234 HISTORY OF THE [book*:. 
c< spend what we have in England; and all that 
we get is brought to England.”* 
To the laudable researches of the lords of the 
committee of council on the subject of the slave 
trade, the public have been lately indebted for such 
a body of evidence and information respecting the 
general commerce of the British West Indies, as 
could not possibly have been collected by any ex¬ 
ertions less extensive and efficient than those of go¬ 
vernment, f I have frequently had recourse to 
their lordships report in former parts of this work, 
and shall refer to it on this occasion. 
From that authority it appears, that the value 
of the exports from Great Britain to the British 
West Indies in the year 1787 (since which time- 
they certainly have not diminished) amounted to 
£. 1,638,703 13s. lOd. the whole of which (ex¬ 
cept about £.200,000) consisted of British goods 
and manufactures. The exports for the same 
year to Africa, which, with all subsequent profits,, 
must be charged to the same account, amount to 
£.663,255 14s. 4d.J Besides this, the cost is to- 
* Groans of the Fiantations,. published the latter end of the last 
century. 
+ Report of the lords of the committee of council on the slave: 
trade, 1789. 
X The goods shipped for the purchase of gum, ivory, and gold, in- 
the trade direct between Africa and Great Britain,, constitute some: 
