To the Editor of the Liberator.

To the Editor of the Liberator.

SIR-I have noticed, in several of your papers, passages from which may be inferred that you approve of abstaining from the productions of slave labor. I hear various and opposite opinions expressed on this subject by persons, who yet are equally desirous of the abolition of slavery. It seems to me a question deserving very serious consideration and thorough investigation; for it is not a merely speculative question, in which error is comparatively unimportant, but one directly bearing upon a specific course of conduct. Would it not he advantageous to have the arguments on both sides fully and fairly presented in your paper?

-There is no need to fear discussion of this or any other subject, for the arguments of truth must always be the strongest. It is only by convincing the understanding that you can hope to induce people to abstain from the productions of slave labor. Appeals to their humanity can be of no avail, till it has first been proved that the measure recommended is a measure of humanity. Sneering at the folly or fanaticism of those who adopt this measure proves nothing against it, nor does railing against the selfishness and heartless indifference of those who do not adopt it prove anything in its favor.
I subjoin some questions relating to the subject, aid shall feel indebted to you or any of your correspondents to furnish satisfactory answers, as opportunity may offer. Some of the first being questions of opinion, require to be answered by arguments; the others are questions of fact, on which I an desirous of information, which may also be valuable to others.

1. What reasons are there for giving a preference to those articles which are produced by the labor of freeman in our own country, over articles of the same kind produced by the labor of slaves?
2. Are there equally strong reasons for giving up altogether the productions of slave labor?
3. In what manner might this measure be expected to operate?
4. How far is it practicable?
5. What objections are there to it?
6. Is cotton, sugar or rice raised by free labor in any part of the United States? And where? In what quantities?
7. How may they be procured, and what security would a purchaser have that they certainly were raised by free labor? 
8. Is the supply of such of these articles as are raised by free labor, greater or less than the demand? If less, is there any advantaging increasing the demand?
9. What means and prospects are there of an increased supply?
10. Where any of these articles are raised by the labor, are the laborers black or white?
11. What varieties of cotton fabrics are manufactured from cotton produced by free labor?
12. Is there any manufactory, which is confined to cotton raised by free labor?
Feb. 12 th, 1831.

S.T.U.