CHAPTER XVII. 



We are defrauded of great numbers by tbe pains that are taken to 



keep the blacks from us; their masters are afraid of the influence 



of our principles. Would not an amelioration in the condition and 



treatment of slaves have produced more practical good to the poor 



Africans than any attempt at their emancipation f The state of 



society, unhappily, does not admit of this; besides, the blacks are 



deprived of the means of instruction ; who will take the pains to 



lead them into the way of salvation, and watch over them that they 



may not stray, but the Methodists ? Well, now their masters will 



not let them come to hear us. What is the personal liberty of the 



African, which he may abuse, to the salvation of his soul ; how may 



it be compared ? 



(Francis Asbury.) 



TT1HE beginning of slavery may be dated from the 

 1 remotest period of which we have any account 

 in history. It prevailed particularly among the Jews, 

 the Greeks, the Romans, and the ancient Germans, 

 and was transmitted by them to the various kingdoms 

 and states which arose out of the Eoman Empire. 

 African slavery took its rise from the Portuguese, 

 who, to supply the Spaniards with men to cultivate 

 their new possessions in America, procured negroes 

 from Africa whom they sold for slaves to the Ameri- 

 can Spaniards. This began in the year 1508, when 

 they imported the first negroes into Hispaniola. It 

 was about 1551 that the English began trading to 

 Guinea; at first for gold and elephants' teeth, but 



(467) 



