Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1844-07-26
From The Ohio State Journal.
Mr.. BIRNEY, THE LIBERTY PAR
TYS CANDIDATE FOR THE
pRESTDENCY

| facts worthy Of serious consideration, ana pla-
ces Mr. Birney in less favorable light than we
have been disposed TO regard him. The facts
are put forth in such shape that il seems i'm
possible TO gainsay or controvert them. We
can only commend them TO the consideration
of the Liberty men of OIio, with the sugges-
ton that il behooves them 10 see that they are
not deceived in their MANI
! To The Editor of The Ohio STATE Journal;
Dear Sr-If you think this letter worth pub
fishing in the journal, you may use it, IfHot,
you will enclose it and direct il TO the gentle
man in Ravenna, in answer to whose inquiries
Your friend, A. S. NJ.
DANvILLE, Kentucky, June goth, 1914.
To Charles Sanford, of Ravenna, Ohio
Dear Sr-Your letter Of the Goth OF May,
making some inquiries into James G. Birney's
career as an Aboliionist in Kentucky, was re-
ceived in good time, but could not be answered
sooner, owing to necessary delay in procuring
the information you desired. ! am not person
allv acquainted with Mr. Birney's movements
Z in Danve in the years 1594-5, previous to his
removal to the North. All of our older cit-
zens, however, are, and from them derive my
information. Besides, some things concerning
! Mr. Birney are of record, and when avail my
self of this latter source Of knowledge ], OF
course, speak by the book That the facts
shall give prove on Mr. b., in signal and re-
markable manner, great apostacy from the
sentiments he had deliberately and solemnly re-
corded, there can, think, be no doubt That
they are now brought forth from the oblivion
in which, for the credit of Mr. b., they should
have remained, and are exposed to the gaze oi
the world, the friends of Mr. b. are indebted
to the natural resentment which must be ex-
cited by their long, persevering, and unjust per-
seculion Of others. Their active endeavors, by
fraud and Misrepresentation, TO misead the
minds and carry away the feelings OF unsuspect-
ing men and make them hate one Of the best
and purest patriots of the age, is the cause, II
any be required, for carrying this war into If
RIGA Mr. Birney's history is briefly this:-
! lie formerly lived (probabIy was raised) in
this County About the year 1918 or 10 he
removed to Alabama, taking with him large
number oil slaves-old citizens tell me about so.
He lived in Alabama till about the year 1883,
when he returned to Danville, bringing with
him but one family OF slaves, six in number,
and one small girl "torn from its mother" in
Alabama The remainder of his slaves and
their increase were sold before leaving Alaba-
ma. Hotr il became necessary for him TO sell
so large number Of men, women, and chill
dren, have heard, but think il not worth while
TO state II may be but the gossip of the evil
minded. Ii is certain, however, that he sold
nearly all his slaves before he returned TO Ken
lucky, and that very soon alter he returned he
! began TO show symptoms of Abolitionism.
! The small remnant of his flock he did indeed
actually emancipate. I'have procured from
: the Clerk of the County Court of Mercer Co.
a certified copy of his deed Of emancipation,
which here transcrbe:-
Commonwealth of Kentucky,
Mercer County, Sect.
/ Know all men by these presents that | James
G. Birney, of the said county OF Mercer in the
State of Kentucky, after a careful and deliber-
ate examination To ascertain my duty as a cit-
zen of the United States, and prolessed fol-
lower of Jesus Christ in relation to slavery,
aud having arrived at very satisfactory con
clusion that slavery is inconsistent with the
great truth that all men are created equal, up
on which, as | can conceive, our republican in
stitutons are founded, as well as the great rule
Of benevolence delivered 10 US by the Saviour
himself, that in all things whatsoever We would
that men should do unto you, do We even So
TO ihem-l do therefore, independently of long
and faithful services, hereby and by virtue of
these presents emancipate, manumt, sci free,
aud forever discharge from the condition OF
slavery, my slave Micheal, black man about
forty years old; his wife Hannah, about thirty
eight years old; and their three children, Ma
~, seventeen years old; Betsey nearly sixteen
years old; and Edwin,a boy fourteen years old;
and, also, mulatto girl between six and seven
years old, named Amanda, whom brought
with me from Alabama, whose father do not
know, and whose mother is n slave in Alabama.
In testimony whereof | have heTeunto set my
hand and seal, this 81 day of June, 1884.
JAS. G. BIRNEY. [SeaL.
Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence OF
Jas. Birney, Jr., VIM. Birney, Joshua +.
Bell, VIM. Miller.
State of Kentucky,
Mercer County, Sect.
], Thomas Allin, Clerk of the Court for the |
county aforesaid, do certify that the foregoing
is true copy from the record in my Office
Given under my hand this l2th June, Is44,
THO. ALLIN. |
| have copied the deed of emancipation per-
Jaiini, and wish you to mark the reasons Civ
en- by Mr. b. for his course. His emancipa-
ton is placed on the highest liberty grounds
His duty as follower OF Jesus Christ" re-
quired that he should set free his slaves, aud he
does it independently Of long and faithful ser
vices" Surely, man, after "careiul and de-
liberate examination" arriving at such a "sat-
isiactory conclusion' will never again, after
"June ID 1884, traffic in ''human flesh and
blood" We shall see. We shall see MI b. |
4. -asn II L