The Journal of Negro History, Volume 6, 1921Various
History
The Journal of Negro History, Volume 6, 1921
Various
African Americans -- Periodicals
Supposing the number of slaves to be 1,500,000, and their price
to average 400 dollars, the cost of the whole would be 600
millions of dollars. These estimates are probably beyond the
fact; and from the number of slaves should be deducted; 1. Those
whom their masters would not part with. 2. Those who may be
gratuitously set free by their masters. 3. Those acquiring
freedom under emancipating regulations of the States. 4. Those
preferring slavery where they are to freedom in an African
settlement. On the other hand, it is to be noted that the expense
of removal and settlement is not included in the estimated sum;
and that an increase of the slaves will be going on during the
period required for the execution of the plan.
On the whole, the aggregate sum needed may be stated at about six
hundred millions of dollars.
This will require 200 millions of acres, at three dollars per
acre; or 300 millions at two dollars per acre; a quantity which,
though great in itself, is perhaps not a third part of the
disposable territory belonging to the United States. And to what
object so good, so great, and so glorious, could that peculiar
fund of wealth be appropriated? Whilst the sale of territory
would, on one hand, be planting one desert with a free and
civilized people, it would, on the other, be giving freedom to
another people, and filling with them another desert. And if in
any instance wrong has been done by our forefathers to people of
one colour, by dispossessing them of their soil, what better
atonement is now in our power than that of making what is
rightfully acquired a source of justice and of blessings to a
people of another colour?
As the revolution to be produced in the condition of the negroes
must be gradual, it will suffice if the sale of territory keep
pace with its progress. For a time, at least, the proceeds would
be in advance. In this case, it might be best, after deducting
the expense incident to the surveys and sales, to place the
surplus in a situation where its increase might correspond with
the natural increase of the unpurchased slaves. Should the
proceeds at any time fall short of the calls for their
application, anticipations might be made by temporary loans, to
be discharged as the land should find a market.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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