You are also to observe, that servants imported, even under this favourable description, are rarely permitted to set their feet on shore, until they have absolutely formed their respective engagements. As soon as the ship is stationed in her birth, planters, mechanics, and others, repair on board ; the adventurers of both sexes are exposed to view, and very few are happy enough to make their own stipulations, some very extraordinary qualifications being absolutely requisite to obtain this distinction ; and even when this is obtained, the advantages are by no means equivalent to their sanguine expectations. The residue, stung with disappointment and vexation, meet with horror the moment which dooms them, under an appearance of equity, to a limited term of slavery. Character is of little importance ; their abilities not being found of a superior nature, they are sold as soon as their term of election is expired, apparel and provision being their only compensation ; till, on the expiration of five tedious laborious years, they are restored to a dearly purchased freedom.
William Eddis, Letters from America (London, 1792), 63-75 passim.
108. "Desire of Importing Palatines" (1774)
Washington was perhaps the richest and most business-like of the southern planters. The system of importing foreigners, who were not allowed to leave the vessel till some employer had paid their passage, continued till about 1820.— Bibliography of Washington, No. 195 below. — On Germans in America, see Contemporaries, I, No. 163.
MR. Young, hearing me express a desire of importing Palatines to settle on my lands on the Ohio, tells me, that, in discoursing of this matter in your company, you suggested an expedient, which might probably be attended with success ; and that if I inclined to adopt it, you wished to be informed before the sailing of your ship.
The desire of seating and improving my lands on the Ohio, is founded on interested as well as political views. But the intention of importing Palatines for the purpose was more the effect of sudden thought, than mature consideration, because I am totally unacquainted with the manner, as well as the expense of doing it ; and I was led into the notion principally from a report of either this or some other ship of yours being blamed, for not taking an offered freight of these Germans at forty shil-
