And here it may be proper to observe, that it is by no means necessary that all these should have been themselves actors in the production of this great event.

Persons have contributed towards it in different ways:--Some have written expressly on the subject, who have had no opportunity of promoting it by personal exertions.

Others have only mentioned it incidentally in their writings.
Others, in an elevated rank and station, have cried out publicly concerning it, whose sayings have been recorded.

All these, however, may be considered as necessary forerunners in their day; for all of them have brought the subject more or less into notice.

They have more or less enlightened the mind upon it; they have more or less impressed it; and therefore each may be said to have had his share in diffusing and keeping up a certain portion of knowledge and feeling concerning it, which has been eminently useful in the promotion of the cause.
It is rather remarkable, that the first forerunners and coadjutors should have been men in power.
So early as in the year 1503, a few slaves had been sent from the Portuguese settlements in Africa into the Spanish colonies in America.
In 1511, Ferdinand the Fifth, king of Spain, permitted them to be carried in great numbers.