African trade. The rum distilled here was the main spring
of this traffick. The slaves purchased in Africa, were
chiefly sold in the West Indies, or in the southern colonies ;
but when those markets were glutted, and the price low,
some of them were brought hither. Very few whole cargoes
ever came to this port : One gentleman says he remembers
two or three : I remember one, between 30 and 40 years
ago, which consisted almost wholly of children. At Rhode-
Island, the rum distillery and the African trade were prose-
cuted to a greater extent than in Boston ; and I believe no
other sea-port in Massachusetts had any concern in the
slave business. Some times the Rhode-Island vessels, after
having sold their prime slaves in the West-Indies, brought
the remnants of their cargoes hither for sale. Since this
commerce has declined, the town of Newport has gone to
decay.

About the time of the stamp-act, this trade began to de-
cline, and in 1788 it was prohibited by law. This could
not have been done, previous to the revolution, as the gov-
ernors sent hither from England, it is said, were instructed not
to consent to any acts made for that purpose. The causes of
its declension and prohibition will be more distinctly stated,
in answer to the 3d and 5th queries.

Query 3. Whether it was carried on by European or
American adventurers ? by what means its declension first
began ? whether from legislative discouragement, or other
causes ? and to what causes its abolition is to be ascribed ?

I do not find that 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
traffick. It required a large capital, and was considered as
peculiarly hazardous, though gainful. It was never sup-
ported by popular opinion ; and the voice of conscience was
against it. A degree of infamy was attached to the char-
acters of those who were employed in it ; several of them, in
their last hours, bitterly lamented their concern in it ; and
the friends of seamen, who had perished by the climate of
Guinea, or in contests with the natives, became seriously
prejudiced against the business.

Reflecting persons were divided in their opinions on the