Negro Slavery Unjustifiable

Page 1

NEGRO

SLAVERY

UNJUSTIFIABLE.

A DISCOURSE BT TBI LATB

REV.

ALEXANDER

PASTOR OF THE FIRST REFORMED

"Whosoever looketb

therein; this

man

he

being

shall

unto not

a

the

McLEOD, D.D.,

PRESBYTERIAN

perfect

forgetful

be blessed in his

law

of

NEW YORK.

liberty,

and

but

hearer,

deed."

CHURCH,

a

doer

of

contimieth

the work;

James i. 25.

1 8 O 2.

EDITION.

TENTH

NEW PUBLISHED

60 Bbqad

BT and

YORK:

ALEXANDRE

McLEOD,

48 South Wu.lxak Street.

I8 6 0.


Entered,

according to Act

of

Congress,

ALEXANDEE

In the Clerk's Office

of

in the

year

1SG0, by

McLEOD,

the District Court of the United States for the

District

of

Sew Tort.

Southerns


LI8R REF.

'

~T

PRESBYTERIAN SEMINAkt".

No.8 West Nortti Ave..

ALLEGHENY.

RJL.

PREFACE.

PUBLISHER'S

was printed in It has been often published since, both in this country and in Europe ; and as often it has received the commendation of the

The first

edition

of

this Discourse

this city just fifty-eight

and patriotic

philosopher, christian

diately

to

whom

statesman, as its demonstrations are

A copy

addressed.

to Thomas

sent

years ago.

correspondence

whole subject of

Jefferson,

of

and was

between him the

the

and

colored race

first the

well

as. the

more

imme

edition

was

occasion of a

its author,

in the United

on

the

States,

and the best means of doing it good. Another copy found its way into the hands of that celebrated philan thropist, Henry, Count Gregoire of France. He speaks of

it in

author with

of

" complimentary terms, and couples its Mr. Jefferson, as a defender of the rights

highly

humanity."

Dr. Alexander McLeod of

was well

New York for many years,

able

theologian, of

rights.

his

As

the

adopted

But he

encourage

a

true

patriot

country,

never wrote

the mere party

creed of

preacher, on

the

reproved

the

and clear and earnest writer

morals of politics.

faults

known in the city

as an eloquent

a

while

he

he defended her

line for

faction, or to Carrying out things by the Bi

politician.

his church, he tried all its supremacy as

well over social ble, over personal character. There were as institutions, but few, in the day when he wrote, to vindicate slave ry in America as right and beneficial in itself, much

and proclaimed

less

as

approved

in divine

revelation.

It

was

then.


rather

viewed, even by its apologists, a6 an admitted it was difficult to dispose, than a, good

evil of which

deserving claimed a

Bible

Now it is extensively

perpetuation.

to be

a political

necessity,

Against

appointment.

such

the Discourse brings to bear its

Scripture nomical of

logic,

deduction.

And it

buying, holding,

creatures as slaves ous

to the

exists.

by

sustained

or

is

Referring

error.

strong batteriep,

shows

fact,

that

"

,pf

and eco

the

practice

unoffending fellow danger the community in which it

selling and

pro

institution,

deceptive

historical our

immoral,"

individual,

a moral

and of course

to the remedy, the Discourse

advises

disruptions

of insurrection, violence, the bonds of society, but the influence of humanity and justice, pursuasions of the gospel, and the power of prayer

the

no

no

no

to Him who

rules

greatest good out of

which are

diah

Morse,

divines

and

the nations,

the greatest evil.

valuable, the

statesmen and

sudden

as

and can

bring

In the notes, known Dr. Jede-

opinions of such well

Thomas

Jefferson,

Dr. Samuel Miller

These deserve to be pondered now.

are

presented.


ADVERTISEMENT.

The Author to

of

this Discourse had

him, in November, 1800,

in the county

of a congregation

New Tork.

He

a call presented

to take the of

pastoral charge

Orange, in the State

among the subscribers the names of 6ome whom he knew to be holders of Blaves. He doubted the consistency of enslaving the of

negroes with

perceived

the Christian system,

and was

unwilling

a

full

ecclesiastic communion with

who continued

the

practice.

to

enter

into

the call, but took the Elders of the

an

He hesitated to of

early opportunity

Church,

Presbytery

his

condemned

the practice,

and

of

against

it.

force

This of

self-interest

have erty

men

; and, in

their

judicially

connections

additional evidence of

an

It triumphed

principle.

several parts of

the

over

United States

sacrificed, on the altar of religion, the prop the civil law gave them in their fellow

which

There is

men.

munion of

A

and warned

produced

Christian

to the

slavery.

respecting The Reformed Presbyterian Church has

the

writing to

intimating

sentiments

those

accept

a slave-holder now

not

in the

sense of

duty

determined the

this Discourse to the

author

In the

press.

placed themselves under addresses all

may come. If the Redeemer render

it the

his

into

shall

means of

pastoral care.

whose

be

to

commit

publication

he has particularly in view the instruction lishment of those inhabitants of Orange them he

com

the Reformed Presbyterian Church.

and

who

of

it

estab

have

Through

hands the Discourse to bless

it, and bondage, or of miserable African, the

pleased

ameliorating the

procuring the liberty of any Author shall receive more than

a recompense.


ADVERTISEMENT. The Author to .of

of

of

this Discourse had

presented

a call

him, in November, 1800, to take the pastoral charge a congregation in the county of Orange, in the State New York.

the

He

among the subscribers he knew to be holders of He doubted the consistency of enslaving the perceived

names of some whom

slaves.

negroes with

the Christian system,

and was

unwilling

a

full

ecclesiastic communion with

who continued

the

practice.

to

into

enter

the call, but took the Elders of the

Presbytery his

an

He hesitated to

early opportunity

Church,

sentiments

the practice, and

against

the

it.

force

This of

6elf-interest

have erty

men

; and, in

sacrificed,

which

the

warned

several parts of

the

law

civil

judicially

connections

It triumphed

principle.

on

their

additional evidence

an

produced

Christian

to the

slavery.

respecting

The Reformed Presbyterian Church has condemned

writing to

intimating

of

and

of

the

of

over

United States

religion, the prop them in their fellow

altar of

gave

There is not a slave-holder now in the the Reformed Presbyterian Church.

men.

those

accept

com

munion of

A

sense of

duty

determined the

this Discourse to the

author

In the

press.

he has particularly in view the instruction lishment of those inhabitants of Orange placed themselves under

them

he

addresses all

his

into

pastoral

whose

to

commit

publication

care.

and

who

of

it

estab

have

Through

hands the Discourse

come.

may If the Redeemer render

it the

shall

means of

be

to bless

it, and bondage, or of miserable African, the

pleased

ameliorating the

procuring the liberty of any Author shall receive more than

a recompense.


PEACTICE

THE

07

HOLDING MEN IN PERPETUAL SLAVERY CONDEMNED.

"

He tht

steoleth a

man,

and sclleth

Burely be

God is and

cal

from

force

be

exerted

divine law out

tion of

exert

his

physi

man, is derived from his

by

his

which

power,

free

a

sphere

he

man

agent of

is

under

; but the and

action,

cannot pass with

natural powers under

law is right : to

shall

is necessary, He is the

Whatever

flows.

of natural

circumscribes

being.

other

He is indeed

boundaries

To

punity.

If he bo fonnd In his hand, he Exod. xxL 16.

omnipotence

every

In the exercise

law to God.

marks

or

which all power

can

Maker. a

of

him,

death."

His

omnipotent.

independent

eource

to

pnt

exercise

any

im

the direc

powers

derived

from God, contrary to his declared will, is wrong. Whatever is included in the grant God has made to the human

family,

is

of

one

the

rights

beyond this grant, contrary to God's claim a

right,

until

elevates

his

to that

which

attempts

former, of

own

shakes off until

authority

is

exercised

to deprive any

or put

treason

he

him in

against

by

of

his

law, dependency,

Jehovah.

the human

unless

the

and

man cannot

it become

possession of

Heaven,

of man ;

and

paramount

Whosoever

family

latter,

of

the

is guilty

he is expressly

com-


8 missioned, in this

instance, to contradict the law, by the same great authority law derives its binding force. He particular

general principles of

from

which

who,

without

of

law,

bor

of

man

the

liberty much

;

breaks

this authority,

with

and,

or

property, is

more

so

over

the barriers

force, deprives

physical

an

"he who

his

enemy to God

neigh

and

to

an unpro

^commences

any of his fellow men, and, with law less power, steals him from his connections, barters him for some other commodity, or forces him to labor for the benefit of another, and that other an enemy, who has committed, or countenanced the commission voked attack on

of

the theft.

The divine law declares this the

He

punishment.

him, put

or

a

rime,

who stealeth a

if lie ie found in his

hand,

and prescribes and selleth

mam,,

he

surely be

shall

to death.

This law politic

was

; but it

given

to the Hebrews

proceeds on a moral

sequently, obligatory

still

on

as

ground,

every

body is, con

a

and

subject of moral

government.

He

who

precept of

acknowledges

the

of the

morality of the

If lie

who

guilty robs

the morality

of

the

conduct recommended

in the text.

my purse, my coat, or my horse, be immorality, he cannot be innocent who

steals

of an

my father, my brother, my wife, Against this principle an inspired

me of

child.

eighth

decalogue, will not require another proof

directs his

argument,

1 Tim. i. 9.

in his Epistle

Knowing this,

to

that the law is

or

my

apostle

Timothy. not made

for a righteous man, butfor the lawless and disobedient and for man stealees if there be any other thing that is contrary to classed

with

sidered not

the

only

sound

most

doctrine.

detestable

reprehensible

Man stealing is It is con

crimes.

among the

ancient He-


9 but

brews,

a moral

in every age,

evil

and

in every

nation.

From the text, I before

consider myself authorised

the

following practice of buying, holding,

you

Tlie

lay

to the

un

selling our is immoral. or

offending fellow creatures as slopes The text will certainly support this

According

to

proposition :

common principles of

proposition.

law, the receiv

goods, if he know them to be such, is es teemed guilty as well as the thief. The slave-holder er of stolen

never

had

retain

him,

fore,

a right

is to tempt

for money, to

The

to force

a man

into his service, or to To sell him, there

without an equivalent. another

which

proposition

he

does

to sin,

never

and

had

a

to

dispose

of

that

right.

not militate against

slavery

un

der every form. By no means. A man, by the abuse of his powers, to the injury of society, may forfeit lib even

and

erty,

fullest

life

:

he may deserve slavery in the

the word, in order that his punishment sanction to the law may be an example to

sense of

may be

a

and may compensate, the injuries done to society. others

possible, for innocent fellow

as much as "

By

"

in the proposition, it is not designed to creatures, teach that any of the human race is so in relation to the divine law : it is not to be understood in a moral, but in

government,

We have

But,

As the

a political sense.

in

merited

relation

cent unless

suredly

we are

to

to

civil

proposition

and make some

society,

personal

subjects of

and

men are

its laws.

perish.

deemed inno

These

are as

freedom.

Discourse, -to

Jehovah's

deserve to

imprisonment from Him.

violated

It is intended, in this trine of the

guilty,

eternal

they have

entitled

all

to

confirm

answer objections

improvement of it.

the doc

to it


to '

1. >7b hold any 'of ourfellow

in perpetual slav

men

ery is sinful. 1. This appears from the inconsistency tice of

holding

This is

term

a

that

proper

ideas

in the

force,

of

the

natural rights

has been

which

accurate

its

otherwise

the

slaves with

pracs-

of man. It is

much abused.

be

should

present

to

annexed

argument,

i^

will not

be perceptible. If man were a being, owing his ex istence to accident, and not a creature of God, his rights would indeed be negative. If he stood in a state of independency of his Maker, and not a subject his

law,

of

could be determined only by the But he is neither the son of chance

rights

will of society.

the

nor

qf independency. His life and his God. From heaven he derives

possessor

faculties

are

positive

rights, defined by

sidering

man as a

*

The

are all

that

to

relation

tected

to God

by of God,

that

in

Before

must

be

nan

sentiments

same source.

be

considered

regulated.

from that Lord who has These

things.

are

the

rights

of

in

this error to be de

relation

to man, his

This is the primary

depending upon his bounty,

and

are, however, absurd, Man is considered in

of truth requires

is

na-

that the rights of man His reasoning is ingenious, and would introduce blasphemy and

understood.

which all others must

privileges

all

from the

The interest

man only.

and exposed.

relation

Both

of man.

proceeds

of

maintains

has no rights.

than that which

absurd

the absurdity

by the constitution

Justice"

Con

precepts.*

positive

free agent,

man

among the rights

vice

tain

gift of

"Political

author of

negative

is certainly less and

the

a

Consider

him receiving

and you see

necessary and

man.

They

one.

It is

man as a creature cer

absolute

are not

property inherent, but

derived. Consider

His

man as

possessions

All the

right.

a

are

rights

creature,

and you

him

see

completely

circumscribed.

of man

derived from

are

under a law to God. Beyond this he has no

Ood,

and agreeable

to Bit

law.

By

punctual attention

to this principle, the friends

of

truth may

con

successfully combat those who would rob man of his rights, From this double battery, by maintain or would unduly extend them.

sistently

and

ing a well-directed fire, they may ligious

in politics

and

defeat the

supporters. of civil and re

the one side, and the propagators of licentiousness religion on the other.

usurpation on


tnre he has

right to the

a

formity to the of nature

has

delegated

power

to

a right

he has from

the force of

is to

wage war

against

reduce

and, consequently,

a

and an

the

argument

before

erally, if stated at

not

and

exercise.

.To

op

or of a

to

denial

a mere

machine,

force ; his right to the person assumption of lawless au

by

regulated

external

of

an

Is it necessary to pursue this American audience? It is gen

universally admitted. The principle is in that instrument which lies

it

Lord

of

Hosts ;

and

in its

you

have

support

In de

existence.

of your national

have fought

you

appealed

He has led

to the

on your

victory.

an opposite principle of action were

admitted, it

would

one man

lead to

this

monstration of

If

and no creature

A has

maintained

of

to

actions.

society, to this^ the Supreme Ruler,; it is an

arrogant

the foundation

2. If

his

con

the Author

usurper.

fence

armies

God,

moral agent

a,

to be

thority by

regulate

individual,

an

whose motions are

enslaved,

by

freedom, in

which

him in its rightful

restrict

to

law

him to

ordered

pose

attempt

exercise of

precepts of that

have

will confirm

the

right to the

a

universally A de

absolute absurdity.

proposition.

services of

trary

another, equivalent, right stands opposite and con to right. This confounds the distinction between

right

and wrong.

without an

tween

have

man and

a

right to

equal right a

right to

British

to

enslave

and

You have an The British have and the French the

sell you.

enslave and sell me.

enslave

the

French, Africans, and

the Americans the

the Americans. the human

tice into

rights,

It destroys morality and justice be man, between nation and nation. I

This

family

cunning.

would

be to

to resolve law into

In the

violence would

struggle

be the only

the Africans

expel right

force, of

from

and

jus

contending The <ie-

arbiter.


12 cisions of reason would

morality Such absurdity will its

a

3. The

practice of

equally Scriptures.

enslaving

to the

The Bible is the

criterion of

American,

different

as

the different

family

and

fellow

our

tenor

general

the European

represents

great

of which would

necessarily

But,

opposed

the

few advocates to plead,

meet with

practice, the justification

and

sense of

16 it not, therefore, lamentable, indulge a principle, or countenance

should

any

lead to it ?

It

the

and

in theory.

cause

that

be perverted,

from the breast.

extirpated

doctrine the

the Sacred

and

children of

conduct.

the African

Asiatic,

the

of

members

God has

men stands

of

the same

same1

benign

blood

all of the nations of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the bounds of their habitation. and universal parent.

Acts

In

26.

xvii.

relation

equally bound to the respected as

Every

man

Our

is

you

Whatsoever

do

ye even so

the prophets.^

culcated

in the law

the inspired

these

!

reason

thus

They

:

and

of

are

himself.*

as

xii.

These

81.

that

them; for

Moses, How

and

should

the duties in

in the

opposite

consistent with

the

called

men

this is the law

sum of

doctrines to the

If he is "

ye would

to

writings of

the

spirit

of

practice of

the

he

will

himself,

slaves are not of one

are not entitled

Mark

to love him

This is the

prophets.

precepts

slave-holder

me.

commanded

in that direction commonly

golden rule :

do to

are

duties the divine Jesus summarily

reciprocal

comprehends

and

another, they benevolence, and

one

exercise of

naturally having no inequality of rights. is bound to respect his fellow man as his

and

neighbor,

to

one

made

to the love I t Matt.

blood

give

vii.

12.

with

to my


IS The

neighbor.

I

I

conduct which

should

pursue,

were

by another, I would not recommend to I shall feed and clothe them from the same

enslaved

them.

principle

Berve

my

I feed

that

my property

and

as much as

purpose

stable

cattle.

and wnen

They are they do not

agreeably to my wishes, I

pose of

them for money to

flesh.

I acknowledjge, if any

me, I

my

these ;

should endeavor

to

another

to

person was

embrace

the first

dis

shall

trafficker in

human enslave

opportuni

But if my negro offers to severely chastise him. He has no right to leave his master; the rule, What soever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye

ty

of

making my away, I shall

run

also

so

to

brethren,

them, that

principles of

4. The

If this

pursue

sentiments

one

divine

I

am

precepts of

be shown, it

the doctrine

tion informs us, that

that

are opposite

add,

to the

the Christian Religion.

can

guilty of all. because the

need not

-I

such

four

of

and

notwithstanding."

practice which

violation of

firmation

eseape.

will

of

a manifest

an additional con

Revela

proposition.

in

one point

And the

reason

sanction

to the

is

is added, authority is wantonly opposed in

point which

revelation.

the

be

whosoever offends

James ii. 10. same

opposing is

the decalogue.

gives

By inference, therefore,

whole of

the whole

decalogue is the

fifth,

violated ; but there is a direct breach of the sixth, the eighth and the tenth command

ments.

The fifth

requires

which respect

to

one

our

the

another;

natural

wretched

the performance

several relations

and

in

of

particularly enforces The Christian's

parents.

those duties

which we stand

obedience

duty

African, brought providentially

to

under

to

the

his

care, is to afford him the necessaries of life to bring him up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord


14 to instruct

him in

the knowledge

to habituate him to honest

him to

some

erty from his often

his

a

business for

He

destroys,

lationship.

He

diate

; and, in

parent

his

and set

him

at

lib

slave-holder exercises

illegitimate, authority over a great degree, natural re

an

always

cruel,

slave.

himself,

But the

control.

duty -and Ms industry to help

of

rights

to

sets aside

the authority of the imme to the divine, law,

opposition

honor his father and mother, is taught, from the cradlej that his duty oon-

which commands each-to

the

child

in implicit

sista

to the

obedience

command

of

his

master.

The

the lives

many hast thou among

the

captive,

ble

the

sixth requires

preserve

of

use

?

murdered

lawful

of all

But

men.

death,

who escaped

Thou hast kindled wars Thou hast carried the

into

a still more misera

Thou hast torn from the bosom

grieved mother

how

Africans.

miserable

state.

to

means

Slavery,

ah!

her beloved

of

the

daughter, and hast brought

down the gray hairs of an aged parent, with sorrow, to the grave. Thou hast hurried them on board thy

floating life. of

Hberty,

an

them in

chained

holds,

the remaining spark of have escaped thou hast deprived

who

dearer itself than life.

eighth

forbids the

The

neighbor's wealth.

is

hast

soon extinguished

The few

The

and

prisons,

have

which

infringement

upon

hindrance

unlawful

whole

it.

life

of

the

The labor

of our

slave-holder

of a

man

is

his food and clothing ; but the slave receives no more. His master robs him of the fruits of industry. He steals him from his relations. He robs him of his hberty of action. He steals him from worth more

himself. nate

the

than

The tenth

desires

after

slave-holder

commandment

property.

worldly is an evidence

of

forbids The his

all

inordi

practice of

avarice.

He


15

He

i employs servants without wages.

master, for money, the vere services <

compensation

had

subjected

out with

the

sells

to

hard

a

woman whose se

have already done more than make him for any trouble or expense to which they Not only the avaricious merchant of Africa with his ship fitted

him.

to the

who sails

man and

coast

the implements

cruelty, in

of

to import

order

brethren ; but the Amer ican slave-holder also, is convicted of a breach of the tenth precept of the moral law.

and expose

-l

5. The

to

sale our sable

cherished

In the

by

the

and

this

grace

all

God is with

a

eye

also

inim and

are represented

situation

of

is

produced

fallen from

a state of

that is

beholding

revealed as

an

is

grace.

men

as

into

happiness,

condition

free

one pair

and miserable.

contend

spirit which

gospel of

system of

proceeding from

tegrity

I

system against which

ical to that benevolent

as

in

sinful

man

in

benevolence

having

pity for the distressed, mercy for the miserable, and grace for the unworthy. Jesus, God in our nature, appointed as the Saviour of sinners, and without reBpect of

persons,

South, kindred, tongue, able

and

and

from the

people,

multitude, to be

the

which

the

soul

to

the

to

forgive

to

God

every innumer

His divine and un

gospel

has up

and perfect eve

suppress all

malevolence, from the

and

meekness and

self-denial,

injuries, and of prayer for Yes, the spirit of the gospel

real

good of our enemies.

is love

an

principles of sinful selfishness

produce a spirit of

of readiness

out of

purity

the

increase,

from the

and

through

grace of

heart,

extirpating the

West,

nation,

of unspotted

is to cultivate, ry benevolent affection, and on

and

introduced,

mediation, into a state speakable happiness.

The influence

from the North

gathers

from the East

to man,

evidencing its

existence

by


16 for the glory of our Creator, and the brethren, here and hereafter.

suitable exertions

happiness

of all our

How does this system, Christian, correspond with the slave trade ? You behold your African brethren in the

Do

Your Maker has His

in

same miserable state

nature.*

by

love,

nor

not

you

not

yourself

which you are

them from

excluded

them?

with

sympathize

a share

in

has the blessed Redeemer interdicted in His

them from claiming a share

How

salvation.

degrade them, therefore, from that rank which their Maker has assigned to them, and endeavor to can you

them to the beasts that

assimilate

grace you are

taught

to its

conformed

not

Rom.

sinful practices.

How

at your slave!

right to tear his father from the bosom in

order

to

enslave

him

to

you

wretched victim

fer yon to

How

died for

from His the

in

Him

rested

glad

tidings

to the

your

heavenly

death,

sins?

glory,

order

the Spirit the

unto

captive and

spirit rest on you

who

and

of

the

Look

his

of

a

friends,

and sell

this

will religion suf

meek.

you

He

from

of

prison

consider

You have

proclaimed

tive.

You have

even closed upon

in his

prison.

You have

liberty

doors to

Does the similar

it

heavy tidings in the

slave.

preached

proclaimed

a

On

slavery?

for He

the

produce

contrast:

example

voluntarily descended humbled Himself into

Isa. lxi. 1.

? does it

pronounced

imitate His

Lord,

the opening

Consider the

You have

you

to deliver

them who were bound.

tion?

to be

2.

him in bondage? For life? Ah! hard

retain

hearted Christian ! is it thus who

long

nor

Who had

his offspring,

and

?

xii.

him ?

by

came you

divine

By

perish?

to love this world,

same

disposi

attentively. ear of your

bondage for life to the cap him the door of hope

purposed

Eph. ii. 8.

to

enslave

his

off-


17 spring.

Merciful God! how

unmerciful

tures

towards one

?

act

6. The last

doctrine

of

another

argument

I

shall

the proposition,

fT confirming the be taken from the

use

shall

the

pernicious consequences of

4o Thy. crea

system of slavery.

reasoning there can be no valid within proper boundaries. if it kept be objection, That evil consequences follow a certain practice is not

To this

manner of

decisive evidence

always a

but it is

a sufficient reason

ine it in the light

divine the

law, to

of

truth.

pursue

consequences

for

us

to His

to pause,

is wrong ;

and exam

If we be required, in

this path,

If it be in itself

us.

that the practice

we must

obey,

the

leaving

management who commands

lawful,

but

not

requisite,

evil

presenting themselves would teach us But if it really be a forbidden path, to proceed.

consequences not

the pernicious effects warnings against

Ministers though it

are

of

travelling it

additional

are

continuing in it any longer. commanded

should prove

the

to

the

preach

occasion of

gospel.

submitting

ma

ny to tribulation in this life, and be to many a savor of death unto death in the next. It was lawful for the to the Gentiles to

apostle

eat

whatsoever

meat

wax

in the shambles; but if his using this liberty would have been productive of evil consequences, he

sold

would

Cor.

have

viii.

instantly

desisted from the

practice.

1

13.

If, then, from a lawful practice, it be expedient to desist, because, although to ourselves useful, it is de trimental to others, it is certainly quish a system which we

have

presumptive evidence

tally

wrong,

and,

as

that

evil consequences are

duty

nature.

we are

decisive

to

relin

When

fundamen against us

; before us, when other evidences the practice, its pernicious consequences

in the

condemn

our

is dubious in its

case


IS

oudly demand that from it desist.

we should

immediately

1. This practice has a tendency to destroy the finer feelings, and render the heart of man more obdurate. The butcher, long inured to slaughter, is not hurt at the lowing of the oxen, or the bleating of the lambs kill.*

which

he is

tioner

much agitated

victim

about

be innocent

der the lash least

race

against

Nor

them.

hard-hearted to tween most

the

catches

in the

his

of

"

men.

is

6lave

one

The

the

of

most

exercise of

the

and

puts on

looks on,

the

same airs

slaves, gives loose to the thus nursed, educated, and

;

in tyranny,

cannot

who can

retain

his

The

manners

such circumstances,

2. It debases

stamped

man must morals

worst

daily by it

be a prodigy undepraved

"f

a part of

the human race,

their intellectual

destroy

but be

and

the

submission on

child

circle of smaller passions

be

unremitting des

degrading

wrath,

steeled

to become

great

whole commerce

storms

with odious peculiarities.

to

blood, whether the 6lave

a perpetual

and

part,

parent

the lineaments

exercised

by

common execu

His heart is

serve.

passions

The

other.

The

is the transition

all

master and

boisterous

potism on

the

work of

or guilty.

born to

as

Nor is the

in his

may roar un his master, without commanding the The slave-holder views all the Ethi

of

sympathy.

opian

to

and

and

active powers.

tends

The

slave, from his infancy, is obliged implicitly to obey the will of another. There is no circumstance which can

*

stimulate

Frequent

him to

attendance

to blunt the feelings

is

of

cases of

life

and

his

slaughter-house

humanity.

not admitted to nit on a

in

in the

exercise

jury, lest

By he

death.

+ Jefferson's Notes, Query XVIII.

own

is

the laws

should not

intellectual

supposed calculated

of

England,

a

butcher

be sufficiently delicate


19 There is

powers.

much

If he think

to deter him

from

such exer

plan, his thoughts and plans must give to those of his master. He must have less way of heart than his white brethren, otherwise depravity cise.

he must,

or

The

ber.

attempt

not

Every

treatment, become

this

under

and sullen.

energies of

surprising that

is

his

mind are

to

made

smother

such creatures

should

thoughtless

left to

slum

them.

It is

appear

defi

in intellect.

cient

Their

moral principles

They

cultivated.

the little tyrants them

with

They

also suffer.

are

early

of

their

master's

family

No benevolent tie

rigor.

The slave, as observes laws to

tween them.

soon as

judgment,

protect

he

are never

While young,

suppressed.

rule

can

over

be his

exist

can exercise

the

life, the liberty

the property of his master ; but no law to procure these for him. He is private property. His master's and

will

is his

morality

We have

duty.

rule of

or virtue

from

such

an

right to

no

education

expect such

and

examples.

3. Another of

The

and

situation of

encouragement confined

to

shamefully The lust of the

by

prosecution character of

illicit

master

the

does

such as

themselves, but may be

and

support

of

The

mother.

connection with

spoken of as quite

a

frequently their

strength

without

situation of chastity.

negro

or

and

masters.

fear or

of

the

these wo

Their

In the Southern

it.

a common

every This is not

the offspring,

"few guards to their

not strengthen

afford

gratified and

the slave,

with

to

intercourse.

between them

for the

men admits of

ucation

the blacks is a criminal

intercourse

encouragement

debauchery.

to the blacks exists

ened

is the

evil consequence

licentiousness

ed

States,

mulatto woman

is

No reluctance, The the matter.

thing.

delicacy or shame appear about

nurn-


20 ber

the Northern States

of mulattoesin

evil

is

also prevalent

that this

prove

inhabitants.

among their

It is

a concomitant of slavery.

usually 4. This leads to the destruction of

fourth lamentable

a

An irregular intercourse

father to

is

mother

This is

marriage

is

It

thing.

a slender

Among The

tie.

from her infant must

destroy,

Nor is the

natural affection.

measure,

it difficult for 'the the

mas

distance from his wife,

a

separated

a common

renders

proper offspring.

husband to

ter sells the

the

his

ascertain

themselves

slaves

consequence

natural affection.

and

children;

in

evil

a

great

confined

Their master, in this instance, exceeds them in hardness of heart. He sees his slave nursing an infant resembling himself in color and in features.

to the

slaves.

is his child, his nephew, or his grand-child. He beholds such, however, not as relatives, but as slaves, ar^d rejoices in the same manner that he does

Probably it

in viewing the increase

of

5. Domestic tyranny, to domestic slavery, is

Powerful singular

render

*

"

the

which

horses.*

his

cows or

exists as

correlative

a

a nursery for civil tyrants. be the force of other principles, and

must

an

his

combination of

circumstances,

which can

for domestic slavery

advocate

a

sincere

It is far from being uncommon to see a Southern gentleman at ' I My and his reputed offspring, a slave, waiting at the table.

dinner,

'

saw two instances of this kind ; says a gentleman of observation, 1 the company would very facetiously trace the features of the father and mother in the child, and very accurately point out their more char The father?, neither of them, blushed, nor acteristic resemblances. self,'

an

seemed

disconcerted.

humanity.'

and

They

The Africans

feeling,

to white

people.

a small pittance to purchase

bogets his

likeness,

and,

said

to

and

blood."

Morse's Universal

and

be

inferior,

The African labors the freedom

with much

bondage

misery,

were called ::-.en of

are

makes

of

his

worth, politeness an 1 in point of sentiment

night and child.

indifference,

not

Geography,

one

p.

66.

effort

day to Collect

The

white man

his offspring in to redeem his own

sees


M i

friend of sell,

race, for

no

for

reason

to trust him

willing he it in his

most

would

arbitrary

6. This

of

God

The toleration the

Of

His

right,

as

they

present.

bay, Had

did, it impunity, or interest, gratifying to his and

.

become,

as

.really

a

despot

is

to

calculated

as

the

slavery is

of

down the

bring

individuals.

on societies and

It is It is trea the liberties evil.

national

a

by law.

a conspiracy against If the Judge of all the earth

cannot

Nations, state:

can

affairs of a nation.

Heaven

subjects.

He

he

'If

with

worst of robberies sanctioned

son against

?

monarch.

practice

judgments

the

with

to his

appear conducive

possible

life, any individual of the human but self-interest, I should be un

to do it

power

ambition, he

Is it

liberty.

civil

and enslave

but

punish

such, have expect

must

the

existence

no

national

Distributive justice

shall

do

guilty.

in

a

future

judgments in the

will measure

their

pun

ishment according to their criminality. O America, what hast thou to account for on the head of slavery 1

Thou alone,

of all

commission

thy delegates, in

the

from the over-awing

the earth, didst

nations now on

peace,

and

tyrant,

menaces of a

in security

or of

factions,

thy Constitution. Thou didst possess, in a pe sense, the light of reason, of science, of revela

to form culiar

tion,

of

past

Thou hadst

argumentation, and of past experience.

thyself

formerly

condemned

the principle,

and, in the most solemn manner, made an appeal to Heaven for the justice of thy cause. Heaven heard, Yet thou and answered agreeably to thy wishes.

didst

contradict

Thou hast ber

Thy

made

a

principle

provision

the

so

for

solemnly

increasing

bondage

and continuing judgments may tarry, but

they

of

asserted.

the

thy

will

num slaves.

assuredly


22

Individuals are also in danger. Those who God m the world " may have temporal

come.*

"

live

without

judgments inflicted in the

acted

upon

them for the part

of retribution

is in the

Christians,

guilt of whose sins

the of

heathen

far

so

right to

The Declaration

these

are

rights,

who

Even

come.

is

removed

real

through

have learned the way to the wicked prac

confirm

retaining slaves, have a Psalm lxxxix. 30

and

expect severe corrections.

of

Independence has these

truths to be self-evident endowed

to

as

buying, selling

tice of

to

world

Jesus, but

atonement of

the

*

the

they have

slavery ; but the time

encouragement of

that

by their Creator with certain unalienable life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

governments are

"

words :

We hold these that

are created equal

all men

instituted among

The

men."

they

are

that among that to secure these

rights

negroes are crea

the whites according to this instrument. Their liberty is an unalienable right. But this nation has taken away this unalienable right from them. And although the nation declares that government i

ted

equal with

instituted to prive

them

this right, the government still continues to de The United States, according to the late census, taken

preserve

of

it.

ia 1801, hnld 875,626 of the human race in Blavery. the Constitution of the general government, twelve claration of

Independence, made provision "

Art. I. Sect. U.

for the increase

importation

by

migration or

of

her

What language

free

?

be

gible to a seat

acres of

the

a seat

If

in his

land,

no small magnitude

own

of

in the

give

this impious

of

Bepresentatives

of a settled

negboes."

it

he

district, unless

following

No

person

unless

shall not

he be

freehold

the "

Art. i. Sect. 6.

election

ex

practice^

-nsistency of a people who

Representatives

right,

and ten

; to

Jina,

in the House

a resident

inc-

for the

provision

South Carolina has

perpetuate

political

South Car

of

of

worst of robber

constitution of government

a republican

to

to

endeavors

in the House

possessed,

dred

States in

Constitution eligible

But the State

slaves.

can express

white man.

and

their

sister

have inserted in

shall

the number.

now

emancipation

section

of

in

De

of such persons as

ently, constitutionally authorized a continuance of the ies. Very few of the StateB have male any adequate ceeded

even

any of existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohib 1808." the Congress prior to the year They have thus, inconsist

the States

ited

The

They have,

years after the

legally

estate of

he is be

a

eli

seized

five hun

To tolerate slavery is an evil of is still more

a national recommendation

inexcusable ; but to render it a condition without which no man can re in which he lives, exceeds anything present, in the legislature, the district on

record

late

as

the

in the year

annals

1790.

of nations.

This Constitution

was adopted as


23 In

32.

they have

proportion as

duty,

ascertaining

an

their danger

will

opportunity

increase,

of

unless

they cheerfully sacrifice interest to it. He who knows his master's will, and doeth it not, shall be beaten with many stripes. Luke xii. 47. I speak to yon who

parley

ance

of

this temptation

with

of

meet

correction.

There is the

6elf-interest.

a

God ;

promise

which

the

is to

Watch them and

Hebrews the

and while godliness continues

of the life come*

of

system

lance,

go on in the In this very path you may Your treasures are not secure.

conviction,

paths

those

close :

were

their

your

You may property

If not, God has it in his

blasting among than

your

you

your

herds

would

I

your slaves.

until

have

should

have

to

from

in bondage. mildew

and a

of

manner

withheld

send

sustain

on

loss.

enslaved

a similar

murrain

you

suffer

The

you retain

power

crops

and

pestilence

greater

loss

by

giving liberty to favorable evidence, argument, that God has a re

suffered

think it

though not a conclusive gard

you

that

the jewels

with

in

as

elude your vigi

treasure.

earnings whom

upon

day

one

to have

to practise

to

expect

lose, as

as well

continue

to escape

allowed

is,

now

who

they may

escape with

as much of your of

which

slavery may

Egyptians.

them

who, in defi

you

determined to

are

a

for you, if you are thus chastised for your op brethren. But if ye be without chas

pression of your

tisement, whereof tards

and not

I have

now

all are

are ye

bas

I designed to say in

con

partakers, then

sons.j;

finished

firmation

of

proceed, n. To

refute

the

what

doctrine

of

objections

the proposition,

offered

to the

and shall

principle

have been defending. *

1 Tim. iv. 8.

+ Hebrews

rii.

8.

I


It is

to be

not

heard

recollection.

my

made

any that has the appearance of argument. each in order to ascertain its. full

evade

edly I shall

shall

probably I never I have heard may have, es I shall not, however, design

that are

and some which

;

caped

that every objection

expected

Some

uow occur.

examine

value.

Objection I. "Nature has made a distinction- be man and man. One has stronger intellectual

tween

than

powers

in the

As

another.

physical

strength

prevails

creation, let superiority, of intellect preside among intelligent creatures. The Europeans and their descendants are superior in this subordinate ranks of

to the Africans.

respect

in their

own

country,

rendered worse more

to

by being

intelligent to

rule

their

make use of

These latter are, moreover, Their state is not

miserable.

those

man which

and

owe

the more

ignorant,

and

services."

Answer. The distinctions tween

It is ju6t for the

enslaved.

over

man

are

their

which

to

existence

be

nature makes not

probably

so

great

adventitious

as cir

cumstances.

The

inferiority

of

the blacks to the

Let the

exaggerated.*

greatly *

In in

There is

some

no reason

settlements

Scoharie,

suppose

the negroes, their

of consultation with

labor.

to

in this

They live,

edu'i.

t nn,

The after

and

the

the manner of

ease

farm,

and

and

in

associating

be his

grant"

Mohawk, the

and

privilege

conducting their

plenty.

They

con-;

frequently

convey the pro as intelligent and

The negroes, in these places, are unless the latter have had signal

courage and skill of

must

at

has been

of mental powers.

are admitted to

masters,

their transactions in

great

slaves,

masters about

comparatively,

markets.

active as their

blacks destitute

particularly along the

although

suit about the management of

duce to the

the

State,

whites

fact, however, be

advantages

from

with superior company.

the

negroes

in

war will no

longer be

St. Domingo and Guadaloupe

prejudice

who

can

deny

are

disputed,

known.

And

to the black Toussaint the

qualifications of a warrior and a statesman.

The

writings

of

PhUlis

Wkeitly

evince

that negroes are not destitute


25 the inference

and yet

ed,

objection will

It is founded in false

ny.

ture

tellect

But

gives

It is the notions

You say, "a

of man. a

tyran

the na

concerning

proportion of

in

intelligent."

the less

over

the

principle of

essence of

greater

to rule

right

is the

which

follow.

not

to observe that man is not only a creature intellectual exertion, but also one who pos sesses moral sentiments, and a free agent. He has a right, from the constiution given him by the Author of Nature, to dispose of himself, and be his own mas you are

capable of

ter in

all

presented

He

them.

him,

to

who

endowments

standing moral

to

in violating the

except

respects,

He naturally

ven.

acts

argues

a

have

must

He

show.

agreeably

liberty

with a

more

an

excellence, he can have

choice

to

than

to

respecting

a superior under

investiture

no right

Hea

motives

from natural

rule

must evidence a

and

otherwise

of

right

will of

the

to

superiority

with

set aside

of

authority ; the

princi

self-government, and act in opposition to that freedom which is necessarily implied in personal re ple

of

sponsibility to the Supreme Moral Governor. the

er

consequences which

involve.

would

reduce

vance, under

and

He

his power,

would

his offspring for

of genius without

of poetic genius session of

;

who

his innocent

and

talents for

be justifiable in enslaving him All the usurpation of men

letters

of

on

school

Miller, of New York, Anthony Benezet on the person

refer

him

to

of

desires the

more

Clarkson's Essay,

Pharaoh to

observations

in

of

that city,

Philadelphia,

documents to

and

African

The

negro sohool of

negroes are not

assertions with respect to

tion.

the

of

Ignatius Sancho discover their

prose composition.

Samuel

But if any

contri

cunning

simple neighbor

ever.

of

that the talents

by

could,

and more

virtue, from the days

the

Consid

the objection, if granted,

confirm

corroborate

inferior to those

of

There he

will

and

thoFe

this truth.

the position

the whites, I

to Dr. Beattie's refutation capacity.

pos

the Rev.

of

find

Hume's satisfac


26 those ,

Bonaparte,

of

would

be justifiable

on

thiB

prin-

ciple.

As for the circumstance of the Africans ed while at

for it. slave

their

own

being wretch

disposal, you are not accountable

for them is not well shown in "the Your wicked traffic has already rendered

Friendship trade.

them

in Africa,

more wicked and wretched even

have

ameliorated

the

condition of

one,

rendered more painful

the

condition of

thousands.

you

you

flf

have

Objection H. " The negroes are a different race of people from us. Their capacities, their shape, their and their color, smell, indicate their procedure ori ginally from to the *

different

a

white people

in

pair.

these

all

to

superior race

They them

rule over

are

This

respects.

as

inferior to the gives

a

right

really as nature

The

nations called civilized, npon accurate calculation, are found to annually from Africa one hundred thousand slaves. Fifty thou of there are obtained by kidnapping. In order to supply- the other

export sand

half,

whole

under of

villages

European

making

the

slaves of

and render

rels,

are

at

influence, the

once

depopulated, by

and wars entered

These

prisoners.

country

miserable.

order

of

the

Princes

into expressly for the purpose

causes produce constant quar

It is

supposed

that 60,000 lives

Of the number shipped from Africa, annually in these wars. 25,000 perish on the passage, by pestilence, insurrection, shipwreck, perish

25,000 more perish in seasoning to the climate of the West The remaining 50.000 linger out a life of wretched existence. fact will ascertain the havoc which famine, fatigue and cruelty among those who are seasoned to the climate. Ten thousand peo

despair, &c. Indies.

.Another

make

ple,

fair advantages,

under

one of

the

colonies

these,

650,000 at

the

offspring

of

140,oo0.

According to this

portion of seventy-four produced

ten

millions

should slaves

produce, in a century, 1M),000. In imported in one century. The

were

expiration

of a

hundred years,

amounted to

estimate, population was impeded in the pro to one. In their own country they would have

in that time.

Thus it

appears

that upwards of

100, W0 lives are annually sacrificed. This estimate is founded upon the testimony of witnesses by no means partial to the Africans the testi

Smyth, Bosman, and Moore, agentB to the factories estab lished in A-frica and the records of Jamaica and St. Domingo. In Part III. of Clarkson's Essay, a history of the slave trade is given, and many tale* of wee related. If the accuracy of this estimate is doubted, that monies of

excellent work

may be

consulted.


87 gives a

right to the

of animated

Answer. This

Scripture

use of

the other

subordinate rank;

being."

Christians I

the

goes upon

In

authority. might

footing of discrediting

discourse to

a

it

reject

without

professed

consideration

There may, however, be in my hearing a who is an unbeliever of revelation. I would

.slave-holder

reasor

him, that, if possible, I may serve the cans* justice, of liberty, and of man. The use of sound

even with

of

reason

and

Christianity by no

philosophy

dis

means

.cards.

The principle

of your argument is inadmissible ; and, it would not serve your purpose. not, 1. It is inadmissible. Among the individuals of every

if it

were

species

there is to

sufficient

by

the rules

ments of

on

a

for any

in the

organization of

dency freely,

to

and

to

the inhabitants

when

the diet

mingle

African

with a

negro

so

change

them

ten

a

perspire more

their

is

peculiar

forcible distinction be A

and manners are similar.

distinction in the

prove

that

twenty

same

or

thir

bodily

him

adheres

to

A few

years of a

exchange

appearance

when

for

translated

hot a

did

to the

could not give

that peculiarity of

cannot, for years,

to

descendants.

produce a 6warthiness of complexion which est climate

ele

northern and a southern

a

foreign race,

clime.

for that

to

the

which successive generations

stubbornly

another

light,

and

can make a

ty centuries, during

are

the manners

which gives

make a of

and

shape which

It is impossible to

latitude.

into

that

than

action of

account

Guinea

of

difference in these

which

to

bodies

century will the inhabitants

climate,

not

body,

put on

single

rween

The

the diet

the rays of

absorb

more causes

phenomenon are required

of philosophising.

the human

are causes sufficient

men,

A

No

difference.

account

sun

the

rosy

may

mild

cheek.


28

According to the laws for offspring ed that a

the

apparent change should

very

complexion

this

country.

passed over

tions

on

the

have

from

It is

highly

makes

steps

of

I have

by

bodily

stated are

they

which

only

recourse

Enmity

conjectural.

think himself

one

variety in the known to ex

to have

unphilosophical

many

successive genera

may be necessary, be

the

causes

which

others which are

tion

wrought on

fair countenance to their present

a

The

the

of

Guinea,

of

negroes can retrace

shining black. human species ist.*

the heads

coast

proceeded

be

of the offspring of negroes already in Ten times the number of years which

have

fore the

propagating the species, the It is not to be expect

resembles the parent.

to

to

revela

philosopher.

a

But, 2. If the would

not

hypothesis whom

the

where

to

Asia,

of

principle were

just it

answer

purpose.

of several

original

earth

peopled,

would

If

and yon

of

be invalid: it you adopt

of

Europe

America,

of

parents, all upon the footing of If the principle of] to the other, f

one

Variety

"

opportunity of recommending An inquiry in the Human Complexions," by Dr. Smith,

President of the College of New-Jersey. His admirable Lord Eaimes, by far the most able advocate of the doctrine of

distinct

T

original

an

contend

may inferior race

justice, this

pairs, deserve the

Mr. Miller eloquently

indeed,

to

a

of

expresses

himself

beings ;

consist?

and

criticisms on of a

plurality

the philosophic inquirer.

perusal of

that these unhappy

depressed

inferiority

and

may have

original

author embraces this

into the Causes

the

distinct pairs, by cannot determine

nations

the different tribes

and

subordination

The

was

The different

stop.

had different

*

your

on

this

subject :

subjects of our

"

Pride,

oppression are

are, therefore, assigned, by the strictest in society. But in what dots

and servile station

In a difference of complexion

and

ftgvret Let the

illiberal mind, who cun advance such an argumant, recollect it will carry him. In traversing the \ arious regions of the earth,

narrow and

whither

from the

equator

c>mplexion

of

to the pole, we

find

an

infinite

diversity

of shades

men, from the darkest to the fairest hues.

in the

If, then,

the


29 your

objection

admissible, it

were

would

too

prove

much, lead to absurdity, and is therefore capable of proving nothing. Each nation might claim a superi of

ority

the

rank over

to right,

ed

cunning Involve not

umpires.

Right

other.

and

would

be

and violence would yourself

only ble difficulties in advocating

in

such

a practice

oppos

be the

inextrica

truly indefen

sible. "

Objection HI. the families

of

I firmly believe the Scriptures.

the

brethren.

earth are

They

All

are

ori

ginally descended from Adam, and secondarily from Noah. But the blacks are the descendants of Ham.

They

are under

brethren to

a

in Gen. ix. 25

Answer. all

and a right

curse,

rule over

27,

to

is

We have

them.

enslave

the

a

given

to their

divine grant,

negroes."

This threatening may have extended to of Ham. It is, however, to be no

the descendants

ticed, that it is directed to Canaan, the son of Ham. In order to justify negro slavery from this prophecy, it

will

be necessary to prove four things. 1. That all of Canaan were devoted to suffer slavery.

the posterity

2. That. African

negroes are

3. That

the descendants

has

each of

a moral right

4. That every

Shem

or

to

will

proper station of the also contend

reduce

slave-holder

Japheth.

particulars

really descended of Canaan. of Shem and Japheth

Want

any of them to servitude. is really descended from

of proof

invalidate the

African is that

in any

of servitude and

that every Portuguese

one of

these

In

whole objection.

and

Spaniard

depression, is,

though

a

we must

in

a

less

degree, inferior to us, and should be subject to a measure of the same degradation, Nay, if the tints of colour be considered the test of human dignity, we may justly assume a haughty superiority over our southern brethren

of

this continent,

this principle, what grade must we

th;m

where Bhall

and

deviBe

liberty

is it that the ties

of

end

blood

their subjugation.

?

are

or where shall

to

oease

?

and

In

short upon

slavery begin ? at how many shades

lower in the Bcale, before mercy is to vanish with Discourse to the Manumission Society of Kew-Torlc, p. 12, 13.

descend

still


M practice

divine

contrary to the

so

law,

a

very

is the only

thority

four facts

ticular personal

sanction

degradation.

every individual of that in a state of slavery. the

possible

habitation

territory

are

of

Jt does

negroes are

Gen.

descended from Ham. that

they

The boundaries x.

19.

is generally known from

3. The supposition,

inferior

imply. that

right be kept

almost certain

Canaan.

defined.

not

race should of

But is

even probable.

the offspring

not

It does not imply par

servitude as much as political

and national

2- It is

supreme au

to us. But not one df'the necessary can be supported with documents. On each of them, how

unquestionable

It is

from the

specified as

ever, we may spend a thought. 1. The threatening is general.

ity

the

general principles of

express grant

however,

of

are

fjieir

The Canaanitish

subsequent

that the

history.

curse

fell

on

the negroes, may be granted with safety to the cause of those who are opposed to the system by which they are

It

enslaved.

will

practice.

It is

but

prediction

as

the

his providence,

hardships,

and

not 6erve as a warrant

to be

not

of a

given

to death.

for this

duty, has, in

considered as a rule of

future

event.

God

many men over to slavery, to But this does not justify the

Had it been predicted, in and the murderer. many words, that the Americans should, in the be ginning of the nineteenth century, be in possession of tyrant 60

African slaves, of

we might argue

from the fact the truth

the prophecy, but not the

holder's

It

conduct.

was

propriety of the slave foretold that Israel should

be in bondage in Egypt. Gen. xv. 13. This did not jnstify the cruelty of Pharaoh. He was a vessel of

Jesus,

wrath.

j

ect of

cy,

many

and

God

Redeemer, was the According to ancient prophe divine justice, he was put to death.

our

predictions.

to satisfy

and

sub-


UBftAftY REF. PRES*YTERIAN

SEMINARY,

No. West Nnb Ave.,

ALLEQHENV,

81

Die

characters

to

wicked

fulfilled this

who

prediction

were

Acts ii. 23.

an extreme.

Slave-holders

4.

Japheth,

are probably the descendants of it cannot be legally ascertained. And

although

they may be fulfilling the threatening on Canaan, al though they are not innocent. Be not afraid, my

friends; should

its

prophecy shall be fulfilled, although you liberate your slaves. This prediction has had three thousand

accomplishment

descendants the

Shem

of

they'

Canaan,

The

ago.

direction, did, by Joshua, subjugate the offspring

of

conduct

years

divine

took possession

when

under of

the promised

of

land. This naturally leads to the most plausible

in defence fellow

men

argument

the

of

in

"

God

to hold their fellow women were servant

is

that

can

possibly be offered

unhallowed practice of

perpetual

Objection IV.

consider another objection

called

permitted

creatures

bought

in

onr

master's

Israelites

the ancient

Men

servitude.

among them.

and sold

his

holding

bondage.

money.

and

The bond

Exod.

xxi.

21.

Had it been wrong in its nature to enslave any human being, God could not have granted the Hebrews a per Negro slavery, stripped of some ac mission to do it. cidental

cruelties, it is

This

Answer.

The fact is to

The

general

granted.

fellow

some

Heaven did of

the

principle

It is, in

creatures.

necessarily

objection requires minute attention.

granted.

purchase

wicked."

not

law,

Hebrews

the

for

servitude.

deduced from this fact is

also

cases, lawful to enslave our The application of it to jnstify the

God is the Lord Governor, he does

his

race

certain

practice of modern nations

violated

permit

human

of

the

what

abused

is

by

no means admissible.

universe.

is

right.

their

As the Supreme His

liberty,

subjects and

have

rebelled

PA.


82 against

to

the

These they

must

by

pointed

sovereign

the

has

ment

he

may

choose

liberty

Judge, in the beasts

Again

Civil society has

will, at the time ap in the grave. The

enclosed

to the use of whatever

execution of

the famine

wild

ecutioners

They

be

have forfeited life he gave them.

They

the

and

yield.

also a right

chooses

the waves,

Heaven.

of

majesty

his justice the

instru

the sentence.

He

the pestilence, the winds or human beings, to be the ex

or or

:

laws, to which its members, its voluntarily claiming privileges, have assented. A violation of these is a violation of a contract, and the penalty

When, by or

certain

stipulated

must

be

paid

licentiousness,

a person's

by

the offender.

justice is violated,

society endangered, it is just and necessary to enslave and make his services, if possible, useful

the criminal,

to

society.

now

This

much

to

show

proceed

ply to the doctrine to

I cheerfully grant; and shall objection does not ap

that the

I have been endeavouring

which

establish.

You

conclusively, in defence

cannot argue

of negro

slavery, from the practice of the ancient Hebrews, un less you can prove, 1st. That the slavery into which were

they was

to that in

and, 2dly. That

you

they had.

extended

the

objection

these,

that both

I. The mitted

to

to

permitted

similar

reduce

have,

to

is

the

you.

invalid,

servitude reduce

creatures

are

held

:

same permission which

If proof fails in and

I

undertake

either of

to

show

into

their

which

fellow

the Hebrews

men

were per

was attended with

it essentially different from It may be considered, 1. With to their brethren ; 2. As it respected strangers

negro slave

reference

negroes

are without proof.

such restrictions as rendered

the

their fellow

the

which

trade.


83 1. A

natural

cases, be

sold

descendant

by

insolvency.

were

theft

gard

for freedom

that

and

which

the thief

even

Abraham might, in tv o into servitude. The; ^

of

the magistrates

And

their

could not

so great was

code of

be

laws

the

re

discovered,

enslaved while

property sufficient to answer the demands for the theft, Exod. xxii. 1 i. If a man

of

he had

the law

shall steal

sheep, and kill it, or sell it, he shall restore five oxen for the ox, and four sheep for the sheep. If an ox or a

a

thief have nothing,

The

servitude

benefit 43.

of

the

into

then he

shall

be

sold for

the debtor

which

Lev.

creditor was not severe.

If thy brother that dwelleth

with

his theft.

was sold

the be

for the 39

xxv.

waxen

poor,

be sold unto thee, thou shalt not compel him to serve a bond servant, but as an hired servant and as a

and as

sojourner over

cases

to

lie

On the

Exod.

nothing.

of

for the

xxi.

debtor,

the

Thou

thee.

support, of

sendest

his

him

he

seventh

And it

2.

that his

on which

stock

some

tftou

with

shalt not rule

with

6ix years.

case

be

shall

In both rigour, but shalt fear thy God. the duration of this species of slavery was limited

him

he

was

master

free,

Deut.

free for

required, in the

should

might again

tamily.

out

shalt go out

give

him

begin business

xv.

thou shalt

12

15. When

furnish him

of thy fiock, thy flour, and thy winepress. Both these laws evidence the greatest care of the liberties of individuals which is consistent with the real

liberally

interest

of

industry, the

the

and

nation.

They

guard against

are strong motives to burdensome taxation for

support of prisons.

2. There which

were

two

classes of

the Israelitish law

gave

aliens with respect

directions

those

to

who

belonged to any of the neighboring Camaanitish tribes in particular, and such as belonged to other nations in With respect to the latter, the law was exgeneral.


84

actly the the

same as

to the Hebrews themselves.

Ye

have

22.

xxi v.

shall

stranger as for one

If thy

next chapter. shalt

him

relieve

journer.

law, liberty,

general

life,

the

living Of

as

and.

strangers

that

of the

permission

ham

were

divine

which

appointed

expressly was

the

they

subjection

Exod.

harshly.

the

the tribes

command

;

xxv.

children

were

God

was

on

into

he did at an

not

a state of servi

forbidden

to

early

part

his

of

them

use

the Gebeon-

26.

that

avenge

the

their voluntary

cruelty

2 Sam.

reign.

with

the house

on

their

of

servants.

cruelty,

David because

and even punished

offended,

Abra

Exter

Canaan.

of

When Saul treated them

Joshua ix.

buy

of the

of

Accordingly, ites, when they craftily obtained the safety lives, were reduced into the situation of bond xxi.

44,45.

executioners of

but

were only reduced

The Israelites

tude.

the

Of

tribes

nations

shall ye

The descendants

merciful.

sentence against

mination

Lev. you,

the

among you, shall ye buy, and they begat in your land. This

sojowrn

was

such of

are round about

bondmaids.

families

to

These

aliens.

conquered

them.

around

were

of

the

remains of

Israelites, or

the heathen tliM

bondmen

the property

and

from

from invasion the

which guaranteed

among the

Canaan

of

a stranger or a so

particular exceptions

are

to the

exceptions refer

Lev. for Verse 35,

as well

of your own country. brother be waxen poor, then thou

yea, though he

But there

this

of law

one manner

xxi.

of

Saul,

1,

I

our

imita

pro

ceed,

II. To tion. their

prove

that this

The Israelites ships with

to steal,

nations,

example

themselves

is

had

their implements

not

no

of

for

right to fit

cruelty, in

out

order

buy, stow away, and chain men of other living, without injury to them, at a distance

from their

shores.

Had they

c'one

so,

no

future traffic


85

have

Could were

employed

officially the

of

quity

were ordered

nations

they were The

is

tition

foreign

to the

sion

descend the land cove

can

the slavery the blacks

nations could

All

in

us

holding

exactly the same

reduced, the

therefore, be wall of

mankind

par;

are

our

circumstances

no

justify

are

not,

people,

should come.

The

similarity of the ancient Hebrews

were

the

a peculiar

rights of citizenship.

There is

us and

that

As

broken down.

now

brethren. tween

possession of

Abraham.

Thy

vanquished.

or enslave

to be kept distinct until Messiah

remains of

admitted

destroy

take

and

nanted to their father

they

They

to punish the ini

by Heaven

which

to subdue,

Canaan,

of

ants

their prizes legitimate-

rendered

-no

divine

Although

slaves.

tliat

with

be

permis

into which

practice of modern nations

would remain unjustifiable.

The decendauts of Shem have, in the Hebrew nation, Canaan into a state of servitude ; and the off of Japheth have surplanted those of Shem in spring

reduced

both

spiritual and

temporal

privileges.

tolerated, in primitive Slavery laws. It is not Roman the Christianity, by Apostles. They have or his Christ condemned by Objection V.

"

was

ages of

given

directions for the

1 Tim.

vi.

They

1.

in slavery tice of keeping have you What Answer.

principles

does

for

asserted

be

been,

would

which

I

contend.

the

no

is

the

be

glorious

made

gospel.

free,

use

it

doctrine

1 Cor. rather.

the slave, if he is able, to

correct,

1 Tim. i. 10.

reprobated, together with sound

not

objection

to the

The New Testament

slave-trade.

stealing is here which is contrary to

prac

sinful."

was

it

condemn

and slave.

intimated that the

not

men

and, if it had

master

conduct of

have

vii.

21.

If

It is

procure

every

and

the

Man

practice spirit of

thou

mayest

recommended

his liberty.

to

If he


86 has

ly

no

fair

obtaining it, it is his duty patient The gospel hope comforts The New Testament says (Col. iv. 1.), Masters, means of

to continue in

him. *

bondage.*

Commerce in the human

forms such

that Joseph

us

by

the

in the time

purchasers.

the Trojan

of

AntinouB threatens to

XVII.

Mr;

as a

is

of a

slave,

very early date. Moses in disposed of in Egypt as

and

Gen. xxxvii. 30, 36. Homer informs us, that Egypt and Cyprus were markets for slaves. TJlysses to one of those places. Odys. lib.

war

send

world

the European

were notorious

over

and

;

was

all

Asia ;

Kutjov

xai

for prosecuting the spread

io~rj<xi. slave

This

trade.

through the Grecian and Bo-

among the barbarious nations which The abolition of the slave-trade among has been falsely attributed to the feudal system. practised

Roman Empire.

the

overturned

Aiyvirrov

<ra.ya. *ixi]v

Sidon

and

custom travelled man

species

sold

448.

v.

Tyre

was

nations

Christianity was the real cause of it. The charters days, for the freedom of slaves, were ex " that they might procure pressly, pro anwre Dei, pro mercede animo ; the favour of the Deity, which they conceived themselves to have forfeit ed by the subjugation of those whom they found to be the objects of di The

prevalence

which

vine

of

granted, in those

were

benevolence."

and

close of the

twelfth

had

person

diately No.

of

not yet

(Henry's

foreign trade

St.

at

all

could

Wherever this

advocates of

religion

nations were

this century slaves

of

England.

maintain, he

sold

When them to

Peters, Westminster, A. D. 1102, Council of Armagh, A. D. 1171,

great

the English

England,

vol.

slaves should

vi. p.

been discovered that the New Testament

law of liberty.'" The instance

the

Europe before the

through

commencement of and

In the

Ireland decreed that

emancipated.

produced as

liberty

than he

held

practice was prohibited.

the clergy

had

more children council

were

In the

in the domestic

In the

a merchant.

this

effects general

a

century.

were a capital article

any

These

procured

converted,

prevails, it

will

267,

be imme

8vo. edit.)

It

authorised slavery.

be found to be the ^perfect *

Onesimus has been very unhappily It does n Jt slavery to support their system. of

selected

by

the

appear certain

ly that he had been a slave to Philemon. He had been, indeed, a servant. But, if a slave, he was to be so no longer. Phil. 16. Paul had a right to He knows, however, that to request it demand his liberty. Phil. 8. would

be

ed

him

sufficient.

Phil. 18.

master.

without

integrity,

Onesimus. Phil. 15.

He

and colleague

wards pastor at

matter

It

to

appears

Onesimus had might

his

retain

But, confiding in Philemon's option, and becomes security for that this Onesimus was no loner slave own

probably afterwards a Tychicus in Collosse. He is

Ephesus.

wronged

lawfully have

Phil. 13. his

appears

was more

with

It

9.

a recompence.

leaves the

or servant.

Phil.

Notwithstanding, Paul

minister said

to

of

the gospel,

have been

after


87 give unto your servants

Treat them justly ; ful-

wages;

them

give

But, supposing subject, the

justify

objector could not

the

of

have

that you

man

and

fine

your

your

to

a right

kidnap

to

slaves*

your

worst of

too

tyranny,

need

proceed

Testament,

The

whole system of

spirit of

that

religion which

religion cheers

tyrant

and

duty as

the

men,

the heart both

as social

it reprobates the

ance,

and condemns

It does

authority.

the

believer,

are

in

affords

him

tive in the

The

the tenor

of

the

practised

numerous

and

usage of the Grecians and

New Testament.

to the

subject of a

as citizens of

until of

external

It

;

condition of of

to

those

and

God, in his being more

in the Boman

aggravated.

world

he holds his

upon which

the

the

holds them in dur

restoration of moral order

providence,

usefully

ac

society.

Empire, under tho would

who

sobriety,

be

an

sanction

unreasonable

of ethics, to sustain as moral every ancient Eomans whicn are not expressly condemned

mode of compiling a system

the

opposite

it teaches the heart

opportunity

immoralities

were

beings,

resignation,

an

from

strongest

It teaches them their

character who

not alter

in the

It teaches him faithfulness

power.

patience and

law

nnless

the principles

righteousness and peace.

slave of a master.

while

race.

mentioned and con

slavery is

is

con

But

own children.

are reprobated

terms.

True

country

therefore,

not,

human flesh to the African

traffic in

they

which

your

neighbor,

You

friend.

demned in the New

in

slavery

prove

sell your own children

You may extend it even to your if such practices are not formally

*

this

dreadful cruelty, because Nero is not specified infamous tyrant in the New Testament It will

as an

of

negro

anything it will

prove

services.

silent on

most

prove as

for their

an epuivalent

If it

and equal.

mercifully ; pay them law

It will prove the j ustice

much.

is just

which

Scriptures had been

the

from that silence.

the

that

them

use


8S

Objection VI. "I abhor the principle. of

importing

they

are.

ged,

at

The

praelfae

selling men is detestable. "But here We found them slaves. We are not obli and

the expense

of our

property, to

set

them at

liberty.

The community in general will not consent They will therefore be slaves. I want a servant.

to it.

I may

purcliase and

be

hold

His

a slave.

condition will

by serving me. I am bound to treat him mercifully : but, as matters are now situa ted, there can be no evil jn my keeping him in bond not

rendered

worse

age."

Answep.

If

men

were

interested motives, they their

not

could

own understandings as

principle contained

in this

to

Btrongly influenced by not impose so far on give

indulgence to the A.

objection.

the

long

continu

doing of wrong If so, there is an end to the distinction between virtue and vice. Your fathers left the negroes

ance

into

of

evil

will

change

nature

right.

in bondage, as an inheritance to you. Does this justify you in retaining them ? No. If the first stealer and the first buyer

acted

retainer cannot

be

ciple,

but

justify

beseech

you.

unclean

thing.

fact.

contrary to justice, the constant You condemn the prin

guiltless.

the

You have He

possession.

a slave of was

thirty

born in

has,

and

upon

him,

has been deprived

Lay their

not

the blame

stolen

born in

of

his

on

The

example.

You have man

the

committed

your

in

By

your

natural

principles of civil with your son.

robbery

natural

text

house.

by

parents, for to

lib

Who

which

he

Yourself.

rights?

applies

the

not

another

years of age

your

according to the first erty, he was born equally free

laws,

Act consistently, I

practice.

Touch not, taste not, handle Let me call your attention to

you

you

imitate

directly.

from his connections, from himself, a house. Have you purchased him ?

your


89

You have best

contenanced

reparation

liberty.

You

you

cannot

make

to

afford

benevolence.

extensive

impious commerce; the is to set your slave at

an

can

Do

perform acts of such

justice, however.

Deal

mercifully with your servant. When the wages which he might have annually earned shall have amounted to the purchase money, and lawful interest, set him

immediately

ly

serve

to be

unless

you,

you give

your

from

liberty

at

worthy character, he

are a

him due to

ungrateful

indeed,

After confessing

it is to be hoped

indefensible, suffrages

he be

wages.

render

If

controul.

your

you

shall afterwards voluntari

it

provided

the

system

you will not give

I

permanent..

shall pro

ceed,

LTI. To In his

make some walk of

bound to the test

of

practice of

obedience, the

his

inclines

improvement

had

of

proved for

1. We of

our

God,

of

that

evils

of

a practical

view we

slave-trade

have

may be im

several uses.

should

lament

over

the

distressing

sufferings

True piety does not benevolence. Commiseration

brethren in bondage.

the

of

is strongly inculcated. Weep with Evangelic principle forms the soul to

wretched

those that

weep.

For these things I weep : The neth down with tears.f miserable.

He has

This dis

grievous*

And the

the

it. is

keep his commandments,

ye

are not

just theory.

blunt the feelings with

himself

every known duty. By the his love to God is tried.

fits him for making

and

the

considers

nature of

commandments

position

now

the Christian

faith,

This is the love of and

improvement.

no

In his

vision, *

Bom.

native

mine

eye,

situation

15.

eye,

run

African

country he is in darkness.

no well grounded

xii.

mine

of the

hope

t Lament, i. 16.

the inhabi-


40 tant

of a waste

He becomes Christian the

wards

with

breathes

which

peace

He knows them

men.

foreigners

has been bestowed.

education

religion

God in the

without

wilderness,

acquainted

"to

on

world.

whom a

They

profess

to

and good will

his

New

sorrow.

for war are afforded, and new and terrible instruments for prosecuting war provided, for the al ready ferocious tribes of the wilderness. He is taken

occasions

is

and

captive,

for

sold

brought into ed over

In

gospel

His

genius

is

There is

wretchedness.

of the oppressor, but cramped

; his

his

on

;

moral

side

knowledge

of

"

We

recommend you

Father.

We

We

come

of thy power, to

to the

consign

God

Redeemer. prisoner

no

his

of

on

the

power.*

mind are

eradicated

his

;

perish without

the

Oh, slavery, thou art a bitter African, we lament over your

sensible of

are

sympathise with you.

We

in

He is

"

Jesus.

Miserable

condition.

power

there is

the energy feelings are

soul, his immortal soul, is left to

draught !

chained

floating prison.

The whip is brandish With its lash his back is furrowed.

side

suppressed

He is

boasting of civilization, and enlightened by luminary, he is doomed to ignorance, to

and

rudeness

of a

a strange country.

his head.

land

a

the

bauble.

a

the suffocating dungeon

of

protection of our

you

mercy !

before thee preserve

your sufferings.

recognise you as a

:

to the

arms

We

brother.

Heavenly

of

our

dear

Let the sighing of the according to the

thou those that

greatness

are appointed

die.i

2. We may improve the view we have taken of the negro slave-trade, in order to stimulate us to present

duty.

The benevolence of the Christian is *

Eccles. iv. i.

not

like the

+ Psalm Ixrix, U.

sen-


41 of romance, ready to be exercised objects, but blind to objects of reality.

sibilitv of a writer on

imaginary we drop

While let

us

his

alleviate

the

to

ample

I

of

slaves, to

others

desirable

of

compassion over

or

not we can

Cannot

sorrows.

number

6ame

the tear

enquire whether

and

the slave,

do anything to agency diminish

your

behavior be

your

an

ex

their influence to the

contribute

end?

demand

you, my brethren, to sacrifice property imprudently in purchasing the liberty

cannot

your

of

of your neighbour's slaves

requires

that you should

selves.

With respect to

be made, to their

defray, by

support

To this

The

more.

justice,

to be

your

religion,

slave-holders your

the young, arrangements may their services, the expense of

their

and

emancipated.

; but

cease

education, before

have

yon

right,

a

they

and

are

to no

has already repaid your ex If he has been purchased, charity would it to you, nevertheless, to set him at lib

middle-aged

penditures.

recommend

erty : and justice demands that you should retain him in bondage no longer than is sufficient to recompence you

for

your

trouble

the old, the inactive

direct the best you

the

conscientious

calculated

to

and expense.

and

to

secure

an

maintain

to

infirm, Godly such

honourable

Be

abominable

tivate their

understandings.

has

to be

men.

assigned

gospel.

them.

reference

measures

testimony

merciful

to

wisdom will

their advantage,

usurpation.

selves

With

as

may be

and enable

against -this

Cul

to them.

Make them feel them

Raise them to the

rank which

Teach them the doctrines

Give them habits of industry.

God

of

the

Pray for them.

Sacrifice the property which the civil law gives you in Seek for a recompense on the altar of religion.

them, from

on

high.

Heaven

can

reward

you.

Godliness


is

puofitable unto all

the life

is,

which now

things. and

11 nas

of that

the

which

promtse

is to

qf

come*

3. The preceding discussion may be improved for

discovering

the

duty

These occupy God. They are

of gospel ministers.

important

an

to

are commissioned not so much

The volume of In negociating

they

much

prudence, the divine

fallible God.

This is

ised,

and able

head

at

and

have

if

you

is it

well

a right

lament

to

and

earth,

contains no

Much

communications of

the

constitute

manifold grace of

he is faithful

who prom

Mankind have

for

directing

no right

them on the

I have

text is in the Bible.

to discuss it.

undoubted right

men

ministers

My

large of

and

;

to perform.^

of slavery.

ural,

and

steward

promised

offended

It

indeed necessary to

are

a wise

to teach,.

expunged or neglected.

prayer,

spirit,

man

as

Is the discussion

timed?

the only

are

of

They

their instructions.

its directions.

neglect

to be

articles

useless

please

contains

treaty between heaven

a

to

are not

to be

revelation

in the house

office

for Jesus Christ.

embassadors

an

script

questions

My brethren in the ministry, this evil, let your voice be raised

ask.

over

The subj ect is important. To handle Offence may be unde dangerous. be it rashly may and unjustly taken, which may mar the signedly given, it.

aloud against

the church,

peace of

of

the

whom

gospel.

they

their

as

far

6ome

not

as

an

duty

influence in

characters,

which

1 Tim. iv. 8.

the

Woe to him

by

This

make ^pu

should

Some, indeed, have

political

directed.

propagation of

must come.

silent.

to

opposition

have had

hinder the

introduced.

are

vigilant, but

and

Offences

evils

too far.

deterring

There is detains

a

others

timidity

tbem

t Heb.

x.

2,

pushed

This may from going natural

to

from prosecuting

3.

ion. iv. 21.


43

Some,

public subjects.

ter's cause,

who are

neglect some articles

their Mas

traitors to

in their

instructions,

negociating in his name ; and there is a meek diffidence cherished by true piety, which render

while

ness and

ministers more

to inveigh

disposed to

against public

evangelic

discussions than

immoralities.

But

remem

neglect

in preaching the gospel you are the law. It is to be used as a School

master

to lead

men

law for

righteousness

ber, brethren, to

not

You may selves

but to

duty an

with

Jesus,

that the

and

preach

the

all

things

the

guilt

holding

do

right of

our

express

his

to

all

he

ambassadors

giving

the

Considering

our

legislators

maintenance

cause of

20.

thi6

of

your

of

will

be

exercise

Let

us

to God.

subject also affords

and statesmen.

justice

authority,

righteousness.

and order

your

to the nation, if

this speedily in rectifying

19,

practice of

slavery, it

consequences

Your influence,

xxviiL

to teach them

prudently to warning against it.

have taken

lesson to

in the

perpetual

public

of signal service

Matt.

also

only to

not

your generation

be

self

precept of our arisen

commanded*

brethren in

belongs the

exerted

writer with a view

nations, but

society.

can

while neglect

the danger accompaning the

view we

a practical you

the

duty, leaving

4. The

that inspired

whatsoever

serving God in the

to obey its dictates.

subjects, by classing your in apostle, desiring to know nothing him crucified. Be assured, however,

gospel

our

men

such

commanded

and

is the

end of the believeth. Arid the gospel is designed to

who

one who

yourselves, probably,

against

He

that

dispose

upon

resolution of

militate

Lord.

and

comfort

your

Christ,

to

to every

teach,

law,

the

establish

ing

to

also

are

you

that

in

wisdom,

they

are all

Engage

evil practice of

To

your

holding


44

brethren in

your

tures ; it is

it

at war

it leaves easy to

you

pride

the

*

the is

To

them

a

maintaining than that

rather

of

of

by

industry.

than of

which

It

immoral ;

and

a separ

them their would

treated

will

in

some

sla

it

all

social

Geography',

as

hap

political

and

65.

p.

slavery is impolitic as in cases in which the

appears that

hold true

except

men,

in

and

and even where

:

this necessity, and

precludes

root of

degree

freedom

Besides,

labor among the whites not Industry is the offspring of ne

Morse's

just,

they

considerable portion of

of

is

renders

the

at

consequence."

is

give

the whites,

with

Slavery

choice.

strikes

piness, is the If these observations be

negroes are

them in

To

point

plan

calculations, it has been found that slave, if we include the purchase-money, maintaining u free man ; and the labor of the powerful motive of gain, is at least

only unfashionable, but disreputable.

Well as

safety

them to

to the employer as that of the slave.

as profitable

very is the bane cessity

Every

export

establish

be dangerous.

free man, influenced

indolence,

To

and

to the

repeated and accurate

expense of

twice

It is

indolence

the evil.

difficulties.

incorporate

aad

From

redressing

cruel.

would

much greater

the

be

would

colony

"

heaven.

supports

It may be difficult to

commonwealth.*

liberty,

institutions ;

families, it is truly detrimental industry, the population, and the

with

Scrip

thousands ; arid

of

wrath of

it

the

with

the

of

accompanied

ate

to the

although

out a safe mode of

Africa

by

with your republican

exposed

that,

see

wealth, the of

condemned

the minds and the morals

ruins

the

It is inconsistent

slavery.

man; it is

natural rights of

which

they enjoy

a

this is the case, there

disadvantage accompanying negro slavery. It renders service All the white people cannot be masters, and any kind disreputable.

a great

over

When they do engage poor are very unwilling to serve. it is difficult to deal with them. If you assume an authority them they resent it ; if you have work to do which is disagreeable,

your

hired

yet even

in

the

service

employed

would

man or woman

spurn

than yourself; nay,

be reducing them to

a

at

the thought

they

will not

level

with

throughout the country, except

faithfulness in the of remark to

white servants

Europeans.

in

places

The

being

of

in

more meanly servants, for this This is prevalent

which

different

cus

want of subordination and

America,

In the slavery

of

called

the blacks.

in those

toms have introduced different ideas.

be

the

has

long been

blacks

we see J"

even mistaken notions of ita cause more powerful than

a subject

the

cause

liberty.


45 be to

The

more so.

he

will

adopt

By

any

one of

a national

to

a right

the

mitigate

dispose

can

eviL

may find

things in

that He

will

our

ward

consequences, if the

threatening

His kindness to do their

upon

nation would venture

safe

the

we

of all

expect

feared,

more

continue

forsaking,

and

repenting

We have

favor.

than

plans

to be

But it is

children.

those

Providence

mercy.

off or

their

visited on

fathers, it is

the

sins of

duty.

It

American

rations

ishing be

whip friends to

and

liberty

sincere

with

the

other

brand

Can

slave."

affrighted

an

-over

with one

signing

independency,

of a

patriot

Europeans "to hear hand desla-

to

appear rediculous

must

of an

you

order, an4 tolerate

and

this dreadful traffic.

From

repeated

and

calculations, it has to the wealth

accurate

been found that slavery is

unfavorable

of nations.

Listen to the

statesman

the

be

citizens

remarks

"With

eminence.

and

loaded,

destroys the their

the

industry

also

small

!

the liberties

viction arc

but

try

the

in the gift of

with when

cannot

his

I

minds of

the

wrath?

reflect

Indeed, I

that God

ever

possible

of

Of the be

amor

the people, proprietors

seen

ever

enemies

the

to labor.

thought secure,

con only firm basis, a that their liberties

public

God ? that they

sleep for

is among

is

then-

and

part,

of a nation

removed

half

these into

morals of

is destroyed.

And

have

and

one

proportion

a

can

the

the

should one

the rights of the other,

on

With the

of slaves

when we

execration

despots,

morals of

other

of observation

writer

a

who, permitting

thus to trample

transforms those into

patriw of

of

what

that

is an

are

to be

justthat exchange

that it

events

not

violated

tremble for my

may

coun

his justice of situation

become

pro-


46 bable

by

supernatural

interference."*

it true, that righteousness exalteth sin is a reproach to any people.^

In concluding ers

to

consider

system

of

this

the

a

You

nation,

will

find

and

that

discourse, let me warn my hear hand they may have in the and especially that they are by

evil

slavery,

worst of slavery themselves. Come for deliverance from the bondage of sin onto the Son

in the

nature

of

God:

indeed.

for,

Standing

service of own

your

God

ye are

;

bodies

*

the Son

whom

and of man.

bought

with

free, shall be free liberty, use it in the

makes

fast in this

T~ou

and spirits which are

Jefferson's Notes.

are no more your

a price.

Glorify

his. t Piov.

Amen. xiv.

84.

God in


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