New-York daily tribune., 1854-08-30
SL1VERY BEFORE THB REVOLUTION.

To ne gditsr Of The ~ y Tribune
SIR: Your late articles on Washingtons opinion
regarding Slavery extremely important In connec-
ton with what am about to present the public in
several other instances of like character. Nearly
the whole correspondence Of Washington with Gen.
La Fayette and several others the subject of Slavery
has been suppressed. In all my researches the
fact has been forced upon my attention, that every
thing that could be- has been kept from the public
on this subject | AIN preparing a work ON the SPIrh
of the American Rero4tion and shall be able TO de-
uonsTate in the most ample and satisfactory manner
notwithstanding the unwearied efforts OF some to sup
press facts-that the 0rerhrop Of Negro Sdrery Was
Urinary purpose of the whole Rev JlutiOnary move
ment That the most violent OppOsers OF this were
the Tories; that the active, true Wings were It's sup
porters North and South even in South Carolina am
raking over dust that has not been stirred since the
commencement OF the present century, III snould
give the public all | have found that was published
against Slavery before the year loOO, 1t would form
library of more than bandred volumes royal octave
The subject commenced 10 be discussed IN Massachu-
sets AS early as 1861 BY James OTIS the patriot who
struck the rt blow that resulted in the Revolution OF
-6 In the same grand effort he leyeled the weapon
ofhis eoauence at African Slavery. In bis Defense OF
s.the American COLONIES" published IN lIyl, ne ala
the same thing In his answer TO the " HALIFAX Let,
81 ters" he advanced the same principles lie reused
mn discussion on the subject in the newspapers here
So that the public mind had become very generally
decided against il ss system of oppression Ihe
LAWYERS and Judges OF Massachusetts, became de-
cded as to iis illegality se'er years before the
Revolution The representatives OF tue people
were ready to abolish Slavery even n l'0', but the
Governor together with his Tory Council, opposed H.
according TO the instructions he had received IRON 'he
Goyeypment in England AT the hight OF the excite
ment here Jefferson commenced the work IN the VIZ
cina House of Burge.ses The Quakers also IN Penn
syIyepia and New-Jersey Franklin entered INTO the
discussions against is as early as l7I2-3. Dr. kush
also. who in one year published two work. against
slavery both Of which went through two editions De
for, the wear closed In the yesr l113 the excteneh.
aud 5iscns,ons were universal; Slavery was regardea
asa sy.tem of oppression Identical IN us Pfmeipes
With those assumed by the British Ministry IL fe@uon
to the Colonies There no; an open ADVOCATE Tor
The enc who did favor the other; neaer was 'here
pstriot of the times who even attempted 70 Apologize
for slavery The Congressional Delegates ron oou1
Carolina in I774 openly renounced al ayor oi " ana
!, yv.s understood when two years after the Deciar
.,on ~ Irdsrendence was made and the selieVideni
,rr,b vns declared that 'al uen are born Tree ana
oual and entitled ~ life, liberty! and the psrsu'
.o bsppipess that all tie blacks were included win
tho whites And whea four YEAR, aier IN the hea oi
b.t,le Massachusetts, statesmen and patriots casting
ide The charters OF Kings, framed constitution ioI
the STATE. on incorporating the above sen ~
truth into the preamble, il was iHienaed As
of the fact that the Government oil the Stste te0oa
cd no man as the slave or even the lnVoun'a!
of anoiher; and great portion Of tne pAsAa 10 w.
STATE lxpoving this went free. lhe CohsNruuon u.'
not ak, them free for it had been deciaed IN cGui
of Justice nine and even eleven !eau ee'o'e 'aa ''''