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diff --git a/old/69348-0.txt b/old/69348-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index dd1beae..0000000 --- a/old/69348-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,2686 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Considerations on the present peace, -by Robert Vaughan - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world 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. 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: Considerations on the present peace - as far as it is relative to the colonies, and the African trade - -Authors: Robert Vaughan - Thomas Carney - Various - -Release Date: November 14, 2022 [eBook #69348] - -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 CONSIDERATIONS ON THE PRESENT -PEACE *** - - - - - - TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE - - Italic text is denoted by _underscores_. - - Footnote anchors are denoted by [number], and the footnotes have been - placed at the end of the book. - - All changes noted in the ERRATA on page 68 have been applied to the - etext. The erratum for p. 21 should have said l. 34, not l. 3. - - Some minor changes to the text are noted at the end of the book. - - - - - CONSIDERATIONS - - ON THE - - PRESENT PEACE, - - As far as it is relative to the - - COLONIES, - - AND THE - - AFRICAN TRADE. - - _Magna est veritas & prævalebit._ - - - LONDON: - Printed for W. BRISTOW, at the West End of St. Paul’s - Church-yard. MDCCLXIII. - - [Price One Shilling.] - - - - -TO THE - -BRITISH PLANTERS. - - - GENTLEMEN, - -An uninterested desire of rendering service to the public, and not an -idle whim, or vanity to appear in print, has induced the editors of -the following facts to publish them. Author is a title they lay no -claim to. - -By their unornamented energy alone is meant to gain the reader’s -attention, and to enforce the facts advanced; therefore, without -further apology, they are presented to you in a plain dress, to point -out some measures that were taken to mislead the legislature, whereby -the African trade, in the year 1750, was put upon such a plan, as, by -the event, has proved extreamly detrimental to the British colonies. -On that account, the following sheets can be addressed to none so -properly as to you. - -We flatter ourselves it will evidently appear by the contents of the -following pamphlet, that the forts on the coast of Africa, are by no -means upon a proper establishment; likewise that the present method -of carrying on the African trade to those parts where the forts are -situated, by the very high price given for Negroes there, which -occasions the profit arising to be divided between the _European_ -merchants and the _African_ traders, but must become extreamly -burthensome and disadvantageous to you, we believe every _real -planter_ will allow. - -We cannot admit certain individuals to be esteemed _real planters_, -notwithstanding they may have _one_ or _more plantations_, when -at the same time they are concerned as merchants in the colonies, -who procure the ships from the coast of Africa to be consigned to -them; of which it is conjectured (and not without foundation) many -of them are part owners; for these apparent reasons, it being their -interest to keep up the price of Negroes so consigned to them, as -all such advance encreases their commissions. Therefore, in our -humble opinion, no attention ought to be paid to any remonstrance -from people so much interested, or from those merchants who reside in -Europe, that are connected with them, against any proposals that may -be offered for the general utility of the colonies, which has been -the case; and in consequence, very detrimental measures have been -pursued through the misrepresentation of such opponents. - -Should such destructive measures be continued, an absolute -diminution of the annual income from your estates in the colonies -must inevitably ensue, whether from the want of Negroes, or your -purchasing them at too high a rate. In either case, it will prevent -your being able to raise as much sugar, and other plantation-product -you would otherwise do, or to take off as great a quantity of the -manufactures of the mother-country, as were you to have a sufficient -number of Negroes at reasonable prices. Relying upon the above -allegations, with those you will find in the course of the following -pamphlet, the editors presume you will think it most expedient -and conducive for your interests, without loss of time, to apply -to the legislative power, in order that some speedy and effectual -measures be taken and carried into execution for _retrieving_, better -_regulating_ and _extending_ that valuable branch of the _British_ -commerce, the _African trade_. - -The present seems the most proper time for so great a national -purpose, in order to prevent the _French_ getting the start of you, -which they will exert all their _power_ and _abilities_ to _effect_; -for they are now not only making great preparations to carry on that -trade themselves, but they have already made several _contracts_ -with _British_ merchants to supply them with _Negroes_. So intent -are they to secure, by every method they can contrive, as great a -number as possible of those useful people, on which the prosperity -of the _French_ colonies depend: besides, as _peace_ is concluded, -his majesty’s ministers, in whose department it is, will have leisure -to examine minutely into the reasons that induced you to make such -application. Therefore there cannot be a doubt from their known -_abilities_, and willingness to promote the _public good_ by their -care of the _trade_ and _commerce_ of these _kingdoms_, but they will -give their most serious attention to any proposal you may lay before -them for so good a purpose, as the _extending_ and _preserving_ the -_African trade_; and will be as desirous as yourselves to pursue -such plan as appears to them most reasonable for promoting the -general advantage of the _British colonies_, and consequently the -_mother-country_. The editors will not intrude farther on your time, -than to hope something will be done to secure that valuable branch -of commerce to the _British subjects_, they being very desirous to -promote the prosperity of the _British colonies_, and to assure you -that they are with great respect, - - Gentlemen, - - Your most obedient, and most - - Humble servants, - - London, - 11 April, 1763. - - The EDITORS. - - - - -Considerations on the Peace, - -As far as it is relative to the - -Colonies, and the African Trade. - - -Since the preliminary articles of peace were published by authority, -we have heard many persons in coffee-houses and other places, censure -and blame our negotiators, for their not having obtained better terms. - -They say, that our acquisitions in North America are of little -consequence: yet when these acquisitions were in possession of -our enemies, they thought them of inestimable value. Can the -mere alienation of any property cause so sudden a diminution of -its original worth? Surely then pique or dislike to some of our -peace-makers, or private interest to have the war continued, must -have hurried these men beyond the bounds of reason. For if they -would give themselves the least time to reflect seriously, and judge -dispassionately, they would find, that by retaining our conquests -in North America (which are extended beyond our most sanguine -expectations) the greatest benefit and utility must arise to this -the mother-country; inasmuch as we have put ourselves in such a -situation not only in the north, but also in the southern parts, -that it is to be hoped our inland settlers will live in a perfect -state of tranquillity; and his majesty’s subjects carry on and -cultivate that great branch of the British commerce, without dread of -the Indians, or interruption from the subjects of any foreign nation. -This good effect surely must be allowed to be of immense importance -and advantage to Great Britain; and would not have been the case if -we had kept the sugar colonies ceded to France, instead of part of -our continental conquests. - -What was the occasion of the war but the negotiators of the last -peace not settling the distinct limits and boundaries of the -territories we and the French were to have in North America? We -rejoice those limits are now settled, and hope so effectually as to -prevent future disputes. - -Among the many altercations concerning the preliminary articles, and -the abilities of our negotiators, it must be allowed, with respect -to the commercial interest of this country, there is a noble Lord -in high office, and of the cabinet, whole acknowledged capacity, -great application, and long experience, at a board where he so -judiciously and eminently presided, made him a most competent judge -what measures were proper to be taken for the security, improvement, -and extension of the trade and commerce of Great-Britain and her -colonies. Therefore, we cannot doubt, but his majesty has been well -and faithfully advised as to that part of our pacific negotiations; -because the patriotic spirit, honour and integrity of that nobleman -are universally known and approved. It is not amiss to lay down as -a maxim, that in general the information of merchants is not to be -depended on by the legislature, with respect to trade and commerce, -for many other, besides this principal reason; to wit—A trade may be -very profitable to a particular merchant, city or town, and, at the -same time, be very pernicious to the general interest of the nation, -is a most notorious fact. Have we not heard many falsehoods asserted, -and seen many erroneous calculations laid before the public, with an -interested view of obtaining such private ends, and of defeating in -some very essential points the public welfare? - -Whatever self-interested people may clamour to the contrary, there -cannot be a doubt but his majesty and his ministers, in their -negociations, have given the most serious attention to the universal -good of this country, without confining their views, or partially -regarding whether _North America_ is more valuable than the _Sugar -Islands_, because each merited their notice and care, being both -of inestimable value to the mother-country, and reciprocally so to -each other; and all three so essentially connected, that whatever -happens to the disadvantage of the one, must in proportion affect the -other. For the West India islands depend upon _North America_, in a -great measure, for provisions, mill, and other timber; as well as -for horses, cattle, and many things absolutely necessary for the use -of the plantations; which are paid for in _specie_, _sugar_, _rum_, -melasses, and other plantation-produce: moreover, the melasses being -distilled into rum in _North America_, are of great advantage to -the merchants there, in carrying on the African trade directly from -thence, which enables them to make returns for those manufactures, -_&c._ they receive from hence with greater facility. All possible -care should be taken to prevent his majesty’s subjects purchasing -sugar, rum, and particularly melasses, in the French islands, by -prohibiting their importation into North America, by laying a higher -duty upon those articles than that laid by an act, made in the sixth -year of his late majesty’s reign, entitled, “An act for the better -securing and encouraging the trade of his majesty’s sugar colonies, -_&c._” whereby such high duties were laid on all foreign sugars, -rums, and melasses, to be imported into any of his majesty’s colonies -in America, as, it was thought, would answer all the ends of a -prohibition. - -But experience has shewn that law, and also those passed in the 12th -and 15th _Car._ II. are too weak to answer the purposes for which -they were designed; and that some more effectual remedies must be -found to prevent the British traders of North America importing -foreign sugar, rum, and melasses, which was a great trade carried on -by them from the French islands before the war; and by that means the -commodities from North America, wanted in the sugar islands, were -greatly advanced to the British planters. And as the northern traders -often refused to take any thing from them but ready money, which -drained them of almost all their gold and silver, for want of which -they were often brought into great distress; therefore all the money -the North American traders used to receive from the British planters, -was carried to foreign sugar colonies, and there laid out in the -purchase of sugar, rum, and melasses, which were carried to our -northern colonies, and there supplied the place of sugar, rum, and -melasses from the British sugar islands; and consequently robbed them -not only of the consumption of so much of their product, but also of -their gold and silver too. - -Whereas if the planters in the foreign colonies were obliged to -purchase what they want from the British subjects with ready money -only, and not allowed to give their sugar, rum, and melasses in -barter for the same, it would make the balance of that trade for the -future much more in our favour than it has been against us; because -we having so greatly extended the British dominion on the continent -of America, the French in their sugar islands cannot be supplied with -what they want from thence but by the English; therefore the British -traders may chuse to be paid for their merchandizes in such manner -as they shall please, which the French will be under a necessity of -complying with. - -It is well known to those who are acquainted with the sugar islands, -that the profits of the planter depend upon the vent he finds for -his rum and melasses; for if sugar only, and no rum and melasses -could be produced from the sugar cane, it would hardly pay the -expence of culture, and manufacturing it into sugar. Therefore as the -consumption of rum and melasses is stopped or increased, the sugar -colonies (whether English or foreign) must respectively thrive or -decline. And as rum is not allowed to be imported into old France, or -any of its colonies (because it interferes with brandy, which is the -product of the mother-country) this evidently shews how much it is in -the power of Great-Britain to check the progress of the French sugar -islands, and advance that of her own. For if the bringing French rum -and melasses into any of the British dominions, can be effectually -stopped, all the profits made by rum and melasses, in the French -sugar colonies, would be lost to them; because they could find no -vent for it in any other part of the world. - -This point strictly attended, and invariably adhered to, and the -African trade secured to the British subjects, to the extent of their -natural and undoubted right, would diminish the growth of sugar in -the French islands, and increase it in our own; and might, with the -addition of our new acquisitions, very probably in the course of -some years, be a means of enabling the English to undersell them -at all foreign markets in Europe, and confine them to their own -consumption. Therefore it is humbly submitted to the consideration -of the legislative power, whether this trade, so apparently hurtful -to the national interest of this kingdom, (which will most certainly -be carried on in the same manner it was before the war) ought not -to be stopped without delay; and the importation of foreign sugar, -rum, or melasses, into any of the British colonies in North America, -prohibited under such penalties, and with such encouragements to -inform and seize, as may be adequate to the crime, in order to put an -effectual stop to such a pernicious and destructive commerce. - -From what has been before observed, it will, it is presumed, -evidently appear how necessary it must be for the advantage of the -British sugar colonies, to promote as much as possible the sale and -consumption of rum and melasses, upon which, in a great measure, the -well-being and prosperity of the planters depend. On that account, -and in order to promote such desirable purpose, suppose the duties on -melasses, and the excise on rum, were to be lowered, such procedure -would favour our plantations in their rivalship with France, and -the lessening these duties will, in a great measure, prevent the -smuggling of foreign brandy to such a degree, as may probably augment -the revenue arising therefrom, by a greater quantity of rum and -melasses being disposed of, which consequently must considerably -encrease our navigation; and the disadvantage to our rivals in trade -will be in proportion to our success. Besides, rum, if it can be -got at a reasonable rate, will greatly increase the consumption of -malt spirits, by mixing them in such proportion as are suitable to -the palate of an infinite variety of people. This is evident from -the great quantities, and the various prices that spirits are sold -for under the denomination of rum, which are from 5_s._ or 7_s._ to -10_s._ _per_ gallon. - -The trade carried on between Great Britain, Ireland, North America, -the West India islands and Africa, is of greater advantage to this -country, than all our other trades whatsoever, arising from the great -exportation of _British_ manufactures, _East India_ goods, provisions -as well as _linens_ from _Ireland_, which are paid for with _specie_, -_sugar_, _tobacco_, _rice_, _cotton_, and other plantation-produce; -and with the commodities of _Africa_, such as _gold dust_, _bees -wax_, _elephants teeth_, _gum Senegal_, various sorts of _dying -woods_, and particularly _Negroes for the plantations_; whence it -manifestly appears, upon the African trade, and the invaluable -commerce of our colonies, above two-thirds of the British navigation -depends; and for this very obvious reason it may be asserted, that in -the vessels employed for said traffic, the most useful sailors for -manning his majesty’s navy (the great bulwark of this nation) are -bred; because they are inured to the manner of living on board ships, -as well in the hot as in the cold climates; which is not the case of -sailors taken out of coasting vessels, colliers, and traders to the -north seas, as hath been frequently experienced by the many (very -useful) lives in our expeditions to the East and West Indies being -lost; and that fatality was chiefly owing to their not having been -accustomed to live on salt provisions, and to bear the excessive heat -of the climate, which they were unacquainted with, and unpractised in. - -To prevent the like catastrophes hereafter, when occasion shall -require, we would propose the chusing out of the several ships -that may lie in the harbours of Great-Britain, such sailors only -as shall have been a voyage or more to the hot countries, to man -such expedition fleets for those parts of the world, where the sun’s -power is strong, as the more probable means of preserving the lives -of a great number of those valuable sailors, who may not have had a -seasoning, and have been mostly employed in the coasting trade and -short voyages. - -We have been induced to throw out this hint, in hopes that it may -engage the attention of some more able pen, to form a scheme for such -a good, humane, and noble end, before the commencement of another -war.[1] - -It must be allowed by those who have a general knowledge of the -trade and commerce of _Great-Britain_ and _Ireland_, that the -_Negro-trade_ on the coast of _Africa_, is the chief and fundamental -support of the _British colonies_, by supplying them with that race -of useful people called Negroes, to be employed in cultivating the -lands. But when there is either a deficiency of them, or that they -are purchaseable but at high prices, then such checks must greatly -impoverish our British planters; and in consequence, considerably -diminish the wealth, power, trade and navigation of these kingdoms, -the encrease of which has been, in a great measure, owing to the -extensive commerce to and from our colonies and plantations: -therefore their not being properly supplied with Negroes, must -be extremely detrimental to them; which induces us to make some -observations upon a memorial taken notice of in the _Public Ledger_, -of the third of November last, wherein it was asserted, that sir -_William Meredith_, one of the representatives in parliament for the -town of _Liverpool_, had presented a memorial to the right honourable -the earl of _Egremont_, one of his majesty’s principal secretaries -of state, “setting forth the great advantages of the trade of -_Guadaloupe, where they received_ 334,605_l._ 11_s._ 2_d._[2] for -12,347 slaves, the cargoes of 41 ships, purchased in Africa with -British manufactures; praying that the possession of that island -might be thought of in the negotiation for peace, if not incompatible -with the general scheme of affairs.” This memorial we could not have -expected from that quarter, recollecting that the great _Hardman_ is -no more. Had he been living, it would not have been wondered at, as -he was noted for his contriving, and being industrious at procuring -and presenting, memorials and petitions. He even influenced some -_merchants_ of the town of Rippon in Yorkshire, to petition the -parliament, when that great and important trade to Africa was under -its consideration. He likewise prevailed on many other towns to -petition, all as little interested and connected with the trade of -Africa, as Rippon; and said Rippon was never famous for any other -manufactory, that we could hear of, but that of making spurs; and -the cream of the jest is, that not a single pair, as a commercial -article, was ever sent to Africa; at the same time many other -measures were pursued, very singular methods taken, and absolute -untruths asserted as facts, to mislead the legislature, in order, as -it is supposed, to prevent the forts and settlements being put upon -a proper establishment, that were all as inconsistent as the Rippon -petition. - -It was at that period boldly advanced at the bar of the house of -Commons, and with great industry propagated among the members, that -the forts in _Africa_ were only useful, as marks of possession -and sovereignty; which, if true, why has 19,565_l._ 14_s._ 2_d._ -sterling been expended in building part of a fort at _Anamaboa_, to -the 30th June, 1756, as appears by the African committee’s accounts -to that time, when the further building of that fort was put under -the direction of the board of ordnance[3]? which sum has been since -paid by the public more than the annual grant of 10,000_l._ then -insisted as sufficient for the support of the forts. But we have been -informed, those prevaricating advocates have since altered their -opinion, and think it a very inadequate sum for such purpose: and it -appears by the votes of the honourable house of Commons, application -has been made to parliament to enlarge the annual grant; and there -was granted for the year 1761, 13,000_l._ and for the year 1762, the -like sum, by which it is conjectured the said advocates have found -it absolutely necessary that the forts ought to be kept in a better -state than that of marks of _possession_ and _sovereignty_ only. - -But that cannot be done, when we consider in what manner the money -granted by parliament to the African committee, is appropriated in -Africa, which the government never receives any account of. - -The great argument made use of to the then ministers[4], to obtain -a dissolution of the late African company, by the advocates for -the present system, was, that 10,000_l._ was quite adequate and -sufficient for the support and maintenance of the forts. This, we -believe, was one of the strongest reasons for those ministers -adopting their scheme, which had as much truth in it, as many other -assertions at that time made use of. - -The late company, from their experience, insisted that sum was very -insufficient; which it really was, even to give in presents annually -to the principal natives, to cultivate such an interest as is not -only necessary, but absolutely essential to support and promote the -honour, power, jurisdiction, and trade of Great Britain on the coast -of Africa. However, there has been granted, since the forts were put -under the care of the present Africa committee for their support, -from 2d February, 1751, to 2d February, 1763, 136,000_l._ which is -11,333_l._ 6_s._ 8_d._ _per annum_, exclusive of what was expended -in building the fort at Annamaboa. Notwithstanding said grants, -the forts have not been kept even[5] as marks of possession and -sovereignty; which undeniable truth the editors are ready to prove, -if called upon. - -Mourn! mourn! O _Liverpool_, for the loss of thy great hero and -champion, who was at all times ready to enter the lists in defence -of thy trade and commerce. But, Britain rejoice; for what may have -been for the advantage of the town of _Liverpool_, might be greatly -detrimental and prejudicial to the general trade and commerce of -this country and its colonies; which surely must clearly appear from -the beforementioned memorial. For we believe it will be allowed, -if we were to encrease and extend the number of our colonies in -North America, and the West Indies, it would be disadvantageous to -Great Britain, unless they can be supplied with a sufficient number -of people for their defence and cultivation, at as reasonable -an expence as possible; without taking the hands that are useful -and necessary in husbandry, and the several manufactures of the -mother-country. - -Then surely, as Guadaloupe was surrendered by capitulation to the -British arms, no longer than since the 4th day of May, 1759; and as -the merchants of _Liverpool_ had imported 12,347 Negroes into that -island some months ago, which must have been the case, or they could -not have had so exact an account; we may well conclude that a great -number of Negroes have also been carried to _Guadaloupe_, and the -other conquered islands, by the merchants of _London_, _Bristol_, -and other ports, that carry on a trade to _Africa_, and have been -carrying negroes from the time they had the last accounts, which we -may suppose to be at least six months preceding the merchants of -_Liverpool_’s memorial being presented to lord Egremont. - -This must be undoubtedly of great advantage to the _French_ planters, -and extremely detrimental to our North American and West India -colonies, for want of the _Negroes_ that have been sold to those -conquered islands; which must consequently cause a scarcity, and -enhance the price of those carried to the real colonies of Great -Britain. Because the merchants of _Liverpool_, and others concerned -in the _African_ trade, must be truly sensible, that they can -find beneficial markets in our colonies for treble the number of -Negroes they can purchase with _British_ manufactures. So that the -consumption of those manufactures is not encreased, as they would -insinuate, by their selling Negroes to the _French islands_ (for -so we must call them while they have _French inhabitants_) when -the selling such Negroes is so apparently disadvantageous to our -colonies that are inhabited by British subjects; on which account -we submit, whether as we are to give back to France _Martinico_, -_Guadaloupe_, _Marigalante_, _Deserade_, and _St. Lucia_, orders -should not be immediately sent to the governors of such islands, to -prevent _British_ subjects selling any Negroes to the _French_, which -it would be impolitic to do, even were we to have kept possession of -them. - -The ships that have been fitted out, and are upon their voyages with -an intention to sell Negroes on the _French islands_, may dispose -of them in the adjacent _British colonies_, where they will meet -with purchasers for any number, at such prices as will make their -voyages profitable. Therefore such order will not be hurtful to the -merchants, but of great advantage to the _British planters_, and -consequently so to this country. - -It is for that reason we insist it was our interest to return those -islands to France, to whom (if proper steps are pursued by us) they -must and will become a continual expence, burthen and incumbrance; -nor would our retention of them have been an advantage to us: for as -the inhabitants are _French_, we must always have kept a military -force there at a very great expence, of which recruiting would be no -small part. And one great consideration ought to be, the _number of -British subjects that would die in that unhealthy climate_, if they -were only the soldiers that must annually be sent to complete the -regiments necessary to be kept on that service. That service alone -would be productive of a great expence; and the loss of so many -subjects would prove very detrimental to _Great Britain_. - -Besides, for argument’s sake, let us suppose we had kept _Martinico_, -_Guadaloupe_, _St. Lucia_, _Marigalante_ and _Deserade_, it would -have been highly disadvantageous to the _British planters_, and -must prejudice them much in their circumstances, so as in a short -time to reduce the old _British_ sugar islands, now so populous -and flourishing, to such a state, that it made us tremble to think -of it; because the British _African_ traders would supply those -islands taken from the French with Negroes, in preference to the -old _British_ colonies; which fully appears by the number they have -been supplied with already; and as those islands are now ceded to -France, will be of great advantage to the planters therein, by -their having been in our possession, on account of the Negroes they -have purchased to cultivate their plantations. And had we kept -said islands, as soon as they had been sufficiently stock’d, they -would have carried on a trade for the redundant Negroes with their -countrymen at _St. Domingo_. Hence it appears, that great care must -be taken to prevent their having it in their power so to do after -those islands are restored to France; as we do not in the least -doubt, but from the intercourse our countrymen have had with them for -the sake of profit, contracts will be made for such anti-national -purpose. And such a commerce would enable them and the planters -of _St. Domingo_ to cultivate sugar and other plantation-produce -sufficient to supply all Europe; and by such means prevent Great -Britain’s reaping the advantage that she derives from the exportation -of the produce of her colonies: which is so essential a benefit to -her, and is one of the first causes of our receiving a balance of -trade from foreign countries, and in which the landed interest, -merchants and manufacturers of _Great Britain_ and _Ireland_, as also -the _planters_ and _merchants_ in our _colonies_, are so materially -concerned and interested. For the lands in Britain must always rise -and fall in proportion as our manufactures and navigation prosper or -decline, and the national revenue encrease or diminish, as the trade -of our colonies is in a more or less flourishing way. - -Therefore is it not evident, that there is not a man in this kingdom, -who, in proportion to his possession and property in the community, -does not partake of the benefits and advantages accruing from the -_African_, _North American_, and _West Indian_ trades; and who would -not be a sufferer in proportion to his situation in life, should -they diminish, by falling into the hands of people belonging to any -other nation? where, supposing it to be the case, the profit of those -valuable trades must consequently center. - -For notwithstanding the advantage the French inhabitants would have -had by our retention of those islands, they would take nothing from -us for the use of themselves, or their plantations, but what they -were obliged to out of the greatest necessity; as we have no wines -to supply them with, which are proper for that country: so that they -would have their wines, and every thing else they could possibly -procure, from France; having been accustomed from their infancy -to wear French, which they would ever look on as their own native -manufactures. And sorry we are to say, too many of them are used in -the British colonies, as well as in this country. For which reason -they would always have a dislike to British manufactures, and that -would induce them to pursue every measure to smuggle their own into -those islands; and for the sake of profit, many English traders would -be induced to carry them from the Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey, and -other places, in preference to those of their own country, which has -already been the case. But supposing it not so, the real profits -of those islands, while possessed by French inhabitants, would not -center in Great Britain, but in France; because, on account of the -difference in religion, they would send their children thither for -education, and make provision for themselves to retire there, always -looking upon it as their home. Even so our planters do in regard to -Great Britain; for all those who go to the West Indies, or are born -there, have no intention to end their days in that climate, but are -always aiming to lay by a sufficiency to go home, as they call it; -that is, the _English_ planters to come to _Great Britain_, and the -_French_ to _France_. - -By what has hitherto been advanced, surely it will evidently appear -to every impartial reader, that had we retain’d the French sugar -islands, they would not have been of any advantage to this country, -but on the contrary. It is not the number of islands, where sugar, -tobacco, rice, and other plantation-products are raised, that will -be advantageous to this or any other country, without they can be -supplied with a sufficient number of Negroes for their cultivation; -the land being all tilled by hand-labour with the hoe, as there is no -ploughing with oxen and horses in the West Indies, except in Jamaica, -where two or three planters have used the plough to some part of -their plantations, where the soil was light, and of a sandy nature; -and all other work is done by _Negroes_, as Europeans cannot do any -laborious work there. - -Their field _labourers_, sugar _boilers_, _distillers_, _coopers_, -_mill-wrights_, _carpenters_, _masons_, _builders_, _smiths_, and -house _servants_, are _blacks_; therefore it is not the number of -islands, but the greatest number of the _best Negroes_ that benefit -the mother-country, _which sort_ we can make appear, the French -since the year 1729, in times of peace, to the commencement of the -present war, have been constantly supplied with. That is one of the -true causes why they have produced such quantities of sugar, and -other plantation-product; that for several years before the war, they -were become our rivals at foreign markets, so far as to draw from -thence a great annual balance of trade in favour of France.[6] But -this _effect_ would have been prevented, if proper measures had been -pursued by us for the preservation of the _African_ trade, to that -part of _Africa_ where the hardy Negroes, who are inured to labour in -their own country, were to be purchased. - -The French, from the year 1729, to the end of the year 1738, carried -from the _Gold Coast_, _Popo_ and _Whydah_, _fifteen_ or _seventeen -thousand_ of those valuable people annually; when _four thousand_, -in any one year during that period, were not carried to the British -plantations; which is the truest reason that can be assigned for the -prosperity of the French colonies, and the main spring of the great -increase of their product. For they do not understand the cultivation -and management of a plantation in any degree equal to the British -planters: therefore their advantage and success has been owing, in a -great measure, to the good and hardy labourers they have had to till -their land, and manufacture the product of it. - -We doubt not but the merchants trading to Africa will say, they -have imported since the year 1729, more Negroes into the _British_ -sugar islands, than the _French_ have to theirs in time of peace -(to the commencement of the present war). We admit they have, of -Negroes from _Gambia_, _Calabar_, _Boney_, _Benin_, the _windward -coast_, and _Angola_. But we take upon us to assert, they cannot -with truth say, they have imported to the colonies as many Negroes -from the _Gold Coast_, _Popo_, and _Whidah_, which are the most -valuable for the laborious cultivation of the sugar cane, and other -plantation-product, and manufacturing it into sugar and rum, for the -following seasons. - -The _Gold Coast_, _Popo_, and _Whidah_ Negroes are born in a part -of Africa that is very barren; a small bullock carried thither from -another part, when fatted, will sell for near 32_l._ a sheep for -20_s._ four small fowls for 4_s._ sterling, and all other provisions -in proportion, except fish; and their coarse kind of bread, which -is their chief food. On that account, when able to take the hoe -in hand, they are obliged to go and cultivate the land for their -subsistance. They also live hardily; so that when they are carried -to our plantations (as they have been used to hard labour from their -infancy) they become a strong, robust people, and can live upon the -sort of food the planters allow them; which is, bread made of Indian -corn, and fish, such as herrings and pilchards sent from Britain, -and dried fish from North America, being such food as they lived -upon in their own country. Indeed they live better in general in our -plantations; and they are always ready, on their arrival there, to go -to the hard work necessary in planting and manufacturing the sugar -cane. - -On the other hand, the _Gambia_, _Calabar_, _Boney_, and _Angola_ -Negroes are brought from those parts of _Africa_, that are extremely -fertile, where every thing grows almost spontaneously; and where a -bullock may be bought for less than 20_s._ a sheep for 1_s._ and a -dozen of fowls for the same. They have every other necessary of life -in great plenty. On that account, the men never work, but lead an -indolent life, and are in general of a lazy disposition and tender -constitution; for the necessary work among them is done by the women, -which is little more than fetching wood to dress their victuals: so -that when those people are carried to our sugar islands, they are -obliged to be nursed, to be taken great care of, and brought to work -by degrees. - -The planters, when the _Gold Coast_ and _Whidah_ Negroes were carried -to the sugar colonies, before the _French_ interfered in that trade, -found there was not a sufficient number to extend their cultivation, -by carrying on all the different planting business, and therefore -were accustomed to purchase those tender (the worst sort of) Negroes, -and employ them for household servants, to raise corn, aloes, look -after cattle, bring them up to trades and easy labour, knowing them -unfit for the hard work necessary in sugar-plantations. - -The Negroes of the river _Gambia_ are better than the last-mentioned; -both of which are much more proper for the North American planters, -as they have plenty of provisions at a small expence, and, on that -account, can use them to gentle labour, and inure them, by degrees, -to work with the same sort of food they were accustomed to in their -own country. - -But that is not the case of the planters in the sugar islands; which -sufficiently proves how disadvantageous it must be to have such -imported there, in preference to those that would be so immediately -useful and serviceable, or to let the French purchase the better sort. - -Yet such has been the case, it being for the interest of the African -merchants to supply the _British_ planters with the inferior sort, as -each Negro costs much less on the coast of _Angola_, &c. than those -from the _Gold Coast_, &c. which saves a great deal in the outset of -the cargoes sent to _Africa_, and consequently greatly encreases the -net profit on the voyages, as the tender and worst sort of Negroes -will sell in the sugar islands for near as great a price each as the -best, provided there is none of the latter at market; and a greater -number of the former being subject to die, must encrease the demand. - -This we thought proper to take notice of, to shew how necessary -it will be for the interest of this country, that the French -should not for the future be allowed to trade in _Africa_, at cape -_Appollonia_, or between it and the river _Volta_, where, and at -_Popo_ and _Whidah_, to the eastward of that river, the valuable -Negroes beforementioned, adapted by their natural constitution for -cultivating the sugar plantations, are to be purchased; otherwise -in times of peace, they will be constantly making encroachments as -heretofore; so that when the late company’s governor at _Cape Coast -Castle_ saw a _French_ vessel upon the Gold Coast, he used to order -an officer to go on board with a message to the following purport. - - “You are ordered on board the _French_ vessel, to tell the master, - the governor and council do not make trade with the subjects of - _France_,[7] nor do they suffer the natives to trade with them. - But as there subsists a good friendship and alliance between the - king of Great Britain and the French king, if the master should be - distressed for water, or such like necessaries, he might have it - upon application, by admitting an officer on board, to prevent his - having intercourse with the natives, or others, till he should have - received such supplies; but that he should not be allowed to trade - to the westward of the river _Volta_, which if he attempted, proper - measures would be taken to prevent and obstruct his commerce. - Therefore, should he neglect those orders, and receive any damage - thereby, it would be his own fault; as the governor and council - held the trade of the _Gold Coast_, the indubitable right and - property of THE ROYAL AFRICAN COMPANY OF ENGLAND.” - -This warning sometimes had the desired effect; at others, the -governor and council were obliged to arm vessels to drive them off, -which occasioned the masters of French ships to protest against the -said governor and council. The protests were sent to them by the -chevalier _Glandeuves_, commodore of _le Content_ and _Oriflamme_, -two French men of war, in his letters dated _Annamaboa Road_, the 9th -and 12th of February, 1751, wherein he insisted that the French had -an undoubted right to trade to any part of Africa, out of gun-shot of -any European fort. - -How far the then governor and council were justifiable, in arming -private ships to defend and preserve the trade and commerce under -their care in time of peace, or any future council may be for -exerting themselves in a like manner, we will not undertake to say; -but are fully satisfied the French will go thither, and that the -governor of the fort at Annamaboa will not be able to prevent their -having intercourse with the natives, but by arming vessels to see -them to the eastward of the river _Volta_. For we are of opinion, -property and right are not to be tamely given up in that part of -the world, in hopes of relief from our administration at home; it -being so remote from the giving of immediate redress, and distant -from appeal; or at least, it has happened so in all complaints made -to former ministers. Many instances thereof can be given, which -induced us to lay before the public the foregoing observations, as -the present seems the most proper time to have such rights settled, -to prevent future disputes between the subjects of both nations, -which if not prevented in an effectual manner, by putting the forts -upon an establishment, that the officers commanding them may be in -such situation, as to protect the trade under their care from the -encroachments of any foreigners, will inevitably happen. - -It is also necessary to remark, that the French should not be -permitted to re-settle a factory they had before the war at _Abreda_, -about a league below _James Fort_, in the river _Gambia_, which was -destroyed by that gallant sea officer, and brave commander Sir George -Pocock, in the year 1744, but settled again after the peace; and -again destroyed this war by Capt. Marsh, commander of his majesty’s -ship Harwich. - -If they are not permitted to re-establish that factory, and the trade -of _Gambia_ and _Senegal_ rivers are pursued in a proper manner, -_Goree_ will be of no consequence, but an expence to France, for -many good reasons we think it improper at present to enlarge upon; -knowing there is a work in hand that will soon be published, wherein -all the advantages of the _African trade_ are fully considered from -the time LETTERS PATENT were granted by king Charles the second, the -27th day of September, 1672, to establish and incorporate the late -royal African company of England; shewing how the trade was carried -on by that company, and the true cause of their having been rendered -unable to support their forts and settlements without the aid of -government, with the ill consequences that attended the decay of that -valuable branch of British commerce, on which the prosperity of our -colonies, and so many branches of our manufactures, depend; followed -by observations on the qualities of manufactures sent thither, and -the regulations that it is necessary should be made regarding the -same. To which will be added, a plan to revive and extend that trade -to the inland parts of _Africa_, so as the most valuable Negroes may -be secured for the British planters, as the only means to prevent the -growth of the French colonies, or at least to make them extremely -expensive and burthensome to their mother-country; and, on the -contrary, ours to become of the greatest benefit and advantage to -Great Britain and Ireland. - -Senegal is most certainly a great and valuable acquisition to this -country, if put upon a proper establishment, as it will secure to us -all the gum trade, so useful in our manufactures, and will greatly -encrease the slave, gold and ivory trades in _Gambia_ river. For -when Senegal was in possession of the French, by means of a fort -they had at _Gallam_, about five hundred miles from the sea up that -river (since the decline of the late Africa company, by no factory -being kept at _Fatatenda_, about the same distance up _Gambia_ river) -intercepted the greatest part of the slave, ivory and gold trades, -that came from the several inland countries to the north east of -those rivers: therefore, if proper steps are taken, those trades may -be greatly encreased and extended at an inconsiderable expence, not -having the subjects of any foreign nation to interest themselves -against such a scheme. - -The African merchants, to vindicate themselves in carrying on the -trade for the _worst Negroes_ in preference to the other, give out, -that the better sort are not to be come at. But there is no other -grounds for such an assertion, than that the roads to those great -and populous inland countries lying at the back of the forts and -settlements on the _Gold Coast_, have been stopt since the year 1738, -which has prevented all intercourse with the natives, except those -who live within about fifty miles of the sea-coast; whereby a stop -was put to that great trade which came down, when the roads were -kept open by the power and influence of the company’s officers, -and by their alliance and friendship with the several princes and -people in power, living in the different _countries near_, and in the -_towns_ on the said _roads_, that were opened and settled by the late -company’s officers at a very great expence. - -One great reason for the decline of their power and influence was, -by the masters of private trading vessels putting in practice every -measure they could invent to vilify and render the company’s officers -insignificant and contemptible to the inland people and Negroes under -their command. - -By which sinister machinations, they lost that weight and authority -so necessary for them to act as protectors of the injured, and -mediators in adjusting and deciding disputes that frequently happen -between _African_ princes; which if the company’s officers cannot -accomplish by policy, presents, or amicable measures, they should -be maintained in such a respectable situation, as to be able to -join the injured party, and to compel the refractory to accommodate -matters[8], so as to procure peace, and bring the country to a state -of tranquillity. - -For it is a mistaken notion, that the company’s officers (during -their command) created wars between the _African_ chiefs, in order -to purchase the prisoners, which should be made on either side. This -falsehood was propagated also at a certain time, to serve particular -purposes. On the contrary, slaves are bred in the inland parts of -_Africa_, and sent for sale, according to the want those people are -in for _European_ manufactures; the same as an ox or horse is taken -to market, when a farmer in England wants money to pay his rent, or -for other purposes. Every man in Africa is looked upon to be a man -of property and power in proportion to the number of Negroes he is -possessed of. - -When such disputes as above glanced at happen, the consequence is an -immediate stoppage of the roads by those people nearest the sea-side, -to prevent their adversaries getting guns, powder, or any other -necessaries for war; which in 1738 occasioned the king of _Warsaw_, -and his allies, to draw a discriminating line along the _Gold Coast_ -for that intent; and this hath ever since prevented all intercourse -and trade with the inland natives in the direct way; as also any -gold or slaves for sale coming from them, except a few stolen away -by the king of _Warsaw_’s soldiers, with a little gold; and an -inconsiderable number of slaves brought from the great kingdom of -_Ashantee_, in a very difficult and dangerous way, by the traders of -that country, in order to purchase guns and powder at the _British_, -_Dutch_, and _Danish_ forts at _Acra_. - -These traders are obliged to come and return in arm’d bodies, many -miles round about through strange countries, where they are afraid -of being plundered by the natives of their European goods, and are -themselves in danger of being seized upon, and sold as slaves, which -prevents their bringing the trade down as usual. - -Consequently, whenever the proper roads are open, and protection -given, there will be a great number of slaves, gold dust and -elephants teeth brought down to the sea-side, to purchase British -manufactures for supplying the inhabitants of those extensive -countries, that have stood in need of them so many years. - -The obstructing of such intercourse has occasioned our planters being -deprived of fifteen or twenty thousand of the best and most useful -Negroes yearly for their plantations,[9] and Great Britain has -thereby also been prevented from receiving _fifty or sixty thousand -ounces_ of gold dust,[10] besides thirty or forty tons of elephants -teeth annually.[11] - -It is highly probable that _Africa_ abounds with gold mines, richer -than those in the Brazil, or in any other country; for the late -African company, in the infancy of their trade, imported from their -settlements on that coast, from the year 1675 to the year 1690, -as much gold as was coined at the Tower into 400,000 guineas[12], -exclusive of what was sent and brought home by their officers and -servants, who were always paid their salaries and commissions -upon the trade they made in that commodity, which must have been -no inconsiderable quantity; because, as the company extended -their forts and settlements upon the Gold Coast, their gold trade -increased so much, that they were used to take in exchange for -British manufactures, and East India goods in _Africa_, upwards -of two thousand ounces of gold weekly, which can be proved from -authentic vouchers, and continued so to do until such time as the -private traders made incroachments upon them, and overstocked the -country with goods by their competitions with each other, which the -natives took the advantage of, and insisted upon the traders lowering -the price of European merchandize, and raising those of Africa, by -keeping their slaves, gold and ivory up to an exorbitant price, and -thereby getting as great a quantity of goods, for a few slaves, as -was sufficient for their consumption; and was the cause of fewer -being brought from the inland countries, as by the high prices, -before observed, the Negroes got what goods they wanted for the small -number sold, which also prevented their bringing gold to market, and -by which means that valuable branch of the _African_ trade, of such -importance to this country, was in a great measure destroyed, and the -profits thereof centered with the natives of _Africa_. - -We believe the private traders will admit they have not altogether -imported from _Africa_ into these kingdoms two thousand ounces -of gold annually[13]; and that since the act of parliament for -dissolving the late company, and putting the forts and settlements -under the management of the committee of the company of merchants -trading to Africa, the officers commanding there, have not taken gold -sufficient to pay the annual salaries of their servants, though they -are fewer in number than those that were kept by the late company. - -From what has been stated, we conjecture it will appear, that the -_British_ forts in _Africa_ are not upon a proper plan; if they -were, the commanding officers for the committee of the company of -merchants trading to _Africa_, would, in eleven years and upwards, -have opened those roads (which have been so long stopt) that the -colonies and mother-country might receive those great benefits and -advantages beforementioned, by having the trade brought down to the -forts without interruption, from the remotest parts of _Africa_, as -it was in the time of the late company’s prosperity; but that has not -been done, and as the British traders declined that trade many years -before the _French_ seized the opportunity of stepping in, and reaped -so great advantages thereby, as to have carried to their colonies, -not fewer than one hundred and fifty thousand of those useful people, -from the year 1729 to the year 1739. - -This induces us to think, that the _British_ merchants forsook that -trade, and made the opposition they did to the late company, to get -the forts and settlements under their management, to prevent other -people putting them upon a proper establishment, that might hinder -the French making the encroachments they have made in time of peace -(and consequently carrying to their plantations those most useful -people) in order to follow their more favourite trades to _Benin_, -_Calabar_, and the coast of _Angola_, because there they can purchase -three hundred Negroes with a cargo of 3600_l._ value, when that -number upon the Gold Coast would cost in March last 4950_l._[14]. -Therefore we fear the private interest of said opposers rather gained -an ascendency over them, to the great prejudice and disadvantage -of the British colonies and the mother-country, and to the great -emolument of the French; which we thought proper to observe at this -juncture, and to hint also, that it will be more fully set forth in -the description of the African trade beforementioned. - -We hope to see a minister at the head of the administration in this -country, devoid of faction and corruption, that no private pique -or prejudice against person or party will so far influence him, as -not to pay a due and impartial attention to what is laid before -the legislative power, relative to that valuable branch of British -commerce, the _African_ trade. - -We shall rejoice that such enquiries will not for the future be -prevented by ministerial direction, as happened at a certain -period, when it had cost great pains and expence to bring a matter -of the utmost importance to this country to a hearing, which was -frustrated, by putting a previous question in a great assembly on -purpose to prevent such enquiry; notwithstanding several persons -had been examined with respect to the _African_ trade, as well as -the expenditure of public money[15]; and for no other reason, as -we could learn, or can conceive, than[15] that one of the greatest -planters in the world (who at this time so worthily fills the first -office in this metropolis) promoted said enquiry; which, under a wise -and able minister, would have been a sufficient reason for examining -minutely into an affair of such national consequence. - -For what must be prejudicial to that planter’s interest, must in -proportion be so to every other in the sugar colonies: and those of -small property must feel the effects of being supplied with the worst -sort of Negroes at exorbitant prices, more than those of affluent -circumstances. - -We have the honour to know that gentleman well, and are fully -satisfied he was induced to exert himself in behalf of that enquiry, -not from a motive of private interest, but for the general good of -all those interested in, and concerned for the prosperity of the -_British_ colonies. - -We therefore hope he will long live to employ his great abilities in -promoting all good, and opposing all bad measures, with that zeal -and spirit he hath always done, as also to prevent, to the utmost -of his power, any minister (hereafter) daring to smuggle accounts -into a certain assembly, although great objections had been made to -them, before those objections were canvassed and cleared up; and -that he will ever oppose the issuing public money intended for other -services, till a satisfactory account is given, which has been the -case[16]. However, we shall not at present enlarge further upon this -head, because we know an abstract of the report of the committee, -appointed by the honourable house of commons, will soon be published, -to which we beg leave to refer our readers. - -When the enquiry, relative to the _African_ trade, was under -consideration before the honourable house of commons in the year -1758, Mr. Pitt, that wise, great and able statesman, who has done -his king and country so many eminent and good services, was pleased -to declare, that he believed the then method of carrying on the -_African_ trade wanted alteration and amendment. He also added, -that when we should be so happy as to have a peace, he would be at -all times ready to examine into it, and give all the assistance in -his power to put it upon such a footing, that our plantations might -be supplied with the best and most valuable Negroes at reasonable -rates. We doubt not but he will make good his promise to lend his -able assistance, and also to recommend it to the administration -to begin such an enquiry, and continue it, in order to amend the -present, or form such other plan, as will preserve and secure that -valuable trade to the _British_ subjects, as the only and certain -means to encrease the produce of the _British_, and lessen that of -the _French_ colonies. For, with the islands we already possess, and -those which it appears by the preliminaries are to be ours, we shall -have a sufficient number to raise sugar, _&c._ for the consumption of -all Europe, if our British planters are properly supplied with the -best sort of Negroes for their cultivation. - -When that gentleman has assisted in doing this further service to his -country, we sincerely wish him a long series of uninterrupted health, -to enjoy the fruits of an honourable and permanent peace; and that he -may be held in that esteem, reverence and honour, he so justly merits -from all lovers of this country. - -Should such an enquiry be made, we hope some method will be found -out, to examine all persons at the bar of the house of commons upon -oath; for if that could be done, it would save the house a deal of -trouble, and prevent their receiving false information in matters of -the utmost consequence to this nation and its commerce. Because we -have heard people assert at that bar, what, to our knowledge, they -at the same time knew to be intirely false; which we most sincerely -wish could be remedied; or at least that persons examined there, upon -matters of importance, should be informed they will be examined with -respect to the same matter upon oath, at the bar of the house of -lords, which we presume may be done; and if done, will be attended -with great and good consequences to the whole community. - -We cannot omit observing; that it was industriously reported, -propagated, and even urged as an argument in a great assembly, when -the state of the sugar islands was under their consideration in -the year 1758, that the British planters had formed a scheme for a -monopoly, by agreeing only to cultivate such part of their lands -as would produce but a certain quantity of sugar, in order to raise -the price, and exactingly to obtain as much for a little as a great -quantity; which was as true and likely to be the case, as if the -farmers of _Great Britain_, _Ireland_, _France_, _Sweden_, _Poland_ -and _Denmark_ were to enter into a combination to leave such parts of -their lands uncultivated, with an unfair intent of raising the price -of grain; which we believe any person will readily admit can never be -brought about, although a correspondence may be easier, and in much -less time carried on between the farmers of those nations, than the -planters of our sugar colonies, as those of Jamaica cannot correspond -with Barbadoes, or any other part of the sugar islands, sooner than -by way of _Great Britain_ or _North America_, which would at least be -six months before they could hear from each other; that impediment -alone is sufficient to shew, that people thus separated, though ever -so well inclined, can never form a monopoly. - -Besides, would it not be absurd, even to suppose that the farmers of -Great Britain, and other nations, who inhabit corn countries, do not -raise as much grain upon their farms as they possibly can procure -servants at reasonable wages, and can stock them with horses, cattle, -_&c._ at a cheap rate? - -But if they are obliged to pay great wages to their servants, and -extravagant prices for their stock, they can then only put in -execution the cultivation of their lands by degrees, which is exactly -the case of the British planters; for had they a sufficient supply of -the proper sort of Negroes at reasonable rates, they would not let -any of their land lie idle that was worth being cultivated. - -Therefore the true reason why some lands may lie unplanted in the -sugar islands is, it would greatly prejudice any planter in their -circumstances, to attempt to make new plantations with those tender -sort of Negroes, who have been carried to them in great numbers for -several years past, and sold at the extravagant prices from 50_l._ -to 54_l._ and upwards each; whereas the best sort of Negroes, at -the time the late company cultivated and preserved the trade on the -_Gold Coast_, _Popo_, and _Whidah_, so as to prevent the French -carrying the best sort of Negroes to their plantations, who therefore -were sold in ours at the moderate prices of 20_l._ to 25_l._ a head -the highest; which was a very great encouragement to the planters -to clear their lands, and cultivate new plantations, enabling them -thereby greatly to improve and encrease the product of the islands, -which it must be their interest to do to the very extent of their -power, if their lands are situated with any sort of convenience for -water, or other carriage, to convey the product of their plantation -to the sea-ports, notwithstanding what was at that time advanced to -the contrary, to serve particular purposes, and in order to divert -the attention of the legislature from the real causes. - -For whatever people may think, who are not well acquainted with -the colonies, because they see some of our planters come to settle -here in great opulence; that is no reason why those remaining in -the colonies are all rich; for if they were, few of them would stay -there: on the contrary, they are obliged to cultivate their lands -with the greatest pains and industry, in order to raise as much sugar -and other product as they possibly can, to pay the debts they owe: -for there is not a sugar island but what is considerably indebted to -Great Britain; so that whatever disadvantages the planters of our -colonies labour under, they must terminate by being prejudicial to -this country. - -We cannot help once more observing, it is not having the most sugar -islands that will be the greatest benefit and advantage to the -mother-country, unless such islands can be supplied with a sufficient -number of the best Negroes for their cultivation; therefore as _Great -Britain_, _France_, _Spain_, _Holland_ and _Denmark_ have encreased -their number, and extended their colonies to such a degree, that -Africa cannot sufficiently supply them all with Negroes, including -those that the Portuguese want and carry off. On that account, in -our humble opinion, the contest ought to be, not who has the most -islands, but who can secure the trade to those parts of Africa, -where the best and greatest number of those useful people are to be -procured, as the only means to promote the interest and prosperity of -their colonies who may be so lucky to succeed in doing it, but will -be very disadvantageous to their competitors. - -From what has been before observed, we presume it will be admitted -that every equitable method ought to be pursued and put in practice -by Great Britain, to secure to herself as much as possible the -African trade, in order to prevent the French purchasing Negroes. For -the same reason we take all the measures we possibly can, to hinder -the smuggling of wool, or any of our artificers and manufacturers -going to France. It cannot be too much insisted on that the Negroes -are of as much consequence and use for the cultivation of our -colonies, as the wool is to our manufactory, for these obvious -reasons; that the Negroes are the artificers, manufacturers, and -labourers in the colonies; because the whole process, from clearing -and preparing the ground to plant the sugar cane, and manufacturing -it into sugar and rum, and the putting it on board the ships, is the -work of Negroes; therefore it surely must be very prejudicial to our -interest to sell any of those useful people to the French, even were -they to pay gold or silver for them: there are, besides, much more -cogent reasons to be given why we should exert ourselves to prevent -the French, as much as we can, carrying them from Africa. - -If there should at any time be more Negroes brought to the British -colonies than are necessary for the cultivation there, which we have -great reason to believe is seldom, or perhaps will never be the -case, then such Negroes may be sold to the Spaniards or Portuguese, -because they would pay gold or silver for them; and moreover, the -slaves so disposed of, would be employed in the mines of America, and -not in cultivating sugar and other plantation produce, as would be -the consequence if the French were allowed to be the purchasers; by -which means they would be effectually enabled to become our rivals -in trade, as well on account of their national encouragement and -advantages peculiar to them, by which they may be capacitated to sell -the product of their plantations considerably cheaper than we can -ours at foreign markets[17]. - -In order to remove the prejudices of many worthy and tender-minded -persons against the Negro-trade, which from a delicacy natural to -civilized nations, they declare to be quite contrary to all dictates -of humanity, and a disgrace to the professors of the christian -religion, we shall lay before them and the public a true state of -the case. As there is no occasion to enlarge how essentially and -absolutely necessary it is to have Negroes for the cultivation of our -colonies, which is explained in the foregoing sheets; therefore we -shall only beg leave to observe, by the best information that could -be obtained, Africa in general is divided into little kingdoms and -states, which, when at peace, the natives thereof breed slaves for -sale, as our farmers do stock on their farms, and sell them as their -necessity requires, which was a traffic carried on among themselves -before Europeans traded thither; and when overstocked, their practice -was putting to death (often with great torture) the prisoners taken -in war. Those that are bred slaves, are always very desirous to be -purchased by white people, as they are infinitely better used than by -their black masters, who allow them but a bare subsistance, and treat -them with the greatest barbarity; and were used to put several to -death through custom, when they buried persons above the common rank, -and oftentimes merely through wantonness, which is prevented by their -having found an advantageous and lucrative market for them. - -Those Negroes taken in war, or prisoners for feloniously committing -crimes in despite of the laws, made by the officers commanding the -European forts, such laws having been agreed to by the natives -under their command and protection, also by those laws made by the -kings and princes in the inland countries, are now sold, but often -unwilling to go on board ships; perhaps, on account of having lived -in a better situation in their own country than those who have been -bred up in slavery from their infancy; therefore they often contrive -to make their escape, and by speaking the language, persuade others -to join and assist them to take the ship from the Europeans, of -which we have had too many fatal instances, and is entirely owing to -their ignorance in not knowing the place they are destined to; and -also that they will be much better treated and looked after in our -colonies than they ever were in their country; so that when bought by -Europeans, they are in a manner rescued from a state of misery as to -treatment; for in the colonies, when they are sick, they have great -care taken of them, and physicians to administer proper medicines for -their relief; which, on a similar occasion, their black masters would -give themselves no care or concern about them. - -Besides, many of them are instructed in the principles of religion, -and become christians and men of property, which, from experience, we -know to be true, having talked with several who had no desire to see -their own country, living much more comfortably in our colonies. And -we think it would be politic to send two or three Negroes on board -every ship that goes to Africa, that can talk the different languages -of the countries the master of such ship intends to trade to, that -they might inform their countrymen how they had been treated. Such -measures, we are convinced, would prevent the loss of many lives, -by the Negroes being satisfied they were going where they would be -better treated than in their own country; and, at the same time, to -eradicate that opinion many of them have, that they are going to be -fed and eaten, which, if effected, would be a means to quiet their -minds, so as not to attempt rising on board of ships. - -In all fluctuating societies, such as merchants trading to a country -so remote and little known as Africa, many more than the majority are -liable to be imposed on, even in the trade they intend to support, -a misfortune owing to the want of local knowledge, and personal -experience. - -What chance for truth do those merchants in general stand, whose ears -few other accounts reach, than the imperfect relation of some master -of a ship, mariner or traditionalist, little to be credited, and less -to be depended upon? As to the former (if capable) he has little time -or opportunity to speculate into the _trade_, _manners_, _customs_, -and _temper_ of the _natives_, which they are seldom long enough at -a place to do; and who, from motives of immediate profit, pursue -measures they think most conducive to make a quick voyage, which is -all they turn their minds to; yet many of them, when they arrive in -Europe, will take upon themselves to give information in the most -interesting matters; which, without having lived in the country for -a considerable length of time, it is impossible for them to do with -accuracy and any degree of truth, notwithstanding such impositions -being propagated, have in general prevailed and influenced the minds -of people to such a degree, that those of certain boroughs, far from -having, as has been before observed, the least connection, interest, -or so much as acquainted in the most minute manner with the African -trade, presented their petitions to the honourable house of commons -to lay open the same; though many of the said boroughs have not since -sent the most trifling adventure to Africa, which at that time, and -before, when the forts were under the direction of the late royal -African company, the trade was much more free and open than it has -been since under the management of the committee of the company of -merchants trading to Africa, which we conjecture will appear from -the following extract of letters, certificates and affidavits[18], -we think it highly necessary, and even our duty, to lay before the -public, thereby to shew how far they have been imposed on by false -pretenders to knowledge. - - Extract of a letter from on board the Fly sloop at Bristol, - Alexander Graham, master, dated 16 March, 1750, to the late royal - African company’s governor at Cape Coast Castle. - - “I write this to acquaint you, that the French vessels sailed - two days ago; I acknowledge myself obliged to you for the method - you have taken to send them off, am very much obliged to you for - your advice; have sent my armourer to alter some handcuffs, your - permission will much oblige, _&c._” - - Extract of a letter from six British masters of vessels, dated on - board the Polly in Annamaboa Road, 20 March, 1750. To the same. - - “Your favour of yesterday we received, and thank you for the - promise of assistance, in protecting the privileges of the British - subjects trading to this place, too much invaded by the French, and - too little protected from home, but at this time shall have no - occasion to trouble you. The French ship is sailed, _&c._” - - Extract of a letter from Richard Haskins, master of a ship from - Bristol; dated Annamaboa Road, 27 Dec. 1750. To the same. - - “Am much obliged to you for your kind intelligence, and all other - favours; I shall be obliged to you to dispatch the carpenter as - soon as possible, being in great want of him. I am, _&c._” - - Extract of a letter from John Jepson, master of a snow from - Rhode-Island, dated Annamaboa Road, 3 July, 1751. To the same. - - “I am sorry you are going off the coast: but however, as I can do - no more for you, beg to return you my hearty and sincere thanks for - your many favours from time to time, not only from your willingness - to supply us with any thing in your power of tradesmen’s work, - or any other thing; but also for your pains and vigilance in - protecting the trade, _&c._ which will always be justifiable, and - hope will redound to your honour and credit, which is the sincere - wish, _&c._” - - Extract of two letters from Henry Ellis, master of the ship - Hallifax, from Bristol, dated Annamaboa Road, the 13th, and 28th - July, 1751. To the same. - - “The boards you sent me were of real service; I hope you will not - omit charging any expence I put you to, as I can discharge that, - though not so easily your good offices: we cannot help the death of - the slaves, they are mortal; but do not think it adviseable to give - them rice, as that kind of diet first gave them a swelling.” - - _N. B._ He landed all his sickly slaves, which were kept and taken - care of in the castle. - - “We are not a little astonished at the pains these new agents take - to prejudice the shipping here, by settling factories ashore to - intercept the trade, and by giving equal prices with us, in order - to distress us the more; it has already been some money out of the - merchants pockets; we have been obliged to raise the price, or lie - idle, under the hardships we endure. I cannot help observing the - chagrin of the Liverpool captains, who loudly complain of the new - management.” - - “I entirely join issue with you, that this new-fram’d project will - become an errand job, though but for a season; for I look upon - it, the physic of commerce, which, though it may disorder, as at - present, will in the end work its cure. I am, _&c._” - - Extract of a certificate of eight British masters of vessels, dated - Annamaboa Road, 3 July, 1751. To the same. - - “We being informed that a report hath been spread, that the late - royal African company’s governor commanding on this coast, hath, - during his command, acted in an arbitrary tyrannic manner, both to - Europeans and natives on this coast; do hereby, in justice to the - reputation of that gentleman, voluntarily certify, that we never - heard of, or experienced, any part of his character or behaviour - but what was humane and good, tending to promote the British - interest and trade in these parts. And farther, that he has, from - time to time, readily assisted us with all things each or any of us - stood in need of at cape Coast Castle, during his command there, - to the utmost of his power, as we sincerely believe. In witness - whereof we have set our hands, _&c._” - - Certificate from Capt. Thomas Derbyshire, of Liverpool, relating to - the use granted him of Tantumquery fort. - - “This is to certify whom it may concern, that during my making a - voyage to the Gold Coast of Africa, and my lying at Annamaboa, I - settled a factory at Lagoe; where from a disturbance there seemed - likely to be in the country, I did not think my goods safe in the - factory-house I had taken: and on my being at cape Coast Castle in - the year 1750, and intimating the same to the then governor, he - offered me the use of Tantumquery fort to carry on trade therein, - which I accepted; and ordered my gunner to take my goods from the - factory at Lagoe, and lodge them in Tantumquery fort, which he did, - and continued in the same for upwards of three months to carry on - his trade. And Mr. John Clifton, chief of said fort, had orders - to render him every service and good office in his power, without - fee or reward; neither did the said governor receive any benefit, - profit or advantage in any shape or manner, in consideration for my - having the use of the fort aforesaid. To certify which, I set my - hand this 16 Aug. 1751, _&c._” - - Extract of a certificate, dated 28 Dec. 1753, from seven masters - of ships, that in the late company’s time traded to the coast of - Africa. - - “That the late company’s governor, during the continuance of his - authority and command on the coast of Africa, did every thing - in his power to promote the British interest and trade there: - and from time to time assisted in doing us such service as our - occasions required. In witness whereof we set our hands, _&c. &c._” - -We think it unnecessary to trouble the public with any further proofs -relative to the conduct of the late royal African company and their -officers, to shew that they did every thing in their power to promote -the trade of the British subjects in Africa, as we shall reserve them -for a work that is in hand; therefore will only state some facts -regarding the African committee, their governors, and officers by -them appointed to have the command and management on the Gold Coast -and Whydah in Africa, for the public to form their judgment from. - -That by an act of parliament, passed in the 23d year of the reign -of his late majesty, the trade to Africa was intended to be made -free and open to all his majesty’s subjects, without distinction or -preference. But contrary to the intentions of the said act, that -trade has been engrossed and monopolized by the officers of the -committee on the Gold Coast and Whydah, by their entering into a -confederacy or joint stock, and intermixing the government supplies -with their own merchandize, and by that means assorted themselves so -as to command said traffic. - -Those officers have many other great advantages over free merchants -and traders, such as having a considerable part of their private -merchandize sent to them freight free, their extraordinary influence -over the natives, by the command of the several castles to deposit -their effects in, salaries, maintenance, European servants, -artificers, doctors, castle-slaves, canoe-men, canoes, medicines, -stores and necessaries of all sorts, being under their management and -direction. Besides, the presents to princes, caboceers, and great -men of the countries, being defrayed by the public, together with -the said benefits arising from the government supplies; and many -other advantages which they have taken, whereby they acquired such -a superiority over the free traders, as obliged the merchants of -Bristol and Liverpool to apply by memorial in the year 1753, stating -therein the foregoing facts to the lords commissioners of trade and -plantation for redress, which will appear by said memorial, supported -by the following affidavits. - - “Affidavit of William Brown, master of the Bristol, sworn 16 June, - 1753, saith, that when he was last in Africa carrying on trade, - was informed by Brew, chief of Tantumquery, and Withers, chief of - Winnebah, that they were engaged in partnership in the slave trade - with Melvil, Young, and the other officers at cape Coast Castle.” - - “That Melvil and others told deponent, they expected a ship from - Holland with a Dutch cargo, which ship they had some time before - sent to Jamaica with slaves.” - - “That he was in company with Dacres, chief of Accra, who informed - him Young was coming to turn him out of the fort, by reason he - would not enter into partnership with Melvil and Young; that Dacres - declared he should have been glad to have continued his employ, but - rather than be uneasy he would quit it, and soon after did so. That - deponent could not purchase from the chiefs of forts, slaves under - an ounce and half, or two ounces a head more than he gave for those - of equal goodness to the Negro traders, occasioned by the trade - being carried on by the chiefs of the forts.” - - “That deponent was informed by the Negroes at Annamaboa, if he - wanted to trade under the forts, he must take canoes and canoe-men; - for the canoe-men under the forts were overawed by the chiefs, - and they durst not assist him in trading; and deponent did so, and - should have been under difficulties if he had not so done; and - deponent found the Negroe traders under said forts, cautious and - fearful of trading with him, lest the chiefs should know thereof, - and sent to deponent in a private manner, when they had slaves to - dispose of.” - - “That cape Coast, Tantumquery, Winnebah and Accra were used by - the chiefs as repositories for their market slaves, and saw them - lodged in said castle and forts; that Negroes will bear a high - price as long as the chiefs are permitted to trade in them, which - will destroy the trade with all persons, but the chiefs and those - settled at the forts.” - - “Affidavit of James Hamilton, chief mate of the Polly of Bristol, - sworn the same day as above. Swears to the same purport and effect - as above set forth by Brown, in regard to the chiefs copartnership - conversation with Dacres, and his being displaced, and the high - price of slaves, and the reasons, _&c._ And then saith, that - during his voyage, he hired a factory at Lagoe, and endeavoured to - purchase slaves; on which Brew sent Negro traders and goods thither - to oppose deponent; and Brew told deponent, it was impossible for - him to trade to same advantage as Brew could, as he had so good - assortment of goods; that if deponent gave eight ounces a head - for slaves[19], Brew would give eight and half; and to intimidate - deponent, declared he would send the servants of the forts up the - paths, and prevent the trade coming down, and accordingly did send - them with liquor, and carried the traders to his own fort. That - Brew refused to sell deponent slaves; and his reason was, Melvil - had wrote him not to sell, as he could get a better price at cape - Coast. That Young at Winnebah refused deponent slaves at ten ounces - per head, unless deponent would give him the very best of his - cargo, which would have unsorted him.” - - “That Young refused him water for fifteen slaves, and deponent was - obliged to give the natives fifteen shillings for forty gallons. - That he went on shore with his gold taker at Succondee to trade, - carried some checks with him: that Hippesly, the chief there, took - the gold taker on one side, whispered him, and threatened to whip - him if he ever saw him bring goods there to trade with the natives.” - - “That the natives and canoe-men at all the forts were fearful of - trading with deponent, and declared they were afraid of being seen - by the chiefs; that the forts were used as repositories for slaves, - and that the trade will be hurt by the chiefs trading, as set forth - by Brown.” - - “Affidavit of Alexander Graham, master of the Fly, sworn the same - day, saith, that when he and Jenkins, commander of the Silvia, - were trading at Annamaboa, they at first bought slaves at five - ounces and half, and from thence to seven and a half per head, and - went on in a good way. On a sudden found a stagnation, enquired - the occasion, and were informed the prices were raised at the - neighbouring forts; and this deponent was obliged to give an - advanced price; that if the chiefs trade, the prices will be high, - and the trade hurt.” - -On the foregoing affidavits, and other allegations and facts, “the -merchants of Bristol and Liverpool presented a memorial to the lords -of trade, setting forth among other things, - -“That an act was passed in the year 1750, for making the trade to -Africa free and open, for which end the management of the forts and -affairs were trusted to the care of nine persons, a committee, as -there set forth; that the said committee had the power of appointing -officers and servants for managing their affairs in Africa, and -discharging them at pleasure for not obeying their orders, or other -misdemeanors; and they were to take care that the orders given their -servants did not extend to public detriment, or the hurt of the free -traders.” - -“That officers were appointed, and leave given to trade (but not -with foreigners, except Portuguese, for gold and tobacco) so that -they became the regulators of the market. The committee, by the act, -are annually to lay before the general meeting of the company of the -chambers of London, all resolutions, orders and instructions given -their servants previous to such meeting, and copies to be sent to -Bristol and Liverpool; but they have not so done.” - -“That the committee’s chief agents, instead of regarding the interest -of their constituents, have acted opposite thereto, as soon as in -power. Instead of assisting the free trader, they entered into a -joint stock copartnership, and attempted a monopoly more formidable -than any could have been at home, as they were on the spot, and had -the whole power.” - -“That the merchants of Bristol had advice of the chief proceedings -from their commanders, which on their return they found too true; and -that by the attempts of the chiefs to engross the trade, the prices -of slaves were raised much higher than ever known. Also that the -commanders were denied what strangers were always before assisted -with, _viz._ canoes, canoe-men, wood, water, _&c._” - -“That a memorial was laid before the committee for their relief, but, -to their great surprize, they found their complaints were treated as -groundless surmizes, and unjust aspersions of the character of their -officers, arising only from personal prejudice and party interest; a -second and several repeated applications were made, and the committee -at last informed the managers, that they had referred the matter to -the lords of trade.” Accordingly their lordships heard the matters in -dispute between the merchants of Bristol and Liverpool, and that of -the committee. - - “And were of opinion, that the officers and servants employed by - the committee, ought not to be allowed to trade for Negroe-slaves - further than the amount of the salaries allowed them by the - committee; and that such slaves should be disposed of for ivory, - gold, bills of exchange, or other proper returns to England only.” - -The committee paid no regard to their lordships opinion, consequently -we conjecture, no regulation or orders has since been given by them -to their servants; or if there has, the execution of such orders have -not been enforced; for it is a truth which cannot be contradicted, -that governor Melvil to his death, and the other officers of the -committee, during his command, carried on the Negroe trade, and -sent them from Africa to America for their own accounts, without -the least reserve or restraint; also that governor Senior, and the -officers under his command, did the same; and that governor Bell, -who commanded at cape Coast Castle, when the last advice came from -thence, did carry on a trade for Negroes, and continues to send the -Negroes so purchased, to America, in the same manner his predecessors -had done; which the gentlemen of the African committee must know was, -and is the practice; and also that it is most certainly contrary -to the true _spirit_, _meaning_ and _intention_ of the _act_ of -_parliament_, passed in the 23d year of his late _majesty’s reign_, -for _extending_ and _improving_ the _trade_ to _Africa_ (by which -the African company was established) and the opinion of the lords of -trade and plantation; for the legislative power could mean no other -than to put all his majesty’s subjects upon an equal footing. - -But lest the gentlemen of the African committee’s memories should -fail, we will remind them of some things that surely could not have -happened without their knowledge; (to wit) the committee appointed -Mr. _Richard Brew_ in the year 1761, to the command of _Annamaboa_ -fortress; although at the same time they could not but know that -he had fitted out the Brew, a large ship at Liverpool, and another -in the river Thames; the former with a large cargo for Africa; the -latter went to Holland for Dutch merchandize, to compleat her cargo, -to the manifest disadvantage of this country, because it prevents so -much of our manufactures and East India goods being exported; and -the _Dutch brandy_ and _Geneva_ interfere with the exportation of -_British spirits_, besides being of great disadvantage to the rum -trade from the _British colonies_ to _Africa_. Said ship returned -from Holland, and arrived at Portsmouth in or about the month of -July 1761, where Mr. Brew went on board; and also Messrs. Westgate -and Flemming, who had been in the committee’s service upon the coast -of Africa: but, as we have been informed, they are now gone out in -partnership with said Brew. We have also been informed, that the -cargoes of the said ships were landed in Africa, and deposited in the -fort of Annamaboa; and that Negroes were purchased with said cargoes, -and sent from thence to Jamaica for the account of Mr. Brew, and -those concerned with him. - -It is also as true that Mr. Samuel Smith, merchant, in the Old Jury -in London, one of the committee of the company of merchants trading -to Africa, was the acting agent for Messrs. Brew, Westgate and -Flemming, during their residence in Africa; that he received their -consignments from thence, and acted for them by commission after -their arrival in England; likewise during their stay there, and since -their arrival in Africa; and also that Mr. Smith lately fitted in the -river Thames a large ship with a great cargo: and we have reason to -believe from good authority, that said ship and cargo was fitted out -for the account of Mr. Brew, and others concerned with him; which -ship is now on a voyage to Annamaboa; but whether any of the African -committee are concerned or interested in said ship, besides Mr. -Smith, we cannot take upon us to say. - -We conjecture it never was intended by those gentlemen who prepared -the act of parliament, which appointed there should be a committee -of nine persons, who were to have the care of the forts in Africa, -with the charge and application of the monies granted by parliament -for their support, that any one of those persons should supply -merchandize to be paid for with the public money under their care -and management. However, such has been the case, as appears by -the committee’s accounts laid before parliament. The following is -an abstract of their last account for the year 1761, so far as it -relates to any of the committee-men furnishing merchandize; by that -our readers may form a judgment on their other annual accounts, they -being nearly the same as to the amount of what the African committee -supplied the public with. Abstract of the beforementioned account as -follows: - - Messrs. Touchett and company _l._ _s._ _d._ - for Manchester goods 1774 14 9 - - Smith and company for Irish linen - and provisions 796 12 11 - - Aufere and company for East - India goods 349 1 6 - - Cust and company for ditto ditto 250 2 6 - - Mr. William Boden for tobacco 39 0 6 - ---------------- - 3209 12 2 - ---------------- - -The following are clauses of the act of parliament that provides for -the election of the African committee. - - “Page 550. And it is hereby further enacted, by the authority - aforesaid, that in all future elections, the said committee of nine - persons shall annually, on the third day of July in every year, be - nominated and chosen as follows; that is to say, three of the said - committee shall be nominated and chosen by the major part of the - freemen of the said company, admitted to the freedom of the said - company in London, who shall assemble for that purpose at London; - three other persons to be of the said committee, shall be chosen - and nominated by the major part of the freemen of the said company, - admitted to the freedom of the said company in Bristol, who shall - assemble for that purpose at Bristol; and three other persons to be - of the said committee, shall be chosen and nominated by the major - part of the freemen of the said company, admitted to the freedom - of the said company in the town of Liverpool, who shall assemble - for that purpose at Liverpool.” - - “Page 554. And be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, - that no person shall be capable of being chosen, or acting as a - committee-man above three years successively.” - -By the foregoing clauses it was most certainly intended that the -election for committee-men should be free and uninfluenced, but that -has not happened; for there was great interest made by those who -were chosen committee-men the first year after the act passed, for -establishing _the company of merchants trading to Africa_. After -which, the several tradesmen employed by the African committee in -London, and by their friends in Bristol and Liverpool, took up their -freedom of the new company, in order to vote for committee-men; so -that, at the expiration of the first year, when the committee-men -that had been chosen for _London_, _Bristol_ and _Liverpool_ for -the preceding year, could act no longer, then, or at the expiration -of the three years (which we cannot now take upon us to say) three -new committee-men were chosen instead of three that went out, which -nine committee-men so chosen, continued to act for three years, -when the three other were again elected; by which means there are -twelve persons who take it by rotation alternatively, to be of the -committee or not, as they agree among themselves; on which account it -is a folly for any person, not being one of the twelve, to attempt -getting elected a committee-man for either _London_, _Bristol_, -or _Liverpool_; there having been as great interest made against -such persons who have offered themselves, as hath happened on some -occasions preceding the election of a member of parliament; therefore -we have the greatest reason to believe, there is not any person who -will again attempt to stand a candidate in opposition to one of the -twelve persons who have had the direction and management so long, of -which number those gentlemen are, we have mentioned in the account of -the merchandize supplied by the committee-men, page 51. - -The several articles of merchandize purchased in Holland, are paid -for in money, or bills of exchange, which is very disadvantageous -to this country; and such goods may serve to make an assortment -with those paid for by the government, and sent to Africa for the -support of the forts there; which has been proved to have been the -case before, consequently may be so again. That fact being admitted, -and indeed it would be folly to think otherwise; what chance can -any private traders have, when the committee’s servants have such a -glaring emolument, besides so many other advantages over them? Were -there any reason to ground the least supposition, that all things -in Africa are carried on upon the square, and no methods practiced -by the officers that command the several forts to monopolize the -trade; can any one think even in such case, that private merchants, -or matters of ships, who are obliged to pay _customs_, _house_ and -_warehouse rents_, _servants_, and all sorts of other contingent -expences, can possibly carry on a trade in any degree of equality -with those persons, who are, as hath been before observed, exonerated -from every article of expence? - -The committee’s servants having such advantages, can it be supposed -any private trader can stand any chance in trade with them, as said -trader must settle in a negroe town, in a mud house covered with -thatch, there being no other sort of dwelling to be got, without -carrying tradesmen of all sorts from Europe to build it, which would -be attended with too great an expence and risk for any private -adventure to undertake? Therefore, on account of the frequent fires -that happen in negroe towns, persons well acquainted with them, would -not insure any property lodged therein for twenty-five _per cent._ -annually. That alone is sufficient to deter any one from settling, -except some of the old or new companies discarded servants, whose -narrow circumstances discourage them from returning to Europe, not -knowing what else to do with themselves; for there has not one of -the young men from Bristol or Liverpool, _&c._ that were to have -been intrusted with cargoes by their relations and friends, to go -and settle under the protection of the British forts in Africa, has -yet made a single attempt to do it, though that was made use of as -an argument, and enforced with great energy by gentlemen, to obtain -a dissolution of the late royal African company (and in which they -succeeded). But no such boasted consequence has taken place, because -the people of those places were not to be lulled on to adventure -their property, under the notion of a free trade. They very well knew -what hardships must attend those who were necessitated to settle in a -negroe town, from a knowledge, as soon as they did, they must become -subservient in a manner, and brother citizens with the negroes. It is -a joke to think they can make use of the forts to lodge and defend -their properties in; for the very persons who (we should imagine) by -the spirit and intention of the act of parliament, ought to be their -defenders, will take every measure, in proportion as they rival them, -and curtail their trade, to exercise their power over the natives, to -prevent the private trader succeeding with them, which will create -disputes between the officers commanding the forts and the towns -people under them, in which every private trader must bear a part; -for no man can settle in a negroe town without paying his _freedom_, -and entering into a league to become a _native_, and partake of -that _township’s misfortunes_, _advantages and customs_. Is there -any difference then between a European trader and an African? None! -one is a native black Negroe, and the other is become a white one: -so that whenever a dispute happens between _the natives_ and the -officers aforesaid, the indenizened European will be under the -compulsive necessity of joining his black fellow _townsmen_ against -his _countrymen_ and _fortress_, which the _British_ nation intended -for his _preservation_ in time of _danger_, and last _resort_. - -From what we have before advanced, our readers may naturally wonder -if the trade to Africa, where the forts are situated, is carried on -so much to the disadvantage of the British traders, and so greatly -for the benefit of the officers of the African committee, why said -traders do not continue their complaints, in order to have their -grievances redressed. We conjecture one reason for their not doing -so, is the difficulties they had to encounter when they presented -their former complaint to obtain satisfaction, which arose from the -opposition raised against them by the African committee, who refused -to give their officers such orders, as would have obliged them to -put in execution the _lords of trade and plantations opinion_. Being -defeated in their first attempt, it is natural to suppose they were -fearful of applying again to the legislative power, lest the methods -pursued to carry on that valuable branch of commerce, since it -has been under the management of the African committee, should be -maturely and attentively enquired into; for there has been, and is -now, as much reason for such examination, as there was in the year -1753, 1755, 1756 and 1758. But then it began to become too serious; -and if continued fairly, might have been a means of putting the -forts upon a new and respectable establishment, such as would have -enabled the officers commanding them, to have secured the natives -under their protection from the danger they may be in from enemies -of their own colour, and the arbitrary injustice often imposed upon -them by the officers of our good friends and allies. The Dutch -residing in Africa, to have prevented said _Dutch officers_, by -their superior power, from wresting violently and unfairly any part -of the territories belonging to the _British forts_, or detaining -and imprisoning any of the natives living under their protection, -both which they have illegally done since the decline of the late -company’s power, and confined a number of them, notwithstanding all -remonstrances made by the British officers, till that _noble_ and -_gallant_ commander, the present honourable lord _How_ arrived in his -majesty’s ship _Glory_, with the _Swan_ sloop under his command, upon -the Gold Coast, in the year 1751, who soon after his arrival, did -examine with the greatest attention, all the original papers relative -to the cause of the dispute that happened between the officers of the -English and Dutch companies. After such examination, he demanded from -the Dutch general the prisoners he had confined during said dispute -in the castle of St. George’s D. Elmina, the principal Dutch fort -upon the coast of Africa in that noble manner which it has everbeen -the invariable rule of that judicious, worthy, and great commander to -pursue in the service of his country[20]. - -It is to be hoped that the British forts will be put upon such an -establishment, that the officers commanding them will be sufficiently -empowered to hinder the Dutch officers from exercising that arbitrary -power they have done, and continued to do, over the _Portugueze_ upon -the _Gold Coast_ of _Africa_, to prevent their trading at the British -settlements, in open violation of a treaty concluded between the -English and Dutch principal officers in Africa, and ratified by both -_companies_ in _Europe_[21]. - -If the African committee has not represented that affair in a true -light to the government, we are surprized they have neglected it, as -it is a very valuable commerce now wholly engrossed by the Dutch; who -will not suffer the master or supercargo of any _Portugueze_ vessel -to trade at the English _forts_, or with the _British_ subjects, -notwithstanding the beforementioned treaty, which, perhaps, might -be deemed obsolete, since the dissolution of the late company. If -that should be the case, then, in our humble opinion, it ought to be -renewed, as well as many other regulations made between the English -and Dutch in Africa. - -If the British officers should once again obtain that influence and -power so essentially necessary for them to have, in order to open the -trading roads to the most distant inland countries of Africa, so long -stopped, which would be of immense advantage to this country, and, at -the same time, to prevent the subjects of France hereafter carrying -to their colonies the most valuable Negroes, as we have observed they -did before the war, and which will in a great measure be proved, by -the extracts of the following letters from the captains Strange and -Wyndham, commanders of two of his majesty’s ships war, dated Africa, -20th Sept. 1740, and 30th Aug. 1742. - - Capt. Strange writes to the following purport: - - “The French, by the advantages of their goods, especially Brandies, - occasions a great price they give for their slaves, which has - brought the English and Dutch trade to the lowest ebb.” - - Capt. Wyndham writes as follows: - - “This concludes the present state of the royal African factories; - and as to the Dutch factories, they, as far as I can learn, make no - great hand of their trade any more than the English; the French, - who has ten ships on the coast to our one, seem to flourish and - carry all before them.” - -We think it necessary here to observe, that notwithstanding almost -all the trade had been for some years before, and at that time, -carried on by the French on that part of the coast where the most -valuable Negroes were to be got; the separate British traders made -no application to the legislative power to prevent such pernicious -commerce, though several remonstrances were made for that purpose by -the late royal African company to the government; who also did lay -before the public, in several letters inserted in the daily papers, -as well as by pamphlets, the danger of the French incroachments. - -Yet as soon as the private traders found the said company applying -to parliament for money, to put their forts upon a proper and -respectable footing, to prevent foreign innovations upon the -territory and trade under their care, they took the alarm, awaked -from their lethargy, strained every nerve, and put every scheme in -execution their invention pointed out, to prevent the company’s -succeeding, and to obtain their dissolution, which they compleated -in the year 1750. But how far the African trade has been improved -thereby, in upwards of twelve years that the African committee have -had it under their direction and management, will appear from the -facts and truths we have before stated, to which we beg leave to -refer, and to the judgment of our readers. - -Thus far we can undertake to say with truth, notwithstanding the -great noise and clamour raised at that time by the African merchants -for an open trade; it was then much more open and free for all -British subjects trading thither, than it has been since under the -direction of the African committee, and the national grants of money -more regularly and fairly accounted for, as the late company had, -for some years before, sent no ship to Africa, but freighted the -merchandize, stores and provisions purchased with the money granted -by parliament on board private ships; nor were their officers or -servants permitted to trade otherwise than to barter to the best -advantage. The merchandize purchased with the _public money_ for the -better support of the _forts_, out of which said servants could -neither make embezzlement or advantage to themselves, according to -the established rules laid down by the company, and the method by -which their principal officers and other servants were to account for -the same, who were obliged to give ample and sufficient security, -strictly to adhere and conform to such rules. All persons in the late -company’s service, of what station soever, that were entrusted with -any of their or the government’s effects, whether the value was much -or little, they were obliged to keep a true account of all their -receipts and disbursements in writing, and at the end of every two -months at farthest, to render to the council, which presides at the -principal fort, two originals signed by said person so intrusted, and -attested to be true by some other of the company’s servants, who had -been privy to his transactions. That the then accountant residing at -the principal fort, examined and made his remarks upon the account -so rendered; and required vouchers in writing for such transactions -as were therein mentioned to have been had with Europeans, it -being impracticable to have written vouchers for dealings with the -natives[22]. - -That said accountant laid all accounts so rendered, with his remarks -thereon, before the said _council_, who _examined_, _allowed_, -or _disallowed_ such accounts, _&c._ made such _deductions_ or -_abatements_ to as they saw cause. That afterwards every such account -was returned to the accountant as one of the vouchers from which he -was to compose the general books to be sent home to the company. -That by general Books is meant, journals and ledgers, where the -collections, arising from the vouchers beforementioned, were reduced -into order and method. That the council abroad had not power to -pass, or allow any _account_ or _voucher finally_; every thing being -subject to the _company’s_ future _examination_ and _approbation_ in -_England_. - -That each journal and ledger contained the accounts of six months, -which after having been duly stated and balanced abroad, they were -sent home to the company by the first conveyance, together with all -the original vouchers from which they were composed and signed; -duplicates thereof were deposited in the principal forts, in case -of loss or accident. That as soon as possible after the arrival of -the said journals and ledgers in England, they were compared by the -company’s accountant general (who was one of the first accountants -in Europe) with the vouchers, and the said vouchers themselves -were examined; that objections and deductions were thereupon made -by the company, when due cause was found for so doing. It must now -surely clearly appear, that so many examinations of the books and -accounts, made by persons whose private interest had not the least -connexions with each other, must render it extreamly difficult for -the late company’s servants to _embezzle_ or _misapply_ any of the -effects committed to their charge with _impunity_, or without being -_detected_. - -That after the examinations aforesaid of the accounts, they were -delivered to the _auditor_ of his _majesty’s imprest_, and after they -were examined and compared by the deputy-auditor with the vouchers, -and certified by him they were right, then the company obtained a -_quietus_ to discharge them from any _sum_ or _sums_ of _money_ so -accounted for, that they had received from the _public_; having -first sworn to the truth of such part of said accounts as had been -transacted under their own inspection, in Europe before one of the -barons of his majesty’s exchequer. - -The following is the copy of a clause from the act of parliament -_for extending and improving the trade to Africa_, directing in what -manner the committee are to account for the monies they receive from -the public for the support of the forts in Africa. In page 556. - - “It is enacted that the committee shall, within one month after - the expiration of the year, for or during which they shall have - been chosen committee-men, lay before the cursitor baron of the - exchequer, an account of all the money received by the committee - during the preceding year, and of the application thereof, upon - oath. And the said cursitor baron shall, within one month after the - said account shall be laid before him, examine, pass, and audit the - same; and for the better discovering of the truth of such account, - the said cursitor baron is hereby empowered to examine any of the - said committee-men, and such other person or persons as he shall - judge necessary, upon oath, touching the articles or particulars - in such account expressed, or such of them as the said cursitor - baron shall think fit; which account, so audited and passed by the - cursitor baron, shall be final and conclusive, and shall be a full - and absolute discharge to the said committee-men, without their - being compelled to give or render any further or other account - thereof.” - -By the foregoing clause, the African committee is only obliged to -account for the application in _Europe_ of any monies they receive -from government, or otherwise, for the support of the _African -forts_, by laying their annual account before the cursitor baron, -how they have appropriated said monies, whether by purchasing and -shipping merchandizes, stores, and other supplies for the use of -the forts, or of any other manner they might have disposed of the -same[23]. - -By said clause, the cursitor baron is obliged to audit and pass the -committee’s account in one month after it is laid before him; though -he should have objections thereto, as he had to their accounts for -years 1754, 1755 and 1756. However, he passed them, but submitted -it to the house of commons to allow some charges in said accounts, -or not, that he certainly thought were charged contrary to act of -parliament, or he would not have objected to them. But that would -have appeared as well as many other facts, with respect to their -management and accounts, if the report, consisting of 87 pages, -of the committee, appointed by the honourable house of commons to -examine into the state and condition of the forts in Africa in the -year 1758, had been examined into. All we can take upon us to say -with respect to that affair is, said report was prevented being taken -into consideration by the house, in consequence of a _motion_ being -_made_ and _seconded_ for such _purpose_, by the _African committee’s -friends_. - -We can with truth undertake to say, that many irregularities in the -African committee’s accounts were pointed out during the examination -before the several committee’s appointed by the house; upon which -they desired leave to bring in subsequent accounts to clear up -such objections as had been made, one of which was presented to -the committee the 22d April, 1756, wherein the African committee -deducted from the balance of a former account they had presented -1891_l._ sterling. We shall only quote this one instance, to shew how -necessary it is that the African committee and their servants should -be accountable to the public in the same manner the late African -company was, for any monies they are intrusted with by government, -for the application of said monies on the coast of Africa, before -they should obtain a discharge for the same, which would lay them -under a necessity to examine minutely into the accounts they receive -from their officers in Africa, of the application of said monies -there; which, as they are now no-ways accountable for, we may, we -hope without being thought severe, presume is not done; which will, -in a great measure, appear by the subsequent account before quoted: -besides, we fear people, who have accounts of their own to look -after, seldom give themselves much trouble about those of the public, -unless obligated thereto. - -When the officers, who have the application of the public money in -Africa, are once satisfied that their accounts will undergo a strict -examination by the committee, and also at the auditor of the imprests -office; that it will induce them to be careful how they dispose of -the merchandize, _&c._ committed to their charge; as such _officers_ -and their _sureties_ will be liable to make good any deduction -there, may be made from their accounts. It will likewise be very -advantageous to the inferior servants of the committee; for such -good purpose, a method can be pointed out to prevent the merchandize -purchased with the public money being made use of by the superior -officers in trade, for their own account and emolument, to the great -injury of the others, many instances of which we have to produce; -also that the soldiers, under-servants, and company’s slaves have -been paid out of the refuse goods that the commanding officers had -taken in the course of their trade. - -A single instance of such inhumanity to the inferior servants we -think sufficient to trouble the public with, which happened during -governor Melvil’s command; and that we should not now particularly -take notice of, but as it fell under our observation when we were -upon the spot. It also was a charge urged against Mr. Melvil when -living, which he never attempted to contradict, to wit, that John -Sweidger, a Prussian, and Gardiner at Cape Coast, desired his -discharge, wanting to go to his own country. Mr. Melvil, the then -governor and treasurer at Cape Coast Castle, whose business it was -to give written orders upon the warehouse (or storekeeper) to pay -the servants, gave said Sweidger a note upon the warehouse-keeper, -for wages due to him, amounting to 28_l._ gold value, which is about -27_l._ 2_s._ 6_d._ sterling, which said warehouse-keeper offered -to pay in guns, that would not even purchase the poor man a little -fresh provisions for his voyage. After repeated applications to -the governor and warehouse-keeper, finding he could not obtain any -thing else, he offered the governor’s note for 28 _l._ to sale to -several of the servants in the castle; and at last sold it to James -Hinch, the overseer of the slaves, for eight pounds. That oppressive -transaction fully points out how necessary it is that some other -method of accounting for the government’s supplies should be adopted, -and carried into execution, which surely there cannot be the least -objection to. - -For example, we will suppose any gentleman in England to have an -estate in Africa, and that he was to order Messrs. Trueman and -company, or any other respectable merchants in the city of London, -to send out a steward to superintend and take care of the improvement -of such estate; and that they were to take security from said -steward for the value of any monies or merchandize, _&c._ that he -may be entrusted with, to pay the servants residing thereupon, and -other expences; also charges of building and repairs. Is it to be -supposed said gentlemen, notwithstanding he had the greatest faith -in, and opinion of the integrity and honesty of said merchants, -would be satisfied with their giving him an account only of their -having sent such steward, merchandize, stores and provisions to his -estate, without an account from the steward, properly vouched, of the -application thereof in Africa? Surely no! then if a private person -thinks it necessary to have such an authenticated account, we submit -it to the judgment of our readers to determine, whether they think -it reasonable the public should expect the same or not. We, for our -own parts, are inclined to believe, that people intrusted with the -application of public monies, at so great a distance as Africa, -when they can make such immense advantage of it as the committee’s -officers can, will be induced to embrace the opportunity, however -disadvantageous it may be to their country, when they are satisfied -little care will be taken how they account for the same. - -We shall conclude this pamphlet, with inserting a copy of a petition, -signed by the planters of the island of Barbadoes, in the year -1710. The reasons and observations contained therein, in our humble -opinion, fully point out, that they foresaw what has in effect since -happened; therefore we beg leave to submit it to our readers to form -their own judgment upon. - - To the queen’s most excellent majesty, - - The humble petition of several planters and others, inhabitants of - your majesty’s island of Barbadoes, - - Sheweth, - - “That the tender care and regard your majesty hath constantly had - of all your subjects, encourages your petitioners, who are deeply - concerned in the trade to Africa. The constant supply of Negroes at - moderate prices, being the chief support of this colony; whereby - we can only be enabled to preserve the staple of sugar, and other - commodities, and to afford them in greater quantities, and cheaper - than other nations; most humbly beg leave to lay before your - majesty, that for many years, while the royal African company had - the sole management of that trade, this island was duly supplied - with a sufficient number of Negroes at moderate prices, from 10 - _l._ to 20 _l._ per head the highest, which was a very great - encouragement; and enabled us greatly to improve the manufacture - of this island. But for several years past, since the trade has - been laid open, the number of Negroes imported by the royal African - company, and separate traders together, have not been sufficient - to supply this island; and those which have been imported, have - been sold at extravagant prices, from 20 _l._ to 40 _l._ per head, - especially those which are tolerably good; which your petitioners - conceive to have been occasioned by the different interests of the - separate traders, each bidding upon the other; of which the natives - upon the coast taking advantage, have raised the price of their - own commodities, and sunk the price of those of Great Britain, and - this island; which is an unspeakable damage, and discouragement to - your petitioners, tends to the ruin of this trade, the lessening - your majesty’s revenue, and the navigation of Great Britain.” - - “Therefore your petitioners humbly pray, that the British - interest on the coast of Africa may be preserved; and the trade - put upon such a foot, that a sufficient number of Negroes may - be had upon the coast, on moderate terms, and your petitioners - supplied at reasonable rates here. - - “And your petitioners, as in duty bound, shall ever pray.” - - Barbadoes, - Aug. 1, 1710. - - “Robert Vaughan, - “Thomas Carney, _&c. &c. &c._” - - -_FINIS._ - - -_ERRATA._ - - Page 10, last line, for _this I_, read _this we_; p. 11. l. 19, - for _editor is_, r. _editors are_; p. 14, l. 2, for _made me_, r. - _made us_; p. 20, l. 5, for _this I_, r. _this we_; p. 21, l. 3, - for _induced me_, r. _induced us_; p. 23, l. 30, for _assertions_, - r. _assertion_; p. 26, l. 28, for _that_, r. _those_; p. 27, l. - 18, for _those kept_, r. _those that were kept_; p. 35, l. 7, for - _I have_, r. _we have_; p. 37, l. 37, for _ben_, r. _been_; p. 46, - l. 12, for _taken_, r. _taker_; p. 49, l. 10, for _committee_, r. - _company_; p. 56, in note, l. 1, for _this ship_, r. _the ship_. - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[1] It is here humbly meant, not to send those sailors that may be -pressed out of colliers, or coasting vessels, directly on southern -voyages, till they have been used to live upon salt provisions for -some time on board ships of war in a cold climate. - -[2] Supposed to be paid for in plantation-produce. - -[3] It appears by the accounts of that board, there has been expended -by them to the 31st March, 1761, in finishing said fort 15,024_l._ -18_s._ 3_d._ so that rebuilding it has cost 34,590_l._ 12_s._ 5_d._ -sterling, which fort is only useful for the defence of the Negroes -in the town under it, and to protect them from their enemies of -their own colour, who have no cannon or mortars, and to defend the -landing-place, that no ship of force can get near. - -[4] His grace the d—e of N——le, s——y of st——e; the right honourable -H—y P—lh—m, first lord of the t——y, and c——r of the e——r. - -[5] The African committee have also received to the end of the year -1756, 1620_l._ 8_s._ 8_d._ for some of the late company’s effects, -and for admissions into the new company. - -[6] For several years before the war, the French received from -foreign nations above 1,000,000_l._ sterling for the article of sugar -only; besides a large sum for indigo, and other West India products; -the loss of which will induce them, without delay, to push on their -trade to Africa with the utmost vigour, which, we know, they are -making great preparations to do, that sufficiently points out the -necessity for some measures to be speedily taken to prevent their -succeeding. - -[7] The officers commanding the out-forts, had absolute orders not to -trade with the French. - -[8] For mercenary troops are to be hired in Africa, as well as in -Europe, and at a much cheaper rate. - -[9] In case the French were not permitted to carry them away, as they -did before the roads were stopt. - -[10] 50,000 ounces of gold dust at 3_l._ 17_s._ 6_d._ an ounce, is -193,750_l._ - -[11] 30 tons of ivory, on an average worth about 220_l._ a ton, is -6,600_l._ - -[12] Which was upwards of 26,666 guineas annually. - -[13] We think it proper to observe, which we conjecture the merchants -will not attempt to deny, that they only put on board their ships -such cargoes as the masters judge will be sufficient to purchase the -number of Negroes each ship will carry, which when compleated, they -will sell any small remainder of their cargoes for gold or ivory, -if to be got: but they often find a difficulty in doing it, for the -reasons before advanced; and they have many times been obliged to -carry them from Africa for want of purchasers, entirely owing to -their giving such great prices for Negroes. - -[14] If the French are allowed to trade on the Gold Coast, a cargo -to purchase 300 Negroes, will cost, if we may judge by former times, -above 6000_l._ - -[15] As would have appeared by the report of the committee of the -honourable house of commons, in the year 1758, had it been examined -into. - -[16] There was issued to the African committee, by warrant from the -right honourable the lords commissioners of the treasury, in the year -1751, 7140_l._ 14_s._ 3_d._ out of the vote of credit for 800,000_l._ -notwithstanding several objections were made before the committee of -the honourable house of commons that such sum was not due. - -[17] Because it will employ a great number of French ships and -sailors, and be a market for their manufactures, which they sell, -and also their East India goods, cheaper considerably than we can -purchase ours, which must consequently be hurtful to our navigation, -lessening at the same time the consumption of our manufactures. - -Besides, the competition between the traders of both nations would -give to the black dealers an opportunity of raising the price of -their Negroes, which advance the French can better afford than we, -as must appear from what is beforementioned, as well as from the -following fact; which is, they pay an anchor of brandy or two, and -at some places three or four, in the price of a slave, at the rate -of four pounds each anchor, containing about eight gallons, and -costs in France but from eight to ten shillings. Whereas there is -not any article can be bought in England so profitable and vendable -a commodity among the blacks for thirty shillings (as French brandy) -that will pay in the purchase of a slave at four pounds. - -This observation is chiefly meant to point out how necessary it is -to hinder, as much as possible, the French from trading to Gambia, -Senegal, or between cape Appolonia and the river Volta, where the -British forts are situated, and where much the greatest numbers of -the most valuable Negroes are to be procured, which surely we have a -right to do, and may be effected, if proper measures are pursued for -so desirable a purpose. - -[18] The original letters and certificates, with authentic copies of -the affidavits, are in the hands of the publisher. - -[19] An ounce is a nominal value set upon goods, which cost about -40_s._ in Europe; but sold in trade on the coast of Africa at 4_l._ - -[20] He came to an anchor nearer to Elmina fort, with the ship and -sloop under his command, than any merchant ship ever had been, -and sent an officer on shore to demand the prisoners, which the -Dutch general immediately complied with, to the great joy of their -countrymen residing under the British forts, at their being restored -to their liberty. - -[21] “That such Portugueze ships as shall come to anchor in any of -the English roads belonging to any of the English forts or factories, -shall not be molested by any Dutch ship or ships belonging to the -said company, nor be blocked up by them in the said English roads, -nor attacked and seized at their going out of the said roads; neither -shall they offer to seize any ship or ships, that have first put -themselves under the protection of any British fort, or being in -possession of any English vessel, they having one of the said royal -African company’s servants on board certifying the same.” - -“That on the other side, none of the English forts, or company’s -ships, shall attack, or seize, any Portugueze which were first in -possession of any Dutch West India company’s ships; neither shall -the English general, or chief director for the time being, grant -passports to any Portugueze ships, going to or from Brazil, or any of -the Portugueze islands.” - -[22] What was paid to the natives for ground-rent, or water-custom, -or to the company’s slaves, which appeared by their lists, or to -canoe-men, or other free Negroes, each article was particularized in -the late company’s officers accounts in such manner, as that no fraud -could be committed. - -[23] By such mode of accounting, the committee may obtain a discharge -for the money granted by parliament, before the ship or ships that -have the merchandize, stores, _&c._ on board said money purchased, -sails out of the _river Thames_. Therefore, if said _merchandize_ or -_stores_ are never landed in _Africa_ for the use of the _forts_, we -presume the _committee_ are no farther _accountable_ for _them_. - - - - - TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE - - Footnote [15] is referenced twice from page 29. - - 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 iii: ‘above allegagations’ replaced by ‘above allegations’. - Pg 1: ‘meer alienation’ replaced by ‘mere alienation’. - Pg 3: ‘many falshoods’ replaced by ‘many falsehoods’. - Pg 4: ‘make the ballance’ replaced by ‘make the balance’. - Pg 6: ‘to undersel them’ replaced by ‘to undersell them’. - Pg 11: ‘For I believe it’ replaced by ‘For we believe it’. - Pg 12: ‘for so I must’ replaced by ‘for so we must’. - Pg 14: ‘a ballance of trade’ replaced by ‘a balance of trade’. - Pg 15: ‘sorry I am to say’ replaced by ‘sorry we are to say’. - Pg 19: ‘houshold servants’ replaced by ‘household servants’. - Pg 23: ‘inteterest themselves’ replaced by ‘interest themselves’. - Pg 24: ‘villify and render’ replaced by ‘vilify and render’. - Pg 25: ‘intercouse and trade’ replaced by ‘intercourse and trade’. - Pg 26 Footnote [11]: ‘on an average, is worth about’ replaced by - ‘on an average worth about’. - Pg 31: ‘such an equiry’ replaced by ‘such an enquiry’. - Pg 34: ‘I presume it’ replaced by ‘we presume it’. - Pg 34: ‘the smuggling wool’ replaced by ‘the smuggling of wool’. - Pg 35: ‘them frm Africa’ replaced by ‘them from Africa’. - Pg 37: ‘crimes in despight’ replaced by ‘crimes in despite’. - Pg 47: ‘The committe, by’ replaced by ‘The committee, by’. - Pg 48: ‘the mananagers, that’ replaced by ‘the managers, that’. - Pg 54: ‘were ncecessitate to’ replaced by ‘were necessitated to’. - Pg 55: ‘indenizend European’ replaced by ‘indenizened European’. - Pg 56: ‘become to serious’ replaced by ‘become too serious’. - Pg 60: ‘two orignals signed’ replaced by ‘two originals signed’. - Pg 61: ‘stated and ballanced’ replaced by ‘stated and balanced’. - Pg 62: ‘the committe are to’ replaced by ‘the committee are to’. - Pg 64: ‘from the ballance of’ replaced by ‘from the balance of’. - Pg 66: ‘improvemeut of such’ replaced by ‘improvement of such’. - Pg 66: ‘committe’s officers’ replaced by ‘committee’s officers’. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CONSIDERATIONS ON THE PRESENT -PEACE *** - -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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