Becoming America - An Exploration of American Literature from Precolonial to Post-Revolution, 2018a

BECOMING AMERICA
REVOLUTIONARY AND EARLY NATIONAL PERIOD LITERATURE
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 suering 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 triing portion of whom were, for stealing, murdering, &c. compelled
to ee from Europe, to save their necks or banishment, have eected their escape
to this continent, where God blessed them with all the comforts of life—He gave
them a plenty of every thing calculated to do them good—not satised 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 lled.—You want
us for your slaves, and shall have enough of us—God is just, who will give you your
ll of us. But Mr. Henry Clay, speaking to Mr. Gallatin, respecting coloured people,
who had eected their escape from the U. States (or to them hell upon earth!!!) to
the hospitable shores of Canada, 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 aected 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.”
There are a series of these letters, all of which are to the same amount; some
however, presenting a face more of his own responsibility. I wonder what would
this gentleman think, if the Lord should give him among the rest of his blessings
enough of slaves? Could he blame any other being but himself? Do we not belong to
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