Often this coastal trade from Br. North America to the West Indies took 
lumber, grain, and fish to the Indies, where food production was limited by 
the domination of sugar.  In return, they did bring molasses, cash, and 
occasionally slaves back to the North American colonies.  This is why there 
were small numbers of slaves in Massachusetts, Plymouth (then a separate 
colony), R.I., New Haven, and Connecticut in the early to mid-17th century. 
Slave trading from Africa was large scale;  slave trading among the colonies 
was small scale.

Harold S. Forsythe
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Basil Forest" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2007 9:37 AM
Subject: New To Forum


>I am new to the forum.  I found my ancestor was a ship captain  involved in
> the "West Indies trade."  I am curious whether he was a slave  trader. 
> This
> was late 17th early 18th century.  Does anyone know of  any reference 
> materials
> identifying known slave traders and/or slave  trading vessels, or other
> reference materials that might help me in my  inquiry?
>
> Basil Forest
>
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