Visit to the King at his Palace--Description of it--Reception by
his Majesty--Gaudy Dress of the Attendants--Masks, Ornaments,
&c.--Occasion of the War between the Mahees and Dahomans,
and its Result--The King’s Walking-staffs--Dance performed
by his Majesty--Another Review of Female Troops--Execution
of Four Traitors--Horrible Occurrence--Disgusting office of
the Blood-drinker--Ludicrous Scene--The King’s Mother and
Grandmother--Dance performed by them--Costume of the King’s Favourite
Wives--I perform on the Jew’s Harp--I dance with his Majesty--His
Message to the Queen of England--Ridiculous Customs--Court of Appeal
established at Abomey--Character of the King--Domestic Slavery--A
Slave-hunt--Military Distinctions--Want of natural Affection in the
Natives--Roguery of my Servant--The King’s Commissions to me--An
Interesting Incident--Murderous Attack on me by my Servant--Inquiry
into the Occurrence--My Servant compelled to accompany me.
June 13th.--To-day I attended at the King’s house or palace. After
passing through two quadrangles of about sixty yards by thirty, we
entered the principal square. This square is formed of three sides of
houses or long sheds; and on the opposite side to the principal part
or side is a high wall of clay, with human skulls placed at short
intervals on the top. All the quadrangles were filled with a mob of
armed men, some sitting, some lying down asleep, others walking about
smoking.
This palace, for the King has many, is divided into different
apartments, all on the ground-floor; for though the ridge of the roof
is of sufficient height for two stories, yet the thatch is brought down
so low as to reach to within four feet of the ground. Along the front
is a low piazza, extending the whole length of the building. The main
entrance is in the centre of the side of the square. In this entrance
the King lay on a fine crimson carpet, trimmed with gold lace.
At first I could not perceive his Majesty, as he was placed so far back
under this low dark piazza, although I was told that he was paying his
respects to me by motioning with his hand. However, I returned the
compliment towards the spot where, according to appearance, he was,
surrounded by numbers of his favourite wives. Upon being desired to
approach nearer, I was directed by Mayho and some more headmen, who
accompanied me, who advanced slowly on their hands and knees, myself in
the centre, till within a few yards of his Majesty, whom I could now
perfectly see. The King raised himself to a sitting posture from the
large crimson silk velvet cushion on which he had been reclining, and
very kindly asked me how I felt after sitting with him so long on the
previous day. He then ordered a very large canopy, or huge umbrella,
richly ornamented, to be stuck up. A hole was accordingly dug in the
ground, and the handle of the umbrella placed therein, the earth beat
tightly round it, similar to a large mushroom. A table was also placed
under it, with plenty of refreshment, both of solids and liquids.
After I was comfortably seated, his Majesty advanced towards me to
drink my health, which was accompanied with loud hurrahs from his
people. Provisions were then distributed in all directions, after I
had been furnished. At some distance behind me were some Portuguese
gentlemen, whom I had observed on the two previous days, but his
Majesty seemed to take no notice of them more than of his own people.
They were furnished with food in the same manner as his own people,
without table or spoon, or any other implement beyond the calabash
containing the food. I was a little surprised at this, particularly
as I was aware that the Portuguese were the purchasers of many of the
King’s slaves; but through my interpreter, Mayho thus explained the
matter. He said the King was well aware that the pretended friendship
of the Portuguese was entirely for selfish and pecuniary motives,
whereas the English were not slave-dealers; moreover, that England was
an independent nation, and the greatest in the white man’s world, as he
himself was of the black man’s world; and declared that the friendship
of one Englishman was worth that of a thousand Portuguese, and that
the King’s father had always taught him to respect an Englishman. His
Majesty desired me to drink the health of the Queen of England and all
her family. I then proposed his Majesty’s health in the name of the
Queen of England. At this he seemed much pleased, and asked me if the
Queen allowed me to drink his health. I replied certainly: and that
when a _genuine_ compliment is paid to the Queen of England, she always
returns it to the meanest of her subjects. This drew a general shout of
applause from all his Majesty’s head people.
The King now retired to his previous position; and after I had partaken
of some eatables, the day’s amusement commenced. All the principal
men in his Majesty’s service were ordered to the front. They were all
dressed in their most gaudy dresses, of various shapes and colours,
according to the taste of the wearer; but all of the headmen wore
silver gauntlets, and a profusion of beads and anklets, generally made
of a common small iron chain, in substance similar to a horse-collar
chain used in England, but the links merely closed, not welded. Others
of lower rank, or second, as they are called (for each headman has his
second), were dressed in their military dress. Several of the principal
men were also disguised in masks and clowns’ dresses, who performed
antics and all manner of buffoonery. Some had on masks resembling the
head of a bear, others that of a monkey. Some also displayed a pair of
silver horns fixed on the forehead by a bandeau. About ten yards in
front of the place where his Majesty lay, three skulls were placed on
the ground, forming an equilateral triangle, about three feet apart.
At a little distance from the three last-named skulls a calabash
was placed, containing several skulls of distinguished men taken or
killed in war. On a low stool was also placed a large imitation of
a skull in silver, but a very indifferent imitation, of Portuguese
manufacture; and seven standards, with ridiculous devices rudely cut
from different-coloured cloth, and sewed on them, chiefly relating to
their defeat of the Makee or Mahee[19] people, a country about six
days’ journey to the northward of Dahomey. The pole of each standard
was mounted with the skull of a caboceer, or ruler of a town.
It would appear that the Mahees had many skirmishes with the Dahomans.
On one occasion a trading party went from Dahomey to the Mahee
country to traffic, but were robbed of their goods and murdered.
This circumstance so enraged the King of Dahomey that he immediately
collected all his soldiers, male and female, and marched them into
the enemy’s country. His army, however, returned without either a
negotiation or gaining a victory. Whereupon the King ordered his
soldiers to return immediately, with orders to destroy the capital
within three days. Accordingly, they returned by forced marches,
and reached the capital of the Mahee country, which was found to
be strongly fenced round with the same prickly bush I have already
mentioned. The same night, or early on the following morning, the
female soldiers took the place, with the King and his wives, and a
great number of his headmen, without any resistance, and in three days
the Dahomans (according to their own account) took one hundred and
twenty-six towns, making the greater part of the enemy prisoners, and
putting to death those who offered any resistance. This was the last
great war in which the Dahomans had been engaged.
Near the King were placed several large staffs or walking-sticks, with
a skull fixed on the upper end of each, the stick passing through
the skull so as to leave about seven inches of the stick above the
skull for the hand when walking. The stick is about four and a half
feet long, and is used as the ancient pilgrim’s staff, being grasped
perpendicularly, thumb upwards.
In a short time his Majesty expressed his wish to dance, which was
approved of by all the people by loud yells and the firing of muskets.
The King then came forward to the open space in front, where the three
skulls were placed, and commenced a dance, or rather elephantine
motion, the movement being all in the hips and shoulders. After moving
in this way about one minute, his Majesty took one of the staffs and
skulls, and recommenced dancing amongst the three skulls, which lay on
the ground. He then ordered a cigar to be lighted for him, and began
smoking; at the same time he folded his arms, with the staff under his
arms, resting with his breast on the top of the skull, and displaying
all the indifference possible. He then advanced towards me and gave
me a cigar, and again desired me to drink his health. He asked me
if I should like to be present on the following day to witness the
execution of four (men) traitors, and proffered me the honour of being
the executioner. This honour, however, I declined; but he pressed me,
observing he should like to see the capability of my sword, which he
admired much. I told him that I would rather save a man’s life than
take it, unless in my own defence. This he admitted was all very good,
but asked me whether I should like to save the life of a person who
had attempted the life of my Queen? I, of course, replied, Certainly
not. Then he told me that the crime of these men was similar. His
Majesty now retired, and shortly afterwards sent me a second supply of
provisions in several large calabashes, as wide as the old Winchester
bushel, containing fowls, mutton, and pork.
The soups made here are very superior, though perhaps too hotly
seasoned for European palates. Owing to the great concourse of people
the heat was so great as to cause a drowsiness to come over me in
consequence of sitting so long. His Majesty, observing this, very
condescendingly forwarded to me a fine silver snuff-box, desiring me
to take a pinch, at the same time directing his prime minister to tell
me not to remain any longer than I felt inclined; but as I was aware
that the whole affair had been got up at an enormous expense, entirely
on my account, I returned my thanks, and informed the messenger that I
enjoyed it much, and remained a considerable time longer, after which
I begged leave to retire. He sent a messenger with his cane, in the
evening, to ask how I was after sitting so long.
14th.--Again I visited the palace at half-past eight o’clock. The
head, or commander, of one of his Majesty’s female regiments, named
Godthimay, placed herself on her knees close to the three human skulls;
and a regiment (before mentioned) who killed the alligator, presented
themselves on their knees in tens, and Godthimay, as their spokesman,
harangued the multitude and the King, extolling the valour of these
women. When the harangue was over, Godthimay passed along the kneeling
rank, and placing a hand in succession upon the head of each, dismissed
them, and ten more occupied their place until this tedious ceremony was
completed.
The ceremonies of this day were nearly a repetition of those of
yesterday, till the time arrived (an hour before sunset) when the four
traitors were brought into the square for execution. They marched
through the mob, or assembled crowd, apparently as little concerned
as the spectators, who seemed more cheerful than before the prisoners
made their appearance, as if they were pleased with the prospect of a
change of performance. The prisoners were marched close past me in slow
time, consequently I had a good opportunity of minutely observing them,
particularly as every person remained on his knees with the exception
of myself and the guard who accompanied the prisoners.
They were all young men of the middle size, and appeared to be of one
family, or at least of the same tribe of Mahees, who are much better
looking than the people of the coast. Each man was gagged with a short
piece of wood, with a small strip of white cotton tied round each end
of the stick, and passed round the pole. This was to prevent them from
speaking. They were arranged in line, kneeling before the King. The
head gong-gong man then gave four beats on the gong, as one--two,
and one--two, the upper part of the gong-gong being smaller than the
lower, and thus rendering the sounds different, similar to our public
clocks in England when striking the quarters. After the four beats,
the gong man addressed the culprits upon the enormity of their crime
and the justice of their sentence. During this lengthened harangue the
gong-gong was struck at short intervals, which gave a sort of awful
solemnity to the scene. After this, the men were suddenly marched some
distance back from his Majesty, who on this occasion refused to witness
the execution. The men were then ordered to kneel in line about nine
feet apart, their hands being tied in front of the body, and the elbows
held behind by two men, the body of the culprit bending forward. Poor
old Mayho, who is an excellent man, was the proper executioner. He
held the knife or bill-hook to me, but I again declined the honour;
when the old man, at one blow on the back of the neck, divided the
head from the body of the first culprit, with the exception of a
small portion of the skin, which was separated by passing the knife
underneath. Unfortunately, the second man was dreadfully mangled, for
the poor fellow, at the moment the blow was struck having raised his
head, the knife struck in a slanting direction, and only made a large
wound; the next blow caught him on the back of the head, when the
brain protruded. The poor fellow struggled violently. The third stroke
caught him across the shoulders, inflicting a dreadful gash. The next
caught him on the neck, which was twice repeated. The officer steadying
the criminal now lost his hold on account of the blood which rushed
from the blood-vessels on all who were near. Poor old Mayho, now quite
palsied, took hold of the head, and after twisting it several times
round, separated it from the still convulsed and struggling trunk.
During the latter part of this disgusting execution the head presented
an awful spectacle, the distortion of the features, and the eyeballs
completely upturned, giving it a horrid appearance. The next man, poor
fellow, with his eyes partially shut and head drooping forward near
to the ground, remained all this time in suspense; casting a partial
glance on the head which was now close to him, and the trunk dragged
close past him, the blood still rushing from it like a fountain. Mayho
refused to make another attempt, an another man acted in his stead, and
at one blow separated the spinal bone, but did not entirely separate
the head from the body. This was finished in the same manner as the
first. However, the fourth culprit was not so fortunate, his head not
being separated till after three strokes. The body afterwards rolled
over several times, when the blood spurted over my face and clothes.
The most disgusting part of this abominable and barbarous execution was
that of an old ill-looking wretch, who, like the numerous vultures,
stood with a small calabash in his hand, ready to catch the blood from
each individual, which he greedily devoured before it had escaped one
minute from the veins. The old wretch had the impudence to put some
rum in the blood and ask me to drink; at that moment I could with good
heart have sent a bullet through his head. Before execution, the victim
is furnished with a clean white cloth to tie round the loins. After
decapitation the body is immediately dragged off by the heels, to a
large pit at a considerable distance from the town, and thrown therein,
and is immediately devoured by wolves and vultures, which are here so
ravenous, that they will almost take your victuals from you.
June 20th.--I again visited the palace, to attend the custom or
holiday. The commencement of this day’s amusement presented a most
ludicrous scene. Four tall men, singularly dressed, and with bullocks’
tails tied so as to hang over their hips behind, arranged themselves
in line, in front of his Majesty, and by passing at the side step,
lowering and poising the body by the bend of the knee, caused the
tail to make a circular motion of a disgusting appearance. This was
considered one of the most interesting parts of this performance of
buffoonery.
I forgot to mention that the palace which I visited this day was
different from that which I visited on the two previous days. In the
entrances of the doors, human skulls were built in the walls, about
half the skull projecting beyond the surface of the walls. After a
number of introductions, similar to those on the former days, the
King’s mother entered the court, preceded by six women, carrying large
brass pans filled with skulls, with shank bones fixed perpendicularly
to the outside of the pans. Another pan, covered with scarlet cloth,
as also two other pots of an oval shape, were carried on the heads of
females, with a skull placed on the top, or over the mouth of each.
After parading these different vessels round the palace-yard, they were
placed on the ground, in front of several calabashes (previously placed
there), containing a number of scalps. The King’s mother is a stout
old lady of about eighty years of age, and was dressed in a rich silk
velvet tunic of crimson, with a large robe or train supported by two
women. Her head is covered with an immense large Spanish beaver hat of
nine inches brim, trimmed with gold lace. The mother placed herself in
front of the King, and prostrated herself, throwing dirt or earth over
her old grey hair; like all the others, no distinction being made in
her case. The old woman then got up and danced before his Majesty; and
at this moment, the King’s grandmother arrived. She is still more stout
than the mother, and although about one hundred years of age, still
preserves her plumpness and symmetry.
These two ancient dames both joined in the dance, and it was certainly
surprising to see with what agility they moved, considering their
years. They again prostrated themselves, and advanced towards his
Majesty on their knees. After a short conversation they distributed a
large quantity of cowries amongst their head people. The cowries are
all strung on a piece of grass, forty cowries on each string. Fifty
strings is a head, and the value of a dollar of silver. The King’s
principal or favourite wives wear coronets of silver, as well as the
wives of his principal ministers. Some of the King’s wives also wear
a short dagger, similar to those worn by young midshipmen in the
British Navy, stuck between a bandeau and the head, point downwards.
His Majesty came, as usual, to my canopy and shook hands with me,
inquiring after my health, and desired to drink to me; but, after a
moment’s consideration, proposed the health of the Queen of England
first. After drinking to Her Majesty, the King drank my health, and in
return I drank his health. His Majesty then desired all his headmen to
draw near, and begged me to play the Jew’s harp, with one of which
I had presented him. This ancient Israelitish instrument afforded
much sweeter music than their bullocks’ horns and elephants’ teeth,
and was consequently much admired. The King next desired me to play
while he danced to my music, and afterwards desired me to dance with
him and play the while. It was rather a difficult task to dance and
play the Jew’s harp at the same time. However, as this was considered
the highest mark of honour which could possibly be conferred upon
me, civility would not allow me to refuse; and although I never was
an excellent dancer, I did my best on this occasion, and gained the
applause of his Majesty, as well as the deafening applause of all
present, except the Ashantees and some Portuguese, who were extremely
jealous of me, particularly as the King never condescended to notice
any of them during their stay at Dahomey, farther than by sending them
provisions daily, as is the King’s habit during this annual festival or
custom.
This day his Majesty gave away to his people eight hundred head of
cowries, and gave me five head and a gallon of rum for dancing with
him. He then desired me to play to and dance with his favourite wives,
after which he sent plenty of provisions for myself and people. The
amusement terminated in a similar way to those on the preceding day,
and in the evening I returned home, through a dense crowd of people
scarcely passable for the space of half a mile.
After this I did not visit the palace till the 19th, when his Majesty
desired my presence. The ceremony on this day was much the same as on
the previous mentioned days, but the King seemed rather disinclined to
let me proceed any farther, until I should take a message from him to
England for the Queen of England, and that upon my return I should be
welcome to go through any part of his kingdom, together with as many
Englishmen as I thought proper to bring with me. However, I informed
him that it was impossible for me to do so, as I could not return till
I had visited and passed over the Kong Mountains; and that my objects
were purely scientific, and as much for his benefit as that of others.
This, he said, he doubted not, for he would never suspect an Englishman
of any thing unjust, or unbecoming the character of so great a nation;
but as he himself could not write, he was anxious to send me as his
messenger to the Queen of England, I informed him that the Queen of
England never received any communication of importance verbally, but
that it must be reduced to writing, and I volunteered to be his scribe
for that purpose. For this he returned me thanks, and then at once
consented to allow me to proceed, promising also to send a guard of
honour with me through the Mahee country, with whom the Dahomans have
of late been at war. He seems very doubtful of my safety beyond his
capital, although he does not confess it. He has so lately conquered
that country, that I do not believe the King has great confidence in
them, farther than their dread of the law compels them. However, he
informed me that I must wait a week or ten days, till he could arrange
which of the caboceers, or headmen, to send with me.
From this period till my march for the Kong Mountains I passed
my time heavily, rarely taking any exercise, on account of the
ridiculous custom of being obliged to turn out of the road if any of
the King’s wives should meet you. They are in all parts of the town
and neighbourhood, employed on different domestic occupations, but
principally in carrying food in immense gourds or calabashes on the
head, containing provisions for the King’s ministers and principal
men, who, although they live in their own houses with their families,
yet are all furnished with food by the King, which is prepared in the
palace.
The approach of the King’s wives is always announced by the ringing
of a small bell, which is carried by a female servant or slave, who
invariably precedes them. The moment this bell is heard all persons,
whether male or female, turn their backs, but the males must retire to
a certain distance. In passing through the town this is one of the most
intolerable nuisances. Several other customs exist, one or two of which
it may be well to mention. On passing many different places, either in
hammock or on horseback, the traveller is obliged to get out and walk,
and upon passing out of the town from Dahomey towards the coast, are a
sort of custom-houses, where your pass is demanded.
This is all very well, but the nuisance does not end here. Should you
have a number of fowls as presents in Dahomey (which is mostly the
case) and should any one of the cocks crow in passing, or while you
wait to be interrogated by the appointed officer, the cock is seized
as the King’s property; or if more than one crow, the offenders, as
many as they may be, are seized. However, I am quite convinced from
what I have already seen of the King, that he might easily be persuaded
to abolish many of these ridiculous observances. In fact, he is doing
away with many absurd customs: for instance, until last year the King’s
head caboceers were allowed, upon the death of any of their relations,
to sacrifice as many of their own domestic slaves as they choose; but
this year he has abolished that power in the caboceers. I believe this
humane change has been principally brought about through the advice of
Mr. Freeman, who is much in favour with his Majesty.
The King has also abolished through the whole of his extensive
dominions (both Dahoman and Mahee) the power of putting to death any
criminal found guilty of any crime affecting life or limb. The criminal
has now the power of appeal to a court established at Dahomey, for
the purpose of hearing such cases. I have myself been present at two
of these appeals. The parties, in one instance, were from the Kong
Mountains, considered in this country a very great distance off. His
Majesty acted as judge, and, although both parties had previously been
condemned to death, they were liberated by him; his Majesty objecting
to the efficiency of the evidence against the accused. The King’s
cross-questions to the witnesses were very shrewd.
The King possesses talent far beyond the generality of his subjects; in
fact, his noble mind seems to have been formed to govern. His subjects
seem happy and contented under his government; particularly _now_,
since slaves are only extorted from neighbouring kingdoms, who are
either deemed hostile, or declared such through some frivolous excuse.
But as soon as this source of revenue is exhausted, in all probability
recourse will be had to contributions upon his own subjects. Domestic
slavery to the native is, as I have frequently observed, nothing more
in the interior than easy servitude; the slave in the Mahee country
is the same as one of the family. They eat together, work together,
and are in every way associated together as one family. Their labour
is always easy, and they are much better provided for than they could
provide for themselves.
But the horrors of the slave-trade commence when the kings of any
country or kingdom of any magnitude are in want of slaves. Some
pretence is then made for making what they call war, although it is
nothing more than a slave-hunt. This is conducted in the following
manner:--The point of attack is probably reconnoitred by one individual
during the day, who then retires, most likely unsuspected of any evil
design. The attacking party is afterwards marched close to the town,
and about two hours before daybreak an impetuous rush is made upon
the place, which is (in the interior) generally surrounded by a broad
close-growing fence of a very dangerous prickly bush, about fifteen
feet high. Such, however, is the practice and dexterity of the King
of Dahomey’s female soldiers, that this terrible fence is scarcely
deemed an obstacle. Then commences the dreadful slaughter and capture.
The people, in general, are asleep when the attack is begun, and when
roused so suddenly, and perhaps their house already on fire, make some
resistance, whereupon they are instantly put to death. The others are
tied round the neck with a piece of small grass rope, each soldier
having that article as well as a piece of chalk. Each soldier uses his
own private mark on the back of as many slaves as he may capture, and
also secures the scalps of as many as he murders in the attack. After
all is over, these slaves and scalps are presented to the King or
chief, who gives each soldier according to the amount of his capture a
sum of cowries, as well as allows him to attach a cowrie to the stock
of his gun, which is reckoned an honourable distinction, and is given
as medals to civilized armies.
Their method of fixing these cowries to the stock of the gun is as
follows:--The gun-stock is first smeared with blood from the victim
(when time will allow), coat after coat, until a certain thickness is
obtained; the cowrie is then pressed into the crust of blood, which
soon dries. Some of the old soldiers have their gun-stocks entirely
covered with cowries, although one cowrie only is given for each
victim. This is a very cruel regulation, as it not only stimulates
the soldier individually to murder, but also excites a jealousy in
those who do not possess an equal number of distinctions, so that when
the next opportunity occurs, it is still more marked by unrelenting
cruelty.
Next to murder we may consider the cruelty of tearing away the husband
from the wife, and children from the parent, without the slightest
remorse. It is true, the soldiers themselves have many of them
experienced the same treatment, although this circumstance does not
alter the atrocity of the proceeding. It is well, indeed, for these
unfortunate creatures, that Nature has withheld from them the finer and
warmer feelings of our nature possessed by their paler brethren. It
will seem strange to many, but it is no less true, that the majority of
Africans will sell their own offspring for a good price, with much less
reluctance than an Englishman would part with a favourite dog. I have
often been surprised to observe how soon these newly captured slaves
forget their situation and sorrows. When a meal of kankie and palm-oil
is put before them all their sorrow seems to be forgotten.
In fact, it can scarcely be otherwise, when we reflect upon the example
always before their eyes. One man has as many wives as he can purchase
or support; I should rather say, the wives support the husband, for
they do all the laborious part of the work, while the husband, as I
have before stated, lies at home, indulging in tobacco and rum, or in
gambling. All the neighbouring markets are attended by the wives, with
different articles for sale, and the profits are handed over to the
husband. The husband also disposes of any of his wives when he chooses,
as well as the children, so that when you see a family by one man
collected together, you are quite unable to trace any family likeness
of one to another; and their regard for each other is just as little as
between strangers in England.
June 22d.--The King sent me a very fine young bull, a goat, and two
fowls, two bags of meal, and one of salt; and on the following day
Mayho sent me a fine goat and two fowls.
24th.--I rode out; but was much annoyed by being obliged to get off my
horse at certain places to walk. On the 27th I detected my Sierra Leone
man, who acted as my interpreter, stealing cowries, although I gave him
good pay and food; the same as I partook of myself. This same man had
received a good English education; it appears, however, that nothing
can make an African honest at heart.
On the 29th the King sent for me, and expressed his want of a large
bed-cover, fifteen feet by six, of red and blue velvet, showing me the
pattern, as well as many other rich patterns. On the 30th he again sent
for me, requesting me to give his compliments to the Queen of England,
and beg her to send him fifty yards of red, white, blue, and green
silk. He also showed me numerous patterns of rich silk and silk velvet
robes, richly embroidered with gold. This day he also showed me a very
singular piece of patchwork, composed of pieces of cloth from every
part of the world where cloth is manufactured. It was of all colours,
and was six hundred yards long by two yards wide. The King takes great
pride in this noble piece of patchwork.
July 2d.--A very singular and interesting incident occurred to my
Sierra Leone servant. I sent him out to market to purchase some
vegetables, accompanied by another man to carry what he might purchase,
as these Sierra Leone black gentry (liberated slaves) are too proud to
carry anything when passing along the market. He observed an old woman,
whom he thought much to resemble his mother. The poor old woman, too,
scrutinized his features with much interest. To the great surprise
of both, they soon recognised in each other a mother and son. This
circumstance would not have come to my knowledge had the mother and
her daughter not called at the gate of my house on the following day,
requesting to see her son. It happened to be my dinner-hour, and he was
absent. Not knowing the reason of his absence at the time when he knew
I required him, I asked for an explanation. He then reluctantly told
me that his mother had called upon him. As I was very incredulous about
the truth of this, for this is a very frequent pretence when an excuse
is required, I desired to see her. Accordingly the poor old woman, with
her daughter and son-in-law, were introduced to me, and I desired them
to sit down, that I might have an opportunity of learning something
of their history. I asked my servant why he had not mentioned the
circumstance on the previous day, whereupon he confessed that he was
ashamed to introduce his own mother, because she was old and coarsely
clad.
Their history ran as follows:--About twenty years ago the son, my
interpreter, was captured in the Annagoo country, and was carried
down to the coast, not by the Dahomans, but by the King of Badagry’s
people. From Badagry he was shipped on board a slaver for the Brazils,
but the ship was taken by an English cruiser, and brought into Sierra
Leone. Here, with five hundred more, he was liberated and educated;
but, unfortunately, his education proved more to his disadvantage than
otherwise, as it tended to aid his villanous disposition. This man
being young at the time of his capture could give me no information
respecting his native place, consequently no person knew his country,
but which could only be ascertained by the scars or marks on the face,
with which each country distinguishes its own people. The Yarriba
people are very much disfigured; but the Dahomans are not marked at
all, except such marks or tattooing as the parents may choose to
inflict on the lower parts of the person by way of ornament.
Within the last few years the power of the King of Dahomey has rapidly
increased, while that of the neighbouring kings and chiefs has
decreased in the same proportion; and the kingdom of Dahomey greatly
enlarged, sometimes by the addition of twenty towns, and a large
extent of country to his dominions, during his annual war, or rather
slave-hunt, which is (as I have before stated) carried on with great
cruelty and barbarity. This has been probably more particularly cruel
on account of all the surrounding kings and chiefs having declared an
alliance with each other, and a determination to make a distaff of the
King of Dahomey’s head. Such a declaration is always sufficient for the
Dahomans to go to war against any country; and, as the King is very
powerful, he is always successful; and consequently, possesses a great
number of slaves. About six years ago the Annagoos made an attack on
one of the Dahoman frontier towns, committing every species of cruelty.
In consequence of this, the King of Dahomey determined to punish them,
which he effectually did. The Annagoos are a very bad people. Amongst
the prisoners taken were the mother and sister of my servant already
mentioned. In consequence of the age of the mother, she was placed
in one of the country palaces, merely to assist in keeping it clean.
They had plenty of food, and the privilege of attending any of the
neighbouring markets they may think proper. By this means the prisoners
(if they may be so termed) obtain any little private luxury. The King
is very kind both to his slaves and free people. Although no individual
in his dominion can be called free, yet a great distinction is made.
His domestic slaves perform all the laborious duties of the household;
yet his nobles and head men and women are not less subservient to him
in their different capacities.--But I am digressing. Twenty years had
now elapsed since the son had been separated from his mother, and he
supposed his mother to be long since dead; while the mother was quite
ignorant of the fate of her son. I felt great interest in this meeting;
but such is the general brutality of nature in these slave countries,
that the meeting seemed to excite little of the warmer feelings of
human nature; in fact, they seemed to regard the circumstance as no
more than any ordinary event. I asked my servant if he wished his
mother to be liberated, and allowed to go home with him to Whydah, his
residence. At first he seemed grateful for the proposal; but, after a
few days, when his mother again called, and I offered to make a request
to the King to grant his mother and sister their liberty, he began to
hesitate and calculate the additional expense which it would entail
upon himself. Although this could not exceed one halfpenny per day, he
said, that as they seemed to be comfortable, they had better remain
where they were.
Such was the filial gratitude of an educated African, who had not seen
his parent for nearly twenty years; and, although the poor old mother
was anxious to be with her son, the heartless fellow seemed glad to
shake off the connexion, and to avoid the opportunity, which under such
circumstances seldom occurs, of being reunited with the parent from
whom he had been so ruthlessly torn.
July 3d.--My white servant being without shoes, I this day made him a
pair of untanned bullock’s hide. According to his statement, he was
a French Canadian. He came to me from an American brig which arrived
at Whydah with a cargo of tobacco. The vessel was sold by the captain
for four thousand dollars to the Portuguese, and sailed in a few days
after with six hundred slaves on board. This circumstance, it will be
recollected, is noticed in a former part of my Journal. My servant,
at first, appeared a very good trust-worthy man, and boasted greatly
of his courage and qualifications for travelling In Africa. But I
observed to-day that he had been drinking, and determined to watch
him. Going shortly afterwards into my store-room I caught him in the
act of stealing cowries; he had also stuffed the sleeve of my coat,
which was laying on a bamboo-table, with them. Upon remonstrating
with him, he flew into a violent passion, using the most disgusting
language, and at the same time drawing a butcher’s clasp-knife, with
which I had entrusted him, and with which he threatened to murder me.
It was now time to act on the defensive. I succeeded in knocking him
down, and, after having secured the knife, I flogged him with a small
riding-whip, and discharged him. With all his boasted valour, he was
afraid to return alone to Whydah, and still more afraid to remain in
Dahomey, till my return from the Kong Mountains. I had not determined
on making any report of the circumstance to any person of power in
Dahomey, lest it might act prejudicially in regard to the good opinion
formed of Englishmen; but to my surprise, in less than an hour after
the occurrence had taken place, the King despatched my friend Mayho to
ascertain the facts of the whole affair.
After hearing my story, I could not help admiring his shrewdness and
anxiety to investigate the affair honestly. Calling the fellow into the
apartment, he questioned him. The inquiry lasted a full hour; after
which, Mayho addressed my servant as follows:--“Maurice,” (such was his
name,) “I have carefully investigated this affair; and, from your own
confession, I find you guilty of one of the greatest crimes you could
commit against the Dahoman laws, and I regret much to find a white
man guilty of such a crime. However, I am very glad to find that you
are not an Englishman. Had you been a black man, your head would have
been struck off to-morrow; and even now, if your master makes a formal
complaint to the King, your punishment will be severe. However, I shall
leave the case entirely to the discretion of your master.”
Upon hearing this, I begged that no more notice might be taken of
the affair, and at the same time, gave him some cowries to pay his
expenses from Dahomey to Whydah. But he was afraid to go by himself.
He begged Mayho to allow him a person to accompany him. This request,
however, was peremptorily refused, and he was assured, that if he were
such a coward as not to dare to go by himself, he was not worthy of
any indulgence. He was told he might remain at Dahomey till my return
from the Kong Mountains, or accompany me, if I thought proper. The
poor creature acknowledged his dread of accompanying me to the Kong
Mountains, and also his fear of remaining alone in Dahomey till my
return. Whereupon Mayho got so exasperated with the coward, that he
declared he would compel him to accompany me to the mountains. This
declaration, of course, left him no alternative. So, accordingly, the
matter was arranged.
FOOTNOTES:
[19] Makee is pronounced Mahee in the Kong mountains.