It was about the year 1551, towards the latter end of the reign of King Edward the Sixth, when some London merchants sent out the first English ship, on a trading voyage to the coast of Guinea; this was soon followed by several others to the same parts; but the English not having then any plantations in the West Indies, and consequently no occasion for Negroes, such ships traded only for gold, elephants teeth, and Guinea pepper.  This trade was carried on at the hazard of losing their ships and cargoes, if they had fallen into the hands of the Portuguese, who claimed an exclusive right of trade, on account of the several settlements they had made there.[A] In the year 1553, we find captain Thomas Windham trading along the coast with 140 men, in three ships, and sailing as far as Benin, which lies about 3000 miles down the coast, to take in a load of pepper.[B] Next year John Lock traded along the coast of Guinea, as far as D’Elmina, when he brought away considerable quantities of gold and ivory.  He speaks well of the natives, and says,[C] “That whoever will deal with them must behave civilly, for they will not traffic if ill used.”  In 1555, William Towerson traded in a peaceable manner with the natives, who made complaint to him of the Portuguese, who were then settled in their castle at D’Elmina, saying, “They were bad men, who made them slaves if they could take them, putting irons on their legs.”

[Footnote A:  Astley’s collection, vol. 1. page 139.]

[Footnote B:  Collection vol. 1. p. 148.]

[Footnote C:  Ibid. 257.]

This bad example of the Portuguese was soon followed by some evil disposed Englishmen; for the same captain Towerson relates,[A] “That in the course of his voyage, he perceived the natives, near D’Elmina, unwilling to come to him, and that he was at last attacked by them; which he understood was done in revenge for the wrong done them the year before, by one captain Gainsh, who had taken away the Negro captain’s son, and three others, with their gold, &c.  This caused them to join the Portuguese, notwithstanding their hatred of them, against the English.”  The next year captain Towerson brought these men back again; whereupon the Negroes shewed him much kindness.[B] Quickly after this, another instance of the same kind occurred, in the case of captain George Fenner, who being on the coast, with three vessels, was also attacked by the Negroes, who wounded several of his people, and violently carried three of his men to their town.  The captain sent a messenger, offering any thing they desired for the ransom of his men:  but they refused to deliver them, letting him know, “That three weeks before, an English ship, which came in the road, had carried off three of their people; and that till they were brought again, they would not restore his men, even tho’ they should give their three ships to release them.”  It was probably the evil conduct of these, and some other Englishmen,