-
Articles/Ads
Article ON AFRICAN SLAVERY. ← Page 2 of 4 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On African Slavery.
was their situation in their own country . Let us consider the situation in which they are p laced by the slave-trade . In order to realize the ' subject , let us contemplate the scene which is now taking place on the various parts of the earth—let ns extend onr prospect at once to the whole globe , and comprehend , in one view , all the miseries of this unfortunate people . _ From the ports of commercial nations , ships are constantl y sailing tp '
Africa , and the merchants ' at their ease are coolly calculating the accu-s mulation of wealth which will accrue to them in proportion to the pain which they inflict upon their fellow men . On their arrival on the coast , the natives are filled with fears and apprehensions of danger . As far through the country as the name of the white people has been heard , so far the alarm is sounded . Actuated by the hopes of gain , many of the natives are induced to engage in the trade , and become the instruments of reducing their wretched brethren to slavery : —They procure by theft or purchase , and sell for a triflin g compensation ,
persons of every age , sex , and condition . When their cargo is completed , the traders frequently close the business by detaining and carrying away those very natives who have furnished them with their slaves—adjust punishment upon them for their barbarity , but which evinces our ' African traders to be as void of good faith as they are of humanity . Not only are individuals induced to commence robbers by this practice ,, but the kings and leaders of nations and tribes are animated to
undertake martial expeditions for the purpose of acquiring prisoners to' sell for slaves . Through the barbarous realms of Africa , the sable nations move from every side to mortal combat—the din of battle resoundsdeath and ruin mark their progress , and the vanquished who are taken prisoners , are reserved for distresses in comparison with which death may be deemed a blessing . The theft of the robber , and the
depredation of the warrior , extend to every quarter ; and no place can be found for the enjoyment of safety and repose . The fiither can never enjoy peace and tranquillity in the bosom of his family . He is hourl y exposed to have his wife and children torn from his arms , and
transported to a country from whence they can never return . Such . incidents so frequently happen , that they are the perpetual theme of conversation . They can repeat a thousand tales of the misfortunes of their friends and nei ghbours , which imprint the deepest gloom on their minds , and impress them with a constant fear and expectation of suffering such unspeakable calamities . While such horrors destroy the tranquillity of the interior parts of
the country , behold on every hand innumerable' troops are descending to the ports frequented by the christian traders . No language can describe the anguish and despair which they experience when they are dragged from their native land and dearest friends , and transported tq the place where they are exposed to sale . Imagine a father torn from the embraces of a distracted wife—children ravished from the arms of their parents , and lovers compelled to bid each other an everlasting farewel . Perhaps they are all obliged to accompany each other in this scene of distress . ' Their tears , - their lamentations , and their intreaties
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On African Slavery.
was their situation in their own country . Let us consider the situation in which they are p laced by the slave-trade . In order to realize the ' subject , let us contemplate the scene which is now taking place on the various parts of the earth—let ns extend onr prospect at once to the whole globe , and comprehend , in one view , all the miseries of this unfortunate people . _ From the ports of commercial nations , ships are constantl y sailing tp '
Africa , and the merchants ' at their ease are coolly calculating the accu-s mulation of wealth which will accrue to them in proportion to the pain which they inflict upon their fellow men . On their arrival on the coast , the natives are filled with fears and apprehensions of danger . As far through the country as the name of the white people has been heard , so far the alarm is sounded . Actuated by the hopes of gain , many of the natives are induced to engage in the trade , and become the instruments of reducing their wretched brethren to slavery : —They procure by theft or purchase , and sell for a triflin g compensation ,
persons of every age , sex , and condition . When their cargo is completed , the traders frequently close the business by detaining and carrying away those very natives who have furnished them with their slaves—adjust punishment upon them for their barbarity , but which evinces our ' African traders to be as void of good faith as they are of humanity . Not only are individuals induced to commence robbers by this practice ,, but the kings and leaders of nations and tribes are animated to
undertake martial expeditions for the purpose of acquiring prisoners to' sell for slaves . Through the barbarous realms of Africa , the sable nations move from every side to mortal combat—the din of battle resoundsdeath and ruin mark their progress , and the vanquished who are taken prisoners , are reserved for distresses in comparison with which death may be deemed a blessing . The theft of the robber , and the
depredation of the warrior , extend to every quarter ; and no place can be found for the enjoyment of safety and repose . The fiither can never enjoy peace and tranquillity in the bosom of his family . He is hourl y exposed to have his wife and children torn from his arms , and
transported to a country from whence they can never return . Such . incidents so frequently happen , that they are the perpetual theme of conversation . They can repeat a thousand tales of the misfortunes of their friends and nei ghbours , which imprint the deepest gloom on their minds , and impress them with a constant fear and expectation of suffering such unspeakable calamities . While such horrors destroy the tranquillity of the interior parts of
the country , behold on every hand innumerable' troops are descending to the ports frequented by the christian traders . No language can describe the anguish and despair which they experience when they are dragged from their native land and dearest friends , and transported tq the place where they are exposed to sale . Imagine a father torn from the embraces of a distracted wife—children ravished from the arms of their parents , and lovers compelled to bid each other an everlasting farewel . Perhaps they are all obliged to accompany each other in this scene of distress . ' Their tears , - their lamentations , and their intreaties