tion, or of positive decay; a sparse population, a slovenly cultivation, spread over vast fields that are wearing out, among others already worn out and desolate; villages and towns 'few and far between,' rarely growing, often decaying, sometimes mere remnants of what they were, sometimes deserted ruins, haunted only by owls; generally no manufactures, nor even trades, except the indispensable few; commerce and navigation abandoned, as far as possible, to the people of the free states; and generally, instead of the stir and bustle of industry, a dull and dreary stillness, broken, if broken at all, only by the wordy brawl of politics." Were we called to declare what we believe to be the sentiments of a large majority of our people on the subject of slavery, we would attempt it under two heads. First. We hold that this institution, as it exists among us, is lawful, and that we only have the right to control it. The Constitution of the United States has solemnly guarantied the rights of slaveholders in their property. Any interference by the General Government, or by particular states, or by classes of individuals in other states, with her right to this property, will be resisted by Virginia, even to the end. A dissolution of the Union is an evil which she regards with horror, but a dissolution of the Union would be Dr. Ruffner-Address to the people of West Virginia, showing that slavery is injurious to the public welfare, and that it may be gradually abolished without detriment to the rights and interests of slaveholders. Lexington, 1847. This Address exhibits copious statistical facts, close reasoning, and impressive reflection. We can only regret that it also contains remarks adapted to increase the jealousy already existing between the east and west sections of Virginia. PUBLIC SENTIMENT. 519 preferable to submission to measures which would violate the most solemn pledges upon which the Union was founded. Secondly. We apprehend that, in general, the people of Virginia hold slavery to be an enormous evil, bearing with fatal power upon their prosperity. This sentiment has been gaining ground during many years. Within a very short time past, a citizen of East Virginia, intelligent, highly educated, and possessed of great wealth in this species of property, has spoken out plainly, and urged owners in our state to get rid of their slaves as rapidly as possible. And in West Virginia, expressions of opinion have been even more decided, and incipient means have been adopted to provide for the gradual destruction of the evil. Under these circumstances we hail with pleasure any indications that this part of our population is decreasing in number, and that the time shall come when Virginia shall be a free state. In 1790, the slaves of the state amounted to 293,427; in 1800, to 345,796; in 1810, to 392,518; in 1820, to 425,153; in 1830, to 469,757; and in 1840, to 449,087. Thus it appears, that in the first ten years above noted, the slaves increased about 18 per cent.; in the second ten years, 13.3 per cent. ; in the third ten years, 8.4 per cent.; in the fourth ten years, 10.6 per cent. ; and in the last ten years, they diminished 4.5 per cent. During the same period, the free population increased in the first ten years, 17.4 per cent.; in the second ten years, 9.2 • Address of James C. Bruce, of Halifax, delivered 4th July, 1847; Whig, August 16, &c., 1847. per cent.; in the third ten years, 9.8 per cent.; in the fourth ten years, 13.6 per cent.; and in the last ten years, 6.7 per cent. The principal source of decrease in our slaves is in the number exported to cultivate the cotton and sugar lands of the South. Hardly a day passes in which large companies may not be seen traversing the roads of Virginia, on their way to her southern frontier. Melancholy as may be the thoughts suggested by such scenes, they will at least bring with them some solace. The condition of the slaves in the South is not probably worse than upon the impoverished plantations of our state, and their gradual removal by this means gives place to a better population. Already German and New York farmers have occupied large tracts of land in Fairfax County, and an English company has been formed, whose professed design is to transport emigrants from Great Britain to the inviting fields of Virginia. In her latter days, as in her infancy, our state seems destined to draw her inhabitants directly from the mother country. We have now completed a review of the past history and present condition of Virginia. The future is yet before her, and its revelations to her must depend greatly upon her own preparation to meet them. By the exercise of diligence and virtue, she may obtain a glory more substantial, and a happiness more pure, than any she has ever enjoyed. May such be her conduct and her destiny! National Intelligencer, in Presbyterian, June 5, 1847. INDEX. Alison, History of Europe, i. 21, ii. 19 | Bermuda Islands, i. 166 Alexander VI., Pope, i. 35, 41 Archer, Captain Gabriel, i. 117 Argal, Samuel, i. 157, 181, 206, ii. 149 Arnold, Benedict, ii. 253-259 298 Bucke, Rev. Mr., i. 167, ii. 147 · Burk, John, historian, i. 106, 204, Brewster, Edward, i. 209 Byrd, Col. William, i. 212, 236, 259, Baldwin, Mr., i. 235 Butler, Nathaniel, i. 241, 243 Berkeley, Sir William, i. 276, 302, Book of Common Prayer, i. 301 Bacon Quarter Branch, i. 351 Bland, Giles, i. 353, 364 Beverley, Major Robert, i. 359, 373, Berryman, Christopher, i. 397 473 Burton, Lieut. Col., i. 466 Bullet, Captain, i. 487, 488, ii. 100 British Constitution, ii. 50, 313 Berkeley, Norborne. See Botetourt. Burgesses, Last House of, ii. 93 Battut, Lieut., ii. 104 Bland, Col. Theodoric, ii. 251 Blind of Virginia, ii. 475, 476 Chiles, Colonel Walter, i. 305 387 Chicheley, Sir Henry, i. 338, 374, 389 Chalmers, George, historian, i. 368, Charles Edward, Pretender, i. 431 Cicero against Cataline, ii. 33 Convention, Revolutionary, ii. 63, 128 Conolly, Doctor, ii. 73, 99 Cresap, Captain, ii. 73 Cornstalk, Indian Warrior, ii. 75, 76, 100 Corbin, Richard, ii. 88, 111 Committee of Safety, ii. 94 Columbus, Christopher, i. 20, 25, 27 Christian, Lieut. Col., ii. 100, 118 Brodnax, William H., ii. 492 Bruce, James C., ii. 519 Carver, Captain, i. 353, 354 Carter, St. Leger Landon, i. 97, ii. Craig, Rev. John, ii. 172 466 Charatza Tragabizanda, i. 98 Cornwallis, Lord, i. 125, ii. 262–277 Canterbury, Archbishop of, i. 142 Cranfield, Sir Lionel, i. 210, 241 Calvert, Cecelius, i. 269 Claiborne, William, i. 271, 303 Criminal Code, ii. 208, 457 Clarke, George Rogers, ii. 236, 241, Collier, Admiral Sir George, ii. 243 Clinton, Sir Henry, ii. 273 Capitol at Richmond, ii. 302 Cambyses, King of Persia, ii. 311 Construction, ii. 366, 373 Callender, James Thompson, ii. 373, Chase, Judge Samuel, ii. 377, 380, Carrington, Judge, ii. 400, 404 Clay, Matthew, ii. 413 Cockburn, Admiral, ii. 415, 421 |