The Success of a Voyage depends first, on the well sorting, and on the well timing of a Cargo. Secondly, in a Knowledge of the places of Trade, what, and how much may be expected every where. Thirdly, in dramming well with English Spirits, and conforming to the Humours of the Negroes. Fourthly, in timely furnishing proper Food for the Slaves. Fifthly, in Dispatch; and Lastly, the good Order and Management of Slaves when on board; of each, a Word or two.
First, on the Timing of a Cargo: This depends at several places much on Chance, from the fanciful and various Humours of the Negroes, who make great demands one Voyage for a Commodity, that perhaps they reject next, and is in part to be remedied either by making the things they itch after, to pass off those they have not so much mind to, or by such a continual Traffick and Correspondence on the Coast, as may furnish the Owner from time to time with quick Intelligence, to be done only by great Merchants, who can keep imployed a number of Ships, that like a Thread unites them in a Knowledge of their Demands, and a readier Supply for them, as well as dispatch for their Master’s Interest, by putting the Purchases of two or three Ships into one. The late Mr. Humphry Morrice was the greatest private Trader this way, and unless Providence had fixed a Curse upon it, he must have gained exceedingly.
Secondly, Of the Sorting, this may be observed in general; That the Windward and Leeward Parts of the Coast are as opposite in their Demands, as is their distance. Iron Bars, which are not asked for to Leeward, are a substantial Part of Windward Cargoes. Crystals, Orangos, Corals, and Brass-mounted Cutlasses are almost peculiar to the Windward Coast;—as are brass Pans from Rio Sesthos to Apollonia.—Cowreys (or Bouges) at Whydah.—Copper and Iron Bars at Callabar;—but Arms, Gun-powder, Tallow, old Sheets, Cottons of all the various Denominations, and English Spirits are every where called for. Sealing-wax, and Pipes, are necessary in small Quantities, they serve for Dashees (Presents) and a ready Purchase for Fish, a Goat, Kid, or a Fowl.
To be more particular, here follows an Invoyce bought at London about the year 1721.
A GUINEA Cargo.
I was but a young Trader, and could not find out till I came upon the Coast, that this Cargo was ill sorted. At the first place we touched (Sierraleon) where commonly may be got twenty or thirty as good Slaves as any upon the Coast, I found I had neither Cutlasses, iron Bars, a better sort of Fire-Arms, Malt, and other strong Liquors, the delight of those Traders. At none of the others, quite down to the Gold Coast, were many considerable Articles of my Invoyce ever asked for; so that I was forced to make friends with the Factorys, and exchange at such a loss, that had it not been for the small Wages our Ship was at, and some lucky hits, the Owners must have suffered much; but to give an Insight.
The Sale of Goods.
| At Sierraleon. | |
| Gold Bars. | |
| 1 Piece of Planes | 10 |
| 7 77lb. Kettles | 26 |
| 3 Pieces of Chintz | 12 |
| 1 Piece of Handkerchief Stuff | 2 |
| --- | |
| The Price of a Woman Slave | 50 |
| 7 50lb. Kettles | 20 |
| 5 Pieces of Brawls | 10 |
| 1 Piece of Ramal | 4 |
| 1 Bar of Iron | 1 |
| --- | |
| The Price of a Boy Slave | 35 |