Words&Dirt

“It was given to us to understand that the Triangle Trade would deliver to our shores Civilization, Christianity, Enlightenment, and other vertues.  Instead of Civilization, we are receiving daily ship-loads of white Sauvages who pillage our shores like so many Vikings having their way in a Nunnery.  Instead of Christianity, we are the recipients of a Pagan mentality which holds Slavery to be good, because ’twas practiced by the Romans.  And instead of Enlightenment, we are Benighted by the fell effects of the sins and outrages I have mentioned.

In consideration of the fact, which I have now prov’d beyond question, that no part of the Triangular Trade works as it is supposed to––viz. Civilization not reaching Africa, Slaves not reaching America, and Assiento money not reaching Your Britannick Majesty’s coffers––I propose we denominate it a fail’d Adventure, and bring it to an End immediately.”

––The System of the World, by Neal Stephenson, pg. 489-90