Patrick Henry is another famous colonist tied to the American Revolution (he famously said “Give me liberty, or give me death!”). However, he too, was an abolitionist. What makes Henry interesting is that he was against slavery, but owned slaves himself. This definitely seems hypocritical, and his letter to his friend sheds some light on his stances on slavery. What does he say about America’s, and his own, contradictions of supporting liberty but denying it to certain people? Predictions about the future, with regards to slavery, also show the complexity of this institution; Henry sees this as a long term problem, not just an immediate one tied to liberty. He ends his letter with an interesting prediction that may stand out to historians. What does he say about slavery’s long term effect on America, and why might make him say this?
"Hanover, VA, Jan. 13, 1773
Dear Sir-
...This abominable practice has been introduced in the most enlightened ages. Times that seem to have pretensions to boast of high improvements in arts, sciences and refined morality, have brought into general use, and guarded by many laws, a species of violence and tyranny which our more rude and barbarous, but more honest, ancestors detested.
...Is it not amazing that in such an age and in such a country we find men professing a religion the most human, mild, meek, gentle and generous, adopting a principle as repugnant to humanity as it is inconsistent with the Bible and destructive to liberty?
...Would any one believe that I am master of slaves by my own purchase? I am drawn along by the great inconvenience of living without them. I will not- I cannot justify it, however culpable my conduct. I believe a time will come when an opportunity will be afford to abolish this lamentable evil. Everything we can do, is to improve it, if it happens in our day; if not, let us transmit to our descendants, together with our slaves, a pity for their unhappy lot, and an abhorrence of slavery.
...I exhort you to preserve in so worthy a resolution. Some of your people disagree, or at least are lukewarm in the Abolition of Slavery.
I know not where to stop. I could say many things on this subject, a serious review of which gives a gloomy perspective in future times.
Patrick Henry, Jr."
Definitions
culpable- deserving blame
Dear Sir-
...This abominable practice has been introduced in the most enlightened ages. Times that seem to have pretensions to boast of high improvements in arts, sciences and refined morality, have brought into general use, and guarded by many laws, a species of violence and tyranny which our more rude and barbarous, but more honest, ancestors detested.
...Is it not amazing that in such an age and in such a country we find men professing a religion the most human, mild, meek, gentle and generous, adopting a principle as repugnant to humanity as it is inconsistent with the Bible and destructive to liberty?
...Would any one believe that I am master of slaves by my own purchase? I am drawn along by the great inconvenience of living without them. I will not- I cannot justify it, however culpable my conduct. I believe a time will come when an opportunity will be afford to abolish this lamentable evil. Everything we can do, is to improve it, if it happens in our day; if not, let us transmit to our descendants, together with our slaves, a pity for their unhappy lot, and an abhorrence of slavery.
...I exhort you to preserve in so worthy a resolution. Some of your people disagree, or at least are lukewarm in the Abolition of Slavery.
I know not where to stop. I could say many things on this subject, a serious review of which gives a gloomy perspective in future times.
Patrick Henry, Jr."
Definitions
culpable- deserving blame