But by his account the four just mentioned were of this tonnage, and yet all of them had platforms either wholly or in part.
On other points they were found both to contradict themselves and one another.

They had asserted, as before mentioned, that if they were restricted to less than two full-grown slaves to a ton, the trade would be ruined.

But in examining into the particulars of nineteen vessels, which they produced themselves, five of them only had cargoes equal to the proportion which they stated to be necessary to the existence of the trade.
The other fourteen carried a less number of slaves (and they might have taken more on board if they had pleased): so that the average number in the nineteen was but one man and four-fifths to a ton, or ten in a hundred below their lowest standard[A].

One again said, that no inconvenience arose in consequence of the narrow space allowed to each individual in these voyages.

Another said, that smaller vessels were more healthy than larger, because, among other reasons, they had a less proportion of slaves as to number on board.
[Footnote A: The falsehood of their statements in this respect was proved again afterwards by facts.