19 Jan y 1803 + (11

Our consideration however

all this which presents itself unnoticed

from which the plea for violation of law on the ground of

necessity and expediency, can not but

suffer from abatement of its force. Already the March 1797

Expirees in a state of freedom are stated as amounting to

not less than 600. If

at that time so large a number could

be existing in that sort of state which is there called freedom, and the settlement remain

undestroyed, what becomes of the plea of necessity or even expediency, when applied to

to the keeping of them in a state of illegal bondage, by dozens or

half dozens at a time? a violation of law and justice, for

the sake of no greater a mass of advantage than was to be reaped

to no greater profit, than that was to be had by

the keeping them in this state by

dozens or half dozens at a time?

In all these transactions, in all this time, is it in the nature of the

case that the system, such as it is should have been carried on

otherwise than in consequence of and in general in conformity to,

Official Instructions received from him?