82 CHAP. VII.
H I S T O R Y
O F
did not appear, from what I have already related, that the redrefs of their grievances occupied the very firft deliberations of the nrit general affembly of reprefentatives that ever met in St. Domingo. Certainly, then, no juftification can be offered for thofe peftilent reformers, who could perfuade thefe unfortunate people to feek that relief by rebellion and maffacre, which was offered to them by the fupreme power of the country, as a fpontaneous and voluntary conceffion;—the homage of enlightened reafon on the altar of humanity. Concerning the enflaved negroes, however, it does not appear that the conduct of the whites towards them was in general reprehenfible. I believe, on the whole, it was as lenient and indulgent as was confiftent with their own fafety. It was the mulatto people themfelves who were the hard-hearted tafk-mafters to the negroes. The fame indignities which they received from the whites, they directed without fcruple towards the blacks; exercifing over the latter every fpecies of that oppreffion which they loudly and juftly complained of, when exercifed on themfelves;—and this is a true picture of human nature. By what means, then, it will be afked, were the negroes induced to forget their refentments, and join with thofe who were the conftant objects both of their envy and hatred ? IN order to reply to this question, with as much accuracy and precifion as the fubject will admit, it is neceifary to recur to the proceedings of the two affociations, of which mention was made in the Second Chapter of this Hiftory; namely, the Britifh affociation for the abolition of the flave trade, which held its meetings in the Old Jewry in London ; and the fociety called 6 Les