Note 3 — CONSIDERATIONS ON THE NEGROE CAUSE, &c.

I have referred to this period of the Negroe-trade to Africa, because Acts of Parliament go no farther back in confirmation of it; but its commencement was of much earlier date. It began in this country about the middle of the 15th century, and was carried on by means of letters patent obtained by individual traders for their private emolument, until the growth of the English plantations in America, in the next century, made it an object of such importance, as not only to render the establishment of a company necessary, but of such profit as to engage even crowned heads to be concerned therein. The first charter was granted in the year 1661, in favour of the Duke of York; but being revoked by consent of parties, it was renewed in the year 1663, with more ample privileges than the former. The principal adventurers here, were Queen Catharine of Portugal, Mary Queen of France, the Duke of York, Henrietta Maria Duchess of Orleans, Prince Rupert, and others of the Court. Thus upon the ground of an exclusive Right was this trade continued, till, by the vast increase of the colonies, it became, in the beginning of the present century, a weight too heavy for the support of prerogative; and so falling under the protection of Parliament, was made, as it now is, a free, open, and national concern.