The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1862-06-14
Communications.
For The Cecil Wing.
The Abolition OF Slavery in New Jcr-
scy-Its Causes and Results.
BY MRS. lamar DAVIS.
NO. /.

In The Cecil WMg, under date of
Afril 2Gth, find an article relating to
Jersey lands and prices, which, think,
requires some explanation.
The writer assumes that the differ
cnce between The prices of land in Mary
land aud New Jersey is all to be attri-
buted 10 the fact that slavery exists in
the former State, and has been abolished
in the later. This idea, which seems to
have aiken deep root in the public mind,
is highly erroneous. This assertion
propose 10 subs:antiate.
10 fully understand the results of
emancipation in New Jersey, it is neccs-
sary to 90 back to very early period,
and examine into the social and political
causes whence that measure seems to
have originated. 1t is rare to find politi-
cal economists, or lcgsla ors, who are
actuated by other motives than those of
general expcdicncy. They arc seldom
characterized by mawkishs ympathy wi b
inferior or unfortunate classes Of men,
Their ideas are generally conservative
on the side of property, esponsiblity,
and fai h. Neither need we suppose
that the people of New Jersey were
actuated by other principles than those
most pc cnt with the human race self
interest, in i 5 various forms. We can
not suppose hat they sacrificed to philan-
thropy real or imaginary good. Slavery
became burden to them not from its
nature, but cxraneous circumstances.
W hen it becomes burdensomc to any
other State, in like manner ii Will be
shaken off.
/ say that slavery became burden
some 10 the people of New Jersey that
it was SO can be readily accounted for
The quail y and education of the first
settlers-those whose habits and inhu-
encc formed the character of the Pro-
vincc-werc of the middle classes of
European Society. They cndeavorcd to
sustain in the Wilderness the manners
and customs to which they had been
accustomed in the Old World. Few
scions of aristocracy could be found
among them. Mas ers of families, but
no g gentlemen" are mentioned in the
early shipping lists. They were induced
to cmigrate by the mos material of
mo ivcs-the hope of lettering their
condition, and enjoying greater freedom.
The land was divided into small home
stcads, which naturally induced the for
nation of simple agricultural habits. -
The mechanic arts were little practiscd.
Carpenters we're i'll constant demand, of
course; but every article of need or
luxury that possibly could be, was i'm
ported. Tables, chairs, cabinets, clothes
and shoes were supplied by the mother
county. Even the hides we're sent to
England to be tanned, and The furs they
exported were received again in the shape
of hats. Agriculture thus established
became general and almost exclusive
business. Merchants and the super car
goes of ships arriving from England viii
manufactured goods, spirits, or other
luxurics, very readily bar cred them with
the settlers for wheat, corn or rye
Grain became a staple commodity, and
little attention was paid to the produce
ton of anything else. This system was
probably the only one that, under all the
circumstances, could have been pursued.
Yet it was attended with one positive
disadvantage to postcrity. The same
crop was grown consecutively for several
years. The same fields were cultivated
without rest or remission. No artificial
manurcs were applied, aud the soil became
exhausted, year by year the material
wealth of the land dcterioratcd, the crops
diminished, and consequently labor be-
came less and less in demand. When
the fields became so poor that their till
age was an actua! expense, Il new clear
ing would be made in the forest, and an
old field thrown out to the common. -
This process continued till the richer
districts were gone over; then The poorer
and sandy soils were attacked; while the
old fields, now commons, were left to
themselves, and were soon covered wi h
a growth of red cedar and barren oak,
which under the title of &C husband u
was considered more profitable than the
land devoted to tillagc.
AS agriculture became less prof able
slaves grew burdcnsome. Their natural
increase exceeded the mas crs' means for
employing and supporting them. They
could not be readily turned to new modes
of labor. 1t had been satisfactorily
ascertained that they could only be
worked to advantage in gangs, with com
petcnt oversccrs, as nei her regard for
their masters interest, ga itudc, or fear
of punishment, could overcome their
disposition to idleness, or induce them
to perform reasonable amount of work.
Doub less it was owing to these causes
that measures were taken to discourage
the importation of slaves, long before
emancipation became question Of public
policy.
We find by reference to the State
documents that the subject of slavery
engaged the attention of the Legislature
at a very early period, and various
schemes were proposed FOR its abolition.
Meanwhile the number of slaves con-
tinnally and materially diminished. -
Manulnission became of frequent occur
renee many slaves were running at
large, neglected and unclaimed by their
masters. The Indifference of the people
was sufficiently manifested by the unan-
unity of the Legislature, and the total
absence Of party strife and luminosity. =
On the 9th of February, 1920, the act