Page:Remarks upon the Situation of Negroes in Jamaica.pdf/95

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fears, are univerſally baptized,[1] and treated as Chriſtians; are inſtructed in, and obtain a decent knowledge of religions obſervances, are conſequently more obedient, more quiet, more attached, and more happy, than ours; why ſhould not the ſame practice upon the ſame colour be introduced, encouraged, and ſupported in our iſlands? Many indulgences, many recreations may be ſafely allowed them; but their amuſements ſhould be made to receive a new turn; they might be more frequent, but not ſo long protracted, and ſhould terminate at ſuch an hour, that they might have full time for their domeſtic occupations and reſt, and be able, without fatigue, or regret, to renew their daily toil. If every Saturday were indiſcriminately given to them, either to work in their grounds, or look for proviſions, that Sunday might be a day of reſt and inſtruction; I am apt to believe that the planter would ultimately, with more certainty preſerve his capital, and

  1. This obſervation I cannot ſupport from perſonal experience, not having been in any of the French iſlands, nor peruſed their Code Noire; but the practiſe of baptiſm, I have been told, is general in their colonies.
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