Many were the
excursions Clotelle made under the shadows of Mont Blanc, and with
her husband and father for companions; she was now in the
enjoyment of pleasures hitherto unknown.
CHAPTER XXXV
THE FATHER'S RESOLVE.
AWARE that her father was still a slave-owner, Clotelle determined
to use all her persuasive power to induce him to set them free,
and in this effort she found a substantial supporter in her
husband.
"I have always treated my slaves well," said Mr. Linwood to
Jerome, as the latter expressed his abhorrence of the system; "and
my neighbors, too, are generally good men; for slavery in.
Virginia is not like slavery in the other States," continued the
proud son of the Old Dominion.
"Their right to be free, Mr. Linwood," said Jerome, "is taken from
them, and they have no security for their comfort, but the
humanity and generosity of men, who have been trained to regard
them not as brethren, but as mere property. Humanity and
generosity are, at best, but poor guaranties for the protection of
those who cannot assert their rights, and over whom law throws no
protection."
It was with pleasure that Clotelle obtained from her father a
promise that he would liberate all his slaves on his return to
Richmond. In a beautiful little villa, situated in a pleasant
spot, fringed with hoary rocks and thick dark woods, within sight
of the deep blue waters of Lake Leman, Mr. Linwood, his daughter,
and her husband, took up their residence for a short time.
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