"Sugar would be too dear, if the plants which produce it were cultivated by any other than slaves.
"These creatures are all over black, and with such a flat nose that they can scarcely be pitied.
"It is hardly to be believed that God, who is a wise being, should place a soul, especially a good soul, in such a black ugly body.
"The Negroes prefer a glass necklace to that gold, which polite nations so highly value: can there be greater proof of their wanting common sense?
"It is impossible for us to suppose these creatures to be men, because, allowing them to be men, a suspicion would follow, that we ourselves are not Christians."—Book XV, Chap. V.
[182] See Clarkson's "History of the Abolition of the African Slave Trade," II, 148, and Vaux's "Memoirs of Anthony Benezet."
[183] See John Greenleaf Whittier's "Introduction to John Woolman's Journal."
[184] This description is by the Marquis de Chastellux, author of "De la Felicite Publique."
[185] For an exhaustive discussion of Benezet, see the "Journal of Negro History," Vol. II, No. 1.
[186] Woolman reports his remarks in substance as follows: "In the difficulties attending us in this life nothing is more precious than the mind of truth inwardly manifested; and it is my earnest desire that in this weighty matter we may be so truly humbled as to be favored with a clear understanding of the mind of truth, and follow it; this would be of more advantage to the Society than any medium not in the clearness of Divine wisdom. The case is difficult to some who have slaves, but it should set aside all self-interest, and come to be weaned from the desire of getting estates, or even from holding them together, when truth requires the contrary, I believe way will so open that they will know how to steer through those difficulties." "Journal," pp. 91-92.