Observations on the slave trade and a description of some part of the coast of Guinea, during a voyage, made in 1787, and 1788, in company with Doctor A. Sparrman and Captain ArreheniusWadström, Carl Bernhard
History
Observations on the slave trade and a description of some part of the coast of Guinea, during a voyage, made in 1787, and 1788, in company with Doctor A. Sparrman and Captain Arrehenius
Wadström, Carl Bernhard
Guinea -- Description and travel -- Early works to 1800; Slave trade -- Africa, West -- Early works to 1800
From all that has been said, as well as from many other particulars,
unnecessary to be repeated here, as they are already laid before the
publick, it is evident, that the slave trade is a _Commerce_, carried
to the highest pitch of human depravity, and it is to be feared that
its total suppression by all the Europeans nations is a thing more
to be wished for than expected at once, unless some of the civilized
nations were to unite in establishing colonies on the coast of Guinea.
May therefore every nation, seriously engaged in the cause of liberty,
consider this efficacious remedy with the strictest attention, and
reap the great advantage to be derived from the fruitful soil of this
vast part of the globe, by the effectual means already pointed out,
namely, that of Cultivation[12]. But, as the settling of new colonies,
and the gradual abolition of this trade, require the most scrupulous
attention, I venture to flatter myself, that from some experience and
application to this matter, I shall be able to excite every feeling
and disinterested mind, to view this grand object in a proper point
of light: I consider it therefore as a duty to lay before them the
following reflections.
Though it be usual to compare nations and their colonies to parents
and their children, yet in reality the comparison is not just, as
things are circumstanced at present.
In every individual family, what is so highly regarded, or esteemed so
highly interesting, so useful, directing the attention to sound policy,
as the human production or propagation of mankind? Where is that
parent, who not only strives to give his children as good an education
as he himself has received, but impelled by affection even endeavours
to elevate them into a superior state? Acting thus, has he any other
end than that of introducing them as active, zealous, and laborious
citizens, from a principle of usefulness, as reasonable, beneficent,
and religious fathers of future families, into that society, of which
he himself forms a part?
From what has been said it follows, that children, when they arrive at
the age of maturity, although they have been useful to their parents
during their minority; yet it is not to be inferred, that from a
principle of obligation or false gratitude, they ought inseparably
to abide by their parents throughout life. No! in a more advanced
age, nature and reason combine to emancipate and justify them, even
though opposed by their parents; when in their turn they independently
establish themselves, and lay a foundation for new families, which
augmenting the prosperity, and strength of the community, necessarily
promotes those of their parents. How could any society whatever
otherwise continue to exist? In a word, a child is fruit hanging on the
tree;—man, arrived to full growth, is separated therefrom, which, under
the direction of Providence, reproduces in its turn, a new tree that
may do honour to the forest.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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