"He has nevertheless (must I say it?) a numerous crowd of slaves; but they are treated with the greatest humanity,--well fed, well clothed, and kept to moderate labor; they bless God without ceasing for having given them so good a master. It is a task worthy of a soul so elevated, so pure, and so disinterested, to begin the revolution in Virginia, to prepare the way for _the emancipation of the negroes. This great man declared to me that he rejoiced at what was doing in other States on this subject, that he sincerely desired the extension of it in his own country_; but he did not dissemble that there were still many obstacles to be overcome,--that it was dangerous to strike too vigorously at a prejudice which had begun to diminish,--that time, patience, and information would not fail to vanquish it. Almost all the Virginians, added he, believe that the liberty of the blacks cannot soon become general. _This is the reason why they wish not to form a society_, which may give dangerous ideas to their slaves. There is another obstacle: the great plantations, of which the State is composed, render it necessary for men to live so dispersed, _that frequent meetings of a society would be difficult_. "I replied, that the Virginians were in an error,--that, evidently, sooner or later, the negroes would obtain their liberty everywhere. It is, then, for the interest of your countrymen to prepare the way to such a revolution, by endeavoring to reconcile the restitution of the rights of the blacks with the interest of the whites. _The means necessary to be taken to this effect can only be the work of a SOCIETY_; and it is worthy the Saviour of America to put himself at their head, and to open the door of liberty to three hundred thousand unhappy beings of his own State. _He told me that he desired the formation of a SOCIETY, and that he would second it_; but that he did not think the moment favorable."--_Conversation with Washington, in the New Travels of Brissot de Warville in the United States in 1788, published in 1791, and translated in 1792._ * * * * * "I can only say, that there is not a man living who wishes more sincerely than I do to see a plan adopted for the abolition of it [Slavery]; but there is only one proper and effectual mode by which it can be accomplished, and that is by _legislative authority; and this, as far as my suffrage will go, shall never be wanting_."--_Letter of Washington to Robert Morris, April 12, 1786._ * * * * *