From this and the foregoing Account the Reader may observe, that now all the Countries near the Sea side, which the King of Dahomè could possibly get at, are not only conquered, but also turned into Desolation, with the Inland Parts, in so terrible a manner, that there is no Prospect of Trade’s reviving there again for many Years, or at least so long as the Conqueror lives. What little there is, is carried on chiefly at Appah, a place secured from him by a Morass and a River.
The End of BOOK I.
BOOK II.
The manner how the Negroes become Slaves. The Numbers of them yearly exported from Guinea to America. The Lawfulness of that Trade. Mutinies among them on board the Ships where the Author has been, &c.
BEFORE I give a particular Relation of the several Mutinies among the Negroe Slaves, whereof I have been a Witness, and which is to be the chief Subject of this present Book, it will be very proper to prefix a short account of the Manner how the Negroes become Slaves; what Numbers of them are yearly exported from Guinea; and then offer a few words in Justification of that Trade.
The manner how the Negroes become Slaves.
As for the Manner how those People become Slaves; it may be reduced under these several Heads.
1. It has been the Custom among the Negroes, time out of Mind, and is so to this day, for them to make Slaves of all the Captives they take in War. Now, before they had an Opportunity of selling them to the white People, they were often obliged to kill great Multitudes, when they had taken more than they could well employ in their own Plantations, for fear they should rebel, and endanger their Masters Safety.
2dly. Most Crimes amongst them are punished by Mulcts and Fines; and if the Offender has not wherewithal to pay his Fine, he is sold for a Slave: This is the Practice of the inland People, as well as of those on the Sea side.