STUDY VII. 65 



over them. If the malediclion of a Father has 

 been able to extend fuch an influence over his 

 pofterity, the benediction of GOD, which, under 

 the Chriftian Rehgion, extends to them as well 

 as to us, re-eflabhllies them in all the liberty 

 of the law of Nature. The precept of Chriltianity 



their boundaries, they have permitted ftrangers to take poflef- 

 fion of all their coafts. For in ancient times, the Egyptians and 

 Phenicians fettled on their eaftern and northern fliores, which 

 are now in poffeffion of the Turks and Arabians. And for fome 

 ages paft, the Portugueze, the Englifli, the Danes, the Dutch, 

 and the French, have laid hold of what remained to the Eaft, 

 and to the South, and to the Wert, fimply for the purpofe of get- 

 ting flaves. 



It muft needs be, after all, that a particular Providence 

 fliould have preferved the patrimony of thefe children of Ca- 

 naan, from the avidity of their brethren, the children of Shem 

 and Japhet ; for it is aftonifliing, that perfons fuch as we are, 

 the fons of Japhet in particular, who, as bemg younger bro- 

 thers, were hunting after fortune all the world over, and who, 

 according to the benedic'lion of Noah, our Father, were to ex- 

 tend our lodging even into the tents of Shem, our elder bi-other, 

 fliould never have eflabliflied colonies, in a part of the world fo 

 beautiful as Africa is, fo near us, in which the fugar-cane, the 

 coffee plant, and mort of the productions of Afia and America 

 can grow, and, in a word, where flaves are the produce of the 

 foil. 



Politicians may afcribe the different charaflers of Negros 

 and Europeans to whatever caufes they pleafe. For my own 

 part, I fay it on the moft perfeél conviftion, that I know no 

 book, which contains monuments more authentic of the Hilîory 

 of Nations, and of that of Nature, than the Book of Genefis. 



which 



