14 TRAVELS IN 
rate, by the exceffive labour to which they 
are fubjedled on the plantations ; and by the 
defpotifm of their chiefs, who are always 
fold to government. I had here an opportu- 
nity of admiring a free and brave people, 
valuing nothing but independence ; never 
obeying any impulfe foreign to nature, and 
calculated only to deftroy their magnani- 
mous, free, and truly philanthropic charac- 
ter. 
I had no intention of going among this 
refpedlable nation like a haraffed hunter, com- 
pelled by hunger and fatigue to flop at the 
firft place where he can find a lodging. I 
had refolved to prefent myfelf there in fiocht^ 
with the moft ftriklng appearance, but fuch 
as might be equally honourable for me and 
for them. 
I employed the whole morning in dreffing 
and arranging my hair, which I loaded with 
powder, as if I had been going into the moft 
elegant company. I combed my beard, and 
made it hang down in the moft graceful man- 
ner poffible. I had fuffered it to grow a 
year ; not from any whim or caprice, as has 
been ridiculouflj circulated throughout the 
world ; nor was it in imitation of thofe bo- 
tanical 
