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SLAVERY.
Gold, better gain'd, by what their ripening ſky,
Their fertile fields, their arts[1] and mines ſupply. 130
What wrongs, what injuries does Oppreſſion plead
To ſmooth the horror of th' unnatural deed?
What ſtrange offence, what aggravated ſin?
They ſtand convicted—of a darker ſkin!
Barbarians, hold! th' opprobrious commerce ſpare, 135
Reſpect his ſacred image which they bear:
Tho' dark and ſavage, ignorant and blind,
They claim the common privilege of kind;
Let Malice ſtrip them of each other plea,
They ſtill are men, and men ſhou'd ſtill be free. 140
Inſulted Reaſon loaths th' inverted trade—
Dire change! the agent is the purchaſe made!
- ↑ Beſides many valuable productions of the ſoil, cloths and carpets of exquisite manufacture are brought from the coaſt of Guinea.
Perplex'd,
