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diff --git a/old/69156-0.txt b/old/69156-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index ad8fe55..0000000 --- a/old/69156-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,1942 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Observations on the slave trade and a -description of some part of the coast of Guinea, during a voyage, made -in 1787, and 1788, in company with Doctor A. Sparrman and Captain -Arrehenius, by Carl Bernhard Wadstrom - -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: Observations on the slave trade and a description of some part of - the coast of Guinea, during a voyage, made in 1787, and 1788, in - company with Doctor A. Sparrman and Captain Arrehenius - -Author: Carl Bernhard Wadstrom - -Release Date: October 14, 2022 [eBook #69156] - -Language: English - -Produced by: John Campbell and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team - at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images - generously made available by The Internet Archive) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OBSERVATIONS ON THE SLAVE -TRADE AND A DESCRIPTION OF SOME PART OF THE COAST OF GUINEA, DURING A -VOYAGE, MADE IN 1787, AND 1788, IN COMPANY WITH DOCTOR A. SPARRMAN AND -CAPTAIN ARREHENIUS *** - - - - - - TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE - - Italic text is denoted by _underscores_. - - The original text used the character ſ (long-form s); these have been - replaced by the normal s in this etext. - - Footnote anchors are denoted by [number], and the footnotes have been - placed at the end of the book. - - Some minor changes to the text are noted at the end of the book. - - - - - _OBSERVATIONS_ - - ON THE - - SLAVE TRADE, - - AND A - - DESCRIPTION - - Of some Part of the - - _COAST of GUINEA_, - - DURING - - A VOYAGE, - - Made in 1787, and 1788, in Company with - - _Doctor A. SPARRMAN and Captain ARREHENIUS_, - - BY - - C. B. WADSTROM, - - - _Chief Director of the Royal Assay and Refining Office; Member of the - Royal Chamber of Commerce, and of the Royal Patriotic Society, for - Improving Agriculture, Manufactures, and Commerce in Sweden._ - - - LONDON: - Printed and Sold by JAMES PHILLIPS, George-Yard, Lombard-Street, - 1789. - - - - -PREFACE. - - -In communicating to the publick the result of my observations lately -made in a voyage to the Coast of Guinea, with two of my countrymen, it -is not my intention, without sufficient reason, to add to the number -of publications which have lately enlightened Europe, on a subject so -deserving her attention, and in the impartial investigation of which -she is so zealously employed. - -Animated with a desire of defending the cause of suffering humanity, -I have no other end in view, than that of contributing some small -assistance to the well concerted plans of others, by making known what -my own experience has dictated; in a word, to relate what I have seen, -and to shew, without vain pretences, what my ideas are, on a plan so -well calculated to expand every heart that is now cherishing a hope for -its success. - -As the subject has been so amply treated, my readers will not expect -to find novelty in every part of this tract; but having been so -fortunately situated, as to be enabled fully to inform myself of the -nature of the slave trade; of the manner in which the negroes are -treated by the Europeans; but more particularly of the possibility of -improving, by cultivation, the fruitful soil of Africa, it shall be my -endeavour to treat these important subjects in a manner interesting and -new. - -In the presence of the two most respectable nations of Europe, would I -were endowed with powers to represent in colours sufficiently striking, -the frightful picture I have formed to myself, of the above-mentioned -traffick, and thereby to prove, that these detestable markets for human -flesh, constitute the last stage of all false principles; the greatest -of all abuses; the inversion of all order; and originate solely in -that corrupted system of commerce, which pervades every civilized -nation at this day. In fact, when the principles of commerce had been -once diverted from the noble _end_ of its institution, an institution -which promoted the free circulation of commodities, the increase of -knowledge, and the wealth and prosperity of nations, and when the -spirit of self-interest and monopoly first perverted it from this -universal end, which ought ever to have been kept in view, and confined -it to particular nations, following insensibly the steps of its -degradation, it became the mercenary object of individuals, separate -from the general good; could it then be a matter of surprize, that it -should ultimately become so debased, as to regard man himself as a -merchandise? This detestable abuse may be considered as proceeding from -a degenerate love of _dominion_, and of _possessing_ the property of -others; which, instead of diffusing the genial influence of benevolence -and liberty, produces, in their state of inversion, all the horrors of -tyranny and slavery. - -Persuaded that the moment is now arrived, when mankind will begin to -make a real use of their great scientific acquirements, and of the -multiplicity of their discoveries; persuaded that the evil, which -begins to infect mankind, has no other basis than the execrable -traffic, which is at this day so generally carried on at the expence of -human liberty; and convinced at the same time, of the existence of a -Providence, which directs all things according to the universal end it -proposes in its impenetrable decrees, and that we are but instruments, -by whom it executes its great designs; convinced, I say, of all these -important truths, and inflamed with an ardent desire of assisting in -the execution of this great and noble attempt, I am not only ready to -devote my own person in this cause, but also to excite all those in -whose breast there still remains a spark of humanity, to unite with -prudence and activity, to accomplish this grand work, which has for its -end the extermination of every _evil_ and _false_ principle, preparing -the way for the reception of _Goodness_ and _Truth_, in every human -society. - -When I reflect on the importance, the extent, and the grandeur of -this subject, it gives me pain in being obliged to treat it in so -hasty and incorrect a manner; but pressed for time, I trust my candid -readers will receive these few hints in good part, allowing for the -necessity of their appearing at this critical moment, when all the -great societies of Europe are so strongly interesting themselves in the -tender cause of humanity, laudably vying with each other in the honour -of pleading at the bar of human sensibility, in favour of the most -oppressed nations in the universe. - -It may be expedient here to inform my readers, that I intend to publish -a more circumstantial account of my voyage to the Coast of Guinea, -when opportunity is afforded to prepare it for publick inspection; -wherein I propose to treat more fully on the geographical description -of the country, on the manners, laws, and customs of the different -nations which inhabit those shores; moreover, to treat concerning the -commerce now carried on, but more particularly, on that which may -hereafter be established with very great advantage. I also reserve to -myself the satisfaction then of informing the publick, who was the -august promoter of the enterprise I undertook, in concert with my two -respectable countrymen, and with what humanity France concurred with -him in assisting us to perform the voyage. How providentially I was led -to make observations on a subject (I mean the abolition of the slave -trade) which could only have been undertaken by a nation of such a -character and power as that which I have now the honour to address! - -In exposing to the world the atrocious acts committed in that part -of the globe to which I have been eye-witness, it is not improbable, -that both the nations and individuals who have countenanced them, may -consider the writer in the light of a spy, and a divulger of those -things which ought, in honour, to have been buried in silence. But if -they can find no other appellation for the just and pure intentions of -a friend to mankind, who dares to expose crimes and cruelties which -the abusers of human right are guilty of, he then accounts it an honour -in discharging the duty he owes to society, to be esteemed as such. But -let it be well observed, that herein he speaks from a respect due only -to truth, with a view to expose _Wickedness_ and _Falsehood_, but not -_Nations_ or _Individuals_. - - - - -CONTENTS. - - - SECT. I. - - _On the Mode of procuring Slaves._ - - Chap. I. WAR Page 1 - Chap. II. PILLAGE 7 - Chap. III. Of ROBBERY 17 - Chap. IV. TREACHERY or STRATAGEM 22 - - - SECT. II. - - _Of the Manner in which the Negroes are treated - by the Europeans._ - - Chap. I. Negroes considered as TRADERS 26 - Chap. II. Negroes considered as SLAVES 28 - - - SECT. III. - - _Whether the Negroes are naturally inclined to - Industry._ - - Chap. I. In FOREIGN COUNTRIES 31 - Chap. II. In THEIR OWN COUNTRY 31 - - - SECT. IV. - - _Description of the Coast._ - - Chap. I. CLIMATE 36 - Chap. II. Of the SOIL 39 - Chap. III. The PRODUCTIONS 40 - _Animal_ 40 - _Vegetable_ 42 - _Mineral_ 45 - - - SECT. V. - - _Of the Impediments which will oppose the European - Settlements on the Coast of Guinea._ - - Chap. I. FALSE OPINIONS 46 - Chap. II. Of the DISEASES 50 - Chap. III. Of MUSKETOES 51 - Chap. IV. Of THORNS and THISTLES 52 - - - SECT. VI. - - REFLECTIONS 53 - - - - -[Illustration: (Decorative banner)] - - - - -OBSERVATIONS - -ON THE - -SLAVE TRADE, &c. - - - - -SECT. I. - -_On the Mode of procuring Slaves._ - - - - -CHAP. I. - -_WAR._ - - -Among the various sources, from whence the Europeans are supplied with -slaves on the coast of Africa, I shall first reckon that of _War_. - -The _Wars_ which the inhabitants of the interior parts of the country, -beyond Senegal, Gambia, and Sierra Leona, carry on with each other, -are chiefly of a predatory nature, and owe their origin to the yearly -number of slaves, which the Mandingoes, or the inland traders suppose -will be wanted by the vessels that will arrive on their coast. Indeed -these predatory incursions depend so much on the demand for slaves, -that if in any one year there be a greater concourse of European ships -than usual, it is observed that a much greater number of captives from -the interior parts of the country is brought to market the next. - -The unhappy captives, many of whom are people of distinction, such as -princes, priests, and persons high in office, are conducted by the -Mandingoes in droves of twenty, thirty, or forty, chained together, -either to Fort St. Joseph on the river Senegal, or Niger, in the -country of Gallam, or to places near the river Gambia. But when the -trade with the French on the river Senegal happens to be stopped, -(which was the case in 1787) they bring all their captives to the mouth -of the Gambia, Sierra Leona, and other places down the coast. These -Mandingoes perform the whole journey, except at certain seasons of -the year, when they are met by the traders belonging to the coast, -who receive the slaves from them, and give them the usual articles of -merchandize in exchange. - -What I have hitherto said, was taken from the best accounts I could -collect both from the black and white traders, during my residence upon -the coast. It is proper, however, that I should state something on this -head, that has come within my own knowledge. - -The Moors, who inhabit the countries on the north of the River Senegal, -are particularly infamous for these predatory _Wars_. They cross the -river, and attacking the negroes, bring many of them off. There are -not a few who subsist by means of these unprovoked excursions. The -French, to encourage them in it, make annual presents to the Moorish -kings. These are given them under certain conditions, first, that their -subjects shall not carry any of their gum to the English at Portendic; -and, secondly, that they shall be ready, on all occasions, to furnish -slaves. To enable them to fulfil this last article, they never fail to -supply them with ammunition, guns, and other instruments of _War_. - -To confirm what I have now said, I shall put down the following example: - -The king of Almammy had, in the year 1787, very much to his honour, -enacted a law, that no slave whatever should be marched through his -territories. At this time several French vessels lay at anchor in -the Senegal, waiting for slaves. The route of the black traders in -consequence of this edict of the king, was stopped, and the slaves -carried to other parts. The French, unable on this account to complete -their cargoes, remonstrated with the king. He was, however, very -unpropitious to their representations, for he returned the presents -which had been sent him by the Senegal company, of which I myself was -a witness; declaring, at the same time, that all the riches of that -company should not divert him from his design. In this situation of -affairs, the French were obliged to have recourse to their old friends, -the Moors. These, who had before shewn themselves so ready on such -occasions, were no less ready and active on this. They set off in -parties to surprise the unoffending negroes, and to carry among them -all the calamities of _War_. Many unfortunate prisoners were sent, -and for some time continued to be sent in. I was once curious enough -to wish to see some of those that had just arrived. I applied to the -Director of the company, who conducted me to the slave-prisons. I there -saw the unfortunate captives, chained two and two together, by the -foot. The mangled bodies of several of them, whose wounds were still -bleeding, exhibited a most shocking spectacle; and their situation may -be much easier conceived than described. The Director of the company, -however, used his best endeavors to console them. - -This is a specifick instance, clearly shewing that _one War at least_ -was undertaken for the sole purpose of procuring slaves. I cannot, -however, help observing, that if no such instance as this had come -within my knowledge during my stay in those parts, I should yet have -thought myself justifiable in supposing, that the _Wars_ among the -negroes originated in the slave trade. For in all the observations I -have been able to make (and I went to the coast of Africa, not with any -commercial views, but for the sole purpose of inquiry and observation) -I have ever considered the negroes as a quiet, inoffensive people, -happy in themselves, and in one another, enjoying the comforts of life, -without the intervention of toil and trouble. If, therefore, I had -found _Wars_ among a people of such dispositions, and so situated as -to have no motive for them, I should certainly have set them down, as -having been excited for some diabolical purpose, and for none so likely -as for the prosecution of the slave trade. - - - - -CHAP. II. - -_PILLAGE._ - - -A second source, from whence the Europeans are supplied with slaves on -the coast of Africa, is _Pillage_, which is of two kinds; publick or -private. It is publick, when practiced by the direction of the kings, -private, when practiced by individuals. I must also make a further -distinction, namely, as it is practiced by the blacks and the whites. -This last I call Robbery, which will be the subject of the next article. - -The publick _Pillage_ is, of all others, the most plentiful source, -from which the slave trade derives its continuance and support. -The kings of Africa (I mean in that part of the country which I -have visited) incited by the merchandize shewn them, which consists -principally of strong liquors, give orders to their military to attack -their own villages in the night. Saturday night is particularly fixed -upon for this purpose, being esteemed the most lucky for expeditions -of this kind. However, when slaves are wanted in haste, no night is -deemed so inauspicious as to prevent an attempt. - -As I have been myself an eye-witness to several of these nocturnal -expeditions, it will, perhaps, be better to illustrate this kind of -_Pillage_ by some examples. - -The French make presents to the negro as well as the Moorish kings. It -happened when I was at Goree, that an ambassador was to be sent from -thence to the king of Barbesin on this errand. I obtained leave with my -fellow-travellers to accompany the embassy. We accordingly set out, and -arrived at Joal, a place where the king resides at particular times of -the year, viz. when the trading vessels arrive there. - -It is usual, on the receipt of these presents, to send back a number of -slaves in return. It so happened, however, that the king of Barbesin -had no slaves in his possession at that time. This circumstance it -was, that afforded me an opportunity of seeing the expeditions before -mentioned. - -We resided, I believe, about a week at Joal. During our residence -there, the _Pillage_, of which I have been speaking, was attempted -almost every night. The following is a description of the persons -concerned in it, and of their various success. - -There were several parties of the military, assembled at six in the -evening, or about dusk. Each party consisted of about ten or twelve. -A large horseman’s musket was rested on each of their saddles, in the -same manner as those of the English heavy cavalry. On their shoulders -were suspended a bow, and a quiver full of arrows. Thus equipped, they -went to different villages belonging to the king, and returned usually -about five in the morning, or a little before day-light. - -In some of their attempts they returned without a single slave. In -others they were more successful. At one time in particular they -came back with but one captive. This was a beautiful young negress, -from one of the king’s own villages. She was immediately delivered, -notwithstanding her tears and cries, to the French ambassador, whom we -accompanied, and, by his order, was carried on board. - -It was fortunate however for her, that she belonged to one of those -families, which, in consequence of their birth, are exempted by the -laws of the country from slavery. This occasioned a commotion; for -the auction appeared to the minds of the people, to be so unjust -and repugnant to the established laws, that they were nearly on the -point of rebelling. The king, when he came to his senses (for he -had given his orders respecting the seizure of this girl in a state -of intoxication) saw in so lively a manner the consequences of this -rash proceeding, that with the most abject submission, he descended -to prayers and intreaties with the owner, to return the innocent and -unfortunate girl. The Frenchman, though surrounded by more than two -thousand negroes at the time, and though the embassy, including myself -and fellow-travellers, consisted but of five white people, was so madly -obstinate, as for a long time to refuse his request; I say madly, -because in all the adventures of my life, I had never so much reason to -be alarmed for the preservation of it. At length, after much intreaty, -the king promised him two others in exchange, whom he expected to seize -on a future expedition; and thus was the unhappy girl restored to her -disconsolate family. - -At another time, the military, who had been sent out to _Pillage_, -returned with several captives. These consisted of men, women, and -children. The men, as they were brought in, exhibited marks of great -dejection. One of them, however, appeared to be quite frantick with -grief. He beseeched his captors, with great fervency, that they would -not tear him from his wife and children. The women, on the other hand, -vented their sorrow in shrieks and lamentations. The children, in a -state of palpitation, clung to their mother’s breasts. Their little -eyes were so swelled with crying, that they could cry no more. During -all this time, the captors, to shew their joy on the occasion, and to -drown the cries of their unfortunate fellow-subjects, were beating -large drums. To this was added, all the noise that could be collected -from the blowing of horns, and the human voice. Taking in the shrieks -and agony of the one, and the shouts and joy of the other, with the -concomitant instruments of noise, I was never before witness to such an -infernal scene. - -What I have said of the king of Barbesin’s conduct with respect to -the mode of procuring slaves, is equally applicable to those other -kings of the country, of whom I have any knowledge. King Damel, whose -dominions lie between Portudal and Senegal, wanting a slave to deliver -in exchange for some goods he had bargained for with a Goree trader, -ordered his soldiers to seize on one of his own subjects. Finding a -woman (whose husband was absent) in a hut with her children, they -seized her, bound her, and tore her from her babes, who were rejected, -as not being able to perform the journey down to the shore. - -The king of Sallum, though he never tastes any spirituous liquors, -has recourse to the same practice, as if by the common consent of the -kings of Africa, these were the measures to be invariably pursued. -The articles, most in demand with this king, are Spanish dollars, and -Dutch gourds. Both these he causes to be melted down, and then to be -worked into chains, bracelets, and other ornaments for himself and his -favourites. Having fixed an extraordinary value upon these, he will at -any time depopulate a village to obtain them. Such are the effects of -avarice, when it has the power of gratification. - -The vessels employed in the trade to Sallum, by the mulattoes of Goree, -are generally sloops. With these they go up the river, and arrive -in about three days. Their stay there is very uncertain. It is in -general from one to four weeks, according as the king is successful or -not in those _Pillages_ which he attempts for the sake of procuring -slaves. When the traders have completed their cargoes, they return to -Goree, where they deliver them, in about eight days. The slaves, so -delivered, are shipped off, by the first opportunity, to the French -colonies. - -In speaking of these sloops, I cannot refrain from mentioning an -instance which came under my own eye. A trading mulattoe of Goree, -whose name was Martin, had obtained from the king of Sallum, by means -of the publick _Pillage_ before described, a sloop full of captives. -The greater part of them were women and children. Notwithstanding -this, they had been thrown into the sloop as if they had been articles -of lumber, and devoid of feeling. Obliged, moreover, from too close -a stowage, to lie on the inequalities and protuberances of the bare -planks, without being able to change their position, they had in the -course only of eight days (which I stated to be the time of the passage -from Sallum to Goree) been very materially hurt: for, when I saw them -brought out of the sloop, they had several contusions on various parts -of their bodies, and in others their flesh was severely cut. A poor -child in particular, about two years old, had a very deep wound in his -side, made in the manner above stated. He lay afterwards, upon being -landed, with the wound contiguous to the ground, so that the sand -getting into it, put him to exquisite pain. I mention this instance, -only to give an idea of what are thought to be rooms of accommodation -for slaves, and of that inhumanity, which naturally springs out of the -prosecution of this trade. - -Before I close my account of the publick _Pillage_, I must not forget -to mention, that the kings of those parts, (except the king of Sallum) -never openly profess the right, which they thus unjustly usurp over -the lives and liberties of their subjects. For this reason they plan -their expeditions in such a manner, that they must arrive at the place -they intend to _Pillage_, in the dead of the night. It is impossible, -therefore, for their subjects, in such a case, to discover who are the -instruments of those acts of violence; and they may with greater reason -suppose, that they were perpetrated by a roving banditti, than by the -direction of their own kings. - -I come now to the private _Pillage_. This is practiced by individuals, -who, tempted by the merchandize brought by the Europeans, lie in wait -for one another. For this purpose they beset the roads, and other -places, so that a travelling negro can hardly ever escape them. To -enumerate the many instances of this private depredation that happen, -would be an endless task. I shall therefore select but one, which, on -account of the circumstances that followed, may strike the reader as -singular. - -A Moor had seized a free negro, and, having secured him, he brought -him to Senegal, and sold him to the company. A few days afterwards -this moor was taken by some negroes in the same manner, and brought to -be sold in his turn. The company seldom buy moors: but as they were -obliged, in consequence of their privileges, to supply the colony of -Cayenne with a certain number of slaves, and as several ships then in -the road, in consequence of the king of Almammy’s edict, as before -related, could not complete their cargoes, they made the less scruple -to buy him on this occasion. Chance so directed, that the moor, after -he had been purchased, was carried on board the same ship, in which -the negro lay. They no sooner met, than a quarrel took place between -them, which occasioned, for some days, a great tumult in the vessel. -Such rencounters frequently happen in the slave-ships, and the uproars, -occasioned by them, are seldom or never quieted, till some mischief has -been done. - - - - -CHAP. III. - -_Of ROBBERY._ - - -I have been hitherto describing the _Pillage_, as it is either publick -or private. I have also considered it as practiced by the blacks upon -one another. I come now to speak of it, as it is practiced upon these -by the whites; and this I call _Robbery_. - -It is too well known, at least on some parts of the coast, that the -Europeans have not failed, when opportunity presented itself, to seize -the unsuspicious natives of Africa, and to carry them by force to their -own colonies. - -This is usually practiced by the Europeans, where they have no -settlements; so that the fact generally escapes the notice of their -countrymen; I mean principally up the rivers, where they have ventured -to penetrate for the purpose of a more advantageous trade. At such -places, they compel the negroes to deliver them hostages, whom they -keep on board. The truce being concluded, the unsuspicious natives -embark with confidence, and repeatedly visit the vessel without -any kind of suspicion or fear. But, if the wind should be at all -favourable, none of the European monsters, who are engaged in this -trade, scruple to set sail, and to carry away not only the free -negroes, who have come on board to trade, but the hostages also, in -defiance of the law of nations and common honesty. - -These transactions are not only iniquitous in themselves, and therefore -derogatory from the character of a civilized nation, but are often so -fatal in their consequences, that those, who perpetrate them, have a -claim to the appellation of devils rather than men. For it may easily -be supposed, that the relations and friends of those, who have been -thus fraudulently carried off, will spare no pains to retaliate. This -is generally the case. The next ship that visits the coast, is perhaps -cut off. Thus, to a villainous action, is superadded the guilt of -becoming instrumental to the murder perhaps of their own countrymen, -and at any rate of occasioning the innocent to undergo the punishment -of the guilty. - -When I was at Goree, in the year 1787, accounts came down by some -French merchantmen from the Gambia of the following particulars. - -The captain of an English ship, which had been some time in that -river, had enticed several of the natives on board, and, finding a -favourable opportunity, sailed away with them. His vessel however was, -by the direction of Providence, driven back to the coast from whence -it had set sail, and was obliged to cast anchor on the very spot where -this act of treachery had been committed. At this time two other -English vessels were lying in the same river. The natives, ever since -the transaction, had determined to retaliate. They happened, at this -juncture, to be prepared. They accordingly boarded the three vessels, -and, having made themselves masters of them, they killed most of their -crews. The few who escaped to tell the tale, were obliged to take -refuge in a neighbouring French factory. Thus did the innocent suffer -the same punishment as the guilty; for it did not appear that the crews -of the other two vessels had been at all concerned in this villainous -measure. - -These particulars, as I observed before, had found their way down to -us at Goree, and, from the channels through which they came, I had -no reason to question their truth. It is remarkable, however, that, -though I wanted no confirmation of them in my own mind, yet, since my -arrival in London, I have heard them fully substantiated: for I dined -lately by accident with a certain underwriter, to whom undesignedly -relating the time, place, and other circumstances of this transaction, -I found that I had only been describing the fate of certain vessels, -which, to his knowledge, had been cut off in the same part of the -world, and at the same season. - - - - -CHAP. IV. - -_Of TREACHERY or STRATAGEM._ - - -The various other ways in which slaves are obtained, may be included -under the words _Treachery_ or _Stratagem_, being only so many -different modes of the same practice. One or two instances will, I -hope, suffice, as I do not wish to take up the reader’s time more than -is necessary, and as he will be enabled by them to judge of the rest. -Besides, the stratagems which the traders daily practise to get slaves, -are so numerous, that it would take a volume to recount them. - -A French merchant of Goree landing at a village, observed an handsome -well-made negro. He immediately made application to the chief of -the village to seize him. On the proposal of the chief, the people -unanimously agreed to grant his request: for it is a law in those -parts, that if all the village consent, any visitor residing among -them may be made a slave. To gain the consent of a whole village on -such an occasion, is by no means difficult. The Africans in general, -like other people in the same unimproved state, are governed by their -passions, and the prince has only to distribute a sufficient quantity -of spirituous liquors among them to produce the effect he wishes for. -Such was the case in the present instance; and the unfortunate negro, -though he was their neighbour and visitor, was taken and sent into -slavery. His wife, having heard of his capture, came down bathed in -tears. She begged to be bought, that she might go with him, and share -his fate. But the dealer who bought him, had probably no goods at the -time, and her intreaties were ineffectual. - -The king of Sallum, under pretence of wanting millet, enticed from -a neighbouring village a negress, who had a quantity to dispose -of. Elated with the prospect of selling it to advantage, she did -not consider the imprudence of the step she was about to take. She -accordingly went to the king, who not only immediately deprived her of -her millet, but seized her, and sold her for a slave. - -I cannot close my account of the different methods daily practised to -obtain slaves, without giving an instance, that will shew, in a very -glaring light, the bad tendency of the slave trade, and the baneful -effects it produces on the human heart. - -One of the Moorish kings had received from the director of the -company of Senegal, the predecessor of him who now occupies that -post, the usual presents, in consequence of which he was bound to -procure slaves. Having been rather dilatory in the performance of his -engagement, he was applied to by the director, who represented to him -the pressing wants of the company. The king, thus urgently pressed, -offered him a certain negro on account. This negro was none other than -his own minister, who had been his confidential friend and faithful -adviser for many years. The director, shocked at the circumstance, -endeavoured to point out to him the impropriety of his conduct, but -his representations were ineffectual. The negro, in whose presence the -offer was made, finding that his unworthy master was obstinately bent -upon his design, ran up to him, drew his dagger, and plunging it into -his own breast, exclaimed, “Thou savage! I shall have the satisfaction -of expiring, before thou canst reap any advantage from thy base -ingratitude to the best of servants.” - -I have now finished my section on the mode of procuring slaves, and I -should have been made much happier by my visit to the coast of Africa, -if no such instances had occurred, as I have felt myself obliged to -communicate to the reader. - - - - -SECT. II. - -_Of the Manner in which the Negroes are treated by the Europeans._ - - - - -CHAP. I. - -_Of the Negroes considered as TRADERS._ - - -Self-interest, the principle of all commerce, appears in the very -basest point of view, when considered, with a reference to the -intercourse subsisting between the white and the black nations. The -fraud and violence which the stronger generally imagine they have a -right in trade to exercise towards the weaker, compel the latter in -their turn to have recourse to practices equally base and cruel. Such -is the true picture of the low cunning and barbarity which the whites -practice towards the negroes, and these last towards their own people. - -In such mysteries of iniquity, the Europeans have a decided advantage -over the untutored African nations; and thus practice their villainous -artifices with impunity. The most despicable juggling tricks are used -in measuring or reckoning the commodities bartered with the negroes. -Thus for example, instead of the bottles and barrels shewn and approved -of, others are substituted apparently of the same size, but containing -less perhaps by one half. Advantage is taken of the difficulty with -which the negroes reckon beyond ten, and thus the accounts are -confused, and they are deprived of the greater part of the commodities -bargained for. The wine and spirits, samples of which the negroes had -tasted pure, are afterwards adulterated with water. They are defrauded -in all sorts of weights and measures; and, that the European adepts -in villainy may play off their tricks with success, they previously -take care to intoxicate the unsuspecting negroes, and by this means -fascinate their senses in such a manner, as to multiply or magnify -every article set before them. These ways of trading are esteemed the -most modest that can be practiced, and there is not a single European -who scruples in the least to have recourse to them on all occasions. I -have repeatedly been an eye-witness of such villainy. - - - - -CHAP. II. - -_Of the Negroes considered as SLAVES._ - - -On the coast of Africa there are two descriptions of slaves, namely, -the immediate descendants of slaves, and those who are reduced to -slavery in the different ways I have described. The former are seldom -sold, except for theft, but the most trivial transgression of this -kind is often made a pretext for selling them. At Goree I was present -at several publick sales of young women,[1] who were sold for acts -of petty larceny, which scarcely deserved the name of crimes. The -treatment these last experience is mild, when compared to that of the -wretches, who are enslaved by force or fraud, and who are treated -exactly like wild beasts. They are confined in prisons or dungeons, -resembling dens, where they lie naked on the sand, crowded together and -loaded with irons. In consequence of this cruel mode of confinement, -they are frequently covered with cutaneous eruptions. Ten or twelve of -them feed together out of a trough, precisely like so many hogs. There -is even less care taken of them than of brutes, while they are confined -in these horrid receptacles, and, till they are stowed away in the -slave vessels, to be sent from the coast; nor are they worse treated on -board, if we may credit some accounts. - -I am very sorry that humanity obliges me here to divulge a most -barbarous practice, frequently used by the French traders in the -Middle Passage. I have been assured by several of their merchants and -captains, that when detained by calms, or contrary winds, occasioning a -shortness of provisions and water; or when some fatal disease happens -to break out among the slaves, they never fail to mix corrosive -sublimate, or some other active poison with their visuals, and thus -coolly dispatch the wretches committed to their charge. They affirm -that it would be an act of imprudence to undertake such a voyage -unprovided with poisonous drugs, and they boast of being less cruel -than the Dutch and the English, who in similar circumstances throw the -innocent victims over-board without ceremony.[2] - -Of the above cruel practice, my journal furnishes a melancholy -instance, communicated to me by Capt. L. of Havre de Grace. About two -years ago, a slave vessel belonging to Brest, having been becalmed in -the Middle Passage, fell short of provisions and water. The Captain -on this occasion had recourse to poison, by which so great a number -was daily dispatched, that of _five hundred_ slaves, only _twenty-one_ -arrived at Cape François. - - - - -SECT. III. - -_Whether the Negroes are naturally inclined to Industry._ - - - - -CHAP. I. - -_In FOREIGN COUNTRIES._ - - -From several experiments made on different plantations in the -West-Indies, it appears, that negroes, when working, not by the -day, but by task, have given convincing proofs both of ability and -industry.[3] - - - - -CHAP. II. - -_In THEIR OWN COUNTRY._ - - -As liberty and reason, the two grand springs of all human action, are -not yet developed in these people, who have long remained in a state -of infancy, solely because their faculties have not been cultivated, in -consequence of which their wants have been but few, it may perhaps be -concluded, that these raw nations are incapable of civilization, but -this opinion will soon vanish on reflecting, that the effects produced -must entirely depend on the manner of forming their intellect. New -objects ought to be presented to them, in order to excite new desires, -and to call forth those faculties, which have hitherto lain dormant, -merely for want of exercise. Thus in the progress of their improvement -it will be necessary to introduce among them a proportionable degree of -what we generally call luxury, by which I do not mean the abuse of the -conveniences of life, which enervates mankind, but such moderate use of -those conveniences, as will rouse them to action. - -The behaviour of the king of Barbesin convinced me, that this useful -degree of luxury might easily be introduced among the people of the -coast. I gave him a pair of common enamelled slave buttons, with -which, though ignorant of their use, he was infinitely delighted. On -my shewing him for what purpose they were intended, he appeared much -mortified that his shirt had no button-holes; but observed that it -differed in this respect from that of a mulatto from Goree, with whom -he insisted on exchanging shirts in our presence, a demand with which -the man was forced to comply. Transported with his new ornaments, the -king held up his hands to display them to the people. His courtiers -soon surrounded my hut, intreating me to furnish them also with -buttons, which I did with pleasure. This fondness of the natives -for European baubles, proves that an advantageous commerce might be -established among them with very little trouble and expense. - -The conduct of the present king (late grand marabou[4]) of Almammy, -is more interesting to humanity, and evinces the firm manly character -of the negroes when enlightened. His understanding having been more -cultivated in his youth than that of the other black princes, he has -rendered himself intirely independent of the whites. He has not only -prohibited the slave trade throughout his dominions, but (in the year -1787) would not suffer the French to march their captives from Gallam, -through his country. He redeems his own subjects when seized by the -Moors, and encourages them to raise cattle, to cultivate the land, -and to practice all kinds of industry. As grand marabou, he abstains -from strong liquor, which, however, is not the general rule among that -order; for some who travel with the whites are not scrupulous in this -respect. His subjects, imitating his example, are much more sober than -their neighbours. - -This proves to what degree of civilization these people might be -brought, if with prudence and patience this great and noble enterprize -was once undertaken; but without introducing some degree of what we -generally call Luxury, this cultivation would, in my opinion, be -intirely impracticable. To what purpose would the human understanding -be cultivated, if Luxury, by which I mean nothing more than the -improvement of the conveniences and comforts of life, did not keep pace -with it? The former indeed could not take place without the latter. -Uncivilized nations in general are led merely by animal instinct to -procure their subsistence, but as soon as the understanding begins to -be enlightened, by means of reflection upon what is agreeable to life, -above mere necessaries, Luxury must of course be introduced.[5] - - - - -SECT. IV. - -_DESCRIPTION of the COAST._ - - - - -CHAP. I. - -_CLIMATE._ - - -The climate of the coast of Guinea, as of other countries, varies with -the nature of the soil, its elevation or depression, the comparative -state of its improvement, and other circumstances, perhaps not yet -sufficiently investigated. The latitude of the place is by no means a -certain criterion of its climate, since even in the midst of the torrid -zone, we meet with all possible gradations of climate. The high lands -of Camaroons in particular, though only between three and four degrees -distant from the line, are covered with everlasting snow. - -It is the general opinion, that the most unhealthy climates on the -coast, are those of Senegal and Juda, or, as it is called by the -English, Whidah. The neighbourhood of the banks of the River Gambia, -however, which has lately been much frequented, hath been found to -be as unhealthy as those just mentioned, especially during the great -rains, and immediately after their cessation. In general it may be -concluded, that low and marshy situations are very unfavourable to the -health of the Europeans, who may expect the most fatal consequences -from irregularity, or excess of any kind. But a due regard to -temperance, and such moderate exercise as would not induce too violent -a perspiration, would doubtless be the best means of guarding against -the effects of a sudden change of climate. Thus the body would -gradually accommodate itself to its new situation, as is actually -experienced by every one who duly attends to these precautions; and -this happy effect takes place sooner or later, according to the -weakness or strength of the stranger’s constitution, as well as to the -more or less manly education he may have received, and the habits he -may have formed in the earlier part of his life. The intemperature of -those climates may also be in some degree resisted, by fixing one’s -habitation on an elevated spot during the unhealthy season of the year. -For my own part, although I arrived on the coast during that season, -I escaped all the diseases of the country. This I ascribe entirely to -the cautious temperance I observed. During a mortality which raged at -Senegal while I was there, not a single gentleman or officer on shore -was attacked, but out of eleven sailors belonging to the vessel in -which I returned to Europe, six were taken off in the space of a month. -It must be observed, however, that seamen, by the tyranny or neglect -of the captains, by a bad or scanty diet, and by the other hardships -they undergo, are often exposed to many causes of disease, which do -not affect persons living regularly on shore, and which will ever more -or less attend the service of monopolizing Companies, or individual -merchants, who, _regardless of the lives of men_, make gain the sole -object of their speculations.[6] It is remarked, that Europeans of a -slender habit are generally found to be the most healthy on the coast -of Guinea. - -From what I have been able to collect, it appears, that the rainy -seasons follow the passage of the sun from the equator to either -tropic, so as always to prevail in those places where the sun is -vertical. East of Cape Palmas I am told they seldom set in before June, -when the sun returns from the northern tropic; but to the westward of -that Cape, and up the whole country, those seasons generally commence -within the month of May, and continue for three or four months. In the -beginning of this season, the earth being softened with the rain, the -negroes till and sow their ground, and after the return of dry weather, -they gather in their crops, an occupation they seldom abandon, even -though allured by the most advantageous commerce. I have sufficient -reason to believe, that were the coast cultivated to the extent of -which the soil in general is susceptible, the climate would be much -meliorated. - - - - -CHAP. II. - -_Of the Soil._ - - -The soil all along the coast is very unequal. From Cape Blanco down -the coast, to the River Gambia, it is in general very sandy, but as -the sand consists of broken shells, covered in many places with a rich -black mould, it must be favourable to vegetation. The most barren -places of this part of the country, except just on the sea shore, are -covered with grass and bushes; and where the black mould is found, -the vegetation is luxuriant, and the trees of vast dimensions. I have -remarked, that the mountains are generally composed more or less of -regular basaltes, exhibiting remains of most prodigious volcanoes, the -eruptions of which greatly improve the soil around them. Hence the -mountains and high grounds at Cape Emanuel, Goree, Cape Rouge, and -other places lower down, are commonly very fertile. Where rice thrives -best, the ground in general is low, marshy, and unhealthy. - - - - -CHAP. III. - -_The Productions._ - - -_Animal._ The cattle on the coast are smaller than those of Europe, -and not so fat as those of England or Holland; yet their flesh is -very nourishing, and they give milk in abundance. Their inferiority -appeared to me to be the effect of the careless and unskillful -management of the negroes. I once saw four oxen sold for eighteen -livres. They must be raised on the coast, as foreign cattle do not -thrive. Even those from the Cape de Verd Islands do not answer on -the coast. The whole coast is abundantly stocked with sheep, hogs, -and all sorts of poultry, which propagate with astonishing rapidity. -Fishing and hunting are most eagerly pursued by the negroes, who have, -however, but a very gross idea of any mechanical means of facilitating -those employments. Of the prodigious shoals of numberless kinds of -fish, I could have formed no idea without having seen them with my own -eyes. Spermaceti whales abound on the coast. In passing from Goree to -the Continent, distant about five miles, I have often rowed through -shoals of them, and have been under no small apprehensions of their -oversetting any canoe. Lower down the coast the English and Portuguese -carry on a considerable fishery of those whales; and ambergris is -found in such quantities on the coast, that I have more than once seen -the negroes pay their canoes with it. Till lately the learned were -at a loss to which of the kingdoms of nature this production was to -be referred, but they are now pretty generally agreed, that it is the -excrement of the spermaceti whales. - -_Vegetable._ The grass is thick, and grows to a great height. The -natives are often obliged to burn it, to prevent the wild beasts from -harbouring in the fields, but it soon springs up again. Millet, rice, -potatoes, pulse, and many other excellent vegetables, are cultivated -on the coast with very little trouble, and in a profusion perfectly -astonishing to an European. Such indeed is the plenty which prevails -on the coast, that all the European ships are victualled, without the -smallest inconvenience to the inhabitants. There is also abundance of -the most wholesome and delicious fruit; articles of no less consequence -than those just mentioned. Sugar-canes grow wild in many places, which -with a little cultivation might be rendered extremely valuable and -productive. The same may be said of the tobacco-plant. Several species -of cotton are also spontaneously produced by this excellent soil; one -of them may be spun without being carded, and almost without any -preparation. The negroes spin it into very fine yarn, of which they -make a good but narrow cloth.[7] - -Indigo of different kinds also grows wild, and in such quantities, -as to be a very troublesome weed in the rice and millet fields. What -a strange inversion of nature does not man, actuated by the most -extravagant and most ridiculous selfishness, every where labour to -effect? What necessity is there for exiling this plant from the soil -and climate which nature has assigned it, in order to transplant it -into a country, where it is far from thriving so well as in its native -place, and where it fails every third or fourth year? Dyers, who have -tried the African indigo, affirm, that it is better than that which is -produced in Carolina and in the West-Indies. The specimens of cotton -and indigo, which I have brought with me from the coast, have been -carefully examined by people of skill, and found to be of the best -quality. - -Gum is another valuable article, and is not as some imagine produced -in the neighbourhood of Senegal only; it is also found on most parts -of the coast, though the negroes have not yet got into the practice -of collecting it, which they might do with very little trouble. My -fellow-traveller, Dr. Sparrman, extracted a large quantity of the sap -of a small but most juicy tree, which grows in great abundance on the -coast, and exposing it to the sun for a few hours, had the satisfaction -to find it converted into an elastic gum, equal in all respects to that -which is known by the name of Indian rubber. The coast also produces a -great variety of the most valuable and beautiful woods, many of which -are scarcely known even to our botanists. I brought with me samples of -fourteen species, including one remarkable for its colour, which is -a very beautiful red. Among the different plants, which grow on the -coast, is a kind of aloes, of which the negroes make most excellent -ropes. Of several sorts of roots and leaves they make mats and baskets, -and their manufactures of this kind are really elegant;—this being -the principal art in which they appear to equal if not to excel the -Europeans. - -_Minerals._——Except some trifling and unsuccessful attempts, made by -Chevalier de la Brue, in the beginning of this century, the Europeans -have never made any particular search for _Minerals_ on the coast, -which, however, it would be well worth while to attend to, especially -as it is well known in what abundance gold is found in the inland -parts, notwithstanding the negroes are very unskillful in collecting -it. An exact and regular examination of the metallick productions of -the mountains, particularly those of Sierra Leona, and the adjacent -country, would certainly be an object of great importance. In Gallam is -found a very tough and excellent kind of iron, and the negroes work it -with much ingenuity.[8] - - - - -SECT. V. - -_Of the IMPEDIMENTS which will oppose European Settlements on the Coast -of Guinea._ - - - - -CHAP. I. - -_False Opinions._ - - -The diminution of the value of the West Indian Islands will undoubtedly -be the strongest objection against forming settlements on the coast -of Guinea; but this objection, which is wholly resolvable into a -narrow policy, founded on false and interested principles, might be -easily obviated, if my necessary brevity would permit me to enter on -the discussion. To suppose that the European nations, which have West -Indian colonies, would be injured by forming others in Africa, is just -as unreasonable, as to suppose, that a man’s property would be injured -by putting him in possession of another estate, in addition to that -which he already enjoys. Allow the old colonies to be lessened in their -value, the loss will be more than compensated to the mother country, by -settlements formed in an extensive region, which yields spontaneously -the tropical productions now so much wanted in all luxurious and -civilized communities. I met the whole force of this objection on the -coast, and perceived clearly that this circumstance alone had hitherto -prevented the European governments from forming settlements in Africa. -I nevertheless saw that such settlements would be formed sooner or -later, and that they could not fail to acquire strength, and to produce -the most solid advantages to any nation possessed of them, especially -to that which shall first undertake so beneficial an enterprize.[9] - -But if even the best monarchs be surrounded by courtiers, devoted to -partial and avaricious views, under the illusive semblance of national -interest, can it be expected that the light of enlarged policy, -dissipating the thick darkness in which they are enveloped, will -dispose them to adopt plans extensively beneficial to mankind, and -conformable to the great law of creation? Are not the governments of -the two most flourishing nations, England and France, who give laws to -the rest of Europe, influenced by powerful possessors of the ancient -colonies and opulent merchants of their productions? It is impossible -that information of so delicate a nature should be obtained pure and -unadulterated through the medium of surly, sordid planters and sugar -factors, who are acting only from a vile self-interest.[10] - - - - -CHAP. II. - -_Of the Diseases._ - - -The diseases to which the Europeans are subject from the climate -of the coast, may be reckoned among the greatest inconveniences to -establishments of white people in that part of the world. Fortunately, -however, they may in general be obviated by making choice of elevated -situations, and if possible by forming the first settlement on an -island; by keeping up the spirits of the new colonists, so that their -minds may be agreeably occupied to gratify the affections of the soul; -by accustoming them, as I have already observed, to a moderate degree -of exercise; guarding carefully against wet and damps in the rainy -seasons; by observing a good diet, or regularity of living, and keeping -the bowels open. Such precautions are the surest antidotes against most -of the bad effects usually resulting from a sudden change of climate. -It is a fact confirmed by observation, that, excepting accidental or -violent deaths or infections, disorders to which every country as -well as Africa are subject, the evils I have been speaking of, prevail -chiefly among that class of people, who suffer their brutal passions -to get the upper hand of their reason, and whose will and affections -always govern their intellectual faculties. Nothing is more common and -fatal among this class, than excess in drinking. Nevertheless there are -remedies on the spot well known among the negroes, which effectually -cure the diseases that cannot be escaped. - - - - -CHAP. III. - -_Of Musketoes._ - - -The musketoes are generally very troublesome; but as they are only -generated in stagnant and putrid water, it is easy to perceive that -this evil is not without a remedy; because by draining the marshes, and -by cultivating the land, the cause which produces them will in a great -measure be removed. It is likewise certain, that it is not difficult -to accustom one’s-self to them, and it is astonishing to see with what -unconcern the negroes walk quite naked, surrounded by swarms of those -insects, without regarding their attacks. Smoke, in general, is a good -preservative against them.[11] - - - - -CHAP. IV. - -_Of Thorns and Thistles._ - - -The inconveniences of thorns and thistles that grow wild in very great -abundance among the trees, bushes, and grass, are likewise an hindrance -to the commencement of cultivation; but if the negroes were employed -to pull them up, this obstacle would be of little consequence; for -they are so used and accustomed to them, that they make no scruple of -penetrating across the thickets which most abound with them. Besides, -the cultivation of the country will soon exterminate these impediments, -as well as many others. - - - - -SECT. VI. - -_REFLECTIONS._ - - -From all that has been said, as well as from many other particulars, -unnecessary to be repeated here, as they are already laid before the -publick, it is evident, that the slave trade is a _Commerce_, carried -to the highest pitch of human depravity, and it is to be feared that -its total suppression by all the Europeans nations is a thing more -to be wished for than expected at once, unless some of the civilized -nations were to unite in establishing colonies on the coast of Guinea. -May therefore every nation, seriously engaged in the cause of liberty, -consider this efficacious remedy with the strictest attention, and -reap the great advantage to be derived from the fruitful soil of this -vast part of the globe, by the effectual means already pointed out, -namely, that of Cultivation[12]. But, as the settling of new colonies, -and the gradual abolition of this trade, require the most scrupulous -attention, I venture to flatter myself, that from some experience and -application to this matter, I shall be able to excite every feeling -and disinterested mind, to view this grand object in a proper point -of light: I consider it therefore as a duty to lay before them the -following reflections. - -Though it be usual to compare nations and their colonies to parents -and their children, yet in reality the comparison is not just, as -things are circumstanced at present. - -In every individual family, what is so highly regarded, or esteemed so -highly interesting, so useful, directing the attention to sound policy, -as the human production or propagation of mankind? Where is that -parent, who not only strives to give his children as good an education -as he himself has received, but impelled by affection even endeavours -to elevate them into a superior state? Acting thus, has he any other -end than that of introducing them as active, zealous, and laborious -citizens, from a principle of usefulness, as reasonable, beneficent, -and religious fathers of future families, into that society, of which -he himself forms a part? - -From what has been said it follows, that children, when they arrive at -the age of maturity, although they have been useful to their parents -during their minority; yet it is not to be inferred, that from a -principle of obligation or false gratitude, they ought inseparably -to abide by their parents throughout life. No! in a more advanced -age, nature and reason combine to emancipate and justify them, even -though opposed by their parents; when in their turn they independently -establish themselves, and lay a foundation for new families, which -augmenting the prosperity, and strength of the community, necessarily -promotes those of their parents. How could any society whatever -otherwise continue to exist? In a word, a child is fruit hanging on the -tree;—man, arrived to full growth, is separated therefrom, which, under -the direction of Providence, reproduces in its turn, a new tree that -may do honour to the forest. - -The gratitude and filial attachment which a child constantly preserves -for those who gave him being, is always proportioned to the education -he has received from them, and to the tie which has been mutually -formed on both sides, during the state of non-age. - -Societies at large ought to act precisely on the same principle in -forming colonies, since these are nothing else but their own children, -or the superfluity of their population. - -When therefore a large Society thus gives birth to a small one, in the -establishing thereof, can it possess a more noble view than that of -regarding in the first place the interest of mankind, or _universal -Society_, and afterwards the advantage of its own colony or _Society in -particular_? Standing thus between them both, will not the happiness -of both center in itself? Does not the father of a family rejoice in -the happiness both of his country and his children? But is there any -colony existing founded on these truly humane principles? Does not -the education which the present colonies have received, and do still -receive from their interested and imprudent parents, prove the rankest -hatred between beings that ought to be united by the tenderest ties? -Whence proceeds the cause, that smaller societies have been compelled -by misunderstanding to separate from the greater which gave them -existence, but perverted education, combined with the false principle -of endeavouring to keep the child, arrived to its maturity perpetually -in leading firings, like an infant? - -Since my short stay in London, I have weighed with the stricted -impartiality the argument for and against slavery; I hope, therefore, -I may be permitted to communicate my ideas on this delicate and -interesting subject, making man always the principal object of -comparison, as being the most exact form, and the most perfect model -existing in the creation. - -No one will deny that the two distinct and principal faculties, which -essentially constitute man, are _Will_ and the _Understanding_: the -former is derived from some kind of love, and being from the birth -possessed by man in common with all other animals, he would become -even more savage and destructive, if he had not the opportunity in -society of cultivating his other faculty, the _Understanding_, which -by instruction is capable of infinite elevation. But when this latter -faculty comes to maturity, it then acquires a right of directing the -_Will_ in the way most conformable to wisdom, and bears the same -relation to it as a helm to a ship, which is constantly directed -thereby in the course most favourable to the voyage. - -This elevation of the _Understanding_ above the _Will_ or _Passions_, -is the same as what we call _Education_ or _Civilization_, Education -with respect to every man in particular, and civilization to mankind in -general. - -The greatest human societies may in general be divided into two -classes; the _civilized_ and the _uncivilized_; and the obligations -the former are under to the latter, are precisely the same as those of -parents towards their children. From this analogy between children and -uncivilized nations, it may then easily be concluded, that the one as -well as the other are governed by their passions, in consequence of -their understanding not being cultivated. - -If we feel within us an interior but distinct voice, dictating that we -ought to seek our own happiness in promoting that of our posterity; -in ascending from particular to general, we shall also feel that -the instructed and civilized nations for their own advantage must -of necessity act unanimously for the happiness of the barbarous and -uncivilized. - -If the tutelage of children be regarded as a period of slavery, I -allow that the civilized nations have some right to exercise a certain -dominion over the uncivilized, provided that this happy dominion be -considered as a paternal yoke, and that the duration do not exceed the -period of the child’s maturity. - -Let us then form new settlements along the African coast; settlements -which shall have no other aim than that of inviting those nations to -the riches which will arise from the cultivation of their own country, -and thence the enjoyment of civilization, to both which they are -capable of applying themselves with ardour and joy.—Let us thus on the -wreck of tyranny raise altars to humanity. Let us give to this weak, -timid, and ignorant people, a masculine and courageous education. Let -us make them feel the nobility of their origin, that under our tuition -they may become generous from sound political interest; and may they -no longer be slaves, but men. Let us for our own part freely assist -them in tilling the fine country they inhabit. Let us prove to those -innumerable multitudes of men, by the force of example, that they -possess the most fertile soil. Let us also, by example, teach them no -longer to suffer themselves to be torn from their native shores. Let -us teach them to shake off the irons, and to revenge themselves on the -blind tyrants, who shackle them, by becoming more useful to them in a -state of freedom. - - - - -_Note to Sec._ III. _and Chap._ I. - - The following Circumstance is related by Mr. _de la Blancherie_, from - an _Extract of the Journal of his Voyages_, published at Paris, in 2 - vols. 1775.[13] - - -An inhabitant of St. Domingo had a negro, who for a long time had -solicited for his liberty, and which he had fully merited by his -services; but that which ought to have procured it for him, was -precisely what prevented his master from granting it, namely, his -being essentially useful to him. The more the negro pressed to obtain -his freedom, which had been promised him, the more pretences were -found for eluding and deferring the execution of the promise; the -master himself no longer hid from his slave his great attachment to -him. Yet flattering as this kind of refusal was, far from diminishing -his desire of liberty, it served to encrease it. He resolved then -to employ another means, which was to buy his freedom; appreciating -himself according to the reasons his master had given him, for not -fulfilling his promise. In some parts of St. Domingo, the inhabitants -do not enter into the detail of the food and clothing of their negroes. -They give them two hours in a day for cultivating a certain portion of -land, granted to them for their subsistence; those who are industrious, -not only obtain what is necessary, but even that which enables them -to carry on a commerce, more or less considerable, according to their -ability. Our black, at the end of some years, gained more money than -was requisite to redeem himself, and presenting the gold to his -master, told him that he was resolved to gain his liberty, and offered -to pay the price of another negro. The planter surprized, says to him, -“Go, I have sufficiently trafficked in my fellow-creatures, enjoy what -is your own: you have restored me to myself.” He immediately sold his -plantation, and only remained long enough at St. Domingo to collect -his property. He returned to France, and in the way to his province, -was obliged to pass through Paris. Remaining in that seductive town, -he spared nothing that could give an idea of that opulence which is -attached to the name of an _American_. Women, high living, gaming, -parties of pleasure of all kinds, he gave himself up to, without -restraint, embracing every opportunity of expence. His fortune was -soon dissipated. In that wretched situation, it was necessary to -determine on something, but on what was the question. To remain in -France a ruined man was impossible; to return to the islands, what an -embarrassing humiliation. Nevertheless, on reflection, he flattered -himself he should find more resources there than elsewhere, depending -rather on the attachment of those whose fortunes he had made in St. -Domingo, than on the friendship of those who had been the promoters -of his ruin in France, he determined to embark. His arrival at the -Cape surprized every body acquainted with his misfortune. They pitied -him, but no one gave him the least assistance. His ancient friends -only permitted him to be a witness of the pleasures he had procured -them, without making him a partaker in their enjoyments. Many who had -personal obligations to him, were never at home when he visited them; a -dreadful example this, joined to many others which present themselves -daily, and are yet insufficient to prevent men from desiring to form -such connexions. Thus reduced to live in the wretched inns on the -port, which are only suited to the poorest, he had not yet been to -see his negro; whether he had been prevented from not knowing where -he was, or from being ashamed of presenting himself in the condition -to which he was reduced, I know not; but the black, who had a house, -having learnt his misfortune, and discovered his retreat, soon threw -himself at the feet of his dear master and benefactor (for these were -the terms he made use of) accompanied with tears at considering his -situation. His zeal was not confined to words, he made him master in -his house; but on reflection, putting himself in his place, he saw his -self-love mortified by the contempt inseparable from indigence, and -the pain which is induced by the consciousness of being in a state of -dependance; he felt all the weight his benefits must have on a generous -and liberal mind. “My dear master,” said he, embracing his knees, “I -owe to you all I am; dispose of every thing I have, quit this country, -where your past misfortunes will give birth to new ones; abandon -those ungrateful people whom you did not oblige with a view to their -future services.” How shall I be able to live in France? “Ah, my dear -master, shall your slave be happy enough to induce you to accept of a -tribute of his gratitude? will you do him that kindness?” The master -quite affected, knew not how to answer. The negro continued, “fifteen -hundred livres, will that be sufficient?” Ah, it will certainly be too -much answered the master, dissolved in tears. Immediately the black -quitted him, and returning, put into his possession a deed, which -insured him for life fifteen hundred livres. The planter is now in -France, and actually receives every year his pension, six months in -advance. The negro’s name is Lewis Desrouleaux, and I saw him at the -Cape, where he continued to keep house. - - -FINIS. - - - - -ADVERTISEMENT. - - The Author has lately published TWO VIEWS of the COAST of GUINEA, - with separate Descriptions, embellished with four small Prints.—In - these Views are introduced some historical facts related in this - pamphlet, pages 9, 11, & 12. The size 22 inches by 17, and the - price 15s.—His view, in undertaking to publish them, was more - essentially to serve the cause of humanity, and he has therefore - offered them at the same price which they cost him, not wishing - to have any emolument from this sale.—They are to be had of the - Author, No. 6, in the Poultry; at Mr. J. Phillips’s, George-Yard, - Lombard-Street; Mr. B. Evans, Printseller, in the Poultry; Mr. S. - Walter, Homer’s Head, Charing-Cross; Mr. W. Dickinson, Printseller, - No. 158, New-Bond-Street; Mess. Robson and Clarke, New-Bond-Street; - and Mr. B. Chastanier, No. 62, Tottenham-Court-Road. - - - - -[Illustration: (Decorative header line)] - - - ERRATUM. - - Page 13, Line 16, for lum, read Salum. - -[Illustration: (Decorative footer line)] - - - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[1] The treatment the sex experience from the white traders on all -occasions, is such, as decency forbids me to describe. - -[2] Since my arrival in London, this horrid practice has been -authenticated by the respectable authority of several French gentlemen. - -[3] A remarkable and well authenticated proof of the above interesting -fact will be given at the end of this little tract. - -[4] The marabous are the chief priests among the negroes, and are the -only people who can read and write Arabic. - -[5] By LUXURY, I understand, all enjoyments beyond the necessaries of -mere animal life. Consequently to live in a civilized community is -already a sort of luxury; and if the cultivation of our understanding -be necessary, we ought also to be indulged in the use of a word which -is now so generally abused. - -[6] It is worthy of remark, that since wine was substituted for the -brandy, which till within these last three years was served out to the -French troops on the coast, they have been incomparably healthier. - -[7] The first considerable exportation of cotton and indigo from the -Coast to Europe, as far as I have been informed, was made in the year -1787, while I was at Goree, by a Frenchman, who had resided some time -in that island. - -[8] The mineralogical observations made by my fellow-traveller, Capt. -Arrhenius, on that part of the coast where we travelled, particularly -respecting the Volcanoes, will undoubtedly prove very interesting, when -he has leisure to put them in proper order for publication. - -OBSERVATION.——_I cannot omit to mention in this place, that Mr. -Geoffrey de Villeneuve, a young French officer, and skilful naturalist, -who made a very extensive journey in the year 1787 into the interior -parts of the country above Goree, will probably soon entertain -the publick with a faithful description thereof, so much the more -interesting, as he has with indefatigable pains and deep knowledge, -examined the disposition of the inhabitants, and the nature of the -country, in a manner which certainly will do honour to the philosophy -of this century._ - -[9] That it is necessary for a _free_, _commercial_, and _laborious_ -nation to look out for foreign settlements, when _population_ and -_manufactured products_ encrease in a similar proportion, is a truth -as evident as that without _enlarging space_ for the former, and -_seeking for an emporium_ for the latter, the progress of _population_ -and _commerce_ must necessarily and of course cease. Hence sound -policy dictates that the government of such a nation should with the -affectionate care of a provident father, prepare proper places for -receiving the superabundance of population and products—a principle -which few mother countries seem to have observed in the settlement -of colonies. In a future treatise the author will endeavour to shew, -that this fundamental mistake is the true cause of the ruinous and -unsupportable expence in which all the European colonies have involved -their respective mother countries. He will propose a plan, the adoption -of which he is of opinion would effectually prevent such ruinous -consequences in any settlement that may hereafter be established by -the Europeans. He will also enumerate the productions of the coast of -Guinea, and the European commodities preferred by the inhabitants, -adding some directions and cautions proper to be observed in trading -and conversing with them, together with several other interesting -particulars. - -[10] I cannot help here reflecting on the strange means the French -employ for the encouragement of this execrable trade. They allow -their merchants a bounty of 150 livres tournois for each slave they -import into _Cayenne_ and _La Guyenne_ Françoise; 100 livres for -the southern parts of _St. Domingo_; 80 livres for _La Jeremie_ -and its dependencies; 60 livres for _St. Marie_, _Leogane_, and -_Port au Prince_; and 50 livres for _Cape François_ and its -dependencies.—Besides this, Government pays a premium of 40 livres per -ton for all the ships that go to the coast, and they are also more -favoured in the measurement than any other. These bounties, granted for -promoting the sale of human flesh, is the occasion of their committing -the most abominable abuses, which cry for vengeance, and are even -injurious in the extreme to the Government which encourages them. - -[11] Mr. Sefstrom, in Sweden, has lately discovered, that a very small -quantity of campfire, strewed on a fire-coal, immediately destroys -every insect within the reach of its effluvia, and no doubt would prove -fatal to the musketoes. See the Acts of the Royal Society of Sciences -at Stockholm, for the year 1787. - -[12] Establishments of new colonies in Africa have been opposed by -some with an apparent strength of argument; the principal points of -which may be collected under the following heads: 1st. That it would -be introducing among the simple and innocent people the corrupted -manners of the Europeans.—2d. That such establishments would be the -means of increasing and perpetuating the practice of making slaves.—3d. -That Government will be exposed to considerable sacrifices to secure -protection to the colonies, and to supply them with necessaries from -Europe, &c.—In a work I am preparing to lay before the publick, it is -my intention to submit, for candid perusal, the reflections I have made -on these objections, and endeavour to prove the great error by which -these real friends to humanity are at present influenced. - -[13] This journal gives the history of a young man whom the author knew -to have died, in consequence of a very dissolute life, induced from -a faulty education, and from which the most important deductions may -be made, respecting publick education, and the duty of parents. The -same Mr. _de la Blancherie_ has, since the publication of this work, -digested and carried into execution in Paris, the plan of a _Bureau de -correspondence générale et gratuite pour les Sciences et les Arts_, -where men of all nations, and every class, should find, as in _a living -Encyclopedia_, (to use the happy expression of His Royal Highness the -Duke of Gloucester) the means of communication and instruction, and -every good office relative to the Sciences and the Arts. For twelve -years past he has contended with all possible obstacles, in order to -persuade mankind to pursue their true interests, by a _reciprocation of -good offices_. Mr. _de la Blancherie_ is at present, and will remain -some time in England, to acquire connexions useful to this grand view. - - - - - TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE - - The original Table of Contents was in two parts at the front and the - back of the book. These have been joined in this etext. - - The one change in the ERRATA at the back of the book has been applied - to the etext. The spelling of ‘Salum’ has been changed to ‘Sallum’ to - be consistent with all other occurrences in the book. - - Obvious typographical errors and punctuation errors have been - corrected after careful comparison with other occurrences within - the text and consultation of external sources. - - Some hyphens in words have been silently removed, some added, - when a predominant preference was found in the original book. - - Except for those changes noted below, all misspellings in the text, - and inconsistent or archaic usage, have been retained. - - Pg 30: ‘and thus cooly’ replaced by ‘and thus coolly’. - Pg 35: ‘the conveniencies and’ replaced by ‘the conveniences and’. - Pg 36: ‘lands of Camarons’ replaced by ‘lands of Camaroons’. - Pg 41: ‘and Portugueze’ replaced by ‘and Portuguese’. - Pg 42: ‘sparmaceti whales’ replaced by ‘spermaceti whales’. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OBSERVATIONS ON THE SLAVE TRADE -AND A DESCRIPTION OF SOME PART OF THE COAST OF GUINEA, DURING A VOYAGE, -MADE IN 1787, AND 1788, IN COMPANY WITH DOCTOR A. 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