INHABITANTS OP PERU. 



ACCOUNT OF THE PUBLIC CONGREGATIONS OF THE NEGROES RESIDING 

 IN THE DISTRICT OF LIMA. 



The situation of these unfortunate slaves has a strong 

 claim on our compassion. In the negotiations of those who 

 hold them in subjeftion, they are reduced to the level of a bale 

 of merchandize ; and are sometimes treated v^orse than the 

 mules and asses, in the very plantations they water with the 

 sweat of their brow. They constitute, in Peru, the great mass 

 of the rural and domestic servants ; and an account of their 

 different usages in the capital, of their public meetings more 

 especially, cannot be other than interesting. 



Religion is the consolation of the unhappy : accordingly, 

 the most barbarous nations, at the epochs of their greatest 

 calamities, have had recourse to this principle, and have found 

 no other alleviation of their misery, except in the persuasion 

 that the Supreme Being had, by anticipation, decreed their 

 misfortunes. The Mexicans, when attacked by the Spaniards, 

 terrified by the novelty of their weapons, and by the display 

 of their prowess, fancied that they had been destined to sub-- 

 je6lion, by certain sacred prophecies, many years before*. 

 The Peruvians regarded their conquerors as demi-gods sent 

 from heaven ; and, with this idea strongly impressed on the 

 mind, were faithful to them, serv-ed them cheerfully, and 

 submitted to their domination. The Guinea negroes think 

 ' that slavery, with those of their species, is the effe6l of an ex- 



* Solis: Historia tie la Conquista de Mexico, lib. ii. cap. 4. 



P p 2 press 



