tidings of its operation. The success of the
measure, as it seemed to me, would afford a better
hope than had before existed, that a like blessing
might be enjoyed by those portions of the United
States where slavery prevails. The only ground
on which I had been accustomed to hear the continuance
of slavery defended at the South, was that of
necessity, and the impossibility of abolishing
it without producing consequences of the most
disastrous character to both parties. The passage
of a law providing for the emancipation of nearly
a million of slaves in the British colonies, seemed
to afford full opportunity of bringing this momentous
question to the decisive test of experience. If
the result proved satisfactory, I have never doubted
that it would seal the fate of slavery throughout
the civilised world. As far as the observations
of Messrs. Thome and Kimball extended, the result is
of the most gratifying character. It appears
to place beyond a doubt, that the experiment of
immediate emancipation, adopted by the colonial
Legislature of Antigua, has fully succeeded in that
island; and the plan of apprenticeship in other
portions of the West Indies, as well as could
have been expected from the obvious inherent vices
of that measure. It has given me new views of
the practicability of emancipation. It
has been effected in Antigua, as appears from unquestionable
authorities contained in the work of Messrs. Thome
and Kimball, not merely without danger to
the master, but without any sacrifice of his interest.
I cannot but think that the information collected
in the volume will have a powerful effect on public
opinion, not only in the northern states, but in the
slaveholding states.”
GOVERNOR ELLSWORTH, of Connecticut, writes thus to A.F. WILLIAMS, Esq., of this city:—
“NEW HAVEN, May 19, 1838.
MY DEAR SIR,—Just before I left home, I received from you the Journal of Thome and Kimball, for which token of friendship I intended to have made you my acknowledgments before this; but I wished first to read the book. As far as time would permit, I have gone over most of its pages; and let me assure you, it is justly calculated to produce great effects, provided you can once get it into the hands of the planters. Convince them that their interests, as well as their security, will be advanced by employing free blacks, and emancipation will be accomplished without difficulty or delay.
I have looked with great interest at the startling measure of emancipation in Antigua; but if this book is correct, the question is settled as to that island beyond a doubt, since there is such accumulated testimony from all classes, that the business and real estate of the island have advanced, by reason of the emancipation, one fourth, at least, in value; while personal security, without military force, is felt by the former masters, and contentment, industry, and gratitude, are seen in those who were slaves.
The great moral example of
England, in abolishing slavery in the
West Indies, will produce
a revolution on this subject throughout
the world, and put down slavery
in every Christian country.