We presumed therefore, that, though they might buy many of the slaves, whom they brought down, at the fairs, which have been mentioned, they obtained others by violence, as opportunity offered.

This inference we pressed upon our opponents; and called upon them to show what circumstances made such warlike preparations necessary on these excursions.
To this they replied readily.

The people in the canoes, said they, pass through the territories of different petty princes; to each of whom, on entering his territory, they pay a tribute or toll.

This tribute has been long fixed; but attempts frequently have been made to raise it.

They who follow the trade cannot afford to submit to these unreasonable demands; and therefore they arm themselves in case of any determination on the part of these petty princes to enforce them.
This answer we never judged to be satisfactory.