rted by land for
Boston, where his owners lived.

"3. That on the 10th of August, the 19th and 28th of
October, in the year 1700, sailed from this port three
vessels, directly for the coast of Africa; the two former
were sloops, the one commanded by Nicho's Hillgroue, the
other by Jacob Bill; the last a ship, commanded by Edwin
Carter, who was part owner of the said three vessels, in
company with Thomas Bruster, and John Bates, merchants, of
Barbadoes, and separate traders from thence to the coast of
Africa; the said three vessels arriving safe to Barbadoes
from the coast of Africa, where they made the disposition of
their negroes.

"4. That we have never had any vessels from the coast of
Africa to this colony, nor any trade there, the brigantine
above mentioned, excepted.

"5. That the whole and only supply of negroes to this
colony, is from the island of Barbadoes; from whence is
imported one year with another, betwixt twenty and thirty;
and if those arrive well and sound, the general price is
from L30 to L40 per head.

"According to your Lordships' desire, we have advised with
the chiefest of our planters, and find but small
encouragement for that trade to this colony; since by the
best computation we can make, there would not be disposed in
this colony above twenty or thirty at the most, annually,
the reasons of which are chiefly to be attributed to the
general dislike our planters have for them, by reason of
then turbulent and unruly tempers.

"And that most of our planters that are able and willing to
purchase any of them, are supplied by the offspring of those
they have already, which increase daily; and that the
inclination of our people in general, is to employ white
servants before Negroes.

"Thus we have given our Lordships a true and faithful
account of what hath occurred, relating to the trade of
Africa from this colony; and if, for the future, our trade
should be extended to those parts, we shall not fail
transmitting accounts thereof according to your Lordships'
orders, and that at all times, be ready to show ourselves,

"Your Lordships' obedient servant,
"SAMUEL CRANSTON, _Governor_.

"NEWPORT, ON RHODE ISLAND, December 5, 1708."[458]

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