this base and unchristian-like Commerce are numerous, some of which may
be comprehended under the following. 1st. The abolishing this Trade may
be a means of peopling this country, and of cultivating it in the same
manner with any other country in _Europe_ or _Asia_, so as to render it
capable of bearing in as great abundance as the _East-Indies_, spices
of equal quality to those of _Banda_, _Ternate_, and _Amboyna_; I say,
the like spices might be produced on the rich and fruitful shores of
_Melinda_ on the east side, or of the slave coast on the west side of
_Africa_, and that as easy and to as great advantage, as where they
are now raised, the latitude being the same, and soil not unlike;
and, in short, cinnamon and all others, the production of _East_ and
_West-Indies_, by proper management might be raised here as well as
in those parts. 2d. It would introduce the Christian religion among
them, which is a shame to these nations who pretend to hold fast the
principles of Christianity, to keep so long hid, and of consequence, be
a means of bringing among them the more civilized arts and sciences.
3d. It will recommend the _European_ dress, and introduce their customs
among the natives, and of course civilize them like other Christian
nations. Lastly. It will be a means of bringing this country to as
great perfection in trade, riches, and grandeur, as any in _Europe_,
it being a much more fertile and plentious soil for many valuable
productions.
Much more could I say upon the numerous advantages arising to this
excellent country: But let what has been said suffice, I leave the rest
to the Reader’s own feeling, if he has any for this poor distressed
_Africa_ which groans under a heavy load of oppression.
The next thing in course is, the advantages that would arise to
_Europe_ in thus carrying on a Christian-like Commerce with _Africa_.
This trade even in its present state, excluding that of the Slaves, is
as advantageous as any that is now followed; and what will it be when
a friendly traffick is carried on? It is as it were all profit, the
first cost being some things of _European_, particularly of _British_
manufactures, and others generally purchased with them; for which
there is in return, gold, elephant’s-teeth, wax, gums, cotton-wool,
divers dying-woods, and Slaves: But this last piece of Commerce,
_viz._ Man-slaving, I am far from making a part of the _British_
trade, and I dare say every humane person will be likeminded. These
are articles which the country abound in, and would be still cheaper
to an immense degree, were the inland parts settled with their own
people; but instead of that, a hundred thousand are yearly carried
away. _Britain_ pays but little for the commodities it exports to
_Africa_, being mostly, as observed before, its own produce, such as
worsted and cotton cloths of all kinds, brass, iron, and copper work
of every sort, particularly large quantities of all kinds of defensive
arms, with powder and shot in proportion; _East-India_ goods, every
kind of _British_ manufactures, and a good deal of _American_ and
_West-India_ rum, _&c._ It is not easy to say what vast quantities
of the above _British_ and _American_ productions would be exhausted
yearly among so great a people, and in so very extensive a country,
were the Slave Trade stopped. It is the interest of every Merchant
in _Britain_ and the Plantations who are now concerned in traffick
to _Africa_, to cultivate the inland commerce in its utmost extent,
as having no manner of concern with the Slave Trade, there being the
greatest reason to believe, that where they now export twenty shillings
worth of commodities thither, they would then export an hundred pound;
and I am inclined to think when the trade comes to be extended to the
degree it will admit of, notwithstanding those goods that are imported
from _Africa_, there will still be discovered an infinite variety
of trafficable articles, with which the present Traders are totally
unacquainted, and this Trade become the most beneficial to _Britain_,
_America_, and the _West-Indies_, of any that is at present on foot,
as it is common to every individual, and of which the government has
taken much notice, by granting an annual sum of ten thousand pounds
sterling for the maintaining and upholding the forts and castles in the
_British_ Settlements in _Africa_, so that they are entirely defended
against the attacks of any enemy, and their Trade and Colonies secured
by irresistible strength of forts and castles.
A great deal more could be mentioned on the thousands of advantages
that may arise to the interest of _Britain_ and the Plantations in
abolishing this wicked Trade: However, I shall detain my Readers no
longer on this head, but as proposed,
Conclude the whole with some short admonitions to those concerned,
and a method to put this Trade to _Africa_ upon a just and lawful
footing. I advise every Merchant and Ship-master who is in this Trade
of Man-slaving to renounce and give it up. What arguments or reason,
pray, can be advanced for his justification, when he sees such threats
and curses against him, particularly mentioned in the first head? Why
should any person incur the penalties of GOD’s Law so daringly for the
sake of gain? Should they think themselves on a death-bed, what agonies
and troubles of mind must they undergo in the thoughts of enslaving so
many miserable creatures, of murdering so many thousands of innocent
people in the wars they occasion, treacherously taking them out of
their own country, using them barbarously, massacring numbers of them
in all the cruel ways imaginable on the passage, selling them for life,
and depriving them even of a comfortable living, notwithstanding they
serve for nothing else; surely the judgment of GOD must come upon such
men who will thus use their own Brethren who were born to inherit the
same salvation with us, and if his judgment does not come upon them, it
will pursue their children unto the third and fourth generation, until
the riches that have been thus scandalously amassed be squandered away,
and they become as poor as these Negroes themselves, by selling of whom
such unjust gain was made. But this is only one way out of thousands
that GOD chuses to afflict his enemies in this world. And,
Still pursuing, that GOD will be revenged on those that punish
wrongfully such poor Negroes, I shall insert what the above mentioned
Mr. _George Whitefield_ says in a letter to the inhabitants of
_Virginia_, &c. “We have,” says he, “a remarkable instance of GOD’s
taking cognizance of, and avenging the quarrel of poor Slaves, 2
_Sam._ xxi. 1. There was a famine in the days of _David_, three years,
year after year, and _David_ enquired of the LORD, and the LORD
answered, it is for _Saul_, and his bloody house, because he slew
the _Gibeonites_. Two things are here very remarkable, 1st. These
_Gibeonites_ were only hewers of wood and drawers of water; or in
other words, Slaves like yours. 2d. That this plague was sent by GOD
_many years after the injury_ (the cause of the plague) was committed.
And for what end were this and such like examples recorded in holy
Scripture? Without doubt for our learning. For GOD is the same to-day
as he was yesterday, and will continue the same for ever. He does not
reject the prayer of the poor and destitute, nor disregard the cry of
the meanest Negro.” When speaking of the oppression and unchristian
usage these poor Negroes meet with from the Ship-masters in their
passage, and from the Masters they are sold to in the south parts of
_America_ and the _West-Indies_, he adds, “The blood of the Negroes
spilt for these many years in your respective Provinces will rise up to
Heaven against you,” together with that lost in _Africa_, occasioned
by the Traders that go thither. It may not be improper to observe
here, that this plague was sent by GOD on _Saul_ and his bloody house
_many years after the slaughter of the_ Gibeonites; so may these men
reasonably expect, that have occasioned and still continue to be the
cause of spilling so much innocent blood in _Africa_ and the different
Provinces, to have a plague or curse come upon them, _many years after
the perpetrating these wicked deeds_.
I will insert a few questions, for which I am indebted to Mr.
_Postlethwayt_, by way of argument or persuasion to give up this
enslaving of Men to those people who will be ready to defend this
scandalous Trade to _Africa_, and of keeping these people in ignorance,
who are brought into a country where the gospel is preached on all
sides of them.
1st. “Whether the people of this country notwithstanding their colour,
are not capable of being civilized and brought into the Christian
religion, as well as great numbers of the _Indians_ of _America_
and _Asia_ have been; and whether the primitive inhabitants of all
countries so far as we have been able to trace them were not once as
savage and inhuman as the people in _Africa_, and whether the ancient
_Britons_ themselves of our country were not once upon a level with the
_Africans_?
2d. “Whether therefore, there is not a probability that those people
might in time, by proper management in the _Europeans_, become as wise,
as industrious, as humane, and as good Christians, as the people of any
other country?
3d. “Whether their rational faculties are not in general equal to those
of any other of the human species; and whether they are not, from
experience, as capable for mechanical and manufactural arts and trades,
as even the Bulk of the _Europeans_?
4th. “Whether it would not be more to the interest of all the
_European_ Nations concerned in the Trade to _Africa_, rather to
endeavour to cultivate a friendly and humane Commerce with these
people, into the very centure of their extended country, than to
content themselves only with skimming a trifling portion of Trade upon
the Coast of _Africa_?
5th. “Whether the greatest hinderance and obstruction to the
_European_’s cultivating a Christian-like and humane Commerce with
those populous countries has not wholly proceeded from that unjust
Traffick called the Slave Trade, which is carried on by the _Europeans_
_Americans_, _&c._
6th. “Whether this Trade and this only was not the primary cause, and
still continues to be the chief cause of these eternal and incessant
broils, quarrels, and animosities which subsist between the Negro
Princes and Chiefs; and consequently of those endless wars which abide
among them, and which they are induced to carry on in order to make
prisoners of one another for the sake of the Slave Trade?
7th. “Whether, if trade was carried on with them for a series of years,
as it has been with most other savage countries, and the _Europeans_
gave no incouragement whatever to the Slave Trade, those cruel wars
among the Blacks would not cease, and a fair and honourable Commerce in
time take place throughout the whole country?
8th. “Whether the example of the _Dutch_ in the _East-Indies_, who
have civilized innumerable of the natives, and brought them to the
_European_ way of cloathing, _&c._ does not give reasonable hopes that
these suggestions are not visionary, but founded on experience as well
as on humane and Christian principles?
9th. “Whether Commerce in general has not proved the great means of
civilizing all nations, even the most savage and brutal; and why not
the _Africans_?
10th. “Whether the territory of the _European_ nations who are
interested in the Colonies and Plantations in _America_, are not
populous enough, or may be rendered so, by proper encouragement given
to matrimony and the breed of foundling infants, to supply their
respective Colonies with labourers in the place of Negro Slaves? And
Lastly. “Whether the _British_ dominions in general have not an extent
of territory sufficient to increase and multiply their inhabitants;
and whether it is not their own faults that they do not increase them
sufficiently to supply their Colonies and Plantations, with Whites
instead of Blacks?”
I make no doubt, but some persons who are concerned in the Slave Trade
to _Africa_, will attempt making answer to some of these questions: But
I presume there are others of them they will not venture upon, knowing
they are founded upon reason and truth, and I hope will have great
influence on those this Treatise concern.
I would add one necessary query more, to those who hold the sword of
justice, and who must account to God for the use they make of it.
Since the _English_ Law is so truly valuable for its justice, how can
they overlook the barbarous deaths and wrongful Slavery of the unhappy
_Africans_, without trial or proof of being guilty of crimes adequate
to their punishments? Why are those Masters of vessels (who are not
the most considerate of men) suffered to be sovereign arbiters of the
lives of these miserable Negroes in their passage, and allowed with
impunity to destroy, may I not say murder their fellow creatures in
a manner so cruel as can never be related but with shame and horror?
Answer me this, ye pretended Judges and Governors in the different
Colonies where such practices are used, and not be shocked at the
negligence you have sleeped in. Since you are put in remembrance of it
now, I hope and sincerely wish, I, or any other person may not have
occasion to remind you of the same again, but that you will punish
with equity all those who import Negroes; there being hundreds of
poor _Europeans_ that would be glad to come and serve in any of the
_British_ Plantations, and those that could not pay a passage doubtless
would sell part of their time for it; and this I make no doubt,
considering they have not the charge of their funeral and death-bed
expences and sundry other things to pay, will come nigh if not full as
cheap as buying and keeping Negroes; and it will be attended with this
advantage, that these White people when they have served some years in
the lowest capacities turn out upon the waste land, marry, and in a few
years we see a town well settled, and in less than fifty years there
will be an increase of fourfold; by this means the country will fill
up and we become respectable and secure from an enemy, and furnished
with every conveniency of life. And you Governors, _&c._ who have the
legislative power in your hands will still further make Laws and put
them in execution, stopping any further importation of Slaves into the
Provinces or Islands where you are the Representative head, so that in
that time they may furnish themselves with sufficient numbers, and by
proper usage keep up that quantity which so much decrease by improper
management. Now give me leave to proceed
In a method to put this Trade to _Africa_ on a just and lawful
footing. First, in order to this, it is my humble opinion, if I may
be allowed to give it, that there be a number of men who may chuse
to venture in this Trade, both in _Britain_ and the Colonies, that
shall be incorporated into separate bodies by the name of _English_,
or _British_; _American_, or _New-England African_ companies, or by
the denomination of other Provinces in _America_, or Plantations in
the _West-Indies_; and these companies shall equip and rig out as many
vessels as they think proper, loading them with _British America_,
_East_ and _West-India_ goods, and bring back in return, the rich and
plentiful produce of _Africa_. But before I go any further into this
point it must be observed, there is one real hinderance in the way
which must be removed, or else no man or company need ever think of
penetrating into the heart of this country, but just content themselves
with taking the skim of this Trade, leting the body stand, and that is,
the Slave Trade; this must be entirely renounced and given up by the
_Europeans_, particularly by _Britain_ and the Colonies; then we may
with a good face and conscience travel into the heart of _Africa_, and
meet with a friendly and hearty reception from the natives, who will
trade with us, and give in exchange their valuable productions for our
goods which are generally exported thither.
When that great, that only chief obstacle, the Slave Trade is removed,
then _Britain_ and the Colonies will flourish by so great and
profitable a Commerce. Think what a great addition it will make to
their traffick, the furnishing a hundred thousand people annually, more
than are at present with cloathing, powder, shot, and warlike arms,
and many more things needless here to enumerate out of England; rum,
and sundry other articles out of _America_ and the _West-Indies_. It
is supposed that the above extraordinary number of Blacks are taken
out of _Africa_ yearly, and either murdered or made Slaves of, by the
ships that go there out of _Boston_, _&c._ and what advantages may
arise to the inhabitants in peopling, and consequently of cultivating
and manuring their ground, and of bringing their rich trade to the
perfection it is capable of, with _Britain_, _&c._ is hard to say, when
the innermost parts of that great and fruitful country is settled,
and a free and happy trade carried into the heart of it: But thus
far I will venture to say, as I have done already, that where twenty
shillings worth of commodities is at present exported an hundred pound
will be, when a friendly Commerce is carried on with the natives.
These companies may say, that if once this trade is set on foot, other
_European_ powers, who have Settlements in _Africa_ will invade them
whenever they begin to thrive by not having sufficient funds for the
keeping in good defence the forts, &c. on the Settlements. As to this I
answer, that those companies have a sum of ten thousand pounds sterling
annually, from the Crown of _Britain_, for maintaining and upholding
the forts and castles that are built upon the _British_ Colonies, which
with the duties arising from the Trade will be sufficient to maintain,
uphold, and defend them with strength superior to the strongest enemy.
Thus far I hope I have removed your fears of inability in supporting
and continuing this Trade, and likewise have moved ways and means to
put the same on a just and lawful footing. Now let me, patient Reader,
conclude with a short Exhortation to the Ship-masters and Merchants
concerned in this Trade, in part of which I have had recourse again to
my good old Friend Mr. _Benezet_.
I beg you all would fly from the oppression and Bondage to which the
poor _Africans_ are subjected, loose the bonds from off their necks,
and thereby extricate yourselves from a custom which is pernicious
to your welfare here and hereafter; and as you are sensible most men
have objections to this base, unlawful Trade, you ought to vindicate
yourselves to the world, upon principles of reason, honesty, and
humanity, and then you will not attack the persons, or invade the
rights of these people. I believe those who are concerned in this
Trade will be at a loss to make this justification but upon motives
so weak and unreasonable, that I do not think any of them which have
been advanced for their defence worthy of notice; and if they are
undeserving of that, they certainly are below regard; therefore I
think _you should forever lay it aside_. This is the best and shortest
way; for _there should be no trade carried on_, it being a national
and provincial concern, _but such as is justifiable both to_ GOD
_and man_, and this is in direct opposition to both. But laying man’s
resentment aside, which is of little moment in comparison with that of
the Almighty’s, I counsel you once more to think of a future reckoning,
consider what reasons you will be able to produce at the great and last
day. You now accumulate riches and live in pleasure; but what will
you do in the end, and that will be but short? What if you should be
called hence and hurried out of this world under the vast load of blood
guiltiness that is now lying on your souls? How many thousands have you
been the instruments to, and primary cause of being killed in the wars
and broils with the _African_ Chiefs, wanting to obtain your number to
enslave; and how many have you killed in the passage, when these poor
Creatures were trying to retrieve their Liberty which they had in their
own country, and which you unjustly take from them, or rather chusing
to die than take food to nourish and preserve themselves for being
mancipated with their children after them?
It is declared in the most express terms in Scripture, that thieves and
murderers shall not inherit the kingdom of GOD. You who are in this
Trade take warning by that, and if you have any thoughts or Christian
feeling you must certainly renounce it; for that you are thieves and
murderers (I hope after what has been said) will not be disputed; and
you should think that at the same time and by the same means you are
treasuring up worldly riches, you are treasuring up fountains of wrath
against the day of anger and vengeance that shall come upon the workers
of iniquity, unless timely repented of.
What injustice is greater? What offence more heinous? Is there any
carries in it more consummate guilt than that in which you now live?
How can you lift your culpable eyes to Heaven? How can you pray for
mercy, or hope for savour from him that made and formed you, while
you go on thus boldly and publickly dishonouring him, in degrading
and destroying the noblest workmanship of his hands in this sublunary
world? Can you think that GOD will hear your prayers, receive your
supplications, or grant your desires, while you act thus grossly and
openly against his divine revealed will and pleasure? And do you
suppose that he who is the Parent of all nations, the Protector of all
people, and the Father of all men, will not revenge the mal-treatment
of his offspring whom he once so loved as to give his only begotten
Son, _that whosoever believed in him should not perish, but have
everlasting life_? This love of GOD to man, which is disclosed in
Scripture, adds double provocation to your crimes; for if GOD regards
us with so much affection, we ought also to esteem one another.
Permit yourselves for a moment to reflect equitably and deliberately
upon the nature of this horrid, detestable, vile, and abominable Man
Trade, and your hearts must certainly relent, if you have not lost all
sense of benevolence, all sympathy and compassion towards those of your
Brethren who have the same capacities, understandings and souls, and
who were born to inherit the same salvation with you; I say, if you
are not callous to every Christian, humane, and manly sensibility, you
certainly must feel compassion for those extremely oppressed people,
when you think what miseries, what devastations and massacres among
them you have been the author of, and all for filthy lucre’s sake. The
thoughts of this accursed Trade touches my very heart, and finding if
I continue any longer I shall get out of the bounds of decency, must
therefore conclude. And if all you have read should have no weight upon
your hardened hearts, this remains for my consolation that I have done
my duty; and I pray! Fervently pray! That GOD would have mercy on your
sinful souls; and that he of his infinite goodness would grant that you
may be made sensible of your guilt and repent of these your execrable
and really detestable deeds.
_FINIS._
* * * * *
☞ _The Author makes no doubt but the Publick, after reading this
Pamphlet, will readily agree with him, that the words in the Dedication
are verified, “That it was put together with more good intent than
ability,” which he is very sensible of: But at the same time thinks all
criticism and scrutinizing should be laid aside, when they reflect_,
that the will to do good is next in order to the action itself.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] It is supposed eighty thousand Negroes, are upon the Island of
_Barbadoes_, and yet through the hard labour they exact of these
poor creatures, and what of them are killed through their barbarous
chastisements, a decrease is made of five thousand Slaves yearly,
which they are resupplied with from _Africa_; and it may be reasonably
expected, that the children eighty thousand Negroes would have, were
they worked in the same manner with the white people, and did not so
many of them die through hard labour, and from the treatment they
suffer: I say, it may be expected, there would be an increase of ten
thousand at a moderate computation yearly, instead of five thousand
decreasing. One may form an idea from this, of what an additional
supply most of the _West-India_ Islands and Southern Provinces need,
for there is not one of them but what import a considerable number of
Slaves annually, to keep up their common stock.
TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE
Obvious typographical errors and punctuation errors have been
corrected after careful comparison with other occurrences within
the text and consultation of external sources.
Some hyphens in words have been silently removed, some added,
when a predominant preference was found in the original book.
Except for those changes noted below, all misspellings in the text,
and inconsistent or archaic usage, have been retained.