Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-08-02

MR.. BIR.NEK, THE LIBERTY P.8RrYS
- CANDIDATE FOR THE PRES
TDEA,rT

From the Ohio State Journul.
MR.. BIRNEY, THE LIBERTY P.8RrYS
CANDIDATE FOR THE PRES
IDENCK
The following letter has been transmitted to us
for publication, by Mr.. Mitchell, the editor of the
Danville (Ky.) Tribune. 1t presents facts worthy
Of serious consideration, and places Mr. Birney in
less favorable light than have been disposed
| to reg rd him. The facts are put forth in such a
shape that it seems impossible to galnsay or con-
trovert them We can only commend them to the
consideration of the Liberty men of Ohio, with the
suggestion that it behooves them to see that they
are not deceived in their mani
To the Editor Of the Ohio State Journal:
Dear Sir-lf you think this letter worth publish
ing in the Journal, you may use it. If not, you
will enclose it and direct it to the gentleman in
Ravenna, in answer 10 whose inquiries it was writ
ten.
Your friend, A. S. M.
DANvILLE, Kv., June Doth, 1874
| To Charles Sanford, of Ravenna, Ohio
Dear Sr-Your letter of the Doth Of Nav, ma
king some inquiries into James G. Birney's career
as an Abolltionist in Kentucky, was received in
good time, but could not be answered sooner, ow
ing to necessary delay in procuring the information
you desired. | am not personally acquainted with
| Mr.. Birney's movements in Danyille in the years
| 1919, previous TO his removal to the North. All
of our older citizens, however, are, and from them
| derive my information. Besides, some things
concerning Mr. Birney are of record, a when !
avail myself of this latter source of knowledge, |
of course speak by the book. That the facts shall
give prove on Mr.. b.. in signal and remarkable
manner, great apcstacy from the sentiments he
had deliberately and soemnly recorded. 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 of the world, the friends of Mr. b. are
indebted to the natural resentment which must be
excited by their long, perseverng, and unjust per
secution of others. Their active endeavors, by
fraud and Instrumentation to mislead the minds
and carry away the feelings of unsuspecting men
and make them hate one OF the best and purest pat
riots of the age, is the cause, if any be required,
for carrying this inio africa. Nj. Blrney's
history is briefly this:-
He formerly lived probably was raised) in this
County. About the year 1918 or 10 he removed
to Alabama, taking with him large number of
slaves-old citizens tell me about 30 He lived in
Alabama till about the year 1888, when he returned
to Danvle, bringing with him 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 Ala.
bama. HoC it became necessary for him to sell
so large number of men, women, and children, |
have heard, but think it not worth while to state
1t may be but the gossip of the evil-minded 1t is
certain, however, that he sold nearly all his Slares
before he returned to Kentucky, and that very soon
after he returned he began to show symptoms of
Abolitionsm. The small remnant of his flock he
did indeed actually emancipate. | have procured
from the Clerk of the County Court OF Mercer Co.
a certified copy of his deed of ancpatiol, which
here transcriDe:-
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY, !
Mercer County, Sect
Know all men by these presents that |, James G.
Brney, of the said county of Mercer in the State
of Kentucky, after careful and deliberate exam
ination to ascertain my duty citizen of the u
nited States, and protested follower of Jesus
Christ in relation to slavery, and having arrived at
very satisfactory conclusion that slavery is incon
sistent with the great truth that all menare created
free and equal, upon which, as can conceive, our
republican institutions are founded, as well as the
great rule of benevolence delivered to us by the
Saviour himself, that in all things whatsoever ye
would that men should do unto you, do ye even so
to them-I do therefore, independently of long and
faithful services hereby ami by virtue of these
presents emancpate, manumit set free, and forever
discharge from the condition of slavery, my slave
Michael, a black man about forty years old his
wife Hannah, about thirty eight years old and
their three children, Mary seventeen years old ;
l}etsey nearly sixteen years old and, Edwin, boy
fourteen years old and, also, mulatto girl be-
tween six and seven years old, named Amanda
whom brought with me from Alabama, whose faith
ct 40 not KNOW, ana NHOSG lOlneT Is Il SldNG Ill
Alabama. In testimony whereof have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this I'd day of June, 1884.
JAS. G.. BlRNEY. Seal
Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of Jas.
Blrney Jr, VIM. Brney, Joshua f. Bell VIM.
Miller.
State Of Kentucky, !
Mercer County, Sect (
], Thomas Alliu, Clerk of the Court for the coun-
ty aforesaid do certify that the foregoing is true
copy from the record in my office. Given under my
hand this 18th June, 1874.
THO. ALLIN.
| have copied the deed of emancipation perbdtim
and wish you to mark the reasons given BY Mr..
b. for his course. Ills emancipation is placed on
the highest liberty grounds. Ills duty as " fol-
lower of Jesus Christ" required that he should set
free his slaves, and he does it independently OF
long and faithful services" Surely a man, after
"careiul and deliberate examination" arriving at
such satisfactory conclusion" will never again,
after " June I'd 1884," traffic in "human flesh and
| blOo1." we sha1t see we shaft see. hfr. b.
had still one " blood bought soul in bondage Did
he break Charles letters toe? Having heard that
there had once been fair business transaction
between Mr. Birney and Mr.. Robert llltord, one
of the most respectable citizens IN this county,
requested Mr.. II. to give me statement OF the m.
ture of it. Mr. u. complied by giving me the fol-
| lowing:
(Mark the date.)
On the 9Th July, 1884, James g. Birney sold me
a negro man named Charles for which was to pay
him the price of $500. | accordingly executed
James G.. Birney my two notes Of $3.50 each, in
the words following, to wit
"250-On or before the first day of October
next, promise to pay James q. Birney two hun
dred and fifty dollars for value received of him.
Witness my hand, this 9Th July, 1884
ROBr TILFORD."