[16] In looking into Mr. Hume’s Essays, particularly the one of _national characters_ (which I had never seen till after the above argument was finished) I was made happy to observe the ideas of so ingenious a writer corresponding with my own: but as we differ in some respects, and much of what I have suggested has been not at all taken notice of by him, I shall beg leave to insert here what he has said upon the subject. “There is,” says he, “some reason to think, that all nations, which live beyond the polar circles, or betwixt the tropics, _are inferior to the rest of the species_, and are _utterly incapable_ of all the higher attainments of the human mind.” Upon which he has the following note: “I am apt to suspect the Negroes, and in general all the other _species_ of men (for there are four or five different _kinds_) to be naturally inferior to the whites.” Now I do not apprehend, that, in order to have different _species_ of men, it is at all necessary to have four or five different _kinds_. I infer, that there is but _one genus_ or _kind_ of man (under the term _mankind_) subordinate to which there are several _sorts_ or _species_ of men, differing from each other upon the principle that I have assigned; and, as Hudibras says, If one will do, What need of two? Besides, it is seemingly a less systematical arrangement. But he proceeds to say, “There never was a civilized nation of any other complexion than white, nor even any individual eminent either in action or speculation. No ingenious manufactures amongst them, no arts, no sciences. On the other hand, the most rude and barbarous of the whites, such as the antient Germans, or the present Tartars, have still something eminent about them, in their valour, form of government, or some other particular. Such a uniform and constant difference could not happen, in so many countries and ages, if nature had not made an _original distinction_ betwixt these _breeds_ of men. Not to mention our colonies, there are Negroe slaves dispersed all over Europe, of which none ever discovered any symptoms of ingenuity; though low people without education will start up among us, and distinguish themselves in every profession. In Jamaica indeed they talk of one Negroe as a man of parts and learning; but, ’tis likely he is admired for very slender accomplishments, like a parrot who speaks a few words plainly.” Thus Mr. Hume marks the difference betwixt the several species of men, by their natural capacity or incapacity of exerting in degree the rational powers, or faculties of the understanding; which is the distinction that Mr. Locke makes between man and brutes. I distinguish man from man by _the moral sense_ or moral powers; and although a Negroe is found, in Jamaica or elsewhere, ever so sensible and acute; yet if he is incapable of moral sensations, or perceives them only as beasts do simple ideas, without the power of combination, in order to use (which I verily