CHAPTER XXX.

Negroes: Their introduction into the New World--Bartholomew Las Casas--His intercessions in favour of the Indians--Cardinal Ximenes--Origin of the slave trade--Its adoption by the English government--Character of slavery--Mental degeneracy--Instances of superior faculties among the Negro race--Juan Parega-- Phillis Wheatley--Ignatius Sancho--His letter to the Rev. L. Sterne--Slavery in its early days--Punishment of the negroes in 1736