"And pray, young man," said Mr Barlow, "how came these people to be slaves?"
_Tommy._--Because my father bought them with his money. _Mr Barlow._--So then people that are bought with money are slaves, are they? _T._--Yes. _Mr B._--And those that buy them have a right to kick them, and beat them, and do as they please with them? _T._--Yes. _Mr B._--Then, if I was to take and sell you to Farmer Sandford, he would have a right to do what he pleased with you? No, sir, said Tommy, somewhat warmly; but you would have no right to sell me, nor he to buy me. _Mr B._--Then it is not a person's being bought or sold that gives another a right to use him ill, but one person's having a right to sell another, and the man who buys having a right to purchase? _T._--Yes, sir. _Mr B._--And what right have the people who sold the poor negroes to your father to sell them, or what right has your father to buy them? Here Tommy seemed to be a good deal puzzled, but at length he said, "They are brought from a country that is a great way off, in ships, and so they become slaves." Then, said Mr Barlow, "if I take you to another country, in a ship, I shall have a right to sell you?" _T._--No, but you won't, sir, because I was born a gentleman. _Mr B._--What do you mean by that, Tommy? Why (said Tommy, a little confounded), to have a fine house, and fine clothes, and a coach, and a great deal of money, as my papa has. _Mr B._--Then if you were no longer to have a fine house, nor fine clothes, nor a great deal of money, somebody that had all these things might make you a slave, and use you ill, and beat you, and insult you, and do whatever he liked with you? _T._--No, sir, that would not be right neither, that anybody should use me ill. _Mr B._--Then one person should not use another ill? _T._--No, sir. _Mr B._--To make a slave of anybody is to use him ill, is it not? _T._--I think so. _Mr B._--Then no one ought to make a slave of you? _T._--No, indeed, sir. _Mr B._--But if no one should use another ill, and making a slave is using him ill, neither ought you to make a slave of any one else. _T._--Indeed, sir, I think not; and for the future I never will use our black William ill; nor pinch him, nor kick him, as I used to do. _Mr B._--Then you will be a very good boy. But let us now continue our story.