The Life, Studies, and Works of Benjamin West, Esq. | Page 3

married the mother of the Artist; and of the
worth and piety of his character we have a remarkable proof in the
following transactions, which, perhaps, reflect more real glory on his
family than the achievements of all his heroic ancestors.
As a part of the marriage portion of Mrs. West he received a negro
slave, whose diligence and fidelity very soon obtained his full
confidence. Being engaged in trade, he had occasion to make a voyage

in the West Indies, and left this young black to superintend the
plantation in his absence, During his residence in Barbadoes, his
feelings were greatly molested, and his principles shocked, by the
cruelties to which he saw the negroes subjected in that island; and the
debasing effects were forcibly contrasted in his mind with the morals
and intelligence of his own slave. Conversing on this subject with
Doctor Gammon, who was then at the head of the community of
Friends in Barbadoes, the Doctor convinced him that it was contrary to
the laws of God and Nature that any man should retain his
fellow-creatures in slavery. This conviction could not rest long inactive
in a character framed like that of Mr. West. On his return to America he
gave the negro his freedom, and retained him as a hired servant.
Not content with doing good himself, he endeavoured to make others
follow his example, and in a short time his arguments had such an
effect on his neighbours, that it was agreed to discuss publicly the
general question of Slavery. This was done accordingly; and, after
debating it at many meetings, it was resolved by a considerable
majority THAT IT WAS THE DUTY OF CHRISTIANS TO GIVE
FREEDOM TO THEIR SLAVES. The result of this discussion was
soon afterwards followed by a similar proposal to the head meeting of
the Quakers in the township of Goshen in Chester County; and the
cause of Humanity was again victorious. Finally, about the year 1753,
the same question was agitated in the annual general assembly at
Philadelphia, when it was ultimately established as one of the tenets of
the Quakers, that no person could remain a member of their community
who held a human creature in slavery. This transaction is perhaps the
first example in the history of communities, of a great public sacrifice
of individual interest, not originating from considerations of policy or
the exigences of public danger, but purely from moral and religious
principles.
The benevolent work of restoring their natural rights to the unfortunate
Negroes, did not rest even at this great pecuniary sacrifice. The Society
of Friends went farther, and established Schools for the education of
their children; and some of the first characters among themselves
volunteered to superintend the course of instruction.

In the autumn of 1738, Edmund Peckover, a celebrated Orator among
the Quakers, came to the neighbourhood of Springfield, and on the 28th
of September preached in a meeting-house erected by the father of Mrs.
West at the distance of about a mile and a half from his residence. Mrs.
West was then the mother of nine children, and far advanced in her
pregnancy with Benjamin.--Peckover possessed the most essential
qualities of an impressive speaker, and on this occasion the subject of
his address was of extraordinary interest to his auditors. He reviewed
the rise and progress of society in America, and with an enthusiastic
eloquence which partook of the sublimity and vehemence of the
prophetic spirit, he predicted the future greatness of the country. He
described the condition of the European nations, decrepid in their
institutions, and corrupt in their morality, and contrasted them with the
young and flourishing establishments of the New World. He held up to
their abhorrence the licentious manners and atheistical principles of the
French, among whom God was disregarded or forgotten; and, elevated
by the importance of his subject, he described the Almighty as
mustering his wrath to descend on that nation, and disperse it as chaff
in a whirlwind. He called on them to look towards their home of
England, and to see with what eager devotion the inhabitants worshiped
the golden image of Commerce, and laid the tribute of all their thoughts
on its altars; believing that with the power of the idol alone, they should
be able to withstand all calamities. "The day and the hour are, however,
hastening on, when the image shall be shaken from its pedestal by the
tempest of Jehovah's descending vengeance, its altars overturned, and
the worshipers terribly convinced that without the favour of the
Almighty God there is no wisdom in man! But," continued this
impassioned orator, "from the woes and the crimes of Europe let us
turn aside our eyes; let us turn from the worshipers of Commerce,
clinging round their idols of gold and