FOOTNOTES:

“That the tender care and regard your majesty hath constantly had of all your subjects, encourages your petitioners, who are deeply concerned in the trade to Africa. The constant supply of Negroes at moderate prices, being the chief support of this colony; whereby we can only be enabled to preserve the staple of sugar, and other commodities, and to afford them in greater quantities, and cheaper than other nations; most humbly beg leave to lay before your majesty, that for many years, while the royal African company had the sole management of that trade, this island was duly supplied with a sufficient number of Negroes at moderate prices, from 10l.to 20l.per head the highest, which was a very great encouragement; and enabled us greatly to improve the manufacture of this island. But for several years past, since the trade has been laid open, the number of Negroes imported by the royal African company, and separate traders together, have not been sufficient to supply this island; and those which have been imported, have been sold at extravagant prices, from 20l.to 40l.per head, especially those which are tolerably good; which your petitioners conceive to have been occasioned by the different interests of the separate traders, each bidding upon the other; of which the natives upon thecoast taking advantage, have raised the price of their own commodities, and sunk the price of those of Great Britain, and this island; which is an unspeakable damage, and discouragement to your petitioners, tends to the ruin of this trade, the lessening your majesty’s revenue, and the navigation of Great Britain.”

“Therefore your petitioners humbly pray, that the British interest on the coast of Africa may be preserved; and the trade put upon such a foot, that a sufficient number of Negroes may be had upon the coast, on moderate terms, and your petitioners supplied at reasonable rates here.

“And your petitioners, as in duty bound, shall ever pray.”

Barbadoes,Aug. 1, 1710.

“Robert Vaughan,“Thomas Carney,&c. &c. &c.”

FINIS.

ERRATA.

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FOOTNOTES:[1]It is here humbly meant, not to send those sailors that may be pressed out of colliers, or coasting vessels, directly on southern voyages, till they have been used to live upon salt provisions for some time on board ships of war in a cold climate.[2]Supposed to be paid for in plantation-produce.[3]It appears by the accounts of that board, there has been expended by them to the 31st March, 1761, in finishing said fort 15,024l.18s.3d.so that rebuilding it has cost 34,590l.12s.5d.sterling, which fort is only useful for the defence of the Negroes in the town under it, and to protect them from their enemies of their own colour, who have no cannon or mortars, and to defend the landing-place, that no ship of force can get near.[4]His grace the d—e of N——le, s——y of st——e; the right honourable H—y P—lh—m, first lord of the t——y, and c——r of the e——r.[5]The African committee have also received to the end of the year 1756, 1620l.8s.8d.for some of the late company’s effects, and for admissions into the new company.[6]For several years before the war, the French received from foreign nations above 1,000,000l.sterling for the article of sugar only; besides a large sum for indigo, and other West India products; the loss of which will induce them, without delay, to push on their trade to Africa with the utmost vigour, which, we know, they are making great preparations to do, that sufficiently points out the necessity for some measures to be speedily taken to prevent their succeeding.[7]The officers commanding the out-forts, had absolute orders not to trade with the French.[8]For mercenary troops are to be hired in Africa, as well as in Europe, and at a much cheaper rate.[9]In case the French were not permitted to carry them away, as they did before the roads were stopt.[10]50,000 ounces of gold dust at 3l.17s.6d.an ounce, is 193,750l.[11]30 tons of ivory,on an average worth about220l.a ton, is 6,600l.[12]Which was upwards of 26,666 guineas annually.[13]We think it proper to observe, which we conjecture the merchants will not attempt to deny, that they only put on board their ships such cargoes as the masters judge will be sufficient to purchase the number of Negroes each ship will carry, which when compleated, they will sell any small remainder of their cargoes for gold or ivory, if to be got: but they often find a difficulty in doing it, for the reasons before advanced; and they have many times been obliged to carry them from Africa for want of purchasers, entirely owing to their giving such great prices for Negroes.[14]If the French are allowed to trade on the Gold Coast, a cargo to purchase 300 Negroes, will cost, if we may judge by former times, above 6000l.[15]As would have appeared by the report of the committee of the honourable house of commons, in the year 1758, had it been examined into.[16]There was issued to the African committee, by warrant from the right honourable the lords commissioners of the treasury, in the year 1751, 7140l.14s.3d.out of the vote of credit for 800,000l.notwithstanding several objections were made before the committee of the honourable house of commons that such sum was not due.[17]Because it will employ a great number of French ships and sailors, and be a market for their manufactures, which they sell, and also their East India goods, cheaper considerably than we can purchase ours, which must consequently be hurtful to our navigation, lessening at the same time the consumption of our manufactures.Besides, the competition between the traders of both nations would give to the black dealers an opportunity of raising the price of their Negroes, which advance the French can better afford than we, as must appear from what is beforementioned, as well as from the following fact; which is, they pay an anchor of brandy or two, and at some places three or four, in the price of a slave, at the rate of four pounds each anchor, containing about eight gallons, and costs in France but from eight to ten shillings. Whereas there is not any article can be bought in England so profitable and vendable a commodity among the blacks for thirty shillings (as French brandy) that will pay in the purchase of a slave at four pounds.This observation is chiefly meant to point out how necessary it is to hinder, as much as possible, the French from trading to Gambia, Senegal, or between cape Appolonia and the river Volta, where the British forts are situated, and where much the greatest numbers of the most valuable Negroes are to be procured, which surely we have a right to do, and may be effected, if proper measures are pursued for so desirable a purpose.[18]The original letters and certificates, with authentic copies of the affidavits, are in the hands of the publisher.[19]An ounce is a nominal value set upon goods, which cost about 40s.in Europe; but sold in trade on the coast of Africa at 4l.[20]He came to an anchor nearer to Elmina fort, withthe shipand sloop under his command, than any merchant ship ever had been, and sent an officer on shore to demand the prisoners, which the Dutch general immediately complied with, to the great joy of their countrymen residing under the British forts, at their being restored to their liberty.[21]“That such Portugueze ships as shall come to anchor in any of the English roads belonging to any of the English forts or factories, shall not be molested by any Dutch ship or ships belonging to the said company, nor be blocked up by them in the said English roads, nor attacked and seized at their going out of the said roads; neither shall they offer to seize any ship or ships, that have first put themselves under the protection of any British fort, or being in possession of any English vessel, they having one of the said royal African company’s servants on board certifying the same.”“That on the other side, none of the English forts, or company’s ships, shall attack, or seize, any Portugueze which were first in possession of any Dutch West India company’s ships; neither shall the English general, or chief director for the time being, grant passports to any Portugueze ships, going to or from Brazil, or any of the Portugueze islands.”[22]What was paid to the natives for ground-rent, or water-custom, or to the company’s slaves, which appeared by their lists, or to canoe-men, or other free Negroes, each article was particularized in the late company’s officers accounts in such manner, as that no fraud could be committed.[23]By such mode of accounting, the committee may obtain a discharge for the money granted by parliament, before the ship or ships that have the merchandize, stores,&c.on board said money purchased, sails out of theriver Thames. Therefore, if saidmerchandizeorstoresare never landed inAfricafor the use of theforts, we presume thecommitteeare no fartheraccountableforthem.

[1]It is here humbly meant, not to send those sailors that may be pressed out of colliers, or coasting vessels, directly on southern voyages, till they have been used to live upon salt provisions for some time on board ships of war in a cold climate.

[2]Supposed to be paid for in plantation-produce.

[3]It appears by the accounts of that board, there has been expended by them to the 31st March, 1761, in finishing said fort 15,024l.18s.3d.so that rebuilding it has cost 34,590l.12s.5d.sterling, which fort is only useful for the defence of the Negroes in the town under it, and to protect them from their enemies of their own colour, who have no cannon or mortars, and to defend the landing-place, that no ship of force can get near.

[4]His grace the d—e of N——le, s——y of st——e; the right honourable H—y P—lh—m, first lord of the t——y, and c——r of the e——r.

[5]The African committee have also received to the end of the year 1756, 1620l.8s.8d.for some of the late company’s effects, and for admissions into the new company.

[6]For several years before the war, the French received from foreign nations above 1,000,000l.sterling for the article of sugar only; besides a large sum for indigo, and other West India products; the loss of which will induce them, without delay, to push on their trade to Africa with the utmost vigour, which, we know, they are making great preparations to do, that sufficiently points out the necessity for some measures to be speedily taken to prevent their succeeding.

[7]The officers commanding the out-forts, had absolute orders not to trade with the French.

[8]For mercenary troops are to be hired in Africa, as well as in Europe, and at a much cheaper rate.

[9]In case the French were not permitted to carry them away, as they did before the roads were stopt.

[10]50,000 ounces of gold dust at 3l.17s.6d.an ounce, is 193,750l.

[11]30 tons of ivory,on an average worth about220l.a ton, is 6,600l.

[12]Which was upwards of 26,666 guineas annually.

[13]We think it proper to observe, which we conjecture the merchants will not attempt to deny, that they only put on board their ships such cargoes as the masters judge will be sufficient to purchase the number of Negroes each ship will carry, which when compleated, they will sell any small remainder of their cargoes for gold or ivory, if to be got: but they often find a difficulty in doing it, for the reasons before advanced; and they have many times been obliged to carry them from Africa for want of purchasers, entirely owing to their giving such great prices for Negroes.

[14]If the French are allowed to trade on the Gold Coast, a cargo to purchase 300 Negroes, will cost, if we may judge by former times, above 6000l.

[15]As would have appeared by the report of the committee of the honourable house of commons, in the year 1758, had it been examined into.

[16]There was issued to the African committee, by warrant from the right honourable the lords commissioners of the treasury, in the year 1751, 7140l.14s.3d.out of the vote of credit for 800,000l.notwithstanding several objections were made before the committee of the honourable house of commons that such sum was not due.

[17]Because it will employ a great number of French ships and sailors, and be a market for their manufactures, which they sell, and also their East India goods, cheaper considerably than we can purchase ours, which must consequently be hurtful to our navigation, lessening at the same time the consumption of our manufactures.Besides, the competition between the traders of both nations would give to the black dealers an opportunity of raising the price of their Negroes, which advance the French can better afford than we, as must appear from what is beforementioned, as well as from the following fact; which is, they pay an anchor of brandy or two, and at some places three or four, in the price of a slave, at the rate of four pounds each anchor, containing about eight gallons, and costs in France but from eight to ten shillings. Whereas there is not any article can be bought in England so profitable and vendable a commodity among the blacks for thirty shillings (as French brandy) that will pay in the purchase of a slave at four pounds.This observation is chiefly meant to point out how necessary it is to hinder, as much as possible, the French from trading to Gambia, Senegal, or between cape Appolonia and the river Volta, where the British forts are situated, and where much the greatest numbers of the most valuable Negroes are to be procured, which surely we have a right to do, and may be effected, if proper measures are pursued for so desirable a purpose.

Besides, the competition between the traders of both nations would give to the black dealers an opportunity of raising the price of their Negroes, which advance the French can better afford than we, as must appear from what is beforementioned, as well as from the following fact; which is, they pay an anchor of brandy or two, and at some places three or four, in the price of a slave, at the rate of four pounds each anchor, containing about eight gallons, and costs in France but from eight to ten shillings. Whereas there is not any article can be bought in England so profitable and vendable a commodity among the blacks for thirty shillings (as French brandy) that will pay in the purchase of a slave at four pounds.

This observation is chiefly meant to point out how necessary it is to hinder, as much as possible, the French from trading to Gambia, Senegal, or between cape Appolonia and the river Volta, where the British forts are situated, and where much the greatest numbers of the most valuable Negroes are to be procured, which surely we have a right to do, and may be effected, if proper measures are pursued for so desirable a purpose.

[18]The original letters and certificates, with authentic copies of the affidavits, are in the hands of the publisher.

[19]An ounce is a nominal value set upon goods, which cost about 40s.in Europe; but sold in trade on the coast of Africa at 4l.

[20]He came to an anchor nearer to Elmina fort, withthe shipand sloop under his command, than any merchant ship ever had been, and sent an officer on shore to demand the prisoners, which the Dutch general immediately complied with, to the great joy of their countrymen residing under the British forts, at their being restored to their liberty.

[21]“That such Portugueze ships as shall come to anchor in any of the English roads belonging to any of the English forts or factories, shall not be molested by any Dutch ship or ships belonging to the said company, nor be blocked up by them in the said English roads, nor attacked and seized at their going out of the said roads; neither shall they offer to seize any ship or ships, that have first put themselves under the protection of any British fort, or being in possession of any English vessel, they having one of the said royal African company’s servants on board certifying the same.”“That on the other side, none of the English forts, or company’s ships, shall attack, or seize, any Portugueze which were first in possession of any Dutch West India company’s ships; neither shall the English general, or chief director for the time being, grant passports to any Portugueze ships, going to or from Brazil, or any of the Portugueze islands.”

“That on the other side, none of the English forts, or company’s ships, shall attack, or seize, any Portugueze which were first in possession of any Dutch West India company’s ships; neither shall the English general, or chief director for the time being, grant passports to any Portugueze ships, going to or from Brazil, or any of the Portugueze islands.”

[22]What was paid to the natives for ground-rent, or water-custom, or to the company’s slaves, which appeared by their lists, or to canoe-men, or other free Negroes, each article was particularized in the late company’s officers accounts in such manner, as that no fraud could be committed.

[23]By such mode of accounting, the committee may obtain a discharge for the money granted by parliament, before the ship or ships that have the merchandize, stores,&c.on board said money purchased, sails out of theriver Thames. Therefore, if saidmerchandizeorstoresare never landed inAfricafor the use of theforts, we presume thecommitteeare no fartheraccountableforthem.

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