Indented servants formed a considerable supply.  These were poor Europeans, who went to America to settle themselves.  If they could pay their passage, it was well.  If not, they must find means of paying it.  They were at liberty, therefore, to make an agreement with any person they chose, to serve him such a length of time as they agreed on, upon condition that he would repay, to the master of the vessel, the expenses of their passage.  If, being foreigners, unable to speak the language, they did not know how to make a bargain for themselves, the captain of the vessel contracted for them, with such persons as he could.  This contract was by deed indented, which occasioned them to be called indented servants.  Sometimes they were called redemptioners, because, by their agreement with the master of the vessel, they could redeem themselves from his power by paying their passage; which they frequently effected, by hiring themselves on their arrival, as is before mentioned.  In some States, I know that these people had a right of marrying themselves, without their master’s leave, and I did suppose they had that right every where.  I did not know, that, in any of the States, they demanded so much as a week for every day’s absence, without leave.  I suspect this must have been at a very early period, while the governments were in the hands of the first emigrants, who, being mostly laborers, were narrow-minded and severe.  I know that in Virginia, the laws allowed their servitude to be protracted only two days for every one they were absent without leave.  So mild was this kind of servitude, that it was very frequent for foreigners, who carried to America money enough, not only to pay their passage, but to buy themselves a farm, to indent themselves to a master for three years, for a certain sum of money, with a view to learn the husbandry of the country.  I will here make a general observation.  So desirous are the poor of Europe to get to America, where they may better their condition, that, being unable to pay their passage, they will agree to serve two or three years on their arrival there, rather than not go.  During the time of that service, they are better fed, better clothed, and have lighter labor, than while in Europe.  Continuing to work for hire, a few years longer, they buy a farm, marry, and enjoy all the sweets of a domestic society of their own.  The American governments are censured for permitting this species of servitude, which lays the foundation of the happiness of these people.  But what should these governments do?  Pay the passage of all those who choose to go into their country?  They are not able; nor, were they able, do they think the purchase worth the price.  Should they exclude these people from their shores?  Those who know their situations in Europe and America, would not say, that this is the alternative which humanity dictates.  It is said these people are deceived by those who carry them over.  But this is done in Europe.  How can the American governments