The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1858-05-14
IMPORTATION OE AFRICAN Me-
GROES.

uhOESO.
The Augusta (Ga.) COnstitutionalist says:
We invite the attention OF our readers TO the
communication under the above caption
which we publish in another column. The
writer of that communication was sent as O
missionary to Africa, in lS4e, by the Baptist
Church South, remained there six years, and
during the time travelled extensively over the
continent. We mention these facts, that his
opinions upon the subject discussed may
receive the consideration TO which they are
entitled.
IMPORTATION OF AFRICAN NEGROES.
Mr.. Editor: The Daily Constitonaist, oil
the 10th ut., contains a communication on
this subject, which think is worthy of some
further notice. If apprentices could be intro.
duced from Africa on the just and merciful
terms suggested by "Senex,"it it would GER
tainly be a blessing to them and their coun-
try. Possibly the final result Of the measure
might be beneficial to us also. But there is
one objection to the importation OF such ap-
prentices, which seems to me insuperable.-
The Africans generally have a deep aversion
to emigration from !heir native county,
Slaves are the only apprentices to be obtained
in Africa, and destructive wars are the only
means by which the African chiefs can obtain
slaves to supply the demand for emgrants.-
The opening of the French traffic in appren-
tees Immediately reproduced the slave.catch-
ing wars, which had almost ceased in every
part of western Africa. II the southern States
should adopt the French policy, this evil
would of course be augmented.
Having resided and. travelled in different
countries of western Africa for six years,
can testify, what no one can deny, that the
battles aud sieges which supply Europeans
with slaves, or apprentices, destroy from two
to four persons for every laborer who reaches
the plantations in America. In one journey
of sixty miles, viz: from Badagry 20 Afbeo-
kuta, counted the sites of no less than egh-
teen towns and villages which had been laid
in ruins to supply slaves for the markets of
Brazil and Cuba. found similar desoations
in every country which visited; or the wa
ters of the st. Paul's river, hundred miles
interior from Monrova, on the slave coast
generally, and on the waters of the Niger
On the Sd OF March, 1851, witnessed bat
tie between the slave catching army of Daho-
mey, and the Egba people, in which the form
er were defeated, and lett twelve hundred
and nine of their number dead on the field.
The carnage was probably equally as great
on the following day, in running fight of
hfteen miles, ana subsequent close cohllicl
of two hours.
Were it really certain that the Importation
of Africans would promote the virtue, indus
try, and best interests OF Georgia, sui, as
civilized men, aud as Christians, we must ieel
a great repugnance to the obtaining OF ap--
prentices by means of battles, sleges, and
conflagrations in Africa. u the free natives
OF the country were willing to emlgrate,
which they are not, the case woulo ue very
different.
My candid opinion is, that apart from slave
catching wars, the barbar'ans OF africa are
less addicted To war lhan othef O.foaliahs are
or generally nave Oeeh, "hether iu Asi,' Gu-
rope or America. ii we except le" hsher-
men along the coast, tne hirlc"ns are aIl
farmers, even IN the ruoesl countries, a., nuu
hence are naturally dispOseu % peace Inc
whites OF Europe and America ana tne nu-
Iatto Puohs, or Felatnhs' are respons'ole @ tor
most OF the wars which have SO greaty anllc''
| W W. ~ " =,
was formerly more quiet and popuious 'nah
1t now is, may justly be lnferreo from the
iact That most OF the RUNS aO0Ve meuuoheu
are comparatively modern. There has uDce'
nlabIv been prodlglous waste OF lie wllhln
few generations.
The commerce OF western Africa Is now
worth more than thirty millions per annum.
II the civilized nations OF Europe ana hmenl-
ca would refuse to depopuIate that extensive
and fertile country, and would endeavor 10
promote peace and civilization among the
people, the varied productions OF Africa
woulu eventually become granu iteh III 'he
commerce OF the world. That the people are
market, is well known to every one who has
been acquainted with the country since the
partial suPpiess'"h Vi '"e sl"Ve t'aus' ~
beon brnn"ht into cnit;votion and saveraI
whole tribes have made decided advances to-
ward civilization. But the unfortunate policy
oi france mas again aroused the demon OF
WA %, rL "" SU 81 inroaon, ] "1 hon mv ,n,nod ,b;,
attention from agriculture to kidnappinp.-
These facts are not only asserted by me, but
have been recently published again and
again, both in England so America, in the
letters of Missionaries and merchants resid-
ing in Africa.
In conclusion, earnestly hope that the
people of America will not consent to spread
fire and sword throughout Guinea and Sudan
| for the soke of present ADVANTAGE The true