, 1860-07-14
A Letter from Patrick Ifenry---1K4s
opinion Of Slavery and tile Slave

lFfe.u tho Auburn Ut.on. JulY9.l
We are indebted to VIM. Rowland, Esq. Of
Shermood's Corners, in this county, for the
privilege Q! pcrusing and transcribing: for pub
tication This veritahie original letter Of Patrick
Henry. 1t was addressed to John Alsop, a ven
erabie and worthy member Of the Society OF
Friends, then residing ut Hudson, n. T., whose
son Thomas subsequently married Mary, sister
Of Humphrey and Sfocum uowlard, Of this
county, in whose family it has ever since been
carefully preserved.
As VIC are endeavoring to bring this govern
mens to the avowed policy Of its foupders
among whom Patrick Henry was most conspic.
uous, we are grateful for the opportunity Of
presenting this pertinent item Of testimony to
our readeza:
MAsoyx8, Va, Jan Il. 1773,
DEAR SIR: I take this opportunity to ack-
novledge the receipt Of Anth'y Benezet's book
against The slave trad.. thank you for it. l.
il 10. ttle.surprising that Chrislisnity, whose
chief excellence consists in sofiening the hu-
man heart, in cherishing and improving the
finer feelings, should encourage practice SO
totally Yepugnant tn the first Impressions Of
right and wrong. What adds TO the wonier is,
that this abou,iuable practice has been intro
duced in the most enlightened ages. Times
that seem to hare pretensons to boaat Of high
improvements in arts, science and refined mo-
rality, have brought into general use, aud
guarded by many laws, species Of violence
aud tyranny which our more rude and barbar
Gus, Int more honest ancestors detested.
Is it not amazing, that at time when the
right of humanity are defined and understood
with precision, il a country, above all others,
fond cf liberty-that il such an age and such
county, we lind men protesting a religion the
most humane, mild, meek. gentle and generous,
adopting r1incipla IS repu9nant to humanity
as ii it Inconsistent with the Bible. and dcs:ruc-
tive ol Liberty? Every thinking, honest man
rejecta it IN speculation. How few, in practice,
from conscientious motives!
Theworid, in general, has denied your peo-
pie share Of its honors; but the WISE will as
cribeko you 4 just tribute Of virtuous praise for
the Practice OF 4 train Of virtues, among which
your disagreement to slavery will be principally
rank,d. ! cannot but wish we'll to people
whoe system initiates the example Of Him
whoR life was perfect; and believe me, shall
houot The Quakers for their noble efforts to
abolish slavery. 1t is equally calculated to
prom,te moral aud political good.
Wtuld any one believe that l am master Of
stave. By my own purchase? am drawn along
By III. general Inconvenience Of living without
them. will not--1 cannot justify it, however
culpa,1e my conduct. I will 10 far pay my
| deFoi: to virtue, as to own the excellence and
rectitade Of her precepts, and to lament my
want # conformity to them: believe time
| will come when an opportunity will be afforded
to abolish this lsmentahle evil. Everything
We caa do, is to improve it, If it happens in
our d4y; if not, let US transmit to our descend
ants, bgether with our Slaves, pity for their
unhappy lot, and an abhorrence Of slavery.
| If We cannot reduce this wished-for reforma.
ton topractice, let III treat the unhappy vic.
tins wih leulty. 1tis the farthest advancement
We can make toward Justice. 1t il debt We
owe 10 the purity Of our religion to show thai
it is At variance With that law which WARRANTS
slavery.
uereis IN instance that silent meetings (tht
scoff ofreyerend Doctors) have done that which
learned and elaborate preaching cannot effect
30 muct preferable are the general dictates O
conscieIce, and steady attention to its feelings
above tic teachings Of those men who pretent
to havsf found better guids. / exhort you t.
perscvete in 80 worthy resolution. Some Q
your people disagree, or at least are lukeWaru
in the abolition Of slavery. Many treat th
resolution Of your meeting with zidicuie an
among tlose who throw ridicule aud contemp
on it, ar. clergymen whose surest guard agains
both ridrule and contempt, il u certain act {
Assembly.
know rot where 10 stop. could say man
things on this subject, I serious reyie" Of whic
{ gives + gloomy perspective to future time
Excuse this scrawl, and believe me, with q
TEEN, your humhls servant,
Primer HENRY, JR.
Jo6x ALsoP. Hudson. NY,