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security to the inhabitants of so very distant a province。 The
administration of the French colonies； however； has always been
conducted with more gentleness and moderation than that of the
Spanish and Portugese。 This superiority of conduct is suitable
both to the character of the French nation； and to what forms the
character of every nation； the nature of their government； which
though arbitrary and violent in comparison with that of Great
Britain； is legal and free in comparison with those of Spain and
Portugal。
It is in the progress of the North American colonies；
however； that the superiority of the English policy chiefly
appears。 The progress of the sugar colonies of France has been at
least equal； perhaps superior； to that of the greater part of
those of England； and yet the sugar colonies of England enjoy a
free government nearly of the same kind with that which takes
place in her colonies of North America。 But the sugar colonies of
France are not discouraged； like those of England； from refining
their own sugar； and； what is of still greater importance； the
genius of their government naturally introduces a better
management of their negro slaves。
In all European colonies the culture of the sugar…cane is
carried on by negro slaves。 The constitution of those who have
been born in the temperate climate of Europe could not； it is
supposed； support the labour of digging the ground under the
burning sun of the West Indies； and the culture of the sugarcane；
as it is managed at present； is all hand labour； though； in the
opinion of many； the drill plough might be introduced into it
with great advantage。 But； as the profit and success of the
cultivation which is carried on by means of cattle； depend very
much upon the good management of those cattle； so the profit and
success of that which is carried on by slaves must depend equally
upon the good management of those slaves； and in the good
management of their slaves the French planters； I think it is
generally allowed； are superior to the English。 The law； so far
as it gives some weak protection to the slave against the
violence of his master； is likely to be better executed in a
colony where the government is in a great measure arbitrary than
in one where it is altogether free。 In every country where the
unfortunate law of slavery is established； the magistrate； when
he protects the slave； intermeddles in some measure in the
management of the private property of the master； and； in a free
country； where the master is perhaps either a member of the
colony assembly； or an elector of such a member； he dare not do
this but with the greatest caution and circumspection。 The
respect which he is obliged to pay to the master renders it more
difficult for him to protect the slave。 But in a country where
the government is in a great measure arbitrary； where it is usual
for the magistrate to intermeddle even in the management of the
private property of individuals； and to send them； perhaps； a
lettre de cachet if they do not manage it according to his
liking； it is much easier for him to give some protection to the
slave； and common humanity naturally disposes him to do so。 The
protection of the magistrate renders the slave less contemptible
in the eyes of his master； who is thereby induced to consider him
with more regard； and to treat him with more gentleness。 Gentle
usage renders the slave not only more faithful； but more
intelligent； and therefore； upon a double account； more useful。
He approaches more to the condition of a free servant； and may
possess some degree of integrity and attachment to his master's
interest； virtues which frequently belong to free servants； but
which never can belong to a slave who is treated as slaves
commonly are in countries where the master is perfectly free and
secure。
That the condition of a slave is better under an arbitrary
than under a free government is； I believe； supported by the
history of all ages and nations。 In the Roman history； the first
time we read of the magistrate interposing to protect the slave
from the violence of his master is under the emperors。 When
Vedius Pollio； in the presence of Augustus； ordered one of his
slaves； who had committed a slight fault； to be cut into pieces
and thrown into his fish pond in order to feed his fishes； the
emperor commanded him； with indignation； to emancipate
immediately； not only that slave； but all the others that
belonged to him。 Under the republic no magistrate could have had
authority enough to protect the slave； much less to punish the
master。
The stock； it is to be observed； which has improved the
sugar colonies of France； particularly the great colony of St。
Domingo； has been raised almost entirely from the gradual
improvement and cultivation of those colonies。 It has been almost
altogether the produce of the soil and of the industry of the
colonies； or； what comes to the same thing； the price of that
produce gradually accumulated by good management； and employed in
raising a still greater produce。 But the stock which has improved
and cultivated the sugar colonies of England has； a great part of
it； been sent out from England； and has by no means been
altogether the produce of the soil and industry of the colonists。
The prosperity of the English sugar colonies has been； in a great
measure； owing to the great riches of England； of which a part
has overflowed； if one may say so； upon those colonies。 But the
prosperity of the sugar colonies of France has been entirely
owing to the good conduct of the colonists； which must therefore
have had some superiority over that of the English； and this
superiority has been remarked in nothing so much as in the good
management of their slaves。
Such have been the general outlines of the policy of the
different European nations with regard to their colonies。
The policy of Europe； therefore； has very little to boast
of； either in the original establishment or； so far as concerns
their internal government； in the subsequent prosperity of the
colonies of America。
Folly and injustice seem to have been the principles which
presided over and directed the first project of establishing
those colonies； the folly of hunting after gold and silver mines；
and the injustice of coveting the possession of a country whose
harmless natives； far from having ever injured the people of
Europe； had received the first adventurers with every mark of
kindness and hospitality。
The adventurers； indeed； who formed some of the later
establishments； joined to the chimerical project of finding gold
and silver mines other motives more reasonable and more laudable；
but even these motives do very little honour to the policy of
Europe。
The English Puritans； restrained at home； fled for freedom
to America； and established there the four governments of New
England。 The English Catholics； treated with much greater
injustice； established that of Maryland； the Quakers； that of
Pennsylvania。 The Portuguese Jews； persecuted by th