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be ſeverely puniſhed. If he be led into idleneſs, or neglect, or be taught to thieve by other negroes, (for example is contagious) let the ſeducer, and not the deluded, encounter chaſtiſement, in which the intent and not treſpaſs ſhould be conſidered; for if a negro be not able to provide himſelf with food, and there be plenty, unappropriated, upon the plantation, (of which I have known ſome, I may ſay many inſtances) it cannot be deemed criminal in him to take for ſelf-preſervation, what an inhuman overſeer might deny from humanity.
A new negro ſhould not be threatened with the whip, nor brought where puniſhments are inflicted: as many are reduced, from the chances of war, from independency to ſervitude, they will often feel their reverſe of condition with reſenment; or will brood over in ſilence, thoſe miſeries, which, as they cannot elude, they may treaſure up in their minds to be matured by future events.[1]
- ↑ The deſperation of a negro is more frequently turned upon himſelf, than upon him by whom he has been made deſperate.
