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+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #68056 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/68056)
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-The Project Gutenberg eBook of Thoughts upon the African Slave Trade,
-by John Newton
-
-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: Thoughts upon the African Slave Trade
-
-Author: John Newton
-
-Release Date: May 12, 2022 [eBook #68056]
-
-Language: English
-
-Produced by: Barry Abrahamsen, 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 THOUGHTS UPON THE AFRICAN
-SLAVE TRADE ***
-
-
-
-
-
- +THOUGHTS+
-
- UPON THE
-
- AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE.
-
-
-
- ---------------------
-
-
-
- [PRICE ONE SHILLING.]
-
-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-
-
-
- +ADVERTISEMENT+.
-
-
- THE profits, if any, arising from the sale
- of this pamphlet, are appropriated to the
- use of the Society, established in London,
- for the support and encouragement of
- Sunday Schools, in the different counties
- of England.
-
-
-
-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-
- +THOUGHTS+
-
-
-
- UPON THE
-
-
-
- AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE.
-
-
-
-
- ----------------------------
-
-
- +BY JOHN NEWTON+,
-
- +RECTOR OF ST. MARY WOOLNOTH+.
-
-
-
- ----------------------------
-
-
-
- MATT. vii. 12.
-
- ALL THINGS WHATSOEVER YE WOULD THAT MEN
- SHOULD DO TO YOU, DO YE EVEN SO TO THEM:
- FOR THIS IS THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS.
-
- HOMO SUM——
-
-
-
- ----------------------------
-
-
-
- +LONDON+:
-
-
- PRINTED FOR J. BUCKLAND, IN PATER-NOSTER-ROW; AND
-
- J. JOHNSON, IN ST. PAUL’S CHURCH-YARD.
-
- M.DCC.LXXXVIII.
-
-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-
- ════════════════════════════════════════════════
-
-
-
-
- +THOUGHTS+
-
- +UPON THE+
-
- +AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE+.
-
-
-
- ----------------------------
-
-
-THE nature and effects of that unhappy and disgraceful branch of
-commerce, which has long been maintained on the Coast of Africa, with
-the sole, and professed design of purchasing our fellow-creatures, in
-order to supply our West-India islands and the American colonies, when
-they were ours, with Slaves; is now generally understood. So much light
-has been thrown upon the subject, by many able pens; and so many
-respectable persons have already engaged to use their utmost influence,
-for the suppression of a traffic, which contradicts the feelings of
-humanity; that it is hoped, this stain of our National character will
-soon be wiped out.
-
-If I attempt, after what has been done, to throw my mite into the public
-stock of information, it is less from an apprehension that my
-interference is necessary, than from a conviction, that silence, at such
-a time, and on such an occasion, would, in me, be criminal. If my
-testimony should not be necessary, or serviceable, yet, perhaps, I am
-bound, in conscience, to take shame to myself by a public confession,
-which, however sincere, comes too late to prevent, or repair, the misery
-and mischief to which I have, formerly, been accessary.
-
-I hope it will always be a subject of humiliating reflection to me, that
-I was, once, an active instrument, in a business at which my heart now
-shudders. My headstrong passions and follies plunged me, in early life,
-into a succession of difficulties and hardships, which, at length,
-reduced me to seek a refuge among the Natives of Africa. There, for
-about the space of eighteen months, I was in effect, though without the
-name, a Captive and a Slave myself; and was depressed to the lowest
-degree of human wretchedness. Possibly, I should not have been so
-completely miserable, had I lived among the Natives only, but it was my
-lot to reside with white men; for at that time, several persons of my
-own colour and language were settled upon that part of the Windward
-coast, which lies between Sierra-Leon and Cape Mount; for the purpose of
-purchasing and collecting Slaves, to sell to the vessels that arrived
-from Europe.
-
-This is a bourn, from which few travellers return, who have once
-determined to venture upon a temporary residence there; but the good
-providence of God, without my expectation, and almost against my will,
-delivered me from those scenes of wickedness and woe; and I arrived at
-Liverpool in May 1748. I soon revisited the place of my captivity, as
-mate of a ship, and, in the year 1750, I was appointed commander, in
-which capacity I made three voyages to the Windward Coast, for Slaves.
-
-I first saw the Coast of Guinea in the year 1745, and took my last leave
-of it in 1754. It was not, intentionally, a farewel; but through the
-mercy of God it proved so. I fitted out for a fourth voyage, and was
-upon the point of sailing, when I was arrested by a sudden illness, and
-I resigned the ship to another Captain.
-
-Thus I was unexpectedly freed from this disagreeable service.
-Disagreeable I had long found it; but I think I should have quitted it
-sooner, had I considered it, as I now do, to be unlawful and wrong. But
-I never had a scruple upon this head at the time; nor was such a thought
-once suggested to me, by any friend. What I did, I did ignorantly;
-considering it as the line of life which Divine Providence had allotted
-me, and having no concern, in point of conscience, but to treat the
-Slaves, while under my care, with as much humanity as a regard to my own
-safety would admit.
-
-The experience and observation of nine years, would qualify me for being
-a competent witness upon this subject, could I safely trust to the
-report of Memory, after an interval of more than thirty-three years.
-But, in the course of so long a period, the ideas of past scenes and
-transactions, grow indistinct; and I am aware, that what I have seen,
-and what I have only heard related, may, by this time, have become so
-insensibly blended together, that, in some cases, it may be difficult
-for me, if not impossible, to distinguish them, with absolute certainty.
-It is, however, my earnest desire, and will therefore engage my utmost
-care, that I may offer nothing in writing, as from my own knowledge,
-which I could not chearfully, if requisite, confirm upon oath.
-
-That part of the African shore, which lies between the river
-Sierra-Leon, lat. 8. 30. N. and Cape Palmas, is usually known by the
-name of the Windward, or Grain Coast. The extent (if my recollection
-does not fail me) is about one hundred and fifty leagues. There is a
-fort upon Benee Island, in Sierra-Leon, which formerly belonged to the
-old African Company: they also had a fort on an island in the river
-Sherbro; but the former was in private hands, and of the latter,
-scarcely the foundations were visible, when I first went to Africa.
-There is no fort, or factory, upon this coast, under the sanction of our
-Government; but there were, as I have said, and probably still are,
-private traders resident at Benee Island, at the Bananoes, and at the
-Plantanes. The former of these is about twelve, and the latter twenty
-leagues, from Sierra-Leon, to the South-East.
-
-By these persons, the trade is carried on, in boats and shallops, thirty
-or forty leagues to the northward, in several rivers lying within the
-shoals of Rio Grande. But the most northerly place of trade, for
-shipping, is Sierra-Leon, and the business there, and in that
-neighbourhood, is chiefly transacted with the white men: but from
-Sherbro to Cape Palmas, directly with the natives. Though I have been on
-the Gold Coast, and beyond it as far as Cape Lopez, in the latitude of
-one or two degrees South, I profess no knowledge of the African trade,
-but as it was conducted on the Windward Coast when I was concerned in
-it.
-
-I am not qualified, and if I were, I should think it rather unsuitable
-to my present character, as a Minister of the Gospel, to consider the
-African Slave Trade, merely, in a political light. This disquisition
-more properly belongs to persons in civil life. Only thus far my
-character as a Minister will allow, and perhaps require me, to observe,
-that the best Human Policy, is that which is connected with a
-reverential regard to Almighty God, the Supreme Governor of the Earth.
-Every plan, which aims at the welfare of a nation, in defiance of his
-authority and laws, however apparently wise, will prove to be
-essentially defective, and, if persisted in, ruinous. The Righteous Lord
-loveth Righteousness, and He has engaged to plead the cause, and
-vindicate the wrongs of the oppressed. It is Righteousness that exalted
-a nation; and Wickedness is the present reproach, and will, sooner or
-later, unless repentance intervene, prove the ruin of any people.
-
-Perhaps what I have said of myself may be applicable to the nation at
-large. The Slave Trade was always unjustifiable; but inattention and
-interest prevented, for a time, the evil from being perceived. It is
-otherwise at present; the mischiefs and evils, connected with it, have
-been, of late years, represented with such undeniable evidence, and are
-now so generally known, that I suppose there is hardly an objection can
-be made, to the wish of thousands, perhaps of millions, for the
-suppression of this Trade, but upon the ground of political expedience,
-
-Tho’ I were even sure, that a principal branch of the public revenue
-depended upon the African Trade (which, I apprehend, is far from being
-the case), if I had access and influence, I should think myself bound to
-say to Government, to Parliament, and to the Nation, “It is not lawful
-to put it into the Treasury, because it is the price of blood[1].”
-
-Footnote 1:
-
- Matth. xxvii. 6.
-
-I account an intelligent Farmer to be a good Politician, in this sense;
-that, if he has a large heap of good corn, he will not put a small
-quantity, that is damaged, to the rest, for the sake of encreasing the
-heap. He knows that such an addition would spoil the whole. God forbid,
-that any supposed profit or advantage, which we can derive from the
-groans and agonies, and blood of the poor Africans, should draw down his
-heavy curse, upon all that we might, otherwise, honourably and
-comfortably possess.
-
-For the sake of Method, I could wish to consider the African
-Trade,—First, with regard to the effects it has upon our own people; and
-Secondly, as it concerns the Blacks, or, as they _are_ more
-contemptuously styled, the Negroe Slaves, whom we purchase upon the
-Coast. But these two topics are so interwoven together, that it will not
-be easy to keep them exactly separate.
-
-1. The first point I shall mention is surely of political importance, if
-the lives of our fellow-subjects be so; and if a rapid loss of Seamen
-deserves the attention of a maritime people. This loss, in the African
-Trade, is truly alarming. I admit, that many of them are cut off in
-their first voyage, and, consequently, before they can properly rank as
-Seamen; though they would have been Seamen, if they had lived. But the
-neighbourhood of our sea-ports is continually drained, of men and boys,
-to supply the places of those who die abroad; and if they are not all
-Seamen, they are all our brethren and countrymen, subjects of the
-British Government.
-
-The people who remain, on ship-board, upon the open coast, if not
-accustomed to the climate, are liable to the attack of an inflammatory
-fever, which is not often fatal, unless the concurrence of unfavourable
-circumstances makes it so. When this danger is over, I think they might,
-probably, be as healthy as in most other voyages; provided, they could
-be kept from sleeping in the dews, from being much exposed to the rain,
-from the intemperate use of spirits, and especially from women.
-
-But, considering the general disposition of our Sailors, and the nature
-of the Slave Trade, these provisos are of little more significance, than
-if I should say, upon another occasion, that Great-Britain would be a
-happy country, _provided_, all the inhabitants were Wise, and Good. The
-Sailors _must be_ much exposed to the weather; especially on the
-Windward Coast, where a great part of the cargo is procured by boats,
-which are often sent to the distance of thirty or forty leagues, and are
-sometimes a month before they return. Many vessels arrive upon the coast
-before the rainy season, which continues from about May to October, is
-over; and if trade be scarce, the ships which arrive in the fair, or dry
-season, often remain till the rains return, before they can complete
-their purchase. A proper shelter from the weather, in an open boat, when
-the rain is incessant night and day, for weeks and months, is
-impracticable.
-
-I have myself, in such a boat, been five or six days together, without,
-as we say, a dry thread about me, sleeping or waking. And during the
-fair season, Tornadoes, or violent storms of wind, thunder, and heavy
-rain, are very frequent, though they seldom last long. In fact, the
-boats seldom return, without bringing some of the people ill of
-dangerous fevers or fluxes, occasioned either by the weather, or by
-unwholesome diet, such as the crude fruits and palm wine, with which
-they are plentifully supplied by the natives.
-
-Strong liquors, such as brandy, rum, or English spirits, the Sailors
-cannot often procure, in such quantities as to hurt them; but they will,
-if they can; and opportunities sometimes offer, especially to those who
-are in the boats; for strong liquor being an article much in demand, so
-that, without it, scarcely a single Slave can be purchased, it is always
-at hand. And if what is taken from the casks or bottles, that are for
-sale, be supplied with water, they are as full as they were before. The
-Blacks, who buy the liquor, are the losers by the adulteration; but
-often the people, who cheat them, are the greatest sufferers.
-
-The article of Women, likewise, contributes largely to the loss of our
-Seamen. When they are on shore, they often, from their known,
-thoughtless imprudence, involve themselves, on this account, in quarrels
-with the Natives, and, if not killed upon the spot, are frequently
-poisoned. On ship-board, they may be restrained, and in some ships they
-are; but such restraint is far from being general. It depends much upon
-the disposition, and attention, of the Captain. When I was in the trade,
-I knew several commanders of African ships, who were prudent,
-respectable men, and who maintained a proper discipline and regularity
-in their vessels; but there were too many of a different character. In
-some ships, perhaps in the most, the license allowed, in this
-particular, was almost unlimited. Moral turpitude was seldom considered,
-but they who took care to do the ship’s business, might, in other
-respects, do what they pleased. These excesses, if they do not induce
-fevers, at least, render the constitution less able to support them; and
-lewdness, too frequently, terminates in death.
-
-The risk of insurrections is to be added. These, I believe, are always
-meditated; for the Men Slaves are not, easily, reconciled to their
-confinement, and treatment; and if attempted, they are seldom suppressed
-without considerable loss; and sometimes they succeed, to the
-destruction of a whole ship’s company at once. Seldom a year passes, but
-we hear of one or more such catastrophes: and we likewise hear,
-sometimes, of Whites and Blacks involved, in one moment, in one common
-ruin, by the gunpowder taking fire, and blowing up the ship.
-
-How far the several causes, I have enumerated, may respectively operate,
-I cannot say: the fact however is sure, that a great number of our
-Seamen perish in the Slave Trade. Few ships, comparatively, are either
-blown up, or totally cut off, but some are. Of the rest, I have known
-some that have lost half their people, and some a larger proportion. I
-am far from saying, that it is always, or even often, thus; but, I
-believe, I shall state the matter sufficiently low, if I suppose, that,
-at least, one fifth part of those who go from England to the Coast of
-Africa, in ships which trade for Slaves, never return from thence. I
-dare not depend, too much, upon my memory, as to the number of ships,
-and men, employed in the Slave Trade more than thirty years ago; nor do
-I know what has been the state of the trade since; therefore I shall not
-attempt to make calculations. But, as I cannot but form some opinion
-upon the subject, I judge it probable, that the collective sum of
-Seamen, who go, from all our ports, to Africa, within the course of a
-year, (taking Guinea in the extensive sense, from Goree or Gambia, and
-including the coast of Angola,) cannot be less than eight thousand; and
-if, upon an average of ships and seasons, a fifth part of these die, the
-annual loss is fifteen hundred. I believe those, who have taken pains to
-make more exact enquiries, will deem my supposition to be very moderate.
-
-Thus much concerning the first evil, the Loss of Seamen and Subjects,
-which the nation sustains, by the African Slave Trade.
-
-2. There is a second, which either is, or ought to be, deemed of
-importance, considered in a political light. I mean, the dreadful
-effects of this trade, upon the minds of those who are engaged in it.
-There are, doubtless, exceptions, and I would, willingly, except myself.
-But, in general, I know of no method of getting money, not even that of
-robbery, for it, upon the highway, which has a more direct tendency to
-efface the moral sense, to rob the heart of every gentle and humane
-disposition, and to harden it, like steel, against all impressions of
-sensibility.
-
-Usually, about two-thirds of a cargo of Slaves are males. When a hundred
-and fifty or two hundred stout men, torn from their native land, many of
-whom never saw the sea, much less a ship, till a short space before they
-are embarked; who have, probably, the same natural prejudice against a
-white man, as we have against a black; and who often bring with them an
-apprehension that they are bought to be eaten: I say, when thus
-circumstanced, it is not to be expected that they will, tamely, resign
-themselves to their situation. It is always taken for granted, that they
-will attempt to gain their liberty, if possible. Accordingly, as we dare
-not trust them, we receive them on board, from the first, as enemies:
-and before their number exceeds, perhaps, ten or fifteen, they are all
-put in irons; in most ships, two and two together. And frequently, they
-are not thus confined, as they might, most conveniently, stand or move,
-the right hand and foot of one to the left of the other; but across,
-that is, the hand and foot of each on the same side, whether right or
-left, are fettered together: so that they cannot move, either hand or
-foot, but with great caution, and with perfect, consent. Thus they must
-sit, walk and lie, for many months, (sometimes for nine or ten,) without
-any mitigation or relief, unless they are sick.
-
-In the night they are confined below, in the day-time (if the weather be
-fine) they are upon deck; and as they are brought up, by pairs, a chain
-is put through a ring upon their irons, and this is likewise locked down
-to the ring-bolts, which are fastened at certain intervals upon the
-deck. These, and other precautions, are no more than necessary;
-especially, as while the number of Slaves increases, that of the people,
-who are to guard them, is diminished, by sickness, or death, or by being
-absent in the boats: so that, sometimes, not ten men can be mustered, to
-watch, night and day, over two hundred, besides having all the other
-business of the ship to attend.
-
-That these precautions are so often effectual, is much more to be
-wondered at, than that they sometimes fail. One unguarded hour, or
-minute, is sufficient to give the Slaves the opportunity they are always
-waiting for. An attempt to rise upon the ship’s company, brings on
-instantaneous and horrid war; for, when they are once in motion, they
-are desperate; and where they do not conquer, they are seldom quelled
-without much mischief and bloodshed, on both sides.
-
-Sometimes, when the Slaves are ripe for an insurrection, one of them
-will impeach the affairs; and then necessity, and the state policy, of
-these small, but most absolute governments, enforce maxims directly
-contrary to the nature of things. The traitor to the cause of liberty is
-caressed, rewarded, and deemed an honest fellow. The patriots, who
-formed and animated the plan, if they can be found out, must be treated
-as villains, and punished, to intimidate the rest. These punishments, in
-their nature and degree, depend upon the sovereign will of the Captain.
-Some are content with inflicting such moderate punishment, as may
-suffice for an example. But unlimited power, instigated by revenge, and
-where the heart, by a long familiarity with the sufferings of Slaves, is
-become callous, and insensible to the pleadings of humanity, is
-terrible.
-
-I have seen them sentenced to unmerciful whippings, continued till the
-poor creatures have not had power to groan under their misery, and
-hardly a sign of life has remained. I have seen them agonizing for
-hours, I believe, for days together, under the torture of the
-thumb-screws; a dreadful engine, which, if the screw be turned by an
-unrelenting hand, can give intolerable anguish. There have been
-instances in which cruelty has proceeded still further; but, as I hope
-they are few, and I can mention but one, from my own knowledge, I shall
-but mention it.
-
-I have often heard a Captain, who has been long since dead, boast of his
-conduct in a former voyage, when his Slaves attempted to rise upon him.
-After he had suppressed the insurrection, he sat in judgment upon the
-insurgents; and not only, in cold blood, adjudged several of them, I
-know not how many, to die, but studied, with no small attention, how to
-make death as excruciating to them as possible. For my reader’s sake, I
-suppress the recital of particulars.
-
-Surely, it must be allowed, that they who are long conversant with such
-scenes as these, are liable to imbibe a spirit of ferociousness, and
-savage insensibility, of which human nature, depraved as it is, is not,
-ordinarily, capable. If these things be true, the reader will admit the
-possibility of a fact, that was in current report, when I was upon the
-Coast, and the truth of which, though I cannot now authenticate it, I
-have no reason to doubt.
-
-A Mate of a ship, in a long-boat, purchased a young woman, with a fine
-child, of about a year old, in her arms. In the night, the child cried
-much, and disturbed his sleep. He rose up in great anger, and swore,
-that if the child did not cease making such a noise, he would presently
-silence it. The child continued to cry. At length he rose up a second
-time, tore the child from the mother, and threw it into the sea. The
-child was soon silenced indeed, but it was not so easy to pacify the
-woman: she was too valuable to be thrown overboard, and he was obliged
-to bear the sound of her lamentations, till he could put her on board
-his ship.
-
-I am persuaded, that every tender mother who feasts her eyes and her
-mind, when she contemplates the infant in her arms, will commiserate the
-poor Africans.—But why do I speak of one child, when we have heard and
-read a melancholy story, too notoriously true to admit of contradiction,
-of more than a hundred grown slaves, thrown into the sea, at one time,
-from on board a ship, when fresh water was scarce; to fix the loss upon
-the Underwriters, which otherwise, had they died on board, must have
-fallen upon the Owners of the vessel. These instances are specimens of
-the spirit produced, by the African Trade, in men, who, once, were no
-more destitute of the milk of human kindness than ourselves.
-
-Hitherto, I have considered the condition of the Men Slaves only. From
-the Women, there is no danger of insurrection, and they are carefully
-kept from the men; I mean, from the Black men. But——In what I have to
-offer, on this head, I am far from including every ship. I speak not of
-what is universally, but of what is too commonly, and, I am afraid, too
-generally, prevalent.
-
-I have already observed, that the Captain of an African ship, while upon
-the Coast, is absolute in his command; and if he be humane, vigilant,
-and determined, he has it in his power to protect the miserable; for
-scarcely any thing can be done, on board the ship, without his
-permission, or connivance. But this power is, too seldom, exerted in
-favour of the poor Women Slaves.
-
-When we hear of a town taken by storm, and given up to the ravages of an
-enraged and licentious army, of wild and unprincipled Cossacks, perhaps
-no part of the distress affects a feeling mind more, than the treatment
-to which the women are exposed. But the enormities frequently committed,
-in an African ship, though equally flagrant, are little known _here_,
-and are considered, _there_, only as matters of course. When the Women
-and Girls are taken on board a ship, naked, trembling, terrified,
-perhaps almost exhausted with cold, fatigue, and hunger, they are often
-exposed to the wanton rudeness of white Savages. The poor creatures
-cannot understand the language they hear, but the looks and manner of
-the speakers, are sufficiently intelligible. In imagination, the prey is
-divided, upon the spot, and only reserved till opportunity offers. Where
-resistance, or refusal, would be utterly in vain, even the solicitation
-of consent is seldom thought of. But I forbear.—This is not a subject
-for declamation. Facts like these, so certain, and so numerous, speak
-for themselves. Surely, if the advocates for the Slave Trade attempt to
-plead for it, before the Wives and Daughters of our happy land, or
-before those who have Wives or Daughters of their own, they must lose
-their cause.
-
-Perhaps some hard-hearted pleader may suggest, that such treatment would
-indeed be cruel, in Europe; but the African Women are Negroes, Savages,
-who have no idea of the nicer sensations which obtain among civilized
-people. I dare contradict them in the strongest terms. I have lived
-long, and conversed much, amongst these supposed Savages. I have often
-slept in their towns, in a house filled with goods for trade, with no
-person in the house but myself, and with no other door than a mat; in
-that security, which no man in his senses would expect, in this
-civilized nation, especially in this metropolis, without the precaution
-of having strong doors, strongly locked and bolted. And with regard to
-the women, in Sherbro, where I was most acquainted, I have seen many
-instances of modesty, and even delicacy, which would not disgrace an
-English woman. Yet, such is the treatment which I have known permitted,
-if not encouraged, in many of our ships—they have been abandoned,
-without restraint, to the lawless will of the first comer.
-
-Accustomed thus to despise, insult, and injure the Slaves on board, it
-may be expected that the conduct of many of our people to the Natives,
-with whom they trade, is, as far as circumstances admit, very similar;
-and it is so. They are considered as a people to be robbed and spoiled,
-with impunity. Every art is employed to deceive, and wrong them. And he
-who has most address, in this way, has most to boast of.
-
-Not an article, that is capable of diminution or adulteration, is
-delivered genuine, or entire. The spirits are lowered by water. False
-heads are put into the kegs that contain the gun-powder; so that, though
-the keg appears large, there is no more powder in it, than in a much
-smaller. The linen and cotton cloths are opened, and two or three yards,
-according to the length of the piece, cut off, not from the end, but out
-of the middle, where it is not so readily noticed.
-
-The Natives are cheated, in the number, weight, measure, or quality, of
-what they purchase, in every possible way. And, by habit and emulation,
-a marvellous dexterity is acquired in these practices. And thus the
-Natives, in their turn, in proportion to their commerce with the
-Europeans, and (I am sorry to add) particularly with the English, become
-jealous, insidious and revengeful.
-
-They know with whom they deal, and are accordingly prepared;—though they
-can trust some ships and boats, which have treated them with
-punctuality, and may be trusted by them. A quarrel, sometimes, furnishes
-pretext for detaining, and carrying away, one or more of the Natives,
-which is retaliated, if practicable, upon the next boat that comes to
-the place, from the same port. For so far their vindictive temper is
-restrained by their ideas of justice, that they will not, often, revenge
-an injury received from a Liverpool ship, upon one belonging to Bristol
-or London.
-
-They will, usually, wait with patience, the arrival of one, which, they
-suppose, by her sailing from the same place, has some connection with
-that which used them ill; and they are so quick at distinguishing our
-little local differences of language, and customs in a ship, that before
-they have been in a ship five minutes, and often before they come on
-board, they know, with certainty, whether she be from Bristol,
-Liverpool, or London.
-
-Retaliation on their parts, furnishes a plea for reprizal on ours. Thus,
-in one place or another, trade is often suspended, all intercourse cut
-off, and things are in a state of war; till necessity, either on the
-ship’s part, or on theirs, produces overtures of peace, and dictates the
-price, which the offending party must pay for it. But it is a warlike
-peace. We trade under arms; and they are furnished with long knives.
-
-For, with a few exceptions, the English and the Africans, reciprocally,
-consider each other as consummate villains, who are always watching
-opportunities to do mischief. In short, we have, I fear too deservedly,
-a very unfavourable character upon the Coast. When I have charged a
-Black with unfairness and dishonesty, he has answered, if able to clear
-himself, with an air of disdain, “What! do you think I am a White Man?”
-
-Such is the nature, such are the concomitants, of the Slave Trade; and
-such is the school in which many thousands of our Seamen are brought up.
-Can we then wonder at that impatience of subordination, and that
-disposition to mutiny, amongst them, which has been, of late, so loudly
-complained of, and so severely felt? Will not sound policy suggest, the
-necessity, of some expedient here? Or can sound policy suggest any,
-effectual, expedient, but the total suppression of a Trade, which, like
-a poisonous root, diffuses its malignity into every branch?
-
-The effects which our trade has upon the Blacks, those especially who
-come under our power, may be considered under three heads,—How they are
-acquired? The mortality they are subject to! and, How those who survive
-are disposed of?
-
-I confine my remarks on the first head to the Windward Coast, and can
-speak most confidently of the trade in Sherbro, where I lived. I own,
-however, that I question, if any part of the Windward Coast is equal to
-Sherbro, in point of regularity and government. They have no men of
-great power or property among them; as I am told there are upon the Gold
-Coast, at Whidah and Benin. The Sherbro people live much in the
-patriarchal way. An old man usually presides in each town, whose
-authority depends more on his years, than on his possessions: and He,
-who is called the King, is not easily distinguished, either by state or
-wealth, from the rest. But the different districts, which seem to be, in
-many respects, independent of each other, are incorporated, and united,
-by means of an institution which pervades them all, and is called The
-_Purrow_. The persons of this order, who are very numerous, seem, very
-much, to resemble the Druids, who once presided in our island.
-
-The _Purrow_ has both the legislative and executive authority, and,
-under their sanction, there is a police exercised, which is by no means
-contemptible. Every thing belonging to the _Purrow_ is mysterious and
-severe, but, upon the whole, it has very good effects; and as any man,
-whether bond or free, who will submit to be initiated into their
-mysteries, may be admitted of the Order, it is a kind of Common-wealth.
-And, perhaps, few people enjoy more, simple, political freedom, than the
-inhabitants of Sherbro, belonging to the _Purrow_, (who are not slaves,)
-further than they are bound by their own institutions. Private property
-is tolerably well secured, and violence is much suppressed.
-
-The state of Slavery, among these wild barbarous people, as we esteem
-them, is much milder than in our colonies. For as, on the one hand, they
-have no land in high cultivation, like our West-India plantations, and
-therefore no call for that excessive, unintermitted labour, which
-exhausts our Slaves; so, on the other hand, no man is permitted to draw
-blood, even from a Slave. If he does, he is liable to a strict
-inquisition; for the _Purrow_ laws will not allow a private individual
-to shed blood. A man may sell his slave, if he pleases; but he may not
-wantonly abuse him. The laws likewise punish some species of theft, with
-slavery; and in cases of adultery, which are very common, as polygamy is
-the custom of the country, both the woman, and the man who offends with
-her, are liable to be sold for Slaves, unless they can satisfy the
-husband, or unless they are redeemed by their friends.
-
-Among these unenlightened Blacks, it is a general maxim, that if a man
-steals, or breaks a moveable, as a musket, for instance, the offence may
-be nearly compensated, by putting another musket in its place; but
-offences, which cannot be repaired in kind, as adultery, admit of no
-satisfaction, till the injured person declares, that He is satisfied. So
-that, if a rich man seduces the wife of a poor man, he has it in his
-power to change places with him; for he may send for every article in
-his house, one by one, till he says, “I have enough.” The only
-alternative, is personal slavery.
-
-I suppose, bribery and influence may have their effects in Guinea, as
-they have in some other countries; but their laws, in the main, are wise
-and good, and, upon the whole, they have considerable operation; and
-therefore, I believe, many of the Slaves purchased in Sherbro, and
-probably upon the whole Windward Coast, are convicts, who have forfeited
-their liberty, by breaking the laws of their country.
-
-But, I apprehend, that the neighbourhood of our ships, and the desire of
-our goods, are motives, which often push the rigour of the laws to an
-extreme, which would not be exacted, if they were left to themselves.
-
-But Slaves are the staple article of the traffic; and though a
-considerable number may have been born near the sea, I believe the bulk,
-of them are brought from far. I have reason to think, that some travel
-more than a thousand miles, before they reach the sea-coast. Whether
-there may be convicts amongst these likewise, or what proportion they
-may bear to those who are taken prisoners in war, it is impossible to
-know.
-
-I judge, the principal source of the Slave Trade, is, the wars which
-prevail among the Natives. Sometimes, these wars break out between those
-who live near the sea. The English, and other Europeans, have been
-charged with fomenting them; I believe (so far as concerns the Windward
-Coast) unjustly. That some would do it, if they could, I doubt not; but
-I do not think they can have opportunity. Nor is it needful they should
-interfere. Thousands, in our own country, wish for war, because they
-fatten upon its spoils.
-
-Human nature is much the same in every place, and few people will be
-willing to allow, that the _Negroes_ in Africa are better than
-themselves. Supposing, therefore, they wish for European goods, may not
-they wish to purchase them from a ship just arrived? Of course, they
-must wish for Slaves to go to market with; and if they have not Slaves,
-and think themselves strong enough to invade their neighbours, they will
-probably wish for war.—And if once they wish for it, how easy is it to
-find, or make, pretexts for breaking an inconvenient peace; or (after
-the example of greater heroes, of Christian name) to make depredations,
-without condescending to assign any reasons.
-
-I verily believe, that the far greater part of the wars, in Africa,
-would cease; if the Europeans would cease to tempt them, by offering
-goods for Slaves. And though they do not bring legions into the field,
-their wars are bloody. I believe, the captives reserved for sale, are
-fewer than the slain.
-
-I have not sufficient data to warrant calculation, but, I suppose, not
-less than one hundred thousand Slaves are exported, annually, from all
-parts of Africa, and that more than one half, of these, are exported in
-English bottoms.
-
-If but an equal number are killed in war, and if many of these wars are
-kindled by the incentive of selling their prisoners; what an annual
-accumulation of blood must there be, crying against the nations of
-Europe concerned in this trade, and particularly against our own!
-
-I have, often, been gravely told, as a proof that the Africans, however
-hardly treated, deserve but little compassion, that they are a people so
-destitute of natural affection, that it is common, among them, for
-parents to sell their children, and children their parents. And, I
-think, a charge, of this kind, is brought against them, by the
-respectable author of _Spectacle de la Nature_. But he must have been
-misinformed. I never heard of one instance of either, while I used the
-Coast.
-
-One article more, upon this head, is Kidnapping, or stealing free
-people. Some people suppose, that the Ship Trade is rather the stealing,
-than the buying of Slaves. But there is enough to lay to the charge of
-the ships, without accusing them falsely. The slaves, in general, are
-bought, and paid for. Sometimes, when goods are lent, or trusted on
-shore, the trader voluntarily leaves a free person, perhaps his own son,
-as a hostage, or pawn, for the payment; and, in case of default, the
-hostage is carried off, and sold; which, however hard upon him, being in
-consequence of a free stipulation, cannot be deemed unfair. There have
-been instances of unprincipled Captains, who, at the close of what they
-supposed their last voyage, and when they had no intention of revisiting
-the Coast, have detained, and carried away, free people with them; and
-left the next ship, that should come from the same port, to risk the
-consequences. But these actions, I hope, and believe, are not common.
-
-With regard to the Natives, to steal a free man or woman, and to sell
-them on board a ship, would, I think, be a more difficult, and more
-dangerous attempt, in Sherbro, than in London. But I have no doubt, that
-the traders who come, from the interior parts of Africa, at a great
-distance, find opportunity, in the course of their journey, to pick up
-stragglers, whom they may meet in their way. This branch of oppression,
-and robbery, would likewise fail, if the temptation to it were removed.
-
-I have, to the best of my knowledge, pointed out the principal sources,
-of that immense supply of Slaves, which furnishes so large an
-exportation every year. If all that are taken on board the ships, were
-to survive the voyage, and be landed in good order, possibly the
-English, French, and Dutch islands, and colonies, would be soon
-overstocked, and fewer ships would sail to the Coast. But a large
-abatement must be made for mortality.—After what I have already said of
-their treatment, I shall now, that I am again to consider them on board
-the ships, confine myself to this point.
-
-In the Portuguese ships, which trade from Brasil to the Gold Coast and
-Angola, I believe a heavy mortality is not frequent. The Slaves have
-room, they are not put in irons, (I speak from information only,) and
-are humanely treated.
-
-With our ships the great object is, to be full. When the ship is there,
-it is thought desirable, she should take as many as possible. The cargo
-of a vessel of a hundred tons, or little more, is calculated to purchase
-from two hundred and twenty to two hundred and fifty Slaves. Their
-lodging-rooms below the deck, which are three, (for the men, the boys,
-and the women,) besides a place for the sick, are sometimes more than
-five feet high, and sometimes less; and this height is divided towards
-the middle, for the Slaves lie in two rows, one above the other, on each
-side of the ship, close to each other, like books upon a shelf. I have
-known them so close, that the shelf would not, easily, contain one more.
-
-And I have known a white man sent down among the men, to lay them in
-these rows to the greatest advantage, so that as little space as
-possible might be lost. Let it be observed, that the poor creatures,
-thus cramped for want of room, are likewise in irons, for the most part
-both hands and feet, and two together, which makes it difficult for them
-to turn or move, to attempt either to rise or to lie down, without
-hurting themselves, or each other. Nor is the motion of the ship,
-especially her heeling, or stoop on one side, when under sail, to be
-admitted; for this, as they lie athwart, or across the ship, adds to the
-uncomfortableness of their lodging, especially to those who lie on the
-leeward, or leaning side of the vessel.
-
- Dire is the tossing, deep the groans.——
-
-The heat and the smell of these rooms, when the weather will not admit
-of the Slaves being brought upon deck, and of having their rooms cleaned
-every day, would be, almost, insupportable, to a person not accustomed
-to them. If the Slaves and their rooms can be constantly aired, and they
-are not detained too long on board, perhaps there are not many who die;
-but the contrary is often their lot. They are kept down, by the weather,
-to breathe a hot and corrupted air, sometimes for a week: this, added to
-the galling of their irons, and the despondency which seizes their
-spirits, when thus confined, soon becomes fatal. And every morning,
-perhaps, more instances than one are found, of the living and the dead,
-like the Captives of Mezentius, fastened together.
-
-Epidemical fevers and fluxes, which fill the ship with noisome and
-noxious effluvia, often break out, infect the Seamen likewise, and the
-Oppressors, and the Oppressed, fall by the same stroke. I believe,
-nearly one half of the Slaves on board, have, sometimes, died; and that
-the loss of a third part, in these circumstances, is not unusual. The
-ship, in which I was Mate, left the Coast with Two Hundred and Eighteen
-Slaves on board; and though we were not much affected by epidemical
-disorders, I find, by my journal of that voyage, (now before me,) that
-we buried Sixty-two on our passage to South-Carolina, exclusive of those
-which died before we left the Coast, of which I have no account.
-
-I believe, upon an average between the more healthy, and the more sickly
-voyages, and including all contingencies, One Fourth of the whole
-purchase may be allotted to the article of Mortality. That is, if the
-English ships purchase _Sixty Thousand_ Slaves annually, upon the whole
-extent of the Coast, the annual loss of lives cannot be much less than
-_Fifteen Thousand_.
-
-I am now to speak of the survivors.—When the ships make the land,
-(usually the West-India islands,) and have their port in view after
-having been four, five, six weeks, or a longer time, at sea, (which
-depends much upon the time that passes before they can get into the
-permanent Trade Winds, which blow from the North-East and East across
-the Atlantic,) then, and not before, they venture to release the Men
-Slaves from their irons. And then, the sight of the land, and their
-freedom from long and painful confinement, usually excite in them a
-degree of alacrity, and a transient feeling of joy——
-
- The prisoner leaps to lose his chains.
-
-But, this joy is short-lived indeed. The condition of the unhappy Slaves
-is in a continual progress from bad to worse. Their case is truly
-pitiable, from the moment they are in a state of slavery, in their own
-country; but it may be deemed a state of ease and liberty, compared with
-their situation on board our ships.
-
-Yet, perhaps, they would wish to spend the remainder of their days on
-ship board, could they know, before-hand, the nature of the servitude
-which awaits them, on shore; and that the dreadful hardships and
-sufferings they have already endured, would, to the most of them, only
-terminate in excessive toil, hunger, and the excruciating tortures of
-the cart-whip, inflicted at the caprice of an unfeeling Overseer, proud
-of the power allowed him of punishing whom, and when, and how he
-pleases.
-
-I hope the Slaves, in our islands, are better treated now, than they
-were, at the time when I was in the trade. And even then, I know, there
-were Slaves, who, under the care and protection of humane masters, were,
-comparatively, happy. But I saw and heard enough to satisfy me, that
-their condition, in general, was wretched to the extreme. However my
-stay in Antigua and St. Christopher’s (the only islands I visited) was
-too short, to qualify me for saying much, from my own certain knowledge;
-upon this painful subject. Nor is it needful:—Enough has been offered by
-several respectable writers, who have had opportunity of collecting
-surer, and fuller information.
-
-One thing I cannot omit, which was told me by the Gentleman to whom my
-ship was consigned, at Antigua, in the year 1751, and who was, himself,
-a Planter. He said, that calculations had been made, with all possible
-exactness, to determine which was the preferable, that is, the most
-saving method of managing Slaves:——
-
-
- “Whether, to appoint them moderate work, plenty of provision, and
- such treatment, as might enable them to protract their lives to
- old age?” Or,
-
-
- “By rigorously straining their strength to the utmost, with little
- relaxation, hard fare, and hard usage, to wear them out before
- they became useless, and unable to do service; and then, to buy
- new ones, to fill up their places?”
-
-
-He farther said, that these skilful calculators had determined in favour
-of the latter mode, as much the cheaper; and that he could mention
-several estates, in the island of Antigua, on which, it was seldom
-known, that a Slave had lived above nine years.——_Ex pede Herculem!_
-
-When the Slaves are landed for sale, (for in the Leeward Islands they
-are usually sold on shore,) it may happen, that after a long separation
-in different parts of the ship, when they are brought together in one
-place, some, who are nearly related, may recognize each other. If, upon
-such a meeting, pleasure should be felt, it can be but momentary. The
-sale disperses them wide, to different parts of the island, or to
-different islands. Husbands and Wives, Parents and Children, Brothers
-and Sisters, must suddenly part again, probably to meet no more.
-
-After a careful perusal of what I have written, weighing every paragraph
-distinctly, I can find nothing to retract. As it is not easy to write
-altogether with coolness, upon this business, and especially not easy to
-me, who have formerly been so deeply engaged in it; I have been jealous,
-lest the warmth of imagination might have insensibly seduced me, to
-aggravate and overcharge some of the horrid features, which I have
-attempted to delineate, of the African Trade. But, upon a strict review,
-I am satisfied.
-
-I have apprized the reader, that I write from memory, after an interval
-of more than thirty years. But at the same time, I believe, many things
-which I saw, heard and felt, upon the Coast of Africa, are so deeply
-engraven in my memory, that I can hardly forget, or greatly mistake
-them, while I am capable of remembering any thing. I am certainly not
-guilty of wilful misrepresentation. And, upon the whole, I dare appeal
-to the Great Searcher of hearts, in whose presence I write, and before
-whom I, and my readers, must all shortly appear, that (with the
-restrictions and exceptions I have made) I have advanced nothing, but
-what, to the best of my judgement and conscience, is true.
-
-I have likewise written without solicitation, and simply from the motive
-I have already assigned; a conviction, that the share I have formerly
-had in the trade, binds me, in conscience, to throw what light I am able
-upon the subject, now it is likely to become a point of Parliamentary
-investigation.
-
-No one can have less interest in it, than I have at present, further
-than as I am interested by the feelings of humanity, and a regard for
-the honour, and welfare of my country.
-
-Though unwilling to give offence to a single person; in such a cause, I
-ought not to be afraid of offending many, by declaring the truth; if,
-indeed, there can be many, whom even interest can prevail upon to
-contradict the common sense of mankind, by pleading for a commerce, so
-iniquitous, so cruel, so oppressive, so destructive, as the African
-Slave Trade!
-
-
-
- +FINIS+.
-
-
-
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- ● Transcriber’s Notes:
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- ○ Inconsistent spelling and hyphenation were made consistent only
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-<p style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Thoughts upon the African Slave Trade, by John Newton</p>
-<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
-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 <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. 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.
-</div>
-
-<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Thoughts upon the African Slave Trade</p>
-<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: John Newton</p>
-<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: May 12, 2022 [eBook #68056]</p>
-<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p>
- <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: Barry Abrahamsen, The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)</p>
-<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THOUGHTS UPON THE AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE ***</div>
-
-<div class='figcenter id001'>
-<img src='images/cover.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic001'>
-<p><span class='small'>The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-<div class='pbb'>
- <hr class='pb c000' />
-</div>
-<div>
- <h1 class='c001'><span class='c002'><em class='gesperrt'>THOUGHTS</em></span><br /> <br /><span class='c003'>UPON THE</span><br /> <br /><span class='c004'>AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE.</span></h1>
-</div>
-<hr class='c005' />
-
-<div class='nf-center-c0'>
-<div class='nf-center c006'>
- <div>[PRICE ONE SHILLING.]</div>
- </div>
-</div>
-
-<div class='pbb'>
- <hr class='pb c007' />
-</div>
-
-<div class='nf-center-c0'>
-<div class='nf-center c008'>
- <div><span class='large'><em class='gesperrt'>ADVERTISEMENT</em>.</span></div>
- </div>
-</div>
-
-<div class='lh'>
-
-<p class='c009'><i>THE profits, if any, arising from the sale of
-this pamphlet, are appropriated to the use of the
-Society, established in London, for the support
-and encouragement of Sunday Schools, in the
-different counties of England.</i></p>
-
-</div>
-<div class='pbb'>
- <hr class='pb c008' />
-</div>
-
-<div class='nf-center-c0'>
-<div class='nf-center c007'>
- <div><span class='c002'><em class='gesperrt'>THOUGHTS</em></span></div>
- <div class='c006'><span class='small'>UPON THE</span></div>
- <div class='c010'><span class='c002'>AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE.</span></div>
- </div>
-</div>
-
-<hr class='c011' />
-
-<div class='nf-center-c0'>
-<div class='nf-center c007'>
- <div><span class='c012'><em class='gesperrt'><span class='sc'>By</span> JOHN NEWTON</em>,</span></div>
- <div class='c000'><em class='gesperrt'>RECTOR OF ST. MARY WOOLNOTH</em>.</div>
- </div>
-</div>
-
-<hr class='c013' />
-
-<div class='nf-center-c0'>
-<div class='nf-center c006'>
- <div><span class='sc'>Matt.</span> vii. 12.</div>
- </div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c014'><span class='small'>ALL THINGS WHATSOEVER YE WOULD THAT MEN SHOULD DO TO YOU,
-DO YE EVEN SO TO THEM: FOR THIS IS THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS.</span></p>
-
-<div class='nf-center-c0'>
-<div class='nf-center c000'>
- <div><span class='small'>HOMO SUM——</span></div>
- </div>
-</div>
-
-<hr class='c013' />
-
-<div class='nf-center-c0'>
-<div class='nf-center c006'>
- <div><span class='c015'><em class='gesperrt'>LONDON</em>:</span></div>
- <div class='c007'>PRINTED FOR J. BUCKLAND, IN PATER-NOSTER-ROW; AND</div>
- <div class='c000'>J. JOHNSON, IN ST. PAUL’S CHURCH-YARD.</div>
- <div class='c000'><span class='small'>M.DCC.LXXXVIII.</span></div>
- </div>
-</div>
-
-<div class='pbb'>
- <hr class='pb c007' />
-</div>
-
-<div class='nf-center-c0'>
-<div class='nf-center c007'>
- <div><span class='pageno' id='Page_1'>1</span>════════════════════════════════════════════════</div>
- </div>
-</div>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
- <h2 class='c016'><span class='c017'><em class='gesperrt'>THOUGHTS</em></span><br /> <br /><em class='gesperrt'>UPON THE</em><br /> <br /><span class='c015'><em class='gesperrt'>AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE</em>.</span></h2>
-</div>
-<hr class='c013' />
-<p class='drop-capa0_25_0_7 c018'>THE nature and effects of that unhappy
-and disgraceful branch of commerce,
-which has long been maintained on the Coast
-of Africa, with the sole, and professed design
-of purchasing our fellow-creatures, in order
-to supply our West-India islands and the American
-colonies, when they were ours, with
-Slaves; is now generally understood. So much
-light has been thrown upon the subject, by
-many able pens; and so many respectable persons
-have already engaged to use their utmost
-influence, for the suppression of a traffic, which
-contradicts the feelings of humanity; that it
-is hoped, this stain of our National character
-will soon be wiped out.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'><span class='pageno' id='Page_2'>2</span>If I attempt, after what has been done, to
-throw my mite into the public stock of information,
-it is less from an apprehension that
-my interference is necessary, than from a conviction,
-that silence, at such a time, and on
-such an occasion, would, in me, be criminal.
-If my testimony should not be necessary, or
-serviceable, yet, perhaps, I am bound, in conscience,
-to take shame to myself by a public
-confession, which, however sincere, comes too
-late to prevent, or repair, the misery and mischief
-to which I have, formerly, been accessary.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>I hope it will always be a subject of humiliating
-reflection to me, that I was, once, an
-active instrument, in a business at which my
-heart now shudders. My headstrong passions
-and follies plunged me, in early life, into a
-succession of difficulties and hardships, which,
-at length, reduced me to seek a refuge among
-the Natives of Africa. There, for about the
-space of eighteen months, I was in effect,
-though without the name, a Captive and a
-Slave myself; and was depressed to the lowest
-degree of human wretchedness. Possibly, I
-should not have been so completely miserable,
-had I lived among the Natives only, but it
-was my lot to reside with white men; for at
-that time, several persons of my own colour
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_3'>3</span>and language were settled upon that part of the
-Windward coast, which lies between Sierra-Leon
-and Cape Mount; for the purpose of
-purchasing and collecting Slaves, to sell to the
-vessels that arrived from Europe.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>This is a bourn, from which few travellers
-return, who have once determined to venture
-upon a temporary residence there; but the good
-providence of God, without my expectation,
-and almost against my will, delivered me from
-those scenes of wickedness and woe; and I arrived
-at Liverpool in May 1748. I soon revisited
-the place of my captivity, as mate of a
-ship, and, in the year 1750, I was appointed
-commander, in which capacity I made three
-voyages to the Windward Coast, for Slaves.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>I first saw the Coast of Guinea in the year
-1745, and took my last leave of it in 1754.
-It was not, intentionally, a farewel; but through
-the mercy of God it proved so. I fitted out
-for a fourth voyage, and was upon the point
-of sailing, when I was arrested by a sudden
-illness, and I resigned the ship to another Captain.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>Thus I was unexpectedly freed from this
-disagreeable service. Disagreeable I had long
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_4'>4</span>found it; but I think I should have quitted it
-sooner, had I considered it, as I now do, to be
-unlawful and wrong. But I never had a scruple
-upon this head at the time; nor was such
-a thought once suggested to me, by any friend.
-What I did, I did ignorantly; considering it
-as the line of life which Divine Providence
-had allotted me, and having no concern, in
-point of conscience, but to treat the Slaves,
-while under my care, with as much humanity
-as a regard to my own safety would admit.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>The experience and observation of nine
-years, would qualify me for being a competent
-witness upon this subject, could I safely
-trust to the report of Memory, after an interval
-of more than thirty-three years. But, in the
-course of so long a period, the ideas of past
-scenes and transactions, grow indistinct; and I
-am aware, that what I have seen, and what I
-have only heard related, may, by this time,
-have become so insensibly blended together,
-that, in some cases, it may be difficult for me,
-if not impossible, to distinguish them, with
-absolute certainty. It is, however, my earnest
-desire, and will therefore engage my utmost
-care, that I may offer nothing in writing, as
-from my own knowledge, which I could not
-chearfully, if requisite, confirm upon oath.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'><span class='pageno' id='Page_5'>5</span>That part of the African shore, which lies
-between the river Sierra-Leon, lat. 8. 30. N.
-and Cape Palmas, is usually known by the
-name of the Windward, or Grain Coast. The
-extent (if my recollection does not fail me) is
-about one hundred and fifty leagues. There
-is a fort upon Benee Island, in Sierra-Leon,
-which formerly belonged to the old African
-Company: they also had a fort on an island
-in the river Sherbro; but the former was in
-private hands, and of the latter, scarcely the
-foundations were visible, when I first went to
-Africa. There is no fort, or factory, upon
-this coast, under the sanction of our Government;
-but there were, as I have said, and
-probably still are, private traders resident at
-Benee Island, at the Bananoes, and at the
-Plantanes. The former of these is about twelve,
-and the latter twenty leagues, from Sierra-Leon,
-to the South-East.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>By these persons, the trade is carried on, in boats
-and shallops, thirty or forty leagues to the northward,
-in several rivers lying within the shoals
-of Rio Grande. But the most northerly place
-of trade, for shipping, is Sierra-Leon, and the
-business there, and in that neighbourhood, is
-chiefly transacted with the white men: but
-from Sherbro to Cape Palmas, directly with
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_6'>6</span>the natives. Though I have been on the Gold
-Coast, and beyond it as far as Cape Lopez, in
-the latitude of one or two degrees South, I profess
-no knowledge of the African trade, but
-as it was conducted on the Windward Coast
-when I was concerned in it.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>I am not qualified, and if I were, I should
-think it rather unsuitable to my present character,
-as a Minister of the Gospel, to consider
-the African Slave Trade, merely, in a political
-light. This disquisition more properly belongs
-to persons in civil life. Only thus far
-my character as a Minister will allow, and perhaps
-require me, to observe, that the best Human
-Policy, is that which is connected with a
-reverential regard to Almighty God, the Supreme
-Governor of the Earth. Every plan, which
-aims at the welfare of a nation, in defiance of
-his authority and laws, however apparently
-wise, will prove to be essentially defective,
-and, if persisted in, ruinous. The Righteous
-Lord loveth Righteousness, and He has engaged
-to plead the cause, and vindicate the
-wrongs of the oppressed. It is Righteousness
-that exalted a nation; and Wickedness is the
-present reproach, and will, sooner or later,
-unless repentance intervene, prove the ruin of
-any people.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'><span class='pageno' id='Page_7'>7</span>Perhaps what I have said of myself may
-be applicable to the nation at large. The
-Slave Trade was always unjustifiable; but inattention
-and interest prevented, for a time, the
-evil from being perceived. It is otherwise
-at present; the mischiefs and evils, connected
-with it, have been, of late years, represented
-with such undeniable evidence, and are now
-so generally known, that I suppose there is
-hardly an objection can be made, to the wish
-of thousands, perhaps of millions, for the suppression
-of this Trade, but upon the ground of
-political expedience,</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>Tho’ I were even sure, that a principal branch
-of the public revenue depended upon the African
-Trade (which, I apprehend, is far from being the
-case), if I had access and influence, I should
-think myself bound to say to Government, to
-Parliament, and to the Nation, “It is not lawful
-to put it into the Treasury, because it is
-the price of blood<a id='r1' /><a href='#f1' class='c020'><sup>[1]</sup></a>.”</p>
-
-<div class='fn'>
-
-<div class='footnote' id='f1'>
-<p class='c021'><span class='label'><a href='#r1'>1</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>Matth. xxvii. 6.</p>
-</div>
-
-</div>
-
-<p class='c019'>I account an intelligent Farmer to be a good
-Politician, in this sense; that, if he has a
-large heap of good corn, he will not put a
-small quantity, that is damaged, to the rest,
-for the sake of encreasing the heap. He knows
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_8'>8</span>that such an addition would spoil the whole.
-God forbid, that any supposed profit or advantage,
-which we can derive from the groans
-and agonies, and blood of the poor Africans,
-should draw down his heavy curse, upon all
-that we might, otherwise, honourably and
-comfortably possess.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>For the sake of Method, I could wish to
-consider the African Trade,—First, with regard
-to the effects it has upon our own people; and
-Secondly, as it concerns the Blacks, or, as
-they <i>are</i> more contemptuously styled, the
-Negroe Slaves, whom we purchase upon the
-Coast. But these two topics are so interwoven
-together, that it will not be easy to keep them
-exactly separate.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>1. The first point I shall mention is surely
-of political importance, if the lives of our
-fellow-subjects be so; and if a rapid loss of
-Seamen deserves the attention of a maritime
-people. This loss, in the African Trade, is
-truly alarming. I admit, that many of them
-are cut off in their first voyage, and, consequently,
-before they can properly rank as Seamen;
-though they would have been Seamen,
-if they had lived. But the neighbourhood of
-our sea-ports is continually drained, of men
-and boys, to supply the places of those who
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_9'>9</span>die abroad; and if they are not all Seamen,
-they are all our brethren and countrymen,
-subjects of the British Government.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>The people who remain, on ship-board,
-upon the open coast, if not accustomed to the
-climate, are liable to the attack of an inflammatory
-fever, which is not often fatal, unless
-the concurrence of unfavourable circumstances
-makes it so. When this danger is over, I
-think they might, probably, be as healthy
-as in most other voyages; provided, they
-could be kept from sleeping in the dews, from
-being much exposed to the rain, from the intemperate
-use of spirits, and especially from
-women.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>But, considering the general disposition of
-our Sailors, and the nature of the Slave Trade,
-these provisos are of little more significance,
-than if I should say, upon another occasion,
-that Great-Britain would be a happy country,
-<i>provided</i>, all the inhabitants were Wise, and
-Good. The Sailors <i>must be</i> much exposed to
-the weather; especially on the Windward
-Coast, where a great part of the cargo is procured
-by boats, which are often sent to the
-distance of thirty or forty leagues, and are
-sometimes a month before they return. Many
-vessels arrive upon the coast before the rainy
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_10'>10</span>season, which continues from about May to
-October, is over; and if trade be scarce, the
-ships which arrive in the fair, or dry season,
-often remain till the rains return, before they
-can complete their purchase. A proper shelter
-from the weather, in an open boat, when the
-rain is incessant night and day, for weeks and
-months, is impracticable.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>I have myself, in such a boat, been five or
-six days together, without, as we say, a dry
-thread about me, sleeping or waking. And
-during the fair season, Tornadoes, or violent
-storms of wind, thunder, and heavy rain, are
-very frequent, though they seldom last long.
-In fact, the boats seldom return, without
-bringing some of the people ill of dangerous
-fevers or fluxes, occasioned either by the weather,
-or by unwholesome diet, such as the
-crude fruits and palm wine, with which they
-are plentifully supplied by the natives.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>Strong liquors, such as brandy, rum, or
-English spirits, the Sailors cannot often procure,
-in such quantities as to hurt them; but
-they will, if they can; and opportunities
-sometimes offer, especially to those who are
-in the boats; for strong liquor being an article
-much in demand, so that, without it, scarcely
-a single Slave can be purchased, it is always at
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_11'>11</span>hand. And if what is taken from the casks
-or bottles, that are for sale, be supplied with
-water, they are as full as they were before.
-The Blacks, who buy the liquor, are the
-losers by the adulteration; but often the
-people, who cheat them, are the greatest sufferers.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>The article of Women, likewise, contributes
-largely to the loss of our Seamen. When they
-are on shore, they often, from their known,
-thoughtless imprudence, involve themselves,
-on this account, in quarrels with the Natives,
-and, if not killed upon the spot, are frequently
-poisoned. On ship-board, they may be restrained,
-and in some ships they are; but such
-restraint is far from being general. It depends
-much upon the disposition, and attention, of
-the Captain. When I was in the trade, I
-knew several commanders of African ships,
-who were prudent, respectable men, and who
-maintained a proper discipline and regularity
-in their vessels; but there were too many of a
-different character. In some ships, perhaps in
-the most, the license allowed, in this particular,
-was almost unlimited. Moral turpitude
-was seldom considered, but they who took care
-to do the ship’s business, might, in other respects,
-do what they pleased. These excesses,
-if they do not induce fevers, at least, render the
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_12'>12</span>constitution less able to support them; and
-lewdness, too frequently, terminates in death.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>The risk of insurrections is to be added.
-These, I believe, are always meditated; for
-the Men Slaves are not, easily, reconciled to
-their confinement, and treatment; and if attempted,
-they are seldom suppressed without
-considerable loss; and sometimes they succeed,
-to the destruction of a whole ship’s company
-at once. Seldom a year passes, but we hear
-of one or more such catastrophes: and we
-likewise hear, sometimes, of Whites and Blacks
-involved, in one moment, in one common
-ruin, by the gunpowder taking fire, and blowing
-up the ship.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>How far the several causes, I have enumerated,
-may respectively operate, I cannot say:
-the fact however is sure, that a great number
-of our Seamen perish in the Slave Trade. Few
-ships, comparatively, are either blown up, or
-totally cut off, but some are. Of the rest, I
-have known some that have lost half their
-people, and some a larger proportion. I am
-far from saying, that it is always, or even
-often, thus; but, I believe, I shall state the
-matter sufficiently low, if I suppose, that, at
-least, one fifth part of those who go from
-England to the Coast of Africa, in ships which
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_13'>13</span>trade for Slaves, never return from thence.
-I dare not depend, too much, upon my memory,
-as to the number of ships, and men, employed
-in the Slave Trade more than thirty years ago;
-nor do I know what has been the state of the
-trade since; therefore I shall not attempt to
-make calculations. But, as I cannot but form
-some opinion upon the subject, I judge it probable,
-that the collective sum of Seamen,
-who go, from all our ports, to Africa, within
-the course of a year, (taking Guinea in the
-extensive sense, from Goree or Gambia, and
-including the coast of Angola,) cannot be less
-than eight thousand; and if, upon an average
-of ships and seasons, a fifth part of these die,
-the annual loss is fifteen hundred. I believe
-those, who have taken pains to make more
-exact enquiries, will deem my supposition to
-be very moderate.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>Thus much concerning the first evil, the
-Loss of Seamen and Subjects, which the nation
-sustains, by the African Slave Trade.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>2. There is a second, which either is, or
-ought to be, deemed of importance, considered
-in a political light. I mean, the dreadful effects
-of this trade, upon the minds of those
-who are engaged in it. There are, doubtless,
-exceptions, and I would, willingly, except
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_14'>14</span>myself. But, in general, I know of no method
-of getting money, not even that of robbery,
-for it, upon the highway, which has a
-more direct tendency to efface the moral sense,
-to rob the heart of every gentle and humane
-disposition, and to harden it, like steel, against
-all impressions of sensibility.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>Usually, about two-thirds of a cargo of
-Slaves are males. When a hundred and fifty
-or two hundred stout men, torn from their
-native land, many of whom never saw the sea,
-much less a ship, till a short space before they
-are embarked; who have, probably, the same
-natural prejudice against a white man, as we
-have against a black; and who often bring with
-them an apprehension that they are bought to
-be eaten: I say, when thus circumstanced, it
-is not to be expected that they will, tamely,
-resign themselves to their situation. It is always
-taken for granted, that they will attempt
-to gain their liberty, if possible. Accordingly,
-as we dare not trust them, we receive them on
-board, from the first, as enemies: and before
-their number exceeds, perhaps, ten or fifteen,
-they are all put in irons; in most ships, two
-and two together. And frequently, they are
-not thus confined, as they might, most conveniently,
-stand or move, the right hand and
-foot of one to the left of the other; but across,
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_15'>15</span>that is, the hand and foot of each on the same
-side, whether right or left, are fettered together:
-so that they cannot move, either hand
-or foot, but with great caution, and with perfect,
-consent. Thus they must sit, walk and
-lie, for many months, (sometimes for nine or
-ten,) without any mitigation or relief, unless
-they are sick.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>In the night they are confined below, in
-the day-time (if the weather be fine) they are
-upon deck; and as they are brought up, by
-pairs, a chain is put through a ring upon their
-irons, and this is likewise locked down to the
-ring-bolts, which are fastened at certain intervals
-upon the deck. These, and other precautions,
-are no more than necessary; especially,
-as while the number of Slaves increases,
-that of the people, who are to guard
-them, is diminished, by sickness, or death, or
-by being absent in the boats: so that, sometimes,
-not ten men can be mustered, to watch,
-night and day, over two hundred, besides
-having all the other business of the ship to
-attend.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>That these precautions are so often effectual,
-is much more to be wondered at, than that
-they sometimes fail. One unguarded hour,
-or minute, is sufficient to give the Slaves the
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_16'>16</span>opportunity they are always waiting for. An
-attempt to rise upon the ship’s company, brings
-on instantaneous and horrid war; for, when
-they are once in motion, they are desperate;
-and where they do not conquer, they are seldom
-quelled without much mischief and bloodshed,
-on both sides.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>Sometimes, when the Slaves are ripe for an
-insurrection, one of them will impeach the
-affairs; and then necessity, and the state policy,
-of these small, but most absolute governments,
-enforce maxims directly contrary to
-the nature of things. The traitor to the
-cause of liberty is caressed, rewarded, and
-deemed an honest fellow. The patriots, who
-formed and animated the plan, if they can be
-found out, must be treated as villains, and
-punished, to intimidate the rest. These punishments,
-in their nature and degree, depend
-upon the sovereign will of the Captain. Some
-are content with inflicting such moderate punishment,
-as may suffice for an example. But
-unlimited power, instigated by revenge, and
-where the heart, by a long familiarity with
-the sufferings of Slaves, is become callous,
-and insensible to the pleadings of humanity,
-is terrible.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'><span class='pageno' id='Page_17'>17</span>I have seen them sentenced to unmerciful
-whippings, continued till the poor creatures
-have not had power to groan under their
-misery, and hardly a sign of life has remained.
-I have seen them agonizing for hours, I believe,
-for days together, under the torture of
-the thumb-screws; a dreadful engine, which,
-if the screw be turned by an unrelenting hand,
-can give intolerable anguish. There have
-been instances in which cruelty has proceeded
-still further; but, as I hope they are few, and
-I can mention but one, from my own knowledge,
-I shall but mention it.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>I have often heard a Captain, who has been
-long since dead, boast of his conduct in a
-former voyage, when his Slaves attempted to
-rise upon him. After he had suppressed the
-insurrection, he sat in judgment upon the insurgents;
-and not only, in cold blood, adjudged
-several of them, I know not how
-many, to die, but studied, with no small
-attention, how to make death as excruciating
-to them as possible. For my reader’s sake, I
-suppress the recital of particulars.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>Surely, it must be allowed, that they who
-are long conversant with such scenes as these,
-are liable to imbibe a spirit of ferociousness,
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_18'>18</span>and savage insensibility, of which human nature,
-depraved as it is, is not, ordinarily, capable.
-If these things be true, the reader will
-admit the possibility of a fact, that was in
-current report, when I was upon the Coast, and
-the truth of which, though I cannot now authenticate
-it, I have no reason to doubt.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>A Mate of a ship, in a long-boat, purchased
-a young woman, with a fine child, of about a
-year old, in her arms. In the night, the
-child cried much, and disturbed his sleep. He
-rose up in great anger, and swore, that if the
-child did not cease making such a noise, he
-would presently silence it. The child continued
-to cry. At length he rose up a second
-time, tore the child from the mother, and
-threw it into the sea. The child was soon
-silenced indeed, but it was not so easy to
-pacify the woman: she was too valuable to be
-thrown overboard, and he was obliged to bear
-the sound of her lamentations, till he could put
-her on board his ship.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>I am persuaded, that every tender mother
-who feasts her eyes and her mind, when she
-contemplates the infant in her arms, will commiserate
-the poor Africans.—But why do I
-speak of one child, when we have heard and
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_19'>19</span>read a melancholy story, too notoriously true
-to admit of contradiction, of more than a
-hundred grown slaves, thrown into the sea, at
-one time, from on board a ship, when fresh
-water was scarce; to fix the loss upon the
-Underwriters, which otherwise, had they died
-on board, must have fallen upon the Owners of
-the vessel. These instances are specimens of
-the spirit produced, by the African Trade, in
-men, who, once, were no more destitute of
-the milk of human kindness than ourselves.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>Hitherto, I have considered the condition of
-the Men Slaves only. From the Women,
-there is no danger of insurrection, and they
-are carefully kept from the men; I mean,
-from the Black men. But——In what I have
-to offer, on this head, I am far from including
-every ship. I speak not of what is universally,
-but of what is too commonly, and, I am afraid,
-too generally, prevalent.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>I have already observed, that the Captain of
-an African ship, while upon the Coast, is absolute
-in his command; and if he be humane,
-vigilant, and determined, he has it in his
-power to protect the miserable; for scarcely
-any thing can be done, on board the ship,
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_20'>20</span>without his permission, or connivance. But
-this power is, too seldom, exerted in favour of
-the poor Women Slaves.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>When we hear of a town taken by storm,
-and given up to the ravages of an enraged and
-licentious army, of wild and unprincipled
-Cossacks, perhaps no part of the distress affects
-a feeling mind more, than the treatment to
-which the women are exposed. But the
-enormities frequently committed, in an African
-ship, though equally flagrant, are little known
-<i>here</i>, and are considered, <i>there</i>, only as matters
-of course. When the Women and Girls are
-taken on board a ship, naked, trembling, terrified,
-perhaps almost exhausted with cold,
-fatigue, and hunger, they are often exposed to
-the wanton rudeness of white Savages. The
-poor creatures cannot understand the language
-they hear, but the looks and manner of the
-speakers, are sufficiently intelligible. In imagination,
-the prey is divided, upon the spot,
-and only reserved till opportunity offers.
-Where resistance, or refusal, would be utterly
-in vain, even the solicitation of consent is
-seldom thought of. But I forbear.—This is
-not a subject for declamation. Facts like
-these, so certain, and so numerous, speak for
-themselves. Surely, if the advocates for
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_21'>21</span>the Slave Trade attempt to plead for it, before
-the Wives and Daughters of our happy
-land, or before those who have Wives or
-Daughters of their own, they must lose their
-cause.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>Perhaps some hard-hearted pleader may
-suggest, that such treatment would indeed be
-cruel, in Europe; but the African Women are
-Negroes, Savages, who have no idea of the nicer
-sensations which obtain among civilized people.
-I dare contradict them in the strongest terms.
-I have lived long, and conversed much,
-amongst these supposed Savages. I have often
-slept in their towns, in a house filled with
-goods for trade, with no person in the house
-but myself, and with no other door than a
-mat; in that security, which no man in
-his senses would expect, in this civilized
-nation, especially in this metropolis, without
-the precaution of having strong doors,
-strongly locked and bolted. And with regard
-to the women, in Sherbro, where I
-was most acquainted, I have seen many
-instances of modesty, and even delicacy,
-which would not disgrace an English woman.
-Yet, such is the treatment which I have known
-permitted, if not encouraged, in many of our
-ships—they have been abandoned, without
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_22'>22</span>restraint, to the lawless will of the first
-comer.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>Accustomed thus to despise, insult, and injure
-the Slaves on board, it may be expected
-that the conduct of many of our people to the
-Natives, with whom they trade, is, as far as
-circumstances admit, very similar; and it is
-so. They are considered as a people to be
-robbed and spoiled, with impunity. Every
-art is employed to deceive, and wrong them.
-And he who has most address, in this way,
-has most to boast of.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>Not an article, that is capable of diminution
-or adulteration, is delivered genuine, or
-entire. The spirits are lowered by water.
-False heads are put into the kegs that contain
-the gun-powder; so that, though the keg appears
-large, there is no more powder in it,
-than in a much smaller. The linen and cotton
-cloths are opened, and two or three yards,
-according to the length of the piece, cut off,
-not from the end, but out of the middle,
-where it is not so readily noticed.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>The Natives are cheated, in the number,
-weight, measure, or quality, of what they
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_23'>23</span>purchase, in every possible way. And, by
-habit and emulation, a marvellous dexterity is
-acquired in these practices. And thus the
-Natives, in their turn, in proportion to their
-commerce with the Europeans, and (I am
-sorry to add) particularly with the English,
-become jealous, insidious and revengeful.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>They know with whom they deal, and are
-accordingly prepared;—though they can trust
-some ships and boats, which have treated them
-with punctuality, and may be trusted by them.
-A quarrel, sometimes, furnishes pretext for
-detaining, and carrying away, one or more of
-the Natives, which is retaliated, if practicable,
-upon the next boat that comes to the place,
-from the same port. For so far their vindictive
-temper is restrained by their ideas of justice,
-that they will not, often, revenge an injury
-received from a Liverpool ship, upon one belonging
-to Bristol or London.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>They will, usually, wait with patience, the
-arrival of one, which, they suppose, by her
-sailing from the same place, has some connection
-with that which used them ill; and they
-are so quick at distinguishing our little local
-differences of language, and customs in a ship,
-that before they have been in a ship five minutes,
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_24'>24</span>and often before they come on board,
-they know, with certainty, whether she be
-from Bristol, Liverpool, or London.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>Retaliation on their parts, furnishes a plea
-for reprizal on ours. Thus, in one place or
-another, trade is often suspended, all intercourse
-cut off, and things are in a state of war;
-till necessity, either on the ship’s part, or on
-theirs, produces overtures of peace, and dictates
-the price, which the offending party must
-pay for it. But it is a warlike peace. We
-trade under arms; and they are furnished with
-long knives.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>For, with a few exceptions, the English
-and the Africans, reciprocally, consider each
-other as consummate villains, who are always
-watching opportunities to do mischief. In
-short, we have, I fear too deservedly, a very
-unfavourable character upon the Coast. When
-I have charged a Black with unfairness and
-dishonesty, he has answered, if able to clear
-himself, with an air of disdain, “What! do
-you think I am a White Man?”</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>Such is the nature, such are the concomitants,
-of the Slave Trade; and such is the
-school in which many thousands of our Seamen
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_25'>25</span>are brought up. Can we then wonder at that
-impatience of subordination, and that disposition
-to mutiny, amongst them, which has
-been, of late, so loudly complained of, and so
-severely felt? Will not sound policy suggest,
-the necessity, of some expedient here? Or can
-sound policy suggest any, effectual, expedient,
-but the total suppression of a Trade, which,
-like a poisonous root, diffuses its malignity into
-every branch?</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>The effects which our trade has upon the
-Blacks, those especially who come under our
-power, may be considered under three heads,—How
-they are acquired? The mortality they
-are subject to! and, How those who survive
-are disposed of?</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>I confine my remarks on the first head to
-the Windward Coast, and can speak most confidently
-of the trade in Sherbro, where I lived.
-I own, however, that I question, if any part of
-the Windward Coast is equal to Sherbro, in
-point of regularity and government. They
-have no men of great power or property
-among them; as I am told there are upon the
-Gold Coast, at Whidah and Benin. The
-Sherbro people live much in the patriarchal
-way. An old man usually presides in each
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_26'>26</span>town, whose authority depends more on his
-years, than on his possessions: and He, who
-is called the King, is not easily distinguished,
-either by state or wealth, from the rest. But
-the different districts, which seem to be, in
-many respects, independent of each other, are
-incorporated, and united, by means of an institution
-which pervades them all, and is called
-The <i>Purrow</i>. The persons of this order, who
-are very numerous, seem, very much, to resemble
-the Druids, who once presided in our
-island.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>The <i>Purrow</i> has both the legislative and
-executive authority, and, under their sanction,
-there is a police exercised, which is by no
-means contemptible. Every thing belonging
-to the <i>Purrow</i> is mysterious and severe, but,
-upon the whole, it has very good effects; and
-as any man, whether bond or free, who will
-submit to be initiated into their mysteries, may
-be admitted of the Order, it is a kind of
-Common-wealth. And, perhaps, few people
-enjoy more, simple, political freedom, than the
-inhabitants of Sherbro, belonging to the <i>Purrow</i>,
-(who are not slaves,) further than they
-are bound by their own institutions. Private
-property is tolerably well secured, and violence
-is much suppressed.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'><span class='pageno' id='Page_27'>27</span>The state of Slavery, among these wild barbarous
-people, as we esteem them, is much
-milder than in our colonies. For as, on the
-one hand, they have no land in high cultivation,
-like our West-India plantations, and
-therefore no call for that excessive, unintermitted
-labour, which exhausts our Slaves; so,
-on the other hand, no man is permitted to
-draw blood, even from a Slave. If he does,
-he is liable to a strict inquisition; for the
-<i>Purrow</i> laws will not allow a private individual
-to shed blood. A man may sell his slave,
-if he pleases; but he may not wantonly abuse
-him. The laws likewise punish some species
-of theft, with slavery; and in cases of adultery,
-which are very common, as polygamy is
-the custom of the country, both the woman,
-and the man who offends with her, are liable
-to be sold for Slaves, unless they can satisfy
-the husband, or unless they are redeemed by
-their friends.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>Among these unenlightened Blacks, it is a
-general maxim, that if a man steals, or breaks
-a moveable, as a musket, for instance, the offence
-may be nearly compensated, by putting
-another musket in its place; but offences,
-which cannot be repaired in kind, as adultery,
-admit of no satisfaction, till the injured person
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_28'>28</span>declares, that He is satisfied. So that, if a
-rich man seduces the wife of a poor man, he
-has it in his power to change places with him;
-for he may send for every article in his house,
-one by one, till he says, “I have enough.”
-The only alternative, is personal slavery.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>I suppose, bribery and influence may have
-their effects in Guinea, as they have in some
-other countries; but their laws, in the main,
-are wise and good, and, upon the whole, they
-have considerable operation; and therefore, I
-believe, many of the Slaves purchased in
-Sherbro, and probably upon the whole Windward
-Coast, are convicts, who have forfeited
-their liberty, by breaking the laws of their
-country.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>But, I apprehend, that the neighbourhood
-of our ships, and the desire of our goods, are
-motives, which often push the rigour of the
-laws to an extreme, which would not be exacted,
-if they were left to themselves.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>But Slaves are the staple article of the traffic;
-and though a considerable number may have
-been born near the sea, I believe the bulk, of
-them are brought from far. I have reason to
-think, that some travel more than a thousand
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_29'>29</span>miles, before they reach the sea-coast. Whether
-there may be convicts amongst these likewise,
-or what proportion they may bear to
-those who are taken prisoners in war, it is impossible
-to know.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>I judge, the principal source of the Slave
-Trade, is, the wars which prevail among the
-Natives. Sometimes, these wars break out
-between those who live near the sea. The
-English, and other Europeans, have been
-charged with fomenting them; I believe
-(so far as concerns the Windward Coast) unjustly.
-That some would do it, if they could,
-I doubt not; but I do not think they can have
-opportunity. Nor is it needful they should
-interfere. Thousands, in our own country,
-wish for war, because they fatten upon its
-spoils.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>Human nature is much the same in every
-place, and few people will be willing to allow,
-that the <i>Negroes</i> in Africa are better than themselves.
-Supposing, therefore, they wish for
-European goods, may not they wish to purchase
-them from a ship just arrived? Of
-course, they must wish for Slaves to go to
-market with; and if they have not Slaves,
-and think themselves strong enough to invade
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_30'>30</span>their neighbours, they will probably wish for
-war.—And if once they wish for it, how easy
-is it to find, or make, pretexts for breaking an
-inconvenient peace; or (after the example of
-greater heroes, of Christian name) to make
-depredations, without condescending to assign
-any reasons.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>I verily believe, that the far greater part of
-the wars, in Africa, would cease; if the Europeans
-would cease to tempt them, by offering
-goods for Slaves. And though they do
-not bring legions into the field, their wars are
-bloody. I believe, the captives reserved for
-sale, are fewer than the slain.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>I have not sufficient data to warrant calculation,
-but, I suppose, not less than one hundred
-thousand Slaves are exported, annually, from all
-parts of Africa, and that more than one half, of
-these, are exported in English bottoms.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>If but an equal number are killed in war,
-and if many of these wars are kindled by
-the incentive of selling their prisoners; what
-an annual accumulation of blood must there
-be, crying against the nations of Europe concerned
-in this trade, and particularly against
-our own!</p>
-
-<p class='c019'><span class='pageno' id='Page_31'>31</span>I have, often, been gravely told, as a proof
-that the Africans, however hardly treated,
-deserve but little compassion, that they are a
-people so destitute of natural affection, that it
-is common, among them, for parents to sell
-their children, and children their parents.
-And, I think, a charge, of this kind, is
-brought against them, by the respectable author
-of <i>Spectacle de la Nature</i>. But he must
-have been misinformed. I never heard of one
-instance of either, while I used the Coast.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>One article more, upon this head, is Kidnapping,
-or stealing free people. Some people
-suppose, that the Ship Trade is rather the
-stealing, than the buying of Slaves. But
-there is enough to lay to the charge of the
-ships, without accusing them falsely. The
-slaves, in general, are bought, and paid for.
-Sometimes, when goods are lent, or trusted
-on shore, the trader voluntarily leaves a free
-person, perhaps his own son, as a hostage, or
-pawn, for the payment; and, in case of default,
-the hostage is carried off, and sold;
-which, however hard upon him, being in
-consequence of a free stipulation, cannot be
-deemed unfair. There have been instances of
-unprincipled Captains, who, at the close of
-what they supposed their last voyage, and
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_32'>32</span>when they had no intention of revisiting the
-Coast, have detained, and carried away, free
-people with them; and left the next ship,
-that should come from the same port, to risk
-the consequences. But these actions, I hope,
-and believe, are not common.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>With regard to the Natives, to steal a free
-man or woman, and to sell them on board a
-ship, would, I think, be a more difficult, and
-more dangerous attempt, in Sherbro, than in
-London. But I have no doubt, that the
-traders who come, from the interior parts of
-Africa, at a great distance, find opportunity,
-in the course of their journey, to pick up
-stragglers, whom they may meet in their way.
-This branch of oppression, and robbery,
-would likewise fail, if the temptation to it
-were removed.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>I have, to the best of my knowledge,
-pointed out the principal sources, of that immense
-supply of Slaves, which furnishes so
-large an exportation every year. If all that
-are taken on board the ships, were to survive
-the voyage, and be landed in good order, possibly
-the English, French, and Dutch islands,
-and colonies, would be soon overstocked, and
-fewer ships would sail to the Coast. But a
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_33'>33</span>large abatement must be made for mortality.—After
-what I have already said of their treatment,
-I shall now, that I am again to consider
-them on board the ships, confine myself to
-this point.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>In the Portuguese ships, which trade from
-Brasil to the Gold Coast and Angola, I believe
-a heavy mortality is not frequent. The
-Slaves have room, they are not put in irons,
-(I speak from information only,) and are humanely
-treated.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>With our ships the great object is, to be
-full. When the ship is there, it is thought
-desirable, she should take as many as possible.
-The cargo of a vessel of a hundred tons, or
-little more, is calculated to purchase from
-two hundred and twenty to two hundred and
-fifty Slaves. Their lodging-rooms below the
-deck, which are three, (for the men, the
-boys, and the women,) besides a place for the
-sick, are sometimes more than five feet high,
-and sometimes less; and this height is divided
-towards the middle, for the Slaves lie in two
-rows, one above the other, on each side of
-the ship, close to each other, like books
-upon a shelf. I have known them so close,
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_34'>34</span>that the shelf would not, easily, contain one
-more.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>And I have known a white man sent down
-among the men, to lay them in these rows
-to the greatest advantage, so that as little
-space as possible might be lost. Let it be
-observed, that the poor creatures, thus
-cramped for want of room, are likewise in
-irons, for the most part both hands and feet,
-and two together, which makes it difficult
-for them to turn or move, to attempt either
-to rise or to lie down, without hurting themselves,
-or each other. Nor is the motion of
-the ship, especially her heeling, or stoop on
-one side, when under sail, to be admitted; for
-this, as they lie athwart, or across the ship,
-adds to the uncomfortableness of their lodging,
-especially to those who lie on the leeward, or
-leaning side of the vessel.</p>
-
-<div class='lg-container-b c022'>
- <div class='linegroup'>
- <div class='group'>
- <div class='line'>Dire is the tossing, deep the groans.——</div>
- </div>
- </div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c023'>The heat and the smell of these rooms,
-when the weather will not admit of the Slaves
-being brought upon deck, and of having
-their rooms cleaned every day, would be, almost,
-insupportable, to a person not accustomed
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_35'>35</span>to them. If the Slaves and their rooms
-can be constantly aired, and they are not detained
-too long on board, perhaps there are not
-many who die; but the contrary is often their
-lot. They are kept down, by the weather, to
-breathe a hot and corrupted air, sometimes
-for a week: this, added to the galling of their
-irons, and the despondency which seizes their
-spirits, when thus confined, soon becomes
-fatal. And every morning, perhaps, more
-instances than one are found, of the living
-and the dead, like the Captives of Mezentius,
-fastened together.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>Epidemical fevers and fluxes, which fill
-the ship with noisome and noxious effluvia,
-often break out, infect the Seamen likewise,
-and the Oppressors, and the Oppressed, fall by
-the same stroke. I believe, nearly one half of
-the Slaves on board, have, sometimes, died;
-and that the loss of a third part, in these circumstances,
-is not unusual. The ship, in
-which I was Mate, left the Coast with Two
-Hundred and Eighteen Slaves on board; and
-though we were not much affected by epidemical
-disorders, I find, by my journal of that
-voyage, (now before me,) that we buried
-Sixty-two on our passage to South-Carolina,
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_36'>36</span>exclusive of those which died before we left
-the Coast, of which I have no account.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>I believe, upon an average between the
-more healthy, and the more sickly voyages,
-and including all contingencies, One Fourth
-of the whole purchase may be allotted to the
-article of Mortality. That is, if the English
-ships purchase <i>Sixty Thousand</i> Slaves annually,
-upon the whole extent of the Coast, the annual
-loss of lives cannot be much less than
-<i>Fifteen Thousand</i>.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>I am now to speak of the survivors.—When
-the ships make the land, (usually the West-India
-islands,) and have their port in view
-after having been four, five, six weeks, or a
-longer time, at sea, (which depends much
-upon the time that passes before they can get
-into the permanent Trade Winds, which blow
-from the North-East and East across the Atlantic,)
-then, and not before, they venture to
-release the Men Slaves from their irons. And
-then, the sight of the land, and their freedom
-from long and painful confinement, usually
-excite in them a degree of alacrity, and a
-transient feeling of joy——</p>
-
-<div class='lg-container-b c022'>
- <div class='linegroup'>
- <div class='group'>
- <div class='line'>The prisoner leaps to lose his chains.</div>
- </div>
- </div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c024'><span class='pageno' id='Page_37'>37</span>But, this joy is short-lived indeed. The
-condition of the unhappy Slaves is in a continual
-progress from bad to worse. Their case
-is truly pitiable, from the moment they are
-in a state of slavery, in their own country;
-but it may be deemed a state of ease and liberty,
-compared with their situation on board
-our ships.</p>
-<p class='c019'>Yet, perhaps, they would wish to spend the
-remainder of their days on ship board,
-could they know, before-hand, the nature of
-the servitude which awaits them, on shore;
-and that the dreadful hardships and sufferings
-they have already endured, would, to the most
-of them, only terminate in excessive toil,
-hunger, and the excruciating tortures of the
-cart-whip, inflicted at the caprice of an unfeeling
-Overseer, proud of the power allowed
-him of punishing whom, and when, and how
-he pleases.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>I hope the Slaves, in our islands, are better
-treated now, than they were, at the time
-when I was in the trade. And even then, I
-know, there were Slaves, who, under the care
-and protection of humane masters, were, comparatively,
-happy. But I saw and heard
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_38'>38</span>enough to satisfy me, that their condition, in
-general, was wretched to the extreme. However
-my stay in Antigua and St. Christopher’s
-(the only islands I visited) was too short, to
-qualify me for saying much, from my own
-certain knowledge; upon this painful subject.
-Nor is it needful:—Enough has been offered
-by several respectable writers, who have had
-opportunity of collecting surer, and fuller information.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>One thing I cannot omit, which was told
-me by the Gentleman to whom my ship was
-consigned, at Antigua, in the year 1751,
-and who was, himself, a Planter. He said,
-that calculations had been made, with all
-possible exactness, to determine which was
-the preferable, that is, the most saving method
-of managing Slaves:——</p>
-<p class='c025'>“Whether, to appoint them moderate
-work, plenty of provision, and such
-treatment, as might enable them to
-protract their lives to old age?” Or,</p>
-<p class='c025'>“By rigorously straining their strength to
-the utmost, with little relaxation,
-hard fare, and hard usage, to wear
-them out before they became useless,
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_39'>39</span>and unable to do service; and then,
-to buy new ones, to fill up their
-places?”</p>
-<p class='c026'>He farther said, that these skilful calculators
-had determined in favour of the latter
-mode, as much the cheaper; and that he
-could mention several estates, in the island of
-Antigua, on which, it was seldom known,
-that a Slave had lived above nine years.——<i>Ex
-pede Herculem!</i></p>
-
-<p class='c019'>When the Slaves are landed for sale, (for in
-the Leeward Islands they are usually sold on
-shore,) it may happen, that after a long separation
-in different parts of the ship, when
-they are brought together in one place, some,
-who are nearly related, may recognize each
-other. If, upon such a meeting, pleasure
-should be felt, it can be but momentary.
-The sale disperses them wide, to different
-parts of the island, or to different islands.
-Husbands and Wives, Parents and Children,
-Brothers and Sisters, must suddenly part again,
-probably to meet no more.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>After a careful perusal of what I have
-written, weighing every paragraph distinctly,
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_40'>40</span>I can find nothing to retract. As it is not
-easy to write altogether with coolness, upon
-this business, and especially not easy to me,
-who have formerly been so deeply engaged
-in it; I have been jealous, lest the warmth
-of imagination might have insensibly seduced
-me, to aggravate and overcharge some of the
-horrid features, which I have attempted to
-delineate, of the African Trade. But, upon
-a strict review, I am satisfied.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>I have apprized the reader, that I write
-from memory, after an interval of more than
-thirty years. But at the same time, I believe,
-many things which I saw, heard and felt,
-upon the Coast of Africa, are so deeply engraven
-in my memory, that I can hardly
-forget, or greatly mistake them, while I am
-capable of remembering any thing. I am
-certainly not guilty of wilful misrepresentation.
-And, upon the whole, I dare appeal
-to the Great Searcher of hearts, in whose
-presence I write, and before whom I, and
-my readers, must all shortly appear, that
-(with the restrictions and exceptions I have
-made) I have advanced nothing, but what,
-to the best of my judgement and conscience, is
-true.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'><span class='pageno' id='Page_41'>41</span>I have likewise written without solicitation,
-and simply from the motive I have already
-assigned; a conviction, that the share I have
-formerly had in the trade, binds me, in conscience,
-to throw what light I am able upon
-the subject, now it is likely to become a point
-of Parliamentary investigation.</p>
-
-<p class='c019'>No one can have less interest in it, than I
-have at present, further than as I am interested
-by the feelings of humanity, and a
-regard for the honour, and welfare of my
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