set against the sin of slave- holding, the States where slavery exists will com- mence legislation upon the subject. 8* 90 EXPLANATION. CHAPTER XII. EXPLANATION. " Emancipation from slavery does not confer the tight of suffrage, but we contend that colored per^ sons should be allowed its extu'cise, as soon as they possess the qualifications required of other citizens* They should also be aided and countenanced in.theii' endeavors, by moral and intellectual culture, to be- come respectable and useful members of society. We do not ask that they shall be harrassed, and the country burdened by an oppressive and vexa- tious system of apprenticeship for grown men, a^ in Jamaica— but that tliey shall be employed as free' laborers and paid equal and just wages, as in Ber- muda and Antigua, where they are nidustrious and' happy, and their employer safe and prosperous. By the abolition of slavery we mean simply the repeal of the iniquitous slave code — ihe abolition of the unrighteous things wherein slavery consists — the restoration of men from the condition of 'chat- tels ' to the condition of rational beings. If there are any reasons why this abolition should not take place 710W, they are reasons which will be equally valid, in a\\ future time. And they are reasons urged against ihe inalienable rights of man, and the immutahle laws of God P^^-^R, I. A» Slavery Contention, SAFETY OF IMaiEDIATE EMANCIPATION. 9l C HA PTER XIII. FA.CTS DEMONSTRATING THE SAFETY OF IMMEDIATE AND UNCONDITIONAL EMANCIPATION. " To say that immediate emancipation is not safe, is to say that it is not sale for human beings to obey Iheir Creator. To deny the safety of immediate emancipation, is to doubt the first principles of common sense — the ■operations of moral cause and ttrect — and the tes^ timony of universal experience and history. The writings of Ciarkson and Stuart have triumphantly -established this point, and tlie world has been chal- lenged in vain to produce an instance of starvation •'Or bloodshed, in consequence of emancipation. To say that immediate emancipation is not safe, is to say that it is not safe for human beings to be .free ! It is to say, what the despots of all ages and nations have said, and still say — that the laboring classes of mankind -dvft incapable of self-government, and ought to be kept under the control of their su- .periors!" — R. I. A. Convention, St. Domingo. A civil war broke out in this Island, in June, 1793, 'between the republicans and planters. The latter called in the aid of Great Britain ; upon which the republicans proclaimed immediate freedom to about •six hundred thousand slaves, and armed them 'against their foes. No evil consequences followed ; 92 SAFETY OF IMMEDIATE EMANCII'ATION. every thing went on prosperously till eight years af- terwards, when the French planters atiempled to se- duce the blacks again to slavery. Gaudaloupe. In 1794, eighty-five thousand slaves were set free in this Island, whei-e there was a population of on- ly thirteen thousand whites. No disasters followed. Republic of Columbia. All the slaves who had fought for this republic were emancipated in 1821. Slavery was abolished in Mexico in 1^29. No insurrections followed as the consequence. Cape Colony, Thirty thousand Hottentots were emancipated here in 1823, with peifcct safety. British West Indies. It wouM much exceed our limits to give a minute account of emancipation in each of these islands. On the 1st of Aug. 1834, the British Parliament emancipated eight hundred thousand slaves in the dependencies of that government. In each of the islands except Antigua and Bermuda, a system of apprenticeship was adopted ; but in these, ihu'ty- four thousand six hundred and fifty slaves were set instantly and unconditionally free, and not the slight- est difBculty has followed. In the other islands, which adopted a gradual sys- tern of emancipation, tlie slaves have not done as Si\FETY OF IMMSDIATE EMANCIPATION. 92f Well as those who were set unconditionally fj-ee, but in no island has any thing occurred to confirm the fears entertained by the slaveliolders on setting their slaves free. And hence we may boldly affirm, that the experiment which has now been tried for three years in the West India Islands, demonstrates to the civilized world, the duty, and safety of immedi- ate, unconditional, and universal emancipation. Testimony of twenty-four Wesleyan Missionaries* " Resoluthns 'passed at a meeting of the Wesley an Missionaries of the Antigua District, assem- hled at St. Johns, Antigua, Feb. 7, 1837. 1. That the emancipation of the slaves of the West Indies, while it was an act of undoubted jus- tice to that oppressed people, has operated most fa- vorably 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 fur- nishing a greater portion of time for the service of the negro, and thus preventing the continuance of unavoidable Sabbath desecrations, in labor and ne- glect of the means of grace — and in its operations as a stimulus to proprietors and other influential gentlemen, to encourage religious education and the wide dissemination of the Scriptures, as an in- centive to industry and good order. 2. That while the above statements are true w^th reference to all the islands, even where the system of apprenticeship prevails, they are especially applica- ble to Antigua, where the results of the great mea- sure of entire f re edo7n, so humanely and judiciously 94 DANGER OF CONTINUED SLAVEKT. granted by the legislature, cannot be contemplated witlioLit the mosr devout thank.sgiv:ni;s to Almighty God. (Signed) .tames cox, Chairman, And livenly-four others. CHAPTER XIV. FACTS DEMONSRTATING THE DANGER OF CONTINUED SLAVERY. 1712. Insurrection in New York. 1. In 1712, a plot was formed by a number of slaves hi New York, to obtain their liberty by mas- sacreing the wdiites. They killed a number of per- sons, and eighteen of them were put to death for re- bellion. 1720. Murder in South Carolina. 2. A Mr. Cottle, a negro boy, and a white wo- man, were murdered, in South Carolina, in 1720. Three slaves suffered death as the consequence. 1728. Insurrection iu SaAannah, 8. An insurrection in Savannah, Ga., in 1728, by the slaves. They were tired upon twice. Their design was to destroy all the whites in order to ob- tain their liberty. 1729. Insurrection in Antigua. 4. A plot was formed \n 1729, by the slaves in Antigua, to destroy the whites. Three of the con- spirators were taken and burnt alive. DANGER OF CONTINUED SLAVERY. 95 1730. Insurrection in Virginia. 5. An insurrection of the slaves occurred in Vir- ginia, in 1730. Five counties were in arms with orders to kill all the blacks who refused to submit. 1730. Insurrection in South Carolina. 6. In August of ihe same year the slaves in South Carolina, conspired to destroy all the whites, in or- der to obtain their liberiy. 1731. Murder on shipboard. 7. In J 731, three of the crew of a Capt. Scott, of R. I. were murdered on board the ship in which they were returning from Guinea with a cargo of slaves. 1732. Murder on shipboard. 8. The next year a Capt. Major of N. H., was murdered with the whole of his crew, by the slaves which he had on board. 1734. Insurrection in Pennsylvania. 9. In 1734, an insurrection broke out among the slaves in Burlington, Pa. 1735. Ship Dolphin blown up. 10. The ship Dolphin, of London, was blown up in 1735, by the slaves on board : the whole on board perished. 1739. Three Insurrections in South Carolina. 11. Three bloody insurrections occurred in S. Carolina, in they^ar 1739, In one of them which OS DANGER OF CONTINUED SLAVERY. took place in September, twenty-five whites and thirty-four slaves were killed, and others gibbetted alive. 1740. Insurrection in South Carolina. 12. The next year anotlier insurrection occur- red in the same place, and twenty persons were killed. 1741. Dreadful insurrection in Ncav York. 13. In 1741, a dreadful insurrection broke out amonii the slaves in the state of New York. Of the conspirators, tliirteen we-e burned alive, eighteen hung, and eighty colonized, in the West Indies. 1747. Murders committed on shipboard. 14. In 1747, the Captain and all the crew, ex- cept two. of a slave ship belonging to R. Island, were murdered by the slaves on board. Their de- sire was freedom. 1754. Two women burned alive in South Carolina. 15. In June, 1754, two women were burnt alive in Charleston, S. C, for setting fire to a building. Their object was to ob'.ain their freedom. 1755. Two ni?n put to death in Massachusetts. 16. In September, 1755, two slaves were put to death in Cambridge, Mass., for poisoning their mas* ter, in order to get their freedom. DANGER OF CONTINUED SLAVERY. 97 1761. Insurrection in Jamaica. 17. In October, 1761, an insurrection took place among the slaves in Jamaica. We have heard of no insurrection in that island since the slaves were setjree. 1761. Insurrection in Bermuda. 18. The same year the slaves in Bermuda, re- belled, and threatened to destroy all their masters. Two of the conspirators were put to death : one was hanged, and one burnt alive, 1761. Murders on shipboard. 19. Forty slaves were killed on board an ensla- ver, commanded by Capt. Nichols of Boston, Mass., in 1761. 1791. Horrors of St. Domingo. 20. The horrors of St. Domingo are often refer- red to. But the great massacres, v/hich make so frightful a picture in the history of this island, oc- curred in 1791 and 92, before the emancipation of the slaves had been even contemplated ; and these were caused by the planters and not by the slaves. The sudden emancipation of five hundred thousand slaves, in this island, put an end to the civil war which had been raging with dreadful fury for more than two years. " The Colony," says Lacroix, " marched as by enchantment towards its ancient splendor ; cultivation prospered ; and every day produced perceptible proof of its progress. The blacks were peaceable, the colony flourished and no evil consequences followed emancipation, till eight vears after when Bounaparte attempted to reduce the 9 98 DANGER OF CONTINUED SLAVERY. blacks again to a state of slavery." Then it was that the scenes of carnage and bloodshed f illowfd, on the account of which we are so frequently told to " look to St. Domingo ;" and this, too, when eve- ry person acquainted with its history knows that those scenes were caused by a cruel attempt to re- duce free men to a state of slavery. 1823. Thirty-five persons put to death in S. C. 21. In July, 1822, thirty-five slaves were put 'to death in S. C. for an atteuipt to gain tht^ir liberty. 1825. A man burned alive in S. Caro ina. 22. A negro slave named William, is stated in a S. C. paper to have been burned alive near Green- ville, S C , for the murder of a while man. — PhiL Gaz., Aug. 1825. 23. In 1826, sixty slaves were put to death in Newbern, S. C. foi the same cause. 1831. Insurrection at Southampton, Va. 24. The insurrection in Southampton county, Va., is remembered, probably by the most of my readers. It occurred in 1831, and was headed by Nat. Turner, a slave, and member of the Baptist church. Upwards of sixty-four persons lost their lives in that dreadful commotion. The following was narrated by the Rev. M. Bt Cox, late Missionary to Liberia, soon after the even occurred : Immediately after the insurrection above named, a slaveholder went into the woods, in quest of some DANGER OF CONTINUED SLAVERY, 99 of the insurgents, accompanied by a faithful slave, who had been the means of saving his life in time of the massacre. When they had been some time in the woods, the slave hairded his musket to his mas- ter, informing him at the same time, that he could not live a slave any longer, and requested him either to set him free or shoot him on the spot. The mus- ter took the gun from the hands of the slave, levell- ed it at his breast, and shot the faithful negro through the heart. Summary of events in 1832*^ 25. The following occurrences are set down to the credit of slavery for the year 1832, Could one half the evils here enumerated, be traced to an in- stance of general and immediate emancipation, it would be thought abundantly sufficient to decide the question between us and our opponents. William, a slave in Charleston, S. C. executed for wounding two white men. A runaway slave, to prevent being arrested, drowned himself at New Orleans. Mulatto man Philip, hung at the South for the mur- der of Mis. Fayat. The slave of R. Felton, Esq. of N. C. murdered by another slave. Two slaves hung at Petersburg, Va., for breaking open a counting room. Thre« slaves hung in Rowan Co. N. C. — New. ton and Daniel, for burning a l)arn and five horses, and Charles for drowning a child of Alexander Nee- ly, 2 years old. 100 DANGER OF CONTINUED SLAVERY. Discovery of a conspiracy amongst the slaves of Martinique, having for its object the destruction of the while inhabitants of that island. A Mrs. Marks, a \vido^v, Hving near Claiborne, Alabama, murdered by her own slave. A runaway slave hung at Charleston, S. C. for murdering Prince, a slave belonging to Col. Hunt by whipping him to death. The overseer of a plantation in the island of San- ta Cruz, called Golden Grove, belonging to a citizen of Boston, murdered by three slaves for violating the chastity of their wives. The slavesshot like dogs. A runaway slave, belonging to a Mr. Walker, of Perry county, Alabama, caught, tied to ahorse, and run to death, by his master. A slave about to be separated from his wife and children, threw himself from a steam-boat into the Ohio river, and was drowned. A Mr. Coleman murdered at the South by two of his own slaves. More than fifty persons at Bishopsville, S. C. be- longing to the Union Party, poisoned at a celebra- tion on the 4th of July, by the cook infusing arsen- ic into the food. None died. The instigator of this foul deed, a slave, hung. John Puryear, a planter, living in Athens, Ga., murdered his overseer. A Miss Denton murdered by a slave near Lan- casterville, S. C. A Mr. Murphy killed in Florence, Alabama, by a slave, for chastising the wife of the slave in his pre- sence. Slave hung. Andrew Young, and his wife, of Montgomery DANGER OF CONTINUED SLAVERY. 101 county, Alabama, both murdered in a shocking manner by one of their slaves. Three slave vessels captured by British cruisers, v/hich had originally 1100 slaves on board, but of which they succeeded in taking only 306 lo Sierra Leone. The kidnappers threw overboard 180 slaves, manacled together, four of whom only were picked up. A conspiracy discovered among the slaves in Fa- yetteville, Tennessee. Their object,' it was said, was to set fire to some building, and amidst the confu- sion of the citizens, to seize as many guns and im- plements of destraction as they could procure, and commence a general massacre. — Many of them suffered horrible punishiTients. Another conspiracy discovered among two gold mining companies of slaves in North Carolina. Their plan was to commence at the gold mines, and kill all the whites there : thence one company was to go to Rutherfordton, the other to Morgan, ton, and take the towns. There they expected to get arms and ammunition to carry on their opera- tions. A female slave hung in Norfolk for poisoning two colored women. Henry Isbell, of Bean Creek, Fairfield District, S. C. on receiving doubtful information that two runaway slaves were in the lane leadingto his house, in the evening, went forth with his gun and dogs to destroy them. He deliberately fired at one of them, and killed him. Instead ot a slave, the victim proved to be a friend and neighbor of the murderer ! 9* 102 U: adilress ihem, we would exhort tliem ;o oijseiv n q lietasid i-eaer- ful demeaiKH', and uoald .-issuie tii- in ilia no insur- rectionary movement on llieir [).iit, would rect ive from us the slightest aid or countenance. ABOLITIONISTS. 137 6th. We would deplore any servile insurrection, both on account of the calamities which would attend it, and on account of the occasion which it might furnish of increased severity and oppression. 7th. We are charged with sending incendiary pubhcations to the South. If by the term incendki' ry is meant publications containing arguments and iacts to prove slavery to be a moral and political evih and that duty and policy require its immediate abolition, the charge is true. But if this term is used to imply publications encouraging insurrection, and designed to excite the slaves to break their fet- ters, the charge is utterly and unequivocallly false. 8th. We are accused of sending our publications to the slaves, and it is asserted that their tendency is to excite insurrections. Both the charges are false. These publications are not intended for the slaves, and were they able to read them they would find in them no encouragement to insurrection. 9th. We are accused of employing agents in the slave stales to distribute our publications. We have never had one such agent. We have sent no pack^ ages of our papers to any person in those Slates for distribution, except to five respectable resident citi- zens, at their own request. But v/e have sent, by mail, single papers addressed to public officers, edi- tors of newspapers, clergymen and others. If, therefore, our object is to excite the slaves to insur- rection, the MASTERS are our agents ! 10th. We believe slavery to be sinful, injurious to this and every other country in which it prevails ; we believe immediate emancipation to be the duty of every slaveholder, and that the immediate aboli- 12* 138 ABOLITIONISTS. tion of slavery, by those who have the right to abol- ish it, would be safe and wise. These opinions we have freely expressed, and we certainly have no ui- lention to refrain from expressinj^ them in future, and urging th(;m upon the conscience and hearts of our fellow-citizens who hold slaves or apologize for slavery. llth» We believe that the education of the poor is required by duty, by an' I a regard for the permanency of our repubhcan institutions. There are thousands and tens of thousands of our fellow-citizens, even in the free states, sunk in abject poverty, and who on account of their complexion, are virtually kept in ignorance, and whose instruction in certain cases is actually pronounced by law ! We are anxious to protect the rights and to promote the virtue and hap- piness of the colored portion of our population, and on this account we have been charged with a de- sign to encourage inter-marriage between the whites and blacks. This charge iias been repeat- edly, and is again denied, while we repeat that the tendency of our sentiments is to put an end to the criminal amalgamation that prevails wherever slave- ry exists. 12th. We are accused of acts tliat tend to a dis- solution of the Union, and even of wishing to dis- solve it. We have never "calculated the value of the Union," because we believe it to be inestimable ,• and that the abolition of slavery will remove the chief danger of its dissolution ; and one of the many reasons why we cherish and will endeavor to pre- serve the Constitution is, that it restrains Congress from making any law abridging thf' freedom of speech or of the press." OBJECTS. 1*^9 Such, fellow-citizens, are our principles.— Are they unworthy of republicans and of Christians? — Ex. Com. of the A. An. Slavery Sociely New York, Sept. 5, 1835. Objects. The object of this Society is the entire abolition of slavery in the United States. While it admits thnt each state in which slavery exists, has, by the Con. slitution of the United States, the exclusive right to letTislate in regard to its abolition in said state, it slTall aim to convince all our fellow-citizens, by ar- cTuments addressed to tiieir understandings and con- sciences, that slaveholding is a heinous crime m the sio-ht of God, and that the duty, safety, and best inter- ests of all concerned, require its immediate abandon- 'ment, without expatriation. The Society will also endeavor, in a constitutional way, to influence Con- gress to put an end to the domestic slave trade, and to abolish slavery in all those portions of our coni- mon country which come under its control, especia,- ly in the District of Columbia, and likewise to pre- vent the extension of it to any state that may be hereafter admitted to the \]mon.---Constitutwn oj the A. An. Slavery Society, Art. n. This Society shall aim to elevate the character and condition of the people of color, by encourug- ing their intellectual, moral and rehg.ous improve- ment, and by removing pubhc prejudice, that tnus they mav, 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 140 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. their rights by resorting to physical force. — Ih* Art. iii. Measures* 1. To treat all men as men, — ^as immortal beings made in the image of the glorious God. 2. To pray for the enslavers and the enslaved. 3. To obtain and spread light upon the sin and evils of American slavery, by open, free. Christian- like discussion — by speaking the truth in love for all persons, and on all occusions. CHAPTER XIX. CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. The following are all those parts of the Constitu- tion of the United States, which have been supposed, in any way to relate to the subject of slavery, or which can be consistently brought to bear upon it. Art. I. Sec. 2. Third clause. — '* Representa- tives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several states which may be mcluded within this Union, according to their respective numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole numiber of free persons, including those bound to service for a term of years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three -ffths of all other persons.''^ Sec. 8. Among the enumerated powers of Con- gress is the following, which gives it full authority to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia, viz : — *' The Congress shall have power to exercise exclu- CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. 141 slve legislation, in all cases whatsoever, over such district (not exceeding ten miles square) as may, by cession of particular states, and the acceptance of Concrress, become the seat of the government of the United States." A si(nilar power cdso extends to the territories, as appears from Art. IV. Sec. 3. — " The Congress shall have power to dispose of, and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory and other property belonging to the United States," &c. Art. IV. Sec. 2. Third clause. — " 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 such service or labor, but shall be delivered up on claim of the pyrty to whom such service or labor may be due." The case of a fugitive fiom slavery in the Uni- ted States differs, from a fugitive from justice, in this respect : tlia! the latter is to be delivered up " on de- maud of the executive author! y of the slate from Which he fled, to be removed to the state having mrlsdiction of the crime ;" — there he is to be tried, oil principles of law and evidence common to all the states. But a |>erson n) I'.as liio^g n (ii .o legisi..!e on thus sii!)j(Ci. and ,o yi(;ld to tlie ciaifnaut aaiy pejson he may please to arrest as property, provided proof 142 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. be made to the satisfaction of any magistrate lohom the claimant may select. The law is as follows : Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That when a person held to labor in any of the United States, or in either of the territories on the northwest or south of the river Ohio, under the laws thereof, shall escape into any other of the said states or territory, the person to whom such labor or service may be due, his agent or attorney is hereby empowered to seize or arrest such fugitive from labor, and to take him or her before any judge of the circuit or dis- trict courts of the United Slates, residing or being within the state, or before any magistrate ot a coun- ty, city, or town corporate, wherein such seizure or arrest shall be made, and upon proof io the satisfac- tion of such judge or magistrate, either by oral testi- mony or affidavit, taken before and certified by a magistrate of any such state or territory, that the person so seized or arrested, doth, under the laws of the state or territory from which he or she fled, owe service or labor to the person claiming him or her, it shall be the duty of such juilge or magistrate to give a certificate thereof to such claimant, his agent or attorney, which shall be sufficient warrant for removing the said fugitive from labor, to the state or territory from which he or she fled." Now compare this Act of Congress with Art. xii. the Constitution, {Amendments,) which rc-ads thus : — " In suits at common law, where the value in con- troversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of tri- al Dy jury shall be preserved ; and no fact tried by a jury shall bo otherwise re-examined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law." UNITED states' LAWS, &C. 143 From this it is perfectly clear, that the foregoing Act, is not only unconstitutional, but directly subver- sive of the sta'e rights. The following clause in the Constitution empow- ers Congress to abolish the internal slave trade : *^ Congress shall have power — to regulate com- merce among the several states." — Art. I. Sec. 8. Were the slave trade abolished which is now car- ried on between the different states, slavery could not continue in this nation but a short time. See next chapter. CHA PTER XX. UNITED STATES' LAWS AGAINST THE SLAVE TRADE. Foreign slave trade. Sec. 4. And be it farther enacted, That if any citizen of the United States b(!ing of tlie crew or ship's company of any foreign ship or vessel engag- ed in the slave trade, or any ci izen, or vessel owned in the whole or part, or navigated for, or in behalf of any citizens of the United States, shall land, from any such ship or vessel, and on any foreign shore seizin any negro or mulatto, not held to service or la- bor by the laws of either of the states or territories of the United States, with intent to nrake such negro or mulatto a slave, shall decoy, or forcibly bring or car- ry, or shall receive such negro or mulatto on board any such ship or person whatever, being of the crew or ship's company of any ship or vessel, with 144 UNITED states' LAWS, 6cC. intent as aforesaid, such citizen or person shall be adjudged a PIRATE, and ou conviction thereof, be- fore the circuit court of the United States, for the dis- trict wherein he may be brought or found, shall suf- fer BEATH.—Approvefl May 15, 1820. Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That if any citizen of the United States, being of the crew or ship's company of any foreign ship or vessel engag- ed in the slave trade, or any person whatever, being of the crew or ship's company, of any ship or ves- sel, owned wholly or in part, or navigated for, or in behalf of any citizen or citizens of the United States, shall forcibly confine, or detain, or aid and abet in forcibly confining, or detaining, onboard such ship or vesst4, any negro or mulatto, not held to service by the laws of either of the states or ter- ritories of the United States, with intent to make such negro or mulatio a slave, or shall, on board any such ship or vessel olTer or attempt to sell, as a slave, any negro or mulatto, not held to service as aforesaid, or shall, on the high seas, or any where on tide water transfer or deliver over to any other ship or vessel, any negro or mulatto, not held to ser- vice as aforesaid, with intent to makfe such negro or mulatto a slave, or shall land, or deliver on shore, from on board any such ship or vessel, any such negro or mulatto, with intent to make sale of, or having previously sold, such negro or mulatto, as a slave, such citizen, or person shall be adjudged a riRATE, and on conviction thereof, before the circuit court of the United States fjr the district wherein he shall be brought, or found, shall sutler death. — Approved, May, 15, 1820. UNITED states' LAWS. 145 American slave trade* From the following extracts it will be seen, that the domestic slave trade, also now carried on in this nation, is most explicitly condemned by the law of these United States. " Whereas, the traffi-c in slaves is irreconcilable with the principles o[ humanity and justice, and whereas, both His Majesty and the United States are desirous of continuing their efforts to promote its ENTIRE ABOLITION, it is hereby agreed that both the contracting parties shall use their best endeavors to accomplish so desirable an object." — Treaty of peace between His Britanic Majesty and the United States of America signed at Ghent, Dec. 24, 1814. Art. X. *' This treaty shall be binding on both parties." — lb. Art. xi. Now compare the above with the following : — " All treaties made, or which shall be made, un- der the authority of the United States, shall be the SUPREME LAW OF THE LAND ; and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, any thing in the Constitution or laws of any state to the contrary not- withstanding." — Constitution of the United States, Art. vi. Hence it appears, that the " supreme law " of this land is opposed to the "traffic in slaves," and the good Jaith of the United States is pledged to promote its ^'entire abolition." 13 146 FREEDOM OF SPEECH CHAPTER XXI. FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND OF THE PRESS, The following extracts from the United States* Ck)nstitLition, and from the Bills of Rights, and Con- stitutions of the several states, will show how high an estimate was once put upon the freedom of speech and of the press, by the fathers of our coun- try. Congress. " Congress shall make no law respecting the es- tablishment of religion, or prohibiting the [ree exer- cise thereof J or abridgivg the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." — Constitution U. S. Art, Hi, Amendments. Maine. Every citizen may freely speak, write and publish his sentiments on any subject, being responsible for the abuse of this liberty. No laws shall be passed regulating or restraining the freedom of the press. Massachusetts. The liberty of the press is essential to security of freedom in a state ; it ought not, therefore, to be re- strained in this commonwealth. AND OF THE PRESS. 147 New Hampshire. The liberty of the press is essential to the security of freedom in a state ; it ought, therefore, to be in- violably preserved. Vermont. The people have a right to a freedom of speech, and of writing and publishing their sentiments con- cerning the transactions of government, and there- fore the freedom of the press ought not to be re- strained. Connecticut. Every citizen may freely speak, write, and publish his sentimens on all subjects, being responsible fjr the abuse of that liberty. No law shall ever be passed to curtail or restrain the liberty of speech or of the press. New York. Every citizen may freely speak, write, and pub- lish his sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that right ; and no law shall be pass- ed to restrain or abridge the liberty of speech, or of the press. In all prosecutions, or indictments for libels, the truth may be given in evidence to the ju- ry : and if it shall appear to the jury, that the matter charged as libellous is true, and was published with good motives, and for justifiable ends, the party shall be acquitted, and the jury shall have the right to de- termine the law and the fact. 148 FREEDOM OF SPEECH Pennsylvania. The printing presses shall be free to every per- son who undertakes to examine the proceedings of the Legislature, or any branch of government ; and no law shall ever be made to restrain the right there- of. The free communication of thoughts and opin- ions is one of the invaluable rights of man ; and ev- ery citizen may freely speak, write, and print on any subject, being responsible for the abuse of that liberty. Delaware. The press shall be free to every citizen who un- dertakes to examine the official conduct of men act- ing in a public capacity ; and any citizen may print on any such subject, being responsible for the abuse of that liberty. Maryland. The liberty of the press ought to be inviolably preserved Virginia. The freedom of the press is one of the great bul- warks of liberty, and can never be restrained but by despotic governments. North Carolina. The freedom of the press is one of the great bul- warks of liberty, and therefore ought never to be re- strained. AND OF THE PRESS. 149 Soath Carolina. The trial by jurj^, as heretofore used in this state, and the hberty of the press, shall be for ever invio- lably preserved, j Georgia* Freedom of the press, and trial by jury, as here- tofore used in this state, shall remain inviolate ; and no ex post facto law shall be passed. Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, Louisiana and Illinois. The printing presses shall be free to every person who undertakes lo examine the proceedings of the legislature, or any branch of government ; and no law shall ever be made to restrain the right thereof. The free communication of thoughts and opinions is one of the invaluable rights of man ; and every citi- zen may freely speak, write, and print on any sub- ject, being responsible for the abuse of that liberty. Ohio. The printing presses shall be open and free to every citizen who wishes to examine the proceed- ings of any branch of government, or the conduct of any public officer ; and no law shall ever restrain the right thereof. Every citizen has an indisputa- ble right to speak, write, or print upon any subject, as he thinks proper, being liable for the abuse of tha't liberty. 18* 160 OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. Mississippi. Every citizen may freely speak, write, and pub. lish his sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the use of ihat liberty. No law shall ever be passed to curtail or restrain the liberty of speech or of the press. Alabama.] Every citizen may freely speak, write, and pub- lish his sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that liberty. Missouri, The free communication of thoughts and opinions is one of the invaluable rights of man; and every person may freely speak, write, and print on any subject, being responsible for the abuse of that liberty. CHAPTER IXII . OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. 1, "The Bible recognizes, and of course in some circumstances, justifies slavery." One sentence is sufficient to dispose of this argu- ment. Slave holders refuse the Bible to their slaves. Strange that they should fear to add moral chains to the physical / OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. 161 2. "Abolitionists are too sweeping in their de- nunciation. Slavery is not always, as they affirm, a sin, because slaves are often treated with kind- ness." So are horses. Is it right to put a man to the place of a horse, provided that horse is a beloved and favorite one ? And would you judge it kind treatment, if you were, under any circumstances, robbed of your liberty, and bought and sold like a beast ?" 3. " The slaves are unfit for freedom." Are they all unfit? If not, then you must be an immediate abolitionist in regard to those who are fit. If they are, then how can any of them ever be made fit, for some, nay, many of them, have alrea- dy enjoyed long enough all the possible influences which can be supposed to fit men for freedom while in a state of s'avery. 4. " Slaves are paid wages, inasmuch as they re- ceive from their master food and clothing." "It takes two to make a bargain." You might as well call the grease he puts on his cart wheels, the wages of the ox and of the cart, as to call the food and clothing of the slave his wages. 5. "Many slaves have religious privileges. Their masters labor for the salvation of their souls." So long as the slaves are kept in ignorance of the Bible, and of their own rights as men, and conse- quently of their duties to God and man ; and so long as their persons and purity are not protected either by public opinion or by the laws, their piety must be of a doubtful character. 163 OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. 6. " Many would not take their freedom if it were offered them." Fairly and constantly give a man the option of lib- erty, and he can no longer be your slave. He may still be the slave of unjust laws, the victim of a wick- ed public sentiment, but he is not your slave, though he may choose to serve you under that name. Abolitionisfs do not trouble themselves about voliin. iary self sold slaves : there are millions who would take their freedom if they could get it. 7. " The slaves are better off than the free blacks." According to our Declaration of Independence, every man has the right to be his own judge about his own " happiness." Now the question with us, is not whether the free blacks are happier, but whether they /ee/ happier than tiiey would in slave- ry. If not, it is the plainest thing in the world, that they would become slaves, as they may easily do any day. 8. " The slaves in this country are better off than they would have been had they been left in Africa." This may be true, and yet no thanks be due to slaveholders for it. Those who kidnapped men on the coast of Africa did it to make merchandize of them. Those who purchased them, did it not to make Christians of them, but to receive the benefit of their labor. Hence the crucifiers of Christ are entitled to as many thanks for the salvation of souls, as slaveholders are for any benefit which slaves may derive from being enslaved. OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. 153 9. " The slaves have been * entailed ' upon slave- holders." If slaves have been entailed upon slaveholders, we know from observation, that they are very willing to receive and retain the entailment. Why, then, should they complain? 10. "Slaveholders know that slavery is a curse, and are opposed to it, but cannot get rid of it." If they know it to be a curse, they seem not to believe that their slaves are curses, or, if they do, they are very loth to part with curses. When one runs away instead of calling in their friends to re- joice with them, they make chase with all possible speed after the poor curses, and sometimes offer fifty, a hundred, two hundred, or even five hundred dollars reward to any man who will take up and con- fine the curse until they can get it again. 11. " The slaves would cut their masters' throats if emancipated." If they do so, it must be to get out of freedom, and according to this objection, there is more dan- ger of the slaves killing their masters to get back into slavery, which may be done without any killing, than to get out of slavery, which often cannot be done without killing ! To be serious, an objection so disgraceful to human nature should not be brought forward without some fact to stand on. To the honor of our species, we are bold to SLy no such fact ever has been, or ever will be. See the histo- ry of all past emancipations, especially of 80,000 slaves in the British Colonies on the 1st of August, 1834. 12. " The slaves if emancipated would not work.'* 154 OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. Well, what if they would not ? Who has a right to compel them to work ? Who made the slave- holder the executioner of God's sentence, that man shall eat bread in the sweat of his face ? Not God, surely, for the slave-holder is himself a rebel against that sentence, eating his bread in the sweat of other people's faces. 13. *' If the slaves were set free, amalgamation would take place." Not without the consent of the parties interested. And the citizens o[ih'\s free country should be the last in the world to infringe upon the will of these parties, for the right to choose a partner for life is so exclusive and sacred, that it is never interfered with, except by the worst of tyrants. But where does amalgamation exist? Among the abolitionists of the North, or the slave-holders at the South? Where slavery has been abolished in the British West Indies, amalgamation has been abolished with it. If the objector is not satisfied with this answer, we turn him over to his brother objector, who says, that the blacks ought always to be slaves, because nature has planted such an antipathy between them and the whites that they can never intermingle. 14. " But suppose the entire North convened to your doctrines and society, that does not make the South give up the slave." One thing is certain ; the South never will give the slave up until the North is converted to our doc- trines. While the North regards the colored man as it now does, it would be a Herculean, a desper- ate enterprise for the South to undertake the eman- cipation of the slave. The North must make its OBJECTIONS ATCSWERED. 155 peace with the " free colored man," before the South can emancipate the slave. It would not save the country, or free the slave, to enact the abolition of slavery by Congress, and by every State General Court in the Union, without a moral change in the white population towards the black, and the conse- quent revolution of feeling in the black towards the white man. Nothing can effect this change but the action and prevalence of anti-slavery societies and principles. 15. ' You declaim of the evils of slavery, and tell stories of sufferings — but haw are you go- ing to help it? Your object — your means — what signifies all this talk while you do nothing ? You have not emancipated a single slave." Our object is the abolition of slavery, to wit, of mastery. Our means, and only means — all we need, and all we desire is, the converting our negro-hating and negro.scorning countrymen to our principles and our ranks. This we aim to effect in our ordinary way of the age ; by association, preaching, the press and prayer. These are the principles and mea- sures, which professors of religion and doctors of divinity, " deprecate J''' 16. " We are all abolitionists at the North, and what would you have more of us ?" Just such abolitionists you are, we reply, as slave- holding desires, and requires you to be. Abolition- ists, who, opposing and overthrowing every doc- trine and system you really dislike, let slavery ga unmolested ; who treat colored people among you as if they were made for slavery ; who discourage tiieir moral and intellectual elevation all in your 156 OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. power ; who mob their friends among you for advo- cating their right to freedom ; who tear down schools erected for their instruction ; go Sontii and hold slaves yourselves — are slave-holders to the extent of your occasion and convenience. 17. "The measures of the abolitionists tendon- ly to perpetuate slavery." Do they, indeed! Then pray how comes it to pass, that those at the South, who defend slavery as the " corner stone of our repubUcan edifice," and wish it perpetuated, are so much opposed to our measures? How is it that the defenders of slavery are every where opposed to our measures, and de- clare that we ought to be put to death for them without benefit of clergy, if our measures tend to put otf emancipation and to prolong the existence of slavery? Ila, friend ? 18. " The slave-holders cannot emancipate, on account of the laws forbidding it." In the same way individual robbers cannot cease to plunder on account of the rules and regulations of the land to which they belong. And did Daniel refuse to pray to the living God, when a law was made by the government under which he lived to prevent it. Did the apostles refuse to preach, when forbidden by the magistrates ? 19. "But emancipation under such laws would be an injury to the slave." Of that, the slave must be left to judge, because his is the right to judge. It is for him to say wheth- er or not he will take shelter from a gang of wolves in the den of some very generous individu- al wolf. OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. 157 20. "The interferences of abolitionist injure the slave, and make his condition worse." Then it was bad before. But is it worse ? It would be very convenient for slave-holders to say so. But when are. tyrants most likely to be humane, generous, kind ? — When no one questions their good- ness or their rights, or, when narrowly watched, and laid under the strongest motives to show them- selves as they have affirmed themselves to be? 21. "Abolition endangers the Union ? The threat of separation is almost out of date. The North is not urged to recede from the Union ; the South would not gain anything by it. A disso- lution of the Union would be the death blow to slavery. 22. " Your operations tend to excite insurrec- tions." This is a mistake. Insurrections are always ex- cited by oppression, never by the hope of relief. 23. "They disturb the harmony of the churches." Precisely that harniony which ought to be dis- tured, viz : harmony of sin. And what is the spirit- ual condition of the church, or any branch of it which cannot bear the plain and faithful declara- tion of the whole counsel of God ? We must not re- buke sin lest it disturb "the peace of the church!" 14 INDEX Abolitionists, ..... 136 Advertisements of Americans for sale, . 115 American slave trade, . . . 114,145 Americans reduced to slavery by Laws of tlie United States, .... Americans sold for the benefit of the church Anderson, Rev. R. N. Arguments for slavery answered, Arguments against slavery. Auction, slave Bangs, Dr. .... Bible arguments for slavery answered, Brown, E. . . . . Burning alive, Capers, Dr. Carlisle, Rev. W. Cat- bawling, Charleston Courier, Charleston Observer, Civil condition of the enslavt Christ did not condemn slavery. Color does not exempt from slavery, Compensation, allowed to Jewish servants Constitution of the United States Counter Appeal, Covetousness, . . 108 119 57 25 40 131 68 25 65 86 64 48 80 49, 65 19 13 26 11 38 140 67 41 100 IN 01 I Daleho, Dr. |^ I>«w. Prof. . ^ District of (oJumUt. 104 Duer, Dr. ^ Dut««« of Muter*. . . . 4J Eourmotti ftbuM-* to!tr»(**»«!tnf» bfa F*the; .74 Ti»k. Dr Gi >*loff,nf. . . :^ Kor«.|o .Ur. IT*4», liO, 14J Fraud, . . . iJ Fro«>iiom of •pM«h and of tto ^TMs, U€, IM Fuf iliT* •rrTuit«« . . J7 FufiUv« •]•?•• unproU«tMi, lot G«n»r«l A*««mbljr of the PrMbrtrrtftA cKurrK M C;«nof*l Conf'. Metho«li«t H. charch. la l-^Si. O II«tth*nt of ihi« country. lS« •!•«»• ^o coo««d«r«^. IS Ho!j», Vrof. ..... S4 Hv»p«'wcll Trvabitrrr. . . . W llosbaada and wKn 7»Tr>t»ct'''" Number cn»UTod, t)bject»on» anSweq^l. ^^' ( ){i|irrMkion, . • • ■ * Orphan* adveHi»od for »aln, P»xton, Rev. J. 1>. Po»lcll. Rev. J. C rricm fbr which Atnerican» are Bold, • Praclical aUTcry, . . . • FrivUcgoa of the Gospel, iUvc« dealitute of them, •Quarterly Ch. Spectator, 14* 162 Index. Reasons for discussing this subject, , . J 13 Robbery, ! 42 Runaways, method of capturing them, . * 81 Scripture argument against slavery, . . 49 Seabrook, W. B. * cc c • ^ • • • "5 Sentiments favorable to the perpetuity of slavery, 44 Separation of families, . . . 70 72 125 Servants not held as property, . . .26 Servants mentioned in the New Testament, '. 27 Servants under the yoke, .... 29 Shocking barbarities, .... 85 Slavery defined, .... 9 Slave market, ..... 128 Smylie, Rev. J. • . . . ! 53 Specific directions of tho New Testament, , 31 Strangers, laws for the protection of . . 37 Synod of South Carolina and Georgia, . I4, 54 Synod of Virginia, ..... 57 Thome, J. A. 20 Thornwell, Rev. J. H 47 Traffic in men. How it is carried on, . 42, 121 Union Presbytery, ... 53 United States a slave-holding nation, . 102 United States' Laws against the slave trade, . 143 Whedon, Prof. «... 68 Winans, Rev. W. g3 Western Luminary, , , . , 19 0k ' "V^^ f''' -0%' #» W-- m 1 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS ■! 1 If 'T'" i!i| 1 ri nil "I 1 llilllllllllllllllli i 011898 573 4 J jH