^']g7. extract: from Co«e^s- travels.' ^p 



It is at once the honour and interest of all in such cir- 

 cumstances to imitate such an example*. 



It would certainly be no/lishonour to our nobility and 

 .gentry, during the intervals of public businefs, to imitate 

 the example of this truly great and amiable prince. From 

 the above extract, it is evident that licentiousnefs is not 

 the necefsary effect of a transition from slavery to free- 

 ■dom. This depends on the manner in which the change 

 is effected. If slaves acquire their freedom by dint of 

 ■power, they naturally revenge themselves on those who 

 deprived them of that which they have a right to, — free- 

 dom. But if liberty is given to them voluntarily, by 

 those who might have continued their bondage, they, feel- 

 ing the happy effects of freedom, will look, up with vene- 

 ncration to their deliverer, will make his interest their's, 

 and will sacrifice much to defend him. 



A FRIEND TO LIBERTY t- 

 • I would not be understood as an advocate for the immediate emanci- 

 pation of bur slaves in the West Indies. I confefs, I wifh for it as soon 

 as prudence will admit. Giving them their freedom in a proper manmr 

 is nawjy dangerous. 



•f However much I may applaud the beneficent spirit of this correspon- 

 dent, or however much I may be satisfied of the general principle that 

 .■■freedom, under a proper government, is tl.e best me.ins of ensuring pro- 

 -pfiery of mora) conduct, as well as exertions of industry j yet -I fear more 

 circumstances require to be adverted to than he seems to be aware of, to 

 juard against the delirium that must in general acompany a direct emancipa- 

 tion. Like men in the lowest ranks of life, and in the most abjcctpover- 

 ty, who at once obtain pofsefsion ofimmens. wealth, arid who, in general, 

 squander it in the most extravagant and absurd species of difsipa'iun, it is 

 to be feared, that something of the same kind would be felt on the evei.t 

 of an abrupt emancipation. To render it a real blefsing to the v;;sons 

 who arc intended to be benefited by it, it certainly ought to be very gra- 

 (tualindeed. The example of the boors in Poland, if Mr Coxe's inform.i- 

 t'on can be relied upon, is the moit striking thing of the kind I have m£t 

 with. Indeed the whole of tiie political events that have of late taken 

 .place in Poland, appear to me the most extraordinary of any that have 

 •et>cr appeared in the world, and I rtiall wait for an explanation of the xatio- 

 ■ nd/r of these witli great ur.p.n'ence. The revolutioi ;a France is com- 

 paratively nothing to i:. Edit. 



