Let us display to princes and the rulers of nations the example of Numa-Pompilius, who, by a Conduct opposite to that of Romulus, his predecessor, and most of his successors, rendered the Romans, during his long reign, so respectable and happy. Above all, my dear friend, let us represent to our compatriots the abominable iniquity of the Guinea trade. Let us put to the blush the pretended disciples of the benign Saviour of the world, for the encouragement given to the unhappy Africans, in invading the liberty of their own brethren. Let us rise, and rise with energy, against the corruption, introduced into the principles and manners of the masters and owners of slaves, by a conduct so contrary to humanity, reason and religion. Let us be still more vehement, in representing its baneful influence on the principles and manners of their wretched offspring, necessarily educated in idleness, pride, and all the vices to which human nature is liable.
How desirable it is that Lewis XVI, whose virtues ⟨p. 10⟩and good dispositions have been so nobly praised, would set an example to the other potentates of Europe, by forbidding his subjects to be concerned in a traffic so evil in itself, and so corrupt in its consequences, and that he would also issue out ordinances, in favour of such of the Negroes who now are slaves in his dominions.
Alas! should Christianity, that law of love and charity, work its proper effect on the hearts of its pretended disciples, we would see numbers of Christians traverse Africa, and both the Indies, not to pollute themselves with slavery and slaughter, nor to accumulate wealth, the supreme wish of the present nominal Christians; but that Divine love would impel them to visit remote regions, in order to make the inhabitants acquainted with the corruption of the human heart, and invite them to seek for the influence of that grace, proposed by the gospel, by which they may obtain salvation.
I am under the necessity of concluding hastily, requesting thou wouldst excuse faults which time does not allow me to correct, and to write to me by various opportunities, the vessels bound to these parts, often missing their destination.
I am, affectionately, thy friend, A. B.
Let us display to princes and the rulers of nations the example of Numa-Pompilius, who, by a Conduct opposite to that of Romulus, his predecessor, and most of his successors, rendered the Romans, during his long reign, so respectable and happy. Above all, my dear friend, let us represent to our compatriots the abominable iniquity of the Guinea trade. Let us put to the blush the pretended disciples of the benign Saviour of the world, for the encouragement given to the unhappy Africans, in invading the liberty of their own brethren. Let us rise, and rise with energy, against the corruption, introduced into the principles and manners of the masters and owners of slaves, by a conduct so contrary to humanity, reason and religion. Let us be still more vehement, in representing its baneful influence on the principles and manners of their wretched offspring, necessarily educated in idleness, pride, and all the vices to which human nature is liable.
How desirable it is that Lewis XVI, whose virtues ⟨p. 10⟩and good dispositions have been so nobly praised, would set an example to the other potentates of Europe, by forbidding his subjects to be concerned in a traffick so evil in itself, and so corrupt in its consequences, and that he would also issue out ordinances, in favour of such of the Negroes who now are slaves in his dominions.
Alas! should Christianity, that law of love and charity, work its proper effect on the hearts of its pretended disciples, we would see numbers of Christians traverse Africa, and both the Indies, not to pollute themselves with slavery and slaughter, nor to accumulate wealth, the supreme wish of the present nominal Christians; but that Divine love would impel them to visit remote regions, in order to make the inhabitants acquainted with the corruption of the human heart, and invite them to seek for the influence of that grace, proposed by the gospel, by which they may obtain salvation.
I am under the necessity of concluding hastily, requesting thou wouldst excuse faults which time does not allow me to correct, and to write to me by various opportunities, the vessels bound to these parts, often missing their destination.
I am, affectionately, thy friend, A. B.
