slow, but sure progress of cultivation, carried on in the
natural way, and the attempt to force improvements, which, however
flattering the prospect at first, soon produced a load of debt, and
inextricable embarrassments. He might even appeal to the statements of the
West Indians themselves, who allowed that more than twenty millions were
owing to the people of this country, to show that no system could involve
them so deeply as that, on which they had hitherto gone. But he would refer
them to the accounts of Mr. Irving, as contained in the evidence. Waving
then the consideration of this part of the subject, the opinion in question
must have arisen from a notion, that the stock of slaves, now in the
islands, could not be kept up by propagation; but that it was necessary,
from time to time, to recruit them with imported Africans. In direct
refutation of this position he should prove, First, that in the condition
and treatment of the Negros, there were causes, sufficient to afford us
reason to expect a considerable decrease, but particularly that their
increase had not been a serious object of attention; Secondly, that this
decrease was in fact, notwithstanding, very trifling; or rather, he
believed, he might declare it had now actually ceased; and, Thirdly, he
should urge many direct and collateral facts and arguments, constituting on
the whole an irresistible proof, that even a rapid increase might
henceforth be expected.

He wished to treat the West Indians with all possible candour; but he was
obliged to confess, in arguing upon these points, that whatever splendid
instances there might be of kindness towards their slaves, there were some
evils of almost universal operation, were necessarily connected with the
system of slavery. Above all, the state of degradation, to which they were
reduced, deserved to be noticed; as it produced an utter inattention to
them as moral agents. They were kept at work under the whip like cattle.
They were left totally ignorant of morality and religion. There was no
regular marriage among them. Hence promiscuous intercourse, early
prostitution, and excessive drinking, were material causes of their
decrease. With respect to the instruction of the slaves in the principles
of religion, the happiest effects had resulted, particularly in Antigua,
where, under the Moravians and Methodists, they had so far profited, that
the planters themselves confessed their value, as property, had been raised