1st.  Read the first eight verses of the eighteenth chapter of Genesis, and tell me, if you ever saw Gov.  McDuffie or any other Southern patriarch (for the governor desires to have all slaveholders looked upon in the character of patriarchs) putting himself on a level with his servants, and “working with his hands,” after the manner of Abraham and Sarah?

2d.  There was such a community of interest—­so much of mutual confidence—­between Abraham and his servants, that they fought his battles.  Indeed, the terms of this patriarchal servitude were such, that in the event of the master’s dying without issue, one of his servants inherited his property (Gen. 15:  3).  But, according to the code of Southern slavery, the slave can no more own property, than he can own himself.  “All that a slave possesses belongs to his master”—­“Slaves are incapable of inheriting or transmitting property.”  These, and many similar phrases, are found in that code.  Severe as was the system of Roman slavery, yet in this respect, it was far milder than yours; for its subjects could acquire property (their peculium); and frequently did they purchase their liberty with it.  So far from Southern slaves being, as Abraham’s servants were, a dependence in war, it is historically true, that they are accustomed to improve this occasion to effect their escape, and strengthen the hands of the enemy.  As a further proof that Southern slavery begets none of that confidence between master and slave, which characterized the mutual intercourse of Abraham and his servants—­the slave is prohibited, under severe penalties, from having any weapons in his possession, even in time of peace; and the nightly patrol, which the terror-stricken whites of Southern towns keep up, in peace, as well as in war, argues any thing, rather than the existence of such confidence.  “For keeping or carrying a gun, or powder or shot, or a club, or other weapon whatsoever, offensive or defensive, a slave incurs, says Southern statute book, for each offence, thirty-nine lashes.”

3d.  When I read your quotation from the twenty-fourth chapter of Genesis, made for the purpose of showing that God allowed Abraham to have slaves, I could not but wonder at your imprudence, in meddling with this chapter, which is of itself, enough to convince any unbiased mind, that Abraham’s servants held a relation to their master and to society, totally different from that held by Southern slaves.  Have you ever known a great man in your state send his slave into another to choose a wife for his son?—­And if so, did the lily white damsel he selected call the sable servant “my lord?”—­And did her family spare no pains to manifest respect for their distinguished guest, and promote his comfort?  But this chapter, which you call to your aid, informs us, that Abraham’s servant was honored with such tokens of confidence and esteem.  If a Southern slave shall ever be employed in such a mission, he may count himself highly favored, if he be not taken up by the way, imprisoned, and “sold for his jail fees.”