It had happened also, that I had been honoured with the first of the prizes[A], in that year, and therefore it was expected again, that I should obtain the first on this occasion.  The acquisition of the second, however honourable, would have been considered as a falling off, or as a loss of former fame.  I felt myself, therefore, particularly called upon to maintain my post.  And, with feelings of this kind, I began to prepare myself for the question.

[Footnote A:  There are two prizes on each subject, one for the best and the other for the second-best essays.]

In studying the thesis, I conceived it to point directly to the African Slave Trade, and more particularly as I knew that Dr. Peckard, in the sermon which I have mentioned, had pronounced so warmly against it.  At any rate, I determined to give it this construction.  But, alas!  I was wholly ignorant of this subject; and, what was unfortunate, a few weeks only were allowed for the composition.  I was determined, however, to make the best use of my time.  I got access to the manuscript papers of a deceased friend, who had been in the trade.  I was acquainted also with several officers who had been in the West Indies, and from these I gained something.  But I still felt myself at a loss for materials, and I did not know where to get them; when going by accident into a friend’s house, I took up a newspaper then lying on his table.  One of the articles which attracted my notice, was an advertisement of ANTHONY BENEZET’S Historical Account of Guinea.  I soon left my friend and his paper, and, to lose no time, hastened to London to buy it.  In this precious book I found almost all I wanted.  I obtained, by means of it, a knowledge of, and access to, the great authorities of Adanson, Moore, Barbot, Smith, Bosman, and others.  It was of great consequence to know what these persons had said upon this subject.  For, having been themselves either long resident in Africa, or very frequently there, their knowledge of it could not be questioned.  Having been concerned also in the trade, it was not likely that they would criminate themselves more than they could avoid.  Writing too at a time when the abolition was not even thought of, they could not have been biassed with any view to that event.  And, lastly, having been dead many years, they could not have been influenced, as living evidences may be supposed to have been, either to conceal or exaggerate, as their own interest might lead them, either by being concerned in the continuance of the trade, or by supporting the opinions of those of their patrons in power, who were on the different sides of this question.