An Appeal in Favor of that Class of Americans Called Africans   By: Lydia Maria Francis Child (1802-1880)

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AN

APPEAL

IN FAVOR OF THAT CLASS

OF

AMERICANS CALLED AFRICANS.

BY MRS. CHILD,

AUTHOR OF THE MOTHER'S BOOK, THE GIRL'S OWN BOOK, THE FRUGAL HOUSEWIFE, ETC.

"We have offended, Oh! my countrymen! We have offended very grievously, And been most tyrannous. From east to west A groan of accusation pierces Heaven! The wretched plead against us; multitudes, Countless and vehement, the sons of God, Our brethren!"

COLERIDGE.

NEW YORK:

PUBLISHED BY JOHN S. TAYLOR.

1836.

PREFACE.

Reader, I beseech you not to throw down this volume as soon as you have glanced at the title. Read it, if your prejudices will allow, for the very truth's sake: If I have the most trifling claims upon your good will, for an hour's amusement to yourself, or benefit to your children, read it for my sake: Read it, if it be merely to find fresh occasion to sneer at the vulgarity of the cause: Read it, from sheer curiosity to see what a woman (who had much better attend to her household concerns) will say upon such a subject: Read it, on any terms, and my purpose will be gained.

The subject I have chosen admits of no encomiums on my country; but as I generally make it an object to supply what is most needed, this circumstance is unimportant; the market is so glutted with flattery, that a little truth may be acceptable, were it only for its rarity.

I am fully aware of the unpopularity of the task I have undertaken; but though I expect ridicule and censure, it is not in my nature to fear them.

A few years hence, the opinion of the world will be a matter in which I have not even the most transient interest; but this book will be abroad on its mission of humanity, long after the hand that wrote it is mingling with the dust.

Should it be the means of advancing, even one single hour, the inevitable progress of truth and justice, I would not exchange the consciousness for all Rothchild's wealth, or Sir Walter's fame.

CONTENTS

PAGE

CHAPTER I.

BRIEF HISTORY OF NEGRO SLAVERY. ITS INEVITABLE EFFECT UPON ALL CONCERNED IN IT. 7

CHAPTER II.

COMPARATIVE VIEW OF SLAVERY, IN DIFFERENT AGES AND NATIONS. 38

CHAPTER III.

FREE LABOR AND SLAVE LABOR. POSSIBILITY OF SAFE EMANCIPATION. 76

CHAPTER IV.

INFLUENCE OF SLAVERY ON THE POLITICS OF THE UNITED STATES. 105

CHAPTER V.

COLONIZATION SOCIETY, AND ANTI SLAVERY SOCIETY. 123

CHAPTER VI.

INTELLECT OF NEGROES. 148

CHAPTER VII.

MORAL CHARACTER OF NEGROES. 177

CHAPTER VIII.

PREJUDICES AGAINST PEOPLE OF COLOR, AND OUR DUTIES IN RELATION TO THIS SUBJECT. 195

AN APPEAL, &c.

CHAPTER I.

BRIEF HISTORY OF NEGRO SLAVERY. ITS INEVITABLE EFFECT UPON ALL CONCERNED IN IT.