Page:Abstract of the evidence for the abolition of the slave-trade 1791.djvu/161

( 127 ) Mr. Beverley was told in America, that when the abolition of the slave-trade was first agitated in 1774, many doubted the practicability of keeping up the numbers by births, and the persons so doubting have, since the abolition of the slave trade, expressed to him a conviction that their fears were groundless.

Mr. Crew states also, that the negroes in Virginia increased rapidly without importation, so much so, that it was a general opinion that it was profitable to hold slaves on this account, exclusive of the profits of their labour. He thinks, at the same time, that the culture of tobacco is nearly as laborious as that of sugar, and that the climate of Virginia is not so favourable as that of the West Indies to African constitutions on account of the severe cold in the winter. Mr. Crew observes, that the importation of African slaves into Virginia has been generally discontinued since 1772.

Other facts and some opinions on this subject.

From the above accounts, (by which the natives of Africa have been viewed in different climates and situations) but particularly from the last, it is evident that if they were in general well used in the European colonies, they would so generally increase as to supersede the necessity of the slave trade, for if in the American climate, totally uncongenial to their constitutions, they have generally increased by births, much more would they in the West Indian, which is represented as much more favourable to their propagation. This will be still more evident, if we prove that they are prolifick in their own country, and that the West Indian climate is the same as their own at home. Mr. Falconbridge says, that the females are more prolifick than those of other countries. Out of four or five deliveries, at which he was present, there were twice twins. Captain Hall has seen as many children in the towns and villages in Africa in proportion to the grown people, as he has met with in this country. Sir G. Young declares, that the negro