The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-02-28
LETTER OF GOV. ELLSWORTH ON
SLAVERY.
rtIcuIarty notice.
ITO be continued
HARTFORD, Sept. 2Oth, lS43,


My Dear Sir A gentleman presented tn
me, few days since, paper. setting forth
the expedicncy Of an Anti-Slavery Convcu-
ton in Middletown, to which | find your
name.
AS | am now a private citizen publicly en-
trusted with the interests Of none, am hap
py TO state my views on both sides of the great
subject Of slavery, to one so long known and
esteemed as yourself.
When had the honor of a seat in Con-
gress, | repeatedly presented to that body
petitions for the abolition of slavery in the
| District and Territories, and for the suppress
sion Of commerce in slaves from the former.
| The last object | advocated with some ear
nestness. | had in cooperation with be-
nevolent gentleman Of Washington, examin-
ed into the Imprisonment of slaves in that city
and Alexandra, and the systematic commerce
i'll them, until | became shocked at the enOr-
mites perpetrated in sight Of the Capitol. and
indignant that nothing could be done without
mourning the displeasure of esteemed friends.
Well do Irecollect that Mr.. Adams discount
tenanced all attempts 10 put an end TO slave
~ in the District, although its continuance
sustained a trafick, akin to kidnapping in AZ
RIGA. felt, as | now do, that Congress pos
arrest the commerce, and aim at Ultimate
emancipation itself. Nor was / satisfied that
Congress did not possess the power Of reach
ing slavery more extensively by regulating
commerce among the States, as it had done
the trafiick in slaves in foreign commerce.
In short, the injustice and inpocy of slavery
appeared 10 me so obvious. and the danger
of provoking Heaven so great. ! felt as If
Congress ought in some suitable way, to in
terpose its whole constitutional power. But
found enlightened and excellent men, who
looking upon slavery as did, (and whose
Judgment was bound TO respect,) differed
as to the course 10 be pursued. However. l
could not but remember that " hen the Con-
sttutiOu was formed, gentlemen from the
South did daclare their belief, las have Of
ten been told that in due time, measures
would be taken to destroy slavery. All men,
at that da1 considered slavery to be so great
an evil as TO demand vigorous efforts for its
determination, but now, after fifty years,
when we appeal TO the assurance of statesmen
of that period, we hear from an executive
chair, even that nothing should be done, slave
~ is not an evil: no, to be regretted: and
leading men and preachers of the gospel as
sert, that it is so deeply wrought into the body
poIitic. and so essential where it has prevail
ed, il is useless to attempt its suppression
We are, by many, told most gravely, that it
is in vain to waste our benevolence upon IT,
With confidence say, that neither in Con-
gress or elsewhere, have met Southern
man, $50 far as he has expressed himself) rea-
DIV TO advise the slave States to enter upon
measures for final emancipation.
The subject then, presents itself IN nelr
LIGHT. Is slavery to be perpetual in the Uni
ted States Is nothing more to be attempt
edl Are we always to be the by-woTd
of nationsl Is this stupendous system to
strike deeper and deeper, until it perishes by
its own growth! Could see any decided
movements among the planters, any awaken
ing solicitude in Southern statesmen, or ade-
quate efforts in their legislatures; would their
presses alarm, or their pulpits warn, should
be silent on the subject, for we at the North,
do not duly appreciate the difficulties which
encompass slavery, where it has so long ex-
isted, while our warmth, in what we esteem
the cause of justice, and our Indignation at
the apparent supineness of those who claim
to have the only right to act, are likely 10 lead
us too far and too fast.
The time has been, if not now, I am con-
| 6dent. when Congress would have aPPropria-