Page:A Dissuasion from the Slave Trade.djvu/43

This page has been validated.
[ 41 ]

although it is far from coming up to the real truth; for it is impossible my pen can represent in proper colours the hard usage they meet with. The sympathizing Reader must feel the rest, for I can assist him no farther. I believe there are but few that have not heard or read of the cruel treatment of those unhappy mortals. Indeed it is almost incredible that such cruelty should be practised in any of the British dominions.

I could have quoted a dozen Authors, setting forth the inhuman punishments inflicted upon the Africans; but that would have swelled my page. I hope this short, but true narrative, for great part of which I am much obliged to Mr. Benezet, will answer the same end of raising in every breast an utter detestation and abhorrence of the horrid customs and savage usage in the Islands and Colonies abovementioned, and I make no doubt but every one will clearly see, they do not to these Negroes as they would that they should do to them.

I think it is time to leave this part and go to the last, viz. That this base custom is likewise against the Charter of this Province; as is clearly and most simply demonstrated by a clause in said Charter, granted by King William and Queen Mary, datedat