Done It Agagin

he Hawk has set sail from Liverpool, bound for West Africa. We have a cargo of weapons and trinkets which we will trade for slaves once we reach Africa. This is my first trip on a slave ship so I don't know what to expect from it. I ate a good meal of salted meat and bread last night although I have been told this good food won't last. I asked the captain how long the journey to Africa will take and he told me we should reach Africa in 2-3 weeks, but that with a strong wind it could take only 1-2 weeks. The captain is a nice man but I get the feeling he doesn't agree with what the ship is doing. I don't think he agrees that black people should be used as slaves because they have a different colour skin. I don't know who to agree with, him or the first mate who seems to look upon this as just a job. He doesn't seem to care that he is ruining peoples lives by taking them away from their country. I explored the ship a bit earlier and I found out that the hold under deck is where the slaves will be kept. I also had a look in the galley. There is one cook, which hardly seems enough to prepare enough food to feed all the slaves when they come aboard. I will write in here again when we reach the port in Africa.

July 14th 1784

We reached West Africa earlier today and already there are about 20 slaves on board. We probably won't take many more slaves on board, perhaps 50 more. The crew go into Africa and catch the slaves themselves. I don't think slavery is right but it isn't as bad as some people have said. The slaves aren't packed that tightly together and I think they have been fed properly. Mr. Syers, the captain said we will probably stay here only a few days while the crew catch the slaves and stock up on food for the journey to America.

July 16th 1784*
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We will set sail for America in about a week, when we have stocked up on food and supplies. The slaves are being treated really badly. They don't get much food and are not exercised. There are...