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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11489 ***
+
+SOME HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF GUINEA,
+
+
+
+
+
+ITS SITUATION, PRODUCE, AND THE GENERAL DISPOSITION OF ITS INHABITANTS.
+
+
+
+
+
+AN INQUIRY INTO THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE SLAVE TRADE, ITS NATURE AND
+LAMENTABLE EFFECTS.
+
+
+1771 BY ANTHONY BENEZET
+
+
+
+SOME
+
+
+HISTORICAL ACCOUNT
+
+
+OF
+
+
+GUINEA,
+
+
+
+ITS
+
+
+SITUATION, PRODUCE, and the general
+
+DISPOSITION of its INHABITANTS.
+
+
+WITH
+
+
+An Inquiry into the RISE and PROGRESS
+
+
+OF THE
+
+
+SLAVE TRADE,
+
+
+Its NATURE, and lamentable EFFECTS.
+
+
+ALSO
+
+
+A REPUBLICATION of the Sentiments of several Authors of Note on this
+interesting Subject: Particularly an Extract of a Treatise written by
+GRANVILLE SHARPE.
+
+
+By ANTHONY BENEZET
+
+
+    ACTS xvii. 24, 26. GOD, _that made the world hath made of_ one
+    blood _all nations of men, for to dwell on all the face of the
+    earth, and hath determined the--bounds of their habitation._
+
+
+PHILADELPHIA: Printed MDCCLXXI.
+
+LONDON: Re-printed MDCCLXXII.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+    Introduction.
+
+
+    CHAPTER I. _A GENERAL account of_ Guinea; _particularly those
+    parts on the rivers_ Senegal _and_ Gambia.
+
+
+    CHAP. II. _Account of the_ Ivory-Coast, _the_ Gold-Coast _and
+    the Slave-Coast_.
+
+
+    CHAP. III. _Of the kingdoms of_ Benin, Kongo _and_ Angola.
+
+
+    CHAP. IV. Guinea, _first discovered and subdued by the_
+    Arabians. _The Portuguese make descents on the coast, and carry
+    off the natives. Oppression of the_ Indians: _De la Casa pleads
+    their cause_.
+
+
+    CHAP. V. _The_ English's _first trade to the coast of_ Guinea:
+    _Violently carry off some of the Negros._
+
+
+    CHAP. VI. _Slavery more tolerable under_ Pagans _and_ Turks
+    _than in the colonies. As christianity prevailed, ancient
+    slavery declined_.
+
+
+    CHAP. VII. Montesquieu's _sentiments of slavery_. Morgan
+    Godwyn's _advocacy on behalf of Negroes and Indians, &c._
+
+
+    CHAP. VIII. _Grievous treatment of the Negroes in the colonies,
+    &c._
+
+
+    CHAP. IX. _Desire of gain the true motive of the_ Slave trade.
+    _Misrepresentation of the state of the Negroes in Guinea_.
+
+
+    CHAP. X. _State of the Government in_ Guinea, &c.
+
+
+    CHAP. XI. _Accounts of the cruel methods used in carrying on of
+    the_ Slave trade, &c.
+
+
+    CHAP. XII. _Extracts of several voyages to the coast of_ Guinea,
+    &c.
+
+
+    CHAP. XIII. _Numbers of Negroes, yearly brought from_ Guinea,
+    _by the_ English, &c.
+
+
+    CHAP. XIV. _Observations on the situation and disposition of the
+    Negroes in the northern colonies_, &c.
+
+
+    CHAP. XV. Europeans _capable of bearing reasonable labour in
+    the_ West Indies, &c.
+
+
+    _Extracts from_ Granville Sharp's _representations,_ &c.
+
+
+    _Sentiments of several authors,_ viz. George Wallace, Francis
+    Hutcheson, _and_ James Foster.
+
+
+    _Extracts of an address to the assembly of_ Virginia.
+
+
+    _Extract of the bishop of_ Gloucester's _sermon_.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION.
+
+
+The slavery of the Negroes having, of late, drawn the attention of many
+serious minded people; several tracts have been published setting forth
+its inconsistency with every christian and moral virtue, which it is
+hoped will have weight with the judicious; especially at a time when the
+liberties of mankind are become so much the subject of general
+attention. For the satisfaction of the serious enquirer who may not have
+the opportunity of seeing those tracts, and such others who are
+sincerely desirous that the iniquity of this practice may become
+effectually apparent, to those in whose power, it may be to put a stop
+to any farther progress therein; it is proposed, hereby, to republish
+the most material parts of said tracts; and in order to enable the
+reader to form a true judgment of this matter, which, tho' so very
+important, is generally disregarded, or so artfully misrepresented by
+those whose interest leads them to vindicate it, as to bias the opinions
+of people otherwise upright; some account will be here given of the
+different parts of Africa, from which the Negroes are brought to
+America; with an impartial relation from what motives the Europeans were
+first induced to undertake, and have since continued this iniquitous
+traffic. And here it will not be improper to premise, that tho' wars,
+arising from the common depravity of human nature, have happened, as
+well among the Negroes as other nations, and the weak sometimes been
+made captives to the strong; yet nothing appears, in the various
+relations of the intercourse and trade for a long time carried on by the
+Europeans on that coast, which would induce us to believe, that there is
+any real foundation for that argument, so commonly advanced in
+vindication of that trade, viz. "_That the slavery of the Negroes took
+its rise from a desire, in the purchasers, to save the lives of such of
+them as were taken captives in war, who would otherwise have been
+sacrificed to the implacable revenge of their conquerors._" A plea which
+when compared with the history of those times, will appear to be
+destitute of Truth; and to have been advanced, and urged, principally by
+such as were concerned in reaping the gain of this infamous traffic, as
+a palliation of that, against which their own reason and conscience must
+have raised fearful objections.
+
+
+
+
+SOME
+
+
+HISTORICAL ACCOUNT
+
+
+OF
+
+
+GUINEA.
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+[Price 2s. 6d. stitched.]
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. I.
+
+
+Guinea affords an easy living to its inhabitants, with but little toil.
+The climate agrees well with the natives, but extremely unhealthful to
+the Europeans. Produces provisions in the greatest plenty. Simplicity of
+their housholdry. The coast of Guinea described from the river Senegal
+to the kingdom of Angola. The fruitfulness of that part lying on and
+between the two great rivers Senegal and Gambia. Account of the
+different nations settled there. Order of government amongst the Jalofs.
+Good account of some of the Fulis. The Mandingos; their management,
+government, &c. Their worship. M. Adanson's account of those countries.
+Surprizing vegetation. Pleasant appearance of the country. He found the
+natives very sociable and obliging.
+
+When the Negroes are considered barely in their present abject state of
+slavery, broken-spirited and dejected; and too easy credit is given to
+the accounts we frequently hear or read of their barbarous and savage
+way of living in their own country; we shall be naturally induced to
+look upon them as incapable of improvement, destitute, miserable, and
+insensible of the benefits of life; and that our permitting them to live
+amongst us, even on the most oppressive terms, is to them a favour. But,
+on impartial enquiry, the case will appear to be far otherwise; we shall
+find that there is scarce a country in the whole world, that is better
+calculated for affording the necessary comforts of life to its
+inhabitants, with less solicitude and toil, than Guinea. And that
+notwithstanding the long converse of many of its inhabitants with
+(often) the worst of the Europeans, they still retain a great deal of
+innocent simplicity; and, when not stirred up to revenge from the
+frequent abuses they have received from the Europeans in general,
+manifest themselves to be a humane, sociable people, whose faculties are
+as capable of improvement as those of other Men; and that their oeconomy
+and government is, in many respects, commendable. Hence it appears they
+might have lived happy, if not disturbed by the Europeans; more
+especially, if these last had used such endeavours as their christian
+profession requires, to communicate to the ignorant Africans that
+superior knowledge which Providence had favoured them with. In order to
+set this matter in its true light, and for the information of those
+well-minded people who are desirous of being fully acquainted with the
+merits of a cause, which is of the utmost consequence; as therein the
+lives and happiness of thousands, and hundreds of thousands, of our
+fellow _Men_ have fallen, and are daily falling, a sacrifice to selfish
+avarice and usurped power, I will here give some account of the several
+divisions of those parts of Africa from whence the Negroes are brought,
+with a summary of their produce; the disposition of their respective
+inhabitants; their improvements, &c. &c. extracted from authors of
+credit; mostly such as have been principal officers in the English,
+French and Dutch factories, and who resided many years in those
+countries. But first it is necessary to premise, as a remark generally
+applicable to the whole coast of Guinea, "_That the Almighty, who has
+determined and appointed the bounds of the habitation of men on the face
+of the earth_" in the manner that is most conducive to the well-being of
+their different natures and dispositions, has so ordered it, that altho'
+Guinea is extremely unhealthy[A] to the Europeans, of whom many
+thousands have met there with a miserable and untimely end, yet it is
+not so with the Negroes, who enjoy a good state of health[B] and are
+able to procure to themselves a comfortable subsistence, with much less
+care and toil than is necessary in our more northern climate; which last
+advantage arises not only from the warmth of the climate, but also from
+the overflowing of the rivers, whereby the land is regularly moistened
+and rendered extremely fertile; and being in many places improved by
+culture, abounds with grain and fruits, cattle, poultry, &c. The earth
+yields all the year a fresh supply of food: Few clothes are requisite,
+and little art necessary in making them, or in the construction of their
+houses, which are very simple, principally calculated to defend them
+from the tempestuous seasons and wild beasts; a few dry reeds covered
+with matts serve for their beds. The other furniture, except what
+belongs to cookery, gives the women but little trouble; the moveables of
+the greatest among them amounting only to a few earthen pots, some
+wooden utensils, and gourds or calabashes; from these last, which grow
+almost naturally over their huts, to which they afford an agreeable
+shade, they are abundantly stocked with good clean vessels for most
+houshold uses, being of different sizes, from half a pint to several
+gallons.
+
+[Footnote A: _Gentleman's Magazine, Supplement, 1763. Extract of a
+letter wrote from the island of Senegal, by Mr. Boone, practitioner of
+physic there, to Dr. Brocklesby of London._
+
+    "To form just idea of the unhealthiness of the climate, it will
+    be necessary to conceive a country extending three hundred
+    leagues East, and more to the North and South. Through this
+    country several large rivers empty themselves into the sea;
+    particularly the Sanaga, Gambia and Sherbro; these, during the
+    rainy months, which begin in July and continue till October,
+    overflow their banks, and lay the whole flat country under
+    water; and indeed, the very sudden rise of these rivers is
+    incredible to persons who have never been within the tropicks,
+    and are unacquainted with the violent rains that fall there. At
+    Galem, nine hundred miles from the mouth of the Sanaga, I am
+    informed that the waters rise one hundred and fifty feet
+    perpendicular, from the bed of the river. This information I
+    received from a gentleman, who was surgeon's mate to a party
+    sent there, and the only survivor of three captains command,
+    each consisting of one captain, two lieutenants, one ensign, a
+    surgeon's mate, three serjeants, three corporals, and fifty
+    privates.
+
+    "When the rains are at an end, which usually happens in October,
+    the intense heat of the sun soon dries up the waters which lie
+    on the higher parts of the earth, and the remainder forms lakes
+    of stagnated waters, in which are found all sorts of dead
+    animals. These waters every day decrease, till at last they are
+    quite exhaled, and then the effluvia that arises is almost
+    insupportable. At this season, the winds blow so very hot from
+    off the land, that I can compare them to nothing but the heat
+    proceeding from the mouth of an oven. This occasions the
+    Europeans to be sorely vexed with bilious and putrid fevers.
+    From this account you will not be surprized, that the total loss
+    of British subjects in this island only, amounted to above two
+    thousand five hundred, in the space of three years that I was
+    there, in such a putrid moist air as I have described."
+
+]
+
+
+[Footnote B: James Barbot, agent general to the French African company,
+in his account of Africa, page 105, says, "The natives are seldom
+troubled with any distempers, being little affected with the unhealthy
+air. In tempestuous times they keep much within doors; and when exposed
+to the weather, their skins being suppled, and pores closed by daily
+anointing with palm oil, the weather can make but little impression on
+them."]
+
+That part of Africa from which the Negroes are sold to be carried into
+slavery, commonly known by the name of Guinea, extends along the coast
+three or four thousand miles. Beginning at the river Senegal, situate
+about the 17th degree of North latitude, being the nearest part of
+Guinea, as well to Europe as to North America; from thence to the river
+Gambia, and in a southerly course to Cape Sierra Leona, comprehends a
+coast of about seven hundred miles; being the same tract for which Queen
+Elizabeth granted charters to the first traders to that coast: from
+Sierra Leona, the land of Guinea takes a turn to the eastward, extending
+that course about fifteen hundred miles, including those several
+civilians known by name of _the Grain Coast, the Ivory Coast, the Gold
+Coast, and the Slave Coast, with the large kingdom of Benin_. From
+thence the land runs southward along the coast about twelve hundred
+miles, which contains the _kingdoms of Congo and Angola_; there the
+trade for slaves ends. From which to the southermost Cape of Africa,
+called the Cape of Good Hope, the country is settled by Caffres and
+Hottentots, who have never been concerned in the making or selling
+slaves.
+
+Of the parts which are above described, the first which presents itself
+to view, is that situate on the great river Senegal, which is said to be
+navigable more than a thousand miles, and is by travellers described to
+be very agreeable and fruitful. Andrew Brue, principal factor for the
+French African company, who lived sixteen years in that country, after
+describing its fruitfulness and plenty, near the sea, adds,[A] "The
+farther you go from the sea, the country on the river seems the more
+fruitful and well improved; abounding with Indian corn, pulse, fruit,
+&c. Here are vast meadows, which feed large herds of great and small
+cattle, and poultry numerous: The villages that lie thick on the river,
+shew the country is well peopled." The same author, in the account of a
+voyage he made up the river Gambia, the mouth of which lies about three
+hundred miles South of the Senegal, and is navigable about six hundred
+miles up the country, says,[B] "That he was surprized to see the land so
+well cultivated; scarce a spot lay unimproved; the low lands, divided by
+small canals, were all formed with rice, &c. the higher ground planted
+with millet, Indian corn, and pease of different sorts; their beef
+excellent; poultry plenty, and very cheap, as well as all other
+necessaries of life." Francis Moor, who was sent from England about the
+year 1735, in the service of the African company, and resided at James
+Fort, on the river Gambia, or in other factories on that river, about
+five years, confirms the above account of the fruitfulness of the
+country. William Smith, who was sent in the year 1726, by the African
+company, to survey their settlements throughout the whole coast of
+Guinea[C] says, "The country about the Gambia is pleasant and fruitful;
+provisions of all kinds being plenty and exceeding cheap." The country
+on and between the two above-mentioned rivers is large and extensive,
+inhabited principally by those three Negro nations known by the name of
+Jalofs, Fulis, and Mandingos. The Jalofs possess the middle of the
+country. The Fulis principal settlement is on both sides of the Senegal;
+great numbers of these people are also mixed with the Mandingos; which
+last are mostly settled on both sides the Gambia. The government of the
+Jalofs is represented as under a better regulation than can be expected
+from the common opinion we entertain of the Negroes. We are told in the
+Collection,[D] "That the King has under him several ministers of state,
+who assist him in the exercise of justice. _The grand Jerafo_ is the
+chief justice thro' all the King's dominions, and goes in circuit from
+time to time to hear complaints, and determine controversies. _The
+King's treasurer_ exercises the same employment, and has under him
+Alkairs, who are governors of towns or villages. That the _Kondi_, or
+_Viceroy_, goes the circuit with the chief justice, both to hear causes,
+and inspect into the behaviour of the _Alkadi_, or chief magistrate of
+every village in their several districts[E]." _Vasconcelas_, an author
+mentioned in the collection, says, "The ancientest are preferred to be
+the _Prince's counsellors_, who keep always about his person; and the
+men of most judgment and experience are the judges." _The Fulis_ are
+settled on both sides of the river _Senegal_: Their country, which is
+very fruitful and populous, extends near four hundred miles from East to
+West. They are generally of a deep tawny complexion, appearing to bear
+some affinity with the Moors, whose country they join on the North. They
+are good farmers, and make great harvest of corn, cotton, tobacco, &c.
+and breed great numbers of cattle of all kinds. _Bartholomew Stibbs_,
+(mentioned by _Fr. Moor_) in his account of that country says,[F] "_They
+were a cleanly, decent, industrious people, and very affable_." But the
+most particular account we have, of these people, is from _Francis Moor_
+himself, who says,[G] "Some of these Fuli blacks who dwell on both sides
+the river Gambia, are in subjection to the Mandingos, amongst whom they
+dwell, having been probably driven out of their country by war or
+famine. They have chiefs of their own, who rule with much moderation.
+Few of them will drink brandy, or any thing stronger than water and
+sugar, being strict Mahometans. Their form of government goes on easy,
+because the people are of a good quiet disposition, and so well
+instructed in what is right, that a man who does ill, is the abomination
+of all, and, none will support him against the chief. In these
+countries, the natives are not covetous of land, desiring no more than
+what they use; and as they do not plough with horses and cattle, they
+can use but very little, therefore the Kings are willing to give the
+Fulis leave to live in their country, and cultivate their lands. If any
+of their people are known to be made slaves, all the Fulis will join to
+redeem them; they also support the old, the blind, and lame, amongst
+themselves; and as far as their abilities go, they supply the
+necessities of the Mandingos, great numbers of whom they have maintained
+in famine." _The author_, from his own observations, says, "They were
+rarely angry, and that he never heard them abuse one another."
+
+[Footnote A: Astley's collect. vol. 2. page 46.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Astley's collection of voyages, vol. 2, page 86.]
+
+
+[Footnote C: William Smith's voyage to Guinea, page 31, 34.]
+
+
+[Footnote D: Astley's collection, vol. 2, page 358.]
+
+
+[Footnote E: Idem. 259.]
+
+
+[Footnote F: Moor's travels into distant parts of Africa, page 198.]
+
+
+[Footnote G: Ibid, page 21.]
+
+_The Mandingos_ are said by _A. Brue_ before mentioned, "To be the most
+numerous nation on the Gambia, besides which, numbers of them are
+dispersed over all these countries; being the most rigid Mahometans
+amongst the Negroes, they drink neither wine nor brandy, and are politer
+than the other Negroes. The chief of the trade goes through their hands.
+Many are industrious and laborious, keeping their ground well
+cultivated, and breeding a good stock of cattle.[A] Every town has an
+_Alkadi_, or _Governor_, who has great power; for most of them having
+two common fields of clear ground, one for corn, and the other for rice,
+_the Alkadi_ appoints the labour of all the people. The men work the
+corn ground, and the women and girls the rice ground; and as they all
+equally labour, so he equally divides the corn amongst them; and in case
+they are in want, the others supply them. This Alkadi decides all
+quarrels, and has the first voice in all conferences in town affairs."
+Some of these Mandingos who are settled at Galem, far up the river
+Senegal, can read and write Arabic tolerably, and are a good hospitable
+people, who carry on a trade with the inland nations."[B] They are
+extremely populous in those parts, their women being fruitful, and they
+not suffering any person amongst them, but such as are guilty of crimes,
+to be made slaves." We are told from Jobson,"[C] That the Mahometan
+Negroes say their prayers thrice a day. Each village has a priest who
+calls them to their duty. It is surprizing (says the author) as well as
+commendable, to see the modesty, attention, and reverence they observe
+during their worship. He asked some of their priests the purport of
+their prayers and ceremonies; their answer always was, _That they adored
+God by prostrating themselves before him; that by humbling themselves,
+they acknowledged their own insignificancy, and farther intreated him to
+forgive their faults, and to grant them all good and necessary things as
+well as deliverance from evil."_ Jobson takes notice of several good
+qualities in these Negroe priests, particularly their great sobriety.
+They gain their livelihood by keeping school for the education of the
+children. The boys are taught to read and write. They not only teach
+school, but rove about the country, teaching and instructing, for which
+the whole country is open to them; and they have a free course through
+all places, though the Kings may be at war with one another.
+
+[Footnote A: Astley's collect. vol. 2, page 269.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Astley's collect. vol. 2, page 73.]
+
+
+[Footnote C: Ibid, 296.]
+
+The three fore-mentioned nations practise several trades, as smiths,
+potters, sadlers, and weavers. Their smiths particularly work neatly in
+gold and silver, and make knifes, hatchets, reaping hooks, spades and
+shares to cut iron, &c. &c. Their potters make neat tobacco pipes, and
+pots to boil their food. Some authors say that weaving is their
+principal trade; this is done by the women and girls, who spin and weave
+very fine cotton cloth, which they dye blue or black.[A] F. Moor says,
+the Jalofs particularly make great quantities of the cotton cloth; their
+pieces are generally twenty-seven yards long, and about nine inches
+broad, their looms being very narrow; these they sew neatly together, so
+as to supply the use of broad cloth.
+
+[Footnote A: F. Moor, 28.]
+
+It was in these parts of Guinea, that M. Adanson, correspondent of the
+Royal Academy of Sciences at Paris, mentioned in some former
+publications, was employed from the year 1749, to the year 1753, wholly
+in making _natural_ and _philosophical_ observations on the country
+about the rivers Senegal and Gambia. Speaking of the great heats in
+Senegal, he says,[A] "It is to them that they are partly indebted for
+the fertility of their lands; which is so great, that, with little
+labour and care, there is no fruit nor grain but grow in great plenty."
+
+[Footnote A: M. Adanson's voyage to Senegal, &c, page 308.]
+
+Of the soil on the Gambia, he says,[A] "It is rich and deep, and
+amazingly fertile; it produces spontaneously, and almost without
+cultivation, all the necessaries of life, grain, fruit, herbs, and
+roots. Every thing matures to perfection, and is excellent in its
+kind."[B] One thing, which always surprized him, was the prodigious
+rapidity with which the sap of trees repairs any loss they may happen to
+sustain in that country: "And I was never," says he, "more astonished,
+than when landing four days after the locusts had devoured all the
+fruits and leaves, and even the buds of the trees, to find the trees
+covered with new leaves, and they did not seem to me to have suffered
+much."[C] "It was then," says the same author; "the fish season; you
+might see them in shoals approaching towards land. Some of those shoals
+were fifty fathom square, and the fish crowded together in such a
+manner, as to roll upon one another, without being able to swim. As soon
+as the Negroes perceive them coming towards land, they jump into the
+water with a basket in one hand, and swim with the other. They need only
+to plunge and to lift up their basket, and they are sure to return
+loaded with fish." Speaking of the appearance of the country, and of the
+disposition of the people, he says,[D] "Which way soever I turned mine
+eyes on this pleasant spot, I beheld a perfect image of pure nature; an
+agreeable solitude, bounded on every side by charming landscapes; the
+rural situation of cottages in the midst of trees; the ease and
+indolence of the Negroes, reclined under the shade of their spreading
+foliage; the simplicity of their dress and manners; the whole revived in
+my mind the idea of our first parents, and I seemed to contemplate the
+world in its primitive state. They are, generally speaking, very
+good-natured, sociable, and obliging. I was not a little pleased with
+this my first reception; it convinced me, that there ought to be a
+considerable abatement made in the accounts I had read and heard every
+where of the savage character of the Africans. I observed both in
+Negroes and Moors, great humanity and sociableness, which gave me strong
+hopes that I should be very safe amongst them, and meet with the success
+I desired in my enquiries after the curiosities of the country."[E] He
+was agreeably amused with the conversation of the Negroes, their
+_fables, dialogues_, and _witty stories_ with which they entertain each
+other alternately, according to their custom. Speaking of the remarks
+which the natives made to him, with relation to the _stars_ and
+_planets_, he says, "It is amazing, that such a rude and illiterate
+people, should reason so pertinently in regard to those heavenly bodies;
+there is no manner of doubt, but that with proper instruments, and a
+good will, they would become _excellent astronomers_."
+
+[Footnote A: Idem, page 164.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: M. Adanson, page 161.]
+
+
+[Footnote C: Idem, page 171.]
+
+
+[Footnote D: Ibid, page 54.]
+
+
+[Footnote E: Adanson, page 252, ibid.]
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. II
+
+
+_The Ivory Coast_; its soil and produce. The character of the _natives_
+misrepresented by some authors. These misrepresentations occasioned by
+_the Europeans_ having treacherously carried off many of their people.
+_John Smith, surveyor to the African company_, his observations thereon.
+_John Snock's_ remarks. _The Gold Coast_ and _Slave Coast_, these have
+the most _European factories_, and furnish the greatest number of slaves
+to _the Europeans_. Exceeding fertile. The country of _Axim_, and of
+_Ante_. Good account of the _inland people_ Great fishery. Extraordinary
+trade for slaves. _The Slave Coast. The kingdom of Whidah_. Fruitful and
+pleasant. The natives kind and obliging. Very populous. Keep regular
+markets and fairs. Good order therein. Murder, adultery, and theft
+severely punished. The King's revenues. The principal people have an
+idea of the true God. Commendable care of the poor. Several small
+governments depend on _plunder_ and the _slave_ trade.
+
+That part of Guinea known by the name of the _Grain_, and _Ivory Coast,_
+comes next in course. This coast extends about five hundred miles. The
+soil appears by account, to be in general fertile, producing abundance
+of rice and roots; indigo and cotton thrive without cultivation, and
+tobacco would be excellent, if carefully manufactured; they have fish in
+plenty; their flocks greatly increase, and their trees are loaded with
+fruit. They make a cotton cloth, which sells well on the Coast. In a
+word, the country is rich, and the commerce advantageous, and might be
+greatly augmented by such as would cultivate the friendship of the
+natives. These are represented by some writers as a rude, _treacherous
+people_, whilst several other _authors_ of credit give them a very
+different character, representing them as _sensible, courteous and the
+fairest traders on the coast of Guinea_. In the Collection, they are
+said[A] to be averse to drinking to excess, and such as do, are severely
+punished by the King's order: On enquiry why there is such a
+disagreement in the character given of these people, it appears, that
+though they are naturally inclined to be _kind to strangers_, with whom
+they are _fond_ of _trading_, yet the _frequent injuries_ done them by
+Europeans, have occasioned their being _suspicious and shy_. The same
+cause has been the occasion of the ill treatment they have sometimes
+given to innocent strangers, who have attempted to trade with them. As
+the Europeans have no settlement on this part of Guinea, the trade is
+carried on by signals from the ships, on the appearance of which the
+natives usually come on board in their canoes, bringing their gold-dust,
+ivory, &c. which has given opportunity to some villainous Europeans to
+carry them off with their effects, or retain them on board till a ransom
+is paid. It is noted by some, that since the European voyagers have
+carried away several of these people, their mistrust is so great, that
+it is very difficult to prevail on them to come on board. _William
+Smith_ remarks,[B] "As we past along this coast, we very often lay
+before a town, and fired a gun for the natives to come off, but no soul
+came near us; at length we learnt by some ships that were trading down
+the coast, that the natives came seldom on board an English ship, for
+fear of being detained or carried off; yet last some ventured on board,
+but if those chanced to spy any arms, they would all immediately take to
+their canoes, and make the best of their way home. They had then in
+their possession one _Benjamin Cross_ the mate of an English vessel, who
+was detained by them to make reprisals for some of their men, who had
+formerly been carried away by some English vessel." In the Collection we
+are told,[C]_This villainous custom is too often practised, chiefly by
+the Bristol and Liverpool ships, and is a great detriment to the slave
+trade on the windward coast. John Snock, mentioned in Bosman_[D] when on
+that coast, wrote, "We cast anchor, but not one Negro coming on board, I
+went on shore, and after having staid a while on the strand, some
+Negroes came to me; and being desirous to be informed why they did not
+come on board, I was answered that about two months before, the English
+had been there with two large vessels, and had ravaged the country,
+destroyed all their canoes, plundered their houses, and carried off some
+of their people, upon which the remainder fled to the inland country,
+where most of them were that time; so that there being not much to be
+done by us, we were obliged to return on board.[E] When I enquired after
+their wars with other countries, they told me they were not often
+troubled with them; but if any difference happened, they chose rather to
+end the dispute amicably, than to come to arms."[F] He found the
+inhabitants civil and good-natured. Speaking of the _King of Rio Seftré_
+lower down the coast, he says, "He was a very agreeable, obliging man,
+and that all his subjects are civil, as well as very laborious in
+agriculture, and the pursuits of trade," _Marchais_ says,[G] "That
+though the country is very populous, yet none of the natives (except
+criminals) are sold for slaves." _Vaillant_ never heard of any
+settlement being made by the Europeans on this part of _Guinea_; and
+_Smith_ remarks,[H] "That these coasts, which are divided into several
+little kingdoms, and have seldom any wars, is the reason the slave trade
+is not so good here as on _the Gold and Slave Coast_, where the
+Europeans have several forts and factories." A plain evidence this, that
+it is the intercourse with the Europeans, and their settlements on the
+coast, which gives life to the slave trade.
+
+[Footnote A: Collection, vol. 2, page 560.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: W. Smith, page 111.]
+
+
+[Footnote C: Astley's collection, vol. 2, page 475.]
+
+
+[Footnote D: W. Bosman's description of Guinea, page 440.]
+
+
+[Footnote E: W. Bosman's description of Guinea, page 429.]
+
+
+[Footnote F: Ibid, 441.]
+
+
+[Footnote G: Astley's collection, Vol. 2, page 565.]
+
+
+[Footnote H: Smith's voyage to Guinea, page 112.]
+
+Next adjoining to the _Ivory Coast_, are those called the _Gold Coast_,
+and the _Slave Coast_; authors are not agreed about their bounds, but
+their extent together along the coast may be about five hundred miles.
+And as the policy, produce, and oeconomy of these two kingdoms of Guinea
+are much the same, I shall describe them together.
+
+Here the Europeans have the greatest number of forts and factories, from
+whence, by means of the Negro sailors, a trade is carried on above seven
+hundred miles back in the inland country; whereby great numbers of
+slaves are procured, as well by means of the wars which arise amongst
+the Negroes, or are fomented by the Europeans, as those brought from the
+back country. Here we find the natives _more reconciled to the European
+manners and trade_; but, at the same time, _much more inured to war_,
+and ready to assist the European traders in procuring loadings for the
+great number of vessels which come yearly on those coasts for slaves.
+This part of Guinea is agreed by historians to be, in general,
+_extraordinary fruitful and agreeable_; producing (according to the
+difference of the soil) vast quantities of rice and other grain; plenty
+of fruit and roots; palm wine and oil, and fish in great abundance, with
+much tame and wild cattle. Bosman, principal factor for the Dutch at
+D'Elmina, speaking of the country of Axim, which is situate towards the
+beginning of the Gold Coast, says,[A] "The Negro inhabitants are
+generally very rich, driving a great trade with the Europeans for gold.
+That they are industriously employed either in trade, fishing, or
+agriculture; but chiefly in the culture of rice, which grows here in an
+incredible abundance, and is transported hence all over the Gold Coast.
+The inhabitants, in lieu, returning full fraught with millet, jamms,
+potatoes, and palm oil." The same author speaking of the country of
+Ante, says,[B] "This country, as well as the Gold Coast, abounds with
+hills, enriched with extraordinary high and beautiful trees; its
+valleys, betwixt the hills, are wide and extensive, producing in great
+abundance very good rice, millet, jamms, potatoes, and other fruits, all
+good in their kind." He adds, "In short, it is a land that yields its
+manurers as plentiful a crop as they can wish, with great quantities of
+palm wine and oil, besides being well furnished with all sorts of tame,
+as well as wild beasts; but that the last fatal wars had reduced it to a
+miserable condition, and stripped it of most of its inhabitants." The
+adjoining country of Fetu, he says,[C] "was formerly so powerful and
+populous, that it struck terror into all the neighbouring nations; but
+it is at present so drained by continual wars, that it is entirely
+ruined; there does not remain inhabitants sufficient to till the
+country, tho' it is so fruitful and pleasant that it may be compared to
+the country of Ante just before described; frequently, says that author,
+when walking through it before the last war, I have seen it abound with
+fine well built and populous towns, agreeably enriched with vast
+quantities of corn, cattle, palm wine, and oil. The inhabitants all
+applying themselves without any distinction to agriculture; some sow
+corn, others press oil, and draw wine from palm trees, with both which
+it is plentifully stored."
+
+[Footnote A: Bosman's description of the coast of Guinea, p, 5.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Idem, page 14.]
+
+
+[Footnote C: Bosman, page 41.]
+
+William Smith gives much the same account of the before-mentioned parts
+of the Gold Coast, and adds, "The country about D'Elmina and Cape Coast,
+is much the same for beauty and goodness, but more populous; and the
+nearer we come towards the Slave Coast, the more delightful and rich all
+the countries are, producing all sorts of trees, fruits, roots, and
+herbs, that grow within the Torrid Zone." J. Barbot also remarks,[A]
+with respect to the countries of Ante and Adom, "That the soil is very
+good and fruitful in corn and other produce, which it affords in such
+plenty, that besides what serves for their own use, they always export
+great quantities for sale; they have a competent number of cattle, both
+tame and wild, and the rivers abundantly stored with fish, so that
+nothing is wanting for the support of life, and to make it easy." In the
+Collection it is said,[B] "That the inland people on that part of the
+coast, employ themselves in tillage and trade, and supply the market
+with corn, fruit, and palm wine; the country producing such vast plenty
+of Indian corn, that abundance is daily exported, as well by Europeans
+as Blacks resorting thither from other parts." "These inland people are
+said to live in great union and friendship, being generally well
+tempered, civil, and tractable; not apt to shed human blood, except when
+much provoked, and ready to assist one another."
+
+[Footnote A: John Barbot's description of Guinea, page 154.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Astley's collect. vol. 2. page 535.]
+
+In the Collection[A] it is said, "That the fishing business is esteemed
+on the Gold Coast next to trading; that those who profess it are more
+numerous than those of other employments. That the greatest number of
+these are at Kommendo, Mina, and Kormantin. From each of which places,
+there go out every morning, (Tuesday excepted, which is the Fetish day,
+or day of rest) five, six, and sometimes eight hundred canoes, from
+thirteen to fourteen feet long, which spread themselves two leagues at
+sea, each fisherman carrying in his canoe a sword, with bread, water,
+and a little fire on a large stone to roast fish. Thus they labour till
+noon, when the sea breeze blowing fresh, they return on the shore,
+generally laden with fish; a quantity of which the inland inhabitants
+come down to buy, which they sell again at the country markets."
+
+[Footnote A: Collection, vol. 2, page 640.]
+
+William Smith says,[A] "The country about Acra, where the English and
+Dutch have each a strong fort, is very delightful, and the natives
+courteous and civil to strangers." He adds, "That this place seldom
+fails of an extraordinary good trade from the inland country, especially
+for slaves, whereof several are supposed to come from very remote parts,
+because it is not uncommon to find a Malayan or two amongst a parcel of
+other slaves. The Malaya, people are generally natives of Malacca, in
+the East Indies, situate several thousand miles from the Gold Coast."
+They differ very much from the Guinea Negroes, being of a tawny
+complexion, with long black hair.
+
+[Footnote A: William Smith, page 145.]
+
+Most parts of the Slave Coasts are represented as equally fertile and
+pleasant with the Gold Coast. The kingdom of Whidah has been
+particularly noted by travellers.[A] William Smith and Bosman agree,
+"That it is one of the most delightful countries in the world. The great
+number and variety of tall, beautiful, and shady trees, which seem
+planted in groves, the verdant fields every where cultivated, and no
+otherwise divided than by those groves, and in some places a small
+foot-path, together with a great number of villages, contribute to
+afford the most delightful prospect; the whole country being a fine
+easy, and almost imperceptible ascent, for the space of forty or fifty
+miles from the sea. That the farther you go from the sea, the more
+beautiful and populous the country appears. That the natives were kind
+and obliging, and so industrious, that no place which was thought
+fertile, could escape being planted, even within the hedges which
+inclose their villages. And that the next day after they had reaped,
+they sowed again."
+
+[Footnote A: Smith, page 194. Bosman, page 319.]
+
+Snelgrave also says, "The country appears full of towns and villages;
+and being a rich soil, and well cultivated, looks like an entire
+garden." In the Collection,[A] the husbandry of the Negroes is described
+to be carried on with great regularity: "The rainy season approaching,
+they go into the fields and woods, to fix on a proper place for sowing;
+and as here is no property in ground, the King's licence being obtained,
+the people go out in troops, and first clear the ground from bushes and
+weeds, which they burn. The field thus cleared, they dig it up a foot
+deep, and so let it remain for eight or ten days, till the rest of their
+neighbours have disposed their ground in the same manner. They then
+consult about sowing, and for that end assemble at the King's Court the
+next Fetish day. The King's grain must be sown first. They then go again
+to the field, and give the ground a second digging, and sow their seed.
+Whilst the King or Governor's land is sowing; he sends out wine and
+flesh ready dressed; enough to serve the labourers. Afterwards, they in
+like manner sow the ground, allotted for their neighbours, as diligently
+as that of the King's, by whom they are also feasted; and so continue to
+work in a body for the public benefit, till every man's ground is tilled
+and sowed. None but the King, and a few great men, are exempted from
+this labour. Their grain soon sprouts out of the ground. When it is
+about a man's height, and begins to ear, they raise a wooden house in
+the centre of the field, covered with straw, in which they set their
+children to watch their corn, and fright away the birds."
+
+[Footnote A: Collection, vol. 2, page 651.]
+
+Bosman[A] speaks in commendation of the civility, kindness, and great
+industry of the natives of Whidah; this is confirmed by Smith,[B] who
+says, "The natives here seem to be the most gentleman-like Negroes in
+Guinea, abounding with good manners and ceremony to each other. The
+inferior pay the utmost deference and, respect to the superior, as do
+wives to their husbands, and children to their parents. All here are
+naturally industrious, and find constant employment; the men in
+agriculture, and the women in spinning and weaving cotton. The men,
+whose chief talent lies in husbandry, are unacquainted with arms;
+otherwise, being a numerous people, they could have made a better
+defence against the King of Dahome, who subdued them without much
+trouble.[C] Throughout the Gold Coast, there are regular markets in all
+villages, furnished with provisions and merchandize, held every day in
+the week, except Tuesday, whence they supply not only the inhabitants,
+but the European ships. The _Negro women_ are very expert in buying and
+selling, and extremely industrious; for they will repair daily to market
+from a considerable distance, loaded like pack-horses, with a child,
+perhaps, at their back, and a heavy burden on their heads. After selling
+their wares, they buy fish and other necessaries, and return home loaded
+as they came.
+
+[Footnote A: Bosman, page 317.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Smith, page 195.]
+
+
+[Footnote C: Collect, vol. 2, p. 657.]
+
+"There is a market held at Sabi every, fourth day,[A] also a weekly one
+in the province of Aplogua, which is so resorted to, that there are
+usually five or six thousand merchants. Their markets are so well
+regulated and governed, that seldom any disorder happens; each species
+of merchandize and merchants have a place allotted them by themselves.
+The buyers may haggle as much as they will, but it must be without noise
+or fraud. To keep order, the King appoints a judge, who, with four
+officers well armed, inspects the markets, hears all complaints, and, in
+a summary way, decides all differences; he has power to seize, and sell
+as slaves, all who are catched in stealing, or disturbing the peace. In
+these markets are to be sold men, women, children, oxen, sheep, goats,
+and fowls of all kinds; European cloths, linen and woollen; printed
+callicoes, silk, grocery ware, china, golddust, iron in bars, &c. in a
+word, most sorts of European goods, as well as the produce of Africa and
+Asia. They have other markets, resembling our fairs, once or twice a
+year, to which all the country repair; for they take care to order the
+day so in different governments, as not to interfere with each other."
+
+[Footnote A: Collect. vol. 3, p. 11.]
+
+With respect to government, William Smith says,[A] "That the Gold Coast
+and Slave Coast are divided into different districts, some of which are
+governed by their Chiefs, or Kings; the others, being more of the nature
+of a commonwealth are governed by some of the principal men, called
+Caboceros, who, Bosman says, are properly denominated civil fathers,
+whose province is to take care of the welfare of the city or village,
+and to appease tumults." But this order of government has been much
+broken since the coming of the Europeans. Both Bosman and Barbot mention
+_murther and adultery to be severely punished on the Coast, frequently
+by death; and robbery by a fine proportionable to the goods stolen_.
+
+[Footnote A: Smith, page 193.]
+
+The income of some of the Kings is large, Bosman says, "That the King of
+Whidah's revenues and duties on things bought and sold are considerable;
+he having the tithe of all things sold in the market, or imported in the
+country."[A] Both the abovementioned authors say, _The tax on slaves
+shipped off in this King's dominions, in some years, amounts to near
+twenty thousand pounds_.
+
+[Footnote A: Bosman, page 337. Barbot, page 335.]
+
+Bosman tells us, "The Whidah Negroes have a faint idea of a true God,
+ascribing to him the attributes of almighty power and omnipresence; but
+God, they say, is too high to condescend to think of mankind; wherefore
+he commits the government of the world to those inferior deities which
+they worship." Some authors say, the wisest of these Negroes are
+sensible of their mistake in this opinion, but dare not forsake their
+own religion, for fear of the populace rising and killing them. This is
+confirmed by William Smith, who says, "That all the natives of this
+coast believe there is one true God, the author of them and all things;
+that they have some apprehension of a future state; and that almost
+every village has a grove, or public place of worship, to which the
+principal inhabitants, on a set day, resort to make their offerings."
+
+In the Collection[A] it is remarked as an excellency in the Guinea
+government, "That however poor they may be in general, yet there are no
+beggars to be found amongst them; which is owing to the care of their
+chief men, whose province it is to take care of the welfare of the city
+or village; it being part of their office, to see that such people may
+earn their bread by their labour; some are set to blow the smith's
+bellows, others to press palm oil, or grind colours for their matts, and
+sell provision in the markets. The young men are listed to serve as
+soldiers, so that they suffer no common beggar."
+
+[Footnote A: Astley's collection, vol. 2, page 619.]
+
+Bosman ascribes a further reason for this good order, viz. "That when a
+Negroe finds he cannot subsist, he binds himself for a certain sum of
+money, and the master to whom he is bound is obliged to find him
+necessaries; that the master sets him a sort of task, which is not in
+the least slavish, being chiefly to defend his master on occasions; or
+in sowing time to work as much as he himself pleases."[A]
+
+[Footnote A: Bosman, page 119.]
+
+Adjoining to the kingdom of Whidah, are several small governments, as
+Coto, great and small Popo, Ardrah, &c. all situate on the Slave Coast,
+where the chief trade for slaves is carried on. These are governed by
+their respective Kings, and follow much the same customs with those of
+Whidah, except that their principal living is on plunder, and the slave
+trade.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. III.
+
+
+_The kingdom of Benin_; its extent. Esteemed the most potent in Guinea.
+Fruitfulness of the soil. Good disposition of the people. Order of
+government. Punishment of crimes. Large extent of the town of Great
+Benin. Order maintained. The natives honest and charitable. Their
+religion. The kingdoms of Kongo and Angola. Many of the natives profess
+christianity. The country fruitful. Disposition of the people. The
+administration of justice. The town of Leango. Slave trade carried on by
+the Portugueze. Here the slave trade ends.
+
+Next adjoining to the Slave Coast, is the kingdom of Benin, which,
+though it extends but about 170 miles on the sea, yet spreads so far
+inland, as to be esteemed the most potent kingdom in Guinea. By
+accounts, the soil and produce appear to be in a great measure like
+those before described; and the natives are represented as a reasonable
+good-natured people. Artus says,[A] "They are a sincere, inoffensive
+people, and do no injustice either to one another, or to strangers."
+William Smith[B] confirms this account, and says, "That the inhabitants
+are generally very good-natured, and exceeding courteous and civil. When
+the Europeans make them presents, which in their coming thither to trade
+they always do, they endeavour to return them doubly."
+
+[Footnote A: Collection. vol. 3, page 228.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Smith, page 228.]
+
+Bosman tells us,[A] "That his countrymen the Dutch, who were often
+obliged to trust them till they returned the next year, were sure to be
+honestly paid their whole debts."
+
+[Footnote A: W. Bosman, page 405.]
+
+There is in Benin a considerable order in government. Theft, murther,
+and adultery, being severely punished. Barbot says,[A] "If a man and a
+woman of any quality be surprized in adultery, they are both put to
+death, and their bodies are thrown on a dunghill, and left there a prey
+to wild beasts." He adds, "The severity of the laws in Benin against
+adultery,[B] amongst all orders of people, deters them from venturing,
+so that it is but very seldom any persons are punished for that crime."
+Smith says, "Their towns are governed by officers appointed by the King,
+who have power to decide in civil cases, and to raise the public taxes;
+but in criminal cases, they must send to the King's court, which is held
+at the town of Oedo, or Great Benin. This town, which covers a large
+extent of ground, is about sixty mile from the sea."[C] Barbot tells us,
+"That it contains thirty streets, twenty fathom wide, and almost two
+miles long, commonly, extending in a straight line from one gate to
+another; that the gates are guarded by soldiers; that in these streets
+markets are held every day, for cattle, ivory, cotton, and many sorts of
+European goods. This large town is divided into several wards, or
+districts, each governed by its respective King of a street, as they
+call them; to administer justice, and to keep good order. The
+inhabitants are very civil and good natured, condescending to what the
+Europeans require of them in a civil way." The same author confirms what
+has been said by others of their justice in the payment of their debts;
+and adds, "That they, above all other Guineans, are very honest and just
+in their dealings; and they have such an aversion for theft, that by the
+law of the country it is punished with death." We are told by the same
+author,[D] "That the King of Benin is able upon occasion to maintain an
+army of a hundred thousand men; but that, for the most part, he does not
+keep thirty thousand." William Smith says, "The natives are all free
+men; none but foreigners can be bought and sold there.[E] They are very
+charitable, the King as well as his subjects." Bosman confirms this,[F]
+and says, "The King and great Lords subsist several poor at their place
+of residence on charity, employing those who are fit for any work, and
+the rest they keep for God's sake; so that here are no beggars."
+
+[Footnote A: Barbot, page 237.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: By this account of the punishment inflicted on adulterers
+in this and other parts of Guinea, it appears the Negroes are not
+insensible of the sinfulness of such practices. How strange must it then
+appear to the serious minded amongst these people, (nay, how
+inconsistent is it with every divine and moral law amongst ourselves)
+that those christian laws which prohibit fornication and adultery, are
+in none of the English governments extended to them, but that they are
+allowed to cohabit and separate at pleasure? And that even their masters
+think so lightly of their marriage engagements, that, when it suits with
+their interest, they will separate man from wife, and children from
+both, to be sold into different, and even distant parts, without regard
+to their sometimes grievous lamentations; whence it has happened, that
+such of those people who are truly united in their marriage covenant,
+and in affection to one another, have been driven to such desperation,
+as either violently to destroy themselves, or gradually to pine away,
+and die with mere grief. It is amazing, that whilst the clergy of the
+established church are publicly expressing a concern, that these
+oppressed people should be made acquainted with the christian religion,
+they should be thus suffered, and even forced, so flagrantly to infringe
+one of the principal injunctions of our holy religion!]
+
+
+[Footnote C: J. Barbot, page 358, 359.]
+
+
+[Footnote D: Barbot, page 369.]
+
+
+[Footnote E: W. Smith, page 369.]
+
+
+[Footnote F: Bosman, page 409.]
+
+As to religion, these people believe there is a God, the efficient cause
+of all things; but, like the rest of the Guineans, they are
+superstitiously and idolatrously inclined.
+
+The last division of Guinea from which slaves are imported, are the
+kingdoms of Kongo and Angola: these lie to the South of Benin, extending
+with the intermediate land about twelve hundred miles on the coast.
+Great numbers of the natives of both these kingdoms profess the
+christian religion, which was long since introduced by the Portugueze,
+who made early settlements in that country.
+
+In the Collection it is said, that both in Kongo and Angola, the soil is
+in general fruitful, producing great plenty of grain, Indian corn, and
+such quantities of rice, that it hardly bears any price, with fruits,
+roots, and palm oil in plenty.
+
+The natives are generally a quiet people, who discover a good
+understanding, and behave in a friendly manner to strangers, being of a
+mild conversation, affable, and easily overcome with reason.
+
+In the government of Kongo, the King appoints a judge in every
+particular division, to hear and determine disputes and civil causes;
+the judges imprison and release, or impose fines, according to the rule
+of custom; but in weighty matters, every one may appeal to the King,
+before whom all criminal causes are brought, in which he giveth
+sentence; but seldom condemneth to death.
+
+The town of Leango stands in the midst of four Lordships, which abound
+in corn, fruit, &c. Here they make great quantities of cloth of divers
+kinds, very fine and curious; the inhabitants are seldom idle; they even
+make needle-work caps as they walk in the streets.
+
+The slave trade is here principally managed by the Portugueze, who carry
+it far up into the inland countries. They are said to send off from
+these parts fifteen thousand slaves each year.
+
+At Angola, about the 10th degree of South latitude, ends the trade for
+slaves.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. IV.
+
+
+The antientest accounts of the Negroes is from the Nubian Geography, and
+the writings of Leo the African. Some account of those authors. The
+Arabians pass into Guinea. The innocency and simplicity of the natives.
+They are subdued by the Moors. Heli Ischia shakes off the Moorish yoke.
+The Portugueze make the first descent in Guinea. From whence they carry
+off some of the natives. More incursions of the like kind. The
+Portugueze erect the first fort at D'Elmina. They begin the slave trade.
+Cada Mosto's testimony. Anderson's account to the same purport. De la
+Casa's concern for the relief of the oppressed Indians. Goes over into
+Spain to plead their cause. His speech before Charles the Fifth.
+
+The most antient account we have of the country of the Negroes,
+particularly that part situate on and between the two great rivers of
+Senegal and Gambia, is from the writings of two antient authors, one an
+Arabian, and the other a Moor. The first[A] wrote in Arabic, about the
+twelfth century. His works, printed in that language at Rome, were
+afterwards translated into Latin, and printed at Paris, under the
+patronage of the famous Thuanus, chancellor of France, with the title of
+_Geographica Nubiensis_, containing an account or all the nations lying
+on the Senegal and Gambia. The other wrote by John Leo,[B] a Moor, born
+at Granada, in Spain, before the Moors were totally expelled from that
+kingdom. He resided in Africa; but being on a voyage from Tripoli to
+Tunis, was taken by some Italian Corsairs, who finding him possessed of
+several Arabian books, besides his own manuscripts, apprehended him to
+be a man of learning, and as such presented him to Pope Leo the Tenth.
+This Pope encouraging him, he embraced the Romish religion, and his
+description of Africa was published in Italian. From these writings we
+gather, that after the Mahometan religion had extended to the kingdom of
+Morocco, some of the promoters of it crossing the sandy desarts of
+Numidia, which separate that country from Guinea, found it inhabited by
+men, who, though under no regular government, and destitute of that
+knowledge the Arabians were favoured with, lived in content and peace.
+The first author particularly remarks, "That they never made war, or
+travelled abroad, but employed themselves in tending their herds, or
+labouring in the ground." J. Leo says, page 65. "That they lived in
+common, having no property in land, no tyrant nor superior lord, but
+supported themselves in an equal state, upon the natural produce of the
+country, which afforded plenty of roots, game, and honey. That ambition
+or avarice never drove them into foreign countries to subdue or cheat
+their neighbours. Thus they lived without toil or superfluities." "The
+antient inhabitants of Morocco, who wore coats of mail, and used swords
+and spears headed with iron, coming amongst these harmless and naked
+people, soon brought them under subjection, and divided that part of
+Guinea which lies on the rivers Senegal and Gambia into fifteen parts;
+those were the fifteen kingdoms of the Negroes, over which the Moors
+presided, and the common people were Negroes. These Moors taught the
+Negroes the Mahometan religion, and arts of life; particularly the use
+of iron, before unknown to them. About the 14th century, a native Negro,
+called Heli Ischia, expelled the Moorish conquerors; but tho' the
+Negroes threw off the yoke of a foreign nation, they only changed a
+Libyan for a Negroe master. Heli Ischia himself becoming King, led the
+Negroes on to foreign wars, and established himself in power over a very
+large extent of country." Since Leo's time, the Europeans have had very
+little knowledge of those parts of Africa, nor do they know what became
+of his great empire. It is highly probable that it broke into pieces,
+and that the natives again resumed many of their antient customs; for in
+the account published by William Moor, in his travels on the river
+Gambia, we find a mixture of the Moorish and Mahometan customs, joined
+with the original simplicity of the Negroes. It appears by accounts of
+antient voyages, collected by Hackluit, Purchas, and others, that it was
+about fifty years before the discovery of America, that the Portugueze
+attempted to sail round Cape Bojador, which lies between their country
+and Guinea; this, after divers repulses occasioned by the violent
+currents, they effected; when landing on the western coasts of Africa,
+they soon began to make incursions into the country, and to seize and
+carry off the native inhabitants. As early as the year 1434, Alonzo
+Gonzales, the first who is recorded to have met with the natives, being
+on that coast, pursued and attacked a number of them, when some were
+wounded, as was also one of the Portugueze; which the author records as
+the first blood spilt by christians in those parts. Six years after, the
+same Gonzales again attacked the natives, and took twelve prisoners,
+with whom he returned to his vessels; he afterwards put a woman on
+shore, in order to induce the natives to redeem the prisoners; but the
+next day 150 of the inhabitants appeared on horses and camels, provoking
+the Portugueze to land; which they not daring to venture, the natives
+discharged a volley of stones at them, and went off. After this, the
+Portugueze still continued to send vessels on the coast of Africa;
+particularly we read of their falling on a village, whence the
+inhabitants fled, and, being pursued, twenty-five were taken: "_He that
+ran best_," says the author, "_taking the most_. In their way home they
+killed some of the natives, and took fifty-five more prisoners.[C]
+Afterwards Dinisanes Dagrama, with two other vessels, landed on the
+island Arguin, where they took fifty-four Moors; then running along the
+coast eighty leagues farther, they at several times took fifty slaves;
+but here seven of the Portugueze were killed. Then being joined by
+several other vessels, Dinisanes proposed to destroy the island, to
+revenge the loss of the seven Portugueze; of which the Moors being
+apprized, fled, so that no more than twelve were found, whereof only
+four could be taken, the rest being killed, as also one of the
+Portugueze." Many more captures of this kind on the coast of Barbary and
+Guinea, are recorded to have been made in those early times by the
+Portugueze; who, in the year 1481, erected their first fort at D'Elmina
+on that coast, from whence they soon opened a trade for slaves with the
+inland parts of Guinea.
+
+[Footnote A: See Travels into different parts of Africa, by Francis
+Moor, with a letter to the publisher.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Ibid.]
+
+
+[Footnote C: Collection, vol. 1, page 13.]
+
+From the foregoing accounts, it is undoubted, that the practice of
+making slaves of the Negroes, owes its origin to the early incursions of
+the Portugueze on the coast of Africa, solely from an inordinate desire
+of gain. This is clearly evidenced from their own historians,
+particularly _Cada Mosto_, about the year 1455, who writes,[A] "That
+before the trade was settled for purchasing slaves from the Moors at
+Arguin, sometimes four, and sometimes more Portugueze vessels, were used
+to come to that gulph, well armed; and landing by night, would surprize
+some fishermen's villages: that they even entered into the country, and
+carried off Arabs of both sexes, whom they sold in Portugal." And also,
+"That the Portugueze and Spaniards, settled on four of the Canary
+islands, would go to the other island by night, and seize some of the
+natives of both sexes, whom they sent to be sold in Spain."
+
+[Footnote A: Collection vol. 1, page 576.]
+
+After the settlement of America, those devastations, and the captivating
+the miserable Africans, greatly increased.
+
+Anderson, in his history of trade and commerce, at page 336, speaking of
+what passed in the year 1508, writes, "That the Spaniards had by this
+time found that the miserable Indian natives, whom they had made to work
+in their mines and fields, were not so robust and proper for those
+purposes as Negroes brought from Africa; wherefore they, about that
+time, began to import Negroes for that end into Hispaniola, from the
+Portugueze settlements on the Guinea coasts; and also afterwards for
+their sugar works." This oppression of the Indians had, even before this
+time, rouzed the zeal, as well as it did the compassion, of some of the
+truly pious of that day; particularly that of Bartholomew De las Casas,
+bishop of Chapia; whom a desire of being instrumental towards the
+conversion of the Indians, had invited into America. It is generally
+agreed by the writers of that age, that he was a man of perfect
+disinterestedness, and ardent charity; being affected with this sad
+spectacle, he returned to the court of Spain, and there made a true
+report of the matter; but not without being strongly opposed by those
+mercenary wretches, who had enslaved the Indians; yet being strong and
+indefatigable, he went to and fro between Europe and America, firmly
+determined not to give over his pursuit but with his life. After long
+solicitation, and innumerable repulses, he obtained leave to lay the
+matter before the Emperor Charles the Fifth, then King of Spain. As the
+contents of the speech he made before the King in council, are very
+applicable to the case of the enslaved Africans, and a lively evidence
+that the spirit of true piety speaks the same language in the hearts of
+faithful men in all ages, for the relief of their fellow creatures from
+oppression of every kind, I think it may not be improper here to
+transcribe the most interesting parts of it. "I was," says this pious
+bishop, "one of the first who went to America; neither curiosity nor
+interest prompted me to undertake so long and dangerous a voyage; the
+saving the souls of the heathen was my sole object. Why was I not
+permitted, even at the expence of my blood, to ransom so many thousand
+souls, who fell unhappy victims to avarice or lust? I have been an eye
+witness to such cruel treatment of the Indians, as is too horrid to be
+mentioned at this time.--It is said that barbarous executions were
+necessary to punish or check the rebellion of the Americans;--but to
+whom was this owing? Did not those people receive the Spaniards, who
+first came amongst them, with gentleness and humanity? Did they not shew
+more joy, in proportion, in lavishing treasure upon them, than the
+Spaniards did greediness in receiving it?--But our avarice was not yet
+satisfied;--tho' they gave up to us their land and their riches, we
+would tear from them their wives, their children and their
+liberties.--To blacken these unhappy people, their enemies assert, that
+they are scarce human creatures?--but it is we that ought to blush, for
+having been less men, and more barbarous, than they.--What right have we
+to enslave a people who are born free, and whom we disturbed, tho' they
+never offended us?--They are represented as a stupid people, addicted to
+vice?--but have they not contracted most of their vices from the example
+of the christians? And as to those vices peculiar to themselves, have
+not the christians quickly exceeded them therein? Nevertheless it must
+be granted, that the Indians still remain untainted with many vices
+usual amongst the Europeans; such as ambition, blasphemy, treachery, and
+many like monsters, which have not yet took place with them; they have
+scarce an idea of them; so that in effect, all the advantage we can
+claim, is to have more elevated notions of things, and our natural
+faculties more unfolded and more cultivated than theirs.--Do not let us
+flatter our corruptions, nor voluntarily blind ourselves; _all_ nations
+are equally _free_; one nation has no right to infringe upon the freedom
+of any other; let us do towards these people as we would have them to
+have done towards us, if they had landed upon our shore, with the same
+superiority of strength. And indeed, why should not things be equal on
+both sides? How long has the right of the strongest been allowed to be
+the balance of justice? What part of the gospel gives a sanction to such
+a doctrine? In what part of the whole earth did the apostles and the
+first promulgators of the gospel ever claim a right over the lives, the
+freedom, or the substance of the Gentiles? What a strange method this is
+of propagating the gospel, that holy law of grace, which, from being,
+slaves to Satan, initiates us into the freedom of the children of
+God!--Will it be possible for us to inspire them with a love to its
+dictates, while they are so exasperated at being dispossessed of that
+invaluable blessing, _Liberty?_ The apostles submitted to chains
+themselves, but loaded no man with them. Christ came to free, not to
+enslave us.--Submission to the faith he left us, ought to be a voluntary
+act, and should be propagated by persuasion, gentleness, and reason."
+
+"At my first arrival in Hispaniola, (added the bishop) it contained a
+million of inhabitants; and now (viz. in the space of about twenty
+years) there remains scarce the hundredth part of them; thousands have
+perished thro' want, fatigue, merciless punishment, cruelty, and
+barbarity. If the blood of _one_ man unjustly shed, calls loudly for
+vengeance; how strong must be the cry of that of so _many_ unhappy
+creatures which is shedding daily?"--The good bishop concluded his
+speech, with imploring the King's clemency for subjects so unjustly
+oppressed; and bravely declared, that heaven would one day call him to
+an account, for the numberless acts of cruelty which he might have
+prevented. The King applauded the bishop's zeal; promised to second it;
+but so many of the great ones had an interest in continuing the
+oppression, that nothing was done; so that all the Indians in
+Hispaniola, except a few who had hid themselves in the most inaccessible
+mountains, were destroyed.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. V.
+
+
+First account of the English trading to Guinea. Thomas Windham and
+several others go to that coast. Some of the Negroes carried off by the
+English. Queen Elizabeth's charge to Captain Hawkins respecting the
+natives. Nevertheless he goes on the coast and carries off some of the
+Negroes. Patents are granted. The King of France objects to the Negroes
+being kept in slavery. As do the college of Cardinals at Rome. The
+natives, an inoffensive people; corrupted by the Europeans. The
+sentiments of the natives concerning the slave-trade, from William
+Smith: Confirmed by Andrew Brue and James Barbot.
+
+It was about the year 1551, towards the latter end of the reign of King
+Edward the Sixth, when some London merchants sent out the first English
+ship, on a trading voyage to the coast of Guinea; this was soon followed
+by several others to the same parts; but the English not having then any
+plantations in the West Indies, and consequently no occasion for
+Negroes, such ships traded only for gold, elephants teeth, and Guinea
+pepper. This trade was carried on at the hazard of losing their ships
+and cargoes, if they had fallen into the hands of the Portuguese, who
+claimed an exclusive right of trade, on account of the several
+settlements they had made there.[A] In the year 1553, we find captain
+Thomas Windham trading along the coast with 140 men, in three ships, and
+sailing as far as Benin, which lies about 3000 miles down the coast, to
+take in a load of pepper.[B] Next year John Lock traded along the coast
+of Guinea, as far as D'Elmina, when he brought away considerable
+quantities of gold and ivory. He speaks well of the natives, and
+says,[C] "_That whoever will deal with them must behave civilly, for
+they will not traffic if ill used_." In 1555, William Towerson traded in
+a peaceable manner with the natives, who made complaint to him of the
+Portuguese, who were then settled in their castle at D'Elmina, saying,
+"_They were bad men, who made them slaves if they could take them,
+putting irons on their legs_."
+
+[Footnote A: Astley's collection, vol. 1. page 139.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Collection vol. 1. p. 148.]
+
+
+[Footnote C: Ibid. 257.]
+
+This bad example of the Portuguese was soon followed by some evil
+disposed Englishmen; for the same captain Towerson relates,[A] "That in
+the course of his voyage, he perceived the natives, near D'Elmina,
+unwilling to come to him, and that he was at last attacked by them;
+which he understood was done in revenge for the wrong done them the year
+before, by one captain Gainsh, who had taken away the Negro captain's
+son, and three others, with their gold, &c. This caused them to join the
+Portuguese, notwithstanding their hatred of them, against the English."
+The next year captain Towerson brought these men back again; whereupon
+the Negroes shewed him much kindness.[B] Quickly after this, another
+instance of the same kind occurred, in the case of captain George
+Fenner, who being on the coast, with three vessels, was also attacked by
+the Negroes, who wounded several of his people, and violently carried
+three of his men to their town. The captain sent a messenger, offering
+any thing they desired for the ransom of his men: but they refused to
+deliver them, letting him know, "_That three weeks before, an English
+ship, which came in the road, had carried off three of their people; and
+that till they were brought again, they would not restore his men, even
+tho' they should give their three ships to release them_." It was
+probably the evil conduct of these, and some other Englishmen, which was
+the occasion of what is mentioned in Hill's naval history, viz. "That
+when captain Hawkins returned from his first voyage to Africa, Queen
+Elizabeth sent for him, when she expressed her concern, lest any of the
+African Negroes should be carried off without their free consent; which
+she declared would be detestable, and would call down the vengeance of
+heaven upon the undertakers." Hawkins made great promises, which
+nevertheless he did not perform; for his next voyage to the coast
+appears to have been principally calculated to procure Negro slaves, in
+order to sell them to the Spaniards in the West Indies; which occasioned
+the same author to use these remarkable words: "_Here began the horrid
+practice of forcing the Africans into slavery: an injustice and
+barbarity, which, so sure as there is vengeance in heaven for the worst
+of crimes, will some time be the destruction of all who act or who
+encourage it_." This captain Hawkins, afterwards sir John Hawkins, seems
+to have been the first Englishman who gave public countenance to this
+wicked traffic: For Anderson, before mentioned, at page 401, says, "That
+in the year 1562, captain Hawkins, assisted by subscription of sundry
+gentlemen, now fitted out three ships; and having learnt that Negroes
+were a very good commodity in Hispaniola, he sailed to the coast of
+Guinea, took in Negroes, and sailed with them for Hispaniola, where he
+sold them, and his English commodities, and loaded his three vessels
+with hides, sugar and ginger, &c. with which he returned home anno 1563,
+making a prosperous voyage." As it proved a lucrative business, the
+trade was continued both by Hawkins and others, as appears from the
+naval chronicle, page 55, where it is said, "That on the 18th of
+October, 1564, captain John Hawkins, with two ships of 700 and 140 tuns,
+sailed for Africa; that on the 8th of December they anchored to the
+South of Cape Verd, where the captain manned the boat, and sent eighty
+men in armour into the country, to see if they could take some Negroes;
+but the natives flying from them, they returned to their ships, and
+proceeded farther down the coast. Here they staid certain days, sending
+their men ashore, in order (as the author says) to burn and spoil their
+towns and take the inhabitants. The land they observed to be well
+cultivated, there being plenty of grain, and fruit of several sorts, and
+the towns prettily laid out. On the 25th, being informed by the
+Portugueze of a town of Negroes called Bymba, where there was not only a
+quantity of gold, but an hundred and forty inhabitants, they resolved to
+attack it, having the Portugueze for their guide; but by mismanagement
+they took but ten Negroes, having seven of their own men killed, and
+twenty-seven wounded. They then went farther down the coast; when,
+having procured a number of Negroes, they proceeded to the West Indies,
+where they sold them to the Spaniards." And in the same naval chronicle,
+at page 76, it is said, "That in the year 1567, Francis Drake, before
+performing his voyage round the world, went with Sir John Hawkins in his
+expedition to the coast of Guinea, where taking in a cargo of slaves,
+they determined to steer for the Caribbee islands." How Queen Elizabeth
+suffered so grievous an infringement of the rights of mankind to be
+perpetrated by her subjects, and how she was persuaded, about the 30th
+year of her reign, to grant patents for carrying on a trade from the
+North part of the river Senegal, to an hundred leagues beyond Sierra
+Leona, which gave rise to the present African company, is hard to
+account for, any otherwise than that it arose from the misrepresentation
+made to her of the situation of the Negroes, and of the advantages it
+was pretended they would reap from being made acquainted with the
+christian religion. This was the case of Lewis the XIIIth, King of
+France, who, Labat, in his account of the isles of America, tells us,
+"Was extremely uneasy at a law by which the Negroes of his colonies were
+to be made slaves; but it being strongly urged to him as the readiest
+means for their conversion to christianity, he acquiesced therewith."
+Nevertheless, some of the christian powers did not so easily give way in
+this matter; for we find,[C] "That cardinal Cibo, one of the Pope's
+principal ministers of state, wrote a letter on behalf of the college of
+cardinals, or great council at Rome, to the missionaries in Congo,
+complaining that the pernicious and abominable abuse of selling slaves
+was yet continued, requiring them to remedy the same, if possible; but
+this the missionaries saw little hopes of accomplishing, by reason that
+the trade of the country lay wholly in slaves and ivory."
+
+[Footnote A: Collection, vol. 1. p. 148.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Ibid. 157.]
+
+
+[Footnote C: Collection, vol. 3, page 164.]
+
+From the foregoing accounts, as well as other authentic publications of
+this kind, it appears that it was the unwarrantable lust of gain, which
+first stimulated the Portugueze, and afterwards other Europeans, to
+engage in this horrid traffic. By the most authentic relations of those
+early times, the natives were an inoffensive people, who, when civilly
+used, traded amicably with the Europeans. It is recorded of those of
+Benin, the largest kingdom in Guinea,[A]_That they were a gentle, loving
+people_; and Reynold says,[B] "_They found more sincere proofs of love
+and good will from the natives, than they could find from the Spaniards
+and Portugueze, even tho' they had relieved them from the greatest
+misery_." And from the same relations there is no reason to think
+otherwise, but that they generally lived in peace amongst themselves;
+for I don't find, in the numerous publications I have perused on this
+subject, relating to these early times, of there being wars on that
+coast, nor of any sale of captives taken in battle, who would have been
+otherwise sacrificed by the victors:[C] Notwithstanding some modern
+authors, in their publications relating to the West Indies, desirous of
+throwing a veil over the iniquity of the slave trade, have been hardy
+enough, upon meer supposition or report, to assert the contrary.
+
+[Footnote A: Collection, vol. 1, page 202.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Idem, page 245.]
+
+
+[Footnote C: Note, This plea falls of itself, for if the Negroes
+apprehended they should be cruelly put to death, if they were not sent
+away, why do they manifest such reluctance and dread as they generally
+do, at being brought from their native country? William Smith, at page
+28, says, "_The Gambians abhor slavery, and will attempt any thing, tho'
+never so desperate, to avoid it_," and Thomas Philips, in his account of
+a voyage he performed to the coast of Guinea, writes, "_They, the
+Negroes, are so loth to leave their own country, that they have often
+leaped out of the canoe, boat, or ship, into the sea, and kept under
+water till they were drowned, to avoid being taken up_."]
+
+It was long after the Portugueze had made a practice of violently
+forcing the natives of Africa into slavery, that we read of the
+different Negroe nations making war upon each other, and selling their
+captives. And probably this was not the case, till those bordering on
+the coast, who had been used to supply the vessels with necessaries, had
+become corrupted by their intercourse with the Europeans, and were
+excited by drunkenness and avarice to join them in carrying on those
+wicked schemes, by which those unnatural wars were perpetrated; the
+inhabitants kept in continual alarms; the country laid waste; and, as
+William Moor expresses it, _Infinite numbers sold into slavery_. But
+that the Europeans are the principal cause of these devastations, is
+particularly evidenced by one, whose connexion with the trade would
+rather induce him to represent it in the fairest colours, to wit,
+William Smith, the person sent in the year 1726 by the African company
+to survey their settlements, who, from the information he received of
+one of the factors, who had resided ten years in that country, says,[A]
+"_That the discerning natives account it their greatest unhappiness,
+that they were ever visited by the Europeans."--"That we christians
+introduced the traffick of slaves; and that before our coming they lived
+in peace_."
+
+[Footnote A: William Smith, page 266.]
+
+In the accounts relating to the African trade, we find this melancholy
+truth farther asserted by some of the principal directors in the
+different factories; particularly A. Brue says,[A] "_That the Europeans
+were far from desiring to act as peace-makers amongst the Negroes; which
+would be acting contrary to their interest, since the greater the wars,
+the more slaves were procured_," And William Bosman also remarks,[B]
+"That one of the former commanders _gave large sums of money to the
+Negroes of one nation, to induce them to attack some of the neighbouring
+nations, which occasioned a battle which was more bloody than the wars
+of the Negroes usually are_." This is confirmed by J. Barbot, who says,
+"_That the country of D'Elmina, which was formerly very powerful and
+populous, was in his time so much drained of its inhabitants by the
+intestine wars fomented amongst the Negroes by the Dutch, that there did
+not remain inhabitants enough to till the country_."
+
+[Footnote A: Collection, vol. 2, page 98.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Bosman, page 31.]
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. VI.
+
+
+The conduct of the Europeans and Africans compared. Slavery more
+tolerable amongst the antients than in our colonies. As christianity
+prevailed amongst the barbarous nations, the inconsistency of slavery
+became more apparent. The charters of manumission, granted in the early
+times of christianity, founded on an apprehension of duty to God. The
+antient Britons, and other European nations, in their original state, no
+less barbarous than the Negroes. Slaves in Guinea used with much greater
+lenity than the Negroes are in the colonies.--Note. How the slaves are
+treated in Algiers, as also in Turkey.
+
+Such is the woeful corruption of human nature, that every practice which
+flatters our pride and covetousness, will find its advocates! This is
+manifestly the case in the matter before us; the savageness of the
+Negroes in some of their customs, and particularly their deviating so
+far from the feelings of humanity, as to join in captivating and selling
+each other, gives their interested oppressors a pretence for
+representing them as unworthy of liberty, and the natural rights of
+mankind. But these sophisters turn the argument full upon themselves,
+when they instigate the poor creatures to such shocking impiety, by
+every means that fantastic subtilty can suggest; thereby shewing in
+their own conduct, a more glaring proof of the same depravity, and, if
+there was any reason in the argument, a greater unfitness for the same
+precious enjoyment: for though some of the ignorant Africans may be thus
+corrupted by their intercourse with the baser of the European natives,
+and the use of strong liquors, this is no excuse for high-professing
+christians; bred in a civilized country, with so many advantages unknown
+to the Africans, and pretending to a superior degree of gospel light.
+Nor can it justify them in raising up fortunes to themselves from the
+misery of others, and calmly projecting voyages for the seizure of men
+naturally as free as themselves; and who, they know, are no otherwise to
+be procured than by such barbarous means, as none but those hardened
+wretches, who are lost to every sense of christian compassion, can make
+use of. Let us diligently compare, and impartially weigh, the situation
+of those ignorant Negroes, and these enlightened christians; then lift
+up the scale and say, which of the two are the greater savages.
+
+Slavery has been of a long time in practice in many parts of Asia; it
+was also in usage among the Romans when that empire flourished; but,
+except in some particular instances, it was rather a reasonable
+servitude, no ways comparable to the unreasonable and unnatural service
+extorted from the Negroes in our colonies. A late learned author,[A]
+speaking of those times which succeeded the dissolution of that empire,
+acquaints us, that as christianity prevailed, it very much removed those
+wrong prejudices and practices, which had taken root in darker times:
+after the irruption of the Northern nations, and the introduction of the
+feudal or military government, whereby the most extensive power was
+lodged in a few members of society, to the depression of the rest, the
+common people were little better than slaves, and many were indeed such;
+but as christianity gained ground, the gentle spirit of that religion,
+together with the doctrines it teaches, concerning the original equality
+of mankind, as well as the impartial eye with which the Almighty regards
+men of every condition, and admits them to a participation of his
+benefits; so far manifested the inconsistency of slavery with
+christianity, that to set their fellow christians at liberty was deemed
+an act of piety, highly meritorious and acceptable to God.[B]
+Accordingly a great part of the charters granted for the manumission or
+freedom of slaves about that time, are granted _pro amore Dei, for the
+love of God, pro mercede animae, to obtain mercy to the soul_.
+Manumission was frequently granted on death-beds, or by latter wills. As
+the minds of men are at that time awakened to sentiments of humanity and
+piety, these deeds proceeded from religious motives. The same author
+remarks, That there are several forms of those manumissions still
+extant, all of them founded _on religious considerations_, and _in order
+to procure the favour of God_. Since that time, the practice of keeping
+men in slavery gradually ceased amongst christians, till it was renewed
+in the case before us. And as the prevalency of the spirit of
+christianity caused men to emerge from the darkness they then lay under,
+in this respect; so it is much to be feared that so great a deviation
+therefrom, by the encouragement given to the slavery of the Negroes in
+our colonies, if continued, will, by degrees, reduce those countries
+which support and encourage it but more immediately those parts of
+America which are in the practice of it, to the ignorance and barbarity
+of the darkest ages.
+
+[Footnote A: See Robertson's history of Charles the 5th.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: In the years 1315 and 1318, Louis X. and his brother
+Philip, Kings of France, issued ordonnances, declaring, "That as all men
+were by nature free-born, and as their kingdom was called the kingdom of
+Franks, they determined that it should be so in reality, as well as in
+name; therefore they appointed that enfranchisements should be granted
+throughout the whole kingdom, upon just and reasonable conditions."
+"These edicts were carried into immediate execution within the royal
+domain."--"In England, as the spirit of liberty gained ground, the very
+name and idea of personal servitude, without any formal interposition of
+the legislature to prohibit it, was totally banished." "The effects of
+such a remarkable change in the condition of so great a part of the
+people, could not fail of being considerable and extensive. The
+husbandman, master of his own industry, and secure of reaping for
+himself the fruits of his labour, became farmer of the same field where
+he had formerly been compelled to toil for the benefit of another. The
+odious name of master and of slave, the most mortifying and depressing
+of all distinctions to human nature, were abolished. New prospects
+opened, and new incitements to ingenuity and enterprise presented
+themselves, to those who were emancipated. The expectation of bettering
+their fortune, as well as that of raising themselves to a more
+honourable condition, concurred in calling forth their activity and
+genius; and a numerous class of men, who formerly had no political
+existence, and were employed merely as instruments of labour, became
+useful citizens, and contributed towards augmenting the force or riches
+of the society, which adopted them as members." William Robertson's
+history of Charles the 5th, vol. 1, P. 35. ]
+
+If instead of making slaves of the Negroes, the nations who assume the
+name and character of christians, would use their endeavours to make the
+nations of Africa acquainted with the nature of the christian religion,
+to give them a better sense of the true use of the blessings of life,
+the more beneficial arts and customs would, by degrees, be introduced
+amongst them; this care probably would produce the same effect upon
+them, which it has had on the inhabitants of Europe, formerly as savage
+and barbarous as the natives of Africa. Those cruel wars amongst the
+blacks would be likely to cease, and a fair and honorable commerce, in
+time, take place throughout that vast country. It was by these means
+that the inhabitants of Europe, though formerly a barbarous people,
+became civilized. Indeed the account Julius Caesar gives of the ancient
+Britons in their state of ignorance, is not such as should make us proud
+of ourselves, or lead us to despise the unpolished nations of the earth;
+for he informs us, "That they lived in many respects like our Indians,
+being clad with skins, painting their bodies, &c." He also adds, "That
+they, brother with brother, and parents with children, had wives in
+common." A greater barbarity than any heard of amongst the Negroes. Nor
+doth Tacitus give a more honourable account of the Germans, from whom
+the Saxons, our immediate ancestors, sprung. The Danes, who succeeded
+them (who may also be numbered among our progenitors) were full as bad,
+if not worse.
+
+It is usual for people to advance as a palliation in favour of keeping
+the Negroes in bondage, that there are slaves in Guinea, and that those
+amongst us might be so in their own country; but let such consider the
+inconsistency of our giving any countenance to slavery, because the
+Africans, whom we esteem a barbarous and savage people, allow of it, and
+perhaps the more from our example. Had the professors of christianity
+acted indeed as such, they might have been instrumental to convince the
+Negroes of their error in this respect; but even this, when inquired
+into, will be to us an occasion of blushing, if we are not hardened to
+every sense of shame, rather than a _palliation_ of our iniquitous
+conduct; as it will appear that the slavery endured in Guinea, and other
+parts of Africa, and in Asia,[A] is by no means so grievous as that in
+our colonies. William Moor, speaking of the natives living on the river
+Gambia,[B] says, "Tho' some of the Negroes have many house slaves, which
+are their greatest glory; that those slaves live so well and easy, that
+it is sometimes a hard matter to know the slaves from their masters or
+mistresses. And that though in some parts of Africa they sell their
+slaves born in the family, yet on the river Gambia they think it a very
+wicked thing." The author adds, "He never heard of but one that ever
+sold a family slave, except for such crimes as they would have been sold
+for if they had been free." And in Astley's collection, speaking of the
+customs of the Negroes in that large extent of country further down the
+coast, particularly denominated the coast of Guinea, it is said,[C]
+"They have not many slaves on the coast; none but the King or nobles are
+permitted to buy or sell any; so that they are allowed only what are
+necessary for their families, or tilling the ground." The same author
+adds, "_That they generally use their slaves well, and seldom correct
+them_."
+
+[Footnote A: In the history of the piratical states of Barbary, printed
+in 1750, _said to be_ wrote by a person who resided at Algiers, in a
+public character, at page 265 the author says, "The world exclaims
+against the Algerines for their cruel treatment of their slaves, and
+their employing even tortures to convert them to mahometism: but this is
+a vulgar error, artfully propagated for selfish views. So far are their
+slaves from being ill used, that they must have committed some very
+great fault to suffer any punishment. Neither are they forced to work
+beyond their strength, but rather spared, lest they should fall sick.
+Some are so pleased with their situation, that they will not purchase
+their ransom, though they are able." It is the same generally through
+the Mahometan countries, except in some particular instances, as that of
+Muley Ishmael, late Emperor of Morocco, who being naturally barbarous,
+frequently used both his subjects and slaves with cruelty. Yet even
+under him the usage the slaves met with was, in general, much more
+tolerable than that of the Negroe slaves in the West Indies. Captain
+Braithwaite, an author of credit, who accompanied consul general Russel
+in a congratulatory ambassy to Muley Ishmael's successor, upon his
+accession to the throne, says, "The situation of the christian slaves in
+Morocco was not near so bad as represented.--That it was true they were
+kept at labour by the late Emperor, but not harder than our daily
+labourers go through.--Masters of ships were never obliged to work, nor
+such as had but a small matter of money to give the Alcaide.--When sick,
+they had a religious house appointed for them to go to, where they were
+well attended: and whatever money in charity was sent them by their
+friends in Europe, was their own." Braithwaite's revolutions of Morocco.
+Lady Montague, wife of the English ambassador at Constantinople, in her
+letters, vol. 3. page 20, writes, "I know you expect I should say
+something particular of the slaves; and you will imagine me half a Turk,
+when I do not speak of it with the same horror other christians have
+done before me; but I cannot forbear applauding the humanity of the
+Turks to these creatures; they are not ill used; and their slavery, in
+my opinion, is no worse than servitude all over the world. It is true
+they have no wages, but they give them yearly cloaths to a higher value
+than our salaries to our ordinary servants." ]
+
+
+[Footnote B: W. Moor, p. 30]
+
+
+[Footnote C: Collection vol. 2. p. 647.]
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. VII.
+
+
+Montesquieu's sentiments on slavery. Moderation enjoined by the Mosaic
+law in the punishment of offenders. Morgan Godwyn's account of the
+contempt and grievous rigour exercised upon the Negroes in his time.
+Account from Jamaica, relating to the inhuman treatment of them there.
+Bad effects attendant on slave-keeping, as well to the masters as the
+slaves. Extracts from several laws relating to Negroes. Richard Baxter's
+sentiments on slave-keeping.
+
+That celebrated civilian Montesquieu, in his treatise _on the spirit of
+laws_, on the article of slavery says, "_It is neither useful to the
+master nor slave; to the slave, because he can do nothing through
+principle (or virtue); to the master, because he contracts with his
+slave all sorts of bad habits, insensibly accustoms himself to want all
+moral virtues; becomes haughty, hasty, hard-hearted, passionate,
+voluptuous, and cruel_." The lamentable truth of this assertion was
+quickly verified in the English plantations. When the practice of
+slave-keeping was introduced, it soon produced its natural effects; it
+reconciled men, of otherwise good dispositions, to the most hard and
+cruel measures. It quickly proved, what, under the law of Moses, was
+apprehended would be the consequence of unmerciful chastisements. Deut.
+xxv. 2. "_And it shall be if the wicked man be worthy to be beaten, that
+the judge shall cause him to lie down, and to be beaten before his face,
+according to his fault, by a certain number; forty stripes he may give
+him, and not exceed_." And the reason rendered, is out of respect to
+human nature, viz. "_Lest if he should exceed, and beat him above these
+with many stripes, then thy brother should seem vile unto thee_." As
+this effect soon followed the cause, the cruelest measures were adopted,
+in order to make the most of the poor _wretches_ labour; and in the
+minds of the masters such an idea was excited of inferiority, in the
+nature of these their unhappy fellow creatures, that they soon esteemed
+and treated them as beasts of burden: pretending to doubt, and some of
+them even presuming to deny, that the efficacy of the death of Christ
+extended to them. Which is particularly noted in a book, intitled _The
+Negroes and Indians advocate_, dedicated to the then Archbishop of
+Canterbury, wrote so long since as in the year 1680, by Morgan Godwyn,
+thought to be a clergyman of the church of England.[A] The same spirit
+of sympathy and zeal which stirred up the good Bishop of Chapia to plead
+with so much energy the kindred cause of the Indians of America, an
+hundred and fifty years before, was equally operating about a century
+past on the minds of some of the well disposed of that day; amongst
+others this worthy clergyman, having been an eye witness of the
+oppression and cruelty exercised upon the Negro and Indian slaves,
+endeavoured to raise the attention of those, in whose power it might be
+to procure them relief; amongst other matters, in his address to the
+Archbishop, he remarks in substance, "That the people of the island of
+Barbadoes were not content with exercising the greatest hardness and
+barbarity upon the Negroes, in making the most of their labour, without
+any regard to the calls of humanity, but that they had suffered such a
+slight and undervaluement to prevail in their minds towards these their
+oppressed fellow creatures, as to discourage any step being taken,
+whereby they might be made acquainted with the christian religion. That
+their conduct towards their slaves was such as gave him reason to
+believe, that either they had suffered a spirit of infidelity, a spirit
+quite contrary to the nature of the gospel, to prevail in them, or that
+it must be their established opinion that the Negroes had no more souls
+than beasts; that hence they concluded them to be neither susceptible of
+religious impressions, nor fit objects for the redeeming grace of God to
+operate upon. That under this persuasion, and from a disposition of
+cruelty, they treated them with far less humanity than they did their
+cattle; for, says he, they do not starve their horses, which they expect
+should both carry and credit them on the road; nor pinch the cow, by
+whose milk they are sustained; which yet, to their eternal shame, is too
+frequently the lot and condition of those poor people, from whose labour
+their wealth and livelihood doth wholly arise; not only in their diet,
+but in their cloathing, and overworking some of them even to death
+(which is particularly the calamity of the most innocent and laborious)
+but also in tormenting and whipping them almost, and sometimes quite, to
+death, upon even small miscarriages. He apprehends it was from this
+prejudice against the Negroes, that arose those supercilious checks and
+frowns he frequently met with, when using innocent arguments and
+persuasions, in the way of his duty as a minister of the gospel, to
+labour for the convincement and conversion of the Negroes; being
+repeatedly told, with spiteful scoffings, (even by some esteemed
+religious) that the Negroes were no more susceptible of receiving
+benefit, by becoming members of the church, than their dogs and bitches.
+The usual answer he received, when exhorting their masters to do their
+duty in that respect, being, _What! these black dogs be made christians!
+what! they be made like us! with abundance more of the same_.
+Nevertheless, he remarks that the Negroes were capable, not only of
+being taught to read and write, &c. but divers of them eminent in the
+management of business. He declares them to have an equal right with us
+to the merits of Christ; of which if through neglect or avarice they are
+deprived, that judgment which was denounced against wicked Ahab, must
+befal us: _Our life shall go for theirs_. The loss of their souls will
+be required at our hands, to whom God hath given so blessed an
+opportunity of being instrumental to their salvation."
+
+[Footnote A: "There is a principle which is pure, placed in the human
+mind, which in different places or ages hath had different names; it is,
+however, pure, and proceeds from God.--It is deep and inward, confined
+to no forms of religion, nor excluded from any, where the heart stands
+in perfect sincerity. In whomsoever this takes root and grows, of what
+nation soever, they become brethren in the best sense of the expression.
+Using ourselves to take ways which appear most easy to us, when
+inconsistent with that purity which is without beginning, we thereby set
+up a government of our own, and deny obedience to Him whose service is
+true liberty. He that has a servant, made so wrongfully, and knows it to
+be so, when he treats him otherwise than a free man, when he reaps the
+benefit of his labour, without paying him such wages as are reasonably
+due to free men for the like service; these things, though done in
+calmness, without any shew of disorder, do yet deprave the mind, in like
+manner, and with as great certainty, as prevailing cold congeals water.
+These steps taken by masters, and their conduct striking the minds of
+their children, whilst young, leave less room for that which is good to
+work upon them. The customs of their parents, their neighbours, and the
+people with whom they converse, working upon their minds, and they from
+thence conceiving wrong ideas of things, and modes of conduct, the
+entrance into their hearts becomes in a great measure shut up against
+the gentle movings of uncreated purity.
+
+"From one age to another the gloom grows thicker and darker, till error
+gets established by general opinion; but whoever attends to perfect
+goodness, and remains under the melting influence of it, finds a path
+unknown to many, and sees the necessity to lean upon the arm of divine
+strength, and dwell alone, or with a few in the right, committing their
+cause to him who is a refuge to his people. Negroes are our fellow
+creatures, and their present condition among us requires our serious
+consideration. We know not the time, when those scales, in which
+mountains are weighed, may turn. The parent of mankind is gracious, his
+care is over his smallest creatures, and a multitude of men escape not
+his notice; and though many of them are trodden down and despised, yet
+he remembers them. He seeth their affliction, and looketh upon the
+spreading increasing exaltation of the oppressor. He turns the channel
+of power, humbles the most haughty people, and gives deliverance to the
+oppressed, at such periods as are consistent with his infinite justice
+and goodness. And wherever gain is preferred to equity, and wrong things
+publickly encouraged, to that degree that wickedness takes root and
+spreads wide amongst the inhabitants of a country, there is a real cause
+for sorrow, to all such whose love to mankind stands on a true
+principle, and wisely consider the end and event of things."
+Consideration on keeping Negroes, by John Woolman, part 2. p. 50.]
+
+He complains, "That they were suffered to live with their women in no
+better way than direct fornication; no care being taken to oblige them
+to continue together when married; but that they were suffered at their
+will to leave their wives, and take to other women." I shall conclude
+this sympathizing clergyman's observations, with an instance he gives,
+to shew, "that not only discouragements and scoffs at that time
+prevailed in Barbadoes, to establish an opinion that the Negroes were
+not capable of religious impressions, but that even violence and great
+abuses were used to prevent any thing of the kind taking place. It was
+in the case of a poor Negro, who having, at his own request, prevailed
+on a clergyman to administer baptism to him, on his return home the
+brutish overseer took him to task, giving him to understand, that that
+was no sunday's work for those of his complexion; that he had other
+business for him, the neglect whereof would cost him an afternoon's
+baptism in blood, as he in the morning had received a baptism with
+water, (these, says the clergyman, were his own words) which he
+accordingly made good; of which the Negro complained to him, and he to
+the governor; nevertheless, the poor miserable creature was ever after
+so unmercifully treated by that inhuman wretch, the overseer, that, to
+avoid his cruelty, betaking himself to the woods, he there perished."
+This instance is applicable to none but the cruel perpetrator; and yet
+it is an instance of what, in a greater or less degree, may frequently
+happen, when those poor wretches are left to the will of such brutish
+inconsiderate creatures as those overseers often are. This is confirmed
+in a _History of Jamaica_, wrote in thirteen letters, about the year
+1740, by a person then residing in that island, who writes as follows,
+"I shall not now enter upon the question, whether the slavery of the
+Negroes be agreeable to the laws of nature or not; though it seems
+extremely hard they should be reduced to serve and toil for the benefit
+of others, without the least advantage to themselves. Happy Britannia,
+where slavery is never known! where liberty and freedom chears every
+misfortune. Here (_says the author_) we can boast of no such blessing;
+we have at least ten slaves to one freeman. I incline to touch the
+hardships which these poor creatures suffer, in the tenderest manner,
+from a particular regard which I have to many of their masters, but I
+cannot conceal their sad circumstances intirely: the most trivial error
+is punished with terrible whipping. I have seen some of them treated in
+that cruel manner, for no other reason but to satisfy the brutish
+pleasure of an overseer, who has their punishment mostly at his
+discretion. I have seen their bodies all in a gore of blood, the skin
+torn off their backs with the cruel whip; beaten pepper and salt rubbed
+in the wounds, and a large stick of sealing wax dropped leisurely upon
+them. It is no wonder, if the horrid pain of such inhuman tortures
+incline them to rebel. Most of these slaves are brought from the coast
+of Guinea. When they first arrive, it is observed, they are simple and
+very innocent creatures; but soon turn to be roguish enough. And when
+they come to be whipt, urge the example of the whites for an excuse of
+their faults."
+
+These accounts of the deep depravity of mind attendant on the practice
+of slavery, verify the truth of Montesquieu's remark of its pernicious
+effects. And altho' the same degree of opposition to instructing the
+Negroes may not now appear in the islands as formerly, especially since
+the Society appointed for propagating the Gospel have possessed a number
+of Negroes in one of them; nevertheless the situation of these oppressed
+people is yet dreadful, as well to themselves as in its consequence to
+their hard task-masters, and their offspring, as must be evident to
+every impartial person who is acquainted with the treatment they
+generally receive, or with the laws which from time to time have been
+made in the colonies, with respect to the Negroes; some of them being
+absolutely inconsistent with reason, and shocking to humanity. By the
+329th act of the assembly of Barbadoes, page 125, it is enacted,
+
+"That if any Negroe or other slave under punishment by his master, or
+his order, for running away, or any other crime or misdemeanors towards
+his said master, unfortunately shall suffer in life or member, (which
+seldom happens) no person whatsoever shall be liable to any fine
+therefore. But if any man shall, _of wantonness, or only of
+bloody-mindedness or cruel intention, wilfully kill a Negroe, or other
+slave of his own, he shall pay into the public treasury, fifteen pounds
+sterling_." Now that the life of a man should be so lightly valued, as
+that fifteen pounds should be judged a sufficient indemnification of the
+murder of one, even when it is avowedly done _wilfully, wantonly,
+cruelly, or of bloody-mindedness_, is a tyranny hardly to be paralleled:
+nevertheless human laws cannot make void the righteous law of God, or
+prevent the inquisition of that awful judgment day, when, "_at the hand
+of every man's brother the life of man shall be required_." By the law
+of South Carolina, the person that killeth a Negroe is only subject to a
+fine, or twelve months imprisonment. It is the same in most, if not all
+the West-Indies. And by an act of the assembly of Virginia, (4 Ann. Ch.
+49. sect. 27. p. 227.) after proclamation is issued against slaves,
+"that run away and lie out, _it is lawful for any person whatsoever to
+kill and destroy such slaves, by such ways and means as he, she, or they
+shall think fit, without accusation or impeachment of any crime for the
+same_."--And lest private interest should incline the planter to mercy,
+it is provided, "_That every slave so killed, in pursuance of this act,
+shall be paid for by the public_."
+
+It was doubtless a like sense of sympathy with that expressed by Morgan
+Godwyn before mentioned, for the oppressed Negroes, and like zeal for
+the cause of religion, so manifestly trampled upon in the case of the
+Negroes, which induced Richard Baxter, an eminent preacher amongst the
+Dissenters in the last century, in his _christian directory_, to express
+himself as follows, viz. "Do you mark how God hath followed you with
+plagues; and may not conscience tell you, that it is for your inhumanity
+to the souls and bodies of men?"--"To go as pirates; and catch up poor
+Negroes, or people of another land, that never forfeited life or
+liberty, and to make them slaves, and sell them, is one of the worst
+kinds of thievery in the world; and such persons are to be taken for the
+common enemies of mankind; and they that buy them and use them as beasts
+for their mere commodity, and betray, or destroy, or neglect their
+souls, are fitter to be called devils incarnate than christians: It is
+an heinous sin to buy them, unless it be in charity to deliver them.
+Undoubtedly they are presently bound to deliver them, because by right
+the man is his own, therefore no man else can have a just title to him."
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. VIII.
+
+
+Griffith Hughes's account of the number of Negroes in Barbadoes. Cannot
+keep up their usual number without a yearly recruit. Excessive hardships
+wear the Negroes down in a surprising manner. A servitude without a
+condition, inconsistent with reason and natural justice. The general
+usage the Negroes meet with in the West Indies. Inhuman calculations of
+the strength and lives of the Negroes. Dreadful consequences which may
+be expected from the cruelty exercised upon this oppressed part of
+mankind.
+
+We are told by Griffith Hughes, rector of St. Lucy in Barbadoes, in his
+natural history of that island, printed in the year 1750, "That there
+were between sixty-five and seventy thousand Negroes, at that time, in
+the island, tho' formerly they had a greater number. That in order to
+keep up a necessary number, they were obliged to have a yearly supply
+from Africa. That the hard labour, and often want of necessaries, which
+these unhappy creatures are obliged to undergo, destroy a greater number
+than are bred there." He adds, "That the capacities of their minds in
+common affairs of life are but little inferior, if at all, to those of
+the Europeans. If they fail in some arts, he says, it may be owing more
+to their want of education, and the depression of their spirits by
+slavery, than to any want of natural abilities." This destruction of the
+human species, thro' unnatural hardships, and want of necessary
+supplies, in the case of the Negroes, is farther confirmed in _an
+account of the European settlements in America_, printed London, 1757,
+where it is said, par. 6. chap. 11th, "The Negroes in our colonies
+endure a slavery more compleat, and attended with far worse
+circumstances, than what any people in their condition suffer in any
+other part of the world, or have suffered in any other period of time:
+Proofs of this are not wanting. The prodigious waste which we experience
+in this unhappy part of our species, is a full and melancholy evidence
+of this truth. The island of Barbadoes, (the Negroes upon which do not
+amount to eighty thousand) notwithstanding all the means which they use
+to increase them by propagation, and that the climate is in every
+respect (except that of being more wholesome) exactly resembling the
+climate from whence they come; notwithstanding all this, Barbadoes lies
+under a necessity of an annual recruit of five thousand slaves, to keep
+up the stock at the number I have mentioned. This prodigious failure,
+which is at least in the same proportion in all our islands, shews
+demonstratively that some uncommon and unsupportable hardship lies upon
+the Negroes, which wears them down in such a surprising manner."
+
+In an account of part of North America, published by Thomas Jeffery,
+1761, the author, speaking of the usage the Negroes receive in the West
+India islands, says, "It is impossible for a human heart to reflect upon
+the servitude of these dregs of mankind, without in some measure feeling
+for their misery, which ends but with their lives.--Nothing can be more
+wretched than the condition of this people. One would imagine, they were
+framed to be the disgrace of the human species; banished from their
+country, and deprived of that blessing, liberty, on which all other
+nations set the greatest value, they are in a measure reduced to the
+condition of beasts of burden. In general, a few roots, potatoes
+especially, are their food, and two rags, which neither screen them from
+the heat of the day, nor the extraordinary coolness of the night, all
+their covering; their sleep very short; their labour almost continual;
+they receive no wages, but have twenty lashes for the smallest fault."
+_A thoughtful_ person, who had an opportunity of observing the miserable
+condition of the Negroes in one of our West India islands, writes thus,
+"I met with daily exercise to see the treatment which those miserable
+wretches met with from their masters; with but few exceptions. They whip
+them most unmercifully on small occasions: you will see their bodies all
+whealed and scarred; in short, they seem to set no other value on their
+lives, than as they cost them so much money; and are restrained from
+killing them, when angry, by no worthier consideration, than that they
+lose so much. They act as though they did not look upon them as a race
+of human creatures, who have reason, and remembrance of misfortunes, but
+as beasts; like oxen, who are stubborn, hardy, and senseless, fit for
+burdens, and designed to bear them: they won't allow them to have any
+claim to human privileges, or scarce indeed to be regarded as the work
+of God. Though it was consistent with the justice of our Maker to
+pronounce the sentence on our common parent, and through him on all
+succeeding generations, _That he and they should eat their bread by the
+sweat of their brows_: yet does it not stand recorded by the same
+eternal truth, _That the labourer is worthy of his hire?_ It cannot be
+allowed, in natural justice, that there should be a servitude without
+condition; a cruel, endless servitude. It cannot be reconcileable to
+natural justice, that whole nations, nay, whole continents of men,
+should be devoted to do the drudgery of life for others, be dragged away
+from their attachments of relations and societies, and be made to serve
+the appetite and pleasure of a race of men, whose superiority has been
+obtained by illegal force."
+
+Sir Hans Sloane, in the introduction to his natural history of Jamaica,
+in the account he gives of the treatment the Negroes met with there,
+speaking of the punishments inflicted on them, says, page 56. "For
+rebellion, the punishment is burning them, by nailing them down to the
+ground with crooked sticks on every limb, and then applying the fire, by
+degrees, from the feet and hands, burning them gradually up to the head,
+whereby _their pains are extravagant_. For crimes of a less nature,
+gelding or chopping off half the foot with an axe.--For negligence, they
+are usually whipped by the overseers with lance-wood switches.--After
+they are whipped till they are raw, some put on their skins pepper and
+salt, to make them smart; at other times, their masters will drop melted
+wax on their skins, and use several _very exquisite torments_." In that
+island, the owners of the Negroe slaves set aside to each a parcel of
+ground, and allow them half a day at the latter end of the week, which,
+with the day appointed by the divine injunction to be a day of rest and
+service to God, and which ought to be kept as such, is the only time
+allowed them to manure their ground. This, with a few herrings, or other
+salt fish, is what is given for their support. Their allowance for
+cloathing in the island, is seldom more than six yards of oznabrigs each
+year. And in the more northern colonies, where the piercing westerly
+winds are long and sensibly felt, these poor Africans suffer much for
+want of sufficient cloathing; indeed some have none till they are able
+to pay for it by their labour. The time that the Negroes work in the
+West Indies, is from day-break till noon; then again from two o'clock
+till dark (during which time, they are attended by overseers, who
+severely scourge those who appear to them dilatory); and before they are
+suffered to go to their quarters, they have still something to do, as
+collecting herbage for the horses, gathering fuel for the boilers, &c.
+so that it is often past twelve before they can get home, when they have
+scarce time to grind and boil their Indian corn; whereby, if their food
+was not prepared the evening before, it sometimes happens that they are
+called again to labour before they can satisfy their hunger. And here no
+delay or excuse will avail; for if they are not in the field immediately
+upon the usual notice, they must expect to feel the overseer's lash. In
+crop time (which lasts many months) they are obliged, by turns, to work
+most of the night in the boiling house. Thus their owners, from a desire
+of making the greatest gain by the labour of their slaves, lay heavy
+burdens on them, and yet feed and cloath them very sparingly, and some
+scarce feed or cloath them at all; so that the poor creatures are
+obliged to shift for their living in the best manner they can, which
+occasions their being often killed in the neighbouring lands, stealing
+potatoes, or other food, to satisfy their hunger. And if they take any
+thing from the plantation they belong to, though under such pressing
+want, their owners will correct them severely for taking a little of
+what they have so hardly laboured for; whilst many of themselves riot in
+the greatest luxury and excess. It is matter of astonishment how a
+people, who, as a nation, are looked upon as generous and humane, and so
+much value themselves for their uncommon sense of the benefit of
+liberty, can live in the practice of such extreme oppression and
+inhumanity, without seeing the inconsistency of such conduct, and
+feeling great remorse. Nor is it less amazing to hear these men calmly
+making calculations about the strength and lives of their fellow men. In
+Jamaica, if six in ten of the new imported Negroes survive the
+seasoning, it is looked upon as a gaining purchase. And in most of the
+other plantations, if the Negroes live eight or nine years, their labour
+is reckoned a sufficient compensation for their cost. If calculations of
+this sort were made upon the strength and labour of beasts of burden, it
+would not appear so strange; but even then, a merciful man would
+certainly use his beast with more mercy than is usually shewn to the
+poor Negroes. Will not the groans, the dying groans, of this deeply
+afflicted and oppressed people reach heaven? and when the cup of
+iniquity is full, must not the inevitable consequence be, the pouring
+forth of the judgments of God upon their oppressors? But alas! is it not
+too manifest that this oppression has already long been the object of
+the divine displeasure? For what heavier judgment, what greater
+calamity, can befal any people, than to become subject to that hardness
+of heart, that forgetfulness of God, and insensibility to every
+religious impression, as well as that general depravation of manners,
+which so much prevails in these colonies, in proportion as they have
+more or less enriched themselves at the expence of the blood and bondage
+of the Negroes.
+
+It is a dreadful consideration, as a late author remarks, that out of
+the stock of eighty thousand Negroes in Barbadoes, there die every year
+five thousand more than are born in that island; which failure is
+probably in the same proportion in the other islands. _In effect, this
+people is under a necessity of being entirely renewed every sixteen
+years._ And what must we think of the management of a people, who, far
+from increasing greatly, as those who have no loss by war ought to do,
+must, in so short a time as sixteen years, without foreign recruits, be
+entirely consumed to a man! Is it not a christian doctrine, _that the
+labourer is worthy of his hire?_ And hath not the Lord, by the mouth of
+his prophet, pronounced, _"Wo unto that man who buildeth his house by
+unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; who uses his neighbour's
+service without wages, and giveth him nought for his work?"_ And yet the
+poor Negro slaves are constrained, like the beasts, by beating, to work
+hard without hire or recompence, and receive nothing from the hand of
+their unmerciful masters, but such a wretched provision as will scarce
+support them under their fatigues. The intolerable hardships many of the
+slaves undergo, are sufficiently proved by the shortness of their
+lives.--And who are these miserable creatures, that receive such
+barbarous treatment from the planter? Can we restrain our just
+indignation, when we consider that they are undoubtedly _his brethren!
+his neighbours! the children of the same Father, and some of those for
+whom Christ died, as truly as for the planter himself_. Let the opulent
+planter, or merchant, prove that his Negro slave is not his brother, or
+that he is not his neighbour, in the scripture sense of these
+appellations; and if he is not able so to do, how will he justify the
+buying and selling of his brethren, as if they were of no more
+consideration than his cattle? The wearing them out with continual
+labour, before they have lived out half their days? The severe whipping
+and torturing them, even to death, if they resist his unsupportable
+tyranny? Let the hardiest slave-holder look forward to that tremendous
+day, when he must give an account to God of his stewardship; and let him
+seriously consider, whether, at such a time, he thinks he shall be able
+to satisfy himself, that any act of buying and selling, or the fate of
+war, or the birth of children in his house, plantation, or territories,
+or any other circumstance whatever, can give him such an absolute
+property in the persons of men, as will justify his retaining them as
+slaves, and treating them as beasts? Let him diligently consider whether
+there will not always remain to the slave a _superior_ property or right
+to the fruit of his own labour; and more especially to his own person;
+that being which was given him by God, and which none but the Giver can
+justly claim?
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. IX.
+
+
+The advantage which would have accrued to the natives of Guinea, if the
+Europeans had acted towards them agreeable to the dictates of humanity
+and christianity. _An inordinate_ desire of gain in the Europeans, the
+true occasion of the slave trade. Notice of the misrepresentations of
+the Negroes by most authors, in order to palliate the iniquity of the
+slave trade. Those misrepresentations refuted, particularly with respect
+_to the Hottentot Negroes_.
+
+From the foregoing accounts of the natural disposition of the Negroes,
+and the fruitfulness of most parts of Guinea, which are confirmed by
+authors of candour, who have wrote from their own knowledge, it may well
+be concluded, that the Negroes acquaintance with the Europeans might
+have been a happiness to them, if these last had not only bore the name,
+but had also acted the part, of Christians, and used their endeavours by
+example, as well as precept, to make them acquainted with the glad
+tidings of the gospel, which breathes peace and good will to man, and
+with that change of heart, that redemption from sin, which christianity
+proposeth; innocence and love might then have prevailed, nothing would
+have been wanting to complete the happiness of the simple Africans: but
+the reverse has happened; the Europeans, forgetful of their duty as men
+and christians, have conducted themselves in so iniquitous a manner, as
+must necessarily raise in the minds of the thoughtful and well-disposed
+Negroes, the utmost scorn and detestation of the very name of
+christians. All other considerations have given way to an infallible
+desire of gain, which has been the principal and moving cause of the
+most _iniquitous and dreadful scene_ that was, perhaps, ever acted upon
+the face of the earth; instead of making use of that superior knowledge
+with which the Almighty, the common Parent of mankind, had favoured
+them, to strengthen the principle of peace and good will in the breasts
+of the incautious Negroes, the Europeans have, by their bad example, led
+them into excess of drunkenness, debauchery, and avarice; whereby every
+passion of corrupt nature being inflamed, they have been easily
+prevailed upon to make war, and captivate one another; as well to
+furnish means for the excesses they had been habituated to, as to
+satisfy the greedy desire of gain in their profligate employers, who to
+this intent have furnished them with prodigious quantities of arms and
+ammunition. Thus they have been hurried into confusion, distress, and
+all the extremities of temporal misery; every thing, even the power of
+their Kings, has been made subservient to this wicked purpose; for
+instead of being protectors of their subjects, some of those rulers,
+corrupted by the excessive love of spirituous liquors, and the tempting
+baits laid before them by the factors, have invaded the liberties of
+their unhappy subjects, and are become their oppressors.
+
+Here it may be necessary to observe, that the accounts we have of the
+inhabitants of Guinea, are chiefly given by persons engaged in the
+trade, who, from self-interested views, have described them in such
+colours as were least likely to excite compassion and respect, and
+endeavoured to reconcile so manifest a violation of the rights of
+mankind to the minds of the purchasers; yet they cannot but allow the
+Negroes to be possessed of some good qualities, though they contrive as
+much as possible to cast a shade over them. A particular instance of
+this appears in Astley's collection, vol. 2. p. 73, where the author,
+speaking of the Mandingos settled at Galem, which is situated 900 miles
+up the Senegal, after saying that they carry on a commerce to all the
+neighbouring kingdoms, and amass riches, adds, "That excepting _the
+vices peculiar to the Blacks_, they are a good sort of people, honest,
+hospitable, just to their word, laborious, industrious, and very ready
+to learn arts and sciences." Here it is difficult to imagine what vices
+can be peculiarly attendant on a people so well disposed as the author
+describes these to be. With respect to the charge some authors have
+brought against them, as being void of all natural affection, it is
+frequently contradicted by others. In vol. 2. of the Collection, p. 275,
+and 629, the Negroes of North Guinea, and the Gold Coast, are said _to
+be fond of their children, whom they love with tenderness_. And Bosman
+says, p. 340, "Not a few in his country (viz. Holland) fondly imagine,
+that parents here sell their children, men their wives, and one brother
+the other: but those who think so deceive themselves; for this never
+happens on any other account but that of necessity, or some great
+crime." The same is repeated by J. Barbot, page 326, and also confirmed
+by Sir Hans Sloane, in the introduction to his natural history of
+Jamaica; where speaking of the Negroes, he says, "They are usually
+thought to be haters of their own children, and therefore it is believed
+that they sell and dispose of them to strangers for money: but this is
+not true; for the Negroes of Guinea being divided into several
+captainships, as well as the Indians of America, have wars; and besides
+those slain in battle, many prisoners are taken, who are sold as slaves,
+and brought thither: but the parents here, although their children are
+slaves for ever, yet have so great love for them, that no master dares
+sell, or give away, one of their little ones, unless they care not
+whether their parents hang themselves or no." J. Barbot, speaking of the
+occasion of the natives of Guinea being represented as a treacherous
+people, ascribes it to the Hollanders (and doubtless other Europeans)
+usurping authority, and fomenting divisions between the Negroes. At page
+110, he says, "It is well known that many of the European nations
+trading amongst these people, have very unjustly and inhumanly, without
+any provocation, stolen away, from time to time, abundance of the
+people, not only on this coast, but almost every where in Guinea, who
+have come on board their ships in a harmless and confiding manner: these
+they have in great numbers carried away, and sold in the plantations,
+with other slaves which they had purchased." And although some of the
+Negroes may be justly charged with indolence and supineness, yet many
+others are frequently mentioned by authors _as a careful, industrious,
+and even laborious_ people. But nothing shews more clearly how unsafe it
+is to form a judgment of distant people from the accounts given of them
+by travellers, who have taken but a transient view of things, than the
+case of the Hottentots, viz. those several nations of Negroes who
+inhabit the most southern part of Africa: _these people_ are represented
+by several authors, who appear to have very much copied their relations
+one from the other, as so savage and barbarous as to have little of
+human, but the shape: but these accounts are strongly contradicted by
+others, particularly Peter Kolben, who has given a circumstantial
+relation of the disposition and manners of those people.[A] He was a man
+of learning, sent from the court of Prussia solely to make astronomical
+and natural observations there; and having no interest in the slavery of
+the Negroes, had not the same inducement as most other relators had, to
+misrepresent the natives of Africa. He resided eight years at and about
+the Cape of Good Hope, during which time he examined with great care
+into the customs, manners, and opinions of the Hottentots; whence he
+sets these people in a quite different light from what they appeared in
+former authors, whom he corrects, and blames for the falsehoods they
+have wantonly told of them. At p. 61, he says, "The details we have in
+several authors, are for the most part made up of inventions and
+hearsays, which generally prove false." Nevertheless, he allows they are
+justly to be blamed for their sloth.--_The love of liberty and indolence
+is their all; compulsion is death to them. While necessity obliges them
+to work, they are very tractable, obedient, and faithful; but when they
+have got enough to satisfy the present want, they are deaf to all
+further intreaty_. He also faults them for their nastiness, the effect
+of sloth; and for their love of drink, and the practice of some
+unnatural customs, which long use has established amongst them; which,
+nevertheless, from the general good disposition of these people, there
+is great reason to believe they might be persuaded to refrain from, if a
+truly christian care had been extended towards them. He says, "They are
+eminently distinguished by many virtues, as their mutual benevolence,
+friendship, and hospitality; they breathe kindness and good will to one
+another, and seek all opportunities of obliging. Is a Hottentot's
+assistance required by one of his countrymen? he runs to give it. Is his
+advice asked? he gives it with sincerity. Is his countryman in want? he
+relieves him to the utmost of his power." Their hospitality extends even
+to European strangers: in travelling thro' the Cape countries, you meet
+with a chearful and open reception, in whatsoever village you come to.
+In short, he says, page 339, "The integrity of the Hottentots, their
+strictness and celerity in the execution of justice, and their charity,
+are equalled by few nations. _In alliances, their word is sacred; there
+being hardly any thing they look upon as a fouler crime than breach of
+engagements. Theft and adultery they punish with death_." They firmly
+believe there is a God, the author of all things, whom they call the God
+of gods; but it does not appear that they have an institution of worship
+directly regarding this supreme Deity. When pressed on this article,
+they excuse themselves by a tradition, "_That their first parents so
+grievously offended this great God, that he cursed them and their
+posterity with hardness of heart; so that they know little about him,
+and have less inclination to serve him_." As has been already remarked,
+these Hottentots are the only Negroe nations bordering on the sea, we
+read of, who are not concerned in making or keeping slaves. Those slaves
+made use of by the Hollanders at the Cape, are brought from other parts
+of Guinea. Numbers of these people told the author, "That the vices they
+saw prevail amongst christians; their avarice, their envy and hatred of
+one another; their restless discontented tempers; their lasciviousness
+and injustice, were the things that principally kept the Hottentots from
+hearkening to christianity."
+
+[Footnote A: See Kolban's account of the Cape of Good Hope.]
+
+Father Tachard, a French Jesuit, famous for his travels in the East
+Indies, in his account of these people, says, "The Hottentots have more
+honesty, love, and liberality for one another, than are almost anywhere
+seen amongst christians."
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. X.
+
+
+Man-stealing esteemed highly criminal, and punishable by the laws of
+Guinea: _No_ Negroes allowed to be sold for slaves there, but those
+deemed prisoners of war, or in punishment for crimes. _Some_ of the
+Negroe rulers, corrupted by the Europeans, violently infringe the laws
+of Guinea. The King of Barsailay noted in that respect.
+
+By an inquiry into the laws and customs formerly in use, and still in
+force amongst the Negroes, particularly on the Gold Coast, it will be
+found, that provision was made for the general peace, and for the safety
+of individuals; even in W. Bosman's time, long after the Europeans had
+established the slave-trade, the natives were not publicly enslaved, any
+otherwise than in punishment for crimes, when prisoners of war, or by a
+violent exertion of the power of their corrupted Kings. Where any of the
+natives were stolen, in order to be sold to the Europeans, it was done
+secretly, or at least, only connived at by those in power: this appears
+From Barbot and Bosman's account of the matter, both agreeing that
+man-stealing was not allowed on the Gold Coast. The first[A] says,
+"_Kidnapping or stealing of human creatures is punished there, and even
+sometimes with death._" And, W. Bosman, whose long residence on the
+coast, enabled him to speak with certainty, says,[B] "_That the laws
+were severe against murder, thievery, and adultery._" And adds, "_That
+man-stealing was punished on the Gold Coast with rigid severity and
+sometimes with death itself._" Hence it may be concluded, that the sale
+of the greatest part of the Negroes to the Europeans is supported by
+violence, in defiance of the laws, through the knavery of their
+principal men,[C] who, (as is too often the case with those in European
+countries) under pretence of encouraging trade, and increasing the
+public revenue, disregard the dictates of justice, and trample upon
+those liberties which they are appointed to preserve.
+
+[Footnote A: Barbot, p. 303.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Bosman, p. 143.]
+
+
+[Footnote C: Note. Barbot, page 270, says, the trade of slaves is in a
+more peculiar manner the business of Kings, rich men, and prime
+merchants, exclusive of the inferior sort of blacks.]
+
+Fr. Moor also mentions man-stealing as being discountenanced by the
+Negroe Governments on the river Gambia, and speaks of the inslaving the
+peaceable inhabitants, as a violence which only happens under a corrupt
+administration of justice; he says,[A] "The Kings of that country
+generally advise with their head men, scarcely doing any thing of
+consequence, without consulting them first, except the King of
+Barsailay, who being subject to hard drinking, is very absolute. It is
+to this King's insatiable thirst for brandy, that his subjects freedoms
+and families are in so precarious a situation.[B] Whenever this King
+wants goods or brandy, he sends a messenger to the English Governor at
+James Fort, to desire he would send a sloop there with a cargo: _this
+news, being not at all unwelcome_, the Governor sends accordingly;
+against the arrival of the sloop, the King goes and ransacks some of his
+enemies towns, seizing the people, and selling them for such commodities
+as he is in want of, which commonly are brandy, guns, powder, balls,
+pistols, and cutlasses, for his attendants and soldiers; and coral and
+silver for his wives and concubines. In case he is not at war with any
+neighbouring King, he then falls upon one of his own towns, which are
+numerous, and uses them in the same manner." "He often goes with some of
+his troops by a town in the day time, and returning in the night, sets
+fire to three parts of it, and putting guards at the fourth, there
+seizes the people as they run out from the fire; he ties their arms
+behind them, and marches them either to Joar or Cohone, where he sells
+them to the Europeans."
+
+[Footnote A: Moor, page 61.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Idem, p. 46.]
+
+A. Brue, the French director, gives much the same account, and says,[A]
+"That having received goods, he wrote to the King, that if he had a
+sufficient number of slaves, he was ready to trade with him. This
+Prince, as well as the other Negroe monarchs, has always a sure way of
+supplying his deficiencies, by selling his own subjects, for which they
+seldom want a pretence. The King had recourse to this method, by seizing
+three hundred of his own people, and sent word to the director, that he
+had the slaves ready to deliver for the goods." It seems, the King
+wanted double the quantity of goods which the factor would give him for
+these three hundred slaves; but the factor refusing to trust him, as he
+was already in the company's debt, and perceiving that this refusal had
+put the King much out of temper, he proposed that he should give him a
+licence for taking so many more of his people, as the goods he still
+wanted were worth but this the King refused, saying "_It_ might occasion
+a disturbance amongst his subjects."[B] Except in the above instance,
+and some others, where the power of the Negroe Kings is unlawfully
+exerted over their subjects, the slave-trade is carried on in Guinea
+with some regard to the laws of the country, which allow of none to be
+sold, but prisoners taken in their national wars, or people adjudged to
+slavery in punishment for crimes; but the largeness of the country, the
+number of kingdoms or commonwealths, and the great encouragement given
+by the Europeans, afford frequent pretences and opportunities to the
+bold designing profligates of one kingdom, to surprize and seize upon
+not only those of a neighbouring government, but also the weak and
+helpless of their own;[C] and the unhappy people, taken on those
+occasions, are, with impunity, sold to the Europeans. These practices
+are doubtless disapproved of by the most considerate amongst the
+Negroes, for Bosman acquaints us, that even their national wars are not
+agreeable to such. He says,[D] "If the person who occasioned the
+beginning of the war be taken, they will not easily admit him to ransom,
+though his weight in gold should be offered, for fear he should in
+future form some new design against their repose."
+
+[Footnote A: Collection vol. 2. p. 29.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Note, This Negroe King thus refusing to comply with the
+factor's wicked proposal, shews, he was sensible his own conduct was not
+justifiable; and it likewise appears, the factor's only concern was to
+procure the greatest number of slaves, without any regard to the
+injustice of the method by which they were procured. This Andrew Brue,
+was, for a long time, principal director of the French African factory
+in those parts; in the management of which, he is in the collection said
+to have had extraordinary success. The part he ought to have acted as a
+christian towards the ignorant Africans seems quite out of the question;
+the profit of his employers appears to have been his sole concern. At
+page 62, speaking of the country on the Senegal river, he says, "It was
+very populous, the soil rich; and if the people were industrious, they
+might, of their own produce, carry on a very advantageous trade with
+strangers; there being but few things in which they could be excelled;
+_but_ (he adds) _it is to be hoped, the Europeans will never let them
+into the secret._" A remark unbecoming humanity, much more
+christianity!]
+
+
+[Footnote C: This inhuman practice is particularly described by Brue, in
+collect. vol. 2. page 98, where he says, "That some of the natives are,
+on all occasions, endeavouring to surprize and carry off their country
+people. They land (says he) without noise, and if they find a lone
+cottage, without defence, they surround it, and carry off all the people
+and effects to their boat, and immediately reimbark." This seems to be
+mostly practised by some Negroes who dwell on the sea coast.]
+
+
+[Footnote D: Bosman, p. 155.]
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XI.
+
+
+An account of the shocking inhumanity, used in the carrying on of the
+slave-trade, as described by factors of different nations, viz. by
+Francis Moor, on the river Gambia; and by John Barbot, A. Brue, and
+William Bosman, through the coast of Guinea. _Note_. Of the large
+revenues arising to the Kings of Guinea from the slave-trade.
+
+First, Francis Moor, factor for the English African company, on the
+river Gambia,[A] writes, "That there are a number of Negro traders,
+called joncoes, or merchants, who follow the slave-trade as a business;
+their place of residence is so high up in the country as to be six weeks
+travel from James Fort, which is situate at the mouth of that river.
+These merchants bring down elephants teeth, and in some years two
+thousand slaves, most of which, they say, are prisoners taken in war.
+They buy them from the different Princes who take them; many of them are
+Bumbrongs and Petcharies; nations, who each of them have different
+languages, and are brought from a vast way inland. Their way of bringing
+them is tying them by the neck with leather thongs, at about a yard
+distant from each other, thirty or forty in a string, having generally a
+bundle of corn or elephants teeth upon each of their heads. In their way
+from the mountains, they travel thro' very great woods, where they
+cannot for some days get water; so they carry in skin bags enough to
+support them for a time. I cannot (adds Moor) be certain of the number
+of merchants who follow this trade, but there may, perhaps, be about an
+hundred, who go up into the inland country, with the goods which they
+buy from the white men, and with them purchase, in various countries,
+gold, slaves, and elephants teeth. Besides the slaves, which the
+merchants bring down, there are many bought along the river: These are
+either taken in war, as the former are, or men condemned for crimes; _or
+else people stolen, which is very frequent_.--Since the slave-trade has
+been used, all punishments are changed into slavery; there being an
+advantage on such condemnation, _they strain for crimes very hard, in
+order to get the benefit of selling the criminal_."
+
+[Footnote A: Moor, page 28.]
+
+John Barbot, the French factor, in his account of the manner by which
+the slaves are procured, says,[A] "The slaves sold by the Negroes, are
+for the most part prisoners of war, or taken in the incursions they make
+in their enemies territories; others are stolen away by their
+neighbours, when found abroad on the road, or in the woods; or else in
+the corn fields, at the time of the year when their parents keep them
+there all the day to scare away the devouring small birds." Speaking of
+the transactions on that part of Guinea called the Slave Coast, where
+the Europeans have the most factories, and from whence they bring away
+much the greatest number of slaves, the same author, and also Bosman[B]
+says, "The inhabitants of Coto do much mischief, in stealing those
+slaves they sell to the Europeans, from the upland country.--That the
+inhabitants of Popo excell the former; being endowed with a much larger
+share of courage, they rob more successfully, by which means they
+increase their riches and trade," The author particularly remarks,
+"_That they are encouraged in this practice by the Europeans_; sometimes
+it happens, according to the success of their inland excursions, that
+they are able to furnish two hundred slaves or more, in a few days." And
+he says,[C] "The blacks of Fida, or Whidah, are so expeditious in
+trading for slaves, that they can deliver a thousand every month."--"If
+there happens to be no stock of slaves there, the factor must trust the
+blacks with his goods, to the value of one hundred and fifty, or two
+hundred pounds; which goods they carry up into the inland country, to
+buy slaves at all markets,[D] for above six hundred miles up the
+country, where they are kept like cattle in Europe; the slaves sold
+there being generally prisoners of war, taken from their enemies like
+other booty, and perhaps some few sold by their own countrymen, in
+extreme want, or upon a famine, as also some as a punishment of heinous
+crimes." So far Barbot's account; that given by William Bosman is as
+follows:[E] "When the slaves which are brought from the inland countries
+come to Whidah, they are put in prison together; when we treat
+concerning buying them, they are all brought out together in a large
+plain, where, by our surgeons, they are thoroughly examined, and that
+naked, both men and women, without the least distinction or modesty.[F]
+Those which are approved as good, are set on one side; in the mean while
+a burning iron, with the arms or name of the company, lies in the fire,
+with which ours are marked on the breast. When we have agreed with the
+owners of the slaves, they are returned to their prisons, where, from
+that time forward, they are kept at our charge, and cost us two pence a
+day each slave, which serves to subsist them like criminals on bread and
+water; so that to save charges, we send them on board our ships the very
+first opportunity; before which, their masters strip them of all they
+have on their backs, so that they come on board stark naked, as well
+women as men. In which condition they are obliged to continue, if the
+master of the ship is not so charitable (which he commonly is) as to
+bestow something on them to cover their nakedness. Six or seven hundred
+are sometimes put on board a vessel, where they lie as close together as
+it is possible for them to be crowded."
+
+[Footnote A: John Barbot, page 47.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Bosman, page 310.]
+
+
+[Footnote C: Barbot, page 326.]
+
+
+[Footnote D: When the great income which arises to the Negroe Kings on
+the Slave-Coast, from the slaves brought thro' their several
+governments, to be shipped on board the European vessels, is considered,
+we have no cause to wonder that they give so great a countenance to that
+trade: William Bosman says, page 337, "_That each ship which comes to
+Whidah to trade, reckoning one with another, either by toll, trade, or
+custom, pays about four hundred pounds, and sometimes fifty ships come
+hither in a year." Barbot confirms the same, and adds, page 350, "That
+in the neighbouring kingdom of Ardah, the duty to the King is the value
+of seventy or eighty slaves for each trading ship_." Which is near half
+as much more as at Whidah; nor can the Europeans, concerned in the
+trade, with any degree of propriety, blame the African Kings for
+countenancing it, while they continue to send vessels, on purpose to
+take in the slaves which are thus stolen, and that they are permitted,
+under the sanction of national laws, to sell them to the colonies.]
+
+
+[Footnote E: Bosman, page 340.]
+
+
+[Footnote F: Note, from the above account of the indecent and shocking
+manner in which the unhappy Negroes are treated, it is reasonable for
+persons unacquainted with these people, to conclude them to be void of
+that natural modesty, so becoming a reasonable creature; but those who
+have had intercourse with the Blacks in these northern colonies, know
+that this would be a wrong conclusion, for they are indeed as
+susceptible of modesty and shame as other people. It is the unparallel'd
+brutality, to which the Europeans have, by long custom, been inured,
+which urgeth them, without blushing, to act so shameful a part. Such
+usage is certainly grievous to the poor Negroes, particularly the women;
+but they are slaves, and must submit to this, or any other abuse that is
+offered them by their cruel task-masters, or expect to be inhumanly
+tormented into acquiescence. That the Blacks are unaccustomed to such
+brutality, appears from an instance mentioned in Ashley's collection,
+vol. 2. page 201, viz. "At an audience which Casseneuve had of the King
+of Congo, where he was used with a great deal of civility by the Blacks,
+some slaves were delivered to him. The King observing Casseneuve
+(according to the custom of the Europeans) to handle the limbs of the
+slaves, burst out a laughing, as did the great men about him: the factor
+asking the interpreter the occasion of their mirth, was told it
+proceeded from his so nicely examining the slaves. Nevertheless, _the
+King was so ashamed of it, that he desired him, for decency's sake, to
+do it in a more private manner._"]
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XII.
+
+
+Extracts of several Journals of Voyages to the coast of Guinea for
+slaves, whereby the extreme inhumanity of that traffick is described.
+_Melancholy_ account of a ship blown up on that coast, with a great
+number of Negroes on board, _Instances_ of shocking barbarity
+perpetrated by masters of vessels towards their slaves. _Inquiry_ why
+these scandalous infringements, both of divine and human laws, are
+overlooked by the government.
+
+The misery and bloodshed attendant on the slave-trade, are set forth by
+the following extracts of two voyages to the coast of Guinea for slaves.
+The first in a vessel from Liverpool, taken _verbatim_ from the original
+manuscript of the Surgeon's Journal, _viz._
+
+"Sestro, December the 29th, 1724, No trade to day, though many traders
+came on board; they informed us, that the people are gone to war within
+land, and will bring prisoners enough in two or three days, in hopes of
+which we stay."
+
+The 30th. "No trade yet, but our traders came on board to day, and
+informed us the people had burnt four towns of their enemies, so that
+to-morrow we expect slaves off: another large ship is come in. Yesterday
+came in a large Londoner."
+
+The 31st. "Fair weather, but no trade yet; we see each night towns
+burning, but we hear the Sestro men are many of them killed by the
+inland Negroes, so that we fear this war will be unsuccessful."
+
+The 2d of January. "Last night we saw a prodigious fire break out about
+eleven o'clock, and this morning see the town of Sestro burnt down to
+the ground; (it contained some hundreds of houses) So that we find their
+enemies are too hard for them at present, and consequently our trade
+spoiled here; therefore, about seven o'clock, we weighed anchor, as did
+likewise the three other vessels, to proceed lower down."
+
+The second relation, also taken from the original manuscript Journal of
+a person of credit, who went surgeon on the same trade, in a vessel from
+New-York, about twenty years past, is as follows; _viz._ "Being on the
+coast, the Commander of the vessel, according to custom, sent a person
+on shore with a present to the King, acquainting him with his arrival,
+and letting him know, they wanted a cargo of slaves. The King promised
+to furnish them with the slaves; and, in order to do it, set out to go
+to war against his enemies; designing to surprise some town, and take
+all the people prisoners. Some time after, the King sent them word, he
+had not yet met with the desired success; having been twice repulsed, in
+attempting to break up two towns, but that he still hoped to procure a
+number of slaves for them; and in this design he persisted, till he met
+his enemies in the field, where a battle was fought, which lasted three
+days, during which time the engagement was so bloody that four thousand
+five hundred men were slain on the spot." The person who wrote the
+account, beheld the bodies, as they lay on the field of battle. "Think
+(says he in his Journal) what a pitiable sight it was, to see the widows
+weeping over their lost husbands, orphans deploring the loss of their
+fathers, &c. &c." In he 6th vol. of Churchill's collection of Voyages,
+page 219, we have the relation of a voyage performed by Captain Philips,
+in a ship of 450 tuns, along the coast of Guinea, for elephants teeth,
+gold, and Negroe slaves, intended for Barbadoes; in which he says, that
+they took "seven hundred slaves on board, the men being all put in irons
+two by two, shackled together to prevent their mutinying or swimming
+ashore. That the Negroes are so loth to leave their own country, that
+they often leap out of the canoe, boat, or ship, into the sea, and keep
+under water till they are drowned, to avoid being taken up, and saved by
+the boats which pursue them."--They had about twelve Negroes who
+willingly drowned themselves; others starved themselves to
+death.--Philips was advised to cut off the legs and arms of some to
+terrify the rest, (as other Captains had done) but this he refused to
+do. From the time of his taking the Negroes on board, to his arrival at
+Barbadoes, no less than three hundred and twenty died of various
+diseases.[A]
+
+[Footnote A: _The following relation is inserted at the request of the
+author._
+
+That I may contribute all in my power towards the good of mankind, by
+inspiring any individuals with a suitable abhorrence of that detestable
+practice of trading in our fellow-creatures, and in some measure atone
+for my neglect of duty as a Christian, in engaging in that wicked
+traffic, I offer to their serious consideration some few occurrences, of
+which I was an eye-witness; that being struck with the wretched and
+affecting scene, they may foster that humane principle, which is the
+noble and distinguished characteristic of man, and improve it to the
+benefit of their children's children.
+
+About the year 1749, I sailed from Liverpool to the coast of Guinea.
+Some time after our arrival, I was ordered to go up the country a
+considerable distance, upon having notice from one of the Negroe Kings,
+that he had a parcel of slaves to dispose of. I received my
+instructions, and went, carrying with me an account of such goods as we
+had on board, to exchange for the slaves we intended to purchase. Upon
+being introduced, I presented him with a small case of English spirits,
+a gun, and some trifles; which having accepted, and understood by an
+interpreter what goods we had, the next day was appointed for viewing
+the slaves; we found about two hundred confined in one place. But here
+how shall I relate the affecting sight I there beheld! How can I
+sufficiently describe the silent sorrow which appeared in the
+countenance of the afflicted father, and the painful anguish of the
+tender mother, expecting to be for ever separated from their tender
+offspring; the distressed maid, wringing her hands in presage of her
+future wretchedness, and the general cry of the innocent from a dreadful
+apprehension of the perpetual slavery to which they were doomed! Under a
+sense of my offence to God, in the persons of his creatures, I
+acknowledge I purchased eleven, whom I conducted tied two and two to the
+ship. Being but a small ship, (ninety ton) we soon purchased our cargo,
+consisting of one hundred and seventy slaves, whom thou mayest, reader,
+range in thy view, as they were shackled two and two together, pent up
+within the narrow confines of the main deck, with the complicated
+distress of sickness, chains, and contempt; deprived of every fond and
+social tie, and, in a great measure, reduced to a state of desperation.
+We had not been a fortnight at sea, before the fatal consequence of this
+despair appeared; they formed a design of recovering their natural
+right, LIBERTY, by rising and murdering every man on board; but the
+goodness of the Almighty rendered their scheme abortive, and his mercy
+spared us to have time to repent. The plot was discovered; the
+ring-leader, tied by the two thumbs over the barricade door, at sun-rise
+received a number of lashes: in this situation he remained till sun-set,
+exposed to the insults and barbarity of the brutal crew of sailors, with
+full leave to exercise their cruelty at pleasure. The consequence of
+this was, that next morning the miserable sufferer was found dead,
+flayed from the shoulders to the waist. The next victim was a youth,
+who, from too strong a sense of his misery, refused nourishment, and
+died disregarded and unnoticed, till the hogs had fed on part of his
+flesh. Will not christianity blush at this impious sacrilege? May the
+relation of it serve to call back the struggling remains of humanity in
+the hearts of those, who, from a love of wealth, partake in any degree
+of this oppressive gain; and have such an effect on the minds of the
+sincere, as may be productive of peace, the happy effect of true
+repentance for past transgressions, and a resolution to renounce all
+connexion with it for the time to come.]
+
+Reader, bring the matter home to thy own heart, and consider whether any
+situation can be more completely miserable than that of these distressed
+captives. When we reflect that each individual of this number had
+probably some tender attachment, which was broken by this cruel
+separation; some parent or wife, who had not an opportunity of mingling
+tears in a parting embrace; perhaps some infants, or aged parents, whom
+his labour was to feed, and vigilance protect; themselves under the most
+dreadful apprehension of an unknown perpetual slavery; confined within
+the narrow limits of a vessel, where often several hundreds lie as close
+as possible. Under these aggravated distresses, they are often reduced
+to a state of despair, in which many have been frequently killed, and
+some deliberately put to death under the greatest torture, when they
+have attempted to rise, in order to free themselves from present misery,
+and the slavery designed them. Many accounts of this nature might be
+mentioned; indeed from the vast number of vessels employed in the trade,
+and the repeated relations in the public prints of Negroes rising on
+board the vessels from Guinea, it is more than probable, that many such
+instances occur every year. I shall only mention one example of this
+kind, by which the reader may judge of the rest; it is in Astley's
+collection, vol. 2. p. 449, related by John Atkins, surgeon on board
+admiral Ogle's squadron, of one "Harding, master of a vessel in which
+several of the men-slaves and women-slaves had attempted to rise, in
+order to recover their liberty; some of whom the master, of his own
+authority, sentenced to cruel death, making them first eat the heart and
+liver of one of those he had killed. The woman he hoisted by the thumbs,
+whipped, and slashed with knives before the other slaves, till she
+died."[A] As detestable and shocking as this may appear to such whose
+hearts are not yet hardened by the practice of that cruelty, which the
+love of wealth by degrees introduceth into the human mind, it will not
+be strange to those who have been concerned or employed in the trade.
+
+[Footnote A: A memorable instance of some of the dreadful effects of the
+slave-trade, happened about five years past, on a ship from this port,
+then at anchor about three miles from shore, near Acra Fort, on the
+coast of Guinea. They had purchased between four and five hundred
+Negroes, and were ready to sail for the West Indies. It is customary on
+board those vessels, to keep the men shackled two by two, each by one
+leg to a small iron bar; these are every day brought on the deck for the
+benefit of air; and lest they should attempt to recover their freedom,
+they are made fast to two common chains, which are extended on each side
+the main deck; the women and children are loose. This was the situation
+of the slaves on board this vessel, when it took fire by means of a
+person who was drawing spirits by the light of a lamp; the cask
+bursting, the fire spread with so much violence, that in about ten
+minutes, the sailors, apprehending it impossible to extinguish it before
+it could reach a large quantity of powder they had on board, concluded
+it necessary to cast themselves into the sea, as the only chance of
+saving their lives; and first they endeavoured to loose the chains by
+which the Negroe men were fastened to the deck; but in the confusion the
+key being missing, they had but just time to loose one of the chains by
+wrenching the staple; when the vehemence of the fire so increased, that
+they all but one man jumped over board, when immediately the fire having
+gained the powder, the vessel blew up with all the slaves who remained
+fastened to the one chain, and such others as had not followed the
+sailors examples. There happened to be three Portugueze vessels in
+sight, who, with others from the shore, putting out their boats, took up
+about two hundred and fifty of those poor souls who remained alive; of
+which number, about fifty died on shore, being mostly of those who were
+fettered together by iron shackles, which, as they jumped into the sea,
+had broke their legs, and these fractures being inflamed by so long a
+struggle in the sea, probably mortified, which occasioned the death of
+every one that was so wounded. The two hundred remaining alive, were
+soon disposed of, for account of the owners to other purchasers.]
+
+Now here arises a necessary query to those who hold the balance of
+justice, and who must be accountable to God for the use they have made
+of it, That as the principles on which the British constitution is
+founded, are so favourable to the common rights of mankind, how it has
+happened that the laws which countenance this iniquitous traffic, have
+obtained the sanction of the legislature? and that the executive part of
+the government should so long shut their ears to continual reports of
+the barbarities perpetrated against this unhappy people, and leave the
+trading subjects at liberty to trample on the most precious rights of
+others, even without a rebuke? Why are the masters of vessels thus
+suffered to be the sovereign arbiters of the lives of the miserable
+Negroes, and allowed with impunity thus to destroy (may I not properly
+say, _to murder_) their fellow-creatures; and that by means so cruel, as
+cannot be even related but with shame and horror?
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XIII.
+
+
+Usage of the Negroes, when they arrive in the West Indies. An hundred
+thousand Negroes brought from Guinea every year to the English colonies.
+The number of Negroes who die in the passage and seasoning. These are,
+properly speaking, murdered by the prosecution of this infamous traffic.
+Remarks on its dreadful _effects and tendency_.
+
+When the vessels arrive at their destined port in the colonies, the poor
+Negroes are to be disposed of to the planters; and here they are again
+exposed naked, without any distinction of sexes, to the brutal
+examination of their purchasers; and this, it may well be judged, is, to
+many, another occasion of deep distress. Add to this, that near
+connexions must now again be separated, to go with their several
+purchasers; this must be deeply affecting to all, but such whose hearts
+are seared by the love of gain. Mothers are seen hanging over their
+daughters, bedewing their naked breasts with tears, and daughters
+clinging to their parents, not knowing what new stage of distress must
+follow their separation, or whether they shall ever meet again. And here
+what sympathy, what commiseration, do they meet with? Why, indeed, if
+they will not separate as readily as their owners think proper, the
+whipper is called for, and the lash exercised upon their naked bodies,
+till obliged to part. Can any human heart, which is not become callous
+by the practice of such cruelties, be unconcerned, even at the relation
+of such grievous affliction, to which this oppressed part of our species
+are subjected.
+
+In a book, printed in Liverpool, called _The Liverpool Memorandum_,
+which contains, amongst other things, an account of the trade of that
+port, there is an exact list of the vessels employed in the Guinea
+trade, and of the number of slaves imported in each vessel; by which it
+appears that in the year 1753, the number imported to America by one
+hundred and one vessels belonging to that port, amounted to upwards of
+thirty thousand; and from the number of vessels employed by the African
+company in London and Bristol, we may, with some degree of certainty,
+conclude, there are one hundred thousand Negroes purchased and brought
+on board our ships yearly from the coast of Africa. This is confirmed in
+Anderson's history of Trade and Commerce, lately printed; where it is
+said,[A] "That England supplies her American colonies with Negroe
+slaves, amounting in number to above one hundred thousand every year."
+When the vessels are full freighted with slaves, they sail for our
+plantations in America, and may be two or three months in the voyage;
+during which time, from the filth and stench that is among them,
+distempers frequently break out, which carry off commonly a fifth, a
+fourth, yea sometimes a third or more of them: so that taking all the
+slaves together, that are brought on board our ships yearly, one may
+reasonably suppose, that at least ten thousand of them die on the
+voyage. And in a printed account of the state of the Negroes in our
+plantations, it is supposed that a fourth part, more or less, die at the
+different islands, in what is called the seasoning. Hence it may be
+presumed, that at a moderate computation of the slaves who are purchased
+by our African merchants in a year, near thirty thousand die upon the
+voyage, and in the seasoning. Add to this, the prodigious number who are
+killed in the incursions and intestine wars, by which the Negroes
+procure the number of slaves wanted to load the vessels. How dreadful
+then is this slave-trade, whereby so many thousands of our fellow
+creatures, free by nature, endued with the same rational faculties, and
+called to be heirs of the same salvation with us, lose their lives, and
+are, truly and properly speaking, murdered every year! For it is not
+necessary, in order to convict a man of murder, to make it appear that
+he had an _intention_ to commit murder; whoever does, by unjust force or
+violence, deprive another of his liberty, and, while he hath him in his
+power, continues so to oppress him by cruel treatment, as eventually to
+occasion his death, is actually guilty of murder. It is enough to make a
+thoughtful person tremble, to think what a load of guilt lies upon our
+nation on this account; and that the blood of thousands of poor innocent
+creatures, murdered every year in the prosecution of this wicked trade,
+cries aloud to Heaven for vengeance. Were we to hear or read of a nation
+that destroyed every year, in some other way, as many human creatures as
+perish in this trade, we should certainly consider them as a very
+bloody, barbarous people; if it be alledged, that the legislature hath
+encouraged, and still does encourage this trade, It is answered, that no
+legislature on earth can alter the nature of things, so as to make that
+to be right which is contrary to the law of God, (the supreme Legislator
+and Governor of the world) and opposeth the promulgation of the Gospel
+of _peace on earth, and good will to man_. Injustice may be methodized
+and established by law, but still it will be injustice, as much as it
+was before; though its being so established may render men more
+insensible of the guilt, and more bold and secure in the perpetration of
+it.
+
+[Footnote A: Appendix to Anderson's history, p. 68.]
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XIV.
+
+
+Observations on the disposition and capacity of the Negroes: Why thought
+inferior to that of the Whites. Affecting instances of the slavery of
+the Negroes. Reflections thereon.
+
+Doubts may arise in the minds of some, whether the foregoing accounts,
+relating to the natural capacity and good disposition of the inhabitants
+of Guinea, and of the violent manner in which they are said to be torn
+from their native land, are to be depended upon; as those Negroes who
+are brought to us, are not heard to complain, and do but seldom manifest
+such a docility and quickness of parts, as is agreeable thereto. But
+those who make these objections, are desired to note the many
+discouragements the poor Africans labour under, when brought from their
+native land. Let them consider, that those afflicted strangers, though
+in an _enlightened Christian country_, have yet but little opportunity
+or encouragement to exert and improve their natural talents: They are
+constantly employed in servile labour; and the abject condition in which
+we see them, naturally raises an idea of a superiority in ourselves;
+whence we are apt to look upon them as an ignorant and contemptible part
+of mankind. Add to this, that they meet with very little encouragement
+of freely conversing with such of the Whites, as might impart
+instruction to them. It is a fondness for wealth, for authority, or
+honour, which prompts most men in their endeavours to excell; but these
+motives can have little influence upon the minds of the Negroes; few of
+them having any reasonable prospect of any other than a state of
+slavery; so that, though their natural capacities were ever so good,
+they have neither inducement or opportunity to exert them to advantage:
+This naturally tends to depress their minds, and sink their spirits into
+habits of idleness and sloth, which they would, in all likelihood, have
+been free from, had they stood upon an equal footing with the white
+people. They are suffered, with impunity, to cohabit together, without
+being married; and to part, when solemnly engaged to one another as man
+and wife; notwithstanding the moral and religious laws of the land,
+strictly prohibiting such practices. This naturally tends to beget
+apprehensions in the most thoughtful of those people, that we look upon
+them as a lower race, not worthy of the same care, nor liable to the
+same rewards and punishments as ourselves. Nevertheless it may with
+truth be said, that both amongst those who have obtained their freedom,
+and those who remain in servitude, some have manifested a strong
+sagacity and an exemplary uprightness of heart. If this hath not been
+generally the case with them, is it a matter of surprize? Have we not
+reason to make the same complaint of many white servants, when
+discharged from our service, though many of them have had much greater
+opportunities of knowledge and improvement than the blacks; who, even
+when free, labour under the same difficulties as before: having but
+little access to, and intercourse with, the most reputable white people,
+they remain confined within their former limits of conversation. And if
+they seldom complain of the unjust and cruel usage they have received,
+in being forced from their native country, &c. it is not to be wondered
+at; it being a considerable time after their arrival amongst us, before
+they can speak our language; and, by the time they are able to express
+themselves, they have great reason to believe, that little or no notice
+would be taken of their complaints: yet let any person enquire of those
+who were capable of reflection, before they were brought from their
+native land, and he will hear such affecting relations, as, if not lost
+to the common feelings of humanity, will sensibly affect his heart. The
+case of a poor Negroe, not long since brought from Guinea, is a recent
+instance of this kind. From his first arrival, he appeared thoughtful
+and dejected, frequently dropping tears when taking notice of his
+master's children, the cause of which was not known till he was able to
+speak English, when the account he gave of himself was, "That he had a
+wife and children in his own country; that some of these being sick and
+thirsty, he went in the night time, to fetch water at a spring, where he
+was violently seized and carried away by persons who lay in wait to
+catch men, from whence he was transported to America. The remembrance of
+his family, friends, and other connections, left behind, which he never
+expected to see any more, were the principal cause of his dejection and
+grief." Many cases, equally affecting, might be here mentioned; but one
+more instance, which fell under the notice of a person of credit, will
+suffice. One of these wretched creatures, then about 50 years of age,
+informed him, "That being violently torn from a wife and several
+children in Guinea, he was sold in Jamaica, where never expecting to see
+his native land or family any more, he joined himself to a Negroe woman,
+by whom he had two children: after some years, it suiting the interest
+of his owner to remove him, he was separated from his second wife and
+children, and brought to South Carolina, where, expecting to spend the
+remainder of his days, he engaged with a third wife, by whom he had
+another child; but here the same consequence of one man being subject to
+the will and pleasure of another man occurring, he was separated from
+this last wife and child, and brought into this country, where he
+remained a slave." Can any, whose mind is not rendered quite obdurate by
+the love of wealth, hear these relations, without being deeply touched
+with sympathy and sorrow? And doubtless the case of many, very many of
+these afflicted people, upon enquiry, would be found to be attended with
+circumstances equally tragical and aggravating. And if we enquire of
+those Negroes, who were brought away from their native country when
+children, we shall find most of them to have been stolen away, when
+abroad from their parents, on the roads, in the woods, or watching their
+corn-fields. Now, you that have studied the book of conscience, and you
+that are learned in the law, what will you say to such deplorable cases?
+When, and how, have these oppressed people forfeited their liberty? Does
+not justice loudly call for its being restored to them? Have they not
+the same right to demand it, as any of us should have, if we had been
+violently snatched by pirates from our native land? Is it not the duty
+of every dispenser of justice, who is not forgetful of his own humanity,
+to remember that these are men, and to declare them free? Where
+instances of such cruelty frequently occur, and are neither enquired
+into, nor redressed, by those whose duty it is _to seek judgment, and
+relieve the oppressed_, Isaiah i. 17. what can be expected, but that the
+groans and cries of these sufferers will reach Heaven; and what shall we
+do _when God riseth up? and when he visiteth_, what will ye answer him?
+_Did not he that made them, make us; and did not one fashion us in the
+womb_? Job xxxi. 14.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP XIV.
+
+
+The expediency of a general freedom being granted to the Negroes
+considered. _Reasons_ why it might be productive of advantage and
+_safety to the Colonies_.
+
+It is scarce to be doubted, but that the foregoing accounts will beget
+in the heart of the considerate readers an earnest desire to see a stop
+put to this complicated evil, but the objection with many is, What shall
+be done with those Negroes already imported, and born in our families?
+Must they be sent to Africa? That would be to expose them, in a strange
+land, to greater difficulties than many of them labour under at present.
+To let them suddenly free here, would be perhaps attended with no less
+difficulty; for, undiciplined as they are in religion and virtue, they
+might give a loose to those evil habits, which the fear of a master
+would have restrained. These are objections, which weigh with many well
+disposed people, and it must be granted, these are difficulties in the
+way; nor can any general change be made, or reformation effected,
+without some; but the difficulties are not so great but that they may be
+surmounted. If the government was so considerate of the iniquity and
+danger attending on this practice, as to be willing to seek a remedy,
+doubtless the Almighty would bless this good intention, and such methods
+would be thought of, as would not only put an end to the unjust
+oppression of the Negroes, but might bring them under regulations, that
+would enable them to become profitable members of society; for the
+furtherance of which, the following proposals are offered to
+consideration: That all farther importation of slaves be absolutely
+prohibited; and as to those born among us, after serving so long as may
+appear to be equitable, let them by law be declared free. Let every one,
+thus set free, be enrolled in the county courts, and be obliged to be a
+resident, during a certain number of years, within the said county,
+under the care of the overseers of the poor. Thus being, in some sort,
+still under the direction of governors, and the notice of those who were
+formerly acquainted with them, they would be obliged to act the more
+circumspectly, and make proper use of their liberty, and their children
+would have an opportunity of obtaining such instructions, as are
+necessary to the common occasions of life; and thus both parents and
+children might gradually become useful members of the community. And
+further, where the nature of the country would permit, as certainly the
+uncultivated condition of our southern and most western colonies easily
+would, suppose a small tract of land were assigned to every Negroe
+family, and they obliged to live upon and improve it, (when not hired
+out to work for the white people) this would encourage them to exert
+their abilities, and become industrious subjects. Hence, both planters
+and tradesmen would be plentifully supplied with chearful and
+willing-minded labourers, much vacant land would be cultivated, the
+produce of the country be justly increased, the taxes for the support of
+government lessened to individuals, by the increase of taxables, and the
+Negroes, instead of being an object of terror,[A] as they certainly must
+be to the governments where their numbers are great, would become
+interested in their safety and welfare.
+
+[Footnote A: The hard usage the Negroes meet with in the plantations,
+and the great disproportion between them and the white people, will
+always be a just cause of terror. In Jamaica, and some parts of
+South-Carolina, it is supposed that there are fifteen blacks to one
+white.]
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XV.
+
+
+Answer to a mistaken opinion, that the warmth of the climate in the
+West-Indies, will not permit white people to labour there. No complaint
+of disability in the whites, in that respect, in the settlement of the
+islands. Idleness and diseases prevailed, as the use of slaves
+increased. _The great_ advantage which might accrue to the British
+nation, if the slave trade was entirely laid aside, and a fair and
+friendly commerce established through the whole coast of Africa.
+
+It is frequently offered as an argument, in vindication of the use of
+Negroe slaves, that the warmth of the climate in the West Indies will
+not permit white people to labour in the culture of the land: but upon
+an acquaintance with the nature of the climate, and its effects upon
+such labouring white people, as are prudent and moderate in labour, and
+the use of spirituous liquors, this will be found to be a mistaken
+opinion. Those islands were, at first, wholly cultivated by white men;
+the encouragement they then met with, for a long course of years, was
+such as occasioned a great increase of people. Richard Ligon, in his
+history of Barbadoes, where he resided from the year 1647 to 1650, about
+24 years after his first settlement, writes, "that there were then fifty
+thousand souls on that island, besides Negroes; and that though the
+weather was very hot, yet not so scalding but that servants, both
+christians and slaves, laboured ten hours a day." By other accounts we
+gather, that the white people have since decreased to less than one half
+the number which was there at that time; and by relations of the first
+settlements of the other islands, we do not meet with any complaints of
+unfitness in the white people for labour there, before slaves were
+introduced. The island of Hispaniola, which is one of the largest of
+those islands, was at first planted by the Buccaneers, a set of hardy
+laborious men, who continued so for a long course of years; till
+following the example of their neighbours, in the purchase and use of
+Negroe slaves, idleness and excess prevailing, debility and disease
+naturally succeeded, and have ever since continued. If, under proper
+regulations, liberty was proclaimed through the colonies, the Negroes,
+from dangerous, grudging, half-fed slaves, might become able,
+willing-minded labourers. And if there was not a sufficient number of
+these to do the necessary work, a competent number of labouring people
+might be procured from Europe, which affords numbers of poor distressed
+objects, who, if not overlooked, with proper usage, might, in several
+respects, better answer every good purpose in performing the necessary
+labour in the islands, than the slaves now do.
+
+A farther considerable advantage might accrue to the British nation in
+general, if the slave trade was laid aside, by the cultivation of a
+fair, friendly, and humane commerce with the Africans; without which, it
+is not possible the inland trade of that country should ever be extended
+to the degree it is capable of; for while the spirit of butchery and
+making slaves of each other, is promoted by the Europeans amongst the
+Negroes, no mutual confidence can take place; nor will the Europeans be
+able to travel with safety into the heart of their country, to form and
+cement such commercial friendships and alliances, as might be necessary
+to introduce the arts and sciences amongst them, and engage their
+attention to instruction in the principles of the christian religion,
+which is the only sure foundation of every social virtue. Africa has
+about ten thousand miles of sea coast, and extends in depth near three
+thousand miles from east to west, and as much from north to south,
+stored with vast treasures of materials, necessary for the trade and
+manufactures of Great-Britain; and from its climate, and the
+fruitfulness of its soil, capable, under proper management, of producing
+in the greatest plenty, most of the commodities which are imported into
+Europe from those parts of America subject to the English government;[A]
+and as, in return, they would take our manufactures, the advantages of
+this trade would soon become so great, that it is evident this subject
+merits the regard and attention of the government.
+
+[Footnote A: See note, page 109.]
+
+
+
+
+
+EXTRACT
+
+FROM A
+
+REPRESENTATION
+
+OF THE
+
+INJUSTICE
+
+AND
+
+DANGEROUS TENDENCY
+
+OF TOLERATING
+
+SLAVERY;
+
+
+OR
+
+
+Admitting the least CLAIM of private Property in the Persons of Men in
+_England_.
+
+
+By GRANVILLE SHARP.
+
+
+FIRST PRINTED IN LONDON.
+
+
+MDCCLXIX.
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+_The occasion of this Treatise. All Persons during their residence in_
+Great Britain _are subjects; and as such, bound to the laws, and under
+the Kings protection. By the English laws, no man, of what condition
+soever, to be imprisoned, or any way deprived of his_ LIBERTY, _without
+a legal process. The danger of_ Slavery _taking place in England.
+Prevails in the Northern Colonies, notwithstanding the people's plea in
+favour of_ Liberty. _Advertisements in the New-York Journal for the sale
+of_ SLAVES. _Advertisements to the same purpose in the public prints in
+England. The danger of confining any person without a legal warrant.
+Instances of that nature. Note, Extract of several American laws,
+Reflexions thereon._
+
+EXTRACT, &C.
+
+Some persons respectable in the law, having given it as their opinion,
+"_That a slave, by coming from the West Indies to Great Britain or
+Ireland, either with or without his master, doth not become free, or
+that his master's property or right in him is not thereby determined or
+varied;--and that the master may legally compel him to return again to
+the plantations_,"--this causes our author to remark, that these
+lawyers, by thus stating the case merely on one side of the question, (I
+mean in favour of the master) have occasioned an unjust presumption and
+prejudice, plainly inconsistent with the laws of the realm, and against
+the other side of the question; as they have not signified that their
+opinion was only conditional, and not absolute, and must be understood
+on the part of the master, "_That he can produce an authentic agreement
+or contract in writing, by which it shall appear, that the said slave
+hath voluntarily bound himself, without compulsion or illegal duress_."
+
+Page 5. Indeed there are many instances of persons being freed from
+slavery by the laws of England, but (God be thanked) there is neither
+law, nor even a precedent, (at least I have not been able to find one)
+of a legal determination to justify a master in claiming or detaining
+any person whatsoever as a slave in England, who has not voluntarily
+bound himself as such by a contract in writing.
+
+Page 20. An English subject cannot be made a slave without his own free
+consent: but--a foreign slave is made a subject with or without his own
+consent: there needs no contract for this purpose, as in the other case;
+nor any other act or deed whatsoever, but that of his being landed in
+England; For according to statute 32d of Henry VIII. c. 16. Sect. 9.
+"_Every alien or stranger born out of the King's obeisance, not being
+denizen, which now or hereafter shall come into this realm, or elsewhere
+within the King's dominions, shall, after the said first of September
+next coming, be bounden by and unto the laws and statutes of this realm,
+and to all and singular the contents of the same._"
+
+Now it must be observed, that this law makes no distinction of _bond or
+free_, neither of colours or complexions, whether of _black, brown_, or
+_white_; for "_every alien or stranger_ (without exception) _are bounden
+by and unto the law_, &c."
+
+This binding, or obligation, is properly expressed by the English word
+_ligeance, (Ă  ligando_) which may be either perpetual or temporary.
+Wood, b. I. c. 3. p. 37. But one of these is indispensably due to the
+Sovereign from all ranks and conditions of people; their being bounden
+unto the laws, (upon which the Sovereign's right is founded) expresses
+and implies this subjection to the laws; and therefore to alledge, that
+an alien is not a subject, because he is in bondage, is not only a plea
+without foundation, but a contradiction in terms; for every person who,
+in any respect, is in subjection to the laws, must undoubtedly be a
+subject.
+
+I come now to the main point--"_That every man, woman, or child, that
+now is, or hereafter shall be, an inhabitant or resiant of this kingdom
+of England, dominion of Wales, or town of Berwick upon Tweed,_" is, in
+some respect or other, the _King's subject_, and, as such, is absolutely
+secure in his or her _personal liberty_, by virtue of a statute, 31st
+Car. II. ch. 11. and particularly by the 12th Sect. of the same, wherein
+subjects of all conditions are plainly included.
+
+This act is expressly intended for the better securing the liberty of
+the subject, and for prevention of imprisonment beyond the seas. It
+contains no distinction of "_natural born, naturalized, denizen, or
+alien subject; nor of white or black, freemen, or even of bond-men_,"
+(except in the case already mentioned _of a contract in writing_, by
+which it shall appear, _that the said slave has voluntarily bound
+himself, without compulsion or illegal duress_, allowed by the 13th
+Sect. and the exception likewise in the 14th Sect. concerning felons)
+but they are all included under the general titles of "_the subject, any
+of the said subjects, every such person_" &c. Now the definition of the
+word "_person_," in its relative or civil capacity (according to Wood.
+b. I. c. 11. p. 27.) _is either the King, or a subject_. These are the
+_only capital distinctions_ that can be made, tho' the latter consists
+of a variety of denominations and degrees.
+
+But if I were even to allow, that a _Negroe slave_ is not a subject,
+(though I think I have clearly proved that he is) yet it is plain that
+such an one ought not to be denied the benefit of the King's court,
+unless the slave-holder shall be able to prove likewise that he is not,
+a _Man_; because _every man_ may be _free_ to sue for, and _defend his
+right in our courts_, says a stat. 20th Edw. III. c. 4. and elsewhere,
+according to law. And _no man, of what estate or condition_ that he be,
+(here can be no exception whatsoever) _shall be put out of land or
+tenement, nor taken, nor imprisoned, nor disinherited, nor put to death,
+without being brought in answer by due process of the law_. 28th Edw.
+III, c. 3, _No man_ therefore, _of what estate or condition that he be_,
+can lawfully be detained in England _as a slave_; because we have no law
+whereby a man _may be_ condemned to _slavery_ without his own consent,
+(for even convicted felons must "_in open court pray to transported_.")
+(See Habeas Corpus act, Sect. 14.) and therefore there cannot be any
+"_due process of the law_" tending to so base a purpose. It follows
+therefore, that every man, who presumes to detain _any person_
+whatsoever as a slave, otherwise than by virtue of a written contract,
+acts manifestly without "_due process of the law_," and consequently is
+liable to the slave's "_action of false imprisonment_," because "_every
+man may be free to sue_," &c. so that the slave-holder cannot avail
+himself of his imaginary _property_, either by the assistance of the
+common law, or of a court of equity, (_except it appears that the said
+slave has voluntarily bound himself, without compulsion or illegal
+duress_) for in both his suit will certainly appear both unjust and
+indefensible. The former cannot assist him, because the statute law at
+present is so far from supposing any man in a state of slavery, that it
+cannot even permit such a state, except in the two cases mentioned in
+the 13th and 14th Section of the Habeas Corpus act; and the courts of
+equity likewise must necessarily decide against him, because his mere
+mercenary plea of _private property_ cannot equitably, in a case between
+_man and man_, stand in competition with that _superior property_ which
+every man must necessarily be allowed to have in his own _proper
+person_.
+
+How then is the slave-holder to secure what he esteems his _property?_
+Perhaps he will endeavour clandestinely to seize the supposed slave, in
+order to transport him (with or without _his consent_) to the colonies,
+where such property is allowed: but let him take care what he does, the
+very attempt is punishable; and even the making over his property to
+another for that purpose, renders him equally liable to the severe
+penalties of the law, for a bill of sale may certainly be included under
+the terms expressed in the Habeas Corpus act, 12th Sect. viz. "_Any
+warrant or writing for such commitment, detainer, imprisonment, or
+transportation," &c._ It is also dangerous for a counsellor, or any
+other person _to advise_ (see the act "shall be advising") such
+proceedings, by saying, "_That a master may legally compel him_ (the
+slave) _to return again to the plantations_." Likewise an attorney,
+notary-public, or any other person, who shall presume to draw up,
+negotiate, of even to witness a bill of sale, or other instrument for
+such commitment, &c. offends equally against the law, because "_All, or
+any person or persons, that shall frame, contrive, write, seal, or
+countersign any warrant or writing for such commitment, detainer,
+imprisonment, or transportation; or shall be advising, aiding, or
+assisting in the same, or any of them_," are liable to all the penalties
+of the act. "_And the plaintiff, in every such action, shall have
+judgment to recover his treble costs, besides damages; which damages so
+to be given shall not be less than five hundred pounds_;" so that the
+injured may have ample satisfaction for their sufferings: and even a
+judge may not direct or instruct a jury contrary to this statute,
+whatever his private opinion may be concerning property in slaves;
+because _no order or command, nor no injunction_, is allowed to
+interfere with this _golden act of liberty_.
+
+--I have before observed, that the general term, "_every alien_,"
+includes _all strangers whatsoever_, and renders them _subject_ to the
+King, and the laws, during their residence in this kingdom; and this is
+certainly true, whether the aliens be Turks, Moors, Arabians, Tartars,
+or even savages, from any part of the world.--Men are rendered obnoxious
+to the laws by their offences, and not by the particular denomination of
+their rank, order, parentage, colour, or country; and therefore, though
+we should suppose that any particular body of people whatsoever were not
+known, or had in consideration by the legislature at the different times
+when the severe penal laws were made, yet no man can reasonably
+conceive, that such men are exempted on this account from the penalties
+of the said laws, when legally convicted of having offended against
+them.
+
+Laws calculated for the moral purpose of preventing oppression, are
+likewise usually supposed to be everlasting, and to make up a part of
+our happy constitution; for which reason, though the kind of oppression
+to be guarded against, and the penalties for offenders, are minutely
+described therein, yet the persons to be protected are comprehended in
+terms as general as possible; that "_no person who now is, or hereafter
+shall be, an inhabitant or resiant in this kingdom_," (see Habeas Corpus
+act, Sect. 12th) may seem to be excluded from protection. The general
+terms of the several statutes before cited, are so full and clear, that
+they admit of no exception whatsoever; for all persons (Negroes as well
+as others) must be included in the terms "the subject;"--"_no subject of
+this realm that now is, or hereafter shall be, an inhabitant, &c. any
+subject; every such person_;" see Habeas Corpus act. Also _every man_
+may be _free_ to sue, &c. 20th Edward III. cap. 4. and _no man, of what
+estate or condition that he be_, shall be taken or imprisoned, &c. True
+justice makes no respect of persons, and can never deny, to any one that
+blessing to which all mankind have an undoubted right, their _natural
+liberty_: though the law makes no mention of Negroe slaves, yet this is
+no just argument for excluding them from the general protection of our
+happy constitution.
+
+Neither can the objection, that Negroe slaves were not "had in
+consideration or contemplation," when these laws were made, prove any
+thing against them; but, on the contrary, much in their favour; for both
+these circumstances are strong presumptive proofs, that the practice of
+importing slaves into this kingdom, and retaining them as such, is an
+innovation entirely foreign to the spirit and intention of the laws now
+in force.
+
+--Page 79. A toleration of slavery is, in effect, a toleration of
+inhumanity; for there are wretches in the world who make no scruple to
+gain, by wearing out their slaves with continual labour, and a scanty
+allowance, before they have lived out half their natural days. It is
+notorious, that this is too often the case in the unhappy countries
+where slavery is tolerated.
+
+See the account of the European settlements in America, Part VI. Chap.
+11. concerning the "_misery of the Negroes, great waste of them_," &c.
+which informs us not only of a most scandalous profanation of the Lord's
+day, but also of another abomination, which must be infinitely more
+heinous in the sight of God, viz. oppression carried to such excess, as
+to be even destructive of the human species.
+
+At present, the inhumanity of constrained labour in excess, extends no
+farther in England than to our beasts, as post and hackney-horses,
+sand-asses, &c.
+
+But thanks to our laws, and not to the general good disposition of
+masters, that it is so; for the wretch who is bad enough to maltreat a
+helpless beast, would not spare his fellow man if he had him as much in
+his power.
+
+The maintenance of civil liberty is therefore absolutely necessary to
+prevent an increase of our national guilt, by the addition of the horrid
+crime of tyranny.--Notwithstanding that the plea of necessity cannot
+here be urged, yet this is no reason why an increase of the practice is
+not to be feared.
+
+Our North American colonies afford us a melancholy instance to the
+contrary; for though the climate in general is so wholesome and
+temperate, that it will not authorise this plea of necessity for the
+employment of slaves, any more than our own, yet the pernicious practice
+of slave-holding is become almost general in those parts. At New-York,
+for instance, the infringement on civil or domestic liberty is become
+notorious, notwithstanding the political controversies of the
+inhabitants in praise of liberty; but no panegyric on this subject
+(howsoever elegant in itself) can be graceful or edifying from the mouth
+or pen of one of those provincials, because men who do not scruple to
+detain others in slavery, have but a very partial and unjust claim to
+the protection of the laws of liberty; and indeed it too plainly appears
+that they have no real regard for liberty, farther than their own
+private interests are concerned; and (consequently) that they have so
+little detestation of despotism and tyranny, that they do not scruple to
+exercise them whenever their caprice excites them, or their private
+interest seems to require an exertion of their power over their
+miserable slaves.
+
+Every petty planter, who avails himself of the service of slaves, is an
+arbitrary monarch, or rather a lawless Bashaw in his own territories,
+notwithstanding that the imaginary freedom of the province wherein he
+resides, may seem to forbid the observation.
+
+The boasted liberty of our American colonies, therefore, has so little
+right to that sacred name, that it seems to differ from the arbitrary
+power of despotic monarchs only in one circumstance, viz. that it is a
+_many-headed monster of tyranny_, which entirely subverts our most
+excellent constitution; because liberty and slavery are so opposite to
+each other, that they cannot subsist in the same community. "_Political
+liberty (in mild or well regulated governments) makes civil liberty
+valuable; and whosoever is deprived of the latter, is deprived also of
+the former_." This observation of the learned Montesquieu, I hope
+sufficiently justifies my censure of the Americans for their notorious
+violation of civil liberty;--The New-York Journal, or, The General
+Advertiser, for Thursday, 22d October, 1767, gives notice by
+advertisement, of no less than eight different persons who have escaped
+from slavery, or are put up to public sale for that horrid purpose.
+
+That I may demonstrate the indecency of such proceedings in a free
+country, I shall take the liberty of laying some of these advertisements
+before my readers, by way of example.
+
+"_To be SOLD for want of Employment_, A likely strong active Negroe man,
+of about 24 years of age, this country born, (_N.B._ A natural born
+subject) understands most of a baker's trade, and a good deal of farming
+business, and can do all sorts of house-work.--Also a healthy Negroe
+wench, of about 21 years old, is a tolerable cook, and capable of doing
+all sorts of house-work, can be well recommended for her honesty and
+sobriety: she has a female child of nigh three years old, which will be
+sold with the wench if required, &c." Here is not the least
+consideration, or scruple of conscience, for the inhumanity of parting
+the mother and young child. From the stile, one would suppose the
+advertisement to be of no more importance than if it related merely to
+the sale of a cow and her calf; and that the cow should be sold with or
+without her calf, according as the purchaser should require.--But not
+only Negroes, but even American Indians, are detained in the same
+abominable slavery in our colonies, though there cannot be any
+reasonable pretence whatsoever for holding one of these as private
+property; for even if a written contract should be produced as a voucher
+in such a case, there would still remain great suspicion, that some
+undue advantage had been taken of the Indian's ignorance concerning the
+nature of such a bond.
+
+"_Run away, on Monday the 21st instant, from J----n T----, Esq. of
+West-Chester county, in the province of New-York_, An Indian slave,
+named Abraham, he may have changed his name, about 23 years of age,
+about five feet five inches."
+
+Upon the whole, I think I may with justice conclude, that those
+advertisements discover a shameless prostitution and infringement on the
+common and natural rights of mankind--But hold! perhaps the Americans
+may be able, with too much justice, to retort this severe reflexion, and
+may refer us to news-papers published even in the free city of London,
+which contain advertisements not less dishonourable than their own. See
+advertisement in the Public Ledger of 31st December, 1761.
+
+"_For SALE, A healthy NEGROE GIRL_, aged about fifteen years; speaks
+good English, works at her needle, washes well, does houshold work, and
+has had the small-pox. By J.W. &c."
+
+Another advertisement, not long ago, offered a reward for stopping a
+female slave who had left her mistress in Hatton-garden. And in the
+Gazetteer of 18th April, 1769, appeared a very extraordinary
+advertisement with the following title;
+
+"_Horses, Tim Wisky, and black Boy_, To be sold at the Bull and Gate
+Inn. Holborn, _A very good Tim Wisky_, little the worse for wear, &c."
+Afterwards, "_A Chesnut Gelding_;" then, "_A very good grey Mare_;" and
+last of all, (as if of the least consequence) "_A well-made
+good-tempered black Boy_, he has lately had the small-pox, and will be
+sold to any gentleman. Enquire as above."
+
+Another advertisement in the same paper, contains a very particular
+description of a Negroe man, called _Jeremiah_,--and concludes as
+follows:--"Whoever delivers him to Capt. M---- U----y, on board the
+Elizabeth, at Prince's Stairs, Rotherhithe, on or before the 31st
+instant, shall receive thirty guineas reward, or ten guineas for such
+intelligence as shall enable the Captain, or his master, effectually to
+secure him. The utmost secrecy may be depended on." It is not on account
+of shame, that men, who are capable of undertaking the desperate and
+wicked employment of kidnappers, are supposed to be tempted to such a
+business, by a promise "_of the utmost secrecy_;" but this must be from
+a sense of the unlawfulness of the act proposed to them, that they may
+have less reason to fear a prosecution. And as such a kind of people are
+supposed to undertake any thing for money, the reward of thirty guineas
+was tendered at the top of the advertisement, in capital letters. No man
+can be safe, be he white or black, if temptations to break the laws are
+so shamefully published in our news-papers.
+
+_A Creole Black boy_ is also offered to sale, in the Daily Advertiser of
+the same date.
+
+Besides these instances, the Americans may, perhaps, taunt us with the
+shameful treatment of a poor Negroe servant, who not long ago was put up
+to sale by public auction, together with the effects of his bankrupt
+master.--Also, that the prisons of this free city have been frequently
+prostituted of late, by the tyrannical and dangerous practice of
+confining Negroes, under the pretence of slavery, though there have been
+no warrants whatsoever for their commitment.
+
+This circumstance of confining a man without a warrant, has so great a
+resemblance to the proceedings of a Popish inquisition, that it is but
+too obvious what dangerous practices such scandalous innovations, if
+permitted to grow more into use, are liable to introduce. No person can
+be safe, if wicked and designing men have it in their power, under the
+pretence of private property as a slave, to throw a man clandestinely,
+without a warrant, into goal, and to conceal him there, until they can
+conveniently dispose of him.
+
+A free man may be thus robbed of his liberty, and carried beyond the
+seas, without having the least opportunity of making his case known;
+which should teach us how jealous we ought to be of all imprisonments
+made without the authority, or previous examination, of a civil
+magistrate.
+
+The distinction of colour will, in a short time, be no protection
+against such outrages, especially as not only Negroes, but Mulatoes, and
+even American Indians, (which appears by one of the advertisements
+before quoted) are retained in slavery in our American colonies; for
+there are many honest weather-beaten Englishmen, who have as little
+reason to boast of their complexion as the Indians. And indeed, the more
+northern Indians have no difference from us in complexion, but such as
+is occasioned by the climate, or different way of living. The plea of
+private property, therefore, cannot, by any means, justify a private
+commitment of any person whatsoever to prison, because of the apparent
+danger and tendency of such innovation. This dangerous practice of
+concealing in prison was attempted in the case of Jonathan Strong; for
+the door-keeper of the P----lt----y C----pt----r (or some person who
+acted for him) absolutely refused, for two days, to permit this poor
+injured Negro to be seen or spoke with, though a person went on purpose,
+both those days, to demand the same.--All laws ought to be founded upon
+the principle of "_doing as one would be done by_;" and indeed this
+principle seems to be the very basis of the English constitution; for
+what precaution could possibly be more effectual for that purpose, than
+the right we enjoy of being judged by our Peers, creditable persons of
+the vicinage; especially, as we may likewise claim the right of
+excepting against any particular juryman, who might be suspected of
+partiality.
+
+This law breathes the pure spirit of liberty, equity, and social love;
+being calculated to maintain that consideration and mutual regard which
+one person ought to have for another, howsoever unequal in rank or
+station.
+
+But when any part of the community, under the pretence of private
+property, is deprived of this common privilege, it is a violation of
+civil liberty, which is entirely inconsistent with the social principles
+of a free state.
+
+True liberty protects the labourer as well as his Lord; preserves the
+dignity of human nature, and seldom fails to render a province rich and
+populous; whereas, on the other hand, a toleration of slavery is the
+highest breach of social virtue, and not only tends to depopulation, but
+too often renders the minds of both masters and slaves utterly depraved
+and inhuman, by the hateful extremes of exaltation and depression.
+
+If such a toleration should ever be generally admitted in England,
+(which God forbid) we shall no longer deserve to be esteemed a civilized
+people; because, when the customs of uncivilized nations, and the
+_uncivilized customs which disgrace our own colonies_, are become so
+familiar as to be permitted amongst us with impunity, we ourselves must
+insensibly degenerate to the same degree of baseness with those from
+whom such bad customs were derived; and may, too soon, have the
+mortification to see the _hateful extremes of tyranny and slavery
+fostered under every roof_.
+
+Then must the happy medium of a well regulated liberty be necessarily
+compelled to find shelter in some more civilized country: where social
+virtue, and that divine precept, "_Thou shalt love thy neighbour as
+thyself_," are better understood.
+
+An attempt to prove the dangerous tendency, injustice, and disgrace of
+tolerating slavery amongst Englishmen, would, in any former age, have
+been esteemed as superfluous and ridiculous, as if a man should
+undertake, in a formal manner, to prove, that darkness is not light.
+
+Sorry am I, that the depravity of the present age has made a
+demonstration of this kind necessary.
+
+Now, that I may sum up the amount of what has been said in a single
+sentence, I shall beg leave to conclude in the words of the great Sir
+Edward Coke, which, though spoken on a different occasion, are yet
+applicable to this; see Rushworth's Hist. Col. An. 1628. 4 Caroli. fol.
+450.
+
+"It would be no honour to a King or kingdom, to be a King of bondmen or
+slaves: the end of this would be both _dedecus_[A] and _damnum_[B] both
+to King and kingdom, that in former times have been so renowned."
+
+[Footnote A: Disgrace.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Loss.]
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Note, at page 63; According to the laws of Jamaica, printed in London,
+in 1756, "If any slave having been one whole year in this island, (says
+an act, No 64, clause 5, p. 114) shall run away, and continue absent
+from his owner's service for the space of thirty days, upon complaint
+and proof, &c. before any two justices of the peace, and three
+freeholders, &c. it shall and may be lawful for such justices and
+freeholders to order such slave to be punished, by _cutting off one of
+the feet of such slave_, or inflict such other corporal punishment as
+they _shall think fit_." Now that I may inform my readers, what corporal
+punishments are sometimes thought fit to be inflicted, I will refer to
+the testimony of Sir Hans Sloane, (see voyage to the islands of Madeira,
+Barbadoes, &c. and Jamaica, with the natural history of the last of
+these islands, &c. London 1707. Introduction, p. 56, and 57.) "The
+punishment for crimes of slaves (says he) are usually, for _rebellions_,
+burning them, by nailing them down to the ground with crooked sticks on
+every limb, and then applying the fire, by degrees, from the feet and
+hands, and burning them gradually up to the head, whereby _the pains are
+extravagant_; for crimes of a lesser nature, _gelding_, or _chopping off
+half the foot_ with an axe. These punishments are suffered by them with
+great constancy.--For negligence, they are usually whipped by the
+overseers with lance-wood switches, till they be bloody, and several of
+the switches broken, being first tied up by their hands in the mill
+houses.--After they are whipped till they are raw, some put on their
+skins pepper and salt, to make them smart; at other times, their masters
+will drop melted wax on their skins, and use several _very exquisite
+torments_." Sir Hans adds, "These punishments are sometimes merited by
+the Blacks, who are a very perverse generation of people; and though
+they appear very harsh, yet are scarce equal to some of their crimes,
+and inferior to what punishments other European nations inflict on their
+slaves in the East-Indies, as may be seen by Moquet, and other
+travellers." Thus Sir Hans Sloane endeavours to excuse those shocking
+cruelties, but certainly in vain, because no crimes whatsoever can merit
+such severe punishments, unless I except the crimes of those who devise
+and inflict them. Sir Hans Sloane, indeed, mentions _rebellion_ as the
+principal crime; and certainly it is very justly esteemed a most heinous
+crime, in a land of liberty, where government is limited by equitable
+and just laws, if the same are tolerably well observed; but in countries
+where arbitrary power is exercised with such intolerable cruelty as is
+before described, if resistance be a crime, it is certainly the most
+natural of all others.
+
+But the 19th clause of the 38th act, would indeed, on a slight perusal,
+induce us to conceive, that the punishment for rebellion is not so
+severe as it is represented by Sir Hans Sloane; because a slave, though
+_deemed rebellious_, is thereby condemned to no greater punishment than
+transportation. Nevertheless, if the clause be thoroughly considered, we
+shall find no reason to commend the mercy of the legislature; for it
+only proves, that the Jamaica law-makers will not scruple to charge the
+slightest and most natural offences with the most opprobrious epithets;
+and that a poor slave, who perhaps has no otherwise incurred his
+master's displeasure than by endeavouring (upon the just and warrantable
+principles of self-preservation,) to escape from his master's tyranny,
+without any criminal intention whatsoever, is liable to be _deemed
+rebellious_, and to be arraigned as a capital offender. "For every slave
+and slaves that shall run away, and continue but for the space of twelve
+months, except such slave or slaves as shall not have been three years
+in this island, shall be _deemed rebellious_," &c. (see act 38, clause
+19. p. 60.) Thus we are enabled to define what a West Indian tyrant
+means by the word _rebellious_. But unjust as this clause may seem, yet
+it is abundantly more merciful and considerate than a subsequent act
+against the same poor miserable people, because the former assigns no
+other punishment for persons so _deemed rebellious_, than that they,
+"_Shall be transported_ by order of two justices and three freeholders,"
+&c. whereas the latter spares not the blood of these poor injured
+fugitives: For by the 66th act, a reward of 50 pounds is offered to
+those who "shall kill or bring in alive any _rebellious slaves_," that
+is, any of these unfortunate people whom the law has "_deemed
+rebellious_," as above; and this premium is not only tendered to
+commissioned parties (see 2d. clause) but even to any private "_hunter,
+slave, or other person_," (see 3d. clause.) Thus it is manifest, that
+the law treats these poor unhappy men with as little ceremony and
+consideration as if they were merely wild beasts. But the innocent blood
+that is shed in consequence of such a detestable law, must certainly
+call for vengeance on the murderous abettors and actors of such
+deliberate wickedness: And though many of the guilty wretches should
+even be so hardened and abandoned as never afterwards to be capable of
+sincere remorse, yet a time will undoubtedly come, when they will
+shudder with dreadful apprehensions, on account of the insufficiency of
+so wretched an excuse, as that their poor murdered brethren were by law
+"_deemed rebellious_" But bad as these laws are, yet in justice to the
+freeholders of Jamaica, I must acknowledge, that their laws are not near
+so cruel and inhuman as the laws of Barbadoes and Virginia, and seem at
+present to be much more reasonable than they have formerly been; many
+very oppressive laws being now expired, and others less severe enacted
+in their room.
+
+But it is far otherwise in Barbadoes; for by the 329th act, p. 125. "If
+any Negro or other slave, under punishment by his master, or his order,
+for running away, or any other crimes or misdemeanors towards his said
+master, unfortunately shall suffer in life, or member, (which seldom
+happens) (but it is plain by this law that it does sometimes happen) _no
+person whatever shall be liable to any fine therefore; but if any man
+shall, of wantonness or only of bloody-mindedness, or cruel intention,
+wilfully kill a Negroe or other slave of his own_;"--now the reader, to
+be sure, will naturally expect, that some very severe punishment must in
+this case be ordained, to deter the _wanton, bloody-minded, and cruel_
+wretch, from _wilfully killing_ his fellow creatures; but alas! the
+Barbadian law-makers have been so far from intending to curb such
+abandoned wickedness, that they have absolutely made this law on purpose
+to skreen these enormous crimes from the just indignation of any
+righteous person, who might think himself bound in duty to prosecute a
+bloody-minded villain; they have therefore presumptuously taken upon
+them to give a sanction, as it were, by law, to the horrid crime of
+wilful murder; and have accordingly ordained, that he who is guilty of
+it in Barbadoes, though the act should be attended with all the
+aggravating circumstances before-mentioned--"_shall pay into the public
+treasury_ (no more than) _fifteen pounds sterling_," but if he shall
+kill another man's, he shall pay the owner of the Negroe double the
+value, and into the public treasury _twenty-five pounds sterling_; and
+he shall further, by the next justice of the peace, be bound to his good
+behaviour during the pleasure of the governor and council, _and not be
+liable to any other punishment or forfeiture for the same_.
+
+The most consummate wickedness, I suppose, that any body of people,
+under the specious form of a legislature, were ever guilty of! This act
+contains several other clauses which are shocking to humanity, though
+too tedious to mention here.
+
+According to an act of Virginia, (4 Anne, ch. 49. sec. 37. p. 227.)
+"after proclamation is issued against slaves that run away and lie out,
+it is lawful for any person whatsoever, _to kill and destroy such
+slaves, by such ways and means as he, she, or they, shall think fit_,
+without accusation or impeachment of any crime for the same," &c. And
+lest private interest should incline the planter to mercy, (to which we
+must suppose such people can have no other inducement) it is provided
+and enacted in the succeeding clause, (No 28.) "That for _every slave
+killed_, in pursuance of this act, or _put to death by law_, the master
+or owner of such slave _shall be paid by the public_."
+
+Also by an act of Virginia, (9 Geo. I. ch. 4. sect. 18. p. 343.) it is
+ordained, "That, where any slave shall hereafter be found notoriously
+guilty of going abroad in the night, or running away, and lying out, and
+cannot be reclaimed from _such_ disorderly courses by the common method
+of punishment, it shall and may be lawful to and for the court of the
+county, upon complaint and proof thereof to them made by the owner of
+such slave, to order and direct every such slave to be punished by
+_dismembering, or any other_ way, not touching life, as the said county
+court _shall think fit_."
+
+I have already given examples enough of the horrid cruelties which are
+sometimes _thought fit_ on such occasions. But if the innocent and most
+natural act of "_running away_" from intolerable tyranny, deserves such
+relentless severity, what kind of punishment have these law-makers
+themselves to expect hereafter, on account of their own enormous
+offences! Alas! to look for mercy (without a timely repentance) will
+only be another instance of their gross injustice! "_Having their
+consciences seared with a hot iron_," they seem to have lost all
+apprehensions that their slaves are men, for they scruple not to number
+them with beasts. See an act of Barbadoes, (No 333. p. 128.) intituled,
+"An act for the better regulating of _outcries_ in open market:" here we
+read of "_Negroes, cattle, coppers, and stills, and other chattels_,
+brought by execution to open market to be outcried, and these (as if all
+of equal importance) are ranged together _in great lots or numbers to be
+sold_."
+
+--Page 70. In the 329th act of Barbadoes, (p. 122.) it is asserted, that
+"brutish slaves deserve not, for the baseness of their condition, to _be
+tried by a legal trial of twelve men of their peers, or neighbourhood_,
+which neither truly can be rightly done, as the subjects of England
+are;" (yet slaves also are subjects of England, whilst they remain
+within the British dominions, notwithstanding this insinuation to the
+contrary) "nor is execution to be delayed towards them, in case of such
+horrid crimes committed," &c.
+
+A similar doctrine is taught in an act of Virginia, (9 Geo. I. ch. 4.
+sect. 3. p. 339.) wherein it is ordained, "that every slave, committing
+such offence as by the laws ought to be punished by death, or loss of
+member, shall be forthwith committed to the common goal of the county,
+&c. And the sheriff of such county, upon such commitment, shall
+forthwith certify the same, with the cause thereof, to the governor or
+commander in chief, &c. who is thereupon desired and impowered to issue
+a commission of Oyer and Terminer, _To such persons as he shall think
+fit_; which persons, forthwith after the receipt of such commission, are
+impowered and required to cause the offender to be publicly arraigned
+and tried, &c. without the solemnity of a jury," &c. Now let us consider
+the dangerous tendency of those laws. As Englishmen, we strenuously
+contend for this absolute and immutable necessity of trials by juries:
+but is not the spirit and equity of this old English doctrine entirely
+lost, if we partially confine that justice to ourselves alone, when we
+have it in our power to extend it to others? The natural right of all
+mankind, must principally justify our insisting upon this necessary
+privilege in favour of ourselves in particular; and therefore if we do
+not allow that the judgment of an impartial jury is indispensably
+necessary in all cases whatsoever, wherein the life of man is depending,
+we certainly undermine the equitable force and reason of those laws, by
+which _we ourselves are protected_, and consequently are unworthy to be
+esteemed either Christians or Englishmen.
+
+Whatever right the members of a provincial assembly may have to enact
+_bye laws_, for particular exigences among themselves, yet in so doing
+they are certainly bound, in duty to their sovereign, to observe most
+strictly the fundamental principles of that constitution, which his
+Majesty is sworn to maintain; for wheresoever the bounds of the British
+empire are extended, there the common law of England must of course take
+place, and cannot be safely set aside by any _private law_ whatsoever,
+because the introduction of an unnatural tyranny must necessarily
+endanger the King's dominions. The many alarming insurrections of slaves
+in the several colonies, are sufficient proofs of this. The common law
+of England ought therefore to be so established in every province, as to
+include the respective _bye laws_ of each province; instead of being by
+them _excluded_, which latter has been too much the case.
+
+Every inhabitant of the British colonies, black as well as white, bond
+as well as free, are undoubtedly the _King's subjects_, during their
+residence within the limits of the King's dominions; and as such, are
+entitled to personal protection, however bound in service to their
+respective masters; therefore, when any of these are put to death,
+"_without the solemnity of a jury_," I fear that there is too much
+reason to attribute _the guilt of murder_ to every person concerned in
+ordering, the same, or in consenting thereto; and all such persons are
+certainly responsible _to the King and his laws, for the loss of a
+subject_. The horrid iniquity, injustice, and dangerous tendency of the
+several plantation laws which I have quoted, are so apparent, that it is
+unnecessary for me to apologize for the freedom with which I have
+treated them. If such laws are not absolutely necessary for the
+government of slaves, the law-makers must unavoidably allow themselves
+to be the most cruel and abandoned tyrants upon earth; or, perhaps, that
+ever were on earth. On the other hand, if it be said, that it is
+impossible to govern slaves without such inhuman severity, and
+detestable injustice, the same will certainly be an invincible argument
+against the least toleration of slavery amongst christians, because the
+temporal profit of the planter or master, however lucrative, cannot
+compensate the forfeiture of his everlasting welfare, or (at least I may
+be allowed to say) the apparent danger of such a forfeiture.
+
+Oppression is a most grievous crime, and the cries of these much injured
+people, (though they are only poor ignorant heathens) will certainly
+reach heaven! The scriptures (_which are the only true foundation of all
+laws_) denounce a tremendous judgment against the man who should offend
+even one little-one; _"It were better for him_ (even the merciful
+Saviour of the world hath himself declared) _that a millstone were
+hanged about his neck, and be cast into the sea, than that he should
+offend one of these little ones."_ Luke xvii. 2. Who then shall attempt
+to vindicate those inhuman establishments of government, under which,
+even our own countrymen so grievously _offend_ and _oppress_ (not merely
+_one_, or a few little ones, but) an immense multitude of _men, women,
+children_, and the _children of their children_, from generation to
+generation? May it not be said with like justice, it were better for the
+English nation that these American dominions had never existed, or even
+that they should have been sunk into the sea, than that the kingdom of
+Great Britain should be loaded with the horrid guilt of tolerating such
+abominable wickedness! In short, if the _King's prerogative_ is not
+speedily exerted for the relief of his Majesty's oppressed and much
+injured subjects in the British colonies, (because to _relieve the
+subject_ from the oppression of petty tyrants is the principal use of
+the royal prerogative, as well as the principal and most natural means
+of maintaining the same) and for the extension of the British
+constitution to the most distant colonies, whether in the East or West
+Indies, it must inevitably be allowed, that great share of this enormous
+guilt will certainly rest on this side the water.
+
+I hope this hint will be taken notice of by those whom it may concern;
+and that the freedom of it will be excused, as from a _loyal and
+disinterested_ adviser.
+
+
+
+Extracts from the writings
+
+of several _noted authors_,
+
+on the subject of the, _slavery of the Negroes_,
+
+viz.
+
+George Wallace,
+
+Francis Hutcheson,
+
+James Foster.
+
+
+George Wallace, in his _System of the Principles of the Laws of
+Scotland_, speaking of the slavery of the Negroes in our colonies, says,
+"We all know that they (the Negroes) are purchased from their Princes,
+who pretend to have a right to dispose of them, and that they are, like
+other commodities, transported, by the merchants who have bought them,
+into America, in order to be exposed to sale. If this trade admits of a
+moral or a rational justification, every crime, even the most atrocious,
+may be justified. Government was instituted for the good of mankind;
+kings, princes, governors, are not proprietors of those who are subject
+to their authority; they have not a right to make them miserable. On the
+contrary, their authority is vested in them, that they may, by the just
+exercise of it, promote the happiness of their people. Of course, they
+have not a right to dispose of their liberty, and to sell them for
+slaves. Besides no man has a right to acquire, or to purchase them; men
+and their liberty are not _in commercio_; they are not either saleable
+or purchaseable. One, therefore, has no body but himself to blame, in
+case he shall find himself deprived of a man, whom he thought he had, by
+buying for a price, made his own; for he dealt in a trade which was
+illicit, and was prohibited by the most obvious dictates of humanity.
+For these reasons, every one of those unfortunate men who are pretended
+to be slaves, has a right to be declared to be free, for he never lost
+his liberty; he could not lose it; his Prince had no power to dispose of
+him. Of course, the sale was _ipso jure_ void. This right he carries
+about with him, and is entitled every where to get it declared. As soon,
+therefore, as he comes into a country in which the judges are not
+forgetful of their own humanity, it is their duty to remember that he is
+a man, and to declare him to be free. I know it has been said, that
+questions concerning the state of persons ought to be determined by the
+law of the country to which they belong; and that, therefore, one who
+would be declared to be a slave in America, ought, in case he should
+happen to be imported into Britain, to be adjudged, according to the law
+of America, to be a slave; a doctrine than which nothing can be more
+barbarous. Ought the judges of any country, out of respect to the law of
+another, to shew no respect to their kind, and to humanity? out of
+respect to a law, which is in no sort obligatory upon them, ought they
+to disregard the law of nature, which is obligatory on all men, at all
+times, and in all places? Are any laws so binding as the eternal laws of
+justice? Is it doubtful, whether a judge ought to pay greater regard to
+them, than to those arbitrary and inhuman usages which prevail in a
+distant land? Aye, but our colonies would be ruined if slavery was
+abolished. Be it so; would it not from thence follow, that the bulk of
+mankind ought to be abused, that our pockets may be filled with money,
+or our mouths with delicacies? The purses of highwaymen would be empty,
+in case robberies were totally abolished; but have men a right to
+acquire money by going out to the highway? Have men a right to acquire
+it by rendering their fellow-creatures miserable? Is it lawful to abuse
+mankind, that the avarice, the vanity, or the passions of a few may be
+gratified? No! There is such a thing as justice to which the most sacred
+regard is due. It ought to be inviolably observed. Have not these
+unhappy men a better right to their liberty, and to their happiness,
+than our American merchants have to the profits which they make by
+torturing their kind? Let, therefore, our colonies be ruined, but let us
+not render so many men miserable. Would not any of us, who should--be
+snatched by pirates from his native land, think himself cruelly abused,
+and at all times entitled to be free? Have not these unfortunate
+Africans, who meet with the same cruel fate, the same right? Are they
+not men as well as we, and have they not the same sensibility? Let us
+not, therefore, defend or support a usage which is contrary to all the
+laws of humanity.
+
+"But it is false, that either we or our colonies would be ruined by the
+abolition of slavery. It might occasion a stagnation of business for a
+short time. Every great alteration produces that effect; because mankind
+cannot, on a sudden, find ways of disposing of themselves, and of their
+affairs; but it would produce many happy effects. It is the slavery
+which is permitted in America, that has hindered it from becoming so
+soon populous as it would otherwise have done. Let the Negroes be free,
+and, in a few generations, this vast and fertile continent would be
+crowded with inhabitants; learning, arts, and every thing would flourish
+amongst them; instead of being inhabited by wild beasts, and by savages,
+it would be peopled by philosophers, and by men."
+
+Francis Hutcheson, professor of philosophy at the university of Glasgow,
+in his _System of Moral Philosophy_, page 211, says "He who detains
+another by force in slavery, is always bound to prove his title. The
+slave sold, or carried into a distant country, must not be obliged to
+prove a negative, that _he never forfeited his liberty_. The violent
+possessor must, in all cases, shew his title, especially where the old
+proprietor is well known. In this case, each man is the original
+proprietor of his own liberty. The proof of his losing it must be
+incumbent on those who deprive him of it by force. The Jewish laws had
+great regard to justice, about the servitude of Hebrews, founding it
+only on consent, or some crime or damage, allowing them always a proper
+redress upon any cruel treatment, and fixing a limited time for it;
+unless upon trial the servant inclined to prolong it. The laws about
+foreign slaves had many merciful provisions against immoderate severity
+of the masters. But under christianity, whatever lenity was due from an
+Hebrew towards his countryman, must be due towards all; since the
+distinctions of nations are removed, as to the point of humanity and
+mercy, as well as natural right; nay, some of these rights granted over
+foreign slaves, may justly be deemed only such indulgences as those of
+poligamy and divorce, granting only external impunity in such practice,
+and not sufficient vindication of them in conscience."
+
+_Page_ 85. It is pleaded, that "In some barbarous nations, unless the
+captives were bought for slaves, they would be all murthered. They,
+therefore, owe their lives, and all they can do, to their purchasers;
+and so do their children, who would not otherwise have come into life."
+But this whole plea is no more than that of _negotium utile gestum_ to
+which any civilized nation is bound by humanity; it is a prudent
+expensive office, done for the service of others without a gratuitous
+intention; and this founds no other right, than that to full
+compensation of all charges and labour employed for the benefit of
+others.
+
+A set of inaccurate popular phrases blind us in these matters; "Captives
+owe their lives, and all to the purchasers, say they. Just in the same
+manner, we, our nobles, and princes, often owe our lives to midwives,
+chirurgeons, physicians," &c. one who was the means of preserving a
+man's life, is not therefore entitled to make him a slave, and sell him
+as a piece of goods. Strange, that in a nation where the sense of
+liberty prevails, where the christian religion is professed, custom and
+high prospects of gain can so stupify the conscience of men, and all
+sense of natural justice, that they can hear such computations made
+about the value of their fellow-men, and their liberty, without
+abhorrence and indignation.
+
+_James Foster_, D.D. in his _discourses on natural religion_ and _social
+virtue_ also shews his just indignation at this wicked practice; which
+he declares to be "_a criminal and outrageous violation of the natural
+right of mankind_." At _page_ 156, vol. 2 he says, "Should we have read
+concerning the Greeks or Romans of old, that they traded with a view to
+make slaves of their own species, when they certainly knew that this
+would involve in schemes of blood and murder, of destroying, or
+enslaving each other; that they even fomented wars, and engaged whole
+nations and tribes in open hostilities, for their own private advantage;
+that they had no detestation of the violence and cruelty, but only
+feared the ill success of their inhuman enterprises; that they carried
+men like themselves, their brethren, and the off-spring of the same
+common parent, to be sold like beasts of prey, or beasts of burden, and
+put them to the same reproachful trial, of their soundness, strength,
+and capacity for greater bodily service; that quite forgetting and
+renouncing the original dignity of human nature, communicated to all,
+they treated them with more severity, and ruder discipline, than even
+the _ox_ or the _ass_, who are _void of understanding_--should we not,
+if this had been the case, have naturally been led to despise all their
+_pretended refinements of morality_; and to have concluded, that as they
+were not nations destitute of politeness, they must have been _entire
+strangers to virtue and benevolence_?
+
+"But notwithstanding this, we ourselves (who profess to be christians,
+and boast of the peculiar advantage we enjoy, by means of an express
+revelation of our duty from heaven) are, in effect, these very untaught
+and rude heathen countries. With all our superior light, we instill into
+those, whom we call savage and barbarous, the most despicable opinion of
+human nature. We, to the utmost of our power, weaken and dissolve the
+universal tie, that binds and unites mankind. We practise what we should
+exclaim against, as the utmost excess of cruelty and tyranny, if nations
+of the world, differing in colour, and form of government, from
+ourselves, were so possessed of empire, as to be able to reduce us to a
+state of unmerited and brutish servitude. Of consequence, we sacrifice
+our reason, our humanity, our christianity, to an unnatural sordid gain.
+We teach other nations to despise, and trample under foot, all the
+obligations of social virtue. We take the most effectual method to
+prevent the propagation of the gospel, by representing it as a scheme of
+power and barbarous oppression, and an enemy to the natural privileges
+and rights of men.
+
+"Perhaps all that I have now offered, may be of very little weight to
+restrain this enormity, this aggravated iniquity; however, I still have
+the satisfaction of having entered my private protest against a
+practice, which, in my opinion, bids that God, who is the God and Father
+of the Gentiles, unconverted to christianity, most daring and bold
+defiance, and spurns at all the principles both of natural and revealed
+religion."
+
+
+EXTRACT
+
+
+From an ADDRESS
+
+in the
+
+
+VIRGINIA _GAZETTE_,
+
+of MARCH 19, 1767.
+
+
+Mr. RIND,
+
+Permit me, in your paper, to address the members of our assembly on two
+points, in which the public interest is very nearly concerned.
+
+The abolition of slavery, and the retrieval of specie in this colony,
+are the subjects on which I would bespeak their attention.--
+
+Long and serious reflections upon the nature and consequences of slavery
+have convinced me, that it is a violation both of justice and religion;
+that it is dangerous to the safety of the community in which it
+prevails; that it is destructive to the growth of arts and sciences; and
+lastly, that it produces a numerous and very fatal train of vices, both
+in the slave and in his master.
+
+To prove these assertions, shall be the purpose of the following essay.
+
+That slavery then is a violation of justice, will plainly appear, when
+we consider what justice is. It is truly and simply defined, as by
+_Justinian, constans et perpetua voluntas ejus suum cuique tribuendi_; a
+constant endeavour to give every man his right.
+
+Now, as freedom is unquestionably the birth-right of all mankind,
+_Africans_ as well as _Europeans_, to keep the former in a state of
+slavery, is a constant violation of that right, and therefore of
+justice.
+
+The ground on which the civilians who favour slavery, admit it to be
+just, namely, consent, force, and birth, is totally disputable; for
+surely a man's own will and consent cannot be allowed to introduce so
+important an innovation into society, as slavery, or to make himself an
+outlaw, which is really the state of a slave; since neither consenting
+to, nor aiding the laws of the society in which he lives, he is neither
+bound to obey them, nor entitled to their protection.
+
+To found any right in force, is to frustrate all right, and involve
+every thing in confusion, violence, and rapine. With these two, the last
+must fall; since, if the parent cannot justly be made a slave, neither
+can the child be born in slavery. "The law of nations, says Baron
+_Montesquieu_, has doomed prisoners to slavery, to prevent their being
+slain; the _Roman_ civil law permitted debtors, whom their creditors
+might treat ill, to sell themselves. And the law of nature requires that
+children, whom their parents, being slaves, cannot maintain, should be
+slaves like them. These reasons of the civilians are not just; it is not
+true that a captive may be slain, unless in a case of absolute
+necessity; but if he hath been reduced to slavery, it is plain that no
+such necessity existed, since he was not slain. It is not true that a
+free man can sell himself, for sale supposes a price; but a slave and
+his property becomes immediately that of his master; the slave can
+therefore receive no price, nor the master pay, &c. And if a man cannot
+sell himself, nor a prisoner of war be reduced to slavery, much less can
+his child." Such are the sentiments of this illustrious civilian; his
+reasonings, which I have been obliged to contract, the reader interested
+in this subject will do well to consult at large.
+
+Yet even these rights of imposing slavery, questionable, nay, refutable
+as they are, we have not to authorise the bondage of the _Africans_. For
+neither do they consent to be our slaves, nor do we purchase them of
+their conquerors. The _British_ merchants obtain them from _Africa_ by
+violence, artifice, and treachery, with a few trinkets to prompt those
+unfortunate people to enslave one another by force or stratagem.
+Purchase them indeed they may, under the authority of an act of the
+British parliament. An act entailing upon the _Africans_, with whom we
+are not at war, and over whom a British parliament could not of right
+assume even a shadow of authority, the dreadful curse of perpetual
+slavery, upon them and their children for ever. _There cannot be in
+nature, there is not in all history, an instance in which every right of
+men is more flagrantly violated._ The laws of the antients never
+authorised the making slaves, but of those nations whom they had
+conquered; yet they were heathens, and we are christians. They were
+misled by a monstrous religion, divested of humanity, by a horrible and
+barbarous worship; we are directed by the unerring precepts of the
+revealed religion we possess, enlightened by its wisdom, and humanized
+by its benevolence; before them, were gods deformed with passions, and
+horrible for every cruelty and vice; before us, is that incomparable
+pattern of meekness, charity, love and justice to mankind, which so
+transcendently distinguished the Founder of christianity, and his ever
+amiable doctrines.
+
+Reader, remember that the corner stone of your religion, is to do unto
+others as you would they should do unto you; ask then your own heart,
+whether it would not abhor any one, as the most outrageous violater of
+that and every other principle of right, justice, and humanity, who
+should make a slave of you and your posterity for ever! Remember, that
+God knoweth the heart; lay not this flattering unction to your soul,
+that it is the custom of the country; that you found it so, that not
+your will; but your necessity, consents. Ah! think how little such an
+excuse will avail you in that aweful day, when your Saviour shall
+pronounce judgment on you for breaking a law too plain to be
+misunderstood, too sacred to be violated. If we say we are christians,
+yet act more inhumanly and unjustly than heathens, with what dreadful
+justice must this sentence of our blessed Saviour fall upon us, "_Not
+every one that saith unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of
+heaven, but he that doth the will of my Father which is in heaven."_
+Matth. vii. 21. Think a moment how much your temporal, your eternal
+welfare depends upon an abolition of a practice which deforms the image
+of your God, tramples on his revealed will, infringes the most sacred
+rights, and violates humanity.
+
+Enough, I hope, has been asserted, to prove that slavery is a violation
+of justice and religion. That it is dangerous to the safety of the state
+in which it prevails, may be as safely asserted.
+
+What one's own experience has not taught; that of others must decide.
+From hence does history derive its utility; for being, when truly
+written, a faithful record of the transactions of mankind, and the
+consequences that flowed from them, we are thence furnished with the
+means of judging what will be the probable effect of transactions,
+similar among ourselves.
+
+We learn then from history, that slavery, wherever encouraged, has
+sooner or later been productive of very dangerous commotions. I will not
+trouble my reader here with quotations in support of this assertion, but
+content myself with referring those, who may be dubious of its truth, to
+the histories of Athens, Lacedemon, Rome, and Spain.
+
+How long, how bloody and destructive was the contest between the Moorish
+slaves and the native Spaniards? and after almost deluges of blood had
+been shed, the Spaniards obtained nothing more than driving them into
+the mountains.--Less bloody indeed, though, not less alarming, have been
+the insurrections in Jamaica; and to imagine that we shall be for ever
+exempted from this calamity, which experience teaches us to be
+inseparable from slavery, so encouraged; is an infatuation as
+astonishing as it will be surely fatal:--&c. &c.
+
+
+EXTRACT
+
+
+OF A
+
+
+SERMON
+
+PREACHED BY THE
+
+BISHOP OF GLOUCESTER,
+
+
+Before the SOCIETY For the PROPAGATION of the GOSPEL, at the anniversary
+meeting on the 21st of _February_, 1766.
+
+From the free-savages, I now come (the last point I propose to consider)
+to the savages in bonds. By these I mean the vast multitudes yearly
+stolen from the opposite continent, and sacrificed by the colonists to
+their great idol, the GOD OF GAIN. But what then? say these sincere
+worshippers of _Mammon_; they are our own property which we offer up.
+Gracious God! to talk (as in herds of cattle) of property in rational
+creatures! creatures endowed with all our faculties; possessing all our
+qualities but that of colour; our brethren both by nature and grace,
+shocks all the feelings of humanity, and the dictates of common sense.
+But, alas! what is there in the infinite abuses of society which does
+not shock them? Yet nothing is more certain in itself, and apparent to
+all, than that the infamous traffic for slaves directly infringes both
+divine and human law. Nature created man free, and grace invites him to
+assert his freedom. In excuse of this violation, it hath been pretended,
+that though indeed these miserable out-casts of humanity be torn from
+their homes and native country by fraud and violence, yet they thereby
+become the happier, and their condition the more eligible. But who are
+You, who pretend to judge of another man's happiness? That state, which
+each man, under the guidance of his Maker, forms for himself, and not
+one man for another? To know what constitutes mine or your happiness, is
+the sole prerogative of Him who created us, and cast us in so various
+and different moulds. Did your slaves ever complain to you of their
+unhappiness amidst their native woods and deserts? Or, rather, let me
+ask, did they ever cease complaining of their condition under you their
+lordly masters? where they see, indeed, the accommodations of civil
+life, but see them all pass to others, themselves unbenefited by them.
+Be so gracious then, ye petty tyrants over human freedom, to let your
+slaves judge for themselves, what it is which makes their own happiness.
+And then see whether they do not place it in the return to their own
+country, rather than in the contemplation of your grandeur, of which
+their misery makes so large a part. A return so passionately longed for,
+that despairing of happiness here, that is, of escaping the chains of
+their cruel task-masters, they console themselves with feigning it to be
+the gracious reward of heaven in their future state, which I do not find
+their haughty masters have as yet concerned themselves to invade. The
+less hardy, indeed, wait for this felicity till over-wearied nature sets
+them free; but the more resolved have recourse even to self-violence, to
+force a speedier passage.
+
+But it will be still urged, that though what is called human happiness
+be of so fantastic a nature, that each man's imagination creates it for
+himself, yet human misery is more substantial and uniform throughout all
+the tribes of mankind. Now, from the worst of human miseries, the savage
+Africans, by these forced emigrations, are intirely secured; such as the
+being perpetually hunted down like beasts of prey or profit, by their
+more savage and powerful neighbours--In truth, a blessed change!--from
+being hunted to being caught. But who are they that have set on foot
+this general HUNTING? Are they not these very civilized violaters of
+humanity themselves? who tempt the weak appetites, and provoke the wild
+passions of the fiercer savages to prey upon the rest.
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+INDEX.
+
+
+
+
+A
+
+
+_Adanson_ (M.) his account of the country on the rivers _Senegal_ and
+_Gambia_, 14. Extraordinary fertility, _ibid._ Surprising vegetation,
+15. Beautiful aspect of the country, 16. Good disposition of the
+natives, _ibid._
+
+_Advertisements in the New-York Journal_, for the sale of slaves, 158.
+Also in the news-papers of _London_, 160.
+
+_Africa_, that part from whence the Negroe slaves are brought, how
+divided, 6. Capable of a considerable trade, 143.
+
+Alien (every) or stranger coming within the King's dominion, becomes a
+subject, 148.
+
+Antientest account of the Negroes, 41. Were then a simple innocent
+people, 43.
+
+_Angola_, a plentiful country, 39. Character of the natives, 40.
+Government, _ibid._
+
+
+
+B
+
+
+_Barbadoes_ (laws of) respecting Negroe slaves, 170.
+
+_Barbot (John)_ agent general of the _French African Company_, his
+account of the _Gold Coast_, 25. Of the _Slave Coast_, 27.
+
+_Bosman (William)_ principal factor for the _Dutch_ at _D'Elmina_, his
+account of the _Gold Coast_, 23. Of the _Slave Coast_, 27.
+
+_Brue (Andrew)_ principal factor of the _French African Company_, his
+account of the country on the river _Senegal_, 7. And on the river
+_Gambia_, 8.
+
+_Benin_ (kingdom of) good character of the natives, 35. Punishment of
+crimes, 36. Order of government, _ibid._ Largeness and order of the city
+of _Great Benin_, 37.
+
+_Britons_ (antient) in their original state no less barbarous than the
+_African_ Negroes, 68.
+
+_Baxter (Richard)_ his testimony against slavery, 83.
+
+
+
+C
+
+
+Corruption of some of the Kings of _Guinea_, 107.
+
+
+
+D
+
+
+_De la Casa_ (bishop of _Chapia_) his concern for the _Indians_, 47. His
+speech to _Charles_ the Fifth Emperor of _Germany_ and King of _Spain_,
+48. Prodigious destruction of the _Indians_ in _Hispaniola_, 51.
+
+_Divine principle_ in every man, its effects on those who obey its
+dictates, 14.
+
+
+
+E
+
+
+_Elizabeth_ (Queen) her caution to captain Hawkins not to enslave any of
+the Negroes, 55.
+
+_English_, their first trade on the coast of Guinea, 52.
+
+_Europeans_ are the principal cause of the wars which subsist amongst
+the Negroes, 61.
+
+_English_ laws allow no man, of what condition soever, to be deprived of
+his liberty, without a legal process, 150. The danger of confining any
+person without a warrant, 162.
+
+
+
+F
+
+
+Fishing, a considerable business on the Guinea coast, 26. How carried
+on, _ibid._
+
+_Foster (James)_ his testimony against slavery, 186.
+
+_Fuli_ Negroes good farmers, 10. Those on the _Gambia_ particularly
+recommended for their industry and good behaviour, _ibid._
+
+_France_ (King of) objects to the Negroes in his dominions being reduced
+to a state of slavery, 58.
+
+
+
+G
+
+
+_Gambia (river)_8, 14.
+
+_Gloucester_ (bishop of) extract of his sermon, 195.
+
+_Godwyn (Morgan)_ his plea in favour of the Negroes and Indians, 75.
+Complains of the cruelties exercised upon slaves, 76. A false opinion
+prevailed in his time, that the Negroes were not objects of redeeming
+grace, 77.
+
+_Gold Coast_ has several European factories, 22. Great trade for slaves,
+_ibid._ Carried on far in the inland country, _ibid._ Natives more
+reconciled to the Europeans, and more diligent in procuring slaves,
+_ibid._ Extraordinarily fruitful and agreeable, 22, 25. The natives
+industrious, 24.
+
+_Great Britain_, all persons during their residence there are the King's
+subjects, 148.
+
+_Guinea_ extraordinarily fertile, 2. Extremely unhealthy to the
+Europeans, 4. But agrees well with the natives, _ibid._ Prodigious
+rising of waters, _ibid._ Hot winds, _ibid._ Surprising vegetation, 15.
+
+
+
+H
+
+
+_Hawkins_ (captain) lands on the coast of Guinea and seizes on a number
+of the natives, which he sells to the Spaniards, 55.
+
+_Hottentots_ misrepresented by authors, 101. True account given of these
+people by Kolben, 102. Love of liberty and sloth their prevailing
+passions, 102. Distinguished by several virtues, 103. Firm in alliances,
+_ibid._ Offended at the vices predominant amongst christians, 104. Make
+nor keep no slaves, _ibid._
+
+_Hughes (Griffith)_ his account of the number of Negroes in Barbadoes,
+85. Speaks well of their natural capacities, 86.
+
+Husbandry of the Negroes carried on in common, 28.
+
+_Hutcheson (Francis)_ his declaration against slavery, 184.
+
+
+
+I
+
+
+_Jalof_ Negroes, their government, 9.
+
+_Indians_ grievously oppressed by the Spaniards, 47. Their cause pleaded
+by Bartholomew De la Casa, 48. Inland people, good account of them, 25.
+
+_Ivory Coast_ fertile, &c. 18. Natives falsely represented to be a
+treacherous people, _ibid._ Kind when well used, 19. Have no European
+factories amongst them, 21. And but few wars; therefore few slaves to be
+had there, 22.
+
+
+
+J
+
+
+Jury, Negroes tried and condemned without the solemnity of a jury, 174.
+Highly repugnant to the English constitution, 176. Dangerous to those
+concerned therein, _ibid._
+
+
+
+L
+
+
+Laws in Guinea severe against man-stealing, and other crimes, 106.
+
+
+
+M
+
+
+_Mandingoe_ Negroes a numerous nation, 11. Great traders, _ibid._
+Laborious, 11. Their government, 13. Their worship, _ibid_. Manner of
+tillage, _ibid._ At Galem they suffer none to be made slaves but
+criminals, 20.
+
+_Maloyans_ (a black people) sometimes sold amongst Negroes brought from
+very distant parts, 27.
+
+Markets regularly kept on the Gold and Slave Coasts, 30.
+
+_Montesquieu's_ sentiments on slavery, 72.
+
+_Moor (Francis)_ factor to the African company, his account of the
+slave-trade on the river Gambia, 111.
+
+Mosaic law merciful in its chastisements, 73. Has respect to human
+nature, _ibid._
+
+
+
+N
+
+
+National wars disapproved by the most considerate amongst the Negroes,
+110.
+
+_Negroes_ (in Guinea) generally a humane, sociable people, 2. Simplicity
+of their way of living, 5. Agreeable in conversation, 16. Sensible of
+the damage accruing to them from the slave-trade, 61. Misrepresented by
+most authors, 98. Offended at the brutality of the European factors,
+116. Shocking cruelties exercised on them by masters of vessels, 124.
+How many are yearly brought from Guinea by the English, 129. The numbers
+who die on the passage and in the seasoning, 120.
+
+_Negroe_ slaves (in the colonies) allowed to cohabit and separate at
+pleasure, 36. Great waste of them thro' hard usage in the islands, 86.
+Melancholy case of two of them, 136. Proposals for setting them free,
+129. Tried and condemned without the solemnity of a jury, 174.
+
+_Negroes_ (free) discouragement they met with, 133.
+
+
+
+P
+
+
+_Portugueze_ carry on a great trade for slaves at Angola, 40. Make the
+first incursions into Guinea, 44. From whence they carry off some of the
+natives, _ibid._ Beginners of the slave-trade, 46. Erect the first fort
+at D'Elmina, _ibid._
+
+
+
+R
+
+
+_Rome_ (the college of cardinals at) complain of the abuse offered to
+the Negroes in selling them for slaves, 58.
+
+
+
+S
+
+
+_Senegal_ (river) account of, 7, 14.
+
+Ship (account of one) blown up on the coast of Guinea with a number of
+Negroes on board, 125.
+
+Slave-trade, how carried on at the river Gambia, 111. And in other parts
+of Guinea, 113. At Whidah, 115.
+
+Slaves used with much more lenity in Algiers and in Turkey than in our
+colonies, 70. Likewise in Guinea, 71. Slavery more tolerable amongst the
+antient Pagans than in our colonies, 63. Declined, as christianity
+prevailed, 65. Early laws in France for its abolishment, 66. If put an
+end to, would make way for a very extensive trade through Africa, 143.
+The danger of slavery taking place in England, 164.
+
+_Sloane_ (Sir Hans) his account of the inhuman and extravagant
+punishments inflicted on Negroes, 89.
+
+_Smith (William)_ surveyor to the African company, his account of the
+Ivory Coast, 20. Of the Gold Coast, 24.
+
+
+
+V
+
+
+VIRGINIA (laws), respecting Negro slaves, 172. _Virginia_ (address to
+the assembly) setting forth the iniquity and danger of slavery, 189.
+
+
+
+W
+
+
+WALLACE (_George_) his testimony against slavery, 180.
+
+_West Indies_, white people able to perform the necessary work there,
+141.
+
+_Whidah_ (kingdom of) agreeable and fruitful, 27. Natives treat one
+another with respect, 29.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Some Historical Account of Guinea, Its
+Situation, Produce, and the General Disposition of Its Inhabitants, by Anthony Benezet
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11489 ***
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+      <title>Some historical account of Guinea ...,</title>
+      <meta name="author" content="Benezet, Anthony">
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+      <meta name="DC.Title" content="Some historical account of Guinea ...,">
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+<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11489 ***</div>
+
+      <p><a name="TOP"></a></p>
+      <table summary="titlepage" class="header" width="100%">
+         <tr>
+            <td rowspan="3"></td>
+            <td align="left">
+               <h2 class="institution"></h2>
+            </td>
+         </tr>
+         <tr>
+            <td align="left">
+               <h1 class="maintitle">Some historical account of Guinea ...,</h1>
+            </td>
+         </tr>
+         <tr>
+            <td>&nbsp;</td>
+            <td align="left"> By Benezet, Anthony &nbsp; </td>
+         </tr>
+      </table>
+      <hr>
+      <div class="abstract">
+         <h2><a name="tp"></a>
+            SOME
+            <br><br><br><br>
+            HISTORICAL ACCOUNT
+            <br><br><br><br>
+            OF
+            <br><br><br><br>
+            GUINEA,
+            <br><br><br><br><br><br>
+            ITS
+            <br><br><br><br>
+            SITUATION, PRODUCE, and the general
+            <br><br>
+            DISPOSITION of its INHABITANTS.
+            <br><br><br><br>
+            WITH
+            <br><br><br><br>
+            An Inquiry into the RISE and PROGRESS
+            <br><br><br><br>
+            OF THE
+            <br><br><br><br>
+            SLAVE TRADE,
+            <br><br><br><br>
+            Its NATURE, and lamentable EFFECTS.
+            <br><br><br><br>
+            ALSO
+            <br><br><br><br>
+            A REPUBLICATION of the Sentiments of
+            several Authors of Note on this interesting
+            Subject: Particularly an Extract of a
+            Treatise written by GRANVILLE SHARPE.
+
+         </h2>
+         <p>
+            By ANTHONY BENEZET
+
+         </p>
+         <blockquote>
+            <p>
+               ACTS xvii. 24, 26. GOD, <em>that made the world hath
+                  made of</em> one blood <em>all nations of men, for to dwell on all
+                  the face of the earth, and hath determined the&#8212;bounds of
+                  their habitation.</em></p>
+         </blockquote>
+         <p>
+            PHILADELPHIA: Printed MDCCLXXI.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            LONDON: Re-printed MDCCLXXII.
+
+         </p>
+         <div class="teidiv">
+            <h3><a name="projectID3fb5dbc04143b-div-d0e102"></a></h3>
+            <ul>
+               <li><a name="d0e104"></a><a href="#Intro" class="ref">Introduction.</a><br><br></li>
+               <li><a name="d0e108"></a><a href="#I" class="ref">CHAPTER I.</a><p><i>A GENERAL account of</i> Guinea;
+                     <i>particularly those parts on the rivers</i> Senegal
+                     <i>and</i> Gambia.
+                  </p>
+               </li>
+               <li><a name="d0e121"></a><a href="#II" class="ref">CHAP. II.</a><p><i>Account of the</i> Ivory-Coast,
+                     <i>the</i> Gold-Coast <i>and the
+                        Slave-Coast</i>.
+                  </p>
+               </li>
+               <li><a name="d0e134"></a><a href="#III" class="ref">CHAP. III.</a><p><i>Of the kingdoms of</i> Benin, Kongo
+                     <i>and</i> Angola.
+                  </p>
+               </li>
+               <li><a name="d0e144"></a><a href="#IV" class="ref">CHAP. IV.</a><p>Guinea, <i>first discovered and subdued by the</i>
+                     Arabians. <i>The Portuguese make descents
+                        on the coast, and carry off the natives. Oppression
+                        of the</i> Indians: <i>De la Casa pleads
+                        their cause</i>.
+                  </p>
+               </li>
+               <li><a name="d0e158"></a><a href="#V" class="ref">CHAP. V.</a><p><i>The</i> English's <i>first
+                        trade to the coast of</i> Guinea: <i>Violently carry
+                        off some of the Negros.</i></p>
+               </li>
+               <li><a name="d0e170"></a><a href="#VI" class="ref">CHAP. VI.</a><p><i>Slavery more tolerable under</i> Pagans
+                     <i>and</i> Turks <i>than in the
+                        colonies. As christianity prevailed, ancient slavery
+                        declined</i>.
+                  </p>
+               </li>
+               <li><a name="d0e183"></a><a href="#VII" class="ref">CHAP. VII.</a><p>Montesquieu's <i>sentiments of slavery</i>. Morgan
+                     Godwyn's <i>advocacy on behalf of Negroes and
+                        Indians, &amp;c.</i></p>
+               </li>
+               <li><a name="d0e193"></a><a href="#VIII" class="ref">CHAP. VIII.</a><p><i>Grievous treatment of the Negroes in the
+                        colonies, &amp;c.</i></p>
+               </li>
+               <li><a name="d0e199"></a><a href="#IX" class="ref">CHAP. IX.</a><p><i>Desire of gain the true motive of the</i> Slave
+                     trade. <i>Misrepresentation of the state of the
+                        Negroes in Guinea</i>.
+                  </p>
+               </li>
+               <li><a name="d0e209"></a><a href="#X" class="ref">CHAP. X.</a><p><i>State of the Government in</i> Guinea,
+                     &amp;c.
+                  </p>
+               </li>
+               <li><a name="d0e216"></a><a href="#XI" class="ref">CHAP. XI.</a><p><i>Accounts of the cruel methods used in carrying on
+                        of the</i> Slave trade, &amp;c.
+                  </p>
+               </li>
+               <li><a name="d0e223"></a><a href="#XII" class="ref">CHAP. XII.</a><p><i>Extracts of several voyages to the coast of</i>
+                     Guinea, &amp;c.
+                  </p>
+               </li>
+               <li><a name="d0e230"></a><a href="#XIII" class="ref">CHAP. XIII.</a><p><i>Numbers of Negroes, yearly brought from</i>
+                     Guinea, <i>by the</i> English, &amp;c.
+                  </p>
+               </li>
+               <li><a name="d0e240"></a><a href="#XIV" class="ref">CHAP. XIV.</a><p><i>Observations on the situation and disposition of
+                        the Negroes in the northern colonies</i>, &amp;c.
+                  </p>
+               </li>
+               <li><a name="d0e247"></a><a href="#XV" class="ref">CHAP. XV.</a><p>Europeans <i>capable of bearing reasonable labour
+                        in the</i> West Indies, &amp;c.
+                  </p>
+               </li>
+               <li><a name="d0e255"></a><a href="#GSharp" class="ref"><i>Extracts from</i> Granville
+                     Sharp's <i>representations,</i> &amp;c.</a><br><br></li>
+               <li><a name="d0e264"></a><a href="#Extracts" class="ref"><i>Sentiments of several
+                        authors,</i> viz.</a> George Wallace, Francis Hutcheson,
+                  <i>and</i> James Foster.
+                  <br><br></li>
+               <li><a name="d0e274"></a><a href="#VA_Gaz" class="ref"><i>Extracts of an address to the
+                        assembly of</i> Virginia.</a><br><br></li>
+               <li><a name="d0e280"></a><a href="#B_of_Gloucester" class="ref"><i>Extract of the bishop
+                        of</i> Gloucester's <i>sermon</i>.</a><br><br></li>
+            </ul>
+         </div>
+      </div>
+      <div class="teidiv">
+         <h2><a name="Intro"></a>
+            INTRODUCTION.
+
+         </h2><a name="P_i"></a><p>The slavery of the Negroes
+            having, of late, drawn the
+            attention of many serious minded
+            people; several tracts have been
+            published setting forth its inconsistency
+            with every christian and moral
+            virtue, which it is hoped will
+            have weight with the judicious;
+            especially at a time when the liberties
+            of mankind are become so
+            much the subject of general attention.
+            For the satisfaction of the
+            serious enquirer who may not have
+            the opportunity of seeing those
+            tracts, and such others who are
+            sincerely desirous that the iniquity
+            of this practice may become effectually
+            apparent, to those in whose
+            <a name="P_ii"></a>
+            power, it may be to put a stop to
+            any farther progress therein; it is
+            proposed, hereby, to republish the
+            most material parts of said tracts;
+            and in order to enable the reader to
+            form a true judgment of this matter,
+            which, tho' so very important,
+            is generally disregarded, or so artfully
+            misrepresented by those whose
+            interest leads them to vindicate it,
+            as to bias the opinions of people
+            otherwise upright; some account
+            will be here given of the different
+            parts of Africa, from which
+            the Negroes are brought to America;
+            with an impartial relation
+            from what motives the Europeans
+            were first induced to undertake,
+            and have since continued this iniquitous
+            traffic. And here it will
+            not be improper to premise, that
+            <a name="P_iii"></a>
+            tho' wars, arising from the common
+            depravity of human nature, have
+            happened, as well among the Negroes
+            as other nations, and the weak
+            sometimes been made captives
+            to the strong; yet nothing appears,
+            in the various relations of
+            the intercourse and trade for a
+            long time carried on by the Europeans
+            on that coast, which
+            would induce us to believe, that
+            there is any real foundation for
+            that argument, so commonly advanced
+            in vindication of that trade,
+            viz. "<em>That the slavery of the Negroes
+               took its rise from a desire,
+               in the purchasers, to save the lives
+               of such of them as were taken captives
+               in war, who would otherwise
+               have been sacrificed to the implacable
+               revenge of their conquerors.</em>"
+            <a name="P_iv"></a>
+            A plea which when compared with
+            the history of those times, will appear
+            to be destitute of Truth;
+            and to have been advanced, and
+            urged, principally by such as were
+            concerned in reaping the gain of this
+            infamous traffic, as a palliation of
+            that, against which their own reason
+            and conscience must have raised
+            fearful objections.
+         </p>
+      </div>
+      <p><br><br><br><br><br><br>
+         SOME
+         <br><br><br><br>
+         HISTORICAL ACCOUNT
+         <br><br><br><br>
+         OF
+         <br><br><br><br>
+         GUINEA.
+
+      </p>
+      <p><br><br>
+         &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*
+         <br><br></p>
+      <p>
+         [Price 2s. 6d. stitched.]
+
+      </p>
+      <div class="teidiv">
+         <h2><a name="I"></a>
+            CHAP. I.
+
+         </h2><a name="P_1"></a><p>Guinea affords an easy living
+            to its inhabitants, with but little toil.
+            The climate agrees well with the natives,
+            but extremely unhealthful to the Europeans.
+            Produces provisions in the greatest
+            plenty. Simplicity of their housholdry.
+            The coast of Guinea described from the
+            river Senegal to the kingdom of Angola.
+            The fruitfulness of that part lying on
+            and between the two great rivers Senegal
+            and Gambia. Account of the different
+            nations settled there. Order of government
+            amongst the Jalofs. Good account of some
+            of the Fulis. The Mandingos; their management,
+            government, &amp;c. Their worship.
+            M. Adanson's account of those
+            countries. Surprizing vegetation. Pleasant
+            appearance of the country. He found
+            the natives very sociable and obliging.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>When the Negroes are considered
+            barely in their present abject state
+            of slavery, broken-spirited and dejected;
+            <a name="P_2"></a>
+            and too easy credit is given to the accounts
+            we frequently hear or read of their barbarous
+            and savage way of living in their own
+            country; we shall be naturally induced to
+            look upon them as incapable of improvement,
+            destitute, miserable, and insensible of
+            the benefits of life; and that our permitting
+            them to live amongst us, even on the most
+            oppressive terms, is to them a favour. But,
+            on impartial enquiry, the case will appear to
+            be far otherwise; we shall find that there is
+            scarce a country in the whole world, that
+            is better calculated for affording the necessary
+            comforts of life to its inhabitants, with less
+            solicitude and toil, than Guinea. And that
+            notwithstanding the long converse of many
+            of its inhabitants with (often) the worst of
+            the Europeans, they still retain a great deal
+            of innocent simplicity; and, when not stirred
+            up to revenge from the frequent abuses they
+            have received from the Europeans in general,
+            manifest themselves to be a humane, sociable
+            people, whose faculties are as capable of improvement
+            as those of other Men; and
+            that their oeconomy and government is, in
+            many respects, commendable. Hence it appears
+            they might have lived happy, if not
+            disturbed by the Europeans; more especially,
+            if these last had used such endeavours as their
+            christian profession requires, to communicate
+            to the ignorant Africans that superior
+            <a name="P_3"></a>
+            knowledge which Providence had favoured
+            them with. In order to set this matter in
+            its true light, and for the information of
+            those well-minded people who are desirous
+            of being fully acquainted with the merits of
+            a cause, which is of the utmost consequence;
+            as therein the lives and happiness of thousands,
+            and hundreds of thousands, of our fellow <em>Men</em>
+            have fallen, and are daily falling, a
+            sacrifice to selfish avarice and usurped power,
+            I will here give some account of the several
+            divisions of those parts of Africa from
+            whence the Negroes are brought, with a
+            summary of their produce; the disposition
+            of their respective inhabitants; their improvements,
+            &amp;c. &amp;c. extracted from authors
+            of credit; mostly such as have been principal
+            officers in the English, French and Dutch
+            factories, and who resided many years in
+            those countries. But first it is necessary to
+            premise, as a remark generally applicable to
+            the whole coast of Guinea, "<em>That the Almighty,
+               who has determined and appointed the
+               bounds of the habitation of men on the face of
+               the earth</em>" in the manner that is most conducive
+            to the well-being of their different
+            natures and dispositions, has so ordered it,
+            that altho' Guinea is extremely
+            unhealthy<a class="notelink" href="#NoteI_FN1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootI_FN1"></a> to
+            <a name="P_4"></a>
+            the Europeans, of whom many thousands
+            have met there with a miserable and
+            <a name="P_5"></a>
+            untimely end, yet it is not so with the
+            Negroes, who enjoy a good state of health<a class="notelink" href="#NoteI_FN2"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootI_FN2"></a> and
+            are able to procure to themselves a comfortable
+            subsistence, with much less care and toil
+            than is necessary in our more northern climate;
+            which last advantage arises not only
+            from the warmth of the climate, but also
+            from the overflowing of the rivers, whereby
+            the land is regularly moistened and rendered
+            extremely fertile; and being in many
+            places improved by culture, abounds with
+            grain and fruits, cattle, poultry, &amp;c. The
+            earth yields all the year a fresh supply of
+            food: Few clothes are requisite, and little art
+            necessary in making them, or in the
+            construction of their houses, which are very
+            <a name="P_6"></a>
+            simple, principally calculated to defend them
+            from the tempestuous seasons and wild
+            beasts; a few dry reeds covered with matts
+            serve for their beds. The other furniture,
+            except what belongs to cookery, gives the
+            women but little trouble; the moveables of
+            the greatest among them amounting only to
+            a few earthen pots, some wooden utensils,
+            and gourds or calabashes; from these last,
+            which grow almost naturally over their huts,
+            to which they afford an agreeable shade,
+            they are abundantly stocked with good clean
+            vessels for most houshold uses, being of different
+            sizes, from half a pint to several gallons.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteI_FN1"></a><a href="#FootI_FN1">A</a>: <i>Gentleman's
+               Magazine, Supplement, 1763. Extract of a
+               letter wrote from the island of Senegal, by Mr. Boone,
+               practitioner of physic there, to Dr. Brocklesby of London.</i></p>
+         <p><a name="NoteI_FN2"></a><a href="#FootI_FN2">B</a>: James Barbot,
+            agent general to the French African
+            company, in his account of Africa, page 105,
+            says, "The natives are seldom troubled with any
+            distempers, being little affected with the unhealthy
+            air. In tempestuous times they keep much within
+            doors; and when exposed to the weather, their skins
+            being suppled, and pores closed by daily anointing
+            with palm oil, the weather can make but little impression
+            on them."
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            That part of Africa from which the Negroes
+            are sold to be carried into slavery,
+            commonly known by the name of Guinea,
+            extends along the coast three or four thousand
+            miles. Beginning at the river Senegal, situate
+            about the 17th degree of North latitude,
+            being the nearest part of Guinea, as well to
+            Europe as to North America; from thence
+            to the river Gambia, and in a southerly course
+            to Cape Sierra Leona, comprehends a coast
+            of about seven hundred miles; being the
+            same tract for which Queen Elizabeth granted
+            charters to the first traders to that coast:
+            from Sierra Leona, the land of Guinea
+            takes a turn to the eastward, extending
+            that course about fifteen hundred miles, including
+            <a name="P_7"></a>
+            those several civilians known by
+            name of <i>the Grain Coast, the Ivory Coast, the
+               Gold Coast, and the Slave Coast, with the large
+               kingdom of Benin</i>. From thence the land runs
+            southward along the coast about twelve
+            hundred miles, which contains the <i>kingdoms
+               of Congo and Angola</i>; there the trade for slaves
+            ends. From which to the southermost Cape
+            of Africa, called the Cape of Good Hope,
+            the country is settled by Caffres and Hottentots,
+            who have never been concerned in the
+            making or selling slaves.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Of the parts which are above described,
+            the first which presents itself to view, is that
+            situate on the great river Senegal, which is
+            said to be navigable more than a thousand
+            miles, and is by travellers described to be
+            very agreeable and fruitful. Andrew Brue,
+            principal factor for the French African company,
+            who lived sixteen years in that country,
+            after describing its fruitfulness and
+            plenty, near the sea, adds,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteI_FN3"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootI_FN3"></a> "The farther
+            you go from the sea, the country on the
+            river seems the more fruitful and well improved;
+            abounding with Indian corn,
+            pulse, fruit, &amp;c. Here are vast meadows,
+            which feed large herds of great and small
+            cattle, and poultry numerous: The villages
+            that lie thick on the river, shew the
+            country is well peopled." The same author,
+            <a name="P_8"></a>
+            in the account of a voyage he made up
+            the river Gambia, the mouth of which lies
+            about three hundred miles South of the Senegal,
+            and is navigable about six hundred
+            miles up the country, says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteI_FN4"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootI_FN4"></a> "That he was
+            surprized to see the land so well cultivated;
+            scarce a spot lay unimproved; the
+            low lands, divided by small canals, were
+            all formed with rice, &amp;c. the higher ground
+            planted with millet, Indian corn, and
+            pease of different sorts; their beef excellent;
+            poultry plenty, and very cheap, as
+            well as all other necessaries of life." Francis
+            Moor, who was sent from England about
+            the year 1735, in the service of the African
+            company, and resided at James Fort, on the
+            river Gambia, or in other factories on that
+            river, about five years, confirms the above
+            account of the fruitfulness of the country.
+            William Smith, who was sent in the year
+            1726, by the African company, to survey their
+            settlements throughout the whole coast of
+            Guinea<a class="notelink" href="#NoteI_FN5"><sup>C</sup></a><a name="FootI_FN5"></a> says, "The country about the
+            Gambia is pleasant and fruitful; provisions
+            of all kinds being plenty and exceeding
+            cheap." The country on and between
+            the two above-mentioned rivers is large and
+            extensive, inhabited principally by those
+            three Negro nations known by the name of
+            Jalofs, Fulis, and Mandingos. The Jalofs
+            <a name="P_9"></a>
+            possess the middle of the country. The Fulis
+            principal settlement is on both sides of the
+            Senegal; great numbers of these people are
+            also mixed with the Mandingos; which last
+            are mostly settled on both sides the Gambia.
+            The government of the Jalofs is represented
+            as under a better regulation than can be expected
+            from the common opinion we entertain
+            of the Negroes. We are told in the Collection,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteI_FN6"><sup>D</sup></a><a name="FootI_FN6"></a> "That the King has under him several
+            ministers of state, who assist him in the
+            exercise of justice. <em>The grand Jerafo</em> is the
+            chief justice thro' all the King's dominions,
+            and goes in circuit from time to time to hear
+            complaints, and determine controversies.
+            <em>The King's treasurer</em> exercises the same employment,
+            and has under him Alkairs, who
+            are governors of towns or villages.
+            That the <i>Kondi</i>, or
+            <i>Viceroy</i>, goes the circuit
+            with the chief justice, both to hear causes,
+            and inspect into the behaviour of the <i>Alkadi</i>,
+            or chief magistrate of every village in
+            their several
+            districts<a class="notelink" href="#NoteI_FN7"><sup>E</sup></a><a name="FootI_FN7"></a>." <i>Vasconcelas</i>,
+            an author mentioned in the collection, says,
+            "The ancientest are preferred to be the
+            <em>Prince's counsellors</em>, who keep always
+            about his person; and the men of most
+            judgment and experience are the judges."
+            <a name="P_10"></a><i>The Fulis</i> are settled on both sides of the
+            river <i>Senegal</i>: Their country, which is very
+            fruitful and populous, extends near four
+            hundred miles from East to West. They are
+            generally of a deep tawny complexion, appearing
+            to bear some affinity with the Moors,
+            whose country they join on the North.
+            They are good farmers, and make great harvest
+            of corn, cotton, tobacco, &amp;c. and breed
+            great numbers of cattle of all kinds. <i>Bartholomew
+               Stibbs</i>, (mentioned by <i>Fr. Moor</i>) in his
+            account of that country says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteI_FN8"><sup>F</sup></a><a name="FootI_FN8"></a> "<em>They were
+               a cleanly, decent, industrious people, and very
+               affable</em>." But the most particular account
+            we have, of these people, is from <i>Francis
+               Moor</i> himself, who says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteI_FN9"><sup>G</sup></a><a name="FootI_FN9"></a> "Some of these
+            Fuli blacks who dwell on both sides the
+            river Gambia, are in subjection to the
+            Mandingos, amongst whom they dwell,
+            having been probably driven out of their
+            country by war or famine. They have
+            chiefs of their own, who rule with much
+            moderation. Few of them will drink brandy,
+            or any thing stronger than water and
+            sugar, being strict Mahometans. Their
+            form of government goes on easy, because
+            the people are of a good quiet disposition,
+            and so well instructed in what is
+            <a name="P_11"></a>
+            right, that a man who does ill, is the abomination
+            of all, and, none will support
+            him against the chief. In these countries,
+            the natives are not covetous of land,
+            desiring no more than what they use; and
+            as they do not plough with horses and
+            cattle, they can use but very little, therefore
+            the Kings are willing to give the
+            Fulis leave to live in their country, and
+            cultivate their lands. If any of their
+            people are known to be made slaves, all
+            the Fulis will join to redeem them; they
+            also support the old, the blind, and lame,
+            amongst themselves; and as far as their
+            abilities go, they supply the necessities of
+            the Mandingos, great numbers of whom
+            they have maintained in famine." <em>The
+               author</em>, from his own observations, says,
+            "They were rarely angry, and that he never
+            heard them abuse one another."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteI_FN3"></a><a href="#FootI_FN3">A</a>: Astley's collect. vol. 2.
+            page 46.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteI_FN4"></a><a href="#FootI_FN4">B</a>: Astley's collection of
+            voyages, vol. 2, page 86.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteI_FN5"></a><a href="#FootI_FN5">C</a>: William Smith's voyage to Guinea, page 31,
+            34.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteI_FN6"></a><a href="#FootI_FN6">D</a>: Astley's
+            collection, vol. 2, page 358.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteI_FN7"></a><a href="#FootI_FN7">E</a>: Idem. 259.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteI_FN8"></a><a href="#FootI_FN8">F</a>: Moor's travels into
+            distant parts of Africa, page 198.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteI_FN9"></a><a href="#FootI_FN9">G</a>: Ibid, page
+            21.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><i>The Mandingos</i> are said by
+            <i>A. Brue</i> before
+            mentioned, "To be the most numerous
+            nation on the Gambia, besides which,
+            numbers of them are dispersed over all
+            these countries; being the most rigid Mahometans
+            amongst the Negroes, they drink
+            neither wine nor brandy, and are politer
+            than the other Negroes. The chief of the
+            trade goes through their hands. Many are
+            industrious and laborious, keeping their
+            ground well cultivated, and breeding a
+            <a name="P_12"></a>
+            good stock of cattle.<a class="notelink" href="#NoteI_FN10"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootI_FN10"></a> Every town has
+            an <i>Alkadi</i>, or <i>Governor</i>,
+            who has great power; for most of them having two
+            common fields of clear ground, one for
+            corn, and the other for rice, <i>the Alkadi</i>
+            appoints the labour of all the people.
+            The men work the corn ground, and
+            the women and girls the rice ground;
+            and as they all equally labour, so he
+            equally divides the corn amongst them;
+            and in case they are in want, the others
+            supply them. This Alkadi decides all
+            quarrels, and has the first voice in all
+            conferences in town affairs." Some of
+            these Mandingos who are settled at Galem,
+            far up the river Senegal, can read and write
+            Arabic tolerably, and are a good hospitable
+            people, who carry on a trade with the inland
+            nations."<a class="notelink" href="#NoteI_FN11"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootI_FN11"></a> They are extremely populous
+            in those parts, their women being
+            fruitful, and they not suffering any
+            person amongst them, but such as are
+            guilty of crimes, to be made slaves." We
+            are told from Jobson,"<a class="notelink" href="#NoteI_FN12"><sup>C</sup></a><a name="FootI_FN12"></a> That the
+            Mahometan Negroes say their prayers thrice a day.
+            Each village has a priest who calls them to
+            their duty. It is surprizing (says the author)
+            as well as commendable, to see the modesty,
+            <a name="P_13"></a>
+            attention, and reverence they observe during
+            their worship. He asked some of their
+            priests the purport of their prayers and ceremonies;
+            their answer always was, <em>That
+               they adored God by prostrating themselves before
+               him; that by humbling themselves, they
+               acknowledged their own insignificancy, and
+               farther intreated him to forgive their faults,
+               and to grant them all good and necessary things
+               as well as deliverance from evil."</em> Jobson
+            takes notice of several good qualities in these
+            Negroe priests, particularly their great sobriety.
+            They gain their livelihood by keeping
+            school for the education of the children.
+            The boys are taught to read and write.
+            They not only teach school, but rove about
+            the country, teaching and instructing, for
+            which the whole country is open to them;
+            and they have a free course through all
+            places, though the Kings may be at war with
+            one another.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteI_FN10"></a><a href="#FootI_FN10">A</a>: Astley's collect. vol. 2, page
+            269.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteI_FN11"></a><a href="#FootI_FN11">B</a>: Astley's collect. vol. 2, page
+            73.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteI_FN12"></a><a href="#FootI_FN12">C</a>: Ibid, 296.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            The three fore-mentioned nations practise
+            several trades, as smiths, potters, sadlers, and
+            weavers. Their smiths particularly work
+            neatly in gold and silver, and make knifes,
+            hatchets, reaping hooks, spades and shares
+            to cut iron, &amp;c. &amp;c. Their potters make
+            neat tobacco pipes, and pots to boil their
+            food. Some authors say that weaving is
+            their principal trade; this is done by the
+            women and girls, who spin and weave very
+            <a name="P_14"></a>
+            fine cotton cloth, which they dye blue or
+            black.<a class="notelink" href="#NoteI_FN13"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootI_FN13"></a> F. Moor says, the Jalofs
+            particularly make great quantities of the cotton
+            cloth; their pieces are generally twenty-seven
+            yards long, and about nine inches broad,
+            their looms being very narrow; these they
+            sew neatly together, so as to supply the use
+            of broad cloth.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteI_FN13"></a><a href="#FootI_FN13">A</a>: F. Moor, 28.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            It was in these parts of Guinea, that M.
+            Adanson, correspondent of the Royal Academy
+            of Sciences at Paris, mentioned in
+            some former publications, was employed
+            from the year 1749, to the year 1753, wholly
+            in making <i>natural</i> and
+            <i>philosophical</i> observations
+            on the country about the rivers
+            Senegal and Gambia. Speaking of the great
+            heats in Senegal, he says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteI_FN14"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootI_FN14"></a> "It is to them
+            that they are partly indebted for the fertility
+            of their lands; which is so great,
+            that, with little labour and care, there
+            is no fruit nor grain but grow in great
+            plenty."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteI_FN14"></a><a href="#FootI_FN14">A</a>: M. Adanson's voyage to
+            Senegal, &amp;c, page 308.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            Of the soil on the Gambia, he
+            says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteI_FN15"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootI_FN15"></a> "It
+            is rich and deep, and amazingly fertile;
+            it produces spontaneously, and almost
+            without cultivation, all the necessaries of
+            life, grain, fruit, herbs, and roots.
+            <a name="P_15"></a>
+            Every thing matures to perfection, and is
+            excellent in its kind."<a class="notelink" href="#NoteI_FN16"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootI_FN16"></a> One thing,
+            which always surprized him, was the prodigious
+            rapidity with which the sap of trees
+            repairs any loss they may happen to sustain in
+            that country: "And I was never," says he,
+            "more astonished, than when landing four
+            days after the locusts had devoured
+            all the fruits and leaves, and even the
+            buds of the trees, to find the trees covered
+            with new leaves, and they did not
+            seem to me to have suffered much."<a class="notelink" href="#NoteI_FN17"><sup>C</sup></a><a name="FootI_FN17"></a> "It
+            was then," says the same author; "the
+            fish season; you might see them in shoals
+            approaching towards land. Some of those
+            shoals were fifty fathom square, and the
+            fish crowded together in such a manner,
+            as to roll upon one another, without being
+            able to swim. As soon as the Negroes
+            perceive them coming towards land, they
+            jump into the water with a basket in one
+            hand, and swim with the other. They
+            need only to plunge and to lift up their
+            basket, and they are sure to return loaded
+            with fish." Speaking of the appearance
+            of the country, and of the disposition of
+            the people, he says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteI_FN18"><sup>D</sup></a><a name="FootI_FN18"></a> "Which way
+            soever I turned mine eyes on this pleasant spot,
+            I beheld a perfect image of pure nature;
+            <a name="P_16"></a>
+            an agreeable solitude, bounded on every
+            side by charming landscapes; the rural
+            situation of cottages in the midst of trees;
+            the ease and indolence of the Negroes,
+            reclined under the shade of their spreading
+            foliage; the simplicity of their dress and
+            manners; the whole revived in my mind
+            the idea of our first parents, and I seemed
+            to contemplate the world in its primitive
+            state. They are, generally speaking, very
+            good-natured, sociable, and obliging. I
+            was not a little pleased with this my first
+            reception; it convinced me, that there
+            ought to be a considerable abatement
+            made in the accounts I had read and heard
+            every where of the savage character of the
+            Africans. I observed both in Negroes and
+            Moors, great humanity and sociableness,
+            which gave me strong hopes that I should
+            be very safe amongst them, and meet with
+            the success I desired in my enquiries after
+            the curiosities of the country."<a class="notelink" href="#NoteI_FN19"><sup>E</sup></a><a name="FootI_FN19"></a> He
+            was agreeably amused with the conversation
+            of the Negroes, their <i>fables, dialogues</i>, and
+            <i>witty stories</i> with which they entertain each
+            other alternately, according to their custom.
+            Speaking of the remarks which the natives
+            made to him, with relation to the <i>stars</i> and
+            <i>planets</i>, he says, "It is amazing, that such
+            <a name="P_17"></a>
+            a rude and illiterate people, should reason
+            so pertinently in regard to those heavenly
+            bodies; there is no manner of doubt, but
+            that with proper instruments, and a good
+            will, they would become <i>excellent astronomers</i>."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteI_FN15"></a><a href="#FootI_FN15">A</a>: Idem, page 164.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteI_FN16"></a><a href="#FootI_FN16">B</a>: M. Adanson, page
+            161.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteI_FN17"></a><a href="#FootI_FN17">C</a>: Idem, page
+            171.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteI_FN18"></a><a href="#FootI_FN18">D</a>: Ibid, page 54.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteI_FN19"></a><a href="#FootI_FN19">E</a>: Adanson, page 252,
+            ibid.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+      </div>
+      <div class="teidiv">
+         <h2><a name="II"></a>
+            CHAP. II
+
+         </h2>
+         <p><i>The Ivory Coast</i>; its soil and produce.
+            The character of the <i>natives</i> misrepresented
+            by some authors. These misrepresentations
+            occasioned by <i>the Europeans</i>
+            having treacherously carried off many of
+            their people. <i>John Smith, surveyor to the
+               African company</i>, his observations thereon.
+            <i>John Snock's</i> remarks.
+            <i>The Gold Coast</i>
+            and <i>Slave Coast</i>, these have the most
+            <i>European
+               factories</i>, and furnish the greatest
+            number of slaves to <i>the Europeans</i>. Exceeding
+            fertile. The country of <i>Axim</i>,
+            and of <i>Ante</i>. Good account of the
+            <i>inland people</i> Great fishery. Extraordinary trade
+            for slaves. <i>The Slave Coast. The kingdom
+               of Whidah</i>. Fruitful and pleasant. The
+            natives kind and obliging. Very populous.
+            Keep regular markets and fairs.
+            Good order therein. Murder, adultery, and
+            theft severely punished. The King's revenues.
+            <a name="P_18"></a>
+            The principal people have an idea
+            of the true God. Commendable care of
+            the poor. Several small governments depend
+            on <i>plunder</i> and the
+            <i>slave</i> trade.
+         </p>
+         <p>That part of Guinea known by the
+            name of the <i>Grain</i>, and
+            <i>Ivory Coast,</i>
+            comes next in course. This coast extends
+            about five hundred miles. The soil appears
+            by account, to be in general fertile, producing
+            abundance of rice and roots; indigo and
+            cotton thrive without cultivation, and tobacco
+            would be excellent, if carefully manufactured;
+            they have fish in plenty; their flocks
+            greatly increase, and their trees are loaded
+            with fruit. They make a cotton cloth,
+            which sells well on the Coast. In a word, the
+            country is rich, and the commerce advantageous,
+            and might be greatly augmented by
+            such as would cultivate the friendship of the
+            natives. These are represented by some writers
+            as a rude, <em>treacherous people</em>, whilst several
+            other <i>authors</i> of credit give them a very
+            different character, representing them as
+            <em>sensible, courteous and the fairest traders on the
+               coast of Guinea</em>. In the Collection, they are
+            said<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN1"></a> to be averse
+            to drinking to excess, and
+            such as do, are severely punished by the King's
+            <a name="P_19"></a>
+            order: On enquiry why there is such a disagreement
+            in the character given of these
+            people, it appears, that though they are naturally
+            inclined to be <em>kind to strangers</em>, with
+            whom they are <em>fond</em> of <em>trading</em>, yet the
+            <em>frequent injuries</em> done them by Europeans, have
+            occasioned their being <em>suspicious and shy</em>. The
+            same cause has been the occasion of the ill
+            treatment they have sometimes given to innocent
+            strangers, who have attempted to trade
+            with them. As the Europeans have no settlement
+            on this part of Guinea, the trade is
+            carried on by signals from the ships, on the
+            appearance of which the natives usually
+            come on board in their canoes, bringing
+            their gold-dust, ivory, &amp;c. which has given
+            opportunity to some villainous Europeans to
+            carry them off with their effects, or retain
+            them on board till a ransom is paid. It is
+            noted by some, that since the European voyagers
+            have carried away several of these
+            people, their mistrust is so great, that it is
+            very difficult to prevail on them to come on
+            board. <i>William Smith</i>
+            remarks,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN2"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN2"></a> "As we past
+            along this coast, we very often lay before
+            a town, and fired a gun for the natives
+            to come off, but no soul came
+            near us; at length we learnt by some
+            ships that were trading down the coast,
+            <a name="P_20"></a>
+            that the natives came seldom on board
+            an English ship, for fear of being detained
+            or carried off; yet last some
+            ventured on board, but if those chanced
+            to spy any arms, they would all immediately
+            take to their canoes, and make the
+            best of their way home. They had then
+            in their possession one <i>Benjamin Cross</i> the
+            mate of an English vessel, who was detained
+            by them to make reprisals for
+            some of their men, who had formerly
+            been carried away by some English vessel."
+            In the Collection we are told,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN3"><sup>C</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN3"></a><em>This villainous
+               custom is too often practised, chiefly by the
+               Bristol and Liverpool ships, and is a great detriment
+               to the slave trade on the windward
+               coast. John Snock, mentioned in Bosman</em><a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN4"><sup>D</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN4"></a> when
+            on that coast, wrote, "We cast anchor, but
+            not one Negro coming on board, I went on
+            shore, and after having staid a while on
+            the strand, some Negroes came to me; and
+            being desirous to be informed why they
+            did not come on board, I was answered
+            that about two months before, the English
+            had been there with two large vessels,
+            and had ravaged the country, destroyed
+            all their canoes, plundered their houses,
+            and carried off some of their people, upon
+            <a name="P_21"></a>
+            which the remainder fled to the inland
+            country, where most of them were
+            that time; so that there being not much
+            to be done by us, we were obliged to
+            return on board.<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN5"><sup>E</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN5"></a> When I enquired
+            after their wars with other countries,
+            they told me they were not often troubled
+            with them; but if any difference happened,
+            they chose rather to end the dispute
+            amicably, than to come to arms."<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN6"><sup>F</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN6"></a> He found the inhabitants civil and good-natured.
+            Speaking of the <i>King of Rio Seftr&eacute;</i>
+            lower down the coast, he says, "He was a
+            very agreeable, obliging man, and that
+            all his subjects are civil, as well as very
+            laborious in agriculture, and the pursuits
+            of trade," <i>Marchais</i>
+            says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN7"><sup>G</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN7"></a> "That
+            though the country is very populous,
+            yet none of the natives (except criminals)
+            are sold for slaves." <i>Vaillant</i> never
+            heard of any settlement being made by
+            the Europeans on this part of <i>Guinea</i>; and
+            <i>Smith</i>
+            remarks,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN8"><sup>H</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN8"></a> "That these coasts, which
+            are divided into several little kingdoms,
+            and have seldom any wars, is the reason
+            the slave trade is not so good here as on
+            <i>the Gold and Slave Coast</i>, where the Europeans
+            <a name="P_22"></a>
+            have several forts and factories."
+            A plain evidence this, that it is the intercourse
+            with the Europeans, and their settlements
+            on the coast, which gives life to the
+            slave trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN1"></a><a href="#FootII_FN1">A</a>: Collection, vol. 2, page 560.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN2"></a><a href="#FootII_FN2">B</a>: W. Smith, page 111.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN3"></a><a href="#FootII_FN3">C</a>: Astley's collection,
+            vol. 2, page 475.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN4"></a><a href="#FootII_FN4">D</a>: W.
+            Bosman's description of Guinea, page 440.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN5"></a><a href="#FootII_FN5">E</a>: W. Bosman's description of
+            Guinea, page 429.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN6"></a><a href="#FootII_FN6">F</a>: Ibid,
+            441.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN7"></a><a href="#FootII_FN7">G</a>: Astley's collection, Vol. 2, page
+            565.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN8"></a><a href="#FootII_FN8">H</a>: Smith's voyage to Guinea, page
+            112.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            Next adjoining to the <i>Ivory Coast</i>, are
+            those called the <i>Gold Coast</i>, and the
+            <i>Slave Coast</i>; authors are not agreed about
+            their bounds, but their extent together along the
+            coast may be about five hundred miles. And
+            as the policy, produce, and oeconomy of these
+            two kingdoms of Guinea are much the same,
+            I shall describe them together.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Here the Europeans have the greatest number
+            of forts and factories, from whence, by
+            means of the Negro sailors, a trade is carried
+            on above seven hundred miles back
+            in the inland country; whereby great numbers
+            of slaves are procured, as well by means
+            of the wars which arise amongst the Negroes,
+            or are fomented by the Europeans, as those
+            brought from the back country. Here we
+            find the natives <em>more reconciled to the European
+               manners and trade</em>; but, at the same
+            time, <em>much more inured to war</em>, and ready to
+            assist the European traders in procuring
+            loadings for the great number of vessels
+            which come yearly on those coasts for slaves.
+            This part of Guinea is agreed by historians
+            to be, in general, <em>extraordinary fruitful
+               and agreeable</em>; producing (according to the
+            <a name="P_23"></a>
+            difference of the soil) vast quantities of rice
+            and other grain; plenty of fruit and
+            roots; palm wine and oil, and fish in great
+            abundance, with much tame and wild cattle.
+            Bosman, principal factor for the Dutch at
+            D'Elmina, speaking of the country of Axim,
+            which is situate towards the beginning of the
+            Gold Coast, says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN9"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN9"></a> "The Negro inhabitants
+            are generally very rich, driving a
+            great trade with the Europeans for gold.
+            That they are industriously employed
+            either in trade, fishing, or agriculture;
+            but chiefly in the culture of rice, which
+            grows here in an incredible abundance,
+            and is transported hence all over the
+            Gold Coast. The inhabitants, in lieu,
+            returning full fraught with millet, jamms,
+            potatoes, and palm oil." The same author
+            speaking of the country of Ante, says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN10"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN10"></a> "This country, as well as the Gold Coast,
+            abounds with hills, enriched with extraordinary
+            high and beautiful trees; its
+            valleys, betwixt the hills, are wide and
+            extensive, producing in great abundance
+            very good rice, millet, jamms, potatoes,
+            and other fruits, all good in their kind."
+            He adds, "In short, it is a land that yields
+            its manurers as plentiful a crop as they can
+            wish, with great quantities of palm wine and
+            <a name="P_24"></a>
+            oil, besides being well furnished with all
+            sorts of tame, as well as wild beasts; but
+            that the last fatal wars had reduced it to
+            a miserable condition, and stripped it of
+            most of its inhabitants." The adjoining
+            country of Fetu, he says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN11"><sup>C</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN11"></a> "was formerly
+            so powerful and populous, that it struck
+            terror into all the neighbouring nations;
+            but it is at present so drained by continual
+            wars, that it is entirely ruined; there
+            does not remain inhabitants sufficient to
+            till the country, tho' it is so fruitful and
+            pleasant that it may be compared to the
+            country of Ante just before described;
+            frequently, says that author, when walking
+            through it before the last war, I have
+            seen it abound with fine well built and populous
+            towns, agreeably enriched with
+            vast quantities of corn, cattle, palm wine,
+            and oil. The inhabitants all applying
+            themselves without any distinction to agriculture;
+            some sow corn, others press oil,
+            and draw wine from palm trees, with both
+            which it is plentifully stored."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN9"></a><a href="#FootII_FN9">A</a>: Bosman's description of the coast of
+            Guinea, p, 5.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN10"></a><a href="#FootII_FN10">B</a>: Idem,
+            page 14.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN11"></a><a href="#FootII_FN11">C</a>: Bosman, page
+            41.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            William Smith gives much the same account
+            of the before-mentioned parts of the
+            Gold Coast, and adds, "The country about
+            D'Elmina and Cape Coast, is much
+            the same for beauty and goodness, but
+            more populous; and the nearer we come
+            <a name="P_25"></a>
+            towards the Slave Coast, the more delightful
+            and rich all the countries are,
+            producing all sorts of trees, fruits, roots,
+            and herbs, that grow within the Torrid
+            Zone." J. Barbot also remarks,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN12"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN12"></a> with
+            respect to the countries of Ante and Adom,
+            "That the soil is very good and fruitful
+            in corn and other produce, which it
+            affords in such plenty, that besides what
+            serves for their own use, they always export
+            great quantities for sale; they have
+            a competent number of cattle, both tame
+            and wild, and the rivers abundantly stored
+            with fish, so that nothing is wanting for
+            the support of life, and to make it easy."
+            In the Collection it is said,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN13"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN13"></a> "That the inland
+            people on that part of the coast,
+            employ themselves in tillage and trade,
+            and supply the market with corn, fruit,
+            and palm wine; the country producing
+            such vast plenty of Indian corn, that abundance
+            is daily exported, as well by Europeans
+            as Blacks resorting thither from
+            other parts." "These inland people
+            are said to live in great union and friendship,
+            being generally well tempered,
+            civil, and tractable; not apt to shed
+            human blood, except when much provoked,
+            and ready to assist one another."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN12"></a><a href="#FootII_FN12">A</a>: John Barbot's
+            description of Guinea, page 154.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN13"></a><a href="#FootII_FN13">B</a>: Astley's collect.
+            vol. 2. page 535.
+         </p>
+         <hr><a name="P_26"></a><p>
+            In the Collection<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN14"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN14"></a> it is said, "That the
+            fishing business is esteemed on the Gold
+            Coast next to trading; that those who
+            profess it are more numerous than those
+            of other employments. That the greatest
+            number of these are at Kommendo, Mina,
+            and Kormantin. From each of which places,
+            there go out every morning, (Tuesday
+            excepted, which is the Fetish day, or
+            day of rest) five, six, and sometimes eight
+            hundred canoes, from thirteen to fourteen
+            feet long, which spread themselves two
+            leagues at sea, each fisherman carrying in
+            his canoe a sword, with bread, water, and
+            a little fire on a large stone to roast fish.
+            Thus they labour till noon, when the sea
+            breeze blowing fresh, they return on the
+            shore, generally laden with fish; a quantity
+            of which the inland inhabitants come down
+            to buy, which they sell again at the country
+            markets."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN14"></a><a href="#FootII_FN14">A</a>: Collection, vol. 2, page
+            640.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            William Smith says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN15"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN15"></a> "The country about
+            Acra, where the English and Dutch have
+            each a strong fort, is very delightful, and
+            the natives courteous and civil to strangers."
+            He adds, "That this place seldom fails
+            of an extraordinary good trade from the
+            inland country, especially for slaves,
+            <a name="P_27"></a>
+            whereof several are supposed to come from
+            very remote parts, because it is not uncommon
+            to find a Malayan or two amongst
+            a parcel of other slaves. The Malaya,
+            people are generally natives of Malacca,
+            in the East Indies, situate several thousand
+            miles from the Gold Coast." They differ
+            very much from the Guinea Negroes,
+            being of a tawny complexion, with long black
+            hair.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN15"></a><a href="#FootII_FN15">A</a>: William Smith, page
+            145.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            Most parts of the Slave Coasts are represented
+            as equally fertile and pleasant with
+            the Gold Coast. The kingdom of Whidah
+            has been particularly noted by
+            travellers.<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN16"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN16"></a> William Smith and Bosman agree, "That
+            it is one of the most delightful countries
+            in the world. The great number and
+            variety of tall, beautiful, and shady trees,
+            which seem planted in groves, the verdant
+            fields every where cultivated, and no
+            otherwise divided than by those groves,
+            and in some places a small foot-path, together
+            with a great number of villages,
+            contribute to afford the most delightful
+            prospect; the whole country being a fine
+            easy, and almost imperceptible ascent, for
+            the space of forty or fifty miles from the sea.
+            That the farther you go from the sea, the
+            more beautiful and populous the country
+            appears. That the natives were kind
+            <a name="P_28"></a>
+            and obliging, and so industrious, that no
+            place which was thought fertile, could
+            escape being planted, even within the hedges
+            which inclose their villages. And that the
+            next day after they had reaped, they sowed
+            again."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN16"></a><a href="#FootII_FN16">A</a>: Smith, page 194. Bosman,
+            page 319.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            Snelgrave also says, "The country
+            appears full of towns and villages; and
+            being a rich soil, and well cultivated, looks
+            like an entire garden." In the
+            Collection,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN17"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN17"></a> the husbandry of the Negroes is described
+            to be carried on with great regularity: "The
+            rainy season approaching, they go into the
+            fields and woods, to fix on a proper place
+            for sowing; and as here is no property in
+            ground, the King's licence being obtained,
+            the people go out in troops, and first
+            clear the ground from bushes and weeds,
+            which they burn. The field thus cleared,
+            they dig it up a foot deep, and so let it
+            remain for eight or ten days, till the rest
+            of their neighbours have disposed their
+            ground in the same manner. They then
+            consult about sowing, and for that end
+            assemble at the King's Court the next
+            Fetish day. The King's grain must be
+            sown first. They then go again to the
+            field, and give the ground a second
+            digging, and sow their seed. Whilst
+            <a name="P_29"></a>
+            the King or Governor's land is sowing;
+            he sends out wine and flesh ready dressed;
+            enough to serve the labourers. Afterwards,
+            they in like manner sow the
+            ground, allotted for their neighbours, as
+            diligently as that of the King's, by whom
+            they are also feasted; and so continue to
+            work in a body for the public benefit,
+            till every man's ground is tilled and sowed.
+            None but the King, and a few great men,
+            are exempted from this labour. Their
+            grain soon sprouts out of the ground.
+            When it is about a man's height, and
+            begins to ear, they raise a wooden house in
+            the centre of the field, covered with straw,
+            in which they set their children to watch
+            their corn, and fright away the birds."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN17"></a><a href="#FootII_FN17">A</a>:
+            Collection, vol. 2,
+            page 651.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            Bosman<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN18"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN18"></a> speaks in commendation of
+            the civility, kindness, and great industry of
+            the natives of Whidah; this is confirmed by
+            Smith,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN19"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN19"></a> who says, "The natives here seem to
+            be the most gentleman-like Negroes in
+            Guinea, abounding with good manners
+            and ceremony to each other. The inferior
+            pay the utmost deference and, respect
+            to the superior, as do wives to their
+            husbands, and children to their parents.
+            All here are naturally industrious, and find
+            constant employment; the men in agriculture,
+            <a name="P_30"></a>
+            and the women in spinning and
+            weaving cotton. The men, whose chief
+            talent lies in husbandry, are unacquainted
+            with arms; otherwise, being a numerous
+            people, they could have made a better
+            defence against the King of Dahome, who
+            subdued them without much
+            trouble.<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN20"><sup>C</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN20"></a> Throughout the Gold Coast, there are
+            regular markets in all villages, furnished
+            with provisions and merchandize, held
+            every day in the week, except Tuesday,
+            whence they supply not only the inhabitants,
+            but the European ships. The
+            <i>Negro women</i> are very expert in buying
+            and selling, and extremely industrious;
+            for they will repair daily to market from
+            a considerable distance, loaded like pack-horses,
+            with a child, perhaps, at their
+            back, and a heavy burden on their heads.
+            After selling their wares, they buy fish and
+            other necessaries, and return home loaded
+            as they came.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN18"></a><a href="#FootII_FN18">A</a>: Bosman, page
+            317.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN19"></a><a href="#FootII_FN19">B</a>: Smith, page
+            195.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN20"></a><a href="#FootII_FN20">C</a>: Collect,
+            vol. 2, p. 657.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            "There is a market held at Sabi every,
+            fourth day,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN21"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN21"></a> also a weekly one in the province
+            of Aplogua, which is so resorted to,
+            that there are usually five or six thousand
+            merchants. Their markets are so well
+            regulated and governed, that seldom any
+            disorder happens; each species of merchandize
+            <a name="P_31"></a>
+            and merchants have a
+            place allotted them by themselves. The
+            buyers may haggle as much as they will,
+            but it must be without noise or fraud.
+            To keep order, the King appoints a judge,
+            who, with four officers well armed, inspects
+            the markets, hears all complaints, and, in a
+            summary way, decides all differences; he
+            has power to seize, and sell as slaves, all
+            who are catched in stealing, or disturbing
+            the peace. In these markets are to
+            be sold men, women, children, oxen,
+            sheep, goats, and fowls of all kinds; European
+            cloths, linen and woollen; printed
+            callicoes, silk, grocery ware, china, golddust,
+            iron in bars, &amp;c. in a word, most sorts
+            of European goods, as well as the produce
+            of Africa and Asia. They have other
+            markets, resembling our fairs, once or
+            twice a year, to which all the country
+            repair; for they take care to order the day
+            so in different governments, as not to interfere
+            with each other."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN21"></a><a href="#FootII_FN21">A</a>: Collect. vol. 3, p.
+            11.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            With respect to government, William
+            Smith says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN22"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN22"></a> "That the Gold Coast and
+            Slave Coast are divided into different districts,
+            some of which are governed by
+            their Chiefs, or Kings; the others, being
+            more of the nature of a commonwealth
+            <a name="P_32"></a>
+            are governed by some of the principal
+            men, called Caboceros, who, Bosman says,
+            are properly denominated civil fathers,
+            whose province is to take care of the welfare
+            of the city or village, and to appease
+            tumults." But this order of government
+            has been much broken since the coming of
+            the Europeans. Both Bosman and Barbot
+            mention <em>murther and adultery to be severely
+               punished on the Coast, frequently by death; and
+               robbery by a fine proportionable to the goods
+               stolen</em>.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN22"></a><a href="#FootII_FN22">A</a>: Smith, page
+            193.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            The income of some of the Kings is large,
+            Bosman says, "That the King of Whidah's
+            revenues and duties on things bought and
+            sold are considerable; he having the tithe
+            of all things sold in the market, or imported
+            in the country."<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN23"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN23"></a> Both the abovementioned
+            authors say, <em>The tax on slaves shipped
+               off in this King's dominions, in some years,
+               amounts to near twenty thousand pounds</em>.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN23"></a><a href="#FootII_FN23">A</a>: Bosman, page 337.
+            Barbot, page 335.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            Bosman tells us, "The Whidah Negroes
+            have a faint idea of a true God, ascribing
+            to him the attributes of almighty power
+            and omnipresence; but God, they say, is
+            too high to condescend to think of mankind;
+            wherefore he commits the government
+            of the world to those inferior deities
+            which they worship." Some authors
+            <a name="P_33"></a>
+            say, the wisest of these Negroes are sensible of
+            their mistake in this opinion, but dare not
+            forsake their own religion, for fear of the populace
+            rising and killing them. This is confirmed
+            by William Smith, who says, "That
+            all the natives of this coast believe there is
+            one true God, the author of them and all
+            things; that they have some apprehension
+            of a future state; and that almost every
+            village has a grove, or public place of worship,
+            to which the principal inhabitants, on
+            a set day, resort to make their offerings."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the Collection<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN24"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN24"></a> it is remarked as an excellency
+            in the Guinea government, "That
+            however poor they may be in general,
+            yet there are no beggars to be found
+            amongst them; which is owing to the
+            care of their chief men, whose province
+            it is to take care of the welfare of the
+            city or village; it being part of their office,
+            to see that such people may earn their
+            bread by their labour; some are set to
+            blow the smith's bellows, others to press
+            palm oil, or grind colours for their matts,
+            and sell provision in the markets. The
+            young men are listed to serve as soldiers,
+            so that they suffer no common beggar."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN24"></a><a href="#FootII_FN24">A</a>: Astley's collection,
+            vol. 2, page 619.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            Bosman ascribes a further reason for this
+            good order, viz. "That when a Negroe
+            <a name="P_34"></a>
+            finds he cannot subsist, he binds himself
+            for a certain sum of money, and the
+            master to whom he is bound is obliged
+            to find him necessaries; that the master
+            sets him a sort of task, which is not in the
+            least slavish, being chiefly to defend his
+            master on occasions; or in sowing time to
+            work as much as he himself
+            pleases."<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN25"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN25"></a></p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN25"></a><a href="#FootII_FN25">A</a>: Bosman, page 119.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            Adjoining to the kingdom of Whidah, are
+            several small governments, as Coto, great and
+            small Popo, Ardrah, &amp;c. all situate on the
+            Slave Coast, where the chief trade for slaves
+            is carried on. These are governed by their
+            respective Kings, and follow much the same
+            customs with those of Whidah, except that
+            their principal living is on plunder, and the
+            slave trade.
+
+         </p>
+      </div>
+      <div class="teidiv">
+         <h2><a name="III"></a>
+            CHAP. III.
+
+         </h2><a name="P_35"></a><p><i>The kingdom of Benin</i>; its extent.
+            Esteemed the most potent in Guinea.
+            Fruitfulness of the soil. Good disposition
+            of the people. Order of government.
+            Punishment of crimes. Large extent of
+            the town of Great Benin. Order maintained.
+            The natives honest and charitable.
+            Their religion. The kingdoms of Kongo
+            and Angola. Many of the natives profess
+            christianity. The country fruitful. Disposition
+            of the people. The administration
+            of justice. The town of Leango. Slave
+            trade carried on by the Portugueze. Here
+            the slave trade ends.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Next adjoining to the Slave Coast, is
+            the kingdom of Benin, which, though
+            it extends but about 170 miles on the sea, yet
+            spreads so far inland, as to be esteemed the
+            most potent kingdom in Guinea. By accounts,
+            the soil and produce appear to be in
+            a great measure like those before described;
+            and the natives are represented as a reasonable
+            good-natured people. Artus
+            says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteIII_FN1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootIII_FN1"></a> "They are a sincere, inoffensive people, and do
+            <a name="P_36"></a>
+            no injustice either to one another, or to
+            strangers." William
+            Smith<a class="notelink" href="#NoteIII_FN2"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootIII_FN2"></a> confirms
+            this account, and says, "That the inhabitants
+            are generally very good-natured,
+            and exceeding courteous and civil. When
+            the Europeans make them presents, which
+            in their coming thither to trade they
+            always do, they endeavour to return them
+            doubly."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteIII_FN1"></a><a href="#FootIII_FN1">A</a>: Collection. vol. 3, page
+            228.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteIII_FN2"></a><a href="#FootIII_FN2">B</a>: Smith, page 228.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            Bosman tells us,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteIII_FN3"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootIII_FN3"></a> "That his countrymen
+            the Dutch, who were often obliged to
+            trust them till they returned the next year,
+            were sure to be honestly paid their whole
+            debts."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteIII_FN3"></a><a href="#FootIII_FN3">A</a>: W. Bosman, page
+            405.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            There is in Benin a considerable order in
+            government. Theft, murther, and adultery,
+            being severely punished. Barbot
+            says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteIII_FN4"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootIII_FN4"></a> "If
+            a man and a woman of any quality be
+            surprized in adultery, they are both put to
+            death, and their bodies are thrown on a
+            dunghill, and left there a prey to wild
+            beasts." He adds, "The severity of the
+            laws in Benin against
+            adultery,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteIII_FN5"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootIII_FN5"></a> amongst
+            <a name="P_37"></a>
+            all orders of people, deters them from
+            venturing, so that it is but very seldom
+            any persons are punished for that crime."
+            Smith says, "Their towns are governed by
+            officers appointed by the King, who have
+            power to decide in civil cases, and to raise
+            the public taxes; but in criminal cases,
+            they must send to the King's court, which
+            is held at the town of Oedo, or Great Benin.
+            This town, which covers a large extent
+            of ground, is about sixty mile from
+            <a name="P_38"></a>
+            the sea."<a class="notelink" href="#NoteIII_FN6"><sup>C</sup></a><a name="FootIII_FN6"></a> Barbot tells us, "That it contains
+            thirty streets, twenty fathom wide,
+            and almost two miles long, commonly,
+            extending in a straight line from one gate
+            to another; that the gates are guarded
+            by soldiers; that in these streets markets
+            are held every day, for cattle, ivory, cotton,
+            and many sorts of European goods. This
+            large town is divided into several wards,
+            or districts, each governed by its respective
+            King of a street, as they call them;
+            to administer justice, and to keep good
+            order. The inhabitants are very civil and
+            good natured, condescending to what the
+            Europeans require of them in a civil
+            way." The same author confirms what
+            has been said by others of their justice in
+            the payment of their debts; and adds,
+            "That they, above all other Guineans, are
+            very honest and just in their dealings; and
+            they have such an aversion for theft, that
+            by the law of the country it is punished
+            with death." We are told by the same
+            author,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteIII_FN7"><sup>D</sup></a><a name="FootIII_FN7"></a> "That the King of Benin is
+            able upon occasion to maintain an army
+            of a hundred thousand men; but that,
+            for the most part, he does not keep thirty
+            thousand." William Smith says, "The
+            <a name="P_39"></a>
+            natives are all free men; none but foreigners
+            can be bought and sold there.<a class="notelink" href="#NoteIII_FN8"><sup>E</sup></a><a name="FootIII_FN8"></a> They are very charitable, the King as well
+            as his subjects." Bosman confirms
+            this,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteIII_FN9"><sup>F</sup></a><a name="FootIII_FN9"></a> and says, "The King and great Lords subsist
+            several poor at their place of residence on
+            charity, employing those who are fit for
+            any work, and the rest they keep for God's
+            sake; so that here are no beggars."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteIII_FN4"></a><a href="#FootIII_FN4">A</a>: Barbot, page 237.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteIII_FN5"></a><a href="#FootIII_FN5">B</a>: By this account of the
+            punishment inflicted on adulterers in this and other parts of Guinea, it
+            appears the Negroes are not insensible of the sinfulness of
+            such practices. How strange must it then appear to the
+            serious minded amongst these people, (nay, how inconsistent
+            is it with every divine and moral law amongst
+            ourselves) that those christian laws which prohibit fornication
+            and adultery, are in none of the English governments
+            extended to them, but that they are allowed
+            to cohabit and separate at pleasure? And that even their
+            masters think so lightly of their marriage engagements,
+            that, when it suits with their interest, they will separate
+            man from wife, and children from both, to be sold into
+            different, and even distant parts, without regard to their
+            sometimes grievous lamentations; whence it has happened,
+            that such of those people who are truly united in
+            their marriage covenant, and in affection to one another,
+            have been driven to such desperation, as either violently
+            to destroy themselves, or gradually to pine away, and
+            die with mere grief. It is amazing, that whilst the
+            clergy of the established church are publicly expressing
+            a concern, that these oppressed people should be made
+            acquainted with the christian religion, they should be
+            thus suffered, and even forced, so flagrantly to infringe
+            one of the principal injunctions of our holy religion!
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteIII_FN6"></a><a href="#FootIII_FN6">C</a>: J. Barbot, page 358,
+            359.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteIII_FN7"></a><a href="#FootIII_FN7">D</a>: Barbot, page
+            369.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteIII_FN8"></a><a href="#FootIII_FN8">E</a>: W. Smith,
+            page 369.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteIII_FN9"></a><a href="#FootIII_FN9">F</a>: Bosman, page
+            409.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            As to religion, these people believe there
+            is a God, the efficient cause of all things; but,
+            like the rest of the Guineans, they are superstitiously
+            and idolatrously inclined.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The last division of Guinea from which
+            slaves are imported, are the kingdoms of
+            Kongo and Angola: these lie to the South
+            of Benin, extending with the intermediate
+            land about twelve hundred miles on the coast.
+            Great numbers of the natives of both these
+            kingdoms profess the christian religion, which
+            was long since introduced by the Portugueze,
+            who made early settlements in that country.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the Collection it is said, that both in
+            Kongo and Angola, the soil is in general
+            fruitful, producing great plenty of grain,
+            Indian corn, and such quantities of rice, that
+            it hardly bears any price, with fruits, roots,
+            and palm oil in plenty.
+
+         </p><a name="P_40"></a><p>
+            The natives are generally a quiet people,
+            who discover a good understanding, and
+            behave in a friendly manner to strangers,
+            being of a mild conversation, affable, and
+            easily overcome with reason.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the government of Kongo, the King
+            appoints a judge in every particular division,
+            to hear and determine disputes and civil causes;
+            the judges imprison and release, or impose
+            fines, according to the rule of custom; but in
+            weighty matters, every one may appeal to the
+            King, before whom all criminal causes are
+            brought, in which he giveth sentence; but
+            seldom condemneth to death.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The town of Leango stands in the midst
+            of four Lordships, which abound in corn,
+            fruit, &amp;c. Here they make great quantities
+            of cloth of divers kinds, very fine and curious;
+            the inhabitants are seldom idle; they
+            even make needle-work caps as they walk in
+            the streets.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The slave trade is here principally managed
+            by the Portugueze, who carry it far up
+            into the inland countries. They are said to
+            send off from these parts fifteen thousand slaves
+            each year.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            At Angola, about the 10th degree of South
+            latitude, ends the trade for slaves.
+
+         </p>
+      </div>
+      <div class="teidiv">
+         <h2><a name="IV"></a>
+            CHAP. IV.
+
+         </h2><a name="P_41"></a><p>
+            The antientest accounts of the
+            Negroes is from the Nubian Geography,
+            and the writings of Leo the African.
+            Some account of those authors. The
+            Arabians pass into Guinea. The innocency
+            and simplicity of the natives. They
+            are subdued by the Moors. Heli Ischia
+            shakes off the Moorish yoke. The Portugueze
+            make the first descent in Guinea.
+            From whence they carry off some of the
+            natives. More incursions of the like kind.
+            The Portugueze erect the first fort at D'Elmina.
+            They begin the slave trade. Cada
+            Mosto's testimony. Anderson's account
+            to the same purport. De la Casa's concern
+            for the relief of the oppressed Indians.
+            Goes over into Spain to plead their cause.
+            His speech before Charles the Fifth.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The most antient account we have of
+            the country of the Negroes, particularly
+            that part situate on and between the
+            two great rivers of Senegal and Gambia, is
+            from the writings of two antient authors,
+            one an Arabian, and the other a Moor. The
+            <a name="P_42"></a>
+            first<a class="notelink" href="#NoteIV_FN1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootIV_FN1"></a> wrote
+            in Arabic, about the twelfth century.
+            His works, printed in that language
+            at Rome, were afterwards translated into
+            Latin, and printed at Paris, under the
+            patronage of the famous Thuanus, chancellor
+            of France, with the title of <em>Geographica
+               Nubiensis</em>, containing an account or all the
+            nations lying on the Senegal and Gambia.
+            The other wrote by John
+            Leo,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteIV_FN2"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootIV_FN2"></a> a Moor,
+            born at Granada, in Spain, before the
+            Moors were totally expelled from that kingdom.
+            He resided in Africa; but being on
+            a voyage from Tripoli to Tunis, was taken
+            by some Italian Corsairs, who finding him
+            possessed of several Arabian books, besides
+            his own manuscripts, apprehended him to be
+            a man of learning, and as such presented him
+            to Pope Leo the Tenth. This Pope encouraging
+            him, he embraced the Romish religion,
+            and his description of Africa was
+            published in Italian. From these writings
+            we gather, that after the Mahometan religion
+            had extended to the kingdom of Morocco,
+            some of the promoters of it crossing
+            the sandy desarts of Numidia, which separate
+            that country from Guinea, found it inhabited
+            by men, who, though under no regular government,
+            and destitute of that knowledge
+            <a name="P_43"></a>
+            the Arabians were favoured with, lived in
+            content and peace. The first author particularly
+            remarks, "That they never made
+            war, or travelled abroad, but employed
+            themselves in tending their herds, or labouring
+            in the ground." J. Leo says, page
+            65. "That they lived in common, having
+            no property in land, no tyrant nor superior
+            lord, but supported themselves in an
+            equal state, upon the natural produce of
+            the country, which afforded plenty of
+            roots, game, and honey. That ambition
+            or avarice never drove them into foreign
+            countries to subdue or cheat their neighbours.
+            Thus they lived without toil or
+            superfluities." "The antient inhabitants
+            of Morocco, who wore coats of mail,
+            and used swords and spears headed with
+            iron, coming amongst these harmless and
+            naked people, soon brought them under
+            subjection, and divided that part of Guinea
+            which lies on the rivers Senegal and Gambia
+            into fifteen parts; those were the fifteen
+            kingdoms of the Negroes, over which
+            the Moors presided, and the common people
+            were Negroes. These Moors taught
+            the Negroes the Mahometan religion, and
+            arts of life; particularly the use of iron,
+            before unknown to them. About the 14th
+            century, a native Negro, called Heli Ischia,
+            expelled the Moorish conquerors; but tho'
+            <a name="P_44"></a>
+            the Negroes threw off the yoke of a foreign
+            nation, they only changed a Libyan for a
+            Negroe master. Heli Ischia himself becoming
+            King, led the Negroes on to foreign
+            wars, and established himself in power over
+            a very large extent of country." Since
+            Leo's time, the Europeans have had very little
+            knowledge of those parts of Africa, nor do
+            they know what became of his great empire.
+            It is highly probable that it broke into pieces,
+            and that the natives again resumed many of
+            their antient customs; for in the account
+            published by William Moor, in his travels
+            on the river Gambia, we find a mixture of
+            the Moorish and Mahometan customs, joined
+            with the original simplicity of the Negroes.
+            It appears by accounts of antient voyages,
+            collected by Hackluit, Purchas, and others,
+            that it was about fifty years before the discovery
+            of America, that the Portugueze attempted
+            to sail round Cape Bojador, which lies
+            between their country and Guinea; this, after
+            divers repulses occasioned by the violent
+            currents, they effected; when landing on the
+            western coasts of Africa, they soon began to
+            make incursions into the country, and to seize
+            and carry off the native inhabitants. As
+            early as the year 1434, Alonzo Gonzales,
+            the first who is recorded to have met with
+            the natives, being on that coast, pursued
+            <a name="P_45"></a>
+            and attacked a number of them, when some
+            were wounded, as was also one of the Portugueze;
+            which the author records as the
+            first blood spilt by christians in those parts.
+            Six years after, the same Gonzales again attacked
+            the natives, and took twelve prisoners,
+            with whom he returned to his vessels;
+            he afterwards put a woman on shore, in
+            order to induce the natives to redeem the
+            prisoners; but the next day 150 of the
+            inhabitants appeared on horses and camels,
+            provoking the Portugueze to land; which
+            they not daring to venture, the natives discharged
+            a volley of stones at them, and
+            went off. After this, the Portugueze still
+            continued to send vessels on the coast of
+            Africa; particularly we read of their falling
+            on a village, whence the inhabitants fled, and,
+            being pursued, twenty-five were taken: "<em>He
+               that ran best</em>," says the author, "<em>taking the
+               most</em>. In their way home they killed some
+            of the natives, and took fifty-five more
+            prisoners.<a class="notelink" href="#NoteIV_FN3"><sup>C</sup></a><a name="FootIV_FN3"></a> Afterwards Dinisanes Dagrama,
+            with two other vessels, landed on the
+            island Arguin, where they took fifty-four
+            Moors; then running along the coast eighty
+            leagues farther, they at several times took
+            fifty slaves; but here seven of the Portugueze
+            were killed. Then being joined by
+            several other vessels, Dinisanes proposed to
+            <a name="P_46"></a>
+            destroy the island, to revenge the loss of
+            the seven Portugueze; of which the Moors
+            being apprized, fled, so that no more than
+            twelve were found, whereof only four
+            could be taken, the rest being killed, as
+            also one of the Portugueze." Many more
+            captures of this kind on the coast of Barbary
+            and Guinea, are recorded to have been made
+            in those early times by the Portugueze; who,
+            in the year 1481, erected their first fort at
+            D'Elmina on that coast, from whence they
+            soon opened a trade for slaves with the inland
+            parts of Guinea.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteIV_FN1"></a><a href="#FootIV_FN1">A</a>: See Travels into different parts
+            of Africa, by Francis Moor, with a letter to the publisher.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteIV_FN2"></a><a href="#FootIV_FN2">B</a>: Ibid.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteIV_FN3"></a><a href="#FootIV_FN3">C</a>: Collection, vol. 1, page
+            13.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            From the foregoing accounts, it is undoubted,
+            that the practice of making slaves
+            of the Negroes, owes its origin to the early
+            incursions of the Portugueze on the coast of
+            Africa, solely from an inordinate desire of
+            gain. This is clearly evidenced from their
+            own historians, particularly <i>Cada Mosto</i>,
+            about the year 1455, who
+            writes,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteIV_FN4"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootIV_FN4"></a> "That before the trade was settled for purchasing
+            slaves from the Moors at Arguin,
+            sometimes four, and sometimes more Portugueze
+            vessels, were used to come to that
+            gulph, well armed; and landing by night,
+            would surprize some fishermen's villages:
+            that they even entered into the country,
+            and carried off Arabs of both sexes, whom
+            they sold in Portugal." And also, "That
+            <a name="P_47"></a>
+            the Portugueze and Spaniards, settled on
+            four of the Canary islands, would go to
+            the other island by night, and seize some
+            of the natives of both sexes, whom they
+            sent to be sold in Spain."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteIV_FN4"></a><a href="#FootIV_FN4">A</a>: Collection vol. 1, page
+            576.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            After the settlement of America, those devastations,
+            and the captivating the miserable
+            Africans, greatly increased.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Anderson, in his history of trade and commerce,
+            at page 336, speaking of what passed
+            in the year 1508, writes, "That the Spaniards
+            had by this time found that the miserable
+            Indian natives, whom they had
+            made to work in their mines and fields,
+            were not so robust and proper for those
+            purposes as Negroes brought from Africa;
+            wherefore they, about that time, began to
+            import Negroes for that end into Hispaniola,
+            from the Portugueze settlements on
+            the Guinea coasts; and also afterwards for
+            their sugar works." This oppression of
+            the Indians had, even before this time, rouzed
+            the zeal, as well as it did the compassion, of
+            some of the truly pious of that day; particularly
+            that of Bartholomew De las Casas,
+            bishop of Chapia; whom a desire of being
+            instrumental towards the conversion of the
+            Indians, had invited into America. It is generally
+            agreed by the writers of that age,
+            that he was a man of perfect disinterestedness,
+            and ardent charity; being affected with this
+            <a name="P_48"></a>
+            sad spectacle, he returned to the court of
+            Spain, and there made a true report of the
+            matter; but not without being strongly opposed
+            by those mercenary wretches, who
+            had enslaved the Indians; yet being strong
+            and indefatigable, he went to and fro between
+            Europe and America, firmly determined
+            not to give over his pursuit but with
+            his life. After long solicitation, and innumerable
+            repulses, he obtained leave to lay
+            the matter before the Emperor Charles
+            the Fifth, then King of Spain. As the contents
+            of the speech he made before the King
+            in council, are very applicable to the case of
+            the enslaved Africans, and a lively evidence
+            that the spirit of true piety speaks the same
+            language in the hearts of faithful men in
+            all ages, for the relief of their fellow creatures
+            from oppression of every kind, I think
+            it may not be improper here to transcribe
+            the most interesting parts of it. "I was,"
+            says this pious bishop, "one of the first who
+            went to America; neither curiosity nor
+            interest prompted me to undertake so
+            long and dangerous a voyage; the saving
+            the souls of the heathen was my sole object.
+            Why was I not permitted, even at
+            the expence of my blood, to ransom so
+            many thousand souls, who fell unhappy
+            victims to avarice or lust? I have been
+            an eye witness to such cruel treatment of
+            <a name="P_49"></a>
+            the Indians, as is too horrid to be mentioned
+            at this time.&#8212;It is said that barbarous
+            executions were necessary to punish
+            or check the rebellion of the Americans;&#8212;but
+            to whom was this owing?
+            Did not those people receive the Spaniards,
+            who first came amongst them, with gentleness
+            and humanity? Did they not shew
+            more joy, in proportion, in lavishing
+            treasure upon them, than the Spaniards
+            did greediness in receiving it?&#8212;But our
+            avarice was not yet satisfied;&#8212;tho' they
+            gave up to us their land and their riches,
+            we would tear from them their wives, their
+            children and their liberties.&#8212;To blacken
+            these unhappy people, their enemies
+            assert, that they are scarce human creatures?&#8212;but
+            it is we that ought to blush,
+            for having been less men, and more barbarous,
+            than they.&#8212;What right have
+            we to enslave a people who are born free,
+            and whom we disturbed, tho' they never
+            offended us?&#8212;They are represented as
+            a stupid people, addicted to vice?&#8212;but
+            have they not contracted most of their
+            vices from the example of the christians?
+            And as to those vices peculiar to themselves,
+            have not the christians quickly exceeded
+            them therein? Nevertheless it
+            must be granted, that the Indians still remain
+            untainted with many vices usual amongst
+            <a name="P_50"></a>
+            the Europeans; such as ambition,
+            blasphemy, treachery, and many like
+            monsters, which have not yet took place
+            with them; they have scarce an idea of
+            them; so that in effect, all the advantage
+            we can claim, is to have more elevated
+            notions of things, and our natural faculties
+            more unfolded and more cultivated
+            than theirs.&#8212;Do not let us flatter our
+            corruptions, nor voluntarily blind ourselves;
+            <em>all</em> nations are equally <em>free</em>; one
+            nation has no right to infringe upon the
+            freedom of any other; let us do towards
+            these people as we would have them to
+            have done towards us, if they had landed
+            upon our shore, with the same superiority
+            of strength. And indeed, why
+            should not things be equal on both sides?
+            How long has the right of the strongest
+            been allowed to be the balance of justice?
+            What part of the gospel gives a sanction
+            to such a doctrine? In what part of the
+            whole earth did the apostles and the first
+            promulgators of the gospel ever claim a
+            right over the lives, the freedom, or the substance
+            of the Gentiles? What a strange method
+            this is of propagating the gospel, that
+            holy law of grace, which, from being, slaves
+            to Satan, initiates us into the freedom of
+            the children of God!&#8212;Will it be possible
+            for us to inspire them with a love to
+            <a name="P_51"></a>
+            its dictates, while they are so exasperated
+            at being dispossessed of that invaluable
+            blessing, <em>Liberty?</em> The apostles submitted
+            to chains themselves, but loaded no man
+            with them. Christ came to free, not to
+            enslave us.&#8212;Submission to the faith
+            he left us, ought to be a voluntary act,
+            and should be propagated by persuasion,
+            gentleness, and reason."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "At my first arrival in Hispaniola, (added
+            the bishop) it contained a million of
+            inhabitants; and now (viz. in the space
+            of about twenty years) there remains scarce
+            the hundredth part of them; thousands
+            have perished thro' want, fatigue, merciless
+            punishment, cruelty, and barbarity.
+            If the blood of <em>one</em> man unjustly shed,
+            calls loudly for vengeance; how strong
+            must be the cry of that of so <em>many</em> unhappy
+            creatures which is shedding daily?"&#8212;The
+            good bishop concluded his speech, with
+            imploring the King's clemency for subjects
+            so unjustly oppressed; and bravely declared,
+            that heaven would one day call him to an
+            account, for the numberless acts of cruelty
+            which he might have prevented. The King
+            applauded the bishop's zeal; promised to
+            second it; but so many of the great ones
+            had an interest in continuing the oppression,
+            that nothing was done; so that all the Indians
+            in Hispaniola, except a few who
+            <a name="P_52"></a>
+            had hid themselves in the most inaccessible
+            mountains, were destroyed.
+
+         </p>
+      </div>
+      <div class="teidiv">
+         <h2><a name="V"></a>
+            CHAP. V.
+
+         </h2>
+         <p>
+            First account of the English
+            trading to Guinea. Thomas Windham and
+            several others go to that coast. Some of
+            the Negroes carried off by the English.
+            Queen Elizabeth's charge to Captain Hawkins
+            respecting the natives. Nevertheless
+            he goes on the coast and carries off some of
+            the Negroes. Patents are granted. The
+            King of France objects to the Negroes being
+            kept in slavery. As do the college of
+            Cardinals at Rome. The natives, an inoffensive
+            people; corrupted by the Europeans.
+            The sentiments of the natives
+            concerning the slave-trade, from William
+            Smith: Confirmed by Andrew Brue and
+            James Barbot.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It was about the year 1551, towards the
+            latter end of the reign of King Edward
+            the Sixth, when some London merchants
+            sent out the first English ship, on a trading
+            voyage to the coast of Guinea; this was soon
+            followed by several others to the same parts;
+            <a name="P_53"></a>
+            but the English not having then any plantations
+            in the West Indies, and consequently
+            no occasion for Negroes, such ships traded
+            only for gold, elephants teeth, and Guinea
+            pepper. This trade was carried on at the
+            hazard of losing their ships and cargoes, if
+            they had fallen into the hands of the Portuguese,
+            who claimed an exclusive right of
+            trade, on account of the several settlements
+            they had made there.<a class="notelink" href="#NoteV_FN1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootV_FN1"></a> In the year 1553, we
+            find captain Thomas Windham trading along
+            the coast with 140 men, in three ships, and
+            sailing as far as Benin, which lies about
+            3000 miles down the coast, to take in a load
+            of pepper.<a class="notelink" href="#NoteV_FN2"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootV_FN2"></a> Next year John Lock traded along
+            the coast of Guinea, as far as D'Elmina,
+            when he brought away considerable quantities
+            of gold and ivory. He speaks well of the natives, and
+            says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteV_FN3"><sup>C</sup></a><a name="FootV_FN3"></a> "<em>That
+               whoever will deal with them must behave civilly, for
+               they will not traffic if ill used</em>." In 1555,
+            William Towerson traded in a peaceable
+            manner with the natives, who made complaint
+            to him of the Portuguese, who were
+            then settled in their castle at D'Elmina, saying,
+            "<em>They were bad men, who made them
+               slaves if they could take them, putting irons
+               on their legs</em>."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteV_FN1"></a><a href="#FootV_FN1">A</a>: Astley's collection,
+            vol. 1. page 139.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteV_FN2"></a><a href="#FootV_FN2">B</a>: Collection vol. 1. p.
+            148.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteV_FN3"></a><a href="#FootV_FN3">C</a>: Ibid. 257.
+         </p>
+         <hr><a name="P_54"></a><p>
+            This bad example of the Portuguese was
+            soon followed by some evil disposed Englishmen;
+            for the same captain Towerson
+            relates,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteV_FN4"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootV_FN4"></a> "That in the course of his voyage, he
+            perceived the natives, near D'Elmina, unwilling
+            to come to him, and that he was
+            at last attacked by them; which he understood
+            was done in revenge for the
+            wrong done them the year before, by
+            one captain Gainsh, who had taken away
+            the Negro captain's son, and three others,
+            with their gold, &amp;c. This caused them to
+            join the Portuguese, notwithstanding
+            their hatred of them, against the English."
+            The next year captain Towerson
+            brought these men back again; whereupon the Negroes shewed him much
+            kindness.<a class="notelink" href="#NoteV_FN5"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootV_FN5"></a> Quickly
+            after this, another instance of the
+            same kind occurred, in the case of captain
+            George Fenner, who being on the coast,
+            with three vessels, was also attacked by the
+            Negroes, who wounded several of his people,
+            and violently carried three of his men
+            to their town. The captain sent a messenger,
+            offering any thing they desired for the
+            ransom of his men: but they refused to deliver
+            them, letting him know, "<em>That
+               three weeks before, an English ship, which
+               <a name="P_55"></a>
+               came in the road, had carried off three of
+               their people; and that till they were brought
+               again, they would not restore his men, even tho'
+               they should give their three ships to release
+               them</em>." It was probably the evil conduct
+            of these, and some other Englishmen, which
+            was the occasion of what is mentioned in
+            Hill's naval history, viz. "That when captain
+            Hawkins returned from his first voyage
+            to Africa, Queen Elizabeth sent for
+            him, when she expressed her concern,
+            lest any of the African Negroes should
+            be carried off without their free consent;
+            which she declared would be detestable,
+            and would call down the vengeance of
+            heaven upon the undertakers." Hawkins
+            made great promises, which nevertheless he
+            did not perform; for his next voyage to the
+            coast appears to have been principally calculated
+            to procure Negro slaves, in order
+            to sell them to the Spaniards in the West Indies;
+            which occasioned the same author to
+            use these remarkable words: "<em>Here began
+               the horrid practice of forcing the Africans into
+               slavery: an injustice and barbarity, which,
+               so sure as there is vengeance in heaven for
+               the worst of crimes, will some time be the destruction
+               of all who act or who encourage it</em>."
+            This captain Hawkins, afterwards sir John
+            Hawkins, seems to have been the first Englishman
+            who gave public countenance to this
+            <a name="P_56"></a>
+            wicked traffic: For Anderson, before mentioned,
+            at page 401, says, "That in the
+            year 1562, captain Hawkins, assisted by
+            subscription of sundry gentlemen, now
+            fitted out three ships; and having learnt
+            that Negroes were a very good commodity
+            in Hispaniola, he sailed to the coast of
+            Guinea, took in Negroes, and sailed with
+            them for Hispaniola, where he sold them,
+            and his English commodities, and loaded
+            his three vessels with hides, sugar and
+            ginger, &amp;c. with which he returned
+            home anno 1563, making a prosperous
+            voyage." As it proved a lucrative business,
+            the trade was continued both by
+            Hawkins and others, as appears from the naval
+            chronicle, page 55, where it is said,
+            "That on the 18th of October, 1564, captain
+            John Hawkins, with two ships of 700
+            and 140 tuns, sailed for Africa; that on
+            the 8th of December they anchored to the
+            South of Cape Verd, where the captain
+            manned the boat, and sent eighty men in
+            armour into the country, to see if they
+            could take some Negroes; but the natives
+            flying from them, they returned to their
+            ships, and proceeded farther down the
+            coast. Here they staid certain days, sending
+            their men ashore, in order (as the author
+            says) to burn and spoil their towns
+            and take the inhabitants. The land they
+            <a name="P_57"></a>
+            observed to be well cultivated, there being
+            plenty of grain, and fruit of several
+            sorts, and the towns prettily laid out. On
+            the 25th, being informed by the Portugueze
+            of a town of Negroes called Bymba,
+            where there was not only a quantity of
+            gold, but an hundred and forty inhabitants,
+            they resolved to attack it, having the Portugueze
+            for their guide; but by mismanagement
+            they took but ten Negroes, having
+            seven of their own men killed, and
+            twenty-seven wounded. They then went
+            farther down the coast; when, having procured
+            a number of Negroes, they proceeded
+            to the West Indies, where they sold them to
+            the Spaniards." And in the same naval
+            chronicle, at page 76, it is said, "That in the
+            year 1567, Francis Drake, before performing
+            his voyage round the world, went with
+            Sir John Hawkins in his expedition to the
+            coast of Guinea, where taking in a cargo
+            of slaves, they determined to steer for the
+            Caribbee islands." How Queen Elizabeth
+            suffered so grievous an infringement of the
+            rights of mankind to be perpetrated by her
+            subjects, and how she was persuaded, about
+            the 30th year of her reign, to grant patents
+            for carrying on a trade from the North part
+            of the river Senegal, to an hundred leagues
+            beyond Sierra Leona, which gave rise to the
+            present African company, is hard to account
+            <a name="P_58"></a>
+            for, any otherwise than that it arose from
+            the misrepresentation made to her of the situation
+            of the Negroes, and of the advantages
+            it was pretended they would reap from
+            being made acquainted with the christian
+            religion. This was the case of Lewis the
+            XIIIth, King of France, who, Labat, in his
+            account of the isles of America, tells us,
+            "Was extremely uneasy at a law by which
+            the Negroes of his colonies were to be
+            made slaves; but it being strongly urged
+            to him as the readiest means for their
+            conversion to christianity, he acquiesced
+            therewith." Nevertheless, some of the
+            christian powers did not so easily give way
+            in this matter; for we find,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteV_FN6"><sup>C</sup></a><a name="FootV_FN6"></a> "That cardinal
+            Cibo, one of the Pope's principal ministers
+            of state, wrote a letter on behalf
+            of the college of cardinals, or great council
+            at Rome, to the missionaries in Congo,
+            complaining that the pernicious and abominable
+            abuse of selling slaves was yet continued,
+            requiring them to remedy the
+            same, if possible; but this the missionaries
+            saw little hopes of accomplishing, by reason
+            that the trade of the country lay wholly in
+            slaves and ivory."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteV_FN4"></a><a href="#FootV_FN4">A</a>: Collection, vol. 1. p.
+            148.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteV_FN5"></a><a href="#FootV_FN5">B</a>: Ibid. 157.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteV_FN6"></a><a href="#FootV_FN6">C</a>: Collection,
+            vol. 3, page 164.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            From the foregoing accounts, as well as
+            other authentic publications of this kind, it
+            appears that it was the unwarrantable lust of
+            <a name="P_59"></a>
+            gain, which first stimulated the Portugueze,
+            and afterwards other Europeans, to engage
+            in this horrid traffic. By the most authentic
+            relations of those early times, the natives
+            were an inoffensive people, who, when civilly
+            used, traded amicably with the Europeans.
+            It is recorded of those of Benin, the largest
+            kingdom in Guinea,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteV_FN7"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootV_FN7"></a><em>That they were a
+               gentle, loving people</em>; and Reynold
+            says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteV_FN8"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootV_FN8"></a> "<em>They found more sincere proofs of love and
+               good will from the natives, than they could
+               find from the Spaniards and Portugueze, even
+               tho' they had relieved them from the greatest
+               misery</em>." And from the same relations
+            there is no reason to think otherwise, but
+            that they generally lived in peace amongst
+            themselves; for I don't find, in the numerous
+            publications I have perused on this subject,
+            relating to these early times, of there
+            being wars on that coast, nor of any sale of captives
+            taken in battle, who would have been
+            otherwise sacrificed by the
+            victors:<a class="notelink" href="#NoteV_FN9"><sup>C</sup></a><a name="FootV_FN9"></a> Notwithstanding
+            <a name="P_60"></a>
+            some modern authors, in their
+            publications relating to the West Indies,
+            desirous of throwing a veil over the iniquity
+            of the slave trade, have been hardy enough,
+            upon meer supposition or report, to assert the
+            contrary.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteV_FN7"></a><a href="#FootV_FN7">A</a>: Collection, vol. 1,
+            page 202.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteV_FN8"></a><a href="#FootV_FN8">B</a>: Idem, page
+            245.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteV_FN9"></a><a href="#FootV_FN9">C</a>: Note, This plea falls of itself,
+            for if the Negroes
+            apprehended they should be cruelly put to death, if
+            they were not sent away, why do they manifest such
+            reluctance and dread as they generally do, at being
+            brought from their native country? William Smith, at
+            page 28, says, "<em>The Gambians abhor slavery, and will
+               attempt any thing, tho' never so desperate, to avoid it</em>," and
+            Thomas Philips, in his account of a voyage he performed
+            to the coast of Guinea, writes, "<em>They, the Negroes,
+               are so loth to leave their own country, that they have often
+               leaped out of the canoe, boat, or ship, into the sea, and kept
+               under water till they were drowned, to avoid being
+               taken up</em>."
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            It was long after the Portugueze had
+            made a practice of violently forcing the natives
+            of Africa into slavery, that we read of
+            the different Negroe nations making war
+            upon each other, and selling their captives.
+            And probably this was not the case, till
+            those bordering on the coast, who had been
+            used to supply the vessels with necessaries,
+            had become corrupted by their intercourse
+            with the Europeans, and were excited by
+            drunkenness and avarice to join them in
+            carrying on those wicked schemes, by which
+            those unnatural wars were perpetrated;
+            the inhabitants kept in continual alarms;
+            the country laid waste; and, as William Moor
+            expresses it, <em>Infinite numbers sold into slavery</em>.
+            But that the Europeans are the principal cause
+            of these devastations, is particularly evidenced
+            by one, whose connexion with the trade
+            <a name="P_61"></a>
+            would rather induce him to represent it in
+            the fairest colours, to wit, William Smith,
+            the person sent in the year 1726 by the
+            African company to survey their settlements,
+            who, from the information he received of
+            one of the factors, who had resided ten
+            years in that country, says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteV_FN10"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootV_FN10"></a> "<em>That the discerning
+               natives account it their greatest unhappiness,
+               that they were ever visited by the
+               Europeans."&#8212;"That we christians introduced
+               the traffick of slaves; and that before
+               our coming they lived in peace</em>."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteV_FN10"></a><a href="#FootV_FN10">A</a>: William
+            Smith, page 266.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            In the accounts relating to the African
+            trade, we find this melancholy truth
+            farther asserted by some of the principal
+            directors in the different factories; particularly
+            A. Brue says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteV_FN11"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootV_FN11"></a> "<em>That the Europeans were
+               far from desiring to act as peace-makers
+               amongst the Negroes; which would be acting
+               contrary to their interest, since the greater the
+               wars, the more slaves were procured</em>," And
+            William Bosman also remarks,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteV_FN12"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootV_FN12"></a> "That one
+            of the former commanders <em>gave large sums
+               of money to the Negroes of one nation, to induce
+               them to attack some of the neighbouring nations,
+               which occasioned a battle which was
+               more bloody than the wars of the Negroes usually
+               <a name="P_62"></a>
+               are</em>." This is confirmed by J. Barbot,
+            who says, "<em>That the country of D'Elmina,
+               which was formerly very powerful and populous,
+               was in his time so much drained of its
+               inhabitants by the intestine wars fomented
+               amongst the Negroes by the Dutch, that there
+               did not remain inhabitants enough to till the
+               country</em>."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteV_FN11"></a><a href="#FootV_FN11">A</a>: Collection, vol. 2,
+            page 98.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteV_FN12"></a><a href="#FootV_FN12">B</a>: Bosman,
+            page 31.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+      </div>
+      <div class="teidiv">
+         <h2><a name="VI"></a>
+            CHAP. VI.
+
+         </h2><a name="P_63"></a><p>
+            The conduct of the Europeans
+            and Africans compared. Slavery more tolerable
+            amongst the antients than in our
+            colonies. As christianity prevailed amongst
+            the barbarous nations, the inconsistency
+            of slavery became more apparent. The
+            charters of manumission, granted in the
+            early times of christianity, founded on an
+            apprehension of duty to God. The antient
+            Britons, and other European nations,
+            in their original state, no less barbarous
+            than the Negroes. Slaves in Guinea used
+            with much greater lenity than the Negroes
+            are in the colonies.&#8212;Note. How the
+            slaves are treated in Algiers, as also in
+            Turkey.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Such is the woeful corruption of human
+            nature, that every practice which flatters
+            our pride and covetousness, will find its
+            advocates! This is manifestly the case in the
+            matter before us; the savageness of the
+            Negroes in some of their customs, and particularly
+            their deviating so far from the feelings
+            of humanity, as to join in captivating
+            <a name="P_64"></a>
+            and selling each other, gives their interested
+            oppressors a pretence for representing them
+            as unworthy of liberty, and the natural
+            rights of mankind. But these sophisters
+            turn the argument full upon themselves,
+            when they instigate the poor creatures to
+            such shocking impiety, by every means that
+            fantastic subtilty can suggest; thereby shewing
+            in their own conduct, a more glaring
+            proof of the same depravity, and, if there
+            was any reason in the argument, a greater
+            unfitness for the same precious enjoyment:
+            for though some of the ignorant Africans
+            may be thus corrupted by their intercourse
+            with the baser of the European natives, and
+            the use of strong liquors, this is no excuse
+            for high-professing christians; bred in a
+            civilized country, with so many advantages
+            unknown to the Africans, and pretending
+            to a superior degree of gospel light. Nor
+            can it justify them in raising up fortunes to
+            themselves from the misery of others,
+            and calmly projecting voyages for the seizure
+            of men naturally as free as themselves;
+            and who, they know, are no otherwise to
+            be procured than by such barbarous means,
+            as none but those hardened wretches, who are
+            lost to every sense of christian compassion,
+            can make use of. Let us diligently compare,
+            and impartially weigh, the situation of those
+            ignorant Negroes, and these enlightened
+            <a name="P_65"></a>
+            christians; then lift up the scale and say,
+            which of the two are the greater savages.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Slavery has been of a long time in practice
+            in many parts of Asia; it was also in
+            usage among the Romans when that empire
+            flourished; but, except in some particular
+            instances, it was rather a reasonable servitude,
+            no ways comparable to the unreasonable and
+            unnatural service extorted from the Negroes
+            in our colonies. A late learned
+            author,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteVI_FN1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootVI_FN1"></a> speaking of those times which succeeded
+            the dissolution of that empire, acquaints us,
+            that as christianity prevailed, it very much
+            removed those wrong prejudices and practices,
+            which had taken root in darker
+            times: after the irruption of the Northern
+            nations, and the introduction of the feudal
+            or military government, whereby the
+            most extensive power was lodged in a few
+            members of society, to the depression of the
+            rest, the common people were little better
+            than slaves, and many were indeed such;
+            but as christianity gained ground, the gentle
+            spirit of that religion, together with the doctrines
+            it teaches, concerning the original
+            equality of mankind, as well as the impartial
+            eye with which the Almighty regards
+            men of every condition, and admits them to
+            a participation of his benefits; so far manifested
+            <a name="P_66"></a>
+            the inconsistency of slavery with christianity,
+            that to set their fellow christians at
+            liberty was deemed an act of piety, highly
+            meritorious and acceptable to
+            God.<a class="notelink" href="#NoteVI_FN2"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootVI_FN2"></a> Accordingly
+            <a name="P_67"></a>
+            a great part of the charters
+            granted for the manumission or freedom of
+            slaves about that time, are granted <i>pro amore
+               Dei, for the love of God, pro mercede animae,
+               to obtain mercy to the soul</i>. Manumission was
+            frequently granted on death-beds, or by
+            latter wills. As the minds of men are at that
+            time awakened to sentiments of humanity
+            and piety, these deeds proceeded from religious
+            motives. The same author remarks,
+            That there are several forms of those manumissions
+            still extant, all of them founded <em>on
+               religious considerations</em>, and <em>in order to procure
+               the favour of God</em>. Since that time, the practice
+            of keeping men in slavery gradually
+            ceased amongst christians, till it was renewed
+            in the case before us. And as the prevalency
+            of the spirit of christianity caused men to
+            emerge from the darkness they then lay
+            under, in this respect; so it is much to be
+            feared that so great a deviation therefrom,
+            by the encouragement given to the slavery
+            of the Negroes in our colonies, if continued,
+            will, by degrees, reduce those countries which
+            support and encourage it but more immediately
+            <a name="P_68"></a>
+            those parts of America which are in
+            the practice of it, to the ignorance and barbarity
+            of the darkest ages.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteVI_FN1"></a><a href="#FootVI_FN1">A</a>: See Robertson's history of Charles
+            the 5th.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteVI_FN2"></a><a href="#FootVI_FN2">B</a>: In the years 1315 and 1318, Louis X.
+            and his brother Philip, Kings of France, issued ordonnances,
+            declaring, "That as all men were by nature free-born,
+            and as their kingdom was called the kingdom
+            of Franks, they determined that it should be so in
+            reality, as well as in name; therefore they appointed
+            that enfranchisements should be granted throughout
+            the whole kingdom, upon just and reasonable
+            conditions." "These edicts were carried into immediate
+            execution within the royal domain."&#8212;"In England, as the spirit of liberty
+            gained ground, the very name and idea of personal servitude, without
+            any formal interposition of the legislature to prohibit
+            it, was totally banished."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "The effects of such a remarkable change in the
+            condition of so great a part of the people, could not
+            fail of being considerable and extensive. The husbandman,
+            master of his own industry, and secure of
+            reaping for himself the fruits of his labour, became
+            farmer of the same field where he had formerly
+            been compelled to toil for the benefit of another. The
+            odious name of master and of slave, the most mortifying
+            and depressing of all distinctions to human
+            nature, were abolished. New prospects opened,
+            and new incitements to ingenuity and enterprise
+            presented themselves, to those who were emancipated.
+            The expectation of bettering their fortune, as
+            well as that of raising themselves to a more honourable
+            condition, concurred in calling forth their
+            activity and genius; and a numerous class of men,
+            who formerly had no political existence, and were
+            employed merely as instruments of labour, became
+            useful citizens, and contributed towards augmenting
+            the force or riches of the society, which adopted
+            them as members." William Robertson's history
+            of Charles the 5th, vol. 1, P. 35.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            If instead of making slaves of the Negroes,
+            the nations who assume the name and character
+            of christians, would use their endeavours
+            to make the nations of Africa acquainted
+            with the nature of the christian
+            religion, to give them a better sense of the
+            true use of the blessings of life, the more
+            beneficial arts and customs would, by degrees,
+            be introduced amongst them; this
+            care probably would produce the same effect
+            upon them, which it has had on the inhabitants
+            of Europe, formerly as savage
+            and barbarous as the natives of Africa.
+            Those cruel wars amongst the blacks would
+            be likely to cease, and a fair and honorable
+            commerce, in time, take place
+            throughout that vast country. It was by
+            these means that the inhabitants of Europe,
+            though formerly a barbarous people,
+            became civilized. Indeed the account Julius
+            Caesar gives of the ancient Britons in
+            their state of ignorance, is not such as should
+            make us proud of ourselves, or lead us to
+            despise the unpolished nations of the earth;
+            for he informs us, "That they lived in many
+            respects like our Indians, being clad with
+            skins, painting their bodies, &amp;c." He
+            also adds, "That they, brother with brother,
+            <a name="P_69"></a>
+            and parents with children, had wives in
+            common." A greater barbarity than any
+            heard of amongst the Negroes. Nor doth
+            Tacitus give a more honourable account of
+            the Germans, from whom the Saxons, our
+            immediate ancestors, sprung. The Danes,
+            who succeeded them (who may also be numbered
+            among our progenitors) were full as
+            bad, if not worse.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It is usual for people to advance as a palliation
+            in favour of keeping the Negroes in
+            bondage, that there are slaves in Guinea, and
+            that those amongst us might be so in their
+            own country; but let such consider the inconsistency
+            of our giving any countenance
+            to slavery, because the Africans, whom we
+            esteem a barbarous and savage people, allow
+            of it, and perhaps the more from our example.
+            Had the professors of christianity acted indeed
+            as such, they might have been instrumental
+            to convince the Negroes of their error
+            in this respect; but even this, when
+            inquired into, will be to us an occasion of
+            blushing, if we are not hardened to every
+            sense of shame, rather than a <em>palliation</em>
+            of our iniquitous conduct; as it will appear
+            that the slavery endured in Guinea, and
+            other parts of Africa, and in Asia,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteVI_FN3"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootVI_FN3"></a> is by
+            <a name="P_70"></a>
+            no means so grievous as that in our colonies.
+            William Moor, speaking of the natives
+            <a name="P_71"></a>
+            living on the river Gambia,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteVI_FN4"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootVI_FN4"></a> says, "Tho'
+            some of the Negroes have many house
+            slaves, which are their greatest glory;
+            that those slaves live so well and easy,
+            that it is sometimes a hard matter to
+            know the slaves from their masters or
+            mistresses. And that though in some
+            parts of Africa they sell their slaves born
+            in the family, yet on the river Gambia
+            they think it a very wicked thing."
+            The author adds, "He never heard of but
+            one that ever sold a family slave, except
+            for such crimes as they would have been
+            sold for if they had been free." And in
+            Astley's collection, speaking of the customs of
+            the Negroes in that large extent of country
+            <a name="P_72"></a>
+            further down the coast, particularly denominated
+            the coast of Guinea, it is
+            said,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteVI_FN5"><sup>C</sup></a><a name="FootVI_FN5"></a> "They have not many slaves on the coast; none
+            but the King or nobles are permitted to
+            buy or sell any; so that they are allowed
+            only what are necessary for their families,
+            or tilling the ground." The same author
+            adds, "<em>That they generally use their slaves well,
+               and seldom correct them</em>."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteVI_FN3"></a><a href="#FootVI_FN3">A</a>: In the
+            history of the piratical states of Barbary, printed in 1750,
+            <em>said to be</em> wrote by a person who resided
+            at Algiers, in a public character, at page 265 the
+            author says, "The world exclaims against the Algerines
+            for their cruel treatment of their slaves, and
+            their employing even tortures to convert them to
+            mahometism: but this is a vulgar error, artfully
+            propagated for selfish views. So far are their slaves
+            from being ill used, that they must have committed
+            some very great fault to suffer any punishment.
+            Neither are they forced to work beyond their
+            strength, but rather spared, lest they should fall sick.
+            Some are so pleased with their situation, that they
+            will not purchase their ransom, though they are
+            able." It is the same generally through the Mahometan
+            countries, except in some particular instances,
+            as that of Muley Ishmael, late Emperor of Morocco,
+            who being naturally barbarous, frequently used
+            both his subjects and slaves with cruelty. Yet
+            even under him the usage the slaves met with was,
+            in general, much more tolerable than that of the Negroe
+            slaves in the West Indies. Captain Braithwaite,
+            an author of credit, who accompanied consul general
+            Russel in a congratulatory ambassy to Muley Ishmael's
+            successor, upon his accession to the throne, says, "The
+            situation of the christian slaves in Morocco
+            was not near so bad as represented.&#8212;That it was
+            true they were kept at labour by the late Emperor,
+            but not harder than our daily labourers go through.&#8212;Masters of ships
+            were never obliged to work, nor
+            such as had but a small matter of money to give
+            the Alcaide.&#8212;When sick, they had a religious house
+            appointed for them to go to, where they were well
+            attended: and whatever money in charity was
+            sent them by their friends in Europe, was their
+            own." Braithwaite's revolutions of Morocco.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Lady Montague, wife of the English ambassador at
+            Constantinople, in her letters, vol. 3. page 20, writes,
+            "I know you expect I should say something particular
+            of the slaves; and you will imagine me half a
+            Turk, when I do not speak of it with the same horror
+            other christians have done before me; but I
+            cannot forbear applauding the humanity of the
+            Turks to these creatures; they are not ill used; and
+            their slavery, in my opinion, is no worse than servitude
+            all over the world. It is true they have no
+            wages, but they give them yearly cloaths to a higher
+            value than our salaries to our ordinary servants."
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteVI_FN4"></a><a href="#FootVI_FN4">B</a>: W. Moor, p.
+            30
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteVI_FN5"></a><a href="#FootVI_FN5">C</a>: Collection vol. 2. p.
+            647.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+      </div>
+      <div class="teidiv">
+         <h2><a name="VII"></a>
+            CHAP. VII.
+
+         </h2>
+         <p>
+            Montesquieu's sentiments
+            on slavery. Moderation enjoined by the
+            Mosaic law in the punishment of offenders.
+            Morgan Godwyn's account of the contempt
+            and grievous rigour exercised
+            upon the Negroes in his time. Account
+            from Jamaica, relating to the inhuman
+            treatment of them there. Bad effects
+            attendant on slave-keeping, as well to the
+            masters as the slaves. Extracts from several
+            laws relating to Negroes. Richard
+            Baxter's sentiments on slave-keeping.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            That celebrated civilian Montesquieu,
+            in his treatise <em>on the spirit of laws</em>, on
+            the article of slavery says, "<em>It is neither
+               <a name="P_73"></a>
+               useful to the master nor slave; to the slave,
+               because he can do nothing through principle
+               (or virtue); to the master, because he contracts
+               with his slave all sorts of bad habits,
+               insensibly accustoms himself to want all
+               moral virtues; becomes haughty, hasty, hard-hearted,
+               passionate, voluptuous, and cruel</em>."
+            The lamentable truth of this assertion was
+            quickly verified in the English plantations.
+            When the practice of slave-keeping was introduced,
+            it soon produced its natural
+            effects; it reconciled men, of otherwise good
+            dispositions, to the most hard and cruel
+            measures. It quickly proved, what, under
+            the law of Moses, was apprehended would
+            be the consequence of unmerciful chastisements.
+            Deut. xxv. 2. "<em>And it shall be if
+               the wicked man be worthy to be beaten, that
+               the judge shall cause him to lie down, and to
+               be beaten before his face, according to his
+               fault, by a certain number; forty stripes he
+               may give him, and not exceed</em>." And the
+            reason rendered, is out of respect to human
+            nature, viz. "<em>Lest if he should exceed, and
+               beat him above these with many stripes, then
+               thy brother should seem vile unto thee</em>." As
+            this effect soon followed the cause, the cruelest
+            measures were adopted, in order to make
+            the most of the poor <em>wretches</em> labour; and in
+            the minds of the masters such an idea was
+            excited of inferiority, in the nature of these
+            <a name="P_74"></a>
+            their unhappy fellow creatures, that they
+            soon esteemed and treated them as beasts of
+            burden: pretending to doubt, and some
+            of them even presuming to deny, that the
+            efficacy of the death of Christ extended to
+            them. Which is particularly noted in a
+            book, intitled <em>The Negroes and Indians advocate</em>,
+            dedicated to the then Archbishop of
+            Canterbury, wrote so long since as in the
+            year 1680, by Morgan Godwyn, thought to
+            be a clergyman of the church of
+            England.<a class="notelink" href="#NoteVII_FN1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootVII_FN1"></a> The same spirit of
+            sympathy and zeal which
+            <a name="P_75"></a>
+            stirred up the good Bishop of Chapia to
+            plead with so much energy the kindred cause
+            <a name="P_76"></a>
+            of the Indians of America, an hundred and
+            fifty years before, was equally operating
+            about a century past on the minds of some of
+            the well disposed of that day; amongst others
+            this worthy clergyman, having been an eye
+            witness of the oppression and cruelty exercised
+            upon the Negro and Indian slaves,
+            endeavoured to raise the attention of those,
+            in whose power it might be to procure them
+            relief; amongst other matters, in his address
+            to the Archbishop, he remarks in substance,
+            "That the people of the island of Barbadoes
+            were not content with exercising the
+            greatest hardness and barbarity upon the
+            Negroes, in making the most of their
+            labour, without any regard to the calls of
+            humanity, but that they had suffered such
+            a slight and undervaluement to prevail in
+            their minds towards these their oppressed
+            fellow creatures, as to discourage any step
+            being taken, whereby they might be made
+            acquainted with the christian religion.
+            That their conduct towards their slaves
+            was such as gave him reason to believe,
+            that either they had suffered a spirit of
+            infidelity, a spirit quite contrary to the
+            nature of the gospel, to prevail in them,
+            or that it must be their established opinion
+            that the Negroes had no more souls than
+            beasts; that hence they concluded them
+            to be neither susceptible of religious impressions,
+            <a name="P_77"></a>
+            nor fit objects for the redeeming
+            grace of God to operate upon. That
+            under this persuasion, and from a disposition
+            of cruelty, they treated them
+            with far less humanity than they did
+            their cattle; for, says he, they do not
+            starve their horses, which they expect
+            should both carry and credit them on the
+            road; nor pinch the cow, by whose milk
+            they are sustained; which yet, to their
+            eternal shame, is too frequently the lot and
+            condition of those poor people, from whose
+            labour their wealth and livelihood doth
+            wholly arise; not only in their diet, but in
+            their cloathing, and overworking some of
+            them even to death (which is particularly
+            the calamity of the most innocent and laborious)
+            but also in tormenting and whipping
+            them almost, and sometimes quite, to
+            death, upon even small miscarriages. He
+            apprehends it was from this prejudice
+            against the Negroes, that arose those supercilious
+            checks and frowns he frequently
+            met with, when using innocent arguments
+            and persuasions, in the way of his
+            duty as a minister of the gospel, to labour
+            for the convincement and conversion of
+            the Negroes; being repeatedly told, with
+            spiteful scoffings, (even by some esteemed
+            religious) that the Negroes were no
+            more susceptible of receiving benefit, by
+            <a name="P_78"></a>
+            becoming members of the church, than
+            their dogs and bitches. The usual answer
+            he received, when exhorting their masters
+            to do their duty in that respect, being,
+            <em>What! these black dogs be made christians!
+               what! they be made like us! with abundance
+               more of the same</em>. Nevertheless, he remarks
+            that the Negroes were capable,
+            not only of being taught to read and
+            write, &amp;c. but divers of them eminent in
+            the management of business. He declares
+            them to have an equal right with
+            us to the merits of Christ; of which if
+            through neglect or avarice they are deprived,
+            that judgment which was denounced
+            against wicked Ahab, must
+            befal us: <em>Our life shall go for theirs</em>. The
+            loss of their souls will be required at our
+            hands, to whom God hath given so blessed
+            an opportunity of being instrumental to
+            their salvation."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteVII_FN1"></a><a href="#FootVII_FN1">A</a>: "There is a principle which is
+            pure, placed in the human mind, which in different places or ages hath
+            had different names; it is, however, pure, and proceeds
+            from God.&#8212;It is deep and inward, confined to
+            no forms of religion, nor excluded from any, where
+            the heart stands in perfect sincerity. In whomsoever
+            this takes root and grows, of what nation soever, they
+            become brethren in the best sense of the expression.
+            Using ourselves to take ways which appear most easy
+            to us, when inconsistent with that purity which is
+            without beginning, we thereby set up a government of
+            our own, and deny obedience to Him whose service is
+            true liberty. He that has a servant, made so wrongfully,
+            and knows it to be so, when he treats him otherwise
+            than a free man, when he reaps the benefit of his
+            labour, without paying him such wages as are reasonably
+            due to free men for the like service; these things,
+            though done in calmness, without any shew of disorder,
+            do yet deprave the mind, in like manner, and with
+            as great certainty, as prevailing cold congeals water.
+            These steps taken by masters, and their conduct striking
+            the minds of their children, whilst young, leave
+            less room for that which is good to work upon them.
+            The customs of their parents, their neighbours, and the
+            people with whom they converse, working upon their
+            minds, and they from thence conceiving wrong ideas
+            of things, and modes of conduct, the entrance into
+            their hearts becomes in a great measure shut up against
+            the gentle movings of uncreated purity.
+            <br><br>
+            "From one age to another the gloom grows thicker
+            and darker, till error gets established by general opinion;
+            but whoever attends to perfect goodness, and remains
+            under the melting influence of it, finds a path
+            unknown to many, and sees the necessity to lean
+            upon the arm of divine strength, and dwell alone, or
+            with a few in the right, committing their cause to
+            him who is a refuge to his people. Negroes are our
+            fellow creatures, and their present condition among
+            us requires our serious consideration. We know not
+            the time, when those scales, in which mountains are
+            weighed, may turn. The parent of mankind is gracious,
+            his care is over his smallest creatures, and a multitude
+            of men escape not his notice; and though many
+            of them are trodden down and despised, yet he remembers
+            them. He seeth their affliction, and looketh upon
+            the spreading increasing exaltation of the oppressor.
+            He turns the channel of power, humbles the most
+            haughty people, and gives deliverance to the oppressed,
+            at such periods as are consistent with his infinite justice
+            and goodness. And wherever gain is preferred to
+            equity, and wrong things publickly encouraged, to
+            that degree that wickedness takes root and spreads
+            wide amongst the inhabitants of a country, there is a
+            real cause for sorrow, to all such whose love to mankind
+            stands on a true principle, and wisely consider the
+            end and event of things." Consideration on keeping
+            Negroes, by John Woolman, part 2. p. 50.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            He complains, "That they were suffered
+            to live with their women in no
+            better way than direct fornication; no
+            care being taken to oblige them to continue
+            together when married; but that
+            they were suffered at their will to leave
+            their wives, and take to other women." I
+            shall conclude this sympathizing clergyman's
+            observations, with an instance he
+            gives, to shew, "that not only discouragements
+            <a name="P_79"></a>
+            and scoffs at that time
+            prevailed in Barbadoes, to establish an
+            opinion that the Negroes were not capable
+            of religious impressions, but that even
+            violence and great abuses were used to
+            prevent any thing of the kind taking
+            place. It was in the case of a poor Negro,
+            who having, at his own request, prevailed
+            on a clergyman to administer baptism
+            to him, on his return home the brutish
+            overseer took him to task, giving him to
+            understand, that that was no sunday's
+            work for those of his complexion; that he
+            had other business for him, the neglect
+            whereof would cost him an afternoon's
+            baptism in blood, as he in the morning
+            had received a baptism with water, (these,
+            says the clergyman, were his own words)
+            which he accordingly made good; of
+            which the Negro complained to him,
+            and he to the governor; nevertheless,
+            the poor miserable creature was ever after
+            so unmercifully treated by that inhuman
+            wretch, the overseer, that, to avoid
+            his cruelty, betaking himself to the woods,
+            he there perished." This instance is applicable
+            to none but the cruel perpetrator;
+            and yet it is an instance of what, in a greater
+            or less degree, may frequently happen, when
+            those poor wretches are left to the will of
+            such brutish inconsiderate creatures as those
+            <a name="P_80"></a>
+            overseers often are. This is confirmed in
+            a <em>History of Jamaica</em>, wrote in thirteen letters,
+            about the year 1740, by a person then
+            residing in that island, who writes as
+            follows, "I shall not now enter upon the
+            question, whether the slavery of the Negroes
+            be agreeable to the laws of nature
+            or not; though it seems extremely hard
+            they should be reduced to serve and toil
+            for the benefit of others, without the least
+            advantage to themselves. Happy Britannia,
+            where slavery is never known! where liberty
+            and freedom chears every misfortune.
+            Here (<em>says the author</em>) we can boast of no
+            such blessing; we have at least ten slaves
+            to one freeman. I incline to touch the
+            hardships which these poor creatures
+            suffer, in the tenderest manner, from
+            a particular regard which I have to
+            many of their masters, but I cannot conceal
+            their sad circumstances intirely: the
+            most trivial error is punished with terrible
+            whipping. I have seen some of them
+            treated in that cruel manner, for no other
+            reason but to satisfy the brutish pleasure
+            of an overseer, who has their punishment
+            mostly at his discretion. I have seen their
+            bodies all in a gore of blood, the skin
+            torn off their backs with the cruel whip;
+            beaten pepper and salt rubbed in the
+            wounds, and a large stick of sealing wax
+            <a name="P_81"></a>
+            dropped leisurely upon them. It is no
+            wonder, if the horrid pain of such inhuman
+            tortures incline them to rebel. Most
+            of these slaves are brought from the coast
+            of Guinea. When they first arrive, it is
+            observed, they are simple and very innocent
+            creatures; but soon turn to be
+            roguish enough. And when they come to
+            be whipt, urge the example of the whites
+            for an excuse of their faults."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            These accounts of the deep depravity of
+            mind attendant on the practice of slavery,
+            verify the truth of Montesquieu's remark of
+            its pernicious effects. And altho' the same
+            degree of opposition to instructing the Negroes
+            may not now appear in the islands as
+            formerly, especially since the Society appointed
+            for propagating the Gospel have
+            possessed a number of Negroes in one of them;
+            nevertheless the situation of these oppressed
+            people is yet dreadful, as well to themselves
+            as in its consequence to their hard task-masters,
+            and their offspring, as must be evident
+            to every impartial person who is acquainted
+            with the treatment they generally receive,
+            or with the laws which from time to time
+            have been made in the colonies, with respect
+            to the Negroes; some of them being absolutely
+            inconsistent with reason, and shocking to
+            humanity. By the 329th act of the assembly
+            of Barbadoes, page 125, it is enacted,
+
+         </p><a name="P_82"></a><p>
+            "That if any Negroe or other slave under
+            punishment by his master, or his order,
+            for running away, or any other
+            crime or misdemeanors towards his said
+            master, unfortunately shall suffer in life
+            or member, (which seldom happens) no
+            person whatsoever shall be liable to any
+            fine therefore. But if any man shall, <em>of
+               wantonness, or only of bloody-mindedness or
+               cruel intention, wilfully kill a Negroe, or other
+               slave of his own, he shall pay into the public
+               treasury, fifteen pounds sterling</em>." Now that
+            the life of a man should be so lightly valued,
+            as that fifteen pounds should be judged a
+            sufficient indemnification of the murder of
+            one, even when it is avowedly done <em>wilfully,
+               wantonly, cruelly, or of bloody-mindedness</em>,
+            is a tyranny hardly to be paralleled: nevertheless
+            human laws cannot make void the
+            righteous law of God, or prevent the inquisition
+            of that awful judgment day, when,
+            "<em>at the hand of every man's brother the life of
+               man shall be required</em>." By the law of
+            South Carolina, the person that killeth a
+            Negroe is only subject to a fine, or twelve
+            months imprisonment. It is the same in
+            most, if not all the West-Indies. And by an
+            act of the assembly of Virginia, (4 Ann. Ch.
+            49. sect. 27. p. 227.) after proclamation is
+            issued against slaves, "that run away and
+            lie out, <em>it is lawful for any person whatsoever
+               <a name="P_83"></a>
+               to kill and destroy such slaves, by such
+               ways and means as he, she, or they shall
+               think fit, without accusation or impeachment
+               of any crime for the same</em>."&#8212;And lest private
+            interest should incline the planter to
+            mercy, it is provided, "<em>That every slave so
+               killed, in pursuance of this act, shall be paid
+               for by the public</em>."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It was doubtless a like sense of sympathy
+            with that expressed by Morgan Godwyn
+            before mentioned, for the oppressed Negroes,
+            and like zeal for the cause of religion, so manifestly
+            trampled upon in the case of the
+            Negroes, which induced Richard Baxter, an
+            eminent preacher amongst the Dissenters in
+            the last century, in his <em>christian directory</em>, to
+            express himself as follows, viz. "Do you
+            mark how God hath followed you with
+            plagues; and may not conscience tell you,
+            that it is for your inhumanity to the souls
+            and bodies of men?"&#8212;"To go as pirates;
+            and catch up poor Negroes, or people
+            of another land, that never forfeited life
+            or liberty, and to make them slaves, and
+            sell them, is one of the worst kinds of
+            thievery in the world; and such persons
+            are to be taken for the common enemies
+            of mankind; and they that buy them and
+            use them as beasts for their mere commodity,
+            and betray, or destroy, or neglect their
+            <a name="P_84"></a>
+            souls, are fitter to be called devils incarnate
+            than christians: It is an heinous sin to buy
+            them, unless it be in charity to deliver
+            them. Undoubtedly they are presently
+            bound to deliver them, because by right
+            the man is his own, therefore no man else
+            can have a just title to him."
+
+         </p>
+      </div>
+      <div class="teidiv">
+         <h2><a name="VIII"></a>
+            CHAP. VIII.
+
+         </h2><a name="P_85"></a><p>
+            Griffith Hughes's account of
+            the number of Negroes in Barbadoes.
+            Cannot keep up their usual number without
+            a yearly recruit. Excessive hardships
+            wear the Negroes down in a surprising
+            manner. A servitude without a
+            condition, inconsistent with reason and natural
+            justice. The general usage the Negroes
+            meet with in the West Indies. Inhuman
+            calculations of the strength and
+            lives of the Negroes. Dreadful consequences
+            which may be expected from the
+            cruelty exercised upon this oppressed part
+            of mankind.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            We are told by Griffith Hughes, rector
+            of St. Lucy in Barbadoes, in his
+            natural history of that island, printed in
+            the year 1750, "That there were between
+            sixty-five and seventy thousand Negroes,
+            at that time, in the island, tho' formerly
+            they had a greater number. That in order
+            to keep up a necessary number, they
+            were obliged to have a yearly supply from
+            Africa. That the hard labour, and often
+            <a name="P_86"></a>
+            want of necessaries, which these unhappy
+            creatures are obliged to undergo, destroy
+            a greater number than are bred there." He
+            adds, "That the capacities of their minds
+            in common affairs of life are but little inferior,
+            if at all, to those of the Europeans.
+            If they fail in some arts, he says, it may
+            be owing more to their want of education,
+            and the depression of their spirits by slavery,
+            than to any want of natural abilities."
+            This destruction of the human
+            species, thro' unnatural hardships, and want
+            of necessary supplies, in the case of the Negroes,
+            is farther confirmed in <em>an account of
+               the European settlements in America</em>, printed
+            London, 1757, where it is said, par. 6. chap.
+            11th, "The Negroes in our colonies endure
+            a slavery more compleat, and attended
+            with far worse circumstances, than
+            what any people in their condition suffer
+            in any other part of the world,
+            or have suffered in any other period of
+            time: Proofs of this are not wanting.
+            The prodigious waste which we experience
+            in this unhappy part of our species, is a
+            full and melancholy evidence of this
+            truth. The island of Barbadoes, (the Negroes
+            upon which do not amount to eighty
+            thousand) notwithstanding all the
+            means which they use to increase them
+            by propagation, and that the climate is
+            <a name="P_87"></a>
+            in every respect (except that of being
+            more wholesome) exactly resembling the
+            climate from whence they come; notwithstanding
+            all this, Barbadoes lies under
+            a necessity of an annual recruit of five
+            thousand slaves, to keep up the stock at
+            the number I have mentioned. This prodigious
+            failure, which is at least in the
+            same proportion in all our islands, shews
+            demonstratively that some uncommon and
+            unsupportable hardship lies upon the Negroes,
+            which wears them down in such a
+            surprising manner."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In an account of part of North America,
+            published by Thomas Jeffery, 1761, the author,
+            speaking of the usage the Negroes receive
+            in the West India islands, says, "It is
+            impossible for a human heart to reflect upon
+            the servitude of these dregs of mankind,
+            without in some measure feeling for
+            their misery, which ends but with their
+            lives.&#8212;Nothing can be more wretched
+            than the condition of this people. One
+            would imagine, they were framed to be
+            the disgrace of the human species; banished
+            from their country, and deprived of
+            that blessing, liberty, on which all other
+            nations set the greatest value, they are in
+            a measure reduced to the condition of
+            beasts of burden. In general, a few roots,
+            potatoes especially, are their food, and
+            <a name="P_88"></a>
+            two rags, which neither screen them from
+            the heat of the day, nor the extraordinary
+            coolness of the night, all their covering;
+            their sleep very short; their labour almost
+            continual; they receive no wages, but
+            have twenty lashes for the smallest fault."
+            <em>A thoughtful</em> person, who had an opportunity
+            of observing the miserable condition of
+            the Negroes in one of our West India
+            islands, writes thus, "I met with daily exercise
+            to see the treatment which those miserable
+            wretches met with from their
+            masters; with but few exceptions. They
+            whip them most unmercifully on small
+            occasions: you will see their bodies all
+            whealed and scarred; in short, they seem
+            to set no other value on their lives, than
+            as they cost them so much money; and are
+            restrained from killing them, when angry,
+            by no worthier consideration, than that
+            they lose so much. They act as though they
+            did not look upon them as a race of human
+            creatures, who have reason, and remembrance
+            of misfortunes, but as beasts;
+            like oxen, who are stubborn, hardy, and
+            senseless, fit for burdens, and designed to
+            bear them: they won't allow them to
+            have any claim to human privileges, or
+            scarce indeed to be regarded as the work
+            of God. Though it was consistent with
+            the justice of our Maker to pronounce
+            <a name="P_89"></a>
+            the sentence on our common parent,
+            and through him on all succeeding generations,
+            <em>That he and they should eat their
+               bread by the sweat of their brows</em>: yet does
+            it not stand recorded by the same eternal
+            truth, <em>That the labourer is worthy of his
+               hire?</em> It cannot be allowed, in natural
+            justice, that there should be a servitude
+            without condition; a cruel, endless
+            servitude. It cannot be reconcileable to
+            natural justice, that whole nations, nay,
+            whole continents of men, should be devoted
+            to do the drudgery of life for others,
+            be dragged away from their attachments
+            of relations and societies, and be made to
+            serve the appetite and pleasure of a race
+            of men, whose superiority has been obtained
+            by illegal force."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Sir Hans Sloane, in the introduction to his
+            natural history of Jamaica, in the account he
+            gives of the treatment the Negroes met with
+            there, speaking of the punishments inflicted
+            on them, says, page 56. "For rebellion, the
+            punishment is burning them, by nailing
+            them down to the ground with crooked
+            sticks on every limb, and then applying
+            the fire, by degrees, from the feet and
+            hands, burning them gradually up to the
+            head, whereby <em>their pains are extravagant</em>.
+            For crimes of a less nature, gelding
+            or chopping off half the foot with an axe.&#8212;For
+            <a name="P_90"></a>
+            negligence, they are usually
+            whipped by the overseers with lance-wood
+            switches.&#8212;After they are whipped
+            till they are raw, some put on their skins
+            pepper and salt, to make them smart; at
+            other times, their masters will drop melted
+            wax on their skins, and use several <em>very
+               exquisite torments</em>." In that island, the
+            owners of the Negroe slaves set aside to
+            each a parcel of ground, and allow them half
+            a day at the latter end of the week, which,
+            with the day appointed by the divine injunction
+            to be a day of rest and service to
+            God, and which ought to be kept as such,
+            is the only time allowed them to manure
+            their ground. This, with a few herrings,
+            or other salt fish, is what is given for their
+            support. Their allowance for cloathing in
+            the island, is seldom more than six yards of
+            oznabrigs each year. And in the more
+            northern colonies, where the piercing westerly
+            winds are long and sensibly felt, these
+            poor Africans suffer much for want of sufficient
+            cloathing; indeed some have none till
+            they are able to pay for it by their labour.
+            The time that the Negroes work in the
+            West Indies, is from day-break till noon;
+            then again from two o'clock till dark (during
+            which time, they are attended by overseers,
+            who severely scourge those who appear
+            to them dilatory); and before they are suffered
+            <a name="P_91"></a>
+            to go to their quarters, they have still
+            something to do, as collecting herbage for
+            the horses, gathering fuel for the boilers,
+            &amp;c. so that it is often past twelve before they
+            can get home, when they have scarce time
+            to grind and boil their Indian corn; whereby,
+            if their food was not prepared the evening
+            before, it sometimes happens that they
+            are called again to labour before they can
+            satisfy their hunger. And here no delay or
+            excuse will avail; for if they are not in the
+            field immediately upon the usual notice,
+            they must expect to feel the overseer's lash.
+            In crop time (which lasts many months) they
+            are obliged, by turns, to work most of the
+            night in the boiling house. Thus their
+            owners, from a desire of making the greatest
+            gain by the labour of their slaves, lay heavy
+            burdens on them, and yet feed and cloath
+            them very sparingly, and some scarce feed or
+            cloath them at all; so that the poor creatures
+            are obliged to shift for their living in the best
+            manner they can, which occasions their
+            being often killed in the neighbouring lands,
+            stealing potatoes, or other food, to satisfy
+            their hunger. And if they take any thing
+            from the plantation they belong to, though
+            under such pressing want, their owners will
+            correct them severely for taking a little of
+            what they have so hardly laboured for;
+            whilst many of themselves riot in the greatest
+            <a name="P_92"></a>
+            luxury and excess. It is matter of astonishment
+            how a people, who, as a nation, are
+            looked upon as generous and humane, and
+            so much value themselves for their uncommon
+            sense of the benefit of liberty, can live
+            in the practice of such extreme oppression
+            and inhumanity, without seeing the inconsistency
+            of such conduct, and feeling great
+            remorse. Nor is it less amazing to hear these
+            men calmly making calculations about the
+            strength and lives of their fellow men. In
+            Jamaica, if six in ten of the new imported
+            Negroes survive the seasoning, it is looked
+            upon as a gaining purchase. And in most
+            of the other plantations, if the Negroes live
+            eight or nine years, their labour is reckoned
+            a sufficient compensation for their cost. If
+            calculations of this sort were made upon the
+            strength and labour of beasts of burden, it
+            would not appear so strange; but even then,
+            a merciful man would certainly use his beast
+            with more mercy than is usually shewn to
+            the poor Negroes. Will not the groans, the
+            dying groans, of this deeply afflicted and oppressed
+            people reach heaven? and when the
+            cup of iniquity is full, must not the inevitable
+            consequence be, the pouring forth of the
+            judgments of God upon their oppressors?
+            But alas! is it not too manifest that this oppression
+            has already long been the object of
+            the divine displeasure? For what heavier
+            <a name="P_93"></a>
+            judgment, what greater calamity, can befal
+            any people, than to become subject to that
+            hardness of heart, that forgetfulness of God,
+            and insensibility to every religious impression,
+            as well as that general depravation of
+            manners, which so much prevails in these
+            colonies, in proportion as they have more
+            or less enriched themselves at the expence of
+            the blood and bondage of the Negroes.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It is a dreadful consideration, as a late
+            author remarks, that out of the stock of
+            eighty thousand Negroes in Barbadoes, there
+            die every year five thousand more than are
+            born in that island; which failure is probably
+            in the same proportion in the other islands.
+            <em>In effect, this people is under a necessity of being
+               entirely renewed every sixteen years.</em> And
+            what must we think of the management of
+            a people, who, far from increasing greatly,
+            as those who have no loss by war ought to
+            do, must, in so short a time as sixteen years,
+            without foreign recruits, be entirely consumed
+            to a man! Is it not a christian doctrine,
+            <em>that the labourer is worthy of his hire?</em>
+            And hath not the Lord, by the mouth of his
+            prophet, pronounced, <em>"Wo unto that man
+               who buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and
+               his chambers by wrong; who uses his neighbour's
+               service without wages, and giveth him nought
+               for his work?"</em> And yet the poor Negro
+            slaves are constrained, like the beasts, by
+            <a name="P_94"></a>
+            beating, to work hard without hire or recompence,
+            and receive nothing from the hand
+            of their unmerciful masters, but such a
+            wretched provision as will scarce support
+            them under their fatigues. The intolerable
+            hardships many of the slaves undergo, are sufficiently
+            proved by the shortness of their lives.&#8212;And who
+            are these miserable creatures,
+            that receive such barbarous treatment
+            from the planter? Can we restrain our
+            just indignation, when we consider that they
+            are undoubtedly <em>his brethren! his neighbours!
+               the children of the same Father, and some
+               of those for whom Christ died, as truly as for the
+               planter himself</em>. Let the opulent planter, or
+            merchant, prove that his Negro slave is not
+            his brother, or that he is not his neighbour,
+            in the scripture sense of these appellations;
+            and if he is not able so to do, how will he
+            justify the buying and selling of his brethren,
+            as if they were of no more consideration
+            than his cattle? The wearing them out
+            with continual labour, before they have
+            lived out half their days? The severe whipping
+            and torturing them, even to death, if
+            they resist his unsupportable tyranny? Let
+            the hardiest slave-holder look forward to
+            that tremendous day, when he must give
+            an account to God of his stewardship; and
+            let him seriously consider, whether, at such a
+            time, he thinks he shall be able to satisfy
+            <a name="P_95"></a>
+            himself, that any act of buying and selling,
+            or the fate of war, or the birth of children
+            in his house, plantation, or territories, or
+            any other circumstance whatever, can give
+            him such an absolute property in the persons
+            of men, as will justify his retaining them as
+            slaves, and treating them as beasts? Let him
+            diligently consider whether there will not
+            always remain to the slave a <em>superior</em> property
+            or right to the fruit of his own labour;
+            and more especially to his own person; that
+            being which was given him by God, and
+            which none but the Giver can justly claim?
+
+         </p>
+      </div>
+      <div class="teidiv">
+         <h2><a name="IX"></a>
+            CHAP. IX.
+
+         </h2><a name="P_96"></a><p>
+            The advantage which would
+            have accrued to the natives of Guinea, if
+            the Europeans had acted towards them
+            agreeable to the dictates of humanity
+            and christianity. <em>An inordinate</em> desire of
+            gain in the Europeans, the true occasion
+            of the slave trade. Notice of the misrepresentations
+            of the Negroes by most authors,
+            in order to palliate the iniquity of
+            the slave trade. Those misrepresentations
+            refuted, particularly with respect <em>to the
+               Hottentot Negroes</em>.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            From the foregoing accounts of the
+            natural disposition of the Negroes, and
+            the fruitfulness of most parts of Guinea,
+            which are confirmed by authors of candour,
+            who have wrote from their own
+            knowledge, it may well be concluded, that
+            the Negroes acquaintance with the Europeans
+            might have been a happiness to them,
+            if these last had not only bore the name,
+            but had also acted the part, of Christians, and
+            used their endeavours by example, as well as
+            precept, to make them acquainted with the
+            <a name="P_97"></a>
+            glad tidings of the gospel, which breathes
+            peace and good will to man, and with that
+            change of heart, that redemption from sin,
+            which christianity proposeth; innocence
+            and love might then have prevailed, nothing
+            would have been wanting to complete the
+            happiness of the simple Africans: but the
+            reverse has happened; the Europeans, forgetful
+            of their duty as men and christians,
+            have conducted themselves in so iniquitous a
+            manner, as must necessarily raise in the
+            minds of the thoughtful and well-disposed
+            Negroes, the utmost scorn and detestation
+            of the very name of christians. All other
+            considerations have given way to an infallible
+            desire of gain, which has been the
+            principal and moving cause of the most <em>iniquitous
+               and dreadful scene</em> that was, perhaps,
+            ever acted upon the face of the earth; instead
+            of making use of that superior knowledge
+            with which the Almighty, the common
+            Parent of mankind, had favoured them, to
+            strengthen the principle of peace and good
+            will in the breasts of the incautious Negroes,
+            the Europeans have, by their bad example,
+            led them into excess of drunkenness, debauchery,
+            and avarice; whereby every passion
+            of corrupt nature being inflamed, they have
+            been easily prevailed upon to make war, and
+            captivate one another; as well to furnish
+            means for the excesses they had been habituated
+            <a name="P_98"></a>
+            to, as to satisfy the greedy desire of
+            gain in their profligate employers, who to
+            this intent have furnished them with prodigious
+            quantities of arms and ammunition.
+            Thus they have been hurried into confusion,
+            distress, and all the extremities of temporal
+            misery; every thing, even the power of
+            their Kings, has been made subservient to
+            this wicked purpose; for instead of being
+            protectors of their subjects, some of those
+            rulers, corrupted by the excessive love of
+            spirituous liquors, and the tempting baits
+            laid before them by the factors, have invaded
+            the liberties of their unhappy subjects, and
+            are become their oppressors.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Here it may be necessary to observe, that
+            the accounts we have of the inhabitants of
+            Guinea, are chiefly given by persons engaged
+            in the trade, who, from self-interested views,
+            have described them in such colours as
+            were least likely to excite compassion and
+            respect, and endeavoured to reconcile so
+            manifest a violation of the rights of mankind
+            to the minds of the purchasers; yet they
+            cannot but allow the Negroes to be possessed
+            of some good qualities, though they contrive
+            as much as possible to cast a shade over them.
+            A particular instance of this appears in Astley's
+            collection, vol. 2. p. 73, where the author,
+            speaking of the Mandingos settled at
+            Galem, which is situated 900 miles up the
+            <a name="P_99"></a>
+            Senegal, after saying that they carry on a
+            commerce to all the neighbouring kingdoms, and
+            amass riches, adds, "That excepting
+            <em>the vices peculiar to the Blacks</em>, they
+            are a good sort of people, honest, hospitable,
+            just to their word, laborious, industrious,
+            and very ready to learn arts and
+            sciences." Here it is difficult to imagine
+            what vices can be peculiarly attendant on a
+            people so well disposed as the author describes
+            these to be. With respect to the
+            charge some authors have brought against
+            them, as being void of all natural affection,
+            it is frequently contradicted by others. In
+            vol. 2. of the Collection, p. 275, and 629,
+            the Negroes of North Guinea, and the
+            Gold Coast, are said <em>to be fond of their children,
+               whom they love with tenderness</em>. And
+            Bosman says, p. 340, "Not a few in his
+            country (viz. Holland) fondly imagine,
+            that parents here sell their children, men
+            their wives, and one brother the other:
+            but those who think so deceive themselves;
+            for this never happens on any
+            other account but that of necessity, or
+            some great crime." The same is repeated
+            by J. Barbot, page 326, and also confirmed
+            by Sir Hans Sloane, in the introduction to his
+            natural history of Jamaica; where speaking
+            of the Negroes, he says, "They are usually
+            thought to be haters of their own
+            <a name="P_100"></a>
+            children, and therefore it is believed that
+            they sell and dispose of them to strangers
+            for money: but this is not true; for the
+            Negroes of Guinea being divided into
+            several captainships, as well as the Indians
+            of America, have wars; and besides those
+            slain in battle, many prisoners are taken,
+            who are sold as slaves, and brought thither:
+            but the parents here, although their children
+            are slaves for ever, yet have so great
+            love for them, that no master dares sell,
+            or give away, one of their little ones,
+            unless they care not whether their parents
+            hang themselves or no." J. Barbot,
+            speaking of the occasion of the natives of
+            Guinea being represented as a treacherous
+            people, ascribes it to the Hollanders (and
+            doubtless other Europeans) usurping authority,
+            and fomenting divisions between the
+            Negroes. At page 110, he says, "It is well
+            known that many of the European nations
+            trading amongst these people, have very
+            unjustly and inhumanly, without any
+            provocation, stolen away, from time to
+            time, abundance of the people, not only
+            on this coast, but almost every where in
+            Guinea, who have come on board their
+            ships in a harmless and confiding manner:
+            these they have in great numbers carried
+            away, and sold in the plantations, with
+            other slaves which they had purchased."
+            <a name="P_101"></a>
+            And although some of the Negroes may be
+            justly charged with indolence and supineness,
+            yet many others are frequently mentioned
+            by authors <em>as a careful, industrious, and even
+               laborious</em> people. But nothing shews more
+            clearly how unsafe it is to form a judgment
+            of distant people from the accounts given
+            of them by travellers, who have taken but
+            a transient view of things, than the case of
+            the Hottentots, viz. those several nations of
+            Negroes who inhabit the most southern part
+            of Africa: <em>these people</em> are represented by
+            several authors, who appear to have very
+            much copied their relations one from the
+            other, as so savage and barbarous as to have
+            little of human, but the shape: but these
+            accounts are strongly contradicted by others,
+            particularly Peter Kolben, who has given a circumstantial
+            relation of the disposition and
+            manners of those people.<a class="notelink" href="#NoteIX_FN1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootIX_FN1"></a> He was a man
+            of learning, sent from the court of Prussia
+            solely to make astronomical and natural observations
+            there; and having no interest in the
+            slavery of the Negroes, had not the same
+            inducement as most other relators had, to
+            misrepresent the natives of Africa. He resided
+            eight years at and about the Cape of
+            Good Hope, during which time he examined
+            with great care into the customs, manners,
+            <a name="P_102"></a>
+            and opinions of the Hottentots; whence he
+            sets these people in a quite different light
+            from what they appeared in former authors,
+            whom he corrects, and blames for the falsehoods
+            they have wantonly told of them. At
+            p. 61, he says, "The details we have in several
+            authors, are for the most part made up
+            of inventions and hearsays, which generally
+            prove false." Nevertheless, he allows
+            they are justly to be blamed for their sloth.&#8212;<em>The
+               love of liberty and indolence is their all;
+               compulsion is death to them. While necessity obliges
+               them to work, they are very tractable, obedient,
+               and faithful; but when they have got enough
+               to satisfy the present want, they are deaf to all
+               further intreaty</em>. He also faults them for
+            their nastiness, the effect of sloth; and for
+            their love of drink, and the practice of
+            some unnatural customs, which long use has
+            established amongst them; which, nevertheless,
+            from the general good disposition of
+            these people, there is great reason to believe
+            they might be persuaded to refrain from,
+            if a truly christian care had been extended
+            towards them. He says, "They are
+            eminently distinguished by many virtues,
+            as their mutual benevolence, friendship,
+            and hospitality; they breathe kindness
+            and good will to one another, and seek
+            all opportunities of obliging. Is a Hottentot's
+            <a name="P_103"></a>
+            assistance required by one of his
+            countrymen? he runs to give it. Is his advice
+            asked? he gives it with sincerity. Is
+            his countryman in want? he relieves him to
+            the utmost of his power." Their hospitality
+            extends even to European strangers: in travelling
+            thro' the Cape countries, you meet with
+            a chearful and open reception, in whatsoever
+            village you come to. In short, he says,
+            page 339, "The integrity of the Hottentots,
+            their strictness and celerity in the
+            execution of justice, and their charity, are
+            equalled by few nations. <em>In alliances, their
+               word is sacred; there being hardly any thing
+               they look upon as a fouler crime than breach
+               of engagements. Theft and adultery they
+               punish with death</em>." They firmly believe
+            there is a God, the author of all things,
+            whom they call the God of gods; but it
+            does not appear that they have an institution
+            of worship directly regarding this supreme
+            Deity. When pressed on this article, they
+            excuse themselves by a tradition, "<em>That
+               their first parents so grievously offended
+               this great God, that he cursed them and their
+               posterity with hardness of heart; so that
+               they know little about him, and have less inclination
+               to serve him</em>." As has been already
+            remarked, these Hottentots are the
+            only Negroe nations bordering on the sea,
+            we read of, who are not concerned in making
+            <a name="P_104"></a>
+            or keeping slaves. Those slaves made
+            use of by the Hollanders at the Cape, are
+            brought from other parts of Guinea. Numbers
+            of these people told the author, "That
+            the vices they saw prevail amongst christians;
+            their avarice, their envy and hatred
+            of one another; their restless discontented
+            tempers; their lasciviousness and
+            injustice, were the things that principally
+            kept the Hottentots from hearkening to
+            christianity."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteIX_FN1"></a><a href="#FootIX_FN1">A</a>: See Kolban's
+            account of the Cape of Good Hope.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            Father Tachard, a French Jesuit, famous
+            for his travels in the East Indies, in his account
+            of these people, says, "The Hottentots
+            have more honesty, love, and liberality
+            for one another, than are almost anywhere
+            seen amongst christians."
+
+         </p>
+      </div>
+      <div class="teidiv">
+         <h2><a name="X"></a>
+            CHAP. X.
+
+         </h2><a name="P_105"></a><p>
+            Man-stealing esteemed highly
+            criminal, and punishable by the laws of
+            Guinea: <em>No</em> Negroes allowed to be sold
+            for slaves there, but those deemed prisoners
+            of war, or in punishment for crimes.
+            <em>Some</em> of the Negroe rulers, corrupted by
+            the Europeans, violently infringe the laws
+            of Guinea. The King of Barsailay noted
+            in that respect.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            By an inquiry into the laws and customs
+            formerly in use, and still in force
+            amongst the Negroes, particularly on the
+            Gold Coast, it will be found, that provision
+            was made for the general peace, and for the
+            safety of individuals; even in W. Bosman's
+            time, long after the Europeans had established
+            the slave-trade, the natives were not publicly
+            enslaved, any otherwise than in punishment for
+            crimes, when prisoners of war,
+            or by a violent exertion of the power of
+            their corrupted Kings. Where any of the
+            natives were stolen, in order to be sold to
+            the Europeans, it was done secretly, or at
+            least, only connived at by those in power:
+            <a name="P_106"></a>
+            this appears From Barbot and Bosman's account
+            of the matter, both agreeing that
+            man-stealing was not allowed on the
+            Gold Coast. The first<a class="notelink" href="#NoteX_FN1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootX_FN1"></a> says, "<em>Kidnapping
+               or stealing of human creatures is punished
+               there, and even sometimes with death.</em>"
+            And, W. Bosman, whose long residence on
+            the coast, enabled him to speak with certainty,
+            says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteX_FN2"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootX_FN2"></a> "<em>That the laws were severe
+               against murder, thievery, and adultery.</em>"
+            And adds, "<em>That man-stealing was
+               punished on the Gold Coast with rigid
+               severity and sometimes with death itself.</em>"
+            Hence it may be concluded, that the sale
+            of the greatest part of the Negroes to the
+            Europeans is supported by violence, in defiance
+            of the laws, through the knavery of
+            their principal men,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteX_FN3"><sup>C</sup></a><a name="FootX_FN3"></a> who, (as is too often
+            the case with those in European countries)
+            under pretence of encouraging trade, and
+            increasing the public revenue, disregard the
+            dictates of justice, and trample upon those
+            liberties which they are appointed to preserve.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteX_FN1"></a><a href="#FootX_FN1">A</a>: Barbot, p.
+            303.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteX_FN2"></a><a href="#FootX_FN2">B</a>: Bosman, p.
+            143.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteX_FN3"></a><a href="#FootX_FN3">C</a>: Note. Barbot, page
+            270, says, the trade of slaves
+            is in a more peculiar manner the business of Kings, rich
+            men, and prime merchants, exclusive of the inferior sort
+            of blacks.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            Fr. Moor also mentions man-stealing as
+            being discountenanced by the Negroe Governments
+            <a name="P_107"></a>
+            on the river Gambia, and speaks
+            of the inslaving the peaceable inhabitants,
+            as a violence which only happens under
+            a corrupt administration of justice;
+            he says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteX_FN4"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootX_FN4"></a> "The Kings
+            of that country generally advise with their head men,
+            scarcely doing any thing of consequence,
+            without consulting them first, except
+            the King of Barsailay, who being subject
+            to hard drinking, is very absolute. It is
+            to this King's insatiable thirst for brandy,
+            that his subjects freedoms and families
+            are in so precarious a situation.<a class="notelink" href="#NoteX_FN5"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootX_FN5"></a> Whenever this King wants goods or
+            brandy, he sends a messenger to the English
+            Governor at James Fort, to desire he
+            would send a sloop there with a cargo:
+            <em>this news, being not at all unwelcome</em>, the
+            Governor sends accordingly; against the
+            arrival of the sloop, the King goes and
+            ransacks some of his enemies towns,
+            seizing the people, and selling them for
+            such commodities as he is in want of,
+            which commonly are brandy, guns, powder,
+            balls, pistols, and cutlasses, for his attendants
+            and soldiers; and coral and silver
+            for his wives and concubines. In case
+            he is not at war with any neighbouring
+            King, he then falls upon one of his own
+            towns, which are numerous, and uses
+            them in the same manner." "He often
+            <a name="P_108"></a>
+            goes with some of his troops by a town in
+            the day time, and returning in the night,
+            sets fire to three parts of it, and putting
+            guards at the fourth, there seizes the people
+            as they run out from the fire; he ties
+            their arms behind them, and marches them
+            either to Joar or Cohone, where he sells
+            them to the Europeans."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteX_FN4"></a><a href="#FootX_FN4">A</a>: Moor, page 61.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteX_FN5"></a><a href="#FootX_FN5">B</a>: Idem,
+            p. 46.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            A. Brue, the French director, gives
+            much the same account, and
+            says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteX_FN6"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootX_FN6"></a> "That having received goods, he wrote to the
+            King, that if he had a sufficient number
+            of slaves, he was ready to trade with him.
+            This Prince, as well as the other Negroe
+            monarchs, has always a sure way of supplying
+            his deficiencies, by selling his own
+            subjects, for which they seldom want a
+            pretence. The King had recourse to this
+            method, by seizing three hundred of his
+            own people, and sent word to the director,
+            that he had the slaves ready to
+            deliver for the goods." It seems, the
+            King wanted double the quantity of goods
+            which the factor would give him for these
+            three hundred slaves; but the factor refusing
+            to trust him, as he was already in
+            the company's debt, and perceiving that this
+            refusal had put the King much out of temper,
+            he proposed that he should give him
+            a licence for taking so many more of his
+            people, as the goods he still wanted were
+            <a name="P_109"></a>
+            worth but this the King refused, saying
+            "<em>It</em> might occasion a disturbance amongst
+            his subjects."<a class="notelink" href="#NoteX_FN7"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootX_FN7"></a> Except in the above instance,
+            and some others, where the power
+            of the Negroe Kings is unlawfully exerted
+            over their subjects, the slave-trade is carried
+            on in Guinea with some regard to the laws
+            of the country, which allow of none to be
+            sold, but prisoners taken in their national
+            wars, or people adjudged to slavery in punishment
+            for crimes; but the largeness of
+            <a name="P_110"></a>
+            the country, the number of kingdoms or
+            commonwealths, and the great encouragement
+            given by the Europeans, afford frequent
+            pretences and opportunities to the
+            bold designing profligates of one kingdom,
+            to surprize and seize upon not only those of
+            a neighbouring government, but also the
+            weak and helpless of their
+            own;<a class="notelink" href="#NoteX_FN8"><sup>C</sup></a><a name="FootX_FN8"></a> and the
+            unhappy people, taken on those occasions,
+            are, with impunity, sold to the Europeans.
+            These practices are doubtless disapproved of
+            by the most considerate amongst the Negroes,
+            for Bosman acquaints us, that even their national
+            wars are not agreeable to such. He
+            says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteX_FN9"><sup>D</sup></a><a name="FootX_FN9"></a> "If the person who occasioned the
+            beginning of the war be taken, they will
+            not easily admit him to ransom, though his
+            weight in gold should be offered, for fear
+            he should in future form some new design
+            against their repose."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteX_FN6"></a><a href="#FootX_FN6">A</a>: Collection vol. 2. p.
+            29.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteX_FN7"></a><a href="#FootX_FN7">B</a>: Note, This Negroe King thus
+            refusing to comply with the factor's wicked proposal, shews, he was
+            sensible his own conduct was not justifiable; and it
+            likewise appears, the factor's only concern was to procure
+            the greatest number of slaves, without any regard
+            to the injustice of the method by which they
+            were procured. This Andrew Brue, was, for a long
+            time, principal director of the French African factory
+            in those parts; in the management of which, he is in
+            the collection said to have had extraordinary success.
+            The part he ought to have acted as a christian towards
+            the ignorant Africans seems quite out of the question;
+            the profit of his employers appears to have been his
+            sole concern. At page 62, speaking of the country on
+            the Senegal river, he says, "It was very populous, the
+            soil rich; and if the people were industrious, they
+            might, of their own produce, carry on a very advantageous
+            trade with strangers; there being but few
+            things in which they could be excelled; <em>but</em> (he adds)
+            <em>it is to be hoped, the Europeans will never let them into
+               the secret.</em>" A remark unbecoming humanity, much
+            more christianity!
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteX_FN8"></a><a href="#FootX_FN8">C</a>: This inhuman practice is
+            particularly described by
+            Brue, in collect. vol. 2. page 98, where he says, "That
+            some of the natives are, on all occasions, endeavouring
+            to surprize and carry off their country people.
+            They land (says he) without noise, and if they find a
+            lone cottage, without defence, they surround it, and
+            carry off all the people and effects to their boat, and
+            immediately reimbark." This seems to be mostly
+            practised by some Negroes who dwell on the sea
+            coast.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteX_FN9"></a><a href="#FootX_FN9">D</a>: Bosman, p.
+            155.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+      </div>
+      <div class="teidiv">
+         <h2><a name="XI"></a>
+            CHAP. XI.
+
+         </h2><a name="P_111"></a><p>
+            An account of the shocking inhumanity,
+            used in the carrying on of the
+            slave-trade, as described by factors of different
+            nations, viz. by Francis Moor, on
+            the river Gambia; and by John Barbot,
+            A. Brue, and William Bosman, through
+            the coast of Guinea. <em>Note</em>. Of the large
+            revenues arising to the Kings of Guinea
+            from the slave-trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            First, Francis Moor, factor for the
+            English African company, on the river
+            Gambia,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXI_FN1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXI_FN1"></a> writes,
+            "That there are a number
+            of Negro traders, called joncoes, or
+            merchants, who follow the slave-trade as
+            a business; their place of residence is so
+            high up in the country as to be six
+            weeks travel from James Fort, which is
+            situate at the mouth of that river. These
+            merchants bring down elephants teeth,
+            and in some years two thousand slaves,
+            most of which, they say, are prisoners
+            taken in war. They buy them from the
+            <a name="P_112"></a>
+            different Princes who take them; many
+            of them are Bumbrongs and Petcharies;
+            nations, who each of them have different
+            languages, and are brought from a vast
+            way inland. Their way of bringing them
+            is tying them by the neck with leather
+            thongs, at about a yard distant from each
+            other, thirty or forty in a string, having
+            generally a bundle of corn or elephants
+            teeth upon each of their heads. In their
+            way from the mountains, they travel thro'
+            very great woods, where they cannot for
+            some days get water; so they carry in skin
+            bags enough to support them for a time.
+            I cannot (adds Moor) be certain of the
+            number of merchants who follow this
+            trade, but there may, perhaps, be about
+            an hundred, who go up into the inland
+            country, with the goods which they buy
+            from the white men, and with them purchase,
+            in various countries, gold, slaves,
+            and elephants teeth. Besides the slaves,
+            which the merchants bring down, there
+            are many bought along the river: These
+            are either taken in war, as the former are,
+            or men condemned for crimes; <em>or else people
+               stolen, which is very frequent</em>.&#8212;Since the
+            slave-trade has been used, all punishments
+            are changed into slavery; there being an
+            advantage on such condemnation, <em>they
+               <a name="P_113"></a>
+               strain for crimes very hard, in order to get the
+               benefit of selling the criminal</em>."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteXI_FN1"></a><a href="#FootXI_FN1">A</a>: Moor, page 28.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            John Barbot, the French factor, in his
+            account of the manner by which the slaves
+            are procured, says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXI_FN2"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXI_FN2"></a> "The slaves sold by
+            the Negroes, are for the most part prisoners
+            of war, or taken in the incursions
+            they make in their enemies territories;
+            others are stolen away by their neighbours,
+            when found abroad on the road,
+            or in the woods; or else in the corn
+            fields, at the time of the year when their
+            parents keep them there all the day to
+            scare away the devouring small birds."
+            Speaking of the transactions on that part of
+            Guinea called the Slave Coast, where the
+            Europeans have the most factories, and
+            from whence they bring away much the
+            greatest number of slaves, the same author,
+            and also Bosman<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXI_FN3"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootXI_FN3"></a> says, "The inhabitants
+            of Coto do much mischief, in stealing those
+            slaves they sell to the Europeans, from the
+            upland country.&#8212;That the inhabitants
+            of Popo excell the former; being endowed
+            with a much larger share of courage,
+            they rob more successfully, by
+            which means they increase their riches
+            and trade," The author particularly remarks,
+            <a name="P_114"></a>
+            "<em>That they are encouraged in this
+               practice by the Europeans</em>; sometimes it
+            happens, according to the success of their
+            inland excursions, that they are able to
+            furnish two hundred slaves or more, in a
+            few days." And he says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXI_FN4"><sup>C</sup></a><a name="FootXI_FN4"></a> "The blacks
+            of Fida, or Whidah, are so expeditious in
+            trading for slaves, that they can deliver a
+            thousand every month."&#8212;"If there
+            happens to be no stock of slaves there,
+            the factor must trust the blacks with his
+            goods, to the value of one hundred and
+            fifty, or two hundred pounds; which goods
+            they carry up into the inland country,
+            to buy slaves at all markets,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXI_FN5"><sup>D</sup></a><a name="FootXI_FN5"></a> for above
+            <a name="P_115"></a>
+            six hundred miles up the country, where
+            they are kept like cattle in Europe; the
+            slaves sold there being generally prisoners
+            of war, taken from their enemies like
+            other booty, and perhaps some few sold
+            by their own countrymen, in extreme
+            want, or upon a famine, as also some as a
+            punishment of heinous crimes." So far
+            Barbot's account; that given by William
+            Bosman is as follows:<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXI_FN6"><sup>E</sup></a><a name="FootXI_FN6"></a> "When the slaves
+            which are brought from the inland countries
+            come to Whidah, they are put in
+            prison together; when we treat concerning
+            buying them, they are all brought out
+            together in a large plain, where, by our
+            surgeons, they are thoroughly examined,
+            and that naked, both men and women,
+            without the least distinction or
+            modesty.<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXI_FN7"><sup>F</sup></a><a name="FootXI_FN7"></a> Those
+            <a name="P_116"></a>
+            which are approved as good, are set
+            on one side; in the mean while a burning
+            iron, with the arms or name of the company,
+            lies in the fire, with which ours are
+            marked on the breast. When we have agreed
+            with the owners of the slaves, they
+            are returned to their prisons, where, from
+            that time forward, they are kept at our
+            charge, and cost us two pence a day each
+            slave, which serves to subsist them like criminals
+            on bread and water; so that to
+            <a name="P_117"></a>
+            save charges, we send them on board our
+            ships the very first opportunity; before
+            which, their masters strip them of all they
+            have on their backs, so that they come on
+            board stark naked, as well women as men.
+            In which condition they are obliged to
+            continue, if the master of the ship is not
+            so charitable (which he commonly is) as to
+            bestow something on them to cover their
+            nakedness. Six or seven hundred are
+            sometimes put on board a vessel, where
+            they lie as close together as it is possible
+            for them to be crowded."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteXI_FN2"></a><a href="#FootXI_FN2">A</a>: John Barbot,
+            page 47.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXI_FN3"></a><a href="#FootXI_FN3">B</a>: Bosman, page
+            310.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXI_FN4"></a><a href="#FootXI_FN4">C</a>: Barbot, page
+            326.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXI_FN5"></a><a href="#FootXI_FN5">D</a>: When the
+            great income which arises to the Negroe Kings on the Slave-Coast, from the
+            slaves brought thro' their several governments, to be shipped on board
+            the European vessels, is considered, we have no cause
+            to wonder that they give so great a countenance to
+            that trade: William Bosman says, page 337, "<em>That
+               each ship which comes to Whidah to trade, reckoning one
+               with another, either by toll, trade, or custom, pays
+               about four hundred pounds, and sometimes fifty ships
+               come hither in a year." Barbot confirms the same, and
+               adds, page 350, "That in the neighbouring kingdom of
+               Ardah, the duty to the King is the value of seventy or
+               eighty slaves for each trading ship</em>." Which is near half
+            as much more as at Whidah; nor can the Europeans,
+            concerned in the trade, with any degree of propriety,
+            blame the African Kings for countenancing it, while
+            they continue to send vessels, on purpose to take in the
+            slaves which are thus stolen, and that they are permitted,
+            under the sanction of national laws, to sell them
+            to the colonies.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXI_FN6"></a><a href="#FootXI_FN6">E</a>: Bosman, page
+            340.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXI_FN7"></a><a href="#FootXI_FN7">F</a>: Note, from the above account
+            of the indecent and shocking manner in which the unhappy Negroes are
+            treated, it is reasonable for persons unacquainted with
+            these people, to conclude them to be void of that natural
+            modesty, so becoming a reasonable creature; but
+            those who have had intercourse with the Blacks in
+            these northern colonies, know that this would be a
+            wrong conclusion, for they are indeed as susceptible
+            of modesty and shame as other people. It is the unparallel'd
+            brutality, to which the Europeans have, by
+            long custom, been inured, which urgeth them, without
+            blushing, to act so shameful a part. Such usage is
+            certainly grievous to the poor Negroes, particularly the
+            women; but they are slaves, and must submit to this,
+            or any other abuse that is offered them by their cruel
+            task-masters, or expect to be inhumanly tormented into acquiescence.
+            That the Blacks are unaccustomed
+            to such brutality, appears from an instance mentioned
+            in Ashley's collection, vol. 2. page 201, viz.
+            "At an audience which Casseneuve had of the King
+            of Congo, where he was used with a great deal of
+            civility by the Blacks, some slaves were delivered
+            to him. The King observing Casseneuve (according
+            to the custom of the Europeans) to handle the
+            limbs of the slaves, burst out a laughing, as did
+            the great men about him: the factor asking the
+            interpreter the occasion of their mirth, was told
+            it proceeded from his so nicely examining the slaves.
+            Nevertheless, <em>the King was so ashamed of it, that he
+               desired him, for decency's sake, to do it in a more private
+               manner.</em>"
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+      </div>
+      <div class="teidiv">
+         <h2><a name="XII"></a>
+            CHAP. XII.
+
+         </h2><a name="P_118"></a><p>
+            Extracts of several Journals
+            of Voyages to the coast of Guinea for
+            slaves, whereby the extreme inhumanity of
+            that traffick is described. <em>Melancholy</em> account
+            of a ship blown up on that coast,
+            with a great number of Negroes on board,
+            <em>Instances</em> of shocking barbarity perpetrated
+            by masters of vessels towards their slaves.
+            <em>Inquiry</em> why these scandalous infringements,
+            both of divine and human laws,
+            are overlooked by the government.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The misery and bloodshed attendant
+            on the slave-trade, are set forth by the
+            following extracts of two voyages to the
+            coast of Guinea for slaves. The first in a
+            vessel from Liverpool,
+            taken <i>verbatim</i> from
+            the original manuscript of the Surgeon's
+            Journal, <i>viz.</i></p>
+         <p>
+            "Sestro, December the 29th, 1724, No
+            trade to day, though many traders came
+            on board; they informed us, that the
+            people are gone to war within land, and
+            will bring prisoners enough in two or
+            three days, in hopes of which we stay."
+
+         </p><a name="P_119"></a><p>
+            The 30th. "No trade yet, but our traders
+            came on board to day, and informed
+            us the people had burnt four towns of
+            their enemies, so that to-morrow we expect
+            slaves off: another large ship is come
+            in. Yesterday came in a large Londoner."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The 31st. "Fair weather, but no trade
+            yet; we see each night towns burning,
+            but we hear the Sestro men are many of
+            them killed by the inland Negroes, so
+            that we fear this war will be unsuccessful."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The 2d of January. "Last night we saw
+            a prodigious fire break out about eleven
+            o'clock, and this morning see the town
+            of Sestro burnt down to the ground; (it
+            contained some hundreds of houses) So that
+            we find their enemies are too hard for
+            them at present, and consequently our
+            trade spoiled here; therefore, about seven
+            o'clock, we weighed anchor, as did likewise
+            the three other vessels, to proceed
+            lower down."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The second relation, also taken from the
+            original manuscript Journal of a person of
+            credit, who went surgeon on the same trade,
+            in a vessel from New-York, about twenty
+            years past, is as follows; <i>viz.</i> "Being on the
+            coast, the Commander of the vessel, according
+            to custom, sent a person on shore
+            with a present to the King, acquainting
+            <a name="P_120"></a>
+            him with his arrival, and letting him
+            know, they wanted a cargo of slaves. The
+            King promised to furnish them with the
+            slaves; and, in order to do it, set out to
+            go to war against his enemies; designing
+            to surprise some town, and take all the
+            people prisoners. Some time after, the
+            King sent them word, he had not yet met
+            with the desired success; having been
+            twice repulsed, in attempting to break up
+            two towns, but that he still hoped to procure
+            a number of slaves for them; and in
+            this design he persisted, till he met his enemies
+            in the field, where a battle was
+            fought, which lasted three days, during
+            which time the engagement was so bloody
+            that four thousand five hundred men
+            were slain on the spot." The person who
+            wrote the account, beheld the bodies, as
+            they lay on the field of battle. "Think
+            (says he in his Journal) what a pitiable
+            sight it was, to see the widows weeping
+            over their lost husbands, orphans deploring
+            the loss of their fathers, &amp;c. &amp;c." In
+            he 6th vol. of Churchill's collection of Voyages,
+            page 219, we have the relation of a
+            voyage performed by Captain Philips, in a
+            ship of 450 tuns, along the coast of Guinea,
+            for elephants teeth, gold, and Negroe slaves,
+            intended for Barbadoes; in which he says,
+            that they took "seven hundred slaves on
+            <a name="P_121"></a>
+            board, the men being all put in irons two
+            by two, shackled together to prevent their
+            mutinying or swimming ashore. That the
+            Negroes are so loth to leave their own
+            country, that they often leap out of the
+            canoe, boat, or ship, into the sea, and keep
+            under water till they are drowned, to
+            avoid being taken up, and saved by the
+            boats which pursue them."&#8212;They
+            had about twelve Negroes who willingly
+            drowned themselves; others starved themselves
+            to death.&#8212;Philips was advised
+            to cut off the legs and arms of some to terrify
+            the rest, (as other Captains had done)
+            but this he refused to do. From the time of
+            his taking the Negroes on board, to his arrival
+            at Barbadoes, no less than three hundred
+            and twenty died of various
+            diseases.<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXII_FN1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXII_FN1"></a><a name="P_122"></a></p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteXII_FN1"></a><a href="#FootXII_FN1">A</a>: <em>The following relation
+               is inserted at the request of the author.</em><br><br>
+            That I may contribute all in my power towards
+            the good of mankind, by inspiring any individuals
+            with a suitable abhorrence of that detestable practice
+            of trading in our fellow-creatures, and in some measure
+            atone for my neglect of duty as a Christian, in engaging
+            in that wicked traffic, I offer to their serious consideration
+            some few occurrences, of which I was an eye-witness;
+            that being struck with the wretched and affecting
+            scene, they may foster that humane principle, which
+            is the noble and distinguished characteristic of man, and
+            improve it to the benefit of their children's children.
+            <br><br>
+            About the year 1749, I sailed from Liverpool to
+            the coast of Guinea. Some time after our arrival, I
+            was ordered to go up the country a considerable
+            distance, upon having notice from one of the Negroe
+            Kings, that he had a parcel of slaves to dispose
+            of. I received my instructions, and went, carrying
+            with me an account of such goods as we had on board,
+            to exchange for the slaves we intended to purchase.
+            Upon being introduced, I presented him with a
+            small case of English spirits, a gun, and some trifles;
+            which having accepted, and understood by an interpreter
+            what goods we had, the next day was appointed
+            for viewing the slaves; we found about two
+            hundred confined in one place. But here how shall
+            I relate the affecting sight I there beheld! How can
+            I sufficiently describe the silent sorrow which appeared
+            in the countenance of the afflicted father, and
+            the painful anguish of the tender mother, expecting to
+            be for ever separated from their tender offspring; the
+            distressed maid, wringing her hands in presage of her
+            future wretchedness, and the general cry of the innocent
+            from a dreadful apprehension of the perpetual slavery to
+            which they were doomed! Under a sense of my offence
+            to God, in the persons of his creatures, I acknowledge I
+            purchased eleven, whom I conducted tied two and two to
+            the ship. Being but a small ship, (ninety ton) we soon
+            purchased our cargo, consisting of one hundred and
+            seventy slaves, whom thou mayest, reader, range in thy
+            view, as they were shackled two and two together, pent
+            up within the narrow confines of the main deck, with the
+            complicated distress of sickness, chains, and contempt;
+            deprived of every fond and social tie, and, in a great
+            measure, reduced to a state of desperation. We had not
+            been a fortnight at sea, before the fatal consequence of
+            this despair appeared; they formed a design of recovering
+            their natural right, LIBERTY, by rising and murdering
+            every man on board; but the goodness of the Almighty
+            rendered their scheme abortive, and his mercy
+            spared us to have time to repent. The plot was discovered;
+            the ring-leader, tied by the two thumbs over the
+            barricade door, at sun-rise received a number of lashes:
+            in this situation he remained till sun-set, exposed to the
+            insults and barbarity of the brutal crew of sailors, with
+            full leave to exercise their cruelty at pleasure. The consequence
+            of this was, that next morning the miserable
+            sufferer was found dead, flayed from the shoulders to the
+            waist. The next victim was a youth, who, from too
+            strong a sense of his misery, refused nourishment, and
+            died disregarded and unnoticed, till the hogs had fed on
+            part of his flesh. Will not christianity blush at this impious
+            sacrilege? May the relation of it serve to call back
+            the struggling remains of humanity in the hearts of those,
+            who, from a love of wealth, partake in any degree of
+            this oppressive gain; and have such an effect on the minds
+            of the sincere, as may be productive of peace, the happy
+            effect of true repentance for past transgressions, and a
+            resolution to renounce all connexion with it for the time
+            to come.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            Reader, bring the matter home to thy own
+            heart, and consider whether any situation can
+            be more completely miserable than that of
+            <a name="P_123"></a>
+            these distressed captives. When we reflect
+            that each individual of this number had probably
+            some tender attachment, which was
+            broken by this cruel separation; some parent
+            or wife, who had not an opportunity of
+            mingling tears in a parting embrace; perhaps
+            some infants, or aged parents, whom
+            his labour was to feed, and vigilance protect;
+            themselves under the most dreadful apprehension
+            <a name="P_124"></a>
+            of an unknown perpetual slavery;
+            confined within the narrow limits of a vessel,
+            where often several hundreds lie as close as
+            possible. Under these aggravated distresses,
+            they are often reduced to a state of despair,
+            in which many have been frequently killed,
+            and some deliberately put to death under the
+            greatest torture, when they have attempted
+            to rise, in order to free themselves from present
+            misery, and the slavery designed them.
+            Many accounts of this nature might be mentioned;
+            indeed from the vast number of vessels
+            employed in the trade, and the repeated
+            relations in the public prints of Negroes rising
+            on board the vessels from Guinea, it is more
+            than probable, that many such instances occur
+            every year. I shall only mention one example
+            of this kind, by which the reader may judge
+            of the rest; it is in Astley's collection, vol. 2.
+            p. 449, related by John Atkins, surgeon on
+            board admiral Ogle's squadron, of one
+            "Harding, master of a vessel in which several
+            of the men-slaves and women-slaves
+            had attempted to rise, in order to recover
+            their liberty; some of whom the master,
+            of his own authority, sentenced to cruel
+            death, making them first eat the heart
+            and liver of one of those he had killed.
+            The woman he hoisted by the thumbs,
+            whipped, and slashed with knives before
+            <a name="P_125"></a>
+            the other slaves, till she died."<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXII_FN2"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXII_FN2"></a> As detestable
+            and shocking as this may appear to
+            such whose hearts are not yet hardened by the
+            practice of that cruelty, which the love of
+            <a name="P_126"></a>
+            wealth by degrees introduceth into the human
+            mind, it will not be strange to those who have
+            been concerned or employed in the trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteXII_FN2"></a><a href="#FootXII_FN2">A</a>: A
+            memorable instance of some of the dreadful effects
+            of the slave-trade, happened about five years past, on a
+            ship from this port, then at anchor about three miles
+            from shore, near Acra Fort, on the coast of Guinea.
+            They had purchased between four and five hundred
+            Negroes, and were ready to sail for the West Indies. It
+            is customary on board those vessels, to keep the men
+            shackled two by two, each by one leg to a small iron
+            bar; these are every day brought on the deck for the
+            benefit of air; and lest they should attempt to recover
+            their freedom, they are made fast to two common chains,
+            which are extended on each side the main deck; the
+            women and children are loose. This was the situation
+            of the slaves on board this vessel, when it took fire by
+            means of a person who was drawing spirits by the light
+            of a lamp; the cask bursting, the fire spread with so
+            much violence, that in about ten minutes, the sailors,
+            apprehending it impossible to extinguish it before it
+            could reach a large quantity of powder they had on
+            board, concluded it necessary to cast themselves into the
+            sea, as the only chance of saving their lives; and first
+            they endeavoured to loose the chains by which the Negroe
+            men were fastened to the deck; but in the confusion the
+            key being missing, they had but just time to loose one
+            of the chains by wrenching the staple; when the vehemence
+            of the fire so increased, that they all but one
+            man jumped over board, when immediately the fire
+            having gained the powder, the vessel blew up with all
+            the slaves who remained fastened to the one chain, and
+            such others as had not followed the sailors examples.
+            There happened to be three Portugueze vessels in sight,
+            who, with others from the shore, putting out their
+            boats, took up about two hundred and fifty of those
+            poor souls who remained alive; of which number, about
+            fifty died on shore, being mostly of those who were fettered
+            together by iron shackles, which, as they jumped
+            into the sea, had broke their legs, and these fractures
+            being inflamed by so long a struggle in the sea, probably
+            mortified, which occasioned the death of every one that
+            was so wounded. The two hundred remaining alive,
+            were soon disposed of, for account of the owners to other
+            purchasers.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            Now here arises a necessary query to those
+            who hold the balance of justice, and who
+            must be accountable to God for the use they
+            have made of it, That as the principles on
+            which the British constitution is founded,
+            are so favourable to the common rights of
+            mankind, how it has happened that the laws
+            which countenance this iniquitous traffic,
+            have obtained the sanction of the legislature?
+            and that the executive part of the government
+            should so long shut their ears to continual
+            reports of the barbarities perpetrated
+            against this unhappy people, and leave the
+            trading subjects at liberty to trample on the
+            most precious rights of others, even without
+            a rebuke? Why are the masters of vessels thus
+            suffered to be the sovereign arbiters of the
+            lives of the miserable Negroes, and allowed
+            <a name="P_127"></a>
+            with impunity thus to destroy (may I not properly
+            say, <em>to murder</em>) their fellow-creatures;
+            and that by means so cruel, as cannot be even
+            related but with shame and horror?
+
+         </p>
+      </div>
+      <div class="teidiv">
+         <h2><a name="XIII"></a>
+            CHAP. XIII.
+
+         </h2><a name="P_128"></a><p>
+            Usage of the Negroes, when
+            they arrive in the West Indies. An hundred
+            thousand Negroes brought from
+            Guinea every year to the English colonies.
+            The number of Negroes who die in the passage
+            and seasoning. These are, properly
+            speaking, murdered by the prosecution of
+            this infamous traffic. Remarks on its
+            dreadful <em>effects and tendency</em>.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            When the vessels arrive at their destined
+            port in the colonies, the poor
+            Negroes are to be disposed of to the planters;
+            and here they are again exposed naked,
+            without any distinction of sexes, to the
+            brutal examination of their purchasers; and
+            this, it may well be judged, is, to many,
+            another occasion of deep distress. Add to
+            this, that near connexions must now again be
+            separated, to go with their several purchasers;
+            this must be deeply affecting to all, but such
+            whose hearts are seared by the love of gain.
+            Mothers are seen hanging over their daughters,
+            bedewing their naked breasts with
+            tears, and daughters clinging to their parents,
+            <a name="P_129"></a>
+            not knowing what new stage of distress
+            must follow their separation, or whether
+            they shall ever meet again. And here
+            what sympathy, what commiseration, do
+            they meet with? Why, indeed, if they will
+            not separate as readily as their owners think
+            proper, the whipper is called for, and the
+            lash exercised upon their naked bodies,
+            till obliged to part. Can any human heart,
+            which is not become callous by the practice
+            of such cruelties, be unconcerned, even at
+            the relation of such grievous affliction, to
+            which this oppressed part of our species are
+            subjected.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In a book, printed in Liverpool, called
+            <i>The Liverpool Memorandum</i>, which contains,
+            amongst other things, an account of the
+            trade of that port, there is an exact list of
+            the vessels employed in the Guinea trade,
+            and of the number of slaves imported in each
+            vessel; by which it appears that in the year
+            1753, the number imported to America by
+            one hundred and one vessels belonging to
+            that port, amounted to upwards of thirty
+            thousand; and from the number of vessels
+            employed by the African company in London
+            and Bristol, we may, with some degree
+            of certainty, conclude, there are one
+            hundred thousand Negroes purchased and
+            brought on board our ships yearly from the
+            coast of Africa. This is confirmed in Anderson's
+            <a name="P_130"></a>
+            history of Trade and Commerce, lately
+            printed; where it is said,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXIII_FN1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXIII_FN1"></a> "That
+            England supplies her American colonies with
+            Negroe slaves, amounting in number to
+            above one hundred thousand every year."
+            When the vessels are full freighted with
+            slaves, they sail for our plantations in America,
+            and may be two or three months in the
+            voyage; during which time, from the filth
+            and stench that is among them, distempers
+            frequently break out, which carry off commonly
+            a fifth, a fourth, yea sometimes a
+            third or more of them: so that taking all the
+            slaves together, that are brought on board
+            our ships yearly, one may reasonably suppose,
+            that at least ten thousand of them die on
+            the voyage. And in a printed account of
+            the state of the Negroes in our plantations,
+            it is supposed that a fourth part, more or less,
+            die at the different islands, in what is called
+            the seasoning. Hence it may be presumed,
+            that at a moderate computation of the slaves
+            who are purchased by our African merchants
+            in a year, near thirty thousand die
+            upon the voyage, and in the seasoning. Add
+            to this, the prodigious number who are
+            killed in the incursions and intestine wars,
+            by which the Negroes procure the number
+            of slaves wanted to load the vessels. How
+            <a name="P_131"></a>
+            dreadful then is this slave-trade, whereby
+            so many thousands of our fellow creatures,
+            free by nature, endued with the same rational
+            faculties, and called to be heirs of the
+            same salvation with us, lose their lives, and
+            are, truly and properly speaking, murdered
+            every year! For it is not necessary, in order
+            to convict a man of murder, to make it appear
+            that he had an <em>intention</em> to commit
+            murder; whoever does, by unjust force or
+            violence, deprive another of his liberty, and,
+            while he hath him in his power, continues
+            so to oppress him by cruel treatment, as eventually
+            to occasion his death, is actually
+            guilty of murder. It is enough to make
+            a thoughtful person tremble, to think what
+            a load of guilt lies upon our nation on this
+            account; and that the blood of thousands of
+            poor innocent creatures, murdered every
+            year in the prosecution of this wicked trade,
+            cries aloud to Heaven for vengeance. Were
+            we to hear or read of a nation that destroyed
+            every year, in some other way, as many
+            human creatures as perish in this trade, we
+            should certainly consider them as a very
+            bloody, barbarous people; if it be alledged,
+            that the legislature hath encouraged, and
+            still does encourage this trade, It is answered,
+            that no legislature on earth can alter the
+            nature of things, so as to make that to be
+            right which is contrary to the law of God,
+            <a name="P_132"></a>
+            (the supreme Legislator and Governor of the
+            world) and opposeth the promulgation of the
+            Gospel of <em>peace on earth, and good will to man</em>.
+            Injustice may be methodized and established
+            by law, but still it will be injustice, as much
+            as it was before; though its being so established
+            may render men more insensible of the
+            guilt, and more bold and secure in the perpetration
+            of it.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteXIII_FN1"></a><a href="#FootXIII_FN1">A</a>: Appendix
+            to Anderson's history, p. 68.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+      </div>
+      <div class="teidiv">
+         <h2><a name="XIV"></a>
+            CHAP. XIV.
+
+         </h2>
+         <p>
+            Observations on the disposition
+            and capacity of the Negroes: Why
+            thought inferior to that of the Whites.
+            Affecting instances of the slavery of the
+            Negroes. Reflections thereon.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Doubts may arise in the minds of
+            some, whether the foregoing accounts,
+            relating to the natural capacity and good
+            disposition of the inhabitants of Guinea,
+            and of the violent manner in which they are
+            said to be torn from their native land, are to
+            be depended upon; as those Negroes who
+            <a name="P_133"></a>
+            are brought to us, are not heard to complain,
+            and do but seldom manifest such a
+            docility and quickness of parts, as is agreeable
+            thereto. But those who make these objections,
+            are desired to note the many discouragements
+            the poor Africans labour under,
+            when brought from their native land.
+            Let them consider, that those afflicted strangers,
+            though in an <em>enlightened Christian country</em>,
+            have yet but little opportunity or encouragement
+            to exert and improve their natural
+            talents: They are constantly employed
+            in servile labour; and the abject condition in
+            which we see them, naturally raises an idea
+            of a superiority in ourselves; whence we are
+            apt to look upon them as an ignorant and
+            contemptible part of mankind. Add to this,
+            that they meet with very little encouragement
+            of freely conversing with such of the
+            Whites, as might impart instruction to them.
+            It is a fondness for wealth, for authority, or
+            honour, which prompts most men in their
+            endeavours to excell; but these motives can
+            have little influence upon the minds of the
+            Negroes; few of them having any reasonable
+            prospect of any other than a state of slavery;
+            so that, though their natural capacities
+            were ever so good, they have neither inducement
+            or opportunity to exert them to
+            advantage: This naturally tends to depress
+            their minds, and sink their spirits into habits
+            <a name="P_134"></a>
+            of idleness and sloth, which they would,
+            in all likelihood, have been free from, had
+            they stood upon an equal footing with
+            the white people. They are suffered, with
+            impunity, to cohabit together, without being
+            married; and to part, when solemnly
+            engaged to one another as man and wife;
+            notwithstanding the moral and religious laws
+            of the land, strictly prohibiting such practices.
+            This naturally tends to beget apprehensions
+            in the most thoughtful of those
+            people, that we look upon them as a lower
+            race, not worthy of the same care, nor liable
+            to the same rewards and punishments as ourselves.
+            Nevertheless it may with truth be
+            said, that both amongst those who have obtained
+            their freedom, and those who remain
+            in servitude, some have manifested a
+            strong sagacity and an exemplary uprightness
+            of heart. If this hath not been generally
+            the case with them, is it a matter of surprize?
+            Have we not reason to make the
+            same complaint of many white servants,
+            when discharged from our service, though
+            many of them have had much greater opportunities
+            of knowledge and improvement
+            than the blacks; who, even when free, labour
+            under the same difficulties as before:
+            having but little access to, and intercourse
+            with, the most reputable white people, they
+            remain confined within their former limits
+            <a name="P_135"></a>
+            of conversation. And if they seldom complain
+            of the unjust and cruel usage they have
+            received, in being forced from their native
+            country, &amp;c. it is not to be wondered at;
+            it being a considerable time after their arrival
+            amongst us, before they can speak our language;
+            and, by the time they are able to
+            express themselves, they have great reason
+            to believe, that little or no notice would be
+            taken of their complaints: yet let any person
+            enquire of those who were capable of reflection,
+            before they were brought from their
+            native land, and he will hear such affecting
+            relations, as, if not lost to the common
+            feelings of humanity, will sensibly affect his
+            heart. The case of a poor Negroe, not long
+            since brought from Guinea, is a recent instance
+            of this kind. From his first arrival,
+            he appeared thoughtful and dejected, frequently
+            dropping tears when taking notice
+            of his master's children, the cause of which
+            was not known till he was able to speak English,
+            when the account he gave of himself
+            was, "That he had a wife and children in
+            his own country; that some of these being
+            sick and thirsty, he went in the night
+            time, to fetch water at a spring, where
+            he was violently seized and carried away
+            by persons who lay in wait to catch men,
+            from whence he was transported to America.
+            The remembrance of his family,
+            <a name="P_136"></a>
+            friends, and other connections, left behind,
+            which he never expected to see any more,
+            were the principal cause of his dejection
+            and grief." Many cases, equally affecting,
+            might be here mentioned; but one more instance,
+            which fell under the notice of a person
+            of credit, will suffice. One of these
+            wretched creatures, then about 50 years of
+            age, informed him, "That being violently
+            torn from a wife and several children in
+            Guinea, he was sold in Jamaica, where
+            never expecting to see his native land or
+            family any more, he joined himself to a
+            Negroe woman, by whom he had two
+            children: after some years, it suiting the
+            interest of his owner to remove him, he
+            was separated from his second wife and
+            children, and brought to South Carolina,
+            where, expecting to spend the remainder
+            of his days, he engaged with a third wife,
+            by whom he had another child; but here
+            the same consequence of one man being
+            subject to the will and pleasure of another
+            man occurring, he was separated from
+            this last wife and child, and brought into
+            this country, where he remained a slave."
+            Can any, whose mind is not rendered quite
+            obdurate by the love of wealth, hear these
+            relations, without being deeply touched
+            with sympathy and sorrow? And doubtless
+            the case of many, very many of these afflicted
+            <a name="P_137"></a>
+            people, upon enquiry, would be found
+            to be attended with circumstances equally
+            tragical and aggravating. And if we enquire
+            of those Negroes, who were brought
+            away from their native country when children,
+            we shall find most of them to have been
+            stolen away, when abroad from their parents,
+            on the roads, in the woods, or watching
+            their corn-fields. Now, you that have
+            studied the book of conscience, and you
+            that are learned in the law, what will you
+            say to such deplorable cases? When, and
+            how, have these oppressed people forfeited
+            their liberty? Does not justice loudly call
+            for its being restored to them? Have they
+            not the same right to demand it, as any of us
+            should have, if we had been violently snatched
+            by pirates from our native land? Is it
+            not the duty of every dispenser of justice,
+            who is not forgetful of his own humanity,
+            to remember that these are men, and to declare
+            them free? Where instances of such
+            cruelty frequently occur, and are neither
+            enquired into, nor redressed, by those whose
+            duty it is <em>to seek judgment, and relieve the oppressed</em>,
+            Isaiah i. 17. what can be expected,
+            but that the groans and cries of these sufferers
+            will reach Heaven; and what shall we do
+            <em>when God riseth up? and when he visiteth</em>, what
+            will ye answer him? <em>Did not he that made
+               them, make us; and did not one fashion us in
+               the womb</em>? Job xxxi. 14.
+
+         </p>
+      </div>
+      <div class="teidiv">
+         <h2><a name="XIV_a"></a>
+            CHAP XIV.
+
+         </h2><a name="P_138"></a><p>
+            The expediency of a general
+            freedom being granted to the Negroes
+            considered. <em>Reasons</em> why it might be productive
+            of advantage and <em>safety to the Colonies</em>.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It is scarce to be doubted, but that the
+            foregoing accounts will beget in the
+            heart of the considerate readers an earnest
+            desire to see a stop put to this complicated
+            evil, but the objection with many is, What
+            shall be done with those Negroes already
+            imported, and born in our families? Must
+            they be sent to Africa? That would be to
+            expose them, in a strange land, to greater
+            difficulties than many of them labour under
+            at present. To let them suddenly free here,
+            would be perhaps attended with no less difficulty;
+            for, undiciplined as they are in religion
+            and virtue, they might give a loose
+            to those evil habits, which the fear of a master
+            would have restrained. These are objections,
+            which weigh with many well disposed
+            people, and it must be granted, these are difficulties
+            in the way; nor can any general
+            <a name="P_139"></a>
+            change be made, or reformation effected,
+            without some; but the difficulties are not so
+            great but that they may be surmounted.
+            If the government was so considerate of the
+            iniquity and danger attending on this practice,
+            as to be willing to seek a remedy, doubtless
+            the Almighty would bless this good
+            intention, and such methods would be
+            thought of, as would not only put an end
+            to the unjust oppression of the Negroes, but
+            might bring them under regulations, that
+            would enable them to become profitable
+            members of society; for the furtherance of
+            which, the following proposals are offered
+            to consideration: That all farther importation
+            of slaves be absolutely prohibited; and
+            as to those born among us, after serving
+            so long as may appear to be equitable, let
+            them by law be declared free. Let every
+            one, thus set free, be enrolled in the county
+            courts, and be obliged to be a resident,
+            during a certain number of years, within
+            the said county, under the care of the overseers
+            of the poor. Thus being, in some
+            sort, still under the direction of governors,
+            and the notice of those who were formerly
+            acquainted with them, they would be obliged
+            to act the more circumspectly, and make
+            proper use of their liberty, and their children
+            <a name="P_140"></a>
+            would have an opportunity of obtaining
+            such instructions, as are necessary to the common
+            occasions of life; and thus both parents
+            and children might gradually become useful
+            members of the community. And further,
+            where the nature of the country would permit,
+            as certainly the uncultivated condition
+            of our southern and most western colonies
+            easily would, suppose a small tract of land
+            were assigned to every Negroe family, and
+            they obliged to live upon and improve it,
+            (when not hired out to work for the white
+            people) this would encourage them to exert
+            their abilities, and become industrious subjects.
+            Hence, both planters and tradesmen
+            would be plentifully supplied with chearful
+            and willing-minded labourers, much vacant
+            land would be cultivated, the produce of
+            the country be justly increased, the taxes
+            for the support of government lessened to
+            individuals, by the increase of taxables, and
+            the Negroes, instead of being an object of
+            terror,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXIV_FN1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXIV_FN1"></a> as
+            they certainly must be to the governments
+            <a name="P_141"></a>
+            where their numbers are great,
+            would become interested in their safety and
+            welfare.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteXIV_FN1"></a><a href="#FootXIV_FN1">A</a>: The hard usage the Negroes
+            meet with in the plantations, and the great disproportion between them and
+            the white people, will always be a just cause of terror.
+            In Jamaica, and some parts of South-Carolina, it is
+            supposed that there are fifteen blacks to one white.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+      </div>
+      <div class="teidiv">
+         <h2><a name="XV"></a>
+            CHAP. XV.
+
+         </h2>
+         <p>
+            Answer to a mistaken opinion,
+            that the warmth of the climate in the West-Indies,
+            will not permit white people to labour
+            there. No complaint of disability
+            in the whites, in that respect, in the settlement
+            of the islands. Idleness and diseases
+            prevailed, as the use of slaves increased.
+            <em>The great</em> advantage which might accrue
+            to the British nation, if the slave trade
+            was entirely laid aside, and a fair and
+            friendly commerce established through the
+            whole coast of Africa.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It is frequently offered as an argument,
+            in vindication of the use of Negroe slaves,
+            that the warmth of the climate in the West
+            Indies will not permit white people to labour
+            in the culture of the land: but upon
+            an acquaintance with the nature of the climate,
+            and its effects upon such labouring
+            <a name="P_142"></a>
+            white people, as are prudent and moderate
+            in labour, and the use of spirituous liquors,
+            this will be found to be a mistaken opinion.
+            Those islands were, at first, wholly cultivated
+            by white men; the encouragement they
+            then met with, for a long course of years,
+            was such as occasioned a great increase of
+            people. Richard Ligon, in his history of
+            Barbadoes, where he resided from the year
+            1647 to 1650, about 24 years after his first
+            settlement, writes, "that there were then
+            fifty thousand souls on that island, besides
+            Negroes; and that though the weather
+            was very hot, yet not so scalding
+            but that servants, both christians and
+            slaves, laboured ten hours a day." By
+            other accounts we gather, that the white
+            people have since decreased to less than one
+            half the number which was there at that
+            time; and by relations of the first settlements
+            of the other islands, we do not meet
+            with any complaints of unfitness in the white
+            people for labour there, before slaves were
+            introduced. The island of Hispaniola, which
+            is one of the largest of those islands, was at
+            first planted by the Buccaneers, a set of hardy
+            laborious men, who continued so for a
+            long course of years; till following the example
+            of their neighbours, in the purchase
+            and use of Negroe slaves, idleness and excess
+            prevailing, debility and disease naturally
+            <a name="P_143"></a>
+            succeeded, and have ever since continued.
+            If, under proper regulations, liberty
+            was proclaimed through the colonies, the
+            Negroes, from dangerous, grudging, half-fed
+            slaves, might become able, willing-minded
+            labourers. And if there was not a sufficient
+            number of these to do the necessary
+            work, a competent number of labouring
+            people might be procured from Europe,
+            which affords numbers of poor distressed objects,
+            who, if not overlooked, with proper
+            usage, might, in several respects, better answer
+            every good purpose in performing the
+            necessary labour in the islands, than the slaves
+            now do.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            A farther considerable advantage might
+            accrue to the British nation in general, if
+            the slave trade was laid aside, by the cultivation
+            of a fair, friendly, and humane commerce
+            with the Africans; without which,
+            it is not possible the inland trade of that
+            country should ever be extended to the degree
+            it is capable of; for while the spirit of
+            butchery and making slaves of each other,
+            is promoted by the Europeans amongst the
+            Negroes, no mutual confidence can take
+            place; nor will the Europeans be able to
+            travel with safety into the heart of their
+            country, to form and cement such commercial
+            friendships and alliances, as might be
+            necessary to introduce the arts and sciences
+            <a name="P_144"></a>
+            amongst them, and engage their attention
+            to instruction in the principles of the christian
+            religion, which is the only sure foundation
+            of every social virtue. Africa has
+            about ten thousand miles of sea coast, and
+            extends in depth near three thousand miles
+            from east to west, and as much from north
+            to south, stored with vast treasures of materials,
+            necessary for the trade and manufactures
+            of Great-Britain; and from its climate,
+            and the fruitfulness of its soil, capable, under
+            proper management, of producing in
+            the greatest plenty, most of the commodities
+            which are imported into Europe from those
+            parts of America subject to the English
+            government;<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXV_FN1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXV_FN1"></a> and
+            as, in return, they would
+            take our manufactures, the advantages of
+            this trade would soon become so great,
+            that it is evident this subject merits the regard
+            and attention of the government.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteXV_FN1"></a><a href="#FootXV_FN1">A</a>: See note, page 109.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+      </div>
+      <div class="teidiv">
+         <h2><a name="GSharp"></a><br><br><br><br>
+            EXTRACT
+            <br><br>
+            FROM A
+            <br><br>
+            REPRESENTATION
+            <br><br>
+            OF THE
+            <br><br>
+            INJUSTICE
+            <br><br>
+            AND
+            <br><br>
+            DANGEROUS TENDENCY
+            <br><br>
+            OF TOLERATING
+            <br><br>
+            SLAVERY;
+            <br><br><br><br>
+            OR
+
+            <br><br>
+            Admitting the least CLAIM of private Property
+            in the Persons of Men in England.
+            <br><br><br><br>
+            By GRANVILLE SHARP.
+            <br><br><br><br>
+            FIRST PRINTED IN LONDON.
+            <br><br><br><br>
+            MDCCLXIX.
+            <br><br><br><br>
+            CONTENTS.
+
+         </h2><a name="P_145"></a><p><i>The occasion of this Treatise.
+               All Persons during their residence
+               in</i> Great Britain <i>are subjects; and as
+               such, bound to the laws, and under
+               the Kings protection. By the English
+               laws, no man, of what condition
+               soever, to be imprisoned, or any way
+               deprived of his</i> LIBERTY, <i>without a
+               legal process. The danger of</i> Slavery
+            <i>taking place in England. Prevails
+               in the Northern Colonies, notwithstanding
+               the people's plea in favour
+               of</i> Liberty. <i>Advertisements in
+               the New-York Journal for the sale
+               of</i> SLAVES. <i>Advertisements to the
+               same purpose in the public prints in
+               England. The danger of confining
+               any person without a legal warrant.
+               Instances of that nature. Note,
+               Extract of several American laws,
+               Reflexions thereon.</i></p><a name="P_147"></a><p><b>EXTRACT, &amp;c.</b></p>
+         <p>
+            Some persons respectable in the law,
+            having given it as their opinion,
+            "<i>That a slave, by coming from the West Indies
+               to Great Britain or Ireland, either with or
+               without his master, doth not become free, or
+               that his master's property or right in him is
+               not thereby determined or varied;&#8212;and
+               that the master may legally compel him to return
+               again to the plantations</i>,"&#8212;this
+            causes our author to remark, that these
+            lawyers, by thus stating the case merely
+            on one side of the question, (I mean in favour
+            of the master) have occasioned an unjust presumption
+            and prejudice, plainly inconsistent
+            with the laws of the realm, and against the
+            other side of the question; as they have not
+            signified that their opinion was only conditional,
+            and not absolute, and must be understood
+            on the part of the master, "<i>That he can
+               produce an authentic agreement or contract
+               in writing, by which it shall appear, that
+               the said slave hath voluntarily bound himself,
+               without compulsion or illegal duress</i>."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Page 5. Indeed there are many instances of
+            persons being freed from slavery by the laws
+            <a name="P_148"></a>
+            of England, but (God be thanked) there is
+            neither law, nor even a precedent, (at least I
+            have not been able to find one) of a legal
+            determination to justify a master in claiming
+            or detaining any person whatsoever as a
+            slave in England, who has not voluntarily
+            bound himself as such by a contract in
+            writing.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Page 20. An English subject cannot be
+            made a slave without his own free consent:
+            but&#8212;a foreign slave is made a subject
+            with or without his own consent: there
+            needs no contract for this purpose, as in the
+            other case; nor any other act or deed whatsoever,
+            but that of his being landed in England;
+            For according to statute 32d of Henry
+            VIII. c. 16. Sect. 9. "<i>Every alien or stranger
+               born out of the King's obeisance, not being
+               denizen, which now or hereafter shall come
+               into this realm, or elsewhere within the
+               King's dominions, shall, after the said first
+               of September next coming, be bounden by and
+               unto the laws and statutes of this realm, and
+               to all and singular the contents of the same.</i>"
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Now it must be observed, that this
+            law makes no distinction of <i>bond or free</i>,
+            neither of colours or complexions, whether
+            of <i>black, brown</i>, or <i>white</i>; for "<i>every alien
+               or stranger</i> (without exception) <i>are bounden
+               by and unto the law</i>, &amp;c."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This binding, or obligation, is properly
+            <a name="P_149"></a>
+            expressed by the English word <i>ligeance, (&agrave;
+               ligando</i>) which may be either perpetual or
+            temporary. Wood, b. I. c. 3. p. 37. But one
+            of these is indispensably due to the Sovereign
+            from all ranks and conditions of people;
+            their being bounden unto the laws, (upon
+            which the Sovereign's right is founded) expresses
+            and implies this subjection to the laws;
+            and therefore to alledge, that an alien is not
+            a subject, because he is in bondage, is not
+            only a plea without foundation, but a contradiction
+            in terms; for every person who,
+            in any respect, is in subjection to the laws,
+            must undoubtedly be a subject.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I come now to the main point&#8212;"<em>That
+               every man, woman, or child, that now is, or
+               hereafter shall be, an inhabitant or resiant of
+               this kingdom of England, dominion of Wales,
+               or town of Berwick upon Tweed,</em>" is, in
+            some respect or other, the <em>King's subject</em>, and,
+            as such, is absolutely secure in his or her <em>personal
+               liberty</em>, by virtue of a statute, 31st Car.
+            II. ch. 11. and particularly by the 12th Sect.
+            of the same, wherein subjects of all conditions
+            are plainly included.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This act is expressly intended for the better
+            securing the liberty of the subject, and for
+            prevention of imprisonment beyond the seas.
+            It contains no distinction of "<em>natural born,
+               naturalized, denizen, or alien subject; nor of
+               white or black, freemen, or even of bond-men</em>,"
+            <a name="P_150"></a>
+            (except in the case already mentioned <em>of a
+               contract in writing</em>, by which it shall appear,
+            <em>that the said slave has voluntarily bound himself,
+               without compulsion or illegal duress</em>, allowed
+            by the 13th Sect. and the exception likewise
+            in the 14th Sect. concerning felons) but they
+            are all included under the general titles of
+            "<em>the subject, any of the said subjects, every
+               such person</em>" &amp;c. Now the definition of the
+            word "<em>person</em>," in its relative or civil capacity
+            (according to Wood. b. I. c. 11. p. 27.)
+            <em>is either the King, or a subject</em>. These are the
+            <em>only capital distinctions</em> that can be made, tho'
+            the latter consists of a variety of denominations
+            and degrees.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But if I were even to allow, that a <em>Negroe
+               slave</em> is not a subject, (though I think I have
+            clearly proved that he is) yet it is plain that
+            such an one ought not to be denied the benefit
+            of the King's court, unless the slave-holder
+            shall be able to prove likewise that
+            he is not, a <em>Man</em>; because <em>every man</em> may be
+            <em>free</em> to sue for, and <em>defend his right in our
+               courts</em>, says a stat. 20th Edw. III. c. 4. and
+            elsewhere, according to law. And <em>no man, of
+               what estate or condition</em> that he be, (here can
+            be no exception whatsoever) <em>shall be put out
+               of land or tenement, nor taken, nor imprisoned,
+               nor disinherited, nor put to death, without being
+               brought in answer by due process of the law</em>.
+            28th Edw. III, c. 3, <em>No man</em> therefore, <em>of
+               <a name="P_151"></a>
+               what estate or condition that he be</em>, can lawfully
+            be detained in England <em>as a slave</em>; because
+            we have no law whereby a man <em>may be</em>
+            condemned to <em>slavery</em> without his own consent,
+            (for even convicted felons must "<em>in
+               open court pray to transported</em>.") (See Habeas
+            Corpus act, Sect. 14.) and therefore there
+            cannot be any "<em>due process of the law</em>" tending
+            to so base a purpose. It follows therefore,
+            that every man, who presumes to detain
+            <em>any person</em> whatsoever as a slave, otherwise
+            than by virtue of a written contract, acts
+            manifestly without "<em>due process of the law</em>,"
+            and consequently is liable to the slave's
+            "<em>action of false imprisonment</em>," because
+            "<em>every man may be free to sue</em>," &amp;c. so that
+            the slave-holder cannot avail himself of his
+            imaginary <em>property</em>, either by the assistance
+            of the common law, or of a court of
+            equity, (<em>except it appears that the said slave
+               has voluntarily bound himself, without compulsion
+               or illegal duress</em>) for in both his suit
+            will certainly appear both unjust and indefensible.
+            The former cannot assist him, because
+            the statute law at present is so far from supposing
+            any man in a state of slavery, that it
+            cannot even permit such a state, except in
+            the two cases mentioned in the 13th and 14th
+            Section of the Habeas Corpus act; and the
+            courts of equity likewise must necessarily
+            decide against him, because his mere mercenary
+            <a name="P_152"></a>
+            plea of <em>private property</em> cannot
+            equitably, in a case between <em>man and man</em>,
+            stand in competition with that <em>superior property</em>
+            which every man must necessarily be
+            allowed to have in his own <em>proper person</em>.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            How then is the slave-holder to secure
+            what he esteems his <em>property?</em> Perhaps he will
+            endeavour clandestinely to seize the supposed
+            slave, in order to transport him (with or
+            without <em>his consent</em>) to the colonies, where
+            such property is allowed: but let him take
+            care what he does, the very attempt is punishable;
+            and even the making over his property
+            to another for that purpose, renders
+            him equally liable to the severe penalties of
+            the law, for a bill of sale may certainly be
+            included under the terms expressed in the
+            Habeas Corpus act, 12th Sect. viz. "<em>Any warrant
+               or writing for such commitment, detainer,
+               imprisonment, or transportation," &amp;c.</em> It is also
+            dangerous for a counsellor, or any other person
+            <em>to advise</em> (see the act "shall be advising") such
+            proceedings, by saying, "<em>That a master may
+               legally compel him</em> (the slave) <em>to return again
+               to the plantations</em>." Likewise an attorney,
+            notary-public, or any other person, who
+            shall presume to draw up, negotiate, of even
+            to witness a bill of sale, or other instrument
+            for such commitment, &amp;c. offends equally
+            against the law, because "<em>All, or any person
+               or persons, that shall frame, contrive, write,
+               <a name="P_153"></a>
+               seal, or countersign any warrant or writing for
+               such commitment, detainer, imprisonment, or
+               transportation; or shall be advising, aiding,
+               or assisting in the same, or any of them</em>," are
+            liable to all the penalties of the act. "<em>And the
+               plaintiff, in every such action, shall have
+               judgment to recover his treble costs, besides
+               damages; which damages so to be given shall
+               not be less than five hundred pounds</em>;" so that
+            the injured may have ample satisfaction for
+            their sufferings: and even a judge may not
+            direct or instruct a jury contrary to this statute,
+            whatever his private opinion may be concerning
+            property in slaves; because <em>no order or
+               command, nor no injunction</em>, is allowed to interfere
+            with this <em>golden act of liberty</em>.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            &#8212;I have before observed, that the general
+            term, "<i>every alien</i>," includes <em>all strangers
+               whatsoever</em>, and renders them <em>subject</em> to the
+            King, and the laws, during their residence in
+            this kingdom; and this is certainly true,
+            whether the aliens be Turks, Moors, Arabians,
+            Tartars, or even savages, from any
+            part of the world.&#8212;Men are rendered obnoxious
+            to the laws by their offences, and
+            not by the particular denomination of their
+            rank, order, parentage, colour, or country;
+            and therefore, though we should suppose
+            that any particular body of people whatsoever
+            were not known, or had in consideration
+            by the legislature at the different times
+            <a name="P_154"></a>
+            when the severe penal laws were made, yet no
+            man can reasonably conceive, that such men
+            are exempted on this account from the penalties
+            of the said laws, when legally convicted
+            of having offended against them.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Laws calculated for the moral purpose of
+            preventing oppression, are likewise usually
+            supposed to be everlasting, and to make up
+            a part of our happy constitution; for which
+            reason, though the kind of oppression to be
+            guarded against, and the penalties for offenders,
+            are minutely described therein, yet
+            the persons to be protected are comprehended
+            in terms as general as possible; that "<em>no person
+               who now is, or hereafter shall be, an inhabitant
+               or resiant in this kingdom</em>," (see Habeas
+            Corpus act, Sect. 12th) may seem to be
+            excluded from protection. The general
+            terms of the several statutes before cited, are
+            so full and clear, that they admit of no exception
+            whatsoever; for all persons (Negroes
+            as well as others) must be included in the terms
+            "the subject;"&#8212;"<em>no subject of this realm that
+               now is, or hereafter shall be, an inhabitant,
+               &amp;c. any subject; every such person</em>;" see
+            Habeas Corpus act. Also <em>every man</em> may be
+            <em>free</em> to sue, &amp;c. 20th Edward III. cap. 4. and
+            <em>no man, of what estate or condition that he be</em>,
+            shall be taken or imprisoned, &amp;c. True
+            justice makes no respect of persons, and can
+            never deny, to any one that blessing to
+            <a name="P_155"></a>
+            which all mankind have an undoubted right,
+            their <em>natural liberty</em>: though the law makes
+            no mention of Negroe slaves, yet this is
+            no just argument for excluding them from
+            the general protection of our happy constitution.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Neither can the objection, that Negroe
+            slaves were not "had in consideration or
+            contemplation," when these laws were
+            made, prove any thing against them; but,
+            on the contrary, much in their favour; for
+            both these circumstances are strong presumptive
+            proofs, that the practice of importing
+            slaves into this kingdom, and retaining them
+            as such, is an innovation entirely foreign to
+            the spirit and intention of the laws now in
+            force.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            &#8212;Page 79. A toleration of slavery is, in
+            effect, a toleration of inhumanity; for there
+            are wretches in the world who make no scruple
+            to gain, by wearing out their slaves with continual
+            labour, and a scanty allowance, before
+            they have lived out half their natural days.
+            It is notorious, that this is too often the case
+            in the unhappy countries where slavery is
+            tolerated.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            See the account of the European settlements
+            in America, Part VI. Chap. 11. concerning
+            the "<em>misery of the Negroes, great
+               waste of them</em>," &amp;c. which informs us not
+            only of a most scandalous profanation of the
+            <a name="P_156"></a>
+            Lord's day, but also of another abomination,
+            which must be infinitely more heinous in the
+            sight of God, viz. oppression carried to such
+            excess, as to be even destructive of the human
+            species.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            At present, the inhumanity of constrained
+            labour in excess, extends no farther in England
+            than to our beasts, as post and hackney-horses,
+            sand-asses, &amp;c.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But thanks to our laws, and not to the
+            general good disposition of masters, that
+            it is so; for the wretch who is bad enough
+            to maltreat a helpless beast, would not spare
+            his fellow man if he had him as much in his
+            power.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The maintenance of civil liberty is therefore
+            absolutely necessary to prevent an increase of
+            our national guilt, by the addition of the horrid
+            crime of tyranny.&#8212;Notwithstanding that
+            the plea of necessity cannot here be urged, yet
+            this is no reason why an increase of the practice
+            is not to be feared.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Our North American colonies afford us a
+            melancholy instance to the contrary; for
+            though the climate in general is so wholesome
+            and temperate, that it will not authorise
+            this plea of necessity for the employment
+            of slaves, any more than our own, yet the
+            pernicious practice of slave-holding is become
+            almost general in those parts. At New-York,
+            for instance, the infringement on civil
+            <a name="P_157"></a>
+            or domestic liberty is become notorious,
+            notwithstanding the political controversies
+            of the inhabitants in praise of liberty; but
+            no panegyric on this subject (howsoever
+            elegant in itself) can be graceful or edifying
+            from the mouth or pen of one of those
+            provincials, because men who do not scruple
+            to detain others in slavery, have but a very
+            partial and unjust claim to the protection of
+            the laws of liberty; and indeed it too plainly
+            appears that they have no real regard for
+            liberty, farther than their own private
+            interests are concerned; and (consequently)
+            that they have so little detestation of despotism
+            and tyranny, that they do not scruple to
+            exercise them whenever their caprice excites
+            them, or their private interest seems to require
+            an exertion of their power over their miserable
+            slaves.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Every petty planter, who avails himself of
+            the service of slaves, is an arbitrary monarch,
+            or rather a lawless Bashaw in his own territories,
+            notwithstanding that the imaginary freedom
+            of the province wherein he resides, may
+            seem to forbid the observation.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The boasted liberty of our American colonies,
+            therefore, has so little right to that
+            sacred name, that it seems to differ from the
+            arbitrary power of despotic monarchs only
+            in one circumstance, viz. that it is a <em>many-headed
+               monster of tyranny</em>, which entirely subverts
+            <a name="P_158"></a>
+            our most excellent constitution; because
+            liberty and slavery are so opposite to each
+            other, that they cannot subsist in the same
+            community. "<em>Political liberty (in mild or
+               well regulated governments) makes civil liberty
+               valuable; and whosoever is deprived
+               of the latter, is deprived also of the former</em>."
+            This observation of the learned Montesquieu,
+            I hope sufficiently justifies my censure of
+            the Americans for their notorious violation
+            of civil liberty;&#8212;The New-York Journal,
+            or, The General Advertiser, for Thursday,
+            22d October, 1767, gives notice by advertisement,
+            of no less than eight different persons
+            who have escaped from slavery, or are
+            put up to public sale for that horrid purpose.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            That I may demonstrate the indecency of
+            such proceedings in a free country, I shall
+            take the liberty of laying some of these advertisements
+            before my readers, by way of
+            example.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "<em>To be SOLD for want of Employment</em>,
+            A likely strong active Negroe man, of
+            about 24 years of age, this country born,
+            (<i>N.B.</i> A natural born subject)
+            understands most of a baker's trade, and a good deal
+            of farming business, and can do all sorts
+            of house-work.&#8212;Also a healthy Negroe
+            wench, of about 21 years old, is a tolerable
+            cook, and capable of doing all sorts
+            <a name="P_159"></a>
+            of house-work, can be well recommended
+            for her honesty and sobriety: she has
+            a female child of nigh three years old,
+            which will be sold with the wench if required,
+            &amp;c." Here is not the least consideration,
+            or scruple of conscience, for the inhumanity
+            of parting the mother and young
+            child. From the stile, one would suppose the
+            advertisement to be of no more importance
+            than if it related merely to the sale of a cow
+            and her calf; and that the cow should be sold
+            with or without her calf, according as the
+            purchaser should require.&#8212;But not only
+            Negroes, but even American Indians, are detained
+            in the same abominable slavery in our
+            colonies, though there cannot be any reasonable
+            pretence whatsoever for holding one
+            of these as private property; for even if a
+            written contract should be produced as a
+            voucher in such a case, there would still remain
+            great suspicion, that some undue advantage
+            had been taken of the Indian's ignorance
+            concerning the nature of such a bond.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "<i>Run away, on Monday the 21st instant, from
+               J&#8212;&#8212;n T&#8212;&#8212;, Esq. of West-Chester county,
+               in the province of New-York</i>,
+            An Indian slave, named Abraham, he may
+            have changed his name, about 23 years of
+            age, about five feet five inches."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Upon the whole, I think I may with
+            justice conclude, that those advertisements
+            <a name="P_160"></a>
+            discover a shameless prostitution and infringement
+            on the common and natural rights of
+            mankind&#8212;But hold! perhaps the Americans
+            may be able, with too much justice, to retort
+            this severe reflexion, and may refer us to
+            news-papers published even in the free city
+            of London, which contain advertisements not
+            less dishonourable than their own. See advertisement
+            in the Public Ledger of 31st December,
+            1761.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "<i>For SALE,
+               A healthy NEGROE GIRL</i>, aged
+            about fifteen years; speaks good English,
+            works at her needle, washes well, does
+            houshold work, and has had the small-pox.
+            By J.W. &amp;c."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Another advertisement, not long ago,
+            offered a reward for stopping a female slave
+            who had left her mistress in Hatton-garden.
+            And in the Gazetteer of 18th April, 1769,
+            appeared a very extraordinary advertisement
+            with the following title;
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "<i>Horses, Tim Wisky, and black Boy</i>,
+            To be sold at the Bull and Gate Inn. Holborn,
+            <i>A very good Tim Wisky</i>, little the
+            worse for wear, &amp;c." Afterwards, "<i>A Chesnut
+               Gelding</i>;" then, "<i>A very good grey Mare</i>;"
+            and last of all, (as if of the least consequence)
+            "<i>A well-made good-tempered black Boy</i>, he has
+            lately had the small-pox, and will be sold
+            to any gentleman. Enquire as above."
+
+         </p><a name="P_161"></a><p>
+            Another advertisement in the same paper,
+            contains a very particular description
+            of a Negroe man, called <i>Jeremiah</i>,&#8212;and
+            concludes as follows:&#8212;"Whoever delivers
+            him to Capt. M&#8212;&#8212; U&#8212;&#8212;y, on
+            board the Elizabeth, at Prince's Stairs, Rotherhithe,
+            on or before the 31st instant,
+            shall receive thirty guineas reward, or
+            ten guineas for such intelligence as shall
+            enable the Captain, or his master, effectually
+            to secure him. The utmost secrecy
+            may be depended on." It is not on account
+            of shame, that men, who are capable
+            of undertaking the desperate and wicked
+            employment of kidnappers, are supposed to
+            be tempted to such a business, by a promise
+            "<em>of the utmost secrecy</em>;" but this must be from
+            a sense of the unlawfulness of the act proposed
+            to them, that they may have less reason
+            to fear a prosecution. And as such a kind of
+            people are supposed to undertake any thing
+            for money, the reward of thirty guineas was
+            tendered at the top of the advertisement,
+            in capital letters. No man can be safe, be
+            he white or black, if temptations to break
+            the laws are so shamefully published in our
+            news-papers.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><i>A Creole Black boy</i> is also offered to sale,
+            in the Daily Advertiser of the same date.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Besides these instances, the Americans
+            may, perhaps, taunt us with the shameful
+            <a name="P_162"></a>
+            treatment of a poor Negroe servant, who
+            not long ago was put up to sale by public
+            auction, together with the effects of his bankrupt
+            master.&#8212;Also, that the prisons of
+            this free city have been frequently prostituted
+            of late, by the tyrannical and dangerous
+            practice of confining Negroes, under the
+            pretence of slavery, though there have been
+            no warrants whatsoever for their commitment.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This circumstance of confining a man
+            without a warrant, has so great a resemblance
+            to the proceedings of a Popish inquisition,
+            that it is but too obvious what dangerous
+            practices such scandalous innovations,
+            if permitted to grow more into use, are liable
+            to introduce. No person can be safe,
+            if wicked and designing men have it in their
+            power, under the pretence of private property
+            as a slave, to throw a man clandestinely,
+            without a warrant, into goal, and to conceal
+            him there, until they can conveniently
+            dispose of him.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            A free man may be thus robbed of his liberty,
+            and carried beyond the seas, without
+            having the least opportunity of making
+            his case known; which should teach us how
+            jealous we ought to be of all imprisonments
+            made without the authority, or previous
+            examination, of a civil magistrate.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The distinction of colour will, in a short
+            <a name="P_163"></a>
+            time, be no protection against such outrages,
+            especially as not only Negroes, but
+            Mulatoes, and even American Indians,
+            (which appears by one of the advertisements
+            before quoted) are retained in slavery
+            in our American colonies; for there are
+            many honest weather-beaten Englishmen,
+            who have as little reason to boast of their
+            complexion as the Indians. And indeed, the
+            more northern Indians have no difference
+            from us in complexion, but such as is occasioned
+            by the climate, or different way of
+            living. The plea of private property, therefore,
+            cannot, by any means, justify a private
+            commitment of any person whatsoever to
+            prison, because of the apparent danger and
+            tendency of such innovation. This dangerous
+            practice of concealing in prison
+            was attempted in the case of Jonathan
+            Strong; for the door-keeper of the
+            P&#8212;&#8212;lt&#8212;&#8212;y C&#8212;&#8212;pt&#8212;&#8212;r
+            (or some person who acted for
+            him) absolutely refused, for two days, to permit
+            this poor injured Negro to be seen or
+            spoke with, though a person went on purpose,
+            both those days, to demand the same.&#8212;All laws ought to
+            be founded upon the principle of "<em>doing
+               as one would be done by</em>;"
+            and indeed this principle seems to be the
+            very basis of the English constitution; for
+            what precaution could possibly be more effectual
+            for that purpose, than the right we
+            <a name="P_164"></a>
+            enjoy of being judged by our Peers, creditable
+            persons of the vicinage; especially, as
+            we may likewise claim the right of excepting
+            against any particular juryman, who might
+            be suspected of partiality.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This law breathes the pure spirit of liberty,
+            equity, and social love; being calculated
+            to maintain that consideration and mutual
+            regard which one person ought to have for
+            another, howsoever unequal in rank or station.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But when any part of the community, under
+            the pretence of private property, is deprived
+            of this common privilege, it is a violation
+            of civil liberty, which is entirely inconsistent
+            with the social principles of a free
+            state.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            True liberty protects the labourer as well
+            as his Lord; preserves the dignity of human
+            nature, and seldom fails to render a
+            province rich and populous; whereas, on
+            the other hand, a toleration of slavery is the
+            highest breach of social virtue, and not only
+            tends to depopulation, but too often renders
+            the minds of both masters and slaves utterly
+            depraved and inhuman, by the hateful extremes
+            of exaltation and depression.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            If such a toleration should ever be generally
+            admitted in England, (which God forbid)
+            we shall no longer deserve to be esteemed
+            a civilized people; because, when the
+            <a name="P_165"></a>
+            customs of uncivilized nations, and the <em>uncivilized
+               customs which disgrace our own colonies</em>,
+            are become so familiar as to be permitted
+            amongst us with impunity, we ourselves
+            must insensibly degenerate to the same degree
+            of baseness with those from whom
+            such bad customs were derived; and may,
+            too soon, have the mortification to see the
+            <em>hateful extremes of tyranny and slavery fostered
+               under every roof</em>.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Then must the happy medium of a well
+            regulated liberty be necessarily compelled to
+            find shelter in some more civilized country:
+            where social virtue, and that divine precept,
+            "<em>Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself</em>," are
+            better understood.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            An attempt to prove the dangerous tendency,
+            injustice, and disgrace of tolerating
+            slavery amongst Englishmen, would, in any
+            former age, have been esteemed as superfluous
+            and ridiculous, as if a man should undertake,
+            in a formal manner, to prove, that
+            darkness is not light.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Sorry am I, that the depravity of the present
+            age has made a demonstration of this
+            kind necessary.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Now, that I may sum up the amount of
+            what has been said in a single sentence, I
+            shall beg leave to conclude in the words of
+            the great Sir Edward Coke, which, though
+            <a name="P_166"></a>
+            spoken on a different occasion, are yet applicable
+            to this; see Rushworth's Hist. Col.
+            An. 1628. 4 Caroli. fol. 450.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "It would be no honour to a King or
+            kingdom, to be a King of bondmen or
+            slaves: the end of this would be both
+            <i>dedecus</i><a class="notelink" href="#NoteAPP1_FN1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootAPP1_FN1"></a> and <i>damnum</i><a class="notelink" href="#NoteAPP1_FN2"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootAPP1_FN2"></a> both to King and
+            kingdom, that in former times have been
+            so renowned."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteAPP1_FN1"></a><a href="#FootAPP1_FN1">A</a>: Disgrace.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteAPP1_FN2"></a><a href="#FootAPP1_FN2">B</a>: Loss.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><br><br>
+                   *       *       *       *       *
+            <br><br></p>
+         <p>
+            Note, at page 63; According to the laws
+            of Jamaica, printed in London, in 1756, "If
+            any slave having been one whole year in
+            this island, (says an act, No 64, clause 5,
+            p. 114) shall run away, and continue absent
+            from his owner's service for the space
+            of thirty days, upon complaint and proof,
+            &amp;c. before any two justices of the peace,
+            and three freeholders, &amp;c. it shall and
+            may be lawful for such justices and freeholders
+            to order such slave to be punished,
+            by <em>cutting off one of the feet of such slave</em>, or
+            inflict such other corporal punishment as
+            they <em>shall think fit</em>." Now that I may inform
+            my readers, what corporal punishments are
+            sometimes thought fit to be inflicted, I will
+            refer to the testimony of Sir Hans Sloane,
+            (see voyage to the islands of Madeira, Barbadoes,
+            &amp;c. and Jamaica, with the natural history
+            of the last of these islands, &amp;c. London
+            <a name="P_167"></a>
+            1707. Introduction, p. 56, and 57.) "The
+            punishment for crimes of slaves (says he)
+            are usually, for <em>rebellions</em>, burning them, by
+            nailing them down to the ground with
+            crooked sticks on every limb, and then
+            applying the fire, by degrees, from the feet
+            and hands, and burning them gradually up
+            to the head, whereby <em>the pains are extravagant</em>;
+            for crimes of a lesser nature,
+            <em>gelding</em>, or <em>chopping off half the foot</em>
+            with an axe. These punishments are suffered
+            by them with great constancy.&#8212;For
+            negligence, they are usually whipped by
+            the overseers with lance-wood switches,
+            till they be bloody, and several of the
+            switches broken, being first tied up by
+            their hands in the mill houses.&#8212;After
+            they are whipped till they are raw,
+            some put on their skins pepper and salt,
+            to make them smart; at other times, their
+            masters will drop melted wax on their
+            skins, and use several <em>very exquisite torments</em>."
+            Sir Hans adds, "These punishments are
+            sometimes merited by the Blacks, who are
+            a very perverse generation of people; and
+            though they appear very harsh, yet are
+            scarce equal to some of their crimes, and
+            inferior to what punishments other European
+            nations inflict on their slaves in the
+            East-Indies, as may be seen by Moquet,
+            and other travellers." Thus Sir Hans Sloane
+            <a name="P_168"></a>
+            endeavours to excuse those shocking cruelties,
+            but certainly in vain, because no crimes
+            whatsoever can merit such severe punishments,
+            unless I except the crimes of those
+            who devise and inflict them. Sir Hans Sloane,
+            indeed, mentions <em>rebellion</em> as the principal
+            crime; and certainly it is very justly esteemed
+            a most heinous crime, in a land of liberty,
+            where government is limited by equitable
+            and just laws, if the same are tolerably
+            well observed; but in countries where arbitrary
+            power is exercised with such intolerable
+            cruelty as is before described, if resistance
+            be a crime, it is certainly the most natural of
+            all others.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But the 19th clause of the 38th act,
+            would indeed, on a slight perusal, induce us
+            to conceive, that the punishment for rebellion
+            is not so severe as it is represented by Sir
+            Hans Sloane; because a slave, though <em>deemed
+               rebellious</em>, is thereby condemned to no
+            greater punishment than transportation. Nevertheless,
+            if the clause be thoroughly considered,
+            we shall find no reason to commend
+            the mercy of the legislature; for it only
+            proves, that the Jamaica law-makers will
+            not scruple to charge the slightest and most
+            natural offences with the most opprobrious
+            epithets; and that a poor slave, who perhaps
+            has no otherwise incurred his master's
+            <a name="P_169"></a>
+            displeasure than by endeavouring (upon the
+            just and warrantable principles of self-preservation,)
+            to escape from his master's tyranny,
+            without any criminal intention whatsoever,
+            is liable to be <em>deemed rebellious</em>, and to be
+            arraigned as a capital offender. "For every
+            slave and slaves that shall run away, and
+            continue but for the space of twelve months,
+            except such slave or slaves as shall not have
+            been three years in this island, shall be <em>deemed
+               rebellious</em>," &amp;c. (see act 38, clause 19. p. 60.)
+            Thus we are enabled to define what a West
+            Indian tyrant means by the word <em>rebellious</em>.
+            But unjust as this clause may seem, yet it is
+            abundantly more merciful and considerate
+            than a subsequent act against the same poor
+            miserable people, because the former assigns
+            no other punishment for persons so <em>deemed
+               rebellious</em>, than that they, "<em>Shall be
+               transported</em> by order of two justices and three
+            freeholders," &amp;c. whereas the latter spares
+            not the blood of these poor injured fugitives:
+            For by the 66th act, a reward of 50 pounds
+            is offered to those who "shall kill or bring
+            in alive any <em>rebellious slaves</em>," that is, any
+            of these unfortunate people whom the law
+            has "<em>deemed rebellious</em>," as above; and this
+            premium is not only tendered to commissioned
+            parties (see 2d. clause) but even to any
+            private "<em>hunter, slave, or other person</em>," (see 3d.
+            <a name="P_170"></a>
+            clause.) Thus it is manifest, that the law
+            treats these poor unhappy men with as little
+            ceremony and consideration as if they were
+            merely wild beasts. But the innocent blood
+            that is shed in consequence of such a detestable
+            law, must certainly call for vengeance
+            on the murderous abettors and actors of such
+            deliberate wickedness: And though many of
+            the guilty wretches should even be so hardened
+            and abandoned as never afterwards to
+            be capable of sincere remorse, yet a time will
+            undoubtedly come, when they will shudder
+            with dreadful apprehensions, on account of
+            the insufficiency of so wretched an excuse,
+            as that their poor murdered brethren were
+            by law "<em>deemed rebellious</em>" But bad as
+            these laws are, yet in justice to the freeholders
+            of Jamaica, I must acknowledge,
+            that their laws are not near so cruel and inhuman
+            as the laws of Barbadoes and Virginia,
+            and seem at present to be much more
+            reasonable than they have formerly been;
+            many very oppressive laws being now expired,
+            and others less severe enacted in their
+            room.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But it is far otherwise in Barbadoes; for
+            by the 329th act, p. 125. "If any Negro
+            or other slave, under punishment by his
+            master, or his order, for running away,
+            or any other crimes or misdemeanors towards
+            <a name="P_171"></a>
+            his said master, unfortunately shall
+            suffer in life, or member, (which seldom
+            happens) (but it is plain by this law that
+            it does sometimes happen) <em>no person whatever
+               shall be liable to any fine therefore; but
+               if any man shall, of wantonness or only of
+               bloody-mindedness, or cruel intention, wilfully
+               kill a Negroe or other slave of his own</em>;"&#8212;now
+            the reader, to be sure, will naturally
+            expect, that some very severe punishment
+            must in this case be ordained, to deter the
+            <em>wanton, bloody-minded, and cruel</em> wretch, from
+            <em>wilfully killing</em> his fellow creatures; but
+            alas! the Barbadian law-makers have been
+            so far from intending to curb such abandoned
+            wickedness, that they have absolutely
+            made this law on purpose to skreen these
+            enormous crimes from the just indignation
+            of any righteous person, who might think
+            himself bound in duty to prosecute a bloody-minded
+            villain; they have therefore presumptuously
+            taken upon them to give a sanction,
+            as it were, by law, to the horrid crime
+            of wilful murder; and have accordingly ordained,
+            that he who is guilty of it in Barbadoes,
+            though the act should be attended
+            with all the aggravating circumstances
+            before-mentioned&#8212;"<em>shall
+               pay into the public treasury</em>
+            (no more than) <em>fifteen pounds sterling</em>," but
+            if he shall kill another man's, he shall pay
+            <a name="P_172"></a>
+            the owner of the Negroe double the value,
+            and into the public treasury <em>twenty-five
+               pounds sterling</em>; and he shall further, by the
+            next justice of the peace, be bound to his
+            good behaviour during the pleasure of the
+            governor and council, <em>and not be liable to any
+               other punishment or forfeiture for the same</em>.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The most consummate wickedness, I suppose,
+            that any body of people, under the
+            specious form of a legislature, were ever guilty
+            of! This act contains several other clauses
+            which are shocking to humanity, though too
+            tedious to mention here.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            According to an act of Virginia, (4 Anne,
+            ch. 49. sec. 37. p. 227.) "after proclamation
+            is issued against slaves that run away and
+            lie out, it is lawful for any person whatsoever,
+            <em>to kill and destroy such slaves, by such
+               ways and means as he, she, or they, shall think
+               fit</em>, without accusation or impeachment of
+            any crime for the same," &amp;c. And lest
+            private interest should incline the planter to
+            mercy, (to which we must suppose such people
+            can have no other inducement) it is provided
+            and enacted in the succeeding clause,
+            (No 28.) "That for <em>every slave killed</em>, in pursuance
+            of this act, or <em>put to death by law</em>,
+            the master or owner of such slave <em>shall
+               be paid by the public</em>."
+
+         </p><a name="P_173"></a><p>
+            Also by an act of Virginia, (9 Geo. I. ch. 4.
+            sect. 18. p. 343.) it is ordained, "That,
+            where any slave shall hereafter be found
+            notoriously guilty of going abroad in the
+            night, or running away, and lying out,
+            and cannot be reclaimed from <em>such</em> disorderly
+            courses by the common method of
+            punishment, it shall and may be lawful
+            to and for the court of the county, upon
+            complaint and proof thereof to them made
+            by the owner of such slave, to order and
+            direct every such slave to be punished by
+            <em>dismembering, or any other</em> way, not touching
+            life, as the said county court <em>shall
+               think fit</em>."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I have already given examples enough of
+            the horrid cruelties which are sometimes
+            <em>thought fit</em> on such occasions. But if the innocent
+            and most natural act of "<em>running away</em>"
+            from intolerable tyranny, deserves
+            such relentless severity, what kind of punishment
+            have these law-makers themselves to
+            expect hereafter, on account of their own
+            enormous offences! Alas! to look for mercy
+            (without a timely repentance) will only be
+            another instance of their gross injustice!
+            "<em>Having their consciences seared with a hot
+               iron</em>," they seem to have lost all apprehensions
+            that their slaves are men, for they scruple
+            not to number them with beasts. See an
+            <a name="P_174"></a>
+            act of Barbadoes, (No 333. p. 128.) intituled,
+            "An act for the better regulating of <em>outcries</em>
+            in open market:" here we read of "<em>Negroes,
+               cattle, coppers, and stills, and other
+               chattels</em>, brought by execution to open
+            market to be outcried, and these (as if
+            all of equal importance) are ranged together
+            <em>in great lots or numbers to be sold</em>."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            &#8212;Page 70. In the 329th act of Barbadoes,
+            (p. 122.) it is asserted, that "brutish
+            slaves deserve not, for the baseness of their
+            condition, to <em>be tried by a legal trial of
+               twelve men of their peers, or neighbourhood</em>,
+            which neither truly can be rightly done,
+            as the subjects of England are;" (yet
+            slaves also are subjects of England, whilst
+            they remain within the British dominions, notwithstanding
+            this insinuation to the contrary)
+            "nor is execution to be delayed towards
+            them, in case of such horrid crimes committed," &amp;c.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            A similar doctrine is taught in an act of
+            Virginia, (9 Geo. I. ch. 4. sect. 3. p. 339.)
+            wherein it is ordained, "that every slave, committing
+            such offence as by the laws ought
+            to be punished by death, or loss of member,
+            shall be forthwith committed to the common
+            goal of the county, &amp;c. And the sheriff of
+            such county, upon such commitment, shall
+            forthwith certify the same, with the cause
+            <a name="P_175"></a>
+            thereof, to the governor or commander in
+            chief, &amp;c. who is thereupon desired and impowered
+            to issue a commission of Oyer and
+            Terminer, <em>To such persons as he shall think fit</em>;
+            which persons, forthwith after the receipt of
+            such commission, are impowered and required
+            to cause the offender to be publicly arraigned
+            and tried, &amp;c. without the solemnity
+            of a jury," &amp;c. Now let us consider
+            the dangerous tendency of those laws. As
+            Englishmen, we strenuously contend for this
+            absolute and immutable necessity of trials by
+            juries: but is not the spirit and equity of this
+            old English doctrine entirely lost, if we partially
+            confine that justice to ourselves alone,
+            when we have it in our power to extend it to
+            others? The natural right of all mankind,
+            must principally justify our insisting upon
+            this necessary privilege in favour of ourselves
+            in particular; and therefore if we do not allow
+            that the judgment of an impartial jury
+            is indispensably necessary in all cases whatsoever,
+            wherein the life of man is depending,
+            we certainly undermine the equitable force
+            and reason of those laws, by which <em>we ourselves
+               are protected</em>, and consequently are unworthy
+            to be esteemed either Christians or
+            Englishmen.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Whatever right the members of a provincial
+            assembly may have to enact <em>bye laws</em>,
+            <a name="P_176"></a>
+            for particular exigences among themselves,
+            yet in so doing they are certainly bound, in
+            duty to their sovereign, to observe most
+            strictly the fundamental principles of that
+            constitution, which his Majesty is sworn to
+            maintain; for wheresoever the bounds of
+            the British empire are extended, there the
+            common law of England must of course take
+            place, and cannot be safely set aside by any
+            <em>private law</em> whatsoever, because the introduction
+            of an unnatural tyranny must necessarily
+            endanger the King's dominions. The
+            many alarming insurrections of slaves in the
+            several colonies, are sufficient proofs of this.
+            The common law of England ought therefore
+            to be so established in every province,
+            as to include the respective <em>bye laws</em> of each
+            province; instead of being by them <em>excluded</em>,
+            which latter has been too much the case.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Every inhabitant of the British colonies,
+            black as well as white, bond as well as free,
+            are undoubtedly the <em>King's subjects</em>, during
+            their residence within the limits of the King's
+            dominions; and as such, are entitled to personal
+            protection, however bound in service
+            to their respective masters; therefore, when
+            any of these are put to death, "<em>without the
+               solemnity of a jury</em>," I fear that there is too
+            much reason to attribute <em>the guilt of murder</em>
+            to every person concerned in ordering, the
+            <a name="P_177"></a>
+            same, or in consenting thereto; and all such
+            persons are certainly responsible <em>to the King
+               and his laws, for the loss of a subject</em>. The
+            horrid iniquity, injustice, and dangerous
+            tendency of the several plantation laws
+            which I have quoted, are so apparent, that
+            it is unnecessary for me to apologize for the
+            freedom with which I have treated them. If
+            such laws are not absolutely necessary for the
+            government of slaves, the law-makers must
+            unavoidably allow themselves to be the most
+            cruel and abandoned tyrants upon earth; or,
+            perhaps, that ever were on earth. On the
+            other hand, if it be said, that it is impossible
+            to govern slaves without such inhuman
+            severity, and detestable injustice, the same
+            will certainly be an invincible argument
+            against the least toleration of slavery amongst
+            christians, because the temporal profit of the
+            planter or master, however lucrative, cannot
+            compensate the forfeiture of his everlasting
+            welfare, or (at least I may be allowed
+            to say) the apparent danger of such a forfeiture.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Oppression is a most grievous crime, and
+            the cries of these much injured people,
+            (though they are only poor ignorant heathens)
+            will certainly reach heaven! The
+            scriptures (<em>which are the only true foundation
+               of all laws</em>) denounce a tremendous judgment
+            against the man who should offend
+            <a name="P_178"></a>
+            even one little-one; <em>"It were better for him</em>
+            (even the merciful Saviour of the world
+            hath himself declared) <em>that a millstone were
+               hanged about his neck, and be cast into
+               the sea, than that he should offend one of
+               these little ones."</em> Luke xvii. 2. Who
+            then shall attempt to vindicate those inhuman
+            establishments of government, under
+            which, even our own countrymen so grievously
+            <em>offend</em> and <em>oppress</em> (not merely
+            <em>one</em>, or a few little ones, but) an immense multitude
+            of <em>men, women, children</em>, and the <em>children
+               of their children</em>, from generation to generation?
+            May it not be said with like
+            justice, it were better for the English nation
+            that these American dominions had never
+            existed, or even that they should have been
+            sunk into the sea, than that the kingdom of
+            Great Britain should be loaded with the
+            horrid guilt of tolerating such abominable
+            wickedness! In short, if the <em>King's prerogative</em>
+            is not speedily exerted for the relief of his
+            Majesty's oppressed and much injured subjects
+            in the British colonies, (because to <em>relieve
+               the subject</em> from the oppression of petty
+            tyrants is the principal use of the royal prerogative,
+            as well as the principal and most natural
+            means of maintaining the same) and for
+            the extension of the British constitution to
+            the most distant colonies, whether in the East
+            or West Indies, it must inevitably be allowed,
+            <a name="P_179"></a>
+            that great share of this enormous guilt will
+            certainly rest on this side the water.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I hope this hint will be taken notice of by
+            those whom it may concern; and that the
+            freedom of it will be excused, as from a <em>loyal
+               and disinterested</em> adviser.
+
+         </p>
+      </div>
+      <div class="teidiv">
+         <h2><a name="Extracts"></a>
+            Extracts from the writings
+            <br><br>
+            of several noted authors,
+            <br><br>
+            on the subject of the,
+            <br><br>slavery of the Negroes,
+            <br><br>
+            viz.
+            <br><br>
+            George Wallace,
+            <br><br>
+            Francis Hutcheson,
+            <br><br>
+            James Foster.
+
+         </h2><a name="P_180"></a><p>
+            George Wallace, in his <i>System
+               of the Principles of the Laws of Scotland</i>,
+            speaking of the slavery of the Negroes
+            in our colonies, says, "We all know that
+            they (the Negroes) are purchased from their
+            Princes, who pretend to have a right to dispose
+            of them, and that they are, like other
+            commodities, transported, by the merchants
+            who have bought them, into America, in
+            order to be exposed to sale. If this trade admits
+            of a moral or a rational justification,
+            every crime, even the most atrocious, may
+            be justified. Government was instituted
+            for the good of mankind; kings, princes,
+            governors, are not proprietors of those who
+            are subject to their authority; they have
+            not a right to make them miserable. On the
+            contrary, their authority is vested in them,
+            that they may, by the just exercise of it,
+            promote the happiness of their people. Of
+            course, they have not a right to dispose of
+            their liberty, and to sell them for slaves. Besides
+            <a name="P_181"></a>
+            no man has a right to acquire, or to
+            purchase them; men and their liberty are not
+            <i>in commercio</i>; they are not either
+            saleable or purchaseable. One, therefore, has no body but
+            himself to blame, in case he shall find
+            himself deprived of a man, whom he
+            thought he had, by buying for a price,
+            made his own; for he dealt in a trade
+            which was illicit, and was prohibited by
+            the most obvious dictates of humanity. For
+            these reasons, every one of those unfortunate
+            men who are pretended to be slaves, has a
+            right to be declared to be free, for he never
+            lost his liberty; he could not lose it; his
+            Prince had no power to dispose of him. Of
+            course, the sale was <i>ipso jure</i> void.
+            This right he carries about with him, and is entitled
+            every where to get it declared. As soon,
+            therefore, as he comes into a country in
+            which the judges are not forgetful of their
+            own humanity, it is their duty to remember
+            that he is a man, and to declare him to
+            be free. I know it has been said, that questions
+            concerning the state of persons ought
+            to be determined by the law of the country
+            to which they belong; and that, therefore,
+            one who would be declared to be a slave in
+            America, ought, in case he should happen
+            to be imported into Britain, to be adjudged,
+            according to the law of America, to be a
+            slave; a doctrine than which nothing can be
+            <a name="P_182"></a>
+            more barbarous. Ought the judges of any
+            country, out of respect to the law of another,
+            to shew no respect to their kind, and
+            to humanity? out of respect to a law,
+            which is in no sort obligatory upon them,
+            ought they to disregard the law of nature,
+            which is obligatory on all men, at all times,
+            and in all places? Are any laws so binding
+            as the eternal laws of justice? Is it doubtful,
+            whether a judge ought to pay greater regard
+            to them, than to those arbitrary and inhuman
+            usages which prevail in a distant land?
+            Aye, but our colonies would be ruined if
+            slavery was abolished. Be it so; would it
+            not from thence follow, that the bulk of
+            mankind ought to be abused, that our pockets
+            may be filled with money, or our mouths
+            with delicacies? The purses of highwaymen
+            would be empty, in case robberies were totally
+            abolished; but have men a right to acquire
+            money by going out to the highway?
+            Have men a right to acquire it by rendering
+            their fellow-creatures miserable? Is it lawful
+            to abuse mankind, that the avarice, the
+            vanity, or the passions of a few may be gratified?
+            No! There is such a thing as justice
+            to which the most sacred regard is due. It
+            ought to be inviolably observed. Have not
+            these unhappy men a better right to their
+            liberty, and to their happiness, than our
+            American merchants have to the profits which
+            <a name="P_183"></a>
+            they make by torturing their kind? Let,
+            therefore, our colonies be ruined, but let us
+            not render so many men miserable. Would
+            not any of us, who should&#8212;be snatched
+            by pirates from his native land, think himself
+            cruelly abused, and at all times entitled
+            to be free? Have not these unfortunate Africans,
+            who meet with the same cruel fate, the
+            same right? Are they not men as well as we,
+            and have they not the same sensibility? Let
+            us not, therefore, defend or support a usage
+            which is contrary to all the laws of humanity.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "But it is false, that either we or our colonies
+            would be ruined by the abolition of
+            slavery. It might occasion a stagnation of
+            business for a short time. Every great alteration
+            produces that effect; because mankind
+            cannot, on a sudden, find ways of disposing
+            of themselves, and of their affairs;
+            but it would produce many happy effects.
+            It is the slavery which is permitted in America,
+            that has hindered it from becoming so
+            soon populous as it would otherwise have
+            done. Let the Negroes be free, and, in a few
+            generations, this vast and fertile continent
+            would be crowded with inhabitants; learning,
+            arts, and every thing would flourish
+            amongst them; instead of being inhabited by
+            wild beasts, and by savages, it would be
+            peopled by philosophers, and by men."
+
+         </p><a name="P_184"></a><p>
+            Francis Hutcheson, professor of philosophy
+            at the university of Glasgow, in his <i>System
+               of Moral Philosophy</i>, page 211, says "He who
+            detains another by force in slavery, is always
+            bound to prove his title. The slave sold, or
+            carried into a distant country, must not be
+            obliged to prove a negative, that <em>he never
+               forfeited his liberty</em>. The violent possessor
+            must, in all cases, shew his title, especially
+            where the old proprietor is well known. In
+            this case, each man is the original proprietor
+            of his own liberty. The proof of his losing
+            it must be incumbent on those who deprive
+            him of it by force. The Jewish laws had
+            great regard to justice, about the servitude
+            of Hebrews, founding it only on consent, or
+            some crime or damage, allowing them always
+            a proper redress upon any cruel treatment,
+            and fixing a limited time for it; unless
+            upon trial the servant inclined to prolong
+            it. The laws about foreign slaves had many
+            merciful provisions against immoderate
+            severity of the masters. But under christianity,
+            whatever lenity was due from an Hebrew
+            towards his countryman, must be due
+            towards all; since the distinctions of nations
+            are removed, as to the point of humanity
+            and mercy, as well as natural right;
+            nay, some of these rights granted over foreign
+            slaves, may justly be deemed only such
+            indulgences as those of poligamy and divorce,
+            <a name="P_185"></a>
+            granting only external impunity in
+            such practice, and not sufficient vindication
+            of them in conscience."
+
+         </p>
+         <p><i>Page</i> 85. It is pleaded, that "In some
+            barbarous nations, unless the captives were
+            bought for slaves, they would be all murthered.
+            They, therefore, owe their lives,
+            and all they can do, to their purchasers; and
+            so do their children, who would not otherwise
+            have come into life." But this whole
+            plea is no more than that of <i>negotium utile
+               gestum</i> to which any civilized nation is
+            bound by humanity; it is a prudent expensive
+            office, done for the service of others without
+            a gratuitous intention; and this founds
+            no other right, than that to full compensation
+            of all charges and labour employed for
+            the benefit of others.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            A set of inaccurate popular phrases blind
+            us in these matters; "Captives owe their
+            lives, and all to the purchasers, say they.
+            Just in the same manner, we, our nobles,
+            and princes, often owe our lives to midwives,
+            chirurgeons, physicians," &amp;c. one who
+            was the means of preserving a man's life, is
+            not therefore entitled to make him a slave,
+            and sell him as a piece of goods. Strange,
+            that in a nation where the sense of liberty
+            prevails, where the christian religion is professed,
+            custom and high prospects of gain
+            can so stupify the conscience of men, and
+            <a name="P_186"></a>
+            all sense of natural justice, that they can
+            hear such computations made about the value
+            of their fellow-men, and their liberty,
+            without abhorrence and indignation.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><i>James Foster</i>, D.D. in his
+            <i>discourses on natural
+               religion</i> and <i>social virtue</i>
+            also shews his just indignation at this wicked practice;
+            which he declares to be "<em>a criminal and outrageous
+               violation of the natural right of mankind</em>."
+            At <i>page</i> 156, vol. 2 he says, "Should
+            we have read concerning the Greeks or Romans
+            of old, that they traded with a view to
+            make slaves of their own species, when they
+            certainly knew that this would involve in
+            schemes of blood and murder, of destroying,
+            or enslaving each other; that they even
+            fomented wars, and engaged whole nations
+            and tribes in open hostilities, for their own
+            private advantage; that they had no detestation
+            of the violence and cruelty, but only
+            feared the ill success of their inhuman enterprises;
+            that they carried men like themselves,
+            their brethren, and the off-spring of
+            the same common parent, to be sold like
+            beasts of prey, or beasts of burden, and put
+            them to the same reproachful trial, of their
+            soundness, strength, and capacity for greater
+            bodily service; that quite forgetting and
+            renouncing the original dignity of human
+            nature, communicated to all, they treated
+            them with more severity, and ruder discipline,
+            <a name="P_187"></a>
+            than even the <em>ox</em> or the <em>ass</em>, who are
+            <em>void of understanding</em>&#8212;should we not, if
+            this had been the case, have naturally been
+            led to despise all their <em>pretended refinements of
+               morality</em>; and to have concluded, that as
+            they were not nations destitute of politeness,
+            they must have been <em>entire strangers to virtue
+               and benevolence</em>?
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "But notwithstanding this, we ourselves
+            (who profess to be christians, and boast of the
+            peculiar advantage we enjoy, by means of an
+            express revelation of our duty from heaven)
+            are, in effect, these very untaught and rude
+            heathen countries. With all our superior
+            light, we instill into those, whom we call savage
+            and barbarous, the most despicable opinion
+            of human nature. We, to the utmost
+            of our power, weaken and dissolve the universal
+            tie, that binds and unites mankind.
+            We practise what we should exclaim against,
+            as the utmost excess of cruelty and tyranny,
+            if nations of the world, differing in colour,
+            and form of government, from ourselves,
+            were so possessed of empire, as to be able to
+            reduce us to a state of unmerited and brutish
+            servitude. Of consequence, we sacrifice
+            our reason, our humanity, our christianity,
+            to an unnatural sordid gain. We
+            teach other nations to despise, and trample
+            under foot, all the obligations of social virtue.
+            We take the most effectual method
+            <a name="P_188"></a>
+            to prevent the propagation of the gospel, by
+            representing it as a scheme of power and barbarous
+            oppression, and an enemy to the
+            natural privileges and rights of men.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "Perhaps all that I have now offered, may
+            be of very little weight to restrain this enormity,
+            this aggravated iniquity; however, I
+            still have the satisfaction of having entered
+            my private protest against a practice, which,
+            in my opinion, bids that God, who is the
+            God and Father of the Gentiles, unconverted
+            to christianity, most daring and bold defiance,
+            and spurns at all the principles both of
+            natural and revealed religion."
+
+         </p>
+      </div>
+      <div class="teidiv">
+         <h2><a name="VA_Gaz"></a>EXTRACT<br><br><br><br>
+            From an ADDRESS
+            <br><br>
+            in the
+            <br><br><br><br>
+            VIRGINIA GAZETTE,
+            <br><br>
+            of MARCH 19, 1767.
+
+         </h2><a name="P_189"></a><p>
+            Mr. RIND,
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Permit me, in your paper, to address
+            the members of our assembly on two
+            points, in which the public interest is very
+            nearly concerned.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The abolition of slavery, and the retrieval
+            of specie in this colony, are the subjects on
+            which I would bespeak their attention.&#8212;
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Long and serious reflections upon the nature
+            and consequences of slavery have convinced
+            me, that it is a violation both of justice
+            and religion; that it is dangerous to
+            the safety of the community in which it
+            prevails; that it is destructive to the growth
+            of arts and sciences; and lastly, that it produces
+            a numerous and very fatal train of vices,
+            both in the slave and in his master.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            To prove these assertions, shall be the purpose
+            of the following essay.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            That slavery then is a violation of justice,
+            <a name="P_190"></a>
+            will plainly appear, when we consider what
+            justice is. It is truly and simply defined, as
+            by <i>Justinian, constans et
+               perpetua voluntas ejus suum cuique tribuendi</i>;
+            a constant endeavour to give every man his right.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Now, as freedom is unquestionably the
+            birth-right of all mankind, <em>Africans</em> as well
+            as <em>Europeans</em>, to keep the former in a state of
+            slavery, is a constant violation of that right,
+            and therefore of justice.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The ground on which the civilians who
+            favour slavery, admit it to be just, namely,
+            consent, force, and birth, is totally disputable;
+            for surely a man's own will and
+            consent cannot be allowed to introduce so important
+            an innovation into society, as slavery,
+            or to make himself an outlaw, which is really
+            the state of a slave; since neither consenting
+            to, nor aiding the laws of the society in which
+            he lives, he is neither bound to obey them,
+            nor entitled to their protection.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            To found any right in force, is to frustrate
+            all right, and involve every thing in
+            confusion, violence, and rapine. With these
+            two, the last must fall; since, if the parent
+            cannot justly be made a slave, neither can
+            the child be born in slavery. "The law of
+            nations, says Baron <i>Montesquieu</i>, has doomed
+            prisoners to slavery, to prevent their being
+            slain; the <i>Roman</i> civil law permitted
+            debtors, whom their creditors might treat
+            <a name="P_191"></a>
+            ill, to sell themselves. And the law of nature
+            requires that children, whom their
+            parents, being slaves, cannot maintain,
+            should be slaves like them. These reasons of
+            the civilians are not just; it is not true that
+            a captive may be slain, unless in a case of
+            absolute necessity; but if he hath been reduced
+            to slavery, it is plain that no such necessity
+            existed, since he was not slain. It is
+            not true that a free man can sell himself, for
+            sale supposes a price; but a slave and his property
+            becomes immediately that of his
+            master; the slave can therefore receive no
+            price, nor the master pay, &amp;c. And if a
+            man cannot sell himself, nor a prisoner of
+            war be reduced to slavery, much less can his
+            child." Such are the sentiments of this illustrious
+            civilian; his reasonings, which I
+            have been obliged to contract, the reader interested
+            in this subject will do well to consult
+            at large.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Yet even these rights of imposing slavery,
+            questionable, nay, refutable as they are, we
+            have not to authorise the bondage of the
+            <em>Africans</em>. For neither do they consent to be
+            our slaves, nor do we purchase them of their
+            conquerors. The <em>British</em> merchants obtain
+            them from <em>Africa</em> by violence, artifice, and
+            treachery, with a few trinkets to prompt
+            those unfortunate people to enslave one
+            another by force or stratagem. Purchase
+            <a name="P_192"></a>
+            them indeed they may, under the authority
+            of an act of the British parliament. An
+            act entailing upon the <em>Africans</em>, with whom
+            we are not at war, and over whom a British
+            parliament could not of right assume even a
+            shadow of authority, the dreadful curse of
+            perpetual slavery, upon them and their children
+            for ever. <em>There cannot be in nature,
+               there is not in all history, an instance in which
+               every right of men is more flagrantly violated.</em>
+            The laws of the antients never authorised
+            the making slaves, but of those nations
+            whom they had conquered; yet they were
+            heathens, and we are christians. They were
+            misled by a monstrous religion, divested of
+            humanity, by a horrible and barbarous worship;
+            we are directed by the unerring precepts
+            of the revealed religion we possess, enlightened
+            by its wisdom, and humanized by
+            its benevolence; before them, were gods deformed
+            with passions, and horrible for every
+            cruelty and vice; before us, is that incomparable
+            pattern of meekness, charity, love
+            and justice to mankind, which so transcendently
+            distinguished the Founder of christianity, and
+            his ever amiable doctrines.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Reader, remember that the corner stone of
+            your religion, is to do unto others as you
+            would they should do unto you; ask then
+            your own heart, whether it would not abhor
+            any one, as the most outrageous violater
+            <a name="P_193"></a>
+            of that and every other principle of right,
+            justice, and humanity, who should make a
+            slave of you and your posterity for ever!
+            Remember, that God knoweth the heart; lay
+            not this flattering unction to your soul, that
+            it is the custom of the country; that you
+            found it so, that not your will; but your necessity,
+            consents. Ah! think how little such
+            an excuse will avail you in that aweful day,
+            when your Saviour shall pronounce judgment
+            on you for breaking a law too plain to
+            be misunderstood, too sacred to be violated.
+            If we say we are christians, yet act more inhumanly
+            and unjustly than heathens, with
+            what dreadful justice must this sentence of
+            our blessed Saviour fall upon us, "<em>Not every
+               one that saith unto me Lord, Lord, shall
+               enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that
+               doth the will of my Father which is in heaven."</em>
+            Matth. vii. 21. Think a moment
+            how much your temporal, your eternal welfare
+            depends upon an abolition of a practice
+            which deforms the image of your God, tramples
+            on his revealed will, infringes the most
+            sacred rights, and violates humanity.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Enough, I hope, has been asserted, to prove
+            that slavery is a violation of justice and religion.
+            That it is dangerous to the safety of
+            the state in which it prevails, may be as
+            safely asserted.
+
+         </p><a name="P_194"></a><p>
+            What one's own experience has not taught;
+            that of others must decide. From hence
+            does history derive its utility; for being,
+            when truly written, a faithful record of the
+            transactions of mankind, and the consequences
+            that flowed from them, we are thence furnished
+            with the means of judging what will
+            be the probable effect of transactions, similar
+            among ourselves.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            We learn then from history, that slavery,
+            wherever encouraged, has sooner or later
+            been productive of very dangerous commotions.
+            I will not trouble my reader here with
+            quotations in support of this assertion, but
+            content myself with referring those, who may
+            be dubious of its truth, to the histories of
+            Athens, Lacedemon, Rome, and Spain.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            How long, how bloody and destructive was
+            the contest between the Moorish slaves and the
+            native Spaniards? and after almost deluges of
+            blood had been shed, the Spaniards obtained
+            nothing more than driving them into the
+            mountains.&#8212;Less bloody indeed, though,
+            not less alarming, have been the insurrections
+            in Jamaica; and to imagine that we shall be for
+            ever exempted from this calamity, which experience
+            teaches us to be inseparable from
+            slavery, so encouraged; is an infatuation as
+            astonishing as it will be surely fatal:&#8212;&amp;c. &amp;c.
+
+         </p>
+      </div>
+      <div class="teidiv">
+         <h2><a name="B_of_Gloucester"></a>EXTRACT
+            <br><br><br><br>
+            OF A
+            <br><br><br><br>
+            SERMON<br><br>
+            PREACHED BY THE
+            <br><br><br><br>BISHOP OF GLOUCESTER,
+         </h2><a name="P_195"></a><p>
+            Before the SOCIETY For the PROPAGATION
+            of the GOSPEL, at the anniversary meeting
+            on the 21st of <i>February</i>, 1766.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            From the free-savages, I now come
+            (the last point I propose to consider) to
+            the savages in bonds. By these I mean the
+            vast multitudes yearly stolen from the opposite
+            continent, and sacrificed by the colonists
+            to their great idol, the GOD OF GAIN.
+            But what then? say these sincere worshippers
+            of <em>Mammon</em>; they are our own property
+            which we offer up. Gracious God! to talk
+            (as in herds of cattle) of property in rational
+            creatures! creatures endowed with all our
+            faculties; possessing all our qualities but that
+            of colour; our brethren both by nature and
+            <a name="P_196"></a>
+            grace, shocks all the feelings of humanity,
+            and the dictates of common sense. But,
+            alas! what is there in the infinite abuses of
+            society which does not shock them? Yet
+            nothing is more certain in itself, and apparent
+            to all, than that the infamous traffic
+            for slaves directly infringes both divine and
+            human law. Nature created man free,
+            and grace invites him to assert his freedom.
+            In excuse of this violation, it hath been
+            pretended, that though indeed these miserable
+            out-casts of humanity be torn from
+            their homes and native country by fraud
+            and violence, yet they thereby become the
+            happier, and their condition the more
+            eligible. But who are You, who pretend to
+            judge of another man's happiness? That
+            state, which each man, under the guidance
+            of his Maker, forms for himself, and not
+            one man for another? To know what constitutes
+            mine or your happiness, is the sole
+            prerogative of Him who created us, and cast
+            us in so various and different moulds. Did
+            your slaves ever complain to you of their
+            unhappiness amidst their native woods and
+            deserts? Or, rather, let me ask, did they
+            ever cease complaining of their condition
+            under you their lordly masters? where they
+            see, indeed, the accommodations of civil
+            life, but see them all pass to others, themselves
+            unbenefited by them. Be so gracious
+            <a name="P_197"></a>
+            then, ye petty tyrants over human freedom,
+            to let your slaves judge for themselves,
+            what it is which makes their own happiness.
+            And then see whether they do not place it
+            in the return to their own country, rather
+            than in the contemplation of your grandeur,
+            of which their misery makes so large a part.
+            A return so passionately longed for, that
+            despairing of happiness here, that is, of
+            escaping the chains of their cruel task-masters,
+            they console themselves with feigning it to
+            be the gracious reward of heaven in their
+            future state, which I do not find their
+            haughty masters have as yet concerned themselves
+            to invade. The less hardy, indeed,
+            wait for this felicity till over-wearied nature
+            sets them free; but the more resolved have
+            recourse even to self-violence, to force a speedier
+            passage.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But it will be still urged, that though
+            what is called human happiness be of so fantastic
+            a nature, that each man's imagination
+            creates it for himself, yet human misery is
+            more substantial and uniform throughout
+            all the tribes of mankind. Now, from the
+            worst of human miseries, the savage Africans,
+            by these forced emigrations, are intirely secured;
+            such as the being perpetually hunted
+            down like beasts of prey or profit, by their
+            more savage and powerful neighbours&#8212;In
+            truth, a blessed change!&#8212;from being hunted
+            <a name="P_198"></a>
+            to being caught. But who are they that
+            have set on foot this general HUNTING?
+            Are they not these very civilized violaters
+            of humanity themselves? who tempt the
+            weak appetites, and provoke the wild passions
+            of the fiercer savages to prey upon the
+            rest.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><b>THE END.</b></p>
+      </div>
+      <div class="teidiv">
+         <h2><a name="mainIDX"></a>
+            INDEX.
+
+         </h2><a name="P_199"></a><div class="teidiv">
+            <h3><a name="projectID3fb5dbc04143b-div-d0e2579"></a>
+               A
+
+            </h3>
+            <p><i>Adanson</i> (M.) his account of the country on the
+               rivers <i>Senegal</i> and
+               <i>Gambia</i>, <a href="#P_14" class="ref">14</a>. Extraordinary
+               fertility, <i>ibid.</i> Surprising vegetation, <a href="#P_15" class="ref">15</a>. Beautiful
+               aspect of the country, <a href="#P_16" class="ref">16</a>. Good disposition of
+               the natives, <i>ibid.</i></p>
+            <p><em>Advertisements in the New-York Journal</em>, for the sale of
+               slaves, <a href="#P_158" class="ref">158</a>. Also in the news-papers of <i>London</i>, <a href="#P_160" class="ref">160</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Africa</i>, that part from whence the Negroe slaves are
+               brought, how divided, <a href="#P_6" class="ref">6</a>. Capable of a considerable
+               trade, <a href="#P_143" class="ref">143</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p>
+               Alien (every) or stranger coming within the King's dominion,
+               becomes a subject, <a href="#P_148" class="ref">148</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p>
+               Antientest account of the Negroes, <a href="#P_41" class="ref">41</a>. Were then a
+               simple innocent people, <a href="#P_43" class="ref">43</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Angola</i>, a plentiful country,
+               <a href="#P_39" class="ref">39</a>. Character of the natives,
+               <a href="#P_40" class="ref">40</a>. Government, <i>ibid.</i></p>
+         </div>
+         <div class="teidiv">
+            <h3><a name="projectID3fb5dbc04143b-div-d0e2654"></a>
+               B
+
+            </h3>
+            <p><i>Barbadoes</i> (laws of) respecting Negroe slaves,
+               <a href="#P_170" class="ref">170</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Barbot (John)</i> agent general of the
+               <i>French African Company</i>, his account of the
+               <i>Gold Coast</i>, <a href="#P_25" class="ref">25</a>. Of the
+               <i>Slave Coast</i>, <a href="#P_27" class="ref">27</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Bosman (William)</i> principal factor for the
+               <i>Dutch</i> at <i>D'Elmina</i>, his account
+               of the <i>Gold Coast</i>, <a href="#P_23" class="ref">23</a>.
+               Of the <i>Slave Coast</i>, <a href="#P_27" class="ref">27</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Brue (Andrew)</i> principal factor of the
+               <i>French African Company</i>, his account of the country
+               on the river <i>Senegal</i>, <a href="#P_7" class="ref">7</a>. And on
+               the river <i>Gambia</i>, <a href="#P_8" class="ref">8</a>.
+               <a name="P_200"></a></p>
+            <p><i>Benin</i> (kingdom of) good character of the natives,
+               <a href="#P_35" class="ref">35</a>. Punishment of crimes,
+               <a href="#P_36" class="ref">36</a>. Order of government,
+               <i>ibid.</i> Largeness and order of the city of
+               <i>Great Benin</i>, <a href="#P_37" class="ref">37</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Britons</i> (antient) in their original state no less
+               barbarous than the <em>African</em> Negroes, <a href="#P_68" class="ref">68</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Baxter (Richard)</i> his testimony against slavery,
+               <a href="#P_83" class="ref">83</a>.
+
+            </p>
+         </div>
+         <div class="teidiv">
+            <h3><a name="projectID3fb5dbc04143b-div-d0e2761"></a>
+               C
+
+            </h3>
+            <p>
+               Corruption of some of the Kings of
+               <i>Guinea</i>, <a href="#P_107" class="ref">107</a>.
+
+            </p>
+         </div>
+         <div class="teidiv">
+            <h3><a name="projectID3fb5dbc04143b-div-d0e2772"></a>
+               D
+
+            </h3>
+            <p><i>De la Casa</i> (bishop of <i>Chapia</i>)
+               his concern for the <i>Indians</i>,
+               <a href="#P_47" class="ref">47</a>. His speech to <i>Charles</i> the
+               Fifth Emperor of <i>Germany</i> and King of
+               <i>Spain</i>, <a href="#P_48" class="ref">48</a>. Prodigious
+               destruction of the <i>Indians</i> in
+               <i>Hispaniola</i>, <a href="#P_51" class="ref">51</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><em>Divine principle</em> in every man, its effects on those who
+               obey its dictates, <a href="#P_14" class="ref">14</a>.
+
+            </p>
+         </div>
+         <div class="teidiv">
+            <h3><a name="projectID3fb5dbc04143b-div-d0e2816"></a>
+               E
+
+            </h3>
+            <p><i>Elizabeth</i> (Queen) her caution to captain
+               Hawkins not to enslave any of the Negroes, <a href="#P_55" class="ref">55</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>English</i>, their first trade on the coast of Guinea,
+               <a href="#P_52" class="ref">52</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Europeans</i> are the principal cause of the wars which
+               subsist amongst the Negroes, <a href="#P_61" class="ref">61</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>English</i> laws allow no man, of what condition soever,
+               to be deprived of his liberty, without a legal process,
+               <a href="#P_150" class="ref">150</a>. The danger of confining any person without a
+               warrant, <a href="#P_162" class="ref">162</a>.
+
+            </p>
+         </div>
+         <div class="teidiv">
+            <h3><a name="projectID3fb5dbc04143b-div-d0e2850"></a>
+               F
+
+            </h3>
+            <p>
+               Fishing, a considerable business on the Guinea
+               coast, <a href="#P_26" class="ref">26</a>. How carried on,
+               <i>ibid.</i></p>
+            <p><i>Foster (James)</i> his testimony against slavery,
+               <a href="#P_186" class="ref">186</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Fuli</i> Negroes good farmers, <a href="#P_10" class="ref">10</a>.
+               Those on the <i>Gambia</i> particularly recommended for their
+               industry and good behaviour, <i>ibid.</i></p>
+            <p><i>France</i> (King of) objects to the Negroes in his
+               dominions being reduced to a state of slavery, <a href="#P_58" class="ref">58</a>.
+
+            </p>
+         </div><a name="P_201"></a><div class="teidiv">
+            <h3><a name="projectID3fb5dbc04143b-div-d0e2887"></a>
+               G
+
+            </h3>
+            <p><i>Gambia (river)</i><a href="#P_8" class="ref">8</a>,
+               <a href="#P_14" class="ref">14</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Gloucester</i> (bishop of) extract of his sermon,
+               <a href="#P_195" class="ref">195</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Godwyn (Morgan)</i> his plea in favour of the Negroes and
+               Indians, <a href="#P_75" class="ref">75</a>. Complains of the cruelties exercised
+               upon slaves, <a href="#P_76" class="ref">76</a>. A false opinion prevailed in his
+               time, that the Negroes were not objects of redeeming
+               grace, <a href="#P_77" class="ref">77</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Gold Coast</i> has several European factories,
+               <a href="#P_22" class="ref">22</a>. Great trade for slaves,
+               <i>ibid.</i> Carried on far in the inland
+               country, <i>ibid.</i> Natives more reconciled to the
+               Europeans, and more diligent in procuring slaves,
+               <i>ibid.</i> Extraordinarily fruitful and agreeable,
+               <a href="#P_22" class="ref">22</a>, <a href="#P_25" class="ref">25</a>. The
+               natives industrious, <a href="#P_24" class="ref">24</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Great Britain</i>, all persons during their residence there
+               are the King's subjects, <a href="#P_148" class="ref">148</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Guinea</i> extraordinarily fertile,
+               <a href="#P_2" class="ref">2</a>. Extremely unhealthy to the Europeans,
+               <a href="#P_4" class="ref">4</a>. But agrees well with the natives,
+               <i>ibid.</i> Prodigious rising of waters,
+               <i>ibid.</i> Hot winds, <i>ibid.</i>
+               Surprising vegetation, <a href="#P_15" class="ref">15</a>.
+
+            </p>
+         </div>
+         <div class="teidiv">
+            <h3><a name="projectID3fb5dbc04143b-div-d0e2973"></a>
+               H
+
+            </h3>
+            <p><i>Hawkins</i> (captain) lands on the coast of
+               Guinea and seizes on a number of the natives,
+               which he sells to the Spaniards, <a href="#P_55" class="ref">55</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Hottentots</i> misrepresented by authors,
+               <a href="#P_101" class="ref">101</a>. True account given of these people by
+               Kolben, <a href="#P_102" class="ref">102</a>. Love of liberty and sloth their
+               prevailing passions, <a href="#P_102" class="ref">102</a>.
+               Distinguished by several virtues, <a href="#P_103" class="ref">103</a>. Firm in
+               alliances, <i>ibid.</i> Offended at the vices predominant
+               amongst christians, <a href="#P_104" class="ref">104</a>. Make nor keep no slaves,
+               <i>ibid.</i></p>
+            <p><i>Hughes (Griffith)</i> his account of the number of Negroes
+               in Barbadoes, <a href="#P_85" class="ref">85</a>. Speaks well of their natural
+               capacities, <a href="#P_86" class="ref">86</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p>
+               Husbandry of the Negroes carried on in common, <a href="#P_28" class="ref">28</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Hutcheson (Francis)</i> his declaration against slavery,
+               <a href="#P_184" class="ref">184</a>.
+
+            </p>
+         </div><a name="P_202"></a><div class="teidiv">
+            <h3><a name="projectID3fb5dbc04143b-div-d0e3030"></a>
+               I
+
+            </h3>
+            <p><i>Jalof</i> Negroes, their government,
+               <a href="#P_9" class="ref">9</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Indians</i> grievously oppressed by the Spaniards,
+               <a href="#P_47" class="ref">47</a>. Their cause pleaded by Bartholomew De la Casa,
+               <a href="#P_48" class="ref">48</a>. Inland people, good account of them,
+               <a href="#P_25" class="ref">25</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Ivory Coast</i> fertile, &amp;c.
+               <a href="#P_18" class="ref">18</a>. Natives falsely represented
+               to be a treacherous people, <i>ibid.</i> Kind when well
+               used, <a href="#P_19" class="ref">19</a>. Have no European factories amongst
+               them, <a href="#P_21" class="ref">21</a>. And but few wars; therefore few slaves
+               to be had there, <a href="#P_22" class="ref">22</a>.
+
+            </p>
+         </div>
+         <div class="teidiv">
+            <h3><a name="projectID3fb5dbc04143b-div-d0e3072"></a>
+               J
+
+            </h3>
+            <p>
+               Jury, Negroes tried and condemned without the solemnity
+               of a jury, <a href="#P_174" class="ref">174</a>. Highly repugnant to the English
+               constitution, <a href="#P_176" class="ref">176</a>. Dangerous to those concerned
+               therein, <i>ibid.</i></p>
+         </div>
+         <div class="teidiv">
+            <h3><a name="projectID3fb5dbc04143b-div-d0e3085"></a>
+               L
+
+            </h3>
+            <p>
+               Laws in Guinea severe against man-stealing, and
+               other crimes, <a href="#P_106" class="ref">106</a>.
+
+            </p>
+         </div>
+         <div class="teidiv">
+            <h3><a name="projectID3fb5dbc04143b-div-d0e3093"></a>
+               M
+
+            </h3>
+            <p><i>Mandingoe</i> Negroes a numerous nation,
+               <a href="#P_11" class="ref">11</a>. Great traders, <i>ibid.</i>
+               Laborious, <a href="#P_11" class="ref">11</a>. Their government,
+               <a href="#P_13" class="ref">13</a>. Their worship, <i>ibid</i>.
+               Manner of tillage, <i>ibid.</i> At Galem they suffer none
+               to be made slaves but criminals, <a href="#P_20" class="ref">20</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Maloyans</i> (a black people) sometimes sold amongst
+               Negroes brought from very distant parts, <a href="#P_27" class="ref">27</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p>
+               Markets regularly kept on the Gold and Slave Coasts,
+               <a href="#P_30" class="ref">30</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Montesquieu's</i> sentiments on slavery,
+               <a href="#P_72" class="ref">72</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Moor (Francis)</i> factor to the African company, his
+               account of the slave-trade on the river Gambia, <a href="#P_111" class="ref">111</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p>
+               Mosaic law merciful in its chastisements, <a href="#P_73" class="ref">73</a>. Has
+               respect to human nature, <i>ibid.</i></p>
+         </div>
+         <div class="teidiv">
+            <h3><a name="projectID3fb5dbc04143b-div-d0e3154"></a>
+               N
+
+            </h3>
+            <p>
+               National wars disapproved by the most considerate
+               amongst the Negroes, <a href="#P_110" class="ref">110</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Negroes</i> (in Guinea) generally a humane, sociable
+               people, <a href="#P_2" class="ref">2</a>. Simplicity of their way of living,
+               <a href="#P_5" class="ref">5</a>. Agreeable in conversation,
+               <a href="#P_16" class="ref">16</a>. Sensible of the damage
+               <a name="P_203"></a>
+               accruing to them from the slave-trade, <a href="#P_61" class="ref">61</a>.
+               Misrepresented by most authors, <a href="#P_98" class="ref">98</a>. Offended at
+               the brutality of the European factors, <a href="#P_116" class="ref">116</a>. Shocking
+               cruelties exercised on them by masters of vessels,
+               <a href="#P_124" class="ref">124</a>. How many are yearly brought from Guinea by
+               the English, <a href="#P_129" class="ref">129</a>. The numbers who die on the
+               passage and in the seasoning, <a href="#P_120" class="ref">120</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Negroe</i> slaves (in the colonies) allowed to cohabit
+               and separate at pleasure, <a href="#P_36" class="ref">36</a>. Great waste of them
+               thro' hard usage in the islands, <a href="#P_86" class="ref">86</a>. Melancholy case
+               of two of them, <a href="#P_136" class="ref">136</a>. Proposals for setting them
+               free, <a href="#P_129" class="ref">129</a>. Tried and condemned without the solemnity
+               of a jury, <a href="#P_174" class="ref">174</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Negroes</i> (free) discouragement they met with,
+               <a href="#P_133" class="ref">133</a>.
+
+            </p>
+         </div>
+         <div class="teidiv">
+            <h3><a name="projectID3fb5dbc04143b-div-d0e3221"></a>
+               P
+
+            </h3>
+            <p><i>Portugueze</i> carry on a great trade for slaves
+               at Angola, <a href="#P_40" class="ref">40</a>. Make the first incursions into
+               Guinea, <a href="#P_44" class="ref">44</a>. From whence they carry off some of
+               the natives, <i>ibid.</i> Beginners of the slave-trade,
+               <a href="#P_46" class="ref">46</a>. Erect the first fort at D'Elmina,
+               <i>ibid.</i></p>
+         </div>
+         <div class="teidiv">
+            <h3><a name="projectID3fb5dbc04143b-div-d0e3242"></a>
+               R
+
+            </h3>
+            <p><i>Rome</i> (the college of cardinals at) complain of the
+               abuse offered to the Negroes in selling them for
+               slaves, <a href="#P_58" class="ref">58</a>.
+
+            </p>
+         </div>
+         <div class="teidiv">
+            <h3><a name="projectID3fb5dbc04143b-div-d0e3252"></a>
+               S
+
+            </h3>
+            <p><i>Senegal</i> (river) account of, <a href="#P_7" class="ref">7</a>,
+               <a href="#P_14" class="ref">14</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p>
+               Ship (account of one) blown up on the coast of Guinea
+               with a number of Negroes on board, <a href="#P_125" class="ref">125</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p>
+               Slave-trade, how carried on at the river Gambia,
+               <a href="#P_111" class="ref">111</a>. And in other parts of Guinea,
+               <a href="#P_113" class="ref">113</a>. At Whidah, <a href="#P_115" class="ref">115</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p>
+               Slaves used with much more lenity in Algiers and in
+               Turkey than in our colonies, <a href="#P_70" class="ref">70</a>. Likewise in
+               Guinea, <a href="#P_71" class="ref">71</a>. Slavery more tolerable amongst the
+               antient Pagans than in our colonies, <a href="#P_63" class="ref">63</a>. Declined,
+               as christianity prevailed, <a href="#P_65" class="ref">65</a>. Early laws in
+               France for its abolishment, <a href="#P_66" class="ref">66</a>. If put an end to,
+               would make way for a very extensive trade through
+               <a name="P_204"></a>
+               Africa, <a href="#P_143" class="ref">143</a>. The danger of slavery taking place in
+               England, <a href="#P_164" class="ref">164</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Sloane</i> (Sir Hans) his account of the inhuman and
+               extravagant punishments inflicted on Negroes, <a href="#P_89" class="ref">89</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Smith (William)</i> surveyor to the African company, his
+               account of the Ivory Coast, <a href="#P_20" class="ref">20</a>. Of the Gold
+               Coast, <a href="#P_24" class="ref">24</a>.
+
+            </p>
+         </div>
+         <div class="teidiv">
+            <h3><a name="projectID3fb5dbc04143b-div-d0e3324"></a>
+               V
+
+            </h3>
+            <p>
+               VIRGINIA (laws), respecting Negro slaves, <a href="#P_172" class="ref">172</a>.
+               <i>Virginia</i> (address to the assembly) setting forth the
+               iniquity and danger of slavery, <a href="#P_189" class="ref">189</a>.
+
+            </p>
+         </div>
+         <div class="teidiv">
+            <h3><a name="projectID3fb5dbc04143b-div-d0e3338"></a>
+               W
+
+            </h3>
+            <p>
+               WALLACE (<i>George</i>) his testimony against slavery,
+               <a href="#P_180" class="ref">180</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>West Indies</i>, white people able to perform the necessary
+               work there, <a href="#P_141" class="ref">141</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Whidah</i> (kingdom of) agreeable and fruitful,
+               <a href="#P_27" class="ref">27</a>. Natives treat one another with respect,
+               <a href="#P_29" class="ref">29</a>.
+
+            </p>
+         </div>
+      </div>
+      <hr>
+      <address>&nbsp;  By Benezet, Anthony.
+          <br>
+         <!--
+Generated from projectID3fb5dbc04143b using an XSLT version 1 stylesheet
+based on c:\downloads\saxon6_5_3teihtml.xsl
+processed using SAXON 6.5.3 from Michael Kay
+on 2004-03-05T22:00:19-06:00--></address>
+
+   <div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11489 ***</div>
+</body>
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+in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES.
+
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+
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+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #11489 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/11489)
diff --git a/old/11489-8.txt b/old/11489-8.txt
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Some Historical Account of Guinea, Its
+Situation, Produce, and the General Disposition of Its Inhabitants, by Anthony Benezet
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Some Historical Account of Guinea, Its Situation, Produce, and the General Disposition of Its Inhabitants
+       An Inquiry into the Rise and Progress of the Slave Trade, Its Nature and Lamentable Effects
+
+Author: Anthony Benezet
+
+Release Date: March 7, 2004 [EBook #11489]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF GUINEA ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Carlo Traverso, Amy Overmyer and PG Distributed Proofreaders
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+SOME HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF GUINEA,
+
+
+
+
+
+ITS SITUATION, PRODUCE, AND THE GENERAL DISPOSITION OF ITS INHABITANTS.
+
+
+
+
+
+AN INQUIRY INTO THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE SLAVE TRADE, ITS NATURE AND
+LAMENTABLE EFFECTS.
+
+
+1771 BY ANTHONY BENEZET
+
+
+
+SOME
+
+
+HISTORICAL ACCOUNT
+
+
+OF
+
+
+GUINEA,
+
+
+
+ITS
+
+
+SITUATION, PRODUCE, and the general
+
+DISPOSITION of its INHABITANTS.
+
+
+WITH
+
+
+An Inquiry into the RISE and PROGRESS
+
+
+OF THE
+
+
+SLAVE TRADE,
+
+
+Its NATURE, and lamentable EFFECTS.
+
+
+ALSO
+
+
+A REPUBLICATION of the Sentiments of several Authors of Note on this
+interesting Subject: Particularly an Extract of a Treatise written by
+GRANVILLE SHARPE.
+
+
+By ANTHONY BENEZET
+
+
+    ACTS xvii. 24, 26. GOD, _that made the world hath made of_ one
+    blood _all nations of men, for to dwell on all the face of the
+    earth, and hath determined the--bounds of their habitation._
+
+
+PHILADELPHIA: Printed MDCCLXXI.
+
+LONDON: Re-printed MDCCLXXII.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+    Introduction.
+
+
+    CHAPTER I. _A GENERAL account of_ Guinea; _particularly those
+    parts on the rivers_ Senegal _and_ Gambia.
+
+
+    CHAP. II. _Account of the_ Ivory-Coast, _the_ Gold-Coast _and
+    the Slave-Coast_.
+
+
+    CHAP. III. _Of the kingdoms of_ Benin, Kongo _and_ Angola.
+
+
+    CHAP. IV. Guinea, _first discovered and subdued by the_
+    Arabians. _The Portuguese make descents on the coast, and carry
+    off the natives. Oppression of the_ Indians: _De la Casa pleads
+    their cause_.
+
+
+    CHAP. V. _The_ English's _first trade to the coast of_ Guinea:
+    _Violently carry off some of the Negros._
+
+
+    CHAP. VI. _Slavery more tolerable under_ Pagans _and_ Turks
+    _than in the colonies. As christianity prevailed, ancient
+    slavery declined_.
+
+
+    CHAP. VII. Montesquieu's _sentiments of slavery_. Morgan
+    Godwyn's _advocacy on behalf of Negroes and Indians, &c._
+
+
+    CHAP. VIII. _Grievous treatment of the Negroes in the colonies,
+    &c._
+
+
+    CHAP. IX. _Desire of gain the true motive of the_ Slave trade.
+    _Misrepresentation of the state of the Negroes in Guinea_.
+
+
+    CHAP. X. _State of the Government in_ Guinea, &c.
+
+
+    CHAP. XI. _Accounts of the cruel methods used in carrying on of
+    the_ Slave trade, &c.
+
+
+    CHAP. XII. _Extracts of several voyages to the coast of_ Guinea,
+    &c.
+
+
+    CHAP. XIII. _Numbers of Negroes, yearly brought from_ Guinea,
+    _by the_ English, &c.
+
+
+    CHAP. XIV. _Observations on the situation and disposition of the
+    Negroes in the northern colonies_, &c.
+
+
+    CHAP. XV. Europeans _capable of bearing reasonable labour in
+    the_ West Indies, &c.
+
+
+    _Extracts from_ Granville Sharp's _representations,_ &c.
+
+
+    _Sentiments of several authors,_ viz. George Wallace, Francis
+    Hutcheson, _and_ James Foster.
+
+
+    _Extracts of an address to the assembly of_ Virginia.
+
+
+    _Extract of the bishop of_ Gloucester's _sermon_.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION.
+
+
+The slavery of the Negroes having, of late, drawn the attention of many
+serious minded people; several tracts have been published setting forth
+its inconsistency with every christian and moral virtue, which it is
+hoped will have weight with the judicious; especially at a time when the
+liberties of mankind are become so much the subject of general
+attention. For the satisfaction of the serious enquirer who may not have
+the opportunity of seeing those tracts, and such others who are
+sincerely desirous that the iniquity of this practice may become
+effectually apparent, to those in whose power, it may be to put a stop
+to any farther progress therein; it is proposed, hereby, to republish
+the most material parts of said tracts; and in order to enable the
+reader to form a true judgment of this matter, which, tho' so very
+important, is generally disregarded, or so artfully misrepresented by
+those whose interest leads them to vindicate it, as to bias the opinions
+of people otherwise upright; some account will be here given of the
+different parts of Africa, from which the Negroes are brought to
+America; with an impartial relation from what motives the Europeans were
+first induced to undertake, and have since continued this iniquitous
+traffic. And here it will not be improper to premise, that tho' wars,
+arising from the common depravity of human nature, have happened, as
+well among the Negroes as other nations, and the weak sometimes been
+made captives to the strong; yet nothing appears, in the various
+relations of the intercourse and trade for a long time carried on by the
+Europeans on that coast, which would induce us to believe, that there is
+any real foundation for that argument, so commonly advanced in
+vindication of that trade, viz. "_That the slavery of the Negroes took
+its rise from a desire, in the purchasers, to save the lives of such of
+them as were taken captives in war, who would otherwise have been
+sacrificed to the implacable revenge of their conquerors._" A plea which
+when compared with the history of those times, will appear to be
+destitute of Truth; and to have been advanced, and urged, principally by
+such as were concerned in reaping the gain of this infamous traffic, as
+a palliation of that, against which their own reason and conscience must
+have raised fearful objections.
+
+
+
+
+SOME
+
+
+HISTORICAL ACCOUNT
+
+
+OF
+
+
+GUINEA.
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+[Price 2s. 6d. stitched.]
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. I.
+
+
+Guinea affords an easy living to its inhabitants, with but little toil.
+The climate agrees well with the natives, but extremely unhealthful to
+the Europeans. Produces provisions in the greatest plenty. Simplicity of
+their housholdry. The coast of Guinea described from the river Senegal
+to the kingdom of Angola. The fruitfulness of that part lying on and
+between the two great rivers Senegal and Gambia. Account of the
+different nations settled there. Order of government amongst the Jalofs.
+Good account of some of the Fulis. The Mandingos; their management,
+government, &c. Their worship. M. Adanson's account of those countries.
+Surprizing vegetation. Pleasant appearance of the country. He found the
+natives very sociable and obliging.
+
+When the Negroes are considered barely in their present abject state of
+slavery, broken-spirited and dejected; and too easy credit is given to
+the accounts we frequently hear or read of their barbarous and savage
+way of living in their own country; we shall be naturally induced to
+look upon them as incapable of improvement, destitute, miserable, and
+insensible of the benefits of life; and that our permitting them to live
+amongst us, even on the most oppressive terms, is to them a favour. But,
+on impartial enquiry, the case will appear to be far otherwise; we shall
+find that there is scarce a country in the whole world, that is better
+calculated for affording the necessary comforts of life to its
+inhabitants, with less solicitude and toil, than Guinea. And that
+notwithstanding the long converse of many of its inhabitants with
+(often) the worst of the Europeans, they still retain a great deal of
+innocent simplicity; and, when not stirred up to revenge from the
+frequent abuses they have received from the Europeans in general,
+manifest themselves to be a humane, sociable people, whose faculties are
+as capable of improvement as those of other Men; and that their oeconomy
+and government is, in many respects, commendable. Hence it appears they
+might have lived happy, if not disturbed by the Europeans; more
+especially, if these last had used such endeavours as their christian
+profession requires, to communicate to the ignorant Africans that
+superior knowledge which Providence had favoured them with. In order to
+set this matter in its true light, and for the information of those
+well-minded people who are desirous of being fully acquainted with the
+merits of a cause, which is of the utmost consequence; as therein the
+lives and happiness of thousands, and hundreds of thousands, of our
+fellow _Men_ have fallen, and are daily falling, a sacrifice to selfish
+avarice and usurped power, I will here give some account of the several
+divisions of those parts of Africa from whence the Negroes are brought,
+with a summary of their produce; the disposition of their respective
+inhabitants; their improvements, &c. &c. extracted from authors of
+credit; mostly such as have been principal officers in the English,
+French and Dutch factories, and who resided many years in those
+countries. But first it is necessary to premise, as a remark generally
+applicable to the whole coast of Guinea, "_That the Almighty, who has
+determined and appointed the bounds of the habitation of men on the face
+of the earth_" in the manner that is most conducive to the well-being of
+their different natures and dispositions, has so ordered it, that altho'
+Guinea is extremely unhealthy[A] to the Europeans, of whom many
+thousands have met there with a miserable and untimely end, yet it is
+not so with the Negroes, who enjoy a good state of health[B] and are
+able to procure to themselves a comfortable subsistence, with much less
+care and toil than is necessary in our more northern climate; which last
+advantage arises not only from the warmth of the climate, but also from
+the overflowing of the rivers, whereby the land is regularly moistened
+and rendered extremely fertile; and being in many places improved by
+culture, abounds with grain and fruits, cattle, poultry, &c. The earth
+yields all the year a fresh supply of food: Few clothes are requisite,
+and little art necessary in making them, or in the construction of their
+houses, which are very simple, principally calculated to defend them
+from the tempestuous seasons and wild beasts; a few dry reeds covered
+with matts serve for their beds. The other furniture, except what
+belongs to cookery, gives the women but little trouble; the moveables of
+the greatest among them amounting only to a few earthen pots, some
+wooden utensils, and gourds or calabashes; from these last, which grow
+almost naturally over their huts, to which they afford an agreeable
+shade, they are abundantly stocked with good clean vessels for most
+houshold uses, being of different sizes, from half a pint to several
+gallons.
+
+[Footnote A: _Gentleman's Magazine, Supplement, 1763. Extract of a
+letter wrote from the island of Senegal, by Mr. Boone, practitioner of
+physic there, to Dr. Brocklesby of London._
+
+    "To form just idea of the unhealthiness of the climate, it will
+    be necessary to conceive a country extending three hundred
+    leagues East, and more to the North and South. Through this
+    country several large rivers empty themselves into the sea;
+    particularly the Sanaga, Gambia and Sherbro; these, during the
+    rainy months, which begin in July and continue till October,
+    overflow their banks, and lay the whole flat country under
+    water; and indeed, the very sudden rise of these rivers is
+    incredible to persons who have never been within the tropicks,
+    and are unacquainted with the violent rains that fall there. At
+    Galem, nine hundred miles from the mouth of the Sanaga, I am
+    informed that the waters rise one hundred and fifty feet
+    perpendicular, from the bed of the river. This information I
+    received from a gentleman, who was surgeon's mate to a party
+    sent there, and the only survivor of three captains command,
+    each consisting of one captain, two lieutenants, one ensign, a
+    surgeon's mate, three serjeants, three corporals, and fifty
+    privates.
+
+    "When the rains are at an end, which usually happens in October,
+    the intense heat of the sun soon dries up the waters which lie
+    on the higher parts of the earth, and the remainder forms lakes
+    of stagnated waters, in which are found all sorts of dead
+    animals. These waters every day decrease, till at last they are
+    quite exhaled, and then the effluvia that arises is almost
+    insupportable. At this season, the winds blow so very hot from
+    off the land, that I can compare them to nothing but the heat
+    proceeding from the mouth of an oven. This occasions the
+    Europeans to be sorely vexed with bilious and putrid fevers.
+    From this account you will not be surprized, that the total loss
+    of British subjects in this island only, amounted to above two
+    thousand five hundred, in the space of three years that I was
+    there, in such a putrid moist air as I have described."
+
+]
+
+
+[Footnote B: James Barbot, agent general to the French African company,
+in his account of Africa, page 105, says, "The natives are seldom
+troubled with any distempers, being little affected with the unhealthy
+air. In tempestuous times they keep much within doors; and when exposed
+to the weather, their skins being suppled, and pores closed by daily
+anointing with palm oil, the weather can make but little impression on
+them."]
+
+That part of Africa from which the Negroes are sold to be carried into
+slavery, commonly known by the name of Guinea, extends along the coast
+three or four thousand miles. Beginning at the river Senegal, situate
+about the 17th degree of North latitude, being the nearest part of
+Guinea, as well to Europe as to North America; from thence to the river
+Gambia, and in a southerly course to Cape Sierra Leona, comprehends a
+coast of about seven hundred miles; being the same tract for which Queen
+Elizabeth granted charters to the first traders to that coast: from
+Sierra Leona, the land of Guinea takes a turn to the eastward, extending
+that course about fifteen hundred miles, including those several
+civilians known by name of _the Grain Coast, the Ivory Coast, the Gold
+Coast, and the Slave Coast, with the large kingdom of Benin_. From
+thence the land runs southward along the coast about twelve hundred
+miles, which contains the _kingdoms of Congo and Angola_; there the
+trade for slaves ends. From which to the southermost Cape of Africa,
+called the Cape of Good Hope, the country is settled by Caffres and
+Hottentots, who have never been concerned in the making or selling
+slaves.
+
+Of the parts which are above described, the first which presents itself
+to view, is that situate on the great river Senegal, which is said to be
+navigable more than a thousand miles, and is by travellers described to
+be very agreeable and fruitful. Andrew Brue, principal factor for the
+French African company, who lived sixteen years in that country, after
+describing its fruitfulness and plenty, near the sea, adds,[A] "The
+farther you go from the sea, the country on the river seems the more
+fruitful and well improved; abounding with Indian corn, pulse, fruit,
+&c. Here are vast meadows, which feed large herds of great and small
+cattle, and poultry numerous: The villages that lie thick on the river,
+shew the country is well peopled." The same author, in the account of a
+voyage he made up the river Gambia, the mouth of which lies about three
+hundred miles South of the Senegal, and is navigable about six hundred
+miles up the country, says,[B] "That he was surprized to see the land so
+well cultivated; scarce a spot lay unimproved; the low lands, divided by
+small canals, were all formed with rice, &c. the higher ground planted
+with millet, Indian corn, and pease of different sorts; their beef
+excellent; poultry plenty, and very cheap, as well as all other
+necessaries of life." Francis Moor, who was sent from England about the
+year 1735, in the service of the African company, and resided at James
+Fort, on the river Gambia, or in other factories on that river, about
+five years, confirms the above account of the fruitfulness of the
+country. William Smith, who was sent in the year 1726, by the African
+company, to survey their settlements throughout the whole coast of
+Guinea[C] says, "The country about the Gambia is pleasant and fruitful;
+provisions of all kinds being plenty and exceeding cheap." The country
+on and between the two above-mentioned rivers is large and extensive,
+inhabited principally by those three Negro nations known by the name of
+Jalofs, Fulis, and Mandingos. The Jalofs possess the middle of the
+country. The Fulis principal settlement is on both sides of the Senegal;
+great numbers of these people are also mixed with the Mandingos; which
+last are mostly settled on both sides the Gambia. The government of the
+Jalofs is represented as under a better regulation than can be expected
+from the common opinion we entertain of the Negroes. We are told in the
+Collection,[D] "That the King has under him several ministers of state,
+who assist him in the exercise of justice. _The grand Jerafo_ is the
+chief justice thro' all the King's dominions, and goes in circuit from
+time to time to hear complaints, and determine controversies. _The
+King's treasurer_ exercises the same employment, and has under him
+Alkairs, who are governors of towns or villages. That the _Kondi_, or
+_Viceroy_, goes the circuit with the chief justice, both to hear causes,
+and inspect into the behaviour of the _Alkadi_, or chief magistrate of
+every village in their several districts[E]." _Vasconcelas_, an author
+mentioned in the collection, says, "The ancientest are preferred to be
+the _Prince's counsellors_, who keep always about his person; and the
+men of most judgment and experience are the judges." _The Fulis_ are
+settled on both sides of the river _Senegal_: Their country, which is
+very fruitful and populous, extends near four hundred miles from East to
+West. They are generally of a deep tawny complexion, appearing to bear
+some affinity with the Moors, whose country they join on the North. They
+are good farmers, and make great harvest of corn, cotton, tobacco, &c.
+and breed great numbers of cattle of all kinds. _Bartholomew Stibbs_,
+(mentioned by _Fr. Moor_) in his account of that country says,[F] "_They
+were a cleanly, decent, industrious people, and very affable_." But the
+most particular account we have, of these people, is from _Francis Moor_
+himself, who says,[G] "Some of these Fuli blacks who dwell on both sides
+the river Gambia, are in subjection to the Mandingos, amongst whom they
+dwell, having been probably driven out of their country by war or
+famine. They have chiefs of their own, who rule with much moderation.
+Few of them will drink brandy, or any thing stronger than water and
+sugar, being strict Mahometans. Their form of government goes on easy,
+because the people are of a good quiet disposition, and so well
+instructed in what is right, that a man who does ill, is the abomination
+of all, and, none will support him against the chief. In these
+countries, the natives are not covetous of land, desiring no more than
+what they use; and as they do not plough with horses and cattle, they
+can use but very little, therefore the Kings are willing to give the
+Fulis leave to live in their country, and cultivate their lands. If any
+of their people are known to be made slaves, all the Fulis will join to
+redeem them; they also support the old, the blind, and lame, amongst
+themselves; and as far as their abilities go, they supply the
+necessities of the Mandingos, great numbers of whom they have maintained
+in famine." _The author_, from his own observations, says, "They were
+rarely angry, and that he never heard them abuse one another."
+
+[Footnote A: Astley's collect. vol. 2. page 46.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Astley's collection of voyages, vol. 2, page 86.]
+
+
+[Footnote C: William Smith's voyage to Guinea, page 31, 34.]
+
+
+[Footnote D: Astley's collection, vol. 2, page 358.]
+
+
+[Footnote E: Idem. 259.]
+
+
+[Footnote F: Moor's travels into distant parts of Africa, page 198.]
+
+
+[Footnote G: Ibid, page 21.]
+
+_The Mandingos_ are said by _A. Brue_ before mentioned, "To be the most
+numerous nation on the Gambia, besides which, numbers of them are
+dispersed over all these countries; being the most rigid Mahometans
+amongst the Negroes, they drink neither wine nor brandy, and are politer
+than the other Negroes. The chief of the trade goes through their hands.
+Many are industrious and laborious, keeping their ground well
+cultivated, and breeding a good stock of cattle.[A] Every town has an
+_Alkadi_, or _Governor_, who has great power; for most of them having
+two common fields of clear ground, one for corn, and the other for rice,
+_the Alkadi_ appoints the labour of all the people. The men work the
+corn ground, and the women and girls the rice ground; and as they all
+equally labour, so he equally divides the corn amongst them; and in case
+they are in want, the others supply them. This Alkadi decides all
+quarrels, and has the first voice in all conferences in town affairs."
+Some of these Mandingos who are settled at Galem, far up the river
+Senegal, can read and write Arabic tolerably, and are a good hospitable
+people, who carry on a trade with the inland nations."[B] They are
+extremely populous in those parts, their women being fruitful, and they
+not suffering any person amongst them, but such as are guilty of crimes,
+to be made slaves." We are told from Jobson,"[C] That the Mahometan
+Negroes say their prayers thrice a day. Each village has a priest who
+calls them to their duty. It is surprizing (says the author) as well as
+commendable, to see the modesty, attention, and reverence they observe
+during their worship. He asked some of their priests the purport of
+their prayers and ceremonies; their answer always was, _That they adored
+God by prostrating themselves before him; that by humbling themselves,
+they acknowledged their own insignificancy, and farther intreated him to
+forgive their faults, and to grant them all good and necessary things as
+well as deliverance from evil."_ Jobson takes notice of several good
+qualities in these Negroe priests, particularly their great sobriety.
+They gain their livelihood by keeping school for the education of the
+children. The boys are taught to read and write. They not only teach
+school, but rove about the country, teaching and instructing, for which
+the whole country is open to them; and they have a free course through
+all places, though the Kings may be at war with one another.
+
+[Footnote A: Astley's collect. vol. 2, page 269.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Astley's collect. vol. 2, page 73.]
+
+
+[Footnote C: Ibid, 296.]
+
+The three fore-mentioned nations practise several trades, as smiths,
+potters, sadlers, and weavers. Their smiths particularly work neatly in
+gold and silver, and make knifes, hatchets, reaping hooks, spades and
+shares to cut iron, &c. &c. Their potters make neat tobacco pipes, and
+pots to boil their food. Some authors say that weaving is their
+principal trade; this is done by the women and girls, who spin and weave
+very fine cotton cloth, which they dye blue or black.[A] F. Moor says,
+the Jalofs particularly make great quantities of the cotton cloth; their
+pieces are generally twenty-seven yards long, and about nine inches
+broad, their looms being very narrow; these they sew neatly together, so
+as to supply the use of broad cloth.
+
+[Footnote A: F. Moor, 28.]
+
+It was in these parts of Guinea, that M. Adanson, correspondent of the
+Royal Academy of Sciences at Paris, mentioned in some former
+publications, was employed from the year 1749, to the year 1753, wholly
+in making _natural_ and _philosophical_ observations on the country
+about the rivers Senegal and Gambia. Speaking of the great heats in
+Senegal, he says,[A] "It is to them that they are partly indebted for
+the fertility of their lands; which is so great, that, with little
+labour and care, there is no fruit nor grain but grow in great plenty."
+
+[Footnote A: M. Adanson's voyage to Senegal, &c, page 308.]
+
+Of the soil on the Gambia, he says,[A] "It is rich and deep, and
+amazingly fertile; it produces spontaneously, and almost without
+cultivation, all the necessaries of life, grain, fruit, herbs, and
+roots. Every thing matures to perfection, and is excellent in its
+kind."[B] One thing, which always surprized him, was the prodigious
+rapidity with which the sap of trees repairs any loss they may happen to
+sustain in that country: "And I was never," says he, "more astonished,
+than when landing four days after the locusts had devoured all the
+fruits and leaves, and even the buds of the trees, to find the trees
+covered with new leaves, and they did not seem to me to have suffered
+much."[C] "It was then," says the same author; "the fish season; you
+might see them in shoals approaching towards land. Some of those shoals
+were fifty fathom square, and the fish crowded together in such a
+manner, as to roll upon one another, without being able to swim. As soon
+as the Negroes perceive them coming towards land, they jump into the
+water with a basket in one hand, and swim with the other. They need only
+to plunge and to lift up their basket, and they are sure to return
+loaded with fish." Speaking of the appearance of the country, and of the
+disposition of the people, he says,[D] "Which way soever I turned mine
+eyes on this pleasant spot, I beheld a perfect image of pure nature; an
+agreeable solitude, bounded on every side by charming landscapes; the
+rural situation of cottages in the midst of trees; the ease and
+indolence of the Negroes, reclined under the shade of their spreading
+foliage; the simplicity of their dress and manners; the whole revived in
+my mind the idea of our first parents, and I seemed to contemplate the
+world in its primitive state. They are, generally speaking, very
+good-natured, sociable, and obliging. I was not a little pleased with
+this my first reception; it convinced me, that there ought to be a
+considerable abatement made in the accounts I had read and heard every
+where of the savage character of the Africans. I observed both in
+Negroes and Moors, great humanity and sociableness, which gave me strong
+hopes that I should be very safe amongst them, and meet with the success
+I desired in my enquiries after the curiosities of the country."[E] He
+was agreeably amused with the conversation of the Negroes, their
+_fables, dialogues_, and _witty stories_ with which they entertain each
+other alternately, according to their custom. Speaking of the remarks
+which the natives made to him, with relation to the _stars_ and
+_planets_, he says, "It is amazing, that such a rude and illiterate
+people, should reason so pertinently in regard to those heavenly bodies;
+there is no manner of doubt, but that with proper instruments, and a
+good will, they would become _excellent astronomers_."
+
+[Footnote A: Idem, page 164.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: M. Adanson, page 161.]
+
+
+[Footnote C: Idem, page 171.]
+
+
+[Footnote D: Ibid, page 54.]
+
+
+[Footnote E: Adanson, page 252, ibid.]
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. II
+
+
+_The Ivory Coast_; its soil and produce. The character of the _natives_
+misrepresented by some authors. These misrepresentations occasioned by
+_the Europeans_ having treacherously carried off many of their people.
+_John Smith, surveyor to the African company_, his observations thereon.
+_John Snock's_ remarks. _The Gold Coast_ and _Slave Coast_, these have
+the most _European factories_, and furnish the greatest number of slaves
+to _the Europeans_. Exceeding fertile. The country of _Axim_, and of
+_Ante_. Good account of the _inland people_ Great fishery. Extraordinary
+trade for slaves. _The Slave Coast. The kingdom of Whidah_. Fruitful and
+pleasant. The natives kind and obliging. Very populous. Keep regular
+markets and fairs. Good order therein. Murder, adultery, and theft
+severely punished. The King's revenues. The principal people have an
+idea of the true God. Commendable care of the poor. Several small
+governments depend on _plunder_ and the _slave_ trade.
+
+That part of Guinea known by the name of the _Grain_, and _Ivory Coast,_
+comes next in course. This coast extends about five hundred miles. The
+soil appears by account, to be in general fertile, producing abundance
+of rice and roots; indigo and cotton thrive without cultivation, and
+tobacco would be excellent, if carefully manufactured; they have fish in
+plenty; their flocks greatly increase, and their trees are loaded with
+fruit. They make a cotton cloth, which sells well on the Coast. In a
+word, the country is rich, and the commerce advantageous, and might be
+greatly augmented by such as would cultivate the friendship of the
+natives. These are represented by some writers as a rude, _treacherous
+people_, whilst several other _authors_ of credit give them a very
+different character, representing them as _sensible, courteous and the
+fairest traders on the coast of Guinea_. In the Collection, they are
+said[A] to be averse to drinking to excess, and such as do, are severely
+punished by the King's order: On enquiry why there is such a
+disagreement in the character given of these people, it appears, that
+though they are naturally inclined to be _kind to strangers_, with whom
+they are _fond_ of _trading_, yet the _frequent injuries_ done them by
+Europeans, have occasioned their being _suspicious and shy_. The same
+cause has been the occasion of the ill treatment they have sometimes
+given to innocent strangers, who have attempted to trade with them. As
+the Europeans have no settlement on this part of Guinea, the trade is
+carried on by signals from the ships, on the appearance of which the
+natives usually come on board in their canoes, bringing their gold-dust,
+ivory, &c. which has given opportunity to some villainous Europeans to
+carry them off with their effects, or retain them on board till a ransom
+is paid. It is noted by some, that since the European voyagers have
+carried away several of these people, their mistrust is so great, that
+it is very difficult to prevail on them to come on board. _William
+Smith_ remarks,[B] "As we past along this coast, we very often lay
+before a town, and fired a gun for the natives to come off, but no soul
+came near us; at length we learnt by some ships that were trading down
+the coast, that the natives came seldom on board an English ship, for
+fear of being detained or carried off; yet last some ventured on board,
+but if those chanced to spy any arms, they would all immediately take to
+their canoes, and make the best of their way home. They had then in
+their possession one _Benjamin Cross_ the mate of an English vessel, who
+was detained by them to make reprisals for some of their men, who had
+formerly been carried away by some English vessel." In the Collection we
+are told,[C]_This villainous custom is too often practised, chiefly by
+the Bristol and Liverpool ships, and is a great detriment to the slave
+trade on the windward coast. John Snock, mentioned in Bosman_[D] when on
+that coast, wrote, "We cast anchor, but not one Negro coming on board, I
+went on shore, and after having staid a while on the strand, some
+Negroes came to me; and being desirous to be informed why they did not
+come on board, I was answered that about two months before, the English
+had been there with two large vessels, and had ravaged the country,
+destroyed all their canoes, plundered their houses, and carried off some
+of their people, upon which the remainder fled to the inland country,
+where most of them were that time; so that there being not much to be
+done by us, we were obliged to return on board.[E] When I enquired after
+their wars with other countries, they told me they were not often
+troubled with them; but if any difference happened, they chose rather to
+end the dispute amicably, than to come to arms."[F] He found the
+inhabitants civil and good-natured. Speaking of the _King of Rio Seftré_
+lower down the coast, he says, "He was a very agreeable, obliging man,
+and that all his subjects are civil, as well as very laborious in
+agriculture, and the pursuits of trade," _Marchais_ says,[G] "That
+though the country is very populous, yet none of the natives (except
+criminals) are sold for slaves." _Vaillant_ never heard of any
+settlement being made by the Europeans on this part of _Guinea_; and
+_Smith_ remarks,[H] "That these coasts, which are divided into several
+little kingdoms, and have seldom any wars, is the reason the slave trade
+is not so good here as on _the Gold and Slave Coast_, where the
+Europeans have several forts and factories." A plain evidence this, that
+it is the intercourse with the Europeans, and their settlements on the
+coast, which gives life to the slave trade.
+
+[Footnote A: Collection, vol. 2, page 560.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: W. Smith, page 111.]
+
+
+[Footnote C: Astley's collection, vol. 2, page 475.]
+
+
+[Footnote D: W. Bosman's description of Guinea, page 440.]
+
+
+[Footnote E: W. Bosman's description of Guinea, page 429.]
+
+
+[Footnote F: Ibid, 441.]
+
+
+[Footnote G: Astley's collection, Vol. 2, page 565.]
+
+
+[Footnote H: Smith's voyage to Guinea, page 112.]
+
+Next adjoining to the _Ivory Coast_, are those called the _Gold Coast_,
+and the _Slave Coast_; authors are not agreed about their bounds, but
+their extent together along the coast may be about five hundred miles.
+And as the policy, produce, and oeconomy of these two kingdoms of Guinea
+are much the same, I shall describe them together.
+
+Here the Europeans have the greatest number of forts and factories, from
+whence, by means of the Negro sailors, a trade is carried on above seven
+hundred miles back in the inland country; whereby great numbers of
+slaves are procured, as well by means of the wars which arise amongst
+the Negroes, or are fomented by the Europeans, as those brought from the
+back country. Here we find the natives _more reconciled to the European
+manners and trade_; but, at the same time, _much more inured to war_,
+and ready to assist the European traders in procuring loadings for the
+great number of vessels which come yearly on those coasts for slaves.
+This part of Guinea is agreed by historians to be, in general,
+_extraordinary fruitful and agreeable_; producing (according to the
+difference of the soil) vast quantities of rice and other grain; plenty
+of fruit and roots; palm wine and oil, and fish in great abundance, with
+much tame and wild cattle. Bosman, principal factor for the Dutch at
+D'Elmina, speaking of the country of Axim, which is situate towards the
+beginning of the Gold Coast, says,[A] "The Negro inhabitants are
+generally very rich, driving a great trade with the Europeans for gold.
+That they are industriously employed either in trade, fishing, or
+agriculture; but chiefly in the culture of rice, which grows here in an
+incredible abundance, and is transported hence all over the Gold Coast.
+The inhabitants, in lieu, returning full fraught with millet, jamms,
+potatoes, and palm oil." The same author speaking of the country of
+Ante, says,[B] "This country, as well as the Gold Coast, abounds with
+hills, enriched with extraordinary high and beautiful trees; its
+valleys, betwixt the hills, are wide and extensive, producing in great
+abundance very good rice, millet, jamms, potatoes, and other fruits, all
+good in their kind." He adds, "In short, it is a land that yields its
+manurers as plentiful a crop as they can wish, with great quantities of
+palm wine and oil, besides being well furnished with all sorts of tame,
+as well as wild beasts; but that the last fatal wars had reduced it to a
+miserable condition, and stripped it of most of its inhabitants." The
+adjoining country of Fetu, he says,[C] "was formerly so powerful and
+populous, that it struck terror into all the neighbouring nations; but
+it is at present so drained by continual wars, that it is entirely
+ruined; there does not remain inhabitants sufficient to till the
+country, tho' it is so fruitful and pleasant that it may be compared to
+the country of Ante just before described; frequently, says that author,
+when walking through it before the last war, I have seen it abound with
+fine well built and populous towns, agreeably enriched with vast
+quantities of corn, cattle, palm wine, and oil. The inhabitants all
+applying themselves without any distinction to agriculture; some sow
+corn, others press oil, and draw wine from palm trees, with both which
+it is plentifully stored."
+
+[Footnote A: Bosman's description of the coast of Guinea, p, 5.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Idem, page 14.]
+
+
+[Footnote C: Bosman, page 41.]
+
+William Smith gives much the same account of the before-mentioned parts
+of the Gold Coast, and adds, "The country about D'Elmina and Cape Coast,
+is much the same for beauty and goodness, but more populous; and the
+nearer we come towards the Slave Coast, the more delightful and rich all
+the countries are, producing all sorts of trees, fruits, roots, and
+herbs, that grow within the Torrid Zone." J. Barbot also remarks,[A]
+with respect to the countries of Ante and Adom, "That the soil is very
+good and fruitful in corn and other produce, which it affords in such
+plenty, that besides what serves for their own use, they always export
+great quantities for sale; they have a competent number of cattle, both
+tame and wild, and the rivers abundantly stored with fish, so that
+nothing is wanting for the support of life, and to make it easy." In the
+Collection it is said,[B] "That the inland people on that part of the
+coast, employ themselves in tillage and trade, and supply the market
+with corn, fruit, and palm wine; the country producing such vast plenty
+of Indian corn, that abundance is daily exported, as well by Europeans
+as Blacks resorting thither from other parts." "These inland people are
+said to live in great union and friendship, being generally well
+tempered, civil, and tractable; not apt to shed human blood, except when
+much provoked, and ready to assist one another."
+
+[Footnote A: John Barbot's description of Guinea, page 154.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Astley's collect. vol. 2. page 535.]
+
+In the Collection[A] it is said, "That the fishing business is esteemed
+on the Gold Coast next to trading; that those who profess it are more
+numerous than those of other employments. That the greatest number of
+these are at Kommendo, Mina, and Kormantin. From each of which places,
+there go out every morning, (Tuesday excepted, which is the Fetish day,
+or day of rest) five, six, and sometimes eight hundred canoes, from
+thirteen to fourteen feet long, which spread themselves two leagues at
+sea, each fisherman carrying in his canoe a sword, with bread, water,
+and a little fire on a large stone to roast fish. Thus they labour till
+noon, when the sea breeze blowing fresh, they return on the shore,
+generally laden with fish; a quantity of which the inland inhabitants
+come down to buy, which they sell again at the country markets."
+
+[Footnote A: Collection, vol. 2, page 640.]
+
+William Smith says,[A] "The country about Acra, where the English and
+Dutch have each a strong fort, is very delightful, and the natives
+courteous and civil to strangers." He adds, "That this place seldom
+fails of an extraordinary good trade from the inland country, especially
+for slaves, whereof several are supposed to come from very remote parts,
+because it is not uncommon to find a Malayan or two amongst a parcel of
+other slaves. The Malaya, people are generally natives of Malacca, in
+the East Indies, situate several thousand miles from the Gold Coast."
+They differ very much from the Guinea Negroes, being of a tawny
+complexion, with long black hair.
+
+[Footnote A: William Smith, page 145.]
+
+Most parts of the Slave Coasts are represented as equally fertile and
+pleasant with the Gold Coast. The kingdom of Whidah has been
+particularly noted by travellers.[A] William Smith and Bosman agree,
+"That it is one of the most delightful countries in the world. The great
+number and variety of tall, beautiful, and shady trees, which seem
+planted in groves, the verdant fields every where cultivated, and no
+otherwise divided than by those groves, and in some places a small
+foot-path, together with a great number of villages, contribute to
+afford the most delightful prospect; the whole country being a fine
+easy, and almost imperceptible ascent, for the space of forty or fifty
+miles from the sea. That the farther you go from the sea, the more
+beautiful and populous the country appears. That the natives were kind
+and obliging, and so industrious, that no place which was thought
+fertile, could escape being planted, even within the hedges which
+inclose their villages. And that the next day after they had reaped,
+they sowed again."
+
+[Footnote A: Smith, page 194. Bosman, page 319.]
+
+Snelgrave also says, "The country appears full of towns and villages;
+and being a rich soil, and well cultivated, looks like an entire
+garden." In the Collection,[A] the husbandry of the Negroes is described
+to be carried on with great regularity: "The rainy season approaching,
+they go into the fields and woods, to fix on a proper place for sowing;
+and as here is no property in ground, the King's licence being obtained,
+the people go out in troops, and first clear the ground from bushes and
+weeds, which they burn. The field thus cleared, they dig it up a foot
+deep, and so let it remain for eight or ten days, till the rest of their
+neighbours have disposed their ground in the same manner. They then
+consult about sowing, and for that end assemble at the King's Court the
+next Fetish day. The King's grain must be sown first. They then go again
+to the field, and give the ground a second digging, and sow their seed.
+Whilst the King or Governor's land is sowing; he sends out wine and
+flesh ready dressed; enough to serve the labourers. Afterwards, they in
+like manner sow the ground, allotted for their neighbours, as diligently
+as that of the King's, by whom they are also feasted; and so continue to
+work in a body for the public benefit, till every man's ground is tilled
+and sowed. None but the King, and a few great men, are exempted from
+this labour. Their grain soon sprouts out of the ground. When it is
+about a man's height, and begins to ear, they raise a wooden house in
+the centre of the field, covered with straw, in which they set their
+children to watch their corn, and fright away the birds."
+
+[Footnote A: Collection, vol. 2, page 651.]
+
+Bosman[A] speaks in commendation of the civility, kindness, and great
+industry of the natives of Whidah; this is confirmed by Smith,[B] who
+says, "The natives here seem to be the most gentleman-like Negroes in
+Guinea, abounding with good manners and ceremony to each other. The
+inferior pay the utmost deference and, respect to the superior, as do
+wives to their husbands, and children to their parents. All here are
+naturally industrious, and find constant employment; the men in
+agriculture, and the women in spinning and weaving cotton. The men,
+whose chief talent lies in husbandry, are unacquainted with arms;
+otherwise, being a numerous people, they could have made a better
+defence against the King of Dahome, who subdued them without much
+trouble.[C] Throughout the Gold Coast, there are regular markets in all
+villages, furnished with provisions and merchandize, held every day in
+the week, except Tuesday, whence they supply not only the inhabitants,
+but the European ships. The _Negro women_ are very expert in buying and
+selling, and extremely industrious; for they will repair daily to market
+from a considerable distance, loaded like pack-horses, with a child,
+perhaps, at their back, and a heavy burden on their heads. After selling
+their wares, they buy fish and other necessaries, and return home loaded
+as they came.
+
+[Footnote A: Bosman, page 317.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Smith, page 195.]
+
+
+[Footnote C: Collect, vol. 2, p. 657.]
+
+"There is a market held at Sabi every, fourth day,[A] also a weekly one
+in the province of Aplogua, which is so resorted to, that there are
+usually five or six thousand merchants. Their markets are so well
+regulated and governed, that seldom any disorder happens; each species
+of merchandize and merchants have a place allotted them by themselves.
+The buyers may haggle as much as they will, but it must be without noise
+or fraud. To keep order, the King appoints a judge, who, with four
+officers well armed, inspects the markets, hears all complaints, and, in
+a summary way, decides all differences; he has power to seize, and sell
+as slaves, all who are catched in stealing, or disturbing the peace. In
+these markets are to be sold men, women, children, oxen, sheep, goats,
+and fowls of all kinds; European cloths, linen and woollen; printed
+callicoes, silk, grocery ware, china, golddust, iron in bars, &c. in a
+word, most sorts of European goods, as well as the produce of Africa and
+Asia. They have other markets, resembling our fairs, once or twice a
+year, to which all the country repair; for they take care to order the
+day so in different governments, as not to interfere with each other."
+
+[Footnote A: Collect. vol. 3, p. 11.]
+
+With respect to government, William Smith says,[A] "That the Gold Coast
+and Slave Coast are divided into different districts, some of which are
+governed by their Chiefs, or Kings; the others, being more of the nature
+of a commonwealth are governed by some of the principal men, called
+Caboceros, who, Bosman says, are properly denominated civil fathers,
+whose province is to take care of the welfare of the city or village,
+and to appease tumults." But this order of government has been much
+broken since the coming of the Europeans. Both Bosman and Barbot mention
+_murther and adultery to be severely punished on the Coast, frequently
+by death; and robbery by a fine proportionable to the goods stolen_.
+
+[Footnote A: Smith, page 193.]
+
+The income of some of the Kings is large, Bosman says, "That the King of
+Whidah's revenues and duties on things bought and sold are considerable;
+he having the tithe of all things sold in the market, or imported in the
+country."[A] Both the abovementioned authors say, _The tax on slaves
+shipped off in this King's dominions, in some years, amounts to near
+twenty thousand pounds_.
+
+[Footnote A: Bosman, page 337. Barbot, page 335.]
+
+Bosman tells us, "The Whidah Negroes have a faint idea of a true God,
+ascribing to him the attributes of almighty power and omnipresence; but
+God, they say, is too high to condescend to think of mankind; wherefore
+he commits the government of the world to those inferior deities which
+they worship." Some authors say, the wisest of these Negroes are
+sensible of their mistake in this opinion, but dare not forsake their
+own religion, for fear of the populace rising and killing them. This is
+confirmed by William Smith, who says, "That all the natives of this
+coast believe there is one true God, the author of them and all things;
+that they have some apprehension of a future state; and that almost
+every village has a grove, or public place of worship, to which the
+principal inhabitants, on a set day, resort to make their offerings."
+
+In the Collection[A] it is remarked as an excellency in the Guinea
+government, "That however poor they may be in general, yet there are no
+beggars to be found amongst them; which is owing to the care of their
+chief men, whose province it is to take care of the welfare of the city
+or village; it being part of their office, to see that such people may
+earn their bread by their labour; some are set to blow the smith's
+bellows, others to press palm oil, or grind colours for their matts, and
+sell provision in the markets. The young men are listed to serve as
+soldiers, so that they suffer no common beggar."
+
+[Footnote A: Astley's collection, vol. 2, page 619.]
+
+Bosman ascribes a further reason for this good order, viz. "That when a
+Negroe finds he cannot subsist, he binds himself for a certain sum of
+money, and the master to whom he is bound is obliged to find him
+necessaries; that the master sets him a sort of task, which is not in
+the least slavish, being chiefly to defend his master on occasions; or
+in sowing time to work as much as he himself pleases."[A]
+
+[Footnote A: Bosman, page 119.]
+
+Adjoining to the kingdom of Whidah, are several small governments, as
+Coto, great and small Popo, Ardrah, &c. all situate on the Slave Coast,
+where the chief trade for slaves is carried on. These are governed by
+their respective Kings, and follow much the same customs with those of
+Whidah, except that their principal living is on plunder, and the slave
+trade.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. III.
+
+
+_The kingdom of Benin_; its extent. Esteemed the most potent in Guinea.
+Fruitfulness of the soil. Good disposition of the people. Order of
+government. Punishment of crimes. Large extent of the town of Great
+Benin. Order maintained. The natives honest and charitable. Their
+religion. The kingdoms of Kongo and Angola. Many of the natives profess
+christianity. The country fruitful. Disposition of the people. The
+administration of justice. The town of Leango. Slave trade carried on by
+the Portugueze. Here the slave trade ends.
+
+Next adjoining to the Slave Coast, is the kingdom of Benin, which,
+though it extends but about 170 miles on the sea, yet spreads so far
+inland, as to be esteemed the most potent kingdom in Guinea. By
+accounts, the soil and produce appear to be in a great measure like
+those before described; and the natives are represented as a reasonable
+good-natured people. Artus says,[A] "They are a sincere, inoffensive
+people, and do no injustice either to one another, or to strangers."
+William Smith[B] confirms this account, and says, "That the inhabitants
+are generally very good-natured, and exceeding courteous and civil. When
+the Europeans make them presents, which in their coming thither to trade
+they always do, they endeavour to return them doubly."
+
+[Footnote A: Collection. vol. 3, page 228.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Smith, page 228.]
+
+Bosman tells us,[A] "That his countrymen the Dutch, who were often
+obliged to trust them till they returned the next year, were sure to be
+honestly paid their whole debts."
+
+[Footnote A: W. Bosman, page 405.]
+
+There is in Benin a considerable order in government. Theft, murther,
+and adultery, being severely punished. Barbot says,[A] "If a man and a
+woman of any quality be surprized in adultery, they are both put to
+death, and their bodies are thrown on a dunghill, and left there a prey
+to wild beasts." He adds, "The severity of the laws in Benin against
+adultery,[B] amongst all orders of people, deters them from venturing,
+so that it is but very seldom any persons are punished for that crime."
+Smith says, "Their towns are governed by officers appointed by the King,
+who have power to decide in civil cases, and to raise the public taxes;
+but in criminal cases, they must send to the King's court, which is held
+at the town of Oedo, or Great Benin. This town, which covers a large
+extent of ground, is about sixty mile from the sea."[C] Barbot tells us,
+"That it contains thirty streets, twenty fathom wide, and almost two
+miles long, commonly, extending in a straight line from one gate to
+another; that the gates are guarded by soldiers; that in these streets
+markets are held every day, for cattle, ivory, cotton, and many sorts of
+European goods. This large town is divided into several wards, or
+districts, each governed by its respective King of a street, as they
+call them; to administer justice, and to keep good order. The
+inhabitants are very civil and good natured, condescending to what the
+Europeans require of them in a civil way." The same author confirms what
+has been said by others of their justice in the payment of their debts;
+and adds, "That they, above all other Guineans, are very honest and just
+in their dealings; and they have such an aversion for theft, that by the
+law of the country it is punished with death." We are told by the same
+author,[D] "That the King of Benin is able upon occasion to maintain an
+army of a hundred thousand men; but that, for the most part, he does not
+keep thirty thousand." William Smith says, "The natives are all free
+men; none but foreigners can be bought and sold there.[E] They are very
+charitable, the King as well as his subjects." Bosman confirms this,[F]
+and says, "The King and great Lords subsist several poor at their place
+of residence on charity, employing those who are fit for any work, and
+the rest they keep for God's sake; so that here are no beggars."
+
+[Footnote A: Barbot, page 237.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: By this account of the punishment inflicted on adulterers
+in this and other parts of Guinea, it appears the Negroes are not
+insensible of the sinfulness of such practices. How strange must it then
+appear to the serious minded amongst these people, (nay, how
+inconsistent is it with every divine and moral law amongst ourselves)
+that those christian laws which prohibit fornication and adultery, are
+in none of the English governments extended to them, but that they are
+allowed to cohabit and separate at pleasure? And that even their masters
+think so lightly of their marriage engagements, that, when it suits with
+their interest, they will separate man from wife, and children from
+both, to be sold into different, and even distant parts, without regard
+to their sometimes grievous lamentations; whence it has happened, that
+such of those people who are truly united in their marriage covenant,
+and in affection to one another, have been driven to such desperation,
+as either violently to destroy themselves, or gradually to pine away,
+and die with mere grief. It is amazing, that whilst the clergy of the
+established church are publicly expressing a concern, that these
+oppressed people should be made acquainted with the christian religion,
+they should be thus suffered, and even forced, so flagrantly to infringe
+one of the principal injunctions of our holy religion!]
+
+
+[Footnote C: J. Barbot, page 358, 359.]
+
+
+[Footnote D: Barbot, page 369.]
+
+
+[Footnote E: W. Smith, page 369.]
+
+
+[Footnote F: Bosman, page 409.]
+
+As to religion, these people believe there is a God, the efficient cause
+of all things; but, like the rest of the Guineans, they are
+superstitiously and idolatrously inclined.
+
+The last division of Guinea from which slaves are imported, are the
+kingdoms of Kongo and Angola: these lie to the South of Benin, extending
+with the intermediate land about twelve hundred miles on the coast.
+Great numbers of the natives of both these kingdoms profess the
+christian religion, which was long since introduced by the Portugueze,
+who made early settlements in that country.
+
+In the Collection it is said, that both in Kongo and Angola, the soil is
+in general fruitful, producing great plenty of grain, Indian corn, and
+such quantities of rice, that it hardly bears any price, with fruits,
+roots, and palm oil in plenty.
+
+The natives are generally a quiet people, who discover a good
+understanding, and behave in a friendly manner to strangers, being of a
+mild conversation, affable, and easily overcome with reason.
+
+In the government of Kongo, the King appoints a judge in every
+particular division, to hear and determine disputes and civil causes;
+the judges imprison and release, or impose fines, according to the rule
+of custom; but in weighty matters, every one may appeal to the King,
+before whom all criminal causes are brought, in which he giveth
+sentence; but seldom condemneth to death.
+
+The town of Leango stands in the midst of four Lordships, which abound
+in corn, fruit, &c. Here they make great quantities of cloth of divers
+kinds, very fine and curious; the inhabitants are seldom idle; they even
+make needle-work caps as they walk in the streets.
+
+The slave trade is here principally managed by the Portugueze, who carry
+it far up into the inland countries. They are said to send off from
+these parts fifteen thousand slaves each year.
+
+At Angola, about the 10th degree of South latitude, ends the trade for
+slaves.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. IV.
+
+
+The antientest accounts of the Negroes is from the Nubian Geography, and
+the writings of Leo the African. Some account of those authors. The
+Arabians pass into Guinea. The innocency and simplicity of the natives.
+They are subdued by the Moors. Heli Ischia shakes off the Moorish yoke.
+The Portugueze make the first descent in Guinea. From whence they carry
+off some of the natives. More incursions of the like kind. The
+Portugueze erect the first fort at D'Elmina. They begin the slave trade.
+Cada Mosto's testimony. Anderson's account to the same purport. De la
+Casa's concern for the relief of the oppressed Indians. Goes over into
+Spain to plead their cause. His speech before Charles the Fifth.
+
+The most antient account we have of the country of the Negroes,
+particularly that part situate on and between the two great rivers of
+Senegal and Gambia, is from the writings of two antient authors, one an
+Arabian, and the other a Moor. The first[A] wrote in Arabic, about the
+twelfth century. His works, printed in that language at Rome, were
+afterwards translated into Latin, and printed at Paris, under the
+patronage of the famous Thuanus, chancellor of France, with the title of
+_Geographica Nubiensis_, containing an account or all the nations lying
+on the Senegal and Gambia. The other wrote by John Leo,[B] a Moor, born
+at Granada, in Spain, before the Moors were totally expelled from that
+kingdom. He resided in Africa; but being on a voyage from Tripoli to
+Tunis, was taken by some Italian Corsairs, who finding him possessed of
+several Arabian books, besides his own manuscripts, apprehended him to
+be a man of learning, and as such presented him to Pope Leo the Tenth.
+This Pope encouraging him, he embraced the Romish religion, and his
+description of Africa was published in Italian. From these writings we
+gather, that after the Mahometan religion had extended to the kingdom of
+Morocco, some of the promoters of it crossing the sandy desarts of
+Numidia, which separate that country from Guinea, found it inhabited by
+men, who, though under no regular government, and destitute of that
+knowledge the Arabians were favoured with, lived in content and peace.
+The first author particularly remarks, "That they never made war, or
+travelled abroad, but employed themselves in tending their herds, or
+labouring in the ground." J. Leo says, page 65. "That they lived in
+common, having no property in land, no tyrant nor superior lord, but
+supported themselves in an equal state, upon the natural produce of the
+country, which afforded plenty of roots, game, and honey. That ambition
+or avarice never drove them into foreign countries to subdue or cheat
+their neighbours. Thus they lived without toil or superfluities." "The
+antient inhabitants of Morocco, who wore coats of mail, and used swords
+and spears headed with iron, coming amongst these harmless and naked
+people, soon brought them under subjection, and divided that part of
+Guinea which lies on the rivers Senegal and Gambia into fifteen parts;
+those were the fifteen kingdoms of the Negroes, over which the Moors
+presided, and the common people were Negroes. These Moors taught the
+Negroes the Mahometan religion, and arts of life; particularly the use
+of iron, before unknown to them. About the 14th century, a native Negro,
+called Heli Ischia, expelled the Moorish conquerors; but tho' the
+Negroes threw off the yoke of a foreign nation, they only changed a
+Libyan for a Negroe master. Heli Ischia himself becoming King, led the
+Negroes on to foreign wars, and established himself in power over a very
+large extent of country." Since Leo's time, the Europeans have had very
+little knowledge of those parts of Africa, nor do they know what became
+of his great empire. It is highly probable that it broke into pieces,
+and that the natives again resumed many of their antient customs; for in
+the account published by William Moor, in his travels on the river
+Gambia, we find a mixture of the Moorish and Mahometan customs, joined
+with the original simplicity of the Negroes. It appears by accounts of
+antient voyages, collected by Hackluit, Purchas, and others, that it was
+about fifty years before the discovery of America, that the Portugueze
+attempted to sail round Cape Bojador, which lies between their country
+and Guinea; this, after divers repulses occasioned by the violent
+currents, they effected; when landing on the western coasts of Africa,
+they soon began to make incursions into the country, and to seize and
+carry off the native inhabitants. As early as the year 1434, Alonzo
+Gonzales, the first who is recorded to have met with the natives, being
+on that coast, pursued and attacked a number of them, when some were
+wounded, as was also one of the Portugueze; which the author records as
+the first blood spilt by christians in those parts. Six years after, the
+same Gonzales again attacked the natives, and took twelve prisoners,
+with whom he returned to his vessels; he afterwards put a woman on
+shore, in order to induce the natives to redeem the prisoners; but the
+next day 150 of the inhabitants appeared on horses and camels, provoking
+the Portugueze to land; which they not daring to venture, the natives
+discharged a volley of stones at them, and went off. After this, the
+Portugueze still continued to send vessels on the coast of Africa;
+particularly we read of their falling on a village, whence the
+inhabitants fled, and, being pursued, twenty-five were taken: "_He that
+ran best_," says the author, "_taking the most_. In their way home they
+killed some of the natives, and took fifty-five more prisoners.[C]
+Afterwards Dinisanes Dagrama, with two other vessels, landed on the
+island Arguin, where they took fifty-four Moors; then running along the
+coast eighty leagues farther, they at several times took fifty slaves;
+but here seven of the Portugueze were killed. Then being joined by
+several other vessels, Dinisanes proposed to destroy the island, to
+revenge the loss of the seven Portugueze; of which the Moors being
+apprized, fled, so that no more than twelve were found, whereof only
+four could be taken, the rest being killed, as also one of the
+Portugueze." Many more captures of this kind on the coast of Barbary and
+Guinea, are recorded to have been made in those early times by the
+Portugueze; who, in the year 1481, erected their first fort at D'Elmina
+on that coast, from whence they soon opened a trade for slaves with the
+inland parts of Guinea.
+
+[Footnote A: See Travels into different parts of Africa, by Francis
+Moor, with a letter to the publisher.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Ibid.]
+
+
+[Footnote C: Collection, vol. 1, page 13.]
+
+From the foregoing accounts, it is undoubted, that the practice of
+making slaves of the Negroes, owes its origin to the early incursions of
+the Portugueze on the coast of Africa, solely from an inordinate desire
+of gain. This is clearly evidenced from their own historians,
+particularly _Cada Mosto_, about the year 1455, who writes,[A] "That
+before the trade was settled for purchasing slaves from the Moors at
+Arguin, sometimes four, and sometimes more Portugueze vessels, were used
+to come to that gulph, well armed; and landing by night, would surprize
+some fishermen's villages: that they even entered into the country, and
+carried off Arabs of both sexes, whom they sold in Portugal." And also,
+"That the Portugueze and Spaniards, settled on four of the Canary
+islands, would go to the other island by night, and seize some of the
+natives of both sexes, whom they sent to be sold in Spain."
+
+[Footnote A: Collection vol. 1, page 576.]
+
+After the settlement of America, those devastations, and the captivating
+the miserable Africans, greatly increased.
+
+Anderson, in his history of trade and commerce, at page 336, speaking of
+what passed in the year 1508, writes, "That the Spaniards had by this
+time found that the miserable Indian natives, whom they had made to work
+in their mines and fields, were not so robust and proper for those
+purposes as Negroes brought from Africa; wherefore they, about that
+time, began to import Negroes for that end into Hispaniola, from the
+Portugueze settlements on the Guinea coasts; and also afterwards for
+their sugar works." This oppression of the Indians had, even before this
+time, rouzed the zeal, as well as it did the compassion, of some of the
+truly pious of that day; particularly that of Bartholomew De las Casas,
+bishop of Chapia; whom a desire of being instrumental towards the
+conversion of the Indians, had invited into America. It is generally
+agreed by the writers of that age, that he was a man of perfect
+disinterestedness, and ardent charity; being affected with this sad
+spectacle, he returned to the court of Spain, and there made a true
+report of the matter; but not without being strongly opposed by those
+mercenary wretches, who had enslaved the Indians; yet being strong and
+indefatigable, he went to and fro between Europe and America, firmly
+determined not to give over his pursuit but with his life. After long
+solicitation, and innumerable repulses, he obtained leave to lay the
+matter before the Emperor Charles the Fifth, then King of Spain. As the
+contents of the speech he made before the King in council, are very
+applicable to the case of the enslaved Africans, and a lively evidence
+that the spirit of true piety speaks the same language in the hearts of
+faithful men in all ages, for the relief of their fellow creatures from
+oppression of every kind, I think it may not be improper here to
+transcribe the most interesting parts of it. "I was," says this pious
+bishop, "one of the first who went to America; neither curiosity nor
+interest prompted me to undertake so long and dangerous a voyage; the
+saving the souls of the heathen was my sole object. Why was I not
+permitted, even at the expence of my blood, to ransom so many thousand
+souls, who fell unhappy victims to avarice or lust? I have been an eye
+witness to such cruel treatment of the Indians, as is too horrid to be
+mentioned at this time.--It is said that barbarous executions were
+necessary to punish or check the rebellion of the Americans;--but to
+whom was this owing? Did not those people receive the Spaniards, who
+first came amongst them, with gentleness and humanity? Did they not shew
+more joy, in proportion, in lavishing treasure upon them, than the
+Spaniards did greediness in receiving it?--But our avarice was not yet
+satisfied;--tho' they gave up to us their land and their riches, we
+would tear from them their wives, their children and their
+liberties.--To blacken these unhappy people, their enemies assert, that
+they are scarce human creatures?--but it is we that ought to blush, for
+having been less men, and more barbarous, than they.--What right have we
+to enslave a people who are born free, and whom we disturbed, tho' they
+never offended us?--They are represented as a stupid people, addicted to
+vice?--but have they not contracted most of their vices from the example
+of the christians? And as to those vices peculiar to themselves, have
+not the christians quickly exceeded them therein? Nevertheless it must
+be granted, that the Indians still remain untainted with many vices
+usual amongst the Europeans; such as ambition, blasphemy, treachery, and
+many like monsters, which have not yet took place with them; they have
+scarce an idea of them; so that in effect, all the advantage we can
+claim, is to have more elevated notions of things, and our natural
+faculties more unfolded and more cultivated than theirs.--Do not let us
+flatter our corruptions, nor voluntarily blind ourselves; _all_ nations
+are equally _free_; one nation has no right to infringe upon the freedom
+of any other; let us do towards these people as we would have them to
+have done towards us, if they had landed upon our shore, with the same
+superiority of strength. And indeed, why should not things be equal on
+both sides? How long has the right of the strongest been allowed to be
+the balance of justice? What part of the gospel gives a sanction to such
+a doctrine? In what part of the whole earth did the apostles and the
+first promulgators of the gospel ever claim a right over the lives, the
+freedom, or the substance of the Gentiles? What a strange method this is
+of propagating the gospel, that holy law of grace, which, from being,
+slaves to Satan, initiates us into the freedom of the children of
+God!--Will it be possible for us to inspire them with a love to its
+dictates, while they are so exasperated at being dispossessed of that
+invaluable blessing, _Liberty?_ The apostles submitted to chains
+themselves, but loaded no man with them. Christ came to free, not to
+enslave us.--Submission to the faith he left us, ought to be a voluntary
+act, and should be propagated by persuasion, gentleness, and reason."
+
+"At my first arrival in Hispaniola, (added the bishop) it contained a
+million of inhabitants; and now (viz. in the space of about twenty
+years) there remains scarce the hundredth part of them; thousands have
+perished thro' want, fatigue, merciless punishment, cruelty, and
+barbarity. If the blood of _one_ man unjustly shed, calls loudly for
+vengeance; how strong must be the cry of that of so _many_ unhappy
+creatures which is shedding daily?"--The good bishop concluded his
+speech, with imploring the King's clemency for subjects so unjustly
+oppressed; and bravely declared, that heaven would one day call him to
+an account, for the numberless acts of cruelty which he might have
+prevented. The King applauded the bishop's zeal; promised to second it;
+but so many of the great ones had an interest in continuing the
+oppression, that nothing was done; so that all the Indians in
+Hispaniola, except a few who had hid themselves in the most inaccessible
+mountains, were destroyed.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. V.
+
+
+First account of the English trading to Guinea. Thomas Windham and
+several others go to that coast. Some of the Negroes carried off by the
+English. Queen Elizabeth's charge to Captain Hawkins respecting the
+natives. Nevertheless he goes on the coast and carries off some of the
+Negroes. Patents are granted. The King of France objects to the Negroes
+being kept in slavery. As do the college of Cardinals at Rome. The
+natives, an inoffensive people; corrupted by the Europeans. The
+sentiments of the natives concerning the slave-trade, from William
+Smith: Confirmed by Andrew Brue and James Barbot.
+
+It was about the year 1551, towards the latter end of the reign of King
+Edward the Sixth, when some London merchants sent out the first English
+ship, on a trading voyage to the coast of Guinea; this was soon followed
+by several others to the same parts; but the English not having then any
+plantations in the West Indies, and consequently no occasion for
+Negroes, such ships traded only for gold, elephants teeth, and Guinea
+pepper. This trade was carried on at the hazard of losing their ships
+and cargoes, if they had fallen into the hands of the Portuguese, who
+claimed an exclusive right of trade, on account of the several
+settlements they had made there.[A] In the year 1553, we find captain
+Thomas Windham trading along the coast with 140 men, in three ships, and
+sailing as far as Benin, which lies about 3000 miles down the coast, to
+take in a load of pepper.[B] Next year John Lock traded along the coast
+of Guinea, as far as D'Elmina, when he brought away considerable
+quantities of gold and ivory. He speaks well of the natives, and
+says,[C] "_That whoever will deal with them must behave civilly, for
+they will not traffic if ill used_." In 1555, William Towerson traded in
+a peaceable manner with the natives, who made complaint to him of the
+Portuguese, who were then settled in their castle at D'Elmina, saying,
+"_They were bad men, who made them slaves if they could take them,
+putting irons on their legs_."
+
+[Footnote A: Astley's collection, vol. 1. page 139.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Collection vol. 1. p. 148.]
+
+
+[Footnote C: Ibid. 257.]
+
+This bad example of the Portuguese was soon followed by some evil
+disposed Englishmen; for the same captain Towerson relates,[A] "That in
+the course of his voyage, he perceived the natives, near D'Elmina,
+unwilling to come to him, and that he was at last attacked by them;
+which he understood was done in revenge for the wrong done them the year
+before, by one captain Gainsh, who had taken away the Negro captain's
+son, and three others, with their gold, &c. This caused them to join the
+Portuguese, notwithstanding their hatred of them, against the English."
+The next year captain Towerson brought these men back again; whereupon
+the Negroes shewed him much kindness.[B] Quickly after this, another
+instance of the same kind occurred, in the case of captain George
+Fenner, who being on the coast, with three vessels, was also attacked by
+the Negroes, who wounded several of his people, and violently carried
+three of his men to their town. The captain sent a messenger, offering
+any thing they desired for the ransom of his men: but they refused to
+deliver them, letting him know, "_That three weeks before, an English
+ship, which came in the road, had carried off three of their people; and
+that till they were brought again, they would not restore his men, even
+tho' they should give their three ships to release them_." It was
+probably the evil conduct of these, and some other Englishmen, which was
+the occasion of what is mentioned in Hill's naval history, viz. "That
+when captain Hawkins returned from his first voyage to Africa, Queen
+Elizabeth sent for him, when she expressed her concern, lest any of the
+African Negroes should be carried off without their free consent; which
+she declared would be detestable, and would call down the vengeance of
+heaven upon the undertakers." Hawkins made great promises, which
+nevertheless he did not perform; for his next voyage to the coast
+appears to have been principally calculated to procure Negro slaves, in
+order to sell them to the Spaniards in the West Indies; which occasioned
+the same author to use these remarkable words: "_Here began the horrid
+practice of forcing the Africans into slavery: an injustice and
+barbarity, which, so sure as there is vengeance in heaven for the worst
+of crimes, will some time be the destruction of all who act or who
+encourage it_." This captain Hawkins, afterwards sir John Hawkins, seems
+to have been the first Englishman who gave public countenance to this
+wicked traffic: For Anderson, before mentioned, at page 401, says, "That
+in the year 1562, captain Hawkins, assisted by subscription of sundry
+gentlemen, now fitted out three ships; and having learnt that Negroes
+were a very good commodity in Hispaniola, he sailed to the coast of
+Guinea, took in Negroes, and sailed with them for Hispaniola, where he
+sold them, and his English commodities, and loaded his three vessels
+with hides, sugar and ginger, &c. with which he returned home anno 1563,
+making a prosperous voyage." As it proved a lucrative business, the
+trade was continued both by Hawkins and others, as appears from the
+naval chronicle, page 55, where it is said, "That on the 18th of
+October, 1564, captain John Hawkins, with two ships of 700 and 140 tuns,
+sailed for Africa; that on the 8th of December they anchored to the
+South of Cape Verd, where the captain manned the boat, and sent eighty
+men in armour into the country, to see if they could take some Negroes;
+but the natives flying from them, they returned to their ships, and
+proceeded farther down the coast. Here they staid certain days, sending
+their men ashore, in order (as the author says) to burn and spoil their
+towns and take the inhabitants. The land they observed to be well
+cultivated, there being plenty of grain, and fruit of several sorts, and
+the towns prettily laid out. On the 25th, being informed by the
+Portugueze of a town of Negroes called Bymba, where there was not only a
+quantity of gold, but an hundred and forty inhabitants, they resolved to
+attack it, having the Portugueze for their guide; but by mismanagement
+they took but ten Negroes, having seven of their own men killed, and
+twenty-seven wounded. They then went farther down the coast; when,
+having procured a number of Negroes, they proceeded to the West Indies,
+where they sold them to the Spaniards." And in the same naval chronicle,
+at page 76, it is said, "That in the year 1567, Francis Drake, before
+performing his voyage round the world, went with Sir John Hawkins in his
+expedition to the coast of Guinea, where taking in a cargo of slaves,
+they determined to steer for the Caribbee islands." How Queen Elizabeth
+suffered so grievous an infringement of the rights of mankind to be
+perpetrated by her subjects, and how she was persuaded, about the 30th
+year of her reign, to grant patents for carrying on a trade from the
+North part of the river Senegal, to an hundred leagues beyond Sierra
+Leona, which gave rise to the present African company, is hard to
+account for, any otherwise than that it arose from the misrepresentation
+made to her of the situation of the Negroes, and of the advantages it
+was pretended they would reap from being made acquainted with the
+christian religion. This was the case of Lewis the XIIIth, King of
+France, who, Labat, in his account of the isles of America, tells us,
+"Was extremely uneasy at a law by which the Negroes of his colonies were
+to be made slaves; but it being strongly urged to him as the readiest
+means for their conversion to christianity, he acquiesced therewith."
+Nevertheless, some of the christian powers did not so easily give way in
+this matter; for we find,[C] "That cardinal Cibo, one of the Pope's
+principal ministers of state, wrote a letter on behalf of the college of
+cardinals, or great council at Rome, to the missionaries in Congo,
+complaining that the pernicious and abominable abuse of selling slaves
+was yet continued, requiring them to remedy the same, if possible; but
+this the missionaries saw little hopes of accomplishing, by reason that
+the trade of the country lay wholly in slaves and ivory."
+
+[Footnote A: Collection, vol. 1. p. 148.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Ibid. 157.]
+
+
+[Footnote C: Collection, vol. 3, page 164.]
+
+From the foregoing accounts, as well as other authentic publications of
+this kind, it appears that it was the unwarrantable lust of gain, which
+first stimulated the Portugueze, and afterwards other Europeans, to
+engage in this horrid traffic. By the most authentic relations of those
+early times, the natives were an inoffensive people, who, when civilly
+used, traded amicably with the Europeans. It is recorded of those of
+Benin, the largest kingdom in Guinea,[A]_That they were a gentle, loving
+people_; and Reynold says,[B] "_They found more sincere proofs of love
+and good will from the natives, than they could find from the Spaniards
+and Portugueze, even tho' they had relieved them from the greatest
+misery_." And from the same relations there is no reason to think
+otherwise, but that they generally lived in peace amongst themselves;
+for I don't find, in the numerous publications I have perused on this
+subject, relating to these early times, of there being wars on that
+coast, nor of any sale of captives taken in battle, who would have been
+otherwise sacrificed by the victors:[C] Notwithstanding some modern
+authors, in their publications relating to the West Indies, desirous of
+throwing a veil over the iniquity of the slave trade, have been hardy
+enough, upon meer supposition or report, to assert the contrary.
+
+[Footnote A: Collection, vol. 1, page 202.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Idem, page 245.]
+
+
+[Footnote C: Note, This plea falls of itself, for if the Negroes
+apprehended they should be cruelly put to death, if they were not sent
+away, why do they manifest such reluctance and dread as they generally
+do, at being brought from their native country? William Smith, at page
+28, says, "_The Gambians abhor slavery, and will attempt any thing, tho'
+never so desperate, to avoid it_," and Thomas Philips, in his account of
+a voyage he performed to the coast of Guinea, writes, "_They, the
+Negroes, are so loth to leave their own country, that they have often
+leaped out of the canoe, boat, or ship, into the sea, and kept under
+water till they were drowned, to avoid being taken up_."]
+
+It was long after the Portugueze had made a practice of violently
+forcing the natives of Africa into slavery, that we read of the
+different Negroe nations making war upon each other, and selling their
+captives. And probably this was not the case, till those bordering on
+the coast, who had been used to supply the vessels with necessaries, had
+become corrupted by their intercourse with the Europeans, and were
+excited by drunkenness and avarice to join them in carrying on those
+wicked schemes, by which those unnatural wars were perpetrated; the
+inhabitants kept in continual alarms; the country laid waste; and, as
+William Moor expresses it, _Infinite numbers sold into slavery_. But
+that the Europeans are the principal cause of these devastations, is
+particularly evidenced by one, whose connexion with the trade would
+rather induce him to represent it in the fairest colours, to wit,
+William Smith, the person sent in the year 1726 by the African company
+to survey their settlements, who, from the information he received of
+one of the factors, who had resided ten years in that country, says,[A]
+"_That the discerning natives account it their greatest unhappiness,
+that they were ever visited by the Europeans."--"That we christians
+introduced the traffick of slaves; and that before our coming they lived
+in peace_."
+
+[Footnote A: William Smith, page 266.]
+
+In the accounts relating to the African trade, we find this melancholy
+truth farther asserted by some of the principal directors in the
+different factories; particularly A. Brue says,[A] "_That the Europeans
+were far from desiring to act as peace-makers amongst the Negroes; which
+would be acting contrary to their interest, since the greater the wars,
+the more slaves were procured_," And William Bosman also remarks,[B]
+"That one of the former commanders _gave large sums of money to the
+Negroes of one nation, to induce them to attack some of the neighbouring
+nations, which occasioned a battle which was more bloody than the wars
+of the Negroes usually are_." This is confirmed by J. Barbot, who says,
+"_That the country of D'Elmina, which was formerly very powerful and
+populous, was in his time so much drained of its inhabitants by the
+intestine wars fomented amongst the Negroes by the Dutch, that there did
+not remain inhabitants enough to till the country_."
+
+[Footnote A: Collection, vol. 2, page 98.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Bosman, page 31.]
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. VI.
+
+
+The conduct of the Europeans and Africans compared. Slavery more
+tolerable amongst the antients than in our colonies. As christianity
+prevailed amongst the barbarous nations, the inconsistency of slavery
+became more apparent. The charters of manumission, granted in the early
+times of christianity, founded on an apprehension of duty to God. The
+antient Britons, and other European nations, in their original state, no
+less barbarous than the Negroes. Slaves in Guinea used with much greater
+lenity than the Negroes are in the colonies.--Note. How the slaves are
+treated in Algiers, as also in Turkey.
+
+Such is the woeful corruption of human nature, that every practice which
+flatters our pride and covetousness, will find its advocates! This is
+manifestly the case in the matter before us; the savageness of the
+Negroes in some of their customs, and particularly their deviating so
+far from the feelings of humanity, as to join in captivating and selling
+each other, gives their interested oppressors a pretence for
+representing them as unworthy of liberty, and the natural rights of
+mankind. But these sophisters turn the argument full upon themselves,
+when they instigate the poor creatures to such shocking impiety, by
+every means that fantastic subtilty can suggest; thereby shewing in
+their own conduct, a more glaring proof of the same depravity, and, if
+there was any reason in the argument, a greater unfitness for the same
+precious enjoyment: for though some of the ignorant Africans may be thus
+corrupted by their intercourse with the baser of the European natives,
+and the use of strong liquors, this is no excuse for high-professing
+christians; bred in a civilized country, with so many advantages unknown
+to the Africans, and pretending to a superior degree of gospel light.
+Nor can it justify them in raising up fortunes to themselves from the
+misery of others, and calmly projecting voyages for the seizure of men
+naturally as free as themselves; and who, they know, are no otherwise to
+be procured than by such barbarous means, as none but those hardened
+wretches, who are lost to every sense of christian compassion, can make
+use of. Let us diligently compare, and impartially weigh, the situation
+of those ignorant Negroes, and these enlightened christians; then lift
+up the scale and say, which of the two are the greater savages.
+
+Slavery has been of a long time in practice in many parts of Asia; it
+was also in usage among the Romans when that empire flourished; but,
+except in some particular instances, it was rather a reasonable
+servitude, no ways comparable to the unreasonable and unnatural service
+extorted from the Negroes in our colonies. A late learned author,[A]
+speaking of those times which succeeded the dissolution of that empire,
+acquaints us, that as christianity prevailed, it very much removed those
+wrong prejudices and practices, which had taken root in darker times:
+after the irruption of the Northern nations, and the introduction of the
+feudal or military government, whereby the most extensive power was
+lodged in a few members of society, to the depression of the rest, the
+common people were little better than slaves, and many were indeed such;
+but as christianity gained ground, the gentle spirit of that religion,
+together with the doctrines it teaches, concerning the original equality
+of mankind, as well as the impartial eye with which the Almighty regards
+men of every condition, and admits them to a participation of his
+benefits; so far manifested the inconsistency of slavery with
+christianity, that to set their fellow christians at liberty was deemed
+an act of piety, highly meritorious and acceptable to God.[B]
+Accordingly a great part of the charters granted for the manumission or
+freedom of slaves about that time, are granted _pro amore Dei, for the
+love of God, pro mercede animae, to obtain mercy to the soul_.
+Manumission was frequently granted on death-beds, or by latter wills. As
+the minds of men are at that time awakened to sentiments of humanity and
+piety, these deeds proceeded from religious motives. The same author
+remarks, That there are several forms of those manumissions still
+extant, all of them founded _on religious considerations_, and _in order
+to procure the favour of God_. Since that time, the practice of keeping
+men in slavery gradually ceased amongst christians, till it was renewed
+in the case before us. And as the prevalency of the spirit of
+christianity caused men to emerge from the darkness they then lay under,
+in this respect; so it is much to be feared that so great a deviation
+therefrom, by the encouragement given to the slavery of the Negroes in
+our colonies, if continued, will, by degrees, reduce those countries
+which support and encourage it but more immediately those parts of
+America which are in the practice of it, to the ignorance and barbarity
+of the darkest ages.
+
+[Footnote A: See Robertson's history of Charles the 5th.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: In the years 1315 and 1318, Louis X. and his brother
+Philip, Kings of France, issued ordonnances, declaring, "That as all men
+were by nature free-born, and as their kingdom was called the kingdom of
+Franks, they determined that it should be so in reality, as well as in
+name; therefore they appointed that enfranchisements should be granted
+throughout the whole kingdom, upon just and reasonable conditions."
+"These edicts were carried into immediate execution within the royal
+domain."--"In England, as the spirit of liberty gained ground, the very
+name and idea of personal servitude, without any formal interposition of
+the legislature to prohibit it, was totally banished." "The effects of
+such a remarkable change in the condition of so great a part of the
+people, could not fail of being considerable and extensive. The
+husbandman, master of his own industry, and secure of reaping for
+himself the fruits of his labour, became farmer of the same field where
+he had formerly been compelled to toil for the benefit of another. The
+odious name of master and of slave, the most mortifying and depressing
+of all distinctions to human nature, were abolished. New prospects
+opened, and new incitements to ingenuity and enterprise presented
+themselves, to those who were emancipated. The expectation of bettering
+their fortune, as well as that of raising themselves to a more
+honourable condition, concurred in calling forth their activity and
+genius; and a numerous class of men, who formerly had no political
+existence, and were employed merely as instruments of labour, became
+useful citizens, and contributed towards augmenting the force or riches
+of the society, which adopted them as members." William Robertson's
+history of Charles the 5th, vol. 1, P. 35. ]
+
+If instead of making slaves of the Negroes, the nations who assume the
+name and character of christians, would use their endeavours to make the
+nations of Africa acquainted with the nature of the christian religion,
+to give them a better sense of the true use of the blessings of life,
+the more beneficial arts and customs would, by degrees, be introduced
+amongst them; this care probably would produce the same effect upon
+them, which it has had on the inhabitants of Europe, formerly as savage
+and barbarous as the natives of Africa. Those cruel wars amongst the
+blacks would be likely to cease, and a fair and honorable commerce, in
+time, take place throughout that vast country. It was by these means
+that the inhabitants of Europe, though formerly a barbarous people,
+became civilized. Indeed the account Julius Caesar gives of the ancient
+Britons in their state of ignorance, is not such as should make us proud
+of ourselves, or lead us to despise the unpolished nations of the earth;
+for he informs us, "That they lived in many respects like our Indians,
+being clad with skins, painting their bodies, &c." He also adds, "That
+they, brother with brother, and parents with children, had wives in
+common." A greater barbarity than any heard of amongst the Negroes. Nor
+doth Tacitus give a more honourable account of the Germans, from whom
+the Saxons, our immediate ancestors, sprung. The Danes, who succeeded
+them (who may also be numbered among our progenitors) were full as bad,
+if not worse.
+
+It is usual for people to advance as a palliation in favour of keeping
+the Negroes in bondage, that there are slaves in Guinea, and that those
+amongst us might be so in their own country; but let such consider the
+inconsistency of our giving any countenance to slavery, because the
+Africans, whom we esteem a barbarous and savage people, allow of it, and
+perhaps the more from our example. Had the professors of christianity
+acted indeed as such, they might have been instrumental to convince the
+Negroes of their error in this respect; but even this, when inquired
+into, will be to us an occasion of blushing, if we are not hardened to
+every sense of shame, rather than a _palliation_ of our iniquitous
+conduct; as it will appear that the slavery endured in Guinea, and other
+parts of Africa, and in Asia,[A] is by no means so grievous as that in
+our colonies. William Moor, speaking of the natives living on the river
+Gambia,[B] says, "Tho' some of the Negroes have many house slaves, which
+are their greatest glory; that those slaves live so well and easy, that
+it is sometimes a hard matter to know the slaves from their masters or
+mistresses. And that though in some parts of Africa they sell their
+slaves born in the family, yet on the river Gambia they think it a very
+wicked thing." The author adds, "He never heard of but one that ever
+sold a family slave, except for such crimes as they would have been sold
+for if they had been free." And in Astley's collection, speaking of the
+customs of the Negroes in that large extent of country further down the
+coast, particularly denominated the coast of Guinea, it is said,[C]
+"They have not many slaves on the coast; none but the King or nobles are
+permitted to buy or sell any; so that they are allowed only what are
+necessary for their families, or tilling the ground." The same author
+adds, "_That they generally use their slaves well, and seldom correct
+them_."
+
+[Footnote A: In the history of the piratical states of Barbary, printed
+in 1750, _said to be_ wrote by a person who resided at Algiers, in a
+public character, at page 265 the author says, "The world exclaims
+against the Algerines for their cruel treatment of their slaves, and
+their employing even tortures to convert them to mahometism: but this is
+a vulgar error, artfully propagated for selfish views. So far are their
+slaves from being ill used, that they must have committed some very
+great fault to suffer any punishment. Neither are they forced to work
+beyond their strength, but rather spared, lest they should fall sick.
+Some are so pleased with their situation, that they will not purchase
+their ransom, though they are able." It is the same generally through
+the Mahometan countries, except in some particular instances, as that of
+Muley Ishmael, late Emperor of Morocco, who being naturally barbarous,
+frequently used both his subjects and slaves with cruelty. Yet even
+under him the usage the slaves met with was, in general, much more
+tolerable than that of the Negroe slaves in the West Indies. Captain
+Braithwaite, an author of credit, who accompanied consul general Russel
+in a congratulatory ambassy to Muley Ishmael's successor, upon his
+accession to the throne, says, "The situation of the christian slaves in
+Morocco was not near so bad as represented.--That it was true they were
+kept at labour by the late Emperor, but not harder than our daily
+labourers go through.--Masters of ships were never obliged to work, nor
+such as had but a small matter of money to give the Alcaide.--When sick,
+they had a religious house appointed for them to go to, where they were
+well attended: and whatever money in charity was sent them by their
+friends in Europe, was their own." Braithwaite's revolutions of Morocco.
+Lady Montague, wife of the English ambassador at Constantinople, in her
+letters, vol. 3. page 20, writes, "I know you expect I should say
+something particular of the slaves; and you will imagine me half a Turk,
+when I do not speak of it with the same horror other christians have
+done before me; but I cannot forbear applauding the humanity of the
+Turks to these creatures; they are not ill used; and their slavery, in
+my opinion, is no worse than servitude all over the world. It is true
+they have no wages, but they give them yearly cloaths to a higher value
+than our salaries to our ordinary servants." ]
+
+
+[Footnote B: W. Moor, p. 30]
+
+
+[Footnote C: Collection vol. 2. p. 647.]
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. VII.
+
+
+Montesquieu's sentiments on slavery. Moderation enjoined by the Mosaic
+law in the punishment of offenders. Morgan Godwyn's account of the
+contempt and grievous rigour exercised upon the Negroes in his time.
+Account from Jamaica, relating to the inhuman treatment of them there.
+Bad effects attendant on slave-keeping, as well to the masters as the
+slaves. Extracts from several laws relating to Negroes. Richard Baxter's
+sentiments on slave-keeping.
+
+That celebrated civilian Montesquieu, in his treatise _on the spirit of
+laws_, on the article of slavery says, "_It is neither useful to the
+master nor slave; to the slave, because he can do nothing through
+principle (or virtue); to the master, because he contracts with his
+slave all sorts of bad habits, insensibly accustoms himself to want all
+moral virtues; becomes haughty, hasty, hard-hearted, passionate,
+voluptuous, and cruel_." The lamentable truth of this assertion was
+quickly verified in the English plantations. When the practice of
+slave-keeping was introduced, it soon produced its natural effects; it
+reconciled men, of otherwise good dispositions, to the most hard and
+cruel measures. It quickly proved, what, under the law of Moses, was
+apprehended would be the consequence of unmerciful chastisements. Deut.
+xxv. 2. "_And it shall be if the wicked man be worthy to be beaten, that
+the judge shall cause him to lie down, and to be beaten before his face,
+according to his fault, by a certain number; forty stripes he may give
+him, and not exceed_." And the reason rendered, is out of respect to
+human nature, viz. "_Lest if he should exceed, and beat him above these
+with many stripes, then thy brother should seem vile unto thee_." As
+this effect soon followed the cause, the cruelest measures were adopted,
+in order to make the most of the poor _wretches_ labour; and in the
+minds of the masters such an idea was excited of inferiority, in the
+nature of these their unhappy fellow creatures, that they soon esteemed
+and treated them as beasts of burden: pretending to doubt, and some of
+them even presuming to deny, that the efficacy of the death of Christ
+extended to them. Which is particularly noted in a book, intitled _The
+Negroes and Indians advocate_, dedicated to the then Archbishop of
+Canterbury, wrote so long since as in the year 1680, by Morgan Godwyn,
+thought to be a clergyman of the church of England.[A] The same spirit
+of sympathy and zeal which stirred up the good Bishop of Chapia to plead
+with so much energy the kindred cause of the Indians of America, an
+hundred and fifty years before, was equally operating about a century
+past on the minds of some of the well disposed of that day; amongst
+others this worthy clergyman, having been an eye witness of the
+oppression and cruelty exercised upon the Negro and Indian slaves,
+endeavoured to raise the attention of those, in whose power it might be
+to procure them relief; amongst other matters, in his address to the
+Archbishop, he remarks in substance, "That the people of the island of
+Barbadoes were not content with exercising the greatest hardness and
+barbarity upon the Negroes, in making the most of their labour, without
+any regard to the calls of humanity, but that they had suffered such a
+slight and undervaluement to prevail in their minds towards these their
+oppressed fellow creatures, as to discourage any step being taken,
+whereby they might be made acquainted with the christian religion. That
+their conduct towards their slaves was such as gave him reason to
+believe, that either they had suffered a spirit of infidelity, a spirit
+quite contrary to the nature of the gospel, to prevail in them, or that
+it must be their established opinion that the Negroes had no more souls
+than beasts; that hence they concluded them to be neither susceptible of
+religious impressions, nor fit objects for the redeeming grace of God to
+operate upon. That under this persuasion, and from a disposition of
+cruelty, they treated them with far less humanity than they did their
+cattle; for, says he, they do not starve their horses, which they expect
+should both carry and credit them on the road; nor pinch the cow, by
+whose milk they are sustained; which yet, to their eternal shame, is too
+frequently the lot and condition of those poor people, from whose labour
+their wealth and livelihood doth wholly arise; not only in their diet,
+but in their cloathing, and overworking some of them even to death
+(which is particularly the calamity of the most innocent and laborious)
+but also in tormenting and whipping them almost, and sometimes quite, to
+death, upon even small miscarriages. He apprehends it was from this
+prejudice against the Negroes, that arose those supercilious checks and
+frowns he frequently met with, when using innocent arguments and
+persuasions, in the way of his duty as a minister of the gospel, to
+labour for the convincement and conversion of the Negroes; being
+repeatedly told, with spiteful scoffings, (even by some esteemed
+religious) that the Negroes were no more susceptible of receiving
+benefit, by becoming members of the church, than their dogs and bitches.
+The usual answer he received, when exhorting their masters to do their
+duty in that respect, being, _What! these black dogs be made christians!
+what! they be made like us! with abundance more of the same_.
+Nevertheless, he remarks that the Negroes were capable, not only of
+being taught to read and write, &c. but divers of them eminent in the
+management of business. He declares them to have an equal right with us
+to the merits of Christ; of which if through neglect or avarice they are
+deprived, that judgment which was denounced against wicked Ahab, must
+befal us: _Our life shall go for theirs_. The loss of their souls will
+be required at our hands, to whom God hath given so blessed an
+opportunity of being instrumental to their salvation."
+
+[Footnote A: "There is a principle which is pure, placed in the human
+mind, which in different places or ages hath had different names; it is,
+however, pure, and proceeds from God.--It is deep and inward, confined
+to no forms of religion, nor excluded from any, where the heart stands
+in perfect sincerity. In whomsoever this takes root and grows, of what
+nation soever, they become brethren in the best sense of the expression.
+Using ourselves to take ways which appear most easy to us, when
+inconsistent with that purity which is without beginning, we thereby set
+up a government of our own, and deny obedience to Him whose service is
+true liberty. He that has a servant, made so wrongfully, and knows it to
+be so, when he treats him otherwise than a free man, when he reaps the
+benefit of his labour, without paying him such wages as are reasonably
+due to free men for the like service; these things, though done in
+calmness, without any shew of disorder, do yet deprave the mind, in like
+manner, and with as great certainty, as prevailing cold congeals water.
+These steps taken by masters, and their conduct striking the minds of
+their children, whilst young, leave less room for that which is good to
+work upon them. The customs of their parents, their neighbours, and the
+people with whom they converse, working upon their minds, and they from
+thence conceiving wrong ideas of things, and modes of conduct, the
+entrance into their hearts becomes in a great measure shut up against
+the gentle movings of uncreated purity.
+
+"From one age to another the gloom grows thicker and darker, till error
+gets established by general opinion; but whoever attends to perfect
+goodness, and remains under the melting influence of it, finds a path
+unknown to many, and sees the necessity to lean upon the arm of divine
+strength, and dwell alone, or with a few in the right, committing their
+cause to him who is a refuge to his people. Negroes are our fellow
+creatures, and their present condition among us requires our serious
+consideration. We know not the time, when those scales, in which
+mountains are weighed, may turn. The parent of mankind is gracious, his
+care is over his smallest creatures, and a multitude of men escape not
+his notice; and though many of them are trodden down and despised, yet
+he remembers them. He seeth their affliction, and looketh upon the
+spreading increasing exaltation of the oppressor. He turns the channel
+of power, humbles the most haughty people, and gives deliverance to the
+oppressed, at such periods as are consistent with his infinite justice
+and goodness. And wherever gain is preferred to equity, and wrong things
+publickly encouraged, to that degree that wickedness takes root and
+spreads wide amongst the inhabitants of a country, there is a real cause
+for sorrow, to all such whose love to mankind stands on a true
+principle, and wisely consider the end and event of things."
+Consideration on keeping Negroes, by John Woolman, part 2. p. 50.]
+
+He complains, "That they were suffered to live with their women in no
+better way than direct fornication; no care being taken to oblige them
+to continue together when married; but that they were suffered at their
+will to leave their wives, and take to other women." I shall conclude
+this sympathizing clergyman's observations, with an instance he gives,
+to shew, "that not only discouragements and scoffs at that time
+prevailed in Barbadoes, to establish an opinion that the Negroes were
+not capable of religious impressions, but that even violence and great
+abuses were used to prevent any thing of the kind taking place. It was
+in the case of a poor Negro, who having, at his own request, prevailed
+on a clergyman to administer baptism to him, on his return home the
+brutish overseer took him to task, giving him to understand, that that
+was no sunday's work for those of his complexion; that he had other
+business for him, the neglect whereof would cost him an afternoon's
+baptism in blood, as he in the morning had received a baptism with
+water, (these, says the clergyman, were his own words) which he
+accordingly made good; of which the Negro complained to him, and he to
+the governor; nevertheless, the poor miserable creature was ever after
+so unmercifully treated by that inhuman wretch, the overseer, that, to
+avoid his cruelty, betaking himself to the woods, he there perished."
+This instance is applicable to none but the cruel perpetrator; and yet
+it is an instance of what, in a greater or less degree, may frequently
+happen, when those poor wretches are left to the will of such brutish
+inconsiderate creatures as those overseers often are. This is confirmed
+in a _History of Jamaica_, wrote in thirteen letters, about the year
+1740, by a person then residing in that island, who writes as follows,
+"I shall not now enter upon the question, whether the slavery of the
+Negroes be agreeable to the laws of nature or not; though it seems
+extremely hard they should be reduced to serve and toil for the benefit
+of others, without the least advantage to themselves. Happy Britannia,
+where slavery is never known! where liberty and freedom chears every
+misfortune. Here (_says the author_) we can boast of no such blessing;
+we have at least ten slaves to one freeman. I incline to touch the
+hardships which these poor creatures suffer, in the tenderest manner,
+from a particular regard which I have to many of their masters, but I
+cannot conceal their sad circumstances intirely: the most trivial error
+is punished with terrible whipping. I have seen some of them treated in
+that cruel manner, for no other reason but to satisfy the brutish
+pleasure of an overseer, who has their punishment mostly at his
+discretion. I have seen their bodies all in a gore of blood, the skin
+torn off their backs with the cruel whip; beaten pepper and salt rubbed
+in the wounds, and a large stick of sealing wax dropped leisurely upon
+them. It is no wonder, if the horrid pain of such inhuman tortures
+incline them to rebel. Most of these slaves are brought from the coast
+of Guinea. When they first arrive, it is observed, they are simple and
+very innocent creatures; but soon turn to be roguish enough. And when
+they come to be whipt, urge the example of the whites for an excuse of
+their faults."
+
+These accounts of the deep depravity of mind attendant on the practice
+of slavery, verify the truth of Montesquieu's remark of its pernicious
+effects. And altho' the same degree of opposition to instructing the
+Negroes may not now appear in the islands as formerly, especially since
+the Society appointed for propagating the Gospel have possessed a number
+of Negroes in one of them; nevertheless the situation of these oppressed
+people is yet dreadful, as well to themselves as in its consequence to
+their hard task-masters, and their offspring, as must be evident to
+every impartial person who is acquainted with the treatment they
+generally receive, or with the laws which from time to time have been
+made in the colonies, with respect to the Negroes; some of them being
+absolutely inconsistent with reason, and shocking to humanity. By the
+329th act of the assembly of Barbadoes, page 125, it is enacted,
+
+"That if any Negroe or other slave under punishment by his master, or
+his order, for running away, or any other crime or misdemeanors towards
+his said master, unfortunately shall suffer in life or member, (which
+seldom happens) no person whatsoever shall be liable to any fine
+therefore. But if any man shall, _of wantonness, or only of
+bloody-mindedness or cruel intention, wilfully kill a Negroe, or other
+slave of his own, he shall pay into the public treasury, fifteen pounds
+sterling_." Now that the life of a man should be so lightly valued, as
+that fifteen pounds should be judged a sufficient indemnification of the
+murder of one, even when it is avowedly done _wilfully, wantonly,
+cruelly, or of bloody-mindedness_, is a tyranny hardly to be paralleled:
+nevertheless human laws cannot make void the righteous law of God, or
+prevent the inquisition of that awful judgment day, when, "_at the hand
+of every man's brother the life of man shall be required_." By the law
+of South Carolina, the person that killeth a Negroe is only subject to a
+fine, or twelve months imprisonment. It is the same in most, if not all
+the West-Indies. And by an act of the assembly of Virginia, (4 Ann. Ch.
+49. sect. 27. p. 227.) after proclamation is issued against slaves,
+"that run away and lie out, _it is lawful for any person whatsoever to
+kill and destroy such slaves, by such ways and means as he, she, or they
+shall think fit, without accusation or impeachment of any crime for the
+same_."--And lest private interest should incline the planter to mercy,
+it is provided, "_That every slave so killed, in pursuance of this act,
+shall be paid for by the public_."
+
+It was doubtless a like sense of sympathy with that expressed by Morgan
+Godwyn before mentioned, for the oppressed Negroes, and like zeal for
+the cause of religion, so manifestly trampled upon in the case of the
+Negroes, which induced Richard Baxter, an eminent preacher amongst the
+Dissenters in the last century, in his _christian directory_, to express
+himself as follows, viz. "Do you mark how God hath followed you with
+plagues; and may not conscience tell you, that it is for your inhumanity
+to the souls and bodies of men?"--"To go as pirates; and catch up poor
+Negroes, or people of another land, that never forfeited life or
+liberty, and to make them slaves, and sell them, is one of the worst
+kinds of thievery in the world; and such persons are to be taken for the
+common enemies of mankind; and they that buy them and use them as beasts
+for their mere commodity, and betray, or destroy, or neglect their
+souls, are fitter to be called devils incarnate than christians: It is
+an heinous sin to buy them, unless it be in charity to deliver them.
+Undoubtedly they are presently bound to deliver them, because by right
+the man is his own, therefore no man else can have a just title to him."
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. VIII.
+
+
+Griffith Hughes's account of the number of Negroes in Barbadoes. Cannot
+keep up their usual number without a yearly recruit. Excessive hardships
+wear the Negroes down in a surprising manner. A servitude without a
+condition, inconsistent with reason and natural justice. The general
+usage the Negroes meet with in the West Indies. Inhuman calculations of
+the strength and lives of the Negroes. Dreadful consequences which may
+be expected from the cruelty exercised upon this oppressed part of
+mankind.
+
+We are told by Griffith Hughes, rector of St. Lucy in Barbadoes, in his
+natural history of that island, printed in the year 1750, "That there
+were between sixty-five and seventy thousand Negroes, at that time, in
+the island, tho' formerly they had a greater number. That in order to
+keep up a necessary number, they were obliged to have a yearly supply
+from Africa. That the hard labour, and often want of necessaries, which
+these unhappy creatures are obliged to undergo, destroy a greater number
+than are bred there." He adds, "That the capacities of their minds in
+common affairs of life are but little inferior, if at all, to those of
+the Europeans. If they fail in some arts, he says, it may be owing more
+to their want of education, and the depression of their spirits by
+slavery, than to any want of natural abilities." This destruction of the
+human species, thro' unnatural hardships, and want of necessary
+supplies, in the case of the Negroes, is farther confirmed in _an
+account of the European settlements in America_, printed London, 1757,
+where it is said, par. 6. chap. 11th, "The Negroes in our colonies
+endure a slavery more compleat, and attended with far worse
+circumstances, than what any people in their condition suffer in any
+other part of the world, or have suffered in any other period of time:
+Proofs of this are not wanting. The prodigious waste which we experience
+in this unhappy part of our species, is a full and melancholy evidence
+of this truth. The island of Barbadoes, (the Negroes upon which do not
+amount to eighty thousand) notwithstanding all the means which they use
+to increase them by propagation, and that the climate is in every
+respect (except that of being more wholesome) exactly resembling the
+climate from whence they come; notwithstanding all this, Barbadoes lies
+under a necessity of an annual recruit of five thousand slaves, to keep
+up the stock at the number I have mentioned. This prodigious failure,
+which is at least in the same proportion in all our islands, shews
+demonstratively that some uncommon and unsupportable hardship lies upon
+the Negroes, which wears them down in such a surprising manner."
+
+In an account of part of North America, published by Thomas Jeffery,
+1761, the author, speaking of the usage the Negroes receive in the West
+India islands, says, "It is impossible for a human heart to reflect upon
+the servitude of these dregs of mankind, without in some measure feeling
+for their misery, which ends but with their lives.--Nothing can be more
+wretched than the condition of this people. One would imagine, they were
+framed to be the disgrace of the human species; banished from their
+country, and deprived of that blessing, liberty, on which all other
+nations set the greatest value, they are in a measure reduced to the
+condition of beasts of burden. In general, a few roots, potatoes
+especially, are their food, and two rags, which neither screen them from
+the heat of the day, nor the extraordinary coolness of the night, all
+their covering; their sleep very short; their labour almost continual;
+they receive no wages, but have twenty lashes for the smallest fault."
+_A thoughtful_ person, who had an opportunity of observing the miserable
+condition of the Negroes in one of our West India islands, writes thus,
+"I met with daily exercise to see the treatment which those miserable
+wretches met with from their masters; with but few exceptions. They whip
+them most unmercifully on small occasions: you will see their bodies all
+whealed and scarred; in short, they seem to set no other value on their
+lives, than as they cost them so much money; and are restrained from
+killing them, when angry, by no worthier consideration, than that they
+lose so much. They act as though they did not look upon them as a race
+of human creatures, who have reason, and remembrance of misfortunes, but
+as beasts; like oxen, who are stubborn, hardy, and senseless, fit for
+burdens, and designed to bear them: they won't allow them to have any
+claim to human privileges, or scarce indeed to be regarded as the work
+of God. Though it was consistent with the justice of our Maker to
+pronounce the sentence on our common parent, and through him on all
+succeeding generations, _That he and they should eat their bread by the
+sweat of their brows_: yet does it not stand recorded by the same
+eternal truth, _That the labourer is worthy of his hire?_ It cannot be
+allowed, in natural justice, that there should be a servitude without
+condition; a cruel, endless servitude. It cannot be reconcileable to
+natural justice, that whole nations, nay, whole continents of men,
+should be devoted to do the drudgery of life for others, be dragged away
+from their attachments of relations and societies, and be made to serve
+the appetite and pleasure of a race of men, whose superiority has been
+obtained by illegal force."
+
+Sir Hans Sloane, in the introduction to his natural history of Jamaica,
+in the account he gives of the treatment the Negroes met with there,
+speaking of the punishments inflicted on them, says, page 56. "For
+rebellion, the punishment is burning them, by nailing them down to the
+ground with crooked sticks on every limb, and then applying the fire, by
+degrees, from the feet and hands, burning them gradually up to the head,
+whereby _their pains are extravagant_. For crimes of a less nature,
+gelding or chopping off half the foot with an axe.--For negligence, they
+are usually whipped by the overseers with lance-wood switches.--After
+they are whipped till they are raw, some put on their skins pepper and
+salt, to make them smart; at other times, their masters will drop melted
+wax on their skins, and use several _very exquisite torments_." In that
+island, the owners of the Negroe slaves set aside to each a parcel of
+ground, and allow them half a day at the latter end of the week, which,
+with the day appointed by the divine injunction to be a day of rest and
+service to God, and which ought to be kept as such, is the only time
+allowed them to manure their ground. This, with a few herrings, or other
+salt fish, is what is given for their support. Their allowance for
+cloathing in the island, is seldom more than six yards of oznabrigs each
+year. And in the more northern colonies, where the piercing westerly
+winds are long and sensibly felt, these poor Africans suffer much for
+want of sufficient cloathing; indeed some have none till they are able
+to pay for it by their labour. The time that the Negroes work in the
+West Indies, is from day-break till noon; then again from two o'clock
+till dark (during which time, they are attended by overseers, who
+severely scourge those who appear to them dilatory); and before they are
+suffered to go to their quarters, they have still something to do, as
+collecting herbage for the horses, gathering fuel for the boilers, &c.
+so that it is often past twelve before they can get home, when they have
+scarce time to grind and boil their Indian corn; whereby, if their food
+was not prepared the evening before, it sometimes happens that they are
+called again to labour before they can satisfy their hunger. And here no
+delay or excuse will avail; for if they are not in the field immediately
+upon the usual notice, they must expect to feel the overseer's lash. In
+crop time (which lasts many months) they are obliged, by turns, to work
+most of the night in the boiling house. Thus their owners, from a desire
+of making the greatest gain by the labour of their slaves, lay heavy
+burdens on them, and yet feed and cloath them very sparingly, and some
+scarce feed or cloath them at all; so that the poor creatures are
+obliged to shift for their living in the best manner they can, which
+occasions their being often killed in the neighbouring lands, stealing
+potatoes, or other food, to satisfy their hunger. And if they take any
+thing from the plantation they belong to, though under such pressing
+want, their owners will correct them severely for taking a little of
+what they have so hardly laboured for; whilst many of themselves riot in
+the greatest luxury and excess. It is matter of astonishment how a
+people, who, as a nation, are looked upon as generous and humane, and so
+much value themselves for their uncommon sense of the benefit of
+liberty, can live in the practice of such extreme oppression and
+inhumanity, without seeing the inconsistency of such conduct, and
+feeling great remorse. Nor is it less amazing to hear these men calmly
+making calculations about the strength and lives of their fellow men. In
+Jamaica, if six in ten of the new imported Negroes survive the
+seasoning, it is looked upon as a gaining purchase. And in most of the
+other plantations, if the Negroes live eight or nine years, their labour
+is reckoned a sufficient compensation for their cost. If calculations of
+this sort were made upon the strength and labour of beasts of burden, it
+would not appear so strange; but even then, a merciful man would
+certainly use his beast with more mercy than is usually shewn to the
+poor Negroes. Will not the groans, the dying groans, of this deeply
+afflicted and oppressed people reach heaven? and when the cup of
+iniquity is full, must not the inevitable consequence be, the pouring
+forth of the judgments of God upon their oppressors? But alas! is it not
+too manifest that this oppression has already long been the object of
+the divine displeasure? For what heavier judgment, what greater
+calamity, can befal any people, than to become subject to that hardness
+of heart, that forgetfulness of God, and insensibility to every
+religious impression, as well as that general depravation of manners,
+which so much prevails in these colonies, in proportion as they have
+more or less enriched themselves at the expence of the blood and bondage
+of the Negroes.
+
+It is a dreadful consideration, as a late author remarks, that out of
+the stock of eighty thousand Negroes in Barbadoes, there die every year
+five thousand more than are born in that island; which failure is
+probably in the same proportion in the other islands. _In effect, this
+people is under a necessity of being entirely renewed every sixteen
+years._ And what must we think of the management of a people, who, far
+from increasing greatly, as those who have no loss by war ought to do,
+must, in so short a time as sixteen years, without foreign recruits, be
+entirely consumed to a man! Is it not a christian doctrine, _that the
+labourer is worthy of his hire?_ And hath not the Lord, by the mouth of
+his prophet, pronounced, _"Wo unto that man who buildeth his house by
+unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; who uses his neighbour's
+service without wages, and giveth him nought for his work?"_ And yet the
+poor Negro slaves are constrained, like the beasts, by beating, to work
+hard without hire or recompence, and receive nothing from the hand of
+their unmerciful masters, but such a wretched provision as will scarce
+support them under their fatigues. The intolerable hardships many of the
+slaves undergo, are sufficiently proved by the shortness of their
+lives.--And who are these miserable creatures, that receive such
+barbarous treatment from the planter? Can we restrain our just
+indignation, when we consider that they are undoubtedly _his brethren!
+his neighbours! the children of the same Father, and some of those for
+whom Christ died, as truly as for the planter himself_. Let the opulent
+planter, or merchant, prove that his Negro slave is not his brother, or
+that he is not his neighbour, in the scripture sense of these
+appellations; and if he is not able so to do, how will he justify the
+buying and selling of his brethren, as if they were of no more
+consideration than his cattle? The wearing them out with continual
+labour, before they have lived out half their days? The severe whipping
+and torturing them, even to death, if they resist his unsupportable
+tyranny? Let the hardiest slave-holder look forward to that tremendous
+day, when he must give an account to God of his stewardship; and let him
+seriously consider, whether, at such a time, he thinks he shall be able
+to satisfy himself, that any act of buying and selling, or the fate of
+war, or the birth of children in his house, plantation, or territories,
+or any other circumstance whatever, can give him such an absolute
+property in the persons of men, as will justify his retaining them as
+slaves, and treating them as beasts? Let him diligently consider whether
+there will not always remain to the slave a _superior_ property or right
+to the fruit of his own labour; and more especially to his own person;
+that being which was given him by God, and which none but the Giver can
+justly claim?
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. IX.
+
+
+The advantage which would have accrued to the natives of Guinea, if the
+Europeans had acted towards them agreeable to the dictates of humanity
+and christianity. _An inordinate_ desire of gain in the Europeans, the
+true occasion of the slave trade. Notice of the misrepresentations of
+the Negroes by most authors, in order to palliate the iniquity of the
+slave trade. Those misrepresentations refuted, particularly with respect
+_to the Hottentot Negroes_.
+
+From the foregoing accounts of the natural disposition of the Negroes,
+and the fruitfulness of most parts of Guinea, which are confirmed by
+authors of candour, who have wrote from their own knowledge, it may well
+be concluded, that the Negroes acquaintance with the Europeans might
+have been a happiness to them, if these last had not only bore the name,
+but had also acted the part, of Christians, and used their endeavours by
+example, as well as precept, to make them acquainted with the glad
+tidings of the gospel, which breathes peace and good will to man, and
+with that change of heart, that redemption from sin, which christianity
+proposeth; innocence and love might then have prevailed, nothing would
+have been wanting to complete the happiness of the simple Africans: but
+the reverse has happened; the Europeans, forgetful of their duty as men
+and christians, have conducted themselves in so iniquitous a manner, as
+must necessarily raise in the minds of the thoughtful and well-disposed
+Negroes, the utmost scorn and detestation of the very name of
+christians. All other considerations have given way to an infallible
+desire of gain, which has been the principal and moving cause of the
+most _iniquitous and dreadful scene_ that was, perhaps, ever acted upon
+the face of the earth; instead of making use of that superior knowledge
+with which the Almighty, the common Parent of mankind, had favoured
+them, to strengthen the principle of peace and good will in the breasts
+of the incautious Negroes, the Europeans have, by their bad example, led
+them into excess of drunkenness, debauchery, and avarice; whereby every
+passion of corrupt nature being inflamed, they have been easily
+prevailed upon to make war, and captivate one another; as well to
+furnish means for the excesses they had been habituated to, as to
+satisfy the greedy desire of gain in their profligate employers, who to
+this intent have furnished them with prodigious quantities of arms and
+ammunition. Thus they have been hurried into confusion, distress, and
+all the extremities of temporal misery; every thing, even the power of
+their Kings, has been made subservient to this wicked purpose; for
+instead of being protectors of their subjects, some of those rulers,
+corrupted by the excessive love of spirituous liquors, and the tempting
+baits laid before them by the factors, have invaded the liberties of
+their unhappy subjects, and are become their oppressors.
+
+Here it may be necessary to observe, that the accounts we have of the
+inhabitants of Guinea, are chiefly given by persons engaged in the
+trade, who, from self-interested views, have described them in such
+colours as were least likely to excite compassion and respect, and
+endeavoured to reconcile so manifest a violation of the rights of
+mankind to the minds of the purchasers; yet they cannot but allow the
+Negroes to be possessed of some good qualities, though they contrive as
+much as possible to cast a shade over them. A particular instance of
+this appears in Astley's collection, vol. 2. p. 73, where the author,
+speaking of the Mandingos settled at Galem, which is situated 900 miles
+up the Senegal, after saying that they carry on a commerce to all the
+neighbouring kingdoms, and amass riches, adds, "That excepting _the
+vices peculiar to the Blacks_, they are a good sort of people, honest,
+hospitable, just to their word, laborious, industrious, and very ready
+to learn arts and sciences." Here it is difficult to imagine what vices
+can be peculiarly attendant on a people so well disposed as the author
+describes these to be. With respect to the charge some authors have
+brought against them, as being void of all natural affection, it is
+frequently contradicted by others. In vol. 2. of the Collection, p. 275,
+and 629, the Negroes of North Guinea, and the Gold Coast, are said _to
+be fond of their children, whom they love with tenderness_. And Bosman
+says, p. 340, "Not a few in his country (viz. Holland) fondly imagine,
+that parents here sell their children, men their wives, and one brother
+the other: but those who think so deceive themselves; for this never
+happens on any other account but that of necessity, or some great
+crime." The same is repeated by J. Barbot, page 326, and also confirmed
+by Sir Hans Sloane, in the introduction to his natural history of
+Jamaica; where speaking of the Negroes, he says, "They are usually
+thought to be haters of their own children, and therefore it is believed
+that they sell and dispose of them to strangers for money: but this is
+not true; for the Negroes of Guinea being divided into several
+captainships, as well as the Indians of America, have wars; and besides
+those slain in battle, many prisoners are taken, who are sold as slaves,
+and brought thither: but the parents here, although their children are
+slaves for ever, yet have so great love for them, that no master dares
+sell, or give away, one of their little ones, unless they care not
+whether their parents hang themselves or no." J. Barbot, speaking of the
+occasion of the natives of Guinea being represented as a treacherous
+people, ascribes it to the Hollanders (and doubtless other Europeans)
+usurping authority, and fomenting divisions between the Negroes. At page
+110, he says, "It is well known that many of the European nations
+trading amongst these people, have very unjustly and inhumanly, without
+any provocation, stolen away, from time to time, abundance of the
+people, not only on this coast, but almost every where in Guinea, who
+have come on board their ships in a harmless and confiding manner: these
+they have in great numbers carried away, and sold in the plantations,
+with other slaves which they had purchased." And although some of the
+Negroes may be justly charged with indolence and supineness, yet many
+others are frequently mentioned by authors _as a careful, industrious,
+and even laborious_ people. But nothing shews more clearly how unsafe it
+is to form a judgment of distant people from the accounts given of them
+by travellers, who have taken but a transient view of things, than the
+case of the Hottentots, viz. those several nations of Negroes who
+inhabit the most southern part of Africa: _these people_ are represented
+by several authors, who appear to have very much copied their relations
+one from the other, as so savage and barbarous as to have little of
+human, but the shape: but these accounts are strongly contradicted by
+others, particularly Peter Kolben, who has given a circumstantial
+relation of the disposition and manners of those people.[A] He was a man
+of learning, sent from the court of Prussia solely to make astronomical
+and natural observations there; and having no interest in the slavery of
+the Negroes, had not the same inducement as most other relators had, to
+misrepresent the natives of Africa. He resided eight years at and about
+the Cape of Good Hope, during which time he examined with great care
+into the customs, manners, and opinions of the Hottentots; whence he
+sets these people in a quite different light from what they appeared in
+former authors, whom he corrects, and blames for the falsehoods they
+have wantonly told of them. At p. 61, he says, "The details we have in
+several authors, are for the most part made up of inventions and
+hearsays, which generally prove false." Nevertheless, he allows they are
+justly to be blamed for their sloth.--_The love of liberty and indolence
+is their all; compulsion is death to them. While necessity obliges them
+to work, they are very tractable, obedient, and faithful; but when they
+have got enough to satisfy the present want, they are deaf to all
+further intreaty_. He also faults them for their nastiness, the effect
+of sloth; and for their love of drink, and the practice of some
+unnatural customs, which long use has established amongst them; which,
+nevertheless, from the general good disposition of these people, there
+is great reason to believe they might be persuaded to refrain from, if a
+truly christian care had been extended towards them. He says, "They are
+eminently distinguished by many virtues, as their mutual benevolence,
+friendship, and hospitality; they breathe kindness and good will to one
+another, and seek all opportunities of obliging. Is a Hottentot's
+assistance required by one of his countrymen? he runs to give it. Is his
+advice asked? he gives it with sincerity. Is his countryman in want? he
+relieves him to the utmost of his power." Their hospitality extends even
+to European strangers: in travelling thro' the Cape countries, you meet
+with a chearful and open reception, in whatsoever village you come to.
+In short, he says, page 339, "The integrity of the Hottentots, their
+strictness and celerity in the execution of justice, and their charity,
+are equalled by few nations. _In alliances, their word is sacred; there
+being hardly any thing they look upon as a fouler crime than breach of
+engagements. Theft and adultery they punish with death_." They firmly
+believe there is a God, the author of all things, whom they call the God
+of gods; but it does not appear that they have an institution of worship
+directly regarding this supreme Deity. When pressed on this article,
+they excuse themselves by a tradition, "_That their first parents so
+grievously offended this great God, that he cursed them and their
+posterity with hardness of heart; so that they know little about him,
+and have less inclination to serve him_." As has been already remarked,
+these Hottentots are the only Negroe nations bordering on the sea, we
+read of, who are not concerned in making or keeping slaves. Those slaves
+made use of by the Hollanders at the Cape, are brought from other parts
+of Guinea. Numbers of these people told the author, "That the vices they
+saw prevail amongst christians; their avarice, their envy and hatred of
+one another; their restless discontented tempers; their lasciviousness
+and injustice, were the things that principally kept the Hottentots from
+hearkening to christianity."
+
+[Footnote A: See Kolban's account of the Cape of Good Hope.]
+
+Father Tachard, a French Jesuit, famous for his travels in the East
+Indies, in his account of these people, says, "The Hottentots have more
+honesty, love, and liberality for one another, than are almost anywhere
+seen amongst christians."
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. X.
+
+
+Man-stealing esteemed highly criminal, and punishable by the laws of
+Guinea: _No_ Negroes allowed to be sold for slaves there, but those
+deemed prisoners of war, or in punishment for crimes. _Some_ of the
+Negroe rulers, corrupted by the Europeans, violently infringe the laws
+of Guinea. The King of Barsailay noted in that respect.
+
+By an inquiry into the laws and customs formerly in use, and still in
+force amongst the Negroes, particularly on the Gold Coast, it will be
+found, that provision was made for the general peace, and for the safety
+of individuals; even in W. Bosman's time, long after the Europeans had
+established the slave-trade, the natives were not publicly enslaved, any
+otherwise than in punishment for crimes, when prisoners of war, or by a
+violent exertion of the power of their corrupted Kings. Where any of the
+natives were stolen, in order to be sold to the Europeans, it was done
+secretly, or at least, only connived at by those in power: this appears
+From Barbot and Bosman's account of the matter, both agreeing that
+man-stealing was not allowed on the Gold Coast. The first[A] says,
+"_Kidnapping or stealing of human creatures is punished there, and even
+sometimes with death._" And, W. Bosman, whose long residence on the
+coast, enabled him to speak with certainty, says,[B] "_That the laws
+were severe against murder, thievery, and adultery._" And adds, "_That
+man-stealing was punished on the Gold Coast with rigid severity and
+sometimes with death itself._" Hence it may be concluded, that the sale
+of the greatest part of the Negroes to the Europeans is supported by
+violence, in defiance of the laws, through the knavery of their
+principal men,[C] who, (as is too often the case with those in European
+countries) under pretence of encouraging trade, and increasing the
+public revenue, disregard the dictates of justice, and trample upon
+those liberties which they are appointed to preserve.
+
+[Footnote A: Barbot, p. 303.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Bosman, p. 143.]
+
+
+[Footnote C: Note. Barbot, page 270, says, the trade of slaves is in a
+more peculiar manner the business of Kings, rich men, and prime
+merchants, exclusive of the inferior sort of blacks.]
+
+Fr. Moor also mentions man-stealing as being discountenanced by the
+Negroe Governments on the river Gambia, and speaks of the inslaving the
+peaceable inhabitants, as a violence which only happens under a corrupt
+administration of justice; he says,[A] "The Kings of that country
+generally advise with their head men, scarcely doing any thing of
+consequence, without consulting them first, except the King of
+Barsailay, who being subject to hard drinking, is very absolute. It is
+to this King's insatiable thirst for brandy, that his subjects freedoms
+and families are in so precarious a situation.[B] Whenever this King
+wants goods or brandy, he sends a messenger to the English Governor at
+James Fort, to desire he would send a sloop there with a cargo: _this
+news, being not at all unwelcome_, the Governor sends accordingly;
+against the arrival of the sloop, the King goes and ransacks some of his
+enemies towns, seizing the people, and selling them for such commodities
+as he is in want of, which commonly are brandy, guns, powder, balls,
+pistols, and cutlasses, for his attendants and soldiers; and coral and
+silver for his wives and concubines. In case he is not at war with any
+neighbouring King, he then falls upon one of his own towns, which are
+numerous, and uses them in the same manner." "He often goes with some of
+his troops by a town in the day time, and returning in the night, sets
+fire to three parts of it, and putting guards at the fourth, there
+seizes the people as they run out from the fire; he ties their arms
+behind them, and marches them either to Joar or Cohone, where he sells
+them to the Europeans."
+
+[Footnote A: Moor, page 61.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Idem, p. 46.]
+
+A. Brue, the French director, gives much the same account, and says,[A]
+"That having received goods, he wrote to the King, that if he had a
+sufficient number of slaves, he was ready to trade with him. This
+Prince, as well as the other Negroe monarchs, has always a sure way of
+supplying his deficiencies, by selling his own subjects, for which they
+seldom want a pretence. The King had recourse to this method, by seizing
+three hundred of his own people, and sent word to the director, that he
+had the slaves ready to deliver for the goods." It seems, the King
+wanted double the quantity of goods which the factor would give him for
+these three hundred slaves; but the factor refusing to trust him, as he
+was already in the company's debt, and perceiving that this refusal had
+put the King much out of temper, he proposed that he should give him a
+licence for taking so many more of his people, as the goods he still
+wanted were worth but this the King refused, saying "_It_ might occasion
+a disturbance amongst his subjects."[B] Except in the above instance,
+and some others, where the power of the Negroe Kings is unlawfully
+exerted over their subjects, the slave-trade is carried on in Guinea
+with some regard to the laws of the country, which allow of none to be
+sold, but prisoners taken in their national wars, or people adjudged to
+slavery in punishment for crimes; but the largeness of the country, the
+number of kingdoms or commonwealths, and the great encouragement given
+by the Europeans, afford frequent pretences and opportunities to the
+bold designing profligates of one kingdom, to surprize and seize upon
+not only those of a neighbouring government, but also the weak and
+helpless of their own;[C] and the unhappy people, taken on those
+occasions, are, with impunity, sold to the Europeans. These practices
+are doubtless disapproved of by the most considerate amongst the
+Negroes, for Bosman acquaints us, that even their national wars are not
+agreeable to such. He says,[D] "If the person who occasioned the
+beginning of the war be taken, they will not easily admit him to ransom,
+though his weight in gold should be offered, for fear he should in
+future form some new design against their repose."
+
+[Footnote A: Collection vol. 2. p. 29.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Note, This Negroe King thus refusing to comply with the
+factor's wicked proposal, shews, he was sensible his own conduct was not
+justifiable; and it likewise appears, the factor's only concern was to
+procure the greatest number of slaves, without any regard to the
+injustice of the method by which they were procured. This Andrew Brue,
+was, for a long time, principal director of the French African factory
+in those parts; in the management of which, he is in the collection said
+to have had extraordinary success. The part he ought to have acted as a
+christian towards the ignorant Africans seems quite out of the question;
+the profit of his employers appears to have been his sole concern. At
+page 62, speaking of the country on the Senegal river, he says, "It was
+very populous, the soil rich; and if the people were industrious, they
+might, of their own produce, carry on a very advantageous trade with
+strangers; there being but few things in which they could be excelled;
+_but_ (he adds) _it is to be hoped, the Europeans will never let them
+into the secret._" A remark unbecoming humanity, much more
+christianity!]
+
+
+[Footnote C: This inhuman practice is particularly described by Brue, in
+collect. vol. 2. page 98, where he says, "That some of the natives are,
+on all occasions, endeavouring to surprize and carry off their country
+people. They land (says he) without noise, and if they find a lone
+cottage, without defence, they surround it, and carry off all the people
+and effects to their boat, and immediately reimbark." This seems to be
+mostly practised by some Negroes who dwell on the sea coast.]
+
+
+[Footnote D: Bosman, p. 155.]
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XI.
+
+
+An account of the shocking inhumanity, used in the carrying on of the
+slave-trade, as described by factors of different nations, viz. by
+Francis Moor, on the river Gambia; and by John Barbot, A. Brue, and
+William Bosman, through the coast of Guinea. _Note_. Of the large
+revenues arising to the Kings of Guinea from the slave-trade.
+
+First, Francis Moor, factor for the English African company, on the
+river Gambia,[A] writes, "That there are a number of Negro traders,
+called joncoes, or merchants, who follow the slave-trade as a business;
+their place of residence is so high up in the country as to be six weeks
+travel from James Fort, which is situate at the mouth of that river.
+These merchants bring down elephants teeth, and in some years two
+thousand slaves, most of which, they say, are prisoners taken in war.
+They buy them from the different Princes who take them; many of them are
+Bumbrongs and Petcharies; nations, who each of them have different
+languages, and are brought from a vast way inland. Their way of bringing
+them is tying them by the neck with leather thongs, at about a yard
+distant from each other, thirty or forty in a string, having generally a
+bundle of corn or elephants teeth upon each of their heads. In their way
+from the mountains, they travel thro' very great woods, where they
+cannot for some days get water; so they carry in skin bags enough to
+support them for a time. I cannot (adds Moor) be certain of the number
+of merchants who follow this trade, but there may, perhaps, be about an
+hundred, who go up into the inland country, with the goods which they
+buy from the white men, and with them purchase, in various countries,
+gold, slaves, and elephants teeth. Besides the slaves, which the
+merchants bring down, there are many bought along the river: These are
+either taken in war, as the former are, or men condemned for crimes; _or
+else people stolen, which is very frequent_.--Since the slave-trade has
+been used, all punishments are changed into slavery; there being an
+advantage on such condemnation, _they strain for crimes very hard, in
+order to get the benefit of selling the criminal_."
+
+[Footnote A: Moor, page 28.]
+
+John Barbot, the French factor, in his account of the manner by which
+the slaves are procured, says,[A] "The slaves sold by the Negroes, are
+for the most part prisoners of war, or taken in the incursions they make
+in their enemies territories; others are stolen away by their
+neighbours, when found abroad on the road, or in the woods; or else in
+the corn fields, at the time of the year when their parents keep them
+there all the day to scare away the devouring small birds." Speaking of
+the transactions on that part of Guinea called the Slave Coast, where
+the Europeans have the most factories, and from whence they bring away
+much the greatest number of slaves, the same author, and also Bosman[B]
+says, "The inhabitants of Coto do much mischief, in stealing those
+slaves they sell to the Europeans, from the upland country.--That the
+inhabitants of Popo excell the former; being endowed with a much larger
+share of courage, they rob more successfully, by which means they
+increase their riches and trade," The author particularly remarks,
+"_That they are encouraged in this practice by the Europeans_; sometimes
+it happens, according to the success of their inland excursions, that
+they are able to furnish two hundred slaves or more, in a few days." And
+he says,[C] "The blacks of Fida, or Whidah, are so expeditious in
+trading for slaves, that they can deliver a thousand every month."--"If
+there happens to be no stock of slaves there, the factor must trust the
+blacks with his goods, to the value of one hundred and fifty, or two
+hundred pounds; which goods they carry up into the inland country, to
+buy slaves at all markets,[D] for above six hundred miles up the
+country, where they are kept like cattle in Europe; the slaves sold
+there being generally prisoners of war, taken from their enemies like
+other booty, and perhaps some few sold by their own countrymen, in
+extreme want, or upon a famine, as also some as a punishment of heinous
+crimes." So far Barbot's account; that given by William Bosman is as
+follows:[E] "When the slaves which are brought from the inland countries
+come to Whidah, they are put in prison together; when we treat
+concerning buying them, they are all brought out together in a large
+plain, where, by our surgeons, they are thoroughly examined, and that
+naked, both men and women, without the least distinction or modesty.[F]
+Those which are approved as good, are set on one side; in the mean while
+a burning iron, with the arms or name of the company, lies in the fire,
+with which ours are marked on the breast. When we have agreed with the
+owners of the slaves, they are returned to their prisons, where, from
+that time forward, they are kept at our charge, and cost us two pence a
+day each slave, which serves to subsist them like criminals on bread and
+water; so that to save charges, we send them on board our ships the very
+first opportunity; before which, their masters strip them of all they
+have on their backs, so that they come on board stark naked, as well
+women as men. In which condition they are obliged to continue, if the
+master of the ship is not so charitable (which he commonly is) as to
+bestow something on them to cover their nakedness. Six or seven hundred
+are sometimes put on board a vessel, where they lie as close together as
+it is possible for them to be crowded."
+
+[Footnote A: John Barbot, page 47.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Bosman, page 310.]
+
+
+[Footnote C: Barbot, page 326.]
+
+
+[Footnote D: When the great income which arises to the Negroe Kings on
+the Slave-Coast, from the slaves brought thro' their several
+governments, to be shipped on board the European vessels, is considered,
+we have no cause to wonder that they give so great a countenance to that
+trade: William Bosman says, page 337, "_That each ship which comes to
+Whidah to trade, reckoning one with another, either by toll, trade, or
+custom, pays about four hundred pounds, and sometimes fifty ships come
+hither in a year." Barbot confirms the same, and adds, page 350, "That
+in the neighbouring kingdom of Ardah, the duty to the King is the value
+of seventy or eighty slaves for each trading ship_." Which is near half
+as much more as at Whidah; nor can the Europeans, concerned in the
+trade, with any degree of propriety, blame the African Kings for
+countenancing it, while they continue to send vessels, on purpose to
+take in the slaves which are thus stolen, and that they are permitted,
+under the sanction of national laws, to sell them to the colonies.]
+
+
+[Footnote E: Bosman, page 340.]
+
+
+[Footnote F: Note, from the above account of the indecent and shocking
+manner in which the unhappy Negroes are treated, it is reasonable for
+persons unacquainted with these people, to conclude them to be void of
+that natural modesty, so becoming a reasonable creature; but those who
+have had intercourse with the Blacks in these northern colonies, know
+that this would be a wrong conclusion, for they are indeed as
+susceptible of modesty and shame as other people. It is the unparallel'd
+brutality, to which the Europeans have, by long custom, been inured,
+which urgeth them, without blushing, to act so shameful a part. Such
+usage is certainly grievous to the poor Negroes, particularly the women;
+but they are slaves, and must submit to this, or any other abuse that is
+offered them by their cruel task-masters, or expect to be inhumanly
+tormented into acquiescence. That the Blacks are unaccustomed to such
+brutality, appears from an instance mentioned in Ashley's collection,
+vol. 2. page 201, viz. "At an audience which Casseneuve had of the King
+of Congo, where he was used with a great deal of civility by the Blacks,
+some slaves were delivered to him. The King observing Casseneuve
+(according to the custom of the Europeans) to handle the limbs of the
+slaves, burst out a laughing, as did the great men about him: the factor
+asking the interpreter the occasion of their mirth, was told it
+proceeded from his so nicely examining the slaves. Nevertheless, _the
+King was so ashamed of it, that he desired him, for decency's sake, to
+do it in a more private manner._"]
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XII.
+
+
+Extracts of several Journals of Voyages to the coast of Guinea for
+slaves, whereby the extreme inhumanity of that traffick is described.
+_Melancholy_ account of a ship blown up on that coast, with a great
+number of Negroes on board, _Instances_ of shocking barbarity
+perpetrated by masters of vessels towards their slaves. _Inquiry_ why
+these scandalous infringements, both of divine and human laws, are
+overlooked by the government.
+
+The misery and bloodshed attendant on the slave-trade, are set forth by
+the following extracts of two voyages to the coast of Guinea for slaves.
+The first in a vessel from Liverpool, taken _verbatim_ from the original
+manuscript of the Surgeon's Journal, _viz._
+
+"Sestro, December the 29th, 1724, No trade to day, though many traders
+came on board; they informed us, that the people are gone to war within
+land, and will bring prisoners enough in two or three days, in hopes of
+which we stay."
+
+The 30th. "No trade yet, but our traders came on board to day, and
+informed us the people had burnt four towns of their enemies, so that
+to-morrow we expect slaves off: another large ship is come in. Yesterday
+came in a large Londoner."
+
+The 31st. "Fair weather, but no trade yet; we see each night towns
+burning, but we hear the Sestro men are many of them killed by the
+inland Negroes, so that we fear this war will be unsuccessful."
+
+The 2d of January. "Last night we saw a prodigious fire break out about
+eleven o'clock, and this morning see the town of Sestro burnt down to
+the ground; (it contained some hundreds of houses) So that we find their
+enemies are too hard for them at present, and consequently our trade
+spoiled here; therefore, about seven o'clock, we weighed anchor, as did
+likewise the three other vessels, to proceed lower down."
+
+The second relation, also taken from the original manuscript Journal of
+a person of credit, who went surgeon on the same trade, in a vessel from
+New-York, about twenty years past, is as follows; _viz._ "Being on the
+coast, the Commander of the vessel, according to custom, sent a person
+on shore with a present to the King, acquainting him with his arrival,
+and letting him know, they wanted a cargo of slaves. The King promised
+to furnish them with the slaves; and, in order to do it, set out to go
+to war against his enemies; designing to surprise some town, and take
+all the people prisoners. Some time after, the King sent them word, he
+had not yet met with the desired success; having been twice repulsed, in
+attempting to break up two towns, but that he still hoped to procure a
+number of slaves for them; and in this design he persisted, till he met
+his enemies in the field, where a battle was fought, which lasted three
+days, during which time the engagement was so bloody that four thousand
+five hundred men were slain on the spot." The person who wrote the
+account, beheld the bodies, as they lay on the field of battle. "Think
+(says he in his Journal) what a pitiable sight it was, to see the widows
+weeping over their lost husbands, orphans deploring the loss of their
+fathers, &c. &c." In he 6th vol. of Churchill's collection of Voyages,
+page 219, we have the relation of a voyage performed by Captain Philips,
+in a ship of 450 tuns, along the coast of Guinea, for elephants teeth,
+gold, and Negroe slaves, intended for Barbadoes; in which he says, that
+they took "seven hundred slaves on board, the men being all put in irons
+two by two, shackled together to prevent their mutinying or swimming
+ashore. That the Negroes are so loth to leave their own country, that
+they often leap out of the canoe, boat, or ship, into the sea, and keep
+under water till they are drowned, to avoid being taken up, and saved by
+the boats which pursue them."--They had about twelve Negroes who
+willingly drowned themselves; others starved themselves to
+death.--Philips was advised to cut off the legs and arms of some to
+terrify the rest, (as other Captains had done) but this he refused to
+do. From the time of his taking the Negroes on board, to his arrival at
+Barbadoes, no less than three hundred and twenty died of various
+diseases.[A]
+
+[Footnote A: _The following relation is inserted at the request of the
+author._
+
+That I may contribute all in my power towards the good of mankind, by
+inspiring any individuals with a suitable abhorrence of that detestable
+practice of trading in our fellow-creatures, and in some measure atone
+for my neglect of duty as a Christian, in engaging in that wicked
+traffic, I offer to their serious consideration some few occurrences, of
+which I was an eye-witness; that being struck with the wretched and
+affecting scene, they may foster that humane principle, which is the
+noble and distinguished characteristic of man, and improve it to the
+benefit of their children's children.
+
+About the year 1749, I sailed from Liverpool to the coast of Guinea.
+Some time after our arrival, I was ordered to go up the country a
+considerable distance, upon having notice from one of the Negroe Kings,
+that he had a parcel of slaves to dispose of. I received my
+instructions, and went, carrying with me an account of such goods as we
+had on board, to exchange for the slaves we intended to purchase. Upon
+being introduced, I presented him with a small case of English spirits,
+a gun, and some trifles; which having accepted, and understood by an
+interpreter what goods we had, the next day was appointed for viewing
+the slaves; we found about two hundred confined in one place. But here
+how shall I relate the affecting sight I there beheld! How can I
+sufficiently describe the silent sorrow which appeared in the
+countenance of the afflicted father, and the painful anguish of the
+tender mother, expecting to be for ever separated from their tender
+offspring; the distressed maid, wringing her hands in presage of her
+future wretchedness, and the general cry of the innocent from a dreadful
+apprehension of the perpetual slavery to which they were doomed! Under a
+sense of my offence to God, in the persons of his creatures, I
+acknowledge I purchased eleven, whom I conducted tied two and two to the
+ship. Being but a small ship, (ninety ton) we soon purchased our cargo,
+consisting of one hundred and seventy slaves, whom thou mayest, reader,
+range in thy view, as they were shackled two and two together, pent up
+within the narrow confines of the main deck, with the complicated
+distress of sickness, chains, and contempt; deprived of every fond and
+social tie, and, in a great measure, reduced to a state of desperation.
+We had not been a fortnight at sea, before the fatal consequence of this
+despair appeared; they formed a design of recovering their natural
+right, LIBERTY, by rising and murdering every man on board; but the
+goodness of the Almighty rendered their scheme abortive, and his mercy
+spared us to have time to repent. The plot was discovered; the
+ring-leader, tied by the two thumbs over the barricade door, at sun-rise
+received a number of lashes: in this situation he remained till sun-set,
+exposed to the insults and barbarity of the brutal crew of sailors, with
+full leave to exercise their cruelty at pleasure. The consequence of
+this was, that next morning the miserable sufferer was found dead,
+flayed from the shoulders to the waist. The next victim was a youth,
+who, from too strong a sense of his misery, refused nourishment, and
+died disregarded and unnoticed, till the hogs had fed on part of his
+flesh. Will not christianity blush at this impious sacrilege? May the
+relation of it serve to call back the struggling remains of humanity in
+the hearts of those, who, from a love of wealth, partake in any degree
+of this oppressive gain; and have such an effect on the minds of the
+sincere, as may be productive of peace, the happy effect of true
+repentance for past transgressions, and a resolution to renounce all
+connexion with it for the time to come.]
+
+Reader, bring the matter home to thy own heart, and consider whether any
+situation can be more completely miserable than that of these distressed
+captives. When we reflect that each individual of this number had
+probably some tender attachment, which was broken by this cruel
+separation; some parent or wife, who had not an opportunity of mingling
+tears in a parting embrace; perhaps some infants, or aged parents, whom
+his labour was to feed, and vigilance protect; themselves under the most
+dreadful apprehension of an unknown perpetual slavery; confined within
+the narrow limits of a vessel, where often several hundreds lie as close
+as possible. Under these aggravated distresses, they are often reduced
+to a state of despair, in which many have been frequently killed, and
+some deliberately put to death under the greatest torture, when they
+have attempted to rise, in order to free themselves from present misery,
+and the slavery designed them. Many accounts of this nature might be
+mentioned; indeed from the vast number of vessels employed in the trade,
+and the repeated relations in the public prints of Negroes rising on
+board the vessels from Guinea, it is more than probable, that many such
+instances occur every year. I shall only mention one example of this
+kind, by which the reader may judge of the rest; it is in Astley's
+collection, vol. 2. p. 449, related by John Atkins, surgeon on board
+admiral Ogle's squadron, of one "Harding, master of a vessel in which
+several of the men-slaves and women-slaves had attempted to rise, in
+order to recover their liberty; some of whom the master, of his own
+authority, sentenced to cruel death, making them first eat the heart and
+liver of one of those he had killed. The woman he hoisted by the thumbs,
+whipped, and slashed with knives before the other slaves, till she
+died."[A] As detestable and shocking as this may appear to such whose
+hearts are not yet hardened by the practice of that cruelty, which the
+love of wealth by degrees introduceth into the human mind, it will not
+be strange to those who have been concerned or employed in the trade.
+
+[Footnote A: A memorable instance of some of the dreadful effects of the
+slave-trade, happened about five years past, on a ship from this port,
+then at anchor about three miles from shore, near Acra Fort, on the
+coast of Guinea. They had purchased between four and five hundred
+Negroes, and were ready to sail for the West Indies. It is customary on
+board those vessels, to keep the men shackled two by two, each by one
+leg to a small iron bar; these are every day brought on the deck for the
+benefit of air; and lest they should attempt to recover their freedom,
+they are made fast to two common chains, which are extended on each side
+the main deck; the women and children are loose. This was the situation
+of the slaves on board this vessel, when it took fire by means of a
+person who was drawing spirits by the light of a lamp; the cask
+bursting, the fire spread with so much violence, that in about ten
+minutes, the sailors, apprehending it impossible to extinguish it before
+it could reach a large quantity of powder they had on board, concluded
+it necessary to cast themselves into the sea, as the only chance of
+saving their lives; and first they endeavoured to loose the chains by
+which the Negroe men were fastened to the deck; but in the confusion the
+key being missing, they had but just time to loose one of the chains by
+wrenching the staple; when the vehemence of the fire so increased, that
+they all but one man jumped over board, when immediately the fire having
+gained the powder, the vessel blew up with all the slaves who remained
+fastened to the one chain, and such others as had not followed the
+sailors examples. There happened to be three Portugueze vessels in
+sight, who, with others from the shore, putting out their boats, took up
+about two hundred and fifty of those poor souls who remained alive; of
+which number, about fifty died on shore, being mostly of those who were
+fettered together by iron shackles, which, as they jumped into the sea,
+had broke their legs, and these fractures being inflamed by so long a
+struggle in the sea, probably mortified, which occasioned the death of
+every one that was so wounded. The two hundred remaining alive, were
+soon disposed of, for account of the owners to other purchasers.]
+
+Now here arises a necessary query to those who hold the balance of
+justice, and who must be accountable to God for the use they have made
+of it, That as the principles on which the British constitution is
+founded, are so favourable to the common rights of mankind, how it has
+happened that the laws which countenance this iniquitous traffic, have
+obtained the sanction of the legislature? and that the executive part of
+the government should so long shut their ears to continual reports of
+the barbarities perpetrated against this unhappy people, and leave the
+trading subjects at liberty to trample on the most precious rights of
+others, even without a rebuke? Why are the masters of vessels thus
+suffered to be the sovereign arbiters of the lives of the miserable
+Negroes, and allowed with impunity thus to destroy (may I not properly
+say, _to murder_) their fellow-creatures; and that by means so cruel, as
+cannot be even related but with shame and horror?
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XIII.
+
+
+Usage of the Negroes, when they arrive in the West Indies. An hundred
+thousand Negroes brought from Guinea every year to the English colonies.
+The number of Negroes who die in the passage and seasoning. These are,
+properly speaking, murdered by the prosecution of this infamous traffic.
+Remarks on its dreadful _effects and tendency_.
+
+When the vessels arrive at their destined port in the colonies, the poor
+Negroes are to be disposed of to the planters; and here they are again
+exposed naked, without any distinction of sexes, to the brutal
+examination of their purchasers; and this, it may well be judged, is, to
+many, another occasion of deep distress. Add to this, that near
+connexions must now again be separated, to go with their several
+purchasers; this must be deeply affecting to all, but such whose hearts
+are seared by the love of gain. Mothers are seen hanging over their
+daughters, bedewing their naked breasts with tears, and daughters
+clinging to their parents, not knowing what new stage of distress must
+follow their separation, or whether they shall ever meet again. And here
+what sympathy, what commiseration, do they meet with? Why, indeed, if
+they will not separate as readily as their owners think proper, the
+whipper is called for, and the lash exercised upon their naked bodies,
+till obliged to part. Can any human heart, which is not become callous
+by the practice of such cruelties, be unconcerned, even at the relation
+of such grievous affliction, to which this oppressed part of our species
+are subjected.
+
+In a book, printed in Liverpool, called _The Liverpool Memorandum_,
+which contains, amongst other things, an account of the trade of that
+port, there is an exact list of the vessels employed in the Guinea
+trade, and of the number of slaves imported in each vessel; by which it
+appears that in the year 1753, the number imported to America by one
+hundred and one vessels belonging to that port, amounted to upwards of
+thirty thousand; and from the number of vessels employed by the African
+company in London and Bristol, we may, with some degree of certainty,
+conclude, there are one hundred thousand Negroes purchased and brought
+on board our ships yearly from the coast of Africa. This is confirmed in
+Anderson's history of Trade and Commerce, lately printed; where it is
+said,[A] "That England supplies her American colonies with Negroe
+slaves, amounting in number to above one hundred thousand every year."
+When the vessels are full freighted with slaves, they sail for our
+plantations in America, and may be two or three months in the voyage;
+during which time, from the filth and stench that is among them,
+distempers frequently break out, which carry off commonly a fifth, a
+fourth, yea sometimes a third or more of them: so that taking all the
+slaves together, that are brought on board our ships yearly, one may
+reasonably suppose, that at least ten thousand of them die on the
+voyage. And in a printed account of the state of the Negroes in our
+plantations, it is supposed that a fourth part, more or less, die at the
+different islands, in what is called the seasoning. Hence it may be
+presumed, that at a moderate computation of the slaves who are purchased
+by our African merchants in a year, near thirty thousand die upon the
+voyage, and in the seasoning. Add to this, the prodigious number who are
+killed in the incursions and intestine wars, by which the Negroes
+procure the number of slaves wanted to load the vessels. How dreadful
+then is this slave-trade, whereby so many thousands of our fellow
+creatures, free by nature, endued with the same rational faculties, and
+called to be heirs of the same salvation with us, lose their lives, and
+are, truly and properly speaking, murdered every year! For it is not
+necessary, in order to convict a man of murder, to make it appear that
+he had an _intention_ to commit murder; whoever does, by unjust force or
+violence, deprive another of his liberty, and, while he hath him in his
+power, continues so to oppress him by cruel treatment, as eventually to
+occasion his death, is actually guilty of murder. It is enough to make a
+thoughtful person tremble, to think what a load of guilt lies upon our
+nation on this account; and that the blood of thousands of poor innocent
+creatures, murdered every year in the prosecution of this wicked trade,
+cries aloud to Heaven for vengeance. Were we to hear or read of a nation
+that destroyed every year, in some other way, as many human creatures as
+perish in this trade, we should certainly consider them as a very
+bloody, barbarous people; if it be alledged, that the legislature hath
+encouraged, and still does encourage this trade, It is answered, that no
+legislature on earth can alter the nature of things, so as to make that
+to be right which is contrary to the law of God, (the supreme Legislator
+and Governor of the world) and opposeth the promulgation of the Gospel
+of _peace on earth, and good will to man_. Injustice may be methodized
+and established by law, but still it will be injustice, as much as it
+was before; though its being so established may render men more
+insensible of the guilt, and more bold and secure in the perpetration of
+it.
+
+[Footnote A: Appendix to Anderson's history, p. 68.]
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XIV.
+
+
+Observations on the disposition and capacity of the Negroes: Why thought
+inferior to that of the Whites. Affecting instances of the slavery of
+the Negroes. Reflections thereon.
+
+Doubts may arise in the minds of some, whether the foregoing accounts,
+relating to the natural capacity and good disposition of the inhabitants
+of Guinea, and of the violent manner in which they are said to be torn
+from their native land, are to be depended upon; as those Negroes who
+are brought to us, are not heard to complain, and do but seldom manifest
+such a docility and quickness of parts, as is agreeable thereto. But
+those who make these objections, are desired to note the many
+discouragements the poor Africans labour under, when brought from their
+native land. Let them consider, that those afflicted strangers, though
+in an _enlightened Christian country_, have yet but little opportunity
+or encouragement to exert and improve their natural talents: They are
+constantly employed in servile labour; and the abject condition in which
+we see them, naturally raises an idea of a superiority in ourselves;
+whence we are apt to look upon them as an ignorant and contemptible part
+of mankind. Add to this, that they meet with very little encouragement
+of freely conversing with such of the Whites, as might impart
+instruction to them. It is a fondness for wealth, for authority, or
+honour, which prompts most men in their endeavours to excell; but these
+motives can have little influence upon the minds of the Negroes; few of
+them having any reasonable prospect of any other than a state of
+slavery; so that, though their natural capacities were ever so good,
+they have neither inducement or opportunity to exert them to advantage:
+This naturally tends to depress their minds, and sink their spirits into
+habits of idleness and sloth, which they would, in all likelihood, have
+been free from, had they stood upon an equal footing with the white
+people. They are suffered, with impunity, to cohabit together, without
+being married; and to part, when solemnly engaged to one another as man
+and wife; notwithstanding the moral and religious laws of the land,
+strictly prohibiting such practices. This naturally tends to beget
+apprehensions in the most thoughtful of those people, that we look upon
+them as a lower race, not worthy of the same care, nor liable to the
+same rewards and punishments as ourselves. Nevertheless it may with
+truth be said, that both amongst those who have obtained their freedom,
+and those who remain in servitude, some have manifested a strong
+sagacity and an exemplary uprightness of heart. If this hath not been
+generally the case with them, is it a matter of surprize? Have we not
+reason to make the same complaint of many white servants, when
+discharged from our service, though many of them have had much greater
+opportunities of knowledge and improvement than the blacks; who, even
+when free, labour under the same difficulties as before: having but
+little access to, and intercourse with, the most reputable white people,
+they remain confined within their former limits of conversation. And if
+they seldom complain of the unjust and cruel usage they have received,
+in being forced from their native country, &c. it is not to be wondered
+at; it being a considerable time after their arrival amongst us, before
+they can speak our language; and, by the time they are able to express
+themselves, they have great reason to believe, that little or no notice
+would be taken of their complaints: yet let any person enquire of those
+who were capable of reflection, before they were brought from their
+native land, and he will hear such affecting relations, as, if not lost
+to the common feelings of humanity, will sensibly affect his heart. The
+case of a poor Negroe, not long since brought from Guinea, is a recent
+instance of this kind. From his first arrival, he appeared thoughtful
+and dejected, frequently dropping tears when taking notice of his
+master's children, the cause of which was not known till he was able to
+speak English, when the account he gave of himself was, "That he had a
+wife and children in his own country; that some of these being sick and
+thirsty, he went in the night time, to fetch water at a spring, where he
+was violently seized and carried away by persons who lay in wait to
+catch men, from whence he was transported to America. The remembrance of
+his family, friends, and other connections, left behind, which he never
+expected to see any more, were the principal cause of his dejection and
+grief." Many cases, equally affecting, might be here mentioned; but one
+more instance, which fell under the notice of a person of credit, will
+suffice. One of these wretched creatures, then about 50 years of age,
+informed him, "That being violently torn from a wife and several
+children in Guinea, he was sold in Jamaica, where never expecting to see
+his native land or family any more, he joined himself to a Negroe woman,
+by whom he had two children: after some years, it suiting the interest
+of his owner to remove him, he was separated from his second wife and
+children, and brought to South Carolina, where, expecting to spend the
+remainder of his days, he engaged with a third wife, by whom he had
+another child; but here the same consequence of one man being subject to
+the will and pleasure of another man occurring, he was separated from
+this last wife and child, and brought into this country, where he
+remained a slave." Can any, whose mind is not rendered quite obdurate by
+the love of wealth, hear these relations, without being deeply touched
+with sympathy and sorrow? And doubtless the case of many, very many of
+these afflicted people, upon enquiry, would be found to be attended with
+circumstances equally tragical and aggravating. And if we enquire of
+those Negroes, who were brought away from their native country when
+children, we shall find most of them to have been stolen away, when
+abroad from their parents, on the roads, in the woods, or watching their
+corn-fields. Now, you that have studied the book of conscience, and you
+that are learned in the law, what will you say to such deplorable cases?
+When, and how, have these oppressed people forfeited their liberty? Does
+not justice loudly call for its being restored to them? Have they not
+the same right to demand it, as any of us should have, if we had been
+violently snatched by pirates from our native land? Is it not the duty
+of every dispenser of justice, who is not forgetful of his own humanity,
+to remember that these are men, and to declare them free? Where
+instances of such cruelty frequently occur, and are neither enquired
+into, nor redressed, by those whose duty it is _to seek judgment, and
+relieve the oppressed_, Isaiah i. 17. what can be expected, but that the
+groans and cries of these sufferers will reach Heaven; and what shall we
+do _when God riseth up? and when he visiteth_, what will ye answer him?
+_Did not he that made them, make us; and did not one fashion us in the
+womb_? Job xxxi. 14.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP XIV.
+
+
+The expediency of a general freedom being granted to the Negroes
+considered. _Reasons_ why it might be productive of advantage and
+_safety to the Colonies_.
+
+It is scarce to be doubted, but that the foregoing accounts will beget
+in the heart of the considerate readers an earnest desire to see a stop
+put to this complicated evil, but the objection with many is, What shall
+be done with those Negroes already imported, and born in our families?
+Must they be sent to Africa? That would be to expose them, in a strange
+land, to greater difficulties than many of them labour under at present.
+To let them suddenly free here, would be perhaps attended with no less
+difficulty; for, undiciplined as they are in religion and virtue, they
+might give a loose to those evil habits, which the fear of a master
+would have restrained. These are objections, which weigh with many well
+disposed people, and it must be granted, these are difficulties in the
+way; nor can any general change be made, or reformation effected,
+without some; but the difficulties are not so great but that they may be
+surmounted. If the government was so considerate of the iniquity and
+danger attending on this practice, as to be willing to seek a remedy,
+doubtless the Almighty would bless this good intention, and such methods
+would be thought of, as would not only put an end to the unjust
+oppression of the Negroes, but might bring them under regulations, that
+would enable them to become profitable members of society; for the
+furtherance of which, the following proposals are offered to
+consideration: That all farther importation of slaves be absolutely
+prohibited; and as to those born among us, after serving so long as may
+appear to be equitable, let them by law be declared free. Let every one,
+thus set free, be enrolled in the county courts, and be obliged to be a
+resident, during a certain number of years, within the said county,
+under the care of the overseers of the poor. Thus being, in some sort,
+still under the direction of governors, and the notice of those who were
+formerly acquainted with them, they would be obliged to act the more
+circumspectly, and make proper use of their liberty, and their children
+would have an opportunity of obtaining such instructions, as are
+necessary to the common occasions of life; and thus both parents and
+children might gradually become useful members of the community. And
+further, where the nature of the country would permit, as certainly the
+uncultivated condition of our southern and most western colonies easily
+would, suppose a small tract of land were assigned to every Negroe
+family, and they obliged to live upon and improve it, (when not hired
+out to work for the white people) this would encourage them to exert
+their abilities, and become industrious subjects. Hence, both planters
+and tradesmen would be plentifully supplied with chearful and
+willing-minded labourers, much vacant land would be cultivated, the
+produce of the country be justly increased, the taxes for the support of
+government lessened to individuals, by the increase of taxables, and the
+Negroes, instead of being an object of terror,[A] as they certainly must
+be to the governments where their numbers are great, would become
+interested in their safety and welfare.
+
+[Footnote A: The hard usage the Negroes meet with in the plantations,
+and the great disproportion between them and the white people, will
+always be a just cause of terror. In Jamaica, and some parts of
+South-Carolina, it is supposed that there are fifteen blacks to one
+white.]
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XV.
+
+
+Answer to a mistaken opinion, that the warmth of the climate in the
+West-Indies, will not permit white people to labour there. No complaint
+of disability in the whites, in that respect, in the settlement of the
+islands. Idleness and diseases prevailed, as the use of slaves
+increased. _The great_ advantage which might accrue to the British
+nation, if the slave trade was entirely laid aside, and a fair and
+friendly commerce established through the whole coast of Africa.
+
+It is frequently offered as an argument, in vindication of the use of
+Negroe slaves, that the warmth of the climate in the West Indies will
+not permit white people to labour in the culture of the land: but upon
+an acquaintance with the nature of the climate, and its effects upon
+such labouring white people, as are prudent and moderate in labour, and
+the use of spirituous liquors, this will be found to be a mistaken
+opinion. Those islands were, at first, wholly cultivated by white men;
+the encouragement they then met with, for a long course of years, was
+such as occasioned a great increase of people. Richard Ligon, in his
+history of Barbadoes, where he resided from the year 1647 to 1650, about
+24 years after his first settlement, writes, "that there were then fifty
+thousand souls on that island, besides Negroes; and that though the
+weather was very hot, yet not so scalding but that servants, both
+christians and slaves, laboured ten hours a day." By other accounts we
+gather, that the white people have since decreased to less than one half
+the number which was there at that time; and by relations of the first
+settlements of the other islands, we do not meet with any complaints of
+unfitness in the white people for labour there, before slaves were
+introduced. The island of Hispaniola, which is one of the largest of
+those islands, was at first planted by the Buccaneers, a set of hardy
+laborious men, who continued so for a long course of years; till
+following the example of their neighbours, in the purchase and use of
+Negroe slaves, idleness and excess prevailing, debility and disease
+naturally succeeded, and have ever since continued. If, under proper
+regulations, liberty was proclaimed through the colonies, the Negroes,
+from dangerous, grudging, half-fed slaves, might become able,
+willing-minded labourers. And if there was not a sufficient number of
+these to do the necessary work, a competent number of labouring people
+might be procured from Europe, which affords numbers of poor distressed
+objects, who, if not overlooked, with proper usage, might, in several
+respects, better answer every good purpose in performing the necessary
+labour in the islands, than the slaves now do.
+
+A farther considerable advantage might accrue to the British nation in
+general, if the slave trade was laid aside, by the cultivation of a
+fair, friendly, and humane commerce with the Africans; without which, it
+is not possible the inland trade of that country should ever be extended
+to the degree it is capable of; for while the spirit of butchery and
+making slaves of each other, is promoted by the Europeans amongst the
+Negroes, no mutual confidence can take place; nor will the Europeans be
+able to travel with safety into the heart of their country, to form and
+cement such commercial friendships and alliances, as might be necessary
+to introduce the arts and sciences amongst them, and engage their
+attention to instruction in the principles of the christian religion,
+which is the only sure foundation of every social virtue. Africa has
+about ten thousand miles of sea coast, and extends in depth near three
+thousand miles from east to west, and as much from north to south,
+stored with vast treasures of materials, necessary for the trade and
+manufactures of Great-Britain; and from its climate, and the
+fruitfulness of its soil, capable, under proper management, of producing
+in the greatest plenty, most of the commodities which are imported into
+Europe from those parts of America subject to the English government;[A]
+and as, in return, they would take our manufactures, the advantages of
+this trade would soon become so great, that it is evident this subject
+merits the regard and attention of the government.
+
+[Footnote A: See note, page 109.]
+
+
+
+
+
+EXTRACT
+
+FROM A
+
+REPRESENTATION
+
+OF THE
+
+INJUSTICE
+
+AND
+
+DANGEROUS TENDENCY
+
+OF TOLERATING
+
+SLAVERY;
+
+
+OR
+
+
+Admitting the least CLAIM of private Property in the Persons of Men in
+_England_.
+
+
+By GRANVILLE SHARP.
+
+
+FIRST PRINTED IN LONDON.
+
+
+MDCCLXIX.
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+_The occasion of this Treatise. All Persons during their residence in_
+Great Britain _are subjects; and as such, bound to the laws, and under
+the Kings protection. By the English laws, no man, of what condition
+soever, to be imprisoned, or any way deprived of his_ LIBERTY, _without
+a legal process. The danger of_ Slavery _taking place in England.
+Prevails in the Northern Colonies, notwithstanding the people's plea in
+favour of_ Liberty. _Advertisements in the New-York Journal for the sale
+of_ SLAVES. _Advertisements to the same purpose in the public prints in
+England. The danger of confining any person without a legal warrant.
+Instances of that nature. Note, Extract of several American laws,
+Reflexions thereon._
+
+EXTRACT, &C.
+
+Some persons respectable in the law, having given it as their opinion,
+"_That a slave, by coming from the West Indies to Great Britain or
+Ireland, either with or without his master, doth not become free, or
+that his master's property or right in him is not thereby determined or
+varied;--and that the master may legally compel him to return again to
+the plantations_,"--this causes our author to remark, that these
+lawyers, by thus stating the case merely on one side of the question, (I
+mean in favour of the master) have occasioned an unjust presumption and
+prejudice, plainly inconsistent with the laws of the realm, and against
+the other side of the question; as they have not signified that their
+opinion was only conditional, and not absolute, and must be understood
+on the part of the master, "_That he can produce an authentic agreement
+or contract in writing, by which it shall appear, that the said slave
+hath voluntarily bound himself, without compulsion or illegal duress_."
+
+Page 5. Indeed there are many instances of persons being freed from
+slavery by the laws of England, but (God be thanked) there is neither
+law, nor even a precedent, (at least I have not been able to find one)
+of a legal determination to justify a master in claiming or detaining
+any person whatsoever as a slave in England, who has not voluntarily
+bound himself as such by a contract in writing.
+
+Page 20. An English subject cannot be made a slave without his own free
+consent: but--a foreign slave is made a subject with or without his own
+consent: there needs no contract for this purpose, as in the other case;
+nor any other act or deed whatsoever, but that of his being landed in
+England; For according to statute 32d of Henry VIII. c. 16. Sect. 9.
+"_Every alien or stranger born out of the King's obeisance, not being
+denizen, which now or hereafter shall come into this realm, or elsewhere
+within the King's dominions, shall, after the said first of September
+next coming, be bounden by and unto the laws and statutes of this realm,
+and to all and singular the contents of the same._"
+
+Now it must be observed, that this law makes no distinction of _bond or
+free_, neither of colours or complexions, whether of _black, brown_, or
+_white_; for "_every alien or stranger_ (without exception) _are bounden
+by and unto the law_, &c."
+
+This binding, or obligation, is properly expressed by the English word
+_ligeance, (ŕ ligando_) which may be either perpetual or temporary.
+Wood, b. I. c. 3. p. 37. But one of these is indispensably due to the
+Sovereign from all ranks and conditions of people; their being bounden
+unto the laws, (upon which the Sovereign's right is founded) expresses
+and implies this subjection to the laws; and therefore to alledge, that
+an alien is not a subject, because he is in bondage, is not only a plea
+without foundation, but a contradiction in terms; for every person who,
+in any respect, is in subjection to the laws, must undoubtedly be a
+subject.
+
+I come now to the main point--"_That every man, woman, or child, that
+now is, or hereafter shall be, an inhabitant or resiant of this kingdom
+of England, dominion of Wales, or town of Berwick upon Tweed,_" is, in
+some respect or other, the _King's subject_, and, as such, is absolutely
+secure in his or her _personal liberty_, by virtue of a statute, 31st
+Car. II. ch. 11. and particularly by the 12th Sect. of the same, wherein
+subjects of all conditions are plainly included.
+
+This act is expressly intended for the better securing the liberty of
+the subject, and for prevention of imprisonment beyond the seas. It
+contains no distinction of "_natural born, naturalized, denizen, or
+alien subject; nor of white or black, freemen, or even of bond-men_,"
+(except in the case already mentioned _of a contract in writing_, by
+which it shall appear, _that the said slave has voluntarily bound
+himself, without compulsion or illegal duress_, allowed by the 13th
+Sect. and the exception likewise in the 14th Sect. concerning felons)
+but they are all included under the general titles of "_the subject, any
+of the said subjects, every such person_" &c. Now the definition of the
+word "_person_," in its relative or civil capacity (according to Wood.
+b. I. c. 11. p. 27.) _is either the King, or a subject_. These are the
+_only capital distinctions_ that can be made, tho' the latter consists
+of a variety of denominations and degrees.
+
+But if I were even to allow, that a _Negroe slave_ is not a subject,
+(though I think I have clearly proved that he is) yet it is plain that
+such an one ought not to be denied the benefit of the King's court,
+unless the slave-holder shall be able to prove likewise that he is not,
+a _Man_; because _every man_ may be _free_ to sue for, and _defend his
+right in our courts_, says a stat. 20th Edw. III. c. 4. and elsewhere,
+according to law. And _no man, of what estate or condition_ that he be,
+(here can be no exception whatsoever) _shall be put out of land or
+tenement, nor taken, nor imprisoned, nor disinherited, nor put to death,
+without being brought in answer by due process of the law_. 28th Edw.
+III, c. 3, _No man_ therefore, _of what estate or condition that he be_,
+can lawfully be detained in England _as a slave_; because we have no law
+whereby a man _may be_ condemned to _slavery_ without his own consent,
+(for even convicted felons must "_in open court pray to transported_.")
+(See Habeas Corpus act, Sect. 14.) and therefore there cannot be any
+"_due process of the law_" tending to so base a purpose. It follows
+therefore, that every man, who presumes to detain _any person_
+whatsoever as a slave, otherwise than by virtue of a written contract,
+acts manifestly without "_due process of the law_," and consequently is
+liable to the slave's "_action of false imprisonment_," because "_every
+man may be free to sue_," &c. so that the slave-holder cannot avail
+himself of his imaginary _property_, either by the assistance of the
+common law, or of a court of equity, (_except it appears that the said
+slave has voluntarily bound himself, without compulsion or illegal
+duress_) for in both his suit will certainly appear both unjust and
+indefensible. The former cannot assist him, because the statute law at
+present is so far from supposing any man in a state of slavery, that it
+cannot even permit such a state, except in the two cases mentioned in
+the 13th and 14th Section of the Habeas Corpus act; and the courts of
+equity likewise must necessarily decide against him, because his mere
+mercenary plea of _private property_ cannot equitably, in a case between
+_man and man_, stand in competition with that _superior property_ which
+every man must necessarily be allowed to have in his own _proper
+person_.
+
+How then is the slave-holder to secure what he esteems his _property?_
+Perhaps he will endeavour clandestinely to seize the supposed slave, in
+order to transport him (with or without _his consent_) to the colonies,
+where such property is allowed: but let him take care what he does, the
+very attempt is punishable; and even the making over his property to
+another for that purpose, renders him equally liable to the severe
+penalties of the law, for a bill of sale may certainly be included under
+the terms expressed in the Habeas Corpus act, 12th Sect. viz. "_Any
+warrant or writing for such commitment, detainer, imprisonment, or
+transportation," &c._ It is also dangerous for a counsellor, or any
+other person _to advise_ (see the act "shall be advising") such
+proceedings, by saying, "_That a master may legally compel him_ (the
+slave) _to return again to the plantations_." Likewise an attorney,
+notary-public, or any other person, who shall presume to draw up,
+negotiate, of even to witness a bill of sale, or other instrument for
+such commitment, &c. offends equally against the law, because "_All, or
+any person or persons, that shall frame, contrive, write, seal, or
+countersign any warrant or writing for such commitment, detainer,
+imprisonment, or transportation; or shall be advising, aiding, or
+assisting in the same, or any of them_," are liable to all the penalties
+of the act. "_And the plaintiff, in every such action, shall have
+judgment to recover his treble costs, besides damages; which damages so
+to be given shall not be less than five hundred pounds_;" so that the
+injured may have ample satisfaction for their sufferings: and even a
+judge may not direct or instruct a jury contrary to this statute,
+whatever his private opinion may be concerning property in slaves;
+because _no order or command, nor no injunction_, is allowed to
+interfere with this _golden act of liberty_.
+
+--I have before observed, that the general term, "_every alien_,"
+includes _all strangers whatsoever_, and renders them _subject_ to the
+King, and the laws, during their residence in this kingdom; and this is
+certainly true, whether the aliens be Turks, Moors, Arabians, Tartars,
+or even savages, from any part of the world.--Men are rendered obnoxious
+to the laws by their offences, and not by the particular denomination of
+their rank, order, parentage, colour, or country; and therefore, though
+we should suppose that any particular body of people whatsoever were not
+known, or had in consideration by the legislature at the different times
+when the severe penal laws were made, yet no man can reasonably
+conceive, that such men are exempted on this account from the penalties
+of the said laws, when legally convicted of having offended against
+them.
+
+Laws calculated for the moral purpose of preventing oppression, are
+likewise usually supposed to be everlasting, and to make up a part of
+our happy constitution; for which reason, though the kind of oppression
+to be guarded against, and the penalties for offenders, are minutely
+described therein, yet the persons to be protected are comprehended in
+terms as general as possible; that "_no person who now is, or hereafter
+shall be, an inhabitant or resiant in this kingdom_," (see Habeas Corpus
+act, Sect. 12th) may seem to be excluded from protection. The general
+terms of the several statutes before cited, are so full and clear, that
+they admit of no exception whatsoever; for all persons (Negroes as well
+as others) must be included in the terms "the subject;"--"_no subject of
+this realm that now is, or hereafter shall be, an inhabitant, &c. any
+subject; every such person_;" see Habeas Corpus act. Also _every man_
+may be _free_ to sue, &c. 20th Edward III. cap. 4. and _no man, of what
+estate or condition that he be_, shall be taken or imprisoned, &c. True
+justice makes no respect of persons, and can never deny, to any one that
+blessing to which all mankind have an undoubted right, their _natural
+liberty_: though the law makes no mention of Negroe slaves, yet this is
+no just argument for excluding them from the general protection of our
+happy constitution.
+
+Neither can the objection, that Negroe slaves were not "had in
+consideration or contemplation," when these laws were made, prove any
+thing against them; but, on the contrary, much in their favour; for both
+these circumstances are strong presumptive proofs, that the practice of
+importing slaves into this kingdom, and retaining them as such, is an
+innovation entirely foreign to the spirit and intention of the laws now
+in force.
+
+--Page 79. A toleration of slavery is, in effect, a toleration of
+inhumanity; for there are wretches in the world who make no scruple to
+gain, by wearing out their slaves with continual labour, and a scanty
+allowance, before they have lived out half their natural days. It is
+notorious, that this is too often the case in the unhappy countries
+where slavery is tolerated.
+
+See the account of the European settlements in America, Part VI. Chap.
+11. concerning the "_misery of the Negroes, great waste of them_," &c.
+which informs us not only of a most scandalous profanation of the Lord's
+day, but also of another abomination, which must be infinitely more
+heinous in the sight of God, viz. oppression carried to such excess, as
+to be even destructive of the human species.
+
+At present, the inhumanity of constrained labour in excess, extends no
+farther in England than to our beasts, as post and hackney-horses,
+sand-asses, &c.
+
+But thanks to our laws, and not to the general good disposition of
+masters, that it is so; for the wretch who is bad enough to maltreat a
+helpless beast, would not spare his fellow man if he had him as much in
+his power.
+
+The maintenance of civil liberty is therefore absolutely necessary to
+prevent an increase of our national guilt, by the addition of the horrid
+crime of tyranny.--Notwithstanding that the plea of necessity cannot
+here be urged, yet this is no reason why an increase of the practice is
+not to be feared.
+
+Our North American colonies afford us a melancholy instance to the
+contrary; for though the climate in general is so wholesome and
+temperate, that it will not authorise this plea of necessity for the
+employment of slaves, any more than our own, yet the pernicious practice
+of slave-holding is become almost general in those parts. At New-York,
+for instance, the infringement on civil or domestic liberty is become
+notorious, notwithstanding the political controversies of the
+inhabitants in praise of liberty; but no panegyric on this subject
+(howsoever elegant in itself) can be graceful or edifying from the mouth
+or pen of one of those provincials, because men who do not scruple to
+detain others in slavery, have but a very partial and unjust claim to
+the protection of the laws of liberty; and indeed it too plainly appears
+that they have no real regard for liberty, farther than their own
+private interests are concerned; and (consequently) that they have so
+little detestation of despotism and tyranny, that they do not scruple to
+exercise them whenever their caprice excites them, or their private
+interest seems to require an exertion of their power over their
+miserable slaves.
+
+Every petty planter, who avails himself of the service of slaves, is an
+arbitrary monarch, or rather a lawless Bashaw in his own territories,
+notwithstanding that the imaginary freedom of the province wherein he
+resides, may seem to forbid the observation.
+
+The boasted liberty of our American colonies, therefore, has so little
+right to that sacred name, that it seems to differ from the arbitrary
+power of despotic monarchs only in one circumstance, viz. that it is a
+_many-headed monster of tyranny_, which entirely subverts our most
+excellent constitution; because liberty and slavery are so opposite to
+each other, that they cannot subsist in the same community. "_Political
+liberty (in mild or well regulated governments) makes civil liberty
+valuable; and whosoever is deprived of the latter, is deprived also of
+the former_." This observation of the learned Montesquieu, I hope
+sufficiently justifies my censure of the Americans for their notorious
+violation of civil liberty;--The New-York Journal, or, The General
+Advertiser, for Thursday, 22d October, 1767, gives notice by
+advertisement, of no less than eight different persons who have escaped
+from slavery, or are put up to public sale for that horrid purpose.
+
+That I may demonstrate the indecency of such proceedings in a free
+country, I shall take the liberty of laying some of these advertisements
+before my readers, by way of example.
+
+"_To be SOLD for want of Employment_, A likely strong active Negroe man,
+of about 24 years of age, this country born, (_N.B._ A natural born
+subject) understands most of a baker's trade, and a good deal of farming
+business, and can do all sorts of house-work.--Also a healthy Negroe
+wench, of about 21 years old, is a tolerable cook, and capable of doing
+all sorts of house-work, can be well recommended for her honesty and
+sobriety: she has a female child of nigh three years old, which will be
+sold with the wench if required, &c." Here is not the least
+consideration, or scruple of conscience, for the inhumanity of parting
+the mother and young child. From the stile, one would suppose the
+advertisement to be of no more importance than if it related merely to
+the sale of a cow and her calf; and that the cow should be sold with or
+without her calf, according as the purchaser should require.--But not
+only Negroes, but even American Indians, are detained in the same
+abominable slavery in our colonies, though there cannot be any
+reasonable pretence whatsoever for holding one of these as private
+property; for even if a written contract should be produced as a voucher
+in such a case, there would still remain great suspicion, that some
+undue advantage had been taken of the Indian's ignorance concerning the
+nature of such a bond.
+
+"_Run away, on Monday the 21st instant, from J----n T----, Esq. of
+West-Chester county, in the province of New-York_, An Indian slave,
+named Abraham, he may have changed his name, about 23 years of age,
+about five feet five inches."
+
+Upon the whole, I think I may with justice conclude, that those
+advertisements discover a shameless prostitution and infringement on the
+common and natural rights of mankind--But hold! perhaps the Americans
+may be able, with too much justice, to retort this severe reflexion, and
+may refer us to news-papers published even in the free city of London,
+which contain advertisements not less dishonourable than their own. See
+advertisement in the Public Ledger of 31st December, 1761.
+
+"_For SALE, A healthy NEGROE GIRL_, aged about fifteen years; speaks
+good English, works at her needle, washes well, does houshold work, and
+has had the small-pox. By J.W. &c."
+
+Another advertisement, not long ago, offered a reward for stopping a
+female slave who had left her mistress in Hatton-garden. And in the
+Gazetteer of 18th April, 1769, appeared a very extraordinary
+advertisement with the following title;
+
+"_Horses, Tim Wisky, and black Boy_, To be sold at the Bull and Gate
+Inn. Holborn, _A very good Tim Wisky_, little the worse for wear, &c."
+Afterwards, "_A Chesnut Gelding_;" then, "_A very good grey Mare_;" and
+last of all, (as if of the least consequence) "_A well-made
+good-tempered black Boy_, he has lately had the small-pox, and will be
+sold to any gentleman. Enquire as above."
+
+Another advertisement in the same paper, contains a very particular
+description of a Negroe man, called _Jeremiah_,--and concludes as
+follows:--"Whoever delivers him to Capt. M---- U----y, on board the
+Elizabeth, at Prince's Stairs, Rotherhithe, on or before the 31st
+instant, shall receive thirty guineas reward, or ten guineas for such
+intelligence as shall enable the Captain, or his master, effectually to
+secure him. The utmost secrecy may be depended on." It is not on account
+of shame, that men, who are capable of undertaking the desperate and
+wicked employment of kidnappers, are supposed to be tempted to such a
+business, by a promise "_of the utmost secrecy_;" but this must be from
+a sense of the unlawfulness of the act proposed to them, that they may
+have less reason to fear a prosecution. And as such a kind of people are
+supposed to undertake any thing for money, the reward of thirty guineas
+was tendered at the top of the advertisement, in capital letters. No man
+can be safe, be he white or black, if temptations to break the laws are
+so shamefully published in our news-papers.
+
+_A Creole Black boy_ is also offered to sale, in the Daily Advertiser of
+the same date.
+
+Besides these instances, the Americans may, perhaps, taunt us with the
+shameful treatment of a poor Negroe servant, who not long ago was put up
+to sale by public auction, together with the effects of his bankrupt
+master.--Also, that the prisons of this free city have been frequently
+prostituted of late, by the tyrannical and dangerous practice of
+confining Negroes, under the pretence of slavery, though there have been
+no warrants whatsoever for their commitment.
+
+This circumstance of confining a man without a warrant, has so great a
+resemblance to the proceedings of a Popish inquisition, that it is but
+too obvious what dangerous practices such scandalous innovations, if
+permitted to grow more into use, are liable to introduce. No person can
+be safe, if wicked and designing men have it in their power, under the
+pretence of private property as a slave, to throw a man clandestinely,
+without a warrant, into goal, and to conceal him there, until they can
+conveniently dispose of him.
+
+A free man may be thus robbed of his liberty, and carried beyond the
+seas, without having the least opportunity of making his case known;
+which should teach us how jealous we ought to be of all imprisonments
+made without the authority, or previous examination, of a civil
+magistrate.
+
+The distinction of colour will, in a short time, be no protection
+against such outrages, especially as not only Negroes, but Mulatoes, and
+even American Indians, (which appears by one of the advertisements
+before quoted) are retained in slavery in our American colonies; for
+there are many honest weather-beaten Englishmen, who have as little
+reason to boast of their complexion as the Indians. And indeed, the more
+northern Indians have no difference from us in complexion, but such as
+is occasioned by the climate, or different way of living. The plea of
+private property, therefore, cannot, by any means, justify a private
+commitment of any person whatsoever to prison, because of the apparent
+danger and tendency of such innovation. This dangerous practice of
+concealing in prison was attempted in the case of Jonathan Strong; for
+the door-keeper of the P----lt----y C----pt----r (or some person who
+acted for him) absolutely refused, for two days, to permit this poor
+injured Negro to be seen or spoke with, though a person went on purpose,
+both those days, to demand the same.--All laws ought to be founded upon
+the principle of "_doing as one would be done by_;" and indeed this
+principle seems to be the very basis of the English constitution; for
+what precaution could possibly be more effectual for that purpose, than
+the right we enjoy of being judged by our Peers, creditable persons of
+the vicinage; especially, as we may likewise claim the right of
+excepting against any particular juryman, who might be suspected of
+partiality.
+
+This law breathes the pure spirit of liberty, equity, and social love;
+being calculated to maintain that consideration and mutual regard which
+one person ought to have for another, howsoever unequal in rank or
+station.
+
+But when any part of the community, under the pretence of private
+property, is deprived of this common privilege, it is a violation of
+civil liberty, which is entirely inconsistent with the social principles
+of a free state.
+
+True liberty protects the labourer as well as his Lord; preserves the
+dignity of human nature, and seldom fails to render a province rich and
+populous; whereas, on the other hand, a toleration of slavery is the
+highest breach of social virtue, and not only tends to depopulation, but
+too often renders the minds of both masters and slaves utterly depraved
+and inhuman, by the hateful extremes of exaltation and depression.
+
+If such a toleration should ever be generally admitted in England,
+(which God forbid) we shall no longer deserve to be esteemed a civilized
+people; because, when the customs of uncivilized nations, and the
+_uncivilized customs which disgrace our own colonies_, are become so
+familiar as to be permitted amongst us with impunity, we ourselves must
+insensibly degenerate to the same degree of baseness with those from
+whom such bad customs were derived; and may, too soon, have the
+mortification to see the _hateful extremes of tyranny and slavery
+fostered under every roof_.
+
+Then must the happy medium of a well regulated liberty be necessarily
+compelled to find shelter in some more civilized country: where social
+virtue, and that divine precept, "_Thou shalt love thy neighbour as
+thyself_," are better understood.
+
+An attempt to prove the dangerous tendency, injustice, and disgrace of
+tolerating slavery amongst Englishmen, would, in any former age, have
+been esteemed as superfluous and ridiculous, as if a man should
+undertake, in a formal manner, to prove, that darkness is not light.
+
+Sorry am I, that the depravity of the present age has made a
+demonstration of this kind necessary.
+
+Now, that I may sum up the amount of what has been said in a single
+sentence, I shall beg leave to conclude in the words of the great Sir
+Edward Coke, which, though spoken on a different occasion, are yet
+applicable to this; see Rushworth's Hist. Col. An. 1628. 4 Caroli. fol.
+450.
+
+"It would be no honour to a King or kingdom, to be a King of bondmen or
+slaves: the end of this would be both _dedecus_[A] and _damnum_[B] both
+to King and kingdom, that in former times have been so renowned."
+
+[Footnote A: Disgrace.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Loss.]
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Note, at page 63; According to the laws of Jamaica, printed in London,
+in 1756, "If any slave having been one whole year in this island, (says
+an act, No 64, clause 5, p. 114) shall run away, and continue absent
+from his owner's service for the space of thirty days, upon complaint
+and proof, &c. before any two justices of the peace, and three
+freeholders, &c. it shall and may be lawful for such justices and
+freeholders to order such slave to be punished, by _cutting off one of
+the feet of such slave_, or inflict such other corporal punishment as
+they _shall think fit_." Now that I may inform my readers, what corporal
+punishments are sometimes thought fit to be inflicted, I will refer to
+the testimony of Sir Hans Sloane, (see voyage to the islands of Madeira,
+Barbadoes, &c. and Jamaica, with the natural history of the last of
+these islands, &c. London 1707. Introduction, p. 56, and 57.) "The
+punishment for crimes of slaves (says he) are usually, for _rebellions_,
+burning them, by nailing them down to the ground with crooked sticks on
+every limb, and then applying the fire, by degrees, from the feet and
+hands, and burning them gradually up to the head, whereby _the pains are
+extravagant_; for crimes of a lesser nature, _gelding_, or _chopping off
+half the foot_ with an axe. These punishments are suffered by them with
+great constancy.--For negligence, they are usually whipped by the
+overseers with lance-wood switches, till they be bloody, and several of
+the switches broken, being first tied up by their hands in the mill
+houses.--After they are whipped till they are raw, some put on their
+skins pepper and salt, to make them smart; at other times, their masters
+will drop melted wax on their skins, and use several _very exquisite
+torments_." Sir Hans adds, "These punishments are sometimes merited by
+the Blacks, who are a very perverse generation of people; and though
+they appear very harsh, yet are scarce equal to some of their crimes,
+and inferior to what punishments other European nations inflict on their
+slaves in the East-Indies, as may be seen by Moquet, and other
+travellers." Thus Sir Hans Sloane endeavours to excuse those shocking
+cruelties, but certainly in vain, because no crimes whatsoever can merit
+such severe punishments, unless I except the crimes of those who devise
+and inflict them. Sir Hans Sloane, indeed, mentions _rebellion_ as the
+principal crime; and certainly it is very justly esteemed a most heinous
+crime, in a land of liberty, where government is limited by equitable
+and just laws, if the same are tolerably well observed; but in countries
+where arbitrary power is exercised with such intolerable cruelty as is
+before described, if resistance be a crime, it is certainly the most
+natural of all others.
+
+But the 19th clause of the 38th act, would indeed, on a slight perusal,
+induce us to conceive, that the punishment for rebellion is not so
+severe as it is represented by Sir Hans Sloane; because a slave, though
+_deemed rebellious_, is thereby condemned to no greater punishment than
+transportation. Nevertheless, if the clause be thoroughly considered, we
+shall find no reason to commend the mercy of the legislature; for it
+only proves, that the Jamaica law-makers will not scruple to charge the
+slightest and most natural offences with the most opprobrious epithets;
+and that a poor slave, who perhaps has no otherwise incurred his
+master's displeasure than by endeavouring (upon the just and warrantable
+principles of self-preservation,) to escape from his master's tyranny,
+without any criminal intention whatsoever, is liable to be _deemed
+rebellious_, and to be arraigned as a capital offender. "For every slave
+and slaves that shall run away, and continue but for the space of twelve
+months, except such slave or slaves as shall not have been three years
+in this island, shall be _deemed rebellious_," &c. (see act 38, clause
+19. p. 60.) Thus we are enabled to define what a West Indian tyrant
+means by the word _rebellious_. But unjust as this clause may seem, yet
+it is abundantly more merciful and considerate than a subsequent act
+against the same poor miserable people, because the former assigns no
+other punishment for persons so _deemed rebellious_, than that they,
+"_Shall be transported_ by order of two justices and three freeholders,"
+&c. whereas the latter spares not the blood of these poor injured
+fugitives: For by the 66th act, a reward of 50 pounds is offered to
+those who "shall kill or bring in alive any _rebellious slaves_," that
+is, any of these unfortunate people whom the law has "_deemed
+rebellious_," as above; and this premium is not only tendered to
+commissioned parties (see 2d. clause) but even to any private "_hunter,
+slave, or other person_," (see 3d. clause.) Thus it is manifest, that
+the law treats these poor unhappy men with as little ceremony and
+consideration as if they were merely wild beasts. But the innocent blood
+that is shed in consequence of such a detestable law, must certainly
+call for vengeance on the murderous abettors and actors of such
+deliberate wickedness: And though many of the guilty wretches should
+even be so hardened and abandoned as never afterwards to be capable of
+sincere remorse, yet a time will undoubtedly come, when they will
+shudder with dreadful apprehensions, on account of the insufficiency of
+so wretched an excuse, as that their poor murdered brethren were by law
+"_deemed rebellious_" But bad as these laws are, yet in justice to the
+freeholders of Jamaica, I must acknowledge, that their laws are not near
+so cruel and inhuman as the laws of Barbadoes and Virginia, and seem at
+present to be much more reasonable than they have formerly been; many
+very oppressive laws being now expired, and others less severe enacted
+in their room.
+
+But it is far otherwise in Barbadoes; for by the 329th act, p. 125. "If
+any Negro or other slave, under punishment by his master, or his order,
+for running away, or any other crimes or misdemeanors towards his said
+master, unfortunately shall suffer in life, or member, (which seldom
+happens) (but it is plain by this law that it does sometimes happen) _no
+person whatever shall be liable to any fine therefore; but if any man
+shall, of wantonness or only of bloody-mindedness, or cruel intention,
+wilfully kill a Negroe or other slave of his own_;"--now the reader, to
+be sure, will naturally expect, that some very severe punishment must in
+this case be ordained, to deter the _wanton, bloody-minded, and cruel_
+wretch, from _wilfully killing_ his fellow creatures; but alas! the
+Barbadian law-makers have been so far from intending to curb such
+abandoned wickedness, that they have absolutely made this law on purpose
+to skreen these enormous crimes from the just indignation of any
+righteous person, who might think himself bound in duty to prosecute a
+bloody-minded villain; they have therefore presumptuously taken upon
+them to give a sanction, as it were, by law, to the horrid crime of
+wilful murder; and have accordingly ordained, that he who is guilty of
+it in Barbadoes, though the act should be attended with all the
+aggravating circumstances before-mentioned--"_shall pay into the public
+treasury_ (no more than) _fifteen pounds sterling_," but if he shall
+kill another man's, he shall pay the owner of the Negroe double the
+value, and into the public treasury _twenty-five pounds sterling_; and
+he shall further, by the next justice of the peace, be bound to his good
+behaviour during the pleasure of the governor and council, _and not be
+liable to any other punishment or forfeiture for the same_.
+
+The most consummate wickedness, I suppose, that any body of people,
+under the specious form of a legislature, were ever guilty of! This act
+contains several other clauses which are shocking to humanity, though
+too tedious to mention here.
+
+According to an act of Virginia, (4 Anne, ch. 49. sec. 37. p. 227.)
+"after proclamation is issued against slaves that run away and lie out,
+it is lawful for any person whatsoever, _to kill and destroy such
+slaves, by such ways and means as he, she, or they, shall think fit_,
+without accusation or impeachment of any crime for the same," &c. And
+lest private interest should incline the planter to mercy, (to which we
+must suppose such people can have no other inducement) it is provided
+and enacted in the succeeding clause, (No 28.) "That for _every slave
+killed_, in pursuance of this act, or _put to death by law_, the master
+or owner of such slave _shall be paid by the public_."
+
+Also by an act of Virginia, (9 Geo. I. ch. 4. sect. 18. p. 343.) it is
+ordained, "That, where any slave shall hereafter be found notoriously
+guilty of going abroad in the night, or running away, and lying out, and
+cannot be reclaimed from _such_ disorderly courses by the common method
+of punishment, it shall and may be lawful to and for the court of the
+county, upon complaint and proof thereof to them made by the owner of
+such slave, to order and direct every such slave to be punished by
+_dismembering, or any other_ way, not touching life, as the said county
+court _shall think fit_."
+
+I have already given examples enough of the horrid cruelties which are
+sometimes _thought fit_ on such occasions. But if the innocent and most
+natural act of "_running away_" from intolerable tyranny, deserves such
+relentless severity, what kind of punishment have these law-makers
+themselves to expect hereafter, on account of their own enormous
+offences! Alas! to look for mercy (without a timely repentance) will
+only be another instance of their gross injustice! "_Having their
+consciences seared with a hot iron_," they seem to have lost all
+apprehensions that their slaves are men, for they scruple not to number
+them with beasts. See an act of Barbadoes, (No 333. p. 128.) intituled,
+"An act for the better regulating of _outcries_ in open market:" here we
+read of "_Negroes, cattle, coppers, and stills, and other chattels_,
+brought by execution to open market to be outcried, and these (as if all
+of equal importance) are ranged together _in great lots or numbers to be
+sold_."
+
+--Page 70. In the 329th act of Barbadoes, (p. 122.) it is asserted, that
+"brutish slaves deserve not, for the baseness of their condition, to _be
+tried by a legal trial of twelve men of their peers, or neighbourhood_,
+which neither truly can be rightly done, as the subjects of England
+are;" (yet slaves also are subjects of England, whilst they remain
+within the British dominions, notwithstanding this insinuation to the
+contrary) "nor is execution to be delayed towards them, in case of such
+horrid crimes committed," &c.
+
+A similar doctrine is taught in an act of Virginia, (9 Geo. I. ch. 4.
+sect. 3. p. 339.) wherein it is ordained, "that every slave, committing
+such offence as by the laws ought to be punished by death, or loss of
+member, shall be forthwith committed to the common goal of the county,
+&c. And the sheriff of such county, upon such commitment, shall
+forthwith certify the same, with the cause thereof, to the governor or
+commander in chief, &c. who is thereupon desired and impowered to issue
+a commission of Oyer and Terminer, _To such persons as he shall think
+fit_; which persons, forthwith after the receipt of such commission, are
+impowered and required to cause the offender to be publicly arraigned
+and tried, &c. without the solemnity of a jury," &c. Now let us consider
+the dangerous tendency of those laws. As Englishmen, we strenuously
+contend for this absolute and immutable necessity of trials by juries:
+but is not the spirit and equity of this old English doctrine entirely
+lost, if we partially confine that justice to ourselves alone, when we
+have it in our power to extend it to others? The natural right of all
+mankind, must principally justify our insisting upon this necessary
+privilege in favour of ourselves in particular; and therefore if we do
+not allow that the judgment of an impartial jury is indispensably
+necessary in all cases whatsoever, wherein the life of man is depending,
+we certainly undermine the equitable force and reason of those laws, by
+which _we ourselves are protected_, and consequently are unworthy to be
+esteemed either Christians or Englishmen.
+
+Whatever right the members of a provincial assembly may have to enact
+_bye laws_, for particular exigences among themselves, yet in so doing
+they are certainly bound, in duty to their sovereign, to observe most
+strictly the fundamental principles of that constitution, which his
+Majesty is sworn to maintain; for wheresoever the bounds of the British
+empire are extended, there the common law of England must of course take
+place, and cannot be safely set aside by any _private law_ whatsoever,
+because the introduction of an unnatural tyranny must necessarily
+endanger the King's dominions. The many alarming insurrections of slaves
+in the several colonies, are sufficient proofs of this. The common law
+of England ought therefore to be so established in every province, as to
+include the respective _bye laws_ of each province; instead of being by
+them _excluded_, which latter has been too much the case.
+
+Every inhabitant of the British colonies, black as well as white, bond
+as well as free, are undoubtedly the _King's subjects_, during their
+residence within the limits of the King's dominions; and as such, are
+entitled to personal protection, however bound in service to their
+respective masters; therefore, when any of these are put to death,
+"_without the solemnity of a jury_," I fear that there is too much
+reason to attribute _the guilt of murder_ to every person concerned in
+ordering, the same, or in consenting thereto; and all such persons are
+certainly responsible _to the King and his laws, for the loss of a
+subject_. The horrid iniquity, injustice, and dangerous tendency of the
+several plantation laws which I have quoted, are so apparent, that it is
+unnecessary for me to apologize for the freedom with which I have
+treated them. If such laws are not absolutely necessary for the
+government of slaves, the law-makers must unavoidably allow themselves
+to be the most cruel and abandoned tyrants upon earth; or, perhaps, that
+ever were on earth. On the other hand, if it be said, that it is
+impossible to govern slaves without such inhuman severity, and
+detestable injustice, the same will certainly be an invincible argument
+against the least toleration of slavery amongst christians, because the
+temporal profit of the planter or master, however lucrative, cannot
+compensate the forfeiture of his everlasting welfare, or (at least I may
+be allowed to say) the apparent danger of such a forfeiture.
+
+Oppression is a most grievous crime, and the cries of these much injured
+people, (though they are only poor ignorant heathens) will certainly
+reach heaven! The scriptures (_which are the only true foundation of all
+laws_) denounce a tremendous judgment against the man who should offend
+even one little-one; _"It were better for him_ (even the merciful
+Saviour of the world hath himself declared) _that a millstone were
+hanged about his neck, and be cast into the sea, than that he should
+offend one of these little ones."_ Luke xvii. 2. Who then shall attempt
+to vindicate those inhuman establishments of government, under which,
+even our own countrymen so grievously _offend_ and _oppress_ (not merely
+_one_, or a few little ones, but) an immense multitude of _men, women,
+children_, and the _children of their children_, from generation to
+generation? May it not be said with like justice, it were better for the
+English nation that these American dominions had never existed, or even
+that they should have been sunk into the sea, than that the kingdom of
+Great Britain should be loaded with the horrid guilt of tolerating such
+abominable wickedness! In short, if the _King's prerogative_ is not
+speedily exerted for the relief of his Majesty's oppressed and much
+injured subjects in the British colonies, (because to _relieve the
+subject_ from the oppression of petty tyrants is the principal use of
+the royal prerogative, as well as the principal and most natural means
+of maintaining the same) and for the extension of the British
+constitution to the most distant colonies, whether in the East or West
+Indies, it must inevitably be allowed, that great share of this enormous
+guilt will certainly rest on this side the water.
+
+I hope this hint will be taken notice of by those whom it may concern;
+and that the freedom of it will be excused, as from a _loyal and
+disinterested_ adviser.
+
+
+
+Extracts from the writings
+
+of several _noted authors_,
+
+on the subject of the, _slavery of the Negroes_,
+
+viz.
+
+George Wallace,
+
+Francis Hutcheson,
+
+James Foster.
+
+
+George Wallace, in his _System of the Principles of the Laws of
+Scotland_, speaking of the slavery of the Negroes in our colonies, says,
+"We all know that they (the Negroes) are purchased from their Princes,
+who pretend to have a right to dispose of them, and that they are, like
+other commodities, transported, by the merchants who have bought them,
+into America, in order to be exposed to sale. If this trade admits of a
+moral or a rational justification, every crime, even the most atrocious,
+may be justified. Government was instituted for the good of mankind;
+kings, princes, governors, are not proprietors of those who are subject
+to their authority; they have not a right to make them miserable. On the
+contrary, their authority is vested in them, that they may, by the just
+exercise of it, promote the happiness of their people. Of course, they
+have not a right to dispose of their liberty, and to sell them for
+slaves. Besides no man has a right to acquire, or to purchase them; men
+and their liberty are not _in commercio_; they are not either saleable
+or purchaseable. One, therefore, has no body but himself to blame, in
+case he shall find himself deprived of a man, whom he thought he had, by
+buying for a price, made his own; for he dealt in a trade which was
+illicit, and was prohibited by the most obvious dictates of humanity.
+For these reasons, every one of those unfortunate men who are pretended
+to be slaves, has a right to be declared to be free, for he never lost
+his liberty; he could not lose it; his Prince had no power to dispose of
+him. Of course, the sale was _ipso jure_ void. This right he carries
+about with him, and is entitled every where to get it declared. As soon,
+therefore, as he comes into a country in which the judges are not
+forgetful of their own humanity, it is their duty to remember that he is
+a man, and to declare him to be free. I know it has been said, that
+questions concerning the state of persons ought to be determined by the
+law of the country to which they belong; and that, therefore, one who
+would be declared to be a slave in America, ought, in case he should
+happen to be imported into Britain, to be adjudged, according to the law
+of America, to be a slave; a doctrine than which nothing can be more
+barbarous. Ought the judges of any country, out of respect to the law of
+another, to shew no respect to their kind, and to humanity? out of
+respect to a law, which is in no sort obligatory upon them, ought they
+to disregard the law of nature, which is obligatory on all men, at all
+times, and in all places? Are any laws so binding as the eternal laws of
+justice? Is it doubtful, whether a judge ought to pay greater regard to
+them, than to those arbitrary and inhuman usages which prevail in a
+distant land? Aye, but our colonies would be ruined if slavery was
+abolished. Be it so; would it not from thence follow, that the bulk of
+mankind ought to be abused, that our pockets may be filled with money,
+or our mouths with delicacies? The purses of highwaymen would be empty,
+in case robberies were totally abolished; but have men a right to
+acquire money by going out to the highway? Have men a right to acquire
+it by rendering their fellow-creatures miserable? Is it lawful to abuse
+mankind, that the avarice, the vanity, or the passions of a few may be
+gratified? No! There is such a thing as justice to which the most sacred
+regard is due. It ought to be inviolably observed. Have not these
+unhappy men a better right to their liberty, and to their happiness,
+than our American merchants have to the profits which they make by
+torturing their kind? Let, therefore, our colonies be ruined, but let us
+not render so many men miserable. Would not any of us, who should--be
+snatched by pirates from his native land, think himself cruelly abused,
+and at all times entitled to be free? Have not these unfortunate
+Africans, who meet with the same cruel fate, the same right? Are they
+not men as well as we, and have they not the same sensibility? Let us
+not, therefore, defend or support a usage which is contrary to all the
+laws of humanity.
+
+"But it is false, that either we or our colonies would be ruined by the
+abolition of slavery. It might occasion a stagnation of business for a
+short time. Every great alteration produces that effect; because mankind
+cannot, on a sudden, find ways of disposing of themselves, and of their
+affairs; but it would produce many happy effects. It is the slavery
+which is permitted in America, that has hindered it from becoming so
+soon populous as it would otherwise have done. Let the Negroes be free,
+and, in a few generations, this vast and fertile continent would be
+crowded with inhabitants; learning, arts, and every thing would flourish
+amongst them; instead of being inhabited by wild beasts, and by savages,
+it would be peopled by philosophers, and by men."
+
+Francis Hutcheson, professor of philosophy at the university of Glasgow,
+in his _System of Moral Philosophy_, page 211, says "He who detains
+another by force in slavery, is always bound to prove his title. The
+slave sold, or carried into a distant country, must not be obliged to
+prove a negative, that _he never forfeited his liberty_. The violent
+possessor must, in all cases, shew his title, especially where the old
+proprietor is well known. In this case, each man is the original
+proprietor of his own liberty. The proof of his losing it must be
+incumbent on those who deprive him of it by force. The Jewish laws had
+great regard to justice, about the servitude of Hebrews, founding it
+only on consent, or some crime or damage, allowing them always a proper
+redress upon any cruel treatment, and fixing a limited time for it;
+unless upon trial the servant inclined to prolong it. The laws about
+foreign slaves had many merciful provisions against immoderate severity
+of the masters. But under christianity, whatever lenity was due from an
+Hebrew towards his countryman, must be due towards all; since the
+distinctions of nations are removed, as to the point of humanity and
+mercy, as well as natural right; nay, some of these rights granted over
+foreign slaves, may justly be deemed only such indulgences as those of
+poligamy and divorce, granting only external impunity in such practice,
+and not sufficient vindication of them in conscience."
+
+_Page_ 85. It is pleaded, that "In some barbarous nations, unless the
+captives were bought for slaves, they would be all murthered. They,
+therefore, owe their lives, and all they can do, to their purchasers;
+and so do their children, who would not otherwise have come into life."
+But this whole plea is no more than that of _negotium utile gestum_ to
+which any civilized nation is bound by humanity; it is a prudent
+expensive office, done for the service of others without a gratuitous
+intention; and this founds no other right, than that to full
+compensation of all charges and labour employed for the benefit of
+others.
+
+A set of inaccurate popular phrases blind us in these matters; "Captives
+owe their lives, and all to the purchasers, say they. Just in the same
+manner, we, our nobles, and princes, often owe our lives to midwives,
+chirurgeons, physicians," &c. one who was the means of preserving a
+man's life, is not therefore entitled to make him a slave, and sell him
+as a piece of goods. Strange, that in a nation where the sense of
+liberty prevails, where the christian religion is professed, custom and
+high prospects of gain can so stupify the conscience of men, and all
+sense of natural justice, that they can hear such computations made
+about the value of their fellow-men, and their liberty, without
+abhorrence and indignation.
+
+_James Foster_, D.D. in his _discourses on natural religion_ and _social
+virtue_ also shews his just indignation at this wicked practice; which
+he declares to be "_a criminal and outrageous violation of the natural
+right of mankind_." At _page_ 156, vol. 2 he says, "Should we have read
+concerning the Greeks or Romans of old, that they traded with a view to
+make slaves of their own species, when they certainly knew that this
+would involve in schemes of blood and murder, of destroying, or
+enslaving each other; that they even fomented wars, and engaged whole
+nations and tribes in open hostilities, for their own private advantage;
+that they had no detestation of the violence and cruelty, but only
+feared the ill success of their inhuman enterprises; that they carried
+men like themselves, their brethren, and the off-spring of the same
+common parent, to be sold like beasts of prey, or beasts of burden, and
+put them to the same reproachful trial, of their soundness, strength,
+and capacity for greater bodily service; that quite forgetting and
+renouncing the original dignity of human nature, communicated to all,
+they treated them with more severity, and ruder discipline, than even
+the _ox_ or the _ass_, who are _void of understanding_--should we not,
+if this had been the case, have naturally been led to despise all their
+_pretended refinements of morality_; and to have concluded, that as they
+were not nations destitute of politeness, they must have been _entire
+strangers to virtue and benevolence_?
+
+"But notwithstanding this, we ourselves (who profess to be christians,
+and boast of the peculiar advantage we enjoy, by means of an express
+revelation of our duty from heaven) are, in effect, these very untaught
+and rude heathen countries. With all our superior light, we instill into
+those, whom we call savage and barbarous, the most despicable opinion of
+human nature. We, to the utmost of our power, weaken and dissolve the
+universal tie, that binds and unites mankind. We practise what we should
+exclaim against, as the utmost excess of cruelty and tyranny, if nations
+of the world, differing in colour, and form of government, from
+ourselves, were so possessed of empire, as to be able to reduce us to a
+state of unmerited and brutish servitude. Of consequence, we sacrifice
+our reason, our humanity, our christianity, to an unnatural sordid gain.
+We teach other nations to despise, and trample under foot, all the
+obligations of social virtue. We take the most effectual method to
+prevent the propagation of the gospel, by representing it as a scheme of
+power and barbarous oppression, and an enemy to the natural privileges
+and rights of men.
+
+"Perhaps all that I have now offered, may be of very little weight to
+restrain this enormity, this aggravated iniquity; however, I still have
+the satisfaction of having entered my private protest against a
+practice, which, in my opinion, bids that God, who is the God and Father
+of the Gentiles, unconverted to christianity, most daring and bold
+defiance, and spurns at all the principles both of natural and revealed
+religion."
+
+
+EXTRACT
+
+
+From an ADDRESS
+
+in the
+
+
+VIRGINIA _GAZETTE_,
+
+of MARCH 19, 1767.
+
+
+Mr. RIND,
+
+Permit me, in your paper, to address the members of our assembly on two
+points, in which the public interest is very nearly concerned.
+
+The abolition of slavery, and the retrieval of specie in this colony,
+are the subjects on which I would bespeak their attention.--
+
+Long and serious reflections upon the nature and consequences of slavery
+have convinced me, that it is a violation both of justice and religion;
+that it is dangerous to the safety of the community in which it
+prevails; that it is destructive to the growth of arts and sciences; and
+lastly, that it produces a numerous and very fatal train of vices, both
+in the slave and in his master.
+
+To prove these assertions, shall be the purpose of the following essay.
+
+That slavery then is a violation of justice, will plainly appear, when
+we consider what justice is. It is truly and simply defined, as by
+_Justinian, constans et perpetua voluntas ejus suum cuique tribuendi_; a
+constant endeavour to give every man his right.
+
+Now, as freedom is unquestionably the birth-right of all mankind,
+_Africans_ as well as _Europeans_, to keep the former in a state of
+slavery, is a constant violation of that right, and therefore of
+justice.
+
+The ground on which the civilians who favour slavery, admit it to be
+just, namely, consent, force, and birth, is totally disputable; for
+surely a man's own will and consent cannot be allowed to introduce so
+important an innovation into society, as slavery, or to make himself an
+outlaw, which is really the state of a slave; since neither consenting
+to, nor aiding the laws of the society in which he lives, he is neither
+bound to obey them, nor entitled to their protection.
+
+To found any right in force, is to frustrate all right, and involve
+every thing in confusion, violence, and rapine. With these two, the last
+must fall; since, if the parent cannot justly be made a slave, neither
+can the child be born in slavery. "The law of nations, says Baron
+_Montesquieu_, has doomed prisoners to slavery, to prevent their being
+slain; the _Roman_ civil law permitted debtors, whom their creditors
+might treat ill, to sell themselves. And the law of nature requires that
+children, whom their parents, being slaves, cannot maintain, should be
+slaves like them. These reasons of the civilians are not just; it is not
+true that a captive may be slain, unless in a case of absolute
+necessity; but if he hath been reduced to slavery, it is plain that no
+such necessity existed, since he was not slain. It is not true that a
+free man can sell himself, for sale supposes a price; but a slave and
+his property becomes immediately that of his master; the slave can
+therefore receive no price, nor the master pay, &c. And if a man cannot
+sell himself, nor a prisoner of war be reduced to slavery, much less can
+his child." Such are the sentiments of this illustrious civilian; his
+reasonings, which I have been obliged to contract, the reader interested
+in this subject will do well to consult at large.
+
+Yet even these rights of imposing slavery, questionable, nay, refutable
+as they are, we have not to authorise the bondage of the _Africans_. For
+neither do they consent to be our slaves, nor do we purchase them of
+their conquerors. The _British_ merchants obtain them from _Africa_ by
+violence, artifice, and treachery, with a few trinkets to prompt those
+unfortunate people to enslave one another by force or stratagem.
+Purchase them indeed they may, under the authority of an act of the
+British parliament. An act entailing upon the _Africans_, with whom we
+are not at war, and over whom a British parliament could not of right
+assume even a shadow of authority, the dreadful curse of perpetual
+slavery, upon them and their children for ever. _There cannot be in
+nature, there is not in all history, an instance in which every right of
+men is more flagrantly violated._ The laws of the antients never
+authorised the making slaves, but of those nations whom they had
+conquered; yet they were heathens, and we are christians. They were
+misled by a monstrous religion, divested of humanity, by a horrible and
+barbarous worship; we are directed by the unerring precepts of the
+revealed religion we possess, enlightened by its wisdom, and humanized
+by its benevolence; before them, were gods deformed with passions, and
+horrible for every cruelty and vice; before us, is that incomparable
+pattern of meekness, charity, love and justice to mankind, which so
+transcendently distinguished the Founder of christianity, and his ever
+amiable doctrines.
+
+Reader, remember that the corner stone of your religion, is to do unto
+others as you would they should do unto you; ask then your own heart,
+whether it would not abhor any one, as the most outrageous violater of
+that and every other principle of right, justice, and humanity, who
+should make a slave of you and your posterity for ever! Remember, that
+God knoweth the heart; lay not this flattering unction to your soul,
+that it is the custom of the country; that you found it so, that not
+your will; but your necessity, consents. Ah! think how little such an
+excuse will avail you in that aweful day, when your Saviour shall
+pronounce judgment on you for breaking a law too plain to be
+misunderstood, too sacred to be violated. If we say we are christians,
+yet act more inhumanly and unjustly than heathens, with what dreadful
+justice must this sentence of our blessed Saviour fall upon us, "_Not
+every one that saith unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of
+heaven, but he that doth the will of my Father which is in heaven."_
+Matth. vii. 21. Think a moment how much your temporal, your eternal
+welfare depends upon an abolition of a practice which deforms the image
+of your God, tramples on his revealed will, infringes the most sacred
+rights, and violates humanity.
+
+Enough, I hope, has been asserted, to prove that slavery is a violation
+of justice and religion. That it is dangerous to the safety of the state
+in which it prevails, may be as safely asserted.
+
+What one's own experience has not taught; that of others must decide.
+From hence does history derive its utility; for being, when truly
+written, a faithful record of the transactions of mankind, and the
+consequences that flowed from them, we are thence furnished with the
+means of judging what will be the probable effect of transactions,
+similar among ourselves.
+
+We learn then from history, that slavery, wherever encouraged, has
+sooner or later been productive of very dangerous commotions. I will not
+trouble my reader here with quotations in support of this assertion, but
+content myself with referring those, who may be dubious of its truth, to
+the histories of Athens, Lacedemon, Rome, and Spain.
+
+How long, how bloody and destructive was the contest between the Moorish
+slaves and the native Spaniards? and after almost deluges of blood had
+been shed, the Spaniards obtained nothing more than driving them into
+the mountains.--Less bloody indeed, though, not less alarming, have been
+the insurrections in Jamaica; and to imagine that we shall be for ever
+exempted from this calamity, which experience teaches us to be
+inseparable from slavery, so encouraged; is an infatuation as
+astonishing as it will be surely fatal:--&c. &c.
+
+
+EXTRACT
+
+
+OF A
+
+
+SERMON
+
+PREACHED BY THE
+
+BISHOP OF GLOUCESTER,
+
+
+Before the SOCIETY For the PROPAGATION of the GOSPEL, at the anniversary
+meeting on the 21st of _February_, 1766.
+
+From the free-savages, I now come (the last point I propose to consider)
+to the savages in bonds. By these I mean the vast multitudes yearly
+stolen from the opposite continent, and sacrificed by the colonists to
+their great idol, the GOD OF GAIN. But what then? say these sincere
+worshippers of _Mammon_; they are our own property which we offer up.
+Gracious God! to talk (as in herds of cattle) of property in rational
+creatures! creatures endowed with all our faculties; possessing all our
+qualities but that of colour; our brethren both by nature and grace,
+shocks all the feelings of humanity, and the dictates of common sense.
+But, alas! what is there in the infinite abuses of society which does
+not shock them? Yet nothing is more certain in itself, and apparent to
+all, than that the infamous traffic for slaves directly infringes both
+divine and human law. Nature created man free, and grace invites him to
+assert his freedom. In excuse of this violation, it hath been pretended,
+that though indeed these miserable out-casts of humanity be torn from
+their homes and native country by fraud and violence, yet they thereby
+become the happier, and their condition the more eligible. But who are
+You, who pretend to judge of another man's happiness? That state, which
+each man, under the guidance of his Maker, forms for himself, and not
+one man for another? To know what constitutes mine or your happiness, is
+the sole prerogative of Him who created us, and cast us in so various
+and different moulds. Did your slaves ever complain to you of their
+unhappiness amidst their native woods and deserts? Or, rather, let me
+ask, did they ever cease complaining of their condition under you their
+lordly masters? where they see, indeed, the accommodations of civil
+life, but see them all pass to others, themselves unbenefited by them.
+Be so gracious then, ye petty tyrants over human freedom, to let your
+slaves judge for themselves, what it is which makes their own happiness.
+And then see whether they do not place it in the return to their own
+country, rather than in the contemplation of your grandeur, of which
+their misery makes so large a part. A return so passionately longed for,
+that despairing of happiness here, that is, of escaping the chains of
+their cruel task-masters, they console themselves with feigning it to be
+the gracious reward of heaven in their future state, which I do not find
+their haughty masters have as yet concerned themselves to invade. The
+less hardy, indeed, wait for this felicity till over-wearied nature sets
+them free; but the more resolved have recourse even to self-violence, to
+force a speedier passage.
+
+But it will be still urged, that though what is called human happiness
+be of so fantastic a nature, that each man's imagination creates it for
+himself, yet human misery is more substantial and uniform throughout all
+the tribes of mankind. Now, from the worst of human miseries, the savage
+Africans, by these forced emigrations, are intirely secured; such as the
+being perpetually hunted down like beasts of prey or profit, by their
+more savage and powerful neighbours--In truth, a blessed change!--from
+being hunted to being caught. But who are they that have set on foot
+this general HUNTING? Are they not these very civilized violaters of
+humanity themselves? who tempt the weak appetites, and provoke the wild
+passions of the fiercer savages to prey upon the rest.
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+INDEX.
+
+
+
+
+A
+
+
+_Adanson_ (M.) his account of the country on the rivers _Senegal_ and
+_Gambia_, 14. Extraordinary fertility, _ibid._ Surprising vegetation,
+15. Beautiful aspect of the country, 16. Good disposition of the
+natives, _ibid._
+
+_Advertisements in the New-York Journal_, for the sale of slaves, 158.
+Also in the news-papers of _London_, 160.
+
+_Africa_, that part from whence the Negroe slaves are brought, how
+divided, 6. Capable of a considerable trade, 143.
+
+Alien (every) or stranger coming within the King's dominion, becomes a
+subject, 148.
+
+Antientest account of the Negroes, 41. Were then a simple innocent
+people, 43.
+
+_Angola_, a plentiful country, 39. Character of the natives, 40.
+Government, _ibid._
+
+
+
+B
+
+
+_Barbadoes_ (laws of) respecting Negroe slaves, 170.
+
+_Barbot (John)_ agent general of the _French African Company_, his
+account of the _Gold Coast_, 25. Of the _Slave Coast_, 27.
+
+_Bosman (William)_ principal factor for the _Dutch_ at _D'Elmina_, his
+account of the _Gold Coast_, 23. Of the _Slave Coast_, 27.
+
+_Brue (Andrew)_ principal factor of the _French African Company_, his
+account of the country on the river _Senegal_, 7. And on the river
+_Gambia_, 8.
+
+_Benin_ (kingdom of) good character of the natives, 35. Punishment of
+crimes, 36. Order of government, _ibid._ Largeness and order of the city
+of _Great Benin_, 37.
+
+_Britons_ (antient) in their original state no less barbarous than the
+_African_ Negroes, 68.
+
+_Baxter (Richard)_ his testimony against slavery, 83.
+
+
+
+C
+
+
+Corruption of some of the Kings of _Guinea_, 107.
+
+
+
+D
+
+
+_De la Casa_ (bishop of _Chapia_) his concern for the _Indians_, 47. His
+speech to _Charles_ the Fifth Emperor of _Germany_ and King of _Spain_,
+48. Prodigious destruction of the _Indians_ in _Hispaniola_, 51.
+
+_Divine principle_ in every man, its effects on those who obey its
+dictates, 14.
+
+
+
+E
+
+
+_Elizabeth_ (Queen) her caution to captain Hawkins not to enslave any of
+the Negroes, 55.
+
+_English_, their first trade on the coast of Guinea, 52.
+
+_Europeans_ are the principal cause of the wars which subsist amongst
+the Negroes, 61.
+
+_English_ laws allow no man, of what condition soever, to be deprived of
+his liberty, without a legal process, 150. The danger of confining any
+person without a warrant, 162.
+
+
+
+F
+
+
+Fishing, a considerable business on the Guinea coast, 26. How carried
+on, _ibid._
+
+_Foster (James)_ his testimony against slavery, 186.
+
+_Fuli_ Negroes good farmers, 10. Those on the _Gambia_ particularly
+recommended for their industry and good behaviour, _ibid._
+
+_France_ (King of) objects to the Negroes in his dominions being reduced
+to a state of slavery, 58.
+
+
+
+G
+
+
+_Gambia (river)_8, 14.
+
+_Gloucester_ (bishop of) extract of his sermon, 195.
+
+_Godwyn (Morgan)_ his plea in favour of the Negroes and Indians, 75.
+Complains of the cruelties exercised upon slaves, 76. A false opinion
+prevailed in his time, that the Negroes were not objects of redeeming
+grace, 77.
+
+_Gold Coast_ has several European factories, 22. Great trade for slaves,
+_ibid._ Carried on far in the inland country, _ibid._ Natives more
+reconciled to the Europeans, and more diligent in procuring slaves,
+_ibid._ Extraordinarily fruitful and agreeable, 22, 25. The natives
+industrious, 24.
+
+_Great Britain_, all persons during their residence there are the King's
+subjects, 148.
+
+_Guinea_ extraordinarily fertile, 2. Extremely unhealthy to the
+Europeans, 4. But agrees well with the natives, _ibid._ Prodigious
+rising of waters, _ibid._ Hot winds, _ibid._ Surprising vegetation, 15.
+
+
+
+H
+
+
+_Hawkins_ (captain) lands on the coast of Guinea and seizes on a number
+of the natives, which he sells to the Spaniards, 55.
+
+_Hottentots_ misrepresented by authors, 101. True account given of these
+people by Kolben, 102. Love of liberty and sloth their prevailing
+passions, 102. Distinguished by several virtues, 103. Firm in alliances,
+_ibid._ Offended at the vices predominant amongst christians, 104. Make
+nor keep no slaves, _ibid._
+
+_Hughes (Griffith)_ his account of the number of Negroes in Barbadoes,
+85. Speaks well of their natural capacities, 86.
+
+Husbandry of the Negroes carried on in common, 28.
+
+_Hutcheson (Francis)_ his declaration against slavery, 184.
+
+
+
+I
+
+
+_Jalof_ Negroes, their government, 9.
+
+_Indians_ grievously oppressed by the Spaniards, 47. Their cause pleaded
+by Bartholomew De la Casa, 48. Inland people, good account of them, 25.
+
+_Ivory Coast_ fertile, &c. 18. Natives falsely represented to be a
+treacherous people, _ibid._ Kind when well used, 19. Have no European
+factories amongst them, 21. And but few wars; therefore few slaves to be
+had there, 22.
+
+
+
+J
+
+
+Jury, Negroes tried and condemned without the solemnity of a jury, 174.
+Highly repugnant to the English constitution, 176. Dangerous to those
+concerned therein, _ibid._
+
+
+
+L
+
+
+Laws in Guinea severe against man-stealing, and other crimes, 106.
+
+
+
+M
+
+
+_Mandingoe_ Negroes a numerous nation, 11. Great traders, _ibid._
+Laborious, 11. Their government, 13. Their worship, _ibid_. Manner of
+tillage, _ibid._ At Galem they suffer none to be made slaves but
+criminals, 20.
+
+_Maloyans_ (a black people) sometimes sold amongst Negroes brought from
+very distant parts, 27.
+
+Markets regularly kept on the Gold and Slave Coasts, 30.
+
+_Montesquieu's_ sentiments on slavery, 72.
+
+_Moor (Francis)_ factor to the African company, his account of the
+slave-trade on the river Gambia, 111.
+
+Mosaic law merciful in its chastisements, 73. Has respect to human
+nature, _ibid._
+
+
+
+N
+
+
+National wars disapproved by the most considerate amongst the Negroes,
+110.
+
+_Negroes_ (in Guinea) generally a humane, sociable people, 2. Simplicity
+of their way of living, 5. Agreeable in conversation, 16. Sensible of
+the damage accruing to them from the slave-trade, 61. Misrepresented by
+most authors, 98. Offended at the brutality of the European factors,
+116. Shocking cruelties exercised on them by masters of vessels, 124.
+How many are yearly brought from Guinea by the English, 129. The numbers
+who die on the passage and in the seasoning, 120.
+
+_Negroe_ slaves (in the colonies) allowed to cohabit and separate at
+pleasure, 36. Great waste of them thro' hard usage in the islands, 86.
+Melancholy case of two of them, 136. Proposals for setting them free,
+129. Tried and condemned without the solemnity of a jury, 174.
+
+_Negroes_ (free) discouragement they met with, 133.
+
+
+
+P
+
+
+_Portugueze_ carry on a great trade for slaves at Angola, 40. Make the
+first incursions into Guinea, 44. From whence they carry off some of the
+natives, _ibid._ Beginners of the slave-trade, 46. Erect the first fort
+at D'Elmina, _ibid._
+
+
+
+R
+
+
+_Rome_ (the college of cardinals at) complain of the abuse offered to
+the Negroes in selling them for slaves, 58.
+
+
+
+S
+
+
+_Senegal_ (river) account of, 7, 14.
+
+Ship (account of one) blown up on the coast of Guinea with a number of
+Negroes on board, 125.
+
+Slave-trade, how carried on at the river Gambia, 111. And in other parts
+of Guinea, 113. At Whidah, 115.
+
+Slaves used with much more lenity in Algiers and in Turkey than in our
+colonies, 70. Likewise in Guinea, 71. Slavery more tolerable amongst the
+antient Pagans than in our colonies, 63. Declined, as christianity
+prevailed, 65. Early laws in France for its abolishment, 66. If put an
+end to, would make way for a very extensive trade through Africa, 143.
+The danger of slavery taking place in England, 164.
+
+_Sloane_ (Sir Hans) his account of the inhuman and extravagant
+punishments inflicted on Negroes, 89.
+
+_Smith (William)_ surveyor to the African company, his account of the
+Ivory Coast, 20. Of the Gold Coast, 24.
+
+
+
+V
+
+
+VIRGINIA (laws), respecting Negro slaves, 172. _Virginia_ (address to
+the assembly) setting forth the iniquity and danger of slavery, 189.
+
+
+
+W
+
+
+WALLACE (_George_) his testimony against slavery, 180.
+
+_West Indies_, white people able to perform the necessary work there,
+141.
+
+_Whidah_ (kingdom of) agreeable and fruitful, 27. Natives treat one
+another with respect, 29.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Some Historical Account of Guinea, Its
+Situation, Produce, and the General Disposition of Its Inhabitants, by Anthony Benezet
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+<!DOCTYPE html
+  PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/strict.dtd">
+<html lang="en">
+   <head>
+      <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1">
+
+      <title>Some historical account of Guinea ...,</title>
+      <meta name="author" content="Benezet, Anthony">
+      <meta name="generator" content="Text Encoding Initiative Consortium XSLT stylesheets">
+      <meta name="DC.Title" content="Some historical account of Guinea ...,">
+      <meta name="DC.Type" content="Text">
+      <meta name="DC.Format" content="text/html">
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+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Some Historical Account of Guinea, Its
+Situation, Produce, and the General Disposition of Its Inhabitants, by Anthony Benezet
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Some Historical Account of Guinea, Its Situation, Produce, and the General Disposition of Its Inhabitants
+       An Inquiry into the Rise and Progress of the Slave Trade, Its Nature and Lamentable Effects
+
+Author: Anthony Benezet
+
+Release Date: March 7, 2004 [EBook #11489]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF GUINEA ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Carlo Traverso, Amy Overmyer and PG Distributed Proofreaders
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+      <p><a name="TOP"></a></p>
+      <table summary="titlepage" class="header" width="100%">
+         <tr>
+            <td rowspan="3"></td>
+            <td align="left">
+               <h2 class="institution"></h2>
+            </td>
+         </tr>
+         <tr>
+            <td align="left">
+               <h1 class="maintitle">Some historical account of Guinea ...,</h1>
+            </td>
+         </tr>
+         <tr>
+            <td>&nbsp;</td>
+            <td align="left"> By Benezet, Anthony &nbsp; </td>
+         </tr>
+      </table>
+      <hr>
+      <div class="abstract">
+         <h2><a name="tp"></a>
+            SOME
+            <br><br><br><br>
+            HISTORICAL ACCOUNT
+            <br><br><br><br>
+            OF
+            <br><br><br><br>
+            GUINEA,
+            <br><br><br><br><br><br>
+            ITS
+            <br><br><br><br>
+            SITUATION, PRODUCE, and the general
+            <br><br>
+            DISPOSITION of its INHABITANTS.
+            <br><br><br><br>
+            WITH
+            <br><br><br><br>
+            An Inquiry into the RISE and PROGRESS
+            <br><br><br><br>
+            OF THE
+            <br><br><br><br>
+            SLAVE TRADE,
+            <br><br><br><br>
+            Its NATURE, and lamentable EFFECTS.
+            <br><br><br><br>
+            ALSO
+            <br><br><br><br>
+            A REPUBLICATION of the Sentiments of
+            several Authors of Note on this interesting
+            Subject: Particularly an Extract of a
+            Treatise written by GRANVILLE SHARPE.
+
+         </h2>
+         <p>
+            By ANTHONY BENEZET
+
+         </p>
+         <blockquote>
+            <p>
+               ACTS xvii. 24, 26. GOD, <em>that made the world hath
+                  made of</em> one blood <em>all nations of men, for to dwell on all
+                  the face of the earth, and hath determined the&#8212;bounds of
+                  their habitation.</em></p>
+         </blockquote>
+         <p>
+            PHILADELPHIA: Printed MDCCLXXI.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            LONDON: Re-printed MDCCLXXII.
+
+         </p>
+         <div class="teidiv">
+            <h3><a name="projectID3fb5dbc04143b-div-d0e102"></a></h3>
+            <ul>
+               <li><a name="d0e104"></a><a href="#Intro" class="ref">Introduction.</a><br><br></li>
+               <li><a name="d0e108"></a><a href="#I" class="ref">CHAPTER I.</a><p><i>A GENERAL account of</i> Guinea;
+                     <i>particularly those parts on the rivers</i> Senegal
+                     <i>and</i> Gambia.
+                  </p>
+               </li>
+               <li><a name="d0e121"></a><a href="#II" class="ref">CHAP. II.</a><p><i>Account of the</i> Ivory-Coast,
+                     <i>the</i> Gold-Coast <i>and the
+                        Slave-Coast</i>.
+                  </p>
+               </li>
+               <li><a name="d0e134"></a><a href="#III" class="ref">CHAP. III.</a><p><i>Of the kingdoms of</i> Benin, Kongo
+                     <i>and</i> Angola.
+                  </p>
+               </li>
+               <li><a name="d0e144"></a><a href="#IV" class="ref">CHAP. IV.</a><p>Guinea, <i>first discovered and subdued by the</i>
+                     Arabians. <i>The Portuguese make descents
+                        on the coast, and carry off the natives. Oppression
+                        of the</i> Indians: <i>De la Casa pleads
+                        their cause</i>.
+                  </p>
+               </li>
+               <li><a name="d0e158"></a><a href="#V" class="ref">CHAP. V.</a><p><i>The</i> English's <i>first
+                        trade to the coast of</i> Guinea: <i>Violently carry
+                        off some of the Negros.</i></p>
+               </li>
+               <li><a name="d0e170"></a><a href="#VI" class="ref">CHAP. VI.</a><p><i>Slavery more tolerable under</i> Pagans
+                     <i>and</i> Turks <i>than in the
+                        colonies. As christianity prevailed, ancient slavery
+                        declined</i>.
+                  </p>
+               </li>
+               <li><a name="d0e183"></a><a href="#VII" class="ref">CHAP. VII.</a><p>Montesquieu's <i>sentiments of slavery</i>. Morgan
+                     Godwyn's <i>advocacy on behalf of Negroes and
+                        Indians, &amp;c.</i></p>
+               </li>
+               <li><a name="d0e193"></a><a href="#VIII" class="ref">CHAP. VIII.</a><p><i>Grievous treatment of the Negroes in the
+                        colonies, &amp;c.</i></p>
+               </li>
+               <li><a name="d0e199"></a><a href="#IX" class="ref">CHAP. IX.</a><p><i>Desire of gain the true motive of the</i> Slave
+                     trade. <i>Misrepresentation of the state of the
+                        Negroes in Guinea</i>.
+                  </p>
+               </li>
+               <li><a name="d0e209"></a><a href="#X" class="ref">CHAP. X.</a><p><i>State of the Government in</i> Guinea,
+                     &amp;c.
+                  </p>
+               </li>
+               <li><a name="d0e216"></a><a href="#XI" class="ref">CHAP. XI.</a><p><i>Accounts of the cruel methods used in carrying on
+                        of the</i> Slave trade, &amp;c.
+                  </p>
+               </li>
+               <li><a name="d0e223"></a><a href="#XII" class="ref">CHAP. XII.</a><p><i>Extracts of several voyages to the coast of</i>
+                     Guinea, &amp;c.
+                  </p>
+               </li>
+               <li><a name="d0e230"></a><a href="#XIII" class="ref">CHAP. XIII.</a><p><i>Numbers of Negroes, yearly brought from</i>
+                     Guinea, <i>by the</i> English, &amp;c.
+                  </p>
+               </li>
+               <li><a name="d0e240"></a><a href="#XIV" class="ref">CHAP. XIV.</a><p><i>Observations on the situation and disposition of
+                        the Negroes in the northern colonies</i>, &amp;c.
+                  </p>
+               </li>
+               <li><a name="d0e247"></a><a href="#XV" class="ref">CHAP. XV.</a><p>Europeans <i>capable of bearing reasonable labour
+                        in the</i> West Indies, &amp;c.
+                  </p>
+               </li>
+               <li><a name="d0e255"></a><a href="#GSharp" class="ref"><i>Extracts from</i> Granville
+                     Sharp's <i>representations,</i> &amp;c.</a><br><br></li>
+               <li><a name="d0e264"></a><a href="#Extracts" class="ref"><i>Sentiments of several
+                        authors,</i> viz.</a> George Wallace, Francis Hutcheson,
+                  <i>and</i> James Foster.
+                  <br><br></li>
+               <li><a name="d0e274"></a><a href="#VA_Gaz" class="ref"><i>Extracts of an address to the
+                        assembly of</i> Virginia.</a><br><br></li>
+               <li><a name="d0e280"></a><a href="#B_of_Gloucester" class="ref"><i>Extract of the bishop
+                        of</i> Gloucester's <i>sermon</i>.</a><br><br></li>
+            </ul>
+         </div>
+      </div>
+      <div class="teidiv">
+         <h2><a name="Intro"></a>
+            INTRODUCTION.
+
+         </h2><a name="P_i"></a><p>The slavery of the Negroes
+            having, of late, drawn the
+            attention of many serious minded
+            people; several tracts have been
+            published setting forth its inconsistency
+            with every christian and moral
+            virtue, which it is hoped will
+            have weight with the judicious;
+            especially at a time when the liberties
+            of mankind are become so
+            much the subject of general attention.
+            For the satisfaction of the
+            serious enquirer who may not have
+            the opportunity of seeing those
+            tracts, and such others who are
+            sincerely desirous that the iniquity
+            of this practice may become effectually
+            apparent, to those in whose
+            <a name="P_ii"></a>
+            power, it may be to put a stop to
+            any farther progress therein; it is
+            proposed, hereby, to republish the
+            most material parts of said tracts;
+            and in order to enable the reader to
+            form a true judgment of this matter,
+            which, tho' so very important,
+            is generally disregarded, or so artfully
+            misrepresented by those whose
+            interest leads them to vindicate it,
+            as to bias the opinions of people
+            otherwise upright; some account
+            will be here given of the different
+            parts of Africa, from which
+            the Negroes are brought to America;
+            with an impartial relation
+            from what motives the Europeans
+            were first induced to undertake,
+            and have since continued this iniquitous
+            traffic. And here it will
+            not be improper to premise, that
+            <a name="P_iii"></a>
+            tho' wars, arising from the common
+            depravity of human nature, have
+            happened, as well among the Negroes
+            as other nations, and the weak
+            sometimes been made captives
+            to the strong; yet nothing appears,
+            in the various relations of
+            the intercourse and trade for a
+            long time carried on by the Europeans
+            on that coast, which
+            would induce us to believe, that
+            there is any real foundation for
+            that argument, so commonly advanced
+            in vindication of that trade,
+            viz. "<em>That the slavery of the Negroes
+               took its rise from a desire,
+               in the purchasers, to save the lives
+               of such of them as were taken captives
+               in war, who would otherwise
+               have been sacrificed to the implacable
+               revenge of their conquerors.</em>"
+            <a name="P_iv"></a>
+            A plea which when compared with
+            the history of those times, will appear
+            to be destitute of Truth;
+            and to have been advanced, and
+            urged, principally by such as were
+            concerned in reaping the gain of this
+            infamous traffic, as a palliation of
+            that, against which their own reason
+            and conscience must have raised
+            fearful objections.
+         </p>
+      </div>
+      <p><br><br><br><br><br><br>
+         SOME
+         <br><br><br><br>
+         HISTORICAL ACCOUNT
+         <br><br><br><br>
+         OF
+         <br><br><br><br>
+         GUINEA.
+
+      </p>
+      <p><br><br>
+         &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*
+         <br><br></p>
+      <p>
+         [Price 2s. 6d. stitched.]
+
+      </p>
+      <div class="teidiv">
+         <h2><a name="I"></a>
+            CHAP. I.
+
+         </h2><a name="P_1"></a><p>Guinea affords an easy living
+            to its inhabitants, with but little toil.
+            The climate agrees well with the natives,
+            but extremely unhealthful to the Europeans.
+            Produces provisions in the greatest
+            plenty. Simplicity of their housholdry.
+            The coast of Guinea described from the
+            river Senegal to the kingdom of Angola.
+            The fruitfulness of that part lying on
+            and between the two great rivers Senegal
+            and Gambia. Account of the different
+            nations settled there. Order of government
+            amongst the Jalofs. Good account of some
+            of the Fulis. The Mandingos; their management,
+            government, &amp;c. Their worship.
+            M. Adanson's account of those
+            countries. Surprizing vegetation. Pleasant
+            appearance of the country. He found
+            the natives very sociable and obliging.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>When the Negroes are considered
+            barely in their present abject state
+            of slavery, broken-spirited and dejected;
+            <a name="P_2"></a>
+            and too easy credit is given to the accounts
+            we frequently hear or read of their barbarous
+            and savage way of living in their own
+            country; we shall be naturally induced to
+            look upon them as incapable of improvement,
+            destitute, miserable, and insensible of
+            the benefits of life; and that our permitting
+            them to live amongst us, even on the most
+            oppressive terms, is to them a favour. But,
+            on impartial enquiry, the case will appear to
+            be far otherwise; we shall find that there is
+            scarce a country in the whole world, that
+            is better calculated for affording the necessary
+            comforts of life to its inhabitants, with less
+            solicitude and toil, than Guinea. And that
+            notwithstanding the long converse of many
+            of its inhabitants with (often) the worst of
+            the Europeans, they still retain a great deal
+            of innocent simplicity; and, when not stirred
+            up to revenge from the frequent abuses they
+            have received from the Europeans in general,
+            manifest themselves to be a humane, sociable
+            people, whose faculties are as capable of improvement
+            as those of other Men; and
+            that their oeconomy and government is, in
+            many respects, commendable. Hence it appears
+            they might have lived happy, if not
+            disturbed by the Europeans; more especially,
+            if these last had used such endeavours as their
+            christian profession requires, to communicate
+            to the ignorant Africans that superior
+            <a name="P_3"></a>
+            knowledge which Providence had favoured
+            them with. In order to set this matter in
+            its true light, and for the information of
+            those well-minded people who are desirous
+            of being fully acquainted with the merits of
+            a cause, which is of the utmost consequence;
+            as therein the lives and happiness of thousands,
+            and hundreds of thousands, of our fellow <em>Men</em>
+            have fallen, and are daily falling, a
+            sacrifice to selfish avarice and usurped power,
+            I will here give some account of the several
+            divisions of those parts of Africa from
+            whence the Negroes are brought, with a
+            summary of their produce; the disposition
+            of their respective inhabitants; their improvements,
+            &amp;c. &amp;c. extracted from authors
+            of credit; mostly such as have been principal
+            officers in the English, French and Dutch
+            factories, and who resided many years in
+            those countries. But first it is necessary to
+            premise, as a remark generally applicable to
+            the whole coast of Guinea, "<em>That the Almighty,
+               who has determined and appointed the
+               bounds of the habitation of men on the face of
+               the earth</em>" in the manner that is most conducive
+            to the well-being of their different
+            natures and dispositions, has so ordered it,
+            that altho' Guinea is extremely
+            unhealthy<a class="notelink" href="#NoteI_FN1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootI_FN1"></a> to
+            <a name="P_4"></a>
+            the Europeans, of whom many thousands
+            have met there with a miserable and
+            <a name="P_5"></a>
+            untimely end, yet it is not so with the
+            Negroes, who enjoy a good state of health<a class="notelink" href="#NoteI_FN2"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootI_FN2"></a> and
+            are able to procure to themselves a comfortable
+            subsistence, with much less care and toil
+            than is necessary in our more northern climate;
+            which last advantage arises not only
+            from the warmth of the climate, but also
+            from the overflowing of the rivers, whereby
+            the land is regularly moistened and rendered
+            extremely fertile; and being in many
+            places improved by culture, abounds with
+            grain and fruits, cattle, poultry, &amp;c. The
+            earth yields all the year a fresh supply of
+            food: Few clothes are requisite, and little art
+            necessary in making them, or in the
+            construction of their houses, which are very
+            <a name="P_6"></a>
+            simple, principally calculated to defend them
+            from the tempestuous seasons and wild
+            beasts; a few dry reeds covered with matts
+            serve for their beds. The other furniture,
+            except what belongs to cookery, gives the
+            women but little trouble; the moveables of
+            the greatest among them amounting only to
+            a few earthen pots, some wooden utensils,
+            and gourds or calabashes; from these last,
+            which grow almost naturally over their huts,
+            to which they afford an agreeable shade,
+            they are abundantly stocked with good clean
+            vessels for most houshold uses, being of different
+            sizes, from half a pint to several gallons.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteI_FN1"></a><a href="#FootI_FN1">A</a>: <i>Gentleman's
+               Magazine, Supplement, 1763. Extract of a
+               letter wrote from the island of Senegal, by Mr. Boone,
+               practitioner of physic there, to Dr. Brocklesby of London.</i></p>
+         <p><a name="NoteI_FN2"></a><a href="#FootI_FN2">B</a>: James Barbot,
+            agent general to the French African
+            company, in his account of Africa, page 105,
+            says, "The natives are seldom troubled with any
+            distempers, being little affected with the unhealthy
+            air. In tempestuous times they keep much within
+            doors; and when exposed to the weather, their skins
+            being suppled, and pores closed by daily anointing
+            with palm oil, the weather can make but little impression
+            on them."
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            That part of Africa from which the Negroes
+            are sold to be carried into slavery,
+            commonly known by the name of Guinea,
+            extends along the coast three or four thousand
+            miles. Beginning at the river Senegal, situate
+            about the 17th degree of North latitude,
+            being the nearest part of Guinea, as well to
+            Europe as to North America; from thence
+            to the river Gambia, and in a southerly course
+            to Cape Sierra Leona, comprehends a coast
+            of about seven hundred miles; being the
+            same tract for which Queen Elizabeth granted
+            charters to the first traders to that coast:
+            from Sierra Leona, the land of Guinea
+            takes a turn to the eastward, extending
+            that course about fifteen hundred miles, including
+            <a name="P_7"></a>
+            those several civilians known by
+            name of <i>the Grain Coast, the Ivory Coast, the
+               Gold Coast, and the Slave Coast, with the large
+               kingdom of Benin</i>. From thence the land runs
+            southward along the coast about twelve
+            hundred miles, which contains the <i>kingdoms
+               of Congo and Angola</i>; there the trade for slaves
+            ends. From which to the southermost Cape
+            of Africa, called the Cape of Good Hope,
+            the country is settled by Caffres and Hottentots,
+            who have never been concerned in the
+            making or selling slaves.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Of the parts which are above described,
+            the first which presents itself to view, is that
+            situate on the great river Senegal, which is
+            said to be navigable more than a thousand
+            miles, and is by travellers described to be
+            very agreeable and fruitful. Andrew Brue,
+            principal factor for the French African company,
+            who lived sixteen years in that country,
+            after describing its fruitfulness and
+            plenty, near the sea, adds,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteI_FN3"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootI_FN3"></a> "The farther
+            you go from the sea, the country on the
+            river seems the more fruitful and well improved;
+            abounding with Indian corn,
+            pulse, fruit, &amp;c. Here are vast meadows,
+            which feed large herds of great and small
+            cattle, and poultry numerous: The villages
+            that lie thick on the river, shew the
+            country is well peopled." The same author,
+            <a name="P_8"></a>
+            in the account of a voyage he made up
+            the river Gambia, the mouth of which lies
+            about three hundred miles South of the Senegal,
+            and is navigable about six hundred
+            miles up the country, says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteI_FN4"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootI_FN4"></a> "That he was
+            surprized to see the land so well cultivated;
+            scarce a spot lay unimproved; the
+            low lands, divided by small canals, were
+            all formed with rice, &amp;c. the higher ground
+            planted with millet, Indian corn, and
+            pease of different sorts; their beef excellent;
+            poultry plenty, and very cheap, as
+            well as all other necessaries of life." Francis
+            Moor, who was sent from England about
+            the year 1735, in the service of the African
+            company, and resided at James Fort, on the
+            river Gambia, or in other factories on that
+            river, about five years, confirms the above
+            account of the fruitfulness of the country.
+            William Smith, who was sent in the year
+            1726, by the African company, to survey their
+            settlements throughout the whole coast of
+            Guinea<a class="notelink" href="#NoteI_FN5"><sup>C</sup></a><a name="FootI_FN5"></a> says, "The country about the
+            Gambia is pleasant and fruitful; provisions
+            of all kinds being plenty and exceeding
+            cheap." The country on and between
+            the two above-mentioned rivers is large and
+            extensive, inhabited principally by those
+            three Negro nations known by the name of
+            Jalofs, Fulis, and Mandingos. The Jalofs
+            <a name="P_9"></a>
+            possess the middle of the country. The Fulis
+            principal settlement is on both sides of the
+            Senegal; great numbers of these people are
+            also mixed with the Mandingos; which last
+            are mostly settled on both sides the Gambia.
+            The government of the Jalofs is represented
+            as under a better regulation than can be expected
+            from the common opinion we entertain
+            of the Negroes. We are told in the Collection,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteI_FN6"><sup>D</sup></a><a name="FootI_FN6"></a> "That the King has under him several
+            ministers of state, who assist him in the
+            exercise of justice. <em>The grand Jerafo</em> is the
+            chief justice thro' all the King's dominions,
+            and goes in circuit from time to time to hear
+            complaints, and determine controversies.
+            <em>The King's treasurer</em> exercises the same employment,
+            and has under him Alkairs, who
+            are governors of towns or villages.
+            That the <i>Kondi</i>, or
+            <i>Viceroy</i>, goes the circuit
+            with the chief justice, both to hear causes,
+            and inspect into the behaviour of the <i>Alkadi</i>,
+            or chief magistrate of every village in
+            their several
+            districts<a class="notelink" href="#NoteI_FN7"><sup>E</sup></a><a name="FootI_FN7"></a>." <i>Vasconcelas</i>,
+            an author mentioned in the collection, says,
+            "The ancientest are preferred to be the
+            <em>Prince's counsellors</em>, who keep always
+            about his person; and the men of most
+            judgment and experience are the judges."
+            <a name="P_10"></a><i>The Fulis</i> are settled on both sides of the
+            river <i>Senegal</i>: Their country, which is very
+            fruitful and populous, extends near four
+            hundred miles from East to West. They are
+            generally of a deep tawny complexion, appearing
+            to bear some affinity with the Moors,
+            whose country they join on the North.
+            They are good farmers, and make great harvest
+            of corn, cotton, tobacco, &amp;c. and breed
+            great numbers of cattle of all kinds. <i>Bartholomew
+               Stibbs</i>, (mentioned by <i>Fr. Moor</i>) in his
+            account of that country says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteI_FN8"><sup>F</sup></a><a name="FootI_FN8"></a> "<em>They were
+               a cleanly, decent, industrious people, and very
+               affable</em>." But the most particular account
+            we have, of these people, is from <i>Francis
+               Moor</i> himself, who says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteI_FN9"><sup>G</sup></a><a name="FootI_FN9"></a> "Some of these
+            Fuli blacks who dwell on both sides the
+            river Gambia, are in subjection to the
+            Mandingos, amongst whom they dwell,
+            having been probably driven out of their
+            country by war or famine. They have
+            chiefs of their own, who rule with much
+            moderation. Few of them will drink brandy,
+            or any thing stronger than water and
+            sugar, being strict Mahometans. Their
+            form of government goes on easy, because
+            the people are of a good quiet disposition,
+            and so well instructed in what is
+            <a name="P_11"></a>
+            right, that a man who does ill, is the abomination
+            of all, and, none will support
+            him against the chief. In these countries,
+            the natives are not covetous of land,
+            desiring no more than what they use; and
+            as they do not plough with horses and
+            cattle, they can use but very little, therefore
+            the Kings are willing to give the
+            Fulis leave to live in their country, and
+            cultivate their lands. If any of their
+            people are known to be made slaves, all
+            the Fulis will join to redeem them; they
+            also support the old, the blind, and lame,
+            amongst themselves; and as far as their
+            abilities go, they supply the necessities of
+            the Mandingos, great numbers of whom
+            they have maintained in famine." <em>The
+               author</em>, from his own observations, says,
+            "They were rarely angry, and that he never
+            heard them abuse one another."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteI_FN3"></a><a href="#FootI_FN3">A</a>: Astley's collect. vol. 2.
+            page 46.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteI_FN4"></a><a href="#FootI_FN4">B</a>: Astley's collection of
+            voyages, vol. 2, page 86.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteI_FN5"></a><a href="#FootI_FN5">C</a>: William Smith's voyage to Guinea, page 31,
+            34.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteI_FN6"></a><a href="#FootI_FN6">D</a>: Astley's
+            collection, vol. 2, page 358.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteI_FN7"></a><a href="#FootI_FN7">E</a>: Idem. 259.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteI_FN8"></a><a href="#FootI_FN8">F</a>: Moor's travels into
+            distant parts of Africa, page 198.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteI_FN9"></a><a href="#FootI_FN9">G</a>: Ibid, page
+            21.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><i>The Mandingos</i> are said by
+            <i>A. Brue</i> before
+            mentioned, "To be the most numerous
+            nation on the Gambia, besides which,
+            numbers of them are dispersed over all
+            these countries; being the most rigid Mahometans
+            amongst the Negroes, they drink
+            neither wine nor brandy, and are politer
+            than the other Negroes. The chief of the
+            trade goes through their hands. Many are
+            industrious and laborious, keeping their
+            ground well cultivated, and breeding a
+            <a name="P_12"></a>
+            good stock of cattle.<a class="notelink" href="#NoteI_FN10"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootI_FN10"></a> Every town has
+            an <i>Alkadi</i>, or <i>Governor</i>,
+            who has great power; for most of them having two
+            common fields of clear ground, one for
+            corn, and the other for rice, <i>the Alkadi</i>
+            appoints the labour of all the people.
+            The men work the corn ground, and
+            the women and girls the rice ground;
+            and as they all equally labour, so he
+            equally divides the corn amongst them;
+            and in case they are in want, the others
+            supply them. This Alkadi decides all
+            quarrels, and has the first voice in all
+            conferences in town affairs." Some of
+            these Mandingos who are settled at Galem,
+            far up the river Senegal, can read and write
+            Arabic tolerably, and are a good hospitable
+            people, who carry on a trade with the inland
+            nations."<a class="notelink" href="#NoteI_FN11"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootI_FN11"></a> They are extremely populous
+            in those parts, their women being
+            fruitful, and they not suffering any
+            person amongst them, but such as are
+            guilty of crimes, to be made slaves." We
+            are told from Jobson,"<a class="notelink" href="#NoteI_FN12"><sup>C</sup></a><a name="FootI_FN12"></a> That the
+            Mahometan Negroes say their prayers thrice a day.
+            Each village has a priest who calls them to
+            their duty. It is surprizing (says the author)
+            as well as commendable, to see the modesty,
+            <a name="P_13"></a>
+            attention, and reverence they observe during
+            their worship. He asked some of their
+            priests the purport of their prayers and ceremonies;
+            their answer always was, <em>That
+               they adored God by prostrating themselves before
+               him; that by humbling themselves, they
+               acknowledged their own insignificancy, and
+               farther intreated him to forgive their faults,
+               and to grant them all good and necessary things
+               as well as deliverance from evil."</em> Jobson
+            takes notice of several good qualities in these
+            Negroe priests, particularly their great sobriety.
+            They gain their livelihood by keeping
+            school for the education of the children.
+            The boys are taught to read and write.
+            They not only teach school, but rove about
+            the country, teaching and instructing, for
+            which the whole country is open to them;
+            and they have a free course through all
+            places, though the Kings may be at war with
+            one another.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteI_FN10"></a><a href="#FootI_FN10">A</a>: Astley's collect. vol. 2, page
+            269.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteI_FN11"></a><a href="#FootI_FN11">B</a>: Astley's collect. vol. 2, page
+            73.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteI_FN12"></a><a href="#FootI_FN12">C</a>: Ibid, 296.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            The three fore-mentioned nations practise
+            several trades, as smiths, potters, sadlers, and
+            weavers. Their smiths particularly work
+            neatly in gold and silver, and make knifes,
+            hatchets, reaping hooks, spades and shares
+            to cut iron, &amp;c. &amp;c. Their potters make
+            neat tobacco pipes, and pots to boil their
+            food. Some authors say that weaving is
+            their principal trade; this is done by the
+            women and girls, who spin and weave very
+            <a name="P_14"></a>
+            fine cotton cloth, which they dye blue or
+            black.<a class="notelink" href="#NoteI_FN13"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootI_FN13"></a> F. Moor says, the Jalofs
+            particularly make great quantities of the cotton
+            cloth; their pieces are generally twenty-seven
+            yards long, and about nine inches broad,
+            their looms being very narrow; these they
+            sew neatly together, so as to supply the use
+            of broad cloth.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteI_FN13"></a><a href="#FootI_FN13">A</a>: F. Moor, 28.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            It was in these parts of Guinea, that M.
+            Adanson, correspondent of the Royal Academy
+            of Sciences at Paris, mentioned in
+            some former publications, was employed
+            from the year 1749, to the year 1753, wholly
+            in making <i>natural</i> and
+            <i>philosophical</i> observations
+            on the country about the rivers
+            Senegal and Gambia. Speaking of the great
+            heats in Senegal, he says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteI_FN14"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootI_FN14"></a> "It is to them
+            that they are partly indebted for the fertility
+            of their lands; which is so great,
+            that, with little labour and care, there
+            is no fruit nor grain but grow in great
+            plenty."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteI_FN14"></a><a href="#FootI_FN14">A</a>: M. Adanson's voyage to
+            Senegal, &amp;c, page 308.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            Of the soil on the Gambia, he
+            says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteI_FN15"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootI_FN15"></a> "It
+            is rich and deep, and amazingly fertile;
+            it produces spontaneously, and almost
+            without cultivation, all the necessaries of
+            life, grain, fruit, herbs, and roots.
+            <a name="P_15"></a>
+            Every thing matures to perfection, and is
+            excellent in its kind."<a class="notelink" href="#NoteI_FN16"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootI_FN16"></a> One thing,
+            which always surprized him, was the prodigious
+            rapidity with which the sap of trees
+            repairs any loss they may happen to sustain in
+            that country: "And I was never," says he,
+            "more astonished, than when landing four
+            days after the locusts had devoured
+            all the fruits and leaves, and even the
+            buds of the trees, to find the trees covered
+            with new leaves, and they did not
+            seem to me to have suffered much."<a class="notelink" href="#NoteI_FN17"><sup>C</sup></a><a name="FootI_FN17"></a> "It
+            was then," says the same author; "the
+            fish season; you might see them in shoals
+            approaching towards land. Some of those
+            shoals were fifty fathom square, and the
+            fish crowded together in such a manner,
+            as to roll upon one another, without being
+            able to swim. As soon as the Negroes
+            perceive them coming towards land, they
+            jump into the water with a basket in one
+            hand, and swim with the other. They
+            need only to plunge and to lift up their
+            basket, and they are sure to return loaded
+            with fish." Speaking of the appearance
+            of the country, and of the disposition of
+            the people, he says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteI_FN18"><sup>D</sup></a><a name="FootI_FN18"></a> "Which way
+            soever I turned mine eyes on this pleasant spot,
+            I beheld a perfect image of pure nature;
+            <a name="P_16"></a>
+            an agreeable solitude, bounded on every
+            side by charming landscapes; the rural
+            situation of cottages in the midst of trees;
+            the ease and indolence of the Negroes,
+            reclined under the shade of their spreading
+            foliage; the simplicity of their dress and
+            manners; the whole revived in my mind
+            the idea of our first parents, and I seemed
+            to contemplate the world in its primitive
+            state. They are, generally speaking, very
+            good-natured, sociable, and obliging. I
+            was not a little pleased with this my first
+            reception; it convinced me, that there
+            ought to be a considerable abatement
+            made in the accounts I had read and heard
+            every where of the savage character of the
+            Africans. I observed both in Negroes and
+            Moors, great humanity and sociableness,
+            which gave me strong hopes that I should
+            be very safe amongst them, and meet with
+            the success I desired in my enquiries after
+            the curiosities of the country."<a class="notelink" href="#NoteI_FN19"><sup>E</sup></a><a name="FootI_FN19"></a> He
+            was agreeably amused with the conversation
+            of the Negroes, their <i>fables, dialogues</i>, and
+            <i>witty stories</i> with which they entertain each
+            other alternately, according to their custom.
+            Speaking of the remarks which the natives
+            made to him, with relation to the <i>stars</i> and
+            <i>planets</i>, he says, "It is amazing, that such
+            <a name="P_17"></a>
+            a rude and illiterate people, should reason
+            so pertinently in regard to those heavenly
+            bodies; there is no manner of doubt, but
+            that with proper instruments, and a good
+            will, they would become <i>excellent astronomers</i>."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteI_FN15"></a><a href="#FootI_FN15">A</a>: Idem, page 164.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteI_FN16"></a><a href="#FootI_FN16">B</a>: M. Adanson, page
+            161.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteI_FN17"></a><a href="#FootI_FN17">C</a>: Idem, page
+            171.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteI_FN18"></a><a href="#FootI_FN18">D</a>: Ibid, page 54.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteI_FN19"></a><a href="#FootI_FN19">E</a>: Adanson, page 252,
+            ibid.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+      </div>
+      <div class="teidiv">
+         <h2><a name="II"></a>
+            CHAP. II
+
+         </h2>
+         <p><i>The Ivory Coast</i>; its soil and produce.
+            The character of the <i>natives</i> misrepresented
+            by some authors. These misrepresentations
+            occasioned by <i>the Europeans</i>
+            having treacherously carried off many of
+            their people. <i>John Smith, surveyor to the
+               African company</i>, his observations thereon.
+            <i>John Snock's</i> remarks.
+            <i>The Gold Coast</i>
+            and <i>Slave Coast</i>, these have the most
+            <i>European
+               factories</i>, and furnish the greatest
+            number of slaves to <i>the Europeans</i>. Exceeding
+            fertile. The country of <i>Axim</i>,
+            and of <i>Ante</i>. Good account of the
+            <i>inland people</i> Great fishery. Extraordinary trade
+            for slaves. <i>The Slave Coast. The kingdom
+               of Whidah</i>. Fruitful and pleasant. The
+            natives kind and obliging. Very populous.
+            Keep regular markets and fairs.
+            Good order therein. Murder, adultery, and
+            theft severely punished. The King's revenues.
+            <a name="P_18"></a>
+            The principal people have an idea
+            of the true God. Commendable care of
+            the poor. Several small governments depend
+            on <i>plunder</i> and the
+            <i>slave</i> trade.
+         </p>
+         <p>That part of Guinea known by the
+            name of the <i>Grain</i>, and
+            <i>Ivory Coast,</i>
+            comes next in course. This coast extends
+            about five hundred miles. The soil appears
+            by account, to be in general fertile, producing
+            abundance of rice and roots; indigo and
+            cotton thrive without cultivation, and tobacco
+            would be excellent, if carefully manufactured;
+            they have fish in plenty; their flocks
+            greatly increase, and their trees are loaded
+            with fruit. They make a cotton cloth,
+            which sells well on the Coast. In a word, the
+            country is rich, and the commerce advantageous,
+            and might be greatly augmented by
+            such as would cultivate the friendship of the
+            natives. These are represented by some writers
+            as a rude, <em>treacherous people</em>, whilst several
+            other <i>authors</i> of credit give them a very
+            different character, representing them as
+            <em>sensible, courteous and the fairest traders on the
+               coast of Guinea</em>. In the Collection, they are
+            said<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN1"></a> to be averse
+            to drinking to excess, and
+            such as do, are severely punished by the King's
+            <a name="P_19"></a>
+            order: On enquiry why there is such a disagreement
+            in the character given of these
+            people, it appears, that though they are naturally
+            inclined to be <em>kind to strangers</em>, with
+            whom they are <em>fond</em> of <em>trading</em>, yet the
+            <em>frequent injuries</em> done them by Europeans, have
+            occasioned their being <em>suspicious and shy</em>. The
+            same cause has been the occasion of the ill
+            treatment they have sometimes given to innocent
+            strangers, who have attempted to trade
+            with them. As the Europeans have no settlement
+            on this part of Guinea, the trade is
+            carried on by signals from the ships, on the
+            appearance of which the natives usually
+            come on board in their canoes, bringing
+            their gold-dust, ivory, &amp;c. which has given
+            opportunity to some villainous Europeans to
+            carry them off with their effects, or retain
+            them on board till a ransom is paid. It is
+            noted by some, that since the European voyagers
+            have carried away several of these
+            people, their mistrust is so great, that it is
+            very difficult to prevail on them to come on
+            board. <i>William Smith</i>
+            remarks,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN2"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN2"></a> "As we past
+            along this coast, we very often lay before
+            a town, and fired a gun for the natives
+            to come off, but no soul came
+            near us; at length we learnt by some
+            ships that were trading down the coast,
+            <a name="P_20"></a>
+            that the natives came seldom on board
+            an English ship, for fear of being detained
+            or carried off; yet last some
+            ventured on board, but if those chanced
+            to spy any arms, they would all immediately
+            take to their canoes, and make the
+            best of their way home. They had then
+            in their possession one <i>Benjamin Cross</i> the
+            mate of an English vessel, who was detained
+            by them to make reprisals for
+            some of their men, who had formerly
+            been carried away by some English vessel."
+            In the Collection we are told,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN3"><sup>C</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN3"></a><em>This villainous
+               custom is too often practised, chiefly by the
+               Bristol and Liverpool ships, and is a great detriment
+               to the slave trade on the windward
+               coast. John Snock, mentioned in Bosman</em><a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN4"><sup>D</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN4"></a> when
+            on that coast, wrote, "We cast anchor, but
+            not one Negro coming on board, I went on
+            shore, and after having staid a while on
+            the strand, some Negroes came to me; and
+            being desirous to be informed why they
+            did not come on board, I was answered
+            that about two months before, the English
+            had been there with two large vessels,
+            and had ravaged the country, destroyed
+            all their canoes, plundered their houses,
+            and carried off some of their people, upon
+            <a name="P_21"></a>
+            which the remainder fled to the inland
+            country, where most of them were
+            that time; so that there being not much
+            to be done by us, we were obliged to
+            return on board.<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN5"><sup>E</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN5"></a> When I enquired
+            after their wars with other countries,
+            they told me they were not often troubled
+            with them; but if any difference happened,
+            they chose rather to end the dispute
+            amicably, than to come to arms."<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN6"><sup>F</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN6"></a> He found the inhabitants civil and good-natured.
+            Speaking of the <i>King of Rio Seftr&eacute;</i>
+            lower down the coast, he says, "He was a
+            very agreeable, obliging man, and that
+            all his subjects are civil, as well as very
+            laborious in agriculture, and the pursuits
+            of trade," <i>Marchais</i>
+            says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN7"><sup>G</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN7"></a> "That
+            though the country is very populous,
+            yet none of the natives (except criminals)
+            are sold for slaves." <i>Vaillant</i> never
+            heard of any settlement being made by
+            the Europeans on this part of <i>Guinea</i>; and
+            <i>Smith</i>
+            remarks,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN8"><sup>H</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN8"></a> "That these coasts, which
+            are divided into several little kingdoms,
+            and have seldom any wars, is the reason
+            the slave trade is not so good here as on
+            <i>the Gold and Slave Coast</i>, where the Europeans
+            <a name="P_22"></a>
+            have several forts and factories."
+            A plain evidence this, that it is the intercourse
+            with the Europeans, and their settlements
+            on the coast, which gives life to the
+            slave trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN1"></a><a href="#FootII_FN1">A</a>: Collection, vol. 2, page 560.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN2"></a><a href="#FootII_FN2">B</a>: W. Smith, page 111.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN3"></a><a href="#FootII_FN3">C</a>: Astley's collection,
+            vol. 2, page 475.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN4"></a><a href="#FootII_FN4">D</a>: W.
+            Bosman's description of Guinea, page 440.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN5"></a><a href="#FootII_FN5">E</a>: W. Bosman's description of
+            Guinea, page 429.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN6"></a><a href="#FootII_FN6">F</a>: Ibid,
+            441.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN7"></a><a href="#FootII_FN7">G</a>: Astley's collection, Vol. 2, page
+            565.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN8"></a><a href="#FootII_FN8">H</a>: Smith's voyage to Guinea, page
+            112.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            Next adjoining to the <i>Ivory Coast</i>, are
+            those called the <i>Gold Coast</i>, and the
+            <i>Slave Coast</i>; authors are not agreed about
+            their bounds, but their extent together along the
+            coast may be about five hundred miles. And
+            as the policy, produce, and oeconomy of these
+            two kingdoms of Guinea are much the same,
+            I shall describe them together.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Here the Europeans have the greatest number
+            of forts and factories, from whence, by
+            means of the Negro sailors, a trade is carried
+            on above seven hundred miles back
+            in the inland country; whereby great numbers
+            of slaves are procured, as well by means
+            of the wars which arise amongst the Negroes,
+            or are fomented by the Europeans, as those
+            brought from the back country. Here we
+            find the natives <em>more reconciled to the European
+               manners and trade</em>; but, at the same
+            time, <em>much more inured to war</em>, and ready to
+            assist the European traders in procuring
+            loadings for the great number of vessels
+            which come yearly on those coasts for slaves.
+            This part of Guinea is agreed by historians
+            to be, in general, <em>extraordinary fruitful
+               and agreeable</em>; producing (according to the
+            <a name="P_23"></a>
+            difference of the soil) vast quantities of rice
+            and other grain; plenty of fruit and
+            roots; palm wine and oil, and fish in great
+            abundance, with much tame and wild cattle.
+            Bosman, principal factor for the Dutch at
+            D'Elmina, speaking of the country of Axim,
+            which is situate towards the beginning of the
+            Gold Coast, says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN9"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN9"></a> "The Negro inhabitants
+            are generally very rich, driving a
+            great trade with the Europeans for gold.
+            That they are industriously employed
+            either in trade, fishing, or agriculture;
+            but chiefly in the culture of rice, which
+            grows here in an incredible abundance,
+            and is transported hence all over the
+            Gold Coast. The inhabitants, in lieu,
+            returning full fraught with millet, jamms,
+            potatoes, and palm oil." The same author
+            speaking of the country of Ante, says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN10"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN10"></a> "This country, as well as the Gold Coast,
+            abounds with hills, enriched with extraordinary
+            high and beautiful trees; its
+            valleys, betwixt the hills, are wide and
+            extensive, producing in great abundance
+            very good rice, millet, jamms, potatoes,
+            and other fruits, all good in their kind."
+            He adds, "In short, it is a land that yields
+            its manurers as plentiful a crop as they can
+            wish, with great quantities of palm wine and
+            <a name="P_24"></a>
+            oil, besides being well furnished with all
+            sorts of tame, as well as wild beasts; but
+            that the last fatal wars had reduced it to
+            a miserable condition, and stripped it of
+            most of its inhabitants." The adjoining
+            country of Fetu, he says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN11"><sup>C</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN11"></a> "was formerly
+            so powerful and populous, that it struck
+            terror into all the neighbouring nations;
+            but it is at present so drained by continual
+            wars, that it is entirely ruined; there
+            does not remain inhabitants sufficient to
+            till the country, tho' it is so fruitful and
+            pleasant that it may be compared to the
+            country of Ante just before described;
+            frequently, says that author, when walking
+            through it before the last war, I have
+            seen it abound with fine well built and populous
+            towns, agreeably enriched with
+            vast quantities of corn, cattle, palm wine,
+            and oil. The inhabitants all applying
+            themselves without any distinction to agriculture;
+            some sow corn, others press oil,
+            and draw wine from palm trees, with both
+            which it is plentifully stored."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN9"></a><a href="#FootII_FN9">A</a>: Bosman's description of the coast of
+            Guinea, p, 5.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN10"></a><a href="#FootII_FN10">B</a>: Idem,
+            page 14.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN11"></a><a href="#FootII_FN11">C</a>: Bosman, page
+            41.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            William Smith gives much the same account
+            of the before-mentioned parts of the
+            Gold Coast, and adds, "The country about
+            D'Elmina and Cape Coast, is much
+            the same for beauty and goodness, but
+            more populous; and the nearer we come
+            <a name="P_25"></a>
+            towards the Slave Coast, the more delightful
+            and rich all the countries are,
+            producing all sorts of trees, fruits, roots,
+            and herbs, that grow within the Torrid
+            Zone." J. Barbot also remarks,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN12"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN12"></a> with
+            respect to the countries of Ante and Adom,
+            "That the soil is very good and fruitful
+            in corn and other produce, which it
+            affords in such plenty, that besides what
+            serves for their own use, they always export
+            great quantities for sale; they have
+            a competent number of cattle, both tame
+            and wild, and the rivers abundantly stored
+            with fish, so that nothing is wanting for
+            the support of life, and to make it easy."
+            In the Collection it is said,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN13"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN13"></a> "That the inland
+            people on that part of the coast,
+            employ themselves in tillage and trade,
+            and supply the market with corn, fruit,
+            and palm wine; the country producing
+            such vast plenty of Indian corn, that abundance
+            is daily exported, as well by Europeans
+            as Blacks resorting thither from
+            other parts." "These inland people
+            are said to live in great union and friendship,
+            being generally well tempered,
+            civil, and tractable; not apt to shed
+            human blood, except when much provoked,
+            and ready to assist one another."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN12"></a><a href="#FootII_FN12">A</a>: John Barbot's
+            description of Guinea, page 154.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN13"></a><a href="#FootII_FN13">B</a>: Astley's collect.
+            vol. 2. page 535.
+         </p>
+         <hr><a name="P_26"></a><p>
+            In the Collection<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN14"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN14"></a> it is said, "That the
+            fishing business is esteemed on the Gold
+            Coast next to trading; that those who
+            profess it are more numerous than those
+            of other employments. That the greatest
+            number of these are at Kommendo, Mina,
+            and Kormantin. From each of which places,
+            there go out every morning, (Tuesday
+            excepted, which is the Fetish day, or
+            day of rest) five, six, and sometimes eight
+            hundred canoes, from thirteen to fourteen
+            feet long, which spread themselves two
+            leagues at sea, each fisherman carrying in
+            his canoe a sword, with bread, water, and
+            a little fire on a large stone to roast fish.
+            Thus they labour till noon, when the sea
+            breeze blowing fresh, they return on the
+            shore, generally laden with fish; a quantity
+            of which the inland inhabitants come down
+            to buy, which they sell again at the country
+            markets."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN14"></a><a href="#FootII_FN14">A</a>: Collection, vol. 2, page
+            640.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            William Smith says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN15"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN15"></a> "The country about
+            Acra, where the English and Dutch have
+            each a strong fort, is very delightful, and
+            the natives courteous and civil to strangers."
+            He adds, "That this place seldom fails
+            of an extraordinary good trade from the
+            inland country, especially for slaves,
+            <a name="P_27"></a>
+            whereof several are supposed to come from
+            very remote parts, because it is not uncommon
+            to find a Malayan or two amongst
+            a parcel of other slaves. The Malaya,
+            people are generally natives of Malacca,
+            in the East Indies, situate several thousand
+            miles from the Gold Coast." They differ
+            very much from the Guinea Negroes,
+            being of a tawny complexion, with long black
+            hair.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN15"></a><a href="#FootII_FN15">A</a>: William Smith, page
+            145.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            Most parts of the Slave Coasts are represented
+            as equally fertile and pleasant with
+            the Gold Coast. The kingdom of Whidah
+            has been particularly noted by
+            travellers.<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN16"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN16"></a> William Smith and Bosman agree, "That
+            it is one of the most delightful countries
+            in the world. The great number and
+            variety of tall, beautiful, and shady trees,
+            which seem planted in groves, the verdant
+            fields every where cultivated, and no
+            otherwise divided than by those groves,
+            and in some places a small foot-path, together
+            with a great number of villages,
+            contribute to afford the most delightful
+            prospect; the whole country being a fine
+            easy, and almost imperceptible ascent, for
+            the space of forty or fifty miles from the sea.
+            That the farther you go from the sea, the
+            more beautiful and populous the country
+            appears. That the natives were kind
+            <a name="P_28"></a>
+            and obliging, and so industrious, that no
+            place which was thought fertile, could
+            escape being planted, even within the hedges
+            which inclose their villages. And that the
+            next day after they had reaped, they sowed
+            again."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN16"></a><a href="#FootII_FN16">A</a>: Smith, page 194. Bosman,
+            page 319.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            Snelgrave also says, "The country
+            appears full of towns and villages; and
+            being a rich soil, and well cultivated, looks
+            like an entire garden." In the
+            Collection,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN17"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN17"></a> the husbandry of the Negroes is described
+            to be carried on with great regularity: "The
+            rainy season approaching, they go into the
+            fields and woods, to fix on a proper place
+            for sowing; and as here is no property in
+            ground, the King's licence being obtained,
+            the people go out in troops, and first
+            clear the ground from bushes and weeds,
+            which they burn. The field thus cleared,
+            they dig it up a foot deep, and so let it
+            remain for eight or ten days, till the rest
+            of their neighbours have disposed their
+            ground in the same manner. They then
+            consult about sowing, and for that end
+            assemble at the King's Court the next
+            Fetish day. The King's grain must be
+            sown first. They then go again to the
+            field, and give the ground a second
+            digging, and sow their seed. Whilst
+            <a name="P_29"></a>
+            the King or Governor's land is sowing;
+            he sends out wine and flesh ready dressed;
+            enough to serve the labourers. Afterwards,
+            they in like manner sow the
+            ground, allotted for their neighbours, as
+            diligently as that of the King's, by whom
+            they are also feasted; and so continue to
+            work in a body for the public benefit,
+            till every man's ground is tilled and sowed.
+            None but the King, and a few great men,
+            are exempted from this labour. Their
+            grain soon sprouts out of the ground.
+            When it is about a man's height, and
+            begins to ear, they raise a wooden house in
+            the centre of the field, covered with straw,
+            in which they set their children to watch
+            their corn, and fright away the birds."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN17"></a><a href="#FootII_FN17">A</a>:
+            Collection, vol. 2,
+            page 651.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            Bosman<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN18"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN18"></a> speaks in commendation of
+            the civility, kindness, and great industry of
+            the natives of Whidah; this is confirmed by
+            Smith,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN19"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN19"></a> who says, "The natives here seem to
+            be the most gentleman-like Negroes in
+            Guinea, abounding with good manners
+            and ceremony to each other. The inferior
+            pay the utmost deference and, respect
+            to the superior, as do wives to their
+            husbands, and children to their parents.
+            All here are naturally industrious, and find
+            constant employment; the men in agriculture,
+            <a name="P_30"></a>
+            and the women in spinning and
+            weaving cotton. The men, whose chief
+            talent lies in husbandry, are unacquainted
+            with arms; otherwise, being a numerous
+            people, they could have made a better
+            defence against the King of Dahome, who
+            subdued them without much
+            trouble.<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN20"><sup>C</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN20"></a> Throughout the Gold Coast, there are
+            regular markets in all villages, furnished
+            with provisions and merchandize, held
+            every day in the week, except Tuesday,
+            whence they supply not only the inhabitants,
+            but the European ships. The
+            <i>Negro women</i> are very expert in buying
+            and selling, and extremely industrious;
+            for they will repair daily to market from
+            a considerable distance, loaded like pack-horses,
+            with a child, perhaps, at their
+            back, and a heavy burden on their heads.
+            After selling their wares, they buy fish and
+            other necessaries, and return home loaded
+            as they came.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN18"></a><a href="#FootII_FN18">A</a>: Bosman, page
+            317.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN19"></a><a href="#FootII_FN19">B</a>: Smith, page
+            195.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN20"></a><a href="#FootII_FN20">C</a>: Collect,
+            vol. 2, p. 657.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            "There is a market held at Sabi every,
+            fourth day,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN21"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN21"></a> also a weekly one in the province
+            of Aplogua, which is so resorted to,
+            that there are usually five or six thousand
+            merchants. Their markets are so well
+            regulated and governed, that seldom any
+            disorder happens; each species of merchandize
+            <a name="P_31"></a>
+            and merchants have a
+            place allotted them by themselves. The
+            buyers may haggle as much as they will,
+            but it must be without noise or fraud.
+            To keep order, the King appoints a judge,
+            who, with four officers well armed, inspects
+            the markets, hears all complaints, and, in a
+            summary way, decides all differences; he
+            has power to seize, and sell as slaves, all
+            who are catched in stealing, or disturbing
+            the peace. In these markets are to
+            be sold men, women, children, oxen,
+            sheep, goats, and fowls of all kinds; European
+            cloths, linen and woollen; printed
+            callicoes, silk, grocery ware, china, golddust,
+            iron in bars, &amp;c. in a word, most sorts
+            of European goods, as well as the produce
+            of Africa and Asia. They have other
+            markets, resembling our fairs, once or
+            twice a year, to which all the country
+            repair; for they take care to order the day
+            so in different governments, as not to interfere
+            with each other."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN21"></a><a href="#FootII_FN21">A</a>: Collect. vol. 3, p.
+            11.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            With respect to government, William
+            Smith says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN22"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN22"></a> "That the Gold Coast and
+            Slave Coast are divided into different districts,
+            some of which are governed by
+            their Chiefs, or Kings; the others, being
+            more of the nature of a commonwealth
+            <a name="P_32"></a>
+            are governed by some of the principal
+            men, called Caboceros, who, Bosman says,
+            are properly denominated civil fathers,
+            whose province is to take care of the welfare
+            of the city or village, and to appease
+            tumults." But this order of government
+            has been much broken since the coming of
+            the Europeans. Both Bosman and Barbot
+            mention <em>murther and adultery to be severely
+               punished on the Coast, frequently by death; and
+               robbery by a fine proportionable to the goods
+               stolen</em>.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN22"></a><a href="#FootII_FN22">A</a>: Smith, page
+            193.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            The income of some of the Kings is large,
+            Bosman says, "That the King of Whidah's
+            revenues and duties on things bought and
+            sold are considerable; he having the tithe
+            of all things sold in the market, or imported
+            in the country."<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN23"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN23"></a> Both the abovementioned
+            authors say, <em>The tax on slaves shipped
+               off in this King's dominions, in some years,
+               amounts to near twenty thousand pounds</em>.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN23"></a><a href="#FootII_FN23">A</a>: Bosman, page 337.
+            Barbot, page 335.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            Bosman tells us, "The Whidah Negroes
+            have a faint idea of a true God, ascribing
+            to him the attributes of almighty power
+            and omnipresence; but God, they say, is
+            too high to condescend to think of mankind;
+            wherefore he commits the government
+            of the world to those inferior deities
+            which they worship." Some authors
+            <a name="P_33"></a>
+            say, the wisest of these Negroes are sensible of
+            their mistake in this opinion, but dare not
+            forsake their own religion, for fear of the populace
+            rising and killing them. This is confirmed
+            by William Smith, who says, "That
+            all the natives of this coast believe there is
+            one true God, the author of them and all
+            things; that they have some apprehension
+            of a future state; and that almost every
+            village has a grove, or public place of worship,
+            to which the principal inhabitants, on
+            a set day, resort to make their offerings."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the Collection<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN24"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN24"></a> it is remarked as an excellency
+            in the Guinea government, "That
+            however poor they may be in general,
+            yet there are no beggars to be found
+            amongst them; which is owing to the
+            care of their chief men, whose province
+            it is to take care of the welfare of the
+            city or village; it being part of their office,
+            to see that such people may earn their
+            bread by their labour; some are set to
+            blow the smith's bellows, others to press
+            palm oil, or grind colours for their matts,
+            and sell provision in the markets. The
+            young men are listed to serve as soldiers,
+            so that they suffer no common beggar."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN24"></a><a href="#FootII_FN24">A</a>: Astley's collection,
+            vol. 2, page 619.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            Bosman ascribes a further reason for this
+            good order, viz. "That when a Negroe
+            <a name="P_34"></a>
+            finds he cannot subsist, he binds himself
+            for a certain sum of money, and the
+            master to whom he is bound is obliged
+            to find him necessaries; that the master
+            sets him a sort of task, which is not in the
+            least slavish, being chiefly to defend his
+            master on occasions; or in sowing time to
+            work as much as he himself
+            pleases."<a class="notelink" href="#NoteII_FN25"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootII_FN25"></a></p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteII_FN25"></a><a href="#FootII_FN25">A</a>: Bosman, page 119.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            Adjoining to the kingdom of Whidah, are
+            several small governments, as Coto, great and
+            small Popo, Ardrah, &amp;c. all situate on the
+            Slave Coast, where the chief trade for slaves
+            is carried on. These are governed by their
+            respective Kings, and follow much the same
+            customs with those of Whidah, except that
+            their principal living is on plunder, and the
+            slave trade.
+
+         </p>
+      </div>
+      <div class="teidiv">
+         <h2><a name="III"></a>
+            CHAP. III.
+
+         </h2><a name="P_35"></a><p><i>The kingdom of Benin</i>; its extent.
+            Esteemed the most potent in Guinea.
+            Fruitfulness of the soil. Good disposition
+            of the people. Order of government.
+            Punishment of crimes. Large extent of
+            the town of Great Benin. Order maintained.
+            The natives honest and charitable.
+            Their religion. The kingdoms of Kongo
+            and Angola. Many of the natives profess
+            christianity. The country fruitful. Disposition
+            of the people. The administration
+            of justice. The town of Leango. Slave
+            trade carried on by the Portugueze. Here
+            the slave trade ends.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Next adjoining to the Slave Coast, is
+            the kingdom of Benin, which, though
+            it extends but about 170 miles on the sea, yet
+            spreads so far inland, as to be esteemed the
+            most potent kingdom in Guinea. By accounts,
+            the soil and produce appear to be in
+            a great measure like those before described;
+            and the natives are represented as a reasonable
+            good-natured people. Artus
+            says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteIII_FN1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootIII_FN1"></a> "They are a sincere, inoffensive people, and do
+            <a name="P_36"></a>
+            no injustice either to one another, or to
+            strangers." William
+            Smith<a class="notelink" href="#NoteIII_FN2"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootIII_FN2"></a> confirms
+            this account, and says, "That the inhabitants
+            are generally very good-natured,
+            and exceeding courteous and civil. When
+            the Europeans make them presents, which
+            in their coming thither to trade they
+            always do, they endeavour to return them
+            doubly."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteIII_FN1"></a><a href="#FootIII_FN1">A</a>: Collection. vol. 3, page
+            228.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteIII_FN2"></a><a href="#FootIII_FN2">B</a>: Smith, page 228.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            Bosman tells us,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteIII_FN3"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootIII_FN3"></a> "That his countrymen
+            the Dutch, who were often obliged to
+            trust them till they returned the next year,
+            were sure to be honestly paid their whole
+            debts."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteIII_FN3"></a><a href="#FootIII_FN3">A</a>: W. Bosman, page
+            405.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            There is in Benin a considerable order in
+            government. Theft, murther, and adultery,
+            being severely punished. Barbot
+            says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteIII_FN4"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootIII_FN4"></a> "If
+            a man and a woman of any quality be
+            surprized in adultery, they are both put to
+            death, and their bodies are thrown on a
+            dunghill, and left there a prey to wild
+            beasts." He adds, "The severity of the
+            laws in Benin against
+            adultery,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteIII_FN5"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootIII_FN5"></a> amongst
+            <a name="P_37"></a>
+            all orders of people, deters them from
+            venturing, so that it is but very seldom
+            any persons are punished for that crime."
+            Smith says, "Their towns are governed by
+            officers appointed by the King, who have
+            power to decide in civil cases, and to raise
+            the public taxes; but in criminal cases,
+            they must send to the King's court, which
+            is held at the town of Oedo, or Great Benin.
+            This town, which covers a large extent
+            of ground, is about sixty mile from
+            <a name="P_38"></a>
+            the sea."<a class="notelink" href="#NoteIII_FN6"><sup>C</sup></a><a name="FootIII_FN6"></a> Barbot tells us, "That it contains
+            thirty streets, twenty fathom wide,
+            and almost two miles long, commonly,
+            extending in a straight line from one gate
+            to another; that the gates are guarded
+            by soldiers; that in these streets markets
+            are held every day, for cattle, ivory, cotton,
+            and many sorts of European goods. This
+            large town is divided into several wards,
+            or districts, each governed by its respective
+            King of a street, as they call them;
+            to administer justice, and to keep good
+            order. The inhabitants are very civil and
+            good natured, condescending to what the
+            Europeans require of them in a civil
+            way." The same author confirms what
+            has been said by others of their justice in
+            the payment of their debts; and adds,
+            "That they, above all other Guineans, are
+            very honest and just in their dealings; and
+            they have such an aversion for theft, that
+            by the law of the country it is punished
+            with death." We are told by the same
+            author,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteIII_FN7"><sup>D</sup></a><a name="FootIII_FN7"></a> "That the King of Benin is
+            able upon occasion to maintain an army
+            of a hundred thousand men; but that,
+            for the most part, he does not keep thirty
+            thousand." William Smith says, "The
+            <a name="P_39"></a>
+            natives are all free men; none but foreigners
+            can be bought and sold there.<a class="notelink" href="#NoteIII_FN8"><sup>E</sup></a><a name="FootIII_FN8"></a> They are very charitable, the King as well
+            as his subjects." Bosman confirms
+            this,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteIII_FN9"><sup>F</sup></a><a name="FootIII_FN9"></a> and says, "The King and great Lords subsist
+            several poor at their place of residence on
+            charity, employing those who are fit for
+            any work, and the rest they keep for God's
+            sake; so that here are no beggars."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteIII_FN4"></a><a href="#FootIII_FN4">A</a>: Barbot, page 237.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteIII_FN5"></a><a href="#FootIII_FN5">B</a>: By this account of the
+            punishment inflicted on adulterers in this and other parts of Guinea, it
+            appears the Negroes are not insensible of the sinfulness of
+            such practices. How strange must it then appear to the
+            serious minded amongst these people, (nay, how inconsistent
+            is it with every divine and moral law amongst
+            ourselves) that those christian laws which prohibit fornication
+            and adultery, are in none of the English governments
+            extended to them, but that they are allowed
+            to cohabit and separate at pleasure? And that even their
+            masters think so lightly of their marriage engagements,
+            that, when it suits with their interest, they will separate
+            man from wife, and children from both, to be sold into
+            different, and even distant parts, without regard to their
+            sometimes grievous lamentations; whence it has happened,
+            that such of those people who are truly united in
+            their marriage covenant, and in affection to one another,
+            have been driven to such desperation, as either violently
+            to destroy themselves, or gradually to pine away, and
+            die with mere grief. It is amazing, that whilst the
+            clergy of the established church are publicly expressing
+            a concern, that these oppressed people should be made
+            acquainted with the christian religion, they should be
+            thus suffered, and even forced, so flagrantly to infringe
+            one of the principal injunctions of our holy religion!
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteIII_FN6"></a><a href="#FootIII_FN6">C</a>: J. Barbot, page 358,
+            359.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteIII_FN7"></a><a href="#FootIII_FN7">D</a>: Barbot, page
+            369.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteIII_FN8"></a><a href="#FootIII_FN8">E</a>: W. Smith,
+            page 369.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteIII_FN9"></a><a href="#FootIII_FN9">F</a>: Bosman, page
+            409.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            As to religion, these people believe there
+            is a God, the efficient cause of all things; but,
+            like the rest of the Guineans, they are superstitiously
+            and idolatrously inclined.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The last division of Guinea from which
+            slaves are imported, are the kingdoms of
+            Kongo and Angola: these lie to the South
+            of Benin, extending with the intermediate
+            land about twelve hundred miles on the coast.
+            Great numbers of the natives of both these
+            kingdoms profess the christian religion, which
+            was long since introduced by the Portugueze,
+            who made early settlements in that country.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the Collection it is said, that both in
+            Kongo and Angola, the soil is in general
+            fruitful, producing great plenty of grain,
+            Indian corn, and such quantities of rice, that
+            it hardly bears any price, with fruits, roots,
+            and palm oil in plenty.
+
+         </p><a name="P_40"></a><p>
+            The natives are generally a quiet people,
+            who discover a good understanding, and
+            behave in a friendly manner to strangers,
+            being of a mild conversation, affable, and
+            easily overcome with reason.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the government of Kongo, the King
+            appoints a judge in every particular division,
+            to hear and determine disputes and civil causes;
+            the judges imprison and release, or impose
+            fines, according to the rule of custom; but in
+            weighty matters, every one may appeal to the
+            King, before whom all criminal causes are
+            brought, in which he giveth sentence; but
+            seldom condemneth to death.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The town of Leango stands in the midst
+            of four Lordships, which abound in corn,
+            fruit, &amp;c. Here they make great quantities
+            of cloth of divers kinds, very fine and curious;
+            the inhabitants are seldom idle; they
+            even make needle-work caps as they walk in
+            the streets.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The slave trade is here principally managed
+            by the Portugueze, who carry it far up
+            into the inland countries. They are said to
+            send off from these parts fifteen thousand slaves
+            each year.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            At Angola, about the 10th degree of South
+            latitude, ends the trade for slaves.
+
+         </p>
+      </div>
+      <div class="teidiv">
+         <h2><a name="IV"></a>
+            CHAP. IV.
+
+         </h2><a name="P_41"></a><p>
+            The antientest accounts of the
+            Negroes is from the Nubian Geography,
+            and the writings of Leo the African.
+            Some account of those authors. The
+            Arabians pass into Guinea. The innocency
+            and simplicity of the natives. They
+            are subdued by the Moors. Heli Ischia
+            shakes off the Moorish yoke. The Portugueze
+            make the first descent in Guinea.
+            From whence they carry off some of the
+            natives. More incursions of the like kind.
+            The Portugueze erect the first fort at D'Elmina.
+            They begin the slave trade. Cada
+            Mosto's testimony. Anderson's account
+            to the same purport. De la Casa's concern
+            for the relief of the oppressed Indians.
+            Goes over into Spain to plead their cause.
+            His speech before Charles the Fifth.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The most antient account we have of
+            the country of the Negroes, particularly
+            that part situate on and between the
+            two great rivers of Senegal and Gambia, is
+            from the writings of two antient authors,
+            one an Arabian, and the other a Moor. The
+            <a name="P_42"></a>
+            first<a class="notelink" href="#NoteIV_FN1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootIV_FN1"></a> wrote
+            in Arabic, about the twelfth century.
+            His works, printed in that language
+            at Rome, were afterwards translated into
+            Latin, and printed at Paris, under the
+            patronage of the famous Thuanus, chancellor
+            of France, with the title of <em>Geographica
+               Nubiensis</em>, containing an account or all the
+            nations lying on the Senegal and Gambia.
+            The other wrote by John
+            Leo,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteIV_FN2"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootIV_FN2"></a> a Moor,
+            born at Granada, in Spain, before the
+            Moors were totally expelled from that kingdom.
+            He resided in Africa; but being on
+            a voyage from Tripoli to Tunis, was taken
+            by some Italian Corsairs, who finding him
+            possessed of several Arabian books, besides
+            his own manuscripts, apprehended him to be
+            a man of learning, and as such presented him
+            to Pope Leo the Tenth. This Pope encouraging
+            him, he embraced the Romish religion,
+            and his description of Africa was
+            published in Italian. From these writings
+            we gather, that after the Mahometan religion
+            had extended to the kingdom of Morocco,
+            some of the promoters of it crossing
+            the sandy desarts of Numidia, which separate
+            that country from Guinea, found it inhabited
+            by men, who, though under no regular government,
+            and destitute of that knowledge
+            <a name="P_43"></a>
+            the Arabians were favoured with, lived in
+            content and peace. The first author particularly
+            remarks, "That they never made
+            war, or travelled abroad, but employed
+            themselves in tending their herds, or labouring
+            in the ground." J. Leo says, page
+            65. "That they lived in common, having
+            no property in land, no tyrant nor superior
+            lord, but supported themselves in an
+            equal state, upon the natural produce of
+            the country, which afforded plenty of
+            roots, game, and honey. That ambition
+            or avarice never drove them into foreign
+            countries to subdue or cheat their neighbours.
+            Thus they lived without toil or
+            superfluities." "The antient inhabitants
+            of Morocco, who wore coats of mail,
+            and used swords and spears headed with
+            iron, coming amongst these harmless and
+            naked people, soon brought them under
+            subjection, and divided that part of Guinea
+            which lies on the rivers Senegal and Gambia
+            into fifteen parts; those were the fifteen
+            kingdoms of the Negroes, over which
+            the Moors presided, and the common people
+            were Negroes. These Moors taught
+            the Negroes the Mahometan religion, and
+            arts of life; particularly the use of iron,
+            before unknown to them. About the 14th
+            century, a native Negro, called Heli Ischia,
+            expelled the Moorish conquerors; but tho'
+            <a name="P_44"></a>
+            the Negroes threw off the yoke of a foreign
+            nation, they only changed a Libyan for a
+            Negroe master. Heli Ischia himself becoming
+            King, led the Negroes on to foreign
+            wars, and established himself in power over
+            a very large extent of country." Since
+            Leo's time, the Europeans have had very little
+            knowledge of those parts of Africa, nor do
+            they know what became of his great empire.
+            It is highly probable that it broke into pieces,
+            and that the natives again resumed many of
+            their antient customs; for in the account
+            published by William Moor, in his travels
+            on the river Gambia, we find a mixture of
+            the Moorish and Mahometan customs, joined
+            with the original simplicity of the Negroes.
+            It appears by accounts of antient voyages,
+            collected by Hackluit, Purchas, and others,
+            that it was about fifty years before the discovery
+            of America, that the Portugueze attempted
+            to sail round Cape Bojador, which lies
+            between their country and Guinea; this, after
+            divers repulses occasioned by the violent
+            currents, they effected; when landing on the
+            western coasts of Africa, they soon began to
+            make incursions into the country, and to seize
+            and carry off the native inhabitants. As
+            early as the year 1434, Alonzo Gonzales,
+            the first who is recorded to have met with
+            the natives, being on that coast, pursued
+            <a name="P_45"></a>
+            and attacked a number of them, when some
+            were wounded, as was also one of the Portugueze;
+            which the author records as the
+            first blood spilt by christians in those parts.
+            Six years after, the same Gonzales again attacked
+            the natives, and took twelve prisoners,
+            with whom he returned to his vessels;
+            he afterwards put a woman on shore, in
+            order to induce the natives to redeem the
+            prisoners; but the next day 150 of the
+            inhabitants appeared on horses and camels,
+            provoking the Portugueze to land; which
+            they not daring to venture, the natives discharged
+            a volley of stones at them, and
+            went off. After this, the Portugueze still
+            continued to send vessels on the coast of
+            Africa; particularly we read of their falling
+            on a village, whence the inhabitants fled, and,
+            being pursued, twenty-five were taken: "<em>He
+               that ran best</em>," says the author, "<em>taking the
+               most</em>. In their way home they killed some
+            of the natives, and took fifty-five more
+            prisoners.<a class="notelink" href="#NoteIV_FN3"><sup>C</sup></a><a name="FootIV_FN3"></a> Afterwards Dinisanes Dagrama,
+            with two other vessels, landed on the
+            island Arguin, where they took fifty-four
+            Moors; then running along the coast eighty
+            leagues farther, they at several times took
+            fifty slaves; but here seven of the Portugueze
+            were killed. Then being joined by
+            several other vessels, Dinisanes proposed to
+            <a name="P_46"></a>
+            destroy the island, to revenge the loss of
+            the seven Portugueze; of which the Moors
+            being apprized, fled, so that no more than
+            twelve were found, whereof only four
+            could be taken, the rest being killed, as
+            also one of the Portugueze." Many more
+            captures of this kind on the coast of Barbary
+            and Guinea, are recorded to have been made
+            in those early times by the Portugueze; who,
+            in the year 1481, erected their first fort at
+            D'Elmina on that coast, from whence they
+            soon opened a trade for slaves with the inland
+            parts of Guinea.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteIV_FN1"></a><a href="#FootIV_FN1">A</a>: See Travels into different parts
+            of Africa, by Francis Moor, with a letter to the publisher.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteIV_FN2"></a><a href="#FootIV_FN2">B</a>: Ibid.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteIV_FN3"></a><a href="#FootIV_FN3">C</a>: Collection, vol. 1, page
+            13.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            From the foregoing accounts, it is undoubted,
+            that the practice of making slaves
+            of the Negroes, owes its origin to the early
+            incursions of the Portugueze on the coast of
+            Africa, solely from an inordinate desire of
+            gain. This is clearly evidenced from their
+            own historians, particularly <i>Cada Mosto</i>,
+            about the year 1455, who
+            writes,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteIV_FN4"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootIV_FN4"></a> "That before the trade was settled for purchasing
+            slaves from the Moors at Arguin,
+            sometimes four, and sometimes more Portugueze
+            vessels, were used to come to that
+            gulph, well armed; and landing by night,
+            would surprize some fishermen's villages:
+            that they even entered into the country,
+            and carried off Arabs of both sexes, whom
+            they sold in Portugal." And also, "That
+            <a name="P_47"></a>
+            the Portugueze and Spaniards, settled on
+            four of the Canary islands, would go to
+            the other island by night, and seize some
+            of the natives of both sexes, whom they
+            sent to be sold in Spain."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteIV_FN4"></a><a href="#FootIV_FN4">A</a>: Collection vol. 1, page
+            576.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            After the settlement of America, those devastations,
+            and the captivating the miserable
+            Africans, greatly increased.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Anderson, in his history of trade and commerce,
+            at page 336, speaking of what passed
+            in the year 1508, writes, "That the Spaniards
+            had by this time found that the miserable
+            Indian natives, whom they had
+            made to work in their mines and fields,
+            were not so robust and proper for those
+            purposes as Negroes brought from Africa;
+            wherefore they, about that time, began to
+            import Negroes for that end into Hispaniola,
+            from the Portugueze settlements on
+            the Guinea coasts; and also afterwards for
+            their sugar works." This oppression of
+            the Indians had, even before this time, rouzed
+            the zeal, as well as it did the compassion, of
+            some of the truly pious of that day; particularly
+            that of Bartholomew De las Casas,
+            bishop of Chapia; whom a desire of being
+            instrumental towards the conversion of the
+            Indians, had invited into America. It is generally
+            agreed by the writers of that age,
+            that he was a man of perfect disinterestedness,
+            and ardent charity; being affected with this
+            <a name="P_48"></a>
+            sad spectacle, he returned to the court of
+            Spain, and there made a true report of the
+            matter; but not without being strongly opposed
+            by those mercenary wretches, who
+            had enslaved the Indians; yet being strong
+            and indefatigable, he went to and fro between
+            Europe and America, firmly determined
+            not to give over his pursuit but with
+            his life. After long solicitation, and innumerable
+            repulses, he obtained leave to lay
+            the matter before the Emperor Charles
+            the Fifth, then King of Spain. As the contents
+            of the speech he made before the King
+            in council, are very applicable to the case of
+            the enslaved Africans, and a lively evidence
+            that the spirit of true piety speaks the same
+            language in the hearts of faithful men in
+            all ages, for the relief of their fellow creatures
+            from oppression of every kind, I think
+            it may not be improper here to transcribe
+            the most interesting parts of it. "I was,"
+            says this pious bishop, "one of the first who
+            went to America; neither curiosity nor
+            interest prompted me to undertake so
+            long and dangerous a voyage; the saving
+            the souls of the heathen was my sole object.
+            Why was I not permitted, even at
+            the expence of my blood, to ransom so
+            many thousand souls, who fell unhappy
+            victims to avarice or lust? I have been
+            an eye witness to such cruel treatment of
+            <a name="P_49"></a>
+            the Indians, as is too horrid to be mentioned
+            at this time.&#8212;It is said that barbarous
+            executions were necessary to punish
+            or check the rebellion of the Americans;&#8212;but
+            to whom was this owing?
+            Did not those people receive the Spaniards,
+            who first came amongst them, with gentleness
+            and humanity? Did they not shew
+            more joy, in proportion, in lavishing
+            treasure upon them, than the Spaniards
+            did greediness in receiving it?&#8212;But our
+            avarice was not yet satisfied;&#8212;tho' they
+            gave up to us their land and their riches,
+            we would tear from them their wives, their
+            children and their liberties.&#8212;To blacken
+            these unhappy people, their enemies
+            assert, that they are scarce human creatures?&#8212;but
+            it is we that ought to blush,
+            for having been less men, and more barbarous,
+            than they.&#8212;What right have
+            we to enslave a people who are born free,
+            and whom we disturbed, tho' they never
+            offended us?&#8212;They are represented as
+            a stupid people, addicted to vice?&#8212;but
+            have they not contracted most of their
+            vices from the example of the christians?
+            And as to those vices peculiar to themselves,
+            have not the christians quickly exceeded
+            them therein? Nevertheless it
+            must be granted, that the Indians still remain
+            untainted with many vices usual amongst
+            <a name="P_50"></a>
+            the Europeans; such as ambition,
+            blasphemy, treachery, and many like
+            monsters, which have not yet took place
+            with them; they have scarce an idea of
+            them; so that in effect, all the advantage
+            we can claim, is to have more elevated
+            notions of things, and our natural faculties
+            more unfolded and more cultivated
+            than theirs.&#8212;Do not let us flatter our
+            corruptions, nor voluntarily blind ourselves;
+            <em>all</em> nations are equally <em>free</em>; one
+            nation has no right to infringe upon the
+            freedom of any other; let us do towards
+            these people as we would have them to
+            have done towards us, if they had landed
+            upon our shore, with the same superiority
+            of strength. And indeed, why
+            should not things be equal on both sides?
+            How long has the right of the strongest
+            been allowed to be the balance of justice?
+            What part of the gospel gives a sanction
+            to such a doctrine? In what part of the
+            whole earth did the apostles and the first
+            promulgators of the gospel ever claim a
+            right over the lives, the freedom, or the substance
+            of the Gentiles? What a strange method
+            this is of propagating the gospel, that
+            holy law of grace, which, from being, slaves
+            to Satan, initiates us into the freedom of
+            the children of God!&#8212;Will it be possible
+            for us to inspire them with a love to
+            <a name="P_51"></a>
+            its dictates, while they are so exasperated
+            at being dispossessed of that invaluable
+            blessing, <em>Liberty?</em> The apostles submitted
+            to chains themselves, but loaded no man
+            with them. Christ came to free, not to
+            enslave us.&#8212;Submission to the faith
+            he left us, ought to be a voluntary act,
+            and should be propagated by persuasion,
+            gentleness, and reason."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "At my first arrival in Hispaniola, (added
+            the bishop) it contained a million of
+            inhabitants; and now (viz. in the space
+            of about twenty years) there remains scarce
+            the hundredth part of them; thousands
+            have perished thro' want, fatigue, merciless
+            punishment, cruelty, and barbarity.
+            If the blood of <em>one</em> man unjustly shed,
+            calls loudly for vengeance; how strong
+            must be the cry of that of so <em>many</em> unhappy
+            creatures which is shedding daily?"&#8212;The
+            good bishop concluded his speech, with
+            imploring the King's clemency for subjects
+            so unjustly oppressed; and bravely declared,
+            that heaven would one day call him to an
+            account, for the numberless acts of cruelty
+            which he might have prevented. The King
+            applauded the bishop's zeal; promised to
+            second it; but so many of the great ones
+            had an interest in continuing the oppression,
+            that nothing was done; so that all the Indians
+            in Hispaniola, except a few who
+            <a name="P_52"></a>
+            had hid themselves in the most inaccessible
+            mountains, were destroyed.
+
+         </p>
+      </div>
+      <div class="teidiv">
+         <h2><a name="V"></a>
+            CHAP. V.
+
+         </h2>
+         <p>
+            First account of the English
+            trading to Guinea. Thomas Windham and
+            several others go to that coast. Some of
+            the Negroes carried off by the English.
+            Queen Elizabeth's charge to Captain Hawkins
+            respecting the natives. Nevertheless
+            he goes on the coast and carries off some of
+            the Negroes. Patents are granted. The
+            King of France objects to the Negroes being
+            kept in slavery. As do the college of
+            Cardinals at Rome. The natives, an inoffensive
+            people; corrupted by the Europeans.
+            The sentiments of the natives
+            concerning the slave-trade, from William
+            Smith: Confirmed by Andrew Brue and
+            James Barbot.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It was about the year 1551, towards the
+            latter end of the reign of King Edward
+            the Sixth, when some London merchants
+            sent out the first English ship, on a trading
+            voyage to the coast of Guinea; this was soon
+            followed by several others to the same parts;
+            <a name="P_53"></a>
+            but the English not having then any plantations
+            in the West Indies, and consequently
+            no occasion for Negroes, such ships traded
+            only for gold, elephants teeth, and Guinea
+            pepper. This trade was carried on at the
+            hazard of losing their ships and cargoes, if
+            they had fallen into the hands of the Portuguese,
+            who claimed an exclusive right of
+            trade, on account of the several settlements
+            they had made there.<a class="notelink" href="#NoteV_FN1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootV_FN1"></a> In the year 1553, we
+            find captain Thomas Windham trading along
+            the coast with 140 men, in three ships, and
+            sailing as far as Benin, which lies about
+            3000 miles down the coast, to take in a load
+            of pepper.<a class="notelink" href="#NoteV_FN2"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootV_FN2"></a> Next year John Lock traded along
+            the coast of Guinea, as far as D'Elmina,
+            when he brought away considerable quantities
+            of gold and ivory. He speaks well of the natives, and
+            says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteV_FN3"><sup>C</sup></a><a name="FootV_FN3"></a> "<em>That
+               whoever will deal with them must behave civilly, for
+               they will not traffic if ill used</em>." In 1555,
+            William Towerson traded in a peaceable
+            manner with the natives, who made complaint
+            to him of the Portuguese, who were
+            then settled in their castle at D'Elmina, saying,
+            "<em>They were bad men, who made them
+               slaves if they could take them, putting irons
+               on their legs</em>."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteV_FN1"></a><a href="#FootV_FN1">A</a>: Astley's collection,
+            vol. 1. page 139.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteV_FN2"></a><a href="#FootV_FN2">B</a>: Collection vol. 1. p.
+            148.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteV_FN3"></a><a href="#FootV_FN3">C</a>: Ibid. 257.
+         </p>
+         <hr><a name="P_54"></a><p>
+            This bad example of the Portuguese was
+            soon followed by some evil disposed Englishmen;
+            for the same captain Towerson
+            relates,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteV_FN4"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootV_FN4"></a> "That in the course of his voyage, he
+            perceived the natives, near D'Elmina, unwilling
+            to come to him, and that he was
+            at last attacked by them; which he understood
+            was done in revenge for the
+            wrong done them the year before, by
+            one captain Gainsh, who had taken away
+            the Negro captain's son, and three others,
+            with their gold, &amp;c. This caused them to
+            join the Portuguese, notwithstanding
+            their hatred of them, against the English."
+            The next year captain Towerson
+            brought these men back again; whereupon the Negroes shewed him much
+            kindness.<a class="notelink" href="#NoteV_FN5"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootV_FN5"></a> Quickly
+            after this, another instance of the
+            same kind occurred, in the case of captain
+            George Fenner, who being on the coast,
+            with three vessels, was also attacked by the
+            Negroes, who wounded several of his people,
+            and violently carried three of his men
+            to their town. The captain sent a messenger,
+            offering any thing they desired for the
+            ransom of his men: but they refused to deliver
+            them, letting him know, "<em>That
+               three weeks before, an English ship, which
+               <a name="P_55"></a>
+               came in the road, had carried off three of
+               their people; and that till they were brought
+               again, they would not restore his men, even tho'
+               they should give their three ships to release
+               them</em>." It was probably the evil conduct
+            of these, and some other Englishmen, which
+            was the occasion of what is mentioned in
+            Hill's naval history, viz. "That when captain
+            Hawkins returned from his first voyage
+            to Africa, Queen Elizabeth sent for
+            him, when she expressed her concern,
+            lest any of the African Negroes should
+            be carried off without their free consent;
+            which she declared would be detestable,
+            and would call down the vengeance of
+            heaven upon the undertakers." Hawkins
+            made great promises, which nevertheless he
+            did not perform; for his next voyage to the
+            coast appears to have been principally calculated
+            to procure Negro slaves, in order
+            to sell them to the Spaniards in the West Indies;
+            which occasioned the same author to
+            use these remarkable words: "<em>Here began
+               the horrid practice of forcing the Africans into
+               slavery: an injustice and barbarity, which,
+               so sure as there is vengeance in heaven for
+               the worst of crimes, will some time be the destruction
+               of all who act or who encourage it</em>."
+            This captain Hawkins, afterwards sir John
+            Hawkins, seems to have been the first Englishman
+            who gave public countenance to this
+            <a name="P_56"></a>
+            wicked traffic: For Anderson, before mentioned,
+            at page 401, says, "That in the
+            year 1562, captain Hawkins, assisted by
+            subscription of sundry gentlemen, now
+            fitted out three ships; and having learnt
+            that Negroes were a very good commodity
+            in Hispaniola, he sailed to the coast of
+            Guinea, took in Negroes, and sailed with
+            them for Hispaniola, where he sold them,
+            and his English commodities, and loaded
+            his three vessels with hides, sugar and
+            ginger, &amp;c. with which he returned
+            home anno 1563, making a prosperous
+            voyage." As it proved a lucrative business,
+            the trade was continued both by
+            Hawkins and others, as appears from the naval
+            chronicle, page 55, where it is said,
+            "That on the 18th of October, 1564, captain
+            John Hawkins, with two ships of 700
+            and 140 tuns, sailed for Africa; that on
+            the 8th of December they anchored to the
+            South of Cape Verd, where the captain
+            manned the boat, and sent eighty men in
+            armour into the country, to see if they
+            could take some Negroes; but the natives
+            flying from them, they returned to their
+            ships, and proceeded farther down the
+            coast. Here they staid certain days, sending
+            their men ashore, in order (as the author
+            says) to burn and spoil their towns
+            and take the inhabitants. The land they
+            <a name="P_57"></a>
+            observed to be well cultivated, there being
+            plenty of grain, and fruit of several
+            sorts, and the towns prettily laid out. On
+            the 25th, being informed by the Portugueze
+            of a town of Negroes called Bymba,
+            where there was not only a quantity of
+            gold, but an hundred and forty inhabitants,
+            they resolved to attack it, having the Portugueze
+            for their guide; but by mismanagement
+            they took but ten Negroes, having
+            seven of their own men killed, and
+            twenty-seven wounded. They then went
+            farther down the coast; when, having procured
+            a number of Negroes, they proceeded
+            to the West Indies, where they sold them to
+            the Spaniards." And in the same naval
+            chronicle, at page 76, it is said, "That in the
+            year 1567, Francis Drake, before performing
+            his voyage round the world, went with
+            Sir John Hawkins in his expedition to the
+            coast of Guinea, where taking in a cargo
+            of slaves, they determined to steer for the
+            Caribbee islands." How Queen Elizabeth
+            suffered so grievous an infringement of the
+            rights of mankind to be perpetrated by her
+            subjects, and how she was persuaded, about
+            the 30th year of her reign, to grant patents
+            for carrying on a trade from the North part
+            of the river Senegal, to an hundred leagues
+            beyond Sierra Leona, which gave rise to the
+            present African company, is hard to account
+            <a name="P_58"></a>
+            for, any otherwise than that it arose from
+            the misrepresentation made to her of the situation
+            of the Negroes, and of the advantages
+            it was pretended they would reap from
+            being made acquainted with the christian
+            religion. This was the case of Lewis the
+            XIIIth, King of France, who, Labat, in his
+            account of the isles of America, tells us,
+            "Was extremely uneasy at a law by which
+            the Negroes of his colonies were to be
+            made slaves; but it being strongly urged
+            to him as the readiest means for their
+            conversion to christianity, he acquiesced
+            therewith." Nevertheless, some of the
+            christian powers did not so easily give way
+            in this matter; for we find,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteV_FN6"><sup>C</sup></a><a name="FootV_FN6"></a> "That cardinal
+            Cibo, one of the Pope's principal ministers
+            of state, wrote a letter on behalf
+            of the college of cardinals, or great council
+            at Rome, to the missionaries in Congo,
+            complaining that the pernicious and abominable
+            abuse of selling slaves was yet continued,
+            requiring them to remedy the
+            same, if possible; but this the missionaries
+            saw little hopes of accomplishing, by reason
+            that the trade of the country lay wholly in
+            slaves and ivory."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteV_FN4"></a><a href="#FootV_FN4">A</a>: Collection, vol. 1. p.
+            148.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteV_FN5"></a><a href="#FootV_FN5">B</a>: Ibid. 157.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteV_FN6"></a><a href="#FootV_FN6">C</a>: Collection,
+            vol. 3, page 164.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            From the foregoing accounts, as well as
+            other authentic publications of this kind, it
+            appears that it was the unwarrantable lust of
+            <a name="P_59"></a>
+            gain, which first stimulated the Portugueze,
+            and afterwards other Europeans, to engage
+            in this horrid traffic. By the most authentic
+            relations of those early times, the natives
+            were an inoffensive people, who, when civilly
+            used, traded amicably with the Europeans.
+            It is recorded of those of Benin, the largest
+            kingdom in Guinea,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteV_FN7"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootV_FN7"></a><em>That they were a
+               gentle, loving people</em>; and Reynold
+            says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteV_FN8"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootV_FN8"></a> "<em>They found more sincere proofs of love and
+               good will from the natives, than they could
+               find from the Spaniards and Portugueze, even
+               tho' they had relieved them from the greatest
+               misery</em>." And from the same relations
+            there is no reason to think otherwise, but
+            that they generally lived in peace amongst
+            themselves; for I don't find, in the numerous
+            publications I have perused on this subject,
+            relating to these early times, of there
+            being wars on that coast, nor of any sale of captives
+            taken in battle, who would have been
+            otherwise sacrificed by the
+            victors:<a class="notelink" href="#NoteV_FN9"><sup>C</sup></a><a name="FootV_FN9"></a> Notwithstanding
+            <a name="P_60"></a>
+            some modern authors, in their
+            publications relating to the West Indies,
+            desirous of throwing a veil over the iniquity
+            of the slave trade, have been hardy enough,
+            upon meer supposition or report, to assert the
+            contrary.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteV_FN7"></a><a href="#FootV_FN7">A</a>: Collection, vol. 1,
+            page 202.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteV_FN8"></a><a href="#FootV_FN8">B</a>: Idem, page
+            245.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteV_FN9"></a><a href="#FootV_FN9">C</a>: Note, This plea falls of itself,
+            for if the Negroes
+            apprehended they should be cruelly put to death, if
+            they were not sent away, why do they manifest such
+            reluctance and dread as they generally do, at being
+            brought from their native country? William Smith, at
+            page 28, says, "<em>The Gambians abhor slavery, and will
+               attempt any thing, tho' never so desperate, to avoid it</em>," and
+            Thomas Philips, in his account of a voyage he performed
+            to the coast of Guinea, writes, "<em>They, the Negroes,
+               are so loth to leave their own country, that they have often
+               leaped out of the canoe, boat, or ship, into the sea, and kept
+               under water till they were drowned, to avoid being
+               taken up</em>."
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            It was long after the Portugueze had
+            made a practice of violently forcing the natives
+            of Africa into slavery, that we read of
+            the different Negroe nations making war
+            upon each other, and selling their captives.
+            And probably this was not the case, till
+            those bordering on the coast, who had been
+            used to supply the vessels with necessaries,
+            had become corrupted by their intercourse
+            with the Europeans, and were excited by
+            drunkenness and avarice to join them in
+            carrying on those wicked schemes, by which
+            those unnatural wars were perpetrated;
+            the inhabitants kept in continual alarms;
+            the country laid waste; and, as William Moor
+            expresses it, <em>Infinite numbers sold into slavery</em>.
+            But that the Europeans are the principal cause
+            of these devastations, is particularly evidenced
+            by one, whose connexion with the trade
+            <a name="P_61"></a>
+            would rather induce him to represent it in
+            the fairest colours, to wit, William Smith,
+            the person sent in the year 1726 by the
+            African company to survey their settlements,
+            who, from the information he received of
+            one of the factors, who had resided ten
+            years in that country, says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteV_FN10"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootV_FN10"></a> "<em>That the discerning
+               natives account it their greatest unhappiness,
+               that they were ever visited by the
+               Europeans."&#8212;"That we christians introduced
+               the traffick of slaves; and that before
+               our coming they lived in peace</em>."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteV_FN10"></a><a href="#FootV_FN10">A</a>: William
+            Smith, page 266.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            In the accounts relating to the African
+            trade, we find this melancholy truth
+            farther asserted by some of the principal
+            directors in the different factories; particularly
+            A. Brue says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteV_FN11"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootV_FN11"></a> "<em>That the Europeans were
+               far from desiring to act as peace-makers
+               amongst the Negroes; which would be acting
+               contrary to their interest, since the greater the
+               wars, the more slaves were procured</em>," And
+            William Bosman also remarks,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteV_FN12"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootV_FN12"></a> "That one
+            of the former commanders <em>gave large sums
+               of money to the Negroes of one nation, to induce
+               them to attack some of the neighbouring nations,
+               which occasioned a battle which was
+               more bloody than the wars of the Negroes usually
+               <a name="P_62"></a>
+               are</em>." This is confirmed by J. Barbot,
+            who says, "<em>That the country of D'Elmina,
+               which was formerly very powerful and populous,
+               was in his time so much drained of its
+               inhabitants by the intestine wars fomented
+               amongst the Negroes by the Dutch, that there
+               did not remain inhabitants enough to till the
+               country</em>."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteV_FN11"></a><a href="#FootV_FN11">A</a>: Collection, vol. 2,
+            page 98.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteV_FN12"></a><a href="#FootV_FN12">B</a>: Bosman,
+            page 31.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+      </div>
+      <div class="teidiv">
+         <h2><a name="VI"></a>
+            CHAP. VI.
+
+         </h2><a name="P_63"></a><p>
+            The conduct of the Europeans
+            and Africans compared. Slavery more tolerable
+            amongst the antients than in our
+            colonies. As christianity prevailed amongst
+            the barbarous nations, the inconsistency
+            of slavery became more apparent. The
+            charters of manumission, granted in the
+            early times of christianity, founded on an
+            apprehension of duty to God. The antient
+            Britons, and other European nations,
+            in their original state, no less barbarous
+            than the Negroes. Slaves in Guinea used
+            with much greater lenity than the Negroes
+            are in the colonies.&#8212;Note. How the
+            slaves are treated in Algiers, as also in
+            Turkey.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Such is the woeful corruption of human
+            nature, that every practice which flatters
+            our pride and covetousness, will find its
+            advocates! This is manifestly the case in the
+            matter before us; the savageness of the
+            Negroes in some of their customs, and particularly
+            their deviating so far from the feelings
+            of humanity, as to join in captivating
+            <a name="P_64"></a>
+            and selling each other, gives their interested
+            oppressors a pretence for representing them
+            as unworthy of liberty, and the natural
+            rights of mankind. But these sophisters
+            turn the argument full upon themselves,
+            when they instigate the poor creatures to
+            such shocking impiety, by every means that
+            fantastic subtilty can suggest; thereby shewing
+            in their own conduct, a more glaring
+            proof of the same depravity, and, if there
+            was any reason in the argument, a greater
+            unfitness for the same precious enjoyment:
+            for though some of the ignorant Africans
+            may be thus corrupted by their intercourse
+            with the baser of the European natives, and
+            the use of strong liquors, this is no excuse
+            for high-professing christians; bred in a
+            civilized country, with so many advantages
+            unknown to the Africans, and pretending
+            to a superior degree of gospel light. Nor
+            can it justify them in raising up fortunes to
+            themselves from the misery of others,
+            and calmly projecting voyages for the seizure
+            of men naturally as free as themselves;
+            and who, they know, are no otherwise to
+            be procured than by such barbarous means,
+            as none but those hardened wretches, who are
+            lost to every sense of christian compassion,
+            can make use of. Let us diligently compare,
+            and impartially weigh, the situation of those
+            ignorant Negroes, and these enlightened
+            <a name="P_65"></a>
+            christians; then lift up the scale and say,
+            which of the two are the greater savages.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Slavery has been of a long time in practice
+            in many parts of Asia; it was also in
+            usage among the Romans when that empire
+            flourished; but, except in some particular
+            instances, it was rather a reasonable servitude,
+            no ways comparable to the unreasonable and
+            unnatural service extorted from the Negroes
+            in our colonies. A late learned
+            author,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteVI_FN1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootVI_FN1"></a> speaking of those times which succeeded
+            the dissolution of that empire, acquaints us,
+            that as christianity prevailed, it very much
+            removed those wrong prejudices and practices,
+            which had taken root in darker
+            times: after the irruption of the Northern
+            nations, and the introduction of the feudal
+            or military government, whereby the
+            most extensive power was lodged in a few
+            members of society, to the depression of the
+            rest, the common people were little better
+            than slaves, and many were indeed such;
+            but as christianity gained ground, the gentle
+            spirit of that religion, together with the doctrines
+            it teaches, concerning the original
+            equality of mankind, as well as the impartial
+            eye with which the Almighty regards
+            men of every condition, and admits them to
+            a participation of his benefits; so far manifested
+            <a name="P_66"></a>
+            the inconsistency of slavery with christianity,
+            that to set their fellow christians at
+            liberty was deemed an act of piety, highly
+            meritorious and acceptable to
+            God.<a class="notelink" href="#NoteVI_FN2"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootVI_FN2"></a> Accordingly
+            <a name="P_67"></a>
+            a great part of the charters
+            granted for the manumission or freedom of
+            slaves about that time, are granted <i>pro amore
+               Dei, for the love of God, pro mercede animae,
+               to obtain mercy to the soul</i>. Manumission was
+            frequently granted on death-beds, or by
+            latter wills. As the minds of men are at that
+            time awakened to sentiments of humanity
+            and piety, these deeds proceeded from religious
+            motives. The same author remarks,
+            That there are several forms of those manumissions
+            still extant, all of them founded <em>on
+               religious considerations</em>, and <em>in order to procure
+               the favour of God</em>. Since that time, the practice
+            of keeping men in slavery gradually
+            ceased amongst christians, till it was renewed
+            in the case before us. And as the prevalency
+            of the spirit of christianity caused men to
+            emerge from the darkness they then lay
+            under, in this respect; so it is much to be
+            feared that so great a deviation therefrom,
+            by the encouragement given to the slavery
+            of the Negroes in our colonies, if continued,
+            will, by degrees, reduce those countries which
+            support and encourage it but more immediately
+            <a name="P_68"></a>
+            those parts of America which are in
+            the practice of it, to the ignorance and barbarity
+            of the darkest ages.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteVI_FN1"></a><a href="#FootVI_FN1">A</a>: See Robertson's history of Charles
+            the 5th.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteVI_FN2"></a><a href="#FootVI_FN2">B</a>: In the years 1315 and 1318, Louis X.
+            and his brother Philip, Kings of France, issued ordonnances,
+            declaring, "That as all men were by nature free-born,
+            and as their kingdom was called the kingdom
+            of Franks, they determined that it should be so in
+            reality, as well as in name; therefore they appointed
+            that enfranchisements should be granted throughout
+            the whole kingdom, upon just and reasonable
+            conditions." "These edicts were carried into immediate
+            execution within the royal domain."&#8212;"In England, as the spirit of liberty
+            gained ground, the very name and idea of personal servitude, without
+            any formal interposition of the legislature to prohibit
+            it, was totally banished."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "The effects of such a remarkable change in the
+            condition of so great a part of the people, could not
+            fail of being considerable and extensive. The husbandman,
+            master of his own industry, and secure of
+            reaping for himself the fruits of his labour, became
+            farmer of the same field where he had formerly
+            been compelled to toil for the benefit of another. The
+            odious name of master and of slave, the most mortifying
+            and depressing of all distinctions to human
+            nature, were abolished. New prospects opened,
+            and new incitements to ingenuity and enterprise
+            presented themselves, to those who were emancipated.
+            The expectation of bettering their fortune, as
+            well as that of raising themselves to a more honourable
+            condition, concurred in calling forth their
+            activity and genius; and a numerous class of men,
+            who formerly had no political existence, and were
+            employed merely as instruments of labour, became
+            useful citizens, and contributed towards augmenting
+            the force or riches of the society, which adopted
+            them as members." William Robertson's history
+            of Charles the 5th, vol. 1, P. 35.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            If instead of making slaves of the Negroes,
+            the nations who assume the name and character
+            of christians, would use their endeavours
+            to make the nations of Africa acquainted
+            with the nature of the christian
+            religion, to give them a better sense of the
+            true use of the blessings of life, the more
+            beneficial arts and customs would, by degrees,
+            be introduced amongst them; this
+            care probably would produce the same effect
+            upon them, which it has had on the inhabitants
+            of Europe, formerly as savage
+            and barbarous as the natives of Africa.
+            Those cruel wars amongst the blacks would
+            be likely to cease, and a fair and honorable
+            commerce, in time, take place
+            throughout that vast country. It was by
+            these means that the inhabitants of Europe,
+            though formerly a barbarous people,
+            became civilized. Indeed the account Julius
+            Caesar gives of the ancient Britons in
+            their state of ignorance, is not such as should
+            make us proud of ourselves, or lead us to
+            despise the unpolished nations of the earth;
+            for he informs us, "That they lived in many
+            respects like our Indians, being clad with
+            skins, painting their bodies, &amp;c." He
+            also adds, "That they, brother with brother,
+            <a name="P_69"></a>
+            and parents with children, had wives in
+            common." A greater barbarity than any
+            heard of amongst the Negroes. Nor doth
+            Tacitus give a more honourable account of
+            the Germans, from whom the Saxons, our
+            immediate ancestors, sprung. The Danes,
+            who succeeded them (who may also be numbered
+            among our progenitors) were full as
+            bad, if not worse.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It is usual for people to advance as a palliation
+            in favour of keeping the Negroes in
+            bondage, that there are slaves in Guinea, and
+            that those amongst us might be so in their
+            own country; but let such consider the inconsistency
+            of our giving any countenance
+            to slavery, because the Africans, whom we
+            esteem a barbarous and savage people, allow
+            of it, and perhaps the more from our example.
+            Had the professors of christianity acted indeed
+            as such, they might have been instrumental
+            to convince the Negroes of their error
+            in this respect; but even this, when
+            inquired into, will be to us an occasion of
+            blushing, if we are not hardened to every
+            sense of shame, rather than a <em>palliation</em>
+            of our iniquitous conduct; as it will appear
+            that the slavery endured in Guinea, and
+            other parts of Africa, and in Asia,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteVI_FN3"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootVI_FN3"></a> is by
+            <a name="P_70"></a>
+            no means so grievous as that in our colonies.
+            William Moor, speaking of the natives
+            <a name="P_71"></a>
+            living on the river Gambia,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteVI_FN4"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootVI_FN4"></a> says, "Tho'
+            some of the Negroes have many house
+            slaves, which are their greatest glory;
+            that those slaves live so well and easy,
+            that it is sometimes a hard matter to
+            know the slaves from their masters or
+            mistresses. And that though in some
+            parts of Africa they sell their slaves born
+            in the family, yet on the river Gambia
+            they think it a very wicked thing."
+            The author adds, "He never heard of but
+            one that ever sold a family slave, except
+            for such crimes as they would have been
+            sold for if they had been free." And in
+            Astley's collection, speaking of the customs of
+            the Negroes in that large extent of country
+            <a name="P_72"></a>
+            further down the coast, particularly denominated
+            the coast of Guinea, it is
+            said,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteVI_FN5"><sup>C</sup></a><a name="FootVI_FN5"></a> "They have not many slaves on the coast; none
+            but the King or nobles are permitted to
+            buy or sell any; so that they are allowed
+            only what are necessary for their families,
+            or tilling the ground." The same author
+            adds, "<em>That they generally use their slaves well,
+               and seldom correct them</em>."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteVI_FN3"></a><a href="#FootVI_FN3">A</a>: In the
+            history of the piratical states of Barbary, printed in 1750,
+            <em>said to be</em> wrote by a person who resided
+            at Algiers, in a public character, at page 265 the
+            author says, "The world exclaims against the Algerines
+            for their cruel treatment of their slaves, and
+            their employing even tortures to convert them to
+            mahometism: but this is a vulgar error, artfully
+            propagated for selfish views. So far are their slaves
+            from being ill used, that they must have committed
+            some very great fault to suffer any punishment.
+            Neither are they forced to work beyond their
+            strength, but rather spared, lest they should fall sick.
+            Some are so pleased with their situation, that they
+            will not purchase their ransom, though they are
+            able." It is the same generally through the Mahometan
+            countries, except in some particular instances,
+            as that of Muley Ishmael, late Emperor of Morocco,
+            who being naturally barbarous, frequently used
+            both his subjects and slaves with cruelty. Yet
+            even under him the usage the slaves met with was,
+            in general, much more tolerable than that of the Negroe
+            slaves in the West Indies. Captain Braithwaite,
+            an author of credit, who accompanied consul general
+            Russel in a congratulatory ambassy to Muley Ishmael's
+            successor, upon his accession to the throne, says, "The
+            situation of the christian slaves in Morocco
+            was not near so bad as represented.&#8212;That it was
+            true they were kept at labour by the late Emperor,
+            but not harder than our daily labourers go through.&#8212;Masters of ships
+            were never obliged to work, nor
+            such as had but a small matter of money to give
+            the Alcaide.&#8212;When sick, they had a religious house
+            appointed for them to go to, where they were well
+            attended: and whatever money in charity was
+            sent them by their friends in Europe, was their
+            own." Braithwaite's revolutions of Morocco.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Lady Montague, wife of the English ambassador at
+            Constantinople, in her letters, vol. 3. page 20, writes,
+            "I know you expect I should say something particular
+            of the slaves; and you will imagine me half a
+            Turk, when I do not speak of it with the same horror
+            other christians have done before me; but I
+            cannot forbear applauding the humanity of the
+            Turks to these creatures; they are not ill used; and
+            their slavery, in my opinion, is no worse than servitude
+            all over the world. It is true they have no
+            wages, but they give them yearly cloaths to a higher
+            value than our salaries to our ordinary servants."
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteVI_FN4"></a><a href="#FootVI_FN4">B</a>: W. Moor, p.
+            30
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteVI_FN5"></a><a href="#FootVI_FN5">C</a>: Collection vol. 2. p.
+            647.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+      </div>
+      <div class="teidiv">
+         <h2><a name="VII"></a>
+            CHAP. VII.
+
+         </h2>
+         <p>
+            Montesquieu's sentiments
+            on slavery. Moderation enjoined by the
+            Mosaic law in the punishment of offenders.
+            Morgan Godwyn's account of the contempt
+            and grievous rigour exercised
+            upon the Negroes in his time. Account
+            from Jamaica, relating to the inhuman
+            treatment of them there. Bad effects
+            attendant on slave-keeping, as well to the
+            masters as the slaves. Extracts from several
+            laws relating to Negroes. Richard
+            Baxter's sentiments on slave-keeping.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            That celebrated civilian Montesquieu,
+            in his treatise <em>on the spirit of laws</em>, on
+            the article of slavery says, "<em>It is neither
+               <a name="P_73"></a>
+               useful to the master nor slave; to the slave,
+               because he can do nothing through principle
+               (or virtue); to the master, because he contracts
+               with his slave all sorts of bad habits,
+               insensibly accustoms himself to want all
+               moral virtues; becomes haughty, hasty, hard-hearted,
+               passionate, voluptuous, and cruel</em>."
+            The lamentable truth of this assertion was
+            quickly verified in the English plantations.
+            When the practice of slave-keeping was introduced,
+            it soon produced its natural
+            effects; it reconciled men, of otherwise good
+            dispositions, to the most hard and cruel
+            measures. It quickly proved, what, under
+            the law of Moses, was apprehended would
+            be the consequence of unmerciful chastisements.
+            Deut. xxv. 2. "<em>And it shall be if
+               the wicked man be worthy to be beaten, that
+               the judge shall cause him to lie down, and to
+               be beaten before his face, according to his
+               fault, by a certain number; forty stripes he
+               may give him, and not exceed</em>." And the
+            reason rendered, is out of respect to human
+            nature, viz. "<em>Lest if he should exceed, and
+               beat him above these with many stripes, then
+               thy brother should seem vile unto thee</em>." As
+            this effect soon followed the cause, the cruelest
+            measures were adopted, in order to make
+            the most of the poor <em>wretches</em> labour; and in
+            the minds of the masters such an idea was
+            excited of inferiority, in the nature of these
+            <a name="P_74"></a>
+            their unhappy fellow creatures, that they
+            soon esteemed and treated them as beasts of
+            burden: pretending to doubt, and some
+            of them even presuming to deny, that the
+            efficacy of the death of Christ extended to
+            them. Which is particularly noted in a
+            book, intitled <em>The Negroes and Indians advocate</em>,
+            dedicated to the then Archbishop of
+            Canterbury, wrote so long since as in the
+            year 1680, by Morgan Godwyn, thought to
+            be a clergyman of the church of
+            England.<a class="notelink" href="#NoteVII_FN1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootVII_FN1"></a> The same spirit of
+            sympathy and zeal which
+            <a name="P_75"></a>
+            stirred up the good Bishop of Chapia to
+            plead with so much energy the kindred cause
+            <a name="P_76"></a>
+            of the Indians of America, an hundred and
+            fifty years before, was equally operating
+            about a century past on the minds of some of
+            the well disposed of that day; amongst others
+            this worthy clergyman, having been an eye
+            witness of the oppression and cruelty exercised
+            upon the Negro and Indian slaves,
+            endeavoured to raise the attention of those,
+            in whose power it might be to procure them
+            relief; amongst other matters, in his address
+            to the Archbishop, he remarks in substance,
+            "That the people of the island of Barbadoes
+            were not content with exercising the
+            greatest hardness and barbarity upon the
+            Negroes, in making the most of their
+            labour, without any regard to the calls of
+            humanity, but that they had suffered such
+            a slight and undervaluement to prevail in
+            their minds towards these their oppressed
+            fellow creatures, as to discourage any step
+            being taken, whereby they might be made
+            acquainted with the christian religion.
+            That their conduct towards their slaves
+            was such as gave him reason to believe,
+            that either they had suffered a spirit of
+            infidelity, a spirit quite contrary to the
+            nature of the gospel, to prevail in them,
+            or that it must be their established opinion
+            that the Negroes had no more souls than
+            beasts; that hence they concluded them
+            to be neither susceptible of religious impressions,
+            <a name="P_77"></a>
+            nor fit objects for the redeeming
+            grace of God to operate upon. That
+            under this persuasion, and from a disposition
+            of cruelty, they treated them
+            with far less humanity than they did
+            their cattle; for, says he, they do not
+            starve their horses, which they expect
+            should both carry and credit them on the
+            road; nor pinch the cow, by whose milk
+            they are sustained; which yet, to their
+            eternal shame, is too frequently the lot and
+            condition of those poor people, from whose
+            labour their wealth and livelihood doth
+            wholly arise; not only in their diet, but in
+            their cloathing, and overworking some of
+            them even to death (which is particularly
+            the calamity of the most innocent and laborious)
+            but also in tormenting and whipping
+            them almost, and sometimes quite, to
+            death, upon even small miscarriages. He
+            apprehends it was from this prejudice
+            against the Negroes, that arose those supercilious
+            checks and frowns he frequently
+            met with, when using innocent arguments
+            and persuasions, in the way of his
+            duty as a minister of the gospel, to labour
+            for the convincement and conversion of
+            the Negroes; being repeatedly told, with
+            spiteful scoffings, (even by some esteemed
+            religious) that the Negroes were no
+            more susceptible of receiving benefit, by
+            <a name="P_78"></a>
+            becoming members of the church, than
+            their dogs and bitches. The usual answer
+            he received, when exhorting their masters
+            to do their duty in that respect, being,
+            <em>What! these black dogs be made christians!
+               what! they be made like us! with abundance
+               more of the same</em>. Nevertheless, he remarks
+            that the Negroes were capable,
+            not only of being taught to read and
+            write, &amp;c. but divers of them eminent in
+            the management of business. He declares
+            them to have an equal right with
+            us to the merits of Christ; of which if
+            through neglect or avarice they are deprived,
+            that judgment which was denounced
+            against wicked Ahab, must
+            befal us: <em>Our life shall go for theirs</em>. The
+            loss of their souls will be required at our
+            hands, to whom God hath given so blessed
+            an opportunity of being instrumental to
+            their salvation."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteVII_FN1"></a><a href="#FootVII_FN1">A</a>: "There is a principle which is
+            pure, placed in the human mind, which in different places or ages hath
+            had different names; it is, however, pure, and proceeds
+            from God.&#8212;It is deep and inward, confined to
+            no forms of religion, nor excluded from any, where
+            the heart stands in perfect sincerity. In whomsoever
+            this takes root and grows, of what nation soever, they
+            become brethren in the best sense of the expression.
+            Using ourselves to take ways which appear most easy
+            to us, when inconsistent with that purity which is
+            without beginning, we thereby set up a government of
+            our own, and deny obedience to Him whose service is
+            true liberty. He that has a servant, made so wrongfully,
+            and knows it to be so, when he treats him otherwise
+            than a free man, when he reaps the benefit of his
+            labour, without paying him such wages as are reasonably
+            due to free men for the like service; these things,
+            though done in calmness, without any shew of disorder,
+            do yet deprave the mind, in like manner, and with
+            as great certainty, as prevailing cold congeals water.
+            These steps taken by masters, and their conduct striking
+            the minds of their children, whilst young, leave
+            less room for that which is good to work upon them.
+            The customs of their parents, their neighbours, and the
+            people with whom they converse, working upon their
+            minds, and they from thence conceiving wrong ideas
+            of things, and modes of conduct, the entrance into
+            their hearts becomes in a great measure shut up against
+            the gentle movings of uncreated purity.
+            <br><br>
+            "From one age to another the gloom grows thicker
+            and darker, till error gets established by general opinion;
+            but whoever attends to perfect goodness, and remains
+            under the melting influence of it, finds a path
+            unknown to many, and sees the necessity to lean
+            upon the arm of divine strength, and dwell alone, or
+            with a few in the right, committing their cause to
+            him who is a refuge to his people. Negroes are our
+            fellow creatures, and their present condition among
+            us requires our serious consideration. We know not
+            the time, when those scales, in which mountains are
+            weighed, may turn. The parent of mankind is gracious,
+            his care is over his smallest creatures, and a multitude
+            of men escape not his notice; and though many
+            of them are trodden down and despised, yet he remembers
+            them. He seeth their affliction, and looketh upon
+            the spreading increasing exaltation of the oppressor.
+            He turns the channel of power, humbles the most
+            haughty people, and gives deliverance to the oppressed,
+            at such periods as are consistent with his infinite justice
+            and goodness. And wherever gain is preferred to
+            equity, and wrong things publickly encouraged, to
+            that degree that wickedness takes root and spreads
+            wide amongst the inhabitants of a country, there is a
+            real cause for sorrow, to all such whose love to mankind
+            stands on a true principle, and wisely consider the
+            end and event of things." Consideration on keeping
+            Negroes, by John Woolman, part 2. p. 50.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            He complains, "That they were suffered
+            to live with their women in no
+            better way than direct fornication; no
+            care being taken to oblige them to continue
+            together when married; but that
+            they were suffered at their will to leave
+            their wives, and take to other women." I
+            shall conclude this sympathizing clergyman's
+            observations, with an instance he
+            gives, to shew, "that not only discouragements
+            <a name="P_79"></a>
+            and scoffs at that time
+            prevailed in Barbadoes, to establish an
+            opinion that the Negroes were not capable
+            of religious impressions, but that even
+            violence and great abuses were used to
+            prevent any thing of the kind taking
+            place. It was in the case of a poor Negro,
+            who having, at his own request, prevailed
+            on a clergyman to administer baptism
+            to him, on his return home the brutish
+            overseer took him to task, giving him to
+            understand, that that was no sunday's
+            work for those of his complexion; that he
+            had other business for him, the neglect
+            whereof would cost him an afternoon's
+            baptism in blood, as he in the morning
+            had received a baptism with water, (these,
+            says the clergyman, were his own words)
+            which he accordingly made good; of
+            which the Negro complained to him,
+            and he to the governor; nevertheless,
+            the poor miserable creature was ever after
+            so unmercifully treated by that inhuman
+            wretch, the overseer, that, to avoid
+            his cruelty, betaking himself to the woods,
+            he there perished." This instance is applicable
+            to none but the cruel perpetrator;
+            and yet it is an instance of what, in a greater
+            or less degree, may frequently happen, when
+            those poor wretches are left to the will of
+            such brutish inconsiderate creatures as those
+            <a name="P_80"></a>
+            overseers often are. This is confirmed in
+            a <em>History of Jamaica</em>, wrote in thirteen letters,
+            about the year 1740, by a person then
+            residing in that island, who writes as
+            follows, "I shall not now enter upon the
+            question, whether the slavery of the Negroes
+            be agreeable to the laws of nature
+            or not; though it seems extremely hard
+            they should be reduced to serve and toil
+            for the benefit of others, without the least
+            advantage to themselves. Happy Britannia,
+            where slavery is never known! where liberty
+            and freedom chears every misfortune.
+            Here (<em>says the author</em>) we can boast of no
+            such blessing; we have at least ten slaves
+            to one freeman. I incline to touch the
+            hardships which these poor creatures
+            suffer, in the tenderest manner, from
+            a particular regard which I have to
+            many of their masters, but I cannot conceal
+            their sad circumstances intirely: the
+            most trivial error is punished with terrible
+            whipping. I have seen some of them
+            treated in that cruel manner, for no other
+            reason but to satisfy the brutish pleasure
+            of an overseer, who has their punishment
+            mostly at his discretion. I have seen their
+            bodies all in a gore of blood, the skin
+            torn off their backs with the cruel whip;
+            beaten pepper and salt rubbed in the
+            wounds, and a large stick of sealing wax
+            <a name="P_81"></a>
+            dropped leisurely upon them. It is no
+            wonder, if the horrid pain of such inhuman
+            tortures incline them to rebel. Most
+            of these slaves are brought from the coast
+            of Guinea. When they first arrive, it is
+            observed, they are simple and very innocent
+            creatures; but soon turn to be
+            roguish enough. And when they come to
+            be whipt, urge the example of the whites
+            for an excuse of their faults."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            These accounts of the deep depravity of
+            mind attendant on the practice of slavery,
+            verify the truth of Montesquieu's remark of
+            its pernicious effects. And altho' the same
+            degree of opposition to instructing the Negroes
+            may not now appear in the islands as
+            formerly, especially since the Society appointed
+            for propagating the Gospel have
+            possessed a number of Negroes in one of them;
+            nevertheless the situation of these oppressed
+            people is yet dreadful, as well to themselves
+            as in its consequence to their hard task-masters,
+            and their offspring, as must be evident
+            to every impartial person who is acquainted
+            with the treatment they generally receive,
+            or with the laws which from time to time
+            have been made in the colonies, with respect
+            to the Negroes; some of them being absolutely
+            inconsistent with reason, and shocking to
+            humanity. By the 329th act of the assembly
+            of Barbadoes, page 125, it is enacted,
+
+         </p><a name="P_82"></a><p>
+            "That if any Negroe or other slave under
+            punishment by his master, or his order,
+            for running away, or any other
+            crime or misdemeanors towards his said
+            master, unfortunately shall suffer in life
+            or member, (which seldom happens) no
+            person whatsoever shall be liable to any
+            fine therefore. But if any man shall, <em>of
+               wantonness, or only of bloody-mindedness or
+               cruel intention, wilfully kill a Negroe, or other
+               slave of his own, he shall pay into the public
+               treasury, fifteen pounds sterling</em>." Now that
+            the life of a man should be so lightly valued,
+            as that fifteen pounds should be judged a
+            sufficient indemnification of the murder of
+            one, even when it is avowedly done <em>wilfully,
+               wantonly, cruelly, or of bloody-mindedness</em>,
+            is a tyranny hardly to be paralleled: nevertheless
+            human laws cannot make void the
+            righteous law of God, or prevent the inquisition
+            of that awful judgment day, when,
+            "<em>at the hand of every man's brother the life of
+               man shall be required</em>." By the law of
+            South Carolina, the person that killeth a
+            Negroe is only subject to a fine, or twelve
+            months imprisonment. It is the same in
+            most, if not all the West-Indies. And by an
+            act of the assembly of Virginia, (4 Ann. Ch.
+            49. sect. 27. p. 227.) after proclamation is
+            issued against slaves, "that run away and
+            lie out, <em>it is lawful for any person whatsoever
+               <a name="P_83"></a>
+               to kill and destroy such slaves, by such
+               ways and means as he, she, or they shall
+               think fit, without accusation or impeachment
+               of any crime for the same</em>."&#8212;And lest private
+            interest should incline the planter to
+            mercy, it is provided, "<em>That every slave so
+               killed, in pursuance of this act, shall be paid
+               for by the public</em>."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It was doubtless a like sense of sympathy
+            with that expressed by Morgan Godwyn
+            before mentioned, for the oppressed Negroes,
+            and like zeal for the cause of religion, so manifestly
+            trampled upon in the case of the
+            Negroes, which induced Richard Baxter, an
+            eminent preacher amongst the Dissenters in
+            the last century, in his <em>christian directory</em>, to
+            express himself as follows, viz. "Do you
+            mark how God hath followed you with
+            plagues; and may not conscience tell you,
+            that it is for your inhumanity to the souls
+            and bodies of men?"&#8212;"To go as pirates;
+            and catch up poor Negroes, or people
+            of another land, that never forfeited life
+            or liberty, and to make them slaves, and
+            sell them, is one of the worst kinds of
+            thievery in the world; and such persons
+            are to be taken for the common enemies
+            of mankind; and they that buy them and
+            use them as beasts for their mere commodity,
+            and betray, or destroy, or neglect their
+            <a name="P_84"></a>
+            souls, are fitter to be called devils incarnate
+            than christians: It is an heinous sin to buy
+            them, unless it be in charity to deliver
+            them. Undoubtedly they are presently
+            bound to deliver them, because by right
+            the man is his own, therefore no man else
+            can have a just title to him."
+
+         </p>
+      </div>
+      <div class="teidiv">
+         <h2><a name="VIII"></a>
+            CHAP. VIII.
+
+         </h2><a name="P_85"></a><p>
+            Griffith Hughes's account of
+            the number of Negroes in Barbadoes.
+            Cannot keep up their usual number without
+            a yearly recruit. Excessive hardships
+            wear the Negroes down in a surprising
+            manner. A servitude without a
+            condition, inconsistent with reason and natural
+            justice. The general usage the Negroes
+            meet with in the West Indies. Inhuman
+            calculations of the strength and
+            lives of the Negroes. Dreadful consequences
+            which may be expected from the
+            cruelty exercised upon this oppressed part
+            of mankind.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            We are told by Griffith Hughes, rector
+            of St. Lucy in Barbadoes, in his
+            natural history of that island, printed in
+            the year 1750, "That there were between
+            sixty-five and seventy thousand Negroes,
+            at that time, in the island, tho' formerly
+            they had a greater number. That in order
+            to keep up a necessary number, they
+            were obliged to have a yearly supply from
+            Africa. That the hard labour, and often
+            <a name="P_86"></a>
+            want of necessaries, which these unhappy
+            creatures are obliged to undergo, destroy
+            a greater number than are bred there." He
+            adds, "That the capacities of their minds
+            in common affairs of life are but little inferior,
+            if at all, to those of the Europeans.
+            If they fail in some arts, he says, it may
+            be owing more to their want of education,
+            and the depression of their spirits by slavery,
+            than to any want of natural abilities."
+            This destruction of the human
+            species, thro' unnatural hardships, and want
+            of necessary supplies, in the case of the Negroes,
+            is farther confirmed in <em>an account of
+               the European settlements in America</em>, printed
+            London, 1757, where it is said, par. 6. chap.
+            11th, "The Negroes in our colonies endure
+            a slavery more compleat, and attended
+            with far worse circumstances, than
+            what any people in their condition suffer
+            in any other part of the world,
+            or have suffered in any other period of
+            time: Proofs of this are not wanting.
+            The prodigious waste which we experience
+            in this unhappy part of our species, is a
+            full and melancholy evidence of this
+            truth. The island of Barbadoes, (the Negroes
+            upon which do not amount to eighty
+            thousand) notwithstanding all the
+            means which they use to increase them
+            by propagation, and that the climate is
+            <a name="P_87"></a>
+            in every respect (except that of being
+            more wholesome) exactly resembling the
+            climate from whence they come; notwithstanding
+            all this, Barbadoes lies under
+            a necessity of an annual recruit of five
+            thousand slaves, to keep up the stock at
+            the number I have mentioned. This prodigious
+            failure, which is at least in the
+            same proportion in all our islands, shews
+            demonstratively that some uncommon and
+            unsupportable hardship lies upon the Negroes,
+            which wears them down in such a
+            surprising manner."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In an account of part of North America,
+            published by Thomas Jeffery, 1761, the author,
+            speaking of the usage the Negroes receive
+            in the West India islands, says, "It is
+            impossible for a human heart to reflect upon
+            the servitude of these dregs of mankind,
+            without in some measure feeling for
+            their misery, which ends but with their
+            lives.&#8212;Nothing can be more wretched
+            than the condition of this people. One
+            would imagine, they were framed to be
+            the disgrace of the human species; banished
+            from their country, and deprived of
+            that blessing, liberty, on which all other
+            nations set the greatest value, they are in
+            a measure reduced to the condition of
+            beasts of burden. In general, a few roots,
+            potatoes especially, are their food, and
+            <a name="P_88"></a>
+            two rags, which neither screen them from
+            the heat of the day, nor the extraordinary
+            coolness of the night, all their covering;
+            their sleep very short; their labour almost
+            continual; they receive no wages, but
+            have twenty lashes for the smallest fault."
+            <em>A thoughtful</em> person, who had an opportunity
+            of observing the miserable condition of
+            the Negroes in one of our West India
+            islands, writes thus, "I met with daily exercise
+            to see the treatment which those miserable
+            wretches met with from their
+            masters; with but few exceptions. They
+            whip them most unmercifully on small
+            occasions: you will see their bodies all
+            whealed and scarred; in short, they seem
+            to set no other value on their lives, than
+            as they cost them so much money; and are
+            restrained from killing them, when angry,
+            by no worthier consideration, than that
+            they lose so much. They act as though they
+            did not look upon them as a race of human
+            creatures, who have reason, and remembrance
+            of misfortunes, but as beasts;
+            like oxen, who are stubborn, hardy, and
+            senseless, fit for burdens, and designed to
+            bear them: they won't allow them to
+            have any claim to human privileges, or
+            scarce indeed to be regarded as the work
+            of God. Though it was consistent with
+            the justice of our Maker to pronounce
+            <a name="P_89"></a>
+            the sentence on our common parent,
+            and through him on all succeeding generations,
+            <em>That he and they should eat their
+               bread by the sweat of their brows</em>: yet does
+            it not stand recorded by the same eternal
+            truth, <em>That the labourer is worthy of his
+               hire?</em> It cannot be allowed, in natural
+            justice, that there should be a servitude
+            without condition; a cruel, endless
+            servitude. It cannot be reconcileable to
+            natural justice, that whole nations, nay,
+            whole continents of men, should be devoted
+            to do the drudgery of life for others,
+            be dragged away from their attachments
+            of relations and societies, and be made to
+            serve the appetite and pleasure of a race
+            of men, whose superiority has been obtained
+            by illegal force."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Sir Hans Sloane, in the introduction to his
+            natural history of Jamaica, in the account he
+            gives of the treatment the Negroes met with
+            there, speaking of the punishments inflicted
+            on them, says, page 56. "For rebellion, the
+            punishment is burning them, by nailing
+            them down to the ground with crooked
+            sticks on every limb, and then applying
+            the fire, by degrees, from the feet and
+            hands, burning them gradually up to the
+            head, whereby <em>their pains are extravagant</em>.
+            For crimes of a less nature, gelding
+            or chopping off half the foot with an axe.&#8212;For
+            <a name="P_90"></a>
+            negligence, they are usually
+            whipped by the overseers with lance-wood
+            switches.&#8212;After they are whipped
+            till they are raw, some put on their skins
+            pepper and salt, to make them smart; at
+            other times, their masters will drop melted
+            wax on their skins, and use several <em>very
+               exquisite torments</em>." In that island, the
+            owners of the Negroe slaves set aside to
+            each a parcel of ground, and allow them half
+            a day at the latter end of the week, which,
+            with the day appointed by the divine injunction
+            to be a day of rest and service to
+            God, and which ought to be kept as such,
+            is the only time allowed them to manure
+            their ground. This, with a few herrings,
+            or other salt fish, is what is given for their
+            support. Their allowance for cloathing in
+            the island, is seldom more than six yards of
+            oznabrigs each year. And in the more
+            northern colonies, where the piercing westerly
+            winds are long and sensibly felt, these
+            poor Africans suffer much for want of sufficient
+            cloathing; indeed some have none till
+            they are able to pay for it by their labour.
+            The time that the Negroes work in the
+            West Indies, is from day-break till noon;
+            then again from two o'clock till dark (during
+            which time, they are attended by overseers,
+            who severely scourge those who appear
+            to them dilatory); and before they are suffered
+            <a name="P_91"></a>
+            to go to their quarters, they have still
+            something to do, as collecting herbage for
+            the horses, gathering fuel for the boilers,
+            &amp;c. so that it is often past twelve before they
+            can get home, when they have scarce time
+            to grind and boil their Indian corn; whereby,
+            if their food was not prepared the evening
+            before, it sometimes happens that they
+            are called again to labour before they can
+            satisfy their hunger. And here no delay or
+            excuse will avail; for if they are not in the
+            field immediately upon the usual notice,
+            they must expect to feel the overseer's lash.
+            In crop time (which lasts many months) they
+            are obliged, by turns, to work most of the
+            night in the boiling house. Thus their
+            owners, from a desire of making the greatest
+            gain by the labour of their slaves, lay heavy
+            burdens on them, and yet feed and cloath
+            them very sparingly, and some scarce feed or
+            cloath them at all; so that the poor creatures
+            are obliged to shift for their living in the best
+            manner they can, which occasions their
+            being often killed in the neighbouring lands,
+            stealing potatoes, or other food, to satisfy
+            their hunger. And if they take any thing
+            from the plantation they belong to, though
+            under such pressing want, their owners will
+            correct them severely for taking a little of
+            what they have so hardly laboured for;
+            whilst many of themselves riot in the greatest
+            <a name="P_92"></a>
+            luxury and excess. It is matter of astonishment
+            how a people, who, as a nation, are
+            looked upon as generous and humane, and
+            so much value themselves for their uncommon
+            sense of the benefit of liberty, can live
+            in the practice of such extreme oppression
+            and inhumanity, without seeing the inconsistency
+            of such conduct, and feeling great
+            remorse. Nor is it less amazing to hear these
+            men calmly making calculations about the
+            strength and lives of their fellow men. In
+            Jamaica, if six in ten of the new imported
+            Negroes survive the seasoning, it is looked
+            upon as a gaining purchase. And in most
+            of the other plantations, if the Negroes live
+            eight or nine years, their labour is reckoned
+            a sufficient compensation for their cost. If
+            calculations of this sort were made upon the
+            strength and labour of beasts of burden, it
+            would not appear so strange; but even then,
+            a merciful man would certainly use his beast
+            with more mercy than is usually shewn to
+            the poor Negroes. Will not the groans, the
+            dying groans, of this deeply afflicted and oppressed
+            people reach heaven? and when the
+            cup of iniquity is full, must not the inevitable
+            consequence be, the pouring forth of the
+            judgments of God upon their oppressors?
+            But alas! is it not too manifest that this oppression
+            has already long been the object of
+            the divine displeasure? For what heavier
+            <a name="P_93"></a>
+            judgment, what greater calamity, can befal
+            any people, than to become subject to that
+            hardness of heart, that forgetfulness of God,
+            and insensibility to every religious impression,
+            as well as that general depravation of
+            manners, which so much prevails in these
+            colonies, in proportion as they have more
+            or less enriched themselves at the expence of
+            the blood and bondage of the Negroes.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It is a dreadful consideration, as a late
+            author remarks, that out of the stock of
+            eighty thousand Negroes in Barbadoes, there
+            die every year five thousand more than are
+            born in that island; which failure is probably
+            in the same proportion in the other islands.
+            <em>In effect, this people is under a necessity of being
+               entirely renewed every sixteen years.</em> And
+            what must we think of the management of
+            a people, who, far from increasing greatly,
+            as those who have no loss by war ought to
+            do, must, in so short a time as sixteen years,
+            without foreign recruits, be entirely consumed
+            to a man! Is it not a christian doctrine,
+            <em>that the labourer is worthy of his hire?</em>
+            And hath not the Lord, by the mouth of his
+            prophet, pronounced, <em>"Wo unto that man
+               who buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and
+               his chambers by wrong; who uses his neighbour's
+               service without wages, and giveth him nought
+               for his work?"</em> And yet the poor Negro
+            slaves are constrained, like the beasts, by
+            <a name="P_94"></a>
+            beating, to work hard without hire or recompence,
+            and receive nothing from the hand
+            of their unmerciful masters, but such a
+            wretched provision as will scarce support
+            them under their fatigues. The intolerable
+            hardships many of the slaves undergo, are sufficiently
+            proved by the shortness of their lives.&#8212;And who
+            are these miserable creatures,
+            that receive such barbarous treatment
+            from the planter? Can we restrain our
+            just indignation, when we consider that they
+            are undoubtedly <em>his brethren! his neighbours!
+               the children of the same Father, and some
+               of those for whom Christ died, as truly as for the
+               planter himself</em>. Let the opulent planter, or
+            merchant, prove that his Negro slave is not
+            his brother, or that he is not his neighbour,
+            in the scripture sense of these appellations;
+            and if he is not able so to do, how will he
+            justify the buying and selling of his brethren,
+            as if they were of no more consideration
+            than his cattle? The wearing them out
+            with continual labour, before they have
+            lived out half their days? The severe whipping
+            and torturing them, even to death, if
+            they resist his unsupportable tyranny? Let
+            the hardiest slave-holder look forward to
+            that tremendous day, when he must give
+            an account to God of his stewardship; and
+            let him seriously consider, whether, at such a
+            time, he thinks he shall be able to satisfy
+            <a name="P_95"></a>
+            himself, that any act of buying and selling,
+            or the fate of war, or the birth of children
+            in his house, plantation, or territories, or
+            any other circumstance whatever, can give
+            him such an absolute property in the persons
+            of men, as will justify his retaining them as
+            slaves, and treating them as beasts? Let him
+            diligently consider whether there will not
+            always remain to the slave a <em>superior</em> property
+            or right to the fruit of his own labour;
+            and more especially to his own person; that
+            being which was given him by God, and
+            which none but the Giver can justly claim?
+
+         </p>
+      </div>
+      <div class="teidiv">
+         <h2><a name="IX"></a>
+            CHAP. IX.
+
+         </h2><a name="P_96"></a><p>
+            The advantage which would
+            have accrued to the natives of Guinea, if
+            the Europeans had acted towards them
+            agreeable to the dictates of humanity
+            and christianity. <em>An inordinate</em> desire of
+            gain in the Europeans, the true occasion
+            of the slave trade. Notice of the misrepresentations
+            of the Negroes by most authors,
+            in order to palliate the iniquity of
+            the slave trade. Those misrepresentations
+            refuted, particularly with respect <em>to the
+               Hottentot Negroes</em>.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            From the foregoing accounts of the
+            natural disposition of the Negroes, and
+            the fruitfulness of most parts of Guinea,
+            which are confirmed by authors of candour,
+            who have wrote from their own
+            knowledge, it may well be concluded, that
+            the Negroes acquaintance with the Europeans
+            might have been a happiness to them,
+            if these last had not only bore the name,
+            but had also acted the part, of Christians, and
+            used their endeavours by example, as well as
+            precept, to make them acquainted with the
+            <a name="P_97"></a>
+            glad tidings of the gospel, which breathes
+            peace and good will to man, and with that
+            change of heart, that redemption from sin,
+            which christianity proposeth; innocence
+            and love might then have prevailed, nothing
+            would have been wanting to complete the
+            happiness of the simple Africans: but the
+            reverse has happened; the Europeans, forgetful
+            of their duty as men and christians,
+            have conducted themselves in so iniquitous a
+            manner, as must necessarily raise in the
+            minds of the thoughtful and well-disposed
+            Negroes, the utmost scorn and detestation
+            of the very name of christians. All other
+            considerations have given way to an infallible
+            desire of gain, which has been the
+            principal and moving cause of the most <em>iniquitous
+               and dreadful scene</em> that was, perhaps,
+            ever acted upon the face of the earth; instead
+            of making use of that superior knowledge
+            with which the Almighty, the common
+            Parent of mankind, had favoured them, to
+            strengthen the principle of peace and good
+            will in the breasts of the incautious Negroes,
+            the Europeans have, by their bad example,
+            led them into excess of drunkenness, debauchery,
+            and avarice; whereby every passion
+            of corrupt nature being inflamed, they have
+            been easily prevailed upon to make war, and
+            captivate one another; as well to furnish
+            means for the excesses they had been habituated
+            <a name="P_98"></a>
+            to, as to satisfy the greedy desire of
+            gain in their profligate employers, who to
+            this intent have furnished them with prodigious
+            quantities of arms and ammunition.
+            Thus they have been hurried into confusion,
+            distress, and all the extremities of temporal
+            misery; every thing, even the power of
+            their Kings, has been made subservient to
+            this wicked purpose; for instead of being
+            protectors of their subjects, some of those
+            rulers, corrupted by the excessive love of
+            spirituous liquors, and the tempting baits
+            laid before them by the factors, have invaded
+            the liberties of their unhappy subjects, and
+            are become their oppressors.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Here it may be necessary to observe, that
+            the accounts we have of the inhabitants of
+            Guinea, are chiefly given by persons engaged
+            in the trade, who, from self-interested views,
+            have described them in such colours as
+            were least likely to excite compassion and
+            respect, and endeavoured to reconcile so
+            manifest a violation of the rights of mankind
+            to the minds of the purchasers; yet they
+            cannot but allow the Negroes to be possessed
+            of some good qualities, though they contrive
+            as much as possible to cast a shade over them.
+            A particular instance of this appears in Astley's
+            collection, vol. 2. p. 73, where the author,
+            speaking of the Mandingos settled at
+            Galem, which is situated 900 miles up the
+            <a name="P_99"></a>
+            Senegal, after saying that they carry on a
+            commerce to all the neighbouring kingdoms, and
+            amass riches, adds, "That excepting
+            <em>the vices peculiar to the Blacks</em>, they
+            are a good sort of people, honest, hospitable,
+            just to their word, laborious, industrious,
+            and very ready to learn arts and
+            sciences." Here it is difficult to imagine
+            what vices can be peculiarly attendant on a
+            people so well disposed as the author describes
+            these to be. With respect to the
+            charge some authors have brought against
+            them, as being void of all natural affection,
+            it is frequently contradicted by others. In
+            vol. 2. of the Collection, p. 275, and 629,
+            the Negroes of North Guinea, and the
+            Gold Coast, are said <em>to be fond of their children,
+               whom they love with tenderness</em>. And
+            Bosman says, p. 340, "Not a few in his
+            country (viz. Holland) fondly imagine,
+            that parents here sell their children, men
+            their wives, and one brother the other:
+            but those who think so deceive themselves;
+            for this never happens on any
+            other account but that of necessity, or
+            some great crime." The same is repeated
+            by J. Barbot, page 326, and also confirmed
+            by Sir Hans Sloane, in the introduction to his
+            natural history of Jamaica; where speaking
+            of the Negroes, he says, "They are usually
+            thought to be haters of their own
+            <a name="P_100"></a>
+            children, and therefore it is believed that
+            they sell and dispose of them to strangers
+            for money: but this is not true; for the
+            Negroes of Guinea being divided into
+            several captainships, as well as the Indians
+            of America, have wars; and besides those
+            slain in battle, many prisoners are taken,
+            who are sold as slaves, and brought thither:
+            but the parents here, although their children
+            are slaves for ever, yet have so great
+            love for them, that no master dares sell,
+            or give away, one of their little ones,
+            unless they care not whether their parents
+            hang themselves or no." J. Barbot,
+            speaking of the occasion of the natives of
+            Guinea being represented as a treacherous
+            people, ascribes it to the Hollanders (and
+            doubtless other Europeans) usurping authority,
+            and fomenting divisions between the
+            Negroes. At page 110, he says, "It is well
+            known that many of the European nations
+            trading amongst these people, have very
+            unjustly and inhumanly, without any
+            provocation, stolen away, from time to
+            time, abundance of the people, not only
+            on this coast, but almost every where in
+            Guinea, who have come on board their
+            ships in a harmless and confiding manner:
+            these they have in great numbers carried
+            away, and sold in the plantations, with
+            other slaves which they had purchased."
+            <a name="P_101"></a>
+            And although some of the Negroes may be
+            justly charged with indolence and supineness,
+            yet many others are frequently mentioned
+            by authors <em>as a careful, industrious, and even
+               laborious</em> people. But nothing shews more
+            clearly how unsafe it is to form a judgment
+            of distant people from the accounts given
+            of them by travellers, who have taken but
+            a transient view of things, than the case of
+            the Hottentots, viz. those several nations of
+            Negroes who inhabit the most southern part
+            of Africa: <em>these people</em> are represented by
+            several authors, who appear to have very
+            much copied their relations one from the
+            other, as so savage and barbarous as to have
+            little of human, but the shape: but these
+            accounts are strongly contradicted by others,
+            particularly Peter Kolben, who has given a circumstantial
+            relation of the disposition and
+            manners of those people.<a class="notelink" href="#NoteIX_FN1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootIX_FN1"></a> He was a man
+            of learning, sent from the court of Prussia
+            solely to make astronomical and natural observations
+            there; and having no interest in the
+            slavery of the Negroes, had not the same
+            inducement as most other relators had, to
+            misrepresent the natives of Africa. He resided
+            eight years at and about the Cape of
+            Good Hope, during which time he examined
+            with great care into the customs, manners,
+            <a name="P_102"></a>
+            and opinions of the Hottentots; whence he
+            sets these people in a quite different light
+            from what they appeared in former authors,
+            whom he corrects, and blames for the falsehoods
+            they have wantonly told of them. At
+            p. 61, he says, "The details we have in several
+            authors, are for the most part made up
+            of inventions and hearsays, which generally
+            prove false." Nevertheless, he allows
+            they are justly to be blamed for their sloth.&#8212;<em>The
+               love of liberty and indolence is their all;
+               compulsion is death to them. While necessity obliges
+               them to work, they are very tractable, obedient,
+               and faithful; but when they have got enough
+               to satisfy the present want, they are deaf to all
+               further intreaty</em>. He also faults them for
+            their nastiness, the effect of sloth; and for
+            their love of drink, and the practice of
+            some unnatural customs, which long use has
+            established amongst them; which, nevertheless,
+            from the general good disposition of
+            these people, there is great reason to believe
+            they might be persuaded to refrain from,
+            if a truly christian care had been extended
+            towards them. He says, "They are
+            eminently distinguished by many virtues,
+            as their mutual benevolence, friendship,
+            and hospitality; they breathe kindness
+            and good will to one another, and seek
+            all opportunities of obliging. Is a Hottentot's
+            <a name="P_103"></a>
+            assistance required by one of his
+            countrymen? he runs to give it. Is his advice
+            asked? he gives it with sincerity. Is
+            his countryman in want? he relieves him to
+            the utmost of his power." Their hospitality
+            extends even to European strangers: in travelling
+            thro' the Cape countries, you meet with
+            a chearful and open reception, in whatsoever
+            village you come to. In short, he says,
+            page 339, "The integrity of the Hottentots,
+            their strictness and celerity in the
+            execution of justice, and their charity, are
+            equalled by few nations. <em>In alliances, their
+               word is sacred; there being hardly any thing
+               they look upon as a fouler crime than breach
+               of engagements. Theft and adultery they
+               punish with death</em>." They firmly believe
+            there is a God, the author of all things,
+            whom they call the God of gods; but it
+            does not appear that they have an institution
+            of worship directly regarding this supreme
+            Deity. When pressed on this article, they
+            excuse themselves by a tradition, "<em>That
+               their first parents so grievously offended
+               this great God, that he cursed them and their
+               posterity with hardness of heart; so that
+               they know little about him, and have less inclination
+               to serve him</em>." As has been already
+            remarked, these Hottentots are the
+            only Negroe nations bordering on the sea,
+            we read of, who are not concerned in making
+            <a name="P_104"></a>
+            or keeping slaves. Those slaves made
+            use of by the Hollanders at the Cape, are
+            brought from other parts of Guinea. Numbers
+            of these people told the author, "That
+            the vices they saw prevail amongst christians;
+            their avarice, their envy and hatred
+            of one another; their restless discontented
+            tempers; their lasciviousness and
+            injustice, were the things that principally
+            kept the Hottentots from hearkening to
+            christianity."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteIX_FN1"></a><a href="#FootIX_FN1">A</a>: See Kolban's
+            account of the Cape of Good Hope.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            Father Tachard, a French Jesuit, famous
+            for his travels in the East Indies, in his account
+            of these people, says, "The Hottentots
+            have more honesty, love, and liberality
+            for one another, than are almost anywhere
+            seen amongst christians."
+
+         </p>
+      </div>
+      <div class="teidiv">
+         <h2><a name="X"></a>
+            CHAP. X.
+
+         </h2><a name="P_105"></a><p>
+            Man-stealing esteemed highly
+            criminal, and punishable by the laws of
+            Guinea: <em>No</em> Negroes allowed to be sold
+            for slaves there, but those deemed prisoners
+            of war, or in punishment for crimes.
+            <em>Some</em> of the Negroe rulers, corrupted by
+            the Europeans, violently infringe the laws
+            of Guinea. The King of Barsailay noted
+            in that respect.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            By an inquiry into the laws and customs
+            formerly in use, and still in force
+            amongst the Negroes, particularly on the
+            Gold Coast, it will be found, that provision
+            was made for the general peace, and for the
+            safety of individuals; even in W. Bosman's
+            time, long after the Europeans had established
+            the slave-trade, the natives were not publicly
+            enslaved, any otherwise than in punishment for
+            crimes, when prisoners of war,
+            or by a violent exertion of the power of
+            their corrupted Kings. Where any of the
+            natives were stolen, in order to be sold to
+            the Europeans, it was done secretly, or at
+            least, only connived at by those in power:
+            <a name="P_106"></a>
+            this appears From Barbot and Bosman's account
+            of the matter, both agreeing that
+            man-stealing was not allowed on the
+            Gold Coast. The first<a class="notelink" href="#NoteX_FN1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootX_FN1"></a> says, "<em>Kidnapping
+               or stealing of human creatures is punished
+               there, and even sometimes with death.</em>"
+            And, W. Bosman, whose long residence on
+            the coast, enabled him to speak with certainty,
+            says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteX_FN2"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootX_FN2"></a> "<em>That the laws were severe
+               against murder, thievery, and adultery.</em>"
+            And adds, "<em>That man-stealing was
+               punished on the Gold Coast with rigid
+               severity and sometimes with death itself.</em>"
+            Hence it may be concluded, that the sale
+            of the greatest part of the Negroes to the
+            Europeans is supported by violence, in defiance
+            of the laws, through the knavery of
+            their principal men,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteX_FN3"><sup>C</sup></a><a name="FootX_FN3"></a> who, (as is too often
+            the case with those in European countries)
+            under pretence of encouraging trade, and
+            increasing the public revenue, disregard the
+            dictates of justice, and trample upon those
+            liberties which they are appointed to preserve.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteX_FN1"></a><a href="#FootX_FN1">A</a>: Barbot, p.
+            303.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteX_FN2"></a><a href="#FootX_FN2">B</a>: Bosman, p.
+            143.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteX_FN3"></a><a href="#FootX_FN3">C</a>: Note. Barbot, page
+            270, says, the trade of slaves
+            is in a more peculiar manner the business of Kings, rich
+            men, and prime merchants, exclusive of the inferior sort
+            of blacks.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            Fr. Moor also mentions man-stealing as
+            being discountenanced by the Negroe Governments
+            <a name="P_107"></a>
+            on the river Gambia, and speaks
+            of the inslaving the peaceable inhabitants,
+            as a violence which only happens under
+            a corrupt administration of justice;
+            he says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteX_FN4"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootX_FN4"></a> "The Kings
+            of that country generally advise with their head men,
+            scarcely doing any thing of consequence,
+            without consulting them first, except
+            the King of Barsailay, who being subject
+            to hard drinking, is very absolute. It is
+            to this King's insatiable thirst for brandy,
+            that his subjects freedoms and families
+            are in so precarious a situation.<a class="notelink" href="#NoteX_FN5"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootX_FN5"></a> Whenever this King wants goods or
+            brandy, he sends a messenger to the English
+            Governor at James Fort, to desire he
+            would send a sloop there with a cargo:
+            <em>this news, being not at all unwelcome</em>, the
+            Governor sends accordingly; against the
+            arrival of the sloop, the King goes and
+            ransacks some of his enemies towns,
+            seizing the people, and selling them for
+            such commodities as he is in want of,
+            which commonly are brandy, guns, powder,
+            balls, pistols, and cutlasses, for his attendants
+            and soldiers; and coral and silver
+            for his wives and concubines. In case
+            he is not at war with any neighbouring
+            King, he then falls upon one of his own
+            towns, which are numerous, and uses
+            them in the same manner." "He often
+            <a name="P_108"></a>
+            goes with some of his troops by a town in
+            the day time, and returning in the night,
+            sets fire to three parts of it, and putting
+            guards at the fourth, there seizes the people
+            as they run out from the fire; he ties
+            their arms behind them, and marches them
+            either to Joar or Cohone, where he sells
+            them to the Europeans."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteX_FN4"></a><a href="#FootX_FN4">A</a>: Moor, page 61.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteX_FN5"></a><a href="#FootX_FN5">B</a>: Idem,
+            p. 46.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            A. Brue, the French director, gives
+            much the same account, and
+            says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteX_FN6"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootX_FN6"></a> "That having received goods, he wrote to the
+            King, that if he had a sufficient number
+            of slaves, he was ready to trade with him.
+            This Prince, as well as the other Negroe
+            monarchs, has always a sure way of supplying
+            his deficiencies, by selling his own
+            subjects, for which they seldom want a
+            pretence. The King had recourse to this
+            method, by seizing three hundred of his
+            own people, and sent word to the director,
+            that he had the slaves ready to
+            deliver for the goods." It seems, the
+            King wanted double the quantity of goods
+            which the factor would give him for these
+            three hundred slaves; but the factor refusing
+            to trust him, as he was already in
+            the company's debt, and perceiving that this
+            refusal had put the King much out of temper,
+            he proposed that he should give him
+            a licence for taking so many more of his
+            people, as the goods he still wanted were
+            <a name="P_109"></a>
+            worth but this the King refused, saying
+            "<em>It</em> might occasion a disturbance amongst
+            his subjects."<a class="notelink" href="#NoteX_FN7"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootX_FN7"></a> Except in the above instance,
+            and some others, where the power
+            of the Negroe Kings is unlawfully exerted
+            over their subjects, the slave-trade is carried
+            on in Guinea with some regard to the laws
+            of the country, which allow of none to be
+            sold, but prisoners taken in their national
+            wars, or people adjudged to slavery in punishment
+            for crimes; but the largeness of
+            <a name="P_110"></a>
+            the country, the number of kingdoms or
+            commonwealths, and the great encouragement
+            given by the Europeans, afford frequent
+            pretences and opportunities to the
+            bold designing profligates of one kingdom,
+            to surprize and seize upon not only those of
+            a neighbouring government, but also the
+            weak and helpless of their
+            own;<a class="notelink" href="#NoteX_FN8"><sup>C</sup></a><a name="FootX_FN8"></a> and the
+            unhappy people, taken on those occasions,
+            are, with impunity, sold to the Europeans.
+            These practices are doubtless disapproved of
+            by the most considerate amongst the Negroes,
+            for Bosman acquaints us, that even their national
+            wars are not agreeable to such. He
+            says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteX_FN9"><sup>D</sup></a><a name="FootX_FN9"></a> "If the person who occasioned the
+            beginning of the war be taken, they will
+            not easily admit him to ransom, though his
+            weight in gold should be offered, for fear
+            he should in future form some new design
+            against their repose."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteX_FN6"></a><a href="#FootX_FN6">A</a>: Collection vol. 2. p.
+            29.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteX_FN7"></a><a href="#FootX_FN7">B</a>: Note, This Negroe King thus
+            refusing to comply with the factor's wicked proposal, shews, he was
+            sensible his own conduct was not justifiable; and it
+            likewise appears, the factor's only concern was to procure
+            the greatest number of slaves, without any regard
+            to the injustice of the method by which they
+            were procured. This Andrew Brue, was, for a long
+            time, principal director of the French African factory
+            in those parts; in the management of which, he is in
+            the collection said to have had extraordinary success.
+            The part he ought to have acted as a christian towards
+            the ignorant Africans seems quite out of the question;
+            the profit of his employers appears to have been his
+            sole concern. At page 62, speaking of the country on
+            the Senegal river, he says, "It was very populous, the
+            soil rich; and if the people were industrious, they
+            might, of their own produce, carry on a very advantageous
+            trade with strangers; there being but few
+            things in which they could be excelled; <em>but</em> (he adds)
+            <em>it is to be hoped, the Europeans will never let them into
+               the secret.</em>" A remark unbecoming humanity, much
+            more christianity!
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteX_FN8"></a><a href="#FootX_FN8">C</a>: This inhuman practice is
+            particularly described by
+            Brue, in collect. vol. 2. page 98, where he says, "That
+            some of the natives are, on all occasions, endeavouring
+            to surprize and carry off their country people.
+            They land (says he) without noise, and if they find a
+            lone cottage, without defence, they surround it, and
+            carry off all the people and effects to their boat, and
+            immediately reimbark." This seems to be mostly
+            practised by some Negroes who dwell on the sea
+            coast.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteX_FN9"></a><a href="#FootX_FN9">D</a>: Bosman, p.
+            155.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+      </div>
+      <div class="teidiv">
+         <h2><a name="XI"></a>
+            CHAP. XI.
+
+         </h2><a name="P_111"></a><p>
+            An account of the shocking inhumanity,
+            used in the carrying on of the
+            slave-trade, as described by factors of different
+            nations, viz. by Francis Moor, on
+            the river Gambia; and by John Barbot,
+            A. Brue, and William Bosman, through
+            the coast of Guinea. <em>Note</em>. Of the large
+            revenues arising to the Kings of Guinea
+            from the slave-trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            First, Francis Moor, factor for the
+            English African company, on the river
+            Gambia,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXI_FN1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXI_FN1"></a> writes,
+            "That there are a number
+            of Negro traders, called joncoes, or
+            merchants, who follow the slave-trade as
+            a business; their place of residence is so
+            high up in the country as to be six
+            weeks travel from James Fort, which is
+            situate at the mouth of that river. These
+            merchants bring down elephants teeth,
+            and in some years two thousand slaves,
+            most of which, they say, are prisoners
+            taken in war. They buy them from the
+            <a name="P_112"></a>
+            different Princes who take them; many
+            of them are Bumbrongs and Petcharies;
+            nations, who each of them have different
+            languages, and are brought from a vast
+            way inland. Their way of bringing them
+            is tying them by the neck with leather
+            thongs, at about a yard distant from each
+            other, thirty or forty in a string, having
+            generally a bundle of corn or elephants
+            teeth upon each of their heads. In their
+            way from the mountains, they travel thro'
+            very great woods, where they cannot for
+            some days get water; so they carry in skin
+            bags enough to support them for a time.
+            I cannot (adds Moor) be certain of the
+            number of merchants who follow this
+            trade, but there may, perhaps, be about
+            an hundred, who go up into the inland
+            country, with the goods which they buy
+            from the white men, and with them purchase,
+            in various countries, gold, slaves,
+            and elephants teeth. Besides the slaves,
+            which the merchants bring down, there
+            are many bought along the river: These
+            are either taken in war, as the former are,
+            or men condemned for crimes; <em>or else people
+               stolen, which is very frequent</em>.&#8212;Since the
+            slave-trade has been used, all punishments
+            are changed into slavery; there being an
+            advantage on such condemnation, <em>they
+               <a name="P_113"></a>
+               strain for crimes very hard, in order to get the
+               benefit of selling the criminal</em>."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteXI_FN1"></a><a href="#FootXI_FN1">A</a>: Moor, page 28.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            John Barbot, the French factor, in his
+            account of the manner by which the slaves
+            are procured, says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXI_FN2"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXI_FN2"></a> "The slaves sold by
+            the Negroes, are for the most part prisoners
+            of war, or taken in the incursions
+            they make in their enemies territories;
+            others are stolen away by their neighbours,
+            when found abroad on the road,
+            or in the woods; or else in the corn
+            fields, at the time of the year when their
+            parents keep them there all the day to
+            scare away the devouring small birds."
+            Speaking of the transactions on that part of
+            Guinea called the Slave Coast, where the
+            Europeans have the most factories, and
+            from whence they bring away much the
+            greatest number of slaves, the same author,
+            and also Bosman<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXI_FN3"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootXI_FN3"></a> says, "The inhabitants
+            of Coto do much mischief, in stealing those
+            slaves they sell to the Europeans, from the
+            upland country.&#8212;That the inhabitants
+            of Popo excell the former; being endowed
+            with a much larger share of courage,
+            they rob more successfully, by
+            which means they increase their riches
+            and trade," The author particularly remarks,
+            <a name="P_114"></a>
+            "<em>That they are encouraged in this
+               practice by the Europeans</em>; sometimes it
+            happens, according to the success of their
+            inland excursions, that they are able to
+            furnish two hundred slaves or more, in a
+            few days." And he says,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXI_FN4"><sup>C</sup></a><a name="FootXI_FN4"></a> "The blacks
+            of Fida, or Whidah, are so expeditious in
+            trading for slaves, that they can deliver a
+            thousand every month."&#8212;"If there
+            happens to be no stock of slaves there,
+            the factor must trust the blacks with his
+            goods, to the value of one hundred and
+            fifty, or two hundred pounds; which goods
+            they carry up into the inland country,
+            to buy slaves at all markets,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXI_FN5"><sup>D</sup></a><a name="FootXI_FN5"></a> for above
+            <a name="P_115"></a>
+            six hundred miles up the country, where
+            they are kept like cattle in Europe; the
+            slaves sold there being generally prisoners
+            of war, taken from their enemies like
+            other booty, and perhaps some few sold
+            by their own countrymen, in extreme
+            want, or upon a famine, as also some as a
+            punishment of heinous crimes." So far
+            Barbot's account; that given by William
+            Bosman is as follows:<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXI_FN6"><sup>E</sup></a><a name="FootXI_FN6"></a> "When the slaves
+            which are brought from the inland countries
+            come to Whidah, they are put in
+            prison together; when we treat concerning
+            buying them, they are all brought out
+            together in a large plain, where, by our
+            surgeons, they are thoroughly examined,
+            and that naked, both men and women,
+            without the least distinction or
+            modesty.<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXI_FN7"><sup>F</sup></a><a name="FootXI_FN7"></a> Those
+            <a name="P_116"></a>
+            which are approved as good, are set
+            on one side; in the mean while a burning
+            iron, with the arms or name of the company,
+            lies in the fire, with which ours are
+            marked on the breast. When we have agreed
+            with the owners of the slaves, they
+            are returned to their prisons, where, from
+            that time forward, they are kept at our
+            charge, and cost us two pence a day each
+            slave, which serves to subsist them like criminals
+            on bread and water; so that to
+            <a name="P_117"></a>
+            save charges, we send them on board our
+            ships the very first opportunity; before
+            which, their masters strip them of all they
+            have on their backs, so that they come on
+            board stark naked, as well women as men.
+            In which condition they are obliged to
+            continue, if the master of the ship is not
+            so charitable (which he commonly is) as to
+            bestow something on them to cover their
+            nakedness. Six or seven hundred are
+            sometimes put on board a vessel, where
+            they lie as close together as it is possible
+            for them to be crowded."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteXI_FN2"></a><a href="#FootXI_FN2">A</a>: John Barbot,
+            page 47.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXI_FN3"></a><a href="#FootXI_FN3">B</a>: Bosman, page
+            310.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXI_FN4"></a><a href="#FootXI_FN4">C</a>: Barbot, page
+            326.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXI_FN5"></a><a href="#FootXI_FN5">D</a>: When the
+            great income which arises to the Negroe Kings on the Slave-Coast, from the
+            slaves brought thro' their several governments, to be shipped on board
+            the European vessels, is considered, we have no cause
+            to wonder that they give so great a countenance to
+            that trade: William Bosman says, page 337, "<em>That
+               each ship which comes to Whidah to trade, reckoning one
+               with another, either by toll, trade, or custom, pays
+               about four hundred pounds, and sometimes fifty ships
+               come hither in a year." Barbot confirms the same, and
+               adds, page 350, "That in the neighbouring kingdom of
+               Ardah, the duty to the King is the value of seventy or
+               eighty slaves for each trading ship</em>." Which is near half
+            as much more as at Whidah; nor can the Europeans,
+            concerned in the trade, with any degree of propriety,
+            blame the African Kings for countenancing it, while
+            they continue to send vessels, on purpose to take in the
+            slaves which are thus stolen, and that they are permitted,
+            under the sanction of national laws, to sell them
+            to the colonies.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXI_FN6"></a><a href="#FootXI_FN6">E</a>: Bosman, page
+            340.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXI_FN7"></a><a href="#FootXI_FN7">F</a>: Note, from the above account
+            of the indecent and shocking manner in which the unhappy Negroes are
+            treated, it is reasonable for persons unacquainted with
+            these people, to conclude them to be void of that natural
+            modesty, so becoming a reasonable creature; but
+            those who have had intercourse with the Blacks in
+            these northern colonies, know that this would be a
+            wrong conclusion, for they are indeed as susceptible
+            of modesty and shame as other people. It is the unparallel'd
+            brutality, to which the Europeans have, by
+            long custom, been inured, which urgeth them, without
+            blushing, to act so shameful a part. Such usage is
+            certainly grievous to the poor Negroes, particularly the
+            women; but they are slaves, and must submit to this,
+            or any other abuse that is offered them by their cruel
+            task-masters, or expect to be inhumanly tormented into acquiescence.
+            That the Blacks are unaccustomed
+            to such brutality, appears from an instance mentioned
+            in Ashley's collection, vol. 2. page 201, viz.
+            "At an audience which Casseneuve had of the King
+            of Congo, where he was used with a great deal of
+            civility by the Blacks, some slaves were delivered
+            to him. The King observing Casseneuve (according
+            to the custom of the Europeans) to handle the
+            limbs of the slaves, burst out a laughing, as did
+            the great men about him: the factor asking the
+            interpreter the occasion of their mirth, was told
+            it proceeded from his so nicely examining the slaves.
+            Nevertheless, <em>the King was so ashamed of it, that he
+               desired him, for decency's sake, to do it in a more private
+               manner.</em>"
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+      </div>
+      <div class="teidiv">
+         <h2><a name="XII"></a>
+            CHAP. XII.
+
+         </h2><a name="P_118"></a><p>
+            Extracts of several Journals
+            of Voyages to the coast of Guinea for
+            slaves, whereby the extreme inhumanity of
+            that traffick is described. <em>Melancholy</em> account
+            of a ship blown up on that coast,
+            with a great number of Negroes on board,
+            <em>Instances</em> of shocking barbarity perpetrated
+            by masters of vessels towards their slaves.
+            <em>Inquiry</em> why these scandalous infringements,
+            both of divine and human laws,
+            are overlooked by the government.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The misery and bloodshed attendant
+            on the slave-trade, are set forth by the
+            following extracts of two voyages to the
+            coast of Guinea for slaves. The first in a
+            vessel from Liverpool,
+            taken <i>verbatim</i> from
+            the original manuscript of the Surgeon's
+            Journal, <i>viz.</i></p>
+         <p>
+            "Sestro, December the 29th, 1724, No
+            trade to day, though many traders came
+            on board; they informed us, that the
+            people are gone to war within land, and
+            will bring prisoners enough in two or
+            three days, in hopes of which we stay."
+
+         </p><a name="P_119"></a><p>
+            The 30th. "No trade yet, but our traders
+            came on board to day, and informed
+            us the people had burnt four towns of
+            their enemies, so that to-morrow we expect
+            slaves off: another large ship is come
+            in. Yesterday came in a large Londoner."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The 31st. "Fair weather, but no trade
+            yet; we see each night towns burning,
+            but we hear the Sestro men are many of
+            them killed by the inland Negroes, so
+            that we fear this war will be unsuccessful."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The 2d of January. "Last night we saw
+            a prodigious fire break out about eleven
+            o'clock, and this morning see the town
+            of Sestro burnt down to the ground; (it
+            contained some hundreds of houses) So that
+            we find their enemies are too hard for
+            them at present, and consequently our
+            trade spoiled here; therefore, about seven
+            o'clock, we weighed anchor, as did likewise
+            the three other vessels, to proceed
+            lower down."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The second relation, also taken from the
+            original manuscript Journal of a person of
+            credit, who went surgeon on the same trade,
+            in a vessel from New-York, about twenty
+            years past, is as follows; <i>viz.</i> "Being on the
+            coast, the Commander of the vessel, according
+            to custom, sent a person on shore
+            with a present to the King, acquainting
+            <a name="P_120"></a>
+            him with his arrival, and letting him
+            know, they wanted a cargo of slaves. The
+            King promised to furnish them with the
+            slaves; and, in order to do it, set out to
+            go to war against his enemies; designing
+            to surprise some town, and take all the
+            people prisoners. Some time after, the
+            King sent them word, he had not yet met
+            with the desired success; having been
+            twice repulsed, in attempting to break up
+            two towns, but that he still hoped to procure
+            a number of slaves for them; and in
+            this design he persisted, till he met his enemies
+            in the field, where a battle was
+            fought, which lasted three days, during
+            which time the engagement was so bloody
+            that four thousand five hundred men
+            were slain on the spot." The person who
+            wrote the account, beheld the bodies, as
+            they lay on the field of battle. "Think
+            (says he in his Journal) what a pitiable
+            sight it was, to see the widows weeping
+            over their lost husbands, orphans deploring
+            the loss of their fathers, &amp;c. &amp;c." In
+            he 6th vol. of Churchill's collection of Voyages,
+            page 219, we have the relation of a
+            voyage performed by Captain Philips, in a
+            ship of 450 tuns, along the coast of Guinea,
+            for elephants teeth, gold, and Negroe slaves,
+            intended for Barbadoes; in which he says,
+            that they took "seven hundred slaves on
+            <a name="P_121"></a>
+            board, the men being all put in irons two
+            by two, shackled together to prevent their
+            mutinying or swimming ashore. That the
+            Negroes are so loth to leave their own
+            country, that they often leap out of the
+            canoe, boat, or ship, into the sea, and keep
+            under water till they are drowned, to
+            avoid being taken up, and saved by the
+            boats which pursue them."&#8212;They
+            had about twelve Negroes who willingly
+            drowned themselves; others starved themselves
+            to death.&#8212;Philips was advised
+            to cut off the legs and arms of some to terrify
+            the rest, (as other Captains had done)
+            but this he refused to do. From the time of
+            his taking the Negroes on board, to his arrival
+            at Barbadoes, no less than three hundred
+            and twenty died of various
+            diseases.<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXII_FN1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXII_FN1"></a><a name="P_122"></a></p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteXII_FN1"></a><a href="#FootXII_FN1">A</a>: <em>The following relation
+               is inserted at the request of the author.</em><br><br>
+            That I may contribute all in my power towards
+            the good of mankind, by inspiring any individuals
+            with a suitable abhorrence of that detestable practice
+            of trading in our fellow-creatures, and in some measure
+            atone for my neglect of duty as a Christian, in engaging
+            in that wicked traffic, I offer to their serious consideration
+            some few occurrences, of which I was an eye-witness;
+            that being struck with the wretched and affecting
+            scene, they may foster that humane principle, which
+            is the noble and distinguished characteristic of man, and
+            improve it to the benefit of their children's children.
+            <br><br>
+            About the year 1749, I sailed from Liverpool to
+            the coast of Guinea. Some time after our arrival, I
+            was ordered to go up the country a considerable
+            distance, upon having notice from one of the Negroe
+            Kings, that he had a parcel of slaves to dispose
+            of. I received my instructions, and went, carrying
+            with me an account of such goods as we had on board,
+            to exchange for the slaves we intended to purchase.
+            Upon being introduced, I presented him with a
+            small case of English spirits, a gun, and some trifles;
+            which having accepted, and understood by an interpreter
+            what goods we had, the next day was appointed
+            for viewing the slaves; we found about two
+            hundred confined in one place. But here how shall
+            I relate the affecting sight I there beheld! How can
+            I sufficiently describe the silent sorrow which appeared
+            in the countenance of the afflicted father, and
+            the painful anguish of the tender mother, expecting to
+            be for ever separated from their tender offspring; the
+            distressed maid, wringing her hands in presage of her
+            future wretchedness, and the general cry of the innocent
+            from a dreadful apprehension of the perpetual slavery to
+            which they were doomed! Under a sense of my offence
+            to God, in the persons of his creatures, I acknowledge I
+            purchased eleven, whom I conducted tied two and two to
+            the ship. Being but a small ship, (ninety ton) we soon
+            purchased our cargo, consisting of one hundred and
+            seventy slaves, whom thou mayest, reader, range in thy
+            view, as they were shackled two and two together, pent
+            up within the narrow confines of the main deck, with the
+            complicated distress of sickness, chains, and contempt;
+            deprived of every fond and social tie, and, in a great
+            measure, reduced to a state of desperation. We had not
+            been a fortnight at sea, before the fatal consequence of
+            this despair appeared; they formed a design of recovering
+            their natural right, LIBERTY, by rising and murdering
+            every man on board; but the goodness of the Almighty
+            rendered their scheme abortive, and his mercy
+            spared us to have time to repent. The plot was discovered;
+            the ring-leader, tied by the two thumbs over the
+            barricade door, at sun-rise received a number of lashes:
+            in this situation he remained till sun-set, exposed to the
+            insults and barbarity of the brutal crew of sailors, with
+            full leave to exercise their cruelty at pleasure. The consequence
+            of this was, that next morning the miserable
+            sufferer was found dead, flayed from the shoulders to the
+            waist. The next victim was a youth, who, from too
+            strong a sense of his misery, refused nourishment, and
+            died disregarded and unnoticed, till the hogs had fed on
+            part of his flesh. Will not christianity blush at this impious
+            sacrilege? May the relation of it serve to call back
+            the struggling remains of humanity in the hearts of those,
+            who, from a love of wealth, partake in any degree of
+            this oppressive gain; and have such an effect on the minds
+            of the sincere, as may be productive of peace, the happy
+            effect of true repentance for past transgressions, and a
+            resolution to renounce all connexion with it for the time
+            to come.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            Reader, bring the matter home to thy own
+            heart, and consider whether any situation can
+            be more completely miserable than that of
+            <a name="P_123"></a>
+            these distressed captives. When we reflect
+            that each individual of this number had probably
+            some tender attachment, which was
+            broken by this cruel separation; some parent
+            or wife, who had not an opportunity of
+            mingling tears in a parting embrace; perhaps
+            some infants, or aged parents, whom
+            his labour was to feed, and vigilance protect;
+            themselves under the most dreadful apprehension
+            <a name="P_124"></a>
+            of an unknown perpetual slavery;
+            confined within the narrow limits of a vessel,
+            where often several hundreds lie as close as
+            possible. Under these aggravated distresses,
+            they are often reduced to a state of despair,
+            in which many have been frequently killed,
+            and some deliberately put to death under the
+            greatest torture, when they have attempted
+            to rise, in order to free themselves from present
+            misery, and the slavery designed them.
+            Many accounts of this nature might be mentioned;
+            indeed from the vast number of vessels
+            employed in the trade, and the repeated
+            relations in the public prints of Negroes rising
+            on board the vessels from Guinea, it is more
+            than probable, that many such instances occur
+            every year. I shall only mention one example
+            of this kind, by which the reader may judge
+            of the rest; it is in Astley's collection, vol. 2.
+            p. 449, related by John Atkins, surgeon on
+            board admiral Ogle's squadron, of one
+            "Harding, master of a vessel in which several
+            of the men-slaves and women-slaves
+            had attempted to rise, in order to recover
+            their liberty; some of whom the master,
+            of his own authority, sentenced to cruel
+            death, making them first eat the heart
+            and liver of one of those he had killed.
+            The woman he hoisted by the thumbs,
+            whipped, and slashed with knives before
+            <a name="P_125"></a>
+            the other slaves, till she died."<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXII_FN2"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXII_FN2"></a> As detestable
+            and shocking as this may appear to
+            such whose hearts are not yet hardened by the
+            practice of that cruelty, which the love of
+            <a name="P_126"></a>
+            wealth by degrees introduceth into the human
+            mind, it will not be strange to those who have
+            been concerned or employed in the trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteXII_FN2"></a><a href="#FootXII_FN2">A</a>: A
+            memorable instance of some of the dreadful effects
+            of the slave-trade, happened about five years past, on a
+            ship from this port, then at anchor about three miles
+            from shore, near Acra Fort, on the coast of Guinea.
+            They had purchased between four and five hundred
+            Negroes, and were ready to sail for the West Indies. It
+            is customary on board those vessels, to keep the men
+            shackled two by two, each by one leg to a small iron
+            bar; these are every day brought on the deck for the
+            benefit of air; and lest they should attempt to recover
+            their freedom, they are made fast to two common chains,
+            which are extended on each side the main deck; the
+            women and children are loose. This was the situation
+            of the slaves on board this vessel, when it took fire by
+            means of a person who was drawing spirits by the light
+            of a lamp; the cask bursting, the fire spread with so
+            much violence, that in about ten minutes, the sailors,
+            apprehending it impossible to extinguish it before it
+            could reach a large quantity of powder they had on
+            board, concluded it necessary to cast themselves into the
+            sea, as the only chance of saving their lives; and first
+            they endeavoured to loose the chains by which the Negroe
+            men were fastened to the deck; but in the confusion the
+            key being missing, they had but just time to loose one
+            of the chains by wrenching the staple; when the vehemence
+            of the fire so increased, that they all but one
+            man jumped over board, when immediately the fire
+            having gained the powder, the vessel blew up with all
+            the slaves who remained fastened to the one chain, and
+            such others as had not followed the sailors examples.
+            There happened to be three Portugueze vessels in sight,
+            who, with others from the shore, putting out their
+            boats, took up about two hundred and fifty of those
+            poor souls who remained alive; of which number, about
+            fifty died on shore, being mostly of those who were fettered
+            together by iron shackles, which, as they jumped
+            into the sea, had broke their legs, and these fractures
+            being inflamed by so long a struggle in the sea, probably
+            mortified, which occasioned the death of every one that
+            was so wounded. The two hundred remaining alive,
+            were soon disposed of, for account of the owners to other
+            purchasers.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p>
+            Now here arises a necessary query to those
+            who hold the balance of justice, and who
+            must be accountable to God for the use they
+            have made of it, That as the principles on
+            which the British constitution is founded,
+            are so favourable to the common rights of
+            mankind, how it has happened that the laws
+            which countenance this iniquitous traffic,
+            have obtained the sanction of the legislature?
+            and that the executive part of the government
+            should so long shut their ears to continual
+            reports of the barbarities perpetrated
+            against this unhappy people, and leave the
+            trading subjects at liberty to trample on the
+            most precious rights of others, even without
+            a rebuke? Why are the masters of vessels thus
+            suffered to be the sovereign arbiters of the
+            lives of the miserable Negroes, and allowed
+            <a name="P_127"></a>
+            with impunity thus to destroy (may I not properly
+            say, <em>to murder</em>) their fellow-creatures;
+            and that by means so cruel, as cannot be even
+            related but with shame and horror?
+
+         </p>
+      </div>
+      <div class="teidiv">
+         <h2><a name="XIII"></a>
+            CHAP. XIII.
+
+         </h2><a name="P_128"></a><p>
+            Usage of the Negroes, when
+            they arrive in the West Indies. An hundred
+            thousand Negroes brought from
+            Guinea every year to the English colonies.
+            The number of Negroes who die in the passage
+            and seasoning. These are, properly
+            speaking, murdered by the prosecution of
+            this infamous traffic. Remarks on its
+            dreadful <em>effects and tendency</em>.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            When the vessels arrive at their destined
+            port in the colonies, the poor
+            Negroes are to be disposed of to the planters;
+            and here they are again exposed naked,
+            without any distinction of sexes, to the
+            brutal examination of their purchasers; and
+            this, it may well be judged, is, to many,
+            another occasion of deep distress. Add to
+            this, that near connexions must now again be
+            separated, to go with their several purchasers;
+            this must be deeply affecting to all, but such
+            whose hearts are seared by the love of gain.
+            Mothers are seen hanging over their daughters,
+            bedewing their naked breasts with
+            tears, and daughters clinging to their parents,
+            <a name="P_129"></a>
+            not knowing what new stage of distress
+            must follow their separation, or whether
+            they shall ever meet again. And here
+            what sympathy, what commiseration, do
+            they meet with? Why, indeed, if they will
+            not separate as readily as their owners think
+            proper, the whipper is called for, and the
+            lash exercised upon their naked bodies,
+            till obliged to part. Can any human heart,
+            which is not become callous by the practice
+            of such cruelties, be unconcerned, even at
+            the relation of such grievous affliction, to
+            which this oppressed part of our species are
+            subjected.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In a book, printed in Liverpool, called
+            <i>The Liverpool Memorandum</i>, which contains,
+            amongst other things, an account of the
+            trade of that port, there is an exact list of
+            the vessels employed in the Guinea trade,
+            and of the number of slaves imported in each
+            vessel; by which it appears that in the year
+            1753, the number imported to America by
+            one hundred and one vessels belonging to
+            that port, amounted to upwards of thirty
+            thousand; and from the number of vessels
+            employed by the African company in London
+            and Bristol, we may, with some degree
+            of certainty, conclude, there are one
+            hundred thousand Negroes purchased and
+            brought on board our ships yearly from the
+            coast of Africa. This is confirmed in Anderson's
+            <a name="P_130"></a>
+            history of Trade and Commerce, lately
+            printed; where it is said,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXIII_FN1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXIII_FN1"></a> "That
+            England supplies her American colonies with
+            Negroe slaves, amounting in number to
+            above one hundred thousand every year."
+            When the vessels are full freighted with
+            slaves, they sail for our plantations in America,
+            and may be two or three months in the
+            voyage; during which time, from the filth
+            and stench that is among them, distempers
+            frequently break out, which carry off commonly
+            a fifth, a fourth, yea sometimes a
+            third or more of them: so that taking all the
+            slaves together, that are brought on board
+            our ships yearly, one may reasonably suppose,
+            that at least ten thousand of them die on
+            the voyage. And in a printed account of
+            the state of the Negroes in our plantations,
+            it is supposed that a fourth part, more or less,
+            die at the different islands, in what is called
+            the seasoning. Hence it may be presumed,
+            that at a moderate computation of the slaves
+            who are purchased by our African merchants
+            in a year, near thirty thousand die
+            upon the voyage, and in the seasoning. Add
+            to this, the prodigious number who are
+            killed in the incursions and intestine wars,
+            by which the Negroes procure the number
+            of slaves wanted to load the vessels. How
+            <a name="P_131"></a>
+            dreadful then is this slave-trade, whereby
+            so many thousands of our fellow creatures,
+            free by nature, endued with the same rational
+            faculties, and called to be heirs of the
+            same salvation with us, lose their lives, and
+            are, truly and properly speaking, murdered
+            every year! For it is not necessary, in order
+            to convict a man of murder, to make it appear
+            that he had an <em>intention</em> to commit
+            murder; whoever does, by unjust force or
+            violence, deprive another of his liberty, and,
+            while he hath him in his power, continues
+            so to oppress him by cruel treatment, as eventually
+            to occasion his death, is actually
+            guilty of murder. It is enough to make
+            a thoughtful person tremble, to think what
+            a load of guilt lies upon our nation on this
+            account; and that the blood of thousands of
+            poor innocent creatures, murdered every
+            year in the prosecution of this wicked trade,
+            cries aloud to Heaven for vengeance. Were
+            we to hear or read of a nation that destroyed
+            every year, in some other way, as many
+            human creatures as perish in this trade, we
+            should certainly consider them as a very
+            bloody, barbarous people; if it be alledged,
+            that the legislature hath encouraged, and
+            still does encourage this trade, It is answered,
+            that no legislature on earth can alter the
+            nature of things, so as to make that to be
+            right which is contrary to the law of God,
+            <a name="P_132"></a>
+            (the supreme Legislator and Governor of the
+            world) and opposeth the promulgation of the
+            Gospel of <em>peace on earth, and good will to man</em>.
+            Injustice may be methodized and established
+            by law, but still it will be injustice, as much
+            as it was before; though its being so established
+            may render men more insensible of the
+            guilt, and more bold and secure in the perpetration
+            of it.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteXIII_FN1"></a><a href="#FootXIII_FN1">A</a>: Appendix
+            to Anderson's history, p. 68.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+      </div>
+      <div class="teidiv">
+         <h2><a name="XIV"></a>
+            CHAP. XIV.
+
+         </h2>
+         <p>
+            Observations on the disposition
+            and capacity of the Negroes: Why
+            thought inferior to that of the Whites.
+            Affecting instances of the slavery of the
+            Negroes. Reflections thereon.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Doubts may arise in the minds of
+            some, whether the foregoing accounts,
+            relating to the natural capacity and good
+            disposition of the inhabitants of Guinea,
+            and of the violent manner in which they are
+            said to be torn from their native land, are to
+            be depended upon; as those Negroes who
+            <a name="P_133"></a>
+            are brought to us, are not heard to complain,
+            and do but seldom manifest such a
+            docility and quickness of parts, as is agreeable
+            thereto. But those who make these objections,
+            are desired to note the many discouragements
+            the poor Africans labour under,
+            when brought from their native land.
+            Let them consider, that those afflicted strangers,
+            though in an <em>enlightened Christian country</em>,
+            have yet but little opportunity or encouragement
+            to exert and improve their natural
+            talents: They are constantly employed
+            in servile labour; and the abject condition in
+            which we see them, naturally raises an idea
+            of a superiority in ourselves; whence we are
+            apt to look upon them as an ignorant and
+            contemptible part of mankind. Add to this,
+            that they meet with very little encouragement
+            of freely conversing with such of the
+            Whites, as might impart instruction to them.
+            It is a fondness for wealth, for authority, or
+            honour, which prompts most men in their
+            endeavours to excell; but these motives can
+            have little influence upon the minds of the
+            Negroes; few of them having any reasonable
+            prospect of any other than a state of slavery;
+            so that, though their natural capacities
+            were ever so good, they have neither inducement
+            or opportunity to exert them to
+            advantage: This naturally tends to depress
+            their minds, and sink their spirits into habits
+            <a name="P_134"></a>
+            of idleness and sloth, which they would,
+            in all likelihood, have been free from, had
+            they stood upon an equal footing with
+            the white people. They are suffered, with
+            impunity, to cohabit together, without being
+            married; and to part, when solemnly
+            engaged to one another as man and wife;
+            notwithstanding the moral and religious laws
+            of the land, strictly prohibiting such practices.
+            This naturally tends to beget apprehensions
+            in the most thoughtful of those
+            people, that we look upon them as a lower
+            race, not worthy of the same care, nor liable
+            to the same rewards and punishments as ourselves.
+            Nevertheless it may with truth be
+            said, that both amongst those who have obtained
+            their freedom, and those who remain
+            in servitude, some have manifested a
+            strong sagacity and an exemplary uprightness
+            of heart. If this hath not been generally
+            the case with them, is it a matter of surprize?
+            Have we not reason to make the
+            same complaint of many white servants,
+            when discharged from our service, though
+            many of them have had much greater opportunities
+            of knowledge and improvement
+            than the blacks; who, even when free, labour
+            under the same difficulties as before:
+            having but little access to, and intercourse
+            with, the most reputable white people, they
+            remain confined within their former limits
+            <a name="P_135"></a>
+            of conversation. And if they seldom complain
+            of the unjust and cruel usage they have
+            received, in being forced from their native
+            country, &amp;c. it is not to be wondered at;
+            it being a considerable time after their arrival
+            amongst us, before they can speak our language;
+            and, by the time they are able to
+            express themselves, they have great reason
+            to believe, that little or no notice would be
+            taken of their complaints: yet let any person
+            enquire of those who were capable of reflection,
+            before they were brought from their
+            native land, and he will hear such affecting
+            relations, as, if not lost to the common
+            feelings of humanity, will sensibly affect his
+            heart. The case of a poor Negroe, not long
+            since brought from Guinea, is a recent instance
+            of this kind. From his first arrival,
+            he appeared thoughtful and dejected, frequently
+            dropping tears when taking notice
+            of his master's children, the cause of which
+            was not known till he was able to speak English,
+            when the account he gave of himself
+            was, "That he had a wife and children in
+            his own country; that some of these being
+            sick and thirsty, he went in the night
+            time, to fetch water at a spring, where
+            he was violently seized and carried away
+            by persons who lay in wait to catch men,
+            from whence he was transported to America.
+            The remembrance of his family,
+            <a name="P_136"></a>
+            friends, and other connections, left behind,
+            which he never expected to see any more,
+            were the principal cause of his dejection
+            and grief." Many cases, equally affecting,
+            might be here mentioned; but one more instance,
+            which fell under the notice of a person
+            of credit, will suffice. One of these
+            wretched creatures, then about 50 years of
+            age, informed him, "That being violently
+            torn from a wife and several children in
+            Guinea, he was sold in Jamaica, where
+            never expecting to see his native land or
+            family any more, he joined himself to a
+            Negroe woman, by whom he had two
+            children: after some years, it suiting the
+            interest of his owner to remove him, he
+            was separated from his second wife and
+            children, and brought to South Carolina,
+            where, expecting to spend the remainder
+            of his days, he engaged with a third wife,
+            by whom he had another child; but here
+            the same consequence of one man being
+            subject to the will and pleasure of another
+            man occurring, he was separated from
+            this last wife and child, and brought into
+            this country, where he remained a slave."
+            Can any, whose mind is not rendered quite
+            obdurate by the love of wealth, hear these
+            relations, without being deeply touched
+            with sympathy and sorrow? And doubtless
+            the case of many, very many of these afflicted
+            <a name="P_137"></a>
+            people, upon enquiry, would be found
+            to be attended with circumstances equally
+            tragical and aggravating. And if we enquire
+            of those Negroes, who were brought
+            away from their native country when children,
+            we shall find most of them to have been
+            stolen away, when abroad from their parents,
+            on the roads, in the woods, or watching
+            their corn-fields. Now, you that have
+            studied the book of conscience, and you
+            that are learned in the law, what will you
+            say to such deplorable cases? When, and
+            how, have these oppressed people forfeited
+            their liberty? Does not justice loudly call
+            for its being restored to them? Have they
+            not the same right to demand it, as any of us
+            should have, if we had been violently snatched
+            by pirates from our native land? Is it
+            not the duty of every dispenser of justice,
+            who is not forgetful of his own humanity,
+            to remember that these are men, and to declare
+            them free? Where instances of such
+            cruelty frequently occur, and are neither
+            enquired into, nor redressed, by those whose
+            duty it is <em>to seek judgment, and relieve the oppressed</em>,
+            Isaiah i. 17. what can be expected,
+            but that the groans and cries of these sufferers
+            will reach Heaven; and what shall we do
+            <em>when God riseth up? and when he visiteth</em>, what
+            will ye answer him? <em>Did not he that made
+               them, make us; and did not one fashion us in
+               the womb</em>? Job xxxi. 14.
+
+         </p>
+      </div>
+      <div class="teidiv">
+         <h2><a name="XIV_a"></a>
+            CHAP XIV.
+
+         </h2><a name="P_138"></a><p>
+            The expediency of a general
+            freedom being granted to the Negroes
+            considered. <em>Reasons</em> why it might be productive
+            of advantage and <em>safety to the Colonies</em>.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It is scarce to be doubted, but that the
+            foregoing accounts will beget in the
+            heart of the considerate readers an earnest
+            desire to see a stop put to this complicated
+            evil, but the objection with many is, What
+            shall be done with those Negroes already
+            imported, and born in our families? Must
+            they be sent to Africa? That would be to
+            expose them, in a strange land, to greater
+            difficulties than many of them labour under
+            at present. To let them suddenly free here,
+            would be perhaps attended with no less difficulty;
+            for, undiciplined as they are in religion
+            and virtue, they might give a loose
+            to those evil habits, which the fear of a master
+            would have restrained. These are objections,
+            which weigh with many well disposed
+            people, and it must be granted, these are difficulties
+            in the way; nor can any general
+            <a name="P_139"></a>
+            change be made, or reformation effected,
+            without some; but the difficulties are not so
+            great but that they may be surmounted.
+            If the government was so considerate of the
+            iniquity and danger attending on this practice,
+            as to be willing to seek a remedy, doubtless
+            the Almighty would bless this good
+            intention, and such methods would be
+            thought of, as would not only put an end
+            to the unjust oppression of the Negroes, but
+            might bring them under regulations, that
+            would enable them to become profitable
+            members of society; for the furtherance of
+            which, the following proposals are offered
+            to consideration: That all farther importation
+            of slaves be absolutely prohibited; and
+            as to those born among us, after serving
+            so long as may appear to be equitable, let
+            them by law be declared free. Let every
+            one, thus set free, be enrolled in the county
+            courts, and be obliged to be a resident,
+            during a certain number of years, within
+            the said county, under the care of the overseers
+            of the poor. Thus being, in some
+            sort, still under the direction of governors,
+            and the notice of those who were formerly
+            acquainted with them, they would be obliged
+            to act the more circumspectly, and make
+            proper use of their liberty, and their children
+            <a name="P_140"></a>
+            would have an opportunity of obtaining
+            such instructions, as are necessary to the common
+            occasions of life; and thus both parents
+            and children might gradually become useful
+            members of the community. And further,
+            where the nature of the country would permit,
+            as certainly the uncultivated condition
+            of our southern and most western colonies
+            easily would, suppose a small tract of land
+            were assigned to every Negroe family, and
+            they obliged to live upon and improve it,
+            (when not hired out to work for the white
+            people) this would encourage them to exert
+            their abilities, and become industrious subjects.
+            Hence, both planters and tradesmen
+            would be plentifully supplied with chearful
+            and willing-minded labourers, much vacant
+            land would be cultivated, the produce of
+            the country be justly increased, the taxes
+            for the support of government lessened to
+            individuals, by the increase of taxables, and
+            the Negroes, instead of being an object of
+            terror,<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXIV_FN1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXIV_FN1"></a> as
+            they certainly must be to the governments
+            <a name="P_141"></a>
+            where their numbers are great,
+            would become interested in their safety and
+            welfare.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteXIV_FN1"></a><a href="#FootXIV_FN1">A</a>: The hard usage the Negroes
+            meet with in the plantations, and the great disproportion between them and
+            the white people, will always be a just cause of terror.
+            In Jamaica, and some parts of South-Carolina, it is
+            supposed that there are fifteen blacks to one white.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+      </div>
+      <div class="teidiv">
+         <h2><a name="XV"></a>
+            CHAP. XV.
+
+         </h2>
+         <p>
+            Answer to a mistaken opinion,
+            that the warmth of the climate in the West-Indies,
+            will not permit white people to labour
+            there. No complaint of disability
+            in the whites, in that respect, in the settlement
+            of the islands. Idleness and diseases
+            prevailed, as the use of slaves increased.
+            <em>The great</em> advantage which might accrue
+            to the British nation, if the slave trade
+            was entirely laid aside, and a fair and
+            friendly commerce established through the
+            whole coast of Africa.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It is frequently offered as an argument,
+            in vindication of the use of Negroe slaves,
+            that the warmth of the climate in the West
+            Indies will not permit white people to labour
+            in the culture of the land: but upon
+            an acquaintance with the nature of the climate,
+            and its effects upon such labouring
+            <a name="P_142"></a>
+            white people, as are prudent and moderate
+            in labour, and the use of spirituous liquors,
+            this will be found to be a mistaken opinion.
+            Those islands were, at first, wholly cultivated
+            by white men; the encouragement they
+            then met with, for a long course of years,
+            was such as occasioned a great increase of
+            people. Richard Ligon, in his history of
+            Barbadoes, where he resided from the year
+            1647 to 1650, about 24 years after his first
+            settlement, writes, "that there were then
+            fifty thousand souls on that island, besides
+            Negroes; and that though the weather
+            was very hot, yet not so scalding
+            but that servants, both christians and
+            slaves, laboured ten hours a day." By
+            other accounts we gather, that the white
+            people have since decreased to less than one
+            half the number which was there at that
+            time; and by relations of the first settlements
+            of the other islands, we do not meet
+            with any complaints of unfitness in the white
+            people for labour there, before slaves were
+            introduced. The island of Hispaniola, which
+            is one of the largest of those islands, was at
+            first planted by the Buccaneers, a set of hardy
+            laborious men, who continued so for a
+            long course of years; till following the example
+            of their neighbours, in the purchase
+            and use of Negroe slaves, idleness and excess
+            prevailing, debility and disease naturally
+            <a name="P_143"></a>
+            succeeded, and have ever since continued.
+            If, under proper regulations, liberty
+            was proclaimed through the colonies, the
+            Negroes, from dangerous, grudging, half-fed
+            slaves, might become able, willing-minded
+            labourers. And if there was not a sufficient
+            number of these to do the necessary
+            work, a competent number of labouring
+            people might be procured from Europe,
+            which affords numbers of poor distressed objects,
+            who, if not overlooked, with proper
+            usage, might, in several respects, better answer
+            every good purpose in performing the
+            necessary labour in the islands, than the slaves
+            now do.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            A farther considerable advantage might
+            accrue to the British nation in general, if
+            the slave trade was laid aside, by the cultivation
+            of a fair, friendly, and humane commerce
+            with the Africans; without which,
+            it is not possible the inland trade of that
+            country should ever be extended to the degree
+            it is capable of; for while the spirit of
+            butchery and making slaves of each other,
+            is promoted by the Europeans amongst the
+            Negroes, no mutual confidence can take
+            place; nor will the Europeans be able to
+            travel with safety into the heart of their
+            country, to form and cement such commercial
+            friendships and alliances, as might be
+            necessary to introduce the arts and sciences
+            <a name="P_144"></a>
+            amongst them, and engage their attention
+            to instruction in the principles of the christian
+            religion, which is the only sure foundation
+            of every social virtue. Africa has
+            about ten thousand miles of sea coast, and
+            extends in depth near three thousand miles
+            from east to west, and as much from north
+            to south, stored with vast treasures of materials,
+            necessary for the trade and manufactures
+            of Great-Britain; and from its climate,
+            and the fruitfulness of its soil, capable, under
+            proper management, of producing in
+            the greatest plenty, most of the commodities
+            which are imported into Europe from those
+            parts of America subject to the English
+            government;<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXV_FN1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXV_FN1"></a> and
+            as, in return, they would
+            take our manufactures, the advantages of
+            this trade would soon become so great,
+            that it is evident this subject merits the regard
+            and attention of the government.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteXV_FN1"></a><a href="#FootXV_FN1">A</a>: See note, page 109.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+      </div>
+      <div class="teidiv">
+         <h2><a name="GSharp"></a><br><br><br><br>
+            EXTRACT
+            <br><br>
+            FROM A
+            <br><br>
+            REPRESENTATION
+            <br><br>
+            OF THE
+            <br><br>
+            INJUSTICE
+            <br><br>
+            AND
+            <br><br>
+            DANGEROUS TENDENCY
+            <br><br>
+            OF TOLERATING
+            <br><br>
+            SLAVERY;
+            <br><br><br><br>
+            OR
+
+            <br><br>
+            Admitting the least CLAIM of private Property
+            in the Persons of Men in England.
+            <br><br><br><br>
+            By GRANVILLE SHARP.
+            <br><br><br><br>
+            FIRST PRINTED IN LONDON.
+            <br><br><br><br>
+            MDCCLXIX.
+            <br><br><br><br>
+            CONTENTS.
+
+         </h2><a name="P_145"></a><p><i>The occasion of this Treatise.
+               All Persons during their residence
+               in</i> Great Britain <i>are subjects; and as
+               such, bound to the laws, and under
+               the Kings protection. By the English
+               laws, no man, of what condition
+               soever, to be imprisoned, or any way
+               deprived of his</i> LIBERTY, <i>without a
+               legal process. The danger of</i> Slavery
+            <i>taking place in England. Prevails
+               in the Northern Colonies, notwithstanding
+               the people's plea in favour
+               of</i> Liberty. <i>Advertisements in
+               the New-York Journal for the sale
+               of</i> SLAVES. <i>Advertisements to the
+               same purpose in the public prints in
+               England. The danger of confining
+               any person without a legal warrant.
+               Instances of that nature. Note,
+               Extract of several American laws,
+               Reflexions thereon.</i></p><a name="P_147"></a><p><b>EXTRACT, &amp;c.</b></p>
+         <p>
+            Some persons respectable in the law,
+            having given it as their opinion,
+            "<i>That a slave, by coming from the West Indies
+               to Great Britain or Ireland, either with or
+               without his master, doth not become free, or
+               that his master's property or right in him is
+               not thereby determined or varied;&#8212;and
+               that the master may legally compel him to return
+               again to the plantations</i>,"&#8212;this
+            causes our author to remark, that these
+            lawyers, by thus stating the case merely
+            on one side of the question, (I mean in favour
+            of the master) have occasioned an unjust presumption
+            and prejudice, plainly inconsistent
+            with the laws of the realm, and against the
+            other side of the question; as they have not
+            signified that their opinion was only conditional,
+            and not absolute, and must be understood
+            on the part of the master, "<i>That he can
+               produce an authentic agreement or contract
+               in writing, by which it shall appear, that
+               the said slave hath voluntarily bound himself,
+               without compulsion or illegal duress</i>."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Page 5. Indeed there are many instances of
+            persons being freed from slavery by the laws
+            <a name="P_148"></a>
+            of England, but (God be thanked) there is
+            neither law, nor even a precedent, (at least I
+            have not been able to find one) of a legal
+            determination to justify a master in claiming
+            or detaining any person whatsoever as a
+            slave in England, who has not voluntarily
+            bound himself as such by a contract in
+            writing.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Page 20. An English subject cannot be
+            made a slave without his own free consent:
+            but&#8212;a foreign slave is made a subject
+            with or without his own consent: there
+            needs no contract for this purpose, as in the
+            other case; nor any other act or deed whatsoever,
+            but that of his being landed in England;
+            For according to statute 32d of Henry
+            VIII. c. 16. Sect. 9. "<i>Every alien or stranger
+               born out of the King's obeisance, not being
+               denizen, which now or hereafter shall come
+               into this realm, or elsewhere within the
+               King's dominions, shall, after the said first
+               of September next coming, be bounden by and
+               unto the laws and statutes of this realm, and
+               to all and singular the contents of the same.</i>"
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Now it must be observed, that this
+            law makes no distinction of <i>bond or free</i>,
+            neither of colours or complexions, whether
+            of <i>black, brown</i>, or <i>white</i>; for "<i>every alien
+               or stranger</i> (without exception) <i>are bounden
+               by and unto the law</i>, &amp;c."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This binding, or obligation, is properly
+            <a name="P_149"></a>
+            expressed by the English word <i>ligeance, (&agrave;
+               ligando</i>) which may be either perpetual or
+            temporary. Wood, b. I. c. 3. p. 37. But one
+            of these is indispensably due to the Sovereign
+            from all ranks and conditions of people;
+            their being bounden unto the laws, (upon
+            which the Sovereign's right is founded) expresses
+            and implies this subjection to the laws;
+            and therefore to alledge, that an alien is not
+            a subject, because he is in bondage, is not
+            only a plea without foundation, but a contradiction
+            in terms; for every person who,
+            in any respect, is in subjection to the laws,
+            must undoubtedly be a subject.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I come now to the main point&#8212;"<em>That
+               every man, woman, or child, that now is, or
+               hereafter shall be, an inhabitant or resiant of
+               this kingdom of England, dominion of Wales,
+               or town of Berwick upon Tweed,</em>" is, in
+            some respect or other, the <em>King's subject</em>, and,
+            as such, is absolutely secure in his or her <em>personal
+               liberty</em>, by virtue of a statute, 31st Car.
+            II. ch. 11. and particularly by the 12th Sect.
+            of the same, wherein subjects of all conditions
+            are plainly included.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This act is expressly intended for the better
+            securing the liberty of the subject, and for
+            prevention of imprisonment beyond the seas.
+            It contains no distinction of "<em>natural born,
+               naturalized, denizen, or alien subject; nor of
+               white or black, freemen, or even of bond-men</em>,"
+            <a name="P_150"></a>
+            (except in the case already mentioned <em>of a
+               contract in writing</em>, by which it shall appear,
+            <em>that the said slave has voluntarily bound himself,
+               without compulsion or illegal duress</em>, allowed
+            by the 13th Sect. and the exception likewise
+            in the 14th Sect. concerning felons) but they
+            are all included under the general titles of
+            "<em>the subject, any of the said subjects, every
+               such person</em>" &amp;c. Now the definition of the
+            word "<em>person</em>," in its relative or civil capacity
+            (according to Wood. b. I. c. 11. p. 27.)
+            <em>is either the King, or a subject</em>. These are the
+            <em>only capital distinctions</em> that can be made, tho'
+            the latter consists of a variety of denominations
+            and degrees.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But if I were even to allow, that a <em>Negroe
+               slave</em> is not a subject, (though I think I have
+            clearly proved that he is) yet it is plain that
+            such an one ought not to be denied the benefit
+            of the King's court, unless the slave-holder
+            shall be able to prove likewise that
+            he is not, a <em>Man</em>; because <em>every man</em> may be
+            <em>free</em> to sue for, and <em>defend his right in our
+               courts</em>, says a stat. 20th Edw. III. c. 4. and
+            elsewhere, according to law. And <em>no man, of
+               what estate or condition</em> that he be, (here can
+            be no exception whatsoever) <em>shall be put out
+               of land or tenement, nor taken, nor imprisoned,
+               nor disinherited, nor put to death, without being
+               brought in answer by due process of the law</em>.
+            28th Edw. III, c. 3, <em>No man</em> therefore, <em>of
+               <a name="P_151"></a>
+               what estate or condition that he be</em>, can lawfully
+            be detained in England <em>as a slave</em>; because
+            we have no law whereby a man <em>may be</em>
+            condemned to <em>slavery</em> without his own consent,
+            (for even convicted felons must "<em>in
+               open court pray to transported</em>.") (See Habeas
+            Corpus act, Sect. 14.) and therefore there
+            cannot be any "<em>due process of the law</em>" tending
+            to so base a purpose. It follows therefore,
+            that every man, who presumes to detain
+            <em>any person</em> whatsoever as a slave, otherwise
+            than by virtue of a written contract, acts
+            manifestly without "<em>due process of the law</em>,"
+            and consequently is liable to the slave's
+            "<em>action of false imprisonment</em>," because
+            "<em>every man may be free to sue</em>," &amp;c. so that
+            the slave-holder cannot avail himself of his
+            imaginary <em>property</em>, either by the assistance
+            of the common law, or of a court of
+            equity, (<em>except it appears that the said slave
+               has voluntarily bound himself, without compulsion
+               or illegal duress</em>) for in both his suit
+            will certainly appear both unjust and indefensible.
+            The former cannot assist him, because
+            the statute law at present is so far from supposing
+            any man in a state of slavery, that it
+            cannot even permit such a state, except in
+            the two cases mentioned in the 13th and 14th
+            Section of the Habeas Corpus act; and the
+            courts of equity likewise must necessarily
+            decide against him, because his mere mercenary
+            <a name="P_152"></a>
+            plea of <em>private property</em> cannot
+            equitably, in a case between <em>man and man</em>,
+            stand in competition with that <em>superior property</em>
+            which every man must necessarily be
+            allowed to have in his own <em>proper person</em>.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            How then is the slave-holder to secure
+            what he esteems his <em>property?</em> Perhaps he will
+            endeavour clandestinely to seize the supposed
+            slave, in order to transport him (with or
+            without <em>his consent</em>) to the colonies, where
+            such property is allowed: but let him take
+            care what he does, the very attempt is punishable;
+            and even the making over his property
+            to another for that purpose, renders
+            him equally liable to the severe penalties of
+            the law, for a bill of sale may certainly be
+            included under the terms expressed in the
+            Habeas Corpus act, 12th Sect. viz. "<em>Any warrant
+               or writing for such commitment, detainer,
+               imprisonment, or transportation," &amp;c.</em> It is also
+            dangerous for a counsellor, or any other person
+            <em>to advise</em> (see the act "shall be advising") such
+            proceedings, by saying, "<em>That a master may
+               legally compel him</em> (the slave) <em>to return again
+               to the plantations</em>." Likewise an attorney,
+            notary-public, or any other person, who
+            shall presume to draw up, negotiate, of even
+            to witness a bill of sale, or other instrument
+            for such commitment, &amp;c. offends equally
+            against the law, because "<em>All, or any person
+               or persons, that shall frame, contrive, write,
+               <a name="P_153"></a>
+               seal, or countersign any warrant or writing for
+               such commitment, detainer, imprisonment, or
+               transportation; or shall be advising, aiding,
+               or assisting in the same, or any of them</em>," are
+            liable to all the penalties of the act. "<em>And the
+               plaintiff, in every such action, shall have
+               judgment to recover his treble costs, besides
+               damages; which damages so to be given shall
+               not be less than five hundred pounds</em>;" so that
+            the injured may have ample satisfaction for
+            their sufferings: and even a judge may not
+            direct or instruct a jury contrary to this statute,
+            whatever his private opinion may be concerning
+            property in slaves; because <em>no order or
+               command, nor no injunction</em>, is allowed to interfere
+            with this <em>golden act of liberty</em>.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            &#8212;I have before observed, that the general
+            term, "<i>every alien</i>," includes <em>all strangers
+               whatsoever</em>, and renders them <em>subject</em> to the
+            King, and the laws, during their residence in
+            this kingdom; and this is certainly true,
+            whether the aliens be Turks, Moors, Arabians,
+            Tartars, or even savages, from any
+            part of the world.&#8212;Men are rendered obnoxious
+            to the laws by their offences, and
+            not by the particular denomination of their
+            rank, order, parentage, colour, or country;
+            and therefore, though we should suppose
+            that any particular body of people whatsoever
+            were not known, or had in consideration
+            by the legislature at the different times
+            <a name="P_154"></a>
+            when the severe penal laws were made, yet no
+            man can reasonably conceive, that such men
+            are exempted on this account from the penalties
+            of the said laws, when legally convicted
+            of having offended against them.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Laws calculated for the moral purpose of
+            preventing oppression, are likewise usually
+            supposed to be everlasting, and to make up
+            a part of our happy constitution; for which
+            reason, though the kind of oppression to be
+            guarded against, and the penalties for offenders,
+            are minutely described therein, yet
+            the persons to be protected are comprehended
+            in terms as general as possible; that "<em>no person
+               who now is, or hereafter shall be, an inhabitant
+               or resiant in this kingdom</em>," (see Habeas
+            Corpus act, Sect. 12th) may seem to be
+            excluded from protection. The general
+            terms of the several statutes before cited, are
+            so full and clear, that they admit of no exception
+            whatsoever; for all persons (Negroes
+            as well as others) must be included in the terms
+            "the subject;"&#8212;"<em>no subject of this realm that
+               now is, or hereafter shall be, an inhabitant,
+               &amp;c. any subject; every such person</em>;" see
+            Habeas Corpus act. Also <em>every man</em> may be
+            <em>free</em> to sue, &amp;c. 20th Edward III. cap. 4. and
+            <em>no man, of what estate or condition that he be</em>,
+            shall be taken or imprisoned, &amp;c. True
+            justice makes no respect of persons, and can
+            never deny, to any one that blessing to
+            <a name="P_155"></a>
+            which all mankind have an undoubted right,
+            their <em>natural liberty</em>: though the law makes
+            no mention of Negroe slaves, yet this is
+            no just argument for excluding them from
+            the general protection of our happy constitution.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Neither can the objection, that Negroe
+            slaves were not "had in consideration or
+            contemplation," when these laws were
+            made, prove any thing against them; but,
+            on the contrary, much in their favour; for
+            both these circumstances are strong presumptive
+            proofs, that the practice of importing
+            slaves into this kingdom, and retaining them
+            as such, is an innovation entirely foreign to
+            the spirit and intention of the laws now in
+            force.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            &#8212;Page 79. A toleration of slavery is, in
+            effect, a toleration of inhumanity; for there
+            are wretches in the world who make no scruple
+            to gain, by wearing out their slaves with continual
+            labour, and a scanty allowance, before
+            they have lived out half their natural days.
+            It is notorious, that this is too often the case
+            in the unhappy countries where slavery is
+            tolerated.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            See the account of the European settlements
+            in America, Part VI. Chap. 11. concerning
+            the "<em>misery of the Negroes, great
+               waste of them</em>," &amp;c. which informs us not
+            only of a most scandalous profanation of the
+            <a name="P_156"></a>
+            Lord's day, but also of another abomination,
+            which must be infinitely more heinous in the
+            sight of God, viz. oppression carried to such
+            excess, as to be even destructive of the human
+            species.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            At present, the inhumanity of constrained
+            labour in excess, extends no farther in England
+            than to our beasts, as post and hackney-horses,
+            sand-asses, &amp;c.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But thanks to our laws, and not to the
+            general good disposition of masters, that
+            it is so; for the wretch who is bad enough
+            to maltreat a helpless beast, would not spare
+            his fellow man if he had him as much in his
+            power.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The maintenance of civil liberty is therefore
+            absolutely necessary to prevent an increase of
+            our national guilt, by the addition of the horrid
+            crime of tyranny.&#8212;Notwithstanding that
+            the plea of necessity cannot here be urged, yet
+            this is no reason why an increase of the practice
+            is not to be feared.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Our North American colonies afford us a
+            melancholy instance to the contrary; for
+            though the climate in general is so wholesome
+            and temperate, that it will not authorise
+            this plea of necessity for the employment
+            of slaves, any more than our own, yet the
+            pernicious practice of slave-holding is become
+            almost general in those parts. At New-York,
+            for instance, the infringement on civil
+            <a name="P_157"></a>
+            or domestic liberty is become notorious,
+            notwithstanding the political controversies
+            of the inhabitants in praise of liberty; but
+            no panegyric on this subject (howsoever
+            elegant in itself) can be graceful or edifying
+            from the mouth or pen of one of those
+            provincials, because men who do not scruple
+            to detain others in slavery, have but a very
+            partial and unjust claim to the protection of
+            the laws of liberty; and indeed it too plainly
+            appears that they have no real regard for
+            liberty, farther than their own private
+            interests are concerned; and (consequently)
+            that they have so little detestation of despotism
+            and tyranny, that they do not scruple to
+            exercise them whenever their caprice excites
+            them, or their private interest seems to require
+            an exertion of their power over their miserable
+            slaves.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Every petty planter, who avails himself of
+            the service of slaves, is an arbitrary monarch,
+            or rather a lawless Bashaw in his own territories,
+            notwithstanding that the imaginary freedom
+            of the province wherein he resides, may
+            seem to forbid the observation.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The boasted liberty of our American colonies,
+            therefore, has so little right to that
+            sacred name, that it seems to differ from the
+            arbitrary power of despotic monarchs only
+            in one circumstance, viz. that it is a <em>many-headed
+               monster of tyranny</em>, which entirely subverts
+            <a name="P_158"></a>
+            our most excellent constitution; because
+            liberty and slavery are so opposite to each
+            other, that they cannot subsist in the same
+            community. "<em>Political liberty (in mild or
+               well regulated governments) makes civil liberty
+               valuable; and whosoever is deprived
+               of the latter, is deprived also of the former</em>."
+            This observation of the learned Montesquieu,
+            I hope sufficiently justifies my censure of
+            the Americans for their notorious violation
+            of civil liberty;&#8212;The New-York Journal,
+            or, The General Advertiser, for Thursday,
+            22d October, 1767, gives notice by advertisement,
+            of no less than eight different persons
+            who have escaped from slavery, or are
+            put up to public sale for that horrid purpose.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            That I may demonstrate the indecency of
+            such proceedings in a free country, I shall
+            take the liberty of laying some of these advertisements
+            before my readers, by way of
+            example.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "<em>To be SOLD for want of Employment</em>,
+            A likely strong active Negroe man, of
+            about 24 years of age, this country born,
+            (<i>N.B.</i> A natural born subject)
+            understands most of a baker's trade, and a good deal
+            of farming business, and can do all sorts
+            of house-work.&#8212;Also a healthy Negroe
+            wench, of about 21 years old, is a tolerable
+            cook, and capable of doing all sorts
+            <a name="P_159"></a>
+            of house-work, can be well recommended
+            for her honesty and sobriety: she has
+            a female child of nigh three years old,
+            which will be sold with the wench if required,
+            &amp;c." Here is not the least consideration,
+            or scruple of conscience, for the inhumanity
+            of parting the mother and young
+            child. From the stile, one would suppose the
+            advertisement to be of no more importance
+            than if it related merely to the sale of a cow
+            and her calf; and that the cow should be sold
+            with or without her calf, according as the
+            purchaser should require.&#8212;But not only
+            Negroes, but even American Indians, are detained
+            in the same abominable slavery in our
+            colonies, though there cannot be any reasonable
+            pretence whatsoever for holding one
+            of these as private property; for even if a
+            written contract should be produced as a
+            voucher in such a case, there would still remain
+            great suspicion, that some undue advantage
+            had been taken of the Indian's ignorance
+            concerning the nature of such a bond.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "<i>Run away, on Monday the 21st instant, from
+               J&#8212;&#8212;n T&#8212;&#8212;, Esq. of West-Chester county,
+               in the province of New-York</i>,
+            An Indian slave, named Abraham, he may
+            have changed his name, about 23 years of
+            age, about five feet five inches."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Upon the whole, I think I may with
+            justice conclude, that those advertisements
+            <a name="P_160"></a>
+            discover a shameless prostitution and infringement
+            on the common and natural rights of
+            mankind&#8212;But hold! perhaps the Americans
+            may be able, with too much justice, to retort
+            this severe reflexion, and may refer us to
+            news-papers published even in the free city
+            of London, which contain advertisements not
+            less dishonourable than their own. See advertisement
+            in the Public Ledger of 31st December,
+            1761.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "<i>For SALE,
+               A healthy NEGROE GIRL</i>, aged
+            about fifteen years; speaks good English,
+            works at her needle, washes well, does
+            houshold work, and has had the small-pox.
+            By J.W. &amp;c."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Another advertisement, not long ago,
+            offered a reward for stopping a female slave
+            who had left her mistress in Hatton-garden.
+            And in the Gazetteer of 18th April, 1769,
+            appeared a very extraordinary advertisement
+            with the following title;
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "<i>Horses, Tim Wisky, and black Boy</i>,
+            To be sold at the Bull and Gate Inn. Holborn,
+            <i>A very good Tim Wisky</i>, little the
+            worse for wear, &amp;c." Afterwards, "<i>A Chesnut
+               Gelding</i>;" then, "<i>A very good grey Mare</i>;"
+            and last of all, (as if of the least consequence)
+            "<i>A well-made good-tempered black Boy</i>, he has
+            lately had the small-pox, and will be sold
+            to any gentleman. Enquire as above."
+
+         </p><a name="P_161"></a><p>
+            Another advertisement in the same paper,
+            contains a very particular description
+            of a Negroe man, called <i>Jeremiah</i>,&#8212;and
+            concludes as follows:&#8212;"Whoever delivers
+            him to Capt. M&#8212;&#8212; U&#8212;&#8212;y, on
+            board the Elizabeth, at Prince's Stairs, Rotherhithe,
+            on or before the 31st instant,
+            shall receive thirty guineas reward, or
+            ten guineas for such intelligence as shall
+            enable the Captain, or his master, effectually
+            to secure him. The utmost secrecy
+            may be depended on." It is not on account
+            of shame, that men, who are capable
+            of undertaking the desperate and wicked
+            employment of kidnappers, are supposed to
+            be tempted to such a business, by a promise
+            "<em>of the utmost secrecy</em>;" but this must be from
+            a sense of the unlawfulness of the act proposed
+            to them, that they may have less reason
+            to fear a prosecution. And as such a kind of
+            people are supposed to undertake any thing
+            for money, the reward of thirty guineas was
+            tendered at the top of the advertisement,
+            in capital letters. No man can be safe, be
+            he white or black, if temptations to break
+            the laws are so shamefully published in our
+            news-papers.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><i>A Creole Black boy</i> is also offered to sale,
+            in the Daily Advertiser of the same date.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Besides these instances, the Americans
+            may, perhaps, taunt us with the shameful
+            <a name="P_162"></a>
+            treatment of a poor Negroe servant, who
+            not long ago was put up to sale by public
+            auction, together with the effects of his bankrupt
+            master.&#8212;Also, that the prisons of
+            this free city have been frequently prostituted
+            of late, by the tyrannical and dangerous
+            practice of confining Negroes, under the
+            pretence of slavery, though there have been
+            no warrants whatsoever for their commitment.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This circumstance of confining a man
+            without a warrant, has so great a resemblance
+            to the proceedings of a Popish inquisition,
+            that it is but too obvious what dangerous
+            practices such scandalous innovations,
+            if permitted to grow more into use, are liable
+            to introduce. No person can be safe,
+            if wicked and designing men have it in their
+            power, under the pretence of private property
+            as a slave, to throw a man clandestinely,
+            without a warrant, into goal, and to conceal
+            him there, until they can conveniently
+            dispose of him.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            A free man may be thus robbed of his liberty,
+            and carried beyond the seas, without
+            having the least opportunity of making
+            his case known; which should teach us how
+            jealous we ought to be of all imprisonments
+            made without the authority, or previous
+            examination, of a civil magistrate.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The distinction of colour will, in a short
+            <a name="P_163"></a>
+            time, be no protection against such outrages,
+            especially as not only Negroes, but
+            Mulatoes, and even American Indians,
+            (which appears by one of the advertisements
+            before quoted) are retained in slavery
+            in our American colonies; for there are
+            many honest weather-beaten Englishmen,
+            who have as little reason to boast of their
+            complexion as the Indians. And indeed, the
+            more northern Indians have no difference
+            from us in complexion, but such as is occasioned
+            by the climate, or different way of
+            living. The plea of private property, therefore,
+            cannot, by any means, justify a private
+            commitment of any person whatsoever to
+            prison, because of the apparent danger and
+            tendency of such innovation. This dangerous
+            practice of concealing in prison
+            was attempted in the case of Jonathan
+            Strong; for the door-keeper of the
+            P&#8212;&#8212;lt&#8212;&#8212;y C&#8212;&#8212;pt&#8212;&#8212;r
+            (or some person who acted for
+            him) absolutely refused, for two days, to permit
+            this poor injured Negro to be seen or
+            spoke with, though a person went on purpose,
+            both those days, to demand the same.&#8212;All laws ought to
+            be founded upon the principle of "<em>doing
+               as one would be done by</em>;"
+            and indeed this principle seems to be the
+            very basis of the English constitution; for
+            what precaution could possibly be more effectual
+            for that purpose, than the right we
+            <a name="P_164"></a>
+            enjoy of being judged by our Peers, creditable
+            persons of the vicinage; especially, as
+            we may likewise claim the right of excepting
+            against any particular juryman, who might
+            be suspected of partiality.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This law breathes the pure spirit of liberty,
+            equity, and social love; being calculated
+            to maintain that consideration and mutual
+            regard which one person ought to have for
+            another, howsoever unequal in rank or station.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But when any part of the community, under
+            the pretence of private property, is deprived
+            of this common privilege, it is a violation
+            of civil liberty, which is entirely inconsistent
+            with the social principles of a free
+            state.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            True liberty protects the labourer as well
+            as his Lord; preserves the dignity of human
+            nature, and seldom fails to render a
+            province rich and populous; whereas, on
+            the other hand, a toleration of slavery is the
+            highest breach of social virtue, and not only
+            tends to depopulation, but too often renders
+            the minds of both masters and slaves utterly
+            depraved and inhuman, by the hateful extremes
+            of exaltation and depression.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            If such a toleration should ever be generally
+            admitted in England, (which God forbid)
+            we shall no longer deserve to be esteemed
+            a civilized people; because, when the
+            <a name="P_165"></a>
+            customs of uncivilized nations, and the <em>uncivilized
+               customs which disgrace our own colonies</em>,
+            are become so familiar as to be permitted
+            amongst us with impunity, we ourselves
+            must insensibly degenerate to the same degree
+            of baseness with those from whom
+            such bad customs were derived; and may,
+            too soon, have the mortification to see the
+            <em>hateful extremes of tyranny and slavery fostered
+               under every roof</em>.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Then must the happy medium of a well
+            regulated liberty be necessarily compelled to
+            find shelter in some more civilized country:
+            where social virtue, and that divine precept,
+            "<em>Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself</em>," are
+            better understood.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            An attempt to prove the dangerous tendency,
+            injustice, and disgrace of tolerating
+            slavery amongst Englishmen, would, in any
+            former age, have been esteemed as superfluous
+            and ridiculous, as if a man should undertake,
+            in a formal manner, to prove, that
+            darkness is not light.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Sorry am I, that the depravity of the present
+            age has made a demonstration of this
+            kind necessary.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Now, that I may sum up the amount of
+            what has been said in a single sentence, I
+            shall beg leave to conclude in the words of
+            the great Sir Edward Coke, which, though
+            <a name="P_166"></a>
+            spoken on a different occasion, are yet applicable
+            to this; see Rushworth's Hist. Col.
+            An. 1628. 4 Caroli. fol. 450.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "It would be no honour to a King or
+            kingdom, to be a King of bondmen or
+            slaves: the end of this would be both
+            <i>dedecus</i><a class="notelink" href="#NoteAPP1_FN1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootAPP1_FN1"></a> and <i>damnum</i><a class="notelink" href="#NoteAPP1_FN2"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootAPP1_FN2"></a> both to King and
+            kingdom, that in former times have been
+            so renowned."
+
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><a name="NoteAPP1_FN1"></a><a href="#FootAPP1_FN1">A</a>: Disgrace.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteAPP1_FN2"></a><a href="#FootAPP1_FN2">B</a>: Loss.
+         </p>
+         <hr>
+         <p><br><br>
+                   *       *       *       *       *
+            <br><br></p>
+         <p>
+            Note, at page 63; According to the laws
+            of Jamaica, printed in London, in 1756, "If
+            any slave having been one whole year in
+            this island, (says an act, No 64, clause 5,
+            p. 114) shall run away, and continue absent
+            from his owner's service for the space
+            of thirty days, upon complaint and proof,
+            &amp;c. before any two justices of the peace,
+            and three freeholders, &amp;c. it shall and
+            may be lawful for such justices and freeholders
+            to order such slave to be punished,
+            by <em>cutting off one of the feet of such slave</em>, or
+            inflict such other corporal punishment as
+            they <em>shall think fit</em>." Now that I may inform
+            my readers, what corporal punishments are
+            sometimes thought fit to be inflicted, I will
+            refer to the testimony of Sir Hans Sloane,
+            (see voyage to the islands of Madeira, Barbadoes,
+            &amp;c. and Jamaica, with the natural history
+            of the last of these islands, &amp;c. London
+            <a name="P_167"></a>
+            1707. Introduction, p. 56, and 57.) "The
+            punishment for crimes of slaves (says he)
+            are usually, for <em>rebellions</em>, burning them, by
+            nailing them down to the ground with
+            crooked sticks on every limb, and then
+            applying the fire, by degrees, from the feet
+            and hands, and burning them gradually up
+            to the head, whereby <em>the pains are extravagant</em>;
+            for crimes of a lesser nature,
+            <em>gelding</em>, or <em>chopping off half the foot</em>
+            with an axe. These punishments are suffered
+            by them with great constancy.&#8212;For
+            negligence, they are usually whipped by
+            the overseers with lance-wood switches,
+            till they be bloody, and several of the
+            switches broken, being first tied up by
+            their hands in the mill houses.&#8212;After
+            they are whipped till they are raw,
+            some put on their skins pepper and salt,
+            to make them smart; at other times, their
+            masters will drop melted wax on their
+            skins, and use several <em>very exquisite torments</em>."
+            Sir Hans adds, "These punishments are
+            sometimes merited by the Blacks, who are
+            a very perverse generation of people; and
+            though they appear very harsh, yet are
+            scarce equal to some of their crimes, and
+            inferior to what punishments other European
+            nations inflict on their slaves in the
+            East-Indies, as may be seen by Moquet,
+            and other travellers." Thus Sir Hans Sloane
+            <a name="P_168"></a>
+            endeavours to excuse those shocking cruelties,
+            but certainly in vain, because no crimes
+            whatsoever can merit such severe punishments,
+            unless I except the crimes of those
+            who devise and inflict them. Sir Hans Sloane,
+            indeed, mentions <em>rebellion</em> as the principal
+            crime; and certainly it is very justly esteemed
+            a most heinous crime, in a land of liberty,
+            where government is limited by equitable
+            and just laws, if the same are tolerably
+            well observed; but in countries where arbitrary
+            power is exercised with such intolerable
+            cruelty as is before described, if resistance
+            be a crime, it is certainly the most natural of
+            all others.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But the 19th clause of the 38th act,
+            would indeed, on a slight perusal, induce us
+            to conceive, that the punishment for rebellion
+            is not so severe as it is represented by Sir
+            Hans Sloane; because a slave, though <em>deemed
+               rebellious</em>, is thereby condemned to no
+            greater punishment than transportation. Nevertheless,
+            if the clause be thoroughly considered,
+            we shall find no reason to commend
+            the mercy of the legislature; for it only
+            proves, that the Jamaica law-makers will
+            not scruple to charge the slightest and most
+            natural offences with the most opprobrious
+            epithets; and that a poor slave, who perhaps
+            has no otherwise incurred his master's
+            <a name="P_169"></a>
+            displeasure than by endeavouring (upon the
+            just and warrantable principles of self-preservation,)
+            to escape from his master's tyranny,
+            without any criminal intention whatsoever,
+            is liable to be <em>deemed rebellious</em>, and to be
+            arraigned as a capital offender. "For every
+            slave and slaves that shall run away, and
+            continue but for the space of twelve months,
+            except such slave or slaves as shall not have
+            been three years in this island, shall be <em>deemed
+               rebellious</em>," &amp;c. (see act 38, clause 19. p. 60.)
+            Thus we are enabled to define what a West
+            Indian tyrant means by the word <em>rebellious</em>.
+            But unjust as this clause may seem, yet it is
+            abundantly more merciful and considerate
+            than a subsequent act against the same poor
+            miserable people, because the former assigns
+            no other punishment for persons so <em>deemed
+               rebellious</em>, than that they, "<em>Shall be
+               transported</em> by order of two justices and three
+            freeholders," &amp;c. whereas the latter spares
+            not the blood of these poor injured fugitives:
+            For by the 66th act, a reward of 50 pounds
+            is offered to those who "shall kill or bring
+            in alive any <em>rebellious slaves</em>," that is, any
+            of these unfortunate people whom the law
+            has "<em>deemed rebellious</em>," as above; and this
+            premium is not only tendered to commissioned
+            parties (see 2d. clause) but even to any
+            private "<em>hunter, slave, or other person</em>," (see 3d.
+            <a name="P_170"></a>
+            clause.) Thus it is manifest, that the law
+            treats these poor unhappy men with as little
+            ceremony and consideration as if they were
+            merely wild beasts. But the innocent blood
+            that is shed in consequence of such a detestable
+            law, must certainly call for vengeance
+            on the murderous abettors and actors of such
+            deliberate wickedness: And though many of
+            the guilty wretches should even be so hardened
+            and abandoned as never afterwards to
+            be capable of sincere remorse, yet a time will
+            undoubtedly come, when they will shudder
+            with dreadful apprehensions, on account of
+            the insufficiency of so wretched an excuse,
+            as that their poor murdered brethren were
+            by law "<em>deemed rebellious</em>" But bad as
+            these laws are, yet in justice to the freeholders
+            of Jamaica, I must acknowledge,
+            that their laws are not near so cruel and inhuman
+            as the laws of Barbadoes and Virginia,
+            and seem at present to be much more
+            reasonable than they have formerly been;
+            many very oppressive laws being now expired,
+            and others less severe enacted in their
+            room.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But it is far otherwise in Barbadoes; for
+            by the 329th act, p. 125. "If any Negro
+            or other slave, under punishment by his
+            master, or his order, for running away,
+            or any other crimes or misdemeanors towards
+            <a name="P_171"></a>
+            his said master, unfortunately shall
+            suffer in life, or member, (which seldom
+            happens) (but it is plain by this law that
+            it does sometimes happen) <em>no person whatever
+               shall be liable to any fine therefore; but
+               if any man shall, of wantonness or only of
+               bloody-mindedness, or cruel intention, wilfully
+               kill a Negroe or other slave of his own</em>;"&#8212;now
+            the reader, to be sure, will naturally
+            expect, that some very severe punishment
+            must in this case be ordained, to deter the
+            <em>wanton, bloody-minded, and cruel</em> wretch, from
+            <em>wilfully killing</em> his fellow creatures; but
+            alas! the Barbadian law-makers have been
+            so far from intending to curb such abandoned
+            wickedness, that they have absolutely
+            made this law on purpose to skreen these
+            enormous crimes from the just indignation
+            of any righteous person, who might think
+            himself bound in duty to prosecute a bloody-minded
+            villain; they have therefore presumptuously
+            taken upon them to give a sanction,
+            as it were, by law, to the horrid crime
+            of wilful murder; and have accordingly ordained,
+            that he who is guilty of it in Barbadoes,
+            though the act should be attended
+            with all the aggravating circumstances
+            before-mentioned&#8212;"<em>shall
+               pay into the public treasury</em>
+            (no more than) <em>fifteen pounds sterling</em>," but
+            if he shall kill another man's, he shall pay
+            <a name="P_172"></a>
+            the owner of the Negroe double the value,
+            and into the public treasury <em>twenty-five
+               pounds sterling</em>; and he shall further, by the
+            next justice of the peace, be bound to his
+            good behaviour during the pleasure of the
+            governor and council, <em>and not be liable to any
+               other punishment or forfeiture for the same</em>.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The most consummate wickedness, I suppose,
+            that any body of people, under the
+            specious form of a legislature, were ever guilty
+            of! This act contains several other clauses
+            which are shocking to humanity, though too
+            tedious to mention here.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            According to an act of Virginia, (4 Anne,
+            ch. 49. sec. 37. p. 227.) "after proclamation
+            is issued against slaves that run away and
+            lie out, it is lawful for any person whatsoever,
+            <em>to kill and destroy such slaves, by such
+               ways and means as he, she, or they, shall think
+               fit</em>, without accusation or impeachment of
+            any crime for the same," &amp;c. And lest
+            private interest should incline the planter to
+            mercy, (to which we must suppose such people
+            can have no other inducement) it is provided
+            and enacted in the succeeding clause,
+            (No 28.) "That for <em>every slave killed</em>, in pursuance
+            of this act, or <em>put to death by law</em>,
+            the master or owner of such slave <em>shall
+               be paid by the public</em>."
+
+         </p><a name="P_173"></a><p>
+            Also by an act of Virginia, (9 Geo. I. ch. 4.
+            sect. 18. p. 343.) it is ordained, "That,
+            where any slave shall hereafter be found
+            notoriously guilty of going abroad in the
+            night, or running away, and lying out,
+            and cannot be reclaimed from <em>such</em> disorderly
+            courses by the common method of
+            punishment, it shall and may be lawful
+            to and for the court of the county, upon
+            complaint and proof thereof to them made
+            by the owner of such slave, to order and
+            direct every such slave to be punished by
+            <em>dismembering, or any other</em> way, not touching
+            life, as the said county court <em>shall
+               think fit</em>."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I have already given examples enough of
+            the horrid cruelties which are sometimes
+            <em>thought fit</em> on such occasions. But if the innocent
+            and most natural act of "<em>running away</em>"
+            from intolerable tyranny, deserves
+            such relentless severity, what kind of punishment
+            have these law-makers themselves to
+            expect hereafter, on account of their own
+            enormous offences! Alas! to look for mercy
+            (without a timely repentance) will only be
+            another instance of their gross injustice!
+            "<em>Having their consciences seared with a hot
+               iron</em>," they seem to have lost all apprehensions
+            that their slaves are men, for they scruple
+            not to number them with beasts. See an
+            <a name="P_174"></a>
+            act of Barbadoes, (No 333. p. 128.) intituled,
+            "An act for the better regulating of <em>outcries</em>
+            in open market:" here we read of "<em>Negroes,
+               cattle, coppers, and stills, and other
+               chattels</em>, brought by execution to open
+            market to be outcried, and these (as if
+            all of equal importance) are ranged together
+            <em>in great lots or numbers to be sold</em>."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            &#8212;Page 70. In the 329th act of Barbadoes,
+            (p. 122.) it is asserted, that "brutish
+            slaves deserve not, for the baseness of their
+            condition, to <em>be tried by a legal trial of
+               twelve men of their peers, or neighbourhood</em>,
+            which neither truly can be rightly done,
+            as the subjects of England are;" (yet
+            slaves also are subjects of England, whilst
+            they remain within the British dominions, notwithstanding
+            this insinuation to the contrary)
+            "nor is execution to be delayed towards
+            them, in case of such horrid crimes committed," &amp;c.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            A similar doctrine is taught in an act of
+            Virginia, (9 Geo. I. ch. 4. sect. 3. p. 339.)
+            wherein it is ordained, "that every slave, committing
+            such offence as by the laws ought
+            to be punished by death, or loss of member,
+            shall be forthwith committed to the common
+            goal of the county, &amp;c. And the sheriff of
+            such county, upon such commitment, shall
+            forthwith certify the same, with the cause
+            <a name="P_175"></a>
+            thereof, to the governor or commander in
+            chief, &amp;c. who is thereupon desired and impowered
+            to issue a commission of Oyer and
+            Terminer, <em>To such persons as he shall think fit</em>;
+            which persons, forthwith after the receipt of
+            such commission, are impowered and required
+            to cause the offender to be publicly arraigned
+            and tried, &amp;c. without the solemnity
+            of a jury," &amp;c. Now let us consider
+            the dangerous tendency of those laws. As
+            Englishmen, we strenuously contend for this
+            absolute and immutable necessity of trials by
+            juries: but is not the spirit and equity of this
+            old English doctrine entirely lost, if we partially
+            confine that justice to ourselves alone,
+            when we have it in our power to extend it to
+            others? The natural right of all mankind,
+            must principally justify our insisting upon
+            this necessary privilege in favour of ourselves
+            in particular; and therefore if we do not allow
+            that the judgment of an impartial jury
+            is indispensably necessary in all cases whatsoever,
+            wherein the life of man is depending,
+            we certainly undermine the equitable force
+            and reason of those laws, by which <em>we ourselves
+               are protected</em>, and consequently are unworthy
+            to be esteemed either Christians or
+            Englishmen.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Whatever right the members of a provincial
+            assembly may have to enact <em>bye laws</em>,
+            <a name="P_176"></a>
+            for particular exigences among themselves,
+            yet in so doing they are certainly bound, in
+            duty to their sovereign, to observe most
+            strictly the fundamental principles of that
+            constitution, which his Majesty is sworn to
+            maintain; for wheresoever the bounds of
+            the British empire are extended, there the
+            common law of England must of course take
+            place, and cannot be safely set aside by any
+            <em>private law</em> whatsoever, because the introduction
+            of an unnatural tyranny must necessarily
+            endanger the King's dominions. The
+            many alarming insurrections of slaves in the
+            several colonies, are sufficient proofs of this.
+            The common law of England ought therefore
+            to be so established in every province,
+            as to include the respective <em>bye laws</em> of each
+            province; instead of being by them <em>excluded</em>,
+            which latter has been too much the case.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Every inhabitant of the British colonies,
+            black as well as white, bond as well as free,
+            are undoubtedly the <em>King's subjects</em>, during
+            their residence within the limits of the King's
+            dominions; and as such, are entitled to personal
+            protection, however bound in service
+            to their respective masters; therefore, when
+            any of these are put to death, "<em>without the
+               solemnity of a jury</em>," I fear that there is too
+            much reason to attribute <em>the guilt of murder</em>
+            to every person concerned in ordering, the
+            <a name="P_177"></a>
+            same, or in consenting thereto; and all such
+            persons are certainly responsible <em>to the King
+               and his laws, for the loss of a subject</em>. The
+            horrid iniquity, injustice, and dangerous
+            tendency of the several plantation laws
+            which I have quoted, are so apparent, that
+            it is unnecessary for me to apologize for the
+            freedom with which I have treated them. If
+            such laws are not absolutely necessary for the
+            government of slaves, the law-makers must
+            unavoidably allow themselves to be the most
+            cruel and abandoned tyrants upon earth; or,
+            perhaps, that ever were on earth. On the
+            other hand, if it be said, that it is impossible
+            to govern slaves without such inhuman
+            severity, and detestable injustice, the same
+            will certainly be an invincible argument
+            against the least toleration of slavery amongst
+            christians, because the temporal profit of the
+            planter or master, however lucrative, cannot
+            compensate the forfeiture of his everlasting
+            welfare, or (at least I may be allowed
+            to say) the apparent danger of such a forfeiture.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Oppression is a most grievous crime, and
+            the cries of these much injured people,
+            (though they are only poor ignorant heathens)
+            will certainly reach heaven! The
+            scriptures (<em>which are the only true foundation
+               of all laws</em>) denounce a tremendous judgment
+            against the man who should offend
+            <a name="P_178"></a>
+            even one little-one; <em>"It were better for him</em>
+            (even the merciful Saviour of the world
+            hath himself declared) <em>that a millstone were
+               hanged about his neck, and be cast into
+               the sea, than that he should offend one of
+               these little ones."</em> Luke xvii. 2. Who
+            then shall attempt to vindicate those inhuman
+            establishments of government, under
+            which, even our own countrymen so grievously
+            <em>offend</em> and <em>oppress</em> (not merely
+            <em>one</em>, or a few little ones, but) an immense multitude
+            of <em>men, women, children</em>, and the <em>children
+               of their children</em>, from generation to generation?
+            May it not be said with like
+            justice, it were better for the English nation
+            that these American dominions had never
+            existed, or even that they should have been
+            sunk into the sea, than that the kingdom of
+            Great Britain should be loaded with the
+            horrid guilt of tolerating such abominable
+            wickedness! In short, if the <em>King's prerogative</em>
+            is not speedily exerted for the relief of his
+            Majesty's oppressed and much injured subjects
+            in the British colonies, (because to <em>relieve
+               the subject</em> from the oppression of petty
+            tyrants is the principal use of the royal prerogative,
+            as well as the principal and most natural
+            means of maintaining the same) and for
+            the extension of the British constitution to
+            the most distant colonies, whether in the East
+            or West Indies, it must inevitably be allowed,
+            <a name="P_179"></a>
+            that great share of this enormous guilt will
+            certainly rest on this side the water.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I hope this hint will be taken notice of by
+            those whom it may concern; and that the
+            freedom of it will be excused, as from a <em>loyal
+               and disinterested</em> adviser.
+
+         </p>
+      </div>
+      <div class="teidiv">
+         <h2><a name="Extracts"></a>
+            Extracts from the writings
+            <br><br>
+            of several noted authors,
+            <br><br>
+            on the subject of the,
+            <br><br>slavery of the Negroes,
+            <br><br>
+            viz.
+            <br><br>
+            George Wallace,
+            <br><br>
+            Francis Hutcheson,
+            <br><br>
+            James Foster.
+
+         </h2><a name="P_180"></a><p>
+            George Wallace, in his <i>System
+               of the Principles of the Laws of Scotland</i>,
+            speaking of the slavery of the Negroes
+            in our colonies, says, "We all know that
+            they (the Negroes) are purchased from their
+            Princes, who pretend to have a right to dispose
+            of them, and that they are, like other
+            commodities, transported, by the merchants
+            who have bought them, into America, in
+            order to be exposed to sale. If this trade admits
+            of a moral or a rational justification,
+            every crime, even the most atrocious, may
+            be justified. Government was instituted
+            for the good of mankind; kings, princes,
+            governors, are not proprietors of those who
+            are subject to their authority; they have
+            not a right to make them miserable. On the
+            contrary, their authority is vested in them,
+            that they may, by the just exercise of it,
+            promote the happiness of their people. Of
+            course, they have not a right to dispose of
+            their liberty, and to sell them for slaves. Besides
+            <a name="P_181"></a>
+            no man has a right to acquire, or to
+            purchase them; men and their liberty are not
+            <i>in commercio</i>; they are not either
+            saleable or purchaseable. One, therefore, has no body but
+            himself to blame, in case he shall find
+            himself deprived of a man, whom he
+            thought he had, by buying for a price,
+            made his own; for he dealt in a trade
+            which was illicit, and was prohibited by
+            the most obvious dictates of humanity. For
+            these reasons, every one of those unfortunate
+            men who are pretended to be slaves, has a
+            right to be declared to be free, for he never
+            lost his liberty; he could not lose it; his
+            Prince had no power to dispose of him. Of
+            course, the sale was <i>ipso jure</i> void.
+            This right he carries about with him, and is entitled
+            every where to get it declared. As soon,
+            therefore, as he comes into a country in
+            which the judges are not forgetful of their
+            own humanity, it is their duty to remember
+            that he is a man, and to declare him to
+            be free. I know it has been said, that questions
+            concerning the state of persons ought
+            to be determined by the law of the country
+            to which they belong; and that, therefore,
+            one who would be declared to be a slave in
+            America, ought, in case he should happen
+            to be imported into Britain, to be adjudged,
+            according to the law of America, to be a
+            slave; a doctrine than which nothing can be
+            <a name="P_182"></a>
+            more barbarous. Ought the judges of any
+            country, out of respect to the law of another,
+            to shew no respect to their kind, and
+            to humanity? out of respect to a law,
+            which is in no sort obligatory upon them,
+            ought they to disregard the law of nature,
+            which is obligatory on all men, at all times,
+            and in all places? Are any laws so binding
+            as the eternal laws of justice? Is it doubtful,
+            whether a judge ought to pay greater regard
+            to them, than to those arbitrary and inhuman
+            usages which prevail in a distant land?
+            Aye, but our colonies would be ruined if
+            slavery was abolished. Be it so; would it
+            not from thence follow, that the bulk of
+            mankind ought to be abused, that our pockets
+            may be filled with money, or our mouths
+            with delicacies? The purses of highwaymen
+            would be empty, in case robberies were totally
+            abolished; but have men a right to acquire
+            money by going out to the highway?
+            Have men a right to acquire it by rendering
+            their fellow-creatures miserable? Is it lawful
+            to abuse mankind, that the avarice, the
+            vanity, or the passions of a few may be gratified?
+            No! There is such a thing as justice
+            to which the most sacred regard is due. It
+            ought to be inviolably observed. Have not
+            these unhappy men a better right to their
+            liberty, and to their happiness, than our
+            American merchants have to the profits which
+            <a name="P_183"></a>
+            they make by torturing their kind? Let,
+            therefore, our colonies be ruined, but let us
+            not render so many men miserable. Would
+            not any of us, who should&#8212;be snatched
+            by pirates from his native land, think himself
+            cruelly abused, and at all times entitled
+            to be free? Have not these unfortunate Africans,
+            who meet with the same cruel fate, the
+            same right? Are they not men as well as we,
+            and have they not the same sensibility? Let
+            us not, therefore, defend or support a usage
+            which is contrary to all the laws of humanity.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "But it is false, that either we or our colonies
+            would be ruined by the abolition of
+            slavery. It might occasion a stagnation of
+            business for a short time. Every great alteration
+            produces that effect; because mankind
+            cannot, on a sudden, find ways of disposing
+            of themselves, and of their affairs;
+            but it would produce many happy effects.
+            It is the slavery which is permitted in America,
+            that has hindered it from becoming so
+            soon populous as it would otherwise have
+            done. Let the Negroes be free, and, in a few
+            generations, this vast and fertile continent
+            would be crowded with inhabitants; learning,
+            arts, and every thing would flourish
+            amongst them; instead of being inhabited by
+            wild beasts, and by savages, it would be
+            peopled by philosophers, and by men."
+
+         </p><a name="P_184"></a><p>
+            Francis Hutcheson, professor of philosophy
+            at the university of Glasgow, in his <i>System
+               of Moral Philosophy</i>, page 211, says "He who
+            detains another by force in slavery, is always
+            bound to prove his title. The slave sold, or
+            carried into a distant country, must not be
+            obliged to prove a negative, that <em>he never
+               forfeited his liberty</em>. The violent possessor
+            must, in all cases, shew his title, especially
+            where the old proprietor is well known. In
+            this case, each man is the original proprietor
+            of his own liberty. The proof of his losing
+            it must be incumbent on those who deprive
+            him of it by force. The Jewish laws had
+            great regard to justice, about the servitude
+            of Hebrews, founding it only on consent, or
+            some crime or damage, allowing them always
+            a proper redress upon any cruel treatment,
+            and fixing a limited time for it; unless
+            upon trial the servant inclined to prolong
+            it. The laws about foreign slaves had many
+            merciful provisions against immoderate
+            severity of the masters. But under christianity,
+            whatever lenity was due from an Hebrew
+            towards his countryman, must be due
+            towards all; since the distinctions of nations
+            are removed, as to the point of humanity
+            and mercy, as well as natural right;
+            nay, some of these rights granted over foreign
+            slaves, may justly be deemed only such
+            indulgences as those of poligamy and divorce,
+            <a name="P_185"></a>
+            granting only external impunity in
+            such practice, and not sufficient vindication
+            of them in conscience."
+
+         </p>
+         <p><i>Page</i> 85. It is pleaded, that "In some
+            barbarous nations, unless the captives were
+            bought for slaves, they would be all murthered.
+            They, therefore, owe their lives,
+            and all they can do, to their purchasers; and
+            so do their children, who would not otherwise
+            have come into life." But this whole
+            plea is no more than that of <i>negotium utile
+               gestum</i> to which any civilized nation is
+            bound by humanity; it is a prudent expensive
+            office, done for the service of others without
+            a gratuitous intention; and this founds
+            no other right, than that to full compensation
+            of all charges and labour employed for
+            the benefit of others.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            A set of inaccurate popular phrases blind
+            us in these matters; "Captives owe their
+            lives, and all to the purchasers, say they.
+            Just in the same manner, we, our nobles,
+            and princes, often owe our lives to midwives,
+            chirurgeons, physicians," &amp;c. one who
+            was the means of preserving a man's life, is
+            not therefore entitled to make him a slave,
+            and sell him as a piece of goods. Strange,
+            that in a nation where the sense of liberty
+            prevails, where the christian religion is professed,
+            custom and high prospects of gain
+            can so stupify the conscience of men, and
+            <a name="P_186"></a>
+            all sense of natural justice, that they can
+            hear such computations made about the value
+            of their fellow-men, and their liberty,
+            without abhorrence and indignation.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><i>James Foster</i>, D.D. in his
+            <i>discourses on natural
+               religion</i> and <i>social virtue</i>
+            also shews his just indignation at this wicked practice;
+            which he declares to be "<em>a criminal and outrageous
+               violation of the natural right of mankind</em>."
+            At <i>page</i> 156, vol. 2 he says, "Should
+            we have read concerning the Greeks or Romans
+            of old, that they traded with a view to
+            make slaves of their own species, when they
+            certainly knew that this would involve in
+            schemes of blood and murder, of destroying,
+            or enslaving each other; that they even
+            fomented wars, and engaged whole nations
+            and tribes in open hostilities, for their own
+            private advantage; that they had no detestation
+            of the violence and cruelty, but only
+            feared the ill success of their inhuman enterprises;
+            that they carried men like themselves,
+            their brethren, and the off-spring of
+            the same common parent, to be sold like
+            beasts of prey, or beasts of burden, and put
+            them to the same reproachful trial, of their
+            soundness, strength, and capacity for greater
+            bodily service; that quite forgetting and
+            renouncing the original dignity of human
+            nature, communicated to all, they treated
+            them with more severity, and ruder discipline,
+            <a name="P_187"></a>
+            than even the <em>ox</em> or the <em>ass</em>, who are
+            <em>void of understanding</em>&#8212;should we not, if
+            this had been the case, have naturally been
+            led to despise all their <em>pretended refinements of
+               morality</em>; and to have concluded, that as
+            they were not nations destitute of politeness,
+            they must have been <em>entire strangers to virtue
+               and benevolence</em>?
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "But notwithstanding this, we ourselves
+            (who profess to be christians, and boast of the
+            peculiar advantage we enjoy, by means of an
+            express revelation of our duty from heaven)
+            are, in effect, these very untaught and rude
+            heathen countries. With all our superior
+            light, we instill into those, whom we call savage
+            and barbarous, the most despicable opinion
+            of human nature. We, to the utmost
+            of our power, weaken and dissolve the universal
+            tie, that binds and unites mankind.
+            We practise what we should exclaim against,
+            as the utmost excess of cruelty and tyranny,
+            if nations of the world, differing in colour,
+            and form of government, from ourselves,
+            were so possessed of empire, as to be able to
+            reduce us to a state of unmerited and brutish
+            servitude. Of consequence, we sacrifice
+            our reason, our humanity, our christianity,
+            to an unnatural sordid gain. We
+            teach other nations to despise, and trample
+            under foot, all the obligations of social virtue.
+            We take the most effectual method
+            <a name="P_188"></a>
+            to prevent the propagation of the gospel, by
+            representing it as a scheme of power and barbarous
+            oppression, and an enemy to the
+            natural privileges and rights of men.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "Perhaps all that I have now offered, may
+            be of very little weight to restrain this enormity,
+            this aggravated iniquity; however, I
+            still have the satisfaction of having entered
+            my private protest against a practice, which,
+            in my opinion, bids that God, who is the
+            God and Father of the Gentiles, unconverted
+            to christianity, most daring and bold defiance,
+            and spurns at all the principles both of
+            natural and revealed religion."
+
+         </p>
+      </div>
+      <div class="teidiv">
+         <h2><a name="VA_Gaz"></a>EXTRACT<br><br><br><br>
+            From an ADDRESS
+            <br><br>
+            in the
+            <br><br><br><br>
+            VIRGINIA GAZETTE,
+            <br><br>
+            of MARCH 19, 1767.
+
+         </h2><a name="P_189"></a><p>
+            Mr. RIND,
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Permit me, in your paper, to address
+            the members of our assembly on two
+            points, in which the public interest is very
+            nearly concerned.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The abolition of slavery, and the retrieval
+            of specie in this colony, are the subjects on
+            which I would bespeak their attention.&#8212;
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Long and serious reflections upon the nature
+            and consequences of slavery have convinced
+            me, that it is a violation both of justice
+            and religion; that it is dangerous to
+            the safety of the community in which it
+            prevails; that it is destructive to the growth
+            of arts and sciences; and lastly, that it produces
+            a numerous and very fatal train of vices,
+            both in the slave and in his master.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            To prove these assertions, shall be the purpose
+            of the following essay.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            That slavery then is a violation of justice,
+            <a name="P_190"></a>
+            will plainly appear, when we consider what
+            justice is. It is truly and simply defined, as
+            by <i>Justinian, constans et
+               perpetua voluntas ejus suum cuique tribuendi</i>;
+            a constant endeavour to give every man his right.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Now, as freedom is unquestionably the
+            birth-right of all mankind, <em>Africans</em> as well
+            as <em>Europeans</em>, to keep the former in a state of
+            slavery, is a constant violation of that right,
+            and therefore of justice.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The ground on which the civilians who
+            favour slavery, admit it to be just, namely,
+            consent, force, and birth, is totally disputable;
+            for surely a man's own will and
+            consent cannot be allowed to introduce so important
+            an innovation into society, as slavery,
+            or to make himself an outlaw, which is really
+            the state of a slave; since neither consenting
+            to, nor aiding the laws of the society in which
+            he lives, he is neither bound to obey them,
+            nor entitled to their protection.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            To found any right in force, is to frustrate
+            all right, and involve every thing in
+            confusion, violence, and rapine. With these
+            two, the last must fall; since, if the parent
+            cannot justly be made a slave, neither can
+            the child be born in slavery. "The law of
+            nations, says Baron <i>Montesquieu</i>, has doomed
+            prisoners to slavery, to prevent their being
+            slain; the <i>Roman</i> civil law permitted
+            debtors, whom their creditors might treat
+            <a name="P_191"></a>
+            ill, to sell themselves. And the law of nature
+            requires that children, whom their
+            parents, being slaves, cannot maintain,
+            should be slaves like them. These reasons of
+            the civilians are not just; it is not true that
+            a captive may be slain, unless in a case of
+            absolute necessity; but if he hath been reduced
+            to slavery, it is plain that no such necessity
+            existed, since he was not slain. It is
+            not true that a free man can sell himself, for
+            sale supposes a price; but a slave and his property
+            becomes immediately that of his
+            master; the slave can therefore receive no
+            price, nor the master pay, &amp;c. And if a
+            man cannot sell himself, nor a prisoner of
+            war be reduced to slavery, much less can his
+            child." Such are the sentiments of this illustrious
+            civilian; his reasonings, which I
+            have been obliged to contract, the reader interested
+            in this subject will do well to consult
+            at large.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Yet even these rights of imposing slavery,
+            questionable, nay, refutable as they are, we
+            have not to authorise the bondage of the
+            <em>Africans</em>. For neither do they consent to be
+            our slaves, nor do we purchase them of their
+            conquerors. The <em>British</em> merchants obtain
+            them from <em>Africa</em> by violence, artifice, and
+            treachery, with a few trinkets to prompt
+            those unfortunate people to enslave one
+            another by force or stratagem. Purchase
+            <a name="P_192"></a>
+            them indeed they may, under the authority
+            of an act of the British parliament. An
+            act entailing upon the <em>Africans</em>, with whom
+            we are not at war, and over whom a British
+            parliament could not of right assume even a
+            shadow of authority, the dreadful curse of
+            perpetual slavery, upon them and their children
+            for ever. <em>There cannot be in nature,
+               there is not in all history, an instance in which
+               every right of men is more flagrantly violated.</em>
+            The laws of the antients never authorised
+            the making slaves, but of those nations
+            whom they had conquered; yet they were
+            heathens, and we are christians. They were
+            misled by a monstrous religion, divested of
+            humanity, by a horrible and barbarous worship;
+            we are directed by the unerring precepts
+            of the revealed religion we possess, enlightened
+            by its wisdom, and humanized by
+            its benevolence; before them, were gods deformed
+            with passions, and horrible for every
+            cruelty and vice; before us, is that incomparable
+            pattern of meekness, charity, love
+            and justice to mankind, which so transcendently
+            distinguished the Founder of christianity, and
+            his ever amiable doctrines.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Reader, remember that the corner stone of
+            your religion, is to do unto others as you
+            would they should do unto you; ask then
+            your own heart, whether it would not abhor
+            any one, as the most outrageous violater
+            <a name="P_193"></a>
+            of that and every other principle of right,
+            justice, and humanity, who should make a
+            slave of you and your posterity for ever!
+            Remember, that God knoweth the heart; lay
+            not this flattering unction to your soul, that
+            it is the custom of the country; that you
+            found it so, that not your will; but your necessity,
+            consents. Ah! think how little such
+            an excuse will avail you in that aweful day,
+            when your Saviour shall pronounce judgment
+            on you for breaking a law too plain to
+            be misunderstood, too sacred to be violated.
+            If we say we are christians, yet act more inhumanly
+            and unjustly than heathens, with
+            what dreadful justice must this sentence of
+            our blessed Saviour fall upon us, "<em>Not every
+               one that saith unto me Lord, Lord, shall
+               enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that
+               doth the will of my Father which is in heaven."</em>
+            Matth. vii. 21. Think a moment
+            how much your temporal, your eternal welfare
+            depends upon an abolition of a practice
+            which deforms the image of your God, tramples
+            on his revealed will, infringes the most
+            sacred rights, and violates humanity.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Enough, I hope, has been asserted, to prove
+            that slavery is a violation of justice and religion.
+            That it is dangerous to the safety of
+            the state in which it prevails, may be as
+            safely asserted.
+
+         </p><a name="P_194"></a><p>
+            What one's own experience has not taught;
+            that of others must decide. From hence
+            does history derive its utility; for being,
+            when truly written, a faithful record of the
+            transactions of mankind, and the consequences
+            that flowed from them, we are thence furnished
+            with the means of judging what will
+            be the probable effect of transactions, similar
+            among ourselves.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            We learn then from history, that slavery,
+            wherever encouraged, has sooner or later
+            been productive of very dangerous commotions.
+            I will not trouble my reader here with
+            quotations in support of this assertion, but
+            content myself with referring those, who may
+            be dubious of its truth, to the histories of
+            Athens, Lacedemon, Rome, and Spain.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            How long, how bloody and destructive was
+            the contest between the Moorish slaves and the
+            native Spaniards? and after almost deluges of
+            blood had been shed, the Spaniards obtained
+            nothing more than driving them into the
+            mountains.&#8212;Less bloody indeed, though,
+            not less alarming, have been the insurrections
+            in Jamaica; and to imagine that we shall be for
+            ever exempted from this calamity, which experience
+            teaches us to be inseparable from
+            slavery, so encouraged; is an infatuation as
+            astonishing as it will be surely fatal:&#8212;&amp;c. &amp;c.
+
+         </p>
+      </div>
+      <div class="teidiv">
+         <h2><a name="B_of_Gloucester"></a>EXTRACT
+            <br><br><br><br>
+            OF A
+            <br><br><br><br>
+            SERMON<br><br>
+            PREACHED BY THE
+            <br><br><br><br>BISHOP OF GLOUCESTER,
+         </h2><a name="P_195"></a><p>
+            Before the SOCIETY For the PROPAGATION
+            of the GOSPEL, at the anniversary meeting
+            on the 21st of <i>February</i>, 1766.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            From the free-savages, I now come
+            (the last point I propose to consider) to
+            the savages in bonds. By these I mean the
+            vast multitudes yearly stolen from the opposite
+            continent, and sacrificed by the colonists
+            to their great idol, the GOD OF GAIN.
+            But what then? say these sincere worshippers
+            of <em>Mammon</em>; they are our own property
+            which we offer up. Gracious God! to talk
+            (as in herds of cattle) of property in rational
+            creatures! creatures endowed with all our
+            faculties; possessing all our qualities but that
+            of colour; our brethren both by nature and
+            <a name="P_196"></a>
+            grace, shocks all the feelings of humanity,
+            and the dictates of common sense. But,
+            alas! what is there in the infinite abuses of
+            society which does not shock them? Yet
+            nothing is more certain in itself, and apparent
+            to all, than that the infamous traffic
+            for slaves directly infringes both divine and
+            human law. Nature created man free,
+            and grace invites him to assert his freedom.
+            In excuse of this violation, it hath been
+            pretended, that though indeed these miserable
+            out-casts of humanity be torn from
+            their homes and native country by fraud
+            and violence, yet they thereby become the
+            happier, and their condition the more
+            eligible. But who are You, who pretend to
+            judge of another man's happiness? That
+            state, which each man, under the guidance
+            of his Maker, forms for himself, and not
+            one man for another? To know what constitutes
+            mine or your happiness, is the sole
+            prerogative of Him who created us, and cast
+            us in so various and different moulds. Did
+            your slaves ever complain to you of their
+            unhappiness amidst their native woods and
+            deserts? Or, rather, let me ask, did they
+            ever cease complaining of their condition
+            under you their lordly masters? where they
+            see, indeed, the accommodations of civil
+            life, but see them all pass to others, themselves
+            unbenefited by them. Be so gracious
+            <a name="P_197"></a>
+            then, ye petty tyrants over human freedom,
+            to let your slaves judge for themselves,
+            what it is which makes their own happiness.
+            And then see whether they do not place it
+            in the return to their own country, rather
+            than in the contemplation of your grandeur,
+            of which their misery makes so large a part.
+            A return so passionately longed for, that
+            despairing of happiness here, that is, of
+            escaping the chains of their cruel task-masters,
+            they console themselves with feigning it to
+            be the gracious reward of heaven in their
+            future state, which I do not find their
+            haughty masters have as yet concerned themselves
+            to invade. The less hardy, indeed,
+            wait for this felicity till over-wearied nature
+            sets them free; but the more resolved have
+            recourse even to self-violence, to force a speedier
+            passage.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But it will be still urged, that though
+            what is called human happiness be of so fantastic
+            a nature, that each man's imagination
+            creates it for himself, yet human misery is
+            more substantial and uniform throughout
+            all the tribes of mankind. Now, from the
+            worst of human miseries, the savage Africans,
+            by these forced emigrations, are intirely secured;
+            such as the being perpetually hunted
+            down like beasts of prey or profit, by their
+            more savage and powerful neighbours&#8212;In
+            truth, a blessed change!&#8212;from being hunted
+            <a name="P_198"></a>
+            to being caught. But who are they that
+            have set on foot this general HUNTING?
+            Are they not these very civilized violaters
+            of humanity themselves? who tempt the
+            weak appetites, and provoke the wild passions
+            of the fiercer savages to prey upon the
+            rest.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><b>THE END.</b></p>
+      </div>
+      <div class="teidiv">
+         <h2><a name="mainIDX"></a>
+            INDEX.
+
+         </h2><a name="P_199"></a><div class="teidiv">
+            <h3><a name="projectID3fb5dbc04143b-div-d0e2579"></a>
+               A
+
+            </h3>
+            <p><i>Adanson</i> (M.) his account of the country on the
+               rivers <i>Senegal</i> and
+               <i>Gambia</i>, <a href="#P_14" class="ref">14</a>. Extraordinary
+               fertility, <i>ibid.</i> Surprising vegetation, <a href="#P_15" class="ref">15</a>. Beautiful
+               aspect of the country, <a href="#P_16" class="ref">16</a>. Good disposition of
+               the natives, <i>ibid.</i></p>
+            <p><em>Advertisements in the New-York Journal</em>, for the sale of
+               slaves, <a href="#P_158" class="ref">158</a>. Also in the news-papers of <i>London</i>, <a href="#P_160" class="ref">160</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Africa</i>, that part from whence the Negroe slaves are
+               brought, how divided, <a href="#P_6" class="ref">6</a>. Capable of a considerable
+               trade, <a href="#P_143" class="ref">143</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p>
+               Alien (every) or stranger coming within the King's dominion,
+               becomes a subject, <a href="#P_148" class="ref">148</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p>
+               Antientest account of the Negroes, <a href="#P_41" class="ref">41</a>. Were then a
+               simple innocent people, <a href="#P_43" class="ref">43</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Angola</i>, a plentiful country,
+               <a href="#P_39" class="ref">39</a>. Character of the natives,
+               <a href="#P_40" class="ref">40</a>. Government, <i>ibid.</i></p>
+         </div>
+         <div class="teidiv">
+            <h3><a name="projectID3fb5dbc04143b-div-d0e2654"></a>
+               B
+
+            </h3>
+            <p><i>Barbadoes</i> (laws of) respecting Negroe slaves,
+               <a href="#P_170" class="ref">170</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Barbot (John)</i> agent general of the
+               <i>French African Company</i>, his account of the
+               <i>Gold Coast</i>, <a href="#P_25" class="ref">25</a>. Of the
+               <i>Slave Coast</i>, <a href="#P_27" class="ref">27</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Bosman (William)</i> principal factor for the
+               <i>Dutch</i> at <i>D'Elmina</i>, his account
+               of the <i>Gold Coast</i>, <a href="#P_23" class="ref">23</a>.
+               Of the <i>Slave Coast</i>, <a href="#P_27" class="ref">27</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Brue (Andrew)</i> principal factor of the
+               <i>French African Company</i>, his account of the country
+               on the river <i>Senegal</i>, <a href="#P_7" class="ref">7</a>. And on
+               the river <i>Gambia</i>, <a href="#P_8" class="ref">8</a>.
+               <a name="P_200"></a></p>
+            <p><i>Benin</i> (kingdom of) good character of the natives,
+               <a href="#P_35" class="ref">35</a>. Punishment of crimes,
+               <a href="#P_36" class="ref">36</a>. Order of government,
+               <i>ibid.</i> Largeness and order of the city of
+               <i>Great Benin</i>, <a href="#P_37" class="ref">37</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Britons</i> (antient) in their original state no less
+               barbarous than the <em>African</em> Negroes, <a href="#P_68" class="ref">68</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Baxter (Richard)</i> his testimony against slavery,
+               <a href="#P_83" class="ref">83</a>.
+
+            </p>
+         </div>
+         <div class="teidiv">
+            <h3><a name="projectID3fb5dbc04143b-div-d0e2761"></a>
+               C
+
+            </h3>
+            <p>
+               Corruption of some of the Kings of
+               <i>Guinea</i>, <a href="#P_107" class="ref">107</a>.
+
+            </p>
+         </div>
+         <div class="teidiv">
+            <h3><a name="projectID3fb5dbc04143b-div-d0e2772"></a>
+               D
+
+            </h3>
+            <p><i>De la Casa</i> (bishop of <i>Chapia</i>)
+               his concern for the <i>Indians</i>,
+               <a href="#P_47" class="ref">47</a>. His speech to <i>Charles</i> the
+               Fifth Emperor of <i>Germany</i> and King of
+               <i>Spain</i>, <a href="#P_48" class="ref">48</a>. Prodigious
+               destruction of the <i>Indians</i> in
+               <i>Hispaniola</i>, <a href="#P_51" class="ref">51</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><em>Divine principle</em> in every man, its effects on those who
+               obey its dictates, <a href="#P_14" class="ref">14</a>.
+
+            </p>
+         </div>
+         <div class="teidiv">
+            <h3><a name="projectID3fb5dbc04143b-div-d0e2816"></a>
+               E
+
+            </h3>
+            <p><i>Elizabeth</i> (Queen) her caution to captain
+               Hawkins not to enslave any of the Negroes, <a href="#P_55" class="ref">55</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>English</i>, their first trade on the coast of Guinea,
+               <a href="#P_52" class="ref">52</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Europeans</i> are the principal cause of the wars which
+               subsist amongst the Negroes, <a href="#P_61" class="ref">61</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>English</i> laws allow no man, of what condition soever,
+               to be deprived of his liberty, without a legal process,
+               <a href="#P_150" class="ref">150</a>. The danger of confining any person without a
+               warrant, <a href="#P_162" class="ref">162</a>.
+
+            </p>
+         </div>
+         <div class="teidiv">
+            <h3><a name="projectID3fb5dbc04143b-div-d0e2850"></a>
+               F
+
+            </h3>
+            <p>
+               Fishing, a considerable business on the Guinea
+               coast, <a href="#P_26" class="ref">26</a>. How carried on,
+               <i>ibid.</i></p>
+            <p><i>Foster (James)</i> his testimony against slavery,
+               <a href="#P_186" class="ref">186</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Fuli</i> Negroes good farmers, <a href="#P_10" class="ref">10</a>.
+               Those on the <i>Gambia</i> particularly recommended for their
+               industry and good behaviour, <i>ibid.</i></p>
+            <p><i>France</i> (King of) objects to the Negroes in his
+               dominions being reduced to a state of slavery, <a href="#P_58" class="ref">58</a>.
+
+            </p>
+         </div><a name="P_201"></a><div class="teidiv">
+            <h3><a name="projectID3fb5dbc04143b-div-d0e2887"></a>
+               G
+
+            </h3>
+            <p><i>Gambia (river)</i><a href="#P_8" class="ref">8</a>,
+               <a href="#P_14" class="ref">14</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Gloucester</i> (bishop of) extract of his sermon,
+               <a href="#P_195" class="ref">195</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Godwyn (Morgan)</i> his plea in favour of the Negroes and
+               Indians, <a href="#P_75" class="ref">75</a>. Complains of the cruelties exercised
+               upon slaves, <a href="#P_76" class="ref">76</a>. A false opinion prevailed in his
+               time, that the Negroes were not objects of redeeming
+               grace, <a href="#P_77" class="ref">77</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Gold Coast</i> has several European factories,
+               <a href="#P_22" class="ref">22</a>. Great trade for slaves,
+               <i>ibid.</i> Carried on far in the inland
+               country, <i>ibid.</i> Natives more reconciled to the
+               Europeans, and more diligent in procuring slaves,
+               <i>ibid.</i> Extraordinarily fruitful and agreeable,
+               <a href="#P_22" class="ref">22</a>, <a href="#P_25" class="ref">25</a>. The
+               natives industrious, <a href="#P_24" class="ref">24</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Great Britain</i>, all persons during their residence there
+               are the King's subjects, <a href="#P_148" class="ref">148</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Guinea</i> extraordinarily fertile,
+               <a href="#P_2" class="ref">2</a>. Extremely unhealthy to the Europeans,
+               <a href="#P_4" class="ref">4</a>. But agrees well with the natives,
+               <i>ibid.</i> Prodigious rising of waters,
+               <i>ibid.</i> Hot winds, <i>ibid.</i>
+               Surprising vegetation, <a href="#P_15" class="ref">15</a>.
+
+            </p>
+         </div>
+         <div class="teidiv">
+            <h3><a name="projectID3fb5dbc04143b-div-d0e2973"></a>
+               H
+
+            </h3>
+            <p><i>Hawkins</i> (captain) lands on the coast of
+               Guinea and seizes on a number of the natives,
+               which he sells to the Spaniards, <a href="#P_55" class="ref">55</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Hottentots</i> misrepresented by authors,
+               <a href="#P_101" class="ref">101</a>. True account given of these people by
+               Kolben, <a href="#P_102" class="ref">102</a>. Love of liberty and sloth their
+               prevailing passions, <a href="#P_102" class="ref">102</a>.
+               Distinguished by several virtues, <a href="#P_103" class="ref">103</a>. Firm in
+               alliances, <i>ibid.</i> Offended at the vices predominant
+               amongst christians, <a href="#P_104" class="ref">104</a>. Make nor keep no slaves,
+               <i>ibid.</i></p>
+            <p><i>Hughes (Griffith)</i> his account of the number of Negroes
+               in Barbadoes, <a href="#P_85" class="ref">85</a>. Speaks well of their natural
+               capacities, <a href="#P_86" class="ref">86</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p>
+               Husbandry of the Negroes carried on in common, <a href="#P_28" class="ref">28</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Hutcheson (Francis)</i> his declaration against slavery,
+               <a href="#P_184" class="ref">184</a>.
+
+            </p>
+         </div><a name="P_202"></a><div class="teidiv">
+            <h3><a name="projectID3fb5dbc04143b-div-d0e3030"></a>
+               I
+
+            </h3>
+            <p><i>Jalof</i> Negroes, their government,
+               <a href="#P_9" class="ref">9</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Indians</i> grievously oppressed by the Spaniards,
+               <a href="#P_47" class="ref">47</a>. Their cause pleaded by Bartholomew De la Casa,
+               <a href="#P_48" class="ref">48</a>. Inland people, good account of them,
+               <a href="#P_25" class="ref">25</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Ivory Coast</i> fertile, &amp;c.
+               <a href="#P_18" class="ref">18</a>. Natives falsely represented
+               to be a treacherous people, <i>ibid.</i> Kind when well
+               used, <a href="#P_19" class="ref">19</a>. Have no European factories amongst
+               them, <a href="#P_21" class="ref">21</a>. And but few wars; therefore few slaves
+               to be had there, <a href="#P_22" class="ref">22</a>.
+
+            </p>
+         </div>
+         <div class="teidiv">
+            <h3><a name="projectID3fb5dbc04143b-div-d0e3072"></a>
+               J
+
+            </h3>
+            <p>
+               Jury, Negroes tried and condemned without the solemnity
+               of a jury, <a href="#P_174" class="ref">174</a>. Highly repugnant to the English
+               constitution, <a href="#P_176" class="ref">176</a>. Dangerous to those concerned
+               therein, <i>ibid.</i></p>
+         </div>
+         <div class="teidiv">
+            <h3><a name="projectID3fb5dbc04143b-div-d0e3085"></a>
+               L
+
+            </h3>
+            <p>
+               Laws in Guinea severe against man-stealing, and
+               other crimes, <a href="#P_106" class="ref">106</a>.
+
+            </p>
+         </div>
+         <div class="teidiv">
+            <h3><a name="projectID3fb5dbc04143b-div-d0e3093"></a>
+               M
+
+            </h3>
+            <p><i>Mandingoe</i> Negroes a numerous nation,
+               <a href="#P_11" class="ref">11</a>. Great traders, <i>ibid.</i>
+               Laborious, <a href="#P_11" class="ref">11</a>. Their government,
+               <a href="#P_13" class="ref">13</a>. Their worship, <i>ibid</i>.
+               Manner of tillage, <i>ibid.</i> At Galem they suffer none
+               to be made slaves but criminals, <a href="#P_20" class="ref">20</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Maloyans</i> (a black people) sometimes sold amongst
+               Negroes brought from very distant parts, <a href="#P_27" class="ref">27</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p>
+               Markets regularly kept on the Gold and Slave Coasts,
+               <a href="#P_30" class="ref">30</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Montesquieu's</i> sentiments on slavery,
+               <a href="#P_72" class="ref">72</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Moor (Francis)</i> factor to the African company, his
+               account of the slave-trade on the river Gambia, <a href="#P_111" class="ref">111</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p>
+               Mosaic law merciful in its chastisements, <a href="#P_73" class="ref">73</a>. Has
+               respect to human nature, <i>ibid.</i></p>
+         </div>
+         <div class="teidiv">
+            <h3><a name="projectID3fb5dbc04143b-div-d0e3154"></a>
+               N
+
+            </h3>
+            <p>
+               National wars disapproved by the most considerate
+               amongst the Negroes, <a href="#P_110" class="ref">110</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Negroes</i> (in Guinea) generally a humane, sociable
+               people, <a href="#P_2" class="ref">2</a>. Simplicity of their way of living,
+               <a href="#P_5" class="ref">5</a>. Agreeable in conversation,
+               <a href="#P_16" class="ref">16</a>. Sensible of the damage
+               <a name="P_203"></a>
+               accruing to them from the slave-trade, <a href="#P_61" class="ref">61</a>.
+               Misrepresented by most authors, <a href="#P_98" class="ref">98</a>. Offended at
+               the brutality of the European factors, <a href="#P_116" class="ref">116</a>. Shocking
+               cruelties exercised on them by masters of vessels,
+               <a href="#P_124" class="ref">124</a>. How many are yearly brought from Guinea by
+               the English, <a href="#P_129" class="ref">129</a>. The numbers who die on the
+               passage and in the seasoning, <a href="#P_120" class="ref">120</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Negroe</i> slaves (in the colonies) allowed to cohabit
+               and separate at pleasure, <a href="#P_36" class="ref">36</a>. Great waste of them
+               thro' hard usage in the islands, <a href="#P_86" class="ref">86</a>. Melancholy case
+               of two of them, <a href="#P_136" class="ref">136</a>. Proposals for setting them
+               free, <a href="#P_129" class="ref">129</a>. Tried and condemned without the solemnity
+               of a jury, <a href="#P_174" class="ref">174</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Negroes</i> (free) discouragement they met with,
+               <a href="#P_133" class="ref">133</a>.
+
+            </p>
+         </div>
+         <div class="teidiv">
+            <h3><a name="projectID3fb5dbc04143b-div-d0e3221"></a>
+               P
+
+            </h3>
+            <p><i>Portugueze</i> carry on a great trade for slaves
+               at Angola, <a href="#P_40" class="ref">40</a>. Make the first incursions into
+               Guinea, <a href="#P_44" class="ref">44</a>. From whence they carry off some of
+               the natives, <i>ibid.</i> Beginners of the slave-trade,
+               <a href="#P_46" class="ref">46</a>. Erect the first fort at D'Elmina,
+               <i>ibid.</i></p>
+         </div>
+         <div class="teidiv">
+            <h3><a name="projectID3fb5dbc04143b-div-d0e3242"></a>
+               R
+
+            </h3>
+            <p><i>Rome</i> (the college of cardinals at) complain of the
+               abuse offered to the Negroes in selling them for
+               slaves, <a href="#P_58" class="ref">58</a>.
+
+            </p>
+         </div>
+         <div class="teidiv">
+            <h3><a name="projectID3fb5dbc04143b-div-d0e3252"></a>
+               S
+
+            </h3>
+            <p><i>Senegal</i> (river) account of, <a href="#P_7" class="ref">7</a>,
+               <a href="#P_14" class="ref">14</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p>
+               Ship (account of one) blown up on the coast of Guinea
+               with a number of Negroes on board, <a href="#P_125" class="ref">125</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p>
+               Slave-trade, how carried on at the river Gambia,
+               <a href="#P_111" class="ref">111</a>. And in other parts of Guinea,
+               <a href="#P_113" class="ref">113</a>. At Whidah, <a href="#P_115" class="ref">115</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p>
+               Slaves used with much more lenity in Algiers and in
+               Turkey than in our colonies, <a href="#P_70" class="ref">70</a>. Likewise in
+               Guinea, <a href="#P_71" class="ref">71</a>. Slavery more tolerable amongst the
+               antient Pagans than in our colonies, <a href="#P_63" class="ref">63</a>. Declined,
+               as christianity prevailed, <a href="#P_65" class="ref">65</a>. Early laws in
+               France for its abolishment, <a href="#P_66" class="ref">66</a>. If put an end to,
+               would make way for a very extensive trade through
+               <a name="P_204"></a>
+               Africa, <a href="#P_143" class="ref">143</a>. The danger of slavery taking place in
+               England, <a href="#P_164" class="ref">164</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Sloane</i> (Sir Hans) his account of the inhuman and
+               extravagant punishments inflicted on Negroes, <a href="#P_89" class="ref">89</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Smith (William)</i> surveyor to the African company, his
+               account of the Ivory Coast, <a href="#P_20" class="ref">20</a>. Of the Gold
+               Coast, <a href="#P_24" class="ref">24</a>.
+
+            </p>
+         </div>
+         <div class="teidiv">
+            <h3><a name="projectID3fb5dbc04143b-div-d0e3324"></a>
+               V
+
+            </h3>
+            <p>
+               VIRGINIA (laws), respecting Negro slaves, <a href="#P_172" class="ref">172</a>.
+               <i>Virginia</i> (address to the assembly) setting forth the
+               iniquity and danger of slavery, <a href="#P_189" class="ref">189</a>.
+
+            </p>
+         </div>
+         <div class="teidiv">
+            <h3><a name="projectID3fb5dbc04143b-div-d0e3338"></a>
+               W
+
+            </h3>
+            <p>
+               WALLACE (<i>George</i>) his testimony against slavery,
+               <a href="#P_180" class="ref">180</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>West Indies</i>, white people able to perform the necessary
+               work there, <a href="#P_141" class="ref">141</a>.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>Whidah</i> (kingdom of) agreeable and fruitful,
+               <a href="#P_27" class="ref">27</a>. Natives treat one another with respect,
+               <a href="#P_29" class="ref">29</a>.
+
+            </p>
+         </div>
+      </div>
+      <hr>
+      <address>&nbsp;  By Benezet, Anthony.
+          <br>
+         <!--
+Generated from projectID3fb5dbc04143b using an XSLT version 1 stylesheet
+based on c:\downloads\saxon6_5_3teihtml.xsl
+processed using SAXON 6.5.3 from Michael Kay
+on 2004-03-05T22:00:19-06:00--></address>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
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+</pre>
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+   </body>
diff --git a/old/11489.txt b/old/11489.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2e730a2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/old/11489.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,5080 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Some Historical Account of Guinea, Its
+Situation, Produce, and the General Disposition of Its Inhabitants, by Anthony Benezet
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Some Historical Account of Guinea, Its Situation, Produce, and the General Disposition of Its Inhabitants
+       An Inquiry into the Rise and Progress of the Slave Trade, Its Nature and Lamentable Effects
+
+Author: Anthony Benezet
+
+Release Date: March 7, 2004 [EBook #11489]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF GUINEA ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Carlo Traverso, Amy Overmyer and PG Distributed Proofreaders
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+SOME HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF GUINEA,
+
+
+
+
+
+ITS SITUATION, PRODUCE, AND THE GENERAL DISPOSITION OF ITS INHABITANTS.
+
+
+
+
+
+AN INQUIRY INTO THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE SLAVE TRADE, ITS NATURE AND
+LAMENTABLE EFFECTS.
+
+
+1771 BY ANTHONY BENEZET
+
+
+
+SOME
+
+
+HISTORICAL ACCOUNT
+
+
+OF
+
+
+GUINEA,
+
+
+
+ITS
+
+
+SITUATION, PRODUCE, and the general
+
+DISPOSITION of its INHABITANTS.
+
+
+WITH
+
+
+An Inquiry into the RISE and PROGRESS
+
+
+OF THE
+
+
+SLAVE TRADE,
+
+
+Its NATURE, and lamentable EFFECTS.
+
+
+ALSO
+
+
+A REPUBLICATION of the Sentiments of several Authors of Note on this
+interesting Subject: Particularly an Extract of a Treatise written by
+GRANVILLE SHARPE.
+
+
+By ANTHONY BENEZET
+
+
+    ACTS xvii. 24, 26. GOD, _that made the world hath made of_ one
+    blood _all nations of men, for to dwell on all the face of the
+    earth, and hath determined the--bounds of their habitation._
+
+
+PHILADELPHIA: Printed MDCCLXXI.
+
+LONDON: Re-printed MDCCLXXII.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+    Introduction.
+
+
+    CHAPTER I. _A GENERAL account of_ Guinea; _particularly those
+    parts on the rivers_ Senegal _and_ Gambia.
+
+
+    CHAP. II. _Account of the_ Ivory-Coast, _the_ Gold-Coast _and
+    the Slave-Coast_.
+
+
+    CHAP. III. _Of the kingdoms of_ Benin, Kongo _and_ Angola.
+
+
+    CHAP. IV. Guinea, _first discovered and subdued by the_
+    Arabians. _The Portuguese make descents on the coast, and carry
+    off the natives. Oppression of the_ Indians: _De la Casa pleads
+    their cause_.
+
+
+    CHAP. V. _The_ English's _first trade to the coast of_ Guinea:
+    _Violently carry off some of the Negros._
+
+
+    CHAP. VI. _Slavery more tolerable under_ Pagans _and_ Turks
+    _than in the colonies. As christianity prevailed, ancient
+    slavery declined_.
+
+
+    CHAP. VII. Montesquieu's _sentiments of slavery_. Morgan
+    Godwyn's _advocacy on behalf of Negroes and Indians, &c._
+
+
+    CHAP. VIII. _Grievous treatment of the Negroes in the colonies,
+    &c._
+
+
+    CHAP. IX. _Desire of gain the true motive of the_ Slave trade.
+    _Misrepresentation of the state of the Negroes in Guinea_.
+
+
+    CHAP. X. _State of the Government in_ Guinea, &c.
+
+
+    CHAP. XI. _Accounts of the cruel methods used in carrying on of
+    the_ Slave trade, &c.
+
+
+    CHAP. XII. _Extracts of several voyages to the coast of_ Guinea,
+    &c.
+
+
+    CHAP. XIII. _Numbers of Negroes, yearly brought from_ Guinea,
+    _by the_ English, &c.
+
+
+    CHAP. XIV. _Observations on the situation and disposition of the
+    Negroes in the northern colonies_, &c.
+
+
+    CHAP. XV. Europeans _capable of bearing reasonable labour in
+    the_ West Indies, &c.
+
+
+    _Extracts from_ Granville Sharp's _representations,_ &c.
+
+
+    _Sentiments of several authors,_ viz. George Wallace, Francis
+    Hutcheson, _and_ James Foster.
+
+
+    _Extracts of an address to the assembly of_ Virginia.
+
+
+    _Extract of the bishop of_ Gloucester's _sermon_.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION.
+
+
+The slavery of the Negroes having, of late, drawn the attention of many
+serious minded people; several tracts have been published setting forth
+its inconsistency with every christian and moral virtue, which it is
+hoped will have weight with the judicious; especially at a time when the
+liberties of mankind are become so much the subject of general
+attention. For the satisfaction of the serious enquirer who may not have
+the opportunity of seeing those tracts, and such others who are
+sincerely desirous that the iniquity of this practice may become
+effectually apparent, to those in whose power, it may be to put a stop
+to any farther progress therein; it is proposed, hereby, to republish
+the most material parts of said tracts; and in order to enable the
+reader to form a true judgment of this matter, which, tho' so very
+important, is generally disregarded, or so artfully misrepresented by
+those whose interest leads them to vindicate it, as to bias the opinions
+of people otherwise upright; some account will be here given of the
+different parts of Africa, from which the Negroes are brought to
+America; with an impartial relation from what motives the Europeans were
+first induced to undertake, and have since continued this iniquitous
+traffic. And here it will not be improper to premise, that tho' wars,
+arising from the common depravity of human nature, have happened, as
+well among the Negroes as other nations, and the weak sometimes been
+made captives to the strong; yet nothing appears, in the various
+relations of the intercourse and trade for a long time carried on by the
+Europeans on that coast, which would induce us to believe, that there is
+any real foundation for that argument, so commonly advanced in
+vindication of that trade, viz. "_That the slavery of the Negroes took
+its rise from a desire, in the purchasers, to save the lives of such of
+them as were taken captives in war, who would otherwise have been
+sacrificed to the implacable revenge of their conquerors._" A plea which
+when compared with the history of those times, will appear to be
+destitute of Truth; and to have been advanced, and urged, principally by
+such as were concerned in reaping the gain of this infamous traffic, as
+a palliation of that, against which their own reason and conscience must
+have raised fearful objections.
+
+
+
+
+SOME
+
+
+HISTORICAL ACCOUNT
+
+
+OF
+
+
+GUINEA.
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+[Price 2s. 6d. stitched.]
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. I.
+
+
+Guinea affords an easy living to its inhabitants, with but little toil.
+The climate agrees well with the natives, but extremely unhealthful to
+the Europeans. Produces provisions in the greatest plenty. Simplicity of
+their housholdry. The coast of Guinea described from the river Senegal
+to the kingdom of Angola. The fruitfulness of that part lying on and
+between the two great rivers Senegal and Gambia. Account of the
+different nations settled there. Order of government amongst the Jalofs.
+Good account of some of the Fulis. The Mandingos; their management,
+government, &c. Their worship. M. Adanson's account of those countries.
+Surprizing vegetation. Pleasant appearance of the country. He found the
+natives very sociable and obliging.
+
+When the Negroes are considered barely in their present abject state of
+slavery, broken-spirited and dejected; and too easy credit is given to
+the accounts we frequently hear or read of their barbarous and savage
+way of living in their own country; we shall be naturally induced to
+look upon them as incapable of improvement, destitute, miserable, and
+insensible of the benefits of life; and that our permitting them to live
+amongst us, even on the most oppressive terms, is to them a favour. But,
+on impartial enquiry, the case will appear to be far otherwise; we shall
+find that there is scarce a country in the whole world, that is better
+calculated for affording the necessary comforts of life to its
+inhabitants, with less solicitude and toil, than Guinea. And that
+notwithstanding the long converse of many of its inhabitants with
+(often) the worst of the Europeans, they still retain a great deal of
+innocent simplicity; and, when not stirred up to revenge from the
+frequent abuses they have received from the Europeans in general,
+manifest themselves to be a humane, sociable people, whose faculties are
+as capable of improvement as those of other Men; and that their oeconomy
+and government is, in many respects, commendable. Hence it appears they
+might have lived happy, if not disturbed by the Europeans; more
+especially, if these last had used such endeavours as their christian
+profession requires, to communicate to the ignorant Africans that
+superior knowledge which Providence had favoured them with. In order to
+set this matter in its true light, and for the information of those
+well-minded people who are desirous of being fully acquainted with the
+merits of a cause, which is of the utmost consequence; as therein the
+lives and happiness of thousands, and hundreds of thousands, of our
+fellow _Men_ have fallen, and are daily falling, a sacrifice to selfish
+avarice and usurped power, I will here give some account of the several
+divisions of those parts of Africa from whence the Negroes are brought,
+with a summary of their produce; the disposition of their respective
+inhabitants; their improvements, &c. &c. extracted from authors of
+credit; mostly such as have been principal officers in the English,
+French and Dutch factories, and who resided many years in those
+countries. But first it is necessary to premise, as a remark generally
+applicable to the whole coast of Guinea, "_That the Almighty, who has
+determined and appointed the bounds of the habitation of men on the face
+of the earth_" in the manner that is most conducive to the well-being of
+their different natures and dispositions, has so ordered it, that altho'
+Guinea is extremely unhealthy[A] to the Europeans, of whom many
+thousands have met there with a miserable and untimely end, yet it is
+not so with the Negroes, who enjoy a good state of health[B] and are
+able to procure to themselves a comfortable subsistence, with much less
+care and toil than is necessary in our more northern climate; which last
+advantage arises not only from the warmth of the climate, but also from
+the overflowing of the rivers, whereby the land is regularly moistened
+and rendered extremely fertile; and being in many places improved by
+culture, abounds with grain and fruits, cattle, poultry, &c. The earth
+yields all the year a fresh supply of food: Few clothes are requisite,
+and little art necessary in making them, or in the construction of their
+houses, which are very simple, principally calculated to defend them
+from the tempestuous seasons and wild beasts; a few dry reeds covered
+with matts serve for their beds. The other furniture, except what
+belongs to cookery, gives the women but little trouble; the moveables of
+the greatest among them amounting only to a few earthen pots, some
+wooden utensils, and gourds or calabashes; from these last, which grow
+almost naturally over their huts, to which they afford an agreeable
+shade, they are abundantly stocked with good clean vessels for most
+houshold uses, being of different sizes, from half a pint to several
+gallons.
+
+[Footnote A: _Gentleman's Magazine, Supplement, 1763. Extract of a
+letter wrote from the island of Senegal, by Mr. Boone, practitioner of
+physic there, to Dr. Brocklesby of London._
+
+    "To form just idea of the unhealthiness of the climate, it will
+    be necessary to conceive a country extending three hundred
+    leagues East, and more to the North and South. Through this
+    country several large rivers empty themselves into the sea;
+    particularly the Sanaga, Gambia and Sherbro; these, during the
+    rainy months, which begin in July and continue till October,
+    overflow their banks, and lay the whole flat country under
+    water; and indeed, the very sudden rise of these rivers is
+    incredible to persons who have never been within the tropicks,
+    and are unacquainted with the violent rains that fall there. At
+    Galem, nine hundred miles from the mouth of the Sanaga, I am
+    informed that the waters rise one hundred and fifty feet
+    perpendicular, from the bed of the river. This information I
+    received from a gentleman, who was surgeon's mate to a party
+    sent there, and the only survivor of three captains command,
+    each consisting of one captain, two lieutenants, one ensign, a
+    surgeon's mate, three serjeants, three corporals, and fifty
+    privates.
+
+    "When the rains are at an end, which usually happens in October,
+    the intense heat of the sun soon dries up the waters which lie
+    on the higher parts of the earth, and the remainder forms lakes
+    of stagnated waters, in which are found all sorts of dead
+    animals. These waters every day decrease, till at last they are
+    quite exhaled, and then the effluvia that arises is almost
+    insupportable. At this season, the winds blow so very hot from
+    off the land, that I can compare them to nothing but the heat
+    proceeding from the mouth of an oven. This occasions the
+    Europeans to be sorely vexed with bilious and putrid fevers.
+    From this account you will not be surprized, that the total loss
+    of British subjects in this island only, amounted to above two
+    thousand five hundred, in the space of three years that I was
+    there, in such a putrid moist air as I have described."
+
+]
+
+
+[Footnote B: James Barbot, agent general to the French African company,
+in his account of Africa, page 105, says, "The natives are seldom
+troubled with any distempers, being little affected with the unhealthy
+air. In tempestuous times they keep much within doors; and when exposed
+to the weather, their skins being suppled, and pores closed by daily
+anointing with palm oil, the weather can make but little impression on
+them."]
+
+That part of Africa from which the Negroes are sold to be carried into
+slavery, commonly known by the name of Guinea, extends along the coast
+three or four thousand miles. Beginning at the river Senegal, situate
+about the 17th degree of North latitude, being the nearest part of
+Guinea, as well to Europe as to North America; from thence to the river
+Gambia, and in a southerly course to Cape Sierra Leona, comprehends a
+coast of about seven hundred miles; being the same tract for which Queen
+Elizabeth granted charters to the first traders to that coast: from
+Sierra Leona, the land of Guinea takes a turn to the eastward, extending
+that course about fifteen hundred miles, including those several
+civilians known by name of _the Grain Coast, the Ivory Coast, the Gold
+Coast, and the Slave Coast, with the large kingdom of Benin_. From
+thence the land runs southward along the coast about twelve hundred
+miles, which contains the _kingdoms of Congo and Angola_; there the
+trade for slaves ends. From which to the southermost Cape of Africa,
+called the Cape of Good Hope, the country is settled by Caffres and
+Hottentots, who have never been concerned in the making or selling
+slaves.
+
+Of the parts which are above described, the first which presents itself
+to view, is that situate on the great river Senegal, which is said to be
+navigable more than a thousand miles, and is by travellers described to
+be very agreeable and fruitful. Andrew Brue, principal factor for the
+French African company, who lived sixteen years in that country, after
+describing its fruitfulness and plenty, near the sea, adds,[A] "The
+farther you go from the sea, the country on the river seems the more
+fruitful and well improved; abounding with Indian corn, pulse, fruit,
+&c. Here are vast meadows, which feed large herds of great and small
+cattle, and poultry numerous: The villages that lie thick on the river,
+shew the country is well peopled." The same author, in the account of a
+voyage he made up the river Gambia, the mouth of which lies about three
+hundred miles South of the Senegal, and is navigable about six hundred
+miles up the country, says,[B] "That he was surprized to see the land so
+well cultivated; scarce a spot lay unimproved; the low lands, divided by
+small canals, were all formed with rice, &c. the higher ground planted
+with millet, Indian corn, and pease of different sorts; their beef
+excellent; poultry plenty, and very cheap, as well as all other
+necessaries of life." Francis Moor, who was sent from England about the
+year 1735, in the service of the African company, and resided at James
+Fort, on the river Gambia, or in other factories on that river, about
+five years, confirms the above account of the fruitfulness of the
+country. William Smith, who was sent in the year 1726, by the African
+company, to survey their settlements throughout the whole coast of
+Guinea[C] says, "The country about the Gambia is pleasant and fruitful;
+provisions of all kinds being plenty and exceeding cheap." The country
+on and between the two above-mentioned rivers is large and extensive,
+inhabited principally by those three Negro nations known by the name of
+Jalofs, Fulis, and Mandingos. The Jalofs possess the middle of the
+country. The Fulis principal settlement is on both sides of the Senegal;
+great numbers of these people are also mixed with the Mandingos; which
+last are mostly settled on both sides the Gambia. The government of the
+Jalofs is represented as under a better regulation than can be expected
+from the common opinion we entertain of the Negroes. We are told in the
+Collection,[D] "That the King has under him several ministers of state,
+who assist him in the exercise of justice. _The grand Jerafo_ is the
+chief justice thro' all the King's dominions, and goes in circuit from
+time to time to hear complaints, and determine controversies. _The
+King's treasurer_ exercises the same employment, and has under him
+Alkairs, who are governors of towns or villages. That the _Kondi_, or
+_Viceroy_, goes the circuit with the chief justice, both to hear causes,
+and inspect into the behaviour of the _Alkadi_, or chief magistrate of
+every village in their several districts[E]." _Vasconcelas_, an author
+mentioned in the collection, says, "The ancientest are preferred to be
+the _Prince's counsellors_, who keep always about his person; and the
+men of most judgment and experience are the judges." _The Fulis_ are
+settled on both sides of the river _Senegal_: Their country, which is
+very fruitful and populous, extends near four hundred miles from East to
+West. They are generally of a deep tawny complexion, appearing to bear
+some affinity with the Moors, whose country they join on the North. They
+are good farmers, and make great harvest of corn, cotton, tobacco, &c.
+and breed great numbers of cattle of all kinds. _Bartholomew Stibbs_,
+(mentioned by _Fr. Moor_) in his account of that country says,[F] "_They
+were a cleanly, decent, industrious people, and very affable_." But the
+most particular account we have, of these people, is from _Francis Moor_
+himself, who says,[G] "Some of these Fuli blacks who dwell on both sides
+the river Gambia, are in subjection to the Mandingos, amongst whom they
+dwell, having been probably driven out of their country by war or
+famine. They have chiefs of their own, who rule with much moderation.
+Few of them will drink brandy, or any thing stronger than water and
+sugar, being strict Mahometans. Their form of government goes on easy,
+because the people are of a good quiet disposition, and so well
+instructed in what is right, that a man who does ill, is the abomination
+of all, and, none will support him against the chief. In these
+countries, the natives are not covetous of land, desiring no more than
+what they use; and as they do not plough with horses and cattle, they
+can use but very little, therefore the Kings are willing to give the
+Fulis leave to live in their country, and cultivate their lands. If any
+of their people are known to be made slaves, all the Fulis will join to
+redeem them; they also support the old, the blind, and lame, amongst
+themselves; and as far as their abilities go, they supply the
+necessities of the Mandingos, great numbers of whom they have maintained
+in famine." _The author_, from his own observations, says, "They were
+rarely angry, and that he never heard them abuse one another."
+
+[Footnote A: Astley's collect. vol. 2. page 46.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Astley's collection of voyages, vol. 2, page 86.]
+
+
+[Footnote C: William Smith's voyage to Guinea, page 31, 34.]
+
+
+[Footnote D: Astley's collection, vol. 2, page 358.]
+
+
+[Footnote E: Idem. 259.]
+
+
+[Footnote F: Moor's travels into distant parts of Africa, page 198.]
+
+
+[Footnote G: Ibid, page 21.]
+
+_The Mandingos_ are said by _A. Brue_ before mentioned, "To be the most
+numerous nation on the Gambia, besides which, numbers of them are
+dispersed over all these countries; being the most rigid Mahometans
+amongst the Negroes, they drink neither wine nor brandy, and are politer
+than the other Negroes. The chief of the trade goes through their hands.
+Many are industrious and laborious, keeping their ground well
+cultivated, and breeding a good stock of cattle.[A] Every town has an
+_Alkadi_, or _Governor_, who has great power; for most of them having
+two common fields of clear ground, one for corn, and the other for rice,
+_the Alkadi_ appoints the labour of all the people. The men work the
+corn ground, and the women and girls the rice ground; and as they all
+equally labour, so he equally divides the corn amongst them; and in case
+they are in want, the others supply them. This Alkadi decides all
+quarrels, and has the first voice in all conferences in town affairs."
+Some of these Mandingos who are settled at Galem, far up the river
+Senegal, can read and write Arabic tolerably, and are a good hospitable
+people, who carry on a trade with the inland nations."[B] They are
+extremely populous in those parts, their women being fruitful, and they
+not suffering any person amongst them, but such as are guilty of crimes,
+to be made slaves." We are told from Jobson,"[C] That the Mahometan
+Negroes say their prayers thrice a day. Each village has a priest who
+calls them to their duty. It is surprizing (says the author) as well as
+commendable, to see the modesty, attention, and reverence they observe
+during their worship. He asked some of their priests the purport of
+their prayers and ceremonies; their answer always was, _That they adored
+God by prostrating themselves before him; that by humbling themselves,
+they acknowledged their own insignificancy, and farther intreated him to
+forgive their faults, and to grant them all good and necessary things as
+well as deliverance from evil."_ Jobson takes notice of several good
+qualities in these Negroe priests, particularly their great sobriety.
+They gain their livelihood by keeping school for the education of the
+children. The boys are taught to read and write. They not only teach
+school, but rove about the country, teaching and instructing, for which
+the whole country is open to them; and they have a free course through
+all places, though the Kings may be at war with one another.
+
+[Footnote A: Astley's collect. vol. 2, page 269.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Astley's collect. vol. 2, page 73.]
+
+
+[Footnote C: Ibid, 296.]
+
+The three fore-mentioned nations practise several trades, as smiths,
+potters, sadlers, and weavers. Their smiths particularly work neatly in
+gold and silver, and make knifes, hatchets, reaping hooks, spades and
+shares to cut iron, &c. &c. Their potters make neat tobacco pipes, and
+pots to boil their food. Some authors say that weaving is their
+principal trade; this is done by the women and girls, who spin and weave
+very fine cotton cloth, which they dye blue or black.[A] F. Moor says,
+the Jalofs particularly make great quantities of the cotton cloth; their
+pieces are generally twenty-seven yards long, and about nine inches
+broad, their looms being very narrow; these they sew neatly together, so
+as to supply the use of broad cloth.
+
+[Footnote A: F. Moor, 28.]
+
+It was in these parts of Guinea, that M. Adanson, correspondent of the
+Royal Academy of Sciences at Paris, mentioned in some former
+publications, was employed from the year 1749, to the year 1753, wholly
+in making _natural_ and _philosophical_ observations on the country
+about the rivers Senegal and Gambia. Speaking of the great heats in
+Senegal, he says,[A] "It is to them that they are partly indebted for
+the fertility of their lands; which is so great, that, with little
+labour and care, there is no fruit nor grain but grow in great plenty."
+
+[Footnote A: M. Adanson's voyage to Senegal, &c, page 308.]
+
+Of the soil on the Gambia, he says,[A] "It is rich and deep, and
+amazingly fertile; it produces spontaneously, and almost without
+cultivation, all the necessaries of life, grain, fruit, herbs, and
+roots. Every thing matures to perfection, and is excellent in its
+kind."[B] One thing, which always surprized him, was the prodigious
+rapidity with which the sap of trees repairs any loss they may happen to
+sustain in that country: "And I was never," says he, "more astonished,
+than when landing four days after the locusts had devoured all the
+fruits and leaves, and even the buds of the trees, to find the trees
+covered with new leaves, and they did not seem to me to have suffered
+much."[C] "It was then," says the same author; "the fish season; you
+might see them in shoals approaching towards land. Some of those shoals
+were fifty fathom square, and the fish crowded together in such a
+manner, as to roll upon one another, without being able to swim. As soon
+as the Negroes perceive them coming towards land, they jump into the
+water with a basket in one hand, and swim with the other. They need only
+to plunge and to lift up their basket, and they are sure to return
+loaded with fish." Speaking of the appearance of the country, and of the
+disposition of the people, he says,[D] "Which way soever I turned mine
+eyes on this pleasant spot, I beheld a perfect image of pure nature; an
+agreeable solitude, bounded on every side by charming landscapes; the
+rural situation of cottages in the midst of trees; the ease and
+indolence of the Negroes, reclined under the shade of their spreading
+foliage; the simplicity of their dress and manners; the whole revived in
+my mind the idea of our first parents, and I seemed to contemplate the
+world in its primitive state. They are, generally speaking, very
+good-natured, sociable, and obliging. I was not a little pleased with
+this my first reception; it convinced me, that there ought to be a
+considerable abatement made in the accounts I had read and heard every
+where of the savage character of the Africans. I observed both in
+Negroes and Moors, great humanity and sociableness, which gave me strong
+hopes that I should be very safe amongst them, and meet with the success
+I desired in my enquiries after the curiosities of the country."[E] He
+was agreeably amused with the conversation of the Negroes, their
+_fables, dialogues_, and _witty stories_ with which they entertain each
+other alternately, according to their custom. Speaking of the remarks
+which the natives made to him, with relation to the _stars_ and
+_planets_, he says, "It is amazing, that such a rude and illiterate
+people, should reason so pertinently in regard to those heavenly bodies;
+there is no manner of doubt, but that with proper instruments, and a
+good will, they would become _excellent astronomers_."
+
+[Footnote A: Idem, page 164.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: M. Adanson, page 161.]
+
+
+[Footnote C: Idem, page 171.]
+
+
+[Footnote D: Ibid, page 54.]
+
+
+[Footnote E: Adanson, page 252, ibid.]
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. II
+
+
+_The Ivory Coast_; its soil and produce. The character of the _natives_
+misrepresented by some authors. These misrepresentations occasioned by
+_the Europeans_ having treacherously carried off many of their people.
+_John Smith, surveyor to the African company_, his observations thereon.
+_John Snock's_ remarks. _The Gold Coast_ and _Slave Coast_, these have
+the most _European factories_, and furnish the greatest number of slaves
+to _the Europeans_. Exceeding fertile. The country of _Axim_, and of
+_Ante_. Good account of the _inland people_ Great fishery. Extraordinary
+trade for slaves. _The Slave Coast. The kingdom of Whidah_. Fruitful and
+pleasant. The natives kind and obliging. Very populous. Keep regular
+markets and fairs. Good order therein. Murder, adultery, and theft
+severely punished. The King's revenues. The principal people have an
+idea of the true God. Commendable care of the poor. Several small
+governments depend on _plunder_ and the _slave_ trade.
+
+That part of Guinea known by the name of the _Grain_, and _Ivory Coast,_
+comes next in course. This coast extends about five hundred miles. The
+soil appears by account, to be in general fertile, producing abundance
+of rice and roots; indigo and cotton thrive without cultivation, and
+tobacco would be excellent, if carefully manufactured; they have fish in
+plenty; their flocks greatly increase, and their trees are loaded with
+fruit. They make a cotton cloth, which sells well on the Coast. In a
+word, the country is rich, and the commerce advantageous, and might be
+greatly augmented by such as would cultivate the friendship of the
+natives. These are represented by some writers as a rude, _treacherous
+people_, whilst several other _authors_ of credit give them a very
+different character, representing them as _sensible, courteous and the
+fairest traders on the coast of Guinea_. In the Collection, they are
+said[A] to be averse to drinking to excess, and such as do, are severely
+punished by the King's order: On enquiry why there is such a
+disagreement in the character given of these people, it appears, that
+though they are naturally inclined to be _kind to strangers_, with whom
+they are _fond_ of _trading_, yet the _frequent injuries_ done them by
+Europeans, have occasioned their being _suspicious and shy_. The same
+cause has been the occasion of the ill treatment they have sometimes
+given to innocent strangers, who have attempted to trade with them. As
+the Europeans have no settlement on this part of Guinea, the trade is
+carried on by signals from the ships, on the appearance of which the
+natives usually come on board in their canoes, bringing their gold-dust,
+ivory, &c. which has given opportunity to some villainous Europeans to
+carry them off with their effects, or retain them on board till a ransom
+is paid. It is noted by some, that since the European voyagers have
+carried away several of these people, their mistrust is so great, that
+it is very difficult to prevail on them to come on board. _William
+Smith_ remarks,[B] "As we past along this coast, we very often lay
+before a town, and fired a gun for the natives to come off, but no soul
+came near us; at length we learnt by some ships that were trading down
+the coast, that the natives came seldom on board an English ship, for
+fear of being detained or carried off; yet last some ventured on board,
+but if those chanced to spy any arms, they would all immediately take to
+their canoes, and make the best of their way home. They had then in
+their possession one _Benjamin Cross_ the mate of an English vessel, who
+was detained by them to make reprisals for some of their men, who had
+formerly been carried away by some English vessel." In the Collection we
+are told,[C]_This villainous custom is too often practised, chiefly by
+the Bristol and Liverpool ships, and is a great detriment to the slave
+trade on the windward coast. John Snock, mentioned in Bosman_[D] when on
+that coast, wrote, "We cast anchor, but not one Negro coming on board, I
+went on shore, and after having staid a while on the strand, some
+Negroes came to me; and being desirous to be informed why they did not
+come on board, I was answered that about two months before, the English
+had been there with two large vessels, and had ravaged the country,
+destroyed all their canoes, plundered their houses, and carried off some
+of their people, upon which the remainder fled to the inland country,
+where most of them were that time; so that there being not much to be
+done by us, we were obliged to return on board.[E] When I enquired after
+their wars with other countries, they told me they were not often
+troubled with them; but if any difference happened, they chose rather to
+end the dispute amicably, than to come to arms."[F] He found the
+inhabitants civil and good-natured. Speaking of the _King of Rio Seftre_
+lower down the coast, he says, "He was a very agreeable, obliging man,
+and that all his subjects are civil, as well as very laborious in
+agriculture, and the pursuits of trade," _Marchais_ says,[G] "That
+though the country is very populous, yet none of the natives (except
+criminals) are sold for slaves." _Vaillant_ never heard of any
+settlement being made by the Europeans on this part of _Guinea_; and
+_Smith_ remarks,[H] "That these coasts, which are divided into several
+little kingdoms, and have seldom any wars, is the reason the slave trade
+is not so good here as on _the Gold and Slave Coast_, where the
+Europeans have several forts and factories." A plain evidence this, that
+it is the intercourse with the Europeans, and their settlements on the
+coast, which gives life to the slave trade.
+
+[Footnote A: Collection, vol. 2, page 560.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: W. Smith, page 111.]
+
+
+[Footnote C: Astley's collection, vol. 2, page 475.]
+
+
+[Footnote D: W. Bosman's description of Guinea, page 440.]
+
+
+[Footnote E: W. Bosman's description of Guinea, page 429.]
+
+
+[Footnote F: Ibid, 441.]
+
+
+[Footnote G: Astley's collection, Vol. 2, page 565.]
+
+
+[Footnote H: Smith's voyage to Guinea, page 112.]
+
+Next adjoining to the _Ivory Coast_, are those called the _Gold Coast_,
+and the _Slave Coast_; authors are not agreed about their bounds, but
+their extent together along the coast may be about five hundred miles.
+And as the policy, produce, and oeconomy of these two kingdoms of Guinea
+are much the same, I shall describe them together.
+
+Here the Europeans have the greatest number of forts and factories, from
+whence, by means of the Negro sailors, a trade is carried on above seven
+hundred miles back in the inland country; whereby great numbers of
+slaves are procured, as well by means of the wars which arise amongst
+the Negroes, or are fomented by the Europeans, as those brought from the
+back country. Here we find the natives _more reconciled to the European
+manners and trade_; but, at the same time, _much more inured to war_,
+and ready to assist the European traders in procuring loadings for the
+great number of vessels which come yearly on those coasts for slaves.
+This part of Guinea is agreed by historians to be, in general,
+_extraordinary fruitful and agreeable_; producing (according to the
+difference of the soil) vast quantities of rice and other grain; plenty
+of fruit and roots; palm wine and oil, and fish in great abundance, with
+much tame and wild cattle. Bosman, principal factor for the Dutch at
+D'Elmina, speaking of the country of Axim, which is situate towards the
+beginning of the Gold Coast, says,[A] "The Negro inhabitants are
+generally very rich, driving a great trade with the Europeans for gold.
+That they are industriously employed either in trade, fishing, or
+agriculture; but chiefly in the culture of rice, which grows here in an
+incredible abundance, and is transported hence all over the Gold Coast.
+The inhabitants, in lieu, returning full fraught with millet, jamms,
+potatoes, and palm oil." The same author speaking of the country of
+Ante, says,[B] "This country, as well as the Gold Coast, abounds with
+hills, enriched with extraordinary high and beautiful trees; its
+valleys, betwixt the hills, are wide and extensive, producing in great
+abundance very good rice, millet, jamms, potatoes, and other fruits, all
+good in their kind." He adds, "In short, it is a land that yields its
+manurers as plentiful a crop as they can wish, with great quantities of
+palm wine and oil, besides being well furnished with all sorts of tame,
+as well as wild beasts; but that the last fatal wars had reduced it to a
+miserable condition, and stripped it of most of its inhabitants." The
+adjoining country of Fetu, he says,[C] "was formerly so powerful and
+populous, that it struck terror into all the neighbouring nations; but
+it is at present so drained by continual wars, that it is entirely
+ruined; there does not remain inhabitants sufficient to till the
+country, tho' it is so fruitful and pleasant that it may be compared to
+the country of Ante just before described; frequently, says that author,
+when walking through it before the last war, I have seen it abound with
+fine well built and populous towns, agreeably enriched with vast
+quantities of corn, cattle, palm wine, and oil. The inhabitants all
+applying themselves without any distinction to agriculture; some sow
+corn, others press oil, and draw wine from palm trees, with both which
+it is plentifully stored."
+
+[Footnote A: Bosman's description of the coast of Guinea, p, 5.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Idem, page 14.]
+
+
+[Footnote C: Bosman, page 41.]
+
+William Smith gives much the same account of the before-mentioned parts
+of the Gold Coast, and adds, "The country about D'Elmina and Cape Coast,
+is much the same for beauty and goodness, but more populous; and the
+nearer we come towards the Slave Coast, the more delightful and rich all
+the countries are, producing all sorts of trees, fruits, roots, and
+herbs, that grow within the Torrid Zone." J. Barbot also remarks,[A]
+with respect to the countries of Ante and Adom, "That the soil is very
+good and fruitful in corn and other produce, which it affords in such
+plenty, that besides what serves for their own use, they always export
+great quantities for sale; they have a competent number of cattle, both
+tame and wild, and the rivers abundantly stored with fish, so that
+nothing is wanting for the support of life, and to make it easy." In the
+Collection it is said,[B] "That the inland people on that part of the
+coast, employ themselves in tillage and trade, and supply the market
+with corn, fruit, and palm wine; the country producing such vast plenty
+of Indian corn, that abundance is daily exported, as well by Europeans
+as Blacks resorting thither from other parts." "These inland people are
+said to live in great union and friendship, being generally well
+tempered, civil, and tractable; not apt to shed human blood, except when
+much provoked, and ready to assist one another."
+
+[Footnote A: John Barbot's description of Guinea, page 154.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Astley's collect. vol. 2. page 535.]
+
+In the Collection[A] it is said, "That the fishing business is esteemed
+on the Gold Coast next to trading; that those who profess it are more
+numerous than those of other employments. That the greatest number of
+these are at Kommendo, Mina, and Kormantin. From each of which places,
+there go out every morning, (Tuesday excepted, which is the Fetish day,
+or day of rest) five, six, and sometimes eight hundred canoes, from
+thirteen to fourteen feet long, which spread themselves two leagues at
+sea, each fisherman carrying in his canoe a sword, with bread, water,
+and a little fire on a large stone to roast fish. Thus they labour till
+noon, when the sea breeze blowing fresh, they return on the shore,
+generally laden with fish; a quantity of which the inland inhabitants
+come down to buy, which they sell again at the country markets."
+
+[Footnote A: Collection, vol. 2, page 640.]
+
+William Smith says,[A] "The country about Acra, where the English and
+Dutch have each a strong fort, is very delightful, and the natives
+courteous and civil to strangers." He adds, "That this place seldom
+fails of an extraordinary good trade from the inland country, especially
+for slaves, whereof several are supposed to come from very remote parts,
+because it is not uncommon to find a Malayan or two amongst a parcel of
+other slaves. The Malaya, people are generally natives of Malacca, in
+the East Indies, situate several thousand miles from the Gold Coast."
+They differ very much from the Guinea Negroes, being of a tawny
+complexion, with long black hair.
+
+[Footnote A: William Smith, page 145.]
+
+Most parts of the Slave Coasts are represented as equally fertile and
+pleasant with the Gold Coast. The kingdom of Whidah has been
+particularly noted by travellers.[A] William Smith and Bosman agree,
+"That it is one of the most delightful countries in the world. The great
+number and variety of tall, beautiful, and shady trees, which seem
+planted in groves, the verdant fields every where cultivated, and no
+otherwise divided than by those groves, and in some places a small
+foot-path, together with a great number of villages, contribute to
+afford the most delightful prospect; the whole country being a fine
+easy, and almost imperceptible ascent, for the space of forty or fifty
+miles from the sea. That the farther you go from the sea, the more
+beautiful and populous the country appears. That the natives were kind
+and obliging, and so industrious, that no place which was thought
+fertile, could escape being planted, even within the hedges which
+inclose their villages. And that the next day after they had reaped,
+they sowed again."
+
+[Footnote A: Smith, page 194. Bosman, page 319.]
+
+Snelgrave also says, "The country appears full of towns and villages;
+and being a rich soil, and well cultivated, looks like an entire
+garden." In the Collection,[A] the husbandry of the Negroes is described
+to be carried on with great regularity: "The rainy season approaching,
+they go into the fields and woods, to fix on a proper place for sowing;
+and as here is no property in ground, the King's licence being obtained,
+the people go out in troops, and first clear the ground from bushes and
+weeds, which they burn. The field thus cleared, they dig it up a foot
+deep, and so let it remain for eight or ten days, till the rest of their
+neighbours have disposed their ground in the same manner. They then
+consult about sowing, and for that end assemble at the King's Court the
+next Fetish day. The King's grain must be sown first. They then go again
+to the field, and give the ground a second digging, and sow their seed.
+Whilst the King or Governor's land is sowing; he sends out wine and
+flesh ready dressed; enough to serve the labourers. Afterwards, they in
+like manner sow the ground, allotted for their neighbours, as diligently
+as that of the King's, by whom they are also feasted; and so continue to
+work in a body for the public benefit, till every man's ground is tilled
+and sowed. None but the King, and a few great men, are exempted from
+this labour. Their grain soon sprouts out of the ground. When it is
+about a man's height, and begins to ear, they raise a wooden house in
+the centre of the field, covered with straw, in which they set their
+children to watch their corn, and fright away the birds."
+
+[Footnote A: Collection, vol. 2, page 651.]
+
+Bosman[A] speaks in commendation of the civility, kindness, and great
+industry of the natives of Whidah; this is confirmed by Smith,[B] who
+says, "The natives here seem to be the most gentleman-like Negroes in
+Guinea, abounding with good manners and ceremony to each other. The
+inferior pay the utmost deference and, respect to the superior, as do
+wives to their husbands, and children to their parents. All here are
+naturally industrious, and find constant employment; the men in
+agriculture, and the women in spinning and weaving cotton. The men,
+whose chief talent lies in husbandry, are unacquainted with arms;
+otherwise, being a numerous people, they could have made a better
+defence against the King of Dahome, who subdued them without much
+trouble.[C] Throughout the Gold Coast, there are regular markets in all
+villages, furnished with provisions and merchandize, held every day in
+the week, except Tuesday, whence they supply not only the inhabitants,
+but the European ships. The _Negro women_ are very expert in buying and
+selling, and extremely industrious; for they will repair daily to market
+from a considerable distance, loaded like pack-horses, with a child,
+perhaps, at their back, and a heavy burden on their heads. After selling
+their wares, they buy fish and other necessaries, and return home loaded
+as they came.
+
+[Footnote A: Bosman, page 317.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Smith, page 195.]
+
+
+[Footnote C: Collect, vol. 2, p. 657.]
+
+"There is a market held at Sabi every, fourth day,[A] also a weekly one
+in the province of Aplogua, which is so resorted to, that there are
+usually five or six thousand merchants. Their markets are so well
+regulated and governed, that seldom any disorder happens; each species
+of merchandize and merchants have a place allotted them by themselves.
+The buyers may haggle as much as they will, but it must be without noise
+or fraud. To keep order, the King appoints a judge, who, with four
+officers well armed, inspects the markets, hears all complaints, and, in
+a summary way, decides all differences; he has power to seize, and sell
+as slaves, all who are catched in stealing, or disturbing the peace. In
+these markets are to be sold men, women, children, oxen, sheep, goats,
+and fowls of all kinds; European cloths, linen and woollen; printed
+callicoes, silk, grocery ware, china, golddust, iron in bars, &c. in a
+word, most sorts of European goods, as well as the produce of Africa and
+Asia. They have other markets, resembling our fairs, once or twice a
+year, to which all the country repair; for they take care to order the
+day so in different governments, as not to interfere with each other."
+
+[Footnote A: Collect. vol. 3, p. 11.]
+
+With respect to government, William Smith says,[A] "That the Gold Coast
+and Slave Coast are divided into different districts, some of which are
+governed by their Chiefs, or Kings; the others, being more of the nature
+of a commonwealth are governed by some of the principal men, called
+Caboceros, who, Bosman says, are properly denominated civil fathers,
+whose province is to take care of the welfare of the city or village,
+and to appease tumults." But this order of government has been much
+broken since the coming of the Europeans. Both Bosman and Barbot mention
+_murther and adultery to be severely punished on the Coast, frequently
+by death; and robbery by a fine proportionable to the goods stolen_.
+
+[Footnote A: Smith, page 193.]
+
+The income of some of the Kings is large, Bosman says, "That the King of
+Whidah's revenues and duties on things bought and sold are considerable;
+he having the tithe of all things sold in the market, or imported in the
+country."[A] Both the abovementioned authors say, _The tax on slaves
+shipped off in this King's dominions, in some years, amounts to near
+twenty thousand pounds_.
+
+[Footnote A: Bosman, page 337. Barbot, page 335.]
+
+Bosman tells us, "The Whidah Negroes have a faint idea of a true God,
+ascribing to him the attributes of almighty power and omnipresence; but
+God, they say, is too high to condescend to think of mankind; wherefore
+he commits the government of the world to those inferior deities which
+they worship." Some authors say, the wisest of these Negroes are
+sensible of their mistake in this opinion, but dare not forsake their
+own religion, for fear of the populace rising and killing them. This is
+confirmed by William Smith, who says, "That all the natives of this
+coast believe there is one true God, the author of them and all things;
+that they have some apprehension of a future state; and that almost
+every village has a grove, or public place of worship, to which the
+principal inhabitants, on a set day, resort to make their offerings."
+
+In the Collection[A] it is remarked as an excellency in the Guinea
+government, "That however poor they may be in general, yet there are no
+beggars to be found amongst them; which is owing to the care of their
+chief men, whose province it is to take care of the welfare of the city
+or village; it being part of their office, to see that such people may
+earn their bread by their labour; some are set to blow the smith's
+bellows, others to press palm oil, or grind colours for their matts, and
+sell provision in the markets. The young men are listed to serve as
+soldiers, so that they suffer no common beggar."
+
+[Footnote A: Astley's collection, vol. 2, page 619.]
+
+Bosman ascribes a further reason for this good order, viz. "That when a
+Negroe finds he cannot subsist, he binds himself for a certain sum of
+money, and the master to whom he is bound is obliged to find him
+necessaries; that the master sets him a sort of task, which is not in
+the least slavish, being chiefly to defend his master on occasions; or
+in sowing time to work as much as he himself pleases."[A]
+
+[Footnote A: Bosman, page 119.]
+
+Adjoining to the kingdom of Whidah, are several small governments, as
+Coto, great and small Popo, Ardrah, &c. all situate on the Slave Coast,
+where the chief trade for slaves is carried on. These are governed by
+their respective Kings, and follow much the same customs with those of
+Whidah, except that their principal living is on plunder, and the slave
+trade.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. III.
+
+
+_The kingdom of Benin_; its extent. Esteemed the most potent in Guinea.
+Fruitfulness of the soil. Good disposition of the people. Order of
+government. Punishment of crimes. Large extent of the town of Great
+Benin. Order maintained. The natives honest and charitable. Their
+religion. The kingdoms of Kongo and Angola. Many of the natives profess
+christianity. The country fruitful. Disposition of the people. The
+administration of justice. The town of Leango. Slave trade carried on by
+the Portugueze. Here the slave trade ends.
+
+Next adjoining to the Slave Coast, is the kingdom of Benin, which,
+though it extends but about 170 miles on the sea, yet spreads so far
+inland, as to be esteemed the most potent kingdom in Guinea. By
+accounts, the soil and produce appear to be in a great measure like
+those before described; and the natives are represented as a reasonable
+good-natured people. Artus says,[A] "They are a sincere, inoffensive
+people, and do no injustice either to one another, or to strangers."
+William Smith[B] confirms this account, and says, "That the inhabitants
+are generally very good-natured, and exceeding courteous and civil. When
+the Europeans make them presents, which in their coming thither to trade
+they always do, they endeavour to return them doubly."
+
+[Footnote A: Collection. vol. 3, page 228.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Smith, page 228.]
+
+Bosman tells us,[A] "That his countrymen the Dutch, who were often
+obliged to trust them till they returned the next year, were sure to be
+honestly paid their whole debts."
+
+[Footnote A: W. Bosman, page 405.]
+
+There is in Benin a considerable order in government. Theft, murther,
+and adultery, being severely punished. Barbot says,[A] "If a man and a
+woman of any quality be surprized in adultery, they are both put to
+death, and their bodies are thrown on a dunghill, and left there a prey
+to wild beasts." He adds, "The severity of the laws in Benin against
+adultery,[B] amongst all orders of people, deters them from venturing,
+so that it is but very seldom any persons are punished for that crime."
+Smith says, "Their towns are governed by officers appointed by the King,
+who have power to decide in civil cases, and to raise the public taxes;
+but in criminal cases, they must send to the King's court, which is held
+at the town of Oedo, or Great Benin. This town, which covers a large
+extent of ground, is about sixty mile from the sea."[C] Barbot tells us,
+"That it contains thirty streets, twenty fathom wide, and almost two
+miles long, commonly, extending in a straight line from one gate to
+another; that the gates are guarded by soldiers; that in these streets
+markets are held every day, for cattle, ivory, cotton, and many sorts of
+European goods. This large town is divided into several wards, or
+districts, each governed by its respective King of a street, as they
+call them; to administer justice, and to keep good order. The
+inhabitants are very civil and good natured, condescending to what the
+Europeans require of them in a civil way." The same author confirms what
+has been said by others of their justice in the payment of their debts;
+and adds, "That they, above all other Guineans, are very honest and just
+in their dealings; and they have such an aversion for theft, that by the
+law of the country it is punished with death." We are told by the same
+author,[D] "That the King of Benin is able upon occasion to maintain an
+army of a hundred thousand men; but that, for the most part, he does not
+keep thirty thousand." William Smith says, "The natives are all free
+men; none but foreigners can be bought and sold there.[E] They are very
+charitable, the King as well as his subjects." Bosman confirms this,[F]
+and says, "The King and great Lords subsist several poor at their place
+of residence on charity, employing those who are fit for any work, and
+the rest they keep for God's sake; so that here are no beggars."
+
+[Footnote A: Barbot, page 237.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: By this account of the punishment inflicted on adulterers
+in this and other parts of Guinea, it appears the Negroes are not
+insensible of the sinfulness of such practices. How strange must it then
+appear to the serious minded amongst these people, (nay, how
+inconsistent is it with every divine and moral law amongst ourselves)
+that those christian laws which prohibit fornication and adultery, are
+in none of the English governments extended to them, but that they are
+allowed to cohabit and separate at pleasure? And that even their masters
+think so lightly of their marriage engagements, that, when it suits with
+their interest, they will separate man from wife, and children from
+both, to be sold into different, and even distant parts, without regard
+to their sometimes grievous lamentations; whence it has happened, that
+such of those people who are truly united in their marriage covenant,
+and in affection to one another, have been driven to such desperation,
+as either violently to destroy themselves, or gradually to pine away,
+and die with mere grief. It is amazing, that whilst the clergy of the
+established church are publicly expressing a concern, that these
+oppressed people should be made acquainted with the christian religion,
+they should be thus suffered, and even forced, so flagrantly to infringe
+one of the principal injunctions of our holy religion!]
+
+
+[Footnote C: J. Barbot, page 358, 359.]
+
+
+[Footnote D: Barbot, page 369.]
+
+
+[Footnote E: W. Smith, page 369.]
+
+
+[Footnote F: Bosman, page 409.]
+
+As to religion, these people believe there is a God, the efficient cause
+of all things; but, like the rest of the Guineans, they are
+superstitiously and idolatrously inclined.
+
+The last division of Guinea from which slaves are imported, are the
+kingdoms of Kongo and Angola: these lie to the South of Benin, extending
+with the intermediate land about twelve hundred miles on the coast.
+Great numbers of the natives of both these kingdoms profess the
+christian religion, which was long since introduced by the Portugueze,
+who made early settlements in that country.
+
+In the Collection it is said, that both in Kongo and Angola, the soil is
+in general fruitful, producing great plenty of grain, Indian corn, and
+such quantities of rice, that it hardly bears any price, with fruits,
+roots, and palm oil in plenty.
+
+The natives are generally a quiet people, who discover a good
+understanding, and behave in a friendly manner to strangers, being of a
+mild conversation, affable, and easily overcome with reason.
+
+In the government of Kongo, the King appoints a judge in every
+particular division, to hear and determine disputes and civil causes;
+the judges imprison and release, or impose fines, according to the rule
+of custom; but in weighty matters, every one may appeal to the King,
+before whom all criminal causes are brought, in which he giveth
+sentence; but seldom condemneth to death.
+
+The town of Leango stands in the midst of four Lordships, which abound
+in corn, fruit, &c. Here they make great quantities of cloth of divers
+kinds, very fine and curious; the inhabitants are seldom idle; they even
+make needle-work caps as they walk in the streets.
+
+The slave trade is here principally managed by the Portugueze, who carry
+it far up into the inland countries. They are said to send off from
+these parts fifteen thousand slaves each year.
+
+At Angola, about the 10th degree of South latitude, ends the trade for
+slaves.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. IV.
+
+
+The antientest accounts of the Negroes is from the Nubian Geography, and
+the writings of Leo the African. Some account of those authors. The
+Arabians pass into Guinea. The innocency and simplicity of the natives.
+They are subdued by the Moors. Heli Ischia shakes off the Moorish yoke.
+The Portugueze make the first descent in Guinea. From whence they carry
+off some of the natives. More incursions of the like kind. The
+Portugueze erect the first fort at D'Elmina. They begin the slave trade.
+Cada Mosto's testimony. Anderson's account to the same purport. De la
+Casa's concern for the relief of the oppressed Indians. Goes over into
+Spain to plead their cause. His speech before Charles the Fifth.
+
+The most antient account we have of the country of the Negroes,
+particularly that part situate on and between the two great rivers of
+Senegal and Gambia, is from the writings of two antient authors, one an
+Arabian, and the other a Moor. The first[A] wrote in Arabic, about the
+twelfth century. His works, printed in that language at Rome, were
+afterwards translated into Latin, and printed at Paris, under the
+patronage of the famous Thuanus, chancellor of France, with the title of
+_Geographica Nubiensis_, containing an account or all the nations lying
+on the Senegal and Gambia. The other wrote by John Leo,[B] a Moor, born
+at Granada, in Spain, before the Moors were totally expelled from that
+kingdom. He resided in Africa; but being on a voyage from Tripoli to
+Tunis, was taken by some Italian Corsairs, who finding him possessed of
+several Arabian books, besides his own manuscripts, apprehended him to
+be a man of learning, and as such presented him to Pope Leo the Tenth.
+This Pope encouraging him, he embraced the Romish religion, and his
+description of Africa was published in Italian. From these writings we
+gather, that after the Mahometan religion had extended to the kingdom of
+Morocco, some of the promoters of it crossing the sandy desarts of
+Numidia, which separate that country from Guinea, found it inhabited by
+men, who, though under no regular government, and destitute of that
+knowledge the Arabians were favoured with, lived in content and peace.
+The first author particularly remarks, "That they never made war, or
+travelled abroad, but employed themselves in tending their herds, or
+labouring in the ground." J. Leo says, page 65. "That they lived in
+common, having no property in land, no tyrant nor superior lord, but
+supported themselves in an equal state, upon the natural produce of the
+country, which afforded plenty of roots, game, and honey. That ambition
+or avarice never drove them into foreign countries to subdue or cheat
+their neighbours. Thus they lived without toil or superfluities." "The
+antient inhabitants of Morocco, who wore coats of mail, and used swords
+and spears headed with iron, coming amongst these harmless and naked
+people, soon brought them under subjection, and divided that part of
+Guinea which lies on the rivers Senegal and Gambia into fifteen parts;
+those were the fifteen kingdoms of the Negroes, over which the Moors
+presided, and the common people were Negroes. These Moors taught the
+Negroes the Mahometan religion, and arts of life; particularly the use
+of iron, before unknown to them. About the 14th century, a native Negro,
+called Heli Ischia, expelled the Moorish conquerors; but tho' the
+Negroes threw off the yoke of a foreign nation, they only changed a
+Libyan for a Negroe master. Heli Ischia himself becoming King, led the
+Negroes on to foreign wars, and established himself in power over a very
+large extent of country." Since Leo's time, the Europeans have had very
+little knowledge of those parts of Africa, nor do they know what became
+of his great empire. It is highly probable that it broke into pieces,
+and that the natives again resumed many of their antient customs; for in
+the account published by William Moor, in his travels on the river
+Gambia, we find a mixture of the Moorish and Mahometan customs, joined
+with the original simplicity of the Negroes. It appears by accounts of
+antient voyages, collected by Hackluit, Purchas, and others, that it was
+about fifty years before the discovery of America, that the Portugueze
+attempted to sail round Cape Bojador, which lies between their country
+and Guinea; this, after divers repulses occasioned by the violent
+currents, they effected; when landing on the western coasts of Africa,
+they soon began to make incursions into the country, and to seize and
+carry off the native inhabitants. As early as the year 1434, Alonzo
+Gonzales, the first who is recorded to have met with the natives, being
+on that coast, pursued and attacked a number of them, when some were
+wounded, as was also one of the Portugueze; which the author records as
+the first blood spilt by christians in those parts. Six years after, the
+same Gonzales again attacked the natives, and took twelve prisoners,
+with whom he returned to his vessels; he afterwards put a woman on
+shore, in order to induce the natives to redeem the prisoners; but the
+next day 150 of the inhabitants appeared on horses and camels, provoking
+the Portugueze to land; which they not daring to venture, the natives
+discharged a volley of stones at them, and went off. After this, the
+Portugueze still continued to send vessels on the coast of Africa;
+particularly we read of their falling on a village, whence the
+inhabitants fled, and, being pursued, twenty-five were taken: "_He that
+ran best_," says the author, "_taking the most_. In their way home they
+killed some of the natives, and took fifty-five more prisoners.[C]
+Afterwards Dinisanes Dagrama, with two other vessels, landed on the
+island Arguin, where they took fifty-four Moors; then running along the
+coast eighty leagues farther, they at several times took fifty slaves;
+but here seven of the Portugueze were killed. Then being joined by
+several other vessels, Dinisanes proposed to destroy the island, to
+revenge the loss of the seven Portugueze; of which the Moors being
+apprized, fled, so that no more than twelve were found, whereof only
+four could be taken, the rest being killed, as also one of the
+Portugueze." Many more captures of this kind on the coast of Barbary and
+Guinea, are recorded to have been made in those early times by the
+Portugueze; who, in the year 1481, erected their first fort at D'Elmina
+on that coast, from whence they soon opened a trade for slaves with the
+inland parts of Guinea.
+
+[Footnote A: See Travels into different parts of Africa, by Francis
+Moor, with a letter to the publisher.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Ibid.]
+
+
+[Footnote C: Collection, vol. 1, page 13.]
+
+From the foregoing accounts, it is undoubted, that the practice of
+making slaves of the Negroes, owes its origin to the early incursions of
+the Portugueze on the coast of Africa, solely from an inordinate desire
+of gain. This is clearly evidenced from their own historians,
+particularly _Cada Mosto_, about the year 1455, who writes,[A] "That
+before the trade was settled for purchasing slaves from the Moors at
+Arguin, sometimes four, and sometimes more Portugueze vessels, were used
+to come to that gulph, well armed; and landing by night, would surprize
+some fishermen's villages: that they even entered into the country, and
+carried off Arabs of both sexes, whom they sold in Portugal." And also,
+"That the Portugueze and Spaniards, settled on four of the Canary
+islands, would go to the other island by night, and seize some of the
+natives of both sexes, whom they sent to be sold in Spain."
+
+[Footnote A: Collection vol. 1, page 576.]
+
+After the settlement of America, those devastations, and the captivating
+the miserable Africans, greatly increased.
+
+Anderson, in his history of trade and commerce, at page 336, speaking of
+what passed in the year 1508, writes, "That the Spaniards had by this
+time found that the miserable Indian natives, whom they had made to work
+in their mines and fields, were not so robust and proper for those
+purposes as Negroes brought from Africa; wherefore they, about that
+time, began to import Negroes for that end into Hispaniola, from the
+Portugueze settlements on the Guinea coasts; and also afterwards for
+their sugar works." This oppression of the Indians had, even before this
+time, rouzed the zeal, as well as it did the compassion, of some of the
+truly pious of that day; particularly that of Bartholomew De las Casas,
+bishop of Chapia; whom a desire of being instrumental towards the
+conversion of the Indians, had invited into America. It is generally
+agreed by the writers of that age, that he was a man of perfect
+disinterestedness, and ardent charity; being affected with this sad
+spectacle, he returned to the court of Spain, and there made a true
+report of the matter; but not without being strongly opposed by those
+mercenary wretches, who had enslaved the Indians; yet being strong and
+indefatigable, he went to and fro between Europe and America, firmly
+determined not to give over his pursuit but with his life. After long
+solicitation, and innumerable repulses, he obtained leave to lay the
+matter before the Emperor Charles the Fifth, then King of Spain. As the
+contents of the speech he made before the King in council, are very
+applicable to the case of the enslaved Africans, and a lively evidence
+that the spirit of true piety speaks the same language in the hearts of
+faithful men in all ages, for the relief of their fellow creatures from
+oppression of every kind, I think it may not be improper here to
+transcribe the most interesting parts of it. "I was," says this pious
+bishop, "one of the first who went to America; neither curiosity nor
+interest prompted me to undertake so long and dangerous a voyage; the
+saving the souls of the heathen was my sole object. Why was I not
+permitted, even at the expence of my blood, to ransom so many thousand
+souls, who fell unhappy victims to avarice or lust? I have been an eye
+witness to such cruel treatment of the Indians, as is too horrid to be
+mentioned at this time.--It is said that barbarous executions were
+necessary to punish or check the rebellion of the Americans;--but to
+whom was this owing? Did not those people receive the Spaniards, who
+first came amongst them, with gentleness and humanity? Did they not shew
+more joy, in proportion, in lavishing treasure upon them, than the
+Spaniards did greediness in receiving it?--But our avarice was not yet
+satisfied;--tho' they gave up to us their land and their riches, we
+would tear from them their wives, their children and their
+liberties.--To blacken these unhappy people, their enemies assert, that
+they are scarce human creatures?--but it is we that ought to blush, for
+having been less men, and more barbarous, than they.--What right have we
+to enslave a people who are born free, and whom we disturbed, tho' they
+never offended us?--They are represented as a stupid people, addicted to
+vice?--but have they not contracted most of their vices from the example
+of the christians? And as to those vices peculiar to themselves, have
+not the christians quickly exceeded them therein? Nevertheless it must
+be granted, that the Indians still remain untainted with many vices
+usual amongst the Europeans; such as ambition, blasphemy, treachery, and
+many like monsters, which have not yet took place with them; they have
+scarce an idea of them; so that in effect, all the advantage we can
+claim, is to have more elevated notions of things, and our natural
+faculties more unfolded and more cultivated than theirs.--Do not let us
+flatter our corruptions, nor voluntarily blind ourselves; _all_ nations
+are equally _free_; one nation has no right to infringe upon the freedom
+of any other; let us do towards these people as we would have them to
+have done towards us, if they had landed upon our shore, with the same
+superiority of strength. And indeed, why should not things be equal on
+both sides? How long has the right of the strongest been allowed to be
+the balance of justice? What part of the gospel gives a sanction to such
+a doctrine? In what part of the whole earth did the apostles and the
+first promulgators of the gospel ever claim a right over the lives, the
+freedom, or the substance of the Gentiles? What a strange method this is
+of propagating the gospel, that holy law of grace, which, from being,
+slaves to Satan, initiates us into the freedom of the children of
+God!--Will it be possible for us to inspire them with a love to its
+dictates, while they are so exasperated at being dispossessed of that
+invaluable blessing, _Liberty?_ The apostles submitted to chains
+themselves, but loaded no man with them. Christ came to free, not to
+enslave us.--Submission to the faith he left us, ought to be a voluntary
+act, and should be propagated by persuasion, gentleness, and reason."
+
+"At my first arrival in Hispaniola, (added the bishop) it contained a
+million of inhabitants; and now (viz. in the space of about twenty
+years) there remains scarce the hundredth part of them; thousands have
+perished thro' want, fatigue, merciless punishment, cruelty, and
+barbarity. If the blood of _one_ man unjustly shed, calls loudly for
+vengeance; how strong must be the cry of that of so _many_ unhappy
+creatures which is shedding daily?"--The good bishop concluded his
+speech, with imploring the King's clemency for subjects so unjustly
+oppressed; and bravely declared, that heaven would one day call him to
+an account, for the numberless acts of cruelty which he might have
+prevented. The King applauded the bishop's zeal; promised to second it;
+but so many of the great ones had an interest in continuing the
+oppression, that nothing was done; so that all the Indians in
+Hispaniola, except a few who had hid themselves in the most inaccessible
+mountains, were destroyed.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. V.
+
+
+First account of the English trading to Guinea. Thomas Windham and
+several others go to that coast. Some of the Negroes carried off by the
+English. Queen Elizabeth's charge to Captain Hawkins respecting the
+natives. Nevertheless he goes on the coast and carries off some of the
+Negroes. Patents are granted. The King of France objects to the Negroes
+being kept in slavery. As do the college of Cardinals at Rome. The
+natives, an inoffensive people; corrupted by the Europeans. The
+sentiments of the natives concerning the slave-trade, from William
+Smith: Confirmed by Andrew Brue and James Barbot.
+
+It was about the year 1551, towards the latter end of the reign of King
+Edward the Sixth, when some London merchants sent out the first English
+ship, on a trading voyage to the coast of Guinea; this was soon followed
+by several others to the same parts; but the English not having then any
+plantations in the West Indies, and consequently no occasion for
+Negroes, such ships traded only for gold, elephants teeth, and Guinea
+pepper. This trade was carried on at the hazard of losing their ships
+and cargoes, if they had fallen into the hands of the Portuguese, who
+claimed an exclusive right of trade, on account of the several
+settlements they had made there.[A] In the year 1553, we find captain
+Thomas Windham trading along the coast with 140 men, in three ships, and
+sailing as far as Benin, which lies about 3000 miles down the coast, to
+take in a load of pepper.[B] Next year John Lock traded along the coast
+of Guinea, as far as D'Elmina, when he brought away considerable
+quantities of gold and ivory. He speaks well of the natives, and
+says,[C] "_That whoever will deal with them must behave civilly, for
+they will not traffic if ill used_." In 1555, William Towerson traded in
+a peaceable manner with the natives, who made complaint to him of the
+Portuguese, who were then settled in their castle at D'Elmina, saying,
+"_They were bad men, who made them slaves if they could take them,
+putting irons on their legs_."
+
+[Footnote A: Astley's collection, vol. 1. page 139.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Collection vol. 1. p. 148.]
+
+
+[Footnote C: Ibid. 257.]
+
+This bad example of the Portuguese was soon followed by some evil
+disposed Englishmen; for the same captain Towerson relates,[A] "That in
+the course of his voyage, he perceived the natives, near D'Elmina,
+unwilling to come to him, and that he was at last attacked by them;
+which he understood was done in revenge for the wrong done them the year
+before, by one captain Gainsh, who had taken away the Negro captain's
+son, and three others, with their gold, &c. This caused them to join the
+Portuguese, notwithstanding their hatred of them, against the English."
+The next year captain Towerson brought these men back again; whereupon
+the Negroes shewed him much kindness.[B] Quickly after this, another
+instance of the same kind occurred, in the case of captain George
+Fenner, who being on the coast, with three vessels, was also attacked by
+the Negroes, who wounded several of his people, and violently carried
+three of his men to their town. The captain sent a messenger, offering
+any thing they desired for the ransom of his men: but they refused to
+deliver them, letting him know, "_That three weeks before, an English
+ship, which came in the road, had carried off three of their people; and
+that till they were brought again, they would not restore his men, even
+tho' they should give their three ships to release them_." It was
+probably the evil conduct of these, and some other Englishmen, which was
+the occasion of what is mentioned in Hill's naval history, viz. "That
+when captain Hawkins returned from his first voyage to Africa, Queen
+Elizabeth sent for him, when she expressed her concern, lest any of the
+African Negroes should be carried off without their free consent; which
+she declared would be detestable, and would call down the vengeance of
+heaven upon the undertakers." Hawkins made great promises, which
+nevertheless he did not perform; for his next voyage to the coast
+appears to have been principally calculated to procure Negro slaves, in
+order to sell them to the Spaniards in the West Indies; which occasioned
+the same author to use these remarkable words: "_Here began the horrid
+practice of forcing the Africans into slavery: an injustice and
+barbarity, which, so sure as there is vengeance in heaven for the worst
+of crimes, will some time be the destruction of all who act or who
+encourage it_." This captain Hawkins, afterwards sir John Hawkins, seems
+to have been the first Englishman who gave public countenance to this
+wicked traffic: For Anderson, before mentioned, at page 401, says, "That
+in the year 1562, captain Hawkins, assisted by subscription of sundry
+gentlemen, now fitted out three ships; and having learnt that Negroes
+were a very good commodity in Hispaniola, he sailed to the coast of
+Guinea, took in Negroes, and sailed with them for Hispaniola, where he
+sold them, and his English commodities, and loaded his three vessels
+with hides, sugar and ginger, &c. with which he returned home anno 1563,
+making a prosperous voyage." As it proved a lucrative business, the
+trade was continued both by Hawkins and others, as appears from the
+naval chronicle, page 55, where it is said, "That on the 18th of
+October, 1564, captain John Hawkins, with two ships of 700 and 140 tuns,
+sailed for Africa; that on the 8th of December they anchored to the
+South of Cape Verd, where the captain manned the boat, and sent eighty
+men in armour into the country, to see if they could take some Negroes;
+but the natives flying from them, they returned to their ships, and
+proceeded farther down the coast. Here they staid certain days, sending
+their men ashore, in order (as the author says) to burn and spoil their
+towns and take the inhabitants. The land they observed to be well
+cultivated, there being plenty of grain, and fruit of several sorts, and
+the towns prettily laid out. On the 25th, being informed by the
+Portugueze of a town of Negroes called Bymba, where there was not only a
+quantity of gold, but an hundred and forty inhabitants, they resolved to
+attack it, having the Portugueze for their guide; but by mismanagement
+they took but ten Negroes, having seven of their own men killed, and
+twenty-seven wounded. They then went farther down the coast; when,
+having procured a number of Negroes, they proceeded to the West Indies,
+where they sold them to the Spaniards." And in the same naval chronicle,
+at page 76, it is said, "That in the year 1567, Francis Drake, before
+performing his voyage round the world, went with Sir John Hawkins in his
+expedition to the coast of Guinea, where taking in a cargo of slaves,
+they determined to steer for the Caribbee islands." How Queen Elizabeth
+suffered so grievous an infringement of the rights of mankind to be
+perpetrated by her subjects, and how she was persuaded, about the 30th
+year of her reign, to grant patents for carrying on a trade from the
+North part of the river Senegal, to an hundred leagues beyond Sierra
+Leona, which gave rise to the present African company, is hard to
+account for, any otherwise than that it arose from the misrepresentation
+made to her of the situation of the Negroes, and of the advantages it
+was pretended they would reap from being made acquainted with the
+christian religion. This was the case of Lewis the XIIIth, King of
+France, who, Labat, in his account of the isles of America, tells us,
+"Was extremely uneasy at a law by which the Negroes of his colonies were
+to be made slaves; but it being strongly urged to him as the readiest
+means for their conversion to christianity, he acquiesced therewith."
+Nevertheless, some of the christian powers did not so easily give way in
+this matter; for we find,[C] "That cardinal Cibo, one of the Pope's
+principal ministers of state, wrote a letter on behalf of the college of
+cardinals, or great council at Rome, to the missionaries in Congo,
+complaining that the pernicious and abominable abuse of selling slaves
+was yet continued, requiring them to remedy the same, if possible; but
+this the missionaries saw little hopes of accomplishing, by reason that
+the trade of the country lay wholly in slaves and ivory."
+
+[Footnote A: Collection, vol. 1. p. 148.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Ibid. 157.]
+
+
+[Footnote C: Collection, vol. 3, page 164.]
+
+From the foregoing accounts, as well as other authentic publications of
+this kind, it appears that it was the unwarrantable lust of gain, which
+first stimulated the Portugueze, and afterwards other Europeans, to
+engage in this horrid traffic. By the most authentic relations of those
+early times, the natives were an inoffensive people, who, when civilly
+used, traded amicably with the Europeans. It is recorded of those of
+Benin, the largest kingdom in Guinea,[A]_That they were a gentle, loving
+people_; and Reynold says,[B] "_They found more sincere proofs of love
+and good will from the natives, than they could find from the Spaniards
+and Portugueze, even tho' they had relieved them from the greatest
+misery_." And from the same relations there is no reason to think
+otherwise, but that they generally lived in peace amongst themselves;
+for I don't find, in the numerous publications I have perused on this
+subject, relating to these early times, of there being wars on that
+coast, nor of any sale of captives taken in battle, who would have been
+otherwise sacrificed by the victors:[C] Notwithstanding some modern
+authors, in their publications relating to the West Indies, desirous of
+throwing a veil over the iniquity of the slave trade, have been hardy
+enough, upon meer supposition or report, to assert the contrary.
+
+[Footnote A: Collection, vol. 1, page 202.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Idem, page 245.]
+
+
+[Footnote C: Note, This plea falls of itself, for if the Negroes
+apprehended they should be cruelly put to death, if they were not sent
+away, why do they manifest such reluctance and dread as they generally
+do, at being brought from their native country? William Smith, at page
+28, says, "_The Gambians abhor slavery, and will attempt any thing, tho'
+never so desperate, to avoid it_," and Thomas Philips, in his account of
+a voyage he performed to the coast of Guinea, writes, "_They, the
+Negroes, are so loth to leave their own country, that they have often
+leaped out of the canoe, boat, or ship, into the sea, and kept under
+water till they were drowned, to avoid being taken up_."]
+
+It was long after the Portugueze had made a practice of violently
+forcing the natives of Africa into slavery, that we read of the
+different Negroe nations making war upon each other, and selling their
+captives. And probably this was not the case, till those bordering on
+the coast, who had been used to supply the vessels with necessaries, had
+become corrupted by their intercourse with the Europeans, and were
+excited by drunkenness and avarice to join them in carrying on those
+wicked schemes, by which those unnatural wars were perpetrated; the
+inhabitants kept in continual alarms; the country laid waste; and, as
+William Moor expresses it, _Infinite numbers sold into slavery_. But
+that the Europeans are the principal cause of these devastations, is
+particularly evidenced by one, whose connexion with the trade would
+rather induce him to represent it in the fairest colours, to wit,
+William Smith, the person sent in the year 1726 by the African company
+to survey their settlements, who, from the information he received of
+one of the factors, who had resided ten years in that country, says,[A]
+"_That the discerning natives account it their greatest unhappiness,
+that they were ever visited by the Europeans."--"That we christians
+introduced the traffick of slaves; and that before our coming they lived
+in peace_."
+
+[Footnote A: William Smith, page 266.]
+
+In the accounts relating to the African trade, we find this melancholy
+truth farther asserted by some of the principal directors in the
+different factories; particularly A. Brue says,[A] "_That the Europeans
+were far from desiring to act as peace-makers amongst the Negroes; which
+would be acting contrary to their interest, since the greater the wars,
+the more slaves were procured_," And William Bosman also remarks,[B]
+"That one of the former commanders _gave large sums of money to the
+Negroes of one nation, to induce them to attack some of the neighbouring
+nations, which occasioned a battle which was more bloody than the wars
+of the Negroes usually are_." This is confirmed by J. Barbot, who says,
+"_That the country of D'Elmina, which was formerly very powerful and
+populous, was in his time so much drained of its inhabitants by the
+intestine wars fomented amongst the Negroes by the Dutch, that there did
+not remain inhabitants enough to till the country_."
+
+[Footnote A: Collection, vol. 2, page 98.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Bosman, page 31.]
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. VI.
+
+
+The conduct of the Europeans and Africans compared. Slavery more
+tolerable amongst the antients than in our colonies. As christianity
+prevailed amongst the barbarous nations, the inconsistency of slavery
+became more apparent. The charters of manumission, granted in the early
+times of christianity, founded on an apprehension of duty to God. The
+antient Britons, and other European nations, in their original state, no
+less barbarous than the Negroes. Slaves in Guinea used with much greater
+lenity than the Negroes are in the colonies.--Note. How the slaves are
+treated in Algiers, as also in Turkey.
+
+Such is the woeful corruption of human nature, that every practice which
+flatters our pride and covetousness, will find its advocates! This is
+manifestly the case in the matter before us; the savageness of the
+Negroes in some of their customs, and particularly their deviating so
+far from the feelings of humanity, as to join in captivating and selling
+each other, gives their interested oppressors a pretence for
+representing them as unworthy of liberty, and the natural rights of
+mankind. But these sophisters turn the argument full upon themselves,
+when they instigate the poor creatures to such shocking impiety, by
+every means that fantastic subtilty can suggest; thereby shewing in
+their own conduct, a more glaring proof of the same depravity, and, if
+there was any reason in the argument, a greater unfitness for the same
+precious enjoyment: for though some of the ignorant Africans may be thus
+corrupted by their intercourse with the baser of the European natives,
+and the use of strong liquors, this is no excuse for high-professing
+christians; bred in a civilized country, with so many advantages unknown
+to the Africans, and pretending to a superior degree of gospel light.
+Nor can it justify them in raising up fortunes to themselves from the
+misery of others, and calmly projecting voyages for the seizure of men
+naturally as free as themselves; and who, they know, are no otherwise to
+be procured than by such barbarous means, as none but those hardened
+wretches, who are lost to every sense of christian compassion, can make
+use of. Let us diligently compare, and impartially weigh, the situation
+of those ignorant Negroes, and these enlightened christians; then lift
+up the scale and say, which of the two are the greater savages.
+
+Slavery has been of a long time in practice in many parts of Asia; it
+was also in usage among the Romans when that empire flourished; but,
+except in some particular instances, it was rather a reasonable
+servitude, no ways comparable to the unreasonable and unnatural service
+extorted from the Negroes in our colonies. A late learned author,[A]
+speaking of those times which succeeded the dissolution of that empire,
+acquaints us, that as christianity prevailed, it very much removed those
+wrong prejudices and practices, which had taken root in darker times:
+after the irruption of the Northern nations, and the introduction of the
+feudal or military government, whereby the most extensive power was
+lodged in a few members of society, to the depression of the rest, the
+common people were little better than slaves, and many were indeed such;
+but as christianity gained ground, the gentle spirit of that religion,
+together with the doctrines it teaches, concerning the original equality
+of mankind, as well as the impartial eye with which the Almighty regards
+men of every condition, and admits them to a participation of his
+benefits; so far manifested the inconsistency of slavery with
+christianity, that to set their fellow christians at liberty was deemed
+an act of piety, highly meritorious and acceptable to God.[B]
+Accordingly a great part of the charters granted for the manumission or
+freedom of slaves about that time, are granted _pro amore Dei, for the
+love of God, pro mercede animae, to obtain mercy to the soul_.
+Manumission was frequently granted on death-beds, or by latter wills. As
+the minds of men are at that time awakened to sentiments of humanity and
+piety, these deeds proceeded from religious motives. The same author
+remarks, That there are several forms of those manumissions still
+extant, all of them founded _on religious considerations_, and _in order
+to procure the favour of God_. Since that time, the practice of keeping
+men in slavery gradually ceased amongst christians, till it was renewed
+in the case before us. And as the prevalency of the spirit of
+christianity caused men to emerge from the darkness they then lay under,
+in this respect; so it is much to be feared that so great a deviation
+therefrom, by the encouragement given to the slavery of the Negroes in
+our colonies, if continued, will, by degrees, reduce those countries
+which support and encourage it but more immediately those parts of
+America which are in the practice of it, to the ignorance and barbarity
+of the darkest ages.
+
+[Footnote A: See Robertson's history of Charles the 5th.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: In the years 1315 and 1318, Louis X. and his brother
+Philip, Kings of France, issued ordonnances, declaring, "That as all men
+were by nature free-born, and as their kingdom was called the kingdom of
+Franks, they determined that it should be so in reality, as well as in
+name; therefore they appointed that enfranchisements should be granted
+throughout the whole kingdom, upon just and reasonable conditions."
+"These edicts were carried into immediate execution within the royal
+domain."--"In England, as the spirit of liberty gained ground, the very
+name and idea of personal servitude, without any formal interposition of
+the legislature to prohibit it, was totally banished." "The effects of
+such a remarkable change in the condition of so great a part of the
+people, could not fail of being considerable and extensive. The
+husbandman, master of his own industry, and secure of reaping for
+himself the fruits of his labour, became farmer of the same field where
+he had formerly been compelled to toil for the benefit of another. The
+odious name of master and of slave, the most mortifying and depressing
+of all distinctions to human nature, were abolished. New prospects
+opened, and new incitements to ingenuity and enterprise presented
+themselves, to those who were emancipated. The expectation of bettering
+their fortune, as well as that of raising themselves to a more
+honourable condition, concurred in calling forth their activity and
+genius; and a numerous class of men, who formerly had no political
+existence, and were employed merely as instruments of labour, became
+useful citizens, and contributed towards augmenting the force or riches
+of the society, which adopted them as members." William Robertson's
+history of Charles the 5th, vol. 1, P. 35. ]
+
+If instead of making slaves of the Negroes, the nations who assume the
+name and character of christians, would use their endeavours to make the
+nations of Africa acquainted with the nature of the christian religion,
+to give them a better sense of the true use of the blessings of life,
+the more beneficial arts and customs would, by degrees, be introduced
+amongst them; this care probably would produce the same effect upon
+them, which it has had on the inhabitants of Europe, formerly as savage
+and barbarous as the natives of Africa. Those cruel wars amongst the
+blacks would be likely to cease, and a fair and honorable commerce, in
+time, take place throughout that vast country. It was by these means
+that the inhabitants of Europe, though formerly a barbarous people,
+became civilized. Indeed the account Julius Caesar gives of the ancient
+Britons in their state of ignorance, is not such as should make us proud
+of ourselves, or lead us to despise the unpolished nations of the earth;
+for he informs us, "That they lived in many respects like our Indians,
+being clad with skins, painting their bodies, &c." He also adds, "That
+they, brother with brother, and parents with children, had wives in
+common." A greater barbarity than any heard of amongst the Negroes. Nor
+doth Tacitus give a more honourable account of the Germans, from whom
+the Saxons, our immediate ancestors, sprung. The Danes, who succeeded
+them (who may also be numbered among our progenitors) were full as bad,
+if not worse.
+
+It is usual for people to advance as a palliation in favour of keeping
+the Negroes in bondage, that there are slaves in Guinea, and that those
+amongst us might be so in their own country; but let such consider the
+inconsistency of our giving any countenance to slavery, because the
+Africans, whom we esteem a barbarous and savage people, allow of it, and
+perhaps the more from our example. Had the professors of christianity
+acted indeed as such, they might have been instrumental to convince the
+Negroes of their error in this respect; but even this, when inquired
+into, will be to us an occasion of blushing, if we are not hardened to
+every sense of shame, rather than a _palliation_ of our iniquitous
+conduct; as it will appear that the slavery endured in Guinea, and other
+parts of Africa, and in Asia,[A] is by no means so grievous as that in
+our colonies. William Moor, speaking of the natives living on the river
+Gambia,[B] says, "Tho' some of the Negroes have many house slaves, which
+are their greatest glory; that those slaves live so well and easy, that
+it is sometimes a hard matter to know the slaves from their masters or
+mistresses. And that though in some parts of Africa they sell their
+slaves born in the family, yet on the river Gambia they think it a very
+wicked thing." The author adds, "He never heard of but one that ever
+sold a family slave, except for such crimes as they would have been sold
+for if they had been free." And in Astley's collection, speaking of the
+customs of the Negroes in that large extent of country further down the
+coast, particularly denominated the coast of Guinea, it is said,[C]
+"They have not many slaves on the coast; none but the King or nobles are
+permitted to buy or sell any; so that they are allowed only what are
+necessary for their families, or tilling the ground." The same author
+adds, "_That they generally use their slaves well, and seldom correct
+them_."
+
+[Footnote A: In the history of the piratical states of Barbary, printed
+in 1750, _said to be_ wrote by a person who resided at Algiers, in a
+public character, at page 265 the author says, "The world exclaims
+against the Algerines for their cruel treatment of their slaves, and
+their employing even tortures to convert them to mahometism: but this is
+a vulgar error, artfully propagated for selfish views. So far are their
+slaves from being ill used, that they must have committed some very
+great fault to suffer any punishment. Neither are they forced to work
+beyond their strength, but rather spared, lest they should fall sick.
+Some are so pleased with their situation, that they will not purchase
+their ransom, though they are able." It is the same generally through
+the Mahometan countries, except in some particular instances, as that of
+Muley Ishmael, late Emperor of Morocco, who being naturally barbarous,
+frequently used both his subjects and slaves with cruelty. Yet even
+under him the usage the slaves met with was, in general, much more
+tolerable than that of the Negroe slaves in the West Indies. Captain
+Braithwaite, an author of credit, who accompanied consul general Russel
+in a congratulatory ambassy to Muley Ishmael's successor, upon his
+accession to the throne, says, "The situation of the christian slaves in
+Morocco was not near so bad as represented.--That it was true they were
+kept at labour by the late Emperor, but not harder than our daily
+labourers go through.--Masters of ships were never obliged to work, nor
+such as had but a small matter of money to give the Alcaide.--When sick,
+they had a religious house appointed for them to go to, where they were
+well attended: and whatever money in charity was sent them by their
+friends in Europe, was their own." Braithwaite's revolutions of Morocco.
+Lady Montague, wife of the English ambassador at Constantinople, in her
+letters, vol. 3. page 20, writes, "I know you expect I should say
+something particular of the slaves; and you will imagine me half a Turk,
+when I do not speak of it with the same horror other christians have
+done before me; but I cannot forbear applauding the humanity of the
+Turks to these creatures; they are not ill used; and their slavery, in
+my opinion, is no worse than servitude all over the world. It is true
+they have no wages, but they give them yearly cloaths to a higher value
+than our salaries to our ordinary servants." ]
+
+
+[Footnote B: W. Moor, p. 30]
+
+
+[Footnote C: Collection vol. 2. p. 647.]
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. VII.
+
+
+Montesquieu's sentiments on slavery. Moderation enjoined by the Mosaic
+law in the punishment of offenders. Morgan Godwyn's account of the
+contempt and grievous rigour exercised upon the Negroes in his time.
+Account from Jamaica, relating to the inhuman treatment of them there.
+Bad effects attendant on slave-keeping, as well to the masters as the
+slaves. Extracts from several laws relating to Negroes. Richard Baxter's
+sentiments on slave-keeping.
+
+That celebrated civilian Montesquieu, in his treatise _on the spirit of
+laws_, on the article of slavery says, "_It is neither useful to the
+master nor slave; to the slave, because he can do nothing through
+principle (or virtue); to the master, because he contracts with his
+slave all sorts of bad habits, insensibly accustoms himself to want all
+moral virtues; becomes haughty, hasty, hard-hearted, passionate,
+voluptuous, and cruel_." The lamentable truth of this assertion was
+quickly verified in the English plantations. When the practice of
+slave-keeping was introduced, it soon produced its natural effects; it
+reconciled men, of otherwise good dispositions, to the most hard and
+cruel measures. It quickly proved, what, under the law of Moses, was
+apprehended would be the consequence of unmerciful chastisements. Deut.
+xxv. 2. "_And it shall be if the wicked man be worthy to be beaten, that
+the judge shall cause him to lie down, and to be beaten before his face,
+according to his fault, by a certain number; forty stripes he may give
+him, and not exceed_." And the reason rendered, is out of respect to
+human nature, viz. "_Lest if he should exceed, and beat him above these
+with many stripes, then thy brother should seem vile unto thee_." As
+this effect soon followed the cause, the cruelest measures were adopted,
+in order to make the most of the poor _wretches_ labour; and in the
+minds of the masters such an idea was excited of inferiority, in the
+nature of these their unhappy fellow creatures, that they soon esteemed
+and treated them as beasts of burden: pretending to doubt, and some of
+them even presuming to deny, that the efficacy of the death of Christ
+extended to them. Which is particularly noted in a book, intitled _The
+Negroes and Indians advocate_, dedicated to the then Archbishop of
+Canterbury, wrote so long since as in the year 1680, by Morgan Godwyn,
+thought to be a clergyman of the church of England.[A] The same spirit
+of sympathy and zeal which stirred up the good Bishop of Chapia to plead
+with so much energy the kindred cause of the Indians of America, an
+hundred and fifty years before, was equally operating about a century
+past on the minds of some of the well disposed of that day; amongst
+others this worthy clergyman, having been an eye witness of the
+oppression and cruelty exercised upon the Negro and Indian slaves,
+endeavoured to raise the attention of those, in whose power it might be
+to procure them relief; amongst other matters, in his address to the
+Archbishop, he remarks in substance, "That the people of the island of
+Barbadoes were not content with exercising the greatest hardness and
+barbarity upon the Negroes, in making the most of their labour, without
+any regard to the calls of humanity, but that they had suffered such a
+slight and undervaluement to prevail in their minds towards these their
+oppressed fellow creatures, as to discourage any step being taken,
+whereby they might be made acquainted with the christian religion. That
+their conduct towards their slaves was such as gave him reason to
+believe, that either they had suffered a spirit of infidelity, a spirit
+quite contrary to the nature of the gospel, to prevail in them, or that
+it must be their established opinion that the Negroes had no more souls
+than beasts; that hence they concluded them to be neither susceptible of
+religious impressions, nor fit objects for the redeeming grace of God to
+operate upon. That under this persuasion, and from a disposition of
+cruelty, they treated them with far less humanity than they did their
+cattle; for, says he, they do not starve their horses, which they expect
+should both carry and credit them on the road; nor pinch the cow, by
+whose milk they are sustained; which yet, to their eternal shame, is too
+frequently the lot and condition of those poor people, from whose labour
+their wealth and livelihood doth wholly arise; not only in their diet,
+but in their cloathing, and overworking some of them even to death
+(which is particularly the calamity of the most innocent and laborious)
+but also in tormenting and whipping them almost, and sometimes quite, to
+death, upon even small miscarriages. He apprehends it was from this
+prejudice against the Negroes, that arose those supercilious checks and
+frowns he frequently met with, when using innocent arguments and
+persuasions, in the way of his duty as a minister of the gospel, to
+labour for the convincement and conversion of the Negroes; being
+repeatedly told, with spiteful scoffings, (even by some esteemed
+religious) that the Negroes were no more susceptible of receiving
+benefit, by becoming members of the church, than their dogs and bitches.
+The usual answer he received, when exhorting their masters to do their
+duty in that respect, being, _What! these black dogs be made christians!
+what! they be made like us! with abundance more of the same_.
+Nevertheless, he remarks that the Negroes were capable, not only of
+being taught to read and write, &c. but divers of them eminent in the
+management of business. He declares them to have an equal right with us
+to the merits of Christ; of which if through neglect or avarice they are
+deprived, that judgment which was denounced against wicked Ahab, must
+befal us: _Our life shall go for theirs_. The loss of their souls will
+be required at our hands, to whom God hath given so blessed an
+opportunity of being instrumental to their salvation."
+
+[Footnote A: "There is a principle which is pure, placed in the human
+mind, which in different places or ages hath had different names; it is,
+however, pure, and proceeds from God.--It is deep and inward, confined
+to no forms of religion, nor excluded from any, where the heart stands
+in perfect sincerity. In whomsoever this takes root and grows, of what
+nation soever, they become brethren in the best sense of the expression.
+Using ourselves to take ways which appear most easy to us, when
+inconsistent with that purity which is without beginning, we thereby set
+up a government of our own, and deny obedience to Him whose service is
+true liberty. He that has a servant, made so wrongfully, and knows it to
+be so, when he treats him otherwise than a free man, when he reaps the
+benefit of his labour, without paying him such wages as are reasonably
+due to free men for the like service; these things, though done in
+calmness, without any shew of disorder, do yet deprave the mind, in like
+manner, and with as great certainty, as prevailing cold congeals water.
+These steps taken by masters, and their conduct striking the minds of
+their children, whilst young, leave less room for that which is good to
+work upon them. The customs of their parents, their neighbours, and the
+people with whom they converse, working upon their minds, and they from
+thence conceiving wrong ideas of things, and modes of conduct, the
+entrance into their hearts becomes in a great measure shut up against
+the gentle movings of uncreated purity.
+
+"From one age to another the gloom grows thicker and darker, till error
+gets established by general opinion; but whoever attends to perfect
+goodness, and remains under the melting influence of it, finds a path
+unknown to many, and sees the necessity to lean upon the arm of divine
+strength, and dwell alone, or with a few in the right, committing their
+cause to him who is a refuge to his people. Negroes are our fellow
+creatures, and their present condition among us requires our serious
+consideration. We know not the time, when those scales, in which
+mountains are weighed, may turn. The parent of mankind is gracious, his
+care is over his smallest creatures, and a multitude of men escape not
+his notice; and though many of them are trodden down and despised, yet
+he remembers them. He seeth their affliction, and looketh upon the
+spreading increasing exaltation of the oppressor. He turns the channel
+of power, humbles the most haughty people, and gives deliverance to the
+oppressed, at such periods as are consistent with his infinite justice
+and goodness. And wherever gain is preferred to equity, and wrong things
+publickly encouraged, to that degree that wickedness takes root and
+spreads wide amongst the inhabitants of a country, there is a real cause
+for sorrow, to all such whose love to mankind stands on a true
+principle, and wisely consider the end and event of things."
+Consideration on keeping Negroes, by John Woolman, part 2. p. 50.]
+
+He complains, "That they were suffered to live with their women in no
+better way than direct fornication; no care being taken to oblige them
+to continue together when married; but that they were suffered at their
+will to leave their wives, and take to other women." I shall conclude
+this sympathizing clergyman's observations, with an instance he gives,
+to shew, "that not only discouragements and scoffs at that time
+prevailed in Barbadoes, to establish an opinion that the Negroes were
+not capable of religious impressions, but that even violence and great
+abuses were used to prevent any thing of the kind taking place. It was
+in the case of a poor Negro, who having, at his own request, prevailed
+on a clergyman to administer baptism to him, on his return home the
+brutish overseer took him to task, giving him to understand, that that
+was no sunday's work for those of his complexion; that he had other
+business for him, the neglect whereof would cost him an afternoon's
+baptism in blood, as he in the morning had received a baptism with
+water, (these, says the clergyman, were his own words) which he
+accordingly made good; of which the Negro complained to him, and he to
+the governor; nevertheless, the poor miserable creature was ever after
+so unmercifully treated by that inhuman wretch, the overseer, that, to
+avoid his cruelty, betaking himself to the woods, he there perished."
+This instance is applicable to none but the cruel perpetrator; and yet
+it is an instance of what, in a greater or less degree, may frequently
+happen, when those poor wretches are left to the will of such brutish
+inconsiderate creatures as those overseers often are. This is confirmed
+in a _History of Jamaica_, wrote in thirteen letters, about the year
+1740, by a person then residing in that island, who writes as follows,
+"I shall not now enter upon the question, whether the slavery of the
+Negroes be agreeable to the laws of nature or not; though it seems
+extremely hard they should be reduced to serve and toil for the benefit
+of others, without the least advantage to themselves. Happy Britannia,
+where slavery is never known! where liberty and freedom chears every
+misfortune. Here (_says the author_) we can boast of no such blessing;
+we have at least ten slaves to one freeman. I incline to touch the
+hardships which these poor creatures suffer, in the tenderest manner,
+from a particular regard which I have to many of their masters, but I
+cannot conceal their sad circumstances intirely: the most trivial error
+is punished with terrible whipping. I have seen some of them treated in
+that cruel manner, for no other reason but to satisfy the brutish
+pleasure of an overseer, who has their punishment mostly at his
+discretion. I have seen their bodies all in a gore of blood, the skin
+torn off their backs with the cruel whip; beaten pepper and salt rubbed
+in the wounds, and a large stick of sealing wax dropped leisurely upon
+them. It is no wonder, if the horrid pain of such inhuman tortures
+incline them to rebel. Most of these slaves are brought from the coast
+of Guinea. When they first arrive, it is observed, they are simple and
+very innocent creatures; but soon turn to be roguish enough. And when
+they come to be whipt, urge the example of the whites for an excuse of
+their faults."
+
+These accounts of the deep depravity of mind attendant on the practice
+of slavery, verify the truth of Montesquieu's remark of its pernicious
+effects. And altho' the same degree of opposition to instructing the
+Negroes may not now appear in the islands as formerly, especially since
+the Society appointed for propagating the Gospel have possessed a number
+of Negroes in one of them; nevertheless the situation of these oppressed
+people is yet dreadful, as well to themselves as in its consequence to
+their hard task-masters, and their offspring, as must be evident to
+every impartial person who is acquainted with the treatment they
+generally receive, or with the laws which from time to time have been
+made in the colonies, with respect to the Negroes; some of them being
+absolutely inconsistent with reason, and shocking to humanity. By the
+329th act of the assembly of Barbadoes, page 125, it is enacted,
+
+"That if any Negroe or other slave under punishment by his master, or
+his order, for running away, or any other crime or misdemeanors towards
+his said master, unfortunately shall suffer in life or member, (which
+seldom happens) no person whatsoever shall be liable to any fine
+therefore. But if any man shall, _of wantonness, or only of
+bloody-mindedness or cruel intention, wilfully kill a Negroe, or other
+slave of his own, he shall pay into the public treasury, fifteen pounds
+sterling_." Now that the life of a man should be so lightly valued, as
+that fifteen pounds should be judged a sufficient indemnification of the
+murder of one, even when it is avowedly done _wilfully, wantonly,
+cruelly, or of bloody-mindedness_, is a tyranny hardly to be paralleled:
+nevertheless human laws cannot make void the righteous law of God, or
+prevent the inquisition of that awful judgment day, when, "_at the hand
+of every man's brother the life of man shall be required_." By the law
+of South Carolina, the person that killeth a Negroe is only subject to a
+fine, or twelve months imprisonment. It is the same in most, if not all
+the West-Indies. And by an act of the assembly of Virginia, (4 Ann. Ch.
+49. sect. 27. p. 227.) after proclamation is issued against slaves,
+"that run away and lie out, _it is lawful for any person whatsoever to
+kill and destroy such slaves, by such ways and means as he, she, or they
+shall think fit, without accusation or impeachment of any crime for the
+same_."--And lest private interest should incline the planter to mercy,
+it is provided, "_That every slave so killed, in pursuance of this act,
+shall be paid for by the public_."
+
+It was doubtless a like sense of sympathy with that expressed by Morgan
+Godwyn before mentioned, for the oppressed Negroes, and like zeal for
+the cause of religion, so manifestly trampled upon in the case of the
+Negroes, which induced Richard Baxter, an eminent preacher amongst the
+Dissenters in the last century, in his _christian directory_, to express
+himself as follows, viz. "Do you mark how God hath followed you with
+plagues; and may not conscience tell you, that it is for your inhumanity
+to the souls and bodies of men?"--"To go as pirates; and catch up poor
+Negroes, or people of another land, that never forfeited life or
+liberty, and to make them slaves, and sell them, is one of the worst
+kinds of thievery in the world; and such persons are to be taken for the
+common enemies of mankind; and they that buy them and use them as beasts
+for their mere commodity, and betray, or destroy, or neglect their
+souls, are fitter to be called devils incarnate than christians: It is
+an heinous sin to buy them, unless it be in charity to deliver them.
+Undoubtedly they are presently bound to deliver them, because by right
+the man is his own, therefore no man else can have a just title to him."
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. VIII.
+
+
+Griffith Hughes's account of the number of Negroes in Barbadoes. Cannot
+keep up their usual number without a yearly recruit. Excessive hardships
+wear the Negroes down in a surprising manner. A servitude without a
+condition, inconsistent with reason and natural justice. The general
+usage the Negroes meet with in the West Indies. Inhuman calculations of
+the strength and lives of the Negroes. Dreadful consequences which may
+be expected from the cruelty exercised upon this oppressed part of
+mankind.
+
+We are told by Griffith Hughes, rector of St. Lucy in Barbadoes, in his
+natural history of that island, printed in the year 1750, "That there
+were between sixty-five and seventy thousand Negroes, at that time, in
+the island, tho' formerly they had a greater number. That in order to
+keep up a necessary number, they were obliged to have a yearly supply
+from Africa. That the hard labour, and often want of necessaries, which
+these unhappy creatures are obliged to undergo, destroy a greater number
+than are bred there." He adds, "That the capacities of their minds in
+common affairs of life are but little inferior, if at all, to those of
+the Europeans. If they fail in some arts, he says, it may be owing more
+to their want of education, and the depression of their spirits by
+slavery, than to any want of natural abilities." This destruction of the
+human species, thro' unnatural hardships, and want of necessary
+supplies, in the case of the Negroes, is farther confirmed in _an
+account of the European settlements in America_, printed London, 1757,
+where it is said, par. 6. chap. 11th, "The Negroes in our colonies
+endure a slavery more compleat, and attended with far worse
+circumstances, than what any people in their condition suffer in any
+other part of the world, or have suffered in any other period of time:
+Proofs of this are not wanting. The prodigious waste which we experience
+in this unhappy part of our species, is a full and melancholy evidence
+of this truth. The island of Barbadoes, (the Negroes upon which do not
+amount to eighty thousand) notwithstanding all the means which they use
+to increase them by propagation, and that the climate is in every
+respect (except that of being more wholesome) exactly resembling the
+climate from whence they come; notwithstanding all this, Barbadoes lies
+under a necessity of an annual recruit of five thousand slaves, to keep
+up the stock at the number I have mentioned. This prodigious failure,
+which is at least in the same proportion in all our islands, shews
+demonstratively that some uncommon and unsupportable hardship lies upon
+the Negroes, which wears them down in such a surprising manner."
+
+In an account of part of North America, published by Thomas Jeffery,
+1761, the author, speaking of the usage the Negroes receive in the West
+India islands, says, "It is impossible for a human heart to reflect upon
+the servitude of these dregs of mankind, without in some measure feeling
+for their misery, which ends but with their lives.--Nothing can be more
+wretched than the condition of this people. One would imagine, they were
+framed to be the disgrace of the human species; banished from their
+country, and deprived of that blessing, liberty, on which all other
+nations set the greatest value, they are in a measure reduced to the
+condition of beasts of burden. In general, a few roots, potatoes
+especially, are their food, and two rags, which neither screen them from
+the heat of the day, nor the extraordinary coolness of the night, all
+their covering; their sleep very short; their labour almost continual;
+they receive no wages, but have twenty lashes for the smallest fault."
+_A thoughtful_ person, who had an opportunity of observing the miserable
+condition of the Negroes in one of our West India islands, writes thus,
+"I met with daily exercise to see the treatment which those miserable
+wretches met with from their masters; with but few exceptions. They whip
+them most unmercifully on small occasions: you will see their bodies all
+whealed and scarred; in short, they seem to set no other value on their
+lives, than as they cost them so much money; and are restrained from
+killing them, when angry, by no worthier consideration, than that they
+lose so much. They act as though they did not look upon them as a race
+of human creatures, who have reason, and remembrance of misfortunes, but
+as beasts; like oxen, who are stubborn, hardy, and senseless, fit for
+burdens, and designed to bear them: they won't allow them to have any
+claim to human privileges, or scarce indeed to be regarded as the work
+of God. Though it was consistent with the justice of our Maker to
+pronounce the sentence on our common parent, and through him on all
+succeeding generations, _That he and they should eat their bread by the
+sweat of their brows_: yet does it not stand recorded by the same
+eternal truth, _That the labourer is worthy of his hire?_ It cannot be
+allowed, in natural justice, that there should be a servitude without
+condition; a cruel, endless servitude. It cannot be reconcileable to
+natural justice, that whole nations, nay, whole continents of men,
+should be devoted to do the drudgery of life for others, be dragged away
+from their attachments of relations and societies, and be made to serve
+the appetite and pleasure of a race of men, whose superiority has been
+obtained by illegal force."
+
+Sir Hans Sloane, in the introduction to his natural history of Jamaica,
+in the account he gives of the treatment the Negroes met with there,
+speaking of the punishments inflicted on them, says, page 56. "For
+rebellion, the punishment is burning them, by nailing them down to the
+ground with crooked sticks on every limb, and then applying the fire, by
+degrees, from the feet and hands, burning them gradually up to the head,
+whereby _their pains are extravagant_. For crimes of a less nature,
+gelding or chopping off half the foot with an axe.--For negligence, they
+are usually whipped by the overseers with lance-wood switches.--After
+they are whipped till they are raw, some put on their skins pepper and
+salt, to make them smart; at other times, their masters will drop melted
+wax on their skins, and use several _very exquisite torments_." In that
+island, the owners of the Negroe slaves set aside to each a parcel of
+ground, and allow them half a day at the latter end of the week, which,
+with the day appointed by the divine injunction to be a day of rest and
+service to God, and which ought to be kept as such, is the only time
+allowed them to manure their ground. This, with a few herrings, or other
+salt fish, is what is given for their support. Their allowance for
+cloathing in the island, is seldom more than six yards of oznabrigs each
+year. And in the more northern colonies, where the piercing westerly
+winds are long and sensibly felt, these poor Africans suffer much for
+want of sufficient cloathing; indeed some have none till they are able
+to pay for it by their labour. The time that the Negroes work in the
+West Indies, is from day-break till noon; then again from two o'clock
+till dark (during which time, they are attended by overseers, who
+severely scourge those who appear to them dilatory); and before they are
+suffered to go to their quarters, they have still something to do, as
+collecting herbage for the horses, gathering fuel for the boilers, &c.
+so that it is often past twelve before they can get home, when they have
+scarce time to grind and boil their Indian corn; whereby, if their food
+was not prepared the evening before, it sometimes happens that they are
+called again to labour before they can satisfy their hunger. And here no
+delay or excuse will avail; for if they are not in the field immediately
+upon the usual notice, they must expect to feel the overseer's lash. In
+crop time (which lasts many months) they are obliged, by turns, to work
+most of the night in the boiling house. Thus their owners, from a desire
+of making the greatest gain by the labour of their slaves, lay heavy
+burdens on them, and yet feed and cloath them very sparingly, and some
+scarce feed or cloath them at all; so that the poor creatures are
+obliged to shift for their living in the best manner they can, which
+occasions their being often killed in the neighbouring lands, stealing
+potatoes, or other food, to satisfy their hunger. And if they take any
+thing from the plantation they belong to, though under such pressing
+want, their owners will correct them severely for taking a little of
+what they have so hardly laboured for; whilst many of themselves riot in
+the greatest luxury and excess. It is matter of astonishment how a
+people, who, as a nation, are looked upon as generous and humane, and so
+much value themselves for their uncommon sense of the benefit of
+liberty, can live in the practice of such extreme oppression and
+inhumanity, without seeing the inconsistency of such conduct, and
+feeling great remorse. Nor is it less amazing to hear these men calmly
+making calculations about the strength and lives of their fellow men. In
+Jamaica, if six in ten of the new imported Negroes survive the
+seasoning, it is looked upon as a gaining purchase. And in most of the
+other plantations, if the Negroes live eight or nine years, their labour
+is reckoned a sufficient compensation for their cost. If calculations of
+this sort were made upon the strength and labour of beasts of burden, it
+would not appear so strange; but even then, a merciful man would
+certainly use his beast with more mercy than is usually shewn to the
+poor Negroes. Will not the groans, the dying groans, of this deeply
+afflicted and oppressed people reach heaven? and when the cup of
+iniquity is full, must not the inevitable consequence be, the pouring
+forth of the judgments of God upon their oppressors? But alas! is it not
+too manifest that this oppression has already long been the object of
+the divine displeasure? For what heavier judgment, what greater
+calamity, can befal any people, than to become subject to that hardness
+of heart, that forgetfulness of God, and insensibility to every
+religious impression, as well as that general depravation of manners,
+which so much prevails in these colonies, in proportion as they have
+more or less enriched themselves at the expence of the blood and bondage
+of the Negroes.
+
+It is a dreadful consideration, as a late author remarks, that out of
+the stock of eighty thousand Negroes in Barbadoes, there die every year
+five thousand more than are born in that island; which failure is
+probably in the same proportion in the other islands. _In effect, this
+people is under a necessity of being entirely renewed every sixteen
+years._ And what must we think of the management of a people, who, far
+from increasing greatly, as those who have no loss by war ought to do,
+must, in so short a time as sixteen years, without foreign recruits, be
+entirely consumed to a man! Is it not a christian doctrine, _that the
+labourer is worthy of his hire?_ And hath not the Lord, by the mouth of
+his prophet, pronounced, _"Wo unto that man who buildeth his house by
+unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; who uses his neighbour's
+service without wages, and giveth him nought for his work?"_ And yet the
+poor Negro slaves are constrained, like the beasts, by beating, to work
+hard without hire or recompence, and receive nothing from the hand of
+their unmerciful masters, but such a wretched provision as will scarce
+support them under their fatigues. The intolerable hardships many of the
+slaves undergo, are sufficiently proved by the shortness of their
+lives.--And who are these miserable creatures, that receive such
+barbarous treatment from the planter? Can we restrain our just
+indignation, when we consider that they are undoubtedly _his brethren!
+his neighbours! the children of the same Father, and some of those for
+whom Christ died, as truly as for the planter himself_. Let the opulent
+planter, or merchant, prove that his Negro slave is not his brother, or
+that he is not his neighbour, in the scripture sense of these
+appellations; and if he is not able so to do, how will he justify the
+buying and selling of his brethren, as if they were of no more
+consideration than his cattle? The wearing them out with continual
+labour, before they have lived out half their days? The severe whipping
+and torturing them, even to death, if they resist his unsupportable
+tyranny? Let the hardiest slave-holder look forward to that tremendous
+day, when he must give an account to God of his stewardship; and let him
+seriously consider, whether, at such a time, he thinks he shall be able
+to satisfy himself, that any act of buying and selling, or the fate of
+war, or the birth of children in his house, plantation, or territories,
+or any other circumstance whatever, can give him such an absolute
+property in the persons of men, as will justify his retaining them as
+slaves, and treating them as beasts? Let him diligently consider whether
+there will not always remain to the slave a _superior_ property or right
+to the fruit of his own labour; and more especially to his own person;
+that being which was given him by God, and which none but the Giver can
+justly claim?
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. IX.
+
+
+The advantage which would have accrued to the natives of Guinea, if the
+Europeans had acted towards them agreeable to the dictates of humanity
+and christianity. _An inordinate_ desire of gain in the Europeans, the
+true occasion of the slave trade. Notice of the misrepresentations of
+the Negroes by most authors, in order to palliate the iniquity of the
+slave trade. Those misrepresentations refuted, particularly with respect
+_to the Hottentot Negroes_.
+
+From the foregoing accounts of the natural disposition of the Negroes,
+and the fruitfulness of most parts of Guinea, which are confirmed by
+authors of candour, who have wrote from their own knowledge, it may well
+be concluded, that the Negroes acquaintance with the Europeans might
+have been a happiness to them, if these last had not only bore the name,
+but had also acted the part, of Christians, and used their endeavours by
+example, as well as precept, to make them acquainted with the glad
+tidings of the gospel, which breathes peace and good will to man, and
+with that change of heart, that redemption from sin, which christianity
+proposeth; innocence and love might then have prevailed, nothing would
+have been wanting to complete the happiness of the simple Africans: but
+the reverse has happened; the Europeans, forgetful of their duty as men
+and christians, have conducted themselves in so iniquitous a manner, as
+must necessarily raise in the minds of the thoughtful and well-disposed
+Negroes, the utmost scorn and detestation of the very name of
+christians. All other considerations have given way to an infallible
+desire of gain, which has been the principal and moving cause of the
+most _iniquitous and dreadful scene_ that was, perhaps, ever acted upon
+the face of the earth; instead of making use of that superior knowledge
+with which the Almighty, the common Parent of mankind, had favoured
+them, to strengthen the principle of peace and good will in the breasts
+of the incautious Negroes, the Europeans have, by their bad example, led
+them into excess of drunkenness, debauchery, and avarice; whereby every
+passion of corrupt nature being inflamed, they have been easily
+prevailed upon to make war, and captivate one another; as well to
+furnish means for the excesses they had been habituated to, as to
+satisfy the greedy desire of gain in their profligate employers, who to
+this intent have furnished them with prodigious quantities of arms and
+ammunition. Thus they have been hurried into confusion, distress, and
+all the extremities of temporal misery; every thing, even the power of
+their Kings, has been made subservient to this wicked purpose; for
+instead of being protectors of their subjects, some of those rulers,
+corrupted by the excessive love of spirituous liquors, and the tempting
+baits laid before them by the factors, have invaded the liberties of
+their unhappy subjects, and are become their oppressors.
+
+Here it may be necessary to observe, that the accounts we have of the
+inhabitants of Guinea, are chiefly given by persons engaged in the
+trade, who, from self-interested views, have described them in such
+colours as were least likely to excite compassion and respect, and
+endeavoured to reconcile so manifest a violation of the rights of
+mankind to the minds of the purchasers; yet they cannot but allow the
+Negroes to be possessed of some good qualities, though they contrive as
+much as possible to cast a shade over them. A particular instance of
+this appears in Astley's collection, vol. 2. p. 73, where the author,
+speaking of the Mandingos settled at Galem, which is situated 900 miles
+up the Senegal, after saying that they carry on a commerce to all the
+neighbouring kingdoms, and amass riches, adds, "That excepting _the
+vices peculiar to the Blacks_, they are a good sort of people, honest,
+hospitable, just to their word, laborious, industrious, and very ready
+to learn arts and sciences." Here it is difficult to imagine what vices
+can be peculiarly attendant on a people so well disposed as the author
+describes these to be. With respect to the charge some authors have
+brought against them, as being void of all natural affection, it is
+frequently contradicted by others. In vol. 2. of the Collection, p. 275,
+and 629, the Negroes of North Guinea, and the Gold Coast, are said _to
+be fond of their children, whom they love with tenderness_. And Bosman
+says, p. 340, "Not a few in his country (viz. Holland) fondly imagine,
+that parents here sell their children, men their wives, and one brother
+the other: but those who think so deceive themselves; for this never
+happens on any other account but that of necessity, or some great
+crime." The same is repeated by J. Barbot, page 326, and also confirmed
+by Sir Hans Sloane, in the introduction to his natural history of
+Jamaica; where speaking of the Negroes, he says, "They are usually
+thought to be haters of their own children, and therefore it is believed
+that they sell and dispose of them to strangers for money: but this is
+not true; for the Negroes of Guinea being divided into several
+captainships, as well as the Indians of America, have wars; and besides
+those slain in battle, many prisoners are taken, who are sold as slaves,
+and brought thither: but the parents here, although their children are
+slaves for ever, yet have so great love for them, that no master dares
+sell, or give away, one of their little ones, unless they care not
+whether their parents hang themselves or no." J. Barbot, speaking of the
+occasion of the natives of Guinea being represented as a treacherous
+people, ascribes it to the Hollanders (and doubtless other Europeans)
+usurping authority, and fomenting divisions between the Negroes. At page
+110, he says, "It is well known that many of the European nations
+trading amongst these people, have very unjustly and inhumanly, without
+any provocation, stolen away, from time to time, abundance of the
+people, not only on this coast, but almost every where in Guinea, who
+have come on board their ships in a harmless and confiding manner: these
+they have in great numbers carried away, and sold in the plantations,
+with other slaves which they had purchased." And although some of the
+Negroes may be justly charged with indolence and supineness, yet many
+others are frequently mentioned by authors _as a careful, industrious,
+and even laborious_ people. But nothing shews more clearly how unsafe it
+is to form a judgment of distant people from the accounts given of them
+by travellers, who have taken but a transient view of things, than the
+case of the Hottentots, viz. those several nations of Negroes who
+inhabit the most southern part of Africa: _these people_ are represented
+by several authors, who appear to have very much copied their relations
+one from the other, as so savage and barbarous as to have little of
+human, but the shape: but these accounts are strongly contradicted by
+others, particularly Peter Kolben, who has given a circumstantial
+relation of the disposition and manners of those people.[A] He was a man
+of learning, sent from the court of Prussia solely to make astronomical
+and natural observations there; and having no interest in the slavery of
+the Negroes, had not the same inducement as most other relators had, to
+misrepresent the natives of Africa. He resided eight years at and about
+the Cape of Good Hope, during which time he examined with great care
+into the customs, manners, and opinions of the Hottentots; whence he
+sets these people in a quite different light from what they appeared in
+former authors, whom he corrects, and blames for the falsehoods they
+have wantonly told of them. At p. 61, he says, "The details we have in
+several authors, are for the most part made up of inventions and
+hearsays, which generally prove false." Nevertheless, he allows they are
+justly to be blamed for their sloth.--_The love of liberty and indolence
+is their all; compulsion is death to them. While necessity obliges them
+to work, they are very tractable, obedient, and faithful; but when they
+have got enough to satisfy the present want, they are deaf to all
+further intreaty_. He also faults them for their nastiness, the effect
+of sloth; and for their love of drink, and the practice of some
+unnatural customs, which long use has established amongst them; which,
+nevertheless, from the general good disposition of these people, there
+is great reason to believe they might be persuaded to refrain from, if a
+truly christian care had been extended towards them. He says, "They are
+eminently distinguished by many virtues, as their mutual benevolence,
+friendship, and hospitality; they breathe kindness and good will to one
+another, and seek all opportunities of obliging. Is a Hottentot's
+assistance required by one of his countrymen? he runs to give it. Is his
+advice asked? he gives it with sincerity. Is his countryman in want? he
+relieves him to the utmost of his power." Their hospitality extends even
+to European strangers: in travelling thro' the Cape countries, you meet
+with a chearful and open reception, in whatsoever village you come to.
+In short, he says, page 339, "The integrity of the Hottentots, their
+strictness and celerity in the execution of justice, and their charity,
+are equalled by few nations. _In alliances, their word is sacred; there
+being hardly any thing they look upon as a fouler crime than breach of
+engagements. Theft and adultery they punish with death_." They firmly
+believe there is a God, the author of all things, whom they call the God
+of gods; but it does not appear that they have an institution of worship
+directly regarding this supreme Deity. When pressed on this article,
+they excuse themselves by a tradition, "_That their first parents so
+grievously offended this great God, that he cursed them and their
+posterity with hardness of heart; so that they know little about him,
+and have less inclination to serve him_." As has been already remarked,
+these Hottentots are the only Negroe nations bordering on the sea, we
+read of, who are not concerned in making or keeping slaves. Those slaves
+made use of by the Hollanders at the Cape, are brought from other parts
+of Guinea. Numbers of these people told the author, "That the vices they
+saw prevail amongst christians; their avarice, their envy and hatred of
+one another; their restless discontented tempers; their lasciviousness
+and injustice, were the things that principally kept the Hottentots from
+hearkening to christianity."
+
+[Footnote A: See Kolban's account of the Cape of Good Hope.]
+
+Father Tachard, a French Jesuit, famous for his travels in the East
+Indies, in his account of these people, says, "The Hottentots have more
+honesty, love, and liberality for one another, than are almost anywhere
+seen amongst christians."
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. X.
+
+
+Man-stealing esteemed highly criminal, and punishable by the laws of
+Guinea: _No_ Negroes allowed to be sold for slaves there, but those
+deemed prisoners of war, or in punishment for crimes. _Some_ of the
+Negroe rulers, corrupted by the Europeans, violently infringe the laws
+of Guinea. The King of Barsailay noted in that respect.
+
+By an inquiry into the laws and customs formerly in use, and still in
+force amongst the Negroes, particularly on the Gold Coast, it will be
+found, that provision was made for the general peace, and for the safety
+of individuals; even in W. Bosman's time, long after the Europeans had
+established the slave-trade, the natives were not publicly enslaved, any
+otherwise than in punishment for crimes, when prisoners of war, or by a
+violent exertion of the power of their corrupted Kings. Where any of the
+natives were stolen, in order to be sold to the Europeans, it was done
+secretly, or at least, only connived at by those in power: this appears
+From Barbot and Bosman's account of the matter, both agreeing that
+man-stealing was not allowed on the Gold Coast. The first[A] says,
+"_Kidnapping or stealing of human creatures is punished there, and even
+sometimes with death._" And, W. Bosman, whose long residence on the
+coast, enabled him to speak with certainty, says,[B] "_That the laws
+were severe against murder, thievery, and adultery._" And adds, "_That
+man-stealing was punished on the Gold Coast with rigid severity and
+sometimes with death itself._" Hence it may be concluded, that the sale
+of the greatest part of the Negroes to the Europeans is supported by
+violence, in defiance of the laws, through the knavery of their
+principal men,[C] who, (as is too often the case with those in European
+countries) under pretence of encouraging trade, and increasing the
+public revenue, disregard the dictates of justice, and trample upon
+those liberties which they are appointed to preserve.
+
+[Footnote A: Barbot, p. 303.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Bosman, p. 143.]
+
+
+[Footnote C: Note. Barbot, page 270, says, the trade of slaves is in a
+more peculiar manner the business of Kings, rich men, and prime
+merchants, exclusive of the inferior sort of blacks.]
+
+Fr. Moor also mentions man-stealing as being discountenanced by the
+Negroe Governments on the river Gambia, and speaks of the inslaving the
+peaceable inhabitants, as a violence which only happens under a corrupt
+administration of justice; he says,[A] "The Kings of that country
+generally advise with their head men, scarcely doing any thing of
+consequence, without consulting them first, except the King of
+Barsailay, who being subject to hard drinking, is very absolute. It is
+to this King's insatiable thirst for brandy, that his subjects freedoms
+and families are in so precarious a situation.[B] Whenever this King
+wants goods or brandy, he sends a messenger to the English Governor at
+James Fort, to desire he would send a sloop there with a cargo: _this
+news, being not at all unwelcome_, the Governor sends accordingly;
+against the arrival of the sloop, the King goes and ransacks some of his
+enemies towns, seizing the people, and selling them for such commodities
+as he is in want of, which commonly are brandy, guns, powder, balls,
+pistols, and cutlasses, for his attendants and soldiers; and coral and
+silver for his wives and concubines. In case he is not at war with any
+neighbouring King, he then falls upon one of his own towns, which are
+numerous, and uses them in the same manner." "He often goes with some of
+his troops by a town in the day time, and returning in the night, sets
+fire to three parts of it, and putting guards at the fourth, there
+seizes the people as they run out from the fire; he ties their arms
+behind them, and marches them either to Joar or Cohone, where he sells
+them to the Europeans."
+
+[Footnote A: Moor, page 61.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Idem, p. 46.]
+
+A. Brue, the French director, gives much the same account, and says,[A]
+"That having received goods, he wrote to the King, that if he had a
+sufficient number of slaves, he was ready to trade with him. This
+Prince, as well as the other Negroe monarchs, has always a sure way of
+supplying his deficiencies, by selling his own subjects, for which they
+seldom want a pretence. The King had recourse to this method, by seizing
+three hundred of his own people, and sent word to the director, that he
+had the slaves ready to deliver for the goods." It seems, the King
+wanted double the quantity of goods which the factor would give him for
+these three hundred slaves; but the factor refusing to trust him, as he
+was already in the company's debt, and perceiving that this refusal had
+put the King much out of temper, he proposed that he should give him a
+licence for taking so many more of his people, as the goods he still
+wanted were worth but this the King refused, saying "_It_ might occasion
+a disturbance amongst his subjects."[B] Except in the above instance,
+and some others, where the power of the Negroe Kings is unlawfully
+exerted over their subjects, the slave-trade is carried on in Guinea
+with some regard to the laws of the country, which allow of none to be
+sold, but prisoners taken in their national wars, or people adjudged to
+slavery in punishment for crimes; but the largeness of the country, the
+number of kingdoms or commonwealths, and the great encouragement given
+by the Europeans, afford frequent pretences and opportunities to the
+bold designing profligates of one kingdom, to surprize and seize upon
+not only those of a neighbouring government, but also the weak and
+helpless of their own;[C] and the unhappy people, taken on those
+occasions, are, with impunity, sold to the Europeans. These practices
+are doubtless disapproved of by the most considerate amongst the
+Negroes, for Bosman acquaints us, that even their national wars are not
+agreeable to such. He says,[D] "If the person who occasioned the
+beginning of the war be taken, they will not easily admit him to ransom,
+though his weight in gold should be offered, for fear he should in
+future form some new design against their repose."
+
+[Footnote A: Collection vol. 2. p. 29.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Note, This Negroe King thus refusing to comply with the
+factor's wicked proposal, shews, he was sensible his own conduct was not
+justifiable; and it likewise appears, the factor's only concern was to
+procure the greatest number of slaves, without any regard to the
+injustice of the method by which they were procured. This Andrew Brue,
+was, for a long time, principal director of the French African factory
+in those parts; in the management of which, he is in the collection said
+to have had extraordinary success. The part he ought to have acted as a
+christian towards the ignorant Africans seems quite out of the question;
+the profit of his employers appears to have been his sole concern. At
+page 62, speaking of the country on the Senegal river, he says, "It was
+very populous, the soil rich; and if the people were industrious, they
+might, of their own produce, carry on a very advantageous trade with
+strangers; there being but few things in which they could be excelled;
+_but_ (he adds) _it is to be hoped, the Europeans will never let them
+into the secret._" A remark unbecoming humanity, much more
+christianity!]
+
+
+[Footnote C: This inhuman practice is particularly described by Brue, in
+collect. vol. 2. page 98, where he says, "That some of the natives are,
+on all occasions, endeavouring to surprize and carry off their country
+people. They land (says he) without noise, and if they find a lone
+cottage, without defence, they surround it, and carry off all the people
+and effects to their boat, and immediately reimbark." This seems to be
+mostly practised by some Negroes who dwell on the sea coast.]
+
+
+[Footnote D: Bosman, p. 155.]
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XI.
+
+
+An account of the shocking inhumanity, used in the carrying on of the
+slave-trade, as described by factors of different nations, viz. by
+Francis Moor, on the river Gambia; and by John Barbot, A. Brue, and
+William Bosman, through the coast of Guinea. _Note_. Of the large
+revenues arising to the Kings of Guinea from the slave-trade.
+
+First, Francis Moor, factor for the English African company, on the
+river Gambia,[A] writes, "That there are a number of Negro traders,
+called joncoes, or merchants, who follow the slave-trade as a business;
+their place of residence is so high up in the country as to be six weeks
+travel from James Fort, which is situate at the mouth of that river.
+These merchants bring down elephants teeth, and in some years two
+thousand slaves, most of which, they say, are prisoners taken in war.
+They buy them from the different Princes who take them; many of them are
+Bumbrongs and Petcharies; nations, who each of them have different
+languages, and are brought from a vast way inland. Their way of bringing
+them is tying them by the neck with leather thongs, at about a yard
+distant from each other, thirty or forty in a string, having generally a
+bundle of corn or elephants teeth upon each of their heads. In their way
+from the mountains, they travel thro' very great woods, where they
+cannot for some days get water; so they carry in skin bags enough to
+support them for a time. I cannot (adds Moor) be certain of the number
+of merchants who follow this trade, but there may, perhaps, be about an
+hundred, who go up into the inland country, with the goods which they
+buy from the white men, and with them purchase, in various countries,
+gold, slaves, and elephants teeth. Besides the slaves, which the
+merchants bring down, there are many bought along the river: These are
+either taken in war, as the former are, or men condemned for crimes; _or
+else people stolen, which is very frequent_.--Since the slave-trade has
+been used, all punishments are changed into slavery; there being an
+advantage on such condemnation, _they strain for crimes very hard, in
+order to get the benefit of selling the criminal_."
+
+[Footnote A: Moor, page 28.]
+
+John Barbot, the French factor, in his account of the manner by which
+the slaves are procured, says,[A] "The slaves sold by the Negroes, are
+for the most part prisoners of war, or taken in the incursions they make
+in their enemies territories; others are stolen away by their
+neighbours, when found abroad on the road, or in the woods; or else in
+the corn fields, at the time of the year when their parents keep them
+there all the day to scare away the devouring small birds." Speaking of
+the transactions on that part of Guinea called the Slave Coast, where
+the Europeans have the most factories, and from whence they bring away
+much the greatest number of slaves, the same author, and also Bosman[B]
+says, "The inhabitants of Coto do much mischief, in stealing those
+slaves they sell to the Europeans, from the upland country.--That the
+inhabitants of Popo excell the former; being endowed with a much larger
+share of courage, they rob more successfully, by which means they
+increase their riches and trade," The author particularly remarks,
+"_That they are encouraged in this practice by the Europeans_; sometimes
+it happens, according to the success of their inland excursions, that
+they are able to furnish two hundred slaves or more, in a few days." And
+he says,[C] "The blacks of Fida, or Whidah, are so expeditious in
+trading for slaves, that they can deliver a thousand every month."--"If
+there happens to be no stock of slaves there, the factor must trust the
+blacks with his goods, to the value of one hundred and fifty, or two
+hundred pounds; which goods they carry up into the inland country, to
+buy slaves at all markets,[D] for above six hundred miles up the
+country, where they are kept like cattle in Europe; the slaves sold
+there being generally prisoners of war, taken from their enemies like
+other booty, and perhaps some few sold by their own countrymen, in
+extreme want, or upon a famine, as also some as a punishment of heinous
+crimes." So far Barbot's account; that given by William Bosman is as
+follows:[E] "When the slaves which are brought from the inland countries
+come to Whidah, they are put in prison together; when we treat
+concerning buying them, they are all brought out together in a large
+plain, where, by our surgeons, they are thoroughly examined, and that
+naked, both men and women, without the least distinction or modesty.[F]
+Those which are approved as good, are set on one side; in the mean while
+a burning iron, with the arms or name of the company, lies in the fire,
+with which ours are marked on the breast. When we have agreed with the
+owners of the slaves, they are returned to their prisons, where, from
+that time forward, they are kept at our charge, and cost us two pence a
+day each slave, which serves to subsist them like criminals on bread and
+water; so that to save charges, we send them on board our ships the very
+first opportunity; before which, their masters strip them of all they
+have on their backs, so that they come on board stark naked, as well
+women as men. In which condition they are obliged to continue, if the
+master of the ship is not so charitable (which he commonly is) as to
+bestow something on them to cover their nakedness. Six or seven hundred
+are sometimes put on board a vessel, where they lie as close together as
+it is possible for them to be crowded."
+
+[Footnote A: John Barbot, page 47.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Bosman, page 310.]
+
+
+[Footnote C: Barbot, page 326.]
+
+
+[Footnote D: When the great income which arises to the Negroe Kings on
+the Slave-Coast, from the slaves brought thro' their several
+governments, to be shipped on board the European vessels, is considered,
+we have no cause to wonder that they give so great a countenance to that
+trade: William Bosman says, page 337, "_That each ship which comes to
+Whidah to trade, reckoning one with another, either by toll, trade, or
+custom, pays about four hundred pounds, and sometimes fifty ships come
+hither in a year." Barbot confirms the same, and adds, page 350, "That
+in the neighbouring kingdom of Ardah, the duty to the King is the value
+of seventy or eighty slaves for each trading ship_." Which is near half
+as much more as at Whidah; nor can the Europeans, concerned in the
+trade, with any degree of propriety, blame the African Kings for
+countenancing it, while they continue to send vessels, on purpose to
+take in the slaves which are thus stolen, and that they are permitted,
+under the sanction of national laws, to sell them to the colonies.]
+
+
+[Footnote E: Bosman, page 340.]
+
+
+[Footnote F: Note, from the above account of the indecent and shocking
+manner in which the unhappy Negroes are treated, it is reasonable for
+persons unacquainted with these people, to conclude them to be void of
+that natural modesty, so becoming a reasonable creature; but those who
+have had intercourse with the Blacks in these northern colonies, know
+that this would be a wrong conclusion, for they are indeed as
+susceptible of modesty and shame as other people. It is the unparallel'd
+brutality, to which the Europeans have, by long custom, been inured,
+which urgeth them, without blushing, to act so shameful a part. Such
+usage is certainly grievous to the poor Negroes, particularly the women;
+but they are slaves, and must submit to this, or any other abuse that is
+offered them by their cruel task-masters, or expect to be inhumanly
+tormented into acquiescence. That the Blacks are unaccustomed to such
+brutality, appears from an instance mentioned in Ashley's collection,
+vol. 2. page 201, viz. "At an audience which Casseneuve had of the King
+of Congo, where he was used with a great deal of civility by the Blacks,
+some slaves were delivered to him. The King observing Casseneuve
+(according to the custom of the Europeans) to handle the limbs of the
+slaves, burst out a laughing, as did the great men about him: the factor
+asking the interpreter the occasion of their mirth, was told it
+proceeded from his so nicely examining the slaves. Nevertheless, _the
+King was so ashamed of it, that he desired him, for decency's sake, to
+do it in a more private manner._"]
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XII.
+
+
+Extracts of several Journals of Voyages to the coast of Guinea for
+slaves, whereby the extreme inhumanity of that traffick is described.
+_Melancholy_ account of a ship blown up on that coast, with a great
+number of Negroes on board, _Instances_ of shocking barbarity
+perpetrated by masters of vessels towards their slaves. _Inquiry_ why
+these scandalous infringements, both of divine and human laws, are
+overlooked by the government.
+
+The misery and bloodshed attendant on the slave-trade, are set forth by
+the following extracts of two voyages to the coast of Guinea for slaves.
+The first in a vessel from Liverpool, taken _verbatim_ from the original
+manuscript of the Surgeon's Journal, _viz._
+
+"Sestro, December the 29th, 1724, No trade to day, though many traders
+came on board; they informed us, that the people are gone to war within
+land, and will bring prisoners enough in two or three days, in hopes of
+which we stay."
+
+The 30th. "No trade yet, but our traders came on board to day, and
+informed us the people had burnt four towns of their enemies, so that
+to-morrow we expect slaves off: another large ship is come in. Yesterday
+came in a large Londoner."
+
+The 31st. "Fair weather, but no trade yet; we see each night towns
+burning, but we hear the Sestro men are many of them killed by the
+inland Negroes, so that we fear this war will be unsuccessful."
+
+The 2d of January. "Last night we saw a prodigious fire break out about
+eleven o'clock, and this morning see the town of Sestro burnt down to
+the ground; (it contained some hundreds of houses) So that we find their
+enemies are too hard for them at present, and consequently our trade
+spoiled here; therefore, about seven o'clock, we weighed anchor, as did
+likewise the three other vessels, to proceed lower down."
+
+The second relation, also taken from the original manuscript Journal of
+a person of credit, who went surgeon on the same trade, in a vessel from
+New-York, about twenty years past, is as follows; _viz._ "Being on the
+coast, the Commander of the vessel, according to custom, sent a person
+on shore with a present to the King, acquainting him with his arrival,
+and letting him know, they wanted a cargo of slaves. The King promised
+to furnish them with the slaves; and, in order to do it, set out to go
+to war against his enemies; designing to surprise some town, and take
+all the people prisoners. Some time after, the King sent them word, he
+had not yet met with the desired success; having been twice repulsed, in
+attempting to break up two towns, but that he still hoped to procure a
+number of slaves for them; and in this design he persisted, till he met
+his enemies in the field, where a battle was fought, which lasted three
+days, during which time the engagement was so bloody that four thousand
+five hundred men were slain on the spot." The person who wrote the
+account, beheld the bodies, as they lay on the field of battle. "Think
+(says he in his Journal) what a pitiable sight it was, to see the widows
+weeping over their lost husbands, orphans deploring the loss of their
+fathers, &c. &c." In he 6th vol. of Churchill's collection of Voyages,
+page 219, we have the relation of a voyage performed by Captain Philips,
+in a ship of 450 tuns, along the coast of Guinea, for elephants teeth,
+gold, and Negroe slaves, intended for Barbadoes; in which he says, that
+they took "seven hundred slaves on board, the men being all put in irons
+two by two, shackled together to prevent their mutinying or swimming
+ashore. That the Negroes are so loth to leave their own country, that
+they often leap out of the canoe, boat, or ship, into the sea, and keep
+under water till they are drowned, to avoid being taken up, and saved by
+the boats which pursue them."--They had about twelve Negroes who
+willingly drowned themselves; others starved themselves to
+death.--Philips was advised to cut off the legs and arms of some to
+terrify the rest, (as other Captains had done) but this he refused to
+do. From the time of his taking the Negroes on board, to his arrival at
+Barbadoes, no less than three hundred and twenty died of various
+diseases.[A]
+
+[Footnote A: _The following relation is inserted at the request of the
+author._
+
+That I may contribute all in my power towards the good of mankind, by
+inspiring any individuals with a suitable abhorrence of that detestable
+practice of trading in our fellow-creatures, and in some measure atone
+for my neglect of duty as a Christian, in engaging in that wicked
+traffic, I offer to their serious consideration some few occurrences, of
+which I was an eye-witness; that being struck with the wretched and
+affecting scene, they may foster that humane principle, which is the
+noble and distinguished characteristic of man, and improve it to the
+benefit of their children's children.
+
+About the year 1749, I sailed from Liverpool to the coast of Guinea.
+Some time after our arrival, I was ordered to go up the country a
+considerable distance, upon having notice from one of the Negroe Kings,
+that he had a parcel of slaves to dispose of. I received my
+instructions, and went, carrying with me an account of such goods as we
+had on board, to exchange for the slaves we intended to purchase. Upon
+being introduced, I presented him with a small case of English spirits,
+a gun, and some trifles; which having accepted, and understood by an
+interpreter what goods we had, the next day was appointed for viewing
+the slaves; we found about two hundred confined in one place. But here
+how shall I relate the affecting sight I there beheld! How can I
+sufficiently describe the silent sorrow which appeared in the
+countenance of the afflicted father, and the painful anguish of the
+tender mother, expecting to be for ever separated from their tender
+offspring; the distressed maid, wringing her hands in presage of her
+future wretchedness, and the general cry of the innocent from a dreadful
+apprehension of the perpetual slavery to which they were doomed! Under a
+sense of my offence to God, in the persons of his creatures, I
+acknowledge I purchased eleven, whom I conducted tied two and two to the
+ship. Being but a small ship, (ninety ton) we soon purchased our cargo,
+consisting of one hundred and seventy slaves, whom thou mayest, reader,
+range in thy view, as they were shackled two and two together, pent up
+within the narrow confines of the main deck, with the complicated
+distress of sickness, chains, and contempt; deprived of every fond and
+social tie, and, in a great measure, reduced to a state of desperation.
+We had not been a fortnight at sea, before the fatal consequence of this
+despair appeared; they formed a design of recovering their natural
+right, LIBERTY, by rising and murdering every man on board; but the
+goodness of the Almighty rendered their scheme abortive, and his mercy
+spared us to have time to repent. The plot was discovered; the
+ring-leader, tied by the two thumbs over the barricade door, at sun-rise
+received a number of lashes: in this situation he remained till sun-set,
+exposed to the insults and barbarity of the brutal crew of sailors, with
+full leave to exercise their cruelty at pleasure. The consequence of
+this was, that next morning the miserable sufferer was found dead,
+flayed from the shoulders to the waist. The next victim was a youth,
+who, from too strong a sense of his misery, refused nourishment, and
+died disregarded and unnoticed, till the hogs had fed on part of his
+flesh. Will not christianity blush at this impious sacrilege? May the
+relation of it serve to call back the struggling remains of humanity in
+the hearts of those, who, from a love of wealth, partake in any degree
+of this oppressive gain; and have such an effect on the minds of the
+sincere, as may be productive of peace, the happy effect of true
+repentance for past transgressions, and a resolution to renounce all
+connexion with it for the time to come.]
+
+Reader, bring the matter home to thy own heart, and consider whether any
+situation can be more completely miserable than that of these distressed
+captives. When we reflect that each individual of this number had
+probably some tender attachment, which was broken by this cruel
+separation; some parent or wife, who had not an opportunity of mingling
+tears in a parting embrace; perhaps some infants, or aged parents, whom
+his labour was to feed, and vigilance protect; themselves under the most
+dreadful apprehension of an unknown perpetual slavery; confined within
+the narrow limits of a vessel, where often several hundreds lie as close
+as possible. Under these aggravated distresses, they are often reduced
+to a state of despair, in which many have been frequently killed, and
+some deliberately put to death under the greatest torture, when they
+have attempted to rise, in order to free themselves from present misery,
+and the slavery designed them. Many accounts of this nature might be
+mentioned; indeed from the vast number of vessels employed in the trade,
+and the repeated relations in the public prints of Negroes rising on
+board the vessels from Guinea, it is more than probable, that many such
+instances occur every year. I shall only mention one example of this
+kind, by which the reader may judge of the rest; it is in Astley's
+collection, vol. 2. p. 449, related by John Atkins, surgeon on board
+admiral Ogle's squadron, of one "Harding, master of a vessel in which
+several of the men-slaves and women-slaves had attempted to rise, in
+order to recover their liberty; some of whom the master, of his own
+authority, sentenced to cruel death, making them first eat the heart and
+liver of one of those he had killed. The woman he hoisted by the thumbs,
+whipped, and slashed with knives before the other slaves, till she
+died."[A] As detestable and shocking as this may appear to such whose
+hearts are not yet hardened by the practice of that cruelty, which the
+love of wealth by degrees introduceth into the human mind, it will not
+be strange to those who have been concerned or employed in the trade.
+
+[Footnote A: A memorable instance of some of the dreadful effects of the
+slave-trade, happened about five years past, on a ship from this port,
+then at anchor about three miles from shore, near Acra Fort, on the
+coast of Guinea. They had purchased between four and five hundred
+Negroes, and were ready to sail for the West Indies. It is customary on
+board those vessels, to keep the men shackled two by two, each by one
+leg to a small iron bar; these are every day brought on the deck for the
+benefit of air; and lest they should attempt to recover their freedom,
+they are made fast to two common chains, which are extended on each side
+the main deck; the women and children are loose. This was the situation
+of the slaves on board this vessel, when it took fire by means of a
+person who was drawing spirits by the light of a lamp; the cask
+bursting, the fire spread with so much violence, that in about ten
+minutes, the sailors, apprehending it impossible to extinguish it before
+it could reach a large quantity of powder they had on board, concluded
+it necessary to cast themselves into the sea, as the only chance of
+saving their lives; and first they endeavoured to loose the chains by
+which the Negroe men were fastened to the deck; but in the confusion the
+key being missing, they had but just time to loose one of the chains by
+wrenching the staple; when the vehemence of the fire so increased, that
+they all but one man jumped over board, when immediately the fire having
+gained the powder, the vessel blew up with all the slaves who remained
+fastened to the one chain, and such others as had not followed the
+sailors examples. There happened to be three Portugueze vessels in
+sight, who, with others from the shore, putting out their boats, took up
+about two hundred and fifty of those poor souls who remained alive; of
+which number, about fifty died on shore, being mostly of those who were
+fettered together by iron shackles, which, as they jumped into the sea,
+had broke their legs, and these fractures being inflamed by so long a
+struggle in the sea, probably mortified, which occasioned the death of
+every one that was so wounded. The two hundred remaining alive, were
+soon disposed of, for account of the owners to other purchasers.]
+
+Now here arises a necessary query to those who hold the balance of
+justice, and who must be accountable to God for the use they have made
+of it, That as the principles on which the British constitution is
+founded, are so favourable to the common rights of mankind, how it has
+happened that the laws which countenance this iniquitous traffic, have
+obtained the sanction of the legislature? and that the executive part of
+the government should so long shut their ears to continual reports of
+the barbarities perpetrated against this unhappy people, and leave the
+trading subjects at liberty to trample on the most precious rights of
+others, even without a rebuke? Why are the masters of vessels thus
+suffered to be the sovereign arbiters of the lives of the miserable
+Negroes, and allowed with impunity thus to destroy (may I not properly
+say, _to murder_) their fellow-creatures; and that by means so cruel, as
+cannot be even related but with shame and horror?
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XIII.
+
+
+Usage of the Negroes, when they arrive in the West Indies. An hundred
+thousand Negroes brought from Guinea every year to the English colonies.
+The number of Negroes who die in the passage and seasoning. These are,
+properly speaking, murdered by the prosecution of this infamous traffic.
+Remarks on its dreadful _effects and tendency_.
+
+When the vessels arrive at their destined port in the colonies, the poor
+Negroes are to be disposed of to the planters; and here they are again
+exposed naked, without any distinction of sexes, to the brutal
+examination of their purchasers; and this, it may well be judged, is, to
+many, another occasion of deep distress. Add to this, that near
+connexions must now again be separated, to go with their several
+purchasers; this must be deeply affecting to all, but such whose hearts
+are seared by the love of gain. Mothers are seen hanging over their
+daughters, bedewing their naked breasts with tears, and daughters
+clinging to their parents, not knowing what new stage of distress must
+follow their separation, or whether they shall ever meet again. And here
+what sympathy, what commiseration, do they meet with? Why, indeed, if
+they will not separate as readily as their owners think proper, the
+whipper is called for, and the lash exercised upon their naked bodies,
+till obliged to part. Can any human heart, which is not become callous
+by the practice of such cruelties, be unconcerned, even at the relation
+of such grievous affliction, to which this oppressed part of our species
+are subjected.
+
+In a book, printed in Liverpool, called _The Liverpool Memorandum_,
+which contains, amongst other things, an account of the trade of that
+port, there is an exact list of the vessels employed in the Guinea
+trade, and of the number of slaves imported in each vessel; by which it
+appears that in the year 1753, the number imported to America by one
+hundred and one vessels belonging to that port, amounted to upwards of
+thirty thousand; and from the number of vessels employed by the African
+company in London and Bristol, we may, with some degree of certainty,
+conclude, there are one hundred thousand Negroes purchased and brought
+on board our ships yearly from the coast of Africa. This is confirmed in
+Anderson's history of Trade and Commerce, lately printed; where it is
+said,[A] "That England supplies her American colonies with Negroe
+slaves, amounting in number to above one hundred thousand every year."
+When the vessels are full freighted with slaves, they sail for our
+plantations in America, and may be two or three months in the voyage;
+during which time, from the filth and stench that is among them,
+distempers frequently break out, which carry off commonly a fifth, a
+fourth, yea sometimes a third or more of them: so that taking all the
+slaves together, that are brought on board our ships yearly, one may
+reasonably suppose, that at least ten thousand of them die on the
+voyage. And in a printed account of the state of the Negroes in our
+plantations, it is supposed that a fourth part, more or less, die at the
+different islands, in what is called the seasoning. Hence it may be
+presumed, that at a moderate computation of the slaves who are purchased
+by our African merchants in a year, near thirty thousand die upon the
+voyage, and in the seasoning. Add to this, the prodigious number who are
+killed in the incursions and intestine wars, by which the Negroes
+procure the number of slaves wanted to load the vessels. How dreadful
+then is this slave-trade, whereby so many thousands of our fellow
+creatures, free by nature, endued with the same rational faculties, and
+called to be heirs of the same salvation with us, lose their lives, and
+are, truly and properly speaking, murdered every year! For it is not
+necessary, in order to convict a man of murder, to make it appear that
+he had an _intention_ to commit murder; whoever does, by unjust force or
+violence, deprive another of his liberty, and, while he hath him in his
+power, continues so to oppress him by cruel treatment, as eventually to
+occasion his death, is actually guilty of murder. It is enough to make a
+thoughtful person tremble, to think what a load of guilt lies upon our
+nation on this account; and that the blood of thousands of poor innocent
+creatures, murdered every year in the prosecution of this wicked trade,
+cries aloud to Heaven for vengeance. Were we to hear or read of a nation
+that destroyed every year, in some other way, as many human creatures as
+perish in this trade, we should certainly consider them as a very
+bloody, barbarous people; if it be alledged, that the legislature hath
+encouraged, and still does encourage this trade, It is answered, that no
+legislature on earth can alter the nature of things, so as to make that
+to be right which is contrary to the law of God, (the supreme Legislator
+and Governor of the world) and opposeth the promulgation of the Gospel
+of _peace on earth, and good will to man_. Injustice may be methodized
+and established by law, but still it will be injustice, as much as it
+was before; though its being so established may render men more
+insensible of the guilt, and more bold and secure in the perpetration of
+it.
+
+[Footnote A: Appendix to Anderson's history, p. 68.]
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XIV.
+
+
+Observations on the disposition and capacity of the Negroes: Why thought
+inferior to that of the Whites. Affecting instances of the slavery of
+the Negroes. Reflections thereon.
+
+Doubts may arise in the minds of some, whether the foregoing accounts,
+relating to the natural capacity and good disposition of the inhabitants
+of Guinea, and of the violent manner in which they are said to be torn
+from their native land, are to be depended upon; as those Negroes who
+are brought to us, are not heard to complain, and do but seldom manifest
+such a docility and quickness of parts, as is agreeable thereto. But
+those who make these objections, are desired to note the many
+discouragements the poor Africans labour under, when brought from their
+native land. Let them consider, that those afflicted strangers, though
+in an _enlightened Christian country_, have yet but little opportunity
+or encouragement to exert and improve their natural talents: They are
+constantly employed in servile labour; and the abject condition in which
+we see them, naturally raises an idea of a superiority in ourselves;
+whence we are apt to look upon them as an ignorant and contemptible part
+of mankind. Add to this, that they meet with very little encouragement
+of freely conversing with such of the Whites, as might impart
+instruction to them. It is a fondness for wealth, for authority, or
+honour, which prompts most men in their endeavours to excell; but these
+motives can have little influence upon the minds of the Negroes; few of
+them having any reasonable prospect of any other than a state of
+slavery; so that, though their natural capacities were ever so good,
+they have neither inducement or opportunity to exert them to advantage:
+This naturally tends to depress their minds, and sink their spirits into
+habits of idleness and sloth, which they would, in all likelihood, have
+been free from, had they stood upon an equal footing with the white
+people. They are suffered, with impunity, to cohabit together, without
+being married; and to part, when solemnly engaged to one another as man
+and wife; notwithstanding the moral and religious laws of the land,
+strictly prohibiting such practices. This naturally tends to beget
+apprehensions in the most thoughtful of those people, that we look upon
+them as a lower race, not worthy of the same care, nor liable to the
+same rewards and punishments as ourselves. Nevertheless it may with
+truth be said, that both amongst those who have obtained their freedom,
+and those who remain in servitude, some have manifested a strong
+sagacity and an exemplary uprightness of heart. If this hath not been
+generally the case with them, is it a matter of surprize? Have we not
+reason to make the same complaint of many white servants, when
+discharged from our service, though many of them have had much greater
+opportunities of knowledge and improvement than the blacks; who, even
+when free, labour under the same difficulties as before: having but
+little access to, and intercourse with, the most reputable white people,
+they remain confined within their former limits of conversation. And if
+they seldom complain of the unjust and cruel usage they have received,
+in being forced from their native country, &c. it is not to be wondered
+at; it being a considerable time after their arrival amongst us, before
+they can speak our language; and, by the time they are able to express
+themselves, they have great reason to believe, that little or no notice
+would be taken of their complaints: yet let any person enquire of those
+who were capable of reflection, before they were brought from their
+native land, and he will hear such affecting relations, as, if not lost
+to the common feelings of humanity, will sensibly affect his heart. The
+case of a poor Negroe, not long since brought from Guinea, is a recent
+instance of this kind. From his first arrival, he appeared thoughtful
+and dejected, frequently dropping tears when taking notice of his
+master's children, the cause of which was not known till he was able to
+speak English, when the account he gave of himself was, "That he had a
+wife and children in his own country; that some of these being sick and
+thirsty, he went in the night time, to fetch water at a spring, where he
+was violently seized and carried away by persons who lay in wait to
+catch men, from whence he was transported to America. The remembrance of
+his family, friends, and other connections, left behind, which he never
+expected to see any more, were the principal cause of his dejection and
+grief." Many cases, equally affecting, might be here mentioned; but one
+more instance, which fell under the notice of a person of credit, will
+suffice. One of these wretched creatures, then about 50 years of age,
+informed him, "That being violently torn from a wife and several
+children in Guinea, he was sold in Jamaica, where never expecting to see
+his native land or family any more, he joined himself to a Negroe woman,
+by whom he had two children: after some years, it suiting the interest
+of his owner to remove him, he was separated from his second wife and
+children, and brought to South Carolina, where, expecting to spend the
+remainder of his days, he engaged with a third wife, by whom he had
+another child; but here the same consequence of one man being subject to
+the will and pleasure of another man occurring, he was separated from
+this last wife and child, and brought into this country, where he
+remained a slave." Can any, whose mind is not rendered quite obdurate by
+the love of wealth, hear these relations, without being deeply touched
+with sympathy and sorrow? And doubtless the case of many, very many of
+these afflicted people, upon enquiry, would be found to be attended with
+circumstances equally tragical and aggravating. And if we enquire of
+those Negroes, who were brought away from their native country when
+children, we shall find most of them to have been stolen away, when
+abroad from their parents, on the roads, in the woods, or watching their
+corn-fields. Now, you that have studied the book of conscience, and you
+that are learned in the law, what will you say to such deplorable cases?
+When, and how, have these oppressed people forfeited their liberty? Does
+not justice loudly call for its being restored to them? Have they not
+the same right to demand it, as any of us should have, if we had been
+violently snatched by pirates from our native land? Is it not the duty
+of every dispenser of justice, who is not forgetful of his own humanity,
+to remember that these are men, and to declare them free? Where
+instances of such cruelty frequently occur, and are neither enquired
+into, nor redressed, by those whose duty it is _to seek judgment, and
+relieve the oppressed_, Isaiah i. 17. what can be expected, but that the
+groans and cries of these sufferers will reach Heaven; and what shall we
+do _when God riseth up? and when he visiteth_, what will ye answer him?
+_Did not he that made them, make us; and did not one fashion us in the
+womb_? Job xxxi. 14.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP XIV.
+
+
+The expediency of a general freedom being granted to the Negroes
+considered. _Reasons_ why it might be productive of advantage and
+_safety to the Colonies_.
+
+It is scarce to be doubted, but that the foregoing accounts will beget
+in the heart of the considerate readers an earnest desire to see a stop
+put to this complicated evil, but the objection with many is, What shall
+be done with those Negroes already imported, and born in our families?
+Must they be sent to Africa? That would be to expose them, in a strange
+land, to greater difficulties than many of them labour under at present.
+To let them suddenly free here, would be perhaps attended with no less
+difficulty; for, undiciplined as they are in religion and virtue, they
+might give a loose to those evil habits, which the fear of a master
+would have restrained. These are objections, which weigh with many well
+disposed people, and it must be granted, these are difficulties in the
+way; nor can any general change be made, or reformation effected,
+without some; but the difficulties are not so great but that they may be
+surmounted. If the government was so considerate of the iniquity and
+danger attending on this practice, as to be willing to seek a remedy,
+doubtless the Almighty would bless this good intention, and such methods
+would be thought of, as would not only put an end to the unjust
+oppression of the Negroes, but might bring them under regulations, that
+would enable them to become profitable members of society; for the
+furtherance of which, the following proposals are offered to
+consideration: That all farther importation of slaves be absolutely
+prohibited; and as to those born among us, after serving so long as may
+appear to be equitable, let them by law be declared free. Let every one,
+thus set free, be enrolled in the county courts, and be obliged to be a
+resident, during a certain number of years, within the said county,
+under the care of the overseers of the poor. Thus being, in some sort,
+still under the direction of governors, and the notice of those who were
+formerly acquainted with them, they would be obliged to act the more
+circumspectly, and make proper use of their liberty, and their children
+would have an opportunity of obtaining such instructions, as are
+necessary to the common occasions of life; and thus both parents and
+children might gradually become useful members of the community. And
+further, where the nature of the country would permit, as certainly the
+uncultivated condition of our southern and most western colonies easily
+would, suppose a small tract of land were assigned to every Negroe
+family, and they obliged to live upon and improve it, (when not hired
+out to work for the white people) this would encourage them to exert
+their abilities, and become industrious subjects. Hence, both planters
+and tradesmen would be plentifully supplied with chearful and
+willing-minded labourers, much vacant land would be cultivated, the
+produce of the country be justly increased, the taxes for the support of
+government lessened to individuals, by the increase of taxables, and the
+Negroes, instead of being an object of terror,[A] as they certainly must
+be to the governments where their numbers are great, would become
+interested in their safety and welfare.
+
+[Footnote A: The hard usage the Negroes meet with in the plantations,
+and the great disproportion between them and the white people, will
+always be a just cause of terror. In Jamaica, and some parts of
+South-Carolina, it is supposed that there are fifteen blacks to one
+white.]
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XV.
+
+
+Answer to a mistaken opinion, that the warmth of the climate in the
+West-Indies, will not permit white people to labour there. No complaint
+of disability in the whites, in that respect, in the settlement of the
+islands. Idleness and diseases prevailed, as the use of slaves
+increased. _The great_ advantage which might accrue to the British
+nation, if the slave trade was entirely laid aside, and a fair and
+friendly commerce established through the whole coast of Africa.
+
+It is frequently offered as an argument, in vindication of the use of
+Negroe slaves, that the warmth of the climate in the West Indies will
+not permit white people to labour in the culture of the land: but upon
+an acquaintance with the nature of the climate, and its effects upon
+such labouring white people, as are prudent and moderate in labour, and
+the use of spirituous liquors, this will be found to be a mistaken
+opinion. Those islands were, at first, wholly cultivated by white men;
+the encouragement they then met with, for a long course of years, was
+such as occasioned a great increase of people. Richard Ligon, in his
+history of Barbadoes, where he resided from the year 1647 to 1650, about
+24 years after his first settlement, writes, "that there were then fifty
+thousand souls on that island, besides Negroes; and that though the
+weather was very hot, yet not so scalding but that servants, both
+christians and slaves, laboured ten hours a day." By other accounts we
+gather, that the white people have since decreased to less than one half
+the number which was there at that time; and by relations of the first
+settlements of the other islands, we do not meet with any complaints of
+unfitness in the white people for labour there, before slaves were
+introduced. The island of Hispaniola, which is one of the largest of
+those islands, was at first planted by the Buccaneers, a set of hardy
+laborious men, who continued so for a long course of years; till
+following the example of their neighbours, in the purchase and use of
+Negroe slaves, idleness and excess prevailing, debility and disease
+naturally succeeded, and have ever since continued. If, under proper
+regulations, liberty was proclaimed through the colonies, the Negroes,
+from dangerous, grudging, half-fed slaves, might become able,
+willing-minded labourers. And if there was not a sufficient number of
+these to do the necessary work, a competent number of labouring people
+might be procured from Europe, which affords numbers of poor distressed
+objects, who, if not overlooked, with proper usage, might, in several
+respects, better answer every good purpose in performing the necessary
+labour in the islands, than the slaves now do.
+
+A farther considerable advantage might accrue to the British nation in
+general, if the slave trade was laid aside, by the cultivation of a
+fair, friendly, and humane commerce with the Africans; without which, it
+is not possible the inland trade of that country should ever be extended
+to the degree it is capable of; for while the spirit of butchery and
+making slaves of each other, is promoted by the Europeans amongst the
+Negroes, no mutual confidence can take place; nor will the Europeans be
+able to travel with safety into the heart of their country, to form and
+cement such commercial friendships and alliances, as might be necessary
+to introduce the arts and sciences amongst them, and engage their
+attention to instruction in the principles of the christian religion,
+which is the only sure foundation of every social virtue. Africa has
+about ten thousand miles of sea coast, and extends in depth near three
+thousand miles from east to west, and as much from north to south,
+stored with vast treasures of materials, necessary for the trade and
+manufactures of Great-Britain; and from its climate, and the
+fruitfulness of its soil, capable, under proper management, of producing
+in the greatest plenty, most of the commodities which are imported into
+Europe from those parts of America subject to the English government;[A]
+and as, in return, they would take our manufactures, the advantages of
+this trade would soon become so great, that it is evident this subject
+merits the regard and attention of the government.
+
+[Footnote A: See note, page 109.]
+
+
+
+
+
+EXTRACT
+
+FROM A
+
+REPRESENTATION
+
+OF THE
+
+INJUSTICE
+
+AND
+
+DANGEROUS TENDENCY
+
+OF TOLERATING
+
+SLAVERY;
+
+
+OR
+
+
+Admitting the least CLAIM of private Property in the Persons of Men in
+_England_.
+
+
+By GRANVILLE SHARP.
+
+
+FIRST PRINTED IN LONDON.
+
+
+MDCCLXIX.
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+_The occasion of this Treatise. All Persons during their residence in_
+Great Britain _are subjects; and as such, bound to the laws, and under
+the Kings protection. By the English laws, no man, of what condition
+soever, to be imprisoned, or any way deprived of his_ LIBERTY, _without
+a legal process. The danger of_ Slavery _taking place in England.
+Prevails in the Northern Colonies, notwithstanding the people's plea in
+favour of_ Liberty. _Advertisements in the New-York Journal for the sale
+of_ SLAVES. _Advertisements to the same purpose in the public prints in
+England. The danger of confining any person without a legal warrant.
+Instances of that nature. Note, Extract of several American laws,
+Reflexions thereon._
+
+EXTRACT, &C.
+
+Some persons respectable in the law, having given it as their opinion,
+"_That a slave, by coming from the West Indies to Great Britain or
+Ireland, either with or without his master, doth not become free, or
+that his master's property or right in him is not thereby determined or
+varied;--and that the master may legally compel him to return again to
+the plantations_,"--this causes our author to remark, that these
+lawyers, by thus stating the case merely on one side of the question, (I
+mean in favour of the master) have occasioned an unjust presumption and
+prejudice, plainly inconsistent with the laws of the realm, and against
+the other side of the question; as they have not signified that their
+opinion was only conditional, and not absolute, and must be understood
+on the part of the master, "_That he can produce an authentic agreement
+or contract in writing, by which it shall appear, that the said slave
+hath voluntarily bound himself, without compulsion or illegal duress_."
+
+Page 5. Indeed there are many instances of persons being freed from
+slavery by the laws of England, but (God be thanked) there is neither
+law, nor even a precedent, (at least I have not been able to find one)
+of a legal determination to justify a master in claiming or detaining
+any person whatsoever as a slave in England, who has not voluntarily
+bound himself as such by a contract in writing.
+
+Page 20. An English subject cannot be made a slave without his own free
+consent: but--a foreign slave is made a subject with or without his own
+consent: there needs no contract for this purpose, as in the other case;
+nor any other act or deed whatsoever, but that of his being landed in
+England; For according to statute 32d of Henry VIII. c. 16. Sect. 9.
+"_Every alien or stranger born out of the King's obeisance, not being
+denizen, which now or hereafter shall come into this realm, or elsewhere
+within the King's dominions, shall, after the said first of September
+next coming, be bounden by and unto the laws and statutes of this realm,
+and to all and singular the contents of the same._"
+
+Now it must be observed, that this law makes no distinction of _bond or
+free_, neither of colours or complexions, whether of _black, brown_, or
+_white_; for "_every alien or stranger_ (without exception) _are bounden
+by and unto the law_, &c."
+
+This binding, or obligation, is properly expressed by the English word
+_ligeance, (a ligando_) which may be either perpetual or temporary.
+Wood, b. I. c. 3. p. 37. But one of these is indispensably due to the
+Sovereign from all ranks and conditions of people; their being bounden
+unto the laws, (upon which the Sovereign's right is founded) expresses
+and implies this subjection to the laws; and therefore to alledge, that
+an alien is not a subject, because he is in bondage, is not only a plea
+without foundation, but a contradiction in terms; for every person who,
+in any respect, is in subjection to the laws, must undoubtedly be a
+subject.
+
+I come now to the main point--"_That every man, woman, or child, that
+now is, or hereafter shall be, an inhabitant or resiant of this kingdom
+of England, dominion of Wales, or town of Berwick upon Tweed,_" is, in
+some respect or other, the _King's subject_, and, as such, is absolutely
+secure in his or her _personal liberty_, by virtue of a statute, 31st
+Car. II. ch. 11. and particularly by the 12th Sect. of the same, wherein
+subjects of all conditions are plainly included.
+
+This act is expressly intended for the better securing the liberty of
+the subject, and for prevention of imprisonment beyond the seas. It
+contains no distinction of "_natural born, naturalized, denizen, or
+alien subject; nor of white or black, freemen, or even of bond-men_,"
+(except in the case already mentioned _of a contract in writing_, by
+which it shall appear, _that the said slave has voluntarily bound
+himself, without compulsion or illegal duress_, allowed by the 13th
+Sect. and the exception likewise in the 14th Sect. concerning felons)
+but they are all included under the general titles of "_the subject, any
+of the said subjects, every such person_" &c. Now the definition of the
+word "_person_," in its relative or civil capacity (according to Wood.
+b. I. c. 11. p. 27.) _is either the King, or a subject_. These are the
+_only capital distinctions_ that can be made, tho' the latter consists
+of a variety of denominations and degrees.
+
+But if I were even to allow, that a _Negroe slave_ is not a subject,
+(though I think I have clearly proved that he is) yet it is plain that
+such an one ought not to be denied the benefit of the King's court,
+unless the slave-holder shall be able to prove likewise that he is not,
+a _Man_; because _every man_ may be _free_ to sue for, and _defend his
+right in our courts_, says a stat. 20th Edw. III. c. 4. and elsewhere,
+according to law. And _no man, of what estate or condition_ that he be,
+(here can be no exception whatsoever) _shall be put out of land or
+tenement, nor taken, nor imprisoned, nor disinherited, nor put to death,
+without being brought in answer by due process of the law_. 28th Edw.
+III, c. 3, _No man_ therefore, _of what estate or condition that he be_,
+can lawfully be detained in England _as a slave_; because we have no law
+whereby a man _may be_ condemned to _slavery_ without his own consent,
+(for even convicted felons must "_in open court pray to transported_.")
+(See Habeas Corpus act, Sect. 14.) and therefore there cannot be any
+"_due process of the law_" tending to so base a purpose. It follows
+therefore, that every man, who presumes to detain _any person_
+whatsoever as a slave, otherwise than by virtue of a written contract,
+acts manifestly without "_due process of the law_," and consequently is
+liable to the slave's "_action of false imprisonment_," because "_every
+man may be free to sue_," &c. so that the slave-holder cannot avail
+himself of his imaginary _property_, either by the assistance of the
+common law, or of a court of equity, (_except it appears that the said
+slave has voluntarily bound himself, without compulsion or illegal
+duress_) for in both his suit will certainly appear both unjust and
+indefensible. The former cannot assist him, because the statute law at
+present is so far from supposing any man in a state of slavery, that it
+cannot even permit such a state, except in the two cases mentioned in
+the 13th and 14th Section of the Habeas Corpus act; and the courts of
+equity likewise must necessarily decide against him, because his mere
+mercenary plea of _private property_ cannot equitably, in a case between
+_man and man_, stand in competition with that _superior property_ which
+every man must necessarily be allowed to have in his own _proper
+person_.
+
+How then is the slave-holder to secure what he esteems his _property?_
+Perhaps he will endeavour clandestinely to seize the supposed slave, in
+order to transport him (with or without _his consent_) to the colonies,
+where such property is allowed: but let him take care what he does, the
+very attempt is punishable; and even the making over his property to
+another for that purpose, renders him equally liable to the severe
+penalties of the law, for a bill of sale may certainly be included under
+the terms expressed in the Habeas Corpus act, 12th Sect. viz. "_Any
+warrant or writing for such commitment, detainer, imprisonment, or
+transportation," &c._ It is also dangerous for a counsellor, or any
+other person _to advise_ (see the act "shall be advising") such
+proceedings, by saying, "_That a master may legally compel him_ (the
+slave) _to return again to the plantations_." Likewise an attorney,
+notary-public, or any other person, who shall presume to draw up,
+negotiate, of even to witness a bill of sale, or other instrument for
+such commitment, &c. offends equally against the law, because "_All, or
+any person or persons, that shall frame, contrive, write, seal, or
+countersign any warrant or writing for such commitment, detainer,
+imprisonment, or transportation; or shall be advising, aiding, or
+assisting in the same, or any of them_," are liable to all the penalties
+of the act. "_And the plaintiff, in every such action, shall have
+judgment to recover his treble costs, besides damages; which damages so
+to be given shall not be less than five hundred pounds_;" so that the
+injured may have ample satisfaction for their sufferings: and even a
+judge may not direct or instruct a jury contrary to this statute,
+whatever his private opinion may be concerning property in slaves;
+because _no order or command, nor no injunction_, is allowed to
+interfere with this _golden act of liberty_.
+
+--I have before observed, that the general term, "_every alien_,"
+includes _all strangers whatsoever_, and renders them _subject_ to the
+King, and the laws, during their residence in this kingdom; and this is
+certainly true, whether the aliens be Turks, Moors, Arabians, Tartars,
+or even savages, from any part of the world.--Men are rendered obnoxious
+to the laws by their offences, and not by the particular denomination of
+their rank, order, parentage, colour, or country; and therefore, though
+we should suppose that any particular body of people whatsoever were not
+known, or had in consideration by the legislature at the different times
+when the severe penal laws were made, yet no man can reasonably
+conceive, that such men are exempted on this account from the penalties
+of the said laws, when legally convicted of having offended against
+them.
+
+Laws calculated for the moral purpose of preventing oppression, are
+likewise usually supposed to be everlasting, and to make up a part of
+our happy constitution; for which reason, though the kind of oppression
+to be guarded against, and the penalties for offenders, are minutely
+described therein, yet the persons to be protected are comprehended in
+terms as general as possible; that "_no person who now is, or hereafter
+shall be, an inhabitant or resiant in this kingdom_," (see Habeas Corpus
+act, Sect. 12th) may seem to be excluded from protection. The general
+terms of the several statutes before cited, are so full and clear, that
+they admit of no exception whatsoever; for all persons (Negroes as well
+as others) must be included in the terms "the subject;"--"_no subject of
+this realm that now is, or hereafter shall be, an inhabitant, &c. any
+subject; every such person_;" see Habeas Corpus act. Also _every man_
+may be _free_ to sue, &c. 20th Edward III. cap. 4. and _no man, of what
+estate or condition that he be_, shall be taken or imprisoned, &c. True
+justice makes no respect of persons, and can never deny, to any one that
+blessing to which all mankind have an undoubted right, their _natural
+liberty_: though the law makes no mention of Negroe slaves, yet this is
+no just argument for excluding them from the general protection of our
+happy constitution.
+
+Neither can the objection, that Negroe slaves were not "had in
+consideration or contemplation," when these laws were made, prove any
+thing against them; but, on the contrary, much in their favour; for both
+these circumstances are strong presumptive proofs, that the practice of
+importing slaves into this kingdom, and retaining them as such, is an
+innovation entirely foreign to the spirit and intention of the laws now
+in force.
+
+--Page 79. A toleration of slavery is, in effect, a toleration of
+inhumanity; for there are wretches in the world who make no scruple to
+gain, by wearing out their slaves with continual labour, and a scanty
+allowance, before they have lived out half their natural days. It is
+notorious, that this is too often the case in the unhappy countries
+where slavery is tolerated.
+
+See the account of the European settlements in America, Part VI. Chap.
+11. concerning the "_misery of the Negroes, great waste of them_," &c.
+which informs us not only of a most scandalous profanation of the Lord's
+day, but also of another abomination, which must be infinitely more
+heinous in the sight of God, viz. oppression carried to such excess, as
+to be even destructive of the human species.
+
+At present, the inhumanity of constrained labour in excess, extends no
+farther in England than to our beasts, as post and hackney-horses,
+sand-asses, &c.
+
+But thanks to our laws, and not to the general good disposition of
+masters, that it is so; for the wretch who is bad enough to maltreat a
+helpless beast, would not spare his fellow man if he had him as much in
+his power.
+
+The maintenance of civil liberty is therefore absolutely necessary to
+prevent an increase of our national guilt, by the addition of the horrid
+crime of tyranny.--Notwithstanding that the plea of necessity cannot
+here be urged, yet this is no reason why an increase of the practice is
+not to be feared.
+
+Our North American colonies afford us a melancholy instance to the
+contrary; for though the climate in general is so wholesome and
+temperate, that it will not authorise this plea of necessity for the
+employment of slaves, any more than our own, yet the pernicious practice
+of slave-holding is become almost general in those parts. At New-York,
+for instance, the infringement on civil or domestic liberty is become
+notorious, notwithstanding the political controversies of the
+inhabitants in praise of liberty; but no panegyric on this subject
+(howsoever elegant in itself) can be graceful or edifying from the mouth
+or pen of one of those provincials, because men who do not scruple to
+detain others in slavery, have but a very partial and unjust claim to
+the protection of the laws of liberty; and indeed it too plainly appears
+that they have no real regard for liberty, farther than their own
+private interests are concerned; and (consequently) that they have so
+little detestation of despotism and tyranny, that they do not scruple to
+exercise them whenever their caprice excites them, or their private
+interest seems to require an exertion of their power over their
+miserable slaves.
+
+Every petty planter, who avails himself of the service of slaves, is an
+arbitrary monarch, or rather a lawless Bashaw in his own territories,
+notwithstanding that the imaginary freedom of the province wherein he
+resides, may seem to forbid the observation.
+
+The boasted liberty of our American colonies, therefore, has so little
+right to that sacred name, that it seems to differ from the arbitrary
+power of despotic monarchs only in one circumstance, viz. that it is a
+_many-headed monster of tyranny_, which entirely subverts our most
+excellent constitution; because liberty and slavery are so opposite to
+each other, that they cannot subsist in the same community. "_Political
+liberty (in mild or well regulated governments) makes civil liberty
+valuable; and whosoever is deprived of the latter, is deprived also of
+the former_." This observation of the learned Montesquieu, I hope
+sufficiently justifies my censure of the Americans for their notorious
+violation of civil liberty;--The New-York Journal, or, The General
+Advertiser, for Thursday, 22d October, 1767, gives notice by
+advertisement, of no less than eight different persons who have escaped
+from slavery, or are put up to public sale for that horrid purpose.
+
+That I may demonstrate the indecency of such proceedings in a free
+country, I shall take the liberty of laying some of these advertisements
+before my readers, by way of example.
+
+"_To be SOLD for want of Employment_, A likely strong active Negroe man,
+of about 24 years of age, this country born, (_N.B._ A natural born
+subject) understands most of a baker's trade, and a good deal of farming
+business, and can do all sorts of house-work.--Also a healthy Negroe
+wench, of about 21 years old, is a tolerable cook, and capable of doing
+all sorts of house-work, can be well recommended for her honesty and
+sobriety: she has a female child of nigh three years old, which will be
+sold with the wench if required, &c." Here is not the least
+consideration, or scruple of conscience, for the inhumanity of parting
+the mother and young child. From the stile, one would suppose the
+advertisement to be of no more importance than if it related merely to
+the sale of a cow and her calf; and that the cow should be sold with or
+without her calf, according as the purchaser should require.--But not
+only Negroes, but even American Indians, are detained in the same
+abominable slavery in our colonies, though there cannot be any
+reasonable pretence whatsoever for holding one of these as private
+property; for even if a written contract should be produced as a voucher
+in such a case, there would still remain great suspicion, that some
+undue advantage had been taken of the Indian's ignorance concerning the
+nature of such a bond.
+
+"_Run away, on Monday the 21st instant, from J----n T----, Esq. of
+West-Chester county, in the province of New-York_, An Indian slave,
+named Abraham, he may have changed his name, about 23 years of age,
+about five feet five inches."
+
+Upon the whole, I think I may with justice conclude, that those
+advertisements discover a shameless prostitution and infringement on the
+common and natural rights of mankind--But hold! perhaps the Americans
+may be able, with too much justice, to retort this severe reflexion, and
+may refer us to news-papers published even in the free city of London,
+which contain advertisements not less dishonourable than their own. See
+advertisement in the Public Ledger of 31st December, 1761.
+
+"_For SALE, A healthy NEGROE GIRL_, aged about fifteen years; speaks
+good English, works at her needle, washes well, does houshold work, and
+has had the small-pox. By J.W. &c."
+
+Another advertisement, not long ago, offered a reward for stopping a
+female slave who had left her mistress in Hatton-garden. And in the
+Gazetteer of 18th April, 1769, appeared a very extraordinary
+advertisement with the following title;
+
+"_Horses, Tim Wisky, and black Boy_, To be sold at the Bull and Gate
+Inn. Holborn, _A very good Tim Wisky_, little the worse for wear, &c."
+Afterwards, "_A Chesnut Gelding_;" then, "_A very good grey Mare_;" and
+last of all, (as if of the least consequence) "_A well-made
+good-tempered black Boy_, he has lately had the small-pox, and will be
+sold to any gentleman. Enquire as above."
+
+Another advertisement in the same paper, contains a very particular
+description of a Negroe man, called _Jeremiah_,--and concludes as
+follows:--"Whoever delivers him to Capt. M---- U----y, on board the
+Elizabeth, at Prince's Stairs, Rotherhithe, on or before the 31st
+instant, shall receive thirty guineas reward, or ten guineas for such
+intelligence as shall enable the Captain, or his master, effectually to
+secure him. The utmost secrecy may be depended on." It is not on account
+of shame, that men, who are capable of undertaking the desperate and
+wicked employment of kidnappers, are supposed to be tempted to such a
+business, by a promise "_of the utmost secrecy_;" but this must be from
+a sense of the unlawfulness of the act proposed to them, that they may
+have less reason to fear a prosecution. And as such a kind of people are
+supposed to undertake any thing for money, the reward of thirty guineas
+was tendered at the top of the advertisement, in capital letters. No man
+can be safe, be he white or black, if temptations to break the laws are
+so shamefully published in our news-papers.
+
+_A Creole Black boy_ is also offered to sale, in the Daily Advertiser of
+the same date.
+
+Besides these instances, the Americans may, perhaps, taunt us with the
+shameful treatment of a poor Negroe servant, who not long ago was put up
+to sale by public auction, together with the effects of his bankrupt
+master.--Also, that the prisons of this free city have been frequently
+prostituted of late, by the tyrannical and dangerous practice of
+confining Negroes, under the pretence of slavery, though there have been
+no warrants whatsoever for their commitment.
+
+This circumstance of confining a man without a warrant, has so great a
+resemblance to the proceedings of a Popish inquisition, that it is but
+too obvious what dangerous practices such scandalous innovations, if
+permitted to grow more into use, are liable to introduce. No person can
+be safe, if wicked and designing men have it in their power, under the
+pretence of private property as a slave, to throw a man clandestinely,
+without a warrant, into goal, and to conceal him there, until they can
+conveniently dispose of him.
+
+A free man may be thus robbed of his liberty, and carried beyond the
+seas, without having the least opportunity of making his case known;
+which should teach us how jealous we ought to be of all imprisonments
+made without the authority, or previous examination, of a civil
+magistrate.
+
+The distinction of colour will, in a short time, be no protection
+against such outrages, especially as not only Negroes, but Mulatoes, and
+even American Indians, (which appears by one of the advertisements
+before quoted) are retained in slavery in our American colonies; for
+there are many honest weather-beaten Englishmen, who have as little
+reason to boast of their complexion as the Indians. And indeed, the more
+northern Indians have no difference from us in complexion, but such as
+is occasioned by the climate, or different way of living. The plea of
+private property, therefore, cannot, by any means, justify a private
+commitment of any person whatsoever to prison, because of the apparent
+danger and tendency of such innovation. This dangerous practice of
+concealing in prison was attempted in the case of Jonathan Strong; for
+the door-keeper of the P----lt----y C----pt----r (or some person who
+acted for him) absolutely refused, for two days, to permit this poor
+injured Negro to be seen or spoke with, though a person went on purpose,
+both those days, to demand the same.--All laws ought to be founded upon
+the principle of "_doing as one would be done by_;" and indeed this
+principle seems to be the very basis of the English constitution; for
+what precaution could possibly be more effectual for that purpose, than
+the right we enjoy of being judged by our Peers, creditable persons of
+the vicinage; especially, as we may likewise claim the right of
+excepting against any particular juryman, who might be suspected of
+partiality.
+
+This law breathes the pure spirit of liberty, equity, and social love;
+being calculated to maintain that consideration and mutual regard which
+one person ought to have for another, howsoever unequal in rank or
+station.
+
+But when any part of the community, under the pretence of private
+property, is deprived of this common privilege, it is a violation of
+civil liberty, which is entirely inconsistent with the social principles
+of a free state.
+
+True liberty protects the labourer as well as his Lord; preserves the
+dignity of human nature, and seldom fails to render a province rich and
+populous; whereas, on the other hand, a toleration of slavery is the
+highest breach of social virtue, and not only tends to depopulation, but
+too often renders the minds of both masters and slaves utterly depraved
+and inhuman, by the hateful extremes of exaltation and depression.
+
+If such a toleration should ever be generally admitted in England,
+(which God forbid) we shall no longer deserve to be esteemed a civilized
+people; because, when the customs of uncivilized nations, and the
+_uncivilized customs which disgrace our own colonies_, are become so
+familiar as to be permitted amongst us with impunity, we ourselves must
+insensibly degenerate to the same degree of baseness with those from
+whom such bad customs were derived; and may, too soon, have the
+mortification to see the _hateful extremes of tyranny and slavery
+fostered under every roof_.
+
+Then must the happy medium of a well regulated liberty be necessarily
+compelled to find shelter in some more civilized country: where social
+virtue, and that divine precept, "_Thou shalt love thy neighbour as
+thyself_," are better understood.
+
+An attempt to prove the dangerous tendency, injustice, and disgrace of
+tolerating slavery amongst Englishmen, would, in any former age, have
+been esteemed as superfluous and ridiculous, as if a man should
+undertake, in a formal manner, to prove, that darkness is not light.
+
+Sorry am I, that the depravity of the present age has made a
+demonstration of this kind necessary.
+
+Now, that I may sum up the amount of what has been said in a single
+sentence, I shall beg leave to conclude in the words of the great Sir
+Edward Coke, which, though spoken on a different occasion, are yet
+applicable to this; see Rushworth's Hist. Col. An. 1628. 4 Caroli. fol.
+450.
+
+"It would be no honour to a King or kingdom, to be a King of bondmen or
+slaves: the end of this would be both _dedecus_[A] and _damnum_[B] both
+to King and kingdom, that in former times have been so renowned."
+
+[Footnote A: Disgrace.]
+
+
+[Footnote B: Loss.]
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Note, at page 63; According to the laws of Jamaica, printed in London,
+in 1756, "If any slave having been one whole year in this island, (says
+an act, No 64, clause 5, p. 114) shall run away, and continue absent
+from his owner's service for the space of thirty days, upon complaint
+and proof, &c. before any two justices of the peace, and three
+freeholders, &c. it shall and may be lawful for such justices and
+freeholders to order such slave to be punished, by _cutting off one of
+the feet of such slave_, or inflict such other corporal punishment as
+they _shall think fit_." Now that I may inform my readers, what corporal
+punishments are sometimes thought fit to be inflicted, I will refer to
+the testimony of Sir Hans Sloane, (see voyage to the islands of Madeira,
+Barbadoes, &c. and Jamaica, with the natural history of the last of
+these islands, &c. London 1707. Introduction, p. 56, and 57.) "The
+punishment for crimes of slaves (says he) are usually, for _rebellions_,
+burning them, by nailing them down to the ground with crooked sticks on
+every limb, and then applying the fire, by degrees, from the feet and
+hands, and burning them gradually up to the head, whereby _the pains are
+extravagant_; for crimes of a lesser nature, _gelding_, or _chopping off
+half the foot_ with an axe. These punishments are suffered by them with
+great constancy.--For negligence, they are usually whipped by the
+overseers with lance-wood switches, till they be bloody, and several of
+the switches broken, being first tied up by their hands in the mill
+houses.--After they are whipped till they are raw, some put on their
+skins pepper and salt, to make them smart; at other times, their masters
+will drop melted wax on their skins, and use several _very exquisite
+torments_." Sir Hans adds, "These punishments are sometimes merited by
+the Blacks, who are a very perverse generation of people; and though
+they appear very harsh, yet are scarce equal to some of their crimes,
+and inferior to what punishments other European nations inflict on their
+slaves in the East-Indies, as may be seen by Moquet, and other
+travellers." Thus Sir Hans Sloane endeavours to excuse those shocking
+cruelties, but certainly in vain, because no crimes whatsoever can merit
+such severe punishments, unless I except the crimes of those who devise
+and inflict them. Sir Hans Sloane, indeed, mentions _rebellion_ as the
+principal crime; and certainly it is very justly esteemed a most heinous
+crime, in a land of liberty, where government is limited by equitable
+and just laws, if the same are tolerably well observed; but in countries
+where arbitrary power is exercised with such intolerable cruelty as is
+before described, if resistance be a crime, it is certainly the most
+natural of all others.
+
+But the 19th clause of the 38th act, would indeed, on a slight perusal,
+induce us to conceive, that the punishment for rebellion is not so
+severe as it is represented by Sir Hans Sloane; because a slave, though
+_deemed rebellious_, is thereby condemned to no greater punishment than
+transportation. Nevertheless, if the clause be thoroughly considered, we
+shall find no reason to commend the mercy of the legislature; for it
+only proves, that the Jamaica law-makers will not scruple to charge the
+slightest and most natural offences with the most opprobrious epithets;
+and that a poor slave, who perhaps has no otherwise incurred his
+master's displeasure than by endeavouring (upon the just and warrantable
+principles of self-preservation,) to escape from his master's tyranny,
+without any criminal intention whatsoever, is liable to be _deemed
+rebellious_, and to be arraigned as a capital offender. "For every slave
+and slaves that shall run away, and continue but for the space of twelve
+months, except such slave or slaves as shall not have been three years
+in this island, shall be _deemed rebellious_," &c. (see act 38, clause
+19. p. 60.) Thus we are enabled to define what a West Indian tyrant
+means by the word _rebellious_. But unjust as this clause may seem, yet
+it is abundantly more merciful and considerate than a subsequent act
+against the same poor miserable people, because the former assigns no
+other punishment for persons so _deemed rebellious_, than that they,
+"_Shall be transported_ by order of two justices and three freeholders,"
+&c. whereas the latter spares not the blood of these poor injured
+fugitives: For by the 66th act, a reward of 50 pounds is offered to
+those who "shall kill or bring in alive any _rebellious slaves_," that
+is, any of these unfortunate people whom the law has "_deemed
+rebellious_," as above; and this premium is not only tendered to
+commissioned parties (see 2d. clause) but even to any private "_hunter,
+slave, or other person_," (see 3d. clause.) Thus it is manifest, that
+the law treats these poor unhappy men with as little ceremony and
+consideration as if they were merely wild beasts. But the innocent blood
+that is shed in consequence of such a detestable law, must certainly
+call for vengeance on the murderous abettors and actors of such
+deliberate wickedness: And though many of the guilty wretches should
+even be so hardened and abandoned as never afterwards to be capable of
+sincere remorse, yet a time will undoubtedly come, when they will
+shudder with dreadful apprehensions, on account of the insufficiency of
+so wretched an excuse, as that their poor murdered brethren were by law
+"_deemed rebellious_" But bad as these laws are, yet in justice to the
+freeholders of Jamaica, I must acknowledge, that their laws are not near
+so cruel and inhuman as the laws of Barbadoes and Virginia, and seem at
+present to be much more reasonable than they have formerly been; many
+very oppressive laws being now expired, and others less severe enacted
+in their room.
+
+But it is far otherwise in Barbadoes; for by the 329th act, p. 125. "If
+any Negro or other slave, under punishment by his master, or his order,
+for running away, or any other crimes or misdemeanors towards his said
+master, unfortunately shall suffer in life, or member, (which seldom
+happens) (but it is plain by this law that it does sometimes happen) _no
+person whatever shall be liable to any fine therefore; but if any man
+shall, of wantonness or only of bloody-mindedness, or cruel intention,
+wilfully kill a Negroe or other slave of his own_;"--now the reader, to
+be sure, will naturally expect, that some very severe punishment must in
+this case be ordained, to deter the _wanton, bloody-minded, and cruel_
+wretch, from _wilfully killing_ his fellow creatures; but alas! the
+Barbadian law-makers have been so far from intending to curb such
+abandoned wickedness, that they have absolutely made this law on purpose
+to skreen these enormous crimes from the just indignation of any
+righteous person, who might think himself bound in duty to prosecute a
+bloody-minded villain; they have therefore presumptuously taken upon
+them to give a sanction, as it were, by law, to the horrid crime of
+wilful murder; and have accordingly ordained, that he who is guilty of
+it in Barbadoes, though the act should be attended with all the
+aggravating circumstances before-mentioned--"_shall pay into the public
+treasury_ (no more than) _fifteen pounds sterling_," but if he shall
+kill another man's, he shall pay the owner of the Negroe double the
+value, and into the public treasury _twenty-five pounds sterling_; and
+he shall further, by the next justice of the peace, be bound to his good
+behaviour during the pleasure of the governor and council, _and not be
+liable to any other punishment or forfeiture for the same_.
+
+The most consummate wickedness, I suppose, that any body of people,
+under the specious form of a legislature, were ever guilty of! This act
+contains several other clauses which are shocking to humanity, though
+too tedious to mention here.
+
+According to an act of Virginia, (4 Anne, ch. 49. sec. 37. p. 227.)
+"after proclamation is issued against slaves that run away and lie out,
+it is lawful for any person whatsoever, _to kill and destroy such
+slaves, by such ways and means as he, she, or they, shall think fit_,
+without accusation or impeachment of any crime for the same," &c. And
+lest private interest should incline the planter to mercy, (to which we
+must suppose such people can have no other inducement) it is provided
+and enacted in the succeeding clause, (No 28.) "That for _every slave
+killed_, in pursuance of this act, or _put to death by law_, the master
+or owner of such slave _shall be paid by the public_."
+
+Also by an act of Virginia, (9 Geo. I. ch. 4. sect. 18. p. 343.) it is
+ordained, "That, where any slave shall hereafter be found notoriously
+guilty of going abroad in the night, or running away, and lying out, and
+cannot be reclaimed from _such_ disorderly courses by the common method
+of punishment, it shall and may be lawful to and for the court of the
+county, upon complaint and proof thereof to them made by the owner of
+such slave, to order and direct every such slave to be punished by
+_dismembering, or any other_ way, not touching life, as the said county
+court _shall think fit_."
+
+I have already given examples enough of the horrid cruelties which are
+sometimes _thought fit_ on such occasions. But if the innocent and most
+natural act of "_running away_" from intolerable tyranny, deserves such
+relentless severity, what kind of punishment have these law-makers
+themselves to expect hereafter, on account of their own enormous
+offences! Alas! to look for mercy (without a timely repentance) will
+only be another instance of their gross injustice! "_Having their
+consciences seared with a hot iron_," they seem to have lost all
+apprehensions that their slaves are men, for they scruple not to number
+them with beasts. See an act of Barbadoes, (No 333. p. 128.) intituled,
+"An act for the better regulating of _outcries_ in open market:" here we
+read of "_Negroes, cattle, coppers, and stills, and other chattels_,
+brought by execution to open market to be outcried, and these (as if all
+of equal importance) are ranged together _in great lots or numbers to be
+sold_."
+
+--Page 70. In the 329th act of Barbadoes, (p. 122.) it is asserted, that
+"brutish slaves deserve not, for the baseness of their condition, to _be
+tried by a legal trial of twelve men of their peers, or neighbourhood_,
+which neither truly can be rightly done, as the subjects of England
+are;" (yet slaves also are subjects of England, whilst they remain
+within the British dominions, notwithstanding this insinuation to the
+contrary) "nor is execution to be delayed towards them, in case of such
+horrid crimes committed," &c.
+
+A similar doctrine is taught in an act of Virginia, (9 Geo. I. ch. 4.
+sect. 3. p. 339.) wherein it is ordained, "that every slave, committing
+such offence as by the laws ought to be punished by death, or loss of
+member, shall be forthwith committed to the common goal of the county,
+&c. And the sheriff of such county, upon such commitment, shall
+forthwith certify the same, with the cause thereof, to the governor or
+commander in chief, &c. who is thereupon desired and impowered to issue
+a commission of Oyer and Terminer, _To such persons as he shall think
+fit_; which persons, forthwith after the receipt of such commission, are
+impowered and required to cause the offender to be publicly arraigned
+and tried, &c. without the solemnity of a jury," &c. Now let us consider
+the dangerous tendency of those laws. As Englishmen, we strenuously
+contend for this absolute and immutable necessity of trials by juries:
+but is not the spirit and equity of this old English doctrine entirely
+lost, if we partially confine that justice to ourselves alone, when we
+have it in our power to extend it to others? The natural right of all
+mankind, must principally justify our insisting upon this necessary
+privilege in favour of ourselves in particular; and therefore if we do
+not allow that the judgment of an impartial jury is indispensably
+necessary in all cases whatsoever, wherein the life of man is depending,
+we certainly undermine the equitable force and reason of those laws, by
+which _we ourselves are protected_, and consequently are unworthy to be
+esteemed either Christians or Englishmen.
+
+Whatever right the members of a provincial assembly may have to enact
+_bye laws_, for particular exigences among themselves, yet in so doing
+they are certainly bound, in duty to their sovereign, to observe most
+strictly the fundamental principles of that constitution, which his
+Majesty is sworn to maintain; for wheresoever the bounds of the British
+empire are extended, there the common law of England must of course take
+place, and cannot be safely set aside by any _private law_ whatsoever,
+because the introduction of an unnatural tyranny must necessarily
+endanger the King's dominions. The many alarming insurrections of slaves
+in the several colonies, are sufficient proofs of this. The common law
+of England ought therefore to be so established in every province, as to
+include the respective _bye laws_ of each province; instead of being by
+them _excluded_, which latter has been too much the case.
+
+Every inhabitant of the British colonies, black as well as white, bond
+as well as free, are undoubtedly the _King's subjects_, during their
+residence within the limits of the King's dominions; and as such, are
+entitled to personal protection, however bound in service to their
+respective masters; therefore, when any of these are put to death,
+"_without the solemnity of a jury_," I fear that there is too much
+reason to attribute _the guilt of murder_ to every person concerned in
+ordering, the same, or in consenting thereto; and all such persons are
+certainly responsible _to the King and his laws, for the loss of a
+subject_. The horrid iniquity, injustice, and dangerous tendency of the
+several plantation laws which I have quoted, are so apparent, that it is
+unnecessary for me to apologize for the freedom with which I have
+treated them. If such laws are not absolutely necessary for the
+government of slaves, the law-makers must unavoidably allow themselves
+to be the most cruel and abandoned tyrants upon earth; or, perhaps, that
+ever were on earth. On the other hand, if it be said, that it is
+impossible to govern slaves without such inhuman severity, and
+detestable injustice, the same will certainly be an invincible argument
+against the least toleration of slavery amongst christians, because the
+temporal profit of the planter or master, however lucrative, cannot
+compensate the forfeiture of his everlasting welfare, or (at least I may
+be allowed to say) the apparent danger of such a forfeiture.
+
+Oppression is a most grievous crime, and the cries of these much injured
+people, (though they are only poor ignorant heathens) will certainly
+reach heaven! The scriptures (_which are the only true foundation of all
+laws_) denounce a tremendous judgment against the man who should offend
+even one little-one; _"It were better for him_ (even the merciful
+Saviour of the world hath himself declared) _that a millstone were
+hanged about his neck, and be cast into the sea, than that he should
+offend one of these little ones."_ Luke xvii. 2. Who then shall attempt
+to vindicate those inhuman establishments of government, under which,
+even our own countrymen so grievously _offend_ and _oppress_ (not merely
+_one_, or a few little ones, but) an immense multitude of _men, women,
+children_, and the _children of their children_, from generation to
+generation? May it not be said with like justice, it were better for the
+English nation that these American dominions had never existed, or even
+that they should have been sunk into the sea, than that the kingdom of
+Great Britain should be loaded with the horrid guilt of tolerating such
+abominable wickedness! In short, if the _King's prerogative_ is not
+speedily exerted for the relief of his Majesty's oppressed and much
+injured subjects in the British colonies, (because to _relieve the
+subject_ from the oppression of petty tyrants is the principal use of
+the royal prerogative, as well as the principal and most natural means
+of maintaining the same) and for the extension of the British
+constitution to the most distant colonies, whether in the East or West
+Indies, it must inevitably be allowed, that great share of this enormous
+guilt will certainly rest on this side the water.
+
+I hope this hint will be taken notice of by those whom it may concern;
+and that the freedom of it will be excused, as from a _loyal and
+disinterested_ adviser.
+
+
+
+Extracts from the writings
+
+of several _noted authors_,
+
+on the subject of the, _slavery of the Negroes_,
+
+viz.
+
+George Wallace,
+
+Francis Hutcheson,
+
+James Foster.
+
+
+George Wallace, in his _System of the Principles of the Laws of
+Scotland_, speaking of the slavery of the Negroes in our colonies, says,
+"We all know that they (the Negroes) are purchased from their Princes,
+who pretend to have a right to dispose of them, and that they are, like
+other commodities, transported, by the merchants who have bought them,
+into America, in order to be exposed to sale. If this trade admits of a
+moral or a rational justification, every crime, even the most atrocious,
+may be justified. Government was instituted for the good of mankind;
+kings, princes, governors, are not proprietors of those who are subject
+to their authority; they have not a right to make them miserable. On the
+contrary, their authority is vested in them, that they may, by the just
+exercise of it, promote the happiness of their people. Of course, they
+have not a right to dispose of their liberty, and to sell them for
+slaves. Besides no man has a right to acquire, or to purchase them; men
+and their liberty are not _in commercio_; they are not either saleable
+or purchaseable. One, therefore, has no body but himself to blame, in
+case he shall find himself deprived of a man, whom he thought he had, by
+buying for a price, made his own; for he dealt in a trade which was
+illicit, and was prohibited by the most obvious dictates of humanity.
+For these reasons, every one of those unfortunate men who are pretended
+to be slaves, has a right to be declared to be free, for he never lost
+his liberty; he could not lose it; his Prince had no power to dispose of
+him. Of course, the sale was _ipso jure_ void. This right he carries
+about with him, and is entitled every where to get it declared. As soon,
+therefore, as he comes into a country in which the judges are not
+forgetful of their own humanity, it is their duty to remember that he is
+a man, and to declare him to be free. I know it has been said, that
+questions concerning the state of persons ought to be determined by the
+law of the country to which they belong; and that, therefore, one who
+would be declared to be a slave in America, ought, in case he should
+happen to be imported into Britain, to be adjudged, according to the law
+of America, to be a slave; a doctrine than which nothing can be more
+barbarous. Ought the judges of any country, out of respect to the law of
+another, to shew no respect to their kind, and to humanity? out of
+respect to a law, which is in no sort obligatory upon them, ought they
+to disregard the law of nature, which is obligatory on all men, at all
+times, and in all places? Are any laws so binding as the eternal laws of
+justice? Is it doubtful, whether a judge ought to pay greater regard to
+them, than to those arbitrary and inhuman usages which prevail in a
+distant land? Aye, but our colonies would be ruined if slavery was
+abolished. Be it so; would it not from thence follow, that the bulk of
+mankind ought to be abused, that our pockets may be filled with money,
+or our mouths with delicacies? The purses of highwaymen would be empty,
+in case robberies were totally abolished; but have men a right to
+acquire money by going out to the highway? Have men a right to acquire
+it by rendering their fellow-creatures miserable? Is it lawful to abuse
+mankind, that the avarice, the vanity, or the passions of a few may be
+gratified? No! There is such a thing as justice to which the most sacred
+regard is due. It ought to be inviolably observed. Have not these
+unhappy men a better right to their liberty, and to their happiness,
+than our American merchants have to the profits which they make by
+torturing their kind? Let, therefore, our colonies be ruined, but let us
+not render so many men miserable. Would not any of us, who should--be
+snatched by pirates from his native land, think himself cruelly abused,
+and at all times entitled to be free? Have not these unfortunate
+Africans, who meet with the same cruel fate, the same right? Are they
+not men as well as we, and have they not the same sensibility? Let us
+not, therefore, defend or support a usage which is contrary to all the
+laws of humanity.
+
+"But it is false, that either we or our colonies would be ruined by the
+abolition of slavery. It might occasion a stagnation of business for a
+short time. Every great alteration produces that effect; because mankind
+cannot, on a sudden, find ways of disposing of themselves, and of their
+affairs; but it would produce many happy effects. It is the slavery
+which is permitted in America, that has hindered it from becoming so
+soon populous as it would otherwise have done. Let the Negroes be free,
+and, in a few generations, this vast and fertile continent would be
+crowded with inhabitants; learning, arts, and every thing would flourish
+amongst them; instead of being inhabited by wild beasts, and by savages,
+it would be peopled by philosophers, and by men."
+
+Francis Hutcheson, professor of philosophy at the university of Glasgow,
+in his _System of Moral Philosophy_, page 211, says "He who detains
+another by force in slavery, is always bound to prove his title. The
+slave sold, or carried into a distant country, must not be obliged to
+prove a negative, that _he never forfeited his liberty_. The violent
+possessor must, in all cases, shew his title, especially where the old
+proprietor is well known. In this case, each man is the original
+proprietor of his own liberty. The proof of his losing it must be
+incumbent on those who deprive him of it by force. The Jewish laws had
+great regard to justice, about the servitude of Hebrews, founding it
+only on consent, or some crime or damage, allowing them always a proper
+redress upon any cruel treatment, and fixing a limited time for it;
+unless upon trial the servant inclined to prolong it. The laws about
+foreign slaves had many merciful provisions against immoderate severity
+of the masters. But under christianity, whatever lenity was due from an
+Hebrew towards his countryman, must be due towards all; since the
+distinctions of nations are removed, as to the point of humanity and
+mercy, as well as natural right; nay, some of these rights granted over
+foreign slaves, may justly be deemed only such indulgences as those of
+poligamy and divorce, granting only external impunity in such practice,
+and not sufficient vindication of them in conscience."
+
+_Page_ 85. It is pleaded, that "In some barbarous nations, unless the
+captives were bought for slaves, they would be all murthered. They,
+therefore, owe their lives, and all they can do, to their purchasers;
+and so do their children, who would not otherwise have come into life."
+But this whole plea is no more than that of _negotium utile gestum_ to
+which any civilized nation is bound by humanity; it is a prudent
+expensive office, done for the service of others without a gratuitous
+intention; and this founds no other right, than that to full
+compensation of all charges and labour employed for the benefit of
+others.
+
+A set of inaccurate popular phrases blind us in these matters; "Captives
+owe their lives, and all to the purchasers, say they. Just in the same
+manner, we, our nobles, and princes, often owe our lives to midwives,
+chirurgeons, physicians," &c. one who was the means of preserving a
+man's life, is not therefore entitled to make him a slave, and sell him
+as a piece of goods. Strange, that in a nation where the sense of
+liberty prevails, where the christian religion is professed, custom and
+high prospects of gain can so stupify the conscience of men, and all
+sense of natural justice, that they can hear such computations made
+about the value of their fellow-men, and their liberty, without
+abhorrence and indignation.
+
+_James Foster_, D.D. in his _discourses on natural religion_ and _social
+virtue_ also shews his just indignation at this wicked practice; which
+he declares to be "_a criminal and outrageous violation of the natural
+right of mankind_." At _page_ 156, vol. 2 he says, "Should we have read
+concerning the Greeks or Romans of old, that they traded with a view to
+make slaves of their own species, when they certainly knew that this
+would involve in schemes of blood and murder, of destroying, or
+enslaving each other; that they even fomented wars, and engaged whole
+nations and tribes in open hostilities, for their own private advantage;
+that they had no detestation of the violence and cruelty, but only
+feared the ill success of their inhuman enterprises; that they carried
+men like themselves, their brethren, and the off-spring of the same
+common parent, to be sold like beasts of prey, or beasts of burden, and
+put them to the same reproachful trial, of their soundness, strength,
+and capacity for greater bodily service; that quite forgetting and
+renouncing the original dignity of human nature, communicated to all,
+they treated them with more severity, and ruder discipline, than even
+the _ox_ or the _ass_, who are _void of understanding_--should we not,
+if this had been the case, have naturally been led to despise all their
+_pretended refinements of morality_; and to have concluded, that as they
+were not nations destitute of politeness, they must have been _entire
+strangers to virtue and benevolence_?
+
+"But notwithstanding this, we ourselves (who profess to be christians,
+and boast of the peculiar advantage we enjoy, by means of an express
+revelation of our duty from heaven) are, in effect, these very untaught
+and rude heathen countries. With all our superior light, we instill into
+those, whom we call savage and barbarous, the most despicable opinion of
+human nature. We, to the utmost of our power, weaken and dissolve the
+universal tie, that binds and unites mankind. We practise what we should
+exclaim against, as the utmost excess of cruelty and tyranny, if nations
+of the world, differing in colour, and form of government, from
+ourselves, were so possessed of empire, as to be able to reduce us to a
+state of unmerited and brutish servitude. Of consequence, we sacrifice
+our reason, our humanity, our christianity, to an unnatural sordid gain.
+We teach other nations to despise, and trample under foot, all the
+obligations of social virtue. We take the most effectual method to
+prevent the propagation of the gospel, by representing it as a scheme of
+power and barbarous oppression, and an enemy to the natural privileges
+and rights of men.
+
+"Perhaps all that I have now offered, may be of very little weight to
+restrain this enormity, this aggravated iniquity; however, I still have
+the satisfaction of having entered my private protest against a
+practice, which, in my opinion, bids that God, who is the God and Father
+of the Gentiles, unconverted to christianity, most daring and bold
+defiance, and spurns at all the principles both of natural and revealed
+religion."
+
+
+EXTRACT
+
+
+From an ADDRESS
+
+in the
+
+
+VIRGINIA _GAZETTE_,
+
+of MARCH 19, 1767.
+
+
+Mr. RIND,
+
+Permit me, in your paper, to address the members of our assembly on two
+points, in which the public interest is very nearly concerned.
+
+The abolition of slavery, and the retrieval of specie in this colony,
+are the subjects on which I would bespeak their attention.--
+
+Long and serious reflections upon the nature and consequences of slavery
+have convinced me, that it is a violation both of justice and religion;
+that it is dangerous to the safety of the community in which it
+prevails; that it is destructive to the growth of arts and sciences; and
+lastly, that it produces a numerous and very fatal train of vices, both
+in the slave and in his master.
+
+To prove these assertions, shall be the purpose of the following essay.
+
+That slavery then is a violation of justice, will plainly appear, when
+we consider what justice is. It is truly and simply defined, as by
+_Justinian, constans et perpetua voluntas ejus suum cuique tribuendi_; a
+constant endeavour to give every man his right.
+
+Now, as freedom is unquestionably the birth-right of all mankind,
+_Africans_ as well as _Europeans_, to keep the former in a state of
+slavery, is a constant violation of that right, and therefore of
+justice.
+
+The ground on which the civilians who favour slavery, admit it to be
+just, namely, consent, force, and birth, is totally disputable; for
+surely a man's own will and consent cannot be allowed to introduce so
+important an innovation into society, as slavery, or to make himself an
+outlaw, which is really the state of a slave; since neither consenting
+to, nor aiding the laws of the society in which he lives, he is neither
+bound to obey them, nor entitled to their protection.
+
+To found any right in force, is to frustrate all right, and involve
+every thing in confusion, violence, and rapine. With these two, the last
+must fall; since, if the parent cannot justly be made a slave, neither
+can the child be born in slavery. "The law of nations, says Baron
+_Montesquieu_, has doomed prisoners to slavery, to prevent their being
+slain; the _Roman_ civil law permitted debtors, whom their creditors
+might treat ill, to sell themselves. And the law of nature requires that
+children, whom their parents, being slaves, cannot maintain, should be
+slaves like them. These reasons of the civilians are not just; it is not
+true that a captive may be slain, unless in a case of absolute
+necessity; but if he hath been reduced to slavery, it is plain that no
+such necessity existed, since he was not slain. It is not true that a
+free man can sell himself, for sale supposes a price; but a slave and
+his property becomes immediately that of his master; the slave can
+therefore receive no price, nor the master pay, &c. And if a man cannot
+sell himself, nor a prisoner of war be reduced to slavery, much less can
+his child." Such are the sentiments of this illustrious civilian; his
+reasonings, which I have been obliged to contract, the reader interested
+in this subject will do well to consult at large.
+
+Yet even these rights of imposing slavery, questionable, nay, refutable
+as they are, we have not to authorise the bondage of the _Africans_. For
+neither do they consent to be our slaves, nor do we purchase them of
+their conquerors. The _British_ merchants obtain them from _Africa_ by
+violence, artifice, and treachery, with a few trinkets to prompt those
+unfortunate people to enslave one another by force or stratagem.
+Purchase them indeed they may, under the authority of an act of the
+British parliament. An act entailing upon the _Africans_, with whom we
+are not at war, and over whom a British parliament could not of right
+assume even a shadow of authority, the dreadful curse of perpetual
+slavery, upon them and their children for ever. _There cannot be in
+nature, there is not in all history, an instance in which every right of
+men is more flagrantly violated._ The laws of the antients never
+authorised the making slaves, but of those nations whom they had
+conquered; yet they were heathens, and we are christians. They were
+misled by a monstrous religion, divested of humanity, by a horrible and
+barbarous worship; we are directed by the unerring precepts of the
+revealed religion we possess, enlightened by its wisdom, and humanized
+by its benevolence; before them, were gods deformed with passions, and
+horrible for every cruelty and vice; before us, is that incomparable
+pattern of meekness, charity, love and justice to mankind, which so
+transcendently distinguished the Founder of christianity, and his ever
+amiable doctrines.
+
+Reader, remember that the corner stone of your religion, is to do unto
+others as you would they should do unto you; ask then your own heart,
+whether it would not abhor any one, as the most outrageous violater of
+that and every other principle of right, justice, and humanity, who
+should make a slave of you and your posterity for ever! Remember, that
+God knoweth the heart; lay not this flattering unction to your soul,
+that it is the custom of the country; that you found it so, that not
+your will; but your necessity, consents. Ah! think how little such an
+excuse will avail you in that aweful day, when your Saviour shall
+pronounce judgment on you for breaking a law too plain to be
+misunderstood, too sacred to be violated. If we say we are christians,
+yet act more inhumanly and unjustly than heathens, with what dreadful
+justice must this sentence of our blessed Saviour fall upon us, "_Not
+every one that saith unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of
+heaven, but he that doth the will of my Father which is in heaven."_
+Matth. vii. 21. Think a moment how much your temporal, your eternal
+welfare depends upon an abolition of a practice which deforms the image
+of your God, tramples on his revealed will, infringes the most sacred
+rights, and violates humanity.
+
+Enough, I hope, has been asserted, to prove that slavery is a violation
+of justice and religion. That it is dangerous to the safety of the state
+in which it prevails, may be as safely asserted.
+
+What one's own experience has not taught; that of others must decide.
+From hence does history derive its utility; for being, when truly
+written, a faithful record of the transactions of mankind, and the
+consequences that flowed from them, we are thence furnished with the
+means of judging what will be the probable effect of transactions,
+similar among ourselves.
+
+We learn then from history, that slavery, wherever encouraged, has
+sooner or later been productive of very dangerous commotions. I will not
+trouble my reader here with quotations in support of this assertion, but
+content myself with referring those, who may be dubious of its truth, to
+the histories of Athens, Lacedemon, Rome, and Spain.
+
+How long, how bloody and destructive was the contest between the Moorish
+slaves and the native Spaniards? and after almost deluges of blood had
+been shed, the Spaniards obtained nothing more than driving them into
+the mountains.--Less bloody indeed, though, not less alarming, have been
+the insurrections in Jamaica; and to imagine that we shall be for ever
+exempted from this calamity, which experience teaches us to be
+inseparable from slavery, so encouraged; is an infatuation as
+astonishing as it will be surely fatal:--&c. &c.
+
+
+EXTRACT
+
+
+OF A
+
+
+SERMON
+
+PREACHED BY THE
+
+BISHOP OF GLOUCESTER,
+
+
+Before the SOCIETY For the PROPAGATION of the GOSPEL, at the anniversary
+meeting on the 21st of _February_, 1766.
+
+From the free-savages, I now come (the last point I propose to consider)
+to the savages in bonds. By these I mean the vast multitudes yearly
+stolen from the opposite continent, and sacrificed by the colonists to
+their great idol, the GOD OF GAIN. But what then? say these sincere
+worshippers of _Mammon_; they are our own property which we offer up.
+Gracious God! to talk (as in herds of cattle) of property in rational
+creatures! creatures endowed with all our faculties; possessing all our
+qualities but that of colour; our brethren both by nature and grace,
+shocks all the feelings of humanity, and the dictates of common sense.
+But, alas! what is there in the infinite abuses of society which does
+not shock them? Yet nothing is more certain in itself, and apparent to
+all, than that the infamous traffic for slaves directly infringes both
+divine and human law. Nature created man free, and grace invites him to
+assert his freedom. In excuse of this violation, it hath been pretended,
+that though indeed these miserable out-casts of humanity be torn from
+their homes and native country by fraud and violence, yet they thereby
+become the happier, and their condition the more eligible. But who are
+You, who pretend to judge of another man's happiness? That state, which
+each man, under the guidance of his Maker, forms for himself, and not
+one man for another? To know what constitutes mine or your happiness, is
+the sole prerogative of Him who created us, and cast us in so various
+and different moulds. Did your slaves ever complain to you of their
+unhappiness amidst their native woods and deserts? Or, rather, let me
+ask, did they ever cease complaining of their condition under you their
+lordly masters? where they see, indeed, the accommodations of civil
+life, but see them all pass to others, themselves unbenefited by them.
+Be so gracious then, ye petty tyrants over human freedom, to let your
+slaves judge for themselves, what it is which makes their own happiness.
+And then see whether they do not place it in the return to their own
+country, rather than in the contemplation of your grandeur, of which
+their misery makes so large a part. A return so passionately longed for,
+that despairing of happiness here, that is, of escaping the chains of
+their cruel task-masters, they console themselves with feigning it to be
+the gracious reward of heaven in their future state, which I do not find
+their haughty masters have as yet concerned themselves to invade. The
+less hardy, indeed, wait for this felicity till over-wearied nature sets
+them free; but the more resolved have recourse even to self-violence, to
+force a speedier passage.
+
+But it will be still urged, that though what is called human happiness
+be of so fantastic a nature, that each man's imagination creates it for
+himself, yet human misery is more substantial and uniform throughout all
+the tribes of mankind. Now, from the worst of human miseries, the savage
+Africans, by these forced emigrations, are intirely secured; such as the
+being perpetually hunted down like beasts of prey or profit, by their
+more savage and powerful neighbours--In truth, a blessed change!--from
+being hunted to being caught. But who are they that have set on foot
+this general HUNTING? Are they not these very civilized violaters of
+humanity themselves? who tempt the weak appetites, and provoke the wild
+passions of the fiercer savages to prey upon the rest.
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+INDEX.
+
+
+
+
+A
+
+
+_Adanson_ (M.) his account of the country on the rivers _Senegal_ and
+_Gambia_, 14. Extraordinary fertility, _ibid._ Surprising vegetation,
+15. Beautiful aspect of the country, 16. Good disposition of the
+natives, _ibid._
+
+_Advertisements in the New-York Journal_, for the sale of slaves, 158.
+Also in the news-papers of _London_, 160.
+
+_Africa_, that part from whence the Negroe slaves are brought, how
+divided, 6. Capable of a considerable trade, 143.
+
+Alien (every) or stranger coming within the King's dominion, becomes a
+subject, 148.
+
+Antientest account of the Negroes, 41. Were then a simple innocent
+people, 43.
+
+_Angola_, a plentiful country, 39. Character of the natives, 40.
+Government, _ibid._
+
+
+
+B
+
+
+_Barbadoes_ (laws of) respecting Negroe slaves, 170.
+
+_Barbot (John)_ agent general of the _French African Company_, his
+account of the _Gold Coast_, 25. Of the _Slave Coast_, 27.
+
+_Bosman (William)_ principal factor for the _Dutch_ at _D'Elmina_, his
+account of the _Gold Coast_, 23. Of the _Slave Coast_, 27.
+
+_Brue (Andrew)_ principal factor of the _French African Company_, his
+account of the country on the river _Senegal_, 7. And on the river
+_Gambia_, 8.
+
+_Benin_ (kingdom of) good character of the natives, 35. Punishment of
+crimes, 36. Order of government, _ibid._ Largeness and order of the city
+of _Great Benin_, 37.
+
+_Britons_ (antient) in their original state no less barbarous than the
+_African_ Negroes, 68.
+
+_Baxter (Richard)_ his testimony against slavery, 83.
+
+
+
+C
+
+
+Corruption of some of the Kings of _Guinea_, 107.
+
+
+
+D
+
+
+_De la Casa_ (bishop of _Chapia_) his concern for the _Indians_, 47. His
+speech to _Charles_ the Fifth Emperor of _Germany_ and King of _Spain_,
+48. Prodigious destruction of the _Indians_ in _Hispaniola_, 51.
+
+_Divine principle_ in every man, its effects on those who obey its
+dictates, 14.
+
+
+
+E
+
+
+_Elizabeth_ (Queen) her caution to captain Hawkins not to enslave any of
+the Negroes, 55.
+
+_English_, their first trade on the coast of Guinea, 52.
+
+_Europeans_ are the principal cause of the wars which subsist amongst
+the Negroes, 61.
+
+_English_ laws allow no man, of what condition soever, to be deprived of
+his liberty, without a legal process, 150. The danger of confining any
+person without a warrant, 162.
+
+
+
+F
+
+
+Fishing, a considerable business on the Guinea coast, 26. How carried
+on, _ibid._
+
+_Foster (James)_ his testimony against slavery, 186.
+
+_Fuli_ Negroes good farmers, 10. Those on the _Gambia_ particularly
+recommended for their industry and good behaviour, _ibid._
+
+_France_ (King of) objects to the Negroes in his dominions being reduced
+to a state of slavery, 58.
+
+
+
+G
+
+
+_Gambia (river)_8, 14.
+
+_Gloucester_ (bishop of) extract of his sermon, 195.
+
+_Godwyn (Morgan)_ his plea in favour of the Negroes and Indians, 75.
+Complains of the cruelties exercised upon slaves, 76. A false opinion
+prevailed in his time, that the Negroes were not objects of redeeming
+grace, 77.
+
+_Gold Coast_ has several European factories, 22. Great trade for slaves,
+_ibid._ Carried on far in the inland country, _ibid._ Natives more
+reconciled to the Europeans, and more diligent in procuring slaves,
+_ibid._ Extraordinarily fruitful and agreeable, 22, 25. The natives
+industrious, 24.
+
+_Great Britain_, all persons during their residence there are the King's
+subjects, 148.
+
+_Guinea_ extraordinarily fertile, 2. Extremely unhealthy to the
+Europeans, 4. But agrees well with the natives, _ibid._ Prodigious
+rising of waters, _ibid._ Hot winds, _ibid._ Surprising vegetation, 15.
+
+
+
+H
+
+
+_Hawkins_ (captain) lands on the coast of Guinea and seizes on a number
+of the natives, which he sells to the Spaniards, 55.
+
+_Hottentots_ misrepresented by authors, 101. True account given of these
+people by Kolben, 102. Love of liberty and sloth their prevailing
+passions, 102. Distinguished by several virtues, 103. Firm in alliances,
+_ibid._ Offended at the vices predominant amongst christians, 104. Make
+nor keep no slaves, _ibid._
+
+_Hughes (Griffith)_ his account of the number of Negroes in Barbadoes,
+85. Speaks well of their natural capacities, 86.
+
+Husbandry of the Negroes carried on in common, 28.
+
+_Hutcheson (Francis)_ his declaration against slavery, 184.
+
+
+
+I
+
+
+_Jalof_ Negroes, their government, 9.
+
+_Indians_ grievously oppressed by the Spaniards, 47. Their cause pleaded
+by Bartholomew De la Casa, 48. Inland people, good account of them, 25.
+
+_Ivory Coast_ fertile, &c. 18. Natives falsely represented to be a
+treacherous people, _ibid._ Kind when well used, 19. Have no European
+factories amongst them, 21. And but few wars; therefore few slaves to be
+had there, 22.
+
+
+
+J
+
+
+Jury, Negroes tried and condemned without the solemnity of a jury, 174.
+Highly repugnant to the English constitution, 176. Dangerous to those
+concerned therein, _ibid._
+
+
+
+L
+
+
+Laws in Guinea severe against man-stealing, and other crimes, 106.
+
+
+
+M
+
+
+_Mandingoe_ Negroes a numerous nation, 11. Great traders, _ibid._
+Laborious, 11. Their government, 13. Their worship, _ibid_. Manner of
+tillage, _ibid._ At Galem they suffer none to be made slaves but
+criminals, 20.
+
+_Maloyans_ (a black people) sometimes sold amongst Negroes brought from
+very distant parts, 27.
+
+Markets regularly kept on the Gold and Slave Coasts, 30.
+
+_Montesquieu's_ sentiments on slavery, 72.
+
+_Moor (Francis)_ factor to the African company, his account of the
+slave-trade on the river Gambia, 111.
+
+Mosaic law merciful in its chastisements, 73. Has respect to human
+nature, _ibid._
+
+
+
+N
+
+
+National wars disapproved by the most considerate amongst the Negroes,
+110.
+
+_Negroes_ (in Guinea) generally a humane, sociable people, 2. Simplicity
+of their way of living, 5. Agreeable in conversation, 16. Sensible of
+the damage accruing to them from the slave-trade, 61. Misrepresented by
+most authors, 98. Offended at the brutality of the European factors,
+116. Shocking cruelties exercised on them by masters of vessels, 124.
+How many are yearly brought from Guinea by the English, 129. The numbers
+who die on the passage and in the seasoning, 120.
+
+_Negroe_ slaves (in the colonies) allowed to cohabit and separate at
+pleasure, 36. Great waste of them thro' hard usage in the islands, 86.
+Melancholy case of two of them, 136. Proposals for setting them free,
+129. Tried and condemned without the solemnity of a jury, 174.
+
+_Negroes_ (free) discouragement they met with, 133.
+
+
+
+P
+
+
+_Portugueze_ carry on a great trade for slaves at Angola, 40. Make the
+first incursions into Guinea, 44. From whence they carry off some of the
+natives, _ibid._ Beginners of the slave-trade, 46. Erect the first fort
+at D'Elmina, _ibid._
+
+
+
+R
+
+
+_Rome_ (the college of cardinals at) complain of the abuse offered to
+the Negroes in selling them for slaves, 58.
+
+
+
+S
+
+
+_Senegal_ (river) account of, 7, 14.
+
+Ship (account of one) blown up on the coast of Guinea with a number of
+Negroes on board, 125.
+
+Slave-trade, how carried on at the river Gambia, 111. And in other parts
+of Guinea, 113. At Whidah, 115.
+
+Slaves used with much more lenity in Algiers and in Turkey than in our
+colonies, 70. Likewise in Guinea, 71. Slavery more tolerable amongst the
+antient Pagans than in our colonies, 63. Declined, as christianity
+prevailed, 65. Early laws in France for its abolishment, 66. If put an
+end to, would make way for a very extensive trade through Africa, 143.
+The danger of slavery taking place in England, 164.
+
+_Sloane_ (Sir Hans) his account of the inhuman and extravagant
+punishments inflicted on Negroes, 89.
+
+_Smith (William)_ surveyor to the African company, his account of the
+Ivory Coast, 20. Of the Gold Coast, 24.
+
+
+
+V
+
+
+VIRGINIA (laws), respecting Negro slaves, 172. _Virginia_ (address to
+the assembly) setting forth the iniquity and danger of slavery, 189.
+
+
+
+W
+
+
+WALLACE (_George_) his testimony against slavery, 180.
+
+_West Indies_, white people able to perform the necessary work there,
+141.
+
+_Whidah_ (kingdom of) agreeable and fruitful, 27. Natives treat one
+another with respect, 29.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Some Historical Account of Guinea, Its
+Situation, Produce, and the General Disposition of Its Inhabitants, by Anthony Benezet
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