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(who ſhould be made reſponſible for the exceſſes of infliction,) and even then the extent of ſeverity ſhould be directed by an attending magiſtrate. Upon many negroes ſhame will operate more powerfully than the laſh; and I do not ſee any reaſon why they ſhould be mortified when they demand our pity; on the contrary—they ſhould be encouraged to take ſome pride in integrity, and know how to value a confidence when repoſed in them: that numbers are radically honeſt, and worthy of truſt, I have the experience of near thirteen years to corroborate; and this poſition
not work unleſs rouſed by the ſound of the whip: how very neceſſary is it then, that people of this deſcription, and with ſuch ideas ſhould be ſhortened in authority, and that the reſponſibility of a plantation ſhould be entruſted only to thoſe who have conſiſtency of conduct: whoſe education will give a pride to feeling, enforce humanity by example, and thereby make the intereſt of their employer the line and rule of all their actions? That there are ſome of the firſt deſcription, who, in ſpite of the want of education, are ſenſible, induſtrious, and honeſt, I do not ſcruple to allow; and that I am acquainted with ſeveral of the laſt whom ſuſpicion may truſt, and in whom confidence repoſe, I have a pleaſure to confeſs; and I muſt conſequently obſerve that encouragement ſhould follow merit without the illiberal diſcriminations of name or climate: for if a planter be well ſerved, it is of little conſequence whether that ſervice be rendered by one who was born on the Southern, or Northern ſide of the river Tweed.
