constantly prefer such as have been in that condition o f life from their infancy, well knowing that these have been accustomed 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 laboui ; 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, j. Captivity, s. 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 compel 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 hrs 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 his infancy, longs for nothing so much as ah opportunity, to display his valour, it is natural to imagine that wars frequently originate from very frivolous provocation. When one nation is more powerful than another, a pretext, is seldom wanting for commencing hostilities. Thus the war between Kajaaga and Kasson was occasioned by the detention, of a fugitive slave : that between BambaEra and Kaarta by the loss of a few cattle. Other cases of the same nature perpetually occur, in which the folly or mad ambition of their princes, and the zeal of their religious enthusiasts, give full employment to the scythe of desolation. The wars of Africa are of two kinds, which are distinguished by different appellations: that species which bears the greatest resemblance to our European contests, is denominated killi, a word signifying “ to call out," because such wars are openly avowed, and previously declared. Wars of this description in Africa, commonly terminate, however, in the course of a single campaign. A battle is fought ; the vanquished seldom think of rallying again ; the whole inhabitants become panic struck; and the conquerors have only to bind the slaves, and carry off their plunder and their victims. Such of the prisoners as, through age or infirmity, are unable to endure fatigue, or are found unfit for sale, are considered as useless; and I have no doubt are frequently put to death. The same fate commonly awaits a chief, or any other person who has taken a very distinguished part in the war. And here it may be observed that, notwithstanding this exterminating system, it is surprising to behold how soon an African town is rebuilt and repeopled. T h e P p 3
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