entry they are always glad to make, because it costs them nothing.'
'But,' adds Mr. Corwin, and this is the severest cut of all, 'when
they cannot steal a negro they give something in charity for the
extension of the gospel, and then commence a system of fraud and
cheating, till they think they have balanced accounts with their God.'
For once we believe Mr. Corwin has told the truth."




CHAPTER IV.


Would the condition of the slaves be ameliorated by emancipation,
under existing circumstances; supposing they continue, either in the
slave, or free States? This is a grave question, and so far as I am
capable, I shall endeavor to give it a candid and impartial answer.
Having resided both in slave and free States, I presume that I have
had as good an opportunity of forming a correct opinion on the subject
as most of others. It has long been my settled conviction, that the
condition of the slaves in the United States, would be in no respect
bettered by emancipation in their present condition, under existing
circumstances; supposing that they continue residents of the United
States. It is in my view, no longer problematical; for I consider it a
settled question, that their condition would in no respect be improved
by emancipation; but on the contrary, I contend, that the condition of
the free negroes in both the slave and free States, is far worse than
that of the Southern slave. I shall again appeal to historical
facts--past experience--and universal observation. Throughout the
slave States, ever since slavery has existed on this continent,