 He strongly criticised the cruel treatment and punishment meted out to the slaves, and became more convinced of the need to improve their conditions.This led him into involvement in local government, but he was the target of much antagonism and personal attack from the planters, who resented his interference, because of his measures to ameliorate the conditions of the slaves.His letters to the bishop of London illustrate the attitudes of the American colonists in the late 18th century.