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| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-14 20:07:42 -0700 |
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| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-14 20:07:42 -0700 |
| commit | bf2def16183b2666490a33dc7827b8fe73a80e7d (patch) | |
| tree | 5f5945ccd264b6abb561c2f8b795efac39f1cd9a /37296-h | |
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+} +/* ]]> */ </style> +</head> +<body> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 37296 ***</div> +<div class="front"> +<div class="div1 cover"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divBody"> +<p class="first"></p> +<div class="figure cover-imagewidth"><img src="images/new-cover.jpg" alt="Newly Designed Front Cover." width="480" height="720"></div><p> +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div class="div1 frontispiece"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divBody"> +<p class="first"></p> +<div class="figure frontispiecewidth"><img src="images/frontispiece.jpg" alt="“She uttered a piercing shriek, & clasped her child with convulsive strength to her bosom imploring the tyrant not to tear him from her widowed arms.”" width="439" height="624"><p class="figureHead">“She uttered a piercing shriek, & clasped her child with convulsive strength to her +bosom imploring the tyrant not to tear him from her widowed arms.”</p> +<p class="first">See page <a href="#pb60" class="pageref">60</a>. +</p> +<p>London Published by Harvey & Darton, Gracechurch Street. June 14<sup>th</sup>. 1823.</p> +</div><p> +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div class="div1 titlepage"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divBody"> +<p class="first"></p> +<div class="figure titlepage-imagewidth"><img src="images/titlepage.png" alt="Original Title Page." width="414" height="720"></div><p> +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div class="titlePage"> +<div class="docTitle"> +<h1 class="mainTitle">SAMBOE;</h1> +<h1 class="subTitle">OR,</h1> +<h1 class="mainTitle">THE AFRICAN BOY.</h1> +</div> +<div class="byline">BY THE AUTHOR OF<br> +<i>“Twilight Hours Improved,” &c. &c.</i></div> +<div class="epigraph"> +<div class="lgouter xd32e119"> +<p class="line">And man, where Freedom’s beams and fountains rise, +</p> +<p class="line">Springs from the dust, and blossoms to the skies. +</p> +<p class="line">Dead to the joys of light and life, the slave +</p> +<p class="line">Clings to the clod; his root is in the grave. +</p> +<p class="line">Bondage is winter, darkness, death, despair; +</p> +<p class="line">Freedom the sun, the sea, the mountain, and the air!</p> +</div> +<p class="first xd32e126"><i>Montgomery.</i></p> +</div> +<div class="docImprint">London:<br> +PRINTED FOR HARVEY AND DARTON,<br> +GRACECHURCH-STREET. +<br> +<span class="docDate">1823.</span></div> +</div> +<p></p> +<div class="div1 dedication"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divBody"> +<p class="first xd32e139">TO<br> +WILLIAM WILBERFORCE, <span class="sc">Esq.</span><br> +M. P. +</p> +<p class="xd32e139">THIS SMALL VOLUME,<br> +DIFFIDENTLY AIMING TO SERVE THE CAUSE OF HUMANITY<br> +IS,<br> +BY HIS KIND PERMISSION<br> +TO GIVE IT THE SANCTION OF HIS NAME,<br> +HUMBLY DEDICATED;<br> +WITH EVERY SENTIMENT OF UNFEIGNED VENERATION<br> +AND RESPECT FOR HIS<br> +EXALTED PATRIOTIC AND PRIVATE VIRTUES, +</p> +<p class="xd32e139">And grateful acknowledgment<br> +OF HIS CONDESCENSION, IN HONOURING WITH HIS<br> +ATTENTION THE HUMBLE EFFORTS OF +</p> +<p class="xd32e139">THE AUTHOR. +<span class="pageNum" id="xd32e174">[<a href="#xd32e174">v</a>]</span></p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="advertisement" class="div1 preface"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#advertisement.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h2 class="main">Advertisement.</h2> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">It has been justly remarked, “that all who read may become enlightened;” for readers, +insensibly imbibing the sentiments of others, and having their own latent sensibilities +called forth, contract, progressively, virtuous inclinations and habits; and thereby +become fitted to unite with their fellow-beings, in the removal or amelioration of +any of the evils of life. With a full conviction of this, I have attempted, and now +offer to my young readers, the present little work. To the rising generation, I am +told, the great question of the slave-trade is little known; the abolition of it, +by our legislature, having taken place either before many of them existed, or at too +early a period of their lives to excite any interest. Present circumstances, however, +in reference to the subject, ensure for it an intense interest, in every heart feeling +the blessing of freedom and all the sweet charities of home; blessings which it is +our care to dispose the youthful heart duly to appreciate, and hence to <span class="pageNum" id="xd32e179">[<a href="#xd32e179">vi</a>]</span>feel for those, deprived, by violence and crime, of these high privileges of man. +</p> +<p>It is true, <i>England</i> has achieved the triumph of humanity, in effacing from her Christian character so +dark a stain as a traffic in human beings; a commerce, “the history of which is written +throughout in characters of blood.” Yet there are but too strong evidences that it +is yet pursued to great and fearful extent by <i>other</i> nations, notwithstanding the solemn obligations they have entered into to suppress +it; obligations “imposed on every Christian state, no less by the religion it professes, +than by a regard to its national honour;” and notwithstanding it has been branded +with infamy, at a solemn congress of the great Christian powers, as a crime of the +deepest dye. Of this there has long been most abundant melancholy proof; yet, under +its present contraband character, it has been attended by, if possible, unprecedented +enormities and misery, as well as involving the base and cruel agents of it in the +further crime of deliberate perjury, in order to conceal their nefarious employment. +</p> +<p>Surely, then, no age can scarcely be too immature, in which to sow the seeds of abhorrence +in the young breast, against this blood-stained, demoralizing <span class="pageNum" id="xd32e189">[<a href="#xd32e189">vii</a>]</span>commerce! Surely, no means, however trivial, should be neglected, to arouse the spirit +of youth against it! It would be tedious, and, indeed, inconsistent with the brevity +of this little work, to name the number of the great and the good who have protested +against, and sacrificed their time and their treasure to abolish it. Suffice it to +say, that an apparently trifling incident first aroused the virtuous energies of the +ardent, persevering Clarkson, in the great cause;—that a view of the produce of Africa, +and proofs of the ingenuity of Africans, kindled the fire of enthusiasm in the noble +and comprehensive mind of a Pitt. Nor did the flame quiver or become dim while he +was the pilot of the state, though he was not decreed to see the success of perseverance +in the cause of justice and humanity. +</p> +<p>Let me, therefore, be acquitted of presumption, when I express a hope, that, trifling +as is the present work, yet, as the leading events it records are not the creations +of fancy, but realities that have passed; that they have not been collected for effect, +or uselessly to awaken the feelings; but having been actually presented in the pursuit +of a disgraceful and cruel commerce, are now offered to the view of my young readers, +<span class="pageNum" id="xd32e193">[<a href="#xd32e193">viii</a>]</span>in order to confirm the great truths, that cruelty and oppression encouraged, soon +brutalize the nature of man; divesting him of every distinguishing trait which unites +him with superior intelligences, and sinking him in the scale of being far below the +ravening wolf and insatiate tiger; and that the slave-trade, more especially, never +fails effectually to destroy all the sympathies of humanity, and so far to barbarize +those who are concerned in it, as assuredly to cause civilized man to resume the ferocity +of the savage whom he presumes to despise. +</p> +<p class="signed"><span class="sc">The Author.</span> +<span class="pageNum" id="xd32e199">[<a href="#xd32e199">x</a>]</span></p> +</div> +</div> +<div class="div1 last-child epigraph"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<div class="lgouter"> +<p class="line">“Offspring of love divine, Humanity! +</p> +<p class="line">—— —— —— —— —— +</p> +<p class="line">Come thou, and weep with me substantial ills, +</p> +<p class="line">And execrate the wrongs that Afric’s sons, +</p> +<p class="line">Torn from their native shore, and doom’d to bear +</p> +<p class="line">The yoke of servitude in foreign climes, +</p> +<p class="line">Sustain. Nor vainly let our sorrows flow, +</p> +<p class="line">Nor let the strong emotion rise in vain. +</p> +<p class="line">But may the kind contagion widely spread, +</p> +<p class="line">Till, in its flame, the unrelenting heart +</p> +<p class="line">Of avarice melt in softest sympathy, +</p> +<p class="line">And one bright ray of universal love, +</p> +<p class="line">Of grateful incense, rises up to heaven!”</p> +</div> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first xd32e126"><i>Roscoe’s Wrongs of Africa.</i> +</p> +<div class="lgouter"> +<p class="line">“E’en from <i>my</i> pen some heartfelt truths may fall; +</p> +<p class="line">For outrag’d nature claims the care of all.”</p> +</div> +<p><span class="pageNum" id="pb1">[<a href="#pb1">1</a>]</span></p> +</div> +</div> +</div> +<div class="body"> +<div id="ch1" class="div1 chapter"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#ch1.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h2 class="super">Samboe;<br> +Or,<br> +The African Boy.</h2> +<h2 class="main">Chapter I.</h2> +<div class="epigraph"> +<div class="lgouter"> +<p class="line">“Slaves of gold! whose sordid dealings +</p> +<p class="line xd32e238">Tarnish all your boasted powers, +</p> +<p class="line">Prove that ye have human feelings, +</p> +<p class="line xd32e238">Ere ye proudly question ours.”</p> +</div> +</div> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">“Encourage the chiefs to go to war, that they may obtain slaves; for as on many accounts +we require a large number, we desire you to exert yourself, and not stand out for +a price.” Such was the direction, and such the order, of the slave-merchants at Cape +Coast Castle, to one of their factors in the <span class="pageNum" id="pb2">[<a href="#pb2">2</a>]</span>interior, for the collection and purchase of slaves; who, dreadful as was his occupation, +yet at all times faithfully endeavoured to obey the orders of his employers. +</p> +<p>This person had, by studying the character, peculiarities, prejudices, and language +of the natives, obtained a great influence over the chiefs of a country, peculiarly +blessed by Providence, with all that can enchant the eye, or gratify the wants of +man. It is a well-known, but melancholy truth, that, by the introduction of spirituous +liquors, and other desirable articles to an uncivilized people, the Europeans have +greatly augmented and cherished the dreadful traffic in human beings: the African +kings and chiefs being induced, by these temptations, to barter their subjects and +captives, for commodities they estimate so highly; frequently even fomenting quarrels, +and making war with each other, at the instigation of the slave-factors, for the sole +purpose of obtaining captives, in order to exchange them for European articles, with +which the factors, who visit their country for the dreadful purpose, are well furnished; +to <span class="pageNum" id="pb3">[<a href="#pb3">3</a>]</span>tempt the appetites, and provoke the wild passions, of the wretched beings they intend +to make the instruments of their inhuman thirst of gain. (<a href="#note.a"><i>Note</i> <span class="sc">A</span></a>.) +</p> +<div class="lgouter"> +<p class="line xd32e258">“The natural bond +</p> +<p class="line">Of brotherhood is sever’d as the flax +</p> +<p class="line">That falls asunder at the touch of fire— +</p> +<p class="line xd32e258">And having pow’r +</p> +<p class="line">T’ enforce the wrong, for such a worthy cause, +</p> +<p class="line">Dooms and devotes him as his lawful prey.”</p> +</div> +<p class="first">Mr. Irving, the factor whom we have named as having received the peremptory and unlimited +order from the merchants of Cape Coast Castle, had won their confidence, by the remarkable +success which had attended his negociations with the king and principal grandees of +Whidáh, in which delightful part of Africa he had resided for some years. Nothing, +perhaps, more strongly proves the indurating power of the love of gain upon the heart, +and the baneful influence of the habitual view of oppression on the better feelings +of the soul, than the change which generally takes place in the characters of the +young men whose <span class="pageNum" id="pb4">[<a href="#pb4">4</a>]</span>official duty places them in situations like that filled by Mr. Irving. It has, indeed, +been most justly and impressively observed, that it is impossible for any one to be +accustomed to carry away miserable beings, by force, from their country and endearing +ties, to keep them in chains, to see their tears, to hear their mournful lamentations, +to behold the dead and the dying mingled together, to keep up a system of severity +towards them in their deep affliction, to be constant witnesses of the misery of exile, +bondage, cruelty, and oppression, which, together, form the malignant character of +this nefarious traffic, without losing all those better feelings it should be the +study of man to cherish; or without contracting those habits of moroseness and ferocity +which brutalize the nature. +</p> +<p>Irving, like many other youths, had been induced by an ardent curiosity, and an enterprising +spirit, to engage as a writer to the Royal African Company<a class="noteRef" id="xd32e272src" href="#xd32e272">1</a>, at a time when <span class="pageNum" id="pb5">[<a href="#pb5">5</a>]</span>the traffic in slaves was legally pursued, as one source of riches to a great commercial +nation. Yet it may with candour be presumed, that he, and many a youth entering upon +the same path, with the same laudable impulses, had they anticipated the peril to +which they exposed their humane principles, by engaging themselves in a trade so repugnant +to nature, religion, and justice, would rather have undergone personal hazard and +difficulty in their native land, so that they might have fostered that divine principle, +which is the noble and distinguishing characteristic of man—of free-born man. +</p> +<p>That Irving possessed a native humanity and right feeling, would appear from his letters +to his friends in England, written on his arrival in Africa; and as he describes the +country as it first met his admiring and youthful eye, it may be not unamusing to +my young readers, to extract a few passages from his letters to his sister, before +we pursue <span class="pageNum" id="pb6">[<a href="#pb6">6</a>]</span>the detail of subsequent events, in which he was an actor. “Well, my dear Sophy,” +he observes, “are you reconciled to your brother becoming a dealer in slaves? I assure +you I have had some compunctious visitings of conscience upon the subject during the +voyage; the calmness and monotony of which, gave me ample opportunity of reflecting +upon the kind-hearted arguments of my good little sister, against a commerce, which, +I believe she says true when she asserts, ‘is founded in injustice and crime, and +a compound of all that is wicked and cruel.’ But, Sophy, what will you call your wild +brother, when I tell you, that the first glance I had of this enchanting country, +put you, your arguments, the unhappy and abused natives, from my mind, in an instant; +and I could only bless my stars that I was to become an inhabitant of a region which +seemed to offer so many delights—so many interesting studies for my pencil. I can +anticipate all you would say upon this subject, as to the cruelty of tearing the miserable +natives from scenes which ‘breathe of Paradise,’ so as to have raised <span class="pageNum" id="pb7">[<a href="#pb7">7</a>]</span>the enthusiasm of even the thoughtless heart of Charles Irving. But I have no time +for argument, Sophy, scarcely that for brief description. Imagine then, my dear sister, +the most boundless luxuriancy of landscape, continually clothed with all the beauties +and riches of spring, summer, and harvest; lofty mountains covered with wood, chiefly +fruit-trees; fine streams, romantic and fertile valleys. Such is the general appearance: +the scenery in detail surpasses description. This charming country seems to be remarkably +populous. The kingdom of Whidáh, in which is situated the factory to which I am at +present appointed, is (as you will find on consulting your map) on the western side +of Africa, commonly called the slave-coast. This kingdom we should rather call a county, +as it extends only about ten miles along the coast, and about seven miles inland. +Yet, although of so small an extent, it is divided into twenty-six divisions, or provinces. +The villages are numerous, and thickly inhabited. The houses or huts of the natives +are small; conical at the top, and thatched either with long grass, or the palmetto +<span class="pageNum" id="pb8">[<a href="#pb8">8</a>]</span>leaves. The interior is very clean; but from the fish and other articles of food kept +in them, you may readily imagine the effluvia is not very pleasant to European nicety. +</p> +<p>The furniture of these dwellings is not very costly, seldom amounting to more than +a chest to contain their light and simple articles of clothing; a mat to repose upon, +raised a little from the floor; a jar to contain water, and calabashes of various +sizes; two or three wooden mortars to pound corn and rice, and a basket or sieve to +prepare it when done. The villages formed of these huts are generally built in a circle, +surrounded by a clay wall, scattered over the country in the midst of beautiful groves +clear of brushwood, and have a most picturesque and beautiful effect to a stranger’s +eye. The fields are always verdant, and nature puts forth her beauties with inexhaustible +profusion; perpetual spring and autumn succeeding each other. The Company’s factory +here, is most pleasantly situated in the midst of gardens, which amply supply it, +and the fort, (called <span class="pageNum" id="pb9">[<a href="#pb9">9</a>]</span>Fort William,) consisting of four batteries, mounting seventeen guns. In these gardens +is an abundant supply of beans, potatoes, every other edible root known in Europe, +and a great variety of delicious fruits peculiar to the climate. Amongst the most +beautiful and useful vegetable riches of Africa, may be reckoned the plantain and +banana trees. The latter bears a fruit six or seven inches in length, covered with +a yellow skin, very tender when ripe. The pulp of it is as soft as a marmalade, and +of a most pleasant taste. It grows on a stalk about six yards high, the leaves being +nearly two yards long, and a foot wide. One stalk only bears a single cluster of the +fruit, which sometimes consists of forty or fifty bananas; and when the cluster is +gathered, the stalk is cut off, or it would bear no more fruit. The plantain is not +unlike the banana, but somewhat longer, although the flavour greatly resembles it. +The leaves, and every part of the tree, are converted into a variety of useful articles. +There are also guavas, a fruit very like our peach, except that the external coat +<span class="pageNum" id="pb10">[<a href="#pb10">10</a>]</span>is rougher; and it has small kernels like the apple, instead of a stone. Cocoas, oranges, +lemons, citrons, and limes, abound, and, as you may readily suppose, are in great +request amongst us, as well as beautiful additions to the luxuriant vegetable riches +of the country.” +</p> +<p>In a subsequent letter he again writes: “I was much pleased this morning to see the +natives extracting what we call the wine from the palm tree, which is beautifully +straight and lofty, growing sometimes to a prodigious height. +</p> +<p>“They make an incision in the trunk, near the summit of the tree, to which they apply, +in succession, gourd bottles, conducting the liquor into them by means of a pipe formed +of the leaves. This wine is very pleasant when fresh drawn, but is apt to disagree +with Europeans in that state. After fermentation, however, it becomes like Rhenish +wine, and is extremely good, without being prejudicial. You would be alarmed, Sophy, +to see how rapidly and nimbly the natives mount these lofty trees, which are sometimes +<span class="pageNum" id="pb11">[<a href="#pb11">11</a>]</span>sixty, seventy, and even a hundred feet in height, and the bark smooth. The only aid +they have is a piece of the bark of a tree, which they form into a hoop by holding +the two ends, having enclosed themselves and the trunk of the tree. They then place +their feet against the tree, and their backs against the hoop, and mount as quick +as thought. It sometimes occurs that they miss their footing, the consequence of course +is, that they are precipitated with tremendous force to the ground, and dashed to +pieces. +</p> +<p>“There is another tree called the ciboa, very much like the palm, and applied to the +same purposes: the wine of this is not quite so sweet as that of the palm. +</p> +<p>In another letter he further observes: “I think you will be pleased to hear in what +manner I pass my time here, my dear Sophy, while you are perhaps talking of me in +the dear domestic circle; I will therefore give you the journal of a day, which, with +little variation, is the general mode of my living. +</p> +<p>“I rise by day-break, in order to enjoy the refreshing coolness of the morning, and +generally ride or walk into the country, <span class="pageNum" id="pb12">[<a href="#pb12">12</a>]</span>through the delightful woods and savannahs. +</p> +<p>“On my return, I breakfast on <i>never-tiring</i> tea, or, for want of it, a sort of tea growing in the woods, called <i>simbong</i>. Upon any deficiency of sugar, I use honey, as it is at all times easily procured; +except, perhaps, when the natives are making their honey wine, of which they are immoderately +fond. Sometimes I take milk, with cakes of rice or flour; or Guinea-corn, baked in +a very useful article in my kitchen; <i>viz.</i> a large iron pot. The milk will not boil without turning to whey, which I ascribe +to the nature of the grass upon which the cows feed. My dinner is frequently beef, +either fresh or salted, in which latter state it will keep six or seven days. This +I either boil and eat with coosh-coosh, (<a href="#note.b"><i>Note</i> <span class="sc">B</span></a>.) a favourite dish with the natives, or with pumpkins and coliloo, like spinach, +both of which are plentiful. Fowls are so cheap and common, that they may always be +purchased for a few charges of gunpowder; and when I wish for either fish or game, +I send a fisher or hunter, allowed by the factory, <span class="pageNum" id="pb13">[<a href="#pb13">13</a>]</span>to supply me; and they never fail to bring me ample store of the finest sorts of the +former; and of the latter, deer, ducks, partridges, wild geese, and what are here +called crown birds, all which abound in their different seasons. +</p> +<p>“The afternoon is the usual time of trade; but sometimes it is protracted during the +whole of several days, and being my proper business, I make a point of never neglecting +it (<a href="#note.c"><i>Note</i> <span class="sc">C</span></a>.) If concluded early, I sometimes take a trip to some of the neighbouring villages, +and return home to supper, amusing myself, as I am now doing, with writing or reading, +and occasionally visiting two or three friends. In these visits, the refreshment is +generally palm and honey wine, or a fruit called cola, which very agreeably relishes +water. I frequently, also, form one of a party in shooting doves and partridges. I +have indeed no want of society, generally having even more company than I desire. +These visitors are traders, and messengers from the great men in this and the adjacent +kingdom, who frequently send me presents <span class="pageNum" id="pb14">[<a href="#pb14">14</a>]</span>of pieces of cloths, cows, spices, and even a slave. These presents I would gladly +decline, as I well know they are given with a view of obtaining more valuable returns, +or to bribe me to some measure in which my interest or aid is required; but I am obliged +to accept what they offer, because the interest of the Company renders it necessary +to conciliate the natives, who may forward the trade. But to return to my accommodation: +perhaps you think I repose on the ‘verdant mead, under the spreading palm.’ No such +thing, my dear Sophy: my bed-room is large and airy, and during the rainy season glows +with the cheering blaze of a fire. My bedstead is raised by forkillas; at the head +and feet are cross poles, upon which is placed a platform of split cane. My bed itself +is composed of silk-cotton, a sort of vegetable down, extremely soft, and very plentiful +here; and to complete my bedstead, I have erected light posts at the corners, to support +a pavilion of thin cloth, as a defence against the musquitoes. Independently of the +linen I brought from England, I have some presented to me, <span class="pageNum" id="pb15">[<a href="#pb15">15</a>]</span>by a negro king and his sister: (what think you of that, Sophy?) it consists of fine +cotton cloths, six yards long and three wide: these I use for sheets. Thus, you find, +I have all my comforts around me, even on the burning shores of Africa, to which you +were so unwilling I should direct my way. +</p> +<p>“I cannot close my letter without telling you of the pleasure I enjoyed in my excursion +this morning, with a friend who is my colleague in office, and with whom I am indeed +so intimate, that we have acquired the designation of ‘the inseparables.’ We set out +just as the day was dawning, and had penetrated nearly five miles into the country, +ere the sun bore any oppressive power; and taking our fowling pieces with us, we shot +a few birds for sport, as we proceeded through a country rich beyond your imagination +to conceive. We rested ourselves at the foot of a rock, and <span class="corr" id="xd32e335" title="Source: eat">ate</span> a hearty breakfast of fruit, washing it down with palm wine, with which we were provided, +and milk from the cocoa-nuts we gathered. We then continued to explore scenes which +seemed to realize the picture <span class="pageNum" id="pb16">[<a href="#pb16">16</a>]</span>imagination forms of Paradise. Coming to a beautiful expanse of water, we again seated +ourselves, to enjoy a second meal, as well as the beauty and the heavenly repose, +adorning and pervading these vast solitudes. +</p> +<p>“The tinkling of several little rills, and the sound of several larger cascades that +fell from the rocks, only broke the stillness of the spot, in every other respect +profound; and altogether diffused a tranquillity over the soul, the influence of which +I still feel, but am unable to define. The orange and lime trees adorning the spot, +bending under the weight of their delicious fruit, and diffusing around their fragrant +odour; a number of other beautiful shrubs and trees intermingling their various tints +of foliage, and tempting the hand to gather their rich fruit; combined with the cataracts, +the surrounding hills, covered with the noblest trees and liveliest verdure, and in +their various angles and projections, exhibiting the bold and free strokes of nature; +altogether composed what might, without exaggeration, be called a terrestrial Paradise, +the effect of which <span class="pageNum" id="pb17">[<a href="#pb17">17</a>]</span>cannot be imagined, unless it were seen. You may be sure that it was not without regret +we quitted this delightful spot, which raised our curiosity and desire, to the highest +degree, further to explore the country. Nor (shall I confess it, Sophy?) could we +forbear remarking, that if the attention of our country was directed to the civilization, +and the improving the natural resources of such a country, instead of robbing and +devastating it, it would be far more honourable to us as Britains, and as men, enjoying +all the privileges of that envied title. But I think I hear you say: ‘You tell me +much of yourself, and of the face of the country you have chosen for a residence, +but you tell me little of the inhabitants of this favoured region.’ This I must reserve +for another packet, my dear sister, as also an account of my visit to Sabi<a class="noteRef" id="xd32e344src" href="#xd32e344">2</a>. In the mean time I will assure you, that I have no regrets in having quitted for +a while my country, except my separation from you <span class="pageNum" id="pb18">[<a href="#pb18">18</a>]</span>and my family, every member of which must ever be dear, to their affectionate +</p> +<p class="signed">“<span class="sc">Charles Irving</span>.” +</p> +</div> +<div class="footnotes"> +<hr class="fnsep"> +<div class="footnote-body"> +<div class="fndiv" id="xd32e272"> +<p class="footnote"><span class="fnlabel"><a class="noteRef" href="#xd32e272src">1</a></span> A society of merchants, established by king Charles II. for trading to Africa; which +trade was laid open to all his majesty’s subjects, and those of succeeding monarchs, until the abolition +took place, 1807. <a class="fnarrow" href="#xd32e272src" title="Return to note 1 in text.">↑</a></p> +</div> +<div class="fndiv" id="xd32e344"> +<p class="footnote"><span class="fnlabel"><a class="noteRef" href="#xd32e344src">2</a></span> Capital of Whidáh, <span class="corr" id="xd32e346" title="Source: situate">situated</span> about four miles from the factory at Whidáh. <a class="fnarrow" href="#xd32e344src" title="Return to note 2 in text.">↑</a></p> +</div> +</div> +</div> +</div> +<div id="ch2" class="div1 chapter"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#ch2.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h2 class="main">Chapter II.</h2> +<div class="epigraph"> +<div class="lgouter"> +<p class="line">“What’s all that Afric’s golden rivers roll, +</p> +<p class="line">Her odorous woods, and shining ivory stores? +</p> +<p class="line">Ill-fated race! the softening arts of peace, +</p> +<p class="line">And all-protecting freedom, which alone +</p> +<p class="line">Sustains the name and dignity of man: +</p> +<p class="line">These are not theirs!”</p> +</div> +</div> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">Presuming that our young readers are not uninterested in the accounts of Charles Irving, +we shall make a few more extracts from his correspondence. “You tell me,” he observes +in reply to the expressed wishes of his sister, “you tell me, my dear Sophy, to give +you some information respecting the inhabitants of Whidáh. I am myself unable <span class="pageNum" id="pb19">[<a href="#pb19">19</a>]</span>to speak very decisively, but I am assured by those who have visited other parts of +Africa, that those of Whidáh exceed the other negroes in civilization, and they certainly +appear to me, both industrious and ingenious. The women, I can assure you, are very +important personages, truly help-meets to their lords. They brew the beer, dress the +food, sell all sorts of articles, (except slaves!) at the markets; they are also, +I am sorry to add, employed in tilling the land with the slaves. But, Sophy, this +may be accounted for: the light of Christianity has not yet beamed upon this land. +Its humanizing spirit we have, you know, often remarked, as peculiarly favourable +to the weaker sex; and were Africa free, and blessed with the genial ray of true religion, +doubtless her women would acquire that consideration which is their due, and be regarded +as what they ought to be, as the companions and solace, not the slaves of man. In +reference to their ingenuity, I have many specimens. They spin cotton yarn, weave +fine cotton cloth, make calabashes, wooden vessels, <span class="pageNum" id="pb20">[<a href="#pb20">20</a>]</span>plates, dishes, &c. I have now lying before me, a present from a great man, a pipe +for smoking, which is remarkably neat. It is formed of clay of a reddish hue, the +stem a reed about six feet in length. It is beautifully and finely polished, perfectly +smooth, white, and even elegant. The bowl and stem are fastened together with a piece +of delicate red leather. It has also a fine leather tassel, attached to about the +middle of the stem; and so neat is the work, that although the end of the reed goes +into the bowl of the pipe, it appears as if formed of one piece. They clean the reed, +when filled up with the smoke, by drawing long straws through it, and the bowls, by +scraping them with a small sharp instrument. +</p> +<p>“Last week we had quite a gala day, one of the country chiefs paying a visit to the +governor at the fort. He was saluted with five guns on his landing: I was much pleased +that my duty obliged me to go to the fort at the time. +</p> +<p>“The ostensible motive of his visit, was respect to the governor; but the real one, +to <span class="pageNum" id="pb21">[<a href="#pb21">21</a>]</span>solicit powder and ball, in order to defend himself against the attacks of a neighbouring +chief. He assumes the title of emperor, and is a fine model of negro beauty, young, +extremely black, tall, and free in his carriage, with teeth which rivalled pearls +in beauty. His dress consisted of short yellow cotton trowsers, reaching only to the +knees; and a sort of mantle of the same material, flowing full like a surplice. His +feet and legs were naked; but he wore a very large cap, with a white goat’s tail fastened +in it: I suppose, the insignia of his dignity. +</p> +<p>“All the officers of the fort were in full uniform, waiting to receive this chieftain; +and, I assure you, it was a very gratifying sight to observe the expecting numbers +ready to welcome him. +</p> +<p>“He and his retinue came in a large and splendid canoe, containing about sixteen persons, +all armed with guns and sabres, with a number of drums, upon which they beat with +one stick. Two or three women were of the party, and danced to the sound of the drums. +They remained at the fort <span class="pageNum" id="pb22">[<a href="#pb22">22</a>]</span>all night, highly pleased with the visit, and the success of it; not only receiving +what they solicited, but an ample present of rum, beads, bugles, and looking-glasses, +from the governor, by which he quite won the hearts of the emperor and his suite. +</p> +<p>“The natives are, indeed, generally good-natured and obliging, particularly to Europeans; +and if the latter are liberal in presents, they seldom find the obligation forgotten. +If a favour is asked of them, they will use their utmost efforts to comply, even to +their own prejudice. Gentle measures are, indeed, the only means to succeed with them: +they then seem to have pleasure in compliance; but if treated with violence, they +are obstinate and refractory, and they will take as much pains to injure, as, in the +other case, to serve. This, you will say, sufficiently proves their native generosity +of disposition. Can such a people require any thing but freedom, and a pure faith, +to render them equal to the European, who despises them, and denies that they possess +a capability of enjoying freedom? I grant <span class="pageNum" id="pb23">[<a href="#pb23">23</a>]</span>this, my dear advocate; and, did time allow me, could relate many instances to prove +that your opinion is just. +</p> +<p>“In my last, I mentioned the employment of the women partly consisted in weaving fine +cotton cloths. We frequently barter these with our commodities. The pieces are generally +twenty-seven yards long, but never more than nine inches wide. They cut them what +length they require, and sew them together very neatly, to serve the use of broader +cloths. The cotton is cleared from the seed by hand, and is spun with a spindle and +distaff: it is afterwards woven in a loom of very simple and coarse workmanship. These +cloths are made up into pairs, one about three yards long, and one and a half broad; +with this the shoulders and body are covered. The other is almost of the same breadth, +and but two yards long: this is gathered neatly in folds round the waist, and falls +loosely over the limbs. Such a pair of cloths is the dress of men and women, with +a slight variation in the mode of adjustment. I have seen a pair of such cloths, so +beautifully fine <span class="pageNum" id="pb24">[<a href="#pb24">24</a>]</span>in texture, and so brightly dyed, as to be very valuable. Their usual colours are +either blue or yellow, some very lively: I do not remember, however, ever to have +seen any red. (<a href="#note.d"><i>Note</i> <span class="sc">D</span></a>.) +</p> +<p>“I shall conclude this letter by an account of my visit to Sabi, as I promised you. +With European ideas of the state of society and commerce in Africa, I confess, the +surprise I experienced was very great, on my entrance into the market of this capital +of Whidáh, which is kept twice in a week. Great regulation is observed in the keeping +of these markets, a distinct and proper place being assigned for every different commodity; +and the confluence of people, although great, are preserved from disorder and confusion, +by a judge or magistrate, appointed by the king; and who, with four assistants, well +armed, inspects the markets, hears all complaints, and, in a summary way, decides +all differences among the buyers and sellers, having power to seize, and sell as slaves, +all who violate the peace. Besides this magistrate, there is another, whose peculiar +office it is to inspect <span class="pageNum" id="pb25">[<a href="#pb25">25</a>]</span>the money, which is called <i>toqua</i>, consisting of strings of shells, to the number of forty; and if one of these strings +happens to be deficient in a single shell, the whole are forfeited to the king. Round +the markets are erected booths, which are occupied by cooks or suttlers, who sell +provisions ready dressed, as beef, pork, goats’-flesh; and others, in which may be +obtained rice, millet, marre, and bread; and others where they sell spirituous liquors, +palm and ciboa wine, and pito, which is a sort of beer. The chief commodities on sale, +are <i>slaves</i>, cattle, and fowls of every kind, monkeys and other animals; various sorts of European +cloth, linen, and woollen; printed calicoes, silk, grocery, and china; gold in dust +and bars, iron in bars or wrought. +</p> +<p>“The country manufactures are Whidáh cloths, mats, baskets, jars, calabashes of various +sorts, wooden bowls and cups, red and blue pepper, salt, palm-oil, &c. All these commodities, +except slaves, are sold by the women, who are excellent accountants, and set off their +goods most judiciously. The <span class="pageNum" id="pb26">[<a href="#pb26">26</a>]</span>men are also good accountants, reckoning every thing by the head; and are as exact +as the Europeans are with pen and ink, although the sums are often so many and so +considerable, as to render it very intricate. +</p> +<p>“The slaves are paid for in gold-dust, but other payments are made in strings of cowries, +which, as I have said, contain forty in a string. Five of the strings make what the +natives call a <i>fore</i>; and fifty <i>fores</i> make an <i>alkove</i>, which generally weighs about sixty pounds. +</p> +<p>The various commodities of these markets, and the order and regularity with which +they are disposed, would be a peculiarly pleasing sight to a stranger, were not human +beings included in the articles of commerce; but, to behold a number of men, women, +and children, linked together, and ranged like beasts to view, is a sight truly shocking +to behold; and I will acknowledge, Sophy, I felt a sickness come over my heart, and +a glow of shame suffuse my forehead, as I contemplated upwards of sixty individuals, +whom a few short hours, perhaps, might separate, for <span class="pageNum" id="pb27">[<a href="#pb27">27</a>]</span>ever, from their kindred and their country. There is, however, little chance that +it will now ever be otherwise; for the worst passions of men are engaged, and the +despotism of the African kings gives them ample opportunity to gratify their cupidity +and intemperance, by the barter of their unhappy subjects<a class="noteRef" id="xd32e422src" href="#xd32e422">1</a>. The revenues of the king of Whidáh are very considerable; for he not only has large +landed possessions, but he receives a duty on all commodities sold in the markets, +or imported into the country. His lands furnish him with provisions for his numerous +household, as well as for exportation; great quantities being annually sold to the +neighbouring nations, less bountifully supplied by nature. The revenues arising from +the slave-trade are very considerable, and induce him to favour it, by the strongest +principle in the soul of man, selfishness; for he receives three rix dollars for every +slave sold in his dominions. Every European vessel also pays <span class="pageNum" id="pb28">[<a href="#pb28">28</a>]</span>him a pecuniary duty, exclusive of presents, which they make to conciliate his favour, +and to secure his protection in trading. +</p> +<p>Some years, slaves to the number of two thousand are brought from the interior, by +the native merchants, most of whom, they say, are prisoners of war. These merchants +purchase them from the different princes, who have made captives of them. Their mode +of travelling is by tying them by the neck with leather thongs, at about a yard distant +from each other, thirty and forty in a string; having generally a large truss or bundle +of corn, or an elephant’s tooth, upon the head of each or many of them. In their way +from the mountains, far in the interior, they have to travel through vast woods, where, +for several days, perhaps, no water is to be procured. To obviate this distressing +scarcity, they carry water in skins. There are a great number of these merchants, +who, furnishing themselves with European goods from the slave-factors, penetrate the +inland countries, and with them purchase, in their <span class="pageNum" id="pb29">[<a href="#pb29">29</a>]</span>route, gold, slaves, and elephants’ teeth. (<a href="#note.e"><i>Note</i> <span class="sc">E</span></a>.) +</p> +<p>“They use asses as well as slaves to convey their goods, but no camels nor horses. +Besides the slaves brought down to the factories by these merchants, many others are +bought in the vicinity. These are either taken in war, as the former, or are men condemned +for crimes; and, not unfrequently, they are stolen. <i>These</i> the Company never purchase, if able to ascertain the fact. It is worthy of remark, +that, since the great demand for slaves, most punishments are changed into slavery; +and there being an accruing advantage on such condemnations, they exaggerate faults +scarcely more than venial, into crimes, in order to obtain the benefit of selling +the criminal. Not only murder and the grosser crimes are punished in this manner, +but every trifling misdemeanour renders the culprit obnoxious to the same dreadful +penalty. It was not many days since that I had a man brought to me to be sold, for +having stolen a tobacco pipe; and I had infinite trouble to persuade the <span class="pageNum" id="pb30">[<a href="#pb30">30</a>]</span>aggrieved party to accept of a compensation, and to leave the man free. +</p> +<p>“From what I have seen of the people, they are well disposed and cheerful, excessively +fond of dancing, keeping it up to the sound of a drum or a balafeu, for many hours, +without any appearance of weariness. Their dances are sometimes pleasing and regular, +but at others wild, and apparently confused. The instrument they call a <i>balafeu</i> is very pleasing, sounding something like an organ, when not too near. It is composed +of about twenty pipes of very hard wood, finely polished: these pipes gradually diminish, +both in size and length, and are tied together with thongs made of very fine thin +leather. These thongs are twisted round small round wands, which are placed between +each of the pipes, in order to leave a short space. Underneath the pipes are fastened +twelve or fourteen calabashes, of different sizes, which have the same effect of sound +as organ-pipes. This they play upon with two sticks, covered with a thin skin, taken +from the trunk of the ciboa, or with fine leather, in order to soften the sound. (<a href="#note.f"><i>Note</i> <span class="sc">F</span></a>.) <span class="pageNum" id="pb31">[<a href="#pb31">31</a>]</span>Both sexes delight to dance to this instrument, and their pleasure seems to rise almost +to ecstasy, if a white man will unite in the dance; which, you will readily suppose, +I am never unwilling to do. The only indication of suspicion they show, is when asked +to take any beverage with a white man, always requiring the liquor to be first tasted +by the inviter. +</p> +<p>“Many of the natives have invited me to their habitations and dancing parties, and +brought their wives and daughters to salute me. They, with great artlessness, generally +sit down by me, and are never weary in admiring the different articles of my dress; +making their comments one to another, with the most lively admiration and astonishment. +Some, who had never seen a white man, ran away from me, apparently terrified at my +<i>monstrous</i> appearance. +</p> +<p>“In their persons they are of a good height, well shaped, and extremely black; and, +as an instance of the female subjection, I am told, that, when a man has been absent +from home, even but for a short time, his wife salutes him upon her knees at his return, +and, <span class="pageNum" id="pb32">[<a href="#pb32">32</a>]</span>in the same attitude, offers him water and refreshments. Both sexes are exceedingly +cleanly in their persons, washing themselves in pure water twice in the day, and using +aromatic unguents. Their dress consists of the country cotton cloths I have named; +the superior classes add a short garment, made of taffety, or other silk, and scarfs +of the same material passed over the shoulder. They generally go with the head and +feet uncovered, but occasionally wear sandals, and caps or bonnets. The superior females +wear calico paans, or a sort of petticoat, which are very fine, and beautifully variegated +with different colours: these are confined round the waist, and the upper part of +the body is covered with a cloth, serving also as a veil. +</p> +<p>“They wear necklaces of coral, &c. agreeably disposed; and their arms, wrists, fingers, +and legs, are encompassed and ornamented with rings of amber, silver, and even gold, +to a considerable value. The inferior ranks wear copper or iron. The men suffer the +hair to remain in its natural form, except <span class="pageNum" id="pb33">[<a href="#pb33">33</a>]</span>buckling it in two or three places, in order to affix a coral ornament to it; but +the women arrange theirs more artificially, with long and small buckles, or ornaments, +the hair divided on the crown of the head, and the ornaments placed with great uniformity. +They have a bad practice of using an oil, which injures the glossy blackness of the +hair, in time changing it to a colour approaching green or yellow, which they much +admire; but it is very unpleasing to the eye of a stranger. +</p> +<p>“I have mentioned that the natives of Whidáh are idolaters. The object of their worship, +you will be surprised to find, is a serpent; an animal to which men, in general, have +an antipathy<span id="xd32e469"></span> This Whidáh god is called the <i>fetiche</i>: it is a harmless, as well as beautiful animal, having an antipathy to venomous serpents, +attacking them whenever it meets with them. The serpent has a large, round, beautiful +head; a short, pointed tongue, resembling a dart; and a short but sharp tail; the +whole adorned by the most beautiful colours, upon a light grey ground. In general +its pace is slow and solemn, except <span class="pageNum" id="pb34">[<a href="#pb34">34</a>]</span>when it seizes on its prey, in which case it is quick and rapid. They are perfectly +tame and familiar, permitting themselves to be caressed and handled, which is frequently +done by the natives and Europeans, without apprehension of danger. This deity has +a temple to his honour, with priests, sacrifices, &c.” +</p> +<p>With this account we will close our extracts from Irving’s letters; and as they will +give some idea of the people of the country which forms the principal scene of our +narrative, it is hoped the digression will not be thought irrelevant. In the next +chapter we resume the thread of our story, merely pausing to express our ardent hope, +that good may spring out of evil; that even the slave-trade may be the medium of promulgating +the gospel of peace; and that good may, in God’s own time, overcome evil. +</p> +<div class="lgouter"> +<p class="line">O, ’tis a godlike privilege to save, +</p> +<p class="line">And he that scorns it is himself a slave. +</p> +<p class="line">Inform his mind, one flash of heav’nly day +</p> +<p class="line">Would heal his heart, and melt his chains away: +</p> +<p class="line">“Beauty for ashes,” is a gift indeed; +</p> +<p class="line">And slaves by truth enlarg’d are doubly freed.</p> +</div> +<p class="first xd32e126"><span class="sc">Cowper.</span> +<span class="pageNum" id="pb35">[<a href="#pb35">35</a>]</span></p> +</div> +<div class="footnotes"> +<hr class="fnsep"> +<div class="footnote-body"> +<div class="fndiv" id="xd32e422"> +<p class="footnote"><span class="fnlabel"><a class="noteRef" href="#xd32e422src">1</a></span> It is necessary to apprize our readers, that the remarks and descriptions contained +in this volume, apply to Africa as it was some years since. <a class="fnarrow" href="#xd32e422src" title="Return to note 1 in text.">↑</a></p> +</div> +</div> +</div> +</div> +<div id="ch3" class="div1 chapter"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#ch3.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h2 class="main">Chapter III.</h2> +<div class="epigraph"> +<div class="lgouter"> +<p class="line">“O Slavery—— +</p> +<p class="line">Profuse of woes, and pregnant with distress, +</p> +<p class="line">Eternal horrors in thy presence reign; +</p> +<p class="line">Pale meagre famine leads thy horrid train; +</p> +<p class="line">To each dire load subjection adds more weight, +</p> +<p class="line">And pain is doubled in the captive’s fate: +</p> +<p class="line">O’er nature’s smiling face thou spreadst a gloom, +</p> +<p class="line">And to the grave dost every pleasure doom.”</p> +</div> +</div> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">Years had elapsed since Irving had indited the letters from which we have extracted, +and every passing one had seen an increasing tendency to suffer humanity to yield +to interest: what had been the practice of official duty, became the actuating principle, +and gold, the +</p> +<div class="lgouter"> +<p class="line">“<span class="corr" id="xd32e505" title="Source: Insiduous">Insidious</span> bane that makes destruction smooth, +</p> +<p class="line">The foe to virtue, liberty, and truth,”</p> +</div> +<p class="first">absorbed the better feelings, which had at first recoiled from the scenes of cruelty +and <span class="pageNum" id="pb36">[<a href="#pb36">36</a>]</span>oppression he had witnessed; and he could calmly execute the one and the other, and +be at no loss to justify (at least to himself) the acts, and even reason upon the +trade of human beings; if not, indeed, upon its humanity and justice, at least upon +its <i>expedience</i>; forgetful of that great and comprehensive, but most simple maxim: “Do unto others +as ye would they should do unto you.” +</p> +<p>The order he had received from his employers, arrived at an opportune period; for +he had, on that very day, been invited to attend the ceremony of the coronation of +the king of Whidáh, to take place in a few days, at Sabi. With the true spirit of +gain, he calculated that this event might, by a little judicious policy, be rendered, +not only subservient to his present pressing demand for slaves, but also might open +greater facilities than he had hitherto possessed, of obtaining a choice. Interest, +therefore, united with curiosity, in his determination of attending the ceremony; +a few preliminaries of which we will name, ere we accompany him to it. +</p> +<p>On the demise of a king of Whidáh, the <span class="pageNum" id="pb37">[<a href="#pb37">37</a>]</span>crown descends to his eldest son, unless the grandees have any substantial reasons +to reject his claim; in which case the youngest son is appointed, provided he was +born after the accession of the father. It is a singular custom, that, as soon as +the eldest son of a king of Whidáh is born, he is removed from the palace and court, +and placed under the care of a person in private, residing remote from the latter. +With this person he remains, in profound ignorance of his birth, and of the high responsibilities +for which he is designed. His protector is acquainted with the secret of his royal +birth, but would incur the penalty of death were he to divulge it. By this custom +it not unfrequently occurs, that when a prince is called to the throne, he may, at +the moment, be employed in the most common and menial offices; and it is with difficulty +he can be persuaded to believe those who inform him of his elevated rank, or in what +manner to receive their servile homage; as it is customary for the subjects to approach +the sovereign in the most humiliating form, advancing <span class="pageNum" id="pb38">[<a href="#pb38">38</a>]</span>towards them in a creeping manner, to a certain distance, till the monarch, clapping +his hands softly, indicates his permission for them to speak, which they then do, +in a low tone, with their heads nearly to the ground. They retire, with the same slavish +ceremonials, from the royal presence. +</p> +<p>As soon as the old king is dead, his successor is brought to the palace; but the period +of his coronation is uncertain, resting with the grandees, with whom it becomes a +political manœuvre to keep the government, as long as possible, in their own hands; +and they accordingly fix the period of the ceremony as best suits their respective +interests. It is generally put off some months, and, sometimes, even years, but cannot +be delayed beyond seven years. During this interval, the government is rather in the +power of the grandees than the king; for they execute all the public acts and business, +without consulting him. In every other respect he is treated as a prince, with only +one restriction, viz. that, previously to his coronation, he cannot quit the palace. +<span class="pageNum" id="pb39">[<a href="#pb39">39</a>]</span></p> +<p>It may readily be imagined by our young readers, that, from the obscure state in which +the young monarch is brought up, he has little notion of those qualities which are +necessary to govern a people. On the contrary, the sudden transition from this obscurity, +to the paths of ease and pleasure, and every facility of self-gratification, unfortunately +gives a peculiar relish for those pursuits and pleasures, with which, had he become +guardedly and progressively familiar, in all probability he would have been satiated. +But this not being the case, the king of Whidáh lives almost in a state of indolence; +seldom going abroad, and only occasionally attending his grandees when they are assembled +in the hall of audience, for the administration of justice: all the rest of his time +is spent in the recesses of his seraglio, attended by his numerous wives, who are +divided into three classes. When the period of the coronation has been fixed by the +grandees, they give intimation of it to the king, who assembles them in the palace; +and the council having deliberated on the <span class="pageNum" id="pb40">[<a href="#pb40">40</a>]</span>measures to be used in executing the ceremony, notice of it is given to the public +by a discharge of cannon, and the glad news is soon circulated throughout the kingdom. +</p> +<p>The following morning, the grand sacrificer goes to the king, demanding, in the name +of the great serpent, (their deity!) the offerings due on such a solemn and joyful +occasion. These offerings consist of an ox, a horse, a sheep, and a fowl, which are +sacrificed in the palace, and afterwards taken to the market-place. In the centre +of this, the grand sacrificer erects a pole, nine or ten feet high, with a piece of +linen attached to it like a flag, and around it are placed the victims, with small +loaves of millet, rubbed over with palm-oil. After a few trifling ceremonies the company +retire, leaving the victims exposed to the birds of prey; no person being permitted +to touch them, upon pain of death. Arrived at the palace, about twenty of the king’s +wives walk in procession to the place of sacrifice, the eldest, or chief, (<a href="#note.g"><i>Note</i> <span class="sc">G</span></a>.) bearing a figure formed of earth, representing a child in a sitting posture: this +she <span class="pageNum" id="pb41">[<a href="#pb41">41</a>]</span>places at a short distance from the victims. These women are attended by a party of +fusileers, and the king’s flutes and drums, the people prostrating themselves as they +pass, and expressing their joy by the loudest acclamations. When these ceremonies +are over, the grandees repair to the palace, dressed in their richest apparel, and +attended by their numerous slaves, of whom they are very proud, adorning them with +a profusion of trinkets, and ornaments of silver and gold. The king is not visible +on this occasion; but they enter, and prostrate themselves before the throne, and +again retire. This part of the ceremony continues fifteen days, during which the women +make the palace re-echo with their acclamations; and the public joy is testified by +the firing of cannon, and the almost continual display of rockets, from all parts +of the capital. +</p> +<p>It was during the interval of these rejoicings, that Irving, with his attendants, +arrived at Sabi, and was appointed to take up his quarters with a grandee high in +favour with the new king. He had taken care to <span class="pageNum" id="pb42">[<a href="#pb42">42</a>]</span>provide himself with an ample assortment of trinkets, spirits, cutlery, and other +European produce he knew to be tempting to his inviter and his royal master, with +whom he proposed to trade, immediately after the ceremony was concluded. +</p> +<p>Soon after his arrival, the grandee with whom he resided was summoned, (as was customary,) +as the one deputed to go to the neighbouring kingdom of Ardrah, with a magnificent +retinue, in order to request one of the nobles of that kingdom (in whose family the +right had existed time immemorial) to proceed to Sabi, to crown the king; and Irving, +desirous of seeing the whole of the ceremonial, obtained ready permission to accompany +the embassy. The greatest respect is paid, by all ranks, to this officiating nobleman; +and all the expences of his journey are defrayed by the grandees of Whidáh. +</p> +<p>When arrived at the last village next the capital, this nobleman and his retinue suspended +their progress, remaining there stationary three or four days; during which time he +received visits from the principal <span class="pageNum" id="pb43">[<a href="#pb43">43</a>]</span>people of the kingdom, with whom it is customary to make him valuable presents, and +contribute to his amusement by a variety of entertainments; the king supplying him +with a great quantity of provision, carried twice a day in great pomp, by his wives, +preceded by a guard of fusileers and a band of music. +</p> +<p>Among these ladies, Irving saw many whom, as a slave-merchant, he would have been +happy to have obtained at a high price. Four days being elapsed, the grandees, with +their usual train, and a great concourse of people, repaired to the village, to conduct +the Ardrah nobleman, in great state, to Sabi; where he was received by a salute of +the king’s guns, and the loud and continued acclamations of the multitude. He was +then conducted to the apartments prepared for him near the palace, where he was splendidly +entertained by the grandees, and received visits from the principal officers of the +court. He continued here five days, but, at the close of the third, he entered the +palace with the chief of his train, without taking off any part of his dress or ornaments. +He remained <span class="pageNum" id="pb44">[<a href="#pb44">44</a>]</span>standing, also, when he spoke to the king, while all others prostrated themselves, +as usual. +</p> +<p>On the evening of the fifth day, nine guns were fired, at the palace, to announce +to the people that the king would be crowned on the following day, and that he would +show himself in public, seated on his throne, in the court of the palace, the gates +of which would be left open for the admission of all ranks of people. It was with +the utmost astonishment that Irving beheld the immense population assembled in the +streets of Sabi, on this occasion; every avenue towards the palace being completely +crowded by the natives, to obtain a sight of their new monarch. +</p> +<p>On the evening of the following day, the king came forth from his seraglio, attended +by forty of his favourite wives, dressed in the most sumptuous manner; being rather +loaded than ornamented, with gold necklaces, laces, pendants, bracelets, foot-chains +of gold and silver, and the richest gems. The king, who was a good-looking, but, apparently, +very indolent young man, was magnificently <span class="pageNum" id="pb45">[<a href="#pb45">45</a>]</span>dressed, wearing a gilt helmet, decorated with red and white feathers. He was attended +by his guards, and proceeded from his seraglio to the throne, which was placed in +an angle of the court, to the east of the palace, and styled the court of the coronation. +</p> +<p>The throne itself was something like a large armed chair, finely gilt, and elevated +a little above the ground; the negroes choosing very low seats, not more than ten +inches high, and six in diameter, and not unfrequently in the shape of an hour-glass. +The most valuable and curious part of the throne we are now describing, was the seat, +consisting of an entire lump of gold; not cast or formed by art, but a product of +nature alone, weighing thirty pounds. It had been bored and fitted as a seat to the +royal throne: upon this was a velvet cushion, richly laced and fringed with gold, +and a foot-cushion to correspond. On the left were ranged the forty wives of the monarch, +and on the right the principal grandees; and in a line with them, the Europeans from +the English <span class="pageNum" id="pb46">[<a href="#pb46">46</a>]</span>factories; therefore, Irving had a complete view of every part of the ceremonial. +One of the grandees held in his hand an umbrella: this, however, was more for ornament +than use, as the ceremony took place at night. It was formed of the richest cloth +of gold, the lining embroidered with the same precious material, and the fringes and +tassels the same. On the top of it was the figure of a cock, as large as the life. +The pole of this pavilion, or umbrella, was six feet long, richly embossed and gilded. +Another grandee kneeled before the king, constantly fanning him during the ceremony. +Opposite to the monarch stood two of his dwarfs, who represented to him the good qualities +of his predecessor; extolling his justice, liberality, and clemency, and exhorting +the king not only to imitate, but to excel him; concluding their harangue with wishes +for the king’s happiness, and that his reign might be long and prosperous. +</p> +<p>These ceremonies concluded, the grandee of Ardrah was summoned to attend. When arrived +at the outer gate of the palace, the <span class="pageNum" id="pb47">[<a href="#pb47">47</a>]</span>cannon were discharged, and the band began to play. He entered the court, surrounded +with his attendants, and was guarded by them to a certain distance. He then advanced, +singly, to the throne, saluting the king by courteously bowing the head, but not prostrating +himself. He then addressed a short speech to the king, relative to the ceremony he +was called to perform; and removing the helmet from his head, turned to the people, +holding it in his hands. A signal was then made, and the music instantly ceased. A +profound and most impressive silence ensued. The grandee of Ardrah, then, with a loud +and distinct voice, repeated, three times, these words to the assembled multitude: +“Here is your king: be loyal to him, and your prayers shall be heard by the king of +Ardrah, my master.” After this he replaced the helmet on the head of the king, made +a low reverence, and retired. The cannon and small-arms were instantly fired, the +music again struck up, and the acclamations were renewed. The grandee of Ardrah, in +the meantime, was reconducted, in <span class="pageNum" id="pb48">[<a href="#pb48">48</a>]</span>great state, to his apartments; after which, the new-crowned king, attended by his +wives, his guards, and the Europeans, returned to the seraglio, where the latter made +their compliments to the king as he entered the gate; and, on the following day, the +monarch sent, as usual, a rich present to the Ardrah grandee, previously to his return +home, which he must immediately do, the law not permitting him to remain three days +longer in the kingdom. +</p> +<p>The rejoicings which followed the coronation lasted fifteen days, and the whole was +closed with a grand procession to the temple of the great serpent. The grandee with +whom Irving resided during the period of these ceremonies, was one of the principal +officers of the palace, and possessed a disposition peculiarly open to the enticement +of spirituous liquors, as well as dreadfully acted upon by the pernicious stimulus +they gave to his passions. He also had such a propensity for their use, that Irving +easily found, that, by supplying him well, he might render him subservient to his +purposes; and, in fact, he <span class="pageNum" id="pb49">[<a href="#pb49">49</a>]</span>very soon disclosed to the wily merchant, that he had in his possession a number of +valuable slaves, intended for the service, or to purchase the favour of the young +king. The appearance of this negro courtier was pleasing and imposing. He was, in +person, tall and well shaped; his dress was that usual in the country, but the material +fine, and the colour perfectly white: his cap was also white and small. He wore large +gold earrings, which, together with the pure white of his light dress, contrasted +well with the jet black of his polished skin. In disposition he was so cruel and vindictive, +that when he received an affront, even in the most trifling instance, he scrupled +not to sacrifice the aggressor by shooting him. +</p> +<p>He possessed several wives, of whom he was very jealous, and whom he treated as slaves. +He had also several brothers, to whom he seldom spoke, or even permitted them to enter +his presence; but when he did grant them admission, they were obliged to take off +their caps, prostrate themselves at his feet, and throw dust on their heads. +<span class="pageNum" id="pb50">[<a href="#pb50">50</a>]</span></p> +<p>It may readily be imagined, that a disposition so cruel and arbitrary, would be stimulated +almost to fury and madness by the powerful influence of ardent spirits; and the fact +was, that his thirst for brandy was so insatiable, that, to procure it, he scrupled +not to execute any act of oppression, cruelty, or treachery. He had even been known, +in order to procure slaves, with which to purchase brandy, secretly to set fire to +a village, and then send the ministers of his cruelty to seize the distracted people +as they rushed from destruction, to bind and to send them to the European factories, +or to the joncoes, (or black slave-merchants,) and sell them for brandy and rum; which +he would continue to drink till expended, without any cessation but that forced upon +him by stupefaction or sleep. +</p> +<p>It would not be consistent with the plan of our tale, to make any remarks upon the +probabilities of what this man might have been, had not the slave-trade existed; or +what direction his cunning and arbitrary disposition might have taken; but we may +venture <span class="pageNum" id="pb51">[<a href="#pb51">51</a>]</span>to say, that he could not have had so extensive opportunities of oppression, nor could +his cruelties have created such incalculable misery. “For it has been proved, on the +most convincing evidence, that the demand for slaves has had the most fatal effect +in exciting and developing every vice and every bad passion among these people; of +perverting their rude institutions, and poisoning their domestic relations. It has +been proved by evidence unquestionable, that, as we have asserted, the tyrant chiefs +of Africa were daily induced to condemn, indiscriminately, whole families, for trivial +or imaginary crimes, with the sole object of obtaining possession of the individuals +composing those families, and exchanging them for bad powder and bad muskets; to station +their soldiers in ambush, on the roads, with orders to rush on the unarmed traveller, +and load him with chains; to attack, at night, villages sunk in repose, dragging into +slavery men, women, and children, of an age suited to their purpose, and mercilessly +butchering the aged and the infant. It has been proved, <span class="pageNum" id="pb52">[<a href="#pb52">52</a>]</span>upon authority equally good, that famine, devastation, and continual warfare, undertaken +for the sole purpose of taking prisoners, were the inevitable consequences of the +slave ships’ presence on the coast; and that the Europeans not only were witnesses +of this desolation, but furnished the arms, nourished the hatred, fomented the discord, +and were the communicaters of the moral blast, which shed its pestilential influence +over the population of a country, which, under the benign protection of a fair and +legitimate commerce, is assuredly capable of being civilized, enlightened, and happy; +and which, in return for the inestimable gifts of instruction and religion, would +cheerfully and gratefully pour its riches into the bosoms of its benefactors. But, +can the arts which embellish life, can the virtues which expand the heart, can the +principles that elevate the soul, can these find rest, or even enter a region devoted +to blood, oppression, and desolation? Alas! while the slave-trade exists, we are compelled +to unite in the fear expressed by an enlightened patriot, <span class="pageNum" id="pb53">[<a href="#pb53">53</a>]</span>that ‘there is no prospect of civilization or happiness for Africa.’ ” +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="ch4" class="div1 chapter"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#ch4.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h2 class="main">Chapter IV.</h2> +<div class="epigraph"> +<div class="lgouter"> +<p class="line">“Yet was I born as you are, no man’s slave, +</p> +<p class="line">An heir to all that liberal nature gave; +</p> +<p class="line">My mind can reason, and my limbs can move +</p> +<p class="line">The same as yours; like yours my heart can love: +</p> +<p class="line">Alike my body food and sleep sustain, +</p> +<p class="line">And e’en, like yours, feels pleasure, want, and pain: +</p> +<p class="line">One sun rolls o’er us, common skies surround, +</p> +<p class="line">One globe contains us, and one grave must bound.”</p> +</div> +</div> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">Intent upon the orders of his employers, and of the advantages he should obtain by +the commission, Irving studied so much to ingratiate himself with his host, that he +very soon readily obtained his promise of conducting him to his slave-rooms, the first +opportunity he could spare from his close <span class="pageNum" id="pb54">[<a href="#pb54">54</a>]</span>attendance upon his royal master, to whom his bold and haughty spirit made him eminently +useful. +</p> +<p>While Irving displayed the tempting assortment of spirits, trinkets, dresses, and +fire-arms, to the eager African, he artfully affected indifference as to the purchase +of slaves; being well acquainted with the mode of making a good bargain, even when +his fellow men were the articles for which to negociate: so entirely does this infamous +trade debase and corrupt every generous emotion of the heart, and blunt every honourable +feeling. With the internal assurance, therefore, that the view he had granted of his +commodities, would induce the chief, as soon as possible, to gratify his desire of +possessing them, Irving waited patiently the summons to attend him to the children +of misery he had by fraud and violence collected; and was fully prepared to accompany +him, upon his invitation a few days subsequent to the conclusion of the coronation +ceremonies. Irving was, however, astonished, when the negro pointed out to him several +<span class="pageNum" id="pb55">[<a href="#pb55">55</a>]</span>spacious enclosures, the wretched inhabitants of which were to purchase his selfish +gratification, and satisfy his cupidity; for Irving was not then aware that this grandee +was, in fact, the creature of his sovereign, acting as an agent and slave-factor, +upon the blood-stained gains of which he not only lived in great splendour, but possessed +from his riches great power. His house was fitted up with European elegance, and was, +in exterior style, something resembling the buildings of the Moors; consisting of +courts, surrounded by apartments, beyond the precincts of which were the receptacles +of the slaves. +</p> +<p>The transition from the elegance and luxuries of this African mansion, to the slave-buildings, +was striking; and to a heart yet unperverted and unvitiated by the habitual view of +uncontrouled power and oppression over the defenceless, would have been most mournful. +</p> +<p>But such was not the impression made upon either of the present visitants; the one +intent upon immediate self-gratification, the <span class="pageNum" id="pb56">[<a href="#pb56">56</a>]</span>other upon obtaining the means to ensure it in future. Nothing could more strongly +prove the tendency of this traffic to prostrate every noble faculty of the soul, every +tender impulse of the heart, to destroy every sympathy of our nature, than the fact, +that Irving, the once generous, kind-hearted youth, beheld, with the cold regard of +a mere trader intent upon making an advantageous bargain, above a hundred and twenty +wretched beings in one house, all chained two and two, by their hands and feet, and +sitting in three rows on the floor! They were of various ages of youth, and different +in features; many of them having come, as the grandee observed, “a journey of many +moons,” that is, many hundred miles inland. +</p> +<p>While examining these miserable captives with all the technical minuteness of jockeys, +or cattle-dealers, (during which the wretched exiles evinced the strongest and most +varying emotions of reluctance, grief, and indignation,) the people of the chief brought +in thirty-five more individuals, whom they had taken in a small town or village of +the interior, <span class="pageNum" id="pb57">[<a href="#pb57">57</a>]</span>and which they had attacked by order of their employer, leaving the aged and young +infants butchered in their simple huts. Among this last group were several women, +who exhibited the most heart-rending evidences of distraction and grief, in the loss +of their infants, and the prospect of the unknown evils that awaited them in bondage. +</p> +<p>Amongst this number, however, great as it was, there were no slaves which suited the +purposes of Irving; and he proceeded with his conductor to several other enclosures, +from which he selected a few of inferior value. The negro then told him, he would +show him what he termed “prime and superb negroes.” In passing over to one of these +enclosures, which were at some distance, Irving was arrested by a faint and low moan, +as of distress, followed by an air of most exquisite plaintive melody, with which +was intermingled, at intervals, the sound of an infantine voice, so lively as to speak +the unconsciousness, of the innocent from whose lips it proceeded, of the mournful +lot to which it was destined. +<span class="pageNum" id="pb58">[<a href="#pb58">58</a>]</span></p> +<p>“What sound is that?” he enquired of his host, as he stopped to listen from whence +it proceeded; for even upon his deadened soul the song had vibrated. (<a href="#note.h"><i>Note</i> <span class="sc">H</span></a>.) “I dare say it is the Senegal slave I had selected for my royal master,” replied +the negro; “but she bewailed being parted from her boy so much, that, to save her +life, I was obliged to suffer her to see him once or twice a day, during the ceremonies. +I shall, however, soon make her submit, now I can attend to her: I shall sell her +for a great price, if I can separate the child from her, without hazarding her life.” +</p> +<p>“Perhaps she will suit me,” said Irving; “the boy would be no objection to the purchase, +if he is strong and healthy. Let me see them.” The negro hesitated; but at length +observed, “They are worth a great deal,” as if he doubted that Irving would be disposed +to give the price. “You remember that beautiful sabre, and the brandy-chest full of +prime liquor, and those muskets you admired, and”——observed Irving carelessly, but +was interrupted in his enumeration by <span class="pageNum" id="pb59">[<a href="#pb59">59</a>]</span>the African: “Yes, yes, I remember: what! will you give them for her and the boy?” +“I cannot promise that, you know, unless I see her: you may be telling me a false +tale. It at least can do no harm to see this slave you keep so close.” +</p> +<p>“True, true, I scorn to deceive so good a friend,” rejoined the negro, half afraid +that Irving would recede from his implied bargain: “You shall certainly see this refractory +woman; that is, she is only obstinate when I remove the boy. I wish they had killed +the young urchin at once, when they carried her off. She is very gentle when he is +with her: she only chooses to sing those mournful songs about Tumiáh: I suppose he +was her husband. However, at all events, the boy cannot go to the palace with her.” +</p> +<p>During this conversation, they had reached the hut in which the poor slave was confined +alone, in the hope of making her yield to the will of the African, by consenting to +be conveyed to the palace without her child. Irving followed the negro into the hut. +The moment the latter got within it, the miserable <span class="pageNum" id="pb60">[<a href="#pb60">60</a>]</span>inmate uttered a piercing shriek, and clasped her child with convulsive strength to +her bosom, imploring the tyrant not to tear him from her widowed arms. There was one +chord in the soul of Irving, which, amid the circumstances of his life, and despite +of time, yet responded. It was the memory of his mother’s caresses, when in his childhood +she became a widow. +</p> +<p>The scene he now witnessed, struck powerfully on this chord of feeling. The distraction +of the captive, her extreme youth, her beauty, the neglect of grief so apparent in +her simple dress, her unornamented hair, her trembling limbs, her heaving bosom, her +eloquent eye, her fevered lip, her attitude, and the energy with which she held her +now alarmed child; altogether, combined a picture, which coming suddenly upon his +previously somewhat softened feelings, had a powerful effect upon him, and, for a +time, made him forget he was a slave-dealer, and caused the nobler feeling of the +<i>man</i> to prevail. He determined, if possible, to save the wretched woman from the fate +that awaited <span class="pageNum" id="pb61">[<a href="#pb61">61</a>]</span>her; forgetting that, perhaps, one equally horrible might be her lot, did she become +his property. When, therefore, he heard the African tyrant threaten her with a flogging +if she persisted in singing such mournful songs, he almost involuntarily said: “If +you are willing to barter her and the child, for what I named, and a selection of +those trinkets you admired, to which I will add four gallons of rum, we are agreed +upon the bargain.” The negro again regarded Irving with a half suspicious, half incredulous +glance, but remained silent. “I am serious,” said Irving; “are we agreed?” “Let me +see,” muttered the negro to himself; “that <i>fong</i>, (sword,) mounted in silver gilt, and embossed handle; the chest with fine brandy; +ten fine <i>kiddos</i>; (guns;) trinkets to please <i>woollima moosa</i>, (handsome wife,) and four gallons of rum: delicious rum make me merry, happy. Make +the rum eight gallons,” he added aloud to Irving, “and she,” pointing to the being +he was thus selling, “she is yours.<span class="corr" id="xd32e647" title="Not in source">”</span>—“And the boy, remember?<span class="corr" id="xd32e649" title="Not in source">”</span> replied Irving. “O yes, the boy, the boy, to be <span class="pageNum" id="pb62">[<a href="#pb62">62</a>]</span>sure,” reiterated the African, hardly knowing how to repress his joy. Though almost +absorbed in profound grief, the wretched captive yet understood she was about to be +transferred, and that her child was to be included in the transfer. In an agony of +mingled emotion, after having timidly regarded Irving’s countenance, while he intently +watched hers, she threw herself at his feet, imploring his mercy, and by a thousand +expressive gestures, imparted the feelings which agitated her soul. In this lowly +attitude she fainted; and when a little recovered, she exclaimed in mournful accents: +“O Tumiáh, where art thou? Thou canst no more hear thy Imihie: she goes to the land +of strangers, and will see thee no more, till death conveys her beyond the blue mountains. +And Samboe, my boy,” she added, as she called the playful and unconscious child from +some flowers he was gathering from the ground, “thou wilt see thy father no more. +Thou art a slave, my child: hard will be thy lot in the land of strangers, among the +manstealers, when Imihie, thy <span class="pageNum" id="pb63">[<a href="#pb63">63</a>]</span>mother, no longer shall feel pain, nor endure bondage. But I will watch over thee, +my boy, I will be thy spirit: I will conduct thee over the blue mountains, the manstealer +shall not follow us there.” +</p> +<p>The negro’s anger began to rise, during this soliloquy of his hapless captive; and +calling vehemently for attendants, he directed she should be conducted, with her child, +to a place appointed, with care to be taken that she should not do herself any injury, +until Irving had concluded his engagement, and could have her removed to Whidáh. +</p> +<p>Irving declined viewing any more of the slaves on that day, and having determined +to remain but a few days longer with the chief, he lost no time in making good his +purchase of the female slave and her child. One impediment to his returning to Whidáh, +however, there was, which he might have anticipated; but in his eagerness to purchase +the wretched Imihie, he had not considered that while the rum and brandy remained, +the grandee and his companions <span class="pageNum" id="pb64">[<a href="#pb64">64</a>]</span>were totally incapable of business; but, in the intervals of stupefaction, were guilty +of the most wanton excesses. Nor was his African majesty himself, exempt from effects +of the potent contents of the liquor-chests consigned to his favourite, who artfully +concealed from him the circumstance of Imihie; informing the king only, that he had +obtained the liquor from an English merchant, for some dry goods, ivory, and gum. +The monarch enquired if this merchant traded also in slaves. “Doubtless he does,” +replied the wily courtier: “he comes from the land of the manstealers, and will not, +therefore, refuse the commodity in the way of trade. Would my royal master wish to +see this Englishman?” “It is my desire,” answered the king; “let him have notice of +our pleasure.” The grandee prostrated himself, and retired to caution Irving to conceal +the transaction of the female slave from the king, or he would doubtless force her +from him. The morrow was appointed for the interview with the monarch, who, the courtier +<span class="pageNum" id="pb65">[<a href="#pb65">65</a>]</span>said, had some slaves to offer for brandy and trinkets for his wives. +</p> +<div class="lgouter"> +<p class="line">“Where wast thou, then, sweet Charity, where then, +</p> +<p class="line">Thou tutelary friend of helpless men? +</p> +<p class="line">Perish the wretch, that slighted and withstood +</p> +<p class="line">The tender argument of kindred blood. +</p> +<p class="line">But tho’ some nobler minds a law respect, +</p> +<p class="line">That none shall with impunity neglect, +</p> +<p class="line">In baser souls unnumber’d evils meet, +</p> +<p class="line">To thwart its influence, and its end defeat.”</p> +</div> +<p class="first">Shall a Briton, shall a man “honoured with a <span class="corr" id="xd32e673" title="Source: Christain">Christian</span> name” encourage slavery, because the semi-barbarous, unenlightened, lawless African +hath done it? “To what end (it is impressively asked) do we profess a religion whose +dictates we so flagrantly violate? Wherefore have we that pattern of goodness and +humanity, if we refuse to follow it? How long shall we continue a practice which policy +rejects, justice condemns, and piety revolts at?” +<span class="pageNum" id="pb66">[<a href="#pb66">66</a>]</span></p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="ch5" class="div1 chapter"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#ch5.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h2 class="main">Chapter V.</h2> +<div class="epigraph"> +<div class="lgouter"> +<p class="line">* * * the band of commerce is design’d +</p> +<p class="line">T’ associate all the branches of mankind. +</p> +<p class="line">And if a boundless plenty be the robe, +</p> +<p class="line">Trade is the golden girdle of the globe: +</p> +<p class="line">This genial intercourse, and mutual aid, +</p> +<p class="line">Cheers, what were else, an universal shade. +</p> +<p class="line">Calls nature from her ivy-mantled den, +</p> +<p class="line">And softens human rock-work into men.</p> +</div> +<p class="first xd32e126"><span class="sc">Cowper.</span></p> +</div> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">Most truly and impressively do these lines of our Christian poet describe the effects +of legitimate and honourable commerce; the mutual exchange of the various gifts of +an all-bounteous Providence, showered on the globe we inhabit, for the general use, +benefit, and pleasure; and of those embellishments of art, which civilization has +brought forth and nourished. +</p> +<p>But no such effect can ever flow from the piratical commerce of men, that deformed +and cruel offspring of Mammon, which riots <span class="pageNum" id="pb67">[<a href="#pb67">67</a>]</span>in the blood, and glories in the miseries of man. +</p> +<p>It may be urged, we are not the original agents in this trade: it is pursued with +eagerness by the Africans themselves. But are those who live in that transcendent +light which was granted to dispel the mists of error—to meliorate propensity to evil—to +harmonize the rational soul—still to delight in works so dark, still to trample under +foot every principle of humanity; still to spurn from them the obligations of justice, +still to set at naught the precepts of religion; and to make themselves accomplices +with pagan oppressors, in tyrannizing over those hapless beings, whom a mysterious +Providence has subjected to their power? Is the Christian trader content to put himself +upon a level with the unenlightened despot, and coolly to put his blood-stained profits +in the balance, against the laws of religion and his country; laughing at the remonstrances +of philanthropists, as the dreams of enthusiasm, or as puerile objections unworthy +of attention? No; it surely will not be thus. England has <span class="pageNum" id="pb68">[<a href="#pb68">68</a>]</span>entered the path of mercy<a class="noteRef" id="xd32e701src" href="#xd32e701">1</a>, let her pursue it with energy and constancy: and if other nations refuse to follow +her heaven-enlightened way, to them belongs the shame and the guilt of trampling down +the laws which bind man to his God and his fellow-man; and, for the violation of which, +every individual must be accountable, at that tremendous audit, before which the oppressed +and the oppressor shall alike appear! +</p> +<p>But to return to our narrative from these reflections, which the seriousness of the +subject forced from us, and which must apologize for them with our young readers. +</p> +<p>The time being fixed for Irving to have an audience with the king, he was conducted +to the palace, which was a spacious edifice, consisting of many large courts, entirely +surrounded with porticoes, above which were apartments with small windows. These apartments, +as well as every part of the palace, exhibited great magnificence in the furniture +and decorations. Some of the floors were covered with exquisitely fine <span class="pageNum" id="pb69">[<a href="#pb69">69</a>]</span>matting, and others with superb Turkey carpets; and the furniture consisted of chairs, +sofas or divans, skreens, chests, cabinets and porcelain imported from China. The +windows were not glazed, but were shaded with frames of fine white linen, and taffety +curtains. The gardens of this superb palace were very extensive, laid out in long +vistas of lofty and beautiful trees; affording a deliciously cool and shaded retreat, +for the women immured in the splendid prison. It was evident to Irving, as he passed +some of these apartments to the hall of audience, that his African majesty intended +to receive him in great state; but whether out of respect to him, as a European and +<i>a slave and spirit</i> merchant, or to display his own magnificence, he could not determine: nor was it +of much consequence, although he well knew that the Europeans in general are well +received, and are allowed to dispense with the humiliating ceremonies they scrupulously +exact from their own subjects; and, unlike them, are granted an audience whenever +they desire it. When Irving, therefore, <span class="pageNum" id="pb70">[<a href="#pb70">70</a>]</span>entered the hall where the king was seated to receive him, his majesty immediately +rose, and advanced some steps to him; took him by the hand, pressed it in his own, +and three times successively touched his fore finger, which was the greatest token +of amity and affection. After this, he desired him to sit down by his side, upon fine +mats spread on the floor; which Irving having complied with, he displayed his presents +to his majesty, who was astonished to find he could, with ease, converse with him +without the aid of an interpreter. +</p> +<p>Irving could not but feel gratified at the extreme although childish pleasure the +young monarch evinced, in receiving the presents; which consisted of an elegant case +of English spirits, some beautiful guns, a superb sword, and a great variety of trinkets +for the ladies of the seraglio. The king offered to sell him some of his discarded +wives; but Irving respectfully declined the offer of the ladies, as not very well +calculated for the labours of the colonies. +</p> +<p>In the audience chamber were two benches, <span class="pageNum" id="pb71">[<a href="#pb71">71</a>]</span>one of which was broader than the other, covered with an embroidered cloth, and by +it was an oval stool; upon this the monarch seated himself, after having received +and examined the presents. The other bench was covered with mats, on which Irving +was directed to sit, as the usual seat of the Europeans during conferences. Irving +was uncovered; not, however, by order, but from a voluntary desire of showing proper +respect; for he had not forgot the early lesson, “honour the king,” though as a slave-dealer, +it may be, alas! inferred, that he had little recollection of the context, “fear God.” +He made himself so agreeable, however, to the king, that he was invited to dine with +him, and the meal was served with great elegance. While they were feasting, the grandees +prostrated themselves before their sovereign; and what provisions were left were given +to them, which they appeared readily and cheerfully to accept. Irving had, during +this long interview, an ample opportunity of observing the person, the dress, and +the manners of the new king of Whidáh; and, <span class="pageNum" id="pb72">[<a href="#pb72">72</a>]</span>in some degree, to form a judgment of his character. His dress was superb, composed +of silk and gold, with strings of beautiful coral round his neck, arms, and wrists. +In person he was tall, well shaped, with remarkably smooth and polished skin. His +manners were free, urbane, and familiar; but there was discovered a disposition to +covetousness, and the usual propensity to inebriety. Nor was it difficult to discover +that he was indolent and pusillanimous, the usual companions of luxury and dissipation. +In fact, the faults of the king seemed those of his education; and his virtues, those +of his nature, which required only civilization, good examples, and a pure faith, +to nourish into fruitfulness. +</p> +<p>The audience chamber in which Irving was received, was hung with tapestry. At the +upper part of the room was a throne, formed of ivory; it was ascended by three steps, +and shaded by a canopy of the richest silk. This is used on great state occasions. +</p> +<p>The king readily granted permission to Irving, to view the palace, excepting, of <span class="pageNum" id="pb73">[<a href="#pb73">73</a>]</span>course, the apartments of the women. Conducted by his friend the grandee, and some +other officers of the palace, he found it more extensive than he had supposed, having +entered by a private passage. It consisted of several large squares, surrounded with +galleries, each of which had a portico or gate, guarded by soldiers. The first gallery +on entering the palace is very long, supported on each side by lofty pillars. At the +termination of this gallery was a wall with three gates, the centre one ornamented +with a turret seventy feet in height; terminated with a figure of a large snake, cast +in copper, and very ingeniously carved. These gates opened into an immense area, enclosed +also with a wall; then another gallery like the former, into another spacious court; +and so on to a fourth, beyond which were the apartments of the king. In this spacious +palace the king is sometimes immured for years, until he is crowned; and here, also, +many wealthy courtiers spend the whole of their time, leaving trade and agriculture +to be executed by their wives and slaves. (<a href="#note.k"><i>Note</i> <span class="sc">K</span></a>.) These <span class="pageNum" id="pb74">[<a href="#pb74">74</a>]</span>go to the circumjacent villages, either to trade in merchandise, or serve for daily +wages; but they are obliged to bring the greatest part of what they obtain to their +masters, otherwise they make no scruple to sell them for slaves. +</p> +<p>Irving and his new royal acquaintance had passed their time so convivially, that the +negociation for slaves was deferred till the morrow, when he again attended his majesty +to a depôt, containing about two hundred; and as they were going to this place, they +met nearly as many proceeding to the coast, the king’s agents having sold them on +the preceding day. Amongst this wretched group, Irving remarked some remarkably handsome +men; and found, on enquiry, they were from Molembo, from whence the finest negroes +are obtained. +</p> +<p>The number he was invited to examine, consisted of men, women, and children; and, +to any but a slave-dealer, the sight was heart-rending. Fathers overwhelmed in silent +sorrow; mothers expressing their anguish in affecting lamentations, audible sighs, +or <span class="pageNum" id="pb75">[<a href="#pb75">75</a>]</span>deep groans, expecting every moment to be separated from their tender offspring, whom +they clasped to their bosoms, or endeavoured to hide under the folds of their pacans; +youthful females shrinking from the brutal gaze of the trader, and dreading nameless +indignities; the fiery eye of many a youth, indignant at the bonds which confined +him from levelling to the ground the wretches who bought and sold him as a beast of +the field, and tore him from the object of his love, whom he was powerless to save +from death and bondage. But such a scene was of too frequent occurrence, the cry of +the innocent was too familiar, to make any impression upon those who were bargaining. +Irving purchased many of them; and having seen them marked as his property, (<a href="#note.l"><i>Note</i> <span class="sc">L</span></a>.) left his people to conduct them to Whidáh; whither, after having taken a cordial +leave of the king, and so far conciliated him and the grandee as to ensure future +advantages, he himself, with his attendants and the female slave, returned that evening. +<span class="pageNum" id="pb76">[<a href="#pb76">76</a>]</span></p> +<div class="lgouter"> +<p class="line">Canst thou, and honoured with a Christian name, +</p> +<p class="line">Buy what is woman-born and feel no shame? +</p> +<p class="line">Trade in the blood of innocence, and plead +</p> +<p class="line">Expedience as a warrant for the deed? +</p> +<p class="line">Perish the thought!</p> +</div> +</div> +<div class="footnotes"> +<hr class="fnsep"> +<div class="footnote-body"> +<div class="fndiv" id="xd32e701"> +<p class="footnote"><span class="fnlabel"><a class="noteRef" href="#xd32e701src">1</a></span> The slave-trade was abolished in 1807. <a class="fnarrow" href="#xd32e701src" title="Return to note 1 in text.">↑</a></p> +</div> +</div> +</div> +</div> +<div id="ch6" class="div1 chapter"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#ch6.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h2 class="main">Chapter VI.</h2> +<div class="epigraph"> +<div class="lgouter"> +<p class="line">“And if perchance a momentary sigh, +</p> +<p class="line">For such a lot reflection may supply, +</p> +<p class="line">He follows not the feeling to its source.”</p> +</div> +<p class="first xd32e126"><span class="sc">Barton</span> (adapted.) +</p> +<div class="lgouter"> +<p class="line">“If ever thou hast felt another’s pain, +</p> +<p class="line">If ever when he sigh’d hast sigh’d again; +</p> +<p class="line">If ever on thine eyelid stood the tear, +</p> +<p class="line">That pity hath engender’d—drop one here: +</p> +<p class="line"><i>This man was happy</i>.”</p> +</div> +</div> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">It will naturally be supposed, from the eagerness of Irving to make good the purchase +of Imihie and her poor boy, that his heart was deeply interested by their situation, +<span class="pageNum" id="pb77">[<a href="#pb77">77</a>]</span>and that he had it certainly in his power to ameliorate it. But, alas! if, for a moment, +the chord of compassion was touched, the feeling was transient, the impulse too weak +to prompt to action; and, so far from being strengthened by the night’s reflections, +they, on the contrary, did but lead to lament his own folly, in making himself liable +to the loss he would probably sustain by the high price he had given; as it was a +condition of his engagement with the Company, that he was to be individually accountable +for all losses incurred by the purchase of unprofitable slaves. These anticipations +of pecuniary injury, were confirmed by the appearance of his poor captive on her arrival +at the depôt at Whidáh. A fixed melancholy seemed to have absorbed every faculty, +rendering her insensible even to the playful caresses of her boy, in whose sparkling +eye, health “seemed a cherub yet divinely bright;” so happily unconscious was he of +the bitterness of his lot, and the sufferings of his mother. Finding, from his people, +that she resolutely <span class="pageNum" id="pb78">[<a href="#pb78">78</a>]</span>rejected sustenance, Irving himself endeavoured to persuade her, but without success; +but when self-interest, aided by the dictates of conscience and compassion, induced +him to resort to the usual mode of forcing it, (nor will we question it was a painful +task to him,) his heart must have been of adamant, not to have felt the powerful appeal +of wretchedness and despair, when, while in the execution of this cruel duty, the +poor captive looked up in his face, and, with a mournful smile, said: “Presently I +shall be no more.” (<a href="#note.m"><i>Note</i> <span class="sc">M</span></a>.) Irving, indeed, from her appearance, began to think so; and as he could not now +remedy her situation, nor restore her to what she had lost, he considered his best +plan was to consign her, as soon as possible, to the ship waiting to receive the collected +slaves, congratulating himself on his <i>humanity</i>, in having prevented the mother and child from being separated, even if he should +thereby sustain some loss. He determined, also, to do all he could to ensure her some +attention during the passage; and, with this view, determined to go immediately <span class="pageNum" id="pb79">[<a href="#pb79">79</a>]</span>on board, to see the accommodation, and to give some particular instructions to the +captain; leaving orders that Imihie should be conducted to the ship as soon as the +day began to close. +</p> +<p>The ship destined to convey these miserable beings to the West Indies, had already +on board between four and five hundred negroes. The captain boasted much of the superior +accommodation of his vessel for the trade; and, to confirm his assertion, entreated +Irving to visit the slave-rooms. Willing to conciliate any who might promote his interest, +Irving consented. The <i>superior</i> accommodation he found, was, that every slave, whatever his size, had five feet six +inches in length, and sixteen inches in breadth, to lie upon! The floor was crowded +with bodies, stowed or packed according to this allowance. But between the floor and +deck, or ceiling, were platforms or broad shelves, in the mid-way, which were also +covered with bodies. (<a href="#note.n"><i>Note</i> <span class="sc">N</span></a>.) The men were shackled two and two, each by one leg, to a small iron bar; these, +the captain with <span class="pageNum" id="pb80">[<a href="#pb80">80</a>]</span>much self-complacence said, were every day brought upon deck for the air; but lest +they should attempt to recover their freedom, they were made fast by ring-bolts to +the deck, or by two common chains, which were extended on each side the main deck; +but the women and children, he added, were suffered to remain loose. Few slaves fared +so well as his, he continued, for he allowed each a pint of water a day, and yams +and horse-beans twice a day; and afterwards, for exercise and health, they jumped +in their irons, which, if they refused to do, he was obliged, certainly, to flog them, +as it was his duty to preserve them in health, if possible. Irving, however, learnt, +in the course of this man’s conversation, that it was usual for these miserable beings +to remain fifteen or sixteen hours below deck, out of the twenty-four; and that, in +wet weather, they could not be brought up for two or three successive days: their +situation was, he acknowledged, very distressing, but he could not remedy it. They +would cling to the gratings for a little air; draw their breath with anxious and <span class="pageNum" id="pb81">[<a href="#pb81">81</a>]</span>laborious efforts; fight with each other for a taste of water; and many died of suffocation. +(<a href="#note.o"><i>Note</i> <span class="sc">O</span></a>.) +</p> +<p>Amongst the number thus confined in the hold of this ship, Irving remarked many whose +nobleness of aspect indicated that there was a “spirit within,” which rose even above +such calamity—a consciousness of moral dignity, that spurned at the cruelties of the +oppressor; but there was one in particular, before the flame of whose eye even Irving +shrunk abashed. He was evidently a person of consequence; high, it would seem, in +military rank, inferred from certain personal indications, with the meaning of which +Irving was acquainted; and also from some articles of dress, stated to have been taken +from him when captured; and every look (action was denied him) indicated that he possessed +a mind not insensible to the eminence of his station. Irving enquired from whence +he was taken, and from whom purchased? He was told, from Molembo, it was thought; +and that he had been only a few days purchased from the king of Whidáh, with a <span class="pageNum" id="pb82">[<a href="#pb82">82</a>]</span>number of his countrymen, taken by treachery, and in defiance of a treaty subsisting +at the time. This was all he could learn; and having given his instructions respecting +Imihie, Irving returned to Whidáh before her arrival at the ship, being desirous to +avoid another interview, the sight of her producing a painful emotion he could neither +define nor account for. +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="ch7" class="div1 chapter"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#ch7.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h2 class="main">Chapter <span class="corr" id="xd32e814" title="Source: VI">VII</span>.</h2> +<div class="epigraph"> +<div class="lgouter"> +<p class="line">“Soft airs, and gentle heavings of the wave, +</p> +<p class="line">Impel the fleet whose errand is to save! +</p> +<p class="line">But ah! what wish can prosper, or what pray’r, +</p> +<p class="line">For merchants rich in cargoes of despair. +</p> +<p class="line">The sable warrior, frantic with regret +</p> +<p class="line">Of her he loves, and never can forget, +</p> +<p class="line">Loses, in tears, the far-receding shore, +</p> +<p class="line">But not the thought that they must meet no more.”</p> +</div> +<p class="first xd32e126"><span class="sc">Cowper.</span></p> +</div> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">Night shed her silent influence over the mighty deep; the firmament was bright with +<span class="pageNum" id="pb83">[<a href="#pb83">83</a>]</span>myriads of glittering worlds; the moon, in full and mild lustre, rode majestically, +like a sphere of silver light, on the summit of fleecy clouds, and was reflected, +in many a fantastic form, by the tossing waves, the gentle ripplings of which were +mingled with the distant sound of “All is well,” borne on the gale from the fort, +the regular tread of the watch on deck, and the boatswain’s shrill whistle. The rush +of the shark, “cutting the briny deep,” as it instinctively followed the floating +receptacle of misery, was the only sound that interrupted, painfully, the heavenly +calmness of the scene and hour; a calmness, alas! little according with the soul-sickening +agitations of the wretched beings, now silently borne from all held dear and precious, +and on their way to all the horrors of a life in chains. Cargoes of despair they may +truly be called! +</p> +<p>Imagination, in its loftiest flight, must come short in attempting to embody in words, +the smallest part of the aggregate of misery which exists on board a slave-ship; it +will, therefore, not be attempted: one only being <span class="pageNum" id="pb84">[<a href="#pb84">84</a>]</span>of the wretched number must appear a moment on our theatre of woe; he who had so forcibly +arrested the attention of Irving, when visiting the slave-rooms. +</p> +<p>Confined promiscuously with such a multitude of his wretched countrymen, the agony +of his feelings is not to be described. With the form and visage of a man, he felt, +indignantly felt, that his destiny was that of the beast of the field, and his soul +seemed bursting from the frame that confined it. Wearied nature at length found a +short cessation from the unutterable pangs of woe, in sleep—in consoling visions! +He dreamt he was in his own beloved country, in the enjoyment of honour and command, +caressed by his family, served by his wonted attendants, and surrounded with the comforts +of his former life: his spicy groves exhaling sweets, his palm-tree’s refreshing shade, +his rivers teeming riches, his domestic endearments, his war-like preparations, and +his hard-earned triumphs, came in succession on his fancy. But the sweet delusions +were too soon dispelled: he awoke, with a hurried start, to the sad, sad reality, +that he was a slave in the midst <span class="pageNum" id="pb85">[<a href="#pb85">85</a>]</span>of slaves. The rapid retrospect of former happiness with existing misery, rushed on +his soul; and the dreadful reverse drew from his manly breast the most affecting lamentations. +Every dear object of his regard flitted before his mental view; but, alas! there was +no reality but misery—interminable bondage: there was no fond eye to behold, no persuasive +tongue to soothe, no attentive ear to listen to his woe. Mingled with the meanest +of his subjects, whom he had no power to relieve; subjected to the cruelty and insolence +of wretches a thousand degrees lower in the scale of humanity and intellectual endowment, +yet arrogating their superiority as Christians, and the proud distinctions of national +advantages, his soul refused comfort, and he determined upon death. Little did he +think this foe to nature was so near; little did he imagine the horrid form in which +he would present himself; and that there might be circumstances which, at the moment +of expiring nature, would make him cling to, and even give value to a life of perpetual +bondage! +<span class="pageNum" id="pb86">[<a href="#pb86">86</a>]</span></p> +<p>The vessel made considerable way during the night, and the morning rose, with glorious +splendour and beneficent freshness, upon the world of waters; on the majestic bosom +of which, floated such an accumulation of moral turpitude and excelling misery! The +hour arrived when the slaves were to be brought on deck for air and exercise. The +sable warrior anticipated it with a gloomy joy, as the most favourable opportunity +of effecting his designed purpose of self-destruction; and when he found he was to +be fastened to the deck, he violently resisted. This, however, did but provoke his +oppressors to increased indignities. In the midst of this struggle, he became calm +as a lamb, resistless as an infant. The sound of a female voice, singing a mournful +African air, seemed to have bound him by a potent spell<span class="corr" id="xd32e845" title="Source: ,">.</span> (<a href="#note.p"><i>Note</i> <span class="sc">P</span></a>.) His eyes appeared as if bursting from their orbits, his whole frame trembled; while +the big tear rolled silently down his sable countenance, which assumed a mingled expression +of doubt, hope, and agony. He at first directed his piercing eyes <span class="pageNum" id="pb87">[<a href="#pb87">87</a>]</span>to the air, as if he thought the song proceeded from some hovering, viewless spirit. +He again renewed his efforts to get free, and fixed his gaze intently on the remotest +part of the ship, from whence the sound seemed to proceed, but nothing met his view: +the song, however, still continued, only interrupted, at intervals, by deep sobs of +anguish, and the scarcely-heard voice of infantine distress. +</p> +<p>Rendered desperate by the confinement under such powerful emotions, he called loudly +on the spirits of his fathers, to avenge him on the Christian tyrants; and while enduring, +in consequence, the cruel scourging and insulting mockery of the barbarian crew, a +piercing scream was heard, and the poor Imihie was seen rushing from an obscure place, +(in which the captain had indulged her to remain,) with the infant Samboe clinging +to her bosom. In a moment the names of Tumiáh! Imihie! were interchanged; and the +exhausted Imihie, letting her child fall from her relaxing arms, threw herself upon +<span class="pageNum" id="pb88">[<a href="#pb88">88</a>]</span>the panting bosom of her enchained and manacled husband. +</p> +<p>We invade not the feelings of that moment: language has nothing to do with them. The +Being who formed the heart of man, can alone judge of its emotions. +</p> +<p>The maternal affection was not, however, long absorbed in the conjugal; and the half +frantic Imihie recollected, that Samboe was not enfolded with her in the arms of Tumiáh. +She loosened herself with difficulty from his embrace, to restore her child to his +wonted protection within her own; but, at the moment she arose for the purpose, a +tumultuous cry resounded through the ship, of “fire! fire! Loosen the slaves! loosen +the slaves!” The fire, however, spread with such violence, bursting from the spirit-room, +that the sailors, apprehending that it was impossible to extinguish it before it would +reach a large quantity of gunpowder on board, concluded it necessary to precipitate +themselves into the sea, as offering the only chance of saving their lives. +</p> +<p>However, they did first endeavour to <span class="pageNum" id="pb89">[<a href="#pb89">89</a>]</span>loose the chains by which the slaves were fastened to the deck; but in the confusion +the key could not be found, and they had but just time to loosen one of the fastenings, +by wrenching the staple, before the vehemence of the fire so increased, that they +simultaneously jumped overboard; when immediately, the fire having gained the powder, +the vessel blew up, with every slave that was confined by the unloosened chain, and +such others as had not possessed the power to follow the example of the sailors. +</p> +<p>We hardly know whether to style it fortunate, that any circumstance should save these +victims of avarice from a watery grave, after escaping that which, to the sense, seems +more terrible. Providence, however, ordained that there should be some vessels in +sight; which, putting out their boats, took up about two hundred and fifty of the +poor souls that remained alive; but the most of them being those who had been fastened +together with shackles, had, from the violence of the shock, and the confinement of +the irons, experienced dreadful fractures of <span class="pageNum" id="pb90">[<a href="#pb90">90</a>]</span>the limbs; which, inflamed by the struggles they had instinctively made, the heat, +and the agitated state of the blood, quickly mortified, and ere they were scarcely +sensible of their increase of calamity, released them, for ever, from all fear of +it more. Among the number who thus yielded up his manly spirit, was Tumiáh, rejoicing +in the belief that his Imihie and Samboe were also removed to a land of spirits—a +land where no man-stealer can enter, no treachery gain access, no violence invade. +He might have adopted the words of the poet: +</p> +<div class="lgouter"> +<div class="lg"> +<p class="line">“Now, Christian, glut thy ravish’d eyes; +</p> +<p class="line xd32e238">I reach the joyful hour: +</p> +<p class="line">Let, let the scorching flames arise, +</p> +<p class="line xd32e238">And these poor limbs devour. +</p> +</div> +<div class="lg"> +<p class="line">“O Death, how welcome to th’ opprest! +</p> +<p class="line xd32e238">Thy kind embrace I crave; +</p> +<p class="line">Thou bringst to Misery’s bosom rest, +</p> +<p class="line xd32e238">And freedom to the slave!”</p> +</div> +</div> +<p class="first">The fond belief, however, of the expiring Tumiáh, that his wife and child had escaped +the horrors of bondage, was fallacious. <span class="pageNum" id="pb91">[<a href="#pb91">91</a>]</span>Previously to the calamity, the feelings of the wretched Imihie had been wrought up +nearly to their utmost height; the sight of the quick-advancing flames, therefore, +was sufficient to augment them to frenzy, and with a strength which frenzy only could +impart, to a frame exhausted by want of nourishment and continual grief, she snatched +the infant Samboe from the deck, upon which he had fallen, and where, unheeded by +one pitying eye, he remained, without uttering any cry or attempting to move; for, +overcome by terror of the noise and brutality of the crew, the sight of the immense +ocean, and the want of that nourishment which he in vain sought from the exhausted +bosom of his wretched mother, the suffering child seemed unable to move, or even to +utter any sound. +</p> +<p>Imihie pressed him closely to her breast, turned a momentary and frenzied glance upon +her enchained husband, and uttering a faint cry of terror, cast herself and precious +burden into the foaming deep. But it was not decreed to become her tomb. Almost <span class="pageNum" id="pb92">[<a href="#pb92">92</a>]</span>by miracle, she was thrown near a boat which had put off from a Spanish slave-vessel, +and was picked up by the crew, with Samboe still closely entwined within her arms; +without, however, exhibiting the smallest appearance of remaining life. But the vital +spark was not yet extinct. She was immediately put on board the ship, and means of +resuscitation used with both her and her child, as well as several other equally miserable +victims of avarice. Heaven decreed these efforts to be effectual: and thus was the +widowed mother transferred, by the sudden calamity, from one set of mercenaries to +another, yet still doomed to slavery! The vessel had taken in her cargo at Rio Pongos, +and was bound for the Havannah; but her stowage was too small to allow her, with impunity, +to keep the increase occasioned by the casualty of the fire. She therefore put into +a port, and disposed of them to a ship bound for Jamaica. This occasioned considerable +delay; in consequence of which, when the transferred slaves were at length on their +passage, they were subjected to all <span class="pageNum" id="pb93">[<a href="#pb93">93</a>]</span>the evils of improper seasons; water failed, provisions became spoiled and scanty, +and many of the slaves the victims of disease, ere they entered the magnificent harbour +of Port Royal. +</p> +<p>Arrived at Kingston, they were put in <i>store</i>, until notice should be given of sale, which was immediately done by advertisement: +“On Tuesday next will be put up for sale, in their store, fifty superb negroes of +the coast; to the purchasers of which will be afforded all the facilities wished.” +</p> +<div class="lgouter"> +<p class="line">* * * “What man reading this, +</p> +<p class="line">And having human feelings, does not blush +</p> +<p class="line">And hang his head, to think himself a man?”</p> +</div> +<p><span class="pageNum" id="pb94">[<a href="#pb94">94</a>]</span></p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="ch8" class="div1 chapter"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#ch8.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h2 class="main">Chapter <span class="corr" id="xd32e908" title="Source: VII">VIII</span>.</h2> +<div class="epigraph"> +<div class="lgouter"> +<p class="line">“Authority usurp’d from God, not given. +</p> +<p class="line">He gave us over beast, fish, fowl, +</p> +<p class="line">Dominion absolute. That right we hold +</p> +<p class="line">By his donation: but men over men +</p> +<p class="line">He made not lord; such title to himself +</p> +<p class="line">Reserving, human left from human free.”</p> +</div> +<p class="first xd32e126"><span class="sc">Milton.</span></p> +</div> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">Had Irving now seen the once attractive Imihie, and her playful boy, as he even beheld +them in the slave-room of the African courtier, he would scarcely have given credit +to any assurance that she was the same individual. She then, recently a captive, peculiarly +displayed in her person the characteristic feminine traits of her country—perfect +symmetry of proportion, and beautiful, in as far as it did not consist in colour. +Modest, affable, and faithful, these sweet feminine qualities emanated from her softened +eyes, and an air of winning innocence in <span class="pageNum" id="pb95">[<a href="#pb95">95</a>]</span>every look and gesture; while every word was pronounced with an inflection of voice +so sweet, so soft, so tender, that cold indeed must have been the heart that could +withstand its eloquent appeal, or listen, unmoved, to its modulations. Such was the +young Imihie. Now, alas! how changed! Emaciated for want of food, sinking with illness, +shrinking from exposure; almost frenzied with the recollection of the past, the misery +of the present, and the dread of the future; bearing, with difficulty, her infant, +she was conducted, with her companions in misery, to the vendue, in the bare hope +that she might be purchased for the sake of the boy; who, though suffering from the +effects of the voyage and want of his natural nutriment, still evidently displayed +great intelligence, and much natural vigour. The first day of exhibition passed, and +no purchaser was found for the <i>sulky</i> negress, (for such is the feeling term applied to the desponding.) +</p> +<p>On occasions like this, it is a common thing to speculate upon the purchase of what +are termed the refuse negroes, or those <span class="pageNum" id="pb96">[<a href="#pb96">96</a>]</span>left from the first day’s sale. Some are frequently in so weak and miserable a state, +as even to be sold as low as for a dollar; some are taken to the mart almost in the +agonies of death; and some are even known to draw their last sigh in the piazzas of +the vendue master. It was on the second day’s sale that Imihie was purchased by a +planter for a very low sum, and carried into the country, with some others, whom he +intended to retail. The situation of these wretched captives was but little ameliorated, +by becoming the property of this man, who was of that class of managers, who think +that the safety of the family to which they are subservient, and the interest of the +proprietor, renders severity indispensable, and oppression the only mode of subduing +the refractory spirit of the African, whom they regard with the most sovereign contempt. +With souls lost to all sense of compassion, they believe there can be but one mode +of enforcing obedience, that of fear; and in the exercise of their delegated authority, +they put in action, to the utmost, this ignoble <span class="pageNum" id="pb97">[<a href="#pb97">97</a>]</span>stimulus, by every means which a spirit of cruelty and ignorance can suggest. +</p> +<p>Short, indeed, would have been the existence of the miserable Imihie, had she continued +the property of this semi-barbarian. Confined in a narrow and unwholesome hut, without +a single comfort; a hurdle for a bed, which rather served to torture than to ease +her pained and wearied limbs, with scarcely sufficient of a coarse linen to secure +her frame from the scorching heats of the day, and the dangerous dews of night; in +the midst of the richest bounties of nature, and the abundant luxuries of art, fed +on salt beef and salt cod, and roots, with the injurious flour of the cassava, imperfectly +prepared, and these in quantity scarcely sufficient to support existence; deprived +of every enjoyment; condemned to perpetual labour, under the rod of an unfeeling master, +there could be no chance of amendment of health, or of reconcilement to her destiny. +But Providence ordained she should yet feel the happiness of sympathy. Her tyrant +master, finding that her labour was very inadequate <span class="pageNum" id="pb98">[<a href="#pb98">98</a>]</span>to the expences of retaining her, would have separated her from her child, and sold +her for the smallest possible sum; but a neighbouring proprietor of a small plantation +offered a satisfactory price for them together, and they were removed to a comparatively +comfortable situation, in the hope that, with rest and better food, she might be enabled +to become a house-slave to the wife of the purchaser. +</p> +<p>It has been remarked, by observing travellers, that the women of the West Indies possess +great natural kind feelings; but that the habitual view of oppression, and the free +exercise of power over the slaves, renders them very insensible to the sufferings +of the negro women, and totally regardless of promoting their happiness, or of studying +to ameliorate their hard lot; and that the instances are by no means uncommon, in +which they treat and have them punished with the utmost severity: that they can raise, +to no gentle tone, their soft voices, and exert, with no little energy, their spiritless +frames, when provoked by the awkwardness, or jealous of <span class="pageNum" id="pb99">[<a href="#pb99">99</a>]</span>the influence of their sable captives. Ah! much to be lamented is that state of oppression +on the one part, and debasement on the other, which can convert the expression of +that distinguishing feature of beauty, of female beauty more especially, from that +which indicates right feeling, to that which betrays a superiority the God of nature +designed not. A woman’s eye should melt with tenderness, sparkle with innocent animation, +weep with those that weep, and beam with the rays of joy at the happiness of another. +</p> +<p>Such <i>was</i> the expression which shed its consolation on the desolated Imihie, upon the visit +of her new mistress to her lowly hut. This amiable woman was young, but her mind had +been early matured in the school of adversity: a hapless fate had fixed her residence +in a remote part of Jamaica, but she had also learnt, from precepts which will never +lead astray, “in whatsoever situation she was, therewith to be content.” From the +same Master who had inspired this lesson of the apostle, she had also learnt the only +cure for the rebellion of the mind; that force defeated <span class="pageNum" id="pb100">[<a href="#pb100">100</a>]</span>its object; that it was the interest of those who possessed power over their fellow-beings, +that they should be attached to life, for nothing could be expected from them, the +moment that they no longer feared death. Guiding her conduct by this principle of +enlightened reason, derived from a far higher source, the most genuine sentiments +of humanity were in constant exercise, by a corresponding course of action. She could +not, indeed, as an obscure and solitary individual, break or remove the yoke which +oppressed her fellow-creatures; but she could render it easier to be borne, and could, +sometimes, even for a time, dissipate the cruel sense of it, by promoting and favouring +the natural tastes of her poor slaves. Their lodging, clothing, and food, were all +attended to by persons she could depend upon, and regularly inspected by herself. +Far from regarding the occupation degrading, she persevered in it as a commanding +duty; and she reaped her high reward, by the grateful affection of her poor servants. +By various simple methods, she roused from the apathy of despair, <span class="pageNum" id="pb101">[<a href="#pb101">101</a>]</span>and awakened the sensibilities. Little festivals conducted with judgment, innocent +recreations, and simple rewards, preserved her slaves from the continual melancholy, +which had too just a foundation. She sympathized with mothers, and delighted to share +with them the caresses of the children. +</p> +<p>Her husband, although possessing not her intelligence and elevation of mind, nor actuated +by the principle that directed the energies of his amiable wife, yet was induced, +by her unostentatious usefulness, and evident success in her plans, to accede to most +of the humane innovations she proposed to him; convinced, by her arguments, that it +would be his interest to be humane. Hence, their plantation exhibited a picture of +comfort seldom seen, and their slaves had every appearance of health. They were allowed +wholesome provision in ample quantity, with as much fruit as they wished; they had +the liberty of keeping poultry, and to cultivate a piece of ground with esculent roots; +their huts were comfortable, and when sick they experienced the kindest attention; +and they <span class="pageNum" id="pb102">[<a href="#pb102">102</a>]</span>were frequently suffered to associate with each other in little parties, for recreation +and amusement. +</p> +<p>Such were the proprietors of the poor Imihie and her hapless boy, who soon began to +find the benefit of kind treatment; and it is probable, had Providence ordained that +it should have been enjoyed, immediately after landing on a foreign shore, that the +miseries of the voyage, and even the horrors of bondage, might have been overcome +by youth, and that wonderful buoyancy of the human mind, that seems to force itself +above the swelling waves of misfortune. But the arrow had sunk too deep: its barb +had been too powerfully poisoned, for human effort to withdraw, or to antidote it. +Imihie was evidently the victim of that disease which hurries to an untimely grave, +so many individuals of her hapless country; and which, throughout the world, may be +termed, although not yet classed, a broken heart. The first symptom of this disorder +among negroes, became evident; namely, the black and glossy skin assumed an olive +hue, the <span class="pageNum" id="pb103">[<a href="#pb103">103</a>]</span>tongue became white, and the poor sufferer became overpowered by such a desire to +sleep, that it was found impossible to resist it, a deadly faintness preventing the +smallest exercise. In fact, a languor and general relaxation of the whole wonderful +machinery of the human frame, seems to threaten death day by day, yet the sufferer +still survives. So great is the state of despondency accompanying this distressing +malady, that those afflicted will suffer themselves to be beaten, rather than attempt +to move or walk. Happy was it for Imihie that she had not a task-master’s whip to +dread; and that the loathing which she had for mild and wholesome food, was not attributed +to obstinacy, but to what it really was, a symptom of the disease which was insiduously +undermining the vital principles of life. It made rapid advances upon her delicate +and youthful frame: her respiration became laborious and painful, the extremities +became swollen, and suffocation seemed frequently to impede the action of the heart. +In this state she languished and suffered several months; but <span class="pageNum" id="pb104">[<a href="#pb104">104</a>]</span>Imihie had her consolations, under an infliction, the natural consequence of melancholy +upon the organs of the human frame. +</p> +<p>We have said, that the humanity and enlightened reason of the excellent Mrs. Delany, +were derived from a high source; even from that source which exalts feeling to a principle: +the one is frequently as transient as the excitement, the other is founded upon a +firm basis; offering a permanent and pure incentive to action, by adding a value to +existence, as connecting it with a future. Such is one of the many blessed fruits +of a Christian faith. Mrs. Delany felt its commanding power: she was a Christian in +<i>deed</i>. Hers was not a speculative creed, but a practical code: it was her daily, hourly +study to act upon. +</p> +<p>It is true, Jamaica, at the period of our narrative, enjoyed not the high privileges +it now possesses of Christian instruction, and of Christian example; but Mrs. Delaney +was one amongst the few, who, feeling and enjoying the light and the consolation of +religion, were anxious to impart a portion of <span class="pageNum" id="pb105">[<a href="#pb105">105</a>]</span>what cheered their own hearts—of that which directed their steps, to those who yet +“sat in darkness and the shadow of death.” Deeply interested in her hapless slave, +from the moment she saw her, Mrs. Delaney had soothed, by truly maternal attention, +her bodily sufferings, and her mental anguish. She inwardly deplored her total ignorance +of that grand source of consolation, the knowledge of which was so open to those who +despised it. She gently prepared the feelings and the understanding for the reception +of that light, which she fervently prayed might be imparted to her benighted mind. +She gradually led her docile steps, her mental view, to Him who invites the heavy +laden to resort to him for rest; to seek Him who is the strength and the fortress +of those that trust in him; to adore, with unfeigned humility, that transcendent mercy, +which became poor that we might be rich. What heart is there, bereft of all earthly +good, all earthly hope, but must expand with joy, to receive into its most inmost +recesses the precious promises of Christianity?—of <span class="pageNum" id="pb106">[<a href="#pb106">106</a>]</span>that mild and beneficent religion, which so tenderly sympathizes with every emotion +of the weak, the frail, the lacerated bosom? Was it then surprising, that the poor +Imihie, with feelings too powerful for utterance, hung upon the mild accents of Mrs. +Delaney, as she described to her the sufferings of the Redeemer—the abyss of wretchedness +from which he rescued mankind—the dreadful penalty from which he saved a rebellious +world? Was it surprising, that, with an eager gratitude, which gave a heavenly expression +to her languid eyes, and displayed itself in every varying feature, she listened to +the glorious truths of revelation, unfolded in terms suited to her expanding capacity; +and that, with all the simplicity of unsophisticated nature, receiving the noblest +impressions of Deity, she bade Mrs. Delaney thank her great good God for his marvellous +kindness to wretched captives, and for the unsearchable riches of his grace. Never +was she wearied in hearing her kind instructress recount the sufferings of the incarnate +God: tears, the offspring of genuine feeling, chased each <span class="pageNum" id="pb107">[<a href="#pb107">107</a>]</span>other down her altered countenance, as Mrs. Delaney directed her imagination to the +garden of Gethsemane, to the judgment-hall, where He, whose throne is heaven, and +his footstool earth, was exposed to insult, contumely, and scorn; scourged, buffeted, +spit upon; betrayed by one friend, denied by another, and abandoned by all; subjected +to a painful, a cruel, and an ignominious death, in the presence of insulting foes: +the very spirit clouded by the momentary abandonment of heavenly aid, forcing from +the lips of the sufferer the agonizing exclamation: “My God, my God! why hast thou +forsaken me?” and all this for the love he bore for those who became his murderers. +</p> +<p>Thus would Mrs. Delaney, in language suited to the capacity of her pupil, recount +the affecting history of our Redeemer, and gradually open her mind (aided by the Spirit +of grace constantly implored to direct her) to the grand truths of the gospel. The +soul of the dying Imihie imbibed the soothing balm, felt the powerful energy, and +gladly received the consolation the religion of Jesus <span class="pageNum" id="pb108">[<a href="#pb108">108</a>]</span>alone has power to give. Her tears, it is true, still flowed for Africa, and for Tumiáh; +but they were no longer bitter tears. The heavenly ray which had been communicated +to her soul, had not only enlightened it, but stilled <span class="corr" id="xd32e977" title="Source: it">its</span> perturbations; and captivity was deprived of its horrors, in the enjoyment of those +lively instructions in the way of holiness and peace, so impressively imparted by +her truly Christian mistress. +</p> +<p>Often when administering some relief to her bodily suffering, Mrs. Delaney would ask +her how she felt herself. She would say, with a serene smile, “weak, weak; but joy, +joy here,” laying her hand on her bosom, then pressing that of her compassionate benefactress. +No murmur, no complaint, proceeded from her lips; but her mind appeared ever tranquil, +and her soul happy. Sometimes, indeed, while caressing Samboe, the tear would swell +in her eyes; but she had learned the comprehensive prayer, “Lord, let thy will be +done!” and a frequent, affecting repetition of it, while she <span class="pageNum" id="pb109">[<a href="#pb109">109</a>]</span>pressed her boy to her bosom, spoke volumes to the sympathizing Mrs. Delaney. +</p> +<p>During this daily increase of spiritual strength, her frame gradually sunk under the +pressure of her disease, which resisted every tried means of relief, and finally came +to its usual termination; <i>viz.</i> suffocation. Thus closed the mortal career of the youthful Imihie, one of the many +thousands of victims to a commerce, which, it is feared, the mercenary will always +cling to; in which desperate men will ever be found to hazard; and, even in Africa, +tyrants ever be ready to supply the horrid market; (<a href="#note.q"><i>Note</i> <span class="sc">Q</span></a>.) while few, it is to be feared, will, like the poor Imihie, after a series of misery, +find a Mrs. Delaney to soothe their sorrows, and point to realms where all tears shall +be wiped away, and sorrow and sighing shall flee for ever. +</p> +<div class="lgouter"> +<p class="line">To Heaven the Christian negress sent her sighs, +</p> +<p class="line">In morning vows, and evening sacrifice; +</p> +<p class="line">She pray’d for blessings to descend on those +</p> +<p class="line">Who dealt to her the cup of many woes; +</p> +<p class="line">Thought of her home in Africa forlorn, +</p> +<p class="line">Yet, while she wept, rejoic’d that she was born: +<span class="pageNum" id="pb110">[<a href="#pb110">110</a>]</span></p> +<p class="line">Ennobling virtue fix’d her hopes above, +</p> +<p class="line">Enlarg’d her heart, and sanctified her love. +</p> +<p class="line">With lowly steps the path of peace she trod, +</p> +<p class="line">A happy pilgrim, for she walk’d with God.</p> +</div> +<p class="first xd32e126"><span class="sc">Montgomery</span>, (adapted.) +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="ch9" class="div1 chapter"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#ch9.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h2 class="main">Chapter <span class="corr" id="xd32e1014" title="Source: VIII">IX</span>.</h2> +<div class="epigraph"> +<div class="lgouter"> +<div class="lg"> +<p class="line">The spreading palm-tree o’er her grave shall wave, +</p> +<p class="line">Emblem of bliss eternal! +</p> +</div> +<div class="lg"> +<p class="line">“See on the grave in which she sleeps, +</p> +<p class="line">The soften’d savage sits and weeps; +</p> +<p class="line">And the sweet voice of gratitude +</p> +<p class="line">Oft names her in the desert rude.”</p> +</div> +</div> +<p class="first xd32e126"><span class="sc">The Missionary.</span></p> +</div> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">The infant Samboe, thus bereaved of his suffering mother, was yet too young to feel +the full magnitude of his loss; yet his little heart experienced emotions he had no +power to utter, when he was told she would <span class="pageNum" id="pb111">[<a href="#pb111">111</a>]</span>never more awake to his call, nor could <i>he feel happy</i>, when, with expressions of joy, he saw the negroes of the plantation remove his “silent +mother” to the burial ground, with every demonstration of joy. (<a href="#note.r"><i>Note</i> <span class="sc">R</span></a>.) +</p> +<p>An ever kind Providence has, however, made the griefs of children to be transient; +and Samboe, the favourite of Mrs. Delaney, from his sweetness of disposition, great +activity, and early intelligence, would probably have presented a pleasing exception +to the unhappy lot of his enslaved countrymen—might justly have enjoyed the title +of the <i>happy negro</i>—had his benefactress been spared to bless the sable dependants on her kindness. But +life, at all times and in all situations transient and uncertain, may be said to be +peculiarly so in the West Indies; the progress of disease being so rapid, and the +excitements to it so many. That dreadful visitation, the yellow fever, broke out in +the district of the Delaney plantation: numberless were the victims to the “pestilence +that walketh in noon-day;” and among them were Mr. Delaney and his amiable wife. +<span class="pageNum" id="pb112">[<a href="#pb112">112</a>]</span></p> +<p>Those who were capable of appreciating their worth, who had felt their benevolence, +had enjoyed the privileges they allowed, and knew how rarely they were found in the +plantations, mourned them with unfeigned sorrow, their loss closing up the avenues +of consolation and of hope; and those too young to feel how much they were deprived +of, were quickly made sensible of a change from a system of Christian love and benevolence, +to that built upon the mere hope of worldly gain. As it is not the custom in the English +colonies, as in the French, for the negroes to be attached to the plantation, those +of the Delaney estate were, upon the sale of it, dispersed amongst different purchasers; +and the infant Samboe became the property of a cruel mercenary, who employed the poor +child to wait upon him, when indulging in all the luxurious ease of an occidental +despot. By those who have seen the various caprices of a temper altogether uncontrouled, +the whims of a mind destitute of cultivation and obstinate in ignorance, the cruelty +of a disposition formed by the possession <span class="pageNum" id="pb113">[<a href="#pb113">113</a>]</span>of a precarious power over helpless individuals; by those, and those only, will the +various species of suffering to which the innocent child was subjected be understood; +and the terrors which were produced by the horrid imprecations, the unmanly abuse, +and vulgar epithets of this brutal master, upon the gentle and timid character of +the poor little Samboe. It was then he began to feel the loss, and to pine for the +tenderness of his mother and his benefactress; and there is little doubt but he would +have soon followed them to the tomb, had not an incident occurred, that emancipated +him from the tyrannical controul by which he so acutely suffered. One day, while attending +his master at breakfast, just as he handed the coffee his foot slipped, and it was +thrown over a beautiful cimar, which the luxurious planter highly valued, as the gift +of a lady to whom he was partial. He rose in haste and in anger, and aiming a blow +at the now kneeling boy, missed the blow, and fell himself to the ground, striking +his head by the fall against the edge of a sofa. Seeing him suddenly <span class="pageNum" id="pb114">[<a href="#pb114">114</a>]</span>fall, some attendants in waiting rushed to his assistance, but in vain: the blow had +been fatal, he had fallen to rise no more on earth! Happy was it for Samboe that there +were witnesses, <i>white</i> witnesses of the scene, who could exonerate him from all intentional connexion with, +or wilful provocation to the catastrophe. The alarm, however, of the unoffending child +was distressing: the countenance of the planter at all times bore evidence of his +ill-regulated mind and indurated heart, and the awful hand of death fixed them in +an expression the most horrid. With little idea of such sudden death, the poor child +thought he was but in a violent passion, and, in the most piteous accents, clasping +his hands together, besought “massa to forgive poor Samboe, who would not break cup +any more, would not spoil dress any more.” But his supplication was alike unheeded +by master and attendants, except by one, who kicking him as he passed, said: “Get +out of the way, ye little whining dog, or I’ll make ye.” Samboe crept from the apartment, +and crouching under some furniture, <span class="pageNum" id="pb115">[<a href="#pb115">115</a>]</span>felt all the bitterness of a life of slavery, of which nature, in its first fresh +feelings, can be capable. Happily again for the infant captive, the wife of the planter +could not bear to retain in her service the innocent cause of her husband’s death; +at least, secretly rejoicing at her own emancipation from his arbitrary disposition, +she affected so to say: consequently, she expressed her wish of selling him to the +manager of a neighbouring plantation, but as her recent loss rendered it impossible +for her to have a personal interview, she thus communicated her wish by note to this +person: “Unable to bear the sight of the young author of the death of the best and +tenderest of husbands, Mrs. Williamson requests the favour of Mr. Martin to take charge +of, and dispose of him, in any way he may judge most conducive to her interest, and +to employ the proceeds in the purchase of a more effective, that is, laborious slave. +Mrs. W. relies on the known kindness of Mr. M. to render this service to the disconsolate +widow of his late friend.” My young readers will doubtless <span class="pageNum" id="pb116">[<a href="#pb116">116</a>]</span>be shocked, that Mrs. Williamson should thus profess grief for the loss of a man she +married for his wealth, without either esteeming or loving him; but it is no fancied +picture, and is presented to show, that, unless the heart is continually watched, +and the mind sedulously cultivated, in situations favourable to indolence and self-indulgence, +the moral feelings quickly become blunted, and the individual can easily, and without +any self-reproach, assume any sentiments and any line of conduct which best suits +the whim or caprice of the moment; and she hated the little Samboe, because she once +overheard him, in a moment of unusual gaiety, telling a circle of slaves what merry +dances they had at Delaney, when dear Missy Delaney danced with poor Samboe. Upon +such trifles will envy condescend to feed its insatiate appetite. Good, however, to +Samboe, was educed from all this evil. Mr. Martin was the respectable and humane manager +of the Moreton estate; (see “<i>Twilight Hours Improved</i>,” page 85;) subjected to his superintendence during the minority <span class="pageNum" id="pb117">[<a href="#pb117">117</a>]</span>of Mr. Frederick Moreton, by the will of his deceased father; and whose humane treatment +of his negroes had excited the displeasure of the young man’s guardian, Mr. Penryn, +who firmly believed the African race created only to become the slaves of Europeans. +Mr. Martin lost no time in complying with the request of his fair neighbour. He well +remembered frequently having seen the little Samboe in attendance upon his imperious +master, and never failed to admire his extreme docility, mildness, and intelligence; +and he looked upon the circumstance of Mrs. Williamson’s desire to sell him, as very +fortunate, as he had, only a few days previous, received the commission to send to +England a negro boy for his young master. +</p> +<p>The purchase was soon made, and Samboe was once more under the roof of an indulgent +master. Every attention was given, in order to establish his health, and improve his +personal appearance, that he might credit the choice of his purchaser, and please +the young eye of his future master. He only remained at Jamaica to effect these <span class="pageNum" id="pb118">[<a href="#pb118">118</a>]</span>purposes, when he was consigned to the care of the captain of an English West Indiaman, +with instructions to have him safely conveyed to Mr. Penryn’s, Portman Square. +</p> +<p>Samboe evinced the greatest reluctance to go on board; he clung to Mr. Martin, who +himself conducted him, and trembled violently, declaring he could not go into great +ship, or on great wide sea. No one could account for this extraordinary reluctance +and evident terror; for they knew not that the young heart of the little negro was +throbbing with recollections for which he had no name, and which he had no power to +express. It is true, they were vague, like the confused remembrance of a troubled +dream, but they were powerful; and it was with the utmost difficulty Mr. Martin soothed +him, by gentleness, promises, and assurances; and, after all, was obliged to leave +him, when he had cried himself to sleep upon a coil of rope on the deck, no one being +able to prevail upon him to go below, and Mr. Martin positively forbidding coercion. +</p> +<p>The grief and terror of the poor boy were <span class="pageNum" id="pb119">[<a href="#pb119">119</a>]</span>renewed, when he discovered he had been left by Mr Martin; but a series of kind treatment, +and many little indulgences granted him, after a while reconciled him to his new situation; +while his simplicity and quickness greatly endeared him to the sailors, with whom +he became quite a pet. The voyage passed in this manner without any particular occurrence; +and Samboe was introduced, one evening, to the dining room of Mr. Penryn, filled with +elegant company. +</p> +<p>Had he been one of the wonders of the world, he probably would not have excited more +attention, or elicited more remarks. The ladies admired his eyes and his teeth; the +gentlemen enquired if he was a Molembo, or from the Kroo country, and began an animated +debate on slavery, and the slave-trade. Each lady gave her opinion of the most becoming +dress to contrast with the jet black of his skin. One asked him if was not glad to +come to England; another enquired if he was sorry to leave Africa; a third enquired +if they flogged him at the plantation; while a fourth, by way of compliment <span class="pageNum" id="pb120">[<a href="#pb120">120</a>]</span>to the lady of the house, observed, he was a happy black boy, to have such a charming +mistress. To all these remarks the poor child could give no reply; nor, it would seem, +was it expected; and, much to his joy, he was dismissed to the care of the groom, +until his apartment and employment about the person of his young master could be arranged. +</p> +<p>The groom, however, was highly indignant that a vile <i>neger</i> boy should be committed to his care: “Did they fancy he would let a black get between +his sheets? No, indeed; there was the hay-loft, the stable-boy should pull him a truss +of straw in the corner there: surely that would be a better bed than most negers got. +Sleep with me, indeed; no, I’d lose my place first, and tis’n’t a bad one, neither<span class="corr" id="xd32e1081" title="Not in source">.</span> Had they told me to take Cæsar the house-dog, or Neptune the Newfoundlander, I should +not have so much have minded; but a neger boy! surely my master was half-seas over +to think of it.” This, and much more of the same refined objection, passed in the +kitchen of —— Penryn, esq. <span class="pageNum" id="pb121">[<a href="#pb121">121</a>]</span>and, according to the groom’s kind arrangement, Samboe was indulged with some clean +straw in the stable-loft. +</p> +<p>The children of oppression and calamity quickly sympathize; a kindred feeling draws +them together: thus it was with Samboe the African, and Frank the English stable boy. +An orphan from his cradle, and a parish apprentice, Frank had been early subjected +to every oppression—exposed to every temptation; but a certain buoyancy of spirit, +and a persevering ardour of mind, enabled him to rise above the one; and the latter +was rendered less dangerous, by his constant, unremitted love of employment. He was +busily engaged mending his shoes, when his master, the groom, introduced the young +negro to his acquaintance. “There, Frank,” he said, “there is a companion for you, +my lad; take care he don’t touch the horses, and mind he don’t run away. Lock him +up when you come in for your supper: you may offer him some, but I don’t know what +negers eat, I’m sure. Master should have told us that, I think, for I don’t expect +they <span class="pageNum" id="pb122">[<a href="#pb122">122</a>]</span>live as we do. Eh! my lad, do ye mind me?” he added, with a raised voice, as he saw +Frank take the hand of the timid Samboe, and ask him if he was tired. “Oh yes, sir!” +he replied, touching his fur cap, “I will be sure to take care of him.” +</p> +<p>Glad to get quit of the restraint which the charge imposed upon him, the groom was +in high good humour with Frank, and promised, if he would attend to his orders, he +would give him a shilling. Astonished at his unwonted generosity, Frank repeated his +assurances; and having made his new companion understand that he desired to make him +comfortable, with the happy facility of children to be so when left to themselves, +they quickly became acquainted. Frank found that <i>negers</i> could eat good bread and fresh meat; that they had no objection to tarts; and that +even a custard, given by the cook as a treat to merry Frank, was equally relished +by the neger boy. After this luxurious repast, during which, if it was not the “feast +of reason and the flow of soul,” there was, most unquestionably, <span class="pageNum" id="pb123">[<a href="#pb123">123</a>]</span>innate benevolence on one side, and genuine gratitude on the other, the new-made friends +sought repose on the same clean truss of straw, and together enjoyed the refreshment +of “nature’s sweet restorer.” Not long, however, after they had thus lain down, Frank +was roused from his yet imperfect slumber, by a slight rustling and a low voice, very +near him. He spoke gently to his new bed-fellow, but received no reply. Frank had +that tincture of superstition which usually attaches to the ignorant and uncultivated; +and the unusual sound, his new situation, and the profound darkness, aided the impression; +while a thought of the little negro became associated with the recollection of several +marvellous ghost-stories he had heard. He ventured, however, (not without considerable +reluctance,) to feel if his sable companion was by his side, and discovered, to his +amazement, that he was not there. The murmur still continued, and Frank, trembling +all over him, made a desperate effort, and called lustily, “Samboe, Samboe!” “Samboe +here,” replied the boy, <span class="pageNum" id="pb124">[<a href="#pb124">124</a>]</span>in a soft and gentle tone; “Samboe here, but wicked boy.” +</p> +<p>Frank’s courage returned at the sound of Samboe’s voice clearly pronouncing these +words, although he was at a loss to account for his self-accusation. “Why, what have +you done to be wicked; where are you?” he enquired. Samboe’s imperfect knowledge of +the English language, permitted him not to understand the full import of these questions; +and it was not until Frank, with renewed courage at finding his companion was really +a mortal, contrived to make him understand his repeated enquiry, why he had risen, +and why he called himself wicked? “Because Samboe forgot lesson dear Missy Delaney +teach him. Pray to great God before sleep; pray to great God when eyes open; pray +to good God give food; pray to good God give friends.” +</p> +<p>Frank now understood, that Samboe, in the novelty of his situation, and probably from +the effects of a little porter he had taken, had forgotten to offer his simple tribute +of thanks and respect to the omnipotent Creator, <span class="pageNum" id="pb125">[<a href="#pb125">125</a>]</span>which the good Mrs. Delaney had taught him habitually to do; although he was too young +when she died, to admit any further religious instruction, or to understand more than +that a great God, beyond the blue sky, observed all his actions. +</p> +<p>Samboe had never, until this night, neglected this lesson; but, with uplifted hands +and bended knee, was accustomed to acknowledge the protection and the support of the +Being he had been taught to regard, as ever beholding, and with unwearied care protecting, +all men. Sleep, however, had not closed his eyes, ere the omission was recollected, +and he had crept out of the straw, to offer his simple orison, the low murmur of which +had so much alarmed his new friend. Having concluded, he returned to his straw couch, +and slept the sleep of innocence, untill awaked by Frank rising to his morning duty +in the stables. +</p> +<p>Frank possessed an intelligence of mind, as well as activity of spirit, which required +but opportunities to develope themselves. The incident of Samboe’s forgotten prayer, +<span class="pageNum" id="pb126">[<a href="#pb126">126</a>]</span>impressed his youthful mind. How was it he had never been taught to pray? He had never +seen it practised among those he had been with. He thought people went to church to +pray; yet surely if a black boy thought it right to pray, a white boy ought. Perhaps +it was a custom among them? Yet, such was the innate impression he had, that it was +right and proper, that he felt a species of shame to answer Samboe in the negative, +when he artlessly enquired if he did not pray to great God, to take care of him; he, +too, who knew so many things: for, to Samboe, Frank seemed a miracle of cleverness, +when he described his various employments, and displayed, to his astonished visitor, +the results of his ingenuity, which he did with no little self-complacency. +</p> +<p>Samboe seemed now the happiest of human beings. He suffered nothing to pass unnoticed; +asking the reason, the use, the name of every thing he heard, or saw, or touched. +This he contrived to do, either by broken words, gestures, or signs. The new-made +friends thus passed several hours <span class="pageNum" id="pb127">[<a href="#pb127">127</a>]</span>of the morning, before the groom made his appearance; for, although his apartments +were above the stables, he did not often occupy them, finding numerous engagements +more pleasant than attending to his duty. +</p> +<p>The only unpleasant circumstance of this morning of delight to Samboe, was its chilliness. +It was one of those which frequently occur in May, as if to reprove the hastiness +of the family of Flora, in putting forth their fair forms; and its asperity was severely +felt by the little African. Frank determined to make him as comfortable as he could; +and having received no orders to the contrary, lighted a fire in the groom’s room, +and invited Samboe to its genial warmth, while he quickly prepared a comfortable mess +of milk-pottage. +</p> +<p>They were thus enjoying themselves, when the <i>master of the house</i> appeared, half awake, and storming at Frank for a lazy dog, for not having swept +the stable-door. But he supposed he and the beggarly neger had been idling away their +time together. Frank, who was used to his arbitrary temper, said <span class="pageNum" id="pb128">[<a href="#pb128">128</a>]</span>little; but, making signs for Samboe to return to the loft, he quickly prepared every +thing for his master’s toilet, and proceeded to rectify the omission of not having +swept the door-way. While thus engaged, a servant from the house arrived with an order +to the groom to take the negro-boy to a clothes-shop, and have him neatly clothed, +until a a proper dress could be fixed upon; as he was to have an interview with his +mistress and young master, who neither of them could bear the smell of tar, exhaling +from the filthy things he wore. +</p> +<p>This message, delivered in due form to the groom while he was shaving himself, nearly +endangered his cutting his throat, by the resentful agitation it caused, that he should +be appointed to wait upon a <i>neger</i>. It was a degradation which he could not, nor would not submit to. Following, therefore, +the example of his superiors, he delegated the office to his subordinate; and calling +loudly for Frank, as soon as the messenger had left him, he desired him to take the +black he seemed so fond of, to Mr. Draper’s, and get <span class="pageNum" id="pb129">[<a href="#pb129">129</a>]</span>him rigged. “And mind ye, Frank, boy, call at the ’potecaries or ’fumers, and bid +’em pour some musk or lavender, or something sweet over the lad, for missis is very +particular; and as to Master Fred, I shall have him trying how my legs will bear the +exercise of his new hunting-whip, if I do not please him about this black, who, I +dare say, will not be long before he feels it. But I suppose he has been used to flogging, +so it will be nothing to him.” +</p> +<p>Frank, highly pleased with this important commission, called the shivering boy from +the hay-chamber, and in no long time he was completely equipped, in a suit according +to the taste of Frank and the vender: certainly as stiff and ill made as it well could +be; while the effusion of lavender-water was completely accomplished, even till the +poor boy’s eyes became filled with tears, from the potency of the perfume, and every +person he passed on his return, half stopped, at meeting with the unusual odour. +</p> +<p>Samboe, however, had yet some hours to become reconciled to his new habiliment; <span class="pageNum" id="pb130">[<a href="#pb130">130</a>]</span>and his friend Frank had so many modes and sources of employment and amusement, that +those hours passed insensibly away. At length, about four o’clock, the groom again +appeared to conduct him to the house; and when arrived, a footman desired him to follow +him to the apartment of his lady, previously to her taking her morning airing. +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="ch10" class="div1 chapter"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#ch10.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h2 class="main">Chapter <span class="corr" id="xd32e1133" title="Source: IX">X</span>.</h2> +<div class="epigraph"> +<div class="lgouter"> +<p class="line">“I would not have a slave to till my ground, +</p> +<p class="line">To carry me, to fan me while I sleep, +</p> +<p class="line">And tremble when I wake, for all the wealth +</p> +<p class="line">That sinews bought and sold have ever earn’d.”</p> +</div> +<p class="first xd32e126"><span class="sc">Cowper.</span></p> +</div> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">From the reciprocation of the heart’s best affections, which had marked the short +period of Samboe’s acquaintance with Frank, we may now follow the young stranger to +the <span class="pageNum" id="pb131">[<a href="#pb131">131</a>]</span>inanity of an Anglo West Indian boudoir; in which were Mrs. Penryn, reclined on a +<i>chaise longue</i>, a young lady spangling some delicate muslin, and Mr. Frederick Moreton standing +at a distant part of the room. The footman having opened the door, pointed to Samboe +to enter, and immediately closed it upon him, leaving the timid boy to the scrutinizing +looks of Mrs. Penryn, the oblique attention of the young lady, and the supercilious +glance of the boy, who was engaged in the <i>humane</i> employment of holding a live mouse by the tail, as high as his arm could reach; while +a kitten, eagerly attending to its writhings, kept springing, instinctively, to catch +it, and as often, from the violence of the exertion, fell back on the floor. Had it +not been for the chill which pervaded his frame, in his way to this apartment, Samboe +might have thought himself in the West Indies, both as to the temperature, and the +luxurious ease displayed in the arrangement of it. An elegant Persian carpet, entirely +covered it; sofas, ottomans, and couches, invited to indolence and repose; ornaments +of <span class="pageNum" id="pb132">[<a href="#pb132">132</a>]</span>the richest and most expensive materials, vases, cabinets, &c. adorned it; and a number +of tropical birds, of beauteous plumage, displayed their captive state in superb cages +of various elegant forms; while shells of great magnitude and exquisite beauty were +displayed in different parts of this superb room, with considerable judgment and taste; +and a rich glow seemed communicated to every object, from the light passing the draperies +of beautiful rose-coloured taffety curtains. Plants of the loveliest bloom and most +exquisite odour, completed the fascinations of this luxurious apartment, tastefully +arranged in beautiful baskets and vases, reflected by the superb mirrors, of which +there were several on each side of the room. +</p> +<p>Mrs. Penryn, half raising her pale and spiritless form from the sofa on which she +was reclining, was the first to break the silence which followed Samboe’s introduction. +“Come, Fred, do give Frolic the mouse, and look at this boy. He will serve to amuse +you, I hope; for I think the dogs, the cats, the mice, and the flies, have had <span class="pageNum" id="pb133">[<a href="#pb133">133</a>]</span>enough of you. Come, did you ever behold such an uncouth creature as George has made +him: why the boy looks as if he were in a wooden case. He must not appear about you, +till he has something fit to put on.” +</p> +<p>This feeling harangue did not divert the young gentleman from his amusement for some +minutes, till at length, more it would seem from his own fatigue, than from any motive +of compassion for the poor animals, he gave the cat its natural prey; and it retired +<i>swearing</i>, as its murmur of triumph is styled, to enjoy the feast, under a sofa at the further +part of the room. “Now, Lavinia,” said Mrs. Penryn, addressing the young lady, “give +us your opinion, my dear; your taste is so good: what dress shall we have for Fred’s +page? He will like whatever you decide upon, I dare say.” +</p> +<p>“Dear me, do you think so?” replied Miss Lavinia, in the most affected tone: “Mr. +Frederick seldom asks my opinion, I think.” +</p> +<p>“He is but a boy, and you will excuse <span class="pageNum" id="pb134">[<a href="#pb134">134</a>]</span>him, I’m sure; but really this dress must be left to you.” +</p> +<p>“Certainly,” replied Lavinia, “he must have <i>something</i> different from that he now wears, which is only fit for the stable.” +</p> +<p>“And a very good place too, I think,” remarked the polite young gentleman, as he threw +himself at his length on a sofa, rousing by the action a little white terrier, which +had been reposing quietly upon it. The dog uttered a cry, and jumped on the floor. +</p> +<p>“Poor Erminet cannot be quiet even here,” said Mrs. Penryn, angrily: “I wish, Fred, +you would look before you lie down: I dare say you have lamed my pretty Erminet.” +</p> +<p>“I dare say I have done no such thing,” retorted the respectful nephew: “But I have +no desire to stay, I assure you. I am sure, though Lavinia talks of the stable, I +had rather be there, than shut up in this hot room. So make haste and determine about +the boy’s dress, for I cannot stay shilly-shally here all day.” +</p> +<p>“I wonder when you will learn to be civil,” <span class="pageNum" id="pb135">[<a href="#pb135">135</a>]</span>said Mrs. Penryn: “I think, if you had had a few lessons of politeness interspersed +with Greek and Latin, it would have made you more agreeable.” “That is all you women +know of the matter. But let me have no preaching. Have you done with me?” +</p> +<p>“Why, Fred, how provoking you are: did you not bid me send for the boy? And now he +is come, you want to go without settling any thing about him. Remember, he is your +property, and you must do what you please about him. I shall trouble myself no more +about him.” +</p> +<p>“Very well, then leave it alone,” said the young barbarian; and striding past the +trembling Samboe, he quitted the room, shutting the door with violence after him. +</p> +<p>“What a pity it is,” said Mrs. Penryn, after a short pause, “that Frederick is so +hasty: such a good-hearted lad as he is. I wish, Lavinia, you would undertake to soften +down his manners: he is really worth your trouble, my dear girl.” +</p> +<p>The young lady simpered, half blushed, expressed her doubt of having any influence +<span class="pageNum" id="pb136">[<a href="#pb136">136</a>]</span>over Mr. Frederick, who was, indeed, a fine manly boy. There was nothing she could +refuse to dear Mrs. Penryn and her guardian, and she would certainly endeavour to +please Frederick, that she might refine his manners a little.<span id="xd32e1187"></span> +</p> +<p>“Well, begin then, my dear girl, and fix upon a tasty dress for the boy. I know Fred +will be pleased when it is done. I intend Samboe to be his constant attendant: he +is to sleep in the little anti-room, to be ever at hand to attend Frederick’s pleasure; +and, in short, he is to do what he pleases respecting him. Mr. Penryn says he will +have hundreds under his power when he goes to Jamaica.” +</p> +<p>This reference to the taste of Lavinia, was the dictate of policy; for she was recently +become a ward of Mr. Penryn, was an orphan of immense property, and only a few years +older than Frederick. The prudent Mr. and Mrs. Penryn were very desirous to favour +an attachment between them; and Mrs. Penryn was directed, by her husband, to seek +every opportunity of doing so. +<span class="pageNum" id="pb137">[<a href="#pb137">137</a>]</span></p> +<p>The young lady was of that negative character, so often met with amongst those who, +in large boarding-schools, lose every discriminating trait in the general application +of certain rules and certain pursuits. Dress, admiration, and gaiety, alone had power +to animate her pretty features; from which, however, no intellectual ray ever beamed. +She was highly flattered by the desire of Mrs. Penryn to exercise her taste in the +choice of a dress for Samboe. That choice could not be difficult, for one who had +so frequently seen the variety of costume exhibited on the stage; and as vanity, ostentation, +and singularity, not congruity, were to dictate the choice, it was soon fixed, as +the young lady thought, of that elegant form and expensive material, which could not +fail to please the young planter; and it must be owned, that when, a few days subsequent, +Samboe made his appearance in the elegant costume of Persia, that he exhibited a very +fair specimen of juvenile negro beauty. The blue and silver vest and caftan, the full +girdle, the capacious trowsers, and the perfectly white <span class="pageNum" id="pb138">[<a href="#pb138">138</a>]</span>turban, with its golden cord and sparkling gems, contrasted well with his sable skin +and slender form; giving a lightness to his air, which even the pressure of slavery +was not able materially to injure. +</p> +<p>Lavinia’s taste was loudly applauded; and even Frederick condescended to say the boy +looked something like what he ought to do. But poor Samboe, like many a <i>white</i> boy and girl, felt the misery of fine clothes, being continually reminded that he +must not do this, he must not lie there, lest he should soil his dress. +</p> +<p>His young master would never suffer him out of his sight: not that he cared a button +for him or his clothes, but because he could not allow of any cessation in tormenting +a poor being over whom he had full controul; and he was continually racking his invention, +to devise some new species of torment and teasing. With a mean species of jealousy, +as soon as he found Frank the stable-boy was the only kind being who regarded the +poor black boy as a fellow-creature, he interdicted Samboe from ever going into the +<span class="pageNum" id="pb139">[<a href="#pb139">139</a>]</span>stable, or from speaking to his good-tempered friend. +</p> +<p>This was a cruel stroke to poor Samboe, thus to deprive him of the only portion of +comfort in his bitter draught of slavery. His mind was in danger of becoming callous +from oppression, and in proportion to the degradation he was subjected to. He had +no motive for action, but the dread of punishment. Without voluntary agency, a mere +passive instrument in the hands of others, his mind would assuredly have become irrecoverably +contracted, and the powers of soul even destroyed, had not the very tyranny and caprice +which were producing these lamentable results, transferred the suffering boy to the +benevolent care of Captain Tremayne, and his young nephew, Charles Roslyn. (See “<i>Twilight Hours improved</i>.”) +</p> +<p>Become the property of the latter by the hasty gift of Frederick, how different was +the lot of Samboe, from a state of cruel coercion, of degrading slavery, which was +daily debasing every manly sentiment! +<span class="pageNum" id="pb140">[<a href="#pb140">140</a>]</span></p> +<div class="lgouter"> +<p class="line">“When, to deep sadness sullenly resign’d, +</p> +<p class="line">He feels his body’s bondage in his mind, +</p> +<p class="line">Put off his generous nature, and to suit +</p> +<p class="line">His manners with his fate, put on the brute.”</p> +</div> +<p class="first">Such, indeed, is slavery most justly termed, “the grave of virtue.” Under its cold +and ungenial influence, every generous, every warm emotion must languish and die. +Through the gloom which envelopes the soul subjected to its dark power, no ray of +intellect, no beam of joy, no sun of cheerfulness can pierce. And yet man, inconsistent +man, while condemning his fellow-being to this soul-paralyzing state, expects from +the poor victims qualities and virtues only to be planted in the soil, only to be +nourished by the sun, of liberty—of Christian liberty, of Christian charity: +</p> +<div class="lgouter"> +<p class="line">“For slaves by truth enlarg’d are doubly freed.”</p> +</div> +<p><span class="pageNum" id="pb141">[<a href="#pb141">141</a>]</span></p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="ch11" class="div1 chapter"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#ch11.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h2 class="main">Chapter <span class="corr" id="xd32e1225" title="Source: X">XI</span>.</h2> +<div class="epigraph"> +<div class="lgouter"> +<p class="line">“Thy lips have shed instruction as the dew, +</p> +<p class="line">Taught me what path to shun, and what pursue. +</p> +<p class="line">Farewell my former joys! I sigh no more +</p> +<p class="line">For Africa’s once-lov’d, benighted shore: +</p> +<p class="line">Serving a benefactor, I am free, +</p> +<p class="line">At my best home, if not exil’d from thee.”</p> +</div> +</div> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">Samboe, placed with the respectable Mr. Llwellin, made rapid progress in reading and +writing, and in the elements of general knowledge. His quickness gained the entire +attention of his preceptor; while these was a charm and freshness in all he said, +which could only be derived from quick perceptions and a warm heart—a buoyancy of +fancy and a fervid feeling, which won the affections of all those who had to instruct +him. With the deepest attention he would listen to Mr. Llwellin, as in a simple and +impressive manner he explained to him the general principles of religion, the nature +and <span class="pageNum" id="pb142">[<a href="#pb142">142</a>]</span>duty of worshipping God, the creation of man, his fall from virtue and happiness, +and the promised restoration through the merits of the Redeemer. It is a mistake that +these subjects are beyond the comprehension, and excite no interest in the hearts +of children. Practical devotion and the Christian duties, have a forcible influence +on the ductile minds and unsophisticated hearts of the young. Hence the transition +of instruction is easy, and perfectly understood by them, from the duty and privilege +of prayer and praise, to the truth that we are unable to do either, or even to think +what is right, without superior guidance and continual aid. The conviction of this +at once gives an object and a fervency to prayer; and he who prays fervently and believing, +however young he may be, will not be unheeded when thus imploring the divine aid. +</p> +<p>It was the invariable custom of Mr. Llwellin to assemble his family in the evening. +He then read a portion of the Holy Scriptures, and explained them with admirable simplicity +and pathos to his little auditory. <span class="pageNum" id="pb143">[<a href="#pb143">143</a>]</span>It was now that the prayers Samboe had said, as it were mechanically, were now repeated +with an earnestness which fully indicated that they were not merely the offering of +the lips; and so much did he profit by the pious instructions, example, and care of +Mr. Llwellin, that he was admitted into the Christian church by baptism; but, at the +request of his young protector, retaining his former name as his usual appellation +although he received, at the font, that of Henry. +</p> +<p>So anxious was this interesting youth to attain all useful knowledge, that he was +always the first at his scholastic duties; and when dismissed from them, after a little +recreation, enjoyed with all the zest of health and youth, he would occupy his time +in religious reading and study, drawing, and little mechanical works; equally proving +his strength of intellect and his active ingenuity. Though his temper was frequently +severely tried by the taunts and ridicule of the boys, he never betrayed anger or +resentment: he disarmed them by his humility, patience, and <span class="pageNum" id="pb144">[<a href="#pb144">144</a>]</span>meekness; so that scoffers he converted into friends. He was lively in his disposition, +but taciturn from thought, except when with his teachers; when he seemed to expand +every faculty of his mind to receive their instructions, while any accession of knowledge +caused his naturally brilliant eyes to beam with added intelligence and delight. +</p> +<p>With all these qualities of mind and heart, it is not surprising that Samboe was a +universal favourite; and unfeigned, indeed, was his joy, when he was permitted to +write to his dear massa Charles, whom he never named without his eyes filling with +tears of grateful affection. “Oh!” he would say, “my dear massa, I shall never forget +his goodness.” Years passed on in this progressive improvement, during which a regular +correspondence was kept up between Charles Roslyn and his protegé, when an incident +occurred which opened a field for the exercise of those attainments it had been the +laudable and unremitted study of Samboe to acquire. +</p> +<p>Colonel Roslyn was entertaining a party <span class="pageNum" id="pb145">[<a href="#pb145">145</a>]</span>of gentlemen, among whom were admiral Herbert and his nephew Fitzhugh. Charles Roslyn +was the favourite midshipman of the admiral, and the conversation turned upon the +topic of the day; namely, the slave-trade, and the probabilities of its abolition, +as well as the capacity of the negroes to profit by their freedom. Many were the arguments +adduced for and against; and Colonel Roslyn was naturally led to relate the circumstances +of Samboe’s becoming Charles’s protegé, and the high reward they had experienced in +the sweet disposition, high intellectual capacity, moral worth, and genuine religious +principles of the young negro. “I have the sincerest pleasure,” observed Colonel Roslyn, +“in stating this individual instance of the moral and intellectual worth of an African, +of which, doubtless, there are many similar instances, where instruction and kindness +have elicited and fostered the qualities of the mind and heart. But we all remember +the period, my friends, when the African’s claim to the character <span class="pageNum" id="pb146">[<a href="#pb146">146</a>]</span>and privileges of man was even disputed—when they were considered as somewhat of a +superior species of ourang outang<a class="noteRef" id="xd32e1255src" href="#xd32e1255">1</a>. This false and inhuman estimate, succeeding years have disproved. It has been in +numberless instances shown that they are not only men, but capable of becoming intelligent +and virtuous men; and not only virtuous men, but pious, unaffected, sincere Christians. +I am not, however,” continued the colonel, “an advocate for giving personal liberty +to numbers of men, unless, at the same time, I impart the principles of religion and +the arts of civil life. It is only by giving freedom to the soul, and by encouraging +the virtuous energies of man, that we can make him capable of properly appreciating +the blessing of liberty, and preserve him from becoming a pest to society, instead +of a useful member of it. Without these correcting and restraining principles, liberty +would soon degenerate into licentiousness, and the possession <span class="pageNum" id="pb147">[<a href="#pb147">147</a>]</span>of power be exercised in deeds of violence.” +</p> +<p>“I entirely agree with you, colonel,” observed the admiral; “and therefore be so good +as to pledge me in a glass of that excellent claret, when I offer my sentiment: ‘Let +the empire of Britain be the empire of mercy; and let no shore re-echo with the thunder +of her power, but which shall also smile under the blessing of her beneficence.’ ” +This sentiment of the admiral’s was warmly received. During this conversation, a young +man at the lower end of the table appeared deeply interested in it. His animated and +penetrating countenance drew the attention of Colonel Roslyn, and he expressed his +pleasure, in observing to the admiral, that an interest for the enslaved Africans +seemed to animate his young relative; for it was Fitzhugh, whose whole soul seemed +engaged in the subject. +</p> +<p>“Yes, indeed,” observed the admiral, “Fitzhugh is a very enthusiast in the cause, +and I love him the better for it: it is honourable to his feelings, and to those generous +sentiments <span class="pageNum" id="pb148">[<a href="#pb148">148</a>]</span>which ought to pervade the heart, and direct the conduct of a British officer. Have +you not heard that he has obtained a very responsible and active appointment in the +new settlement of Sierra Leone, and that, in a short time, he will sail for Africa? +I doubt not his conscientious attention to the duties devolving upon him, nor do I +think the directors could have made a more judicious choice; for, young as he is, +his firmness of principle, his rectitude in action, his genuine feeling, and his cultivated +mind, render him peculiarly eligible to attend to the duties, and to surmount the +difficulties of an infant colony. He will form one of the council, which will be sent +from England, for the government of the colony. This council is particularly instructed +to secure to all negroes and people of colour, equal rights, and equal treatment, +in every respect, as the whites. They are to be tried by jury, as the whites, and +every facility given to them to exercise their peculiar talents; employments being +allotted them according to their progressive capacity of discharging them. They are +<span class="pageNum" id="pb149">[<a href="#pb149">149</a>]</span>especially, to be instructed in the principles of religion and morals. Public worship +and the reverent observation of the sabbath, the general instruction of the adults +and the judicious education of the children, are the means to be used to draw this +now wretched race of men from the night of ignorance to the glorious light of divine +and temporal knowledge. In fact, the grand object of the Sierra Leone Company is to +substitute, for that disgraceful traffic which has too long subsisted, a fair and +legitimate commerce with Africa, and all the blessings which may be expected from +it.” +</p> +<p>“I thank you, admiral, for this account,” replied Colonel Roslyn, “and pray, with +all my heart, that the benevolent exertions of the Company may be crowned with final +success; and I believe I may assure you, that such is also the prayer of every individual +of the present company.” +</p> +<p>“Fitzhugh,” said the admiral, “I have been telling Colonel Roslyn that you are an +enthusiast for the abolition of the slave-trade<span class="pageNum" id="pb150">[<a href="#pb150">150</a>]</span>—that it is your dream by night, and your stimulus by day.” +</p> +<p>“If, my dear Sir, an ardent desire to use my individual influence and exertions to +remove from my country such a stain upon its humanity; if as ardently to desire an +amelioration of the wretched state of the African; if to cherish and to bring into +action all those charities which distinguish reasoning man from instinctive brutes: +if to be all this constitutes an enthusiast, then do I, indeed, plead guilty to the +charge of enthusiasm. Nor am I likely to become less so<span class="corr" id="xd32e1275" title="Source: ;">:</span> on the contrary, the intelligence I have just received from my young friends here, +(directing his eyes to Alfred, and Charles Roslyn, who sat near him,) has confirmed +me in the assurance, that we have every thing to hope from the judicious and liberal +plan, of the Company to which I have now the honour to be attached; and which has +so highly flattered me, by appointing me, in conjunction with others, to carry into +effect their beneficent purposes. But you know, my dear Sir, my deep abhorrence of +slavery <span class="pageNum" id="pb151">[<a href="#pb151">151</a>]</span>is derived from the practical display of its cruelties; as well as from a deep reflection +on its moral turpitude, its impolicy, and its inconsistency with the boasted honour +and religious code of my country. Let those who question the feasibility of the plan +of civilization and emancipation, visit, as I have done, the colonies, (more especially +the Spanish colonies and the Portuguese dominions in South America,) where the inhuman +traffic of slaves is carried to the greatest possible extent, forming the immediate +and private revenue of the crown; let them be but faintly impressed with the horrors +that constantly there occur, and I scruple not to say, if they fail to enter their +protest against a system so barbarous, they deserve not the name of men, and make +their religion but an impious mockery. +</p> +<p>“A myriad of instances might be adduced, to bear me out in my assertions. The labour, +of whatever nature it may be, or however laborious, is performed by slaves, and seldom +more than six negroes appointed to remove the heaviest burdens. I have, for <span class="pageNum" id="pb152">[<a href="#pb152">152</a>]</span>instance, seen at Rio de Janeiro, four only, groaning under a pipe of wine, which +they have had to remove through the city. Many of these poor creatures are bred to +trades, and are sent out daily or weekly, with peremptory orders to bring home a certain +sum, at the expiration of the agreed time. What they can earn over, they have to themselves; +but they are always so highly rated, that it is with the greatest difficulty they +can raise the sum nominated; and, in case of defalcation, it is attributed to indolence +or laziness, which subjects the unhappy victim to punishment. An awful instance of +the despair produced by cruelty and oppression, occurred during my residence at Rio. +A barbarous and remorseless wretch had a few slaves, whom he used to send out upon +the plan I have named, subjected to the penalty of a severe flogging, if they did +not, within a prescribed time, earn the sum required and their food. One of these +men was a hair-dresser: he used to attend me very regularly, and always was quiet, +industrious, <span class="pageNum" id="pb153">[<a href="#pb153">153</a>]</span>and even active, to promote his master’s interest. +</p> +<p>“After a little time, however, I observed him to be gloomy and melancholy. I asked +him the reason for the change, and was informed that he had been unsuccessful, and +could not render to his master the sum required; and that he had little hopes of being +able to raise it, consequently was liable to punishment, I gave him something towards +it, but, being obliged to be absent a few weeks, knew not the result until I returned; +when I was informed, that, as the time approached when he was to render his account, +he became greatly distressed, and despaired of accomplishing his engagement. He went, +however, in great distress, and tendered what he had gained; assuring his master he +had used every exertion to obtain the specific sum, and imploring from him a remission +of punishment, or a suspension, at least, for a few days. This was at length granted +him, but with horrid threats of many additional stripes in case of failure. The time +fast approached when he must return, <span class="pageNum" id="pb154">[<a href="#pb154">154</a>]</span>and he was still deficient. He reached the door of his master’s house, when, in despair +of being forgiven, and dreading the ordeal he had to undergo, he took from his pocket +a razor, and, with a desperate violence, nearly severed his head from his body. This +horrid deed had no other effect upon his inhuman master, than to increase his severity +towards his other slaves, on whom he imposed heavier burdens, to recompence him for +the loss sustained by the death of the miserable suicide<a class="noteRef" id="xd32e1290src" href="#xd32e1290">2</a>. +</p> +<p>“It is a usual practice,” continued Fitzhugh, “when slaves become desperately ill, +for their masters to disown them, and turn them into the streets, to evade the expences +of their funeral; and, thus abandoned and exposed, their miserable existence is soon +terminated. I have to apologize for trespassing upon your attention so long, gentlemen,” +observed this intelligent young man; “but I have only recounted one of a thousand +instances which have come under <span class="pageNum" id="pb155">[<a href="#pb155">155</a>]</span>my own observation, of the barbarous abuses of power exercised over the miserable +captives.” +</p> +<p>The party expressed their obligation to Fitzhugh, for the relation he had given them, +and their united hope, that every effort made use of, to ameliorate the situation +of the already enslaved, and to check the inhuman traffic for the future, might be +crowned with success; all agreeing, that every exertion that England makes to stop +the bleeding wounds of Africa, will cause her to rise in her national character more +resplendent, and must meet the approbation of every good, and what may be justly called +great men, at home and abroad, and, above all, the approbation that of God who holds +in his hands the destiny of nations<a class="noteRef" id="xd32e1299src" href="#xd32e1299">3</a>. +</p> +<p>“Have I not heard you, Fitzhugh,” enquired the admiral, “express a wish that you could +meet in England with two or three intelligent negroes, who would be willing <span class="pageNum" id="pb156">[<a href="#pb156">156</a>]</span>to enter into engagements with the Company, as instructors to the children, and whose +habits of civilization might give them an influence over their countrymen without +exciting any jealousies?” +</p> +<p>“You have, dear Sir,” replied Fitzhugh; “and from what I have learned of the mental +and moral qualities of my young friend’s protegé, I am anxious for their permission +to visit Aberystwith, in order to enquire if he has any objection to accompany me +to Africa. A few such young men as he is described to be, would do more to effect +our plans, than any other mode I can think of; and as he has not yet made any choice +of a profession, I should feel myself most grateful to Colonel Roslyn and his friends, +if they will second and sanction my application to the youth, who owes so much to +their benevolent kindness.” +</p> +<p>Colonel Roslyn said, “Call upon us tomorrow morning, my dear Sir, and myself and sons +will be happy to co-operate, as far as in our power, in your philanthropic exertions.” +<span class="pageNum" id="pb157">[<a href="#pb157">157</a>]</span></p> +<p>This being cheerfully accepted, the conversation took a general turn, until the party +broke up. +</p> +</div> +<div class="footnotes"> +<hr class="fnsep"> +<div class="footnote-body"> +<div class="fndiv" id="xd32e1255"> +<p class="footnote"><span class="fnlabel"><a class="noteRef" href="#xd32e1255src">1</a></span> See Mr. Wilberforce’s speech, at a meeting of the Church Missionary Society, 1822. <a class="fnarrow" href="#xd32e1255src" title="Return to note 1 in text.">↑</a></p> +</div> +<div class="fndiv" id="xd32e1290"> +<p class="footnote"><span class="fnlabel"><a class="noteRef" href="#xd32e1290src">2</a></span> See Shillibur’s Voyage. <a class="fnarrow" href="#xd32e1290src" title="Return to note 2 in text.">↑</a></p> +</div> +<div class="fndiv" id="xd32e1299"> +<p class="footnote"><span class="fnlabel"><a class="noteRef" href="#xd32e1299src">3</a></span> See Cohen’s Letter to Governor Macarthy, African Report, 1822. <a class="fnarrow" href="#xd32e1299src" title="Return to note 3 in text.">↑</a></p> +</div> +</div> +</div> +</div> +<div id="ch12" class="div1 last-child chapter"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#ch12.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h2 class="main">Chapter <span class="corr" id="xd32e1315" title="Source: XI">XII.</span></h2> +<div class="epigraph"> +<div class="lgouter"> +<div class="lg"> +<p class="line">* * * “My heart surpris’d, o’erflows +</p> +<p class="line">With filial fondness for the land you bless.” +</p> +</div> +<div class="lg"> +<p class="line xd32e1323">“Theirs the triumph be, +</p> +<p class="line">Instead of treasure, robb’d by ruffian war, +</p> +<p class="line">Round social earth to circle fair exchange, +</p> +<p class="line">And bind the nations in a golden chain. +</p> +<p class="line">To these I honour’d stoop.”</p> +</div> +</div> +</div> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">Fitzhugh was punctual to his appointment at Colonel Roslyn’s; and after an interesting +conversation, and the perusal of a number of Samboe’s letters to his protector Charles +Roslyn, it was agreed that Fitzhugh and Alfred Roslyn should proceed to Wales, in +order to ascertain the sentiments of Samboe <span class="pageNum" id="pb158">[<a href="#pb158">158</a>]</span>upon his projected removal, respecting which, his own unbiassed choice was to be consulted. +The intended visit of the young men was to be announced by letter to Captain Tremayne; +and, as Fitzhugh possessed all the ardour, promptitude, and zeal of a Clarkson, in +the cause of humanity, the letter was immediately written, and an early day fixed +for the journey. In the correspondence of Charles and his protegé, the interesting +debates in the English senate, respecting the slave-trade, frequently formed a part; +and Samboe had even so far expressed his sentiments upon the subject, that, when the +colony of Sierra Leone was first formed, he regretted that his youth, and the mediocrity +of his attainments, would oblige him to forego all hope of being useful to his poor +benighted countrymen; and he had very sensibly felt disappointment at the ill success +of the first establishment: an ill success which sufficiently proved the truth of +the observation, that, “if the restraints of slavery be removed, without corresponding +culture of the mind and heart, <span class="pageNum" id="pb159">[<a href="#pb159">159</a>]</span>the mere enjoyment of temporal benefits will not make the man either grateful or happy.” +</p> +<p>Charles Roslyn greatly regretted that the hourly-expected departure of his ship, precluded +him from the pleasure of accompanying his brother and Fitzhugh to Aberystwith. Having +taken leave of him, and bearing his good wishes and tender remembrances to his kind +relatives and his affectionate Samboe, the travellers commenced their journey, early +in a lovely June morning, when every scene they passed, manifested the riches and +the bounty, the wisdom and beneficence of the Creator. The meeting was what might +be expected from refined feeling, generous ardour, and virtuous exertion, on the one +side; and grateful respect, modest worth, and conscious ability, chastened by the +most engaging humility, on the other. Tears of unfeigned joy and gratitude started +into the eyes of Samboe, as he heard Mr. Llwellin assure Fitzhugh, he had no hesitation +in saying, that if Samboe acceded to his proposal of accompanying him to Africa, he +would be found a valuable coadjutor in the <span class="pageNum" id="pb160">[<a href="#pb160">160</a>]</span>projected work of mercy: “For he is,” continued the good old man, “not only fully +capable of imparting the elements of general knowledge, but has a happy and peculiar +manner of instructing others in those divine truths by which he regulates every action +of his own life. Nor do I think you would easily find a more fit instrument among +us, for promoting the great ends of civilization, and the moral and religious instruction +of his countrymen. I make no scruple in paying this just tribute to the character +and abilities of my dear pupil, in his presence, because he well knows they are so +much my genuine sentiments, that I have advised his directing his attention to the +instruction of others; and Providence seems manifestly to favour the suggestion, by +the present offer enabling him to put it in practice. May his now benighted and ill-fated +countrymen become more and more sensible of the extensive blessings preparing for +them; and may my dear and docile pupil, Samboe, be one of the favoured instruments +of Heaven, (assisted by the Spirit of grace,) to diffuse the light, to communicate +the <span class="pageNum" id="pb161">[<a href="#pb161">161</a>]</span>blessings of religion, and to lead the now idolatrous African to rejoice in the high +privilege of communion by prayer and praise with the great Creator and compassionate +Saviour; all distinctions of colour and country being lost, in that generous sympathy +which should flow from the relation which all bear to that Saviour who died for the +redemption of all men<a class="noteRef" id="xd32e1341src" href="#xd32e1341">1</a>.” +</p> +<p>There was such a heartfelt earnestness, such an affecting energy, such genuine piety, +in the voice and manner of the good Llwellin, while he uttered his philanthropic wishes, +that it made a forcible impression upon his young auditors. Tears of respect, gratitude, +affection, and hope, filled the eyes of Samboe. The intenseness and contrariety of +his feelings became painful; and, unable longer to restrain their expression, he threw +himself at the feet of his venerable instructor, and sobbed aloud, uttering broken +sentences of obligation; and when a little composed, earnestly praying that God, the +<span class="pageNum" id="pb162">[<a href="#pb162">162</a>]</span>Almighty God, would enable him to assist in the realization of all the generous plans +of his future employers; and so to act in every situation of life, as to do honour +to the precepts of his dear instructor, and to gladden his aged heart, with the knowledge +that those precepts had not been given in vain. +</p> +<p>Encouraged to self-confidence by the unequivocal approbation of his revered friend, +Samboe hesitated not in his <span class="corr" id="xd32e1350" title="Source: determition">determination</span> of accompanying Fitzhugh in his important mission; and a few days subsequent to the +interview we have related, was fixed for the departure from a spot, endeared to the +affectionate heart of the African by many a tender tie, many an affecting remembrance. +Parting moments are painful to experience, and are so fraught with emotion, that they +admit not of correct description; it must, therefore, suffice to say, that after a +general adieu, and loaded with many a token of affection and good will, cheered by +many a blessing, and fortified with many a prayer from those who loved him, Samboe +quitted <span class="pageNum" id="pb163">[<a href="#pb163">163</a>]</span>Aberystwith with Fitzhugh and Alfred Roslyn. The intelligence, as well as simplicity +of his remarks, upon the different objects which engaged his attention during the +journey, rendered it peculiarly interesting to his companions. He was equally delighted +with the various objects of curiosity and interest which London presented, and particularly +with any thing which enlarged his views of any branch of knowledge he had acquired, +or which promised to assist him in his future exertions to benefit his country. Fitzhugh +found in him, a companion who entered with ardour and untired zeal into every plan +his fertile benevolence devised, and determined to retain him under his own immediate +care and inspection. Every day increased his confidence in the abilities and integrity +of his companion; and every succeeding day more strongly proved that they were built +upon a basis, which ensured their permanence and stability; even that of a rational, +a deep, a vital piety. +</p> +<p>The period of sailing approached; and happy in the exercise of the best feelings of +<span class="pageNum" id="pb164">[<a href="#pb164">164</a>]</span>humanity, and the highest energies of mind, Samboe believed nothing could add to his +felicity, when an incident occurred which called forth all his gratitude to the Being +who showered his blessings upon him. He accompanied Fitzhugh to the house of a gentleman +who was ardent in the cause of the Africans, and who freely lent the resources of +an ample fortune to further every beneficent plan, although habitual ill health precluded +him from all active exertions. On the arrival of the friends, this gentleman was just +mounting his horse for a morning airing. Seeing, however, Fitzhugh and his companion +advance, he ordered the groom to lead his horse back to the stable, until his visitors +left him, and he then entreated Fitzhugh to enter. While this was passing, a mutual +look of surprise and recognition passed between Samboe and the groom, but nothing +further: the man leading the horse away, and Samboe following Fitzhugh into the house. +</p> +<p>After some conversation relative to the approaching voyage, Mr. Courtney said: <span class="pageNum" id="pb165">[<a href="#pb165">165</a>]</span>“Well, Fitzhugh, you have inspired many an honest heart with the same glowing philanthropy +which animates your own; and, amongst the number, my excellent boy, Frank Wilson. +He is determined, if you will permit him, to accompany you to Africa.” “Permit him, +my good Sir? I shall be happy to have in my service, a young man who does honour to +his rank of life, and whose severely tried principles have resisted many attacks: +his ingenuity too, and industrious habits, will make him essentially useful. But how +can you part from him, or how will Frank bear to be separated from his revered benefactor?” +</p> +<p>“Oh, I believe we have not thought of ourselves,” replied Mr. Courtney, good humouredly: +“all is settled between us, provided you did not object. Will you permit me to ring +for him?” “Most willingly,” said Fitzhugh. +</p> +<p>During this short conversation, the emotion of the grateful Samboe was powerful. The +features of the young man holding Mr. Courtney’s horse, were familiar to him: <span class="pageNum" id="pb166">[<a href="#pb166">166</a>]</span>he had marked the glance of recognition, and the name confirmed the vague hope he +had formed, that, in this young man, of whose character he had just heard so high +an eulogium, he had seen the first kind friend he had known in England: he who had +lightened his troubles, and cheered his oppressed spirit; and this friend, this generous +hearted youth, was going to Africa, and was to be in the service of his valuable friend, +Fitzhugh; and they were all animated with the same spirit. How delightful the thought! +how transcendently kind the Almighty Disposer! +</p> +<p>While these thoughts were rapidly passing the mind of Samboe, Frank Wilson appeared; +and it would be hard to decide which of the party was most gratified by the disclosure +of the two friends, who in each other’s arms were not ashamed to weep. +</p> +<p>Frank immediately entered upon his new duties; and every thing having been benevolently +and equitably settled by the directors to ensure the comfort and advantage of the +colony, the ships sailed for their destination. <span class="pageNum" id="pb167">[<a href="#pb167">167</a>]</span>It is not necessary to detail the circumstances of the voyage, or to attempt to describe +the emotions of the young African, when he landed on his native shores. +</p> +<p>Every individual possessing a manly mind and virtuous soul, is patriotic: he rejoices +in the weal, he mourns in the miseries of his country. Samboe possessed a manly mind +and a virtuous soul. He was a patriot, and shrunk not from its high responsibilities. +We detail not his individual exertions; it will be sufficient to say, that he took +an ample share with his companions in the good work; that every thing had been so +judiciously arranged; that the conduct of the servants of the Company was marked with +such propriety, being sober, moral, and exemplary, in the discharge of their respective +duties; that the efforts and zeal of the clergymen were attended with the happiest +effects; that, before the expiration of two years from the settlement of the colony, +order and industry exhibited their benign fruits in a growing prosperity. The fame +of the colony not only spread along the whole western <span class="pageNum" id="pb168">[<a href="#pb168">168</a>]</span>coast, but penetrated into the remotest interior: embassies were sent by far distant +monarchs; and the native chiefs, with a pleasing and entire confidence, sent their +children to the colony, to be instructed in reading, writing, and accounts, and to +be initiated in the Christian religion. In fact, there was every reasonable ground +for hope, that the joyful period was advancing, when, by the blessing of Heaven upon +the endeavours used, the continent of Africa would be rescued from the darkness that +obscured her, and would exhibit the soul-cheering scene of light and knowledge, of +civilization and order, of peaceful industry and domestic comfort. But these anticipations +were destroyed by the treachery and faithlessness of a government, which professed +to hold the rights of man as sacred. We shall give a cursory narrative of this event, +as extracted from a letter of Fitzhugh to his friends in England. (<a href="#note.s"><i>Note</i> <span class="sc">S</span></a>.) +</p> +<p>“I have distressing news to communicate, but we do not despond. The French have appeared +with an armed force before our <span class="pageNum" id="pb169">[<a href="#pb169">169</a>]</span>neat and rising town, upon which they have pointed their guns. It was not until they +had done this that we perceived they were enemies; for they had English-built vessels, +rigged in the English mode, displayed the English flag, and had all the sailors, which +appeared on deck, dressed like English sailors. Thus treacherously did they approach +our peaceful colony. Conscious we had no strength to resist, the governor directed +a flag of truce to be hoisted. Yet, after this order was executed, the French continued +to fire on the town, doing much damage, and killing several persons. +</p> +<p>“Terrified at the suddenness of the attack, and conscious they possessed no power +of resistance, the alarmed inhabitants fled to the woods, with such of their property +as the confusion and limited time would allow. When the enemy landed, therefore, they +found the town almost destitute of inhabitants, but rich in stores and clothing. +</p> +<p>“Plunder was the order of the day; and what they did not want, they destroyed, burnt, +or threw into the river. They also <span class="pageNum" id="pb170">[<a href="#pb170">170</a>]</span>killed all the cattle and animals, not sparing even the dogs or cats. +</p> +<p>“During a week this work of devastation continued; and when they found nothing more +to plunder, they set fire to the public buildings, and all the houses belonging to +the Europeans; entirely ruining the beautiful and prospering colony, and leaving the +colonists in the most deplorable state of destitution; without provisions, medicines, +clothing, houses, or furniture. Sickness soon followed these privations, and many +have died for want of proper food, and exposure in the woods. +</p> +<p>“When you read the above hurried account of our misfortune, you will scarcely believe +that these wanton cruelties have been perpetrated by individuals of a nation, whose +Convention boasted of spreading ‘light and liberty through the world.’ Alas! that +light is the blaze of anarchy, that liberty the most daring and gross licentiousness! +</p> +<p>“Sierra Leone colony was established for the godlike purpose of abolishing the slave-trade; +to enlighten the Africans; to render <span class="pageNum" id="pb171">[<a href="#pb171">171</a>]</span>them virtuous, rational, free, and happy; and yet these powerful advocates and patrons +of the rights of man, could wantonly destroy, in its healthful infancy, a settlement +in which those rights were peculiarly studied and held sacred. ‘By their fruits ye +shall know them.’ +</p> +<p>“But it will yet, like the phoenix, arise from its ashes. It was formed to promote +the cause of justice, mercy, and religion; a cause which possesses, in itself, the +principle of re-animation—an ever-renewing means of rallying its resources, overborne, +for a time, by a base treachery and unmanly violence. +</p> +<p>“My faithful Samboe, and no less faithful Frank, have been like ministering angels +to the distressed, in this season of calamity. ‘My poor country,’ said Samboe, ‘and +my generous friends, <span id="xd32e1402"></span>what a sad reverse is here! But though grieved,’ he added, ‘I am not in despair; for +has not the Almighty said, (He in whom is no variableness nor shadow of turning,) +‘I will never leave nor forsake those who trust in me. Commit thy way unto the Lord, +and he shall bring it to <span class="pageNum" id="pb172">[<a href="#pb172">172</a>]</span>pass.’ I cannot conclude my letter better, than by assuring my dear ——, that such +is the trust and confidence we all repose in the Being, who out of evil still educes +good.” +</p> +<p>Now, to resume and conclude our narrative, we have but to say we may speak of these +difficulties in the past tense; they no longer, praised be the great Disposer of Events, +they no longer are experienced at Sierra Leone; but have vanished, gradually, before +the enlightened policy of the superintendants, and the mild influence of Christian +doctrine. The enjoyments of the present life, the bright hopes of a future state, +are now communicated to thousands of our fellow-creatures, formerly in a state of +mental and moral darkness, and obnoxious to the most frightful miseries, victims of +the basest passions, subjects of the most alarming fears. +</p> +<p>Justice, mercy, and courageous perseverance, are now reaping their high temporal reward; +and the blessing of the Almighty upon patient continuance in well-doing, enables England +to boast that she has overcome <span class="pageNum" id="pb173">[<a href="#pb173">173</a>]</span>the most inveterate prejudices, the most firmly-established interests, built upon +the basest passions; and this by the simple power of experiment, and the eloquence +of truth. +</p> +<p>Sierra Leone, where this experiment has been made, now presents itself as a medium +of civilization for Africa. “And in this point of view, (it has been most justly observed,) +is worth all the treasure that has been expended upon it; for the slave-trade, which +was the great obstacle to this civilization, being now happily abolished by the universal +voice of England, there is now a populous metropolis, from which may issue the seeds +of reformation to this injured continent, and which, when sown, may now, watered by +the genial dews of heaven, be expected to grow into fruit, without check or blight. +New schools may be transplanted from thence into the interior; teachers and travellers +be sent from thence in various directions; the natives resort in safety to it from +distant parts, mark the improvements, witness the comforts, taste the enjoyments, +<span class="pageNum" id="pb174">[<a href="#pb174">174</a>]</span>and feel the protection of it. Hence will mistrust give way to confidence, emulation +will be raised, imitation be encouraged, a desire of instruction be excited, and the +predatory ignorant savage be gradually moulded into the useful citizen and the rational +man. +</p> +<p>Let then each English heart rejoice, that the moral stain, so long apparent on our +statutes, so long exhibited in our national character, is now erased from the one, +and expunged from the other; that the impious doctrine so long contended for, that +the law of force was justifiable under certain circumstances, is now banished from +the deliberations of our senate; and man, whatever his country, whatever his colour, +is restored to his moral rights. Let us rejoice that we have not only been the advocates +of the oppressed—have triumphed by perseverance and constancy over the oppressor; +but that England has become the favoured and glorious instrument of a God of mercy, +to make his light to shine upon those who sat in darkness and the shadow of death. +May every nation, feeling the blessing of that light, <span class="pageNum" id="pb175">[<a href="#pb175">175</a>]</span>which is upheld by that mercy, follow the example of our favoured isle! May the rich +stream of mercy flow, and diffuse throughout far-distant lands its fertilizing influences! +May the spirit of a Wilberforce and a Clarkson, inspire the breasts of the powerful; +and may the gratitude and the intelligence of Samboe, glow in the heart, and animate +the conduct of every <span class="sc">African</span>! +</p> +</div> +<div class="footnotes"> +<hr class="fnsep"> +<div class="footnote-body"> +<div class="fndiv" id="xd32e1341"> +<p class="footnote"><span class="fnlabel"><a class="noteRef" href="#xd32e1341src">1</a></span> See Discourse of the Bishop of London, before the Society for the Propagation of the +Gospel, October 1817. <a class="fnarrow" href="#xd32e1341src" title="Return to note 1 in text.">↑</a></p> +</div> +</div> +</div> +</div> +</div> +<div class="back"> +<div id="notes" class="div1 notes"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#notes.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h2 class="main">Notes, From authenticated and official Documents.</h2> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<div id="note.a" class="div2 note"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#note.a.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h3 class="main">Note A.</h3> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">The arrival of a slave-ship in any of the rivers, is the signal of civil war and disorder; +the hamlets are burned, and the miserable survivors are carried off, and sold to the +slave-factors. +</p> +<p>In the countries contiguous to Senegal, when slave-ships arrive, armed parties are +sent out to scour the country, and bring in captives to the factors. The wretched +beings are to be found in the morning, bound back to back in the huts; whence they +are conveyed, tied hand and foot, to the slave-ships. These ships set sail in the +night, that the wretched captives may not know the moment when they quit for ever +their native shore, and all the tender ties that endear it. +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="note.b" class="div2 note"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#note.b.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h3 class="main">Note B.</h3> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first"><i>Coosh-coosh</i> is corn beaten in a wooden mortar, and sifted to a coarse flour; it is then put in +an earthen pot pierced like a colander, which is luted to the top of an earthen pot, +in which is boiling water, and sometimes broth, exactly as our steamers are. The rising +steam cures and hardens the flour; and when it is done sufficiently, the broth and cooked flour are mixed, and considered a delicious dish. +</p> +<p><i>Coliloo</i> resembles, and is eaten like spinach. +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="note.c" class="div2 note"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#note.c.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h3 class="main">Note C.</h3> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">Slave-factories are established in almost every native village. The kings of Dahomy +and Whidáh are the most noted for the infamous trade in slaves. It is usual when the +slave-ships lie in the rivers, for a number of canoes to go up the inland: these go +in a fleet, with thirty or forty armed natives in each. Every canoe is also furnished +with a four or six pounder fastened to her bow. Thus equipped they depart, and are +usually absent from eight to fourteen days. It is said they go to fairs held on the +banks of the rivers, and at which there is a regular show of slaves. On their return, +they generally bring down from eight hundred to a thousand of these captives, for +the ships. They lie at the bottom of the canoes, their arms and legs having been bound +with ropes of the country. It has been disclosed, by undoubted evidence, that the +crews of these canoes go up the rivers till they arrive to a certain distance of a +village; they then conceal themselves under the bushes which hang over the water, +until the shades of night, when they enter the village and seize the wretched inhabitants, +men, women, and children, who have no time to escape. +</p> +<p>Nearly three hundred years have the European nations traded with Africa in human flesh, +and encouraged in the negro countries, wars, rapine, desolation, and murder. The annual +exportation of slaves from this quarter of the globe, has exceeded one hundred thousand; numbers of whom are +driven down like sheep, perhaps a thousand miles from the coast, and are generally +inhabitants of villages that have been surrounded in the night by armed force, and +carried off bound in chains, and sold into perpetual bondage. +</p> +<p>A slave-merchant thus wrote to his factor: “You will observe to make a present of +five gallons of rum to the Suma, with the usual compliments on the Company’s behalf; +and to assure him, and other useful persons near you, of the Company’s intentions +to give very great encouragement to trade in those parts, more especially for slaves, +dry goods, elephants’ teeth, wax, cotton, &c. and the Company desire me to inform +you, that they have settled your commission at five shillings a head, for every merchantable +slave, and so in proportion for other articles, in the hope it will encourage you +to dispose of their goods to the best advantage.” +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="note.d" class="div2 note"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#note.d.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h3 class="main">Note D.</h3> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">The following list of African articles, as exhibited to Mr. Pitt and the House of +Lords, by Mr. Clarkson, will illustrate the ingenuity of the Africans, and the possibility +of making its natural productions a branch of lucrative and legitimate commerce. These +articles were contained in a box, formed of four divisions; the first of which was +filled with specimens of woods, polished; amongst them, mahogany of five different +sorts, tulip and satin-wood, cam and bar-wood, fustic, black and yellow ebony, palm-tree, +mangrove, calabash, and date; and also seven species retaining their native names, +<i>viz.</i> tumiah, sarnaim, and jimlalié, each of a beautiful yellow; acajou, a deep crimson; +bask and quellé for cabinet work; and bentin, the wood of which is used for the native +canoes. Various other woods, one of which was a fine purple; and from two others a +strong yellow and deep orange, and also a flesh-colour, could be extracted. The second +division included ivory; and four species of pepper, the long, the black, the Cayenne, +and the Malaguetta: three species of gum, Senegal, copal, and <span class="sic">ruber</span> astringes; cinnamon, rice, tobacco, indigo, white and Nankin cotton, Guinea-corn, +and millet<span class="corr" id="xd32e1458" title="Source: :">;</span> three species of beans, of which two were for food, and the other yielding an orange +dye: two species of tamarinds, one for food, the other to give whiteness to the teeth: +pulse, seeds, and fruits of various sorts; some of the latter of which, Dr. Sparrman +had pronounced, from a trial made during his residence in Africa, to be peculiarly +valuable as drugs. +</p> +<p>The third division contained an African loom, with a spindle and spun cotton round +it; cloths of cotton of various kinds, made by the natives, some white, others dyed, +and others, in which they had interwoven European silk; cloths and bags of grass, +fancifully coloured; ornaments of the same material; ropes made from a species of +aloes, and others, remarkably strong, from grass and straw; fine string made of the +fibres of the roots of trees: soap of two kinds, one of which was formed from an earthy +substance: pipe bowls made of a clay of a brown red, one beautifully ornamented with +black devices, burnt in and highly glazed; another from Galám, made of an earth which +was richly impregnated with little particles of gold. Trinkets made by the natives from their +own gold; knives and daggers formed from bar iron; and various other articles, such +as bags, dagger-sheaths, quivers, gris gris, all of leather, of native manufacture, +dyed of various colours, and ingeniously sewed together. The fourth division contained +the instruments of confinement used on board a slave-ship, to which were added those +of punishment used in the colonies; such as iron collars, manacles, scourges, &c. +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="note.e" class="div2 note"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#note.e.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h3 class="main">(Note E.)</h3> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">Raynal gives the following description of the mode frequently used in conducting the +slaves from the interior: “Slave-merchants collect themselves into companies, and +forming a species of caravans, in the space of two or three hundred leagues, they +conduct several files of thirty or forty slaves, all laden with water, corn, &c. which +are necessary to their subsistence in those barren deserts through which they pass. +</p> +<p>“The manner of securing them without much incommoding their march, is ingeniously +contrived. A fork of wood, of from eight or nine feet long, is put round the neck +of each slave. A pin of iron, rivetted, secures the fork on the back part, in such +a manner that the head cannot disengage itself. The handle of the fork, the wood of +which is very heavy, falls before, and so embarrasses the person who is tied to it, +that, although he hath his arms and legs at liberty, he can neither walk nor lift +up the fork. When they get ready for the march, they range the slaves in a line, and support and tie the extremity of each +fork on the shoulder of the foremost slave, and proceed in this manner from one to +another, till they come to the first, the extremity of whose fork is carried by the +guide. Few restraints are imposed, that are not felt by those who impose them; accordingly, +in order that these traders may enjoy the refreshment of sleep without uneasiness, +they tie the arms of every slave to the tail of the fork which he carries. In this +condition he can neither run away, nor make any attempt to recover his liberty. These +precautions have been found indispensable; because, if the slave can but break his +chains, he becomes free. The public faith which secures to the proprietor the possession +of his slave, and which at all times delivers him up into his hands, is silent with +regard to the slave and a trader. +</p> +<p>“Reader,” continues the animated historian, “while thou art perusing this horrid account, +is not thy soul filled with the same indignation as I experience in writing it? Dost +thou not, in imagination, rush with fury upon those infamous conductors? Dost thou +not break those forks with which these unfortunates are confined? and dost thou not +long to restore them to liberty? +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="note.f" class="div2 note"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#note.f.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h3 class="main">(Note F.)</h3> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">This instrument is also in general use in Congo, and is there called the <i>marimba</i>. +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="note.g" class="div2 note"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#note.g.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h3 class="main">(Note G.)</h3> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">The wife who bears the first son is the chief, and is distinguished from the rest +by the name of the queen, or the king’s great wife. She has the sole management of +all affairs connected with the seraglio; nor dare any person controul her, except +the king’s mother, whose authority is superior to that of any other subject whatever. +She has a separate apartment at court, and a stipulated revenue for her support; but +she is under the restriction of remaining a widow during the rest of her life. +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="note.h" class="div2 note"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#note.h.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h3 class="main">(Note H.)</h3> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">Most of them labour under a fixed melancholy, which now and then seeks a temporary +relief in lamentation, and the most plaintive airs, expressive of the loss of their +relations, friends, and country; and so powerfully does it operate, as to urge many +to self-destruction, or obstinately to refuse nourishment. +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="note.i" class="div2 note"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#note.i.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h3 class="main">(Note I.)</h3> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">They are not unfrequently threatened with a flogging, because the mournfulness of +their songs gives pain to the feelings of their oppressors. +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="note.k" class="div2 note"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#note.k.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h3 class="main">(Note K.)</h3> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">This description of the palace applies to its state previously to the conquest of +Whidáh by the Dahomans, 1727. It is less superb now, but still worthy of attention +as a royal residence. +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="note.l" class="div2 note"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#note.l.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h3 class="main">(Note L.)</h3> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">The purchaser marks, with a hot iron, the breasts of the men, and the bosoms of the +women, to ascertain they are his property. +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="note.m" class="div2 note"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#note.m.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h3 class="main">(Note M.)</h3> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">Instruments are used to force the jaw open, somewhat similar to those used with unhappy +maniacs, upon refusal of sustenance. The anecdote related is a fact of frequent occurrence, +during the execution of this compulsive mode of sustaining life, practised with the +desponding slaves. +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="note.n" class="div2 note"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#note.n.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h3 class="main">(Note N.)</h3> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">See Clarkson’s description of the Slave-ship he visited, as related in his history +of the trade. +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="note.o" class="div2 note"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#note.o.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h3 class="main">(Note O.)</h3> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">That this is no <i>fancied</i> picture of misery, is abundantly proved by the official reports of the African Society, +1822. +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="note.p" class="div2 note"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#note.p.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h3 class="main">(Note P.)</h3> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">The organs of negroes are extremely sensible of the powers of music. Enchanted, as +it were, with the voice of a singer, or the tone of an instrument, they are agitated, +transported, or thrown into ecstasies. In their common labours, the motions of their +arms or of their feet are always in cadence. +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="note.q" class="div2 note"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#note.q.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h3 class="main">(Note Q.)</h3> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">The profits of this nefarious trade are so large, that mercenary men will incur any +risk. At present, says the Report, 1822, speaking of the French favouring the trade, +the rate of insurance does not exceed fifteen or twenty per cent, while the gains +of the trade are proved to amount to from two hundred to four hundred per cent. It +appears, from papers found on board Le Succès, that two hundred and forty slaves, +which she landed on the island of Bourbon, cost nine thousand nine hundred and forty-three +dollars; and that the proceeds of the sale of these slaves amounted to twenty-nine +thousand five hundred and sixty-four dollars. And there is also an account of an outfit +of fifty-three thousand francs producing a net profit of one hundred and sixty-six +thousand francs. +</p> +<p>These facts need no comment. But let not England be discouraged: she has stood alone +in many a fearful struggle, when apparently sinking under the pressure of a hostile +world. She has led the way in the work of mercy; let her pursue her path with unfaltering +firmness, and fearlessly oppose those who dare to violate the solemn engagements they +have formed with her. +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="note.r" class="div2 note"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#note.r.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h3 class="main">(Note R.)</h3> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">Nothing can more forcibly prove the misery of the slaves, than the fact that funerals, +which in Africa are attended by lamentations and sorrow, are in the West Indies celebrated +with expressions of joy. +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="note.s" class="div2 last-child note"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#note.s.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h3 class="main">(Note S.)</h3> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">This relation is derived from a letter of Mr. Arfelius who was an eye-witness, and +a great sufferer from this treacherous attack upon the colony. See “<i>Rees’s Encyclopedia</i>,” article, <i>Sierra Leone</i>. +</p> +<p class="trailer xd32e1529">THE END.</p> +</div> +</div> +</div> +</div> +<div class="div1 imprint"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divBody"> +<p class="first xd32e139">Harvey, Darton, and Co. Printers, Gracechurch-Street, London. +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div class="div1" id="toc"> +<h2 class="main">Table of Contents</h2> +<table> +<tr id="advertisement.toc"> +<td class="tocDivNum"></td> +<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="2"><a href="#advertisement">Advertisement.</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"><a class="pageref" href="#advertisement">v</a></td> +</tr> +<tr id="ch1.toc"> +<td class="tocDivNum">I. </td> +<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="2"><a href="#ch1">Chapter I.</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"><a class="pageref" href="#ch1">1</a></td> +</tr> +<tr id="ch2.toc"> +<td class="tocDivNum">II. </td> +<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="2"><a href="#ch2">Chapter II.</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"><a class="pageref" href="#ch2">18</a></td> +</tr> +<tr id="ch3.toc"> +<td class="tocDivNum">III. </td> +<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="2"><a href="#ch3">Chapter III.</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"><a class="pageref" href="#ch3">35</a></td> +</tr> +<tr id="ch4.toc"> +<td class="tocDivNum">IV. </td> +<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="2"><a href="#ch4">Chapter IV.</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"><a class="pageref" href="#ch4">53</a></td> +</tr> +<tr id="ch5.toc"> +<td class="tocDivNum">V. </td> +<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="2"><a href="#ch5">Chapter V.</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"><a class="pageref" href="#ch5">66</a></td> +</tr> +<tr id="ch6.toc"> +<td class="tocDivNum">VI. </td> +<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="2"><a href="#ch6">Chapter VI.</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"><a class="pageref" href="#ch6">76</a></td> +</tr> +<tr id="ch7.toc"> +<td class="tocDivNum">VII. </td> +<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="2"><a href="#ch7">Chapter VII.</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"><a class="pageref" href="#ch7">82</a></td> +</tr> +<tr id="ch8.toc"> +<td class="tocDivNum">VIII. </td> +<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="2"><a href="#ch8">Chapter VIII.</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"><a class="pageref" href="#ch8">94</a></td> +</tr> +<tr id="ch9.toc"> +<td class="tocDivNum">IX. </td> +<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="2"><a href="#ch9">Chapter IX.</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"><a class="pageref" href="#ch9">110</a></td> +</tr> +<tr id="ch10.toc"> +<td class="tocDivNum">X. </td> +<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="2"><a href="#ch10">Chapter X.</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"><a class="pageref" href="#ch10">130</a></td> +</tr> +<tr id="ch11.toc"> +<td class="tocDivNum">XI. </td> +<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="2"><a href="#ch11">Chapter XI.</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"><a class="pageref" href="#ch11">141</a></td> +</tr> +<tr id="ch12.toc"> +<td class="tocDivNum">XII. </td> +<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="2"><a href="#ch12">Chapter XII.</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"><a class="pageref" href="#ch12">157</a></td> +</tr> +<tr id="notes.toc"> +<td class="tocDivNum"></td> +<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="2"><a href="#notes">Notes, From authenticated and official Documents.</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"></td> +</tr> +<tr id="note.a.toc"> +<td></td> +<td class="tocDivNum"></td> +<td class="tocDivTitle"><a href="#note.a">Note A.</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"></td> +</tr> +<tr id="note.b.toc"> +<td></td> +<td class="tocDivNum"></td> +<td class="tocDivTitle"><a href="#note.b">Note B.</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"></td> +</tr> +<tr id="note.c.toc"> +<td></td> +<td class="tocDivNum"></td> +<td class="tocDivTitle"><a href="#note.c">Note C.</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"></td> +</tr> +<tr id="note.d.toc"> +<td></td> +<td class="tocDivNum"></td> +<td class="tocDivTitle"><a href="#note.d">Note D.</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"></td> +</tr> +<tr id="note.e.toc"> +<td></td> +<td class="tocDivNum"></td> +<td class="tocDivTitle"><a href="#note.e">(Note E.)</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"></td> +</tr> +<tr id="note.f.toc"> +<td></td> +<td class="tocDivNum"></td> +<td class="tocDivTitle"><a href="#note.f">(Note F.)</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"></td> +</tr> +<tr id="note.g.toc"> +<td></td> +<td class="tocDivNum"></td> +<td class="tocDivTitle"><a href="#note.g">(Note G.)</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"></td> +</tr> +<tr id="note.h.toc"> +<td></td> +<td class="tocDivNum"></td> +<td class="tocDivTitle"><a href="#note.h">(Note H.)</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"></td> +</tr> +<tr id="note.i.toc"> +<td></td> +<td class="tocDivNum"></td> +<td class="tocDivTitle"><a href="#note.i">(Note I.)</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"></td> +</tr> +<tr id="note.k.toc"> +<td></td> +<td class="tocDivNum"></td> +<td class="tocDivTitle"><a href="#note.k">(Note K.)</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"></td> +</tr> +<tr id="note.l.toc"> +<td></td> +<td class="tocDivNum"></td> +<td class="tocDivTitle"><a href="#note.l">(Note L.)</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"></td> +</tr> +<tr id="note.m.toc"> +<td></td> +<td class="tocDivNum"></td> +<td class="tocDivTitle"><a href="#note.m">(Note M.)</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"></td> +</tr> +<tr id="note.n.toc"> +<td></td> +<td class="tocDivNum"></td> +<td class="tocDivTitle"><a href="#note.n">(Note N.)</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"></td> +</tr> +<tr id="note.o.toc"> +<td></td> +<td class="tocDivNum"></td> +<td class="tocDivTitle"><a href="#note.o">(Note O.)</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"></td> +</tr> +<tr id="note.p.toc"> +<td></td> +<td class="tocDivNum"></td> +<td class="tocDivTitle"><a href="#note.p">(Note P.)</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"></td> +</tr> +<tr id="note.q.toc"> +<td></td> +<td class="tocDivNum"></td> +<td class="tocDivTitle"><a href="#note.q">(Note Q.)</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"></td> +</tr> +<tr id="note.r.toc"> +<td></td> +<td class="tocDivNum"></td> +<td class="tocDivTitle"><a href="#note.r">(Note R.)</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"></td> +</tr> +<tr id="note.s.toc"> +<td></td> +<td class="tocDivNum"></td> +<td class="tocDivTitle"><a href="#note.s">(Note S.)</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"></td> +</tr> +</table> +</div> +<div class="transcriberNote"> +<h2 class="main">Colophon</h2> +<h3 class="main">Availability</h3> +<p class="first">This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions +whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project +Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at <a class="seclink xd32e33" title="External link" href="https://www.gutenberg.org/">www.gutenberg.org</a>. +</p> +<p>This eBook is produced by the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at <a class="seclink xd32e33" title="External link" href="https://www.pgdp.net/">www.pgdp.net</a>. +</p> +<p>Prepared from scans made available by the Google print project. (Copy <a id="xd32e43" href="#xd32e43ext">1</a>.) Note that the <a id="xd32e46" href="#xd32e46ext">copy</a> at the Internet archive lacks pages 174–175. The notes G–P that appeared on those +pages can be found in an alternative <a id="xd32e49" href="#xd32e49ext">copy</a>. +</p> +<p>New original cover art included with this eBook is granted to the public domain. +</p> +<h3 class="main">Metadata</h3> +<table class="colophonMetadata"> +<tr> +<td><b>Title:</b></td> +<td>Samboe; or, The African Boy</td> +<td></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><b>Author:</b></td> +<td>Mary Ann Hedge</td> +<td>Info <span class="externalUrl">https://viaf.org/viaf/306070601/</span></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><b>Publication date:</b></td> +<td>2011-09-02</td> +<td></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><b>File generation date:</b></td> +<td>2024-05-30 19:48:12 UTC</td> +<td></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><b>Language:</b></td> +<td>English</td> +<td></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><b>Original publication date:</b></td> +<td>1823</td> +<td></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><b>Keywords:</b></td> +<td>Slavery -- Africa -- Fiction</td> +<td></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><b>Project Gutenberg:</b></td> +<td><a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/37296" class="seclink">37296</a></td> +<td></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><b>OCLC/WorldCat:</b></td> +<td>77783305 <span class="externalUrl">https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/77783305</span></td> +<td></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><b>Open Library (Book):</b></td> +<td>OL13783787M <span class="externalUrl">https://openlibrary.org/books/OL13783787M</span></td> +<td></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><b>QR-code:</b></td> +<td colspan="2"><img src="images/qr37296.png" alt="QR-code of Project Gutenberg URL" width="148" height="148"></td> +</tr> +</table> +<h3 class="main">Encoding</h3> +<p class="first">The second “Chapter VI” has been renumbered “Chapter VII” and all following chapters +have been renumbered accordingly. +</p> +<h3 class="main">Revision History</h3> +<ul> +<li>2011-08-28 Started. +</li> +<li>2024-05-29 Added notes G–P from an alternative copy. +</li> +</ul> +<h3 class="main">External References</h3> +<p>This eBook contains external references. These links may not work for you. +The following URLs are shown purely for information. If so desired, you can copy them +into the address-bar of your browser. +</p> +<table class="externalReferenceTable"> +<tr> +<th>Page</th> +<th>URL</th> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><a class="pageref" id="xd32e49ext" href="#xd32e49">N.A.</a></td> +<td><span class="externalUrl">https://archive.org/details/ASPC0002375200/page/n183/mode/2up</span></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><a class="pageref" id="xd32e43ext" href="#xd32e43">N.A.</a></td> +<td><span class="externalUrl">https://books.google.com/books?id=ZpQDAAAAQAAJ</span></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><a class="pageref" id="xd32e46ext" href="#xd32e46">N.A.</a></td> +<td><span class="externalUrl">https://www.archive.org/details/samboeorafrican00hedggoog</span></td> +</tr> +</table> +<h3 class="main">Corrections</h3> +<p>The following 21 corrections have been applied to the text:</p> +<table class="correctionTable"> +<tr> +<th>Page</th> +<th>Source</th> +<th>Correction</th> +<th>Edit distance</th> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd32e335">15</a></td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">eat</td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">ate</td> +<td class="bottom">2</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd32e346">17</a></td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">situate</td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">situated</td> +<td class="bottom">1</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd32e469">33</a></td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">,</td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en"> +[<i>Deleted</i>] +</td> +<td class="bottom">1</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd32e505">35</a></td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">Insiduous</td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">Insidious</td> +<td class="bottom">1</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd32e647">61</a>, <a class="pageref" href="#xd32e649">61</a></td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en"> +[<i>Not in source</i>] +</td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">”</td> +<td class="bottom">1</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd32e673">65</a></td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">Christain</td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">Christian</td> +<td class="bottom">2</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd32e814">82</a></td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">VI</td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">VII</td> +<td class="bottom">1</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd32e845">86</a></td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">,</td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">.</td> +<td class="bottom">1</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd32e908">94</a></td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">VII</td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">VIII</td> +<td class="bottom">1</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd32e977">108</a></td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">it</td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">its</td> +<td class="bottom">1</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd32e1014">110</a></td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">VIII</td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">IX</td> +<td class="bottom">3</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd32e1081">120</a></td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en"> +[<i>Not in source</i>] +</td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">.</td> +<td class="bottom">1</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd32e1133">130</a></td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">IX</td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">X</td> +<td class="bottom">1</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd32e1187">136</a></td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">”</td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en"> +[<i>Deleted</i>] +</td> +<td class="bottom">1</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd32e1225">141</a></td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">X</td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">XI</td> +<td class="bottom">1</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd32e1275">150</a></td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">;</td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">:</td> +<td class="bottom">1</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd32e1315">157</a></td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">XI</td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">XII.</td> +<td class="bottom">2</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd32e1350">162</a></td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">determition</td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">determination</td> +<td class="bottom">2</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd32e1402">171</a></td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">‘</td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en"> +[<i>Deleted</i>] +</td> +<td class="bottom">1</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd32e1458">N.A.</a></td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">:</td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">;</td> +<td class="bottom">1</td> +</tr> +</table> +</div> +</div> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 37296 ***</div> +</body> +</html> + diff --git a/37296-h/37296-h.htm~ b/37296-h/37296-h.htm~ new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2086d32 --- /dev/null +++ b/37296-h/37296-h.htm~ @@ -0,0 +1,4411 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML> +<!-- This HTML file has been automatically generated from an XML source on 2024-05-30T19:48:12Z using SAXON HE 9.9.1.8 . --> +<html lang="en"> +<head> +<title>Samboe; or, The African Boy</title> +<meta charset="utf-8"> +<meta name="generator" content="tei2html.xsl, see https://github.com/jhellingman/tei2html"> +<meta name="author" content="Mary Ann Hedge"> +<link rel="coverpage" href="images/new-cover.jpg"> +<link rel="icon" href="images/new-cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover"> 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+} +/* ]]> */ </style> +</head> +<body> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 37296 ***</div> +<div class="front"> +<div class="div1 cover"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divBody"> +<p class="first"></p> +<div class="figure cover-imagewidth"><img src="images/new-cover.jpg" alt="Newly Designed Front Cover." width="480" height="720"></div><p> +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div class="div1 frontispiece"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divBody"> +<p class="first"></p> +<div class="figure frontispiecewidth"><img src="images/frontispiece.jpg" alt="“She uttered a piercing shriek, & clasped her child with convulsive strength to her bosom imploring the tyrant not to tear him from her widowed arms.”" width="439" height="624"><p class="figureHead">“She uttered a piercing shriek, & clasped her child with convulsive strength to her +bosom imploring the tyrant not to tear him from her widowed arms.”</p> +<p class="first">See page <a href="#pb60" class="pageref">60</a>. +</p> +<p>London Published by Harvey & Darton, Gracechurch Street. June 14<sup>th</sup>. 1823.</p> +</div><p> +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div class="div1 titlepage"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divBody"> +<p class="first"></p> +<div class="figure titlepage-imagewidth"><img src="images/titlepage.png" alt="Original Title Page." width="414" height="720"></div><p> +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div class="titlePage"> +<div class="docTitle"> +<h1 class="mainTitle">SAMBOE;</h1> +<h1 class="subTitle">OR,</h1> +<h1 class="mainTitle">THE AFRICAN BOY.</h1> +</div> +<div class="byline">BY THE AUTHOR OF<br> +<i>“Twilight Hours Improved,” &c. &c.</i></div> +<div class="epigraph"> +<div class="lgouter xd32e119"> +<p class="line">And man, where Freedom’s beams and fountains rise, +</p> +<p class="line">Springs from the dust, and blossoms to the skies. +</p> +<p class="line">Dead to the joys of light and life, the slave +</p> +<p class="line">Clings to the clod; his root is in the grave. +</p> +<p class="line">Bondage is winter, darkness, death, despair; +</p> +<p class="line">Freedom the sun, the sea, the mountain, and the air!</p> +</div> +<p class="first xd32e126"><i>Montgomery.</i></p> +</div> +<div class="docImprint">London:<br> +PRINTED FOR HARVEY AND DARTON,<br> +GRACECHURCH-STREET. +<br> +<span class="docDate">1823.</span></div> +</div> +<p></p> +<div class="div1 dedication"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divBody"> +<p class="first xd32e139">TO<br> +WILLIAM WILBERFORCE, <span class="sc">Esq.</span><br> +M. P. +</p> +<p class="xd32e139">THIS SMALL VOLUME,<br> +DIFFIDENTLY AIMING TO SERVE THE CAUSE OF HUMANITY<br> +IS,<br> +BY HIS KIND PERMISSION<br> +TO GIVE IT THE SANCTION OF HIS NAME,<br> +HUMBLY DEDICATED;<br> +WITH EVERY SENTIMENT OF UNFEIGNED VENERATION<br> +AND RESPECT FOR HIS<br> +EXALTED PATRIOTIC AND PRIVATE VIRTUES, +</p> +<p class="xd32e139">And grateful acknowledgment<br> +OF HIS CONDESCENSION, IN HONOURING WITH HIS<br> +ATTENTION THE HUMBLE EFFORTS OF +</p> +<p class="xd32e139">THE AUTHOR. +<span class="pageNum" id="xd32e174">[<a href="#xd32e174">v</a>]</span></p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="advertisement" class="div1 preface"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#advertisement.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h2 class="main">Advertisement.</h2> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">It has been justly remarked, “that all who read may become enlightened;” for readers, +insensibly imbibing the sentiments of others, and having their own latent sensibilities +called forth, contract, progressively, virtuous inclinations and habits; and thereby +become fitted to unite with their fellow-beings, in the removal or amelioration of +any of the evils of life. With a full conviction of this, I have attempted, and now +offer to my young readers, the present little work. To the rising generation, I am +told, the great question of the slave-trade is little known; the abolition of it, +by our legislature, having taken place either before many of them existed, or at too +early a period of their lives to excite any interest. Present circumstances, however, +in reference to the subject, ensure for it an intense interest, in every heart feeling +the blessing of freedom and all the sweet charities of home; blessings which it is +our care to dispose the youthful heart duly to appreciate, and hence to <span class="pageNum" id="xd32e179">[<a href="#xd32e179">vi</a>]</span>feel for those, deprived, by violence and crime, of these high privileges of man. +</p> +<p>It is true, <i>England</i> has achieved the triumph of humanity, in effacing from her Christian character so +dark a stain as a traffic in human beings; a commerce, “the history of which is written +throughout in characters of blood.” Yet there are but too strong evidences that it +is yet pursued to great and fearful extent by <i>other</i> nations, notwithstanding the solemn obligations they have entered into to suppress +it; obligations “imposed on every Christian state, no less by the religion it professes, +than by a regard to its national honour;” and notwithstanding it has been branded +with infamy, at a solemn congress of the great Christian powers, as a crime of the +deepest dye. Of this there has long been most abundant melancholy proof; yet, under +its present contraband character, it has been attended by, if possible, unprecedented +enormities and misery, as well as involving the base and cruel agents of it in the +further crime of deliberate perjury, in order to conceal their nefarious employment. +</p> +<p>Surely, then, no age can scarcely be too immature, in which to sow the seeds of abhorrence +in the young breast, against this blood-stained, demoralizing <span class="pageNum" id="xd32e189">[<a href="#xd32e189">vii</a>]</span>commerce! Surely, no means, however trivial, should be neglected, to arouse the spirit +of youth against it! It would be tedious, and, indeed, inconsistent with the brevity +of this little work, to name the number of the great and the good who have protested +against, and sacrificed their time and their treasure to abolish it. Suffice it to +say, that an apparently trifling incident first aroused the virtuous energies of the +ardent, persevering Clarkson, in the great cause;—that a view of the produce of Africa, +and proofs of the ingenuity of Africans, kindled the fire of enthusiasm in the noble +and comprehensive mind of a Pitt. Nor did the flame quiver or become dim while he +was the pilot of the state, though he was not decreed to see the success of perseverance +in the cause of justice and humanity. +</p> +<p>Let me, therefore, be acquitted of presumption, when I express a hope, that, trifling +as is the present work, yet, as the leading events it records are not the creations +of fancy, but realities that have passed; that they have not been collected for effect, +or uselessly to awaken the feelings; but having been actually presented in the pursuit +of a disgraceful and cruel commerce, are now offered to the view of my young readers, +<span class="pageNum" id="xd32e193">[<a href="#xd32e193">viii</a>]</span>in order to confirm the great truths, that cruelty and oppression encouraged, soon +brutalize the nature of man; divesting him of every distinguishing trait which unites +him with superior intelligences, and sinking him in the scale of being far below the +ravening wolf and insatiate tiger; and that the slave-trade, more especially, never +fails effectually to destroy all the sympathies of humanity, and so far to barbarize +those who are concerned in it, as assuredly to cause civilized man to resume the ferocity +of the savage whom he presumes to despise. +</p> +<p class="signed"><span class="sc">The Author.</span> +<span class="pageNum" id="xd32e199">[<a href="#xd32e199">x</a>]</span></p> +</div> +</div> +<div class="div1 last-child epigraph"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<div class="lgouter"> +<p class="line">“Offspring of love divine, Humanity! +</p> +<p class="line">—— —— —— —— —— +</p> +<p class="line">Come thou, and weep with me substantial ills, +</p> +<p class="line">And execrate the wrongs that Afric’s sons, +</p> +<p class="line">Torn from their native shore, and doom’d to bear +</p> +<p class="line">The yoke of servitude in foreign climes, +</p> +<p class="line">Sustain. Nor vainly let our sorrows flow, +</p> +<p class="line">Nor let the strong emotion rise in vain. +</p> +<p class="line">But may the kind contagion widely spread, +</p> +<p class="line">Till, in its flame, the unrelenting heart +</p> +<p class="line">Of avarice melt in softest sympathy, +</p> +<p class="line">And one bright ray of universal love, +</p> +<p class="line">Of grateful incense, rises up to heaven!”</p> +</div> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first xd32e126"><i>Roscoe’s Wrongs of Africa.</i> +</p> +<div class="lgouter"> +<p class="line">“E’en from <i>my</i> pen some heartfelt truths may fall; +</p> +<p class="line">For outrag’d nature claims the care of all.”</p> +</div> +<p><span class="pageNum" id="pb1">[<a href="#pb1">1</a>]</span></p> +</div> +</div> +</div> +<div class="body"> +<div id="ch1" class="div1 chapter"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#ch1.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h2 class="super">Samboe;<br> +Or,<br> +The African Boy.</h2> +<h2 class="main">Chapter I.</h2> +<div class="epigraph"> +<div class="lgouter"> +<p class="line">“Slaves of gold! whose sordid dealings +</p> +<p class="line xd32e238">Tarnish all your boasted powers, +</p> +<p class="line">Prove that ye have human feelings, +</p> +<p class="line xd32e238">Ere ye proudly question ours.”</p> +</div> +</div> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">“Encourage the chiefs to go to war, that they may obtain slaves; for as on many accounts +we require a large number, we desire you to exert yourself, and not stand out for +a price.” Such was the direction, and such the order, of the slave-merchants at Cape +Coast Castle, to one of their factors in the <span class="pageNum" id="pb2">[<a href="#pb2">2</a>]</span>interior, for the collection and purchase of slaves; who, dreadful as was his occupation, +yet at all times faithfully endeavoured to obey the orders of his employers. +</p> +<p>This person had, by studying the character, peculiarities, prejudices, and language +of the natives, obtained a great influence over the chiefs of a country, peculiarly +blessed by Providence, with all that can enchant the eye, or gratify the wants of +man. It is a well-known, but melancholy truth, that, by the introduction of spirituous +liquors, and other desirable articles to an uncivilized people, the Europeans have +greatly augmented and cherished the dreadful traffic in human beings: the African +kings and chiefs being induced, by these temptations, to barter their subjects and +captives, for commodities they estimate so highly; frequently even fomenting quarrels, +and making war with each other, at the instigation of the slave-factors, for the sole +purpose of obtaining captives, in order to exchange them for European articles, with +which the factors, who visit their country for the dreadful purpose, are well furnished; +to <span class="pageNum" id="pb3">[<a href="#pb3">3</a>]</span>tempt the appetites, and provoke the wild passions, of the wretched beings they intend +to make the instruments of their inhuman thirst of gain. (<a href="#note.a"><i>Note</i> <span class="sc">A</span></a>.) +</p> +<div class="lgouter"> +<p class="line xd32e258">“The natural bond +</p> +<p class="line">Of brotherhood is sever’d as the flax +</p> +<p class="line">That falls asunder at the touch of fire— +</p> +<p class="line xd32e258">And having pow’r +</p> +<p class="line">T’ enforce the wrong, for such a worthy cause, +</p> +<p class="line">Dooms and devotes him as his lawful prey.”</p> +</div> +<p class="first">Mr. Irving, the factor whom we have named as having received the peremptory and unlimited +order from the merchants of Cape Coast Castle, had won their confidence, by the remarkable +success which had attended his negociations with the king and principal grandees of +Whidáh, in which delightful part of Africa he had resided for some years. Nothing, +perhaps, more strongly proves the indurating power of the love of gain upon the heart, +and the baneful influence of the habitual view of oppression on the better feelings +of the soul, than the change which generally takes place in the characters of the +young men whose <span class="pageNum" id="pb4">[<a href="#pb4">4</a>]</span>official duty places them in situations like that filled by Mr. Irving. It has, indeed, +been most justly and impressively observed, that it is impossible for any one to be +accustomed to carry away miserable beings, by force, from their country and endearing +ties, to keep them in chains, to see their tears, to hear their mournful lamentations, +to behold the dead and the dying mingled together, to keep up a system of severity +towards them in their deep affliction, to be constant witnesses of the misery of exile, +bondage, cruelty, and oppression, which, together, form the malignant character of +this nefarious traffic, without losing all those better feelings it should be the +study of man to cherish; or without contracting those habits of moroseness and ferocity +which brutalize the nature. +</p> +<p>Irving, like many other youths, had been induced by an ardent curiosity, and an enterprising +spirit, to engage as a writer to the Royal African Company<a class="noteRef" id="xd32e272src" href="#xd32e272">1</a>, at a time when <span class="pageNum" id="pb5">[<a href="#pb5">5</a>]</span>the traffic in slaves was legally pursued, as one source of riches to a great commercial +nation. Yet it may with candour be presumed, that he, and many a youth entering upon +the same path, with the same laudable impulses, had they anticipated the peril to +which they exposed their humane principles, by engaging themselves in a trade so repugnant +to nature, religion, and justice, would rather have undergone personal hazard and +difficulty in their native land, so that they might have fostered that divine principle, +which is the noble and distinguishing characteristic of man—of free-born man. +</p> +<p>That Irving possessed a native humanity and right feeling, would appear from his letters +to his friends in England, written on his arrival in Africa; and as he describes the +country as it first met his admiring and youthful eye, it may be not unamusing to +my young readers, to extract a few passages from his letters to his sister, before +we pursue <span class="pageNum" id="pb6">[<a href="#pb6">6</a>]</span>the detail of subsequent events, in which he was an actor. “Well, my dear Sophy,” +he observes, “are you reconciled to your brother becoming a dealer in slaves? I assure +you I have had some compunctious visitings of conscience upon the subject during the +voyage; the calmness and monotony of which, gave me ample opportunity of reflecting +upon the kind-hearted arguments of my good little sister, against a commerce, which, +I believe she says true when she asserts, ‘is founded in injustice and crime, and +a compound of all that is wicked and cruel.’ But, Sophy, what will you call your wild +brother, when I tell you, that the first glance I had of this enchanting country, +put you, your arguments, the unhappy and abused natives, from my mind, in an instant; +and I could only bless my stars that I was to become an inhabitant of a region which +seemed to offer so many delights—so many interesting studies for my pencil. I can +anticipate all you would say upon this subject, as to the cruelty of tearing the miserable +natives from scenes which ‘breathe of Paradise,’ so as to have raised <span class="pageNum" id="pb7">[<a href="#pb7">7</a>]</span>the enthusiasm of even the thoughtless heart of Charles Irving. But I have no time +for argument, Sophy, scarcely that for brief description. Imagine then, my dear sister, +the most boundless luxuriancy of landscape, continually clothed with all the beauties +and riches of spring, summer, and harvest; lofty mountains covered with wood, chiefly +fruit-trees; fine streams, romantic and fertile valleys. Such is the general appearance: +the scenery in detail surpasses description. This charming country seems to be remarkably +populous. The kingdom of Whidáh, in which is situated the factory to which I am at +present appointed, is (as you will find on consulting your map) on the western side +of Africa, commonly called the slave-coast. This kingdom we should rather call a county, +as it extends only about ten miles along the coast, and about seven miles inland. +Yet, although of so small an extent, it is divided into twenty-six divisions, or provinces. +The villages are numerous, and thickly inhabited. The houses or huts of the natives +are small; conical at the top, and thatched either with long grass, or the palmetto +<span class="pageNum" id="pb8">[<a href="#pb8">8</a>]</span>leaves. The interior is very clean; but from the fish and other articles of food kept +in them, you may readily imagine the effluvia is not very pleasant to European nicety. +</p> +<p>The furniture of these dwellings is not very costly, seldom amounting to more than +a chest to contain their light and simple articles of clothing; a mat to repose upon, +raised a little from the floor; a jar to contain water, and calabashes of various +sizes; two or three wooden mortars to pound corn and rice, and a basket or sieve to +prepare it when done. The villages formed of these huts are generally built in a circle, +surrounded by a clay wall, scattered over the country in the midst of beautiful groves +clear of brushwood, and have a most picturesque and beautiful effect to a stranger’s +eye. The fields are always verdant, and nature puts forth her beauties with inexhaustible +profusion; perpetual spring and autumn succeeding each other. The Company’s factory +here, is most pleasantly situated in the midst of gardens, which amply supply it, +and the fort, (called <span class="pageNum" id="pb9">[<a href="#pb9">9</a>]</span>Fort William,) consisting of four batteries, mounting seventeen guns. In these gardens +is an abundant supply of beans, potatoes, every other edible root known in Europe, +and a great variety of delicious fruits peculiar to the climate. Amongst the most +beautiful and useful vegetable riches of Africa, may be reckoned the plantain and +banana trees. The latter bears a fruit six or seven inches in length, covered with +a yellow skin, very tender when ripe. The pulp of it is as soft as a marmalade, and +of a most pleasant taste. It grows on a stalk about six yards high, the leaves being +nearly two yards long, and a foot wide. One stalk only bears a single cluster of the +fruit, which sometimes consists of forty or fifty bananas; and when the cluster is +gathered, the stalk is cut off, or it would bear no more fruit. The plantain is not +unlike the banana, but somewhat longer, although the flavour greatly resembles it. +The leaves, and every part of the tree, are converted into a variety of useful articles. +There are also guavas, a fruit very like our peach, except that the external coat +<span class="pageNum" id="pb10">[<a href="#pb10">10</a>]</span>is rougher; and it has small kernels like the apple, instead of a stone. Cocoas, oranges, +lemons, citrons, and limes, abound, and, as you may readily suppose, are in great +request amongst us, as well as beautiful additions to the luxuriant vegetable riches +of the country.” +</p> +<p>In a subsequent letter he again writes: “I was much pleased this morning to see the +natives extracting what we call the wine from the palm tree, which is beautifully +straight and lofty, growing sometimes to a prodigious height. +</p> +<p>“They make an incision in the trunk, near the summit of the tree, to which they apply, +in succession, gourd bottles, conducting the liquor into them by means of a pipe formed +of the leaves. This wine is very pleasant when fresh drawn, but is apt to disagree +with Europeans in that state. After fermentation, however, it becomes like Rhenish +wine, and is extremely good, without being prejudicial. You would be alarmed, Sophy, +to see how rapidly and nimbly the natives mount these lofty trees, which are sometimes +<span class="pageNum" id="pb11">[<a href="#pb11">11</a>]</span>sixty, seventy, and even a hundred feet in height, and the bark smooth. The only aid +they have is a piece of the bark of a tree, which they form into a hoop by holding +the two ends, having enclosed themselves and the trunk of the tree. They then place +their feet against the tree, and their backs against the hoop, and mount as quick +as thought. It sometimes occurs that they miss their footing, the consequence of course +is, that they are precipitated with tremendous force to the ground, and dashed to +pieces. +</p> +<p>“There is another tree called the ciboa, very much like the palm, and applied to the +same purposes: the wine of this is not quite so sweet as that of the palm. +</p> +<p>In another letter he further observes: “I think you will be pleased to hear in what +manner I pass my time here, my dear Sophy, while you are perhaps talking of me in +the dear domestic circle; I will therefore give you the journal of a day, which, with +little variation, is the general mode of my living. +</p> +<p>“I rise by day-break, in order to enjoy the refreshing coolness of the morning, and +generally ride or walk into the country, <span class="pageNum" id="pb12">[<a href="#pb12">12</a>]</span>through the delightful woods and savannahs. +</p> +<p>“On my return, I breakfast on <i>never-tiring</i> tea, or, for want of it, a sort of tea growing in the woods, called <i>simbong</i>. Upon any deficiency of sugar, I use honey, as it is at all times easily procured; +except, perhaps, when the natives are making their honey wine, of which they are immoderately +fond. Sometimes I take milk, with cakes of rice or flour; or Guinea-corn, baked in +a very useful article in my kitchen; <i>viz.</i> a large iron pot. The milk will not boil without turning to whey, which I ascribe +to the nature of the grass upon which the cows feed. My dinner is frequently beef, +either fresh or salted, in which latter state it will keep six or seven days. This +I either boil and eat with coosh-coosh, (<a href="#note.b"><i>Note</i> <span class="sc">B</span></a>.) a favourite dish with the natives, or with pumpkins and coliloo, like spinach, +both of which are plentiful. Fowls are so cheap and common, that they may always be +purchased for a few charges of gunpowder; and when I wish for either fish or game, +I send a fisher or hunter, allowed by the factory, <span class="pageNum" id="pb13">[<a href="#pb13">13</a>]</span>to supply me; and they never fail to bring me ample store of the finest sorts of the +former; and of the latter, deer, ducks, partridges, wild geese, and what are here +called crown birds, all which abound in their different seasons. +</p> +<p>“The afternoon is the usual time of trade; but sometimes it is protracted during the +whole of several days, and being my proper business, I make a point of never neglecting +it (<a href="#note.c"><i>Note</i> <span class="sc">C</span></a>.) If concluded early, I sometimes take a trip to some of the neighbouring villages, +and return home to supper, amusing myself, as I am now doing, with writing or reading, +and occasionally visiting two or three friends. In these visits, the refreshment is +generally palm and honey wine, or a fruit called cola, which very agreeably relishes +water. I frequently, also, form one of a party in shooting doves and partridges. I +have indeed no want of society, generally having even more company than I desire. +These visitors are traders, and messengers from the great men in this and the adjacent +kingdom, who frequently send me presents <span class="pageNum" id="pb14">[<a href="#pb14">14</a>]</span>of pieces of cloths, cows, spices, and even a slave. These presents I would gladly +decline, as I well know they are given with a view of obtaining more valuable returns, +or to bribe me to some measure in which my interest or aid is required; but I am obliged +to accept what they offer, because the interest of the Company renders it necessary +to conciliate the natives, who may forward the trade. But to return to my accommodation: +perhaps you think I repose on the ‘verdant mead, under the spreading palm.’ No such +thing, my dear Sophy: my bed-room is large and airy, and during the rainy season glows +with the cheering blaze of a fire. My bedstead is raised by forkillas; at the head +and feet are cross poles, upon which is placed a platform of split cane. My bed itself +is composed of silk-cotton, a sort of vegetable down, extremely soft, and very plentiful +here; and to complete my bedstead, I have erected light posts at the corners, to support +a pavilion of thin cloth, as a defence against the musquitoes. Independently of the +linen I brought from England, I have some presented to me, <span class="pageNum" id="pb15">[<a href="#pb15">15</a>]</span>by a negro king and his sister: (what think you of that, Sophy?) it consists of fine +cotton cloths, six yards long and three wide: these I use for sheets. Thus, you find, +I have all my comforts around me, even on the burning shores of Africa, to which you +were so unwilling I should direct my way. +</p> +<p>“I cannot close my letter without telling you of the pleasure I enjoyed in my excursion +this morning, with a friend who is my colleague in office, and with whom I am indeed +so intimate, that we have acquired the designation of ‘the inseparables.’ We set out +just as the day was dawning, and had penetrated nearly five miles into the country, +ere the sun bore any oppressive power; and taking our fowling pieces with us, we shot +a few birds for sport, as we proceeded through a country rich beyond your imagination +to conceive. We rested ourselves at the foot of a rock, and <span class="corr" id="xd32e335" title="Source: eat">ate</span> a hearty breakfast of fruit, washing it down with palm wine, with which we were provided, +and milk from the cocoa-nuts we gathered. We then continued to explore scenes which +seemed to realize the picture <span class="pageNum" id="pb16">[<a href="#pb16">16</a>]</span>imagination forms of Paradise. Coming to a beautiful expanse of water, we again seated +ourselves, to enjoy a second meal, as well as the beauty and the heavenly repose, +adorning and pervading these vast solitudes. +</p> +<p>“The tinkling of several little rills, and the sound of several larger cascades that +fell from the rocks, only broke the stillness of the spot, in every other respect +profound; and altogether diffused a tranquillity over the soul, the influence of which +I still feel, but am unable to define. The orange and lime trees adorning the spot, +bending under the weight of their delicious fruit, and diffusing around their fragrant +odour; a number of other beautiful shrubs and trees intermingling their various tints +of foliage, and tempting the hand to gather their rich fruit; combined with the cataracts, +the surrounding hills, covered with the noblest trees and liveliest verdure, and in +their various angles and projections, exhibiting the bold and free strokes of nature; +altogether composed what might, without exaggeration, be called a terrestrial Paradise, +the effect of which <span class="pageNum" id="pb17">[<a href="#pb17">17</a>]</span>cannot be imagined, unless it were seen. You may be sure that it was not without regret +we quitted this delightful spot, which raised our curiosity and desire, to the highest +degree, further to explore the country. Nor (shall I confess it, Sophy?) could we +forbear remarking, that if the attention of our country was directed to the civilization, +and the improving the natural resources of such a country, instead of robbing and +devastating it, it would be far more honourable to us as Britains, and as men, enjoying +all the privileges of that envied title. But I think I hear you say: ‘You tell me +much of yourself, and of the face of the country you have chosen for a residence, +but you tell me little of the inhabitants of this favoured region.’ This I must reserve +for another packet, my dear sister, as also an account of my visit to Sabi<a class="noteRef" id="xd32e344src" href="#xd32e344">2</a>. In the mean time I will assure you, that I have no regrets in having quitted for +a while my country, except my separation from you <span class="pageNum" id="pb18">[<a href="#pb18">18</a>]</span>and my family, every member of which must ever be dear, to their affectionate +</p> +<p class="signed">“<span class="sc">Charles Irving</span>.” +</p> +</div> +<div class="footnotes"> +<hr class="fnsep"> +<div class="footnote-body"> +<div class="fndiv" id="xd32e272"> +<p class="footnote"><span class="fnlabel"><a class="noteRef" href="#xd32e272src">1</a></span> A society of merchants, established by king Charles II. for trading to Africa; which +trade was laid open to all his majesty’s subjects, and those of succeeding monarchs, until the abolition +took place, 1807. <a class="fnarrow" href="#xd32e272src" title="Return to note 1 in text.">↑</a></p> +</div> +<div class="fndiv" id="xd32e344"> +<p class="footnote"><span class="fnlabel"><a class="noteRef" href="#xd32e344src">2</a></span> Capital of Whidáh, <span class="corr" id="xd32e346" title="Source: situate">situated</span> about four miles from the factory at Whidáh. <a class="fnarrow" href="#xd32e344src" title="Return to note 2 in text.">↑</a></p> +</div> +</div> +</div> +</div> +<div id="ch2" class="div1 chapter"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#ch2.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h2 class="main">Chapter II.</h2> +<div class="epigraph"> +<div class="lgouter"> +<p class="line">“What’s all that Afric’s golden rivers roll, +</p> +<p class="line">Her odorous woods, and shining ivory stores? +</p> +<p class="line">Ill-fated race! the softening arts of peace, +</p> +<p class="line">And all-protecting freedom, which alone +</p> +<p class="line">Sustains the name and dignity of man: +</p> +<p class="line">These are not theirs!”</p> +</div> +</div> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">Presuming that our young readers are not uninterested in the accounts of Charles Irving, +we shall make a few more extracts from his correspondence. “You tell me,” he observes +in reply to the expressed wishes of his sister, “you tell me, my dear Sophy, to give +you some information respecting the inhabitants of Whidáh. I am myself unable <span class="pageNum" id="pb19">[<a href="#pb19">19</a>]</span>to speak very decisively, but I am assured by those who have visited other parts of +Africa, that those of Whidáh exceed the other negroes in civilization, and they certainly +appear to me, both industrious and ingenious. The women, I can assure you, are very +important personages, truly help-meets to their lords. They brew the beer, dress the +food, sell all sorts of articles, (except slaves!) at the markets; they are also, +I am sorry to add, employed in tilling the land with the slaves. But, Sophy, this +may be accounted for: the light of Christianity has not yet beamed upon this land. +Its humanizing spirit we have, you know, often remarked, as peculiarly favourable +to the weaker sex; and were Africa free, and blessed with the genial ray of true religion, +doubtless her women would acquire that consideration which is their due, and be regarded +as what they ought to be, as the companions and solace, not the slaves of man. In +reference to their ingenuity, I have many specimens. They spin cotton yarn, weave +fine cotton cloth, make calabashes, wooden vessels, <span class="pageNum" id="pb20">[<a href="#pb20">20</a>]</span>plates, dishes, &c. I have now lying before me, a present from a great man, a pipe +for smoking, which is remarkably neat. It is formed of clay of a reddish hue, the +stem a reed about six feet in length. It is beautifully and finely polished, perfectly +smooth, white, and even elegant. The bowl and stem are fastened together with a piece +of delicate red leather. It has also a fine leather tassel, attached to about the +middle of the stem; and so neat is the work, that although the end of the reed goes +into the bowl of the pipe, it appears as if formed of one piece. They clean the reed, +when filled up with the smoke, by drawing long straws through it, and the bowls, by +scraping them with a small sharp instrument. +</p> +<p>“Last week we had quite a gala day, one of the country chiefs paying a visit to the +governor at the fort. He was saluted with five guns on his landing: I was much pleased +that my duty obliged me to go to the fort at the time. +</p> +<p>“The ostensible motive of his visit, was respect to the governor; but the real one, +to <span class="pageNum" id="pb21">[<a href="#pb21">21</a>]</span>solicit powder and ball, in order to defend himself against the attacks of a neighbouring +chief. He assumes the title of emperor, and is a fine model of negro beauty, young, +extremely black, tall, and free in his carriage, with teeth which rivalled pearls +in beauty. His dress consisted of short yellow cotton trowsers, reaching only to the +knees; and a sort of mantle of the same material, flowing full like a surplice. His +feet and legs were naked; but he wore a very large cap, with a white goat’s tail fastened +in it: I suppose, the insignia of his dignity. +</p> +<p>“All the officers of the fort were in full uniform, waiting to receive this chieftain; +and, I assure you, it was a very gratifying sight to observe the expecting numbers +ready to welcome him. +</p> +<p>“He and his retinue came in a large and splendid canoe, containing about sixteen persons, +all armed with guns and sabres, with a number of drums, upon which they beat with +one stick. Two or three women were of the party, and danced to the sound of the drums. +They remained at the fort <span class="pageNum" id="pb22">[<a href="#pb22">22</a>]</span>all night, highly pleased with the visit, and the success of it; not only receiving +what they solicited, but an ample present of rum, beads, bugles, and looking-glasses, +from the governor, by which he quite won the hearts of the emperor and his suite. +</p> +<p>“The natives are, indeed, generally good-natured and obliging, particularly to Europeans; +and if the latter are liberal in presents, they seldom find the obligation forgotten. +If a favour is asked of them, they will use their utmost efforts to comply, even to +their own prejudice. Gentle measures are, indeed, the only means to succeed with them: +they then seem to have pleasure in compliance; but if treated with violence, they +are obstinate and refractory, and they will take as much pains to injure, as, in the +other case, to serve. This, you will say, sufficiently proves their native generosity +of disposition. Can such a people require any thing but freedom, and a pure faith, +to render them equal to the European, who despises them, and denies that they possess +a capability of enjoying freedom? I grant <span class="pageNum" id="pb23">[<a href="#pb23">23</a>]</span>this, my dear advocate; and, did time allow me, could relate many instances to prove +that your opinion is just. +</p> +<p>“In my last, I mentioned the employment of the women partly consisted in weaving fine +cotton cloths. We frequently barter these with our commodities. The pieces are generally +twenty-seven yards long, but never more than nine inches wide. They cut them what +length they require, and sew them together very neatly, to serve the use of broader +cloths. The cotton is cleared from the seed by hand, and is spun with a spindle and +distaff: it is afterwards woven in a loom of very simple and coarse workmanship. These +cloths are made up into pairs, one about three yards long, and one and a half broad; +with this the shoulders and body are covered. The other is almost of the same breadth, +and but two yards long: this is gathered neatly in folds round the waist, and falls +loosely over the limbs. Such a pair of cloths is the dress of men and women, with +a slight variation in the mode of adjustment. I have seen a pair of such cloths, so +beautifully fine <span class="pageNum" id="pb24">[<a href="#pb24">24</a>]</span>in texture, and so brightly dyed, as to be very valuable. Their usual colours are +either blue or yellow, some very lively: I do not remember, however, ever to have +seen any red. (<a href="#note.d"><i>Note</i> <span class="sc">D</span></a>.) +</p> +<p>“I shall conclude this letter by an account of my visit to Sabi, as I promised you. +With European ideas of the state of society and commerce in Africa, I confess, the +surprise I experienced was very great, on my entrance into the market of this capital +of Whidáh, which is kept twice in a week. Great regulation is observed in the keeping +of these markets, a distinct and proper place being assigned for every different commodity; +and the confluence of people, although great, are preserved from disorder and confusion, +by a judge or magistrate, appointed by the king; and who, with four assistants, well +armed, inspects the markets, hears all complaints, and, in a summary way, decides +all differences among the buyers and sellers, having power to seize, and sell as slaves, +all who violate the peace. Besides this magistrate, there is another, whose peculiar +office it is to inspect <span class="pageNum" id="pb25">[<a href="#pb25">25</a>]</span>the money, which is called <i>toqua</i>, consisting of strings of shells, to the number of forty; and if one of these strings +happens to be deficient in a single shell, the whole are forfeited to the king. Round +the markets are erected booths, which are occupied by cooks or suttlers, who sell +provisions ready dressed, as beef, pork, goats’-flesh; and others, in which may be +obtained rice, millet, marre, and bread; and others where they sell spirituous liquors, +palm and ciboa wine, and pito, which is a sort of beer. The chief commodities on sale, +are <i>slaves</i>, cattle, and fowls of every kind, monkeys and other animals; various sorts of European +cloth, linen, and woollen; printed calicoes, silk, grocery, and china; gold in dust +and bars, iron in bars or wrought. +</p> +<p>“The country manufactures are Whidáh cloths, mats, baskets, jars, calabashes of various +sorts, wooden bowls and cups, red and blue pepper, salt, palm-oil, &c. All these commodities, +except slaves, are sold by the women, who are excellent accountants, and set off their +goods most judiciously. The <span class="pageNum" id="pb26">[<a href="#pb26">26</a>]</span>men are also good accountants, reckoning every thing by the head; and are as exact +as the Europeans are with pen and ink, although the sums are often so many and so +considerable, as to render it very intricate. +</p> +<p>“The slaves are paid for in gold-dust, but other payments are made in strings of cowries, +which, as I have said, contain forty in a string. Five of the strings make what the +natives call a <i>fore</i>; and fifty <i>fores</i> make an <i>alkove</i>, which generally weighs about sixty pounds. +</p> +<p>The various commodities of these markets, and the order and regularity with which +they are disposed, would be a peculiarly pleasing sight to a stranger, were not human +beings included in the articles of commerce; but, to behold a number of men, women, +and children, linked together, and ranged like beasts to view, is a sight truly shocking +to behold; and I will acknowledge, Sophy, I felt a sickness come over my heart, and +a glow of shame suffuse my forehead, as I contemplated upwards of sixty individuals, +whom a few short hours, perhaps, might separate, for <span class="pageNum" id="pb27">[<a href="#pb27">27</a>]</span>ever, from their kindred and their country. There is, however, little chance that +it will now ever be otherwise; for the worst passions of men are engaged, and the +despotism of the African kings gives them ample opportunity to gratify their cupidity +and intemperance, by the barter of their unhappy subjects<a class="noteRef" id="xd32e422src" href="#xd32e422">1</a>. The revenues of the king of Whidáh are very considerable; for he not only has large +landed possessions, but he receives a duty on all commodities sold in the markets, +or imported into the country. His lands furnish him with provisions for his numerous +household, as well as for exportation; great quantities being annually sold to the +neighbouring nations, less bountifully supplied by nature. The revenues arising from +the slave-trade are very considerable, and induce him to favour it, by the strongest +principle in the soul of man, selfishness; for he receives three rix dollars for every +slave sold in his dominions. Every European vessel also pays <span class="pageNum" id="pb28">[<a href="#pb28">28</a>]</span>him a pecuniary duty, exclusive of presents, which they make to conciliate his favour, +and to secure his protection in trading. +</p> +<p>Some years, slaves to the number of two thousand are brought from the interior, by +the native merchants, most of whom, they say, are prisoners of war. These merchants +purchase them from the different princes, who have made captives of them. Their mode +of travelling is by tying them by the neck with leather thongs, at about a yard distant +from each other, thirty and forty in a string; having generally a large truss or bundle +of corn, or an elephant’s tooth, upon the head of each or many of them. In their way +from the mountains, far in the interior, they have to travel through vast woods, where, +for several days, perhaps, no water is to be procured. To obviate this distressing +scarcity, they carry water in skins. There are a great number of these merchants, +who, furnishing themselves with European goods from the slave-factors, penetrate the +inland countries, and with them purchase, in their <span class="pageNum" id="pb29">[<a href="#pb29">29</a>]</span>route, gold, slaves, and elephants’ teeth. (<a href="#note.e"><i>Note</i> <span class="sc">E</span></a>.) +</p> +<p>“They use asses as well as slaves to convey their goods, but no camels nor horses. +Besides the slaves brought down to the factories by these merchants, many others are +bought in the vicinity. These are either taken in war, as the former, or are men condemned +for crimes; and, not unfrequently, they are stolen. <i>These</i> the Company never purchase, if able to ascertain the fact. It is worthy of remark, +that, since the great demand for slaves, most punishments are changed into slavery; +and there being an accruing advantage on such condemnations, they exaggerate faults +scarcely more than venial, into crimes, in order to obtain the benefit of selling +the criminal. Not only murder and the grosser crimes are punished in this manner, +but every trifling misdemeanour renders the culprit obnoxious to the same dreadful +penalty. It was not many days since that I had a man brought to me to be sold, for +having stolen a tobacco pipe; and I had infinite trouble to persuade the <span class="pageNum" id="pb30">[<a href="#pb30">30</a>]</span>aggrieved party to accept of a compensation, and to leave the man free. +</p> +<p>“From what I have seen of the people, they are well disposed and cheerful, excessively +fond of dancing, keeping it up to the sound of a drum or a balafeu, for many hours, +without any appearance of weariness. Their dances are sometimes pleasing and regular, +but at others wild, and apparently confused. The instrument they call a <i>balafeu</i> is very pleasing, sounding something like an organ, when not too near. It is composed +of about twenty pipes of very hard wood, finely polished: these pipes gradually diminish, +both in size and length, and are tied together with thongs made of very fine thin +leather. These thongs are twisted round small round wands, which are placed between +each of the pipes, in order to leave a short space. Underneath the pipes are fastened +twelve or fourteen calabashes, of different sizes, which have the same effect of sound +as organ-pipes. This they play upon with two sticks, covered with a thin skin, taken +from the trunk of the ciboa, or with fine leather, in order to soften the sound. (<a href="#note.f"><i>Note</i> <span class="sc">F</span></a>.) <span class="pageNum" id="pb31">[<a href="#pb31">31</a>]</span>Both sexes delight to dance to this instrument, and their pleasure seems to rise almost +to ecstasy, if a white man will unite in the dance; which, you will readily suppose, +I am never unwilling to do. The only indication of suspicion they show, is when asked +to take any beverage with a white man, always requiring the liquor to be first tasted +by the inviter. +</p> +<p>“Many of the natives have invited me to their habitations and dancing parties, and +brought their wives and daughters to salute me. They, with great artlessness, generally +sit down by me, and are never weary in admiring the different articles of my dress; +making their comments one to another, with the most lively admiration and astonishment. +Some, who had never seen a white man, ran away from me, apparently terrified at my +<i>monstrous</i> appearance. +</p> +<p>“In their persons they are of a good height, well shaped, and extremely black; and, +as an instance of the female subjection, I am told, that, when a man has been absent +from home, even but for a short time, his wife salutes him upon her knees at his return, +and, <span class="pageNum" id="pb32">[<a href="#pb32">32</a>]</span>in the same attitude, offers him water and refreshments. Both sexes are exceedingly +cleanly in their persons, washing themselves in pure water twice in the day, and using +aromatic unguents. Their dress consists of the country cotton cloths I have named; +the superior classes add a short garment, made of taffety, or other silk, and scarfs +of the same material passed over the shoulder. They generally go with the head and +feet uncovered, but occasionally wear sandals, and caps or bonnets. The superior females +wear calico paans, or a sort of petticoat, which are very fine, and beautifully variegated +with different colours: these are confined round the waist, and the upper part of +the body is covered with a cloth, serving also as a veil. +</p> +<p>“They wear necklaces of coral, &c. agreeably disposed; and their arms, wrists, fingers, +and legs, are encompassed and ornamented with rings of amber, silver, and even gold, +to a considerable value. The inferior ranks wear copper or iron. The men suffer the +hair to remain in its natural form, except <span class="pageNum" id="pb33">[<a href="#pb33">33</a>]</span>buckling it in two or three places, in order to affix a coral ornament to it; but +the women arrange theirs more artificially, with long and small buckles, or ornaments, +the hair divided on the crown of the head, and the ornaments placed with great uniformity. +They have a bad practice of using an oil, which injures the glossy blackness of the +hair, in time changing it to a colour approaching green or yellow, which they much +admire; but it is very unpleasing to the eye of a stranger. +</p> +<p>“I have mentioned that the natives of Whidáh are idolaters. The object of their worship, +you will be surprised to find, is a serpent; an animal to which men, in general, have +an antipathy<span id="xd32e469"></span> This Whidáh god is called the <i>fetiche</i>: it is a harmless, as well as beautiful animal, having an antipathy to venomous serpents, +attacking them whenever it meets with them. The serpent has a large, round, beautiful +head; a short, pointed tongue, resembling a dart; and a short but sharp tail; the +whole adorned by the most beautiful colours, upon a light grey ground. In general +its pace is slow and solemn, except <span class="pageNum" id="pb34">[<a href="#pb34">34</a>]</span>when it seizes on its prey, in which case it is quick and rapid. They are perfectly +tame and familiar, permitting themselves to be caressed and handled, which is frequently +done by the natives and Europeans, without apprehension of danger. This deity has +a temple to his honour, with priests, sacrifices, &c.” +</p> +<p>With this account we will close our extracts from Irving’s letters; and as they will +give some idea of the people of the country which forms the principal scene of our +narrative, it is hoped the digression will not be thought irrelevant. In the next +chapter we resume the thread of our story, merely pausing to express our ardent hope, +that good may spring out of evil; that even the slave-trade may be the medium of promulgating +the gospel of peace; and that good may, in God’s own time, overcome evil. +</p> +<div class="lgouter"> +<p class="line">O, ’tis a godlike privilege to save, +</p> +<p class="line">And he that scorns it is himself a slave. +</p> +<p class="line">Inform his mind, one flash of heav’nly day +</p> +<p class="line">Would heal his heart, and melt his chains away: +</p> +<p class="line">“Beauty for ashes,” is a gift indeed; +</p> +<p class="line">And slaves by truth enlarg’d are doubly freed.</p> +</div> +<p class="first xd32e126"><span class="sc">Cowper.</span> +<span class="pageNum" id="pb35">[<a href="#pb35">35</a>]</span></p> +</div> +<div class="footnotes"> +<hr class="fnsep"> +<div class="footnote-body"> +<div class="fndiv" id="xd32e422"> +<p class="footnote"><span class="fnlabel"><a class="noteRef" href="#xd32e422src">1</a></span> It is necessary to apprize our readers, that the remarks and descriptions contained +in this volume, apply to Africa as it was some years since. <a class="fnarrow" href="#xd32e422src" title="Return to note 1 in text.">↑</a></p> +</div> +</div> +</div> +</div> +<div id="ch3" class="div1 chapter"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#ch3.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h2 class="main">Chapter III.</h2> +<div class="epigraph"> +<div class="lgouter"> +<p class="line">“O Slavery—— +</p> +<p class="line">Profuse of woes, and pregnant with distress, +</p> +<p class="line">Eternal horrors in thy presence reign; +</p> +<p class="line">Pale meagre famine leads thy horrid train; +</p> +<p class="line">To each dire load subjection adds more weight, +</p> +<p class="line">And pain is doubled in the captive’s fate: +</p> +<p class="line">O’er nature’s smiling face thou spreadst a gloom, +</p> +<p class="line">And to the grave dost every pleasure doom.”</p> +</div> +</div> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">Years had elapsed since Irving had indited the letters from which we have extracted, +and every passing one had seen an increasing tendency to suffer humanity to yield +to interest: what had been the practice of official duty, became the actuating principle, +and gold, the +</p> +<div class="lgouter"> +<p class="line">“<span class="corr" id="xd32e505" title="Source: Insiduous">Insidious</span> bane that makes destruction smooth, +</p> +<p class="line">The foe to virtue, liberty, and truth,”</p> +</div> +<p class="first">absorbed the better feelings, which had at first recoiled from the scenes of cruelty +and <span class="pageNum" id="pb36">[<a href="#pb36">36</a>]</span>oppression he had witnessed; and he could calmly execute the one and the other, and +be at no loss to justify (at least to himself) the acts, and even reason upon the +trade of human beings; if not, indeed, upon its humanity and justice, at least upon +its <i>expedience</i>; forgetful of that great and comprehensive, but most simple maxim: “Do unto others +as ye would they should do unto you.” +</p> +<p>The order he had received from his employers, arrived at an opportune period; for +he had, on that very day, been invited to attend the ceremony of the coronation of +the king of Whidáh, to take place in a few days, at Sabi. With the true spirit of +gain, he calculated that this event might, by a little judicious policy, be rendered, +not only subservient to his present pressing demand for slaves, but also might open +greater facilities than he had hitherto possessed, of obtaining a choice. Interest, +therefore, united with curiosity, in his determination of attending the ceremony; +a few preliminaries of which we will name, ere we accompany him to it. +</p> +<p>On the demise of a king of Whidáh, the <span class="pageNum" id="pb37">[<a href="#pb37">37</a>]</span>crown descends to his eldest son, unless the grandees have any substantial reasons +to reject his claim; in which case the youngest son is appointed, provided he was +born after the accession of the father. It is a singular custom, that, as soon as +the eldest son of a king of Whidáh is born, he is removed from the palace and court, +and placed under the care of a person in private, residing remote from the latter. +With this person he remains, in profound ignorance of his birth, and of the high responsibilities +for which he is designed. His protector is acquainted with the secret of his royal +birth, but would incur the penalty of death were he to divulge it. By this custom +it not unfrequently occurs, that when a prince is called to the throne, he may, at +the moment, be employed in the most common and menial offices; and it is with difficulty +he can be persuaded to believe those who inform him of his elevated rank, or in what +manner to receive their servile homage; as it is customary for the subjects to approach +the sovereign in the most humiliating form, advancing <span class="pageNum" id="pb38">[<a href="#pb38">38</a>]</span>towards them in a creeping manner, to a certain distance, till the monarch, clapping +his hands softly, indicates his permission for them to speak, which they then do, +in a low tone, with their heads nearly to the ground. They retire, with the same slavish +ceremonials, from the royal presence. +</p> +<p>As soon as the old king is dead, his successor is brought to the palace; but the period +of his coronation is uncertain, resting with the grandees, with whom it becomes a +political manœuvre to keep the government, as long as possible, in their own hands; +and they accordingly fix the period of the ceremony as best suits their respective +interests. It is generally put off some months, and, sometimes, even years, but cannot +be delayed beyond seven years. During this interval, the government is rather in the +power of the grandees than the king; for they execute all the public acts and business, +without consulting him. In every other respect he is treated as a prince, with only +one restriction, viz. that, previously to his coronation, he cannot quit the palace. +<span class="pageNum" id="pb39">[<a href="#pb39">39</a>]</span></p> +<p>It may readily be imagined by our young readers, that, from the obscure state in which +the young monarch is brought up, he has little notion of those qualities which are +necessary to govern a people. On the contrary, the sudden transition from this obscurity, +to the paths of ease and pleasure, and every facility of self-gratification, unfortunately +gives a peculiar relish for those pursuits and pleasures, with which, had he become +guardedly and progressively familiar, in all probability he would have been satiated. +But this not being the case, the king of Whidáh lives almost in a state of indolence; +seldom going abroad, and only occasionally attending his grandees when they are assembled +in the hall of audience, for the administration of justice: all the rest of his time +is spent in the recesses of his seraglio, attended by his numerous wives, who are +divided into three classes. When the period of the coronation has been fixed by the +grandees, they give intimation of it to the king, who assembles them in the palace; +and the council having deliberated on the <span class="pageNum" id="pb40">[<a href="#pb40">40</a>]</span>measures to be used in executing the ceremony, notice of it is given to the public +by a discharge of cannon, and the glad news is soon circulated throughout the kingdom. +</p> +<p>The following morning, the grand sacrificer goes to the king, demanding, in the name +of the great serpent, (their deity!) the offerings due on such a solemn and joyful +occasion. These offerings consist of an ox, a horse, a sheep, and a fowl, which are +sacrificed in the palace, and afterwards taken to the market-place. In the centre +of this, the grand sacrificer erects a pole, nine or ten feet high, with a piece of +linen attached to it like a flag, and around it are placed the victims, with small +loaves of millet, rubbed over with palm-oil. After a few trifling ceremonies the company +retire, leaving the victims exposed to the birds of prey; no person being permitted +to touch them, upon pain of death. Arrived at the palace, about twenty of the king’s +wives walk in procession to the place of sacrifice, the eldest, or chief, (<a href="#note.g"><i>Note</i> <span class="sc">G</span></a>.) bearing a figure formed of earth, representing a child in a sitting posture: this +she <span class="pageNum" id="pb41">[<a href="#pb41">41</a>]</span>places at a short distance from the victims. These women are attended by a party of +fusileers, and the king’s flutes and drums, the people prostrating themselves as they +pass, and expressing their joy by the loudest acclamations. When these ceremonies +are over, the grandees repair to the palace, dressed in their richest apparel, and +attended by their numerous slaves, of whom they are very proud, adorning them with +a profusion of trinkets, and ornaments of silver and gold. The king is not visible +on this occasion; but they enter, and prostrate themselves before the throne, and +again retire. This part of the ceremony continues fifteen days, during which the women +make the palace re-echo with their acclamations; and the public joy is testified by +the firing of cannon, and the almost continual display of rockets, from all parts +of the capital. +</p> +<p>It was during the interval of these rejoicings, that Irving, with his attendants, +arrived at Sabi, and was appointed to take up his quarters with a grandee high in +favour with the new king. He had taken care to <span class="pageNum" id="pb42">[<a href="#pb42">42</a>]</span>provide himself with an ample assortment of trinkets, spirits, cutlery, and other +European produce he knew to be tempting to his inviter and his royal master, with +whom he proposed to trade, immediately after the ceremony was concluded. +</p> +<p>Soon after his arrival, the grandee with whom he resided was summoned, (as was customary,) +as the one deputed to go to the neighbouring kingdom of Ardrah, with a magnificent +retinue, in order to request one of the nobles of that kingdom (in whose family the +right had existed time immemorial) to proceed to Sabi, to crown the king; and Irving, +desirous of seeing the whole of the ceremonial, obtained ready permission to accompany +the embassy. The greatest respect is paid, by all ranks, to this officiating nobleman; +and all the expences of his journey are defrayed by the grandees of Whidáh. +</p> +<p>When arrived at the last village next the capital, this nobleman and his retinue suspended +their progress, remaining there stationary three or four days; during which time he +received visits from the principal <span class="pageNum" id="pb43">[<a href="#pb43">43</a>]</span>people of the kingdom, with whom it is customary to make him valuable presents, and +contribute to his amusement by a variety of entertainments; the king supplying him +with a great quantity of provision, carried twice a day in great pomp, by his wives, +preceded by a guard of fusileers and a band of music. +</p> +<p>Among these ladies, Irving saw many whom, as a slave-merchant, he would have been +happy to have obtained at a high price. Four days being elapsed, the grandees, with +their usual train, and a great concourse of people, repaired to the village, to conduct +the Ardrah nobleman, in great state, to Sabi; where he was received by a salute of +the king’s guns, and the loud and continued acclamations of the multitude. He was +then conducted to the apartments prepared for him near the palace, where he was splendidly +entertained by the grandees, and received visits from the principal officers of the +court. He continued here five days, but, at the close of the third, he entered the +palace with the chief of his train, without taking off any part of his dress or ornaments. +He remained <span class="pageNum" id="pb44">[<a href="#pb44">44</a>]</span>standing, also, when he spoke to the king, while all others prostrated themselves, +as usual. +</p> +<p>On the evening of the fifth day, nine guns were fired, at the palace, to announce +to the people that the king would be crowned on the following day, and that he would +show himself in public, seated on his throne, in the court of the palace, the gates +of which would be left open for the admission of all ranks of people. It was with +the utmost astonishment that Irving beheld the immense population assembled in the +streets of Sabi, on this occasion; every avenue towards the palace being completely +crowded by the natives, to obtain a sight of their new monarch. +</p> +<p>On the evening of the following day, the king came forth from his seraglio, attended +by forty of his favourite wives, dressed in the most sumptuous manner; being rather +loaded than ornamented, with gold necklaces, laces, pendants, bracelets, foot-chains +of gold and silver, and the richest gems. The king, who was a good-looking, but, apparently, +very indolent young man, was magnificently <span class="pageNum" id="pb45">[<a href="#pb45">45</a>]</span>dressed, wearing a gilt helmet, decorated with red and white feathers. He was attended +by his guards, and proceeded from his seraglio to the throne, which was placed in +an angle of the court, to the east of the palace, and styled the court of the coronation. +</p> +<p>The throne itself was something like a large armed chair, finely gilt, and elevated +a little above the ground; the negroes choosing very low seats, not more than ten +inches high, and six in diameter, and not unfrequently in the shape of an hour-glass. +The most valuable and curious part of the throne we are now describing, was the seat, +consisting of an entire lump of gold; not cast or formed by art, but a product of +nature alone, weighing thirty pounds. It had been bored and fitted as a seat to the +royal throne: upon this was a velvet cushion, richly laced and fringed with gold, +and a foot-cushion to correspond. On the left were ranged the forty wives of the monarch, +and on the right the principal grandees; and in a line with them, the Europeans from +the English <span class="pageNum" id="pb46">[<a href="#pb46">46</a>]</span>factories; therefore, Irving had a complete view of every part of the ceremonial. +One of the grandees held in his hand an umbrella: this, however, was more for ornament +than use, as the ceremony took place at night. It was formed of the richest cloth +of gold, the lining embroidered with the same precious material, and the fringes and +tassels the same. On the top of it was the figure of a cock, as large as the life. +The pole of this pavilion, or umbrella, was six feet long, richly embossed and gilded. +Another grandee kneeled before the king, constantly fanning him during the ceremony. +Opposite to the monarch stood two of his dwarfs, who represented to him the good qualities +of his predecessor; extolling his justice, liberality, and clemency, and exhorting +the king not only to imitate, but to excel him; concluding their harangue with wishes +for the king’s happiness, and that his reign might be long and prosperous. +</p> +<p>These ceremonies concluded, the grandee of Ardrah was summoned to attend. When arrived +at the outer gate of the palace, the <span class="pageNum" id="pb47">[<a href="#pb47">47</a>]</span>cannon were discharged, and the band began to play. He entered the court, surrounded +with his attendants, and was guarded by them to a certain distance. He then advanced, +singly, to the throne, saluting the king by courteously bowing the head, but not prostrating +himself. He then addressed a short speech to the king, relative to the ceremony he +was called to perform; and removing the helmet from his head, turned to the people, +holding it in his hands. A signal was then made, and the music instantly ceased. A +profound and most impressive silence ensued. The grandee of Ardrah, then, with a loud +and distinct voice, repeated, three times, these words to the assembled multitude: +“Here is your king: be loyal to him, and your prayers shall be heard by the king of +Ardrah, my master.” After this he replaced the helmet on the head of the king, made +a low reverence, and retired. The cannon and small-arms were instantly fired, the +music again struck up, and the acclamations were renewed. The grandee of Ardrah, in +the meantime, was reconducted, in <span class="pageNum" id="pb48">[<a href="#pb48">48</a>]</span>great state, to his apartments; after which, the new-crowned king, attended by his +wives, his guards, and the Europeans, returned to the seraglio, where the latter made +their compliments to the king as he entered the gate; and, on the following day, the +monarch sent, as usual, a rich present to the Ardrah grandee, previously to his return +home, which he must immediately do, the law not permitting him to remain three days +longer in the kingdom. +</p> +<p>The rejoicings which followed the coronation lasted fifteen days, and the whole was +closed with a grand procession to the temple of the great serpent. The grandee with +whom Irving resided during the period of these ceremonies, was one of the principal +officers of the palace, and possessed a disposition peculiarly open to the enticement +of spirituous liquors, as well as dreadfully acted upon by the pernicious stimulus +they gave to his passions. He also had such a propensity for their use, that Irving +easily found, that, by supplying him well, he might render him subservient to his +purposes; and, in fact, he <span class="pageNum" id="pb49">[<a href="#pb49">49</a>]</span>very soon disclosed to the wily merchant, that he had in his possession a number of +valuable slaves, intended for the service, or to purchase the favour of the young +king. The appearance of this negro courtier was pleasing and imposing. He was, in +person, tall and well shaped; his dress was that usual in the country, but the material +fine, and the colour perfectly white: his cap was also white and small. He wore large +gold earrings, which, together with the pure white of his light dress, contrasted +well with the jet black of his polished skin. In disposition he was so cruel and vindictive, +that when he received an affront, even in the most trifling instance, he scrupled +not to sacrifice the aggressor by shooting him. +</p> +<p>He possessed several wives, of whom he was very jealous, and whom he treated as slaves. +He had also several brothers, to whom he seldom spoke, or even permitted them to enter +his presence; but when he did grant them admission, they were obliged to take off +their caps, prostrate themselves at his feet, and throw dust on their heads. +<span class="pageNum" id="pb50">[<a href="#pb50">50</a>]</span></p> +<p>It may readily be imagined, that a disposition so cruel and arbitrary, would be stimulated +almost to fury and madness by the powerful influence of ardent spirits; and the fact +was, that his thirst for brandy was so insatiable, that, to procure it, he scrupled +not to execute any act of oppression, cruelty, or treachery. He had even been known, +in order to procure slaves, with which to purchase brandy, secretly to set fire to +a village, and then send the ministers of his cruelty to seize the distracted people +as they rushed from destruction, to bind and to send them to the European factories, +or to the joncoes, (or black slave-merchants,) and sell them for brandy and rum; which +he would continue to drink till expended, without any cessation but that forced upon +him by stupefaction or sleep. +</p> +<p>It would not be consistent with the plan of our tale, to make any remarks upon the +probabilities of what this man might have been, had not the slave-trade existed; or +what direction his cunning and arbitrary disposition might have taken; but we may +venture <span class="pageNum" id="pb51">[<a href="#pb51">51</a>]</span>to say, that he could not have had so extensive opportunities of oppression, nor could +his cruelties have created such incalculable misery. “For it has been proved, on the +most convincing evidence, that the demand for slaves has had the most fatal effect +in exciting and developing every vice and every bad passion among these people; of +perverting their rude institutions, and poisoning their domestic relations. It has +been proved by evidence unquestionable, that, as we have asserted, the tyrant chiefs +of Africa were daily induced to condemn, indiscriminately, whole families, for trivial +or imaginary crimes, with the sole object of obtaining possession of the individuals +composing those families, and exchanging them for bad powder and bad muskets; to station +their soldiers in ambush, on the roads, with orders to rush on the unarmed traveller, +and load him with chains; to attack, at night, villages sunk in repose, dragging into +slavery men, women, and children, of an age suited to their purpose, and mercilessly +butchering the aged and the infant. It has been proved, <span class="pageNum" id="pb52">[<a href="#pb52">52</a>]</span>upon authority equally good, that famine, devastation, and continual warfare, undertaken +for the sole purpose of taking prisoners, were the inevitable consequences of the +slave ships’ presence on the coast; and that the Europeans not only were witnesses +of this desolation, but furnished the arms, nourished the hatred, fomented the discord, +and were the communicaters of the moral blast, which shed its pestilential influence +over the population of a country, which, under the benign protection of a fair and +legitimate commerce, is assuredly capable of being civilized, enlightened, and happy; +and which, in return for the inestimable gifts of instruction and religion, would +cheerfully and gratefully pour its riches into the bosoms of its benefactors. But, +can the arts which embellish life, can the virtues which expand the heart, can the +principles that elevate the soul, can these find rest, or even enter a region devoted +to blood, oppression, and desolation? Alas! while the slave-trade exists, we are compelled +to unite in the fear expressed by an enlightened patriot, <span class="pageNum" id="pb53">[<a href="#pb53">53</a>]</span>that ‘there is no prospect of civilization or happiness for Africa.’ ” +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="ch4" class="div1 chapter"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#ch4.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h2 class="main">Chapter IV.</h2> +<div class="epigraph"> +<div class="lgouter"> +<p class="line">“Yet was I born as you are, no man’s slave, +</p> +<p class="line">An heir to all that liberal nature gave; +</p> +<p class="line">My mind can reason, and my limbs can move +</p> +<p class="line">The same as yours; like yours my heart can love: +</p> +<p class="line">Alike my body food and sleep sustain, +</p> +<p class="line">And e’en, like yours, feels pleasure, want, and pain: +</p> +<p class="line">One sun rolls o’er us, common skies surround, +</p> +<p class="line">One globe contains us, and one grave must bound.”</p> +</div> +</div> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">Intent upon the orders of his employers, and of the advantages he should obtain by +the commission, Irving studied so much to ingratiate himself with his host, that he +very soon readily obtained his promise of conducting him to his slave-rooms, the first +opportunity he could spare from his close <span class="pageNum" id="pb54">[<a href="#pb54">54</a>]</span>attendance upon his royal master, to whom his bold and haughty spirit made him eminently +useful. +</p> +<p>While Irving displayed the tempting assortment of spirits, trinkets, dresses, and +fire-arms, to the eager African, he artfully affected indifference as to the purchase +of slaves; being well acquainted with the mode of making a good bargain, even when +his fellow men were the articles for which to negociate: so entirely does this infamous +trade debase and corrupt every generous emotion of the heart, and blunt every honourable +feeling. With the internal assurance, therefore, that the view he had granted of his +commodities, would induce the chief, as soon as possible, to gratify his desire of +possessing them, Irving waited patiently the summons to attend him to the children +of misery he had by fraud and violence collected; and was fully prepared to accompany +him, upon his invitation a few days subsequent to the conclusion of the coronation +ceremonies. Irving was, however, astonished, when the negro pointed out to him several +<span class="pageNum" id="pb55">[<a href="#pb55">55</a>]</span>spacious enclosures, the wretched inhabitants of which were to purchase his selfish +gratification, and satisfy his cupidity; for Irving was not then aware that this grandee +was, in fact, the creature of his sovereign, acting as an agent and slave-factor, +upon the blood-stained gains of which he not only lived in great splendour, but possessed +from his riches great power. His house was fitted up with European elegance, and was, +in exterior style, something resembling the buildings of the Moors; consisting of +courts, surrounded by apartments, beyond the precincts of which were the receptacles +of the slaves. +</p> +<p>The transition from the elegance and luxuries of this African mansion, to the slave-buildings, +was striking; and to a heart yet unperverted and unvitiated by the habitual view of +uncontrouled power and oppression over the defenceless, would have been most mournful. +</p> +<p>But such was not the impression made upon either of the present visitants; the one +intent upon immediate self-gratification, the <span class="pageNum" id="pb56">[<a href="#pb56">56</a>]</span>other upon obtaining the means to ensure it in future. Nothing could more strongly +prove the tendency of this traffic to prostrate every noble faculty of the soul, every +tender impulse of the heart, to destroy every sympathy of our nature, than the fact, +that Irving, the once generous, kind-hearted youth, beheld, with the cold regard of +a mere trader intent upon making an advantageous bargain, above a hundred and twenty +wretched beings in one house, all chained two and two, by their hands and feet, and +sitting in three rows on the floor! They were of various ages of youth, and different +in features; many of them having come, as the grandee observed, “a journey of many +moons,” that is, many hundred miles inland. +</p> +<p>While examining these miserable captives with all the technical minuteness of jockeys, +or cattle-dealers, (during which the wretched exiles evinced the strongest and most +varying emotions of reluctance, grief, and indignation,) the people of the chief brought +in thirty-five more individuals, whom they had taken in a small town or village of +the interior, <span class="pageNum" id="pb57">[<a href="#pb57">57</a>]</span>and which they had attacked by order of their employer, leaving the aged and young +infants butchered in their simple huts. Among this last group were several women, +who exhibited the most heart-rending evidences of distraction and grief, in the loss +of their infants, and the prospect of the unknown evils that awaited them in bondage. +</p> +<p>Amongst this number, however, great as it was, there were no slaves which suited the +purposes of Irving; and he proceeded with his conductor to several other enclosures, +from which he selected a few of inferior value. The negro then told him, he would +show him what he termed “prime and superb negroes.” In passing over to one of these +enclosures, which were at some distance, Irving was arrested by a faint and low moan, +as of distress, followed by an air of most exquisite plaintive melody, with which +was intermingled, at intervals, the sound of an infantine voice, so lively as to speak +the unconsciousness, of the innocent from whose lips it proceeded, of the mournful +lot to which it was destined. +<span class="pageNum" id="pb58">[<a href="#pb58">58</a>]</span></p> +<p>“What sound is that?” he enquired of his host, as he stopped to listen from whence +it proceeded; for even upon his deadened soul the song had vibrated. (<a href="#note.h"><i>Note</i> <span class="sc">H</span></a>.) “I dare say it is the Senegal slave I had selected for my royal master,” replied +the negro; “but she bewailed being parted from her boy so much, that, to save her +life, I was obliged to suffer her to see him once or twice a day, during the ceremonies. +I shall, however, soon make her submit, now I can attend to her: I shall sell her +for a great price, if I can separate the child from her, without hazarding her life.” +</p> +<p>“Perhaps she will suit me,” said Irving; “the boy would be no objection to the purchase, +if he is strong and healthy. Let me see them.” The negro hesitated; but at length +observed, “They are worth a great deal,” as if he doubted that Irving would be disposed +to give the price. “You remember that beautiful sabre, and the brandy-chest full of +prime liquor, and those muskets you admired, and”——observed Irving carelessly, but +was interrupted in his enumeration by <span class="pageNum" id="pb59">[<a href="#pb59">59</a>]</span>the African: “Yes, yes, I remember: what! will you give them for her and the boy?” +“I cannot promise that, you know, unless I see her: you may be telling me a false +tale. It at least can do no harm to see this slave you keep so close.” +</p> +<p>“True, true, I scorn to deceive so good a friend,” rejoined the negro, half afraid +that Irving would recede from his implied bargain: “You shall certainly see this refractory +woman; that is, she is only obstinate when I remove the boy. I wish they had killed +the young urchin at once, when they carried her off. She is very gentle when he is +with her: she only chooses to sing those mournful songs about Tumiáh: I suppose he +was her husband. However, at all events, the boy cannot go to the palace with her.” +</p> +<p>During this conversation, they had reached the hut in which the poor slave was confined +alone, in the hope of making her yield to the will of the African, by consenting to +be conveyed to the palace without her child. Irving followed the negro into the hut. +The moment the latter got within it, the miserable <span class="pageNum" id="pb60">[<a href="#pb60">60</a>]</span>inmate uttered a piercing shriek, and clasped her child with convulsive strength to +her bosom, imploring the tyrant not to tear him from her widowed arms. There was one +chord in the soul of Irving, which, amid the circumstances of his life, and despite +of time, yet responded. It was the memory of his mother’s caresses, when in his childhood +she became a widow. +</p> +<p>The scene he now witnessed, struck powerfully on this chord of feeling. The distraction +of the captive, her extreme youth, her beauty, the neglect of grief so apparent in +her simple dress, her unornamented hair, her trembling limbs, her heaving bosom, her +eloquent eye, her fevered lip, her attitude, and the energy with which she held her +now alarmed child; altogether, combined a picture, which coming suddenly upon his +previously somewhat softened feelings, had a powerful effect upon him, and, for a +time, made him forget he was a slave-dealer, and caused the nobler feeling of the +<i>man</i> to prevail. He determined, if possible, to save the wretched woman from the fate +that awaited <span class="pageNum" id="pb61">[<a href="#pb61">61</a>]</span>her; forgetting that, perhaps, one equally horrible might be her lot, did she become +his property. When, therefore, he heard the African tyrant threaten her with a flogging +if she persisted in singing such mournful songs, he almost involuntarily said: “If +you are willing to barter her and the child, for what I named, and a selection of +those trinkets you admired, to which I will add four gallons of rum, we are agreed +upon the bargain.” The negro again regarded Irving with a half suspicious, half incredulous +glance, but remained silent. “I am serious,” said Irving; “are we agreed?” “Let me +see,” muttered the negro to himself; “that <i>fong</i>, (sword,) mounted in silver gilt, and embossed handle; the chest with fine brandy; +ten fine <i>kiddos</i>; (guns;) trinkets to please <i>woollima moosa</i>, (handsome wife,) and four gallons of rum: delicious rum make me merry, happy. Make +the rum eight gallons,” he added aloud to Irving, “and she,” pointing to the being +he was thus selling, “she is yours.<span class="corr" id="xd32e647" title="Not in source">”</span>—“And the boy, remember?<span class="corr" id="xd32e649" title="Not in source">”</span> replied Irving. “O yes, the boy, the boy, to be <span class="pageNum" id="pb62">[<a href="#pb62">62</a>]</span>sure,” reiterated the African, hardly knowing how to repress his joy. Though almost +absorbed in profound grief, the wretched captive yet understood she was about to be +transferred, and that her child was to be included in the transfer. In an agony of +mingled emotion, after having timidly regarded Irving’s countenance, while he intently +watched hers, she threw herself at his feet, imploring his mercy, and by a thousand +expressive gestures, imparted the feelings which agitated her soul. In this lowly +attitude she fainted; and when a little recovered, she exclaimed in mournful accents: +“O Tumiáh, where art thou? Thou canst no more hear thy Imihie: she goes to the land +of strangers, and will see thee no more, till death conveys her beyond the blue mountains. +And Samboe, my boy,” she added, as she called the playful and unconscious child from +some flowers he was gathering from the ground, “thou wilt see thy father no more. +Thou art a slave, my child: hard will be thy lot in the land of strangers, among the +manstealers, when Imihie, thy <span class="pageNum" id="pb63">[<a href="#pb63">63</a>]</span>mother, no longer shall feel pain, nor endure bondage. But I will watch over thee, +my boy, I will be thy spirit: I will conduct thee over the blue mountains, the manstealer +shall not follow us there.” +</p> +<p>The negro’s anger began to rise, during this soliloquy of his hapless captive; and +calling vehemently for attendants, he directed she should be conducted, with her child, +to a place appointed, with care to be taken that she should not do herself any injury, +until Irving had concluded his engagement, and could have her removed to Whidáh. +</p> +<p>Irving declined viewing any more of the slaves on that day, and having determined +to remain but a few days longer with the chief, he lost no time in making good his +purchase of the female slave and her child. One impediment to his returning to Whidáh, +however, there was, which he might have anticipated; but in his eagerness to purchase +the wretched Imihie, he had not considered that while the rum and brandy remained, +the grandee and his companions <span class="pageNum" id="pb64">[<a href="#pb64">64</a>]</span>were totally incapable of business; but, in the intervals of stupefaction, were guilty +of the most wanton excesses. Nor was his African majesty himself, exempt from effects +of the potent contents of the liquor-chests consigned to his favourite, who artfully +concealed from him the circumstance of Imihie; informing the king only, that he had +obtained the liquor from an English merchant, for some dry goods, ivory, and gum. +The monarch enquired if this merchant traded also in slaves. “Doubtless he does,” +replied the wily courtier: “he comes from the land of the manstealers, and will not, +therefore, refuse the commodity in the way of trade. Would my royal master wish to +see this Englishman?” “It is my desire,” answered the king; “let him have notice of +our pleasure.” The grandee prostrated himself, and retired to caution Irving to conceal +the transaction of the female slave from the king, or he would doubtless force her +from him. The morrow was appointed for the interview with the monarch, who, the courtier +<span class="pageNum" id="pb65">[<a href="#pb65">65</a>]</span>said, had some slaves to offer for brandy and trinkets for his wives. +</p> +<div class="lgouter"> +<p class="line">“Where wast thou, then, sweet Charity, where then, +</p> +<p class="line">Thou tutelary friend of helpless men? +</p> +<p class="line">Perish the wretch, that slighted and withstood +</p> +<p class="line">The tender argument of kindred blood. +</p> +<p class="line">But tho’ some nobler minds a law respect, +</p> +<p class="line">That none shall with impunity neglect, +</p> +<p class="line">In baser souls unnumber’d evils meet, +</p> +<p class="line">To thwart its influence, and its end defeat.”</p> +</div> +<p class="first">Shall a Briton, shall a man “honoured with a <span class="corr" id="xd32e673" title="Source: Christain">Christian</span> name” encourage slavery, because the semi-barbarous, unenlightened, lawless African +hath done it? “To what end (it is impressively asked) do we profess a religion whose +dictates we so flagrantly violate? Wherefore have we that pattern of goodness and +humanity, if we refuse to follow it? How long shall we continue a practice which policy +rejects, justice condemns, and piety revolts at?” +<span class="pageNum" id="pb66">[<a href="#pb66">66</a>]</span></p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="ch5" class="div1 chapter"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#ch5.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h2 class="main">Chapter V.</h2> +<div class="epigraph"> +<div class="lgouter"> +<p class="line">* * * the band of commerce is design’d +</p> +<p class="line">T’ associate all the branches of mankind. +</p> +<p class="line">And if a boundless plenty be the robe, +</p> +<p class="line">Trade is the golden girdle of the globe: +</p> +<p class="line">This genial intercourse, and mutual aid, +</p> +<p class="line">Cheers, what were else, an universal shade. +</p> +<p class="line">Calls nature from her ivy-mantled den, +</p> +<p class="line">And softens human rock-work into men.</p> +</div> +<p class="first xd32e126"><span class="sc">Cowper.</span></p> +</div> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">Most truly and impressively do these lines of our Christian poet describe the effects +of legitimate and honourable commerce; the mutual exchange of the various gifts of +an all-bounteous Providence, showered on the globe we inhabit, for the general use, +benefit, and pleasure; and of those embellishments of art, which civilization has +brought forth and nourished. +</p> +<p>But no such effect can ever flow from the piratical commerce of men, that deformed +and cruel offspring of Mammon, which riots <span class="pageNum" id="pb67">[<a href="#pb67">67</a>]</span>in the blood, and glories in the miseries of man. +</p> +<p>It may be urged, we are not the original agents in this trade: it is pursued with +eagerness by the Africans themselves. But are those who live in that transcendent +light which was granted to dispel the mists of error—to meliorate propensity to evil—to +harmonize the rational soul—still to delight in works so dark, still to trample under +foot every principle of humanity; still to spurn from them the obligations of justice, +still to set at naught the precepts of religion; and to make themselves accomplices +with pagan oppressors, in tyrannizing over those hapless beings, whom a mysterious +Providence has subjected to their power? Is the Christian trader content to put himself +upon a level with the unenlightened despot, and coolly to put his blood-stained profits +in the balance, against the laws of religion and his country; laughing at the remonstrances +of philanthropists, as the dreams of enthusiasm, or as puerile objections unworthy +of attention? No; it surely will not be thus. England has <span class="pageNum" id="pb68">[<a href="#pb68">68</a>]</span>entered the path of mercy<a class="noteRef" id="xd32e701src" href="#xd32e701">1</a>, let her pursue it with energy and constancy: and if other nations refuse to follow +her heaven-enlightened way, to them belongs the shame and the guilt of trampling down +the laws which bind man to his God and his fellow-man; and, for the violation of which, +every individual must be accountable, at that tremendous audit, before which the oppressed +and the oppressor shall alike appear! +</p> +<p>But to return to our narrative from these reflections, which the seriousness of the +subject forced from us, and which must apologize for them with our young readers. +</p> +<p>The time being fixed for Irving to have an audience with the king, he was conducted +to the palace, which was a spacious edifice, consisting of many large courts, entirely +surrounded with porticoes, above which were apartments with small windows. These apartments, +as well as every part of the palace, exhibited great magnificence in the furniture +and decorations. Some of the floors were covered with exquisitely fine <span class="pageNum" id="pb69">[<a href="#pb69">69</a>]</span>matting, and others with superb Turkey carpets; and the furniture consisted of chairs, +sofas or divans, skreens, chests, cabinets and porcelain imported from China. The +windows were not glazed, but were shaded with frames of fine white linen, and taffety +curtains. The gardens of this superb palace were very extensive, laid out in long +vistas of lofty and beautiful trees; affording a deliciously cool and shaded retreat, +for the women immured in the splendid prison. It was evident to Irving, as he passed +some of these apartments to the hall of audience, that his African majesty intended +to receive him in great state; but whether out of respect to him, as a European and +<i>a slave and spirit</i> merchant, or to display his own magnificence, he could not determine: nor was it +of much consequence, although he well knew that the Europeans in general are well +received, and are allowed to dispense with the humiliating ceremonies they scrupulously +exact from their own subjects; and, unlike them, are granted an audience whenever +they desire it. When Irving, therefore, <span class="pageNum" id="pb70">[<a href="#pb70">70</a>]</span>entered the hall where the king was seated to receive him, his majesty immediately +rose, and advanced some steps to him; took him by the hand, pressed it in his own, +and three times successively touched his fore finger, which was the greatest token +of amity and affection. After this, he desired him to sit down by his side, upon fine +mats spread on the floor; which Irving having complied with, he displayed his presents +to his majesty, who was astonished to find he could, with ease, converse with him +without the aid of an interpreter. +</p> +<p>Irving could not but feel gratified at the extreme although childish pleasure the +young monarch evinced, in receiving the presents; which consisted of an elegant case +of English spirits, some beautiful guns, a superb sword, and a great variety of trinkets +for the ladies of the seraglio. The king offered to sell him some of his discarded +wives; but Irving respectfully declined the offer of the ladies, as not very well +calculated for the labours of the colonies. +</p> +<p>In the audience chamber were two benches, <span class="pageNum" id="pb71">[<a href="#pb71">71</a>]</span>one of which was broader than the other, covered with an embroidered cloth, and by +it was an oval stool; upon this the monarch seated himself, after having received +and examined the presents. The other bench was covered with mats, on which Irving +was directed to sit, as the usual seat of the Europeans during conferences. Irving +was uncovered; not, however, by order, but from a voluntary desire of showing proper +respect; for he had not forgot the early lesson, “honour the king,” though as a slave-dealer, +it may be, alas! inferred, that he had little recollection of the context, “fear God.” +He made himself so agreeable, however, to the king, that he was invited to dine with +him, and the meal was served with great elegance. While they were feasting, the grandees +prostrated themselves before their sovereign; and what provisions were left were given +to them, which they appeared readily and cheerfully to accept. Irving had, during +this long interview, an ample opportunity of observing the person, the dress, and +the manners of the new king of Whidáh; and, <span class="pageNum" id="pb72">[<a href="#pb72">72</a>]</span>in some degree, to form a judgment of his character. His dress was superb, composed +of silk and gold, with strings of beautiful coral round his neck, arms, and wrists. +In person he was tall, well shaped, with remarkably smooth and polished skin. His +manners were free, urbane, and familiar; but there was discovered a disposition to +covetousness, and the usual propensity to inebriety. Nor was it difficult to discover +that he was indolent and pusillanimous, the usual companions of luxury and dissipation. +In fact, the faults of the king seemed those of his education; and his virtues, those +of his nature, which required only civilization, good examples, and a pure faith, +to nourish into fruitfulness. +</p> +<p>The audience chamber in which Irving was received, was hung with tapestry. At the +upper part of the room was a throne, formed of ivory; it was ascended by three steps, +and shaded by a canopy of the richest silk. This is used on great state occasions. +</p> +<p>The king readily granted permission to Irving, to view the palace, excepting, of <span class="pageNum" id="pb73">[<a href="#pb73">73</a>]</span>course, the apartments of the women. Conducted by his friend the grandee, and some +other officers of the palace, he found it more extensive than he had supposed, having +entered by a private passage. It consisted of several large squares, surrounded with +galleries, each of which had a portico or gate, guarded by soldiers. The first gallery +on entering the palace is very long, supported on each side by lofty pillars. At the +termination of this gallery was a wall with three gates, the centre one ornamented +with a turret seventy feet in height; terminated with a figure of a large snake, cast +in copper, and very ingeniously carved. These gates opened into an immense area, enclosed +also with a wall; then another gallery like the former, into another spacious court; +and so on to a fourth, beyond which were the apartments of the king. In this spacious +palace the king is sometimes immured for years, until he is crowned; and here, also, +many wealthy courtiers spend the whole of their time, leaving trade and agriculture +to be executed by their wives and slaves. (<a href="#note.k"><i>Note</i> <span class="sc">K</span></a>.) These <span class="pageNum" id="pb74">[<a href="#pb74">74</a>]</span>go to the circumjacent villages, either to trade in merchandise, or serve for daily +wages; but they are obliged to bring the greatest part of what they obtain to their +masters, otherwise they make no scruple to sell them for slaves. +</p> +<p>Irving and his new royal acquaintance had passed their time so convivially, that the +negociation for slaves was deferred till the morrow, when he again attended his majesty +to a depôt, containing about two hundred; and as they were going to this place, they +met nearly as many proceeding to the coast, the king’s agents having sold them on +the preceding day. Amongst this wretched group, Irving remarked some remarkably handsome +men; and found, on enquiry, they were from Molembo, from whence the finest negroes +are obtained. +</p> +<p>The number he was invited to examine, consisted of men, women, and children; and, +to any but a slave-dealer, the sight was heart-rending. Fathers overwhelmed in silent +sorrow; mothers expressing their anguish in affecting lamentations, audible sighs, +or <span class="pageNum" id="pb75">[<a href="#pb75">75</a>]</span>deep groans, expecting every moment to be separated from their tender offspring, whom +they clasped to their bosoms, or endeavoured to hide under the folds of their pacans; +youthful females shrinking from the brutal gaze of the trader, and dreading nameless +indignities; the fiery eye of many a youth, indignant at the bonds which confined +him from levelling to the ground the wretches who bought and sold him as a beast of +the field, and tore him from the object of his love, whom he was powerless to save +from death and bondage. But such a scene was of too frequent occurrence, the cry of +the innocent was too familiar, to make any impression upon those who were bargaining. +Irving purchased many of them; and having seen them marked as his property, (<a href="#note.l"><i>Note</i> <span class="sc">L</span></a>.) left his people to conduct them to Whidáh; whither, after having taken a cordial +leave of the king, and so far conciliated him and the grandee as to ensure future +advantages, he himself, with his attendants and the female slave, returned that evening. +<span class="pageNum" id="pb76">[<a href="#pb76">76</a>]</span></p> +<div class="lgouter"> +<p class="line">Canst thou, and honoured with a Christian name, +</p> +<p class="line">Buy what is woman-born and feel no shame? +</p> +<p class="line">Trade in the blood of innocence, and plead +</p> +<p class="line">Expedience as a warrant for the deed? +</p> +<p class="line">Perish the thought!</p> +</div> +</div> +<div class="footnotes"> +<hr class="fnsep"> +<div class="footnote-body"> +<div class="fndiv" id="xd32e701"> +<p class="footnote"><span class="fnlabel"><a class="noteRef" href="#xd32e701src">1</a></span> The slave-trade was abolished in 1807. <a class="fnarrow" href="#xd32e701src" title="Return to note 1 in text.">↑</a></p> +</div> +</div> +</div> +</div> +<div id="ch6" class="div1 chapter"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#ch6.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h2 class="main">Chapter VI.</h2> +<div class="epigraph"> +<div class="lgouter"> +<p class="line">“And if perchance a momentary sigh, +</p> +<p class="line">For such a lot reflection may supply, +</p> +<p class="line">He follows not the feeling to its source.”</p> +</div> +<p class="first xd32e126"><span class="sc">Barton</span> (adapted.) +</p> +<div class="lgouter"> +<p class="line">“If ever thou hast felt another’s pain, +</p> +<p class="line">If ever when he sigh’d hast sigh’d again; +</p> +<p class="line">If ever on thine eyelid stood the tear, +</p> +<p class="line">That pity hath engender’d—drop one here: +</p> +<p class="line"><i>This man was happy</i>.”</p> +</div> +</div> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">It will naturally be supposed, from the eagerness of Irving to make good the purchase +of Imihie and her poor boy, that his heart was deeply interested by their situation, +<span class="pageNum" id="pb77">[<a href="#pb77">77</a>]</span>and that he had it certainly in his power to ameliorate it. But, alas! if, for a moment, +the chord of compassion was touched, the feeling was transient, the impulse too weak +to prompt to action; and, so far from being strengthened by the night’s reflections, +they, on the contrary, did but lead to lament his own folly, in making himself liable +to the loss he would probably sustain by the high price he had given; as it was a +condition of his engagement with the Company, that he was to be individually accountable +for all losses incurred by the purchase of unprofitable slaves. These anticipations +of pecuniary injury, were confirmed by the appearance of his poor captive on her arrival +at the depôt at Whidáh. A fixed melancholy seemed to have absorbed every faculty, +rendering her insensible even to the playful caresses of her boy, in whose sparkling +eye, health “seemed a cherub yet divinely bright;” so happily unconscious was he of +the bitterness of his lot, and the sufferings of his mother. Finding, from his people, +that she resolutely <span class="pageNum" id="pb78">[<a href="#pb78">78</a>]</span>rejected sustenance, Irving himself endeavoured to persuade her, but without success; +but when self-interest, aided by the dictates of conscience and compassion, induced +him to resort to the usual mode of forcing it, (nor will we question it was a painful +task to him,) his heart must have been of adamant, not to have felt the powerful appeal +of wretchedness and despair, when, while in the execution of this cruel duty, the +poor captive looked up in his face, and, with a mournful smile, said: “Presently I +shall be no more.” (<a href="#note.m"><i>Note</i> <span class="sc">M</span></a>.) Irving, indeed, from her appearance, began to think so; and as he could not now +remedy her situation, nor restore her to what she had lost, he considered his best +plan was to consign her, as soon as possible, to the ship waiting to receive the collected +slaves, congratulating himself on his <i>humanity</i>, in having prevented the mother and child from being separated, even if he should +thereby sustain some loss. He determined, also, to do all he could to ensure her some +attention during the passage; and, with this view, determined to go immediately <span class="pageNum" id="pb79">[<a href="#pb79">79</a>]</span>on board, to see the accommodation, and to give some particular instructions to the +captain; leaving orders that Imihie should be conducted to the ship as soon as the +day began to close. +</p> +<p>The ship destined to convey these miserable beings to the West Indies, had already +on board between four and five hundred negroes. The captain boasted much of the superior +accommodation of his vessel for the trade; and, to confirm his assertion, entreated +Irving to visit the slave-rooms. Willing to conciliate any who might promote his interest, +Irving consented. The <i>superior</i> accommodation he found, was, that every slave, whatever his size, had five feet six +inches in length, and sixteen inches in breadth, to lie upon! The floor was crowded +with bodies, stowed or packed according to this allowance. But between the floor and +deck, or ceiling, were platforms or broad shelves, in the mid-way, which were also +covered with bodies. (<a href="#note.n"><i>Note</i> <span class="sc">N</span></a>.) The men were shackled two and two, each by one leg, to a small iron bar; these, +the captain with <span class="pageNum" id="pb80">[<a href="#pb80">80</a>]</span>much self-complacence said, were every day brought upon deck for the air; but lest +they should attempt to recover their freedom, they were made fast by ring-bolts to +the deck, or by two common chains, which were extended on each side the main deck; +but the women and children, he added, were suffered to remain loose. Few slaves fared +so well as his, he continued, for he allowed each a pint of water a day, and yams +and horse-beans twice a day; and afterwards, for exercise and health, they jumped +in their irons, which, if they refused to do, he was obliged, certainly, to flog them, +as it was his duty to preserve them in health, if possible. Irving, however, learnt, +in the course of this man’s conversation, that it was usual for these miserable beings +to remain fifteen or sixteen hours below deck, out of the twenty-four; and that, in +wet weather, they could not be brought up for two or three successive days: their +situation was, he acknowledged, very distressing, but he could not remedy it. They +would cling to the gratings for a little air; draw their breath with anxious and <span class="pageNum" id="pb81">[<a href="#pb81">81</a>]</span>laborious efforts; fight with each other for a taste of water; and many died of suffocation. +(<a href="#note.o"><i>Note</i> <span class="sc">O</span></a>.) +</p> +<p>Amongst the number thus confined in the hold of this ship, Irving remarked many whose +nobleness of aspect indicated that there was a “spirit within,” which rose even above +such calamity—a consciousness of moral dignity, that spurned at the cruelties of the +oppressor; but there was one in particular, before the flame of whose eye even Irving +shrunk abashed. He was evidently a person of consequence; high, it would seem, in +military rank, inferred from certain personal indications, with the meaning of which +Irving was acquainted; and also from some articles of dress, stated to have been taken +from him when captured; and every look (action was denied him) indicated that he possessed +a mind not insensible to the eminence of his station. Irving enquired from whence +he was taken, and from whom purchased? He was told, from Molembo, it was thought; +and that he had been only a few days purchased from the king of Whidáh, with a <span class="pageNum" id="pb82">[<a href="#pb82">82</a>]</span>number of his countrymen, taken by treachery, and in defiance of a treaty subsisting +at the time. This was all he could learn; and having given his instructions respecting +Imihie, Irving returned to Whidáh before her arrival at the ship, being desirous to +avoid another interview, the sight of her producing a painful emotion he could neither +define nor account for. +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="ch7" class="div1 chapter"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#ch7.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h2 class="main">Chapter <span class="corr" id="xd32e814" title="Source: VI">VII</span>.</h2> +<div class="epigraph"> +<div class="lgouter"> +<p class="line">“Soft airs, and gentle heavings of the wave, +</p> +<p class="line">Impel the fleet whose errand is to save! +</p> +<p class="line">But ah! what wish can prosper, or what pray’r, +</p> +<p class="line">For merchants rich in cargoes of despair. +</p> +<p class="line">The sable warrior, frantic with regret +</p> +<p class="line">Of her he loves, and never can forget, +</p> +<p class="line">Loses, in tears, the far-receding shore, +</p> +<p class="line">But not the thought that they must meet no more.”</p> +</div> +<p class="first xd32e126"><span class="sc">Cowper.</span></p> +</div> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">Night shed her silent influence over the mighty deep; the firmament was bright with +<span class="pageNum" id="pb83">[<a href="#pb83">83</a>]</span>myriads of glittering worlds; the moon, in full and mild lustre, rode majestically, +like a sphere of silver light, on the summit of fleecy clouds, and was reflected, +in many a fantastic form, by the tossing waves, the gentle ripplings of which were +mingled with the distant sound of “All is well,” borne on the gale from the fort, +the regular tread of the watch on deck, and the boatswain’s shrill whistle. The rush +of the shark, “cutting the briny deep,” as it instinctively followed the floating +receptacle of misery, was the only sound that interrupted, painfully, the heavenly +calmness of the scene and hour; a calmness, alas! little according with the soul-sickening +agitations of the wretched beings, now silently borne from all held dear and precious, +and on their way to all the horrors of a life in chains. Cargoes of despair they may +truly be called! +</p> +<p>Imagination, in its loftiest flight, must come short in attempting to embody in words, +the smallest part of the aggregate of misery which exists on board a slave-ship; it +will, therefore, not be attempted: one only being <span class="pageNum" id="pb84">[<a href="#pb84">84</a>]</span>of the wretched number must appear a moment on our theatre of woe; he who had so forcibly +arrested the attention of Irving, when visiting the slave-rooms. +</p> +<p>Confined promiscuously with such a multitude of his wretched countrymen, the agony +of his feelings is not to be described. With the form and visage of a man, he felt, +indignantly felt, that his destiny was that of the beast of the field, and his soul +seemed bursting from the frame that confined it. Wearied nature at length found a +short cessation from the unutterable pangs of woe, in sleep—in consoling visions! +He dreamt he was in his own beloved country, in the enjoyment of honour and command, +caressed by his family, served by his wonted attendants, and surrounded with the comforts +of his former life: his spicy groves exhaling sweets, his palm-tree’s refreshing shade, +his rivers teeming riches, his domestic endearments, his war-like preparations, and +his hard-earned triumphs, came in succession on his fancy. But the sweet delusions +were too soon dispelled: he awoke, with a hurried start, to the sad, sad reality, +that he was a slave in the midst <span class="pageNum" id="pb85">[<a href="#pb85">85</a>]</span>of slaves. The rapid retrospect of former happiness with existing misery, rushed on +his soul; and the dreadful reverse drew from his manly breast the most affecting lamentations. +Every dear object of his regard flitted before his mental view; but, alas! there was +no reality but misery—interminable bondage: there was no fond eye to behold, no persuasive +tongue to soothe, no attentive ear to listen to his woe. Mingled with the meanest +of his subjects, whom he had no power to relieve; subjected to the cruelty and insolence +of wretches a thousand degrees lower in the scale of humanity and intellectual endowment, +yet arrogating their superiority as Christians, and the proud distinctions of national +advantages, his soul refused comfort, and he determined upon death. Little did he +think this foe to nature was so near; little did he imagine the horrid form in which +he would present himself; and that there might be circumstances which, at the moment +of expiring nature, would make him cling to, and even give value to a life of perpetual +bondage! +<span class="pageNum" id="pb86">[<a href="#pb86">86</a>]</span></p> +<p>The vessel made considerable way during the night, and the morning rose, with glorious +splendour and beneficent freshness, upon the world of waters; on the majestic bosom +of which, floated such an accumulation of moral turpitude and excelling misery! The +hour arrived when the slaves were to be brought on deck for air and exercise. The +sable warrior anticipated it with a gloomy joy, as the most favourable opportunity +of effecting his designed purpose of self-destruction; and when he found he was to +be fastened to the deck, he violently resisted. This, however, did but provoke his +oppressors to increased indignities. In the midst of this struggle, he became calm +as a lamb, resistless as an infant. The sound of a female voice, singing a mournful +African air, seemed to have bound him by a potent spell<span class="corr" id="xd32e845" title="Source: ,">.</span> (<a href="#note.p"><i>Note</i> <span class="sc">P</span></a>.) His eyes appeared as if bursting from their orbits, his whole frame trembled; while +the big tear rolled silently down his sable countenance, which assumed a mingled expression +of doubt, hope, and agony. He at first directed his piercing eyes <span class="pageNum" id="pb87">[<a href="#pb87">87</a>]</span>to the air, as if he thought the song proceeded from some hovering, viewless spirit. +He again renewed his efforts to get free, and fixed his gaze intently on the remotest +part of the ship, from whence the sound seemed to proceed, but nothing met his view: +the song, however, still continued, only interrupted, at intervals, by deep sobs of +anguish, and the scarcely-heard voice of infantine distress. +</p> +<p>Rendered desperate by the confinement under such powerful emotions, he called loudly +on the spirits of his fathers, to avenge him on the Christian tyrants; and while enduring, +in consequence, the cruel scourging and insulting mockery of the barbarian crew, a +piercing scream was heard, and the poor Imihie was seen rushing from an obscure place, +(in which the captain had indulged her to remain,) with the infant Samboe clinging +to her bosom. In a moment the names of Tumiáh! Imihie! were interchanged; and the +exhausted Imihie, letting her child fall from her relaxing arms, threw herself upon +<span class="pageNum" id="pb88">[<a href="#pb88">88</a>]</span>the panting bosom of her enchained and manacled husband. +</p> +<p>We invade not the feelings of that moment: language has nothing to do with them. The +Being who formed the heart of man, can alone judge of its emotions. +</p> +<p>The maternal affection was not, however, long absorbed in the conjugal; and the half +frantic Imihie recollected, that Samboe was not enfolded with her in the arms of Tumiáh. +She loosened herself with difficulty from his embrace, to restore her child to his +wonted protection within her own; but, at the moment she arose for the purpose, a +tumultuous cry resounded through the ship, of “fire! fire! Loosen the slaves! loosen +the slaves!” The fire, however, spread with such violence, bursting from the spirit-room, +that the sailors, apprehending that it was impossible to extinguish it before it would +reach a large quantity of gunpowder on board, concluded it necessary to precipitate +themselves into the sea, as offering the only chance of saving their lives. +</p> +<p>However, they did first endeavour to <span class="pageNum" id="pb89">[<a href="#pb89">89</a>]</span>loose the chains by which the slaves were fastened to the deck; but in the confusion +the key could not be found, and they had but just time to loosen one of the fastenings, +by wrenching the staple, before the vehemence of the fire so increased, that they +simultaneously jumped overboard; when immediately, the fire having gained the powder, +the vessel blew up, with every slave that was confined by the unloosened chain, and +such others as had not possessed the power to follow the example of the sailors. +</p> +<p>We hardly know whether to style it fortunate, that any circumstance should save these +victims of avarice from a watery grave, after escaping that which, to the sense, seems +more terrible. Providence, however, ordained that there should be some vessels in +sight; which, putting out their boats, took up about two hundred and fifty of the +poor souls that remained alive; but the most of them being those who had been fastened +together with shackles, had, from the violence of the shock, and the confinement of +the irons, experienced dreadful fractures of <span class="pageNum" id="pb90">[<a href="#pb90">90</a>]</span>the limbs; which, inflamed by the struggles they had instinctively made, the heat, +and the agitated state of the blood, quickly mortified, and ere they were scarcely +sensible of their increase of calamity, released them, for ever, from all fear of +it more. Among the number who thus yielded up his manly spirit, was Tumiáh, rejoicing +in the belief that his Imihie and Samboe were also removed to a land of spirits—a +land where no man-stealer can enter, no treachery gain access, no violence invade. +He might have adopted the words of the poet: +</p> +<div class="lgouter"> +<div class="lg"> +<p class="line">“Now, Christian, glut thy ravish’d eyes; +</p> +<p class="line xd32e238">I reach the joyful hour: +</p> +<p class="line">Let, let the scorching flames arise, +</p> +<p class="line xd32e238">And these poor limbs devour. +</p> +</div> +<div class="lg"> +<p class="line">“O Death, how welcome to th’ opprest! +</p> +<p class="line xd32e238">Thy kind embrace I crave; +</p> +<p class="line">Thou bringst to Misery’s bosom rest, +</p> +<p class="line xd32e238">And freedom to the slave!”</p> +</div> +</div> +<p class="first">The fond belief, however, of the expiring Tumiáh, that his wife and child had escaped +the horrors of bondage, was fallacious. <span class="pageNum" id="pb91">[<a href="#pb91">91</a>]</span>Previously to the calamity, the feelings of the wretched Imihie had been wrought up +nearly to their utmost height; the sight of the quick-advancing flames, therefore, +was sufficient to augment them to frenzy, and with a strength which frenzy only could +impart, to a frame exhausted by want of nourishment and continual grief, she snatched +the infant Samboe from the deck, upon which he had fallen, and where, unheeded by +one pitying eye, he remained, without uttering any cry or attempting to move; for, +overcome by terror of the noise and brutality of the crew, the sight of the immense +ocean, and the want of that nourishment which he in vain sought from the exhausted +bosom of his wretched mother, the suffering child seemed unable to move, or even to +utter any sound. +</p> +<p>Imihie pressed him closely to her breast, turned a momentary and frenzied glance upon +her enchained husband, and uttering a faint cry of terror, cast herself and precious +burden into the foaming deep. But it was not decreed to become her tomb. Almost <span class="pageNum" id="pb92">[<a href="#pb92">92</a>]</span>by miracle, she was thrown near a boat which had put off from a Spanish slave-vessel, +and was picked up by the crew, with Samboe still closely entwined within her arms; +without, however, exhibiting the smallest appearance of remaining life. But the vital +spark was not yet extinct. She was immediately put on board the ship, and means of +resuscitation used with both her and her child, as well as several other equally miserable +victims of avarice. Heaven decreed these efforts to be effectual: and thus was the +widowed mother transferred, by the sudden calamity, from one set of mercenaries to +another, yet still doomed to slavery! The vessel had taken in her cargo at Rio Pongos, +and was bound for the Havannah; but her stowage was too small to allow her, with impunity, +to keep the increase occasioned by the casualty of the fire. She therefore put into +a port, and disposed of them to a ship bound for Jamaica. This occasioned considerable +delay; in consequence of which, when the transferred slaves were at length on their +passage, they were subjected to all <span class="pageNum" id="pb93">[<a href="#pb93">93</a>]</span>the evils of improper seasons; water failed, provisions became spoiled and scanty, +and many of the slaves the victims of disease, ere they entered the magnificent harbour +of Port Royal. +</p> +<p>Arrived at Kingston, they were put in <i>store</i>, until notice should be given of sale, which was immediately done by advertisement: +“On Tuesday next will be put up for sale, in their store, fifty superb negroes of +the coast; to the purchasers of which will be afforded all the facilities wished.” +</p> +<div class="lgouter"> +<p class="line">* * * “What man reading this, +</p> +<p class="line">And having human feelings, does not blush +</p> +<p class="line">And hang his head, to think himself a man?”</p> +</div> +<p><span class="pageNum" id="pb94">[<a href="#pb94">94</a>]</span></p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="ch8" class="div1 chapter"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#ch8.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h2 class="main">Chapter <span class="corr" id="xd32e908" title="Source: VII">VIII</span>.</h2> +<div class="epigraph"> +<div class="lgouter"> +<p class="line">“Authority usurp’d from God, not given. +</p> +<p class="line">He gave us over beast, fish, fowl, +</p> +<p class="line">Dominion absolute. That right we hold +</p> +<p class="line">By his donation: but men over men +</p> +<p class="line">He made not lord; such title to himself +</p> +<p class="line">Reserving, human left from human free.”</p> +</div> +<p class="first xd32e126"><span class="sc">Milton.</span></p> +</div> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">Had Irving now seen the once attractive Imihie, and her playful boy, as he even beheld +them in the slave-room of the African courtier, he would scarcely have given credit +to any assurance that she was the same individual. She then, recently a captive, peculiarly +displayed in her person the characteristic feminine traits of her country—perfect +symmetry of proportion, and beautiful, in as far as it did not consist in colour. +Modest, affable, and faithful, these sweet feminine qualities emanated from her softened +eyes, and an air of winning innocence in <span class="pageNum" id="pb95">[<a href="#pb95">95</a>]</span>every look and gesture; while every word was pronounced with an inflection of voice +so sweet, so soft, so tender, that cold indeed must have been the heart that could +withstand its eloquent appeal, or listen, unmoved, to its modulations. Such was the +young Imihie. Now, alas! how changed! Emaciated for want of food, sinking with illness, +shrinking from exposure; almost frenzied with the recollection of the past, the misery +of the present, and the dread of the future; bearing, with difficulty, her infant, +she was conducted, with her companions in misery, to the vendue, in the bare hope +that she might be purchased for the sake of the boy; who, though suffering from the +effects of the voyage and want of his natural nutriment, still evidently displayed +great intelligence, and much natural vigour. The first day of exhibition passed, and +no purchaser was found for the <i>sulky</i> negress, (for such is the feeling term applied to the desponding.) +</p> +<p>On occasions like this, it is a common thing to speculate upon the purchase of what +are termed the refuse negroes, or those <span class="pageNum" id="pb96">[<a href="#pb96">96</a>]</span>left from the first day’s sale. Some are frequently in so weak and miserable a state, +as even to be sold as low as for a dollar; some are taken to the mart almost in the +agonies of death; and some are even known to draw their last sigh in the piazzas of +the vendue master. It was on the second day’s sale that Imihie was purchased by a +planter for a very low sum, and carried into the country, with some others, whom he +intended to retail. The situation of these wretched captives was but little ameliorated, +by becoming the property of this man, who was of that class of managers, who think +that the safety of the family to which they are subservient, and the interest of the +proprietor, renders severity indispensable, and oppression the only mode of subduing +the refractory spirit of the African, whom they regard with the most sovereign contempt. +With souls lost to all sense of compassion, they believe there can be but one mode +of enforcing obedience, that of fear; and in the exercise of their delegated authority, +they put in action, to the utmost, this ignoble <span class="pageNum" id="pb97">[<a href="#pb97">97</a>]</span>stimulus, by every means which a spirit of cruelty and ignorance can suggest. +</p> +<p>Short, indeed, would have been the existence of the miserable Imihie, had she continued +the property of this semi-barbarian. Confined in a narrow and unwholesome hut, without +a single comfort; a hurdle for a bed, which rather served to torture than to ease +her pained and wearied limbs, with scarcely sufficient of a coarse linen to secure +her frame from the scorching heats of the day, and the dangerous dews of night; in +the midst of the richest bounties of nature, and the abundant luxuries of art, fed +on salt beef and salt cod, and roots, with the injurious flour of the cassava, imperfectly +prepared, and these in quantity scarcely sufficient to support existence; deprived +of every enjoyment; condemned to perpetual labour, under the rod of an unfeeling master, +there could be no chance of amendment of health, or of reconcilement to her destiny. +But Providence ordained she should yet feel the happiness of sympathy. Her tyrant +master, finding that her labour was very inadequate <span class="pageNum" id="pb98">[<a href="#pb98">98</a>]</span>to the expences of retaining her, would have separated her from her child, and sold +her for the smallest possible sum; but a neighbouring proprietor of a small plantation +offered a satisfactory price for them together, and they were removed to a comparatively +comfortable situation, in the hope that, with rest and better food, she might be enabled +to become a house-slave to the wife of the purchaser. +</p> +<p>It has been remarked, by observing travellers, that the women of the West Indies possess +great natural kind feelings; but that the habitual view of oppression, and the free +exercise of power over the slaves, renders them very insensible to the sufferings +of the negro women, and totally regardless of promoting their happiness, or of studying +to ameliorate their hard lot; and that the instances are by no means uncommon, in +which they treat and have them punished with the utmost severity: that they can raise, +to no gentle tone, their soft voices, and exert, with no little energy, their spiritless +frames, when provoked by the awkwardness, or jealous of <span class="pageNum" id="pb99">[<a href="#pb99">99</a>]</span>the influence of their sable captives. Ah! much to be lamented is that state of oppression +on the one part, and debasement on the other, which can convert the expression of +that distinguishing feature of beauty, of female beauty more especially, from that +which indicates right feeling, to that which betrays a superiority the God of nature +designed not. A woman’s eye should melt with tenderness, sparkle with innocent animation, +weep with those that weep, and beam with the rays of joy at the happiness of another. +</p> +<p>Such <i>was</i> the expression which shed its consolation on the desolated Imihie, upon the visit +of her new mistress to her lowly hut. This amiable woman was young, but her mind had +been early matured in the school of adversity: a hapless fate had fixed her residence +in a remote part of Jamaica, but she had also learnt, from precepts which will never +lead astray, “in whatsoever situation she was, therewith to be content.” From the +same Master who had inspired this lesson of the apostle, she had also learnt the only +cure for the rebellion of the mind; that force defeated <span class="pageNum" id="pb100">[<a href="#pb100">100</a>]</span>its object; that it was the interest of those who possessed power over their fellow-beings, +that they should be attached to life, for nothing could be expected from them, the +moment that they no longer feared death. Guiding her conduct by this principle of +enlightened reason, derived from a far higher source, the most genuine sentiments +of humanity were in constant exercise, by a corresponding course of action. She could +not, indeed, as an obscure and solitary individual, break or remove the yoke which +oppressed her fellow-creatures; but she could render it easier to be borne, and could, +sometimes, even for a time, dissipate the cruel sense of it, by promoting and favouring +the natural tastes of her poor slaves. Their lodging, clothing, and food, were all +attended to by persons she could depend upon, and regularly inspected by herself. +Far from regarding the occupation degrading, she persevered in it as a commanding +duty; and she reaped her high reward, by the grateful affection of her poor servants. +By various simple methods, she roused from the apathy of despair, <span class="pageNum" id="pb101">[<a href="#pb101">101</a>]</span>and awakened the sensibilities. Little festivals conducted with judgment, innocent +recreations, and simple rewards, preserved her slaves from the continual melancholy, +which had too just a foundation. She sympathized with mothers, and delighted to share +with them the caresses of the children. +</p> +<p>Her husband, although possessing not her intelligence and elevation of mind, nor actuated +by the principle that directed the energies of his amiable wife, yet was induced, +by her unostentatious usefulness, and evident success in her plans, to accede to most +of the humane innovations she proposed to him; convinced, by her arguments, that it +would be his interest to be humane. Hence, their plantation exhibited a picture of +comfort seldom seen, and their slaves had every appearance of health. They were allowed +wholesome provision in ample quantity, with as much fruit as they wished; they had +the liberty of keeping poultry, and to cultivate a piece of ground with esculent roots; +their huts were comfortable, and when sick they experienced the kindest attention; +and they <span class="pageNum" id="pb102">[<a href="#pb102">102</a>]</span>were frequently suffered to associate with each other in little parties, for recreation +and amusement. +</p> +<p>Such were the proprietors of the poor Imihie and her hapless boy, who soon began to +find the benefit of kind treatment; and it is probable, had Providence ordained that +it should have been enjoyed, immediately after landing on a foreign shore, that the +miseries of the voyage, and even the horrors of bondage, might have been overcome +by youth, and that wonderful buoyancy of the human mind, that seems to force itself +above the swelling waves of misfortune. But the arrow had sunk too deep: its barb +had been too powerfully poisoned, for human effort to withdraw, or to antidote it. +Imihie was evidently the victim of that disease which hurries to an untimely grave, +so many individuals of her hapless country; and which, throughout the world, may be +termed, although not yet classed, a broken heart. The first symptom of this disorder +among negroes, became evident; namely, the black and glossy skin assumed an olive +hue, the <span class="pageNum" id="pb103">[<a href="#pb103">103</a>]</span>tongue became white, and the poor sufferer became overpowered by such a desire to +sleep, that it was found impossible to resist it, a deadly faintness preventing the +smallest exercise. In fact, a languor and general relaxation of the whole wonderful +machinery of the human frame, seems to threaten death day by day, yet the sufferer +still survives. So great is the state of despondency accompanying this distressing +malady, that those afflicted will suffer themselves to be beaten, rather than attempt +to move or walk. Happy was it for Imihie that she had not a task-master’s whip to +dread; and that the loathing which she had for mild and wholesome food, was not attributed +to obstinacy, but to what it really was, a symptom of the disease which was insiduously +undermining the vital principles of life. It made rapid advances upon her delicate +and youthful frame: her respiration became laborious and painful, the extremities +became swollen, and suffocation seemed frequently to impede the action of the heart. +In this state she languished and suffered several months; but <span class="pageNum" id="pb104">[<a href="#pb104">104</a>]</span>Imihie had her consolations, under an infliction, the natural consequence of melancholy +upon the organs of the human frame. +</p> +<p>We have said, that the humanity and enlightened reason of the excellent Mrs. Delany, +were derived from a high source; even from that source which exalts feeling to a principle: +the one is frequently as transient as the excitement, the other is founded upon a +firm basis; offering a permanent and pure incentive to action, by adding a value to +existence, as connecting it with a future. Such is one of the many blessed fruits +of a Christian faith. Mrs. Delany felt its commanding power: she was a Christian in +<i>deed</i>. Hers was not a speculative creed, but a practical code: it was her daily, hourly +study to act upon. +</p> +<p>It is true, Jamaica, at the period of our narrative, enjoyed not the high privileges +it now possesses of Christian instruction, and of Christian example; but Mrs. Delaney +was one amongst the few, who, feeling and enjoying the light and the consolation of +religion, were anxious to impart a portion of <span class="pageNum" id="pb105">[<a href="#pb105">105</a>]</span>what cheered their own hearts—of that which directed their steps, to those who yet +“sat in darkness and the shadow of death.” Deeply interested in her hapless slave, +from the moment she saw her, Mrs. Delaney had soothed, by truly maternal attention, +her bodily sufferings, and her mental anguish. She inwardly deplored her total ignorance +of that grand source of consolation, the knowledge of which was so open to those who +despised it. She gently prepared the feelings and the understanding for the reception +of that light, which she fervently prayed might be imparted to her benighted mind. +She gradually led her docile steps, her mental view, to Him who invites the heavy +laden to resort to him for rest; to seek Him who is the strength and the fortress +of those that trust in him; to adore, with unfeigned humility, that transcendent mercy, +which became poor that we might be rich. What heart is there, bereft of all earthly +good, all earthly hope, but must expand with joy, to receive into its most inmost +recesses the precious promises of Christianity?—of <span class="pageNum" id="pb106">[<a href="#pb106">106</a>]</span>that mild and beneficent religion, which so tenderly sympathizes with every emotion +of the weak, the frail, the lacerated bosom? Was it then surprising, that the poor +Imihie, with feelings too powerful for utterance, hung upon the mild accents of Mrs. +Delaney, as she described to her the sufferings of the Redeemer—the abyss of wretchedness +from which he rescued mankind—the dreadful penalty from which he saved a rebellious +world? Was it surprising, that, with an eager gratitude, which gave a heavenly expression +to her languid eyes, and displayed itself in every varying feature, she listened to +the glorious truths of revelation, unfolded in terms suited to her expanding capacity; +and that, with all the simplicity of unsophisticated nature, receiving the noblest +impressions of Deity, she bade Mrs. Delaney thank her great good God for his marvellous +kindness to wretched captives, and for the unsearchable riches of his grace. Never +was she wearied in hearing her kind instructress recount the sufferings of the incarnate +God: tears, the offspring of genuine feeling, chased each <span class="pageNum" id="pb107">[<a href="#pb107">107</a>]</span>other down her altered countenance, as Mrs. Delaney directed her imagination to the +garden of Gethsemane, to the judgment-hall, where He, whose throne is heaven, and +his footstool earth, was exposed to insult, contumely, and scorn; scourged, buffeted, +spit upon; betrayed by one friend, denied by another, and abandoned by all; subjected +to a painful, a cruel, and an ignominious death, in the presence of insulting foes: +the very spirit clouded by the momentary abandonment of heavenly aid, forcing from +the lips of the sufferer the agonizing exclamation: “My God, my God! why hast thou +forsaken me?” and all this for the love he bore for those who became his murderers. +</p> +<p>Thus would Mrs. Delaney, in language suited to the capacity of her pupil, recount +the affecting history of our Redeemer, and gradually open her mind (aided by the Spirit +of grace constantly implored to direct her) to the grand truths of the gospel. The +soul of the dying Imihie imbibed the soothing balm, felt the powerful energy, and +gladly received the consolation the religion of Jesus <span class="pageNum" id="pb108">[<a href="#pb108">108</a>]</span>alone has power to give. Her tears, it is true, still flowed for Africa, and for Tumiáh; +but they were no longer bitter tears. The heavenly ray which had been communicated +to her soul, had not only enlightened it, but stilled <span class="corr" id="xd32e977" title="Source: it">its</span> perturbations; and captivity was deprived of its horrors, in the enjoyment of those +lively instructions in the way of holiness and peace, so impressively imparted by +her truly Christian mistress. +</p> +<p>Often when administering some relief to her bodily suffering, Mrs. Delaney would ask +her how she felt herself. She would say, with a serene smile, “weak, weak; but joy, +joy here,” laying her hand on her bosom, then pressing that of her compassionate benefactress. +No murmur, no complaint, proceeded from her lips; but her mind appeared ever tranquil, +and her soul happy. Sometimes, indeed, while caressing Samboe, the tear would swell +in her eyes; but she had learned the comprehensive prayer, “Lord, let thy will be +done!” and a frequent, affecting repetition of it, while she <span class="pageNum" id="pb109">[<a href="#pb109">109</a>]</span>pressed her boy to her bosom, spoke volumes to the sympathizing Mrs. Delaney. +</p> +<p>During this daily increase of spiritual strength, her frame gradually sunk under the +pressure of her disease, which resisted every tried means of relief, and finally came +to its usual termination; <i>viz.</i> suffocation. Thus closed the mortal career of the youthful Imihie, one of the many +thousands of victims to a commerce, which, it is feared, the mercenary will always +cling to; in which desperate men will ever be found to hazard; and, even in Africa, +tyrants ever be ready to supply the horrid market; (<a href="#note.q"><i>Note</i> <span class="sc">Q</span></a>.) while few, it is to be feared, will, like the poor Imihie, after a series of misery, +find a Mrs. Delaney to soothe their sorrows, and point to realms where all tears shall +be wiped away, and sorrow and sighing shall flee for ever. +</p> +<div class="lgouter"> +<p class="line">To Heaven the Christian negress sent her sighs, +</p> +<p class="line">In morning vows, and evening sacrifice; +</p> +<p class="line">She pray’d for blessings to descend on those +</p> +<p class="line">Who dealt to her the cup of many woes; +</p> +<p class="line">Thought of her home in Africa forlorn, +</p> +<p class="line">Yet, while she wept, rejoic’d that she was born: +<span class="pageNum" id="pb110">[<a href="#pb110">110</a>]</span></p> +<p class="line">Ennobling virtue fix’d her hopes above, +</p> +<p class="line">Enlarg’d her heart, and sanctified her love. +</p> +<p class="line">With lowly steps the path of peace she trod, +</p> +<p class="line">A happy pilgrim, for she walk’d with God.</p> +</div> +<p class="first xd32e126"><span class="sc">Montgomery</span>, (adapted.) +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="ch9" class="div1 chapter"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#ch9.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h2 class="main">Chapter <span class="corr" id="xd32e1014" title="Source: VIII">IX</span>.</h2> +<div class="epigraph"> +<div class="lgouter"> +<div class="lg"> +<p class="line">The spreading palm-tree o’er her grave shall wave, +</p> +<p class="line">Emblem of bliss eternal! +</p> +</div> +<div class="lg"> +<p class="line">“See on the grave in which she sleeps, +</p> +<p class="line">The soften’d savage sits and weeps; +</p> +<p class="line">And the sweet voice of gratitude +</p> +<p class="line">Oft names her in the desert rude.”</p> +</div> +</div> +<p class="first xd32e126"><span class="sc">The Missionary.</span></p> +</div> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">The infant Samboe, thus bereaved of his suffering mother, was yet too young to feel +the full magnitude of his loss; yet his little heart experienced emotions he had no +power to utter, when he was told she would <span class="pageNum" id="pb111">[<a href="#pb111">111</a>]</span>never more awake to his call, nor could <i>he feel happy</i>, when, with expressions of joy, he saw the negroes of the plantation remove his “silent +mother” to the burial ground, with every demonstration of joy. (<a href="#note.r"><i>Note</i> <span class="sc">R</span></a>.) +</p> +<p>An ever kind Providence has, however, made the griefs of children to be transient; +and Samboe, the favourite of Mrs. Delaney, from his sweetness of disposition, great +activity, and early intelligence, would probably have presented a pleasing exception +to the unhappy lot of his enslaved countrymen—might justly have enjoyed the title +of the <i>happy negro</i>—had his benefactress been spared to bless the sable dependants on her kindness. But +life, at all times and in all situations transient and uncertain, may be said to be +peculiarly so in the West Indies; the progress of disease being so rapid, and the +excitements to it so many. That dreadful visitation, the yellow fever, broke out in +the district of the Delaney plantation: numberless were the victims to the “pestilence +that walketh in noon-day;” and among them were Mr. Delaney and his amiable wife. +<span class="pageNum" id="pb112">[<a href="#pb112">112</a>]</span></p> +<p>Those who were capable of appreciating their worth, who had felt their benevolence, +had enjoyed the privileges they allowed, and knew how rarely they were found in the +plantations, mourned them with unfeigned sorrow, their loss closing up the avenues +of consolation and of hope; and those too young to feel how much they were deprived +of, were quickly made sensible of a change from a system of Christian love and benevolence, +to that built upon the mere hope of worldly gain. As it is not the custom in the English +colonies, as in the French, for the negroes to be attached to the plantation, those +of the Delaney estate were, upon the sale of it, dispersed amongst different purchasers; +and the infant Samboe became the property of a cruel mercenary, who employed the poor +child to wait upon him, when indulging in all the luxurious ease of an occidental +despot. By those who have seen the various caprices of a temper altogether uncontrouled, +the whims of a mind destitute of cultivation and obstinate in ignorance, the cruelty +of a disposition formed by the possession <span class="pageNum" id="pb113">[<a href="#pb113">113</a>]</span>of a precarious power over helpless individuals; by those, and those only, will the +various species of suffering to which the innocent child was subjected be understood; +and the terrors which were produced by the horrid imprecations, the unmanly abuse, +and vulgar epithets of this brutal master, upon the gentle and timid character of +the poor little Samboe. It was then he began to feel the loss, and to pine for the +tenderness of his mother and his benefactress; and there is little doubt but he would +have soon followed them to the tomb, had not an incident occurred, that emancipated +him from the tyrannical controul by which he so acutely suffered. One day, while attending +his master at breakfast, just as he handed the coffee his foot slipped, and it was +thrown over a beautiful cimar, which the luxurious planter highly valued, as the gift +of a lady to whom he was partial. He rose in haste and in anger, and aiming a blow +at the now kneeling boy, missed the blow, and fell himself to the ground, striking +his head by the fall against the edge of a sofa. Seeing him suddenly <span class="pageNum" id="pb114">[<a href="#pb114">114</a>]</span>fall, some attendants in waiting rushed to his assistance, but in vain: the blow had +been fatal, he had fallen to rise no more on earth! Happy was it for Samboe that there +were witnesses, <i>white</i> witnesses of the scene, who could exonerate him from all intentional connexion with, +or wilful provocation to the catastrophe. The alarm, however, of the unoffending child +was distressing: the countenance of the planter at all times bore evidence of his +ill-regulated mind and indurated heart, and the awful hand of death fixed them in +an expression the most horrid. With little idea of such sudden death, the poor child +thought he was but in a violent passion, and, in the most piteous accents, clasping +his hands together, besought “massa to forgive poor Samboe, who would not break cup +any more, would not spoil dress any more.” But his supplication was alike unheeded +by master and attendants, except by one, who kicking him as he passed, said: “Get +out of the way, ye little whining dog, or I’ll make ye.” Samboe crept from the apartment, +and crouching under some furniture, <span class="pageNum" id="pb115">[<a href="#pb115">115</a>]</span>felt all the bitterness of a life of slavery, of which nature, in its first fresh +feelings, can be capable. Happily again for the infant captive, the wife of the planter +could not bear to retain in her service the innocent cause of her husband’s death; +at least, secretly rejoicing at her own emancipation from his arbitrary disposition, +she affected so to say: consequently, she expressed her wish of selling him to the +manager of a neighbouring plantation, but as her recent loss rendered it impossible +for her to have a personal interview, she thus communicated her wish by note to this +person: “Unable to bear the sight of the young author of the death of the best and +tenderest of husbands, Mrs. Williamson requests the favour of Mr. Martin to take charge +of, and dispose of him, in any way he may judge most conducive to her interest, and +to employ the proceeds in the purchase of a more effective, that is, laborious slave. +Mrs. W. relies on the known kindness of Mr. M. to render this service to the disconsolate +widow of his late friend.” My young readers will doubtless <span class="pageNum" id="pb116">[<a href="#pb116">116</a>]</span>be shocked, that Mrs. Williamson should thus profess grief for the loss of a man she +married for his wealth, without either esteeming or loving him; but it is no fancied +picture, and is presented to show, that, unless the heart is continually watched, +and the mind sedulously cultivated, in situations favourable to indolence and self-indulgence, +the moral feelings quickly become blunted, and the individual can easily, and without +any self-reproach, assume any sentiments and any line of conduct which best suits +the whim or caprice of the moment; and she hated the little Samboe, because she once +overheard him, in a moment of unusual gaiety, telling a circle of slaves what merry +dances they had at Delaney, when dear Missy Delaney danced with poor Samboe. Upon +such trifles will envy condescend to feed its insatiate appetite. Good, however, to +Samboe, was educed from all this evil. Mr. Martin was the respectable and humane manager +of the Moreton estate; (see “<i>Twilight Hours Improved</i>,” page 85;) subjected to his superintendence during the minority <span class="pageNum" id="pb117">[<a href="#pb117">117</a>]</span>of Mr. Frederick Moreton, by the will of his deceased father; and whose humane treatment +of his negroes had excited the displeasure of the young man’s guardian, Mr. Penryn, +who firmly believed the African race created only to become the slaves of Europeans. +Mr. Martin lost no time in complying with the request of his fair neighbour. He well +remembered frequently having seen the little Samboe in attendance upon his imperious +master, and never failed to admire his extreme docility, mildness, and intelligence; +and he looked upon the circumstance of Mrs. Williamson’s desire to sell him, as very +fortunate, as he had, only a few days previous, received the commission to send to +England a negro boy for his young master. +</p> +<p>The purchase was soon made, and Samboe was once more under the roof of an indulgent +master. Every attention was given, in order to establish his health, and improve his +personal appearance, that he might credit the choice of his purchaser, and please +the young eye of his future master. He only remained at Jamaica to effect these <span class="pageNum" id="pb118">[<a href="#pb118">118</a>]</span>purposes, when he was consigned to the care of the captain of an English West Indiaman, +with instructions to have him safely conveyed to Mr. Penryn’s, Portman Square. +</p> +<p>Samboe evinced the greatest reluctance to go on board; he clung to Mr. Martin, who +himself conducted him, and trembled violently, declaring he could not go into great +ship, or on great wide sea. No one could account for this extraordinary reluctance +and evident terror; for they knew not that the young heart of the little negro was +throbbing with recollections for which he had no name, and which he had no power to +express. It is true, they were vague, like the confused remembrance of a troubled +dream, but they were powerful; and it was with the utmost difficulty Mr. Martin soothed +him, by gentleness, promises, and assurances; and, after all, was obliged to leave +him, when he had cried himself to sleep upon a coil of rope on the deck, no one being +able to prevail upon him to go below, and Mr. Martin positively forbidding coercion. +</p> +<p>The grief and terror of the poor boy were <span class="pageNum" id="pb119">[<a href="#pb119">119</a>]</span>renewed, when he discovered he had been left by Mr Martin; but a series of kind treatment, +and many little indulgences granted him, after a while reconciled him to his new situation; +while his simplicity and quickness greatly endeared him to the sailors, with whom +he became quite a pet. The voyage passed in this manner without any particular occurrence; +and Samboe was introduced, one evening, to the dining room of Mr. Penryn, filled with +elegant company. +</p> +<p>Had he been one of the wonders of the world, he probably would not have excited more +attention, or elicited more remarks. The ladies admired his eyes and his teeth; the +gentlemen enquired if he was a Molembo, or from the Kroo country, and began an animated +debate on slavery, and the slave-trade. Each lady gave her opinion of the most becoming +dress to contrast with the jet black of his skin. One asked him if was not glad to +come to England; another enquired if he was sorry to leave Africa; a third enquired +if they flogged him at the plantation; while a fourth, by way of compliment <span class="pageNum" id="pb120">[<a href="#pb120">120</a>]</span>to the lady of the house, observed, he was a happy black boy, to have such a charming +mistress. To all these remarks the poor child could give no reply; nor, it would seem, +was it expected; and, much to his joy, he was dismissed to the care of the groom, +until his apartment and employment about the person of his young master could be arranged. +</p> +<p>The groom, however, was highly indignant that a vile <i>neger</i> boy should be committed to his care: “Did they fancy he would let a black get between +his sheets? No, indeed; there was the hay-loft, the stable-boy should pull him a truss +of straw in the corner there: surely that would be a better bed than most negers got. +Sleep with me, indeed; no, I’d lose my place first, and tis’n’t a bad one, neither<span class="corr" id="xd32e1081" title="Not in source">.</span> Had they told me to take Cæsar the house-dog, or Neptune the Newfoundlander, I should +not have so much have minded; but a neger boy! surely my master was half-seas over +to think of it.” This, and much more of the same refined objection, passed in the +kitchen of —— Penryn, esq. <span class="pageNum" id="pb121">[<a href="#pb121">121</a>]</span>and, according to the groom’s kind arrangement, Samboe was indulged with some clean +straw in the stable-loft. +</p> +<p>The children of oppression and calamity quickly sympathize; a kindred feeling draws +them together: thus it was with Samboe the African, and Frank the English stable boy. +An orphan from his cradle, and a parish apprentice, Frank had been early subjected +to every oppression—exposed to every temptation; but a certain buoyancy of spirit, +and a persevering ardour of mind, enabled him to rise above the one; and the latter +was rendered less dangerous, by his constant, unremitted love of employment. He was +busily engaged mending his shoes, when his master, the groom, introduced the young +negro to his acquaintance. “There, Frank,” he said, “there is a companion for you, +my lad; take care he don’t touch the horses, and mind he don’t run away. Lock him +up when you come in for your supper: you may offer him some, but I don’t know what +negers eat, I’m sure. Master should have told us that, I think, for I don’t expect +they <span class="pageNum" id="pb122">[<a href="#pb122">122</a>]</span>live as we do. Eh! my lad, do ye mind me?” he added, with a raised voice, as he saw +Frank take the hand of the timid Samboe, and ask him if he was tired. “Oh yes, sir!” +he replied, touching his fur cap, “I will be sure to take care of him.” +</p> +<p>Glad to get quit of the restraint which the charge imposed upon him, the groom was +in high good humour with Frank, and promised, if he would attend to his orders, he +would give him a shilling. Astonished at his unwonted generosity, Frank repeated his +assurances; and having made his new companion understand that he desired to make him +comfortable, with the happy facility of children to be so when left to themselves, +they quickly became acquainted. Frank found that <i>negers</i> could eat good bread and fresh meat; that they had no objection to tarts; and that +even a custard, given by the cook as a treat to merry Frank, was equally relished +by the neger boy. After this luxurious repast, during which, if it was not the “feast +of reason and the flow of soul,” there was, most unquestionably, <span class="pageNum" id="pb123">[<a href="#pb123">123</a>]</span>innate benevolence on one side, and genuine gratitude on the other, the new-made friends +sought repose on the same clean truss of straw, and together enjoyed the refreshment +of “nature’s sweet restorer.” Not long, however, after they had thus lain down, Frank +was roused from his yet imperfect slumber, by a slight rustling and a low voice, very +near him. He spoke gently to his new bed-fellow, but received no reply. Frank had +that tincture of superstition which usually attaches to the ignorant and uncultivated; +and the unusual sound, his new situation, and the profound darkness, aided the impression; +while a thought of the little negro became associated with the recollection of several +marvellous ghost-stories he had heard. He ventured, however, (not without considerable +reluctance,) to feel if his sable companion was by his side, and discovered, to his +amazement, that he was not there. The murmur still continued, and Frank, trembling +all over him, made a desperate effort, and called lustily, “Samboe, Samboe!” “Samboe +here,” replied the boy, <span class="pageNum" id="pb124">[<a href="#pb124">124</a>]</span>in a soft and gentle tone; “Samboe here, but wicked boy.” +</p> +<p>Frank’s courage returned at the sound of Samboe’s voice clearly pronouncing these +words, although he was at a loss to account for his self-accusation. “Why, what have +you done to be wicked; where are you?” he enquired. Samboe’s imperfect knowledge of +the English language, permitted him not to understand the full import of these questions; +and it was not until Frank, with renewed courage at finding his companion was really +a mortal, contrived to make him understand his repeated enquiry, why he had risen, +and why he called himself wicked? “Because Samboe forgot lesson dear Missy Delaney +teach him. Pray to great God before sleep; pray to great God when eyes open; pray +to good God give food; pray to good God give friends.” +</p> +<p>Frank now understood, that Samboe, in the novelty of his situation, and probably from +the effects of a little porter he had taken, had forgotten to offer his simple tribute +of thanks and respect to the omnipotent Creator, <span class="pageNum" id="pb125">[<a href="#pb125">125</a>]</span>which the good Mrs. Delaney had taught him habitually to do; although he was too young +when she died, to admit any further religious instruction, or to understand more than +that a great God, beyond the blue sky, observed all his actions. +</p> +<p>Samboe had never, until this night, neglected this lesson; but, with uplifted hands +and bended knee, was accustomed to acknowledge the protection and the support of the +Being he had been taught to regard, as ever beholding, and with unwearied care protecting, +all men. Sleep, however, had not closed his eyes, ere the omission was recollected, +and he had crept out of the straw, to offer his simple orison, the low murmur of which +had so much alarmed his new friend. Having concluded, he returned to his straw couch, +and slept the sleep of innocence, untill awaked by Frank rising to his morning duty +in the stables. +</p> +<p>Frank possessed an intelligence of mind, as well as activity of spirit, which required +but opportunities to develope themselves. The incident of Samboe’s forgotten prayer, +<span class="pageNum" id="pb126">[<a href="#pb126">126</a>]</span>impressed his youthful mind. How was it he had never been taught to pray? He had never +seen it practised among those he had been with. He thought people went to church to +pray; yet surely if a black boy thought it right to pray, a white boy ought. Perhaps +it was a custom among them? Yet, such was the innate impression he had, that it was +right and proper, that he felt a species of shame to answer Samboe in the negative, +when he artlessly enquired if he did not pray to great God, to take care of him; he, +too, who knew so many things: for, to Samboe, Frank seemed a miracle of cleverness, +when he described his various employments, and displayed, to his astonished visitor, +the results of his ingenuity, which he did with no little self-complacency. +</p> +<p>Samboe seemed now the happiest of human beings. He suffered nothing to pass unnoticed; +asking the reason, the use, the name of every thing he heard, or saw, or touched. +This he contrived to do, either by broken words, gestures, or signs. The new-made +friends thus passed several hours <span class="pageNum" id="pb127">[<a href="#pb127">127</a>]</span>of the morning, before the groom made his appearance; for, although his apartments +were above the stables, he did not often occupy them, finding numerous engagements +more pleasant than attending to his duty. +</p> +<p>The only unpleasant circumstance of this morning of delight to Samboe, was its chilliness. +It was one of those which frequently occur in May, as if to reprove the hastiness +of the family of Flora, in putting forth their fair forms; and its asperity was severely +felt by the little African. Frank determined to make him as comfortable as he could; +and having received no orders to the contrary, lighted a fire in the groom’s room, +and invited Samboe to its genial warmth, while he quickly prepared a comfortable mess +of milk-pottage. +</p> +<p>They were thus enjoying themselves, when the <i>master of the house</i> appeared, half awake, and storming at Frank for a lazy dog, for not having swept +the stable-door. But he supposed he and the beggarly neger had been idling away their +time together. Frank, who was used to his arbitrary temper, said <span class="pageNum" id="pb128">[<a href="#pb128">128</a>]</span>little; but, making signs for Samboe to return to the loft, he quickly prepared every +thing for his master’s toilet, and proceeded to rectify the omission of not having +swept the door-way. While thus engaged, a servant from the house arrived with an order +to the groom to take the negro-boy to a clothes-shop, and have him neatly clothed, +until a a proper dress could be fixed upon; as he was to have an interview with his +mistress and young master, who neither of them could bear the smell of tar, exhaling +from the filthy things he wore. +</p> +<p>This message, delivered in due form to the groom while he was shaving himself, nearly +endangered his cutting his throat, by the resentful agitation it caused, that he should +be appointed to wait upon a <i>neger</i>. It was a degradation which he could not, nor would not submit to. Following, therefore, +the example of his superiors, he delegated the office to his subordinate; and calling +loudly for Frank, as soon as the messenger had left him, he desired him to take the +black he seemed so fond of, to Mr. Draper’s, and get <span class="pageNum" id="pb129">[<a href="#pb129">129</a>]</span>him rigged. “And mind ye, Frank, boy, call at the ’potecaries or ’fumers, and bid +’em pour some musk or lavender, or something sweet over the lad, for missis is very +particular; and as to Master Fred, I shall have him trying how my legs will bear the +exercise of his new hunting-whip, if I do not please him about this black, who, I +dare say, will not be long before he feels it. But I suppose he has been used to flogging, +so it will be nothing to him.” +</p> +<p>Frank, highly pleased with this important commission, called the shivering boy from +the hay-chamber, and in no long time he was completely equipped, in a suit according +to the taste of Frank and the vender: certainly as stiff and ill made as it well could +be; while the effusion of lavender-water was completely accomplished, even till the +poor boy’s eyes became filled with tears, from the potency of the perfume, and every +person he passed on his return, half stopped, at meeting with the unusual odour. +</p> +<p>Samboe, however, had yet some hours to become reconciled to his new habiliment; <span class="pageNum" id="pb130">[<a href="#pb130">130</a>]</span>and his friend Frank had so many modes and sources of employment and amusement, that +those hours passed insensibly away. At length, about four o’clock, the groom again +appeared to conduct him to the house; and when arrived, a footman desired him to follow +him to the apartment of his lady, previously to her taking her morning airing. +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="ch10" class="div1 chapter"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#ch10.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h2 class="main">Chapter <span class="corr" id="xd32e1133" title="Source: IX">X</span>.</h2> +<div class="epigraph"> +<div class="lgouter"> +<p class="line">“I would not have a slave to till my ground, +</p> +<p class="line">To carry me, to fan me while I sleep, +</p> +<p class="line">And tremble when I wake, for all the wealth +</p> +<p class="line">That sinews bought and sold have ever earn’d.”</p> +</div> +<p class="first xd32e126"><span class="sc">Cowper.</span></p> +</div> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">From the reciprocation of the heart’s best affections, which had marked the short +period of Samboe’s acquaintance with Frank, we may now follow the young stranger to +the <span class="pageNum" id="pb131">[<a href="#pb131">131</a>]</span>inanity of an Anglo West Indian boudoir; in which were Mrs. Penryn, reclined on a +<i>chaise longue</i>, a young lady spangling some delicate muslin, and Mr. Frederick Moreton standing +at a distant part of the room. The footman having opened the door, pointed to Samboe +to enter, and immediately closed it upon him, leaving the timid boy to the scrutinizing +looks of Mrs. Penryn, the oblique attention of the young lady, and the supercilious +glance of the boy, who was engaged in the <i>humane</i> employment of holding a live mouse by the tail, as high as his arm could reach; while +a kitten, eagerly attending to its writhings, kept springing, instinctively, to catch +it, and as often, from the violence of the exertion, fell back on the floor. Had it +not been for the chill which pervaded his frame, in his way to this apartment, Samboe +might have thought himself in the West Indies, both as to the temperature, and the +luxurious ease displayed in the arrangement of it. An elegant Persian carpet, entirely +covered it; sofas, ottomans, and couches, invited to indolence and repose; ornaments +of <span class="pageNum" id="pb132">[<a href="#pb132">132</a>]</span>the richest and most expensive materials, vases, cabinets, &c. adorned it; and a number +of tropical birds, of beauteous plumage, displayed their captive state in superb cages +of various elegant forms; while shells of great magnitude and exquisite beauty were +displayed in different parts of this superb room, with considerable judgment and taste; +and a rich glow seemed communicated to every object, from the light passing the draperies +of beautiful rose-coloured taffety curtains. Plants of the loveliest bloom and most +exquisite odour, completed the fascinations of this luxurious apartment, tastefully +arranged in beautiful baskets and vases, reflected by the superb mirrors, of which +there were several on each side of the room. +</p> +<p>Mrs. Penryn, half raising her pale and spiritless form from the sofa on which she +was reclining, was the first to break the silence which followed Samboe’s introduction. +“Come, Fred, do give Frolic the mouse, and look at this boy. He will serve to amuse +you, I hope; for I think the dogs, the cats, the mice, and the flies, have had <span class="pageNum" id="pb133">[<a href="#pb133">133</a>]</span>enough of you. Come, did you ever behold such an uncouth creature as George has made +him: why the boy looks as if he were in a wooden case. He must not appear about you, +till he has something fit to put on.” +</p> +<p>This feeling harangue did not divert the young gentleman from his amusement for some +minutes, till at length, more it would seem from his own fatigue, than from any motive +of compassion for the poor animals, he gave the cat its natural prey; and it retired +<i>swearing</i>, as its murmur of triumph is styled, to enjoy the feast, under a sofa at the further +part of the room. “Now, Lavinia,” said Mrs. Penryn, addressing the young lady, “give +us your opinion, my dear; your taste is so good: what dress shall we have for Fred’s +page? He will like whatever you decide upon, I dare say.” +</p> +<p>“Dear me, do you think so?” replied Miss Lavinia, in the most affected tone: “Mr. +Frederick seldom asks my opinion, I think.” +</p> +<p>“He is but a boy, and you will excuse <span class="pageNum" id="pb134">[<a href="#pb134">134</a>]</span>him, I’m sure; but really this dress must be left to you.” +</p> +<p>“Certainly,” replied Lavinia, “he must have <i>something</i> different from that he now wears, which is only fit for the stable.” +</p> +<p>“And a very good place too, I think,” remarked the polite young gentleman, as he threw +himself at his length on a sofa, rousing by the action a little white terrier, which +had been reposing quietly upon it. The dog uttered a cry, and jumped on the floor. +</p> +<p>“Poor Erminet cannot be quiet even here,” said Mrs. Penryn, angrily: “I wish, Fred, +you would look before you lie down: I dare say you have lamed my pretty Erminet.” +</p> +<p>“I dare say I have done no such thing,” retorted the respectful nephew: “But I have +no desire to stay, I assure you. I am sure, though Lavinia talks of the stable, I +had rather be there, than shut up in this hot room. So make haste and determine about +the boy’s dress, for I cannot stay shilly-shally here all day.” +</p> +<p>“I wonder when you will learn to be civil,” <span class="pageNum" id="pb135">[<a href="#pb135">135</a>]</span>said Mrs. Penryn: “I think, if you had had a few lessons of politeness interspersed +with Greek and Latin, it would have made you more agreeable.” “That is all you women +know of the matter. But let me have no preaching. Have you done with me?” +</p> +<p>“Why, Fred, how provoking you are: did you not bid me send for the boy? And now he +is come, you want to go without settling any thing about him. Remember, he is your +property, and you must do what you please about him. I shall trouble myself no more +about him.” +</p> +<p>“Very well, then leave it alone,” said the young barbarian; and striding past the +trembling Samboe, he quitted the room, shutting the door with violence after him. +</p> +<p>“What a pity it is,” said Mrs. Penryn, after a short pause, “that Frederick is so +hasty: such a good-hearted lad as he is. I wish, Lavinia, you would undertake to soften +down his manners: he is really worth your trouble, my dear girl.” +</p> +<p>The young lady simpered, half blushed, expressed her doubt of having any influence +<span class="pageNum" id="pb136">[<a href="#pb136">136</a>]</span>over Mr. Frederick, who was, indeed, a fine manly boy. There was nothing she could +refuse to dear Mrs. Penryn and her guardian, and she would certainly endeavour to +please Frederick, that she might refine his manners a little.<span id="xd32e1187"></span> +</p> +<p>“Well, begin then, my dear girl, and fix upon a tasty dress for the boy. I know Fred +will be pleased when it is done. I intend Samboe to be his constant attendant: he +is to sleep in the little anti-room, to be ever at hand to attend Frederick’s pleasure; +and, in short, he is to do what he pleases respecting him. Mr. Penryn says he will +have hundreds under his power when he goes to Jamaica.” +</p> +<p>This reference to the taste of Lavinia, was the dictate of policy; for she was recently +become a ward of Mr. Penryn, was an orphan of immense property, and only a few years +older than Frederick. The prudent Mr. and Mrs. Penryn were very desirous to favour +an attachment between them; and Mrs. Penryn was directed, by her husband, to seek +every opportunity of doing so. +<span class="pageNum" id="pb137">[<a href="#pb137">137</a>]</span></p> +<p>The young lady was of that negative character, so often met with amongst those who, +in large boarding-schools, lose every discriminating trait in the general application +of certain rules and certain pursuits. Dress, admiration, and gaiety, alone had power +to animate her pretty features; from which, however, no intellectual ray ever beamed. +She was highly flattered by the desire of Mrs. Penryn to exercise her taste in the +choice of a dress for Samboe. That choice could not be difficult, for one who had +so frequently seen the variety of costume exhibited on the stage; and as vanity, ostentation, +and singularity, not congruity, were to dictate the choice, it was soon fixed, as +the young lady thought, of that elegant form and expensive material, which could not +fail to please the young planter; and it must be owned, that when, a few days subsequent, +Samboe made his appearance in the elegant costume of Persia, that he exhibited a very +fair specimen of juvenile negro beauty. The blue and silver vest and caftan, the full +girdle, the capacious trowsers, and the perfectly white <span class="pageNum" id="pb138">[<a href="#pb138">138</a>]</span>turban, with its golden cord and sparkling gems, contrasted well with his sable skin +and slender form; giving a lightness to his air, which even the pressure of slavery +was not able materially to injure. +</p> +<p>Lavinia’s taste was loudly applauded; and even Frederick condescended to say the boy +looked something like what he ought to do. But poor Samboe, like many a <i>white</i> boy and girl, felt the misery of fine clothes, being continually reminded that he +must not do this, he must not lie there, lest he should soil his dress. +</p> +<p>His young master would never suffer him out of his sight: not that he cared a button +for him or his clothes, but because he could not allow of any cessation in tormenting +a poor being over whom he had full controul; and he was continually racking his invention, +to devise some new species of torment and teasing. With a mean species of jealousy, +as soon as he found Frank the stable-boy was the only kind being who regarded the +poor black boy as a fellow-creature, he interdicted Samboe from ever going into the +<span class="pageNum" id="pb139">[<a href="#pb139">139</a>]</span>stable, or from speaking to his good-tempered friend. +</p> +<p>This was a cruel stroke to poor Samboe, thus to deprive him of the only portion of +comfort in his bitter draught of slavery. His mind was in danger of becoming callous +from oppression, and in proportion to the degradation he was subjected to. He had +no motive for action, but the dread of punishment. Without voluntary agency, a mere +passive instrument in the hands of others, his mind would assuredly have become irrecoverably +contracted, and the powers of soul even destroyed, had not the very tyranny and caprice +which were producing these lamentable results, transferred the suffering boy to the +benevolent care of Captain Tremayne, and his young nephew, Charles Roslyn. (See “<i>Twilight Hours improved</i>.”) +</p> +<p>Become the property of the latter by the hasty gift of Frederick, how different was +the lot of Samboe, from a state of cruel coercion, of degrading slavery, which was +daily debasing every manly sentiment! +<span class="pageNum" id="pb140">[<a href="#pb140">140</a>]</span></p> +<div class="lgouter"> +<p class="line">“When, to deep sadness sullenly resign’d, +</p> +<p class="line">He feels his body’s bondage in his mind, +</p> +<p class="line">Put off his generous nature, and to suit +</p> +<p class="line">His manners with his fate, put on the brute.”</p> +</div> +<p class="first">Such, indeed, is slavery most justly termed, “the grave of virtue.” Under its cold +and ungenial influence, every generous, every warm emotion must languish and die. +Through the gloom which envelopes the soul subjected to its dark power, no ray of +intellect, no beam of joy, no sun of cheerfulness can pierce. And yet man, inconsistent +man, while condemning his fellow-being to this soul-paralyzing state, expects from +the poor victims qualities and virtues only to be planted in the soil, only to be +nourished by the sun, of liberty—of Christian liberty, of Christian charity: +</p> +<div class="lgouter"> +<p class="line">“For slaves by truth enlarg’d are doubly freed.”</p> +</div> +<p><span class="pageNum" id="pb141">[<a href="#pb141">141</a>]</span></p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="ch11" class="div1 chapter"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#ch11.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h2 class="main">Chapter <span class="corr" id="xd32e1225" title="Source: X">XI</span>.</h2> +<div class="epigraph"> +<div class="lgouter"> +<p class="line">“Thy lips have shed instruction as the dew, +</p> +<p class="line">Taught me what path to shun, and what pursue. +</p> +<p class="line">Farewell my former joys! I sigh no more +</p> +<p class="line">For Africa’s once-lov’d, benighted shore: +</p> +<p class="line">Serving a benefactor, I am free, +</p> +<p class="line">At my best home, if not exil’d from thee.”</p> +</div> +</div> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">Samboe, placed with the respectable Mr. Llwellin, made rapid progress in reading and +writing, and in the elements of general knowledge. His quickness gained the entire +attention of his preceptor; while these was a charm and freshness in all he said, +which could only be derived from quick perceptions and a warm heart—a buoyancy of +fancy and a fervid feeling, which won the affections of all those who had to instruct +him. With the deepest attention he would listen to Mr. Llwellin, as in a simple and +impressive manner he explained to him the general principles of religion, the nature +and <span class="pageNum" id="pb142">[<a href="#pb142">142</a>]</span>duty of worshipping God, the creation of man, his fall from virtue and happiness, +and the promised restoration through the merits of the Redeemer. It is a mistake that +these subjects are beyond the comprehension, and excite no interest in the hearts +of children. Practical devotion and the Christian duties, have a forcible influence +on the ductile minds and unsophisticated hearts of the young. Hence the transition +of instruction is easy, and perfectly understood by them, from the duty and privilege +of prayer and praise, to the truth that we are unable to do either, or even to think +what is right, without superior guidance and continual aid. The conviction of this +at once gives an object and a fervency to prayer; and he who prays fervently and believing, +however young he may be, will not be unheeded when thus imploring the divine aid. +</p> +<p>It was the invariable custom of Mr. Llwellin to assemble his family in the evening. +He then read a portion of the Holy Scriptures, and explained them with admirable simplicity +and pathos to his little auditory. <span class="pageNum" id="pb143">[<a href="#pb143">143</a>]</span>It was now that the prayers Samboe had said, as it were mechanically, were now repeated +with an earnestness which fully indicated that they were not merely the offering of +the lips; and so much did he profit by the pious instructions, example, and care of +Mr. Llwellin, that he was admitted into the Christian church by baptism; but, at the +request of his young protector, retaining his former name as his usual appellation +although he received, at the font, that of Henry. +</p> +<p>So anxious was this interesting youth to attain all useful knowledge, that he was +always the first at his scholastic duties; and when dismissed from them, after a little +recreation, enjoyed with all the zest of health and youth, he would occupy his time +in religious reading and study, drawing, and little mechanical works; equally proving +his strength of intellect and his active ingenuity. Though his temper was frequently +severely tried by the taunts and ridicule of the boys, he never betrayed anger or +resentment: he disarmed them by his humility, patience, and <span class="pageNum" id="pb144">[<a href="#pb144">144</a>]</span>meekness; so that scoffers he converted into friends. He was lively in his disposition, +but taciturn from thought, except when with his teachers; when he seemed to expand +every faculty of his mind to receive their instructions, while any accession of knowledge +caused his naturally brilliant eyes to beam with added intelligence and delight. +</p> +<p>With all these qualities of mind and heart, it is not surprising that Samboe was a +universal favourite; and unfeigned, indeed, was his joy, when he was permitted to +write to his dear massa Charles, whom he never named without his eyes filling with +tears of grateful affection. “Oh!” he would say, “my dear massa, I shall never forget +his goodness.” Years passed on in this progressive improvement, during which a regular +correspondence was kept up between Charles Roslyn and his protegé, when an incident +occurred which opened a field for the exercise of those attainments it had been the +laudable and unremitted study of Samboe to acquire. +</p> +<p>Colonel Roslyn was entertaining a party <span class="pageNum" id="pb145">[<a href="#pb145">145</a>]</span>of gentlemen, among whom were admiral Herbert and his nephew Fitzhugh. Charles Roslyn +was the favourite midshipman of the admiral, and the conversation turned upon the +topic of the day; namely, the slave-trade, and the probabilities of its abolition, +as well as the capacity of the negroes to profit by their freedom. Many were the arguments +adduced for and against; and Colonel Roslyn was naturally led to relate the circumstances +of Samboe’s becoming Charles’s protegé, and the high reward they had experienced in +the sweet disposition, high intellectual capacity, moral worth, and genuine religious +principles of the young negro. “I have the sincerest pleasure,” observed Colonel Roslyn, +“in stating this individual instance of the moral and intellectual worth of an African, +of which, doubtless, there are many similar instances, where instruction and kindness +have elicited and fostered the qualities of the mind and heart. But we all remember +the period, my friends, when the African’s claim to the character <span class="pageNum" id="pb146">[<a href="#pb146">146</a>]</span>and privileges of man was even disputed—when they were considered as somewhat of a +superior species of ourang outang<a class="noteRef" id="xd32e1255src" href="#xd32e1255">1</a>. This false and inhuman estimate, succeeding years have disproved. It has been in +numberless instances shown that they are not only men, but capable of becoming intelligent +and virtuous men; and not only virtuous men, but pious, unaffected, sincere Christians. +I am not, however,” continued the colonel, “an advocate for giving personal liberty +to numbers of men, unless, at the same time, I impart the principles of religion and +the arts of civil life. It is only by giving freedom to the soul, and by encouraging +the virtuous energies of man, that we can make him capable of properly appreciating +the blessing of liberty, and preserve him from becoming a pest to society, instead +of a useful member of it. Without these correcting and restraining principles, liberty +would soon degenerate into licentiousness, and the possession <span class="pageNum" id="pb147">[<a href="#pb147">147</a>]</span>of power be exercised in deeds of violence.” +</p> +<p>“I entirely agree with you, colonel,” observed the admiral; “and therefore be so good +as to pledge me in a glass of that excellent claret, when I offer my sentiment: ‘Let +the empire of Britain be the empire of mercy; and let no shore re-echo with the thunder +of her power, but which shall also smile under the blessing of her beneficence.’ ” +This sentiment of the admiral’s was warmly received. During this conversation, a young +man at the lower end of the table appeared deeply interested in it. His animated and +penetrating countenance drew the attention of Colonel Roslyn, and he expressed his +pleasure, in observing to the admiral, that an interest for the enslaved Africans +seemed to animate his young relative; for it was Fitzhugh, whose whole soul seemed +engaged in the subject. +</p> +<p>“Yes, indeed,” observed the admiral, “Fitzhugh is a very enthusiast in the cause, +and I love him the better for it: it is honourable to his feelings, and to those generous +sentiments <span class="pageNum" id="pb148">[<a href="#pb148">148</a>]</span>which ought to pervade the heart, and direct the conduct of a British officer. Have +you not heard that he has obtained a very responsible and active appointment in the +new settlement of Sierra Leone, and that, in a short time, he will sail for Africa? +I doubt not his conscientious attention to the duties devolving upon him, nor do I +think the directors could have made a more judicious choice; for, young as he is, +his firmness of principle, his rectitude in action, his genuine feeling, and his cultivated +mind, render him peculiarly eligible to attend to the duties, and to surmount the +difficulties of an infant colony. He will form one of the council, which will be sent +from England, for the government of the colony. This council is particularly instructed +to secure to all negroes and people of colour, equal rights, and equal treatment, +in every respect, as the whites. They are to be tried by jury, as the whites, and +every facility given to them to exercise their peculiar talents; employments being +allotted them according to their progressive capacity of discharging them. They are +<span class="pageNum" id="pb149">[<a href="#pb149">149</a>]</span>especially, to be instructed in the principles of religion and morals. Public worship +and the reverent observation of the sabbath, the general instruction of the adults +and the judicious education of the children, are the means to be used to draw this +now wretched race of men from the night of ignorance to the glorious light of divine +and temporal knowledge. In fact, the grand object of the Sierra Leone Company is to +substitute, for that disgraceful traffic which has too long subsisted, a fair and +legitimate commerce with Africa, and all the blessings which may be expected from +it.” +</p> +<p>“I thank you, admiral, for this account,” replied Colonel Roslyn, “and pray, with +all my heart, that the benevolent exertions of the Company may be crowned with final +success; and I believe I may assure you, that such is also the prayer of every individual +of the present company.” +</p> +<p>“Fitzhugh,” said the admiral, “I have been telling Colonel Roslyn that you are an +enthusiast for the abolition of the slave-trade<span class="pageNum" id="pb150">[<a href="#pb150">150</a>]</span>—that it is your dream by night, and your stimulus by day.” +</p> +<p>“If, my dear Sir, an ardent desire to use my individual influence and exertions to +remove from my country such a stain upon its humanity; if as ardently to desire an +amelioration of the wretched state of the African; if to cherish and to bring into +action all those charities which distinguish reasoning man from instinctive brutes: +if to be all this constitutes an enthusiast, then do I, indeed, plead guilty to the +charge of enthusiasm. Nor am I likely to become less so<span class="corr" id="xd32e1275" title="Source: ;">:</span> on the contrary, the intelligence I have just received from my young friends here, +(directing his eyes to Alfred, and Charles Roslyn, who sat near him,) has confirmed +me in the assurance, that we have every thing to hope from the judicious and liberal +plan, of the Company to which I have now the honour to be attached; and which has +so highly flattered me, by appointing me, in conjunction with others, to carry into +effect their beneficent purposes. But you know, my dear Sir, my deep abhorrence of +slavery <span class="pageNum" id="pb151">[<a href="#pb151">151</a>]</span>is derived from the practical display of its cruelties; as well as from a deep reflection +on its moral turpitude, its impolicy, and its inconsistency with the boasted honour +and religious code of my country. Let those who question the feasibility of the plan +of civilization and emancipation, visit, as I have done, the colonies, (more especially +the Spanish colonies and the Portuguese dominions in South America,) where the inhuman +traffic of slaves is carried to the greatest possible extent, forming the immediate +and private revenue of the crown; let them be but faintly impressed with the horrors +that constantly there occur, and I scruple not to say, if they fail to enter their +protest against a system so barbarous, they deserve not the name of men, and make +their religion but an impious mockery. +</p> +<p>“A myriad of instances might be adduced, to bear me out in my assertions. The labour, +of whatever nature it may be, or however laborious, is performed by slaves, and seldom +more than six negroes appointed to remove the heaviest burdens. I have, for <span class="pageNum" id="pb152">[<a href="#pb152">152</a>]</span>instance, seen at Rio de Janeiro, four only, groaning under a pipe of wine, which +they have had to remove through the city. Many of these poor creatures are bred to +trades, and are sent out daily or weekly, with peremptory orders to bring home a certain +sum, at the expiration of the agreed time. What they can earn over, they have to themselves; +but they are always so highly rated, that it is with the greatest difficulty they +can raise the sum nominated; and, in case of defalcation, it is attributed to indolence +or laziness, which subjects the unhappy victim to punishment. An awful instance of +the despair produced by cruelty and oppression, occurred during my residence at Rio. +A barbarous and remorseless wretch had a few slaves, whom he used to send out upon +the plan I have named, subjected to the penalty of a severe flogging, if they did +not, within a prescribed time, earn the sum required and their food. One of these +men was a hair-dresser: he used to attend me very regularly, and always was quiet, +industrious, <span class="pageNum" id="pb153">[<a href="#pb153">153</a>]</span>and even active, to promote his master’s interest. +</p> +<p>“After a little time, however, I observed him to be gloomy and melancholy. I asked +him the reason for the change, and was informed that he had been unsuccessful, and +could not render to his master the sum required; and that he had little hopes of being +able to raise it, consequently was liable to punishment, I gave him something towards +it, but, being obliged to be absent a few weeks, knew not the result until I returned; +when I was informed, that, as the time approached when he was to render his account, +he became greatly distressed, and despaired of accomplishing his engagement. He went, +however, in great distress, and tendered what he had gained; assuring his master he +had used every exertion to obtain the specific sum, and imploring from him a remission +of punishment, or a suspension, at least, for a few days. This was at length granted +him, but with horrid threats of many additional stripes in case of failure. The time +fast approached when he must return, <span class="pageNum" id="pb154">[<a href="#pb154">154</a>]</span>and he was still deficient. He reached the door of his master’s house, when, in despair +of being forgiven, and dreading the ordeal he had to undergo, he took from his pocket +a razor, and, with a desperate violence, nearly severed his head from his body. This +horrid deed had no other effect upon his inhuman master, than to increase his severity +towards his other slaves, on whom he imposed heavier burdens, to recompence him for +the loss sustained by the death of the miserable suicide<a class="noteRef" id="xd32e1290src" href="#xd32e1290">2</a>. +</p> +<p>“It is a usual practice,” continued Fitzhugh, “when slaves become desperately ill, +for their masters to disown them, and turn them into the streets, to evade the expences +of their funeral; and, thus abandoned and exposed, their miserable existence is soon +terminated. I have to apologize for trespassing upon your attention so long, gentlemen,” +observed this intelligent young man; “but I have only recounted one of a thousand +instances which have come under <span class="pageNum" id="pb155">[<a href="#pb155">155</a>]</span>my own observation, of the barbarous abuses of power exercised over the miserable +captives.” +</p> +<p>The party expressed their obligation to Fitzhugh, for the relation he had given them, +and their united hope, that every effort made use of, to ameliorate the situation +of the already enslaved, and to check the inhuman traffic for the future, might be +crowned with success; all agreeing, that every exertion that England makes to stop +the bleeding wounds of Africa, will cause her to rise in her national character more +resplendent, and must meet the approbation of every good, and what may be justly called +great men, at home and abroad, and, above all, the approbation that of God who holds +in his hands the destiny of nations<a class="noteRef" id="xd32e1299src" href="#xd32e1299">3</a>. +</p> +<p>“Have I not heard you, Fitzhugh,” enquired the admiral, “express a wish that you could +meet in England with two or three intelligent negroes, who would be willing <span class="pageNum" id="pb156">[<a href="#pb156">156</a>]</span>to enter into engagements with the Company, as instructors to the children, and whose +habits of civilization might give them an influence over their countrymen without +exciting any jealousies?” +</p> +<p>“You have, dear Sir,” replied Fitzhugh; “and from what I have learned of the mental +and moral qualities of my young friend’s protegé, I am anxious for their permission +to visit Aberystwith, in order to enquire if he has any objection to accompany me +to Africa. A few such young men as he is described to be, would do more to effect +our plans, than any other mode I can think of; and as he has not yet made any choice +of a profession, I should feel myself most grateful to Colonel Roslyn and his friends, +if they will second and sanction my application to the youth, who owes so much to +their benevolent kindness.” +</p> +<p>Colonel Roslyn said, “Call upon us tomorrow morning, my dear Sir, and myself and sons +will be happy to co-operate, as far as in our power, in your philanthropic exertions.” +<span class="pageNum" id="pb157">[<a href="#pb157">157</a>]</span></p> +<p>This being cheerfully accepted, the conversation took a general turn, until the party +broke up. +</p> +</div> +<div class="footnotes"> +<hr class="fnsep"> +<div class="footnote-body"> +<div class="fndiv" id="xd32e1255"> +<p class="footnote"><span class="fnlabel"><a class="noteRef" href="#xd32e1255src">1</a></span> See Mr. Wilberforce’s speech, at a meeting of the Church Missionary Society, 1822. <a class="fnarrow" href="#xd32e1255src" title="Return to note 1 in text.">↑</a></p> +</div> +<div class="fndiv" id="xd32e1290"> +<p class="footnote"><span class="fnlabel"><a class="noteRef" href="#xd32e1290src">2</a></span> See Shillibur’s Voyage. <a class="fnarrow" href="#xd32e1290src" title="Return to note 2 in text.">↑</a></p> +</div> +<div class="fndiv" id="xd32e1299"> +<p class="footnote"><span class="fnlabel"><a class="noteRef" href="#xd32e1299src">3</a></span> See Cohen’s Letter to Governor Macarthy, African Report, 1822. <a class="fnarrow" href="#xd32e1299src" title="Return to note 3 in text.">↑</a></p> +</div> +</div> +</div> +</div> +<div id="ch12" class="div1 last-child chapter"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#ch12.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h2 class="main">Chapter <span class="corr" id="xd32e1315" title="Source: XI">XII.</span></h2> +<div class="epigraph"> +<div class="lgouter"> +<div class="lg"> +<p class="line">* * * “My heart surpris’d, o’erflows +</p> +<p class="line">With filial fondness for the land you bless.” +</p> +</div> +<div class="lg"> +<p class="line xd32e1323">“Theirs the triumph be, +</p> +<p class="line">Instead of treasure, robb’d by ruffian war, +</p> +<p class="line">Round social earth to circle fair exchange, +</p> +<p class="line">And bind the nations in a golden chain. +</p> +<p class="line">To these I honour’d stoop.”</p> +</div> +</div> +</div> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">Fitzhugh was punctual to his appointment at Colonel Roslyn’s; and after an interesting +conversation, and the perusal of a number of Samboe’s letters to his protector Charles +Roslyn, it was agreed that Fitzhugh and Alfred Roslyn should proceed to Wales, in +order to ascertain the sentiments of Samboe <span class="pageNum" id="pb158">[<a href="#pb158">158</a>]</span>upon his projected removal, respecting which, his own unbiassed choice was to be consulted. +The intended visit of the young men was to be announced by letter to Captain Tremayne; +and, as Fitzhugh possessed all the ardour, promptitude, and zeal of a Clarkson, in +the cause of humanity, the letter was immediately written, and an early day fixed +for the journey. In the correspondence of Charles and his protegé, the interesting +debates in the English senate, respecting the slave-trade, frequently formed a part; +and Samboe had even so far expressed his sentiments upon the subject, that, when the +colony of Sierra Leone was first formed, he regretted that his youth, and the mediocrity +of his attainments, would oblige him to forego all hope of being useful to his poor +benighted countrymen; and he had very sensibly felt disappointment at the ill success +of the first establishment: an ill success which sufficiently proved the truth of +the observation, that, “if the restraints of slavery be removed, without corresponding +culture of the mind and heart, <span class="pageNum" id="pb159">[<a href="#pb159">159</a>]</span>the mere enjoyment of temporal benefits will not make the man either grateful or happy.” +</p> +<p>Charles Roslyn greatly regretted that the hourly-expected departure of his ship, precluded +him from the pleasure of accompanying his brother and Fitzhugh to Aberystwith. Having +taken leave of him, and bearing his good wishes and tender remembrances to his kind +relatives and his affectionate Samboe, the travellers commenced their journey, early +in a lovely June morning, when every scene they passed, manifested the riches and +the bounty, the wisdom and beneficence of the Creator. The meeting was what might +be expected from refined feeling, generous ardour, and virtuous exertion, on the one +side; and grateful respect, modest worth, and conscious ability, chastened by the +most engaging humility, on the other. Tears of unfeigned joy and gratitude started +into the eyes of Samboe, as he heard Mr. Llwellin assure Fitzhugh, he had no hesitation +in saying, that if Samboe acceded to his proposal of accompanying him to Africa, he +would be found a valuable coadjutor in the <span class="pageNum" id="pb160">[<a href="#pb160">160</a>]</span>projected work of mercy: “For he is,” continued the good old man, “not only fully +capable of imparting the elements of general knowledge, but has a happy and peculiar +manner of instructing others in those divine truths by which he regulates every action +of his own life. Nor do I think you would easily find a more fit instrument among +us, for promoting the great ends of civilization, and the moral and religious instruction +of his countrymen. I make no scruple in paying this just tribute to the character +and abilities of my dear pupil, in his presence, because he well knows they are so +much my genuine sentiments, that I have advised his directing his attention to the +instruction of others; and Providence seems manifestly to favour the suggestion, by +the present offer enabling him to put it in practice. May his now benighted and ill-fated +countrymen become more and more sensible of the extensive blessings preparing for +them; and may my dear and docile pupil, Samboe, be one of the favoured instruments +of Heaven, (assisted by the Spirit of grace,) to diffuse the light, to communicate +the <span class="pageNum" id="pb161">[<a href="#pb161">161</a>]</span>blessings of religion, and to lead the now idolatrous African to rejoice in the high +privilege of communion by prayer and praise with the great Creator and compassionate +Saviour; all distinctions of colour and country being lost, in that generous sympathy +which should flow from the relation which all bear to that Saviour who died for the +redemption of all men<a class="noteRef" id="xd32e1341src" href="#xd32e1341">1</a>.” +</p> +<p>There was such a heartfelt earnestness, such an affecting energy, such genuine piety, +in the voice and manner of the good Llwellin, while he uttered his philanthropic wishes, +that it made a forcible impression upon his young auditors. Tears of respect, gratitude, +affection, and hope, filled the eyes of Samboe. The intenseness and contrariety of +his feelings became painful; and, unable longer to restrain their expression, he threw +himself at the feet of his venerable instructor, and sobbed aloud, uttering broken +sentences of obligation; and when a little composed, earnestly praying that God, the +<span class="pageNum" id="pb162">[<a href="#pb162">162</a>]</span>Almighty God, would enable him to assist in the realization of all the generous plans +of his future employers; and so to act in every situation of life, as to do honour +to the precepts of his dear instructor, and to gladden his aged heart, with the knowledge +that those precepts had not been given in vain. +</p> +<p>Encouraged to self-confidence by the unequivocal approbation of his revered friend, +Samboe hesitated not in his <span class="corr" id="xd32e1350" title="Source: determition">determination</span> of accompanying Fitzhugh in his important mission; and a few days subsequent to the +interview we have related, was fixed for the departure from a spot, endeared to the +affectionate heart of the African by many a tender tie, many an affecting remembrance. +Parting moments are painful to experience, and are so fraught with emotion, that they +admit not of correct description; it must, therefore, suffice to say, that after a +general adieu, and loaded with many a token of affection and good will, cheered by +many a blessing, and fortified with many a prayer from those who loved him, Samboe +quitted <span class="pageNum" id="pb163">[<a href="#pb163">163</a>]</span>Aberystwith with Fitzhugh and Alfred Roslyn. The intelligence, as well as simplicity +of his remarks, upon the different objects which engaged his attention during the +journey, rendered it peculiarly interesting to his companions. He was equally delighted +with the various objects of curiosity and interest which London presented, and particularly +with any thing which enlarged his views of any branch of knowledge he had acquired, +or which promised to assist him in his future exertions to benefit his country. Fitzhugh +found in him, a companion who entered with ardour and untired zeal into every plan +his fertile benevolence devised, and determined to retain him under his own immediate +care and inspection. Every day increased his confidence in the abilities and integrity +of his companion; and every succeeding day more strongly proved that they were built +upon a basis, which ensured their permanence and stability; even that of a rational, +a deep, a vital piety. +</p> +<p>The period of sailing approached; and happy in the exercise of the best feelings of +<span class="pageNum" id="pb164">[<a href="#pb164">164</a>]</span>humanity, and the highest energies of mind, Samboe believed nothing could add to his +felicity, when an incident occurred which called forth all his gratitude to the Being +who showered his blessings upon him. He accompanied Fitzhugh to the house of a gentleman +who was ardent in the cause of the Africans, and who freely lent the resources of +an ample fortune to further every beneficent plan, although habitual ill health precluded +him from all active exertions. On the arrival of the friends, this gentleman was just +mounting his horse for a morning airing. Seeing, however, Fitzhugh and his companion +advance, he ordered the groom to lead his horse back to the stable, until his visitors +left him, and he then entreated Fitzhugh to enter. While this was passing, a mutual +look of surprise and recognition passed between Samboe and the groom, but nothing +further: the man leading the horse away, and Samboe following Fitzhugh into the house. +</p> +<p>After some conversation relative to the approaching voyage, Mr. Courtney said: <span class="pageNum" id="pb165">[<a href="#pb165">165</a>]</span>“Well, Fitzhugh, you have inspired many an honest heart with the same glowing philanthropy +which animates your own; and, amongst the number, my excellent boy, Frank Wilson. +He is determined, if you will permit him, to accompany you to Africa.” “Permit him, +my good Sir? I shall be happy to have in my service, a young man who does honour to +his rank of life, and whose severely tried principles have resisted many attacks: +his ingenuity too, and industrious habits, will make him essentially useful. But how +can you part from him, or how will Frank bear to be separated from his revered benefactor?” +</p> +<p>“Oh, I believe we have not thought of ourselves,” replied Mr. Courtney, good humouredly: +“all is settled between us, provided you did not object. Will you permit me to ring +for him?” “Most willingly,” said Fitzhugh. +</p> +<p>During this short conversation, the emotion of the grateful Samboe was powerful. The +features of the young man holding Mr. Courtney’s horse, were familiar to him: <span class="pageNum" id="pb166">[<a href="#pb166">166</a>]</span>he had marked the glance of recognition, and the name confirmed the vague hope he +had formed, that, in this young man, of whose character he had just heard so high +an eulogium, he had seen the first kind friend he had known in England: he who had +lightened his troubles, and cheered his oppressed spirit; and this friend, this generous +hearted youth, was going to Africa, and was to be in the service of his valuable friend, +Fitzhugh; and they were all animated with the same spirit. How delightful the thought! +how transcendently kind the Almighty Disposer! +</p> +<p>While these thoughts were rapidly passing the mind of Samboe, Frank Wilson appeared; +and it would be hard to decide which of the party was most gratified by the disclosure +of the two friends, who in each other’s arms were not ashamed to weep. +</p> +<p>Frank immediately entered upon his new duties; and every thing having been benevolently +and equitably settled by the directors to ensure the comfort and advantage of the +colony, the ships sailed for their destination. <span class="pageNum" id="pb167">[<a href="#pb167">167</a>]</span>It is not necessary to detail the circumstances of the voyage, or to attempt to describe +the emotions of the young African, when he landed on his native shores. +</p> +<p>Every individual possessing a manly mind and virtuous soul, is patriotic: he rejoices +in the weal, he mourns in the miseries of his country. Samboe possessed a manly mind +and a virtuous soul. He was a patriot, and shrunk not from its high responsibilities. +We detail not his individual exertions; it will be sufficient to say, that he took +an ample share with his companions in the good work; that every thing had been so +judiciously arranged; that the conduct of the servants of the Company was marked with +such propriety, being sober, moral, and exemplary, in the discharge of their respective +duties; that the efforts and zeal of the clergymen were attended with the happiest +effects; that, before the expiration of two years from the settlement of the colony, +order and industry exhibited their benign fruits in a growing prosperity. The fame +of the colony not only spread along the whole western <span class="pageNum" id="pb168">[<a href="#pb168">168</a>]</span>coast, but penetrated into the remotest interior: embassies were sent by far distant +monarchs; and the native chiefs, with a pleasing and entire confidence, sent their +children to the colony, to be instructed in reading, writing, and accounts, and to +be initiated in the Christian religion. In fact, there was every reasonable ground +for hope, that the joyful period was advancing, when, by the blessing of Heaven upon +the endeavours used, the continent of Africa would be rescued from the darkness that +obscured her, and would exhibit the soul-cheering scene of light and knowledge, of +civilization and order, of peaceful industry and domestic comfort. But these anticipations +were destroyed by the treachery and faithlessness of a government, which professed +to hold the rights of man as sacred. We shall give a cursory narrative of this event, +as extracted from a letter of Fitzhugh to his friends in England. (<a href="#note.s"><i>Note</i> <span class="sc">S</span></a>.) +</p> +<p>“I have distressing news to communicate, but we do not despond. The French have appeared +with an armed force before our <span class="pageNum" id="pb169">[<a href="#pb169">169</a>]</span>neat and rising town, upon which they have pointed their guns. It was not until they +had done this that we perceived they were enemies; for they had English-built vessels, +rigged in the English mode, displayed the English flag, and had all the sailors, which +appeared on deck, dressed like English sailors. Thus treacherously did they approach +our peaceful colony. Conscious we had no strength to resist, the governor directed +a flag of truce to be hoisted. Yet, after this order was executed, the French continued +to fire on the town, doing much damage, and killing several persons. +</p> +<p>“Terrified at the suddenness of the attack, and conscious they possessed no power +of resistance, the alarmed inhabitants fled to the woods, with such of their property +as the confusion and limited time would allow. When the enemy landed, therefore, they +found the town almost destitute of inhabitants, but rich in stores and clothing. +</p> +<p>“Plunder was the order of the day; and what they did not want, they destroyed, burnt, +or threw into the river. They also <span class="pageNum" id="pb170">[<a href="#pb170">170</a>]</span>killed all the cattle and animals, not sparing even the dogs or cats. +</p> +<p>“During a week this work of devastation continued; and when they found nothing more +to plunder, they set fire to the public buildings, and all the houses belonging to +the Europeans; entirely ruining the beautiful and prospering colony, and leaving the +colonists in the most deplorable state of destitution; without provisions, medicines, +clothing, houses, or furniture. Sickness soon followed these privations, and many +have died for want of proper food, and exposure in the woods. +</p> +<p>“When you read the above hurried account of our misfortune, you will scarcely believe +that these wanton cruelties have been perpetrated by individuals of a nation, whose +Convention boasted of spreading ‘light and liberty through the world.’ Alas! that +light is the blaze of anarchy, that liberty the most daring and gross licentiousness! +</p> +<p>“Sierra Leone colony was established for the godlike purpose of abolishing the slave-trade; +to enlighten the Africans; to render <span class="pageNum" id="pb171">[<a href="#pb171">171</a>]</span>them virtuous, rational, free, and happy; and yet these powerful advocates and patrons +of the rights of man, could wantonly destroy, in its healthful infancy, a settlement +in which those rights were peculiarly studied and held sacred. ‘By their fruits ye +shall know them.’ +</p> +<p>“But it will yet, like the phoenix, arise from its ashes. It was formed to promote +the cause of justice, mercy, and religion; a cause which possesses, in itself, the +principle of re-animation—an ever-renewing means of rallying its resources, overborne, +for a time, by a base treachery and unmanly violence. +</p> +<p>“My faithful Samboe, and no less faithful Frank, have been like ministering angels +to the distressed, in this season of calamity. ‘My poor country,’ said Samboe, ‘and +my generous friends, <span id="xd32e1402"></span>what a sad reverse is here! But though grieved,’ he added, ‘I am not in despair; for +has not the Almighty said, (He in whom is no variableness nor shadow of turning,) +‘I will never leave nor forsake those who trust in me. Commit thy way unto the Lord, +and he shall bring it to <span class="pageNum" id="pb172">[<a href="#pb172">172</a>]</span>pass.’ I cannot conclude my letter better, than by assuring my dear ——, that such +is the trust and confidence we all repose in the Being, who out of evil still educes +good.” +</p> +<p>Now, to resume and conclude our narrative, we have but to say we may speak of these +difficulties in the past tense; they no longer, praised be the great Disposer of Events, +they no longer are experienced at Sierra Leone; but have vanished, gradually, before +the enlightened policy of the superintendants, and the mild influence of Christian +doctrine. The enjoyments of the present life, the bright hopes of a future state, +are now communicated to thousands of our fellow-creatures, formerly in a state of +mental and moral darkness, and obnoxious to the most frightful miseries, victims of +the basest passions, subjects of the most alarming fears. +</p> +<p>Justice, mercy, and courageous perseverance, are now reaping their high temporal reward; +and the blessing of the Almighty upon patient continuance in well-doing, enables England +to boast that she has overcome <span class="pageNum" id="pb173">[<a href="#pb173">173</a>]</span>the most inveterate prejudices, the most firmly-established interests, built upon +the basest passions; and this by the simple power of experiment, and the eloquence +of truth. +</p> +<p>Sierra Leone, where this experiment has been made, now presents itself as a medium +of civilization for Africa. “And in this point of view, (it has been most justly observed,) +is worth all the treasure that has been expended upon it; for the slave-trade, which +was the great obstacle to this civilization, being now happily abolished by the universal +voice of England, there is now a populous metropolis, from which may issue the seeds +of reformation to this injured continent, and which, when sown, may now, watered by +the genial dews of heaven, be expected to grow into fruit, without check or blight. +New schools may be transplanted from thence into the interior; teachers and travellers +be sent from thence in various directions; the natives resort in safety to it from +distant parts, mark the improvements, witness the comforts, taste the enjoyments, +<span class="pageNum" id="pb174">[<a href="#pb174">174</a>]</span>and feel the protection of it. Hence will mistrust give way to confidence, emulation +will be raised, imitation be encouraged, a desire of instruction be excited, and the +predatory ignorant savage be gradually moulded into the useful citizen and the rational +man. +</p> +<p>Let then each English heart rejoice, that the moral stain, so long apparent on our +statutes, so long exhibited in our national character, is now erased from the one, +and expunged from the other; that the impious doctrine so long contended for, that +the law of force was justifiable under certain circumstances, is now banished from +the deliberations of our senate; and man, whatever his country, whatever his colour, +is restored to his moral rights. Let us rejoice that we have not only been the advocates +of the oppressed—have triumphed by perseverance and constancy over the oppressor; +but that England has become the favoured and glorious instrument of a God of mercy, +to make his light to shine upon those who sat in darkness and the shadow of death. +May every nation, feeling the blessing of that light, <span class="pageNum" id="pb175">[<a href="#pb175">175</a>]</span>which is upheld by that mercy, follow the example of our favoured isle! May the rich +stream of mercy flow, and diffuse throughout far-distant lands its fertilizing influences! +May the spirit of a Wilberforce and a Clarkson, inspire the breasts of the powerful; +and may the gratitude and the intelligence of Samboe, glow in the heart, and animate +the conduct of every <span class="sc">African</span>! +</p> +</div> +<div class="footnotes"> +<hr class="fnsep"> +<div class="footnote-body"> +<div class="fndiv" id="xd32e1341"> +<p class="footnote"><span class="fnlabel"><a class="noteRef" href="#xd32e1341src">1</a></span> See Discourse of the Bishop of London, before the Society for the Propagation of the +Gospel, October 1817. <a class="fnarrow" href="#xd32e1341src" title="Return to note 1 in text.">↑</a></p> +</div> +</div> +</div> +</div> +</div> +<div class="back"> +<div id="notes" class="div1 notes"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#notes.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h2 class="main">Notes, From authenticated and official Documents.</h2> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<div id="note.a" class="div2 note"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#note.a.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h3 class="main">Note A.</h3> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">The arrival of a slave-ship in any of the rivers, is the signal of civil war and disorder; +the hamlets are burned, and the miserable survivors are carried off, and sold to the +slave-factors. +</p> +<p>In the countries contiguous to Senegal, when slave-ships arrive, armed parties are +sent out to scour the country, and bring in captives to the factors. The wretched +beings are to be found in the morning, bound back to back in the huts; whence they +are conveyed, tied hand and foot, to the slave-ships. These ships set sail in the +night, that the wretched captives may not know the moment when they quit for ever +their native shore, and all the tender ties that endear it. +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="note.b" class="div2 note"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#note.b.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h3 class="main">Note B.</h3> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first"><i>Coosh-coosh</i> is corn beaten in a wooden mortar, and sifted to a coarse flour; it is then put in +an earthen pot pierced like a colander, which is luted to the top of an earthen pot, +in which is boiling water, and sometimes broth, exactly as our steamers are. The rising +steam cures and hardens the flour; and when it is done sufficiently, the broth and cooked flour are mixed, and considered a delicious dish. +</p> +<p><i>Coliloo</i> resembles, and is eaten like spinach. +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="note.c" class="div2 note"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#note.c.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h3 class="main">Note C.</h3> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">Slave-factories are established in almost every native village. The kings of Dahomy +and Whidáh are the most noted for the infamous trade in slaves. It is usual when the +slave-ships lie in the rivers, for a number of canoes to go up the inland: these go +in a fleet, with thirty or forty armed natives in each. Every canoe is also furnished +with a four or six pounder fastened to her bow. Thus equipped they depart, and are +usually absent from eight to fourteen days. It is said they go to fairs held on the +banks of the rivers, and at which there is a regular show of slaves. On their return, +they generally bring down from eight hundred to a thousand of these captives, for +the ships. They lie at the bottom of the canoes, their arms and legs having been bound +with ropes of the country. It has been disclosed, by undoubted evidence, that the +crews of these canoes go up the rivers till they arrive to a certain distance of a +village; they then conceal themselves under the bushes which hang over the water, +until the shades of night, when they enter the village and seize the wretched inhabitants, +men, women, and children, who have no time to escape. +</p> +<p>Nearly three hundred years have the European nations traded with Africa in human flesh, +and encouraged in the negro countries, wars, rapine, desolation, and murder. The annual +exportation of slaves from this quarter of the globe, has exceeded one hundred thousand; numbers of whom are +driven down like sheep, perhaps a thousand miles from the coast, and are generally +inhabitants of villages that have been surrounded in the night by armed force, and +carried off bound in chains, and sold into perpetual bondage. +</p> +<p>A slave-merchant thus wrote to his factor: “You will observe to make a present of +five gallons of rum to the Suma, with the usual compliments on the Company’s behalf; +and to assure him, and other useful persons near you, of the Company’s intentions +to give very great encouragement to trade in those parts, more especially for slaves, +dry goods, elephants’ teeth, wax, cotton, &c. and the Company desire me to inform +you, that they have settled your commission at five shillings a head, for every merchantable +slave, and so in proportion for other articles, in the hope it will encourage you +to dispose of their goods to the best advantage.” +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="note.d" class="div2 note"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#note.d.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h3 class="main">Note D.</h3> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">The following list of African articles, as exhibited to Mr. Pitt and the House of +Lords, by Mr. Clarkson, will illustrate the ingenuity of the Africans, and the possibility +of making its natural productions a branch of lucrative and legitimate commerce. These +articles were contained in a box, formed of four divisions; the first of which was +filled with specimens of woods, polished; amongst them, mahogany of five different +sorts, tulip and satin-wood, cam and bar-wood, fustic, black and yellow ebony, palm-tree, +mangrove, calabash, and date; and also seven species retaining their native names, +<i>viz.</i> tumiah, sarnaim, and jimlalié, each of a beautiful yellow; acajou, a deep crimson; +bask and quellé for cabinet work; and bentin, the wood of which is used for the native +canoes. Various other woods, one of which was a fine purple; and from two others a +strong yellow and deep orange, and also a flesh-colour, could be extracted. The second +division included ivory; and four species of pepper, the long, the black, the Cayenne, +and the Malaguetta: three species of gum, Senegal, copal, and <span class="sic">ruber</span> astringes; cinnamon, rice, tobacco, indigo, white and Nankin cotton, Guinea-corn, +and millet<span class="corr" id="xd32e1458" title="Source: :">;</span> three species of beans, of which two were for food, and the other yielding an orange +dye: two species of tamarinds, one for food, the other to give whiteness to the teeth: +pulse, seeds, and fruits of various sorts; some of the latter of which, Dr. Sparrman +had pronounced, from a trial made during his residence in Africa, to be peculiarly +valuable as drugs. +</p> +<p>The third division contained an African loom, with a spindle and spun cotton round +it; cloths of cotton of various kinds, made by the natives, some white, others dyed, +and others, in which they had interwoven European silk; cloths and bags of grass, +fancifully coloured; ornaments of the same material; ropes made from a species of +aloes, and others, remarkably strong, from grass and straw; fine string made of the +fibres of the roots of trees: soap of two kinds, one of which was formed from an earthy +substance: pipe bowls made of a clay of a brown red, one beautifully ornamented with +black devices, burnt in and highly glazed; another from Galám, made of an earth which +was richly impregnated with little particles of gold. Trinkets made by the natives from their +own gold; knives and daggers formed from bar iron; and various other articles, such +as bags, dagger-sheaths, quivers, gris gris, all of leather, of native manufacture, +dyed of various colours, and ingeniously sewed together. The fourth division contained +the instruments of confinement used on board a slave-ship, to which were added those +of punishment used in the colonies; such as iron collars, manacles, scourges, &c. +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="note.e" class="div2 note"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#note.e.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h3 class="main">(Note E.)</h3> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">Raynal gives the following description of the mode frequently used in conducting the +slaves from the interior: “Slave-merchants collect themselves into companies, and +forming a species of caravans, in the space of two or three hundred leagues, they +conduct several files of thirty or forty slaves, all laden with water, corn, &c. which +are necessary to their subsistence in those barren deserts through which they pass. +</p> +<p>“The manner of securing them without much incommoding their march, is ingeniously +contrived. A fork of wood, of from eight or nine feet long, is put round the neck +of each slave. A pin of iron, rivetted, secures the fork on the back part, in such +a manner that the head cannot disengage itself. The handle of the fork, the wood of +which is very heavy, falls before, and so embarrasses the person who is tied to it, +that, although he hath his arms and legs at liberty, he can neither walk nor lift +up the fork. When they get ready for the march, they range the slaves in a line, and support and tie the extremity of each +fork on the shoulder of the foremost slave, and proceed in this manner from one to +another, till they come to the first, the extremity of whose fork is carried by the +guide. Few restraints are imposed, that are not felt by those who impose them; accordingly, +in order that these traders may enjoy the refreshment of sleep without uneasiness, +they tie the arms of every slave to the tail of the fork which he carries. In this +condition he can neither run away, nor make any attempt to recover his liberty. These +precautions have been found indispensable; because, if the slave can but break his +chains, he becomes free. The public faith which secures to the proprietor the possession +of his slave, and which at all times delivers him up into his hands, is silent with +regard to the slave and a trader. +</p> +<p>“Reader,” continues the animated historian, “while thou art perusing this horrid account, +is not thy soul filled with the same indignation as I experience in writing it? Dost +thou not, in imagination, rush with fury upon those infamous conductors? Dost thou +not break those forks with which these unfortunates are confined? and dost thou not +long to restore them to liberty? +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="note.f" class="div2 note"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#note.f.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h3 class="main">(Note F.)</h3> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">This instrument is also in general use in Congo, and is there called the <i>marimba</i>. +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="note.g" class="div2 note"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#note.g.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h3 class="main">(Note G.)</h3> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">The wife who bears the first son is the chief, and is distinguished from the rest +by the name of the queen, or the king’s great wife. She has the sole management of +all affairs connected with the seraglio; nor dare any person controul her, except +the king’s mother, whose authority is superior to that of any other subject whatever. +She has a separate apartment at court, and a stipulated revenue for her support; but +she is under the restriction of remaining a widow during the rest of her life. +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="note.h" class="div2 note"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#note.h.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h3 class="main">(Note H.)</h3> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">Most of them labour under a fixed melancholy, which now and then seeks a temporary +relief in lamentation, and the most plaintive airs, expressive of the loss of their +relations, friends, and country; and so powerfully does it operate, as to urge many +to self-destruction, or obstinately to refuse nourishment. +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="note.i" class="div2 note"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#note.i.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h3 class="main">(Note I.)</h3> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">They are not unfrequently threatened with a flogging, because the mournfulness of +their songs gives pain to the feelings of their oppressors. +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="note.k" class="div2 note"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#note.k.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h3 class="main">(Note K.)</h3> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">This description of the palace applies to its state previously to the conquest of +Whidáh by the Dahomans, 1727. It is less superb now, but still worthy of attention +as a royal residence. +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="note.l" class="div2 note"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#note.l.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h3 class="main">(Note L.)</h3> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">The purchaser marks, with a hot iron, the breasts of the men, and the bosoms of the +women, to ascertain they are his property. +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="note.m" class="div2 note"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#note.m.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h3 class="main">(Note M.)</h3> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">Instruments are used to force the jaw open, somewhat similar to those used with unhappy +maniacs, upon refusal of sustenance. The anecdote related is a fact of frequent occurrence, +during the execution of this compulsive mode of sustaining life, practised with the +desponding slaves. +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="note.n" class="div2 note"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#note.n.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h3 class="main">(Note N.)</h3> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">See Clarkson’s description of the Slave-ship he visited, as related in his history +of the trade. +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="note.o" class="div2 note"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#note.o.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h3 class="main">(Note O.)</h3> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">That this is no <i>fancied</i> picture of misery, is abundantly proved by the official reports of the African Society, +1822. +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="note.p" class="div2 note"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#note.p.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h3 class="main">(Note P.)</h3> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">The organs of negroes are extremely sensible of the powers of music. Enchanted, as +it were, with the voice of a singer, or the tone of an instrument, they are agitated, +transported, or thrown into ecstasies. In their common labours, the motions of their +arms or of their feet are always in cadence. +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="note.q" class="div2 note"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#note.q.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h3 class="main">(Note Q.)</h3> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">The profits of this nefarious trade are so large, that mercenary men will incur any +risk. At present, says the Report, 1822, speaking of the French favouring the trade, +the rate of insurance does not exceed fifteen or twenty per cent, while the gains +of the trade are proved to amount to from two hundred to four hundred per cent. It +appears, from papers found on board Le Succès, that two hundred and forty slaves, +which she landed on the island of Bourbon, cost nine thousand nine hundred and forty-three +dollars; and that the proceeds of the sale of these slaves amounted to twenty-nine +thousand five hundred and sixty-four dollars. And there is also an account of an outfit +of fifty-three thousand francs producing a net profit of one hundred and sixty-six +thousand francs. +</p> +<p>These facts need no comment. But let not England be discouraged: she has stood alone +in many a fearful struggle, when apparently sinking under the pressure of a hostile +world. She has led the way in the work of mercy; let her pursue her path with unfaltering +firmness, and fearlessly oppose those who dare to violate the solemn engagements they +have formed with her. +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="note.r" class="div2 note"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#note.r.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h3 class="main">(Note R.)</h3> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">Nothing can more forcibly prove the misery of the slaves, than the fact that funerals, +which in Africa are attended by lamentations and sorrow, are in the West Indies celebrated +with expressions of joy. +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="note.s" class="div2 last-child note"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#note.s.toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divHead"> +<h3 class="main">(Note S.)</h3> +</div> +<div class="divBody"> +<p class="first">This relation is derived from a letter of Mr. Arfelius who was an eye-witness, and +a great sufferer from this treacherous attack upon the colony. See “<i>Rees’s Encyclopedia</i>,” article, <i>Sierra Leone</i>. +</p> +<p class="trailer xd32e1529">THE END.</p> +</div> +</div> +</div> +</div> +<div class="div1 imprint"><span class="pageNum">[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]</span><div class="divBody"> +<p class="first xd32e139">Harvey, Darton, and Co. Printers, Gracechurch-Street, London. +</p> +</div> +</div> +<div class="div1" id="toc"> +<h2 class="main">Table of Contents</h2> +<table> +<tr id="advertisement.toc"> +<td class="tocDivNum"></td> +<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="2"><a href="#advertisement">Advertisement.</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"><a class="pageref" href="#advertisement">v</a></td> +</tr> +<tr id="ch1.toc"> +<td class="tocDivNum">I. </td> +<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="2"><a href="#ch1">Chapter I.</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"><a class="pageref" href="#ch1">1</a></td> +</tr> +<tr id="ch2.toc"> +<td class="tocDivNum">II. </td> +<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="2"><a href="#ch2">Chapter II.</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"><a class="pageref" href="#ch2">18</a></td> +</tr> +<tr id="ch3.toc"> +<td class="tocDivNum">III. </td> +<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="2"><a href="#ch3">Chapter III.</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"><a class="pageref" href="#ch3">35</a></td> +</tr> +<tr id="ch4.toc"> +<td class="tocDivNum">IV. </td> +<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="2"><a href="#ch4">Chapter IV.</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"><a class="pageref" href="#ch4">53</a></td> +</tr> +<tr id="ch5.toc"> +<td class="tocDivNum">V. </td> +<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="2"><a href="#ch5">Chapter V.</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"><a class="pageref" href="#ch5">66</a></td> +</tr> +<tr id="ch6.toc"> +<td class="tocDivNum">VI. </td> +<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="2"><a href="#ch6">Chapter VI.</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"><a class="pageref" href="#ch6">76</a></td> +</tr> +<tr id="ch7.toc"> +<td class="tocDivNum">VII. </td> +<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="2"><a href="#ch7">Chapter VII.</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"><a class="pageref" href="#ch7">82</a></td> +</tr> +<tr id="ch8.toc"> +<td class="tocDivNum">VIII. </td> +<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="2"><a href="#ch8">Chapter VIII.</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"><a class="pageref" href="#ch8">94</a></td> +</tr> +<tr id="ch9.toc"> +<td class="tocDivNum">IX. </td> +<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="2"><a href="#ch9">Chapter IX.</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"><a class="pageref" href="#ch9">110</a></td> +</tr> +<tr id="ch10.toc"> +<td class="tocDivNum">X. </td> +<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="2"><a href="#ch10">Chapter X.</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"><a class="pageref" href="#ch10">130</a></td> +</tr> +<tr id="ch11.toc"> +<td class="tocDivNum">XI. </td> +<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="2"><a href="#ch11">Chapter XI.</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"><a class="pageref" href="#ch11">141</a></td> +</tr> +<tr id="ch12.toc"> +<td class="tocDivNum">XII. </td> +<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="2"><a href="#ch12">Chapter XII.</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"><a class="pageref" href="#ch12">157</a></td> +</tr> +<tr id="notes.toc"> +<td class="tocDivNum"></td> +<td class="tocDivTitle" colspan="2"><a href="#notes">Notes, From authenticated and official Documents.</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"></td> +</tr> +<tr id="note.a.toc"> +<td></td> +<td class="tocDivNum"></td> +<td class="tocDivTitle"><a href="#note.a">Note A.</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"></td> +</tr> +<tr id="note.b.toc"> +<td></td> +<td class="tocDivNum"></td> +<td class="tocDivTitle"><a href="#note.b">Note B.</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"></td> +</tr> +<tr id="note.c.toc"> +<td></td> +<td class="tocDivNum"></td> +<td class="tocDivTitle"><a href="#note.c">Note C.</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"></td> +</tr> +<tr id="note.d.toc"> +<td></td> +<td class="tocDivNum"></td> +<td class="tocDivTitle"><a href="#note.d">Note D.</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"></td> +</tr> +<tr id="note.e.toc"> +<td></td> +<td class="tocDivNum"></td> +<td class="tocDivTitle"><a href="#note.e">(Note E.)</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"></td> +</tr> +<tr id="note.f.toc"> +<td></td> +<td class="tocDivNum"></td> +<td class="tocDivTitle"><a href="#note.f">(Note F.)</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"></td> +</tr> +<tr id="note.g.toc"> +<td></td> +<td class="tocDivNum"></td> +<td class="tocDivTitle"><a href="#note.g">(Note G.)</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"></td> +</tr> +<tr id="note.h.toc"> +<td></td> +<td class="tocDivNum"></td> +<td class="tocDivTitle"><a href="#note.h">(Note H.)</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"></td> +</tr> +<tr id="note.i.toc"> +<td></td> +<td class="tocDivNum"></td> +<td class="tocDivTitle"><a href="#note.i">(Note I.)</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"></td> +</tr> +<tr id="note.k.toc"> +<td></td> +<td class="tocDivNum"></td> +<td class="tocDivTitle"><a href="#note.k">(Note K.)</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"></td> +</tr> +<tr id="note.l.toc"> +<td></td> +<td class="tocDivNum"></td> +<td class="tocDivTitle"><a href="#note.l">(Note L.)</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"></td> +</tr> +<tr id="note.m.toc"> +<td></td> +<td class="tocDivNum"></td> +<td class="tocDivTitle"><a href="#note.m">(Note M.)</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"></td> +</tr> +<tr id="note.n.toc"> +<td></td> +<td class="tocDivNum"></td> +<td class="tocDivTitle"><a href="#note.n">(Note N.)</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"></td> +</tr> +<tr id="note.o.toc"> +<td></td> +<td class="tocDivNum"></td> +<td class="tocDivTitle"><a href="#note.o">(Note O.)</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"></td> +</tr> +<tr id="note.p.toc"> +<td></td> +<td class="tocDivNum"></td> +<td class="tocDivTitle"><a href="#note.p">(Note P.)</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"></td> +</tr> +<tr id="note.q.toc"> +<td></td> +<td class="tocDivNum"></td> +<td class="tocDivTitle"><a href="#note.q">(Note Q.)</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"></td> +</tr> +<tr id="note.r.toc"> +<td></td> +<td class="tocDivNum"></td> +<td class="tocDivTitle"><a href="#note.r">(Note R.)</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"></td> +</tr> +<tr id="note.s.toc"> +<td></td> +<td class="tocDivNum"></td> +<td class="tocDivTitle"><a href="#note.s">(Note S.)</a></td> +<td class="tocPageNum"></td> +</tr> +</table> +</div> +<div class="transcriberNote"> +<h2 class="main">Colophon</h2> +<h3 class="main">Availability</h3> +<p class="first">This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions +whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project +Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at <a class="seclink xd32e33" title="External link" href="https://www.gutenberg.org/">www.gutenberg.org</a>. +</p> +<p>This eBook is produced by the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at <a class="seclink xd32e33" title="External link" href="https://www.pgdp.net/">www.pgdp.net</a>. +</p> +<p>Prepared from scans made available by the Google print project. (Copy <a id="xd32e43" href="#xd32e43ext">1</a>.) Note that the <a id="xd32e46" href="#xd32e46ext">copy</a> at the Internet archive lacks pages 174–175. The notes G–P that appeared on those +pages can be found in an alternative <a id="xd32e49" href="#xd32e49ext">copy</a>. +</p> +<p>New original cover art included with this eBook is granted to the public domain. +</p> +<h3 class="main">Metadata</h3> +<table class="colophonMetadata"> +<tr> +<td><b>Title:</b></td> +<td>Samboe; or, The African Boy</td> +<td></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><b>Author:</b></td> +<td>Mary Ann Hedge</td> +<td>Info <span class="externalUrl">https://viaf.org/viaf/306070601/</span></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><b>Publication date:</b></td> +<td>2011-09-02</td> +<td></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><b>File generation date:</b></td> +<td>2024-05-30 19:48:12 UTC</td> +<td></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><b>Language:</b></td> +<td>English</td> +<td></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><b>Original publication date:</b></td> +<td>1823</td> +<td></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><b>Keywords:</b></td> +<td>Slavery -- Africa -- Fiction</td> +<td></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><b>Project Gutenberg:</b></td> +<td><a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/37296" class="seclink">37296</a></td> +<td></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><b>OCLC/WorldCat:</b></td> +<td>77783305 <span class="externalUrl">https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/77783305</span></td> +<td></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><b>Open Library (Book):</b></td> +<td>OL13783787M <span class="externalUrl">https://openlibrary.org/books/OL13783787M</span></td> +<td></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><b>QR-code:</b></td> +<td colspan="2"><img src="images/qr37296.png" alt="QR-code of Project Gutenberg URL" width="148" height="148"></td> +</tr> +</table> +<h3 class="main">Encoding</h3> +<p class="first">The second “Chapter VI” has been renumbered “Chapter VII” and all following chapters +have been renumbered accordingly. +</p> +<h3 class="main">Revision History</h3> +<ul> +<li>2011-08-28 Started. +</li> +<li>2024-05-29 Added notes G–P from an alternative copy. +</li> +</ul> +<h3 class="main">External References</h3> +<p>This eBook contains external references. These links may not work for you. +The following URLs are shown purely for information. If so desired, you can copy them +into the address-bar of your browser. +</p> +<table class="externalReferenceTable"> +<tr> +<th>Page</th> +<th>URL</th> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><a class="pageref" id="xd32e49ext" href="#xd32e49">N.A.</a></td> +<td><span class="externalUrl">https://archive.org/details/ASPC0002375200/page/n183/mode/2up</span></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><a class="pageref" id="xd32e43ext" href="#xd32e43">N.A.</a></td> +<td><span class="externalUrl">https://books.google.com/books?id=ZpQDAAAAQAAJ</span></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><a class="pageref" id="xd32e46ext" href="#xd32e46">N.A.</a></td> +<td><span class="externalUrl">https://www.archive.org/details/samboeorafrican00hedggoog</span></td> +</tr> +</table> +<h3 class="main">Corrections</h3> +<p>The following 21 corrections have been applied to the text:</p> +<table class="correctionTable"> +<tr> +<th>Page</th> +<th>Source</th> +<th>Correction</th> +<th>Edit distance</th> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd32e335">15</a></td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">eat</td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">ate</td> +<td class="bottom">2</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd32e346">17</a></td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">situate</td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">situated</td> +<td class="bottom">1</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd32e469">33</a></td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">,</td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en"> +[<i>Deleted</i>] +</td> +<td class="bottom">1</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd32e505">35</a></td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">Insiduous</td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">Insidious</td> +<td class="bottom">1</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd32e647">61</a>, <a class="pageref" href="#xd32e649">61</a></td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en"> +[<i>Not in source</i>] +</td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">”</td> +<td class="bottom">1</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd32e673">65</a></td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">Christain</td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">Christian</td> +<td class="bottom">2</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd32e814">82</a></td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">VI</td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">VII</td> +<td class="bottom">1</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd32e845">86</a></td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">,</td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">.</td> +<td class="bottom">1</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd32e908">94</a></td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">VII</td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">VIII</td> +<td class="bottom">1</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd32e977">108</a></td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">it</td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">its</td> +<td class="bottom">1</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd32e1014">110</a></td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">VIII</td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">IX</td> +<td class="bottom">3</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd32e1081">120</a></td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en"> +[<i>Not in source</i>] +</td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">.</td> +<td class="bottom">1</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd32e1133">130</a></td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">IX</td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">X</td> +<td class="bottom">1</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd32e1187">136</a></td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">”</td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en"> +[<i>Deleted</i>] +</td> +<td class="bottom">1</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd32e1225">141</a></td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">X</td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">XI</td> +<td class="bottom">1</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd32e1275">150</a></td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">;</td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">:</td> +<td class="bottom">1</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd32e1315">157</a></td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">XI</td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">XII.</td> +<td class="bottom">2</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd32e1350">162</a></td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">determition</td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">determination</td> +<td class="bottom">2</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd32e1402">171</a></td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">‘</td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en"> +[<i>Deleted</i>] +</td> +<td class="bottom">1</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="width20"><a class="pageref" href="#xd32e1458">N.A.</a></td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">:</td> +<td class="width40 bottom" lang="en">;</td> +<td class="bottom">1</td> +</tr> +</table> +</div> +</div> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 37296 ***</div> +</body> +</html> + diff --git a/37296-h/images/book.png b/37296-h/images/book.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8c9ee4f --- /dev/null +++ b/37296-h/images/book.png diff --git a/37296-h/images/card.png b/37296-h/images/card.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1ffbe1a --- /dev/null +++ b/37296-h/images/card.png diff --git a/37296-h/images/external.png b/37296-h/images/external.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ba4f205 --- /dev/null +++ b/37296-h/images/external.png diff --git a/37296-h/images/frontispiece.jpg b/37296-h/images/frontispiece.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 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