Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1840-05-06
BRANDON, WEDNESDAY, MAY 6,

pressed it as his opinion that my paper
ought not to, be supported. He became so |
excited In conversation with me, that he
was not in state of mind to understand
what my real sentiments were-yet this
minister was my personal friend, for whom
Estlll have the highest regard, and who,
am sure, did nos feel conscious how he |
was affected by prejudice and self interest. |
1t became every where rumored that was !
an abolitionist; it was reported that for
my incendiary movements was arrested
and confined in Barnwell Jail. Twice
did | receive intelligence of a determine
ton to tar and feather me. Members of
churches would walk out as soon as rose
in the pulpit to preach. was informed
that in BarnwelI District. it was a subject
of aglta on whether [ should not be kept
from t, cir pulpits. Nor was the perse-
cution confined to myscsf; my slaves were
afraid to leave the plantation lest they
might be abused-until as question of
humanity, Thought l had better sell them
than retain them in my possession. My
own relatives would tel me of the impoli-
cy Of allowing nv slaves so much more
privilege and SO much better fare. than
other masters gave. Indeed, my regard
for them, my anxiety for my own family,
my sympathy for my friends. the appeals
to my feelings, the vituperation and abuse,
and the threats of violence, all conspired
10 hinder me from coming to any definite
conclusion with regard to the morality of
sleeeholding; and I began to think |
must have been morbiGly sensitive on
question that to other minds seemed so
clear that [ had been Ia error in the
course had adopted with regard to my
slaves and was forced by public senti-
ment to let the sub ect alone until | could
regain my standing in the community
But L.seltied it in my own mind, that as
soon as could come away without being
driven away, and when my standing in
my denomination should be regained, and
the way was clear before me, would
! leave the jurisdiction of Lynch Law. and
place myself in condition to examine the
subject, until my conscience could be full
ly satisfied either that slavery was or was
not wrong and sin. | gave up my pa
per; | retired from all public assoc.a.
tons, and kept as private as possible until
my prosecutors were silenced, and defam-
alton had ceased. In the meantime had
nothing to read on the subject of slavery
and my mind though not satisfied, was
quiet Finally, the time came, when from
my standing as minister, and my posi-
ton In my own denomination, had the
stsongest personal inducements to remain
at the South. 1t was then that took the
opportunity of coming to this State But
: before L~came, the question must be Set
! tied, what shall do with my slaves2
dared not attempt their freedom under the
, circumstances Of the case. | could no
with safety to themselves leave them with
/. out protector was offered the mar
/, ket price for them in cash. This [ re
s fused, because knew not where to co.
t | then proposed to my brother-in-l law, t
. let him have them on a credit of sever
4 years, at somewhere about $500 less eac
q than had been offered for them in cash
Al They had connections among his slaves
=. and it suited them best to belong 10 hin
te did this under conscious impressio
le that it was the best plan which the Gil
- cumstances of the case allowed me
to adopt; and retaining three of my slaves,
~ came to this State. came, with my pr
al JUDGES strong. against the Abolition Soc
at ETY., and these preludices were increase
I'D by the movements of a few nnwlse mer
ey bers OF the Society, the temper and spi1
e. of whose minds are enough to do iniul
We TO any cause. But, l determined to gi
the aboitionis.s a hearing to inyestiga
ad their principles, and to satisfy myself
nd the subject of slavery. accordingly su
no scribed for the Philanthropist although
he almost felt like polluting my fnge
n whenever touched it. Yields Bible 4
in gument | examined; it vexed me becau
,er its STYLE seemed to be the language of /
on, ter passions; lost the argument In /
am anger with the author seized my {
to with the hope could reply to it, a
wrote six pages of objections to the
n 7 thor's introduction, but when | came
use dispose his argument, oh ! my conscien
the | found myself already convinced that
r;v. had the truth on his side, that slavery '
non wrong, however | might be scorched
n a the burning eloquence of the writer.
II could cavl, but could no longer
ILL 'hdI the DUE SANCTIONED -
,ob, gave what had written TO the flames.
INV determined to emancipate fully the tn
,ho. slaves l had retained; they were t
inn. worth not less than $4,000. Since
v in time, I have carefully investigated
= proceedings of the Anti-Slavery socl
ence and the principles of their constitut
mol until have become heartily sorry tn
Tn ever allowed the cry of g fanatics
|. gss against them to hinder the truth from 5
: = ing into my own mind and my heart
..a,y sympathizing with them in the noble
-. it of their philanthropic enterprise u