THE CONDUCT AND CHARACTER OF THE SOUTHERN SLAVE-HOLDER, VINDICATED.
One of the peculiar features in the practice of Abolition champions, is
to discredit every statement proceeding from all others, except from
themselves: and in this respect they resemble very much, as I stated in
the preceding part of this pamphlet, the champions of Infidelity! If
there be, therefore, any truth in the common adage, that "none are so
suspicious as those who are conscious that their own statements ought
not to be credited," there can be no difficulty in accounting for the
unbelief of those gentlemen.
No one pretends to deny that there are in the South, _some_ cruel,
irreligious--inhuman--slave-holders--and who will have the hardihood to
deny that there are also in the North, _thousands_ of cruel, irreligious
and inhuman, masters, husbands, and fathers! Would the latter fact be a
justifiable reason for branding _all_ the masters, husbands, and
fathers, in the North, as a set of cruel, irreligious, inhuman monsters?
Ah, but says the Abolitionist, they do not use the lash in the
North.--Don't they? If not, it is only because many prefer the cudgel,
which they use liberally on the head, back, and limbs of their
unfortunate _white_ slaves! How many think you (in this religious city
of Philadelphia) white masters, and white husbands, and white fathers,
are annually bound over or punished for cruelty to their _white_
apprentices--white wives--and white children? And how many more are
they, whose barbarity never comes to light, or whose wealth shelters
them? Methinks the effects of the cruelty of a husband or of a father,
would be just as sore on the back or head of a wife, or of a child, as
if they were the effects of the cruelty of a slave-holder: a rose smells
as sweet by any other name! You reply they cannot _sell_ them here; I
answer, it would be far to the advantage of many if they could.
But now to the matter of this chapter: it is constantly published and
circulated by Abolitionists that so hard-hearted, brutal, and inhuman
are all the slave-holders in the South, that they all desire slavery,
are all inimical to freedom, and revel in their iniquity. So far from
this being the case, I reply that the vast majority of them, regret the
necessity of holding slaves--are anxious to have them emancipated, and
would hail with delight any plan by means of which they could emancipate
them, with safety to themselves, and with safety to their slaves. Let us
hear the testimony of a few of them on the subject, recollecting that
according to the principles of common justice, as established in all
civilized nations, _it is not lawful to consider a man unworthy of
credit till he is first proved to be a liar_.
Patrick Henry says,--
"I repeat it again, that it would rejoice my very soul that
_every one_ of my fellow beings was _emancipated_. As we ought
with gratitude to admire that decree of heaven which has
numbered us among the _free_, we ought to _lament and deplore_
the necessity of holding our fellow men in bondage."--_Debates
in Virginia Convention._
Zachariah Johnson says,--
"Slavery has been the foundation of that impiety and
dissipation which have been so much disseminated among our
countrymen. If it were _totally abolished_, it would do much
good." _Ibid._
Judge Tucker says,--
"The introduction of slavery into this country, is, at this
day, considered among its _greatest misfortunes_." And in
1803, he said, after pronouncing slavery to be "a calamity, a
reproach, and a curse,"--"those who wish to postpone
emancipation, do not reflect that every day renders the task
more arduous to be performed."
General Harper says,--
"It tends, and may powerfully tend, to rid us gradually and
_entirely_ in the United States, _of slaves and slavery_, a
great _moral and political evil, of increasing virulence and
extent_, from which much mischief is now felt, and very great
calamity in future, is justly apprehended. It speaks not only
to our understandings, but to our senses; and however it may
be derided by some, or overlooked by others, who have not the
ability or time, or do not give themselves the trouble to
reflect on, and estimate properly, the force and extent of
those great moral and physical causes, which prepare
gradually, and at length bring forth the most terrible
convulsions in civil society; it will not be viewed without
deep and awful apprehensions by any who shall bring sound
minds, and some share of political knowledge and sagacity, to
the serious consideration of the subject. Such persons will
give their most serious attention to any proposition which has
for its object, the eradication of this terrible mischief
lurking in our vitals."--_Letter on Colonization Society._
Darby says,--
"Copying from Montesquieu, and not from observation of nature,
climate has been called upon to account for stains on the
human character, imprinted by the hand of political mistake.
No country where negro slavery is established, but must bear,
in part, the wounds inflicted on nature and justice. Without
pursuing a train of metaphysical reasoning, we may at once
draw this induction, that if slavery, like pain, is one of the
laws of existence, the latter does not more certainly produce
physical weakness, debility, and death, than does the former
lessen the purity of virtue in the human breast."--_History of
Louisiana._
M'Call says,--
"It is shocking to human nature, that any race of mankind, and
their posterity, should be sentenced to perpetual slavery."
_History of Georgia._
General Mercer says,--
"For, although it is believed, and is, indeed, too obvious to
require proof, that the colonization of the free people of
colour alone, would not only tend to civilize Africa; to
abolish the slave-trade; and greatly to advance their own
happiness; but to promote that also of the other classes of
society, the proprietors and slaves; yet the hope of the
gradual and utter abolition of slavery, in a manner consistent
with the rights, interests, and happiness of society, ought
never to be abandoned."--_Report to Colonization Society._
F. S. Key, Esq. says,--
"I hope I may be excused, if I add, that the subject which
engages us, is one in which it is our right to act--as much
our right to act, as it is the right of those who differ from
us not to act. If we believe in the existence of a great moral
and political evil amongst us, and that duty, honour, and
interest, call upon us to prepare the way for its removal, we
must act. All that can be required of us, is, that we act
discreetly," &c.--_Speech before Colonization Society._
Mr. Clay says,--
"If they would repress all tendencies towards liberty and
ultimate emancipation, they must do more than put down the
benevolent efforts of this society. They must penetrate the
human soul, and eradicate the light of reason, and the love of
liberty. _Our friends, who are cursed with this greatest of
human evils, (slavery,) deserve our kindest attention and
consideration. Their property and safety are both
involved._"--_Speech before Colonization Society._
William H. Fitzhugh, Esq. says,--
"Slavery, in its mildest form, is an evil of the darkest
character. Cruel and unnatural in its origin, no plea can be
urged in justification of its continuance, but the plea of
necessity; not that necessity which arises from our habits,
our prejudices, or our wants; but the necessity which requires
us to submit to existing evils, rather than substitute, by
their removal, others of a more serious and destructive
character. There is no riveted attachment to slavery,
prevailing extensively, in any portion of our country. Its
injurious effects on our habits, our morals, our individual
wealth, and more especially on our national strength and
prosperity, are universally felt, and almost universally
acknowledged."
Mr. Levasseur says,--
"Happily, there is no part of the civilized world, in which it
is necessary to discuss the justice or injustice of the
principle of negro slavery; at the present day, every sane man
agrees that it is a monstrosity, and it would be altogether
inaccurate, to suppose that there are in the United States,
more than elsewhere, individuals sufficiently senseless to
seek to defend it, either by their writings or conversation.
For myself, who have traversed the twenty-four states of the
Union, and in the course of a year have had more than one
opportunity of hearing long and keen discussions upon this
subject, I declare that I never have found but a single
person, who seriously defended this principle. This was a
young man, whose head, sufficiently imperfect in its
organization, was filled with confused and ridiculous notions
relative to Roman History; and appeared to be completely
ignorant of the history of his own country. It would be waste
of time, to repeat here, his crude and ignorant tirade."
These are the sentiments of MEN OF EMINENT TALENTS, CITIZENS OF THE
SOUTH, AND SLAVE-HOLDERS!
Lastly, the Southern Reporter says,--
"The _conscientious_ slave-holder deserves a larger share of
the sympathy of those who have sympathy to spare, than any
other class of men, not excepting the slave himself." "One
_great evil_ of the system is its tendency to produce disorder
and poverty in a country." "The slave-trade may be regarded as
a _conspiracy_ of all Europe and the commercial part of this
continent, not only against Africa, but in a _more aggravated
sense, against these southern regions_."
"Almost all masters, in Virginia, assent to the proposition,
that when slaves can be liberated without _danger to
themselves_, and to their _own_ advantage, it ought to be
done. If there are few who think otherwise in Virginia, I feel
assured that _there are few such any where in the south_!"
[See Dr. Reese's Letters to the Hon. William Jay, p. 50-53.]
But if it be now asked why do they not liberate them, as they appear so
anxious so to do? I reply that totally independent of the considerations
above stated, the law of the land prohibits their so doing unless they
give large security, or send them abroad. So that in fact the
_Abolitionists themselves are now the actual slave-holders of
thousands_! For by their calumniating and misrepresenting the motives
of the advocates of the Colonization Society, they have prevented the
influx of such means to that body as would have enabled it to relieve
the slave-holder from that _bondage_ under which he labours, and thus
free his slaves!
Another calumny circulated is respecting the state of ignorance and
irreligion in which all the slave-holders keep their slaves. This is as
great a falsehood as ever was uttered by man or Devils, if we are to
give any credit to the testimony of every good and pious man who lives
in, or has visited, the South.
The following testimony I the more readily adduce because it is taken
from the Report published by the _Abolitionists_, of the Discussion
between Mr. Breckinridge and Mr. Thompson; and the truth of which I find
the latter gentleman does not attempt to deny.
"RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION OF SLAVES.
"The Southern Evangelical Society, is the title of a proposed
association, among the Presbyterians of the South, for the
propagation of the gospel among the people of colour. The
constitution originated in the synod of North Carolina, and is
to go into effect as soon as adopted by the synod of Virginia,
or that of South Carolina and Georgia. The voting members of
the society are to be elected by the synods. Honorary members
are created by the payment of 30 dollars. All members of
synods united with the society are corresponding
members--other corresponding members may be chosen by the
voting members. Article 4th of the constitution provides that
'there shall not exist between this society and any other
society, any connexion whatever, except with a similar society
in the slave-holding states.' Several resolutions follow the
constitution--one of these provides that a presbytery in a
slave-holding district of the country, not united with a synod
in connexion with the society, may become a member by its own
act. The 5th and 6th resolutions are as follows:--
"Resolved, 5. That it be very respectfully and earnestly
recommended to all the heads of families in connexion with our
congregations, to take up and vigorously prosecute the
business of seeking the salvation of the slaves in the way of
maintaining and promoting family religion.
"Resolved, 6. That it be enjoined on all the presbyteries
composing this synod to take order at their earliest meeting
to obtain full and correct statistical information as to the
number of people of colour, in the bounds of our several
congregations, the number in actual attendance at our several
places of worship, and the number of coloured members in our
several churches, and make a full report to the synod at its
next meeting, and for this purpose, that the clerk of this
synod furnish a copy of this resolution to the stated clerk of
each presbytery."
"The next document carried them one state farther South, and
related to South Carolina, in which that horrible Gov.
M'Duffie, who seems to haunt Mr. Thompson's imagination with
his threats of 'death without benefit of clergy,' lives, and
perhaps still rules. It is taken from the same paper as the
next preceding extract:--
"RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION OF SLAVES.
"From an intelligent New Englander at the South:--
"To the Editor of the _New York Observer_--
"I am apprehensive that many of your readers, who feel a
lively interest in the welfare of the slaves, are not
correctly and fully informed as to their amount of religious
instruction. From the speeches of Mr. Thompson and others,
they might be led to believe that slaves in our Southern
states never read a Bible, hear a gospel sermon, or partake of
a gospel ordinance. It is to be hoped, however, that little
credit will be given to such misrepresentations,
notwithstanding the zeal and industry with which they are
disseminated.
"_What has been done on a single Plantation._
"I will now inform your readers what has been done, and is now
doing, for the moral and religious improvement of the slaves
on a single plantation, with which I am well acquainted, and
these few facts may serve as a commentary on the unsupported
assertions of Mr. Thompson and others. And here I could wish
that all who are so ready to denounce every man that is so
unfortunate as to be born to a heritage of slaves, could go to
that plantation, and see with their own eyes, and hear with
their own ears, the things which I despair of adequately
describing. Truly, I think they would be more inclined, and
better qualified to use those weapons of light and love which
have been so ably and justly commended to their hands.
"On this plantation there are from 150 to 200 slaves, the
finest looking body that I have seen on any estate. Their
master and mistress have felt for years how solemn are the
responsibilities connected with such a charge; and they have
not shrunk from meeting them. The means used for their
spiritual good, are abundant. They enjoy the constant
preaching of the gospel. A young minister of the Presbyterian
church, who has received a regular collegiate and theological
education, is labouring among them, and derives his entire
support from the master, with the exception of a trifling sum
which he receives for preaching one Sabbath in each month, for
a neighbouring church. On the Sabbath and during the week you
may see them filling the place of worship, from the man of
gray hairs to the small child, all neatly and comfortably
clothed, listening with respectful, and in many cases, eager
attention to the truth as it is in Jesus, delivered in terms
adapted to their capacities, and in a manner suited to their
peculiar habits, feelings and circumstances;--engaging with
solemnity and propriety in the solemn exercise of prayer, and
mingling their melodious voices in the hymn of praise. Sitting
among them are the white members of the family encouraging
them by their attendance, manifesting their interest in the
exercises, and their anxiety for the eternal well being of
their people. Of the whole number 45 or 50 have made a
profession of religion, and others are evidently deeply
concerned.
"Let me now conduct you to a Bible class of 10 or 12 adults
who can read, met with their Bibles to study and have
explained to them the word of God. They give unequivocal
demonstrations of much interest in their employment, and of an
earnest desire to understand and remember what they read. From
hence we will go to another room where are assembled 18 or 20
lads attending upon catechetical instruction conducted by
their young master. Here you will notice many intelligent
countenances, and will be struck with the promptitude and
correctness of their answers.
"But the most interesting spectacle is yet before you. It is
to be witnessed in the Infant School Room, nicely fitted up
and supplied with the customary cards and other appurtenances.
Here, every day in the week, you may find 25 or 30 children
neatly clad, and wearing bright and happy faces. And as you
notice their correct deportment, hear their unhesitating
replies to the questions proposed, and above all, when they
unite their sweet voices in their touching songs, if your
heart is not affected and your eyes do not fill, you are the
hardest-hearted and driest-eyed visitor that has ever been
there. But who is their teacher? Their mistress, a lady whose
amiable christian character, and most gifted and accomplished
manners are surpassed by none. From day to day--month to
month, and year to year, she has cheerfully left her splendid
halls and circle of friends to visit her school room, where,
standing up before those young immortals, she trains them in
the way in which they should go, and leads them to Him who
said, 'suffer little children to come unto me.'
"From the Infant School Room, we will walk through a beautiful
lawn half a mile, to a pleasant grove commanding a view of
miles in extent. Here is a brick chapel rising for the
accommodation of this interesting family--sufficiently large
to receive 2 or 300 hearers. When completed, in beauty and
convenience it will be surpassed by few churches in the
Southern country.
"On the plantation you might see also many other things of
great interest. Here a negro is the overseer. Marriages are
regularly contracted. No negro is sold, except as a punishment
for bad behaviour, and a dreaded one it is. None is bought
save for the purpose of uniting families. Here you will hear
no clanking of chains, no cracking of whips; (I have never
seen a blow struck on the estate,) and here last, but not
least, you will find a flourishing Temperance Society
embracing almost every individual on the premises. And yet the
'Christianity of the South is a chain-forging, a
whip-platting--marriage discouraging, Bible-withholding
Christianity!'
"I have confined myself to a single plantation. But I might
add many interesting facts in regard to others, and the state
of feeling in general, but I forbear.
Yours, &c.
A NEW-ENGLAND MAN.
"He would now connect the peculiar and local facts of the
preceding statement, with the whole community of slave-holders
in the same state; and show by competent and disinterested
testimony the real and common state of things. The following
extracts were from a letter printed in the New York Observer
of July 25, 1835.
"I have resided eight years in South Carolina, and have an
extensive acquaintance with the planters of the middle and low
country. I have seen much of slavery, and feel competent to
speak in regard to many facts connected with it.
"What your correspondent has stated of the condition of one
plantation, is, in its essential points, a common case
throughout the whole circle of my acquaintance.
"The negroes generally in this state are well fed, well
clothed, and have the means of religious instruction.
According to my best judgment, the work which a slave here is
required to do, amounts to about one third the ordinary labour
commonly performed by a New-England farmer. A similar
comparison would hold true in regard to the labour of
domestics. In the family where I reside, consisting of _nine_
white persons, _seven slaves_ are employed to do the work.
This is a common case.
"In the village where I live there are about 400 slaves, and
they generally attend church. More than one hundred of them
are members of the church. Perhaps 200 are assembled every
Sabbath in the Sunday Schools. In my own Sunday School are
about 60, and most of them professors of religion. They are
perfectly accessible and teachable. In the town of my former
residence in New-England, there were 300 free blacks. No more
than 8 or 10 of those were professors of religion, and not
more than twice that number could generally be induced to
attend church. They could not be induced to send their
children to the district schools, which were always open to
them, nor could they generally be hired to work. They were
thievish, wretched and troublesome. I have no hesitation in
saying, and I say it deliberately, it would be a great
blessing to them to exchange conditions with the slaves of the
village in which I now live. Their intellectual and moral
characters, and real means of improvement, would be promoted
by the exchange.
"There are doubtless some masters who treat their slaves
cruelly in this State, but they are exceptions to the general
fact. Public opinion is in a wholesome state, and the man who
does not treat his slaves kindly, is disgraced.
"Great and increasing efforts are made to instruct the slaves
in religion, and elevate their characters. Missionaries are
employed solely for their benefit. It is very common for
ministers to preach in the forenoon to the whites, and in the
afternoon of each Sabbath to the blacks. The slaves of my
acquaintance are generally contented and happy. The master is
reprobated who will divide families. Many thousands of slaves
of this State give evidence of piety. In many churches they
form the majority. Thousands of them give daily thanks to God,
that they or their fathers were brought to this land of
Slavery.
"And now, perhaps, I ought to add, that I am not a
slave-holder, and do not intend to continue in a slave
country; but wherever I may be, I intend to speak the
TRUTH.
"The next document related particularly to _Virginia_,--the
largest and most powerful of the slave states; but had also a
general reference to the whole south, and to the whole
question at issue. The sentiments it contained were entitled
to extraordinary consideration, on account of the source of
them. Mr. Van Renselaer was the son of one of the most wealthy
and distinguished citizens of the great free state of New
York. He had gone to Virginia to preach to the slaves. He had
everywhere succeeded; was everywhere beloved by the slaves,
and honoured by their masters. He had access to perhaps forty
different plantations,--on which he from time to time
preached,--and which might have been doubled, had his strength
been equal to the task. In the midst of his usefulness--the
storm of abolition arose. Mr. Thompson, like some baleful
star, landed on our shores; organized a reckless agitation,
made many at the north frantic with folly--and as many at the
south furious with passion. Mr. Van Renselaer, like many
others, saw a storm raging which they had no power to control;
and like them withdrew from his benevolent labours. The
following brief statements made by him at a great meeting of
the Colonization Society of New York, exhibit his own view of
the conduct and duty of the parties.
"_The Rev. Cortlandt Van Renselaer_, formerly of Albany, but
who has lately resided in Virginia, addressed the meeting, and
after alluding to the difference of opinion which prevailed
among the friends of Colonization, touching the present
condition and treatment of the coloured population in this
country, proceeded to offer reasons why the people of the
North should approach their brethren in the South, who held
the control of the coloured population, with deference, and in
a spirit of kindness and conciliation.
"These reasons were briefly as follows: 1. Because the people
of the South had not consented to the original introduction of
slaves into the country, but had solemnly, earnestly, and
repeatedly remonstrated against it. 2. Because, having been
born in the presence of slavery, and accustomed to it from
their infancy, they could not be expected to view it in the
same light as we view it at the North. 3. Slavery being there
established by law, it was not in the power of individuals to
act in regard to it as their personal feelings might dictate.
The evil had not been eradicated from the state of New York
all at once: it had been a gradual process, commencing with
the law of 1799, and not consummated until 1827. Ought we to
denounce our Southern neighbours if they refused to do the
work at a blow? 4. The constitution of the United States,
tolerated slavery, in its articles apportioning representation
with reference to the slave population, and requiring the
surrender of runaway slaves. 5. Slavery had been much
mitigated of late years, and the condition of the slave
population much ameliorated. Its former rigour was almost
unknown, at least in Virginia, and it was lessening
continually. It was not consistent with truth to represent the
slaves as groaning day and night under the lash of tyrannical
task-masters. And as to being kept in perfect ignorance, Mr.
_V. had seldom seen a plantation where some of the slaves
could not read, and where they were not encouraged to learn.
In South Carolina, where it was said the gospel was
systematically denied to the slave, there were twenty thousand
of them church-members in the Methodist denomination alone. He
knew a small church where out of 70 communicants_, 50 were in
slavery. 6. There were very great difficulties connected with
the work of Abolition. The relations of slavery had ramified
themselves through all the relations of society. The slaves
were comparatively very ignorant; their character degraded;
and they were unqualified for immediate freedom. A blunder in
such a concern as universal Abolition, would be no light
matter. Mr. V. here referred to the result of experience and
personal observation on the mind of the well known _Mr.
Parker_, late a minister of this city, but now of New Orleans.
He had left this city for the South with the feelings of an
immediate Abolitionist; but he had returned with his views
wholly changed. After seeing slavery and slave-holders, and
that at the far South, he now declared the idea of immediate
and universal Abolition to be a gross absurdity. To liberate
the two and a half millions of slaves in the midst of us,
would be just as wise and as humane, as it would be for the
father of a numerous family of young children to take them to
the front door, and there bidding them good bye, tell them
they were free, and send them out into the world to provide
for and govern themselves. 7. Foreign interference was, of
necessity, a delicate thing, and ought ever to be attempted
with the utmost caution. 8. There was a large amount of
unfeigned Christian anxiety at the South to obey God and to do
good to man. There were many tears and prayers continually
poured out over the condition of their coloured people, and
the most earnest desire to mitigate their sorrows. Were such
persons to be approached with vituperation and anathemas? 9.
There was no reason why all our sympathies should be confined
to the coloured race and utterly withheld from our white
Southern brethren. The apostle Paul exhibited no such spirit.
10. A regard to the interest of the slaves themselves dictated
a cautious and prudent and forbearing course. It called for
conciliation: for the fate of the slaves depended on the will
of their masters, nor could the North prevent it. _The late
laws against teaching slaves to read had not been passed until
the Southern people found inflammatory publications
circulating among the coloured people._ 11. The spirit of the
gospel forbade all violence, abuse and threatening. The
apostles had wished to call fire from heaven on those they
considered as Christ's enemies; but the Saviour instead of
approving this fiery zeal, had rebuked it. 12. These Southern
people, who were represented as so grossly violating all
Christian duty, had been the subjects of gracious blessings
from God in the outpourings of his Spirit. 13. When God
convinced men of error, he did it in the spirit of mercy; we
ought to endeavour to do the same thing in the same spirit."
The last testimony that I shall adduce on this subject is from "The Plea
for Africa" [p. 160, 164] in which the writer says,
"There is certainly a pleasing and commendable spirit
exhibited, after all the precautionary provisions of
legislative acts, by the christian community at the South, in
respect to the religious instruction of their slaves. I have
before me a letter from an eminent clergyman of Virginia, a
part of which I will read, since you may from such sources be
better able to apprehend the true feeling of Christians at the
South, and the actual condition of the slaves:
"'To give you an idea of the feeling of the Christian
community toward that unfortunate class of people which we
have among us, I would refer you to the articles which
appeared in the Religious Telegraph during the last year,
signed, 'Zinzindorf,' and which terminated in passing a
resolution in the synod of Virginia, recommending every church
in the State, to set apart one of its best qualified members,
whose duty it shall be to give religious instruction to the
coloured people. And I am happy to state, that many enter upon
this self-denying, though pleasing duty.
"'We hope that the public mind is fast preparing for a general
emancipation, and that the Christian community will not be
remiss in instructing and preparing the coloured people for
the colony. The redeeming spirit is amongst us, I hope, and
will not rest till every slave shall be restored to the land
of their fathers, and this State placed upon a footing with
the other happy States of our Union, who know not the curses
of slavery.'
"I have also before me a letter from Georgia, written by a
distinguished gentleman to his friend, on the same subject,
which reads as follows:
"'With regard to your inquiries about the religious
instruction of the Negroes of the South, I would state, that
we have much reason to be grateful for what is doing, and for
what in prospect may be done. My knowledge on this subject is
confined to Georgia and South Carolina; I visited Bryan
county, Georgia, a few weeks since, for the exclusive purpose
of seeing what was doing there for the Negroes. On one
plantation I found the slaves far more improved, both as
regards their temporal comforts, and their religious
instruction, than I had expected to see. The number of Negroes
on this plantation is, I believe, about two hundred. They live
in framed houses, raised above the ground--spacious, and in
every way comfortable, and calculated to promote health. The
Negroes were uniformly clad in a very decent and comfortable
way. There is a chapel on the place where the master meets the
adults every night at the ringing of the bell. Reading a
portion of Scripture, and explaining it, singing, and prayer,
constitute the regular exercises of every night in the week.
On the Sabbath they have different and more protracted
exercises.
"'A day school is taught by two young ladies--embracing all
the children under twelve or fifteen years of age. The
instruction in this and other schools in the county, is
_oral_, of course; but it was gratifying to see how great an
amount of knowledge the children had acquired in a few months.
A Presbyterian minister of Philadelphia was with me, and he
said, in unqualified terms, that he visited no infant schools
at the North better conducted--Schools on the same plan are
now established on the several other plantations in the same
county. And I think I may say there is a very general interest
getting up on this subject. A large portion of the wealthy
planters either have already, or contemplate building churches
on their premises, and employing chaplains to preach to their
slaves. Several I could mention who, though they are not pious
themselves, have done this already, from what they have seen
of the beneficial influence of religious instruction on the
slaves of other plantations. Persons at a distance may be
surprised at this fact, but it is so in a number of cases that
I could name, if it were necessary. Ministers of all
denominations begin to awake to their duty and responsibility
on this subject. Many of them are now devoting themselves
_wholly_ to this portion of our community; and it is to be
hoped that every christian master will soon be brought to an
enlightened sense of duty. And _if we are allowed to
prosecute this work without indiscreet interference on the
part of our Northern brethren_, I feel assured that we shall
see the Negroes _far more improved_ in a short time than they
are at present.'
* * * * *
"Of the religious condition of the slaves _in South Carolina_,
a clergyman in that State writes:
"I am able from authentic information to say, that of the
_five hundred and eighty thousand_, which compose the entire
population of this State, about _sixty-seven thousand_ are
members in the Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, and
Episcopalian churches. _Of these communicants more than forty
thousand are slaves._ The whole slave population is 315,000.
It is easily seen, therefore, that of the white population
about _one-seventh_ are church members. It is proper these
facts should come into the estimate of the religious condition
and prospects of our slaves. In New-England there are _twenty
thousand_, and in the free states _a hundred and
twenty-thousand_ blacks. I should be glad to see a comparison
of their religious condition with that of our slaves in this
one item. Do you believe that _one-twentieth_ of them are
communicants? And do you believe that in New-England, _as
here_, there is a _larger proportion_ of black than white
communicants? And what is doing _there_ to improve the moral
condition of the blacks?"
* * * * *
"I might multiply proofs of a disposition prevailing
extensively at the South in all the States to give to the
slaves religious instruction, and all practicable religious
privileges. I think the general feeling on this subject is
greatly misapprehended in the non-slave-holding States. The
evils of slavery are great, but they ought not to be magnified
either by representing the slaves as deprived of all religious
privileges, or their masters as destitute of christian
benevolence and the feelings of humanity."