With him Devils and Dissenters are terms synonymous. what a Devil must he be !" ib.

If so,

"The sole merit of the disappointed Orlando Furioso," (how pretty and quaint that is!) "is seeking to enkindle a flame of ecclesiastical and civil discord." No: to put it out; which, I bless God, is done already to a great degree. "And his sole perfection consists in perfect hatred of all goodness, and all good men," p. 31.

6. Now let all the world judge between Mr. H: and me. I do not say, all the religious world; but all that have the smallest portion of common sense and common. humanity. Setting every thing else aside, suppose him to be my superior in rank, fortune, learning, and understanding is this treatment for a young man to give to an old one, who, at least, is no fool, and who, before Mr. H. was born, was in a more honourable employ then he is ever likely to be? What can inspire this young hero with such a spirit, and fill his mouth with such language? Is it any credit to his person, or to his cause? What can men think, either of one or the other? If he does not reverence me, or common decency, should he not reverence himself? Why should he place himself on a level with "the ragged legion of tinkers, scavengers, draymen, chimney-sweepers ?" Nay, there are many of these, who would be ashamed to let such language come out of their mouth. If he writes any more, let him resume the scholar, the gentleman, and the Christian. Let him remember Him, who left us an example, that we might tread in his steps: in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves, peradventure God may bring them to the knowledge of the truth.

LONDON, June 28, 1777.

THOUGHTS ON SLAVERY.

1. BY Slavery, I mean Domestic Slavery, or that of a servant to a master. A late ingenious writer well observes, "The variety of forms in which slavery appears, makes it almost impossible to convey a just notion of it, by way of definition. There are, however, certain properties, which have accompanied slavery in most places, whereby it is easily distinguished from that mild domestic service, which obtains in our country."*

2. Slavery imports an obligation of perpetual service, an obligation which only the consent of the master can dissolve. Neither, in some countries, can the master himself dissolve it, without the consent of judges appointed by the law. It generally gives the master an arbitrary power, of any correction not affecting life or limb, Sometimes, even these are exposed to his will; or protected only by a fine, or some slight punishment, too inconsiderable to restrain a mnaster of a harsh temper. It creates an incapacity of acquiring any

*See Mr. Hargrave's Plea for Somerset the Negro. VOL. 10.-S s

thing, except for the master's benefit. It allows the master to aleniate the slave, in the same manner as his cows and horses. Lastly, it descends, in its full extent, from parent to child, even to the last generation.

3. The beginning of this may be dated from the remotest period, of which we have an account in history. It commenced in the barbarous state of society, and, in process of time, spread into all nations. It prevailed particularly among the Jews, the Greeks, the Romans, and the ancient Germans: and was transmitted by them to the various kingdoms and states, which arose out of the Roman empire. But, after Christianity prevailed, it gradually declined in almost all parts of Europe. This great change began in Spain, about the end of the eighth century; and was become general, in most other kingdoms of Europe, before the middle of the fourteenth.

4. From this time, slavery was nearly extinct, till the commencement of the sixteenth century; when the discovery of America, and of the western and eastern coasts of Africa, gave occasion to the revival of it. It took its rise from the Portuguese, who, to supply the Spaniards with men, to cultivate their new possessions in America, procured Negroes from Africa, whom they sold for slaves to the American Spaniards. This began in the year 1508, when they imported the first Negroes into Hispaniola. In 1540, Charles the Fifth, then king of Spain, determined to put an end to Negroslavery; giving positive orders, That all the Negro-slaves in the Spanish dominions should be set free. And this was accordingly done, by Lagascar, whom he sent and empowered to free them all, on condition of continuing to labour for their masters. But soon after Lagascar returned to Spain, slavery returned and flourished as before. Afterwards other nations, as they acquired possessions in America, followed the examples of the Spaniards; and slavery has taken deep root in most of our American colonies.

II. Such is the nature of slavery; such the beginning of Negroslavery in America. But some may desire to know, what country it is from which the Negroes are brought? What sort of men, of what temper and behaviour, are they in their own country? And, in what manner they are generally procured, carried to, and treated in America?

1. And, first, What kind of country is that from whence they are brought? Is it so remarkably horrid, dreary, and barren, that it is a kindness to deliver them out of it! I believe many have apprehended so but it is an entire mistake, if we may give credit to those who have lived many years therein, and could have no motive to misrepresent it.

2. That part of Africa whence the Negroes are brought, commonly known by the name of Guinea, extends along the coast, in the whole, between three and four thousand miles. From the river Senegal, (seventeen degrees north of the Line,) to Cape Sierra Leone, it contains seven hundred miles. Thence it runs eastward about fifteen hundred miles, including the Grain-coast, the Ivory

coast, the Gold-coast, and the Slave-coast, with the large kingdom of Benin. From thence it runs southward about twelve hundred miles, and contains the kingdoms of Congo and Angola.

3. Concerning the first, the Senegal coast, Mons. Bene, who lived there sixteen years, after describing its fruitfulness near the sea, says, "The farther you go from the sea, the more fruitful and well-improved is the country, abounding in pulse, Indian corn, and various fruits. Here are vast meadows, which feed large herds of great and small cattle. And the villages, which lie thick, show the country is well peopled." And again: "I was surprised to see the land so well cultivated; scarce a spot lay unimproved: the low lands, divided by small canals, were all sowed with rice; the higher grounds were planted with Indian corn, and peas of different sorts. Their beef is excellent; poultry plenty, and very cheap, as are all the necessaries of life."

4. As to the Grain and Ivory-coasts, we learn from eye-witnesses, that the soil is in general fertile, producing abundance of rice and roots. Indigo and cotton thrive without cultivation. Fish is in great plenty; the flocks and herds are numerous, and the trees loaden with fruit.

5. The Gold-coast and Slave-coast, all who have seen it, agree, is exceeding fruitful and pleasant, producing vast quantities of rice and other grain, plenty of fruit and roots, palm-wine and oil, and fish in great abundance, with much tame and wild cattle. The very same account is given us of the soil and produce of the kingdoms of Benin, Congo, and Angola. From which it appears, that Guinea, in general, is far from a horrid, dreary, barren country; is one of the most fruitful, as well as the most pleasant countries, in the known world It is said, indeed, to be unhealthy: and so it is to strangers; but perfectly healthy to the native inhabitants.

6. Such is the country from which the Negroes are brought. We come next to inquire, What sort of men they are, of what temper and behaviour, not in our plantations, but in their native country. And here, likewise, the surest way is, to take our account from eye and ear-witnesses. Now those who have lived in the Senegal country, observe, it is inhabited by three nations, the Jalofs, Fulis, and Mandingos. The king of the Jalofs has under him several ministers, who assist in the exercise of justice; the chief justice goes in circuit through all his dominions, to hear complaints, and determine controversies. And the viceroy goes with him, to inspect the behaviour of the alkadi, or governor of each village. The Fulis are governed by their chief men, who rule with much moderation. Few of them will drink any thing stronger than water, being strict Mahometans. The government is easy, because the people are of a quiet and good disposition; and so well instructed in what is right, that a man who wrongs another is the abomination of all. They desire no more land than they use, which they cultivate with great care and industry: if any of them are known to be made slaves by the white men, they all join to redeem them. They not only sup

port all that are old, or blind, or lame, among themselves; but have frequently supplied the necessities of the Mandingos, when they were distressed by famine.

7. The Mandingos, says Mons. Brue, are right Mahometans, drinking neither wine nor brandy. They are industrious and laborious, keeping their ground well cultivated, and breeding a good stock of cattle. Every town has à governor, and he appoints the labour of the people. The men work the ground designed for corn; the women and girls, the rice-grounds. He afterwards divides the corn and rice among them; and decides all quarrels, if any arise. All the Mahometan Negroes constantly go to public prayers thrice a day; there being a priest in every village, who regularly calls them together and it is surprising to see the modesty, attention, and reverence, which they observe during their worship. These three nations practise several trades; they have smiths, sadlers, potters, and weavers. And they are very ingenious at their several occupations. Their smiths not only make all the instruments of iron which they have occasion to use, but likewise work many things neatly in gold and silver. It is chiefly the women and children who weave fine cotton cloth, which they dye blue and black.

8. It was of these parts of Guinea, that Mons. Adanson, Correspondent of the Royal Academy of Sciences at Paris, from 1749 to 1753, gives the following account, both as to the country and people: "Which way soever I turned my eyes, I beheld a perfect image of pure nature: an agreeable solitude, bounded on every side by a charming landscape; the rural situation of cottages, in the midst of trees; the ease and quietness of the Negroes, reclined under the shade of the spreading foliage, with the simplicity of their dress and manners: the whole revived in my mind the idea of our first parents, and I seemed to contemplate the world in its primitive state. They are, generally speaking, very good-natured, sociable, and obliging. I was not a little pleased with my first reception; and it fully convinced me, that there ought to be a considerable abatement made, in the accounts we have of the savage character of the Africans.” He adds, "It is amazing that an illiterate people should reason so pertinently concerning the heavenly bodies. There is no doubt but that, with proper instruments, they would become excellent astrono

mers."

9. The inhabitants of the Grain and Ivory-coasts, are represented, by those that deal with them, as sensible, courteous, and the fairest traders on the coasts of Guinea. They rarely drink to excess: if any do, they are severely punished by the king's order. They are seldom troubled with war: if a difference happen between two nations, they commonly end the dispute amicably.

10. The inhabitants of the Gold and Slave-coasts likewise, when they are not artfully incensed against each other, live in great union and friendship, being generally well tempered, civil, tractable, and ready to help any that need it. In particular, the natives of the kingdom of Whidab, are civil, kind, and obliging to strangers. And

they are the most gentleman-like of all the Negroes, abounding in good manners toward each other. The inferiors pay the utmost respect to their superiors: so wives to their husbands, children to their parents. And they are remarkably industrious; all are constantly employed; the men in agriculture, the women in spinning and weaving cotton.

11. The Gold and Slave-coasts are divided into several districts, some governed by kings, others by the principal men, who take care each of their own town or village, and prevent or appease tumults. They punish murder and adultery severely; very frequently with death. Theft and robbery are punished by a fine proportionable to the goods that were taken. (All the natives of this coast, though heathens, believe there is one God, the Author of them and all things. They appear, likewise, to have a confused apprehension of a future state. And, accordingly, every town and village has a place of public worship. It is remarkable, that they have no beggars among them; such is the care of the chief men, in every city and village, to provide some easy labour, even for the old and weak. Some are employed in blowing the smith's bellows; others in pressing palmoil; others in grinding of colours. If they are too weak even for this, they sell provisions in the market.

12. The natives of the kingdom of Benin, are a reasonable and good-natured people. They are sincere and inoffensive, and do no injustice either to one another or to strangers. They are eminently civil and courteous: if you make them a present, they endeavour to repay it double. And if they are trusted till the ship returns the next year, they are sure bonestly to pay the whole debt. Theft is punished among them, although not with the same severity as murder. If a man and woman, of any quality, are taken in adultery, they are certain to be put to death, and their bodies thrown on a dunghill, and left a prey to wild beasts. They are punctually just and honest in their dealings; and are also very charitable: the king and the great lords taking care to employ all that are capable of any work. And those that are utterly helpless they keep for God's sake; so that here also are no beggars. The inhabitants of Congo and Angola are generally a quiet people They discover a good understanding, and behave in a friendly manner to strangers, being of a mild temper, and an affable carriage. Upon the whole, therefore, the Negroes who inhabit the coast of Africa, from the river Senegal to the southern bounds of Angola, are so far from being the stupid, senseless, brutish, lazy barbarians, the fierce, cruel, perfidious savages they have been described, that, on the contrary, they are represented, by those who have no motive to flatter them, as remarkably sensible, considering the few advantages they have for improving their understanding: as industrious to the highest degree, perhaps more so than any other natives of so warm a climate; as fair, just, and honest, in all their dealings, unless where white men have taught them to be otherwise and as far more mild, friendly, and kind to strangers, than any of our forefathers were. Our forefathers!