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raiſed to the authority of drivers upon a plantation, will be more deſpotic and inhuman than the creoles are.
That new negroes, although they ſeem to be cheerful upon their arrival in the colonies, are apparently heavy in body and mind, is an obſervation that cannot be eaſily refuted.[1] That they have not the leaſt idea of perſonal delicacy, or ſhame, when that want of delicacy is expoſed, is too obvious to require an argument. The creoles are not from nature, but example, ſomewhat more decent, and a further refinement
- ↑ The African negroes when firſt imported ſeem not to have any moral feelings, the tenderneſs of ſentiment, or weight of thought. They are unfeeling in the plenitude of power, and ſavage in the cold revenge of ſpilling blood. They look upon ſudden or violent death in others with apathy, and will bear the approaches of their own, not only without dread, but with indifference. It is amazing to ſee how little they intereſt themſelves in the common occurrences of life, they do not foreſee the want of means, are careleſs of what may happen, and thoughtleſs of what they have; in ſhort their characters for many years after their arrival can hardly be defined by the moſt peſpicuous eye of thoſe by whom they are governed, ſo that for what we know they may be happy when ſilent, or dangerous when ſullen. The characters of creole negroes are widely different, and in many inſtances may ſerve as a faithful contraſt.
in
