[ 331 3 
man fpecles mufl needs not only be greatly debafed* 
but even in great meafure diminilTaed and deftroyed. 
And yet none of the nations, whofe very vitals are 
thereby confuming and deftroying, endeavour to put 
any flop to it, except the heads of the native Indians 
in North- America, who have long repeatedly in- 
treated the Englifh to fell them no rum j which is as 
effedtually extirpating of them, as the hornet did the 
unfubdued remainder of the Canaanites. 
41. If mankind, inftead of receiving and entertain- 
ing this peft with almoft univerfal applaufe and ap- 
probation, could prevail with themfelves to be in 
earnefl, to ufe means to deliver themfelves from it, 
then much might be done towards it, by lowering 
and weakening all kind of fermented diftilled fpirits 
with water, to a falutary degree, as is now pra<^ifed 
in our plantations in America, in making punch fo 
weak, as not to be hurtful ; which, when it was 
much flronger, was well known to deftroy multi- 
tudes. And where the like humane, wife, and lau- 
dable pradlice has been ufed in fhips, it has had the 
fame happy falutary effedl. 
42. What neceffity or even temptation can there 
be to be averfe to the making them wholfome, in- 
ffead of being venomous and deftrudlive ? and 
that not only of the lives, but even of the morals of 
mankind. How much therefore does it behove all, 
who have any concern for the honour and dignity of 
their own kindred fpecies, any indignation at its be- 
ing thus debafed and difgraced, any bowels of pity 
for the vafb multitudes, not lefs than a million, that 
are yearly deftroy ed all over the world, by this mo- 
ral as well as natural, and therefore worft of all evils 
U u 2 that 
/ 
