argument refuted.--Their second
refuted.--Their third refuted.--Chap. VI. Three arguments, which
they bring in vindication of their treatment, refuted.--Chap. VII.
The argument, that the Africans are an inferiour link of the chain
of nature, as far as it relates to their genius, refuted.--The
causes of this apparent inferiority.--Short dissertation on African
genius.--Poetry of an African girl.--Chap. VIII. The argument, that
they are an inferiour link of the chain of nature, as far as it
relates to colour, &c. refuted.--Examination of the divine writings
in this particular.--Dissertation on the colour.--Chap. IX. Other
arguments of the purchasers examined.--Their comparisons
unjust.--Their assertions, with respect to the happy situation of
the Africans in the colonies, without foundation.--Their happiness
examined with respect to manumission.--With respect to
holy-days.--Dances, &c.--An estimate made at St. Domingo.--Chap. X.
The right of the purchasers over their slaves refuted upon their own
principles.--Chap. XI. Dreadful arguments against this commerce and
slavery of the human species.--How the Deity seems already to punish
us for this inhuman violation of his laws.--Conclusion.

* * * * *

ERRATA.

For _Dominique_, (Footnote 107) read _Domingue_.

N. B. In page 18 a Latin note has been inserted by mistake, under
the quotation of Diodorus Siculus. The reader will find the original
Greek of the same signification, in the same author, at page 49.
Editio Stephani.

* * * * *

AN ESSAY

ON THE SLAVERY and COMMERCE

OF THE HUMAN SPECIES.

IN THREE PARTS.

* * * * *

PART I.

THE HISTORY OF SLAVERY.

* * * * *

CHAP. I.

When civilized, as well as barbarous nations, have been found, through a
long succession of ages, uniformly to concur in the same customs, there
seems to arise a presumption, that such customs are not only eminently
useful, but are founded also on the principles of justice. Such is the
case with respect to _Slavery_: it has had the concurrence of all
the nations, which history has recorded, and the repeated practice of
ages from the remotest antiquity, in its favour. Here then is an
argument, deduced from the general consent and agreement o