IN Africa, the poor wretched natives — blessed with the most fertile and luxuriant soil — are rendered so much the more miserable for what Providence meant as a blessing: the Christians’ abominable traffic for slaves, and the horrid cruelty and treachery of the petty Kings, encouraged by their Christian customers, who carry them strong liquors to enflame their national madness, and powder and bad fire arms to furnish them with the hellish means of killing and kidnapping.
But enough: it is a subject that sours my blood, and I am sure will not please the friendly bent of your social affections.* I mention these, only to guard my friend against being too hasty in condemning the knavery of a people, who, bad as they may be — possibly were made worse by their Christian visitors. Make human nature thy study wherever thou residest; whatever the religion or the complexion, study their hearts. Simplicity, kindness, and charity,* be thy guide; with these, even Savages will respect you — and God will bless you.
Sancho was born into slavery, upon a slave-ship in 1729; his mother died soon after of disease, and his father committed suicide. Sancho himself suffered for much of his life from a drinking and gambling problem. The subject was, indeed, a very personal one.
Sancho uses the word charity in its proper sense, as a translation of the Biblical Greek word agápi meaning an affectionate and forgiving love that looks for the best in others. He does not mean handouts, as his plea for free trade amply demonstrates.