this quarter. We ſhould be glad to enter into a contract, if the terms would anſwer, with any good factor for rum, &c. If any ſuch would write us upon the ſubject, and encloſe a memorandum with the prices annexed, ſuch letters and memorandums ſhall be duly attended to. We are in want of about five hundred weight of camwood, and one large elephant's tooth of about 80 lbs., which you will obtain. If ſmall teeth can be bought from 15 to 30 lbs., ſo as to fell here without a loſs, at three ſhillings, you may purchaſe 200 lbs. Should you meet with any curioſities on the coaſt, of a ſmall value, you may expend 40 or 50 gallons of rum for them. Upon your return you will touch at St. Pierre's, Martinico, and call on Mr. John Mounreau for your further adviſe and deſtination. We ſubmit the conducting of the voyage to your good judgment and prudent management, not doubting of your beſt endeavours to ſerve our intereſt in all caſes; and conclude with committing you to the almighty Diſpoſer of all events.
"We with you health and proſperity,
"And are your friends and owners."
The ſlaves purchaſed in Africa were chiefly ſold in the Weſt Indies, or in the Southern colonies; but when theſe markets were glutted, and the price low, ſome of them were brought to Maſſachuſetts. The ſtatiftics of the trade are ſomewhat scattered, and it is difficult to bring them together, but enough is known to bring the ſubject home to us. In 1795, one informant of Dr. Belknap could remember two or three entire cargoes, and the Doctor himſelf remembered one ſomewhere between 1755 and 1765 which conſiſted almoſt wholly of children. Sometimes the veſſels of the neighboring colony of Rhode Iſland, after having ſold their prime ſlaves in the Weſt Indies, brought the remnants of their cargoes to Boſton for ſale. Coll. M. H. S., i., iv., 197.
The records of the ſlave-trade and ſlavery everywhere are the ſame—the fame diſregard of human
