An Appeal in Favor of that Class of Americans Called Africans

by Lydia Maria Child

When the grim lion urged his cruel chase,
When the stern panther sought his midnight prey,
What fate reserved me for this Christian race?
O race more polished, more severe than they!

Shenstone

AN

APPEAL

IN FAVOR OF THAT CLASS

OF

AMERICANS CALLED AFRICANS.

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By MRS. CHILD,

AUTHOR OF THE MOTHER'S BOOK, THE GIRL'S OWN BOOK,
THE FRUGAL HOUSEWIFE, ETC.

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"We have offended, Oh! my countrymen!
We have offended very grievously,
And been most tyrannous. From east to west
A groan of accusation pierces Heaven!
The wretched plead against us; multitudes,
Countless and vehement, the sons of God,
Our brethren!

Coleridge.

BOSTON:

ALLEN AND TICKNOR.

1833.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1833,

By Allen and Ticknor,

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts.

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Tuttle & Weeks, Printers,
No. 8, School Street.

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TO

THE REV. S. J. MAY,

OF BROOKLYN, CONNECTICUT,

This Volume

IS

MOST RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED,

AS A MARK OF GRATITUDE,

FOR HIS EARNEST AND DISINTERESTED EFFORTS

IN

AN UNPOPULAR BUT MOST RIGHTEOUS CAUSE.

PREFACE.

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Reader, I beseech you not to throw down this volume as soon as you have glanced at the title. Read it, if your prejudices will allow, for the very truth's sake:—If I have the most trifling claims upon your good will, for an hour's amusement to yourself, or benefit to your children, read it for my sake:—Read it, if it be merely to find fresh occasion to sneer at the vulgarity of the cause:—Read it, from sheer curiosity to see what a woman (who had much better attend to her household concerns) will say upon such a subject:—Read it, on any terms, and my purpose will be gained.

The subject I have chosen admits of no encomiums on my country; but as I generally make it an object to supply what is most needed, this circumstance is unimportant; the market is so glutted with flattery, that a little truth may be acceptable, were it only for its rarity.

I am fully aware of the unpopularity of the task I have undertaken; but though I expect ridicule and censure, I cannot fear them.

A few years hence, the opinion of the world will be a matter in which I have not even the most transient interest; but this book will be abroad on its mission of humanity, long after the hand that wrote it is mingling with the dust.

Should it be the means of advancing, even one single hour, the inevitable progress of truth and justice, I would not exchange the consciousness for all Rothchild's wealth, or Sir Walter's fame.

Chapters	(not separately listed)
Chapter 1	BRIEF HISTORY OF NEGRO SLAVERY.—ITS INEVITABLE EFFECT UPON ALL CONCERNED IN IT	1
Chapter 2	COMPARATIVE VIEW OF SLAVERY, IN DIFFERENT AGES AND NATIONS	35
Chapter 3	FREE LABOR AND SLAVE LABOR.—POSSIBILITY OF SAFE EMANCIPATION	77
Chapter 4	INFLUENCE OF SLAVERY ON THE POLITICS OF THE UNITED STATES	109
Chapter 5	COLONIZATION SOCIETY, AND ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY	129
Chapter 6	INTELLECT OF NEGROES	155
Chapter 7	MORAL CHARACTER OF NEGROES	188
Chapter 8	PREJUDICES AGAINST PEOPLE OF COLOR, AND OUR DUTIES IN RELATION TO THIS SUBJECT	208