Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1849-09-27
To Inn. Henry Clay, Lexington. Ky.

10 IIJn. IIc1lFV IiQU, LrGtn0tOH, nv.
MONTICELLO. August %, 1914.
DEAR Sin: Your favor Of July 3lst was duly re-
ceived, and read with particular pleasure. The
sentiments breahed through the whole do honor to
both the mead and heart of the writer. Mine on the
subject of the slavery of negroes have long since
been in possession of the public and time has only
served to give them stronger root.
The love Of justice and the love of country plead
equally the of these people, and 1t is mortal
reproach us that they should have pleaded II so
long in vain, and should have produced not single
eti0ri-nay fear, not much serious wllilngness-t0
relieve them and ourselves from present condI-
ton Of moral and political reprobation. From those
of the former generation vino were in the fulness of
age when into public life, which was while
our controversy with England was on paper only,
soon that nothing was to be hoped. Nursed and
educated in the daily habit of seeing the degraded
condition, both bodily and mental, of these unfortu-i
nate beings not rejecting that that degradation
very much the work of themselves aud their fathers,
few minds had yet doubted but that they were as e-
gmate subjects of property their hOrses or cat
tie. The quiet and monotenous course OF colonial
life had been disturbed by 10 alarm and little reiec-
ton the value of liberty; and, when alarm was
taken at enterprise their own, it was not easy
to carry them the whole length Of the principles
which they invoked for themselves. In the first or
second session OF the Legislature after became a
member, drew TO this subject the attention OF Col.
Bland, of the oldest, abest and most respected
members, and he undertook to move for certain mo-
derate extensions of the protection Of the laws 10
these people. | seconded his motion, and, a
younger member, spared in the debate /;
but he was denounced enemy 10 his country,
and treated with the greatest indecorum
From early stage of our Revolution, other and
more distant duties assigned me, so that from
that time till my return from Europe in l7S9, and,
may say till returned to reside at home in 1853,
had little opportunity Of knowing the progress Of
public sentiment here this subject had always
hoped that the younger generation, receiving their
early impressions after the flames Of liberty had been
kinded in every breast and had become as II were
the vital spirit of every American, and the generous
temperament of youth, analogous TO tie motion OF
their blood and above the suggestions of uvurice.
would have sympatbzed with oppression wherever
found, and proved their love of liberty beyond their
share of it. But my Intercourse with them since
my return las not been sufficient TO ascertain that
they had made towards this point the progress had
| hoped Your solitary but welcome voice Is the first
which has brought this sound to my ear, and have
considered the general silence which prevails on this
subject as indicating apathy unfavorable to our
/ hopes. Yet the hour of Emancipation is advancing
in the march Of Time 1t will come; and, whether
brought by the generous energy of our own minds
or by the bloody process of ST. Domingo, excited aid
conducted by the power Of present enemy if
stationed permanently within our country, Offering an
asylum and to the oppressed, Is leaf OF our
/ history not yet turned over.
As to the method by which this difficult work il to
be effected, if permitted to be done by ourselves,
have no proposition expedlen on the whole,
as that of emancipation of those born after given
| day. and of their education and expairiation at q
proper age. This would give time for gradual ex-
nction of that species of abor and substitution OF
another and lessen the severity of tine shock which
operation fundamental cannot fail TO produce.
The idea of emancipating the whole at once. the old
we'll the young, and retaining them here, is OF
| thnsa oulv rbo hnv tho oudp 0f either know
| ledge experience The subject. For men, pro-
bably Of any color, but Of this color we know,
brought up from their infancy without necessity for
thought forecast are, by their habits rendered as
/ incapable a. children Of taking Of themselves,
and are extinguished promptly wherever industry is
necessary for raising the young In the mean time,
they pets society by their dleness, and the de-
predaons to which this leads them. Their amalga-
nation with the other color produces degradation
10 which no lover of his country, lover Of excel
/ ence in the human character, can innocently con-
sent.
| am sensible Of the rartialities with which you
have looked towards me, the person who should
untertake this salutary und arduous work; but this
my dear sir is like bidding old Pram to buckle on
the armor of Hector. ''frementi5us @rO huneris ei
inUtile ferrum ciRgi." No. have over-lived the
generation with which mutual labors and peris be-
! gat mutual confidence and influence. This enter
prise is for the young-for those who follow il
up, and bear il through to its contamination. Ii
shall have all my prayers, and these are the on "
weapons of an old man. But, in the mean time, are
you right in abandoning this property, and your
country with ii ] think not. My opinion has ever
been, that, until more be done for them, we
should endeavor, with whom fortune has thrown or
hands, feed and cothe them well, protect them
from usage, require such reasonable labor only as
is performed voluntarily by reemen, and be led by
repugnances TO abdcate them and our duties to them
The laws do not permit us to turn them loose, II that
were for their good and to commute them for other
property is TO commit them 10 those whose usage oil
! them we cannot control | hope, then, my dear sir
you will reconcile yourself to your country and its
| unfortunate condition that you Will not lessen It's
stock of sound disposition by Withdrawing your por
| ton from the mass. That, the contrary you viii
come forward in the public councils, become the mis-
sonary Of this doctrine truly Christian nsinuate Inc
incucae it softly but steadily through the medium
writing and conversation associate others in YOU
labors, and. when the phalanx is formed, bring or
and press the proposition perseverngly until its &C
| compshmeni. Ii is encouraging observation, tina
| no good measure proposed which, IT daily
pursued, failed To prevail in the end. We have proc
uf this In the history of the endcavors in the British
Parliament suppress that very trade which brough
this evil on US. And you will be supported by thu
| religious precept, "Be not weary in well-doing.
That your success may be speedy and complete a
it will be honorable and immortal consolation to your
self, shall as fervently and sincerely pray as as
sure you of my great friendship and respect.
THO. JEFFERSON.
Ed,0ard Coles, Esq.
From the Augusta Age, 18Th.
MAINE ELEcTIuN.-We publish below all the re
turns we had received tire hour of going to