Liberia ^ 



" ' Did not the Mulatto- trader order an attack on the 

 neighbouring island when the proprietor (a native chief) was 

 killed in defending himself, and do not the friends of the 

 proprietor consider this as an act of great injustice ? ' 



" ' The proprietor well deserved to be attacked, for there 

 is reason to think he was then intending to attack the Mulatto- 

 trader,' 



" ' I understand this affair is not over, and that the 

 successors of this proprietor intend to retaliate on the successors 

 of the Mulatto chief, when they have an opportunity ? ' 



" ' I believe they do ; but it ill becomes them to question the 

 Mulatto chief's conduct, for they should consider how much 

 worse things their own father (the deceased chief or proprietor) 

 did. For example, the old man has been known to sail up a 

 river with some large craft, to land at a town under a great show 

 of friendship. He has then made a speech to the head-men and 

 people, remarking how shamefully all former traders had used 

 them, and that he was come to trade fairly with them, as friends 

 and brothers. He has then opened a puncheon or two of rum, 

 and invited them to sit round and drink. At night, when 

 he had got them thoroughly drunk, he has given the signal 

 to his people in the craft, who have secured all the party in 

 fetters, and sold every one worth purchasing to some slave ship 

 all the while waiting at the river's mouth. This old proprietor 

 did many such things. But the Mulatto-trader never used 

 treachery, nor attacked a town without reason ; but the other 

 plundered without distinction.' 



" ' Does the Mulatto-trader's successor recover debts by the 

 same means that he used ? ' 



" ' No^ he is too easy' 



" ' Is it not unpleasant to carry on a trade so full ot 

 enormities as you describe the slave trade to be ? ' 



