WHAT is he writing about? (The S-word)
The subject of your letter of April 20, is one on which I do not permit myself to express an opinion, but when time, place, and occasion may give it some favorable effect. A good cause is often injured...
View ArticleWhat do maple trees have to do with slavery?
Though large countries within our Union are covered with the Sugar maple as heavily as can be concieved [sic], and that this tree yeilds [sic] a sugar equal to the best from the cane, yeilds it in...
View ArticleHow would you attack a great evil?
In the very first session held under republican government, the assembly [Continental Congress, 1774] passed a law for the perpetual prohibition of the importation of slaves. This will in some measure...
View ArticleCan a good man be kept down?
I thank you sincerely for your letter … and for the Almanac it contained. No body wishes more than I do to see such proofs as you exhibit, that nature has given to our black brethren, talents equal to...
View ArticleSlavery: Respectfully, sir, you need to step up. (Pt. 1 of 3)
Dear Sir I never took up my pen with more hesitation or felt more embarrassment than I now do in addressing you on the subject of this letter. The fear of appearing presumptuous distresses me, and...
View ArticleSlavery: I am too old. This requires youth. (Pt. 2 of 3)
[My] sentiments … on the subject of slavery of negroes have long since been … [known], and time has only served to give them stronger root. The love of justice and the love of country plead equally the...
View ArticleSlavery: Respectfully, no! Proven leaders MUST lead. (Pt. 3 of 3)
… Your prayers I trust will not only be heard with indulgence in Heaven, but with influence on earth. But I cannot agree with you that they are the only weapons of one at your age, nor that the...
View ArticleCan you fight social evil at an early age?
In 1769, I became a member of the legislature by the choice of the county in which I live, & continued in that until it was closed by the revolution. I made one effort in that body for the...
View ArticleTwo Declaration of Independence rejects
The pusillanimous [timid, cowardly] idea that we had friends in England worth keeping terms with, still haunted the minds of many. For this reason those passages which conveyed censures on the people...
View ArticleKeep nibbling away at evil institutions
The first establishment in Virginia which became permanent was made in 1607. I have found no mention of negroes in the colony until about 1650. The first brought here as slaves were by a Dutch ship;...
View ArticleThe slaves must be freed, or else!
The principles of the amendment [for emancipation of slaves] however were agreed on, that is to say, the freedom of all born after a certain day, and deportation at a proper age. But it was found that...
View ArticleCan blacks and whites live together peaceably in America?
Nor is it less certain that the two races, equally free, cannot live in the same government. Nature, habit, opinion has drawn indelible lines of distinction between them. It is still in our power to...
View ArticleWhat reduces free people to slavery?
Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of a day; but a series of oppressions, begun at a distinguished period, and pursued unalterably through every change of ministers, too...
View ArticleHow can we be rid of this crime against nature?
The abolition of domestic slavery is the great object of desire in those colonies, where it was unhappily introduced in their infant state. But previous to the enfranchisement of the slaves we have, it...
View ArticleWhy sell a slave? I want to buy more.
Being now endeavoring to purchase young & able negro men for my own works, it is exactly counter to these views to sell Brown to you as proposed in your letter. however, always willing to indulge...
View ArticleI loaned YOUR money to ME.
… From this portion of my personal condition, I must turn to another of unpleasant hue, and apologize to you for what has given me much mortification … [a debt of] ten or twelve thousand Dollars …...
View ArticleAnti-slavery deleted from the Declaration of Independence
he [the King of England] has waged cruel war against human nature itself, violating it’s most sacred rights of life & liberty in the persons of a distant people [Africans] who never offended him,...
View ArticleInsurgent slaves HERE could be leaders THERE!
[The slave uprisings in] West Indies appears to have given a considerable impulse to the minds of the slaves in different parts of the US. a great disposition to insurgency has manifested itself among...
View ArticleLet us banish the murderous slave, for the good of all.
should Brown recover so that the law shall inflict no punishment on Cary, it will be necessary for me to make an example of him in terrorem [to induce fear] to others… if he could be sold in any other...
View ArticleIs a slave only a servant?
A gentleman here has given me 40. Balsam poplars to send to Monticello, and mr Randolph’s servant, who was to have returned tomorrow, will be detained till the next day, to carry them. as I set much...
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