George Bancroft, History of the United States from the Discovery of the American Continent, Vol. 2, 17th edition.

[193] servitude and oppression. A few bondmen, soldiers

Chap XIV.}

of Cromwell, and probably Roundheads, were excited by their own sufferings, and by the nature of life in the wilderness, to indulge once more in vague desires for a purer church and a happier condition. From the character of the times, their passions were sustained by political fanaticism; but no definite plan of revolution was devised; nor did the conspiracy extend beyond a scheme of indented servants to anticipate the period of their freedom. The effort was the work of ignorant men, and was easily suppressed.¹ The facility of escape compelled humane treatment of white servants.

Towards the negro the laws were less tolerant. The statute which declares who are slaves, followed the old idea, long prevalent through Christendom, ‘All servants, not being Christians, imported into this

1670

country by shipping, shall be slaves.’ Yet it was added, ‘conversion to the Christian faith doth not

1682

make free.’ The early Anglo-Saxon rule, interpreting every doubtful question in favor of liberty, declared the children of freemen to be free. Virginia was humane towards men of the white race; was severe towards the negro. Doubts arose, if the offspring of an Englishman by a negro woman should be bond or free; and the rule of the Roman law prevailed over

1662

the Anglo-Saxon. The offspring followed the condition of its mother. Enfranchisement of the colored population was not encouraged; the female slave was not subject to taxation; the emancipated negress was

16???

‘a tithable.’ ‘The death of a slave from extremity of correction, was not accounted felony; since it ’