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ANTI-SLAVERY
ALMANAC
FOR
1846.
NEW YORK:
PUBLISHED BY FINCH & WEED,
118 Nassau Street.
CUSTOMARY NOTES, &c, FOR THE YEAR 1846.
"
Venus
[ $ ]
will be Evening Star until March 2d, then Morning Star until December 15th,
then Evening Star until October 3d, 1847.
The Moon will run highest, this year, about the 22d degree of
[ n]
Gemini, and lowest
about the 22d degree of
[
t ] Sagittarius.
Latitude of Herschel fJl] about
41'
south this year.
Longitude of the Moon's Ascending [a ] in the middle of this year, 7 signs, 4 degrees.
Mean obliquity of the Ecliptic in the middle of this year ;
23 27' 33.5". True obliquity,
same time, 23 27' 25.3".
Ascension Day May 21
Whit Sunday (Pentecost) May 31
Trinity Sunday ..... .-.June 7
CHRONOLOGICAL CYCLES.
Dominical Letter D.
Golden Number, or Lunar Cycle 4
Epact, or Moon's age Jan. 1st 3
Solar Cycle 7
Roman Indiction. . > 4
Julian Period 6559
MOVEABLE FEASTS.
Easter Sunday April 12
Rogation Sunday May 17
Advent Sunday Nov
EQUINOXES AND SOLSTICES.
D. H. M
Vernal Equinox, March 20 6 50 ev.
Summer Solstice, June 21 3 36 ev.
Autumnal Equinox, Sept, 23 5 34 mo.
Winter Solstice, Dec , . .21 11 15 ev.
ECLIPSES IN THE YEAR 184G.
There will be two Eclipses only this year, and both of the Sun.
I. On the 25th of April the Sun will be Eclipsed on the southern limb.
Principal Cities Beginning.
Greatest
Eclipse. End. Duration. Magnitude.
H. M. ...
10 41 mora.
10 12 morn.
11 15 mom.
9 50 morn.
10 51 mom.
10 22 morn.
10 46 mom.
9 51 morn.
10 37 morn.
9 56 morn.
10 35 mom.
9 30 mom.
10 29 morn.
10 17 mora.
10 3 mom.
9 4 morn.
H. M.
11 57 mom.
11 28 morn.
36 ev.
10 58 morn.
17 ev.
11 4i mom.
8 ev.
11 4 morn.
11 -59 mora.
11 13 mora.
11 58 morn.
10 42 morn.
11 53 mom.
11 43 mom.
11 32 mom.
10 27 mora.
H. M.
1 12 ev.
40 ev.
1 54 ev.
10 ev.
1 38 ev.
1 ev.
1 30 ev.
22 ev.
1 22 ev.
33 ev.
1 21 ev.
noon.
1 19 ev.
1 11 ev.
1 5 ev.
11 57 morn.
H. M.
2 31
2 28
2 39
2 20
2 44
2 38
2 44
2 31
2 45
2 37
2 46
2 30
2 50
2 54
3 2
2 53
Digits.
5.72
Detroit, 5.38
6 60
5.00
6.83
6.27
6.96
5 76
7.00
6.00
Washington,
St. Louis,
712
5.68
7.50
7.92
Charleston,
New Orleans,
8.68
8.10
This Eclipse will be visible throughout the United States, excepting the North-western
corner of the Oregon Territory ; also throughout Mexico, Texas, West Indies, Great Britain,
Ireland and Iceland ; together with the southern part of Greenland, the northern part of
South Ameriea, and the Western parts of Europe and Africa. It will be central and annu-
lar on the meridian in latitude 25 21'
North, and longitude 74 31'
West from Greenwich, or
30'
West from the meridian of New York. Magnitude at London, 3.32 digits.
II. There will be an Eclipse of the Sun on the 20th of October, at the time of New Moon
in the morning, invisible in America. The Eclipse will be visible through the greater part of
Africa and of Australia. The central Eclipse (which will be annular) will commence in
Africa in latitude
6 44' North, and longitude
0 32'
West from Greenwich, and terminate
bi
Australia in lat. 23 51' South, and long. 126 5'
East. In its progress it will cross the north-
ern part of Madagascar, and be central and annular on the meridian in lat. 19 22'
South, and
long. 58 41'
East from Greenwich. Magnitude of the Eclipse at the Cape of Good Hope,
1.69 digit on the Sun's northern limb.
POSTAGE.
1. Letters are hereafter to be charged by weight instead of by the number of pieces of pa-
per, as follows : Letters not exceeding half an ounce in weight to be deemed single letters,
and to be charged 5 cents for any distance not exceeding 300 miles, and 10 cents for any dis-
tance over 300 miles. Each additional half ounce, or fraction of a half ounce, to be charged
5 or 10 cents, according to the distance sent. A 6heet of letter paper containing five bank
bills will weigh less than half an ounee.
t 2. Newspapers <Jf a size not exceeding 1900 square inches, may be sent by mail 30 miles
from the town where they are published, free of postage. For all distances over 30 miles,
the old rates of postage are charged, viz : 1 cent per copy for 100 miles, or any distance with-
in the State where published, and 1 1-2 cents over 100 miles and out of the State where
published.
3. Postmasters throughout the United States are not allowed to frank letters unless the
tame are endorsed "Post Office business," and their names signed to such endorsement.
JANUARY,
184631 Pays*
1
Moon'sPhases.
New-Y'rk.
SunonMer.
First
Quar. 4
Full Moon, 12
Third Quar. 20
New Moon, 27
H. M.
9 29mor.
9 6 mor.
10 56 mor,
4 27 mor
d. h. m.
s.
1 ev. 3 56
9 7 30
17 10 27
25 12 40
FEBRUARY,
184628 Pays.
MTWsPhases. New-Y'rk. Sun on Mer.
d.
Fh*t Quar. 3
Full Moon, 11
Thigd Quar. 18
H. M.
15 mor.
4 16 mor.
11 48 ev.
New
Moon, 251 2 36 ev.
D. H. M. S.
1 13 55
9 14 31
17 14 17
25 13 18
Calendar for NEW-YORK City, Conn., N. Jersey Fenn., t)hio, Indiana, and Illinois.
Sun's
decS.
Pi-
Sun
rises
Sun
sets.
H.M.
4 41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
59
1
2
3
5
6
7
8
10
5 11
5 12
5 13
5 15
Moon
sets.
H. M.
9 37
10 46
11 52
morn.
57
1 59
2 59
3 56
4 49
5 38
6 22
rises.
6 21
7 18
8 15
9 13
10 11
11 11
morn.
1
2
3
4
5
6
sets
7 12
8 25
9 36
10 43
H.W.
N. Y.
H. M.
11 38
morn.
26
13
56
4
15
32
30
8 17
8 58
9 34
10 9
10
40
11 12
11 44
ev.17
50
1 30
2 17
3 17
4 36
5*56
7 10
8 7
8 58
9 48
10 35
11 19
morn.
J) D suns
M
W dec S
D
M
Tu
W
Th
Fr'
Sa
D
M
Tu
W
Th
Fr
Sa
D
M
Tu
W
Th
Fr
Sa
D
M
Tu
W
Th
Fr
Sa
])
Sun Sun
pi. rises sets.
Moon H. W.
sets. N. Y.
H. M.
11 48
morn.
50
6 11
rises.
7 7
8 t
9 A
10 t
ii e
morn
9
sets,
7 10
8 21
9 30
FARM WORK FOR JANUARY.
I Summer is the season for prepar-
ing food,
winter for disposing of it.
"Whatever
grain or other produce of
the
farm is now on hand, beyond
what is wanted for home consumption,
should
be carried to market. Dont let
frost, rot, mildew,
vermin, waste or too
much care swallow up the profits.
Perishable
articles should at once be
sold for whatever they will bring. All
others may be sold when they will
command the best price, but in wait-
ing for a higher, see that the waste in-
terest, and risk of holding, will not ex-
ceed the additional price expected.
FARM WORK FOR FEBRUARY.
Keep the stables clean ; the yards
i
jy
and well littered; the barns and
shelters tight and warm; curry the
cattle and horses; and always pro-
vide salt and pure water where they
can get them. Nearly all animals like
clay, tar, and sulphur occasionally;
provide these within their reach, and
their health and appetite will be im-
proved by them.
If labor is cheaper than fodder," cut i
the hay, straw and cornstalks, and cat-
tle will eat them clean; they will
thank and pay you for it too, if a little
meal be added.
z. sr<y
*****
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MARCH,
184631 Days. APRIL, 184630 Days.
Moon'sPhases. New-Y'rk. Sun on Mer. Moon- Phases. New-Y'rk. Sun on Mer.
D. H. M. D. H. M. s. D. H. M. . H. M. s.
First Quar. 4 5 36 ev. 1 12 35 First QiL. f. 3 16 ev. 1 3 56
Full Moon, 12 9 53 ev. 9 10 44 Full Moon, 11 59 ev. 9 1 36
Third Quar. 20 9 2mor. 17 8 30 Third Quar. 18 3 28 ev. 17 morn.
New Moon, 28 55mor. 25 6 5 New Moon, 25 11 52mor. 25 11 57 51
Calendar for NEW-YORK City, Conn., N. Jersey, Penn., Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois.
D D Sun's
D
Sun Sun Moon H.W.
M W dec S. pi. rises sets. sets. N. Y.
46
23
37
13
50
27
3
3 40
3 16
2 52
2 29
2 5
1 41
1 18
54
30
S. 7
N. 17
41
M.
6 36
6 35
6 33
6 32
6 30
6 29
6 27
6 25
6 24
6 22
6 20
6 19
6 17
6 16
6 14
6 12
6 11,6
96
76
5 58
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
6!6 10
4|6 11
2|6
12
16 14
59 6 15
57,6 16
56 6 17
54 6 18
52,6
19
51 6 20
49,6
21
47[6 22
H. M.
10 35
11 37
morn
4 43
5 13
rises.
6 57
7 58
9
10 2
11 4
morn
5
1
1 56
2 44
3 27
4 6
4 43
5 18
sets.
8 14
9 20
10 21
11 17
H. M.
11 38
morn.
16
55
40
31
44
9
28
30
8 10
8 49
9 20
9 51
10 20
10 53
11 26
ev. 2
41
1 27
2 26
3 45
5 17
6 37
7 38
8 26
9 9
9 51
10 32
11 12
11 50
W
Th
Fr
Sa
D
M
Tu
W
Th
Fr
Sa
D
M
Tu
W
Th
Fr
Sa
D
M
Tu
W
Th
Fr
Sa
D
M
Tu
W
Th
Sun's
decN.
D
Sunj Sun Moon H.W.
pi. rises sets. sets. N. Y.
466
446
436
41
J6
39
5 2
H. M.
morn.
8
rises.
7 53
8 56
9 59
10 58
11 53
morn.
42
sets
8
5
9 4
9 58
10
11 30
morn.
27
4711
6 45
7 35
8 10
8 45
9 18
9 54
10 28
11 5
11 42
ev. 26
1 17
2 20
3 37
4 59
6 14
7 13
8 4
8 48
9 30
10 9
10 48
26
morn.
FARM WORK FOR MARCH.
Tap the maple trees if the weather
has not before required it ; clean the
troughs, and see that the sap is entirely-
pure till congealed into prime sugar.
Look well after the cattle ;
feed the
cows and ewes with young, a few
roots daily, and see they have a quiet,
dry, warm place, where they will not
be knocked about by the other animals.
Shade and fruit trees may be set out
wherever the ground is dry; grafts
should be selected and cut, and remem-
ber, the best kind of fruit may give you
ten times the profit, and cost you no
more than the worst.
FARM WORK FOR APRIL.
Bestir yourselves about the gardep,
and sow early peas, cabbage, radishes,
lettuce, parsnips, carrots, beets and
tomatoes
;
plant a few early potatoes,
cucumbers and melons ; by planting
the last on a well prepared bed of ma-
nure and loam and sand, protected by
glass, you will get them very early.
.A little time and money spent in this
way, is much better than laid out in
fine clothes and expensive groceries.
They are the best luxuries, and pro-
mote health and comfort. Tag the
j
sheep, and dont turn out cattle
too ear-
ly, let the grass first
get a
good
start.
MAY, 184631 Days.
Moon'sPhases. New-Y'rk. Sun. on Mer
First Quar. 3
Full Moon, 11
Third Quar. 17
New Moon, 24
a. m.
6 56mor.
1 lOmor.
8 31 ev.
11 48 ev.
D. H. M. S.
1 11 56 57
911 56 14
1711 56 7
2511 56 37
JUNE, 184630 Pays.
Moon'sPhases. New-Y'rk. Sun on Mer.
D.
First Quar. 2
Full Moon, 9
Third Quar. 16
New Moon, 23
H. M.
34mor.
10 40mor,
1 42mor.
52 ev.
D. H. M.
1 11 57 29
9 11 58 51
17 ev. 30
25 2 14
Calendar for NEW-YORK City, Conn., N. Jersey, Penn., Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois
D D Sun's
D
Sun Sun Moon H.W. D D Sun's
D
Sun Sun Moon H. W.
M W decN. pi rises sets. sets. N. Y. M W decN. pi rises
H.M.
sets.
H.M.
sets. N. Y.
D. M. H. M. H.M. H. M. H. M.
D. M. H. M H. M.
1 Fr
15 6 25 5 1 6 54 morn. 4 1
M 22 4
w
4 33 7 22 morn 1 1
2 Sa
15 24
9s
4 59 6 55 8 43 2
Tu 22 12
W
4 33 7 23 12 1 47
3 D 15 42 1
4 58 6 56 42 1 29 3
W 22 20
m
4 32 7 24 41 2 38
4 M 16 si 4 57 6 57 1 13 2 20 4
Th 22 27 :22b 4 32 7 24 1 10 3 42
5 Tu 16 17 %
4 56 6 58 1 43 3 29 5
Fr 22 34
^=
4 31 7 25 1 41 4 46
6 W 16 34 m 4 55 6 59 2 12 4 41 6
Sa 22 40
3
4 31 7 26 2 15 5 46
7 Th 16 50
-*-
4 53 7 2 40 5 48 7 D
22 46
4
4 31 7 26 2 54 6 46
8 Fr 17 7
-r*.
4 52 7 1 3 11 6 45 8 M 22 52
t
4 31 7 27 3 40 7 35
9 Sa 17 23
-rv_
4 51 7 2 3 44 7 30 9 Tu 22 57
t
4 30 7 27 rises. 8 21
10 D 17 39
4 50 7 3 4 21 8 9 10 W 23 2
Y?
4 30 7 28 8 31 9 7
11 M 17 54 hT 4 49 7 4 rises. 8 50 11 Th 23 6
V5
5
4 30 7 28 9 22 9 53
12 Tu 18 10
r
4 48 7 5 8 50 9 29 12 Fr 23 10 4 30 7 29 10 5 10 36
13 W 18 24
t
4 47 7 6 9 47 10 6 13 Sa 23 14 'OX 4 30 7 29 10 45 11 22
14 Th 18 39
V5>
4 46 7 7 10 39 10 48 14 D
23 17
X
4 30 7 30 11 21 ev. 12
15 Fr 18 53
Y3
4 45 7 8 11 25 11 30 15 M 23 20
X
4 30 7 30 11 55 1 3
16 Sa 19 7 4 44 7 9 morn. ev. 19 16 Tu 23 22
r
4 30 7 31 morn. 1 59
17 D 19 21 jjjj
4 43 7 10 6 1 13 17 W 23 24
T
4 30 7 31 28 3 1
18 M 19 34
X 4^2
7
11 43 2 15 IS Th 23 25
T
4 30 7 31 1 2 4 9
19 Tu 19 47
X
4 41 7
11 1 18 3 25 19 Fr 23 26
a
4 30 7 32 1 38 5 14
20 W 20
cp
4 41 7 12 1 51 4 37 20 Sa 23 27
a
4 30 7 32 2 17 .6 22
21 Th 20 12
cp
4 40 7 13 2 25 5 45 21 D
23 27 n 4 31 7 32 3 7 21
22 Fr 20 24
a
4 39 7 14 3 6 46 22 M
23 27 n 4 31 7 32 3 46 8 10
23 Sa 20 36
a
4 38 7 15 3 38 7 40 23 Tu 23 27 25
4 31 7 32 sets. 8 54
24
D 20 47 y 4 38 7 16 sets. 8 29 24 W 23 26 23
4 31 7 33 8 3 9 37
25 M 20 58
n 4 37 7 17 7 48 9 12 25 Th 23 24 25 4 32 7 33 8 41 10 13
26 Tu 21 9 n 4 36 7 18 8 39 9 52 20 Fr 23 23
a
4 32 7 33 9 15 10 49
27 W 21 19 25
4 36 7 18 9 25 10 29 27 Sa 23 20 4 32 7 33 9 46 11 23
28 Th 21 29 25 4 35 7 19 10 5 11 5 28 D
23 18
w
4 33 7 33 10 15 11 57
29 Fr 21 38 25 4 34 7 20 10 41 11 43 29|M 23 15
n
4 33 7 33 10 43 morn.
30 Sa 21-47
a
4 34 7 21 11 14 morn.
301 Tu 23 11
w
4 34. 7 33 11 11 34
31 D|21 56
a
4 33 7 21 11
44
J 19
FARM WORK FOR MAY.
Finish all the plowing, planting, and
sowing. Early crops are more sure
than late. Brine your wheat and soak
your corn in saltpetre
;
the crows and
worms will let it alone then, and you
will have larger crops. Cart out every
ounce of manure. It will waste as
much in the heap in one season as in
the ground ; and for the first you get
nothing, for the other, a great deal.
Dock and geld the lambs, look after
the sheep in storms, see that they are
well salted, and never allow them
to remain on wet land. Geld the colts,
calves, and pigs.
FARM WORK FOR JUNE.
Put the light plows and cultivators
agoing among your corn and roots, and
kill the weeds before they kill the
crops. Nowhere does
"
a step in time
save nine" more certainly, than in ex-
terminating weeds. Finish planting
potatoes, and sow ruta-baga. Dont be
afraid of getting an over stock. What
you cant sell at a round profit, you can
feed to advantage. Look after the red
root, cockle, and wild mustard in the
grain fields, and pull them all up be-
fore they get to seed. Prune your
fruit trees, spade up the turf about the
trunk, place manure, &c, around them.
?
;%0~
JUI5Y,
184631 Pays.
*
Moon'sPhasesj
New-Y
r
rk. Sun on ]V
First Qwar.
Full Moon,
Third Quar. 15
New Moon, 23
First Quar. 31
4 28 ev.
6 15 ev.
#
8 28mor.
3 7 mor.
6 7 mor.
D. H.
1*
9
17
25,
M. S.
3 28
4 50
5 47
6 12
Moon'sPhases.
AUGUST, 1846- Days.
Full Moon, 7
Third Quar. 13
New Moon, 21
First Quar, 29
New-Y'rk.
C. M.
1 4mor
5 55 ev.
6 29 ev.
5 23 ev.
Sun on Mer,
6 2
5 15
3 51
1 55
Calendar for NEW-YORK City, Conn., N. Jersey, Penn., Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois.
Sun's
decN.
B. M.
23 7
23 3
22 59
22 53
22 48
22 42
22 36
22 29
22 22
22 15
22 7
21 59
21 50
21 42
21 32
21 23
21 13
21 2
20 51
20 40
20 29
20 17
20 5
19 53
19 40
19 27
19 13
18 59
18 45
18 31
18 16
Sun
rises
Sun Moon
sets. ' sets.
H.
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4 56;7 16
M.;H. M.
33;il 40
32 morn.
32j
12
32 48
32 1 29
32 2 18
31 3 14
31 rises.
31 7 59
30 8 42
30 9 20
29j
9 56
29J10
30
2811 5
28ill 41
27 morn.
47 7 25
4817*24
49 7
49 7
sets.
7 49
8 18
8 46
9 14
9 43
10 13
10 47
4 57|7 15ill 24
54 7 18
557 17
H.W.
N. Y.
M.
11
55
45
49
54
3
57
8 47
9 38
10 28
11 13
ev. 1
50
37
32
32
45
55
4
56
8 40
9 19
9 55
10 29
10 59
11 31
morn.
4
37
1 16
Sun
T
s
decN.
D. M.
18 1
17 46
17 31
17 15
16 59
16 42
16 25
16 9
15 51
15 34
15 16
14 58
14 40
14 22
14"
3
13 44
13 25
13 6
12 46
12 26
12 7
11 46
11 26
11 6
10 45
10 24
10 3
9 42
9 21
8 59
8 3S
H.M.
4 58
59
Sun
rises
Sun
sets.
H.
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
6 59
6 58
6 57
55
54
52
51
50
48
47
45
44
6 42
6 41
6 39
6
6 36
6 34
6 33
Moon
'sets.
H. M.
morn.
8
59
1 57
3 3
4 14
rises
7 52
8 29
9 5
9 41
10 19
11
11 44
morn.
31
1 22
2 15
3
4 jr
sets
6 51
7 19
7 47
8 17
8 49
9 24
10 4
10 51
11 44
morn.
H. M.
2 1
2 57
4 10
5 26
6 41
7 41
8 34
9 23
10 10
10 54
11 40
ev. 23
H.W.
N. Y.
10
58
56
10
28
43
38
8 22
8 59
9 33
10 3
10 33
11 3
11 35
morn.
7
43
1 26
2 21
FARM WORK FOR JULY.
Buy
your scythes, rakes, cradles,
&c, before the good ones are all gone.
A good tool is cheap at the highest
price, and a poor one dear at the low-
est. Get a good horse-rake if you
have not made one while idle in the
winter. Fit up the hay carts and
grease the wheels, fill up the old whis-
ky jugs and canteens with pure wa-
ter and a little ginger,
molasses and
vinegar, mixed with it, or milk and
water, oatmeal and water, or water
alone, and with a light 'lunch in abas-
ket, the men are ready for their wort
FARM WORK FOR AUGUST.
Complete the haying and get the
fodder well under cover. Cut the
wheat, oats and barley, when the berry
is in the dough state, and before it is
fully ripe, and you will get more grain
and infinitely better straw.
What is
intended for seed may stand till dead
ripe, and see that it be gathered free
from all weeds. If the land intended
,
for the next
wheat crop be weedy,
plow early and plow late, and leave
not a stalk for future growth. Take
early pears,
plums and apples to mar^
,
ket.
Look to your, lightning rods.
v
Ois
'"*
St^?Cjy
<p?/
fc~~f
SEPTEMBER, 18 4630 Days.
Moon'sPhases. New-Y'rk. Sun on Mer
Full Moon, 5
Third Quar. 12
New Moon, 20
First Quar. 28
H. M.
8 20mor.
6 46mor.
10 38mor.
2 31 mor.
1 morning.
911 57 14
17 11 54 26
2511 51 40
OCTOBER, 184631 Rays.
Moon'sPhases. New-Y'rk.
Full Moon, 4
ThirdQuar.il
New Moon, 20
First Quar. 27
D.H. M.
5 10 ev.
11 12 ev.
2 48 mor.
10 14 mor.
Sun on Mer.
r>. h. m. s,
1 11 49 41
9 11 47 19
17 11 45 26
25 11 44 12
Calendar for NEW-YORK City, Conn., N. Jersey, Penn., Ohio, Indiana and Illinois.
D D Sun's
D
Sun Sun Moon H.W. D D Sun'sl
D
Sun Sun Moon H.W.
M W decN.
P
L rises sets. sets. N. Y.
M W dec S. pi. rises sets. sets. N. Y.
D. M. H. M. H. M. H. M. H. M.
D. M. H. M. H. M. H. M. H. M.
1 Tu 8 16
V?
5 28 6 31 44 3 33
1 Th 3 13 "XZ 5 58 5 41 1 54 4 42
2 W
"7
54
V?
5 29 6 30 1 51 5
2 Fr 3 37
X
5 59 5 40 3 6 6 4
3 Th 7 32 5 30 6 28 3 2 6 22 3 Sa 4
X
6 5 38 4 18 7 5
^4 Fr 7 10
/w
5 31 6 26 4 16 7 24 4 D 4 23
cp
6 1 5 36 rises. 7 56
5 Sa
6 48
X
5 32 6 25 rises. 8 18 5 M 4 46
op
6 2 5 35 6 7 8 42
6 D 6 26
x
5 33 6 23 6 59 9 4 6 Tu 5 9
2
6 3 5 33 6 48 9 26
7 M 6 3 5 34 6 21 7 36 9 48 n W 5 32 b 6 4 5 31 7 31 10 10
8 Tu 5 41 5 35 6 20 8 15 10 34 s Th 5 55
rr
6 5 5 30 8 19 10 51
9 W
5 18
8
5 36 6 18 8 56 11 15 9 Fr 6 18
n
6 6 5 28 9 9 11 31
10 Th 4 55
a
5 37 6 17 9 40 11 57 10 Sa 6 41
25
6 7 5 27 10 2 ev. 12
11 Fr 4 32 n 5 38 6 15 10 27 ev. 39 11 D 7 4
25
6 8 5 25 10 56 57
12 Sa 4 9 n 5 39 6 13 11 17 1 25 12 M 7 26 25 6 9 5 23 11 52 1 49
13 D 3 46 25 5 39 6 12 morn. 2 20 13 Tu 7 49
a
6 10 5 22 morn. 2 51
14 M 3 23 25 5 40 6 10 10 3 31 14 W 8 11
?L
6 11 5 20 47 4 12
IS Tu
3 25 5 41 6 8 1 4 4 54 IS Th S 33
nj?
6 12 5 19 1 43 5 30
16 W
2 37
$
5 42 7 1 59 6 10 16 Fr
8
56
W
6 13 5 17 2 40, 6 35
17 Th 2 14 5 43 6 5 2 55 7 13
17 Sa 9 18
n*
6 15 5 16 3 36 7 21
18 Fr 1 51
m
5 44 6 3 3 51 7 55
IS D 9 40 ^
6 16 5 14 4 34 7 57
19 Sa 1 27
w
5 45 6 1 4 48 8 32 19 M 10 1
-J-V.
6 17 5 13 5 32 8 31
20
D 1 4
w
5 46 6 sets.
9 4
20 Tu 10 23
nt
6 18 5 11 sets. 9 2
21 M 41
,/v
5 47 5 58 6 20 9 35
21 W 10 44
"I
6 19 5 10 6 5 9 38
22 Tu N 17
_/v_
5 48 5 56
6 52 10 4 22 Th 11 6
i
6 20
5 8 6 47 10 12
23 W
S. 6
V5
5 49 5 55
7 26 10 35
23 Fr 11 27
I
6 21 5 7 7 36 10 44
24 Th 30 5 50 5 53 8 5 11 7 24 Sa 11 48
t
6 22 5 6 8 30 11 21
25 Fr 53 5 51 5 51 8 49 11 41 25 D
12 9
V?
6 24 5 4 9 30 morn.
26 Sa 1 16
5 52 5 50 9 38 morn. 26 M 12 29
v?
6 25 5 3 10 34 2
27
D 1 40
5 53 5 48 10 34 19 27 Tu 12 50 6 26 5 1 11 41 47
28 M 2 3 5 54 5 46 11.37 1 3 28 W 13 10
'-'
6 27 5 morn. 1 45
29 Tu 2 27 5 55 5 45 morn. 1 59 29 Th 13 30
X
6 28 4 59 50 2 59
30 W
2 50
AW
5 56 5 43 44 3 14 30 Fr 13 50
X
6 29 4 58 2 4
24-
31jSa 14 9
T
6 31 4 56 3 10 5 42
FARM WORK FOR SEPTEMBER.
Complete harvesting the grain, and
if there be much of it, thrash it out
with a machine in the field. This
saves carting and waste, and wheat
generally bears as good price now as
at any time hereafter. A bushel in
ten is thus saved which would other-
wise be lost in six months, besides 3
per cent in interest. This is worth
any man's attention, who thinks
"
ma-
ny a little will soon make a mickle."
If not wanted in the yard, the straw
may be spread on the ground, though
it's better to feed cattle before it is fed
to the soil.
FARM WORK FOR OCTOBER.
Dig all the roots and store them se-
curely against frost and rot. Keep
them from the sun and wet, and allow
them to dry before housing. If stored
in the field, see that no water is al-
lowed to settle around the bottom, and
a small hole left in the top of the pit
to let ofF the gas and moisture. They
\
should be lightly covered at first to
prevent growth, and'before cold weath-
er sets in, give them ample protection
from frost, and put in a wisp of straw
to shut out the cold nor yet prevent
escape of gas. Gather all the fruit
before the heavy frosts.
-)
l~t*
K**
*
ic4
K.
.<S*S%S*J*i%fc
NOVEMBER, 1846
-
-30 ays. DECEMBER, 1846- 31 Days.
Moon'sPHases.
j
New-Y'rk. Sun on Mer. Moon'sPhases. New-Y'rk. Sun on Mer.
D. H. JVC. D. B. M. S, it. H. M.
*
r>. H. M. s.
Full Moon, 3 4 15mor.
1 11 43 44 Full Moon, 2 5 50 ev. 1 11 49 18
Third Quar. 10 6 48 ev. 9 11 44 Third Quar. 10 4 20 ev. 9 11 52 37
New Moon, 18 6 4ev. 17 11 45 10 New Moon, 18 7 46mor. 17 11 56 25
First Quar. 25 5 35 ev. 25 11 47 14 First Quar. 25 1 40 mo?. 25 ev. 24
Calendar for NEW-YORK City, Conn., N.Jersey, Penn., Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois.
1
2
3
4
5
6
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Sun's
deeS
M
29
48
7
25
8
Sun
rises
H.M.
6 32
33
6 34
6 35
6 37
6 3SJ4
6 39
6 40
41
43
44
45
46
47
49
50
6 51
6 52
6 53
6 55
6 56
6 57
6 58
6 59
7
Sun
set&
Moon
sets,
H. M
4 20
5 30
rises
6- 7
6 57
7 49
8 44
9 40
10 37
11 33
morn.
29
1 26
2 23
3 21
4 20
5 21
sets.
5 30
6 23
7 22
8 26
9 33
10 41
11 50
morn.
58
2 7
3 15
4 22
H.W.
N. Y.
H.
-
M.
6 44
7 36
8 21
9 7
9 48
10 29
11 9
11 47
ev.29
1 15
2 7
3 15
4 29
5 36
6 35
7 20
7 58
8 38
9 13
9 50
10 28
11 9
11 52
morn.
41
1 38
2 43
3 59
5 8
6 19
Tu
W
Th
Fr
Sa
r>
M
Tu
W
Th
Fr
Sa
D
M
Tu
W
Th
Fr
Sa
D
M
Tu
W
Th
Fr
Sa
D
M
Tu
W
Th
Sun's
dec S.
Pi-
Sun Sun
rises sets.
10
11
12
13
14
15
15
16
17
18
19
19
20
21
21
22
23
23
24
24
25
25
25J4
Moon
sets.
5
27,
rises.
5 36
6 31
7 27
8 24
9 21
10 18
11 14
morn.
10
1
2
3
4
5
6
sets,
6 12
7 21
8 31
9 41
10 50
11 59
morn..
1 6
2 12
3 17
4 19
5 18
6 12
H.W.
N.'Y.
H. M.
7 15
8 7
8 52
9
34-
10 15
10 53
11 29
6 33
7 24
8 6
8 51
9 34
10 18
11 2
11 47
morn.
34
25
21
24
37
51
6 56
7 50
FARM WORK FOR NOVEMBER.
Prepare for winter quarters now
with all yourmight. Put the children
to their winter's school, and see that
you have a good master, good disci-
pline, good books, and attractive rooms,
well warmed and well aired. If you
expect good cattle, you first look for
good calves ; and if you wish good men
and women, you, must first secure
good children. Repair all the barns
and sheds so as to exclude wind, rain
and snow. Take off the cattle from
the meadows in time to prevent injury
to the tuff. Soon as the grass is much
injured by frost, take off all the stock,
FARM WORK FOR DECEMBER.
All cattle now require increased at-
tention. Tis a practicewith some, to
j
ust keep their stock through the win-
ter and let them do their thriving in
summer. This is bad policy, or rather
no policy at all. Half the age of stock
is thus thrown away. They may be
gaining as rapidly in winter as in sum-
mer, if provided with shelter and ap-
propriate food. Ashes, chareoal and
lime, should be placed around the
trunks of fruit trees. The first will
kill the worms and insects harboring
'
about the roots, and prevent the mice
burrowing around the bark.
4&*>fct
k* %
*i
STRAINING AT GNATS AND SWALLOWING CAMELS.
It will take the light of eternity to reveal all the influences that have
wrought the above degeneracy in the Presbyterian church. In the provi-
dence of God, however, some of her sins in this thing are
"
open beforehand
going to judgment." One of them is at hand. It will be interesting and
instructive, probably, to all religious brokers and stock-jobbers in the man-
trade. It is as follows: At the meeting of the General Assembly, at Pitts-
burg, in 1836, the Trustees of the funds of the church reported respecting the
successful operation they had lately made, to increase the revenues of the
church, by a sale of certain northern securities, and the investment of the
proceeds in bank stock at Vicksburgh and Grand Gulf. One transaction was
dwelt upon with great interest : among the stocks so transferred, were a
number of shares in the Hackensack Bridge Company, N. J., concerning
which the consciences of the pious had long been troubled, from the circum-
stance that the bridge was a thorough-fare for travelling on the Sabbath, and
a portion of the profits of this Sabbath profanation went into the treasury of
the Lord. So the trustees relieved the tender consciences, and removed the
scandal, by investing the funds in southern banks, to be used in buying the
new cotton.- fields of the south-west and stocking them with negroes : from
all which they anticipated a much larger income than a mere 6 per cent.
interest! Tne same year, these trustees and their southern friends
made stubborn and stout resistance to any action of the Assembly condemna-
tory of slavery.
Time rolled on. Four years after, in 1840, the Proceedings of the General
Assembly (Old School) contain a report of a committee on the funds of the
Church, the Hon. John Fine, chairman, which, though cautiously deficient in
specific data, contains the following significant paragraph :
"
The committee regret that any previous Assembly should have approved
of the funds of the Church being invested in the stocks of distant banks,
with the expectation
of
receiving a larger income than 6 per cent, interest." The
report states that "for one or more years this expectation was realized. But
the Committee fear that some portion of these investments is now in extreme
hazard. It is plain that the Assembly would not, at the present time, recom-
mend a further investment of the Church funds in south-western backs. Is
it not worthy of the consideration of the trustees, whether it be not the part
of wisdom to sell the stocks of the unproductive banks as soon as it may be
judiciously done, and invest the proceeds in securities which are less fluc-
tuating and less hazardous."
May 27th, 1842, brought out a statement from the
"
Standing committee on
Finance," showing
"
the cost and estimated value of sundry stocks, and loss
thereon." The whole cost of the stocks named, was $136,339. For some
of these stocks a handsome premium was paid at the time of purchase,
amounting in all to $11,331. The whole loss, as estimated in 1842, was
$89,634. The following table shows for what the premiums were mostly
paid, and where most of the losses were.
No. of
Shares.
100,
200,
10,
200,
150,
100,
100,
Planters' Bank of Mississippi,
Agricultural Bank of do.,
Grand Gulf Bank of do.,
Planters' Bank of Tennessee,
Union Bank of do.,
Bank of Mobile,
Bank of Louisville,
Estimated
Cost. Premium. Loss.
$11,077,62 $1,077,62 $10,827,62
23,700,76 3,701,76 21,701,76
992,00 942,00
22,106,25 2,106,25 16,106,25
15,262,50
262.50 11,062,50
11,027,50 1,027,50 3,527,50
10,526,25 526,25 4,726,25
$94,692,88 $8,701,88 $68,893,88
From this it appears that the Church paid nearly the whole of her premi-
ums for, and realized nearly the whole of her losses from, the stocks of those
south-western banks, that were to pay such a handsome income over 6 per
cent, interest, and were to earn it almost wholly in the cotton and negro
speculation of the time. What a delightful piece of pious financiering it was,
to take the funds from the Hackensack Bridge Company, and the like, for
conscience sake, and invest them where, besides yielding more than lawful
interest, they would go to stimulate the trade in souls and blood ! Thank
Heaven,
"
the biters were bitten." We fear they will meet an account at the
day ofjudgment, not so easily settled as this. As God is true, if they repent
not, chained, tortured, sold, and murdered men and women will meet them
there, and ask redress. Brokers of men, how will you meet them ?
HOW THE MAN-TRADE WAS DRIVEN AT THE TIME THE
GENERAL ASSEMBLY FUNDS WERE LOST,
In January, 1840, a correspondent of the United States Gazette, who signed
himself Spectator, and whose accuracy the editor vouched for, gave an im-
pressive account of the course of events in Mississippi, in those palmy days
of negro speculation, that were to bring such revenues to the Presbyterian
Church. He said
:
u
In the fall of 1835, shfc'es, in great multitudes, were driven to the State,
quadrupling any previous year. The demand abroad advanced the price.
The competition forced the traders to give from twelve to fifteen months'
time, adding ten per cent, interest. So soon as the planter learned he could
purchase on time, by bills on New Orleans, he bought liberally. The traders
soon sold all they had, returned home with the accepted bills, cashed them in
Banks, and not only embarked in it again more largely themselves, but induced
their friends and acquaintances also to embark in it. Every corner of the Slave-
holding States was now ransacked, and every dwelling visited by the trader.
Prices advanced higher and higher. The fall of 1836 is a time long to be remem-
bered. All the public highways to Mississippi became lined
yea, literally
crowdedwith slaves. When they arrived, the immense number (swelling
to rise of 40,000) made the callous hearts of all the traders ache. They pitched
their tents upon the brow of every hill surrounding each town and village
in the State, awaiting the call of purchasers. None came. The winter of
1837 approached, and but few, very few sales were yet effected. At last they
advertised they would give one and two years' time, by bills on New Orleans,
adding ten percent, interest discount.
"
The terms were accepted by the planters, and many were induced to
purchase a second, and even a third supply at from $1200 to $1800 each. All
the slaves were soon sold. But by this time the merchants began to give
way. Nearly all the bills made by the planters in the fall of 1835 and spring
of 1836, at from twelve to fifteen months' time, were protested for non-pay-
ment. The bills for the whole of the purchases in the winter and spring of
1837 were protested for non-acceptance. The negro speculators became
alarmed. They went to work in February and March, and in three months'
time had secured their debts by deeds in trust and mortgages upon nearly the
whole property of the State, in three years, the slave population of Missis-
sippi increased from 70.000 to 160,000 slaves ! at an average cost of at least
$1000 each! making the debt for slaves alone, in three years, swell to
$90,000,000 ! ! From 1833 to 1837, cotton bore an exorbitantly high price.
This, together with the increased force, induced the planter to direct all his
energy to its cultivation, relying upon purchasing every article of consump-
tion. He neglected to raise his corn and pork
5
he had to purchase more
mules, horses and ploughs, open more lands, and increased his bills with the
merchants, whom he totally neglected to pay. When the crash came, in May,
1838, all the paper held against the planters by the merchants, or nearly all, was
transferred to the banks, or sued upon by the merchants. The crowd of busi-
ness in the different Courts delayed
j
udgment, and when judgment was at last
obtained, the sheriffs and marshals could find nothing, scarcely, to levy upon.
Bankruptcy and ruin among some of the merchants were inevitable
;
and in
their fall they crushed the banks. The negro-traders stood by with cold indiffer-
ence, and beheld towns depopulated and large plantation after large plantation
laid waste, growing up with thorns and briars, without feeling one pang of
results. Is the Bible in favor of such thingsof ignorance, vice, and wretch-
ednessof falsehood, and debauchery, and murderin favor of wielding the
powers of civil government to encourage and protect the wrong-doerand to
drive the poor, the helpless, the friendless to desperation ? Such is the ques-
tion which is often gravely, and sometimes triumphantly, urged on our atten-
tion by advocates of slavery, and even by some of the professed interpreters of
the Scriptures !
To insinuate that the Bible is in favor of such things as are essential to
slaverythat it gives them the least countenance or quarteror, that its max-
ims, and doctrines, and examples are at all consistent with them, is to utter
absurdities and blasphemies, from which infidelity itself, unless steeped to
the core in hypocrisy, must recoil. Why, what more could the most impu-
dent and malignant Atheism attempt for the subversion of Christianity ? If
the Bible is in favor of such things as slavery consists in, no man can believe
that it is the work of Wisdom and Goodnessthat it is the record of Truth
and Love. He may pretend and profess what he will, and support himself
with all the sophistry which cunning itself can furnish. It is not in human
nature, however bribed, or however tortured, to swallow such contradictions.
What ! truth in Heaven authorize falsehood upon the earth
!
Love in Heaven
authorize hatred upon the earth!Equity and holiness in Heaven authorize
stealing, adultery, and murder upon the earth. Hume, and Voltaire, and
Paine, must, as the advocates of infidelity, yield the palm at once to such as
make the Bible the bulwark of slavery, or derive a single weapon for its de-
fence from the armory of Heaven,
The Bible in favor of slavery! Do but study a little its leading maxims
especially
as you have consented or refused to exert yourself for the relief of the victims
of want, disease, and oppression. The Bible the bulwark of slavery
!
The
armory whence it may derive its w-eapons of annoyance or defence
!
Why,
in those very passages to which cunning and cruel men refer in defence of
slavery, the master, the employer, is required to maintain his relations to the
servants he employs, justly and equitably
to secure for him all the heavenly influence it is adapted to exest. This clear-
ly is the voice of nature and the demand of the Gospel. How can we yield
to such wants and listen to this voice, while we treat his wants and woes as
none of our business?
We sustain to him specific antf significant relations. In the ecclesiastical,
political, and economical spheres, we are bound to him by special ties. We
are in various ways able to exert a controllings influence over the absurd and
destructive arrangements by which he is crushed. We may plead his cause,
not only impressively, but authoritatively. We may exert ourselves effect-
ively for his deliverance. Can such a matter benone of ovjc business?
Slavery in various ways is a manifest and deadly injury to us. It wastes
our substance, assails our reputation, reduces our strength, involves us in
danger, neutralizes- our influence, counteracts every way the great design
of our existence. It threatens us with utter and irremediable ruin; If it is
none of our business,, what business have we
1
in this world ?
M<)R>Ali SUA-SIOKv
Is not this the Alpliw ami Ornegw
of
the dnti- Slavery enterprise? Moral
suasion is undoubtedly good
;
but for what ? It is hardly
"
worth while"
to persuade, merely to produce persuasion. Persuasion is a means to an
end. Of course it derives, in every case-,. its significance from, the objects
to which it looks. An. earnest soulwill care very little for any form of moral
suasion, which has nothing to do with the Active Faculty. If you try to
1 convince and pursuadehira, he will demand as a condition of listening to you,
that as the result of your argument, you- propose something to be done, and
something worthy of his high destiny and solemn responsibilities. It is, doubt-
less, important to convince people that slavery is wrong and ruinous. But
why 1 Surely not that they may rest in any such convietion. What good sould
that do ? They- must be persuaded of the evil of slavery, that they may exert
themselves for its abolition. But where ? Wherever they can reach it
through the relations they sustain. In every sphere where they have any re-
sponsibilities- to- honor, they must,, if slavery there produces its snaky tongue,
assail the monster. It may seek a refuge in the sanctuary, the ballot-box, or
the exchange. If they do not try to bruise its head wherever it emits its poi-
sonous breath, moral suasion has done them, little good. It needs itself to be
persuaded.
But all this some professed abolitionists seem to deprecate. Such a course,
they affirm, would remove us from the
"
Anti-Slavery Platform."But,
what was the stuff the said platform was made of? Were we not drawn to-
gether by the attractive power of certain principles ? Did we not swear alle-
giance one and all to these as a manifestation of the Godhead ? Were we not
thus brought to clasp hands and unite hearts in the Anti-Slavery enterprise ?
Could we pledge ourselves to confine the application of these principle within
any specified limits4 any specified objects or modes of execution ? Any
such engagement must have been totally and glaringly inconsistent with the
regard we professed for the organic principles which bound us together. We
might as well have pledged ourselves to each other, that as abolitionists, we
would not obey the law of progress. We must in that case have formed an
absurd and wicked conspiracy against all that is true, and sacred, and venerable.
The principles of our organization are, of course, the basis of our enterprise
they furnish the only platform on which we could ever stand for a single mo-
ment. To refuse to give these principles any natural application in whatever
direction, must be to depart from the Anti- Slavery platform. It must be to
renounce the objects which the Anti-Slavery enterprise was designed to pro-
mote,
Political Action.
We are in politics, as everywhere else, to act in character. Here, as every-
where else, our activity is to be a fair expression of our principles. We can-
not otherwise maintain our integrity and powercannot otherwise exert upon
mankind a healthful influence. Through our political responsibilities, we are
to confer upon the world substantial benefits, or to inflict upon it heavy inju-
ries. The cause of freedom, especially, cannot but be affected well or ill by our
aims and activity nere.
In our political sphere, slavery claims to be at home. Here, it publishes
its maxinas, and sets up its pretensions, and defines it position, and shapes its
arrangements, and enacts its lawslabors by night and by day, cunningly
and unweariedly, to fortify itself. Here, it multiplies its victims, and tries
hard to legalize absurdities which shock credulity itself, and outrages which
no form ofpatience, however trained and tried, can endure. If even three true
men meet each other in the political sphere, alive, as they must be, to the
claims of freedom, and hostile as they must be to every form of slavery, how
can they help forming a Liberty Party ? Are they not such in principles,
aim, and. spirit % Are they not such in the convictions, affections, and pur-
poses they cherish ? Such are they not in everything distinctive in their
characters ? How can they be anything else, then, in their plans, methods, and
exertions ? If they are united in aim, principles, and spirit, can they as
sincere men, be other than one Mi expresshig themselves, in their activity ? As
they are a Liberty Party at hearty must they not in head and hand also be a
Liberty Party ?
Can such men, whether few or many, be expected to choose parties pledged
to the
support of slavery as their coadjutors ? To act with them ? Such in-
quiries imply a contradiction flat and strong enough to suffocate anybody
who may attempt to swallow it. What sort of an opposition to slavery
should we be likely to make in alliance with its cunning and determined sup-
porters
?
In alliance with those who require us to go with them in raising
to the high places of the Republic, candidates who defend and practise slavery
who go the length ef maintaining, that long persistence in it" sanctions and
sanctifies it?"
THE LIBERTY PARTY.]
Why is SE needed ? What are its objects ? What are its principles ? WJiat
are its measures ? What are its prospects S
Answer.
1 It rs needeb, because there are three millions of Slaves in our boasted
Republic, held in the most abject and degrading bondage by the combined
strength of the entire nation
;
involving our whole country in the guilt and
disgrace of a system that outrages humanity, insults God, corrupts morality,
destroys industry, and reduces the first principles of human liberty and free
government to idle abstractions.
au^-'aaa
It is needed, because the National Government, under all its successive
administrations, has been unrighteously wielded for the support of this inhu-
man and anti-republican system. It is needed, because the Executive,
Judiciary, Legislative, Diplomatic, Military ard Naval powers of the Union
are become the mere drudges and tools of the slaveholders, who are less than
250.000 in number, yet control our seventeen millions of inhabitants, and
in such a manner as, from time to time, may best cripple the energies of!
the free States, and strengthen the slave system. It is needed, because there !
is no other political party in the United States that does not calculate upon
j
the support of slaveholders, and, for that cause, refuse to take direct action
j
against slavery, and in fact, do its bidding, by supporting slaveholders for the i
highest offices in the nation. It is needed, because no moral suasion can'
retain moral power that is wielded by those whose political power is wielded
j
in an opposite direction. It is needed, because slavebolding exists in this
j
country as a political institution, and must be overthrown by political action
;
and because the abolition
of
slavery, whenever and wherever it takes place, is
simply the repeal of the slave laws. It is needed, because Liberty and Slavery-
are opposites, and cannot live together in the same country for any great
length of time ; and passing events show that the liberties of the whole coun-
try will speedily be lost, unless the slave system is abolished.
m
2. The objects
of
the Liberty Party, are
"
the abolition of slavery by
moral and political action, as prescribed in the Constitution of the United
States,"and the administration of the Government in accordance with the
spirit of the Constitution, as set forth in its Preamble, and in the Declaration
of American Independence, applying the doctrine of equal and inalienable
human rights to the solution of" all questions naturally arising in the direction
of public affairs, and within the constitutional limits of legislative, executive,
and judicial action.
3. The Principles of the Liberty Party, (as already implied) are those of
our great National Charter
" that all men are created equal, and are endowed
by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among which are life, liberty,
and the pursuit of happiness,"
"
That it is always safe and wise to do rightand always unwise and unsafe
to do wrong."
4. The Measures of the Liberty Party, corresponding with its objects and
its principles, will bear directly upon the removal of the abuses on account of
which it is needed All the Constitutional powers of the Government it will
wield for the abolition of slavery, instead of wielding them for its support.
The power of the national government over slavery in the District of Colum-
bia, Territories, and inter- State slavetrade admits of no National question.
Here then, undoubtedly, and at once, the Liberty Party, in power,, would
decisively act. In many other ways, and particularly by withholding all
offices within the gift of the national government from slaveholders, it could
act in opposition to slavery in a way against which no Constitutional objec-
tions could be made. Add to this, the fact that many reflecting and inquiring
minds, (in and out of the Liberty Party) are beginning to call in question, if
not wholly to deny, the legality and constitutionality of slavery in any part
of the United States, and it is evident that the Liberty Party, when in power,
will not be at a loss for Constitutional measures for affecting its chief and
paramount object. And in all minor objects, the same principles will furnish
it with a sure guide.
5. The Prospects of the Liberty Party are identified, therefore, with the
prospects of the abolition of slavery, the preservation of civil liberty, and the
use of civil government in this country, for the objects for which it was
instituted among men.
What prospects are there then, do you think, dear reader, that the enterprise
will succeed 1 Whatprospect is there, that you and your neighbors will lend,
your aid and co-operation ?
IS SLAVERY CONSTITUTIONAL ?
This question is comparatively a new one, with the greater part of
abolitionists themselves. And therefore it will be interesting to know the
argument of those who contend that slavery is unconstitutional. There is
no harm in free discussion, but ^nuch good. The reader of the anti-slavery
Almanac may be pleased to read some hints which will be useful to all who
would impartially examine the question.
We have all been educated in the belief that slavery in the States is not
incompatible with the national Constitution. But it should be remembered
that all our constitutional expositions have been given us by those who have
only re-echoed the sentiments of the slaveholders themselves.
Another remarkable fact is, that the argument in favor of constitutional
slavery is never framed in accordance, either with the Spirit of the Constitu-
tion, nor yet with the principle of Strict Construction, making out the whole
argument by either one of these standards. Instead of this, the argument runs
backwards and forwards, first insisting on strict construction and then, for want
of the words and phrases needed, running back upon supposed intentions, but
leaving wholly out of sight the declared intentions of the document itself in
its Preamble. So, that the result is reached, neither by following the strict
letter nor yet the living spirit of the Constitutionbut by a sort of dodging,
hide-aRd-seek evolution between the two.
And still another circumstance should modify, somewhat, an over confident
assumption that the ordinary construction is the correct one. While most
persons readily reject the doctrine that slavery in the States is unconstitu-
tional, they almost as readily
affirm
that which is difficult to be distinguished
(when carefully considered) from a denial of its constitutionality. For
example, all men will say that the spirit of the Constitution is to be known
by its Preamble, and that this spirit is the same as that which pervades the
Declaration of Independence, by which our government came into being.
All reasonable men will say, likewise, that there can be nothing more directly
and manifestly repugnant to the Declaration of Independence, and to the Pre-
amble of the Constitution, than is the slave system. Now it deserves inquiry,
how far this almost universal concession falls short of -amounting to a conces-
sion that slavery is unconstitutional, when tested by the spirit of that instru-
ment? Can that be constitutional which is hostile to the Constitution'?
And if slavery be hostile to the Constitution, hew can it appear that the
Constitution is not hostile to slavery? As they are both "political institu-
tions,"" how can they both stand together if they be opposites ?
'
And if a resort be had to the strict dead letter construction (instead of the
spirit), how stands the case then? Why, not a word or syllable concerning
slaves or slavery, or correctly describing them, appears in the document!
No exception, therefore, is made to the declared intent in the Preamble to
" establish justice" and
"
secure the blessings of liberty,"the meaning of
which (either by the
"
spirit" or by the
"
strict letter") can admit of no ques-
j
tion.
The
"
supposed intentions" of the framers, to provide for returning fugitive
slaves, &c, &c, is, however, urged in this place. But can their supposed
\
intentions which they did not express, (and of which the people adopting the
Constitution knew nothing), do away and nullify the intentions expressed in the
Preamble? Shall the minor object, supposed to be held by the framers, set
aside the gi-and declared object of the instrument itself? And besides, the
Madison papers tell us expressly, that the clause concerning
"
persons held
to service and labor," was
first written
"
servitude" But
"
on -motion of Mr.
Randolph, the word servitude was struck out, and the word service unani-
mously inserted, the former being thought to express the condition of slaves,
and the latter the obligation offree persons."Vol. iii.,
p.
1569
By the strict letter and living spirit of the Constitution,
"
the United States
shall guaranty to every State in this Union, a republican form of government,"
"no State shall pass any bill of attainder" or "laws impairing the obligation
of contracts," and
"
no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property,"
(says an amendment),
"
without due process of law."And
"
Congress shall have
power'''
"to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying
into execution all the foregoing powers."
According to the definitions of republican government by Jefferson and
Madison, no slaveholding State can he a republic. Slavery is extinct when-
ever the State
"
bills of attainder" and
"
laws impairing the obligation of con-
tracts" are set aside as unconstitutional. And where are the slaves in the
natron who were deprived of liberty by "due process of law?'
r
This latter
provision being an amendment, like the codicil to a Will, repeals and annuls
whatever in the original instrument, might have conflicted with it.
And more than all this. The original thirteen States abolished slavery by
their Declaration of Independence, July
4, 1776, and the declaration, never
repudiated or repealed, is still binding, and constitutes the basis of our con-
stitutional law. The Courts in Massachusetts, declared slavery illegal in
that State, on account of the declaration that all men are born equal.* And
slavery in all the States rests upon the same legal grounds. The lack of
judicial decisions to that effeet in those States, does not make slavery legal
there, any more than the lack of such a decision in England, prior to the
decision of Lord Mansfield in the case of John Somerset, in' 1772, made
slavery constitutional in England up to that time, which the decision
affirmed it had not been.
If the government, established by the Federal Constitution cannot abolish
slavery, then it can neither
"
establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility,
provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, nor secure the
blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity." It can accomplish no
one of the declared objects of its organization. More than ail this. If the
Constitution be not against slavery, then it is in its favor
r
and consequently
in favor of subverting the liberties of the people, by subjecting them to the
slave power. It cannot be neutral, and the national government cannot help
sustaining slavery or else acting against it.
Such are some of the views and sentiments that a portion of the people
are beginning to entertain. Do they not deserve the careful attention of all
who take an interest in the national welfare 1 Should not the members of
the Liberty Partv, in particular, examine the subject attentively ?
W. G.
DISSOLUTION OF THE UNION,
Among the earnest friends of civil liberty, there are a few who seem to
despair of ever succeeding in the enterprise of bringing the National Govern-
ment under the influence of the principles of the Declaration of Independence,
and so they are in favor of the dissolution of the Union. They either think
that the Constitution is a compromise in favor of slavery, or else (nearly or
quite the same thing), that it does not clothe Congress with any efficient
powers for the overthrow of the slave system. They sayand truly enough
that the liberties of the North will be sacrificed, if we continue to remain
subservient as we have been, to the slave power. And they urge (what no
intelligent friend of human liberty will deny), that the end ought not to be
sacrificed, for the preservation of the meansand that the Constitution and
the Union ought not to be preserved at theexpense of the liberties
of
the people,
which they were designed to secure. Theannexation of Texas
r
which they think
to be inevitable, they consider such a violation of the Constitution as releases
us from its obligations, and they look forward with dismay, to the time when
the new States formed out of Texas, will so completely throw the national
government into the hands of the slaveholders, that the North, though united,
will find itself in the minority, and unable to move.
Though this view is not held, to any great extent, in the Liberty Party,
yet it is urged on their attention by strong-minded men., and the tendency is
to discourage anyfurtheiattempts to preserve the Constitution and the Union,
*
Such is the phraseology of the Massachusetts Bill of Eights, hut the word
"
created" is
more properly used in the Declaration of Jnclependence.
by placing the administration of the general government in right hands. Let
us look, then, for a moment, at the brighter side of the picture.
Texas is not yet, quite annexed. And the good Providence of God, smiling
on human vigilance, may yet defeat that wicked measure. But if it takes
place, some time at least, must elapse, before the increased population of
Texas will materially strengthen the slave power in the national government.
"
Sufficient to the day is the evil thereof." While the free States have the
power, it is their duty to wield it, and they should be urged to the performance
of that duty, and not to a premature retreat from it.
"
While there is life,
there is hope." When the free States shall have become abolitionized enough
to
"
dissolve the Union" on account of slavery, they will have become abolition-
ized enough to wield the government for the overthrow
of
slavery, unless
(which is not probable) they should be out-voted by the slave States, and then
it would be in time to withdraw. Until then, it is our business to seek the
overthrow of slavery,
"
by moral and political action as prescribed by
the Constitu-
tion
of
the United States." This was the work the Abolitionists originally
undertook, and they ought not to be disheartened in their work. Perhaps it
will be found, on examination, that the Constitution contains no compromises
with slavery, but arms the national government against it. A dissolution of
the Union, now, would not be a division of liberty from freedom. The strong-
holds of pro-slavery sentiment and feeling are here, in the free States.
As the annexation of Texas is unconstitutional, the same disposition and
power in the free States to repel that wicked measure, which would be
necessary to
"
dissolve the Union," would be equally available to vote Texas
out of the Union, so long as the majority of votes is cast by the free States.
A dissolution of the Union, as a substitute for the abolition of slavery, would
be treachery to the anti-lavery cause ; and a dissolution of the Union as a
means
of
abolishing slavery, is too sanguinary and bloody a method for men
of peace, while any other measure can be used. The slaves might indeed,
free themselves by an insurrection, in that case, but it would be at the expense
of oceans of blood.
A political dissolution of the Union (while the free States hold the power)
should no more be regarded as an anti-slavery measure, than is an ecclesiastical
division, on Mason & Dixon's line, in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Ifeither
ecclesiastics or politicians, to get^id of the agitating subject, see fit to divide,
rather than abolish slavery, let the responsibility rest upon themselves.
Our obligations to remain in a Union with the South, should be estimated
in the light of our connection with our crushed brethren in bonds, together
with the non-slaveholding whitesthe majority of our
"
Southern brethren"
in distinction from the petty oligarchy that unlawfully crushes them.
Their case we are bound to make our own. We have no moral right (were
it possible) to slip our own necks out of the yoke, and leave them in their chains
;
especially since we are guilty of having so long assisted in their enslavement.
The non-slaveholding States can no more rid themselves of the guilt of:
American slavery, by
"
dissolving the Union" than the controlling partner in
j
the ownership Qf a slave ship, or of a slave plantation, can wash his hands in
j
innocency, by selling out his stock, or by making it a present to his partner
!
For the North, while holding a controlling power over slavery, to dissolve the
Union without abolishing slavery, would only be the sealing of her own con-
demnation in the sight of God, of posterity, and of the whole civilized world.
To preserve the Union by the abolition
of
slavery, to administer the Govern-
ment righteously, and not to abdicate or disband it, should be the work of a
free people- This work, the Liberty Party has undertaken. Her flag is
at the mast head, with the motto
*
DorCt give up the Ship!" Here let us
rally, and "work while the day lasts." "And let us not be weary in well
doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
BANKS, TARIFFS, etc.
The Liberty party contends and goes for the manhood of every human
being in this Republic of whatever color or condition, ivhenever, wherever, and
however assailed, whether in the crushed slave of South Carolinathe man
.
(
' "T "n' l
--
I - mi i i i fr r rw.m . r i --
.i I 1 inrmr,.i jM
- - -- --
_
held as property till twenty-five, as the son of a slave, in New Jerseythe non*
voting colored man of Pennsylvania and New Yorkin the negro-pewin
the school, or the collegein the rail-road car, or in the steamboat in the
withholding labor in a store, or mechanic's shop from colored menin all
these we go for that centre right, that equal right, that the black man's dollar
shall go just as far as the white man's. We go for the ruined three millions
of white men of the Slave States undone for the want of the wages ofrespected
labor, annihilated, covered with rags, no schools, ignorance so thick that, like
Egypt's darkness, it may be felt, abject', labor despised as a slave's matter.
Six millions, three white and three colored of human beings, one third of the
men of the Republic, victims of this dreadful desolation of a nation's best
hopesthree millions of slaves at labor, make three millions of slaves without
laborthree millions destroyed by working for nothing, causes three millions
more to pine in poverty and ignorance, their souls crushed by believing that
white men who have nothing can be respectably miserable, only by doing
nothing, for which they are paid nothing
!
- .
Yet, with all these facts and ten thousand more staring us in the face, we
mean as a Liberty Party not to divert or distract our attention with Tariffs
or Free Trade, Banks or Sub-Treasuries, with Corporations sole or aggregate,
with Peace or War. Whether it is best to have a navy for war, or sink it as a
means of peace, whether the recruiting sergeant's or schoolmaster's wages be
increased, whether we should refuse to open our ports to the slave products
of Brazil and Spain, or shut them Out, whether we should sell or give away
our public lands, whether we should use the funds of the nation, or leave it to
the States to improve river navigation and make harbors on the great lakes,
whether we should compel parents to send their children to school or leave
them to do as they please, whether we should abolish the Cadet School, at
West Point, or not, or make a rail-road to the mouth of Columbia or not,
whether we should abolish imposts for revenue, and raise the expenses of the
General Government by direct taxation or not, whether we should prohibit,
by act of Congress, the importation from abroad, of all alcoholic liquors, and
i prevent their manufacture at home, or leave it as before, and hundreds of other
j
questions may arise, which the Liberty Party will not undertake before they
j
have power to make their position respected, to settle one way or the other,
! as a party, but will leave each person to judge for himself as he thinks right.
But if the Liberty Party acquire power, in Congress or a State Legislature,
j
so as to be responsible for the action of the Government, either state or
j
national, the first business will be to overthrow slavery, in every form, in
j
which it may be reached, and restore all men to their rights as far as our
jurisdiction extends, then if any of the foregoing questions, or others come up
;
for consideration and decision, the Liberty-Party Congress or State Legisla-
|
ture will decide upon rendered reasons, what they believe to be just and right
! and that integrity and nobility of soul, which would cut up slavery, root and
i branch : would do right or endeavor so to do, on these other questions, and if
i they saw, in the progress of time they were in an error, they would have the
i
moral courage to retreat and do right. Therefore it would be a silly waste of
time, to take up any of these questions now, and throw them into our Con-
ventions to distract us
;
for when slavery is abolished, we shall find- the great
disturbing cause of our differences is gone, and we shall have but little to contend
about. Most of the controversies in this country of a political character
Philemon, vs.
1-25."
In his last (the 10th) annual report, respecting the efforts of himself and
'
otheis in this work, Mr. Jones informs us how the negroes appreciate this
j
part of his instructions. He says :
"Allow me to relate a fact, which occurred the spring of this year, illus-
trative of the character and knowledge of the negroes at this time. I was
preaching to a large congregation on the Epistle to Philemon > and when I
insisted upon fidelity and obedience as Christian virtues in servants, and upon
the authority of Paul, condemned the practice of running aioay, one half of
my audience deliberately rose up and walked off with themselves, and those
that remained looked anything but satisfied, either with the preacher or his
doctrine. After dismission, there was no small stir among them : some sol-
emnly declared
'
that there was no such an epistle in the Bible
;'
others
'that it was not the gospel
;'
others, ' that I preached to please the masters
|
others, ' that they did not care if they ever heard me preach again.' V
The negroes were evidently the better informed of the two. Nature is a
better expounder of the Bible, as well as of common honesty, than a slave-
holder. This is not the first time that Satan has found it convenient to
quote scripture to serve his purpose. And as Christ said, when the thing
was tried upon him,
"
Get behind me, Satan," so we do not wonder that na-
ture Itself should, in the present case, cry out upon such religion as a lie,
and turn from it with instinctive and indignant loathing.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
This body, in 1787, recommended it to all their people to use the most pru-
dent measures, consistent with the interests of the state of civil society in
the countries where they live, to procure eventually the final abolition of
slavery in America.
They re-afiirmed the same judgment in 1703.
and dooms millions of the children of our common Fatherof the redeemed
of our common Saviour, to gross ignorance, revolting vices, and heart-rend-
ing wretchedness. These things are essentially characteristic of Ameriean
slaverythey enter into its very beingthey are its natural and necessary
remorse for the ruin and wretchedness they had brought upon the country;
laughing at their own safety and security."
And when the banks went, the General Assembly's funds and all its golden
dreams of more than 6 per cent, interest went with them. These funds, be
it remembered, constituted a large portion of the funds of the Church. Is it
any wonder that the trustees and leaders of such a Church bave ever been
ready to step forward as the apologists, patrons and defenders f slavery ?.
One would think such losses might cure them of this subserviency
;
but the
doings of the last (Old School) Assembly show them to be thorough spaniels.
HOW SLAVERY MURDERS ONSYSTEM AND BY WHOLESALE.
Slaveholders and their friends maintain that the slave is vastly better off
than the free man of color. Of course the proportion of slaves who die
should be less. But by an examination of the census for 1830, comparing the
ages of slaves with the free people of color and supposing the ratio ofdeaths in
each to be the same, it appears that between the ages of ten and twenty-four
there should be 665,875 slaves ; whereas there are but 620,827, showing a
deficiency of 45,048; between twenty-four and thirty-six, the working age,
there should be 439,389 slavesthere are but 370,330, making a deficiency of
69,058; between thirty-six and fifty-five, when decay begins to affect the
slave, there should be 340,161there are only 229,782, making a waste of
110,379; over fifty-five years of age, there ought to be 186,797there are but
83,736, raising the loss to 103,061. The total deficiency, therefore, arising
from this waste of life is 327,547 human beings prematurely worn out and
killed on the cotton and sugar plantations of the South in the ten years pre-
ceding 1830
!
By a similar estimate we have the following result from the census of 1840/
Between the ages of ten and twenty-four, there ought to be 829,698 slaves
;
there are but 781,206deficiency 47,492, Between twenty-four and thirty-six,
there should be 568,107; there are but 475,160 deficiency 92,947. From
thirty-six to fifty-five, the proper number is 444,376, actual number 284,465
Synod
of
S. C. and Ga. in 1834.
In the New Orleans Protestant of May 3d, 1845, there is a
"
report on the
religious instruction of colored persons, published by order of the N. O. Pres-
bytery." The report states that there are within the bounds of that presbytery,
at least 100,000 persons of color, nearly all of whom are slaves. The report
also says that
"
it is a lamentable fact, too evident to be denied, that by far
the greater part of them are famishing and perishing for want of the bread oflife.
Of the 100,000 of this class of people, within our bounds, it may be safely
asserted that 75,000 never hear the doctrine of salvation through a crucified
Redeemer preached, and have none to tell them
'
what they must do to be
saved.' And of the remaining 25,000, who occasionally hear the preaching of
the gospel, not more than 5,000 enjoy its regular and constant ministrations."
What a picture ! Ninety-five thousand out of a hundred thousand, within
the bounds of a single presbytery, as benighted, with few exceptions, as any
heathen on the face of the earth.
HOW ALL THIS STRIKES DISINTERESTED AND INTELLIGENT
CHRISTIANS ABROAD.
At the General Anti-Slavery Conference held in London, in 1843, the Rev.
Dr.
Ritchie of Edinburgh, in discussing the resolutions recommending no
church-fellowship with slaveholders, said
:
"
O that the Church would be faithful to her Head ! that her ministers
would remember, that He complains especially of the wounds wherewith he
is wounded in the house of his friends. If I do not misread my Bible, the
Church is the commissioned regenerator of the world. If then, the Church
be corrupt, whence are to issue the healing waters ? If the salt of the earth
have lost its savor, how is the putrid world to be recovered from its taint ? If
justice and mercy are exiled from the Church, what can I expect but that
they are
'
Sprung on the viewless winds to heaven again
3"
Alas! what reports must he bear back of Christianity, who has been sent to
learn her genius and influence from a slave-holding Church? My fancy hears
him, on his return, questioned by his brother idolator :
'
What are Christians V
'
Monsters ! They hold that their creed came from heaven, and is the word
of salvation; and they hold it a capital crime to teach this creed to man,
woman, or child, who has a dark face. They buy and sell men, women and
children, and offer the profits on the altar of their God ! They sell their own
wives, sons, and daughters, and to those who they know will work and flog
them to death ; and this they do without the temptation of hunger or poverty.
THE JUDGMENT OF THE WHOLE CONFERENCE.
The Rev. John Angell James introduced to the Conference a series of
resolutions on the subject of church-feilowship with slaveholders. These,
after being fully discussed and warmly supported by himself, Drs. Ritchie,
Morrison and others, were unanimously adopted, as follows :
1. That this Convention hereby declares to the world its deliberate and
solemn conviction that slavery, in whatever form or country it exists, is in-
trinsically opposed to all natural justice and genuine Christianity
;
that in
proportion as these exert their legitimate vigor and influence in society, it
must be destroyed ; and that while the Convention deeply deplores the sanc-
tion or support still given to it, either overtly or tacitly, by so many churches
and religious bodies, especially in the United States, it rejoice in the assurance
that so many others are bearing their public and decided testimony against it,
refusing to retain in their communion those who, after one admonition, per-
sist in the justification and practice of it.
2. That, encouraged by the progress of earnest sentiment and action on
this subject in the churches and religious bodies of America and other coun-
tries, this Convention repeats the testimony of the Convention of 1840that
while it disclaims^he intention or desire of dictating to Christian Communi-
ties the terms of their fellowship, respectfully submits that it is their incum-
bent duty to separate from their communion all those persons who, after they
have been faithfully warned, in the spirit of the gospel, continue in the sin of
enslaving their fellow-creatures or holding them in slaverya sin, by the
commission of which, with whatever mitigating circumstances it may be
attended in their own particular instance, they give the support of their
example to the whole system of compulsory servitude, and the unutterable
horrors of the slave trade.
3. That this Convention, while it passes no judgment on the particular
forms of action which different friends of the slave in different circumstances
may adopt, hereby expresses its cordial sympathy and high admiration of all
those who, in a Christian spirit and by Christian methods, are sincerely and
earnestly laboring to purify their respective religious connections from all
fellowship with and support of this heinous sin.
Such is the verdict of anti-slavery Christendom touching the criminality
of slavery and its utter inconsistency with a regular and approved standing
in the Christian Church.
EVILS OF THE DOMESTIC SLAVE TRADE.
A SOUTHERN SCENE.
.
The following painful scene connected with the traffic in human beings is
skelched by a correspondent of the Christian Advocate and Journal, whose
candor and trustworthiness we have been so assured of as to induce us to
present it as one of the many evils growing out of that cruel and unrighteous
system. The occurrence took place at Wilmington, Del., Jan., 1844.
There are at Washington City, at Norfolk, at Charleston, and perhaps some
other places in the old States of the South, slave markets, where slave dealers
purchase upon speculation such slaves as they can obtain, for the purpose of
resale at a profit in the extreme South.
'
"
As I went on board the steamboat I noticed eight colored men, hand-
cuffed, and chained together in pairs, four women, and eight or ten children,
of the apparent ages of from four to ten years, all standing together in the bow
of the boat, in charge of a man standing near them. Of the men, one was
60,
one was
52, three of them about 30, two of them about 25, and one about 20
years of age, as I subsequently learned from them. The two first had
children, the next three had wives and children, and the other three were
single, but had parents living from them. Coming near them I perceived they
were all greatly agitated
;
and, on inquiring, I found that they were all slaves,
who had been born and raised in North Carolina, and had just been sold to a
speculator, who was now taking them to Charleston market. Upon the shore
there was a number of colored persons, women and children, waiting the
departure of the boat ; and my attention was particularly attracted by two
colored females, of uncommonly respectable appearance, neatly attired, who
stood together, a little distance from the crowd, and upon whose countenances
was depicted the keenest sorrow. As the last bell was toiling I saw the
tears gushing from their eyes, and they raised their neat cotton aprons and
wiped their faces, under the cutting anguish of severed affection. They were
the wives of two of the men in chains. There, too, were mothers and sisters-,
weeping at the departure of their sons and brothers ; and there, too, were
fathers, taking the last look of their wives and children. My whole attention
was directed to those on shore, as they seemed to st^nd in solemn, submissive
silence, occasionally giving utterance to the intensity of their feelings by a
sigh, or a stifled groan. As the boat was loosed from her moorings, they cast
a distressed, lingering look towards those on board, and turned away in
silence. My eyes now turned to those in the boat; and although I had tried
to control my feelings, amidst my sympathies for those on shore, I could con-
ceal them no longer, and I found myself literally
'
weeping with those that
weep.' I stood near them, and when one of the husbands saw his wife upon
the shore wave her hand for the last time, in token of her affection, his manly
efforts to restrain his feelings gave way, and fixing his watery eyes upon her,
he exclaimed,
'
This is the most distressing thing of all ! My dear wife and
children, farewell
!'
The husband of the other wife stood weeping in silence,
with his manacled hands raised to his face, as he looked upon her for the
last time. Of the poor women on board, three of them had husbands, whom
they left behind. One of them had three children, another had two, and the
third had none. These husbands and fathers were among the throng upon
the shore, witnessing the departure of their wives and children, and as they
took their leave of them they were sitting together upon the floor of the boat,
sobbing in silence, but giving utterance to no complaint. But the distressing
scene was not yet ended. Sailing down the Cape Fear river twenty-five
miles we touched at the little village of Smithport, on the south side of the
river. It was at this place that one of these slaves lived, and here was his
wife and five children
;
and while at work on Monday last his purchaser took
him away from his family, carried him in chains to Wilmington, where he
has since remained in jail. As we approached the wharf, a flood of tears
gushed from his eyes, and anguish seemed to have pierced his heart. The
boat stopped but a moment, and as she left he bid farewell to some of his
acquaintance whom he saw upon shore, exclaming, ' Boys, I wish you well
;
tell Molly (meaning his wife) and the children I wish them well, and hope
God will bless them.' At that moment he espied his wife on the stoop of
a house some rods from the shore, and with one hand which was not in the
hand-cuffs, he pulled off his old hat, and waving it towards her, exclaimed,
'
Farewell.' As ke saw, by the waving^of her apron, that she recognized
him, he leaned back upon the railing, and In a faltering voice repeated,
'
Fare-
well, for ever.' After a moment's silence, conflicting passions seemed to tear
open his heart, and he exclaimed,
l
What have I done that I should suffer this
doom ? 0,
my wife and children, I want to live no longer
!'
and then the big
tear rolled down his cheek, which he wiped away with the palm of his un-
chained hand, looked once more at the mother of his five children, and the
turning of the boat hid her face from him for ever. As I looked around I saw
that mine was not the only heart that had been affected by the scene, but that
the tears standing in the eyes of many of my fellow-passengers bore testimony
to the influence of human sympathy; and I could, as an American citizen,
standing within the limits of one of the old thirteen States, but repeat the
language of Mr. Jefferson, in relation to the general subject.
'
I tremble when
I think that God is just.' After v/e left Smithport I conversed freely with all
these persons; and in intelligence, and respectability of appearance, the three
men who have thus been torn from their families, would compare favorably
with the respectable portion of our colored men at the North. This is a speci-
men of what almost daily occurs in the business of the slave-trade
;
and I
hesitate not to say, that there is not a Christian in the whole South who will
refuse to unite with his brethren everywhere in the condemnation of, and in
the most effective measures to extinguish, the evils of this nefarious traffic.
"
Yours, in the bonds of the gospel, A. C."
HORRORS OF SLAVERY.
By the following, from the New Orleans Picayune, it will be seen that the
enormities of slave bondage are not confined to the African trade, and that the
upholder of the
"
patriarchal institution" of the South has no more of the milk
of human kindness within him, than the pirate, as he is legally called, who
severs the poor black from Ms home to be sold into slavery. The poor, bilious,
delicate mulatto boy, whose sufferings are detailed below, who has inherited
slavery through his mother, while, in all probability, his father is a free white
man, and perhaps is the very wretch through whom this cruel punishment
has been inflicted, is quite as good a subject for commiseration as is any one
of the poor Africans who are crowded by hundreds into the narrow hold of a
small vessel, to be transported from their native shores, and who have received
so much diplomatic as well as merited sympathy.
"
Passing through Baronue-street about noon yesterday, a crowd, composed
of men, women and children, attracted our attention. The object of the
curiosityor rather pitywe found to be a delicate, debilitated-looking
mulatto boy, about ten years old. An old negro on one side and a stick on
the other supported him, as he endeavored to move along, though it was evi-
dent that any motion, however slow, was too much for his prostrate physical
powers.
li
We inquired what was the matter with the boy, and were answered by his
shirt being raised up off his back, and heavens! how expressive of fiendish
cruelty was the spectacle that presented itself! The poor boy's back and
body were one mass of raw, trembling, skinless, parti-putrid, lacerated flesh !
Ravines, as it were, in his carcase, had been cut by the lash, and he appeared
altogether a victim of the most wanton and heartless cruelty which it was
impossible for other than a fiend to inflict. All we could learn of this monstrous
cruelty we had from the old negro who helped the poor boy along;,we give
it for what it is worth, premising that we shall seek for the authentic facts
of the case and lay them before the public.
"
The old negro said that he and the boy belonged to C. Donnibourg, who
lives at the corner of Annunciation and Richard Streets
;
that Donnibourg
lost a watch, and charged the boy with stealing it. Some ten or fourteen
days since he had him put in the police jail of the First Municipality, and
there, by his order, says the old man, was the inhuman punishment inflicted
on him. The boy himself says that he Teceived twenty-five lashes a-day
from the day he was imprisoned till Thursday last. The old man, by
direction of his master, was taking him home ; but two citizens, seeing
that he must die by the way, informed Recorder Baldwin of his condition,
who promptly had him brought to the police oflice, where he was
examined
by Dr. Picton.
"
As the doctor examined the wounds, they were necessarily exposed to the
bystanders, who, by an involuntary exclamation,
expressed their
indignation
against his torturer. The doctor pronounced the boy in a precarious
condi-
tion, but said that by proper treatment he might recover, and advised
that he
should be sent to the Charity Hospital. The Recorder ordered that he be at
once taken there, and thither he was carried by the police, on a litter his
back upward."
THE BRANDED HAND.
Above we give an exact representation of the brand, which was burnt with
a hot iron, by an officer of the United States, in the living flesh of a citizen of
Massachusetts. Ponder it, fellow-citizens, and as you burn, and blush, and
weep, at the disgrace of our country, the indignity done to a worthy neighbor,
and the misery of the poor slaves, let the fire burn until your soul is enkindled
to the high resolve, that the letters on Jonathan Walker's hand shall be
made to read