H I S T O R Y
16 CHAP. II.
O F
felves Amis des Noirs (Friends of the Blacks) ; and it muft be ac knowledged, that the fplendid appearance, and thoughtlefs ex travagance, of many of the French planters refident in the mother country, contributed by no means to divert the malice of their adverfaries, or to foften the prejudices of the publick towards them. T h e fociety in France called Amis des Noirs, was I believe originally formed on the model of a fimilar affociation in London ; but the views and purpofes of the two bodies had taken a dif ferent direction. The fociety in London profeffed to have no thing more in view than to obtain an act of the legiflature for prohibiting the further introduction of African flaves into the Britifh colonies. They difclaimed all intention of interfering with the government and condition of the negroes already in the plantations; publickly declaring their opinion to be, that a gene ral emancipation of thofe people, in their prefent ftate of igno rance and barbarity, inftead of a bleffing, would prove to them a fource of misfortune and mifery. On the other hand, the fo ciety of Amis des Noirs, having fecretly in view to fubvert the ancient defpotifm of the French government, loudly clamoured for a general and immediate abolition, not only of the flave trade, but alfo of the flavery which it fupported. Proceeding on abftract reafoning, rather than on the actual condition of hu man nature, they diftinguifhed not between civilized and unci vilized life, and confidered that it ill became them to claim freedom for themfelves, and withhold it at the fame time from the negroes : it is to be lamented that a principle fo plaufible in appearance,