ANGELINA E. GRIMKE.

Shrewsbury, N.J., 1836.

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THIRD EDITION.

Price 6 1-4 cents single, 62 1-2 cents per dozen, $4 per hundred.

No. 3.

THE ANTI-SLAVERY EXAMINER.

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LETTER OF GERRIT SMITH

TO

REV.  JAMES SMYLIE,

OF THE

STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.

1837.

LETTER, ETC.

PETERBORO’, October 28, 1836.

Rev. JAMES SMYLIE,

Late Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of Mississippi:

SIR,—­Accept my thanks for your politeness in sending me a copy of your book on slavery.  This book proves, that the often repeated assertion, that the whole South is opposed to the discussion of the question of slavery, is not true:—­and so far, I rejoice in its appearance.  I presume—­I know, indeed, that you are not the only man in the South, who is in favor of this discussion.  There are, doubtless, many persons in the South, who believe, that all attempts to suppress it, are vain, as well as wicked.  Besides, you virtually admit, that the South is compelled to discuss the question of slavery; or, at least, to give her own views of it, in order to prevent the conscience of Southern Christians—­that conscience, “which does make cowards of us all”—­from turning traitor to the cause of slavery.  I rejoice, too, that you accompanied the copy sent to me, with the request, that I should review it, and make “candid remarks” upon it; and, that you have thus put it in my power to send to the South some of my views on slavery, without laying myself open to the charge of being discourteous and obtrusive.

You undertake to show that slavery existed, and, with the Divine approbation, amongst the Old Testament Jews; and that it also existed, whilst our Saviour and his Apostles were on the earth, and was approved by them.  You thence argue, that it is not only an innocent institution, but one which it is a religious duty to maintain.

I admit, for the sake of argument, that there was a servitude in the patriarchal families which was approved by God.  But what does this avail in your defence of slavery, unless you show, that that servitude and slavery are essentially alike?  The literal terms of the relation of master and servant, under that servitude, are not made known to us; but we can, nevertheless, confidently infer their spirit from facts, which illustrate their practical character; and, if this character be found to be opposite to that of slavery, then it is manifest, that what you say of patriarchal servitude is impertinent, and tends to mislead, rather than enlighten your readers.  To a few of these facts and a few of the considerations arising from them, I now call your attention.