Despite, however, the growing embarrassments of the situation, there
remained with the people of Virginia the conviction that in the
dispersion or colonization beyond her borders, of a substantial part
of her negro population, lay the surest road to ultimate emancipation
and relief from the racial problems incident to slavery. The practice,
therefore, of emancipation by deeds and wills continued, and
individually and by concerted action, the various schemes for
colonization were fostered and encouraged. The Legislature at its
session, 1833, passed a bill appropriating $18,000.00 per annum, for a
period of five years to assist in transporting and subsisting "free
persons of color who may desire to migrate from Virginia to
Liberia."[79]
This appropriation, as we shall see, was followed by others of larger
amounts to further colonization; and, in no state of the Union, with
the possible exception of Maryland, did the cause receive greater
assistance, in money and sympathy, than in Virginia.
-----
Footnote 66:
See printed pamphlet T. J. Randolph, September 25th, 1870, on file
with Virginia Historical Society.
Footnote 67:
_Progress of Population and Wealth_, Tucker, p. 108. Note—The
author concludes his review of slavery in Virginia by saying: "As
the same decline in the value of labor once liberated the villeins,
or slaves, of western Europe, and will liberate the serfs of Russia,
so must it put an end to slavery in the United States, should it be
terminated in no other way."
Footnote 68:
_The Ruffner Pamphlet_, Lexington, 1847.
Footnote 69:
_The Works of William E. Channing_, 1889, American Unitarian
Society, p. 735.
Footnote 70:
The following is a full text of the paper:
"Resolutions upon the subject of domestic slavery having passed both
branches of the General Assembly at its present session, the
undersigned hereby protest against the passing of the same.
They believe that the institution of slavery is founded on both
injustice and bad policy, but that the promulgation of abolition
doctrines tends rather to increase than abate its evils.
They believe that the Congress of the United States has no power
under the constitution to interfere with the institution of slavery
in the different states.
They believe that the Congress of the United States has the power
under the constitution to abolish slavery in the District of
Columbia, but that the power ought not to be exercised unless at the
request of the people of the District.
The difference between these opinions and those contained in the
above resolutions, is their reason for entering this protest.
(Signed) DAN STONE,
A. LINCOLN."
Representatives from the County of Sangamon. (_Abraham Lincoln, A
History_, N. & H., Vol. I, p. 140.)
Footnote 71:
_Abraham Lincoln, Speeches, Letters and State Papers_, N. & H, Vol.
I, p. 174.
Footnote 72:
_Webster's Great Speeches_, Whipple, p. 619.
Footnote 73:
_Lincoln-Douglas Debates_, Columbus, 1860, p. 31.
Footnote 74:
_Proceedings of Peace Convention_, Crittenden, p. 142.
Footnote 75:
_The Origin of the Late War_, Lunt, 1865, p. 33.
Footnote 76:
_Life of James Buchanan_, Curtis, 1883, p. 278.
Footnote 77:
_Thomas H. Benton_, Roosevelt, p. 141.
Footnote 78:
_A Political History of Slavery_, William Henry Smith, 1903, Vol. I,
pp. 40-41.
Footnote 79:
_Virginian History of African Colonization_, Slaughter, p. 67.
X