429 and 503.] So much progress in the improvement of slaves was effected with all of these workers in the field that conservative southerners in the midst of the antislavery agitation contented themselves with the thought that radical action was not necessary, as the institution would of itself soon pass away.

Legislatures passed laws facilitating manumission,[1] many southerners emancipated their slaves to give them a better chance to improve their condition, regulations unfavorable to the assembly of Negroes for the dissemination of information almost fell into desuetude, a larger number of masters began to instruct their bondmen, and persons especially interested in these unfortunates found the objects of their piety more accessible.[2] [Footnote 1: _Locke, Anti-slavery_, etc., p.

14.] [Footnote 2: Brissot de Warville, _New Travels_, vol.i., p.

220; Johann Schoepf, _Travels in the Confederation_, p.

149.] Not all slaveholders, however, were thus induced to respect this new right claimed for the colored people.