( 67 )
caution is melancholy; it is more melancholy that it ſhould be deemed expedient.
Let us now ſuppoſe, for the ſake of argument, and adverting to the adopted idea of humanity, that a total ſuppreſſion of the ſlave trade, in conſequence of the petitions ſhall enſue. What will the negroes gain? What ſhall we not loſe? A reſtriction of our own trade will not be a reſtriction of that of other nations; if we forego the commerce of Africa, will the French, the Spaniſh, the Dutch, the Danes take up, and purſue our notions of benevolence? Would they be leſs rigorous, leſs cruel maſters, than the Engliſh? Where their management is better, their laws more favorable to the comfort, and preſervation of the ſlave, why not adopt them? Why not form a code of inſtitutes for their protection? Before this can anſwer, and be attended with full, or even partial ſucceſs, you muſt new model the manners, the tempers of the people, by whom they are governed;[1] a ſyſtem muſt
- ↑ But as this innovation cannot be introduced under any authority, and the abuſe of power reſtrained, or puniſhed by
