the burden will not
be so considerable or so heavy, when we take into consideration
that the state possesses many plantations, in respect of which to
their former complement of slaves, there will of course be no
question of compensation, and that it also holds mortgages on
many properties, where the compensation can be written off,
without any real loss in many cases; on the other hand, the
realm, by fulfilling its duty in settling a lawful claim, will
gain by the disbursement of the compensation, which will as may
reasonably be expected, not alone increase the prosperity of the
colonies, but their inhabitants will attach themselves more
closely to Denmark.

We do not entertain any doubt but that the Rigsdag will grant us
the compensation to which we have the most incontestable right,
and which cannot be controverted by such futile arguments, as,
that the owners have lost nothing by the government depriving
them of their property, as the stock of labor is the same, and to
be had for an equitable hire. If it even in reality were the
case, that the expenses were not greater, and the work not less
than before the emancipation, while, alas! the contrary is the
case, it would, nevertheless, be a species of argument in itself
contrary to common sense, in a degree, that it would scarcely
require any refutation at the bar of the enlightened Rigsdag, as
it might with just as much reason be said, that all the rest of
the property of people could be taken away whenever the
government managed matters in such a way, that the properties
could be rented at so moderate a rate, that the expenses did not
exceed, what those of the keeping of the property yearly had
amounted to. It will be clearly evident that the owner
notwithstanding, loses his essential rights, for the property
would no longer be at his disposal, or under his control, he
would be dependent upon others not only as to renting of that
kind of property of which he had formerly been possessed, but he
would not be able to sell, mortgage, or dispose of it in any
manner whatever, either in favor of himself, his children, or
other heirs; in short, property would to him, entirely lose its
money value, and the capital vested in it would be sunk as is now
the case with us. Many a slave owner derived