“But it is false, that either we or our colonies would be ruined by the abolition of slavery.  It might occasion a stagnation of business for a short time.  Every great alteration produces that effect; because mankind cannot, on a sudden, find ways of disposing of themselves, and of their affairs; but it would produce many happy effects.  It is the slavery which is permitted in America, that has hindered it from becoming so soon populous as it would otherwise have done.  Let the Negroes be free, and, in a few generations, this vast and fertile continent would be crowded with inhabitants; learning, arts, and every thing would flourish amongst them; instead of being inhabited by wild beasts, and by savages, it would be peopled by philosophers, and by men.”

Francis Hutcheson, professor of philosophy at the university of Glasgow, in his System of Moral Philosophy, page 211, says “He who detains another by force in slavery, is always bound to prove his title.  The slave sold, or carried into a distant country, must not be obliged to prove a negative, that he never forfeited his liberty.  The violent possessor must, in all cases, shew his title, especially where the old proprietor is well known.  In this case, each man is the original proprietor of his own liberty.  The proof of his losing it must be incumbent on those who deprive him of it by force.  The Jewish laws had great regard to justice, about the servitude of Hebrews, founding it only on consent, or some crime or damage, allowing them always a proper redress upon any cruel treatment, and fixing a limited time for it; unless upon trial the servant inclined to prolong it.  The laws about foreign slaves had many merciful provisions against immoderate severity of the masters.  But under christianity, whatever lenity was due from an Hebrew towards his countryman, must be due towards all; since the distinctions of nations are removed, as to the point of humanity and mercy, as well as natural right; nay, some of these rights granted over foreign slaves, may justly be deemed only such indulgences as those of poligamy and divorce, granting only external impunity in such practice, and not sufficient vindication of them in conscience.”

Page 85.  It is pleaded, that “In some barbarous nations, unless the captives were bought for slaves, they would be all murthered.  They, therefore, owe their lives, and all they can do, to their purchasers; and so do their children, who would not otherwise have come into life.”  But this whole plea is no more than that of negotium utile gestum to which any civilized nation is bound by humanity; it is a prudent expensive office, done for the service of others without a gratuitous intention; and this founds no other right, than that to full compensation of all charges and labour employed for the benefit of others.