



292 



SLAVERY. 



The slaves of Maranham are in a less favour- 

 able state than those of Pernambuco, on the 

 whole ; but the system which is followed re- 

 specting them is radically the same. Their food 

 is usually rice, which is said to disagree with 

 most of the nations which come from Africa ; 

 and the treatment which they receive upon the 

 estates in that part of the country, is said to be 

 more rigorous ; but of this I cannot myself 

 speak, for I had no opportunities of judging. 



Negroes who are decidedly of incorrigible 

 character, are shipped from Pernambuco to 

 Maranham, and though the cause for which 

 these transportations are made, is well known, 

 they are often sold to great advantage. Nothing 

 tends so much to keep a slave in awe, as the 

 threat of sending him to Maranham or to Para. 



That the general character of persons who 

 are in a state of slavery should be amiable, and 

 that goodness should predominate, is not to be 

 expected ; but we ought rather to be surprised 

 at the existence of that degree of virtue which 

 is to be found among those who are reduced to 



was soon known that they were found, and many of their 

 companions and other inhabitants of the plantation assembled 

 to see and to laugh at these terrible negros do mato, or bush 

 negroes. The boys had been well treated by me, and there- 

 fore the propensity to continue in practices whi^ had com- 

 menced under severe usage could be their only inducement 

 to prefer the woods now. 



