“Letter to an English Abolitionist,” John Henry Hammond, 1845

James Henry Hammond wrote a letter to an English Abolitionist in 1845 to explain their side of the story (why there must be slaves).  He starts out saying that all over the world a man can hold property over another man; persuading the reader to feel empathetic to the cause of having slavery. Hammond writes how justice is just a fairy tale and how the world is made for man. He persuades the readers very well how slavery is just part of life, just like poverty, disease, and deformity. In comparing these things, Hammond depicts an idea that slavery is a way of nature. How it can’t be controlled or nothing can stop it. Poverty is clearly shown in different parts of the world. Once someone obtained a disease it would mean death, because medicine was at its infancy. Deformity was inevitable and can’t be cured. By comparing these things, Hammond clearly paints an idea to the reader (abolitionist) that slavery is beyond a man’s control. Slavery is natural way of living life that we just must accept it. It is beyond people’s control.

Hammond shows how he is a religious man. He states that, “Let us open these Holy Scriptures… purchase ‘bondmen forever’…” (Hammond, 1845).  He gives us a radical example how the word of God states how it is ok to have a slave. The ten commandment states that “You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's”. He makes a strong point on how it is a natural way to have a slave that it is just like having a pet. By making a biblical analogy, this shows how people in the 1800’s are very religious and anything is in the will of God shouldn’t be questioned.  Hammond states that, “American Slavery is not only not a sin, but especially commanded by God through Moses, and approved by Christ through the apostles…” (Hammond, 1845). Hammond justifies his reasoning why slaves are the will of god, so that people would not object to the notion.  It is sacrilegious to go against the will of god. In 1800’s people followed the bible on how they would conduct and tackle their everyday obstacles so the people should have slaves.

Hammond goes and belittles Jefferson’s dogma on “all men are born equal”. Men are needed to establish societies. There will always be someone above a person so slaves are a must to work for the person above. It is necessary to have slaves to do the hard labor. He goes on to compare poverty and ignorant to slave, how it is not look down upon but a part of life and society. If a slave becomes a free man it is more expensive to pay their wage and it could hurt the economy especially them. Hammond wants to self-preserve his wealth and keep making money. Slaves pick, plant cotton, cook, clean the farm, etc. Without them, slave-owner’s business would diminish, because no one would work for them for free.

Hammond states that slave-owners don’t like to punish and assert control over the slaves. But the abolitionist forced them. The abolitionists are giving power to slaves to disobey their master by slowly abolishing slavery and making it illegal. This shows how Hammond is threatening the abolitionist to stop freeing and fighting for the slaves. He tells in the letter how he can punish and punish the slaves, until they know who the master is. He will not stop until, the abolitionist stop harassing them. Hammond makes a good example by stating that in Great Britain, their poor working class is being abused more than slaves, and that American slaves should be grateful. Hammond tries to justify and make him look the “good guy”. Great Britain workers are barely eating and work to death; while American slaves in Hammond’s point of view are treated very well.

Hammond makes a strong argument and justifies how slaves are important in society. He appeals to the reader by stating that it is God’s will. Hammond’s tone is overly zealous for slavery and makes good examples and analogies. The historical significance/relevance of this document is that it gives us an idea of what the slave-owners are fighting for. It gives the reader, the reason why majority of the people in the South are willing to die to have slaves. We always hear the good side of the story and morality that we never have a chance to hear the opposing side. We see the side of one slave-owner, how his action is morally justified by him and gets angry when his right is being taken away (the right to have a slave). I believe this document is a catalyst for the Civil War, because this shows that the slave-owners will not go down without a fight. And, the Abolitionist sees that.

I find the author’s argument very convincing. If I had a clean-slate and did not know what is right or wrong, then I would agree with Hammond. His document is well written and makes strong points on how slavery is a must and how a man has the right to own a slave. But it is immorally wrong to own someone. I find it childish how he tries to compare poverty in Great Britain, and American slavery. Hammond tries to justify his actions by comparing it another immoral action. Of course, the reader would be more empathetic to him, because slavery isn’t that bad compared to the work condition in Great Britain. But the reader must have to think with a critical mind to see how he tries to make him look like a good guy. I disagree with his argument, because I believe in Thomas Jefferson’s dogma, that “all men are created equal”. No one has the right to own, whip and abuse, punish someone. But it still baffles me how, the Tenth Commandment would state how it is ok to have slave, but just don’t covet your neighbor’s slave… What do you think?

Text Analysis: The Declaration of Sentiments, Seneca Falls Convention, July 1848

Elizabeth Cady Stanton was an abolitionist and leading figure of the early women’s rights movement. Elizabeth Stanton and Lucretia Mott led the first national woman’s rights convention in the United States. They wrote the Declaration of Sentiments to “demand civil liberties for women and to right the wrongs of society” (Johnson 386). This inspired many women to challenge the barriers that limited their opportunities, because for the first time in history, they are not afraid to speak up. For this reason, the Declaration of Sentiments, Seneca Falls Convention, 1848 is the beginning of the modern women’s rights movement. Having achieved Independence from Great Britain did not warrant equality for everyone especially woman and blacks. Stanton is furious about the inequality and abuse that is done to the woman and black stating that, “The general discontent I felt with women’s portion as wife… some active measure should be taken to right the wrongs of society in general, and of women in particular” (Johnson 386).

On the first paragraph, Stanton angrily states that they should be given rights because they are all created equal. God did not create one person to rule over another person; may it be woman, man or black. Stanton does not distant herself from the blacks and slaves; she sees herself as one of them. The word use of “God,” shows that she is a religious person, and believes in a higher power than just the government and men.  Stanton believes that everyone has inalienable rights: “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”. Government is built to protect these rights, and when they fail, the oppressed must stand up. Stanton gives a reason why there is Declaration of Sentiments. She feels that the government has failed to give the inalienable rights so she led three hundred reformers to undo the wrong that is done. Stanton feels that the government is despotize by men and men alone, and that women have no voice, no opinion, and no worth. Using the description, “tyranny over her,” Stanton paints an image in the reader’s mind that men are abusive and suppress women from their potential. Women feel like they are slaves, and owned because they have no freedom.

Stanton lists her Sentiments just like the Declaration of Independence in hopes that women can be freed and gain independence from men; just like how the thirteen colonies were free from the rule of Great Britain. Stanton list the Sentiments in a bullet form style and starts it with, “He” to express how badly they are oppressed. She goes on listing all the things that are immorally wrong and she pleads to the people and government that they need to have equal rights and privileges which their human rights.

The historical significant of this document is that this is the very first time that women gathered to organized a revolution for their independence. Despite of the criticism that women received, because of this document women were making strides for their independence. The struggle to gain independence and to be equal with men is now a formal, official, organized movement. Women met more to discuss women’s right and many national women’s rights organizations were built. Another meeting was held after Seneca Falls Convention which had a larger audience. This document is a catalyst in starting the fight for independence for women.

I find that the author’s argument is very convincing. It is morally wrong to oppress, belittle, and strip women with their rights. It is ironic how the thirteenth colonies fought for their independence and gained it; but then again became “Great Britain” in the face of women and black. People are all created equal and we all have equal rights.