H 



.'.C/iv, r r, : 





278 



SLAVERY. 



knew of one instance in which the field-labour 

 was continued until twelve o'clock at night, 

 by the light of large fires, which had been 

 kindled in several parts of the ground. For 

 this manner of proceeding there was no reason, 

 excepting that it was the master's pleasure so to 

 act, for the season was favourable, and not too 

 far advanced to have continued the work in the 

 usual manner, and yet have accomplished the 

 planting of the field in proper time. Of cruelty 

 I could say much, but I have gone far enough, 

 and must not enter into farther details upon this 

 part of my subject. The relation of such mis- 

 deeds do more harm than good, they serve as 

 examples for those who have unprincipled minds 

 and unfeeling hearts; and who may consider 

 them as paths in which they may tread, because 

 others have trodden in them, rather than as 

 precipices which ought to be avoided. The 

 power which is intrusted to an individual is too 

 great, abuses must arise, the system is radically 

 bad, and every possible means should be put 

 into action for its extirpation. 



I am acquainted with the owners of a few 

 estates who profess to purchase any slaves how- 

 ever bad their characters may be, if they can 

 obtain them below the usual price. The persons 

 of secondary rank who possess only a few slaves, 

 and have not the same means of punishing 

 them if they misbehave which exist upon the 

 great estates, dispose oi' those of their negroes 



