tion. "Hence," he says, "it appears that one of the first objects of the institution should be, to encourage, as much as possible, a fair and peaceable traffic with the natives of Africa, by inciting individuals in this country to keep up an interCourse equal to, and, if possible, greater than that which existed during the continuance of the Slave Trade." No man knows better than he does, that the habits of the population of a country, and, above all, of an uncivilized country, never undergo a sudden change, by any known operation whatever.

The Slave Trade has for centuries past, by the intervention of the ferocious, brutalized sons of Africa, swept away a large portion of the natives to bondage and to death, and that upon a principle of injustice, treachery, or force. Can we suppose that this principle, so extensively diffused, and so inveterately rooted by practice, will at once become extinct upon the overture of a fair and peaceable traffic? (fair and peaceable I ardently hope it may in future be, on the part of the European)-or that men, who have been in the habits of seizing and selling the human species, should cease at once to be actuated by the same principle of injustice, treachery, or force; or should scruple to seize the fruits of the labour of others, in order to procure a supply of the European articles they may want? In an uncivilized country, where might overcomes right, to seize the fruits of another's labour is much more likely to be practised, than the tedious process of cultivation, and much more congenial to the indolent but rapacious habits of savage life.

It appears to me then, that, in a plan of civilization upon that principle of disinterestedness which the institution so honourably professes, some steps are indispensably necessary to be taken for the social improvement of the habits of the savage tribes of Africa, before a fair and peaceable traffic on the part of the natives can be reasonably expected. These steps obviously require that the attention of the Board should be particularly directed to obtain, if possible, the instruction of the children of the higher ranks in the community, and more especially of those who are likely to succeed to the pos session of power in the uncivilized districts of Africa. The instruction alluded to, should embrace a variety of objects, such as are calculated practically to promote the comforts and arts of social life.

To prosecute with effect such a scheme of civilization as is proposed by the society, it will scarcely be controverted that

those in Africa, whose power gives them an influence over the manners and habits of their respective tribes, must be convinced (and it will require no small pains to convince them, after all that has passed in the intercourse of this country with Africa) that we are actuated by no sinister, sordid views; that we have renounced all commercial rapacity; and that the institution, so far from aiming at any beneficial reciprocity, extends its fostering arms to the shores of Africa, purely with a view to serve the natives, and to promote the comforts of social life upon the sure basis of virtuous principle.

Let not this view be deemed Utopian, though perhaps unprecedented in the history of the intercourse of nations. It is time that an example should be set and in what country of the world can an example be more properly set, of a disinterested treatment of an ignorant and rude people, and of a benevolent attempt to improve their social and moral state, than by a society of Englishmen, as some compensation for the indescribable miseries which their countrymen, with a signal and lamentable distinction, have for ages inflicted upon the African race?

This consideration of intellectual and moral improvement seems but slightly touched upon at the conclusion of William Roscoe's communication, and is by no means represented as the prominent feature of the undertaking. This, I am very apprehensive, may, under the sanction of his name, have the effect of damping the hopes and disappointing the expectations of many warm well-wishers to the cause of civilization, Such a point being gained-I mean, the conciliation of those in power, and the instruction of their young people→ we may hope, after patience and perseverance (for these are qualities that must be exercised in this undertaking), to see established, what appears to me to be an indispensable ap pendage of any effectual scheme of civilization, introductory to a fair and peaceable traffic-I mean, the security of property.

This being happily accomplished; and any attempts by lawless adventurers clandestinely to prosecute the Slave Trade, or infringe the Abolition Act, being defeated; and also the inhuman traffic in slaves, on the part of other maritime states, being happily foreclosed; perhaps the institution may be said to have accomplished its purpose; for as to the districts of Africa whose population is in such a state and progress of civilization as to maintain and enforce a system of

fair dealing, and a reciprocity of benefit, I am inclined to think that they are not within the limits of the society's view; and that, if the state of social and civil habits of life in Africa be ripe for a fair and peaceable traffic, the institution is a work of supererogation.

The way would then be completely opened for the promotion of industry, in the business of agriculture and commercial intercourse with this or any other civilized country and though a fair and legitimate intercourse, by way of commerce, between distant countries, in different stages of civilization and improvement, may be justly deemed a providential mean of promoting the comforts and happiness of the human race; yet that to advance the proposition" that one of the first objects of the institution should be, to encourage as much as possible a fair and peaceable traffic with the natives of Africa," is recommending the right order of proceeding in a plan for civilizing the rude tribes of that continent, may admit of a doubt. Of this, however, I think there can be no doubt, that the spirit, the enterprize, and the commercial capital of this country, circumstanced as it now is, can want no stimulus or patronage from the African institution, promptly to engage the merchants and manufacturers of England to push a commercial connection with Africa to the utmost extent of beneficial intercourse. And if, as has not been very unusual in other cases, mercantile adventurers to that continent should in their interchange and traffic, exceed the limits of what is fair and peaceable-taking care, at the same time, to steer clear of the Slave Trade-what have they to fear from the controul of the African institution? The institution can in no case take the direction of the trading transactions of this country with Africa.

It seems, therefore, a most desirable object in the plan and proceedings of the institution, to prepare and fortify the minds of the ignorant natives of Africa against the fraudulent and mischievous efforts of eager and adventurous traffic.*

The principle of a fair, legitimate trade, is reciprocity; but whilst we are wishing the world to be as it ought to be,

* I do not think it improper here to advert to the opinion of a most respectable Governor of the African Institution, whose heart is warm in the cause of civilization, though his age and infirmity preclude the active exertion of his benevolence. In a late communication to the writer of these Remarks, he says, "Above all things, be careful not to introduce, too soon, commerce; as we may remember that American traders first made the Indians drunk, and then bought their furs and skins, by the rascally trader's hand being a pound weight, and his foot twe pounds!!!"-DAVID BARCLAY,

let us take it, as the sad detail of commercial history states it to be. What reciprocity for wealth poured into the lap of Europe, have millions of human beings in Africa, millions in Asia, and millions in America both North and South, received for their territory and the produce of their country? I will not say with Dr. Young, "Shame burn the cheek to cinder;" but I do say, that it is the duty of the existing generation to profit, both civilly and politically, by the errors and crimes, as well as by the virtues, of other times.

Disposed as we all are to promote the iuterests of trade, let us not, in the estimate of buinan happiness, be dazzled by the splendid display, in this country, of wealth accumulated by trade or manufactures; let not this accumulation be the polar star of our course. What, it may be asked, has the African institution to do with the prosperity of commerce in the ports of London, Liverpool, or Bristol? The merchants of those places will assuredly look to that.

The society of the African institution may be considered as the guardians of the best interests of Africa, pledged to promote the social and moral improvement of her uncivilized tribes, as an introduction to the benefits of agriculture and commerce, and as a prelude to their eventual acceptance of the light and truths of that dispensation, which we all profess to consider as the greatest blessing of Providence to the hu man race; and it must be admitted, that the principles incul cated under that dispensation afford the strongest arguments for adopting and prosecuting the scheme of civilization, in such a way as will the most effectually disappoint the lust of dominion and the lust of wealth; for where these exist, whether in an individual or in a nation, it may safely be held that christianity cannot possibly exist.

West-Hill, Wandsworth, May, 1809.

GEORGE HARRISON.

POSTSCRIPT.

. I HAVE said, that the instruction alluded to should embrace a variety of objects, such as are calculated practically to promote the comforts and arts of social life; and if it is not deemed too presuming on the part of an individual to at tempt what may seem more properly to lie within the pro vince of united judgment and experience, I would venture to

state some of the leading points to be aimed at in a just and rational scheme of civilization.

After the necessary steps to conciliate the minds of the native chiefs, and to obtain the instruction of their young people, as an object of the first importance, it seems requisite to diffuse the knowledge,

1st. Of agriculture, in which the department of horticul ture is of course included.

2dly. Of surgery and medicine, as far as may be adapted to the state of society in Africa.

Sdly. The rudiments of mechanics, in the application of the six mechanical powers; and of hydraulics, particularly the use of the pump and syphon.

4thly. Smiths' work.

5thly. Carpenters' work.

Without enlarging this sphere of employment, and confining the efforts of the Institution on the continent of Africa to the mediation of two individuals, suitably qualified, in each department of these useful and necessary arts; taking also into the account the implements and stores of various kinds to be distributed gratuitously to the natives, for the purpose of making them eventually their own instructors-a principle never to be lost sight of, as it seems essentially necessary to the ultimate success of the undertaking upon any large scale; the expense cannot be less than 1000l. or 15001. a year: most probably it would be more. If to this amount we add the current expenses at home, which would be rated moderately if taken at 5001., we must count upon disbursements considerably exceeding the amount of annual subscriptions, although the Institution should confine its views to the business of instruction exclusively. It seems, therefore, upon a principle of prudence and forecast (in not attempting an object more than commensurate with its means,) that the Institution should, agreeable to its pledge and public declaration, scrupulously decline all speculations of a mercantile nature; the risk or expense of which may trench upon its resources, to the hindrance or preclusion of the professed purpose of its establishment-the purpose for which the subscribers have given, and continue to give, their pecuniary aid. If any cogency attaches to this argument, founded on plain calculation, a still more imperious one presents itself to my mind. The ideas and solicitudes of an uncivilized man are concentred in Self: no man more keen-sighted to his interest, or more suspicious of encroachment upon it, than the savage,