332 A TROPICAL DEPENDENCY their labour, advanced the price of sugar. The Royal African Company had to raise 180,000 of fresh capital, and in 1707 we find the company petitioning Queen Anne to recommend their case to the consideration of the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations.

Nevertheless trade flourished, and notwithstanding the strong presentation of their case by the company, and the many evils which unquestionably attended the throwing open of the coast, we may be permitted to doubt whether West African trade would to-day be valued in the substantial millions which its total has reached, if the monopoly of the Royal African Company had been sustained.