NORTH CAROLINA 151 



them, and certainly it may not, is to be explained solely 

 on the ground of the great and intentional neglect of 

 the education of their children ; and the disposition to 

 indolence, thievery, and untruth laid to their charge is 

 the inevitable consequence of slavery. They are let 

 grow up like other cattle, and taught no rule but the 

 will of their master, have no motive to action other 

 than the whip. It is said that the negro is by nature 

 trifling, and can be accustomed to work only by com- 

 pulsion and rigid oversight, and hence, if left to him- 

 self, would be nothing but a useless member of the 

 community and a burden therein. It is very likely that 

 the African, blessed at home by kind Nature with 

 almost everything he needs for his support, has 

 brought with him thence no great inclination for 

 severe and painfully continuous labor ; but no good 

 reason can be given why the negro, forcibly trans- 

 ferred to America, should do zealously and with pleas- 

 ure what the American planter himself does not like 

 to do why the one, in the sweat of his brow and on 

 very scant rations, should till the fields so that the 

 other may spend his days in peace and good-living. 

 " Were I to defend the rights of Europeans to make 

 " the negroes their slaves, says Montesquieu, I could 

 give only these reasons: The Europeans, having 

 driven out and exterminated the native Americans, are 

 " compelled to bring the Africans under the yoke in 

 " order to till such great tracts of land. Sugar, indigo, 

 " rice, &c. would be too dear if produced otherwise than 

 " by bondmen. These creatures are so black and their 

 " noses are so flat, it is impossible to compassionate 

 " them. It is difficult of belief that a wise and good 

 " Creator should have placed a soul, much less a 





