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when they were landed, though our continuance was prolonged for about twelve days.
Upon the arrival of the ſlave-ſhips in the Weft-Indies, a day is fixed for the ſale of their cargoes.
The whole of the cargoes being diſpoſed off, the ſhips are made ready, for it is very ſeldom, however, that they are not detained for want of a ſufficient number of ſailors, as this trade may juſtly be denominated the grave of ſeamen. Though the crews of the ſhips upon their leaving England, generally amount to between forty and fifty men, ſcarcely three-fourths, and ſometimes not one-third of the compliment, over return to the port from whence they ſailed, through mortality and deſersion.
The time during which the ſlave-ſhips are abſent from England, varies according to the deſtination of the voyage, and the number of ſhips on the coaſt. To Bonny, or Old and New Calabar, a voyage is uſually performed in about ten months. Thoſe to the windward and gold coaſts, are rather more uncertain, but in general from fifteen to eighteen months.
After permiſſion has been obtained for breaking trade, the captains go aſhore to make their purchaſes. The unhappy wretches thus diſpoſed of, are bought by the black traders at fairs, which are held for that purpoſe, at the diſtance of upwards of two
