The colonists are by the law of nature freeborn, as indeed all men are, white or black. No better reasons can be given for enslaving those of any color than such as Baron Montesquieu has humorously given as the foundation of that cruel slavery exercised over the poor Ethiopians, which threatens one day to reduce both Europe and America to the ignorance and barbarity of the darkest ages. Does it follow that 'tis right to enslave a man because he is black? Will short curled hair like wool instead of Christian hair, as 'tis called by those whose hearts are as hard as the nether millstone, help the argument? Can any logical inference in favor of slavery be drawn from a flat nose, a long or a short face? Nothing better can be said in favor of a trade that is the most shocking violation of the law of nature, has a direct tendency to diminish the idea of the inestimable value of liberty, and makes every dealer in it a tyrant, from the director of an African company to the petty chapman in needles and pins on the unhappy coast. It is a clear truth that those who every day barter away other men's liberty will soon care little for their own. To hits cause must be imputed that ferocity, cruelty, and brutal barbarity that has long marked the general character of the sugar islanders. They can in general form no idea of government but that which in person or by an overseer, the joint and several proper representative of a creole and of the dl, is exercised over ten thousand of their fellow men, born with the same right to freedom and the sweet enjoyments of liberty and life as their unrelenting taskmasters, the overseers and planters. AFTER READING YOUR ASSIGNED DOCUMENT, ANSWER THE FOLLOWING

1. What is the general motivation of the writer of this document (i. e., religious, philosophical)?
2. Were there any antecedent events directly preceding the authoring of the document that may have influenced it (i. e., the Stamp Act, Boston Massacre)?
3. Are there any significant attitudes about rights of various groups expressed? Explain.
4. Was this a document originally intended for a small audience or large audience? Would type of original audience affect how the document was authored?
5. Is there a specific call to action in the document? If so, what?
6. Is there a claim of authority or credibility made by the author of the document (i. e., moral, common sense)?