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in the colour of the human ſkin, but who ⟨cannot⟩ diſcriminate what is black from white in the ⟨integral⟩ conduct of man to man. To take advantage ⟨of⟩ misfortune, in the time of public calamity and private affliction, and to raise a ſuperſtructure, however ſmall, upon the ruins of others; is what, alas has been too often justifed without chaſtiſement and enjoyed without ſhame: and if thoſe who are in authority over negroes, and to whom they are taught to look up for the theory as well the practice of integrity, ſhall ſet an example of worldly injuſtice, of rapacity and plunder-the negro who follows this infamous example, unconſcious of wrong, is neither a principal, nor an acceſſary, altho he may poſſibly be convicted of both; while the real delinquent, who grows rich from infamy, is ſuffered to eſcape without trial, and conſequently without a puniſhment. I muſt therefore from facts conclude, that a reformation in practical manners muſt begin with the white people in the colonies, before any inhumane inſtitutions for the relief of the ſlaves can either be carried into full, or even into partial effect; and this preliminary I ſhall hereafter endeavour to ſupport by corollaries drawn from fact and experience.
The congratulations of the morning that ſucceeded the dreadful viſitation which has been the ſubject of theſe pages, were ſuch as ſeemed the ſpontaneous effects of what the boſom felt from the relief of ſupereminent dangers: the ſad occaſion ſeemed to create new ideas in the mind, and to give pangs to feeling, of which the heart was before unconſcious. Many people thought that the day of final judgement was come; and felt it as it was then too late to reflect upon danger: for danger, which implies uncertainty, would then have been a appeaſing idea, inaſmuch a chance is a contraſt to
