AFRICA. £09 
noiirably as I wifhed ^ that, except Iron, every- 
thing I poffeffed was at their fervice ; that 
I would give them a proof of this before 
their departure : and, to foften the harfli- 
iiefs of my refufal, I added, that being de- 
firous of continuing in friendihip with the 
whole world, and of obferving, both towards 
them and the planters, that ftri£t neutrality 
which I had always profeffed, I was ready, 
upon every occafion, to give the fame anfwer 
to their enemies, fliould they, when in Want 
of arms or ammunition, come to implore my 
affiftance in order to continue the war. 
Though this anfwer and the fubfequent 
explanation were clear and precife, theie fa- 
vages, who are never difcou raged by the firft 
refufal, returned to the charg;e, and renewed 
their importunities more tlian once ; but 
my reiolution was formed, and upon this 
head I was inexorable. I W2S too well ac« 
quainted with the exaggerating diipoiition of 
the planters, who would not have failed to 
accufe me of perfidy for the leaft article ex- 
torted from me by their importunity, and 
for (hewing weakneis or condefceniiou in 
fuch a delicate conjunclure. I do not doubt 
that they would have even gladly embraced 
Vol. II. P . this 
