the scheme, if founded on just principles, would
find among them its earliest and warmest patrons. It ought to
have great weight that the vacant lands in question have, for the
most part, been derived from grants of the States holding the
slaves to be redeemed and removed by the sale of them.

It is evident, however, that in effectuating a general
emancipation of slaves in the mode which has been hinted,
difficulties of other sorts would be encountered. The provision
for ascertaining the joint consent of the masters and slaves; for
guarding against unreasonable valuations of the latter; and for
the discrimination of those not proper to be conveyed to a
foreign residence, or who ought to remain a charge on masters in
whose service they had been disabled or worn out, and for the
annual transportation of such numbers, would require the mature
deliberations of the national councils. The measure implies
also, the practicability of procuring in Africa an enlargement of
the district or districts for receiving the exiles sufficient for
so great an augmentation of their numbers.

Perhaps the Legislative provision best adapted to the case would
be an incorporation of the Colonizing Society, or the
establishment of a similar one, with proper powers, under the
appointment and superintendence of the National Executive.

In estimating the difficulties, however, incident to any plan of
general emancipation, they ought to be brought into comparison
with those inseparable from other plans, and be yielded to or not
accordingly to the result of the comparison.

One difficulty presents itself which will probably attend every
plan which is to go into effect under the Legislative provisions
of the National Government. But whatever may be the effect of
existing powers of Congress, the Constitution has pointed out the
way in which it can be supplied. And it can hardly be doubted
that the requisite powers might readily be procured for attaining
the great object in question, in any mode whatever approved by
the nation.

If these thoughts can be of any aid in your search of a remedy
for the great evil under which the nation labors, you are very
welcome to them.[8]

TO TENCH COXE.

MONTPELIER, Marc