This is one of the common consequences of that immoderate share of labour, which is imposed upon them; nor is that, which is the result of a scanty allowance of food, less to be lamented.  The wretched African is often so deeply pierced by the excruciating fangs of hunger, as almost to be driven to despair.  What is he to do in such a trying situation?  Let him apply to the receivers.  Alas! the majesty of receivership is too sacred for the appeal, and the intrusion would be fatal.  Thus attacked on the one hand, and shut out from every possibility of relief on the other, he has only the choice of being starved, or of relieving his necessities by taking a small portion of the fruits of his own labour.  Horrid crime! to be found eating the cane, which probably his own hands have planted, and to be eating it, because his necessities were pressing!  This crime however is of such a magnitude, as always to be accompanied with the whip; and so unmercifully has it been applied on such an occasion, as to have been the cause, in wet weather, of the delinquent’s death.  But the smart of the whip has not been the only pain that the wretched Africans have experienced.  Any thing that passion could seize, and convert into an instrument of punishment, has been used; and, horrid to relate! the very knife has not been overlooked in the fit of phrenzy.  Ears have been slit, eyes have been beaten out, and bones have been broken; and so frequently has this been the case, that it has been a matter of constant lamentation with disinterested people, who out of curiosity have attended the markets[067] to which these unhappy people weekly resort, that they have not been able to turn their eyes on any group of them whatever, but they have beheld these inhuman marks of passion, despotism, and caprice.

But these instances of barbarity have not been able to deter them from similar proceedings.  And indeed, how can it be expected that they should?  They have still the same appetite to be satisfied as before, and to drive them to desperation.  They creep out clandestinely by night, and go in search of food into their master’s, or some neighbouring plantation.  But here they are almost equally sure of suffering.  The watchman, who will be punished himself, if he neglects his duty, frequently seizes them in the fact.  No excuse or intreaty will avail; he must punish them for an example, and he must punish them, not with a stick, nor with a whip, but with a cutlass.  Thus it happens, that these unhappy slaves, if they are taken, are either sent away mangled in a barbarous manner, or are killed upon the spot.