Note 18 — Chapter IV · AGRICULTURAL TRIBES.

It is easy to see that these arguments do not apply to slavery as practised by savages. Rotation of crops and skilful management are wanting among most savage tribes, whether they keep slaves or not. Moreover, as we have already remarked, the slaves kept by them are not pieces of machinery, nor, as in the United States, kept in compulsory ignorance; they are rather regarded as members of the master’s family; there is no great difference between master and slave18. We may therefore suppose that, whether a savage tribe keeps slaves or not, agriculture is carried on in the same manner.