Bristol; dated Annamaboa Road, 27 Dec. 1750. To the same.
“Am much obliged to you for your kind intelligence, and all other
favours; I shall be obliged to you to dispatch the carpenter as
soon as possible, being in great want of him. I am, _&c._”
Extract of a letter from John Jepson, master of a snow from
Rhode-Island, dated Annamaboa Road, 3 July, 1751. To the same.
“I am sorry you are going off the coast: but however, as I can do
no more for you, beg to return you my hearty and sincere thanks for
your many favours from time to time, not only from your willingness
to supply us with any thing in your power of tradesmen’s work,
or any other thing; but also for your pains and vigilance in
protecting the trade, _&c._ which will always be justifiable, and
hope will redound to your honour and credit, which is the sincere
wish, _&c._”
Extract of two letters from Henry Ellis, master of the ship
Hallifax, from Bristol, dated Annamaboa Road, the 13th, and 28th
July, 1751. To the same.
“The boards you sent me were of real service; I hope you will not
omit charging any expence I put you to, as I can discharge that,
though not so easily your good offices: we cannot help the death of
the slaves, they are mortal; but do not think it adviseable to give
them rice, as that kind of diet first gave them a swelling.”
_N. B._ He landed all his sickly slaves, which were kept and taken
care of in the castle.
“We are not a little astonished at the pains these new agents take
to prejudice the shipping here, by settling factories ashore to
intercept the trade, and by giving equal prices with us, in order
to distress us the more; it has already been some money out of the
merchants pockets; we have been obliged to raise the price, or lie
idle, under the hardships we endure. I cannot help observing the
chagrin of the Liverpool captains, who loudly complain of the new
management.”
“I entirely join issue with you, that this new-fram’d project will
become an errand job, though but for a season; for I look upon
it, the physic of commerce, which, though it may disorder, as at
present, will in the end work its cure. I am, _&c._”
Extract of a certificate of eight British masters of vessels, dated
Annamaboa Road, 3 July, 1751. To the same.
“We being informed that a report hath been spread, that the late
royal African company’s governor commanding on this coast, hath,
during his command, acted in an arbitrary tyrannic manner, both to
Europeans and natives on this coast; do hereby, in justice to the
reputation of that gentleman, voluntarily certify, that we never
heard of, or experienced, any part of his character or behaviour
but what was humane and good, tending to promote the British
interest and trade in these parts. And farther, that he has, from
time to time, readily assisted us with all things each or any of us
stood in need of at cape Coast Castle, during his command there,
to the utmost of his power, as we sincerely believe. In witness
whereof we have set our hands, _&c._”
Certificate from Capt. Thomas Derbyshire, of Liverpool, relating to
the use granted him of Tantumquery fort.
“This is to certify whom it may concern, that during my making a
voyage to the Gold Coast of Africa, and my lying at Annamaboa, I
settled a factory at Lagoe; where from a disturbance there seemed
likely to be in the country, I did not think my goods safe in the
factory-house I had taken: and on my being at cape Coast Castle in
the year 1750, and intimating the same to the then governor, he
offered me the use of Tantumquery fort to carry on trade therein,
which I accepted; and ordered my gunner to take my goods from the
factory at Lagoe, and lodge them in Tantumquery fort, which he did,
and continued in the same for upwards of three months to carry on
his trade. And Mr. John Clifton, chief of said fort, had orders
to render him every service and good office in his power, without
fee or reward; neither did the said governor receive any benefit,
profit or advantage in any shape or manner, in consideration for my
having the use of the fort aforesaid. To certify which, I set my
hand this 16 Aug. 1751, _&c._”
Extract of a certificate, dated 28 Dec. 1753, from seven masters
of ships, that in the late company’s time traded to the coast of
Africa.
“That the late company’s governor, during the continuance of his
authority and command on the coast of Africa, did every thing
in his power to promote the British interest and trade there:
and from time to time assisted in doing us such service as our
occasions required. In witness whereof we set our hands, _&c. &c._”
We think it unnecessary to trouble the public with any further proofs
relative to the conduct of the late royal African company and their
officers, to shew that they did every thing in their power to promote
the trade of the British subjects in Africa, as we shall reserve them
for a work that is in hand; therefore will only state some facts
regarding the African committee, their governors, and officers by
them appointed to have the command and management on the Gold Coast
and Whydah in Africa, for the public to form their judgment from.
That by an act of parliament, passed in the 23d year of the reign
of his late majesty, the trade to Africa was intended to be made
free and open to all his majesty’s subjects, without distinction or
preference. But contrary to the intentions of the said act, that
trade has been engrossed and monopolized by the officers of the
committee on the Gold Coast and Whydah, by their entering into a
confederacy or joint stock, and intermixing the government supplies
with their own merchandize, and by that means assorted themselves so
as to command said traffic.
Those officers have many other great advantages over free merchants
and traders, such as having a considerable part of their private
merchandize sent to them freight free, their extraordinary influence
over the natives, by the command of the several castles to deposit
their effects in, salaries, maintenance, European servants,
artificers, doctors, castle-slaves, canoe-men, canoes, medicines,
stores and necessaries of all sorts, being under their management and
direction. Besides, the presents to princes, caboceers, and great
men of the countries, being defrayed by the public, together with
the said benefits arising from the government supplies; and many
other advantages which they have taken, whereby they acquired such
a superiority over the free traders, as obliged the merchants of
Bristol and Liverpool to apply by memorial in the year 1753, stating
therein the foregoing facts to the lords commissioners of trade and
plantation for redress, which will appear by said memorial, supported
by the following affidavits.
“Affidavit of William Brown, master of the Bristol, sworn 16 June,
1753, saith, that when he was last in Africa carrying on trade,
was informed by Brew, chief of Tantumquery, and Withers, chief of
Winnebah, that they were engaged in partnership in the slave trade
with Melvil, Young, and the other officers at cape Coast Castle.”
“That Melvil and others told deponent, they expected a ship from
Holland with a Dutch cargo, which ship they had some time before
sent to Jamaica with slaves.”
“That he was in company with Dacres, chief of Accra, who informed
him Young was coming to turn him out of the fort, by reason he
would not enter into partnership with Melvil and Young; that Dacres
declared he should have been glad to have continued his employ, but
rather than be uneasy he would quit it, and soon after did so. That
deponent could not purchase from the chiefs of forts, slaves under
an ounce and half, or two ounces a head more than he gave for those
of equal goodness to the Negro traders, occasioned by the trade
being carried on by the chiefs of the forts.”
“That deponent was informed by the Negroes at Annamaboa, if he
wanted to trade under the forts, he must take canoes and canoe-men;
for the canoe-men under the forts were overawed by the chiefs,
and they durst not assist him in trading; and deponent did so, and
should have been under difficulties if he had not so done; and
deponent found the Negroe traders under said forts, cautious and
fearful of trading with him, lest the chiefs should know thereof,
and sent to deponent in a private manner, when they had slaves to
dispose of.”
“That cape Coast, Tantumquery, Winnebah and Accra were used by
the chiefs as repositories for their market slaves, and saw them
lodged in said castle and forts; that Negroes will bear a high
price as long as the chiefs are permitted to trade in them, which
will destroy the trade with all persons, but the chiefs and those
settled at the forts.”
“Affidavit of James Hamilton, chief mate of the Polly of Bristol,
sworn the same day as above. Swears to the same purport and effect
as above set forth by Brown, in regard to the chiefs copartnership
conversation with Dacres, and his being displaced, and the high
price of slaves, and the reasons, _&c._ And then saith, that
during his voyage, he hired a factory at Lagoe, and endeavoured to
purchase slaves; on which Brew sent Negro traders and goods thither
to oppose deponent; and Brew told deponent, it was impossible for
him to trade to same advantage as Brew could, as he had so good
assortment of goods; that if deponent gave eight ounces a head
for slaves[19], Brew would give eight and half; and to intimidate
deponent, declared he would send the servants of the forts up the
paths, and prevent the trade coming down, and accordingly did send
them with liquor, and carried the traders to his own fort. That
Brew refused to sell deponent slaves; and his reason was, Melvil
had wrote him not to sell, as he could get a better price at cape
Coast. That Young at Winnebah refused deponent slaves at ten ounces
per head, unless deponent would give him the very best of his
cargo, which would have unsorted him.”
“That Young refused him water for fifteen slaves, and deponent was
obliged to give the natives fifteen shillings for forty gallons.
That he went on shore with his gold taker at Succondee to trade,
carried some checks with him: that Hippesly, the chief there, took
the gold taker on one side, whispered him, and threatened to whip
him if he ever saw him bring goods there to trade with the natives.”
“That the natives and canoe-men at all the forts were fearful of
trading with deponent, and declared they were afraid of being seen
by the chiefs; that the forts were used as repositories for slaves,
and that the trade will be hurt by the chiefs trading, as set forth
by Brown.”
“Affidavit of Alexander Graham, master of the Fly, sworn the same
day, saith, that when he and Jenkins, commander of the Silvia,
were trading at Annamaboa, they at first bought slaves at five
ounces and half, and from thence to seven and a half per head, and
went on in a good way. On a sudden found a stagnation, enquired
the occasion, and were informed the prices were raised at the
neighbouring forts; and this deponent was obliged to give an
advanced price; that if the chiefs trade, the prices will be high,
and the trade hurt.”
On the foregoing affidavits, and other allegations and facts, “the
merchants of Bristol and Liverpool presented a memorial to the lords
of trade, setting forth among other things,
“That an act was passed in the year 1750, for making the trade to
Africa free and open, for which end the management of the forts and
affairs were trusted to the care of nine persons, a committee, as
there set forth; that the said committee had the power of appointing
officers and servants for managing their affairs in Africa, and
discharging them at pleasure for not obeying their orders, or other
misdemeanors; and they were to take care that the orders given their
servants did not extend to public detriment, or the hurt of the free
traders.”
“That officers were appointed, and leave given to trade (but not
with foreigners, except Portuguese, for gold and tobacco) so that
they became the regulators of the market. The committee, by the act,
are annually to lay before the general meeting of the company of the
chambers of London, all resolutions, orders and instructions given
their servants previous to such meeting, and copies to be sent to
Bristol and Liverpool; but they have not so done.”
“That the committee’s chief agents, instead of regarding the interest
of their constituents, have acted opposite thereto, as soon as in
power. Instead of assisting the free trader, they entered into a
joint stock copartnership, and attempted a monopoly more formidable
than any could have been at home, as they were on the spot, and had
the whole power.”
“That the merchants of Bristol had advice of the chief proceedings
from their commanders, which on their return they found too true; and
that by the attempts of the chiefs to engross the trade, the prices
of slaves were raised much higher than ever known. Also that the
commanders were denied what strangers were always before assisted
with, _viz._ canoes, canoe-men, wood, water, _&c._”
“That a memorial was laid before the committee for their relief, but,
to their great surprize, they found their complaints were treated as
groundless surmizes, and unjust aspersions of the character of their
officers, arising only from personal prejudice and party interest; a
second and several repeated applications were made, and the committee
at last informed the managers, that they had referred the matter to
the lords of trade.” Accordingly their lordships heard the matters in
dispute between the merchants of Bristol and Liverpool, and that of
the committee.
“And were of opinion, that the officers and servants employed by
the committee, ought not to be allowed to trade for Negroe-slaves
further than the amount of the salaries allowed them by the
committee; and that such slaves should be disposed of for ivory,
gold, bills of exchange, or other proper returns to England only.”
The committee paid no regard to their lordships opinion, consequently
we conjecture, no regulation or orders has since been given by them
to their servants; or if there has, the execution of such orders have
not been enforced; for it is a truth which cannot be contradicted,
that governor Melvil to his death, and the other officers of the
committee, during his command, carried on the Negroe trade, and
sent them from Africa to America for their own accounts, without
the least reserve or restraint; also that governor Senior, and the
officers under his command, did the same; and that governor Bell,
who commanded at cape Coast Castle, when the last advice came from
thence, did carry on a trade for Negroes, and continues to send the
Negroes so purchased, to America, in the same manner his predecessors
had done; which the gentlemen of the African committee must know was,
and is the practice; and also that it is most certainly contrary
to the true _spirit_, _meaning_ and _intention_ of the _act_ of
_parliament_, passed in the 23d year of his late _majesty’s reign_,
for _extending_ and _improving_ the _trade_ to _Africa_ (by which
the African company was established) and the opinion of the lords of
trade and plantation; for the legislative power could mean no other
than to put all his majesty’s subjects upon an equal footing.
But lest the gentlemen of the African committee’s memories should
fail, we will remind them of some things that surely could not have
happened without their knowledge; (to wit) the committee appointed
Mr. _Richard Brew_ in the year 1761, to the command of _Annamaboa_
fortress; although at the same time they could not but know that
he had fitted out the Brew, a large ship at Liverpool, and another
in the river Thames; the former with a large cargo for Africa; the
latter went to Holland for Dutch merchandize, to compleat her cargo,
to the manifest disadvantage of this country, because it prevents so
much of our manufactures and East India goods being exported; and
the _Dutch brandy_ and _Geneva_ interfere with the exportation of
_British spirits_, besides being of great disadvantage to the rum
trade from the _British colonies_ to _Africa_. Said ship returned
from Holland, and arrived at Portsmouth in or about the month of
July 1761, where Mr. Brew went on board; and also Messrs. Westgate
and Flemming, who had been in the committee’s service upon the coast
of Africa: but, as we have been informed, they are now gone out in
partnership with said Brew. We have also been informed, that the
cargoes of the said ships were landed in Africa, and deposited in the
fort of Annamaboa; and that Negroes were purchased with said cargoes,
and sent from thence to Jamaica for the account of Mr. Brew, and
those concerned with him.
It is also as true that Mr. Samuel Smith, merchant, in the Old Jury
in London, one of the committee of the company of merchants trading
to Africa, was the acting agent for Messrs. Brew, Westgate and
Flemming, during their residence in Africa; that he received their
consignments from thence, and acted for them by commission after
their arrival in England; likewise during their stay there, and since
their arrival in Africa; and also that Mr. Smith lately fitted in the
river Thames a large ship with a great cargo: and we have reason to
believe from good authority, that said ship and cargo was fitted out
for the account of Mr. Brew, and others concerned with him; which
ship is now on a voyage to Annamaboa; but whether any of the African
committee are concerned or interested in said ship, besides Mr.
Smith, we cannot take upon us to say.
We conjecture it never was intended by those gentlemen who prepared
the act of parliament, which appointed there should be a committee
of nine persons, who were to have the care of the forts in Africa,
with the charge and application of the monies granted by parliament
for their support, that any one of those persons should supply
merchandize to be paid for with the public money under their care
and management. However, such has been the case, as appears by
the committee’s accounts laid before parliament. The following is
an abstract of their last account for the year 1761, so far as it
relates to any of the committee-men furnishing merchandize; by that
our readers may form a judgment on their other annual accounts, they
being nearly the same as to the amount of what the African committee
supplied the public with. Abstract of the beforementioned account as
follows:
Messrs. Touchett and company _l._ _s._ _d._
for Manchester goods 1774 14 9
Smith and company for Irish linen
and provisions 796 12 11
Aufere and company for East
India goods 349 1 6
Cust and company for ditto ditto 250 2 6
Mr. William Boden for tobacco 39 0 6
----------------
3209 12 2
----------------
The following are clauses of the act of parliament that provides for
the election of the African committee.
“Page 550. And it is hereby further enacted, by the authority
aforesaid, that in all future elections, the said committee of nine
persons shall annually, on the third day of July in every year, be
nominated and chosen as follows; that is to say, three of the said
committee shall be nominated and chosen by the major part of the
freemen of the said company, admitted to the freedom of the said
company in London, who shall assemble for that purpose at London;
three other persons to be of the said committee, shall be chosen
and nominated by the major part of the freemen of the said company,
admitted to the freedom of the said company in Bristol, who shall
assemble for that purpose at Bristol; and three other persons to be
of the said committee, shall be chosen and nominated by the major
part of the freemen of the said company, admitted to the freedom
of the said company in the town of Liverpool, who shall assemble
for that purpose at Liverpool.”
“Page 554. And be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid,
that no person shall be capable of being chosen, or acting as a
committee-man above three years successively.”
By the foregoing clauses it was most certainly intended that the
election for committee-men should be free and uninfluenced, but that
has not happened; for there was great interest made by those who
were chosen committee-men the first year after the act passed, for
establishing _the company of merchants trading to Africa_. After
which, the several tradesmen employed by the African committee in
London, and by their friends in Bristol and Liverpool, took up their
freedom of the new company, in order to vote for committee-men; so
that, at the expiration of the first year, when the committee-men
that had been chosen for _London_, _Bristol_ and _Liverpool_ for
the preceding year, could act no longer, then, or at the expiration
of the three years (which we cannot now take upon us to say) three
new committee-men were chosen instead of three that went out, which
nine committee-men so chosen, continued to act for three years,
when the three other were again elected; by which means there are
twelve persons who take it by rotation alternatively, to be of the
committee or not, as they agree among themselves; on which account it
is a folly for any person, not being one of the twelve, to attempt
getting elected a committee-man for either _London_, _Bristol_,
or _Liverpool_; there having been as great interest made against
such persons who have offered themselves, as hath happened on some
occasions preceding the election of a member of parliament; therefore
we have the greatest reason to believe, there is not any person who
will again attempt to stand a candidate in opposition to one of the
twelve persons who have had the direction and management so long, of
which number those gentlemen are, we have mentioned in the account of
the merchandize supplied by the committee-men, page 51.
The several articles of merchandize purchased in Holland, are paid
for in money, or bills of exchange, which is very disadvantageous
to this country; and such goods may serve to make an assortment
with those paid for by the government, and sent to Africa for the
support of the forts there; which has been proved to have been the
case before, consequently may be so again. That fact being admitted,
and indeed it would be folly to think otherwise; what chance can
any private traders have, when the committee’s servants have such a
glaring emolument, besides so many other advantages over them? Were
there any reason to ground the least supposition, that all things
in Africa are carried on upon the square, and no methods practiced
by the officers that command the several forts to monopolize the
trade; can any one think even in such case, that private merchants,
or matters of ships, who are obliged to pay _customs_, _house_ and
_warehouse rents_, _servants_, and all sorts of other contingent
expences, can possibly carry on a trade in any degree of equality
with those persons, who are, as hath been before observed, exonerated
from every article of expence?