being new free, while a. portion of America is unhappily under the curse of slavery, is owing to nothing what-
inappropriate, then, the praise bestowed by Cowper on his native country, in the lines which follow those just quoted:
'That's noble and bespeaks a nation proud
And jealous of the blessing."
Plea, Conversation VII.
In view of these facts, too, any taunts or reproaches against America on the subject of slavery, — as Mr. Freeman justly remarks, "come with a peculiarly ill grace" from England.
We occasionally see in English journals, and in the books of British travelers in America, extracts from Southern newspapers, containing advertisements for the recovery of runaway slaves; and these are commented on in terms of astonishment and indignation. But let such writers peruse the following advertisements, selected from old English newspapers, published while slavery existed in England itself: —
"A black boy, about 15 years of age, named John White, ran away from Colonel Kirke, the 15th inst.; he has a silver collar about his neck, upon which is the Colonel's coat of arms and cypher; he has upon his throat a great scar. Whosoever brings the aforesaid boy to Colonel Kirke's house near the Privy Garden, will be rewarded. — London Gazette. March, 1665."
"To be sold, a negro boy, about 14 years old, warranted free from any distemper, and has had those fatal to that color; has been used two years to all kinds of household work, and to wait at table; his price is £25, and would not be sold, but the person he belongs to is leaving off business. Apply to the bar of the George Coffee House in Chancery Lane, over against the gate — London Advertiser, 1756."
These advertisements may be seen, re-published, as curiosities, in the Glasgow Herald of Sept. 17, 1856.
It was not till 1772 (just three years before the commencement of the American Revolutionary War) that, by a decision of the Court oi King's Bench, the sale of a negro in England was declared illegal. Now, Cowper's Task, in which is contained the often quoted British boast that "no slave can breathe in England, &c." was published in 1788, and thus was founded on a condition of things which had existed but thirteen years, and which had been brought about, not by any marked revolution in public opinion, nor established by any deliberate decision of the British Parliament, but simply by the construction of a court of law.
