Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-04-05
DR.. BRAKES LETTER ON SLAVERY

CINCINNATI, DEcS1BER 26, 1850.
To DIR. JOHN G. WARREN, Boston.
My DEAR SIR: learn through the newspa-
papers that you have lately presided over public
meeting in Boston which had tor its object the
peace--perhaps the perpetuity-of the Union, un-
deniaby threatened, by diversity of opinion, feel
ing, and interest between the free and the slave
States. rejoice to see that you are engaged in
such noble effort of patriotism; and am led to
offer my feeble cooperation by putting you in pos
session of some facts, which, if generally known
and candidly estimated by the people of the free
States, might perhaps contribute a little towards
soothing the irritation which has been raised in the
minds OF many benevolent and respectable per-
sons; while they would, TO certain extent, dis
arm those who regard their own advancement with
deeper affection than the nestimable blessings
which hang on the preservation of the Union.
| The better to secure your confidence in what I
may narrate, you must permit me to say something
of my opportunities for observation and of the cir
cumstances which might have betrayed me into
error or defended me from it, while collecting
what propose to lay before you.
For the last fifty years have resided in this
city, preferring free to slave State. More
than thirty years ago purchased in Kentucky
two negro children, brother and sister, and
brought them to Cincinnati, where they were,
| like poor white children, bound to me till they
were ofage, when, of course, they became free.
But cannot urge this as an evidence of aversion
| toVlavery. or ofsympathy for the negro race, for
at that time it difficult to obtain domestic SER
wants. never owned any others, nor did my
father, native of New Jersey, (where was
born,) during his residence of twenty-seyen
years in the State of Kentucky, ever own one. |
was opposed to the Mexican war, in part because
it might extend the area OF slavery, and remain
opposed to such extension, so far as opposition
| might not conflict with the sanctions OF the Con-
stitution. On the other hand, notwithstanding
my long residence in Cincinnati, l have had
many opportunities for observation on theH cond-
ton of slaves, and the character OF Shareholders;
for have practised my profession among them
on the opposite side of the river and in addition
to the twelve years residence in kentucky, be-
fore emigrating TO this city, have since sojourn-
ed in that State sixteen winters. Finally, in lat
ter years, have visited extensively the States of
Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri Mis-
sissippi, Lou isana, Alabama, and Florida, and
must confess that / went into the more Southern
States with feelings we'll fitted 10 give me an over
estimate of the bad condition of the race, whose
modes of life and diseases it was one of my objects
to observe and study. From these statements you
will, trust, have greater confidence nthe accura-
cy and mparality o. what | shall write than if
they had been omitted
throughout all the StatesI have enumerated, and
believe it is true of the Others the condition of
slaves is far better than in former times. They
are better ted clothed, and lodged; less severely
punished; receive more religious training; and, in
all respects, are more cared for, than they we're
forty, thirty, or even twenty years ago. can con-
trast the present with the past, in Kentucky from
personal observation; and, in regard to the other
States my information has been derived from so
many different persons-not few of whom were
Observation-Disclosures apart from what have seen
myself, cannot doubt the correctness of what
have asserted.
Now, this general and progressive lettering of
the condition of the slave, occurring at the same
time every where, is most important and capital
fact, that should address itself with power to the
people of the free States. 1t clearly sets f nth
that principle Of great efficacy are in operation;
that what we call the spirit of the age has made
its way into the slave States, and is working out
the most beneficial results. Its influence is, of
course, not equal on the hearts of all masters but
even those who feel it least are affected in the
treatment of their slaves by the opinions and ex-
ample of those on whom it is operative. Many of
the latter class are, indeed, emancipaonists and
would gladly set their slaves at liberty, if they
could see mode of doing it that would not make
freedom worse than mi,igated and human slavery.
Not few of this class have more slaves, from ma
tural increase, than they can we'll employ and vet
have great an aversion to the sale of single
one could be felt by a citizen of Ohio or Mas
sachusetts.
In this amelioration the friends of liberty should
trust. They should not, by interference from with
out, attempt to quicken it. They have no political
right to NEEDLE with the matter; and the slavehol-
der is the last man on earth to be favorahly moved
by social oiciousness; for the relation of master
and slave epgenders feelings and passions which
oppose all dctation, and dsdan all criticism from
the free States. 1t may be said that these results
of mastership are unamiabe, and should not be
suffered to pass without reproof; but if censure
cannot produce reform: and provokes retaliation
through the slave, and makes his condition worse;
lift dislurbs the peace ofour common country, al d
brings forth no good to any one, why, in the name
of humanity, should it be continued The Con-
stituon has not made it our duty 10 look after the
Shareholders of the South; and if the Bible in its
spirit as so many of us believe, has forbidden sa-
very it does not command us to labor for the abo-
ton of that within States of our own Union to
which we do not belong, any more than that in
Africa which is far more cruel, and yet is not only
never made the subject of effort by many of us,
but while, on the other hand, the only means
coonizaon-which ever can abolish it, is oppos-
ed by not few
American slavery is quietly assaed on every
side. To the South, Mexico has set the example
of general emancipation; to the North, the free
States and the Canadas, by their laws and instu-
TONS oppose it; the two great nations of Europe,
Great Britain and France, with which we are most
intimately associated, have abolished it, and acts
on the South, not only by their example but by the
still more noWerful Influences of their lie ralnre