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ſhould be made, and rigorouſly enforced to prevent this flagrant enormity; as well as to give protection and ſupport to thoſe who from age and infirmity are no longer able to work, and who ſhould not be left at this period of declining mortality to the caprice and inſult of an overſeer. The ſame proviſion ſhould extend to the ſickly and diſabled in all periods and conditions of life. I muſt here likewiſe take notice of an abuſe, as general as it is erroneous, and as inefficient as it is inhuman. When a negro becomes an invalid from age, accident, or any natural or acquired infirmity, he is put to thoſe ſituations of exertion and truſt, which even the moſt young and robuſt, the moſt healthy and confidential are not always equal to the execution of. He is ſent into the mountains to watch proviſions, to prevent the theft of plantation, or other negroes, and to repel the treſpaſſes of cattle, either there, or among the canes; and as few of the pieces are encloſed, many planted with corn, and the cattle, men, and boys very rarely attentive, much is expected from his vigilance, and more from thoſe exertions, which, in fact, from bodily
infirmity,
