Query 3. Whether it was carried on by European or
American Adventurers? By what means its
declension first began? whether from legis-
lative discouragement or other causes? and,
to what causes its abolition is to be ascribed?
I can not find that any European Adventurers to Africa
had
any other concern here, than to procure Cargoes of our
Rum to assist them in carrying on their business.
A few only of our Merchants were engaged in this kind
of adventure; it required a large capital & was always
considered as peculiarly hazardous though gainful. It was never
supported by the popular opinion, & the checks
voice of con-
science were was against it. A degree of infamy
was
attached to the characters of those who were employed;
several of them in their last hours bitterly repented of
their concern in it; & the friends of seamen who had
fallen sacrifices to perished by the climate of
Guinea or who in contests with the negroes
became
seriously prejudiced against the business.
Reflecting persons were divided in their opinions
on the lawfulness of the traffic in slaves. Samuel
Sewall Esq formerly Chief Justice of
Massachusetts
always publickly protested against it & wrote a
pamphlet en-
titled "Joseph sold, a memorial." Others disliked it from
pru-
dential considerations. Many conscientious persons