Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-01-06

SELECTIONS.

SELECTIONS.
| The following anecdotes were trans
lated for the Phenix Gazette, from a
French work written in the years l77o
to 1886, called "Letters Of an American
Farmer" They are considered valua-
BILE as designating, by an interesting Sc
ries of facts, the authority and conse-
quences of correct and righteous prin.
ciples, upon the mind of an individual,
who had formed the noble resolution,
of submitting to their government in
all respects, as also the effects of cor
respondent conduct upon those who
were the objects of its influence. The
heart must be callous indeed that is not
moved by the narrative, and We hope
there are but few, who would not wish
to stand in the sublime and amiable
position occupied by the excellent
Warner Miiflin. S.
Warner Miffiin was left by his faith.
er possessed of thirty-seven slaves, old
and young. On the day he had fixed
for their emancipation, he called them,
one after another into his room; and
the following is the conversation that
passed between him and one of them.
swell friend James how old art thou?"
81 am twenty-nine and half years Of
age" answered the black man. "How!.
twenty-nine and a half years old? thou
oughtest to have been free at twenty
one like our brothers the white people.
Listen to what am going to say
religion and humanity enjoin that l
should give thee thy liberty, and JUS
tice commands me to pay thee for eight
and half years labour-this at S43 50
per annum including thy board, sc. a.
mounts to 1920 II which / am in thy
debt but as thou art young, and wilt
have to labor for a maintenance, / in
tend to give the my bond for this sum,
which will bear an interest of per
cent. Take that for the beginning of
thy fortune. Listen James thou art as
free man as am-henceforth thou
wilt be subject only to thy God and
the laws Of the country. Go into the
other room! where thou wilt find my
wife Phoebe, thy former mistress and
my nephew William Roberts, engaged
writing thy manumission paper; as
soon as shall have signed and sealed
it before witnesses, thou must 60 to
Douvres (the capital of Kent county,
and have it recorded in the books of our
Society, as well as in the County Re
gister. May God bless thee James be
prudent, and industrious, and in all thy
misfortunes and affections, thou wilt
| find friend in thy old master Warner
Milf, n" James surprised by SO no.
vel, 10 moving, SO unexpected a scene,
vel as if some heavy judgment had
EN- denounced upon him. Astonish-
! gratitude and many other feel
:: ID his heart, and convulsed his
If CD was the plentitude of his
It I'D scarcely express
himsen ooh! my dear
MASTER, hmy liberty?
l was boz and there
have alw stood in
need OF. in your
fields. and as able
and wore similar clv....-., 'r-
| ed as much for myself as H.. :
We have never gone to church o..
you gave US Saturday for ourselves,
I'VE wanted nothing. When l was
sick my kind and tender mistress would
come to my bedside, and console me
SAYING Well James my good fellow
what ais thee9 keep up thy spirits! the
physician will be here before long-I
will take care of thee-bear thy suffer-
| ings with patience, this is the best re-
medy'-oh when am free, whittier
shall 60 what shall do! and if
should be taken sick ?"-"Thou
canst initiate the white people,Chire
thyseIf to those who will give the high.
est wages. In few years thou wilt
be able to buy some land-thou may
est then marry woman discreet and
industrious like thysef, and educate
thy children as have educated thee, in
the fear of God and the love of labour
After a life of calmness and liberty
thou wilt die in peace.-James thou
must certainly accept thy freedom,
ought to have given it to thee long ago
Would to God the father of all men,
that white people had never thought Of
trading in the flesh Of their African
brethren! may he inspire the Ameri.
cans with desire to follow our exam.
pie! why should we, who regard u
! berty as our greatest blessing, refuse il
to those who live among us 49,?
ltf L-x,, <~<,nI- ,,~,, 49, <kfe