clemencies of the
weather, and inhumanly beaten; sacrifices to the turbulent tempers of
their cruel masters.

Unfortunate Africans! born in freedom and subjected to slavery! How
long will you remain the spoils of despotism, and the harbinger of
human calamities? Cannot your distresses awaken the heart of
sensibility, and excite her pity? Cannot your unlawful treatment call
forth the voice of humanity to plead your cause?

Americans! step forward; you have already diffused a spirit of Liberty
throughout the world; you have set examples of heroism; and now let me
intreat you to pave the way to the exercise of humanity: an
opportunity is offered to raise yourselves to the first eminence among
mankind.

Rouse then from your lethargy, and let not such torpid indifference
prevail in your councils.--Slavery, the most implacable enemy to your
country, is harboured amongst you; it makes a rapid progress, and
threatens you with destruction.

Already has it disturbed the limpid streams of liberty, it has
polluted the minds of your youth, sown the seeds of despotism, and
without a speedy check to her ravages, will sink you into a pit of
infamy, where you shall be robbed of all the honours you have before
acquired.

Let it viewed either morally or politically, and no one argument can
be adduced in its favour.

The savage mind may perhaps be reconciled to it, but the heart of the
Christian must recoil at the idea.--He sees it forbidden in Holy Writ,
and his conscience dictates to him, that it is wrong.

"_He that stealeth a man_," says Exodus, "_and selleth him, of if he
be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death._"

Oh my countrymen! are there any of you who can con over this elegant
passage of Scripture, without trembling; or can you stand before the
great Author of your existence, with an arm uplifted to subject his
creatures to slavery, without dreading an execution of this divine
threat.

"_The nation, to whom they shall be in bondage, will I judge, said
God_"--and what that judgment may be, is beyond the suggestion of
mortals. We may be hurled amidst the elements of woe to expiate the
guilt, for he who holdeth men in slavery liveth in sin.

In a civilized country, where religion is tolerated in all its purity,
it must be the fault of ignorance, stubborn indifference to
Christianity, to rebel against divine sentiments; and considering
slavery in a political view, it must appear equally as destructive to