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Show xo8 ON THI': SLAVERY AND CoMMERCE tion of nature; that !11e recoiled at the horrid thought, and that !11e applied inibntly a torch to his breaft to kindle his refentment; and if, during his indigmtion, the !11ould awaken the ligh of fympathy, or feduce the tear of commiferation from his eye, let him confider each as an additional argument againft the iniquity of the ji'llers. C H A P. IX. It remains only now to examine by what arguments thofe, who receive or purchq[e thetr fellow-creatures into !1avery, defend the commerce. Their fir£[ plea is, " that " they receive thofe with propriety, who " areconvided of crimes, becaufe they are deltvcred mto their hands by their 01vn magijlrates." But what is this to you receivers? Have the unfortunate conviBs been guilty of injury to you? Have they broken your treat ies ? Have they plundered your fhips? Have they carried your wives and children into !1avery, that you !11ould thus oF THE HuMAN Sr~-:cms. thus retaliate ? Have they offended you even by word or gefture? But if the African convicts are innocent with rcfped to you; if you have not even the !11adow of a claim upon their perfons ; by what right do yott receive them? " By " the laws of the Africans," you will fay; " by which it is poiitively allowed."-But can lmus alter the nature of vice? They may give it a f<mdion perhaps: it will ftill be immutably the fame, and, though dreffcd in the outward habiliments of honour, will ftill be inm.tijically brife. But alas! you do not only attempt to defend yourfelvcs by thefe arguments, but even dare to give your actions the appearance of lenity, and aifume merit from your bqfen~fr! and how fidl: ought you particularly to b!ua1, when you aifert, "that prifo" ncrs of war are only purchafed from the " hands of their conquerors, to deliver them "from death." Ridiculous defence ! can the moil credulous believe it? You entice the Africans to war; you foment their quarrels; you fupply them with arms and ammunition, and all-from the motives of bme-volence. |