TO THEBRITISH PLANTERS.
Gentlemen,
AN uninterested desire of rendering service to the public, and not an idle whim, or vanity to appear in print, has induced the editors of the following facts to publish them. Author is a title they lay no claim to.
By their unornamented energy alone is meant to gain the reader’s attention, and to enforce the facts advanced; therefore, without further apology, they are presented to you in a plain dress, to point out some measures that were taken to mislead the legislature, whereby the African trade, in the year 1750, was put upon such a plan, as, by the event, has proved extreamly detrimental to the British colonies. On that account, the following sheets can be addressed to none so properly as to you.
We flatter ourselves it will evidently appear by the contents of the following pamphlet, that the forts on the coast of Africa, are by no means upon a proper establishment; likewise that the present method of carrying on the African trade to those parts where the forts are situated, by the very high price given for Negroes there, which occasions the profit arising to bedivided between theEuropeanmerchants and theAfricantraders, but must become extreamly burthensome and disadvantageous to you, we believe everyreal planterwill allow.
We cannot admit certain individuals to be esteemedreal planters, notwithstanding they may haveoneormore plantations, when at the same time they are concerned as merchants in the colonies, who procure the ships from the coast of Africa to be consigned to them; of which it is conjectured (and not without foundation) many of them are part owners; for these apparent reasons, it being their interest to keep up the price of Negroes so consigned to them, as all such advance encreases their commissions. Therefore, in our humble opinion, no attention ought to be paid to any remonstrance from people so much interested, or from those merchants who reside in Europe, that are connected with them, against any proposals that may be offered for the general utility of the colonies, which has been the case; and in consequence, very detrimental measures have been pursued through the misrepresentation of such opponents.
Should such destructive measures be continued, an absolute diminution of the annual income from your estates in the colonies must inevitably ensue, whether from the want of Negroes, or your purchasing them at too high a rate. In either case, it will prevent your being able to raise as much sugar, and other plantation-product you would otherwise do, orto take off as great a quantity of the manufactures of the mother-country, as were you to have a sufficient number of Negroes at reasonable prices. Relying upon theabove allegations, with those you will find in the course of the following pamphlet, the editors presume you will think it most expedient and conducive for your interests, without loss of time, to apply to the legislative power, in order that some speedy and effectual measures be taken and carried into execution forretrieving, betterregulatingandextendingthat valuable branch of theBritishcommerce, theAfrican trade.
The present seems the most proper time for so great a national purpose, in order to prevent theFrenchgetting the start of you, which they will exert all theirpowerandabilitiestoeffect; for they are now not only making great preparations to carry on that trade themselves, but they have already made severalcontractswithBritishmerchants to supply them withNegroes. So intent are they to secure, by every method they can contrive, as great a number as possible of those useful people, on which the prosperity of theFrenchcolonies depend: besides, aspeaceis concluded, his majesty’s ministers, in whose department it is, will have leisure to examine minutely into the reasons that induced you to make such application. Therefore there cannot be a doubt from their knownabilities, and willingness to promote thepublic goodby their care of thetradeandcommerceof thesekingdoms, but they will give their mostserious attention to any proposal you may lay before them for so good a purpose, as theextendingandpreservingtheAfrican trade; and will be as desirous as yourselves to pursue such plan as appears to them most reasonable for promoting the general advantage of theBritish colonies, and consequently themother-country. The editors will not intrude farther on your time, than to hope something will be done to secure that valuable branch of commerce to theBritish subjects, they being very desirous to promote the prosperity of theBritish colonies, and to assure you that they are with great respect,
Gentlemen,Your most obedient, and mostHumble servants,
London,11 April, 1763.
The EDITORS.