Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-10-25

Now here is a definite charge; appendix e. con-
tains &c doctrines leading directly to the general
abolition of slavery" and was 90 written TO prove
that that was one of the society's Objects"
The doctrines contained in tins chapter will be
found to be nothing more than an ayowal of the
society's original purpose and a fair defence of it.
know that you consider this purpose leading
directly TO the general abolition of slavery" but
30 thought OF those who formed 1t and no dis
claimcr OF the society could surely be construed
as to prohibit them from prosecution Of the very
purpose for which they had associael the article be-
gins with extract from a speech OF Mr.. Claws at
the first annual meeting which, it is true speaks of
emancipation and the prohibiory laws ofthe states;
but Mr. Clay had not for GOTTEN HE extract
of his speech which you quote, nor can>there be
| discerned the lea Inconsistency between the two
extracts. In Mr.. JetIerson's letter there is moth
| ing alarming, and nothing that had not been pub
| lished, without any objection being made TO it,
| years before the society was formed. Then fol-
low extracts from addresses made the society by
Judge w ashingio and Mr. Mercer, and from let
ter of Mr. Harper's to the Secretary. These gen
uemen or some of them, express their hopes and
! expectations OF certain consequences which may
result from the laboGrs of the society they do this
| In mild language, and suitable and safe occa-
| sions, among themselves, do they do this UNI
necessarily 10 establish or propagate any other
doctrine than that for which they were associated.
Surely if they could be allowed TO avow and pro-
secute their object, they had fair right TO defend
their object and 20 shew its advantages. Suppose
them attacked by opponent like yourself, who
thought the prosecution of their object dangerous
and that they meant 20 alarm the public by schemes
Of. abolition? Might they not reply that they pro-
secuted no such scheme, that they only 10 la
bour Tor the removal of the Free and that those who
were unwilling TO emancipa'e would be benefited
/ by their SUGGEST If still urged with the oblec-
| ton, that their purpose led to emancipation, might
D. IL. l. .
| ted with removal would then be safe and salutary!
| And suppose them attacked (as they were) by
others who charged then design TO be selfish and
only calculated TO make" servitude more secure
! and rigorous, might they not defend themselves
in the manner done this appendix and shew that
their object. II attained, would benefit those who
were willing but unable To emscipate? And NIGH,
not the society, finding it necessary TO reply to
such objections, do with perfect tilmness, con-
sisency and safety? We now trying the charge
OF departure from original purpose, and if this
supposed departure is Just defence of themselves
and fair prosecution of their purpose it is no
departure: and you driven 10 impeach The pro-
priety of the purpose your only ground This
appendix is declared 10 be penned and published be-
causeit had been charged (page 99) - that in the
constitution and proceedings of the society, or in
the avowed sentiments OF lis members there can be
discerned nothing friendly to the abolition, Sc
and = IN order to justify (page 1922 the society
from the charge of selfish design 10 dismiss
the Tree, that the remainder may begheld in a more
secure and rigorous servitude,'' In making this de-
fence, mors safe and prudent course could not be
adopted, more temperate and mild language could
not be used. Every appeal TO passion or to egis-
iaton IL only avoided but discouraged and dis
avowed, and it is published in the appendix TO
pretty considerable volume, intended for gener-
al sale circulation, but discreetly distributed
OF the same character and entitled TO the same
IsttsFa L..
| your letter 10 the society of Powhatan. They are
all consistent with fair prosecution of the socety's
original purpose; they were necessary its prose-
cution, and consequently prove change of course
or object.
As to what has been done by those you call
g the Foiaries oil the Society," l am rot bound
TO answer. You consider Congress, the State Lee
gIslaures, the Abolition Societies, and all who
write or speak these subjects, as votaries.
tell you you are mistaken If any of these vota-
ries, do as you say 6 openly avow and propagate
in their wide spread operations through the coun-
try, doctrines leading directly the general aboli-
| ton OF slavery" we can only say we have never
heard o! IT, and have given them neither authority
nor encouragement 10 do so.
| Whatever others may think and do, the Coloni-
cation Society understands the true and delicate ma
ture OF the business in which they have engaged
Its managers almost all Shareholders and feel
and know, and admit that the utmost caution and
prudence is essential in their measures Had they
been the wild fanatics you suppose them, pursuing
the mad and dangerous designs you attribute 10 them
with the rashness, iudiscretion and inconsistency
with which you charge them, ask you, Whether,
IN nearly ten years, fruits OF their folly would
not be found to appear | demand of You vine
ther in such time, such instrument (havng too,
as you suppose, vast influence in Congress and in
the States,) and " actively engaged in scattering
the seeds OF misery and disunion in tie country,
/ rsrTtlt ,il 4l.,... 4 AZ
Citations can give it, have so forgotten or
neglected its business, as now only, to have alarm
ed you only while the enightcnd legislature of
Virginia. III the very midst of these terrifying ope-
ration-, instead o! seeking arrest the evil and
punish the evil-doers, give them las they did only
a year ago. aid and encouragement? | aver then
that the Society has acted wisely and prudently
and prove 1t by shelving that they have acted
lnnocently and salely--I appeal TO the existing
state Of things, which coad not be peaceful and
secure as 1t is, if there was any real ground Tor
your charges. | appeal to the continued and en-
cTeasing confidence of an enlightened community
justly vigilant upon this subject, which could not
have been gained, without having in some measure
deserved it.
readily acknowledge that there are many we'll
meaning persons, who engage in various enterprises
relating to this interesting and difficult subject, in
way TO justify your apprehensions. and pursue
course that must be admitted to be dangerous +,
Is very easy TO be misled by falling into error in
this way, as | hope 10 shew YOU One ADVANTAGE
OF the Colonization Society is, that they draw Off
many oil these mistaken but honest men from wild
and dangerous pursuits, 10 adopt the object of the
Society and engage in what is more safe That far
more correct, rational and temperate views are
now gaining ground in the North, must be admitted
and 1t may be hoped that many OF those whom you
now consiIer our voiaries, may really become So
ana renqnishing the various operations that excite