If this statement were true, how directly it bore upon the present question! But we were told also, by the same author, that the Slave-trade gave rise to robbery, murder, and all kinds of depredations on the coast of Africa.

Had this been answered?
No: except indeed it had been said, that the slaves were such as had been condemned for crimes.

Well then: the imported Africans consisted of all the convicts, rogues, thieves, and vagabonds in Africa.

But would the West Indians choose to depend on fresh supplies of these for the cultivation of their lands, and the security of their islands, when it was also found that every insurrection had arisen from them?
it was plain the safety of the islands was concerned in this question.

There would be danger so long as the trade lasted.