Rmsrks ofTf and elucidation ftfihc various fawi and Oijloms—ihdes of 
Pkading — Nature of E'uidciice— Oaths — hheritdnce — Outh^w^ 
ry — Theft— Murder^ and cQmpcnfation for if — Account of a 
Feud — Debts- — Slavery, 
T ir . L _ . ^ 
H E foregoing fy ftem of the addat^ or <iu£loms of the country, beiag Remarks on 
digefted for the ufe of the natives, or of perfoas well acquainted with 5i'^J°'^'"S 
their manners in general, and being defigtied, not for an illuftrauoa of 
the cufloins, but fimply as a ftandard of right, the feweft and con- 
cifefl: terms pofTible have been made ufe of^ and many parts muft 
ceifarily be obfcure to the bulk cf readers* I ihall therefore revert to 
thofe particulars that may require explanation, and endeavor-to throw a 
light upon the fpirit and operation of fuch of their laws efpecially, as 
feem moft to claih with our ideas of ditlributive juftice- This cbmment 
is the more requifite, as it appears that fome of their regulations, which 
Were judged, to be inconfifteiit with the profperity of the people, were 
alterefl aod amended, through. ihc moix enlightened reafon of the l^entle- 
man who adted as the reprefentative of the EngUfli company, I muH 
endeavour to recall the idea of the original inflitutions. 
- .ji ' 
The plaintiff and defendant ufuaiiy plead their own caufe, but if Moaeofpieaa- 
circumftancea render them unequal to it, they are allowed topmjam 
mc&hot^ (borrow a mouth). Their advocate may be ^ proatteen, or 
any other perfon indifferently, nor is there any ftated compenfacion for 
the affiftance, though, if the caufe be gained, a gratuity is generally 
given, and too apt to be rapacioufly exacted by the proatteens from 
their clients j when their conduct is not attentively watched* The pro- 
atteenalfo who is fecurity for the damages, receives privately fonie con- 
iideration; but none is openly allowed of* 
. Evidence is ufed among thefe people in a manner very different from Eyidcncc. 
the forms of oiir courts of juftice., TTiicy n«ver admit it on both fides of 
E e e the 
