Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-01-23
A NEW PRoJECr.

correspondent writes from Washington
that there is a project foot TO make Della
ware and Maryland Free States, BY having the
General Government, with the consent of the
owners, to purchase their slaves. Several
leading citizens of Baltimore had an interview
on Saturday a-week with certain Northern
Members of Congress to ascertain their opin-
iona better opinion-whether the new Ad
ministratiou would be willing to- purchase the
Slaves in those States at fair price, If the
owners would consent to sell them and then
colonize such of them as their masters refused
to retain as hired servants. The Congressman
gave an affirmative answer, and thought the
people of the North would cheerfully acqui-
esce in the proposition. The Baltimore gen.
tlemen stated that If the Union was to be dis
solved. Maryland Slave State, would go
with the South, though her interests and geo.
graphical position placed her with the Free
States. But whether the Union continues or
divides, Slavery is felt TO be an incubus on the
prosperity of Maryland. Slavery is slowly
dying out, having decreased G, 200 IN the last
decade. II was stated at the conference that
there were only $4,000 slaves in the State,
which, at $500 per head, old and yonng-a
higher price than they will bring for years to
come-would only be SAC, ,000, 900. Al duty Of
10 per cent an the S400, ,000, 600 Of annual i'm
ports would pay for them in a single year.
One per cent duty woul dpay the interest on the
bonds, and create sinking fund fhat would
Baltimore gentlemen remarked that once a
Free State, Northern capital, skill, labor, and
enterprise would flow in broad stream into
Maryland, property would enhance, business
improve, and white population rapidly in
crease; Baltimore would soon rival Philadel-
phia as manufacturing city, and Mary land
would be converted into garden to supply
the wants of Northern cities.
Delaware has only two thousand slaves. One
million of dollars would indemnify tho own
ers, and make her a Free State. Missouri has
but one hundred thousand slaves. Fifty mil
lions would pay for them, and make her rival
Illinois in wealth, population and Improvement.
Thus less than one hundred millions would rid
them all of an institution tor which neither
their climate nor products are suited, afd be-
stow on them the advantages of free labor.
The Batinioreans said that free trade and d.
rect taxation will become the established poll
cy of Southern confederacy, as ii will be
ruled by the South Carolina and Cotton-States
school of political economists. The federal
expenses of Southern confederacy would not
be less than thirty millions year, of which
Maryland would have to pay two millions.
Her present State taxes are three hundred asd
sixty thousand per year; hence her taxes would
be increased six-fold while her manufacturing
interests would be destroyed under the opera
ton of free trade and direct taxation. Fir-
ginia would have to pay over four millions,
Kentucky and Missouri each three millions,
and little Delaware one-quarter of million
OF dollars. These border States could only
escape from this Juggernaut machine by Sc
ceding from the cotton confederacy and re-
uniting with the ssStars and Stripes,'' OF set
ting up for themselves. In either event, what
would become of their slaves q The Balti-
moreans thought the best thing for Maryland
was to sell her slaves, employ the proceeds to
build manufactures and improve farms, and
place herself in the society of the great tamil
1x-n IF Era 4 .hrr Of rhatrx
pcrity and enjoy their powerful protection and
friendship.