The Slave-Trade: Being, a Display of some of the Shocking Consequences, of that Inhuman Traffic

by Anonymous

CHEAP TRACTS,
Calculated to promote the Interests of Reli-
gion, Virtue, and Humanity.
No. III.

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THE

Slave-Trade:

BEING, A DISPLAY OF

SOME OF THE

Shocking Conſequences,

OF THAT

Inhuman Traffic:

DESCRIBED IN

An Account of a Voyage to Africa to trade for
Slaves.

Treatment of Negro-Slaves before they reach the
West Indies. And,

An Account of the manner which Slaves are ſold in
the Plantations.

DUNBAR

Printed by G. Miller :—at whoſe Shop may be had a variety
Pamphlets, Ballads, Children's Books, Pictures, Catechiſms, &c.

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL.

THE

SLAVE TRADE.

AH, think how deſolate his ſtate,
How he the chearful light muſt hate;
Whom ſever'd from his native ſoil,
The morning takes to fruitleſs toil;
To labours hope ſhall never cheer,
Or fond domeſtic joy endear;
Poor wretch o'er whoſe deſpairing eyes,
His cheriſh'd home ſhall never riſe!
Condemn'd, ſevere extreme, to live
When all is fled that life can give!
But ah! the bleſſings valued moſt
By human minds, are bleſſings loſt!
Unlike the objects of the eye,
Enlarging as we bring them nigh;
Our joys at diſtance ſtrike the breaſt,
And ſeem diminiſh'd when poſſeſt.
Helen Maria Williams,

An Account of a Voyage to Africa, to
Trade for Slaves.

Proceedings during the Voyage.

ON the arrival of the ſhips at Bonny and New Calabar, they unbend the ſails, ſtrike the yards and topmaſts, and build what they denominate a houſe. This is effected in the following manner. The ſailors firſt laſh the booms and yards from mast to mast, in order to form a ridge-pole. About ten feet above the deck, ſeveral ſpars, equal in length to the ridge-pole, are next laſhed to the ſtanding rigging, and form a wall-plate. Acroſs the ridge-pole and wall-plate, ſeveral other ſpars or rafters are afterwards laid and laſhed, at the diſtance of about ſix inches from each other. On these, other rafters or ſpars are laid length-wise, equal in extent to the ridge-pole, ſo as to form a kind of lattice, with interſlices of ſix inches ſquare. The roof is covered with mats, made of ruſhes, faſtened with rope-varn, and ſo placed as to lap over each other like tiles. The ſpace between the desk and the wall-plate, is likewiſe enclosed with a lattice formed of ſticks, laſhed acroſs each other, and leaving vacancies of about four inches ſquare. Near the main-maſt, a partition is conſtructed of inch deal boards, which reaches athwart the ſhip. This diviſion is called a barricado. It is about eight feet in height, and is made to project near two feet over the ſides of the ſhip. In this barricado there is a door, at which a centinel is placed during the time the negroes are permitted to come upon deck. It ſerves to keep the different ſexes apart; and as there are ſmall holes in it wherein blunderbuſſes are fixed, and ſometimes a cannon, it is found convenient for quelling inſurrections. Another door is made in the lattice, at the ladder, by which you enter the ſhip. This door is guarded by a centinel during the day, and is locked at night. At the head of the ſhip there is a third door, for the uſe of the ſailors, which is ſecured in the ſame manner as that at the gangway. There is alſo in the roof a large trap-door, through which the goods intended for barter, the water casks, &c. are hoiſted out or in.

The design of this houſe is to ſecure thoſe on board from the heat of the ſun, the wind and rain; it anſwers theſe purpoſes however but very ineffectually. The slight texture of the mats admits both the wind and the rain, whenever it happens to be violent, though at the ſame time, it increases the heat of the ſhip to a very pernicious degree; eſpecially between decks. The increaſed warmth occasioned by this means, together with the ſmoke produced from the green mangrove (the uſual firewood), which, for want of a current of air to carry it off, collects itself in large quantities, and infeſts every part of the ship, render a vessel during its ſtay here very unhealthy. The ſmoke also, by its acrimonious quality, often produces inflammations in the eyes, which terminates ſometimes in the loſs of ſight.

Another purpoſe for which theſe temporary houſes are erected, is, to prevent the purchased negroes from leaping overboard, which the horrors of their ſituation frequently impel them to attempt; and they now & then effect it, notwithſtanding all the precautions that are taken, by forcing their way through the lattice work.

The ſlave ſhips generally lie near a mile below the town, in Bonny river, in ſeven or eight fathom water. Sometimes fifteen ſail, Engliſh and French, but chiefly the former, meet here together. Soon after they caſt anchor, the captains go on ſhore, to make known their arrival, and to enquire into the ſtate of the trade. They likewiſe invite the kings of Bonny to come on board, to whom, previous to breaking bulk, they uſually make preſents (termed daſhes) conſiſting of cloth, cotton, chintz, ſilk handkerchiefs & other India goods, and ſometimes of brandy wine, or beer.

Bonny, a few years ago, was the reſidence of two kings, named Norfolk and Peppel. The houſes of theſe princes were not diſtinguiſhed from the cottages or huts of which the town conſiſts, in any other manner than by being of ſomewhat larger dimenſions, & ſurrounded with warehouſes containing European goods, deſigned for the purchase of ſlaves. Theſe ſlaves, which the kings procure in the ſame manner as the black traders do theirs, are ſold by them to the ſhips. And for every negroe ſold there by the traders, the kings receive a duty, which amounts to a conſiderable ſum in the courſe of a year. This duty is collected by officers, ſtationed on board the ſhips, who are termed officer boys.

The kings of Bonny are abſolute, though elective. They are aſſiſted in the government by a ſmall number of perſons of a certain rank, who are ſtyled parliament gentlemen; an office which they generally hold for life. Every ſhip on its arrival, is expected to ſend a preſent to theſe gentlemen, of bread and beef, and to treat them as often as they come on board. When they do this their approach to the ſhip is announced by blowing through a hollow elephant's tooth, which produces a ſound reſembling that of a poſt-horn.

After the kings have been on board, and have received the uſual preſents, permiſſion is granted by them for trafficking with any of the black traders. When the royal gueſts return from the ſhips, they are ſaluted by the guns.

From the time of the arrival of the ſhips to their departure, which is uſually near three months, ſcarce a day paſſes without ſome negroes being purchaſed, and carried on board: ſometimes in ſmall, and ſometimes in larger numbers. The whole number taken on board, depends in a great meaſure, on circumſtances in a voyage I once made, our ſtock of merchandize was exhauſted in the purchaſe of about 380 negroes, which was expected to have procured 500. The number of Engliſh & French ſhips then at Bonny, had ſo far raiſed the price of negroes, as to occaſion this difference.

The reverſe was known during the late war. When I was laſt at Bonny, I frequently made enquiries on this head, of one of the black traders, whoſe intelligence I believe I can depend upon. He informed me that only one ſhip had been there for three years during that period; and that was the Moſeley-Hill, captain Ewing, from Liverpool, who made an extraordinary purchaſe, as he found negroes remarkably cheap from the dulneſs of trade. Upon enquiring into the conſequence of this decay of trade, he ſhrugged upon his ſhoulders and anſwered, "only making us traders poorer, and obliging us to work for our maintenance." One of theſe black merchants being informed, that a particular ſet of people, called Quakers, were for aboliſhing the trade, he ſaid, “it was a very bad thing as they ſhould then be reduced to the ſame ſtate they were in during the war, when, through poverty, they were obliged to dig the ground and plant yams."

I was once upon the coaſt of Angola alſo, when there had not been a ſlave-ſhip at the river Ambris for five years previous to our arrival, altho' a place to which many uſually reſort every year; and the failure of the trade for that period, as far as we could learn, had not any other effect than to reſtore peace and confidence among the natives; which upon the arrival of any ſhips, is immediately deſtroyed, by the inducemnent then held forth in the purchaſe of ſlaves. And during the ſuſpenſion of trade at Bonny, as above mentioned, none of the dreadful proceedings which are ſo confidently aſſerted to be the natural conſequence of it, were known. The reduction of the price of negroes, and the poverty of the black traders, appear to have been the only bad effects of the diſcontinuance of trade; the good ones were, moſt probably, the reſtoration of peace and confidence among the natives, and a ſuſpenſion of kidnapping.

When the ſhips have diſpoſed of all their merchandize in the purchaſe of negroes, and have laid in their ſtock of wood, water, and yams, they prepare for ſailing, by getting up the yards and top-maſts, reeving the running rigging, bending the ſails, and by taking down the temporary houſe. They then drop down the river, to wait for a favourable opportunity to paſs over the bar, which is formed by a number of ſand-banks lying acroſs the mouth of the river, with navigable channels between them. It is not uncommon for ſhips to get upon the bar, and ſometimes they are loſt.

The firſt place the ſlave-ſhips touch at in their paſſage to the Weſt Indies, is either the iſland of St. Thomas, or Princes island, where they uſually carry their ſick on ſhore, or the benefit of the air, and likewiſe repleniſh their ſtock of water. The former of theſe islands is nearly circular, being one hundred and twenty miles round, and lies exactly under the equator, about forty-five leagues from the African continent. It abounds with wood and water, and produces Indian corn, rice, fruits, ſugar, and ſome cinnamon. The air is rather prejudicial to an European conſtitution, neverthesleſs it is well peopled by the Portugueſe. Princes iſland, which is much ſmaller, lies on 1 deg. 30 min. north latitude, and likewiſe produces Indian corn, and a variety of fruits and roots, beſides ſugar-canes, black cattle, hogs and goats are numerous there; but it is infeſted with a miſchievous and dangerous ſpecies of monkeys.

During one of the voyages I made, I was landed upon the iſland of St. Thomas, with near one hundred ſick negroes, who were placed in an old houſe, taken on purpoſe for their reception. Little benefit however accrued from their going on ſhore, as ſeveral of them died there, and the remainder continued nearly in the ſame ſituation as when they were landed, though our continuance was prolonged for about twelve days.

Upon the arrival of the ſlave-ſhips in the Weft-Indies, a day is fixed for the ſale of their cargoes.

The whole of the cargoes being diſpoſed off, the ſhips are made ready, for it is very ſeldom, however, that they are not detained for want of a ſufficient number of ſailors, as this trade may juſtly be denominated the grave of ſeamen. Though the crews of the ſhips upon their leaving England, generally amount to between forty and fifty men, ſcarcely three-fourths, and ſometimes not one-third of the compliment, over return to the port from whence they ſailed, through mortality and deſersion.

The time during which the ſlave-ſhips are abſent from England, varies according to the deſtination of the voyage, and the number of ſhips on the coaſt. To Bonny, or Old and New Calabar, a voyage is uſually performed in about ten months. Thoſe to the windward and gold coaſts, are rather more uncertain, but in general from fifteen to eighteen months.

After permiſſion has been obtained for breaking trade, the captains go aſhore to make their purchaſes. The unhappy wretches thus diſpoſed of, are bought by the black traders at fairs, which are held for that purpoſe, at the diſtance of upwards of two hundred miles from the ſea coaſt; and theſe fairs are ſupplied from an interior part of the country. Many negroes, upon being queſtioned relative to the places of their nativity have aſſerted, that they have travelled during the revolution of ſeveral moons, before they have reached the places where they were purchaſed by the black traders. At theſe fairs, which are held generally every ſix weeks, ſeveral thouſands are frequently expoſed to ſale, and they conſiſt chiefly of men and boys, the women ſeldom exceeding a third of the whole number. From forty to two hundred negroes are generally purchaſed at a time by the black traders, and are of all ages, from a month to ſixty years and upwards. The ſlaves purchaſed at theſe fairs are only for the ſupply of the markets at Bonny, and Old and New Calabar. Moſt of the negroes ſhipped from the coaſt of Africa are kidnapped: and it frequently happens, that thoſe who kidnap others, are themſelves, in their turns, ſeized and ſold.

Continual enmity is thus foſtered among the negroes of Africa, and all ſocial intercourſe deſtroyed; which moſt aſſuredly would not be the caſe, had they not these opportunities of finding a ready sale for each other.

The preparations made at Bonny by the black traders, upon ſetting out for the fairs which are held up the country, are very conſiderable. From twenty to thirty canoes capable of containing thirty or forty negroes each, are aſſembled for this purpoſe and ſuch goods put on board them as they expect will be wanted for the purchaſe of the number of ſlaves they intend to buy. When their loading is completed, they commence their voyage, with colours flying and muſic playing; and in about ten or eleven days, they generally return to Bonny with full cargoes. As ſoon as the canoes arrive at the trader's landing-place, the purchaſed negroes are cleaned, and oiled with palm-oil; and on the following day they are expoſed for ſale to the captains.

When the negroes, whom the black traders have to diſpoſe of, are ſhewn to the European purchaſers, they firſt examine them relative to their age: they then minutely inſpect their perſons, and enquire into the ſtate of their health; if they are afflicted with any infirmity, or are deformed, or have bad eyes or teeth; if they are lame, or weak in the joints, or diſtorted in the back, or of a ſlender make, or are narrow in the cheſt; in ſhort, if they have been, or are afflicted in any manner, ſo as to render them incapable of much labour; if any of the foregoing defects are diſcovered in them, they are rejected: but if approved of, they are generally taken on board the ſhip the ſame evening. The purchaſer has liberty to return on the following morning, but not of the afterwards ſuch as upon re-examination are found exceptionable.

The traders frequently beat thoſe negroes which are objected to by the captains, and uſe them with great ſeverity. It matters not whether they are refuſed on account of age, illneſs, deformity, or for any other reaſon. At New Calabar, in particular, the traders have frequently been known to put them to death. Inſtances have happened at that place, that the traders, when any of their negroes have been objected to, have dropped their canoes under the ſtern of the veſſel, and inſtantly beheaded them, in ſight of the captain.

Upon the Windward Coaſt, another mode of procuring ſlaves is purſued; which is, by what they term boating; a mode that is very pernicious and deſtructive to the crews of the ſhips. The ſailors, who are employed upon this trade go in boats up the rivers, ſeeking for negroes, among the villages ſeated on the banks of them: but this method is very ſlow, and not always effectual; for, after being abſent from the ſhip during a fortnight or three weeks, they ſometimes return with only from eight to twelve negroes. Numbers of theſe are procured in conſequence of alleged crimes, which, as before obſerved, whenever any ſhips are upon the coaſt, are more productive than at any other period. Kidnapping, however, prevailes here.

Treatment of Negro Slaves before they reach the Weſt Indies.

AS ſoon as the Africans, purchaſed at the fairs, fall into the hands of the black traders, they experience an earneſt of thoſe dreadful ſufferings which they are doomed in future to undergo. Before they can reach the fairs, great numbers periſh from cruel uſage, want of food, travelling through inhoſpitable deſerts &c. They are brought from the places where they are purchaſed to Bonny, &c. in canoes; at the bottom of which they lie, having their hands tied with twigs and a ſtrict watch kept over them. Their uſage in other reſpects, during the time of the paſſage, which generally laſts ſeveral days, is equally cruel. Their allowance of food is ſo ſcanty, that it is barely ſufficient to ſupport nature. They are beſides, much expoſed to the violent rains which frequently fall here, being covered only with mats that afford but a ſlight defence; and as there is uſually water at the bottom of the canoes, from their leaking, they are ſcarcely ever dry.

Nor do theſe unhappy beings, after they become the property of the Europeans find their ſituation in the leaſt amended. The men negroes, on being brought aboard the ſhip, are immediately faſtened together, two and two, by hand-cuffs on their wriſts, and by irons rivetted on their legs. They are then ſent down between the decks, and placed in an apartment partitioned off for that purpoſe. The women likewiſe are placed in a ſeparate apartment between decks, but without being ironed. And an adjoinning room, on the ſame deck, is appointed for the boys.

But, they are frequently ſtowed ſo cloſe, as to admit of no other poſture than lying on their ſides. Neither will the height between decks, unleſs directly under the grating, permit them the indulgence of an erect poſture; eſpecially where there are platforms, which is generally the caſe. Theſe platforms are a kind of ſhelf, about eight or nine feet in breadth, extending from the ſide of the ſhip towards the center.—They are placed nearly midway between the decks, at the diſtance of two or three feet from each deck. Upon theſe the negroes are ſtowed in the ſame manner as they are on the deck underneath.

In each of the apartments are placed three or four large buckets, of a conical from, being near two feet in diameter at the bottom, and only one foot at the top, and in depth about twenty-eight inches; to which, when neceſſary, the negroes have recourſe. It often happens, that thoſe who are placed at a diſtance from the buckets, in endeavouring to get to them, tumble over their companions, in conſequence of their being ſhackled. Theſe accidents, although unavoidable, are productive of continual quarrels, in which ſome of them are always bruiſed. In this diſtreſſed ſituation, unable to proceed, and prevented from getting to the tubs they deſiſt from the attempt; and, as the neceſſities of nature are not to be repelled, eaſe themſelves as they lie. This becomes a freſh ſource of broils and diſturbances, and tends to render the condition of the captives ſtill more uncomfortable. The nuiſance ariſing from theſe circumſtances, is not unfrequently increaſed by the tubs being much too ſmall for the purpoſe intended, and their being uſually emptied but once every day. The rule for doing this, however, varies in different ſhips according to the attention paid to the health and convenience of the ſlaves by the captain.

About eight o'clock in the morning the negroes are generally brought upon deck. Their irons being examined, a long chain, which is locked to a ring-bolt, fixed in the deck, is run through the rings of the ſhackles of the men, and then locked to another ring-bolt, fixed alſo in the deck. By this means fifty, or ſixty, and ſometimes more, are faſtened to one chain, in order to prevent them from riſing, or endeavouring to eſcape. If the weather proves favourable, they are permitted to remain in that ſituation till four or five in the afternoon, when they are diſengaged from the chain, and ſent down.

The diet of the negroes, while on board; conſiſts chiefly of horſe-beans, boiled, to the conſiſtence of a pulp; of boiled yams and rice, and ſometimes of a ſmall quantity of beef or pork. The latter are frequently taken from the proviſions laid in for the ſailors. They ſometimes make uſe of ſauce, compoſed of palm-oil, mixed with flour, water, and pepper, which the ſailors call ſlabber-ſauce. Yams are the favourite food of the Eboe, or Bight negroes, and rice or corn, of thoſe from the Gold and Windward coaſts; each prefering the produce of their native ſoil.

In their own country, the negroes in general live on animal food and fiſh, with roots, yams and Indian corn.—The horſe-beans & rice, with which they are fed aboard ſhip, are chiefly taken from Europe. The latter, indeed, is ſometimes purchaſed on the coast, being far ſuperior to any other.

The Gold coaſt negroes ſcarcely ever refuſe any food that is offered them, and they generally eat larger quantities of whatever is placed before then, than any other ſpecies of negroes, whom they likewiſe excel in ſtrength of body and mind. Moſt of the ſlaves have ſuch an averſion to the horſe-beans, that unleſs they are narrowly watched, when fed upon deck; they will throw them over board, or in each other's faces when they quarrel.

They are commonly fed twice a day: about eight o'clock in the morning and four in the afternoon. In moſt ſhips they are only fed with their own food once a day. Their food is ſerved up to them in tubs about the ſize of a ſmall water bucket. They are placed round theſe tubs in companies of ten to each tub, out of which they feed themſelves with wooden ſpoons. Theſe they ſoon loſe, and when they are not allowed others, they feed themſelves with their hands. In favourable weather they are fed upon deck, but in bad weather their food is given them below. Numberleſs quarrels take place among them during their meals more eſpecially when they are put upon ſhort allowance, which frequently happens if the paſſage from the coaſt of Guinea to the Weſt India iſlands, proves of unuſual length. In that caſe, the weak are obliged to be content with a very ſcanty portion. Their allowance of water is about half a pint each at every meal. It is handed round in a bucket, and given to each negroe in a pannekin; a ſmall utenſil with a ſtrait handle, ſomewhat ſimilar to a ſauce-boat. However, when the ſhips approach the iſlands with a favourable breeze; they are no longer reſtricted.

Upon the negroes refuſing to take ſuſtenance, coals of fire are put on a ſhovel, and placed ſo near their lips, as to ſcorch and burn them; accompanied with threats, of forcing them to ſwallow the coals, if they perſiſt in refuſing to eat.

Exerciſe being deemed neceſſary for the preſervation of their health, they are ſometimes obliged to dance when the weather will permit their coming on deck. The poor wretches are frequently compelled to ſing alſo; but when they do to, their ſongs are generally melancholy lamentations of their exile from their native country.

The women are furniſhed with beads for the purpoſe of affording them ſome diverſion. But this end is generally defeated by the ſquabbles which are occaſioned, in conſequence of their ſtealing them from each other.

On board ſome ſhips, the common ſailors are allowed to have intercourſe with ſuch of the black women whoſe conſent they can procure. And ſome of them have been known to take the inconſtancy of their paramours ſo much to heart, as to leap overboard and drown themſelves. The officers are permitted to indulge their paſſons among them at pleaſure, and ſometimes are guilty of ſuch brutal exceſſes, as diſgrace human nature.

Negroes are far more violently affected by ſea-ſickneſs than Europeans. It frequently, terminates in death, eſpecially among the women. Moſt of the ſhips the ſlave-trade are provided, between decks, with five or ſix air-ports on each ſide of the ſhip, of about ſix inches in length, four in breadth; in addition to which, ſo few ſhips have wind ſails. But whenever the ſea is rough, and the rain heavy, it be comes neceſſary to ſhut theſe, and every other conveyance by which the air is admitted. The freſh air being thus excluded, negroes rooms very ſoon grow intolerably hot. The confined air rendered noxious by the effluvia exhaled from their bodies and by being repeatedly breathed, ſoon produces fevers and fluxes, which generally carry off great numbers of them.

The place alloted for the ſick negroes under the half deck, where they lie on the bare planks. By this means, thoſe who are emaciated, frequently have their ſkin, and even their fleſh, entirely rubbed off, by the motion of the ſhip, from the prominent part of the ſhoulders, elbows, and hips, ſo as to render the bones in thoſe parts quite bare. And some of them by conſtantly lying in the blood and mucus, that had flowed from thoſe afflicted with the flux, and which, as before obſerved, is generally ſo violent as to prevent their being kept clean, have their fleſh much ſooner rubbed off, than thoſe who have only to contend with the mere motion of the ſhip. The excruciating pain which the poor ſufferers feel from being ob(illegible text)d to continue in ſuch a dreadful ſituation, frequently for ſeveral weeks, in caſe they happen to live ſo long, is not to be con(illegible text)ved or deſcribed. Few, indeed, are ever (illegible text)e to withſtand the fatal effects of it. The (illegible text)oſt ſkill of the ſurgeon is here ineffectual. If plaiſters be applied; they are very (illegible text)n diſplaced by the friction of the ſhip; when bandages are uſed, the negroes (illegible text)y ſoon take them off, and appropriate (illegible text)m to other purpoſes.

Almoſt the only means by which the surgeon can render himſelf uſeful to the (illegible text)es, is by ſeeing that their food is properly cooked, and diſtributed among them. (illegible text)s true, when they arrive near the mar(illegible text)s for which they are deſtined, care is (illegible text)en to poliſh then for ſale, by an application of the lunar cauſtic to ſuch as are (illegible text)ceted with the yaws. This, however, (illegible text)ords but a temporary relief, as the diſeaſe moſt aſſuredly breaks out, whenever the patient is put upon a vegetable diet.

The loſs of ſlaves, through mortality, (illegible text)ing from the cauſes juſt mentioned, are frequently very conſiderable. One half, sometimes two thirds, and even beyond that, have been known to periſh. On the Windward coaſt, where ſlaves are procured ſlow(illegible text) very few die, in proportion to the numbers which die at Bonny, and at Old and New Calabar, where they are obtained much faſter; the latter being of a more delicate make and habit.

As very few negroes can ſo far brook the loſs of liberty, and the hardſhips they endure, with any degree of patience, they are ever upon the watch to take advantage of the leaſt negligence in their oppreſſor. Inſurrections are frequently the consequence; which are ſeldom ſuppreſſed without much bloodſhed. Sometimes theſe are ſucceſsful, and the whole ſhip's company cut off. They are likewiſe always ready ſeize every opportunity for committing ſome act of deſperation to free themſelves from their miſerable ſtate; and notwithſtanding the reſtraints under which they are laid they often ſucceed.

An Account of the Manner in which Slaves are ſold in the Plantations.

WHEN the ſhips arrive in the West Indies, theſe ſlaves are diſpoſed by different methods.

Sometimes the mode of diſpoſal is that ſelling them by what is termed a ſcramble and a day is ſoon fixed for that purpoſe. But previous thereto, the ſick, or reſul(illegible text) ſlaves, of which there are frequently many are uſually conveyed on ſhore, and ſold at a tavern by vendue, or public auction.

theſe, in general, are purchaſed by the Jews and ſurgeons, but chiefly the former, upon calculation, at ſo low a price as five or ſix dollars a head. Sometimes the captains march their ſlaves through the town at which they intend to diſpoſe of them; and then place them in rows where they are examined and purchaſed.

The mode of ſelling them by ſcramble is follows.

The negroes being landed, and placed together in a large yard, belonging to the merchants to whom the ſhip is conſigned. As ſoon as the hour agreed on arrives, the doors of the yard are ſuddenly thrown open, and in ruſh the purchasers, with all the ferocity of brutes. Some inſtantly ſeize ſuch of the negroes as they can conveniently lay hold of with their hands. Others, being prepared with ſeveral handkerchiefs tied together, encircle with theſe as many as they are able. While others, by means of a rope affect the ſame purpoſe. It is ſcarcely poſſible to deſcribe the confuſion of which this mode of ſelling is productive. It likewiſe (illegible text)uſes much animoſity among the purchaſers, who, not unfrequently upon theſe occaſions, fall out and quarrel with each other; and often the poor aſtoniſhed negroes are ſo much terrified by theſe proceedings, that several of them, through fear, climb over the wall of the court yard, and run wild about the town; but are ſoon hunted down and retaken.

When the ſcramble is on ſhip-board, the negroes are collected together upon the main and quarter decks, and the ſhip darkened by ſails ſuſpended over them, in order to prevent the purchaſers from being able to ſee, ſo as to pick or chuſe. The ſignal being given, the buyers ruſh in to ſeize their prey; when the negroes appear to be extremely terrified, and many of them jump into the ſea. But they are foon retaken, chiefly by boats from other ſhips.

On board a ſhip, lying at Port Maria, in Jamaica, the poor negroes were greatly terrified. The women in particular, clang to each other in agonies ſcarcely to be conceived, ſhrieking through excels of terror, at the ſavage manner in which their brutal purchaſers ruſhed upon, and ſeized them. Though humanity, one hſould imagine, would dictate to the captains to apprize the poor negroes of the mode by which they were to be ſold, and by that means to guard them, in ſome degree, againſt the ſurpriſe and teror which muſt attend it.

FINIS

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