29O TRAVELS IN THE 
constantly prefer such as have been in that condition of life 
from their infancy, well knowing that these have been accus- 
tomed to hunger and fatigue, and are better able to sustain the 
hardships of a long and painful journey, than free men ; and on 
their reaching the Coast, if no opportunity offers of selling them 
to advantage, they can easily be made to maintain themselves 
by their labour ; neither are they so apt to attempt making their 
escape, as those who have once tasted the blessings of freedom. 
Slaves of the second description, generally become such by 
one or other of the following causes, 1. Captivity. 2. Famine. 
3. Insolvency. 4. Crimes. A freeman may, by the established 
customs of Africa, become a slave, by being taken in war. War, 
is of all others, the most productive source, and was probably 
the origin of slavery; for when one nation had taken from 
another, a greater number of captives than could be exchanged 
on equal terms, it is natural to suppose that the conquerors, 
finding it inconvenient to maintain their prisoners, would com- 
pel them to labour ; at first, perhaps, only for their own support ; 
but afterwards to support their masters. Be this as it may, it 
is a known fact, that prisoners of war in Africa, are the slaves 
of the conquerors ; and when the weak or unsuccessful warrior, 
begs for mercy beneath the uplifted spear of his opponent, he 
gives up at the same time his claim to liberty ; and purchases 
his life at the expence of his freedom. 
In a country, divided into a thousand petty states, mostly 
independent and jealous of each other ; where every freeman 
is accustomed to arms, and fond of military achievements: 
where the youth who has practised the bow and spear from 
