The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

From the Essex Gazette, March 16.

Messieurs Printers,

The following Extract from the Adventures of Candide, a satirical Novel by Mr. VOLTAIRE, may serve in some Measure, to elucidate a Point which has of late more especially been a Subject of Controversy: You are therefore desired to insert it in your Paper, by your constant Reader.

I had not yet seen Africa; but while I was debating with myself whether it was best to satisfy this last Inclination, or sail for Italy, my Ship was taken by the Negroes, and I was of Course carried thither. Our Captain railed against the Captors, asking them the Reason why they thus outrageously violated the Laws of Nations? They replied, Your Nose is long and ours is flat; your Hair is straight and our Wool is curled; You are white and we are black: consequently we ought, according to the sacred and unalterable Laws of Nature, to be forever Enemies. You buy us on the Coast of Guinea as if we were no human Creatures, then treat us like Beasts, and with repeated Blows compel us to do eternal digging in the Mountains, in order to find ridiculous yellow Dust, of no intrinsic Value, and not worth a good Egyptian Onion; therefore when we meet with you and are the stronger, we make you our Slaves, and force you to till our Ground, or else we cut off your Nose and Ears.

We had not nothing to say against so wise a Discourse. I was employed to till the Ground of an old Negro Woman, having no Inclination to lose either my Nose or Ears; and after a twelvemonth's Slavery, I was redeemed by some Friends I had written to for that purpose.