Page:Remarks upon the Situation of Negroes in Jamaica.pdf/15

 intereſt, and the advocates of the preſent cauſe, that political and national advantage will be the conſequence of a ſyſtem directed to the alleviation of their general ſufferings; if it can be done without infringing upon the rights of individuals. Whatever effect the petitions may have upon this trade, ſo repugnant to our religion, and to thoſe ideas of liberty under which we live; they will, however deſerve to be attended with the bleſſings of thoſe who feel, ſhould they be the means of reſtraining the rigour of a cruel maſter, and tend to a mitigation of the bodily and mental ſufferings; and add in future to the comforts of the unhappy ſlave: and theſe appear to me, the only good effects that can poſſibly reſult from the ſucceſs of the applications.

While now the flame of humanity ſeems to glow in every breaſt, it ſhould not be ſuffered to cool; for the ſpark once neglected will die away, and receive, perhaps, a blaze no more; but the ſubject muſt be touched with a delicate hand, conſidered in all poſſible points of view, leſt inhumanity ſhould be the conſequence of pity, the end of the petitions