amongst his subjects."[B] Except in the above instance, and some others, where the power of the Negroe Kings is unlawfully exerted over their subjects, the slave-trade is carried on in Guinea with some regard to the laws of the country, which allow of none to be sold, but prisoners taken in their national wars, or people adjudged to slavery in punishment for crimes; but the largeness of the country, the number of kingdoms or commonwealths, and the great encouragement given by the Europeans, afford frequent pretences and opportunities to the bold designing profligates of one kingdom, to surprize and seize upon not only those of a neighbouring government, but also the weak and helpless of their own;[C] and the unhappy people, taken on those occasions, are, with impunity, sold to the Europeans.  These practices are doubtless disapproved of by the most considerate amongst the Negroes, for Bosman acquaints us, that even their national wars are not agreeable to such.  He says,[D] “If the person who occasioned the beginning of the war be taken, they will not easily admit him to ransom, though his weight in gold should be offered, for fear he should in future form some new design against their repose.”

[Footnote A:  Collection vol. 2. p. 29.]

[Footnote B:  Note, This Negroe King thus refusing to comply with the factor’s wicked proposal, shews, he was sensible his own conduct was not justifiable; and it likewise appears, the factor’s only concern was to procure the greatest number of slaves, without any regard to the injustice of the method by which they were procured.  This Andrew Brue, was, for a long time, principal director of the French African factory in those parts; in the management of which, he is in the collection said to have had extraordinary success.  The part he ought to have acted as a christian towards the ignorant Africans seems quite out of the question; the profit of his employers appears to have been his sole concern.  At page 62, speaking of the country on the Senegal river, he says, “It was very populous, the soil rich; and if the people were industrious, they might, of their own produce, carry on a very advantageous trade with strangers; there being but few things in which they could be excelled; but (he adds) it is to be hoped, the Europeans will never let them into the secret.” A remark unbecoming humanity, much more christianity!]

[Footnote C:  This inhuman practice is particularly described by Brue, in collect. vol. 2. page 98, where he says, “That some of the natives are, on all occasions, endeavouring to surprize and carry off their country people.  They land (says he) without noise, and if they find a lone cottage, without defence, they surround it, and carry off all the people and effects to their boat, and immediately reimbark.”  This seems to be mostly practised by some Negroes who dwell on the sea coast.]

[Footnote D:  Bosman, p. 155.]

CHAP.  XI.