The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-08-21
Mr.. BIRNEY'S LETTER.

readily, from the fact that we two weeks
since published an accoun, relative to the
same subject involving Mr.. Birney in palpa-
BILE Inconsistency. This last account was
read by ]. NJ. Slade Esq, and commented
upon during the recent discussion between
him and A.. ST. Clair in this village. 1t was
| pronounced at the time, by Mr.. IT. Clalr'
a base forgery; but subsequently GesHo'rl-
edged by him to be correct.
The letter of Mr.. Biruey does not in our
estimation alter the state of the case at all,
so far as the facts are concerned. His only
apology for doing as he did, is that offered by
every one after committing sin, by sorrow.
But i: happens that his sorrow comes too late
to atone for the consequences that have flow
ed from the actto the poor boy Charles, sold
by Mr.. B. into absolute Slarery' Humani-
ty itself must weep at the rectal Of the deed
and Justice cry out against its preparation.
We will examine the letter of Mr.. Birney
which will condemn him and prove him,
guilty of transaction of nature, beyond
what, we ever thought he could with his pro-
fessons be found to commit. What are the
facts! To begin. Between 1918 and 1924
Mr.. Birney a resident of Alabama came into
the possession of 35 slaves, part by actual
purchase, and part otherwise. Like many
Southern planters he contracted habits OF
dissipation, which had an unhappy effect up
on bis business. In order to preserve his
credit he was compelled to sell 80 of his
slaves. From this he resumes the practice
of law. In the autumn of ls2S'50, he pur-
chases , more. The last two he sells in
accordance with the wishes of the slaves.
In November 1891 he Mr.. B. bought a ne
groe woman and her little child. After the
last purchase of human beings, he received
upon money advanced slaves as security.
which were returned upon the payment oftho
money. In 1893 he hires of an estate ,
more slaves. These remained with him until
he left Alabama The above is the sub;anee
Of Mr.. Birueys slaveholding previous TO
his leaving Alabama for Kentucky. From
bis own statement he has been an extensive
STAKEHOLDER, and dealer ii Slares. The cues
ton arises why did Mr., Birney sell all oil
his 30 slaves or in fact any Of them The
ostensibe design was to preserve his credit
But could he not have fonrd men who
would been willing to have advanced him
sum of money upon the security of his slaves
thus affording him an opportunity to redeem
them. and in Justice give them their liberty
. 1t seems that Mr.. B. himself Afterwards be-
came SO wealthy as 10 be able to advance
money TO friend and receive as security.
slaves. II he had adopted this course IN
reference to his own slaves, he might,
have had nay he probably would have en-
ioyed, the blessed privilege Of giving them
their liberty, aud they this day or their pos
terity at least blessing the mercy OF James
G.. Birney Mr.. Birney is bound by his
: ;nsf professions dhd pretensIons to now
purchase those 30 slaves, If living, or dead,and
their children, ard set them free. How was
il with the noble Brisbanei He sold his
| slaves and afterwards became warm abo-
5 Gtiouist. But did he leave the slaves he sold
7 in absolute" sIaveryl No. Atthe sacrifice
of thousands Of dollars he re-purchascd these
beings, and in the nobleneSs Cfhis nature,
gave security to his professions by giving
them all their liberty. Why does not the
singh minded Birney" do this. All why
does he not Unjust not be urged that he
does mot possess the means. He should come
out with an appeal to his warm partizans'
and ask Of them the meas TO enable him TO
accomplish so benevolent an object The
leaders of the Third Patty should themselves
set in motion the means that would bring
about this desirable object, and thus rid
their candidate Mr. Birney Of the imputa-
items that must inevitably be fastened upon
him, and clear his skirts of the blood of those
=, now in bcnddge, through has means. we
!. now come TO Mr.. Birney's transactions
after he became citizen of Kentucky.
Upon leaving Alabama he brought to Ken
lucky six slaves, and while there, by
purchase came into the possession of anoth-
Ell, uldklDH III Tic MIOiO g. III TIT AhONeH VI
May 1884 he becomes fully convinced Of the
: "rigkt" Of his slaves to their freedom, and
). of his duty" as christian to give tito them
}. We wish our readers to mark the date Of
these convictions of duty as a christian, III
reference to the matter. On the fist OF
e June following he Mr., B. executes deed Of
emancipation for six of his slaves. We give
an extract from the deed itself to show his
feeling in reference to the important act he
was to accomplish, the Liberation of human
beings from american Slavery and his reason
for SO doing: r
CommOn,cealthct kentucky,
If Mercer county, Set
o "Know all men by these presents that |,
James G. Birney. of the said county of Nler-
Ger in the State of Kentucky, after careful
Z and deliberate examination TO ascertain my
duty as a citizen of the United States and a