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The first negroes were imported into Virginia about the year 1621。 *f In America； therefore； as well as in the rest of the globe； slavery originated in the South。 Thence it spread from one settlement to another； but the number of slaves diminished towards the Northern States； and the negro population was always very limited in New England。 *g
＇Footnote f： See Beverley's 〃History of Virginia。〃 See also in Jefferson's 〃Memoirs〃 some curious details concerning the introduction of negroes into Virginia； and the first Act which prohibited the importation of them in 1778。＇
＇Footnote g： The number of slaves was less considerable in the North； but the advantages resulting from slavery were not more contested there than in the South。 In 1740； the Legislature of the State of New York declared that the direct importation of slaves ought to be encouraged as much as possible； and smuggling severely punished in order not to discourage the fair trader。 （Kent's 〃Commentaries；〃 vol。 ii。 p。 206。） Curious researches； by Belknap； upon slavery in New England； are to be found in the 〃Historical Collection of Massachusetts；〃 vol。 iv。 p。 193。 It appears that negroes were introduced there in 1630； but that the legislation and manners of the people were opposed to slavery from the first； see also； in the same work； the manner in which public opinion； and afterwards the laws； finally put an end to slavery。＇
A century had scarcely elapsed since the foundation of the colonies； when the attention of the planters was struck by the extraordinary fact； that the provinces which were comparatively destitute of slaves； increased in population； in wealth； and in prosperity more rapidly than those which contained the greatest number of negroes。 In the former； however； the inhabitants were obliged to cultivate the soil themselves； or by hired laborers； in the latter they were furnished with hands for which they paid no wages； yet although labor and expenses were on the one side； and ease with economy on the other； the former were in possession of the most advantageous system。 This consequence seemed to be the more difficult to explain； since the settlers； who all belonged to the same European race； had the same habits； the same civilization； the same laws； and their shades of difference were extremely slight。
Time； however； continued to advance； and the Anglo…Americans； spreading beyond the coasts of the Atlantic Ocean； penetrated farther and farther into the solitudes of the West； they met with a new soil and an unwonted climate； the obstacles which opposed them were of the most various character； their races intermingled； the inhabitants of the South went up towards the North； those of the North descended to the South； but in the midst of all these causes； the same result occurred at every step； and in general； the colonies in which there were no slaves became more populous and more rich than those in which slavery flourished。 The more progress was made； the more was it shown that slavery； which is so cruel to the slave； is prejudicial to the master。
Chapter XVIII： Future Condition Of Three Races … Part IV
But this truth was most satisfactorily demonstrated when civilization reached the banks of the Ohio。 The stream which the Indians had distinguished by the name of Ohio； or Beautiful River； waters one of the most magnificent valleys that has ever been made the abode of man。 Undulating lands extend upon both shores of the Ohio； whose soil affords inexhaustible treasures to the laborer； on either bank the air is wholesome and the climate mild； and each of them forms the extreme frontier of a vast State： That which follows the numerous windings of the Ohio upon the left is called Kentucky； that upon the right bears the name of the river。 These two States only differ in a single respect； Kentucky has admitted slavery； but the State of Ohio has prohibited the existence of slaves within its borders。 *h
＇Footnote h： Not only is slavery prohibited in Ohio； but no free negroes are allowed to enter the territory of that State； or to hold property in it。 See the Statutes of Ohio。＇
Thus the traveller who floats down the current of the Ohio to the spot where that river falls into the Mississippi； may be said to sail between liberty and servitude； and a transient inspection of the surrounding objects will convince him as to which of the two is most favorable to mankind。 Upon the left bank of the stream the population is rare； from time to time one descries a troop of slaves loitering in the half…desert fields； the primaeval forest recurs at every turn； society seems to be asleep； man to be idle； and nature alone offers a scene of activity and of life。 From the right bank； on the contrary； a confused hum is heard which proclaims the presence of industry； the fields are covered with abundant harvests； the elegance of the dwellings announces the taste and activity of the laborer； and man appears to be in the enjoyment of that wealth and contentment which is the reward of labor。 *i
＇Footnote i： The activity of Ohio is not confined to individuals； but the undertakings of the State are surprisingly great； a canal has been established between Lake Erie and the Ohio； by means of which the valley of the Mississippi communicates with the river of the North； and the European commodities which arrive at New York may be forwarded by water to New Orleans across five hundred leagues of continent。＇
The State of Kentucky was founded in 1775； the State of Ohio only twelve years later； but twelve years are more in America than half a century in Europe； and； at the present day； the population of Ohio exceeds that of Kentucky by two hundred and fifty thousand souls。 *j These opposite consequences of slavery and freedom may readily be understood； and they suffice to explain many of the differences which we remark between the civilization of antiquity and that of our own time。
＇Footnote j： The exact numbers given by the census of 1830 were： Kentucky； 688；…844； Ohio； 937；679。 ＇In 1890 the population of Ohio was 3；672；316； that of Kentucky； 1；858；635。＇＇
Upon the left bank of the Ohio labor is confounded with the idea of slavery； upon the right bank it is identified with that of prosperity and improvement； on the one side it is degraded； on the other it is honored； on the former territory no white laborers can be found； for they would be afraid of assimilating themselves to the negroes； on the latter no one is idle； for the white population extends its activity and its intelligence to every kind of employment。 Thus the men whose task it is to cultivate the rich soil of Kentucky are ignorant and lukewarm； whilst those who are active and enlightened either do nothing or pass over into the State of Ohio； where they may work without dishonor。
It is true that in Kentucky the planters are not obliged to pay wages to the slaves whom they employ； but they derive small profits from their labor； whilst the wages paid to free workmen would be returned with interest in the value of their services。 The free workman is paid； but he does his work quicker than the slave； and rapidity of execution is one of the great elements of economy。 The white sells his servic