The
White People and drivers would take care not to harrow up the feelings of
strangers of distinction by the exercise of the whip, or the infliction of
punishments, at that particular time; and, even if there were any
disgusting objects, it was natural to suppose that they would then remove
them." But in truth these gentlemen had given proofs, that they were under
the influence of prejudice. Some of them had declared the abolition would
ruin the West Indies. But this, it was obvious, must depend upon the
practicability of keeping up the stock without African supplies; and yet,
when they were questioned upon this point, they knew nothing about it.
Hence they had formed a conclusion without premises. Their evidence, too,
extended through a long series of years. They had never seen one instance
of ill-treatment in the time; and yet, in the same breath, they talked of
the amended situation of the slaves; and that they were now far better off
than formerly. One of them, to whom his country owed much, stated that a
master had been sentenced to death for the murder of his own slave; but his
recollection must have failed him; for the murder of a slave was not then a
capital crime.
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