GHAP. II.] WEST INDIES. 251 
No duty imposed by this act was to extend to 
negroes exported, or to gold and silver, nor was 
the act to be so construed as to hinder any one from 
trading to that part of Africa commonly called 
South Barbary, extending southerly as far as cape 
Blanco.” 
Against the regulations of this law, which was 
to continue in force for ] 3 years, both the com¬ 
pany and many of the private traders remonstrated 
without effect; and the company’s affairs, in the 
course of a few years, declined to so great a de¬ 
gree, that they were unable either to support their 
factories with new investments, or to pay the debts 
which they had already incurred. Parliament, at 
length, was induced to give them some assistance; 
and in 1739 voted £. 10,000 for that purpose, and 
the like sum annually until the year 1744, when, 
by reason of the war with France and Spain, the 
grant was doubled. In each of the two succeeding 
years <£.10,000 was again voted;—but nothing was 
granted for 1747. 
In the year 1750, the African trade, after having 
passed, as we have seen, through different consti¬ 
tutions and conditions, assumed a new appearance; 
for in that year the law took place under which it 
still exists, and is at present regulated. It is in- 
titled, <f An act for extending and improving the 
trade to Africa;” the terms and conditions whereof 
I need not set forth, as the act itself is so easily 
referred to. Of the several countries, however 
