Page:Abstract of the evidence for the abolition of the slave-trade 1791.djvu/126

( 92 ) in entertaining him, and numbers shed tears at his departure.

Captain Thompson, in speaking of them, calls them harmless and innocent. Storey, Dalrymple, Howe, Towne, and Bowman, join in the epithets of "Friendly and hospitable;" to which the latter adds, "just and punctual in their dealings;" and they are described by Hall to be as capable of virtue as the whites.

Moral Character altered as they became acquainted with the Europeans or the Trade in Slaves.

Such appears to be the moral character of the Africans when they have but little intercourse with the Europeans, or the trade in slaves: but as they become connected with these, it appears by the evidence, that it becomes proportionably changed.

In proof of this, Mr. Newton observes, that the natives are often friendly, and may be trusted, where not previously deceived by the Europeans. He has lived in safety among them when the only white man there. The best people he ever met with were on the River Gaboon and at Cape Lopez. These had then the least intercourse with Europe, and he believes no trade in slaves, for their trade was ivory and wax, and he has heard them speak in emphatick [sic] terms against the other.

Dr. Trotter says, they are susceptible of all the social virtues, and he has seen no bad habits, but among those (one instance excepted) who were engaged in trade with the whites.

Lieutenant Storey says, that they are more honest inland than upon the shore.

They are also described by Mr. Towne to be in general hospitable and kind, but to differ as our own people in character. Those, who live inland, are innocent: those on the coast learn to be roguish, which he ascribes to their intercourse with the Europeans.

The