in the case of my son would tend more to excite a spirit of insurrection and insubordination among them, than ten thousand ’incendiary pamphlets,’ not one word of which any of them could read.  My son went to Savannah solely on his own private business, without any intention of interfering with the slaves, or with the subject of slavery in any way.  But even supposing the charge to have been true, do not your laws award sufficient punishment?  How could you stand silently by, and witness proceedings that would put to blush the Arab, or the untutored inhabitant of the wilderness in our own country?  The negroes, whom you affect to despise so much, would set an example of benevolence and humanity, when on their own soil, if a stranger came among them, which you cannot be prepared to imitate, till you have made great improvements in civilization.

“The people of Savannah profess Christianity; but what avails profession, where latitude is given to the vilest and most depraved passions of the human heart?  Suppose the mob had murdered my son; a young man who went among you in the ordinary course of his business, and who, even according to your understanding of the term, had done no evil; a young man of fair reputation, with numerous near relatives and friends to mourn over the barbarous deed; would you have been guiltless?  I think the just witness in your consciences would answer No.

“I have long deplored the evils of slavery, and my sympathy has often been much excited for the master, as well as the slave.  I am aware of the difficulties attending the system, and I should rejoice if I could aid in devising some mode of relief, that would satisfy the claims of justice and humanity, and at the same time be acceptable to the inhabitants of the South.

“It is certainly cause of deep regret that the Southern people suffer their angry passions to become so highly excited on this subject, which, of all others, ought to be calmly considered.  For it remains a truth that ’the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God,’ neither can it open his eyes to see in what his best interest consists.  O, that your ears may be open to the voice of wisdom before it is too late!  The language of an eminent statesman, who was a slaveholder, often occurs to me:  ’I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, and that his justice will not sleep forever.’  Surely we have high authority for believing that ’For the crying of the poor, and the sighing of the needy, God will arise.’  I hope I shall not be suspected of entertaining hostile or unkind feelings toward the people of the South, when I say that I believe slavery must and will be abolished.  As sure as God is merciful and good, it is an evil that cannot endure forever.

“An inspired apostle says, that our gracious Creator ’hath made of one blood all nations of men;’ and our Saviour gave this commandment:  ’As ye would that men should