Page:Remarks upon the Situation of Negroes in Jamaica.pdf/102

 the negroes work, and as with them lies the power, and preſumption of puniſhment, to their inhumanity alone muſt its exceſs be, in every caſe, attributed. If the proprietor wiſh to ſcreen his own property from bodily ſuffering, and recommend an imploring negro as an object of forgiveneſs to him who is inveſted with authority, it is ten to one but the poor creature receive a double puniſhment for having dared to complain to him who had a right to redreſs; and for ſuppoſing that a maſter ſhould preſume to controul the wanton abuſes of a ſervant.

That negroes are capricious the recurrence of every day will evince. Give them a houſe ready built, they will not inhabit it—a ground ready cleared, they will not work it—if you ſtudy their convenience, their eaſe, and happineſs, they will be diſcontented—they muſt have every thing their own way; and would ſooner complain of a good overſeer, than not covet an exchange by the riſk of one who is bad. That there are of both in this profeſſion, it is hardly neceſſary to form a doubt. That many of this claſs have ſeen better days; and are to this, as they would be to any other