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 > > To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions > at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html