master over his slave was absolute, extending to the right of depriving him of life. This severity was moderated under the emperors; and by a law of Adrian, the right of the master to slay his slave was withdrawn. By the Roman law, if a master was killed, all the slaves under the same roof or near enough to be able to hear his cries, were put to death. This severe provision was, we presume, intended to prevent those bloody acts of vengeance to which the cruelty of the master, at times, impelled the slave. The slave, and all that belonged, or could belong to him, was considered the property of the master. From the conduct of some of the most venerated patriots of Rome, it appears that inhumanity to slaves excited neither surprise ǹor censure. It was the practice of the elder Cato to sell his superannuated slaves at any price rather than maintain an useless burthen. Indeed, it appears to have been a custom in Rome to expose old, useless and sick slaves on an island of the Tiber to perish; and a law of Claudian upon the subject, instead of punishing and suppressing the barbarous practice, merely gave liberty to any slave who chanced to recover after having been thus exposed and abandoned. The same law prohibits masters from killing their slaves, merely for old age or sickness. Italy and Sicily were full of places of confinement, called Ergastula, in which slaves were kept at labour. One of the most formidable insurrections was occasioned by the breaking up of these Ergastula, and the simultaneous liberation of sixty thousand slaves.

From the facts, stated in this and the preceding chapter, it will be seen that slavery has always prevailed; and is so interwined with the necessities of the race, that while man exists, slavery will probably exist also. It will also be seen, that the wisest and most liberal nations of antiquity did not hesi

tate to encourage domestic slavery; and, instead of regarding it as inconsistent with political liberty or injurious to national weal, they sanctioned it as one of the greatest securities and auxiliaries of both. It will be observed, in addition, that the institution of slavery has not only had the assent and sanction of all the patriots, philanthropists and sages of antiquity, but that the divine will has been distinctly and actively expressed in its favour. A comparison of the condition of ancient and modern slavery may, also, perhaps, enlighten the prejudices of some of those who affect to sympathize with the bondman, and lament over the fictitious recital of the sternness of the American master and the hardships of the American slave.-But on these points we will speak more at large hereafter.

CHAPTER III.

Origin, progress, and abolition of the African Slave Trade.

THE African slave trade was commenced by the Portuguese. In 1434 a Portuguese captain landed in Guinea; and having captured some negro lads, he bore them to the south of Spain, and sold them to great advantage. The opening thus made was soon crowded with adventurers. The Portuguese made descents upon the coast of Africa, seized the inhabitants, and carried them into slavery. These depredations at length became so frequent and formidable, that the blacks retreated into the interior. Thither, however, their persecutors followed them. The Portuguese entered their rivers, and penetrating into the country, continued and extended their spoliations.

The traffic soon became so important, as to render a more permanent and secure system necessary to furnish the traders with the requisite supply of slaves. The plan was changed. Recourse to force was abandoned, and a peaceful commerce was commenced with the natives. Settlements were made, forts built, and factories erected; and the trade soon became extended and mutual.

The Portuguese erected their first fort at D'Elmina, in 1481. Other European nations soon followed their example. Treaties were made with the African kings; they agreed to furnish slaves, and

the traders, in return, brought them the luxuries and ornaments of Europe.

The object of this trade, on the part of the Europeans, was to supply the necessities of their extensive western colonies. The newly discovered and settled portions of the western world, being generally in a latitude fatal to European constitutions, it was found necessary to subject the natives to labour. In most instances this proved unsuccessful; and recourse was, at length, had to the natives of Africa, whose constitutions were found to agree with the exposure and hardships required. In 1517, Las Casas, who had seen the poor Indians melting away like dew, proposed to the Emperor Charles V. to substitute negro labour; and a charter was accordingly granted for the importation of four thousand slaves annually into Hispaniola.

The slave trade, which at first consisted wholly in the transportation of those who had forfeited their liberty in their own country, as criminals or prisoners of war, was at length extended by the wants of the colonies, and the rapacity of the African chiefs. Those who were suspected of crime became slaves; and causeless wars were undertaken, for the sole purpose of making captives for the slave trade. The traffic continued to extend with the growth and wants of the colonies, up to the close of the eighteenth century.

Those who collect the slaves for the traders have been divided into several classes. The first consisted of a chain of black traders from the interior to the sea-board. They procured slaves, sometimes at a distance of twelve hundred miles in the country, and forwarded them on to the factories. The second class was composed of individuals who travelled inland, and collecting as many slaves as they could transport, brought them to the stations. The third class comprised those who ascended the rivers to a

great height, in large canoes, and thus collected numbers of slaves. The prices paid for slaves were generally trivial, but advanced as the trader approached the coast. The articles given in exchange consisted generally of liquor, muskets, powder, &c.

Large numbers of slaves were procured by the depredations of native princes, dignified with the name of wars. It appears that the native Africans, instead of being in the state of primeval innocence and undisturbed tranquillity, in which they have been frequently painted, may be regarded as the most savage of the barbarous races of mankind. They are in continual war with each other. Different tribes are constantly struggling to make prisoners of each other, in order to provide slaves for the Europeans; and when enemies cannot be thus obtained, the chiefs frequently assail their own villages, make their own people slaves, and sell them to the whites. Perhaps a more revolting picture of humanity has never been drawn than may be found in the description of Africa; and much as the evils of slavery are to be deplored, it is extremely doubtful whether the lot of the African is not absolutely improved, by being, even forcibly, placed under the protection of the laws of a civilized and Christian country.

Clarkson, the great champion of Africa, divides the slaves into seven classes. The first and largest class consists of those who are kidnapped. It seems that the inhabitants of Africa prey upon each other like wild beasts. Kidnapping prevails throughout the whole country. It is said to be the first principle of the natives never to go unarmed. This precaution is rendered necessary by the predatory habits of their countrymen. The second order of slaves is composed of those whose villages are depopulated in capturing them. The third class consists of those convicted of crime. The fourth class includes pri