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第9章

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accomplishment; within which time they will be doubled。  Their

estimated value as property; in the first place; (for actual property

has been lawfully vested in that form; and who can lawfully take it

from the possessors?) at an average of two hundred dollars each;

young and old; would amount to six hundred millions of dollars; which

must be paid or lost by somebody。  To this; add the cost of their

transportation by land and sea to Mesurado; a year's provision of

food and clothing; implements of husbandry and of their trades; which

will amount to three hundred millions more; making thirty…six

millions of dollars a year for twenty…five years; with insurance of

peace all that time; and it is impossible to look at the question a

second time。  I am aware that at the end of about sixteen years; a

gradual detraction from this sum will commence; from the gradual

diminution of breeders; and go on during the remaining nine years。

Calculate this deduction; and it is still impossible to look at the

enterprise a second time。  I do not say this to induce an inference

that the getting rid of them is forever impossible。  For that is

neither my opinion nor my hope。  But only that it cannot be done in

this way。  There is; I think; a way in which it can be done; that is;

by emancipating the after…born; leaving them; on due compensation;

with their mothers; until their services are worth their maintenance;

and then putting them to industrious occupations; until a proper age

for deportation。  This was the result of my reflections on the

subject five and forty years ago; and I have never yet been able to

conceive any other practicable plan。  It was sketched in the Notes on

Virginia; under the fourteenth query。  The estimated value of the

new…born infant is so low; (say twelve dollars and fifty cents;) that

it would probably be yielded by the owner gratis; and would thus

reduce the six hundred millions of dollars; the first head of

expense; to thirty…seven millions and a half; leaving only the

expense of nourishment while with the mother; and of transportation。

And from what fund are these expenses to be furnished?  Why not from

that of the lands which have been ceded by the very States now

needing this relief?  And ceded on no consideration; for the most

part; but that of the general good of the whole。  These cessions

already constitute one fourth of the States of the Union。  It may be

said that these lands have been sold; are now the property of the

citizens composing those States; and the money long ago received and

expended。  But an equivalent of lands in the territories since

acquired; may be appropriated to that object; or so much; at least;

as may be sufficient; and the object; although more important to the

slave States; is highly so to the others also; if they were serious

in their arguments on the Missouri question。  The slave States; too;

if more interested; would also contribute more by their gratuitous

liberation; thus taking on themselves alone the first and heaviest

item of expense。




        In the plan sketched in the Notes on Virginia; no particular

place of asylum was specified; because it was thought possible; that

in the revolutionary state of America; then commenced; events might

open to us some one within practicable distance。  This has now

happened。  St。 Domingo has become independent; and with a population

of that color only; and if the public papers are to be credited;

their Chief offers to pay their passage; to receive them as free

citizens; and to provide them employment。  This leaves; then; for the

general confederacy; no expense but of nurture with the mother a few

years; and would call; of course; for a very moderate appropriation

of the vacant lands。  Suppose the whole annual increase to be of

sixty thousand effective births; fifty vessels; of four hundred tons

burthen each; constantly employed in that short run; would carry off

the increase of every year; and the old stock would die off in the

ordinary course of nature; lessening from the commencement until its

final disappearance。  In this way no violation of private right is

proposed。  Voluntary surrenders would probably come in as fast as the

means to be provided for their care would be competent to it。

Looking at my own State only; and I presume not to speak for the

others; I verily believe that this surrender of property would not

amount to more; annually; than half our present direct taxes; to be

continued fully about twenty or twenty…five years; and then gradually

diminishing for as many more until their final extinction; and even

this half tax would not be paid in cash; but by the delivery of an

object which they have never yet known or counted as part of their

property; and those not possessing the object will be called on for

nothing。  I do not go into all the details of the burthens and

benefits of this operation。  And who could estimate its blessed

effects?  I leave this to those who will live to see their

accomplishment; and to enjoy a beatitude forbidden to my age。  But I

leave it with this admonition; to rise and be doing。  A million and a

half are within their control; but six millions; (which a majority of

those now living will see them attain;) and one million of these

fighting men; will say; 〃we will not go。〃




        I am aware that this subject involves some constitutional

scruples。  But a liberal construction; justified by the object; may

go far; and an amendment of the constitution; the whole length

necessary。  The separation of infants from their mothers; too; would

produce some scruples of humanity。  But this would be straining at a

gnat; and swallowing a camel。




        I am much pleased to see that you have taken up the subject of

the duty on imported books。  I hope a crusade will be kept up against

it; until those in power shall become sensible of this stain on our

legislation; and shall wipe it from their code; and from the

remembrance of man; if possible。




        I salute you with assurances of high respect and esteem。







        PROFESSORS FROM ABROAD




        _To Dugald Stewart_

        _Monticello in Virginia; Apr。 26; 1824_




        DEAR SIR;  It is now 35 years since I had the great pleasure

of becoming acquainted with you in Paris; and since we saw together

Louis XVI。 led in triumph by his people thro' the streets of his

capital; these years too have been like ages in the events they have

engendered without seeming at all to have bettered the condn of

suffering man。  Yet his mind has been opening and advancing; a

sentiment of his wrongs has been spreading; and it will end in the

ultimate establishment of his rights。  To effect this nothing is

wanting but a general concurrence of will; and some fortunate

accident will produce that。  At a subsequent period you were so kind

as to recall me to your recollection on the publicn of your

invaluable book on the Philosophy of the Human Mind; a copy of which

you sent me; and I have been happy to see it become the text book of

most of our colleges & academies; and pass thro' several

reimpressions in the U。S。  An occurrence of a character dear to us

both leads again to a renewal of our recollections and associates us

in an occasion of still rendering some service to those we are about

to leave。  The State of Virga; of which I am a native and resident;

is establishing an university on a scale as extensive and liberal as

circumstances permit or call for。  We have been 4 or 5 years in

preparing our buildings; which are now ready to recieve their

tenants。  We proceed; therefore; to the engaging professors; and

anxious to recieve none but of the highest grade of science in their

respective lines; we find we must have recourse to Europe; where

alone that grade is to be found; and to Gr。 Br。 of preference; as the

land of our own language; morals; manners; and habits。  To make the

selection we send a special agen

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