The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-10-21

opinions III expresses on Ine SUBJECT Ol the
Higher Law. Yours, Sc, WILLIAM JAY.
" To the Rsu. Mr. Manning, of the College at
Providence, Rhode Island.
GOLD JEwRy, IL December 1885
al am happy to find you have reason to think
that in process of time, the slavery of the Afri-
cans throughout the United States must be
abolished that the plan formed for peepling
the new States does not admit of personal sia-
very; and as these are contiguous to those
where it still obtains, the owners of slaves will
derive from them but little advantage, as STEP
ping over the line will insure them their lib
erty' This will surely be a desirable and
happy effect but yet cannot help being jeal-
Gus, lest the custom (which has for many years
so shamefully prevailed in America) of taking
up runaway slaves, and delivering them to
their masters, for the sake of the advertised re-
wards should still continue, if it is not prohib-
tied by express laws, and repeal of those by
which it was wickedly encouraged; because use
(even to a proverb) is second nature.-l Cor.
XIV, 49, The habitual sophistry of interested
men is apt to darken the natural knowledge
of good and evil in others, SO that some per-
sons perhaps (honest enough in other matters)
may think there is no improperly or dishon-
ing them to their masters. | have therefore
enclosed an argument on that subject, which |
drew up many years ago, when | first began
to vindicate the rights of poor negro slaves,
against the established opinions of some great
lawyers the Lords Hardwick, Talbot, Judge
Blackstone, &c. and my endeavors, thank
God! were not in vain, but proved in the end
completely effectual to the enfranchisement of
every slave Il mean every domestic or private
slave) that touches English ground.
Z" remain, with great esteem, dear sir your
obliged humble servant,
GRANVILLE SHARPE"
An argument an defence Of those persons oho
think al their dttu to PROTECT Slaves that
haze escaped from their masters
Though the Jews were permitted by the law
of Moses, on account of the hardness OF their
hearts, to keep slaves, as | have remarked in
my answer to the Rev. Mr.. Thorn son on this
subject, yet no inherent right of service can
be implied from this permission, because when
ever the slave escaped he was esteemed free,
and it was absolutely unlawful for any men
(who believed the Word of Cod to deliver him
up to his master. See Deut xiii l5 Is :
"Thou shalt not deliver unto his master the
servant VINO IL escaped 1rSm MS MASTER unto
thee. He shall dwell with thee among you,
in that place which he shall choose" that is,
manfestly as a free man, ain one of thy gates
where it Gketh him best thou shalt not OPP
press him."
This is manifestly moral law which must
be ever binding as the will of God, because the
benevolent intention of it is apparent and
must ever remain the same for which reason
| conclude that an action of trOver cannot lie
for a slave; and that no man can lawfully be
prosecuted for protecting a negro, or any other
slave whatever, that has escaped from his mas
ter, because that would be furnishing a man
for doing his indispensable duty, according to
the laws of God and if any law, custom, or
precedent should be alleged to the contrary,
it must be rejected as null and void, because it
is the maxim of the common law of England,
that the inferior law must give force to the
superior" mans laws to Gods laws IA
toyney General Noy's Maxims p. 19) and the
learned author of the Doctor and the Student
asserts that even statute law ought to be ac-
counted null and void, if it is set forth contrary
to the laws of God. "Etiam 81 aitquid stdtu-
tum ese ed,tum contra eos nuttuS VtgoriS IN
iegitus Angiie censeri debet"-Chap. Vi.