The Heritage of The South / A History of the Introduction of Slavery; Its Establishment From Colonial Times and Final Effect Upon the Politics of the United States

A HISTORY OF THE INTRODUCTION OF SLAVERY ITS ESTABLISHMENT FROM COLONIAL TIMES AND FINAL EFFECT UPON THE POLITICS OF THE UNITED STATES
By
MEMBER OF THE VIRGINIA CONVENTION OF 1861

Copyright 1915 By R. H. EARLY
PRESS OF BROWN-MORRISON CO LYNCHBURG, VA.

A review is given, in the pages following, of the causes which led to the political issue of the '60s; an issue which will be open to argument until, in all of its bearings, it becomes understood through familiarity with the conditions of the past. Sentiment divorced from reason occasioned misconception. Many causes contributed to that effect. The lack of authentic records doubtless was one; certainly ill-advised publications inflamed, if they did not inspire, public opinion at this critical period.
The author was actuated by the desire to correct erroneous opinion in relation to the South. His manuscript has lain unpublished during the passing of half a century, till passion having cooled and prejudice abated, there is no longer reason for clash from difference of feeling upon the subject.
The African slave trade began in the year 1442, when Anthony Gonsalez, a Portuguese, took from the Gold Coast, ten negroes, which he carried to Lisbon. In 1481, the Portuguese built a fort on the Gold Coast, and as early as 1502, the Spaniards began to employ negroes in the mines of Hispaniola. In 1517, Charles V, Emperor of Spain, granted a patent to certain persons, for the supply of 4,000 negroes, annually, to the islands of Hispaniola, Cuba, Jamaica and Porto Rico. John Hawkins, afterwards knighted by Queen Elizabeth, got into his possession, partly by the sword and partly by other means, 300 negroes, and sold them in the West Indies. Hawkins' second voyage was patronized by Queen Elizabeth, who participated in the profits; and in 1618, in the reign of James I, the British government established a regular trade on the coast of Africa.
When negotiations for the slave traffic were first agitated, the cost to the victim seems not to have been considered. The white man's need—or greed—demanded sacrifice. The negro, a product of the three-cornered rum, slave and molasses trade was brought to New England to a condition offering few advantages beyond certain comforts which were to be provided by the master who was to assume all the obligations of the position.