race have been slaves to another, ever since the earliest dawn of history; and it is said that by far the larger portion are slaves.  It is then certain, that most of the native Africans who were originally enslaved in the United States, would have been slaves in their own country, if they had not been transported to this country.  Wretched as the condition of slaves may be in this country, what is American, to African slavery?  Slavery in the United States was but an exchange of African, for American slavery.  The condition of the slaves of the South is better than the native African, formerly, or now; yes, it is better than that of African masters, and it must be infinitely better than the condition of African slaves.  As a general rule, the native Africans who were originally subjected to slavery in this country; were not, as is generally supposed, deprived of their liberties; for they were for the most part captives, or slaves, when they were sold to the slave dealers.  The reader will please recollect, that I am not justifying the slave trade.  I am simply stating facts; and I deem it essential that these facts should be understood.  Those who wish to know what my views are on the subject of slavery, will be under the necessity of reading this volume through.

    [1] The reader will see Chapter 8; where the subject of slavery
    in Africa is treated at length.

Most of the native Africans that were transported to this country, were not only the lowest grade of barbarians, but they were the servants of barbarians.  Here, in the United States, they have enjoyed to a considerable extent, the advantages of civilization, and so far as religious instruction is concerned; there is not, I suppose, four millions of human beings on earth, of what are called the lower classes of society, white or black, who have had superior religious advantages.  I have remarked, however, at the close of chapter 11, that in consequence of their ignorance; religious instruction had failed to produce that decided, thorough and permanent influence, which otherwise it might have done.  But I think it probable that there are not four millions of ignorant illiterate human beings living, on whom the doctrines of Christianity have exerted as salutary an influence; nor can there be found a body of ministers of the gospel in the world, who have made so great sacrifices to Christianize the “lowly,” as Mrs. Stowe chooses to denominate them.  The devotion of the Southern clergy to the best interests of the poor African, is worthy of all praise.  Men without a tithe of their piety may calumniate and reproach them; but there is one who seeth not as man seeth, who has taken cognizance of their sacrifices and “labors of love.”  Ah! my friends, you may deceive yourselves, and deceive one another, but of one thing you may rest assured—­you cannot deceive your God.  Nor are you as successful in deceiving your fellow creatures, as some of you probably imagine.  Some of us understand you.