The Disadvantages the _Portugueze_ are under for purchasing Slaves, are these, that they have very few proper Commodities for _Guiney_, and the Gold, which was their chiefest, by an Edict in _July_ 1722, stands now prohibited from being carried thither, so that the Ships employed therein are few, and insufficient for the great Mortality and Call of their Mines; besides, should they venture at breaking so destructive a Law, as the abovementioned (as no doubt they do, or they could make little or no Purchace) yet Gold does not raise its Value like Merchandize in travelling (especially to _Africa_) and when the Composition with the _Dutch_ is also paid, they may be said to buy their Negroes at almost double the Price the _English, Dutch_, or _French_ do, which necessarily raises their Value extravagantly at _Brasil_; (those who can purchase one, buying a certainer Annuity than _South-Sea_ Stock.) Thus far of the Call for Slaves at _Brasil_; I shall now consider and obviate some Difficulties objected against any Foreigners (suppose _English_) interposing in such a Trade, and they are some on theirs, and some on our Side. On their Side it is prohibited under Pain of Death, a Law less effectual to the Prevention of it than pecuniary Mulcts would be, because a Penalty so inadequate and disproportioned, is only _In terrorem_, and makes it merciful in the Governor, or his Instruments, to take a Composition of eight or ten Moidors, when any Subject is catched, and is the common Custom so to do as often as they are found out. On our Side it is Confiscation of what they can get, which considering, they have no Men of War to guard the Coast, need be very little, without supine Neglect and Carelessness. I am a Man of War, or Privateer, and being in Want of Provisions, or in Search of Pyrates, put in to _Pernambuca_ for Intelligence, to enable me for the Pursuit: The Dread of Pyrates keeps every one off, till you have first sent an Officer, with the proper Compliments to the Governor, who immediately gives Leave for your buying every Necessary you are in want of, provided it be with Money, and not an Exchange of Merchandize, which is against the Laws of the Country. On this first time of going on Shore, depends the success of the whole Affair, and requires a cautious and discreet Management in the Person entrusted: He will be immediately surrounded at landing with the great and the small Rabble, to enquire who? and whence he comes? and whether bound? _&c._ and the Men are taught to answer, from _Guiney_, denying any thing of a Slave on Board, which are under Hatches, and make no Shew; nor need they, for those who have Money to lay out will conclude on that themselves.