The greatest number of seamen, at almost all times, who were there, were from the slave-vessels.

These, too, were usually there on account of disease, whereas those from other ships were usually there on account of accidents.

The health of some of the former was so far destroyed, that they were never wholly to be restored.

This information was of great importance; for it showed that they who were reported dead upon the muster-rolls, were not all that were lost to the country by the prosecution of this wicked trade.

Indeed, it was of so much importance, that in all my future interviews with others, which were for the purpose of collecting evidence, I never forgot to make it a subject of inquiry.
I can hardly say how precious I considered the facts with which Mr.
Falconbridge had furnished me from his own experience, relative to the different branches of this commerce.