In an age where so many errors are boldly laid open, it would be unpardonable to conceal any truth that is interesting to humanity.

If whatever I have hitherto advanced hath seemingly tended only to alleviate the burthen of slavery, the reason is, that it was first necessary to give some comfort to those unhappy beings, whom we cannot set free, and convince their oppressors, that they were cruel, to the prejudice of their real interests.

But, in the mean time, till some considerable revolution shall make the evidence of this great truth felt, it may not be improper to pursue this subject further.

I shall then first prove that there is no reason of state, which can authorize slavery.

I shall not be afraid to cite to the tribunal of reason and justice those governments, which tolerate this cruelty, or which even are not ashamed to make it the basis of their power." And a little further on he observes--"Will it be said that he, who wants to make me a slave, does me no injury, but that he only makes use of his rights?
Where are those rights?
Who hath stamped upon them so sacred a character as to silence mine ?"-- In the beginning of the next paragraph he speaks thus: "He, who supports the system of slavery, is the enemy of the whole human race.