eBook David Walker's Appeal - Journal of Pan African Studies

Hearken to this Statesman indeed, but no philanthropist, whom God sent into Kentucky, an
orphan boy, pennyless, and friendless, where he not only gave him a plenty of friends and the
comforts of life, but raised him almost to the very highest honour in the nation, where his great
talents, with which the Lord has been pleased to bless him, has gained for him the affection of a
great portion of the people with whom he had to do. But what has this gentleman done for the
Lord, after having done so much for him? The Lord has a suffering people, whose moans and
groans at his feet for deliverance from oppression and wretchedness, pierce the very throne of
Heaven, and call loudly on the God of Justice, to be revenged. Now, what this gentleman, who is
so highly favoured of the Lord, has done to liberate those miserable victims of oppression, shall
appear before the world, by his letters to Mr. Gallatin, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenipotentiary to Great Britain, dated June 19, 1826.--Though Mr. Clay was writing for the
States, yet nevertheless, it appears, from the very face of his letters to that gentleman, that he was
as anxious, if not more so, to get those free people and sink them into wretchedness, as his
constituents, for whom he wrote.
The Americans of North and of South America, including the West India Islands--no trifling
portion of whom were, for stealing, murdering, &c. compelled to flee from Europe, to save their
necks or banishment, have effected their escape to this continent, where God blessed them with
all the comforts of life--He gave them a plenty of everything calculated to do them good--not
satisfied with this, however, they wanted slaves, and wanted us for their slaves, who belong to
the Holy Ghost, and no other, who we shall have to serve instead of tyrants.--I say, the
Americans want us, the property of the Holy Ghost, to serve them. But there is a day fast
approaching, when (unless there is a universal repentance on the part of the whites, which will
scarcely take place, they have got to be so hardened in consequence of our blood, and so wise in
their own conceit.) To be plain and candid with you, Americans! I say that the day is fast
approaching, when there will be a greater time on the continent of America, than ever was
witnessed upon this earth, since it came from the hand of its Creator. Some of you have done us
so much injury, that you will never be able to repent.--Your cup must be filled.--You want us for
your slaves, and shall have enough of us--God is just, who will give you your fill of us. But Mr.
Henry Clay, speaking to Mr. Gallatin, respecting coloured people, who had effected their escape
from the U. States (or to them hell upon earth!!!) to the hospitable shores of Canada (among the
English, our real friends and benefactors) from whence it would cause more than the lives of the
Americans to get them, to plunge into wretchedness--he says: "The General Assembly of
Kentucky, one of the states which is most affected by the escape of slaves into Upper Canada,
has again, at their session which has just terminated, invoked the interposition of the General
Government. In the treaty which has been recently concluded with the United Mexican States,
and which is now under the consideration of the Senate, provision is made for the restoration of
fugitive slaves. As it appears from your statements of what passed on that subject, with the
British Plenipotentiaries, that they admitted the correctness of the principle of restoration, it is
hoped that you will be able to succeed in making satisfactory arrangements."
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David Walker’s Appeal by David Walker
The Journal of Pan African Studies 2009 eBook