Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1860-07-19
The Slave Trade--An Original
Letter from Patrick Henry.

kObttA hVbh n
tFrom the Auburn Union, July q,
We are indebted to William Howlsnd,
Esq, of Sherwood's Corners, in this county,
for the privilege OF perusipg and trans:rib-
ing, for publication this veritable original
ls.ter from Patrick Henry. II was address,
ed TO John Alsop. venerable and worthy
member Of the Society of Friends, then re.
tsidine at Hudson. New York, whose son
Thomas subseqtntly married Mary, sister of
! Humphrey and Slocum Howlaud Of this
county, in whose family it has ever since
been carefully preserved:
HANOVER, Va, Jan. IS, 1878.
Dear Sir: I take this opportunity to &C.
know ledge the receipt Of Anthony Benezet's
book against Tire Slave trade. thank you
fo- it. |, is not surprising that Christianity,
whose chief excellence consists in softening
the human heart. in cherishing and improv-
ing It's finer feelings, should encourage
practice SO tat'lly repugnant to the first i'm.
pressions OF right and wrong. What adds
to the wonder is, that this abomnable prac-
tce has been introduced In the most enlight-
cned ages. Times that seem to have pre-.
tentions to boast of high improvements in
n-ts, sciences and refined mortality, have
Brought into general use and guarded bv
many laws, a species of violence and tyran-
ny which our more rude and barbarous, but
more honest, ancestor detested.
Il II not amazing that at a time when the
rights OF humanity tre defined and under
stood with precision, in a country above al
Others fond oi liberty-thst in such an uge
"A G,d Il
steligion the most humane, mild, meek,
gentle and generous, adopting principle
us rcpugnant TO humanity as 1t is inconsis-
tent with the Bible and destructive to lber.
ty!Every thirling honest man rejects it in,
speculation. How few, in practice, from
conscientious motives.
The world, 10 general, has denied your
people share of its honors; but the Use
will ascribe to you just tribute Of virtu,us
praise for the practice of q train of virtues,
among which your disagreement to Slavery
win be principally ranked. cannot but
wish well to people whose system initiates
the exnmpc OF Him whose life was perfect
and believe me, shall honor the Quakers
for their noble efforts TO abolish Slavery. It'll
s equally calculated to promote moral and
political good.
Would any one doeye that I am master
OF slaves by my own purchased ! am drawn
along ty the general Inconvenience Of living
without them. ! will not-l cannot Justify
II. however culpsble my conduct. / will so
far pay my devoir to Virtue, as to own the
excellence and reciitude Of her precepts,
and,o lament my want Of conformity to them.
] believe time will come when an opper.
,uniiy will be afforded to abolish this lament.
able evil.
Everything we can do is to improve IL. i'll
IL happens In our day; if not, let us transmit
TO our decendants, together With our slaves,
a pity for their unhappy lot, and an abhor.
renee Of Slavery. live cannot reduce this
wished for reformation to practice, let us
treat the unhappy victim with leniiy. Il 10
the fnrthest advancement we Gun make to.
ward justice. 1t is debt we owe to the
purity Of our religion, to show that it is at
variance with the law which warrants Slave. |
ny.
Here is hn.nstance that silent meetings( the
scof OF reverned doctors) have done that ef-
feet; 40 much preferable are the general
dictates oil conscience, and a steady atten-
tion to its feelings; above the teachings of
those men who pretend to have found bet.
ter guide. ] exhort you to persevere in SO
worthy resolution. Some Of your people
disagree, or OF least are lukewarm in the
Abolition OF Slavery. Many treat the reso-
luton your meeting with ridcule; and
among those who throw ridicule an / con.
tempt on it, nre clergyman whose surest
guard sgainst both rideue and con n,empt, 10
certain act Of Assembly.
| know not where to stop. could say
many things on this subject, a serious re.
rious review OF which gives a gloomy per.
tpective to future times
Excuse THE scrOwl, and believe me, with
esteem, your humble servant,
PATRICK HENRY, in.
JoHN ArsoP, Hudson, N. Y.