Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1844-06-08
IIistory OK che Slave Trade.


# Lord Aberdeen, the British Secretary Of
State for foreign affairs From it we derive the
following information.
The African slave trade owes it's origin TO the
Portuguese. In lii2 an expedition was fitted
out by Prince Henry, third son Of John the lst,
Of Portugal, and placed under the command Of
Gonzales Baldesa, and this officer brought home
ten negro slaves, the first ever seen in western
Europe.
Two years afterwards, an association was for.
med for the purpose Of obtaining slaves, and
these were cold not only in Portugal, but other
countries. After the discovery of the West In
dice, the trade increased rapidly. In 1907, fif.
teen years after the discovery of Hsyti, the ma.
tives were victims of the most horrible outrages,
and it is said that even the good Las Casas, in
order 10 save the remnants Of the wrctched Ca
1bs, who resisted the attempts to ensave them
swell as they were able, proposed that the
African race should be substituted US the OBJ.
iActs Of this inhuman traffic.
In 1917, Charles V. issued patent author-
sing it, but subsequently,, in 1912 under the
chidlngS Of conscience, revoked the authority
granted to the traders, and emnnc pated the
slaves made under the grant. His successor
did not "tread in his footsteps" but allowed the
trade to be continued. The English did not at
ths time compete in the business with the Span
ards or Portuguese, who seem to have ruled the
American and African seas. One exception is
recorded, that Of Sir John Hawkins, who, in
1862, captured three hundred slaves on the
Coast of Guinea, and sold them in Flayti to the
3panards. As the English marine rose in
strength and increased in numbers, its adven-
;arous captains found their profit in making in
cursions into South America and sacking the
Spanish towns. In 1883, Queen Elizabeth, who
= said to have been offended at the conduct of
Sir John Hawkins chartered an Anglo-Afri-
AN Commercial Company, and in 1880 ano-
.aer under the auspices of Charles l., went in
IA the traffic upon large scale with regular
system. As the English began to settle their
American Colonies salyes were carried there
~ great numbers.
In 17l3, by the famous arrangement called
the Assientio Contract, the carrying trade to
South America was placed in the hands Of an
English Mercantile Assoc iaton, and from this
Tine the sale fsaves became an important j.
tenn III English commerce. Previous to the A
merican Revolution, there were $4,000 slaves
IN the Angle glo-American Colonies and the whole
annual importation under the British flag a..
mounted to 10000 souls. Among the earliest
opponents to the traffic was Richard Baxter, a
man whose memory and works are highly val.
ned by many religious communities of the pre-
'ent day. Public opinion began to mature on
the subject throughout the eighteenth century,
aud many eminent writer's took ground against
me continuance Of the truth. 1t seems howe.
yer that the feeling OF the conscientious had
not been fully enlisted against it, and John
Newton who afterwards became so conspicu-
Gus for his pie.y, did not hesitate even while a
professional Christian, to make several Guinea
voyages, without having his serenity OF mind in
The least impaired by his undertaking.
In 1872 the principle Of slavery received it.
death blow in England by the decision of Lore
Mansfield in the case Of the negro Somerset
one which shines forth among the decisions o
the Kings Bench is familiar to lawyers, ant
ia Oh the lips of the benevolent throughout th'
world. The Press took up the principle thel
established, and the Poets in the iervor of thei
enthusiasm. declared
"Slaves cannot breathe in England"
The first time the question was agitated il
Parliament it was by the celebrated Mr.. Hart
ley, member for Hull, in l778. Although h
failed in carrying his resolutions against th
s,sntly agitated. In 1857 private committe
was formed for procuring its abolition, and VIII
berforce and Clarkson we're two of its most &C
tive and conspicuous members Burke, Foa
Pitt and Grenvile yielded to the force of thei
arguments aud influence, u large number
Peers went with them, and the Clergy and [
Universities added their powerful support.
On .he llth OF July, l7es, bill was passe
regulating the trade 50 long as it existed, ar
limiting the number Of negroes in cargo"
proportion to the tonnage OF the vessel.
1901, Mr.. Wllberiorce's bill to prevent the il
portation ofsiayes into the West Indies, after
long effort on his part 10 carry it. was throw
out, For sixteen years the struggle continue
During this period Denmark and the Unit
States prohibited the traffic. The former cou
try passed tho necessary laws in 1902, and ca
gress did 80 in 1904.
II was during the administration Of Mr.. F