Free Labor.:Certificates
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Title
Free Labor.: Certificates
Description
A paragraph, from the "Fredericksburg Arena," which has been copied into a number of other papers, in speaking of the Philadelphia "Free Cotton Association," expresses some doubt as to "where," in our free country, cotton could be obtained untouched by the hands of slavery. For the satisfaction of those who may be apprehensive of deception, we subjoin the following copies of certificates, testifying to the purity of the material employed in the late manufactures of the society. That made use of previously, was received from the same source.
Certificates.
We do hereby certify, that the 30 bales of cotton, sent by us to Morris Longstreth, of Philadelphia, marked F, and numbered 1 to 30, is, exclusively, cotton raised by free white persons, or at least by free laborers, and that no cotton, raised by slaves, has been mixed therewith.
NATHAN HUNT JR.
for Hunt & Stockton.
Third Mo. 23d, 1830
I do certify that the 30 bales of cotton, sent by Hunt & Stockton to Morris Longstreth, is according to the above certificate, exclusively the product of Free Labor; as I personally attended to the picking of it.
NATHAN HUNT.
3rd Mo. 23d, 1830.
It is also questioned whether the plan of proceeding, adopted by the Association, is of a nature to operate beneficially on the condition of the slaves. We should suppose no unprejudiced mind would hesitate for an instant to answer in the affirmative. We are convincd the system of Free Labor, as it is one of the most quiet, is also one of the most efficient, auxiliaries of Emancipation. And most thoroughly are we persuaded that to give freedom to the slaves would advantage their masters, in a degree inferior only to the benefit derived from the negroes themselves. The superiority of Free Labor does not rest upon unsupported theory--it has been tested by fair experiment, and found by far the most profitable. The society of which we speak, wishes not to injure the interests of any individual--nor can it interfere with the true interests of any one, to hold out inducments for them to return from a path of injustice to one of rectitude. It is but reasonable to suppose that the persons who are now slaves, would labor as cheerfully and industriously, when disencumbered, if not of the weight of actual fetters yet of the heavy sense of degradation and thrall, which presses upon their hearts and weighs down the energies of their nature with a dull lethargy.
Certificates.
We do hereby certify, that the 30 bales of cotton, sent by us to Morris Longstreth, of Philadelphia, marked F, and numbered 1 to 30, is, exclusively, cotton raised by free white persons, or at least by free laborers, and that no cotton, raised by slaves, has been mixed therewith.
NATHAN HUNT JR.
for Hunt & Stockton.
Third Mo. 23d, 1830
I do certify that the 30 bales of cotton, sent by Hunt & Stockton to Morris Longstreth, is according to the above certificate, exclusively the product of Free Labor; as I personally attended to the picking of it.
NATHAN HUNT.
3rd Mo. 23d, 1830.
It is also questioned whether the plan of proceeding, adopted by the Association, is of a nature to operate beneficially on the condition of the slaves. We should suppose no unprejudiced mind would hesitate for an instant to answer in the affirmative. We are convincd the system of Free Labor, as it is one of the most quiet, is also one of the most efficient, auxiliaries of Emancipation. And most thoroughly are we persuaded that to give freedom to the slaves would advantage their masters, in a degree inferior only to the benefit derived from the negroes themselves. The superiority of Free Labor does not rest upon unsupported theory--it has been tested by fair experiment, and found by far the most profitable. The society of which we speak, wishes not to injure the interests of any individual--nor can it interfere with the true interests of any one, to hold out inducments for them to return from a path of injustice to one of rectitude. It is but reasonable to suppose that the persons who are now slaves, would labor as cheerfully and industriously, when disencumbered, if not of the weight of actual fetters yet of the heavy sense of degradation and thrall, which presses upon their hearts and weighs down the energies of their nature with a dull lethargy.
Source
Genius of Universal Emancipation 1:5, p. 73
Date
8.1830
Collection
Citation
“Free Labor.:Certificates,” No Stain of Tears and Blood, accessed October 22, 2026, https://productsoffreelabor.com/items/show/109.
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