TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE
The cover image was created by the transcriberand is placed in the public domain.
Some minor changes to the text are noted at the end of the book.These are indicated by a dashed blue underline.
By MRS. CHILD,
Author of ‘An Appeal in favor of that class of Americans calledAfricans,’ the ‘Evils of Slavery, and the Cure of Slavery,’ ‘AuthenticAnecdotes of American Slavery,’ ‘History of the Condition of Women,’‘The Oasis,’ ‘Frugal Housewife,’ &c.
Second Edition.
NEWBURYPORT:
PUBLISHED BY CHARLES WHIPPLE.
1839.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1835,
By CHARLES WHIPPLE,
In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of Massachusetts.
Question. Why do you consider it a duty to preach andpublish abolition doctrines?
Answer. First, I consider it my duty as a Christian; forthe system of slavery, as a whole, and in each one of itsdetails, is in direct opposition to the precepts of the gospel.Secondly, I consider it my duty as a conscientiouscitizen of this republic; for I believe slavery is prejudicialto the best interests of my country; and I darenot hope that God’s blessing will rest upon us, if wepersevere in our iniquity.
Q. But the abolitionists are accused of showing theworst side of slavery. Is it not true that they seek togive an exaggerated idea of its evils?
A. I believe every man, who candidly examines thesubject, will come to the conclusion, that every sideappears to be the worst side. Allow me to give a briefstatement of the case. Between two and three millionsof people are compelled to labor without wages. Theygain nothing more by working ten hours than they wouldby working one hour. It is not in human nature thatthey should be disposed to be industrious under thesecircumstances. They try to do as little as possible. Thechief part of the labor that is got out of their bones andsinews is obtained by fear of the whip. A peck of corna week is the usual allowance for the food of a slave.The planters generally estimate that a slave can be fedand clothed at an expense of from fifteen to twenty dollarsa year. The following is the printed testimony of ThomasClay, of Georgia, himself a slave-holder, though reputedto be an amiable, conscientious man: “A peck of cornper week, if it be sound flint corn, is sufficient to sustainhealth and strength under moderate labor. But there isoften a defect in the quality, and the quantity is then insufficient.The present economy of the slave system isto get all you can from the slave, and give in return aslittle as will barely support him in a working condition.Even where there is not direct intention to abridge hiscomforts, they are but little consulted; and the slave,...