Page:Abstract of the evidence for the abolition of the slave-trade 1791.djvu/48

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CHAP. II.

Europeans, by means of the Trade in Slaves, the occasion of these Enormities. — Sometimes use additional Means to excite the Natives to practise them. — Often attempt themselves to steal the Natives, and succeed. — Force Trade as they please, and are guilty of Injustice in their Dealings.

Europeans, by Means of the Trade in Slaves, the Occasion of these Enormities.

The Moors (says Mr. Keirnan) have always a strong inducement to go to war with the negroes, most of the European goods they obtain, being got in exchange for slaves. Hence desolation and waste.

Mr. Town observes, that the intercourse of the Africans with the Europeans, has improved them in roguery, to plunder and steal, and pick up one another to sell.

Dr. Trotter asking a black trader, what they made of their slaves when the French and English were at war, was answered, that when ships ceased to come, slaves ceased to be taken.

Mr. Isaac Parker says, that the king of Old Calabar was certainly not at war with the people up that river, nor had they made any attack on him. It happened that slaves were very slack in the back country at this time, and were wanted when he went on the expeditions, described in a former page (p. 16)

Sometimes use additional Means to excite the Natives to practise them.

Mr. Wadstrom says, that king Barbesin, while he, Mr. Wadstrom, was at Joal, was unwilling to pillage his subjects, but he was excited to it by means of a constant intoxication, kept up by the French and Mulattoes of the embassy, who generally agreed every morning on takingthis