Page:A general history of the pyrates, from their first rise and settlement in the Island of Providence, to the present time (1724).djvu/231

 The Diadvantages the Portugueze are under for purchaing Slaves, are thee, that they have very few proper Commodities for Guiney, and the Gold, which was their chiefet, by an Edict in July 1722, tands now prohibited from being carried thither, o that the Ships employed therein are few, and inufficient for the great Mortality and Call of their Mines; beides, hould they venture at breaking o detructive a Law, as the abovementioned (as no doubt they do, or they could make little or no Purchace) yet Gold does not raie its Value like Merchandize in travelling (epecially to Africa) and when the Compoition with the Dutch is alo paid, they may be aid to buy their Negroes at almot double the Price the Englih, Dutch, or French do, which necearily raies their Value extravagantly at Brail; (thoe who can purchae one, buying a certainer Annuity than South-Sea Stock.)

Thus far of the Call for Slaves at Brail; I hall now conider and obviate ome Difficulties objected againt any Foreigners (uppoe Englih) interpoing in uch a Trade, and they are ome on theirs, and ome on our Side.

On their Side it is prohibited under Pain of Death, a Law les effectual to the Prevention of it than pecuniary Mulcts would be, becaue a Penalty o inadequate and diproportioned, is only In terrorem, and makes it merciful in the Governor, or his Intruments, to take a Compoition of eight or ten Moidors, when any Subject is catched, and is the common Cutom o to do as often as they are found out.

On our Side it is Confication of what they can get, which conidering, they have no Men of War to guard the Coat, need be very little, without upine Neglect and Carelenes.

I am a Man of War, or Privateer, and being in Want of Proviions, or in Search of Pyrates, put in