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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..17f766c --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #67502 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/67502) diff --git a/old/67502-0.txt b/old/67502-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index ae1a567..0000000 --- a/old/67502-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,9497 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Africa and the American Flag, by -Andrew H. Foote - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world 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 -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Africa and the American Flag - -Author: Andrew H. Foote - -Release Date: February 25, 2022 [eBook #67502] - -Language: English - -Produced by: deaurider and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at - https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images - generously made available by The Internet Archive) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AFRICA AND THE AMERICAN -FLAG *** - - - - - - _D. APPLETON & COMPANY’S PUBLICATIONS._ - - The Great Work on Russia. - - Fifth Edition now ready. - - RUSSIA AS IT IS. - - BY COUNT A. DE GUROWSKI. - - One neat volume 12mo., pp. 328, well printed. Price $1, cloth. - - - CONTENTS.--Preface.--Introduction.--Czarism: its historical - origin.--The Czar Nicholas.--The Organization of the Government.--The - Army and Navy.--The Nobility.--The Clergy.--The Bourgeoisie.--The - Cossacks.--The Real People, the Peasantry.--The Rights of - Aliens and Strangers.--The Commoner.--Emancipation.--Manifest - Destiny.--Appendix.--The Amazons.--The Fourteen Classes of the Russian - Public Service; or, the Tschins.--The Political Testament of Peter the - Great.--Extract from an Old Chronicle. - - - Notices of the Press. - - “The author takes no superficial, empirical view of his subject, but - collecting a rich variety of facts, brings the lights of a profound - philosophy to their explanation. His work, indeed, neglects no - essential detail--it is minute and accurate in its statistics--it - abounds in lively pictures of society, manners and character. * * - Whoever wishes to obtain an accurate notion of the internal condition - of Russia, the nature and extent of her resources, and the practical - influence of her institutions, will here find better materials for his - purpose than in any single volume now extant.”--_N. Y. Tribune._ - - “This is a powerfully-written book, and will prove of vast service to - every one who desires to comprehend the real nature and bearings of - the great contest in which Russia is now engaged.”--_N. Y. Courier._ - - “It is original in its conclusions; it is striking in its revelations. - Numerous as are the volumes that have been written about Russia, we - really hitherto have known little of that immense territory--of that - numerous people. Count Gurowski’s work sheds a light which at this - time is most welcome and satisfactory.”--_N. Y. Times._ - - “The book is well written, and as might be expected in a work by a - writer so unusually conversant with all sides of Russian affairs, it - contains so much important information respecting the Russian people, - their government and religion.”--_Com. Advertiser._ - - “This is a valuable work, explaining in a very satisfactory manner - the internal conditions of the Russian people, and the construction - of their political society. The institutions of Russia are presented - as they exist in reality, and as they are determined by existing and - obligatory laws.”--_N. Y. Herald._ - - “A hasty glance over this handsome volume has satisfied us that it is - one worthy of general perusal. * * * It is full of valuable historical - information, with very interesting accounts of the various classes - among the Russian people, their condition and aspirations.”--_N. Y. - Sun._ - - “This is a volume that can hardly fail to attract very general - attention, and command a wide sale in view of the present juncture of - European affairs, and the prominent part therein which Russia is to - play.”--_Utica Gazette._ - - “A timely book. It will be found all that it professes to be, though - some may be startled at some of its conclusions.”--_Boston Atlas._ - - “This is one of the best of all the books caused by the present - excitement in relation to Russia. It is a very able publication--one - that will do much to destroy the general belief in the infallibility - of Russia. The writer shows himself master of his subject, and treats - of the internal condition of Russia, her institutions and customs, - society, laws, &c., in an enlightened and scholarly manner.”--_City - Item._ - - - - - New Copyright Works, Adapted for Popular Reading. - - JUST PUBLISHED. - - _BY D. APPLETON & CO._ - - - I. - - PERSONAL NARRATIVE OF EXPLORATIONS AND INCIDENTS IN TEXAS, NEW MEXICO, - CALIFORNIA, SONORA, AND CHIHUAHUA, CONNECTED WITH THE MEXICAN BOUNDARY - COMMISSION, DURING THE YEARS 1850, ’51, ’52, and ’53. - - BY JOHN RUSSELL BARTLETT, - _United States Commissioner during that period_. - -In 2 vols. 8vo, of nearly 600 pages each, printed with large type and -on extra fine paper, to be illustrated with nearly 100 wood-cuts, -sixteen tinted lithographs and a beautiful map, engraved on steel, of -the extensive regions traversed. Price, $5. - - - II. - - AFRICA AND THE AMERICAN FLAG. - - BY ANDREW H. FOOTE, - - _Lieutenant Commanding the U. S. Brig Porpoise, on the Coast of Africa, - 1851-’53_. - - With tinted lithographic illustrations. One volume 12mo. - - - III. - - CAPT. CANOT; OR, TWENTY YEARS OF A SLAVER’S LIFE. - - EDITED BY BRANTZ MAYER. - - With numerous illustrations. One vol. 12mo, cloth. - - - IV. - - RUSSIA AS IT IS. - - BY THE COUNT DE GUROWSKI. - - One vol. 12mo, cloth. - - - V. - - TEMPEST AND SUNSHINE; OR, LIFE IN KENTUCKY. - - BY MRS. MARY J. HOLMES. - - One vol. 12mo, paper cover or cloth. - - - VI. - - FARMINGDALE. - - A TALE BY CAROLINE THOMAS. - - One vol. 12mo, paper cover or cloth. - - [Illustration] “Excels in interest, and is quite equal in its - delineation of character to The Wide, Wide World.” - - - VII. - - THE HIVE OF THE BEE HUNTER. - - BY T. B. THORPE. - - With several illustrations. One vol. 12mo, cloth. - - [Illustration: - - _F. E. Forbes, delt._ _Lith. of Sarony & Co. N. Y._ - - THE HUMAN SACRIFICES OF THE EK-GNEE-NOO-AH-TOH.] - - - - - AFRICA - - AND - - THE AMERICAN FLAG. - - - BY - - COMMANDER ANDREW H. FOOTE, - - U. S. NAVY, - - LIEUT. COMMANDING U. S. BRIG PERRY ON THE COAST OF AFRICA, - - A. D. 1850-1851. - - - NEW YORK: - D. APPLETON & CO., 346 & 348 BROADWAY, - AND 16 LITTLE BRITAIN, LONDON. - - M DCCC LIV. - - - Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1854, - BY D. APPLETON & COMPANY, - In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the United States for - the Southern District of New York. - - - - - TO - - COMMODORE JOSEPH SMITH, U. S. N., - - CHIEF OF THE NAVAL BUREAU OF YARDS AND DOCKS, - - This Volume is Dedicated, - - AS A SLIGHT TRIBUTE - - OF RESPECT FOR HIS OFFICIAL CHARACTER, - - AND AS AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT - - OF HIS UNIFORM ATTACHMENT - - AS A FRIEND. - - - - - CONTENTS. - - - CHAPTER I. - - Subject and Arrangement--Area of Cruising-Ground--Distribution - of Subjects. 13 - - - CHAPTER II. - - Discoveries by French and Portuguese along the Coast--Cape of - Good Hope--Results. 17 - - - CHAPTER III. - - Pirates--Davis, Roberts, and others--British Cruisers--Slave-Trade - systematized--Guineamen--“Horrors of the Middle - Passage”. 20 - - - CHAPTER IV. - - Physical Geography--Climate--Geology--Zoology--Botany. 31 - - - CHAPTER V. - - African Nations--Distribution of Races--Arts--Manners and - Character--Superstitions--Treatment of the Dead--Regard for the - Spirits of the Departed--Witchcraft--Ordeal--Military - Force--Amazons--Cannibalism. 46 - - - CHAPTER VI. - - Trade--Metals--Mines--Vegetable - Productions--Gums--Oils--Cotton--Dye-Stuffs. 65 - - - CHAPTER VII. - - European Colonies--Portuguese--Remaining Influence of the - Portuguese--Slave Factories--English Colonies--Treaties with the - Native Chiefs--Influence of Sierra Leone--Destruction of - Barracoons--Influence of England--Chiefs on the Coast--Ashantee--King - of Dahomey. 71 - - - CHAPTER VIII. - - Dahomey--Slavish Subjection of the People--Dependence of the King on - the Slave-Trade--Exhibition of Human Skulls--Annual Human - Sacrifices--Lagos--The Changes of Three Centuries. 85 - - - CHAPTER IX. - - State of the Coast prior to the Foundation of Liberia--Native - Tribes--Customs and Policy--Power of the Folgias--Kroomen, - &c.--Conflicts. 94 - - - CHAPTER X. - - General Views on the Establishment of Colonies--Penal Colonies--Views - of the People of the United States in reference to African - Colonies--State of Slavery at the Revolutionary War--Negroes who - joined the English--Disposal of them by Great Britain--Early Movements - with respect to African Colonies--Plan matured by Dr. - Finley--Formation of the American Colonization Society. 101 - - - CHAPTER XI. - - Foundation of the American Colony--Early Agents--Mills, Burgess, Bacon - and others--U. S. Sloop-of-War “Cyane”--Arrival at the Island of - Sherboro--Disposal of Recaptured Slaves by the U. S. - Government--Fever--Slavers Captured--U. S. Schooner “Shark”--Sherboro - partially abandoned--U. S. Schooner “Alligator”--Selection and - Settlement of Cape Mesurado--Capt. Stockton--Dr. Ayres--King - Peter--Arguments with the Natives--Conflicts--Dr. Ayres made - Prisoner--King Boatswain--Completion of the Purchase. 110 - - - CHAPTER XII. - - Ashmun--Necessity of Defence--Fortifications--Assaults--Arrival of - Major Laing--Condition of the Colonies--Sloops-of-War “Cyane” and - “John Adams”--King Boatswain as a Slaver--Misconduct of the - Emigrants--Disinterestedness of Ashmun--U. S. Schooner - “Porpoise”--Captain Skinner--Rev. R. R. Gurley--Purchase of Territory - on the St. Paul’s River--Attack on Tradetown--Piracies--U. S. Schooner - “Shark”--Sloop-of-War “Ontario”--Death of Ashmun--His Character by - Rev. Dr. Bacon. 123 - - - CHAPTER XIII. - - Lot Carey--Dr. Randall--Establishment of the Liberia Herald--Wars - with the Deys--Sloop-of-War “John Adams”--Difficulties of the - Government--Condition of the Settlers. 141 - - - CHAPTER XIV. - - The Commonwealth of Liberia--Thomas H. Buchanan--Views of different - Parties--Detached Condition of the Colony--Necessity of - Union--Establishment of a Commonwealth--Use of the American Flag in - the Slave-Trade--“Euphrates”--Sloop “Campbell”--Slavers at - Bassa--Expedition against them--Conflict--Gallinas. 148 - - - CHAPTER XV. - - Buchanan’s Administration continued--Death of King Boatswain--War - with Gaytumba--Attack on Heddington--Expedition of Buchanan - against Gaytumba--Death of Buchanan--His Character. 159 - - - CHAPTER XVI. - - Roberts governor--Difficulties with English Traders--Position of - Liberia in respect to England--Case of the “John Seyes”--Official - Correspondence of Everett and Upshur--Trouble on the - Coast--Reflections. 166 - - - CHAPTER XVII. - - Roberts’ Administration--Efforts in Reference to English - Traders--Internal Condition of Liberia--Insubordination--Treaties with - the native Kings--Expedition to the Interior--Causes leading to a - Declaration of Independence. 173 - - - CHAPTER XVIII. - - Independence of Liberia proclaimed and acknowledged by Great Britain, - France, Belgium, Prussia, and Brazil--Treaties with England and - France--Expedition against New Cesters--U. S. Sloop-of-War - “Yorktown”--English and French Cruisers--Disturbances among the - native Chiefs--Financial Troubles--Recurring Difficulty with - English Traders--Boombo, Will Buckle, Grando, King Boyer. 180 - - - CHAPTER XIX. - - Condition of Liberia as a Nation--Aspect of Liberia to a - Visitor--Character of Monrovia--Soil, Productions and - Labor--Harbor--Condition of the People compared with that of their - Race in the United States--Schools. 192 - - - CHAPTER XX. - - Maryland in Liberia--Cape Palmas--Hall and Russwurm--Chastisement - of the Natives at Berebee by the U. S. Squadron--Line of - Packets--Proposal of Independence--Illustrations of the - Colonization Scheme--Christian Missions. 200 - - - CHAPTER XXI. - - Renewal of Piracy and the Slave-Trade at the close of the European - War--British Squadron--Treaties with the Natives--Origin of - Barracoons--Use of the American Flag in the Slave-Trade--Official - Correspondence on the Subject--Condition of Slaves on board of the - Slave-Vessels--Case of the “_Veloz Passageira_”--French Squadron. 213 - - - CHAPTER XXII. - - United States Squadron--Treaty of Washington. 232 - - - CHAPTER XXIII. - - Case of the “Mary Carver,” seized by the Natives--Measures of the - Squadron in consequence--Destruction of Towns--Letter from U. S. Brig - “Truxton” in relation to a captured Slaver. 235 - - - CHAPTER XXIV. - - Capture of the Slave-Barque “Pons”--Slaves landed at Monrovia--Capture - of the Slave-equipped Vessels “Panther,” “Robert Wilson,” - “Chancellor,” &c.--Letter from the “Jamestown” in reference to - Liberia--Affair with the Natives near Cape Palmas--Seizure and - Condemnation of the Slaver “H. N. Gambrill”. 243 - - - CHAPTER XXV. - - Cruise of the “Perry”--Instructions--Dispatched to the South - Coast--Benguela--Case of a Slaver which had changed her Nationality - captured by an English Cruiser--St. Paul de Loanda--Abuse of the - American Flag--Want of a Consul on the South Coast--Correspondence - with British Officers in relation to Slavers under the American - Flag--The Barque “Navarre”--Treaty with Portugal--Abatement of - Custom-House Duties--Cruising off Ambriz--An Arrangement made with the - British Commodore for the Joint Cruising of the “Perry” and Steamer - “Cyclops”--Co-operation with the British Squadron for the Suppression - of the Slave-Trade--Fitting out of American Slavers in Brazil. 254 - - - CHAPTER XXVI. - - American Brigantine “Louisa Beaton” suspected--Correspondence with the - Commander of the Southern Division of the British Squadron--Boat - Cruising--Currents--Rollers on the - Coast--Trade-Winds--Climate--Prince’s Island--Madame Fereira. 272 - - - CHAPTER XXVII. - - Return to the Southern Coast--Capture of the American Slave-Ship - “Martha”--Claim to Brazilian Nationality--Letters found on board - illustrative of the Slave-Trade--Loanda--French, English, and - Portuguese Cruisers--Congo River--Boarding Foreign Merchant - Vessels--Capture of the “Volusia” by a British Cruiser--She claims - American Nationality--The Meeting of the Commodores at - Loanda--Discussions in relation to Interference with Vessels - ostensibly American--Seizure of the American Brigantine - “Chatsworth,”--Claims by the Master of the “Volusia”. 285 - - - CHAPTER XXVIII. - - Another Cruise--Chatsworth again--Visit to the Queen near - Ambrizette--Seizure of the American Brigantine “Louisa Beaton” by a - British Cruiser--Correspondence--Proposal of Remuneration from the - Captors--Seizure of the “Chatsworth” as a Slaver--Italian - Supercargo--Master of the “Louisa Beaton”. 306 - - - CHAPTER XXIX. - - Prohibition of Visits to Vessels at - Loanda--Correspondence--Restrictions removed--St. Helena--Appearance - of the Island--Reception--Correspondence with the - Chief-Justice--Departure. 324 - - CHAPTER XXX. - - Return to Loanda--“Cyclops” leaves the Coast--Hon. Captain - Hastings--Discussion with the British Commodore in reference to the - Visit at St. Helena--Commodore Fanshawe--Arrival at Monrovia--British - Cruiser ashore--Arrival at Porto Praya--Wreck of a Hamburgh Ship. 336 - - - CHAPTER XXXI. - - Return to the South Coast--Comparative Courses and Length of - Passage--Country at the Mouth of the Congo--Correspondence with the - British Commodore--State of the Slave-Trade--Communication to the - Hydrographical Department--Elephants’ Bay--Crew on Shore--Zebras. 344 - - - CHAPTER XXXII. - - The Condition of the Slave-Trade--Want of suitable Cruisers--Health - of the Vessel--Navy Spirit-ration--Portuguese Commodore--French - Commodore--Loanda--Letter from Sir George Jackson, British - Commissioner, on the State of the Slave-Trade--Return to Porto - Praya. 357 - - - CHAPTER XXXIII. - - Island of Madeira--Porto Grande, Cape Verde Islands--Interference - of the British Consul with the “Louisa Beaton”--Porto - Praya--Brazilian Brigantine seized by the Authorities--Arrival - at New York. 369 - - - CHAPTER XXXIV. - - Conclusion--Necessity of Squadrons for Protection of Commerce and - Citizens abroad--Fever in Brazil, West Indies, and United - States--Influence of Recaptured Slaves returning to the different - regions of their own Country--Commercial Relations with Africa. 379 - -[Illustration: - - _PROBABLE CONFIGURATION_ of AFRICA, - _as represented by Contouror Horizontal Planes_. - - _J.J. Adamson, del._ _Lith. of Sarony & Co. N. Y._] - - - - - AFRICA - - AND - - THE AMERICAN FLAG. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -SUBJECT AND ARRANGEMENT--AREA OF CRUISING-GROUND--DISTRIBUTION OF -SUBJECTS. - - -On the 28th of November, 1849, the U. S. brig “Perry” sailed for the -west coast of Africa, to join the American squadron there stationed. - -A treaty with Great Britain, signed at Washington in the year 1842, -stipulates that each nation shall maintain on the coast of Africa, -a force of naval vessels “of suitable numbers and description, to -carry in all not less than eighty guns, to enforce separately and -respectively, the laws, rights, and obligations of each of the two -countries, for the suppression of the slave-trade.” - -Although this stipulation was limited to the term of five years -from the date of the exchange of the ratifications of the treaty, -“and afterwards until one or the other party shall signify a wish -to terminate it;” the United States have continued to maintain a -squadron on that coast for the protection of its commerce, and for the -suppression of the slave-trade, so far as it might be carried on in -American vessels, or by American citizens. - -To illustrate the importance of this squadron, the relations which -its operations bear to American interests, and to the rights of the -American flag; its effects upon the condition of Africa in checking -crime, and preparing the way for the introduction of peace, prosperity, -and civilization, is the primary object of this work. - -A general view of the continent of Africa, comprising the past and -present condition of its inhabitants; slavery in Africa and its foreign -slave-trade; the piracies upon the coast before it was guarded and -protected by naval squadrons; the geological structure of the country; -its natural history, languages, and people; and the progress of -colonization by the negro race returning to their own land with the -light of religion, of sound policy, and of modern arts, will also be -introduced as subjects appropriate to the general design. - -If a chart of the Atlantic is spread out, and a line drawn from the -Cape Verde Islands towards the southeastern coast of Brazil; if we -then pass to the Cape of Good Hope and draw another from that point by -the island of St. Helena, crossing the former north of the equator, -the great tracks of commerce will be traced. Vessels outward bound -follow the track towards the South American shore, and the homeward -bound are found on the other. Thus vessels often meet in the centre of -the Atlantic; and the crossing of these lines off the projecting shores -of central Africa renders the coasts of that region of great naval -importance. - -The wide triangular space of sea between the homeward bound line and -the retiring African seaboard around the Gulf of Guinea, constituted -the area on which the vigilance of the squadron was to be exercised. -Here is the region of crime, suffering, cruelty and death, from the -slave-trade; and here has been at different ages, when the police -of the sea happened to be little cared for, the scene of the worst -piracies which have ever disgraced human nature. - -Vessels running out from the African coast fall here and there into -these lines traced on the chart, or sometimes cross them. No one can -tell what they contain from the graceful hull, well-proportioned masts, -neatly trimmed yards, and gallant bearing of the vessel. This deceitful -beauty may conceal wrong, violence, and crime--the theft of living -men, the foulness and corruption of the steaming slave-deck, and the -charnel-house of wretchedness and despair. - -It is difficult in looking over the ship’s side to conceive the -transparency of the sea. The reflection of the blue sky in these -tropic regions colors it like an opaque sapphire, till some fish -startles one by suddenly appearing far beneath, seeming to carry -daylight down with him into the depths below. One is then reminded -that the vessel is suspended over a transparent abyss. There for ages -has sunk the dark-skinned sufferer from “the horrors of the middle -passage,” carrying that ghastly daylight down with him, to rest until -“the sea shall give up its dead,” and the slaver and his merchant come -from their places to be confronted with their victim. - -The relation of the western nations to these shores present themselves -under three phases, which claim more or less attention in order to a -full understanding of the subject. These are, - - I. Period of Discovery, Piracy and Slaving. - - II. Period of Colonizing. - - III. Period of Naval Cruising. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - - DISCOVERIES BY FRENCH AND PORTUGUESE ALONG THE COAST--CAPE OF GOOD - HOPE--RESULTS. - - -The French of Normandy contested with the Portuguese the honor of -first venturing into the Gulf of Guinea. It was, however, nearly a -hundred years from the time when the latter first embarked in these -discoveries, until, in 1487, they reached the Cape of Good Hope. -For about eight centuries the Mohammedan in the interior had been -shaping out an influence for himself by proselyting and commerce. -The Portuguese discoverer met this influence on the African shores. -The Venetians held a sort of partnership with the Mohammedans in the -trade of the East: Portugal had then taken scarcely any share in the -brilliant and exciting politics of the Levant; her vocation was to -the seas of the West, but in that direction she was advancing to an -overwhelming triumph over her Eastern competitor. - -On the 3d of May, 1487, a boat left one of two small high-sterned -vessels, of less tonnage than an ordinary river sloop of the present -day, and landed a few weather-beaten men on a low island of rocks, on -which they proceeded to erect a cross. The sand which rustled across -their footsteps, the sigh of the west wind among the waxberry bushes, -and the croakings of the penguins as they waddled off,--these were -the voices which hailed the opening of a new era for the world; for -Bartholomew Diaz had then passed the southern point of Africa, and was -listening to the surf of the Antarctic Sea. - -This enterprising navigator had sailed from Lisbon in August, 1486, -and seems to have reached Sierra Parda, north of the Orange River, in -time to catch the last of the strong southeasterly winds, prevailing -during the summer months on the southern coast of Africa, in the region -of the Cape. He stood to the southwest, in vessels little calculated -for holding a wind, and at length reached the region of the prevailing -southwest winds. Then standing to the eastward he passed the Cape -of Good Hope, of which he was in search, and bearing away to the -northward, after running a distance of four hundred miles, brought up -at the island of St. Croix above referred to. Coasting along on his -return, the Cape was doubled, and named _Cabo Tormentoso_, or the Cape -of Storms. The King of Portugal, on the discoverer’s return, gave it -the more promising name of _Cabo de buen Speranza_, or Cape of Good -Hope. - -Africa thus fell into the grasp of Europe. Trade flowed with a full -stream into this new channel. Portugal conquered and settled its -shores. Missionaries accompanied the Portuguese discoverers and -conquerors to various parts of Africa, where the Portuguese dominion -had been established, and for long periods influenced the condition of -the country. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - - PIRATES--DAVIS, ROBERTS, AND OTHERS--BRITISH CRUISERS--SLAVE-TRADE - SYSTEMATIZED--GUINEAMEN--“HORRORS OF THE MIDDLE PASSAGE.” - - -The second period is that of villany. More Africans seem to have been -bought and sold, at all times of the world’s history, than of any -other race of mankind. The early navigators were offered slaves as -merchandise. It is not easy to conceive that the few which they then -carried away, could serve any other purpose than to gratify curiosity, -or add to the ostentatious greatness of kings and noblemen. It was the -demands of the west which rendered this iniquity a trade. Every thing -which could debase a man was thrust upon Africa from every shore. The -old military skill of Europe raised on almost every accessible point -embattled fortresses, which now picturesquely line the Gulf of Guinea. -In the space between Cape Palmas and the Calabar River, there are to be -counted, in the old charts, forts and factories by hundreds. - -The seventeenth and eighteenth centuries were especially the era of -woe to the African people. Crime against them on the part of European -nations, had become gross in cruelty and universal in extent. From -the Cape of Good Hope to the Mediterranean, in respect to their lands -or their persons, the European was seizing, slaying and enslaving. The -mischief perpetrated by the white man, was the source of mischief to -its author. The west coast became the haunt and nursery of pirates. -In fact, the same class of men were the navigators of the pirate and -the slaver; and sailors had little hesitation in betraying their own -vessels occasionally into the hands of the buccaneer. Slave-trading -afforded a pretext which covered all the preparations for robbery. The -whole civilized world had begun to share in this guilt and in this -retribution. - -In 1692, a solitary Scotchman was found at Cape Mesurado, living among -the negroes. He had reached the coast in a vessel, of which a man named -Herbert had gotten possession in one of the American colonies, and had -run off with on a buccaneering cruise; a mutiny and fight resulted -in the death of most of the officers and crew. The vessel drifted on -shore, and bilged in the heavy surf at Cape Mesurado. - -The higher ranks of society in Christendom were then most grossly -corrupt, and had a leading share in these crimes. There arrived at -Barbadoes in 1694, a vessel from New England, which might then have -been called a _clipper_, mounting twenty small guns. A company of -merchants of the island bought her, and fitted her out ostensibly as -a slaver, bound to the island of Madagascar; but in reality for the -purpose of pirating on the India merchantmen trading to the Red Sea. -They induced Russell, the governor of the island, to join them in the -adventure, and to give the ship an official character, so far as he was -authorized to do so by his colonial commission. - -A “sea solicitor” of this order, named Conklyn, arrived in 1719 at -Sierra Leone in a state of great destitution, bringing with him -twenty-five of the greatest villains that could be culled from the -crews of two or three piratical vessels on the coast. A mutiny had -taken place in one of these, on account of the chief’s assuming -something of the character and habits of a gentleman, and Conklyn, -after a severe contention, had left with his desperate associates. -Had he remained, he might have become chief in command, as a second -mutiny broke out soon after his departure, in which the chief was -overpowered, placed on board one of the prize vessels, and never heard -of afterwards. The pirates under a new commander followed Conklyn to -Sierra Leone. They found there this worthy gentleman, rich, and in -command of a fine ship with eighty men. - -Davis, the notorious pirate, soon joined him with a well-armed ship -manned with one hundred and fifty men. Here was collected as fruitful -a nest of villany as the world ever saw. They plundered and captured -whatever came in their course. These vessels, with other pirates, soon -destroyed more than one hundred trading vessels on the African coast. -England entered into a kind of compromise, previously to sending a -squadron against them, by offering pardon to all who should present -themselves to the governor of any of her colonies before the first of -July, 1719. This was equivalent to offering themselves to serve in -the war which had commenced against Spain, or exchanging one kind of -brigandage for another, by privateering against the Spanish commerce. -But from the accounts of their prisoners very few of them could read, -and thus the proclamation was almost a dead letter. - -In 1720, Roberts, a hero of the same class, anchored in Sierra Leone, -and sent a message to Plunket, the commander of the English fort, with -a request for some gold dust and ammunition. The commander of the fort -replied that he had no gold dust for them, but that he would serve -them with a good allowance of shot if they ventured within the range -of his guns; whereupon Roberts opened his fire upon the fort. Plunket -soon expended all his ammunition, and abandoned his position. Being -made prisoner he was taken before Roberts: the pirate assailed the -poor commander with the most outrageous execrations for his audacity -in resisting him. To his astonishment Plunket retorted upon him with -oaths and execrations yet more tremendous. This was quite to the taste -of the scoundrels around them, who, with shouts of laughter, told their -captain that he was only second best at that business, and Plunket, in -consideration of his victory, was allowed to escape with life. - -In 1721, England dispatched two men-of-war to the Gulf of Guinea for -the purpose of exterminating the pirates who had there reached a -formidable degree of power, and sometimes, as in the instance noted -above, assailed the establishments on shore. They found that Roberts -was in command of a squadron of three vessels, with about four hundred -men under his command, and had been particularly active and successful -in outrage. After cruising about the northern coast, and learning that -Roberts had plundered many vessels, and that sailors were flocking to -him from all quarters, they found him on the evening of the third of -February, anchored with his three vessels in the bay north of Cape -Lopez. - -When entering the bay, light enough remained to let them see that they -had caught the miscreants in their lair. Closing in with the land the -cruisers quietly ran in and anchored close aboard the outer vessel -belonging to the pirates. Having ascertained the character of the -visitors, the pirate slipped his cables, and proceeded to make sail, -but was boarded and secured just as the rapid blackness of a tropical -night buried every thing in obscurity. Every sound was watched during -the darkness of the night, with scarcely the hope that the other two -pirates would not take advantage of it to make their escape; but the -short gray dawn showed them still at their anchors. The cruisers -getting under way and closing in with the pirates produced no movement -on their part, and some scheme of cunning or desperate resistance was -prepared for. They had in fact made a draft from one vessel to man the -other fully for defence. Into this vessel the smaller of the cruisers, -the _Swallow_, threw her broadside, which was feebly returned. A -grape-shot in the head had killed Roberts. This and the slaughter of -the cruiser’s fire prepared the way for the boarders, without much -further resistance, to take possession of the pirate. The third vessel -was easily captured. - -The cruisers suffered no loss in the fight, but had been fatally -reduced by sickness. The larger vessel, the _Weymouth_, which left -England with a crew of two hundred and forty men, had previously been -reduced so greatly as scarcely to be able to weigh her anchors; and, -although recruited often from merchant vessels, landed but one hundred -and eighty men in England. This rendered the charge of their prisoners -somewhat hazardous, and taking them as far as Cape Coast Castle, they -there executed such justice as the place could afford, or the demerits -of their prey deserved. A great number of them ornamented the shore on -gibbets--the well-known signs of civilization in that era--as long as -the climate and the vultures would permit them to hang. - -Consequent on these events such order was established as circumstances -would admit, or rather the progress of maritime intercourse and naval -power put an end to the system of daring and regulated piracy by which -the tropical shores of Africa and the West Indies had been laid waste. -This, however, was slight relief for Africa. It was to secure and -systematize trade that piracy had been suppressed, and the slave-trade -became accordingly cruelly and murderously systematic. - -The question what nation should be most enriched by the guilty traffic -was a subject of diplomacy. England secured the greater share of the -criminality and of the profit, by gaining from her other competitors -the right by contract to supply the colonies of Spain with negroes. - -Men forget what they ought not to forget; and however startling, -disgusting, and oppressive to the mind of man the horrors are which -characterized that trade, it is well that since they did exist the -memory of them should not perish. It is a fearfully dark chapter in the -history of the world, but although terrific it has its value. It is -more worthy of being remembered than the historical routine of wars, -defeats, or victories; for it is more illustrative of man’s proper -history, and of a strange era in that history. The evidence taken by -the Committee of the English House of Lords in 1850, has again thrust -the subject into daylight. - -The slave-trade is now carried on by comparatively small and -ill-found vessels, watched by the cruisers incessantly. They are -therefore induced, at any risk of loss by death, to crowd and pack -their cargoes, so that a successful voyage may compensate for many -captures. In olden times, there were vessels fitted expressly for -the purpose--large Indiamen or whalers. It has been objected to -the employment of squadrons to exterminate that trade, that their -interference has increased its enormity. This, however, is doing honor -to the old Guineamen, such as they by no means deserve. It is, in fact, -an inference in favor of human nature, implying that a man who has -impunity and leisure to do evil, cannot, in the nature of things, be so -dreadfully heartless in doing it, as those in whose track the avenger -follows to seize and punish. The fact, however, does not justify this -surmise in favor of impunity and leisure. If ever there was any thing -on earth which, for revolting, filthy, heartless atrocity, might -make the devil wonder and hell recognize its own likeness, then it -was on any one of the decks of an old slaver. The sordid cupidity of -the older, as it is meaner, was also more callous than the hurried -ruffianism of the present age. In fact, a slaver now has but one deck; -in the last century they had two or three. Any one of the decks of the -larger vessels was rather worse, if this could be, than the single deck -of the brigs and schooners now employed in the trade. Then, the number -of decks rendered the suffocating and pestilential hold a scene of -unparalleled wretchedness. Here are some instances of this, collected -from evidence taken by the British House of Commons in 1792. - -James Morley, gunner of the _Medway_, states: “He has seen them under -great difficulty of breathing; the women, particularly, often got upon -the beams, where the gratings are often raised with banisters, about -four feet above the combings, to give air, but they are generally -driven down, because they take the air from the rest. He has known rice -held in the mouths of sea-sick slaves until they were almost strangled; -he has seen the surgeon’s mate force the panniken between their teeth, -and throw the medicine over them, so that not half of it went into -their mouths--the poor wretches wallowing in their blood, hardly having -life, and this with blows of the cat.” - -[Illustration: - - _F. E. Forbes, delt._ - - _Lith. of Sarony & Co. N. Y._ - -THE LOWER DECK OF A GUINEA-MAN IN THE LAST CENTURY.] - -Dr. Thomas Trotter, surgeon of the _Brookes_, says: “He has seen the -slaves drawing their breath with all those laborious and anxious -efforts for life which are observed in expiring animals, subjected, -by experiment, to foul air, or in the exhausted receiver of an -air-pump; has also seen them when the tarpaulins have inadvertently -been thrown over the gratings, attempting to heave them up, crying -out ‘kickeraboo! kickeraboo!’ i. e., _We are dying_. On removing the -tarpaulin and gratings, they would fly to the hatchways with all the -signs of terror and dread of suffocation; many whom he has seen in -a dying state, have recovered by being brought on the deck; others, -were irrevocably lost by suffocation, having had no previous signs of -indisposition.” - -In regard to the _Garland’s_ voyage, 1788, the testimony is: “Some of -the diseased were obliged to be kept on deck. The slaves, both when -ill and well, were frequently forced to eat against their inclination; -were whipped with a cat if they refused. The parts on which their -shackles are fastened, are often excoriated by the violent exercise -they are forced to take, and of this they made many grievous complaints -to him. Fell in with the _Hero_, Wilson, which had lost, he thinks, -three hundred and sixty slaves by death; he is certain more than half -of her cargo; learnt this from the surgeon; they had died mostly of -the smallpox; surgeon also told him, that when removed from one place -to another, they left marks of their skin and blood upon the deck, and -that it was the most horrid sight he had ever seen.” - -The annexed sketch represents the lower deck of a Guineaman, when -the trade was under systematic regulations. The slaves were obliged -to lie on their backs, and were shackled by their ankles, the left of -one being fettered close to the right of the next; so that the whole -number in one line formed a single living chain. When one died, the -body remained during the night, or during bad weather, secured to the -two between whom he was. The height between decks was so little, that -a man of ordinary size could hardly sit upright. During good weather, -a gang of slaves was taken on the spar-deck, and there remained for a -short time. In bad weather, when the hatches were closed, death from -suffocation would necessarily occur. It can, therefore, easily be -understood, that the athletic strangled the weaker intentionally, in -order to procure more space, and that, when striving to get near some -aperture affording air to breathe, many would be injured or killed in -the struggle. - -Such were “the horrors of the middle passage.” - - - - -CHAPTER IV.[1] - - PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY--CLIMATE--GEOLOGY--ZOOLOGY--BOTANY. - - -Before proceeding to the colonizing era, it will be requisite to -present an estimate of the value and importance of the African -continent in relation to the rest of the world. This requires some -preliminary notice of the physical condition of its territories, and -the character and distribution of the tribes possessing them. Africa -has not yet yielded to science the results which may be expected from -it. Courage and hardihood, rather than knowledge and skill, have, -from the circumstances of the case, been the characteristics of its -successful explorers. We have, therefore, wonderful incidents and -loose descriptions, without the accurate observation and statement of -circumstances which can render them useful. - -The vast radiator formed by the sun beating vertically on the plains of -tropical Africa, heats and expands the air, and thus constitutes a sort -of central trough into which gravitation brings compensating currents, -by producing a lateral sliding inwards of the great trade-wind streams. -Thus, as a general rule, winds which would normally diverge from the -shores are drawn in towards them. They have been gathering moisture -in their progress, and when pressed upwards, as they expand under -the vertical sun, lose their heat in the upper regions, let go their -moisture, and spread over the interior terraces and mountains a sheet -of heavily depositing cloud. This constitutes the rainy season, which -necessarily, from the causes producing it, accompanies the sun in its -apparent oscillations across the equator. - -The Gulf of Guinea has in its own bosom a system of hurricanes and -squalls, of which little is known but their existence and their danger. -A description of them, of rather an old date, specifies as a fact that -they begin by the appearance of a small mass of clouds in the zenith, -which widens and extends till the canopy covers the horizon. Now if -this were true of any given spot, it would indicate that the hurricane -always began there. The appearance of a patch of cloud in the zenith -could be true of only one place out of all those which the hurricane -influenced. If it is meant that _wherever_ the phenomenon originated, -_there_ a mass of cloud gradually formed in the zenith, this would -be a most important particular in regard to the proximate cause of -the phenomenon, for it would mark a rapid direction upwards of the -atmosphere at that spot as the first observable incident of the series. -That the movements produced would subsequently become whirling or -circumvolant, is a mechanical necessity. But the force of the movement -ought not to be strongest at the place where the mischief had its -origin. - -The squalls, with high towering clouds, which rise like a wall on the -horizon, involve the same principles as to the formation of the vapor, -and are easily explicable. They are not necessarily connected with -circular hurricanes; but the principles of their formation may modify -the intensity of the blasts in a circumvolant tornado. Since in the -Gulf of Guinea they come from the eastward, it is to be inferred that -they are ripples or undulations in an air current. In regard to all of -this, it is necessary to speak doubtfully, for there is a great lack of -accurate and detailed observation on these points. - -Its position and physical characteristics give to this continent -great influence over the rest of the earth. Africa, America, and -Australia have nearly similar relations to the great oceans interposed -respectively between them. Against the eastern sides of these regions -are carried from the ocean those strange, furious whirlings in the -shallow film of the earth’s atmosphere, which constitute hurricanes. -It is evident that these oceans are mainly the channels in which the -surface winds move, which are drawn from colder regions towards the -equator. The shores are the banks of these air streams. The return -currents above flow over every thing. They are thus prevalent in -the interior, so that the climatic conditions there are different -from those on the seaboard. These circumstances in the southern -extra-tropical regions are accompanied by corresponding differences in -the character of the vegetable world. - -These winds are sometimes drawn aside across the coast -line--constituting the Mediterranean sirocco, and the African -harmattan. Vessels far off at sea, sailing to the northward, are -covered or stained on the weather side of their rigging (that next to -the African coast), with a fine light-yellow powder. A reddish-brown -dust sometimes tinges the sails and rigging. An instance of this -occurred on board the “Perry” on her outward bound passage, when five -hundred miles from the African coast. - -The science of Ehrenberg has been searching amid the microscopic -organisms contained in these substances, for tokens of their origin. -In the red material he finds forms betraying not an African, but an -American source, presumed to be in the great plains of the Amazon and -Orinoco. This suggests new views of the meteorology of the world; but -the theories founded on it, are not clear of mechanical difficulties. - -If we stand on almost any shore of the world as it exists at present, -and consider the character of the land surface on the one hand, and -of the ocean bottom on the other, we shall see that a very great -difference in the nature of the beach line would be produced by a -depression of the land towards the ocean, or by an elevation of it from -the deep. The sea in its action on the bottom fills up hollows and -obliterates precipices; but a land surface is worn into ravines and -valleys. Hence a depression, so that the waters overflowed the land, -would admit them into its recesses, and river courses, and winding -gulleys--forming bays, islands, and secure harbors. Whereas elevation -would bring up from the bottom its sand-banks and plains, forming an -extent of slightly winding and unsheltered shore. The character of -a coast will therefore depend very greatly upon its former history, -before it became fixed. We have this contrast in the eastern and -western sides of the Adriatic, or in the western and eastern sides of -the British islands. These circumstances are to some degree controlled -by the effects of partial volcanoes, or of powerful winds and currents. -But on the whole, it may generally be inferred that a long unbroken -shore indicates that the last change on the land level was one of -elevation; while a coast penetrated, broken, and defended by islands -has received its conformation from being stopped in the process of -subsiding. - -The coast of Africa has over almost its whole circuit, that unbroken -or slightly indented outline which would arise from upheaval. The only -conspicuous exception to this, is in the eastern region, neighboring on -the Mozambique Channel, where the Portuguese and the Arab possess the -advantage, so rare in Africa, of having at their command convenient and -sheltered harbors. There are centres of partial volcanic agency in the -islands of the Atlantic, north of the equator, and in the distant spots -settled by Europeans outside of Madagascar; but this action has not, -as in the Mediterranean or Archipelago, modified the character of the -continental shore. It is not known that there exists any active volcano -on the continent. - -Africa, therefore, if it could be seen on a great model of the world, -would offer little, comparatively, that was varied in outline or in -aspect. There would be great tawny deserts, with scanty specks of dusky -green, or threads of sombre verdure tracing out its scant and temporary -streams. There would be forests concealing or embracing the mouths -of rivers, with brown mountains here and there penetrating through -them, but rarely presenting a lofty wall to the sea. Interior plains -would show some glittering lakes, begirt by the jungle which they -create. But it is a land nearly devoid of winter, either temporary or -permanent. Only one or two specks, near the mouth of the Red Sea, and a -short beaded line of the chain of Atlas, would throw abroad the silver -splendor of perpetual snow. It is the great want of Africa, that so few -mountains have on their heads these supplies for summer streams. - -The sea-shore is generally low, except as influenced by Atlas, or the -Abyssinian ranges, or the mountains of the southern extremity. There -is, not uncommonly, a flat swampy plain, bordering on the sea, where -the rivers push out their deltas, or form lagoons by their conflict -with the fierce surge upon the shore. Generally at varying distances, -there occur falls or rapids in the great rivers, showing that they -are descending from interior plains of considerable elevation. The -central regions seem, in fact, to form two, or perhaps three great -elevated plateaux or terraced plains, having waters collected in -their depressions, and joined by necks; such as are the prairies of -Illinois, between the St. Lawrence and the Mississippi, or the llanos -of South America between its great rivers. The southern one of these -African plains approaches close to the Atlantic near the Orange River. -Starting there at the height of three thousand feet, it proceeds round -the sources of the river, and spreads centrally along by the lately -visited, but long known lakes north of the tropic. The equinoctial -portion of it is probably drained by the Zambeze and the Zaire, flowing -in opposite directions. It appears to be continuous as a neck westward -of Kilmandjaro, the probable source of the Nile; till it spreads out -into the vast space extending from Cape Verde to Suez, including in it -the Niger and the Nile, the great desert, and the collections of waters -forming Lake Tzad, and such others as there may be towards Fitre. - -The mountains inclosing these spaces form a nearly continuous wall -along the eastern side of Africa. The snows of Atlas form small -streams, trickling down north and south; and, in the latter case, -struggling almost in vain with the tropical heats, in short courses, -towards the Desert of Sahara. - -There are found separate groups of mountains, forming for the continent -a broken margin on the west. There may also be an important one -situated centrally between Lake Tzad and the Congo; but there appears -no probability of a transverse chain, stretching continuously across -this region, as has hitherto had a place on maps, under the title of -the “Mountains of the Moon.” - -No geological changes, except those due to the elevation of the oldest -formations, appear to have taken place extensively in this continent. -The shores of the Gulf of Guinea, and of the eastern regions, abound -with gold, suggesting that their interior is not covered by modern -rocks. The two extremities at Egypt and Cape of Good Hope, have been -depressed to receive secondary and tertiary deposits. There may be -other such instances; but the continent seems, during a time, even -geologically long, to have formed a great compact mass of land, bearing -the same relations as now to the rest of the world. - -The valleys and precipices of South Africa have been shaped by the -mighty currents which circulate round the promontory of the Cape; and -the flat summit of Table Mountain, at the height of three thousand -six hundred feet, is a rocky reef, worn and fretted into strange -projections by the surge, which the southeasters brought against it, -when it was at the level of the sea. - -The present state of organized life in Africa tells the same tale. It -indicates a land never connected with polar regions, nor subjected to -great variations of temperature. Our continent, America, is a land -of extremes of temperature. Corresponding to that condition, it is a -land characterized by plants, the leaves of which ripen and fall, so -that vegetation has a pause, waiting for the breath of spring. All the -plants of southern Africa are evergreens. The large browsing animals, -such as the elephant and rhinoceros, which cannot stoop to gather -grass, find continuous subsistence in the continuous foliage of shrubs. -America abounds with stags or deer--animals having deciduous horns or -antlers. Southern Africa has none, but is rich in species of antelopes, -which have true or permanent horns, and which nowhere sustain great -variations of heat and cold. Its fossil plants correspond apparently in -character to those which the country now bears. - -Its fossil zoology offers very peculiar and interesting provinces of -ancient life. These have been in positions not greatly unconformable -to those of similar phenomena even now. Great inland fresh-water -seas have abounded with new and strange types of organization, in -character and office analogous to the amphibious forms occurring with -profusion in similar localities of the present interior. These, and -representatives of the secondary formations, rest chiefly on the old -Silurian and Devonian series, the upheaving of which seems to have -given the continent its place and outline. Coal is found at Natal, near -the Mozambique Channel, but not hitherto known to be of value. - -Africa still offers, and will long continue to offer, the most -promising field of botanical discovery. Much novelty certainly remains -to be elicited there, but it is very dilatory in finding its way -abroad. Natal is the region most likely to be sedulously explored -for some time. Vegetable ivory has been brought thence, and elastic, -hard, useful timber abounds. Much lumber of good and varied character -is taken to Europe from the western regions of the continent; but so -greatly has scientific inquiry been repelled by the deadly climate, -that even the species affording it are unknown, or doubtfully guessed -at. - -The vegetation of the south is brilliant, but not greatly useful. It -affords the type of that which covers the mountains, receding towards -the northeast, until they reach perpetual snow near the equator. That -which is of a more tropical character, stretches round their bases -and through their valleys, with its profusion of palms, creepers, and -dye-woods. These hereafter will form the commercial wealth of the -country, affording oil, india-rubber, dye-stuffs, and other useful -productions. - -The wild animals of Africa belong to plains and to loose thickets, -rather than to timbered forests. There is a gradation in the height -of the head, among the larger quadrupeds, which indicates the sort of -country and of vegetation suitable to them. - -The musket, with its “villanous saltpetre,” in the hands of barbarians -is everywhere expelling from the earth its bulkier creatures, so that -the elephant is disappearing, and ivory will become scarce. Fear tames -the wildest nature; even the lion is timid when he has to face the -musket. The dull ox has learned a lesson with regard to him; for when -the kingly brute prowls round an unyoked wagon resting at night, and -his growl or smell makes the oxen shake and struggle with terror, they -are quieted by the discharge of firearms. - -When Europeans first visited the shores of Africa, they were astonished -at the tameness and abundance of unchecked animal life. The shallow -bays and river lagoons were full of gigantic creatures; seals were -found in great numbers, but of all animals these seem the most readily -extirpated. The multitudes which covered the reefs of South Africa are -nearly gone, and they seem to be no longer met with on the northern -shores of the continent. The manatee, or sea-cow, and the hippopotamus, -frequented the mouths of rivers, and were killed and eaten by the -natives. They had never tamed and used the elephant: that this might -have been done is inferred from the use of these animals by the -Carthaginians. But as the Carthaginian territory was not African in -the strict sense of the term, it may be doubted whether their species -was that of Central Africa. This latter species is a larger, less -intelligent looking, and probably a more stubborn creature than the -Asiatic. The roundness of their foreheads and the size of their ears -give them a duller and more brutal look; the magnitude of their tusks, -and the occurrence of these formidable weapons in the female as well -as in the male, are accommodated to the necessity of conflict with the -lion, and indicate a wilder nature. - -Lions of several species, abundance of panthers, cats, genets, and -hyenas of many forms, mainly constitute the carnivorous province, -having, as is suitable to the climate, a high proportion of the hyena -form, or devourers of the dead. A foot of a pongo, or large ape, -“as large as that of a man, and covered with hair an inch long,” -astonished one of the earliest navigators. This animal, which indicates -a zoological relationship to the Malayan islands, is known to afford -the nearest approach to the human form. The monkey structure on the -east coast of Africa tends to pass into the nocturnal or Lemurine forms -of Madagascar, where the occurrence of an insulated Malayan language -confirms the relationship indicated above. - -The plains with bushy verdure nourish the ostrich and many species of -bustards over the whole continent. Among the creatures which range -far are the lammergeyer, or bearded eagle of the Alps, and the brown -owl of Europe, extending to the extremity of the south. Among the -parrots and the smaller birds, congregating species abound, forming a -sort of arboreal villages, or joint-stock lodging-houses. Sometimes -hundreds of such dwellings are under one thatch, the entrances being -below. The weaving birds suspend their bottle-shaped habitations at -the extremities of limber branches, where they wave in the wind. This -affords security from monkeys and snakes; but they retain the instinct -of forming them so when there is no danger from either the one or the -other. - -Reptiles abound in Africa. The Pythons (or Boas) are formidable. Of -the species of serpents probably between one-fourth and one-fifth are -poisonous; but every thing relating to them in the central regions -requires to be ascertained. The Natal crocodile is smaller than the -Egyptian, but is greatly dreaded. - -The following instance of its ferocity occurred to the Rev. J. A. -Butler, missionary, in crossing the Umkomazi River, in February, 1853. -“When about two-thirds of the way across, his horse suddenly kicked and -plunged as if to disengage himself from the rider, and the next moment -a crocodile seized Mr. Butler’s thigh with his horrible jaws. The river -at this place is about one hundred and fifty yards wide, if measured -at right angles to the current; but from the place we entered to the -place we go out, the distance is three times as great. The water at -high tide, and when the river is not swollen, is from four to eight or -ten feet deep. On each side the banks are skirted with high grass and -reeds. Mr. Butler, when he felt the sharp teeth of the crocodile, clung -to the mane of his horse with a death hold. Instantly he was dragged -from the saddle, and both he and the horse were floundering in the -water, often dragged entirely under, and rapidly going down the stream. -At first the crocodile drew them again to the middle of the river, but -at last the horse gained shallow water, and approached the shore. As -soon as he was within reach natives ran to his assistance, and beat off -the crocodile with spears and clubs. Mr. Butler was pierced with five -deep gashes, and had lost much blood.” - -[1] The author acknowledges his indebtedness for liberal and valuable -contributions on the subject of Physical Geography, Geology, &c., -to the Rev. Dr. Adamson, for twenty years a resident at the Cape of -Good Hope, and government director and professor in the South African -college. He wishes also to express his obligations for frequent -suggestions from the same source on scientific subjects, during the -preparation of this work. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - - AFRICAN NATIONS--DISTRIBUTION OF RACES--ARTS--MANNERS AND - CHARACTER--SUPERSTITIONS--TREATMENT OF THE DEAD--REGARD FOR - THE SPIRITS OF THE DEPARTED--WITCHCRAFT--ORDEAL--MILITARY - FORCE--AMAZONS--CANNIBALISM. - - -Whence came the African races, and how did they get where they are? -These are questions not easily answered, and are such as might have -been put with the same hesitation, and in view of the same puzzling -circumstances, three thousand years ago. On the monuments of Thebes, -in Upper Egypt, of the times of Thothmes III., three varieties of the -African form of man are distinctly portrayed. There is the ruling race -of Egypt, red-skinned and massy-browed. There are captives not unlike -them, but of a paler color, with their hair tinged blue; and there is -the negro, bearing his tribute of skins, living animals, and ivory; -with the white eyeball, reclining forehead, woolly hair, and other -normal characteristics of his type. - -Provided that these representations are correct, and that the colors -have not changed, the Egyptian has been greatly modified as to his -tint of skin; whether we consider them as represented by the Copts, -or the Fellahs of that country at present, the former bearing clearer -traces of the more ancient form. The population of Africa, as it is at -present, seems to be chiefly derivable from the other two races. There -are, however, circumstances difficult to reconcile, in the present -state of our knowledge, with any hypothesis as to the dispersion of man. - -Southern and equatorial Africa includes tribes speaking dialects of two -widely-spread tongues. One of them, the Zingian, or the Zambezan, is -properly distinguished by the excess to which it carries repetition of -certain signs of thought, giving to inflections a character different -from what they exhibit in any other language. This tongue, however, -bears, in other respects, a strong relationship to the many, but, -perhaps, not mutually dissimilar dialects, of northern Africa. It may -be considered as the form of speech belonging to the true or most -normally developed African race. - -The other of these two tongues offers also circumstances of peculiar -interest. We may consider it, first, as it is found in use by the -Hottentot or Bushman race, of South Africa. It has even among them -regular and well-constructed forms of inflection, and as distinguishing -it from the negro dialects, it has the sexual form of gender, or -that which arises from the poetical or personifying view of all -objects--considering them as endowed with life, and dividing them into -males and females. In this respect it is analogous to the Galla, the -Abyssinian, and the Coptic. Nay, at this distant extremity of Africa, -not only is the form of gender thus the same with that of the people -who raised the wonderful monuments of Egypt, but that monumental tongue -has its signs of gender, or the terminations indicating that relation, -identical with those of the Hottentot race. - -We have, therefore, the evidence of a race of men, striking through -the other darker ones, on perhaps nearly a central line, from one end -of the continent to the other. The poor despised Bushman, forming for -himself, with sticks and grass, a lair among the low-spreading branches -of a protea, or nestling at sunset in a shallow hole, amid the warm -sand of the desert, with wife and little ones like a covey of birds, -sheltered by some ragged sheepskins from the dew of the clear sky, has -an ancestral and mental relationship to the builder of the pyramids and -the colossal temples of Egypt, and to the artists who adorned them. He -looks on nature with a like eye, and stereotypes in his language the -same conclusions derived from it. He has in his words vivified external -things, as they did, according to that form which, in our more logical -tongues, we name poetical metaphor. The _sun_--“Soorees”--is to him -a female, the productive mother of all organic life; and rivers, as -Kuis-eep, Gar-eep, are endowed with masculine activity and strength. - -To this scattered family of man, which ought properly to be called -the _Ethiopic_ race, as distinguished from the negro, may probably -be ascribed the fierce invasions from the centre, eastward and -westward, under the names of Galla Giagas, and other appellations, -which occasionally convulsed both sides of Africa; and, perhaps, by -intermixture of races, gave occasion to much of the diversity found -among native tribes, in disposition, manners, and language. The -localities occupied by it have become insulated through the intrusion -of the negro. Its southern division, or the Hottentot tribes, were -being pressed off into an angle, and apparently in the process of -extinction or absorption by the Zambezan Kaffirs from the north and -east, when Europeans met and rolled them away into a small corner of -desert. - -Egypt was evidently the artery through which population poured into -the broad expanse of Africa. That the progenitors of the negro race -first entered there, and that another race followed subsequently, is -one mode of disposing of the question, which, however, only removes its -difficulties a little farther back. - -This supposition is unnecessary. Any number of human families living -together, comprises varieties of constitution, affording a source from -which, by the force of external circumstances, the extreme variations -may be educed. If we examine critically the representations of the -oldest inhabitants of Egypt, we shall see in the form of man which they -exhibit, a combination of characteristics, or a provision for breaking -into varieties corresponding to the conditions of external nature in -the interior regions. - -The dissatisfied, the turbulent, the defeated and the criminal would -in these earliest times be thrown off from a settled community in -Egypt, to penetrate into the southern and western regions. They would -generally die there. Many ages of such attempts might pass before those -individuals reached the marshes of the great central plateau, whose -constitutions suited that position. Many of them, moreover, would die -childless. Early death to the adult, and certain death to the immature, -would sweep families off, as the streams bounding from southern Atlas -intrude on the desert, and perish there. The many immigrants to whom -all external things were adverse would be constantly weeded out; so it -would be for generation after generation, until the few remained, whom -heat, exposure, toil, marsh vapor, and fever left as an assorted and -acclimated root of new nations. - -Such seems to have been the process in Africa by which a declension of -our nature took place from Egypt in two directions; one through the -central plains down to the marshes of the Gaboon or the Congo river, -where the aberrant peculiarities of the negro seem most developed; and -the other along the mountains, by the Nile and the Zambeze, until the -Ethiopian sank into the Hottentot. - -The sea does not deal kindly with Africa, for it wastes or guards the -shores with an almost unconquerable surf. Tides are small, and rivers -not safely penetrable. The ocean offered to the negro nothing but a -little food, procured with some trouble and much danger. Hence ocean -commerce was unknown to them. Only in the smallest and most wretched -canoes did they venture forth to catch a few fish. If strangers sought -for regions of prosperity, riches, or powerful government, their -views were directed to the interior. Benin, in 1484, confessed its -subordination to a great internal sovereign, who only gave responses -from behind a curtain, or permitted one of his feet to be visible -to his dependents, as a mark of gracious favor. It was European -commerce in gold and slaves, received for the coveted goods and arms -they bought, which ultimately gave these monarchs an interest in the -sea-shore. - -Cruelty and oppression were everywhere, as they still are. It is -not easy for us to conceive how a living man can be moulded to the -unhesitating submission in which a negro subject lives, so that it -should be to him a satisfaction to live and die, or suffer or rejoice, -just as his sovereign wills. It can be accounted for only from the -prevalence and the desolating fury of wars, which rendered perfect -uniformity of will and movement indispensable for existence. It is -not so easy to offer any probable reason for the eagerness to share -in cruelty which glows in a negro’s bosom. Its appalling character -consisted rather in the amount of bloodshed which gratified the negro, -than in the studious prolongation of pain. He offers in this respect a -contrast to the cold, demoniac vengeance of the North American Indian. -Superstition probably excused or justified to him some of his worst -practices. Human sacrifices have been common everywhere. There was no -scruple at cruelty when it was convenient. The mouths of the victims -were gagged by knives run through their cheeks; and captives among the -southern tribes were beaten with clubs in order to prevent resistance, -or “to take away their strength,” as the natives expressed it, that -they might be more easily hurried to the “hill of death,” or authorized -place of execution. - -The negro arts are respectable, and would have been more so had not -disturbance and waste come with the slave-trade. They weave coarse -narrow cloths, and dye them. They work in wood and metals. The gold -chains obtained at Wydah, of native manufacture, are well wrought. -Nothing can be more correctly formed for its purpose than the small -barbed lancet-looking point of a Bushman’s arrow. Those who shave their -heads or beards have a neat, small razor, double-edged, or shaped like -a shovel. Arts improve from the coast towards the northeast. - -Their normal form of a house is round, with a conical roof. The -pastoral people of the south have it of a beehive form, covered with -mats; the material is rods and flags. If the whole negro nations, -however, were swept away, there would not remain a monument on the face -of their continent to tell that such a race of men had occupied it. - -One curious relation to external nature seems to have prevailed -throughout all Africa, consisting in a special reverence, among -different tribes, for certain selected objects. From one of these -objects the tribe frequently derives its national appellation: if it is -a living thing, they avoid killing it or using it as food. Serpents, -particularly the gigantic pythons or boas, are everywhere reverenced. -Some traces of adoration offered to the sun have been met with on the -west coast; but, generally speaking, the superstitions of Africa are -far less intellectual. These and many of their other practices have a -common characteristic in the disappearance of all trace of their origin -among the tribes observing them. To all inquiries they have the answer -ready, that their fathers did so. There is in this, however, no great -assurance of real antiquity, for tradition extends but a short way back. - -A reliance on grisgris, or amulets, worn about the person, belongs to -Africa, perhaps from very ancient ages. Egypt was probably its source: -a kind of literary character has been given to it by the Mohammedans. -Throughout inland central Africa, sentences written on scraps of paper -or parchment have a marketable value. An impostor or devotee may -gain authority and profit in this way. As we pass southward we find -this superstition sinking lower and lower in debasement: men there -really cover or load themselves with all kinds of trumpery, and have -a real and hearty confidence in bones, buttons, scraps, or almost any -conceivable thing, as a security against any conceivable evil. The -Kroomen, even, with their purser’s names, of _Jack Crowbar_, _Head -Man_, and _Flying-Jib_, _Bottle of Beer_, _Pea Soup_, _Poor Fellow_, -_Prince Will_, and others, taken on board the “Perry,” in Monrovia, -were found now and then with their sharks’, tigers’ and panthers’ -teeth, and small shells, on their ankles and wrists; although most of -these people, from contact with the Liberians, have seen the folly of -this practice, and dispensed with their charms. - -The Africans also have stationary _fetishes_, consisting in sacred -places and sacred things. They have practices to inspire terror, or -gain reverence in respect to which it is somewhat difficult to decide -whether the actors in them are impostors or sincere. Idols in the forms -of men, rude and frightful enough, are among these fetishes, but it -cannot be said that idolatry of this kind prevails extensively in the -country. - -In two respects they look towards the invisible: they dread a -superhuman power, and they fear and worship it as being a measureless -source of evil. It is scarcely correct to call this Devil-worship, for -this is a title of contrast, presuming that there has been a choice of -the evil in preference to the good. The fact in their case seems to -be, that good in will, or good in action, are ideas foreign to their -minds. Selfishness cannot be more intense, nor more exclusive of all -kindness and generosity or charitable affection, than it is generally -found among these barbarians. The inconceivableness of such motives to -action has often been found a strong obstacle to the influence of the -Christian missionary. They can worship nothing good, because they have -no expectation of good from any thing powerful. They have mysterious -words or mutterings, equivalent to what we term incantations, which -is the meaning of the Portuguese word from which originated the term -_fetish_. - -The other reference of their intellect to invisible things consists in -acknowledging the continued existence of the dead, and paying reverence -to the spirits of their forefathers. This leads to great cruelty. -Men of rank at their death are presumed to require attendance, and -be gratified with companionship. This event, therefore, produces the -murder of wives and slaves, to afford them suitable escort and service -in the other world. From the strange mixture of the material and -spiritual common to men in that barbarian condition, the bodies or the -blood of the slain appear to be the essentials of these requirements. -Thus, also, the utmost horror is felt at decapitation, or at the -severing of limbs from the body after death. It is revenge, as much -as desire to perpetuate the remembrance of victory, which makes them -eager for the skulls and jaw-bones of their enemies, so that in a -royal metropolis, walls, and floors, and thrones, and walking-sticks, -are everywhere lowering with the hollow eyes of the dead. These sad, -bare and whitened emblems of mortality and revenge present a curious -and startling spectacle, cresting and festooning the red clay walls of -Kumassi, the Ashantee capital. - -Such belief leads to strange vagaries in practice. They sympathize with -the departed, as subject still to common wants and ruled by common -affections. A negro man of Tahou would show his regard for the desires -of the dead by sitting patiently to hold a spread umbrella over the -head of a corpse. The dead man’s mouth, too, was stuffed with rice and -fowl, and in cold weather a fire was kept burning in the hut for the -benefit of their deceased friend. They consulted his love of ornament, -also, for the top of his head and his brow were stained red, his nose -and cheeks yellow, and the lower jaw white; and fantastic figures of -different colors were daubed over his black body. - -Dingaan, the Zulu chief, was exceedingly fond of ornament. He used -to boast that the Zulus were the only people who understood dress. -Sometimes he came forward painted with all kinds of stripes and -crosses, in a very bizarre style. The people took all this gravely, -saying that “he was king and could do what he pleased,” and they -were content with his taste. It is this unreflecting character which -astounds us in savages. They never made it a question whether the -garniture of the king or of the corpse had any thing unsuitable. - -All along the coasts, from the equator to the north of the Gulf of -Guinea, they did not eat without throwing a portion on the ground for -those who had died. Sometimes they dug a small hole for these purposes, -or they had one in the hut, and into it they poured what they thought -would be acceptable. They conceived that they had sensible evidence of -the inclinations of the dead. In lifting up or carrying a corpse on -their shoulders, men may not attend to the exact direction of their own -muscular movements or those of their associates. There are necessarily -shocks, jolts and struggles, from the movements of their associates. -People will, in some cases, pull different ways when hustled together. -All these unconscious movements, not unlike the “table turnings” of the -present era, were taken as expressive of the will of the dead man, as -to how and whither he was to be carried. - -Their belief, as we have seen, influenced their life: it was earnest -and heartfelt. When the king of Wydah, in 1694, heard that Smith, the -chief of the English factory, was dangerously ill with fever, he sent -his fetishman to aid in the recovery. The priest went to the sick man, -and solemnly announced that he came to save him. He then marched to the -white man’s burial-ground with a provision of brandy, oil, and rice, -and made a loud oration to those that slept there. “O you dead white -people, you wish to have Smith among you; but our king likes him, and -it is not his will to let him go to be among you.” Passing on to the -grave of Wyburn, the founder of the factory, he addressed him, “You, -captain of all the whites who are here! Smith’s sickness is a piece of -your work. You want his company, for he is a good man; but our king -does not want to lose him, and you can’t have him yet.” Then digging -a hole over the grave, he poured into it the articles which he had -brought, and told him that if he needed these things, he gave them -with good-will, but he must not expect to get Smith. The factor died, -notwithstanding. The ideas here are not very dissimilar to those of the -old Greeks. - -It is remarkable, however, that in tracing this negro race along the -continent towards the south, we find these notions and practices to -fade away, and at last disappear. Southeast of the desert, along the -Orange River, there is scarcely a trace of them. - -The dread of witchcraft prevails universally. In general, the -occurrence of disease is ascribed to this source. In the north -they fear a supernatural influence; in the south this is traced -to no superhuman origin, but is conceived to be a power which any -one may possess and exercise. Among these tribes, the man presumed -to be guilty of this crime is a public enemy (as were the witches -occasionally found among our own venerated pious, and public-spirited -puritan forefathers--a blemish in their character due to the general -ignorance of the age), to be removed if possible, as a lion, tiger, or -pestilence would be annihilated. Even the force of civilized law, when -introduced among them, has not saved a man under this stigma from being -secretly murdered by the terrified people. It has yielded only to the -enlightening influence of Christian missionaries. - -These delusions are often rendered the support of tyranny by the -chiefs, for the property of the accused is confiscated. Scenes sad -and horrible are exhibited as the consequence of a chief’s illness. -In order to force a discovery of the means employed, and to get the -witchcraft counteracted, some native, who is generally rich enough to -be worth plundering, is seized and tortured, until, as an old author -expresses it, “he dies, or the chief recovers.” They extend the horror -of the infliction, by calling in the aid of vermin life, destined in -nature to devour corruption, by scattering handfuls of ants over the -scorched skin and quivering flesh of their victim. - -Generally among the Guinea negroes, the ordeal employed to detect this -crime, is to compel the accused to drink a decoction of sassy-wood. -This may be rendered harmless or destructive, according to the object -of the fetishman. It is oftener his purpose to destroy than to save, -and great cruelty has in almost all cases been found to accompany the -trial. - -Plunder is the reward of the soldier. In the central regions this was -increased by the sale of captives. Captives of both sexes were the -chief’s property. Thus the warriors looked to the acquisition of wives -from the chief, as the recompense of successful wars. They announced -this as their aim in their preparatory songs. The chief was, therefore, -to them the source of every thing. Their whole thought responded to his -movements, and sympathized with his greatness and success. - -Women in Africa are everywhere slaves, or the slaves of slaves. The -burdens of agricultural labor fall on them. When a chief is announced -as having hundreds or thousands of wives, it signifies really that he -has so many female slaves. There does not appear to be any tribe in -Africa, in which it is not the rule of society, that a man may have -as many such wives as he can procure. The number is of course, except -in the case of the supreme chief, but few. The female retinue of a -sovereign partakes everywhere of the reverence due to its head. The -chief and his household are a kind of divinity to the people. His name -is the seal of their oath. The possibility of his dying must never -be expressed, nor the name of death uttered in his presence. Names -of things appearing to interfere with the sacredness of his, must be -changed. His women must not be met or looked at. - -In war, as long as success depends alone on individual prowess, -the strong and athletic only can be successful soldiers. Where the -weapons, rather than the person are the source of power, docility and -endurance are qualities more valuable than strength. In these the -weaker sex, in savage life, surpasses the other; hence women have -appeared in the world as soldiers. It was probably the introduction of -the arrow, killing at a distance, as superior in effect and safety to -the rude clubs and spears of earlier conflict, which originated the -Amazons of old history. The same fact is resulting in Africa from the -introduction of the musket. Females thus armed were found, commonly as -royal guards, in the beginning of the last century. The practice still -continues in the central regions. - -In Dahomey a considerable proportion of the national troops consists -of armed and disciplined females. They are known as being royal -women, strictly and watchfully kept from any communication with men, -and seem to have been trained, through discipline and the force of -co-operation, to the accomplishment of enterprises, from which the -tumultuous warriors of a native army would shrink. A late English -author (Duncan) says, “I have seen them, all well armed, and generally -fine, strong, healthy women, and doubtless capable of enduring great -fatigue. They seem to use the long Danish musket with as much ease as -one of our grenadiers does his firelock, but not of course with the -same quickness, as they are not trained to any particular exercise; but -on receiving the word, make an attack like a pack of hounds, with great -swiftness. Of course they would be useless against disciplined troops, -if at all approaching to the same numbers. Still their appearance -is more martial than the generality of the men, and if undertaking -a campaign, I should prefer the female to the male soldiers of this -country.” - -The same author thus describes a field review of these Amazons, which -he witnessed: “I was conducted to a large space of broken ground, -where fourteen days had been occupied in erecting three immense prickly -piles of green bush. These three clumps or piles, of a sort of strong -brier or thorn, armed with the most dangerous prickles, were placed in -line, occupying about four hundred yards, leaving only a narrow passage -between them, sufficient merely to distinguish each clump appointed to -each regiment. These piles were about seventy feet wide and eight feet -high. Upon examining them, I could not persuade myself that any human -being without boots or shoes would, under any circumstances, attempt -to pass over so dangerous a collection of the most efficiently armed -plants I had ever seen.” - -The Amazons wear a blue striped cotton surtout, manufactured by the -natives, and a pair of trowsers falling just below the knee. The -cartridge-box is girded around the loins. - -The drums and trumpets soon announced the approach of three or four -thousand Amazons. “The Apadomey soldiers (female) made their appearance -at about two hundred yards from, or in front of, the first pile, where -they halted with shouldered arms. In a few seconds the word for attack -was given, and a rush was made towards the pile with a speed beyond -conception, and in less than one minute the whole body had passed -over this immense pile, and had taken the supposed town. Each of the -other piles was passed with the same rapidity, at intervals of twenty -minutes.” “When a person is killed in battle, the skin is taken from -the head, and kept as a trophy of valor. I counted seven hundred scalps -pass in this manner. The captains of each corps (female), in passing, -again presented themselves before his majesty, and received the king’s -approval of their conduct.” These heroines, however, say that they are -no longer women, but men. - -The people of Ashantee and Dahomey are considerably in advance of -those on the coast. They cultivate the soil extensively, manufacture -cotton cloth, and build comparatively good houses. They have musical -instruments, which, if rude, are loud enough. Their drums and horns add -to the stateliness of their ceremonies. Of such exhibitions they are -very fond, and consider it a national honor if they can render them -impressive to strangers. The Dahomeans are about one hundred miles in -the interior, west of the Niger. - -Necessity has occasionally driven some of the southern tribes to -adopt the practice of cannibalism. There it has ever excited horror -and disgust. Those who have practised it are distinguished by an -appellation setting them apart from other men. Among some of the -central tribes it has prevailed rather, however, in all appearance, -from superstitious motives, or as an exhibition of triumphant revenge, -than in the revolting form which it assumes among some of the -Polynesian islanders. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - - TRADE--METALS--MINES--VEGETABLE - PRODUCTIONS--GUMS--OIL--COTTON--DYE-STUFFS. - - -The trade of Africa for an almost indefinite time must consist of the -materials for manufactures. - -The fact that old formations reposing on granite, or distorted by it, -form a large proportion of its geological surface, indicates that -useful metals will probably be found in abundance. In comparing it with -California and Australia as to the probability of finding deposits of -the more valuable metals, two circumstances of great importance must -be kept in view. These countries were possessed by natives who had no -domesticated animals, and therefore were not called upon to exercise -over the soil the same inquisitive inspection for herbage and water as -were required from the races among the mountains and deserts of Africa, -so that the chances of finding any thing were not the same. - -The other circumstance is, that metals were comparatively little -known to the aborigines of California, and not at all to those of -New Holland, so that discoveries of the kind would neither be sought -for, nor reckoned of much value when they occurred. On the other -hand, metals of all kinds have during indefinite eras been regarded -as of high importance, and have been used in various ways by the -African nations. Copper, and some alloys of it, seem to be used for -ornaments throughout the whole south. These are smelted from the ores -by the natives. They also manufacture their own iron. Their desires, -therefore, and their necessities, and their arts, render it probable -that no deposits of metals exist, except such as require scientific -skill to discover, and mechanical resources to procure. - -Gold is not in this predicament. Wherever it occurs in abundance, it -has been collected by elemental waste from disintegrated rocks, and is -mixed with gravel and alluvial matters in those portions where men of -nomadic habits, and familiar with metal ornaments, would most readily -meet and appropriate it. Some, probably a great proportion, of the gold -of ancient Egypt, was got by a laborious process of grinding, on which -their wretched captives were employed. This would not have been the -case if the metal had been found plentifully throughout the extensive -regions with which they were acquainted. - -An addition to the metallic riches of the world from Africa, is -therefore to be looked for in the discovery of deep-seated mines, -if there are any, and in better modes of working those which exist, -particularly the alluvial deposits of gold along the northern shores -of the Gulf of Guinea and the shores of the Mozambique Channel. The -present export of gold from all Africa, probably amounts to about two -millions of dollars per annum. - -The vegetable articles of export are of great value. Cotton may be -produced in unlimited abundance. The African dye-stuffs are already -recognized as extensive and valuable articles of commerce. Indigo is -used extensively by the natives. When we recollect that the vast trade -of Bengal in this article has been created within the memory of men -still living, and that India possesses no natural advantages beyond -those of Africa, we may infer what a profusion of wealth might be -poured rapidly over Africa by peace and good government. - -Gums, of various kinds, constitute a branch of trade which may -be considered as only commencing. The extensive employment of -india-rubber, and the knowledge of gutta-percha, are only a few years -old. Africa gives promise of a large supply of such articles. Its -caoutchouc has already been introduced into the arts.[2] It may be -long before the natural sources of supply found in its marshy forests -can be exhausted. Be that as it may; when men are induced, as perhaps -they soon will be, to substitute regular cultivation for the wild and -more irregular modes of procuring articles which are becoming every -day of more essential importance, Africa may take a great share in the -means adopted to supply them. - -Palm-oil has become pre-eminently an object of attention. The modes of -procuring it are very rude and wasteful. The palm-nuts are generally -left for a day or two, heaped together in a hole dug in the ground. -They are then trodden by the women, till they form a greasy pulp; out -of this the oil is rudely strained through their fingers, or water is -run into the hole to float the oil, and it is skimmed off with their -hands into a calabash. In Benin they employ the better mode of boiling -it off. The oil occurs in a kind of pulp surrounding the seed, as is -the case with the eatable part of the common date; it is evident, -therefore, that more suitable modes of producing it may be put in -practice. - -What may be done in the production of sugar and coffee, no man can -tell. James Macqueen, who has, during great part of his life, devoted -his attention to the condition and interests of Africa, gave evidence -before a committee of the British House of Peers, in 1850, to the -following effect: “There is scarcely any tropical production known in -the world, which does not come to perfection in Africa. There are many -productions which are peculiarly her own. The dye-stuffs and dye-woods -are superior to any which are known in any other quarter of the world, -inasmuch as they resist both acids and light, things which we know -no other dye-stuffs, from any other parts of the world, can resist. -Then there is the article of sugar, that can be produced in every -part of Africa to an unlimited extent. There is cotton also, above -all things--cotton of a quality so fine; it is finer cotton than any -description of cotton we know of in the world. Common cotton in Africa -I have seen, and had in my possession, which was equal to the finest -quality of American cotton. - -“Egyptian cotton is not so good as the cotton away to the south; but -the cotton produced in the southern parts of Africa is peculiarly -fine. Africa is a most extraordinary country. In the eastern horn of -Africa, which you think to be a desolate wilderness, there is the -finest country, and the finest climate I know. I know of none in South -America equal to the climate of the country in the northeastern horn -of Africa. It is a very elevated country; and on the upper regions -you have all the fruits, and flowers, and grain of Europe growing; -and in the valleys you have the finest fruits of the torrid zone. The -whole country is covered with myrrh and frankincense; it is covered -with flocks and herds; it produces abundance of the finest grain. Near -Brasa, for instance, on the river Webbe, you can purchase as much -fine wheat for a dollar as will serve a man for a year. All kinds of -European grain flourish there. In Enarea and Kaffa, the whole country -is covered with coffee; it is the original country of the coffee. You -can purchase an ass’s load (200 lbs.) of coffee in the berry for about -a dollar. The greater portion of the coffee that we receive from Mocha, -is actually African coffee, produced in that part.” - -[2] The Rev. J. Leighton Wilson, who was a missionary of the American -Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, at Cape Palmas and at -the Gaboon River for more than twenty years, first called attention -to a vine, or creeper, as affording india-rubber. It is now collected -from this plant in the Gaboon district; and two or three cargoes have -already been shipped to this country, with a prospect of its becoming -a lucrative article of trade. We may look to intelligent missionaries, -like Mr. Wilson, for securing such benefits to traffic and art, as well -as to science and literature. We are glad to learn that he contemplates -an extended work on Africa, which will no doubt be highly acceptable to -the public. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - - EUROPEAN COLONIES--PORTUGUESE--REMAINING INFLUENCE OF THE - PORTUGUESE--SLAVE FACTORIES--ENGLISH COLONIES--TREATIES WITH - THE NATIVE CHIEFS--INFLUENCE OF SIERRA LEONE--DESTRUCTION OF - BARRACOONS--INFLUENCE OF ENGLAND--CHIEFS ON THE COAST--ASHANTEE--KING - OF DAHOMEY. - - -The Portuguese commercial discoverers having succeeded those of France, -and founded trading establishments on the coast of Africa, were -driven from the sea-shore by the rivalry and power of the Dutch and -the English, about the year 1604. They retired into the interior, and -commingled with the negroes. From their intermarriages arose a race of -mulattoes, who have long exercised considerable influence. As early as -1667, this influence had become detrimental to commerce and discovery. -They closed against others the entrances to the great region of more -elevated lands, and carried on trade, without rivals, from Benin to -Senegambia, over two thousand miles. They had generally little chapels -near their houses, and spared no pains to make proselytes. - -How much might these men have done for the good of Africa and the -progress of the world! Following their lines of commerce, and cresting -the high lands, which feed, with rains and rivulets, the Gambia and -the Niger, as well as the streams by which they dwell, they might -have saved two centuries of doubt and hazardous attempts, and much -sacrifice of good and talented men. They might earlier have let in -Christian civilization to repel the Moslem and redeem the negro. -Portuguese influence is gone, and has left the world little reason to -regret its extinction. On the rising and almost impervious forest-lands -which are at the distance of from twenty to fifty miles back from the -coast, these Portuguese mulattoes are still found, watching for their -monopoly, with the same jealous exclusiveness as of old. These forests -thus inhabited, form, at present, a serious obstacle to the extension -of the influence of Liberia. An enterprising people, however, occupying -the great tracts of cleared lands along the coast, which constitute -the actual territories of the republic, will, with the progress of -the settlements, and the increase of their power, soon be enabled, -notwithstanding the short navigable distance of the rivers, to open -communication with the far interior. - -The Portuguese founded cities and missions. A more extensive authority -was gained by them over great and populous regions, both on the eastern -and western shores, than has been attained by any other people. The -title of “Lord of Guinea” was fairly claimed for the King of Portugal, -by the establishment of this sovereign’s supremacy over various native -kingdoms. But Portugal wanted the light and strength of a nation--a -righteous and intelligent policy. - -The establishments on the east coast now scarcely keep their ground, -ever shrinking before the barbarian and the Arab. St. Paul de Loando, -on the southwest coast, is shrivelled down from its former greatness. -Both regions have rich capabilities; both might have extended a useful -influence, until they met and embraced in the centre, uniting these -vast regions with the great movements of human progress; but they clung -to the slave-trade, and its curse has clung to them. - -They misunderstood human nature, and overlooked its high destiny. Of -the Spaniards and Portuguese concerned in slaving, Captain Dunlop, of -the British Navy, long attached to the English squadron on the African -coast, says: “They speak of the African as a brute, who is only fit to -be made a slave of, and say that it is quite chimerical and absurd in -us to attempt to put down the trade, or to defend men who were only -born to be slaves.” - -Other nations only founded slave factories. Every thing peculiar to -this influence was bad. Compared with the ounces of gold and tusks -of ivory which drew the cupidity of early navigators, there arose -everywhere a traffic, far more rapid, but it was that of cruelty, -bringing with it vice. Brandy and arms, drunkenness and war, followed -as the remuneration of rapine and slaving. The gross vices of Europe -added to the mischief. Legitimate trade, which might have flourished -for centuries, withered; and the rank which the white man held among -the natives, made him a source of wide corruption. Little good could -come out of the state of society in Europe during the last century, for -little good was in it. This state of things has improved. - -The three nations whose interference seems likely to have a conspicuous -effect upon the interests of Africa in the future, are _France_, -_England_, and the _United States_. - -France will have all the Mediterranean shore, and the caravan trade -across the deserts. But this will diminish in activity and value, as -the trade of the other shores extends, and as the way across from them -to the interior becomes easier. No great influence can, therefore, be -in this way exercised over the prosperity of the African people. - -England holds the south; but the natives around the Cape of Good -Hope are greatly isolated from the interior by deserts and climates -hostile to European life. Democracy has a footing there, inasmuch as -Dutch colonists have retired from under English jurisdiction, and -formed a government for themselves, which has been acknowledged by -England. After suffering, and trial, and privation shall have taught -independence of thought and patriotism, a respectable confederacy of -states may be formed in these regions. - -Every effort that is just and suitable, is made to extend English -influence along the shores of negro lands. The expenditure in -endeavoring to extirpate the slave-trade is very great; and great -devotedness and heroism have been seen in attempts to explore the -interior. Both objects are drawing towards completion; but the -permanently beneficial influence of England rests on the establishment -of Sierra Leone and the extended coasting trade, arising from the -semi-monthly line of English steamers which touch there. - -England has established twenty-four treaties with native kings, -chiefs, or powers, for the suppression of the slave-trade; seventeen -of these are with chiefs whose territories have fallen under the -influence of the Republic of Liberia and Cape Palmas. The influence -of these governments has now replaced that of England, by sweeping -the slave-trade from their territory of about six hundred miles. The -great proportion of recaptured slaves, chiefly men and boys, who -have been thrown into the population of Sierra Leone, has loaded it -heavily. Of these, altogether not less than sixty thousand have, at -different times, been introduced; yet, with the original colonists--the -Novascotians, Canadians and the Maroons from Jamaica--the whole do not -now extend beyond forty-five thousand; still, Sierra Leone has long -been a focus of good emanations. It embraces a territory small compared -with Liberia. The government is repressive of native energy, on account -of the constant superintendence of white men, and the subordination of -the colony to a distant and negligent government. - -One momentous effect of its influence, however, has come permanently -forward, tending to carry rapid improvement widely over the western -regions of Africa. These recaptured slaves, and their descendants, many -of them, are returning to their native lands, elevated in character -by the instruction they have received. Three thousand of them are now -settled among their brethren of the Yoruba tribe, near the mouth of -the Niger, and there, superintended by two or three missionaries, are -sending abroad, by their influence and example, the light of Divine -truth. - -Sierra Leone and the naval squadrons have rendered great service to -Liberia. It is perfectly obvious that the colony could not have existed -if left to itself under the old system of pirating and slave-trading. -Those who did not spare European forts, would have had no scruple -at plundering and extinguishing such opponents of their traffic. It -must in justice be admitted, that a fair surrender of what might, in -reality, be considered as conquered territory, has been made by England -to Liberia. The instances of such transactions show a greatly advanced -state of morality in the public dealings of nations, and in this, even, -the African has begun to partake. - -Sierra Leone was founded on the 9th of May, 1787, by a party of four -hundred negroes, discharged from the army and navy. They were joined by -twelve hundred from Nova Scotia in 1792. - -In 1849, the country around the river Sherboro, intervening between -Sierra Leone and Monrovia, had been carrying on a war for about seven -years, and at length commenced plundering the canoes of the Sierra -Leone people. The acting governor soon brought them to terms. This -vexed the slavers at the Gallinas, who had long been an annoyance to -the Liberian authorities. It was the slavers’ policy to keep up the -excitement and strife, that they might in the mean time drive a brisk -trade unmolested. - -The English cruisers at length blockaded the Gallinas. They ascertained -that, notwithstanding the blockade, abundance of goods were received -by the enemy. The mystery was at length solved by discovering that the -slave-traders, through small creeks and lagoons, had received what they -wanted from Sierra Leone. The case was referred to the governor to have -this prevented, and by the governor it was referred to the lawyers. -They shook their wigs solemnly over the complaint, and decided that -nothing within the compass of the law suited the case, and therefore -nobody could interfere. - -Captain Dunlop, in command of the cruisers, a good naval diplomatist, -ready in the cause of justice and humanity to make precedents where -none could be found, informed the Sherboro chiefs, that a treaty -existed between them and his government for the suppression of the -slave-trade; and suggested to them the virtue and the profit of seizing -the goods brought from Sierra Leone. The chiefs had the smallest -possible objections which honest men could have, to appropriate the -slavers’ goods to themselves. On the principle of employing a thief in -office for the moral benefit of his companions, this matter was easily -settled. The goods were seized in their transit. It was also stipulated -with these chiefs, that they should stop all trade and intercourse -between their own people and the slave barracoons. Having now no chance -of sending off slaves, and no means of getting any thing from Sierra -Leone or elsewhere, the slavers, established at the Gallinas--regarded -for the present as no man’s land--were obliged to come to terms. - -Captain Dunlop landed to receive their surrender. But to spare his own -men in the sickliest season of the year, he applied to a chief for -one hundred and fifty hands; these he obtained, and soon after three -hundred more joined him, and remained for the five or six weeks, while -the affair was being settled. These men behaved as well as disciplined -troops, or rather better, for although among an enemy’s property, there -was no drunkenness or plunder. - -An idea of the extent of the slave-establishment may be had from the -fact that sixty foreigners were made prisoners. They hailed from -everywhere, and were sent to Sierra Leone to find passage to Brazil, -Cuba and other places. - -The chiefs who had been in partnership with them, found themselves -none the worse for this summary breaking up of the firm. They cleared -off their national debt. In the way of trade they had come under -obligations to this establishment to the extent of seven thousand -slaves, and they found themselves at liberty honestly to “repudiate,” -or rather their obligation was discharged, as slaves were no longer a -lawful tender. The chiefs, however, were required to set at liberty -all slaves collected but not delivered. These amounted to about a -thousand. A preparation was here made for the extension of Liberia, and -afterwards, as will be seen, that government came into possession of -this territory, and thus secured a still greater extent of coast from -the intrusion of the slaver. - -English influence is extending by means of factories and agents -all along the coast, from Cape Palmas to the Gaboon (about twelve -hundred miles), for commercial purposes and for the suppression of the -slave-trade. These establishments are supported by the government. -Commissioners proceed from them to enter into negotiations on the -subject of the slave-trade with the powerful chiefs of the interior, -and curious results sometimes occur from the prestige thus gained. - -One of the great Ashantee chiefs came over to the English, during -the war in which Sir Charles McCarthy was killed, and retained his -independence on the borders of the two powers. Governor McLean, at Cape -Coast Castle, learnt that this chief had offered human sacrifices as -one of his “customs.” A summons, in a legal form, was dispatched to him -by a native soldier, citing him to appear for trial for this offence. -Agreeably to the summons, he marched to the court in great state, -surrounded by his chiefs and attendants. He was tried, convicted, and -heavily fined. He was then dismissed, with an order to remit the money. -This he immediately did, although there was no force, except moral -supremacy, to constrain him to obey. There has been no slaving at Cape -Coast Castle since the trade was abolished forty years ago. - -There are only forty British officers’ and soldiers in all the line of -forts, with one hundred of the West India regiment, and about fifty -native militia-men. The annual expense of the establishments is about -twenty thousand dollars; although, as the government has lately -purchased, for fifty thousand dollars, the Danish forts, the expense -will be materially increased. - -The interior is improving. Captain Winniet visited Ashantee in October, -1849. He found on the route large thriving additional villages, as far -as English protection extended. He was received at Kumassi with the -usual display of African music, musketry, and marching. He was led for -a mile and a half through a lane at heads and shoulders, clustered -thick on both sides. There were here and there diverging branches of a -like character, as thick with heads and shoulders; and at the end of -each, a chief sitting in his chair of state. To and by each chief, a -hand was waved as a salutation, until the monarch himself was reached. -He rose, came forward, and, with heavy lumps of gold dangling at his -wrists, exhibited his agility in dancing. When this act of state -ceremony had been properly _done up_, he offered his hand to shake, and -thus completed the etiquette of a reception at court. The houses, with -piazzas projecting to shelter them from the sun--public-rooms in front, -and dwelling-rooms behind, nicely plastered and colored--were greatly -admired. - -The pleading about the slave-trade was the main business and the main -difficulty; but the nature of such negotiations appears, in its most -impressive aspect, in the case of Dahomey. - -This chief professes great devotedness to England. In consequence of -some difficulty, he gave notice to European foreigners, “that he was -not much accustomed to cut off white heads, but if any interfered with -an agent of the English government, he would cut off their heads as -readily as those of his black people.” By murderous incursions against -his neighbors, he seized about nine thousand victims annually. He sold -about three thousand of these directly on his own account, gave the -rest chiefly away to his troops, who sold them: a duty of five dollars -being paid on each slave exported, afforded him altogether a revenue of -about three hundred thousand dollars. - -This was a serious matter to argue against. He stated the case -strongly: “The form of my government cannot be suddenly changed without -causing such a revolution as would deprive me of my throne, and -precipitate the kingdom into anarchy.... I am very desirous to acquire -the friendship of England. I and my army are ready, at all times, to -fight the queen’s enemies, and do any thing the English government may -ask of me, except to give up the slave-trade. No other trade is known -to my people. Palm-oil, it is true, is engaging the attention of some -of them, but it is a slow method of making money, and brings only a -very small amount of duties into my coffers. The planting of cotton -and coffee has been suggested, but that is slower still. The trees -have to grow, and I shall probably be in my grave before I reap any -benefit from them; and what am I to do in the mean time? Who will pay -my troops in the mean time? Who will buy arms and clothes for them? Who -will buy dresses for my wives? Who will give me supplies of cowries, -rum, gunpowder and cloth, for my annual ‘customs?’ I hold my power by -the observance of the time-honored customs of my forefathers. I should -forfeit it, and entail on myself a life full of shame, and a death full -of misery, by neglecting them. The slave-trade has been the ruling -principle of my people. It is the source of their glory and wealth. -Their songs celebrate their victories, and the mother lulls the child -to sleep with notes of triumph over an enemy reduced to slavery. Can I, -by signing such a treaty, change the sentiments of a whole people? It -cannot be!” - -The case was a puzzling one for this intelligent, open-hearted, and -ambitious barbarian. He had trained an army of savage heroes, and as -savage heroines, thirsting for distinction and for plunder. This army -cowers at his feet as long as he satiates its appetite for excitement, -rapine and blood. But woe to him if it turn in disappointed fury upon -him! Such is military despotism; perilous to restrain, and perilous to -let loose. Blessed is that people which is clear of it! - -There is this strange incident in the affair, that the English power, -which sent an ambassador to plead the case with him in this peaceful -mode, was at the same time covering the sea with cruisers, and lining -the shore with factories, and combining every native influence to -extinguish the sole source from which flowed the security and splendor -of his rule. He knew this, and could offer no moral objection to it, -although complaining of the extent to which it reduced his authority, -and crippled his resources. - -The urgency to which the King of Dahomey was subjected, ended, in -1852, in his yielding. England had proposed to pay him some annual sum -for a time, as a partial compensation for the loss of his revenue: -it may therefore be presumed that he is a stipendiary of the British -government; and as the practices given up by him can scarcely, in -any circumstances, be suddenly revived, his interest will retain -him faithful to the engagement. It is a strange, bold, and perilous -undertaking, that he should direct his disciplined army, his hero and -his heroine battalions, to the arts of peace! But to these he and they -must henceforward look as the source of their wealth, security, and -greatness. - -Queen Victoria, it is said, has lately sent the King of Dahomey two -thousand ornamental caps for the Amazon soldiers. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - - DAHOMEY--SLAVISH SUBJECTION OF THE PEOPLE--DEPENDENCE OF THE KING - ON THE SLAVE-TRADE--EXHIBITION OF HUMAN SKULLS--ANNUAL HUMAN - SACRIFICES--LAGOS--THE CHANGES OF THREE CENTURIES. - - -Dalziel, in slave-trading times, shocked the world with details in -reference to Dahomey. Duncan and Forbes have again presented the -picture in the same hues of darkness and of blood. Ghezo is a good king -as things go, and rather particularly good for an African, for whom the -world has done nothing, and who, therefore, cannot be expected to do -much for the world. He has a threatening example before him. His elder -brother is a prisoner, with as much to eat and more to drink than is -good for him--caged up by a crowd of guards, who prevent him from doing -any thing else. He was deposed, and reduced to this state, because his -rule did not suit his subjects. - -Ghezo, therefore, has the office of seeing men roll on the earth -before him, and scrape up dust over themselves; of being deafened -by vociferations of his dignity and virtue and glory and honor, -by court poets and parasites, on state occasions; the office of -keeping satisfied, with pay and plunder, the ferocious spirit of -a blood-thirsty people; the office of looking out for some victim -tribe, whom, by craft and violence, they may ruin; and the office of -procuring, catching and buying some scores of human victims, whom he -and his savages murder, at different set seasons, in public. - -A good share of this used to be effected by means of the slave-trade. -But that is gone, or nearly so, and with it may go much of the atrocity -of Dahomean public life. Things are yet, however, and may long remain, -in a transition state. He and his people will not suddenly lose their -taste for the excitement of human suffering; and it would be a danger -for which, it is probable, he has not the moral courage, or a result -for which he has no real wish, to bring old national ceremonies to a -sudden pause. But there are circumstances likely to act with effect in -producing the change, which is a matter destined to occur at some time -or other, and to be obtained when it occurs only in one mode; and the -sooner the process is begun, the sooner it will end. - -[Illustration: - - _F.E. Forbes, delt._ _Lith. of Sarony & Co. N. Y._ - -SKULL ORNAMENTS & BANNERS OF DAHOMEY.] - -As to what it is that higher principles must banish from the world, -Commander Forbes, of the British Navy, in 1850, the latest visitor of -that country who has given an account of it, tells us what he saw. -He says: “There is something fearful in the state of subjection -in which, in outward show, the kings of Dahomey hold their highest -officers; yet, when the system is examined, these prostrations are -merely keeping up of ancient customs. Although no man’s head in Dahomey -can be considered warranted for twenty-four hours, still the great -chief himself would find his tottering if one of these customs was -omitted.” - -They were preparing for the ceremony of watering the graves of the -royal ancestors with blood; during which the king also presents some -victims as a royal gift to his people. This merely means that they are -knocked down in public, and their heads cut off, amidst trumpeting, and -clamor, and jesting. - -“With much ceremony,” we read, “two large calabashes, containing the -skulls of kings,” conquered by the Dahomeans, “ornamented with copper, -brass, coral, &c., were brought in and placed on the ground. Some -formed the heads of walking-sticks, distaffs; while those of chiefs -and war-men ornamented drums, umbrellas, surmounted standards, and -decorated doorways. They were on all sides in thousands.” - -“There was much to disgust the white man in the number of human -skulls and jaw-bones displayed; but can the reader imagine twelve -unfortunate human beings lashed hands and feet, and tied in small -canoes and baskets, dressed in clean white dresses, with a high red -cap, carried on the heads of fellow-men? These, and an alligator and a -cat, were the gift of the monarch to the people--prisoners of war.”... -“When carried round the court, they bore the gaze of their enemies -without shrinking. At the foot of the throne they halted, while the -_Mayo_ presented each with a head (bunch) of cowries, extolling the -munificence of the monarch, who had sent it to them to purchase a last -meal, for to-morrow they must die.” - -Again: “But of the fourteen now brought on the platform, we the -unworthy instruments of the Divine will, succeeded in saving the lives -of three. Lashed as we have described before, these sturdy men met the -gaze of their persecutors, with a firmness perfectly astonishing. Not -a sigh was breathed. In all my life I never saw such coolness before, -so near death.... The victims were held high above the heads of their -bearers, and the naked ruffians thus acknowledged the munificence -of their prince.... Having called their names, the nearest one was -divested of his clothes; the foot of the basket placed on the parapet, -when the king gave its upper part an impetus, and the victim fell at -once into the pit beneath. A fall upwards of twelve feet may have -stunned him, and before sense could return, his head was cut off, and -the body thrown to the mob; who, now armed with clubs and branches, -brutally mutilated it and dragged it to a distant pit.” Forbes and his -companion had retired to their seats away from the sight. Two sons -of Da Souza, the notorious slayer, remained to look on. - -[Illustration: - - _F.E. Forbes, delt._ _Lith. of Sarony & Co. N. Y._ - -THE PLATFORM OF THE AH-TOH.] - -The circumstance most likely to have effect in restraining these -barbarities, is the value which slaves will now bear as the means -of cultivating the ground, and raising exportable produce, to which -alone the monarch and people must look, in the diminished state of the -slave-trade, to furnish means for their expenses. Victims and slaves -will also be more difficult to be procured by warfare, inasmuch as -civilized people have more general access to the country, and will -introduce a better policy, and more powerful defensive means among -the people. Christianity also is adventuring there, and carrying its -peaceful influence and nobler motives with it. - -Lagos plundered recaptured slaves returning to their homes. The -authorities deserved no favor. A better man--perhaps a more legitimate -claimant for the royal dignity--was found, and after a severe fight, -in which the British cruisers warmly participated, he was seated on -the throne. A severe blow was given to the slave-trade. Affairs seemed -to be going on smoothly until early in the autumn of 1853, when a -revolution broke out, amidst which the king died, and the country, as -far as is known, remains in confusion. - -The present is an interesting period in the history of the world. -Changes are rapid and irrevocable. Circumstances illustrative of -the condition of our race as it has been, are disappearing rapidly. -The future must trust to our philosophic observation, and faithful -testimony, for its knowledge of savage life. The helplessness, and -artlessness, and miserable shifts of barbarism are becoming things -of the past. There is perhaps no region of the earth which is now -altogether beyond the reach of civilized arts. Shells, and flints, and -bows, and clubs, and bone-headed spears are everywhere giving way to -more useful or more formidable implements. Improvements in dress and -tools and furniture will soon be universal. The history of man as he -has been, requires therefore to be written now, while the evidence -illustrative of it has not altogether vanished. - -The changes of the last three centuries have, to only a slight degree, -influenced the African races. An inaccessible interior, and a coast -bristling with slave-factories, and bloody with slaving cruelties, -probably account for this. The slight progress made shows the obduracy -of the degradation to be removed, and the difficulty of the first -steps needed for its removal. Wherever the slave-trade or its effects -penetrated, there of course peace vanished, and prosperity became -impossible. This evil affected not only the coast, but spread warfare -to rob the country of its inhabitants, far into the interior regions. -There were tribes, however, uninfluenced by it, and some of these -have gained extensive, although but temporary authority. Yet nowhere -has there been any real civilization. It is singular that these people -should have rested in this unalloyed barbarism for thousands of years, -and that there should have been no native-born advancement, as in -Mexico, or Peru, or China; and no flowing in upon its darkness of any -glimmering of light from the brilliant progress and high illumination -of the outside world. It has been considered worthy of note, that a few -years ago one of the Veys had contrived a cumbrous alphabet to express -the sounds of his language; but it is surely, to an incomparable -degree, more a matter of surprise, that centuries passed away in -communication with Europeans, without such an attempt having been made -by any individual, of so many millions, during so many generations of -men. - -The older state of negro society, therefore, still continues. With -the exception of civilized vices, civilized arms, and some amount of -civilized luxuries, life on the African coast, or at no great distance -from it, remains now much the same as the first discoverers found it. - -As it was two hundred years ago, the food of the people consists of -rice, maize and millet; or the Asiatic, the American and the African -native grains. A few others, of comparatively little importance, might -be added to these. Many fruits, as bananas, figs and pumpkins, compose -part of their subsistence. - -Flesh of all kinds was used abundantly before European arms began -to render game scarce. Fish along the coast, and beside the rivers -and interior lakes, are used, except by some tribes, who regard them -as unclean. The Bushmen south of Elephants’ Bay, reject no kind of -reptile. The snake’s poison arms their weapon, and its body is eaten. -As the poisons used act rapidly, and do not affect the flesh of the -animal, it is devoured without scruple and without danger. Throughout -all the deserts, as in ancient times, the locust, or large winged -grasshopper, is used as an article of food, not nutritive certainly, -but capable of sustaining life. The wings and legs are pulled off, and -the bodies are scorched, in holes heated as ovens, and having the hot -sand hauled over them. - -In Dahomey, according to Duncan, there is some improvement in -agriculture, traced to the return from the Brazils of a few who had -been trained as slaves in that empire. This influence, and that of -ideas imported from civilized society, seem to be more prevalent in -Dahomey than elsewhere. The present sovereign has mitigated the laws, -diminished the transit duties, and acted with such judicious kindness -towards tribes who submitted without resistance, that his neighbors, -tired of war and confusion, have willingly, in some instances, -preferred to come under his jurisdiction. - -These circumstances, together with the treaty formed by England with -the King of Dahomey, in 1852, for the suppression of the slave-trade, -indicate that a new destiny is opening for the African races. It may -be but rarely that a man of so much intelligence gains power; and the -successor of the present king may suffer matters to decline; but still -great sources of evil are removed, and the people are acquiring a taste -for better practices. Human sacrifices have, to a great extent, been -abolished; and the wants of cultivation will of themselves render human -life of higher value. The two great states of Ashantee and Dahomey, now -both open to missionary influence, are likely to run an emulative race -in the career of improvement. - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - - STATE OF THE COAST PRIOR TO THE FOUNDATION OF LIBERIA--NATIVE - TRIBES--CUSTOMS AND POLICY--POWER OF THE FOLGIAS--KROOMEN, - ETC.--CONFLICTS. - - -The lands chosen as the site of the American colony excited attention -in olden times. “Africa would be preferable to Europe,” said the -French navigator Villault in 1667, “if it were all like Cape Mount.” -He launches out with delight on the beauty of the prospects, and the -richness of the country. He says, “There you find oranges, almonds, -melons, pumpkins, _cherries_ and plums,” and the abundance of animals -was so great that the flesh was sold “for almost nothing.” Of the Rio -Junco he remarks, “The banks are adorned with trees and flowers; and -the plains with oranges, citrons and palms in beautiful clumps.” At Rio -Cesters he found a people rigidly honest, who had carefully preserved -the effects of a deceased trader, until a vessel arrived to receive -them. - -Another Frenchman, Desmarchais, in the succeeding century was invited -by “King Peter” to form an establishment on the large island at -Cape Mesurado, but he preferred the Cape itself, on account of the -advantages of its position. - -The country adjoining Mesurado, although subsequently harassed and -wasted by the slave-trade, had in early times a national history and -policy, containing incidents which illustrate the character of savage -man as displayed in such social arrangements as his dull apprehension -can contrive. This will be apparent from circumstances in its history -during the sixteenth century. - -The country was held chiefly by divisions of a great community, known -by the common name of Monoo. The Gallas and the Veys were intruders, -but nearly related. The Mandi, or head of the Monoo, retained reverence -and dignity, but had lost dominion. - -The subordinate tribes ranged themselves in rank, according to the -power they possessed, which varied with temporary circumstances. Thus -the Monoo lorded it over the Folgias; the Folgias over the Quojas, and -the Quojas over the Bulams and Kondos. - -Their fortresses were square inclosures, surrounded by stout palisades, -driven close together, having four structures somewhat in the form of -bastions, through which, and under their defence, were the entrances -to the place. Two streets in the interior, crossing each other in the -centre, connected these entrances. They had a kind of embrasures or -port-holes in these wooden walls, out of which they threw assagays or -spears and arrows. - -Along the eastern bank of the Junco, stretched the lands of the Kharoo -Monoos, the _Kroomen_ so well known to our cruisers of the present -day. The Folgias weakened in warfare had recourse to the sorceries of -a celebrated performer in that line, whose policy in the case savored -very greatly of earthly wisdom. He recommended religious strife as -the best mode of weakening the enemy. They therefore contrived to -excite some “old school and new school” controversy with regard to the -sacredness of a pond held in reverence by the Kroos. - -It was a matter of Kroo orthodoxy, that into this pond the great -ancestor and author of their race had descended from heaven, and there -first made his appearance as a man. Hence it was the faith of their -established church to make offerings to the pond in favor of the fish -that dwelt there. - -Now it was also an old and ever-to-be-respected law among them, that -no fish should be boiled with the scales on. Amid their career of -victory, the audacious and criminal fact was one day discovered, that -into the sacred pond, the just object of reverence to an enlightened -and religious people, there had been thrown a quantity of fish boiled -in a mode which indicated contempt for every thing praiseworthy and -national, inasmuch as not a scale had been scraped off previously to -their being boiled. - -The nation got into a ferment about the fish-scales. From arguments -they went to clubs and spears. Parties accusing and parties accused -defended their lives, in “just and necessary wars,” while the Folgias -looked on until both were weak enough to be conquered. The victors, -however, were generous. Their chief married the sister of Flonikerri, -the leader of the Kroos, and left him in sovereignty over his people. -Flonikerri showed his loyalty by resisting an attack on the Folgias by -the Quabo of the southeast. - -In the mean time the great sovereign Mendino, king of the Monoos, had -died; and as negro chiefs are or ought to be immortal, and as no king -can die except by sorcery, his brother Manomassa was accused as having -contrived his death. He drank the sassy-wood, and survived, without -satisfying the people. As the sorcerers proposed to hold a kind of -court of inquiry upon the case, Manomassa, indignant at the charge, -surrendered himself to the care of the “spirits of the dead,” and went -away among the Gala. - -There his character gained him the office of chief. But annoyed at -their subsequent caprice, he threw himself upon the generosity of the -Folgias, who employed Flonikerri to reinstate him in his dominion over -the Gala. Flonikerri had in fact become a kind of generalissimo of the -united tribes. He was afterwards employed in subduing the Veys of Cape -Mount; and after various battles, reduced them to offer proof of their -submission. This consisted in each swallowing some drops of blood from -a great number of chickens, which were afterwards boiled; they ate the -flesh, reserving the legs, which were delivered to the conqueror, to be -preserved as a memorial of their fealty. - -Flonikerri fell in battle, resisting a revolt of the Galas. Being hard -pressed, he drew a circle round him on the ground, vowing that within -it he would resist or die. Kneeling there he expired under showers of -arrows. - -His brother and successor, Killimanzo, extended the authority of the -tribe by subduing the Quilligas along the Gallinas river. The son of -the latter, Flanseer, extended their conquests to Sierra Leone, crushed -some rebellions, and left a respectable domain under the sway of his -son Flamburi. Then it was that the energy, skill and vices of Europeans -came powerfully into action among the contentions of the natives, until -they rendered war a means of revenue, by making men an article of -merchandise for exportation. - -The same language prevailed among all their tribes. The most cultivated -dialect was that of the Folgias, who prided themselves greatly on the -propriety and the elegance of their speech, and on the figurative -illustrations which they threw into it. They retained their supremacy -over the Quojas, notwithstanding the extended dominion of the latter. -This was indicated by the investiture of the chief of the Quojas with -the title of Donda, by the king, or Donda, of the Folgias. The ceremony -bore the character of abasement almost universal among the negro race. -The Quoja aspirant, having approached the Folgia chief in solemn state, -threw himself on the ground, remaining prostrate until the Folgian had -thrown some dust over him. He was then asked the name he chose to bear. -His attendants repeated it aloud. The king of the Folgians pronounced -it, adding the title of Donda; and the whole multitude seized and -shouted it with loud acclamations. He was invested with a bow and -quiver. Mutual presents concluded the ceremony. - -State and dignity, of such a character as could be found among savages, -were strictly enforced in these old times. Ambassadors did not enter -a territory until they had received permission, and until an officer -had been sent to conduct them. There were receptions, and reviews, and -stately marchings, trumpetings, drummings, and singing of songs, and -acclamations, and flatteries. - -The attendants of the ambassador prostrated themselves. He was only -required to kneel, but, having bent his head in reverence, he wheeled -round to the people, and drew the string of his bow to its full -bent, indicating that he became the king’s soldier and defender. -Then came his oration, which was repeated, sentence by sentence, in -the mouth of the king’s interpreter. The Quojas claimed the credit -of best understanding the proper ceremonies of civil life. How great -is the difference between this population, and the few miserable -slave-hunters, who subsequently ravaged, rather than possessed, these -shores! - - - - -CHAPTER X. - - GENERAL VIEWS IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF COLONIES--PENAL COLONIES--VIEWS - OF THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES IN REFERENCE TO AFRICAN - COLONIES--STATE OF SLAVERY AT THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR--NEGROES WHO - JOINED THE ENGLISH--DISPOSAL OF THEM BY GREAT BRITAIN--EARLY - MOVEMENTS WITH RESPECT TO AFRICAN COLONIES--PLAN MATURED BY DR. - FINLEY--FORMATION OF THE AMERICAN COLONIZATION SOCIETY. - - -The views of men in founding colonies, have varied in different ages -of the world. Although, however, some special inducement may have been -pre-eminent at different times, yet a multiplicity of motives have -generally combined in leading to such undertakings. Hannibal found the -municipal cities, or Roman colonies of Italy, the obstacles to his -conquest of the republic. It was with provident anticipation of such -an effect that they were founded. Lima in Peru, and other places in -Brazil and elsewhere, had their origin in similar aims. Differences -in political views have led to the foundation of many colonies; and, -superadded to these, religious considerations have had their influence -in the settlement of some of the early North American colonies. - -In the small republics of Greece, the seditious, or the -criminal--sometimes whole classes of men, whose residence was -unsuitable to the general interests--were cast adrift to go where they -chose, probably making a general jail delivery for the time being. - -Modern efforts of the kind are, upon the whole, more systematic. A -colony sent for settlement or for subsistence, is purely so. A military -colony is purely military, or, more generally, is nothing else than a -garrison. A colony of criminals is restricted to the criminals. In this -case a new element characterizes the modern system, for the object is -not merely to remove the criminal, but to reform him. England has done -much in this way. It is a great result, that in Australia there are now -powerful communities, rich with the highest elements of civilization; -constituted to a great extent of those who otherwise, as the children -of criminals, would have been born to wretchedness and depravity, to -cells and stripes and brandings and gibbets, as their inheritance. - -But such experiments are not capable of indefinite repetition; space is -wanting for them in the world. Nations are now called by the imperious -force of circumstances, or more properly speaking, by the decree of -Providence, to the nobler task of preventing rather than punishing; -of raising society from the pollution of vice rather than curing or -expelling it. This higher effort, which is natural to the spirit -of Christianity, should have accompanied it everywhere. A nation is -responsible for its inhabitants, and ought to master whatever tends to -crime among them. Those whom it sends abroad should be its citizens, -not its reprobates. It owes to the world, that the average amount of -virtue in it accompany its transferred communities, so that the world -does not suffer by the transference. This must be the case when a -race unsuitably placed is, on account of that unsuitableness only, -transported to a location more suitable. - -A case which is exceptional in regard to common instances, will be when -the higher and better motives to colonization take precedence of all -others. Such an instance is that of returning the negro race to their -own land. It is exceptional in this respect, that the transfer of that -race to its more suitable locality is mainly an effort of philanthropic -benevolence. Its motives, however, excel in degree, not in kind. The -same inducements which at all times influenced colonizing measures, -have had their place, with more or less force, in these schemes. In -deriving support for them it has been necessary to appeal to every -motive, and seek assistance by every inducement. - -The increase of national prosperity, the promotion of national -commerce, the relief of national difficulties, the preservation of -national quiet, have all been urged on the different orders of men -appealed to. It has been shown how all these circumstances would -influence individual interests, while the higher Christian and -philanthropic aims to be fulfilled by these efforts have not been -overlooked. All this is perfectly right; and if right in us, it is also -right in others. It would have been satisfactory if in the two parties, -America and England, in respect to their measures towards African -establishments, there had been more nobleness in their discussions, -less national jealousies in all parties, less of sneering censure of -national ambition, selfishness or grasping policy, while both parties -were in fact making appeals to the very same principles in human -nature, which foster national ambition, or selfishness, or grasping -policy. - -Although African colonization originated with, and has been sustained -wholly by individuals, in the United States, England has regarded it in -the same light with which this country has looked upon her acquisition -of foreign territory. - -There is, however, a high superiority in these schemes of African -colonization, although it be but in degree. The best and holiest -principles were put prominently forward, and men of corresponding -character called forth to direct them. They sought sympathy and aid -from the English African Association, and from the Bible and Missionary -Societies of this land. They were truly efforts of Christianity, -throwing its solid intelligence and earnest affections into action for -the conquest of a continent, by returning the Africans to their home, -and making this conquest a work of faith and labor of love. - -The slavery imported and grafted on this country by foreign political -supremacy, when the country was helpless, has been subjected to a trial -never undergone by such an institution in any other part of the world. -An enemy held dominion where slavery existed, and while the masters -were called upon to fight for their own political independence, there -was opportunity for the slave to revolt or escape if such had been his -wish. Those who are not acquainted with the ties uniting the slave -to his master’s household, and the interest he feels in his master’s -welfare, would expect that when a hostile army was present to rescue -and to defend them, the whole slave population would rise with eager -fury to avenge their subjection, or with eager hope to escape from it. -But the historical truth is, that very few indeed of the colored men -of the United States, whether slaves or free, joined the English or -Tory party in the Revolutionary War. Thus the character impressed on -the institution frustrated the recorded expectation of those who forced -this evil upon a reluctant people--that the position and the influence -of the negro in society would forever check republican spirit and keep -the country in dependence. - -The small number of colored persons who did join the English produced -no slight difficulty. That small number ought perhaps to have been -easily amalgamated somehow or other with the vast amount of the English -population. That this did not happen, and did not seem possible, -is perfectly evident. Either color, or character, or position, or -something else, which it is for the English people to explain, -prevented this. Many of them were found in the lanes and dens of vice -in London, without the prospect of their ever amalgamating with the -Londoners, and therefore only combining incumbrance, nuisance, and -danger by their presence there. - -This condition of things, as is well known, excited the attention and -sympathy of Granville Sharpe, and led to the foundation of the colony -of Sierra Leone, as a refuge for them. - -Great Britain found herself hampered on a subsequent occasion with the -charge of a few hundreds of the Maroons, or independent free negroes -of Jamaica. It was known that it would not answer to intermingle them -with the slave population of that island. The public good was found -imperiously to require that they should be removed elsewhere. They -afterwards constituted the most trustworthy portion of the population -of Sierra Leone. - -Similar difficulties have pressed with a manifold weight on society in -this country. Jefferson, with other distinguished statesmen, endeavored -to remedy them. Marshall, Clay, Randolph, and others shared in his -anxieties. A suitable location was sought after for the settlement of -the free negroes in the lands of the West. The Portuguese government -was afterwards sounded for the acquisition of some place in South -America. But these schemes were comparatively valueless, for they -wanted the main requisite,--that Africa itself should share in the -undertaking. - -When Christian benevolence looked abroad upon the face of the world to -examine its condition and its wants, Africa was seen, dark, gloomy, -and vast and hopeless, with Egyptian darkness upon it,--“darkness that -might be felt,”--while Europe guarded and fought for it as a human -cattle-fold, to be plundered with an extent and atrocity of rapine such -as the world elsewhere had never beheld. Africa, therefore, became the -object of deep interest to the Christian philanthropy of this country, -and all things concurred to bring out some great enterprise for its -benefit and that of the African race in America. - -In 1773 slavery was not only common in New England, but the slave-trade -was extensively carried on in Rhode Island and other northern states. -Dr. Hopkins became convinced of the injustice of the traffic, and in -conjunction with Dr. Stiles, afterwards President of Yale College, -made an appeal to the public in behalf of some colored men whom he was -preparing for an African mission. These men were nearly qualified for -proceeding to Africa when the Revolutionary War frustrated the scheme, -which, in its character, was rather missionary than colonial. - -Paul Cuffy, a colored man born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, who -had risen to the possession of considerable wealth, and commanded a -vessel of his own, induced about forty colored people to embark in his -vessel for Sierra Leone, where they had every facility for a settlement -afforded them. - -Dr. Thornton, of Washington, in 1783, suggested the practical course -of establishing a colony in Africa, and obtained in some of the New -England States the consent of a number of colored persons to accompany -him to that coast. This project failed for want of funds. No better -success attended an application of Mr. Jefferson, as secretary of -state, directed to the Sierra Leone company. - -The State of Virginia, in legislative session, 1800-1805, and 1816, -discussed the subject of colonization, and contributed greatly to -prepare the public mind for subsequent action on the subject. - -The Rev. Dr. Finley, of New Jersey, matured a plan for the purpose, and -proceeded to Washington, where, after consultation with a few friends, -a meeting was called on the 25th of December, 1816. Henry Clay -presided; Andrew Jackson, William H. Crawford, Dr. Finley, and others, -were elected vice-presidents. The American Colonization Society was -formed with the resolution to be free, and Christian, and national. - -There was peace in the world. Society was awakening to a remorseful -consideration of the iniquities which had been practised on the African -race in their own land, and of the condition of its population in this. -The gradual emancipation of slaves, as favored by Jefferson and others -in the early days of the republic, was discussed. But the objects -sought in the formation of the Colonization Society, were the removal -and benefit of the free colored population, together with such slaves -as might have freedom extended to them with the view of settlement in -Africa. And thus the work of forming an African nation in Africa, with -republican feelings, impressions and privileges, and with Christian -truth and Christian civilization, was commenced. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - - FOUNDATION OF THE AMERICAN COLONY--EARLY AGENTS--MILLS, BURGESS, - BACON, AND OTHERS--U. S. SLOOP-OF-WAR “CYANE”--ARRIVAL AT THE - ISLAND OF SHERBORO--DISPOSAL OF RECAPTURED SLAVES BY THE U. S. - GOVERNMENT--FEVER--SLAVES CAPTURED--U. S. SCHOONER “SHARK”--SHERBORO - PARTIALLY ABANDONED--U. S. SCHOONER “ALLIGATOR”--SELECTION AND - SETTLEMENT OF CAPE MESURADO--CAPTAIN STOCKTON--DR. AYRES--KING - PETER--ARGUMENTS WITH THE NATIVES--CONFLICTS--DR. AYRES MADE - PRISONER--KING BOATSWAIN--COMPLETION OF THE PURCHASE. - - -In November, 1819, the Colonization Society appointed the Rev. Messrs. -Samuel J. Mills and Ebenezer Burgess as its agents; with directions to -proceed, by the way of England, to the west coast of Africa, for the -purpose of making inquiries and explorations as to a suitable location -for a settlement. They arrived in Sierra Leone in the month of March -following, and visited all the ports from thence to the island of -Sherboro. - -At Sherboro, about sixty miles S.S.E. from Sierra Leone, the agents -found a small colony of colored people, settled by John Kizel, a South -Carolina slave, who had joined the English in the Revolutionary War, -and at its close was taken to Nova Scotia, from whence he sailed, -with a number of his countrymen, to the coast of Africa. Here he -became prosperous in trade, built a church, and was preaching to his -countrymen. By Kizel and his people the agents were kindly received. -He expressed the opinion, that the greater part of the people of color -in the United States would ultimately return to Africa. “Africa,” said -Kizel, “is the land of black men, and to Africa they must and will -come.” - -After the agents had fulfilled their duties, they sailed for the United -States. Mr. Mills died on the passage. In a public discourse, by the -Rev. Dr. Leonard Bacon, of New Haven, Mr. Mills is thus alluded to: “He -wandered on his errands of mercy from city to city; pleading now with -the patriot, for a country growing up to an immensity of power; and -now with the Christian, for a world lying in wickedness. He explored -in person the devastations of the West, and in person he stirred up to -enterprise and to effort the churches of the East. He lived for India -and Hawaii, and died in the service of Africa.” Mr. Burgess gave so -satisfactory a report of his mission, that the society was encouraged -to proceed in its enterprise. - -The political friends of colonization, being desirous of affording aid -to the incipient efforts of the society, accomplished their object -through Wm. H. Crawford, one of the vice-presidents, who proposed to -the government, that recaptured slaves should be sent in charge of -an agent to the colonies in Africa. He called the attention of the -government to a number of slaves who had been received in the state of -Georgia, subsequently to the law of Congress, in 1807, prohibiting the -slave-trade. These slaves were to have been sold in payment of expenses -incurred in consequence of their seizure and detention by the state -authorities. The Colonization Society proposed to take them in charge, -and restore them to Africa, provided the government would furnish an -agent for the purpose. - -Agreeably to the views of the Colonization Society, and to guard -against an occurrence of a character similar to that in Georgia, -Congress passed an act, on the 3d of March, 1819, by which the -President of the United States was authorized to restore to their -own country, any Africans captured from American or foreign vessels -attempting to introduce them into the United States in violation of -law; and to provide, by the establishment of a suitable agency on the -African coast, for their reception, subsistence and comfort, until -they could return to their relatives, or derive support from their own -exertions. Thus the government became indirectly connected with the -society. - -It was determined to make the site of the government agency on the -coast of Africa, that of the colonial agency also; and to incorporate -into the settlement all the blacks delivered by our men-of-war to the -government agent, as soon as the requisite arrangements should be -completed. - -The Rev. Samuel Bacon received the appointment of both government and -colonial agent, having associated with him John P. Bankson and Dr. -Samuel A. Crozer, the society’s agents; and with eighty emigrants, -sailed on the 6th of February, 1820, for the coast of Africa. The U. -S. sloop-of-war Cyane, also bound to the coast, under orders from the -government, accompanied the emigrant vessel, but parted company after -being a few days at sea. The vessels met at Sierra Leone, whence they -proceeded to the island of Sherboro. - -The confidence of the new agents in Kizel was greatly impaired by -finding that he had given impressions of the place where he resided, -which were much too favorable. The fever made its appearance among -the people, who were loud in their complaints of every thing, and -their conduct was any thing but commendable. Many were detected in -petty thefts, falsehoods and mischiefs of a disgraceful nature. About -twenty or twenty-five of the emigrants died. The remainder survived -the acclimating fever, and in a few weeks regained their health. Mr. -Bacon himself fell a victim to it; but to the last his confidence in -the ultimate success of African colonization was unabated. He remarked -that he had seen ninety-five native Africans landed together in -America, who, the first year, were as sickly as these. And regarding -himself, he said: “I came here to die; and any thing better than death, -is better than I expected.” Lieutenant Townsend, one of the officers -of the Cyane, also died of the fever. After this disastrous attempt at -forming a settlement, Sherboro was partially abandoned, and several of -the emigrants were removed to Sierra Leone. - -Had timid counsels prevailed, the cause of colonization would have been -no longer prosecuted. But the society determined to persevere, trusting -that experience and the choice of a more salubrious situation would -guard against a repetition of these disasters. - -The U. S. sloops-of-war Cyane and John Adams in cruising off the -coast captured five slavers, which were sent to the United States for -adjudication. - -In the year following Messrs. Winn and Bacon (brother of the deceased -agent) on the part of the government, and Messrs. Andrews and -Wiltberger by the society, were appointed agents, and proceeded to -Sierra Leone, with forty effective emigrants to recruit the party sent -out the preceding year. In a personal interview with Mr. Wiltberger, -and from some notes communicated by him, the author has derived much -interesting and reliable information relating to the colony during his -agency, extending to the purchase and settlement of Liberia. - -The island of Sherboro was wholly abandoned, and the remaining -emigrants removed to Sierra Leone. - -In 1822, Dr. Ayres was appointed colonial physician and agent, and -proceeded in the U. S. schooner Shark to Sierra Leone. Soon afterwards -the U. S. schooner Alligator arrived with orders from the government -to co-operate with the agents of the society at Sierra Leone. Captain -Stockton, her commander, with Dr. Ayres and seven of the emigrants, -proceeded on a cruise of exploration down the coast, and on the 12th of -December anchored off Cape Mesurado, in lat. 6° 19´ N., and long. 10° -48´ W. - -“That is the spot we ought to have,” said Captain Stockton, pointing to -the high bluff of the cape; “that should be the site of our colony. No -finer spot on the coast.” “And we must have it,” added Dr. Ayres. - -They landed without arms, to prove their peaceful intentions, and sent -an express to King Peter for negotiations. The natives collected in -large bodies, until the captain and agent were surrounded without the -means of defence, except a demijohn of whiskey and some tobacco, which -convinced the natives that no hostility was then intended. - -King Peter at length appeared, and a long palaver took place, when the -agent informed him that their object was to purchase the cape and -islands at the mouth of the river. He strongly objected to parting with -the cape, saying, “If any white man settle there, King Peter would die, -and his woman cry a plenty.” The agents represented to him the great -advantages in trade, which the proposed settlement would afford to his -people. After receiving a vague promise from the king that he would let -them have the land, the palaver broke up. - -On the 14th instant the palaver was renewed at the residence of the -king, whither, as a measure of the last resort, Captain Stockton and -the agent had determined to proceed. The first word the king said was, -“What you want that land for?” This was again explained to him. One of -the men present accused them of taking away the King of Bassa’s son -and killing him; another of being those who had quarrelled with the -Sherboro people. A mulatto fellow also presented himself to Captain -Stockton, and charged him with the capture of a slave-vessel in which -he had served as a seaman. The prospects now looked very gloomy, as -here were two men in the midst of a nation exasperated against them. -But by mixing a little flattery with threatening, Captain Stockton -regained his advantage in the discussion. He explained his connection -with the circumstances, and complained of their constant vacillation -of purpose in reference to the lands. The old king was at length -pacified, and promised to call some more kings, and have a meeting the -following day for the purpose of ceding the lands. - -Several palavers of a more amicable nature were afterwards held, and -the kings at last consented to cede a tract of land, receiving as -a compensation goods to the value of about three hundred dollars. -The deed bears on it the marks for signatures of King Peter, King -George, King Zoda, King Long Peter, King Governor, King Jimmy, and the -signatures of Captain Robert F. Stockton and Eli Ayres, M. D. - -The tract ceded included Cape Mesurado and the lands forming nearly a -peninsula between the Mesurado and Junk rivers--about thirty-six miles -along the sea-shore, with an average breadth of about two miles. - -Captain Stockton then left the coast with the Alligator, placing -Lieutenant Hunter in command of a schooner, who, with Dr. Ayres and -the men, proceeded to Sierra Leone, and brought from thence all the -working men to Cape Mesurado. They disembarked on the smaller of the -two islands amidst the menaces of the natives. - -It was ascertained on their arrival that King Peter had been denounced -by many of the kings for having sold the land to a people who would -interfere with the slave-trade, and were hostile to their old customs. -The king was threatened with the loss of his head; and it was decreed -that the new people should be expelled from the country. Dr. Ayres at -length succeeded in checking the opposition of the kings, and restored -apparent tranquillity. - -The island on which the colonists first established themselves, was -named Perseverance. It was destitute of wood and water, affording no -shelter except the decayed thatch of a few small huts. Thus exposed in -an insalubrious situation, several of the people were attacked with -intermittent fever. By an arrangement with King George, who claimed -authority over a part of the northern district of the peninsula of -Mesurado, the colonists, on their recovery, were permitted to cross -the river, where they cleared the land, and erected a number of -comparatively comfortable buildings; when, in the temporary absence of -Dr. Ayres, a circumstance occurred which threatened the extinction of -the colony. - -A small slaver, prize to an English cruiser, bound to Sierra Leone, -ran into the port for water. During the night she parted her -cable, and drifted on shore, near King George’s Town, not far from -Perseverance Island. Under a prescriptive right, when a vessel was -wrecked, the natives claimed her, and accordingly proceeded to take -possession. The English prize-officer resisted, and after one or two -shots the assailants hastily retreated. The officer learning that -another attack was meditated, sent to the colony for aid. One of the -colonists--temporarily in charge during the absence of the agents -to bring the women and children from Sierra Leone--regardless of the -admonition to avoid “entangling alliances,” and approving “the doctrine -of intervention,” promptly afforded assistance. The second attack was -made, but the colonists and prize-crew, with the help of one or two -rounds of grape and cannister from a brass field-piece on the island, -which was brought to bear on the assailants, soon scattered them, with -the loss of two killed and several wounded. On the following day, they -renewed their assualt with a greater force, and were again repulsed, -but an English sailor and one colonist were killed. - -This interference on the part of the colonists, in behalf of the -slave-prize, greatly exasperated the natives; not merely from the loss -of their men and the vessel, but from the apprehension that their most -valued privileges were about being invaded; and especially that the -slave-trade, on which they depended for their gains and supplies, would -be destroyed. The natives, therefore, determined forthwith to extirpate -the colony while in its feeble and defenceless state. - -In the mean time, Dr. Ayres, having returned, found the colonists -confined to the island; and as the stores had become nearly exhausted, -and the rainy season was about setting in--superadded to the vindictive -feelings of the natives towards the people--the agents proposed -to re-embark for Sierra Leone, and abandon the new settlement. Mr. -Wiltberger strenuously opposed the agents’ proposal, and, after -ascertaining that the colonists were disposed to remain at Mesurado, -Dr. Ayres cheerfully assented. - -The kings then adopted the deceitful policy of pretending to be -conciliated, and inveigled Dr. Ayres into their power. He became their -prisoner, and in that condition appeared to consent to take back the -portion of goods which had been received towards the payment of the -land, but evaded their peremptory order for the immediate removal of -the people, by showing its impossibility, on account of the want of a -vessel for the purpose. They finally gave permission that they might -remain, until he should have made arrangements to leave the country. -In this dilemma, Bă Caiă, a friendly king, at the suggestion of Dr. -Ayres, appealed to King Boatswain,[3] whose power the maritime tribes -well understood, and with whom he was in alliance. King Boatswain -came down to the coast, and by a direct exertion of his authority, -convoked the hostile kings. He also sent for the agents and principal -settlers to appear before him, and explain the nature of their claims, -and present their grievances. The respective allegations of the parties -were heard. King Boatswain decided in favor of the colonists. He said -that the bargain had been fair on both sides, and that he saw no -grounds for rescinding the contract. Turning then to King Peter, he -laconically remarked: “Having sold your country, and accepted payment, -you must take the consequences.... Let the Americans have their lands -immediately. Whoever is not satisfied with my decision, let him tell me -so.” Then turning to the agents: “I promise you protection. If these -people give you further disturbance, send for me; and I swear, if they -oblige me to come again to quiet them, I will do it by taking their -heads from their shoulders, as I did old King George’s, on my last -visit to the coast to settle disputes.” - -In this decision both parties acquiesced, whatever their opinion might -have been as to its equity. The settlers immediately resumed their -labors on the grounds near the Cape. - -The Dey tribe (King Peter’s) saw that a dangerous enemy had been -introduced among them. King Peter, with whom we must have sympathy, -was impeached, and brought to trial on a charge of having betrayed the -interests of his people, and sold part of the country to strangers. The -accusation was proven; and, for a time, there was reason to believe -that he would be executed for treason. - -Soon after King Boatswain had returned to his country, the colony -was again threatened. The agent called another council of kings; -and after some opposition to his claim for the disputed territory, -the whole assembly--amounting to seventeen kings, and thirty-four -half-kings--assented to the settlement; and on the 28th of April, 1822, -formal possession was taken of Cape Mesurado. - -Dr. Ayres and Mr. Wiltberger now returned to the United States, the -former to urge the wants of the colony, and the latter from ill health. -Before they left, Elijah Johnson, of New York, one of the colonists, -who had on various occasions distinguished himself, was appointed to -superintend the colony during their absence. - -[3] Boatswain was a native of Shebar. In his youth, he served in some -menial capacity on board of an English merchant vessel, where he -acquired the name which he still retains. His personal qualifications -were of the most commanding description. To a stature approaching seven -feet in height, perfectly erect, muscular and finely proportioned; a -countenance noble, intelligent and full of animation, he united great -comprehension and activity of mind; and, what was still more imposing, -a savage loftiness, and even grandeur of sentiment--forming altogether -an assemblage of qualities obviously disproportioned to the actual -sphere of his ambition. He was prodigal of every thing except the means -of increasing the terror of his name. “I give you a bullock,” said -he to an agent of the society, “not to be considered as Boatswain’s -present, but for your breakfast.” To his friend Bă Caiă, he once sent: -“King Boatswain is your friend; he therefore advises you to lose not a -moment in providing yourself plenty of powder and ball; or, in three -days (the least possible time to make the journey), let me see my -fugitive woman again.” - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - - ASHMUN--NECESSITY OF DEFENCE--FORTIFICATIONS--ASSAULTS--ARRIVAL - OF MAJOR LAING--CONDITION OF THE COLONISTS--SLOOPS-OF-WAR - “CYANE” AND “JOHN ADAMS”--KING BOATSWAIN AS A SLAVER--MISCONDUCT - OF THE EMIGRANTS--DISINTERESTEDNESS OF ASHMUN--U. S. SCHOONER - “PORPOISE”--CAPTAIN SKINNER--REV. R. R. GURLEY--PURCHASE OF TERRITORY - ON THE ST. PAUL’S RIVER--ATTACK ON TRADE-TOWN--PIRACIES--U. S. - SCHOONER “SHARK”--SLOOP-OF-WAR “ONTARIO”--DEATH OF ASHMUN--CHARACTER - BY REV. DR. BACON. - - -The acting agent of the colony judiciously managed its affairs until -the arrival of Mr. Ashmun and his wife, with thirty-seven emigrants, -part of whom were recaptured slaves, who had been delivered over to -the Colonization Society by the Marshal of Georgia, under the Act -of Congress already noticed. Mr. Ashmun held the appointments of -government and society’s agent. He took a comprehensive view of the -colony. The entire population did not exceed one hundred and thirty, of -whom thirty only were capable of bearing arms. The settlement had no -adequate means of defence. He found no documents defining the limits of -the purchased territory--explaining the state of the negotiations with -the natives, or throwing light on the duties of the agency. - -It was now perceived that means, as well as an organized system of -defence were to be originated, while the materials and artificers for -such purposes were wanting. One brass field-piece, five indifferent -iron guns and a number of muskets, ill-supplied with ammunition, -comprised all the means for defence. These were brought from the island -and mounted, and such fortifications as the ability and resources -of the agent could construct were erected. Public stores and more -comfortable houses were also raised. The settlement, except on the -side towards the river, was closely environed with the heavy forest. -This gave an enemy an important advantage. The land around was, -consequently, cleared up with all possible dispatch. - -Mr. Ashmun experienced an attack of fever. On the following day his -wife was seized, and soon afterwards died: she thus closed a life of -exemplary faith and devotedness. - -It has been observed, that the dread of provoking King Boatswain’s -resentment, led the hostile kings to assume a show of friendship; -but the disguise could not conceal their intentions. The chiefs -attributed the departure of the agents to a want of spirit, and dread -of their power. The arrival of Mr. Ashmun had delayed the execution -of their purpose, of a general attack on the colony; but when the -vessel sailed, early in October, which had brought out the agent and -emigrants, a council of kings determined upon instant hostilities. -King George had abandoned his town early in September, leaving the -Cape in possession of the colonists. This had been regarded by the -natives as the first step of colonial encroachments; if left alone for -a few years, they would master the whole country. The natives refused, -throughout the consultation, to receive any pacific proposals from the -colony. - -On the 7th of November, Mr. Ashmun, although still suffering from -the effects of fever, examined and strengthened the defences. Picket -guards were posted during the night, and every preparation made for a -vigorous defence. On the 11th the attack was commenced by a force of -eight hundred warriors. The picket, contrary to orders, had left their -station in advance of the weakest point of defence; the native force, -already in motion, followed close in the rear of the picket, and as -soon as the latter had joined the detachment of ten men stationed at -the gun, the enemy, presenting a front, opened their fire, and rushed -forward to seize the post; several fell, and off went the others, -leaving the gun undischarged. This threw the small reserve in the -centre into confusion, and had the enemy followed up their advantage, -victory was certain; but such was their avidity for plunder, that they -fell upon the booty in the outskirts of the town. This disordered -the main body. Mr. Ashmun, who was too ill to move at any distance, -was thus enabled, by the assistance of one of the colonists, Rev. -Lot Carey, to rally the broken forces of the settlers. The brass -field-piece was now brought to bear, and being well served, did good -execution. A few men, commanded by Elijah Johnson, passed round on the -enemy’s flank, which increased their consternation, and soon after the -front of the enemy began to recoil. The colonists now regained the post -which had at first been seized, and instantly brought the long-nine -to bear upon the mass of the enemy; eight hundred men were in a solid -body, and every shot literally spent itself among them. A savage yell -was raised by the enemy, and the colonists were victors. - -In this assault the colonists (who numbered thirty-five) had fifteen -killed and wounded. It is impossible to estimate the loss of the -natives, which must have been very great. An earnest but ineffectual -effort was made by the agent to form with the kings a treaty of peace. - -Notwithstanding this disastrous result, the natives determined upon -another attack. They collected auxiliaries from all the neighboring -tribes who could be induced to join them. The colonists, on the other -hand, under Ashmun, the agent, were busily engaged in fortifying -themselves for the decisive battle, upon which the fate of the -settlement was suspended. On the 2d of December the enemy attacked -simultaneously the three sides of the fortifications. The colonists -received them with that bravery and determination which the danger of -total destruction in case of defeat was calculated to inspire. The main -body of the enemy being exposed to a galling fire from the battery, -both in front and flank, and the assault on the opposite side of the -town having been repulsed, a general retreat immediately followed, and -the colonists were again victorious. - -Mr. Ashmun received three musket-balls through his clothes; three of -the men stationed at one of the guns were dangerously wounded; and -not three rounds of ammunition remained after the action. Had a third -attack been made, the colony must have been conquered; or had the first -attack occurred before the arrival of Mr. Ashmun, it would have been -extirpated. But its foundations were now secured by a firm and lasting -peace. - -The British colonial schooner Prince Regent, with a prize crew in -charge of Midshipman Gordon, R. N., opportunely arrived, with Major -Laing, the African traveller, on board, by whose influence the kings, -being tired of the war, signed a truce, agreeing to submit all their -differences with the colony to the Governor of Sierra Leone. Midshipman -Gordon and his crew volunteered to assist the colonists, and see -that the truce was preserved inviolate. The Prince Regent furnished -a liberal supply of ammunition. Four weeks after sailing, Midshipman -Gordon and eight of his men had fallen victims to the malaria of this -climate, so inimical to the constitution of white men. - -At this period, 1823, the colonists were in a sad condition: their -provisions were nearly consumed, trade exhausted, lands untilled, -houses but partially covered; the rainy season was approaching, and the -people, in many instances, had become indolent and improvident. Captain -Spence, of the Cyane, arrived at the Cape, and proceeded to adopt -efficient measures for the benefit of the colony. He fitted out the -schooner Augusta, under the command of Lieutenant Dashiell, with orders -to cruise near the settlement and render it aid. Dr. Dix, the surgeon -of the Cyane, died of the fever. Upon her leaving the coast, Richard -Seaton, the captain’s clerk, volunteered to remain as an assistant -to Mr. Ashmun. In the course of two or three months he fell a victim -to the fever, and his death was soon followed by that of Lieutenant -Dashiell, of the Augusta. On the homeward-bound passage of the Cyane -forty of the crew died from the effects of the African climate, -superadded to those of the climate of the West Indies, where she had -been cruising previously to proceeding to the African coast. - -The slave-trade had received no effectual check. King Boatswain, -although one of the best friends of the colony, partook in no degree -of the views for which it had been established, and at this time -committed an act of great atrocity, in making an attack at night upon -an inoffensive tribe, murdering all the adults and infants, and seizing -upon the boys and girls, in order to fulfil his engagements with a -French slaver. - -In the month of May, Dr. Ayres brought a reinforcement of sixty -emigrants. He announced his appointment as the government and colonial -agent. Mr. Ashmun was at the same time informed that a bill drawn -by him to defray expenses for the necessities of the colony had -been dishonored, and that the board of directors of the society had -withdrawn from him all authority except as sub-agent. Very soon after -this, Dr. Ayres was obliged on account of ill health again to leave -for the United States. Had Mr. Ashmun acted under the impressions of -indignation naturally flowing from such treatment, the colony would -have been utterly extinguished. But he was of nobler spirit than to -yield to any such motive, and therefore resolved to remain in this -helpless and disorganized community, sending home at the same time -to the board a proposal that he should receive from them less than -one-third the sum which a man of ordinary diligence might in his -position gain by traffic. This proposal he had made from the most -honorable sense of duty, in order in fact that the people for whom he -had done and suffered so much should not utterly perish. And yet he had -the mortification to learn afterwards that the directors, influenced by -slanderous reports to the detriment of his character, had refused to -sanction this proposal. - -At this period a number even of the principal colonists became -disaffected, in consequence of the regulations of the board, requiring -that any emigrant who received rations from the public store, should -contribute two days’ labor in a week on the public works. About twelve -of the colonists not only refused work and threw off all restraint, but -exerted their influence to induce others to follow their example. Soon -after this occurrence Mr. Ashmun published the following notice: - -“There are in the colony more than a dozen healthy persons who will -receive no more provisions out of the public store until they earn -them.” On the 19th of December he directed the rations of the offending -party to be stopped. This led to a riotous assembly at the agent’s -house, which endeavored by denunciations to drive him from his purpose; -but finding him inflexible, they then proceeded to the public store, -where the commissary was issuing rations to the colonists, and each one -seized a portion of the provisions and hastened to their homes. - -The same day Mr. Ashmun directed a circular to the people, in which -he strongly appealed to their patriotism and conscience. This measure -induced the disaffected to return to their duty. The leader of the -sedition acknowledged his error, and by his subsequent good conduct -fully redeemed his character. - -A faithful history of the colony would furnish, at intervals, a dark -shady as well as a sunny side. The friends of the cause are prone to -exaggerate its success, while its enemies regard the colored race, -judging them in their condition when in contact with the whites, to be -incapable of developing the mind and character, which, under their own -independent government, is now manifested. - -Early in February, 1824, a vessel arrived, after a short passage, with -one hundred and five emigrants in good condition. - -Mr. Ashmun had heard nothing from the board for some time after the -departure of Dr. Ayres; and finding his health beginning to fail, -and that his services had been received with calumny instead of -approbation, he applied to be relieved from the service of the board. -After making this application, he appointed Elijah Johnson to act as -agent during his absence, and proceeded to the Cape Verde Islands in -the hope of recruiting his health, and finding some government vessel -at that place. - -The navy department, on application by the society, ordered the U. S. -schooner Porpoise, Lieutenant Commandant Skinner, with the Rev. R. -R. Gurley, to proceed to the coast of Africa. These gentlemen were -appointed by the government and society to examine into the affairs -of the colony, and into the reports in circulation prejudicial to the -agent. The Porpoise reached the Cape Verde Islands soon after Mr. -Ashmun’s arrival there; and he returned with the commissioners to the -colony. As the result of communications received by the board from the -commissioners, Messrs. Skinner and Gurley, a resolution was passed, -completely exonerating Mr. Ashmun from the calumnious charges which had -been made against him, and expressing their cordial approbation of his -conduct. - -The commissioners, on the conclusion of their investigation, deeply -impressed with the zeal and ability of Mr. Ashmun, left him in charge -of the colony as formerly. But previously to the reception of the -report of the commissioners, and of the resolution above noticed, -that body had appointed Dr. John W. Peaco, already selected as the -agent of the government, to be their agent also. On the 25th of April, -after their acquittal of Mr. Ashmun, they modified this resolution by -reappointing him colonial agent, requesting and authorizing Dr. Peaco -to give assistance and support to Mr. Ashmun in the fulfilment of his -duties, and to assume the charge of those duties, in case of “the -absence, inability, or death of Mr. Ashmun.” - -At the suggestion of the commissioners, a greater share in the -government of the colony was conferred on the people. The general -consequence of these proceedings was, that comparative tranquillity and -energy prevailed. - -Mr. Ashmun had made the important acquisition of the rich tract of -land, afterwards the location of the settlement on the St. Paul’s -River, extending twenty miles into the interior, and of unequalled -fertility. The colony now seemed to be emerging from the difficulties -which often had threatened its very existence. Four day-schools, -in addition to the Sunday-schools, were in operation; two churches -had been erected; a religious influence more generally pervaded the -community; the acclimating fever was becoming less fatal; many of the -colonists preferred the climate to that of the United States; they were -living in comparative comfort. In addition to the rich tract of country -lying on St. Paul’s River, the right of occupancy was obtained at Young -Cesters and Grand Bassa. The adjoining tribes regarded the colonists -so favorably as to desire to come partially under their jurisdiction; -and sixty of their children were adopted as children of the colony. A -Spanish slave-factory, near Monrovia, was destroyed, and the slaves -recaptured and freed by the colonists. - -At Tradetown, there were three slave-factories, guarded by two armed -vessels, with crews of thirty men each, besides twenty men, mostly -Spaniards, well armed, on shore. On the 9th of April, the Columbian -man-of-war schooner “San Jacinto,” Captain Chase, arrived at Monrovia, -and offered to co-operate with Mr. Ashmun and Dr. Peaco for the purpose -of breaking up this slave establishment. The offer was accepted; and -Mr. Ashmun, accompanied by Captain Cochran, of the “Indian Chief,” -who gallantly volunteered his services, with two companies of the -colonial militia, embarked in the San Jacinto for Tradetown. There they -fortunately found the Columbian man-of-war-brig “El Vincendor,” Captain -Cottrell, mounting twelve guns; which vessel had, the same afternoon, -captured one of the slave-vessels, the brigantine Teresa. Captain -Cottrell united his forces with the others. - -On the following morning, while the vessels covered the landing, they -pulled for the shore, through a passage of not more than five or six -fathoms wide, lined on both sides with rocks, and across which, at -times, the surf broke furiously, endangering the boats and the lives of -the assailants. The boat in which were Mr. Ashmun and Captain Cottrell -was capsized in the surf, and a number of men were thrown upon the -rocks. Nothing daunted, although Mr. Ashmun was badly injured, they -made a dash upon the enemy, which was met by a galling fire from the -Spanish slavers. The colonists and their allies rapidly advanced upon -the town, demolished their slight palisades, and before the enemy had -time to rally behind their defences, forced them to retreat, in great -confusion, into the jungle. - -As soon as the colonists found themselves in quiet possession of the -town, Mr. Ashmun demanded from King West the delivery of all the -slaves belonging to the factories. The king was told that if this was -not complied with, not a vestige of Tradetown should be left. On the -same day the Kroomen of King West brought in thirty or forty slaves, -evidently the refuse of those which they held. - -The natives, notwithstanding, collected, and, in conjunction with the -Spaniards, continued to rush out occasionally from the jungle and -direct their fire upon the invaders. The surgeon of the San Jacinto -was badly wounded, and several of the colonists slightly. A peaceable -settlement was now impossible. On the 12th, after the recaptured slaves -had been sent on board, the town was fired, and at three o’clock all -were embarked. The explosion of two hundred kegs of powder consummated -the destruction of Tradetown. - -The annihilation of Tradetown and of the slave-factories was a severe -blow to the traffic, which was felt as far south as the Bight of Benin. -It convinced the slave-traders that their commerce was insecure, -inasmuch as a powerful enemy to their crimes had gained a permanent -establishment on the coast. - -Here is developed an influence for the suppression of the most -atrocious commerce which has ever existed. The writer, however, by no -means concurs in opinion with the zealous friends of colonization, -that the slave-trade can be suppressed on the entire coast of Africa -by Liberia alone. Yet it is an established fact that within her -jurisdiction of six hundred miles of sea-coast and thirty miles inland, -it has been effectually extirpated. - -At this period many piratical vessels, well armed, were hovering about -the coast. A brig from Portland, and a schooner from Baltimore, were -robbed of a large amount of specie, by a vessel mounting twelve guns, -manned principally by Spaniards. Scarcely an American merchant vessel -had, for a year or more, been on the coast as low down as 6° North, -without suffering either insult or plunder from these vessels. Mr. -Ashmun then erected a battery for the protection of vessels at anchor, -while he represented to the Secretary of the Navy the necessity of -the constant presence of a man-of-war on the African coast for the -protection of legal commerce. - -Five of the most important stations from Cape Mount to Tradetown, one -hundred and fifty miles, now belonged to the colony by purchase or -perpetual lease, and all Europeans were excluded, or attempted to be, -from possessions within their limits. On the 18th of August, Dr. Peaco -was compelled from ill health to return to the United States. - -The native chiefs not unfrequently proposed to the colonists to aid -them in their wars, promising as an inducement the whole of the enemy’s -country. This was of course declined, on the ground that the colony -was established for the benefit, and not for the destruction of their -neighbors; and that their military means were sacred to the purpose of -self-defence. The kings were now favorable to the colony, and began to -appreciate the benefits of legal trade. - -The U. S. schooner _Shark_, and the U. S. sloop-of-war _Ontario_, -arrived on the coast during the year 1827, and besides affording aid -to the colony, rendered good service towards the suppression of the -slave-trade. - -A reinforcement of emigrants was received; the school system -reorganized and put in comparatively efficient condition, under the -superintendence of the Rev. G. M’Gill, a colored teacher. The schools -were all taught by colored people: the number of scholars amounted to -two hundred and twenty-seven, of whom forty-five were natives. The -native children belonged to the principal men in the adjoining country. - -The Chief of Cape Mount, fifty-two miles N. E. from Cape Mesurado, -entered into stipulations with the colonial government to establish -a large factory for legal trade between it and the interior. The land -north of the St. John’s River, about sixty miles southeast of Cape -Mesurado, was ceded to the colonists. In this extent of territory there -were eight eligible sites, upon which comfortable settlements have been -founded. Four schooners were built. The colony was mainly supported -by its own industry. The life of this industry was, however, rather -in trade and commerce than in agriculture, the fact being overlooked -that men ought to seek in the latter the sources of their prosperity. -Liberia has suffered from the want of steady agricultural effort. -Industry like that of our Puritan fathers in New England, would, -with the Liberian soil and climate, have prevented the recurrence of -difficulty, and produced uninterrupted abundance. - -On leaving Liberia, the commander of the “Ontario” permitted eight -of his crew, colored men, to remain, furnishing them with a valuable -collection of seeds, obtained in the Mediterranean and up the -Archipelago. On his arrival in the United States, the captain bore -testimony to the encouraging prospects of the colony, and its salutary -influence over the native tribes. - -Mr. Ashmun’s health failing from excessive labors in the administration -of the government, he was seized in July, 1828, with a violent fever, -and having been advised by his surgeon that a return to the United -States afforded the only hope of his recovery, he left Africa on the -twenty-fifth of March, 1828, and reached New Haven, where he died on -the twenty-fifth of August. Of Ashmun it may be said, that he united -the qualities of a hero and statesman. He found the colony on the -brink of extinction: he left it in peace and prosperity. He trained a -people who were unorganized and disunited, to habits of discipline and -self-reliance; and to crown his character, when death approached, he -met it with that unshaken hope of a blissful immortality, which the -true Christian alone can experience. - -The remains of this honored martyr to the cause of African colonization -repose in the cemetery at New Haven. At his funeral the Rev. Dr. Bacon, -preaching a sermon from the text, “To what purpose is this waste,” said: - -“Who asks to what purpose is this waste? He is not dead to usefulness. -His works still live. The light which he has kindled shall yet cheer -nations unborn. His influence shall never die. What parent would -exchange the memory of such a departed son, for the embrace of any -living one! I would that we could stand together on the promontory -of Cape Mesurado, and see what has been accomplished by those toils -and exposures, which have cost this man his life. Years and ages -hence, when the African mother shall be able to sit with her children -under the shade of her native palm, without trembling in fear of the -man-stealer and murderer, she will speak his name with thankfulness to -God.” - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - - LOT CAREY--DR. RANDALL--ESTABLISHMENT OF THE LIBERIA HERALD--WARS - WITH THE DEYS--SLOOP-OF-WAR “JOHN ADAMS”--DIFFICULTIES OF THE - GOVERNMENT--CONDITION OF THE SETTLERS. - - -From the hands of Mr. Ashmun, the government of the colony devolved -upon the Rev. Lot Carey, whom necessity and the claims of humanity made -a physician and a governor. Such education as he could obtain when -a slave, terminated in his becoming a Baptist preacher. The colony -was more indebted to him than to any other man, except Ashmun, for -its memorable defence in 1822. During the few months of Dr. Carey’s -administration, the affairs of the colony were prosperous. His death -was caused, with that of eight others, by an explosion, while filling -cartridges in the old agency-house. Mr. Waring was elected to supply -the vacancy occasioned by Carey’s decease. - -The society appointed Dr. Richard Randall as successor to Ashmun, who, -accompanied by Dr. Mechlin, the colored surgeon, arrived in December, -1828, and assumed the supervision of the colony. Dr. Randall possessed -great firmness of purpose, and benevolence of disposition, superadded -to extensive scientific knowledge. He had been a surgeon in the army, -and afterwards filled the chair of chemistry in Columbia College. But -his death, in four months after his arrival on the coast, deprived the -colonists of his invaluable services. The agency then devolved upon Dr. -Mechlin. - -In the following year, Dr. Anderson, appointed colonial physician and -assistant agent, arrived with sixty emigrants. An emigrant vessel -brought ninety recaptured slaves. She had sailed, the year previous, in -charge of a captain who made a direct course for Monrovia, instead of -keeping his northing until striking the northeast trades; and, after -being at sea ninety days, was compelled to put back. Dr. Mechlin was -induced, from ill health, to return to the United States, when the -government devolved upon Dr. Anderson, who soon afterwards died, and -A. D. Williams, the vice-agent, temporarily filled the vacancy. The -schools, at this period, were sadly in want of competent teachers, -which were partially supplied on the arrival of five Christian -missionaries from Switzerland. The arrival of two more emigrant vessels -and two missionaries from the United States, had a favorable influence -on the colony. - -The _Liberia Herald_, established the year previous, announced -eighteen arrivals and the sailing of fourteen vessels in one month. In -December, it says: “The beach is lined with Liberians of all ages, -from twelve to fifty years, eager in the pursuit of traffic, and in -the acquisition of camwood; and it is astonishing what little time is -necessary to qualify, even the youngest, to drive as hard a bargain as -any roving merchant from the land of steady habits, with his assortment -of tin-ware, nutmegs, books, or dry-goods. Here the simile ends; for -it is to be wished that our Liberians would follow their prototype -in the mother country throughout, and be as careful in keeping as -acquiring. The Liberian is certainly a great man; and, what is more, -by the natives he is considered a white man, though many degrees from -that stand; for to be thought acquainted with the white man’s fashions, -and to be treated as one, are considered as marks of great distinction -among the Bassa and other nations.” The amount of exports had reached -the sum of eighty-nine thousand dollars. - -Piracy still continued rife. There was no American squadron then on the -coast. The schooner Mesurado was captured off Cape Mount, and all hands -put to death. But while the native commerce was thus exposed and almost -destroyed, the colony was extending its limits. The petty kings offered -to come under its jurisdiction, on condition that settlers should be -placed upon their lands, and schools established for the benefit of the -native children. - -The arrivals of emigrants became more frequent: six hundred being added -to the colony during one year. These suffered comparatively little in -the acclimating process. - -In the year 1832, the colonists were again called to take the field -against the Deys and a combination of other tribes. Several slaves -had escaped, and sought protection in the colony; upon which the -settlements at Caldwell and Mills were threatened with destruction. -A brisk action, of half an hour, resulted in favor of the Liberians. -This victory made an impression on the minds of the natives favorable -to the future peace of the settlers. The chiefs who had been conquered -appeared in Monrovia, and signed a treaty of peace, guaranteeing that -traders from the interior should be allowed a free passage through -their territories. The agent received a significant message from his -old friend, King Boatswain, stating, that had he known of the hostility -of the chiefs, it would have been unnecessary for the colonists to have -marched against them. - -Captain Voorhees, of the U. S. sloop-of-war _John Adams_, on his -homeward-bound passage from the Mediterranean, in a letter to the -Secretary of the Navy, reported favorably of the condition in which he -found the colony. - -In January, 1834, the Rev. J. B. Pinney, as colonial agent, and -Dr. G. P. Todsen, as physician, with nine missionaries, arrived -at Monrovia, and were formally received by the civil and military -officers, and uniform companies. Mr. Pinney, in entering upon the -duties of his office, found many abuses, which he promptly corrected. -He resurveyed the lands; repaired the public buildings; satisfied the -public creditors; and extinguished the jealousy between two tribes -of recaptured Africans, by allowing each to elect its own officers. -After a short and efficient administration, he was compelled, from ill -health, to retire, when the agency devolved on Dr. Skinner. - -The Liberia Herald, in 1835, was edited by Hilary Teage, a colored man, -who was one of the small party first settled at Cape Mesurado. Mr. -Teage filled various public offices of trust and emolument. He made an -argument before the General Assembly in a divorce case, in 1851 (when -the Perry was at Monrovia), for beauty of diction and sound logic -seldom surpassed. The August number of the Herald states: “On the 9th -instant, the brig Louisa arrived from Norfolk, Virginia, with forty-six -emigrants, thirty-eight of whom are recaptured Africans, principally, -we believe, from the Nunez and Pargos. They are a strolling people. A -number of their countrymen, and among them some acquaintances, have -found their way to this settlement: they were hailed by their redeemed -brethren with the most extravagant expressions of joy.” - -From January to September there were nine arrivals of emigrants, which -produced a great sensation among the native tribes: they gravely came -to the conclusion that rice had given out in America, and suggested -to the colonists to send word for the people to plant more, “or black -man will have no place for set down.” Dr. Skinner, suffering from ill -health, returned to the United States, and the government devolved on -A. D. Williams, the vice-agent. - -The revenue from imports had disappeared to an extent which the -vouchers of the disbursing officers did not explain. The editor of the -Herald, after noticing the excitement at that period in the United -States, on the passage of the “Sub-Treasury Law,” quaintly remarked -that “their treasury was all sub.” - -In the year 1837, the Mississippi Society established its new -settlement, Greenville, on the Sinoe River. There were, therefore, -at this period in Liberia: Monrovia, under the American Colonization -Society; Bassa Cove, of the New York and Pennsylvania Societies; -Greenville, of the Mississippi Society; and Cape Palmas, of the -Maryland Society. These contained ten or twelve towns, and between four -and five thousand emigrants. - -Here was a mass of conflicting or disconnected organizations, with -separate sources of authority, and separate systems of management; -without common head or common spirit. Each colony was isolated amid -encompassing barbarism, and far more likely, if left to itself, to fall -back under the power of that which surrounded it, than to establish -good policy or civilization among any portion of the savage African -communities with which they were brought in contact. It was anticipated -that intercourse and example, and the temptation of profit, would make -them slavers; and it was said that they were so. This, although untrue, -was perhaps only prevented by a change; for it now became evident, -that the existing state of things was unsuitable and dangerous to the -objects contemplated. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - - THE COMMONWEALTH OF LIBERIA--THOMAS H. BUCHANAN--VIEWS OF - DIFFERENT PARTIES--DETACHED CONDITION OF THE COLONY--NECESSITY OF - UNION--ESTABLISHMENT OF A COMMONWEALTH--USE OF THE AMERICAN FLAG - IN THE SLAVE-TRADE--“EUPHRATES”--SLOOP “CAMPBELL”--SLAVERS AT - BASSA--EXPEDITION AGAINST THEM--CONFLICT--GALLINAS. - - -Thomas H. Buchanan, afterwards governor of Liberia when it became a -commonwealth, had reached Africa, in 1836, as agent of the New York -and Pennsylvania Societies, and had acquired great experience, in -establishing and superintending, during two years, the settlement at -the Bassa country. - -He had thus time to appreciate the condition of things around him, -before he was called to the prominent station which he adorned as -the first governor of the commonwealth. It needed a keen eye to see -light, if any was to be got at all, through the wretched entanglement -of interests, vices, associations, colonies, jurisdictions of natives -and foreigners, which then existed. It needed great tact, and a strong -hand, to bring any thing like order out of such confusion. - -The United States had at least three associations at work, besides that -of Maryland, each with its own little colony, established in such -spots as chance seems to have directed. These occupied three districts -of a tolerably definite character. There was the original settlement -at Cape Mesurado, with a wing stretching to the north, so as to rest -on the expanded lagoon at Cape Mount, and another wing dipping into -the Junk River at the south. This was in a measure “the empire state,” -containing Monrovia, the capital, and several agricultural villages -around it; but the Monrovians and their fellow-colonists were not, on -the whole, much given to agricultural pursuits. They were shrewd at -driving a trade, and liked better to compete for some gallons of palm -oil, or sticks of camwood, than to be doing their duty to their fields -and gardens. They had, besides, the politics and the military concerns -of the nation to supervise, and were called upon to adjust claims with -the neighboring settlements. The Bassa Cove villages, constituting the -second district, were settling down and strengthening, after their -visitation of violence and rapacity from the natives. Sinoe, the -third district, with its fine river and rich lands, had received the -settlement at Greenville, then flourishing. These two latter bore a -very ill-defined relation to the older station at Monrovia, and to each -other. There were in the territories claimed by all of them as having -passed justly and by amicable means under their jurisdiction, various -native tribes, with their kings and half kings; sometimes wise enough -to see the advantages offered to them; sometimes pre-eminently wise -in having stipulated, that in return for the territory they gave up, -schools should be provided to teach them “sense,” “book;” sometimes -sorely perplexed by the new state of things, and always sorely tempted -by strong habits, and by people at hand to take advantage of them. - -It is to be remarked that between these three settlements there were -two intervals of sea-coast, each about one hundred miles, which were -foreign in regard to the colonies. There were also battle-fields, -where slavers afloat and slavers ashore, with the occasional help of -a pirate, and the countenance of Spain and Portugal, were ready to -resist colonial authority, and even to withstand the opposition which -they might encounter from cruisers and other sources. There were honest -traders, also; that is, those who were honest as things went there, -dropping their anchor everywhere as they could get purchasers for their -rum and gunpowder. Nor had European powers yet made up their minds how -the colonies and their claims were to be treated. - -The necessity of union was a clear case to every man, and Buchanan -prepared himself to accomplish it. The Bassa Cove people entertained -sentiments not very conciliatory towards the Monrovians. The -Mississippi people of Sinoe might come under suspicion next, and no -one could imagine how far the evil would extend. - -This state of things was clearly understood among the friends of the -American Colonization Society and of the State societies, and the -corrective was applied. A committee, comprising the names of Charles -F. Mercer, Samuel L. Southard, Matthew St. Clair Clark, and Elisha -Whittlesey, met at Washington, and drew up a common constitution for -the colonies. Mr. Whittlesey moved, and the motion was adopted, “That -no white man should become a landholder in Liberia,” and that full -rights of citizenship should be enjoyed by colored men alone. Political -suffrage was extended to all adult males, and slavery was absolutely -prohibited. - -This constitution divided the territory into two provinces or counties, -and having been acceded to and acted on by the different colonies, -superseded and abolished the political relations of the separate -establishments to the associations which had preceded it. - -The American Colonization Society retained the right to disapprove, -or veto, the acts of the local legislature. This last particular, -as an indication of national dependence, was the characteristic -distinguishing the commonwealth from the republic subsequently -established. - -The emancipation of the negroes under the English government was now -taking effect. The United States government were beginning to realize -the expediency of keeping permanently a naval force on the west coast -of Africa; and notwithstanding difficulties and apprehensions resting -gloomily on the future, Governor Buchanan, on landing with the new -constitution, at Monrovia, on the first of April, 1839, seems to have -inaugurated a new era for the African race. - -He arrived with a full supply of guns and ammunition, furnished mostly -from the navy department, besides a large quantity of agricultural -implements, and a sugar-mill. The constitution was at once approved by -the Monrovians, and in course of time it was accepted by the entire -three colonies. - -A firm stand was taken against the slave-trade, and the governor -succeeded in getting the legislature at Monrovia and the people to back -him in efforts to suppress it. His indignant appeals and strong-handed -measures had their effect in turning the attention of our government -to the use of the American flag in the slave-trade as a protection -from British cruisers. Hear him: “The chief obstacle to the success -of the very active measures pursued by the British government for -the suppression of the slave-trade on the coast, is the _American -flag_. Never was the proud banner of freedom so extensively used by -those pirates upon liberty and humanity as at this season.” He did -not stop at words. An American schooner named the _Euphrates_, which -had been boarded fifteen times, and three times sent to Sierra Leone, -and escaped condemnation on account of her nationality, was brought -into Monrovia by a British cruiser, and instantly seized by Governor -Buchanan, for the purpose of sending her to the United States for -trial, on suspicion of being engaged in the slave-trade. - -It may here be remarked that not only this vessel, but the American -sloop “_Campbell_” was also detained, and taken to Governor Buchanan, -under similar circumstances. These proceedings were in direct violation -of our doctrine as to the inviolability of American vessels by -foreign interference; and he had no right to authorize or connive at -English cruisers interfering in any degree with such vessels. These -circumstances, together with the report of Governor Buchanan, that “The -Euphrates is one of a number of vessels, whose names I have forwarded -as engaged in the slave-trade, under American colors,” will show the -extent to which the American flag has been used in the traffic; and to -those who have patriotism and humanity enough to vindicate the rights -of that flag against foreign authority, and resist its prostitution -to the slave-trade, it will conclusively prove the necessity of a -well-appointed American squadron being permanently stationed on the -west coast of Africa. - -The Euphrates being placed in the hands of Governor Buchanan, who -had resolved on sending her to the United States for trial, was made -available in a crisis when she proved of singular service as a reformed -criminal against her old trade. - -A Spanish slaver had established himself at Little Bassa, within fifty -miles of the capital. The governor prohibited the purchase of slaves, -and ordered the Spaniard off. This he disregarded. An Englishman, in -the character of a legal trader, sided with the Spaniard. The governor, -on Monday, the 22nd of July, dispatched a force of one hundred men -by land to dislodge the slavers and destroy the barracoons. The -respectability, or the safety of the colony, which is the same thing, -in its dealings with the mass of corrupted barbarians with which it was -begirt, required summary measures. Three small schooners were sent down -the coast with ammunition to assist the land force at Little Bassa. A -fresh southerly wind, however, prevented these vessels from reaching -their destination, leaving the land forces in a perilous predicament. -Affairs looked gloomy at Monrovia as the schooners returned, after -beating in vain for sixty hours. - -At this juncture the schooner Euphrates, which had been seized as -a slaver, was put in requisition. Being supplied with arms and -ammunition, the governor himself, in three hours after the return of -the vessels, was aboard, and the schooner sailed for the scene of -action. Being a _clipper_, she soon beat down the coast, and anchored -before daylight off Little Bassa. On the morning of the fifth day after -the colonial force had marched, a canoe was sent ashore to ascertain -the state of things. The rapid daybreak showed that there was work -to be done; for as the barracoon, standing in its little patch of -clearance in the forest, became distinguishable, the discharge of -musketry from without, replied to from within, showed plainly that -beleaguering and beleaguered parties, whoever they might be, had -watched through the night, to renew their interrupted strife in the -morning. - -It was a surprise to both parties, to find a well-known slaver at hand, -and ready to take a part in the fray. The governor learned by the canoe -on its return, that the colonists had seized and were holding the -barracoon against the slavers and the chiefs, with the whole hue and -cry of the country in arms to help them. These naturally hailed the -Euphrates as an ally; and Buchanan foresaw the certainty of a fatal -mistake on the part of his people, in case he should land and attempt -to march up the beach, with the men he had, under the fire which, -without some explanation, would be drawn upon him from the palisades of -the barracoon. - -In this emergency, an American sailor volunteered to convey the -necessary intelligence to the besieged. In pulling off in the Kroomen’s -canoe, he necessarily became the object of attention and mistake to -both parties. The besiegers rushed down to meet him with a friendly -greeting, while Elijah Johnson sent a party to intercept him as an -enemy. The sailor’s bearing showed both parties, almost simultaneously, -that they were wrong. The enemy, who had seized him, were charged by -the colonists. A fellow, grasping a knife to stab him, was knocked down -by a shot; the sailor was rescued, and taken into the barracoon. - -Buchanan, aware how this would engage the attention of the combatants, -had taken the men with him in the two small boats, and was pulling for -the shore. The governor’s boat capsized in the surf, but with no other -harm than a ducking, he made his way safely to the barracoon. A brisk -fight continued for some time; but, at meridian the day following, -the indefatigable governor had embarked with the goods seized; and he -returned to Monrovia for a fresh supply of ammunition. On his reaching -again the scene of action, the refractory chiefs were persuaded to -submit. With three of the slavers as prisoners, and about a dozen -liberated slaves, he then returned to the capital. - -At this period, the Gallinas, at the north of which the Sherboro Island -shuts in the wide mouth of the river of the same name, was a den of -thieves. Cesters, at the south, was not much better. Governor Buchanan -was compelled to lean on the support of the British cruisers. In -fact, it is obvious that Liberia could not have been founded earlier -than it was, except it had been sustained by some such authority, or -directly by that of the United States. An older and firmer condition -of the slave-trade influence would have crushed it in its birth. A -few of the lawless ruffians, with their well-armed vessels, who once -frequented this coast, could easily have done this. For want of an -American squadron, the governor assumed an authority to which he was -not entitled. - -Every thing was reduced to a regular mercantile system in carrying on -the slave-trade. We have the schooner “Hugh Boyle,” from New York, with -a crew of nine American citizens, coming to the coast, and having as -passengers a crew of ten “citizens of the world,” or from somewhere -else. She is American, with an American crew and papers, until she gets -her slaves on board; then her American citizens become passengers, and -the “citizens of the world” take their place as the crew, till she gets -her slaves into Cuba. - -Governor Buchanan, in one of his dispatches, dated November 6th, -1839, writes: “When at Sierra Leone, I visited a small schooner of -one hundred and twenty tons, which was just brought in, with _four -hundred and twenty-seven_ slaves on board; and of all scenes of misery -I ever saw, this was most overpowering. My cheek tingled with shame -and indignation, when I was told that the same vessel, the _Mary -Cushing_, had come on the coast, and was sailed for some time under -American colors. When taken, the American captain was on board. He had -not arrived when I left Sierra Leone, but the governor, at my instance, -promised to send him down here, and deliver him up to me, to be sent to -the United States. Is there any hope that our government will hang him?” - -It is a question whether Buchanan had, as the agent of a private -association, or the agent of the government for recaptured Africans, -any right to seize the goods of British traders, or hold in custody -the persons of Americans. But the governor was a man for the time and -circumstances, as, taking “the responsibility,” he determined to do -right, and let the law of nations look out for itself. - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - - BUCHANAN’S ADMINISTRATION CONTINUED--DEATH OF KING BOATSWAIN--WAR - WITH GAYTUMBA--ATTACK ON HEDDINGTON--EXPEDITION OF BUCHANAN AGAINST - GAYTUMBA--DEATH OF BUCHANAN--HIS CHARACTER. - - -When a frontier rests on a savage territory, a “good look out” must be -kept there, and upon every thing beyond it, as the Hollander watches -his dykes and the sea. Liberia had to watch an early ally and friend -of very equivocal character, already known as King Boatswain. He had -founded a new Rome, like Romulus, of ragamuffins. He had made a kind of -pet of Liberia, and perhaps intended to give up slaving, and take to -better courses. Nothing better, however, came in his way, till all his -courses ended. - -The death of Boatswain, whose tribe was of his own creation, was -followed by confusion among them. Gaytumba, an unscrupulous and ready -man, with the assistance of Gotera, succeeded to the chief share of -influence in the tribe. The Deys, from whom the colonial territory had -been purchased, were near neighbors, and most convenient subjects for -the slave-trade. An assault was accordingly made, and many secured. -A small remnant of the tribe took refuge in the colony; and Gaytumba, -not seeing any reason why they should not be caught and sold under -colonial protection, as well as elsewhere, many were seized within the -jurisdiction of the commonwealth. - -The northern region was thus black with danger, and the vast woods -which surrounded the settlements on the St. Paul’s, became suspicious -as a wild, unknown source of difficulty. There was uneasy watchfulness -for months; and such preparations as circumstances would admit, were -made for resistance. The storm fell on Heddington, a village at the -extreme north of the settlements. - -A messenger sent to negotiate had been seized and put to death, and no -mercy was to be expected. All hands were on the alert. Twenty muskets, -which had been provided for the settlement, were prudently kept by the -missionary, Mr. Brown, ready loaded in the upper story of his house, -which had around it a fence of pickets. Two carpenters were at the -time inmates of the dwelling: their names deserve record, for they, -Zion Harris and Demery, constituted, with the missionary, the entire -force at the point of approach. Suddenly, in the morning before the men -began their work, they heard the yelling and crashing of three or four -hundred savages through the bushes. - -This was Gaytumba’s tribe: Gotera was at their head, bringing with him -a pot to cook the missionary for his next repast. Harris and Demery -placed themselves quietly at the fence, confronting the negroes as -they came straggling in a mass, expecting no resistance, and exposing -themselves amid the low green leaves of a cassada patch. The two men -fired into the thickest of them, and Mr. Brown commenced a destructive -slaughter with his muskets overhead. As the mass heaved backwards and -forwards, a furious return of musketry, arrows, and spears was made. -Gotera, with some skill, disentangled himself with a band of resolute -men, broke through the pickets at one end, and came upon Harris, -standing defenceless, with his musket just discharged. He toned to -grasp a hatchet, as a last resource, but fortunately caught a musket, -which a wounded colonist, in running for shelter, had placed against -the pickets, and lodged its contents in Gotera’s breast. The death -of their chief was the signal for a general retreat. But ashamed and -indignant at not having secured the dead body, they attempted by a rush -to recover it, and were again and again driven back, till they utterly -despaired, and disappeared. This strange episode of war lasted an hour -and twenty minutes. - -The forest recovered its suspicious character from the prowling and -threatening of the enemy spread through it; and there were reports of -the gathering of more distant tribes to join Gaytumba, to make the -work of destruction sure by an overwhelming rush upon the settlements. - -The governor, full of warlike foresight, saw the remedy for this -state of things; and, after screwing up the courage of his people, -he planned an expedition against Gaytumba in his own den. For this -purpose, a force of two hundred effective men, with a field-piece and -a body of followers, assembled at Millsburg, on the St. Paul’s River. -About thirty miles from this, by the air line, in the swampy depths -of the forest, was the point aimed at. Many careful arrangements were -necessary to baffle spies, and keep the disaffected at bay during this -desperate incursion, which the governor was about to make into the -heart of the enemy’s country. The fine conception had this redeeming -characteristic, that it was quite beyond the enemy’s understanding. - -The force left Millsburg on Friday, 27th of March. Swamps and thickets -soon obliged him to leave the gun behind. Through heavy rains, drenched -and weary, they made their way, without any other resistance, to a -bivouac in an old deserted town. Starting at daylight next morning, -they forced their way through flooded streams and ponds, “in mud up to -their knees, and water up to the waist.” After a halt at ten o’clock, -and three hours’ march subsequently, they learnt that the enemy had -become aware of their movements, and was watching them. About six -miles from their destination, after floundering through the mud of a -deep ravine, followed by a weary pull up a long hill, a sharp turn -brought them in front of a rude barricade of felled trees. A fire -of musketry from it brought to the ground Captain Snetter, of the -riflemen, who was in advance of his men. The men made a dash on the -enemy so suddenly that soon nobody was in front of them. The line moved -on without stopping, and met only a straggling fire here and there, as -they threaded their narrow path through the bushes in single file. A -few men were wounded in this disheartening march. At length those in -advance came to a halt before the fortress, and the rear closed up. -There the line was extended, and the party advanced in two divisions. -The place was a kind of square, palisaded inclosure, having outside -cleared patches here and there, intermingled with clumps of brush. - -The assailants were received with a sharp fire from swivels and -muskets, which was warmly returned. Buchanan ordered Roberts (the -present president) to lead a reserved company round from the left, so -as to take in reverse the face attacked. This so confounded Gaytumba’s -garrison that they retreated, leaving every thing behind. The hungry -colonists became their successors at the simmering cooking-pots. -So rapid had the onslaught been, that the second division did not -reach in time to take a hand in it. The operation was thus completely -successful, with the ultimate loss of only two men. - -The place was burnt, and a lesson given, which established beyond all -future challenge, the power of civilization on that coast. The banks -of the St. Paul’s River, with its graceful meanderings, palm-covered -islands, and glorious basin spreading round into the eastward expanse -of the interior, were secured for the habitations of peace and -prosperity. - -Great and corresponding energy was displayed by Buchanan in civil -concerns. The legislature passed an act that every district should -have a free school. Rules and regulations were established for the -treatment of apprentices, or recaptured Africans not able to take -care of themselves. Provision was made for paupers in the erection of -almshouses, with schools of manual labor attached. The great point -was, that the people had begun to be the government; and there, among -colored men, it was shown that human nature has capacity for its -highest ends on earth, and that there is no difficulty or mystery in -governing society, which men of common sense and common honesty cannot -overcome. - -Buchanan died in harness. Drenching, travelling and over-exertion, -brought on a fever when far from the means of relief. He expired on -the 3d of September, 1841, in the government house at Bassa. Then -and there was a remarkable man withdrawn from the work of the world. -Ever through his administration he illustrated the motto of his heart: -“The work is God’s to which I go, and is worthy of all sacrifice.” The -narrative already given is his _character_ and his eulogium. His deeds -need no explanatory words--they have a voice to tell their own tale. - -The blow given to King Boatswain’s successor, Gaytumba, nearly -obliterated the predatory horde which he had collected: they were -scarcely heard of afterwards. A small portion of them seem to have -migrated northwards, so as to hang on the skirts of more settled -tribes, and carry on still, to a small extent, the practice of -slaving and murder, to which they had been accustomed. The Fishmen -tribe still continued to raise some disturbance. Certain points on -the sea-coast gave great uneasiness; these points were the haunts of -slavers. Merchant traders, at least some of them, came peddling along, -establishing temporary factories for the disposal of their goods, and -not unfrequently having an understanding with the slavers for their -mutual benefit. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - - ROBERTS GOVERNOR--DIFFICULTIES WITH ENGLISH TRADERS--POSITION OF - LIBERIA IN RESPECT TO ENGLAND--CASE OF THE “JOHN SEYES”--OFFICIAL - CORRESPONDENCE OF EVERETT AND UPSHUR--TROUBLE ON THE - COAST--REFLECTIONS. - - -Transactions growing out of the circumstances above mentioned, -became of very grave importance. The rights of different nations to -trade on that coast had been contested in war, and settled in peace, -for centuries. The long Napoleonic wars had thrown possessions and -commerce, all along the coast, into the hands of England; and in -restoring forts and factories to different nations, the intention -seems to have been, to let every thing, with the exception of the -slave-trade, revert to its old fashion. At existing factories, parties -were allowed to conduct their trade in their own way, and to exercise -whatever competing influence they could gain with the native powers to -forward their purposes. Comparatively few of the old establishments -were preserved. Everywhere else the coast had become free to all -traders; it being understood that no one was entitled to use measures -of force to the injury of others. - -If a private company of merchants in France, for instance, had taken -possession of a part of the coast, driven off other traders, or seized -and confiscated their goods, because they refused to pay such duties -as the company chose to levy, the matter undoubtedly would have led -to national complaint, and to correspondence between governments. If -France disavowed all concern in these transactions, reparation would -have been sought for by force. Governor Buchanan’s zeal therefore -sometimes outran his discretion, in the outcry he made against the -English Government, for resisting his interferences with their -subjects, when these men were acting on practices of very venerable -antiquity, or making arrangements with the natives identical with those -which he, as the Agent of the American Colonization Society, was making. - -Edina, in the Bassa country, for instance, had been the resort of -vessels of all nations. Private factories, for trading in ivory, palm -oil, &c., were there in 1826: such places were assumed to be open -ground, on which the same might occur again, or were common property. -Such had been the case on almost every point occupied by the Liberian -Government: hence the levying of duties and the establishment of -monopolies were resisted by English traders. - -England was bound to defend the property of her subjects, or to -compensate them for the loss of it, if this occurred through the -neglect of the government. And it no doubt appeared very strange to -Great Britain, that an association of Americans should claim a right to -profit by duties levied on her vessels, when there was no government -responsible for their acts. - -From the feeling to which these transactions had given rise, it -was inferred that something in the shape of reprisals was intended -by the seizure of the “John Seyes,” a colonial schooner. But this -ground was abandoned, by admitting the vessel to trial before the -vice-admiralty court, at Sierra Leone, on suspicion of being engaged in -the slave-trade. Of this there does not appear to have been evidence -justifying even a shadow of suspicion. As the vessel and cargo were, -by these proceedings, really lost to their proprietor, the whole case -offers only the most revolting features of injustice and oppression. -There was then no American squadron on the coast of Africa, to look -after such interests. - -This case, and many others, were in reality very hard and perplexing. -The Liberian was virtually of no country. His government, in the eyes -of national law, was no government. This was an evil and threatening -state of things. The colonial authorities could not do right without -hazard. For it was right to extend their jurisdiction, and regulate -trade, and substitute fixed duties for the old irregular systems of -presents or bribes to the chiefs. But they had not political law on -their side. They had the advantage, however, of a good era in the -world’s history. - -Mr. Everett, the American Minister to England, on this subject had -said, in his note to Lord Aberdeen, 30th of December, 1843: “The -undersigned greatly fears, that if the right of the settlement to act -as an independent political community, and as such to enforce the laws -necessary to its existence and prosperity, be denied by Her Majesty’s -government; and if the naval force of Great Britain be employed in -protecting individual traders in violation of these laws, the effort -will be to aim a fatal blow at its very existence.” - -The British government seemed to consider that a political community -could not act as independent, which neither was in fact, nor professed -to be, independent; and also supposed that it could hardly answer to -its people for acknowledging a right not claimed on a foundation of -fact. But the Lords of the Admiralty gave orders to the Commodore of -the squadron on the coast, for the cruisers off Liberia “to avoid -involving themselves in contentions with the local authorities of -the Liberian settlements upon points of uncertain legality;” and -added, “great caution is recommended to be observed in the degree of -protection granted to British residents, lest, in maintaining the -supposed rights of these residents, the equal or superior rights of -others should be violated.” - -Mr. Upshur, Secretary of State, in his correspondence, announced -that the American government regarded Liberia “as occupying a -peculiar position, and as possessing peculiar claims to the friendly -consideration of all Christian powers.” There was found afterwards -little difficulty in treating the matter, when put in this light. - -In the mean time, circumstances looked very disheartening, when the -government was committed to the hands of Joseph J. Roberts; for upon -the decision of this question with England depended the stability and -progress of the colonies. If they could not control their own shores, -intercept evil, repulse wrong, and foster good; if they could not -expel the contrabandist, secure the native chiefs from being bribed to -slaving and all kinds of evil, there was an end to their progress. - -Looking to the interior concerns, however, there was much that was -promising. Civilization, with its peace, intelligence and high aims, -was rooted in Africa. The living energy of republicanism was there. -Christianity, in various influential forms, was among the people. -Education was advancing, and institutions for public good coming into -operation. Governor Buchanan had, among his last efforts, addressed an -audience in the Lyceum at Monrovia. - -Schools were supporting themselves among the colonists, although, when -established for the benefit of the natives, they were maintained by -missionary associations in the United States. Native hereditary enmity -and faction were yielding perceptibly, in all directions, to the gentle -efficacy of Christian example. All this constituted a great result. - -The physical, material and political resources, or agencies, were -small. A few men, in a distant land, had taken up the subject -of African colonization amidst the sectional strifes, political -controversies and gigantic enterprises of a mighty nation, and held -fast to it. A few, of pre-eminent generosity, surrendered their slaves, -or wealth, or personal endeavors, to forward it. No one could stand on -Cape Mesurado, and see the intermingled churches and houses; the broad -expanses of interior waters, bordered by residences, and see a people -elevated far, very far, to say the least, above those of their color in -other parts of the world, without the consciousness that a great work -was begun. To meet everywhere the dark-browed men of Africa, solely the -governors of it all, indicated a great fact in the history of the negro -race. - -Other movements among men were falling into a correspondence with -these proceedings. A great awakening in regard to Africa was pervading -Europe. The Niger expedition had entered “the valley and shadow of -death,” which extends its fatal circle round the white man as he -penetrates among the wide lagoons, the luxuriant verdure, and sunny -slopes of Africa. The world regarded it as a calamity, when the fatal -consequence of this attempt came to light. Men were willing to continue -the sacrifice of life and treasure, if any prospect of success should -be seen. All entrances, north, south, east and west, were anxiously -scrutinized to see if a safe access could be found leading into the -land of mystery. - -The trade with the west coast was becoming the object of keen -competition. England had for years had her full share, and was grasping -for more; France was straining every nerve, by purchase and otherwise, -as of old, to establish herself commercially there; while the United -States were sending their adventurous traders to pick up what the -change in Africa would develop. Something like an earnest cordial -determination was evinced to abolish the slave-trade, and substitute -for it the pursuits of true and beneficial commerce. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - - ROBERTS’ ADMINISTRATION--EFFORTS IN REFERENCE TO ENGLISH - TRADERS--INTERNAL CONDITION OF LIBERIA--INSUBORDINATION--TREATIES WITH - THE NATIVE KINGS--EXPEDITION TO THE INTERIOR--CAUSES LEADING TO A - DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. - - -The election of Roberts, a colored man, as governor of the commonwealth -of Liberia, totally separated and individualized the African race as -the managers of local affairs, and made, as to internal concerns, all -things their own. He attempted to root out the interlopers, with energy -more patriotic than potent, and stood up strongly for the rights of -his community. He purchased, negotiated, threatened; and in every way -did his best to accomplish the object. It was soon seen, however, that -the termination of Liberian progress as a dependent commonwealth had -arrived, and that a change was indispensable. - -Liberia was, after all, as to its physical means, only a few thousands -of enlightened and determined men, amidst an ocean of barbarism. All -the emigrants were by no means among the enlightened. Some curious -practical difficulties occurred in any political co-operation with -their American brethren. A gang of hard-headed fellows seemed to -think that it was rather a joke, a kind of playing at government, -meaning nothing serious; therefore their respect and obedience to the -constituted authorities were very limited. - -It should never be forgotten, that no change could be greater than that -to which these men were subjected, in coming from countries where no -power, authority, or public respect, could ever rest on their race, to -a country where colored men might exercise dominion, enact laws and -enforce them, and by their personal qualities exact and attain eminence -and respect. The best possible laws are only for the best state of -society, and men must grow to them; otherwise they are only like a -giant’s helmet on a child’s head--more a burden than a defence. - -The Liberians had no laws admitting of imprisonment for debt. There -is no harm in this, where a man has to borrow before he can become a -debtor. But the case is not so easily settled, when roguery is the -source of debt. A man who is fined when he has nothing to pay, laughs -at the judge. So it happened in Liberia, to the embarrassment of the -better class of men. - -Governor Roberts had to keep an eye on grog-selling and grog-drinking. -From the style of his reflections, he gives fair promise of becoming a -strong advocate of the “Maine law.” There was no small number of cases -of idleness, obstinacy and heedlessness of the future; very natural to -men whose independence of station was of very recent date, and whose -independence of character was yet to come. The more credit is therefore -due to the firm, industrious and upright, stationed on the threshold of -this vast, dark continent, with its fury and its vice ready to burst -out upon them. - -The governor’s resources, never very great, were called for to regulate -the intercourse between civilization and barbarism; and he found -that the high moral influence of a few hundred men around him, was a -tower of strength in dealing with the savage. All the kings of the -northern and western districts were induced to assemble in convention -in the early part of 1843, at King Bromley’s town, to settle their -great disputes of long standing, and to draw up a set of rules and -regulations for their future guidance. This was a great step gained: a -moral victory over the furious enormities of savage life. - -The kings asked the countenance and advice of the colony, acknowledging -fully its jurisdiction over them. King Ballasada, however, sent his -respectful compliments, with a petition that he might be allowed to cut -the throat of King Gogomina, if opportunity offered; or might at least -have the pleasure of shooting some of his people, because the said -Gogomina had killed six of Ballasada’s “boys.” Information, however, -was given by Governor Roberts to King Ballasada, that the time had -passed for such summary proceedings, but that the matter of shooting -the six boys should be inquired into by the governor himself. Gogomina -thereupon produced the six “boys” alive, and sent them home. - -Much interest now began to be manifested to learn something of the -interior. It was not known whither the wide valleys of the rivers -might lead, or what they might contain. It was ascertained that there -were the Mandingoes and other noted people somewhere beyond the deep -forests, with whom communication had been held, and with whom it might -be held again. The natives on a line northeast, as far as the Niger, -were entirely unknown: little was really ascertained, except that the -Niger was there. They knew that there were jealous tribes interposing, -who stopped all commercial intercourse that did not pass through their -own bloody and avaricious hands. - -The governor, relying on the reputation for power and good faith which -the colony had acquired, resolved to head in person an expedition of -exploration along the St. Paul’s River. Taking a small number of men -with him, he proceeded up the river, visited the camwood country, about -seventy miles inland, and found the forests greatly wasted, and the -main source of supply at that time one hundred miles farther back. -Kings were visited and relieved of their fears, although not of their -wonder, that “the governor should be at that distance from home without -engaging in war.” The party had left the canoe, and after a circuit -round to the eastward, they reached “Captain Sam’s” town, one hundred -and twenty miles east of Monrovia. - -Several kings met with the president in his excursion, with whom a -conversation was held, “on the subject of trade, the course and extent -of the river, native wars, religion, &c.” One, “who was seated in -state, on a sofa of raised earth, gave us a hearty shake of the hand, -and said he was glad to see us;” adding, “this country be your country, -all this people be your countryman, you be first king.” This king -was informed by the president, “that he and his people must agree to -abandon the slave-trade, to discontinue the use of sassywood, engage -in no war except by permission of the colonial government.” On one -occasion, “Ballasada, the principal war-man of the Golah tribe, made -his appearance; he entered the gate of the barricade, at the head -of some twenty or thirty armed warriors, with drums beating, horns -blowing, dressed in a large robe, and stepping with all the majesty -of a great monarch.” At Yando’s town, arrangements were made for -establishing a school. At Gelby, one of the missionaries preached to a -large congregation--the king with most of his people being present. The -audience was attentive, and, with the king, gave “a nod of the head at -almost every word uttered by the interpreter.” - -At “Captain Sam’s town,” a place of great trade, they met three -strangers from different tribes, anxious to have a question settled, -viz.: “whether, if they carried their produce to the American -settlement for sale, the colonists would beat them, take their property -away, and put them in jail.” Their intermediate friends had persuaded -them that such would be the case, and consequently had themselves, in -the mean time, become their agents, and plundered them at discretion. -They had, at that time, brought a considerable quantity of produce for -sale, and some of them had been kept waiting for many months. All this -was fully cleared up to their satisfaction, and great extension of -trade was promised. The governor says: “I have travelled considerably -in the United States, but have never seen anywhere a more beautiful -country than the one passed through, well timbered and watered, and the -soil, I venture to assert, equal to any in the world.” - -President Roberts, at Monrovia, in 1850, stated to the writer, that in -the interior, ore was found so pure as to be capable of being beaten -into malleable iron, without the process of smelting. - -Treaties were formed with all the kings, and sundry fractions of kings; -introducing everywhere peace and facilities for commerce. It may be -presumed, therefore, that now the tidings are circulating through the -depths of the interior, that peace has come from the west; and that -an African people has returned to bless their old dark continent with -light and truth. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - -INDEPENDENCE OF LIBERIA PROCLAIMED AND ACKNOWLEDGED BY GREAT -BRITAIN, FRANCE, BELGIUM, PRUSSIA AND BRAZIL--TREATIES WITH ENGLAND -AND FRANCE--EXPEDITION AGAINST NEW CESTERS--U. S. SLOOP-OF-WAR -“YORKTOWN”--ENGLISH AND FRENCH CRUISERS--DISTURBANCES AMONG THE -NATIVE CHIEFS--FINANCIAL TROUBLES--RECURRING DIFFICULTY WITH ENGLISH -TRADERS--BOOMBO, WILL BUCKLE, GRANDO, KING BOYER. - - -For the main evils with which Liberia was oppressed, independence was -the only remedy. We have seen the nature and extent of these evils, -in her equivocal position in the view of several European powers, and -especially in that of the English nation. The measures necessary to -carry out this great purpose were received with universal sympathy. - -Individuals from all sections of our own country, bearing on them -the imperial character of their nation, had transmitted it by the -dark-skinned race, to vivify with liberty and self-government, the -great slave-land of the world. This was perhaps an honor higher than -they aimed at. The few judicious leading men of Liberia saw the -necessity of making the experiment. The outlines of a constitution, as -far as that already existing needed modification, were borrowed from -that of the United States. A declaration of independence was drawn up -and proclaimed; and on the 24th day of August, 1847, the flag of the -Republic of Liberia was displayed. - -Roberts, whose state of pupilage had been passed under the master -mind of Buchanan, was, as might be expected, elected President of -the Republic. England, France, Prussia, Belgium and Brazil have -successively acknowledged the independence of Liberia. A liberal -treaty of amity and commerce, based upon the equality of rights of -the two nations, was entered into between England and Liberia. The -ministry were probably led to the conclusion by the president’s visit, -that trade, regulated by the laws of a compact nation, was likely to -become far more advantageous than the bribing, cheating and plundering -that had occurred, with kings and half kings, and some European -subjects; and had in view the increased power of the government for the -suppression of the slave-trade. - -The president arrived in Liberia on the 1st of February, 1849, in her -majesty’s steam frigate Amazon, and was saluted by her with 21 guns -on landing. Other appropriate ceremonies were observed; soon after -this, England presented the republic with a man-of-war schooner, with -armament and stores complete. - -France entered afterwards into a commercial treaty with Liberia, and -furnished a large quantity of arms. Subsequent assurances from the -European powers, indicate their interest in the prosperity of the -African republic. - -On the 22d of February, 1849, the French flag steam frigate Penelope, -accompanied by another cruiser, arrived at Monrovia. On the following -day, the commander, with the officers and two hundred men, landed for -the purpose of saluting the flag of the republic. They were received -by three uniform companies of Monrovia, in front of Colonel Yates’s -residence; where three field-pieces from the French frigate had been -placed. The procession was then formed and moved up Broad-street to -the president’s house, where the flag-staff, bearing the Liberian -colors, was standing. A salute of twenty-one guns was fired from the -field-pieces, which was repeated by the French cruisers, and returned -by the Liberian guns. Refreshments were provided for the men, and the -officers dined with the president. - -In the month of March following, several English and French cruisers -placed themselves at the disposal of President Roberts, for an -expedition against the slavers who had established themselves at -New Cesters. Arrangements had previously been made with some of the -chiefs in that quarter, for the surrender of their lands and for the -incorporation of their people, on the usual terms, with the Liberian -republic. But a portion of the chiefs and people had been allured to -the support of the slavers, and force was required to dislodge them. - -Roberts embarked four hundred men in the cruisers, and, accompanied by -the U. S. sloop-of-war “Yorktown,” proceeded to the scene of action. -Here were foreign cruisers, transporting the troops of an African -republic to make a descent upon a European slave establishment; such -establishments as Europe had for centuries sustained on the African -coast. A novel sight, certainly, to the leader of the enemy, who was a -Spaniard! - -The landing was covered by the cruisers, and a well-directed shell from -the French steamer, bursting over the heads of the natives, cleared -the way for the troops to form and march upon the barracoon, with now -and then a harmless shot from the jungle. Foreseeing the result of a -conflict, the Spaniard fired his buildings, mounted his horse, sought -safety in flight, and his rabble dispersed. The establishment was -strengthened by a thick clay-wall, capable of offering a respectable -resistance. Thirty slaves were liberated. The fort was destroyed. New -Cesters was _annexed_, and the troops returned to Monrovia. - -An infectious impulse to disturbance, seems to have come from a -fruitful source in the northern interior. For about thirty years, a war -had been prevailing between revolted slaves and the chiefs, along the -Gallinas River. These lingering hostilities afforded facilities for -securing a good supply of slaves for exportation, which was probably -the cause why the slave-trade held on so pertinaciously at the mouth of -this river. Treachery, for a time, enforced quiet. The chiefs of the -oppressors inveigled the leaders of the insurgents to a conference, and -massacred them. Manna, who seems to have had a long familiarity with -crime, directed this exploit. - -President Roberts, when in England (1848), dining on one occasion -with the Prussian Ambassador, the subject of purchasing the Gallinas -territory was discussed. Lord Ashley and Mr. Gurney being present, -pledged one thousand pounds, half the amount required to secure -the territory. Benevolent individuals in the United States, also -contributed for the same purpose. Possession was afterwards obtained -of the Gallinas for the sum of nine thousand dollars. The price -demanded was large, as the chiefs were aware that annexation to Liberia -would forever cut off the lucrative slave-trade. Commissioners were -appointed to settle the difficulties in the interior, open the trade -in camwood, palm-oil and ivory, and furnish the people with the means -of instruction in the art of agriculture. It is, however, doubtful -whether the influence of the republic is sufficient to control the wars -which have been so long raging in the interior. By the annexation -of this territory, and in May, 1852, of the Cassa territory, Liberia -practically extends its dominion, exterminating the slave-trade from -Cape Lahou, eastward of Cape Palmas, to Sierra Leone, a distance of -about six hundred miles of sea-coast. - -The financial burdens of the government were a matter of no little -anxiety. The money for the purchase of the Gallinas had been -munificently contributed by Mr. Gurney and other individuals from -abroad, but still there was that “national blessing--a national debt.” -The expedition against New Cesters was, doubtless, a great event in the -history of Liberia. There was glory, which is not without its practical -use; and there was gratification in the honor of having been aided, or -accompanied in such an effort, by the naval forces of great nations. -But glory and gratification have their disadvantages also. Very keenly -did the leading men of Liberia look to the fact that there were heavy -bills to be paid. The payment of a few thousand dollars was a serious -affair. They wisely concluded, however, that they were following the -ways of Providence in incorporating New Cesters and the Gallinas into -their family. And the results have justified their proceedings. - -On the 15th of February, 1850, the Secretary of State, in compliance -with a resolution of the Senate of the United States, transmitted a -report of the Rev. R. R. Gurley, who had a short time previously been -sent out by the government to obtain information in respect to Liberia. -This report contains a full account of the people, the government and -the territory. - -The long-standing difficulty with the British traders was brought -to a crisis, by a prosecution in the Liberian courts. An appeal was -made to the British commodore. Mr. Hansen, the British consul, a -native African, who had been liberally educated in the United States, -warmly espoused the cause of the traders. These circumstances induced -the president, in May, 1852, to revisit England, where matters were -satisfactorily arranged. He extended his visit to France, and was there -received with attentions due to his station. - -The elements of society in Liberia were not all elements of peace. -Native tribes, long hostile, had submitted to union. They had promised -to be very friendly, and met very lovingly together, which they no -doubt considered very strange, and perhaps, for a time, found very -pleasant. We should have been inclined to think this very strange, -if it had continued. When old nature, old habits and old enmities -recovered their strength, it required a firm hand, and one pretty well -armed, too, to keep order among them. Nor did the means available -always attain this end. Dissension could not be overcome without force -and punishment. - -In 1850, the Veys, Deys, and Golahs had roused up their perennial -quarrel about their rights and territories. A portion of them were wise -enough to apply to the government to appoint a commission to settle the -difficulties among them. Others took the larger liberty of attempting -to settle matters in their own way. The excitement prevailed during the -president’s absence. In March, 1853, he proceeded, with two hundred -troops, to the northward of Little Cape Mount, and, after a suitable -demonstration, brought the chief offender, having the appropriate name -of Boombo, to await trial at Monrovia; he was convicted, fined and -sentenced to imprisonment for two years. - -In November, 1850, the people of Timbo brought in a complaint against -“Will Buckle,” who was at the head of a gang of rogues, murdering and -robbing with impunity. They asked the protection of the government, and -to be received within its jurisdiction, and that Will Buckle might feel -the strong arm of the law. - -But an outbreak at Bassa Cove, under a chief named Grando, threatened -to be the grand affair of the time. He was a shrewd, cunning -subject. The president gave him a lecture. To all of it “he listened -attentively, and with seeming penitence readily admitted the error of -his course and the wrongs he had been guilty of, and promised never -again,” &c., &c. The president, however, found, as is usual in such -cases, that Grando was much the same after the lecture as before. “I -had scarcely left the country,” says the president, “before his evil -genius got the better of him.” And the fact turned out to be, that his -“evil genius” very nearly got the better of everybody else. - -He established himself, with his people, beside a new settlement near -Bassa Cove. This was exposing his penitence to too strong a temptation. -He cultivated the most friendly terms with the settlers; and when he -had sufficiently disarmed suspicion, he rose upon the settlement, on -the 15th of November, 1851, murdered nine of the inhabitants, carried -off what he could get, and took to the “bush.” - -Grando had taken measures to excite a considerable insurrection of -confederated tribes in that region, and returned to the attack with -rather a serious force, estimated at one thousand men. The assailants -fought with unreflecting fierceness, as the negro does when excited, -paying no attention to the artillery which opened upon them. But they -made no impression on the place. Roberts proceeded to Bassa Cove in -the U. S. sloop-of-war “Dale,” accompanied by a reinforcement in the -Liberian schooner “Lark,” and prevented a third attack. - -In March, 1852, Grando and his confederate, Boyer, were again arranging -combinations among the tribes in the “bush.” The “evil genius” -complained of had contrived to bring the traders again on the stage, -with their perplexing complaints about imposts and monopolies. One of -these traders seems to have been instigating the disturbance. - -These circumstances brought on the most extensive and most trying -military campaign in which the Liberian forces have yet been engaged. -It was estimated that the confederates had in the field about five -thousand men. They were well supplied with ammunition, and had some -artillery, and were employing their time in constructing formidable -defences. To meet them, Roberts had about five hundred colonists, and -the same number of natives. With these, on the 6th of January, 1852, he -marched upon the enemy. A breastwork, terminating the passage through -a swamp, was occupied by three times the number of its assailants. -After an action of an hour and a half, this position was forced, and -the enemy driven through a piece of difficult forest ground. After some -resistance here, they were dislodged and chased to Grando’s palisaded -town. This they set on fire, and then retreated to Boyer, occupying the -left bank of the New Cess river, to dispute the passage. - -From this position Boyer was dislodged by the hostility of the chiefs -around him, who did not join in the revolt. He retreated within the -barricades of his own town. Here he had some artillery. On the 15th, -Roberts came with his whole force upon this place. A fierce fight of -nearly two hours took place, which resulted in the capture of the town. -The loss of the enemy was considerable. The Liberians had six killed -and twenty-five wounded. - -Grando’s allies soon discovered that they were in the wrong. Boyer -fell into the same train of repentance. Grando’s authority altogether -expired in 1853. His own people held a council, whether they should -not deliver him up to the president. This was opposed by the old men -as contrary to custom. They made him prisoner, however. Boyer would, -by no persuasion, be induced to put himself within the grasp of the -president. He was also playing his tricks upon other people. Having -in July, 1853, induced a Spanish slaver to advance him a considerable -sum in doubloons, and a quantity of goods, he suddenly became strongly -_anti-slavery_ in his views, and sent a request to the president, and -to the British steam cruiser “Pluto,” to look out for the slaver, which -vessel had cleared for the Gallinas, grounded in the river, and was -afterwards destroyed. - -Boyer himself and another worthy by the name of Cain, who joined -Grando in these disturbances, keep the Liberians on the alert, but seem -gradually spreading a net for themselves, and it is to be anticipated -that ere long they may be found as companions with Boombo in his -captivity. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - - CONDITION OF LIBERIA AS A NATION--ASPECT OF LIBERIA TO - A VISITOR--CHARACTER OF MONROVIA--SOIL, PRODUCTIONS AND - LABOR--HARBOR--CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE COMPARED WITH THAT OF THEIR - RACE IN THE UNITED STATES--SCHOOLS. - - -Notwithstanding the heterogeneous population of Liberia, a commendable -degree of order, quiet and comparative prosperity prevails. With such -men as President Roberts, Chief-Justice Benedict, Major-General Lewis, -Vice-President Williams, and many other prominent persons in office -and in the walks of civil life, the government and society present an -aspect altogether more favorable than a visitor, judging them from the -race when in contact with a white population, is prepared to find. The -country is theirs--they are lords of the soil; and in intercourse with -them, it is soon observed that they are free from that oppressive sense -of inferiority which distinguish the colored people of this country. A -visit to Monrovia is always agreeable to the African cruiser. - -Monrovia, the capital, is situated immediately in the rear of the -bold promontory of Cape Mesurado, which rises to the altitude of 250 -feet. The highest part of the town is eighty feet above the level of -the sea. The place is laid out with as much regularity as the location -will admit. Broadway is the main or principal street, running nearly at -right angles with the sea. Besides this, there are twelve or fifteen -more. The town contains not far from two thousand inhabitants. Many of -the houses are substantially built of brick or of stone, and several -of them are handsomely furnished. The humidity of the climate has -greatly impaired the wooden buildings. The State-House, public stores, -and the new academy are solid, substantial buildings, appropriate to -their uses. There are five churches, and these are well attended. The -schools will compare favorably with the former district schools in this -country, which is not saying much in their favor. - -The soil in the vicinity of the rocky peninsula of Mesurado is -generally sandy and comparatively unproductive, except where there -are alluvial deposits along the margin of the streams or creeks. The -lands on the banks of the rivers--of the St. Paul’s, for instance, four -or five miles north of Monrovia--are very rich, of loamy clay soil, -equalling in fertility the high lands of Brazil, or any other part -of the world. Here more care is devoted to the culture of sugar, and -increasing attention is given to agriculture. These lands readily sell -at from forty to fifty dollars per acre. A fork of this river flows -in a southeasterly direction, and unites with the Mesurado River at -its mouth. This fork is called Stockton’s Creek, in honor of Commodore -Stockton. The largest rivers of Liberia are navigable only about twelve -or fifteen miles before coming to the Rapids. - -As the country becomes settled, and the character of its diseases -better understood, the acclimating fever is less dreaded. In fact, it -now rarely proves fatal. This having been passed through, the colored -emigrants enjoy far better health than they did in most parts of the -United States. The statistics, as President Roberts stated, show some -three per cent smaller number of deaths than in the New England States -and Canada among the same class of population. The thermometer seldom -rises higher than 85°, nor falls lower than 70°. - -The productions of the soil are varied and abundant,--capable of -sustaining an immense population. The want of agricultural industry, -rather than the incapacity of the country to yield richly the fruits -of the earth, has been the difficulty with the Liberians. With -well-directed labor, of one-half the amount required among the farmers -of the United States, a large surplus of the earth’s productions, -over the demands of home consumption, might be gathered. The country -certainly possesses elements of great prosperity. - -“A bill for the improvement of rivers and harbors” should be forthwith -passed by the Liberian legislature. A country exporting articles -annually amounting to the sum of eight hundred thousand dollars, and -this on the increase, might make an appropriation to render landing -safe from the ducking in the surf to which one is now exposed. Sharks, -in great abundance, are playing about the bars of the rivers, eagerly -watching the boats and canoes for their prey. Dr. Prout, a Liberian -senator, and several others, have been capsized in boats and fallen -victims to these sea-tigers. - -A full and very interesting description of the geography, climate, -productions and diseases of Africa has been published by Dr. J. W. -Lugenbeel, late colonial physician, and the last white man who was -United States agent in Africa. - -In devising measures for the benefit of Liberia, one thing was -pre-eminently to be kept in view, which was, that the people be -prevented from sinking back to become mere Africans. It is believed -that this danger was wholly past under the energetic administration -of Buchanan, to whom too much praise cannot be awarded. He infused -life and spirit into the nation, and brought out such men as Roberts -and others, in whose hands we believe the republic is safe. A large -majority of the emigrants having been slaves, and dependent on the -will and dictation of others, many of them are thereby rendered in a -measure incapable of that self-reliance which secures early success in -an enterprise of this kind. - -Slaves do not work like freemen. The question, then, arises--Is this -the case because they are slaves, or because they are negroes? Those -who have been emancipated in the British territories have hitherto -cast no favorable light on this inquiry. They do not now work as they -did when compelled to work, although they are free. Neither do the -Sicilians, Neapolitans, or Portuguese work as men work elsewhere. There -are no men freer than the slavers, who steal children and sell them, -in order that they themselves may live in vicious idleness. It is the -freeman’s intelligence and his higher motives of action, which produce -his virtues. - -The slave-trade being extirpated within the boundaries of Liberia, -and the natives brought under new influences, the necessity produced -for new kinds of labor has become favorable to the improvement of the -African. There is now the will and ability of the native population to -work in the fields. The low rate of remuneration which they require, -favors the employment of capital, but keeps wages for common labor very -low. It is of no use to urge upon colonists to employ their own people -in preference to natives, when the former want eighty cents a day and -the latter only twenty-five. These things must take their natural -course. The increase of capital must be waited for ere wages can rise. -But it all tells strongly in favor of settlers securing grants of land, -and becomes a great inducement for colored men emigrating to Liberia -who have some little capital of their own. - -It is in Liberia alone that the colored man can find freedom and the -incentives to higher motives of action, which are conducive to virtue. -There these sources of good are found in abundance for his race. In -this country he can gain the intelligence of the free population, but -is excluded from the vivifying motives of the freeman. In Liberia -he has both. Means are needed to sustain this condition of things. -The first of these is religion, which to a great degree, pervades -the community there: it is true that some of the lower forms of a -vivid conception of spiritual things characterize the people; but far -preferable is this, to the tendency of the age elsewhere--towards -attempting to bring within the scope of human reason the higher -mysteries of faith. The second is the school, which keeps both -intelligence and aspiration alive, and nurtures both. Roberts is aware -of this, and keeps it before the people. They will transfer, therefore, -what the United States alone exemplifies, and what is vitally important -to free governments, namely, a system of free public education in the -common schools; such a system is that of the _graded schools_ in many -parts of our country, far surpassing most of the select schools, where -a thorough education may be freely obtained by all the children of the -community. - -Liberia contains a population exceeding one hundred and fifty thousand -inhabitants; not more than one-twentieth of this number are American -colonists. Its growth has been gradual and healthy. The government, -from its successful administration by blacks alone, for more than -six years, appears to be firmly established. The country is now in a -condition to receive as many emigrants as the United States can send. -To the colored man who regards the highest interest of his children; -to young men of activity and enterprise, Liberia affords the strongest -attractions. - -We would not join in any attempt to crush the aspirations of any -class of men in this country. But it is an actual fact, whatever -may be thought of it, that here the colored man has never risen to -that position, which every one should occupy among his fellows. For -suppose the wishes of the philanthropist towards him to be fully -accomplished,--secure him his political rights; unfetter him in body -and intellect; cultivate him in taste even; then while nominally free, -he is still in bondage; for freedom must also be the prerogative of the -white, as well as of the black man; and the white man must likewise be -left free to form his most intimate social relations; and he is not, -and never has been disposed, in this country, to unite himself with -a caste, marked by so broad a distinction as exists between the two -races. The testimony on these two points of those who have had abundant -advantages for observation, has been uniform and conclusive. For the -colored man himself then, for his children, Liberia is an open city of -refuge. He there may become a freeman not only in name, but a freeman -in deed and in truth. - -Liberia has strong claims upon Christian aid and sympathy. Its -present and prospective commercial advantages to our country, will -far counterbalance the amount appropriated by private benevolence in -planting and aiding the colony and the republic. Its independence -ought to be acknowledged by the United States. This, according to -the opinion of President Roberts, would not imply the necessity of -diplomatic correspondence, while the moral and political effects, -would be beneficial to both parties. England, by early acknowledging -the independence of Liberia, and cultivating a good understanding with -its government and people, has greatly subserved her own commercial -interest, while responding to the call of British philanthropy. - - - - -CHAPTER XX. - - MARYLAND IN LIBERIA--CAPE PALMAS--HALL AND RUSSWURM--CHASTISEMENT - OF THE NATIVES AT BEREBEE BY THE U. S. SQUADRON--LINE OF - PACKETS--PROPOSAL OF INDEPENDENCE--ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE COLONIZATION - SCHEME--CHRISTIAN MISSIONS. - - -The Maryland Colonization Society resolved to establish a colony at -Cape Palmas. Dr. James Hall, their agent, secured the consent of the -chiefs to cede the required territory, without employing the wretched -medium of rum. These kings, to their credit, have retained sensible -names of their own, redolent of good taste and patriotism, being -Parmah, Weah Boleo, and Baphro. As has ever been done by all wise -people on that coast, a fort was expeditiously erected, overlooking -in a peremptory way the native villages and the anchorage; since it -is not, for a time at least, safe to trust in such affairs to the -conscience of the natives. - -Cape Palmas is well suited for such an establishment; the climate is as -good as any in tropical Africa. The Cape itself is a small elevation or -insulated hill, sloping down towards the continent, into the general -expanse of wooded plain or forest; this, to the north and east of the -Cape, stretches out into a wide fertile flat, the waters of which drain -towards the long line of sea-beach, receiving the heavy surf of the -equatorial Atlantic. The surf throws a long bulwark of sand along the -mouths of the fresh-water streams, and checks them in a lagoon of ten -miles in length, by about a quarter of a mile in breadth. This water is -fresh or brackish, according as either element gains the mastery, and -serves the natives as a precious and fruitful fish-pond. - -Of this region, a tract extending about twenty miles along the -sea-shore, and as much inland, was, by purchase, brought under the -jurisdiction of the Maryland Society. Provision was made for retaining -the resident natives on the lands they cultivated. Here, in the month -of February, 1834, the Maryland Colonization Society attached itself to -Africa, by landing fifty-three emigrants from that State. - -Their temporary dwellings were soon put up; and their fortifications -erected near to populous towns crowded with natives supplied with -fire-arms and ready to use them. Vessels continued to arrive, bringing -more settlers to their shores. In 1836, an additional tract of country, -east of the Cape, was procured; extending the colonial territories -along the broad, rapid stream of the Cavally, to the distance of thirty -miles from its mouth. In succeeding years new settlers arrived to -occupy the lands so acquired; yet all these acquisitive proceedings -gave rise to scarcely any noticeable opposition. A little blustering -occurred on the part of one chief, who attempted to monopolize the -selling of rice to the colonists when in want; but a kind and resolute -firmness removed the difficulty. Scarcely, in fact, does an instance -occur in history, of an administration so uniformly successful in the -operations for which it was established; and, whatever the future may -offer to equal it, nothing certainly in the past has a higher claim for -sympathy, than these efforts of Maryland for the benefit of her colored -population. - -With the same wisdom which had characterized the previous measures -of the society, in 1837 Mr. Russwurm, a colored man, was appointed -governor of the colony. He fulfilled the expectations formed of him. -Thus one step was judiciously taken, to disengage the colored men of -Africa from dependence on foreign management. - -Considering, however, that Cape Palmas has been colonized from a slave -state alone, and that the government has been retained in the hands -of the state society, it is scarcely to be expected that the same -vigor and activity should be found in its internal operations, or the -same amount of influence exercised over the surrounding natives, as -has been manifested in Liberia. Notwithstanding this, the beneficial -influence of this colony also, on the surrounding natives, has been -considerable. Six kings, of their own accord, applied to Governor -Russwurm, and ceded their territories, that they might be incorporated -with the colony. Every treaty contained an absolute prohibition of the -slave-trade. - -Cape Palmas colony, then, may be considered as now extending from the -confines of her elder sister at the river Jarraway, as far to the -eastward as Cape Lahou. The inland boundary may be anywhere, as the -future shall settle it. The cultivated or cleared land extends parallel -to the coast, over distances varying from twenty-five to fifty miles. -Here comes on the dark verdure of forest, undulating over the rising -lands which lead to the mountains, or whatever they may be, which feed -the rivers. These streams act as lines of communication. But here also -the old Portuguese influence has aimed at a monopoly of trade. Some -explorations have disclosed the fact that there are powerful tribes in -these lands, who, in spite of an obstacle of this kind, will soon be -brought within the commercial influence of the colony. - -This line of coast has at many points been a frequent haunt of slavers, -and the atrocities due to native superstition have been shocking, and -rendered more villanous by European trade. Commodore Perry, in 1843, -as will be seen in the notice of squadrons, did justice on some of -their villages, convicted of murder and robbery of an American vessel. -The officers delivered several of the natives from torture under -the accusations of sorcery. To control such fierce materials into -quietness, or melt them to Christian brotherhood, will require much -grace from Providence, and much kind and patient dealing from men. - -In carrying out the objects of the colony, an effort was made by the -Maryland Colonization Society, which seemed in its nature singularly -promising. This consisted in establishing a joint-stock trading -company, or line of packets for carrying out emigrants and returning -with produce. It was expected that the colored people of the state -would, to some considerable extent, invest capital in shares. With -these expectations the “Liberia Packet” was launched in 1846, and made -many voyages. It was found necessary to increase the size of vessels -thus employed. But these operations were checked by the wreck of the -“Ralph Cross.” It was also found that comparatively little interest in -this undertaking was awakened among the colored population, or that -they had not the means for investment in it, as only about one-eighth -of the whole amount of stock was held by them. It is, however, an -incident of value in the history of Africa, that through facilities -thus afforded, many emigrants revisited this country for short periods, -and thus established a return line of intercourse, inquiry, or -business, which binds Africa more strongly to this land. - -A movement for the elevation of the colony into an independent state, -has been made by the people at Cape Palmas, and a commission has -visited this country to make arrangements for the purpose. That there -be full political independence granted to this people, is requisite, -as an element of the great achievement now going on. This contemplates -something far higher than creating merely a refuge for black men, or -sticking on a patch of colored America on the coast of Africa like an -ill-assorted graft, for which the old stock is none the better. Liberia -is the restoration of the African in his highest intellectual condition -to that country in which his condition had become the most degraded. -The question is to be settled whether that condition can be retained, -or so improved that he may keep pace with the rest of the world. - -It is a necessary element in this proceeding that he be self-governing. -It is to the establishment of this point that all men look to decide -the dispute, whether negro races are to remain forever degraded or -not. Time and patience, however, and much kind watchfulness, may be -required before this experiment be deemed conclusive. Let many failures -be anticipated ere a certain result is secured. Let no higher claims be -made on the negro than on other races. Would a colony of Frenchmen, -Spaniards, Portuguese, Sicilians, if left to themselves, offer a fairer -prospect of success than Liberia now offers? Few persons would have -confidence in the stability of republican institutions among these -races, if so placed. - -Let then the black man be judged fairly, and not presumed to have -become all at once and by miracle, of a higher order than old historic -nations, through many generations of whom the political organization -of the world has been slowly developing itself. There will be among -them men who are covetous, or men who are tyrannical, or men who would -sacrifice the public interests or any others to their own: men who -would now go into the slave-trade if they could, or rob hen-roosts, or -intrigue for office, or pick pockets, rather than trouble their heads -or their hands with more honorable occupations. It should be remembered -by visitors that such things will be found in Liberia; not because men -are black, but because men are men. - -It should not be forgotten that the experiment in respect to this race -is essentially a new one. The nonsense about Hannibal, and Terence, -and Cyprian, and Augustine, being negro Africans, should have been out -of the heads of people long ago. A woolly-headed, flat-nosed African, -in ancient times, would have created as great a sensation at the head -of an army, or in the chair of a professor, as it would now in the -United States or in England. These men were Asiatics or Europeans, -rather than Africans: the Great Desert being properly the northern -boundary of the African race. The African has never reached in fact, -until the settlement of Liberia, a higher rank than a king of Dahomey, -or the inventor of the last fashionable grisgris to prevent the devil -from stealing sugar-plums. No philosopher among them has caught sight -of the mysteries of nature; no poet has illustrated heaven, or earth, -or the life of man; no statesman has done any thing to lighten or -brighten the links of human policy. In fact, if all that negroes of all -generations have ever done, were to be obliterated from recollection -forever, the world would lose no great truth, no profitable art, no -exemplary form of life. The loss of all that is African would offer no -memorable deduction from any thing but the earth’s black catalogue of -crimes. Africa is guilty of the slavery under which she suffered; for -her people made it, as well as suffered it. - -The great experiment, therefore, is as to the effect of instruction -given to such a race from a higher one. It has had its success, and -promises more. But many patient endeavors must still be used. The -heroism of the missionary is still needed. Such men as Mills, Ashmun, -Wilson, and Bishop Payne, will be required to give energy to this work -in various forms. But there will be henceforth, it is to be hoped, less -demand for the exposure of American life. There should be found in the -colored people of the United States, with whom the climate agrees, the -source of supply for African missions, till, in a few years, Liberia -itself send them forth, with words of life to their brethren throughout -the length and breadth of the continent. - -Like all sinful men, the African needs faith. But you must dig deeper -in him, before you find any thing to plant it on. The grain of -mustard-seed meets a very hard soil there, and the thorns are deep. It -is a conquest to get him to believe that there is any virtue in man. -They have never had a Socrates, to talk wisdom to them; nor a Cyrus, -who was not a slave-merchant; nor a Pythagoras, to teach that kindness -was a virtue. Hence the difficulty which the Christian missionary has -had with them, has been to satisfy their minds as to the miraculous -phenomenon of there being a good man. It has been always found that -there was many a consultation among their sages as to the peculiar -trade or purpose the missionary might have in view, in coming as he -came; and very generally the more good they saw, the more evil they -suspected. The first thing which, in most instances, opened their eyes, -has been in his inculcating peace; for they saw no fees coming to him -for it, and of course no looking out for plunder. - -The civilized world, as well as the savage, need the example of the -missionary. The true courage of faith is a blessing to mankind. Besides -his devotion to the highest interests of men, the world also owes much -to the educated and enlightened missionary, who has not only greatly -contributed to the cause of science and literature, but has often been -the means of developing the commercial resources of the countries -where he has been stationed. Women, with their own peculiar heroism, -which consists in fearless tenderness and patience, have also shared -in this work of faith. Mrs. Judson is seen wandering through a Burman -village teaching the people, with a sick child in her arms, while her -husband lies in prison. And Mrs. Wilson, highly cultivated and refined, -sacrificing her property, and surrendering a position in the best -society of the country, is found teaching negro children in the dull -and fetid atmosphere of African schools. This is true heroism, such as -the gospel alone can inspire. - -Christianity has, with watchful kindness, been seeking to penetrate -Africa from various points of the coast. Abyssinia has long professed -the Christian faith, although in a corrupt form. Its church, and -that of Egypt, must soon fall under the influence of the line of -communication through the Red Sea. English missionaries are at -Zanzibar, and have brought to light, by their explorations in the -interior, the group of mountains which raise their snowy heads south of -the equator in that neighborhood. Missionaries from the same country -are also to be found at Sierra Leone and in the Bight of Benin. From -the extremity of the continent they have, in conjunction with those of -five other nations, been penetrating all the interior of the southern -angle. - -The United States have also missionaries at four or five points. -There are those of the Liberian republic, Cape Palmas, and the Mendi -mission. In these places different denominations work kindly and -earnestly together. The first obvious sign of their presence is peace. -Nowhere in the world was this more needed, or more welcome, than in -the regions north and east of Liberia, where men, for many years, had -had to fight for their own persons, that they might remain their own, -and not be sold. Every thing, as might be expected, had fallen into -utter confusion. Tribes of historic character were in fragments; towns -depopulated, cultivation suspended, and the small knots of families -which kept together, were perishing. “The women and children,” says -Mr. Thompson, “were often obliged to go out in search of berries and -fruits to keep themselves from starving.” To this country, which lies -along the sources of the Sierra Leone and the Gallinas rivers on the -northern confines of Liberia, the captives on board the _Amistad_ had -gone in 1842. But such was the confusion in that quarter, that it was -not until 1851, that the missionary found it practicable to commence -his efforts for peace. They told Mr. Thompson, “that no one but a white -man could have brought it about;” and that “they had long been praying -to God to send a white man to stop the war.” - -The Gaboon mission, since its disturbance by the French in 1844, has -been re-established, and has experienced courteous treatment at the -hands of the French authorities. This mission occupies the important -position at which the great southern nation and language come in -contact with the more energetic men of the equatorial region, and at -which great light is likely to be thrown on their relations. The French -also have a mission at the Gaboon. - -The mission to the Zulus, in the healthy region at the southern end -of the Mozambique Channel, was at one time divided between the two -branches of that tribe; but in consequence of wars, was afterwards -united and established in the colony of Natal. The commercial crisis in -the United States in 1837, led to the proposal that this mission should -be abandoned. But its influence had been so beneficial, that the Cape -colonists and their government proposed to take measures to support -it. Circumstances, however, enabled the American Board to decline -this proposal, and they continue their operations. An effort is being -made by this mission to unite all similarly engaged, in a common and -uniform mode of treating the language of the south. - -The Portuguese have missions, both on the east and west side of the -continent. - -Commander Forbes, R. N., says: “In all the countries which have given -up the traffic in their fellow-men, the preaching of the Gospel and the -spread of education have most materially assisted the effects of the -coercive measures of our squadron.” - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. - - RENEWAL OF PIRACY AND THE SLAVE-TRADE AT THE CLOSE OF THE EUROPEAN - WAR--BRITISH SQUADRON--TREATIES WITH THE NATIVES--ORIGIN OF - BARRACOONS--USE OF THE AMERICAN FLAG IN THE SLAVE-TRADE--OFFICIAL - CORRESPONDENCE ON THE SUBJECT--CONDITION OF SLAVES ON BOARD OF THE - SLAVE-VESSELS--CASE OF THE VELOZ PASSAGEIRA--FRENCH SQUADRON. - - -It was the cessation of the last great European war, which assembled -the matured villany of the world on the African coast to re-establish -the slave-trade. This traffic had been suspended during the latter -years of the contest, as England and the United States had abolished -it, and the former was strong enough at sea to prevent other European -powers from engaging in it. In fact, she had swept almost the whole -European marine from the ocean. The treaties formed at the peace, left -Europe to the strife between anarchy and despotism; and gave up the -coast of Africa to the slave-trade and piracy. - -Every evil and every fear which have harassed the world since that -time, seem to be the retributions of an indignant Providence. Let -it not be imagined that these dealings of justice with men are at an -end. What could atone for giving up the coasts of a whole continent -to be ravaged by the slave-ships of France, Spain, and Portugal? -What compensation for this vicious and deadly scourge has Africa yet -received? The cruising, suffering, sickness, deaths and expenses of -nearly half a century have not remedied the crime of signing these -treaties. The ambassador, minister, or whoever he was, that signed -them, bears a load of guilt, such as few mortal men have assumed. - -England set about remedying this in a more commendable spirit, as soon -as the years of free and unrestricted crime, which she had really -granted to these nations, were run out. During about twenty years -subsequently, when treaties with these powers had granted mutual right -of search and capture, three hundred vessels were seized, having -slaves on board. But during the latter part of this period, more than -one hundred thousand half-dead negroes were annually landed from -slave-vessels in Cuba and Brazil. - -In 1839 the corrective was more stringently applied. Permission had -then, or soon after, been wrung from different slave-trading powers, -to capture vessels outward-bound for Africa, when fitted for the -slave-trade, as well as after they had taken in their cargoes. The -treaties provided that vessels equipped for the traffic might be -captured, so as to prevent the crime. A slaver was thus to be taken, -because she was a slaver; just as it is better to shoot the wolf before -he has killed the sheep than afterwards. If a vessel, therefore, was -found on the African coast with slave-irons, water in sufficient -quantity for a slave-cargo, with a slave-deck laid for packing -slaves--somewhat as the carcases of sheep and pigs in a railway train, -with the exception of the fresh air--she was seized and condemned -before committing the overt act. Under this arrangement, with a -rigorous squadron, double the number of captures were made, during the -next ten years, as compared with the previous twenty. - -Seeing, then, that, as before noticed, one thousand and seventy -slave-vessels were captured, and of the slaves who were not dead, -a great proportion were landed at Sierra Leone, and that the whole -population of that colony, although established for nearly sixty years, -does not amount to more than forty-five thousand souls, young and old, -it may be conceived what a fearful waste of life has arisen even from -deliverance. - -The efforts of this squadron were conjoined with those of France and -the United States. The former had withdrawn from the treaty stipulating -the right of search, and sent a squadron of her own to prevent French -vessels from engaging in the slave-trade; and the United States, which -never has surrendered, and never will surrender, the inviolability -of her own flag to a foreign power, guaranteed, in 1842, to keep a -squadron on the coast. These, together with other subsidiary means, had -reduced the export of slaves in 1849 to about thirty-seven thousand, -from one hundred and five thousand. And since that period the trade -has lessened, until in Brazil, the greater slave-mart, it has become -almost extinct; although at times it has been earned on briskly with -the island of Cuba. - -The subsidiary means alluded to arose out of the presence of the -squadrons, and would have had no effect without them. They consist in -arrangements, on the part of England, with some of the native powers, -to join in checking the evil, and substitute legal trade, and in -the conversion of the old slave-factories and forts into positions -defensive against their former purpose. - -These measures have also prepared the way for the establishment of -Christian missions, as well as permitted to legitimate traffic its -full development. Missions and the slave-trade have an inverse ratio -between them as to their progress. When the one dwindles, the other -grows. Although it was no ostensible purpose of the squadron to forward -missions, yet the presence of cruisers has been essential to their -establishment and success. - -Trade of all kinds was originally an adjunct to the slave-trade. -Cargoes were to be sold where they could find a purchaser. Gold, ivory, -dye-stuffs and pepper were the articles procured on the coast. All of -these are from exhaustible sources. The great vegetable productions -of the country, constituting heavy cargoes, have but lately come into -the course of commerce. Hunting and roaming about supplied the former -articles of commerce. The heavier articles now in demand require -more industry with the hands, and a settled life. Trade thus becomes -inconsistent with slavery, and hostile to it; and the more so as it -becomes more dependent on the collection of oil, ground-nuts, and -other products of agriculture. Covering the coast now with trading -establishments, excludes the slaver. The efforts of the squadrons were -necessary to carry out this proceeding, for commerce needed to be -protected against the piracies of the slaver afloat and the ravages of -the slaver on shore. - -Exposure to capture gave origin to the barracoons. A slaver could -no longer leisurely dispose of her cargo, at different points, in -return for slaves who happened to be there. The crime now required -concealment and rapidity. Wholesale dealers on shore had to collect -victims sufficient for a cargo to be taken on board at a moment’s -notice. This required that the slaver should arrive at the station, -with arrangements previously made with the slave-factor, ready to “take -in;” or that she should bring over a cargo of goods in payment for the -slaves. - -In the case of falling in with British cruisers, an American slaver -was inviolate, on presenting her register, or sea-letter, as a proof -of nationality, and could not be searched or detained. But the risk -of falling in with American cruisers, especially if co-operating -with the British, led to the disguise of legal trading; with a cargo -corresponding to the manifest, and all the ship’s papers in form. An -instance of this occurred, as will be seen, in the capture of the -second slaver by the “Perry.” - -The American flag, in these ways, became deeply involved in the slave -traffic. How far this acted injuriously to the interests of Africa, is -seen in the complaints of Buchanan and Roberts, and in the reports of -our ministers and consuls, and of those of the English, at Brazil. In -1849, the British consul at Rio, in his public correspondence, says: -“One of the most notorious slave-dealers in this capital, when speaking -of the employment of American vessels in the slave-trade, said, a few -days ago: ‘I am worried by the Americans, who insist upon my hiring -their vessels for slave-trade.’” - -Of this there is also abundant and distressing evidence from our own -diplomatic officers. Besides a lengthy correspondence from a preceding -minister near the court of Brazil, the President of the United States -transmitted a report from the Secretary of State, in December, 1850, to -the Senate of the United States, with documents relating to the African -slave-trade. A resolution had previously passed the Senate, calling -upon the Executive for this information. - -In these documents it is stated that “the number of American vessels -which, since the 1st of July, 1844, until the 1st of October -last (1849), sailed for the coast of Africa from this city, is -ninety-three.... Of these vessels, all, except five, have been sold and -delivered on the coast of Africa, and have been engaged in bringing -over slaves, and many of them have been captured with slaves on -board.... This pretended sale takes place at the moment when the slaves -are ready to be shipped; the American captain and his crew going on -shore, as the slaves are coming off, while the Portuguese or Italian -_passengers_, who came out from Rio in her, all at once became the -master and crew of the vessel. Those of the American crew who do not -die of coast-fever, get back as they can, many of them being compelled -to come over in slave-vessels, in order to get back at all. There is -evidence in the records of the consulate, of slaves having started -two or three times from the shore, and the master and crew from their -vessel in their boat, carrying with them the flag and ship’s papers; -when, the parties becoming frightened, both retroceded; the slaves were -returned to the shore, and the American master and crew again went -on board the vessel. The stars and stripes were again hoisted over -her, and kept flying until the cause of the alarm (an English cruiser) -departed from the coast, and the embarkation was safely effected.” - -On the other hand, we have the following notice from Brazil: “As in -former years, the slave-dealers have derived the greatest assistance -and protection for their criminal purposes, from the use of the -American flag, I am happy to add that these lawless and unprincipled -traders are at present deprived of this valuable protection, by a late -determination of the American naval commander-in-chief on this station, -who has caused three vessels, illegally using the flag of the United -States, and which were destined for African voyages, to be seized on -their leaving this harbor. This proceeding has caused considerable -alarm and embarrassment to the slave-dealers; and, should it be -continued, will be a severe blow to all slave-trading interests.” - -Mr. Tod, the American Minister at the court of Brazil, in a letter to -the Secretary of State, says: “As my predecessors had already done, -I have, from time to time, called the attention of our government to -the necessity of enacting a stringent law, having in view the entire -withdrawal of our vessels and citizens from this illegal commerce; and -after so much has been already written upon the subject, it may be -deemed a work of supererogation to discuss it further. The interests -at stake, however, are of so high a character, the integrity of -our flag and the cause of humanity being at once involved in their -consideration, I cannot refrain from bringing the topic afresh to the -notice of my government, in the hope that the President may esteem it -of such importance as to be laid before Congress, and that even at this -late day, legislative action may be secured.” - -In this communication, a quotation is made from Mr. Proffit, one of -the preceding ministers, to the Secretary of State, February, 1844, -in which he says: “I regret to say this, but it is a fact not to be -disguised or denied, that the slave-trade is almost entirely carried -on under our flag, in American-built vessels, sold to slave-traders -here, chartered for the coast of Africa, and there sold, or sold -here--delivered on the coast. And, indeed, the scandalous traffic could -not be carried on to any great extent, were it not for the use made -of our flag, and the facilities given for the chartering of American -vessels, to carry to the coast of Africa the outfit for the trade, and -the material for purchasing slaves.” - -Mr. Wise, the American Minister, in his dispatch of February 15th, -1845, said to Mr. Calhoun: - -“It is not to be denied, and I boldly assert it, that the -administration of the imperial government of Brazil, is forcibly -constrained by its influences, and is deeply inculpated in its guilt. -With that it would, at first sight, seem the United States have nothing -to do; but an intimate and full knowledge of the subject informs -us, that the only mode of carrying on that trade between Africa and -Brazil, at present, involves our laws and our moral responsibilities, -as directly and fully as it does those of this country itself. Our -flag alone gives requisite protection against the right of visit, -search, and seizure; and our citizens, in all the characters of owners, -consignees, of agents, and of masters and crews of our vessels, -are concerned in the business, and partake of the profits of the -African slave-trade, to and from the ports of Brazil, as fully as the -Brazilians themselves, and others in conjunction with whom they carry -it on. In fact, without the aid of our own citizens and our flag, it -could not be carried on with success at all.” - -To exhibit the state of the slave-trade prior to the equipment treaty -in 1840, we have the following instances from parliamentary papers, and -other British authority: - -“La Jeune Estelle, being chased by a British vessel, inclosed twelve -negroes in casks, and threw them overboard.” - -“M. Oiseau, commander of _Le Louis_, a French vessel, in completing -his cargo at Calaba, thrust the slaves into a narrow space _three feet -high_, and closed the hatches. Next morning fifty were found dead. -Oiseau coolly went ashore to purchase others to supply their place.” - -The following extract is from a report by Captain Hayes to the -Admiralty, of a representation made to him respecting one of these -vessels in 1832: - -“The master having a large cargo of these human beings _chained -together_, with more humanity than his fellows, permitted some of them -to come on deck, _but still chained together_, for the benefit of -the air, when they immediately commenced jumping overboard, hand in -hand, and drowning in couples; and (continued the person relating the -circumstance) without any cause whatever. Now these people were just -brought from a situation between decks, and to which they knew they -must return, where the scalding perspiration was running from one to -the other.... And men dying by their side, with full in their view, -living and dead bodies chained together; and the living, in addition -to all their other torments, laboring under the most famishing thirst -(being in very few instances allowed more than a pint of water a day); -and let it not be forgotten that these unfortunate people had just been -torn from their country, their families, their all! Men dragged from -their wives, women from their husbands and children, girls from their -mothers, and boys from their fathers; and yet in this man’s eye (for -heart and soul he could have none), there was no cause whatever for -jumping overboard and drowning. This, in truth, is a rough picture, -but it is not highly colored. The _men are chained in pairs_, and as a -proof they are intended so to remain to the end of the voyage, _their -fetters are not locked, but riveted by the blacksmith_; and as deaths -are frequently occurring, _living men are often for a length of time -confined to dead bodies_: the living man cannot be released till the -blacksmith has performed the operation of cutting the clinch of the -rivet with his chisel; and I have now an officer on board the Dryad, -who, on examining one of these slave-vessels, found _not only living -men chained to dead bodies, but the latter in a putrid state_.”[4] - -In the notorious Spanish slaver, the _Veloz Passageira_, captured with -five hundred and fifty-six slaves, after a severe action, the captain -made the slaves assist to work the guns against their own deliverers. -Five were killed and one desperately wounded. - -“This _Veloz Passageira_ had acquired so atrocious a reputation, that -it became an object with our commanders to make a special search for -her. Captain Arabin, of the _North Star_, having information on his -homeward voyage that she would cross his course near the equator, -made preparations to attack her, though the _North Star_ was of much -inferior strength. Dr. Walsh, who was coming home in the British -vessel, relates, that at breakfast, while the conversation was turning -on the chances of meeting with the slaver, a midshipman entered the -cabin, and said, in a hurried manner, that a sail was visible to the -northwest. All rushed on deck, and setting their glasses, distinctly -saw a large ship of three masts, apparently crossing their way. In -about an hour she tacked, as if not liking their appearance, and -stood away before the wind. The English captain gave chase. Escape -seemed impracticable. The breeze freshened, her hull became distinctly -visible, and she was now ascertained to be a slaver. She doubled, -however, in all directions, and seemed to change her course each moment -to avoid her pursuers. Five guns were successively fired, and the -English union-flag hoisted, but without effect; and the wind now dying -away, the _North Star_ began to drop astern. We kept a sharp look-out, -with intense interest, leaning over the netting, and silently handing -the glass to one another, as if a word spoken would impede our way. -Thus closed the night. When morning dawned we saw her, like a speck -on the horizon, standing due north. The breeze increased, and again -the British captain gained on the slaver. Again long shots were sent -after her, but she only crowded more sail to escape. At twelve we were -entirely within gunshot, and one of our long bow guns was again fired -at her. It struck the water along side, and then for the first time she -showed a disposition to stop. While we were preparing a second, she -hove to, and in a short time we were alongside of her, after a most -interesting chase of thirty hours; during which we ran three hundred -miles.” - -After all she was not the ship for which Captain Arabin had been -looking out, but she was full of slaves. “Behind her foremast was an -enormous gun, turning on a broad circle of iron, and _enabling her -to act as a pirate if her slaving speculation had failed_. She had -taken in on the coast of Africa five hundred and sixty-two slaves, and -had been out seventeen days, during which she had thrown overboard -fifty-five. - -“The slaves were all inclosed under grated hatchways between decks. The -space was so low that they sat between each other’s legs, and stowed -so close together that there was no possibility of their lying down or -at all changing their position, by night or day. As they belonged to, -or were shipped on account of, different individuals, they were all -branded like sheep, with the owners’ marks, of different forms. These -were impressed under their hearts, or on their arms, and as the mate -informed me, with perfect indifference, “burnt with the red-hot iron.” -Over the hatchways stood a ferocious-looking fellow, with a scourge -of many-twisted thongs in his hand, who was the slave-driver of the -ship; and whenever he heard the slightest noise below, he shook it over -them, and seemed eager to exercise it. I was quite pleased to take -this hateful badge out of his hand; and I have kept it ever since as a -horrid memorial of the reality, should I ever be disposed to forget the -scene I witnessed. - -“As soon as the poor creatures saw us looking down at them, their -dark and melancholy visages brightened up. They perceived something -of sympathy and kindness in our looks, which they had not been -accustomed to; and feeling instinctively that we were friends, they -immediately began to shout and clap their hands. One or two had picked -up a few Portuguese words, and cried out, Viva! viva! The women were -particularly excited. They all held up their arms, and when we bent -down and shook hands with them, they could not contain their delight: -they endeavored to scramble up on their knees, stretching up to kiss -our hands, and we understood they knew we were coming to liberate them. -Some, however, hung their heads in apparently hopeless dejection; -some were greatly emaciated, and some, particularly children, seemed -dying. But the circumstance which struck us most forcibly was, how it -was possible for such a number of human beings to exist, packed up and -wedged together as tight as they could cram, in low cells, three feet -high, the greater part of which, except that immediately under the -grated hatchways, were shut out from light and air; and this, when the -thermometer, exposed to open sky, was standing in the shade on our deck -at 89°. The space between decks, divided into two compartments, was -three feet three inches high; the size of one was 16 feet by 18, and -of the other 40 by 21; into the first were crammed the women and the -girls, into the second the men and boys. Two hundred and twenty-six -fellow-creatures were thus thrust into one space of 288 square feet, -and three hundred and thirty into another space of 800 square feet, -giving the _whole an average of 23 inches; and to each of the women not -more than 13 inches_. We also found manacles and fetters of different -kinds; but it appeared that they all had been taken off before we -boarded. The heat of these horrid places was so great, and the odor so -offensive, that it was quite impossible to enter them, even had there -been room. They were measured as above when the slaves had left them. -The officers insisted that the poor suffering creatures should be -admitted on deck, to get air and water.... On looking into the places -where they had been crammed, there were found some children next the -sides of the ship, in the places most remote from air and light; they -were lying nearly in a torpid state, after the rest had turned out. The -little creatures seemed indifferent as to life or death; and when they -were carried on deck, many of them could not stand. After enjoying, for -a short time, the unusual luxury of air, some water was brought; it -was then that the extent of their sufferings was exposed in a fearful -manner. They all rushed like maniacs towards it. No entreaties, or -threats, or blows could restrain them; they shrieked, and struggled -and fought with one another, for a drop of this precious liquid, as if -they grew rabid at the sight of it. There is nothing which slaves, in -the mid-passage, suffer from so much as want of water. It is sometimes -usual to take out casks filled with sea-water as ballast, and when -the slaves are received on board, to start the casks and refill them -with fresh. On one occasion, a ship from Bahia neglected to change the -contents of the casks, and on the mid-passage found, to their horror, -that they were filled with nothing but salt-water. _All the slaves on -board perished._” - -At the time of this seizure, Brazil was precluded from the slave-trade -north of the equator; but the period had not arrived when, by treaty, -the southern trade was to be extinguished. “The captain of this slaver -was provided with papers, which exhibited an apparent conformity to -the law, and which, false as they may have been, yet could in no way -be absolutely disproved. The accounts of the slaves themselves, who -stated they had _originally_ come from parts of Africa _north_ of the -line--the course which the slaver was steering--her flight from the -English cruiser--were circumstances raising suspicion the most violent; -but the reader will be not a little disappointed to learn, that, with -all this, the case was deemed too doubtful, in point of legal proof, -to bear out a legal detention; and the slaver therefore, after nine -hours of close investigation, was finally set at liberty, and suffered -to proceed.... It was dark when we separated, and the last parting -sounds we heard from the unhallowed ship, were the cries and shrieks of -slaves, suffering under some bodily infliction.”--_Walsh_, vol. ii. pp. -474-484. - -The question arises, ought not humanity to have overcome all these -considerations, and led to the deliverance of the victims? If one death -in such circumstances had occurred, ought not a sense of justice to -have led to the detention of the slaver, and the conveyance of the -captain to his own government, to be tried for murder? - -The traders of France were nearly in the same position with those -of the United States, and there was the same necessity for guarding -against the abuse of their flag. Before proceeding to the proper -history of the American squadron in its efforts for the great purposes -it had in view, it may be advisable briefly to notice that France, in -1845, had formed with England a treaty under which both parties engaged -to keep a squadron of not less than twenty-six cruisers on the coast. -The number was afterwards, by a separate agreement, reduced on the -part of France to twelve vessels. - -The reasons for this, and the few captures made by French vessels, -apply as well to the American cruisers, and account for the nature of -the stipulation in the treaty of Washington, that the United States -should only employ on the African coast a squadron of eighty guns. -These two nations have not, as England has, the right by treaty with -other powers, to interfere with any vessels except their own. Hence the -captures made by English cruisers necessarily outnumbered greatly the -captures made by both the other powers. - -The duty of the American and French squadron was in fact restrictive -in respect to their own citizens alone; and while indispensable for -the general success of these operations, they could not exhibit any -thing like the same amount of result in captures, whatever might be -the zeal and activity of the cruisers. Several slavers, however, have -been captured by this squadron; and its presence has restrained the -employment of the French flag in that traffic. - -[4] Parliamentary papers, presented 1832, B., pp. 170, 171. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII. - - UNITED STATES SQUADRON--TREATY OF WASHINGTON. - - -There has been noted in the history of Liberia, prior to the -establishment of the commonwealth, the occasional arrival of American -men-of-war on the west coast of Africa. But an organized squadron was -not established until the year 1843. - -The question as to the effects arising from the abuse of the American -flag was brought into discussion in 1842, between American and British -diplomatists. Great Britain had to acknowledge, as the slave-trade -by the United States had only been declared piracy in a municipal -sense, that although a vessel was fully equipped for the trade, or -even had slaves on board, if American, she was in no sense amenable to -British cruisers. It, however, leaves the question unsettled, How is -a vessel to be ascertained to be American? The plea that any vessel, -hoisting any flag, is thereby secured against all interference in -all circumstances, never can be seriously offered as a principle of -national law. Neither the United States nor any other power has ever -acted on a dogma of this breadth. The United States do not claim that -their flag shall give immunity to those who are not American; for such -a claim would render it a cover to piracy and to acts of the greatest -atrocity. But any vessel which hoists the American flag, claims to be -American, and therefore while she may be boarded and examined by an -American cruiser, this right is not conceded to a foreign cruiser; -for the flag is prima facie evidence, although not conclusive proof -of nationality; and if such vessel be really American, the boarding -officer will be regarded in the light of a trespasser, and the vessel -will have all the protection which that flag supplies. If, on the other -hand, the vessel prove not to be American, the flag illegally worn -will afford her no protection. Therefore a foreign officer boarding -a vessel under the flag of the United States, does it upon his own -responsibility for all consequences. - -These principles have been carried out in the co-operation and joint -cruising with British vessels, as will hereafter be seen, with -occasional exceptions of blustering and blundering, when American -cruisers were absent. This state of things, however, sometimes produces -a strange dilemma. The brig “Lawrence,” which was really American, was -captured and condemned by an English admiralty court, as a slaver, all -of which was contrary to national rights. But it was made out that she -was a slaver, and although the master protested, he found himself -helpless. The vessel was justly condemned as a slaver, but condemned by -the wrong party, which had no legal jurisdiction over her. The master -was a pirate if he fell into the hands of American authorities, and -thus was debarred all claim for redress. - -There is no doubt that many such cases occurred, and would again on the -withdrawal of the squadron. This, therefore, gave a kind of impunity -to the British cruisers, in violating the rights of the American flag, -and kept things in an unsound state. The only remedy for it, was in the -permanent establishment of an American squadron on the coast. - -Dr. Hall, the agent in the Maryland colony at Cape Palmas says, “No -stronger incentive could be given to the commission of these outrageous -acts on the part of the British cruisers, than the course pursued by -the United States government, in declaring the slave-trade piracy, and -then taking no effective steps to prevent its prosecution under their -own flag!” Again: “If our force is not increased, and we continue to -disregard the prostitution of our flag, annoyances to our merchantmen -will more frequently occur. We shall no longer receive the protection -of British cruisers, which has ever been rendered to American vessels, -and without which the whole coast would be lined with robbers and -pirates.” - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII. - - CASE OF THE “MARY CARVER,” SEIZED BY THE NATIVES--MEASURES OF THE - SQUADRON IN CONSEQUENCE--DESTRUCTION OF TOWNS--LETTER FROM U. S. BRIG - “TRUXTON” IN RELATION TO A CAPTURED SLAVER. - - -The treaty of Washington in 1842, settled and defined matters clearly -and honorably, both to the United States and Great Britain; and -agreeably to the treaty, the African squadron was established in the -year following, under the command of Commodore Matthew C. Perry, -consisting of the flag-ship Macedonian, the sloop-of-war Saratoga, the -sloop-of-war Decatur, and the brig Porpoise. The squadron selected its -rendezvous at Porto Praya, St. Jago, one of the Cape Verde Islands, in -lat. 14° 54’ N. and long. 23° 30’ W. - -One of the first acts of this squadron was the chastisement of the -natives for an outrage on American commerce. - -The people of Little Berebee, eastward of Cape Palmas, had some time -previously murdered the captain and crew of the American brig “Mary -Carver.” This occurrence of itself establishes one point, which is -the necessity of having cruisers on such a coast. The safety of -commerce and the general welfare of the world are promoted by inspiring -wrong-doers with wholesome terror. - -On two occasions, towns have been captured, and in one instance a town -fired, by our squadrons on the coast of Sumatra, for similar atrocities -on our merchant vessels. But the impression is soon forgotten, and -the necessity for punishment occurs again. Now it may be expedient -to act thus at a distance, and trust only to occasional proofs of -just severity; but when wrong is ever ready to arise, it would be -better that the means of correction were at hand; for in this way is -the wrong-doing most readily prevented. Such, therefore, is the best -arrangement for all parties. - -In a country so near as Africa, and with which the United States is -so closely connected, the duty of preventing evil by the presence of -power, is imperative; otherwise we at once jeopardize our citizens, and -lead the savage into crime. - -The commodore, with the frigate Macedonian, the Saratoga, and Decatur, -proceeded to Cape Palmas. Such was then the tendency to warfare, that -the saluting was misinterpreted as the commencement of a fight, and -brought down a hostile tribe to share in the conflict or the spoils. -These natives attacked the post called Fort Tubman, eastward of Cape -Palmas, and suffered some loss in being driven off. - -The squadron then proceeded to Berebee. Having landed a force of -about two hundred men, and called together the chiefs and head -men, some palavering, and a great deal of lying on the part of the -natives, took place. They had really prepared for a conflict, which on -their attempting to run off, took place. In the melée, the king was -unintentionally killed, eight or ten more suffered, and the palisades -and houses were burnt. - -Landings took place afterwards at towns along the coast, which had -shared in the crime and in the spoils. A few straggling shots were -fired from the shores and from the woods, but without causing any loss. -The stockades and dwelling-places were committed to the flames. - -Four towns were burnt, containing “from fifty to one hundred houses -each, neatly built with wicker-work, and thatched with palmetto.... -It was the commodore’s orders to destroy property, but spare life.” -This was right; but we have the reflection that the penalties may not -fall altogether upon the guilty, and that in every point of view the -prevention of such murderous outrages as here met punishment, is, when -it can be done by a show of authority, better than such retaliation. - -Humanity gained in other respects by this chastisement. The capricious -hostilities of the natives against the Maryland colony were checked, -and their appetite for plunder brought under wholesome correction, -while missionaries were secured against their violence. A native -also who was being tortured, under a senseless accusation of causing -sickness in a chief, was rescued. All treaties by which the colonies -consent to the incorporation of the natives, stipulate that this -atrocity shall cease. The thinking men among the natives feel no -repugnance in giving it up. It is well that the colonial and native -authorities be sustained in counteracting the furious superstition of -the mob, by the power of solemn obligation. - -In a letter addressed to the Secretary of the American Colonization -Society, February 3d, 1844, from J. N. Lewis, acting Colonial Secretary -of Liberia, it is remarked, “Some months ago the Porpoise sent home -the American brigantine Uncas, under very suspicious circumstances. -There can be no doubt but that her intention was to take from the -coast a cargo of slaves. Still I am under the impression that your -courts will acquit her. I am informed that a bill is before Congress -making it criminal for vessels under the American flag to sell goods -at slave-factories. If such a bill pass the Houses, the slave-traders -will be much injured, as they get their principal supplies from vessels -bearing the flag of your country.... Your flag is used to protect the -slavers from interference by British vessels of war while they are -landing their cargoes; and when the slaves are put on board they throw -overboard, or otherwise destroy, the ‘stars and stripes,’ and depend -upon the swiftness of their sailing to escape capture by a British -man-of-war.” - -The squadron was actively employed, cruising over the entire extent -of the slave-coast, rendering aid and protection to legal commerce, -and checking the slave-trade carried on in American vessels. It -was relieved in 1845 by the arrival of Commodore Skinner, with the -sloops-of-war Jamestown, Yorktown, and Preble, and the brig Truxton. - -The commander of the Decatur, on his return to the United States, in -a letter addressed to the Secretary of the Massachusetts Colonization -Society, alluding to the object of the Society, says that he cannot but -view it “as one of the most interesting and important that can claim -the attention and sympathy of the Christian and philanthropist at the -present day: besides, that in a political and national point of view, -it is, I think, well worthy the study of our ablest statesmen, and the -fostering aid of government, in consideration of the present and future -prosperity of our agricultural, manufacturing and commercial interests. -For were Africa, as she is now, to be struck out of existence, all -these interests would feel it a calamity; but were a requisition now -made for only a single garment for each individual of the myriads of -the African race, it would probably require the energies of the whole -world for at least five years to come to supply it.” - -A letter from an officer of the Truxton, off Sierra Leone, dated March -29th, 1845, says: “Here we are in tow of Her Britannic Majesty’s -steamer Ardent, with an American schooner, our prize, and a Spanish -brigantine, prize to the steamer, captured in the Rio Pongas, one -hundred miles to the northward. We had good information when we left -Monrovia, that there was a vessel in the Pongas, waiting a cargo; and -on our arrival off the river, finding an English man-of-war steamer, -arrangements were made to send a combined boat expedition, to make -captures for both vessels.” The American boats were in charge of -Lieutenant Blunt. - -“On coming in sight, our little schooner ran up American colors, to -protect herself from any suspicion, when our boats, after running along -side of her, produced the stripes and stars, much to the astonishment -of those on board. She proved to be the Spitfire, of New Orleans, and -ran a cargo of slaves from the same place last year. Of only about one -hundred tons; but though of so small a size she stowed three hundred -and forty-six negroes, and landed near Matanzas, Cuba, three hundred -and thirty-nine. - -“Between her decks, where the slaves are packed, there is not room -enough for a man to sit, unless inclining his head forward: their food, -half a pint of rice per day, with, one pint of water. No one can -imagine the sufferings of slaves on their passage across, unless the -conveyances in which they are taken are examined. Our friend had none -on board, but his cargo of three hundred were ready in a barracoon, -waiting a good opportunity to start. A good hearty negro costs but -twenty dollars, or thereabouts, and is purchased for rum, powder, -tobacco, cloth, &c. They bring from three to four hundred dollars in -Cuba. The English are doing every thing in their power to prevent the -slave-trade; and keep a force of thirty vessels on this coast, all -actively cruising. The British boats also brought down a prize; and the -steamer is at this moment towing the Truxton, the Truxton’s prize, and -her own, at the rate of six miles an hour. - -“It is extremely difficult to get up these rivers to the places where -the slavers lie. The whole coast is intersected by innumerable rivers, -with branches pouring into them from every quarter, and communicating -with each other by narrow, circuitous and very numerous creeks, -bordered on each side with impenetrable thickets of mangroves. In these -creeks, almost concealed by the trees, the vessels lie, and often elude -the strictest search. But when they have taken on board their living -cargo, and are getting out to sea, the British are very apt to seize -them, except, alas! when they are _protected by the banner of the -United States_.” - -The Sierra Leone Watchman, of February 19th, adds, that “the -slave-traders at Shebar and in the river Gallinas had been much -emboldened by the prosecution of Captain Denham, in England, for his -summary destruction of sundry barracoons, and openly asserted their -determination to seek redress in the English courts, if they were again -molested in their operations.” - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV. - - CAPTURE OF THE SLAVE-BARQUE “PONS”--SLAVES LANDED AT MONROVIA--CAPTURE - OF THE SLAVE-EQUIPPED VESSELS “PANTHER,” “ROBERT WILSON,” - “CHANCELLOR,” ETC.--LETTER FROM THE “JAMESTOWN” IN REFERENCE TO - LIBERIA--AFFAIR WITH THE NATIVES NEAR CAPE PALMAS--SEIZURE AND - CONDEMNATION OF THE SLAVER “H. N. GAMBRILL.” - - -On the 30th of November, the Yorktown, Commander Bell, captured the -American bark “Pons,” off Kabenda, on the south coast, with eight -hundred and ninety-six slaves on board. This vessel had been at Kabenda -about twenty days before, during which she had been closely watched -by the British cruiser “Cygnet.” The Cygnet, leaving one morning, -the master of the Pons, James Berry, immediately gave up the ship -to Gallano, the Portuguese master. During the day, so expeditious -had they been, that water and provisions were received on board, and -nine hundred and three slaves were embarked; and at eight o’clock -the same evening, the Pons was under way. Instead of standing out to -sea, she kept in with the coast during the night; and in the morning -discovering the British cruiser, furled sails, and drifted so close to -the shore that the negroes came down to the beach in hopes of her being -wrecked. She thus eluded detection. When clear of the Cygnet, she stood -out to sea, and two days afterwards was captured by the Yorktown. - -Commander Bell says: “The captain took us for an English man-of-war, -and hoisted the American colors; and no doubt had papers to -correspond.” These he threw overboard. “As soon as the slaves were -recaptured, they gave a shout that could have been heard a mile.” - -During the night eighteen of the slaves had died, and one jumped -overboard. The master accounted for the number dying from the necessity -of his sending below all the slaves on deck, and closing the hatches, -when he fell in with the Yorktown, in order to escape detection. Ought -not every such death to be regarded as murder? - -Commander Bell says: “The vessel has no slave-deck, and upwards of -eight hundred and fifty were piled, almost in bulk, on water-casks -below. As the ship appeared to be less than three hundred and fifty -tons, it seemed impossible that one-half could have lived to cross the -Atlantic. About two hundred filled up the spar-deck alone when they -were permitted to come up from below; and yet the captain assured me -that it was his intention to have taken _four hundred more_ on board, -if he could have spared the time. - -“The stench from below was so great that it was impossible to stand -more than a few minutes near the hatchways. Our men who went below from -curiosity, were forced up sick in a few minutes: then all the hatches -were off. What must have been the sufferings of those poor wretches, -when the hatches were closed! I am informed that very often in these -cases, the stronger will strangle the weaker; and this was probably -the reason why so many died, or rather were found dead the morning -after the capture. None but an eye-witness can form a conception of the -horrors these poor creatures must endure in their transit across the -ocean. - -“I regret to say, that most of this misery is produced by our own -countrymen. They furnish the means of conveyance in spite of existing -enactments; and although there are strong circumstances against Berry, -the late master of the Pons, sufficient to induce me to detain him, if -I should meet him, I fear neither he nor his employers can be reached -by our present laws.” - -In this letter to the Secretary of the Navy, Commander Bell further -adds: “For twenty days did Berry wait in the roadstead of Kabenda, -protected by the flag of his country, yet closely watched by a foreign -man-of-war, who was certain of his intention: but the instant that -cruiser is compelled to withdraw for a few hours, he springs at the -opportunity of enriching himself and owners, and disgracing the flag -which had protected him.” - -The prize “Pons” was taken to Monrovia. There the slaves were landed, -and gave the people a practical exhibition of the trade by which -their ancestors had been torn from their homes. In the fourteen days -intervening between the capture and arrival of the vessel at Monrovia, -one hundred and fifty had died. - -“The slaves,” says the Monrovia Herald of December 28th, “were much -emaciated, and so debilitated that many of them found difficulty in -getting out of the boats. Such a spectacle of misery and wretchedness, -inflicted by a lawless and ferocious cupidity, so excited our people, -that it became unsafe for the captain of the slaver, who had come to -look on, to remain on the beach. Eight slaves died in harbor before -they were landed, and the bodies were thrown overboard.” - -The slaves, who were from eight to thirty years of age, came starved -and thirsting from on board. Caution was required in giving them food. -“When it was supposed that the danger of depletion was over, water was -poured into a long canoe, into which they plunged like hungry pigs into -a trough--the stronger faring the best.” - -Still, the kindness of human nature had not altogether been obliterated -by length and intensity of suffering. Two boys, brothers, had found -beside them a younger boy of the same tribe, who was ill. They -contrived to nestle together on the deck, under such shelter as the -cover of the long-boat offered them--a place where the pigs, if they -are small enough, are generally stowed. There they made a bed of some -oakum for their dying companion, and placed a piece of old canvas under -his head. Night and day one was always awake to watch him. Hardship -rendered their care fruitless: the night after the vessel anchored he -died, and was thrown overboard. - -The recaptured were apprenticed out, and kindly cared for by the -Liberians. Several of them were found, when the Perry visited Monrovia, -to have become members of churches, and others were attending -Sunday-schools. - -Several empty slavers were captured by the squadron about this -period; they are thus noticed by the National Intelligencer:--“It is -remarkable that within the same week, should have arrived in our ports -as prizes to the American squadron, for having been engaged in the -slave-trade--the Pons, above mentioned, captured by the Yorktown; the -Panther, a prize of the same vessel, which arrived at Charleston on -Monday; and the Robert Wilson, a prize to the sloop-of-war Jamestown, -which reached Charleston on Thursday.” - -In 1846, the sloop-of-war Marion, brigs Dolphin and Boxer, with the -flag-ship United States, Commodore Read, constituted the squadron. - -Sixty miles of additional sea-coast territory had been purchased -by Governor Roberts, from the natives. The influence of traders, -of the slave-trade, and even of England being thrown in the way of -obtaining possession of the purchased territory, Governor Roberts made -application to the commodore, that one of the vessels of the squadron -might cruise for several weeks within the limited territory, for the -purpose of facilitating negotiation. The Dolphin was assigned this -service; her commander offered General Lewis, the agent, a passage to -such points as he wished to visit, and otherwise rendered service as -circumstances required. - -The Dolphin was lying at Cape Mount, watching the suspicious American -bark “Chancellor,” which was trading with a slave-dealer named -Canot. The British cruiser “Favorite” was stationed off the Cape, -and suggested to the chiefs, that as they were in treaty with his -government for the suppression of the slave-trade, and as Canot was on -their territory making preparations for slaving, they were bound to -destroy his establishment. The chiefs accordingly burnt his premises, -containing a large amount of goods he had shipped at New York. Canot -having been by no means secure in conscience, had left with his family -and taken up his residence in Monrovia. - -The Dolphin proceeded to Porto Praya for stores, and the Chancellor -was watched in the mean time by the British cruisers at the Cape and -at the Gallinas. Among the traverses worked by the slave-traders, the -practice had been adopted, to fill canoes with slaves and send them -off the coast, to be picked up by vessels in search of a cargo, which, -from the blockade, could not reach the shore. In one instance, fifty of -these were found in a single canoe, and taken by a British cruiser. On -the return of the Dolphin, the Chancellor was seized by Commander Pope -as a prize, on the ground of having a slave-deck laid, and water-casks -with rice on board sufficient for a slave cargo, and sent to the United -States for adjudication. - -The commodore, after having cruised along the entire extent of the -slave-coast, rendering such service as American interests required, was -relieved, in 1847, by the sloop-of-war Jamestown, Commodore Bolton. The -frigate United States then proceeded to the Mediterranean station, to -complete her cruise. - -The commander of the Jamestown writes, in relation to Monrovia, “It -was indeed to me a novel and interesting sight, although a southern -man, to look upon these emancipated slaves legislating for themselves, -and discussing freely, if not ably, the principles of human rights, -on the very continent, and perhaps the very spot, where some of -their ancestors were sold into slavery.... Liberia, I think, is now -safe, and may be left after a while to stand alone. Would it not be -advisable, then, for the Colonization Society to turn its attention -to some other portion of the coast, and extend the area of Christian -and philanthropic efforts to bettering the condition of the colored -people of our country, by sowing on other parts of the coast some of -the good seed which has produced so bountifully on the free soil of -Liberia.... In no part of the world have I met with a more orderly, -sober, religious and moral community than is to be found at Monrovia. -On the Sabbath, it is truly a joyful sound to hear hymns of praise -offered up to Him who doth promise, ‘where two or three are gathered -together in His name, there He is in the midst of them;’ and a pleasure -to observe how very general the attendance upon divine worship is -among these people. I believe every man and woman in Monrovia, of -any respectability, is a member of the church. If you take a family -dinner with the President (and his hospitable door is always open -to strangers), a blessing is asked upon the good things before you -set to. Take a dinner at Colonel Hicks’s (who, by the way, keeps one -of the very nicest tables), and ‘mine host,’ with his shiny, black, -intelligent face, will ask a blessing on the tempting viands set before -you.” - -This may be considered a fair type of the views of persons generally -who visit Liberia, judging the people comparatively. Our estimate -of them ought not to be conformed to the standard of an American -population. - -The squadron confined mostly to the north coast, rendered such services -as the commerce of the United States and the interest of its citizens -required, and checked the perversion of the flag to the continuance of -the slave-trade. The year following, the commodore was relieved by the -Yorktown, bearing the broad pendant of Commodore Cooper, and with the -flag-ship proceeded to the Mediterranean. - -Commodore Cooper soon after assuming the command, suffering from -ill-health, returned to the United States, and the African squadron was -assigned to Commodore Gregory, who sailed in the summer of 1849, in the -U. S. sloop-of-war Portsmouth. It consisted of the sloops-of-war John -Adams, Dale, Yorktown, and the brigs Bainbridge, Porpoise and Perry. -Three or four slavers were captured, the entire slave-coast closely -examined, and such services rendered to our commercial interests as -were required. - -In 1851, Commodore Lavallette, with the Germantown, relieved Commodore -Gregory. He made an active cruise, capturing one or two suspected -slavers, and otherwise carrying out the views of the government in the -establishment of the squadron. At the expiration of two years, the -frigate Constitution arrived, bearing the broad pendant of Commodore -Mayo, who now commands the squadron, consisting of the sloops-of-war -Marion and Dale, with the brig Perry. - -In visiting Cape Palmas in the summer of 1853, one of the -unintelligible quarrels common to the coast was then raging between -the Barbo people and their neighbors along the Cavally. Interfering -to settle the matter was by no means acceptable. When the commodore -proposed going on shore for the purpose, the proposal was met by an -intimation to go away, or they would cut off his head. The launch was -sent off well manned, with a howitzer. The natives assembled with a -show of resistance, but a shot being thrown among them, brought the -belligerents to terms. They apologized, and promised to reconcile their -enmities, and took the oath of friendship. - -The American schooner N. H. Gambrill, of Baltimore, attempting to -re-awaken the small remains of slaving off the river Congo, was seized -by the frigate Constitution on the 3d of December, arrived in New York -in charge of a prize-officer, and on the 30th of January, 1854, was -condemned in the U. S. Circuit Court, for having been engaged in the -slave-trade. - -Considering that we have had no steamers on the coast, and the number -of vessels being small, the squadron has been efficient in fulfilling -its duties. Its appearance alone had great influence. It showed a -determination in our government to share in the naval charge of these -vast seas and shores. Our country thus became present, as it were, in -power to repress, and if need be, by punishment to avenge outrages on -our citizens or their property. It checked, by important captures, -the desecration of the American flag, and has had an essential agency -towards removing the guilt of the slave-trade from the world. Had we -no squadron on the African coast, American vessels would with impunity -pursue the iniquitous traffic; our commerce would be exposed, and our -citizens subject to outrage. The nature of the proceedings of this -squadron, the circumstances of its experience, and the effect of its -operations, will be more clearly apparent in the subsequent detail of -the proceedings of the U. S. brig “Perry,” during the years 1850-1851. -The following chapters will comprise a synopsis of these proceedings, -and a compilation from the correspondence in relation to them. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV. - - CRUISE OF THE “PERRY”--INSTRUCTIONS--DISPATCHED TO THE SOUTH - COAST--BENGUELA--CASE OF A SLAVER WHICH HAD CHANGED HER NATIONALITY - CAPTURED BY AN ENGLISH CRUISER--ST. PAUL DE LOANDA--ABUSE OF THE - AMERICAN FLAG--WANT OF A CONSUL ON THE SOUTH COAST--CORRESPONDENCE - WITH BRITISH OFFICERS IN RELATION TO SLAVERS UNDER THE AMERICAN - FLAG--THE BARQUE “NAVARRE”--TREATY WITH PORTUGAL--ABATEMENT OF - CUSTOM-HOUSE DUTIES--CRUISING OFF AMBRIZ--AN ARRANGEMENT MADE WITH - THE BRITISH COMMODORE FOR THE JOINT CRUISING OF THE PERRY AND STEAMER - “CYCLOPS”--CO-OPERATION WITH THE BRITISH SQUADRON FOR THE SUPPRESSION - OF THE SLAVE-TRADE--FITTING OUT OF AMERICAN SLAVERS IN BRAZIL. - - -On the 21st of December, 1849, the “Perry” arrived at the Cape Verde -Islands, and was reported to the commodore of the American squadron. On -the 9th of the succeeding month a communication was received from the -commodore intimating his intention to dispatch the vessel immediately -on a cruise south of the equator: stating, that he should leave the -commander to the exercise of his own judgment in general matters; but -as an object of the first consequence, called his attention to the -observance of every means calculated to preserve and insure the health -of his crew. He had been counselled by the experience of the fleet -surgeon and others, that it was absolutely necessary for white persons -to avoid exposure to the heat of the day, and to the night air on -shore, and always when at anchor to lie at a sufficient distance from -the shore to avoid its deleterious effects. Besides these precautions, -cleanliness of ship and persons, constant ventilation, proper food -and clothing, sufficiency of water, and good discipline, had hitherto -produced the happiest results, and no doubt would continue to do so. A -number of Kroomen sufficient to man two boats, were to be furnished at -Monrovia, which would relieve the crew ordinarily from the hazards of -that duty. The officers and men should not be permitted to visit the -shore unnecessarily; or at all, when they could not, with certainty, -return at any moment. Care was to be observed in procuring good -wholesome water, and in such abundance as to insure at all times, if -possible, a full allowance to the crew; and also to furnish them with -fresh provisions and vegetables, whenever the opportunity offered. - -A record of all vessels boarded, with a report according to the form -furnished, was required. - -The commander was reminded of the disposition of the government to -cultivate and maintain the most friendly intercourse with all other -nations or people, and was directed to govern himself accordingly. - -The commodore also directed the commander of the Perry, when that -vessel should be in all respects ready for sea, to proceed direct -to Monrovia, where he would meet the U. S. sloop-of-war Yorktown; -the commander of which had been instructed to fill up the Perry -with provisions, furnish sixteen Kroomen, and to render all needful -assistance required to expedite her movements. Making no unnecessary -delay at Monrovia, the commander of the Perry was to proceed thence on -the cruise, the limits of which would extend to the lat. of Cape St. -Mary’s, 13° south. - -It was recommended, that from Monrovia he should proceed off from the -coast, keeping well to the westward, until crossing the equator and -reaching the southern limits of the cruising-ground, for the purpose -of avoiding the prevailing winds and currents, which, south of the -line, would be adverse to progress in-shore, but favorable to a close -examination, on the return northward. - -The object of the cruise was to protect the lawful commerce of the -United States, and, under the laws of the United States, to prevent -the flag and citizens of the United States from being engaged in the -slave-trade; and to carry out, in good faith, the treaty stipulations -between the United States and England. - -After reaching the southern point of destination, or nearly so, the -vessel was to cruise along the coast, examining the principal points, -or slave-stations; such as the Salinas, Benguela, Loanda, Ambriz, River -Congo, and intermediate places, back towards Monrovia: the commander -acting in all cases according to the best of his judgment, upon the -information he might obtain, and circumstances that might present -themselves; taking care, in no case, to exceed the instructions of the -Hon. Secretary of the Navy, furnished for his guidance. - -Should British cruisers be met, he might act in concert with them, so -far as the instructions permitted. - -It was further noticed, that a number of suspected American vessels had -been hovering on the coast, between Cape St. Mary’s and Cape Lopez, -and that some of them had left the coast with slaves. Vessels clearly -liable to capture and not provided with cargoes, might be sent directly -to the United States. All captives found on board were to be landed at -Monrovia. - -The Perry left the Cape Verde Islands on the day in which her orders -were issued, and arrived at Monrovia on the 20th. She there received -provisions from the Yorktown, and sixteen Kroomen from the shore. -Having exchanged salutes and visits of ceremony, she sailed on her -southern cruise, and arrived at St. Philip de Benguela, after a passage -of forty-one days, having, during the interval, boarded three legal -traders. This passage was made on the port tack by standing to the -southward and westward, into the southeast trades. But the passage from -the north to the south coast should, in all cases, be made in-shore on -the starboard tack; as will be explained, hereafter, during the third -cruise of the Perry. - -At Benguela, which is a Portuguese settlement, next in importance -to St. Paul de Loanda, although now much dilapidated, and where the -slave-trade has been carried on to a great extent, the customary -exchange of a national salute and official visits was duly observed. - -The commander ascertained, on his arrival, that the American merchant -vessels were subject to greater restrictions than probably would have -been the case had a man-of-war occasionally made her appearance in that -quarter. He therefore intimated to the governor that our cruisers, in -future, would visit that part of the coast more frequently than they -had done for the last few years. - -Information was received, that five days previous to the arrival of -the Perry, an English cruiser had captured, near this place, a brig, -with eight hundred slaves on board. In this case, it appeared that the -vessel came from Rio de Janeiro, under American colors and papers, -with an American captain and crew; and had been, when on the coast, -transferred to a Brazilian captain and crew, the Americans having gone -on shore with the papers. The captured slaver was sent to the Island -of St. Helena for adjudication. - -After remaining three days at Benguela, where neither fresh water nor -provisions could be procured, the Perry weighed anchor and ran down the -coast, examining all intermediate points, and boarding several vessels -during the passage to Loanda. This city is the capital of Loango, and -the most flourishing of the Portuguese establishments on the African -coast. - -In a letter announcing the arrival of the vessel, and her reception -by the authorities, the Navy Department was informed that an English -steamer had arrived, having recently captured a slaver, the barque -Navarre, which had sailed from Rio de Janeiro to St. Catharine’s, where -she had fitted up for a slave cargo, and received a Brazilian captain -and crew. When boarded by the English steamer, the slaver had American -colors flying; and on being told by the commander that her papers were -forged, and yet that he could not search the vessel, but must send her -to an American cruiser, the captain then ordered the American colors to -be hauled down, and the Brazilian to be hoisted, declaring that she was -Brazilian property, sent the Brazilian captain and crew on deck, and -gave up the vessel. - -The commander of the Perry also informed the Navy Department that, soon -after his arrival at Loanda, he had received from various sources -information of the abuse of the American flag in connection with the -slave-trade; and inclosed copies of letters and papers addressed to him -by the British commissioner, and the commander of an English cruiser, -which gave authentic information on the subject. - -He suggested that as the legitimate commerce of the United States -exceeded that of Great Britain and France, on the coast south of -the equator, and the American flag had been used to cover the most -extensive slave-trade, it would seem that the presence of one or two -men-of-war, and the appointment of a consul, or some public functionary -at that place, were desirable. - -He noticed that the depôt of stores at Porto Praya was so far -removed, that a vessel could barely reach the southern point of the -slave-stations before she was compelled, for want of provisions, to -return and replenish. A consul or storekeeper there might, as is the -case with the English or French, supply that division of the squadron, -and thus a force might constantly be kept on that side of the equator, -where, until the arrival of the Perry, there had been no American -man-of-war for a period of two years. - -It had been intimated to him, as he further stated, by Americans, that -if the U. S. government were aware of the atrocities committed under -its flag, it might be induced to take some measures for preventing -the sale of American vessels on the African coast, as in nearly every -instance the vessel had been sold for the purpose of engaging in the -slave-trade. But if that should be regarded as too great a check upon -the commercial interests of the United States, such sale, if made on -that coast, might be duly notified to the proposed consul or agent, -that the vessel should be known as having changed her nationality. - -All information showing the number of American vessels and American -citizens engaged in the slave-trade being regarded as desirable, -interviews on the subject were held not only with the Americans engaged -in mercantile pursuits, but with others, from whom reliable information -could be derived. A list of American vessels, which had been on -the coast during the preceding year, was procured. Many of these -vessels came from Rio and adjoining ports, with two sets of papers. A -sea-letter had been granted by the consul in good faith, according to -law, on the sale of a vessel in a foreign port; the cargo corresponded -with the manifest; the consular certificate, crew list, port clearance, -and all papers were in form. Several of these vessels, after -discharging their cargoes, changed their flag; the American captain -and crew, with flag and papers, leaving the vessel, and she instantly -becoming invested with Spanish, Portuguese, or Brazilian nationality.[5] - -By this arrangement, as the United States never has consented, and -never ought to consent, even on the African coast, to grant to Great -Britain, or any other power, the right of search, a slaver, when -falling in with an American cruiser, would be prepared to elude search -and capture by the display of a foreign ensign and papers, even had she -slaves on board. And on the other hand, she might the same day fall -in with a British cruiser, and by displaying her flag, and presenting -the register or sea-letter, vindicate her American nationality. This -illustrates the importance of men-of-war, belonging to each nation, -cruising in company for the detection of slavers. - -Great Britain being in treaty with Spain, Portugal, Brazil, Sardinia -and other powers, the proposed mode of co-operation would lead to -the detection of slavers under almost any nationality except that of -France, which government has an efficient squadron of steamers and -sailing vessels on the coast, fully prepared to vindicate her own -flag.[6] - -In reference to vessels ostensibly American, which had been engaged -in the slave-trade, a British officer, on the 21st of March, 1850, in -a letter inclosing a list of American vessels which had been boarded -by the cruiser under his command, stated that all these vessels had -afterwards taken slaves from the coast; and with the exception of the -“Lucy Ann,”[7] captured with five hundred slaves on board by a British -steamer, had escaped. The registers, or sea-letters, of these vessels -appeared to be genuine; and he being unable to detect any inaccuracies -in their papers, his duty to the American flag had ceased. The vessels -in his list had been boarded by himself; but the senior officer of the -division was referred to, “who could give a list of many more, all of -which would have been good prizes to an officer having the right of -search;” for he was well assured that they went over to that coast, -fully fitted and equipped for the slave-trade. - -He expressed a regret that the pleasure of making acquaintance with the -commander of the Perry had only fallen to his lot at a moment when the -term of his service on the western coast of Africa had expired; but was -satisfied that not only on the part of the senior officer commanding -the southern division, but also of his brother officers still remaining -in service on the coast, the most cordial co-operation would be -afforded in the suppression of the slave-trade. - -The British commissioner, of the mixed commission under the treaty -between Great Britain and Portugal for the suppression of the African -slave-trade, also furnished a list of suspected slavers which had -claimed American nationality. - -On the 25th of March, the commander requested the English captain to -give him a detailed account of the circumstances attending the capture -of the barque Navarre, by her B. M. steamer Fire Fly. - -He asked for this information, as the Navarre was boarded when under -American colors, although displaying Brazilian colors when captured. - -In reply, the English captain informed him that the slave barque -Navarre, seized under the Brazilian flag, on the 19th instant, -had the American ensign flying at the time she was boarded. The -boarding-officer having doubts of her nationality, in consequence of -her papers not appearing to be regular, he himself, although ill at the -time, considered it his duty to go on board, when, being convinced that -her papers were false, he informed the person calling himself master -of her, that it was his duty to send him to the American squadron, -or in the event of not falling in with them, to New York. The master -immediately went on deck and ordered the mate to haul down the American -ensign--to throw it overboard--and to hoist their proper colors. The -American ensign was hauled down and thrown overboard by the mate, who -immediately hoisted the Brazilian ensign. A man then came on deck from -below, saying that he was captain of the vessel; that she was Brazilian -property, and fully fitted for the slave-trade; which the person who -first appeared acknowledged, stating that he himself was a Brazilian -subject. Having obtained this from them in writing, the person who -first called himself captain having signed it, and having had the -signing of the document witnessed by two officers, he opened her -hatches, found all the Brazilian crew below, slave-deck laid, water -filled, provisions for the slaves, and slave-shackles. - -At this period the agent of a large and respectable commercial house -in Salem, Massachusetts, established at Loanda, submitted to the -commander of the Perry a copy of the treaty between the United States -and Portugal, together with a letter from the Secretary of State, and -a paper from an officer of the Treasury Department, exhibiting the -commercial rights of the United States under said treaty. - -The agent claimed that agreeably to the treaty, a portion of the duties -were to be remitted when a vessel arrived direct from the United -States; which claim had not been acknowledged at Loanda, on the ground -that the vessels were in the habit of touching at the native ports, -while the agent insisted that as these ports were not recognized as -within the jurisdiction of a civilized government, the Portuguese -provincial authorities had not faithfully observed the treaty -stipulations. - -The subject was referred to the Government. - -After remaining a week in Loanda, making proper repairs on the vessel, -and refreshing the crew, the Perry ran down the coast to the northward, -for the purpose of cruising off Ambriz, a noted slave-station, under -native authority, with several factories for legal trade. Arriving at -this station the following morning, three English steam cruisers were -in sight. The second lieutenant of the Perry was sent to call on the -commanding officer of the southern division of the British squadron, -who soon afterwards called on board the American cruiser in person. - -In a letter, dated the 24th of March, the British commanding officer -informed the commander of the Perry, that it afforded him great pleasure -to witness the presence of a United States vessel on the southwest -coast of Africa, to be employed in co-operation with British vessels in -the suppression of the slave-trade. And he therefore took the liberty -to transmit, by the officer of the Perry, kindly sent to wait upon him, -two documents connected with Brazilian slave-vessels, which had lately -come over to that coast, displaying the American ensign, and presenting -to the English boarding-officer (as they had proven) fraudulent -American papers. - -He assured him, that in the necessary examination of these papers, -every respect had been paid to the American flag, and the visit made in -strict accordance with the treaty between the United States of America -and Great Britain; and that it was not until the different vessels -had voluntarily hauled down their ensigns and destroyed their papers, -stating at the same time that they were Brazilians, that possession -was taken of them. He intimated that a letter--a copy of which was -inclosed--had been addressed to him by a lieutenant of the “Cyclops,” -who had conducted to the Island of St. Helena one of the prizes, on -board of which were two American seamen, and that this letter would -give some idea of the plan pursued by parties in Brazil, to equip and -man Brazilian slave-vessels. - -The inclosed letter, above referred to, stated that American seamen -were often enticed on board of slavers, without knowing their real -character until it was too late to leave them. And that the owner of -a lodging-house in Rio, where two or three sailors were boarding, -offered, on one occasion, to get them a ship bound to the United -States, which, at the time, was loading at Vittoria--a harbor to the -northward of Cape Frio. They agreed to ship; and, after receiving -their advance, proceeded in a small steamer outside the harbor of Rio, -when they were transferred to a schooner, in company with a number -of Brazilians; and, in a few days, reached Vittoria. On joining the -slaver, which was named “Pilot,” they discovered her true character, -but were not allowed to go on shore; and were promised, on their -arrival in Africa, a good reward, with the option of returning in the -vessel, or having their passage found in another. It was affirmed -that these men had never seen the American consul; and the crew-list, -register and other papers, were forgeries. Also that the owner of the -Pilot was a Brazilian, and esteemed one of the richest men in the -empire. Two slave-steamers were owned by him; and it was said that he -had boasted that not a week passed that he had not had a full cargo -of slaves landed on the coast. He then owned seven or eight vessels, -sailing under the American flag, which he had bought in Rio, and -whose papers were all forgeries. One of the vessels belonging to the -rich Brazil merchant, and sailing alternately under the American and -Brazilian flag, had made nine clear voyages; and on the last voyage, -before she was captured, the American captain had landed at Ambriz, -with part of his crew, his flag and papers; and then the vessel shipped -one thousand slaves. - -An American was the consignee of these vessels, bearing his country’s -flag. He obtained for them masters, crews, flag and papers; and -received for his agency a percentage on all slaves landed from the -vessels. - -During the month when the Pilot was equipped at Vittoria, two other -slavers were also fitting out for the slave-trade, under the American -flag; viz., the “Casco” and the “Snow.” The former was afterwards -captured, with four hundred and fifty slaves, by the English steamer -“Pluto;” the other entered the harbor of Rio under Brazilian colors, -having landed her slaves outside. - -The Pilot made the African coast near Benguela; and afterwards -anchored at Bahia Longa, where, there being no slaves ready for -shipment--as eight hundred had been, a few days previously, shipped in -a two-topsail schooner--she was ordered, by the slave-agents, to remain -at sea for ten days. On making the land at the expiration of that time, -the English steamers Fire Fly, Star, and Pluto, being at Ambriz, she -was again ordered to sea for ten days; when, on anchoring at the latter -place, she was captured by the English steamer Cyclops. She was to have -shipped twelve hundred slaves, who had been for some time ready for -a slave-steamer--then so strictly blockaded at Santos by the English -steamer Hydra, as to prevent her leaving port. - -Such was the information contained in this letter. - -During this correspondence with the British officers, the Perry was -cruising off Ambriz, in company with a part of the British squadron, -for the purpose of boarding and searching all American vessels -suspected of being engaged in the slave-trade, on that part of the -coast. - -After cruising for several days, the commander-in-chief of the British -naval forces, bearing his pendant at the main of the steam-frigate -Centaur, appeared in the offing. The Perry hauled up her courses, and -saluted him with thirteen guns, which were duly returned. An official -call was made on the commodore, and an arrangement settled for the -joint cruising of the Perry and steamer Cyclops. - -This cruising had continued for a week or more, when the arrival -of the U. S. sloop-of-war John Adams constituted her commander the -senior American officer south of the equator; he, accordingly, while -in company, relieved the Perry of the correspondence with the British -officers. - -A short time after the arrival of the Adams, it became necessary for -her to visit Loanda, when the Perry was again left with the Cyclops, -cruising off Ambriz. - -[5] The papers of the second slaver captured by the Perry were in form, -excepting the crew list, which showed but one American on board, who -was master of the vessel. And in a letter of instructions from the -reputed owner, he was required to leave whenever the Italian supercargo -directed him to do so. This shows how readily the nationality of a -vessel may be changed. - -[6] The master of the first slaver captured by the Perry, stated that -had he not supposed she was an English cruiser, he would have been -prepared with a foreign flag, and otherwise, to have eluded search -and capture; and that on a former occasion he had been boarded by an -English cruiser, when, to use his own expression, he “bluffed off John -Bull with that flag;” referring to the American ensign. - -[7] The “Lucy Ann,” when captured, was boarded fifty or sixty miles -to leeward, or north of Loanda. She had an American flag flying, -although her papers had been deposited in the consul’s office at Rio. -The English boarding-officer, who was not allowed to see any papers, -suspecting her character, prolonged his visit for some time. As he was -about leaving the vessel, a cry or stifled groan was heard issuing -from the hold. The main hatches were apparently forced up from below, -although a boat was placed over them, and the heads of many people -appeared. Five hundred and forty-seven slaves were found in the hold, -almost in a state of suffocation. The master then hauled down the -American flag, declared the vessel to be Brazilian, and gave her up. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI. - - AMERICAN BRIGANTINE LOUISA BEATON SUSPECTED--CORRESPONDENCE - WITH THE COMMANDER OF THE SOUTHERN DIVISION OF THE - BRITISH SQUADRON--BOAT CRUISING--CURRENTS--ROLLERS ON THE - COAST--TRADE-WINDS--CLIMATE--PRINCE’S ISLANDS--MADAME FEREIRA. - - -On the 13th of April, the American brigantine Louisa Beaton, which a -few days previously had been boarded, examined, and proven to be a -legal trader, ran out of Ambriz under American colors. One or two of -the officers who had been on shore, on their return in the evening, -reported that it was rumored that the Louisa Beaton had shipped and -escaped with a cargo of slaves. - -That vessel had then made a good offing, and was out of sight. Acting -under the impression of the report thus conveyed, an armed boat, in -charge of the second lieutenant and junior passed midshipman, was -dispatched on each beam, and with the Perry stood out to sea, in the -hope of overhauling the chase. At daylight, being out of sight of the -land, and no sail visible, the boats were picked up, and the vessel -stood in towards Ambriz. - -During the succeeding day, on joining company with the Cyclops, the -second lieutenant was sent with a message to her commander, requesting -that he might remain on board, and that the Cyclops would steam out -to sea, on a southwest course, with a view of overhauling the Louisa -Beaton, and ascertaining if there was any foundation for this charge -against her. - -The proposition was readily complied with; and after running forty -miles off the land, and no sail being seen, the steamer rejoined the -Perry. - -A letter from the commanding officer of the British division was -received, dated April 15th, containing information to the following -effect: that he had the pleasure of receiving the intelligence, which -the commander of the Perry had kindly sent him by the lieutenant, -informing him that a report had been circulated, that the American -brigantine Louisa Beaton, which vessel was lying at Ambriz, in company -with the British and American cruisers, on the 7th instant, had shipped -a cargo of negroes. He had observed the Louisa Beaton weigh from Ambriz -on the evening of the 12th instant, and pass close to the stern of the -Perry, with her colors flying; and at sunset she was observed by him, -close in with the land. He also sighted her next morning, and continued -to see her until the evening, apparently working in-shore to the -southward. - -As the wind had been exceedingly light all night, he thought it -possible that the steamer might overtake her, and accordingly -proposed to the lieutenant of the Perry to accompany him, and watch -the proceedings of the vessel, in case they should discover her. The -lieutenant having acceded to this proposal, he steamed to the westward -for nearly forty miles, but saw nothing of her; and was of opinion, -that the report affecting the character of the Louisa Beaton was not -_then_ correct, and that when intelligence next arrived from Loanda, -she would be found to have reached that place. - -But he believed it very probable that she had been disposed of by sale, -in consequence of the slave-dealers not having been successful, as they -had effected the embarkation of only two cargoes of negroes that year -(1850), and therefore all the vessels that could be procured, no matter -at what expense, would be eagerly sought after. But, as he had heard -that there was no water at Ambriz, he had supposed it possible that -arrangements were making for the Louisa Beaton’s cargo to be discharged -at Loanda; whence, after having procured the necessary articles and -fitments required, she would probably return to Ambriz for the negroes. -He remarked that this would be no new occurrence, as many American -vessels had been disposed of in a similar manner, and escaped with -cargoes of Africans, since he had been stationed on the coast. - -Had no American man-of-war been present on the 12th instant, when -the Louisa Beaton left Ambriz, he should have considered it his duty -(from there having been observed, whilst in company with her on the -7th instant, a large quantity of plank, sufficient for a slave-deck, -on her upper deck, together with water-casks, which would have created -suspicion) to have visited her, and satisfied himself that her -nationality had not been changed, by _sale_, at Ambriz; not taking it -for granted, that the flag displayed by any vessel is a sufficient -evidence of her nationality. - -He added, that as it was probable that he might not meet the John -Adams previous to the Perry’s leaving the coast for Porto Praya, -the commander of the Perry would oblige him, by forwarding a copy -of that letter to his senior officer, for the information of the -commander-in-chief of the American squadron, as it would be his duty to -lay it before the British commander-in-chief, in the sincere hope that -some arrangement would be made by those officers to put a stop to that -nefarious system on the southwest coast of Africa. - -A boat had been dispatched from the Perry to Loanda, which found the -Louisa Beaton, still offering no cause of suspicion, lying in that port. - -On the 17th of April, the commander of the Perry informed the British -commanding officer that he had received and forwarded the above letter, -agreeably to his request; intimating at the same time that he had -boarded the Louisa Beaton at sea, several days before her arrival, -and found her to be a legal American trader--a character which she -sustained while at anchor with the several men-of-war at Ambriz; and -that he had no reason, after an absence of three days, to suppose -that she could, in the mean time, have fitted for a slave cargo; and -therefore did not consider it to be his duty again to board her; that -he was happy to inform him that the report of the Louisa Beaton’s -having taken slaves at Ambriz, was untrue; and that she was then at St. -Paul de Loanda. - -In relation to the British commander “not taking it for granted, that -the flag displayed by any vessel is a sufficient evidence of her -nationality,” the commander of the Perry remarked that the flag which a -vessel wears is _primâ facie_, although it is not conclusive proof of -nationality. It is a mere emblem, which loses its true character when -it is worn by those who have no right to it. On the other hand, those -who lawfully display the flag of the United States, will have all the -protection which it supplies. Therefore, when a foreign cruiser boards -a vessel under this flag, she will do it upon her own responsibility. - -On the 19th of April, the British commander acknowledged the receipt of -the communication of the 17th instant, in reply to his of the 15th, in -which he expressed himself glad to learn that the report of the Louisa -Beaton’s having shipped a cargo of slaves at Ambriz, was incorrect; but -as vessels were disposed to change their nationality, and escape with -slaves, “in so very short a period of time as a few hours,” he would -respectfully suggest the necessity of keeping a strict watch over the -movements of the Louisa Beaton, should she appear again on that part of -the coast. - -Two armed boats were at this time frequently dispatched from the Perry -a long distance in chase of vessels, when the winds were too light to -enable her to overhaul them. - -On one occasion, these boats had been in chase of a vessel for ten -hours, and encountered, a few minutes before overhauling her, a violent -squall of wind and rain. When the squall had passed over, after -night-fall, the strange vessel was, for a moment, descried within -long-gun shot of the Perry. A thirty-two pound shot was thrown astern -of her, and, quite suddenly, the fog again enveloped her, and she -became invisible. - -On the return of the boats which had succeeded in boarding the chase, -the commander regretted to learn that the strange vessel was a -Portuguese man-of-war. In the year following, when falling in with her -at Benguela, he availed himself of an early opportunity to apologize -for having fired, as this had been done under the impression that the -vessel was a merchantman; and for the purpose of bringing her to, in -order to ascertain her character. - -The John Adams, after a short stay at Loanda, again appeared off -Ambriz, and resumed her cruising. The Perry’s provisions had now become -nearly exhausted; and she was ordered by the John Adams to proceed to -the north coast with dispatches to the commodore. - -The land along the southern African coast, from lat. 7° south, -extending to Benguela, and even to the Cape of Good Hope, is more -elevated than the coast to the northward towards the equator. Long -ranges of high bluff may be seen, extending, in some cases, from twenty -to thirty miles. A short distance to leeward, or north, of Ambriz, is -a remarkable range of hills, with heavy blocks of granite around them, -resembling, at a distance, a small village. The “granite pillar,” which -shoots up in the air, towering above the surrounding blocks like a -church-spire, is a good landmark to the cruisers off Ambriz. They often -find themselves at daylight, after beating, during the night, to the -southward, drifted down abreast of it by the northerly current. - -The natives along this coast, unlike those of northern Guinea, who -are bold, energetic and effective, comparatively, when muscular force -is required, are marked by very opposite traits; softness, pliancy -and flexibility, distinguish their moral and mental character. They -are mostly below the middle stature, living in villages, in rude, -rush-thatched huts; subsisting principally upon fish, and the plantain, -which is the African bread-fruit tree. - -These people present some of the lowest forms of humanity. - -The temperature of both the air and water within southern intertropical -Africa, averages, during the months of August and September, 72°, and -off Benguela, on one occasion, early in July, the air temperature was -as low as 60°, while in the month of February, the thermometer seldom -reaches a higher point than 82°. - -It is known that the southeast trade-winds prevail in the Atlantic -ocean, between the African and American continents, south of the -equator to the tropic of Capricorn, and the northeast trade to -the southward of the tropic of Cancer. It is of course generally -understood, that the sun heats the equatorial regions to a higher -temperature than is found anywhere else, and that the air over these -regions is consequently expanded and rendered lighter than that which -envelops the regions at a distance. This causes the whole mantle of -air round the earth, for a short distance near the equator, to be -displaced and thrown upwards (like the draft of a chimney), by the -cooler and heavier air rushing in, in steadfast and continuous streams, -from the north and south. The earth’s revolution carries every thing -on its surface somewhat against these air-currents in their progress, -so that they appear to sweep aslant along the earth and sea, coming -from northeast and southeast. In consequence of the greater amount of -heated land being in the northern hemisphere, its peculiar wind, or the -northeast trade, is narrower; while the other, the southeast trade, -blowing from the greater expanse of the Southern Ocean, is broader. The -latter, therefore, sometimes extends considerably beyond, or north of -the equinoctial line. Thus the winds over all the Gulf of Guinea are -generally from the south. - -The coast of Africa, both north and south of the equator, greatly -modifies the force and direction of the winds. On the southern coast -the wind blows lightly, in a sea-breeze from the southwest. But at -the distance of one hundred miles from the land, it begins gradually -to veer round, as it connects itself with the S. E. trades. A line -drawn on the chart, from the southern tropic, in 5° east to the lat. -of 5° south, may be regarded as the eastern boundary of the southeast -trade-winds. Hence a vessel, as in the case of the Perry, on her first -passage to the southern coast, when in 10° south and 20° west, on going -about and standing for the African coast by the wind, although she -at first will not be able to head higher than N. E., will gradually -come up to the eastward as the wind veers to the southward; until -it gradually hauls as far as S. W., and even W. S. W.--enabling her -to fetch Benguela in 12° 34´ south lat., although on going about she -headed no higher than Prince’s Island in 1° 20´ north lat. - -On the entire intertropical coast of Africa, it may be said that there -are but two seasons, the rainy season and the dry season. - -On the southern coast, the rainy season commences in November, and -continues until April, although the rains are neither as frequent nor -as heavy as on the northern coast, where they commence in May and -continue through the month of November. - -The months of March and April are the most unhealthy seasons on the -southern coast, arising probably from the exhalations of the earth, -which are not dispelled by the light sea-breezes prevailing at this -period. - -The climate of the south coast, especially from 6° south towards the -Cape of Good Hope, is more healthy than on the north coast. As evidence -of this, Europeans are found in comparatively great numbers in Loanda -and Benguela, in the enjoyment of tolerable health. - -There is a northerly current running along the southern coast of -Africa, at the average rate of one mile per hour, until it is met by -the Congo River, in 6° south; where the impetuous stream of that great -river breaks up this northerly current and forms one, of two miles per -hour, in the direction of N. W., until it meets with the equatorial -current in 2° or 3° south. The Congo will be more particularly noticed -in speaking of the third southern cruise of the Perry. - -The rollers on the coast are very heavy. And the breaking of the -tremendous surf along the shore can often be heard at night, the -distance of twenty miles from the land, reminding one of the sound of -Niagara, in the vicinity of that mighty cataract. - -But having in this part of the work (compilation of the correspondence) -to treat more of ships, sailors and letters, than of the climate, the -shore, and its inhabitants, it is time to recur to the Perry,--now -squared away before the wind, with studding-sails set below and aloft, -bound to Porto Praya, via Prince’s Island and Monrovia, in search of -the commander-in-chief of the squadron. - -There are so many graphic descriptions before the public, in sea novels -and naval journals, of life in a man-of-war, that it may well suffice -here to remark--that a small vessel, uncomfortable quarters, salt -provisions, myriads of cockroaches, an occasional tornado and deluge of -rain, were ills that naval life duly encountered during the five days’ -passage to Prince’s Island. - -On the 27th of April the Perry arrived, and to the great gratification -of officers and men, the broad pendant of the commodore was descried at -the main of the U. S. sloop-of-war “Portsmouth.” - -The U. S. brig “Bainbridge” was also at anchor in West Bay. - -Prince’s Island is ten miles in length from north to south, and five -miles in breadth. In places, it is considerably elevated, presenting, -in its grotesque shafts and projecting figures curiously formed, an -exceedingly picturesque appearance. - -The natives are mostly black, and slaves; although a few colored people -are seen of a mixed race--Portuguese and African. - -The island is well wooded, and the soil rich; and if cultivated -properly, would yield abundantly. Farina is extensively manufactured. - -Madame Fereira, a Portuguese lady, long resident on the island, has -no little repute for her hospitality to African cruisers. Her taste -in living here as she does, is no more singular than that of the -late clever, eccentric and distinguished Lady Hester Stanhope, who -established herself near Sidon. Madame Fereira, it is said, on a late -visit to Europe, with abundant means for enjoyment in a civilized state -of society, was ill at ease until the time arrived for her return to -this barbarian isle. She is ever ready, at a reasonable price, to -furnish the cruisers with wood, fresh provisions and vegetables; and -is never indisposed to take a hand at whist, or entertain foreigners in -any other way, agreeable to their fancy. - -Vessels frequently touch at Prince’s Island for the purpose of -obtaining fresh water, which, running down from the mountains in -copious streams, is of a far better quality than can be procured on the -coast. - -On the arrival of the Perry, in a letter dated the 27th of April, -the commander announced to the commodore the fulfilment of his -instructions. The cruise had been extended to one hundred and seven -days, of which eighty had been spent at sea, and the remainder at -anchor, at different points of the coast. - -The reply of the commodore contained his full approbation of the course -pursued, stating in addition, that it was a matter of great importance -to keep one of the squadron upon the southern coast; and not having -provisions sufficient to enable him to proceed thither, and as the -John Adams, having nearly expended her stock, would soon be compelled -to return to Porto Praya, he therefore directed the commander of the -Perry to make requisitions upon the flag-ship for as full a supply -of provisions as could conveniently be stowed, and prepare again for -immediate service on the southern coast. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII. - - RETURN TO THE SOUTHERN COAST--CAPTURE OF THE AMERICAN SLAVE-SHIP - “MARTHA”--CLAIM TO BRAZILIAN NATIONALITY--LETTERS FOUND ON BOARD - ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE SLAVE-TRADE--LOANDA--FRENCH, ENGLISH AND - PORTUGUESE CRUISERS--CONGO RIVER--BOARDING FOREIGN MERCHANT - VESSELS--CAPTURE OF THE “VOLUSIA” BY A BRITISH CRUISER--SHE - CLAIMS AMERICAN NATIONALITY--THE MEETING OF THE COMMODORES AT - LOANDA--DISCUSSIONS IN RELATION TO INTERFERENCE WITH VESSELS - OSTENSIBLY AMERICAN--SEIZURE OF THE AMERICAN BRIGANTINE - “CHATSWORTH”--CLAIMS BY THE MASTER OF THE “VOLUSIA.” - - -On the 6th of May, orders were given to the commander of the Perry, to -proceed thence, with all practicable dispatch, to the southern coast; -and to communicate with the commander of the John Adams as soon as -possible. In case that vessel should have left the coast before the -arrival of the Perry, her commander would proceed to cruise under -former orders, and the instructions of the government. - -It appeared to the commodore, in the correspondence had with some of -the British officers, that in certain cases where they had boarded -vessels under the flag of the United States, not having the right of -search, threats had been used of detaining and sending them to the -United States squadron. This he remarked was improper, and must not be -admitted, or any understanding had with them authorizing such acts; -adding, in substance, that if they chose to detain suspicious vessels, -they must do it upon their own responsibility, without our assent or -connivance. Refusing to the British government the right of search, -our government has commanded us to prevent vessels and citizens of -the United States from engaging in the slave-trade. These duties we -must perform to the best of our ability, and we have no right to ask -or receive the aid of a foreign power. “It is desirable to cultivate -and preserve the good understanding which now exists between the two -services; and should any differences arise, care must be taken that the -discussions are temperate and respectful. You have full authority to -act in concert with the British forces within the scope of our orders -and duty.” - -On the same day, the Perry again sailed for the south coast, and after -boarding several vessels, which proved to be legal traders, a _slaver_ -was captured, and made the subject of a communication, dated June 7th, -1850. - -[Illustration: - - _Lith. of Sarony & Co. N. Y._ - - U. S. BRIG PERRY. AMERICAN SLAVE SHIP MARTHA. - -“off Ambria June 6ᵗʰ 1850”--] - -In this it was stated to the commodore, that the Perry, agreeably to -his orders, had made the best of her way for Ambriz, and arrived -off that place on the 5th instant. It was there reported that the John -Adams was probably at Loanda; and accordingly a course was shaped for -that port. But on the 6th instant, at three o’clock in the afternoon, -a large ship with two tiers of painted ports was made to windward, -standing in for the land towards Ambriz. At four o’clock the chase -was overhauled, having the name “Martha, New York,” registered on her -stern. The Perry had no colors flying. The ship, when in range of the -guns, hoisted the American ensign, shortened sail, and backed her -main-topsail. The first lieutenant, Mr. Rush, was sent to board her. As -he was rounding her stern, the people on board observed, by the uniform -of the boarding-officer, that the vessel was an American cruiser. The -ship then hauled down the American, and hoisted Brazilian colors. -The officer went on board, and asked for papers and other proofs of -nationality. The captain denied having papers, log, or any thing else. -At this time something was thrown overboard, when another boat was -sent from the Perry, and picked up the writing-desk of the captain, -containing sundry papers and letters, identifying the captain as an -American citizen; also indicating the owner of three-fifths of the -vessel to be an American merchant, resident in Rio de Janeiro. After -obtaining satisfactory proof that the ship Martha was a slaver, she was -seized as a prize. - -The captain at length admitted that the ship was fully equipped for -the slave-trade. There were found on board the vessel, one hundred and -seventy-six casks filled with water, containing from one hundred to one -hundred and fifty gallons each; one hundred and fifty-barrels of farina -for slave-food; several sacks of beans; slave-deck laid; four iron -boilers for cooking slave-provisions; iron bars, with the necessary -wood-work, for securing slaves to the deck; four hundred spoons for -feeding them; between thirty and forty muskets, and a written agreement -between the owner and captain, with the receipt of the owner for two -thousand milreis. - -There being thirty-five persons on board this prize, many of whom were -foreigners, it was deemed necessary to send a force of twenty-five men, -with the first and second lieutenants, that the prize might be safely -conducted to New York, for which place she took her departure that -evening. - -Soon after the Martha was discovered, she passed within hailing -distance of an American brig, several miles ahead of the Perry, and -asked the name of the cruiser astern; on being told, the captain, in -despair, threw his trumpet on deck. But on a moment’s reflection, as -he afterwards stated, he concluded, notwithstanding, that she must -be an English cruiser, not only from her appearance, but from the -knowledge that the Perry had left for Porto Praya, and could not -in the mean time have returned to that part of the coast. Therefore -finding, when within gun-shot of the vessel, that he could not escape, -and must show his colors, ran up the American ensign, intending under -his nationality to avoid search and capture. The boarding-officer was -received at the gangway by a Brazilian captain, who strongly insisted -that the vessel was Brazilian property. But the officer, agreeably -to an order received on leaving the Perry, to hold the ship to the -nationality first indicated by her colors, proceeded in the search. -In the mean time, the American captain, notwithstanding his guise as -a sailor, being identified by another officer, was sent on board the -Perry. He claimed that the vessel could not lawfully be subjected to -search by an American man-of-war, while under Brazilian colors. But, -on being informed that he would be seized as a pirate for sailing -without papers, even were he not a slaver, he admitted that she was on -a slaving voyage; adding, that, had he not fallen in with the Perry, -he would, during the night, have shipped eighteen hundred slaves, and -before daylight in the morning, been clear of the coast. - -Possession was immediately taken of the Martha, her crew put in irons, -and both American and Brazilian captains, together with three or four -cabin passengers (probably slave-agents), were given to understand -that they would be similarly served, in case of the slightest evidence -of insubordination. The accounts of the prize crew were transferred, -the vessel provisioned, and in twenty-four hours after her capture, the -vessels exchanged three cheers, and the Martha bore away for New York. - -She was condemned in the U. S. District Court. The captain was admitted -to bail for the sum of five thousand dollars, which was afterwards -reduced to three thousand: he then escaped justice by its forfeiture. -The American mate was sentenced to the Penitentiary for the term of two -years; and the foreigners, who had been sent to the United States on -account of the moral effect, being regarded as beyond our jurisdiction, -were discharged. - -The writing-desk thrown overboard from the Martha, soon after she was -boarded, contained sundry papers, making curious revelations of the -agency of some American citizens engaged in the slave-trade. These -papers implicated a number of persons, who are little suspected of -ever having participated in such a diabolical traffic. A citizen of -New York, then on the African coast, in a letter to the captain of the -Martha, says: “The French barque will be here in a few days, and, as -yet, the agent has no instructions as to her taking _ebony_ [negroes, -slaves].... From the Rio papers which I have seen, I infer that -business is pretty brisk at that place.... It is thought here that -the brig Susan would bring a good price, as she had water on board.... -C., an American merchant, has sold the Flood, and she was put under -Brazilian colors, and gone around the Cape. The name of the brigantine -in which B. came passenger was the Sotind; she was, as we are told, -formerly the United States brig Boxer.” Other letters found with this, -stated: “The barque Ann Richardson, and brig Susan, were both sent home -by a United States cruiser. The Independence cleared for Paraguay; -several of the American vessels were cleared, and had sailed for -Montevideo, &c., in ballast, and as I suppose bound niggerly; but where -in hell they are is the big business of the matter. The sailors, as -yet, have not been near me. I shall give myself no trouble about them. -I have seen them at a distance. I am told that they are all well, but -they look like death itself. V. Z. tells me they have wished a hundred -times in his presence, that they had gone in the ship; for my part, -I wish they were in hell, Texas, or some other nice place. B. only -came down here to ‘take in,’ but was driven off by one of the English -cruisers; he and his nigger crew were under deck, out of sight, when -visited by the cruiser.”[8] - -After parting company with the Martha, the Perry proceeded to Loanda, -and found English, French and Portuguese men-of-war in port. The John -Adams, having exhausted her provisions, had sailed for the north coast, -after having had the good fortune _to capture a slaver_. The British -commissioner called aboard, and offered his congratulations on the -capture of the Martha, remarking that she was the largest slaver that -had been on the coast for many years; and the effect of sending all -hands found in her to the United States, would prove a severe blow to -the iniquitous traffic. The British cruisers, after the capture of a -vessel, were in the practice of landing the slave-crews, except when -they are British subjects, at some point on the coast. This is believed -to be required by the governments with which Great Britain has formed -treaties. - -At the expiration of a few days, the Perry proceeded on a cruise down -the coast, towards the Congo River, encountering successively the -British steamers Cyclops, Rattler, and Pluto. All vessels seen were -boarded, and proved to be legal traders. Several days were spent -between Ambriz and the Congo; and, learning from the Pluto--stationed -off the mouth of the Congo River--that no vessels had, for a long -time, appeared in that quarter, an idea, previously entertained, of -proceeding up the river, was abandoned. The Perry was then worked up -the coast towards Benguela. - -Among the many incidents occurring:--On one occasion, at three o’clock -in the morning, when the character of the vessels could not be -discerned, a sail suddenly appeared, when, as usual on making a vessel -at night, the battery was ordered to be cleared away, and the men sent -to the guns. The stranger fired a musket, which was instantly returned. -Subsequent explanations between the commanders of the cruisers were -given, that the first fire was made without the knowledge of the -character of the vessel; and the latter was made to repel the former, -and to show the character of the vessel. - -On boarding traders, the masters, in one or two instances, when sailing -under a foreign flag, had requested the boarding-officer to search, -and, after ascertaining her real character, to endorse the register. -This elicited the following order to the boarding-officer: - -“If a vessel hoists the American flag; is of American build; has -her name and place of ownership in the United States registered on -her stern; or if she has but part of these indications of American -nationality, you will, on boarding, ask for her papers, which papers -you will examine and retain, if she excites suspicion of being a -slaver, until you have searched sufficiently to satisfy yourself of -her real character. Should the vessel be American, and doubts exist -of her real character, you will bring her to this vessel; or, if it -can be done more expeditiously, you will dispatch one of your boats; -communicating such information as will enable the commander to give -specific directions, or in person to visit the suspected vessel. - -“If the strange vessel be a foreigner, you will, on ascertaining the -fact, leave her; declining, even at the request of the captain, to -search the vessel, or to endorse her character,--as it must always be -borne in mind, that our government does not permit the detention and -search of American vessels by foreign cruisers; and, consequently, is -scrupulous in observing towards the vessels of other nations, the same -line of conduct which she exacts from foreign cruisers towards her own -vessels.” - -After cruising several days off the southern point designated in her -orders, the Perry ran into Benguela. Spending a day in that place, she -proceeded down the coast to the northward, occasionally falling in -with British cruisers and legal traders. On meeting the Cyclops, the -British commanding officer, in a letter, dated the 16th of July, stated -to the commander of the Perry, that he “hastened to transmit, for his -information, the following extract from a report just received from -the commander of Her Britannic Majesty’s steam-sloop ‘Rattler,’ with -copies of two other documents, transmitted by the same officer; and -trusted that the same would be deemed satisfactory, as far as American -interests were concerned.” - -The extract gave the information, that on the 2nd of July, Her -Majesty’s steam-sloop Rattler captured the Brazilian brigantine -“Volusia,” of one hundred and ninety tons, a crew of seven men, and -fully equipped for the slave-trade, with false papers, and sailing -under the American flag; that the crew had been landed at Kabenda, and -that the vessel had been sent to St. Helena for adjudication; and that -he also inclosed certified declarations from the master, supercargo and -chief mate, stating the vessel to be bona fide Brazilian property; that -they had no protest to offer, and that themselves and crew landed at -Kabenda of their own free will and consent. - -On the following day, the commander of the Perry, in reply to the above -communication, stated that, as the brigantine in question had first -displayed American colors, he wished all information which could be -furnished him in relation to the character of the papers found on -board; the reason for supposing them to be false, and the disposition -made of them. Also, if there was a person on board, apparently an -American, representing himself, in the first instance, as the captain; -and if the vessel was declared to be Brazilian on first being boarded, -or not until after her capture had been decided upon, and announced to -the parties in charge. - -In reply to this letter, on the 23d of July, the commanding officer of -the British division stated that he would make known its purport to -the commander who had captured the Volusia, and call upon that officer -to answer the questions contained in the communication of the 17th -instant, and hoped to transmit his reply prior to the Perry’s departure -for the north coast. - -After cruising for several days in company with the English men-of-war, -the vessel proceeded to Loanda, for the purpose of meeting the -commodore. Arriving at that place, and leaving Ambriz without any -guardianship for the morals of American traders, an order was -transmitted to the acting first-lieutenant, to proceed with the launch -on a cruise off Ambriz; and in boarding, searching, and in case of -detaining suspected vessels, to be governed by the instructions -therewith furnished him. - -On the 5th of August, the British commissioner brought off intelligence -that the American commodore was signalled off the harbor. The British -commodore was at this date, also, to have rendezvoused at Loanda, that -the subject-matter of correspondence between the officers of the two -services, might be laid before their respective commanders-in-chief. - -On the arrival of the American commodore, the Perry was reported, in -a communication dated August the 5th, inclosing letters and papers, -giving detailed information of occurrences since leaving Prince’s -Island, under orders of the 6th of May; also sundry documents from the -commander of the British southern division, in relation to the capture -of the slave-equipped brigantine Volusia; adding, that this case being -similar to a number already the subjects of correspondence, he had -requested further information, which the British commander of the -division would probably communicate in a few days. - -The letter to the commodore also stated, that our commercial -intercourse with the provincial government of Portugal, and the natives -of the coast, had been uninterrupted. The question arising in regard to -the treaty with Portugal, whether a vessel by touching and discharging -part of the cargo at a native port, is still exempt from payment of -one-third of the duties on the remaining portion of the cargo, as -guaranteed by treaty, when coming direct from the United States, had -been submitted to our government. - -On the 15th of August the Cyclops arrived at Loanda, with the commander -of the British southern division on board, who, in a letter dated the -12th of August, stated, that agreeably to the promise made on the 23rd -ultimo, of furnishing the details from the commander who had captured -the Volusia, he now furnished the particulars of that capture, which -he trusted would prove satisfactory. He also gave information that the -British commander-in-chief was then on the south coast, to whom all -further reference must be made for additional information, in case it -should be required. The reply from the officer who had captured the -Volusia stated, that he had boarded her on the 2nd of July off the -Congo River. She had the American ensign flying, and on the production -of documents, purporting to be her papers, he at once discovered the -register to be false: it was written on foolscap paper, with the -original signature erased; her other papers were likewise forgeries. -He therefore immediately detained her. They had been presented to him -by the ostensible master, apparently an American, but calling himself -a Brazilian, and claiming the protection of that empire. The register -and muster-roll were destroyed by the master; the remainder of the -records were sent in her to St. Helena, for adjudication. The British -commander further stated, that on discovering the Volusia’s papers to -be false, her master immediately hauled down the ensign, and called -from below the remainder of the crew, twelve in number, all Brazilians. - -In a letter dated the 15th of August, the above communications were -acknowledged, and the British commander informed that the American -commander-in-chief was also on the south coast: that all official -documents must be submitted to him, and that the reply of the 12th -instant, with its inclosure, had been forwarded accordingly. - -The British commodore soon arrived at Loanda, and after an exchange of -salutes, an interview of three hours between the two commodores took -place. The captures of the Navarre, Volusia, and other vessels, with -cases of interference with vessels claiming American nationality, were -fully and freely discussed. The British commodore claimed that the -vessels in question, were wholly, or in part Brazilian; adding, that -had they been known clearly as American, no British officer would have -presumed to capture, or interfere with them. The American commodore -argued from documents and other testimony, that _bonâ fide_ American -vessels had been interfered with, and whether engaged in legal or -illegal trade, they were in no sense amenable to British cruisers; the -United States had made them responsible to the American government -alone--subject to search and capture by American cruisers, on good -grounds of suspicion and evidence of being engaged in the slave-trade; -which trade the United States had declared to be piracy in a municipal -sense--this offence not being piracy by the laws of nations: adding, in -case of slavers, “we choose to punish our own rascals in our own way.” -Several discussions, at which the commander of the Perry was present, -subsequently took place, without any definite results, or at least -while that vessel remained at Loanda. These discussions were afterwards -continued. In the commodores, both nations were represented by men of -ability, capable of appreciating, expressing and enforcing the views of -their respective governments. - -Every person interested in upholding the rights of humanity, or -concerned in the progress of Africa, will sympathize with the capture -and deliverance of a wretched cargo of African slaves from the grasp -of a slaver, irrespective of his nationality. But it is contrary to -national honor and national interests, that the right of capture should -be entrusted to the hands of any foreign authority. In a commercial -point of view, if this were granted, legal traders would be molested, -and American commerce suffer materially from a power which keeps afloat -a force of armed vessels, more than four times the number of the -commissioned men-of-war of the United States. The deck of an American -vessel under its flag, is the territory of the United States, and no -other authority but that of the United States must ever be allowed to -exercise jurisdiction over it. Hence is apparent the importance of a -well-appointed United States squadron on the west coast of Africa. - -On the 18th of August, the captain of an English cruiser entered -the harbor with his boat, leaving the vessel outside, bringing the -information that a suspected American trader was at Ambriz. The captain -stated that he had boarded her, supposing she might be a Brazilian, but -on ascertaining her nationality, had left her, and proceeded to Loanda, -for the purpose of communicating what had transpired. - -On receiving this information, the commodore ordered the Perry to -proceed to Ambriz and search the vessel, and in case she was suspected -of being engaged in the slave-trade, to bring her to Loanda. In -the mean time a lieutenant who was about leaving the squadron as -bearer of dispatches to the Government, volunteered his services to -take the launch and proceed immediately to Ambriz, as the Perry had -sails to bend, and make other preparations previous to leaving. The -launch was dispatched, and in five hours afterwards the Perry sailed. -Arriving on the following morning within twelve miles of Ambriz, the -commander, accompanied by the purser and the surgeon, who volunteered -their services, pulled for the suspected vessel, which proved to be -the American brigantine “Chatsworth,” of Baltimore. The lieutenant, -with his launch’s crew, was on board. He had secured the papers and -commenced the search. After taking the dimensions of the vessel, which -corresponded to those noted in the register, examining and comparing -the cargo with the manifest, scrutinizing the crew list, consular -certificate, port clearance, and other papers on board, possession was -taken of the Chatsworth, and the boarding-officer directed to proceed -with her, in company with the Perry, to Loanda. - -Both vessels having arrived, a letter to the following purport was -addressed to the commodore: “One hundred bags of farina, a large -quantity of plank, sufficient to lay a slave-deck, casks and barrels -of spirits, in sufficient quantity to contain water for a large -slave-cargo, jerked beef, and other articles, were found on board the -Chatsworth. These articles, and others on board, corresponded generally -with the manifest, which paper was drawn up in the Portuguese language. -A paper with the consular seal, authorizing the shipment of the crew, -all foreigners, was also made out in the Portuguese language. In the -register, the vessel was called a brig, instead of a brigantine. A -letter of instructions from the reputed owner, a citizen of Baltimore, -directed the American captain to leave the vessel whenever he should -be directed to do so by the Italian supercargo. These, together with -the report that the vessel on her last voyage had shipped a cargo of -slaves, and her now being at the most notorious slave-station on the -coast, impressed the commander of the Perry so strongly with the belief -that the Chatsworth was a slaver, that he considered it his duty to -direct the boarding-officer to take her in charge, and proceed in -company with the Perry to Loanda, that the case might undergo a more -critical examination by the commander-in-chief.” - -The commodore, after visiting the Chatsworth in person, although -morally certain she was a slaver, yet as the evidence which would be -required in the United States Courts essential to her condemnation, -was wanting, conceived it to be his duty to order the commander of the -Perry to surrender the charge of that vessel, and return all the papers -to her master, and withdraw his guard from her. - -The captain of the Volusia now suddenly made his appearance at Loanda, -having in his possession the sea-letter which the British commander -who had captured him called a register, written on a sheet of foolscap -paper, which from misapprehension he erroneously stated was destroyed -by the master. This new matter was introduced in the discussion -between the two commodores. The captain of the Volusia claimed that -his vessel was _bonâ fide_ American, stating that the sea-letter -in his possession was conclusive evidence to that effect. No other -subject than that of the nationality of the vessel, while treating -upon this matter with an English officer, could be introduced. The -sea-letter was laid before the commanders. This document bore all the -marks of a genuine paper, except in having the word “signed” occurring -before the consul’s signature, and partially erased. This seemed to -indicate that it had been made out as a copy, and, if genuine, the -consul had afterwards signed it as an original paper. The consular seal -was impressed, and several other documents, duly sealed and properly -certified, were attached, bearing strong evidence that the document was -genuine. - -The British commodore argued that the erasure of the word “signed,” -even if it did not invalidate the document, gave good ground for the -suspicion that the document was a forgery; and she being engaged in the -slave-trade, the officer who captured her regarded the claim first set -forth to American nationality as groundless. - -The American commodore could not permit the character of the vessel to -be assigned as a reason for her capture, and confined the discussion -to the papers constituting the nationality of the vessel. He regarded -the consular seal as genuine, and believed that, if the paper had been -a forgery, care would have been taken to have had it drawn up without -any erasure, or the word “signed.” - -The discussion in relation to the Volusia and the Navarre, was renewed -with the Chief-Justice and Judge of the Admiralty Court, soon after the -arrival of the Perry at the island of St. Helena. - -[8] The following letter from Viscount Palmerston to Sir H. L. Bulwer, -then British Minister at Washington, appears in the Parliamentary -Papers of 1851. LVI. Part I. - - “FOREIGN OFFICE, _November 18, 1850_. - -“SIR,--I herewith transmit to you, for your information, a copy of a -dispatch from the commodore in command of H. M. squadron on the west -coast of Africa, respecting the circumstances under which the ship -Martha was captured, on the 6th of June (1850) last, fully equipped for -the slave-trade, by the U. S. brig-of-war Perry, and sent to the United -States for trial. - -“I have to instruct you to furnish me with a full report of the -proceedings which may take place in this case before the courts of law -in the United States. - - “PALMERSTON.” - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII. - - ANOTHER CRUISE--CHATSWORTH AGAIN--VISIT TO THE QUEEN NEAR - AMBRIZETTE--SEIZURE OF THE AMERICAN BRIGANTINE “LOUISA BEATON” - BY A BRITISH CRUISER--CORRESPONDENCE--PROPOSAL OF REMUNERATION - FROM THE CAPTORS--SEIZURE OF THE CHATSWORTH AS A SLAVER--ITALIAN - SUPERCARGO--MASTER OF THE LOUISA BEATON. - - -The commodore, on the 24th of August, intimated that it had been his -intention to relieve the Perry from the incessant duties which had been -imposed upon her, but regretted that he could not then accomplish it -without leaving American interests in that quarter unprotected, and -that the commander would therefore be pleased to prepare for further -service on the southern coast, with the assurance of being relieved as -soon as practicable. - -Orders were issued by the commodore to resume cruising upon the -southern coast, as before, and to visit such localities as might best -insure the successful accomplishment of the purposes in view. - -Authority was given to extend the cruise as far as the island of St. -Helena, and to remain there a sufficient length of time to refresh -the crew; and, after cruising until the twentieth of November, then to -proceed to Porto Praya, touching at Monrovia, if it was thought proper. - -The orders being largely discretionary, and the Chatsworth still in -port, and suspected of the intention of shipping a cargo of slaves at -Ambriz, the Perry sailed, the day on which her orders were received, -without giving any intimation as to her cruising-ground. When outside -of the harbor, the vessel was hauled on a wind to the southward, as if -bound up the coast, and continued beating until out of sight of the -vessels in the harbor. She was then kept away to the northward, making -a course for Ambriz, in anticipation of the Chatsworth’s soon sailing -for that place. - -The cruising with the English men-of-war was resumed. A few days after -leaving Loanda, when trying the sailing qualities of the vessel with a -British cruiser, a sail was reported, standing down the land towards -Ambriz. Chase was immediately made, and, on coming within gun-shot, -a gun was fired to bring the vessel to. She hoisted American colors, -but continued on her course. Another gun, throwing a thirty-two pound -shot across her bows, brought the Chatsworth to. She was then boarded, -and again searched, without finding any additional proof against the -vessel’s character. - -After remaining a day or two off Ambriz, the Perry proceeded to -Ambrizette, a short distance to the northward, leaving one of -the ship’s boats in charge of an officer, with orders to remain -sufficiently near the Chatsworth, and, in case she received water-casks -on board, or any article required to equip a slave-vessel, to detain -her until the return of the Perry. - -When the vessel had reached her destination, the commander conceived it -to be a good opportunity to forward the interests of American commerce, -by paying a visit of conciliation to the queen of that region. Though -warned by the British officers that the natives were hostile to all -persons engaged in suppressing the lucrative trade in slaves, he -resolved to avail himself of the invitation of the resident American -factor, and proceed to the royal residence. Two other officers of the -vessel, the agent, and several of the gig’s Kroomen, accompanied him. -On their way, a great number of Her Majesty’s loyal subjects--dressed -chiefly in the costume of their own black skins--formed the escort. -“All hands,” however, were not in the native sables exclusively, for -several, of more aristocratic claims, sported a piece of calico print, -of glaring colors, over one shoulder. The village, when first seen, -resembled a group of brown haystacks; the largest of these, as a -palace, sheltered the royal presence. The court etiquette brought the -mob of gentlemen and ladies of the escort, with and without costume, -down upon their knees, in expectation of Her Majesty’s appearance. -A little withered old woman then stepped out, having, in addition to -the native costume, an old red silk cloak, drawn tight around her -throat, and so worn as to make her look like a loose umbrella, with two -handles. She then squatted on the ground. Her prime minister aspired -to be higher than African in his costume, by hanging on his long, -thin person, an old full-dress French navy uniform-coat, dispensing -with other material articles of clothing, except a short pair of -white trowsers. The officers being seated in front, the kneeling -hedge of three or four hundred black woolly heads closed behind -them,--impregnating the air with their own peculiar aroma--their greasy -faces upturned in humble reverence--hands joined, palm to palm, ready -to applaud Her Majesty’s gracious wisdom when they heard it,--the -conference began. The interpreter introduced the officers, and their -business, and, in the name of the commander, expressed their friendly -feelings towards Her Majesty and her people; advising her to encourage -trade with the American merchants in gums, copper and the products of -the country, instead of selling her people as slaves, or conniving at -the sale in other tribes, for the purpose of procuring goods. This -speech having the honor of being directed to the royal ears, was -greeted, according to etiquette, with clap, clap, clap, from all the -ready hands of all the gentlemen in waiting, who were using their -knees as supports in Her Majesty’s royal presence. The prime minister, -from the inside of the French coat, then responded--that Her Majesty -had great reason to complain of the conduct of cruisers’ boats on the -coast, for they were in the habit of chasing the fishermen, and firing -to bring them to, and taking their fish, which were the principal -support of the people, without making an equivalent return. Whereupon, -clap, clap, clap, went the hands again. Her Majesty was assured, in -reply, that such had never been, and never would be the case, in regard -to the boats of American cruisers, and that her complaints would be -made known to those officers who had the power and the disposition -to remove all such cause of grievance. The chorus of clap, clap, -clap, again at this answer concluded the ceremony. The prime minister -followed the return escort at some distance, and took occasion, at -parting on the beach, to intimate that there were certain other marks -of friendly respect common at courts, and marking the usages of -polished nations. He gave no hints about gold snuff-boxes, as might -be suitable in the barbarian courts of Europe; but intimated that his -friends visiting Her Majesty, in such instances, thought _his_ humble -services worthy of two bottles of rum. Compliance with this amiable -custom was declared to be wholly impracticable, as the spirit-room -casks of the Perry had been filled only with pure (or impure) water, -instead of whisky, during the cruise. - -[Illustration: - - _Lith. of Sarony & Co. N. Y._ - -AUDIENCE TO THE PERRY’S OFFICERS, BY THE QUEEN OF AMBRIZETTE.] - -In communicating to the government, in a more official form, the object -and incidents of the visit to the queen near Ambrizette, reference -was made to a powerful king, residing ten miles in the interior of -Ambriz, and the intention of making him a visit was announced. But the -seizure of the Louisa Beaton by a British cruiser, on her return to the -coast, and the impression made upon the natives by the capture of the -Chatsworth as a slaver, not only occupied the intervening time before -leaving for St. Helena, but rendered inland excursions by no means -desirable. - -On returning towards Ambriz, soon after making the land, the steamer -Cyclops, with another British cruiser, was observed; and also the -Chatsworth, with an American brigantine lying near her. A boat from -the Cyclops, with an English officer, pulled out several miles, while -the Perry was in the offing, bringing a packet of letters and papers -marked as usual, “On Her Britannic Majesty’s Service.” These papers -were accompanied by a private note from the British commander of -the division, expressing great regret at the occurrence, which was -officially noticed in the accompanying papers, and the earnest desire -to repair the wrong. - -The official papers were dated September the ninth, and contained -statements relating to the _chasing_, _boarding_ and _detention_ -of the American brigantine Louisa Beaton, on the seventh and eighth -instant. - -The particulars of the seizure of the vessel were given in a letter -from the commander of the English cruiser Dolphin, directed to the -British commander of the division, as follows: “I have the honor to -inform you, that at daylight on the 7th instant, being about seventy -miles off the land, a sail was observed on the lee bow, whilst Her -Majesty’s brigantine, under my command, was steering to the eastward. -I made all possible sail in chase: the chase was observed making more -sail and keeping away. Owing to light winds, I was unable to overtake -her before 0h. 30m. A. M. When close to her and no sail shortened, -I directed a signal gun to be fired abeam, and hailed the chase to -shorten sail and heave to. Chase asserted he could not, and requested -leave to pass to leeward; saying, if we wanted to board him, we had -better make haste about it, and that ‘we might fire and be damned.’ - -“I directed another gun to be fired across her bows, when she -immediately shortened sail and hove to: it being night, no colors were -observed flying on board the chase, nor was I aware of her character. - -“I was proceeding myself to board her, when she bore up again, with -the apparent intention of escaping. I was therefore again compelled to -hoist the boat up and to close her under sail. I reached the chase on -the second attempt, and found her to be the American brigantine Louisa -Beaton. The master produced an American register, with a transfer of -masters: this gave rise to a doubt of the authenticity of the paper, -and on requesting further information, the master refused to give me -any, and declined showing me his port clearance, crew list, or log-book. - -“The lieutenant who accompanied me identified the mate as having -been in charge of the slave-brig Lucy Ann, captured by Her Majesty’s -steam-sloop Rattler. Under these suspicious circumstances, I considered -it my duty, as the Louisa Beaton was bound to Ambriz, to place an -officer and crew on board of her, so as to confer with an American -officer, or yourself, before allowing her, if a legal trader, to -proceed on her voyage.” - -The British commander of the division, in his letter, stated, that -immediately on the arrival of the vessels, he proceeded with the -commander of the Dolphin and the lieutenant of the Rattler to the -brigantine Louisa Beaton. Her master then presented the register, and -also the transfer of masters made in Rio, in consequence of the death -of the former master, but refused to show any other documents. - -On examining the register, and having met the vessel before on that -coast, he decided that the Louisa Beaton’s nationality was perfect; -but that the conduct pursued by her master, in withholding documents -that should have been produced on boarding, had led to the unfortunate -detention of the vessel. - -The British commander further stated, that he informed the master of -the Louisa Beaton that he would immediately order his vessel to be -released, and that on falling in with the commander of the Perry, all -due inquiry into the matter for his satisfaction should be made; but -that the master positively refused to take charge again, stating that -he would immediately abandon the vessel on the Dolphin’s crew quitting -her; and, further, requested that the vessel might be brought before -the American commander. - -That, as much valuable property might be sacrificed should the master -carry his threat into execution, he proceeded in search of the Perry, -that the case might be brought under consideration while the Dolphin -was present; and on arriving at Ambriz, the cutter of the Perry was -found in charge of one of her officers. - -On the following morning, as he stated, accompanied by the officer -in charge of the Perry’s cutter, and the commander of the Dolphin, -he proceeded to the Louisa Beaton, and informed her master that the -detention of his vessel arose from the refusal, on his part, to -show the proper documents to the boarding-officer, authorizing him -to navigate the vessel in those seas; and from his mate having been -identified by one of the Dolphin’s officers, as having been captured -in charge of a vessel having on board five hundred and forty-seven -slaves, which attempted to evade search and capture by displaying the -American ensign; as well as from his own suspicious maneuvering in the -chase. But as he was persuaded that the Louisa Beaton was an American -vessel, and her papers good, although a most important document was -wanting, namely, the _sea-letter_, usually given by consular officers -to legal traders after the _transfer of masters_, he should direct the -commander of the Dolphin to resign the charge of the Louisa Beaton, -which was accordingly done; and, that on meeting the commander of the -Perry, he would lay the case before him; and was ready, if he demanded -it, to give any remuneration or satisfaction, on the part of the -commander of the Dolphin, for the unfortunate detention of the Louisa -Beaton, whether engaged _in legal or illegal trade_, that the master -might in fairness demand, and the commander of the Perry approve. - -After expressing great regret at the occurrence, the British commander -stated that he was requested by the captain of the Dolphin to assure -the commander of the Perry, that no disrespect was intended to the flag -of the United States, or even interference, on his part, with traders -of America, be they legal or illegal; but the stubbornness of the -master, and the identifying of one of his mates as having been captured -in a Brazilian vessel, trying to evade detection by the display of the -American flag, had led to the mistake. - -A postscript to the letter added, “I beg to state that the hatches of -the Louisa Beaton have not been opened, nor the vessel or crew in any -way examined.” - -On the Perry’s reaching the anchorage, the Louisa Beaton was examined. -The affidavit of the master, which differs not materially from the -statements of the British officers, was taken. A letter by the -commander of the Perry was then addressed to the British officer, -stating, that he had in person visited the Louisa Beaton, conferred -with her master, taken his affidavit, examined her papers, and -found her to be in all respects a legal American trader. That the -_sea-letter_ which had been referred to, as being usually given by -consular officers, was only required when the vessel changes owners, -and not, as in the present case, on the appointment of a new master. -The paper given by the consul authorizing the appointment of the -present master, was, with the remainder of the vessel’s papers, -strictly in form. - -The commander also stated that he respectfully declined being a party -concerned in any arrangement of a pecuniary nature, as satisfaction to -the master of the Louisa Beaton, for the detention and seizure of his -vessel, and if such arrangement was made between the British officers -and the master of the Louisa Beaton, it would be his duty to give the -information to his government. - -The commander added, that the government of the United States did -not acknowledge a right in any other nation to visit and detain the -vessels of American citizens engaged in commerce: that whenever a -foreign cruiser should venture to board a vessel under the flag of -the United States, she would do it upon her own responsibility for -all consequences: that if the vessel so boarded should prove to be -American, the injured party would be left to such redress, either in -the tribunals of England, or by an appeal to his own country, as the -nature of the case might require. - -He also stated that he had carefully considered all the points in the -several communications which the commander of the British division had -sent him, in relation to the seizure of the Louisa Beaton, and he must -unqualifiedly pronounce the seizure and detention of that vessel wholly -unauthorized by the circumstances, and contrary both to the letter -and the spirit of the eighth article of the treaty of Washington; and -that it became his duty to make a full report of the case, accompanied -with the communications which the British commander had forwarded, -together with the affidavit of the master of the Louisa Beaton, to the -government of the United States. - -This letter closed the correspondence.[9] - -The British commander-in-chief then accompanied the commander of the -Perry to the Louisa Beaton, and there wholly disavowed the act of the -commander of the Dolphin, stating, in the name of that officer, that -he begged pardon of the master, and that he would do any thing in his -power to repair the wrong; adding, “I could say no more, if I had -knocked you down.” - -The Louisa Beaton was then delivered over to the charge of her own -master, and the officer of the cutter took his station alongside of the -Chatsworth. - -On the 11th of September this brigantine was seized as a slaver. During -the correspondence with the British officers in relation to the Louisa -Beaton, an order was given to the officer of the cutter, to prevent the -Chatsworth from landing the remaining part of her cargo. The master -immediately called on board the Perry, with the complaint, that his -vessel had been seized on a former occasion, and afterwards released by -the commodore, with the endorsement of her nationality on the log-book. -Since then she had been repeatedly searched, and now was prevented from -disposing of her cargo; he wished, therefore, that a definite decision -might be made. A decision was made by the instant seizure of the vessel. - -Information from the master of the Louisa Beaton, that the owner of the -Chatsworth had in Rio acknowledged to him that the vessel had shipped -a cargo of slaves on her last voyage, and was then proceeding to the -coast for a similar purpose--superadded to her suspicious movements, -and the importance of breaking up this line of ostensible traders, but -real slavers, running between the coasts of Brazil and Africa--were the -reasons leading to this decision. - -On announcing the decision to the master of the Chatsworth, a prize -crew was immediately sent on board and took charge of the vessel. The -master and supercargo then drew up a protest, challenging the act as -illegal, and claiming the sum of fifteen thousand dollars for damages. -The supercargo, on presenting this protest, remarked that the United -States Court would certainly release the vessel; and the _proçuro_ of -the owner, with other parties interested, would then look to the captor -for the amount of damages awarded. The commander replied, that he fully -appreciated the pecuniary responsibility attached to this proceeding. - -The master of the Louisa Beaton, soon after the supercargo of the -Chatsworth had presented the protest, went on shore for the purpose -of having an interview with him, and not coming off at the time -specified, apprehensions were entertained that the slave-factors had -revenged themselves for his additional information--leading to the -seizure of the Chatsworth. At nine o’clock in the evening, three boats -were manned and armed, containing thirty officers and men,--leaving the -Perry in charge of one of the lieutenants. When two of the boats had -left the vessel, and the third was in readiness to follow, the master -of the Louisa Beaton made his appearance, stating that his reception on -shore had been any thing but pacific. Had the apprehensions entertained -proved correct, it was the intention to have landed and taken -possession of the town; and then to have marched out to the barracoons, -liberated the slaves, and made, at least for the time being, “free -soil” of that section of country. - -In a letter to the commodore, dated September 14th, information was -given to the following purport: - -“Inclosed are affidavits, with other papers and letters, in relation -to the seizure of the American brigantine Chatsworth. This has been an -exceedingly complicated case, as relating to a slaver with two sets -of papers, passing alternately under different nationalities, eluding -detection from papers being in form, and trading with an assorted cargo. - -“The Chatsworth has been twice boarded and searched by the commander, -and on leaving for a short cruise off Ambrizette, a boat was dispatched -with orders to watch her movements during the absence of the Perry. On -returning from Ambrizette, additional evidence of her being a slaver -was procured. Since then the affidavits of the master of the Chatsworth -and the mate of the Louisa Beaton have been obtained, leading to -further developments, until the guilt of the vessel, as will be seen by -the accompanying papers, is placed beyond all question.” - -The Italian supercargo, having landed most of the cargo, and his -business being in a state requiring his presence, was permitted to go -on shore, with the assurance that he would return when a signal was -made. He afterwards came within hail of the Chatsworth, and finding -that such strong proofs against the vessel were obtained, he declined -going on board, acknowledging to the master of the Louisa Beaton that -he had brought over Brazilian papers. - -The crew of the Chatsworth being foreigners, and not wishing to be sent -to the United States, were landed at Ambriz, where it was reported that -the barracoons contained four thousand slaves, ready for shipment; -and where, it was said, the capture of the Chatsworth, as far as the -American flag was concerned, would give a severe and an unexpected blow -to the slave-trade. - -After several unsuccessful attempts to induce the supercargo of the -Chatsworth to come off to that vessel, a note in French was received -from him, stating that he was “an Italian, and as such could not be -owner of the American brig Chatsworth, which had been seized, it was -true, but unjustly, and against the laws of all civilized nations. That -the owner of the said brig would know how to defend his property, and -in case the judgment should not prove favorable, the one who had been -the cause of it would always bear the remorse of having ruined his -countryman.” - -After making the necessary preliminary arrangements, the master, with a -midshipman and ten men, was placed in charge of the Chatsworth; and on -the 14th of September, the following order was sent to the commanding -officer of the prize: “You will proceed to Baltimore, and there report -yourself to the commander of the naval station, and to the Secretary -of the Navy. You will be prepared, on your arrival, to deliver up the -vessel to the United States marshal, the papers to the judge of the -United States District Court, and be ready to act in the case of the -Chatsworth as your orders and circumstances may require. - -“It is advisable that you should stand as far to the westward, at -least, as the longitude of St. Helena, and when in the calm latitudes -make a direct north course, shaping the course for your destined port -in a higher latitude, where the winds are more reliable.” - -On the following morning the three vessels stood out to sea--the Perry -and Louisa Beaton bound to Loanda, and the Chatsworth bearing away for -the United States. The crew had now become much reduced in numbers, and -of the two lieutenants, master, and four passed midshipmen, originally -ordered to the vessel, there remained but two passed midshipmen, acting -lieutenants on board. - -After a protracted trial, the Chatsworth was at length condemned as a -slaver, in the U. S. District Court of Maryland. - -[9] This correspondence, with much of that which is to be referred to -hereafter, with the British officers, has been published more at length -in the “Blue Book,” or Parliamentary Papers, of 1851. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX. - - PROHIBITION OF VISITS TO VESSELS AT - LOANDA--CORRESPONDENCE--RESTRICTIONS REMOVED--ST. HELENA--APPEARANCE - OF THE ISLAND--RECEPTION--CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE - CHIEF-JUSTICE--DEPARTURE. - - -Soon after arriving at Loanda, it was ascertained that the masters of -merchant-traders were forbidden to visit one another on board their -respective vessels, without express permission from the authorities. -This regulation was even extended to men-of-war officers in their visit -to merchant vessels of their own nation. An application was made to the -authorities, remonstrating against this regulation being applied to -the United States officers; and assurances were given which led to the -conclusion that the regulation had been rescinded. - -Soon afterwards a letter to the collector, dated the 17th of September, -stated that the commander of the Perry, in company with the purser, -had that evening pulled alongside of the Louisa Beaton, and much to -his surprise, especially after the assurance of the collector that no -objection would in future be raised against the United States naval -officers visiting the merchant vessels of their own nation, the -custom-house officers informed him that he could not be admitted on -board: they went on board, however, but did not go below, not wishing -to involve the vessel in difficulty. - -The report of this circumstance was accompanied with the remark, -that it was the first time that an objection had been raised to the -commander’s visiting a merchant vessel belonging to his own nation in -a foreign port; and this had been done after the assurance had been -given, that in future no obstacles should be in the way of American -officers visiting American ships in Loanda. - -In reply to this letter, the collector stated that he had shown, on a -former occasion, that his department could give no right to officers -of men-of-war to visit merchant vessels of their own nation when in -port, under the protection of the Portuguese flag and nation. But in -view of the friendly relations existing between Portugal and the United -States, and being impressed with the belief that these visits would be -made in a social, friendly character, rather than with indifference and -disrespect to the authorities of that province, he would forward, and -virtually had forwarded already, the orders, that in all cases, when -American men-of-war are at anchor, no obstacle should be thrown in the -way of their officers boarding American vessels. - -He further stated, that the objections of the guards to the commander -boarding the Louisa Beaton, was the result of their ignorance of his -orders, permitting visits from American vessels of war; but concluded -that the opposition encountered could not have been great, as the -commander himself had confessed that he had really boarded the said -vessel. - -On the 19th of September, the Perry sailed for the island of St. -Helena. Soon after leaving port, a vessel was seen dead to windward, -hull and courses down. After a somewhat exciting chase of forty-two -hours, the stranger was overhauled, and proved to be a Portuguese -regular trader between the Brazil and the African coast. - -Several days before reaching St. Helena, the trades had so greatly -freshened, together with thick, squally weather, that double-reefed -topsails, with single-reefed courses, were all the sail the vessel -could bear. - -On the morning of the 11th of October, a glimpse of the island was -caught for a few minutes. Two misty spires of rock seemed to rise up in -the horizon--notched off from a ridge extended between them--the centre -being Diana’s peak, twenty-seven hundred feet in height. The vessel was -soon again enveloped in thick squalls of rain, but the bearings of the -island had been secured, and a course made for the point to be doubled. -After running the estimated distance to the land, the fog again lifted, -presenting the formidable island of St. Helena close aboard, and in -a moment all was obscured again. But the point had been doubled, and -soon afterwards the Perry was anchored, unseeing and unseen. - -[Illustration: - - _Lith. of Sarony & Co. N. Y._ - -SHORE AND ROADSTEAD AT JAMESTOWN, Sᵗ. HELENA.] - -The sails were furled, the decks cleared up, when the whole scene -started out of obscurity. St. Helena was in full view. A salute of -twenty-one guns was fired, and promptly responded to, gun for gun, from -the bristling batteries above. - -Under the vast, rugged buttresses of rock--serrated with gaps between -them, like the surviving parapets of a gigantic fortress, the mass of -which had sunk beneath the sea--the vessel seemed shrunk to a mere -speck; and close under these mural precipices, rising to the height of -two thousand feet, she had, in worse than darkness, crept along within -hearing of the surf. - -On either bow, when anchored, were the two stupendous, square-faced -bluffs, between which, liked a ruined embrasure, yawned the ravine -containing Jamestown. High and distant against the sky, was frowning -a battery of heavy guns, looking down upon the decks; and beyond the -valley, the road zigzagged along the nine hundred feet of steep-faced, -ladder hill. Green thickets were creeping up the valleys; and plains of -verdant turf here and there overlapped the precipices. - -Subsequently, on an inland excursion, were seen the fantastic forms of -Lot and his wife, more than fourteen hundred feet in height; and black -pillars, or shafts of basaltic columns, standing high amid the snowy -foam of the surf. Patches of luxuriant vegetation were suddenly broken -by astounding chasms, such as the “Devil’s Punch Bowl.” - -This striking and majestic scenery, on an island ten miles in length -and six in breadth, arises from its great height and its volcanic -configuration. The occurrence of small oceanic deposits high up on -its plains, indicates fits of elevation ere it reached its present -altitude. The _Yam-flowers_ (the _sobriquet_ of the island ladies) need -not, however, fear that the joke of travellers will prove a reality, by -the island again being drawn under water like a turtle’s head. - -Visits were received from the chief-justice, the commandant and -officers of the garrison. Invitations were sent to dine “with the -mess.” The American consul, and many of the inhabitants, joined in -extending unbounded hospitality to the officers, which was duly -appreciated by African cruisers. A collation to their hospitable -friends, on the quarterdeck of the Perry, was also partaken of by the -officers of a British cruiser, which, on leaving the island, ran across -the stern of the vessel, gave three cheers, and dipped her colors. -The proprietor of Longwood, once the prison of Napoleon, received the -officers and their friends at a pic-nic, when a visit was made to that -secluded spot, so suggestive of interesting associations. Every means -was used to leave a sense of grateful remembrance on the minds of the -visitors to the island. - -One watch of the crew were constantly on shore, in search of health and -enjoyment. - -A short time previously to leaving Loanda, information being -received from the American consul at Rio, that the barque Navarre, -and brigantine Volusia, already noticed, had been furnished with -sea-letters as American vessels, steps were taken to ascertain from -the vice-admiralty court, in St. Helena, the circumstances attending -their trial and condemnation. Calls were made on several officers of -the court for that purpose. Failing thus to obtain the information -unofficially, a letter was drawn up and sent to the chief-justice, who -was also the judge of the admiralty court. After the judge had read the -letter, he held, with the commander of the Perry, a conversation of -more than an hour, in reference to its contents. During this interview, -the judge announced that he could not communicate, officially, the -information solicited. An opportunity, however, was offered to look -over the record of the proceedings. Circumstances did not seem to -justify the acceptance of this proposal. It was then intimated to the -commander that the letter of request would be sent to Lord Palmerston; -and, in return, intimation was also given that a copy of the letter -would be transmitted to the Secretary of the Navy at Washington. - -The social intercourse between the parties, during this interview, was -of the most agreeable character. - -In the same letter to the judge of the admiralty court, that contained -the above-mentioned request for documents relating to the case of the -Navarre, the commander of the Perry stated that he was informed by the -American consul that the Navarre was sold in Rio to a citizen of the -United States; that a sea-letter was granted by the consul; that the -papers were regular and true; that the owner was master, and that the -American crew were shipped in the consul’s office. - -The commander also stated, that information from other sources had -been received, that the Navarre proceeded to the coast of Africa, and -when near Benguela was boarded by H. B. Majesty’s brig Water-Witch, -and after a close examination of her papers was permitted to pass. -The captain of the Navarre, after having intimated his intention to -the officer of the Water-Witch, of going into Benguela, declined -doing so on learning that the Perry was there, assigning to his crew -as the reason, that the Perry would take him prisoner; and at night -accordingly bore up and ran down towards Ambriz. The captain also -stated to a part of the crew, that _the officer of the Water-Witch_ -had advised him to give up the vessel to _him_, as the Perry would -certainly take his vessel, and send him home, whereas _he_ would only -take his vessel, and let him land and go free. - -On reaching Ambriz, with the American flag flying, the Navarre was -boarded by the commander of H. M. steam-sloop Fire-Fly, who, on -examining the papers given by the consul, and passed by the commander -of the Water-Witch as being in form, _pronounced them false_. The -captain of the Navarre was threatened with being taken to the American -squadron, or to New York; and fearing worse consequences in case he -should fall into the hands of the American cruisers, preferred giving -up his vessel, _bonâ fide_ American, to a British officer. Under -these circumstances, he signed a paper that the vessel was Brazilian -property, and he himself a Brazilian subject. The mate was ordered to -haul down the American and hoist the Brazilian colors; in doing which -the American crew attempted to stop him, when the English armed sailors -interfered, and struck one of the American crew on the head. - -The Fire-Fly arrived at Loanda a few days after the capture of the -Navarre, and the representations of her commander induced the commander -of the Perry to believe that the Navarre was Brazilian property, -and captured with false American papers; which papers having been -destroyed, no evidence of her nationality remained but the statement -of the commander of the Fire-Fly. This statement, being made by a -British officer, was deemed sufficient, until subsequent information -led to the conclusion, that the Navarre was an American vessel, and -whether engaged in _legal or illegal trade_, the course pursued towards -her by the commanders of the Water-Witch and the Fire-Fly, was wholly -unauthorized; and her subsequent capture by the commander of the -Fire-Fly, was in direct violation of the treaty of Washington. - -After this statement was drawn up, the Water-Witch being in St. Helena, -it was shown to her commander. - -A statement in relation to the capture and condemnation of the Volusia, -was also forwarded to the chief-justice: stating, upon the authority of -the American consul at Rio, that she had a sea-letter, and was strictly -an American vessel, bought by an American citizen in Rio de Janeiro. - -In reply to this application for a copy of the proceedings of the -Admiralty Court in relation to the Navarre, the chief-justice, in a -letter to the commander of the Perry, stated that he was not aware of -any American vessel having been condemned in the Vice-Admiralty Court -of that colony. - -It was true that a barque called the Navarre had been condemned in -the court, which might or might not have been American; but the -circumstances under which the case was presented to the court, were -such as to induce the court to conclude that the Navarre was at the -time of seizure not entitled to the protection of any state or nation. - -With respect to the commander’s request that he should be furnished -with a copy of the affidavits in the case, the judge regretted to -state, that with every disposition to comply with his wishes, so far -as regards the proceedings of the court, yet as the statement of -the commander not only reflected upon the conduct of the officers -concerned in the seizure, but involved questions not falling within the -province of the court, he did not feel justified in giving any special -directions in reference to the application. - -Similar reasons were assigned for not furnishing a copy of the -affidavits in the case of the Volusia. - -In a letter to the commodore, dated October 19th, information was given -substantially as follows: - -“A few days previously to leaving the coast of Africa, a letter was -received from the American consul at Rio, in reply to a communication -from the commander of the John Adams, and directed to that office, -or to the commander of any U. S. ship-of-war. This letter inclosed -a paper containing minutes from the records in the consulate in -relation to several American vessels, and among them the barque Navarre -and brigantine Volusia were named, as having been furnished with -sea-letters as American vessels. These vessels were seized on the -coast of Africa, and condemned in this admiralty court, as vessels of -unknown nationality. - -“Availing himself of the permission to extend the cruise as far as this -island, and coming into possession of papers identifying the American -nationality of the Navarre and Volusia, the commander regarded it -to be his duty to obtain all information in reference to the course -pursued by British authorities towards these vessels for the purpose of -submitting it to the Government. - -“The commander called on the queen’s proctor of the Vice-Admiralty -Court, requesting a copy of the affidavits in the instances of the -Navarre and Volusia. The proctor stated that the registrar of the court -would probably furnish them. The registrar declined doing it without -the sanction of the judge, and the judge declined for reasons alleged -in the inclosed correspondence. - -“The proctor, soon afterwards, placed a packet of papers in the hands -of the commander of the Perry, containing the affidavits in question, -and requested him to forward them to the British commodore. The proctor -suggested to the commander that he might look over the papers. This was -declined, on the ground that when the request was made for permission -to examine them, unofficially, it was denied, and since having made -the request officially for a copy of the papers, they could not now -be received and examined at St. Helena, except in an official form. -It was then intimated that the intention was to have the papers sent -unofficially to the British commodore, that he might show them, if -requested to do so, to the American officers.” - - - - -CHAPTER XXX. - - RETURN TO LOANDA--CYCLOPS LEAVES THE COAST--HON. CAPTAIN - HASTINGS--DISCUSSION WITH THE BRITISH COMMODORE IN REFERENCE TO THE - VISIT AT ST. HELENA--COMMODORE FANSHAWE--ARRIVAL AT MONROVIA--BRITISH - CRUISER ON SHORE--ARRIVAL AT PORTO PRAYA--WRECK OF A HAMBURGH SHIP. - - -The Perry, after ten days’ acquaintance and intercourse with many -exceedingly kind and hospitable friends, reluctantly sailed for the -African coast, and after a passage of ten days, beat up inside of the -reef forming the harbor, guided by the signal-lights of the men-of-war, -and anchored at Loanda. The following morning, salutes were exchanged -with the French commodore, whose broad pendant was flying at the main -of a fine steam-frigate. To the Secretary of the Navy it was announced -that no suspicious American vessel had been on the south coast since -the capture of the Chatsworth. - -After remaining two days in Loanda, cruising was renewed, in company -with the Cyclops, off Ambriz. Soon afterwards the Cyclops was ordered -to England. The commanding officer of the southern division was now -about taking his leave of the coast. The Hon. Captain Hastings (since -deceased), brother to the Earl of Huntington, was an officer of great -merit, and a man of noble qualities. He was ever kind and attentive to -the wants of his crew. He possessed great moral integrity of character, -and sound religious principles. Notwithstanding the protracted -correspondence, often involving delicate points and perplexing -questions, the social friendly intercourse between the two commanders -in the different services had not for a moment been interrupted. On -parting the two vessels exchanged three hearty cheers. - -The Perry beat up to the southward as far as Benguela, and looking into -the harbor, without anchoring, proceeded to run down the coast to the -northward. On approaching a Portuguese man-of-war, that vessel fired a -blank cartridge from a small gun. It being daylight, and the character -of both cruisers easily discernible, the object of the fire could not -be conceived. A thirty-two pound shot was immediately thrown across the -cruiser’s bows. She then hauled down her colors, but soon afterwards -hoisted them. A boat was sent for an explanation. The officer was -assured that the Perry, in coming bows on, had been mistaken for a -Portuguese brig, of which the cruiser was in search. - -On reaching Loanda, although no vessel had arrived to relieve the -Perry, yet, as her provisions were nearly exhausted, preparations -were made to leave the north coast. The day before sailing, November -29th, a letter addressed to the commander of any U. S. vessel-of-war, -was left in charge of the commercial agent of the Salem House. After -recapitulating the occurrences of the last cruise, the letter stated -that the correspondence with the collector had secured to our merchant -vessels more consideration than formerly from the custom-house; and -gave information that cruisers were often met at night, and that, -therefore, the Perry had always four muskets and the two bow-guns ready -for service at a moment’s warning. A list of signals, established -between the two commodores, was inclosed. It was stated that Ambriz was -considered the best cruising-ground; although the Perry had three times -run up to Benguela, and once as far as Elephant Bay, having deemed it -advisable to show the vessel on the entire line of coast. - -It was also stated that landing the Chatsworth’s crew at Ambriz having -been regarded as prejudicial to the interests of the American factory, -the agent had been informed that no more slave-crews would be landed at -that place; and that it was believed that there were then no American -vessels, with the exception of three or four legal traders, on the -south coast. Although it was rumored that several vessels, fitted -for the slave-trade, had gone round the Cape of Good Hope into the -Mozambique Channel. - -On the following day, the Perry sailed for the north coast. Off Ambriz -a visit was made to the British flag steam-frigate. The cases of the -Navarre and Volusia, together with other instances of interference -with the American flag, were discussed with the British commodore. -The copies of the affidavits, brought from St. Helena, were examined, -from which, with other information in the commander’s possession, it -clearly appeared that, when the Navarre was first boarded off Benguela -by the officer of the Water-Witch, her papers were found to be in form, -and she was passed accordingly. When boarded by the Fire-Fly, a few -days afterwards, the commander of that vessel declared her papers to -be forgeries, and they were destroyed. The prize-officer, sent from -the Fire-Fly to St. Helena in charge of the vessel, testified in the -admiralty court, that he had no knowledge of the Navarre’s papers. The -commodore acknowledged that in the case of the Navarre there appeared, -at least, some discrepancies in the different statements. Full reports, -embracing these points, were made to the American commodore. - -The social intercourse with the commander-in-chief had always been of -the most agreeable character. Commodore Fanshawe, C. B., was Aid to the -Queen,--a man of distinguished professional abilities, and of great -moral worth. He is now the admiral in command of the British naval -forces in the West Indies, and on the north coast of America. - -The commodore expressed his determination, while doing all in his power -for the suppression of the slave-trade, not to interfere, in the least -degree, with American vessels; and in cases of actual interference, -attributed it, in a measure, to the want of judgment and discretion, -now and then to be found among the number of twenty captains; adding, -“with your extensive commerce, you ought to have more cruisers where -we are so strong.” He expressed his readiness to render assistance to -American vessels in distress, as exemplified in having sent a vessel to -the United States, which had lost her master and crew by the African -fever; and in the fact that an American vessel, aground in the Congo -River, had been towed off by one of his steamers. The master of this -vessel refused to state his object in going up the river, which was -afterwards explained by his shipping, and escaping with a cargo of -slaves. - -After parting with the commodore, the Perry filled away for the north -coast; chased and boarded an English barque, bound to St. Helena; also -boarded an American barque, which, a few days previously, had been -struck by lightning. This vessel had eight hundred kegs of powder on -board; her spars and rigging were much damaged. - -The passage to Monrovia occupied fourteen days. The U. S. brig Porpoise -had arrived on the coast, and was lying in the harbor of Monrovia. The -General Assembly was in session, and the debates on the subject of -resurveying the lands in one section of the country, were creditable to -the speakers. - -A few days after the arrival of the Perry, it being learned that -the British steam-cruiser Flamer was ashore near Gray’s Point, a -correspondence took place with President Roberts, which will furnish -some idea of the character of the president, as well as the means which -Monrovia is capable of affording for assistance in such cases. - -In this correspondence, the commander informed the president that he -was about proceeding with the Perry to offer assistance to the Flamer; -and suggested that the cases of fever among the crew should be removed -to Monrovia, rather than remain subject to the discomfort of their -present situation. He proposed, in case the president concurred in -opinion, and accommodations could be furnished, to offer the services -of the Perry in transporting the sick to Monrovia. The president, -in reply, fully concurred, and recommended, by all means, that the -sufferers should be immediately brought to Monrovia, where the best of -accommodations would be supplied. He also sent his respects to the -commander of the steamer, assuring him that he was exceedingly anxious -to render all aid in his power. - -On arriving at Gray’s Point, the proffered assistance was declined, -as one British cruiser had just arrived, and another was momentarily -expected, which would transport the sick and suffering to Sierra Leone. - -The Perry then proceeded to Porto Praya, and on the 8th of January, -1851, after one year’s service on the south coast, reported to the -commander-in-chief. Soon afterwards, the commodore was informed that a -large Hamburgh ship, with a cargo exceeding in value the sum of three -hundred thousand dollars, had been wrecked at night on the island of -Mayo--forming one of the group of the Cape Verdes. The Perry proceeded -to Mayo, for the purpose of rendering the wrecked ship all assistance -in her power. The commander called on the American vice-consul, who -was an intelligent, dignified black man, holding the offices of mayor -and military commandant, superadded to that of vice-consul. It was -found that the ship and most of her cargo had proved a total loss. The -passengers and crew had escaped with their lives. Among the passengers -was a clever young governess, going out to Santiago, in Chili: she -proceeded to Porto Praya, where her losses were fully compensated by -the contributions of the officers of the squadron. After rendering all -possible assistance to the wrecked vessel and sufferers, the Perry -returned to Porto Praya, and made preparations for a third southern -cruise. A first lieutenant and one midshipman were ordered to the -vessel, to supply, in part, the vacancies occasioned by sending home -officers in charge of captured slavers. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXI. - - RETURN TO THE SOUTH COAST--COMPARATIVE COURSES AND LENGTH OF - PASSAGE--COUNTRY AT THE MOUTH OF THE CONGO--CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE - BRITISH COMMODORE--STATE OF THE SLAVE-TRADE--COMMUNICATION TO THE - HYDROGRAPHICAL DEPARTMENT--ELEPHANT’S BAY--CREW ON SHORE--ZEBRAS. - - -On the 19th of February, the vessel having been reported ready for -sea, the commodore issued orders to proceed on a cruise south of the -equator, under former orders and instructions, stopping at Monrovia -and at the island of St. Helena; and returning to Porto Praya when -provisions should be exhausted. - -The vessel sailed at daylight on the following morning, and after a -passage of eight days, during which she had a long chase after an -English brig, arrived at Monrovia. Five days were spent in wooding and -watering ship. On Sunday, a colored Rev. Dr. of Divinity in the Baptist -church, preached to a large congregation, giving his own rendering of -the text from the original Greek. The effort was perhaps unusually -elaborate, in consideration of several officers forming part of the -audience. - -In running down the coast, a great number of canoes, filled with -natives--_sans culottes_ and _sans chemises_--pulled off to the vessel. -By one of these, a note addressed to the missionaries was sent into -Cape Palmas, expressing regret that orders to the south coast prevented -the vessel from touching either at the Cape or at the Gaboon River. - -The former passage to the south coast had been made on the port tack, -by standing out into the southeast trades, and forty-one days had -expired on reaching Benguela. This passage was made on the starboard -tack, in-shore, and occupied but twenty-two days to Ambriz--a run of -four days from Benguela. The great advantages of the in-shore passage -will be made manifest in a letter hereafter to be referred to. Greater -alternations of weather, pleasant and squally, with now and then a -strong tornado, occur in-shore; but a good look-out will enable a -man-of-war to encounter all these with safety. Besides a number of -legal traders, on the passage down, several British cruisers were -boarded, who reported the slave-trade as being exceedingly dull. - -Three days were spent in Loanda, and then cruising for the same length -of time, with the new commander of the British southern division, was -resumed off Ambriz. Thence the vessel proceeded down the coast towards -the Congo River, where the new commander of the steamer Fire-Fly -boarded the Perry, when at a distance of four miles from his own -vessel. Passed the Congo, after encountering a tornado. - -This river is more than two leagues broad at its mouth. At the distance -of eight or ten miles seaward, in a northwesterly direction, the water -preserves its freshness; and at the distance of fifty and even sixty -miles, it has a black tinge. Here are often seen small islands floating -seaward, formed of fibrous roots, bamboo, rushes and long grass, and -covered with birds. The banks of the Congo are lined with low mangrove -bushes, with clumps of a taller species interspersed, growing to the -height of sixty and seventy feet. Palm-trees, and others of a smaller -growth, are seen with a rich and beautiful foliage. In going up the -river, the southern shore, where there is plenty of water close in -with the land, should be kept aboard. The current is so strong--often -running six miles an hour off Shark’s Point--that an exceedingly fresh -sea-breeze is necessary in order to stem the stream. The greatest -strength of this current, however, is superficial, not extending more -than six or eight feet in depth. The Congo, like all rivers in Africa, -except the Nile, is navigable but a short distance before reaching the -rapids. The great central regions being probably not less than three -thousand feet in altitude above the sea, these rapids are formed by a -sudden depression of the surface of the country towards the sea, or by -a bed of hard rocks stretching across the basin of the river. - -The slave-trade has been extensively pursued in the Congo. A British -steam-cruiser, for many years, has been stationed off its mouth, making -many captures. Under American nationality, however, several vessels -have entered, taken in a cargo of slaves and escaped. The natives, near -the mouth of the river, have been rendered treacherous and cruel by the -slave-trade; but a short distance in the interior, they are represented -as being civil and inoffensive, disposed to trade in elephants’-teeth -and palm-oil. - -After crossing the Congo, the Perry communicated with Kabenda, and the -day following anchored at Loango, in company with the British cruiser -stationed off that point. The British commodore arriving the next day, -a letter was addressed to him, dated April 4th, asking whether any -suspected vessels had been seen on the south coast, by the cruisers -under his command, since the capture of the Chatsworth, on the 11th of -September, 1850; also requesting that he would express his views of the -present state of the slave-trade on the southern coast of Africa. - -In reply, the British commodore made the following communication: - -“I beg to acquaint you that the only report I have received of a -suspected vessel, under American colors, having been seen on the -south coast since the date you have named, was from H. M. steam-sloop -Rattler, of a schooner showing American colors having approached the -coast near Old Benguela Head; which vessel, when Commander Cumming -landed subsequently, was reported to him, by the people on shore, to -have shipped slaves near that place. - -“Your inquiry applies only to the south coast; but it will not -be irrelevant to the general subject and object for which we are -co-operating, if I add that the schooner Bridgeton, of Philadelphia, -under the American flag, was visited by Her Majesty’s steam-sloop -Prometheus, off Lagos, on the 22d of August, under circumstances -causing much suspicion, but with papers which did not warrant -her seizure by a British officer; and that I have since received -information from Her Britannic Majesty’s consul at Bahia, that the same -vessel landed three hundred slaves there in October. - -“I also take this opportunity of bringing under your notice another -American vessel, which I observed at Sierra Leone under the American -flag; and which was reported to me, by the authorities there, as being -to all appearance a legal trader, with correct papers, but whose real -character and ultimate object I have since had much reason to doubt. - -“I inclose a copy of the formal entry of this vessel, ‘The Jasper,’ -at the port of Sierra Leone, from which you will observe that her -cargo was shipped at the Havana; and that in the manifest are shooks -and heads of water-casks, and that she had on board three passengers: -these passengers were _Spaniards_. The Jasper staid a short time at -Sierra Leone, disposed of some trifles of her cargo for cash, and left -for Monrovia. On proceeding a few days afterwards in the Centaur (the -flag-ship) to that place, I found that she had disposed of more of -her cargo there, also for cash, and was reported to have proceeded to -the leeward coast; and I learned from the best authority, that of the -passengers, one was recognized as being a Spanish slave-dealer who -had been expelled from Tradetown, in 1849, by President Roberts, and -that the others were a Spanish merchant, captain and supercargo; and -that the American captain had spoken of his position as being very -indefinite. - -“On the second subject, my view of the present state of the slave-trade -on the south coast: It is formed on my own observations of the line of -coast from Cape St. Paul’s to this port, and from the reports which I -have received from the captains of the divisions, and the commanders -of the cruisers under my orders, as well as from other well-informed -persons on whom I can rely, that it has never been in a more depressed -state, a state almost amounting to suppression; and that this arises -from the active exertions of Her Majesty’s squadron on both sides of -the Atlantic, and the cordial co-operation which has been established -between the cruisers of Great Britain and the United States on this -coast, to carry out the intention of the Washington treaty; and -latterly from the new measures of the Brazilian government. - -“Factories have been broken up at Lagos, in the Congo, and at Ambriz; -although of this I need hardly speak, because your own observation -during the past year must satisfy you of the present state of -depression there. - -“The commencement of last year was marked by an unusual number of -captures by Her Majesty’s cruisers, both in the bights and on the south -coast, and also by those by the cruisers of the United States. This -year, the capture of only one vessel equipped in the bights, and one -with slaves (a transferred Sardinian), on the south coast, have been -reported to me--a striking proof of my view. - -“The desperate measures also adopted by the slave-dealers in the last -few months to get rid of their slaves by the employment of small -vessels, formerly engaged in the legal and coasting trade, as marked by -the capture of several (named) slavers, prove the difficulty to which -they have been driven. - -“The barracoons, however, along the whole line of coast, are still -reported to me to contain a great number of slaves, to ship whom, I -have little doubt further attempts will be made. - -“Most satisfactory, on the whole, as this state of things may be -considered, still I hope it will not lead to any immediate relaxation -either of our efforts or of our co-operation; but that a vigilance will -be observed for a time sufficient to enable a legal trade to replace -the uprooted slave-traffic, and to disperse the machinery (I may say) -of the merchants connected with it, and prevent any resumption of it by -them.” - -Leaving Loango with a fresh supply of monkeys and parrots, the Perry -retraced her course to the southward, and on reaching the Congo, -crossed that river in a few hours, close at its mouth, showing this -to be practicable, and altogether preferable to standing off to -the westward for that purpose. After crossing the river, the first -lieutenant, Mr. Porter, who had seen much service in other vessels -on the coast, was requested to draw up a letter addressed to the -commander, containing the following information, which, after having -been endorsed as fully according with experience and observation on -board the Perry, was forwarded to Lieutenant Maury, in charge of the -National Observatory, under the impression that it might be available -in the hydrographical department. It has since been published in -“Maury’s Sailing Directions.” - -“In the season of February, March, April and May, there is no -difficulty in making the passage from Porto Praya to Ambriz in thirty -days, provided the run from Porto Praya takes not more than eight days. - -“The direct route, and that which approaches the great circle, leads -along the coast, touching the outer soundings of St. Ann’s Shoals, -thence to half Cape Mount, to allow for a current when steering for -Monrovia. From there, follow the coast along with land and sea breezes, -assisted by the current, until you arrive at Cape Palmas. Keep on the -starboard tack, notwithstanding the wind may head you in-shore (the -land-breezes will carry you off), and as the wind permits, haul up for -2° west longitude. Cross the equator here if convenient, but I would -not go to the westward of it. You will encounter westerly currents from -thirty to fifty miles a day. In the vicinity of Prince’s Island, the -southwest wind is always strong. In the latitude of about 1° 30´ north -there is a current: should it not be practicable to weather the island -of St. Thomas, stand in, approach the coast, and you will meet with -north winds to carry you directly down the coast. - -“Our vessels, after arriving at Cape Palmas, have generally gone upon -the port tack, because the wind carried them towards the coast or -Gulf of Guinea, and seemed to favor them for the port tack the most, -which, on the contrary, although slowly veering towards the southeast, -was hauling more ahead, and leading them off into a current, which, -under a heavy press of sail, it is impossible to work against. The -consequences were, that they had to go upon the starboard tack, and -retrace the ground gone over. On the starboard tack, as you proceed -easterly, the action of the wind is the reverse, and it allows you to -pursue the great circle course. - -“It employed one man-of-war eighty odd days to Kabenda, a port -two hundred miles nearer than Ambriz, to which port (Ambriz) from -Monrovia, in this vessel (the Perry), we went in twenty-three days; -making thirty-one from Porto Praya. Another vessel was occupied ten -to Monrovia, and forty-six to Ambriz, by the way of Prince’s Island, -about ten of which was lost in working to the south of Cape Palmas. In -standing to the eastward, north of the equator, the current is with -you--south of the equator, it is adverse. - -“The practice along the coast in this vessel (the Perry), was to keep -near enough to the land to have the advantage of a land and sea breeze, -and to drop a kedge whenever it fell calm, or we were unable to stem -the current. Upon this part of the coast, near the Congo, the lead-line -does not always show the direction of the current which affects the -vessel. On the bottom there is a current in an opposite direction from -that on the surface; therefore, before dropping the kedge, the better -way is to lower a boat and anchor her, which will show the drift of -the vessel. Between Ambriz and the Congo I have seen the under-current -so strong to the southeast as to carry a twenty-four pound lead off the -bottom, while the vessel was riding to a strong southwest current; but -the under-current is the stronger. - -“In crossing the Congo, I would always suggest crossing close at its -mouth, night or day. Going north, with the wind W. N. W., steer N. -N. E. with a five or six knot breeze. When you strike soundings on -the other side, you will have made about a N. ½ E. course in the -distance of nine miles, by log from 11½ fathoms off Shark’s Point. -The current out of the river sets west about two knots the hour. With -the land-breeze it is equally convenient, and may be crossed in two -hours. In coming from the north, with Kabenda bearing N. E. in thirteen -fathoms, or from the latitude of 5° 48’, wind southwest, a S. S. E. -course will carry you over in four hours, outside of Point Padron; and -by keeping along shore the current will assist you in going to the -north. Vessels which cross to seaward, from latitude of 5° 45’ south, -and 9° west longitude, are generally six days or more to Ambriz: by the -former method it occupied us (the Perry) only two days.” - -The vessel then proceeded to Loanda, and after remaining one day in -port, beat up the coast as far as Elephants’ Bay, in 13° 14’ south -latitude, communicated with four British cruisers, anchored _en route_ -in Benguela, and there supplied a British cruiser with masts, plank -and oars, for repairing a bilged launch. During a walk on shore, a -Portuguese merchant was met, who spoke of the slave-trade being in a -languishing state. On calling at his house, a yard in the rear was -observed, capable of accommodating some three or four hundred slaves. -On entering Elephants’ Bay in a fresh breeze, the vessel was brought -down to her double-reefed topsails. - -Elephants’ Bay may be termed the confines of the Great Southern Desert, -and the limit of the African fever. A very few wretched inhabitants, -subsisting by fishing, are found along the shores. None were seen -during the Perry’s visit. The soil is sandy and barren, and rains very -scanty, seldom occurring more than once or twice during the year. The -climate is exceedingly invigorating. The crew were permitted to haul -the seine, and take a run on shore. A brackish spring was found, and -around it were many tracks of wild animals. Several of the men, armed -with muskets, while strolling a few miles from the shore, started up -a drove of zebras, but were unsuccessful in their attempts to capture -even a single prize. - -The day after arriving in this bay, while one watch of the men were -exercising the big guns at target-firing, and the other watch on shore -familiarizing themselves with the use of small-arms, a large barque -was discovered in the offing; and not conceiving any other object -than that of slaving to be the business of a vessel on that desert -coast, a signal-gun was fired, and the comet hoisted for “all hands” -to repair on board. The Perry was soon off under full sail in chase of -the stranger. As night closed in, and the sea-breeze became light, two -boats, in charge of the first and second lieutenants, were dispatched -in the chase; the vessel and boats occasionally throwing up a rocket -and burning a blue light to indicate their relative positions. The -strange vessel was at length brought to, and boarded. She proved to be -a Portuguese barque in search of ochil for dyeing purposes. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXII. - - THE CONDITION OF THE SLAVE-TRADE--WANT OF SUITABLE CRUISERS--HEALTH - OF THE VESSEL--NAVY SPIRIT RATION--PORTUGUESE COMMODORE--FRENCH - COMMODORE--LOANDA--LETTER FROM SIR GEORGE JACKSON, BRITISH - COMMISSIONER, ON THE STATE OF THE SLAVE-TRADE--RETURN TO PORTO PRAYA. - - -After parting company with the Portuguese vessel, the Perry ran down to -Loanda, from whence a letter, dated the 17th of April, was addressed -to a gentleman in a prominent station at Washington, communicating in -effect the following views and information: - -“The slave-trade has received an effectual check within the past year. -Only one suspected American vessel has been seen on the south coast, -since the capture of the Chatsworth. - -“In a letter from Sir George Jackson, British commissioner at Loanda, -addressed to Lord Palmerston, which was shown to the commander of the -Perry, it is stated that the present state of the slave-trade arises -from the activity of British cruisers, the co-operation of part of -the American squadron on the southern coast within the year, and -its capture of two or three slavers bearing the flag of that nation, -together with the measures adopted by the Brazilian government; and -also that it may be said that the trade on this southern coast is now -confined to a few vessels bearing the Sardinian flag. - -“The British commander-in-chief has expressed himself equally sanguine -as to the state of the trade; and is of the opinion that the continued -presence of our vessels, in co-operation with the English, will tend to -depress, if not effectually break up the traffic. - -“The impression was entertained previously to joining this squadron, -that the orders of our government--giving such narrow latitude to the -commanders--superadded to the difficulty of getting a slaver condemned -in the United States courts, that had not slaves actually on board, -were almost insuperable obstacles to the American squadron’s effecting -any thing of consequence towards the suppression of this iniquitous -traffic, or even preventing the use of our flag in the trade. But -observation and experience have entirely changed these views, and -led to the conclusion that if even the commodore had a small-sized -steamer--which is here wanted more than on any other station--in -which he might visit the cruisers at points along the line of the -slave-coast, that we should no more hear of a slaver using the American -flag, than we do now of his using the British flag. Notwithstanding -our legal commerce here exceeds that of Great Britain or France, yet -the United States have not had, for a period of more than two years -previous to the arrival of this vessel, an American man-of-war, an -American consul, or a public functionary of any kind, on the southern -coast of Africa. In consequence, the slave-trade has been boldly -carried on under the American flag, while American legal traders have -been annoyed, both by the interferences of foreign cruisers at sea, and -custom-house restrictions and exactions in port. - -“Checked as the slave-trade is for the time being, if vigilant cruising -were to be relaxed, or the coast left without a man-of-war, this trade -would soon revive; and even if with Brazil it should be suppressed, -then with Cuba it would break out, with greater virulence than ever, in -the Bight of Benin. Hence the importance of well-appointed cruisers for -its suppression, to say nothing of their agency in the vindication of -our commercial rights in the protection of legal traders. - -“Eight smaller vessels, carrying the same number of guns, two of which -should be steamers, would not add materially to the expense, as coal -at Loanda may be purchased at ten dollars the ton, while they would -prove much more efficient than the vessels composing the present -squadron. These cruisers might each be assigned two hundred miles of -the slave-coast, having their provisions replenished by a store-ship -and flag-steamer; and once during the cruise--which should never -exceed twenty months--run into the trades, or to St. Helena, for the -purpose of recruiting the health of officers and men. The health of the -squadron under the present sanitary regulations, is as good as that -on any other station. This vessel, although in constant and active -service, with her boats, after cruising for the last sixteen months, -has not had a death on board. The Perry has served out no grog; and if -Congress would only do the navy in general the kindness to abolish the -whisky ration, which is ‘evil, and only evil, and that continually,’ -all men-of-war, in health, comfort, morals, discipline and efficiency, -would be benefited. The climate has been urged as an objection to the -continuance of the squadron. This, as has been shown, is a groundless -objection; and were it not, it is an unmilitary objection, as the navy -is bound to perform all service, irrespective of danger to health and -life, which the honor and interests of the country require. It would -be a reflection on the chivalry of the service, to suppose that the -African squadron could not be well officered. Withdraw the squadrons on -the coast of Africa, and not only would Liberia suffer materially, but -the legal trade in ivory, gum-copal, palm-oil, copper and caoutchouc, -now in process of development along the line of coast, would soon be -broken up, and the entire coast handed over to the tender mercies of -piratical slave-traders.” - -Portuguese, English and French men-of-war were lying at Loanda. The -Portuguese commodore had been uniformly attentive and courteous in -official and social intercourse. The navy-yard was freely offered -for the service of the vessel. One evening, on falling in with the -commodore at sea, the Perry beat to quarters; and the first intimation -given of the character of the vessel she met, was by the flag-ship -running across her stern, and playing “Hail Columbia.” In the last -interview, the commodore alluded to our correspondence with the British -officers, and expressed his gratification at the results. The French -commodore was an intelligent, active officer, whose squadron had made -several captures. He often expressed the wish that the Perry would -visit his friends, the Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson and Mr. Bushnell, at -the Gaboon Mission, whom he regarded as being, in all respects, highly -creditable representatives of American benevolence and culture. The -character of the intercourse with the British commissioner may be -inferred from a letter to be introduced hereafter. The attentions of -the British consul, and in particular his politeness in furnishing -news and information from England, were highly appreciated. The agent -of the large and respectable house in Salem, Massachusetts, extended a -liberal hospitality to the American officers. The governor-general of -the province of Angola was a distinguished general in the Portuguese -service, and supported great state. He offered, in the complimentary -style of his country, the palace and its contents to the officers of -the Perry. Salutes had been exchanged with the garrison and all the -commodores on the station. The attentions extended to a small cruiser, -were the tribute paid to the only representative of a great and highly -respected nation. - -Loanda, with its seventeen thousand inhabitants, numerous -fortifications, palace, churches and cathedral, its houses, many -being of stone, spacious and substantial, standing as it does on -an eminence, presents an impressive appearance, reminding one of a -somewhat dilapidated Italian city; while the frequent passing of a -palanquin, supported by two stout negroes, in which the movement is -agreeably undulating, recalls the eastern luxury of locomotion. But the -wealth and prosperity of Loanda have been dependent on the slave-trade. -In the year eighteen hundred and forty-eight, the amount of goods -entered for the legal trade, amounted to about ninety thousand dollars; -and at the same time, there were smuggled goods for the purposes -of the slave-trade, amounting to the sum of eight hundred thousand -dollars.[10] - -On the 17th of May, the Perry took final leave of St. Paul de Loanda, -leaving a letter addressed to the commander of any U. S. cruiser on the -coast, and receiving from the British commissioner, a letter expressing -his views on the subject of the slave-trade, and of the agencies in -operation for its suppression. After cruising a day or two off Ambriz, -she bid adieu to the south African coast, and made all sail for the -island of St. Helena. - -The letter addressed to the commander of any U. S. cruiser, was to the -following purport: - -“Nothing has occurred to interrupt the cordial and harmonious -co-operation with the British men-of-war, during the present cruise on -the southern coast. - -“The agent of the American House at Loanda asserts, that the presence -of our cruisers has had a salutary effect upon his interests. Formerly -there were many vexatious detentions in the clearance of vessels, -prohibitions of visiting vessels, &c., which are now removed. Having no -consul on the coast, he says that the interests of the House are liable -to be jeopardized on frivolous pretexts, in case that a man-of-war is -known to be withdrawn for any length of time.” - -The letter of Sir George Jackson, the commissioner, received on leaving -Loanda, says: - -“I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the -7th instant, in which, referring to my official position and long -residence here, you request my opinion on the past and present state -of the slave-trade, and of the measures respectively adopted for its -suppression. - -“From the time I left your magnificent and interesting country, I have -been mostly engaged as H. M. commissioner in the mixed courts at Sierra -Leone, Rio de Janeiro, and for the last five years nearly, at this -place; but in all that long period, the present is the first occasion -when I could have answered your inquiry with any satisfaction. When you -did me the honor of calling upon me, on your first arrival here, in -March, 1850, I welcomed you with those feelings of pleasure, which the -recollection of kindnesses received in your country will ever excite in -my breast at the sight of an American; but I was far from anticipating -those benefits, in a public point of view, in a cause in which we both -take so deep an interest, which, I am happy to say, have resulted from -your appearance, and that of other vessels of the U.S. Navy, on this -coast, which soon followed you. During the four years preceding your -arrival, I did not see, and scarcely heard of one single American -officer on this station. The Marion and the Boxer did, indeed, if I -recollect right, anchor once or twice in this harbor, but they made no -stay in these parts. What was the consequence? - -“The treaty of Washington proved almost a dead letter, as regarded -one of the contracting parties. And the abuse of the American flag -became too notorious, in promoting and abetting the slave-trade, to -make it necessary for me to refer further to it--more particularly in -addressing one who, himself, witnessed that abuse when at its height. - -“The zeal and activity displayed by yourself and brother officers, -and the seizures which were the results of them, at once changed the -face of things. The actual loss which the traffic has sustained, and -still more the dread of those further losses which they anticipated, -on seeing the U. S. squadron prepared to confront them at those very -haunts to which they had been accustomed to repair with impunity, -and determined to vindicate the honor of their insulted flag, which -they had too long been allowed to prostitute, struck terror into -those miscreants on both sides of the Atlantic. And from the date -of those very opportune captures, not a vessel illicitly assuming -American colors has been seen on the coast; and, as it was upon the -abuse of that flag, aided by the facility which the system of granting -sea-letters afforded, that the slave-traders have mainly relied for -the prosecution of their nefarious traffic, the suppression of that -abuse by the joint exertions of Her Majesty’s squadron with that of -the United States, has given a blow to the slave-trade which, combined -with the change of policy on that subject on the part of the Brazilian -government, will, I hope and believe, go far, if not to extinguish it -altogether, at least very materially to circumscribe its operations. - -“The effect of what I have above stated has, as you know, for some time -past, shown itself very sensibly at this place: money is exceedingly -scarce--slaves hardly find purchasers. Failures of men who have -hitherto figured as among the chief merchants of this city, have -already occurred, and others are anticipated, and a general want of -confidence prevails. - -“We must not, however, allow ourselves to be deceived either by our own -too sanguine expectations, or the interested representations of others. -The enemy is only defeated, not subdued; on the slightest relaxation -on our part, he would rally, and the work would have to be commenced -_de novo_. Nor, I should say, from my knowledge of the Brazils, must -we reckon too confidently on the continuance of the measures which the -Imperial Government appears now to be adopting. Giving the present -administration every credit for sincerity and good intentions, we must -not shut our eyes to the proofs, which have hitherto been so frequent -and so overwhelming, of the power of the slave-trade interest in -that country. We must act as if we still wanted the advantage of her -co-operation; and in this view it is, that I cannot too forcibly insist -on the absolute necessity of the continuation of our naval exertions, -which, so far from being diminished, ought as far as possible, I -conceive, to be still further increased, till this hideous hydra shall -be finally and forever destroyed. Then when its last head shall be -cut off, colonization, which till then, like other plans, can only be -regarded as auxiliary to the great work, may step in and prosper, and -commerce, dipping her wings in the gall of the slain monster, shall -rise triumphant. - -“It would not be becoming in me, in addressing an American citizen, to -do more than to testify to the mischiefs occasioned by the system I -have already alluded to, of granting sea-letters; but I should hope, -upon due investigation it would be found very practicable to deny such -letters to vessels sailing to the coast of Africa, without at all -interfering with the interest or freedom of licit trade. - -“I have thus, very imperfectly, I fear, complied with your -request--purposely abstaining from a detailed recapitulation of those -occurrences which, if they took place in these parts, you have yourself -been an eye-witness to; or with which, if they happened in a more -remote quarter, you have had opportunities of being made acquainted, -from better sources than I can command. - -“I cannot, however, quit this subject without indulging in a feeling -of gratification, if not of exultation, at the singular coincidence, -or rather, I should say, contrast, between my present employment, and -that which occupied me for four years in the United States. - -“I was then associated with your distinguished countryman, Langdon -Cheeves, engaged in appraising the value of human beings like -ourselves--regarded as mere goods and chattels. I have been since that -time chiefly occupied in restoring that same unhappy class to freedom -and to their natural rights, and in giving effect to that increasing -and disinterested perseverance in this righteous cause, on the part of -my government and country, which will form one of the brightest pages -in its history. Glad am I to think that the United States are disposed -to join heart and hand with Great Britain in so blessed an undertaking; -and oh, that I could hear my _ci-devant_ and much respected colleague -sympathize with me in this feeling, and know that his powerful voice -and energies were exerted in the same cause!” - -The run of the Perry to St. Helena occupied eight days. On approaching -the island it was distinctly seen at the distance of sixty-four miles. -After making a short, but an exceedingly interesting visit, the vessel -sailed, making a passage of nine days to Monrovia; and from thence -proceeded to Porto Praya, arriving on the 30th of June. - -[10] Parliamentary reports, 1850. H. L. evidence. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIII. - - ISLAND OF MADEIRA--PORTO GRANDE, CAPE VERDE ISLANDS--INTERFERENCE OF - THE BRITISH CONSUL WITH THE LOUISA BEATON--PORTO PRAYA--BRAZILIAN - BRIGANTINE SEIZED BY THE AUTHORITIES--ARRIVAL AT NEW YORK. - - -More than eighteen months had elapsed since the arrival of the vessel -on the coast; and orders from the Navy Department, to proceed to the -United States, were believed to be waiting at Porto Praya. No such -orders, however, were received. But instructions had been issued by -the new commodore, who had sailed a few days previously, either to -remain at Porto Praya, or proceed to the island of Madeira. The latter -alternative was adopted; and seven weeks were as agreeably spent in -Madeira, as was consistent with our disappointment in proceeding to -this genial climate, instead of returning home, for the purpose of -recruiting health and strength, enfeebled by long service on the -African coast. A portion of the crew were daily on shore for the sake -of relaxation and enjoyment. - -The princely hospitality of the American consul, Mr. March, in opening -his splendid mansion to the American officers, and at all times -receiving them at his table, is worthy of grateful acknowledgment. -Several English and Portuguese families extended a generous -hospitality to the officers; and the intercourse with Lord and Lady -Newborough, whose steam yacht was lying in port, contributed much to -the satisfaction with which the time was spent at Madeira. The noble -party dipped their colors three times, on separating, which was duly -acknowledged. - -On returning to the Cape Verde Islands, a brisk gale from the eastward -induced the Perry to run into Porto Grande, St. Vincent’s Island, which -is the largest and most commodious harbor in the group. - -The master of an American vessel, when calling on board, in company -with the consul, communicated a report that the American brigantine -Louisa Beaton, a few months previously, had been denounced by the -British consul to the governor-general of these islands, as a vessel -engaged in the slave-trade. The American consul had heard the report, -but being informed that the information was communicated _unofficially_ -to the governor-general, had taken no action in the case. The -commander of the Perry, with the consul, then called on the collector -of the port, and after learning the facts, addressed, on the 29th of -September, a letter to the collector, requesting official information -in reference to the agency that the British consul had had in inducing -the governor-general of the Cape Verde Islands to direct a search to -be made of the Louisa Beaton, on suspicion of her being engaged in the -slave-trade. - -The collector, in reply, stated that the governor-general had not -ordered any survey or visit on board the Louisa Beaton, but had -directed him to state what was true in regard to the aforesaid vessel -suspected of being employed in the slave-trade; as a representation -had been made to his Excellency, by the consul for her British Majesty -for these islands, in which the consul stated his belief that the said -brig had on board irons, pots, and all other utensils and preparations -necessary for that traffic; and also that he knew of a load of slaves -being already bargained for, for the said vessel. - -A letter of the same day’s date was then addressed to her British -Majesty’s consul, stating that the commander was credibly informed -that, during the month of May he had denounced the Louisa Beaton to the -governor-general, on suspicion of her being engaged in the slave-trade, -and requested him to state by what authority he made the denunciation; -also, the grounds upon which his suspicions of the illegal character of -the vessel were founded. - -In reply, on the same day, the British consul stated that it was upon -the very best authority that could be given; but he regretted that it -was not in his power to name his authority. But that the character -and former proceedings of the Louisa Beaton were quite sufficient to -be referred to, to show that her proceedings were even then strongly -suspected. - -In a letter to the British consul, of the same day’s date, the -commander informed him that he regretted that the consul did not -feel at liberty to disclose the authority upon which he had acted in -denouncing the American brigantine Louisa Beaton, for it had been -with the hope that he would in a measure be able to relieve himself -of an act of interference in a matter in which he, the consul, had -no concern, that chiefly induced the commander to address him. -As, however, he had failed to assign any reason for that act of -interference with a vessel belonging to the United States, it had -become a duty to apprise him that the government of the United States -would not permit an officer of any other government to interfere, -officially or otherwise, with any vessel entitled to wear their flag; -and that he had to suggest to the consul, that hereafter, should he -have any cause to suspect any such vessel sailing in violation of -a municipal law of the United States, he would content himself by -giving information of the fact to some officer or agent of the United -States: that such officer or agent would at all times be found near his -residence. - -The commander further stated that he might then, with propriety, -dismiss the subject, but that justice to the owners of the Louisa -Beaton required him further to state, that the consul’s information, -come from what source it might, of the Louisa Beaton’s being engaged in -the slave-trade, was not entitled to any credit. And in reference to -“the character and former proceedings of that vessel,” the commander -would inform him, that the British officer commanding the southern -division of Her Majesty’s squadron had disavowed to him, in September, -eighteen hundred and fifty, the act of boarding and detaining the said -brigantine Louisa Beaton by another British cruiser; and also had -proposed a pecuniary remuneration for the satisfaction of the master -of the said vessel; in reference to which the commander declined any -agency, deeming it rather to be his duty to report the matter, which -was accordingly done, to the government of the United States. And -further, that in the month of June, eighteen hundred and fifty-one, he -had himself examined the Louisa Beaton, at the island of St. Helena, -and that at the date of his communication to the governor-general -affecting her character, she was a legal trader. - -On the day following, as the Perry was about leaving Porto Grande, a -letter was received from the British consul, in which he remarked, -that he must be permitted to say, that he could not acknowledge the -right of the American commander to question his conduct in the -slightest degree; that when he gave a reply to the commander’s first -letter, it was a mere act of courtesy upon his part; and that the -language and bearing evinced in the last letter which he had received, -compelled him to inform the commander that he declined any further -correspondence, but to remark, that he should continue the course he -had hitherto pursued, in denouncing all slave-vessels that came in his -way, and should not fail to lay a copy of the correspondence before Her -Majesty’s government. - -The Perry anchored in Porto Praya on the following day; and a -letter was immediately addressed to the commodore, which furnished -information of the occurrences at Porto Grande. The commander added, -that in his interview, in company with the American consul, with the -collector of the port, the collector had read to him a letter from the -governor-general of the islands, from which it was evident that the -Louisa Beaton had been denounced by the British consul. A copy of the -governor-general’s letter having been requested, it was refused; but -when it was intimated that he ought to have informed our consul of -the action of the British consul in the case, and that the relations -between the United States and Portugal were of a character which should -lead him to communicate, promptly, any action or information given by a -foreign officer, bearing upon American vessels or American interests; -the collector replied to this that he would, if officially requested, -communicate the required information. This was accordingly done. - -It was further stated, that, pending the correspondence, the British -mail steam-packet arrived, with the Hon. David Tod, late American -minister at the court of Brazil, on board, to whom the matter of the -British consul’s interference was referred for counsel; and that the -minister approved the course pursued, remarking that it was a case of -unwarrantable interference on the part of a foreign officer, which, on -our part, demanded prompt notice. - -While lying in Porto Praya, a suspicious-looking brigantine, under -Brazilian colors, appeared off the harbor. The hull, rigging, -maneuvering, and the number of men on board, indicated her to be a -slaver. In a letter to the commodore, the agency of the Perry in the -capture of this vessel was explained in the following terms. - -“On the 13th instant, a brigantine arrived in this port, under -Brazilian colors. A boat was dispatched from the Perry to ascertain -(without boarding, as the custom-house boat had not visited her) where -she was from, where bound, and what news she had to communicate. She -reported Brazilian nationality, last from Trinidad de Cuba, with -sand-ballast. As soon as the vessel had anchored the custom-house -boat pulled alongside to pay the usual visit, but, without boarding -her, proceeded to the Perry, when the officer stated that the said -brigantine had the small-pox on board, and had been placed in -quarantine. A request was then made from the authorities on shore, -not to permit her to leave the port previous to the settlement of her -bills for the provisions which were to be furnished. The commander -deeming it rather a duty to ascertain the real character of the vessel, -than to act as a police for the authorities, communicated his doubts -of her having the small-pox on board, intimating that the report was -probably a _ruse_ for the purpose of avoiding an examination, as he -strongly suspected her of being a slaver, and requested that the Perry -might board the vessel. This was declined, as she was in quarantine. -It was then suggested to the officer to pull under the bows of the -vessel, take her papers, and submit them to a critical examination, -which might give a clue to her real character. This was done; and the -papers were found too informal to entitle her to the protection of any -state or nation. She was then boarded by the governor and collector, -who, finding no small-pox on board, requested the commander of the -Perry to furnish an officer, with a gang of men, to assist in making a -thorough search of the vessel. This request was complied with, in the -full understanding that she was under Portuguese jurisdiction, and that -the search was to be made under the direction of the collector, as -a matter of accommodation, in the light of rendering assistance to a -foreign service. - -“After completing the search, which confirmed the suspicions of the -vessel’s character, the first-lieutenant of the Perry, at the request -of the collector, was directed to take the slaver to the inner harbor, -and to unbend her sails.” - -The commodore not arriving at Porto Praya, the Perry ran up to Porto -Grande, and, on the twenty-second day of October, a copy of the -correspondence with the British consul, in reference to the Louisa -Beaton, was forwarded to the Navy Department, at Washington. - -After her return to Porto Praya, to wait the arrival of the squadron, -on the eleventh of November, the John Adams made her appearance, and -was followed, on the succeeding day, by the flag-ship. The commodore -had received triplicate orders to send the Perry to the United States. -The proceedings of the vessel, during her absence from the squadron, -were approved by the commodore; and on the fifteenth day of December -she stood out of the harbor, homeward bound, exchanging three cheers -successively with the Porpoise, the John Adams, and the Germantown. - -On arriving at New York, and reporting the vessel, a letter, dated -December 26th, was received from the Secretary of the Navy, of which -the following is the concluding paragraph: “The Department tenders its -congratulations upon your safe return to your country and friends, -after an active cruise on the coast of Africa; during which, your -course has met the approbation of the Department.” - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIV. - - CONCLUSION--NECESSITY OF SQUADRONS FOR PROTECTION OF COMMERCE AND - CITIZENS ABROAD--FEVER IN BRAZIL, CUBA AND UNITED STATES--INFLUENCE - OF RECAPTURED SLAVES RETURNING TO THE DIFFERENT REGIONS OF THEIR OWN - COUNTRY--COMMERCIAL RELATIONS WITH AFRICA. - - -Where a nation has commerce, it has a dwelling-place--a scene of action -and of traffic on the sea. It ought to find its government there also. -The people have a right to be protected, and the government is bound to -enforce that right wherever they go. If they visit foreign countries, -they have a right to just treatment. The traveller--the merchant--the -missionary--the person of whatever character, if an American citizen, -can demand justice. The sea is no foreign territory. Where a merchant -vessel bears its country’s flag, it covers its country’s territory. -Government is instituted to be watchful for the interests and safety -of its citizens. A navy is the organ through which it acts. People on -shore see nothing of this kind of governmental protection. There is -there no marching and drumming, or clearing the streets with horsemen -or footmen, or feathers and trumpets. It is the merchant who is most -directly benefited by naval protection; and yet all classes share -in its advantages. The planter and the manufacturer are interested -in safe and free commerce; our citizens generally avow that they are -also interested, by the sensitiveness with which the rights of our -flag are regarded. It is more politic to prevent wrong than to punish -it; therefore we have police in our streets, and locks on our doors. -The shores of civilized governments are the mutual boundaries of -nations. Our government is disposed to show itself there, for there -are its people, and there are their interests. The shores of savage -lands are our confines with savages. Just as forts are required on -the frontiers of the Camanches or Utahs, so are they at Ambriz or -Sumatra. Cruisers are the nation’s fortresses abroad, employed for -the benefit of her citizens, and the security of their commerce. It -would be discreditable, as well as unsafe, to trust to a foreign power -to keep down piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, or in the West Indies -and in the China seas. As commerce extends, so does the necessity -of its supervision and defence extend. The navy therefore requires -augmentation, and for the reasons assigned in the late report of the -Head of that Department, it may be inferred that it will have it, in -reorganized and greatly improved efficiency. - -On this subject, the following are extracts, in substance, from a -lecture delivered on the evening of February 3d, 1854, before the New -York Mercantile Library Association, by the Hon. Mr. Stanton, of -Tennessee, the chairman of the judiciary committee of the U. S. House -of Representatives, and for a long time chairman of the naval committee -of that body: - -“A strong naval power is the best promoter of commerce, and hence men -engaged in commercial pursuits, cannot but feel an interest in the -history of the rise and progress of that navy, to which the successes -of their business undertakings are principally due. At a very early -period, navies became an indispensable power in war. The later -invention of ordnance, and the still more recent application of steam -as a motive power to ships of war, render it at present a question of -some difficulty, to predict the extent to which naval military power -may hereafter arrive. - -“What we have to do in times of peace, is to maintain our naval -force in the highest state of efficiency of which it is capable, and -ready to enter upon action at a moment’s warning. With the lessons -of the British war before us, it cannot be possible that the recent -experiments of Lieutenant Dahlgren at Washington, and the discoveries -which have resulted from them, will fail to prove of high practical -service. But with all our appliances or discoveries in this regard, -we cannot conceal from ourselves the fact, that we are behind other -nations in all that concerns the structure of our ships. - -“We must have machinery and all proper appliances, as well as the raw -materials, for the construction of a naval power when required. We -must have independent establishments on both sides of the continent, -to protect our Pacific as well as our Atlantic coasts, which should be -connected by a railroad stretching across the breadth of the country. -The requirements of commerce, and the advances which it has been -making in increasing the facilities for navigation, will force us into -improvements in our naval power, in order to uphold our commerce. - -“It may be safely presumed, that at the present state of our affairs, a -moderate and efficient navy would be a great civilizing power; it would -hover around the path of our ships, and by the very exhibition of its -power suppress all attempts to molest them in their mission of peace -and brotherhood across the seas. But in addition to this, our navy is -even now aiding strenuously in the march of geographical discovery, and -in enlarging our stock of scientific knowledge, and our familiarity -with the facts of physical philosophy. When we consider the character -of our institutions--when we consider that our great interests lie -in the paths of peace--we must be impressed with the fact, that -the contributions to science, and the civilizing influences of our -navy, are one of the most powerful means by which we can uphold our -interests, and carry out our institutions to the fullest development -of which they are capable. - -“Under all circumstances and all disadvantages, the navy has never, at -any period of our history, failed to do honor to itself, and to shed -lustre on the American character. From the Revolutionary war down to -the late conquest of Mexico, in every case in which its co-operation -was at all possible, it has given proofs of activity and power equal to -the proud and commanding position we are to occupy among the nations -of the earth. We have opportunities to supply the service with the -means of moral and physical progress, to free it from the shackles of -old forms, and suffer it to clothe itself with the panoply of modern -science, and to be identified with the spread of civilization and -enlightenment over the world. It will continue to be our pride and our -boast, the worthy representative upon the ocean, of the genius, the -skill, and the enterprise of our people--of the boundless resources of -our growing country--of the power, and grandeur, and glory, as well as -the justice and humanity of our free institutions.” - -The legislatures of some states, the reports of some auxiliary -colonization societies, the speeches of some distinguished senators -and representatives in congress, the addresses of some colonization -agents, have represented the great sacrifice of life and treasure in -“unsuccessful efforts,” by the African squadron, for the extermination -of the slave-trade, and proposed to withdraw it. Whereas, it has -been shown that the African squadrons, instead of being useless, -have rendered _essential service_. For much as colonization has -accomplished, and effectual as Liberia is in suppressing the -slave-traffic within her own jurisdiction, these means and these -results have been established and secured by the presence and -protection of the naval squadrons of Great Britain, France and the -United States. And had no such assistance been rendered, the entire -coast, where we now see legal trade and advancing civilization, would -have been at this day, in spite of any efforts to colonize, or to -establish legal commerce, the scene of unchecked, lawless slave-trade -piracy. - -Strange and frightful maladies have been engendered by the cruelties -perpetrated within the hold of a slaver. If any disease affecting the -human constitution were brought there, we may be sure that it would be -nursed into mortal vigor in these receptacles of filth, corruption and -despair. Crews have been known to die by the fruit of their own crime, -and leave ships almost helpless. They have carried the scourge with -them. The coast fever of Africa, bad enough where it has its birth, -came in these vessels, and has assumed perhaps a permanent abode in -the western regions of the world. No fairer sky or healthier climate -were there on earth, than in the beautiful bay, and amid the grand and -picturesque scenery of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. But it became a haunt -of slavers, and the dead of Africa floated on the glittering waters, -and were tumbled upon the sands of its harbor. The shipping found, in -the hot summer of 1849, that death had come with the slavers. Thirty -or forty vessels were lying idly at their anchors, for their crews had -mostly perished. The pestilence swept along the coast of that empire -with fearful malignity. - -Cuba for the same crime met the same retribution. Cargoes of slaves -were landed to die, and brought the source of their mortality ashore, -vigorous and deadly. The fever settled there in the beginning of 1853, -and came to our country, as summer approached, in merchant vessels from -the West Indies. At New Orleans, Mobile, and other places it spread -desolation, over which the country mourned. Let it be remembered that -it is never even safe to disregard crime. - -Civilized governments are now very generally united in measures for -the suppression of the slave-trade. The coast of Africa itself is -rapidly closing against it. The American and English colonies secure -a vast extent of sea-coast against its revival. Christian missions, -at many points, are inculcating the doctrines of divine truth, which, -by its power upon the hearts of men, is the antagonist to such cruel -unrighteousness. - -The increase of commerce, and the advance of Christian civilization, -will undoubtedly, at no distant date, render a naval force for the -suppression of the African slave-trade unnecessary; but no power having -extensive commerce ought ever to overlook the necessity of a naval -force on that coast. The Secretary of the Navy, it is to be hoped, has, -in his recent report, settled the question as to the continuance of the -African squadron. - -The increasing influence of Liberia and Cape Palmas will prove a -powerful protection to their colored brethren everywhere. “With them -Sierra Leone will unite in feeling and purposes. Their policy will -always be the same. It must necessarily happen that a close political -relationship in interests and feelings will unite them all in one -system of action. Their policy will be that of uncompromising hostility -to the slave-trade. - -There are two aspects of this question well worthy of consideration: - -The Liberians are freemen, recognized as having their proper standing -among the nations of the world. The people of Sierra Leone are -Englishmen, having the legal rights of that kingdom. Therefore, seizing -the citizens of either the one or the other community in time of peace, -and carrying them captive to be sold, amounts to the greatest crime -which can be committed on the ocean. - -Now as this may be surmised in the case of all slavers on that coast, -the guilt of the slaver in the eye of national law becomes greater than -before; and the peril greater. It may be presumed that if a case were -established against any slave cargo, that it contained one of either -of the above-mentioned description of persons, the consequences to the -slavers, whatever their nation might be, would be much more serious -than has hitherto been the case. - -But a principle of higher justice ought long ago to have been kept in -view, and acted upon. Let the caitiff have his “pound of flesh,” but -“not one drop of blood.” If a man throttles another, or suffocates -him for want of air, or stows eight hundred people in a ship’s hold, -where he knows that one or two hundred in the “middle passage” will -necessarily die, every such death is a _murder_, and each man aboard of -such vessel who has any agency in procuring or forwarding this cargo, -is a _murderer_. It has therefore been contrary to justice, that the -perpetrators of such crimes should have been dismissed with impunity -when captured. Such considerations ought to weigh with men in the -future. - -There has been already a commencement of a coasting trade, conducted -by colored men. There is a Liberian man-of-war schooner, the “Lark,” -Lieutenant-Commanding Cooper; and the English, after furnishing -the schooner, have proffered the assistance of her navy officers to -instruct the young aspirants of the republic, in the art of sailing the -cruiser, and in the science of naval warfare. Captain Cooper will not -take exception at the remark, that it is “the day of small things” with -the Liberian navy. But his flag bears the star of hope to a vigorous -young naval power. - -A returning of recaptured slaves, instructed and civilized, to the -lands which gave them birth, has taken place. Some hundreds passed -by Lagos, and were assailed and plundered. Some hundreds passed by -Badagry, and were welcomed with kind treatment. The one occurrence -reminded them of African darkness, obduracy and crime; the other of -the softening and elevating effects which Christianity strives to -introduce. They have gone to establish Christian churches, and have -established them there. Such things we are sure have been reported -far in the interior, and Christianity now stands contrasted with -Mohammedanism, as being the deliverer, while the latter is still -the enslaver. The report must also have gone over the whole broad -intertropical continent, that Christian nations have joined together -for African deliverance; and that for purposes so high the race of -Africa has returned from the west, and by imitation of western policy -and religion, is establishing a restorative influence on their own -shores. - -There has thus been presented a view of Africa and of its progress, -as far as its condition and advancement have had any relation to our -country and its flag. How far its growth in civilization has been -dependent on the efforts of America has been illustrated; and how -essentially the naval interference of the United States has contributed -to this end, has been made evident. It cannot escape notice that this -progress must in the future depend on the same means and the same -efforts. Our own national interests, being those of a commercial -people, require the presence of a squadron. Under its protection -commerce is secure, and is daily increasing in extent and value. - -It is impossible to say how lucrative this commerce may ultimately -become. That the whole African coast should assume the aspect of -Liberia, is perhaps not an unreasonable expectation. That Liberia will -continue to grow in wealth and influence, is not improbable. There is -intelligence among its people, and wisdom and energy in its councils. -There is no reason to believe that this will not continue. Its position -makes it an agricultural community. Other lands must afford its -manufactures and its traders. There will, therefore, ever be on its -shores a fair field for American enterprise. - -The reduction, or annihilation of the slave-trade, is opening the whole -of these vast regions to science and legal commerce. Let America -take her right share in them. It is throwing wide the portals of the -continent for the entrance of Christian civilization. Let our country -exert its full proportion of this influence; and thus recompense to -Africa the wrongs inflicted upon her people, in which hitherto all -nations have participated. - - -THE END. - - - - -Transcriber’s Notes - -In a few places, obviously missing punctuation has been added. - -Page 158: “some time under Amercan” changed to “some time under -American” - -Page 182: “bearing the the Liberian” changed to “bearing the Liberian” - -Page 254: “PERRY AMD STEAMER” changed to “PERRY AND STEAMER” - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AFRICA AND THE AMERICAN -FLAG *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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Foote</p> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world 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 href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Africa and the American Flag</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Andrew H. Foote</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: February 25, 2022 [eBook #67502]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: deaurider and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AFRICA AND THE AMERICAN FLAG ***</div> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</span></p> - - -<h2><em>D. APPLETON & COMPANY’S PUBLICATIONS.</em></h2> -<hr class="r65" /> -<p class="center p0"><big>The Great Work on Russia.</big></p> - -<p class="center p0"><small>Fifth Edition now ready.</small></p> -<hr class="r5" /> -<h3>RUSSIA AS IT IS.</h3> - -<p class="center p0"><span class="smcap">By Count A. de Gurowski.</span></p> - -<p class="center p0"><small>One neat volume 12mo., pp. 328, well printed. Price $1, cloth.</small></p> - - -<blockquote> - -<p>CONTENTS.—Preface.—Introduction.—Czarism: its historical -origin.—The Czar Nicholas.—The Organization of the Government.—The -Army and Navy.—The Nobility.—The Clergy.—The Bourgeoisie.—The -Cossacks.—The Real People, the Peasantry.—The Rights of -Aliens and Strangers.—The Commoner.—Emancipation.—Manifest -Destiny.—Appendix.—The Amazons.—The Fourteen Classes of the Russian -Public Service; or, the Tschins.—The Political Testament of Peter the -Great.—Extract from an Old Chronicle.</p> -</blockquote> -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p class="center p0"><strong>Notices of the Press.</strong></p> -<div style="font-size: 0.9em;"> - -<p>“The author takes no superficial, empirical view of his subject, but -collecting a rich variety of facts, brings the lights of a profound -philosophy to their explanation. His work, indeed, neglects no -essential detail—it is minute and accurate in its statistics—it -abounds in lively pictures of society, manners and character. * * -Whoever wishes to obtain an accurate notion of the internal condition -of Russia, the nature and extent of her resources, and the practical -influence of her institutions, will here find better materials for his -purpose than in any single volume now extant.”—<em>N. Y. Tribune.</em></p> - -<p>“This is a powerfully-written book, and will prove of vast service -to every one who desires to comprehend the real nature and bearings -of the great contest in which Russia is now engaged.”—<em><abbr title="New York">N. Y.</abbr> -Courier.</em></p> - -<p>“It is original in its conclusions; it is striking in its revelations. -Numerous as are the volumes that have been written about Russia, we -really hitherto have known little of that immense territory—of that -numerous people. Count Gurowski’s work sheds a light which at this -time is most welcome and satisfactory.”—<em><abbr title="New York">N. Y.</abbr> Times.</em></p> - -<p>“The book is well written, and as might be expected in a work by a -writer so unusually conversant with all sides of Russian affairs, it -contains so much important information respecting the Russian people, -their government and religion.”—<em>Com. Advertiser.</em></p> - -<p>“This is a valuable work, explaining in a very satisfactory manner -the internal conditions of the Russian people, and the construction -of their political society. The institutions of Russia are presented -as they exist in reality, and as they are determined by existing and -obligatory laws.”—<em><abbr title="New York">N. Y.</abbr> Herald.</em></p> - -<p>“A hasty glance over this handsome volume has satisfied us that it is -one worthy of general perusal. * * * It is full of valuable historical -information, with very interesting accounts of the various classes -among the Russian people, their condition and aspirations.”—<em><abbr title="New York">N. Y.</abbr> -Sun.</em></p> - -<p>“This is a volume that can hardly fail to attract very general -attention, and command a wide sale in view of the present juncture of -European affairs, and the prominent part therein which Russia is to -play.”—<em>Utica Gazette.</em></p> - -<p>“A timely book. It will be found all that it professes to be, though -some may be startled at some of its conclusions.”—<em>Boston Atlas.</em></p> - -<p>“This is one of the best of all the books caused by the present -excitement in relation to Russia. It is a very able publication—one -that will do much to destroy the general belief in the infallibility -of Russia. The writer shows himself master of his subject, and treats -of the internal condition of Russia, her institutions and customs, -society, laws, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>, in an enlightened and scholarly manner.”—<em>City -Item.</em></p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p class="center p0"><strong><big>New Copyright Works, Adapted for Popular Reading.</big></strong></p> -</div> -<hr class="r65" /> - -<p class="center p0">JUST PUBLISHED.</p> - -<p class="center p0"><big><em>BY D. 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S.</abbr> Brig Porpoise, on the Coast of -Africa, 1851-’53</em>.</p> - -<p class="center p0">With tinted lithographic illustrations. One volume 12mo.</p> - - -<p class="center p0 p2">III.</p> - -<h3><abbr title="captain">CAPT.</abbr> CANOT; <span class="allsmcap">OR</span>, TWENTY YEARS OF A SLAVER’S LIFE.</h3> - -<p class="center p0"><small>EDITED BY BRANTZ MAYER.</small></p> - -<p class="center p0">With numerous illustrations. One vol. 12mo, cloth.</p> - - -<p class="center p0 p2">IV.</p> - -<h3>RUSSIA AS IT IS.</h3> - -<p class="center p0"><small>BY THE COUNT DE GUROWSKI.</small></p> - -<p class="center p0">One vol. 12mo, cloth.</p> - - -<p class="center p0 p2">V.</p> - -<h3>TEMPEST AND SUNSHINE; <span class="allsmcap">OR</span>, LIFE IN KENTUCKY.</h3> - -<p class="center p0"><small>BY MRS. MARY J. 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Forbes, delt.</em></td> -<td class="tdr"><em>Lith. of Sarony & <abbr title="company">Co.</abbr> <abbr title="New York">N. Y.</abbr></em></td></tr> -</table> - -<p class="center p0">THE HUMAN SACRIFICES OF THE EK-GNEE-NOO-AH-TOH.</p> -</div> -</div> -</div> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h1><big>AFRICA</big><br /> -<small>AND</small><br /> -THE AMERICAN FLAG.</h1> - - -<p class="center p2 p0"><small>BY</small></p> - -<p class="center p0">COMMANDER ANDREW H. FOOTE,</p> - -<p class="center p0"><abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> NAVY,</p> - -<p class="center p0"><small>LIEUT. COMMANDING <abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> BRIG PERRY ON THE COAST OF AFRICA,</small></p> - -<p class="center p0"><small>A. D. 1850-1851.</small></p> - - -<p class="center p0 p2"> NEW YORK:<br /> -D. APPLETON & CO., 346 & 348 BROADWAY,<br /> -<small>AND 16 LITTLE BRITAIN, LONDON.</small></p> - -<p class="center p0"><small>M DCCC LIV.</small> -</p> -</div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p class="center p0"> Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1854,<br /> - <span class="smcap">By</span> D. APPLETON & COMPANY,<br /> - In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern - District of New York. -</p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p class="center p0">TO</p> - -<p class="center p0"><big>COMMODORE JOSEPH SMITH, <abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> N.,</big></p> - -<p class="center p0"><small>CHIEF OF THE NAVAL BUREAU OF YARDS AND DOCKS,</small></p> - -<p class="center p0"><big>This Volume is Dedicated,</big></p> - -<p class="center p0">AS A SLIGHT TRIBUTE</p> - -<p class="center p0">OF RESPECT FOR HIS OFFICIAL CHARACTER,</p> - -<p class="center p0">AND AS AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT</p> - -<p class="center p0">OF HIS UNIFORM ATTACHMENT</p> - -<p class="center p0">AS A FRIEND. -</p> -</div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CONTENTS">CONTENTS.</h2> -</div> - -<table class="autotable"> -<tr> -<td class="tdc" colspan="2"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -Subject and Arrangement—Area of Cruising-Ground—Distribution - of Subjects. -</td> -<td class="tdr tt"> -<a href="#Page_13">13</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc" colspan="2"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -Discoveries by French and Portuguese along the Coast—Cape of - Good Hope—Results. -</td> -<td class="tdr tt"> -<a href="#Page_17">17</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc" colspan="2"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -Pirates—Davis, Roberts, and others—British Cruisers—Slave-Trade - systematized—Guineamen—“Horrors of the Middle - Passage”. - -</td> -<td class="tdr tt"> -<a href="#Page_20">20</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc" colspan="2"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_IV1">CHAPTER IV.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -Physical Geography—Climate—Geology—Zoology—Botany. -</td> -<td class="tdr tt"> -<a href="#Page_31">31</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc" colspan="2"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -African Nations—Distribution of Races—Arts—Manners and Character—Superstitions—Treatment - of the Dead—Regard for the - Spirits of the Departed—Witchcraft—Ordeal—Military Force—Amazons—Cannibalism. -</td> -<td class="tdr tt"> -<a href="#Page_46">46</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc" colspan="2"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -Trade—Metals—Mines—Vegetable Productions—Gums—Oils—Cotton—Dye-Stuffs. -</td> -<td class="tdr tt"> -<a href="#Page_65">65</a><span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</span> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc" colspan="2"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -European Colonies—Portuguese—Remaining Influence of the Portuguese—Slave - Factories—English Colonies—Treaties with the - Native Chiefs—Influence of Sierra Leone—Destruction of Barracoons—Influence - of England—Chiefs on the Coast—Ashantee—King - of Dahomey. -</td> -<td class="tdr tt"> -<a href="#Page_71">71</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc" colspan="2"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -Dahomey—Slavish Subjection of the People—Dependence of the - King on the Slave-Trade—Exhibition of Human Skulls—Annual - Human Sacrifices—Lagos—The Changes of Three Centuries. -</td> -<td class="tdr tt"> -<a href="#Page_85">85</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc" colspan="2"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -State of the Coast prior to the Foundation of Liberia—Native - Tribes—Customs and Policy—Power of the Folgias—Kroomen, - <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>—Conflicts. -</td> -<td class="tdr tt"> -<a href="#Page_94">94</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc" colspan="2"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -General Views on the Establishment of Colonies—Penal Colonies—Views - of the People of the United States in reference to - African Colonies—State of Slavery at the Revolutionary War—Negroes - who joined the English—Disposal of them by Great - Britain—Early Movements with respect to African Colonies—Plan - matured by <abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> Finley—Formation of the American Colonization - Society. -</td> -<td class="tdr tt"> -<a href="#Page_101">101</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc" colspan="2"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -Foundation of the American Colony—Early Agents—Mills, Burgess, - Bacon and others—<abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> Sloop-of-War “Cyane”—Arrival - at the Island of Sherboro—Disposal of Recaptured Slaves by - the <abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> Government—Fever—Slavers Captured—<abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> Schooner - “Shark”—Sherboro partially abandoned—<abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> Schooner - “Alligator”—Selection and Settlement of Cape Mesurado—Capt. - Stockton—<abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> Ayres—King Peter—Arguments with the Natives—Conflicts—<abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> - Ayres made Prisoner—King Boatswain—Completion - of the Purchase. -</td> -<td class="tdr tt"> -<a href="#Page_110">110</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc" colspan="2"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> - Ashmun—Necessity of Defence—Fortifications—Assaults—Arrival - of Major Laing—Condition of the Colonies—Sloops-of-War - “Cyane” and “John Adams”—King Boatswain as a Slaver—Misconduct<span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</span> - of the Emigrants—Disinterestedness of Ashmun—U. - S. Schooner “Porpoise”—Captain Skinner—<abbr title="reverend">Rev.</abbr> R. R. Gurley—Purchase - of Territory on the <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Paul’s River—Attack on Tradetown—Piracies—U. - S. Schooner “Shark”—Sloop-of-War “Ontario”—Death - of Ashmun—His Character by <abbr title="reverend">Rev.</abbr> <abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> Bacon. -</td> -<td class="tdr tt"> -<a href="#Page_123">123</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc" colspan="2"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> - Lot Carey—<abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> Randall—Establishment of the Liberia Herald—Wars - with the Deys—Sloop-of-War “John Adams”—Difficulties - of the Government—Condition of the Settlers. -</td> -<td class="tdr tt"> -<a href="#Page_141">141</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc" colspan="2"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -The Commonwealth of Liberia—Thomas H. Buchanan—Views of - different Parties—Detached Condition of the Colony—Necessity - of Union—Establishment of a Commonwealth—Use of the - American Flag in the Slave-Trade—“Euphrates”—Sloop “Campbell”—Slavers - at Bassa—Expedition against them—Conflict—Gallinas. -</td> -<td class="tdr tt"> -<a href="#Page_148">148</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc" colspan="2"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -Buchanan’s Administration continued—Death of King Boatswain—War - with Gaytumba—Attack on Heddington—Expedition of - Buchanan against Gaytumba—Death of Buchanan—His Character. -</td> -<td class="tdr tt"> -<a href="#Page_159">159</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc" colspan="2"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -Roberts governor—Difficulties with English Traders—Position of - Liberia in respect to England—Case of the “John Seyes”—Official - Correspondence of Everett and Upshur—Trouble on the - Coast—Reflections. -</td> -<td class="tdr tt"> -<a href="#Page_166">166</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc" colspan="2"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -Roberts’ Administration—Efforts in Reference to English Traders—Internal - Condition of Liberia—Insubordination—Treaties with - the native Kings—Expedition to the Interior—Causes leading - to a Declaration of Independence. -</td> -<td class="tdr tt"> -<a href="#Page_173">173</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc" colspan="2"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -Independence of Liberia proclaimed and acknowledged by Great - Britain, France, Belgium, Prussia, and Brazil—Treaties with England - and France—Expedition against New Cesters—<abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> Sloop-of-War<span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</span> - “Yorktown”—English and French Cruisers—Disturbances - among the native Chiefs—Financial Troubles—Recurring - Difficulty with English Traders—Boombo, Will Buckle, Grando, - King Boyer. -</td> -<td class="tdr tt"> -<a href="#Page_180">180</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc" colspan="2"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -Condition of Liberia as a Nation—Aspect of Liberia to a Visitor—Character - of Monrovia—Soil, Productions and Labor—Harbor—Condition - of the People compared with that of their Race in the - United States—Schools. -</td> -<td class="tdr tt"> -<a href="#Page_192">192</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc" colspan="2"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -Maryland in Liberia—Cape Palmas—Hall and Russwurm—Chastisement - of the Natives at Berebee by the <abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> Squadron—Line - of Packets—Proposal of Independence—Illustrations of - the Colonization Scheme—Christian Missions. -</td> -<td class="tdr tt"> -<a href="#Page_200">200</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc" colspan="2"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -Renewal of Piracy and the Slave-Trade at the close of the European - War—British Squadron—Treaties with the Natives—Origin - of Barracoons—Use of the American Flag in the Slave-Trade—Official - Correspondence on the Subject—Condition of Slaves on - board of the Slave-Vessels—Case of the “<em xml:lang="pt" lang="pt">Veloz Passageira</em>”—French - Squadron. -</td> -<td class="tdr tt"> -<a href="#Page_213">213</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc" colspan="2"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">CHAPTER XXII.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -United States Squadron—Treaty of Washington. -</td> -<td class="tdr tt"> -<a href="#Page_232">232</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc" colspan="2"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -Case of the “Mary Carver,” seized by the Natives—Measures of - the Squadron in consequence—Destruction of Towns—Letter - from <abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> Brig “Truxton” in relation to a captured Slaver. -</td> -<td class="tdr tt"> -<a href="#Page_235">235</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc" colspan="2"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">CHAPTER XXIV.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -Capture of the Slave-Barque “Pons”—Slaves landed at Monrovia—Capture - of the Slave-equipped Vessels “Panther,” - “Robert Wilson,” “Chancellor,” <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>—Letter from the “Jamestown” - in reference to Liberia—Affair with the Natives near Cape - Palmas—Seizure and Condemnation of the Slaver “H. N. Gambrill”. -</td> -<td class="tdr tt"> -<a href="#Page_243">243</a><span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</span> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc" colspan="2"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">CHAPTER XXV.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -Cruise of the “Perry”—Instructions—Dispatched to the South - Coast—Benguela—Case of a Slaver which had changed her Nationality - captured by an English Cruiser—<abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Paul de Loanda—Abuse - of the American Flag—Want of a Consul on the South - Coast—Correspondence with British Officers in relation to Slavers - under the American Flag—The Barque “Navarre”—Treaty - with Portugal—Abatement of Custom-House Duties—Cruising - off Ambriz—An Arrangement made with the British Commodore - for the Joint Cruising of the “Perry” and Steamer - “Cyclops”—Co-operation with the British Squadron for the - Suppression of the Slave-Trade—Fitting out of American Slavers - in Brazil. -</td> -<td class="tdr tt"> -<a href="#Page_254">254</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc" colspan="2"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI">CHAPTER XXVI.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -American Brigantine “Louisa Beaton” suspected—Correspondence - with the Commander of the Southern Division of the British - Squadron—Boat Cruising—Currents—Rollers on the Coast—Trade-Winds—Climate—Prince’s - Island—Madame Fereira. -</td> -<td class="tdr tt"> -<a href="#Page_272">272</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc" colspan="2"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII">CHAPTER XXVII.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -Return to the Southern Coast—Capture of the American Slave-Ship - “Martha”—Claim to Brazilian Nationality—Letters found - on board illustrative of the Slave-Trade—Loanda—French, English, - and Portuguese Cruisers—Congo River—Boarding Foreign - Merchant Vessels—Capture of the “Volusia” by a British - Cruiser—She claims American Nationality—The Meeting of the - Commodores at Loanda—Discussions in relation to Interference - with Vessels ostensibly American—Seizure of the American - Brigantine “Chatsworth,”—Claims by the Master of the - “Volusia”. -</td> -<td class="tdr tt"> -<a href="#Page_285">285</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc" colspan="2"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII">CHAPTER XXVIII.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -Another Cruise—Chatsworth again—Visit to the Queen near - Ambrizette—Seizure of the American Brigantine “Louisa Beaton” - by a British Cruiser—Correspondence—Proposal of Remuneration - from the Captors—Seizure of the “Chatsworth” as a - Slaver—Italian Supercargo—Master of the “Louisa Beaton”. -</td> -<td class="tdr tt"> -<a href="#Page_306">306</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc" colspan="2"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX">CHAPTER XXIX.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -Prohibition of Visits to Vessels at Loanda—Correspondence—Restrictions - removed—<abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Helena—Appearance of the Island—Reception—Correspondence - with the Chief-Justice—Departure. -</td> -<td class="tdr tt"> -<a href="#Page_324">324</a><span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</span> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc" colspan="2"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XXX">CHAPTER XXX.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -Return to Loanda—“Cyclops” leaves the Coast—Hon. Captain - Hastings—Discussion with the British Commodore in reference - to the Visit at <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Helena—Commodore Fanshawe—Arrival at - Monrovia—British Cruiser ashore—Arrival at Porto Praya—Wreck - of a Hamburgh Ship. -</td> -<td class="tdr tt"> -<a href="#Page_336">336</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc" colspan="2"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XXXI">CHAPTER XXXI.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -Return to the South Coast—Comparative Courses and Length of - Passage—Country at the Mouth of the Congo—Correspondence - with the British Commodore—State of the Slave-Trade—Communication - to the Hydrographical Department—Elephants’ - Bay—Crew on Shore—Zebras. -</td> -<td class="tdr tt"> -<a href="#Page_344">344</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc" colspan="2"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XXXII">CHAPTER XXXII.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> - The Condition of the Slave-Trade—Want of suitable Cruisers—Health - of the Vessel—Navy Spirit-ration—Portuguese Commodore—French - Commodore—Loanda—Letter from Sir George - Jackson, British Commissioner, on the State of the Slave-Trade—Return - to Porto Praya. -</td> -<td class="tdr tt"> -<a href="#Page_357">357</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc" colspan="2"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIII">CHAPTER XXXIII.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -Island of Madeira—Porto Grande, Cape Verde Islands—Interference - of the British Consul with the “Louisa Beaton”—Porto - Praya—Brazilian Brigantine seized by the Authorities—Arrival - at New York. -</td> -<td class="tdr tt"> -<a href="#Page_369">369</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc" colspan="2"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIV">CHAPTER XXXIV.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -Conclusion—Necessity of Squadrons for Protection of Commerce - and Citizens abroad—Fever in Brazil, West Indies, and United - States—Influence of Recaptured Slaves returning to the different - regions of their own Country—Commercial Relations with Africa. -</td> -<td class="tdr tt"> -<a href="#Page_379">379</a> -</td> -</tr> -</table> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</span><div class="figcenter illowp100" id="img002" style="max-width: 62.5em;"> -<img class="w100" src="images/002.jpg" alt="Probable Configuration of Africa" /><br /> -<div class="caption"> - -<p class="center p0"> -<em>PROBABLE CONFIGURATION</em><br /> -of<br /> -AFRICA,<br /> -<em>as represented by<br /> -Contouror Horizontal<br /> -Planes</em>.</p> -<table class="autotable" style="font-size: 0.8em;"> -<tr><td class="tdl"><em>J.J. Adamson, del.</em></td> -<td class="tdr"><em>Lith. of Sarony & <abbr title="company">Co.</abbr> <abbr title="New York">N. Y.</abbr></em></td></tr></table><br /> - -</div> -</div> -</div> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="AFRICA">AFRICA<br /> -AND<br /> -THE AMERICAN FLAG.</h2> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="subhead">SUBJECT AND ARRANGEMENT—AREA OF CRUISING-GROUND—DISTRIBUTION OF -SUBJECTS.</p> - - -<p>On the 28th of November, 1849, the <abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> brig “Perry” sailed for the -west coast of Africa, to join the American squadron there stationed.</p> - -<p>A treaty with Great Britain, signed at Washington in the year 1842, -stipulates that each nation shall maintain on the coast of Africa, -a force of naval vessels “of suitable numbers and description, to -carry in all not less than eighty guns, to enforce separately and -respectively, the laws, rights, and obligations of each of the two -countries, for the suppression of the slave-trade.”</p> - -<p>Although this stipulation was limited to the term of five years -from the date of the exchange of the ratifications of the treaty, -“and afterwards until one or the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</span> other party shall signify a wish -to terminate it;” the United States have continued to maintain a -squadron on that coast for the protection of its commerce, and for the -suppression of the slave-trade, so far as it might be carried on in -American vessels, or by American citizens.</p> - -<p>To illustrate the importance of this squadron, the relations which -its operations bear to American interests, and to the rights of the -American flag; its effects upon the condition of Africa in checking -crime, and preparing the way for the introduction of peace, prosperity, -and civilization, is the primary object of this work.</p> - -<p>A general view of the continent of Africa, comprising the past and -present condition of its inhabitants; slavery in Africa and its foreign -slave-trade; the piracies upon the coast before it was guarded and -protected by naval squadrons; the geological structure of the country; -its natural history, languages, and people; and the progress of -colonization by the negro race returning to their own land with the -light of religion, of sound policy, and of modern arts, will also be -introduced as subjects appropriate to the general design.</p> - -<p>If a chart of the Atlantic is spread out, and a line drawn from the -Cape Verde Islands towards the southeastern coast of Brazil; if we -then pass to the Cape of Good Hope and draw another from that point by -the island of <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Helena, crossing the former north of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</span> equator, -the great tracks of commerce will be traced. Vessels outward bound -follow the track towards the South American shore, and the homeward -bound are found on the other. Thus vessels often meet in the centre of -the Atlantic; and the crossing of these lines off the projecting shores -of central Africa renders the coasts of that region of great naval -importance.</p> - -<p>The wide triangular space of sea between the homeward bound line and -the retiring African seaboard around the Gulf of Guinea, constituted -the area on which the vigilance of the squadron was to be exercised. -Here is the region of crime, suffering, cruelty and death, from the -slave-trade; and here has been at different ages, when the police -of the sea happened to be little cared for, the scene of the worst -piracies which have ever disgraced human nature.</p> - -<p>Vessels running out from the African coast fall here and there into -these lines traced on the chart, or sometimes cross them. No one can -tell what they contain from the graceful hull, well-proportioned masts, -neatly trimmed yards, and gallant bearing of the vessel. This deceitful -beauty may conceal wrong, violence, and crime—the theft of living -men, the foulness and corruption of the steaming slave-deck, and the -charnel-house of wretchedness and despair.</p> - -<p>It is difficult in looking over the ship’s side to conceive the -transparency of the sea. The reflection of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</span> blue sky in these -tropic regions colors it like an opaque sapphire, till some fish -startles one by suddenly appearing far beneath, seeming to carry -daylight down with him into the depths below. One is then reminded -that the vessel is suspended over a transparent abyss. There for ages -has sunk the dark-skinned sufferer from “the horrors of the middle -passage,” carrying that ghastly daylight down with him, to rest until -“the sea shall give up its dead,” and the slaver and his merchant come -from their places to be confronted with their victim.</p> - -<p>The relation of the western nations to these shores present themselves -under three phases, which claim more or less attention in order to a -full understanding of the subject. These are,</p> - -<p>I. Period of Discovery, Piracy and Slaving.</p> - -<p>II. Period of Colonizing.</p> - -<p>III. Period of Naval Cruising.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="subhead">DISCOVERIES BY FRENCH AND PORTUGUESE ALONG THE COAST—CAPE OF GOOD -HOPE—RESULTS.</p> - - -<p>The French of Normandy contested with the Portuguese the honor of -first venturing into the Gulf of Guinea. It was, however, nearly a -hundred years from the time when the latter first embarked in these -discoveries, until, in 1487, they reached the Cape of Good Hope. -For about eight centuries the Mohammedan in the interior had been -shaping out an influence for himself by proselyting and commerce. -The Portuguese discoverer met this influence on the African shores. -The Venetians held a sort of partnership with the Mohammedans in the -trade of the East: Portugal had then taken scarcely any share in the -brilliant and exciting politics of the Levant; her vocation was to -the seas of the West, but in that direction she was advancing to an -overwhelming triumph over her Eastern competitor.</p> - -<p>On the <abbr title="third">3d</abbr> of May, 1487, a boat left one of two small high-sterned -vessels, of less tonnage than an ordinary river sloop of the present -day, and landed a few weather-beaten men on a low island of rocks, on -which<span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</span> they proceeded to erect a cross. The sand which rustled across -their footsteps, the sigh of the west wind among the waxberry bushes, -and the croakings of the penguins as they waddled off,—these were -the voices which hailed the opening of a new era for the world; for -Bartholomew Diaz had then passed the southern point of Africa, and was -listening to the surf of the Antarctic Sea.</p> - -<p>This enterprising navigator had sailed from Lisbon in August, 1486, -and seems to have reached Sierra Parda, north of the Orange River, in -time to catch the last of the strong southeasterly winds, prevailing -during the summer months on the southern coast of Africa, in the region -of the Cape. He stood to the southwest, in vessels little calculated -for holding a wind, and at length reached the region of the prevailing -southwest winds. Then standing to the eastward he passed the Cape -of Good Hope, of which he was in search, and bearing away to the -northward, after running a distance of four hundred miles, brought up -at the island of <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Croix above referred to. Coasting along on his -return, the Cape was doubled, and named <em xml:lang="pt" lang="pt">Cabo Tormentoso</em>, or the -Cape of Storms. The King of Portugal, on the discoverer’s return, gave -it the more promising name of <em xml:lang="pt" lang="pt">Cabo de buen Speranza</em>, or Cape of -Good Hope.</p> - -<p>Africa thus fell into the grasp of Europe. Trade flowed with a full -stream into this new channel. Portugal<span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</span> conquered and settled its -shores. Missionaries accompanied the Portuguese discoverers and -conquerors to various parts of Africa, where the Portuguese dominion -had been established, and for long periods influenced the condition of -the country.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.</h2> -</div> - - -<p class="subhead">PIRATES—DAVIS, ROBERTS, AND OTHERS—BRITISH CRUISERS—SLAVE-TRADE -SYSTEMATIZED—GUINEAMEN—“HORRORS OF THE MIDDLE PASSAGE.”</p> - - -<p>The second period is that of villany. More Africans seem to have been -bought and sold, at all times of the world’s history, than of any -other race of mankind. The early navigators were offered slaves as -merchandise. It is not easy to conceive that the few which they then -carried away, could serve any other purpose than to gratify curiosity, -or add to the ostentatious greatness of kings and noblemen. It was the -demands of the west which rendered this iniquity a trade. Every thing -which could debase a man was thrust upon Africa from every shore. The -old military skill of Europe raised on almost every accessible point -embattled fortresses, which now picturesquely line the Gulf of Guinea. -In the space between Cape Palmas and the Calabar River, there are to be -counted, in the old charts, forts and factories by hundreds.</p> - -<p>The seventeenth and eighteenth centuries were especially the era of -woe to the African people. Crime against them on the part of European -nations, had become<span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</span> gross in cruelty and universal in extent. From -the Cape of Good Hope to the Mediterranean, in respect to their lands -or their persons, the European was seizing, slaying and enslaving. The -mischief perpetrated by the white man, was the source of mischief to -its author. The west coast became the haunt and nursery of pirates. -In fact, the same class of men were the navigators of the pirate and -the slaver; and sailors had little hesitation in betraying their own -vessels occasionally into the hands of the buccaneer. Slave-trading -afforded a pretext which covered all the preparations for robbery. The -whole civilized world had begun to share in this guilt and in this -retribution.</p> - -<p>In 1692, a solitary Scotchman was found at Cape Mesurado, living among -the negroes. He had reached the coast in a vessel, of which a man named -Herbert had gotten possession in one of the American colonies, and had -run off with on a buccaneering cruise; a mutiny and fight resulted -in the death of most of the officers and crew. The vessel drifted on -shore, and bilged in the heavy surf at Cape Mesurado.</p> - -<p>The higher ranks of society in Christendom were then most grossly -corrupt, and had a leading share in these crimes. There arrived at -Barbadoes in 1694, a vessel from New England, which might then have -been called a <em>clipper</em>, mounting twenty small guns. A company of -merchants of the island bought her, and fitted her<span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</span> out ostensibly as -a slaver, bound to the island of Madagascar; but in reality for the -purpose of pirating on the India merchantmen trading to the Red Sea. -They induced Russell, the governor of the island, to join them in the -adventure, and to give the ship an official character, so far as he was -authorized to do so by his colonial commission.</p> - -<p>A “sea solicitor” of this order, named Conklyn, arrived in 1719 at -Sierra Leone in a state of great destitution, bringing with him -twenty-five of the greatest villains that could be culled from the -crews of two or three piratical vessels on the coast. A mutiny had -taken place in one of these, on account of the chief’s assuming -something of the character and habits of a gentleman, and Conklyn, -after a severe contention, had left with his desperate associates. -Had he remained, he might have become chief in command, as a second -mutiny broke out soon after his departure, in which the chief was -overpowered, placed on board one of the prize vessels, and never heard -of afterwards. The pirates under a new commander followed Conklyn to -Sierra Leone. They found there this worthy gentleman, rich, and in -command of a fine ship with eighty men.</p> - -<p>Davis, the notorious pirate, soon joined him with a well-armed ship -manned with one hundred and fifty men. Here was collected as fruitful -a nest of villany<span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</span> as the world ever saw. They plundered and captured -whatever came in their course. These vessels, with other pirates, soon -destroyed more than one hundred trading vessels on the African coast. -England entered into a kind of compromise, previously to sending a -squadron against them, by offering pardon to all who should present -themselves to the governor of any of her colonies before the first of -July, 1719. This was equivalent to offering themselves to serve in -the war which had commenced against Spain, or exchanging one kind of -brigandage for another, by privateering against the Spanish commerce. -But from the accounts of their prisoners very few of them could read, -and thus the proclamation was almost a dead letter.</p> - -<p>In 1720, Roberts, a hero of the same class, anchored in Sierra Leone, -and sent a message to Plunket, the commander of the English fort, with -a request for some gold dust and ammunition. The commander of the fort -replied that he had no gold dust for them, but that he would serve -them with a good allowance of shot if they ventured within the range -of his guns; whereupon Roberts opened his fire upon the fort. Plunket -soon expended all his ammunition, and abandoned his position. Being -made prisoner he was taken before Roberts: the pirate assailed the -poor commander with the most outrageous execrations for his audacity -in resisting him. To his astonishment Plunket retorted upon him<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</span> with -oaths and execrations yet more tremendous. This was quite to the taste -of the scoundrels around them, who, with shouts of laughter, told their -captain that he was only second best at that business, and Plunket, in -consideration of his victory, was allowed to escape with life.</p> - -<p>In 1721, England dispatched two men-of-war to the Gulf of Guinea for -the purpose of exterminating the pirates who had there reached a -formidable degree of power, and sometimes, as in the instance noted -above, assailed the establishments on shore. They found that Roberts -was in command of a squadron of three vessels, with about four hundred -men under his command, and had been particularly active and successful -in outrage. After cruising about the northern coast, and learning that -Roberts had plundered many vessels, and that sailors were flocking to -him from all quarters, they found him on the evening of the third of -February, anchored with his three vessels in the bay north of Cape -Lopez.</p> - -<p>When entering the bay, light enough remained to let them see that they -had caught the miscreants in their lair. Closing in with the land the -cruisers quietly ran in and anchored close aboard the outer vessel -belonging to the pirates. Having ascertained the character of the -visitors, the pirate slipped his cables, and proceeded to make sail, -but was boarded and secured just as the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</span> rapid blackness of a tropical -night buried every thing in obscurity. Every sound was watched during -the darkness of the night, with scarcely the hope that the other two -pirates would not take advantage of it to make their escape; but the -short gray dawn showed them still at their anchors. The cruisers -getting under way and closing in with the pirates produced no movement -on their part, and some scheme of cunning or desperate resistance was -prepared for. They had in fact made a draft from one vessel to man the -other fully for defence. Into this vessel the smaller of the cruisers, -the <em>Swallow</em>, threw her broadside, which was feebly returned. -A grape-shot in the head had killed Roberts. This and the slaughter -of the cruiser’s fire prepared the way for the boarders, without much -further resistance, to take possession of the pirate. The third vessel -was easily captured.</p> - -<p>The cruisers suffered no loss in the fight, but had been fatally -reduced by sickness. The larger vessel, the <em>Weymouth</em>, which left -England with a crew of two hundred and forty men, had previously been -reduced so greatly as scarcely to be able to weigh her anchors; and, -although recruited often from merchant vessels, landed but one hundred -and eighty men in England. This rendered the charge of their prisoners -somewhat hazardous, and taking them as far as Cape Coast Castle, they -there executed such justice as the place could<span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</span> afford, or the demerits -of their prey deserved. A great number of them ornamented the shore on -gibbets—the well-known signs of civilization in that era—as long as -the climate and the vultures would permit them to hang.</p> - -<p>Consequent on these events such order was established as circumstances -would admit, or rather the progress of maritime intercourse and naval -power put an end to the system of daring and regulated piracy by which -the tropical shores of Africa and the West Indies had been laid waste. -This, however, was slight relief for Africa. It was to secure and -systematize trade that piracy had been suppressed, and the slave-trade -became accordingly cruelly and murderously systematic.</p> - -<p>The question what nation should be most enriched by the guilty traffic -was a subject of diplomacy. England secured the greater share of the -criminality and of the profit, by gaining from her other competitors -the right by contract to supply the colonies of Spain with negroes.</p> - -<p>Men forget what they ought not to forget; and however startling, -disgusting, and oppressive to the mind of man the horrors are which -characterized that trade, it is well that since they did exist the -memory of them should not perish. It is a fearfully dark chapter in the -history of the world, but although terrific it has its value. It is -more worthy of being remembered than<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</span> the historical routine of wars, -defeats, or victories; for it is more illustrative of man’s proper -history, and of a strange era in that history. The evidence taken by -the Committee of the English House of Lords in 1850, has again thrust -the subject into daylight.</p> - -<p>The slave-trade is now carried on by comparatively small and -ill-found vessels, watched by the cruisers incessantly. They are -therefore induced, at any risk of loss by death, to crowd and pack -their cargoes, so that a successful voyage may compensate for many -captures. In olden times, there were vessels fitted expressly for -the purpose—large Indiamen or whalers. It has been objected to -the employment of squadrons to exterminate that trade, that their -interference has increased its enormity. This, however, is doing honor -to the old Guineamen, such as they by no means deserve. It is, in fact, -an inference in favor of human nature, implying that a man who has -impunity and leisure to do evil, cannot, in the nature of things, be so -dreadfully heartless in doing it, as those in whose track the avenger -follows to seize and punish. The fact, however, does not justify this -surmise in favor of impunity and leisure. If ever there was any thing -on earth which, for revolting, filthy, heartless atrocity, might -make the devil wonder and hell recognize its own likeness, then it -was on any one of the decks of an old slaver. The sordid cupidity of -the older, as it is meaner, was also more callous<span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</span> than the hurried -ruffianism of the present age. In fact, a slaver now has but one deck; -in the last century they had two or three. Any one of the decks of the -larger vessels was rather worse, if this could be, than the single deck -of the brigs and schooners now employed in the trade. Then, the number -of decks rendered the suffocating and pestilential hold a scene of -unparalleled wretchedness. Here are some instances of this, collected -from evidence taken by the British House of Commons in 1792.</p> - -<p>James Morley, gunner of the <em>Medway</em>, states: “He has seen them -under great difficulty of breathing; the women, particularly, often got -upon the beams, where the gratings are often raised with banisters, -about four feet above the combings, to give air, but they are generally -driven down, because they take the air from the rest. He has known rice -held in the mouths of sea-sick slaves until they were almost strangled; -he has seen the surgeon’s mate force the panniken between their teeth, -and throw the medicine over them, so that not half of it went into -their mouths—the poor wretches wallowing in their blood, hardly having -life, and this with blows of the cat.”</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp80" id="img003" style="max-width: 62.5em;"> -<img class="w100" src="images/003.jpg" alt="The Lower Deck of a Guinea-Man in the Last Century" /><br /> -<div class="caption"> - -<table class="autotable" style="font-size: 0.8em;"> -<tr> -<td> -<em>F. E. Forbes, delt.</em></td> -<td class="tdr"> -<em>Lith. of Sarony & <abbr title="company">Co.</abbr> <abbr title="New York">N. Y.</abbr></em></td> -</tr> -</table> -<p class="center p0"> -THE LOWER DECK OF A GUINEA-MAN IN THE LAST CENTURY.</p> -</div> -</div> - -<p><abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> Thomas Trotter, surgeon of the <em>Brookes</em>, says: “He has seen -the slaves drawing their breath with all those laborious and anxious -efforts for life which are observed in expiring animals, subjected, -by experiment, to foul air, or in the exhausted receiver of an -air-pump; has also seen them when the tarpaulins have inadvertently -been thrown over the gratings, attempting to heave them up, crying out -‘kickeraboo! kickeraboo!’ i. e., <em>We are dying</em>. On removing the -tarpaulin and gratings, they would fly to the hatchways with all the -signs of terror and dread of suffocation; many whom he has seen in -a dying state, have recovered by being brought on the deck; others, -were irrevocably lost by suffocation, having had no previous signs of -indisposition.”</p> - -<p>In regard to the <em>Garland’s</em> voyage, 1788, the testimony is: “Some -of the diseased were obliged to be kept on deck. The slaves, both when -ill and well, were frequently forced to eat against their inclination; -were whipped with a cat if they refused. The parts on which their -shackles are fastened, are often excoriated by the violent exercise -they are forced to take, and of this they made many grievous complaints -to him. Fell in with the <em>Hero</em>, Wilson, which had lost, he -thinks, three hundred and sixty slaves by death; he is certain more -than half of her cargo; learnt this from the surgeon; they had died -mostly of the smallpox; surgeon also told him, that when removed from -one place to another, they left marks of their skin and blood upon the -deck, and that it was the most horrid sight he had ever seen.”</p> - -<p>The annexed sketch represents the lower deck of a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</span> Guineaman, when -the trade was under systematic regulations. The slaves were obliged -to lie on their backs, and were shackled by their ankles, the left of -one being fettered close to the right of the next; so that the whole -number in one line formed a single living chain. When one died, the -body remained during the night, or during bad weather, secured to the -two between whom he was. The height between decks was so little, that -a man of ordinary size could hardly sit upright. During good weather, -a gang of slaves was taken on the spar-deck, and there remained for a -short time. In bad weather, when the hatches were closed, death from -suffocation would necessarily occur. It can, therefore, easily be -understood, that the athletic strangled the weaker intentionally, in -order to procure more space, and that, when striving to get near some -aperture affording air to breathe, many would be injured or killed in -the struggle.</p> - -<p>Such were “the horrors of the middle passage.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IV1">CHAPTER IV.<span class="fnanchor" id="fna1"><a href="#fn1">[1]</a></span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="subhead">PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY—CLIMATE—GEOLOGY—ZOOLOGY—BOTANY.</p> - - -<p>Before proceeding to the colonizing era, it will be requisite to -present an estimate of the value and importance of the African -continent in relation to the rest of the world. This requires some -preliminary notice of the physical condition of its territories, and -the character and distribution of the tribes possessing them. Africa -has not yet yielded to science the results which may be expected from -it. Courage and hardihood, rather than knowledge and skill, have, -from the circumstances of the case, been the characteristics of its -successful explorers. We have, therefore, wonderful incidents and -loose descriptions, without the accurate observation and statement of -circumstances which can render them useful.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</span></p> - -<p>The vast radiator formed by the sun beating vertically on the plains of -tropical Africa, heats and expands the air, and thus constitutes a sort -of central trough into which gravitation brings compensating currents, -by producing a lateral sliding inwards of the great trade-wind streams. -Thus, as a general rule, winds which would normally diverge from the -shores are drawn in towards them. They have been gathering moisture -in their progress, and when pressed upwards, as they expand under -the vertical sun, lose their heat in the upper regions, let go their -moisture, and spread over the interior terraces and mountains a sheet -of heavily depositing cloud. This constitutes the rainy season, which -necessarily, from the causes producing it, accompanies the sun in its -apparent oscillations across the equator.</p> - -<p>The Gulf of Guinea has in its own bosom a system of hurricanes and -squalls, of which little is known but their existence and their danger. -A description of them, of rather an old date, specifies as a fact -that they begin by the appearance of a small mass of clouds in the -zenith, which widens and extends till the canopy covers the horizon. -Now if this were true of any given spot, it would indicate that the -hurricane always began there. The appearance of a patch of cloud in -the zenith could be true of only one place out of all those which -the hurricane influenced. If it is meant that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</span> <em>wherever</em> the -phenomenon originated, <em>there</em> a mass of cloud gradually formed in -the zenith, this would be a most important particular in regard to the -proximate cause of the phenomenon, for it would mark a rapid direction -upwards of the atmosphere at that spot as the first observable incident -of the series. That the movements produced would subsequently become -whirling or circumvolant, is a mechanical necessity. But the force of -the movement ought not to be strongest at the place where the mischief -had its origin.</p> - -<p>The squalls, with high towering clouds, which rise like a wall on the -horizon, involve the same principles as to the formation of the vapor, -and are easily explicable. They are not necessarily connected with -circular hurricanes; but the principles of their formation may modify -the intensity of the blasts in a circumvolant tornado. Since in the -Gulf of Guinea they come from the eastward, it is to be inferred that -they are ripples or undulations in an air current. In regard to all of -this, it is necessary to speak doubtfully, for there is a great lack of -accurate and detailed observation on these points.</p> - -<p>Its position and physical characteristics give to this continent -great influence over the rest of the earth. Africa, America, and -Australia have nearly similar relations to the great oceans interposed -respectively between them. Against the eastern sides of these regions<span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</span> -are carried from the ocean those strange, furious whirlings in the -shallow film of the earth’s atmosphere, which constitute hurricanes. -It is evident that these oceans are mainly the channels in which the -surface winds move, which are drawn from colder regions towards the -equator. The shores are the banks of these air streams. The return -currents above flow over every thing. They are thus prevalent in -the interior, so that the climatic conditions there are different -from those on the seaboard. These circumstances in the southern -extra-tropical regions are accompanied by corresponding differences in -the character of the vegetable world.</p> - -<p>These winds are sometimes drawn aside across the coast -line—constituting the Mediterranean sirocco, and the African -harmattan. Vessels far off at sea, sailing to the northward, are -covered or stained on the weather side of their rigging (that next to -the African coast), with a fine light-yellow powder. A reddish-brown -dust sometimes tinges the sails and rigging. An instance of this -occurred on board the “Perry” on her outward bound passage, when five -hundred miles from the African coast.</p> - -<p>The science of Ehrenberg has been searching amid the microscopic -organisms contained in these substances, for tokens of their origin. -In the red material he finds forms betraying not an African, but an -American source, presumed to be in the great plains of the Amazon<span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</span> and -Orinoco. This suggests new views of the meteorology of the world; but -the theories founded on it, are not clear of mechanical difficulties.</p> - -<p>If we stand on almost any shore of the world as it exists at present, -and consider the character of the land surface on the one hand, and -of the ocean bottom on the other, we shall see that a very great -difference in the nature of the beach line would be produced by a -depression of the land towards the ocean, or by an elevation of it from -the deep. The sea in its action on the bottom fills up hollows and -obliterates precipices; but a land surface is worn into ravines and -valleys. Hence a depression, so that the waters overflowed the land, -would admit them into its recesses, and river courses, and winding -gulleys—forming bays, islands, and secure harbors. Whereas elevation -would bring up from the bottom its sand-banks and plains, forming an -extent of slightly winding and unsheltered shore. The character of -a coast will therefore depend very greatly upon its former history, -before it became fixed. We have this contrast in the eastern and -western sides of the Adriatic, or in the western and eastern sides of -the British islands. These circumstances are to some degree controlled -by the effects of partial volcanoes, or of powerful winds and currents. -But on the whole, it may generally be inferred that a long unbroken -shore indicates that the last change on the land level was one of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</span> -elevation; while a coast penetrated, broken, and defended by islands -has received its conformation from being stopped in the process of -subsiding.</p> - -<p>The coast of Africa has over almost its whole circuit, that unbroken -or slightly indented outline which would arise from upheaval. The only -conspicuous exception to this, is in the eastern region, neighboring on -the Mozambique Channel, where the Portuguese and the Arab possess the -advantage, so rare in Africa, of having at their command convenient and -sheltered harbors. There are centres of partial volcanic agency in the -islands of the Atlantic, north of the equator, and in the distant spots -settled by Europeans outside of Madagascar; but this action has not, -as in the Mediterranean or Archipelago, modified the character of the -continental shore. It is not known that there exists any active volcano -on the continent.</p> - -<p>Africa, therefore, if it could be seen on a great model of the world, -would offer little, comparatively, that was varied in outline or in -aspect. There would be great tawny deserts, with scanty specks of dusky -green, or threads of sombre verdure tracing out its scant and temporary -streams. There would be forests concealing or embracing the mouths -of rivers, with brown mountains here and there penetrating through -them, but rarely presenting a lofty wall to the sea. Interior plains -would show some glittering lakes, begirt by the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</span> jungle which they -create. But it is a land nearly devoid of winter, either temporary or -permanent. Only one or two specks, near the mouth of the Red Sea, and a -short beaded line of the chain of Atlas, would throw abroad the silver -splendor of perpetual snow. It is the great want of Africa, that so few -mountains have on their heads these supplies for summer streams.</p> - -<p>The sea-shore is generally low, except as influenced by Atlas, or the -Abyssinian ranges, or the mountains of the southern extremity. There -is, not uncommonly, a flat swampy plain, bordering on the sea, where -the rivers push out their deltas, or form lagoons by their conflict -with the fierce surge upon the shore. Generally at varying distances, -there occur falls or rapids in the great rivers, showing that they -are descending from interior plains of considerable elevation. The -central regions seem, in fact, to form two, or perhaps three great -elevated plateaux or terraced plains, having waters collected in -their depressions, and joined by necks; such as are the prairies of -Illinois, between the <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Lawrence and the Mississippi, or the llanos -of South America between its great rivers. The southern one of these -African plains approaches close to the Atlantic near the Orange River. -Starting there at the height of three thousand feet, it proceeds round -the sources of the river, and spreads centrally along by the lately -visited, but long known lakes north of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</span> tropic. The equinoctial -portion of it is probably drained by the Zambeze and the Zaire, flowing -in opposite directions. It appears to be continuous as a neck westward -of Kilmandjaro, the probable source of the Nile; till it spreads out -into the vast space extending from Cape Verde to Suez, including in it -the Niger and the Nile, the great desert, and the collections of waters -forming Lake Tzad, and such others as there may be towards Fitre.</p> - -<p>The mountains inclosing these spaces form a nearly continuous wall -along the eastern side of Africa. The snows of Atlas form small -streams, trickling down north and south; and, in the latter case, -struggling almost in vain with the tropical heats, in short courses, -towards the Desert of Sahara.</p> - -<p>There are found separate groups of mountains, forming for the continent -a broken margin on the west. There may also be an important one -situated centrally between Lake Tzad and the Congo; but there appears -no probability of a transverse chain, stretching continuously across -this region, as has hitherto had a place on maps, under the title of -the “Mountains of the Moon.”</p> - -<p>No geological changes, except those due to the elevation of the oldest -formations, appear to have taken place extensively in this continent. -The shores of the Gulf of Guinea, and of the eastern regions, abound -with gold, suggesting that their interior is not covered by<span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</span> modern -rocks. The two extremities at Egypt and Cape of Good Hope, have been -depressed to receive secondary and tertiary deposits. There may be -other such instances; but the continent seems, during a time, even -geologically long, to have formed a great compact mass of land, bearing -the same relations as now to the rest of the world.</p> - -<p>The valleys and precipices of South Africa have been shaped by the -mighty currents which circulate round the promontory of the Cape; and -the flat summit of Table Mountain, at the height of three thousand -six hundred feet, is a rocky reef, worn and fretted into strange -projections by the surge, which the southeasters brought against it, -when it was at the level of the sea.</p> - -<p>The present state of organized life in Africa tells the same tale. It -indicates a land never connected with polar regions, nor subjected to -great variations of temperature. Our continent, America, is a land -of extremes of temperature. Corresponding to that condition, it is a -land characterized by plants, the leaves of which ripen and fall, so -that vegetation has a pause, waiting for the breath of spring. All the -plants of southern Africa are evergreens. The large browsing animals, -such as the elephant and rhinoceros, which cannot stoop to gather -grass, find continuous subsistence in the continuous foliage of shrubs. -America abounds with stags<span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</span> or deer—animals having deciduous horns or -antlers. Southern Africa has none, but is rich in species of antelopes, -which have true or permanent horns, and which nowhere sustain great -variations of heat and cold. Its fossil plants correspond apparently in -character to those which the country now bears.</p> - -<p>Its fossil zoology offers very peculiar and interesting provinces of -ancient life. These have been in positions not greatly unconformable -to those of similar phenomena even now. Great inland fresh-water -seas have abounded with new and strange types of organization, in -character and office analogous to the amphibious forms occurring with -profusion in similar localities of the present interior. These, and -representatives of the secondary formations, rest chiefly on the old -Silurian and Devonian series, the upheaving of which seems to have -given the continent its place and outline. Coal is found at Natal, near -the Mozambique Channel, but not hitherto known to be of value.</p> - -<p>Africa still offers, and will long continue to offer, the most -promising field of botanical discovery. Much novelty certainly remains -to be elicited there, but it is very dilatory in finding its way -abroad. Natal is the region most likely to be sedulously explored -for some time. Vegetable ivory has been brought thence, and elastic, -hard, useful timber abounds. Much lumber of good and varied character -is taken to Europe from the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</span> western regions of the continent; but so -greatly has scientific inquiry been repelled by the deadly climate, -that even the species affording it are unknown, or doubtfully guessed -at.</p> - -<p>The vegetation of the south is brilliant, but not greatly useful. It -affords the type of that which covers the mountains, receding towards -the northeast, until they reach perpetual snow near the equator. That -which is of a more tropical character, stretches round their bases -and through their valleys, with its profusion of palms, creepers, and -dye-woods. These hereafter will form the commercial wealth of the -country, affording oil, india-rubber, dye-stuffs, and other useful -productions.</p> - -<p>The wild animals of Africa belong to plains and to loose thickets, -rather than to timbered forests. There is a gradation in the height -of the head, among the larger quadrupeds, which indicates the sort of -country and of vegetation suitable to them.</p> - -<p>The musket, with its “villanous saltpetre,” in the hands of barbarians -is everywhere expelling from the earth its bulkier creatures, so that -the elephant is disappearing, and ivory will become scarce. Fear tames -the wildest nature; even the lion is timid when he has to face the -musket. The dull ox has learned a lesson with regard to him; for when -the kingly brute prowls round an unyoked wagon resting at night, and -his growl<span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</span> or smell makes the oxen shake and struggle with terror, they -are quieted by the discharge of firearms.</p> - -<p>When Europeans first visited the shores of Africa, they were astonished -at the tameness and abundance of unchecked animal life. The shallow -bays and river lagoons were full of gigantic creatures; seals were -found in great numbers, but of all animals these seem the most readily -extirpated. The multitudes which covered the reefs of South Africa are -nearly gone, and they seem to be no longer met with on the northern -shores of the continent. The manatee, or sea-cow, and the hippopotamus, -frequented the mouths of rivers, and were killed and eaten by the -natives. They had never tamed and used the elephant: that this might -have been done is inferred from the use of these animals by the -Carthaginians. But as the Carthaginian territory was not African in -the strict sense of the term, it may be doubted whether their species -was that of Central Africa. This latter species is a larger, less -intelligent looking, and probably a more stubborn creature than the -Asiatic. The roundness of their foreheads and the size of their ears -give them a duller and more brutal look; the magnitude of their tusks, -and the occurrence of these formidable weapons in the female as well -as in the male, are accommodated to the necessity of conflict with the -lion, and indicate a wilder nature.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</span></p> - -<p>Lions of several species, abundance of panthers, cats, genets, and -hyenas of many forms, mainly constitute the carnivorous province, -having, as is suitable to the climate, a high proportion of the hyena -form, or devourers of the dead. A foot of a pongo, or large ape, -“as large as that of a man, and covered with hair an inch long,” -astonished one of the earliest navigators. This animal, which indicates -a zoological relationship to the Malayan islands, is known to afford -the nearest approach to the human form. The monkey structure on the -east coast of Africa tends to pass into the nocturnal or Lemurine forms -of Madagascar, where the occurrence of an insulated Malayan language -confirms the relationship indicated above.</p> - -<p>The plains with bushy verdure nourish the ostrich and many species of -bustards over the whole continent. Among the creatures which range -far are the lammergeyer, or bearded eagle of the Alps, and the brown -owl of Europe, extending to the extremity of the south. Among the -parrots and the smaller birds, congregating species abound, forming a -sort of arboreal villages, or joint-stock lodging-houses. Sometimes -hundreds of such dwellings are under one thatch, the entrances being -below. The weaving birds suspend their bottle-shaped habitations at -the extremities of limber branches, where they wave in the wind. This -affords security from monkeys and snakes; but they retain the instinct<span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</span> -of forming them so when there is no danger from either the one or the -other.</p> - -<p>Reptiles abound in Africa. The Pythons (or Boas) are formidable. Of -the species of serpents probably between one-fourth and one-fifth are -poisonous; but every thing relating to them in the central regions -requires to be ascertained. The Natal crocodile is smaller than the -Egyptian, but is greatly dreaded.</p> - -<p>The following instance of its ferocity occurred to the <abbr title="reverend">Rev.</abbr> J. A. -Butler, missionary, in crossing the Umkomazi River, in February, 1853. -“When about two-thirds of the way across, his horse suddenly kicked and -plunged as if to disengage himself from the rider, and the next moment -a crocodile seized Mr. Butler’s thigh with his horrible jaws. The river -at this place is about one hundred and fifty yards wide, if measured -at right angles to the current; but from the place we entered to the -place we go out, the distance is three times as great. The water at -high tide, and when the river is not swollen, is from four to eight or -ten feet deep. On each side the banks are skirted with high grass and -reeds. <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Butler, when he felt the sharp teeth of the crocodile, clung -to the mane of his horse with a death hold. Instantly he was dragged -from the saddle, and both he and the horse were floundering in the -water, often dragged entirely under, and rapidly going down the stream. -At first the crocodile drew them again to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</span> the middle of the river, but -at last the horse gained shallow water, and approached the shore. As -soon as he was within reach natives ran to his assistance, and beat off -the crocodile with spears and clubs. <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Butler was pierced with five -deep gashes, and had lost much blood.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</span></p> - -<p class="footnote p2" id="fn1"><a href="#fna1">[1]</a> The author acknowledges his indebtedness for liberal and valuable -contributions on the subject of Physical Geography, Geology, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>, -to the <abbr title="reverend">Rev.</abbr> <abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> Adamson, for twenty years a resident at the Cape of -Good Hope, and government director and professor in the South African -college. He wishes also to express his obligations for frequent -suggestions from the same source on scientific subjects, during the -preparation of this work.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.</h2> -</div> - - -<p class="subhead">AFRICAN NATIONS—DISTRIBUTION OF RACES—ARTS—MANNERS AND -CHARACTER—SUPERSTITIONS—TREATMENT OF THE DEAD—REGARD FOR -THE SPIRITS OF THE DEPARTED—WITCHCRAFT—ORDEAL—MILITARY -FORCE—AMAZONS—CANNIBALISM.</p> - - - -<p>Whence came the African races, and how did they get where they are? -These are questions not easily answered, and are such as might have -been put with the same hesitation, and in view of the same puzzling -circumstances, three thousand years ago. On the monuments of Thebes, -in Upper Egypt, of the times of Thothmes III., three varieties of the -African form of man are distinctly portrayed. There is the ruling race -of Egypt, red-skinned and massy-browed. There are captives not unlike -them, but of a paler color, with their hair tinged blue; and there is -the negro, bearing his tribute of skins, living animals, and ivory; -with the white eyeball, reclining forehead, woolly hair, and other -normal characteristics of his type.</p> - -<p>Provided that these representations are correct, and that the colors -have not changed, the Egyptian has<span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</span> been greatly modified as to his -tint of skin; whether we consider them as represented by the Copts, -or the Fellahs of that country at present, the former bearing clearer -traces of the more ancient form. The population of Africa, as it is at -present, seems to be chiefly derivable from the other two races. There -are, however, circumstances difficult to reconcile, in the present -state of our knowledge, with any hypothesis as to the dispersion of man.</p> - -<p>Southern and equatorial Africa includes tribes speaking dialects of two -widely-spread tongues. One of them, the Zingian, or the Zambezan, is -properly distinguished by the excess to which it carries repetition of -certain signs of thought, giving to inflections a character different -from what they exhibit in any other language. This tongue, however, -bears, in other respects, a strong relationship to the many, but, -perhaps, not mutually dissimilar dialects, of northern Africa. It may -be considered as the form of speech belonging to the true or most -normally developed African race.</p> - -<p>The other of these two tongues offers also circumstances of peculiar -interest. We may consider it, first, as it is found in use by the -Hottentot or Bushman race, of South Africa. It has even among them -regular and well-constructed forms of inflection, and as distinguishing -it from the negro dialects, it has the sexual form of gender, or -that which arises from the poetical or personifying<span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</span> view of all -objects—considering them as endowed with life, and dividing them into -males and females. In this respect it is analogous to the Galla, the -Abyssinian, and the Coptic. Nay, at this distant extremity of Africa, -not only is the form of gender thus the same with that of the people -who raised the wonderful monuments of Egypt, but that monumental tongue -has its signs of gender, or the terminations indicating that relation, -identical with those of the Hottentot race.</p> - -<p>We have, therefore, the evidence of a race of men, striking through -the other darker ones, on perhaps nearly a central line, from one end -of the continent to the other. The poor despised Bushman, forming for -himself, with sticks and grass, a lair among the low-spreading branches -of a protea, or nestling at sunset in a shallow hole, amid the warm -sand of the desert, with wife and little ones like a covey of birds, -sheltered by some ragged sheepskins from the dew of the clear sky, has -an ancestral and mental relationship to the builder of the pyramids and -the colossal temples of Egypt, and to the artists who adorned them. He -looks on nature with a like eye, and stereotypes in his language the -same conclusions derived from it. He has in his words vivified external -things, as they did, according to that form which, in our more logical -tongues, we name poetical metaphor. The <em>sun</em>—“Soorees”—is to -him a female, the productive mother of all organic life; and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</span> rivers, -as Kuis-eep, Gar-eep, are endowed with masculine activity and strength.</p> - -<p>To this scattered family of man, which ought properly to be called the -<em>Ethiopic</em> race, as distinguished from the negro, may probably -be ascribed the fierce invasions from the centre, eastward and -westward, under the names of Galla Giagas, and other appellations, -which occasionally convulsed both sides of Africa; and, perhaps, by -intermixture of races, gave occasion to much of the diversity found -among native tribes, in disposition, manners, and language. The -localities occupied by it have become insulated through the intrusion -of the negro. Its southern division, or the Hottentot tribes, were -being pressed off into an angle, and apparently in the process of -extinction or absorption by the Zambezan Kaffirs from the north and -east, when Europeans met and rolled them away into a small corner of -desert.</p> - -<p>Egypt was evidently the artery through which population poured into -the broad expanse of Africa. That the progenitors of the negro race -first entered there, and that another race followed subsequently, is -one mode of disposing of the question, which, however, only removes its -difficulties a little farther back.</p> - -<p>This supposition is unnecessary. Any number of human families living -together, comprises varieties of constitution, affording a source from -which, by the force<span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</span> of external circumstances, the extreme variations -may be educed. If we examine critically the representations of the -oldest inhabitants of Egypt, we shall see in the form of man which they -exhibit, a combination of characteristics, or a provision for breaking -into varieties corresponding to the conditions of external nature in -the interior regions.</p> - -<p>The dissatisfied, the turbulent, the defeated and the criminal would -in these earliest times be thrown off from a settled community in -Egypt, to penetrate into the southern and western regions. They would -generally die there. Many ages of such attempts might pass before those -individuals reached the marshes of the great central plateau, whose -constitutions suited that position. Many of them, moreover, would die -childless. Early death to the adult, and certain death to the immature, -would sweep families off, as the streams bounding from southern Atlas -intrude on the desert, and perish there. The many immigrants to whom -all external things were adverse would be constantly weeded out; so it -would be for generation after generation, until the few remained, whom -heat, exposure, toil, marsh vapor, and fever left as an assorted and -acclimated root of new nations.</p> - -<p>Such seems to have been the process in Africa by which a declension of -our nature took place from Egypt in two directions; one through the -central plains down<span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</span> to the marshes of the Gaboon or the Congo river, -where the aberrant peculiarities of the negro seem most developed; and -the other along the mountains, by the Nile and the Zambeze, until the -Ethiopian sank into the Hottentot.</p> - -<p>The sea does not deal kindly with Africa, for it wastes or guards the -shores with an almost unconquerable surf. Tides are small, and rivers -not safely penetrable. The ocean offered to the negro nothing but a -little food, procured with some trouble and much danger. Hence ocean -commerce was unknown to them. Only in the smallest and most wretched -canoes did they venture forth to catch a few fish. If strangers sought -for regions of prosperity, riches, or powerful government, their -views were directed to the interior. Benin, in 1484, confessed its -subordination to a great internal sovereign, who only gave responses -from behind a curtain, or permitted one of his feet to be visible -to his dependents, as a mark of gracious favor. It was European -commerce in gold and slaves, received for the coveted goods and arms -they bought, which ultimately gave these monarchs an interest in the -sea-shore.</p> - -<p>Cruelty and oppression were everywhere, as they still are. It is -not easy for us to conceive how a living man can be moulded to the -unhesitating submission in which a negro subject lives, so that it -should be to him<span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</span> a satisfaction to live and die, or suffer or rejoice, -just as his sovereign wills. It can be accounted for only from the -prevalence and the desolating fury of wars, which rendered perfect -uniformity of will and movement indispensable for existence. It is -not so easy to offer any probable reason for the eagerness to share -in cruelty which glows in a negro’s bosom. Its appalling character -consisted rather in the amount of bloodshed which gratified the negro, -than in the studious prolongation of pain. He offers in this respect a -contrast to the cold, demoniac vengeance of the North American Indian. -Superstition probably excused or justified to him some of his worst -practices. Human sacrifices have been common everywhere. There was no -scruple at cruelty when it was convenient. The mouths of the victims -were gagged by knives run through their cheeks; and captives among the -southern tribes were beaten with clubs in order to prevent resistance, -or “to take away their strength,” as the natives expressed it, that -they might be more easily hurried to the “hill of death,” or authorized -place of execution.</p> - -<p>The negro arts are respectable, and would have been more so had not -disturbance and waste come with the slave-trade. They weave coarse -narrow cloths, and dye them. They work in wood and metals. The gold -chains obtained at Wydah, of native manufacture, are well wrought. -Nothing can be more correctly formed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</span> for its purpose than the small -barbed lancet-looking point of a Bushman’s arrow. Those who shave their -heads or beards have a neat, small razor, double-edged, or shaped like -a shovel. Arts improve from the coast towards the northeast.</p> - -<p>Their normal form of a house is round, with a conical roof. The -pastoral people of the south have it of a beehive form, covered with -mats; the material is rods and flags. If the whole negro nations, -however, were swept away, there would not remain a monument on the face -of their continent to tell that such a race of men had occupied it.</p> - -<p>One curious relation to external nature seems to have prevailed -throughout all Africa, consisting in a special reverence, among -different tribes, for certain selected objects. From one of these -objects the tribe frequently derives its national appellation: if it is -a living thing, they avoid killing it or using it as food. Serpents, -particularly the gigantic pythons or boas, are everywhere reverenced. -Some traces of adoration offered to the sun have been met with on the -west coast; but, generally speaking, the superstitions of Africa are -far less intellectual. These and many of their other practices have a -common characteristic in the disappearance of all trace of their origin -among the tribes observing them. To all inquiries they have the answer -ready, that their fathers did so. There is in this, however,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</span> no great -assurance of real antiquity, for tradition extends but a short way back.</p> - -<p>A reliance on grisgris, or amulets, worn about the person, belongs to -Africa, perhaps from very ancient ages. Egypt was probably its source: -a kind of literary character has been given to it by the Mohammedans. -Throughout inland central Africa, sentences written on scraps of paper -or parchment have a marketable value. An impostor or devotee may -gain authority and profit in this way. As we pass southward we find -this superstition sinking lower and lower in debasement: men there -really cover or load themselves with all kinds of trumpery, and have -a real and hearty confidence in bones, buttons, scraps, or almost any -conceivable thing, as a security against any conceivable evil. The -Kroomen, even, with their purser’s names, of <em>Jack Crowbar</em>, -<em>Head Man</em>, and <em>Flying-Jib</em>, <em>Bottle of Beer</em>, <em>Pea -Soup</em>, <em>Poor Fellow</em>, <em>Prince Will</em>, and others, taken -on board the “Perry,” in Monrovia, were found now and then with their -sharks’, tigers’ and panthers’ teeth, and small shells, on their ankles -and wrists; although most of these people, from contact with the -Liberians, have seen the folly of this practice, and dispensed with -their charms.</p> - -<p>The Africans also have stationary <em>fetishes</em>, consisting in sacred -places and sacred things. They have practices to inspire terror, or -gain reverence in respect to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</span> which it is somewhat difficult to decide -whether the actors in them are impostors or sincere. Idols in the forms -of men, rude and frightful enough, are among these fetishes, but it -cannot be said that idolatry of this kind prevails extensively in the -country.</p> - -<p>In two respects they look towards the invisible: they dread a -superhuman power, and they fear and worship it as being a measureless -source of evil. It is scarcely correct to call this Devil-worship, for -this is a title of contrast, presuming that there has been a choice of -the evil in preference to the good. The fact in their case seems to -be, that good in will, or good in action, are ideas foreign to their -minds. Selfishness cannot be more intense, nor more exclusive of all -kindness and generosity or charitable affection, than it is generally -found among these barbarians. The inconceivableness of such motives to -action has often been found a strong obstacle to the influence of the -Christian missionary. They can worship nothing good, because they have -no expectation of good from any thing powerful. They have mysterious -words or mutterings, equivalent to what we term incantations, which -is the meaning of the Portuguese word from which originated the term -<em>fetish</em>.</p> - -<p>The other reference of their intellect to invisible things consists in -acknowledging the continued existence of the dead, and paying reverence -to the spirits of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</span> their forefathers. This leads to great cruelty. -Men of rank at their death are presumed to require attendance, and -be gratified with companionship. This event, therefore, produces the -murder of wives and slaves, to afford them suitable escort and service -in the other world. From the strange mixture of the material and -spiritual common to men in that barbarian condition, the bodies or the -blood of the slain appear to be the essentials of these requirements. -Thus, also, the utmost horror is felt at decapitation, or at the -severing of limbs from the body after death. It is revenge, as much -as desire to perpetuate the remembrance of victory, which makes them -eager for the skulls and jaw-bones of their enemies, so that in a -royal metropolis, walls, and floors, and thrones, and walking-sticks, -are everywhere lowering with the hollow eyes of the dead. These sad, -bare and whitened emblems of mortality and revenge present a curious -and startling spectacle, cresting and festooning the red clay walls of -Kumassi, the Ashantee capital.</p> - -<p>Such belief leads to strange vagaries in practice. They sympathize with -the departed, as subject still to common wants and ruled by common -affections. A negro man of Tahou would show his regard for the desires -of the dead by sitting patiently to hold a spread umbrella over the -head of a corpse. The dead man’s mouth, too, was stuffed with rice and -fowl, and in cold<span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</span> weather a fire was kept burning in the hut for the -benefit of their deceased friend. They consulted his love of ornament, -also, for the top of his head and his brow were stained red, his nose -and cheeks yellow, and the lower jaw white; and fantastic figures of -different colors were daubed over his black body.</p> - -<p>Dingaan, the Zulu chief, was exceedingly fond of ornament. He used -to boast that the Zulus were the only people who understood dress. -Sometimes he came forward painted with all kinds of stripes and -crosses, in a very bizarre style. The people took all this gravely, -saying that “he was king and could do what he pleased,” and they -were content with his taste. It is this unreflecting character which -astounds us in savages. They never made it a question whether the -garniture of the king or of the corpse had any thing unsuitable.</p> - -<p>All along the coasts, from the equator to the north of the Gulf of -Guinea, they did not eat without throwing a portion on the ground for -those who had died. Sometimes they dug a small hole for these purposes, -or they had one in the hut, and into it they poured what they thought -would be acceptable. They conceived that they had sensible evidence of -the inclinations of the dead. In lifting up or carrying a corpse on -their shoulders, men may not attend to the exact direction of their own -muscular movements or those of their associates.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</span> There are necessarily -shocks, jolts and struggles, from the movements of their associates. -People will, in some cases, pull different ways when hustled together. -All these unconscious movements, not unlike the “table turnings” of the -present era, were taken as expressive of the will of the dead man, as -to how and whither he was to be carried.</p> - -<p>Their belief, as we have seen, influenced their life: it was earnest -and heartfelt. When the king of Wydah, in 1694, heard that Smith, the -chief of the English factory, was dangerously ill with fever, he sent -his fetishman to aid in the recovery. The priest went to the sick man, -and solemnly announced that he came to save him. He then marched to the -white man’s burial-ground with a provision of brandy, oil, and rice, -and made a loud oration to those that slept there. “O you dead white -people, you wish to have Smith among you; but our king likes him, and -it is not his will to let him go to be among you.” Passing on to the -grave of Wyburn, the founder of the factory, he addressed him, “You, -captain of all the whites who are here! Smith’s sickness is a piece of -your work. You want his company, for he is a good man; but our king -does not want to lose him, and you can’t have him yet.” Then digging -a hole over the grave, he poured into it the articles which he had -brought, and told him that if he needed these things, he gave them -with good-will, but<span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</span> he must not expect to get Smith. The factor died, -notwithstanding. The ideas here are not very dissimilar to those of the -old Greeks.</p> - -<p>It is remarkable, however, that in tracing this negro race along the -continent towards the south, we find these notions and practices to -fade away, and at last disappear. Southeast of the desert, along the -Orange River, there is scarcely a trace of them.</p> - -<p>The dread of witchcraft prevails universally. In general, the -occurrence of disease is ascribed to this source. In the north -they fear a supernatural influence; in the south this is traced -to no superhuman origin, but is conceived to be a power which any -one may possess and exercise. Among these tribes, the man presumed -to be guilty of this crime is a public enemy (as were the witches -occasionally found among our own venerated pious, and public-spirited -puritan forefathers—a blemish in their character due to the general -ignorance of the age), to be removed if possible, as a lion, tiger, or -pestilence would be annihilated. Even the force of civilized law, when -introduced among them, has not saved a man under this stigma from being -secretly murdered by the terrified people. It has yielded only to the -enlightening influence of Christian missionaries.</p> - -<p>These delusions are often rendered the support of tyranny by the -chiefs, for the property of the accused<span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</span> is confiscated. Scenes sad -and horrible are exhibited as the consequence of a chief’s illness. -In order to force a discovery of the means employed, and to get the -witchcraft counteracted, some native, who is generally rich enough to -be worth plundering, is seized and tortured, until, as an old author -expresses it, “he dies, or the chief recovers.” They extend the horror -of the infliction, by calling in the aid of vermin life, destined in -nature to devour corruption, by scattering handfuls of ants over the -scorched skin and quivering flesh of their victim.</p> - -<p>Generally among the Guinea negroes, the ordeal employed to detect this -crime, is to compel the accused to drink a decoction of sassy-wood. -This may be rendered harmless or destructive, according to the object -of the fetishman. It is oftener his purpose to destroy than to save, -and great cruelty has in almost all cases been found to accompany the -trial.</p> - -<p>Plunder is the reward of the soldier. In the central regions this was -increased by the sale of captives. Captives of both sexes were the -chief’s property. Thus the warriors looked to the acquisition of wives -from the chief, as the recompense of successful wars. They announced -this as their aim in their preparatory songs. The chief was, therefore, -to them the source of every thing. Their whole thought responded to his -movements, and sympathized with his greatness and success.</p> - -<p>Women in Africa are everywhere slaves, or the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</span> slaves of slaves. The -burdens of agricultural labor fall on them. When a chief is announced -as having hundreds or thousands of wives, it signifies really that he -has so many female slaves. There does not appear to be any tribe in -Africa, in which it is not the rule of society, that a man may have -as many such wives as he can procure. The number is of course, except -in the case of the supreme chief, but few. The female retinue of a -sovereign partakes everywhere of the reverence due to its head. The -chief and his household are a kind of divinity to the people. His name -is the seal of their oath. The possibility of his dying must never -be expressed, nor the name of death uttered in his presence. Names -of things appearing to interfere with the sacredness of his, must be -changed. His women must not be met or looked at.</p> - -<p>In war, as long as success depends alone on individual prowess, -the strong and athletic only can be successful soldiers. Where the -weapons, rather than the person are the source of power, docility and -endurance are qualities more valuable than strength. In these the -weaker sex, in savage life, surpasses the other; hence women have -appeared in the world as soldiers. It was probably the introduction of -the arrow, killing at a distance, as superior in effect and safety to -the rude clubs and spears of earlier conflict, which originated the -Amazons of old history. The same fact is resulting<span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</span> in Africa from the -introduction of the musket. Females thus armed were found, commonly as -royal guards, in the beginning of the last century. The practice still -continues in the central regions.</p> - -<p>In Dahomey a considerable proportion of the national troops consists -of armed and disciplined females. They are known as being royal -women, strictly and watchfully kept from any communication with men, -and seem to have been trained, through discipline and the force of -co-operation, to the accomplishment of enterprises, from which the -tumultuous warriors of a native army would shrink. A late English -author (Duncan) says, “I have seen them, all well armed, and generally -fine, strong, healthy women, and doubtless capable of enduring great -fatigue. They seem to use the long Danish musket with as much ease as -one of our grenadiers does his firelock, but not of course with the -same quickness, as they are not trained to any particular exercise; but -on receiving the word, make an attack like a pack of hounds, with great -swiftness. Of course they would be useless against disciplined troops, -if at all approaching to the same numbers. Still their appearance -is more martial than the generality of the men, and if undertaking -a campaign, I should prefer the female to the male soldiers of this -country.”</p> - -<p>The same author thus describes a field review of these Amazons, which -he witnessed: “I was conducted<span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</span> to a large space of broken ground, -where fourteen days had been occupied in erecting three immense prickly -piles of green bush. These three clumps or piles, of a sort of strong -brier or thorn, armed with the most dangerous prickles, were placed in -line, occupying about four hundred yards, leaving only a narrow passage -between them, sufficient merely to distinguish each clump appointed to -each regiment. These piles were about seventy feet wide and eight feet -high. Upon examining them, I could not persuade myself that any human -being without boots or shoes would, under any circumstances, attempt -to pass over so dangerous a collection of the most efficiently armed -plants I had ever seen.”</p> - -<p>The Amazons wear a blue striped cotton surtout, manufactured by the -natives, and a pair of trowsers falling just below the knee. The -cartridge-box is girded around the loins.</p> - -<p>The drums and trumpets soon announced the approach of three or four -thousand Amazons. “The Apadomey soldiers (female) made their appearance -at about two hundred yards from, or in front of, the first pile, where -they halted with shouldered arms. In a few seconds the word for attack -was given, and a rush was made towards the pile with a speed beyond -conception, and in less than one minute the whole body had passed -over this immense pile, and had taken the supposed town. Each of the -other piles was passed with the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</span> same rapidity, at intervals of twenty -minutes.” “When a person is killed in battle, the skin is taken from -the head, and kept as a trophy of valor. I counted seven hundred scalps -pass in this manner. The captains of each corps (female), in passing, -again presented themselves before his majesty, and received the king’s -approval of their conduct.” These heroines, however, say that they are -no longer women, but men.</p> - -<p>The people of Ashantee and Dahomey are considerably in advance of -those on the coast. They cultivate the soil extensively, manufacture -cotton cloth, and build comparatively good houses. They have musical -instruments, which, if rude, are loud enough. Their drums and horns add -to the stateliness of their ceremonies. Of such exhibitions they are -very fond, and consider it a national honor if they can render them -impressive to strangers. The Dahomeans are about one hundred miles in -the interior, west of the Niger.</p> - -<p>Necessity has occasionally driven some of the southern tribes to -adopt the practice of cannibalism. There it has ever excited horror -and disgust. Those who have practised it are distinguished by an -appellation setting them apart from other men. Among some of the -central tribes it has prevailed rather, however, in all appearance, -from superstitious motives, or as an exhibition of triumphant revenge, -than in the revolting form which it assumes among some of the -Polynesian islanders.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="subhead">TRADE—METALS—MINES—VEGETABLE -PRODUCTIONS—GUMS—OIL—COTTON—DYE-STUFFS.</p> - - -<p>The trade of Africa for an almost indefinite time must consist of the -materials for manufactures.</p> - -<p>The fact that old formations reposing on granite, or distorted by it, -form a large proportion of its geological surface, indicates that -useful metals will probably be found in abundance. In comparing it with -California and Australia as to the probability of finding deposits of -the more valuable metals, two circumstances of great importance must -be kept in view. These countries were possessed by natives who had no -domesticated animals, and therefore were not called upon to exercise -over the soil the same inquisitive inspection for herbage and water as -were required from the races among the mountains and deserts of Africa, -so that the chances of finding any thing were not the same.</p> - -<p>The other circumstance is, that metals were comparatively little -known to the aborigines of California, and not at all to those of -New Holland, so that discoveries of the kind would neither be sought -for, nor reckoned of much value when they occurred. On the other<span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</span> -hand, metals of all kinds have during indefinite eras been regarded -as of high importance, and have been used in various ways by the -African nations. Copper, and some alloys of it, seem to be used for -ornaments throughout the whole south. These are smelted from the ores -by the natives. They also manufacture their own iron. Their desires, -therefore, and their necessities, and their arts, render it probable -that no deposits of metals exist, except such as require scientific -skill to discover, and mechanical resources to procure.</p> - -<p>Gold is not in this predicament. Wherever it occurs in abundance, it -has been collected by elemental waste from disintegrated rocks, and is -mixed with gravel and alluvial matters in those portions where men of -nomadic habits, and familiar with metal ornaments, would most readily -meet and appropriate it. Some, probably a great proportion, of the gold -of ancient Egypt, was got by a laborious process of grinding, on which -their wretched captives were employed. This would not have been the -case if the metal had been found plentifully throughout the extensive -regions with which they were acquainted.</p> - -<p>An addition to the metallic riches of the world from Africa, is -therefore to be looked for in the discovery of deep-seated mines, -if there are any, and in better modes of working those which exist, -particularly the alluvial deposits of gold along the northern shores -of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</span> the Gulf of Guinea and the shores of the Mozambique Channel. The -present export of gold from all Africa, probably amounts to about two -millions of dollars per annum.</p> - -<p>The vegetable articles of export are of great value. Cotton may be -produced in unlimited abundance. The African dye-stuffs are already -recognized as extensive and valuable articles of commerce. Indigo is -used extensively by the natives. When we recollect that the vast trade -of Bengal in this article has been created within the memory of men -still living, and that India possesses no natural advantages beyond -those of Africa, we may infer what a profusion of wealth might be -poured rapidly over Africa by peace and good government.</p> - -<p>Gums, of various kinds, constitute a branch of trade which may -be considered as only commencing. The extensive employment of -india-rubber, and the knowledge of gutta-percha, are only a few years -old. Africa gives promise of a large supply of such articles. Its -caoutchouc has already been introduced into the arts.<span class="fnanchor" id="fna2"><a href="#fn2">[2]</a></span><span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</span> It may be -long before the natural sources of supply found in its marshy forests -can be exhausted. Be that as it may; when men are induced, as perhaps -they soon will be, to substitute regular cultivation for the wild and -more irregular modes of procuring articles which are becoming every -day of more essential importance, Africa may take a great share in the -means adopted to supply them.</p> - -<p>Palm-oil has become pre-eminently an object of attention. The modes of -procuring it are very rude and wasteful. The palm-nuts are generally -left for a day or two, heaped together in a hole dug in the ground. -They are then trodden by the women, till they form a greasy pulp; out -of this the oil is rudely strained through their fingers, or water is -run into the hole to float the oil, and it is skimmed off with their -hands into a calabash. In Benin they employ the better mode of boiling -it off. The oil occurs in a kind of pulp surrounding the seed, as is -the case with the eatable part of the common date; it is evident, -therefore, that more suitable modes of producing it may be put in -practice.</p> - -<p>What may be done in the production of sugar and coffee, no man can -tell. James Macqueen, who has, during great part of his life, devoted -his attention to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</span> the condition and interests of Africa, gave evidence -before a committee of the British House of Peers, in 1850, to the -following effect: “There is scarcely any tropical production known in -the world, which does not come to perfection in Africa. There are many -productions which are peculiarly her own. The dye-stuffs and dye-woods -are superior to any which are known in any other quarter of the world, -inasmuch as they resist both acids and light, things which we know -no other dye-stuffs, from any other parts of the world, can resist. -Then there is the article of sugar, that can be produced in every -part of Africa to an unlimited extent. There is cotton also, above -all things—cotton of a quality so fine; it is finer cotton than any -description of cotton we know of in the world. Common cotton in Africa -I have seen, and had in my possession, which was equal to the finest -quality of American cotton.</p> - -<p>“Egyptian cotton is not so good as the cotton away to the south; but -the cotton produced in the southern parts of Africa is peculiarly -fine. Africa is a most extraordinary country. In the eastern horn of -Africa, which you think to be a desolate wilderness, there is the -finest country, and the finest climate I know. I know of none in South -America equal to the climate of the country in the northeastern horn -of Africa. It is a very elevated country; and on the upper regions -you have all the fruits, and flowers, and grain of Europe growing; -and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</span> in the valleys you have the finest fruits of the torrid zone. The -whole country is covered with myrrh and frankincense; it is covered -with flocks and herds; it produces abundance of the finest grain. Near -Brasa, for instance, on the river Webbe, you can purchase as much -fine wheat for a dollar as will serve a man for a year. All kinds of -European grain flourish there. In Enarea and Kaffa, the whole country -is covered with coffee; it is the original country of the coffee. You -can purchase an ass’s load (200 lbs.) of coffee in the berry for about -a dollar. The greater portion of the coffee that we receive from Mocha, -is actually African coffee, produced in that part.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</span></p> - -<p class="footnote p2" id="fn2"><a href="#fna2">[2]</a> The <abbr title="reverend">Rev.</abbr> J. Leighton Wilson, who was a missionary of the American -Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, at Cape Palmas and at -the Gaboon River for more than twenty years, first called attention -to a vine, or creeper, as affording india-rubber. It is now collected -from this plant in the Gaboon district; and two or three cargoes have -already been shipped to this country, with a prospect of its becoming -a lucrative article of trade. We may look to intelligent missionaries, -like <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Wilson, for securing such benefits to traffic and art, as well -as to science and literature. We are glad to learn that he contemplates -an extended work on Africa, which will no doubt be highly acceptable to -the public.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.</h2> -</div> - - -<p class="subhead">EUROPEAN COLONIES—PORTUGUESE—REMAINING INFLUENCE OF THE -PORTUGUESE—SLAVE FACTORIES—ENGLISH COLONIES—TREATIES WITH -THE NATIVE CHIEFS—INFLUENCE OF SIERRA LEONE—DESTRUCTION OF -BARRACOONS—INFLUENCE OF ENGLAND—CHIEFS ON THE COAST—ASHANTEE—KING -OF DAHOMEY.</p> - - - -<p>The Portuguese commercial discoverers having succeeded those of France, -and founded trading establishments on the coast of Africa, were -driven from the sea-shore by the rivalry and power of the Dutch and -the English, about the year 1604. They retired into the interior, and -commingled with the negroes. From their intermarriages arose a race of -mulattoes, who have long exercised considerable influence. As early as -1667, this influence had become detrimental to commerce and discovery. -They closed against others the entrances to the great region of more -elevated lands, and carried on trade, without rivals, from Benin to -Senegambia, over two thousand miles. They had generally little chapels -near their houses, and spared no pains to make proselytes.</p> - -<p>How much might these men have done for the good<span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</span> of Africa and the -progress of the world! Following their lines of commerce, and cresting -the high lands, which feed, with rains and rivulets, the Gambia and -the Niger, as well as the streams by which they dwell, they might -have saved two centuries of doubt and hazardous attempts, and much -sacrifice of good and talented men. They might earlier have let in -Christian civilization to repel the Moslem and redeem the negro. -Portuguese influence is gone, and has left the world little reason to -regret its extinction. On the rising and almost impervious forest-lands -which are at the distance of from twenty to fifty miles back from the -coast, these Portuguese mulattoes are still found, watching for their -monopoly, with the same jealous exclusiveness as of old. These forests -thus inhabited, form, at present, a serious obstacle to the extension -of the influence of Liberia. An enterprising people, however, occupying -the great tracts of cleared lands along the coast, which constitute -the actual territories of the republic, will, with the progress of -the settlements, and the increase of their power, soon be enabled, -notwithstanding the short navigable distance of the rivers, to open -communication with the far interior.</p> - -<p>The Portuguese founded cities and missions. A more extensive authority -was gained by them over great and populous regions, both on the eastern -and western shores, than has been attained by any other<span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</span> people. The -title of “Lord of Guinea” was fairly claimed for the King of Portugal, -by the establishment of this sovereign’s supremacy over various native -kingdoms. But Portugal wanted the light and strength of a nation—a -righteous and intelligent policy.</p> - -<p>The establishments on the east coast now scarcely keep their ground, -ever shrinking before the barbarian and the Arab. <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Paul de Loando, -on the southwest coast, is shrivelled down from its former greatness. -Both regions have rich capabilities; both might have extended a useful -influence, until they met and embraced in the centre, uniting these -vast regions with the great movements of human progress; but they clung -to the slave-trade, and its curse has clung to them.</p> - -<p>They misunderstood human nature, and overlooked its high destiny. Of -the Spaniards and Portuguese concerned in slaving, Captain Dunlop, of -the British Navy, long attached to the English squadron on the African -coast, says: “They speak of the African as a brute, who is only fit to -be made a slave of, and say that it is quite chimerical and absurd in -us to attempt to put down the trade, or to defend men who were only -born to be slaves.”</p> - -<p>Other nations only founded slave factories. Every thing peculiar to -this influence was bad. Compared with the ounces of gold and tusks -of ivory which drew the cupidity of early navigators, there arose -everywhere<span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</span> a traffic, far more rapid, but it was that of cruelty, -bringing with it vice. Brandy and arms, drunkenness and war, followed -as the remuneration of rapine and slaving. The gross vices of Europe -added to the mischief. Legitimate trade, which might have flourished -for centuries, withered; and the rank which the white man held among -the natives, made him a source of wide corruption. Little good could -come out of the state of society in Europe during the last century, for -little good was in it. This state of things has improved.</p> - -<p>The three nations whose interference seems likely to have a conspicuous -effect upon the interests of Africa in the future, are <em>France</em>, -<em>England</em>, and the <em>United States</em>.</p> - -<p>France will have all the Mediterranean shore, and the caravan trade -across the deserts. But this will diminish in activity and value, as -the trade of the other shores extends, and as the way across from them -to the interior becomes easier. No great influence can, therefore, be -in this way exercised over the prosperity of the African people.</p> - -<p>England holds the south; but the natives around the Cape of Good -Hope are greatly isolated from the interior by deserts and climates -hostile to European life. Democracy has a footing there, inasmuch as -Dutch colonists have retired from under English jurisdiction, and -formed a government for themselves, which has been acknowledged by -England. After suffering, and trial,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</span> and privation shall have taught -independence of thought and patriotism, a respectable confederacy of -states may be formed in these regions.</p> - -<p>Every effort that is just and suitable, is made to extend English -influence along the shores of negro lands. The expenditure in -endeavoring to extirpate the slave-trade is very great; and great -devotedness and heroism have been seen in attempts to explore the -interior. Both objects are drawing towards completion; but the -permanently beneficial influence of England rests on the establishment -of Sierra Leone and the extended coasting trade, arising from the -semi-monthly line of English steamers which touch there.</p> - -<p>England has established twenty-four treaties with native kings, -chiefs, or powers, for the suppression of the slave-trade; seventeen -of these are with chiefs whose territories have fallen under the -influence of the Republic of Liberia and Cape Palmas. The influence -of these governments has now replaced that of England, by sweeping -the slave-trade from their territory of about six hundred miles. The -great proportion of recaptured slaves, chiefly men and boys, who -have been thrown into the population of Sierra Leone, has loaded it -heavily. Of these, altogether not less than sixty thousand have, at -different times, been introduced; yet, with the original colonists—the -Novascotians, Canadians and the Maroons from Jamaica—the whole do not -now extend<span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</span> beyond forty-five thousand; still, Sierra Leone has long -been a focus of good emanations. It embraces a territory small compared -with Liberia. The government is repressive of native energy, on account -of the constant superintendence of white men, and the subordination of -the colony to a distant and negligent government.</p> - -<p>One momentous effect of its influence, however, has come permanently -forward, tending to carry rapid improvement widely over the western -regions of Africa. These recaptured slaves, and their descendants, many -of them, are returning to their native lands, elevated in character -by the instruction they have received. Three thousand of them are now -settled among their brethren of the Yoruba tribe, near the mouth of -the Niger, and there, superintended by two or three missionaries, are -sending abroad, by their influence and example, the light of Divine -truth.</p> - -<p>Sierra Leone and the naval squadrons have rendered great service to -Liberia. It is perfectly obvious that the colony could not have existed -if left to itself under the old system of pirating and slave-trading. -Those who did not spare European forts, would have had no scruple -at plundering and extinguishing such opponents of their traffic. It -must in justice be admitted, that a fair surrender of what might, in -reality, be considered as conquered territory, has been made by England -to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</span> Liberia. The instances of such transactions show a greatly advanced -state of morality in the public dealings of nations, and in this, even, -the African has begun to partake.</p> - -<p>Sierra Leone was founded on the 9th of May, 1787, by a party of four -hundred negroes, discharged from the army and navy. They were joined by -twelve hundred from Nova Scotia in 1792.</p> - -<p>In 1849, the country around the river Sherboro, intervening between -Sierra Leone and Monrovia, had been carrying on a war for about seven -years, and at length commenced plundering the canoes of the Sierra -Leone people. The acting governor soon brought them to terms. This -vexed the slavers at the Gallinas, who had long been an annoyance to -the Liberian authorities. It was the slavers’ policy to keep up the -excitement and strife, that they might in the mean time drive a brisk -trade unmolested.</p> - -<p>The English cruisers at length blockaded the Gallinas. They ascertained -that, notwithstanding the blockade, abundance of goods were received -by the enemy. The mystery was at length solved by discovering that the -slave-traders, through small creeks and lagoons, had received what they -wanted from Sierra Leone. The case was referred to the governor to have -this prevented, and by the governor it was referred to the lawyers. -They shook their wigs solemnly over the complaint,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</span> and decided that -nothing within the compass of the law suited the case, and therefore -nobody could interfere.</p> - -<p>Captain Dunlop, in command of the cruisers, a good naval diplomatist, -ready in the cause of justice and humanity to make precedents where -none could be found, informed the Sherboro chiefs, that a treaty -existed between them and his government for the suppression of the -slave-trade; and suggested to them the virtue and the profit of seizing -the goods brought from Sierra Leone. The chiefs had the smallest -possible objections which honest men could have, to appropriate the -slavers’ goods to themselves. On the principle of employing a thief in -office for the moral benefit of his companions, this matter was easily -settled. The goods were seized in their transit. It was also stipulated -with these chiefs, that they should stop all trade and intercourse -between their own people and the slave barracoons. Having now no chance -of sending off slaves, and no means of getting any thing from Sierra -Leone or elsewhere, the slavers, established at the Gallinas—regarded -for the present as no man’s land—were obliged to come to terms.</p> - -<p>Captain Dunlop landed to receive their surrender. But to spare his own -men in the sickliest season of the year, he applied to a chief for -one hundred and fifty hands; these he obtained, and soon after three -hundred<span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</span> more joined him, and remained for the five or six weeks, while -the affair was being settled. These men behaved as well as disciplined -troops, or rather better, for although among an enemy’s property, there -was no drunkenness or plunder.</p> - -<p>An idea of the extent of the slave-establishment may be had from the -fact that sixty foreigners were made prisoners. They hailed from -everywhere, and were sent to Sierra Leone to find passage to Brazil, -Cuba and other places.</p> - -<p>The chiefs who had been in partnership with them, found themselves -none the worse for this summary breaking up of the firm. They cleared -off their national debt. In the way of trade they had come under -obligations to this establishment to the extent of seven thousand -slaves, and they found themselves at liberty honestly to “repudiate,” -or rather their obligation was discharged, as slaves were no longer a -lawful tender. The chiefs, however, were required to set at liberty -all slaves collected but not delivered. These amounted to about a -thousand. A preparation was here made for the extension of Liberia, and -afterwards, as will be seen, that government came into possession of -this territory, and thus secured a still greater extent of coast from -the intrusion of the slaver.</p> - -<p>English influence is extending by means of factories and agents -all along the coast, from Cape Palmas to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</span> the Gaboon (about twelve -hundred miles), for commercial purposes and for the suppression of the -slave-trade. These establishments are supported by the government. -Commissioners proceed from them to enter into negotiations on the -subject of the slave-trade with the powerful chiefs of the interior, -and curious results sometimes occur from the prestige thus gained.</p> - -<p>One of the great Ashantee chiefs came over to the English, during -the war in which Sir Charles McCarthy was killed, and retained his -independence on the borders of the two powers. Governor McLean, at Cape -Coast Castle, learnt that this chief had offered human sacrifices as -one of his “customs.” A summons, in a legal form, was dispatched to him -by a native soldier, citing him to appear for trial for this offence. -Agreeably to the summons, he marched to the court in great state, -surrounded by his chiefs and attendants. He was tried, convicted, and -heavily fined. He was then dismissed, with an order to remit the money. -This he immediately did, although there was no force, except moral -supremacy, to constrain him to obey. There has been no slaving at Cape -Coast Castle since the trade was abolished forty years ago.</p> - -<p>There are only forty British officers’ and soldiers in all the line of -forts, with one hundred of the West India regiment, and about fifty -native militia-men. The annual expense of the establishments is about -twenty<span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</span> thousand dollars; although, as the government has lately -purchased, for fifty thousand dollars, the Danish forts, the expense -will be materially increased.</p> - -<p>The interior is improving. Captain Winniet visited Ashantee in October, -1849. He found on the route large thriving additional villages, as far -as English protection extended. He was received at Kumassi with the -usual display of African music, musketry, and marching. He was led for -a mile and a half through a lane at heads and shoulders, clustered -thick on both sides. There were here and there diverging branches -of a like character, as thick with heads and shoulders; and at the -end of each, a chief sitting in his chair of state. To and by each -chief, a hand was waved as a salutation, until the monarch himself -was reached. He rose, came forward, and, with heavy lumps of gold -dangling at his wrists, exhibited his agility in dancing. When this -act of state ceremony had been properly <em>done up</em>, he offered -his hand to shake, and thus completed the etiquette of a reception at -court. The houses, with piazzas projecting to shelter them from the -sun—public-rooms in front, and dwelling-rooms behind, nicely plastered -and colored—were greatly admired.</p> - -<p>The pleading about the slave-trade was the main business and the main -difficulty; but the nature of such negotiations appears, in its most -impressive aspect, in the case of Dahomey.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</span></p> - -<p>This chief professes great devotedness to England. In consequence of -some difficulty, he gave notice to European foreigners, “that he was -not much accustomed to cut off white heads, but if any interfered with -an agent of the English government, he would cut off their heads as -readily as those of his black people.” By murderous incursions against -his neighbors, he seized about nine thousand victims annually. He sold -about three thousand of these directly on his own account, gave the -rest chiefly away to his troops, who sold them: a duty of five dollars -being paid on each slave exported, afforded him altogether a revenue of -about three hundred thousand dollars.</p> - -<p>This was a serious matter to argue against. He stated the case -strongly: “The form of my government cannot be suddenly changed without -causing such a revolution as would deprive me of my throne, and -precipitate the kingdom into anarchy.... I am very desirous to acquire -the friendship of England. I and my army are ready, at all times, to -fight the queen’s enemies, and do any thing the English government may -ask of me, except to give up the slave-trade. No other trade is known -to my people. Palm-oil, it is true, is engaging the attention of some -of them, but it is a slow method of making money, and brings only a -very small amount of duties into my coffers. The planting of cotton -and coffee has been suggested, but that is slower still. The trees -have<span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</span> to grow, and I shall probably be in my grave before I reap any -benefit from them; and what am I to do in the mean time? Who will pay -my troops in the mean time? Who will buy arms and clothes for them? Who -will buy dresses for my wives? Who will give me supplies of cowries, -rum, gunpowder and cloth, for my annual ‘customs?’ I hold my power by -the observance of the time-honored customs of my forefathers. I should -forfeit it, and entail on myself a life full of shame, and a death full -of misery, by neglecting them. The slave-trade has been the ruling -principle of my people. It is the source of their glory and wealth. -Their songs celebrate their victories, and the mother lulls the child -to sleep with notes of triumph over an enemy reduced to slavery. Can I, -by signing such a treaty, change the sentiments of a whole people? It -cannot be!”</p> - -<p>The case was a puzzling one for this intelligent, open-hearted, and -ambitious barbarian. He had trained an army of savage heroes, and as -savage heroines, thirsting for distinction and for plunder. This army -cowers at his feet as long as he satiates its appetite for excitement, -rapine and blood. But woe to him if it turn in disappointed fury upon -him! Such is military despotism; perilous to restrain, and perilous to -let loose. Blessed is that people which is clear of it!</p> - -<p>There is this strange incident in the affair, that the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</span> English power, -which sent an ambassador to plead the case with him in this peaceful -mode, was at the same time covering the sea with cruisers, and lining -the shore with factories, and combining every native influence to -extinguish the sole source from which flowed the security and splendor -of his rule. He knew this, and could offer no moral objection to it, -although complaining of the extent to which it reduced his authority, -and crippled his resources.</p> - -<p>The urgency to which the King of Dahomey was subjected, ended, in -1852, in his yielding. England had proposed to pay him some annual sum -for a time, as a partial compensation for the loss of his revenue: -it may therefore be presumed that he is a stipendiary of the British -government; and as the practices given up by him can scarcely, in -any circumstances, be suddenly revived, his interest will retain -him faithful to the engagement. It is a strange, bold, and perilous -undertaking, that he should direct his disciplined army, his hero and -his heroine battalions, to the arts of peace! But to these he and they -must henceforward look as the source of their wealth, security, and -greatness.</p> - -<p>Queen Victoria, it is said, has lately sent the King of Dahomey two -thousand ornamental caps for the Amazon soldiers.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</h2> -</div> - - -<p class="subhead">DAHOMEY—SLAVISH SUBJECTION OF THE PEOPLE—DEPENDENCE OF THE KING -ON THE SLAVE-TRADE—EXHIBITION OF HUMAN SKULLS—ANNUAL HUMAN -SACRIFICES—LAGOS—THE CHANGES OF THREE CENTURIES.</p> - - - -<p>Dalziel, in slave-trading times, shocked the world with details in -reference to Dahomey. Duncan and Forbes have again presented the -picture in the same hues of darkness and of blood. Ghezo is a good king -as things go, and rather particularly good for an African, for whom the -world has done nothing, and who, therefore, cannot be expected to do -much for the world. He has a threatening example before him. His elder -brother is a prisoner, with as much to eat and more to drink than is -good for him—caged up by a crowd of guards, who prevent him from doing -any thing else. He was deposed, and reduced to this state, because his -rule did not suit his subjects.</p> - -<p>Ghezo, therefore, has the office of seeing men roll on the earth -before him, and scrape up dust over themselves; of being deafened -by vociferations of his dignity and virtue and glory and honor, -by court poets and parasites,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</span> on state occasions; the office of -keeping satisfied, with pay and plunder, the ferocious spirit of -a blood-thirsty people; the office of looking out for some victim -tribe, whom, by craft and violence, they may ruin; and the office of -procuring, catching and buying some scores of human victims, whom he -and his savages murder, at different set seasons, in public.</p> - -<p>A good share of this used to be effected by means of the slave-trade. -But that is gone, or nearly so, and with it may go much of the atrocity -of Dahomean public life. Things are yet, however, and may long remain, -in a transition state. He and his people will not suddenly lose their -taste for the excitement of human suffering; and it would be a danger -for which, it is probable, he has not the moral courage, or a result -for which he has no real wish, to bring old national ceremonies to a -sudden pause. But there are circumstances likely to act with effect in -producing the change, which is a matter destined to occur at some time -or other, and to be obtained when it occurs only in one mode; and the -sooner the process is begun, the sooner it will end.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp80" id="img004" style="max-width: 62.5em;"> -<img class="w100" src="images/004.jpg" alt="Skull Ornaments and Banners of Dahomey" /><br /> -<div class="caption"> - -<table class="autotable" style="font-size: 0.8em;"> -<tr> -<td><em>F.E. Forbes, delt.</em> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<em>Lith. of Sarony & <abbr title="company">Co.</abbr> <abbr title="New York">N. Y.</abbr></em></td> -</tr> -</table> -<p class="center p0"> -SKULL ORNAMENTS & BANNERS OF DAHOMEY.</p> -</div> -</div> - -<p>As to what it is that higher principles must banish from the world, -Commander Forbes, of the British Navy, in 1850, the latest visitor of -that country who has given an account of it, tells us what he saw. -He <span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</span>says: “There is something fearful in the state of subjection -in which, in outward show, the kings of Dahomey hold their highest -officers; yet, when the system is examined, these prostrations are -merely keeping up of ancient customs. Although no man’s head in Dahomey -can be considered warranted for twenty-four hours, still the great -chief himself would find his tottering if one of these customs was -omitted.”</p> - -<p>They were preparing for the ceremony of watering the graves of the -royal ancestors with blood; during which the king also presents some -victims as a royal gift to his people. This merely means that they are -knocked down in public, and their heads cut off, amidst trumpeting, and -clamor, and jesting.</p> - -<p>“With much ceremony,” we read, “two large calabashes, containing the -skulls of kings,” conquered by the Dahomeans, “ornamented with copper, -brass, coral, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>, were brought in and placed on the ground. Some -formed the heads of walking-sticks, distaffs; while those of chiefs -and war-men ornamented drums, umbrellas, surmounted standards, and -decorated doorways. They were on all sides in thousands.”</p> - -<p>“There was much to disgust the white man in the number of human -skulls and jaw-bones displayed; but can the reader imagine twelve -unfortunate human beings lashed hands and feet, and tied in small -canoes and baskets, dressed in clean white dresses, with a high red -cap, carried on the heads of fellow-men? These,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</span> and an alligator and a -cat, were the gift of the monarch to the people—prisoners of war.”... -“When carried round the court, they bore the gaze of their enemies -without shrinking. At the foot of the throne they halted, while the -<em>Mayo</em> presented each with a head (bunch) of cowries, extolling -the munificence of the monarch, who had sent it to them to purchase a -last meal, for to-morrow they must die.”</p> - -<p>Again: “But of the fourteen now brought on the platform, we the -unworthy instruments of the Divine will, succeeded in saving the lives -of three. Lashed as we have described before, these sturdy men met the -gaze of their persecutors, with a firmness perfectly astonishing. Not -a sigh was breathed. In all my life I never saw such coolness before, -so near death.... The victims were held high above the heads of their -bearers, and the naked ruffians thus acknowledged the munificence -of their prince.... Having called their names, the nearest one was -divested of his clothes; the foot of the basket placed on the parapet, -when the king gave its upper part an impetus, and the victim fell at -once into the pit beneath. A fall upwards of twelve feet may have -stunned him, and before sense could return, his head was cut off, and -the body thrown to the mob; who, now armed with clubs and branches, -brutally mutilated it and dragged it to a distant pit.” Forbes and his -companion had retired to their seats away from the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</span> sight. Two sons -of Da Souza, the notorious slayer, remained to look on.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp80" id="img005" style="max-width: 57.875em;"> -<img class="w100" src="images/005.jpg" alt="The Platform of the Ah-Toh" /><br /> -<div class="caption"> - -<table class="autotable" style="font-size: 0.8em;"> -<tr> -<td><em>F.E. Forbes, delt.</em> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<em>Lith. of Sarony & <abbr title="company">Co.</abbr> <abbr title="New York">N. Y.</abbr></em></td> -</tr> -</table> -<p class="center p0"> -THE PLATFORM OF THE AH-TOH.</p> -</div> -</div> - -<p>The circumstance most likely to have effect in restraining these -barbarities, is the value which slaves will now bear as the means -of cultivating the ground, and raising exportable produce, to which -alone the monarch and people must look, in the diminished state of the -slave-trade, to furnish means for their expenses. Victims and slaves -will also be more difficult to be procured by warfare, inasmuch as -civilized people have more general access to the country, and will -introduce a better policy, and more powerful defensive means among -the people. Christianity also is adventuring there, and carrying its -peaceful influence and nobler motives with it.</p> - -<p>Lagos plundered recaptured slaves returning to their homes. The -authorities deserved no favor. A better man—perhaps a more legitimate -claimant for the royal dignity—was found, and after a severe fight, -in which the British cruisers warmly participated, he was seated on -the throne. A severe blow was given to the slave-trade. Affairs seemed -to be going on smoothly until early in the autumn of 1853, when a -revolution broke out, amidst which the king died, and the country, as -far as is known, remains in confusion.</p> - -<p>The present is an interesting period in the history of the world. -Changes are rapid and irrevocable. Circumstances<span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</span> illustrative of -the condition of our race as it has been, are disappearing rapidly. -The future must trust to our philosophic observation, and faithful -testimony, for its knowledge of savage life. The helplessness, and -artlessness, and miserable shifts of barbarism are becoming things -of the past. There is perhaps no region of the earth which is now -altogether beyond the reach of civilized arts. Shells, and flints, and -bows, and clubs, and bone-headed spears are everywhere giving way to -more useful or more formidable implements. Improvements in dress and -tools and furniture will soon be universal. The history of man as he -has been, requires therefore to be written now, while the evidence -illustrative of it has not altogether vanished.</p> - -<p>The changes of the last three centuries have, to only a slight degree, -influenced the African races. An inaccessible interior, and a coast -bristling with slave-factories, and bloody with slaving cruelties, -probably account for this. The slight progress made shows the obduracy -of the degradation to be removed, and the difficulty of the first -steps needed for its removal. Wherever the slave-trade or its effects -penetrated, there of course peace vanished, and prosperity became -impossible. This evil affected not only the coast, but spread warfare -to rob the country of its inhabitants, far into the interior regions. -There were tribes, however,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</span> uninfluenced by it, and some of these -have gained extensive, although but temporary authority. Yet nowhere -has there been any real civilization. It is singular that these people -should have rested in this unalloyed barbarism for thousands of years, -and that there should have been no native-born advancement, as in -Mexico, or Peru, or China; and no flowing in upon its darkness of any -glimmering of light from the brilliant progress and high illumination -of the outside world. It has been considered worthy of note, that a few -years ago one of the Veys had contrived a cumbrous alphabet to express -the sounds of his language; but it is surely, to an incomparable -degree, more a matter of surprise, that centuries passed away in -communication with Europeans, without such an attempt having been made -by any individual, of so many millions, during so many generations of -men.</p> - -<p>The older state of negro society, therefore, still continues. With -the exception of civilized vices, civilized arms, and some amount of -civilized luxuries, life on the African coast, or at no great distance -from it, remains now much the same as the first discoverers found it.</p> - -<p>As it was two hundred years ago, the food of the people consists of -rice, maize and millet; or the Asiatic, the American and the African -native grains. A few others, of comparatively little importance, might -be<span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</span> added to these. Many fruits, as bananas, figs and pumpkins, compose -part of their subsistence.</p> - -<p>Flesh of all kinds was used abundantly before European arms began -to render game scarce. Fish along the coast, and beside the rivers -and interior lakes, are used, except by some tribes, who regard them -as unclean. The Bushmen south of Elephants’ Bay, reject no kind of -reptile. The snake’s poison arms their weapon, and its body is eaten. -As the poisons used act rapidly, and do not affect the flesh of the -animal, it is devoured without scruple and without danger. Throughout -all the deserts, as in ancient times, the locust, or large winged -grasshopper, is used as an article of food, not nutritive certainly, -but capable of sustaining life. The wings and legs are pulled off, and -the bodies are scorched, in holes heated as ovens, and having the hot -sand hauled over them.</p> - -<p>In Dahomey, according to Duncan, there is some improvement in -agriculture, traced to the return from the Brazils of a few who had -been trained as slaves in that empire. This influence, and that of -ideas imported from civilized society, seem to be more prevalent in -Dahomey than elsewhere. The present sovereign has mitigated the laws, -diminished the transit duties, and acted with such judicious kindness -towards tribes who submitted without resistance, that his neighbors, -tired<span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</span> of war and confusion, have willingly, in some instances, -preferred to come under his jurisdiction.</p> - -<p>These circumstances, together with the treaty formed by England with -the King of Dahomey, in 1852, for the suppression of the slave-trade, -indicate that a new destiny is opening for the African races. It may -be but rarely that a man of so much intelligence gains power; and the -successor of the present king may suffer matters to decline; but still -great sources of evil are removed, and the people are acquiring a taste -for better practices. Human sacrifices have, to a great extent, been -abolished; and the wants of cultivation will of themselves render human -life of higher value. The two great states of Ashantee and Dahomey, now -both open to missionary influence, are likely to run an emulative race -in the career of improvement.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.</h2> -</div> - - -<p class="subhead">STATE OF THE COAST PRIOR TO THE FOUNDATION OF LIBERIA—NATIVE -TRIBES—CUSTOMS AND POLICY—POWER OF THE FOLGIAS—KROOMEN, -ETC.—CONFLICTS.</p> - - - -<p>The lands chosen as the site of the American colony excited attention -in olden times. “Africa would be preferable to Europe,” said the -French navigator Villault in 1667, “if it were all like Cape Mount.” -He launches out with delight on the beauty of the prospects, and the -richness of the country. He says, “There you find oranges, almonds, -melons, pumpkins, <em>cherries</em> and plums,” and the abundance of -animals was so great that the flesh was sold “for almost nothing.” -Of the Rio Junco he remarks, “The banks are adorned with trees and -flowers; and the plains with oranges, citrons and palms in beautiful -clumps.” At Rio Cesters he found a people rigidly honest, who had -carefully preserved the effects of a deceased trader, until a vessel -arrived to receive them.</p> - -<p>Another Frenchman, Desmarchais, in the succeeding century was invited -by “King Peter” to form an establishment on the large island at -Cape Mesurado, but<span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</span> he preferred the Cape itself, on account of the -advantages of its position.</p> - -<p>The country adjoining Mesurado, although subsequently harassed and -wasted by the slave-trade, had in early times a national history and -policy, containing incidents which illustrate the character of savage -man as displayed in such social arrangements as his dull apprehension -can contrive. This will be apparent from circumstances in its history -during the sixteenth century.</p> - -<p>The country was held chiefly by divisions of a great community, known -by the common name of Monoo. The Gallas and the Veys were intruders, -but nearly related. The Mandi, or head of the Monoo, retained reverence -and dignity, but had lost dominion.</p> - -<p>The subordinate tribes ranged themselves in rank, according to the -power they possessed, which varied with temporary circumstances. Thus -the Monoo lorded it over the Folgias; the Folgias over the Quojas, and -the Quojas over the Bulams and Kondos.</p> - -<p>Their fortresses were square inclosures, surrounded by stout palisades, -driven close together, having four structures somewhat in the form of -bastions, through which, and under their defence, were the entrances -to the place. Two streets in the interior, crossing each other in the -centre, connected these entrances. They had a kind of embrasures or -port-holes in these wooden<span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</span> walls, out of which they threw assagays or -spears and arrows.</p> - -<p>Along the eastern bank of the Junco, stretched the lands of the Kharoo -Monoos, the <em>Kroomen</em> so well known to our cruisers of the present -day. The Folgias weakened in warfare had recourse to the sorceries of -a celebrated performer in that line, whose policy in the case savored -very greatly of earthly wisdom. He recommended religious strife as -the best mode of weakening the enemy. They therefore contrived to -excite some “old school and new school” controversy with regard to the -sacredness of a pond held in reverence by the Kroos.</p> - -<p>It was a matter of Kroo orthodoxy, that into this pond the great -ancestor and author of their race had descended from heaven, and there -first made his appearance as a man. Hence it was the faith of their -established church to make offerings to the pond in favor of the fish -that dwelt there.</p> - -<p>Now it was also an old and ever-to-be-respected law among them, that -no fish should be boiled with the scales on. Amid their career of -victory, the audacious and criminal fact was one day discovered, that -into the sacred pond, the just object of reverence to an enlightened -and religious people, there had been thrown a quantity of fish boiled -in a mode which indicated contempt for every thing praiseworthy and -national, inasmuch<span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</span> as not a scale had been scraped off previously to -their being boiled.</p> - -<p>The nation got into a ferment about the fish-scales. From arguments -they went to clubs and spears. Parties accusing and parties accused -defended their lives, in “just and necessary wars,” while the Folgias -looked on until both were weak enough to be conquered. The victors, -however, were generous. Their chief married the sister of Flonikerri, -the leader of the Kroos, and left him in sovereignty over his people. -Flonikerri showed his loyalty by resisting an attack on the Folgias by -the Quabo of the southeast.</p> - -<p>In the mean time the great sovereign Mendino, king of the Monoos, had -died; and as negro chiefs are or ought to be immortal, and as no king -can die except by sorcery, his brother Manomassa was accused as having -contrived his death. He drank the sassy-wood, and survived, without -satisfying the people. As the sorcerers proposed to hold a kind of -court of inquiry upon the case, Manomassa, indignant at the charge, -surrendered himself to the care of the “spirits of the dead,” and went -away among the Gala.</p> - -<p>There his character gained him the office of chief. But annoyed at -their subsequent caprice, he threw himself upon the generosity of the -Folgias, who employed Flonikerri to reinstate him in his dominion over -the Gala. Flonikerri had in fact become a kind of generalissimo<span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</span> of the -united tribes. He was afterwards employed in subduing the Veys of Cape -Mount; and after various battles, reduced them to offer proof of their -submission. This consisted in each swallowing some drops of blood from -a great number of chickens, which were afterwards boiled; they ate the -flesh, reserving the legs, which were delivered to the conqueror, to be -preserved as a memorial of their fealty.</p> - -<p>Flonikerri fell in battle, resisting a revolt of the Galas. Being hard -pressed, he drew a circle round him on the ground, vowing that within -it he would resist or die. Kneeling there he expired under showers of -arrows.</p> - -<p>His brother and successor, Killimanzo, extended the authority of the -tribe by subduing the Quilligas along the Gallinas river. The son of -the latter, Flanseer, extended their conquests to Sierra Leone, crushed -some rebellions, and left a respectable domain under the sway of his -son Flamburi. Then it was that the energy, skill and vices of Europeans -came powerfully into action among the contentions of the natives, until -they rendered war a means of revenue, by making men an article of -merchandise for exportation.</p> - -<p>The same language prevailed among all their tribes. The most cultivated -dialect was that of the Folgias, who prided themselves greatly on the -propriety and the elegance of their speech, and on the figurative -illustrations<span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</span> which they threw into it. They retained their supremacy -over the Quojas, notwithstanding the extended dominion of the latter. -This was indicated by the investiture of the chief of the Quojas with -the title of Donda, by the king, or Donda, of the Folgias. The ceremony -bore the character of abasement almost universal among the negro race. -The Quoja aspirant, having approached the Folgia chief in solemn state, -threw himself on the ground, remaining prostrate until the Folgian had -thrown some dust over him. He was then asked the name he chose to bear. -His attendants repeated it aloud. The king of the Folgians pronounced -it, adding the title of Donda; and the whole multitude seized and -shouted it with loud acclamations. He was invested with a bow and -quiver. Mutual presents concluded the ceremony.</p> - -<p>State and dignity, of such a character as could be found among savages, -were strictly enforced in these old times. Ambassadors did not enter -a territory until they had received permission, and until an officer -had been sent to conduct them. There were receptions, and reviews, and -stately marchings, trumpetings, drummings, and singing of songs, and -acclamations, and flatteries.</p> - -<p>The attendants of the ambassador prostrated themselves. He was only -required to kneel, but, having bent his head in reverence, he wheeled -round to the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</span> people, and drew the string of his bow to its full -bent, indicating that he became the king’s soldier and defender. -Then came his oration, which was repeated, sentence by sentence, in -the mouth of the king’s interpreter. The Quojas claimed the credit -of best understanding the proper ceremonies of civil life. How great -is the difference between this population, and the few miserable -slave-hunters, who subsequently ravaged, rather than possessed, these -shores!</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="subhead">GENERAL VIEWS IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF COLONIES—PENAL COLONIES—VIEWS -OF THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES IN REFERENCE TO AFRICAN -COLONIES—STATE OF SLAVERY AT THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR—NEGROES WHO -JOINED THE ENGLISH—DISPOSAL OF THEM BY GREAT BRITAIN—EARLY -MOVEMENTS WITH RESPECT TO AFRICAN COLONIES—PLAN MATURED BY <abbr title="doctor">DR.</abbr> -FINLEY—FORMATION OF THE AMERICAN COLONIZATION SOCIETY.</p> - - - -<p>The views of men in founding colonies, have varied in different ages -of the world. Although, however, some special inducement may have been -pre-eminent at different times, yet a multiplicity of motives have -generally combined in leading to such undertakings. Hannibal found the -municipal cities, or Roman colonies of Italy, the obstacles to his -conquest of the republic. It was with provident anticipation of such -an effect that they were founded. Lima in Peru, and other places in -Brazil and elsewhere, had their origin in similar aims. Differences -in political views have led to the foundation of many colonies; and, -superadded to these, religious considerations have had their influence -in the settlement of some of the early North American colonies.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</span></p> - -<p>In the small republics of Greece, the seditious, or the -criminal—sometimes whole classes of men, whose residence was -unsuitable to the general interests—were cast adrift to go where they -chose, probably making a general jail delivery for the time being.</p> - -<p>Modern efforts of the kind are, upon the whole, more systematic. A -colony sent for settlement or for subsistence, is purely so. A military -colony is purely military, or, more generally, is nothing else than a -garrison. A colony of criminals is restricted to the criminals. In this -case a new element characterizes the modern system, for the object is -not merely to remove the criminal, but to reform him. England has done -much in this way. It is a great result, that in Australia there are now -powerful communities, rich with the highest elements of civilization; -constituted to a great extent of those who otherwise, as the children -of criminals, would have been born to wretchedness and depravity, to -cells and stripes and brandings and gibbets, as their inheritance.</p> - -<p>But such experiments are not capable of indefinite repetition; space is -wanting for them in the world. Nations are now called by the imperious -force of circumstances, or more properly speaking, by the decree of -Providence, to the nobler task of preventing rather than punishing; -of raising society from the pollution of vice rather than curing or -expelling it. This higher<span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</span> effort, which is natural to the spirit -of Christianity, should have accompanied it everywhere. A nation is -responsible for its inhabitants, and ought to master whatever tends to -crime among them. Those whom it sends abroad should be its citizens, -not its reprobates. It owes to the world, that the average amount of -virtue in it accompany its transferred communities, so that the world -does not suffer by the transference. This must be the case when a -race unsuitably placed is, on account of that unsuitableness only, -transported to a location more suitable.</p> - -<p>A case which is exceptional in regard to common instances, will be when -the higher and better motives to colonization take precedence of all -others. Such an instance is that of returning the negro race to their -own land. It is exceptional in this respect, that the transfer of that -race to its more suitable locality is mainly an effort of philanthropic -benevolence. Its motives, however, excel in degree, not in kind. The -same inducements which at all times influenced colonizing measures, -have had their place, with more or less force, in these schemes. In -deriving support for them it has been necessary to appeal to every -motive, and seek assistance by every inducement.</p> - -<p>The increase of national prosperity, the promotion of national -commerce, the relief of national difficulties, the preservation of -national quiet, have all been urged<span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</span> on the different orders of men -appealed to. It has been shown how all these circumstances would -influence individual interests, while the higher Christian and -philanthropic aims to be fulfilled by these efforts have not been -overlooked. All this is perfectly right; and if right in us, it is also -right in others. It would have been satisfactory if in the two parties, -America and England, in respect to their measures towards African -establishments, there had been more nobleness in their discussions, -less national jealousies in all parties, less of sneering censure of -national ambition, selfishness or grasping policy, while both parties -were in fact making appeals to the very same principles in human -nature, which foster national ambition, or selfishness, or grasping -policy.</p> - -<p>Although African colonization originated with, and has been sustained -wholly by individuals, in the United States, England has regarded it in -the same light with which this country has looked upon her acquisition -of foreign territory.</p> - -<p>There is, however, a high superiority in these schemes of African -colonization, although it be but in degree. The best and holiest -principles were put prominently forward, and men of corresponding -character called forth to direct them. They sought sympathy and aid -from the English African Association, and from the Bible and Missionary -Societies of this land. They<span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</span> were truly efforts of Christianity, -throwing its solid intelligence and earnest affections into action for -the conquest of a continent, by returning the Africans to their home, -and making this conquest a work of faith and labor of love.</p> - -<p>The slavery imported and grafted on this country by foreign political -supremacy, when the country was helpless, has been subjected to a trial -never undergone by such an institution in any other part of the world. -An enemy held dominion where slavery existed, and while the masters -were called upon to fight for their own political independence, there -was opportunity for the slave to revolt or escape if such had been his -wish. Those who are not acquainted with the ties uniting the slave -to his master’s household, and the interest he feels in his master’s -welfare, would expect that when a hostile army was present to rescue -and to defend them, the whole slave population would rise with eager -fury to avenge their subjection, or with eager hope to escape from it. -But the historical truth is, that very few indeed of the colored men -of the United States, whether slaves or free, joined the English or -Tory party in the Revolutionary War. Thus the character impressed on -the institution frustrated the recorded expectation of those who forced -this evil upon a reluctant people—that the position and the influence -of the negro in society would forever check republican spirit and keep -the country in dependence.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</span></p> - -<p>The small number of colored persons who did join the English produced -no slight difficulty. That small number ought perhaps to have been -easily amalgamated somehow or other with the vast amount of the English -population. That this did not happen, and did not seem possible, -is perfectly evident. Either color, or character, or position, or -something else, which it is for the English people to explain, -prevented this. Many of them were found in the lanes and dens of vice -in London, without the prospect of their ever amalgamating with the -Londoners, and therefore only combining incumbrance, nuisance, and -danger by their presence there.</p> - -<p>This condition of things, as is well known, excited the attention and -sympathy of Granville Sharpe, and led to the foundation of the colony -of Sierra Leone, as a refuge for them.</p> - -<p>Great Britain found herself hampered on a subsequent occasion with the -charge of a few hundreds of the Maroons, or independent free negroes -of Jamaica. It was known that it would not answer to intermingle them -with the slave population of that island. The public good was found -imperiously to require that they should be removed elsewhere. They -afterwards constituted the most trustworthy portion of the population -of Sierra Leone.</p> - -<p>Similar difficulties have pressed with a manifold<span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</span> weight on society in -this country. Jefferson, with other distinguished statesmen, endeavored -to remedy them. Marshall, Clay, Randolph, and others shared in his -anxieties. A suitable location was sought after for the settlement of -the free negroes in the lands of the West. The Portuguese government -was afterwards sounded for the acquisition of some place in South -America. But these schemes were comparatively valueless, for they -wanted the main requisite,—that Africa itself should share in the -undertaking.</p> - -<p>When Christian benevolence looked abroad upon the face of the world to -examine its condition and its wants, Africa was seen, dark, gloomy, -and vast and hopeless, with Egyptian darkness upon it,—“darkness that -might be felt,”—while Europe guarded and fought for it as a human -cattle-fold, to be plundered with an extent and atrocity of rapine such -as the world elsewhere had never beheld. Africa, therefore, became the -object of deep interest to the Christian philanthropy of this country, -and all things concurred to bring out some great enterprise for its -benefit and that of the African race in America.</p> - -<p>In 1773 slavery was not only common in New England, but the slave-trade -was extensively carried on in Rhode Island and other northern states. -<abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> Hopkins became convinced of the injustice of the traffic, and in -conjunction with <abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> Stiles, afterwards President of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</span> Yale College, -made an appeal to the public in behalf of some colored men whom he was -preparing for an African mission. These men were nearly qualified for -proceeding to Africa when the Revolutionary War frustrated the scheme, -which, in its character, was rather missionary than colonial.</p> - -<p>Paul Cuffy, a colored man born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, who -had risen to the possession of considerable wealth, and commanded a -vessel of his own, induced about forty colored people to embark in his -vessel for Sierra Leone, where they had every facility for a settlement -afforded them.</p> - -<p><abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> Thornton, of Washington, in 1783, suggested the practical course -of establishing a colony in Africa, and obtained in some of the New -England States the consent of a number of colored persons to accompany -him to that coast. This project failed for want of funds. No better -success attended an application of <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Jefferson, as secretary of -state, directed to the Sierra Leone company.</p> - -<p>The State of Virginia, in legislative session, 1800-1805, and 1816, -discussed the subject of colonization, and contributed greatly to -prepare the public mind for subsequent action on the subject.</p> - -<p>The <abbr title="reverend">Rev.</abbr> <abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> Finley, of New Jersey, matured a plan for the purpose, and -proceeded to Washington, where, after consultation with a few friends, -a meeting was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</span> called on the 25th of December, 1816. Henry Clay -presided; Andrew Jackson, William H. Crawford, <abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> Finley, and others, -were elected vice-presidents. The American Colonization Society was -formed with the resolution to be free, and Christian, and national.</p> - -<p>There was peace in the world. Society was awakening to a remorseful -consideration of the iniquities which had been practised on the African -race in their own land, and of the condition of its population in this. -The gradual emancipation of slaves, as favored by Jefferson and others -in the early days of the republic, was discussed. But the objects -sought in the formation of the Colonization Society, were the removal -and benefit of the free colored population, together with such slaves -as might have freedom extended to them with the view of settlement in -Africa. And thus the work of forming an African nation in Africa, with -republican feelings, impressions and privileges, and with Christian -truth and Christian civilization, was commenced.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.</h2> -</div> - - -<p class="subhead">FOUNDATION OF THE AMERICAN COLONY—EARLY AGENTS—MILLS, BURGESS, -BACON, AND OTHERS—<abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> SLOOP-OF-WAR “CYANE”—ARRIVAL AT THE -ISLAND OF SHERBORO—DISPOSAL OF RECAPTURED SLAVES BY THE <abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> -GOVERNMENT—FEVER—SLAVES CAPTURED—<abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> SCHOONER “SHARK”—SHERBORO -PARTIALLY ABANDONED—U. S. SCHOONER “ALLIGATOR”—SELECTION AND -SETTLEMENT OF CAPE MESURADO—CAPTAIN STOCKTON—<abbr title="doctor">DR.</abbr> AYRES—KING -PETER—ARGUMENTS WITH THE NATIVES—CONFLICTS—<abbr title="doctor">DR.</abbr> AYRES MADE -PRISONER—KING BOATSWAIN—COMPLETION OF THE PURCHASE.</p> - - - -<p>In November, 1819, the Colonization Society appointed the <abbr title="reverend">Rev.</abbr> <abbr title="misters">Messrs.</abbr> -Samuel J. Mills and Ebenezer Burgess as its agents; with directions to -proceed, by the way of England, to the west coast of Africa, for the -purpose of making inquiries and explorations as to a suitable location -for a settlement. They arrived in Sierra Leone in the month of March -following, and visited all the ports from thence to the island of -Sherboro.</p> - -<p>At Sherboro, about sixty miles <abbr title="South South East">S. S. E.</abbr> from Sierra Leone, the agents -found a small colony of colored people, settled by John Kizel, a South -Carolina slave, who had joined the English in the Revolutionary War, -and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</span> at its close was taken to Nova Scotia, from whence he sailed, -with a number of his countrymen, to the coast of Africa. Here he -became prosperous in trade, built a church, and was preaching to his -countrymen. By Kizel and his people the agents were kindly received. -He expressed the opinion, that the greater part of the people of color -in the United States would ultimately return to Africa. “Africa,” said -Kizel, “is the land of black men, and to Africa they must and will -come.”</p> - -<p>After the agents had fulfilled their duties, they sailed for the United -States. <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Mills died on the passage. In a public discourse, by the -<abbr title="reverend">Rev.</abbr> <abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> Leonard Bacon, of New Haven, <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Mills is thus alluded to: “He -wandered on his errands of mercy from city to city; pleading now with -the patriot, for a country growing up to an immensity of power; and -now with the Christian, for a world lying in wickedness. He explored -in person the devastations of the West, and in person he stirred up to -enterprise and to effort the churches of the East. He lived for India -and Hawaii, and died in the service of Africa.” <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Burgess gave so -satisfactory a report of his mission, that the society was encouraged -to proceed in its enterprise.</p> - -<p>The political friends of colonization, being desirous of affording aid -to the incipient efforts of the society, accomplished their object -through Wm. H. Crawford,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</span> one of the vice-presidents, who proposed to -the government, that recaptured slaves should be sent in charge of -an agent to the colonies in Africa. He called the attention of the -government to a number of slaves who had been received in the state of -Georgia, subsequently to the law of Congress, in 1807, prohibiting the -slave-trade. These slaves were to have been sold in payment of expenses -incurred in consequence of their seizure and detention by the state -authorities. The Colonization Society proposed to take them in charge, -and restore them to Africa, provided the government would furnish an -agent for the purpose.</p> - -<p>Agreeably to the views of the Colonization Society, and to guard -against an occurrence of a character similar to that in Georgia, -Congress passed an act, on the <abbr title="third">3d</abbr> of March, 1819, by which the -President of the United States was authorized to restore to their -own country, any Africans captured from American or foreign vessels -attempting to introduce them into the United States in violation of -law; and to provide, by the establishment of a suitable agency on the -African coast, for their reception, subsistence and comfort, until -they could return to their relatives, or derive support from their own -exertions. Thus the government became indirectly connected with the -society.</p> - -<p>It was determined to make the site of the government agency on the -coast of Africa, that of the colonial<span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</span> agency also; and to incorporate -into the settlement all the blacks delivered by our men-of-war to the -government agent, as soon as the requisite arrangements should be -completed.</p> - -<p>The <abbr title="reverend">Rev.</abbr> Samuel Bacon received the appointment of both government and -colonial agent, having associated with him John P. Bankson and <abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> -Samuel A. Crozer, the society’s agents; and with eighty emigrants, -sailed on the 6th of February, 1820, for the coast of Africa. The U. -S. sloop-of-war Cyane, also bound to the coast, under orders from the -government, accompanied the emigrant vessel, but parted company after -being a few days at sea. The vessels met at Sierra Leone, whence they -proceeded to the island of Sherboro.</p> - -<p>The confidence of the new agents in Kizel was greatly impaired by -finding that he had given impressions of the place where he resided, -which were much too favorable. The fever made its appearance among -the people, who were loud in their complaints of every thing, and -their conduct was any thing but commendable. Many were detected in -petty thefts, falsehoods and mischiefs of a disgraceful nature. About -twenty or twenty-five of the emigrants died. The remainder survived -the acclimating fever, and in a few weeks regained their health. <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> -Bacon himself fell a victim to it; but to the last his confidence in -the ultimate success of African colonization was unabated. He remarked<span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</span> -that he had seen ninety-five native Africans landed together in -America, who, the first year, were as sickly as these. And regarding -himself, he said: “I came here to die; and any thing better than death, -is better than I expected.” Lieutenant Townsend, one of the officers -of the Cyane, also died of the fever. After this disastrous attempt at -forming a settlement, Sherboro was partially abandoned, and several of -the emigrants were removed to Sierra Leone.</p> - -<p>Had timid counsels prevailed, the cause of colonization would have been -no longer prosecuted. But the society determined to persevere, trusting -that experience and the choice of a more salubrious situation would -guard against a repetition of these disasters.</p> - -<p>The <abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> sloops-of-war Cyane and John Adams in cruising off the -coast captured five slavers, which were sent to the United States for -adjudication.</p> - -<p>In the year following <abbr title="misters">Messrs.</abbr> Winn and Bacon (brother of the deceased -agent) on the part of the government, and <abbr title="misters">Messrs.</abbr> Andrews and -Wiltberger by the society, were appointed agents, and proceeded to -Sierra Leone, with forty effective emigrants to recruit the party sent -out the preceding year. In a personal interview with <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Wiltberger, -and from some notes communicated by him, the author has derived much -interesting and reliable information relating to the colony<span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</span> during his -agency, extending to the purchase and settlement of Liberia.</p> - -<p>The island of Sherboro was wholly abandoned, and the remaining -emigrants removed to Sierra Leone.</p> - -<p>In 1822, <abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> Ayres was appointed colonial physician and agent, and -proceeded in the <abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> schooner Shark to Sierra Leone. Soon afterwards -the <abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> schooner Alligator arrived with orders from the government -to co-operate with the agents of the society at Sierra Leone. Captain -Stockton, her commander, with <abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> Ayres and seven of the emigrants, -proceeded on a cruise of exploration down the coast, and on the 12th of -December anchored off Cape Mesurado, in <abbr title="latitude">lat.</abbr> 6° 19´ N., and <abbr title="longitude">long.</abbr> 10° -48´ <abbr title="West">W.</abbr></p> - -<p>“That is the spot we ought to have,” said Captain Stockton, pointing to -the high bluff of the cape; “that should be the site of our colony. No -finer spot on the coast.” “And we must have it,” added <abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> Ayres.</p> - -<p>They landed without arms, to prove their peaceful intentions, and sent -an express to King Peter for negotiations. The natives collected in -large bodies, until the captain and agent were surrounded without the -means of defence, except a demijohn of whiskey and some tobacco, which -convinced the natives that no hostility was then intended.</p> - -<p>King Peter at length appeared, and a long palaver took place, when the -agent informed him that their<span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</span> object was to purchase the cape and -islands at the mouth of the river. He strongly objected to parting with -the cape, saying, “If any white man settle there, King Peter would die, -and his woman cry a plenty.” The agents represented to him the great -advantages in trade, which the proposed settlement would afford to his -people. After receiving a vague promise from the king that he would let -them have the land, the palaver broke up.</p> - -<p>On the 14th instant the palaver was renewed at the residence of the -king, whither, as a measure of the last resort, Captain Stockton and -the agent had determined to proceed. The first word the king said was, -“What you want that land for?” This was again explained to him. One of -the men present accused them of taking away the King of Bassa’s son -and killing him; another of being those who had quarrelled with the -Sherboro people. A mulatto fellow also presented himself to Captain -Stockton, and charged him with the capture of a slave-vessel in which -he had served as a seaman. The prospects now looked very gloomy, as -here were two men in the midst of a nation exasperated against them. -But by mixing a little flattery with threatening, Captain Stockton -regained his advantage in the discussion. He explained his connection -with the circumstances, and complained of their constant vacillation -of purpose in reference to the lands. The old king was at<span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</span> length -pacified, and promised to call some more kings, and have a meeting the -following day for the purpose of ceding the lands.</p> - -<p>Several palavers of a more amicable nature were afterwards held, and -the kings at last consented to cede a tract of land, receiving as -a compensation goods to the value of about three hundred dollars. -The deed bears on it the marks for signatures of King Peter, King -George, King Zoda, King Long Peter, King Governor, King Jimmy, and the -signatures of Captain Robert F. Stockton and Eli Ayres, M. D.</p> - -<p>The tract ceded included Cape Mesurado and the lands forming nearly a -peninsula between the Mesurado and Junk rivers—about thirty-six miles -along the sea-shore, with an average breadth of about two miles.</p> - -<p>Captain Stockton then left the coast with the Alligator, placing -Lieutenant Hunter in command of a schooner, who, with <abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> Ayres and -the men, proceeded to Sierra Leone, and brought from thence all the -working men to Cape Mesurado. They disembarked on the smaller of the -two islands amidst the menaces of the natives.</p> - -<p>It was ascertained on their arrival that King Peter had been denounced -by many of the kings for having sold the land to a people who would -interfere with the slave-trade, and were hostile to their old customs. -The king was threatened with the loss of his head; and it<span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</span> was decreed -that the new people should be expelled from the country. <abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> Ayres at -length succeeded in checking the opposition of the kings, and restored -apparent tranquillity.</p> - -<p>The island on which the colonists first established themselves, was -named Perseverance. It was destitute of wood and water, affording no -shelter except the decayed thatch of a few small huts. Thus exposed in -an insalubrious situation, several of the people were attacked with -intermittent fever. By an arrangement with King George, who claimed -authority over a part of the northern district of the peninsula of -Mesurado, the colonists, on their recovery, were permitted to cross -the river, where they cleared the land, and erected a number of -comparatively comfortable buildings; when, in the temporary absence of -<abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> Ayres, a circumstance occurred which threatened the extinction of -the colony.</p> - -<p>A small slaver, prize to an English cruiser, bound to Sierra Leone, -ran into the port for water. During the night she parted her -cable, and drifted on shore, near King George’s Town, not far from -Perseverance Island. Under a prescriptive right, when a vessel was -wrecked, the natives claimed her, and accordingly proceeded to take -possession. The English prize-officer resisted, and after one or two -shots the assailants hastily retreated. The officer learning that -another attack was meditated, sent to the colony for aid. One of the -colonists—temporarily<span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</span> in charge during the absence of the agents -to bring the women and children from Sierra Leone—regardless of the -admonition to avoid “entangling alliances,” and approving “the doctrine -of intervention,” promptly afforded assistance. The second attack was -made, but the colonists and prize-crew, with the help of one or two -rounds of grape and cannister from a brass field-piece on the island, -which was brought to bear on the assailants, soon scattered them, with -the loss of two killed and several wounded. On the following day, they -renewed their assualt with a greater force, and were again repulsed, -but an English sailor and one colonist were killed.</p> - -<p>This interference on the part of the colonists, in behalf of the -slave-prize, greatly exasperated the natives; not merely from the loss -of their men and the vessel, but from the apprehension that their most -valued privileges were about being invaded; and especially that the -slave-trade, on which they depended for their gains and supplies, would -be destroyed. The natives, therefore, determined forthwith to extirpate -the colony while in its feeble and defenceless state.</p> - -<p>In the mean time, <abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> Ayres, having returned, found the colonists -confined to the island; and as the stores had become nearly exhausted, -and the rainy season was about setting in—superadded to the vindictive -feelings of the natives towards the people—the agents proposed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</span> -to re-embark for Sierra Leone, and abandon the new settlement. <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> -Wiltberger strenuously opposed the agents’ proposal, and, after -ascertaining that the colonists were disposed to remain at Mesurado, -<abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> Ayres cheerfully assented.</p> - -<p>The kings then adopted the deceitful policy of pretending to be -conciliated, and inveigled <abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> Ayres into their power. He became their -prisoner, and in that condition appeared to consent to take back the -portion of goods which had been received towards the payment of the -land, but evaded their peremptory order for the immediate removal of -the people, by showing its impossibility, on account of the want of a -vessel for the purpose. They finally gave permission that they might -remain, until he should have made arrangements to leave the country. -In this dilemma, Bă Caiă, a friendly king, at the suggestion of <abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> -Ayres, appealed to King Boatswain,<span class="fnanchor" id="fna3"><a href="#fn3">[3]</a></span> whose power the maritime tribes -well understood,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</span> and with whom he was in alliance. King Boatswain -came down to the coast, and by a direct exertion of his authority, -convoked the hostile kings. He also sent for the agents and principal -settlers to appear before him, and explain the nature of their claims, -and present their grievances. The respective allegations of the parties -were heard. King Boatswain decided in favor of the colonists. He said -that the bargain had been fair on both sides, and that he saw no -grounds for rescinding the contract. Turning then to King Peter, he -laconically remarked: “Having sold your country, and accepted payment, -you must take the consequences.... Let the Americans have their lands -immediately. Whoever is not satisfied with my decision, let him tell me -so.” Then turning to the agents: “I promise you protection. If these -people give you further disturbance, send for me; and I swear, if they -oblige me to come again to quiet them, I will do it by taking their -heads from their shoulders, as I did old King George’s, on my last -visit to the coast to settle disputes.”</p> - -<p>In this decision both parties acquiesced, whatever<span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</span> their opinion might -have been as to its equity. The settlers immediately resumed their -labors on the grounds near the Cape.</p> - -<p>The Dey tribe (King Peter’s) saw that a dangerous enemy had been -introduced among them. King Peter, with whom we must have sympathy, -was impeached, and brought to trial on a charge of having betrayed the -interests of his people, and sold part of the country to strangers. The -accusation was proven; and, for a time, there was reason to believe -that he would be executed for treason.</p> - -<p>Soon after King Boatswain had returned to his country, the colony -was again threatened. The agent called another council of kings; -and after some opposition to his claim for the disputed territory, -the whole assembly—amounting to seventeen kings, and thirty-four -half-kings—assented to the settlement; and on the 28th of April, 1822, -formal possession was taken of Cape Mesurado.</p> - -<p><abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> Ayres and <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Wiltberger now returned to the United States, the -former to urge the wants of the colony, and the latter from ill health. -Before they left, Elijah Johnson, of New York, one of the colonists, -who had on various occasions distinguished himself, was appointed to -superintend the colony during their absence.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</span></p> - -<p class="footnote p2" id="fn3"><a href="#fna3">[3]</a> Boatswain was a native of Shebar. In his youth, he served in some -menial capacity on board of an English merchant vessel, where he -acquired the name which he still retains. His personal qualifications -were of the most commanding description. To a stature approaching seven -feet in height, perfectly erect, muscular and finely proportioned; a -countenance noble, intelligent and full of animation, he united great -comprehension and activity of mind; and, what was still more imposing, -a savage loftiness, and even grandeur of sentiment—forming altogether -an assemblage of qualities obviously disproportioned to the actual -sphere of his ambition. He was prodigal of every thing except the means -of increasing the terror of his name. “I give you a bullock,” said -he to an agent of the society, “not to be considered as Boatswain’s -present, but for your breakfast.” To his friend Bă Caiă, he once sent: -“King Boatswain is your friend; he therefore advises you to lose not a -moment in providing yourself plenty of powder and ball; or, in three -days (the least possible time to make the journey), let me see my -fugitive woman again.”</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII.</h2> -</div> - - -<p class="subhead">ASHMUN—NECESSITY OF DEFENCE—FORTIFICATIONS—ASSAULTS—ARRIVAL -OF MAJOR LAING—CONDITION OF THE COLONISTS—SLOOPS-OF-WAR -“CYANE” AND “JOHN ADAMS”—KING BOATSWAIN AS A SLAVER—MISCONDUCT -OF THE EMIGRANTS—DISINTERESTEDNESS OF ASHMUN—<abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> SCHOONER -“PORPOISE”—CAPTAIN SKINNER—<abbr title="reverend">REV.</abbr> R. R. GURLEY—PURCHASE OF TERRITORY -ON THE <abbr title="saint">ST.</abbr> PAUL’S RIVER—ATTACK ON TRADE-TOWN—PIRACIES—<abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> -SCHOONER “SHARK”—SLOOP-OF-WAR “ONTARIO”—DEATH OF ASHMUN—CHARACTER -BY <abbr title="reverend">REV.</abbr> <abbr title="doctor">DR.</abbr> BACON.</p> - - -<p>The acting agent of the colony judiciously managed its affairs until -the arrival of <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Ashmun and his wife, with thirty-seven emigrants, -part of whom were recaptured slaves, who had been delivered over to -the Colonization Society by the Marshal of Georgia, under the Act -of Congress already noticed. <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Ashmun held the appointments of -government and society’s agent. He took a comprehensive view of the -colony. The entire population did not exceed one hundred and thirty, of -whom thirty only were capable of bearing arms. The settlement had no -adequate means of defence. He found no documents defining the limits of -the purchased territory—explaining the state of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</span> negotiations with -the natives, or throwing light on the duties of the agency.</p> - -<p>It was now perceived that means, as well as an organized system of -defence were to be originated, while the materials and artificers for -such purposes were wanting. One brass field-piece, five indifferent -iron guns and a number of muskets, ill-supplied with ammunition, -comprised all the means for defence. These were brought from the island -and mounted, and such fortifications as the ability and resources -of the agent could construct were erected. Public stores and more -comfortable houses were also raised. The settlement, except on the -side towards the river, was closely environed with the heavy forest. -This gave an enemy an important advantage. The land around was, -consequently, cleared up with all possible dispatch.</p> - -<p><abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Ashmun experienced an attack of fever. On the following day his -wife was seized, and soon afterwards died: she thus closed a life of -exemplary faith and devotedness.</p> - -<p>It has been observed, that the dread of provoking King Boatswain’s -resentment, led the hostile kings to assume a show of friendship; -but the disguise could not conceal their intentions. The chiefs -attributed the departure of the agents to a want of spirit, and dread -of their power. The arrival of <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Ashmun had delayed the execution -of their purpose, of a general<span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</span> attack on the colony; but when the -vessel sailed, early in October, which had brought out the agent and -emigrants, a council of kings determined upon instant hostilities. -King George had abandoned his town early in September, leaving the -Cape in possession of the colonists. This had been regarded by the -natives as the first step of colonial encroachments; if left alone for -a few years, they would master the whole country. The natives refused, -throughout the consultation, to receive any pacific proposals from the -colony.</p> - -<p>On the 7th of November, <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Ashmun, although still suffering from -the effects of fever, examined and strengthened the defences. Picket -guards were posted during the night, and every preparation made for a -vigorous defence. On the 11th the attack was commenced by a force of -eight hundred warriors. The picket, contrary to orders, had left their -station in advance of the weakest point of defence; the native force, -already in motion, followed close in the rear of the picket, and as -soon as the latter had joined the detachment of ten men stationed at -the gun, the enemy, presenting a front, opened their fire, and rushed -forward to seize the post; several fell, and off went the others, -leaving the gun undischarged. This threw the small reserve in the -centre into confusion, and had the enemy followed up their advantage, -victory was certain; but such was their avidity for plunder, that they<span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</span> -fell upon the booty in the outskirts of the town. This disordered -the main body. <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Ashmun, who was too ill to move at any distance, -was thus enabled, by the assistance of one of the colonists, <abbr title="reverend">Rev.</abbr> -Lot Carey, to rally the broken forces of the settlers. The brass -field-piece was now brought to bear, and being well served, did good -execution. A few men, commanded by Elijah Johnson, passed round on the -enemy’s flank, which increased their consternation, and soon after the -front of the enemy began to recoil. The colonists now regained the post -which had at first been seized, and instantly brought the long-nine -to bear upon the mass of the enemy; eight hundred men were in a solid -body, and every shot literally spent itself among them. A savage yell -was raised by the enemy, and the colonists were victors.</p> - -<p>In this assault the colonists (who numbered thirty-five) had fifteen -killed and wounded. It is impossible to estimate the loss of the -natives, which must have been very great. An earnest but ineffectual -effort was made by the agent to form with the kings a treaty of peace.</p> - -<p>Notwithstanding this disastrous result, the natives determined upon -another attack. They collected auxiliaries from all the neighboring -tribes who could be induced to join them. The colonists, on the other -hand, under Ashmun, the agent, were busily engaged in fortifying<span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</span> -themselves for the decisive battle, upon which the fate of the -settlement was suspended. On the 2d of December the enemy attacked -simultaneously the three sides of the fortifications. The colonists -received them with that bravery and determination which the danger of -total destruction in case of defeat was calculated to inspire. The main -body of the enemy being exposed to a galling fire from the battery, -both in front and flank, and the assault on the opposite side of the -town having been repulsed, a general retreat immediately followed, and -the colonists were again victorious.</p> - -<p><abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Ashmun received three musket-balls through his clothes; three of -the men stationed at one of the guns were dangerously wounded; and -not three rounds of ammunition remained after the action. Had a third -attack been made, the colony must have been conquered; or had the first -attack occurred before the arrival of <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Ashmun, it would have been -extirpated. But its foundations were now secured by a firm and lasting -peace.</p> - -<p>The British colonial schooner Prince Regent, with a prize crew in -charge of Midshipman Gordon, R. N., opportunely arrived, with Major -Laing, the African traveller, on board, by whose influence the kings, -being tired of the war, signed a truce, agreeing to submit all their -differences with the colony to the Governor of Sierra Leone. Midshipman -Gordon and his crew volunteered<span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</span> to assist the colonists, and see -that the truce was preserved inviolate. The Prince Regent furnished -a liberal supply of ammunition. Four weeks after sailing, Midshipman -Gordon and eight of his men had fallen victims to the malaria of this -climate, so inimical to the constitution of white men.</p> - -<p>At this period, 1823, the colonists were in a sad condition: their -provisions were nearly consumed, trade exhausted, lands untilled, -houses but partially covered; the rainy season was approaching, and the -people, in many instances, had become indolent and improvident. Captain -Spence, of the Cyane, arrived at the Cape, and proceeded to adopt -efficient measures for the benefit of the colony. He fitted out the -schooner Augusta, under the command of Lieutenant Dashiell, with orders -to cruise near the settlement and render it aid. <abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> Dix, the surgeon -of the Cyane, died of the fever. Upon her leaving the coast, Richard -Seaton, the captain’s clerk, volunteered to remain as an assistant -to <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Ashmun. In the course of two or three months he fell a victim -to the fever, and his death was soon followed by that of Lieutenant -Dashiell, of the Augusta. On the homeward-bound passage of the Cyane -forty of the crew died from the effects of the African climate, -superadded to those of the climate of the West Indies, where she had -been cruising previously to proceeding to the African coast.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</span></p> - -<p>The slave-trade had received no effectual check. King Boatswain, -although one of the best friends of the colony, partook in no degree -of the views for which it had been established, and at this time -committed an act of great atrocity, in making an attack at night upon -an inoffensive tribe, murdering all the adults and infants, and seizing -upon the boys and girls, in order to fulfil his engagements with a -French slaver.</p> - -<p>In the month of May, <abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> Ayres brought a reinforcement of sixty -emigrants. He announced his appointment as the government and colonial -agent. <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Ashmun was at the same time informed that a bill drawn -by him to defray expenses for the necessities of the colony had -been dishonored, and that the board of directors of the society had -withdrawn from him all authority except as sub-agent. Very soon after -this, <abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> Ayres was obliged on account of ill health again to leave -for the United States. Had <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Ashmun acted under the impressions of -indignation naturally flowing from such treatment, the colony would -have been utterly extinguished. But he was of nobler spirit than to -yield to any such motive, and therefore resolved to remain in this -helpless and disorganized community, sending home at the same time -to the board a proposal that he should receive from them less than -one-third the sum which a man of ordinary diligence might in his -position gain by traffic. This proposal he had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</span> made from the most -honorable sense of duty, in order in fact that the people for whom he -had done and suffered so much should not utterly perish. And yet he had -the mortification to learn afterwards that the directors, influenced by -slanderous reports to the detriment of his character, had refused to -sanction this proposal.</p> - -<p>At this period a number even of the principal colonists became -disaffected, in consequence of the regulations of the board, requiring -that any emigrant who received rations from the public store, should -contribute two days’ labor in a week on the public works. About twelve -of the colonists not only refused work and threw off all restraint, but -exerted their influence to induce others to follow their example. Soon -after this occurrence <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Ashmun published the following notice:</p> - -<p>“There are in the colony more than a dozen healthy persons who will -receive no more provisions out of the public store until they earn -them.” On the 19th of December he directed the rations of the offending -party to be stopped. This led to a riotous assembly at the agent’s -house, which endeavored by denunciations to drive him from his purpose; -but finding him inflexible, they then proceeded to the public store, -where the commissary was issuing rations to the colonists, and each one -seized a portion of the provisions and hastened to their homes.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</span></p> - -<p>The same day <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Ashmun directed a circular to the people, in which -he strongly appealed to their patriotism and conscience. This measure -induced the disaffected to return to their duty. The leader of the -sedition acknowledged his error, and by his subsequent good conduct -fully redeemed his character.</p> - -<p>A faithful history of the colony would furnish, at intervals, a dark -shady as well as a sunny side. The friends of the cause are prone to -exaggerate its success, while its enemies regard the colored race, -judging them in their condition when in contact with the whites, to be -incapable of developing the mind and character, which, under their own -independent government, is now manifested.</p> - -<p>Early in February, 1824, a vessel arrived, after a short passage, with -one hundred and five emigrants in good condition.</p> - -<p><abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Ashmun had heard nothing from the board for some time after the -departure of <abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> Ayres; and finding his health beginning to fail, -and that his services had been received with calumny instead of -approbation, he applied to be relieved from the service of the board. -After making this application, he appointed Elijah Johnson to act as -agent during his absence, and proceeded to the Cape Verde Islands in -the hope of recruiting his health, and finding some government vessel -at that place.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</span></p> - -<p>The navy department, on application by the society, ordered the <abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> -schooner Porpoise, Lieutenant Commandant Skinner, with the <abbr title="reverend">Rev.</abbr> R. -R. Gurley, to proceed to the coast of Africa. These gentlemen were -appointed by the government and society to examine into the affairs -of the colony, and into the reports in circulation prejudicial to the -agent. The Porpoise reached the Cape Verde Islands soon after <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> -Ashmun’s arrival there; and he returned with the commissioners to the -colony. As the result of communications received by the board from the -commissioners, <abbr title="misters">Messrs.</abbr> Skinner and Gurley, a resolution was passed, -completely exonerating <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Ashmun from the calumnious charges which had -been made against him, and expressing their cordial approbation of his -conduct.</p> - -<p>The commissioners, on the conclusion of their investigation, deeply -impressed with the zeal and ability of <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Ashmun, left him in charge -of the colony as formerly. But previously to the reception of the -report of the commissioners, and of the resolution above noticed, -that body had appointed <abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> John W. Peaco, already selected as the -agent of the government, to be their agent also. On the 25th of April, -after their acquittal of <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Ashmun, they modified this resolution by -reappointing him colonial agent, requesting and authorizing <abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> Peaco -to give assistance and support to <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Ashmun in the fulfilment of his -duties, and to assume the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</span> charge of those duties, in case of “the -absence, inability, or death of <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Ashmun.”</p> - -<p>At the suggestion of the commissioners, a greater share in the -government of the colony was conferred on the people. The general -consequence of these proceedings was, that comparative tranquillity and -energy prevailed.</p> - -<p><abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Ashmun had made the important acquisition of the rich tract of -land, afterwards the location of the settlement on the <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Paul’s -River, extending twenty miles into the interior, and of unequalled -fertility. The colony now seemed to be emerging from the difficulties -which often had threatened its very existence. Four day-schools, -in addition to the Sunday-schools, were in operation; two churches -had been erected; a religious influence more generally pervaded the -community; the acclimating fever was becoming less fatal; many of the -colonists preferred the climate to that of the United States; they were -living in comparative comfort. In addition to the rich tract of country -lying on <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Paul’s River, the right of occupancy was obtained at Young -Cesters and Grand Bassa. The adjoining tribes regarded the colonists -so favorably as to desire to come partially under their jurisdiction; -and sixty of their children were adopted as children of the colony. A -Spanish slave-factory, near Monrovia, was destroyed, and the slaves -recaptured and freed by the colonists.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</span></p> - -<p>At Tradetown, there were three slave-factories, guarded by two armed -vessels, with crews of thirty men each, besides twenty men, mostly -Spaniards, well armed, on shore. On the 9th of April, the Columbian -man-of-war schooner “San Jacinto,” Captain Chase, arrived at Monrovia, -and offered to co-operate with <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Ashmun and <abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> Peaco for the purpose -of breaking up this slave establishment. The offer was accepted; and -<abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Ashmun, accompanied by Captain Cochran, of the “Indian Chief,” -who gallantly volunteered his services, with two companies of the -colonial militia, embarked in the San Jacinto for Tradetown. There they -fortunately found the Columbian man-of-war-brig “El Vincendor,” Captain -Cottrell, mounting twelve guns; which vessel had, the same afternoon, -captured one of the slave-vessels, the brigantine Teresa. Captain -Cottrell united his forces with the others.</p> - -<p>On the following morning, while the vessels covered the landing, they -pulled for the shore, through a passage of not more than five or six -fathoms wide, lined on both sides with rocks, and across which, at -times, the surf broke furiously, endangering the boats and the lives of -the assailants. The boat in which were <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Ashmun and Captain Cottrell -was capsized in the surf, and a number of men were thrown upon the -rocks. Nothing daunted, although <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Ashmun was badly injured, they -made a dash upon the enemy, which was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</span> met by a galling fire from the -Spanish slavers. The colonists and their allies rapidly advanced upon -the town, demolished their slight palisades, and before the enemy had -time to rally behind their defences, forced them to retreat, in great -confusion, into the jungle.</p> - -<p>As soon as the colonists found themselves in quiet possession of the -town, <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Ashmun demanded from King West the delivery of all the -slaves belonging to the factories. The king was told that if this was -not complied with, not a vestige of Tradetown should be left. On the -same day the Kroomen of King West brought in thirty or forty slaves, -evidently the refuse of those which they held.</p> - -<p>The natives, notwithstanding, collected, and, in conjunction with the -Spaniards, continued to rush out occasionally from the jungle and -direct their fire upon the invaders. The surgeon of the San Jacinto -was badly wounded, and several of the colonists slightly. A peaceable -settlement was now impossible. On the 12th, after the recaptured slaves -had been sent on board, the town was fired, and at three o’clock all -were embarked. The explosion of two hundred kegs of powder consummated -the destruction of Tradetown.</p> - -<p>The annihilation of Tradetown and of the slave-factories was a severe -blow to the traffic, which was felt as far south as the Bight of Benin. -It convinced the slave-traders that their commerce was insecure, -inasmuch<span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</span> as a powerful enemy to their crimes had gained a permanent -establishment on the coast.</p> - -<p>Here is developed an influence for the suppression of the most -atrocious commerce which has ever existed. The writer, however, by no -means concurs in opinion with the zealous friends of colonization, -that the slave-trade can be suppressed on the entire coast of Africa -by Liberia alone. Yet it is an established fact that within her -jurisdiction of six hundred miles of sea-coast and thirty miles inland, -it has been effectually extirpated.</p> - -<p>At this period many piratical vessels, well armed, were hovering about -the coast. A brig from Portland, and a schooner from Baltimore, were -robbed of a large amount of specie, by a vessel mounting twelve guns, -manned principally by Spaniards. Scarcely an American merchant vessel -had, for a year or more, been on the coast as low down as 6° North, -without suffering either insult or plunder from these vessels. <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> -Ashmun then erected a battery for the protection of vessels at anchor, -while he represented to the Secretary of the Navy the necessity of -the constant presence of a man-of-war on the African coast for the -protection of legal commerce.</p> - -<p>Five of the most important stations from Cape Mount to Tradetown, one -hundred and fifty miles, now belonged to the colony by purchase or -perpetual lease,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</span> and all Europeans were excluded, or attempted to be, -from possessions within their limits. On the 18th of August, <abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> Peaco -was compelled from ill health to return to the United States.</p> - -<p>The native chiefs not unfrequently proposed to the colonists to aid -them in their wars, promising as an inducement the whole of the enemy’s -country. This was of course declined, on the ground that the colony -was established for the benefit, and not for the destruction of their -neighbors; and that their military means were sacred to the purpose of -self-defence. The kings were now favorable to the colony, and began to -appreciate the benefits of legal trade.</p> - -<p>The <abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> schooner <em>Shark</em>, and the <abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> sloop-of-war -<em>Ontario</em>, arrived on the coast during the year 1827, and besides -affording aid to the colony, rendered good service towards the -suppression of the slave-trade.</p> - -<p>A reinforcement of emigrants was received; the school system -reorganized and put in comparatively efficient condition, under the -superintendence of the <abbr title="reverend">Rev.</abbr> G. M’Gill, a colored teacher. The schools -were all taught by colored people: the number of scholars amounted to -two hundred and twenty-seven, of whom forty-five were natives. The -native children belonged to the principal men in the adjoining country.</p> - -<p>The Chief of Cape Mount, fifty-two miles <abbr title="North East">N. E.</abbr> from Cape Mesurado, -entered into stipulations with the colonial<span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</span> government to establish -a large factory for legal trade between it and the interior. The land -north of the <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> John’s River, about sixty miles southeast of Cape -Mesurado, was ceded to the colonists. In this extent of territory there -were eight eligible sites, upon which comfortable settlements have been -founded. Four schooners were built. The colony was mainly supported -by its own industry. The life of this industry was, however, rather -in trade and commerce than in agriculture, the fact being overlooked -that men ought to seek in the latter the sources of their prosperity. -Liberia has suffered from the want of steady agricultural effort. -Industry like that of our Puritan fathers in New England, would, -with the Liberian soil and climate, have prevented the recurrence of -difficulty, and produced uninterrupted abundance.</p> - -<p>On leaving Liberia, the commander of the “Ontario” permitted eight -of his crew, colored men, to remain, furnishing them with a valuable -collection of seeds, obtained in the Mediterranean and up the -Archipelago. On his arrival in the United States, the captain bore -testimony to the encouraging prospects of the colony, and its salutary -influence over the native tribes.</p> - -<p><abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Ashmun’s health failing from excessive labors in the administration -of the government, he was seized in July, 1828, with a violent fever, -and having been<span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</span> advised by his surgeon that a return to the United -States afforded the only hope of his recovery, he left Africa on the -twenty-fifth of March, 1828, and reached New Haven, where he died on -the twenty-fifth of August. Of Ashmun it may be said, that he united -the qualities of a hero and statesman. He found the colony on the -brink of extinction: he left it in peace and prosperity. He trained a -people who were unorganized and disunited, to habits of discipline and -self-reliance; and to crown his character, when death approached, he -met it with that unshaken hope of a blissful immortality, which the -true Christian alone can experience.</p> - -<p>The remains of this honored martyr to the cause of African colonization -repose in the cemetery at New Haven. At his funeral the <abbr title="reverend">Rev.</abbr> <abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> Bacon, -preaching a sermon from the text, “To what purpose is this waste,” said:</p> - -<p>“Who asks to what purpose is this waste? He is not dead to usefulness. -His works still live. The light which he has kindled shall yet cheer -nations unborn. His influence shall never die. What parent would -exchange the memory of such a departed son, for the embrace of any -living one! I would that we could stand together on the promontory -of Cape Mesurado, and see what has been accomplished by those<span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</span> toils -and exposures, which have cost this man his life. Years and ages -hence, when the African mother shall be able to sit with her children -under the shade of her native palm, without trembling in fear of the -man-stealer and murderer, she will speak his name with thankfulness to -God.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII.</h2> -</div> - - -<p class="subhead">LOT CAREY—<abbr title="doctor">DR.</abbr> RANDALL—ESTABLISHMENT OF THE LIBERIA HERALD—WARS -WITH THE DEYS—SLOOP-OF-WAR “JOHN ADAMS”—DIFFICULTIES OF THE -GOVERNMENT—CONDITION OF THE SETTLERS.</p> - - -<p>From the hands of <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Ashmun, the government of the colony devolved -upon the <abbr title="reverend">Rev.</abbr> Lot Carey, whom necessity and the claims of humanity made -a physician and a governor. Such education as he could obtain when -a slave, terminated in his becoming a Baptist preacher. The colony -was more indebted to him than to any other man, except Ashmun, for -its memorable defence in 1822. During the few months of <abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> Carey’s -administration, the affairs of the colony were prosperous. His death -was caused, with that of eight others, by an explosion, while filling -cartridges in the old agency-house. <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Waring was elected to supply -the vacancy occasioned by Carey’s decease.</p> - -<p>The society appointed <abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> Richard Randall as successor to Ashmun, who, -accompanied by <abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> Mechlin, the colored surgeon, arrived in December, -1828, and assumed the supervision of the colony. <abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> Randall possessed -great firmness of purpose, and benevolence of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</span> disposition, superadded -to extensive scientific knowledge. He had been a surgeon in the army, -and afterwards filled the chair of chemistry in Columbia College. But -his death, in four months after his arrival on the coast, deprived the -colonists of his invaluable services. The agency then devolved upon <abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> -Mechlin.</p> - -<p>In the following year, <abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> Anderson, appointed colonial physician and -assistant agent, arrived with sixty emigrants. An emigrant vessel -brought ninety recaptured slaves. She had sailed, the year previous, in -charge of a captain who made a direct course for Monrovia, instead of -keeping his northing until striking the northeast trades; and, after -being at sea ninety days, was compelled to put back. <abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> Mechlin was -induced, from ill health, to return to the United States, when the -government devolved upon <abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> Anderson, who soon afterwards died, and -A. D. Williams, the vice-agent, temporarily filled the vacancy. The -schools, at this period, were sadly in want of competent teachers, -which were partially supplied on the arrival of five Christian -missionaries from Switzerland. The arrival of two more emigrant vessels -and two missionaries from the United States, had a favorable influence -on the colony.</p> - -<p>The <em>Liberia Herald</em>, established the year previous, announced -eighteen arrivals and the sailing of fourteen vessels in one month. In -December, it says: “The<span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</span> beach is lined with Liberians of all ages, -from twelve to fifty years, eager in the pursuit of traffic, and in -the acquisition of camwood; and it is astonishing what little time is -necessary to qualify, even the youngest, to drive as hard a bargain as -any roving merchant from the land of steady habits, with his assortment -of tin-ware, nutmegs, books, or dry-goods. Here the simile ends; for -it is to be wished that our Liberians would follow their prototype -in the mother country throughout, and be as careful in keeping as -acquiring. The Liberian is certainly a great man; and, what is more, -by the natives he is considered a white man, though many degrees from -that stand; for to be thought acquainted with the white man’s fashions, -and to be treated as one, are considered as marks of great distinction -among the Bassa and other nations.” The amount of exports had reached -the sum of eighty-nine thousand dollars.</p> - -<p>Piracy still continued rife. There was no American squadron then on the -coast. The schooner Mesurado was captured off Cape Mount, and all hands -put to death. But while the native commerce was thus exposed and almost -destroyed, the colony was extending its limits. The petty kings offered -to come under its jurisdiction, on condition that settlers should be -placed upon their lands, and schools established for the benefit of the -native children.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</span></p> - -<p>The arrivals of emigrants became more frequent: six hundred being added -to the colony during one year. These suffered comparatively little in -the acclimating process.</p> - -<p>In the year 1832, the colonists were again called to take the field -against the Deys and a combination of other tribes. Several slaves -had escaped, and sought protection in the colony; upon which the -settlements at Caldwell and Mills were threatened with destruction. -A brisk action, of half an hour, resulted in favor of the Liberians. -This victory made an impression on the minds of the natives favorable -to the future peace of the settlers. The chiefs who had been conquered -appeared in Monrovia, and signed a treaty of peace, guaranteeing that -traders from the interior should be allowed a free passage through -their territories. The agent received a significant message from his -old friend, King Boatswain, stating, that had he known of the hostility -of the chiefs, it would have been unnecessary for the colonists to have -marched against them.</p> - -<p>Captain Voorhees, of the <abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> sloop-of-war <em>John Adams</em>, on his -homeward-bound passage from the Mediterranean, in a letter to the -Secretary of the Navy, reported favorably of the condition in which he -found the colony.</p> - -<p>In January, 1834, the <abbr title="reverend">Rev.</abbr> J. B. Pinney, as colonial agent, and -<abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> G. P. Todsen, as physician, with nine<span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</span> missionaries, arrived -at Monrovia, and were formally received by the civil and military -officers, and uniform companies. <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Pinney, in entering upon the -duties of his office, found many abuses, which he promptly corrected. -He resurveyed the lands; repaired the public buildings; satisfied the -public creditors; and extinguished the jealousy between two tribes -of recaptured Africans, by allowing each to elect its own officers. -After a short and efficient administration, he was compelled, from ill -health, to retire, when the agency devolved on <abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> Skinner.</p> - -<p>The Liberia Herald, in 1835, was edited by Hilary Teage, a colored man, -who was one of the small party first settled at Cape Mesurado. <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> -Teage filled various public offices of trust and emolument. He made an -argument before the General Assembly in a divorce case, in 1851 (when -the Perry was at Monrovia), for beauty of diction and sound logic -seldom surpassed. The August number of the Herald states: “On the 9th -instant, the brig Louisa arrived from Norfolk, Virginia, with forty-six -emigrants, thirty-eight of whom are recaptured Africans, principally, -we believe, from the Nunez and Pargos. They are a strolling people. A -number of their countrymen, and among them some acquaintances, have -found their way to this settlement: they were hailed by their redeemed -brethren with the most extravagant expressions of joy.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</span></p> - -<p>From January to September there were nine arrivals of emigrants, which -produced a great sensation among the native tribes: they gravely came -to the conclusion that rice had given out in America, and suggested -to the colonists to send word for the people to plant more, “or black -man will have no place for set down.” <abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> Skinner, suffering from ill -health, returned to the United States, and the government devolved on -A. D. Williams, the vice-agent.</p> - -<p>The revenue from imports had disappeared to an extent which the -vouchers of the disbursing officers did not explain. The editor of the -Herald, after noticing the excitement at that period in the United -States, on the passage of the “Sub-Treasury Law,” quaintly remarked -that “their treasury was all sub.”</p> - -<p>In the year 1837, the Mississippi Society established its new -settlement, Greenville, on the Sinoe River. There were, therefore, -at this period in Liberia: Monrovia, under the American Colonization -Society; Bassa Cove, of the New York and Pennsylvania Societies; -Greenville, of the Mississippi Society; and Cape Palmas, of the -Maryland Society. These contained ten or twelve towns, and between four -and five thousand emigrants.</p> - -<p>Here was a mass of conflicting or disconnected organizations, with -separate sources of authority, and separate systems of management; -without common<span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</span> head or common spirit. Each colony was isolated amid -encompassing barbarism, and far more likely, if left to itself, to fall -back under the power of that which surrounded it, than to establish -good policy or civilization among any portion of the savage African -communities with which they were brought in contact. It was anticipated -that intercourse and example, and the temptation of profit, would make -them slavers; and it was said that they were so. This, although untrue, -was perhaps only prevented by a change; for it now became evident, -that the existing state of things was unsuitable and dangerous to the -objects contemplated.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV.</h2> -</div> - - -<p class="subhead">THE COMMONWEALTH OF LIBERIA—THOMAS H. BUCHANAN—VIEWS OF -DIFFERENT PARTIES—DETACHED CONDITION OF THE COLONY—NECESSITY OF -UNION—ESTABLISHMENT OF A COMMONWEALTH—USE OF THE AMERICAN FLAG -IN THE SLAVE-TRADE—“EUPHRATES”—SLOOP “CAMPBELL”—SLAVERS AT -BASSA—EXPEDITION AGAINST THEM—CONFLICT—GALLINAS.</p> - - - -<p>Thomas H. Buchanan, afterwards governor of Liberia when it became a -commonwealth, had reached Africa, in 1836, as agent of the New York -and Pennsylvania Societies, and had acquired great experience, in -establishing and superintending, during two years, the settlement at -the Bassa country.</p> - -<p>He had thus time to appreciate the condition of things around him, -before he was called to the prominent station which he adorned as -the first governor of the commonwealth. It needed a keen eye to see -light, if any was to be got at all, through the wretched entanglement -of interests, vices, associations, colonies, jurisdictions of natives -and foreigners, which then existed. It needed great tact, and a strong -hand, to bring any thing like order out of such confusion.</p> - -<p>The United States had at least three associations at work, besides that -of Maryland, each with its own little<span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</span> colony, established in such -spots as chance seems to have directed. These occupied three districts -of a tolerably definite character. There was the original settlement -at Cape Mesurado, with a wing stretching to the north, so as to rest -on the expanded lagoon at Cape Mount, and another wing dipping into -the Junk River at the south. This was in a measure “the empire state,” -containing Monrovia, the capital, and several agricultural villages -around it; but the Monrovians and their fellow-colonists were not, on -the whole, much given to agricultural pursuits. They were shrewd at -driving a trade, and liked better to compete for some gallons of palm -oil, or sticks of camwood, than to be doing their duty to their fields -and gardens. They had, besides, the politics and the military concerns -of the nation to supervise, and were called upon to adjust claims with -the neighboring settlements. The Bassa Cove villages, constituting the -second district, were settling down and strengthening, after their -visitation of violence and rapacity from the natives. Sinoe, the -third district, with its fine river and rich lands, had received the -settlement at Greenville, then flourishing. These two latter bore a -very ill-defined relation to the older station at Monrovia, and to each -other. There were in the territories claimed by all of them as having -passed justly and by amicable means under their jurisdiction, various -native tribes, with their kings and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</span> half kings; sometimes wise enough -to see the advantages offered to them; sometimes pre-eminently wise -in having stipulated, that in return for the territory they gave up, -schools should be provided to teach them “sense,” “book;” sometimes -sorely perplexed by the new state of things, and always sorely tempted -by strong habits, and by people at hand to take advantage of them.</p> - -<p>It is to be remarked that between these three settlements there were -two intervals of sea-coast, each about one hundred miles, which were -foreign in regard to the colonies. There were also battle-fields, -where slavers afloat and slavers ashore, with the occasional help of -a pirate, and the countenance of Spain and Portugal, were ready to -resist colonial authority, and even to withstand the opposition which -they might encounter from cruisers and other sources. There were honest -traders, also; that is, those who were honest as things went there, -dropping their anchor everywhere as they could get purchasers for their -rum and gunpowder. Nor had European powers yet made up their minds how -the colonies and their claims were to be treated.</p> - -<p>The necessity of union was a clear case to every man, and Buchanan -prepared himself to accomplish it. The Bassa Cove people entertained -sentiments not very conciliatory towards the Monrovians. The -Mississippi people of Sinoe might come under suspicion next,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</span> and no -one could imagine how far the evil would extend.</p> - -<p>This state of things was clearly understood among the friends of the -American Colonization Society and of the State societies, and the -corrective was applied. A committee, comprising the names of Charles -F. Mercer, Samuel L. Southard, Matthew <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Clair Clark, and Elisha -Whittlesey, met at Washington, and drew up a common constitution for -the colonies. <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Whittlesey moved, and the motion was adopted, “That -no white man should become a landholder in Liberia,” and that full -rights of citizenship should be enjoyed by colored men alone. Political -suffrage was extended to all adult males, and slavery was absolutely -prohibited.</p> - -<p>This constitution divided the territory into two provinces or counties, -and having been acceded to and acted on by the different colonies, -superseded and abolished the political relations of the separate -establishments to the associations which had preceded it.</p> - -<p>The American Colonization Society retained the right to disapprove, -or veto, the acts of the local legislature. This last particular, -as an indication of national dependence, was the characteristic -distinguishing the commonwealth from the republic subsequently -established.</p> - -<p>The emancipation of the negroes under the English government was now -taking effect. The United States<span class="pagenum" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</span> government were beginning to realize -the expediency of keeping permanently a naval force on the west coast -of Africa; and notwithstanding difficulties and apprehensions resting -gloomily on the future, Governor Buchanan, on landing with the new -constitution, at Monrovia, on the first of April, 1839, seems to have -inaugurated a new era for the African race.</p> - -<p>He arrived with a full supply of guns and ammunition, furnished mostly -from the navy department, besides a large quantity of agricultural -implements, and a sugar-mill. The constitution was at once approved by -the Monrovians, and in course of time it was accepted by the entire -three colonies.</p> - -<p>A firm stand was taken against the slave-trade, and the governor -succeeded in getting the legislature at Monrovia and the people to back -him in efforts to suppress it. His indignant appeals and strong-handed -measures had their effect in turning the attention of our government -to the use of the American flag in the slave-trade as a protection -from British cruisers. Hear him: “The chief obstacle to the success -of the very active measures pursued by the British government for -the suppression of the slave-trade on the coast, is the <em>American -flag</em>. Never was the proud banner of freedom so extensively used by -those pirates upon liberty and humanity as at this season.” He did not -stop at words. An American schooner named the <em>Euphrates</em>,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</span> which -had been boarded fifteen times, and three times sent to Sierra Leone, -and escaped condemnation on account of her nationality, was brought -into Monrovia by a British cruiser, and instantly seized by Governor -Buchanan, for the purpose of sending her to the United States for -trial, on suspicion of being engaged in the slave-trade.</p> - -<p>It may here be remarked that not only this vessel, but the American -sloop “<em>Campbell</em>” was also detained, and taken to Governor -Buchanan, under similar circumstances. These proceedings were in direct -violation of our doctrine as to the inviolability of American vessels -by foreign interference; and he had no right to authorize or connive -at English cruisers interfering in any degree with such vessels. These -circumstances, together with the report of Governor Buchanan, that “The -Euphrates is one of a number of vessels, whose names I have forwarded -as engaged in the slave-trade, under American colors,” will show the -extent to which the American flag has been used in the traffic; and to -those who have patriotism and humanity enough to vindicate the rights -of that flag against foreign authority, and resist its prostitution -to the slave-trade, it will conclusively prove the necessity of a -well-appointed American squadron being permanently stationed on the -west coast of Africa.</p> - -<p>The Euphrates being placed in the hands of Governor<span class="pagenum" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</span> Buchanan, who -had resolved on sending her to the United States for trial, was made -available in a crisis when she proved of singular service as a reformed -criminal against her old trade.</p> - -<p>A Spanish slaver had established himself at Little Bassa, within fifty -miles of the capital. The governor prohibited the purchase of slaves, -and ordered the Spaniard off. This he disregarded. An Englishman, in -the character of a legal trader, sided with the Spaniard. The governor, -on Monday, the 22nd of July, dispatched a force of one hundred men -by land to dislodge the slavers and destroy the barracoons. The -respectability, or the safety of the colony, which is the same thing, -in its dealings with the mass of corrupted barbarians with which it was -begirt, required summary measures. Three small schooners were sent down -the coast with ammunition to assist the land force at Little Bassa. A -fresh southerly wind, however, prevented these vessels from reaching -their destination, leaving the land forces in a perilous predicament. -Affairs looked gloomy at Monrovia as the schooners returned, after -beating in vain for sixty hours.</p> - -<p>At this juncture the schooner Euphrates, which had been seized as -a slaver, was put in requisition. Being supplied with arms and -ammunition, the governor himself, in three hours after the return of -the vessels, was aboard, and the schooner sailed for the scene of -action.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</span> Being a <em>clipper</em>, she soon beat down the coast, and -anchored before daylight off Little Bassa. On the morning of the fifth -day after the colonial force had marched, a canoe was sent ashore to -ascertain the state of things. The rapid daybreak showed that there was -work to be done; for as the barracoon, standing in its little patch -of clearance in the forest, became distinguishable, the discharge of -musketry from without, replied to from within, showed plainly that -beleaguering and beleaguered parties, whoever they might be, had -watched through the night, to renew their interrupted strife in the -morning.</p> - -<p>It was a surprise to both parties, to find a well-known slaver at hand, -and ready to take a part in the fray. The governor learned by the canoe -on its return, that the colonists had seized and were holding the -barracoon against the slavers and the chiefs, with the whole hue and -cry of the country in arms to help them. These naturally hailed the -Euphrates as an ally; and Buchanan foresaw the certainty of a fatal -mistake on the part of his people, in case he should land and attempt -to march up the beach, with the men he had, under the fire which, -without some explanation, would be drawn upon him from the palisades of -the barracoon.</p> - -<p>In this emergency, an American sailor volunteered to convey the -necessary intelligence to the besieged. In pulling off in the Kroomen’s -canoe, he necessarily<span class="pagenum" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</span> became the object of attention and mistake to -both parties. The besiegers rushed down to meet him with a friendly -greeting, while Elijah Johnson sent a party to intercept him as an -enemy. The sailor’s bearing showed both parties, almost simultaneously, -that they were wrong. The enemy, who had seized him, were charged by -the colonists. A fellow, grasping a knife to stab him, was knocked down -by a shot; the sailor was rescued, and taken into the barracoon.</p> - -<p>Buchanan, aware how this would engage the attention of the combatants, -had taken the men with him in the two small boats, and was pulling for -the shore. The governor’s boat capsized in the surf, but with no other -harm than a ducking, he made his way safely to the barracoon. A brisk -fight continued for some time; but, at meridian the day following, -the indefatigable governor had embarked with the goods seized; and he -returned to Monrovia for a fresh supply of ammunition. On his reaching -again the scene of action, the refractory chiefs were persuaded to -submit. With three of the slavers as prisoners, and about a dozen -liberated slaves, he then returned to the capital.</p> - -<p>At this period, the Gallinas, at the north of which the Sherboro Island -shuts in the wide mouth of the river of the same name, was a den of -thieves. Cesters, at the south, was not much better. Governor Buchanan -was compelled to lean on the support of the British<span class="pagenum" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</span> cruisers. In -fact, it is obvious that Liberia could not have been founded earlier -than it was, except it had been sustained by some such authority, or -directly by that of the United States. An older and firmer condition -of the slave-trade influence would have crushed it in its birth. A -few of the lawless ruffians, with their well-armed vessels, who once -frequented this coast, could easily have done this. For want of an -American squadron, the governor assumed an authority to which he was -not entitled.</p> - -<p>Every thing was reduced to a regular mercantile system in carrying on -the slave-trade. We have the schooner “Hugh Boyle,” from New York, with -a crew of nine American citizens, coming to the coast, and having as -passengers a crew of ten “citizens of the world,” or from somewhere -else. She is American, with an American crew and papers, until she gets -her slaves on board; then her American citizens become passengers, and -the “citizens of the world” take their place as the crew, till she gets -her slaves into Cuba.</p> - -<p>Governor Buchanan, in one of his dispatches, dated November 6th, -1839, writes: “When at Sierra Leone, I visited a small schooner of -one hundred and twenty tons, which was just brought in, with <em>four -hundred and twenty-seven</em> slaves on board; and of all scenes of -misery I ever saw, this was most overpowering. My cheek tingled with -shame and indignation, when I was told<span class="pagenum" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</span> that the same vessel, the -<em>Mary Cushing</em>, had come on the coast, and was sailed for some -time under American colors. When taken, the American captain was on -board. He had not arrived when I left Sierra Leone, but the governor, -at my instance, promised to send him down here, and deliver him up -to me, to be sent to the United States. Is there any hope that our -government will hang him?”</p> - -<p>It is a question whether Buchanan had, as the agent of a private -association, or the agent of the government for recaptured Africans, -any right to seize the goods of British traders, or hold in custody -the persons of Americans. But the governor was a man for the time and -circumstances, as, taking “the responsibility,” he determined to do -right, and let the law of nations look out for itself.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV.</h2> -</div> - - -<p class="subhead">BUCHANAN’S ADMINISTRATION CONTINUED—DEATH OF KING BOATSWAIN—WAR -WITH GAYTUMBA—ATTACK ON HEDDINGTON—EXPEDITION OF BUCHANAN AGAINST -GAYTUMBA—DEATH OF BUCHANAN—HIS CHARACTER.</p> - - -<p>When a frontier rests on a savage territory, a “good look out” must be -kept there, and upon every thing beyond it, as the Hollander watches -his dykes and the sea. Liberia had to watch an early ally and friend -of very equivocal character, already known as King Boatswain. He had -founded a new Rome, like Romulus, of ragamuffins. He had made a kind of -pet of Liberia, and perhaps intended to give up slaving, and take to -better courses. Nothing better, however, came in his way, till all his -courses ended.</p> - -<p>The death of Boatswain, whose tribe was of his own creation, was -followed by confusion among them. Gaytumba, an unscrupulous and ready -man, with the assistance of Gotera, succeeded to the chief share of -influence in the tribe. The Deys, from whom the colonial territory had -been purchased, were near neighbors, and most convenient subjects for -the slave-trade. An assault was accordingly made, and many secured.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</span> -A small remnant of the tribe took refuge in the colony; and Gaytumba, -not seeing any reason why they should not be caught and sold under -colonial protection, as well as elsewhere, many were seized within the -jurisdiction of the commonwealth.</p> - -<p>The northern region was thus black with danger, and the vast woods -which surrounded the settlements on the <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Paul’s, became suspicious -as a wild, unknown source of difficulty. There was uneasy watchfulness -for months; and such preparations as circumstances would admit, were -made for resistance. The storm fell on Heddington, a village at the -extreme north of the settlements.</p> - -<p>A messenger sent to negotiate had been seized and put to death, and no -mercy was to be expected. All hands were on the alert. Twenty muskets, -which had been provided for the settlement, were prudently kept by the -missionary, <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Brown, ready loaded in the upper story of his house, -which had around it a fence of pickets. Two carpenters were at the -time inmates of the dwelling: their names deserve record, for they, -Zion Harris and Demery, constituted, with the missionary, the entire -force at the point of approach. Suddenly, in the morning before the men -began their work, they heard the yelling and crashing of three or four -hundred savages through the bushes.</p> - -<p>This was Gaytumba’s tribe: Gotera was at their head,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</span> bringing with him -a pot to cook the missionary for his next repast. Harris and Demery -placed themselves quietly at the fence, confronting the negroes as -they came straggling in a mass, expecting no resistance, and exposing -themselves amid the low green leaves of a cassada patch. The two men -fired into the thickest of them, and <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Brown commenced a destructive -slaughter with his muskets overhead. As the mass heaved backwards and -forwards, a furious return of musketry, arrows, and spears was made. -Gotera, with some skill, disentangled himself with a band of resolute -men, broke through the pickets at one end, and came upon Harris, -standing defenceless, with his musket just discharged. He toned to -grasp a hatchet, as a last resource, but fortunately caught a musket, -which a wounded colonist, in running for shelter, had placed against -the pickets, and lodged its contents in Gotera’s breast. The death -of their chief was the signal for a general retreat. But ashamed and -indignant at not having secured the dead body, they attempted by a rush -to recover it, and were again and again driven back, till they utterly -despaired, and disappeared. This strange episode of war lasted an hour -and twenty minutes.</p> - -<p>The forest recovered its suspicious character from the prowling and -threatening of the enemy spread through it; and there were reports of -the gathering of more distant<span class="pagenum" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</span> tribes to join Gaytumba, to make the -work of destruction sure by an overwhelming rush upon the settlements.</p> - -<p>The governor, full of warlike foresight, saw the remedy for this -state of things; and, after screwing up the courage of his people, -he planned an expedition against Gaytumba in his own den. For this -purpose, a force of two hundred effective men, with a field-piece and -a body of followers, assembled at Millsburg, on the <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Paul’s River. -About thirty miles from this, by the air line, in the swampy depths -of the forest, was the point aimed at. Many careful arrangements were -necessary to baffle spies, and keep the disaffected at bay during this -desperate incursion, which the governor was about to make into the -heart of the enemy’s country. The fine conception had this redeeming -characteristic, that it was quite beyond the enemy’s understanding.</p> - -<p>The force left Millsburg on Friday, 27th of March. Swamps and thickets -soon obliged him to leave the gun behind. Through heavy rains, drenched -and weary, they made their way, without any other resistance, to a -bivouac in an old deserted town. Starting at daylight next morning, -they forced their way through flooded streams and ponds, “in mud up to -their knees, and water up to the waist.” After a halt at ten o’clock, -and three hours’ march subsequently, they learnt that the enemy had -become aware of their movements, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</span> was watching them. About six -miles from their destination, after floundering through the mud of a -deep ravine, followed by a weary pull up a long hill, a sharp turn -brought them in front of a rude barricade of felled trees. A fire -of musketry from it brought to the ground Captain Snetter, of the -riflemen, who was in advance of his men. The men made a dash on the -enemy so suddenly that soon nobody was in front of them. The line moved -on without stopping, and met only a straggling fire here and there, as -they threaded their narrow path through the bushes in single file. A -few men were wounded in this disheartening march. At length those in -advance came to a halt before the fortress, and the rear closed up. -There the line was extended, and the party advanced in two divisions. -The place was a kind of square, palisaded inclosure, having outside -cleared patches here and there, intermingled with clumps of brush.</p> - -<p>The assailants were received with a sharp fire from swivels and -muskets, which was warmly returned. Buchanan ordered Roberts (the -present president) to lead a reserved company round from the left, so -as to take in reverse the face attacked. This so confounded Gaytumba’s -garrison that they retreated, leaving every thing behind. The hungry -colonists became their successors at the simmering cooking-pots. -So rapid had the onslaught been, that the second division did not<span class="pagenum" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</span> -reach in time to take a hand in it. The operation was thus completely -successful, with the ultimate loss of only two men.</p> - -<p>The place was burnt, and a lesson given, which established beyond all -future challenge, the power of civilization on that coast. The banks -of the <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Paul’s River, with its graceful meanderings, palm-covered -islands, and glorious basin spreading round into the eastward expanse -of the interior, were secured for the habitations of peace and -prosperity.</p> - -<p>Great and corresponding energy was displayed by Buchanan in civil -concerns. The legislature passed an act that every district should -have a free school. Rules and regulations were established for the -treatment of apprentices, or recaptured Africans not able to take -care of themselves. Provision was made for paupers in the erection of -almshouses, with schools of manual labor attached. The great point -was, that the people had begun to be the government; and there, among -colored men, it was shown that human nature has capacity for its -highest ends on earth, and that there is no difficulty or mystery in -governing society, which men of common sense and common honesty cannot -overcome.</p> - -<p>Buchanan died in harness. Drenching, travelling and over-exertion, -brought on a fever when far from the means of relief. He expired on -the <abbr title="third">3d</abbr> of September, 1841, in the government house at Bassa. Then<span class="pagenum" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</span> -and there was a remarkable man withdrawn from the work of the world. -Ever through his administration he illustrated the motto of his heart: -“The work is God’s to which I go, and is worthy of all sacrifice.” The -narrative already given is his <em>character</em> and his eulogium. His -deeds need no explanatory words—they have a voice to tell their own -tale.</p> - -<p>The blow given to King Boatswain’s successor, Gaytumba, nearly -obliterated the predatory horde which he had collected: they were -scarcely heard of afterwards. A small portion of them seem to have -migrated northwards, so as to hang on the skirts of more settled -tribes, and carry on still, to a small extent, the practice of -slaving and murder, to which they had been accustomed. The Fishmen -tribe still continued to raise some disturbance. Certain points on -the sea-coast gave great uneasiness; these points were the haunts of -slavers. Merchant traders, at least some of them, came peddling along, -establishing temporary factories for the disposal of their goods, and -not unfrequently having an understanding with the slavers for their -mutual benefit.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="subhead">ROBERTS GOVERNOR—DIFFICULTIES WITH ENGLISH TRADERS—POSITION OF -LIBERIA IN RESPECT TO ENGLAND—CASE OF THE “JOHN SEYES”—OFFICIAL -CORRESPONDENCE OF EVERETT AND UPSHUR—TROUBLE ON THE -COAST—REFLECTIONS.</p> - - - -<p>Transactions growing out of the circumstances above mentioned, -became of very grave importance. The rights of different nations to -trade on that coast had been contested in war, and settled in peace, -for centuries. The long Napoleonic wars had thrown possessions and -commerce, all along the coast, into the hands of England; and in -restoring forts and factories to different nations, the intention -seems to have been, to let every thing, with the exception of the -slave-trade, revert to its old fashion. At existing factories, parties -were allowed to conduct their trade in their own way, and to exercise -whatever competing influence they could gain with the native powers to -forward their purposes. Comparatively few of the old establishments -were preserved. Everywhere else the coast had become free to all -traders; it being understood that no one was entitled to use measures -of force to the injury of others.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</span></p> - -<p>If a private company of merchants in France, for instance, had taken -possession of a part of the coast, driven off other traders, or seized -and confiscated their goods, because they refused to pay such duties -as the company chose to levy, the matter undoubtedly would have led -to national complaint, and to correspondence between governments. If -France disavowed all concern in these transactions, reparation would -have been sought for by force. Governor Buchanan’s zeal therefore -sometimes outran his discretion, in the outcry he made against the -English Government, for resisting his interferences with their -subjects, when these men were acting on practices of very venerable -antiquity, or making arrangements with the natives identical with those -which he, as the Agent of the American Colonization Society, was making.</p> - -<p>Edina, in the Bassa country, for instance, had been the resort of -vessels of all nations. Private factories, for trading in ivory, palm -oil, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>, were there in 1826: such places were assumed to be open -ground, on which the same might occur again, or were common property. -Such had been the case on almost every point occupied by the Liberian -Government: hence the levying of duties and the establishment of -monopolies were resisted by English traders.</p> - -<p>England was bound to defend the property of her subjects, or to -compensate them for the loss of it, if this<span class="pagenum" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</span> occurred through the -neglect of the government. And it no doubt appeared very strange to -Great Britain, that an association of Americans should claim a right to -profit by duties levied on her vessels, when there was no government -responsible for their acts.</p> - -<p>From the feeling to which these transactions had given rise, it -was inferred that something in the shape of reprisals was intended -by the seizure of the “John Seyes,” a colonial schooner. But this -ground was abandoned, by admitting the vessel to trial before the -vice-admiralty court, at Sierra Leone, on suspicion of being engaged in -the slave-trade. Of this there does not appear to have been evidence -justifying even a shadow of suspicion. As the vessel and cargo were, -by these proceedings, really lost to their proprietor, the whole case -offers only the most revolting features of injustice and oppression. -There was then no American squadron on the coast of Africa, to look -after such interests.</p> - -<p>This case, and many others, were in reality very hard and perplexing. -The Liberian was virtually of no country. His government, in the eyes -of national law, was no government. This was an evil and threatening -state of things. The colonial authorities could not do right without -hazard. For it was right to extend their jurisdiction, and regulate -trade, and substitute fixed duties for the old irregular systems of -presents or bribes to the chiefs. But they had not political law on -their side.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</span> They had the advantage, however, of a good era in the -world’s history.</p> - -<p><abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Everett, the American Minister to England, on this subject had -said, in his note to Lord Aberdeen, 30th of December, 1843: “The -undersigned greatly fears, that if the right of the settlement to act -as an independent political community, and as such to enforce the laws -necessary to its existence and prosperity, be denied by Her Majesty’s -government; and if the naval force of Great Britain be employed in -protecting individual traders in violation of these laws, the effort -will be to aim a fatal blow at its very existence.”</p> - -<p>The British government seemed to consider that a political community -could not act as independent, which neither was in fact, nor professed -to be, independent; and also supposed that it could hardly answer to -its people for acknowledging a right not claimed on a foundation of -fact. But the Lords of the Admiralty gave orders to the Commodore of -the squadron on the coast, for the cruisers off Liberia “to avoid -involving themselves in contentions with the local authorities of -the Liberian settlements upon points of uncertain legality;” and -added, “great caution is recommended to be observed in the degree of -protection granted to British residents, lest, in maintaining the -supposed rights of these residents, the equal or superior rights of -others should be violated.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</span></p> - -<p><abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Upshur, Secretary of State, in his correspondence, announced -that the American government regarded Liberia “as occupying a -peculiar position, and as possessing peculiar claims to the friendly -consideration of all Christian powers.” There was found afterwards -little difficulty in treating the matter, when put in this light.</p> - -<p>In the mean time, circumstances looked very disheartening, when the -government was committed to the hands of Joseph J. Roberts; for upon -the decision of this question with England depended the stability and -progress of the colonies. If they could not control their own shores, -intercept evil, repulse wrong, and foster good; if they could not -expel the contrabandist, secure the native chiefs from being bribed to -slaving and all kinds of evil, there was an end to their progress.</p> - -<p>Looking to the interior concerns, however, there was much that was -promising. Civilization, with its peace, intelligence and high aims, -was rooted in Africa. The living energy of republicanism was there. -Christianity, in various influential forms, was among the people. -Education was advancing, and institutions for public good coming into -operation. Governor Buchanan had, among his last efforts, addressed an -audience in the Lyceum at Monrovia.</p> - -<p>Schools were supporting themselves among the colonists, although, when -established for the benefit of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</span> natives, they were maintained by -missionary associations in the United States. Native hereditary enmity -and faction were yielding perceptibly, in all directions, to the gentle -efficacy of Christian example. All this constituted a great result.</p> - -<p>The physical, material and political resources, or agencies, were -small. A few men, in a distant land, had taken up the subject -of African colonization amidst the sectional strifes, political -controversies and gigantic enterprises of a mighty nation, and held -fast to it. A few, of pre-eminent generosity, surrendered their slaves, -or wealth, or personal endeavors, to forward it. No one could stand on -Cape Mesurado, and see the intermingled churches and houses; the broad -expanses of interior waters, bordered by residences, and see a people -elevated far, very far, to say the least, above those of their color in -other parts of the world, without the consciousness that a great work -was begun. To meet everywhere the dark-browed men of Africa, solely the -governors of it all, indicated a great fact in the history of the negro -race.</p> - -<p>Other movements among men were falling into a correspondence with -these proceedings. A great awakening in regard to Africa was pervading -Europe. The Niger expedition had entered “the valley and shadow of -death,” which extends its fatal circle round the white man as he -penetrates among the wide lagoons,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</span> the luxuriant verdure, and sunny -slopes of Africa. The world regarded it as a calamity, when the fatal -consequence of this attempt came to light. Men were willing to continue -the sacrifice of life and treasure, if any prospect of success should -be seen. All entrances, north, south, east and west, were anxiously -scrutinized to see if a safe access could be found leading into the -land of mystery.</p> - -<p>The trade with the west coast was becoming the object of keen -competition. England had for years had her full share, and was grasping -for more; France was straining every nerve, by purchase and otherwise, -as of old, to establish herself commercially there; while the United -States were sending their adventurous traders to pick up what the -change in Africa would develop. Something like an earnest cordial -determination was evinced to abolish the slave-trade, and substitute -for it the pursuits of true and beneficial commerce.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII.</h2> -</div> - - -<p class="subhead">ROBERTS’ ADMINISTRATION—EFFORTS IN REFERENCE TO ENGLISH -TRADERS—INTERNAL CONDITION OF LIBERIA—INSUBORDINATION—TREATIES WITH -THE NATIVE KINGS—EXPEDITION TO THE INTERIOR—CAUSES LEADING TO A -DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.</p> - - - -<p>The election of Roberts, a colored man, as governor of the commonwealth -of Liberia, totally separated and individualized the African race as -the managers of local affairs, and made, as to internal concerns, all -things their own. He attempted to root out the interlopers, with energy -more patriotic than potent, and stood up strongly for the rights of -his community. He purchased, negotiated, threatened; and in every way -did his best to accomplish the object. It was soon seen, however, that -the termination of Liberian progress as a dependent commonwealth had -arrived, and that a change was indispensable.</p> - -<p>Liberia was, after all, as to its physical means, only a few thousands -of enlightened and determined men, amidst an ocean of barbarism. All -the emigrants were by no means among the enlightened. Some curious -practical difficulties occurred in any political<span class="pagenum" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</span> co-operation with -their American brethren. A gang of hard-headed fellows seemed to -think that it was rather a joke, a kind of playing at government, -meaning nothing serious; therefore their respect and obedience to the -constituted authorities were very limited.</p> - -<p>It should never be forgotten, that no change could be greater than that -to which these men were subjected, in coming from countries where no -power, authority, or public respect, could ever rest on their race, to -a country where colored men might exercise dominion, enact laws and -enforce them, and by their personal qualities exact and attain eminence -and respect. The best possible laws are only for the best state of -society, and men must grow to them; otherwise they are only like a -giant’s helmet on a child’s head—more a burden than a defence.</p> - -<p>The Liberians had no laws admitting of imprisonment for debt. There -is no harm in this, where a man has to borrow before he can become a -debtor. But the case is not so easily settled, when roguery is the -source of debt. A man who is fined when he has nothing to pay, laughs -at the judge. So it happened in Liberia, to the embarrassment of the -better class of men.</p> - -<p>Governor Roberts had to keep an eye on grog-selling and grog-drinking. -From the style of his reflections, he gives fair promise of becoming a -strong advocate of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</span> the “Maine law.” There was no small number of cases -of idleness, obstinacy and heedlessness of the future; very natural to -men whose independence of station was of very recent date, and whose -independence of character was yet to come. The more credit is therefore -due to the firm, industrious and upright, stationed on the threshold of -this vast, dark continent, with its fury and its vice ready to burst -out upon them.</p> - -<p>The governor’s resources, never very great, were called for to regulate -the intercourse between civilization and barbarism; and he found -that the high moral influence of a few hundred men around him, was a -tower of strength in dealing with the savage. All the kings of the -northern and western districts were induced to assemble in convention -in the early part of 1843, at King Bromley’s town, to settle their -great disputes of long standing, and to draw up a set of rules and -regulations for their future guidance. This was a great step gained: a -moral victory over the furious enormities of savage life.</p> - -<p>The kings asked the countenance and advice of the colony, acknowledging -fully its jurisdiction over them. King Ballasada, however, sent his -respectful compliments, with a petition that he might be allowed to cut -the throat of King Gogomina, if opportunity offered; or might at least -have the pleasure of shooting some of his people, because the said -Gogomina had killed six<span class="pagenum" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</span> of Ballasada’s “boys.” Information, however, -was given by Governor Roberts to King Ballasada, that the time had -passed for such summary proceedings, but that the matter of shooting -the six boys should be inquired into by the governor himself. Gogomina -thereupon produced the six “boys” alive, and sent them home.</p> - -<p>Much interest now began to be manifested to learn something of the -interior. It was not known whither the wide valleys of the rivers -might lead, or what they might contain. It was ascertained that there -were the Mandingoes and other noted people somewhere beyond the deep -forests, with whom communication had been held, and with whom it might -be held again. The natives on a line northeast, as far as the Niger, -were entirely unknown: little was really ascertained, except that the -Niger was there. They knew that there were jealous tribes interposing, -who stopped all commercial intercourse that did not pass through their -own bloody and avaricious hands.</p> - -<p>The governor, relying on the reputation for power and good faith which -the colony had acquired, resolved to head in person an expedition of -exploration along the <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Paul’s River. Taking a small number of men -with him, he proceeded up the river, visited the camwood country, about -seventy miles inland, and found the forests greatly wasted, and the -main source of supply at that time one hundred miles farther back. -Kings<span class="pagenum" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</span> were visited and relieved of their fears, although not of their -wonder, that “the governor should be at that distance from home without -engaging in war.” The party had left the canoe, and after a circuit -round to the eastward, they reached “Captain Sam’s” town, one hundred -and twenty miles east of Monrovia.</p> - -<p>Several kings met with the president in his excursion, with whom a -conversation was held, “on the subject of trade, the course and extent -of the river, native wars, religion, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>” One, “who was seated in -state, on a sofa of raised earth, gave us a hearty shake of the hand, -and said he was glad to see us;” adding, “this country be your country, -all this people be your countryman, you be first king.” This king -was informed by the president, “that he and his people must agree to -abandon the slave-trade, to discontinue the use of sassywood, engage -in no war except by permission of the colonial government.” On one -occasion, “Ballasada, the principal war-man of the Golah tribe, made -his appearance; he entered the gate of the barricade, at the head -of some twenty or thirty armed warriors, with drums beating, horns -blowing, dressed in a large robe, and stepping with all the majesty -of a great monarch.” At Yando’s town, arrangements were made for -establishing a school. At Gelby, one of the missionaries preached to a -large congregation—the king with most of his people being present. The -audience<span class="pagenum" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</span> was attentive, and, with the king, gave “a nod of the head at -almost every word uttered by the interpreter.”</p> - -<p>At “Captain Sam’s town,” a place of great trade, they met three -strangers from different tribes, anxious to have a question settled, -viz.: “whether, if they carried their produce to the American -settlement for sale, the colonists would beat them, take their property -away, and put them in jail.” Their intermediate friends had persuaded -them that such would be the case, and consequently had themselves, in -the mean time, become their agents, and plundered them at discretion. -They had, at that time, brought a considerable quantity of produce for -sale, and some of them had been kept waiting for many months. All this -was fully cleared up to their satisfaction, and great extension of -trade was promised. The governor says: “I have travelled considerably -in the United States, but have never seen anywhere a more beautiful -country than the one passed through, well timbered and watered, and the -soil, I venture to assert, equal to any in the world.”</p> - -<p>President Roberts, at Monrovia, in 1850, stated to the writer, that in -the interior, ore was found so pure as to be capable of being beaten -into malleable iron, without the process of smelting.</p> - -<p>Treaties were formed with all the kings, and sundry fractions of kings; -introducing everywhere peace and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</span> facilities for commerce. It may be -presumed, therefore, that now the tidings are circulating through the -depths of the interior, that peace has come from the west; and that -an African people has returned to bless their old dark continent with -light and truth.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="subhead">INDEPENDENCE OF LIBERIA PROCLAIMED AND ACKNOWLEDGED BY GREAT -BRITAIN, FRANCE, BELGIUM, PRUSSIA AND BRAZIL—TREATIES WITH ENGLAND -AND FRANCE—EXPEDITION AGAINST NEW CESTERS—<abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> SLOOP-OF-WAR -“YORKTOWN”—ENGLISH AND FRENCH CRUISERS—DISTURBANCES AMONG THE -NATIVE CHIEFS—FINANCIAL TROUBLES—RECURRING DIFFICULTY WITH ENGLISH -TRADERS—BOOMBO, WILL BUCKLE, GRANDO, KING BOYER.</p> - - -<p>For the main evils with which Liberia was oppressed, independence was -the only remedy. We have seen the nature and extent of these evils, -in her equivocal position in the view of several European powers, and -especially in that of the English nation. The measures necessary to -carry out this great purpose were received with universal sympathy.</p> - -<p>Individuals from all sections of our own country, bearing on them -the imperial character of their nation, had transmitted it by the -dark-skinned race, to vivify with liberty and self-government, the -great slave-land of the world. This was perhaps an honor higher than -they aimed at. The few judicious leading men of Liberia saw the -necessity of making the experiment. The outlines of a constitution, as -far as<span class="pagenum" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</span> that already existing needed modification, were borrowed from -that of the United States. A declaration of independence was drawn up -and proclaimed; and on the 24th day of August, 1847, the flag of the -Republic of Liberia was displayed.</p> - -<p>Roberts, whose state of pupilage had been passed under the master -mind of Buchanan, was, as might be expected, elected President of -the Republic. England, France, Prussia, Belgium and Brazil have -successively acknowledged the independence of Liberia. A liberal -treaty of amity and commerce, based upon the equality of rights of -the two nations, was entered into between England and Liberia. The -ministry were probably led to the conclusion by the president’s visit, -that trade, regulated by the laws of a compact nation, was likely to -become far more advantageous than the bribing, cheating and plundering -that had occurred, with kings and half kings, and some European -subjects; and had in view the increased power of the government for the -suppression of the slave-trade.</p> - -<p>The president arrived in Liberia on the 1st of February, 1849, in her -majesty’s steam frigate Amazon, and was saluted by her with 21 guns -on landing. Other appropriate ceremonies were observed; soon after -this, England presented the republic with a man-of-war schooner, with -armament and stores complete.</p> - -<p>France entered afterwards into a commercial treaty<span class="pagenum" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</span> with Liberia, and -furnished a large quantity of arms. Subsequent assurances from the -European powers, indicate their interest in the prosperity of the -African republic.</p> - -<p>On the 22d of February, 1849, the French flag steam frigate Penelope, -accompanied by another cruiser, arrived at Monrovia. On the following -day, the commander, with the officers and two hundred men, landed for -the purpose of saluting the flag of the republic. They were received -by three uniform companies of Monrovia, in front of Colonel Yates’s -residence; where three field-pieces from the French frigate had been -placed. The procession was then formed and moved up Broad-street to -the president’s house, where the flag-staff, bearing the Liberian -colors, was standing. A salute of twenty-one guns was fired from the -field-pieces, which was repeated by the French cruisers, and returned -by the Liberian guns. Refreshments were provided for the men, and the -officers dined with the president.</p> - -<p>In the month of March following, several English and French cruisers -placed themselves at the disposal of President Roberts, for an -expedition against the slavers who had established themselves at -New Cesters. Arrangements had previously been made with some of the -chiefs in that quarter, for the surrender of their lands and for the -incorporation of their people, on the usual<span class="pagenum" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</span> terms, with the Liberian -republic. But a portion of the chiefs and people had been allured to -the support of the slavers, and force was required to dislodge them.</p> - -<p>Roberts embarked four hundred men in the cruisers, and, accompanied by -the <abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> sloop-of-war “Yorktown,” proceeded to the scene of action. -Here were foreign cruisers, transporting the troops of an African -republic to make a descent upon a European slave establishment; such -establishments as Europe had for centuries sustained on the African -coast. A novel sight, certainly, to the leader of the enemy, who was a -Spaniard!</p> - -<p>The landing was covered by the cruisers, and a well-directed shell from -the French steamer, bursting over the heads of the natives, cleared -the way for the troops to form and march upon the barracoon, with now -and then a harmless shot from the jungle. Foreseeing the result of a -conflict, the Spaniard fired his buildings, mounted his horse, sought -safety in flight, and his rabble dispersed. The establishment was -strengthened by a thick clay-wall, capable of offering a respectable -resistance. Thirty slaves were liberated. The fort was destroyed. New -Cesters was <em>annexed</em>, and the troops returned to Monrovia.</p> - -<p>An infectious impulse to disturbance, seems to have come from a -fruitful source in the northern interior. For about thirty years, a war -had been prevailing between<span class="pagenum" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</span> revolted slaves and the chiefs, along the -Gallinas River. These lingering hostilities afforded facilities for -securing a good supply of slaves for exportation, which was probably -the cause why the slave-trade held on so pertinaciously at the mouth of -this river. Treachery, for a time, enforced quiet. The chiefs of the -oppressors inveigled the leaders of the insurgents to a conference, and -massacred them. Manna, who seems to have had a long familiarity with -crime, directed this exploit.</p> - -<p>President Roberts, when in England (1848), dining on one occasion -with the Prussian Ambassador, the subject of purchasing the Gallinas -territory was discussed. Lord Ashley and <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Gurney being present, -pledged one thousand pounds, half the amount required to secure -the territory. Benevolent individuals in the United States, also -contributed for the same purpose. Possession was afterwards obtained -of the Gallinas for the sum of nine thousand dollars. The price -demanded was large, as the chiefs were aware that annexation to Liberia -would forever cut off the lucrative slave-trade. Commissioners were -appointed to settle the difficulties in the interior, open the trade -in camwood, palm-oil and ivory, and furnish the people with the means -of instruction in the art of agriculture. It is, however, doubtful -whether the influence of the republic is sufficient to control the wars -which have been so long raging<span class="pagenum" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</span> in the interior. By the annexation -of this territory, and in May, 1852, of the Cassa territory, Liberia -practically extends its dominion, exterminating the slave-trade from -Cape Lahou, eastward of Cape Palmas, to Sierra Leone, a distance of -about six hundred miles of sea-coast.</p> - -<p>The financial burdens of the government were a matter of no little -anxiety. The money for the purchase of the Gallinas had been -munificently contributed by <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Gurney and other individuals from -abroad, but still there was that “national blessing—a national debt.” -The expedition against New Cesters was, doubtless, a great event in the -history of Liberia. There was glory, which is not without its practical -use; and there was gratification in the honor of having been aided, or -accompanied in such an effort, by the naval forces of great nations. -But glory and gratification have their disadvantages also. Very keenly -did the leading men of Liberia look to the fact that there were heavy -bills to be paid. The payment of a few thousand dollars was a serious -affair. They wisely concluded, however, that they were following the -ways of Providence in incorporating New Cesters and the Gallinas into -their family. And the results have justified their proceedings.</p> - -<p>On the 15th of February, 1850, the Secretary of State, in compliance -with a resolution of the Senate of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</span> the United States, transmitted a -report of the <abbr title="reverend">Rev.</abbr> R. R. Gurley, who had a short time previously been -sent out by the government to obtain information in respect to Liberia. -This report contains a full account of the people, the government and -the territory.</p> - -<p>The long-standing difficulty with the British traders was brought -to a crisis, by a prosecution in the Liberian courts. An appeal was -made to the British commodore. <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Hansen, the British consul, a -native African, who had been liberally educated in the United States, -warmly espoused the cause of the traders. These circumstances induced -the president, in May, 1852, to revisit England, where matters were -satisfactorily arranged. He extended his visit to France, and was there -received with attentions due to his station.</p> - -<p>The elements of society in Liberia were not all elements of peace. -Native tribes, long hostile, had submitted to union. They had promised -to be very friendly, and met very lovingly together, which they no -doubt considered very strange, and perhaps, for a time, found very -pleasant. We should have been inclined to think this very strange, -if it had continued. When old nature, old habits and old enmities -recovered their strength, it required a firm hand, and one pretty well -armed, too, to keep order among them. Nor did the means available -always attain this end.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</span> Dissension could not be overcome without force -and punishment.</p> - -<p>In 1850, the Veys, Deys, and Golahs had roused up their perennial -quarrel about their rights and territories. A portion of them were wise -enough to apply to the government to appoint a commission to settle the -difficulties among them. Others took the larger liberty of attempting -to settle matters in their own way. The excitement prevailed during the -president’s absence. In March, 1853, he proceeded, with two hundred -troops, to the northward of Little Cape Mount, and, after a suitable -demonstration, brought the chief offender, having the appropriate name -of Boombo, to await trial at Monrovia; he was convicted, fined and -sentenced to imprisonment for two years.</p> - -<p>In November, 1850, the people of Timbo brought in a complaint against -“Will Buckle,” who was at the head of a gang of rogues, murdering and -robbing with impunity. They asked the protection of the government, and -to be received within its jurisdiction, and that Will Buckle might feel -the strong arm of the law.</p> - -<p>But an outbreak at Bassa Cove, under a chief named Grando, threatened -to be the grand affair of the time. He was a shrewd, cunning -subject. The president gave him a lecture. To all of it “he listened -attentively,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</span> and with seeming penitence readily admitted the error of -his course and the wrongs he had been guilty of, and promised never -again,” <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> The president, however, found, as is usual in such -cases, that Grando was much the same after the lecture as before. “I -had scarcely left the country,” says the president, “before his evil -genius got the better of him.” And the fact turned out to be, that his -“evil genius” very nearly got the better of everybody else.</p> - -<p>He established himself, with his people, beside a new settlement near -Bassa Cove. This was exposing his penitence to too strong a temptation. -He cultivated the most friendly terms with the settlers; and when he -had sufficiently disarmed suspicion, he rose upon the settlement, on -the 15th of November, 1851, murdered nine of the inhabitants, carried -off what he could get, and took to the “bush.”</p> - -<p>Grando had taken measures to excite a considerable insurrection of -confederated tribes in that region, and returned to the attack with -rather a serious force, estimated at one thousand men. The assailants -fought with unreflecting fierceness, as the negro does when excited, -paying no attention to the artillery which opened upon them. But they -made no impression on the place. Roberts proceeded to Bassa Cove in -the <abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> sloop-of-war “Dale,” accompanied by a reinforcement<span class="pagenum" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</span> in the -Liberian schooner “Lark,” and prevented a third attack.</p> - -<p>In March, 1852, Grando and his confederate, Boyer, were again arranging -combinations among the tribes in the “bush.” The “evil genius” -complained of had contrived to bring the traders again on the stage, -with their perplexing complaints about imposts and monopolies. One of -these traders seems to have been instigating the disturbance.</p> - -<p>These circumstances brought on the most extensive and most trying -military campaign in which the Liberian forces have yet been engaged. -It was estimated that the confederates had in the field about five -thousand men. They were well supplied with ammunition, and had some -artillery, and were employing their time in constructing formidable -defences. To meet them, Roberts had about five hundred colonists, and -the same number of natives. With these, on the 6th of January, 1852, he -marched upon the enemy. A breastwork, terminating the passage through -a swamp, was occupied by three times the number of its assailants. -After an action of an hour and a half, this position was forced, and -the enemy driven through a piece of difficult forest ground. After some -resistance here, they were dislodged and chased to Grando’s palisaded -town. This they set on fire, and then retreated to Boyer, occupying the -left bank of the New Cess river, to dispute the passage.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</span></p> - -<p>From this position Boyer was dislodged by the hostility of the chiefs -around him, who did not join in the revolt. He retreated within the -barricades of his own town. Here he had some artillery. On the 15th, -Roberts came with his whole force upon this place. A fierce fight of -nearly two hours took place, which resulted in the capture of the town. -The loss of the enemy was considerable. The Liberians had six killed -and twenty-five wounded.</p> - -<p>Grando’s allies soon discovered that they were in the wrong. Boyer -fell into the same train of repentance. Grando’s authority altogether -expired in 1853. His own people held a council, whether they should -not deliver him up to the president. This was opposed by the old men -as contrary to custom. They made him prisoner, however. Boyer would, -by no persuasion, be induced to put himself within the grasp of the -president. He was also playing his tricks upon other people. Having -in July, 1853, induced a Spanish slaver to advance him a considerable -sum in doubloons, and a quantity of goods, he suddenly became strongly -<em>anti-slavery</em> in his views, and sent a request to the president, -and to the British steam cruiser “Pluto,” to look out for the slaver, -which vessel had cleared for the Gallinas, grounded in the river, and -was afterwards destroyed.</p> - -<p>Boyer himself and another worthy by the name of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</span> Cain, who joined -Grando in these disturbances, keep the Liberians on the alert, but seem -gradually spreading a net for themselves, and it is to be anticipated -that ere long they may be found as companions with Boombo in his -captivity.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="subhead">CONDITION OF LIBERIA AS A NATION—ASPECT OF LIBERIA TO -A VISITOR—CHARACTER OF MONROVIA—SOIL, PRODUCTIONS AND -LABOR—HARBOR—CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE COMPARED WITH THAT OF THEIR -RACE IN THE UNITED STATES—SCHOOLS.</p> - - -<p>Notwithstanding the heterogeneous population of Liberia, a commendable -degree of order, quiet and comparative prosperity prevails. With such -men as President Roberts, Chief-Justice Benedict, Major-General Lewis, -Vice-President Williams, and many other prominent persons in office -and in the walks of civil life, the government and society present an -aspect altogether more favorable than a visitor, judging them from the -race when in contact with a white population, is prepared to find. The -country is theirs—they are lords of the soil; and in intercourse with -them, it is soon observed that they are free from that oppressive sense -of inferiority which distinguish the colored people of this country. A -visit to Monrovia is always agreeable to the African cruiser.</p> - -<p>Monrovia, the capital, is situated immediately in the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</span> rear of the -bold promontory of Cape Mesurado, which rises to the altitude of 250 -feet. The highest part of the town is eighty feet above the level of -the sea. The place is laid out with as much regularity as the location -will admit. Broadway is the main or principal street, running nearly at -right angles with the sea. Besides this, there are twelve or fifteen -more. The town contains not far from two thousand inhabitants. Many of -the houses are substantially built of brick or of stone, and several -of them are handsomely furnished. The humidity of the climate has -greatly impaired the wooden buildings. The State-House, public stores, -and the new academy are solid, substantial buildings, appropriate to -their uses. There are five churches, and these are well attended. The -schools will compare favorably with the former district schools in this -country, which is not saying much in their favor.</p> - -<p>The soil in the vicinity of the rocky peninsula of Mesurado is -generally sandy and comparatively unproductive, except where there -are alluvial deposits along the margin of the streams or creeks. The -lands on the banks of the rivers—of the <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Paul’s, for instance, four -or five miles north of Monrovia—are very rich, of loamy clay soil, -equalling in fertility the high lands of Brazil, or any other part -of the world. Here more care is devoted to the culture of sugar, and -increasing attention is given to agriculture. These lands<span class="pagenum" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</span> readily sell -at from forty to fifty dollars per acre. A fork of this river flows -in a southeasterly direction, and unites with the Mesurado River at -its mouth. This fork is called Stockton’s Creek, in honor of Commodore -Stockton. The largest rivers of Liberia are navigable only about twelve -or fifteen miles before coming to the Rapids.</p> - -<p>As the country becomes settled, and the character of its diseases -better understood, the acclimating fever is less dreaded. In fact, it -now rarely proves fatal. This having been passed through, the colored -emigrants enjoy far better health than they did in most parts of the -United States. The statistics, as President Roberts stated, show some -three per cent smaller number of deaths than in the New England States -and Canada among the same class of population. The thermometer seldom -rises higher than 85°, nor falls lower than 70°.</p> - -<p>The productions of the soil are varied and abundant,—capable of -sustaining an immense population. The want of agricultural industry, -rather than the incapacity of the country to yield richly the fruits -of the earth, has been the difficulty with the Liberians. With -well-directed labor, of one-half the amount required among the farmers -of the United States, a large surplus of the earth’s productions, -over the demands of home consumption, might be gathered. The country -certainly possesses elements of great prosperity.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</span></p> - -<p>“A bill for the improvement of rivers and harbors” should be forthwith -passed by the Liberian legislature. A country exporting articles -annually amounting to the sum of eight hundred thousand dollars, and -this on the increase, might make an appropriation to render landing -safe from the ducking in the surf to which one is now exposed. Sharks, -in great abundance, are playing about the bars of the rivers, eagerly -watching the boats and canoes for their prey. <abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> Prout, a Liberian -senator, and several others, have been capsized in boats and fallen -victims to these sea-tigers.</p> - -<p>A full and very interesting description of the geography, climate, -productions and diseases of Africa has been published by <abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> J. W. -Lugenbeel, late colonial physician, and the last white man who was -United States agent in Africa.</p> - -<p>In devising measures for the benefit of Liberia, one thing was -pre-eminently to be kept in view, which was, that the people be -prevented from sinking back to become mere Africans. It is believed -that this danger was wholly past under the energetic administration -of Buchanan, to whom too much praise cannot be awarded. He infused -life and spirit into the nation, and brought out such men as Roberts -and others, in whose hands we believe the republic is safe. A large -majority of the emigrants having been slaves, and dependent on the -will and dictation of others, many<span class="pagenum" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</span> of them are thereby rendered in a -measure incapable of that self-reliance which secures early success in -an enterprise of this kind.</p> - -<p>Slaves do not work like freemen. The question, then, arises—Is this -the case because they are slaves, or because they are negroes? Those -who have been emancipated in the British territories have hitherto -cast no favorable light on this inquiry. They do not now work as they -did when compelled to work, although they are free. Neither do the -Sicilians, Neapolitans, or Portuguese work as men work elsewhere. There -are no men freer than the slavers, who steal children and sell them, -in order that they themselves may live in vicious idleness. It is the -freeman’s intelligence and his higher motives of action, which produce -his virtues.</p> - -<p>The slave-trade being extirpated within the boundaries of Liberia, -and the natives brought under new influences, the necessity produced -for new kinds of labor has become favorable to the improvement of the -African. There is now the will and ability of the native population to -work in the fields. The low rate of remuneration which they require, -favors the employment of capital, but keeps wages for common labor very -low. It is of no use to urge upon colonists to employ their own people -in preference to natives, when the former want eighty cents a day and -the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</span> latter only twenty-five. These things must take their natural -course. The increase of capital must be waited for ere wages can rise. -But it all tells strongly in favor of settlers securing grants of land, -and becomes a great inducement for colored men emigrating to Liberia -who have some little capital of their own.</p> - -<p>It is in Liberia alone that the colored man can find freedom and the -incentives to higher motives of action, which are conducive to virtue. -There these sources of good are found in abundance for his race. In -this country he can gain the intelligence of the free population, but -is excluded from the vivifying motives of the freeman. In Liberia -he has both. Means are needed to sustain this condition of things. -The first of these is religion, which to a great degree, pervades -the community there: it is true that some of the lower forms of a -vivid conception of spiritual things characterize the people; but far -preferable is this, to the tendency of the age elsewhere—towards -attempting to bring within the scope of human reason the higher -mysteries of faith. The second is the school, which keeps both -intelligence and aspiration alive, and nurtures both. Roberts is aware -of this, and keeps it before the people. They will transfer, therefore, -what the United States alone exemplifies, and what is vitally important -to free governments, namely, a system of free public education in the -common schools; such a system is that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</span> of the <em>graded schools</em> in -many parts of our country, far surpassing most of the select schools, -where a thorough education may be freely obtained by all the children -of the community.</p> - -<p>Liberia contains a population exceeding one hundred and fifty thousand -inhabitants; not more than one-twentieth of this number are American -colonists. Its growth has been gradual and healthy. The government, -from its successful administration by blacks alone, for more than -six years, appears to be firmly established. The country is now in a -condition to receive as many emigrants as the United States can send. -To the colored man who regards the highest interest of his children; -to young men of activity and enterprise, Liberia affords the strongest -attractions.</p> - -<p>We would not join in any attempt to crush the aspirations of any -class of men in this country. But it is an actual fact, whatever -may be thought of it, that here the colored man has never risen to -that position, which every one should occupy among his fellows. For -suppose the wishes of the philanthropist towards him to be fully -accomplished,—secure him his political rights; unfetter him in body -and intellect; cultivate him in taste even; then while nominally free, -he is still in bondage; for freedom must also be the prerogative of the -white, as well as of the black man; and the white man must likewise be -left free to form his most intimate<span class="pagenum" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</span> social relations; and he is not, -and never has been disposed, in this country, to unite himself with -a caste, marked by so broad a distinction as exists between the two -races. The testimony on these two points of those who have had abundant -advantages for observation, has been uniform and conclusive. For the -colored man himself then, for his children, Liberia is an open city of -refuge. He there may become a freeman not only in name, but a freeman -in deed and in truth.</p> - -<p>Liberia has strong claims upon Christian aid and sympathy. Its -present and prospective commercial advantages to our country, will -far counterbalance the amount appropriated by private benevolence in -planting and aiding the colony and the republic. Its independence -ought to be acknowledged by the United States. This, according to -the opinion of President Roberts, would not imply the necessity of -diplomatic correspondence, while the moral and political effects, -would be beneficial to both parties. England, by early acknowledging -the independence of Liberia, and cultivating a good understanding with -its government and people, has greatly subserved her own commercial -interest, while responding to the call of British philanthropy.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX.</h2> -</div> - - -<p class="subhead">MARYLAND IN LIBERIA—CAPE PALMAS—HALL AND RUSSWURM—CHASTISEMENT -OF THE NATIVES AT BEREBEE BY THE <abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> SQUADRON—LINE OF -PACKETS—PROPOSAL OF INDEPENDENCE—ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE COLONIZATION -SCHEME—CHRISTIAN MISSIONS.</p> - - -<p>The Maryland Colonization Society resolved to establish a colony at -Cape Palmas. <abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> James Hall, their agent, secured the consent of the -chiefs to cede the required territory, without employing the wretched -medium of rum. These kings, to their credit, have retained sensible -names of their own, redolent of good taste and patriotism, being -Parmah, Weah Boleo, and Baphro. As has ever been done by all wise -people on that coast, a fort was expeditiously erected, overlooking -in a peremptory way the native villages and the anchorage; since it -is not, for a time at least, safe to trust in such affairs to the -conscience of the natives.</p> - -<p>Cape Palmas is well suited for such an establishment; the climate is as -good as any in tropical Africa. The Cape itself is a small elevation or -insulated hill, sloping down towards the continent, into the general -expanse of wooded plain or forest; this, to the north<span class="pagenum" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</span> and east of the -Cape, stretches out into a wide fertile flat, the waters of which drain -towards the long line of sea-beach, receiving the heavy surf of the -equatorial Atlantic. The surf throws a long bulwark of sand along the -mouths of the fresh-water streams, and checks them in a lagoon of ten -miles in length, by about a quarter of a mile in breadth. This water is -fresh or brackish, according as either element gains the mastery, and -serves the natives as a precious and fruitful fish-pond.</p> - -<p>Of this region, a tract extending about twenty miles along the -sea-shore, and as much inland, was, by purchase, brought under the -jurisdiction of the Maryland Society. Provision was made for retaining -the resident natives on the lands they cultivated. Here, in the month -of February, 1834, the Maryland Colonization Society attached itself to -Africa, by landing fifty-three emigrants from that State.</p> - -<p>Their temporary dwellings were soon put up; and their fortifications -erected near to populous towns crowded with natives supplied with -fire-arms and ready to use them. Vessels continued to arrive, bringing -more settlers to their shores. In 1836, an additional tract of country, -east of the Cape, was procured; extending the colonial territories -along the broad, rapid stream of the Cavally, to the distance of thirty -miles from its mouth. In succeeding years new settlers arrived to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</span> -occupy the lands so acquired; yet all these acquisitive proceedings -gave rise to scarcely any noticeable opposition. A little blustering -occurred on the part of one chief, who attempted to monopolize the -selling of rice to the colonists when in want; but a kind and resolute -firmness removed the difficulty. Scarcely, in fact, does an instance -occur in history, of an administration so uniformly successful in the -operations for which it was established; and, whatever the future may -offer to equal it, nothing certainly in the past has a higher claim for -sympathy, than these efforts of Maryland for the benefit of her colored -population.</p> - -<p>With the same wisdom which had characterized the previous measures -of the society, in 1837 <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Russwurm, a colored man, was appointed -governor of the colony. He fulfilled the expectations formed of him. -Thus one step was judiciously taken, to disengage the colored men of -Africa from dependence on foreign management.</p> - -<p>Considering, however, that Cape Palmas has been colonized from a slave -state alone, and that the government has been retained in the hands -of the state society, it is scarcely to be expected that the same -vigor and activity should be found in its internal operations, or the -same amount of influence exercised over the surrounding natives, as -has been manifested in Liberia. Notwithstanding this, the beneficial -influence of this<span class="pagenum" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</span> colony also, on the surrounding natives, has been -considerable. Six kings, of their own accord, applied to Governor -Russwurm, and ceded their territories, that they might be incorporated -with the colony. Every treaty contained an absolute prohibition of the -slave-trade.</p> - -<p>Cape Palmas colony, then, may be considered as now extending from the -confines of her elder sister at the river Jarraway, as far to the -eastward as Cape Lahou. The inland boundary may be anywhere, as the -future shall settle it. The cultivated or cleared land extends parallel -to the coast, over distances varying from twenty-five to fifty miles. -Here comes on the dark verdure of forest, undulating over the rising -lands which lead to the mountains, or whatever they may be, which feed -the rivers. These streams act as lines of communication. But here also -the old Portuguese influence has aimed at a monopoly of trade. Some -explorations have disclosed the fact that there are powerful tribes in -these lands, who, in spite of an obstacle of this kind, will soon be -brought within the commercial influence of the colony.</p> - -<p>This line of coast has at many points been a frequent haunt of slavers, -and the atrocities due to native superstition have been shocking, and -rendered more villanous by European trade. Commodore Perry, in 1843, -as will be seen in the notice of squadrons, did<span class="pagenum" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</span> justice on some of -their villages, convicted of murder and robbery of an American vessel. -The officers delivered several of the natives from torture under -the accusations of sorcery. To control such fierce materials into -quietness, or melt them to Christian brotherhood, will require much -grace from Providence, and much kind and patient dealing from men.</p> - -<p>In carrying out the objects of the colony, an effort was made by the -Maryland Colonization Society, which seemed in its nature singularly -promising. This consisted in establishing a joint-stock trading -company, or line of packets for carrying out emigrants and returning -with produce. It was expected that the colored people of the state -would, to some considerable extent, invest capital in shares. With -these expectations the “Liberia Packet” was launched in 1846, and made -many voyages. It was found necessary to increase the size of vessels -thus employed. But these operations were checked by the wreck of the -“Ralph Cross.” It was also found that comparatively little interest in -this undertaking was awakened among the colored population, or that -they had not the means for investment in it, as only about one-eighth -of the whole amount of stock was held by them. It is, however, an -incident of value in the history of Africa, that through facilities -thus afforded, many emigrants revisited this country for short periods, -and thus established a return line of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</span> intercourse, inquiry, or -business, which binds Africa more strongly to this land.</p> - -<p>A movement for the elevation of the colony into an independent state, -has been made by the people at Cape Palmas, and a commission has -visited this country to make arrangements for the purpose. That there -be full political independence granted to this people, is requisite, -as an element of the great achievement now going on. This contemplates -something far higher than creating merely a refuge for black men, or -sticking on a patch of colored America on the coast of Africa like an -ill-assorted graft, for which the old stock is none the better. Liberia -is the restoration of the African in his highest intellectual condition -to that country in which his condition had become the most degraded. -The question is to be settled whether that condition can be retained, -or so improved that he may keep pace with the rest of the world.</p> - -<p>It is a necessary element in this proceeding that he be self-governing. -It is to the establishment of this point that all men look to decide -the dispute, whether negro races are to remain forever degraded or -not. Time and patience, however, and much kind watchfulness, may be -required before this experiment be deemed conclusive. Let many failures -be anticipated ere a certain result is secured. Let no higher claims be -made on the negro than on other races. Would a colony<span class="pagenum" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</span> of Frenchmen, -Spaniards, Portuguese, Sicilians, if left to themselves, offer a fairer -prospect of success than Liberia now offers? Few persons would have -confidence in the stability of republican institutions among these -races, if so placed.</p> - -<p>Let then the black man be judged fairly, and not presumed to have -become all at once and by miracle, of a higher order than old historic -nations, through many generations of whom the political organization -of the world has been slowly developing itself. There will be among -them men who are covetous, or men who are tyrannical, or men who would -sacrifice the public interests or any others to their own: men who -would now go into the slave-trade if they could, or rob hen-roosts, or -intrigue for office, or pick pockets, rather than trouble their heads -or their hands with more honorable occupations. It should be remembered -by visitors that such things will be found in Liberia; not because men -are black, but because men are men.</p> - -<p>It should not be forgotten that the experiment in respect to this race -is essentially a new one. The nonsense about Hannibal, and Terence, -and Cyprian, and Augustine, being negro Africans, should have been out -of the heads of people long ago. A woolly-headed, flat-nosed African, -in ancient times, would have created as great a sensation at the head -of an army, or in the chair of a professor, as it would now in the -United<span class="pagenum" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</span> States or in England. These men were Asiatics or Europeans, -rather than Africans: the Great Desert being properly the northern -boundary of the African race. The African has never reached in fact, -until the settlement of Liberia, a higher rank than a king of Dahomey, -or the inventor of the last fashionable grisgris to prevent the devil -from stealing sugar-plums. No philosopher among them has caught sight -of the mysteries of nature; no poet has illustrated heaven, or earth, -or the life of man; no statesman has done any thing to lighten or -brighten the links of human policy. In fact, if all that negroes of all -generations have ever done, were to be obliterated from recollection -forever, the world would lose no great truth, no profitable art, no -exemplary form of life. The loss of all that is African would offer no -memorable deduction from any thing but the earth’s black catalogue of -crimes. Africa is guilty of the slavery under which she suffered; for -her people made it, as well as suffered it.</p> - -<p>The great experiment, therefore, is as to the effect of instruction -given to such a race from a higher one. It has had its success, and -promises more. But many patient endeavors must still be used. The -heroism of the missionary is still needed. Such men as Mills, Ashmun, -Wilson, and Bishop Payne, will be required to give energy to this work -in various forms. But there will be henceforth, it is to be hoped, less -demand<span class="pagenum" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</span> for the exposure of American life. There should be found in the -colored people of the United States, with whom the climate agrees, the -source of supply for African missions, till, in a few years, Liberia -itself send them forth, with words of life to their brethren throughout -the length and breadth of the continent.</p> - -<p>Like all sinful men, the African needs faith. But you must dig deeper -in him, before you find any thing to plant it on. The grain of -mustard-seed meets a very hard soil there, and the thorns are deep. It -is a conquest to get him to believe that there is any virtue in man. -They have never had a Socrates, to talk wisdom to them; nor a Cyrus, -who was not a slave-merchant; nor a Pythagoras, to teach that kindness -was a virtue. Hence the difficulty which the Christian missionary has -had with them, has been to satisfy their minds as to the miraculous -phenomenon of there being a good man. It has been always found that -there was many a consultation among their sages as to the peculiar -trade or purpose the missionary might have in view, in coming as he -came; and very generally the more good they saw, the more evil they -suspected. The first thing which, in most instances, opened their eyes, -has been in his inculcating peace; for they saw no fees coming to him -for it, and of course no looking out for plunder.</p> - -<p>The civilized world, as well as the savage, need the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</span> example of the -missionary. The true courage of faith is a blessing to mankind. Besides -his devotion to the highest interests of men, the world also owes much -to the educated and enlightened missionary, who has not only greatly -contributed to the cause of science and literature, but has often been -the means of developing the commercial resources of the countries -where he has been stationed. Women, with their own peculiar heroism, -which consists in fearless tenderness and patience, have also shared -in this work of faith. Mrs. Judson is seen wandering through a Burman -village teaching the people, with a sick child in her arms, while her -husband lies in prison. And Mrs. Wilson, highly cultivated and refined, -sacrificing her property, and surrendering a position in the best -society of the country, is found teaching negro children in the dull -and fetid atmosphere of African schools. This is true heroism, such as -the gospel alone can inspire.</p> - -<p>Christianity has, with watchful kindness, been seeking to penetrate -Africa from various points of the coast. Abyssinia has long professed -the Christian faith, although in a corrupt form. Its church, and -that of Egypt, must soon fall under the influence of the line of -communication through the Red Sea. English missionaries are at -Zanzibar, and have brought to light, by their explorations in the -interior, the group of mountains which raise their snowy heads south of -the equator in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</span> that neighborhood. Missionaries from the same country -are also to be found at Sierra Leone and in the Bight of Benin. From -the extremity of the continent they have, in conjunction with those of -five other nations, been penetrating all the interior of the southern -angle.</p> - -<p>The United States have also missionaries at four or five points. -There are those of the Liberian republic, Cape Palmas, and the Mendi -mission. In these places different denominations work kindly and -earnestly together. The first obvious sign of their presence is peace. -Nowhere in the world was this more needed, or more welcome, than in -the regions north and east of Liberia, where men, for many years, had -had to fight for their own persons, that they might remain their own, -and not be sold. Every thing, as might be expected, had fallen into -utter confusion. Tribes of historic character were in fragments; towns -depopulated, cultivation suspended, and the small knots of families -which kept together, were perishing. “The women and children,” says <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> -Thompson, “were often obliged to go out in search of berries and fruits -to keep themselves from starving.” To this country, which lies along -the sources of the Sierra Leone and the Gallinas rivers on the northern -confines of Liberia, the captives on board the <em xml:lang="es" lang="es">Amistad</em> had gone -in 1842. But such was the confusion in that quarter, that it was not -until<span class="pagenum" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</span> 1851, that the missionary found it practicable to commence his -efforts for peace. They told <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Thompson, “that no one but a white man -could have brought it about;” and that “they had long been praying to -God to send a white man to stop the war.”</p> - -<p>The Gaboon mission, since its disturbance by the French in 1844, has -been re-established, and has experienced courteous treatment at the -hands of the French authorities. This mission occupies the important -position at which the great southern nation and language come in -contact with the more energetic men of the equatorial region, and at -which great light is likely to be thrown on their relations. The French -also have a mission at the Gaboon.</p> - -<p>The mission to the Zulus, in the healthy region at the southern end -of the Mozambique Channel, was at one time divided between the two -branches of that tribe; but in consequence of wars, was afterwards -united and established in the colony of Natal. The commercial crisis in -the United States in 1837, led to the proposal that this mission should -be abandoned. But its influence had been so beneficial, that the Cape -colonists and their government proposed to take measures to support -it. Circumstances, however, enabled the American Board to decline -this proposal, and they continue their operations. An effort is being -made by this mission to unite all similarly engaged, in a common<span class="pagenum" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</span> and -uniform mode of treating the language of the south.</p> - -<p>The Portuguese have missions, both on the east and west side of the -continent.</p> - -<p>Commander Forbes, R. N., says: “In all the countries which have given -up the traffic in their fellow-men, the preaching of the Gospel and the -spread of education have most materially assisted the effects of the -coercive measures of our squadron.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="subhead">RENEWAL OF PIRACY AND THE SLAVE-TRADE AT THE CLOSE OF THE EUROPEAN -WAR—BRITISH SQUADRON—TREATIES WITH THE NATIVES—ORIGIN OF -BARRACOONS—USE OF THE AMERICAN FLAG IN THE SLAVE-TRADE—OFFICIAL -CORRESPONDENCE ON THE SUBJECT—CONDITION OF SLAVES ON BOARD OF THE -SLAVE-VESSELS—CASE OF THE VELOZ PASSAGEIRA—FRENCH SQUADRON.</p> - - -<p>It was the cessation of the last great European war, which assembled -the matured villany of the world on the African coast to re-establish -the slave-trade. This traffic had been suspended during the latter -years of the contest, as England and the United States had abolished -it, and the former was strong enough at sea to prevent other European -powers from engaging in it. In fact, she had swept almost the whole -European marine from the ocean. The treaties formed at the peace, left -Europe to the strife between anarchy and despotism; and gave up the -coast of Africa to the slave-trade and piracy.</p> - -<p>Every evil and every fear which have harassed the world since that -time, seem to be the retributions of an<span class="pagenum" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</span> indignant Providence. Let -it not be imagined that these dealings of justice with men are at an -end. What could atone for giving up the coasts of a whole continent -to be ravaged by the slave-ships of France, Spain, and Portugal? -What compensation for this vicious and deadly scourge has Africa yet -received? The cruising, suffering, sickness, deaths and expenses of -nearly half a century have not remedied the crime of signing these -treaties. The ambassador, minister, or whoever he was, that signed -them, bears a load of guilt, such as few mortal men have assumed.</p> - -<p>England set about remedying this in a more commendable spirit, as soon -as the years of free and unrestricted crime, which she had really -granted to these nations, were run out. During about twenty years -subsequently, when treaties with these powers had granted mutual right -of search and capture, three hundred vessels were seized, having -slaves on board. But during the latter part of this period, more than -one hundred thousand half-dead negroes were annually landed from -slave-vessels in Cuba and Brazil.</p> - -<p>In 1839 the corrective was more stringently applied. Permission had -then, or soon after, been wrung from different slave-trading powers, -to capture vessels outward-bound for Africa, when fitted for the -slave-trade, as well as after they had taken in their cargoes. The -treaties provided that vessels equipped for the traffic<span class="pagenum" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</span> might be -captured, so as to prevent the crime. A slaver was thus to be taken, -because she was a slaver; just as it is better to shoot the wolf before -he has killed the sheep than afterwards. If a vessel, therefore, was -found on the African coast with slave-irons, water in sufficient -quantity for a slave-cargo, with a slave-deck laid for packing -slaves—somewhat as the carcases of sheep and pigs in a railway train, -with the exception of the fresh air—she was seized and condemned -before committing the overt act. Under this arrangement, with a -rigorous squadron, double the number of captures were made, during the -next ten years, as compared with the previous twenty.</p> - -<p>Seeing, then, that, as before noticed, one thousand and seventy -slave-vessels were captured, and of the slaves who were not dead, -a great proportion were landed at Sierra Leone, and that the whole -population of that colony, although established for nearly sixty years, -does not amount to more than forty-five thousand souls, young and old, -it may be conceived what a fearful waste of life has arisen even from -deliverance.</p> - -<p>The efforts of this squadron were conjoined with those of France and -the United States. The former had withdrawn from the treaty stipulating -the right of search, and sent a squadron of her own to prevent French -vessels from engaging in the slave-trade; and the United States, which -never has surrendered, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</span> never will surrender, the inviolability -of her own flag to a foreign power, guaranteed, in 1842, to keep a -squadron on the coast. These, together with other subsidiary means, had -reduced the export of slaves in 1849 to about thirty-seven thousand, -from one hundred and five thousand. And since that period the trade -has lessened, until in Brazil, the greater slave-mart, it has become -almost extinct; although at times it has been earned on briskly with -the island of Cuba.</p> - -<p>The subsidiary means alluded to arose out of the presence of the -squadrons, and would have had no effect without them. They consist in -arrangements, on the part of England, with some of the native powers, -to join in checking the evil, and substitute legal trade, and in -the conversion of the old slave-factories and forts into positions -defensive against their former purpose.</p> - -<p>These measures have also prepared the way for the establishment of -Christian missions, as well as permitted to legitimate traffic its -full development. Missions and the slave-trade have an inverse ratio -between them as to their progress. When the one dwindles, the other -grows. Although it was no ostensible purpose of the squadron to forward -missions, yet the presence of cruisers has been essential to their -establishment and success.</p> - -<p>Trade of all kinds was originally an adjunct to the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</span> slave-trade. -Cargoes were to be sold where they could find a purchaser. Gold, ivory, -dye-stuffs and pepper were the articles procured on the coast. All of -these are from exhaustible sources. The great vegetable productions -of the country, constituting heavy cargoes, have but lately come into -the course of commerce. Hunting and roaming about supplied the former -articles of commerce. The heavier articles now in demand require -more industry with the hands, and a settled life. Trade thus becomes -inconsistent with slavery, and hostile to it; and the more so as it -becomes more dependent on the collection of oil, ground-nuts, and -other products of agriculture. Covering the coast now with trading -establishments, excludes the slaver. The efforts of the squadrons were -necessary to carry out this proceeding, for commerce needed to be -protected against the piracies of the slaver afloat and the ravages of -the slaver on shore.</p> - -<p>Exposure to capture gave origin to the barracoons. A slaver could -no longer leisurely dispose of her cargo, at different points, in -return for slaves who happened to be there. The crime now required -concealment and rapidity. Wholesale dealers on shore had to collect -victims sufficient for a cargo to be taken on board at a moment’s -notice. This required that the slaver should arrive at the station, -with arrangements previously made with the slave-factor, ready to “take -in;” or that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</span> she should bring over a cargo of goods in payment for the -slaves.</p> - -<p>In the case of falling in with British cruisers, an American slaver -was inviolate, on presenting her register, or sea-letter, as a proof -of nationality, and could not be searched or detained. But the risk -of falling in with American cruisers, especially if co-operating -with the British, led to the disguise of legal trading; with a cargo -corresponding to the manifest, and all the ship’s papers in form. An -instance of this occurred, as will be seen, in the capture of the -second slaver by the “Perry.”</p> - -<p>The American flag, in these ways, became deeply involved in the slave -traffic. How far this acted injuriously to the interests of Africa, is -seen in the complaints of Buchanan and Roberts, and in the reports of -our ministers and consuls, and of those of the English, at Brazil. In -1849, the British consul at Rio, in his public correspondence, says: -“One of the most notorious slave-dealers in this capital, when speaking -of the employment of American vessels in the slave-trade, said, a few -days ago: ‘I am worried by the Americans, who insist upon my hiring -their vessels for slave-trade.’”</p> - -<p>Of this there is also abundant and distressing evidence from our own -diplomatic officers. Besides a lengthy correspondence from a preceding -minister near the court of Brazil, the President of the United States<span class="pagenum" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</span> -transmitted a report from the Secretary of State, in December, 1850, to -the Senate of the United States, with documents relating to the African -slave-trade. A resolution had previously passed the Senate, calling -upon the Executive for this information.</p> - -<p>In these documents it is stated that “the number of American vessels -which, since the 1st of July, 1844, until the 1st of October -last (1849), sailed for the coast of Africa from this city, is -ninety-three.... Of these vessels, all, except five, have been sold and -delivered on the coast of Africa, and have been engaged in bringing -over slaves, and many of them have been captured with slaves on -board.... This pretended sale takes place at the moment when the slaves -are ready to be shipped; the American captain and his crew going on -shore, as the slaves are coming off, while the Portuguese or Italian -<em>passengers</em>, who came out from Rio in her, all at once became the -master and crew of the vessel. Those of the American crew who do not -die of coast-fever, get back as they can, many of them being compelled -to come over in slave-vessels, in order to get back at all. There is -evidence in the records of the consulate, of slaves having started -two or three times from the shore, and the master and crew from their -vessel in their boat, carrying with them the flag and ship’s papers; -when, the parties becoming frightened, both retroceded; the slaves were -returned to the shore,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</span> and the American master and crew again went -on board the vessel. The stars and stripes were again hoisted over -her, and kept flying until the cause of the alarm (an English cruiser) -departed from the coast, and the embarkation was safely effected.”</p> - -<p>On the other hand, we have the following notice from Brazil: “As in -former years, the slave-dealers have derived the greatest assistance -and protection for their criminal purposes, from the use of the -American flag, I am happy to add that these lawless and unprincipled -traders are at present deprived of this valuable protection, by a late -determination of the American naval commander-in-chief on this station, -who has caused three vessels, illegally using the flag of the United -States, and which were destined for African voyages, to be seized on -their leaving this harbor. This proceeding has caused considerable -alarm and embarrassment to the slave-dealers; and, should it be -continued, will be a severe blow to all slave-trading interests.”</p> - -<p><abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Tod, the American Minister at the court of Brazil, in a letter to -the Secretary of State, says: “As my predecessors had already done, -I have, from time to time, called the attention of our government to -the necessity of enacting a stringent law, having in view the entire -withdrawal of our vessels and citizens from this illegal commerce; and -after so much has been already written upon the subject, it may be -deemed a work of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</span> supererogation to discuss it further. The interests -at stake, however, are of so high a character, the integrity of -our flag and the cause of humanity being at once involved in their -consideration, I cannot refrain from bringing the topic afresh to the -notice of my government, in the hope that the President may esteem it -of such importance as to be laid before Congress, and that even at this -late day, legislative action may be secured.”</p> - -<p>In this communication, a quotation is made from <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Proffit, one of -the preceding ministers, to the Secretary of State, February, 1844, -in which he says: “I regret to say this, but it is a fact not to be -disguised or denied, that the slave-trade is almost entirely carried -on under our flag, in American-built vessels, sold to slave-traders -here, chartered for the coast of Africa, and there sold, or sold -here—delivered on the coast. And, indeed, the scandalous traffic could -not be carried on to any great extent, were it not for the use made -of our flag, and the facilities given for the chartering of American -vessels, to carry to the coast of Africa the outfit for the trade, and -the material for purchasing slaves.”</p> - -<p><abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Wise, the American Minister, in his dispatch of February 15th, -1845, said to <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Calhoun:</p> - -<p>“It is not to be denied, and I boldly assert it, that the -administration of the imperial government of Brazil, is forcibly -constrained by its influences, and is<span class="pagenum" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</span> deeply inculpated in its guilt. -With that it would, at first sight, seem the United States have nothing -to do; but an intimate and full knowledge of the subject informs -us, that the only mode of carrying on that trade between Africa and -Brazil, at present, involves our laws and our moral responsibilities, -as directly and fully as it does those of this country itself. Our -flag alone gives requisite protection against the right of visit, -search, and seizure; and our citizens, in all the characters of owners, -consignees, of agents, and of masters and crews of our vessels, -are concerned in the business, and partake of the profits of the -African slave-trade, to and from the ports of Brazil, as fully as the -Brazilians themselves, and others in conjunction with whom they carry -it on. In fact, without the aid of our own citizens and our flag, it -could not be carried on with success at all.”</p> - -<p>To exhibit the state of the slave-trade prior to the equipment treaty -in 1840, we have the following instances from parliamentary papers, and -other British authority:</p> - -<p>“La Jeune Estelle, being chased by a British vessel, inclosed twelve -negroes in casks, and threw them overboard.”</p> - -<p>“M. Oiseau, commander of <em xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">Le Louis</em>, a French vessel, in -completing his cargo at Calaba, thrust the slaves into a narrow space -<em>three feet high</em>, and closed the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</span> hatches. Next morning fifty -were found dead. Oiseau coolly went ashore to purchase others to supply -their place.”</p> - -<p>The following extract is from a report by Captain Hayes to the -Admiralty, of a representation made to him respecting one of these -vessels in 1832:</p> - -<p>“The master having a large cargo of these human beings <em>chained -together</em>, with more humanity than his fellows, permitted some -of them to come on deck, <em>but still chained together</em>, for the -benefit of the air, when they immediately commenced jumping overboard, -hand in hand, and drowning in couples; and (continued the person -relating the circumstance) without any cause whatever. Now these people -were just brought from a situation between decks, and to which they -knew they must return, where the scalding perspiration was running -from one to the other.... And men dying by their side, with full in -their view, living and dead bodies chained together; and the living, in -addition to all their other torments, laboring under the most famishing -thirst (being in very few instances allowed more than a pint of water -a day); and let it not be forgotten that these unfortunate people had -just been torn from their country, their families, their all! Men -dragged from their wives, women from their husbands and children, -girls from their mothers, and boys from their fathers; and yet in -this man’s eye (for heart<span class="pagenum" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</span> and soul he could have none), there was no -cause whatever for jumping overboard and drowning. This, in truth, is -a rough picture, but it is not highly colored. The <em>men are chained -in pairs</em>, and as a proof they are intended so to remain to the -end of the voyage, <em>their fetters are not locked, but riveted by -the blacksmith</em>; and as deaths are frequently occurring, <em>living -men are often for a length of time confined to dead bodies</em>: the -living man cannot be released till the blacksmith has performed the -operation of cutting the clinch of the rivet with his chisel; and I -have now an officer on board the Dryad, who, on examining one of these -slave-vessels, found <em>not only living men chained to dead bodies, but -the latter in a putrid state</em>.”<span class="fnanchor" id="fna4"><a href="#fn4">[4]</a></span></p> - -<p>In the notorious Spanish slaver, the <em xml:lang="pt" lang="pt">Veloz Passageira</em>, captured -with five hundred and fifty-six slaves, after a severe action, the -captain made the slaves assist to work the guns against their own -deliverers. Five were killed and one desperately wounded.</p> - -<p>“This <em xml:lang="pt" lang="pt">Veloz Passageira</em> had acquired so atrocious a reputation, -that it became an object with our commanders to make a special search -for her. Captain Arabin, of the <em>North Star</em>, having information -on his homeward voyage that she would cross his course near the -equator, made preparations to attack her, though the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</span> <em>North Star</em> -was of much inferior strength. <abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> Walsh, who was coming home in the -British vessel, relates, that at breakfast, while the conversation was -turning on the chances of meeting with the slaver, a midshipman entered -the cabin, and said, in a hurried manner, that a sail was visible -to the northwest. All rushed on deck, and setting their glasses, -distinctly saw a large ship of three masts, apparently crossing their -way. In about an hour she tacked, as if not liking their appearance, -and stood away before the wind. The English captain gave chase. Escape -seemed impracticable. The breeze freshened, her hull became distinctly -visible, and she was now ascertained to be a slaver. She doubled, -however, in all directions, and seemed to change her course each -moment to avoid her pursuers. Five guns were successively fired, and -the English union-flag hoisted, but without effect; and the wind now -dying away, the <em>North Star</em> began to drop astern. We kept a sharp -look-out, with intense interest, leaning over the netting, and silently -handing the glass to one another, as if a word spoken would impede -our way. Thus closed the night. When morning dawned we saw her, like -a speck on the horizon, standing due north. The breeze increased, and -again the British captain gained on the slaver. Again long shots were -sent after her, but she only crowded more sail to escape. At twelve -we were entirely within gunshot, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</span> one of our long bow guns was -again fired at her. It struck the water along side, and then for the -first time she showed a disposition to stop. While we were preparing -a second, she hove to, and in a short time we were alongside of her, -after a most interesting chase of thirty hours; during which we ran -three hundred miles.”</p> - -<p>After all she was not the ship for which Captain Arabin had been -looking out, but she was full of slaves. “Behind her foremast was an -enormous gun, turning on a broad circle of iron, and <em>enabling her -to act as a pirate if her slaving speculation had failed</em>. She had -taken in on the coast of Africa five hundred and sixty-two slaves, and -had been out seventeen days, during which she had thrown overboard -fifty-five.</p> - -<p>“The slaves were all inclosed under grated hatchways between decks. The -space was so low that they sat between each other’s legs, and stowed -so close together that there was no possibility of their lying down or -at all changing their position, by night or day. As they belonged to, -or were shipped on account of, different individuals, they were all -branded like sheep, with the owners’ marks, of different forms. These -were impressed under their hearts, or on their arms, and as the mate -informed me, with perfect indifference, “burnt with the red-hot iron.” -Over the hatchways stood a ferocious-looking fellow, with a scourge<span class="pagenum" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</span> -of many-twisted thongs in his hand, who was the slave-driver of the -ship; and whenever he heard the slightest noise below, he shook it over -them, and seemed eager to exercise it. I was quite pleased to take -this hateful badge out of his hand; and I have kept it ever since as a -horrid memorial of the reality, should I ever be disposed to forget the -scene I witnessed.</p> - -<p>“As soon as the poor creatures saw us looking down at them, their -dark and melancholy visages brightened up. They perceived something -of sympathy and kindness in our looks, which they had not been -accustomed to; and feeling instinctively that we were friends, they -immediately began to shout and clap their hands. One or two had picked -up a few Portuguese words, and cried out, Viva! viva! The women were -particularly excited. They all held up their arms, and when we bent -down and shook hands with them, they could not contain their delight: -they endeavored to scramble up on their knees, stretching up to kiss -our hands, and we understood they knew we were coming to liberate them. -Some, however, hung their heads in apparently hopeless dejection; -some were greatly emaciated, and some, particularly children, seemed -dying. But the circumstance which struck us most forcibly was, how -it was possible for such a number of human beings to exist, packed -up and wedged together as tight as they could cram, in low cells, -three feet high, the greater part of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</span> which, except that immediately -under the grated hatchways, were shut out from light and air; and -this, when the thermometer, exposed to open sky, was standing in the -shade on our deck at 89°. The space between decks, divided into two -compartments, was three feet three inches high; the size of one was -16 feet by 18, and of the other 40 by 21; into the first were crammed -the women and the girls, into the second the men and boys. Two hundred -and twenty-six fellow-creatures were thus thrust into one space of 288 -square feet, and three hundred and thirty into another space of 800 -square feet, giving the <em>whole an average of 23 inches; and to each -of the women not more than 13 inches</em>. We also found manacles and -fetters of different kinds; but it appeared that they all had been -taken off before we boarded. The heat of these horrid places was so -great, and the odor so offensive, that it was quite impossible to enter -them, even had there been room. They were measured as above when the -slaves had left them. The officers insisted that the poor suffering -creatures should be admitted on deck, to get air and water.... On -looking into the places where they had been crammed, there were found -some children next the sides of the ship, in the places most remote -from air and light; they were lying nearly in a torpid state, after -the rest had turned out. The little creatures seemed indifferent as -to life or death; and when they<span class="pagenum" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</span> were carried on deck, many of them -could not stand. After enjoying, for a short time, the unusual luxury -of air, some water was brought; it was then that the extent of their -sufferings was exposed in a fearful manner. They all rushed like -maniacs towards it. No entreaties, or threats, or blows could restrain -them; they shrieked, and struggled and fought with one another, for a -drop of this precious liquid, as if they grew rabid at the sight of -it. There is nothing which slaves, in the mid-passage, suffer from so -much as want of water. It is sometimes usual to take out casks filled -with sea-water as ballast, and when the slaves are received on board, -to start the casks and refill them with fresh. On one occasion, a ship -from Bahia neglected to change the contents of the casks, and on the -mid-passage found, to their horror, that they were filled with nothing -but salt-water. <em>All the slaves on board perished.</em>”</p> - -<p>At the time of this seizure, Brazil was precluded from the slave-trade -north of the equator; but the period had not arrived when, by -treaty, the southern trade was to be extinguished. “The captain of -this slaver was provided with papers, which exhibited an apparent -conformity to the law, and which, false as they may have been, yet -could in no way be absolutely disproved. The accounts of the slaves -themselves, who stated they had <em>originally</em> come from parts -of Africa <em>north</em> of the line—the course which the slaver was -steering—her<span class="pagenum" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</span> flight from the English cruiser—were circumstances -raising suspicion the most violent; but the reader will be not a little -disappointed to learn, that, with all this, the case was deemed too -doubtful, in point of legal proof, to bear out a legal detention; and -the slaver therefore, after nine hours of close investigation, was -finally set at liberty, and suffered to proceed.... It was dark when -we separated, and the last parting sounds we heard from the unhallowed -ship, were the cries and shrieks of slaves, suffering under some bodily -infliction.”—<em>Walsh</em>, vol. ii. pp. 474-484.</p> - -<p>The question arises, ought not humanity to have overcome all these -considerations, and led to the deliverance of the victims? If one death -in such circumstances had occurred, ought not a sense of justice to -have led to the detention of the slaver, and the conveyance of the -captain to his own government, to be tried for murder?</p> - -<p>The traders of France were nearly in the same position with those -of the United States, and there was the same necessity for guarding -against the abuse of their flag. Before proceeding to the proper -history of the American squadron in its efforts for the great purposes -it had in view, it may be advisable briefly to notice that France, in -1845, had formed with England a treaty under which both parties engaged -to keep a squadron of not less than twenty-six cruisers on the coast. -The<span class="pagenum" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</span> number was afterwards, by a separate agreement, reduced on the -part of France to twelve vessels.</p> - -<p>The reasons for this, and the few captures made by French vessels, -apply as well to the American cruisers, and account for the nature of -the stipulation in the treaty of Washington, that the United States -should only employ on the African coast a squadron of eighty guns. -These two nations have not, as England has, the right by treaty with -other powers, to interfere with any vessels except their own. Hence the -captures made by English cruisers necessarily outnumbered greatly the -captures made by both the other powers.</p> - -<p>The duty of the American and French squadron was in fact restrictive -in respect to their own citizens alone; and while indispensable for -the general success of these operations, they could not exhibit any -thing like the same amount of result in captures, whatever might be -the zeal and activity of the cruisers. Several slavers, however, have -been captured by this squadron; and its presence has restrained the -employment of the French flag in that traffic.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</span></p> - -<p class="footnote p2" id="fn4"><a href="#fna4">[4]</a> Parliamentary papers, presented 1832, B., pp. 170, 171.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXII">CHAPTER XXII.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="subhead">UNITED STATES SQUADRON—TREATY OF WASHINGTON.</p> - - -<p>There has been noted in the history of Liberia, prior to the -establishment of the commonwealth, the occasional arrival of American -men-of-war on the west coast of Africa. But an organized squadron was -not established until the year 1843.</p> - -<p>The question as to the effects arising from the abuse of the American -flag was brought into discussion in 1842, between American and British -diplomatists. Great Britain had to acknowledge, as the slave-trade -by the United States had only been declared piracy in a municipal -sense, that although a vessel was fully equipped for the trade, or -even had slaves on board, if American, she was in no sense amenable to -British cruisers. It, however, leaves the question unsettled, How is -a vessel to be ascertained to be American? The plea that any vessel, -hoisting any flag, is thereby secured against all interference in -all circumstances, never can be seriously offered as a principle of -national law. Neither the United States nor any other power has ever -acted on a dogma of this breadth. The<span class="pagenum" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</span> United States do not claim that -their flag shall give immunity to those who are not American; for such -a claim would render it a cover to piracy and to acts of the greatest -atrocity. But any vessel which hoists the American flag, claims to be -American, and therefore while she may be boarded and examined by an -American cruiser, this right is not conceded to a foreign cruiser; -for the flag is prima facie evidence, although not conclusive proof -of nationality; and if such vessel be really American, the boarding -officer will be regarded in the light of a trespasser, and the vessel -will have all the protection which that flag supplies. If, on the other -hand, the vessel prove not to be American, the flag illegally worn -will afford her no protection. Therefore a foreign officer boarding -a vessel under the flag of the United States, does it upon his own -responsibility for all consequences.</p> - -<p>These principles have been carried out in the co-operation and joint -cruising with British vessels, as will hereafter be seen, with -occasional exceptions of blustering and blundering, when American -cruisers were absent. This state of things, however, sometimes produces -a strange dilemma. The brig “Lawrence,” which was really American, was -captured and condemned by an English admiralty court, as a slaver, all -of which was contrary to national rights. But it was made out that she -was a slaver, and although the master protested,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</span> he found himself -helpless. The vessel was justly condemned as a slaver, but condemned by -the wrong party, which had no legal jurisdiction over her. The master -was a pirate if he fell into the hands of American authorities, and -thus was debarred all claim for redress.</p> - -<p>There is no doubt that many such cases occurred, and would again on the -withdrawal of the squadron. This, therefore, gave a kind of impunity -to the British cruisers, in violating the rights of the American flag, -and kept things in an unsound state. The only remedy for it, was in the -permanent establishment of an American squadron on the coast.</p> - -<p><abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> Hall, the agent in the Maryland colony at Cape Palmas says, “No -stronger incentive could be given to the commission of these outrageous -acts on the part of the British cruisers, than the course pursued by -the United States government, in declaring the slave-trade piracy, and -then taking no effective steps to prevent its prosecution under their -own flag!” Again: “If our force is not increased, and we continue to -disregard the prostitution of our flag, annoyances to our merchantmen -will more frequently occur. We shall no longer receive the protection -of British cruisers, which has ever been rendered to American vessels, -and without which the whole coast would be lined with robbers and -pirates.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="subhead">CASE OF THE “MARY CARVER,” SEIZED BY THE NATIVES—MEASURES OF THE -SQUADRON IN CONSEQUENCE—DESTRUCTION OF TOWNS—LETTER FROM <abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> BRIG -“TRUXTON” IN RELATION TO A CAPTURED SLAVER.</p> - - -<p>The treaty of Washington in 1842, settled and defined matters clearly -and honorably, both to the United States and Great Britain; and -agreeably to the treaty, the African squadron was established in the -year following, under the command of Commodore Matthew C. Perry, -consisting of the flag-ship Macedonian, the sloop-of-war Saratoga, the -sloop-of-war Decatur, and the brig Porpoise. The squadron selected its -rendezvous at Porto Praya, <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Jago, one of the Cape Verde Islands, in -<abbr title="latitude">lat.</abbr> 14° 54’ N. and <abbr title="longitude">long.</abbr> 23° 30’ <abbr title="West">W.</abbr></p> - -<p>One of the first acts of this squadron was the chastisement of the -natives for an outrage on American commerce.</p> - -<p>The people of Little Berebee, eastward of Cape Palmas, had some time -previously murdered the captain and crew of the American brig “Mary -Carver.” This occurrence of itself establishes one point, which is -the necessity of having cruisers on such a coast. The<span class="pagenum" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</span> safety of -commerce and the general welfare of the world are promoted by inspiring -wrong-doers with wholesome terror.</p> - -<p>On two occasions, towns have been captured, and in one instance a town -fired, by our squadrons on the coast of Sumatra, for similar atrocities -on our merchant vessels. But the impression is soon forgotten, and -the necessity for punishment occurs again. Now it may be expedient -to act thus at a distance, and trust only to occasional proofs of -just severity; but when wrong is ever ready to arise, it would be -better that the means of correction were at hand; for in this way is -the wrong-doing most readily prevented. Such, therefore, is the best -arrangement for all parties.</p> - -<p>In a country so near as Africa, and with which the United States is -so closely connected, the duty of preventing evil by the presence of -power, is imperative; otherwise we at once jeopardize our citizens, and -lead the savage into crime.</p> - -<p>The commodore, with the frigate Macedonian, the Saratoga, and Decatur, -proceeded to Cape Palmas. Such was then the tendency to warfare, that -the saluting was misinterpreted as the commencement of a fight, and -brought down a hostile tribe to share in the conflict or the spoils. -These natives attacked the post called Fort Tubman, eastward of Cape -Palmas, and suffered some loss in being driven off.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</span></p> - -<p>The squadron then proceeded to Berebee. Having landed a force of -about two hundred men, and called together the chiefs and head -men, some palavering, and a great deal of lying on the part of the -natives, took place. They had really prepared for a conflict, which on -their attempting to run off, took place. In the melée, the king was -unintentionally killed, eight or ten more suffered, and the palisades -and houses were burnt.</p> - -<p>Landings took place afterwards at towns along the coast, which had -shared in the crime and in the spoils. A few straggling shots were -fired from the shores and from the woods, but without causing any loss. -The stockades and dwelling-places were committed to the flames.</p> - -<p>Four towns were burnt, containing “from fifty to one hundred houses -each, neatly built with wicker-work, and thatched with palmetto.... -It was the commodore’s orders to destroy property, but spare life.” -This was right; but we have the reflection that the penalties may not -fall altogether upon the guilty, and that in every point of view the -prevention of such murderous outrages as here met punishment, is, when -it can be done by a show of authority, better than such retaliation.</p> - -<p>Humanity gained in other respects by this chastisement. The capricious -hostilities of the natives against the Maryland colony were checked, -and their appetite<span class="pagenum" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</span> for plunder brought under wholesome correction, -while missionaries were secured against their violence. A native -also who was being tortured, under a senseless accusation of causing -sickness in a chief, was rescued. All treaties by which the colonies -consent to the incorporation of the natives, stipulate that this -atrocity shall cease. The thinking men among the natives feel no -repugnance in giving it up. It is well that the colonial and native -authorities be sustained in counteracting the furious superstition of -the mob, by the power of solemn obligation.</p> - -<p>In a letter addressed to the Secretary of the American Colonization -Society, February <abbr title="third">3d</abbr>, 1844, from J. N. Lewis, acting Colonial Secretary -of Liberia, it is remarked, “Some months ago the Porpoise sent home -the American brigantine Uncas, under very suspicious circumstances. -There can be no doubt but that her intention was to take from the -coast a cargo of slaves. Still I am under the impression that your -courts will acquit her. I am informed that a bill is before Congress -making it criminal for vessels under the American flag to sell goods -at slave-factories. If such a bill pass the Houses, the slave-traders -will be much injured, as they get their principal supplies from vessels -bearing the flag of your country.... Your flag is used to protect the -slavers from interference by British vessels of war while they are -landing their cargoes; and when<span class="pagenum" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</span> the slaves are put on board they throw -overboard, or otherwise destroy, the ‘stars and stripes,’ and depend -upon the swiftness of their sailing to escape capture by a British -man-of-war.”</p> - -<p>The squadron was actively employed, cruising over the entire extent -of the slave-coast, rendering aid and protection to legal commerce, -and checking the slave-trade carried on in American vessels. It -was relieved in 1845 by the arrival of Commodore Skinner, with the -sloops-of-war Jamestown, Yorktown, and Preble, and the brig Truxton.</p> - -<p>The commander of the Decatur, on his return to the United States, in -a letter addressed to the Secretary of the Massachusetts Colonization -Society, alluding to the object of the Society, says that he cannot but -view it “as one of the most interesting and important that can claim -the attention and sympathy of the Christian and philanthropist at the -present day: besides, that in a political and national point of view, -it is, I think, well worthy the study of our ablest statesmen, and the -fostering aid of government, in consideration of the present and future -prosperity of our agricultural, manufacturing and commercial interests. -For were Africa, as she is now, to be struck out of existence, all -these interests would feel it a calamity; but were a requisition now -made for only a single garment for each individual of the myriads of -the African race, it would probably require<span class="pagenum" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</span> the energies of the whole -world for at least five years to come to supply it.”</p> - -<p>A letter from an officer of the Truxton, off Sierra Leone, dated March -29th, 1845, says: “Here we are in tow of Her Britannic Majesty’s -steamer Ardent, with an American schooner, our prize, and a Spanish -brigantine, prize to the steamer, captured in the Rio Pongas, one -hundred miles to the northward. We had good information when we left -Monrovia, that there was a vessel in the Pongas, waiting a cargo; and -on our arrival off the river, finding an English man-of-war steamer, -arrangements were made to send a combined boat expedition, to make -captures for both vessels.” The American boats were in charge of -Lieutenant Blunt.</p> - -<p>“On coming in sight, our little schooner ran up American colors, to -protect herself from any suspicion, when our boats, after running along -side of her, produced the stripes and stars, much to the astonishment -of those on board. She proved to be the Spitfire, of New Orleans, and -ran a cargo of slaves from the same place last year. Of only about one -hundred tons; but though of so small a size she stowed three hundred -and forty-six negroes, and landed near Matanzas, Cuba, three hundred -and thirty-nine.</p> - -<p>“Between her decks, where the slaves are packed, there is not room -enough for a man to sit, unless inclining his head forward: their food, -half a pint of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</span> rice per day, with, one pint of water. No one can -imagine the sufferings of slaves on their passage across, unless the -conveyances in which they are taken are examined. Our friend had none -on board, but his cargo of three hundred were ready in a barracoon, -waiting a good opportunity to start. A good hearty negro costs but -twenty dollars, or thereabouts, and is purchased for rum, powder, -tobacco, cloth, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> They bring from three to four hundred dollars in -Cuba. The English are doing every thing in their power to prevent the -slave-trade; and keep a force of thirty vessels on this coast, all -actively cruising. The British boats also brought down a prize; and the -steamer is at this moment towing the Truxton, the Truxton’s prize, and -her own, at the rate of six miles an hour.</p> - -<p>“It is extremely difficult to get up these rivers to the places where -the slavers lie. The whole coast is intersected by innumerable rivers, -with branches pouring into them from every quarter, and communicating -with each other by narrow, circuitous and very numerous creeks, -bordered on each side with impenetrable thickets of mangroves. In these -creeks, almost concealed by the trees, the vessels lie, and often elude -the strictest search. But when they have taken on board their living -cargo, and are getting out to sea, the British are very apt to seize -them, except, alas! when they are <em>protected by the banner of the -United States</em>.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</span></p> - -<p>The Sierra Leone Watchman, of February 19th, adds, that “the -slave-traders at Shebar and in the river Gallinas had been much -emboldened by the prosecution of Captain Denham, in England, for his -summary destruction of sundry barracoons, and openly asserted their -determination to seek redress in the English courts, if they were again -molested in their operations.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXIV">CHAPTER XXIV.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="subhead">CAPTURE OF THE SLAVE-BARQUE “PONS”—SLAVES LANDED AT MONROVIA—CAPTURE -OF THE SLAVE-EQUIPPED VESSELS “PANTHER,” “ROBERT WILSON,” -“CHANCELLOR,” ETC.—LETTER FROM THE “JAMESTOWN” IN REFERENCE TO -LIBERIA—AFFAIR WITH THE NATIVES NEAR CAPE PALMAS—SEIZURE AND -CONDEMNATION OF THE SLAVER “H. N. GAMBRILL.”</p> - - - -<p>On the 30th of November, the Yorktown, Commander Bell, captured the -American bark “Pons,” off Kabenda, on the south coast, with eight -hundred and ninety-six slaves on board. This vessel had been at Kabenda -about twenty days before, during which she had been closely watched -by the British cruiser “Cygnet.” The Cygnet, leaving one morning, -the master of the Pons, James Berry, immediately gave up the ship -to Gallano, the Portuguese master. During the day, so expeditious -had they been, that water and provisions were received on board, and -nine hundred and three slaves were embarked; and at eight o’clock -the same evening, the Pons was under way. Instead of standing out to -sea, she kept in with the coast during the night; and in the morning -discovering<span class="pagenum" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</span> the British cruiser, furled sails, and drifted so close to -the shore that the negroes came down to the beach in hopes of her being -wrecked. She thus eluded detection. When clear of the Cygnet, she stood -out to sea, and two days afterwards was captured by the Yorktown.</p> - -<p>Commander Bell says: “The captain took us for an English man-of-war, -and hoisted the American colors; and no doubt had papers to -correspond.” These he threw overboard. “As soon as the slaves were -recaptured, they gave a shout that could have been heard a mile.”</p> - -<p>During the night eighteen of the slaves had died, and one jumped -overboard. The master accounted for the number dying from the necessity -of his sending below all the slaves on deck, and closing the hatches, -when he fell in with the Yorktown, in order to escape detection. Ought -not every such death to be regarded as murder?</p> - -<p>Commander Bell says: “The vessel has no slave-deck, and upwards of -eight hundred and fifty were piled, almost in bulk, on water-casks -below. As the ship appeared to be less than three hundred and fifty -tons, it seemed impossible that one-half could have lived to cross the -Atlantic. About two hundred filled up the spar-deck alone when they -were permitted to come up from below; and yet the captain assured me<span class="pagenum" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</span> -that it was his intention to have taken <em>four hundred more</em> on -board, if he could have spared the time.</p> - -<p>“The stench from below was so great that it was impossible to stand -more than a few minutes near the hatchways. Our men who went below from -curiosity, were forced up sick in a few minutes: then all the hatches -were off. What must have been the sufferings of those poor wretches, -when the hatches were closed! I am informed that very often in these -cases, the stronger will strangle the weaker; and this was probably -the reason why so many died, or rather were found dead the morning -after the capture. None but an eye-witness can form a conception of the -horrors these poor creatures must endure in their transit across the -ocean.</p> - -<p>“I regret to say, that most of this misery is produced by our own -countrymen. They furnish the means of conveyance in spite of existing -enactments; and although there are strong circumstances against Berry, -the late master of the Pons, sufficient to induce me to detain him, if -I should meet him, I fear neither he nor his employers can be reached -by our present laws.”</p> - -<p>In this letter to the Secretary of the Navy, Commander Bell further -adds: “For twenty days did Berry wait in the roadstead of Kabenda, -protected by the flag of his country, yet closely watched by a foreign -man-of-war, who was certain of his intention: but the instant<span class="pagenum" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</span> that -cruiser is compelled to withdraw for a few hours, he springs at the -opportunity of enriching himself and owners, and disgracing the flag -which had protected him.”</p> - -<p>The prize “Pons” was taken to Monrovia. There the slaves were landed, -and gave the people a practical exhibition of the trade by which -their ancestors had been torn from their homes. In the fourteen days -intervening between the capture and arrival of the vessel at Monrovia, -one hundred and fifty had died.</p> - -<p>“The slaves,” says the Monrovia Herald of December 28th, “were much -emaciated, and so debilitated that many of them found difficulty in -getting out of the boats. Such a spectacle of misery and wretchedness, -inflicted by a lawless and ferocious cupidity, so excited our people, -that it became unsafe for the captain of the slaver, who had come to -look on, to remain on the beach. Eight slaves died in harbor before -they were landed, and the bodies were thrown overboard.”</p> - -<p>The slaves, who were from eight to thirty years of age, came starved -and thirsting from on board. Caution was required in giving them food. -“When it was supposed that the danger of depletion was over, water was -poured into a long canoe, into which they plunged like hungry pigs into -a trough—the stronger faring the best.”</p> - -<p>Still, the kindness of human nature had not altogether been obliterated -by length and intensity of suffering.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</span> Two boys, brothers, had found -beside them a younger boy of the same tribe, who was ill. They -contrived to nestle together on the deck, under such shelter as the -cover of the long-boat offered them—a place where the pigs, if they -are small enough, are generally stowed. There they made a bed of some -oakum for their dying companion, and placed a piece of old canvas under -his head. Night and day one was always awake to watch him. Hardship -rendered their care fruitless: the night after the vessel anchored he -died, and was thrown overboard.</p> - -<p>The recaptured were apprenticed out, and kindly cared for by the -Liberians. Several of them were found, when the Perry visited Monrovia, -to have become members of churches, and others were attending -Sunday-schools.</p> - -<p>Several empty slavers were captured by the squadron about this -period; they are thus noticed by the National Intelligencer:—“It is -remarkable that within the same week, should have arrived in our ports -as prizes to the American squadron, for having been engaged in the -slave-trade—the Pons, above mentioned, captured by the Yorktown; the -Panther, a prize of the same vessel, which arrived at Charleston on -Monday; and the Robert Wilson, a prize to the sloop-of-war Jamestown, -which reached Charleston on Thursday.”</p> - -<p>In 1846, the sloop-of-war Marion, brigs Dolphin and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</span> Boxer, with the -flag-ship United States, Commodore Read, constituted the squadron.</p> - -<p>Sixty miles of additional sea-coast territory had been purchased -by Governor Roberts, from the natives. The influence of traders, -of the slave-trade, and even of England being thrown in the way of -obtaining possession of the purchased territory, Governor Roberts made -application to the commodore, that one of the vessels of the squadron -might cruise for several weeks within the limited territory, for the -purpose of facilitating negotiation. The Dolphin was assigned this -service; her commander offered General Lewis, the agent, a passage to -such points as he wished to visit, and otherwise rendered service as -circumstances required.</p> - -<p>The Dolphin was lying at Cape Mount, watching the suspicious American -bark “Chancellor,” which was trading with a slave-dealer named -Canot. The British cruiser “Favorite” was stationed off the Cape, -and suggested to the chiefs, that as they were in treaty with his -government for the suppression of the slave-trade, and as Canot was on -their territory making preparations for slaving, they were bound to -destroy his establishment. The chiefs accordingly burnt his premises, -containing a large amount of goods he had shipped at New York. Canot -having been by no means secure in conscience, had left with his family -and taken up his residence in Monrovia.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</span></p> - -<p>The Dolphin proceeded to Porto Praya for stores, and the Chancellor -was watched in the mean time by the British cruisers at the Cape and -at the Gallinas. Among the traverses worked by the slave-traders, the -practice had been adopted, to fill canoes with slaves and send them -off the coast, to be picked up by vessels in search of a cargo, which, -from the blockade, could not reach the shore. In one instance, fifty of -these were found in a single canoe, and taken by a British cruiser. On -the return of the Dolphin, the Chancellor was seized by Commander Pope -as a prize, on the ground of having a slave-deck laid, and water-casks -with rice on board sufficient for a slave cargo, and sent to the United -States for adjudication.</p> - -<p>The commodore, after having cruised along the entire extent of the -slave-coast, rendering such service as American interests required, was -relieved, in 1847, by the sloop-of-war Jamestown, Commodore Bolton. The -frigate United States then proceeded to the Mediterranean station, to -complete her cruise.</p> - -<p>The commander of the Jamestown writes, in relation to Monrovia, “It -was indeed to me a novel and interesting sight, although a southern -man, to look upon these emancipated slaves legislating for themselves, -and discussing freely, if not ably, the principles of human rights, -on the very continent, and perhaps the very spot, where some of -their ancestors were sold into<span class="pagenum" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</span> slavery.... Liberia, I think, is now -safe, and may be left after a while to stand alone. Would it not be -advisable, then, for the Colonization Society to turn its attention -to some other portion of the coast, and extend the area of Christian -and philanthropic efforts to bettering the condition of the colored -people of our country, by sowing on other parts of the coast some of -the good seed which has produced so bountifully on the free soil of -Liberia.... In no part of the world have I met with a more orderly, -sober, religious and moral community than is to be found at Monrovia. -On the Sabbath, it is truly a joyful sound to hear hymns of praise -offered up to Him who doth promise, ‘where two or three are gathered -together in His name, there He is in the midst of them;’ and a pleasure -to observe how very general the attendance upon divine worship is -among these people. I believe every man and woman in Monrovia, of -any respectability, is a member of the church. If you take a family -dinner with the President (and his hospitable door is always open -to strangers), a blessing is asked upon the good things before you -set to. Take a dinner at Colonel Hicks’s (who, by the way, keeps one -of the very nicest tables), and ‘mine host,’ with his shiny, black, -intelligent face, will ask a blessing on the tempting viands set before -you.”</p> - -<p>This may be considered a fair type of the views of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</span> persons generally -who visit Liberia, judging the people comparatively. Our estimate -of them ought not to be conformed to the standard of an American -population.</p> - -<p>The squadron confined mostly to the north coast, rendered such services -as the commerce of the United States and the interest of its citizens -required, and checked the perversion of the flag to the continuance of -the slave-trade. The year following, the commodore was relieved by the -Yorktown, bearing the broad pendant of Commodore Cooper, and with the -flag-ship proceeded to the Mediterranean.</p> - -<p>Commodore Cooper soon after assuming the command, suffering from -ill-health, returned to the United States, and the African squadron was -assigned to Commodore Gregory, who sailed in the summer of 1849, in the -<abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> sloop-of-war Portsmouth. It consisted of the sloops-of-war John -Adams, Dale, Yorktown, and the brigs Bainbridge, Porpoise and Perry. -Three or four slavers were captured, the entire slave-coast closely -examined, and such services rendered to our commercial interests as -were required.</p> - -<p>In 1851, Commodore Lavallette, with the Germantown, relieved Commodore -Gregory. He made an active cruise, capturing one or two suspected -slavers, and otherwise carrying out the views of the government in the -establishment of the squadron. At the expiration<span class="pagenum" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</span> of two years, the -frigate Constitution arrived, bearing the broad pendant of Commodore -Mayo, who now commands the squadron, consisting of the sloops-of-war -Marion and Dale, with the brig Perry.</p> - -<p>In visiting Cape Palmas in the summer of 1853, one of the -unintelligible quarrels common to the coast was then raging between -the Barbo people and their neighbors along the Cavally. Interfering -to settle the matter was by no means acceptable. When the commodore -proposed going on shore for the purpose, the proposal was met by an -intimation to go away, or they would cut off his head. The launch was -sent off well manned, with a howitzer. The natives assembled with a -show of resistance, but a shot being thrown among them, brought the -belligerents to terms. They apologized, and promised to reconcile their -enmities, and took the oath of friendship.</p> - -<p>The American schooner N. H. Gambrill, of Baltimore, attempting to -re-awaken the small remains of slaving off the river Congo, was seized -by the frigate Constitution on the <abbr title="third">3d</abbr> of December, arrived in New York -in charge of a prize-officer, and on the 30th of January, 1854, was -condemned in the <abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> Circuit Court, for having been engaged in the -slave-trade.</p> - -<p>Considering that we have had no steamers on the coast, and the number -of vessels being small, the squadron has been efficient in fulfilling -its duties. Its<span class="pagenum" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</span> appearance alone had great influence. It showed a -determination in our government to share in the naval charge of these -vast seas and shores. Our country thus became present, as it were, in -power to repress, and if need be, by punishment to avenge outrages on -our citizens or their property. It checked, by important captures, -the desecration of the American flag, and has had an essential agency -towards removing the guilt of the slave-trade from the world. Had we -no squadron on the African coast, American vessels would with impunity -pursue the iniquitous traffic; our commerce would be exposed, and our -citizens subject to outrage. The nature of the proceedings of this -squadron, the circumstances of its experience, and the effect of its -operations, will be more clearly apparent in the subsequent detail of -the proceedings of the <abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> brig “Perry,” during the years 1850-1851. -The following chapters will comprise a synopsis of these proceedings, -and a compilation from the correspondence in relation to them.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXV">CHAPTER XXV.</h2> -</div> - - -<p class="subhead">CRUISE OF THE “PERRY”—INSTRUCTIONS—DISPATCHED TO THE SOUTH -COAST—BENGUELA—CASE OF A SLAVER WHICH HAD CHANGED HER NATIONALITY -CAPTURED BY AN ENGLISH CRUISER—<abbr title="saint">ST.</abbr> PAUL DE LOANDA—ABUSE OF THE -AMERICAN FLAG—WANT OF A CONSUL ON THE SOUTH COAST—CORRESPONDENCE -WITH BRITISH OFFICERS IN RELATION TO SLAVERS UNDER THE AMERICAN -FLAG—THE BARQUE “NAVARRE”—TREATY WITH PORTUGAL—ABATEMENT OF -CUSTOM-HOUSE DUTIES—CRUISING OFF AMBRIZ—AN ARRANGEMENT MADE WITH -THE BRITISH COMMODORE FOR THE JOINT CRUISING OF THE PERRY AND STEAMER -“CYCLOPS”—CO-OPERATION WITH THE BRITISH SQUADRON FOR THE SUPPRESSION -OF THE SLAVE-TRADE—FITTING OUT OF AMERICAN SLAVERS IN BRAZIL.</p> - - - -<p>On the 21st of December, 1849, the “Perry” arrived at the Cape Verde -Islands, and was reported to the commodore of the American squadron. On -the 9th of the succeeding month a communication was received from the -commodore intimating his intention to dispatch the vessel immediately -on a cruise south of the equator: stating, that he should leave the -commander to the exercise of his own judgment in general matters; but -as an object of the first consequence, called his attention to the -observance of every means calculated<span class="pagenum" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</span> to preserve and insure the health -of his crew. He had been counselled by the experience of the fleet -surgeon and others, that it was absolutely necessary for white persons -to avoid exposure to the heat of the day, and to the night air on -shore, and always when at anchor to lie at a sufficient distance from -the shore to avoid its deleterious effects. Besides these precautions, -cleanliness of ship and persons, constant ventilation, proper food -and clothing, sufficiency of water, and good discipline, had hitherto -produced the happiest results, and no doubt would continue to do so. A -number of Kroomen sufficient to man two boats, were to be furnished at -Monrovia, which would relieve the crew ordinarily from the hazards of -that duty. The officers and men should not be permitted to visit the -shore unnecessarily; or at all, when they could not, with certainty, -return at any moment. Care was to be observed in procuring good -wholesome water, and in such abundance as to insure at all times, if -possible, a full allowance to the crew; and also to furnish them with -fresh provisions and vegetables, whenever the opportunity offered.</p> - -<p>A record of all vessels boarded, with a report according to the form -furnished, was required.</p> - -<p>The commander was reminded of the disposition of the government to -cultivate and maintain the most friendly intercourse with all other -nations or people, and was directed to govern himself accordingly.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</span></p> - -<p>The commodore also directed the commander of the Perry, when that -vessel should be in all respects ready for sea, to proceed direct -to Monrovia, where he would meet the <abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> sloop-of-war Yorktown; -the commander of which had been instructed to fill up the Perry -with provisions, furnish sixteen Kroomen, and to render all needful -assistance required to expedite her movements. Making no unnecessary -delay at Monrovia, the commander of the Perry was to proceed thence on -the cruise, the limits of which would extend to the <abbr title="latitude">lat.</abbr> of Cape <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> -Mary’s, 13° south.</p> - -<p>It was recommended, that from Monrovia he should proceed off from the -coast, keeping well to the westward, until crossing the equator and -reaching the southern limits of the cruising-ground, for the purpose -of avoiding the prevailing winds and currents, which, south of the -line, would be adverse to progress in-shore, but favorable to a close -examination, on the return northward.</p> - -<p>The object of the cruise was to protect the lawful commerce of the -United States, and, under the laws of the United States, to prevent -the flag and citizens of the United States from being engaged in the -slave-trade; and to carry out, in good faith, the treaty stipulations -between the United States and England.</p> - -<p>After reaching the southern point of destination, or nearly so, the -vessel was to cruise along the coast, examining<span class="pagenum" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</span> the principal points, -or slave-stations; such as the Salinas, Benguela, Loanda, Ambriz, River -Congo, and intermediate places, back towards Monrovia: the commander -acting in all cases according to the best of his judgment, upon the -information he might obtain, and circumstances that might present -themselves; taking care, in no case, to exceed the instructions of the -Hon. Secretary of the Navy, furnished for his guidance.</p> - -<p>Should British cruisers be met, he might act in concert with them, so -far as the instructions permitted.</p> - -<p>It was further noticed, that a number of suspected American vessels had -been hovering on the coast, between Cape <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Mary’s and Cape Lopez, -and that some of them had left the coast with slaves. Vessels clearly -liable to capture and not provided with cargoes, might be sent directly -to the United States. All captives found on board were to be landed at -Monrovia.</p> - -<p>The Perry left the Cape Verde Islands on the day in which her orders -were issued, and arrived at Monrovia on the 20th. She there received -provisions from the Yorktown, and sixteen Kroomen from the shore. -Having exchanged salutes and visits of ceremony, she sailed on her -southern cruise, and arrived at <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Philip de Benguela, after a passage -of forty-one days, having, during the interval, boarded three legal -traders. This<span class="pagenum" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</span> passage was made on the port tack by standing to the -southward and westward, into the southeast trades. But the passage from -the north to the south coast should, in all cases, be made in-shore on -the starboard tack; as will be explained, hereafter, during the third -cruise of the Perry.</p> - -<p>At Benguela, which is a Portuguese settlement, next in importance -to <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Paul de Loanda, although now much dilapidated, and where the -slave-trade has been carried on to a great extent, the customary -exchange of a national salute and official visits was duly observed.</p> - -<p>The commander ascertained, on his arrival, that the American merchant -vessels were subject to greater restrictions than probably would have -been the case had a man-of-war occasionally made her appearance in that -quarter. He therefore intimated to the governor that our cruisers, in -future, would visit that part of the coast more frequently than they -had done for the last few years.</p> - -<p>Information was received, that five days previous to the arrival of -the Perry, an English cruiser had captured, near this place, a brig, -with eight hundred slaves on board. In this case, it appeared that the -vessel came from Rio de Janeiro, under American colors and papers, -with an American captain and crew; and had been, when on the coast, -transferred to a Brazilian captain and crew, the Americans having gone -on<span class="pagenum" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</span> shore with the papers. The captured slaver was sent to the Island -of <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Helena for adjudication.</p> - -<p>After remaining three days at Benguela, where neither fresh water nor -provisions could be procured, the Perry weighed anchor and ran down the -coast, examining all intermediate points, and boarding several vessels -during the passage to Loanda. This city is the capital of Loango, and -the most flourishing of the Portuguese establishments on the African -coast.</p> - -<p>In a letter announcing the arrival of the vessel, and her reception -by the authorities, the Navy Department was informed that an English -steamer had arrived, having recently captured a slaver, the barque -Navarre, which had sailed from Rio de Janeiro to <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Catharine’s, where -she had fitted up for a slave cargo, and received a Brazilian captain -and crew. When boarded by the English steamer, the slaver had American -colors flying; and on being told by the commander that her papers were -forged, and yet that he could not search the vessel, but must send her -to an American cruiser, the captain then ordered the American colors to -be hauled down, and the Brazilian to be hoisted, declaring that she was -Brazilian property, sent the Brazilian captain and crew on deck, and -gave up the vessel.</p> - -<p>The commander of the Perry also informed the Navy Department that, soon -after his arrival at Loanda, he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</span> had received from various sources -information of the abuse of the American flag in connection with the -slave-trade; and inclosed copies of letters and papers addressed to him -by the British commissioner, and the commander of an English cruiser, -which gave authentic information on the subject.</p> - -<p>He suggested that as the legitimate commerce of the United States -exceeded that of Great Britain and France, on the coast south of -the equator, and the American flag had been used to cover the most -extensive slave-trade, it would seem that the presence of one or two -men-of-war, and the appointment of a consul, or some public functionary -at that place, were desirable.</p> - -<p>He noticed that the depôt of stores at Porto Praya was so far -removed, that a vessel could barely reach the southern point of the -slave-stations before she was compelled, for want of provisions, to -return and replenish. A consul or storekeeper there might, as is the -case with the English or French, supply that division of the squadron, -and thus a force might constantly be kept on that side of the equator, -where, until the arrival of the Perry, there had been no American -man-of-war for a period of two years.</p> - -<p>It had been intimated to him, as he further stated, by Americans, that -if the <abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> government were aware<span class="pagenum" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</span> of the atrocities committed under -its flag, it might be induced to take some measures for preventing -the sale of American vessels on the African coast, as in nearly every -instance the vessel had been sold for the purpose of engaging in the -slave-trade. But if that should be regarded as too great a check upon -the commercial interests of the United States, such sale, if made on -that coast, might be duly notified to the proposed consul or agent, -that the vessel should be known as having changed her nationality.</p> - -<p>All information showing the number of American vessels and American -citizens engaged in the slave-trade being regarded as desirable, -interviews on the subject were held not only with the Americans engaged -in mercantile pursuits, but with others, from whom reliable information -could be derived. A list of American vessels, which had been on -the coast during the preceding year, was procured. Many of these -vessels came from Rio and adjoining ports, with two sets of papers. A -sea-letter had been granted by the consul in good faith, according to -law, on the sale of a vessel in a foreign port; the cargo corresponded -with the manifest; the consular certificate, crew list, port clearance, -and all papers were in form. Several of these vessels, after -discharging their cargoes, changed their flag; the American captain -and crew, with flag and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</span> papers, leaving the vessel, and she instantly -becoming invested with Spanish, Portuguese, or Brazilian nationality.<span class="fnanchor" id="fna5"><a href="#fn5">[5]</a></span></p> - -<p>By this arrangement, as the United States never has consented, and -never ought to consent, even on the African coast, to grant to Great -Britain, or any other power, the right of search, a slaver, when -falling in with an American cruiser, would be prepared to elude search -and capture by the display of a foreign ensign and papers, even had she -slaves on board. And on the other hand, she might the same day fall -in with a British cruiser, and by displaying her flag, and presenting -the register or sea-letter, vindicate her American nationality. This -illustrates the importance of men-of-war, belonging to each nation, -cruising in company for the detection of slavers.</p> - -<p>Great Britain being in treaty with Spain, Portugal, Brazil, Sardinia -and other powers, the proposed mode of co-operation would lead to -the detection of slavers under almost any nationality except that of -France, which government has an efficient squadron of steamers<span class="pagenum" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</span> and -sailing vessels on the coast, fully prepared to vindicate her own -flag.<span class="fnanchor" id="fna6"><a href="#fn6">[6]</a></span></p> - -<p>In reference to vessels ostensibly American, which had been engaged -in the slave-trade, a British officer, on the 21st of March, 1850, in -a letter inclosing a list of American vessels which had been boarded -by the cruiser under his command, stated that all these vessels had -afterwards taken slaves from the coast; and with the exception of the -“Lucy Ann,”<span class="fnanchor" id="fna7"><a href="#fn7">[7]</a></span> captured with five hundred slaves on board by a British -steamer, had escaped. The registers, or sea-letters, of these vessels -appeared to be genuine; and he being unable to detect<span class="pagenum" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</span> any inaccuracies -in their papers, his duty to the American flag had ceased. The vessels -in his list had been boarded by himself; but the senior officer of the -division was referred to, “who could give a list of many more, all of -which would have been good prizes to an officer having the right of -search;” for he was well assured that they went over to that coast, -fully fitted and equipped for the slave-trade.</p> - -<p>He expressed a regret that the pleasure of making acquaintance with the -commander of the Perry had only fallen to his lot at a moment when the -term of his service on the western coast of Africa had expired; but was -satisfied that not only on the part of the senior officer commanding -the southern division, but also of his brother officers still remaining -in service on the coast, the most cordial co-operation would be -afforded in the suppression of the slave-trade.</p> - -<p>The British commissioner, of the mixed commission under the treaty -between Great Britain and Portugal for the suppression of the African -slave-trade, also furnished a list of suspected slavers which had -claimed American nationality.</p> - -<p>On the 25th of March, the commander requested the English captain to -give him a detailed account of the circumstances attending the capture -of the barque Navarre, by her B. M. steamer Fire Fly.</p> - -<p>He asked for this information, as the Navarre was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</span> boarded when under -American colors, although displaying Brazilian colors when captured.</p> - -<p>In reply, the English captain informed him that the slave barque -Navarre, seized under the Brazilian flag, on the 19th instant, -had the American ensign flying at the time she was boarded. The -boarding-officer having doubts of her nationality, in consequence of -her papers not appearing to be regular, he himself, although ill at the -time, considered it his duty to go on board, when, being convinced that -her papers were false, he informed the person calling himself master -of her, that it was his duty to send him to the American squadron, -or in the event of not falling in with them, to New York. The master -immediately went on deck and ordered the mate to haul down the American -ensign—to throw it overboard—and to hoist their proper colors. The -American ensign was hauled down and thrown overboard by the mate, who -immediately hoisted the Brazilian ensign. A man then came on deck from -below, saying that he was captain of the vessel; that she was Brazilian -property, and fully fitted for the slave-trade; which the person who -first appeared acknowledged, stating that he himself was a Brazilian -subject. Having obtained this from them in writing, the person who -first called himself captain having signed it, and having had the -signing of the document witnessed by two officers, he opened her<span class="pagenum" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</span> -hatches, found all the Brazilian crew below, slave-deck laid, water -filled, provisions for the slaves, and slave-shackles.</p> - -<p>At this period the agent of a large and respectable commercial house -in Salem, Massachusetts, established at Loanda, submitted to the -commander of the Perry a copy of the treaty between the United States -and Portugal, together with a letter from the Secretary of State, and -a paper from an officer of the Treasury Department, exhibiting the -commercial rights of the United States under said treaty.</p> - -<p>The agent claimed that agreeably to the treaty, a portion of the duties -were to be remitted when a vessel arrived direct from the United -States; which claim had not been acknowledged at Loanda, on the ground -that the vessels were in the habit of touching at the native ports, -while the agent insisted that as these ports were not recognized as -within the jurisdiction of a civilized government, the Portuguese -provincial authorities had not faithfully observed the treaty -stipulations.</p> - -<p>The subject was referred to the Government.</p> - -<p>After remaining a week in Loanda, making proper repairs on the vessel, -and refreshing the crew, the Perry ran down the coast to the northward, -for the purpose of cruising off Ambriz, a noted slave-station, under -native authority, with several factories for legal trade. Arriving at -this station the following morning,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</span> three English steam cruisers were -in sight. The second lieutenant of the Perry was sent to call on the -commanding officer of the southern division of the British squadron, -who soon afterwards called on board the American cruiser in person.</p> - -<p>In a letter, dated the 24th of March, the British commanding officer -informed the commander of the Perry, that it afforded him great pleasure -to witness the presence of a United States vessel on the southwest -coast of Africa, to be employed in co-operation with British vessels in -the suppression of the slave-trade. And he therefore took the liberty -to transmit, by the officer of the Perry, kindly sent to wait upon him, -two documents connected with Brazilian slave-vessels, which had lately -come over to that coast, displaying the American ensign, and presenting -to the English boarding-officer (as they had proven) fraudulent -American papers.</p> - -<p>He assured him, that in the necessary examination of these papers, -every respect had been paid to the American flag, and the visit made in -strict accordance with the treaty between the United States of America -and Great Britain; and that it was not until the different vessels -had voluntarily hauled down their ensigns and destroyed their papers, -stating at the same time that they were Brazilians, that possession -was taken of them. He intimated that a letter—a copy of which<span class="pagenum" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</span> was -inclosed—had been addressed to him by a lieutenant of the “Cyclops,” -who had conducted to the Island of <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Helena one of the prizes, on -board of which were two American seamen, and that this letter would -give some idea of the plan pursued by parties in Brazil, to equip and -man Brazilian slave-vessels.</p> - -<p>The inclosed letter, above referred to, stated that American seamen -were often enticed on board of slavers, without knowing their real -character until it was too late to leave them. And that the owner of -a lodging-house in Rio, where two or three sailors were boarding, -offered, on one occasion, to get them a ship bound to the United -States, which, at the time, was loading at Vittoria—a harbor to the -northward of Cape Frio. They agreed to ship; and, after receiving -their advance, proceeded in a small steamer outside the harbor of Rio, -when they were transferred to a schooner, in company with a number -of Brazilians; and, in a few days, reached Vittoria. On joining the -slaver, which was named “Pilot,” they discovered her true character, -but were not allowed to go on shore; and were promised, on their -arrival in Africa, a good reward, with the option of returning in the -vessel, or having their passage found in another. It was affirmed -that these men had never seen the American consul; and the crew-list, -register and other papers, were forgeries. Also that the owner of the -Pilot<span class="pagenum" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</span> was a Brazilian, and esteemed one of the richest men in the -empire. Two slave-steamers were owned by him; and it was said that he -had boasted that not a week passed that he had not had a full cargo -of slaves landed on the coast. He then owned seven or eight vessels, -sailing under the American flag, which he had bought in Rio, and -whose papers were all forgeries. One of the vessels belonging to the -rich Brazil merchant, and sailing alternately under the American and -Brazilian flag, had made nine clear voyages; and on the last voyage, -before she was captured, the American captain had landed at Ambriz, -with part of his crew, his flag and papers; and then the vessel shipped -one thousand slaves.</p> - -<p>An American was the consignee of these vessels, bearing his country’s -flag. He obtained for them masters, crews, flag and papers; and -received for his agency a percentage on all slaves landed from the -vessels.</p> - -<p>During the month when the Pilot was equipped at Vittoria, two other -slavers were also fitting out for the slave-trade, under the American -flag; viz., the “Casco” and the “Snow.” The former was afterwards -captured, with four hundred and fifty slaves, by the English steamer -“Pluto;” the other entered the harbor of Rio under Brazilian colors, -having landed her slaves outside.</p> - -<p>The Pilot made the African coast near Benguela;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</span> and afterwards -anchored at Bahia Longa, where, there being no slaves ready for -shipment—as eight hundred had been, a few days previously, shipped in -a two-topsail schooner—she was ordered, by the slave-agents, to remain -at sea for ten days. On making the land at the expiration of that time, -the English steamers Fire Fly, Star, and Pluto, being at Ambriz, she -was again ordered to sea for ten days; when, on anchoring at the latter -place, she was captured by the English steamer Cyclops. She was to have -shipped twelve hundred slaves, who had been for some time ready for -a slave-steamer—then so strictly blockaded at Santos by the English -steamer Hydra, as to prevent her leaving port.</p> - -<p>Such was the information contained in this letter.</p> - -<p>During this correspondence with the British officers, the Perry was -cruising off Ambriz, in company with a part of the British squadron, -for the purpose of boarding and searching all American vessels -suspected of being engaged in the slave-trade, on that part of the -coast.</p> - -<p>After cruising for several days, the commander-in-chief of the British -naval forces, bearing his pendant at the main of the steam-frigate -Centaur, appeared in the offing. The Perry hauled up her courses, and -saluted him with thirteen guns, which were duly returned. An official -call was made on the commodore,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</span> and an arrangement settled for the -joint cruising of the Perry and steamer Cyclops.</p> - -<p>This cruising had continued for a week or more, when the arrival -of the <abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> sloop-of-war John Adams constituted her commander the -senior American officer south of the equator; he, accordingly, while -in company, relieved the Perry of the correspondence with the British -officers.</p> - -<p>A short time after the arrival of the Adams, it became necessary for -her to visit Loanda, when the Perry was again left with the Cyclops, -cruising off Ambriz.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</span></p> - -<p class="footnote p2" id="fn5"><a href="#fna5">[5]</a> The papers of the second slaver captured by the Perry were in form, -excepting the crew list, which showed but one American on board, who -was master of the vessel. And in a letter of instructions from the -reputed owner, he was required to leave whenever the Italian supercargo -directed him to do so. This shows how readily the nationality of a -vessel may be changed.</p> - -<p class="footnote" id="fn6"><a href="#fna6">[6]</a> The master of the first slaver captured by the Perry, stated that -had he not supposed she was an English cruiser, he would have been -prepared with a foreign flag, and otherwise, to have eluded search -and capture; and that on a former occasion he had been boarded by an -English cruiser, when, to use his own expression, he “bluffed off John -Bull with that flag;” referring to the American ensign.</p> - -<p class="footnote" id="fn7"><a href="#fna7">[7]</a> The “Lucy Ann,” when captured, was boarded fifty or sixty miles -to leeward, or north of Loanda. She had an American flag flying, -although her papers had been deposited in the consul’s office at Rio. -The English boarding-officer, who was not allowed to see any papers, -suspecting her character, prolonged his visit for some time. As he was -about leaving the vessel, a cry or stifled groan was heard issuing -from the hold. The main hatches were apparently forced up from below, -although a boat was placed over them, and the heads of many people -appeared. Five hundred and forty-seven slaves were found in the hold, -almost in a state of suffocation. The master then hauled down the -American flag, declared the vessel to be Brazilian, and gave her up.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXVI">CHAPTER XXVI.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="subhead">AMERICAN BRIGANTINE LOUISA BEATON SUSPECTED—CORRESPONDENCE -WITH THE COMMANDER OF THE SOUTHERN DIVISION OF THE -BRITISH SQUADRON—BOAT CRUISING—CURRENTS—ROLLERS ON THE -COAST—TRADE-WINDS—CLIMATE—PRINCE’S ISLANDS—MADAME FEREIRA.</p> - - - -<p>On the 13th of April, the American brigantine Louisa Beaton, which a -few days previously had been boarded, examined, and proven to be a -legal trader, ran out of Ambriz under American colors. One or two of -the officers who had been on shore, on their return in the evening, -reported that it was rumored that the Louisa Beaton had shipped and -escaped with a cargo of slaves.</p> - -<p>That vessel had then made a good offing, and was out of sight. Acting -under the impression of the report thus conveyed, an armed boat, in -charge of the second lieutenant and junior passed midshipman, was -dispatched on each beam, and with the Perry stood out to sea, in the -hope of overhauling the chase. At daylight, being out of sight of the -land, and no sail visible, the boats were picked up, and the vessel -stood in towards Ambriz.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</span></p> - -<p>During the succeeding day, on joining company with the Cyclops, the -second lieutenant was sent with a message to her commander, requesting -that he might remain on board, and that the Cyclops would steam out -to sea, on a southwest course, with a view of overhauling the Louisa -Beaton, and ascertaining if there was any foundation for this charge -against her.</p> - -<p>The proposition was readily complied with; and after running forty -miles off the land, and no sail being seen, the steamer rejoined the -Perry.</p> - -<p>A letter from the commanding officer of the British division was -received, dated April 15th, containing information to the following -effect: that he had the pleasure of receiving the intelligence, which -the commander of the Perry had kindly sent him by the lieutenant, -informing him that a report had been circulated, that the American -brigantine Louisa Beaton, which vessel was lying at Ambriz, in company -with the British and American cruisers, on the 7th instant, had shipped -a cargo of negroes. He had observed the Louisa Beaton weigh from Ambriz -on the evening of the 12th instant, and pass close to the stern of the -Perry, with her colors flying; and at sunset she was observed by him, -close in with the land. He also sighted her next morning, and continued -to see her until the evening, apparently working in-shore to the -southward.</p> - -<p>As the wind had been exceedingly light all night,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</span> he thought it -possible that the steamer might overtake her, and accordingly -proposed to the lieutenant of the Perry to accompany him, and watch -the proceedings of the vessel, in case they should discover her. The -lieutenant having acceded to this proposal, he steamed to the westward -for nearly forty miles, but saw nothing of her; and was of opinion, -that the report affecting the character of the Louisa Beaton was not -<em>then</em> correct, and that when intelligence next arrived from -Loanda, she would be found to have reached that place.</p> - -<p>But he believed it very probable that she had been disposed of by sale, -in consequence of the slave-dealers not having been successful, as they -had effected the embarkation of only two cargoes of negroes that year -(1850), and therefore all the vessels that could be procured, no matter -at what expense, would be eagerly sought after. But, as he had heard -that there was no water at Ambriz, he had supposed it possible that -arrangements were making for the Louisa Beaton’s cargo to be discharged -at Loanda; whence, after having procured the necessary articles and -fitments required, she would probably return to Ambriz for the negroes. -He remarked that this would be no new occurrence, as many American -vessels had been disposed of in a similar manner, and escaped with -cargoes of Africans, since he had been stationed on the coast.</p> - -<p>Had no American man-of-war been present on the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</span> 12th instant, when -the Louisa Beaton left Ambriz, he should have considered it his duty -(from there having been observed, whilst in company with her on the -7th instant, a large quantity of plank, sufficient for a slave-deck, -on her upper deck, together with water-casks, which would have created -suspicion) to have visited her, and satisfied himself that her -nationality had not been changed, by <em>sale</em>, at Ambriz; not taking -it for granted, that the flag displayed by any vessel is a sufficient -evidence of her nationality.</p> - -<p>He added, that as it was probable that he might not meet the John -Adams previous to the Perry’s leaving the coast for Porto Praya, -the commander of the Perry would oblige him, by forwarding a copy -of that letter to his senior officer, for the information of the -commander-in-chief of the American squadron, as it would be his duty to -lay it before the British commander-in-chief, in the sincere hope that -some arrangement would be made by those officers to put a stop to that -nefarious system on the southwest coast of Africa.</p> - -<p>A boat had been dispatched from the Perry to Loanda, which found the -Louisa Beaton, still offering no cause of suspicion, lying in that port.</p> - -<p>On the 17th of April, the commander of the Perry informed the British -commanding officer that he had received and forwarded the above letter, -agreeably to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</span> his request; intimating at the same time that he had -boarded the Louisa Beaton at sea, several days before her arrival, -and found her to be a legal American trader—a character which she -sustained while at anchor with the several men-of-war at Ambriz; and -that he had no reason, after an absence of three days, to suppose -that she could, in the mean time, have fitted for a slave cargo; and -therefore did not consider it to be his duty again to board her; that -he was happy to inform him that the report of the Louisa Beaton’s -having taken slaves at Ambriz, was untrue; and that she was then at <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> -Paul de Loanda.</p> - -<p>In relation to the British commander “not taking it for granted, that -the flag displayed by any vessel is a sufficient evidence of her -nationality,” the commander of the Perry remarked that the flag which a -vessel wears is <em xml:lang="la" lang="la">primâ facie</em>, although it is not conclusive proof -of nationality. It is a mere emblem, which loses its true character -when it is worn by those who have no right to it. On the other hand, -those who lawfully display the flag of the United States, will have -all the protection which it supplies. Therefore, when a foreign -cruiser boards a vessel under this flag, she will do it upon her own -responsibility.</p> - -<p>On the 19th of April, the British commander acknowledged the receipt of -the communication of the 17th instant, in reply to his of the 15th, in -which he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</span> expressed himself glad to learn that the report of the Louisa -Beaton’s having shipped a cargo of slaves at Ambriz, was incorrect; but -as vessels were disposed to change their nationality, and escape with -slaves, “in so very short a period of time as a few hours,” he would -respectfully suggest the necessity of keeping a strict watch over the -movements of the Louisa Beaton, should she appear again on that part of -the coast.</p> - -<p>Two armed boats were at this time frequently dispatched from the Perry -a long distance in chase of vessels, when the winds were too light to -enable her to overhaul them.</p> - -<p>On one occasion, these boats had been in chase of a vessel for ten -hours, and encountered, a few minutes before overhauling her, a violent -squall of wind and rain. When the squall had passed over, after -night-fall, the strange vessel was, for a moment, descried within -long-gun shot of the Perry. A thirty-two pound shot was thrown astern -of her, and, quite suddenly, the fog again enveloped her, and she -became invisible.</p> - -<p>On the return of the boats which had succeeded in boarding the chase, -the commander regretted to learn that the strange vessel was a -Portuguese man-of-war. In the year following, when falling in with her -at Benguela, he availed himself of an early opportunity to apologize -for having fired, as this had been done under the impression that the -vessel was a merchantman; and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</span> for the purpose of bringing her to, in -order to ascertain her character.</p> - -<p>The John Adams, after a short stay at Loanda, again appeared off -Ambriz, and resumed her cruising. The Perry’s provisions had now become -nearly exhausted; and she was ordered by the John Adams to proceed to -the north coast with dispatches to the commodore.</p> - -<p>The land along the southern African coast, from <abbr title="latitude">lat.</abbr> 7° south, -extending to Benguela, and even to the Cape of Good Hope, is more -elevated than the coast to the northward towards the equator. Long -ranges of high bluff may be seen, extending, in some cases, from twenty -to thirty miles. A short distance to leeward, or north, of Ambriz, is -a remarkable range of hills, with heavy blocks of granite around them, -resembling, at a distance, a small village. The “granite pillar,” which -shoots up in the air, towering above the surrounding blocks like a -church-spire, is a good landmark to the cruisers off Ambriz. They often -find themselves at daylight, after beating, during the night, to the -southward, drifted down abreast of it by the northerly current.</p> - -<p>The natives along this coast, unlike those of northern Guinea, who -are bold, energetic and effective, comparatively, when muscular force -is required, are marked by very opposite traits; softness, pliancy -and flexibility, distinguish their moral and mental character. They<span class="pagenum" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</span> -are mostly below the middle stature, living in villages, in rude, -rush-thatched huts; subsisting principally upon fish, and the plantain, -which is the African bread-fruit tree.</p> - -<p>These people present some of the lowest forms of humanity.</p> - -<p>The temperature of both the air and water within southern intertropical -Africa, averages, during the months of August and September, 72°, and -off Benguela, on one occasion, early in July, the air temperature was -as low as 60°, while in the month of February, the thermometer seldom -reaches a higher point than 82°.</p> - -<p>It is known that the southeast trade-winds prevail in the Atlantic -ocean, between the African and American continents, south of the -equator to the tropic of Capricorn, and the northeast trade to -the southward of the tropic of Cancer. It is of course generally -understood, that the sun heats the equatorial regions to a higher -temperature than is found anywhere else, and that the air over these -regions is consequently expanded and rendered lighter than that which -envelops the regions at a distance. This causes the whole mantle of -air round the earth, for a short distance near the equator, to be -displaced and thrown upwards (like the draft of a chimney), by the -cooler and heavier air rushing in, in steadfast and continuous streams, -from the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</span> north and south. The earth’s revolution carries every thing -on its surface somewhat against these air-currents in their progress, -so that they appear to sweep aslant along the earth and sea, coming -from northeast and southeast. In consequence of the greater amount of -heated land being in the northern hemisphere, its peculiar wind, or the -northeast trade, is narrower; while the other, the southeast trade, -blowing from the greater expanse of the Southern Ocean, is broader. The -latter, therefore, sometimes extends considerably beyond, or north of -the equinoctial line. Thus the winds over all the Gulf of Guinea are -generally from the south.</p> - -<p>The coast of Africa, both north and south of the equator, greatly -modifies the force and direction of the winds. On the southern coast -the wind blows lightly, in a sea-breeze from the southwest. But at -the distance of one hundred miles from the land, it begins gradually -to veer round, as it connects itself with the <abbr title="South East">S. E.</abbr> trades. A line -drawn on the chart, from the southern tropic, in 5° east to the <abbr title="latitude">lat.</abbr> -of 5° south, may be regarded as the eastern boundary of the southeast -trade-winds. Hence a vessel, as in the case of the Perry, on her first -passage to the southern coast, when in 10° south and 20° west, on going -about and standing for the African coast by the wind, although she -at first will not be able to head higher than <abbr title="North East">N. E.</abbr>, will gradually -come up to the eastward as the wind veers to the southward;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</span> until -it gradually hauls as far as <abbr title="South West">S. W.</abbr>, and even <abbr title="West South West">W. S. W.</abbr>—enabling her -to fetch Benguela in 12° 34´ south <abbr title="latitude">lat.</abbr>, although on going about she -headed no higher than Prince’s Island in 1° 20´ north <abbr title="latitude">lat.</abbr></p> - -<p>On the entire intertropical coast of Africa, it may be said that there -are but two seasons, the rainy season and the dry season.</p> - -<p>On the southern coast, the rainy season commences in November, and -continues until April, although the rains are neither as frequent nor -as heavy as on the northern coast, where they commence in May and -continue through the month of November.</p> - -<p>The months of March and April are the most unhealthy seasons on the -southern coast, arising probably from the exhalations of the earth, -which are not dispelled by the light sea-breezes prevailing at this -period.</p> - -<p>The climate of the south coast, especially from 6° south towards the -Cape of Good Hope, is more healthy than on the north coast. As evidence -of this, Europeans are found in comparatively great numbers in Loanda -and Benguela, in the enjoyment of tolerable health.</p> - -<p>There is a northerly current running along the southern coast of -Africa, at the average rate of one mile per hour, until it is met by -the Congo River, in 6° south; where the impetuous stream of that great -river breaks<span class="pagenum" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</span> up this northerly current and forms one, of two miles per -hour, in the direction of <abbr title="North West">N. W.</abbr>, until it meets with the equatorial -current in 2° or 3° south. The Congo will be more particularly noticed -in speaking of the third southern cruise of the Perry.</p> - -<p>The rollers on the coast are very heavy. And the breaking of the -tremendous surf along the shore can often be heard at night, the -distance of twenty miles from the land, reminding one of the sound of -Niagara, in the vicinity of that mighty cataract.</p> - -<p>But having in this part of the work (compilation of the correspondence) -to treat more of ships, sailors and letters, than of the climate, the -shore, and its inhabitants, it is time to recur to the Perry,—now -squared away before the wind, with studding-sails set below and aloft, -bound to Porto Praya, via Prince’s Island and Monrovia, in search of -the commander-in-chief of the squadron.</p> - -<p>There are so many graphic descriptions before the public, in sea novels -and naval journals, of life in a man-of-war, that it may well suffice -here to remark—that a small vessel, uncomfortable quarters, salt -provisions, myriads of cockroaches, an occasional tornado and deluge of -rain, were ills that naval life duly encountered during the five days’ -passage to Prince’s Island.</p> - -<p>On the 27th of April the Perry arrived, and to the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</span> great gratification -of officers and men, the broad pendant of the commodore was descried at -the main of the <abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> sloop-of-war “Portsmouth.”</p> - -<p>The <abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> brig “Bainbridge” was also at anchor in West Bay.</p> - -<p>Prince’s Island is ten miles in length from north to south, and five -miles in breadth. In places, it is considerably elevated, presenting, -in its grotesque shafts and projecting figures curiously formed, an -exceedingly picturesque appearance.</p> - -<p>The natives are mostly black, and slaves; although a few colored people -are seen of a mixed race—Portuguese and African.</p> - -<p>The island is well wooded, and the soil rich; and if cultivated -properly, would yield abundantly. Farina is extensively manufactured.</p> - -<p>Madame Fereira, a Portuguese lady, long resident on the island, has -no little repute for her hospitality to African cruisers. Her taste -in living here as she does, is no more singular than that of the -late clever, eccentric and distinguished Lady Hester Stanhope, who -established herself near Sidon. Madame Fereira, it is said, on a late -visit to Europe, with abundant means for enjoyment in a civilized state -of society, was ill at ease until the time arrived for her return to -this barbarian isle. She is ever ready, at a reasonable price, to -furnish the cruisers with wood, fresh provisions<span class="pagenum" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</span> and vegetables; and -is never indisposed to take a hand at whist, or entertain foreigners in -any other way, agreeable to their fancy.</p> - -<p>Vessels frequently touch at Prince’s Island for the purpose of -obtaining fresh water, which, running down from the mountains in -copious streams, is of a far better quality than can be procured on the -coast.</p> - -<p>On the arrival of the Perry, in a letter dated the 27th of April, -the commander announced to the commodore the fulfilment of his -instructions. The cruise had been extended to one hundred and seven -days, of which eighty had been spent at sea, and the remainder at -anchor, at different points of the coast.</p> - -<p>The reply of the commodore contained his full approbation of the course -pursued, stating in addition, that it was a matter of great importance -to keep one of the squadron upon the southern coast; and not having -provisions sufficient to enable him to proceed thither, and as the -John Adams, having nearly expended her stock, would soon be compelled -to return to Porto Praya, he therefore directed the commander of the -Perry to make requisitions upon the flag-ship for as full a supply -of provisions as could conveniently be stowed, and prepare again for -immediate service on the southern coast.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXVII">CHAPTER XXVII.</h2> -</div> - - -<p class="subhead">RETURN TO THE SOUTHERN COAST—CAPTURE OF THE AMERICAN SLAVE-SHIP -“MARTHA”—CLAIM TO BRAZILIAN NATIONALITY—LETTERS FOUND ON BOARD -ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE SLAVE-TRADE—LOANDA—FRENCH, ENGLISH AND -PORTUGUESE CRUISERS—CONGO RIVER—BOARDING FOREIGN MERCHANT -VESSELS—CAPTURE OF THE “VOLUSIA” BY A BRITISH CRUISER—SHE -CLAIMS AMERICAN NATIONALITY—THE MEETING OF THE COMMODORES AT -LOANDA—DISCUSSIONS IN RELATION TO INTERFERENCE WITH VESSELS -OSTENSIBLY AMERICAN—SEIZURE OF THE AMERICAN BRIGANTINE -“CHATSWORTH”—CLAIMS BY THE MASTER OF THE “VOLUSIA.”</p> - - - -<p>On the 6th of May, orders were given to the commander of the Perry, to -proceed thence, with all practicable dispatch, to the southern coast; -and to communicate with the commander of the John Adams as soon as -possible. In case that vessel should have left the coast before the -arrival of the Perry, her commander would proceed to cruise under -former orders, and the instructions of the government.</p> - -<p>It appeared to the commodore, in the correspondence had with some of -the British officers, that in certain cases where they had boarded -vessels under the flag of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</span> the United States, not having the right of -search, threats had been used of detaining and sending them to the -United States squadron. This he remarked was improper, and must not be -admitted, or any understanding had with them authorizing such acts; -adding, in substance, that if they chose to detain suspicious vessels, -they must do it upon their own responsibility, without our assent or -connivance. Refusing to the British government the right of search, -our government has commanded us to prevent vessels and citizens of -the United States from engaging in the slave-trade. These duties we -must perform to the best of our ability, and we have no right to ask -or receive the aid of a foreign power. “It is desirable to cultivate -and preserve the good understanding which now exists between the two -services; and should any differences arise, care must be taken that the -discussions are temperate and respectful. You have full authority to -act in concert with the British forces within the scope of our orders -and duty.”</p> - -<p>On the same day, the Perry again sailed for the south coast, and -after boarding several vessels, which proved to be legal traders, a -<em>slaver</em> was captured, and made the subject of a communication, -dated June 7th, 1850.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp80" id="img006" style="max-width: 62.5em;"> -<img class="w100" src="images/006.jpg" alt="U.S. Brig Perry American Slave Ship Martha" /><br /> -<div class="caption"> - -<table class="autotable" style="font-size: 0.8em;"> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> -<em>Lith. of Sarony & <abbr title="company">Co.</abbr> <abbr title="New York">N. Y.</abbr></em></td> -</tr> -</table> - -<table class="autotable"> -<tr><td> -<abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> BRIG PERRY.</td> -<td class="tdr">AMERICAN SLAVE SHIP MARTHA.</td></tr> -</table> -<p class="center p0">“off Ambria June 6<sup>th</sup> 1850”—</p> -</div> -</div> - -<p>In this it was stated to the commodore, that the Perry, agreeably to -his orders, had made the best of her way for Ambriz, and arrived -off that place on the 5th instant. It was there reported that the John -Adams was probably at Loanda; and accordingly a course was shaped for -that port. But on the 6th instant, at three o’clock in the afternoon, -a large ship with two tiers of painted ports was made to windward, -standing in for the land towards Ambriz. At four o’clock the chase -was overhauled, having the name “Martha, New York,” registered on her -stern. The Perry had no colors flying. The ship, when in range of the -guns, hoisted the American ensign, shortened sail, and backed her -main-topsail. The first lieutenant, <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Rush, was sent to board her. As -he was rounding her stern, the people on board observed, by the uniform -of the boarding-officer, that the vessel was an American cruiser. The -ship then hauled down the American, and hoisted Brazilian colors. -The officer went on board, and asked for papers and other proofs of -nationality. The captain denied having papers, log, or any thing else. -At this time something was thrown overboard, when another boat was -sent from the Perry, and picked up the writing-desk of the captain, -containing sundry papers and letters, identifying the captain as an -American citizen; also indicating the owner of three-fifths of the -vessel to be an American merchant, resident in Rio de Janeiro. After -obtaining satisfactory proof that the ship Martha was a slaver, she was -seized as a prize.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</span></p> - -<p>The captain at length admitted that the ship was fully equipped for -the slave-trade. There were found on board the vessel, one hundred and -seventy-six casks filled with water, containing from one hundred to one -hundred and fifty gallons each; one hundred and fifty-barrels of farina -for slave-food; several sacks of beans; slave-deck laid; four iron -boilers for cooking slave-provisions; iron bars, with the necessary -wood-work, for securing slaves to the deck; four hundred spoons for -feeding them; between thirty and forty muskets, and a written agreement -between the owner and captain, with the receipt of the owner for two -thousand milreis.</p> - -<p>There being thirty-five persons on board this prize, many of whom were -foreigners, it was deemed necessary to send a force of twenty-five men, -with the first and second lieutenants, that the prize might be safely -conducted to New York, for which place she took her departure that -evening.</p> - -<p>Soon after the Martha was discovered, she passed within hailing -distance of an American brig, several miles ahead of the Perry, and -asked the name of the cruiser astern; on being told, the captain, in -despair, threw his trumpet on deck. But on a moment’s reflection, as -he afterwards stated, he concluded, notwithstanding, that she must -be an English cruiser, not only from her appearance, but from the -knowledge that the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</span> Perry had left for Porto Praya, and could not -in the mean time have returned to that part of the coast. Therefore -finding, when within gun-shot of the vessel, that he could not escape, -and must show his colors, ran up the American ensign, intending under -his nationality to avoid search and capture. The boarding-officer was -received at the gangway by a Brazilian captain, who strongly insisted -that the vessel was Brazilian property. But the officer, agreeably -to an order received on leaving the Perry, to hold the ship to the -nationality first indicated by her colors, proceeded in the search. -In the mean time, the American captain, notwithstanding his guise as -a sailor, being identified by another officer, was sent on board the -Perry. He claimed that the vessel could not lawfully be subjected to -search by an American man-of-war, while under Brazilian colors. But, -on being informed that he would be seized as a pirate for sailing -without papers, even were he not a slaver, he admitted that she was on -a slaving voyage; adding, that, had he not fallen in with the Perry, -he would, during the night, have shipped eighteen hundred slaves, and -before daylight in the morning, been clear of the coast.</p> - -<p>Possession was immediately taken of the Martha, her crew put in irons, -and both American and Brazilian captains, together with three or four -cabin passengers (probably slave-agents), were given to understand -that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</span> they would be similarly served, in case of the slightest evidence -of insubordination. The accounts of the prize crew were transferred, -the vessel provisioned, and in twenty-four hours after her capture, the -vessels exchanged three cheers, and the Martha bore away for New York.</p> - -<p>She was condemned in the <abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> District Court. The captain was admitted -to bail for the sum of five thousand dollars, which was afterwards -reduced to three thousand: he then escaped justice by its forfeiture. -The American mate was sentenced to the Penitentiary for the term of two -years; and the foreigners, who had been sent to the United States on -account of the moral effect, being regarded as beyond our jurisdiction, -were discharged.</p> - -<p>The writing-desk thrown overboard from the Martha, soon after she was -boarded, contained sundry papers, making curious revelations of the -agency of some American citizens engaged in the slave-trade. These -papers implicated a number of persons, who are little suspected of -ever having participated in such a diabolical traffic. A citizen of -New York, then on the African coast, in a letter to the captain of -the Martha, says: “The French barque will be here in a few days, and, -as yet, the agent has no instructions as to her taking <em>ebony</em> -[negroes, slaves].... From the Rio papers which I have seen, I infer -that business is pretty brisk at that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</span> place.... It is thought here -that the brig Susan would bring a good price, as she had water on -board.... C., an American merchant, has sold the Flood, and she was -put under Brazilian colors, and gone around the Cape. The name of the -brigantine in which B. came passenger was the Sotind; she was, as we -are told, formerly the United States brig Boxer.” Other letters found -with this, stated: “The barque Ann Richardson, and brig Susan, were -both sent home by a United States cruiser. The Independence cleared for -Paraguay; several of the American vessels were cleared, and had sailed -for Montevideo, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>, in ballast, and as I suppose bound niggerly; but -where in hell they are is the big business of the matter. The sailors, -as yet, have not been near me. I shall give myself no trouble about -them. I have seen them at a distance. I am told that they are all -well, but they look like death itself. V. Z. tells me they have wished -a hundred times in his presence, that they had gone in the ship; for -my part, I wish they were in hell, Texas, or some other nice place. -B. only came down here to ‘take in,’ but was driven off by one of the -English cruisers; he and his nigger crew were under deck, out of sight, -when visited by the cruiser.”<span class="fnanchor" id="fna8"><a href="#fn8">[8]</a></span></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</span></p> - -<p>After parting company with the Martha, the Perry proceeded to Loanda, -and found English, French and Portuguese men-of-war in port. The John -Adams, having exhausted her provisions, had sailed for the north coast, -after having had the good fortune <em>to capture a slaver</em>. The -British commissioner called aboard, and offered his congratulations on -the capture of the Martha, remarking that she was the largest slaver -that had been on the coast for many years; and the effect of sending -all hands found in her to the United States, would prove a severe blow -to the iniquitous traffic. The British cruisers, after the capture of -a vessel, were in the practice of landing the slave-crews, except when -they are British subjects, at some point on the coast. This is believed -to be required by the governments with which Great Britain has formed -treaties.</p> - -<p>At the expiration of a few days, the Perry proceeded on a cruise down -the coast, towards the Congo<span class="pagenum" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</span> River, encountering successively the -British steamers Cyclops, Rattler, and Pluto. All vessels seen were -boarded, and proved to be legal traders. Several days were spent -between Ambriz and the Congo; and, learning from the Pluto—stationed -off the mouth of the Congo River—that no vessels had, for a long -time, appeared in that quarter, an idea, previously entertained, of -proceeding up the river, was abandoned. The Perry was then worked up -the coast towards Benguela.</p> - -<p>Among the many incidents occurring:—On one occasion, at three o’clock -in the morning, when the character of the vessels could not be -discerned, a sail suddenly appeared, when, as usual on making a vessel -at night, the battery was ordered to be cleared away, and the men sent -to the guns. The stranger fired a musket, which was instantly returned. -Subsequent explanations between the commanders of the cruisers were -given, that the first fire was made without the knowledge of the -character of the vessel; and the latter was made to repel the former, -and to show the character of the vessel.</p> - -<p>On boarding traders, the masters, in one or two instances, when sailing -under a foreign flag, had requested the boarding-officer to search, -and, after ascertaining her real character, to endorse the register. -This elicited the following order to the boarding-officer:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</span></p> - -<p>“If a vessel hoists the American flag; is of American build; has -her name and place of ownership in the United States registered on -her stern; or if she has but part of these indications of American -nationality, you will, on boarding, ask for her papers, which papers -you will examine and retain, if she excites suspicion of being a -slaver, until you have searched sufficiently to satisfy yourself of -her real character. Should the vessel be American, and doubts exist -of her real character, you will bring her to this vessel; or, if it -can be done more expeditiously, you will dispatch one of your boats; -communicating such information as will enable the commander to give -specific directions, or in person to visit the suspected vessel.</p> - -<p>“If the strange vessel be a foreigner, you will, on ascertaining the -fact, leave her; declining, even at the request of the captain, to -search the vessel, or to endorse her character,—as it must always be -borne in mind, that our government does not permit the detention and -search of American vessels by foreign cruisers; and, consequently, is -scrupulous in observing towards the vessels of other nations, the same -line of conduct which she exacts from foreign cruisers towards her own -vessels.”</p> - -<p>After cruising several days off the southern point designated in her -orders, the Perry ran into Benguela. Spending a day in that place, she -proceeded<span class="pagenum" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</span> down the coast to the northward, occasionally falling in -with British cruisers and legal traders. On meeting the Cyclops, the -British commanding officer, in a letter, dated the 16th of July, stated -to the commander of the Perry, that he “hastened to transmit, for his -information, the following extract from a report just received from -the commander of Her Britannic Majesty’s steam-sloop ‘Rattler,’ with -copies of two other documents, transmitted by the same officer; and -trusted that the same would be deemed satisfactory, as far as American -interests were concerned.”</p> - -<p>The extract gave the information, that on the 2nd of July, Her -Majesty’s steam-sloop Rattler captured the Brazilian brigantine -“Volusia,” of one hundred and ninety tons, a crew of seven men, and -fully equipped for the slave-trade, with false papers, and sailing -under the American flag; that the crew had been landed at Kabenda, and -that the vessel had been sent to <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Helena for adjudication; and that -he also inclosed certified declarations from the master, supercargo and -chief mate, stating the vessel to be bona fide Brazilian property; that -they had no protest to offer, and that themselves and crew landed at -Kabenda of their own free will and consent.</p> - -<p>On the following day, the commander of the Perry, in reply to the above -communication, stated that, as the brigantine in question had first -displayed American<span class="pagenum" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</span> colors, he wished all information which could be -furnished him in relation to the character of the papers found on -board; the reason for supposing them to be false, and the disposition -made of them. Also, if there was a person on board, apparently an -American, representing himself, in the first instance, as the captain; -and if the vessel was declared to be Brazilian on first being boarded, -or not until after her capture had been decided upon, and announced to -the parties in charge.</p> - -<p>In reply to this letter, on the 23d of July, the commanding officer of -the British division stated that he would make known its purport to -the commander who had captured the Volusia, and call upon that officer -to answer the questions contained in the communication of the 17th -instant, and hoped to transmit his reply prior to the Perry’s departure -for the north coast.</p> - -<p>After cruising for several days in company with the English men-of-war, -the vessel proceeded to Loanda, for the purpose of meeting the -commodore. Arriving at that place, and leaving Ambriz without any -guardianship for the morals of American traders, an order was -transmitted to the acting first-lieutenant, to proceed with the launch -on a cruise off Ambriz; and in boarding, searching, and in case of -detaining suspected vessels, to be governed by the instructions -therewith furnished him.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</span></p> - -<p>On the 5th of August, the British commissioner brought off intelligence -that the American commodore was signalled off the harbor. The British -commodore was at this date, also, to have rendezvoused at Loanda, that -the subject-matter of correspondence between the officers of the two -services, might be laid before their respective commanders-in-chief.</p> - -<p>On the arrival of the American commodore, the Perry was reported, in -a communication dated August the 5th, inclosing letters and papers, -giving detailed information of occurrences since leaving Prince’s -Island, under orders of the 6th of May; also sundry documents from the -commander of the British southern division, in relation to the capture -of the slave-equipped brigantine Volusia; adding, that this case being -similar to a number already the subjects of correspondence, he had -requested further information, which the British commander of the -division would probably communicate in a few days.</p> - -<p>The letter to the commodore also stated, that our commercial -intercourse with the provincial government of Portugal, and the natives -of the coast, had been uninterrupted. The question arising in regard to -the treaty with Portugal, whether a vessel by touching and discharging -part of the cargo at a native port, is still exempt from payment of -one-third of the duties on the remaining portion of the cargo, as -guaranteed by<span class="pagenum" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</span> treaty, when coming direct from the United States, had -been submitted to our government.</p> - -<p>On the 15th of August the Cyclops arrived at Loanda, with the commander -of the British southern division on board, who, in a letter dated the -12th of August, stated, that agreeably to the promise made on the 23rd -ultimo, of furnishing the details from the commander who had captured -the Volusia, he now furnished the particulars of that capture, which -he trusted would prove satisfactory. He also gave information that the -British commander-in-chief was then on the south coast, to whom all -further reference must be made for additional information, in case it -should be required. The reply from the officer who had captured the -Volusia stated, that he had boarded her on the 2nd of July off the -Congo River. She had the American ensign flying, and on the production -of documents, purporting to be her papers, he at once discovered the -register to be false: it was written on foolscap paper, with the -original signature erased; her other papers were likewise forgeries. -He therefore immediately detained her. They had been presented to him -by the ostensible master, apparently an American, but calling himself -a Brazilian, and claiming the protection of that empire. The register -and muster-roll were destroyed by the master; the remainder of the -records were sent in her to <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Helena, for adjudication. The British -commander<span class="pagenum" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</span> further stated, that on discovering the Volusia’s papers to -be false, her master immediately hauled down the ensign, and called -from below the remainder of the crew, twelve in number, all Brazilians.</p> - -<p>In a letter dated the 15th of August, the above communications were -acknowledged, and the British commander informed that the American -commander-in-chief was also on the south coast: that all official -documents must be submitted to him, and that the reply of the 12th -instant, with its inclosure, had been forwarded accordingly.</p> - -<p>The British commodore soon arrived at Loanda, and after an exchange of -salutes, an interview of three hours between the two commodores took -place. The captures of the Navarre, Volusia, and other vessels, with -cases of interference with vessels claiming American nationality, were -fully and freely discussed. The British commodore claimed that the -vessels in question, were wholly, or in part Brazilian; adding, that -had they been known clearly as American, no British officer would have -presumed to capture, or interfere with them. The American commodore -argued from documents and other testimony, that <em>bonâ fide</em> -American vessels had been interfered with, and whether engaged in legal -or illegal trade, they were in no sense amenable to British cruisers; -the United States had made them responsible to the American government<span class="pagenum" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</span> -alone—subject to search and capture by American cruisers, on good -grounds of suspicion and evidence of being engaged in the slave-trade; -which trade the United States had declared to be piracy in a municipal -sense—this offence not being piracy by the laws of nations: adding, in -case of slavers, “we choose to punish our own rascals in our own way.” -Several discussions, at which the commander of the Perry was present, -subsequently took place, without any definite results, or at least -while that vessel remained at Loanda. These discussions were afterwards -continued. In the commodores, both nations were represented by men of -ability, capable of appreciating, expressing and enforcing the views of -their respective governments.</p> - -<p>Every person interested in upholding the rights of humanity, or -concerned in the progress of Africa, will sympathize with the capture -and deliverance of a wretched cargo of African slaves from the grasp -of a slaver, irrespective of his nationality. But it is contrary to -national honor and national interests, that the right of capture should -be entrusted to the hands of any foreign authority. In a commercial -point of view, if this were granted, legal traders would be molested, -and American commerce suffer materially from a power which keeps afloat -a force of armed vessels, more than four times the number of the -commissioned men-of-war of the United States. The deck of an American -vessel<span class="pagenum" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</span> under its flag, is the territory of the United States, and no -other authority but that of the United States must ever be allowed to -exercise jurisdiction over it. Hence is apparent the importance of a -well-appointed United States squadron on the west coast of Africa.</p> - -<p>On the 18th of August, the captain of an English cruiser entered -the harbor with his boat, leaving the vessel outside, bringing the -information that a suspected American trader was at Ambriz. The captain -stated that he had boarded her, supposing she might be a Brazilian, but -on ascertaining her nationality, had left her, and proceeded to Loanda, -for the purpose of communicating what had transpired.</p> - -<p>On receiving this information, the commodore ordered the Perry to -proceed to Ambriz and search the vessel, and in case she was suspected -of being engaged in the slave-trade, to bring her to Loanda. In -the mean time a lieutenant who was about leaving the squadron as -bearer of dispatches to the Government, volunteered his services to -take the launch and proceed immediately to Ambriz, as the Perry had -sails to bend, and make other preparations previous to leaving. The -launch was dispatched, and in five hours afterwards the Perry sailed. -Arriving on the following morning within twelve miles of Ambriz, the -commander, accompanied by the purser and the surgeon, who volunteered -their services, pulled for the suspected vessel, which<span class="pagenum" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</span> proved to be -the American brigantine “Chatsworth,” of Baltimore. The lieutenant, -with his launch’s crew, was on board. He had secured the papers and -commenced the search. After taking the dimensions of the vessel, which -corresponded to those noted in the register, examining and comparing -the cargo with the manifest, scrutinizing the crew list, consular -certificate, port clearance, and other papers on board, possession was -taken of the Chatsworth, and the boarding-officer directed to proceed -with her, in company with the Perry, to Loanda.</p> - -<p>Both vessels having arrived, a letter to the following purport was -addressed to the commodore: “One hundred bags of farina, a large -quantity of plank, sufficient to lay a slave-deck, casks and barrels -of spirits, in sufficient quantity to contain water for a large -slave-cargo, jerked beef, and other articles, were found on board the -Chatsworth. These articles, and others on board, corresponded generally -with the manifest, which paper was drawn up in the Portuguese language. -A paper with the consular seal, authorizing the shipment of the crew, -all foreigners, was also made out in the Portuguese language. In the -register, the vessel was called a brig, instead of a brigantine. A -letter of instructions from the reputed owner, a citizen of Baltimore, -directed the American captain to leave the vessel whenever he should -be directed to do so by the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</span> Italian supercargo. These, together with -the report that the vessel on her last voyage had shipped a cargo of -slaves, and her now being at the most notorious slave-station on the -coast, impressed the commander of the Perry so strongly with the belief -that the Chatsworth was a slaver, that he considered it his duty to -direct the boarding-officer to take her in charge, and proceed in -company with the Perry to Loanda, that the case might undergo a more -critical examination by the commander-in-chief.”</p> - -<p>The commodore, after visiting the Chatsworth in person, although -morally certain she was a slaver, yet as the evidence which would be -required in the United States Courts essential to her condemnation, -was wanting, conceived it to be his duty to order the commander of the -Perry to surrender the charge of that vessel, and return all the papers -to her master, and withdraw his guard from her.</p> - -<p>The captain of the Volusia now suddenly made his appearance at Loanda, -having in his possession the sea-letter which the British commander -who had captured him called a register, written on a sheet of foolscap -paper, which from misapprehension he erroneously stated was destroyed -by the master. This new matter was introduced in the discussion between -the two commodores. The captain of the Volusia claimed that his vessel -was <em>bonâ fide</em> American, stating that the sea-letter<span class="pagenum" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</span> in his -possession was conclusive evidence to that effect. No other subject -than that of the nationality of the vessel, while treating upon this -matter with an English officer, could be introduced. The sea-letter -was laid before the commanders. This document bore all the marks of -a genuine paper, except in having the word “signed” occurring before -the consul’s signature, and partially erased. This seemed to indicate -that it had been made out as a copy, and, if genuine, the consul had -afterwards signed it as an original paper. The consular seal was -impressed, and several other documents, duly sealed and properly -certified, were attached, bearing strong evidence that the document was -genuine.</p> - -<p>The British commodore argued that the erasure of the word “signed,” -even if it did not invalidate the document, gave good ground for the -suspicion that the document was a forgery; and she being engaged in the -slave-trade, the officer who captured her regarded the claim first set -forth to American nationality as groundless.</p> - -<p>The American commodore could not permit the character of the vessel to -be assigned as a reason for her capture, and confined the discussion -to the papers constituting the nationality of the vessel. He regarded -the consular seal as genuine, and believed that, if the paper had been -a forgery, care would have<span class="pagenum" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</span> been taken to have had it drawn up without -any erasure, or the word “signed.”</p> - -<p>The discussion in relation to the Volusia and the Navarre, was renewed -with the Chief-Justice and Judge of the Admiralty Court, soon after the -arrival of the Perry at the island of <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Helena.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</span></p> - -<p class="footnote p2" id="fn8"><a href="#fna8">[8]</a> The following letter from Viscount Palmerston to Sir H. L. Bulwer, -then British Minister at Washington, appears in the Parliamentary -Papers of 1851. LVI. Part I.</p> -<div style="margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;"> -<p class="right p0"> -“<span class="smcap">Foreign Office</span>, <em>November 18, 1850</em>.<br /> -</p> - -<p>“<span class="smcap">Sir</span>,—I herewith transmit to you, for your information, a -copy of a dispatch from the commodore in command of H. M. squadron on -the west coast of Africa, respecting the circumstances under which -the ship Martha was captured, on the 6th of June (1850) last, fully -equipped for the slave-trade, by the <abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> brig-of-war Perry, and sent -to the United States for trial.</p> - -<p>“I have to instruct you to furnish me with a full report of the -proceedings which may take place in this case before the courts of law -in the United States.</p> - -<p class="right p0"> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“<span class="smcap">Palmerston.</span>”</span><br /> -</p></div> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII">CHAPTER XXVIII.</h2> -</div> - - -<p class="subhead">ANOTHER CRUISE—CHATSWORTH AGAIN—VISIT TO THE QUEEN NEAR -AMBRIZETTE—SEIZURE OF THE AMERICAN BRIGANTINE “LOUISA BEATON” -BY A BRITISH CRUISER—CORRESPONDENCE—PROPOSAL OF REMUNERATION -FROM THE CAPTORS—SEIZURE OF THE CHATSWORTH AS A SLAVER—ITALIAN -SUPERCARGO—MASTER OF THE LOUISA BEATON.</p> - - - -<p>The commodore, on the 24th of August, intimated that it had been his -intention to relieve the Perry from the incessant duties which had been -imposed upon her, but regretted that he could not then accomplish it -without leaving American interests in that quarter unprotected, and -that the commander would therefore be pleased to prepare for further -service on the southern coast, with the assurance of being relieved as -soon as practicable.</p> - -<p>Orders were issued by the commodore to resume cruising upon the -southern coast, as before, and to visit such localities as might best -insure the successful accomplishment of the purposes in view.</p> - -<p>Authority was given to extend the cruise as far as the island of <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> -Helena, and to remain there a sufficient<span class="pagenum" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</span> length of time to refresh -the crew; and, after cruising until the twentieth of November, then to -proceed to Porto Praya, touching at Monrovia, if it was thought proper.</p> - -<p>The orders being largely discretionary, and the Chatsworth still in -port, and suspected of the intention of shipping a cargo of slaves at -Ambriz, the Perry sailed, the day on which her orders were received, -without giving any intimation as to her cruising-ground. When outside -of the harbor, the vessel was hauled on a wind to the southward, as if -bound up the coast, and continued beating until out of sight of the -vessels in the harbor. She was then kept away to the northward, making -a course for Ambriz, in anticipation of the Chatsworth’s soon sailing -for that place.</p> - -<p>The cruising with the English men-of-war was resumed. A few days after -leaving Loanda, when trying the sailing qualities of the vessel with a -British cruiser, a sail was reported, standing down the land towards -Ambriz. Chase was immediately made, and, on coming within gun-shot, -a gun was fired to bring the vessel to. She hoisted American colors, -but continued on her course. Another gun, throwing a thirty-two pound -shot across her bows, brought the Chatsworth to. She was then boarded, -and again searched, without finding any additional proof against the -vessel’s character.</p> - -<p>After remaining a day or two off Ambriz, the Perry<span class="pagenum" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</span> proceeded to -Ambrizette, a short distance to the northward, leaving one of -the ship’s boats in charge of an officer, with orders to remain -sufficiently near the Chatsworth, and, in case she received water-casks -on board, or any article required to equip a slave-vessel, to detain -her until the return of the Perry.</p> - -<p>When the vessel had reached her destination, the commander conceived it -to be a good opportunity to forward the interests of American commerce, -by paying a visit of conciliation to the queen of that region. Though -warned by the British officers that the natives were hostile to all -persons engaged in suppressing the lucrative trade in slaves, he -resolved to avail himself of the invitation of the resident American -factor, and proceed to the royal residence. Two other officers of the -vessel, the agent, and several of the gig’s Kroomen, accompanied him. -On their way, a great number of Her Majesty’s loyal subjects—dressed -chiefly in the costume of their own black skins—formed the escort. -“All hands,” however, were not in the native sables exclusively, for -several, of more aristocratic claims, sported a piece of calico print, -of glaring colors, over one shoulder. The village, when first seen, -resembled a group of brown haystacks; the largest of these, as a -palace, sheltered the royal presence. The court etiquette brought the -mob of gentlemen and ladies of the escort, with and without costume, -down upon their<span class="pagenum" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</span> knees, in expectation of Her Majesty’s appearance. -A little withered old woman then stepped out, having, in addition to -the native costume, an old red silk cloak, drawn tight around her -throat, and so worn as to make her look like a loose umbrella, with -two handles. She then squatted on the ground. Her prime minister -aspired to be higher than African in his costume, by hanging on -his long, thin person, an old full-dress French navy uniform-coat, -dispensing with other material articles of clothing, except a short -pair of white trowsers. The officers being seated in front, the -kneeling hedge of three or four hundred black woolly heads closed -behind them,—impregnating the air with their own peculiar aroma—their -greasy faces upturned in humble reverence—hands joined, palm to -palm, ready to applaud Her Majesty’s gracious wisdom when they heard -it,—the conference began. The interpreter introduced the officers, -and their business, and, in the name of the commander, expressed their -friendly feelings towards Her Majesty and her people; advising her to -encourage trade with the American merchants in gums, copper and the -products of the country, instead of selling her people as slaves, or -conniving at the sale in other tribes, for the purpose of procuring -goods. This speech having the honor of being directed to the royal -ears, was greeted, according to etiquette, with clap, clap, clap, from -all the ready hands of all the gentlemen<span class="pagenum" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</span> in waiting, who were using -their knees as supports in Her Majesty’s royal presence. The prime -minister, from the inside of the French coat, then responded—that Her -Majesty had great reason to complain of the conduct of cruisers’ boats -on the coast, for they were in the habit of chasing the fishermen, -and firing to bring them to, and taking their fish, which were the -principal support of the people, without making an equivalent return. -Whereupon, clap, clap, clap, went the hands again. Her Majesty was -assured, in reply, that such had never been, and never would be the -case, in regard to the boats of American cruisers, and that her -complaints would be made known to those officers who had the power -and the disposition to remove all such cause of grievance. The chorus -of clap, clap, clap, again at this answer concluded the ceremony. The -prime minister followed the return escort at some distance, and took -occasion, at parting on the beach, to intimate that there were certain -other marks of friendly respect common at courts, and marking the -usages of polished nations. He gave no hints about gold snuff-boxes, -as might be suitable in the barbarian courts of Europe; but intimated -that his friends visiting Her Majesty, in such instances, thought -<em>his</em> humble services worthy of two bottles of rum. Compliance -with this amiable custom was declared to be wholly impracticable, as -the spirit-room casks of the Perry had been filled only with<span class="pagenum" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</span> pure (or -impure) water, instead of whisky, during the cruise.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp80" id="img007" style="max-width: 62.5em;"> -<img class="w100" src="images/007.jpg" alt="Audience to the Perry's Officers by the Queen of Ambrizette" /><br /> -<div class="caption"> - -<table class="autotable" style="font-size: 0.8em;"> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> -<em>Lith. of Sarony & <abbr title="company">Co.</abbr> <abbr title="New York">N. Y.</abbr></em></td> -</tr> -</table> -<p class="center p0"> - -AUDIENCE TO THE PERRY’S OFFICERS, BY THE QUEEN OF AMBRIZETTE.</p> -</div> -</div> - -<p>In communicating to the government, in a more official form, the object -and incidents of the visit to the queen near Ambrizette, reference -was made to a powerful king, residing ten miles in the interior of -Ambriz, and the intention of making him a visit was announced. But the -seizure of the Louisa Beaton by a British cruiser, on her return to the -coast, and the impression made upon the natives by the capture of the -Chatsworth as a slaver, not only occupied the intervening time before -leaving for <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Helena, but rendered inland excursions by no means -desirable.</p> - -<p>On returning towards Ambriz, soon after making the land, the steamer -Cyclops, with another British cruiser, was observed; and also the -Chatsworth, with an American brigantine lying near her. A boat from -the Cyclops, with an English officer, pulled out several miles, while -the Perry was in the offing, bringing a packet of letters and papers -marked as usual, “On Her Britannic Majesty’s Service.” These papers -were accompanied by a private note from the British commander of -the division, expressing great regret at the occurrence, which was -officially noticed in the accompanying papers, and the earnest desire -to repair the wrong.</p> - -<p>The official papers were dated September the ninth, and contained -statements relating to the <em>chasing</em>, <em>boarding</em><span class="pagenum" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</span> and -<em>detention</em> of the American brigantine Louisa Beaton, on the -seventh and eighth instant.</p> - -<p>The particulars of the seizure of the vessel were given in a letter -from the commander of the English cruiser Dolphin, directed to the -British commander of the division, as follows: “I have the honor to -inform you, that at daylight on the 7th instant, being about seventy -miles off the land, a sail was observed on the lee bow, whilst Her -Majesty’s brigantine, under my command, was steering to the eastward. -I made all possible sail in chase: the chase was observed making more -sail and keeping away. Owing to light winds, I was unable to overtake -her before 0h. 30m. <span class="allsmcap">A. M.</span> When close to her and no sail -shortened, I directed a signal gun to be fired abeam, and hailed the -chase to shorten sail and heave to. Chase asserted he could not, and -requested leave to pass to leeward; saying, if we wanted to board him, -we had better make haste about it, and that ‘we might fire and be -damned.’</p> - -<p>“I directed another gun to be fired across her bows, when she -immediately shortened sail and hove to: it being night, no colors were -observed flying on board the chase, nor was I aware of her character.</p> - -<p>“I was proceeding myself to board her, when she bore up again, with -the apparent intention of escaping. I was therefore again compelled to -hoist the boat up and to close her under sail. I reached the chase on -the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</span> second attempt, and found her to be the American brigantine Louisa -Beaton. The master produced an American register, with a transfer of -masters: this gave rise to a doubt of the authenticity of the paper, -and on requesting further information, the master refused to give me -any, and declined showing me his port clearance, crew list, or log-book.</p> - -<p>“The lieutenant who accompanied me identified the mate as having -been in charge of the slave-brig Lucy Ann, captured by Her Majesty’s -steam-sloop Rattler. Under these suspicious circumstances, I considered -it my duty, as the Louisa Beaton was bound to Ambriz, to place an -officer and crew on board of her, so as to confer with an American -officer, or yourself, before allowing her, if a legal trader, to -proceed on her voyage.”</p> - -<p>The British commander of the division, in his letter, stated, that -immediately on the arrival of the vessels, he proceeded with the -commander of the Dolphin and the lieutenant of the Rattler to the -brigantine Louisa Beaton. Her master then presented the register, and -also the transfer of masters made in Rio, in consequence of the death -of the former master, but refused to show any other documents.</p> - -<p>On examining the register, and having met the vessel before on that -coast, he decided that the Louisa Beaton’s nationality was perfect; -but that the conduct<span class="pagenum" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</span> pursued by her master, in withholding documents -that should have been produced on boarding, had led to the unfortunate -detention of the vessel.</p> - -<p>The British commander further stated, that he informed the master of -the Louisa Beaton that he would immediately order his vessel to be -released, and that on falling in with the commander of the Perry, all -due inquiry into the matter for his satisfaction should be made; but -that the master positively refused to take charge again, stating that -he would immediately abandon the vessel on the Dolphin’s crew quitting -her; and, further, requested that the vessel might be brought before -the American commander.</p> - -<p>That, as much valuable property might be sacrificed should the master -carry his threat into execution, he proceeded in search of the Perry, -that the case might be brought under consideration while the Dolphin -was present; and on arriving at Ambriz, the cutter of the Perry was -found in charge of one of her officers.</p> - -<p>On the following morning, as he stated, accompanied by the officer -in charge of the Perry’s cutter, and the commander of the Dolphin, -he proceeded to the Louisa Beaton, and informed her master that the -detention of his vessel arose from the refusal, on his part, to -show the proper documents to the boarding-officer, authorizing him -to navigate the vessel in those seas; and from his mate having been -identified by one of the Dolphin’s<span class="pagenum" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</span> officers, as having been captured -in charge of a vessel having on board five hundred and forty-seven -slaves, which attempted to evade search and capture by displaying the -American ensign; as well as from his own suspicious maneuvering in the -chase. But as he was persuaded that the Louisa Beaton was an American -vessel, and her papers good, although a most important document was -wanting, namely, the <em>sea-letter</em>, usually given by consular -officers to legal traders after the <em>transfer of masters</em>, he -should direct the commander of the Dolphin to resign the charge of -the Louisa Beaton, which was accordingly done; and, that on meeting -the commander of the Perry, he would lay the case before him; and was -ready, if he demanded it, to give any remuneration or satisfaction, on -the part of the commander of the Dolphin, for the unfortunate detention -of the Louisa Beaton, whether engaged <em>in legal or illegal trade</em>, -that the master might in fairness demand, and the commander of the -Perry approve.</p> - -<p>After expressing great regret at the occurrence, the British commander -stated that he was requested by the captain of the Dolphin to assure -the commander of the Perry, that no disrespect was intended to the flag -of the United States, or even interference, on his part, with traders -of America, be they legal or illegal; but the stubbornness of the -master, and the identifying of one of his mates as having been captured -in a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</span> Brazilian vessel, trying to evade detection by the display of the -American flag, had led to the mistake.</p> - -<p>A postscript to the letter added, “I beg to state that the hatches of -the Louisa Beaton have not been opened, nor the vessel or crew in any -way examined.”</p> - -<p>On the Perry’s reaching the anchorage, the Louisa Beaton was examined. -The affidavit of the master, which differs not materially from the -statements of the British officers, was taken. A letter by the -commander of the Perry was then addressed to the British officer, -stating, that he had in person visited the Louisa Beaton, conferred -with her master, taken his affidavit, examined her papers, and -found her to be in all respects a legal American trader. That the -<em>sea-letter</em> which had been referred to, as being usually given -by consular officers, was only required when the vessel changes -owners, and not, as in the present case, on the appointment of a new -master. The paper given by the consul authorizing the appointment of -the present master, was, with the remainder of the vessel’s papers, -strictly in form.</p> - -<p>The commander also stated that he respectfully declined being a party -concerned in any arrangement of a pecuniary nature, as satisfaction to -the master of the Louisa Beaton, for the detention and seizure of his -vessel, and if such arrangement was made between<span class="pagenum" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</span> the British officers -and the master of the Louisa Beaton, it would be his duty to give the -information to his government.</p> - -<p>The commander added, that the government of the United States did -not acknowledge a right in any other nation to visit and detain the -vessels of American citizens engaged in commerce: that whenever a -foreign cruiser should venture to board a vessel under the flag of -the United States, she would do it upon her own responsibility for -all consequences: that if the vessel so boarded should prove to be -American, the injured party would be left to such redress, either in -the tribunals of England, or by an appeal to his own country, as the -nature of the case might require.</p> - -<p>He also stated that he had carefully considered all the points in the -several communications which the commander of the British division had -sent him, in relation to the seizure of the Louisa Beaton, and he must -unqualifiedly pronounce the seizure and detention of that vessel wholly -unauthorized by the circumstances, and contrary both to the letter -and the spirit of the eighth article of the treaty of Washington; and -that it became his duty to make a full report of the case, accompanied -with the communications which the British commander had forwarded, -together with the affidavit of the master of the Louisa Beaton, to the -government of the United States.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</span></p> - -<p>This letter closed the correspondence.<span class="fnanchor" id="fna9"><a href="#fn9">[9]</a></span></p> - -<p>The British commander-in-chief then accompanied the commander of the -Perry to the Louisa Beaton, and there wholly disavowed the act of the -commander of the Dolphin, stating, in the name of that officer, that -he begged pardon of the master, and that he would do any thing in his -power to repair the wrong; adding, “I could say no more, if I had -knocked you down.”</p> - -<p>The Louisa Beaton was then delivered over to the charge of her own -master, and the officer of the cutter took his station alongside of the -Chatsworth.</p> - -<p>On the 11th of September this brigantine was seized as a slaver. During -the correspondence with the British officers in relation to the Louisa -Beaton, an order was given to the officer of the cutter, to prevent the -Chatsworth from landing the remaining part of her cargo. The master -immediately called on board the Perry, with the complaint, that his -vessel had been seized on a former occasion, and afterwards released by -the commodore, with the endorsement of her nationality on the log-book. -Since then she had been repeatedly searched, and now was prevented from -disposing of her cargo; he wished, therefore, that a definite decision<span class="pagenum" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</span> -might be made. A decision was made by the instant seizure of the vessel.</p> - -<p>Information from the master of the Louisa Beaton, that the owner of the -Chatsworth had in Rio acknowledged to him that the vessel had shipped -a cargo of slaves on her last voyage, and was then proceeding to the -coast for a similar purpose—superadded to her suspicious movements, -and the importance of breaking up this line of ostensible traders, but -real slavers, running between the coasts of Brazil and Africa—were the -reasons leading to this decision.</p> - -<p>On announcing the decision to the master of the Chatsworth, a prize -crew was immediately sent on board and took charge of the vessel. The -master and supercargo then drew up a protest, challenging the act as -illegal, and claiming the sum of fifteen thousand dollars for damages. -The supercargo, on presenting this protest, remarked that the United -States Court would certainly release the vessel; and the <em xml:lang="pt" lang="pt">proçuro</em> -of the owner, with other parties interested, would then look to the -captor for the amount of damages awarded. The commander replied, that -he fully appreciated the pecuniary responsibility attached to this -proceeding.</p> - -<p>The master of the Louisa Beaton, soon after the supercargo of the -Chatsworth had presented the protest, went on shore for the purpose -of having an interview with him, and not coming off at the time -specified,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</span> apprehensions were entertained that the slave-factors had -revenged themselves for his additional information—leading to the -seizure of the Chatsworth. At nine o’clock in the evening, three boats -were manned and armed, containing thirty officers and men,—leaving the -Perry in charge of one of the lieutenants. When two of the boats had -left the vessel, and the third was in readiness to follow, the master -of the Louisa Beaton made his appearance, stating that his reception on -shore had been any thing but pacific. Had the apprehensions entertained -proved correct, it was the intention to have landed and taken -possession of the town; and then to have marched out to the barracoons, -liberated the slaves, and made, at least for the time being, “free -soil” of that section of country.</p> - -<p>In a letter to the commodore, dated September 14th, information was -given to the following purport:</p> - -<p>“Inclosed are affidavits, with other papers and letters, in relation -to the seizure of the American brigantine Chatsworth. This has been an -exceedingly complicated case, as relating to a slaver with two sets -of papers, passing alternately under different nationalities, eluding -detection from papers being in form, and trading with an assorted cargo.</p> - -<p>“The Chatsworth has been twice boarded and searched by the commander, -and on leaving for a short cruise off Ambrizette, a boat was dispatched -with orders<span class="pagenum" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</span> to watch her movements during the absence of the Perry. On -returning from Ambrizette, additional evidence of her being a slaver -was procured. Since then the affidavits of the master of the Chatsworth -and the mate of the Louisa Beaton have been obtained, leading to -further developments, until the guilt of the vessel, as will be seen by -the accompanying papers, is placed beyond all question.”</p> - -<p>The Italian supercargo, having landed most of the cargo, and his -business being in a state requiring his presence, was permitted to go -on shore, with the assurance that he would return when a signal was -made. He afterwards came within hail of the Chatsworth, and finding -that such strong proofs against the vessel were obtained, he declined -going on board, acknowledging to the master of the Louisa Beaton that -he had brought over Brazilian papers.</p> - -<p>The crew of the Chatsworth being foreigners, and not wishing to be sent -to the United States, were landed at Ambriz, where it was reported that -the barracoons contained four thousand slaves, ready for shipment; -and where, it was said, the capture of the Chatsworth, as far as the -American flag was concerned, would give a severe and an unexpected blow -to the slave-trade.</p> - -<p>After several unsuccessful attempts to induce the supercargo of the -Chatsworth to come off to that vessel,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</span> a note in French was received -from him, stating that he was “an Italian, and as such could not be -owner of the American brig Chatsworth, which had been seized, it was -true, but unjustly, and against the laws of all civilized nations. That -the owner of the said brig would know how to defend his property, and -in case the judgment should not prove favorable, the one who had been -the cause of it would always bear the remorse of having ruined his -countryman.”</p> - -<p>After making the necessary preliminary arrangements, the master, with a -midshipman and ten men, was placed in charge of the Chatsworth; and on -the 14th of September, the following order was sent to the commanding -officer of the prize: “You will proceed to Baltimore, and there report -yourself to the commander of the naval station, and to the Secretary -of the Navy. You will be prepared, on your arrival, to deliver up the -vessel to the United States marshal, the papers to the judge of the -United States District Court, and be ready to act in the case of the -Chatsworth as your orders and circumstances may require.</p> - -<p>“It is advisable that you should stand as far to the westward, at -least, as the longitude of <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Helena, and when in the calm latitudes -make a direct north course, shaping the course for your destined port -in a higher latitude, where the winds are more reliable.”</p> - -<p>On the following morning the three vessels stood out<span class="pagenum" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</span> to sea—the Perry -and Louisa Beaton bound to Loanda, and the Chatsworth bearing away for -the United States. The crew had now become much reduced in numbers, and -of the two lieutenants, master, and four passed midshipmen, originally -ordered to the vessel, there remained but two passed midshipmen, acting -lieutenants on board.</p> - -<p>After a protracted trial, the Chatsworth was at length condemned as a -slaver, in the <abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> District Court of Maryland.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</span></p> - -<p class="footnote p2" id="fn9"><a href="#fna9">[9]</a> This correspondence, with much of that which is to be referred to -hereafter, with the British officers, has been published more at length -in the “Blue Book,” or Parliamentary Papers, of 1851.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXIX">CHAPTER XXIX.</h2> -</div> - - -<p class="subhead">PROHIBITION OF VISITS TO VESSELS AT -LOANDA—CORRESPONDENCE—RESTRICTIONS REMOVED—<abbr title="saint">ST.</abbr> HELENA—APPEARANCE -OF THE ISLAND—RECEPTION—CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE -CHIEF-JUSTICE—DEPARTURE.</p> - - - -<p>Soon after arriving at Loanda, it was ascertained that the masters of -merchant-traders were forbidden to visit one another on board their -respective vessels, without express permission from the authorities. -This regulation was even extended to men-of-war officers in their visit -to merchant vessels of their own nation. An application was made to the -authorities, remonstrating against this regulation being applied to -the United States officers; and assurances were given which led to the -conclusion that the regulation had been rescinded.</p> - -<p>Soon afterwards a letter to the collector, dated the 17th of September, -stated that the commander of the Perry, in company with the purser, -had that evening pulled alongside of the Louisa Beaton, and much to -his surprise, especially after the assurance of the collector that no -objection would in future be raised against the United States naval -officers visiting the merchant<span class="pagenum" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</span> vessels of their own nation, the -custom-house officers informed him that he could not be admitted on -board: they went on board, however, but did not go below, not wishing -to involve the vessel in difficulty.</p> - -<p>The report of this circumstance was accompanied with the remark, -that it was the first time that an objection had been raised to the -commander’s visiting a merchant vessel belonging to his own nation in -a foreign port; and this had been done after the assurance had been -given, that in future no obstacles should be in the way of American -officers visiting American ships in Loanda.</p> - -<p>In reply to this letter, the collector stated that he had shown, on a -former occasion, that his department could give no right to officers -of men-of-war to visit merchant vessels of their own nation when in -port, under the protection of the Portuguese flag and nation. But in -view of the friendly relations existing between Portugal and the United -States, and being impressed with the belief that these visits would be -made in a social, friendly character, rather than with indifference and -disrespect to the authorities of that province, he would forward, and -virtually had forwarded already, the orders, that in all cases, when -American men-of-war are at anchor, no obstacle should be thrown in the -way of their officers boarding American vessels.</p> - -<p>He further stated, that the objections of the guards<span class="pagenum" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</span> to the commander -boarding the Louisa Beaton, was the result of their ignorance of his -orders, permitting visits from American vessels of war; but concluded -that the opposition encountered could not have been great, as the -commander himself had confessed that he had really boarded the said -vessel.</p> - -<p>On the 19th of September, the Perry sailed for the island of <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> -Helena. Soon after leaving port, a vessel was seen dead to windward, -hull and courses down. After a somewhat exciting chase of forty-two -hours, the stranger was overhauled, and proved to be a Portuguese -regular trader between the Brazil and the African coast.</p> - -<p>Several days before reaching <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Helena, the trades had so greatly -freshened, together with thick, squally weather, that double-reefed -topsails, with single-reefed courses, were all the sail the vessel -could bear.</p> - -<p>On the morning of the 11th of October, a glimpse of the island was -caught for a few minutes. Two misty spires of rock seemed to rise up in -the horizon—notched off from a ridge extended between them—the centre -being Diana’s peak, twenty-seven hundred feet in height. The vessel was -soon again enveloped in thick squalls of rain, but the bearings of the -island had been secured, and a course made for the point to be doubled. -After running the estimated distance to the land, the fog again lifted, -presenting the formidable island of <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr><span class="pagenum" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</span> Helena close aboard, and in -a moment all was obscured again. But the point had been doubled, and -soon afterwards the Perry was anchored, unseeing and unseen.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp80" id="img008" style="max-width: 58.875em;"> -<img class="w100" src="images/008.jpg" alt="Shore and Roadstead at Jamestown, St. Helena" /><br /> -<div class="caption"> - -<table class="autotable" style="font-size: 0.8em;"> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> -<em>Lith. of Sarony & <abbr title="company">Co.</abbr> <abbr title="New York">N. Y.</abbr></em></td> -</tr> -</table> -<p class="center p0"> -SHORE AND ROADSTEAD AT JAMESTOWN, S<sup>t.</sup> HELENA.</p> -</div> -</div> - -<p>The sails were furled, the decks cleared up, when the whole scene -started out of obscurity. <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Helena was in full view. A salute of -twenty-one guns was fired, and promptly responded to, gun for gun, from -the bristling batteries above.</p> - -<p>Under the vast, rugged buttresses of rock—serrated with gaps between -them, like the surviving parapets of a gigantic fortress, the mass of -which had sunk beneath the sea—the vessel seemed shrunk to a mere -speck; and close under these mural precipices, rising to the height of -two thousand feet, she had, in worse than darkness, crept along within -hearing of the surf.</p> - -<p>On either bow, when anchored, were the two stupendous, square-faced -bluffs, between which, liked a ruined embrasure, yawned the ravine -containing Jamestown. High and distant against the sky, was frowning -a battery of heavy guns, looking down upon the decks; and beyond the -valley, the road zigzagged along the nine hundred feet of steep-faced, -ladder hill. Green thickets were creeping up the valleys; and plains of -verdant turf here and there overlapped the precipices.</p> - -<p>Subsequently, on an inland excursion, were seen the fantastic forms of -Lot and his wife, more than fourteen<span class="pagenum" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</span> hundred feet in height; and black -pillars, or shafts of basaltic columns, standing high amid the snowy -foam of the surf. Patches of luxuriant vegetation were suddenly broken -by astounding chasms, such as the “Devil’s Punch Bowl.”</p> - -<p>This striking and majestic scenery, on an island ten miles in length -and six in breadth, arises from its great height and its volcanic -configuration. The occurrence of small oceanic deposits high up on -its plains, indicates fits of elevation ere it reached its present -altitude. The <em>Yam-flowers</em> (the <em xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">sobriquet</em> of the island -ladies) need not, however, fear that the joke of travellers will prove -a reality, by the island again being drawn under water like a turtle’s -head.</p> - -<p>Visits were received from the chief-justice, the commandant and -officers of the garrison. Invitations were sent to dine “with the -mess.” The American consul, and many of the inhabitants, joined in -extending unbounded hospitality to the officers, which was duly -appreciated by African cruisers. A collation to their hospitable -friends, on the quarterdeck of the Perry, was also partaken of by the -officers of a British cruiser, which, on leaving the island, ran across -the stern of the vessel, gave three cheers, and dipped her colors. -The proprietor of Longwood, once the prison of Napoleon, received the -officers and their friends at a pic-nic, when a visit was made to that -secluded spot, so suggestive<span class="pagenum" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</span> of interesting associations. Every means -was used to leave a sense of grateful remembrance on the minds of the -visitors to the island.</p> - -<p>One watch of the crew were constantly on shore, in search of health and -enjoyment.</p> - -<p>A short time previously to leaving Loanda, information being -received from the American consul at Rio, that the barque Navarre, -and brigantine Volusia, already noticed, had been furnished with -sea-letters as American vessels, steps were taken to ascertain from -the vice-admiralty court, in <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Helena, the circumstances attending -their trial and condemnation. Calls were made on several officers of -the court for that purpose. Failing thus to obtain the information -unofficially, a letter was drawn up and sent to the chief-justice, who -was also the judge of the admiralty court. After the judge had read the -letter, he held, with the commander of the Perry, a conversation of -more than an hour, in reference to its contents. During this interview, -the judge announced that he could not communicate, officially, the -information solicited. An opportunity, however, was offered to look -over the record of the proceedings. Circumstances did not seem to -justify the acceptance of this proposal. It was then intimated to the -commander that the letter of request would be sent to Lord Palmerston; -and, in return, intimation was also given that a copy of the letter<span class="pagenum" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</span> -would be transmitted to the Secretary of the Navy at Washington.</p> - -<p>The social intercourse between the parties, during this interview, was -of the most agreeable character.</p> - -<p>In the same letter to the judge of the admiralty court, that contained -the above-mentioned request for documents relating to the case of the -Navarre, the commander of the Perry stated that he was informed by the -American consul that the Navarre was sold in Rio to a citizen of the -United States; that a sea-letter was granted by the consul; that the -papers were regular and true; that the owner was master, and that the -American crew were shipped in the consul’s office.</p> - -<p>The commander also stated, that information from other sources had -been received, that the Navarre proceeded to the coast of Africa, and -when near Benguela was boarded by H. B. Majesty’s brig Water-Witch, -and after a close examination of her papers was permitted to pass. -The captain of the Navarre, after having intimated his intention to -the officer of the Water-Witch, of going into Benguela, declined -doing so on learning that the Perry was there, assigning to his -crew as the reason, that the Perry would take him prisoner; and at -night accordingly bore up and ran down towards Ambriz. The captain -also stated to a part of the crew, that <em>the officer of the -Water-Witch</em> had advised him to give up the vessel to <em>him</em>, as -the Perry would certainly<span class="pagenum" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</span> take his vessel, and send him home, whereas -<em>he</em> would only take his vessel, and let him land and go free.</p> - -<p>On reaching Ambriz, with the American flag flying, the Navarre was -boarded by the commander of H. M. steam-sloop Fire-Fly, who, on -examining the papers given by the consul, and passed by the commander -of the Water-Witch as being in form, <em>pronounced them false</em>. The -captain of the Navarre was threatened with being taken to the American -squadron, or to New York; and fearing worse consequences in case he -should fall into the hands of the American cruisers, preferred giving -up his vessel, <em>bonâ fide</em> American, to a British officer. Under -these circumstances, he signed a paper that the vessel was Brazilian -property, and he himself a Brazilian subject. The mate was ordered to -haul down the American and hoist the Brazilian colors; in doing which -the American crew attempted to stop him, when the English armed sailors -interfered, and struck one of the American crew on the head.</p> - -<p>The Fire-Fly arrived at Loanda a few days after the capture of the -Navarre, and the representations of her commander induced the commander -of the Perry to believe that the Navarre was Brazilian property, -and captured with false American papers; which papers having been -destroyed, no evidence of her nationality remained but the statement -of the commander of the Fire-Fly. This statement, being made by a -British<span class="pagenum" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</span> officer, was deemed sufficient, until subsequent information -led to the conclusion, that the Navarre was an American vessel, and -whether engaged in <em>legal or illegal trade</em>, the course pursued -towards her by the commanders of the Water-Witch and the Fire-Fly, was -wholly unauthorized; and her subsequent capture by the commander of the -Fire-Fly, was in direct violation of the treaty of Washington.</p> - -<p>After this statement was drawn up, the Water-Witch being in <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Helena, -it was shown to her commander.</p> - -<p>A statement in relation to the capture and condemnation of the Volusia, -was also forwarded to the chief-justice: stating, upon the authority of -the American consul at Rio, that she had a sea-letter, and was strictly -an American vessel, bought by an American citizen in Rio de Janeiro.</p> - -<p>In reply to this application for a copy of the proceedings of the -Admiralty Court in relation to the Navarre, the chief-justice, in a -letter to the commander of the Perry, stated that he was not aware of -any American vessel having been condemned in the Vice-Admiralty Court -of that colony.</p> - -<p>It was true that a barque called the Navarre had been condemned in -the court, which might or might not have been American; but the -circumstances under which the case was presented to the court, were -such as<span class="pagenum" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</span> to induce the court to conclude that the Navarre was at the -time of seizure not entitled to the protection of any state or nation.</p> - -<p>With respect to the commander’s request that he should be furnished -with a copy of the affidavits in the case, the judge regretted to -state, that with every disposition to comply with his wishes, so far -as regards the proceedings of the court, yet as the statement of -the commander not only reflected upon the conduct of the officers -concerned in the seizure, but involved questions not falling within the -province of the court, he did not feel justified in giving any special -directions in reference to the application.</p> - -<p>Similar reasons were assigned for not furnishing a copy of the -affidavits in the case of the Volusia.</p> - -<p>In a letter to the commodore, dated October 19th, information was given -substantially as follows:</p> - -<p>“A few days previously to leaving the coast of Africa, a letter was -received from the American consul at Rio, in reply to a communication -from the commander of the John Adams, and directed to that office, -or to the commander of any <abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> ship-of-war. This letter inclosed -a paper containing minutes from the records in the consulate in -relation to several American vessels, and among them the barque Navarre -and brigantine Volusia were named, as having been furnished with -sea-letters as American vessels. These vessels were seized on the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</span> -coast of Africa, and condemned in this admiralty court, as vessels of -unknown nationality.</p> - -<p>“Availing himself of the permission to extend the cruise as far as this -island, and coming into possession of papers identifying the American -nationality of the Navarre and Volusia, the commander regarded it -to be his duty to obtain all information in reference to the course -pursued by British authorities towards these vessels for the purpose of -submitting it to the Government.</p> - -<p>“The commander called on the queen’s proctor of the Vice-Admiralty -Court, requesting a copy of the affidavits in the instances of the -Navarre and Volusia. The proctor stated that the registrar of the court -would probably furnish them. The registrar declined doing it without -the sanction of the judge, and the judge declined for reasons alleged -in the inclosed correspondence.</p> - -<p>“The proctor, soon afterwards, placed a packet of papers in the hands -of the commander of the Perry, containing the affidavits in question, -and requested him to forward them to the British commodore. The proctor -suggested to the commander that he might look over the papers. This was -declined, on the ground that when the request was made for permission -to examine them, unofficially, it was denied, and since having made -the request officially for a copy of the papers,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</span> they could not now -be received and examined at <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Helena, except in an official form. -It was then intimated that the intention was to have the papers sent -unofficially to the British commodore, that he might show them, if -requested to do so, to the American officers.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXX">CHAPTER XXX.</h2> -</div> - - -<p class="subhead">RETURN TO LOANDA—CYCLOPS LEAVES THE COAST—HON. CAPTAIN -HASTINGS—DISCUSSION WITH THE BRITISH COMMODORE IN REFERENCE TO THE -VISIT AT <abbr title="saint">ST.</abbr> HELENA—COMMODORE FANSHAWE—ARRIVAL AT MONROVIA—BRITISH -CRUISER ON SHORE—ARRIVAL AT PORTO PRAYA—WRECK OF A HAMBURGH SHIP.</p> - - - -<p>The Perry, after ten days’ acquaintance and intercourse with many -exceedingly kind and hospitable friends, reluctantly sailed for the -African coast, and after a passage of ten days, beat up inside of the -reef forming the harbor, guided by the signal-lights of the men-of-war, -and anchored at Loanda. The following morning, salutes were exchanged -with the French commodore, whose broad pendant was flying at the main -of a fine steam-frigate. To the Secretary of the Navy it was announced -that no suspicious American vessel had been on the south coast since -the capture of the Chatsworth.</p> - -<p>After remaining two days in Loanda, cruising was renewed, in company -with the Cyclops, off Ambriz. Soon afterwards the Cyclops was ordered -to England. The commanding officer of the southern division was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_337">[Pg 337]</span> now -about taking his leave of the coast. The Hon. Captain Hastings (since -deceased), brother to the Earl of Huntington, was an officer of great -merit, and a man of noble qualities. He was ever kind and attentive to -the wants of his crew. He possessed great moral integrity of character, -and sound religious principles. Notwithstanding the protracted -correspondence, often involving delicate points and perplexing -questions, the social friendly intercourse between the two commanders -in the different services had not for a moment been interrupted. On -parting the two vessels exchanged three hearty cheers.</p> - -<p>The Perry beat up to the southward as far as Benguela, and looking into -the harbor, without anchoring, proceeded to run down the coast to the -northward. On approaching a Portuguese man-of-war, that vessel fired a -blank cartridge from a small gun. It being daylight, and the character -of both cruisers easily discernible, the object of the fire could not -be conceived. A thirty-two pound shot was immediately thrown across the -cruiser’s bows. She then hauled down her colors, but soon afterwards -hoisted them. A boat was sent for an explanation. The officer was -assured that the Perry, in coming bows on, had been mistaken for a -Portuguese brig, of which the cruiser was in search.</p> - -<p>On reaching Loanda, although no vessel had arrived<span class="pagenum" id="Page_338">[Pg 338]</span> to relieve the -Perry, yet, as her provisions were nearly exhausted, preparations -were made to leave the north coast. The day before sailing, November -29th, a letter addressed to the commander of any <abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> vessel-of-war, -was left in charge of the commercial agent of the Salem House. After -recapitulating the occurrences of the last cruise, the letter stated -that the correspondence with the collector had secured to our merchant -vessels more consideration than formerly from the custom-house; and -gave information that cruisers were often met at night, and that, -therefore, the Perry had always four muskets and the two bow-guns ready -for service at a moment’s warning. A list of signals, established -between the two commodores, was inclosed. It was stated that Ambriz was -considered the best cruising-ground; although the Perry had three times -run up to Benguela, and once as far as Elephant Bay, having deemed it -advisable to show the vessel on the entire line of coast.</p> - -<p>It was also stated that landing the Chatsworth’s crew at Ambriz having -been regarded as prejudicial to the interests of the American factory, -the agent had been informed that no more slave-crews would be landed at -that place; and that it was believed that there were then no American -vessels, with the exception of three or four legal traders, on the -south coast. Although it was rumored that several vessels, fitted -for the slave-trade,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_339">[Pg 339]</span> had gone round the Cape of Good Hope into the -Mozambique Channel.</p> - -<p>On the following day, the Perry sailed for the north coast. Off Ambriz -a visit was made to the British flag steam-frigate. The cases of the -Navarre and Volusia, together with other instances of interference -with the American flag, were discussed with the British commodore. -The copies of the affidavits, brought from <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Helena, were examined, -from which, with other information in the commander’s possession, it -clearly appeared that, when the Navarre was first boarded off Benguela -by the officer of the Water-Witch, her papers were found to be in form, -and she was passed accordingly. When boarded by the Fire-Fly, a few -days afterwards, the commander of that vessel declared her papers to -be forgeries, and they were destroyed. The prize-officer, sent from -the Fire-Fly to <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Helena in charge of the vessel, testified in the -admiralty court, that he had no knowledge of the Navarre’s papers. The -commodore acknowledged that in the case of the Navarre there appeared, -at least, some discrepancies in the different statements. Full reports, -embracing these points, were made to the American commodore.</p> - -<p>The social intercourse with the commander-in-chief had always been of -the most agreeable character. Commodore Fanshawe, C. B., was Aid to the -Queen,—a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_340">[Pg 340]</span> man of distinguished professional abilities, and of great -moral worth. He is now the admiral in command of the British naval -forces in the West Indies, and on the north coast of America.</p> - -<p>The commodore expressed his determination, while doing all in his power -for the suppression of the slave-trade, not to interfere, in the least -degree, with American vessels; and in cases of actual interference, -attributed it, in a measure, to the want of judgment and discretion, -now and then to be found among the number of twenty captains; adding, -“with your extensive commerce, you ought to have more cruisers where -we are so strong.” He expressed his readiness to render assistance to -American vessels in distress, as exemplified in having sent a vessel to -the United States, which had lost her master and crew by the African -fever; and in the fact that an American vessel, aground in the Congo -River, had been towed off by one of his steamers. The master of this -vessel refused to state his object in going up the river, which was -afterwards explained by his shipping, and escaping with a cargo of -slaves.</p> - -<p>After parting with the commodore, the Perry filled away for the north -coast; chased and boarded an English barque, bound to <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Helena; also -boarded an American barque, which, a few days previously, had been -struck by lightning. This vessel had eight hundred<span class="pagenum" id="Page_341">[Pg 341]</span> kegs of powder on -board; her spars and rigging were much damaged.</p> - -<p>The passage to Monrovia occupied fourteen days. The <abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> brig Porpoise -had arrived on the coast, and was lying in the harbor of Monrovia. The -General Assembly was in session, and the debates on the subject of -resurveying the lands in one section of the country, were creditable to -the speakers.</p> - -<p>A few days after the arrival of the Perry, it being learned that -the British steam-cruiser Flamer was ashore near Gray’s Point, a -correspondence took place with President Roberts, which will furnish -some idea of the character of the president, as well as the means which -Monrovia is capable of affording for assistance in such cases.</p> - -<p>In this correspondence, the commander informed the president that he -was about proceeding with the Perry to offer assistance to the Flamer; -and suggested that the cases of fever among the crew should be removed -to Monrovia, rather than remain subject to the discomfort of their -present situation. He proposed, in case the president concurred in -opinion, and accommodations could be furnished, to offer the services -of the Perry in transporting the sick to Monrovia. The president, -in reply, fully concurred, and recommended, by all means, that the -sufferers should be immediately brought to Monrovia, where the best of -accommodations would<span class="pagenum" id="Page_342">[Pg 342]</span> be supplied. He also sent his respects to the -commander of the steamer, assuring him that he was exceedingly anxious -to render all aid in his power.</p> - -<p>On arriving at Gray’s Point, the proffered assistance was declined, -as one British cruiser had just arrived, and another was momentarily -expected, which would transport the sick and suffering to Sierra Leone.</p> - -<p>The Perry then proceeded to Porto Praya, and on the 8th of January, -1851, after one year’s service on the south coast, reported to the -commander-in-chief. Soon afterwards, the commodore was informed that a -large Hamburgh ship, with a cargo exceeding in value the sum of three -hundred thousand dollars, had been wrecked at night on the island of -Mayo—forming one of the group of the Cape Verdes. The Perry proceeded -to Mayo, for the purpose of rendering the wrecked ship all assistance -in her power. The commander called on the American vice-consul, who -was an intelligent, dignified black man, holding the offices of mayor -and military commandant, superadded to that of vice-consul. It was -found that the ship and most of her cargo had proved a total loss. The -passengers and crew had escaped with their lives. Among the passengers -was a clever young governess, going out to Santiago, in Chili: she -proceeded to Porto Praya, where her losses were fully compensated by -the contributions of the officers of the squadron. After rendering all<span class="pagenum" id="Page_343">[Pg 343]</span> -possible assistance to the wrecked vessel and sufferers, the Perry -returned to Porto Praya, and made preparations for a third southern -cruise. A first lieutenant and one midshipman were ordered to the -vessel, to supply, in part, the vacancies occasioned by sending home -officers in charge of captured slavers.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_344">[Pg 344]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXXI">CHAPTER XXXI.</h2> -</div> - - -<p class="subhead">RETURN TO THE SOUTH COAST—COMPARATIVE COURSES AND LENGTH OF -PASSAGE—COUNTRY AT THE MOUTH OF THE CONGO—CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE -BRITISH COMMODORE—STATE OF THE SLAVE-TRADE—COMMUNICATION TO THE -HYDROGRAPHICAL DEPARTMENT—ELEPHANT’S BAY—CREW ON SHORE—ZEBRAS.</p> - - -<p>On the 19th of February, the vessel having been reported ready for -sea, the commodore issued orders to proceed on a cruise south of the -equator, under former orders and instructions, stopping at Monrovia -and at the island of <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Helena; and returning to Porto Praya when -provisions should be exhausted.</p> - -<p>The vessel sailed at daylight on the following morning, and after a -passage of eight days, during which she had a long chase after an -English brig, arrived at Monrovia. Five days were spent in wooding and -watering ship. On Sunday, a colored <abbr title="reverend">Rev.</abbr> <abbr title="doctor">Dr.</abbr> of Divinity in the Baptist -church, preached to a large congregation, giving his own rendering of -the text from the original Greek. The effort was perhaps unusually -elaborate, in consideration of several officers forming part of the -audience.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_345">[Pg 345]</span></p> - -<p>In running down the coast, a great number of canoes, filled with -natives—<em xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">sans culottes</em> and <em xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">sans chemises</em>—pulled off to -the vessel. By one of these, a note addressed to the missionaries was -sent into Cape Palmas, expressing regret that orders to the south coast -prevented the vessel from touching either at the Cape or at the Gaboon -River.</p> - -<p>The former passage to the south coast had been made on the port tack, -by standing out into the southeast trades, and forty-one days had -expired on reaching Benguela. This passage was made on the starboard -tack, in-shore, and occupied but twenty-two days to Ambriz—a run of -four days from Benguela. The great advantages of the in-shore passage -will be made manifest in a letter hereafter to be referred to. Greater -alternations of weather, pleasant and squally, with now and then a -strong tornado, occur in-shore; but a good look-out will enable a -man-of-war to encounter all these with safety. Besides a number of -legal traders, on the passage down, several British cruisers were -boarded, who reported the slave-trade as being exceedingly dull.</p> - -<p>Three days were spent in Loanda, and then cruising for the same length -of time, with the new commander of the British southern division, was -resumed off Ambriz. Thence the vessel proceeded down the coast towards -the Congo River, where the new commander of the steamer Fire-Fly -boarded the Perry, when at a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_346">[Pg 346]</span> distance of four miles from his own -vessel. Passed the Congo, after encountering a tornado.</p> - -<p>This river is more than two leagues broad at its mouth. At the distance -of eight or ten miles seaward, in a northwesterly direction, the water -preserves its freshness; and at the distance of fifty and even sixty -miles, it has a black tinge. Here are often seen small islands floating -seaward, formed of fibrous roots, bamboo, rushes and long grass, and -covered with birds. The banks of the Congo are lined with low mangrove -bushes, with clumps of a taller species interspersed, growing to the -height of sixty and seventy feet. Palm-trees, and others of a smaller -growth, are seen with a rich and beautiful foliage. In going up the -river, the southern shore, where there is plenty of water close in -with the land, should be kept aboard. The current is so strong—often -running six miles an hour off Shark’s Point—that an exceedingly fresh -sea-breeze is necessary in order to stem the stream. The greatest -strength of this current, however, is superficial, not extending more -than six or eight feet in depth. The Congo, like all rivers in Africa, -except the Nile, is navigable but a short distance before reaching the -rapids. The great central regions being probably not less than three -thousand feet in altitude above the sea, these rapids are formed by a -sudden depression of the surface of the country towards the sea, or<span class="pagenum" id="Page_347">[Pg 347]</span> by -a bed of hard rocks stretching across the basin of the river.</p> - -<p>The slave-trade has been extensively pursued in the Congo. A British -steam-cruiser, for many years, has been stationed off its mouth, making -many captures. Under American nationality, however, several vessels -have entered, taken in a cargo of slaves and escaped. The natives, near -the mouth of the river, have been rendered treacherous and cruel by the -slave-trade; but a short distance in the interior, they are represented -as being civil and inoffensive, disposed to trade in elephants’-teeth -and palm-oil.</p> - -<p>After crossing the Congo, the Perry communicated with Kabenda, and the -day following anchored at Loango, in company with the British cruiser -stationed off that point. The British commodore arriving the next day, -a letter was addressed to him, dated April 4th, asking whether any -suspected vessels had been seen on the south coast, by the cruisers -under his command, since the capture of the Chatsworth, on the 11th of -September, 1850; also requesting that he would express his views of the -present state of the slave-trade on the southern coast of Africa.</p> - -<p>In reply, the British commodore made the following communication:</p> - -<p>“I beg to acquaint you that the only report I have received of a -suspected vessel, under American colors,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_348">[Pg 348]</span> having been seen on the -south coast since the date you have named, was from H. M. steam-sloop -Rattler, of a schooner showing American colors having approached the -coast near Old Benguela Head; which vessel, when Commander Cumming -landed subsequently, was reported to him, by the people on shore, to -have shipped slaves near that place.</p> - -<p>“Your inquiry applies only to the south coast; but it will not -be irrelevant to the general subject and object for which we are -co-operating, if I add that the schooner Bridgeton, of Philadelphia, -under the American flag, was visited by Her Majesty’s steam-sloop -Prometheus, off Lagos, on the 22d of August, under circumstances -causing much suspicion, but with papers which did not warrant -her seizure by a British officer; and that I have since received -information from Her Britannic Majesty’s consul at Bahia, that the same -vessel landed three hundred slaves there in October.</p> - -<p>“I also take this opportunity of bringing under your notice another -American vessel, which I observed at Sierra Leone under the American -flag; and which was reported to me, by the authorities there, as being -to all appearance a legal trader, with correct papers, but whose real -character and ultimate object I have since had much reason to doubt.</p> - -<p>“I inclose a copy of the formal entry of this vessel, ‘The Jasper,’ -at the port of Sierra Leone, from which<span class="pagenum" id="Page_349">[Pg 349]</span> you will observe that her -cargo was shipped at the Havana; and that in the manifest are shooks -and heads of water-casks, and that she had on board three passengers: -these passengers were <em>Spaniards</em>. The Jasper staid a short time -at Sierra Leone, disposed of some trifles of her cargo for cash, and -left for Monrovia. On proceeding a few days afterwards in the Centaur -(the flag-ship) to that place, I found that she had disposed of more -of her cargo there, also for cash, and was reported to have proceeded -to the leeward coast; and I learned from the best authority, that of -the passengers, one was recognized as being a Spanish slave-dealer who -had been expelled from Tradetown, in 1849, by President Roberts, and -that the others were a Spanish merchant, captain and supercargo; and -that the American captain had spoken of his position as being very -indefinite.</p> - -<p>“On the second subject, my view of the present state of the slave-trade -on the south coast: It is formed on my own observations of the line of -coast from Cape <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Paul’s to this port, and from the reports which I -have received from the captains of the divisions, and the commanders -of the cruisers under my orders, as well as from other well-informed -persons on whom I can rely, that it has never been in a more depressed -state, a state almost amounting to suppression; and that this arises -from the active exertions of Her Majesty’s squadron<span class="pagenum" id="Page_350">[Pg 350]</span> on both sides of -the Atlantic, and the cordial co-operation which has been established -between the cruisers of Great Britain and the United States on this -coast, to carry out the intention of the Washington treaty; and -latterly from the new measures of the Brazilian government.</p> - -<p>“Factories have been broken up at Lagos, in the Congo, and at Ambriz; -although of this I need hardly speak, because your own observation -during the past year must satisfy you of the present state of -depression there.</p> - -<p>“The commencement of last year was marked by an unusual number of -captures by Her Majesty’s cruisers, both in the bights and on the south -coast, and also by those by the cruisers of the United States. This -year, the capture of only one vessel equipped in the bights, and one -with slaves (a transferred Sardinian), on the south coast, have been -reported to me—a striking proof of my view.</p> - -<p>“The desperate measures also adopted by the slave-dealers in the last -few months to get rid of their slaves by the employment of small -vessels, formerly engaged in the legal and coasting trade, as marked by -the capture of several (named) slavers, prove the difficulty to which -they have been driven.</p> - -<p>“The barracoons, however, along the whole line of coast, are still -reported to me to contain a great number<span class="pagenum" id="Page_351">[Pg 351]</span> of slaves, to ship whom, I -have little doubt further attempts will be made.</p> - -<p>“Most satisfactory, on the whole, as this state of things may be -considered, still I hope it will not lead to any immediate relaxation -either of our efforts or of our co-operation; but that a vigilance will -be observed for a time sufficient to enable a legal trade to replace -the uprooted slave-traffic, and to disperse the machinery (I may say) -of the merchants connected with it, and prevent any resumption of it by -them.”</p> - -<p>Leaving Loango with a fresh supply of monkeys and parrots, the Perry -retraced her course to the southward, and on reaching the Congo, -crossed that river in a few hours, close at its mouth, showing this -to be practicable, and altogether preferable to standing off to -the westward for that purpose. After crossing the river, the first -lieutenant, <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Porter, who had seen much service in other vessels -on the coast, was requested to draw up a letter addressed to the -commander, containing the following information, which, after having -been endorsed as fully according with experience and observation on -board the Perry, was forwarded to Lieutenant Maury, in charge of the -National Observatory, under the impression that it might be available -in the hydrographical department. It has since been published in -“Maury’s Sailing Directions.”</p> - -<p>“In the season of February, March, April and May,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_352">[Pg 352]</span> there is no -difficulty in making the passage from Porto Praya to Ambriz in thirty -days, provided the run from Porto Praya takes not more than eight days.</p> - -<p>“The direct route, and that which approaches the great circle, leads -along the coast, touching the outer soundings of <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Ann’s Shoals, -thence to half Cape Mount, to allow for a current when steering for -Monrovia. From there, follow the coast along with land and sea breezes, -assisted by the current, until you arrive at Cape Palmas. Keep on the -starboard tack, notwithstanding the wind may head you in-shore (the -land-breezes will carry you off), and as the wind permits, haul up for -2° west longitude. Cross the equator here if convenient, but I would -not go to the westward of it. You will encounter westerly currents from -thirty to fifty miles a day. In the vicinity of Prince’s Island, the -southwest wind is always strong. In the latitude of about 1° 30´ north -there is a current: should it not be practicable to weather the island -of <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Thomas, stand in, approach the coast, and you will meet with -north winds to carry you directly down the coast.</p> - -<p>“Our vessels, after arriving at Cape Palmas, have generally gone upon -the port tack, because the wind carried them towards the coast or -Gulf of Guinea, and seemed to favor them for the port tack the most, -which, on the contrary, although slowly veering towards the southeast, -was hauling more ahead, and leading them<span class="pagenum" id="Page_353">[Pg 353]</span> off into a current, which, -under a heavy press of sail, it is impossible to work against. The -consequences were, that they had to go upon the starboard tack, and -retrace the ground gone over. On the starboard tack, as you proceed -easterly, the action of the wind is the reverse, and it allows you to -pursue the great circle course.</p> - -<p>“It employed one man-of-war eighty odd days to Kabenda, a port -two hundred miles nearer than Ambriz, to which port (Ambriz) from -Monrovia, in this vessel (the Perry), we went in twenty-three days; -making thirty-one from Porto Praya. Another vessel was occupied ten -to Monrovia, and forty-six to Ambriz, by the way of Prince’s Island, -about ten of which was lost in working to the south of Cape Palmas. In -standing to the eastward, north of the equator, the current is with -you—south of the equator, it is adverse.</p> - -<p>“The practice along the coast in this vessel (the Perry), was to keep -near enough to the land to have the advantage of a land and sea breeze, -and to drop a kedge whenever it fell calm, or we were unable to stem -the current. Upon this part of the coast, near the Congo, the lead-line -does not always show the direction of the current which affects the -vessel. On the bottom there is a current in an opposite direction from -that on the surface; therefore, before dropping the kedge, the better -way is to lower a boat and anchor her, which will<span class="pagenum" id="Page_354">[Pg 354]</span> show the drift of -the vessel. Between Ambriz and the Congo I have seen the under-current -so strong to the southeast as to carry a twenty-four pound lead off the -bottom, while the vessel was riding to a strong southwest current; but -the under-current is the stronger.</p> - -<p>“In crossing the Congo, I would always suggest crossing close at its -mouth, night or day. Going north, with the wind <abbr title="West North West">W. N. W.</abbr>, steer -<abbr title="North North East">N. N. E.</abbr> with a five or six knot breeze. When you strike soundings on -the other side, you will have made about a <abbr title="North">N.</abbr> ½ <abbr title="East">E.</abbr> course in the -distance of nine miles, by log from 11½ fathoms off Shark’s Point. -The current out of the river sets west about two knots the hour. With -the land-breeze it is equally convenient, and may be crossed in two -hours. In coming from the north, with Kabenda bearing <abbr title="North East">N. E.</abbr> in thirteen -fathoms, or from the latitude of 5° 48’, wind southwest, a <abbr title="South South East">S. S. E.</abbr> -course will carry you over in four hours, outside of Point Padron; and -by keeping along shore the current will assist you in going to the -north. Vessels which cross to seaward, from latitude of 5° 45’ south, -and 9° west longitude, are generally six days or more to Ambriz: by the -former method it occupied us (the Perry) only two days.”</p> - -<p>The vessel then proceeded to Loanda, and after remaining one day in -port, beat up the coast as far as Elephants’ Bay, in 13° 14’ south -latitude, communicated with four British cruisers, anchored <em xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">en -route</em> in Benguela,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_355">[Pg 355]</span> and there supplied a British cruiser with -masts, plank and oars, for repairing a bilged launch. During a walk -on shore, a Portuguese merchant was met, who spoke of the slave-trade -being in a languishing state. On calling at his house, a yard in the -rear was observed, capable of accommodating some three or four hundred -slaves. On entering Elephants’ Bay in a fresh breeze, the vessel was -brought down to her double-reefed topsails.</p> - -<p>Elephants’ Bay may be termed the confines of the Great Southern Desert, -and the limit of the African fever. A very few wretched inhabitants, -subsisting by fishing, are found along the shores. None were seen -during the Perry’s visit. The soil is sandy and barren, and rains very -scanty, seldom occurring more than once or twice during the year. The -climate is exceedingly invigorating. The crew were permitted to haul -the seine, and take a run on shore. A brackish spring was found, and -around it were many tracks of wild animals. Several of the men, armed -with muskets, while strolling a few miles from the shore, started up -a drove of zebras, but were unsuccessful in their attempts to capture -even a single prize.</p> - -<p>The day after arriving in this bay, while one watch of the men were -exercising the big guns at target-firing, and the other watch on shore -familiarizing themselves with the use of small-arms, a large barque -was discovered<span class="pagenum" id="Page_356">[Pg 356]</span> in the offing; and not conceiving any other object -than that of slaving to be the business of a vessel on that desert -coast, a signal-gun was fired, and the comet hoisted for “all hands” -to repair on board. The Perry was soon off under full sail in chase of -the stranger. As night closed in, and the sea-breeze became light, two -boats, in charge of the first and second lieutenants, were dispatched -in the chase; the vessel and boats occasionally throwing up a rocket -and burning a blue light to indicate their relative positions. The -strange vessel was at length brought to, and boarded. She proved to be -a Portuguese barque in search of ochil for dyeing purposes.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_357">[Pg 357]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXXII">CHAPTER XXXII.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="subhead">THE CONDITION OF THE SLAVE-TRADE—WANT OF SUITABLE CRUISERS—HEALTH -OF THE VESSEL—NAVY SPIRIT RATION—PORTUGUESE COMMODORE—FRENCH -COMMODORE—LOANDA—LETTER FROM SIR GEORGE JACKSON, BRITISH -COMMISSIONER, ON THE STATE OF THE SLAVE-TRADE—RETURN TO PORTO PRAYA.</p> - - - -<p>After parting company with the Portuguese vessel, the Perry ran down to -Loanda, from whence a letter, dated the 17th of April, was addressed -to a gentleman in a prominent station at Washington, communicating in -effect the following views and information:</p> - -<p>“The slave-trade has received an effectual check within the past year. -Only one suspected American vessel has been seen on the south coast, -since the capture of the Chatsworth.</p> - -<p>“In a letter from Sir George Jackson, British commissioner at Loanda, -addressed to Lord Palmerston, which was shown to the commander of the -Perry, it is stated that the present state of the slave-trade arises -from the activity of British cruisers, the co-operation of part of -the American squadron on the southern coast<span class="pagenum" id="Page_358">[Pg 358]</span> within the year, and -its capture of two or three slavers bearing the flag of that nation, -together with the measures adopted by the Brazilian government; and -also that it may be said that the trade on this southern coast is now -confined to a few vessels bearing the Sardinian flag.</p> - -<p>“The British commander-in-chief has expressed himself equally sanguine -as to the state of the trade; and is of the opinion that the continued -presence of our vessels, in co-operation with the English, will tend to -depress, if not effectually break up the traffic.</p> - -<p>“The impression was entertained previously to joining this squadron, -that the orders of our government—giving such narrow latitude to the -commanders—superadded to the difficulty of getting a slaver condemned -in the United States courts, that had not slaves actually on board, -were almost insuperable obstacles to the American squadron’s effecting -any thing of consequence towards the suppression of this iniquitous -traffic, or even preventing the use of our flag in the trade. But -observation and experience have entirely changed these views, and -led to the conclusion that if even the commodore had a small-sized -steamer—which is here wanted more than on any other station—in -which he might visit the cruisers at points along the line of the -slave-coast, that we should no more hear of a slaver using the American -flag, than we do now of his using the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_359">[Pg 359]</span> British flag. Notwithstanding -our legal commerce here exceeds that of Great Britain or France, yet -the United States have not had, for a period of more than two years -previous to the arrival of this vessel, an American man-of-war, an -American consul, or a public functionary of any kind, on the southern -coast of Africa. In consequence, the slave-trade has been boldly -carried on under the American flag, while American legal traders have -been annoyed, both by the interferences of foreign cruisers at sea, and -custom-house restrictions and exactions in port.</p> - -<p>“Checked as the slave-trade is for the time being, if vigilant cruising -were to be relaxed, or the coast left without a man-of-war, this trade -would soon revive; and even if with Brazil it should be suppressed, -then with Cuba it would break out, with greater virulence than ever, in -the Bight of Benin. Hence the importance of well-appointed cruisers for -its suppression, to say nothing of their agency in the vindication of -our commercial rights in the protection of legal traders.</p> - -<p>“Eight smaller vessels, carrying the same number of guns, two of which -should be steamers, would not add materially to the expense, as coal -at Loanda may be purchased at ten dollars the ton, while they would -prove much more efficient than the vessels composing the present -squadron. These cruisers might each be assigned two hundred miles of -the slave-coast, having<span class="pagenum" id="Page_360">[Pg 360]</span> their provisions replenished by a store-ship -and flag-steamer; and once during the cruise—which should never -exceed twenty months—run into the trades, or to <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Helena, for the -purpose of recruiting the health of officers and men. The health of the -squadron under the present sanitary regulations, is as good as that -on any other station. This vessel, although in constant and active -service, with her boats, after cruising for the last sixteen months, -has not had a death on board. The Perry has served out no grog; and if -Congress would only do the navy in general the kindness to abolish the -whisky ration, which is ‘evil, and only evil, and that continually,’ -all men-of-war, in health, comfort, morals, discipline and efficiency, -would be benefited. The climate has been urged as an objection to the -continuance of the squadron. This, as has been shown, is a groundless -objection; and were it not, it is an unmilitary objection, as the navy -is bound to perform all service, irrespective of danger to health and -life, which the honor and interests of the country require. It would -be a reflection on the chivalry of the service, to suppose that the -African squadron could not be well officered. Withdraw the squadrons on -the coast of Africa, and not only would Liberia suffer materially, but -the legal trade in ivory, gum-copal, palm-oil, copper and caoutchouc, -now in process of development along the line of coast, would soon be -broken up, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_361">[Pg 361]</span> the entire coast handed over to the tender mercies of -piratical slave-traders.”</p> - -<p>Portuguese, English and French men-of-war were lying at Loanda. The -Portuguese commodore had been uniformly attentive and courteous in -official and social intercourse. The navy-yard was freely offered -for the service of the vessel. One evening, on falling in with the -commodore at sea, the Perry beat to quarters; and the first intimation -given of the character of the vessel she met, was by the flag-ship -running across her stern, and playing “Hail Columbia.” In the last -interview, the commodore alluded to our correspondence with the British -officers, and expressed his gratification at the results. The French -commodore was an intelligent, active officer, whose squadron had made -several captures. He often expressed the wish that the Perry would -visit his friends, the <abbr title="reverend">Rev.</abbr> <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> and Mrs. Wilson and <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Bushnell, at -the Gaboon Mission, whom he regarded as being, in all respects, highly -creditable representatives of American benevolence and culture. The -character of the intercourse with the British commissioner may be -inferred from a letter to be introduced hereafter. The attentions of -the British consul, and in particular his politeness in furnishing -news and information from England, were highly appreciated. The agent -of the large and respectable house in Salem, Massachusetts, extended a -liberal hospitality to the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_362">[Pg 362]</span> American officers. The governor-general of -the province of Angola was a distinguished general in the Portuguese -service, and supported great state. He offered, in the complimentary -style of his country, the palace and its contents to the officers of -the Perry. Salutes had been exchanged with the garrison and all the -commodores on the station. The attentions extended to a small cruiser, -were the tribute paid to the only representative of a great and highly -respected nation.</p> - -<p>Loanda, with its seventeen thousand inhabitants, numerous -fortifications, palace, churches and cathedral, its houses, many -being of stone, spacious and substantial, standing as it does on -an eminence, presents an impressive appearance, reminding one of a -somewhat dilapidated Italian city; while the frequent passing of a -palanquin, supported by two stout negroes, in which the movement is -agreeably undulating, recalls the eastern luxury of locomotion. But the -wealth and prosperity of Loanda have been dependent on the slave-trade. -In the year eighteen hundred and forty-eight, the amount of goods -entered for the legal trade, amounted to about ninety thousand dollars; -and at the same time, there were smuggled goods for the purposes -of the slave-trade, amounting to the sum of eight hundred thousand -dollars.<span class="fnanchor" id="fna10"><a href="#fn10">[10]</a></span></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_363">[Pg 363]</span></p> - -<p>On the 17th of May, the Perry took final leave of <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Paul de Loanda, -leaving a letter addressed to the commander of any <abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> cruiser on the -coast, and receiving from the British commissioner, a letter expressing -his views on the subject of the slave-trade, and of the agencies in -operation for its suppression. After cruising a day or two off Ambriz, -she bid adieu to the south African coast, and made all sail for the -island of <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Helena.</p> - -<p>The letter addressed to the commander of any <abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> cruiser, was to the -following purport:</p> - -<p>“Nothing has occurred to interrupt the cordial and harmonious -co-operation with the British men-of-war, during the present cruise on -the southern coast.</p> - -<p>“The agent of the American House at Loanda asserts, that the presence -of our cruisers has had a salutary effect upon his interests. Formerly -there were many vexatious detentions in the clearance of vessels, -prohibitions of visiting vessels, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>, which are now removed. Having no -consul on the coast, he says that the interests of the House are liable -to be jeopardized on frivolous pretexts, in case that a man-of-war is -known to be withdrawn for any length of time.”</p> - -<p>The letter of Sir George Jackson, the commissioner, received on leaving -Loanda, says:</p> - -<p>“I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the -7th instant, in which, referring to my<span class="pagenum" id="Page_364">[Pg 364]</span> official position and long -residence here, you request my opinion on the past and present state -of the slave-trade, and of the measures respectively adopted for its -suppression.</p> - -<p>“From the time I left your magnificent and interesting country, I have -been mostly engaged as H. M. commissioner in the mixed courts at Sierra -Leone, Rio de Janeiro, and for the last five years nearly, at this -place; but in all that long period, the present is the first occasion -when I could have answered your inquiry with any satisfaction. When you -did me the honor of calling upon me, on your first arrival here, in -March, 1850, I welcomed you with those feelings of pleasure, which the -recollection of kindnesses received in your country will ever excite in -my breast at the sight of an American; but I was far from anticipating -those benefits, in a public point of view, in a cause in which we both -take so deep an interest, which, I am happy to say, have resulted from -your appearance, and that of other vessels of the U.S. Navy, on this -coast, which soon followed you. During the four years preceding your -arrival, I did not see, and scarcely heard of one single American -officer on this station. The Marion and the Boxer did, indeed, if I -recollect right, anchor once or twice in this harbor, but they made no -stay in these parts. What was the consequence?</p> - -<p>“The treaty of Washington proved almost a dead<span class="pagenum" id="Page_365">[Pg 365]</span> letter, as regarded -one of the contracting parties. And the abuse of the American flag -became too notorious, in promoting and abetting the slave-trade, to -make it necessary for me to refer further to it—more particularly in -addressing one who, himself, witnessed that abuse when at its height.</p> - -<p>“The zeal and activity displayed by yourself and brother officers, -and the seizures which were the results of them, at once changed the -face of things. The actual loss which the traffic has sustained, and -still more the dread of those further losses which they anticipated, -on seeing the <abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> squadron prepared to confront them at those very -haunts to which they had been accustomed to repair with impunity, -and determined to vindicate the honor of their insulted flag, which -they had too long been allowed to prostitute, struck terror into -those miscreants on both sides of the Atlantic. And from the date -of those very opportune captures, not a vessel illicitly assuming -American colors has been seen on the coast; and, as it was upon the -abuse of that flag, aided by the facility which the system of granting -sea-letters afforded, that the slave-traders have mainly relied for -the prosecution of their nefarious traffic, the suppression of that -abuse by the joint exertions of Her Majesty’s squadron with that of -the United States, has given a blow to the slave-trade which, combined -with the change of policy on that subject on the part of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_366">[Pg 366]</span> Brazilian -government, will, I hope and believe, go far, if not to extinguish it -altogether, at least very materially to circumscribe its operations.</p> - -<p>“The effect of what I have above stated has, as you know, for some time -past, shown itself very sensibly at this place: money is exceedingly -scarce—slaves hardly find purchasers. Failures of men who have -hitherto figured as among the chief merchants of this city, have -already occurred, and others are anticipated, and a general want of -confidence prevails.</p> - -<p>“We must not, however, allow ourselves to be deceived either by our own -too sanguine expectations, or the interested representations of others. -The enemy is only defeated, not subdued; on the slightest relaxation -on our part, he would rally, and the work would have to be commenced -<em xml:lang="pt" lang="pt">de novo</em>. Nor, I should say, from my knowledge of the Brazils, -must we reckon too confidently on the continuance of the measures -which the Imperial Government appears now to be adopting. Giving the -present administration every credit for sincerity and good intentions, -we must not shut our eyes to the proofs, which have hitherto been so -frequent and so overwhelming, of the power of the slave-trade interest -in that country. We must act as if we still wanted the advantage of her -co-operation; and in this view it is, that I cannot too forcibly insist -on the absolute necessity of the continuation of our naval exertions,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_367">[Pg 367]</span> -which, so far from being diminished, ought as far as possible, I -conceive, to be still further increased, till this hideous hydra shall -be finally and forever destroyed. Then when its last head shall be -cut off, colonization, which till then, like other plans, can only be -regarded as auxiliary to the great work, may step in and prosper, and -commerce, dipping her wings in the gall of the slain monster, shall -rise triumphant.</p> - -<p>“It would not be becoming in me, in addressing an American citizen, to -do more than to testify to the mischiefs occasioned by the system I -have already alluded to, of granting sea-letters; but I should hope, -upon due investigation it would be found very practicable to deny such -letters to vessels sailing to the coast of Africa, without at all -interfering with the interest or freedom of licit trade.</p> - -<p>“I have thus, very imperfectly, I fear, complied with your -request—purposely abstaining from a detailed recapitulation of those -occurrences which, if they took place in these parts, you have yourself -been an eye-witness to; or with which, if they happened in a more -remote quarter, you have had opportunities of being made acquainted, -from better sources than I can command.</p> - -<p>“I cannot, however, quit this subject without indulging in a feeling -of gratification, if not of exultation, at the singular coincidence, -or rather, I should say, contrast,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_368">[Pg 368]</span> between my present employment, and -that which occupied me for four years in the United States.</p> - -<p>“I was then associated with your distinguished countryman, Langdon -Cheeves, engaged in appraising the value of human beings like -ourselves—regarded as mere goods and chattels. I have been since that -time chiefly occupied in restoring that same unhappy class to freedom -and to their natural rights, and in giving effect to that increasing -and disinterested perseverance in this righteous cause, on the part -of my government and country, which will form one of the brightest -pages in its history. Glad am I to think that the United States are -disposed to join heart and hand with Great Britain in so blessed an -undertaking; and oh, that I could hear my <em>ci-devant</em> and much -respected colleague sympathize with me in this feeling, and know that -his powerful voice and energies were exerted in the same cause!”</p> - -<p>The run of the Perry to <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Helena occupied eight days. On approaching -the island it was distinctly seen at the distance of sixty-four miles. -After making a short, but an exceedingly interesting visit, the vessel -sailed, making a passage of nine days to Monrovia; and from thence -proceeded to Porto Praya, arriving on the 30th of June.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_369">[Pg 369]</span></p> - -<p class="footnote p2" id="fn10"><a href="#fna10">[10]</a> Parliamentary reports, 1850. H. L. evidence.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXXIII">CHAPTER XXXIII.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="subhead">ISLAND OF MADEIRA—PORTO GRANDE, CAPE VERDE ISLANDS—INTERFERENCE OF -THE BRITISH CONSUL WITH THE LOUISA BEATON—PORTO PRAYA—BRAZILIAN -BRIGANTINE SEIZED BY THE AUTHORITIES—ARRIVAL AT NEW YORK.</p> - - - -<p>More than eighteen months had elapsed since the arrival of the vessel -on the coast; and orders from the Navy Department, to proceed to the -United States, were believed to be waiting at Porto Praya. No such -orders, however, were received. But instructions had been issued by -the new commodore, who had sailed a few days previously, either to -remain at Porto Praya, or proceed to the island of Madeira. The latter -alternative was adopted; and seven weeks were as agreeably spent in -Madeira, as was consistent with our disappointment in proceeding to -this genial climate, instead of returning home, for the purpose of -recruiting health and strength, enfeebled by long service on the -African coast. A portion of the crew were daily on shore for the sake -of relaxation and enjoyment.</p> - -<p>The princely hospitality of the American consul, <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> March, in opening -his splendid mansion to the American officers, and at all times -receiving them at his table,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_370">[Pg 370]</span> is worthy of grateful acknowledgment. -Several English and Portuguese families extended a generous -hospitality to the officers; and the intercourse with Lord and Lady -Newborough, whose steam yacht was lying in port, contributed much to -the satisfaction with which the time was spent at Madeira. The noble -party dipped their colors three times, on separating, which was duly -acknowledged.</p> - -<p>On returning to the Cape Verde Islands, a brisk gale from the eastward -induced the Perry to run into Porto Grande, <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Vincent’s Island, which -is the largest and most commodious harbor in the group.</p> - -<p>The master of an American vessel, when calling on board, in company -with the consul, communicated a report that the American brigantine -Louisa Beaton, a few months previously, had been denounced by the -British consul to the governor-general of these islands, as a vessel -engaged in the slave-trade. The American consul had heard the -report, but being informed that the information was communicated -<em>unofficially</em> to the governor-general, had taken no action in -the case. The commander of the Perry, with the consul, then called on -the collector of the port, and after learning the facts, addressed, on -the 29th of September, a letter to the collector, requesting official -information in reference to the agency that the British consul had had -in inducing the governor-general of the Cape Verde<span class="pagenum" id="Page_371">[Pg 371]</span> Islands to direct -a search to be made of the Louisa Beaton, on suspicion of her being -engaged in the slave-trade.</p> - -<p>The collector, in reply, stated that the governor-general had not -ordered any survey or visit on board the Louisa Beaton, but had -directed him to state what was true in regard to the aforesaid vessel -suspected of being employed in the slave-trade; as a representation -had been made to his Excellency, by the consul for her British Majesty -for these islands, in which the consul stated his belief that the said -brig had on board irons, pots, and all other utensils and preparations -necessary for that traffic; and also that he knew of a load of slaves -being already bargained for, for the said vessel.</p> - -<p>A letter of the same day’s date was then addressed to her British -Majesty’s consul, stating that the commander was credibly informed -that, during the month of May he had denounced the Louisa Beaton to the -governor-general, on suspicion of her being engaged in the slave-trade, -and requested him to state by what authority he made the denunciation; -also, the grounds upon which his suspicions of the illegal character of -the vessel were founded.</p> - -<p>In reply, on the same day, the British consul stated that it was upon -the very best authority that could be given; but he regretted that it -was not in his power to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_372">[Pg 372]</span> name his authority. But that the character -and former proceedings of the Louisa Beaton were quite sufficient to -be referred to, to show that her proceedings were even then strongly -suspected.</p> - -<p>In a letter to the British consul, of the same day’s date, the -commander informed him that he regretted that the consul did not -feel at liberty to disclose the authority upon which he had acted in -denouncing the American brigantine Louisa Beaton, for it had been -with the hope that he would in a measure be able to relieve himself -of an act of interference in a matter in which he, the consul, had -no concern, that chiefly induced the commander to address him. -As, however, he had failed to assign any reason for that act of -interference with a vessel belonging to the United States, it had -become a duty to apprise him that the government of the United States -would not permit an officer of any other government to interfere, -officially or otherwise, with any vessel entitled to wear their flag; -and that he had to suggest to the consul, that hereafter, should he -have any cause to suspect any such vessel sailing in violation of -a municipal law of the United States, he would content himself by -giving information of the fact to some officer or agent of the United -States: that such officer or agent would at all times be found near his -residence.</p> - -<p>The commander further stated that he might then,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_373">[Pg 373]</span> with propriety, -dismiss the subject, but that justice to the owners of the Louisa -Beaton required him further to state, that the consul’s information, -come from what source it might, of the Louisa Beaton’s being engaged in -the slave-trade, was not entitled to any credit. And in reference to -“the character and former proceedings of that vessel,” the commander -would inform him, that the British officer commanding the southern -division of Her Majesty’s squadron had disavowed to him, in September, -eighteen hundred and fifty, the act of boarding and detaining the said -brigantine Louisa Beaton by another British cruiser; and also had -proposed a pecuniary remuneration for the satisfaction of the master -of the said vessel; in reference to which the commander declined any -agency, deeming it rather to be his duty to report the matter, which -was accordingly done, to the government of the United States. And -further, that in the month of June, eighteen hundred and fifty-one, he -had himself examined the Louisa Beaton, at the island of <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Helena, -and that at the date of his communication to the governor-general -affecting her character, she was a legal trader.</p> - -<p>On the day following, as the Perry was about leaving Porto Grande, a -letter was received from the British consul, in which he remarked, -that he must be permitted to say, that he could not acknowledge the -right of the American commander to question his conduct in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_374">[Pg 374]</span> the -slightest degree; that when he gave a reply to the commander’s first -letter, it was a mere act of courtesy upon his part; and that the -language and bearing evinced in the last letter which he had received, -compelled him to inform the commander that he declined any further -correspondence, but to remark, that he should continue the course he -had hitherto pursued, in denouncing all slave-vessels that came in his -way, and should not fail to lay a copy of the correspondence before Her -Majesty’s government.</p> - -<p>The Perry anchored in Porto Praya on the following day; and a -letter was immediately addressed to the commodore, which furnished -information of the occurrences at Porto Grande. The commander added, -that in his interview, in company with the American consul, with the -collector of the port, the collector had read to him a letter from the -governor-general of the islands, from which it was evident that the -Louisa Beaton had been denounced by the British consul. A copy of the -governor-general’s letter having been requested, it was refused; but -when it was intimated that he ought to have informed our consul of -the action of the British consul in the case, and that the relations -between the United States and Portugal were of a character which should -lead him to communicate, promptly, any action or information given by a -foreign officer, bearing upon American vessels or American interests; -the collector<span class="pagenum" id="Page_375">[Pg 375]</span> replied to this that he would, if officially requested, -communicate the required information. This was accordingly done.</p> - -<p>It was further stated, that, pending the correspondence, the British -mail steam-packet arrived, with the Hon. David Tod, late American -minister at the court of Brazil, on board, to whom the matter of the -British consul’s interference was referred for counsel; and that the -minister approved the course pursued, remarking that it was a case of -unwarrantable interference on the part of a foreign officer, which, on -our part, demanded prompt notice.</p> - -<p>While lying in Porto Praya, a suspicious-looking brigantine, under -Brazilian colors, appeared off the harbor. The hull, rigging, -maneuvering, and the number of men on board, indicated her to be a -slaver. In a letter to the commodore, the agency of the Perry in the -capture of this vessel was explained in the following terms.</p> - -<p>“On the 13th instant, a brigantine arrived in this port, under -Brazilian colors. A boat was dispatched from the Perry to ascertain -(without boarding, as the custom-house boat had not visited her) where -she was from, where bound, and what news she had to communicate. She -reported Brazilian nationality, last from Trinidad de Cuba, with -sand-ballast. As soon as the vessel had anchored the custom-house -boat pulled<span class="pagenum" id="Page_376">[Pg 376]</span> alongside to pay the usual visit, but, without boarding -her, proceeded to the Perry, when the officer stated that the said -brigantine had the small-pox on board, and had been placed in -quarantine. A request was then made from the authorities on shore, not -to permit her to leave the port previous to the settlement of her bills -for the provisions which were to be furnished. The commander deeming -it rather a duty to ascertain the real character of the vessel, than -to act as a police for the authorities, communicated his doubts of her -having the small-pox on board, intimating that the report was probably -a <em>ruse</em> for the purpose of avoiding an examination, as he -strongly suspected her of being a slaver, and requested that the Perry -might board the vessel. This was declined, as she was in quarantine. -It was then suggested to the officer to pull under the bows of the -vessel, take her papers, and submit them to a critical examination, -which might give a clue to her real character. This was done; and the -papers were found too informal to entitle her to the protection of any -state or nation. She was then boarded by the governor and collector, -who, finding no small-pox on board, requested the commander of the -Perry to furnish an officer, with a gang of men, to assist in making a -thorough search of the vessel. This request was complied with, in the -full understanding that she was under Portuguese jurisdiction, and that -the search was to be<span class="pagenum" id="Page_377">[Pg 377]</span> made under the direction of the collector, as -a matter of accommodation, in the light of rendering assistance to a -foreign service.</p> - -<p>“After completing the search, which confirmed the suspicions of the -vessel’s character, the first-lieutenant of the Perry, at the request -of the collector, was directed to take the slaver to the inner harbor, -and to unbend her sails.”</p> - -<p>The commodore not arriving at Porto Praya, the Perry ran up to Porto -Grande, and, on the twenty-second day of October, a copy of the -correspondence with the British consul, in reference to the Louisa -Beaton, was forwarded to the Navy Department, at Washington.</p> - -<p>After her return to Porto Praya, to wait the arrival of the squadron, -on the eleventh of November, the John Adams made her appearance, and -was followed, on the succeeding day, by the flag-ship. The commodore -had received triplicate orders to send the Perry to the United States. -The proceedings of the vessel, during her absence from the squadron, -were approved by the commodore; and on the fifteenth day of December -she stood out of the harbor, homeward bound, exchanging three cheers -successively with the Porpoise, the John Adams, and the Germantown.</p> - -<p>On arriving at New York, and reporting the vessel, a letter, dated -December 26th, was received from the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_378">[Pg 378]</span> Secretary of the Navy, of which -the following is the concluding paragraph: “The Department tenders its -congratulations upon your safe return to your country and friends, -after an active cruise on the coast of Africa; during which, your -course has met the approbation of the Department.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_379">[Pg 379]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXXIV">CHAPTER XXXIV.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="subhead">CONCLUSION—NECESSITY OF SQUADRONS FOR PROTECTION OF COMMERCE AND -CITIZENS ABROAD—FEVER IN BRAZIL, CUBA AND UNITED STATES—INFLUENCE -OF RECAPTURED SLAVES RETURNING TO THE DIFFERENT REGIONS OF THEIR OWN -COUNTRY—COMMERCIAL RELATIONS WITH AFRICA.</p> - - - -<p>Where a nation has commerce, it has a dwelling-place—a scene of action -and of traffic on the sea. It ought to find its government there also. -The people have a right to be protected, and the government is bound to -enforce that right wherever they go. If they visit foreign countries, -they have a right to just treatment. The traveller—the merchant—the -missionary—the person of whatever character, if an American citizen, -can demand justice. The sea is no foreign territory. Where a merchant -vessel bears its country’s flag, it covers its country’s territory. -Government is instituted to be watchful for the interests and safety -of its citizens. A navy is the organ through which it acts. People on -shore see nothing of this kind of governmental protection. There is -there no marching and drumming, or clearing the streets with horsemen -or footmen, or feathers and trumpets. It is the merchant who is most -directly benefited by naval protection;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_380">[Pg 380]</span> and yet all classes share -in its advantages. The planter and the manufacturer are interested -in safe and free commerce; our citizens generally avow that they are -also interested, by the sensitiveness with which the rights of our -flag are regarded. It is more politic to prevent wrong than to punish -it; therefore we have police in our streets, and locks on our doors. -The shores of civilized governments are the mutual boundaries of -nations. Our government is disposed to show itself there, for there -are its people, and there are their interests. The shores of savage -lands are our confines with savages. Just as forts are required on -the frontiers of the Camanches or Utahs, so are they at Ambriz or -Sumatra. Cruisers are the nation’s fortresses abroad, employed for -the benefit of her citizens, and the security of their commerce. It -would be discreditable, as well as unsafe, to trust to a foreign power -to keep down piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, or in the West Indies -and in the China seas. As commerce extends, so does the necessity -of its supervision and defence extend. The navy therefore requires -augmentation, and for the reasons assigned in the late report of the -Head of that Department, it may be inferred that it will have it, in -reorganized and greatly improved efficiency.</p> - -<p>On this subject, the following are extracts, in substance, from a -lecture delivered on the evening of February <abbr title="third">3d</abbr>, 1854, before the New -York Mercantile<span class="pagenum" id="Page_381">[Pg 381]</span> Library Association, by the Hon. <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Stanton, of -Tennessee, the chairman of the judiciary committee of the <abbr title="United States">U. S.</abbr> House -of Representatives, and for a long time chairman of the naval committee -of that body:</p> - -<p>“A strong naval power is the best promoter of commerce, and hence men -engaged in commercial pursuits, cannot but feel an interest in the -history of the rise and progress of that navy, to which the successes -of their business undertakings are principally due. At a very early -period, navies became an indispensable power in war. The later -invention of ordnance, and the still more recent application of steam -as a motive power to ships of war, render it at present a question of -some difficulty, to predict the extent to which naval military power -may hereafter arrive.</p> - -<p>“What we have to do in times of peace, is to maintain our naval -force in the highest state of efficiency of which it is capable, and -ready to enter upon action at a moment’s warning. With the lessons -of the British war before us, it cannot be possible that the recent -experiments of Lieutenant Dahlgren at Washington, and the discoveries -which have resulted from them, will fail to prove of high practical -service. But with all our appliances or discoveries in this regard, -we cannot conceal from ourselves the fact, that we are behind other -nations in all that concerns the structure of our ships.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_382">[Pg 382]</span></p> - -<p>“We must have machinery and all proper appliances, as well as the raw -materials, for the construction of a naval power when required. We -must have independent establishments on both sides of the continent, -to protect our Pacific as well as our Atlantic coasts, which should be -connected by a railroad stretching across the breadth of the country. -The requirements of commerce, and the advances which it has been -making in increasing the facilities for navigation, will force us into -improvements in our naval power, in order to uphold our commerce.</p> - -<p>“It may be safely presumed, that at the present state of our affairs, a -moderate and efficient navy would be a great civilizing power; it would -hover around the path of our ships, and by the very exhibition of its -power suppress all attempts to molest them in their mission of peace -and brotherhood across the seas. But in addition to this, our navy is -even now aiding strenuously in the march of geographical discovery, and -in enlarging our stock of scientific knowledge, and our familiarity -with the facts of physical philosophy. When we consider the character -of our institutions—when we consider that our great interests lie -in the paths of peace—we must be impressed with the fact, that -the contributions to science, and the civilizing influences of our -navy, are one of the most powerful means by which we can uphold our -interests, and carry out<span class="pagenum" id="Page_383">[Pg 383]</span> our institutions to the fullest development -of which they are capable.</p> - -<p>“Under all circumstances and all disadvantages, the navy has never, at -any period of our history, failed to do honor to itself, and to shed -lustre on the American character. From the Revolutionary war down to -the late conquest of Mexico, in every case in which its co-operation -was at all possible, it has given proofs of activity and power equal to -the proud and commanding position we are to occupy among the nations -of the earth. We have opportunities to supply the service with the -means of moral and physical progress, to free it from the shackles of -old forms, and suffer it to clothe itself with the panoply of modern -science, and to be identified with the spread of civilization and -enlightenment over the world. It will continue to be our pride and our -boast, the worthy representative upon the ocean, of the genius, the -skill, and the enterprise of our people—of the boundless resources of -our growing country—of the power, and grandeur, and glory, as well as -the justice and humanity of our free institutions.”</p> - -<p>The legislatures of some states, the reports of some auxiliary -colonization societies, the speeches of some distinguished senators -and representatives in congress, the addresses of some colonization -agents, have represented the great sacrifice of life and treasure in -“unsuccessful<span class="pagenum" id="Page_384">[Pg 384]</span> efforts,” by the African squadron, for the extermination -of the slave-trade, and proposed to withdraw it. Whereas, it has -been shown that the African squadrons, instead of being useless, -have rendered <em>essential service</em>. For much as colonization -has accomplished, and effectual as Liberia is in suppressing the -slave-traffic within her own jurisdiction, these means and these -results have been established and secured by the presence and -protection of the naval squadrons of Great Britain, France and the -United States. And had no such assistance been rendered, the entire -coast, where we now see legal trade and advancing civilization, would -have been at this day, in spite of any efforts to colonize, or to -establish legal commerce, the scene of unchecked, lawless slave-trade -piracy.</p> - -<p>Strange and frightful maladies have been engendered by the cruelties -perpetrated within the hold of a slaver. If any disease affecting the -human constitution were brought there, we may be sure that it would be -nursed into mortal vigor in these receptacles of filth, corruption and -despair. Crews have been known to die by the fruit of their own crime, -and leave ships almost helpless. They have carried the scourge with -them. The coast fever of Africa, bad enough where it has its birth, -came in these vessels, and has assumed perhaps a permanent abode in -the western regions of the world. No fairer sky or healthier<span class="pagenum" id="Page_385">[Pg 385]</span> climate -were there on earth, than in the beautiful bay, and amid the grand and -picturesque scenery of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. But it became a haunt -of slavers, and the dead of Africa floated on the glittering waters, -and were tumbled upon the sands of its harbor. The shipping found, in -the hot summer of 1849, that death had come with the slavers. Thirty -or forty vessels were lying idly at their anchors, for their crews had -mostly perished. The pestilence swept along the coast of that empire -with fearful malignity.</p> - -<p>Cuba for the same crime met the same retribution. Cargoes of slaves -were landed to die, and brought the source of their mortality ashore, -vigorous and deadly. The fever settled there in the beginning of 1853, -and came to our country, as summer approached, in merchant vessels from -the West Indies. At New Orleans, Mobile, and other places it spread -desolation, over which the country mourned. Let it be remembered that -it is never even safe to disregard crime.</p> - -<p>Civilized governments are now very generally united in measures for -the suppression of the slave-trade. The coast of Africa itself is -rapidly closing against it. The American and English colonies secure -a vast extent of sea-coast against its revival. Christian missions, -at many points, are inculcating the doctrines of divine truth, which, -by its power upon the hearts of men, is the antagonist to such cruel -unrighteousness.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_386">[Pg 386]</span></p> - -<p>The increase of commerce, and the advance of Christian civilization, -will undoubtedly, at no distant date, render a naval force for the -suppression of the African slave-trade unnecessary; but no power having -extensive commerce ought ever to overlook the necessity of a naval -force on that coast. The Secretary of the Navy, it is to be hoped, has, -in his recent report, settled the question as to the continuance of the -African squadron.</p> - -<p>The increasing influence of Liberia and Cape Palmas will prove a -powerful protection to their colored brethren everywhere. “With them -Sierra Leone will unite in feeling and purposes. Their policy will -always be the same. It must necessarily happen that a close political -relationship in interests and feelings will unite them all in one -system of action. Their policy will be that of uncompromising hostility -to the slave-trade.</p> - -<p>There are two aspects of this question well worthy of consideration:</p> - -<p>The Liberians are freemen, recognized as having their proper standing -among the nations of the world. The people of Sierra Leone are -Englishmen, having the legal rights of that kingdom. Therefore, seizing -the citizens of either the one or the other community in time of peace, -and carrying them captive to be sold, amounts to the greatest crime -which can be committed on the ocean.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_387">[Pg 387]</span></p> - -<p>Now as this may be surmised in the case of all slavers on that coast, -the guilt of the slaver in the eye of national law becomes greater than -before; and the peril greater. It may be presumed that if a case were -established against any slave cargo, that it contained one of either -of the above-mentioned description of persons, the consequences to the -slavers, whatever their nation might be, would be much more serious -than has hitherto been the case.</p> - -<p>But a principle of higher justice ought long ago to have been kept in -view, and acted upon. Let the caitiff have his “pound of flesh,” but -“not one drop of blood.” If a man throttles another, or suffocates -him for want of air, or stows eight hundred people in a ship’s hold, -where he knows that one or two hundred in the “middle passage” will -necessarily die, every such death is a <em>murder</em>, and each man -aboard of such vessel who has any agency in procuring or forwarding -this cargo, is a <em>murderer</em>. It has therefore been contrary -to justice, that the perpetrators of such crimes should have been -dismissed with impunity when captured. Such considerations ought to -weigh with men in the future.</p> - -<p>There has been already a commencement of a coasting trade, conducted -by colored men. There is a Liberian man-of-war schooner, the “Lark,” -Lieutenant-Commanding Cooper; and the English, after furnishing<span class="pagenum" id="Page_388">[Pg 388]</span> -the schooner, have proffered the assistance of her navy officers to -instruct the young aspirants of the republic, in the art of sailing the -cruiser, and in the science of naval warfare. Captain Cooper will not -take exception at the remark, that it is “the day of small things” with -the Liberian navy. But his flag bears the star of hope to a vigorous -young naval power.</p> - -<p>A returning of recaptured slaves, instructed and civilized, to the -lands which gave them birth, has taken place. Some hundreds passed -by Lagos, and were assailed and plundered. Some hundreds passed by -Badagry, and were welcomed with kind treatment. The one occurrence -reminded them of African darkness, obduracy and crime; the other of -the softening and elevating effects which Christianity strives to -introduce. They have gone to establish Christian churches, and have -established them there. Such things we are sure have been reported -far in the interior, and Christianity now stands contrasted with -Mohammedanism, as being the deliverer, while the latter is still -the enslaver. The report must also have gone over the whole broad -intertropical continent, that Christian nations have joined together -for African deliverance; and that for purposes so high the race of -Africa has returned from the west, and by imitation of western policy -and religion, is establishing a restorative influence on their own -shores.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_389">[Pg 389]</span></p> - -<p>There has thus been presented a view of Africa and of its progress, -as far as its condition and advancement have had any relation to our -country and its flag. How far its growth in civilization has been -dependent on the efforts of America has been illustrated; and how -essentially the naval interference of the United States has contributed -to this end, has been made evident. It cannot escape notice that this -progress must in the future depend on the same means and the same -efforts. Our own national interests, being those of a commercial -people, require the presence of a squadron. Under its protection -commerce is secure, and is daily increasing in extent and value.</p> - -<p>It is impossible to say how lucrative this commerce may ultimately -become. That the whole African coast should assume the aspect of -Liberia, is perhaps not an unreasonable expectation. That Liberia will -continue to grow in wealth and influence, is not improbable. There is -intelligence among its people, and wisdom and energy in its councils. -There is no reason to believe that this will not continue. Its position -makes it an agricultural community. Other lands must afford its -manufactures and its traders. There will, therefore, ever be on its -shores a fair field for American enterprise.</p> - -<p>The reduction, or annihilation of the slave-trade, is opening the whole -of these vast regions to science and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_390">[Pg 390]</span> legal commerce. Let America -take her right share in them. It is throwing wide the portals of the -continent for the entrance of Christian civilization. Let our country -exert its full proportion of this influence; and thus recompense to -Africa the wrongs inflicted upon her people, in which hitherto all -nations have participated.</p> - - -<p class="p0 center p2">THE END.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter transnote"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="Transcribers_Notes">Transcriber’s Notes</h2> - -<p>In a few places, obviously missing punctuation has been added.</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_158">Page 158</a>: “some time under Amercan” changed to “some time under -American”</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_182">Page 182</a>: “bearing the the Liberian” changed to “bearing the Liberian”</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_254">Page 254</a>: “PERRY AMD STEAMER” changed to “PERRY AND STEAMER”</p> -</div> -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AFRICA AND THE AMERICAN FLAG ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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