The Logic of Arithmetic.-Canterbury Again. last twenty years? Of my own knowledge I cannot know that; neither are there any very correct returns; but I have every reason to believe that, since the last time the French retired from the island in 1804, the population has trebled. 2753. What were their victuals, compared with the food of the slaves in Jamaica,-were they superior or much the same?-They were fed on meat principally; cattle is very cheap in Hayti. 2754. Is meat much cheaper in Hayti than in Jamaica ?—Yes; much cheaper; it is 2d. a pound, whilst the contract price in Jamaica is 12d.; in both places these are the highest prices.' 79 Colonization Society is not stated, but this course, it is evident, was adopted because that body was considered the sure patron of persecution and prejudice. We trust that this motherly society will yield her protection to the frightened chickens who are endeavoring to shelter themselves under her wings. We do not think it necessary to examine this document, as it offers no good reason or even plausible apology for the conduct of the Canterburians, and denies no material part of the charge against them. We think it the less necessary to examine the Canterbury proclamation, because the THE LOGIC OF ARITHMETIC. whole proceedings of the town, have already The whites in the West Indies sometimes been examined with great ability, in two letthreaten to throw off their allegiance to Great ters to Andrew T. Judson, Esq. by the Rev. Britain, in case of a compulsory enfranchise- Samuel J. May, of Brooklyn, Conn. which have ment of the slaves. A correspondent of the recently appeared in a pamphlet form. Though Jamaica Watchman, an anti-slavery paper, these letters represent the conduct of the Canpublished at Kingston, (Ja.) gives the follow-terburians in its true light, they are yet ing statement, which in regard to that island distinguished by Christian charity. This pro is an unanswerable argument to all the bully-duction we recommend to all who believe ing and vaporing of the slaveholders. Aggregate strength of the free black His Majesty's regular forces with part of the marines Maroons Disbanded West India Regiment Add two thousand loyal whites 75,000 1,000 that the colored people, have the same right to be educated as the whites. We have room only for a single extract. The question between us is not simply whether thirty or forty colored girls shall be well educated at a 74,000 school to be kept in Canterbury; but whether the people in any part of our land will recognize and gener3,400 ously protect the inalienable rights of man,' without 1,400 distinction of color? If this be not done, in Connecti300 cut, where else in our land can we expect it will be done, at least in our day? That it cannot be done 79,100 even in this State without a struggle is now most 2,000 shamefully obvious. A year or two since, some benevolent individuals proposed to erect an institution, at 81,100 New Haven, for the education of colored young men. The design was defeated by violent opposition. If the 2,000 23.000 citizens had opposed merely its location in that City, they might have escaped condemnation, for such a 58,100 seminary there might have been very prejudicial to 350,000 Yale College. But it was only too apparent, that their hostility to the institution was peculiarly embittered by their prejudices against the color of those, who were to be educated at it. So too in the case at Canterbury; no one pretends there would have been any opposition to Miss Crandall's school, if her pupils Then add [Slaves are meant of course] ment 408,100 Say ye rebellious dogs whether ye can transfer your allegiance to any other power or much longer continue to oppose yourselves to the laws and the Executive. CANTERBURY AGAIN. were to be white. The tincture of their skin then it is which has called out all the men of influence in array against her; and has even procured from the free men of the town an expression of their unqualified disapprobation' of her plan. Another act of the Canterbury farce has been performed, and we now hope we have 'Here then, in Connecticut, we have had two recent reached the end of the play. A manifesto instances of outrage committed upon the inalienable addressed to the American Colonization So-guage of the Declaration of Independence are life, rights of man.' Among these rights, to use the lanciety, and signed by nine persons as the Civil liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.' Now Education has from the first, been regarded in this State highly Authority, and three of the same persons, and conducive to the private happiness, and the public two others as the Selectmen of Canterbury, has weal. Yet have our colored brethren been twice anappeared in the newspapers. This rather grily denied permission to seek this blessing, to the extent that they have desired. Will the people of anomalous document,is intended as a justifica- Connecticut generally, countenance these violations of tion of the proceedings of the Canterbury them no longer claim to be a republican, much less a our civil and religious principles? If they will, let town meeting. Why it is addressed to the christian people!" Death of J. Kenrick, Esq.-Affecting Occurrence.--A New Ballad. DEATH OF JOHN KENRICK, ESQ. At a meeting of the Board of Managers of the NewEngland Anti-Slavery Society, April 13, 1833,-the following preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted. The Board of Managers of the New-England AntiSlavery Society have heard with deep feelings of regret of the death of their venerable President, the late JOHN KENRICK, Esq. His ardent and active philanthropy, which even age could not cool, and especially his strenuous and long-continued exertions in behalf of the slaves and free people of color in this country,commenced at a time when their rights were but little regarded,-merited and obtained for him our warmest esHis private virtues had endeared him to all who knew him. His loss now seems to us irreparable. Yet we trust that his example will not be lost upon the members of our Society, but animate them to renewed exertions in the great cause of human liberty. Deeming it proper to place upon our records and to communicate to his family our feelings upon this occasion, Resolved, That we sympathize with the surviving relatives and friends of the late JOHN KENRICK, Esq. in their feelings on the loss of a friend so much belov teem. ed and revered. Resolved, That a copy of the foregoing preamble and resolution be communicated by the Secretary to the family of Mr. Kenrick. AFFECTING OCCURRENCE. A few days ago, two colored men gave information to some members of the Anti-Slavery Society, that a negro slave from one of the southern States was on board a schooner in the harbor, that he was very desirous of escaping, and that he was watched for fear of his running away. The name of the vessel, as afterwards ascertained, was the Vienna, her master's Lorenzo Dow Morgan, and the slave's Burton Spicer. She is said to be bound to New-York. A writ of ha beas corpus was, on the petition of one of the members of the Society, immediately obtained from the Supreme Court, and served upon the Captain; and Spicer was shortly after brought up to the Supreme Court Room. Before the Judges would take cognizance of the case, it became necessary to show that Spicer was detained against his will. He was accordingly interrogated upon the subject by the counsel, and informed that he was free in Massachusetts, and that no doubt the Court would so pronounce him, if the case was permitted to proceed. The poor fellow seemed very much agitated, and his whole frame trembled. He said he should like to be free in his own country, where his relations were. He was urged to make his election, and say whether he wished to be free and remain here, as he would be compelled to do, or to return to his relations as a slave. He concluded, after a strong and visible conflict between his feelings, to go back-and accordingly returned to the vessel. We are informed, and have no doubt of the fact, that the Captain had threatened to put him in irons, if he attempted to escape. The feelings of the slave did him honor. was not insensible of the charms of liberty, but he was unwilling to desert his relations, even to obtain a blessing which he so ardently desired. He The case leads us to mention a principle of law which is not so generally known among us as it ought to be, viz :—that a slave, coming from one of the slave States, by the consent of his master, into a free State, becomes free. The only case in which the authorities of a free State are bound to deliver up a slave to his owner, is the one provided for by the Constitution of the United States, where the slave has run away his master. In every other case, every person in the free States, is FREE.-The Liberator, of Saturday, April 13th. from A NEW BALLAD.* 'I'll tell you a story, a story so merry, And, to the disgrace of the town and the nation, He lengthened his visage, and cast his eyes down, To declare to the universe some of our creed. I rise, fellow citizens, sad and dismayed, In vain did our forefathers cross the rough sea, Let us swear then together we never will yield never He ceased, and the townsmen, with eager acclaim, *For a prose account of the transactions related in 61. this ballad, see the Abolitionist for April, p. + These two lines are borrowed from an old ballad with the alteration of a single word. VOL. I.] THE ABOLITIONIST. JUNE, 1833. [NO. VI. 'REPUBLIC OF HAYTI. Jean Pierre Boyer, President of Hayti. the 15th year of Independence. THE LATE JOHN KENRICK, ESQ. Our last number mentioned the death of JOHN KENRICK, Esq. of Newton, President of the New-England Anti-Slavery Society. We are happy to have it in our power to lay before our readers some few particulars respect-were kind enough to send me, entitled the ing the life of this venerable philanthropist. He was born at Newton, Massachusetts, Nov. 6, 1755, and consequently, at the time of his death was in his seventy-ninth year. Horrors of Slavery, and am duly sensible of and cannot but applaud the motives which induced you to prepare it. I fondly cherish the 'He was,' in the words of one who was well idea that the exertions of philanthropists, acquainted with him, 'characterised through among whom you are so honorably distinguishlife, by industry, economy, punctuality, and in-ed, will ere long be crowned with the most tegrity.' By the exercise of these virtues, he brilliant success, and that humanity will no ac- longer groan under the barbarous laws which quired a handsome property, which he employ-still support in some countries the atrocious ed liberally in promoting benevolent objects. system of slavery. It will be your glory and Some years ago, he established a fund for consolation, Sir, and that of those who, like assisting and relieving the unfortunate and in-you, consecrate their talents and leisure, in dustrious poor of Newton. The trustees of this fund, at present, distribute $60 a year, from the income of the fund; and after 1850, will be able to distribute $200 a year. He had for many years before his death taken a deep interest in the abolition of slavery, and published a considerable number of articles on the subject, in the newspapers at different times. He was an ardent friend of the Republic of Hayti, and published several pieces in relation to it. pleading at the tribunal of reason the sacred detestable avarice, one day restored to the cause of the oppressed, to see the victims of a dignity of men, and enjoying their right of returned unceasing thanks to Heaven, in gratitude for what they owe you. in Continue, Sir, to execute the honorable design you have engaged in. Your philanthropic devotedness, your ardent zeal to promote make you deserving of the esteem and venethe cause of justice and public morals, will ration of your cotemporaries and posterity. For myself, I feel a real satisfaction in offerIn the year 1816, he published a small vol-ing you the expression of these sentiments, ume compiled by himself, entitled the 'Horrors and in assuring you that I will do every thing of Slavery.' This work is in two parts, the my power to co-operate with you in the first chiefly composed of extracts from the holy work of regenerating those of our brethren who have been robbed of their liberty. speeches of British statesmen; the second, I have the honor to salute you, &c. &c. chiefly of extracts from American writers. It contains also an introduction and concluding remarks by the compiler. He printed 3,000 cop-New-England Anti-Slavery Society, and was ies of the work at his own expense, which he distributed chiefly among the members of Congress, and of the State Legislatures, and other persons in the Northern and Western States. Mr. Kenrick sent a copy of this work to Boyer, the President of the Haytian Republic. The following is a translation of a letter from President Boyer acknowledging the receipt of the volume. VOL. I. BOYER. Mr. Kenrick took a deep interest in the from its commencement one of its most liberal patrons and useful friends. He gave several sums to the society, at different times, amounting in the whole to six hundred dollars, besides one hundred dollars specially devoted to the Manual Labor School. He was chosen President of the Society at its last annual meeting, and continued to hold the office at the time of his death. 11 His character was held in high and deser- (name of the man who preferred death to slaved estimation among his neighbors. He very, among those of their Brutuses and Catos. served in all the first military and civil offices Yet the Richmond Compiler sees in the auin Newton, his native place, was for many thor of this rash act nothing but the 'victim of years a magistrate, and from his 70th year, his own passions.' He might have seen, if he represented the town for seven years succes-had reflected, the victim of a cruel system of sively, in the General Court of Massachusetts. oppression. We wonder he had not reproachIn regard to religion, we again adopt the ed the poor slave for his fraudulent conduct language of a friend, 'he believed it to con- in killing himself, and thus cheating his ownsist in "imitating the God who is worshipped" er out of his value. -in doing justly, loving mercy, and walking There are several particulars deserving nohumbly, in obedience to the commands of God tice in the paragraph we have just copied. -in visiting the fatherless and widows in their They serve to show that even slave states are affliction—in avoiding the spots, the vices, ashamed of slavery. In the first place, neithand the vain customs of the world-in undo-er the name of the slave nor of his master are ing heavy burdens, and letting the oppressed go free.' given. Whence does this studied concealment arise, except from a consciousness that there was something wrong in a system which leads to such awful catastrophes? 'He had a powerful mind in a powerful body. He was distinguished for energy, decision, independence and enterprise. His talents for Suppose an apprentice of a mechanic had business, whether public or private, were of hung himself in a northern city, how differentthe highest order. The most prominent fea-ly would the story have been told. 'We unture of his intellectual character, appears to have been, strong, thorough, practical good sense. His stature, his size, his features, his powerful voice, and his commanding address, all betokened extraordinary physical and intellectual force.' A ROMAN DEATH. derstand that James Tompkins, an apprentice of John Smith, a carpenter, who boarded with Mrs Adams at 99 Wendell-street, hung himself last night in his chamber,' &c. Again. The Compiler thinks it necessary to apologise for the owner of the slave, by calling him a 'very respectable gentleman,' and saying that the slave 'stated he had no Hypocrisy is the homage which vice pays to virtue. cause of complaint against his master, of whom he spoke in affectionate terms.' ROCHEFOUCAULD. The following story is copied from the Richmond Compiler: In the next place, the Compiler is so delicate that he cannot use the word slave, but very affectedly always calls him a servant. The Virginians, it seems, are so much ashamed of slavery, that they think it necessary to use some less offensive term in its place. We rejoice to see this affectation. We hope it may prove a symptom of returning virtue, and we trust as they are now ashamed of the name of slaves, they may soon become more ashamed of the reality. A servant of a very respectable gentleman of this city had obtained forged papers for himself, wife and her mother, and took his passage on Sunday morning in the Patrick Henry, for Norfolk, intending to go on to New-York. In the course of the forenoon he was detected by Capt. Chapman; and on meeting with the Potomac on her way up to Richmond, Capt. Chapman put the whole party on board the Potomac, to be returned to their masters. The servant was very much depressed in the course of the day, and stated that he had no cause of complaint against his master, of whom he spoke in affectionate terms; but that he never could return to him after making an attempt to escape. The Potomac was late in getting up, and within a very short distance of Rocketts, about half past 11 o'clock. LETTER TO THE ARCHBISHOP OF CAN(on Sunday night,) the servant stepped over the side of the steamboat, before the wheel, very close to some of the passengers, who did not suspect his purpose. Wood was immediately thrown out to him, and the boat lowered-but in vain. The wretched victim of his own passions had disappeared and sunk. TERBURY. The following letter from Captain Charles Stuart to the Archbishop of Canterbury, will, we think, be read with interest by all who acThe act of this poor slave in putting an end knowledge the rights of slaves to freedom. to his life, was certainly criminal when exam- Though written principally in reference to ined by the light of Christianity. But had it the course pursued by the Society for been done among the Romans, it would have Propagating the Gospel, it applies with been celebrated as a deed of heroic virtue. great force to slaveholders in the United Poets and orators would have recorded the States. MY LORD: Letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury. LETTER. Will you permit an humble member of the Church of Christ, to address you with affectionate boldness, on a subject near his heart? That subject is, Negro Slavery! 83 What but a similar procedure, my Lord, awakened the midnight echoes of Egypt, with the howl of the slaughter of the first born? My Lord, who is it that keeps in His bottle, the tears of the afflicted; or whose ear is it, that is ever open to the cry of the poor, and who forgets not their blood? Doth not He speak truly, who says, 1 Sam. xv. 22- Behold, to obey, is better than sacrifice, and to hearken, than the fat of rams,' &c. Now, my Lord, the question which I wish to place before you with affectionate boldness, is: Not long ago, I heard with grief the proclamation read, which recommended the Society for Propagating the Gospel, to public aid. I heard it with grief, because that Society is a Slaveholder; and because the direct occasion, had reference to its Slave estate. Turn not now away, I beseech you; for, my Lord, 'It is an easy thing to wear a mitre and a cross; What is the real character of measures, but an awful thing to give account of a bish- which consist in preparing to let the oppressopric, before the Judge of quick and dead;'ed go free,' instead of letting them go; espeand I find that I cannot be at rest without thus addressing you, while I read the solemn words of God, in Lev. xix. 17-and again in James ii. 10. cially when the experience of 120 years calls out shame upon the futility of such preparations; for your Lordship no doubt is aware, that the great body of Slaves on the estate in question, are still living in open fornication and adultery? What, then, is the real character of such measures? Clearly, it is not obeying the letter of God's Word. The Society has had the said estate with Slaves, for upwards of 100 years. God, no doubt put it into their power, that they might obey Him, and let the 'oppressed go free.' Col. Codrington put it into their power, that they might educate a certain number of white youths, and give religious instruction to the But does the spirit differ from the letter? blacks. I need not tell your Lordship, how Your Lordship knows that the spirit is alpoorly both of these objects have been an- ways to be collected from the letter, except swered; neither need I affirm which the So-where doing so would involve a palpable abciety ought to have obeyed. But what has the Society been doing since 1710, when the bequest was made them? It has been preparing to obey God, as soon as might be prudent or convenient, by first preparing the Negroes for liberty. Here are my poor, said God, they have been oppressed-I put them into your hands. 'Let them go, that they may serve me.' We will, replied the Society, as soon as we have fitted them for it. So, thirty years rolled away, a generation passed into eternity, and the next generation was still enslaved, and still not fitted. 'Let my people go,' said God, in 1740, 'that they may serve me.' They are not ready yet, replied the Society. A third generation rose in 1770, and again God said 'Let my people go, that they may serve me.' We are getting them ready, replied the Society, as fast as we can. Do pray give us two generations more, for to tell you the truth, we want them to serve ourselves a little longer, and to make money for us, that we may build a college, and educate the white youths; and besides it would be running so sadly counter, to the generous and cultivated Barbarians! Another generation passed into eternity unredressed; and then another; and still the Society, instead of obeying, is only preparing to obey. My Lord, what brought down upon Algiers the British thunder, but a similar procedure? surdity. Now, would abiding by the letter, in the case before us, involve a palpable absurdity?— Would it be palpably absurd to believe, that infinite wisdom and goodness, commands the oppressed to be immediately delivered? Or must we conclude, that infinite love, knowing perfectly how very little men can be safely trusted with despotic power, still wills that the oppressed should remain in the hands of their oppressors, until their oppressors at the close of many generations, shall at length perhaps think them fit for liberty! Let us look at the divine procedure, as recorded in the Bible. Three thousand years ago, the Jews were in bondage in Egypt. Did God sanction Pharoah's keeping them in bondage, until the Egyptian task masters had prepared them for liberty? No!-He commanded Pharoah to let His people go. But perhaps they were prepared for liberty! Their bones scattered in the wilderness, where they sinned, and the golden calf, molten and graved at the very foot of the Mount, fearfully reply that they were not. Chushan Rishathaim, the Mesopotamian, in the 15th Century before Christ, reduced them to slavery for their crimes.-Judges iii. 7, 8. Did God permit him to keep them in bondage, till he had prepared them for liberty? No! God raised up Othniel, and delivered them, though He knew that they could soon again reduce themselves by their crimes, to bondage. |