The National and Private Advantages of the African Trade Considered (London, P. Knapton, 1746)

Abstract

This chapter begins with a statement of the importance of the slave trade to Britain. This is seen as residing in the provision of enslaved labourers to maintain the plantation system in Britain's New World colonies, thereby providing 'an inexhaustible Fund of Wealth and Naval Power to this Nation'. The slave trade is of considerable national advantage to Britain. The chapter provides the importance of the African trade to Britain's prosperity by emphasising the need to maintain the forts, factories and castles belonging to the Royal African Company. A detailed summary of individual forts and establishments is presented to make a case for a parliamentary allowance to support the Royal African Company in Africa. The subsidies, bounties and exemptions from duties that the French and Dutch have in place to support their trade with Africa are estimated in order to buttress the case for financial assistance for the company.