[119] Ford edition of _Jefferson's Writings_, VIII, p. 492. [120] _Ibid._, IX, p. 477. [121] Ford edition of _Jefferson's Writings_, IX, p. 478. [122] _Ibid._, IX, p. 477. [123] _Ibid._, IX, p. 478. [124] _Ibid._, IX, p. 479. [125] Ford edition of _Jefferson's Writings_, IX, p. 515. [126] _Ibid._, X, p. 76. [127] _Ibid._, X, p. 76. [128] Ford edition of _Jefferson's Writings_, X, p. 157. [129] _Ibid._, X, p. 158. [130] Jefferson MSS. Rayner, 164. [131] Ford edition of _Jefferson's Writings_, I, p. 5. [132] _Ibid._, I, p. 51. [133] Ford edition of _Jefferson's Writings_, VII, p. 310. [134] _Ibid._, X, p. 200. [135] _Ibid._, X, p. 292. [136] _Ibid._, X, p. 293. [137] In 1817 Jefferson had written Thomas Humphreys: I have not perceived the growth of this disposition (to emancipate the slaves and settle them elsewhere) in the rising generation, of which I once had sanguine hopes. No symptoms inform me that it will take place in my day. I leave it, therefore, to time, and not at all without hope that the day will come, equally desirable and welcome to us as to them. Perhaps the proposition now on the carpet at Washington to provide an establishment on the coast of Africa for voluntary emigrations of people of color may be the corner stone of this future edifice.--Ford edition of Jefferson's Writings, X, p. 77. [138] Ford edition of _Jefferson's Writings_, X, p. 344. [139] _Ibid._, X, p. 385. SOME UNDISTINGUISHED NEGROES A LITTLE SLAVE BOY was intrusted with a card which he was to bear to a person to whom it was directed and so charmed was he with the beautiful inscription drawn upon it that he was seized with an unconquerable desire to learn the mystery it contained. To this end he persuaded a little boy of his master's to teach him the letters of the alphabet. He was discovered in the act and whipped. His curiosity, however, to learn the secret, which was locked up in those mysterious characters, was only increased, and he was detected in another attempt, and accordingly chastised. By this time he had so far penetrated the secret that nothing could deter him from further effort. A third time he was detected, and whipped almost to death. Still he persevered; and then to keep the matter secret, if possible, he crept into a hogshead, which lay in a rather retired place and leaving just hole enough to let in a little light, he sat there on a little straw, and thus prosecuted his object. He knew he must be whipped for being absent; and he often had to lie to conceal the cause; but such were the strivings of his noble nature, such his irrepressible longings after the hidden treasures of knowledge, that nothing could subdue them, and he accomplished his purpose.[140]