298 TRAVELS IN THE 
nations of Europe have carried on with the natives of the Coast, 
it is neither within my province, nor in my power, to explain. 
If my sentiments should be required concerning the effect which 
a discontinuance of that commerce would produce on the man- 
ners of the natives, I should have no hesitation in observing, 
that, in the present unenlightened state of their minds, my opi- 
nion is, the effect would neither be so extensive or beneficial, 
as many wise and worthy persons fondly expect. 
