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at any tribunal, for crimes that may affect his character, or life: but where the delinquent does not obſerve a ſolemnity in the judge, he loſes a reſpect for his office; and hears the ſentence that conſigns him to the grave without horror, without ſhame. Two magiſtrates, and three free-holders, from whoſe deciſion there lies not an appeal, can ſentence to death. This cuſtom ſhould be aboliſhed—they ſhould be tried by the ſame laws, the ſame judges, the ſame jury, as ourſelves; and the Godlike privilege of majeſty to reſpite, or forgive a ſlave, as well as the delinquent who is free, ſhould be tranſmitted, with double recommendations of mercy, to his repreſentatives in the Iſland; that the poor negro may go with confidence to his trial, be aſſured that the fountain of law is his protector; and that compaſſion will be the miniſter of death.[1]
Thoſe who are ſo laudably anxious for the cultivation of the negroes minds, and ſo deſirous that they ſhould be inſtructed in the
- ↑ A negro is often condemned in one hour, and receives execution in the next.
