Wesley Corpus

11. But the law of _Barbadoes_ exceeds even this, “If any negro under punishment, by his master, or his order, for running away, or any other crime or misdemeanor, shall suffer _in life or member, no person whatsoever shall be liable to any fine therefore_. But if any man, of wantonness, or only of bloody-mindedness or cruel intention, _wilfully kill_ a negro of his own” (Now observe the severe punishment!) “He shall pay into the public treasury fifteen pounds sterling! And not be liable to any other punishment or forfeiture for the same!” Nearly allied to this is that law of _Virginia_: “After proclamation is issued against slaves that run away, it is lawful for any person whatsoever to kill and destroy such slaves, by such ways and means as he shall think fit.” We have seen already some of the ways and means which have been _thought fit_ on such occasions. And many more might be mentioned. One Gentleman, when I was abroad, _thought fit_ to roast his slave alive! But if the most natural act of “running away” from intolerable tyranny, deserves such relentless severity, what punishment have these _Law-makers_ to expect hereafter, on account of their own enormous offences? IV. 1. This is the plain, unaggravated matter of fact. Such is the manner wherein our _African_ slaves are procured: such the manner wherein they are removed from their native land, and wherein they are treated in our plantations. I would now enquire, whether these things can be defended, on the principles of even heathen honesty? Whether they can be reconciled (setting the Bible out of the question) with any degree of either justice or mercy? 2. The grand plea is, “They are authorized by law.” But can law, Human Law, change the nature of things? Can it turn darkness into light, or evil into good? By no means. Notwithstanding ten thousand laws, right is right, and wrong is wrong still. There must still remain an essential difference between justice and injustice, cruelty and mercy. So that I still ask, who can reconcile this treatment of the negroes, first and last, with either mercy or justice?