To preface this, let us begin by rephrasing a paragraph from the passage. “Another great advantage to my scheme is that it will prevent voluntary abortions and the horrid practice of women killing their children. It happens much too often. It is done to avoid the expense of raising them, a reason which would put tears in the eyes of even the most savage and inhuman among us.”

Now this is his plan: To raise children to be slaughtered and eaten. He even says that he doubts anyone will have any objection to this whatsoever.

He elaborates that children could be eaten as early as one year old and that they could be prepared in any number of ways. They would be in season all year, but will be the most plentiful in March. The more frugal could even turn skin into leather goods. He even says that children 12-14 would be a good replacement for venison, which would help the dwindling deer population.

The six main advantages to his proposal, as said by him, are thus.

  1. This would greatly reduce the number of Roman Catholics.
  2. As poor people would now own somehthing of value, they would be able to pay rent.
  3. This would be a very profitable business, with the money being shared amongst the wealthy, as the goods would belong entirely to them.
  4. The “breeders” would no longer be in debt, as they would make more money than what it took to raise a child after their first year.
  5. The food will become a delicacy, therefore those who prepare it well and serve it to guests will become popular among those interested in fine dining, and any skillful cook could sell it for as much as he pleased.
  6. There will be more reason for people to get married. In addition, mothers would care better for their children, as to have the “fattest child on the market,” and men would love their wives more, as they would now be bringing in money. And, as an added bonus, men would be less likely to beat their wives in fear of a miscarriage.

Now, for another quote, directly from the text, “And besides, it is not improbable that some scrupulous People might be apt to Censure such a Practice, (although indeed very unjustly) as a little bordering upon Cruelty, which, I confess, hath always been with me the strongest objection against any Project, however so well intended.”

Again, he says that he isn’t doing this to be cruel, but out of the kindness of his heart, with only the interests of his country in mind.