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same process, and death defeats the master's good intentions. From all this sophistry, the plain conclusion is, that slavery must be perpetuated.

A third difficulty is discovered in an apprehended insurrection, and a retaliation, on the whites, of those miseries which they have inflicted on the blacks. This also is so framed as to secure perpetual bondage.

That these tricks and contrivances of ingenious hypocrisy, are entirely fallacious, may be gathered from the following documents, which show that the abolition of slavery has been brought to the test of experience, and that no such evil consequences have ensued, as those that West Indian humanity anticipates.

There is proverbial expression which says "Nothing is hard to a willing mind." The practicability of this lesson, so far as the liberation of slaves is concerned, the inhabitants of Ceylon have had the honour to demonstrate before the eyes of surrounding and distant nations; and the years which have elapsed, since they made the experiment, fully prove that their calcula tions were not visionary, and that they have not been attended with any pernicious con

sequences.

Under the fostering care, judicious management, and prudent recommendation of Sir Alexander Johnston, who was ten years chief-justice of Ceylon, he had the happiness to see his benevolent exertions crowned with success. The triumph of this noble effort in the cause of humanity will crown him with honours more lasting and imperishable, than titles or fortune can bestow.

What has been done in the East, may, with an accommodation to circumstances, be accomplished in the West. The same causes that can counteract the operations of injustice in Ceylon, may extend their influence to Jamaica, without involving greater danger in the latter than in the former. It will hardly be denied that the general principles of emancipation are of universal application; and where a willingness to proclaim liberty to the captive is predominant, local circumstances can present no formidable obstacle.

But whatever may be the result of the strenuous exertions now making throughout the country, in behalf of the West Indian slaves, Ceylon will have the undisputed honour of having set before mankind the glorious example which the nations of Europe may be proud to imitate. The all-important question now operating on the public will soon be agitated in the august assembly of parliament, and on its solemn decision will depend the freedom or per

petual slavery of nearly one million human beings, and also that of their posterity.

The following papers relative to the abo. lition of slavery in Ceylon, we copy from the Eleventh Report of the African Institution for 1817.

Extract of a Letter from the Honourable Sir Alexander Johnston, dated Colombo, 22d July, 1816.

"I have, for the last ten years of my residence in Ceylon, been endeavouring, as I believe I have often mentioned to you, to get the principal proprietors of slaves on the island to fix a day, after which all children born of their slaves shall be considered as free. My endeavours have at last, as you will see by the enclosed papers, been attended with success. I wrote, on the 10th of this month, a letter (of which No. 1 is a copy) upon the subject, to the principal proprietors of slaves at this place, who are upon the list of the special jurymen for the province of Colombo, and who are, therefore, all personally known to me. By the letter of which No. 2 is a copy, you will see that the proposal contained in my letter was well received by them; and that they, at a general meeting which they called, to take the contents of that letter into consideration, unanimously came to the resolution, that all children born of their slaves, after the 12th of August next should be free. The 12th of August was fixed upon by them, at my suggestion, as a compliment to the Prince Regent. They afterwards appointed a committee, from among themselves, to frame certain resolutions (No. 3,) for the purpose of carrying their benevolent intention into effect. The principal object of these resolutions is, as you will perceive, to secure, that the children, born free after the 12th of August next, shall be provided for by the masters of their parents until the age of fourteen; it being supposed, that after they have attained that age they will be able to provide for themselves.

"The Dutch special jurymen of this place consist of about one hundred and thirty of the most respectable Dutch gentlemen of the place; in which number are contained almost all the Dutch who are large proprietors of slaves. Besides these gentlemen, there are jurymen of all the different casts among the natives, such as Vellales, Fishermen, men of the Mahabadde or Cinnamon department, Chittees, and Mahomedans. The moment the jurymen of these castes heard of the resolution which had been come to by the Dutch special jurymen, they were so much struck with the example which they had set them, that they also

SLAVERY ABOLISHED IN CEYLON.

immediately addressed me in the same manner as the Dutch had done; announcing their unanimous acquiescence in the measure which had been adopted by the Dutch, and their unanimous determination to consider as free all children that may be born of their slaves after the 12th of August.

"No. 4. is a copy of the answer which I sent to the address which was presented to me on the occasion by the Dutch special jurymen; and No. 5. is a copy of that which I returned to the respective addresses which were sent me by all the jurymen of the different castes of natives at Colombo.

"The example of the jurymen at Colombo is, I understand, to be immediately followed by all the jurymen on the island. You will, I am sure, be delighted to hear of this event. The state of domestic slavery, which has prevailed in this island for three centuries, may now be considered at an end."

No. 1.-Copy of a Letter from the Hon. Sir Alexander Johnston, to the Dutch gentlemen whose names are on the list of special Jurymen for the province of Colombo.

Colombo, July 10th, 1816. "Gentlemen-The able assistance which I so frequently receive from you in the execution of my office, renders it my duty to communicate to you, without delay, any information which may be interesting to your feelings. I therefore have the honour to send, for your perusal, the eighth and ninth reports of the African Institution, which I have lately received from England.

"The liberality which you have always displayed in your sentiments as jurymen, make me certain that you will be highly gratified with the success which has attended the proceedings of that benevolent institution.

"Many of you are aware of the measure which I proposed, in 1806, to the principal proprietors of slaves on this island, and of the reason for which its adoption was at that time postponed.

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No. 2.-Copy of the Answer to the above. "To the Hon. Sir Alexander Johnston, knight, chief justice of the supreme court of judicature, in the island of Ceylon, &c. the

"May it please your Lordship-We, undersigned, respectfully beg leave to acknowledge the receipt of your lordship's very kind and condescending letter of the 10th instant, accompanied with the eighth and ninth reports of the African Institution, the perusal of which we did not delay, in consequence of the honourable distinction which your lordship has shewn in addressing us on so important a subject, with the laudable and humane view of directing our attention to the measure which your lordship has heretofore proposed in the year 1806.

"We sincerely beg leave to assure your lordship, that the proposal conveyed by your lordship's letter is gratifying to our feelings; and it is our earnest desire, if possible, to disencumber ourselves of that unnatural character of being proprietors of human beings: but we feel regret in adding, that the circumstances of every individual of us does not allow a sudden and total abolition of slavery, without subjecting both the proprietors and the slaves themselves to material and serious injuries.

"We take the liberty to add, that the slaves of the Dutch inhabitants are generally emancipated at the death of their owners; as will appear to your lordship, on reference to their Will, deposited in the records of the supreme court; and we are confident that those who are still in a state of slavery have likewise the same chance of obtaining their freedom.

"We have, therefore, in following the magnanimous example of those alluded to in the aforementioned reports of the African Institution, come to a resolution, as our voluntary act, to declare, that all children who may be born slaves from and after the 12th of August, 1816, inclusive, shall be considered free, and under such provisions and conditions as contained in a resolution which we shall agree upon, and which we shall have the honour of submitting to you lordship, for the extinction of a traffic avowedly repugnant to every moral and religious virtue.

"We have the honour to subscribe ourselves, may it please your lordship, your lordship's most obedient and very faithful humble servants,"-64 names. Colombo, July 14, 1816.

"Allow me to avail myself of the present opportunity to suggest to you, that, should those proprietors, in consequence of the change which has since taken place in the circumstances of this island, now think such a measure advisable, they will, by carrying it into effect, set a bright example to their countrymen, and shew themselves worthy to be ranked amongst the benefactors of the human race. I have the honour to be, No. 3.-Copy of the Resolutions referred gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant,

(Signed) "ALEXANDER JOHNSTON."

to in the preceding letter.

"At a meeting of the members of the special Dutch jurors, assembled, by gene

consent, for framing certain resolutions, to be carried into effect for the eventual Emancipation of children born of slaves, held at Colombo, on Monday the 15th July, 1816-thirteen gentlemen presentResolved unanimously

"1st. That all children born of slaves, from and after the 12th of August next ensuing, shall be considered free.

"2d. That if a female slave be sold, who has a child or children born free, they shall go with her into the hands of the new master, if they have not completed their second year.

"3d. That of all children who have passed their second year, it shall be at the option of the master to return them, notwithstanding the sale of the mother.

"4th. That all children who are born free shall remain in their masters' house, and serve them without any wages, save and except their food and raiment, which shall be at the expenses of the masters—a male till the age of fourteen, and a female till the age of twelve.

"5th. That when free-born children have completed the fourteenth and twelfth year of their age, as aforesaid, they shall, from that day since, be emancipated from their

masters.

"6th. That if a master manumits his female slave, who has a free-born child, or children, above two years of age, it shall be at the option of the masters to retain them— namely, the female till the age of twelve, and the male till the age of fourteen-or allow such child, or children, to follow the mother; in which latter case the mother shall be obliged to support the child or children.

"7th. That in case any master, through manifest poverty, or from the incorrigible depravity of the free-born children, or for any other causes, finds himself unable to retain them any longer under his care, application shall be made by such masters to any charitable funds, or the magistrates, that they may be otherwise disposed of.

"8th. That, in order to prevent any fraud to the prejudice of the free-born children, all heads of the families in whose houses any child of that description is born, shall have the birth of such child registered by the constables of his division, at least within three days thereafter.

"9th. That every constable shall, for the same purpose, open a register, in which shall be specified the sex and names of the parents and masters; and a list thereof shall monthly be transmitted to the office of the sitting magistrate, to be entered in a general register of the free-born children.

"10th. That in the register to be kept by the constable, an entry shall likewise be made by him of the death of every free-born child, upon the information to be given by the heads of the family within the same space of time aforesaid; and a monthly list thereof shall be transmitted to the sitting magistrate's office, to be entered accordingly in the general register.

11th. That of both the general registers of births and deaths, quarterly returns shall be made to the chief secretary's office.

"Lastly, resolved unanimously

"That the foregoing resolutions be forwarded to the honourable the chief justice, to be submitted to his excellency the governor, in order that the same may be made a rule, under such alterations, amendments, and modifications, as his excellency may deem expedient for the furtherance of the beneficial object in view.

"An additional article proposed, but not consented to unanimously, with this provision, that it shall be inserted at the end of the foregoing resolutions, with the signatures of the members voting it

"That the free-born children shall, as a token of their freedom, be brought up in the habit of their native ancestors, and not wear any European dress; and be farther taught, by such as may be capable of affording it, to read and write some native language." Signed by three persons.

No. 4.—Copy of the answer of the Hon. Sir Alexander Johnston, to the address of the Dutch special jurymen.

Colombo, 21st July, 1816. "Gentlemen-I have had the honour to receive the resolutions which you have sent me by Mr. Kierkenbeek, and by Mr. Prins, and shall with pleasure present them, as you desire me, to his excellency the governor.

"I beg leave to offer you my warmest congratulations on this interesting occasion. The measure which you have unanimously adopted does the highest honour to your feelings. It must inevitably produce a great and a most favourable change in the moral habits and sentiments of many different classes of society in this island; and generations yet unborn will hereafter reflect with gratitude upon the names of those persons, to whose humanity they will owe the numerous blessings which attend a state of freedom.

"I return you my sincere thanks for the honour you have done me, by making me the channel through which your benevolent intention is to be communicated to his excellency the governor. As an Englishman, I am bound to feel proud in having my

SLAVERY ABOLISHED IN CEYLON.

name associated with any measure which secures the sacred right of liberty to a number of my fellow-creatures.

"I have the honour to be, gentlemen, your most obedient and humble servant, (Signed) "ALEXANDER JOHNSTON."

No. 5.-Copy of the Answer of the Hon. Sir Alexander Johnston, to the Address presented to him by the Jurymen of the different castes of Natives at Colombo.

Colombo, 22d July, 1816.

"Gentlemen-I have had the honour to receive the resolutions which you have respectively passed, declaring your unanimous acquiescence in the measure which has lately been adopted by the Dutch special jurymen.

"I take the liberty to enclose you, as the best way of conveying to you the sentiments which I entertain upon the subject, a copy of a letter which I have written to those gentlemen.

"Allow me to add, that I am fully aware of the anxiety which the jurymen of all castes have shewn to emulate the example set them by the Dutch special jurymen; and that it will be gratifying to the friends of humanity to know, that whatever difference of religion, or whatever difference of caste, may prevail among the persons who are enrolled on the list of jurymen of this place, no difference of opinion has for a moment prevailed among them as to the propriety and justice of the measure in question.

“I have the honour to be, gentlemen, your most obedient and humble servant, (Signed) "ALEXANDER JOHNSTON."

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LORENZ.

Yes, let us hail the Cocoa-tree,
And all the joys it gives;
To laugh and drink is to be free,
The thought my heart revives.
SILVA.

Oh let us not the gift abuse,
Nor thank the powers amiss;
Our FREEDOM rightly let us use,
Intemperance is not bliss.

Our groves of Cinnamon we prize,
No islands such possess;
They send their fragrance to the skies,
Their sweets our labours bless.

Yet there's balm of nobler end,
Our spirits to recruit ;

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ENGLAND, fair FREEDOM's choicest friend,
Conveys the SACRED FRUIT.

One Tree of sovereign virtue grows,
All other trees excelling;
This Tree all joy and peace bestows
Where'er it makes its dwelling.

Its root is deep, its branches wide,
A Tree to make one wise;
Beneath its shelter sinners hide,
Its head is in the skies.

There is a Book, contains the leaves
Might heal a dying nation;
This Book who faithfully receives,
Secures his own SALVATION!
LORENZ.

O give us, then, this friendly Tree,
This healing Book produce:
So shall we give all praise to thee,
If thou wilt shew their use,

SILVA,

Not that rich juice our Cocoa lends
Such sober joy imparts;
That many a life untimely ends,
This heals the broken hearts.
LORENZ.

With riddles puzzle us no more,

But tell us what you mean;
What is that Tree, what is that Book,
Which you I trust have seen?
SILVA.

Your tree's sweet juice, drunk to excess,
Produces hate and strife;

That Tree which more than all can bless,
Is called the Tree of Life.

The Cocoa's juice distracts the brain,
You crave it o'er and o'er;
But who this Tree's fair fruit obtain,
Shall thirst, my friends, no more.

SILVA, holding out a Bible.
This is the BOON which England sends,
It breaks the chains of sin;
O blest exchange for fragrant groves,
O barter most divine!

It yields a trade of noblest gain,
Which other trades may miss ;

A few short years of care and pain,
For endless, perfect bliss.

This shews our FREEDOм how to use,
To love our daily labour;
Forbids our time in sloth to lose,

Or riot with our neighbour.

Then let our masters gladly find

A FREEMAN works the faster;
Who serves his GoD with heart and mind,
Will better serve his master.

When soul and body both are free,
How swift will pass the days;
The sun our cheerful work shall see,
The night our prayer and praise.
Chorus of Cingalese.

O give us Silva's precious Tree,
We join with one accord;

We'll shew that we indeed are FREE,
Because we serve the LORD.

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huge mass of atoms becomes many masses, each assorted and disposed, in infinite wisdom, into a sphere, and placed each in an orbit, at such distances from the central orb, and from each other, as would form due balances, each, to each and perfect equipoise to the whole system." It now becomes our province to particularize these orbs. If all the materials already created were on this day brought into use, and every portion thereof had its post assigned, in due order, that order ought to be pointed out.

"In the beginning," the sacred volume declares, "God created the heaven and the earth. The earth was without form, and void, the expansion divided the fluids from the fluids, and Elohim denominated the expanse heaven." Here, then, we have the heaven above, and the earth beneath-a division of matter into spheres, and a separation between these by others, terrestrial and celestial. In whatever sphere the observer stands, this is terrestrial; and whatever sphere he beholds at a distance, that is celestial. The whole expanse, the ethereal, containing the universe, would therefore be celestial or heaven, to an observer at the extremity of any one atmosphere.

The sphere destined to become the Sun of the whole system is the largest body in the universe; indeed, such is the magnitude of this central orb, that it contains a much larger portion of matter than all the other spheres therein. The attraction of this immense mass of matter is calculated to be amply sufficient to retain all the planets in their several orbits. It moves round its own axis, from west to east, in somewhat less than twenty-six of our days, and the influence of the immense vortice created by this motion ought not to be lost sight of, on

viewing the motions of the planets, all of which move in the same direction. Consi. dered as a sphere, no reason existed, on the day it was formed, why it might not become as prolific, in respect of vegetation and animation, as any other orb in the solar family: for on this day it did not become the sun, but was the central sphere of the system. Considerably more than a moiety of the created atoms being retained in the centre, where it is probable they were created, economized the labour in the construction of the universe most materially. If considerably more than half of the materials created by Elohim were consumed in the construction of this single sphere, it is not probable that so large a portion of this creation would be doomed to continue, throughout the ages of time, a lump of dead matter, subservient in toto to the other dead matter of the system; and, as will hereafter appear, no such alteration took place in the body or in the atmosphere of this immense sphere, when the Creator converted it into a great light or sun, as to subject this orb to perpetual sterility. It may, therefore, be as fertile, and possess as rich abundance of animated creation, as any of the planets.

The first planet we shall notice, is that whose orbit is nearest to the sun. In high antiquity this wandering orb was called Mercury, and it still retains the name. The diameter of this planet is about three thousand two hundred miles; it is supposed to revolve round its own axis from west to east, but in what time, owing to the uniform smoothness of its surface, has not yet been clearly ascertained; and it moves, in the same direction, in an elliptic orbit, round the sun, in somewhat less than eighty-eight of our days. Its mean distance from the sun is about thirty-seven millions of miles.

and

Launched into the ethereal, by the Great Creator, on this second day of creation, the day on which He constructed the universe, hitherto this nearest neighbour to the sun has undeviatingly kept its course; small as it is, compared with that huge mass of matter, the laws of creation, established by Infinite Wisdom and Power, have stood fast; and it has neither been, by the vast attraction of the immense matter of the sun, absorbed by that sphere, nor even impeded in its course. That planet which is nearest to, and that planet which is the most distant from, the sun, appear to us in the greatest peril: the first, from its immediate vicinity, of being attracted to, and absorbed, in the stupendous central orb; and the last, from its immense distance, of losing this attraction in so great a degree as to endanger its stability, and leave it, if it moved at all, to

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