d which would have a most salutary effect, and
especially the Spanish provision, which gives the right to the
slave to buy a portion of his time as soon as he can procure the
means, either by his own labor or by the bounty of others; thus,
for instance, suppose a negro worth $600 on paying $100, he is
entitled to one day in each week, and so on. In connection with
the emancipation of slaves, I should provide for the removal by
bounty and otherwise, of free negroes from the country, as the
natural difference, and unfortunate prejudice existing between
the whites and blacks would make it the interest of both to be
separated. This subject, is too big for a letter, and I can only
add, that if I could see ameliorating laws adopted, if I did not
live to see the emancipation, I should at least die with the
happy consolation of believing that measures were in progress for
the consummation of ultimate justice to the descendants of the
unfortunate African; and that my country, and the descendants of
my family, if not my nephews and nieces, would lie down in peace
and safety, and would not have entailed on them an unnatural and
odious system, productive of strife, enmity and war, between
themselves and their domestics. I was in hopes to have been able
by this time to have informed you and my other friends of the
result of the malicious suit instituted against me for freeing my
negroes, and which is pending in our Supreme Court. The case was
argued last week, but the court has adjourned to the 1st Monday
of January, next, without deciding it. I was much disappointed in
not getting a decision; I have however but little fear as to the
result.

FOOTNOTES:

[230] These letters are taken from E. B. Washburne's _Sketch of Edward
Coles, Second Governor of Illinois, and of the Slavery Struggle of
1823-1824_.

[231] _Ibid._, p. 18.

[232] Jefferson's reply was published in THE JOURNAL OP NEGRO HISTORY,
Vol. III, p. 83.

[233] The last paragraph of Mr. Birkbeck's letter cannot but excite
admiration. The quotation from Horace applied with great force to the
case of Governor Coles:

"Neither the ardor of citizens ordering base things, nor the face of
the threatening tyrant shakes a man just and tenacious of principle
from his firm intentions."

SOME UNDISTINGUISHED NEGROES

SOLOMON HUMPHRIES. T