SLAVERY IN LONDON. 351 



his siesta, and to mix him rum and water when re- 

 quired. The existence of such attendants was some- 

 what anomalous in this island, and friends would often 

 observe with a knowing air it was lucky for him that 

 Sambo was not up to English law. That law, indeed, 

 was undefined. Slavery had existed in England and 

 had died out of itself, in what manner and at what 

 time no one could precisely say. It was, however, a 

 popular impression that no man could be kept 

 as a slave if he were once baptised. The planters 

 enjoyed the same kind of reputation which the nabobs 

 afterwards obtained : a yellow skin and a bad heart 

 were at one time always associated with each other. 

 The negroes were often encouraged to abscond, and to 

 offer themselves before the font. They obtained as 

 sponsors respectable well-to-do men, who declared that 

 they would stand by their god-sons if it came to a case 

 at law. The planters were in much distress, and in 

 order to know the worst, went to Messrs York and 

 Talbot, the Attorney and Solicitor General for the time 

 being, and requested an opinion. The opinion of 

 York and Talbot was this ; that slaves breathing 

 English air did not become free ; that slaves on being 

 baptised did not become free ; and that their masters 

 could force them back to the plantations when they 

 pleased. 



The planters, finding that the law was on their side, 

 at once used it to the full. Advertisements appeared 

 in the newspapers offering rewards for runaway slaves. 

 Negroes might be seen being dragged along the streets 

 in open day : they were bought and sold at the 

 Poultry Compter, an old city jail. Free men of 

 colour were no longer safe ; kidnapping became a 

 regular pursuit. 



