1822 Sept. 26

Tripoli. Securities against Misrule.

Preliminary Explanations

?.13. Slaves - how affected

On this occasion one consideration of an all comprehensive nature presents itself to a first view /glance/, and [...?] a multitude of details. This is - that by no /scarcely by any/ oppression /vexation/ at the hands of the Sovereign can a slave be put in /into/ a worse condition than he is in already under his master: an injury not affecting /applying/ life or capacity for labour will not in this case be regarded as presenting a claim to notice /an evil worth providing against/: and in the case /if so it be that/ the injury takes either of these shapes the master will be regarded as the object of it, and so far as the property of the master when in this shape obtains protection, /it will extend itself to/ the person of the slave will share in it. Of The two potentates in the power of both of whom the slave is placed at the same time, namely his Master and the Sovereign, the one at whose hands he is beyond all comparison most exposed to vexation in all its shapes is the Master: to the Sovereign scarcely in any case be either a source of depredation or an object of resentment and thence of oppression. But supposing him by any accident thus unfortunate, an injury to the slave is in so far as it comes home to the master an injury to the master; and whatsoever be the security afforded to the master for his property in this shape, the /person of the/ slave in respect of his person will have the benefit of it.