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of deſpair, than ſurvive the apprehenſions of an impending fate.
I would here, with deference, propoſe, that the ſales be in future private; that few be expoſed to purchaſe in a lot, that families and connections be particularly attended to, and ſold to the ſame maſter, or if that cannot be, as near as poſſible to the ſame neighbourhood.[1] Such tenderneſs would be a preſent conſolation to the dejected ſlaves, give a pleaſing confidence in the juſtice and humanity of the maſter, reconcile them to their labour for his intereſt, and prove a ſource to the purchaſer of future emolument. I am convinced that many of theſe neglected creatures have given themſelves up to ſorrow and deſpair, for no other reaſon than a ſeparation from their old attachments; and what makes me more inclinable to this belief is, the conſtant predilection they have upon all
- ↑ That private ſales will better anſwer the purport of profit and humanity, I have not a doubt, for the ſame or more eagerneſs will attend the purchaſe of a lot of five, than will be obſerved in one of fifty: relations and attachments may be thence conſidered; and he who cannot realize two families (if families be ſet apart) may be at leaſt able, in conjunction with a neighbour, to purchaſe one.
