THE following work, having been undertaken solely with the view of vindicating the South from the calumnies of the abolitionists, and of directing public attention to the origin and nature of Domestic Slavery, and to the facts connected with the question of Emancipation-it was considered advisable to present it to the public as early as possible. The very brief period allowed the author in preparing the volume for the press, necessarily precluded much attention to grace of style, or propriety of arrangement. He has sought to present the prominent features of this important subject to the attention of the public, in a plain, distinct, and intelligible manner. If he has succeeded-if he has aided, even in the slightest degree, in unmasking the evils and dangers of Emancipation, as now urged by the fanatics of the North-the writer has attained his sole object-and is content.