SLAVERY. 



23.5 



( i 20,000 mil-reis), and the master is obliged to 

 manumit the infant at the baptismal font, on 

 the sum being presented. In this manner a con- 

 siderable number of persons are set at liberty, 

 for the smallness of the price enables many free- 

 men who have had connections with female 

 slaves to manumit their offspring ; and instances 

 occur of the sponsors performing this most laud- 

 able act. Not unfrequently female slaves apply 

 to persons of consideration to become sponsors 

 to their children, in the hopes that the pride 

 of these will be too great to allow of their god- 

 child remaining in slavery. * Thus by their 



obtain her freedom, but did not succeed ; he purchased her, 

 and immediately had a deed of manumission made out by a 

 notary-public. When he returned home to dinner, he de- 

 sired his vvife to tell the woman that she was his slave, and 

 in the course of the day the deed was given to her. When 

 1 left the country, her only fear was, that as she was free, 

 her master and mistress might turn her away ; thus proving, 

 by her anxiety, how happy she was. 



* Du Tertre says, speaking of negro baptismal festivals : — 

 '" Les parrains et les marraines qui sont ordinairement de 

 Francois amis de lews mattres, ne laissent pas de contribuer 

 i la bonne chirc." — Histoire des Antilles, torn. ii. p. 528. 



Fellow-slaves, or free persons of colour, are usually the 

 sponsors in Brazil ; but it is better, I think, that fellow- 

 slaves, that is, belonging to the same master, should be 

 sponsors, for they take a considerable interest in their god- 

 children. The god-child, indeed, in any of the ranks of life 

 never approaches either of its sponsors without begging for 

 their blessing. Labat, in speaking of a negro whom he had 

 made renoncer tons ses pactes implicates et explicites quil 

 pouvoil avoir fait avec le diable, says, " Je chargeai son 



