Page:A Dissuasion from the Slave Trade.djvu/48

Rh, the soil fruitful, the season for the greatest part mild and clement, and the air salubrious." I must stop in the midst of this agreeable description, being afraid of leading myself into an undue length in this narrative of the beautious perfection of that rich and fruitful part of the world.

now consider the disadvantages to Africa in taking so many of its natives away yearly. But it needless to speak much on this head, as most of my Readers will perceive the prejudices to Africa in thus draining it of the inhabitants yearly in the manner Britain and the Plantations do. I shall mention a few of them. 1st. There can be no loss to any country (particularly to one like Africa that is yet mostly to cultivate) equal to that of depopulating it. 2d. It prevents the inland country, where the incessant broils are carried on, from defending themselves against the attacks and encroachments made on their properties by the Kings and Chiefs, whereby many thousands of their subjects being taken prisoners, are sold to the Coasters, they being nourished and caressed by the Europeans, particularly by Britain and the Colonies, in doing so, for the sake of the Slave Trade to America, and the West-Indies; and further, in consequence of this depriving