have them set at liberty,
at which he seemed greatly rejoiced. Since I came back from Castine's
country, I have urged the giving up of the Indians, and many have been
released. Slavery is a hard lot, and many do account it worse than
death. When in the Barbadoes, I was told that on one plantation, in the
space of five years, a score of slaves had hanged themselves."

"Mr. Atkinson's Indian," said Captain Sewall, "whom he bought of a
Virginia ship-owner, did, straightway on coming to his house, refuse
meat; and although persuasions and whippings were tried to make him eat,
he would not so much as take a sip of drink. I saw him a day or two
before he died, sitting wrapped up in his blanket, and muttering to
himself. It was a sad, sight, and I pray God I may never see the like
again. From that time I have looked upon the holding of men as slaves
as a great wickedness. The Scriptures themselves do testify, that he
that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity."

After the company had gone, Rebecca sat silent and thoughtful for a
time, and then bade her young serving-girl, whom her father had bought,
about a year before, of the master of a Scotch vessel, and who had been
sold to pay the cost of her passage, to come to her. She asked her if
she had aught to complain of in her situation. The poor girl looked
surprised, but said she had not. "Are you content to live as a
servant?" asked Rebecca. "Would you leave me if you could?" She here
fell a-weeping, begging her mistress not to speak of her leaving. "But
if I should tell you that you are free to go or stay, as you will, would
you be glad or sorry?" queried her mistress. The poor girl was silent.
"I do not wish you to leave me, Effie," said Rebecca, "but I wish you to
know that you are from henceforth free, and that if you serve me
hereafter, as I trust you will, it will be in love and good will, and
for suitable wages." The bondswoman did not at the first comprehend the
design of her mistress, but, on hearing it explained once more, she
dropped down on her knees, and clasping Rebecca, poured forth her thanks
after the manner of her people; whereupon Rebecca, greatly moved, bade
her rise, as she had only done what the Scriptures did require, in
giving to her servant that which is just and equal.

"How easy it is to make others happy, and ourselves also!" she said,
turning to me, with the tears shining in her eyes.

August 8, 1678.

Elnathan St