If a fugitive ſervant from a Pagan Maſter might not be delivered to his maſter but be kept in Iſrael for the good of his ſoule, how much leſs lawful is it to ſell away ſoules from under the light of the goſpel, into a condition, where theire ſoules will be utterly loſt, ſo far as appeareth unto man." Plymouth Colony Records, x. 451–2. Compare Mather's Magnalia, Book vii., 109 (753), concerning the neglect to proſelyte the Indians, etc.
There is nothing to ſhow that "the Council gave heed to the petition of Eliot," but a careful examination of the archives diſcloſed only a report of a Committee of the General Court, dated Nov. 5, 1675, and adopted by the Magiſtrates and Deputies the ſame day, by which ſeveral were to be ſent away.[1] MS. Letter.
In 1676, November 4th, it was ordered that whereas there is an Acte or order made by the Councell of War bearing date July, 1676, prohibiting any male
- ↑ Eliot appears alſo to have been the firſt in America to lift up his voice againſt the treatment which Negroes received in New England. Towards the end of his life, Cotton Mather ſtates, "He had long lamented it with a Bleeding and Burning Paſſion, that the Engliſh uſed their Negro's but as their Horſes or their Oxen, and that ſo little care was taken about tbeir immortal Souls; he look'd upon it as a Prodigy, that any wearring the Name of Chriſtians ſhould ſo much have the Heart of Devils in them, as to prevent and hinder the Inſtruction of the poor Blackamores, and confine the ſouls of their miſerable Slaves to a Deſtroying Ignorance, meerly for fear of thereby loſing the Benefit of their Vaſſalage; but now he made a motion to the Engliſh within two or three Miles of him, that at ſuch a time and Place they would ſend their Negro's once a week to him: For he would then Catechise them, and Enlighten them, to the utmoſt of his Power in the Things of their Everlaſting Peace; however, he did not live to make much Progreſs in this Undertaking." Mather's Magnalia, Book iii., 207 (325). Compare also p. 209 (327).
