Thomas Jefferson to George Tucker

Thomas Jefferson to George Tucker

Slavery

A letter from Thomas Jefferson to George Tucker on the future of African-Americans in America and the inevitability of racial conflict.

Thomas Jefferson

Founders Online: The Papers of Thomas Jefferson

Princeton: Princeton University Press

28, August, 1797

Malcolm Law

Founders Online

Letter

English

I have to acknolege the receipt of your two favors of the 2d. and 22d. inst. and to thank you for the pamphlet coveredby the former. You know my subscription to it’s doctrines, and as to the mode of emancipation, I am satisfied that thatmust be a matter of compromise between the passions the prejudices, and the real difficulties which will each have theirweight in that operation. Perhaps the first chapter of this history, which has begun in St. Domingo, and the nextsucceeding ones which will recount how all the whites were driven from all the other islands, may prepare our minds for apeaceable accomodation between justice, policy and necessity, and furnish an answer to the difficult question Whithershall the coloured emigrants go? And the sooner we put some plan under way, the greater hope there is that it may bepermitted to proceed peaceably to it’s ultimate effect. But if something is not done, and soon done, we shall be themurderers of our own children. The ‘Murmura, venturos nautis prodentia ventos’ has already reached us; therevolutionary storm now sweeping the globe will be upon us, and happy if we make timely provision to give it an easypassage over our land. From the present state of things in Europe and America the day which begins our combustion mustbe near at hand, and only a single spark is wanting to make that day tomorrow. If we had begun sooner, we mightprobably have been allowed a lengthier operation to clear ourselves, but every day’s delay lessens the time we may take foremancipation. Some people derive hope from the aid of the confederated states. But this is a delusion. There is but onestate in the Union which will aid us sincerely if an insurrection begins; and that one may perhaps have it’s own fire toquench at the same time.The facts stated in yours of the 22d. were not identically known to me, but others like them were. From the generalgovernment no interference need be expected. Even the merchant and navigator, the immediate sufferers, are preventedby various motives from wishing to be redressed. I see nothing but a state procedure which can vindicate us from theinsult. It is in the power of any single magistrate, or of the attorney for the Commonwealth to lay hold of the commandingofficer whenever he comes ashore for the breach of the peace, and to proceed against him by indictment. This is so plainan operation that no power can prevent it’s being carried through with effect, but the want of will in the officers of thestate. I think that the matter of finances, which has set the people of Europe to thinking, is now advanced to that pointwith us, that the next step, and it is an unavoidable one, a land tax, will awaken our constituents, and call for inspectioninto past proceedings.—I am with great esteem Dear Sir Your friend & servt

Letter