Berkeley and Jefferson intelligencer. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va.) 1802-1810, 1804-02-24
70 THE
PEOPLE eftt< UNITED STATES.

fELloW cIrizENs, Il Z
!. THE American Convention for pro-
motingthe Abolition Of Slavery, and im-
proving the Condition Of the African
race, assembled for the purpose Of deli
beration upon such matters - Felate to
the design Of their institution, believeit
their duty TO address you ct this time. ::
not with a view TO descant upon the hor-
rors Of slavery, or its incompanbility
with sound policy, with justice, with
morality, and with the spirit and doc
trines Of Christianity for besides that
the circnmscribed mature of such an ad.
dress necessarily precludes lengthy ami
madyersior, these are topicks, which
have been so repeatedly and ably discus
sed, as TO leave little room for additional
argument or new Illustration. The feel
ings and the judgement have been often
addressed with ali the strength ofreasen
and the powers Of eloquence, and al
though prejudice may blind the eyes of
some, and avarice close the avenues Of
sensibility in others, we derive cohsolati-
/ on from the assurance, that the vie and
the good, the liberal end the consider
ate Of an classes of the. community, la
rnsnt the existence ofslaveE, and con-
slider It as dark stain in he annals of
our country. We do not tven hesitate
TO believe, that many who bold slaves
by demise, acknowledge The injustice of
the tenure but perplexed in the con-
templation,of the embarrasmentih which
they find themselves, they are ready to
exclaim, I" What shall be: done with
them" We would willingly include
these among the number Of our friends,
and intreat them to unite in the removal
of an evil so justly and almost universal
ly depiored. 81 49,
/ A principal object of our concern, is
10 rouse the attention Of the publick to
the continued-may we not say-in-
creasing necessity Of exersion. We fear
many have taken UP an idea, that there
is less occasion now than formerly, for
active zeal in promoting the cause of the
oppressed African /; but when it is re.
;membered that there are about nine hun.
bred thousand slaves in our country
that hundreds Of vessels do annually sail
from our shores to tfaffick in the blood
OF our fellow men and that the abomina-
bic practice of Kidnapping is carried on to
an alarming extent surely it will not be
thought time for supineness and neg
lect. Ought not rather every faculty Of
the mind to be awakened! and in mat
ter wherein the reputation and prosperity
of these United States are so deeply IN
yolved, is it possible that any can remain
as indifferent and idle spectators!
The gross and violent outrages COM
mitted BY horde of kidnappers, call a.
loud for redress. We have reason to
believe, there is complete chain Of
them along our sea coast, from Georgia
to Maine. Like the yulture, soaring in
apparent indifference, while watching for
his prey, these shameless men, disg,lis-
ed in the habiliments of gentlemen, haun.
public places, and at night seize and
carry of. the victims Of their avariee.
The Convention are informed of some
of their insiduous' manEuvres. hey
generally have vessels moored IN small
rivers and creeks, and after stealing the
unprotected, they deeov by stratagem
and allure by speciious offers ofgain, such
free persons ofcolour as they 6nd sus-
ceptible Of delusion. Others residing
near the ssacoast, are continually pur-
chasing slaves in the middle states, to
sell at an advanced price to their COM
peers in infamy. For the victims ofthis
shocking business, they End =, ready
market among the southern planters.
The design Of this detail must &c owl
Gus: II IS to excite the vigilance Of eve
~ friend 70 humanity and 10 virtue, in
the detection and punishment of these
monsters in the shape of men.
To complain Of injustice, or petition
for redress ofgrievances, cannot be mis-
taken for rebellion against the laws ofour
country. Welamcnt therefore the exis-