The progress of slavery in the United States

Preface

The design of this volume, as indicated by its title, is to describe the past progress of slavery in the United States, and to consider the circumstances which will probably control its movement hereafter The economy, morals, and effects of slavery, are discussed only incidentally, and so far as such discussion was unavoidable : it having been the main purpose of the author to deal with the progress of slavery as a matter of fact, accomplished in the past, and to be discerned in the future by the aid of such lights as experience and reason may afford. ♦

In the discussion in this volume of the increase of slaves between 1840 and 1850, the census of 1850 is assumed to be correct. If it did not considerably exaggerate the number of slaves, the increase since 1850 must have been small, and especially if the census of Georgia and Alabama in 1855 is to be relied upon. The number of slaves given by this comparison is as follows :

It is not possible that the increase in Georgia, during this period, was really less than in Virginia and Kentucky.

The augmentation of the number of slaves in many of the States may be calculated from year to year, from the annual enumerations of certain descriptions of slaves for the purposes of taxation. On the oasis ot comparisons of this kind, with even large allowances for deficiencies in the census of 1855 in Georgia and Alabama, the prediction may be ventured, that the census of 1860, if honestly taken,

} "ST ei a Veiy low rate of in crease of slaves between 1850 ana i860, or a serious exaggeration of their number in 1850.

in so much of this work as relates to the laws of population, it has not been the ambition of the author to develop any new theory. The admirable sagacity of Dr. Franklin exhausted that subject more than a century ago. The ideas of his little tract upon population have been since expanded into volumes, but no substantial addition has

PREFACE.

work nothing is attempted bej ona tms well-establisbeapnuoxpx^^^. re in themselves uu.

sion of the negro r ^ ce 5 ^Xe'anse the vast interests depending Whkh !™ ^baveTeen abl ^command the aid of ingenious soph- T^cS* Voffr^^to .ho. that the past multiplication of slaves m .the Un it « ™«~, fl ^ of hat

an unavoidable calamity, was ^he toreseen ^ the

territorial expansion of slavery which to ^ multip lication of the ests of those who breed slaves ! that ; ^ ^ b fixi its external ^^^t^tXr^ beneficial, rather than

tions, which may be weighed m deciding , ontrolle d for the

of the emigration from .the fee* ^' ^ J onteS t in Kansas has

Lss of which the reader mus pd e , imme diatey to Mis-

climates should be directed to the too >a ^ tQ the ^ ndian

souri and Kansas but ^^MeSco, and to Northern Texas; territory behind Arkan as , to_New ^ 1 , g()uthwestern frontl er

and that, when slavery » ««^*£ utterly useless, for any purpose it will be time enough and until "*n J Kentucky. .

of extinguishing it, to invade m , * ^ ^.^ {]

That peculiar eombmationof— ^ of Arkansas which

production of cotton, is found m ar P Territory beyond

are now entirely unoccupied, and m t in Xortheru

. G The overwhelming prepon^eol^^ ^.^ ^

Texas, in Arkansas except imn ^£^ and hl Kansas , renders it

easy to exclude the negio slave torn enter upon tbe

cotton region. Free labor ^^^ m ^ e profits of which have C ciltivation of a great staple o ^ ^'production of : cotton, now been so long monopolized bj slavery 1 Uurist8 of the United

hinds.' THE AUTHOR.

Washington, D. C, August, 1857.

CHAPTER I. Page

Comparative statements of the advance of the free and slave States in population. Gain of the free States steady, but not rapid. Comparative statements of the advance of the free and slave States in area. Causes of the superior success and aptitude of the slave States in acquiring territory. Slavery as yet firmly maintained in the northern tier of slave States. The political power of the slave States still formidable 1

Chapter II

Considerations rendering it probable that slavery will cease to exist in Missouri. Connection between slavery and the prices of land. Missouri at present more inviting to the free emigrant than Virginia. Commanding position of Missouri 10

Chapter III

Considerations rendering it probable that the emigration from the free States, hitherto moving westward, may hereafter tend southward, to Maryland, Virginia, and Kentucky. Accumulated power of the population of the free States. No apology for slavery in the northern slave States. The right of emigration between the States 2o

Chapter IV

Slave society stationary. Impossibility of improvement .of the non-slaveholding whites. Tendency of slavery to expel the white race. Example of South Carolina. Slavery predominant in some portions of Virginia, and freedom in others. Non-slaveholding whites in slave countries have no capacity to become artisans and build up towns. Slaveholders will

39 never give up slavery

Vi CONTENTS.

CHAPTER V. Page

Comparative growth of Northern and Southern Maryland. Tenacity of slavery in the southern counties. Advantageous position of Maryland. Descriptions of Eastern and Western Shores. Slaveholders take the best soils. Baltimore not likely to move actively for the abolition of slavery. The growth of the city of Washington favorable to the removal of slavery from the southern counties of Maryland 54

Chapter VI

Increase of slaves in the several decades since 1810. Number of slaves in Texas in 1840. Increase of slaves less rapid in the extreme South. Number of slaves enlarges with the area over which they are spread. Why the number of slaves has gained by natural increase in the United States, and not elsewhere in America 72

Chapter VII

The Ordinance of 1787 firmly maintained by subsequent Congresses. Slavery in Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi, never within the control of Congress. Slavery obtained a footing in Missouri and Arkansas contrary to the intention of Congress. The Missouri Compromise was in fact no compromise, but a clear victory of the slaveholders 91

Chapter VIII

Emigration does not diminish population. Opinions of Dr. Malthus, Dr. Franklin, and the Earl of Selkirk. Illustrations. Nearly a million slaves of Virginia stock existing out of Virginia in 1850, who would not have existed anywhere but for the domestic slave trade. Free negroes increase slowly, if at all. The Northern States cannot be invaded by negroes 10G

Chapter IX

The argument for slavery, as being necessary for the multiplication of negroes. Carrying slaves into new regions not favorable to their personal comfort, but the contrary. Cruelties of the domestic slave trade 128

CONTENTS. Vll

CHAPTER X. Page

The introduction of slaves into the States of the extreme South, to some extent legislated against by them, and always opposed by many of their citizens. Slave trading disreputable at the South. The suppression of the domestic slave trade would find supporters in all the Southern States. Inter-colonial slave trade prohibited by Great Britain in 1824.... 141

CHAPTER XL

America settled during the first three centuries chiefly by negroes. European immigration inconsiderable until recently. The probability of the further territorial expansion of slavery in the United States considered. The high price of slaves an impediment to this expansion. Within its present limits, slavery will not be crowded for a long time 153

Chapter XII

Slavery will be maintained, so long as it is profitable. The statement that abolition commenced in 1835, and has retarded emancipation, shown to be untrue. Change in Southern views attributable to increased profits of slavery. Opinions of Governor Hammond. The discussion of slavery necessary, until the fate of the Territories is decided I? 5

Chapter XIII

Review of Debates in Virginia in 1832. Abolition not seriously proposed. The alarm which then existed, in reference to outlets for slaves, since removed. Eastern Virginia opposed to any action. Views of Hon. C. J. Faulkner and others as to slavery. Emancipation in Virginia will be long postponed, unless the domestic slave trade is prohibited 192

Chapter XIV

The extension of slavery profitable to the slave-breeding States, but injurious to the other Southern States. The acquisition of Cuba injurious to all the Southern States. Political power the sole object of extending slavery. The agitation of slavery with a view to party ascendency. The South has not gained by agitation

Vlll CONTEXTS.

Chapter XV

Different views of the manner in which slavery may be extinguished. Slave labor immediately cheap, under certain circumstances, but ruinous as a system. The Southern States have grown poorer by it. Mr. Tarver*s description of the results of cotton-growing. Free labor will encroach upon slavery, because really more efficient and profitable 220

Chapter XVI

The decline of slavery will not be the decline of the South, but will benefit the South. The evils apprehended at the South, from the shutting up of slavery, are imaginary. Slaves will not multiply beyond the demand for them, and the fall in their price will be insensible. The slave-breeding States alone interested in the extension of slavery. The question of race connected with the question of slave** 235

Chapter XVII

The Union of the States is only endangered by tha, discontent of the slave States, which results from the impoverishing effects of slavery. Slavery itself, and not the agitation of it, originates the feeling of disunion. Xullification first aimed against tariffs. The mischief will be abated, as the area of slavery is diminished. Political quietude the ordinary result of slavery J 47

Chapter XVIII

The population of Cuba. Actual number of slaves ; misrepresentations corrected. Tendency of slavery in Cuba to disappear by increase of whites, the mortality of slaves, and emancipation under Spanish laws. Classification of agricultural pursuits. Character and increase of the Monteros. or yeomanry. Example of Porto Rico. Climate of Cuba. Salubrity. Adaptation to white labor. Possible changes in the methods of sugar culture. Resources and desirability of the island. If annexed to the Union, the free laborers of the United States will assert their right to it 258

APPENDIX 295

PROGRESS OF SLAVERY.