Pearson Forensic Dispute on the Legality of Enslaving the Africans

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their importation is to them a redemption from a condition on the whole so much more miserable, we must, as I void before, justify the government in tolerating such importation; & with respect to the particular of abuse, we can only say, caveant qui sunt conscii.

I have omitted the right sometimes pretended to be derived from purchase, because I look upon the argument to be trifling. For tho' right of authority, if it be well founded, be possibly in some cases transferable, yet, it is well known that all the authority, that any one of these miserable creatures can pretend to over another, is founded merely in the fortune of a brutal, savage war, conducted without the least regard on either side, to any principles of equity, justice or national honor; and for authority so founded, I have no disposition to contend. But I think there is much more in their argument, who assert that by the purchase of the vic-times

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their lives are preserved, which would otherwise undoubtedly be sacrificed to the crelty of the captors. For tho' I am sensible that to this it is commonly replied, that the custom of purchasing captives in a perpertual source of war, yet, if we consider that a people so injumanly savage as to dispose of their nearest relations for baubles can never [want[ matter of discord, and that, was it not for the advantages in this way made of them, we should have no reason to doubt whether the custom of purchasing, may in this way be considered as a favor. In the whole, since it is evident beyond all controversy, that the removal of these Africans from the state of brutality, [nore to hednf??] & misery in which they are at home so deeply involved, to this land of light, humanity & christian knowledge, is to them so great a blessing, however faulty any individuals may have been in point of unnecessary cruelty practiced in this [brisinefs??], yet, whether the general state.

18 state of subordination here, which is a necessary consequence of such removal, be agreeable to the law of nature, can by no means longer remain a question.

As you have not now disputed the truth of principle, but joined with me in resting the argument upon a matter of fact, I shall no further puruse the dispute, but leave that point to be determined by the judgment of others.

Finis

E. Pearson's Part of Forensic Dispute 1773