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If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: A dissuasion to Great-Britain and the colonies, from the slave - trade to Africa - -Author: James Swan - -Release Date: October 3, 2022 [eBook #69090] - -Language: English - -Produced by: John Campbell and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team - at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images - generously made available by The Internet Archive) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A DISSUASION TO GREAT-BRITAIN -AND THE COLONIES, FROM THE SLAVE TRADE TO AFRICA *** - - - - - - TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE - - Italic text is denoted by _underscores_. - - The original text used the character ſ (long-form s); these have been - replaced by the normal s in this etext. - - There is only one Footnote and this has been placed at the end of the - book. - - Some minor changes to the text are noted at the end of the book. - - - - - A - - DISSUASION - - FROM THE - - SLAVE TRADE. - - - - - A - - DISSUASION - - TO - - GREAT-BRITAIN - - AND THE - - COLONIES, - - FROM THE - - SLAVE TRADE TO AFRICA. - - SHEWING, - -The Contradiction this Trade bears, both to Laws divine and provincial; -the Disadvantages arising from it, and Advantages from abolishing it, -both to EUROPE and AFRICA, particularly to BRITAIN and the Plantations. - - ALSO SHEWING, - - How to put this Trade to AFRICA on a just and - lawful Footing. - - By JAMES SWAN, - - A Native of GREAT-BRITAIN, and Friend to the - Welfare of this CONTINENT. - - - BOSTON: NE. - - Printed by E. RUSSELL, near the New Intelligence-Office - and Auction-room, and next the Cornfield, - Union-street. - - - - -THE - -DEDICATION. - - -To all FRIENDS to LIBERTY. - - FELLOW SUBJECTS, - -It is to you I dedicate this Treatise, and beg your protection of the -same, hoping it will meet with a kind reception. - -The approbation men of character and sense have given the following -Work, has made me venture it into your hands: And I hope in the perusal -you will keep in view the Author, I am certain you cannot then fail -of making great allowances. I am a _North-Briton_! And when you know -that, it alone may be judged by some, sufficient to brand me with the -hateful name of _Tory_, and thereby condemn this Dissuasion. But let -me inform you (for there is no general rule without an exception) that -I am a most sincere well-wisher to the common cause of _Liberty_, both -_personal_ and _constitutional_; then you will, give me a place in the -list of your staunch Friends, and accept of this Attempt, as intended -to be a mean of abolishing one great part of _Slavery_ here. - -If there is any merit in endeavouring to set free from _Bondage_ our -fellow creatures, and in trying to promote the good and welfare of any -nation, province, country, or individual, surely I may claim it; for -my sincere endeavour is to these purposes: And if I should happen to -miss my aim, I shall sit down satisfied with the merit of a good intent. - -Readers, I have but one favour to ask of you, which is, to peruse -this Performance with an open unbiassed mind; overlooking any defects -you may observe in these sheets, knowing they are the hasty and -undigested thoughts of the Author, put together with more good intent -than ability; after this you may either reject or practise, according -to your own consciences, and the light of this Treatise, if there -is any to be found in it. _Enslaving_ your fellow men, and using -and massacring them as they do in the _West-Indies_ and Southern -Provinces, is a matter of too great importance to be only slightly -thought of. And as I hope you have the _humanity_ of _Britons_, and -that _love of Liberty_, with which every true _Englishman_ is, or ought -to be possessed of, you will not countenance it, but declare yourselves -as I do, _well-wishers of the British Empire, and consequently enemies -to_ Slavery. - -Accept then, Friends and Brethren in one common cause, this small token -of that love and veneration which I bear to freedom, (for no country -can be called free where there is one Slave) and give me leave to -subscribe myself, - - Your Friend and - humble Servant, - - JAMES SWAN. - - - - -THE - -PREFACE. - - -I had not well arrived in _America_, when casting my eyes on so many -Black Slaves, I immediately found a warm inclination arise in my -breast, to do my endeavours for relieving them by publishing to the -world my sentiments upon their state. - -Scarce had I time to draw a breath of this air, before I immediately -applied myself to enquire into the state of this _Slavery_, and the -constitution upon which it is founded, and having met with proper -preliminaries by way of foundation for a small Treatise, I set myself -to work in forming, and in short finished this Pamphlet. - -From the consideration of the smallness of this production, and my -inability to treat the subject properly, I was nigh resolving not -to prefix my name hereto: But thinking again, some opposite party -might take hold of that, I thought it most proper to shew my common -signature, knowing the cause I defend is good and well founded. - -Some will no doubt be surprised that I have wrote this Dissuasion after -the form of a Sermon: It is easily accounted for. A Sermon being _a -discourse of instruction pronounced by a Divine for the edification -of the people_. I am no Divine nor ever expect to be; but I hope that -is no reason why these sheets should not be of publick benefit, as my -design was for that end; I chose to write it in this form, as being the -truest way to display with perspicuity and plainness the unlawfulness, -_&c._ of the Slave Trade, for which purpose I have attempted it in -different heads and branches, in some of which are contained many -pertinent remarks or observations on this inhuman Commerce; and I -thought further, it was the easiest method for myself, and plainest for -my Readers; it being intended for the weakest and highest capacities. - -It may be objected by some, that the writings on this subject are too -numerous already. I answer, that however many there may be extant, -(although I could find but very few) yet there are none so full as not -to admit of amendments or improvements: If so, and that these may not -altogether be of inconsiderable use to mankind, why may not I make -them? and why may they not be transmitted to mankind? - -A Treatise of this kind may not be unnecessary, notwithstanding many -Books, Pamphlets, and Letters have been published on the subject. - -But however ineffectual this Treatise may prove hereafter among men, -this I comfort myself with, it is as full, considering the largeness, -as any upon the subject which I have seen; and there are few arguments -that possibly could be advanced, or citations drawn from Scripture -concerning man-selling, _&c._ that have escaped, in trying to wean men -from this base and inhuman trade. And in fine, if this Work meets with -encouragement equal to the Author’s care and endeavours to make it the -most useful of the kind, by having the desired effect he shall esteem -himself sufficiently rewarded. - -With regard to the Dissuasion, I leave the Reader to judge, after -having read it over cooly and impartially, whether it ought to be -approved or disapproved; if the former, it will no doubt meet with his -protection in publick. But I have something to ask, which I beg may not -be refused, and that is, if you have not a fund of patience laid up -in store, before you begin to peruse it, you are requested to lay it -aside, until you have. - -There is one small part of it taken from _Postlethwayt_’s Dictionary -of Commerce. Another part from _A. Benezett_’s Caution to -_Great-Britain_ and her Colonies, both which Authors I am very glad -were born before me, they having assisted me so far. And with regard to -the remaining part, I can tell where it came from. - -As it is necessary in order to bring about a change in any, -particularly a publick affair, to touch the minds of the people with -a just and true sense of the unlawfulness of the thing wanted to be -removed, that to the end they may be unanimous in the abolishment -thereof; this Dissuasion I am convinced you will find upon perusal, is -calculated for that purpose, and am very sensible, that it alone never -can strike the great blow without the legislative force added to it. - -I will detain you no longer; indeed I have almost run into an -Introduction amidst this Preface: But it could not well be otherwise, -the connexion between them was so great, and had I separated them, I -should have incurred your displeasure, by increasing the Prolegomenas -to a degree larger than the Dissuasion itself. - - J. S. - - - - -A - -DISSUASION, _&c._ - - -The subject of which these few sheets treat, would have been one of -the last I should have ventured upon; had not the delusion of the men -who are concerned in enslaving the people called _Negroes_ appeared -so glaring, and the contradiction that the _Slave Trade_ bears to -Christianity, prompted me to it. - -I shall be as cool and impartial in treating of this matter, as -any British subject or Christian can: But why do I say cool? It is -impossible I should speak cooly of such base, unchristian, and inhuman -practices, in a land of Liberty and Christianity: However, in case -any thing should be mentioned in the sequel that may give unintended -offence to any person, I hope the tender feelings for these distressed -Captives, with which I am possessed, and the warmth that is in my -breast, to have this Trade abolished, will be sufficient excuse. - -I propose dividing the following Treatise into these different heads. - -I. Shew, that this custom of making Slaves of our fellow-men, is -expressly against the revealed laws of God. - -II. That it is likewise against the law of nature, and the Charter of -this Province. - -III. The disadvantages arising from this base Trade. - -IV. The advantages arising from abolishing it. And, - -V. Conclude with a short admonition to those concerned, and a method to -put the Trade to _Africa_ on a just and lawful footing. - -The first head was, That the custom of making Slaves of our fellow -creatures, is expressly against the revealed laws of GOD. And in -treating of this part, I shall divide it into the following branches. -1st. By the laws of GOD, _He that stealeth and selleth a man, shall -be put to death_. 2d. _He in whose hands he shall be found, shall be -put to death_, by the same laws. 3d. _He that buyeth a Servant and -serveth him six years, shall set him free the seventh, and furnish him -liberally with what he hath._ And 4th. _If thy Brother_, that is, your -fellow-creature, _be sold unto thee, thou shall not compel him to -serve as a Bond-man; but as an hired Servant_. - -The first branch under this head is, _He that stealeth and selleth -a man, shall be put to death_. This is one of the most express laws -of _Moses_, as you may see in _Exod._ xxi. 16, two first, and last -clauses of the verse, there mentioned in the most peremptory words; -_And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, shall surely be put -to death._ It certainly can be looked upon in no other light in the -Merchants and Ship-masters who are in this Trade to _Africa_, than -stealing of men, being accessary to, and aiding in inciting them -to war one with another, and for this purpose, supplying them with -prodigious quantities of arms and ammunition, whereby they are hurried -into confusion, bloodshed, and all the extremities of temporal misery, -which must consequently beget in their minds such a general detestation -and scorn of the Christian name, as may deeply affect, if not wholly -preclude, their belief of the great truths of our holy religion. Thus -an insatiable desire of gain prevails with their Kings, who, instead of -being protectors of their people, for this alluring bait laid before -them, by the _European_ and _American_ Factors, or Ship-masters, invade -the Liberties of these unhappy people, and occasion their oppression. -These Kings, whenever they want goods send to the Ship-masters, -acquainting them they have Negroes, and sometimes the Factors and -Ship-masters send to acquaint them, that they have a quantity of goods, -and want Slaves for the same. These Chiefs, whether they have Slaves -then or not, agree, and immediately go to war with their neighbours, -and in procuring three or four hundred prisoners, burn five or six -towns, as appears by the following extract from a Surgeon’s Journal in -a _Liverpool_ vessel. - - _Sestro, December 29, 1724._ - -“No trade to-day, though many Traders came on board; they inform 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. - -“30th. No trade yet; but our Traders came on board to-day and informed -us the people had burnt four towns, so that to-morrow we expect Slaves -off. - -“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 saw the town of _Sestro_ burnt -down to the ground, (it contained some hundred houses) so that we find -their enemies are too hard for them at present; consequently our trade -spoiled here, so that about seven o’clock we weighed anchor, as did -also the three other vessels, to proceed lower down.” - -Here follows another relation taken from an original Journal of a -Surgeon who sailed out of _New-York_, “Being on the Coast of _Guinea_ -at a place called _Basalia_, 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 informing him they wanted a cargo of Slaves. -The King promised to furnish them, and in order to do it, set out to -war against his enemies; designing also 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 persisted, -until 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. Think (says -he) what a pitiful sight it was to see the Widows weeping over their -lost Husbands, Orphans deploring the loss of their Fathers, _&c._” Oh! -shocking spectacles! to see four or five towns burnt, and four thousand -five hundred people killed, for the sake of taking three or four -hundred, and you! you! Merchants, Ship-masters and Factors the cause -of it all! Think you ever to get the crime of spilling so much blood -repented of? - -It is a known custom among the Factors who reside in _Africa_, and the -Ship-masters who trade there, to corrupt many Negroes on the sea coast, -who stop at no act of cruelty for gain. They make it a practice, to -steal abundance of little Blacks of both sexes, when found on the -roads, or in the fields, where their Parents keep them all day to watch -the corn, _&c._ Can it be denied that the _Africans_ are _stolen_ -after so many proofs of it, and if it is not direct stealth in the -Ship-masters, _&c._ yet it is the same in effect; for if they did not -go there and entice the Chiefs with money or goods, there would be no -wars, as is the case at present; and there would be none stolen if -the stealers were not bribed by the Factors or Ship-masters; and not -only those that are made Slaves of, there would still be ten thousand -others who are killed in the broils, that would be saved, were they to -discontinue this base Trade. - -Thus far I have shewn that they are stolen. They may say they pay for -them. I answer, they give money or goods by way of price to some of the -Princes and Negroes, who, for the sake of lucre, take them prisoners by -war or stealth, so that what money they give these scoundrels, (forgive -me the expression; for, what name can a man expect who would take his -Father or Brother and sell then for gain?) who take them in these -ways cannot be looked upon as a price paid in lieu, for the Negroes -themselves never condescend to be mancipated, as they get none of the -money that is pretendedly given for them. They at length arrive at the -port, the Ship-master sell them at a most exorbitant profit, and in a -few voyages he makes what he calls his fortune; this is all he aimed -at and wished for; and what follows, secures his eternal destruction, -unless timely repented of: For the truth of this, I could mention very -striking instances of men, who I see almost every day; but I do not -chuse mentioning names, for fear of seeing them contemned and despised -by every well thinking person. - -I need add no more on this branch, it being clear that they are stolen -in every sense it can be taken; they, the Ship-masters, _&c._ being -the sole cause of the many wars and broils that are amongst the Negro -Princes and Chiefs, consequently the cause of these poor creatures -being taken and made Slaves of, and of the many thousands that are -killed in the wars: Besides, it is not, nor can be denied that they -sell them, so that they who practise this branch of Man-stealing and -selling can expect nothing but the penalties of GOD’s laws, which he, -in his own time, will inflict, since man! indolent man! will not punish -them with death, as warranted sufficiently by the above cited passage -in holy writ. - -Before I leave this branch it may not be improper to give my Readers -a short sketch of the barbarous usage these unhappy people meet with -from the Ship-masters in their passage from _Africa_. After they -have got them on board shackled two and two together, they keep them -confined below all the passage, never permitting more than two on deck -at a time to take one breath of fresh air, the most common blessing we -enjoy, conscious that they are doing wrong to these people, and not -certain but GOD might raise them against the Ship-master and his crew, -if they had the least opportunity to stir up an insurrection in the -ship, to retrieve their Liberty which they had in their own country, -and which they ought to enjoy by the laws of GOD, of _Britain_, and the -Plantations. - -For the Reader’s true satisfaction as to this inhuman and unchristian -usage, which could be expected of no other than Barbarians, I shall -here narrate some accounts which have been given by men concerned in -the Slave Trade. - -First, the following case is mentioned in _Astley_’s Collection -of Voyages, 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 a Woman-slave had attempted to rise in order to -recover their Liberty; some of whom the Master of his own authority -sentenced to cruel deaths, making them first eat the hearts and liver -of one of those he killed. The woman he hoisted by the thumbs, whiped, -and slashed with knives before other Slaves, until she died.” Oh -unparralelled cruelty! - -Next is an account given by a Ship-master who brought a Cargo of -Slaves to _Barbadoes_, upon an enquiry what had been the success of -the voyage, he answered, “That he had found it a difficult matter to -set the Negroes a fighting with each other in order to procure the -number he wanted.” This shews, Reader, what methods they practise to -obtain these Slaves, _by setting them a fighting with each other_. “But -when he had obtained his end, having filled his vessel with Slaves, a -new difficulty arose from their refusal to take food: Those desperate -creatures chusing rather to die with hunger than to be carried from -their native country.” Upon a further enquiry how he got them to forego -this desperate resolution, he answered, “That he obliged all the -Negroes to come on deck, where they persisting in their resolution of -not taking food, he caused his sailors to lay hold on one of the most -obstinate, who chopped the poor creature into small pieces, forcing -some of the others to eat a part of the mangled body; swearing to -the survivors, that he would use them all one after the other in the -same manner if they did not consent to eat.” This horrid execution he -applauded as a good act, it having had the desired effect in causing -them to take food. - -As detestable and shocking as these usages to the poor Negroes may -appear to such whose hearts are not yet hardened by the practise 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. - -The second branch was, _If he be found in his hands, he surely shall -be put to death_. This is the third and fourth clause of the before -cited verse in _Exod._ _If he be found in his hands_. This is to be -understood in two senses, either found in the Ship-master’s hands -who stole him, or bought, as he says, or in the person’s hands who -purchases him. As to the first of these senses in which this passage -may be taken, if the laws of GOD, yea, even of man, were to be put into -execution, he, the stealer, or even the buyer, would be punished with -death, for it is clear as to Man-stealing, that it deserves death, -by the above passage of Scripture, and it is no less with regard to -buying: But why do I say buying? For no money can be equal to the -worth of a man: Buying, I admit that word because Ship-masters and -others in this Trade, say, for their justification that they purchased -the Negroes, but as there are no laws, either of GOD or man, for the -buying and stealing of _Africans_, I am inclined to think it cannot -be supposed, but they justly deserve death. And in the second sense, -the man who buys the _Africans_ or Negroes is full as culpable as the -stealer, and liable to the same punishment, for Scripture does not -point out particularly either of them, but only just, _If he be found -in his hands_, that is, in any man’s hands, so that it can be proved he -stole or bought him, _he surely shall be put to death_. - -The third part was, _He that buyeth a Servant and serveth him six -years, shall set him free the seventh, and furnish him liberally -with what he hath_. The first part of this branch is proved in three -different texts, _viz._ _Exod._ xxi. 2. _Deut._ xv. 12. and _Jer._ -xxxiv. 14. In all which parts it is expressly mentioned, _That if an_ -Hebrew _Servant be sold unto thee_, or if you buy him he _shall serve -thee six years, and the seventh, thou shall let him go free from thee_, -that is, he shall pay nothing for his Liberty. - -Some persons for argument sake may object to this, saying, these -people are not _Hebrews_, as mentioned in these texts of Scripture, -but _Heathens_. This may be difficult enough to determine. However, -admit they are _Heathens_, (although it is well known they are not) -it must be owned by those who know them, that the natives of _Africa_ -have exalted notions of a Deity. It is an odd method these Traders -take to civilize and teach them the Christian religion, by importing -one hundred thousand of them yearly into _Virginia_ and other Southern -Provinces, together with the _West-India_ islands, where they are kept -in greater darkness than before, as they are not allowed to worship -GOD on the Sabbath; but are employed in worldly business on that day, -which is a scandal to the Rulers of the _British_ Colonies and Islands -where such things are practised. It is subversive of the Christian -religion not to allow those ignorant people the benefit of it, who -make up more than two thirds of the inhabitants of the beforementioned -places. It is expressly against the laws of GOD; for he gave _Paul_ and -other Apostles commission to go and preach the gospel to every nation, -kindred, and tongue; but instead of that, where the gospel is preached -throughout the _British_ Colonies, and where these people might expect -to receive the light of it; I say, instead of that, they are kept from -divine worship on Sundays, and never once in their lifetime admitted to -church, but obliged to cultivate their small piece of ground allowed -them by their Masters. - -The last part of the verse runs thus, _And shall furnish him liberally -with what he hath._ That is, when the Servant hath served thee six -years, as expressed in _Exod._ xxi. 2, and _Deut._ xv. 12. _Then in the -seventh year you shall let him go free from you_; and in ver. 13. _Thou -shall not let him go away empty._ Ver. 14. _Thou shall furnish him -liberally out of thy flock, and out of thy floor, and out of thy wine -press; of that wherewith the_ LORD _thy_ GOD _hath blessed thee, thou -shalt give him. This is in token that thou dost acknowledge the benefit -that thou hast received by his labours._ Marg. Bible. - -It is still further required to set your Servants or Bond-men free at -the above appointed time, by the 15th verse of the same chap. _And thou -shalt remember that thou wast a Bond-man in the land of_ Egypt, _and -the_ LORD _thy_ GOD _redeemed thee; therefore I command thee this thing -to-day. I command thee._ You are ordered, yea, commanded to do _this -thing_. What thing? To set free your Bond-servants after six years -service. You are commanded to do it _to-day_, _viz._ At the expiration -of six years, for, says GOD, by the voice of his Servant, _I command -thee this thing to-day_. - -There is a blessing promised to those who do this thing in ver. 18 of -the above chap. After enjoining that it may not seem hard unto you in -sending away this Servant, as he hath been worth a double hired one, -in serving thee six years, he says, _and the_ LORD _thy_ GOD _shall -bless thee in all that thou doest_. Sweet encouragement for poor sinful -souls! To be blessed in every thing that they do. What man will forfeit -this great blessing for the sake of the service of one, two, or more -Servants for life? Will he allow himself to be cursed by GOD in every -thing that he doeth for the small gain he can make by their services? -This charming promise of a blessing in all that thou doest, and the -dreadful events that may take place in contradicting the command of -GOD, I hope will make such impressions upon the minds of men, that they -will not bind Servant to serve above six years; but will set him at -liberty in the seventh year, and give him liberally of what the LORD -hath blessed them with, as required in the above cited text. If you -think you have not enough of this, pass along to - -The fourth and last section on this head, _If thy Brother be sold -unto thee, thou shall not compel him to serve as a Bond-man; but as -an hired Servant_. This is proved by _Lev._ xxv. 39, 40. where it is -said, _If thy Brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be -sold unto thee, thou shalt not compel him to serve as a Bond-servant._ -This is expressly against making Slaves of any of our poor Brethren, -or compeling them to serve as Bond-servants. _If thy Brother that -dwelleth by thee be waxen poor_, are the words of the verse; the poor -_Africans_ who fall into the hands of the Men-wolves that prowl on -their coasts, are obliged to serve their lifetime, and their children -after them: This is being Bond-men with a witness, and as we have great -reason to believe they are poor enough when they steal them, they are -kept so forever after, not having means to make a penny themselves. The -_Africans_ will be understood, if not primarily intended, to be the -people mentioned in this text! It is said, _Thy Brother who dwelleth -by thee_: When they are in _Africa_ it is certain they are at a great -distance; but when they come to _America_ or the _West-Indies_ they -then dwell _by us_; therefore I think, from the above citations, no -person can buy these people, and oblige them and their children to -serve as Slaves, without incuring the displeasure of GOD and his -punishments for disobeying his just commands. - -It may be added, as in v. 42d of the same chap. _For they are my -servants, which I brought forth out of_ Egypt; _they shall not be -sold as Bond-men_. The last part of this verse is expressly against -_selling_ them as Bond-men. Should it be objected, that the _Africans_ -were not _brought forth out of the land of_ Egypt, it would not affect -the controversy. I would sincerely advise every man who is in this -abominable Trade not to persist in it, seeing the many threats and -commands against him in GOD’s laws, and the blessings that are promised -if he does not. - -The IId General Head proposed, is, That this practice of making Slaves -of our Brethren is likewise against the law of nature, and the Charter -of this Province. The first part of this head, may be easily proved -by the following texts of Scripture; _Matt._ vii. 12. _Therefore all -things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to -them._ _Luke_ vi. 31. _And as you would that men should do to you, do -ye so to them likewise._ Who is that proud one that will not receive -these instructions? And who is that man that will do unto any person, -either white or black, Christian or Savage, contrary to what he would -that he should do to him? This would be acting contrary to reason and -common sense. Would any person consent to have himself torn from his -friends and native country, and be made a Slave for life, and to -have his dear, dear little children continue in the same condition -from one generation to another? No; surely no person would agree to -that. Well then, it certainly must be contrary to the laws of nature, -christianity, and subversive of the texts just quoted, which were -wrote for our direction and guidance in this world. It is likewise -certain, that those who carry on this Trade, do not unto men as they -would men should do to them; for if these poor people which they, the -Ship-masters take from their own Country and then sell for Slaves, were -doing to them as they are done to, they would (were it in their power, -which seldom is the case, the owners being conscious of the wrong they -are doing, and dreading what naturally would follow) revenge the injury -they receive in being made Slaves, and resume that Liberty again, which -was wrongfully taken from them; I say, they would often revenge the -injury offered them by killing the Captain of the ship who had taken -them to be mancipated for life, and would serve in the same manner the -Owners of the vessel if they could get them, who are no better than the -Masters, in putting them into such employ. Who could find fault with -them? No person. They were only retrieving the most common blessing we -enjoy, Liberty, and instead of being punished, the law would protect -them in so noble an action. But, - -Readers, before I leave this, let me beg you to “bring the matter -home to yourselves, and think whether any condition in life can be -more completely miserable than that of those distressed Captives. On -reflecting, that each of them had some tender attachments which were -broke by the cruel separation! Some Parent or Wife who had not an -opportunity of mingling tears in a parting embrace! Perhaps some Infant -or aged Parent whom his labour was to feed, and vigilance protect! and -himself under the dreadful apprehensions of perpetual Slavery.” - -To inforce this part of the head, allow me, Reader, to intrude a little -upon your time, by giving you a short account of the barbarous usage -these poor Negroes meet with from their Masters in the _West-Indies_ -and Southern Provinces of _North-America_; on reading of which, you -will not be long in concluding, that they do not in this case observe -the golden rule. - -The crimes attending the Slave Trade are greatly aggravated by the -extreme cruel usage the Negroes meet with in the Plantations, as well -with regard to food and cloathing as the hard and unreasonable labour -that is exacted from them, and what cannot be forgot, the severe -chastisements they frequently suffer, which is bounded by the wrath -and pleasure of their hard task-masters. 1st. As to their food. In -_Barbadoes, &c._[1] “three quarts of corn and three herrings are a -weeks allowance for a working Slave; and it is mentioned in the System -of Geography, that in _Jamaica_ the Owners of the Negro Slaves set -aside for each, a piece of ground, and allow them Sundays to cultivate -it, the produce of which with a few salt herrings or other salt fish -is all that is allowed for their support. But need I go so far as -_Jamaica_ to prove this? No. In _Virginia_ they do the same. 2d. As to -their cloathing. In the Islands, the allowance for a Slave’s cloathing -is seldom more than six yards of oznabrigs a year, and in the Southern -Colonies, where the piercing westerly winds are long and sensibly felt, -these poor _Africans_ suffer much for the want of sufficient cloathing; -indeed, shocking to relate! some of them are obliged to work most of -the night in boiling-houses, notwithstanding the hard days work they -have performed. Their Owners make great gain by their Slaves’ labour. -They lay heavy burdens on them, and yet feed and cloath them very -sparingly, and some scarcely at all; so that it cannot be wondered that -these poor creatures are obliged to shift for their living as they do, -which occasions many of them being killed in stealing potatoes or other -food to satisfy hunger. If they are detected in taking any thing from -the plantation they belong to, which they have so hardly laboured for, -they are cruely whiped.” Lastly. With respect to the beating which -these poor people meet with in the _West-Indies_. For the least fault -they whip them most unmercifully, _viz._ for not being at work in half -an hour after the usual notice; speaking a word which the Overseer may -think saucy; not shewing respect enough to him; not doing with agility -some hard piece of work ordered them; and any thing which the Overseer -may take exception at. They beat them with thick clubs, and you may see -their bodies all whaled in a terrible manner. - -Mr. _George Whitefield_ writes in a letter to the Planters in -_Virginia_, _Carolina_, _&c._ “The task-masters, by their inhuman -usage and unrelenting scourges have ploughed their backs and made long -furrows, and at length brought them even to death.” This is the fate -which great numbers in the islands and Southern Provinces meet with. -When speaking of their cloathing and food, he adds, “When passing -along, I have viewed your plantations cleared and cultivated, many -spacious houses built, and the Owners of them faring sumptuously every -day. My blood has frequently run cold within me to consider how many of -your Slaves had neither convenient food to eat or proper raiment to put -on, notwithstanding many of the comforts you enjoy were solely owing -to their indefatigable labours.” In _Virginia_, _&c._ in case a Negro -gives the slightest affront to a white person, he goes to the Negroe’s -Master and demands satisfaction, the Master delivers him to the white -person to take what satisfaction he pleases; who whips him, strikes him -with clubs, and, as is often done, cuts off his ears, and marks him by -cuting his face, or other parts of his body. What more could be done -to a brute beast, who was brought up and designed for the yoke? Oh! -how long will you continue in this delusion and horrid abuse of the -principal workmanship of GOD. It is astonishing how a people who so -much value themselves upon their Freedom can continue in the practice -of so much oppression. Will not the groans of this afflicted and -miserable people reach Heaven! And when the cup of inequity is filled, -the unavoidable tendency must be the pouring forth of GOD’s judgments -upon their oppressors. But alas! is it not too plain that this cruelty -has already been the object of divine anger? For what greater judgment -can befal any person than to become a prey to that obduracy of heart, -that neglectfulness of GOD, and a callousness to every religious -impression? - -I could say a great deal more concerning the unparralleled cruelty that -these Negroes meet with: But I apprehend more has been said already -than will be believed, although it is far from coming up to the real -truth; for it is impossible my pen can represent in proper colours the -hard usage they meet with. The sympathizing Reader must feel the rest, -for I can assist him no farther. I believe there are but few that have -not heard or read of the cruel treatment of those unhappy mortals. -Indeed it is almost incredible that such cruelty should be practised in -any of the _British_ dominions. - -I could have quoted a dozen Authors, setting forth the inhuman -punishments inflicted upon the _Africans_; but that would have swelled -my page. I hope this short, but true narrative, for great part of which -I am much obliged to Mr. _Benezet_, will answer the same end of raising -in every breast an utter detestation and abhorrence of the horrid -customs and savage usage in the Islands and Colonies abovementioned, -and I make no doubt but every one will clearly see, _they do not to -these Negroes as they would that they should do to them_. - -I think it is time to leave this part and go to the last, _viz._ That -this base custom is likewise against the Charter of this Province; as -is clearly and most simply demonstrated by a clause in said Charter, -granted by King _William_ and Queen _Mary_, dated at _Westminster_, -the 7th of _October_, in the third year of their reign, wherein, -_inter alia_, it is established and ordained, _That all and every of -the Subjects of Us, our Heirs, and Successors, which shall go to and -inhabit within Our said Province and territory, and every of their -Children which shall happen to be born there, or on the seas in going -thither, or returning from thence, shall have and enjoy all_ Liberties -_and immunities of_ FREE _and natural Subjects within the dominions -of Us, Our Heirs, and Successors, to all intents, constructions, and -purposes whatsoever, as if they and every of them were born within our -realm of_ England. I need say but little as to this branch of the head -further than to observe, that the clause of the Charter just cited, -proves clearly, and which cannot be further disputed, _that all and -every of the Subjects, the Inhabitants of_ New-England, _which shall -come to and inhabit within the Province and territory of the same, and -every of their Children which shall happen to be born there, shall -have and enjoy all the_ Liberties, &c. _of_ FREE _and natural Subjects -of the realm of_ England. Indeed I am sorry to mention that this -Charter should have been so long subverted and remained unobserved by -the Publick in so interesting a point, when by timely observance it -might have saved many thousands from Slavery that are now dead and -mouldered into dust. I hope this easy found light will not be too late -discovered to direct and save the present Slaves from their Bondage, -which many! too many! groan under: So that I expect the inhabitants of -the _American_ Provinces will not give any person an opportunity of -charging them with that infamous character of making or keeping any man -or woman Slaves, when they are complaining daily that their Liberties -are wrested from them, and little think how they deprive these poor -Black People of their Freedom, when there is as little reason for it -as there is for making Slaves of _British_ Subjects. The above cited -clause in the Charter, says, _Those born in or shall come to and dwell -within the Province of the_ Massachusetts-Bay are FREE; from which -I am led to think, and which every person must see, will extend to -Black as well as White. But, Reader, excuse me, whoever you are, that -may take offence at my construing this clause of the Charter in the -manner I have done, it is only my opinion, and every one is at liberty -to enjoy his own sentiments upon it as well as I; therefore I flatter -myself of hearing soon, that means will be taken by the Legislature of -most, if not all the Provinces of _North-America_, and the _West-India_ -Islands, totally prohibiting the importation of Negroes into the -_British_ Plantations; and setting at Liberty with universal consent, -every Negro throughout the whole, at least in _North-America_, which -will be an honour to human nature, to say that this great and this only -remaining hinderance to the absolute freedom as well as legality of the -_English_ trade is now happily and gloriously abolished; and then we -may all cry with shouts of joy! which few more countries in the four -quarters of the globe can, _That complete_ FREEDOM _both in people and -trade is allowed throughout the_ British _Islands and Plantations in_ -America _and_ the West-Indies! - -The IIId General Head proposed was, To shew the disadvantages arising -from this base Trade. This head I propose to consider separately, and -shall 1st. Shew the disadvantages to _Africa_ in taking so many of its -natives away yearly. 2d. Treat of the hurt and prejudice of this Trade -with _Europe_. 3d. Shew the disadvantages to the _British_ Plantations -in _America_, particularly to the _West-Indies_, in carrying Black -People thither. - -The first part of this head is, To shew the disadvantages to _Africa_ -in taking so many of its natives yearly. Before I enter upon this -branch it may not be improper to mention a few observations which -Mr. _Postlethwayt_ makes upon the great qualities which this country -abound with. “Its situation for commerce is certainly beyond any of the -other quarters of the world, for it stands in the center between the -other three, and has thereby a much nearer communication with _Europe_, -_Asia_, and _America_, than any other quarter has with the rest. It is -wonderfully accommodated for commerce by the interposition of islands, -and more particularly by the assistance of the trade winds, which -render the navigation safe, easy, and constant. It is furnished with -the greatest and most convenient navigable rivers, and perhaps with as -many of them as any other of the chief parts of the world: Such are -the _Nile_, _Nubia_, _Niger_, _Natal_, which are rivers of the first -magnitude; besides these there are innumerable others, though not equal -to the former, are yet very excellent streams, situated for navigation -and commerce, and which by their noble courses penetrate far inland; -if the _Europeans, &c._ would cultivate a human and Christian like -commerce with the _Africans_, they might through these rivers become -the medium of an endless beneficial commerce. The country is populous -beyond credibility, the soil fruitful, the season for the greatest -part mild and clement, and the air salubrious.” I must stop in the -midst of this agreeable description, being afraid of leading myself -into an undue length in this narrative of the beautious perfection of -that rich and fruitful part of the world. - -I shall now consider the disadvantages to _Africa_ in taking so many -of its natives away yearly. But it is needless to speak much on this -head, as most of my Readers will perceive the prejudices to _Africa_ -in thus draining it of the inhabitants yearly in the manner _Britain_ -and the Plantations do. I shall mention a few of them. 1st. There can -be no loss to any country (particularly to one like _Africa_ that is -yet mostly to cultivate) equal to that of depopulating it. 2d. It -prevents the inland country, where the incessant broils are carried on, -from defending themselves against the attacks and encroachments made -on their properties by the Kings and Chiefs, whereby many thousands -of their subjects being taken prisoners, are sold to the Coasters, -they being nourished and caressed by the _Europeans_, particularly by -_Britain_ and the Colonies, in doing so, for the sake of the Slave -Trade to _America_, and the _West-Indies_; and further, in consequence -of this depriving them of defending themselves against these base -assaults, it prevents them entirely from cultivating and manuring -that fruitful and rich country, to the degree it is capable of. 3d. -It ever obstructs the civilizing of those people, and consequently -of propagating amongst them the Christian religion, and extending -the Trade into the bowels of _Africa_, which by contrary means might -be easily practicable. 4th. That whilst the slaving Trade of those -people, continue to be the great object of the powers that trade -there it is to be feared it will ever, as it does at present spirit -up wars and hostilities amongst the Negro Princes and Chiefs, for the -sake of making captives of each other for sale. And 5th. The greatest -disadvantage to _Africa_, by thus draining it of the inhabitants is, -that it prevents them from cultivating and peopling that great fertile -country, of introducing _European_ arts and sciences amongst them, and -of carrying on a friendly, civil, and christian Commerce with them into -the heart of their region. - -The second branch alluding to the third head was, to treat of the -prejudice to _Africa_, and its trade with _Europe_. It is an absolute -fact, that these people are incessently at war with their neighbouring -Princes so that they cannot get their business looked into or -followed, and consequently a great hinderance to the manufacturing -such quantities of their country’s produce of every kind, to send to -_Europe_ and _America_, _&c._ as they might do, were this Slave Trade -abolished, and the Rulers in amity, friendship, and concord, one with -another. - -It is further a hurt to the _African_ trade with _Europe_, for the -Slave Trade has so gained upon the minds of those men that traffick -to _Africa_, that they never once think of the other commodities, at -least in such quantities as _Europe_ might consume were the attention -necessary paid to it by making this the only object of the traders -notice. I believe it would turn out much more profitable to keep wholly -to the produce of this country, _viz._ gums, ivory, gold and silver -dust, _&c._ and to resign that base unchristian Trade of Man-selling. - -Lastly, on this head, To shew the disadvantages to the _British_ -Plantations in _America_, _&c._ in bringing Black people into them. -This will be made very easily appear when you consider, that these -numerous Black People, which are yearly brought into the southern-most -parts of _North-America_ and the _West-Indies_ were very poor at that -time, not having a penny to command, and never so much as once in -their lifetime had it in their power to make one half that sum for -themselves, so that the different Provinces in the Continent, and the -Islands in the _West-Indies_ are filled with these necessitous Black -People, and must be put upon the townships to which they belong, in -case this enslaving them be ever abolished, which I flatter myself, and -I hope not vainly, will be done in time, and that with effect. Further, -why do they fill their Plantations with Black People, so unnatural to -the Whites, the Proprietors of the different Colonies, when it seems -no way difficult to obtain White People to serve free in their stead? -_Europe_ in general affords numbers of poor and distressed objects -for that purpose, and if these were not overworked, as the Negroes -generally are, they would make as good Servants for the _American_ and -_West-India_ Plantations as the Blacks do. And if the _Europeans_ were -upon a level with regard to the price of labour, in their Colonies, I -cannot but think they would reap great advantage in laying aside the -Slave Trade, and cultivate a friendly and civilised Commerce with the -_Africans_. Until this is done it does not seem possible that 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_, _Americans_, _&c._ -amongst those people, they will never be able to travel with safety -into the heart of the country, or to cement such commercial friendship -and alliance with them, as will actually introduce our arts and -manufactures. - -The IVth General Head was, To shew the advantages arising from -abolishing this base custom. This Head I propose dividing into two -parts, 1st. The advantages to _Africa_, and 2d. The advantages to -_Europe_ particularly to _Britain_ and the Plantations in _America_ and -the _West-Indies_. - -First to _Africa_. The advantages that would arise to it, in abolishing -this base and unchristian-like Commerce are numerous, some of which may -be comprehended under the following. 1st. The abolishing this Trade may -be a means of peopling this country, and of cultivating it in the same -manner with any other country in _Europe_ or _Asia_, so as to render it -capable of bearing in as great abundance as the _East-Indies_, spices -of equal quality to those of _Banda_, _Ternate_, and _Amboyna_; I say, -the like spices might be produced on the rich and fruitful shores of -_Melinda_ on the east side, or of the slave coast on the west side of -_Africa_, and that as easy and to as great advantage, as where they -are now raised, the latitude being the same, and soil not unlike; -and, in short, cinnamon and all others, the production of _East_ and -_West-Indies_, by proper management might be raised here as well as -in those parts. 2d. It would introduce the Christian religion among -them, which is a shame to these nations who pretend to hold fast the -principles of Christianity, to keep so long hid, and of consequence, be -a means of bringing among them the more civilized arts and sciences. -3d. It will recommend the _European_ dress, and introduce their customs -among the natives, and of course civilize them like other Christian -nations. Lastly. It will be a means of bringing this country to as -great perfection in trade, riches, and grandeur, as any in _Europe_, -it being a much more fertile and plentious soil for many valuable -productions. - -Much more could I say upon the numerous advantages arising to this -excellent country: But let what has been said suffice, I leave the rest -to the Reader’s own feeling, if he has any for this poor distressed -_Africa_ which groans under a heavy load of oppression. - -The next thing in course is, the advantages that would arise to -_Europe_ in thus carrying on a Christian-like Commerce with _Africa_. -This trade even in its present state, excluding that of the Slaves, is -as advantageous as any that is now followed; and what will it be when -a friendly traffick is carried on? It is as it were all profit, the -first cost being some things of _European_, particularly of _British_ -manufactures, and others generally purchased with them; for which -there is in return, gold, elephant’s-teeth, wax, gums, cotton-wool, -divers dying-woods, and Slaves: But this last piece of Commerce, -_viz._ Man-slaving, I am far from making a part of the _British_ -trade, and I dare say every humane person will be likeminded. These -are articles which the country abound in, and would be still cheaper -to an immense degree, were the inland parts settled with their own -people; but instead of that, a hundred thousand are yearly carried -away. _Britain_ pays but little for the commodities it exports to -_Africa_, being mostly, as observed before, its own produce, such as -worsted and cotton cloths of all kinds, brass, iron, and copper work -of every sort, particularly large quantities of all kinds of defensive -arms, with powder and shot in proportion; _East-India_ goods, every -kind of _British_ manufactures, and a good deal of _American_ and -_West-India_ rum, _&c._ It is not easy to say what vast quantities -of the above _British_ and _American_ productions would be exhausted -yearly among so great a people, and in so very extensive a country, -were the Slave Trade stopped. It is the interest of every Merchant -in _Britain_ and the Plantations who are now concerned in traffick -to _Africa_, to cultivate the inland commerce in its utmost extent, -as having no manner of concern with the Slave Trade, there being the -greatest reason to believe, that where they now export twenty shillings -worth of commodities thither, they would then export an hundred pound; -and I am inclined to think when the trade comes to be extended to the -degree it will admit of, notwithstanding those goods that are imported -from _Africa_, there will still be discovered an infinite variety -of trafficable articles, with which the present Traders are totally -unacquainted, and this Trade become the most beneficial to _Britain_, -_America_, and the _West-Indies_, of any that is at present on foot, -as it is common to every individual, and of which the government has -taken much notice, by granting an annual sum of ten thousand pounds -sterling for the maintaining and upholding the forts and castles in the -_British_ Settlements in _Africa_, so that they are entirely defended -against the attacks of any enemy, and their Trade and Colonies secured -by irresistible strength of forts and castles. - -A great deal more could be mentioned on the thousands of advantages -that may arise to the interest of _Britain_ and the Plantations in -abolishing this wicked Trade: However, I shall detain my Readers no -longer on this head, but as proposed, - -Conclude the whole with some short admonitions to those concerned, -and a method to put this Trade to _Africa_ upon a just and lawful -footing. I advise every Merchant and Ship-master who is in this Trade -of Man-slaving to renounce and give it up. What arguments or reason, -pray, can be advanced for his justification, when he sees such threats -and curses against him, particularly mentioned in the first head? Why -should any person incur the penalties of GOD’s Law so daringly for the -sake of gain? Should they think themselves on a death-bed, what agonies -and troubles of mind must they undergo in the thoughts of enslaving so -many miserable creatures, of murdering so many thousands of innocent -people in the wars they occasion, treacherously taking them out of -their own country, using them barbarously, massacring numbers of them -in all the cruel ways imaginable on the passage, selling them for life, -and depriving them even of a comfortable living, notwithstanding they -serve for nothing else; surely the judgment of GOD must come upon such -men who will thus use their own Brethren who were born to inherit the -same salvation with us, and if his judgment does not come upon them, it -will pursue their children unto the third and fourth generation, until -the riches that have been thus scandalously amassed be squandered away, -and they become as poor as these Negroes themselves, by selling of whom -such unjust gain was made. But this is only one way out of thousands -that GOD chuses to afflict his enemies in this world. And, - -Still pursuing, that GOD will be revenged on those that punish -wrongfully such poor Negroes, I shall insert what the above mentioned -Mr. _George Whitefield_ says in a letter to the inhabitants of -_Virginia_, &c. “We have,” says he, “a remarkable instance of GOD’s -taking cognizance of, and avenging the quarrel of poor Slaves, 2 -_Sam._ xxi. 1. There was a famine in the days of _David_, three years, -year after year, and _David_ enquired of the LORD, and the LORD -answered, it is for _Saul_, and his bloody house, because he slew -the _Gibeonites_. Two things are here very remarkable, 1st. These -_Gibeonites_ were only hewers of wood and drawers of water; or in -other words, Slaves like yours. 2d. That this plague was sent by GOD -_many years after the injury_ (the cause of the plague) was committed. -And for what end were this and such like examples recorded in holy -Scripture? Without doubt for our learning. For GOD is the same to-day -as he was yesterday, and will continue the same for ever. He does not -reject the prayer of the poor and destitute, nor disregard the cry of -the meanest Negro.” When speaking of the oppression and unchristian -usage these poor Negroes meet with from the Ship-masters in their -passage, and from the Masters they are sold to in the south parts of -_America_ and the _West-Indies_, he adds, “The blood of the Negroes -spilt for these many years in your respective Provinces will rise up to -Heaven against you,” together with that lost in _Africa_, occasioned -by the Traders that go thither. It may not be improper to observe -here, that this plague was sent by GOD on _Saul_ and his bloody house -_many years after the slaughter of the_ Gibeonites; so may these men -reasonably expect, that have occasioned and still continue to be the -cause of spilling so much innocent blood in _Africa_ and the different -Provinces, to have a plague or curse come upon them, _many years after -the perpetrating these wicked deeds_. - -I will insert a few questions, for which I am indebted to Mr. -_Postlethwayt_, by way of argument or persuasion to give up this -enslaving of Men to those people who will be ready to defend this -scandalous Trade to _Africa_, and of keeping these people in ignorance, -who are brought into a country where the gospel is preached on all -sides of them. - -1st. “Whether the people of this country notwithstanding their colour, -are not capable of being civilized and brought into the Christian -religion, as well as great numbers of the _Indians_ of _America_ -and _Asia_ have been; and whether the primitive inhabitants of all -countries so far as we have been able to trace them were not once as -savage and inhuman as the people in _Africa_, and whether the ancient -_Britons_ themselves of our country were not once upon a level with the -_Africans_? - -2d. “Whether therefore, there is not a probability that those people -might in time, by proper management in the _Europeans_, become as wise, -as industrious, as humane, and as good Christians, as the people of any -other country? - -3d. “Whether their rational faculties are not in general equal to those -of any other of the human species; and whether they are not, from -experience, as capable for mechanical and manufactural arts and trades, -as even the Bulk of the _Europeans_? - -4th. “Whether it would not be more to the interest of all the -_European_ Nations concerned in the Trade to _Africa_, rather to -endeavour to cultivate a friendly and humane Commerce with these -people, into the very centure of their extended country, than to -content themselves only with skimming a trifling portion of Trade upon -the Coast of _Africa_? - -5th. “Whether the greatest hinderance and obstruction to the -_European_’s cultivating a Christian-like and humane Commerce with -those populous countries has not wholly proceeded from that unjust -Traffick called the Slave Trade, which is carried on by the _Europeans_ -_Americans_, _&c._ - -6th. “Whether this Trade and this only was not the primary cause, and -still continues to be the chief cause of these eternal and incessant -broils, quarrels, and animosities which subsist between the Negro -Princes and Chiefs; and consequently of those endless wars which abide -among them, and which they are induced to carry on in order to make -prisoners of one another for the sake of the Slave Trade? - -7th. “Whether, if trade was carried on with them for a series of years, -as it has been with most other savage countries, and the _Europeans_ -gave no incouragement whatever to the Slave Trade, those cruel wars -among the Blacks would not cease, and a fair and honourable Commerce in -time take place throughout the whole country? - -8th. “Whether the example of the _Dutch_ in the _East-Indies_, who -have civilized innumerable of the natives, and brought them to the -_European_ way of cloathing, _&c._ does not give reasonable hopes that -these suggestions are not visionary, but founded on experience as well -as on humane and Christian principles? - -9th. “Whether Commerce in general has not proved the great means of -civilizing all nations, even the most savage and brutal; and why not -the _Africans_? - -10th. “Whether the territory of the _European_ nations who are -interested in the Colonies and Plantations in _America_, are not -populous enough, or may be rendered so, by proper encouragement given -to matrimony and the breed of foundling infants, to supply their -respective Colonies with labourers in the place of Negro Slaves? And - -Lastly. “Whether the _British_ dominions in general have not an extent -of territory sufficient to increase and multiply their inhabitants; -and whether it is not their own faults that they do not increase them -sufficiently to supply their Colonies and Plantations, with Whites -instead of Blacks?” - -I make no doubt, but some persons who are concerned in the Slave Trade -to _Africa_, will attempt making answer to some of these questions: But -I presume there are others of them they will not venture upon, knowing -they are founded upon reason and truth, and I hope will have great -influence on those this Treatise concern. - -I would add one necessary query more, to those who hold the sword of -justice, and who must account to God for the use they make of it. -Since the _English_ Law is so truly valuable for its justice, how can -they overlook the barbarous deaths and wrongful Slavery of the unhappy -_Africans_, without trial or proof of being guilty of crimes adequate -to their punishments? Why are those Masters of vessels (who are not -the most considerate of men) suffered to be sovereign arbiters of the -lives of these miserable Negroes in their passage, and allowed with -impunity to destroy, may I not say murder their fellow creatures in -a manner so cruel as can never be related but with shame and horror? -Answer me this, ye pretended Judges and Governors in the different -Colonies where such practices are used, and not be shocked at the -negligence you have sleeped in. Since you are put in remembrance of it -now, I hope and sincerely wish, I, or any other person may not have -occasion to remind you of the same again, but that you will punish -with equity all those who import Negroes; there being hundreds of -poor _Europeans_ that would be glad to come and serve in any of the -_British_ Plantations, and those that could not pay a passage doubtless -would sell part of their time for it; and this I make no doubt, -considering they have not the charge of their funeral and death-bed -expences and sundry other things to pay, will come nigh if not full as -cheap as buying and keeping Negroes; and it will be attended with this -advantage, that these White people when they have served some years in -the lowest capacities turn out upon the waste land, marry, and in a few -years we see a town well settled, and in less than fifty years there -will be an increase of fourfold; by this means the country will fill -up and we become respectable and secure from an enemy, and furnished -with every conveniency of life. And you Governors, _&c._ who have the -legislative power in your hands will still further make Laws and put -them in execution, stopping any further importation of Slaves into the -Provinces or Islands where you are the Representative head, so that in -that time they may furnish themselves with sufficient numbers, and by -proper usage keep up that quantity which so much decrease by improper -management. Now give me leave to proceed - -In a method to put this Trade to _Africa_ on a just and lawful -footing. First, in order to this, it is my humble opinion, if I may -be allowed to give it, that there be a number of men who may chuse -to venture in this Trade, both in _Britain_ and the Colonies, that -shall be incorporated into separate bodies by the name of _English_, -or _British_; _American_, or _New-England African_ companies, or by -the denomination of other Provinces in _America_, or Plantations in -the _West-Indies_; and these companies shall equip and rig out as many -vessels as they think proper, loading them with _British America_, -_East_ and _West-India_ goods, and bring back in return, the rich and -plentiful produce of _Africa_. But before I go any further into this -point it must be observed, there is one real hinderance in the way -which must be removed, or else no man or company need ever think of -penetrating into the heart of this country, but just content themselves -with taking the skim of this Trade, leting the body stand, and that is, -the Slave Trade; this must be entirely renounced and given up by the -_Europeans_, particularly by _Britain_ and the Colonies; then we may -with a good face and conscience travel into the heart of _Africa_, and -meet with a friendly and hearty reception from the natives, who will -trade with us, and give in exchange their valuable productions for our -goods which are generally exported thither. - -When that great, that only chief obstacle, the Slave Trade is removed, -then _Britain_ and the Colonies will flourish by so great and -profitable a Commerce. Think what a great addition it will make to -their traffick, the furnishing a hundred thousand people annually, more -than are at present with cloathing, powder, shot, and warlike arms, -and many more things needless here to enumerate out of England; rum, -and sundry other articles out of _America_ and the _West-Indies_. It -is supposed that the above extraordinary number of Blacks are taken -out of _Africa_ yearly, and either murdered or made Slaves of, by the -ships that go there out of _Boston_, _&c._ and what advantages may -arise to the inhabitants in peopling, and consequently of cultivating -and manuring their ground, and of bringing their rich trade to the -perfection it is capable of, with _Britain_, _&c._ is hard to say, when -the innermost parts of that great and fruitful country is settled, -and a free and happy trade carried into the heart of it: But thus -far I will venture to say, as I have done already, that where twenty -shillings worth of commodities is at present exported an hundred pound -will be, when a friendly Commerce is carried on with the natives. - -These companies may say, that if once this trade is set on foot, other -_European_ powers, who have Settlements in _Africa_ will invade them -whenever they begin to thrive by not having sufficient funds for the -keeping in good defence the forts, &c. on the Settlements. As to this I -answer, that those companies have a sum of ten thousand pounds sterling -annually, from the Crown of _Britain_, for maintaining and upholding -the forts and castles that are built upon the _British_ Colonies, which -with the duties arising from the Trade will be sufficient to maintain, -uphold, and defend them with strength superior to the strongest enemy. - -Thus far I hope I have removed your fears of inability in supporting -and continuing this Trade, and likewise have moved ways and means to -put the same on a just and lawful footing. Now let me, patient Reader, -conclude with a short Exhortation to the Ship-masters and Merchants -concerned in this Trade, in part of which I have had recourse again to -my good old Friend Mr. _Benezet_. - -I beg you all would fly from the oppression and Bondage to which the -poor _Africans_ are subjected, loose the bonds from off their necks, -and thereby extricate yourselves from a custom which is pernicious -to your welfare here and hereafter; and as you are sensible most men -have objections to this base, unlawful Trade, you ought to vindicate -yourselves to the world, upon principles of reason, honesty, and -humanity, and then you will not attack the persons, or invade the -rights of these people. I believe those who are concerned in this -Trade will be at a loss to make this justification but upon motives -so weak and unreasonable, that I do not think any of them which have -been advanced for their defence worthy of notice; and if they are -undeserving of that, they certainly are below regard; therefore I -think _you should forever lay it aside_. This is the best and shortest -way; for _there should be no trade carried on_, it being a national -and provincial concern, _but such as is justifiable both to_ GOD -_and man_, and this is in direct opposition to both. But laying man’s -resentment aside, which is of little moment in comparison with that of -the Almighty’s, I counsel you once more to think of a future reckoning, -consider what reasons you will be able to produce at the great and last -day. You now accumulate riches and live in pleasure; but what will -you do in the end, and that will be but short? What if you should be -called hence and hurried out of this world under the vast load of blood -guiltiness that is now lying on your souls? How many thousands have you -been the instruments to, and primary cause of being killed in the wars -and broils with the _African_ Chiefs, wanting to obtain your number to -enslave; and how many have you killed in the passage, when these poor -Creatures were trying to retrieve their Liberty which they had in their -own country, and which you unjustly take from them, or rather chusing -to die than take food to nourish and preserve themselves for being -mancipated with their children after them? - -It is declared in the most express terms in Scripture, that thieves and -murderers shall not inherit the kingdom of GOD. You who are in this -Trade take warning by that, and if you have any thoughts or Christian -feeling you must certainly renounce it; for that you are thieves and -murderers (I hope after what has been said) will not be disputed; and -you should think that at the same time and by the same means you are -treasuring up worldly riches, you are treasuring up fountains of wrath -against the day of anger and vengeance that shall come upon the workers -of iniquity, unless timely repented of. - -What injustice is greater? What offence more heinous? Is there any -carries in it more consummate guilt than that in which you now live? -How can you lift your culpable eyes to Heaven? How can you pray for -mercy, or hope for savour from him that made and formed you, while -you go on thus boldly and publickly dishonouring him, in degrading -and destroying the noblest workmanship of his hands in this sublunary -world? Can you think that GOD will hear your prayers, receive your -supplications, or grant your desires, while you act thus grossly and -openly against his divine revealed will and pleasure? And do you -suppose that he who is the Parent of all nations, the Protector of all -people, and the Father of all men, will not revenge the mal-treatment -of his offspring whom he once so loved as to give his only begotten -Son, _that whosoever believed in him should not perish, but have -everlasting life_? This love of GOD to man, which is disclosed in -Scripture, adds double provocation to your crimes; for if GOD regards -us with so much affection, we ought also to esteem one another. - -Permit yourselves for a moment to reflect equitably and deliberately -upon the nature of this horrid, detestable, vile, and abominable Man -Trade, and your hearts must certainly relent, if you have not lost all -sense of benevolence, all sympathy and compassion towards those of your -Brethren who have the same capacities, understandings and souls, and -who were born to inherit the same salvation with you; I say, if you -are not callous to every Christian, humane, and manly sensibility, you -certainly must feel compassion for those extremely oppressed people, -when you think what miseries, what devastations and massacres among -them you have been the author of, and all for filthy lucre’s sake. The -thoughts of this accursed Trade touches my very heart, and finding if -I continue any longer I shall get out of the bounds of decency, must -therefore conclude. And if all you have read should have no weight upon -your hardened hearts, this remains for my consolation that I have done -my duty; and I pray! Fervently pray! That GOD would have mercy on your -sinful souls; and that he of his infinite goodness would grant that you -may be made sensible of your guilt and repent of these your execrable -and really detestable deeds. - - -_FINIS._ - - * * * * * - -☞ _The Author makes no doubt but the Publick, after reading this -Pamphlet, will readily agree with him, that the words in the Dedication -are verified, “That it was put together with more good intent than -ability,” which he is very sensible of: But at the same time thinks all -criticism and scrutinizing should be laid aside, when they reflect_, -that the will to do good is next in order to the action itself. - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[1] It is supposed eighty thousand Negroes, are upon the Island of -_Barbadoes_, and yet through the hard labour they exact of these -poor creatures, and what of them are killed through their barbarous -chastisements, a decrease is made of five thousand Slaves yearly, -which they are resupplied with from _Africa_; and it may be reasonably -expected, that the children eighty thousand Negroes would have, were -they worked in the same manner with the white people, and did not so -many of them die through hard labour, and from the treatment they -suffer: I say, it may be expected, there would be an increase of ten -thousand at a moderate computation yearly, instead of five thousand -decreasing. One may form an idea from this, of what an additional -supply most of the _West-India_ Islands and Southern Provinces need, -for there is not one of them but what import a considerable number of -Slaves annually, to keep up their common stock. - - - - - TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE - - Obvious typographical errors and punctuation errors have been - corrected after careful comparison with other occurrences within - the text and consultation of external sources. - - Some hyphens in words have been silently removed, some added, - when a predominant preference was found in the original book. - - Except for those changes noted below, all misspellings in the text, - and inconsistent or archaic usage, have been retained. - - Pg xvi: ‘shonld have incurred’ replaced by ‘should have incurred’. - Pg 17: ‘base, unchristan’ replaced by ‘base, unchristian’. - Pg 20: ‘their opression’ replaced by ‘their oppression’. - Pg 26: ‘concerned ni the’ replaced by ‘concerned in the’. - Pg 27: Quote marks have been removed from the paragraph ‘As ... Trade.’. - Pg 31: ‘land of Egygt’ replaced by ‘land of Egypt’. - Pg 34: ‘out of Eygpt’ replaced by ‘out of Egypt’. - Pg 40: ‘and mark him’ replaced by ‘and marks him’. - Pg 45: ‘by the interposion’ replaced by ‘by the interposition’. - Pg 52: ‘and conton cloths’ replaced by ‘and cotton cloths’. - Pg 56: ‘and will coutinue’ replaced by ‘and will continue’. - Pg 67: ‘the istruments to’ replaced by ‘the instruments to’. - Pg 69: ‘the male-treatment of’ replaced by ‘the mal-treatment of’. - Pg 70: ‘your hardned hearts’ replaced by ‘your hardened hearts’. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A DISSUASION TO GREAT-BRITAIN -AND THE COLONIES, FROM THE SLAVE TRADE TO AFRICA *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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