So it
appears to me. What God means to do with them, no one can tell. That He
has been doing a marvellous work of mercy for the poor creatures is
manifest. They were slaves at home; they have changed their situation to
their benefit. I have made up my mind to leave this great problem--the
destiny of the blacks--to my Maker, and, in the mean time, pray in
behalf of the owners, that they may have a heart to act toward them
according to the golden rule. I am glad that I am not oppressed with the
responsibility of ownership. Those who assume it should be encouraged by
us to treat their charge as a trust committed to them for a season. I do
not argue, much less plead, for the continuance of this system; it may
be abolished very soon, but that is with Providence. I have acquired no
feelings toward the institution which would not lead me to rejoice in
emancipation the moment that it would be for the good of the colored
people.
You are looking for my letter to furnish you with details of horrors in
slavery. Wherever poor human nature is, there you will find imperfection
and sin; and of course power over others is always liable to great
abuses. If I were to follow the plan of those who collect the horrors
of slavery and spread them out before our Northern friends, but should
gather merely the beautiful and touching incidents which I meet with,
and which are related to me, I could make people think that slavery is
not an evil.
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