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HISTORY OF THE [book iv, 
and knowledge is animated by no encouragement ; 
their attachment is received without approbation $ 
and their diligence exerted without reward.* 
I am happy, however, to assert with truth, that 
their fidelity and loyalty have hitherto remained un¬ 
impeached and unsuspected. To the negroes they 
are objects of envy and hatred ; for the same or a 
greater degree of, superiority which the whites as¬ 
sume over them , the free mulattoes lay claim to 
over the blacks. These, again, abhor the idea oi 
being slaves to the descendants of slaves. Ihus 
circumstanced, the general character of the mulat¬ 
toes is strongly marked by the peculiarity of their 
situation; and I cannot but think that they are, on 
the whole, objects of favour and compassion. 
* It would surely be a wise and humane law that should grant to 
every free negro and mulatto, the right of being a competent witness in 
all criminal cases, and more especially in those of personal injury to 
himself.—Perhaps, indeed, it might be proper to require of such persons 
the proof of baptism, and the ability to read and write j and I think 
that some useful regulations might be made to apportion greater pri¬ 
vileges to the coloured people according to their approximation to the 
whites ; a system which would not serve to confound, but to keep up 
and render useful those distinctions which local causes have created, 
and which it is not in the power of man to abolish. To the quadroons 
and mestizes, for instance, (who possess the necessary qualification in 
real property), I would grant the right of voting for representatives in 
the assembly. Such a privilege would give them an interest in the 
community, and attach them powerfully to its government. In favour 
of such persons also, the act of 1762 might be modified. Whether it 
would be wise to repeal it altogether, is a deep and difficult question. 
Men who are unacquainted with local manners and customs, are not 
competent to pronounce an opinion in this case. 
