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from morning to night[1] without the privilege of retiring from their work, or enjoying that interval of reſt from the ardours of the mid-day ſun, which other negroes expect invariably to enjoy. To oppreſs the weak with toil is impolitic and inhuman; but as labour in the Weſt Indies is not always apportioned to ſtrength, it cannot be wondered at, if exertions without power, and weakneſs without indulgence, ſo frequently fail.
To enter into a detail of the continued labour of a negro would be as tedious as ta trace the exertions of a hedge-man from morning to night; the firſt works with vacancy, the laſt with thought. So ſoon as the day ſhall cloſe, the one has not any thing to do but to prepare for ſupper, and for reſt. An omiſſion of his labour is not attended with a loſs of bread to himſelf, his wife, and children; a fit of ſickneſs is not followed by an expence, which the labour of ſeven days in
- ↑ Of this I have ſeen many inſtances; nay, I could mention ſome properties upon which the poor negroes were employed in cutting canes during the hours of common vacancy at noon; and who have been moreover obliged to labour on a Sunday. A practise as indencent as inhuman!
