Page images
PDF
EPUB

I.

melancholy instances might be given, were this a proper CHA P. place. Suffice it to observe, what will scarcely be denied, that the object of the European traders in America (as traders) was not to civilize the natives; but, like the white flave dealers in Africa, to turn their rude propenfities for European liquors, gunpowder and baubles, to their own immediate profit, without looking forward to the advantages, to legitimate commerce, which, sooner or later, would have refulted from their civilization. Nor have governments feemed to be fufficiently fenfible of those advantages; for while they ftrictly regulated the commerce of their subjects with civilized nations, they left them to push their trade with the uncivilized in any direction, and by any means, their own blind avarice fuggefted. Hence followed “deeds unjust—even to the full fwing of their luft." In the Portuguese colonies, indeed, of Grand Para and Maranhao, a Directorio was established in 1758, for regulating the dealings of the whites with the native Indians, who are there defcribed as " uncivilized and ignorant," and "univerfally addicted to debauch in liquors, furnished them by the whites." It does not appear what effect these regulations have had in eradicating the evil habits which had been previoufly fostered in the Indians by the Portuguese pedlars. But they have, in fome degree, civilized the native Africans. in their fettlements on the coaft; and the progrefs of the Jesuits in Paraguay clearly proves that uncivilized nations may be improved, instead of being debauched, as hath too often happened, by an intercourse with the Europeans.

8. Secondly. It is objected, that "Colonies in Africa would prove the means of perpetuating, and not of destroying the flave-trade." This objection would no doubt have fome force, if commerce, and not cultivation, were to be

[blocks in formation]

1.

CHAP. the primary object of such establishments; or even if culti vation were to be carried on by human labour only, unas fifted by the labour of cattle. But commerce and human labour are both very capable of limitation and regulation; and in this work I hope to prove that it is very practicable fo to limit and regulate them in Africa, as to check the hurtful predominancy of the one, and to prevent the oppreffive tendency of the other.

9. Another objection is "That the defence of colonies in Africa would, like that of most of the American colonies, be burdenfome to the European governments, which should favour their establishment." To this it may be answered, that, if according to the plan I mean to propofe, the colonifts cultivate, from the beginning, an amicable coalition with the natives, they will, like the above-mentioned establishment of the Jesuits in Paraguay, soon acquire fuch a degree of ftrength as to fecure them from all wanton aggreffion.

10. It seems unnecessary to say more in this place, to satisfy objectors who, upon the whole, wish to promote the civilization of Africa, if they clearly faw how it could be effected: for one great end of this work is, to remove their confcientious fcruples; moft of which, however, appear to me to deserve attention, more on account of their motives, than of their strength.

CHA P.

[ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small]

11.

CIV

ments, &c.

form national

character.

IVIL and religious government is allowed to be the Governprincipal cause which affects (and even forms) the characters of nations. Climate, diet, occupation, and a variety of other lefs confiderable causes contribute their share to the general effect. It is not, however, by abstract reasonings alone, on the separate or combined influence of those causes that the character of a nation can be afcertained; but actual obfervations on their genius and conduct must also be attended to. Such obfervations cannot be too numerous; nor can general conclufions be too cautiously drawn from them.

ations of the

12. That this important moral balance may be ftruck Mifreprefentwith perfect impartiality, the observer ought to difmifs character of every prejudice, and to leave his mind open to a full and the Africans. fair impreffion of all the circumstances. Every well, difpofed man will allow the neceffity of fuch procedure, who knows how grofsly the very people of whom we are treating, have been mifrepresented by those who first made merchandize of their perfons, and then endeavoured, by calumny, to justify their own conduct towards them. The accounts of African governors and other flave merchants, have been but too implicity followed by authors of no small note, who never were in Africa, and who did not suspect that the writers they quoted were interested in misleading

them.

CHA P. them.
I.

Civilized nations govern

ed by reafon,

uncivilized by paffions.

Hence it is to be feared, that many well meaning perfons have been led to believe that the Africans are fo insensible as not to feel their ill treatment, or so wicked as not to deferve better; and have therefore, without farther examination, left them to what they think a merited fate.

13. The author, aware of the difficulty of this part of his fubject, has all along laboured to observe as minutely and extensively, and to judge as impartially, as he could. But, after all his diligence, he is only able to offer some short and imperfect sketches. Imperfect, however, as they are, he is conscious they are faithfully copied from the original. 14. He believes every man, who has made it his business to compare the conduct of civilized and uncivilized nations, will admit that the former are governed by reason, and the latter by their will and affections, or what are commonly called their paffions-or at least that, upon the whole, reafon influences mankind in proportion as they are civilized.

15. This obfervation may be applied very appofitely to the Africans. Their understandings have not been nearly fo much cultivated as those of the Europeans; but their paffions, both defensive and focial, are much stronger. No people are more sensible of disrespect, contempt, or injury, or more prompt and violent in resenting them. They are alfo apt to retain a sense of injury, till they obtain fatisfaction, or gratify revenge. In this they resemble other imperfectly civilized tribes, and even the more refined Europeans, in whom that benevolent religion, which teaches forgiveness of enemies, has not yet produced it's full effect. For was not fatisfaction to offended honour; that is, was not a certain mode of revenge a diftinguishing part of the fyftem of chivalry? And do not our modern duelists, the polite fucceffors of the ancient knights, still cherish a prin

[ocr errors]

IL.

ple which they will not allow to be called revenge; but for CHA P. which fober people cannot find a better name? Revenge causes wars in Africa: and are there no fymptoms of its producing wars in Europe? But African wars are never protracted, with cold-blooded perfeverance, to the length of the fiege of Troy; nor is peace ever negociated with a view to future wars. The Africans have no particular tortures in reserve for their prifoners, like the North American Indians; nor do they ever devour them, like the natives of New Zealand.

16. But if they be charged with hatred to their enemies, kindness to their friends ought, in candour, to be stated to their credit; and their hofpitality to unprotected strangers is liberal, difinterested, and free from oftentation; as I myself and many others have experienced. Their kindnefs, and refpectful attention to white perfons, with whofe characters they are fatisfied, arises to a degree of partiality which, all things confidered, is perfectly surprising. Perfons of this description may, and often do, refide among them in perfect fecurity, receiving the best poffible proofs of their good will, namely the most preffing folicitations to fettle among them. This partiality to well difpofed Europeans extends alfo to their drefs, manners, and commodities; in short, to every thing that is European-a difpofition which might long ago have been improved to the best purposes.

17. On those parts of the coast and country, where the flave-trade prevails, the inhabitants are shy and reserved, as well they may! and on all occafions go armed, left they fhould be way-laid and carried off.

18. In maternal, filial, and fraternal affection, I fcruple not to pronounce them fuperior to any Europeans I ever was

among;

« PreviousContinue »