“R. WALSH, ESQ.”
[The following private letter was written to several political friends in the state of New York, who wrote to Mr. Clay in 1844 on the subject of emancipating his slaves. They expressed their high admiration of his character, their pleasure on learning that he had given freedom to his man Charles, and their desire that he would extend the same boon to all those who still remained on his hands. He replied as follows:]
ASHLAND, 8 Jan., 1845.
Gentlemen,—I have perused your friendly letter in the spirit in which it was written. I am glad that the emancipation of my servant Charles, meets your approbation. A degree of publicity has been given to the fact, which I neither expected nor desired. I am not in the habit of making any parade of my domestic transactions, but since you have adverted to one of them, I will say that I had previously emancipated Charles’ mother and sister, and acquiesced in his father’s voluntary abandonment of my service, who lives with his wife near me. Charles continues to reside with me, and the effect of his freedom is no other than that of substituting fixed wages, which I now pay to him, for the occasional allowances and gratuities which I gave him.
You express a wish that I would emancipate the residue of my slaves. Of these more than half are utterly incapable of supporting themselves, from infancy, old age, or helplessness. They are in families. What would they do if I were to send them forth on the world? Such a measure would be extremely cruel instead of humane. Our law does not admit of emancipation, without security being given that the freed slave shall not be a public charge.
In truth, gentlemen, the question of my emancipating the slaves yet remaining with me, evolves many considerations of duty, relation and locality, of which, without meaning any disrespect to you, I think you are hardly competent to judge. At all events, I, who alone am responsible to the world, to God, and to my conscience, must reserve to myself the exclusive judgment.
I firmly believe that the cause of the extinction of negro slavery, far from being advanced, has been retarded by the agitation of the subject at the North. This remark is not intended for those who, like you, are moved by benevolent impulses, and do not seek to gratify personal or political ambition.
I am, with great respect,
Your friend and obedient servant,