Analysis of a Primary Document: The Slaving Voyage of the Albion-Frigate
Analysis of a Primary Document:
“The Slaving Voyage of the Albion-Frigate”
1. Who wrote the document?
The author of this document was Jacques Barbot. He was born into a Protestant family around 1650 in Saint-Martin, France. Barbot’s family business was maritime trade, so he was bound to continue the family name in commerce. Barbot and his younger brother were both involved in commercial trade when they were young, his brother being a part of the African slave trade. The Barbots moved to England in 1685, after the religious tolerance of Protestantism in France was ended. In England, both brothers opened up a commercial firm. After the shipwreck of their first slave-trading voyage, the Barbots bought the Albion-Frigate in 1698 and went on in their slave-trade business.
2. When was the document written and/or published?
This document was written when Jacques Barbot was on his first voyage in the Albion-Frigate, which lasted from 1698-1699.
3. What type of document is it?
This document is a narrative journal entry.
4. Why was the document written and for what audience? Under what circumstances was it written?
This document was primarily written in order to tell future travelers about the Atlantic Slave trade and how the slave trade works. While writing this, Barbot aims to tell about how the slaves aboard his voyage were treated. When in Africa, he writes about the Africans, their culture, their leaders, and the impact of slave trade on African society. He barters with the African chiefs to get better prices and talks about the slaves as property, not humans. He also talks about how good he is to the slaves on his vessel. He also gives advice about how to face and prevent slave revolts.
5. What point of view does it reflect? If the document is arguing against another view or opinion, what is it? This document was written from the perspective of a slave trader, which will obviously reflect upon the point that the slaves in
“The Slaving Voyage of the Albion-Frigate”
1. Who wrote the document?
The author of this document was Jacques Barbot. He was born into a Protestant family around 1650 in Saint-Martin, France. Barbot’s family business was maritime trade, so he was bound to continue the family name in commerce. Barbot and his younger brother were both involved in commercial trade when they were young, his brother being a part of the African slave trade. The Barbots moved to England in 1685, after the religious tolerance of Protestantism in France was ended. In England, both brothers opened up a commercial firm. After the shipwreck of their first slave-trading voyage, the Barbots bought the Albion-Frigate in 1698 and went on in their slave-trade business.
2. When was the document written and/or published?
This document was written when Jacques Barbot was on his first voyage in the Albion-Frigate, which lasted from 1698-1699.
3. What type of document is it?
This document is a narrative journal entry.
4. Why was the document written and for what audience? Under what circumstances was it written?
This document was primarily written in order to tell future travelers about the Atlantic Slave trade and how the slave trade works. While writing this, Barbot aims to tell about how the slaves aboard his voyage were treated. When in Africa, he writes about the Africans, their culture, their leaders, and the impact of slave trade on African society. He barters with the African chiefs to get better prices and talks about the slaves as property, not humans. He also talks about how good he is to the slaves on his vessel. He also gives advice about how to face and prevent slave revolts.
5. What point of view does it reflect? If the document is arguing against another view or opinion, what is it? This document was written from the perspective of a slave trader, which will obviously reflect upon the point that the slaves in