intelligent slave-holders call "property" in that youth, that is, a
right to his services,--not dominion over his soul, nor a right to abuse
him, nor in any way to injure him, but to use his services. Have I not
acquired that right?'

"'I think you have,' said the physician, 'but with certain limitations.'

"'The limitations,' said Mr. W., 'certainly are not the wishes, nor
caprices, nor the inclinations, of the boy;--do you think so?'

"'I agree with you,' said he.

"'That is all I contend for,' said Mr. W.

"'But,' said the physician, 'where is your title-deed from your Maker to
own these fellow-creatures? Trace their history back, and they are here
by fraud and violence.'

"'Thank you, Sir,' said Mr. W., 'that is just the case with my Penn. I
came into possession of him through fraud and violence! I did not sin
when he was thrown upon my hands; though I confess I said, he was--what
we call slavery--an incubus. My right and title to the boy I have never
been able to discover in any handwriting; the mother, surely, had no
right to impose the child upon me; Providence, however, placed it in my
hand. I might have given it immediate emancipation through the window,
or at the next stopping place; or, I might have left the child on its
mother's vacant seat, declining the trust; but I felt disposed to do as
I have done.'

"'Now,' said the physician, 'will you please tell me, Sir, how long you
feel at liberty to possess this boy as a satisfaction to you for your
pains and expense?'

"'In the first place,' said Mr. W., 'I have a right to transfer my
guardianship over him to another, if circumstances make it necessary. In
doing so, I must be governed not by selfish motives, but by a benevolent
regard to his welfare, allowing that he is not unreasonable and wicked.
If when he comes of lawful age, he is judged to be still in need of
guardianship, or it is expedient for the good of all concerned that he
should be my ward indefinitely, the law makes me, if I choose, his
guardian, with certain rights and obligations. Even if he could legally
claim his freedom at his majority, circumstances might be such that all
would say he was under moral obligations to remain with me. If I abuse
him, he must consider before God how far it is his duty to bear
affliction, and submit to oppression. There are cases in which none
would condemn him, should he escape. But the rule is to "abide." He has
not, under all the circumstances of our re