Slavery in Maſſachuſetts.
75
and they ſhould be taken, and fold for ſlaves into Turkey. Now, what is this better done, than Turks do? Yea, rather it is worſe for them, which ſay they are Chrifſtians; for we hear that the moſt part of ſuch negers are brought hither againſt their will and conſent, and that many of them are ſtolen. Now, though they are black, we cannot conceive there is more liberty to have them ſlaves, as [than] it is to have other white ones. There is a ſaying, that we ſhould do to all men like as we will be done ourſelves; making no difference of what generation, deſcent, or colour they are. And thoſe who ſteal or rob men, and thoſe who buy or purchaſe them, are they not all alike? Here is liberty of conſcience, which is right and reaſonable; here ought to be likewiſe liberty of the body, except of evil-doers, which is another caſe. But to bring men hither, or to rob and ſell them againſt their will, we ſtand againſt. In Europe, there are many oppreſſed for conſcience-ſake; and here there are thoſe oppreſſed which are of a black colour. And we who know that men muſt not commit adultery—ſome do commit adultery in others, ſeparating wives from their huſbands, and giving them to others: and ſome ſell the children of theſe poor creatures to other men. Ah! do conſider well this thing, you who do it, if you would be done at this manner—and if it is done according to Chriſtianity! You ſurpaſs Holland and Germany in this thing. This makes an ill report in all thoſe countries of Europe, where they hear of [it,] that the Quakers do here handel men as they handel there the cattle. And for that reaſon ſome have no mind or inclination to come hither.
