In the plan sketched in the Notes on Virginia, no particular place
of asylum was specified; because it was thought possible, that in the
revolutionary state of America, then commenced, events might open to us
some one within practicable distance. This has now happened. St. Domingo
has become independent, and with a population of that color only; and
if the public papers are to be credited, their Chief offers to pay
their passage, to receive them as free citizens, and to provide them
employment. This leaves, then, for the general confederacy, no expense
but of nurture with the mother a few years, and would call, of course,
for a very moderate appropriation of the vacant lands. Suppose the whole
annual increase to be of sixty thousand effective births, fifty vessels,
of four hundred tons burthen each, constantly employed in that short
run, would carry off the increase of every year, and the old stock
would die off in the ordinary course of nature, lessening from the
commencement until its final disappearance. In this way no violation of
private rights is proposed. Voluntary surrenders would probably come in
as fast as the means to be provided for their care would be competent
to it. Looking at my own State only, (and I presume not to speak for
the others,) I verily believe that this surrender of property would
not amount to more, annually, than half our present direct taxes, to be
continued fully about twenty or twenty-five years, and then gradually
diminishing for as many more until their final extinction; and even this
half tax would not be paid in cash, but by the delivery of an object
which they have never yet known or counted as part of their property:
and those not possessing the object will be called on for nothing.
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