The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-08-11
BY DANIEL R. sooDLOE, OF NORTH CAROLINA.


1882 toith UarioS letters judicial decisions, &c.
BY DANIEL R. GoODLOE OF NORTH CAROLINA.
EXTRACTS FROM Mr.. JEFFERsoN's CORES.
PONDENCE-yOL. ".
To Jared Spdrks-Contnued
do not say this to induce an inference that
the getting rid of them is forever impossible
for that is neither my opinion nor my hope
but only that it cannot be done in this way
There is. | think, way in which it can be
done-that is by emancipating the after born,
leaving them, on due compensation, with their
mothers until their services are worth their
maintenance, and then putting them to indus
triOus occupations until a proper age for de-
pOrtation. This was the result of my refiec
tions on the subject five and forty years ago,
and have never yet been able to conceive any
other practicable plan. IL was sketched in the
Notes on Virginia under the fourteenth query.
The estimated value of the new. born infant if
so low, lsay twelve dollars and fifty cents thai
it would probably be yielded by the owner
gratis, and would thus reduce the six hundred
millions of dolars--the first head of expense
20 thirty seven millions and half; leaving only
the expenses Of nOurishment while with the
mother and Of transportation. And from what
fund are these expenses to be furnishedi Why
not from that of the lands which have been
.3eded by the very States now needing this re-
heft--and cedCd on no consideration for the
most part. but that Of the general good of the
whole. These ccssons already constitute one
fourth OF the States of the Union II may be
said that these lands have been sold, are now
the property Of the citizens composing those
States and the money long ago received and
expended. But an equivalent Of lands in the
territories since acquired may be appropriated
TO that object, or 50 much, at least, as may be
sufficient; and the object, although more i'm
portant to the slave States, is highly 80 to the
others also, if they were serious in their argu.
ments on the Missouri question. The slave
States too if more interested, would also con-
tribute more by their gratuitous liberation
thus taking ON themselves alone the first and
heaviest item Of expense In the plan sketcbed
IN the Notes on Virginia, no particular place
Of asylum wss specified, because it was thought
possible that, in the revolutionary state OF
America, then commenced, events might open
30 us some one within practicable distance
This has now happened st. Domingo has be
come independent, and with population of
chat color only; and, if the public papers are
TO be credited, their chief offers to pay their
passage, to receive them as free citizens, and to
provide them employment This leaves, then
Cor the general Coniederacy, no expense but o
nurture with the mother a few years, AND
would call, of course, for II very moderate ap
preparation of the vacant lands Suppose tn,
whole annual increase to be of sixty Thousand
effective births; fifty vessels, of four hundred
tons burthen each, constantly employed il
that short run, would carry of the increase o
every year, and the old stock would die off il
the ordinary course of nature, lessening from
the commencement until its final disappear
snce. In this way, no violation Of private RICH
is proposed. Voluntary surrenders woulC
probably come in "a fast as the means to b,
provided for their care would be competent L
it. Looking at my own State only-and pre-
sumo not to speak for the others-I verify b.
iieve that this surrender Of property would no
amount to more, annually, than half our pres
ent direct taxes, TO be continued fully abou
twenty or twenty-five years, and then gradu
ally diminishing for rs many more, until the
final extinction and even this half tax woul,
not be paid in cash. but by the delivery of al
object which they have never yet known o.
counted as part Of their property and thos
not possessing the object will be called on TO
nothing do not 20 into all the details of th
burdens and benefits of this operation. An,
who could estimate its blessed effects | lcav
this to those who will Iva 10 see their accom-
plishment, and TO enjoy besiitude forbidden
90 my age. But | leave IL with this admoni
ton, 10 rise aud be doing A million and
half are within their control but six millions
(which n maj Ority of those now living will SCI
them attain,) and one million Of these fyhtin,
men, will say, "We will not gop
am aware that this subject involves som,
constitutional scruples; but liberal construc
ton, justified by the object, may 20 fss, and AZ
amendment OF the Constitution the Who'll,
length necessary The separation Of inlant
from their mothers, too, would produce som,
scruples of humanity; but this would be strain
ing at gnat, and swallowing camel.
am much pleased TO SEQ that you have taker
up the subject of the duty on imported books
hope a crusade will be kept up against il
until those in power shall become sensible O
this stain on our legislation, and shall wipe
from their code, aud from the remembrance 0
man, if possible.
salute you with assurances Of high rcspec
and esteem Til. JEFFERSON.
Page 3ss.
Extract from letter. prinsn BIZ Thomas Jefey
son, addressed 10 Edt0drd Coles
I had always hoped that the younger gener
alton, receiving their early Impressions alto
the flame Of liberty had been kindled in eyerl
breast, and had become, as il We're the vita
spark of every American, that the generou
temperament Of youth, analogous TO the motor
Of their blood, and above the suggestions o