ability or pernicious tendency of a scheme which
requires such a sacrifice. But it should be considered that if we do not make use of them in this
way, the enemy probably will; and that the best
way to counteract the temptations they will hold
out will be to offer them ourselves. An essential
part of the plan is to give them their freedom
with their muskets. This will secure their fidelity,
animate their courage, and, I believe, will have a
good influence upon those who remain by opening
a door to their emancipation. This circumstance,
I confess, has no small weight in inducing me to
wish the success of the project; for the dictates of
humanity and true policy equally interest me in
favor of this unfortunate class of men.”[1]
Dr. Hopkins wrote in 1776: “God is so ordering it in His providence that it seems absolutely necessary something should speedily be done with respect to the slaves among us in order to our safety and to prevent their turning against us in our present struggle in order to get their liberty. Our oppressors have planned to gain the blacks and induce them to take up arms against us by promising them liberty on this condition; and this plan they are prosecuting to the utmost of their power. . . . The only way pointed out to prevent this threatening evil is to set the blacks at liberty our
- ↑ Livermore, p. 170.
