plications, furnished by the act, in favor of the toleration of
slavery, in the English settlements, on the coast of Africa, are the
following:

The third section of the act refers to another act of parliament
"divesting the Royal African Company of their _charter_, forts, castles
and military stores, canoe-men and _castle-slaves_;" and section
thirty-first requires that such "officers of his majesty's navy," as
shall be appointed for the purpose, "shall inspect and examine the state
and condition of the forts and settlements on the coast of Africa, in
the possession of the Royal African Company, and of the number of
soldiers therein, and also the state and condition of the military
stores, castles, _slaves_, canoes and other vessels and things,
belonging to the said company, _and necessary for the use and defence of
the said forts and settlements_, and shall with all possible despatch
report how they find the same."

Here the fact is stated that the "Royal African Company," (a company
that had been in existence long previous to the passing of this act,)
had held "castle-slaves" "for the use and defence of the said forts and
settlements." The act does not say directly whether this practice was
legal or illegal; although it seems to imply that, whether legal or
illegal, it was tolerated with the knowledge and approbation of
parliament.

But the most distinct approbation given to slavery by the act, is
implied in the 28th section, in these words:

"That it shall and may be lawful for any of his majesty's subjects
trading to Africa, for the security of their goods and _slaves_, to
erect houses and warehouses, under the protection of the said forts,"
&c.

Although even this language would not be strong enough to overturn
previously established principles of English law, and give the slave
holders a legal right of property in their slaves, in any place where
English law had previously been expressly established, (as it had been
in the North American colonies,) yet it sufficiently evinces that
parliament approved of Englishmen holding slaves in the settlements _on
the coast of Africa_, in conformity with the customs of that country.
But it implies no authority for transporting their slaves to America; it
does nothing towards legalizing slavery in America; it implies no
_toleration_ even of slavery any where, except upon the coast of Africa.
Had slavery been positively and explicitly legalized on the coast of
Africa, it