As words are, in this case, things--and things of the highest _legal_ consequence--and as this history is so extensively read and received as authority--it becomes important, in a legal, if not historical, point of view, to correct so important an error as that of the word _slave_ in this statement. "The _words_ of the statute" are _not_ that "the _slave_ trade," but that "_the trade to and from Africa_ is very advantageous to Great Britain." "The trade to and from Africa" no more means, _in law_, "the _slave_ trade," than does the trade to and from China. From aught that appears, then, from _so much_ of the preamble, "the trade to and from Africa" may have been entirely in other things than slaves. And it actually appears from another part of the statute, that trade was carried on in "gold, elephant's teeth, wax, gums and drugs." From the words immediately _succeeding_ those quoted by Mr. Bancroft from the preamble to this statute, it might much more plausibly, (although even from them it could not be legally) inferred that the statute legalized the slave trade, than from those pretended to be quoted by him. That the succeeding words may be seen, the title and preamble to the act are given, as follows: "_An Act for extending and improving the trade to Africa._" "Whereas, the trade to and from Africa is very advantageous to Great Britain, _and necessary for supplying the plantations and colonies thereunto belonging, with a sufficient number of_ NEGROES _at reasonable rates_; and for that purpose the said trade" (i.e. "the trade to and from Africa") "ought to be free and open to all his majesty's subjects. Therefore be it enacted," &c. "Negroes" were not slaves by the English law, and therefore the word "negroes," in this preamble, does not _legally_ mean slaves. For aught that appears from the words of the preamble, _or even from any part of the statute itself_, these "negroes," with whom it is declared to be necessary that the plantations and colonies should be supplied, were free persons, voluntary emigrants, that were to be induced to go to the plantations as hired laborers, as are those who, at this day, are induced, in large numbers, and by the special agency of the English government, to go to the British West Indies. In order to facilitate this emigration, it was necessary that "the trade to and from Africa" should be encouraged. And the form of the preamble is such as it properly might have been, if such had been the real object of parliament. Such is undoubtedly the true _legal_ meaning of this preamble, for this meaning being consistent with natural right, public policy, and with the fundamental principles of English law, legal rules of construction imperatively require that this meaning should be ascribed to it, rather than it should be held to authorize anything contrary to natural right, or contrary to the fundamental principles of British law.