gaged.[49]

22. ~General Character of these Restrictions.~ Enough has already been
said to show, in the main, the character of the opposition to the
slave-trade in New England. The system of slavery had, on this soil and
amid these surroundings, no economic justification, and the small number
of Negroes here furnished no political arguments against them. The
opposition to the importation was therefore from the first based solely
on moral grounds, with some social arguments. As to the carrying trade,
however, the case was different. Here, too, a feeble moral opposition
was early aroused, but it was swept away by the immense economic
advantages of the slave traffic to a thrifty seafaring community of
traders. This trade no moral suasion, not even the strong "Liberty" cry
of the Revolution, was able wholly to suppress, until the closing of the
West Indian and Southern markets cut off the demand for slaves.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Cf. Weeden, _Economic and Social History of New England_,
II. 449-72; G.H. Moore, _Slavery in Massachusetts_; Charles
Deane, _Connection of Massachusetts with Slavery_.

[2] Cf. _American Historical Record_, I. 311, 338.

[3] Cf. W.C. Fowler, _Local Law in Massachusetts and
Connecticut_, etc., pp. 122-6.

[4] _Ibid._, p. 124.

[5] Deane, _Letters and Documents relating to Slavery in
Massachusetts_, in _Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll._, 5th Ser., III.
392.

[6] _Ibid._, III. 382.

[7] Weeden, _Economic and Social History of New England_, II.
454.

[8] A typical voyage is that of the brigantine "Sanderson" of
Newport. She was fitted out in March, 1752, and carried,
beside the captain, two mates and six men, and a cargo of
8,220 gallons of rum, together with "African" iron, flour,
pots, tar, sugar, and provisions, shackles, shirts, and water.
Proceeding to Africa, the captain after some difficulty sold
his cargo for slaves, and in April, 1753, he is expected in
Barbadoes, as the consignees write. They also state that
slaves are selling at L33 to L56 per head in lots. After a
stormy and dangerous voyage, Captain Lindsay arrived, June 17,
1753, with fifty-six slaves, "all in helth & fatt." He also
had 40 oz. of gold dust, and 8 or 9 cwt. of pepper. The net
proceeds of the sale of all this was L1,324 3_d._ The captain
then took on board 55 hhd. of molasses and 3 hhd. 27 bbl