Negro children were reckoned an incumbrance in a fami-
ly ; and when weaned, were given away like puppies.
They have been publickly advertised in the news-papers
"to be given away."

The condition of our slaves, however, was far from rigor-
ous. No greater labour was exacted of them than of white
people ; in general, they were not able to perform so much.
They had always the free enjoyment of the sabbath as a day
of rest. A house of correction, to which disorderly persons
of all colours were sent, formed one object of terror to them ;
but to be sold to the West-Indies, or to Carolina, was the
highest punishment that could be threatened or inflicted.

In the maritime towns, the negroes served either in fami-
lies or at mechanical employments ; and in either case, they
fared no worse than other persons of the same class. In the
country, they lived as well as their masters, and often sat
down at the same table, in the true style of republican
equality.

Persons of illiberal and tyrannical dispositions would some-
times abuse them ; but, in general, their treatment was
humane, especially if their own tempers were mild and
peaceable.

They were never enrolled in the militia ; but on days of
military training, and other seasons of festivity, they were
indulged in such diversions as were agreeable to them.

They were inventoried and taxed as rateable property, but
were not so attached to an estate as to be sold with it.

Such of them as were prudent and industrious, purchased
their freedom. Some were liberated by their masters ; but
there was a law against their manumission, unless their
masters gave bonds that their estates and heirs should main-
tain them, in case of sickness or decrepitude, so that they
might not become a burden to the public.

Another law forbad them to be out in the streets after
nine o'clock in the evening, on pain of being sent to the
house of correction. They were forbidden to strike a white
man, on penalty of being sold out of the province. The
marriage of blacks with whites was prohibited. If the man
was white, a fine of five pounds was required of him ; and
fifty pounds was the fine of the person officiating ; but the
marriage was not annulled. The intercourse of the sexes
was often irregular, but not more so than among the same