IJbSO ^^B YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY MOR.\L AND POLITICAL t * V ,. OBSERVATIONS, /.. AnuRKssp.n TO Tur. i-.nligiiti.ni'.d CITIZENS OF VIRGINLL i;Y E. lu -t' <\"ri:f t'.v - ¦« .- — In ibi'on .ng ol.^o;-^it:.'ns -v.-: r. u» Ij^in;''!)' wr!tt.;ii In tK'i.iciied pk'C(.b. l'i;L'\' .vc ;un. u.:i..v\ .1 co^^-.-i!.^,', una -.¦'.specifnliv' Giii.".'cd t '^ che noVice of tliv; public. The objects are of unusual importance, and will require, for t'ncii accomplishment, the exercise of much virtue and patient pcrsevc* ranee. Those into whose hands the remarks may fall, aro^ tiierefore requested to give them a candid examination, and a prudent cir-' culation among the enlightened and infuentlal part of society. ' ' The Author. IF wc consid'jr ;Tian, in a state of nature, or as a solitary being, wc find him i.i the possession of absolute liberty,— the world, is his property, and his ivill is his law. But we may safely conclude that this condition Could not have lasted long. Forraed for Society, his interest and his inclination, must very soon have suggested the forma tion of communities. After the institution of civil society, we must consider the conditi on of man as materially changed. In the former c.ise, ^vc behold in dependent beings, subject to no subordination or control, but, at the same tirae, destitute of protection or assistance from otli rs. In the latter, we find rational creatures, associating together, lo isr j.riotc the ¦the happiness ofalh' — to secure the weak, from the agfJTi. .:i.nis of tlic jpowerful; — to lessen the miseric.i, which are incidcni; lo their nature; and, for these purposes, dividing the commoji burder:'., ar.d foriuin-; themselves into grades, according to their .'ospective caprxicc:., .aid ¦ spheres of usefulness. These seem to have been tl,,-,- pr^nian' oij'jcis, which drew men ir.to regular societies; — vdiich gA\-c rise to ;.,i:i. :/.:. ii . .-l.L.iaLc r.-'od; of relief, so. necessary to be aiTorded to tli;s dcpradco- ¦;..:.:•£ :a li;c liu- •man family. It mar be r.r-sc-rv.:d fo.- die -^niied wisdom ofriic -Inviiaa of hu.'.-i.inkv. But it v/ould b,; -lauaable tc av/ak.-.i the puxic at'.r.iijr.. anJ, to c;:'' into actiou the finer Iccling.s cf 'jh-, i. i .d.. The firsT view of the £u'jjc<;t prus-ints Ua wirii the "r;co,.o:.;,:i .\-y oV our Ciinduct. and the disgrace which Lat::.ch..-3 Uj •;;:.: r-,;,i:i.:. i..! ., ler from r.his .':auic. Wc rccrescat t:-/r-.;/u'S-^ z.i' proper obj sets for, iLe ^;ai.-.''ii •:./ H:t.iV;r.d_ -and declare- thrd alisisn are endoweu v;idi certain uu.u!;?Ti.:il;Ii.r,.v,i:-h-:s. tittiong which are liberty, tind the pursuit of iiappiiuss. And, finally, ^ we endeavor to make the rest of tlie norld believe, that liberty and rqualit!/, are the characteristics of our country. Let us compare these ¦ professions with the real state of things. The population of "a great proportion of tiic United States, may be diviilcd into two great classes, whites, and people of colour. Or, allowing a little latitude, and some exceptions, it may be cLT.s.',ed into, slave-holders :md ."ilave-i. It , ¦\yould seem then, that wc did not design to bring the latter class,' at all, into view, though ii includes a l;:rr,o pro-iortion of our whole po pulation: and that we considered tiicTu-st menfioned class, as exclusive ly intitled to liiicrty, and possessing all the ad\ antagcs of our civil in stitutions. It is to i.-i!-; cL:;iS a'onc, that.wc refir, ^.•i-,,n, in rcpublicavi lan;~uagj, 'vc say, fnat 'Hhc people are tiic sovjrci.fjns of our .Counlr.'." And, perhaps, it is equally true ti-.at tlicy exercise tlicir scvcrcignt}-, with an energy, that is but litde knovm on the continent of Europe. Witness the oppressive servitude, undcr wliich, vec compel thou sands of our fellew creatures to drng out their miserable lives; — de prived of privileges wliich we hold raost sacred aud inviolable; — ^their rxtions controled: — their persons insulted and abused, in a manner, at which the feelings of humanitv^ revolt: and, to crown all, we make a direct attempt to prevent tlie cultivatioh of their tainds;-^— as if we^ had deliberately determined to treat them as bea.sts, aud to reduce them as near as possible, to ths condition of the brute creation. We proudly boast of our pre-eminence among the nations of the Earth; — let us deserve this rank, by becoming the benefactors of man kind; and not act, as the ministers of cruelty, and scourges ofthe hu man race! — Let us recoilect that there is a Ged^ that judges in the Earth, and holds the destiny of nations in his hand.s — th.at has ever regarded the cause ofthe poor, the fatherless, and him that has none to help him:-r— nnd impressed v/idi a sense of our duty and responsi bility, let our hearts be turned to justice and humanity. But, while the general state of our country suggests the most aw ful reflections, there are some reasons for indulging the pleasing hope, that just and humane sentiments are gaining an ascendency, in the public mind. The serious attentioA of raany. individuals is turned to the subject, and the political and moral evils, arising from our present policy, are acknowledged and lamented. To remedy these evils, cer tainly requires the most attentive deliberation: nor should v,c be de terred therefrom, by the fo: -.lidable difEculties, which .iccK to oppose ..'file design. These difficuliics, it is confidantly believ'ed, are more i4eal 4 than substantial. — Some nicanf, wiv/ be de\i,cd, to cfri:Li a salutaiy change. Nor can we suppose, tliut the blessings of IIra\cn, and the bene- ¦ dictions of mankind, would be uithlield. Tlie Ahui,:dity would be hold, v.-ith peculiar approbation, au mt, so congeniid to lii,, own bene ficent designs; and generations, yet unbo)n, v,oukl rcere the memory of those who should ba;iish this enormous e\ 11 from t'.ie civili/.td world. The prcsCnt period is peculiarly favor.ible to this mostlaud;ible en-. terprize: aud what may be the consequences, if we suilir il to pass mv , improved? Our ardent love of liberty, and i!ie c:;:cl' '.r^c.' of o'.^- con-jt'tution, have attracted tlie admiration of mankind! neither the menaces of pow er, nor die calarnities of war, could withhold from our anccotci-s, the possession of their rights. «To us they have left, .ns.an invaluable inheritance, tlic Xrnz princi- •ples of Government, and the cliarter of our frerdoui. On w.y devolves a task more glorious th-,.'n theirs. Thcir^.^ v.-a.s to o;-;,', t ;.nd ;naintaln indcj)cvuc!ici, for i'.'ic:n.i''li'e.':, fud their uci,-.^r''ry. Oitr.^i is ^oshcwthii;. ¦ inrtuous prlr-cliil??. ciu ti-'.Grojiii ovej- ;.itL':-CEi;. T)i-L-j;idi .c^ ?,'r:d 'jrro;; -e-Wi ^ tliat we are willing to dis'iKust to others, tlios;; in(-.v.:)v.;:hl:. Lk; ;:i;-.^E) >vhich.wc arc .so anxious to secure for ourschci. Itis possible that men who have been accustomed to ir.'at tliclrser- 'vants with humanity, and have been go Occuiiicd \\-ith the pursuits, in v/hich they have been engaged, as to be diverted from turning their thoughts particularly on tlic subject, may not, at fir.'jt \ lew, see any necessity for Legi.slativc,-interfcrence. Educated with slavery before our eyes, from our infancy, we are reconciled to it, before v/e are ca pable of reflection. Thus our ideas receive a bi.is, which l-;as a more 'powerful effect upon our judgements, than wc may he aware pf. To counteract these prepossessions, wc siiould invcptigatc the subject, aud ¦ frequently recur to iirst principles. It requires no deep researches to discover, (hat a slave, is a human being, deprived of '.'Ubei;t)';" — rof the privilege of "possessing pro- •perty;" — and "of pursuing and obtaining hpjipiness and safely." Tiiis, being admitted, it must also be evident, that the first principles of ci vil Kocictv, and those di elarat'ons, v.'hich form (lie basis of otir con- ¦ stitution, arc equally, disregarded and infringed. When the Araerican people were about to establish our present ex cellent foi-m 'ofricl:. The first of llus-.- drclarations coDliiin these mcmo- v;il)lo words: "'i1iat all men are, liv nature, (-(lually free and indepen dent, and liave certain inh-rent rli.'Jits, ofwhich, when Uicy enter in to a Stat.- of .society, th-'v ryunot ariest, or deprive their posterity, nanuly, the eujoyment of life and liberty, widi tlie means of acquir ing and possessing pjroport)-, and of pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety." And art. 3d. "That government, is, or ought to be in stituted for the common benefit, protection and security ofthe people, nation, or community." Art. 4th.' "Tliat no man, or set of menj are entitled to exclusive Or separate emoluments or privileges from the cnn-.ir.anltv, Imi'l in covisidcration of public services!" 'iliose pmpor.tiions '.vcr-i laid do\-,'n, ii'):i.- M','ihcn-irit!C.':1 rxlcius, not to he ar.n;'.'.ed, iii:t to ix- btbev;-:L. A'ov tj be fjclioveii as uninicresung '.jpccuia'..."ins, biic lo b-; re,,.M->.ii-d u? jjrincipicb, Lrc.-i'i ^¦.•hle|-; i"ie i'.r.\'.-i c;i'.a- n.ite, and by v.hich, every power l;i live go^-::-n!-,!ent is bou'/.d. Everv human being is cidier in a state of society, or h^ is not. if he is not, then he is absolutely free and independent, and subject to no subordiuatioo or control. But ifhe is in a state qf society, he is bound to some communitj-, and, of course, that community is bound to him. Eyei-y compact iinpli'.s two parties, at least; and one party cannot be . bound witliout the existence of some obligation on the other, also. If he surrenders cr.y portion of his naturailibcrcv. and morccver rciders services to the comruunit;-, by whicli in-i puLhc sjcurity ;ind h^.npl- riess are promoted, tiie communily js hs und to promote his happiness by protecting those rights which are unalienable, and essential to his , felicity. Thus the reciprocal obligations which exist among men, in so ciety, may be considered as ^'contracts for valuable considerations." But the case to v/hich y/c refer, admits an appeal, not only to jus- . lice, but to humanity and religion also. It js -not one of thos:.- devin.tl- .ons from gencl-al principles, v.iiich are unimportant In -thei.- coase- quences, b'ut is raore prqlific of iujm_an misery., perhaps, thr.n any other cvii among men. - As the practice of slavery originated in ava.-ice, so zi\z •:rc..tr.icnt which these unhappy beings receive, is, .g'-^-ce rally,, eegulatcd bv the sa.me rule.* Their labor, their food, their Cior.thlng.^ and tlieL-IodginT.^ are all adapted to. their masters' ideasof hisown pecunku.aJv"- ¦'•.¦<¦'¦ nor is the separation of relatives, by an i.iha-.ria.-.-! c: .iffic In uiil;- pc-rio- ' the least afflicting p«irt of their lot. '"''^¦"¦' ' —-—-«. ,¦ ^Tq this., it u cdi.i'itt.'d thi-rc are .some '¦yci;:itLorie- I 6 .Every Juastcruinv, ifhe plemcs l)Prome n d''-,iir,t He < ,i;t cull u i- tivc bora Americans, hh Jnoprrtij. He can wl:h ir.ipunuy, deprive .them of every thing but liff; ;uk1 ibflictVuiJoii them ann thing hi.'i cor rupt passions can .suggest. Thus uuprotcrttd and abiisvd, it is not' sti-apge if thdr morals partake of tlrtj dcgrathitiou to which liu ir j)f.r- ,sonn ard reduced; .^d even iicccrsity frequently prompts diem to the perpetration of crimes. Wc, then, are the authors of their misery, deg:-.idation, and their icrimes. A dreadful refiection! And what ik the inducement? Arc we ¦made happier by it? No. — 'It is acknowledged, by all who are com petent judges, that our slaves aix a source of uneasiness and vexation. .Our. days. are passed in perplexity, nndournighls, in anxiety and care. ,A''e our pecuniary interests jw-ofrioted by It.'^ No, — IT'hc state cf agriculture , among us, and the low price of land.?, compared v/iuithe inanagejnent and value of farms in the northern states, originally not , snore-fertile than our ovn, sufficiently denioustr.atc the truth of this opi nion. And even if wealth could be ensured by it, this consideration .ought not to influence our conduct, Can we, for a moment, tolerate the idea, that Ave arc to commit outrages on our fellow creatures for ¦ the sake of gain! Thai wc are to deprive others of every thing tliat is , precious to them, to promote our own interest! But once admit this . dpctrine, and the blessings of^ society are gone! Government,^ law, li- tiertj', and rights, would be-nothing but names, and peace, security,. atid order,, would vanish from the Earth! » . It is not only absolutely right, to devise some remedy for this fvil, .b.utit is .absolutely necessary. We have sliut our eyes, and stopped 'oiu-, ears too-long. — Can we continue indifferent on so momentous a subject?. We are called upon, bj?^ honor, morality , and religion! By love for om- coimtry, ourselves and oiir children! I.m of the. nation. ' ^ ' The first step towards this important reformation, is, to excite the imblic attentioji ip the subj.eGt. The evil which we wish to remove, is defended by.ptrongprejudi-, ces and jntfei^woyen ¦with pur ideas of conycnicnce ?inij pecuniaiy ad- ' The writer here bci',s leave, io make an apology for the freedom, Svith whsch, he lius handled tliis subject, lie \^ aware of the force of example aud educaliouj And that these, and these '•alone, have fiicon* ciled thousand'o to the practice of ;;Iavery, who would, other>^isc,havfl beheld it with abhorreucc. lie is also firmly persuaded that many tou- ¦ tiiiue in that practice, onl}' because they cannot tqll how to effect the ne-.-^ssai-j- change, in a manner that would accord with their ideas of moral justice and political prudence. .But/liough he is sensible of (heir .Uifliculties, and tender of their feelings, he conceives himself boUnd . by duty to //(e/«,to soeicty, and to a large mass of Suffering human be ings, to exjusc llie turpitude of a practice, ruinous ;u the tnoraliiy ;ind huppines.'i of eur country. Under these improsslous, and hoping that his intentions \'vill be correctly understood, he design.'; to proceed, iu the subsequent remarks. With the same freedom of expression. ¦ ¦ It is impossible to examine tliis subject, in any of its parts, without discovering deformities. And shall we conceal these deformities, even from purselves, because yyc arc deeply concerned in them? This would be injustice to ourselves, and to mankind. Resuming the subject, in its simplest form, what is it that a master claims? He claims, as his right, the involuntary services of a human being. — Pic calls that hupian being his property. — These are erroneous ideas, which, can never bear the test of sober and candid examina tion. If slavery is a violation of natural and civil rights, which has been proved, then the claim of property, in human beings, is manifestly ¦without foundation. It is impossible that one man should be the pro- .•perty of another. The master cannot derive his' claim of property, from the laws of nature; because, by that law, all men are, equally free- aiid independent. He cannot derive it from the principles of civil government; for ."government was instituted, for the common benefit,' protection and security ofthe community:" and, when properly s'.p- ported, adnfits "no man, or set of men" to the possession of "exclu sive privileges." He ca'.iaot refer to contracts with individuals, nor to conveyance:; from parents for their children; for no one wiV pretend to- the exis^tence of such contracts; and their validity could not be sup- .ported, if they really existed. It cannot be rested upon law, for such a lav/, must be, technically speaking, unconstltuticnaL The constitution defines the objects of government, and the rights of individuals. These, form barriers, v/hich legislation^can never pass. It may., therefore, be , boldly affirmed, that slaves, are not property. They arc injured human beings,-- whose sufferings call loudly ci. -..^vl; cc'.;utry for redress. The laws which sanction these abus'.\s, arc not legithuale .'Cls. 'I hey ^verr passed in a dark and barbarous age; anil arc, in fai.t, alMise.'i ol [.owcr, and infi'hctions of natural, civil, ard religious righ;s. -A.iid .ue thcsc^ the only laws, which the representatives ofan cuUglHen ".\ republic, dare not modify or repeal? Or are they to stand n'i laslii't^- .uonuuienlB ofhuman depravity? The people, through the agency of tlieir repre- 'sentativcs, can rectify abuses, can amend or repeal such la\/s, as de stroy the rights of individuals, and the happiness of the stato. And, .however selfish views may influence the s'uitimenls o' narrow minds, tlie enlightened people of Virginia, can, and do, acknowledge, that slavery is ru evil cfthe greri-^eb;. nr.i.gniiuJo, an;' on'- fb.-u ou-.rht tobc removed. And they a<=k, will; sollcl'aicEc, for apla'ii,D)' tvhich this im portant end may be obtained. The Christian, the Palrlot, andthe Phi lanthropist, are called upon, by the obligations of religion, by the in terests of their -country, and by suffering humanity, to unite iu duico-, Vering this grand desideratum. 00843 2917