Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1849-03-22
INOMIINS TFIGo
LETTER FROM MR.. CLAY.

New Orleans, Feb. IL, 1919.
Dear Slr:-Prior 10 my departure from home il d.
cenbe last in behalf Of yourself and other friends Won
obtained from me promisetn make public exposio Of
my views and opinions upon grave and imp quss.
lion which. it was Then anticipated. would be much de-
baied ard considered by the people of Kentucky during
this year. in consequence Of the approaching Convention
summoned TO amend their present Constitution. was
not entirely WELL when left home, and owing to that
cause, and my confinement several weeks, during my
sourn in this city. from the effects Of accident which
befel me, have been delayed in the tuhlment Of my
promise. which now propose to execute.
The question, 10 which ailude. is whether African
Slavery il exists in Kentucky, shall be left to
perpetual indefinite continuance. some provision
shall be made in the Constitution for It's gradual and
ultimate ex melton.
few general observations will suffice my present pu
poses without entering the whole subject of slavery
nnde all lis bearings and in every aspect oft am
that there respectable persons who believe that
slavery is blessing. that the institution ought 10 exist
in every well organized soretv and that it is even ia
vorable to the preservation Of liberty. Happily the
number who entertain these extravagant opinions, is
very great and the time would be useessy occupied in
elaborate refutation Of them would, however remark
that if slavery be aught with these alleged benefits the
principles which is maintained, would require that
portion of The white should be reduced TO bon
dage serve another portion of the race, when
black subjects of slavery could be obtained and that
in Africa where they may entertain great preference
for their color do for they would be justified
in reducing the white slavery, in order 10
the blessings which that state is said to dfuSe.
An argument, in support Of reducing the African
10 slavery is sometimes derived from their alleged in
teecua nfeority the white races, but if .his agu-
ment be founded in fact Gas may be- but which shall
examine. it would prove entirely too much Ii
would prove that any white nation which had made
greater advances in civilization. knowledge and wisdom
than another white nation, would have right to reduce
the latter state Of bondage Nay further. if the prn
cple subugation founded upon intellectual superiority
be true and be applicable and to nations, what
is prevent lis being applied TO individuals? And then
the wisest in the world would have right make
slaves Of all The rest Of mankind.
If. indeed possess this intellectual superiority, pro-
foundy grateful and thankful HIM who has bestowed
it, ought to fulfil all the obga ions and duties which
it imposes and these would require subjuaate
or deal unjusy by fellow men, who less blessed
than are Tut instruct to improve and enlghten
them.
vast majority of The people of the United States. in
every section Of them believe, the Introduction
Of slavery into the colonies under the authority Of
British ancestors, lament that a single slave freads
soil depore the necessity Ct the continuance of slavery
IN any of the States regard the institution great
vii to both races and would rejoice in the ad pn Of any
safe Just and practicable plan for the removal Of all slaves
from among Hitherto such satisfactory plan has
been presented When on the occasion of the for nation
of present Constitution of Kentucky in 1899, the
question Of the gradual emancipation Of slavery in that
State agated its friends had 10 encounter great
obs acle. in the fact that there then existed establish
ed colony, to which they could be transported Now
by the successful establishment of nrshing colonies
the Western If Africa, that difficulty has been OBJ
waited And confess that without indulgng in any
undue feelings Of superstition it does seem to that it
may have been among the dlspensatons OF Providence
permit the wrongs, under which Africa has suffered
to be inflicted that her children might be returned their
original home civilized, imbued with the benign spirit Of
Christianity, and prepared ultimately to redeem that
great Continent from blrbarsm and doatry.
| Without undertaking. O ;udUe other State
was my opinion in 1899, that Kentucky in cond
ton TO admit Of the gradual emancipation Of her Slaves
and how deeply do lament that system with that Oh
ecr had not been then established. Ii it had BEEN the
State would be nearly rid of all slaves. My opn-
ion has never changed, and have frequently publicly
expressed il. should be most happy If what was in
practicable a, that epoch could now b. accomplished
After full and deliberate Consideration If the subject
II appears that three principles should regulate the
establishment of system of gradual emancipation
The first is that 1t should be slow in its operation;
tous and gradual, so to occasion convuson.
any rash Sudden disturbance in the existing habits of
society," 3D. That as an Indispensable condition, the
emancipate1 slaves should be removed from the State
some colony. And thirdly, that the expenses of their
transportation such colony including outfit for six
months after their arrival at it, should be betrayed by
fund be raised from the labor Of each fr.ed slave.
! |. Nothing could be unwise than the immediate
liberation Of all the slaves i'll the State, compehending
both sexes and all ages from that Of tender infancy
extreme old age 1t would lead to the most frightfu
and fatal consequences Any great change in the conii
ton of soriery should be marked by extreme and
crcumspcction. The introduction of slaves into the
colonies was an operation Of many years duration
and the work oftheir removal from The United States
can only be effected afer the lapse OF great length Of
time.
think that period should he fixed when all born af-
should be free specified az, all born before it
remaining slaves for lie.-That period would suggest.
should be 1855 1860 for this and other
engagements OF the system, if adopted incline Il l;ber
al margin, to Obvlae many INJECTIONS, and To
unite as many opinions as possible. Whether the
mencement Of the operation Of the system be lit
lier or later, il is n important as that Jay should
be permanently fred from which could look forward
with confidence, The final termination Of slavey with
in the limits of the Commonwealth
Whatever may be the day fixed whether 1855 "r 1860
any other day all born after it'll suggest should be free
at the age of twenty FIVE but be liable afterwards 10 be
hired out. under The authority Of the State, for term of
not exceeding three years. order To raise suf
cient pay the expenses Of their transportation the
Colony and provide them outfit for six months af
Ter their arrival there.
Ii the descendants Of those, who themselves to
be free the age of twenty five, also to be consd
cred to be slaves until they oh aimed The age and
the rule continued indefinitely The time, it is
manifest that slavery would be perpeuited Instead Of
terminated. To guard against this consequence provs
ion might be made that the offspring Of those who were
be free twenty five, should be free from er birth.
but upon the condition that they should be arprencej
uutl they tweny-one and be also afterwards liable
to lie hired period exceeding three years. for
purpose Of raising funds the expenses of the
Colony and their subsistence for the first six months
No .f hi