Page:Trials of the Slave Traders Samo, Peters and Tufft (1813).pdf/52

 circumstance of great satisfaction to every humane heart, that, for the attainment of this object, a more fit character could not have been selected than the present Chief Justice of this colony, than whom no man can be a more determined hater of slavery. In the cause of African emancipation, he has exhibited the deepest zeal, patiently and indefatigably devoted; notwithstanding the multiplicity of business to which he has to attend as Chief Justice, he has an ear ever ready to hear the complaint of the suffering African, and his humanity affords him prompt redress. Though he is exposed to all the injuries incident to residing in a deleterious climate, this has no terror for him while he is busied in dispensing the blessings of British law in favour of a people who have too long been the victims of the lawless. He is certainly entitled to the thanks of his country.

You will recollect that, previous to my leaving England, we had often spoken of Africa, and lamented the unhappy state of that country. In these conversations we were always cordial. This concurrence of sentiment not only sanctions and invites, but urges me to call your attention to the observations which I may be enabled to make during my visit to Africa. Though I do not mean to continue very long in this dreadful climate, I shall be industrious to obtain all the knowledge I possibly can, relative to the colony and those connected with it. It is, I assure you, a very different place from what it has been represented by certain persons in England. A great error prevails with regard to the nature of the climate, which has been styled good even in the face of parliament; but I do, from experience and attentive observation, pronounce it to be one of the worst, if not exclusively the worst, climate on earth; and no European can reside in it many months, without having his constitution essentially impaired.