GLC06610: St. George Tucker A Dissertation on slavery with a proposal for the gradual abolition of it..., 1796.: Page #21
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torture, abuse, plunder, or even to enslave, an enemy, when the war is [over]. Since therefore the right of making slaves by captivity, depends on the supposed right of slaughter, that foundation failing, the consequence drawn from it must fail likewise. But, secondly, it is said slavery may begin jure civil ; when one man sells himself to another. This, if only meant of contracts to serve, or work for, another, is very just: but when applied to strict slavery, in the sense of the laws of old Rome or modern Barbary, is also impossible. Every sale implies a price, a quid pro quo, an equivalent given to the seller, in lieu of what he transfers to the buyer; but equivalent can be given for life and liberty, both of which, in absolute slavery, are held to be in the matters disposal? His property, also, the very price he seems to receive, devolves, ipfo facto, to his master, the instant he becomes a slave. In this cafe, therefore, the buyer gives nothing : of what validity then can a sale be, which destroys the very principles upon which all sales are founded? Lastly we are told, that