ng, that any part of the inhabitants of
your State should wish to introduce a system which is generally
reprobated where its effects have been longest known, and from
the dominion of which, such of our fellow citizens of the South
as are disposed to examine the subject with the gravity which it
certainly merits, most anxiously desire to be redeemed.

Notwithstanding, however, the lessons which experience has taught
in this respect, it is likely that Illinois will be agitated by
the exertions of unreflecting men, and possibly without timely
and energetic efforts to counteract their schemes, they may be
enabled to persuade a majority of her people to violate their
early vows on this subject, and pollute your soil with the blood
and tears of slaves.

Feeling as I do, a deep sympathy for thyself, thus threatened
with the most unhappy consequences, and desirous that miseries
and mischiefs, the amount of which no mind can fully calculate,
may be averted from the extensive and fair region of which
Illinois forms a part, I would willingly contribute anything in
my power, and with these views I offer my own, and the services
of a few of my friends, in this interesting cause.

We have thought that benefit might result from making judicious
selections from writers whose purpose is to show the iniquity,
and impolicy of slavery--these selections to be printed in the
_Tract form_ (at our own expense) and forwarded to Illinois for
gratuitous distribution. If this plan should meet thy
approbation, I should be glad to receive an early intimation to
that effect, but should thy official station, or duties, render
it either improper or inconvenient for thee to take an active
part in this business, perhaps it will be in thy power to select
a few individuals who may be disposed to aid us, and in that
event, I shall be obliged by thy introduction of such persons to
my correspondence.

Accept the salutation of my respect,
ROBERTS VAUX.

EDWARDSVILLE, ILLINOIS, June 27, 1823.

_Esteemed Friend_:

Your kind and highly interesting letter of the 27th ult. was
rec'd by the last mail, and has been perused with very great
pleasure. The benevolent sentiments you express, and the correct
views you tak