A Letter from the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield, to the Inhabitants of Maryland, Virginia, North and South-Carolina

A Letter from the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield, to the Inhabitants of Maryland, Virginia, North and South-Carolina

Slave holders -- Southern States

Slavery -- Southern States

Slaves -- Religious life -- Southern States

Southern States -- Religious life and customs

In this open letter to the inhabitants of Maryland, Virginia and the Carolinas, George Whitefield criticizes the slave owners for their mistreatment of slaves within those colonies. Whitefield notes that slave masters tend to treat their animals better than their slaves. He writes "my blood has frequently almost run cold within me, to consider how many of your Slaves had neither convenient Food to eat or proper Raiment to put on, notwithstanding most of the Comforts you enjoy were solely owing to their indefatigable Labours." Whitefield believes the prayers of the slaves will be heard and "The blood of them spilt for these many Years in your respective Provinces, will ascend up to Heaven against you." Whitefield's main concern, however, is for the souls of the enslaved. He believes the slave owners purposely keep their slaves ignorant of Christianity, a crime far worse than the physical degradation the slaves are made to endure. The controversy created by this letter led some to blame Whitefield for the Stono Uprising of 1739.

Whitefield, George, 1714-1770.

Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790, printer.

Special Collections, John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

1740

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