uld it not be well for the people of the
South to reflect upon the tendency of their conduct? Where such
aggressions upon humanity are committed, the slaves will naturally
inquire into the cause; and when they are informed that it is in
consequence of their oppressed and degraded condition, and that the
persons thus persecuted are charged with being their friends, they
cannot feel indifferent. One such scene as was witnessed in the
case of my son would tend more to excite a spirit of insurrection
and insubordination among them, than ten thousand 'incendiary
pamphlets,' not one word of which any of them could read. My son
went to Savannah solely on his own private business, without any
intention of interfering with the slaves, or with the subject of
slavery in any way. But even supposing the charge to have been
true, do not your laws award sufficient punishment? How could you
stand silently by, and witness proceedings that would put to blush
the Arab, or the untutored inhabitant of the wilderness in our own
country? The negroes, whom you affect to despise so much, would set
an example of benevolence and humanity, when on their own soil, if
a stranger came among them, which you cannot be prepared to
imitate, till you have made great improvements in civilization.

"The people of Savannah profess Christianity; but what avails
profession, where latitude is given to the vilest and most depraved
passions of the human heart? Suppose the mob had murdered my son; a
young man who went among you in the ordinary course of his
business, and who, even according to _your_ understanding of the
term, had done no evil; a young man of fair reputation, with
numerous near relatives and friends to mourn over the barbarous
deed; would you have been guiltless? I think the just witness in
your consciences would answer No.

"I have long deplored the evils of slavery, and my sympathy has
often been much excited for the master, as well as the slave. I am
aware of the difficulties attending the system, and I should
rejoice if I could aid in devising some mode of relief, that would
satisfy the claims of justice and humanity, and at the same time be
acceptable to the inhabitants of the South.

"It is certainly cause of deep regret that the Southern people
suffer their angry passions to become so highly excited on this
subject, which, of all others, ought to be calmly consider