367 



than in the other, ferve to eftabllfh any general 

 maxim. 



By kind attentions, by occafional and 

 friendly indulgences towards his flaves, Mr* 

 Waith had fo meliorated their condition, fo 

 foftened to them the hardfhips of flavery, 

 and fo improved their comforts, as to attach 

 them to his perfon and his intereft by 

 the fecure ties of affedion and gratitude. 

 The loud clang of the whip was feldom 

 heard among them, and the fmartings of 

 its painful lafli were fcarcely dreaded ; for a 

 better principle than fear impelled them to 

 their duty. Their friendfhip for their mafter 

 made his intereft their own ; and their 

 gratitude, towards him, rendered his fafety 

 the objed: of their folicitude, and even of 

 their lives. Of this he had, in two great in- 

 ftances, known the moft unequivocal proof, — 

 one when the negroes of the eftates had form- 

 ed a confpiracy to rife upon their matters, — 

 the other upon an alarm being given that the 

 ifland was attacked by the French ! On both 

 thefe occafions the flaves of Spendlove had 

 voluntarily offered to lay down their lives in 

 defence of Mr. Waith and his houfe. 



