The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-08-03
EMANCIPATION m GEORGIA.

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We find the following interesting statement
in the National Intslligsneer of Friday morn
ing. We think We have perceived, of late, a
growing spirit Of Emancipation in the South,
sometimes exhibited in the last will and test
ament OF the dying and sometimes by the
deed OF the living. Such testimonies to the
cause of humanity and justice cannot fail to
teach beautiful moral lesson to the people,
North and South, and we hail them as the har-
bingers OF better era The statement of the
infsitsgsneer furnishes an illustration of the in
justice and cruelty of Illinois and Indiana, at
the same time that it rebounds SO much to
the honor Of citizens of Georgia G.
CASE OF CONSCIENCE OR LAW.
Where shall they goa This is a question
ior the TRENDS OF colonization TO answer.
have received the following facts from
the Secretary of the American Colonization
Society. They were communicated to him by
one of the executors, gentleman well known
to as, of the very highest responsibility.
About year ago, gentleman residing in
Georgia departed this life, leaving q very large
estate, consisting mainly of lands and negroes.
de left viii In due form, of which he appoint
cd five persons executors. Upon an exan,ina-
ton OF his WILL they were at once fully satisfied
that the great and leading object of the deceas
ed was to secure to his negroes-about $50 in
number-emancipation from bondage and to
place them in comfortable circumstances as
free people To effect this, his will provides
that his executors should at as early day as
practicable, dispose of sufficient property there
In pointed out, and raise sufficient funds FOX the
purpose of removing the whole of his negroes
to one of the States of Indiana or Illinois, and
there purchase and procure, for the comfortable
settlement of his said negroes, sufficient guam
tity of good arabic land, with sufficient timber
thereon, and to have them furnished with every
necessary outfs to make them comfortable
agricultural people; including wagons and
teams and all necessary implements of husband
ry, together with all necessary and convenient
articles for housekeeping, and also a good sup
ply of provisions for one year
The testator left neither wife nor child, broth.
er nor sister. He had some nephews and neices,
to whom, after providing in the most liberal
manner for his negroes as set forth above, he left
the residue of his estate. They will inherit a
very handsome property. But he stipulated,
that If any of these heirs should make any at
tempt to defeat or thwart his wishes in regard
to his negroes, then and in that case such cfend-
er should be absolutely disnherited from all in
terest and participation in bis estate whatever,
and that their share or shares should be appli-
ed to the use and benefit of the poor of the
county in which he lived.
Ono of the executors, Immediately after he
ascertained the responsibilities which would
devolve upon the executors, opened CORE
spondence with the Governors Of Indiana and
Illinois, and he soon learned that the negroes
could not be admitted and established in either
OF those States upon the terms provided for by
the testator. Tho will, therefore, cannot be
literally carried out.
What shall be done? The same number Ct
negroes are seldom seen together, who are more
likely, healthy, and promising A part Of
them are very intelligent and ore very anxious
to 20 to Liberia
The executor alluded to above desires to have
the case brought before the proper tribunals of
the country, and decree obtained authorizing
and requiring the executors to deliver the ne
groes to the Colonization Society, for transport
alton to Liberia; and also to settle upon them
the money to which they are entitled under the
will. He says: 81 have an earnest and abiding
solicitude to send them to Liberia. Every feel
ing of my heart revolts at the idea of these peo
pie remaining here in q state of bondage, con
trary to the most ardent desire of their late
MASTER Aud again: "Should labor under
any misapprehension in regard to this subject
being legitimate one for the cooperation Of
your society, my apology must be found in the
fact of my zeal to vindicate the rights and pro-
mote the welfare of those who are incompetent
to protect themselves, and whose good conduct
while in state of bondage induced their late
master to provide for their freedom by his last
will and testament and make liberal provision
to carry the same into eff Ct"
The laws of the two free States designated
by the testator render it impossible for these
slaves to go thither; the will provides no al
tentative for such contingency. What can
be done?