296 TRAVELS IN THE , 
as will sell to advantage in a distant market, or from the Euro- 
pean traders on the Coast ; payment to be made in a given time. 
In both cases, the situation of the adventurer is exactly the 
same. If he succeeds, he may secure an independency. If he 
is unsuccessful, his person and services are at the disposal of 
another ; for in Africa, not only the effects of the insolvent, but 
even the insolvent himself, is sold to satisfy the lawful demands 
of his creditors. * 
The fourth cause above enumerated, is the commission of 
crimes , on which the laws of the country affix slavery as a punish- 
ment. In Africa, the only offences of this class, are murder, 
adultery, and witchcraft ; and I am happy to say, that they did 
not appear to me to be common. In cases of murder, I was 
informed, that the nearest relation of the deceased had it in his 
power, after conviction, either to kill the offender with his own 
hand, or sell him into slavery. When adultery occurs, it is ge- 
nerally left to the option of the person injured, either to sell 
the culprit, or accept such a ransom for him, as he may think 
* When a Negro takes up goods on credit from any of the Europeans on the 
Coast, and does not make payment at the time appointed, the European is autho- 
rized, by the laws of the country, to seize upon the debtor himself, if he can find 
him ; or if he cannot be found, on any person of his family ; or, in the last resort, on 
any native of the same kingdom. The person thus seized on, is detained while 
his friends are sent in quest of the debtor. When he is found, a meeting is called 
of the chief people of the place, and the debtor is compelled to ransom his friend by 
fulfilling his engagements. If he is unable to do this, his person is immediately 
secured and sent down to the Coast, and the other released. If the debtor cannot 
be found, the person seized on is obliged to pay double the amount of the debt, 
or is himself sold into slavery. I was given to understand, however, that this 
part of the law is seldom enforced. 
