makes the work a matter of care, labour, and expense. It becomes in its nature complex. But I think neither the object impracticable, nor the expense intolerable; and I am fully convinced, that the cause of humanity would be far more benefited by the continuance of the trade and servitude, regulated and reformed, than by the total destruction of both or either. What I propose, however, is but a beginning of a course of measures, which an experience of the effects of the evil and the reform will enable the Legislature hereafter to supply and correct.

I need not observe to you, that the forms are often neglected, penalties not provided, &c. &c. &c. But all this is merely mechanical, and what ą couple of days application would set to rights.

I have seen what has been done by the West Indian Assemblies. It is arrant trifling. They have done little; and what they have done is good for nothing; for it is totally destitute of an executory principle. This is the point, to which I have applied my whole diligence. It is easy enough to say what shall be done :-to cause it to be done, -Hic labor, hoc opus.

I ought not to apologize for letting this scheme. lie beyond the period of the Horatian keeping-I ought much more to entreat an excuse for producing it now. Its whole value (if it has any) is the coherence and mutual dependency of parts in

the

the scheme; separately they can be of little or

no use.

I have the honour to be, with very great respect

SKETCH

OF

THE NEGRO CODE.

THIS Constitution consists of four principal members.

I. The rules for qualifying a ship for the African Trade.

II. The mode of carrying on the Trade upon the Coast of Africa, which includes a plan for introducing civilization in that part of the world.

III. What is to be observed from the time of shipping Negroes to the sale in the West India Islands.

IV. The regulations relative to the state and condition of Slaves in the West Indies, their manumission, &c.

WHEREAS it is expedient, and conformable to the Preamble. principles of true religion and morality, and to the rules of sound policy, to put an end to all traffick in the persons of men, and to the detention of their said persons in a state of slavery, as soon as the same may be effected without producing great inconveniences in the sudden change of practices of such long standing; and, during the time of the continuance

Ships to be registered.

Measured and surveyed.

continuance of the said practices, it is desirable and expedient, by proper regulations, to lessen the inconveniences and evils attendant on the said traffick and state of servitude, until both shall be gradually done away:

And whereas the objects of the said trade, and consequential servitude, and the grievances resulting therefrom, come under the principal heads following, the regulations ought thereto to be severally applied; that is to say, that provision should be made by the said regulations,

- 1st. For duly qualifying ships for the said traffick;

zd. For the mode and conditions of permitting the said trade to be carried on upon the Coast of Africa;

3d. For the treatment of the Negroes in their passage to the West India Islands;

4th. For the government of the Negroes, which are or shall be employed in His Majesty's Colonies and Plantations in the West Indies:

Be it therefore enacted, that every ship or trading vessel, which is intended for the Negro Trade, with the name of the owner or owners thereof, shall be entered and registered as ships trading to the West Indies are by law to be registered, with the further provisions following:

1. The said entry and register shall contain an account of the greatest number of Negroes, of all descriptions,

descriptions, which are proposed to be taken into the said ship or trading vessel; and the said ship, before she is permitted to be entered outwards, shall be surveyed by a Ship-Carpenter to be appointed by the Collector of the Port, from which the said vessel is to depart, and by a Surgeon, also appointed by the Collector, who hath been conversant in the service of the said trade, but not at the time actually engaged or covenanted therein; and the said Carpenter and Surgeon shall report to the Collector, or, in his absence, to the next principal Officer of the Port, upon oath (which oath the said Collector or principal Officer is hereby empowered to administer) her measurement, and what she contains in builder's tonnage, and that she has

feet of grated port-holes between the decks, and that she is otherwise fitly found as a good transport

vessel.

of Slaves

2. And be it enacted, that no ship employed in Number the said trade shall upon any pretence take in limited. more Negroes than one grown man or woman for one ton and half of builder's tonnage, nor more than one boy or girl for one ton.

3. That the said ship or other vessel shall lay Provisions, in, in proportion to the ship's company of the said vessel, and the number of Negroes registered, a full and sufficient store of sound provision, so as to be secure against all probable delays and accidents; namely, salted beef, pork, salt-fish, butter,

cheese,