the zealous
advocate of the radical abolition of the slavery of the human kind. The
motives by which I am actuated are, a philanthropic feeling for my species,
Christian principles, humanity, and justice: however I may differ, in the
means I shall propose, from many truly benevolent characters, yet I trust
that they will do me the justice to consider that my intentions are
congenial with theirs in the cause of humanity.
I shall confine myself to a digested summary of actual observations on the
trade, laws, customs, and manners of the people I have had occasion to
visit; nor shall I attempt to enter into a minute detail on subjects
already ably delineated to British merchants, and with which they are
intimately conversant; but I shall treat of those branches of commerce
which have been hitherto confined to local knowledge, and not generally
known; submitting to the superior powers of the legislature, the
incalculable advantages to be derived by their interference to promote the
agricultural and commercial establishments upon the maritime districts of
Africa, as the only appropriate measure to attain a facility of intercourse
with the interior, and to enlarge the circle of civilised society.
If my endeavours tend to increase the commerce of my country, and
eventually to emancipate the African, my design will be accomplished, and
my fondest hopes will be gratified.
In pursuance of my plan, I shall first detail the present number of slaves,
and dead cargo, annually exported, upon an average, from the Windward Coast
of Africa, &c. from the information acquired from the traders of most
intelligence in respective rivers, and from my own observation.
| | | | | | | |Amount
| | | | | | | |Sterling
| NAMES OF PLACES |A |B |C |D |E |F | L
|---------------------|-------|----|----|------|----|----|---------
|River Gambia, and | | | | | | |
|Island of Goree . . .| 2,000 | 15 |-- |-- |150 |-- | 60,250
|Rio Noonez. . . . . .| 600 | 20 |-- |-- |-- |-- | 19,000
|Rio Pongo . . . . . .| 2,000 | 30 |60 |-- |-- |-- | 52,000
|River Sierra Leone, | | | | | | |
|adjacent Rivers, | | | | | | |
|and Isles de Loss, | 3,200 | 15 |200 |800 |-- |-- | 82,250
|inclusive . . . . . .| | | | | | |
|River Sherbro .
|