Chapter IV: Negro Kingdoms of Africa

BENIN: Its Location.--Its Discovery by the
Portuguese.--Introduction of the Catholic Religion.--The
King as a Missionary.--His Fidelity to the Church purchased
by a White Wife.--Decline of Religion.--Introduction of
Slavery.--Suppression of the Trade by the English
Government.--Restoration and Peace.

DAHOMEY: Its Location.--Origin of the Kingdom.--Meaning of
the Name.--War.--Capture of the English Governor, and his
Death.--The Military Establishment.--Women as
Soldiers.--Wars and their Objects.--Human Sacrifices.--The
King a Despot.--His Powers.--His Wives.--Polygamy.--Kingly
Succession.--Coronation.--Civil and Criminal Law.--Revenue
System.--Its Future.

YORUBA. Its Location.--Slavery and its Abolition--Growth of
the People of Abeokuta.--Missionaries and Teachers from
Sierra Leone.--Prosperity and Peace attend the
People.--Capacity of the People for Civilization.--Bishop
Crowther.--His Influence. 26

CHAPTER V.

THE ASHANTEE EMPIRE.

Its Location and Extent.--Its Famous Kings.--The Origin of
the Ashantees Obscure.--The War with Denkera.--The Ashantees
against the Field conquer two Kingdoms, and annex
them.--Death of Osai Tutu.--The Envy of the King of
Dahomey.--Invasion of the Ashantee Country by the King of
Dahomey.--His Defeat shared by his Allies.--Akwasi pursues
the Army of Dahomey into its own Country.--Gets a Mortal
Wound and suffers a Humiliating Defeat,--The King of Dahomey
sends the Royal Kudjoh his Congratulations.--Kwamina deposed
for attempting to introduce Mohammedanism into the
Kingdom.--The Ashantees conquer the Mohammedans.--Numerous
Wars.--Invasion of the Fanti Country.--Death of Sir Charles
McCarthy.--Treaty.--Peace. 34

CHAPTER VI.

THE NEGRO TYPE.

Climate the Cause.--His Geographical Theatre.--He is
susceptible to Christianity and Civilization. 45

CHAPTER VII.

AFRICAN IDIOSYNCRASIES.

Patriarchal Government.--Construction of Villages.--Negro
Architecture.--Election of Kings.--Coronation
Ceremony.--Succession.--African Queens.--Law, Civil and
Criminal.--Priests.--Their
Functions.--Marriage.--Warfare.--Agriculture.--Mechanic
Arts.--Blacksmiths. 50

CHAPTER VIII.

LANGUAGES, LITERATURE, AND RELIGION.

Structure of African Languages.--The Mpongwe, Mandingo, and
Grebo.--Poetry: Epic, Idyllic, and Miscellaneous.--Religions
and Superstitions. 66

CHAPTER IX.

SIERRA LEONE.

Its Discovery and Situation.--Natural Beauty.--Founding of a
Negro Colony.--The Sierra Leone Company.--Fever and
Insubordination.--It becomes an English Province.--Character
of its Inhabitants.--Christian Missions, etc. 85

CHAPTER X.

THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA.

Liberia.--Its Location.--Extent.--Rivers and
Mountains.--History of the First Colony.--The Noble Men who
laid the Foundation of the Liberian Republic.--Native
Tribes.--Translation of the New Testament into the Vei
Language.--The Beginning and Triumph of Christian Missions
to Liberia.--History of the Different Denominations on the
Field.--A Missionary Republic of Negroes.--Testimony of
Officers of the Royal Navy as to the Efficiency of the
Republic in suppressing the Slave-Trade.--The Work of the
Future. 95

CHAPTER XI.

RÉSUMÉ.

The Unity of the Human Family re-affirmed.--God gave all
Races of Men Civilization.--The Antiquity of the Negro
beyond Dispute.--Idolatry the Cause of the Degradation of
the African Races.--He has always had a Place in History,
though Incidental.--Negro Type caused by Degradation.--Negro
Empires an Evidence of Crude Ability for
Self-Government.--Influence of the two Christian Governments
on the West Coast upon the Heathen.--Oration on Early
Christianity in Africa.--The Duty of Christianity to
evangelize Africa. 108

* * * * *

Part II.

_SLAVERY IN THE COLONIES_.

CHAPTER XII.

THE COLONY OF VIRGINIA.

1619-1775.

Introduction of the First Slaves.--"The Treasurer" and the
Dutch Man-of-War.--The Correct Date.--The Number of
Slaves.--Were there Twenty, or Fourteen?--Litigation about
the Possession of the Slaves.--Character of the Slaves
imported, and the Character of the Colonists.--Race
Prejudices.--Legal Establishment of Slavery.--Who are Slaves
for Life.--Duties on Imported Slaves.--Political and
Military Prohibitions against Negroes.--Personal
Rights.--Criminal Laws against Slaves.--Emancipation.--How
brought about.--Free Negroes.--Their Rights.--Moral and
Religious Training.--Population.--Slavery firmly
established. 115