A NATIONAL PAPER, PUBLISHED WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS BY fOHN FENNO, No. 69, HIGH-STREET, PHILADELPHIA
[No. 105, of Vol. lII.]
FOR THE GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES
MANY of the enlightened and humane have
for some time indulged a pleating hope
that the slave-trade, and perhaps fiavery itfelf,
will at length be aboliflied. What events of this
]<ind time may produce, cannot be ascertained at
present. But all, whose feelings and reason have
not been perverted, nmft be (hocked at the treat-
went which the unhappy Africans and their de-
fendants still altnoft universally experience in
the western world
ally, and perhaps from infancy, to treat their
{laves with contempt and inhumanity, slave hold-
ers seem frequently infenlible of the cruelty of
their condmft. Alk most of the Weft-India gen-
tlemen whether the Blacks are cruelly treated in
theiflands? " Not in general with any unnecef-
fary (everivy," they will reply, and talk of their
various privileges —privileges which are tliem
i'elves the mod unequivocal proofs that almost
every thing is denied them which can render life
agreeable, and every thing inflicled which a ty
rant's caprice and passion may dictate. In the
view of a Weft-Indian , neither nakedness, liun-
ger, excessive labor, nor mangling stripes, are
unnecefiary severities to negroes. It is alien
ed that-the 'Africans are, in the Iftands. uled
*' with kindness and humanity" and at th?
fame time acknowledged, that thonfands are
annually imported. How amiably mild mull that
treatment be which destroys the human species
ft> much more rapidly than they propagate ! —
41 Sparta teemed with slaves at the time of her
liigheft fame as a valiant republic." Let it be
added-, that it was customary for this republic to
fend out her citizens at proper intervals to maflk
cre coolly the (touted of the Helotes, left they
ihould revolt. In the Weft-Indies, the slaves pe-
ri(h by millions, in a flower and more horrible
■way. But let us turn from this disagreeable
profoeft—let us next ask an inhabitant of any of
the Southern States, whether slaves are there bar-
ibaroufly treated ? " Not at a,II (fays he) the in
•vecftives on that head are mere calumny and falfe
Jiood." Enquire more particularly as to their
food, cloathing, habitations, discipline, Src. and
yon will find that their peck of Indian corn is re
gularly mealured out to thetn ; a pittance just
.fufficient to prevent their starving—that they
have the privilege of exhibiting to gentlemen,
and (surprizing favor !) even to yonng ladies, a
great proportion if not the whole of their glofly
black bodies—that their hovels, when they are
not entirely destitute of a {helter, are perhapsfu
perior to hog llyes—and finally, that fait is some
times kindly applied to the furrows which the
lalh has made in their flefli.
The inhabitants of the middle and Northern
States will feverelV censure the Weft-Indian and
Southern (lave-holders. The humane European,
and unprejudiced American citizen, will in their
turn justly account these very cenfurers, or ra
ther some of them, guilty to a greater or lets de
gree of the fame barbarity. Who that has re
sided in any even of the lalt mentioned States,
where there is a considerable number of slaves,
has not seen many a poor black deltitute of cloth
ing necessary to keep out the wintry blast, or
even to cover their nakedness from the eye ?
Who has not heard well attefled relations con
cerning many a slave who has experienced conti
nually the pangs of hunger, whom not Itcknels
icfelf could excuse from an excessive and perhaps
unhealthy talk ?—ln whose ears have not, at one
time or another, the cries of diitrefs and anguish
resounded—cries for mercy answering the unre
ilrained flrokes of the lash, which leave their
marks for life .'—While filch treatment of slaves
proceeds from persons dead to every emotion but
those of pride, avarice and passion, reformation
from them is fcarcelv to be expected. We can
but lament that the fate of men fliould be decid
ed by fitch brutes. It is, however, a fad: too
well known to be denied, that slaves often expe
rience such treatment from persons who profefs
continually to obey the mild and equitable p: e
cepts of Cliriftianity—from persons who pride
ihemfelve* in their sensibility of loul — from per
sons who look on freedom as an invaluable right
from men otherwise the niolt re'petftable, and
women the most acoomplilhed. LSut surely in
this view, feeling, delicacy, fotmefs of manners,
humanity, love of liberty and religion, are all
deferred for that which is despicable, cruel and
vicious. SOCRATES.
Accustomed indeed continu
Saturday, April 21, 1792.
(circular.)
SIR,
IN conformity to an appointment and from theol
ficers of the Maflachnietts line of the late American army,
have, attended at the seas of government from the 20th ot Mar
to ihe present period.
The object of my commiflion was to obtain a decision on
nemorial which had heretofore prefenred to Congress, 01
he fubjeft of further compensation for themselves and the sol
'iot s who served during the war. Although in the hrlt mftanc
iinilar applications were expend Irom those in the difteren
tates who were interested, yet that expe&ation was defea-ed by
clay of the communication contained in ihr circular ad<Jrcfs o
he 28 r h of Ft'bruaiy, and an idea that an earlier adjournment o
'ongrefs would have taken p'ace.
Finding myfelf thus situated, and considering that the of.cer
nd soldiers through the United S ales were equally intereftrd 11
he question, I deemed it a mark of refpeff and anention due
hem, not even to attempt a consideration of the fubje& unttl the
iad a fair opportunity of becoming attive applicants in the mea
u'cs we had adopted, and of ailording us the a;d of th».ir advic<
nd affillance. . ,
As a proper investigation and decision of this question is ot th
lighcit importance, as it will afford relief to a large number o
ur companions of the war, whose dift'elf s are only equalled b
heir patience ; and as a union of sentiment and oi mcafuies wil
>e mod likely to produce the objc £t of our reasonable wilbes,
iave it in particular command frotn the ofßcrs of M^fhchufetts
0 requcit * of rhe officers of your line, at the open
ng of the next fctlion of Con^rcfs.
They will attend aj that time by their agent or agents, and a fa
ial decision will doubtless be obtained.
As my brother officers in Massachusetts have eittiuiled this bu
m-fs to mv carp, and as I have devoted some attention to the con
1 deration of the fubjeft, I flatter myfelf you will not deem i; im
iroper in me, in this communication, to make ioruc general ob
ci vations thereon. . .
The claim of the army on the public, in my opinion, is lo fax
«1 in the unalterable principles of justice, that they ought to fee
he fulleft confidence of success.
The people of America know, and the public records will eve
icrpetuate the ferviccs wh'ch have been rendered, and t,he lnanne
n which they have been remunerated.—An attempt to prove tha
dmnnd cf the most facrcd nature still remains uncancelled
could be only to 11k w that a part is less than rhe whole ; or -ha
wo, three, lour or five, ;re not equal to twenty. I lie cafe 11
-oint indeed is stronger than any which can be its sup
,ort ; and the feelings of every honcft heart will overcome evc.^
rgiiment which sophistry can devise or ingenuity invenj, in oppo
it ion to the claim.
Were I to attempt an investigation of the fubjeft, it would ap
irarfrom the molt authentic documents that the public ejigagc
ncnt to the army was a certain Turn in ipecie—lhat certa'nmi
'tary ferviccs were to be rendered in consequence of this engage
nenr.—That there has been a full acknowledgment on the pan HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
if the United Slates, that the ferviccs have been faithfully pe,- THURSDAY, March 8.
D*"
ideates, being unsupported b.y funds, had no other value than I UC—That the Secretary oj the 1 redjur) be Jirctt
vhat wit (lamped on them by public opinion.—That this value I e d to report his opinion to the Heufe, on the bej
vas fanftioned by the uniform adjudications ol the coußs ot law, W(/( ra jfj, ! „ ffofc additional fuppJies which th,
public^rvi ce^rr irefoyhecurry,t ye a r .
iflatures of the different States, in a variety ol instances.-That (Mr. Ftndlcy sfpeech concluded J
'onwrefi themselves, under the confederation, were impressed TV/TR. KiNDLEY — If, as ic is alledged, the Se
vitlTlbe fame fetltiments, particularly in the instance ot ihelalel creiary ot" the Treafllry framing revenul
n confequence^o^payment Sates. " " f/tte.,.., is better calculated to support public ere
Ftom thcle fafls it moftconclufively follows, that the claim of dit and gives the bufinels a greater facility in h:
he army is not chimcrical, but founded in the clear and eternal pall'age through the Houfe—J lay if this IS true
irinciples of justice. . 1 it proves the influence to be dangerous in a higl
™nS3 tTi'l Uegre C -C C r, a ;,,ly public crrfi, and «he mean,
lecc'nt and manly mapner, a(k for our rights? The present go- oi Supporting It, ougllfto depend only on th<
refnment i not only endued with the ability, bui was formed w ill of the legiflattn e, and neither on thew fdon
or the express purpofeof " eftabkffimg justice. '—While the fer- ijqi . t j je ca .,, ; ce 0 f a minister ; indeed it it Hand:
n the service of their country until peace and happmefs were le- I fixed upon Itabie ground—tor the leglflatlll e may
torcd, remain unrewarded, it can never be said that this purpole ani | w j]l some time or other, aCt Upon Its owr.
,as been obtained. The pleafUM which every honrlt American . pr ; nc ipleS. and in this cafe the change of lyttenii
Gentlemen are wrong
hose ferviccs are unrewarded which modpfty need not blulh to ill arguing from the old government to the new
av. contributed to the attainment of the public felicity —,[ ie government was llOt velted With pOW
vhich is now enjoyed. Nor is this all,—many ot the men who ers ' n()r p o H e tle<i of ref'ources for the support ol
icrformed those services ate now from the want of the jult com- ; . therefoi e the not supporting il
be to the nn»mer's not origuiat
tonthood of ravages, upon the frontiers ol the United States ; , ng ,l le fyi'teins.
vhile nearlv every thing they eat, drink or wear, inthele dillrel- I gentlemen fay that it is proper the Secre-
X •»»«' <° -company his reporl
roTdcrsof them with arguments, ill Older to explain the princi
7o ft"w that those characters who are entitled to the public p] es thereof, and state the fatfls with which it is
onftderatios can easily be diftinguithed, that a further compenfa- I conne< f te( l, — 1 wholly object to a minister's die
iorl en be made onlyW paying^ the a^o^ c [cd a , "ha do, ng tati "g or propounding revenue systems, and nil
t no e new e debt will be created, and the purthalers ol aliened fe- more to his supporting them with arguments
unties will not be affected, or any interference be made with any as ir is carrying the influence of the executive
vftems which have been adopted, I beg leave to prcfc-nt the 10l- I administration to aIVi 11 greater extent—The Pre
owingflatement. _ j (jdent lias a conllitutional right to communicate
h service ift of January, 1776. information, to recommend luch bufincfs as h«
2 Thole vrhofetermsof feiviceexpiied the tftot January,-.777. j may t lank expedient, and to exercile a Jnnitet
o. Those who inlifted in the year 1777 for three yeais, or du- i negative after the bills have palled both Iloufei
ting the war. The lerin of feivice of those who mlilted — £ j )e p re f ]f ] enl . was to claim a l ight to o
forthree years expued IU the yea. 17 .•>. 1 j j money-bill, it would be judged con
. Those who inlifted in the year 1700. 1 H .J , '
The lifft -nd feeond class have no well founded claims, because, J trary lo the pr.ncpleS of. the government, a,K
here was no deprecation on the money at the t.me they w-.c dangerous to liberty —How much more danger
,aid.-The fourth class, perhaps, have no claim in equity, 1-- ouS) and I Ikul aliliolt laid d egiadlJlii, It t(
aule:lie large bounties thi-y received, were a full equivalent lor 1 trans f er t [ iat j )owc r to a temporary minifler, no
heir ft r v ires. The third class with the office is, '""'J" ®" ,v j chosen bv the people nor responsible to til em.
aaietoiaisitsisa^sssp,? »«A
he war, received ccruluatcs in payment, the: value oi which has | Secretary s duty, by the hwv which COlii. itute?.
409
Philadelphia, April 16, 1792,
tii&o
[Whole No. 511.]
been fully considered.—They returned home under the disadvan
tages of having the habits of their formei occupations impaired
by their military pursuits, their property and connexions de
ranged and loft, and their families involved for a nefcrflary fup
pori.—Thus circumstanced, neceility compelled them to dilpofc
of their certificates for the current price in the market.
After the prcfent government was eftabhfhed, provifmn v.-is
made for these certificates, wherever they were found.—By that
provision the purchasers received an immense advantage.—The
public however saved a part of the debt which was originally du<*
—two per cent, for ten years on the principal of the whole debt,
and half the interest which had accumulated. —This remnant now
remains, and in paying it no more than the original debt will be
discharged.
The rival pretensions to this remnant will be the original hold
ers, who earned the whole by the sweat of their brow, and the
present holders, who have already received seven or eight hun
dred per cent, on the money which they advanced.
In the name of justice, equity, and good conscience, which
claim is to be preferred ? Every man will answer, that of the sol
dier ; unless his feelings are steeled against every principle of ho
nor, good faith, and gratitude.
This remnant theteforc, so far as it extends to our own original
claims, mav be appropriated with great piopriety to relieve the
fiifFerings of the foregoing description of men. In addition to
this, there can be no doubt but Congrcfswill be disposed to make
a liberal grant of land in the western territory, for the fame pur
pose, for it is not to be forgotten that those vail poileflTons, on
| which has been founded the pleasing expectation of finking the
whole of the public debt, are the fruits of those toils which the
government is now called upon to compensate.—l have or.ly, fi r »
to request you to take the earliest opportunity to make this com
munication known to the officers of your line, and I sincerely
hope at the opening of the next feflron of Congress, they will
think proper to make the application. 1 am, with every fen
timcnt of refpe£l, in behalf G f the officers of the M-afiachufelis
line of the late army,
Your most obedient servant,
WILLIAM HULL.
CONGRESS.
FHILAUE L P H I A.