Family-histories and genealogies : containing a series of ...

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Natural right to absolute liberty is a fallacy."" " In regard to the African Trade, to
set the matter in its true light, it is necessary to Consider the state of those People in
their Native Country, constantly at war with one another, and liable to be put to the
sword by the victor. . . ."
" The question arises whether Transporting those Captives from their Native
Country can be warrantable. Any suppos'd wrong must arise from one of two
things : either from a Tortious Entry into the Territories of a foreign State, tramp-
ling upon their Laws, Disturbing the Peace ; or from Personal Wrong done to the
Individuals Remov'd. In Regard to the first, as the Captives, by the Laws of that
Country, are made an Article of Commerce, to Enter for Trade cannot be Tortious;
Respecting the Latter, it's nessasary to Compare the state of those Persons before
and after their Removal ;"
being in their native country in heathenish darkness, and under despotism, whereas
in Connecticut they become
"plac'd under the Government of a master who is bound to Provide nessasaries
sufficient for their Comfort in Life, are Protected by Law from Cruelty and oppression,
if abused have their Remedy . . . against their own master. . . .
" T/ie notion of some that Slavery is worse than Death is a most Capital Error. For,
as a State of Trial and Probation for Happiness thro' an Endless Eternity is the
greatest favor that was ever Granted to a fallen Creature, as Death puts a final End
to that State of Trial, so Life must be of more Importance than any other Enjoyment
can be in this world. .
. .
" Those held in service may be Divided into five Classes : The
seems to take the first Rank :
aggressor in War
he, by taking a part in a Bloody War, forfeits both Life
and Liberty together, may be slain ; as Liberty is only a part of the Forfeiture, the
Captor, by taking a part for the whole, does the Captive no Injusti^ce : the Instance
of the Gibeonites is a voucher for " holding such to service. ..." The next
Class to be Considered is the Innocent Captives who have taken no active part in the
war ... to purchase those Captives, and bring them away, is to Save their lives,
is a meritorious act, Entitules the Purchaser, by the Laws of Salvage, to the Purchase-
Money by the Labor of the Captive. .
. . The
next Class .
. . those
sold for
Adultery or other Attrocious Crimes. . . . there can be no Doubt but they ought
to be Punished," and by the Laws of Moses were punished even by death. ". . .
The next class is those Kidnapped by Gangs of Private Robbers. .
. . Many
of
those Poor Children are bro't many hundred miles, and if they were Releas'd on the
""^ The italicizing is ours.
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