Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1817-11-18


TO their being naturally more induftrious
and fond of agriculture.
There are now no Englilh fettlcmens
70 the leward of 4ccra.. nor had | any
communication with the fhorc.
Several Spanifh armed vehels have late-
ly appeared on the coat engaged in the
Slave Trade they generally carry from
IA 20 20 guns, and about 50 men, and
come out with determination TO fight
any vehel they have a chance with.
Theie vcflels have committed feveral acts
Of piracy, The Paz. of IA guns, was
taken by the Colonial brig fhort time
lince, with the matter and mate of an
Englifh merchantmen on board, which
they had taken fomc days previous.
The Spaniards have taken off upwards
of 1900 laves between Cape St. Ann
and Cape Mount, within the Taft four
months and am of opinion that the
Slave Trade was never carried on with
fuch fyitem and defpatch as at this ,nos
menr and if fome active meafures are
NOT taken, it will increale next year ten
fold. Should his Majeay's Government
determine to tupprels this vile traffic, it
cannot be done with lchooners or dull
falling ships; for the Spaniards are not
only completely equipped, and fail fat,
but are generally commanded by active
and enterprihng men, either French or
Americans. They are feldom TO be found
at anchor on the coat Their general
plan is TO make the land near where they
intend to purchase their naves if the
coat is clear. they Immediately land
their cargo and fuPercargo and ftand out
20 Tea until they conider ths. naves are
ready they then lfand in as before, and
| if the Ggnsl agreed on is given, take on
board the cargo, and are off in a few
hours. Ill their wafer and Provilions, e.
ing complete before they arrive on the
coat.
they confider their capture, if met
with, as certain which appears to me
very extraordinary, as they mutt know
that our government have not if1ued any
orders againf them, if really Spaniards.
| am, therefore,. strongly led TO believe.
that the principal part of their trade in
flayes is carried on with che finds. and
for the benefit of the subjects of other
powers who have abolilhed it.
lhould enter more at large on the
fubje6f of the Spanifh; Slave fchooners,
but am aware that the Chief Iultice at
oierra Leone has tranfmitted to my Lord
Bathurit detailed account of the nume-
rous vetiels that have been. and are now
expected on the coat with full fate
mept OF the many ATROCITIES they have
been guilty of.
i Having now, Sir. eddeavourcd to give
! you for the information of their Lord
| fhips, as correct and fair view of our
| settlements in Africa as my fhort fay in
that country would enable me 10 make, /
beg leave to offer my opinions as TO the
means bet calculated to improve the
condition and, at the fame time, open an
IeStenhye and profitable trade TO this couu-
try. T
A The continuance of the trade appears
TO me to be the principal, ifnot the fole
caufe of the prefent Neglected and barbs-
rous fate of 1ffrica
4 Allthe Kings and Chiefs have for yeats
/ maintained their power, dignity, and
!, riches by this traffic and as long as any
nation is allowed 20 carryit on, they will
/ not give up commerce 10 eafy and Luz
cratiyc to purfue that of trade and agri-
culture, which is not only precarious and
] ATTENDED VITA much labour, and diff
i Guilty, but il Is as yet what they neithes
/ like or underltand.
| The .hrf fep therefore. towards civili-
\ cation as | have before obferved, will be
TO abolfh the fave trade entirely bats
at the fame time 10 open other fources by
which the leading men may derive the
fame. advantages and emolaments which
they have hitherto done by this vile trade.
1T preient they are decidedly againff you,
nor is it matter Of furprile that they are
so, for although the abolition Aet is IL
our opioioD very jult and humal poll.
cY, II is confidered by the natives as a
rulnous one TO them.