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Show xii Pll.EFA'I'OilY LET'l'Eil. interest in the cause of emancipation, and we have a strong 11opc, that the practical views developed in the present volume will ere long be embraced by him, in reference to the slave states of North America. In the mean time, as it was my object to convince the more reasonable of the pro-slavery party, I believed it best to address my letters to a gentleman who is generally regarded as belonging to that class. In making this selection I had of course no reference to the side which he is known to take in the politics of the United States. It was my wish to interest persons of all political parties in America, in the same great cause of sound policy, justice, and humanity. Perhaps I ought to make some apology, for the familiar style in which the letters are written. I have given a simple account of our tour, and of the incidents which befel us, and I have added descriptions of the peculiar scenery we met with, both in verse and prose-! am ready to hope, that these lighter parts of the work may serve to amuse the younger class of my readers on both sides the Atlantic, and lead them on to the consideration of those graver points, so deeply important in the present day, which it is my principal purpose to develop and impress. For my own part, I consider it to be greatly to our advantage, while we are engaged in the pursuit of serious and interesting objects, tn catch the passing recreation afforded us by birds, flowers, blue skies, and bright sunsets. It is a trite saying that the bow which is always bent, must break at last. Be that as it may, my narrative, such as it is, is just a transcript of the reality. One more point in relation to mode of writing seems to daim a few remarks. While it is undoubtedly our christian duty to avoid the least concession of principle on the subject of slavery, the use of harsh epithets and violent language towards the slaveholders, is not only objectionable in itself, but has often had an injurious effect in arming them against our arguments, and of thus hindering the progress of Oilr cause. I have therefore thought PREFATORY I.ETTEH . xiii it best to observe towards them the terms and usages of christian courtesy; and I believe there arc many of these persons in the United States, who are increasingly disposed to enter upon a fair consideration of the ;ect. If such individuals arc wisely dealt with, by the frieul · "" slave, they can hardly fail to arrive at conclusions, entail upon them the moral necessity of or ~ause of emancipation. ·At the sa' jor a moment to be forgotten that the ~ ~ as property-liable to be bought a· 0 d chattels-is in its own nature (q and further, that slavery in th A~ . > by certain features of a per· t;;."' ( only remind thee, under tr :IJ"" :eding, and of the exten- ~ human beings, with which .. !'ll .• ~ ,..; ' ~"<i' ,9' my objects in republish- '*..;: /...r.;; j is specifically intended to iJ / ,•·..., :' States? My answer to this ~ .""\"',;tonccive that the British pub- ,., ... () "' 1' f i;-"" ..~ .., ~ J mg o m0 terest, in the pecu- N ~~ ,o;.; ~ ~ 0 o.."·:~. ~"" · of slavery amongst our brethren s ~~,$' 0 l )'' 0 0 ~" rf ,..,'ll i;...,. Ores m tne po ttJcal conshtutwn of ~ .... ~2! ,:ny difficulties in the way of abolition; ~ ~ i ants of the several independent slave • onviction, that free labor will answer their t ,n the compulsory work of slaves, these difficulties " oJe surmounted. In the principles and progress of such a work, the British public cannot fail to be interested. In the second place, the practical details of the working of freedom in our West Indian colonies, must of course be as interesting to the friends of humanity in our own country, as to those in America. • |