Page:Notes on the State of Virginia (1802).djvu/213

Rh perhaps of faculty, is a powerful obſtacle to the emancipation of theſe people. Many of their advocates, while they wiſh to vindicate the liberty of human nature are anxious alſo to preſerve its dignity and beauty. Some of theſe, embarraſſed by the queſtion, ‘What further is to be done with them! ’ Join themſelves in oppoſition with thoſe who are actuated by ſordid avarice only. Among the Romans emancipation required but one effort. The ſlave, when made free, might mix with, without ſtaining the blood of his maſter. But with us a ſecond is neceſſary, unknown to hiſtory. When freed, he is to be removed beyond the reach of mixture.

The reviſed code further propoſes to proportion crimes and puniſhments. This is attempted on the following ſcale.