State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-05-03
From " Human Rights" for .9pr1I.
FRlrVrS or AROIITIONISM.

doing and tCW no. Here is testimony from
man who knows what slavery is, and
what abolitionism s--who has not only seen
but fell the truth of what he says. We are
informed that he has been highly respected
in Virginia, that lac has liberated his sidUeS,
and that he has returned to that state fear
less of the storm which his frank letter
may be expected to excite.
LETTER OF VIM. r. BUFORD.
Dear Sr,-As you arc ardently engaged
in the discussion of Slavery, think it likely
may be of service to you and through
You to the cause which you are advocating.
You wished to know of me whether
thought the South proper place to get
correct views OF slavery. Think not. My
reasons for so thinking are as follows:
was born and brought up at the South in
the midst of slavery as you know My faith
er inherited slaves from his father and
from him. So far from thinking slavery a
sin or that had no right 10 own the slaves
inherited from my father, ut an early age
when came to the North for the first time
| thought no one could venture 10 dispute
that right any more than | could his right
10 his land or stock. 1t is now several years
since [ came to the North and at that time
Colonization had the field. | advocated
il, as thought it on many accounts Il good
plan to get rid of such colored persons as
wished to go to Africa but my conscience
Us a stakeholder was not troubled by it. OF
course it had no tendency to make me dis
claim my right to my slaves. Abolition
Immediate abolition began afterwards to be
discussed in various parts of the country.
My right to the slaves own began to be
disputed. had to defend myself. In vain
did say inherited my slaves from pions
father, who seemed to. be governed in his
dealings, by n sense of duty to his slaves.
In vain did say that nearly all my proper
~ consisted in slaves, and to free them
would make me poor man. My duty to
emancipate was still urged. At length my
eyes we're opened partly by the arguments
used by the obolitionists-but mainly by
long being compelled by them to examine
the subject for myself. Subsequently
returned to Virginia. found it desolate
nnddegraded by vice, ignorance and dissi-
patton No longer could close my eyes
to the evils of slavery, nor could | any
longer despise the abolitionists, 'the only
true friends of their country and kind"
fnow think, know, have no more right +
TO own slaves, whether inherited them or
not, than have to encourage the African
buNt lOT GltHtl ttIlNS W DtIpCtVulC
slavery. By declaring this sentiment, |
expect and design to abet the cause of Alb
clifton at the North, and through the North
the emancipation of slaves at the South.
know that in doing this condemn the
South. No one can suppose, however, that
l have any unkind feelings towards the /.
South, when T say they have no right to
their Iaves, and are therefore committing !
sin in keeping them in bondage, (srch as
are or may be enlightened if they would.)
All my relatives live in the slavehoding
states, and are almost all shareholders. |
believe should never have looked at slave
~ as do now if | had remained at the
South. The North is the place to see
slavery as it is. | might adduce in further
proofof this fact that two young men came
on when | did, who now say they cannot
reconcile it to themselves TO hand slavery
down TO posterity, Notwithstanding they
are both Shareholders ut present. You in
quire OF me, whether | thought man
could reside at the North n few years and
then return to the South and continue to
mold slaves? Without answering for 9th
ers will say that could not, with the
views now have of slavery, without com
hitting great sin. That is, | could not
consider them as property nor dispose of
them in any other way than such as my
judgment should dicide their well being
demanded. You wished to know how
Virginia looks to me now when | revisit
the land of my fathers. As have already
said, desolate. When was there last year
every thing appeared on the decline. In
eastern Virginia, large tracts of country
once rich and fertile, arc turned out, rs de-
serted land there is termed-being TOO poor
to afford inducement to enterprise. The
tendency Of slavery is to impoverish the
land where it exists. A glance at the old
slaveholding states will furnish satisfactory
evidence of this fact.
Negroes expecting TO be free at the death
of their masters are invariably the best
slaves. ] know many instances of this
Why should they not be? lie looks upon
his master as his benefactor, and is buoyed
up by the hope Ct one day being freed
Without assigning any reasons which very
naturally suggest themselves however, it
is sufficient to state the fact that such are
the most trusty and honest servants labor
ing for what they consider the greatest re-
ward their freedom. Others can expect
nothing during long life of servitude,
than as much coarse fare as they need and
sufficient clothing to protect them from the
weather. No one will therefore wonder at
the fact, that negroes expecting to be free,
are the best slaves.
One word as to the capacity Of the blacks.
The know how to plant corn, when TO
plough, and when to eat t-and are capo-
BILE of managing plantation concerns. Ma
ny Of them within my knowledge control
plantation, master and all. They do il
well too so far as am capable of Judging.
They do it not by positive command, but
by better judgment. The slave hides his
advice the master swears awhile to con
vince him of his authority, but the advice
will he taken notwithstanding.
The danger to be apprehended from the