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on slavery |
1814: From an ad for a runaway slave: “If taken (that is,
captured) out of state, the above reward ($50), and all reasonable
expenses paid – and ten dollars extra, for every hundred lashes any person
will give him, to the amount of three
hundred.” (Remini, 1984, p51)
1814: When New Orleans was in danger from British forces
it was suggested that the free Black men
of the city be invited to participate in it's defense.
AJ, commanding the army, agreed: "They must be
either for, or against, us. Distrust them and you make
them your enemies, place confidence in them, and you
engage them by every dear and honorable tie to the interest
of the country, who extends to them equal rights and
privileges with white men." He told the Black men:
"As sons of freedom you are now called upon to defend your
most inestimable blessing. As Americans, your country
looks with confidence on her adopted children, for a
valorous support, as a faithful return for the advantages enjoyed
under her mild and equitable government."
Unlike the Civil War fifty years later, Blacks on this occasion
were offered the same pay and bounty as
White soldiers - and AJ enforced that rule. More than
200 free Blacks enlisted, serving under White
officers and Black non-coms. (Bassett,
p156-7.)
1816: AJ wrote to the Spanish commander: “(In Spanish-owned
Florida a) negro fort erected during our
late war with Britain… is now occupied by upwards of two hundred
and fifty negros many of whom have been
enticed away from the service of their masters – citizens of
the United States… (This) will not be tolerated by our
government, and if not put down by Spanish Authority will compel
us in self Defense to destroy them.” Later that
year AJ sent a force which destroyed the fort, killing 270
Blacks. (Remini, 1977. p344-5
approx. 1820: AJ reflected on the debate over whether slavery
would be permitted in new states: “The
Misouri question so called…will be the entering wedge to separate
the union. It is even more wicked, it will excite
those who is the subject of discussion (i.e. slaves)
to insurrection and massacre… I hope I may not live to see
the evils that must grow out of this wicked design of demagogues,
who talk about humanity, but whose sole object
is self agrandisement regardless of the happiness of the nation.”
(Remini, 1977. p391)
1821: AJ threatened one of his wife’s slaves with 50 lashes,
to be publicly delivered, for disobedience
and insolence. (Remini, 1977. p134)
1822: To his slave overseer: "As far as lenity can
be extended to these unfortunate creatures I wish you to do
so; subordination must be obtained first, and then good treatment."
(James, p31)
1822: AJ recaptured four of his slaves who had run
away: “Although I hate chains (I was) compelled to
place two of them in irons, for safekeeping until an opportunity
offers to sell or exchange them. (Remini, 1977. p134)
1833: “I could not bear the idea of inhumanity to my poor negroes.” (Remini, 1977. p133)
1835:
Northern abolitionists sent propaganda to the South. Postmasters
refused to deliver it and
Southern
whites destroyed it in violation of the law. "I have
read with sorrow and regret that such men live in our country - I
might have said monsters - as to be guilty of the attempt to stir up amongst
the South the horrors of a servile war - Could they be reached, they
ought to be made to atone for this wicked attempt, with their lives.
But we are the instruments of, and executors of the law; we have no power
to prohibit anything from being transported in the mail
that is authorized by the law... (The postmaster should) deliver
to no person those inflammatory papers, but those who are really
subscribers for them... The postmaster ought to take the names
down, and have them exposed thro the public journals as subscribers to
this wicked plan of exciting the negroes to insurrection and to massacre."
(Jackson, V5. p360-1)
1835:
In Washington, DC Whites reacting to the abolitionist propaganda rioted
and burned down
houses.
Rumors spread that one of AJ’s Black servants (not slaves) at the White
House was
distributing
the materials and a group demanded that AJ fire him. “My servants
are amenable to the law if they offend against the law, and
if guilty of misconduct which the law does not take cognizance of, they
are amenable to me. But, I would have all to understand distinctly
that they are amenable to me alone, and to no one else. They
are entitled to protection at my hands, and this they shall receive.”
(Remini, 1984, p269).
1839: At a drunken slave party a man was killed and two of
AJ’s slaves were arrested with little
investigation. AJ shouted that: “the magistrate
was bound to hear their defence, that it was a constitutional
right, that all men by law presumed to be innocent until guilt
was proven.” He borrowed a thousand dollars to
pay for their defense, which was successful. (Remini,
1984, p452-3)
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