Page:Remarks upon the Situation of Negroes in Jamaica.pdf/43

 martyrs in deſpair. The truth is, the poor negroes are ſeldom conſidered as human creatures, and are conſequently as rarely treated as ſuch.

The plan I would humbly ſubmit for the ſeaſoning of new negroes is eſſentially different from thoſe deſcribed. I would firſt of all prepare them for the climate, give them time to recover the fatigues of the voyage; have them carefully examined by the doctor, left for ſome time to his direction, and worked under his orders; indeed I could wiſh that the practice had more controuling power over the hoſpital, purſes, and diet of the ſick negroes in general than they now have; for where an overſeer has the vanity to think that he can ſupply the place of the doctor; the two provinces muſt naturally claſh, and the poor negro will become the ſacrifice of his temerity.

I now ſuppoſe a cargo of African ſlaves to be arrived upon a property; I would therefore have, in the firſt place a general dormitory prepared for their reception; it ſhould be large, and commodious; but not expoſed to the air, for negroes of all deſcriptions diſlike