_The manner how the Negroes become Slaves. The Numbers of them
yearly exported from_ Guinea _to_ America. _The Lawfulness of
that Trade. Mutinies among them on board the Ships where the
Author has been_, &c.
Before I give a particular Relation of the several _Mutinies_ among
the Negroe Slaves, whereof I have been a Witness, and which is to
be the chief Subject of this present Book, it will be very proper
to prefix a short account of the _Manner_ how the _Negroes_ become
Slaves; what _Numbers_ of them are yearly exported from _Guinea_;
and then offer a few words in Justification of that Trade.
[Sidenote: The manner how the Negroes become Slaves.]
As for the _Manner_ how those People become Slaves; it may be reduced
under these several Heads.
1. It has been the Custom among the _Negroes_, time out of Mind, and
is so to this day, for them to make Slaves of all the Captives they
take in War. Now, before they had an Opportunity of selling them to
the white People, they were often obliged to kill great Multitudes,
when they had taken more than they could well employ in their own
Plantations, for fear they should rebel, and endanger their Masters
Safety.
_2dly._ Most Crimes amongst them are punished by Mulcts and Fines;
and if the Offender has not wherewithal to pay his Fine, he is sold
for a Slave: This is the Practice of the inland People, as well as of
those on the Sea side.
_3dly._ Debtors who refuse to pay their Debts, or are insolvent,
are likewise liable to be made Slaves; but their Friends may redeem
them; And if they are not able or willing to do it, then they
are generally sold for the Benefit of their Creditors. But few of
these come into the hands of the _Europeans_, being kept by their
Countrymen for their own use.
_4thly._ I have been told, That it is common for some inland People,
to sell their Children for Slaves, tho’ they are under no Necessity
for so doing; which I am inclined to believe. But I never observed,
that the People near the Sea Coast practise this, unless compelled
thereto by extreme Want and Famine, as the People of _Whidaw_ have
lately been.
[Sidenote: Number of Negroes exported.]
Now, by these means it is that so many of the Negroes become
Slaves, and more especially by being taken Captives in War. Of
these the Number is so great, that I may safely affirm, without any
Exaggeration, that the _Europeans_ of all Nations, that trade to the
Coast of _Guinea_, have, in some Years, exported at least seventy
thousand. And tho’ this may no doubt be thought at first hearing a
prodigious Number; yet when ’tis considered how great the Extent
of this Coast is, namely from _Cape Verd_ to _Angola_, which is
about four thousand Miles in length; and that _Polygamy_ is allowed
in general amongst them, by which means the Countries are full of
People, I hope it will not be thought improbable that so many are
yearly exported from thence.
[Sidenote: Lawfulness of that Trade.]
Several Objections have often been raised against the Lawfulness
of this Trade, which I shall not here undertake to refute. I shall
only observe in general That tho’ to traffick in human Creatures,
may at first sight appear barbarous, inhuman, and unnatural; yet the
Traders herein have as much to plead in their own Excuse, as can be
said for some other Branches of Trade, namely, the _Advantage_ of it:
And that not only in regard of the Merchants, but also of the Slaves
themselves, as will plainly appear from these following Reasons.
First, It is evident, that abundance of Captives, taken in War, would
be inhumanly destroyed, was there not an Opportunity of disposing of
them to the _Europeans_. So that at least many Lives are saved, and
great Numbers of useful Persons kept in being.
Secondly, When they are carried to the Plantations, they generally
live much better there, than they ever did in their own Country; for
as the Planters pay a great price for them, ’tis their interest to
take care of them.
Thirdly, By this means the _English_ Plantations have been so much
improved, that ’tis almost incredible, what great Advantages have
accrued to the Nation thereby; especially to the _Sugar Islands_,
which lying in a Climate near as hot as the Coast of _Guinea_, the
_Negroes_ are fitter to cultivate the Lands there, than white People.
Then as to the Criminals amongst the _Negroes_, they are by this
means effectually transported, never to return again; a Benefit which
we very much want here.
In a word, from this Trade proceed Benefits, far outweighing all,
either real or pretended Mischiefs and Inconveniencies. And, let
the worst that can, be said of it, it will be found, like all other
earthly Advantages, tempered with a mixture of Good and Evil.
[Sidenote: Mutinies among the Negroes, in the Ships where the Author
has been.]
I come now to give an Account of the Mutinies that have happened on
board the Ships where I have been.
These Mutinies are generally occasioned by the Sailors ill usage
of these poor People, when on board the Ships wherein they are
transported to our Plantations. Wherever therefore I have commanded,
it has been my principal Care, to have the _Negroes_ on board my
Ship kindly used; and I have always finally charged my white People
to treat them with Humanity and Tenderness; In which I have usually
found my Account, both in keeping them from mutinying, and preserving
them in health.
And whereas it may seem strange to those that are unacquainted with
the method of managing them, how we can carry so many hundreds
together in a small Ship, and keep them in order; I shall just
mention what is generally practised. When we purchase grown People,
I acquaint them by the Interpreter, “That, now they are become my
Property, I think fit to let them know what they are bought for,
that they may be easy in their Minds:” (For these poor People are
generally under terrible Apprehensions upon their being bought by
white Men, many being afraid that we design to eat them; which, I
have been told, is a story much credited by the inland _Negroes_;)
“So after informing them, That they are bought to till the Ground in
our Country, with several other Matters; I then acquaint them, how
they are to behave themselves on board, towards the white Men; that
if any one abuses them, they are to complain to the Linguist, who is
to inform me of it, and I will do them Justice: But if they make a
Disturbance, or offer to strike a white Man, they must expect to be
severely punished.”
When we purchase the _Negroes_, we couple the sturdy Men together
with Irons; but we suffer the Women and Children to go freely about:
And soon after we have sail’d from the Coast, we undo all the Mens
Irons.
They are fed twice a day, and are allowed in fair Weather to come
on Deck at seven a clock in the Morning, and to remain there, if
they think proper, till Sun setting. Every _Monday_ Morning they
are served with Pipes and Tobacco, which they are very fond of. The
Men _Negroes_ lodge separate from the Women and Children; and the
places where they all lye are cleaned every day, some white Men being
appointed to see them do it.
It would be tedious to the Reader as well as to my self, should I
relate all the Particulars of our Management of them, and the Care
we take to keep them in health and order; wherefore I shall conclude
with this remark, That if a Commander is himself well inclined, and
has good Officers to execute his Orders, the Negroes on board may
be easily governed; and many Difficulties (which unavoidably arise
amongst such Numbers) got over with a little trouble.
The first Mutiny I saw among the _Negroes_, happened during my first
Voyage, in the Year 1704. It was on board the _Eagle Galley_ of
_London_, commanded by my Father, with whom I was as Purser. We
had bought our Negroes in the River of _Old Callabar_ in the Bay
of _Guinea_. At the time of their mutinying we were in that River,
having four hundred of them on board, and not above ten white Men
who were able to do Service: For several of our Ship’s Company were
dead, and many more sick; besides, two of our Boats were just then
gone with twelve People on Shore to fetch Wood, which lay in sight
of the Ship. All these Circumstances put the _Negroes_ on consulting
how to mutiny, which they did at four a clock in the Afternoon, just
as they went to Supper. But as we had always carefully examined the
Mens Irons, both Morning and Evening, none had got them off, which
in a great measure contributed to our Preservation. Three white Men
stood on the Watch with Cutlaces in their Hands. One of them who was
on the Forecastle, a stout fellow, seeing some of the Men Negroes
take hold of the chief Mate, in order to throw him over board, he
laid on them so heartily with the flat side of his Cutlace, that
they soon quitted the Mate, who escaped from them, and run on the
Quarter-Deck to get Arms. I was then sick with an Ague, and lying on
a Couch in the great Cabbin, the Fit being just come on. However, I
no sooner heard the Outcry, _That the Slaves were mutinying_, but I
took two Pistols, and run on the Deck with them; where meeting with
my Father and the chief Mate, I delivered a Pistol to each of them.
Whereupon they went forward on the Booms, calling to the Negroe Men
that were on the Forecastle; but they did not regard their Threats,
being busy with the Centry, (who had disengaged the chief Mate,) and
they would have certainly killed him with his own Cutlace, could they
have got it from him; but they could not break the Line wherewith the
Handle was fastened to his Wrist. And so, tho’ they had seized him,
yet they could not make use of his Cutlace. Being thus disappointed,
they endeavoured to throw him overboard, but he held so fast by one
of them that they could not do it. My Father seeing this stout Man
in so much Danger, ventured amongst the _Negroes_, to save him; and
fired his Pistol over their Heads, thinking to frighten them. But
a lusty Slave struck him with a Billet so hard, that he was almost
stunned. The Slave was going to repeat the Blow, when a young Lad
about seventeen years old, whom we had been kind to, interposed his
Arm, and received the Blow, by which his Arm-bone was fractured. At
the same instant the Mate fired his Pistol, and shot the _Negroe_
that had struck my Father. At the sight of this the Mutiny ceased,
and all the Men-negroes on the Forecastle threw themselves flat on
their Faces, crying out for Mercy.
Upon examining into the matter, we found, there were not above twenty
Men Slaves concerned in this Mutiny; and the two Ringleaders were
missing, having, it seems, jumped overboard as soon as they found
their Project defeated, and were drowned. This was all the Loss we
suffered on this occasion: For the _Negroe_ that was shot by the
Mate, the Surgeon, beyond all Expectation, cured. And I had the good
Fortune to lose my Ague, by the fright and hurry I was put into.
Moreover, the young Man, who had received the Blow on his Arm to save
my Father, was cured by the Surgeon in our Passage to _Virginia_.
At our Arrival in that place we gave him his Freedom; and a worthy
Gentleman, one Colonel _Carter_, took him into his Service, till he
became well enough acquainted in the Country to provide for himself.
I have been several Voyages, when there has been no Attempt made
by our Negroes to mutiny; which, I believe, was owing chiefly, to
their being kindly used, and to my Officers Care in keeping a good
Watch. But sometimes we meet with stout stubborn People amongst them,
who are never to be made easy; and these are generally some of the
_Cormantines_, a Nation of the _Gold Coast_. I went in the year 1721,
in the _Henry_ of _London_, a Voyage to that part of the _Coast_, and
bought a good many of these People. We were obliged to secure them
very well in irons, and watch them narrowly: Yet they nevertheless
mutinied, tho’ they had little prospect of succeeding. I lay at that
time near a place called _Mumfort_ on the _Gold-Coast_, having near
five hundred Negroes on board, three hundred of which were Men. Our
Ship’s Company consisted of fifty white People, all in health: And I
had very good Officers; so that I was very easy in all respects.
This Mutiny began at Midnight (the Moon then shining very bright) in
this manner. Two Men that stood Centry at the Fore-hatch way, where
the Men Slaves came up to go to the house of Office, permitted four
to go to that place; but neglected to lay the Gratings again, as they
should have done: Whereupon four more Negroes came on Deck, who had
got their Irons off, and the four in the house of Office having done
the same, all the eight fell on the two Centries, who immediately
called out for help. The Negroes endeavoured to get their Cutlaces
from them, but the Lineyards (that is the Lines by which the handles
of the Cutlaces were fastned to the Mens Wrists) were so twisted in
the Scuffle, that they could not get them off before we came to their
Assistance. The Negroes perceiving several white Men coming towards
them, with Arms in their hands, quitted the Centries, and jumped over
the Ship’s side into the Sea.
I being by this time come forward on the Deck, my first care was to
secure the Gratings, to prevent any more Negroes from coming up; and
then I ordered People to get into the Boat, and save those that had
jumped over-board, which they luckily did: For they found them all
clinging to the Cables the Ship was moored by.
After we had secured these People, I called the Linguists, and
ordered them to bid the Men-Negroes between Decks be quiet; (for
there was a great noise amongst them.) On their being silent, I
asked, “What had induced them to mutiny?” They answered, “I was a
great Rogue to buy them, in order to carry them away from their own
Country; and that they were resolved to regain their Liberty if
possible.” I replied, “That they had forfeited their Freedom before
I bought them, either by Crimes, or by being taken in War, according
to the Custom of their Country; and they being now my Property, I was
resolved to let them feel my Resentment, if they abused my Kindness:
Asking at the same time, Whether they had been ill used by the
white Men, or had wanted for any thing the Ship afforded?” To this
they replied, “They had nothing to complain of.” Then I observed to
them, “That if they should gain their Point and escape to the Shore,
it would be no Advantage to them, because their Countrymen would
catch them, and sell them to other Ships.” This served my purpose,
and they seemed to be convinced of their Fault, begging, “I would
forgive them, and promising for the future to be obedient, and never
mutiny again, if I would not punish them this time.” This I readily
granted, and so they went to sleep. When Daylight came we called the
Men Negroes up on Deck, and examining their Irons, found them all
secure. So this Affair happily ended, which I was very glad of; for
these People are the stoutest and most sensible _Negroes_ on the
Coast: Neither are they so weak as to imagine as others do, that we
buy them to eat them; being satisfied we carry them to work in our
Plantations, as they do in their own Country.
However, a few days after this, we discovered they were plotting
again, and preparing to mutiny. For some of the Ringleaders proposed
to one of our Linguists, If he could procure them an Ax, they would
cut the Cables the Ship rid by in the night; and so on her driving
(as they imagined) ashore, they should get out of our hands, and then
would become his Servants as long as they lived.
For the better understanding of this I must observe here, that these
Linguists are Natives and Freemen of the Country, whom we hire on
account of their speaking good _English_, during the time we remain
trading on the Coast; and they are likewise Brokers between us and
the black Merchants.
This Linguist was so honest as to acquaint me with what had been
proposed to him; and advised me to keep a strict Watch over the
Slaves: For tho’ he had represented to them the same as I had done
on their mutinying before, That they would be all catch’d again, and
sold to other Ships, in case they could carry their Point, and get on
Shore; yet it had no effect upon them.
This gave me a good deal of Uneasiness. For I knew several Voyages
had proved unsuccessful by Mutinies; as they occasioned either the
total loss of the Ship and the white Mens Lives; or at least by
rendring it absolutely necessary to kill or wound a great number
of the Slaves, in order to prevent a total Destruction. Moreover,
I knew many of these _Cormantine_ Negroes despised Punishment, and
even Death it self: It having often happened at _Barbadoes_ and other
Islands, that on their being any ways hardly dealt with, to break
them of their Stubbornness in refusing to work, twenty or more have
hang’d themselves at a time in a Plantation. However, about a Month
after this, a sad Accident happened, that brought our Slaves to be
more orderly, and put them in a better Temper: And it was this. On
our going from _Mumfort_ to _Annamaboe_, which is the principal part
on the _Gold Coast_, I met there with another of my Owner’s Ships,
called the _Elizabeth_. One Captain _Thompson_ that commanded her
was dead; as also his chief Mate: Moreover the Ship had afterwards
been taken at Cape _Lahoe_ on the windward Coast, by _Roberts_
the Pirate, with whom several of the Sailors belonging to her had
entered. However, some of the Pirates had hindered the Cargoe’s being
plundered, and obtained that the Ship should be restored to the
second Mate: Telling him, “They did it out of respect to the generous
Character his Owner bore, in doing good to poor Sailors.”
When I met with this Vessel I had almost disposed of my Ship’s
Cargoe; and the _Elizabeth_ being under my Direction, I acquainted
the second Mate, who then commanded her, That I thought it for
our Owner’s Interest, to take the Slaves from on board him, being
about 120, into my Ship; and then go off the Coast; and that I would
deliver him at the same time the Remains of my Cargoe, for him to
dispose of with his own after I was sailed. This he readily complied
with, but told me, “He feared his Ship’s Company would mutiny, and
oppose my taking the Slaves from him:” And indeed, they came at that
instant in a Body on the Quarter-deck; where one spoke for the rest,
telling me plainly, “they would not allow the Slaves to be taken out
by me.” I found by this they had lost all respect for their present
Commander, who indeed was a weak Man. However, I calmly asked the
reason, “Why they offered to oppose my taking the Slaves?” To which
they answered, “I had no business with them.” On this I desired
the Captain to send to his Scrutore, for the Book of Instructions
Captain _Thompson_ had received from our Owner; and he read to them,
at my request, that Part, in which their former Captain, or his
Successor (in case of Death) was to follow my Orders. Hereupon they
all cried out, “they should remain a great while longer on the Coast
to purchase more Slaves, if I took these from them, which they were
resolved to oppose.” I answered, “That such of the Ship’s Company as
desired it, I would receive on board my own; where they should have
the same Wages they had at present on board the _Elizabeth_, and I
would send some of my own People to supply their Places.” This so
reasonable an Offer was refused, one of the Men who was the Ship’s
Cooper telling me, that the Slaves had been on board a long time,
and they had great Friendship with them: therefore they would keep
them. I asked him, “Whether he had ever been on the Coast of _Guinea_
before?” He replied no. Then I told him. “I supposed he had not by
his way of talking, and advised him not to rely on the Friendship of
the Slaves, which he might have reason to repent of when too late.”
And ’tis remarkable this very person was killed by them the next
Night, as shall be presently related.
So finding that reasoning with these Men was to no Purpose, I told
them, “When I came with my Boats to fetch the Slaves, they should
find me as resolute to chastise such of them as should dare to oppose
me, as I had been condescending to convince them by arguing calmly.”
So I took my leave of their Captain, telling him, “I would come next
Morning to finish the Affair.”
But that very Night, which was near a month after the Mutiny on
board of us at _Mumfort_, the Moon shining now very bright, as it
did then, we heard, about ten a Clock, two or three Musquets fired
on board the _Elizabeth_. Upon that I ordered all our Boats to be
manned, and having secured every thing in our Ship, to prevent our
Slaves from mutinying, I went my self in our Pinnace, (the other
Boats following me) on board the _Elizabeth_. In our way we saw two
Negroes swimming from her, but before we could reach them with our
Boats, some _Sharks_ rose from the bottom, and tore them in Pieces.
We came presently along the side of the Ship, where we found two
Men-Negroes holding by a Rope, with their Heads just above water;
they were afraid, it seems, to swim from the Ship’s side, having
seen their Companions devoured just before by the Sharks. These two
Slaves we took into our Boat, and then went into the Ship, where we
found the Negroes very quiet, and all under Deck; but the Ship’s
Company was on the Quarter-deck, in a great Confusion, saying, “The
Cooper, who had been placed centry at the Fore-hatch way, over the
Men-Negroes, was, they believed, kill’d by them.” I was surprized
to hear this, wondring that these cowardly fellows, who had so
vigorously opposed my taking the Slaves out, a few hours before, had
not Courage enough to venture forward, to save their Ship-mate; but
had secured themselves by shutting the Quarter-deck-door, where they
all stood with Arms in their Hands. So I went to the fore-part of
the Ship with some of my People, and there we found the Cooper lying
on his back quite dead, his Scull being cleft asunder with a Hatchet
that lay by him. At the sight of this I called for the Linguist, and
bid him ask the _Negroes_ between Decks, “Who had killed the white
Man?” They answered, “They knew nothing of the matter; for there had
been no design of mutinying amongst them:” Which upon Examination we
found true; for above one hundred of the Negroes then on board, being
bought to Windward, did not understand a word of the _Gold-Coast_
Language, and so had not been in the Plot. But this Mutiny was
contrived by a few _Cormantee-Negroes_, who had been purchased about
two or three days before. At last, one of the two Men-Negroes we had
taken up along the Ship side, impeached his Companion, and he readily
confessed he had kill’d the Cooper, with no other View, but that he
and his Countrymen might escape undiscovered by swimming on Shore.
For on their coming upon Deck, they observed, that all the white
Men set to watch were asleep; and having found the Cook’s Hatchet by
the Fire-place, he took it up, not designing then to do any Mischief
with it; but passing by the Cooper, who was centry, and he beginning
to awake, the Negroe rashly struck him on the head with it, and then
jump’d overboard. Upon this frank Confession, the white Men would
have cut him to Pieces; but I prevented it, and carried him to my
own Ship. Early the next morning, I went on board the _Elizabeth_
with my Boats, and sent away all the Negroes then in her, into my
own Ship: not one of the other Ship’s Company offering to oppose it.
Two of them, the Carpenter and Steward, desired to go with me, which
I readily granted; and by way of Security for the future Success of
the Voyage, I put my chief Mate, and four of my under Officers (with
their own Consent,) on board the _Elizabeth_; and they arrived, about
five Months after this, at _Jamaica_, having disposed of most part of
the Cargoe.
After having sent the Slaves out of the _Elizabeth_, as I have
just now mentioned, I went on board my own Ship; and there being
then in the Road of _Anamaboe_, eight sail of Ships besides us, I
sent an Officer in my Boat to the Commanders of them, “To desire
their Company on board my Ship, because I had an Affair of great
Consequence to communicate to them.” Soon after, most of them
were pleased to come; and I having acquainted them with the whole
Matter, and they having also heard the Negroe’s Confession, “That
he had killed the white Man;” They unanimously advised me to put
him to death; arguing, “That Blood required Blood, by all Laws both
divine and human; especially as there was in this Case the clearest
Proof, namely the Murderer’s Confession: Moreover this would in all
probability prevent future Mischiefs; for by publickly executing this
Person at the Ship’s Fore-yard Arm, the Negroes on board their Ships
would see it; and as they were very much disposed to mutiny, it might
prevent them from attempting it.” These Reasons, with my being in
the same Circumstances, made me comply.
Accordingly we acquainted the Negroe, that he was to die in an hour’s
time for murdering the white Man. He answered, “He must confess it
was a rash Action in him to kill him; but he desired me to consider,
that if I put him to death, I should lose all the Money I had paid
for him.” To this I bid the Interpreter reply, “That tho’ I knew it
was customary in his Country to commute for Murder by a Sum of Money,
yet it was not so with us; and he should find that I had no regard to
my Profit in this respect: For as soon as an Hour-Glass, just then
turned, was run out, he should be put to death;” At which I observed
he shewed no Concern.
Hereupon the other Commanders went on board their respective
Ships, in order to have all their Negroes upon Deck at the time of
Execution, and to inform them of the occasion of it. The Hour-Glass
being run out, the Murderer was carried on the Ship’s Forecastle,
where he had a Rope fastened under his Arms, in order to be hoisted
up to the Fore-yard Arm, to be shot to death. This some of his
Countrymen observing, told him, (as the Linguist informed me
afterwards) “That they would not have him be frightened; for it was
plain I did not design to put him to death, otherwise the Rope would
have been put about his neck, to hang him.” For it seems they had
no thought of his being shot; judging he was only to be hoisted up
to the Yard-arm, in order to scare him: But they immediately saw
the contrary; for as soon as he was hoisted up, ten white Men who
were placed behind the Barricado on the Quarter-deck, fired their
Musquets, and instantly killed him. This struck a sudden Damp upon
our Negroe-Men, who thought, that, on account of my Profit, I would
not have executed him.
The Body being let down upon the Deck, the Head was cut off, and
thrown overboard. This last part was done, to let our Negroes see,
that all who offended thus, should be served in the same manner. For
many of the Blacks believe, that if they are put to death and not
dismembred, they shall return again to their own Country, after they
are thrown overboard. But neither the Person that was executed, nor
his Countrymen of _Cormantee_ (as I understood afterwards,) were so
weak as to believe any such thing; tho’ many I had on board from
other Countries had that Opinion.
When the Execution was over, I ordered the Linguist to acquaint the
Men-Negroes, “That now they might judge, no one that killed a white
Man should be spared:” And I thought proper now to acquaint them once
for all, “That if they attempted to mutiny again, I should be obliged
to punish the Ringleaders with death, in order to prevent further
Mischief.” Upon this they all promised to be obedient, and I assured
them they should be kindly used, if they kept their Promise: which
they faithfully did. For we sailed, two days after, from _Anamaboe_
for _Jamaica_; and tho’ they were on board near four Months, from our
going off the Coast, till they were sold at that Island, they never
gave us the least reason to be jealous of them; which doubtless was
owing to the Execution of the white Man’s Murderer.
These three Mutinies, I have here related, are all that ever happened
where I was present, tho’ I have gone many Voyages to the Coast of
_Guinea_. But I have heard of several, that have ended in a very
tragical manner. However to avoid being tedious, I shall relate only
one, which is very remarkable, and happen’d on board the _Ferrers
Galley_ of _London_ Capt. _Messervy_; who by his over-care, and too
great Kindness to the _Negroes_ on board his Ship, was destroyed by
them, and the Voyage at last came to nothing. I met this Gentleman
at _Anamaboe_ on the Coast of _Guinea_, in _January_ 1722. At his
coming on board my Ship, he informed me of his good fortune, in that
he had purchased near 300 Negroes in a few Days, at a place called
_Cetre-Crue_, on the windward part of the Coast of _Guinea_; which
happened in this manner.
It seems the Inhabitants of this place, which lies near the Sea-side,
had been often misused by some inland People, who for a long time
had treated them in a villainous manner, whenever they went to their
Towns with Salt, or any other Commodities to sell. For knowing the
People of _Cetre-Crue_, did in a great measure depend on them for
their Food, which is Rice, they took their Commodities, and gave
them just what quantity of Rice they pleased, in exchange. The
_Cetre-Crues_ having long complained of this Injury, without redress,
resolved to bear it no longer, but to revenge themselves by Arms.
And they were crowned with Success, destroying and taking all the
Inhabitants of the principal Town where they used to go and buy Rice.
Captain _Messervy_ happened to anchor near _Cetre-Crue_ just at
that time, and had the opportunity of purchasing a great many of
the Captives at an easy rate. For the Conquerors were glad to get
something for them at that instant, since if a Ship had not been in
the Road, they would have been obliged to have killed most of the
Men-Captives, for their own Security.
After the Captain had told me this story, he desired me to spare him
some Rice, having heard, I had purchased a great many Tuns to the
Windward; where he had bought little, not expecting to meet with so
many Slaves. This request I could not comply with, having provided no
more than was necessary for my self, and for another of my Owner’s
Ships, which I quickly expected. And understanding from him, that he
had never been on the Coast of _Guinea_ before, I took the liberty to
observe to him, “That as he had on board so many Negroes of one Town
and Language, it required the utmost Care and Management to keep them
from mutinying; and that I was sorry he had so little Rice for them:
For I had experienced that the Windward Slaves are always very fond
of it, it being their usual Food in their own Country and he might
certainly expect dissatisfactions and Uneasiness amongst them for
want of a sufficient quantity.”
This he took kindly, and having asked my Advice about other Matters,
took his leave, inviting me to come next day to see him. I went
accordingly on board his Ship, about three a clock in the afternoon.
At four a clock the Negroes went to Supper, and Captain _Messervy_
desired me to excuse him for a quarter of an hour, whilst he went
forward to see the Men-Negroes served with Victuals. I observed from
the Quarter-Deck, that he himself put Pepper and Palm Oyl amongst
the Rice they were going to eat. When he came back to me, I could
not forbear observing to him, “How imprudent it was in him to do
so: For tho’ it was proper for a Commander sometimes to go forward,
and observe how things were managed; yet he ought to take a proper
time, and have a good many of his white People in Arms when he went;
or else the having him so much in their Power, might incourage the
Slaves to mutiny: For he might depend upon it, they always aim at the
chief Person in the Ship, whom they soon distinguish by the respect
shown him by the rest of the People.”
He thanked me for this Advice, but did not seem to relish it;
saying, “He thought the old Proverb good, that _The Master’s Eye
makes the Horse fat_.” We then fell into other Discourse, and among
other things he told me, “He designed to go away in a few days:”
Accordingly he sailed three days after for _Jamaica_. Some Months
after I went for that place, where at my arrival I found his Ship,
and had the following melancholy account of his Death, which happened
about ten days after he left the coast of _Guinea_ in this manner.
Being on the Forecastle of the Ship, amongst the Men-Negroes, when
they were eating their Victuals, they laid hold on him, and beat out
his Brains with the little Tubs, out of which they eat their boiled
Rice. This Mutiny having been plotted amongst all the grown Negroes
on board, they run from the fore-part of the Ship in a body, and
endeavoured to force the Barricado on the Quarter-Deck, not regarding
the Musquets or Half Pikes, that were presented to their Breasts by
the white Men, through the Loop-holes. So that at last the chief
Mate was obliged to order one of the Quarter-deck Guns laden with
Partridge-Shot, to be fired amongst them; which occasioned a terrible
Destruction: For there were near eighty _Negroes_ kill’d and drowned,
many jumping overboard when the Gun was fired. This indeed put an
end to the Mutiny, but most of the Slaves that remained alive grew
so sullen, that several of them were starved to death, obstinately
refusing to take any Sustenance: And after the Ship was arrived at
_Jamaica_, they attempted twice to mutiny, before the Sale of them
began. This with their former Misbehaviour coming to be publickly
known, none of the Planters cared to buy them, tho’ offered at a low
Price. So that this proved a very unsuccessful Voyage, for the Ship
was detained many Months at _Jamaica_ on that account, and at last
was lost there in a Hurricane.
_The End of_ BOOK II.
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