In 1481, eleven years prior to the discovery by Columbus, the Portuguese built a fort on the Gold Coast, and there commenced mining in search of gold.  During this time until the year 1502, a period of ten years, had there been no other evidence, there was sufficient time and opportunity, to give full practical demonstrations of the capacity of this people to endure toil, especially in the mining operations, and for this cause and this alone, were they selected in preference to any other race of men, to do the labor of the New World.  They had proven themselves physically superior either to the European or American races—­in fact, superior physically to any living race of men—­enduring fatigue, hunger and thirst—­enduring change of climate, habits, manners and customs, with infinitely far less injury to their physical and mental system, than any other people on the face of God’s earth.

The following extract shows, that even up to the year 1676, the Indians were enslaved—­but that little value were attached to them as laborers, as the price at which they were disposed and sold to purchasers, fully shows: 

SLAVERY IN PROVIDENCE, R.I.—­Immediately after the struggle between the natives and some of the New England settlers, known as “King Philip’s war,” it became necessary to dispose of certain Indian captives then in Providence.  The method adopted was common in that day, but to us remarkable, as also the names of those who figured prominently therein.  Only think of ROGER WILLIAMS sharing in the proceeds of a slave sale.  The following is from the “Annals of Providence.”

“A town meeting was held before Thomas Field’s house, under a tree, by the water side, on the 14th of August, 1676.  A committee was appointed to determine in what manner the Indians should be disposed of.  They reported as follows: 

“Inhabitants wanting, can have Indians at the price they sell at the Island of Rhode Island or elsewhere.  All under five, to serve till thirty; above five and under ten, till twenty-eight; above ten to fifteen, till twenty-seven; above fifteen to twenty, till twenty-six; from twenty to thirty, shall serve eight years; all above thirty, seven years.

“We whose names are underwritten, being chosen by the town to see the disposal of the Indians now in town, we agree that Roger Williams, N. Waterman, T. Fenner, H. Ashton, J. Morey, D. Abbot, J. Olney, V. Whitman, J. Whipple, sen., E. Pray, J. Pray, J. Angell, Jas. Angell, T. Arnold, A. Man, T. Field, E. Bennett, T. Clemence, W. Lancaster, W. Hopkins, W. Hawkins, W. Harris, Z. Field, S. Winsor, and Capt.  Fenner, shall each have a whole share in the product.  I. Woodward and R. Pray, three-fourths of a share each.  J. Smith, E. Smith, S. Whipple, N. Whipple, and T. Walling each half a share.”

     Signed, “Roger Williams, Thomas Harris, sen., Thomas X Angell,
     Thomas Field, John Whipple, Jr.”