SOLON ROBINSON, 1849 255 



that the importation of slaves was permitted until the 

 year 1808, about the time it was also prohibited by Great 

 Britain. Although the citizens of that government are 

 now harsh against us for permitting the existence of 

 slavery in our republic, it ought to be borne in mind, that 

 it was Britain who fixed the institution so indelibly upon 

 us. She began the traffic in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, 

 though slavery had undoubtedly existed in some form 

 from the earliest history of that nation. In fact, it has 

 existed from the earliest periods of history, and I have 

 no doubt will continue to exist to its latest period. Not- 

 withstanding the importation of negroes is prohibited by 

 nearly all the civilized nations of the earth, it is still 

 carried on in a contraband manner, to an enormous ex- 

 tent. It is estimated that 40,000 slaves annually leave 

 the coast of Africa. It is not likely that many of them 

 ever reach the United States. Cuba, Porto Rico and 

 Brazil, being the great slave emporiums of the present 

 day ; but we undoubtedly feel the effects of the trade, for 

 were it not for that source of supply, these countries 

 would draw the surplus from ours, in spite of all laws 

 that might be enacted to prevent it. 



For my own part, I have no doubt that while the negro 

 continues to exist, he will continue to be enslaved by the 

 white man, as it has been for almost unknown ages ; for 

 it is a fact, that long before the time when European 

 ships first visited the coast of Africa, the negroes had 

 been carried away, by the Arabian caravans, to serve the 

 pale faces of the North. Would it not be well to inquire 

 why the negro race has always been subjected to the con- 

 dition of slaves by the whites? 



And to avoid the charge of plagiarism, let me here 

 state that I shall quote many items from various authors 



1830, " 2,009,031 



1840, " 2,487,455 



The importation of slaves has been prohibited since 1808; con- 

 sequently, the addition ascertained every census, is from natural 

 increase. 



