With warm sentiments of respect,
Your most obedient,
Humble servant,
_J. F. STANFIELD_.
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PREFACE.
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It may not be improper to observe, that this Poem was originally
offered, as an humble mite from the author, towards the contributions,
then collecting, for the purpose of effecting the Abolition of the
Slave-Trade. It was, however, thought, that, as a witness of the
enormities of that Traffic, his personal evidence might be of more use
to the cause than could be produced by any work of imagination: he,
therefore, twice attended in that capacity.
The substance of the “Observations” was intended to be attached to the
Poem, as a set of proofs and explanations. But it was decided by those
who had given their time and talents to the subject, that the prose
account, substantiated by an affidavit, should precede the verses. When,
therefore, at a subsequent period, the Poem was about to be published,
wanting the aid of the explanatory prose, it was thought proper by the
friends, whose kindness in the absence of the author, looked over the
publication and its corrections, to bring the work down, in some measure
to the level of plain, prosaic comprehension. In the present edition,
something has been done to bring the verses nearer to the first
intention.
It may be right to add, that, instead of changing the form of the
“Letters” it was suggested as best to leave them in their original
state, _as a faithful picture of what was once the practice of the
Trade_. And, in the hope, that this may be the last local and temporary
representation of the horrors of the abominable Traffic, the writer
cannot resist the opportunity of saying, that he feels more gratifying
and solid satisfaction than he has ever before experienced, or, perhaps,
than ever can again occur to him.