The Origin of the Negro Slave Trade" by Matthias Chrisian Sprengel

When pondering the torments of poor Negroes, the whiplashes they have to endure, the mea-

ger food they are served, their confinement, and various other circumstances [ . . . ] –who can

refrain from being astonished at the perseverance of human nature? Who will not wonder at

the sight of the poor Negress [ . . . ] shackled to a weight of more than one hundred pounds?

Thus she is punished by the ingenious cruelty of her master. For months during her labor, she

is tied to the weight which a heavy chain fixes above her ankle. Whenever she wants to take a

step, she must lift the burden upon her head.

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