Page:Remarks upon the Situation of Negroes in Jamaica.pdf/63

 local policy,) a white man would be hanged for thoſe offences, which negroes perpetrate every day without a chaſtiſement, or ſuch perhaps as is only inflicted for the moſt petty crimes. I do not mean to juſtify the practice, but aſcertain the fact.

I ſhall now ſuggeſt my ideas reſpecting the means that I think may be feaſibly adopted for the perſonal protection of negroes from inſult, and for the alleviation of their general ſufferings, the plans that may with time and perſeverance be reduced to practice, to prevent the infliction of wanton cruel puniſhment, and that may tend to the eaſe and comfort at leaſt, if not contentment of their future ſituations. I muſt beg leave to obſerve, that a life of idleneſs, and general independency will entirely defeat the intended purpoſe. That people of all conditions ſhould be employed, can hardly be denied. The occupations of men in general, (excepting perhaps in ſome arbitrary inſtances) are choſen, or left for others more congenial to their ſtrength, and diſpoſition; and the ſucceſs of their labour in a great meaſure depends upon, or is correſpondent to,