.chap, in.] WEST INDIES. 267 
The circumstances which distinguish the Koro- 
mantyn, or Gold coast negroes, from all others, 
.are firmness both of body and mind; a ferociousness 
of disposition; but withal, activity, courage, and a 
stubbornness, or what an ancient Roman would have 
deemed an elevation of soul, which prompts them 
to enterprizes of difficulty and danger; and enables 
them to meet death, in its most horrible shape, 
with fortitude or indifference. They sometimes 
take to labour with great promptitude and alacrity, 
and have constitutions well adapted for it; for many 
of them have undoubtedly been slaves in Africa:— 
I have interrogated great numbers on this subject, 
and although some of them asserted they were bom 
free, who, as it was afterwards proved by the testi¬ 
mony of their own relations, were actually sold as 
slaves by their masters, others frankly confessed to 
me, that they had no claim to freedom in their own 
country, and were sold, either to pay the debts, or 
to expiate the crimes, of their owners. On the 
other hand, the Gold coast being inhabited by va¬ 
rious different tribes which are engaged in perpe¬ 
tual warfare and hostility with each other, there 
cannot be a doubt, that many of the captives taken 
in battle, and sold in the European settlements, 
were of free condition in their native country, and 
perhaps the owners of slaves themselves. It is not 
wonderful that such men should endeavour, even 
by means the most desperate, to regain the freedom 
of which they have been deprived; nor do I con¬ 
ceive, that any further circumstances are necessary 
to prompt them to action, than that of beins: sold 
