ng in of Negroes and Molattoes.'"

It was read in Council a first time on the 16th of June, and "sent
down recommended" to the House; where it was also read a first time on
the same day. The next day it was read a second time, and, "on the
question for a third reading, decided in the negative."[374] In 1706
an argument or "Computation that the Importation of Negroes is not so
profitable as that of White Servants," was published in Boston.[375]
It throws a flood of light upon the Act mentioned above, and shows
that the motives that inspired the people who wanted a period put to
the holding of Negroes as slaves were grossly material and selfish. It
was the first published article on the subject, and is worthy of
reproduction in full. It is reprinted from "The Boston News-Letter,"
No. 112, June 10, 1706, in the New-York Historical Society.

"By last Year's Bill of Mortality for the Town of _Boston_,
in _Number 100 News-Letter_, we are furnished with a List of
44 Negroes dead last year, which being computed one with
another at 30_l._ per Head, amounts to the Sum of One
Thousand three hundred and Twenty Pounds, of which we would
make this Remark: That the Importing of Negroes into this or
the Neighboring Provinces is not so beneficial either to the
Crown or Country, as White Servants would be.

"For Negroes do not carry Arms to defend the Country as
Whites do.

"Negroes are generally Eye-Servants, great Thieves, much
addicted to Stealing, Lying and Purloining.

"They do not People our Country as Whites would do whereby
we should be strengthened against an Enemy.

"By Encouraging the Importing of White Men Servants,
allowing somewhat to the Importer, most Husbandmen in the
Country might be furnished with Servants for 8, 9, or 10_l._
a Head, who are not able to launch out 40 or 50_l._ for a
Negro the now common Price.

"A Man then might buy a White Man Servant we suppose for
10_l._ to serve 4 years, and Boys for the same price to
Serve 6, 8, or 10 years; If a White Servant die, the Loss
exceeds not 10_l._ but if a Negro dies, 'tis a very great
loss to the Husbandman; Three years Interest of the price of
the Negro, will near upon if not altogether purchase a White
Man Servant.

"If necessity call for it, that the Husbandman must fit out
a Man against the Enemy; if he has a Negro