Page:Remarks upon the Situation of Negroes in Jamaica.pdf/55

 I am convinced that many people who are acquainted with the Weſt Indies will ſupport; and I am moreover apt to believe, that they would not labour under that general ſtigma of diſhoneſty they now do, were they better inſtructed, or were they even taught the difference between a good and an evil action, and had better examples before their eyes, from which they might copy the ideas, and perfect the practice of moral rectitude.

I ſhall now ſuppoſe that the African, are aſſimilated as it were, from time, connections, and habitudes of cuſtom, with the Creole negroes; I ſhall therefore, for the better elucidation of my ſubject, deſcribe their general and ſpecific labours upon a plantation, beginning with their hours of toil, and interventions of reſt, and deſcend to their common recreations, and domeſtic œconomy; by which means you will be enabled to form ſome juſt ideas of the real ſituation of a ſlave; and will in conſequence, I hope, believe, that it is by no means ſo dreadful as thoſe, deluded, I fear by a miſtaken, although a laudable motive of humanity, may be led to believe: I ſhall afterwards give my opinion, (which I ſubmit with deference and humility)