for transfer. He was apprehended, flogged and demoted to the lowest level of seaman. In May he was allowed to join a merchant ship in exchange for a seaman who was pressed into the service of Newton's ship.
The merchant ship that Newton joined was involved in transporting slaves from the coast of Africa to the West Indies. It was a profitable but inhumane business. In the midst of it, Newton lost all moral sensibilities. Within six months he had left the service of the merchant ship and set up a slaving business of his
