JOHAN MAETSUYCKER

Our intention is that the purchase of slaves will occur indiscriminately of both the elderly and the young, especially when they are members of a single family as is often the case. If we only accepted the young and turn down the old, the latter would perish, which we understand has already occurred often. This would not conform with Christianity for to accept the children and leaving the parents to die in their presence, or to accept the men and turn down the women, would be harsh and, we fear, unacceptable to the Lord God

Our intention is that the purchase of slaves will occur indiscriminately of both the elderly and the young, especially when they are members of a single family as is often the case. If we only accepted the young and turn down the old, the latter would perish, which we understand has already occurred often. This would not conform with Christianity for to accept the children and leaving the parents to die in their presence, or to accept the men and turn down the women, would be harsh and, we fear, unacceptable to the Lord God