Observations on the slave trade and a description of some part of the coast of Guinea, during a voyage, made in 1787, and 1788, in company with Doctor A. Sparrman and Captain Arrehenius

In Short

This report details the author’s 1787 voyage to the Coast of Guinea, where he witnessed the harrowing realities of the slave trade firsthand. By documenting the methods used to procure captives—including state-sponsored war, kidnapping, and deception—the text demands an immediate end to the practice. It is a vital historical document that captures the shifting moral tide of the Enlightenment, illustrating the author's argument that economic prosperity should be built upon agricultural development and free labor rather than the exploitation of human lives.

The Story

The narrative begins with a clear, moral objective: to provide an eyewitness account of the slave trade on the coast of Guinea. Moving beyond mere travel reporting, the author systematically dismantles the justifications for the trade. He describes how regional conflicts are manufactured by European demand, noting how French companies and local leaders engage in predatory wars to ensure a steady supply of captives. The author recounts visiting slave-prisons where he observed the physical toll of this violence, seeing individuals chained together with unhealed wounds.

The arc of the book follows the journey from the coast’s interior to the sea, where the mechanics of the trade become even more grotesque. The author details "pillage," the practice of raiding villages at night to seize individuals, often targeting women and children. He documents a specific instance in Joal where an ambassador and his team, whom he accompanied, waited for local leaders to raid surrounding villages to fulfill a quota for French traders. The narrative captures the cold, bureaucratic nature of this cruelty, where human beings are treated as mere cargo.

Moving further into his critique, the author describes "robbery," the abduction of free individuals by Europeans when formal trade agreements fail or are simply ignored. He highlights the inherent treachery of the system, where even the most basic trust—such as that between trade partners—is violated by the lure of profit. He reaches a dark climax in his description of the "Middle Passage," where he relays accounts of captains poisoning their captives during long voyages to save on dwindling provisions.

The latter portion of the book shifts from critique to vision. The author argues that Africa’s soil is remarkably fertile, capable of producing indigo, cotton, and other valuable commodities that would foster a more prosperous and ethical commerce. He contrasts the destructive influence of the slave trade with the potential for industry, citing the example of the King of Almammy, who prohibited the trade in his territory to focus on agriculture and the welfare of his people.

The final segments move toward an argument for "civilization," which the author defines as the cultivation of the human understanding. He compares the relationship between civilized nations and undeveloped ones to that of parents and children, arguing that a paternal duty exists to guide rather than exploit. The book concludes with a call to action, urging Europe to abandon the "wreck of tyranny" and instead assist in developing Africa’s natural resources, thereby transforming the continent’s inhabitants from shackled victims into free, productive citizens.

How It Unfolds

The arrival in Guinea The author introduces his mission as a member of a Swedish expedition, setting the stage for his observations of the coast’s geography and the existing European commercial structures. He establishes his credentials as an impartial witness, ready to report on the realities that many in Europe have chosen to overlook.

The anatomy of the trade He systematically categorizes the methods of procurement—war, pillage, robbery, and treachery—to show that slavery is not a natural state but a man-made crisis. Each chapter presents specific, verifiable instances of how local kings and European traders collude to entrap the unsuspecting.

The interior of the slave-prisons The author provides a harrowing look at the confinement of captives, describing the physical conditions and the casual cruelty of those overseeing the trade. He uses these scenes to highlight the moral degradation of the captors, painting them as having abandoned their humanity.

The argument for agricultural potential He pivots to a scientific and economic analysis of the land, detailing the abundance of raw materials like indigo and rubber. By showing the richness of the soil, he undermines the argument that the slave trade is a necessary engine for colonial wealth.

The vision of reform The final movement outlines a proposal for a new form of international engagement. He calls for a transition from the "paternal yoke" of colonial exploitation to a partnership that encourages African sovereignty and economic growth through free labor.

The People

The author, Carl Bernhard Wadström, acts as the primary lens through which we view the coast; he is a man of the Enlightenment, deeply troubled by the gap between European ideals and the reality of the atrocities he witnesses. He is joined by his colleagues, Doctor A. Sparrman and Captain Arrehenius, who assist in documenting the natural and mineral resources of the region.

The narrative is populated by figures who represent the binary of the trade. The King of Almammy stands out as a beacon of resistance, a leader who is educated, sober, and firm in his refusal to allow the trade within his borders. Conversely, the French traders and various Moorish kings represent the forces of avarice; they are the architects of the misery described, driven entirely by the desire for European baubles and weapons. The author notes that these traders often view him with suspicion, branding him a spy for his refusal to remain silent about the "atrocious acts" he observes.

In Its Own Voice

"I there saw the unfortunate captives, chained two and two together, by the foot."

The author describes the immediate, physical aftermath of a raid on a nearby village.

"To what purpose would the human understanding be cultivated, if Luxury, by which I mean nothing more than the improvement of the conveniences and comforts of life, did not keep pace with it?"

The author reflects on his theory that the development of a society’s physical comforts is essential to its intellectual and moral progress.

"Let us thus on the wreck of tyranny raise altars to humanity."

The author issues a final, sweeping call to replace the slave trade with a more ethical model of global commerce.

What It's Really About

At its core, this book is an exploration of the moral failure of European colonial expansion. The author grapples with a fundamental question: how can a society that prides itself on "enlightened" values simultaneously participate in the total dehumanization of a continent? The argument centers on the idea that the slave trade is not just a crime against the enslaved, but a corruption of the humanity of the enslavers. By contrasting the inherent "nobility" and industrial potential of the African people with the "brutal passions" and "vile self-interest" of the slave traders, the author attempts to reframe the entire colonial project as an economic error that must be corrected through a commitment to education and mutual prosperity.

Why Read It Today

Readers interested in the history of the abolitionist movement will find this book essential, as it provides a raw, unfiltered look at the arguments and observations that informed early anti-slavery sentiment. The tone is deeply earnest and carries a sense of urgent, moral indignation that remains palpable centuries later.

However, the reader should be prepared for the realities of the period. The prose is formal and at times hurried, reflecting the author’s desire to publish quickly during a "critical moment" in the European debate. Some of the author’s colonial-era assumptions—particularly his paternalistic view that Europe should provide a "masculine and courageous education" to African nations—will be striking to a modern audience. He clearly views his subjects through the lens of eighteenth-century European philosophy, which colors his proposed solutions. Despite these period attitudes, the book remains a visceral and sobering experience. Its power lies in its precise, unadorned accounts of cruelty and its visionary, if flawed, attempt to imagine a more equitable world. It is a document that reminds us how deeply the foundations of modern trade and human rights were contested in the past, making it a compelling read for those who wish to understand the origins of the fight for human dignity.