harity, begins at home. Observe how the papers teem with the
misery of the lower classes in England, yet this affects not the West
India philanthropist. You perceive not their voices raised in behalf of
their suffering countrymen. They pass the beggar in the street; they
heed not the cry of starvation at home; but every where raise petitions
for emancipation; or, in fact, for the destruction of the property of
others. That it is an invidious property, I grant, and I wish I could
dispose of mine; but that is not so easy. My ancestors embarked their
capital in these islands upon the faith and promises of the country,
when opinions were very different from what they are now, and I cannot
help myself. How the time will come when England will bitterly rue the
having listened to the suggestions and outcries of these interested
people."

"I do not understand you:--How do you mean?"

"I said before, that it was on the faith of the country that we embarked
our property in these islands. You are not perhaps aware, that when in
the reign of Queen Anne the Assiento treaty was made, by which we
obtained the privilege of supplying all the islands with slaves, it was
considered as one of the most important acquisitions that could be
obtained. Public opinion has now changed; but if a nation changes her
opinion, she must at the same time be just. Let the country take our
estates and negroes at a fair valuation, and we shall be most happy to
surrender them. If she frees the slaves without so doing, she is guilty
of robbery and injustice, and infringes on the constitution of the
country, which protects all property, and will of course allow us to
decide upon our own measures."

"May I inquire what those would be?"

"Throwing off the yoke, declaring ourselves independent, and putting
ourselves under the protection of America, who will gladly receive us,
aware that we shall be a source not only of wealth but of security."

"Would America risk a war to obtain these islands?"

"She would be foolish not to do so; and England would be more than
foolish to engage in one. It is true, that if not immediately supported
by America, England might create a scene of confusion and bloodshed in
the colonies; but the world has too often had the severe lesson, that
colonies once detaching themselves are never to be regained. England
would therefore be only entailing an useless expense, however gratifying
it might be to her feelings of rev