7 10 250 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Advertisements Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource E. TOWNE (Advertisement) Description An account of the resource FREE LABOR PRODUCE STORE. No. 207 Fulton street, New York. E. TOWNE, Agent. A full assortment of Free Labor Groceries, and an assortment of Dry Goods, constantly on hand. Dealers and families supplied. Goods carefully packed for the country. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived The National Era Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 11.30.1854 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Articles, Letters to the Editors, etc. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Editorial Remarks. Description An account of the resource EDITORIAL REMARKS. We are somewhat surprised that our correspondent should cherish any doubts on this subject. 'All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.' Slavery is a system of robbery, practised upon million of our fellow beings—a war upon human rights, a cruel depredation upon the earnings of industrious labor. They who pursue it are guilty of crimes, which, if committed against white people, would bring them to the pillory, the prison, or the gallows. Now, the laws of a state cannot nullify the principles of equity, nor make wrong right. The abettors of crime are as guilty as the perpetrators. The assertions which have been made are true—that the consumers of the productions of slave labor contribute to a fund for supporting slavery with all its abominations—that they are the Alpha and the Omega of the business—that the slave-dealer, the slave-holder, and the slave-driver, are virtually the agents of the consumer, for by holding out the temptation, he is the original cause, the first mover in the horrid process—that we are called upon to refuse those articles of luxury, which are obtained at an absolute and lavish waste of the blood of our fellow men—and that a merchant, who loads his vessel with the proceeds of slavery, does nearly as much at helping forward the slave trade, as he that loads his vessel in Africa with slaves; they are both twisting the same rope at different ends. A few interrogations will suffice to illustrate this business. If a merchant patronise a pirate, who has plundered vessels on the high seas, and pay him liberally for so doing, is he not himself a pirate in principle? Is it true that 'the receiver is as had as the thief?' Is not the man who bribes his companion to stab a third person to the heart, the greater criminal of the two, though he shed no blood? There can be no difficulty here. Every body will answer in the affirmative. These are self-evident truths. Now for the application. Why are the slaves held in bondage? Certainly, not to fulfil any prophecy;—not on the ground of benevolence;—not because their liberation would be dangerous;—no such thing;— <xsl-text></xsl-text>but because they are profitable to their owners. <xsl-text></xsl-text>Who are the principal consumers of the products of slave labor? The free states. They furnish a good market for the South. They say to her, 'Raise all the cotton that you can, and we will manufacture the raw material. We will consume your rice, your tobacco, your sugar and molasses, and give you higher prices than you can obtain elsewhere.' What is this, but putting an immense bribe into the hands of the slaveholders to kidnap, steal and oppress? Were it not for our patronage, they would be compelled to liberate their slaves; <xsl-text></xsl-text>for as soon as slave labor becomes unprofitable, there is an end to the system. <xsl-text></xsl-text>The prophecy of Mr. Randolph will then be fulfilled: the slaves will not run away from their masters, but the masters from their slaves. We are, then, the warmest and most efficient supporters of slavery, and feel no compunctious visitings of conscience, in purchasing those things which are stolen, and which have been moistened with the tears and blood of the slave. Remember the questions which were propounded, and the verdict of 'Guilty,' which was given. If 'the receiver is as bad as the thief," surely he is more criminal who gives <xsl-text></xsl-text>a yearly salary to the robber. <xsl-text></xsl-text>Is there any flaw in the argument? Are not the cases parallel? As to the 'arguments' which 'A.O.' adduces against abstaining from the products of slavery, they are not worth a straw. Suppose the slavites should 'send their goods to Europe, and retaliate on us, by refusing to purchase our articles'—what then? Better, far better, that our intercourse cease, than that we should uphold the bloody system of slavery by our patronage. Shall we purchase stolen goods to win the good-will of a thief? Are our consciences to be sacrificed to our interests? What kind of morality is this? But our example would be lost, and our abstinence like taking a drop from the ocean—the people would continue to eat, and the poor slaves obtain no relief! Suppose we grant it—are we to live in sin because others choose thus to live? Are we never to reform ourselves because we cannot reform others? A good example is never lost; and if it be, it should nevertheless be given as unshrinkingly as if it were destined to reclaim the universe. We are not conscious that our own articles in the Liberator have 'manifested an unchristian spirit.' Slaveholders, as men, are entitled to equal consideration with others; but, as tyrants and men-stealers, they deserve no courtesy. Positive assertions and strong denunciations are warranted by the examples of Christ, and the apostles, and the prophets. We are not among the number who cry— 'Pray, spare the <xsl-text></xsl-text>person, <xsl-text></xsl-text>but expose the <xsl-text></xsl-text>vice.' <xsl-text></xsl-text>But we exclaim— 'How! not expose the <xsl-text></xsl-text>sharper, <xsl-text></xsl-text>but the <xsl-text></xsl-text>dice!'<xsl-text></xsl-text> Not only did our revolutionary fathers hurl. 'bitter denunciations upon their oppressors,' but they slew them by thousands;—the same thing has been done in Hayti, South America, and France—and is now doing in Poland. Do you approve of these proceedings 'A.O.'? Or are you not one of the world's patriots? In concluding our remarks at this time, we may quote the following pertinent article from the Genius of Universal Emancipation: A late description, by a respectable eye-witness, of the cruelties practised at the present time on the Sugar plantations in the West Indian Islands, concludes with the following impressive words: 'If you dare to do it, after what you have just read, take another spoonful of sugar to your cup of tea, and it is a hundred to one if there is not a tear of anguish and horror blended along with it. Indeed, I would venture to assert, at any stake, (if it were possible to ascertain,) that there is not a hogshead of Sugar ever leaves the island, without having many of them in it.' Will our readers 'choose Sugar in their tea?' Will they indulge their palates with a blood-bought sweetness—a luxury of which it may be truly said, when we consider all the wickedness and the misery which its culture has produced,—that the awful price is immortal souls! We reply in the language used by a writer in the 'Negro's Forget Me Not:' No, dear Lady, none for me! Though squeamish some may think it, West Indian Sugar spoils my tea, I cannot, dare not, drink it. The simple produce of the cane Excites no strong objections, But with it comes a ghastly train Of dreadful recollections. True, the plant was freely given, Kindly given to man to rear it; Freely fall the dews of heaven, Freely shine the rays that cheer it. But what suffering and what guilt Attend its cultivation— What groans arise, what blood is spilt, What bitter lamentation! And can I taste a single grain, Produced by such oppression; The fruit of so much grief and pain, The Negro's sad possession? Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived The Liberator Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 4.23.1831 https://productsoffreelabor.com/files/original/4b21601a4d04d3068e73646b0be6b652.jpg 4a9e723b9b4eb1f9a0fae25f333e3e09 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Advertisements Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Elizabeth Kent (Advertisement) Description An account of the resource Free-Labor Store. EVERYTHING FOR SALE EXCEPT PRINCIPLES!! THE subscriber informs the public that she will remove her store from Andrew's Bridge, to her store, house, near Penn's Grove meeting-house, in Upper Oxford township, Chester county; five miles from the former place. She intends keeping a general assortment of goods, exclusively free labor; manufactured by Charles Wise, Charles Collins, and the committee of the Free Produce Society, much cheaper than heretofore. Unbleached and bleached shirting muslins, of good quality. Manchester ginghams, of twelve different patterns, from 25 to 37 1-2 cents per yard. Canton flannel, white and colored; wadding, white and colored; table diaper; checks; bed ticking; knitting cotton; wickyarn. Calicoes, of large and small figures. Hose, white and mixed. Manchester stripes, for men's wear. Blue and white drilling. Cotton umbrellas. Cassimeres, sattinets; flannels, white and colored; green baize. Good assortment of merinos, and rattanets. Irish linen, grass cloth, linen handkerchiefs, (white and figured,) long lawn, linen sheeting, and diaper. Home-made striped linen for pantaloons. Tow cloth for bags. Black and white crape; gauze, and blonde. Silk shawls, dress'kerchiefs, colored and white cashmere, figured black silk, valentia vest patterns, silk bombazine, Ribbons, sewing silk, and silk braid of all colors; saddler's silk; hair nets; silk mohair. Linen tapes and braids. Thread of all qualities and colors. Needles, pins, and buttons. Groceries, chocolate, tea, spices, raisins; Laguira, Java, and St. Domingo coffee. Free sugar, molasses, and candy. Liquorice. Candles and oil; painter's oil; segars of best dry tobacco, made from Pennsylvania leaf. Thomsonian, and other medicines. Brushes, for sweeping, dusting, whitewashing, painting, and clothes. Bedcord, twine, and shoe thread. Shoes, for men, women, and children. Glass, china, queensware, earthenware, and tin. Tools. Shovels, scythes, nails, screws, knives and forks, curry-combs &c &c. Boilers, furnaces, pots, pans, kettles, smoothing-irons, &c. &c. Ready-made clothing, for men, women, and children, constantly on hand, and made to order. N. B. The store will be closed at this place, about the middle of 3d month, next; and opened at Penn's Grove, the 1st of 4th month. ELIZABETH KENT. Andrew's Bridge, 2d month 10th, 1842 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived National Anti-Slavery Standard Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2.24.1842 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Poetry Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Epigram (Poem) Description An account of the resource To purify their wine, some people bleed A lamb into the barrel, and succeed; No nostrum, planters say, is half so good To make fine sugar, as a negro's blood. Now lambs and negroes both are harmless things, And hence perhaps this wondrous virtue springs, 'Tis in the blood of innocence alone-- Good cause why planters never try thir own. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource William Cowper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived The Slave's Friend: 8, p. 20 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1.1.1836 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Poetry Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource EPISTLE TO WILLIAM WILBERFORCE, ESQ. On the Rejection of the bill for abolishing THE SLAVE TRADE Description An account of the resource In our research for papers issued in the slave's behalf, following the parliamentary vote, in 1791, which negatived a motion to abolish the slave trade, we met with the following very beautiful poem by one of England's most gifted daughters. Some elegant selections from her writing are given in Frost's British Poets; but this does not appear among them, nor do we believe it can be found in any other American volume. We suppose that to most of our readers it will be as new and acceptable as t was to us.--E[?]s. EPISTLE TO WILLIAM WILBERFORCE, ESQ. On the Rejection of the bill for abolishing THE SLAVE TRADE BY ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD (London, J. Johnson, M.DCC.XCI.) Cease, Wilberforce, to urge thy generous aim! Thy Country knows the sin, and stands the shame! The Preacher, Poet, Senator in vain Has rattled in her sigh the Negro's chain; With his deep groans assailed her startled ear, And rent the veil that hid his constant tear; Forc'd her averted eyes his stripes to scan. Beneath the bloody scourge laid bare the man, Claim'd Pity's tear, urg'd Conscience's strong controul, And flash'd conviction on her shrinking soul. The Muse, too, soon awak'd, with ready tongue At Mercy's shrine applausive peans rung; And Freedom's eager sons, in vain foretold A new Astrean reign, an age of gold: She knows and she persists--Still Afric bleeds; Uncheck'd, the human traffic still proceeds; She stamps her infamy to future time, And on her harden'd forehead seals the crime. In vain, to thy white standard gathering round, Wit, Worth, and Parts and Eloquence are found; In vain, to push to birth thy great design, Contending chiefs, and hostile virtues join; All, from conflicting ranks, of power possest To rouse, to melt, or to inform the breast. Where seasoned tools of Avarice prevail, A Nation's eloquence, combined, must fail: Each flimsy sophistry by turns they try; The plausive argument, the daring lie, The artful gloss, that moral sense confounds, Th'acknowledged thirst of gain that honours wounds: Bane of ingenuous minds, th'unfeeling sneer Which, sudden, turns to stone the falling tear: Thy search assiduous, with inverted skill, For forms of wrong, and precdents of ill; With impious mockery wrest the sacred page, And glean up crimes from each remoter age: Wrung Nature's tortures, shuddering, while you tell, From scoffing fiends bursts forth the laugh of hell; In Britain's senate, Misery's pangs give birth To justs unseemly, and to horrid mirth-- Forebear!--thy virtues but provoke our doom, And swell th'account of vengeance yet to come; For, not unmark'd in Heaven's impartial plan, Shall man, proud wo[?]m, contemn his fellow-man? And injured Afric, by herself redrest,  Darts her own serpents at her Tyrant's breast. Each vice, to minds deprav'd by bondage known, With sure contagion fastens on his own; In sickly languors melts his nerveless frame, And blows to rage impetuous Passion's flame: Fermentng swift, the fiery venom gains The milky innocence of infant veins; There swells the stubborn will, damps learning's fire, The whirlwind wakes of uncontroul'd desire, Sears the young heart to images of woe, And blasts the buds of Virtue as they blow. Lo! where reclin'd, pale Beauty courts the breeze Diffus'd on sofas of voluptuous ease; With anxious awe, her menial train around, Catch her faint whispers of half-utter'd sound; See her, in monstrous fellowship, unite At once the Scythian, and the Sybarite; Blending repugnant vices, misally'd, Which frugul nature purpos'd to divide; See her, with indolence to fierceness join'd, Of body delicate, infirm of mind, With languid tones imperious mandates urge; With arm recumbent wield the household scourge, And with unruffled mien, and placid sounds, Contriving torture, and inflicting wounds. Nor, in their palmy walks and spicy groves, The form benign of rural Pleasure roves; No milk-maids' song, or hum of village talk, Sooths the lone Poet in his evening walk: No willing arm the flail unwearied plies, Where the mix'd sounds of cheerful labour rise; No blooming maids, and frolic swains are seen To pay gay homage to their harvest queen: No heart-expanding scenes their eyes must prove Of thriving industry, and faithful love: But shrieks and yells disturb the balmy air, Dumb sullen looks of woe announce despair, And angry eyes thro' dusky features glare. Far from the sounding lash the Muses fly, And sensual riot drowns each finer joy. Nor less from the gay East, on essenc'd wings, Breathing unnam'd perfumes, Contagion springs; The soft luxurious plague alike pervades The marble palaces, and rural shades; Hence, throng'd Augusta builds her rosy bowers, And decks in summer wreaths her smoky towers; And hence, in summer bow'rs, Art's costly hand Pours courtly splendours o'er the dazzled land: The manners melt--One undistinguish'd blaze O'erwhelms the sober pomp of elder days; Corruption follows with gigantic stride, And scarce vouchsafes his shameless front to hide: The spreading leprosy taints ev'ry part, Infects each limb, and sickens at the heart. Simplicity! most dear of rural maids, Weeping resigns her violated shades; Stern Independence from his glebe retires, And anxious Freedom eyes her drooping fires; By foreign wealth are British morals chang'd, And Afric's sons, and India's, smile aveng'd. For you, whose temper'd ardour long has borne Untir'd the labour, and unmov'd the scorn; In Virtue's fasti be inscrib'd your fame, And utter'd your's with Howard's honour'd name, Friends of the friendless--Hail, ye generous band! Whose efforts yet arrest Heaven's lifted hand, Around whose steady brows, in union bright, The civic wreath, and Christian's palm unite: Your merit stands, no greater and no less, Without, or with the varnish of success; But seek no more to break a Nation's fall, For ye have sav'd yourselves--and that is all. Succeeding times your struggles, and their fate, With mingled shame and triumph shall relate, While faithful History, in her various page, Marking the features of this motley age, To shed a glory, and to fix a stain, Tells how you strove, and that you strove in vain. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Anna Letitia Barbauld Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived The Non-Slaveholder 2:7, pp. 167-168 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 7.1.1847 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Meetings and Events Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Extracts From the Letters of the Agent of the Philadelphia Free Produce Association Description An account of the resource Selections. From the Non-Slaveholder. EXTRACTS. From the Letters of the Agent of the Philadelphia Free Produce Association. Having been called upon from various quarters by our friends, for some account of the visit to the South, last winter, of the "Philadelphia Free Produce Association of Friends," for the purpose of collecting information of the production of cotton, sugar and rice labor, we are now enabled to lay before our readers sundry extracts from his letters, written while travelling through parts of Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas. LETTER NO. I. Lafayette Co., Miss., 1st Mo. 11th, 1848. "A.H. and I.T., owners of a gin furnished by the Philadelphia Free Produce Association of Friends, think there will be no difficulty in procuring two hundred bales of free grown cotton in the vicinity of their gin." Near the close of this letter the writer says: "There might be thousands of bales of free cotton collected through this country, but for the ginning and packing, or baling." NO. II. Yalabusha Co., Miss., 12th mo. 20, 1847. "I am now at my very kind and hospitable friend _______, near Coffeeville, eighty-five miles form Memphis. I must take occasion to say, that during much of the time I have been in this State, there has been a gloom over my mind - my eyes pained with seeing, and my ears with hearing; but since I arrived here the cloud has considerably disappeared. My friend, though a Louisianian and a slaveholder, is one of the finest men I have met with. His whole soul appears to be in the great case. He has been proving his faith by his works in liberating a part of his slaves, and intends doing likewise with those he has on hand when he can get those who are connected in marriage with then, but do not belong to him. I wish I had space to give a history of his trials and difficulties. His enemies have arraigned him before the Grand Jury, but failing there, they resorted to an organized mob, firmly bound by a written article, but in this too they failed in executing their fiendish design. He has a considerable and increasing number of friends, and the excitement has died away in some degree." NO. III. Lafayette Co., Miss., 1st mo. 6th, 1847, The writer has been in Chickasaw County, and found a considerable number of free laborers, but no gin worked by free labor. He had some encouragement that one would be procured by a father ant three sons. "The father appears to be a pious man, refuses to hold slaves, though fully able to own them, nor will he hire one." About 60 bales of cotton might be collected there. " ______ _______, of Yalabusha Co., a very intelligent man, says he will engage to furnish 1500 or 2000 bales of free cotton - purchase at the market price at various shipping points, pay storage, attend to shipping and insuring, devote his whole time to the business, and have the cotton ginned by free labor - giving security for the right performance of the whole." NO. IV. Marshall Co., Miss., 1st mo. 14th, 1848. "Since my last, I have directed my course this way, and, after some serious difficulties with high water, arrived at my friend ______ ________. He has done us efficient aid, by preparing the minds of the people in this neighborhood for our operations. This is the man we talked of sending a gin to when we sent one to _____. Since that time a gin has been erected in this settlement, managed entirely by free labor, by two brothers named _____, which performs well, and this neighborhood affords one of the best opportunities for procuring free cotton that I have heard of. Only three or four families hold slaves in the whole settlement - all appear content without them. * * Several with whom I have conversed think the cultivation of this kind of cotton will increase rapidly, if our arrangement is gone into, so that they can have a market that will justify them in handling their cotton nice and clean, which they all prefer. But the large planter, by having a large lot of cotton, and purchasing a great quantity of groceries , gets very nearly as much as the small clean lots bring, which discourages the small growers from taking as much pains as they otherwise would. - Some of these, not being keen traders, are swindled out of at least part of the price; so that a system of fair dealing would, I have no doubt, soon gain the confidence of this class of the community." After giving the names of the cultivators of 249 bales of the free grown and free gained cotton, the letter concluded thus: I shall, Providence permitting, still continue my labors unabated in the most favorable regions of country. This business is, as I knew before I came this time, trying to the natural man - often meeting the frowns and the scoffs of the aristocratic part of the community: yet all here readily agree that we cannot be consistent without adopting our course. There is no difficulty in the people here seeing this, and strange it is to me that there should anywhere, but especially among a people professing what we do." NO. V. Tennessee, 1st mo. 25th, 1848. "I am happy to state that we found the opportunity of getting free cotton far better in this county (MacNairy) than we anticipated, or expected to find anywhere. A large portion of the citizens came from Friends' settlements in North Carolina, and can readily understand our operations, many entertaining similar feelings. The land being broken, there is no chance for large farmers to work their slaves. Among these small but contented farmers, there is a considerable number of gins managed entirely by free labor." The writer then gives the names of the cultivators of 771 bales of free grown and free ginned cotton, and adds: "I am every day more and more confirmed in the rectitude of our course. Five minutes is time enough to convince any one of the consistency of it. I sometimes fear that the light we have at the North will arise and condemn many. Be encouraged and persevere, is my desire, let if fare with us as it may." * * * While last at Memphis, I was introduced by one of my friends to a merchant of New Orleans, who told me that there was living with him a sugar planter who was now trying the experiment of paid labor. He had hired thirty Germans, and was going to plant one hundred acres in cane." * * * "It is the opinion of all here that free labor will increase in this part of the country. We are now at the house of _____ _______, who tells me there are but two slaves in his neighborhood." * * * "I hear of a number of other gins in this and the adjoining county, owned and managed entirely by free laborers, which we intend visiting." NO. VI. Jasinto, Miss., 2d mo. 2d, 1848. "My last was mailed at Adamville, containing an account of 771 bales of cotton that could be had in that section. Since that date, we have made several other arrangements, which will accompany this. Thus far we have succeeded far better than our most sanguine anticipations could have imagined." The writer gives the names of the cultivators of 311 bales of cotton, and says: "I cannot close without expressing something of my feelings when in MacNairy and Hardin counties, Tenn. A large portion of the citizens there came from Guilford county, South Carolina. I think I never saw so clearly the necessity of Friends being consistent and faithful, as when among those kind people. When taking my hand, they would recur back to early times, to impressions made at an early day by the consistent, orderly walking of the Friends. It is sweetly recollected by them now in their hoary locks. I am satisfied that if Friends had stood their ground in the South, things here would be in a better condition. But instead of hearing a firm and faithful testimony, they have congregated in the northwest, become honorable and opulent, too much forgetting the poor slave, and we have only to open our eyes to see the consequences. I think I said in my last, that five minutes was time enough to satisfy any person in this country that we had met with of the consistency of our course, and it will not be too much to say it again. Oh, what an influence it would have if all were willing to come up square to the mark! I thought I had a specimen of this while at ____ ________'s gin. While I was taking the names of his customers, eight or nine men standing by, and the principal slaveholder in the neighborhood among them, I was introduced by the gin-holder - a rough-spoken old man - as a gentleman buying cotton for an Abolition Company to manufacture. This drew forth some remarks, and I proceeded to take the names of the neighbors - of course omitting this slaveholder. He being a little to one side, observed to the gin owner, that it was hard, after he had worked and got a few niggers, he must be kicked out of society. I was delighted to hear _____ ________, give the character of one of his customers - a cultivator of cotton, and a free man of color - as one of the most upright and pious Christians in that country." NO. VII. Hollysprings, Miss., 2d mo. 7th, 1848. "In my last I mentioned some free labor gins that we expected to visit; we accordingly did so, and herewith send an account of 383 bales." "We were advised to call on ____ ______, a Baptist minister. He has a gin and two slaves, but was bold to denounce the system before we told our business, and says he intends to liberate them as soon as he can make arrangements to do so. He had brought them from a cruel master, and thought in so doing he would be justified; but he does not feel so. When we told what arrangements we wanted to make to procure free cotton, he understood it immediately, and is anxious to enter into it with us. His neighborhood is a good one to operate in, having but few slaves in it. He says many of his neighbors are of the same sentiment with himself, and he thinks the cultivation of free cotton will increase there. If you engage with him, he will not allow his slaves - one of whom is a house-woman, wife of the other - to touch the cotton while it is ginning and preparing, until he secures their emancipation. He thinks he can get several hundred bales in Tishamingo and Tippah counties, (Miss.,) if you should think proper to employ him to collect. I inquired into his character, and the people of Ripley told me he could get the best security to any amount for the correct performance of anything he promised to do. I hope you will attend to him; he needs kind and brotherly treatment, and I trust he will be useful to the cause. His gin is now worked entirely by white laborers." "We have made an arrangement with _____ ________, a Methodist minister, and owner of a gin worked by free labor. He at first laughed at the idea of a people refusing to use the productions of slave labor, but on hearing it explained, he readily saw the consistency of such a course, and willingly consented to enter into an arrangement to sell us his cotton." NO. VII. On board Steamboat Saladin, from Memphis to New Orleans, 2d mo. 20, 1848. "I am pursuing my journey alone, having left my wife at Memphis; and expect, Providence permitting, to go by water to Galveston, Texas, then travel through that country and Arkansas." * * * "In a previous letter I mentioned ____ ______, of New Orleans, who gave encouragement about sugar. Since that time I have had an opportunity of inquiring into his character. I learn that he is a Christian professor, and stands rather remarkably fair as a merchant of uprightness and honesty. I chanced to meet with him the other day at Memphis; he took my arm, and said he was happy to meet me, for he was of the same opinion with me in this matter, and would gladly give assistance in our undertaking. He said he had been proving his faith by his works, in emancipating several slaves, who are now in New York. He gave me the name of the sugar planter alluded to, and says he will not own a slave: he keeps everything nice upon his farm, and all dine at one table with much order and decorum. ____ _______ speaks highly of the intelligence and piety of many of the people of color in New Orleans; and says: 'Give them a fair chance, and MIND WILL UP.' "I was introduced to a cotton merchant in Memphis by the name of ____ ______, formerly of Virginia. He was acquainted with Friends in Virginia - much admired them, and expressed an entire willingness to aid us any way he can. Although he is a slaveholder, he sees the consistency of our testimony. " ____ ______, a slaveholder, has rendered me efficient aid in prosecuting my business. He has an extensive acquaintance in the South, and gave me names and introduced me to persons of congenial feeling. He has emancipated some of his slaves, and intends to clear himself this season of the system." ____ ______, a slaveholder, who lives near ____ ____, Mississippi, was raised among Friends in Wayne county, N. Carolina, is now a high professing Methodist. He esteems Friends and their testimonies very highly, and is not satisfied in holding slaves, but intends to come out of it. He sees the consistency of our testimony, and, having a water cotton gin, says if we will trust to him, he will gin all the free cotton in his neighborhood himself, hire white men to bale it, and give what encouragement he can to our cause. " ____ ______, a slaveholder, of same post office, but in another settlement, formerly a merchant in N. Alabama, has traded to Philadelphia. He became acquainted with Friends there, and attended their meeting. He fully understands our course, and its consistency, and says that no southern gentleman of good understanding will object to our undertaking. His objection to the Northern people, is their inconsistent, hypocritical pretensions to liberty, while the free colored man if fettered there. Oh, what a work is before us, if we are but faithful! "I might instance many similar cases, but time and space forbid it. I give these to encourage you to persevere in this work of mercy, justice and love. I have my times of trial and discouragement, but am compelled in the midst to exclaim, The work is on the wheel! There were some signs of excitement when I first got to Mississippi, but I visited all those places, and some of them more than once; and I am happy to say, I believe it had mostly subsided when I left. You will observe, in corresponding with those whom I have recommended, not many noble are called,' but thousands of the poorer order here have the good seed springing up ready to bloom, and even bear fruit, to the honor of the Great Husbandman." This letter gives an account of about 120 bales of free cotton. (TO BE CONTINUED.) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived The North Star Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 10.6.1848 https://productsoffreelabor.com/files/original/c827433f7608258158b7c6272e31afc9.jpg 7f25bc9bbb8f8308d0769fdeece165ee Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Advertisements Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Ezra Towne (Advertisement) Description An account of the resource A LARGE assortment of Dry Goods and Groceries, free from the stain of Slavery, for sale by EZRA TOWNE, Agent, Oct. 13 - 7t 207 Fulton street, New York. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived The National Era Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 10.13.1853 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Articles, Letters to the Editors, etc. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource For Frederick Douglass' Paper (Letter to the Editor) Subject The topic of the resource Letter advocating for free labor Description An account of the resource AURORA, N.Y., March 14, 1855. FRIEND DOUGLASS: - On looking over your paper of March 9, I see a piece entitled a New Association ; and as you thereby invite the thoughts of your readers as to how slavery shall be got rid of, I venture to give you mine on the subject, (hoping you will have many thoughts form others also, for in the multitude of counselors there is safety.) We all know it is a great work, and a mighty opposition may reasonably be expected; but happily for, us the world affords us one example of such a work being effected; (I mean the English emancipation;) and in this work, no one person can expect to work alone, but everyone may help, and a most effectual help I conceive it would be, if everyone would thoroughly wash their hands of participation in the guilt and sin of slavery, as this seems a very plain question; that as the slave-owner steals the labor to produce the fruits of the earth, such goods, whether cotton, tobacco or sugar, or anything else, are stolen goods; and the indisputable proverb, that the receive is as bad as the thief, seems to hold good, if he knew it to be stolen I would suggest, then the propriety of something like a pledge to be signed by every person, man, woman or child, capable of knowing the purpose, not to sue in any way, slave produce . If only a goodly portion of the inhabitants of the Northern States would sign such a pledge, and strictly keep it, then we might reasonably appeal to the masses of England to cooperate in the work; and I have no doubt that a vast number of the inhabitant of England would, if appealed to on the subject, enter into it heartily; for I believe that full ninety-nine out of a hundred of the English are opposed to slavery, and would do any reasonable thing to help exterminate it. If, then, the people of the free States here, and then the people of England, could be brought to refuse slave goods, and let slave produce accumulate in their wharves and warehouses, till they were all full, and hard to find a market anywhere, then, when we had made our efforts felt in the right quarter, begin to think of getting up petitions to Congress to do away with slavery, and relieve the Southerners of this difficulty in not being able to sell their produce ; and, after all, I believe it would be the greatest blessing to the South, in the long run, if it could be expected it is easy to suggest this plan on paper, but it would require a long pull, as strong pull, and a pull all together, to carry it out in practice. I hardly see how anyone can object to this plan, let him belong to what denomination, sect or party he may, if he professes the religion of the Bible; and if anyone feel like stumbling at the laws of this land, in regard to slavery, he would do well to remember the words of Peter and other apostles in the 5th ch. Of Acts, 29th verse: "We ought to obey God, rather than men;" and I would ask, what would become of slavery if all professing Christians would obey this one precept in the 58th ch. Of Isaiah, 6th verse: "Is not this the fast that I have chosen, to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free , and that ye break every yoke?" and the next verse is in direct opposition to the carrying out of the Fugitive Slave Law. Ah! that a people boasting of their freedom would obey God rather than man. I know that some try to excuse, palliate, or even justify slavery from the Bible; but I think on one, with any knowledge of the precepts of Christianity, need fear to take up the weapons of his warfare against such blind leaders of the blind. Wishing success to every effort for truth and righteousness, I bid you a hearty and affectionate farewell, WILLIAM EMPSON. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource William Empson Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Frederick Douglass' Paper Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 4.20.1855 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Articles, Letters to the Editors, etc. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Free and Slave Labor. Description An account of the resource The general impression seems to be that free labor is the cheapest; but we will suppose a case of the utter annihilation of slave labor in the United States, what then, when all competition was withdrawn would be the price of free labor?--Lou. Morn. Cour. It would be either greater or less than it is now, or continue the same. If greater, the masses of white working men throughout all the States would be the gainers--and of this they could not complain. If less, the slaveholders of Kentucky would be the gainers--and of this they could not complain. If it should continue the same, [?]dy would be the gainer or loser, under this aspect--and so nobody could complain. The fact is, free labor is cheaper,--(we do not say in this or that particular branch of industry,)--far cheaper in the main, because it produces more, and wastes less. The question of special interest to Kentucky is, not how the price of free labor would stand, were slav-labor totally annihilated in the United States, but what would be the price of free labor, were slavery extinguished within its particular limits. To answer this question it is only necessary to refer to the price of labor in Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, Wisconsin, and other new free countries. Labor is high, because the demand for it is great. Such would be the case in Kentucky--for it is not barrenness of soil or any natural disadvantage that retards the growth of her population,--it is slave-labor alone. Abolish this, and the northern hire of free laborers would swarm over the immense tracts of uncultivated land in Kentucky, extracting from the virgin soil its still hidden wealth. Meantime, till the supply had equalled the demand, there would be of course an increase in the price of labor, and in prices generally--until the equilibrium should be fairly established,--so that all would be gainers. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived The Cincinnati Weekly Herald and Philanthropist 9:30, p. 2 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 4.9.1845 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Articles, Letters to the Editors, etc. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Free and Slave Labor.: To the Editor of the Liberator Description An account of the resource SIR--In your paper of the 19th of February, a correspondent gave a number of questions on the subject of free and slave labor. I had hoped that these inquiries would have been answered in your paper before this time, and I still hope that you or some of your correspondents who are better qualified than myself, will reply to them. Every suggestion as to the modes in which the abolition of slavery may be promoted deserves serious attention. Your correspondent, among other questions when it is not my intention to consider at this time, asks --- 'What reasons are there for giving a preference to those articles which are produced by the labor of freemen in our own country, over articles of the same kind produced by the albor of slaves?' In attempting to answer this question, I shall take it for granted that slavery is an evil, and that the emancipation of the slaves is a desirable object.--Both these positions I know are denied by individuals at the South, but I am writing only for persons who believe them; and to prove these assumptions would take more time than I can at present devote to the purpose. Does, then, purchasing any article produced by the labor of freemen in preference to the same article produced by slaves, have any tendency to effect the emancipation of the slaves? I cannot doubt that it has. No one, I believe, will question that if all the inhabitants of the northern States were to purchase articles produced by slave labor, the effect which it would have in producing emancipation would be irresistible. The demand for the produce of free laborers, being very much increased, and that for the produce of slaves very much diminished, slaveholders in every part of the country would have the strongest inducement to liberate their negroes, in order to bring them into the preferred class of laborers. Indeed I have no doubt, that if all the inhabitants of the northern States were to agree to prefer the products of free labor in the manner supposed, and would act in strict conformity with the agreement, the result would be a general emancipation of the southern slaves. On a smaller scale, the result would be similar. Suppose that only a few hundred persons in Philadelphia or Boston reslve to buy rice, the produc of free labor, whenever it can be obtained: Is not the tendency of this measure to lead some planters to cultivate that article by free negroes, in order to supply this demand? But it may be said, what can one person do?--His buying the products of free, in preference to those of slave labor, can produce no perceptible effect. But this reasoning is not sound. The whole community is made up of individuals. If every individual should always take it for granted, that his own exertions in any cause could not produce any good effects, it is very clear that all works of benevolence, which required a general co-operation, would go on but slowly. Besides, there is every prospect that so far from any person, who entered upon this cause, being alone, he would soon find himself united with many others. That this result may be confidently expected, will not be doubted by any on who recollects what numbers in Great Britain agreed to abstain from West India productions, when it was supposed that it would tend to put an end to the slave trade. At this very time, too, there are numerous associations in Great Britain of persons who abstain from slave produce with the hope that it will diminish slavery. Societies of the same kind have already been formed in Philadelphia and New York. I doubt not that there already numbers in this vicinity, who are prepared to adopt a similar course. I have, without making any inquiry, heard of several persons who now abstain altogether from articles produced by slave labor. If the whole community could be brought to think upon this subject, I am sure that large numbers would soon be found ready to prefer the produce of free labor wherever it could be procured. I am inclined to believe that the establishment of a store in this city, which should vend only free groceries, would meet with a liberal patronage. I hope that some conscientious person will be found to attempt it. If individuals giving a preference to free over slave produce have but little effect directly on slavery, by diminishing the market for its productions, the efforts made in this mode will not be unavailing.--They will, by directing public attention to the subject, tend to disperse the prevailing prejudices against the African race in this part of the country, and to put an end to slavery at the south, by showing to the planters the conscientious opinions of many persons here on the subject. I am sensible that I have not done justice to my subject, which I consider one of great importance. I have confined myself to the question, whether the produce of free should be preferred to that of slave labor wherever it can be procured. I have not examined the other question, of equal importance, as to the duty of entire abstinence from all articles produced by slave labor. But I hope, as I remarked in the beginning, to see this quesetion, as well as the others connected with it which were proposed by your correspondent, answered in some of your papers. To those who are doubting whether it is worth while to make any effort on this subject, I recommend the following remarks of the benevolent Clarkson, taken from his History of the Abolition of the Slave Trade: 'It cannot be otherwise than useful to us, to be impressivly reminded of the simple axiom, "that the greatest works must have a beginning;" because the fostering of such an idea in our minds cannot but encourage us to undertake the removal of evils, however vast they may appear in size, or however difficult to overcome. It cannot again be otherwise than useful to be assured (and this History will assure us of it) than in any work of righteousness, however small the beginnings may be, or however small the progress may be that we make in it, we ought never to despair; for that whatever checks and discouragements we may meet with, "no virtuous effort is ever ultimately lost."' Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Liberator 1:14, p. 54 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 4.2.1831