ished citizens of the great free state of New
York. He had gone to Virginia, to preach to the slaves. He had every
where succeeded; was every where beloved by the slaves, and honored by
their masters. He had access to perhaps forty plantations,--on which
he from time to time preached,--and which might have been doubled,
had his strength been equal to the work. In the midst of his
usefulness--the storm of abolition arose. Mr. Thompson, like some
baleful star landed on our shores; organized a reckless agitation,
made many at the north frantic with folly--and as many at the south
furious with passion. Mr. Van Renselear, like many others, saw a storm
raging which they had no power to control; and like them withdrew from
his benevolent labors. The following brief statements made by him at a
great meeting of the colonization society of New York, exhibit his own
view of the conduct and duty of the parties.

The Rev. Cortlandt Van Renselear, formerly of Albany, but who
has lately resided in Virginia, addressed the meeting, and
after alluding to the difference of opinion which prevailed
among the friends of Colonization, touching the present
condition and treatment of the colored population in this
country, proceeded to offer reasons why the people of the
North should approach their brethren in the South, who held
the control of the colored population, with defference, and
in a spirit of kindness and conciliation.

These reasons were briefly as follows: 1. Because the people
of the South had not consented to the original introduction
of slaves into the country, but had solemnly, earnestly, and
repeatedly remonstrated against it. 2. Because having been
born in the presence of slavery, and accustomed to it from
their infancy, they could not be expected to view it in the
same light as we view it at the North. 3. Slavery being there
established by law, it was not in the power of individuals to
act in regard to it as their personal feelings might dictate.
The evil had not been eradicated from the state of New York
all at once: It had been a gradual process, commencing with
the law 1799 and not consumated until 1827. Ought we to
denounce our Southern neighbors if they refuse to do the work
at a blow? 4. The constitution of the United States tolerated
slavery, in its articles apportioning representation with
reference to the slave pop