400 Ancient and Modern Systems of Slavery. [_ APRIL, 



a forcible expression of Captain Clapperton, when conversing on the 

 subject of the introduction of the Christian religion, after his return 

 from his first expedition, which shows the opinion he entertained of the 

 progress it was likely to make in Africa, opposed to Islamism : " Give 

 me thirty thousand bayonets," said he, "and in a few years I will 

 produce you some millions of Christians, but as to any other methods of 

 conversion" ! ! Such was the judgment he had formed of the mental 

 qualities of the Africans. 



" In the next place I would observe," says Governor Ludlam, " that 

 the administration of every African government must become extremely 

 severe, if not extremely bloody. When so effectual a punishment as 

 slavery is done away, which yet, as it sheds no blood, is readily executed 

 on petty criminals and in doubtful cases, severe punishments and more 

 terrible examples must be introduced. Every ancient institution, the 

 power of every hereditary chief must now be sustained by blood, 

 instead of slavery: the injured party must make war, and kill his 

 neighbour's people for revenge, since he cannot sell them for satis- 

 faction !'* 



We must defer till another opportunity the observations we intended 

 to offer on a further report of proceedings at Sierra Leone, recently 

 published ; and also on the present condition of slaves in the United 

 States of America. We think enough has been said to prove the cruel 

 character of slavery in Ancient Rome and in Modern Africa. We 

 would earnestly recommend to the African Institution and others, to 

 turn their attention to the evils which afflict humanity in the latter 

 quarter of the globe, and to the means of finally abolishing the contra- 

 band trade in slaves. 



We trust his Majesty's ministers now see the errors into which their 

 predecessors were led by the abolitionists ; and that so far as it is pos- 

 sible to relieve the country from useless expenditure, and to induce 

 France and other powers to adopt effectual measures for putting an end 

 to the Slave Trade, it will be done. But these measures will be incom- 

 plete, unless at the same time means are adopted to sustain the industry 

 of our colonies, so as to dimmish the temptation to raise foreign sugars 

 by means of new slaves. 



So far as we can at present judge, it is through the great rivers falling 

 into the Bights of Benin and Biaffra that any effectual communication 

 with the interior of Africa can be opened, and we are glad to perceive 

 that by recent accounts from Fernando Po, operations were diligently 

 continued to improve the salubrity of that island, and render it fit for 

 the reception of the population which we shortly expect to see removed 

 to it. 



We hope, in a few years, especially should Lander return and be able 

 to point out the entrance to one or more of the principal rivers, to see 

 steam-boats and other vessels starting from Fernando Po, provided with 

 proper accommodation to screen the passengers from the malignant 

 effects of the heat and moisture, penetrating a considerable way into the 

 interior and more healthy parts of Africa, where, in time, such factories 

 might be established as would not only open fresh sources of commerce, 

 but might contribute more effectually to just ideas of the power of the 

 islwfend the civilization of the natives, than all those expensive 

 ;Wrnents on the coast, which have caused us such an immense loss 

 en nnd money. 



