the duties of
the station in which his providence has placed him, and the cultivation
of the virtues which are adapted to their performance; that he will make
allowance for all imperfection of knowledge, and the absence of the
usual helps and motives which lead to self-correction and improvement.
The degradation of morals relate principally to loose notions of
honesty, leading to petty thefts; to falsehood and to licentious
intercourse between the sexes. Though with respect even to these, I
protest against the opinion which seems to be elsewhere entertained,
that they are universal, or that slaves, in respect to them, might not
well bear a comparison with the lowest laborious class of other
countries. But certainly there is much dishonesty leading to petty
thefts. It leads, however, to nothing else. They have no contracts or
dealings which might be a temptation to fraud, nor do I know that their
characters have any tendency that way. They are restrained by the
constant, vigilant, and interested superintendence which is exercised
over them, from the commission of offenses of greater magnitude--even if
they were disposed to them--which I am satisfied they are not. Nothing
is so rarely heard of, as an atrocious crime committed by a slave;
especially since they have worn off the savage character which their
progenitors brought with them from Africa. Their offenses are confined
to petty depredations, principally for the gratification of their
appetites, and these for reasons already given, are chiefly confined to
the property of their owner, which is most exposed to them. They could
make no use of a considerable booty, if they should obtain it. It is
plain that this is a less evil to society in its consequences and
example, than if committed by a freeman, who is master of his own time
and actions. With reference to society then, the offense is less in
itself--and may we not hope that it is less in the sight of God? A slave
has no hope that by a course of integrity, he can materially elevate his
condition in society, nor can his offense materially depress it, or
affect his means of support, or that of his family. Compared to the
freeman, he has no character to establish or to lose. He has not been
exercised to self-government, and being without intellectual resources,
can less resist the solicitations of appetite. Theft in a freeman is a
crime; in a slave, it is a vice. I recollect to have heard it said, in
reference to some