ow of doubt could exist of
the legality of such property; and if it was a fault to become
possessors of such property, it must be laid to the charge of the
government which had fostered and encouraged it. The highest
tribunal of the land, the King's High Court, acknowledged this
right in its fullest sense, so that a negro slave, even on the
free soil of Denmark, continued to be the property of his master
so thoroughly, that the latter in direct opposition to the
slave's will, could oblige him to return to the West Indies. That
the negro's ability to work, and personal qualities, enhanced his
value, is a fact too palpable to stand in need of proof; the
numberless legal appraisements upon oath, the sales which took
place daily between man and man, as well as the normal value,
which according to the Ordinance of the first of May, 1840, was
determined every year by the government, after a previous hearing
of the Burgher Council, and the respective authorities, render
this matter incontestable.

This ordinance admits the owner's right to full compensation, for
only on condition of paying the full value of the services which
the master could have from the slave, had the slave the right to
demand his freedom; but without such remuneration, his master
could not be deprived of him.

The forementioned ordinance, the common law, and in particular
the eighty-seventh section of the constitution, lay down as an
invariable rule, that no subject can be compelled to cede his
property, unless the general good of the commonwealth requires
it, and then only on receiving full compensation.

Those civilized nations in whose colonies slavery has been
abolished, have neither raised any question nor doubt as to the
legality of the principle of compensation. Thus England, France
and Sweden have granted compensation. The first L 25 12 2
sterling at an average per head; the second 490 francs per head,
which is, however, considered but part of the whole sum; and the
third in the following manner: first class, under fifteen years,
$80 per head, second class, from fifteen to sixty years, $240 per
head; third class, over sixty years, $40 per head.

With regard to emancipation without compensation, the following
language was held to the King of Sweden: "Your most gra