Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-10-29
Iron THE pnxyII GAZETTE.
Conversations of La Faye'ie, No. XVI.


Conversations of La Faye'ie, No. XVI.
sLAvERY.-COLONIZATION.
"You will send me all the reports of the
Philanthropc Society, which has been pleased
to honor me with its membership. l can as
sure YOU, nv dear sir, that feel no little'in-
terest in all which concerns its progress and
well doing. | have been so long the friend
of emancipation, particularly as regards these
otherwise most happy states, that | behold
with sincerest pleasure the commencement Of
an institution, whose progress and termination
will, trust. be attended BY the most successful
and beneficial results. shall probably not live
to witness the vast changes in the condition OF
man, which are about to take place in the
world; but the ara is already commenced, its
PROGRESSES apparent, its end is certain-France
will, ere long, give freedom to her few colo.
MES In England, the Parliament leaders
urged by the people, will urge the govern
ment to some acts preparatory to the emanci-
patton of her slave holding colonies. Already
she is looking with much anxiety toward her
Fast Indian possessions for supplies of sugar,
raised BY free labor. England is, in fact, rich
enough to buy up her slave property, and the
current of public opinion, sets so decidedly a
g,inst slavery, in all its forms, that if the PEG,
pie and government unite, it must soon cease
to exist in the English possessions. South A
merica is crushing the evil, at her first entrance
upon Political regeneration; she will reap
rich harvests of political and individual pros.
perty and ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, by this wholesome
measure. Where then, my dear sir, will be
the last foothold of slavery, in the world Is
it destined to be the opprobrum of this fine
country Again: you will, in time, have al
accession of at least three free states ~ this
Union-Maryhnd, Virginia and Kentucky -
I'm these three commonwealth there is nothing
grown, which may not be produced by free Ia
bur; neither is the climate inimicai to the
white man, but the reverse. In the west OF
Virginia and Kentucky found i.sclf among
race of grants Some of the finest men
have ever beheld, were from the county of
Augusta; and well remember, the hardy and
skilful riAcmen winch she sent to my aid, IN
the campaign Of 1871. They were as accepta,
bic tous, in that time of need, as their rifles
,,.a,.. t., ha
''u the course of the next half century, the
changes which have foretold, viii probably
come TO pass; and if they should, what, my
dear sir, will be the condition of our friends in
the extreme south and south west of the L.
nited States : slavery declines in the other
states, its migration will tend directly TO those
regions, rs its last place of refuge. May we
not hope that this will be deemed matter o.
serious consideration, worthy # the labours of
philosophers, of phianthoplsts, and of all who
feel interest in the safety and well being ola
large portion ofthe American family
sour friend, Miss Wright, sat this moment
devoting her mind, and Der pen, to this inter
es,ing subject: YOU viii find her lady of rare
intellectual qualities, and of much literary
taste and requirements. She spent some
time with us at La Gra1ge--lt was there, that
looking over some manuscripts, discovered
the merits of her work, A Few Days in Athens,
which she had not intended to publish, but
which, may say, insisted on her giving to
the world. You will find it at Thompson's,
and am sure, will be much pleased with its
perusal. She is also the authoress of a Ora
ma, which is not yet published. Whatever
may,he the success other intended labours, in
the cause of philanthropy, am sure that they
will contain very many traits of goodness Of
heart, and of pure and enlightened mind.
"Apropos of yours, and your friend Gurlcv's
plan, for gradual emancipation, by enabling
the slave to pay for himself, in a gwen numbe"
of wears. have only heard of il BY report, and
am anxious to be acquainted with It's details. !"
The plan of which you speak, General,
owes no originality to me, or mytriei'd,-l met
with suggestion of that sort, in reading the
travels of Schoolcraft, and handed it over for
publcatiorin the Colonization Journal. The
idea is, that the master should give one day in
the week to the slave, as day of grace, in
which the slave may earn something, toward
his liberation. At the usual rates of hire, it
would require sixteen years for valuable
slave to earn his price. But as many casual
ties might occur, it would be better that the
master should, in most cases, be the hirer
himself, rs this would prevent the loss oftime,
often necessary in obtaining work, &c. The
great difficulty will always be the increase,
since if they were to serve only sixteen years,
the system would be without end: the chill
dren. and children's children, would rise up
in regular succession, and we shall have only
s'scotchcd the snake, not killed it," and sla-
very would be interminable. My Mlmole idea
is, that proprietor should bargain thus with
himself, and his conscience, saving this day