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it does not correct, but multiply faults; that it often makes one who was good become bad; and that inſtead of ſucceeding as an example, it has a contrary effect, and will ultimately drive the idle to villainy, and the feeling to deſpair.
I would propoſe that no ſlave ſhould receive more than the legal ſufferance of nine and thirty lathes, (if the whip be thought indiſpenſably neceſſary, but I would recommend the ſubſtitution of ſome other puniſhment[1]) unleſs it be in the preſence of the doctor,
(who
- ↑ I am ſorry to obſerve, that punishments in Jamica are often inflicted upon the bodies of the negroes without diſcretion, and very frequently rather to gratify revenge than for the ſake of example. An overſeer who is addicted to drink, will not make any diſcrimination in the abſence of reaſon between the generally laborious, and accidentally idle; and there are drivers upon ſome plantations, who will ſleep over the work of the negroes committed to their charge, when the white people are abſent, but who will uſe the whip without neceſſity ſo ſoon as one ſhall appear in ſight. I am willing to believe that it is ſometimes meant as a warning: but why make a mocking of puniſhment, or ſuffer that to be conſidered as ſport to an able nego, that intimidates, and conſequently becomes pain to thoſe who are ſick and weakly? I am convinced that cuſtom and bad example have a fatal influence upon the conduct of the generality of white people in Jamica, many of whom imagine that the appearance of diſcipline is a ſpur to labour, and that negroes will
not
