Page:A memoir of Granville Sharp.djvu/50

46 and who has left us an example, that we should "follow his steps." How different—blessed be the Lord forever! are the more than seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to Baal, the christians, indeed; the philanthropists, not the white color idolaters of the United States. Not the amalgamators, who by cherishing or exercising slavery, are supporting in the slave states, almost universal amalgamation, by incest, adultery and fornication; but the friends of rightful liberty, who would have the whole land, without respect of persons, immediately and thoroughly delivered (through the slave-masters, themselves, then no longer slave-masters, enacting just and benignant laws) from the atrocious system of forced servitude, which, leaving the wretched female slave, no choice or refuge, is filling the land with all these abominations.

Between 1798 and 1800, much and dangerous discontent was increasingly fomented amongst the Nova Scotian settlers, by a few evil minds, and in the latter end of September, 1800, it had reached a portentous height, when it was suddenly arrested by one of those gracious providences of God, which strike with gratitude, even man's dull heart. A large ship suddenly appeared in the bay—on board of her, were 550 Maroons, exiled from Jamaica, together with 45 soldiers under two officers. These, at once, took the side of the government, and the malcontents, after a shew of resistance, and after having two men killed, submitted. The Maroons were settled in Granvilletown, in November, 1800. They built it up with neatness, and began to cultivate their land with spirit. Native free laborers worked for hire amongst them with alacrity. The government and protection of the settlement, was assumed on 1st Jan., 1808, by the King, with parliamentary sanction, in consequence of a petition to that purpose from the Company; and the Directors retired from power, rejoicing in the extent to which they had vindicated the African character, from the slander of its oppressors, and the European character from the stain of its crimes. They exulted also, in the hope, that they had contributed materially to sweep the slave trade from the African coast. But in