Page:Remarks upon the Situation of Negroes in Jamaica.pdf/67

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of Cortez: what better title have we, in the ſafety of navigation, and the ſubmiſſion of unprotected innocence, to our eaſtern poſſeſſions, than what they gained by fire and ſword upon the miſeries of Mexico? If Cromwell took Jamaica, and a conſequent policy either deſtroyed or exterminated the wretched inhabitants which the Spanards left; is this an excuſe for power, a vindication of injuſtice? If Great Britain be ſeriouſly bent upon humanity, let it enlarge the ſcale of benevolence, and take in, ſo far as her influence ſhall extend, all colours, and all conditions of men; and reform at home before it venture to make romantic trials of compaſſion abroad! Let it look into itſelf, into its own internal ſyſtem! Let it look into the ſituation of the peaſantry; let it look into the ſtate of the parochial, and canvaſs that of the extra-parochial poor; let it look into priſons where people for misfortunes only, or the treachery and villainy of men, are confined for life. In the preſent appeal to humanity, let its advocates only reflect how many wretches are daily ſent to bridewell and other houſes of correction, by the unfeeling man-

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